ILLUSTR: PRINCEPS SULTAN MAHOMET HAN MAG: TURCARUM IMPERATOR & C.  
Sultan Mahomet Han the present Emperor of the Turks Aged 34 years &c    

THE HISTORY Of the TURKS.  
DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin, of their first Empire in Persia; the Original of their Second.  
CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors, from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year, 1683.  
BEING A Succinct Series of History, of all their Wars (Foreign and Domestic) Policies, Customs, Religion and Manners; with what else is worthy of Note, in that great Empire.  
LONDON, Printed by Ralph Holt, for Toomas Passenger upon London-Bridge, William Thackery in Dack-Lane, and Toomas Sawbridge in Little-Brittain, 1683.   

TO THE READER.  
SInce the late Alarms the Port has given to Christendom, I have thought it both Profitable and Convenient, to describe the Original of that Great Empire, which now spreads over near half the World, and to demonstrate by what means it aspired to its Immensity, and by what Policies maintained; as in the Series of this History, it is fully and at large discoursed; not so only, but the Turks various Successes in their Wars at Land and Sea; Including their Religious Customs, Manners, and extent of that Empire, as it remains at this day; being deduced from the Original of the first and second Empire, for the space of six hundred years, attended with Circumstances too tedious here to be recited. So that all may plainly comprehend how easily those Infidels might at first have been hindered from Encroaching, and how often (had not the Divisions of the Christians, upon which they founded their Empire) they might have been brought low; but as God, in whose Eternal Wisdom all Affairs are centred, has not of late permitted, and should they extend their Arms (as at this time they threaten) yet a hearty Unanimity in the Empire, and the Kings and Princes of Christendom, may through God's blessing impede the growing Greatness of this great Monarch, and hinder the Effusion of Christian Blood. Here you have an impartial Account of their Rise and Ruin in the first Empire, and the Continuation of the second, to this present time; Faithfully Collected, which I hope will prove to the Satisfaction of the Ingenious Reader, which is all desired by,  
Your Friend, I. S.   

The Heads of each Chapter or Division contained in the History, directing to the Revolutions of the Turkish Empire, and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors.  

CHAP. I.  
THE Original of the Turks according to the opinion of Sundry Learned Authors, with the means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia, together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their First King. Page 1. Part 1.   

CHAP. II.  
The Reign and memorable Achievements of Axan the Second Turkish King, or Sultan of Persia. The Division of the Turkish Monarchy, and the Expedition of the Christians to the Holy Land, in order to regain it from the Turks. page 8. part 1.   

CHAP. III.  
The Reign of Solyman, Son to Cutlu-Muses, his Wars with the Christians; Their taking Jerusalem from the Infidels, their various success in the Holy Land against the Turks, Saracens, etc. p. 11. part 1.   

CHAP. IU.  
The second Expedition of the Western Princes for the recovery of the Holy Land. p. 28. part 1.   

CHAP. V.  
The ruin of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars. p. 33. part 1.   

CHAP. VI  
The rise of the powerful Empire of the Turks under Ottoman it's first Founder, with his Life and Actions. p. 57 part 1.   

CHAP. VII.  
The Life and Actions of Orcanes, otherwise Urchan, Second King of the Turks in Asia. p. 68 part 1.   

CHAP. VIII.  
The Life and Actions of Amurath, the First of that Name, and Third King of the Turks. p. 74. part 1.   

CHAP. IX.  
The Life of Bajazet the First of that Name, and Fourth King of the Turks, his Wars and Captivity. p. 80. part 1.   

CHAP. X.  
The Life of Mahomet, the First of that Name, Fifth King of the Turks, and the Restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars. p. 87. part 1.   

CHAP. XI.  
The Life of Amurath, the Second of that Name, and Sixth King of the Turks, his Wars, Victories, and Defeats. p. 93. part 1.   

CHAP. XII.  
The Life of Mahomet, the Second of that Name, Seventh Monarch, and the First that took upon him the stile of Emperor of the Turks, who for his many Victories was Surnamed Great. p. 108. part 1.   

CHAP. XIII.  
The Life of Bajazet the Second of that Name, and Second Emper or of the Turks, his memorable Exploits, Victories, and Death. p. 132. part 1.   

CHAP. XIV.  
The Life of Selimus the First of that Name, Third Emperor of the Turks, his bloody Reign, and woeful Death. p. 153. part 1.   

CHAP. XV.  
The Life of Solyman the First of that Name, and Fourth Emperor of the Turks, who for his many great Exploits, or rather lofty Carriage, was Surnamed the Magnificent. p. 181. part 1.   

CHAP. XVI.  
Selimus the Second of that Name, and Fifth Emperor of the Turks, his Life and Actions. p. 45. part 2.   

CHAP. XVII.  
The Life, Reign, and Memorable Transactions of Amurath, the Third of that Name, and Sixth Emperor of the Turks. p. 73. part 2.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
The Life of Mahomet, the Third of that Name, Seventh Emperor of the Turks. p. 123. part 2.   

CHAP. XIX.  
The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperor of the Turks, and first of that Name. p. 162. part 2.   

CHAP. XX.  
Mustapha, the First of that Name, Ninth Emperor of the Turks, his Life and Actions. p. 196. part 2.   

CHAP. XXI.  
The Life and Actions of Osman, the First of that Name, Tenth Emperor of the Turks. p. 198. part 2.   

CHAP. XXII.  
Mustapha reinthronized with an Account of his proceed till his second deposing. p. 214. part 2.   

CHAP. XXIII.  
The Life and Reign of Morat, or Amurath the Fourth of that Name, and Eleventh Emperor of the Turks. p. 222. part 2.   

CHAP. XXIV.  
The Life of Sultan Ibrahim, the Twelfth Emperor of the Turks. p. 256. part 2.   

CHAP. XXV.  
The Reign of Mehomet, or Mahomet the Fourth of that Name, and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks, who now Reigneth. p. 272. part 2.   

CHAP. XXVI.  
A Description of the Power, Policies, Forces, Revenues, Religion, and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire, and by what means it subsists, and maintains its Grandeur, etc. p. 378. part 2.  
FINIS.    

THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS.  
DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia; the Original of their Second.  
CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors, from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year, 1683.  
BEING A Succinct Series of History, of all their Wars (Foreign and Domestic) Policies, Customs, Religion and Manners; with what else is worthy of Note in that Great Empire.  
WITH A Continuation of the History to this present time; Containing the Remarkable Siege of Vienna for Sixty days, the raising of it by the Imperial Forces, and the King of Poland: The Ruin of their Army before it, and a Second Fight in Germane; with their Successful Entrance into the Bowels of Hungaria. Together with a Table to the whole Book.  
LONDON, Printed by Ralph Holt and John Richardson, for Thomas Passenger upon London Bridge, William, Thackery in Ducklane, and Thomas Sawbridge in Little-Britain, 1684.   

THE Turkish History EPITOMISED:  

CHAP. I. The Original of the Turks according to the Opinion of sundry Learned Authors, with the Means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia; Together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their first King.  
IT has, and at this day does cause sundry Disputes amongst the Learned, from what Nation or People the Turks, now so formidable by extending their Empire o'er a third part of the known World, are sprung or derived; some being of opinion that they are descended of the Remnant of the Trojans that scaped the Sword at the Destructiou of the City of Troy, and strengthen their Argument with this Reason, viz. That the Word Turcii signifying a Trojan, is corruptly called Turci or Turk, and that on all hands it is affirmed that they originally inhabited the lesser Asia, where the City so much Renowned in Story for its holding out a ten years' Siege against the Power of the than Grecian Empire stood; others affirm they sprung from the ten Tribes carried away captive by Salmanaser the Assyrian King, and that from them likewise sprung the Tartars inhabiting the Northern Climes, and their Reasons are, for as much as the great Lords of Tartary derive their Pedigree from Tribes, calling themselves Danists, Zebulonians and Napthalists, and that the Word Turk in the Hebrew signifies a banished man, or one in disgrace; and further, that they still retain many Ceremonies of the Jewish Nation, as Circumcision, and the like, as also frequently to repeat to themselves Lamentations, though corruptly for the fall of Jerusalem, and Damascus the chief Cities of Judea and Syria, affirming they know not the meaning of such their Lamentations, but that they have been taught of their Ancestors so to do. Others are of Opinion that they were Scythians, who left their Country by reason of the Scarcity thereof, and Coldness of the Clime, and falling on Armenia, grasped it with so hard a hand, that all the Power of the Roman Empire then flourishing could not rescue it, but as a Token of their first Success in their issuing out of the Caspian Straits, they named it Turcomania, which name remains to this day. And that there were such a People long before their aspiring to Empire in Asia, Pomponius Mella, Pliny, and Ptolemy do aver; but about the time of their Eruption, Blondus Platina, and Segonius disagree, the two former declaring it to be in the year of our Lord 755, and the latter in 844. yet conclude upon the reason of their coming forth as aforesaid.  
Their Rise and aspiring to Greatness, was after this manner; Mahomet the persian Sultan wresting the Government from the Caliph or Successor of Mahomet the Impostor, or as they falsely called him, their Great Prophet, whose Erroneous Doctrine had infected all Asia, Africa, and part of Europe, to provide against the worst strengthened himself, and the better to do it, sent to the Turkish Chief in Armenia to furnish him with a competent number of Men of War, who in compliance to the Sultan's Command caused 3000 to March under the Leading of one of his chief Captains named Tangrolipix, by the help of which he overthrew the Caliph of Babylon, with an incredible Slaughter of his Army; and being further minded to make an Expedition against the Indians that bordered his Country, and knowing by Experience the great courage of the Turks, and their singular dexterity in Archery, he resolved to retain them for his further Service; so that when they desired to be conducted over the River Araxis, he not only refused to permit it, but also threatened them, if they offered to make any further mention of their departure, which Indignity caused them to take the opportunity of withdrawing themselves into the Desert of Caranonitis, and there like Outlaws to live upon Spoil; the News of which no sooner reached the Sultan's ear, but he commanded ten of his Captains to March against Tangrolipix with an Army of 20000 choice Soldiers composed of divers Nations, which Encamping by the border of a Forest, wherein the Turkish Captain resided with his Forces, they were in the dead of the night set upon and put to flight with great Slaughter; so that the Turks furnishing themselves with the Spoils of the slain appeared more boldly in the Field, and were in a short time increased to 50000 fight men by such Outlaws and other Villains, as upon the bruit of their Success resorted to 'em, which caused Mahomet, now jealous of his other Subjects revolt to raise a great Army and to advance against Ta●grolipix First, having put out the Eyes of those Captains overthrown in the fight, and threatened to disgrace the Soldiers that escaped the slaughter by attiring them in Woman's Apparel, which afterward redounded to his loss by causing them to avoid future punishment to fly to his Enemy. In fine, both Armies met on the great Plain before the City Ispahan in Persia, and began a dreadful Battle, which with great Slaughter lasted till Sultan Mahomet fell from his Horse, and broke his neck, at what time both Armies ceased from fight, and by unanimous consent chose Tangrolipix Sultan of Persia, and the Dominions appertaining to that large Kingdom, who was no sooner seated in his Throne, but he caused the Garrisons that kept the Passage over Araxis to be removed, and called in the Turks his Countrymen then dwelling on the other side, and by degrees advanced them to all the chief Places of Trust, deposing the Persians and Saracens, the Ancient Inhabitants of those Dominions; but long he had not wielded his Sceptre e'er he made War upon Pisasiris the Caliph of Babylon, and after sundry Battles having slain him annexed his Kingdom to Persia.  
This Success firing him with a desire to extend his Dominions wider, he sent Cutlu-Muses his Nephew to war on the Arabians, but those People as dexterous in Archery as the Turks soon overthrew him with the slaughter of a great part of his Army, and therefore in his Return requested of Stephen the Greek Emperor's Lieutenant in Media, that he might pass through those Territories into his own Country; but he not only denied him passage, but opposed him with a powerful Army, which was by the Turks defeated, and the Lieutenant taken Prisoner: After which the Sultan in Person made an Expedition against the Arabians, thinking to revenge the late disgrace, but procured a greater for himself, was likewise overthrown, which caused him to bend his Forces to the Conquest of Media, to effect which he sent his Brother Asan, but in the mean while his Nephew fearing his displeasure for disobeying his Command fled, and gathering to him a strong Power, seized on Pasar a strong City of Chorasmians, yet the Expedition was not thereby obstructed; but his Army had scarce entered the Confines of Media before the Emperor's new Lieutenant gave Battle, and put the Turks to flight following the Execution for many miles.  
This defeat enraged the Sultan, and caused him to send an Army double the number of the former under the Conduct of Humbramy-Alim his other Brother, who after six days Siege took Arzen a Town rich in Merchandise, but the Lieutenant having joined his Forces with those of Liperates Governor of Iberia, who came to his Assistance, the Battle was joined, which continued bloody and doubtful for the space of four hours, at the end of which the Victory fell to the Christians, who followed the Execution till Night put an end to it, yet Liperates fight valiantly was taken and carried into Persia, for whose Ransom the Emperor sent great Presents; but the Sultan out of a generous bravery sent him home Ransom-free, only admonishing never to bear Arms against him more, and with him sent Seriph a Mahometan Priest as his Ambassador, to demand of the Emperor that he would become Tributary to the Sultan, and that thereby an Eternal Peace might issue, which the Emperor rejected with just disdain. Whereupon the Sultan invaded the Roman Provinces with great Forces, but understanding upon his approaching Caesarea that the Emperor's Army was upon the March, resolving to give him Battle, and that if he should be overthrown there was little hopes of retreating by reason he had left so many Enemies at his back, he returned into Media and laid Siege to the strong City of Mantizichiert, furiously assaulting it for thirty days without intermission; but after the loss of Alean his chief Captain, and 20000 Turks and Persians he in great perplexity raised the Siege, and upon his return being displeased with his Brother Habraim-Alim, he fled by Night and joined such Forces as he could raise with Cutlu Muses, against whom the Sultan marched, and overthrowing them in plain Battle took Habraim Prisoner, and immediately commanded his head to be struck off, when in the mean while Cutlu Muses, and his Cousin Melech fled into Armenia with the remainder of the broken Army, and from thence sent Ambassadors to the Greek Emperor to take them into protection, but the Sultan following them close with his Army, they removed from thence and fled into Arabia, upon which the Sultan leaving the pursuit, turned his Army upon Iberia and wasted the Country with fire and sword in many places; but upon the approach of Acoluthus the Emperor's Lieutenant he retired to Tauris, leaving behind him one Sannich with 3000 Turks to infest the Imperial Territories. At which time the Emperor Constantius died, leaving his Empress and three Children, the former being obliged in an Oath not to marry, though afterwards that Oath was dispensed with by the Patriarch, and she married to one Diogenes whom she pardoned as the Sentence of death was about to pass upon him for conspiracy to dismember the Empire: So that he being proclaimed Emperor, advanced with an Army against the Turks pasting over into Asia, where they were wasting the Provinces with fire and sword, upon whose approach the Sultan doubting the Event, sent one part of his Army into the South, and the other into the North, the latter surprising upon its arrival new Caesarea, and so laded with rich Booties departed, upon notice of which the Emperor pursued them, and after a sharp Encounter put them to flight, recovering the Booty and Prisoners, at which time the City of Hierapolis was surrendered to him, and many other Cities which the Turks had taken; and then dividing his Army, passed on with one part of it to Syria, and left the other part to defend the new Conquest, which in his absence was overthrown by the Turks, upon News of which the Governor of Aleppo revolted from him. But whilst the Turks supposed they had him in a Toil, he without any noise fell in with their Army and put them to flight, making great slaughter of such as fled, and then receiving the Homage of the several Countries he passed through, he came to Alexandria in Caelicia, and there quartered his Army, and so returned to Constantinople.  
The Emperor having recruited himself all Winter, early in the Spring hasted to his Army to oppose the Turks that were abroad ravaging the Country about new Caesaria, and after having repressed them passed on to the River Euphrates, where leaving part of his Army with his Lieutenant for securing the Frontiers, he retired into Capadocia; but in his absence his Lieutenant was routed by the Turkish Army which the Emperor understanding at Sabestia, he sent the Governor of Antioch with part of his Army to oppose them at Mopsiphestia, but they before were broken by the Armenians, who had took from them the rich Booties they had acquired by the Sacks of many Cities.  
And thus this Emperor continued to defend the Roman Provinces with great Success against the powerful Forces of a furious Adversary all the Reign of Tangrolipix the first Turkish Sultan of Persia.   

CHAP. II. The Reign and Memorable Achievements of Axan the second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia. The Division of the Turkish Monarcby, and the Expedition of the Christians unto the Holy Land, in order to regain it from the Turks.  
TAngrolipix being dead, his Son Axan was chosen by the general Consent of the Soldiery, Sultan in his stead, who sent his Ambassadors immediately upon his Election to the Emperor Diogenes to conclude a Peace, but some of his Counsellors persuaded him that thereby the Turk only sought to gain time till he could increase his Army, insomuch that the Treaty broke off abruptly, though in an ill time, for the Emperor had sent away part of his Army, yet was he spurred on to engage the Turks by such of his Predecessors Relations as envied his Greatness, and after Battle joined, the Turks retiring, the Emperor supposed they did it to fetch a Compass, in order to surprise his Camp, and thereupon himself caused a Retreat to be sounded, which John Ducas his Predecessor's Brother and his Caesar, under whose command a great part of the Army was, perceiving, laid hold of that opportunity to ruin the Emperor by, turned Tail and commanded a Retreat to be sounded, which created so general a fear in the Army, that they fled in all Parts, the Emperor not being able to stay their flight, which unexpected advantage the Sultan perceiving, charged with fury upon the Christians; so that the Emperor fight with a brave resolution amongst the thickest Squadrons, was at last taken Prisoner, together with several of his great Commanders after several wounds received, yet comforted by the Sultan, and within a while honourably dismissed, when during the time of his Captivity John Ducas his Caesar, Psellus one of the Senators, and other of the Faction had thrust the Empress into a Monastery, and proclaimed Michael Ducas her Eldest Son Emperor, and when they heard that the Emperor Diogenes was at liberty, they sent out Letters to the Lieutenants of the Provinces to apprehend him which made him gather a great Power, but being discomfitted by Andronicus the Eldest Son of John Ducas, he was forced to resign his Claim to the Empire; nor were his Enemies content with that, but afterward put out his eyes in such sort that he died miserably. To revenge which by reason of a perpetual League made at his dismission, the Sultan with great Forces invaded the Roman Provinces, whereupon several Battles were fought with various Success; in which the Caesar and Roselius the Emperor's Lieutenant were taken, but both ransomed, the former by the Emperor, the latter by his Wife.  
The Affairs between the Empire and Sultan of Persia being at this pass gave Cuthu Muse's opportunity to strengthen himself, insomuch that resolving to cast a Hazard for the Persian Dominion, he drew his Army into the Field, near the City of Eres, to encounter which the Sultan likewise drew forth his; but (fatal to Christendom) just as they were about to give Battle, the Caliph of Babylon, who as Priest of Mahomet, was held in great Esteem amongst the Infidels, came running between either Army, and conjured them not to weaken the Religion of their great Prophet by shedding each others blood, but rather stand to his award; the which they having consented to do, he instantly decreed that the Sultan should quietly enjoy what ever he possessed, and that his Cousin aided by him should possess in himself and Posterity whatsoever should thenceforward be gained from the Christians, upon which the Christians were on all sides invaded by the Turks and Saracens, their own Divisions in many Parts rendering them easy to be subdued: So that the Turkish Empire spreading wide, the Christians were grievously oppressed, especially in the Holy Land, which caused them to send a Letter filled with Lamentations, by one Peter a Hermit to Pope Vrban the Second, who taking their sufferings into consideration, called a Council at Charemont in France, at which were present upwards of three hundred Bishops, besides several Princes; when to stir them up, he caused the Patriarch of Jerusalem's Letter, and other Letters to be publicly read; as likewise ordered the Hermit to relate the deplorable state of the Christians, suffering under the cruelty of the Infidels, which with such Eloquence and feeling commiseration he delivered, that it moved the hearts of all present; nor was the Pope himself wanting to exhort them to stir up the Christian Princes to undertake a War for the deliverance of the Eastern Christians, which was so effectually ordered, that within a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised, wearing on their breasts red Crosses, under the Lead of Godfrey of Bulloin, Duke of Lorraine, and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin, Hugh the French King's Brother, Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders, Robert Duke of Normandy, Son to the Conqueror, Stephen Devalois, Earl of Chartiers, Ademar the Pope's Legate, Bishop of Podie, with many other honourable Princes and expert Warriors, who passing through part of the Greek Empire, with a Promise from Alexus the Emperor, that they should be from time to time provided with necessaries, they passed over the Hellespont with their Armies, covering the Shores of Asia to the great Terror of the Turks and Saracens, who notwithstanding to oppose the Tempest of War, which from Europe threatened their overthrow; they gathered huge Forces, and falling upon part of Peter the Hermit's Army, which was too far advanced before the rest of the Princes, and consisted of forty thousand men raised in the Territories of the Church, they cut them off, and caused him with the remainder to betake himself to Civite, a Town before abandoned by the Turks, where he stayed till the Arrival of Duke Godfrey.  
This Loss inspired the Christians with rage and desire of revenge, so far that they made a terrible destruction in all places, when in their Progress they had notice that Cutlu Muses the most politic Prince of the Turks was dead, and had left large Dominions to his Son Solyman, of the Proceed during whose Reign I shall treat in the following Chapter.   

CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu Muses, his Wars with the Christians, their taking of Jerusalem from the Infidels, their various Success in the Holy Land against the Turks, Saracens, etc.  
CVtlu Muses Nephew to Tangrolipix having as aforesaid accorded with the Sultan by the means of the Babylonish Caliph, he by his Aid won many Provinces from the Christians, which were now left in the possession of his Son Solyman. The Christian Army resolved to recover them again if possible, and he as obstinately to defend what he had in possession: So that gathering huge Forces with which he approached Nicaea where the Christian Army lay in Leaguer, Anno 1097. and after on the Fifth of July took it, having spent fifty days in the Siege, but were well recompensed by the rich Booties they found in it, and amongst the rest Solyman's Wife and two Children, which they sent Prisoners to Constantinople; yet the bad Success put not a stop to the advancement of Solyman with the whole power of the lesser Asia, consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot; So that within a short space the Battle began with great fury on both sides, the Christians eager to revenge their Fellows so lately slain, and the Turks to secure their Country, made horrible slaughter, but after a long and obstinate fight, where nothing but blood and slaughter appeared, nor nothing but cries and dying groans to be heard, the Turks were put to flight; the Christians following the Execution, so that 40000 of them fell in the Battle and pursuit. Though Solyman flying with the remainder of his broken Army, gave out that himself had Victory on his side, the less to dismay his Subjects; yet so far the Terror of the Christians wrought, that the Infidels fled into fenced Cities, leaving the Villages desolate; whereupon they besieged Antioch, which with little difficulty they subdued, being joyfully received by the Christians there dwelling; next Iconium and Heraclea, two Cities of note surrendered upon Summons. Solyman still flying before the Victors, and duly sending Letters to his Cousin Axan the Persian Sultan for Aid; but he not being able to supply him against such powerful Opponents, the Christians recovered all that had been torn from the Greek Empire, the which according to their Contract made with the Emperor they restored.  
The Princes thus Victorious in Asia, called a Council, in which it was decreed that an Oath should be administered as well to the Prince's Commanders as to the common Soldiers, that none should return till they had won Jerusalem, which was joyfully embraced.  
And now the Turks perceiving they were no ways able to oppose the Christians in open fight, endeavoured to surprise and cut off as many as they might by Ambushment, and therefore sent several straggling Troops to face Antioch, upon which the Flemins sallied and followed hard till within the danger of the Ambush, where they had been inevitably lost, had not the Citizens, who were Christians, timely come in to their assistance, and put the Turks to flight, and then the Armies drawing forth, marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance, but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side, but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy, they soon gave ground, and left the Passage open, and so the Princes passing the River, came to the other Antioch in Syria, of which one Cassianu was Governor, to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot, but were repulsed by the Christians, and returned with 20000 less than they brought; so that the City on the third day of June, 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governor delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum, who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued, insomuch that the Streets run with blood. The Governor upon notice of what had happened fled, but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem, he was slain.  
The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lieutenant, as he lay before Edessa, he raised the Sige, and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch, resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle, against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths, leaving the Earl of toulouse with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt, by reason the Turks still held the Castle, and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men, that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain, 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battle, and not above 4000 Christians, and the next day they took 5000 Camels with their lading, as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lieutenant. And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem, upon sight of which they shouted so loud, that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations, and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven, they called upon the name of Jesus, and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel, fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection, making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels; but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before happened in the Army; yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders, it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun, and carried on with all the vigour imaginable.  
The Governor having notice of the Christians approach, and what was intended, delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence, having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers, and a supply of all things necessary; yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City, sat down before it on the North, for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious. Next the Wall encamped Godfrey Duke of Lorraine with his Germane and Lorainers, near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy, and the Earl of Flanders, before the West Gate lay encamped Tancreed, and the Earl of toulouse. Bohemund and Baldwin being absent, the one remaining King at Antioch, and the other Governor of Edassa.  
The Christians having refreshed themselves, it was concluded amongst the Princes, that the fifth day the Assault should be given, which accordingly was done with such bravery, that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers; but they wanting scaling Ladders, and the weather being exceeding hot, the retreat was sounded, but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City, five days after they gave it another fierce Assault, which made the Walls to tremble, nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians, but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought, and the excessive heat of the Wether frustrated this second Attempt; for the Enemy had either stopped up or poisoned all the Wells about the City, unless that of Siloe, whose Water had worked out the Poison, and was become wholesome, but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army.  
During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem, a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa, where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultan's lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged, they after having taken out all things necessary, sunk their Galleys, and marched over land to the Camp, where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault, and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired, one of which they set to the Walls, and from it greatly annoyed the besieged, which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire, but the wind favouring the Christians, drove i● full in the besiegers face, insomuch that the Duke of Lorraine with his Germane Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Saracens from the Wall with great slaughter, and leaping thereon fixed his Standard, keeping his Ground, though the Enemy's shot flew as thick as Hail, which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes, that they pressed on with great fury, insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued, the Soldiers in their rage sparing neither Man, Woman, nor Child, which made the most courageous of the Turks, Saracens, and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple; in the Entrance whereof they maintained a bloody and obstinate fight, spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain, and bedewing it with streams of blood, and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels, that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemy's Weapons; yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple, from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over, and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter, upon which they yielded, and had their Lives spared.  
Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days, Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years, and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians, who inhabited it, and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks, that they embraced the Soldiers, weeping for gladness, and every where singing praises for their deliverance.  
Things being at this pass, the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City, and after some deliberation thought none fit than the valiant Duke of Normandy, but he hearing of his Brother's death declined it, as desirous to return and take possession of his Kingdom of England, but at his return found it possessed by his younger Brother Henry, who not only deprived him of his Kingdom, but soon after of his Duchy of Normandy: And finally of his life, by putting out his eyes, which many held as a Judgement for his refusing the Sceptre of Jerusalem.  
Upon the Duke's declining, the Princes unanimously chose Godfrey of Bolloin, Duke of Lorain, who accepted the honourable and glorious Trust, but at the time of his Inauguration refused to be crowned with a Crown of Gold, saying, that it became not a Christian to wear a Crown of Gold, where Christ the Son of God had for the Salvation of mankind sometime worn a Crown of Thorns; but long he had not enjoyed his new acquired Dignity e'er News was brought that 100000 Turks, Saracens, and Jews were upon their march to recover the City, against whom the Christian Army advanced and gave them battle with so fearful an overthrow that all the Field and Plains for the space of ten miles were covered with the bodies of the slain, and then passing on won many famous Cities, every where putting the Infidels to the rout, but not long after a great Mortality happening, the Heroic Godfrey King of Jerusalem died, and was interred in the Church of the Sepulchre of our Saviour on Mount Calvery: And Baldwin Count of Edassa his Brother succeeded him, who with many Victories and Cities taken, much enlarged the Territories of Jerusalem; but besieging the City of Ptolemais, he was in a Skirmish with those Turks wounded, yet took the City, and lived many years after, but the wound being as was supposed given with an empoisoned weapon, and not pertectly cured, he died thereof in the eighteenth year of his Reign, and was most favourably buried by his Brother, his Sepulchre remaining yet visible.  
After him succeeded his Cousin Baldwin Brugenses, against whom the Caliph of Egypt aided by the King of Damascus, and the Turks came with a great Army, but they returned without effecting any thing; yet not long after Gazi the greatest Prince of the Turks in the lesser Asia, aided by the King of Damascus, and Debeis King of Arabia came against Antioch with a great power, and encamped at Aleppo, against whom Roger Prince of Antioch advanced without staying for King Baldwin, who was on his march with a great Army, and unadvisedly joining battle, his Army was overthrown, and himself slain; but King Baldwin coming upon the Turks grown secure by reason of their new acquired Victory, put them to the rout far and near, filling all the Plains with the bodies of the slain; but within a while after, encountering with Balac General of the Persian Sultan's Army, he was taken prisoner, and his Army overthrown; but after eighteen months' imprisonment, for the Ransom of 100000 Ducats set at liberty, and afterwards obtained many signal Victories over the Infidels; and in his Reign was settled the order of the Knight's Templars, Hugh Paganus being the first great Master of that Order; but King Baldwin the Second being tired and disordered with the many battles, and having received many wounds, after he had married Margaret his Eldest Daughter to Foulk Duke of Turin, Anjoy and Main, fell sick in the thirteenth year of his Reign, Anno 1131. and constituting his Son in Law to succeed him, gave up the Ghost, and was buried in the Temple upon Mount Calvery near his Predecessors.  
After the death of Baldwin Foulk was crowned King of Jerusalem, viz. on the Sixth of September, Anno 1131. by William the Patriarch; but the Devil envying the spreading of the Christian Religion, endeavoured to stir up Division amongst the Christians, in the beginning of this King's Reign; for Pontius Count of Tripoli by force of Arms endeavoured to rend the City and Territories of Antioch from the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and Hugh Count of Joppa being highly concerned in the Treason for fear of punishment joined with the Saracens that held the strong City of Ascalon, but God prevented the mischief that thereby might have ensued, by taking the former away by the Sword of the Turks, and the latter being driven out of Ascalon, died in Exile, the very Heathens abhorring a Traitor.  
These stirs were no sooner over, but the Turks invaded Antioch with a powerful Army; but the King coming suddenly upon them, put them to flight with much slaughter, and got in the plundering of their Camp great Riches.  
After which John the Creek Emperor raised a great power to seize upon Antioch, pretending it a part of his Empire; but the Kings of Europe interposing, he was content it should be holden by the present Prince the Earl of Poictou, he paying him Homage for his Principality; but being a man of a restless Spirit, he soon after came again with a powerful Army, thinking to have admittance into the City, and so to surprise it, but found his expectations frustrate, for the Citizens would not admit him to enter, unless with some few of his Followers, in reveage of which he caused the Suburbs to be sacked, and so returned into Cilicia, where hunting a Boar, whilst the furious Beast pressed on the Spear the Emperor held against him, the Emperor's hand pressed upon the point of a poisonous A●●o●● he had in his Quiver, which entering the flesh, the force of the poison was such, that in great pain he shortly died, upon which Emanuel Elexus his Son was chosen in his stead.  
Jerusalem by this means being ●t pea●e, the King, Queen, and many great Commanders went without the Walls to take the Air, when there ●●●nced a Hare to be started, after which the King and those that accompanied him rid, and he forcing his Horse he fell: so that the King's head fell under him, of which mortal bruise he in three days died in great torment, viz. on the thirteenth of November, Anno 1142. and was bu●ied by his Predecessors, greatly lamented of all good Christians, and after him succeeded Baldwin his Son, the third of that name, he being about thirteen years of Age, and in his Reign came Conrade the Third, Emperor of Germany with a powerful Army to the Assistance of the Christians in Syria, who by the way being opposed by the Turks at the River Meander gave them battle and overthrew them with the slaughter of 30000 of the Enemy, so that the River for many miles ran 〈◊〉, and then marching forward, without the least Impeachment, came to Iconium, the Chief Seat of the Turkish Kings in the lesser Asia, which he besieged; but it being strongly fortified and Want increasing, in the Camp a Mortality hap●ned which destroyed so many of the Soldiers, that the Emperor was forced to raise his Siege and to return home. The occasion of this 〈◊〉 was said to be occasioned by eating of Meal, which the 〈◊〉 Emperor upon their passing through his Dominions, had caused to be mingled with Lime, 〈◊〉 no less envying the success of the Christians in Syria 〈◊〉 the Turks, and by such like Treacheries he frustrated 〈◊〉 Expedition of Lewis the Eighth King of France, who after a long Siege laid to Damascus, without pre●●●● 〈…〉 it, was forced to return with half his Ar●●, 〈…〉 half being through want and diseases lost.  
But 〈…〉 to Baldwin King of Jerusalem, after he had given the Turks and Saracens several Overthrows, 〈…〉 Pe●●●d, fortified Gaza, and taken all the 〈…〉 held in the Terrirories of Jerusalem 〈…〉 accorded a Marriage with the Greek Emperor's ●iece, which Emperor in requital thereof, desired in Marriage one of the King's near Kinswomen; whereupon he offered him Mathildas, an honourable Lad●●●●ter to the Count of Tripoli, but he refusing her, and taking Marry the Daughter of Raymund Earl of A●t●●ch, the Count was greatly displeased, and with certain Ships of War greatly infested the Emperor's Territories, and upon the King's coming to Antioch to solemnize the Marriage, he was supposed to be poisoned by one Barac a Jew, the Count's Physician, for he taking physic to prevent Winter sickness, immediately fell into a bloody Flux, and afterwards a Consumption, of which he died at Beritus, Anno 1163. when he had reigned prosperously 21 years, being generally lamented of his Friends and Enemies, Noridan the Turkish General and King of Damascus declaring that the world afforded not his Peer.  
During these stirs in Syria, Sultan Solyman, and Mahomet his Successor being dead, Mansal having upon the overthrow of the Greek Emperor's Army grasped the Sceptre of Persia, divided his Dominions at his death between his three Sons, viz. to Clizasthilon his Eldest he gave Persia with the Towns and Provinces thereunto appertaining; to Jagupasan his Second Son he gave Amasa and 〈◊〉, with the fruitful Country of Cappadocia, and to Da●i●n and his Third Son gave he the Cities of 〈◊〉 and S●bastia, which Division caused a greater amongst the Brethren; so that mortal hate inshed, which 〈◊〉 heels brought an Intestine War; the Elder who bore the name of Sultan seeking to destroy and dispossess the two younger, which intestine broils the Greek Emanuel sought to augment, covertly assisting them both, that they by rending the Persian Monarchy might give him an easy means to recover what had been dismembered from his Empire; but finding the Sultan powerful, he supposed it best to side with him openly, which he doing by that means, Jagupasan was overthrown in a bloody and doubtful battle, and he flying into Arabia, had all his Dominions seized, upon which an interview was had between the Sultan and the Emperor, wherein a Peace was concluded between those Potentates, the former promising at his return to take Caesaria and Sebastia from Dadune, and deliver them to the Emperor; the former part of this promise he performs, viz. the taking the Cities, but the latter part of restoring them, as he never intended, so he never performed, but forgetting all former courtesies, invaded the Imperial Provinces with Fire and Sword, doing great mischief, taking by storm Laodicea in Phrygia, upon which the Emperor passed the Hellespont with a great Army, and fortified Dorileum and Subleum, with other strong Holds, to hinder the Inroads of the Turks; nevertheless they ceased not to infest his Frontiers, whereupon the Emperor grievously complained of the Sultan's Ingratitude and breach of Promise, and he on the other side of his breach of League, in fortifying the Frontier Towns; whereupon the Emperor raised the whole power of his Empire, resolving to raze Iconium marching with his whole Army, Phrygia, Laodicea, Chonas, and other Countries, the Turks keeping aloof, as not daring to give him ●atr●●; but the Sultan sent his Ambassadors with offers of Peace, but the Emperor driven headlong on as it were by the Destinies, trusting his power, slighted all his Proposals, willing the Ambassadors to tell their Master, he would give him answer under the Walls of Iconium; whereupon order was given to the Turks to impoyson the Well, and destroy all Corn and Forage by the way the Emperor should pass, which was accordingly put in Execution; so that by such means many of the Soldiers and some prime Commanders died; and further they fortified the straits of Zibri●●, through which the Christians were to pass upon their departure from Myria-Cephalon, which are seven narrow Valleys of five miles long each, over which hang Rocks, craggy Cliffs and Mountains, that almost touch at the top, yet through these the Emperor would needs pass, though he had notice that the Turks ●●d strongly possessed themselves of the said Valleys, having first divided his Army into three Battalia's; but he was no sooner entered, but the Turks appeared upon the Rocks and Mountains on every side, sending showers of poisonous Arrows upon the Imperialists, themselves remaining as it were secure under the shelter of the Rock, insomuch that e'er he had got through, three parts of his Army were destroyed, filling the Valleys with blood, and the Carcases of the slain; but in the middle of his distress, it pleased God, to move the Sultan to pity him, and conclude a Peace on condition that the fortified Towns should be razed, and so dismissed him with the remainder of his broken Army; but after repenting that he had suffered his Enemy to escape his hand, permitted such as would to fall upon his Rear, by which means many were slain, yet at last he arrived at Chovas in his own Territories, and caused Subleum to be razed, but not the other Towns, whereupon the Sultan complained of the non-performance of the Articles, but receiving no satisfaction to his mind, he sent Atapatch one of his great Captains with an Army of 2400 Horse and Foot to destroy the Emperor's Territories, even to the Seaside, and in token thereof to bring an Oar, some of the Sea water, and Sea Sand, which the said Captain undertook, spoiling Phrygia, and all the Cities upon the Banks of the River Meander, taking a great Spoil, but in his return he was met withal by John Bataza, the Emperor's Nephew, and Ducase Constantine, who setting upon him about to pass the Meander, destroyed him and all his Army, recovering the rich Booty.  
And thus the Emperor Emanuel passed over in continual Wars, yet by so doing he gave the Christians in Syria rest, who after he had sat Emperor for the space of thirty eight years died, leaving Alexius Comnenus his Son, a Child of twelve years of Age to Reign in his stead under the protection of the Empress, both of which were barbarously murdered by Andronicus the deceased Emperor's Cousin, who proved so inhuman and unmerciful, that one Isaac Angelius, whom he designed to murder, caused the Citizens to mutiny against him, and put him to a shameful death himself, being afterwards chosen Emperor in his stead; but he reigned not long, for proving almost as Tyrannical as the former, he was deposed, and his Brother Alexius chosen to succeed him, who getting him into his power to make all safe, put out his eyes, and thrust him into a Monastery; so that in these sudden alterations the Turks made great spoil of the Imperial Provinces, greatly dismembering the Empire, sore shaken with inrestine broils: But Clisalth●n dying gave some Rest, by reason his Sons fell at variance among themselves, as he and his Brothers had done; for he leaving four all grown to men's estate, viz. Maful, Coppatine, Ren●●●●ine, and C●ichofroes, he divided his Dominions amongst them; but they thinking each other wronged, unless every one had all, would not content themselves with what their Father had allotted them, though Dominions large enough to suffice twenty Kings, raised impious Broils: But after long contention, Masut the Elder seized by force all the Dominions in Persia, making himself thereby absolute Sultan, where I shall leave him settling his Dominions, and return to Jerusalem.  
After the death of Baldwin in, Almericus his younger Brother was crowned King, on the seventeenth day of February, A●●● ●163. who was no sooner settled in his Throne, but he warred upon Dargan the Egyptian Sultan for refusing to pay him the accustomed Tribute, and in a dreadful battle overthrew him, who to stay the pursuit cut the Banks of Nilus, and laid the Country under water: But whilst he was busy in Egypt, Noridin the King of Damascus making Inroads upon the Christians near Tripoli was fought with by Gilbert Lacie an english man, then great Master of the Templars, and by him overthrown with the loss of three parts of his Army; but the next year laying Siege to Arethusa, the Christian Princes gathered their Forces to oppose him, who upon their approach raised his Siege and departed, and whilst they eagerly pursued, he trained them into certain miry Fens, where turning upon them he overthrew their Army with incredible slaughter, and the Captivity of all the Princes commanding, after which Victory he again laying Siege to the City had it yielded to him; but Almericus was more successful in Egypt, for he so prevailed against the Turks and Saracens, that they were obliged to purchase their Peace with the delivery of the City of Alexandria, and most of the Prisoners taken by Noradin in the late overthrow; and within a short while after the Turks infringing the Articles, he aided by the Knight's Templars, and other Christians laid Siege to Pelusium, which he after three days setting down before it, won and gave it to the great Master, and the Knights of the Order. In this City they took the Sultan of Egypt's Son, and Nephew, for whose ransom the King received 100000 Ducats, and so he returned to Jerusalem, when shortly after S●ra●con the Turkish General in those Parts, under pretence of Friendship, slew the Sultan of Egypt in his Tent, and was in his stead proclaimed Sultan, being first Turk 〈◊〉 ever governed Egypt; yet he enjoyed not his ill got Dominion above the space or a year before death surprised him, when in his stead Saladine his Nephew was crowned Sultan, who desirous to be rid of the Caliph, who as Successor to the Impostor Mahomet ruled in effect the Kingdom, he upon some disgust with his horseman's Mace, beat his brains out at a blow, and then taking the chief Places of Trust from the Egyptians, and giving them to his Turks, so well secured himself and his Posterity, that for the revolution of many years that fertile Kingdom remained in subjection to the Turks.  
Being by the means aforesaid settled in his Kingdom, he raised a great power and entered Palestine, and after a short Siege took the City of Daron ere Almericus could come to relieve it, and now the Turks increasing in great numbers, the King of Jerusalem was obliged to send to the Christian Princes of the West for aid, and in the mean while stoutly defended his Territory, which the former Kings had extended to the uttermost borders of Arabia Felix, larger than what ever the Israelites possessed; and Anno 1173. Noridon King of Damascus died, the sorest Enemy the Christians had; but as Joy seldom comes without some taste of sorrow to allay it; so now, for Almericus the Sixth famous King of Jerusalem, returning from the Siege of Pain. 〈…〉 year fell into a Fever, which after a short sick 〈…〉 him of life.  
Up 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 Americus, his Nephew Baldwi● 〈…〉 nightily opposed the Turks, g●●ing them many 〈◊〉 ●●erthrows, but was in the flower of his youth cut 〈◊〉 death the sixteenth of A●●y, 1185. when as he ha●●ei●●ed twelve Years and some Months.  
In this King's stead his Son Baldwin the Fifth of that name, and Eighth King of Jerusalem was crowned; but long he had not reigned e'er his perfidious Mother to advance her second Husband Guy to the Throne, poisoned him; But Heaven le●t not such wickedness unrevenged not long after Guy the Ninth and Last King of Jerusalem took upon him the Sceptre, the Christians fell at variance amongst themselves, ready to turn their Swords upon each other, of which Saladine the Egyptian Sultan taking the advantage, won many Cities, and finally in a bloody battle the Christian Army was overthrown, the King and most of his Nobles, together with the great Master of the Templars, were taken Prisoners, which altogether broke the strength of the Christians in Syria; for heightened with this success, the Sultan with an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot besieged Jerusalem, which being naked of men, and wanting a Head, was after fourteen days Siege, and many fierce Assaults delivered up to the Enemy, Anno 1187. after it had been in the hands of the European Christians for the space of 100 years, upon condition that such Christians as would might still remain there, with free exercise of their Religion, and those that were minded to departed might be permitted so to do, with as much of their Goods as they could carry upon their backs.  
And thus the Holy City again fell into the hands of the Pagans, who polluted it with their profane Idolatries and superstitious Worship, through the Christians lukewarmness and disrespect of God's Divine Worship, who living in abundance of plenty, forgot the hand that protected them, trusting in their own arms, as the Israelites to their cost had done before them.  
After Jerusalem the Metropolis of the Kingdom was taken, An●●e●● was betrayed by the patriarch (such little regard had Christians of their Fidelity) into the hands of the Turks, for a certain sum of Gold, 〈◊〉 afterward most of the other Cities either revolted, or were taken by force.   

Chap. IU. The Second Expedition of the Western Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land, etc.  
JErusalem and most of the Cities of Palestine being lost, as aforesaid, the European Potentates were not a little grieved, and to recover the same raised a mighty power; and first that advanced was Frederick the Germane Emperor, who setting forth from Vienna passed with a puissant Army through Hungary, Bulgaria, and Thracia, and so to Constantinople, where he passed over into Asia, and entering Lyconia gave the Turks a great overthrow, after which he besieged and took Iconium giving the Spoils thereof to his Soldiers; and from thence passing into Celicia in the straits, where the Greek Emperor some years before received his fatal overthrow, he had a second conflict with the Turk, whom he put to flight with great slaughter, and took the City of Philomela, and put the Inhabitants to the sword, for executing his Messengers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably; and then entering ●●●●enia the less, he took the City of Melitene, and subdued all the Territories round about, and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow, which Army was no sooner vanquished, but another not inferior to ●● appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son, which with an undaunted bravery he charged, and put to rout, with incredible slaughter (but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning) for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause, following h●●d upon the flyers, his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉, and threw him out of the Saddle, with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup, after which manner, e'er he could be relieved, he was dragged through the River, and hitting by the way on certain Stump, so bruised, that when he was taken up, he was heard to say no more then, Lord receive my Soul, e'er he gave up the Ghost, in the seventieth year of his Age, and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire, and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred.  
This Heroic Emperor being dead, his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia, then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders; but now (the Country being purposely destroyed before them) pale Famine began to stare them in the face, yet on they marched, and charging Dodequin Saladius, General, sent to oppose their Passage, gave him a great overthrow, and had all the Cities rendered as they passed, till they came to Ptolomais, where the power of the Christians in Syria were encamped, headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem, who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty.  
Upon the Arrival of Frederick, the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts, and had taken it by Storm, had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan, who lay hover aloof with his Army, fallen upon their Camp, and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same, and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men, they returned again to the Siege, expecting the Arrival of Richard the First, King of England, and Philip the Second, King of France, who were upon their way with great Forces; but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia, the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English, and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister, and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navarre, the French King not long after returned home, and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem; yet at present he dissembled the matter, and losing first from the Port of Mesina, arrived at Ptolomais, where the Christians lay still incomped, after whom King Richard shortly followed; but sailing by Cyprus, his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm, and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast, the Islanders spoiled them, and when the rest of the Fleet put in there, they rudely withstood their landing, which so enraged King Richard, that he landing by force, seized the Island, and took the King thereof Prisoner, and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria.  
The King having secured the Island to his use, disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais, where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes, upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault, and a great breach in the Wall, was surrendered upon condition the Garrison might departed with safety, for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession, and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages, that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power, whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the W●ll, as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉, which so offended King Richard, that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down, and trampled on, which indignity the Duke resented so heinously, that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria, he returns 〈…〉 his Forces into Austria; as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army, under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime, 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard.  
Sal●●● 〈◊〉 of the lessening of the Christian Army, and that there still remained amongst them discontent, refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages, or deliver up the Christian Prisoners; but threatened that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them, he would behead all the Christian Prisoners, the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt, he most barbarously performed; in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidel's Camp, and resolved to give him battle, which he perceiving raised his Camp, and departed along the Sea Coast, ruining the strong Towns, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians, who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified, followed close at his heels, resolving to besiege Jerusalem, which he perceiving, and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford, faced about: So that both Armies meeting about Noon, a dreadful conflict began, which continued with great slaughter, especially on the part of the Turks, till Evening: at what time the Victory fell to the Christians, who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles; but Winter coming on, they disposed of the Army till Spring, in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated, repairing and fortifying them stronger than before; but when Spring came, upon mustering the Army, they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting, and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia, under whose command the French King had left part of his Army, still to cross his purpose, as desirous to return home, having received such Orders privately from the King his Master, who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans, than King Richard's Subjects, and that others were of the like mind, found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem, and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England, fearing lest while he was warring abroad, he might lose his Kingdom at home, he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain, as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria, and so embark for England, which the crafty Infidel understanding, and finding his power daily to decay, would hearken to no other Proposals, than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken, Ptolomais excepted, and in consideration thereof be suffered to live in Peace, which being concluded on, the King leaving Count Henry of Champagne his Lieutenant of Syria, embarked with his fair Queen, who had accompanied him in his tedious Expedition; but by the way being separated from the rest of his Fleet, suffered wrack upon the Coast of Histria, and attempting with a small retinue to walk over land in the Habit of a Templar, he was discovered, and by the command of the Duke of Austria (in whose Territories, and whom he had disgraced at the Siege of Ptolomais, by throwing down his Standard) taken Prisoner, and by him sold to the Emperor Henry for 40000 pounds, who kept him prisoner a year and three months, and then received for his Ransom 150000 pounds. But the Ship that the Queen and her Ladies were in, arrived safe in England.  
Soon after the King's delivery, news came that Saladine the great Sultan was dead, which caused the Princes of Germany, animated by Pope Celestines, to undertake a third Voyage for the Recovery of Jerusalem. The Dukes of Saxony and Austria commanding in Chief, and with them went many Bishops, who upon their Arrival joined with the Christians they found there, and repaired Joppa, the which whilst they were doing, the ●●●●●ish Army approached, whereupon they ●hew out, and in pitched battle overthrew them, but to the Loss of their two Generals, the former dying within four days after the Victory of a Fever, and the latter of the Wounds he had received. And in fine, news coming that Henry the Emperor was dead, most of the chief Captains returned home, in hopes to be elected Emperor. After which the Turks took Joppa and put all they found in it to the Sword, but at the instance of Pope Innocent the third, Philip the French King sent 5000 Soldiers, under the leading of Simon Count of Montferat to join the Christians, by whose good conduct things were so ordered that they procured to live at peace in Tyre and Ptolomais, where I shall leave them and return to the Lesser Asia, and relate by what means the Turks first Empire in Persia was brought to nought.   

CHAP. V The ruin of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia, by the Tartars.  
THe Turks having flourished in Persia and the Lesser Asia by the Space of about 200 years under the Succession of divers Sultan's and King's: The Tartars a rough Savage People, dwelling in the cold barren parts of Asia Northward, under the leading of Ziugis' their pretended Prophet, having wasted all before them, passed the high Mountain Caucasus, and part of the Mountain Taurus, came on upon the more fertile part of Asia, like a deluge, whose huge numbers were such that in a short time under the leading of Hoccata, old Ziugis' Son, himself being dead, before they had far proceeded they in a trice overrun India, Persia, and almost all the other Countries of Asia none being able to stand before, nay so fearful were they to the Nations that at their Approach without giving battle Kings with their People fled not into fenced Cities but their Country's and amongst the rest Cursumes or as the Greek will have it Cor●●●tes: The Turkish Sultan of Persia leaving all the Cities naked to be possessed without resistance by the Barbarous Enemy, who in his slight died being the last King Linaly defended of the S●lz●●cian Family Reigning in Persia, whereupon his Son Vgn●●chan taking upon him the leading the People that followed his Father seized upon Ba●●●●, now called Bagadet, supposing it the safest place of refuge, and the better to secure it put to the Sword all the inhabitants, but kept it not long, or the Turks 〈…〉 after him, t●●● the City by Storm, and in 〈…〉, expelled all his People, and so 〈◊〉 on Conquered 〈…〉, and many other 〈◊〉 both in the Great and Le●●er Asia, formerly possessed by the Turks, they by this means 〈…〉 driven out of 〈◊〉 about the year of our Lord, 〈…〉. yet there was found one of the Sel●●● 〈…〉 Royal Stem, named 〈…〉 the scattered Turks 〈…〉 to him in 〈…〉 taking the advantage of the Greeks 〈…〉 themselves. 〈…〉 and the Country's 〈◊〉 and there first at 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 erected their 〈◊〉 Kingdom, 〈…〉 is by the Turks 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of the Al●dine Kings. And by this 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Monarchy in 〈◊〉 was received; the 〈…〉 S●iling himself great King and Lord 〈◊〉 the Eastern Countries  
During this 〈◊〉, the Constan●●● 〈…〉 broils, which 〈…〉 who had deprived his Elder Brother 〈…〉 Empire for the Settlement thereof and securing himself in his throne to seek after the Life of the young Prince his Brother's Son, who was active in recovering to his Father the Empire that of right appertained unto him, which enforced the Prince to crave aid of Philip the Emperor of Germany, and the rest of the Princes of that Empire, and so prevailed by means of his Sister, who was Married to the said Emperor that being recommended by him and the French King to the Army, then making an other expedition into the Holy Land and by them taken into protection with a Solemn promise of restoring him to his rightful Inheritance: In consideration of which, he obliged himself to pay the French a great sum of Mo●ey, and to make Restitution to the Venations the lo●●es they sustained in the time of the Emperor 〈◊〉 by reason of an 〈…〉 laid upon their gailies and se●●●re of the goods of their March and Recompense the 〈◊〉 by reducing the Greek Churches to the obedience of the See of Rome, for of those three Nations was mostly this Army composed which consisted of near two hundred thousand Horse and Foot.  
Upon these considerations was the Voyage, in order to the Recovery of what was lost in Syria put off and all the forces ●ent against 〈◊〉 where the Usurper resided, who held his Brother the rightful Emperor in Prison, having deprived him of his sight, and coming before the port with their huge fleet that almost covered the Ocean, they ●●on broke the chain and entered with their Galley, upon sight of which those that kept the Greek Galleys in the per●●●●ed and left them as a prey to the Latins, for so they called the Western Christians, who not content therewith but resolutely thrusting on shore a 〈…〉 those that guarded it to retire, 〈…〉 re-enter the City, which the Usurper perceiving and well weighing he was no ways able to oppose such an Army, taking with him all his Treasure, and several of his trustly Friends, 〈◊〉 ●ight, upon which the Citizens to avoid being 〈◊〉 ●ook the Old Emperor out of Prison; and the Second time proclaimed him Emperor, and immediately opened their gates, and admitted the Army calling them their dei●●erers; but this their Alacrity lasted not, for the Prince having made known his promises, and the Old Emperor confirmed the same, the People upon Settlement of the Taxes whereby such Sums should be raised as might satisfy the Conquerors, they grew dissatisfied, and raised tumults in several parts of the City; the better to Allay which, and to bring them to a Compliance, the good Emperor desired the Lattins to retire to their Camp; which was performed, but ●re he ●ould prevail with the Citizens to pay the Tax 〈◊〉, he through loss of Sight and other Infirmities 〈…〉 had the Prince his Son Saluted Emperor in his 〈◊〉, who desirous to perform his Promise with the Lattins, proceeded where his Father lest off, but ●o no purpose; for when he pressed the raising of the 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉, they risen in Arms, and 〈◊〉 like a Torr●● to the Palace, threatened to 〈…〉 of his Life and Empire if he did not 〈…〉 him that he sent to the 〈…〉 part of his Army privately into the City, at a 〈◊〉 which he would deliver 〈…〉 intention of the Emperors 〈…〉 privy, Surnamed for his 〈…〉 by the Emperor's Father had been 〈…〉 a low condition to the 〈…〉 and thinking to opportunity more 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to Empire, after which he had a long 〈…〉 then the present ●●●●●ion, he gathered 〈…〉 and im●●●●ed them what was intended, and then under a Simile of Friendship came to the young Emperor, and seizing upon his Person, caused him to be Imprisoned, and by insinuating himself into the good liking of the Mobile, procured himself to be proclaimed, which was no sooner done but he strangled the Emperor, and attempted to sire the Venetian Galleys, which so enraged the Christians, that they resolved to lay close Siege to the City, the which after the overthrow of the Usurpers Army under its Walls they did, and firing it in divers Places entered, upon which the Tyrant fled.  
The City of Constantinople thus taken the 12 of April 1204, or as some will have it 1200, the Citizens Lives at the request of the Religious were spared, but their Wealth became a prey to the Soldiers, so now those that refused to part with a little at the request of their Natural Lord for the support of his Honour and their Safety, were now obliged to part with all. After the Sack of this City most of the Cities of the Empire yielded, whereupon the Princes assembling chose Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Hanault, Emperor, and amongst the other Princes was the Empire divided into Provinces, each holding his Principality in fee of the Emperor as their Supreme Lord.  
Things being at this pass news came that Theodorius Lascaris had fortified Adr●ano●le, and raising forces for the recovery of the Greek Empire which ●●nsed the Latins under the leading of their Emperor to March against him, who upon news of their Approach retired into the City, which he strongly fortified expecting no less than a Siege, which accordingly was laid at what time John King of Bulgaria, otherwise called Mysia a large Kingdom lying between the great Mountain Emaus and Danu●ius, aided by the Scythians a Barbarous People, came with a great power to raise the Siege, against whom the Emperor drew out his strengths, but following too eagerly, the Scythian Horsemen sent out to Skirmish on purpose to ●●ain him into an Ambush, he ●ell in with the King's power amongst the Woods and Mountains, where being over wearied with the tedious 〈◊〉, he was overthrown himself taken Prisoner, and his Army for the most part Slain, nor suspired it the Barbarous King to have him in his Power, but after an Inhuman manner cutting off his hands and feet, cast him yet living into a deep Valley, where he miserably perished, and thus died the first most Valiant Emperor of the Lattins in 〈◊〉 ere he had Reigned a full year.  
The Emperor B●●hrin being dead, Henry his Brother was chosen in his stead, who to revenge his Brother's Death aided by the Latin Princes, Marched against the 〈◊〉 (who heightened with their Success were ●●r advanced, wasting with Fire and Sword all they 〈◊〉 in their way) and after many notable 〈…〉 ●iven, drove them out of all the places 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉. During th●se proceed Alexus 〈◊〉 〈…〉 falling into the hands of the 〈…〉 Eyes put out, and in that manner being 〈…〉, was Condemned to be thrown 〈…〉 angling the young Emperor, which 〈…〉 a reward of his Treason was put in Exception. And the other Alexus commonly 〈…〉, who deprived the Emperor Isaac of his Sight 〈…〉 him, hearing that his Son 〈…〉 desire ●s of his Kingdom, went to the Court of 〈…〉 Sultan, 〈◊〉 〈…〉 holding 〈…〉 had shown great 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 by his Brother 〈…〉 there so prevail 〈…〉 Sultan raised 〈…〉 with it laid 〈…〉 part of 〈…〉 King's 〈◊〉, of which he had no 〈◊〉 notice, but with what Forces he could raise on the sudden, he posted thither, and 〈◊〉 ●●riously upon the Sultan's Army slew him in the 〈◊〉 thereof, which so discouraged the Turks, that ●●●●●thstanding Victory inclined to their side, they 〈…〉 the City free; In this battle was taken Alexus the Author of the War, whom his Son-in-law notwithstanding used with great respect, though contrary to his desert.  
In the mean time the ten years Truke between the Christians in Syria, and the Turks drew to a Conclusion: And Almeri●●s King of 〈◊〉 and Titular King of Jerusalem, refusing to assist them with Provisions and the like, the great M●sters of the Knight's Templars, and Hospitalers sent to complain thereof to the Pope, and to inform him, that there was yet living one Mary the Daughter of the Marquis of Mont-Ferr●●, a Lady of incomparable Beauty, who they as her Tutor had brought up in hope of the Kingdom, and were now ready to bestow her upon ●●●●h a Person, as he should think worthy of her, together with her Right and Title to the Kingdom of 〈◊〉; upon which the Pope 〈◊〉 Almericus of the Title of King of Jerusa●●●n, and gave it to John Co●n● D' Brenne, of the 〈◊〉 in Trance. A man of great Fame and Courage, and then in Arms amongst the Latin Princes, who upon notice thereof committing his Earldom to the care of his Brother, failed with a competent number of his followers to Tyre, where he espoused the Lady, and not long after the Pope, viz. Pope innocent the third, calling in a general Council, so dealt with the Princes and Prelates, th●● great Forces were again raised for the relief of the 〈◊〉 in the Holy Land, who setting fall 〈…〉 Towns and Castles on the sea-coast, 〈…〉 with a great Fleet, and an Army by Land 〈…〉, formerly called Pelusium, situate upon the Bank of N●●●; resolving to begin first with Egypt, that Palestine might follow, where building Towers of Wood upon Galleys, they fought with those that kept the Walls at even hand, and after great slaughter on both sides took the Suburbs, wherein they found not only store of Provision, but infinite Riches; being the Merchandise of Persia, Arabia, India, and Egypt, that being the chief Scale of Trade in those parts. During this Transaction the Sultan lay hover aloof with his Army, not daring to engage the Christians, and so long he continued that Want began to rage in his Camp; insomuch that he was obliged to send away one part of his Army.  
The Infidels thus foiled, though the City still held out, Corradi●e, Sultan of Damascus and Jerusalem sent his Ambassador to the Christian Princes, to sue for Peace, for himself and his Brother the Sultan of Egypt: In lieu whereof he promised to restore the Holy-Cross, and all the Towns his Father Saladine had taken from the Christians, which large offer was thought reasonable by most of the Princes, none opposing it but Pelagius the Pope's 〈◊〉, John the late made King of Jerusalem, the 〈◊〉 of the Knight's Templars and Hospitallers, and the Duke of A●siria, they alleging that the War was undertaken generally against the Infidels, and that they ought not to desist, till they had brought them under. Whereupon the S●●●●n supposing they would speedily come to Jerusalem, caused it to be razed all, exce●● 〈◊〉 Tower of David, and the holy Sepulchre; 〈…〉 instance of the Christians there dwelling, 〈…〉 with all his people departed to Da●●● 〈◊〉 but 〈…〉 Christians, though too late, repent their 〈…〉 advantageous an offer; for 〈…〉 of the raw 〈◊〉 and Vapours that ascended from Ni●●s, a mortal Contagion raged in the ●●mp, and much weakened it; so that the Sultan taking the advantage, endeavoured to put succours into the Town, with such speed that many entered, ere the Christians could take the Alarm; but they falling in the Rear cut off a great number that were shut out, lest the Christians should have entered Pell-mel with them into the City, and heightened with this success, they marched to the Sultan's Camp and dared him to battle, but he not willing to hazard his Kingdom upon a cast, refusing, they assaulted him in his Lodging. In which daring Attempt, the French General was lost with many more of note; so that without success they again returned to the Siege: Famine beginning to rage's extremely in the City, and soon after its attendant the Plague, of which such a number died, that there were none left to defend it. So that the Christians entering, found all the Streets paved with the dead, 70000 of the Infidels having perished therein through obstinacy, who upon surrender might have had their Lives and Liberties.  
Thus this great City after a years Siege was taken, the Third of November, 1221. After which the Pope's Legate laying Claim to it in the behalf of his Master; though at the beginning of the War the Princes had concluded that all the Cities and Tow●● 〈◊〉, should be put into the Possession of the King of Jerusalem, a Contest arose between them, insomuch that the King retired to 〈◊〉 and was hardly entreated to return; upon whose return, and the Arrival of the Duke of Bavaria, with fresh Forces at the Legates entreaty, a great part of the Army was drawn forth in order, to the 〈◊〉 the City of C●●, which they effected not without hopes of w●●●ing it, but being unacquainted with the Country, they i● camping in low Ground, the 〈…〉, and overflowed their 〈…〉 Waters, of a prodigious depth●●● that many perished therein, and at last were obliged to redeliver Damiata for their Ransom, and so the Sultan relieving them with such necessaries as they wanted, caused them to be Conducted out of Egypt: Whereupon most of them returned into their own Country, having first concluded a Peace for eight years with Coradine, the Sultan of Damascus, which Peace was by the Infidel inviolably observed. King John upon his return, at the instance of H●●or●us, gave his Daughter Yoland in Marriage, to Er●drick King of Sicilia, and with her the Title of Jerusalem, from whence the succeedings derived their Titles, instiling themselves Kings of Jerusalem.  
And now Henry the second Emperor of Constantinople being dead, having Reigned eleven years and some odd days, Peter Count of Ausseres was made Emperor in his stead; who in revenge to Injuries done to the Venetians by Theodorus, Angelius Prince of Epirus besieged him in D●●rachium; but upon his feigned Submission a Peace was concluded, when the Emperor too much crediting the perjured Wretch, going into the City slenderly attended to an Entertainment, to which the Epir●● had invited him, was by his Commandment slain.  
Upon the News of this sad disaster, the Constantinop●li●●ns elected his Son Robert to succeed him, but he lived nor long, for having married a beautiful Lady before Contracted to a noble man of Burgundia, he in revenge, in the Emperor's absence, with a resolute Company broke into the Palace, and there seizing upon the 〈◊〉 cut off her Nose, and Ears; and afterward 〈◊〉 her Mother, who had been the cause of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Contract, threw her into 〈…〉 into the 〈…〉 Mountains, living 〈…〉 of his Companions, which 〈…〉 the Emperor, that going to Rome in his return the died. After him succeeded his Son by the name of Baldwin the Second, being the fifth and last Emperor of the Lattins in Constantinople. For Las●ares of whom I have before spoken after the overthrow he gave the Sultan mightily increasing his Power, rigged a great many Ships and Siezed upon all the Islands in the Iconium, and Egean Seas, Lesbos, Chios, Sa●os, Rhodes, etc. And by that means rendered himself so formidable that most Cities before in the possession of the Lattins revolted to him, insomuch that without any great resistance he brought his Army to the Gates of Constantinople, and then dying lief his Son John Ducas Batazes to succeed him, who prosecuting the War against the Latrius became more terrible than his Father, strengthening himself by a Marriage between H●lena daughter to Assan King of Bulgaria and his Son Theodore: And after that renewed the League with the Sultain of Iconium, who was then 〈◊〉 in Warring against the Tartars.  
During these p●ss●●es, 〈◊〉, the Germane Emperor, with great forces passed 〈◊〉 Syria, but by Reason he did not humble himself to Greogry the ninth; the proud Pre●●●● 〈◊〉 thereto by his Strumpet, Fulminated against 〈◊〉 with Excommunications, sending his Le●ters to the Christians, not to aid nor receive him upon his 〈◊〉 but they did not regard the 〈◊〉 Pope, 〈…〉 his Landing with his forces 〈…〉 joyfully and honourably received 〈…〉 to Sultan 〈◊〉, 〈…〉 to 〈…〉, but 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to his 〈…〉 desire, 〈…〉 himself 〈…〉 that after 〈…〉, that the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 was at hardly gladly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 up the City of Jerusalem, with all the Land of Palestine, together with the Respective Cities taken by the Sultan Saladine, and all the Christian Prisoners, in lieu of a ten years' Peace which was accorded, and the Emperor with his Army coming to the desolate City of Jerusalem, and there with great Solemnity on Easter Day Anno 1229 was Crowned King, and so having fortified the City by repairing the Wall, and Garrisoned Nazereth, Joppa, and other strong Cities, and appointed Reynold Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria, he returned home, where the Pope had put his Subjects in an uproar, and Seized upon his Kingdom of Naples, working him greater troubles than are convenient to be here related, as not pertinent to this History: only note that this was that Frederick, that married the King of Jerusalem's Daughter, and with her had the Title of King of Jerusalem; which occasioned his setting forward to take possession of that Kingdom.  
The Emperor was no sooner returned, but to spite him, and break the ten Years League, he sent Lewis King of Navarre with a great Power into Syria to invade the Sultan's Dominions; but his Expedition was no ways prosperous, joining Battle with the Sultan's Power, he and the rest of the Christians were overthrown, which occasioned the loss of Jerusalem, soon after 〈…〉 by the T●●ks, all the Souls that were 〈…〉 being put to the Sword, and with 〈…〉 hands demolished the 〈◊〉 of our 〈◊〉 Saviour which all other 〈◊〉 had with a 〈◊〉 reverence forborn to 〈◊〉.  
The News of the great overthrow and the loss of 〈…〉 to the 〈◊〉 of the Christian Princes of the 〈◊〉, greatly tro●●●ed them, but most of all the Emperor and Lewis the Ninth King of France: Insomuch that the latter gathering a great Power Anno 1248. set Sail and came to the Isle of Cyprus and there wintered, by reason of the far advancement of the Season, during which time he received an Ambassador from the Master of the Templars, to inform him that there was no need of his coming by reason the Sultan oftered honourable terms, but the King understanding that it was a contrivance between them that the Templars might have the greater power, sent back to command him under pain of forseiting his head that he should receive no more Ambassadors from the Sultan, and Early in the Spring weighing Anchor within five or six days sail he fell in with the Coast of Egypt, and with all his sleet sailing up the River Nile came before Damiata, to oppose whose landing the Governor with what forces he could draw out stood upon the banks, but in vain they resisted, for the Frenchmen manning out their boats thrust on shore and put them to flight, leaving the Governor and 500 of their Companions dead upon the Strand, and perceiving the Christians were preparing to besiege the City the former Miseries it had endured coming afresh into their mind, they in the dead of night set every man his house on fire and fled, which the Christians perceiving they entered the City, and exstinguished the slames, saving so much as was possible, and there found abundance of Riches.  
The Sultan upon notice of the loss of this strong City was greatly dismayed: 〈◊〉 he sent to the French King to osser him several places in Palestine, never yet in the possession of the Christians, but his offer was rejected and 〈…〉 by the Earl of 〈◊〉 the King's brother.  
During these s●irs 〈…〉 Brother Melesh-S●ll●● or 〈…〉 whom joined the Sultan of 〈◊〉, to oppose the Christians, and with his whole Power drew near to Damiata, where the Christian Army lay encamped; who Sallying out of their Trenches beat him back, but Sallying the next day, and following the Enemy too far many of them were slain, and the rest were forced to retire.  
Long they were not encamped, before a private Messenger came to the King from the Governor of Cairo, to inform him that if he would draw near to the Walls of that great City, he would put it into his hands; the said Governor appearing to be much inclinable to the Christian Religion: Or, as some will have it, o●● of Revenge for the Death of his Brother slain by the Sultan's Command. Upon which the King assembled all his Power, and marched till he came to an Arm of N●●us, with part of his Army, under the Command of his Brother Robert Earl of Arth●●s passing at a Board, discomfited the Turks, that descended the further Bank; but contrary to the advice of the renowned E●●l, and the Master of the Templars following the Chase e'er the other part of the Army arrived, he was encompassed by the Sultan's power, that ●ay in Ambush; that not above two Templars, one Hospitaler, and a common Soldier escaped to tell the heavy News.  
This News was seconded, with that of the Imprisonment of the Governor of C●●●●o; which altogether disappointed the King of his purpose. Whereupon he pasted the River at the same Board his Brother had done, and behold the sad 〈◊〉 of the min●●ed Careasses of the slain, each having his Head and Hards ●n● off, the Sultan the better to encourage his Men, haing promised rewards to 〈◊〉 could bring them either, but long he had 〈◊〉 them, before the 〈◊〉 come upon him 〈…〉, being near ten 〈…〉; and after a 〈…〉 overthrew him, cutting the greatest part of his Army in pieces, and amongst the rest the Flower of the French Nobility: The King and some few of the Nobility were taken Prisoners, and for their Ransom delivered up the City of Damiata, and paid 8000 pound in Gold, with a promise of a ten years' Peace, but whilst the Sultan was accompanying him to Damiata, two desperate Russians assassinated him in the presence of his Nobility, instigated thereto by one Turquiminus a Mamaluke or Slave, got himself proclaimed Sultan, renouncing the League that Melech-Sala had made, and made another in his own Name, not much different from the former; but performed not above the half part, but in fine, after the surrender of Damiata, which the new Sultan caused to be razed, the King with all his Retinue were Conducted to Ptolomais, and at the end of six years, from his setting out sailing from thence arrived in his own Kingdom, having lost 60000 of his Subjects in that expedition.  
The Sultan being as aforesaid Traitorously murdered, the Mamalukes or Slaves, bought by the Sultan's of divers Merchants, to serve them in their Wars: Put an end to the Turkish Kingdom in Egypt, by deposing all such as bare Offices, or had places of trust, advancing those of their own order, continually choosing their Sultan's from amongst themselves, flourishing in great Renown for the space of 267 years, at the end of which they were totally subdued by 〈◊〉 the victorious Emperor of the 〈…〉 151● and the Kingdom of Egypt with all 〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉, as they are at this day annexed to the 〈…〉, as shall be in process of this History 〈…〉 these Actions passed John Dacc●●, 〈…〉 ●●ed, having Reigned successfully for the space of 〈◊〉 three years, after whom succeeded 〈◊〉 his So●, who renewed the League his Father had made with the Jathanites, the Turkish Sultan in the lesser Asia, after which with a puissant Army, he passed the straits of Hellispont to appease the troubles raised in Macedonia, and Thessalia by the King of Bulgaria his Father in Law, and the Despot of Thessalia, during which one Michael Paleologus a great Courtier fled to the Turkish Sultan, under pretence that he doubted his Life, by reason of those Enemies he had at Court, that inveighed against him; and at his coming to Iconium, sound the Sultan levying an Army to oppose them that spoilt his Country, of whom he was kindly received, and the Greeks in his Service reduced under his Command; and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began, the Turks charging with great Courage, putting the Right-wing to flight, and disordering their main Battalion: So that Victory began to declare herself in favour of them, when one of the Sultan's chief Commanders out of some former grudge, fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy, and by that means turned the Scale of War, so that the Turks, who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives; nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country, but fled to Constantinople, where of the Emperor he was kindly received, and aided with what Force he could spare, under the leading of an experienced Captain, for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea.  
Not long after this, was Palelogus received into Favour, and restored to his Dignity, upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons, which had not long been done, ●'r the Emperor fell sick and died, Reigning only three years, and in his stand was Crowned his Son John, a Child of six years old, who was by the Emperor's last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch, and George Muz●la, the letter of which being of mean Birth, having raised for his Virtues, and good parts by the departed Emperor, which caused him to be greatly envied by the Courtiers; whereupon he assembling together, desired to be rid of his Charge, but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it, he still continued with much Integrity; but several having conspired against him, of which Paleologus was Chief, they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him, and several that they supposed Favoured him, even at the Altar; and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire, not in the least regarding his former Oath.  
About this time Mango, the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King, of whom he had received the Christian Religion: Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks, and Saracens in Syria, and the Land of Palestine, who in the space of six Months overrun all Persia, with the Countries adjoining, and came at length into Syria, and took the great City Babylon at that time, commanded by the Caliph, putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword, enriching his Soldiers with the spoil, and passing from thence through Mesopotamia, took the City of Rhoais, and there being supplied with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria, he razed Aleppo and other strong Towns, and soon after won Damascus; when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him, desiring him to spare his Country, but in vain, for he wasted all before him; but being about to pass on to Jerusalem, News was brought him of his Brother's death, upon which he returned home; yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians, he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars, but Abiga hearing of his Father's Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire, departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain, who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy, yet letted not give battle to the Sultan's Army of ten times to the number, and not being aided by the Christians, was overthrown, wherein himself fight courageously with greater part of his small Army were slain; and thereupon Antioch, and most of the Towns holden by the Christians, were taken by the Sultan Bandocador.  
By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia, had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions, whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid, or Refuge; but ingrateful as he was, not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands, when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor, he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace, appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape.  
When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years, he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus; who raised Tumults in the West, this man in his passage with a small Army, by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople, found means to surprise that City, and again annex it to the Greek Empire: After it had been in the hands of the Latins fifty eight years, for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes, wearing a Crown of Gold, commanded that for one year following, his Name next to his should be mentioned in all public Prayer, Psalms and Hymns.  
But now the Son of Theodorius, whose Right this Emperor had usurped, coming to years of Discretion, it bred much jealousy in him, that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel, should pluck the Crown from off his Head, and place it where it ought to rest: Whereupon to render him unfit for Government, he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight, which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria, no sooner understood, but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband, to make War upon the Usurper; and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement; he with a great Power of Scythians, his own Subjects, entered the Empire, wasting all before him with Fire and Sword, hoping to surprise the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia; but failing of him, he turned to Aenus, and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives, and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia, he passed over Ister, and returned into his own Country.  
Jathanites, the Sultan, being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria, for Grief of his great loss died, not leaving any Dominions to his Children: Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary, as his Vassals, two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family, viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades, they in acknowledgement thereof, paying him a yearly Tribute, placed them in part of his Dominions; and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia, being Rend in pieces by the Tartars, who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire; they and the Fugitive Turks together, possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia, unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas, and the River Eurymedon.  
Anno 1270. King Lewis of France, aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved, upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land; the years Truce being exspired, he set out from the Haven of Marseilles, with a great Fleet of Ships, and coming before Carthage, he found in the Port a great number of the Enemy's Ships which he seized, and after some light Skirmishes, with those that kept the shore, Landed his Men, and laid close Siege to the City, which after many desperate, though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to departed.  
Carthage being won, the King laid Siege to Tums, to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down, but was quickly forced to retire with 10000 less than he brought; but this Siege continuing long, a mortal Pestilence happened in the Army, the King's youngest Son died, and in the end himself with many of his prime Nobility, which greatly encouraged the Moors; but their joy lasted not long, for soon after came thither Prince Edward, Hemy the Third King of England's eldest Son, with sixteen Ships fraught with Valiant English Soldiers, as also the King of Ci●ilia, Navarre, and Arragon with great Forces, upon which the Morish King making many large o●●ers for Peace, it was granted in the Name of all the Princes, on Condition that he should pay a yearly Trib●●e of 40000 Crowns to the King of Sicily, and to suffer the Christian Religion, freely to be Exercised throughout his Dominions, in all its particulars; which Articles being concluded on and ratified, though contrary to the mind of Prince Edward, they weighed Anchor, and stood for the Isle of Sicily, intending there to Winter, and the next Spring to pass into Syria: But coming into the Bay, the Princes were no sooner got on shore, but a terrible Storm arose, that most of the Fleet were broken to pieces, only of Prince Edward's Fleet not one Ship perished in this wrack, a great part of the Mariners and Soldiers were drowned, and the Plague still raging amongst them in such sort, that the French Queen, the King of Navarre, and divers others of great Rank died; which so discouraged Philip the French King, that he returned into France, without Attempting any thing further, and with him all the rest (Prince Edward his English excepted) returned into their Respective Countries; but the Prince kept on his way till he arrived at Ptolomais, and was received by the Christians with great joy, where having rested himself for a while, and inquired into the nature of the Country, he with 6 or 7000 of his English, took Nazareth, and upon his return overthrew a great Army of Saracens, that supposed to have entrapped him, and at another time overthrew them with great Slaughter, near Cakhow, a Village about 40 Miles from P●olomais: And so successful was he in all his undertake, that the Infidels extremely dreaded him; Insomuch that the Admiral of Joppa, feigned himself to be converted to the Christian Religion, sent one of his Servants to commune with the Prince, about divers Matters, who being admitted in Private, and seeming as if he would draw a letter out of his Bosom, with an Empoisoned knife, supposed to have Stabbed the Prince into the Belly, but he being ware received the Wound on his Arm, and with his foot Struck the Villain down, and then wresting from him the knife Stabbed him, during which buffle the Guards entered, and cut him in Pieces as he lay on the Ground. This Villain the Sultan sent to excuse, Swearing by Mahomet it was not done with his privity, nor consent, but however such was the nature of the poison, that it was not cured without great difficulty.  
The Prince having a long time in vain, expected the coming of the other Christian Princes, thought good to return, which accordingly he did having first concluded a Peace with the Sultan, and shortly after his return, his Father Henry dying, he was Crowned King of England, etc.  
Anno 1273, 〈◊〉 having been advanced by the Pope to the 〈…〉, upon promise to pass into the 〈…〉 himself for so tedious a Voyage, sent his Son Henry Prince of M●●●l●burg, who a●●●●ing at 〈◊〉, with a great Power, wasted the Territories of Damascus with fire and Sword, taking many Towns, but at length being intercepted by the Mamalu●●s, he was taken Prisoner, and a great part of his Army slain, in which state he with one Servant remained 26 years, no Ransom being accepted for his deliverance, at which time a Runagado German, coming to the Sultan, set him at Liberty, and sent him, who upon his return, was not known to his nearest Relations, who supposed him long before silent in his Grave, and indeed he lived not long after his return.  
The Princes of the West growing weary of these tedious expeditions, the Infidels thereby encouraged, under the leading of Alphix or Elpis their Sultan, razed Tripoli, Sidon and Berythus, putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword, the Christians having now nothing left but the strong City Ptolomais; and yet they were at variance amongst themselves, some for the Government of the City, and some for the title of King of Jerusalem: During the contest Sultan Araphius sent his Son to besiege Ptolomais, who in vain assaulting it, many times made large offers, if he might have it delivered; but they as little prevailed, whereupon his Father being dead and himself chosen Sultan, he drew down before it 15000 Horse and Foot, assaulting it on every side, filling up the ditches with his Multitude, but the Christians from the Wall, and by sallying, killed so many of the Infidels, that they were forced to retire to their trenches, yet in the Skirmish, Peter Grand Master of the Templars, being Shot with a Poison Arrow, died within three days, and with him all the courage of the besieged, for from that time, such as could make their escape by Sea departed, so that the City being in the end left destitute of Defendants, was by the Sultan taken and razed, all such as were found therein, being put to the Sword, so that the Christians were utterly rooted out of Syria, this being the last City which had remained in the hands of the Christians for upwards of 100 years, and was lost Anno 1291, just 192 years after the winning of Jerusalem by Duke Godfrey.  
And now the Christian Princes despairing to recover what they had lost, Cassanes the Tartarian Prince moved thereto by his Wife and her Father the King of Armenia, undertook the Enterprise, and with a powerful Army entered Syria, wasting all before him, when not far from the Mountain Amanus, he met with Melsenoser, the Sultan of Egypt's Lieutenant, and put him to flight with the loss of 40000 of his Soldiers, and drove him quite out of Syria, sending Molais one of his Captains to pursue him over the desert Sands, to the Confines of Egypt; then taking in all the Cities as he passed, and in the City of Hama lighting upon the Sultan's treasure, he divided it amongst his Soldiers, and having fortified Jerusalem and Damascus, he purposed in the Spring to have passed into Egypt, and to have destroyed the Country; but in the mean time, receiving news that great tumults were risen in Persia, his new acquired Empire, he with part of his Army departed to allay them, leaving Capcapus Governor of Damascus, and his great Captain Molais of Jerusalem, with order to send Ambassadors to the Princes of the West; but they being embroiled amongst themselves, nothing could be obtained, so that no aids coming from the Tartar, nor King of Armenia, the Towns were as easily recovered by the Egyptian Sultan, as they had been taken from him by the Tartarian Cham. And thus taking my leave of Syria for the present, I shall return into the lesser Asia, where I find Mesoot and Rei-Cubades, the two Tributary Turkish Princes dead, without doing a any thing worthy of note, of which the latter left a Son named Aladan, who likewise paying Tribute, held jointly the Kingdom, that were before possessed by his Father and Uncle. This Aladine the last of the Selzuccian Family dying without issue, one Sahib his chief Counsellor and then a man of great Authority, aspired unto the Kingdom, but being risen from a mean estate, he was highly envied by the Nobility, they casting off all respect from him, by force divided the Kingdom amongst themselves, every one seizing the Province he could best light on; so that Sahib who was first in possession, lost all, no part remaining as his Lot, so that they turned it into a perfect Anarchy, of which the greatest share fell to Caraman Alusirus, who strongest took Iconium, with part of Cilicia, Lycaonia, Pamphilia, Caria, and Phrygia; and of him descended the Caramanian Kings, who in the rise of the Ottoman Empire, put the Turks so often to the Foil: The next to him was Saruchan, who possessed himself of the greatest part of Lydia, and some other Countries adjoining; Troas, Phrygia, and part of Mysia, fell to Calumus and his Son Carasius; the remaining part of Mysia, and part of Lydia, was seized by Aidin; part of Pontus, the Cities of Heraclea, Pontica Castomonia, Synope, and others near to the Euxine Sea, and Country of Paphlagonia, fell into the hands of the Sons of Omer, or as the Greeks call them Amar, of whom the Country took not their names, as did the former of these that possessed them, but is commonly called Bolli, so named of the Metropolis, as also was Mendesia, or as some will have it Mentetia, a Country in the Lesser Asia.  
These and divers others, were the divisions of the Turkish Empire in Persia, and the Lesser Asia, which Anarchy caused their Subjection, and utter subversion, as in the Succeeding part of this History, will at large appear.  
During this confusion amongst the rest of the great Captains, there happened one Ottoman, of the Oguzian Family, who had been raised from a low estate, by Sultan Aladine, yet by reason he was not of the Selzuccian Family, they made little account of him, not permitting him to share with them in their division, though by what justice is uncertain; all of them feared his rising fortune, and strove what in them lay, to hinder, but in vain, for the Destinies so ordering it, he in a short time became the Founder of the Ottoman Empire, as in the Perusal of his Life and Actions will appear.   

CHAP. VI The Rise of the Powerful Empire of the Turks, under Ottoman its first Founder, with his Life and Actions.  
THat Empires and Kingdoms have their Limitation from the Sovereign Creator and Disposer of all things, it is undeniably evident, by the Sundry Mutations that have been in all Ages of the World, for nothing can be assured of long continuance, though never so great and powerful. How are the great Monarchies of the Persians, Medians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Romans, and the like, dwindled away into nothing, no more than a bare Relation, of their Names and Greatness remaining to testify the mighty actions they performed, when at their becks were half three parts of Mankind. And indeed no less famous was the Turkish Empire in Persia, and the Lesser Asia, till broken and dismembered, by the violent intrusion of the Tartars, a Savage People bursting from the Frozen-North, to the Terror and Subversion of the greatest part of Asia, and Africa; but now under the Turkish Sceptre, as shall by the subsequent Discourse appear.  
During the time that the Tartars overwhelmed the Turkish Dominions in Asia, Solyman, of the Oguzian Family, Reigning in the lesser Asia; and seeing his Countryman the Sultan of Persia, driven from all his Possessions, thought it not safe for him, of far Inferior force, to abide the Sorm; but flying with such People as would follow him, after long wand'ring, the Tempest being near over, and he desiring to return home, as he was about to pass the Danube, was carried away by the Stream, and drowned, leaving behind him four Sons, viz. Sencur, Teken, Jundogdis, and Ertogrul, of some called Orthobules, who was the Father of Ottoman. This Ertogrul after the Death of his Father, having notice that Aladine the Sultan had again settled himself in the lesser Asia: Sent Messengers to him, to desire him, that he and the rest of his poor followers, who were Herdsmen driving Flocks still before them as they traveled, might inhabit in some Corner of his Country. The Sultan not unmindful of the state of poor Exiles, it having so lately been his own Case, appointed them a Village called Suguta, lying between the Castle Belezuga, and Mount Tmolus in the greater Phrygia; during whose residence there with his small Train, the Sultan had many Conflicts with the Tartars, whose Power by this time was in its Wain; and being hard put to it in one Battle near the said Village, Ertogrul with four hundred of his Herdsmen unexpectedly came to his Assistance, and behaved himself so valiantly, that the Tartars were put to flight, for which the Sultan honoured him with a rich Cloak, and began highly to prise his Valour; insomuch that he enlarged his Territories, making him a petty Lord, which Lordship with great Repute, he held during the Reign of the Sultan, doing many notable Services, as taking the Castle of Cara-Chisar from the Christians, who by their many Injuries had exasperated the Sultan; but after the Sultan's Death, those that succeeded, being Tributaries to the Tartars, till such time as the Kingdom was Anachised, he lived quietly at home; during which time many conceived great hopes of his younger Son Ottoman, called by some Osman Gazi, or Osman the Warlike, by reason of the great delight he had in Arms when he was a Child, and when grown up, to discourse and Argue with the Commanders and Governors, of whom he had the general Esteem of an active Youth, designed for great Achievements, as it afterward fell out.  
One day Ottoman going to visit the Governor of Eskichisar, lately taken from the Christians by his Father: He fell in Love by the way with a beautiful Damosel, named Malhatun, and sent to request her in Marriage, but she seeming something averse, excusing herself that she was of too mean a Parentage, and not a fitting Match for him, that was so nobly descended; he as she conceived, designing rather to Debauch her, then make her his Wife; but this modest repulse making him more and more desire her, he in other Discourses declared his Affections to the aforesaid Governor, who seeming little to take notice thereof, begun to be inflamed with the Love of the Damosel unseen, by the lively Description Ottoman had given of her rare Perfection, which Ottoman well perceiving, and fearful that he should enforce her to his Lust, having great Power in that Country; he sent her Parent's notice thereof, who tender of their Daughter's Honour, sent her away secretly, the which upon Knowledge it was done by Othomans' means, so enraged the Governor, that he vowed Revenge, and sent after him a strong Party to seize him at the Castle of In-Vngi, whither he knew he was gone, where being demanded of the Captain of that Castle, after some Debate those that kept it resolved to defend him; but he not greatly trusting them (as knowing the Governors' Power in those parts) with several of his trusty Friends, he broke through the Leagures, killing some, and dispersing the rest; yet other Forces coming to their Assistance, they followed him into his Father's Territories, where his Danger was no sooner known, but all the Youths Armed, and setting upon the Governors' Soldiers, they slew many, took some Prisoners, and put the rest to flight: So that Ottoman begins to be feared of such as hated him.  
Ertogrul being spent with Age and Infirmity, created by lying in the Field, and watching in Camps, died in the ninety third year of his Age, Anno 1289. Having since the Death of Solyman his Father, governed the Og●zian Family fifty two years, who now being dead, the Heads of the Family assembled to choose another Lord, and thereupon they pitched upon Dunder, Entogrul's Brother, but he by reason of his great Age refusing the Honour; they with one Consent elected Ottoman, saluting him by the Name of Beg or Lord, he being by this means become Lord of the same Family. The Herdsmen that said their Flocks upon the Mountains complained to him, of outrages done them in passing and repassing by the Garrison or Soldiers of the Castle of Einegiol, they being thereto incited by their Captain, with which he being not a little grieved, sent to the Captain of Bil●zuga his Friend, another Castle not far distant from the former, to permit his People to shelter and refresh themselves therein, during their passing and repassing to the Mountains, to which in Relation to the Turkish Women he Consented, but not to permit the Men for Fear of a surprise: So that they went another way, avoiding the former Castle, but Ottoman still studying Revenge for the Injuries done to his People; whereupon gathering what Force he could, he passed to the Mountains, in hopes to surprise it; but the Captain having notice thereof came out to meet him, laying an Ambush in hopes to entrap him, of which he being ware came not into it, but gave the Captain battle upon plain Ground; and after some slaughter on both side put him to slight, and passing on took the Castle of Chalce not far from Einegiol by surprise, putting all he found therein to the Sword, of which outrage great Complaint was made to the Governor of Cara-Chisar, and great Forces raised to apprehend him, and destroy the Oguzian Family, who as they said coming not long before, poor Herdsmen and sheltered out of Pity, began to Usurp over the rightful Inhabitants.  
Against these Preparations Ottoman provided the best he could, and near to Mount Tmolus, gave Battle to Calanus, Brother to the Governor of Cara-Chisar, who overthrown in the Battle lost his Brother Saragatine, and many other Friends; when shortly after Sultan Aladine the last Sultan of Iconium understanding what had happened, and that Ottoman might stand him in stead against the Christians, gave him the City of Paleopolis, with all the Territories thereunto belonging: So by this means he became of a poor Herdsman, a formidable Governor, when not unmindful upon what Account such a Favour was bestowed upon him, he entered into Consultation with his Brother Jundus, how he might best get away, but he finding himself too weak, and by that means Considering he should lay himself open to the Fury of the Tartar, he resolved to make Peace with such as would accord thereto, and wait his better Fortune; for there wanted not some of the Selzuccian Family, that greatly envied his Aspiring, yet encouraged by the Sultan, he took the strong Castle of Cara-Chisar the residence of his Enemy, and so settled his Affairs, winning upon his People with kind Speeches and bounty, that great numbers of the Turks daily resorted to him.  
Now during the prosperous Proceed of Ottoman, there happened a Quarrel between the two Christian Captains of Belezuga, and Cupri-Chisar, upon which the former doubting his strength, and yet desirous of Revenge solicited Ottoman for aid, who in lieu of some kindnesses received, came to his Assistance with 100 Turks; by whose Valour he overthrew his Adversary, took his Castle, and put him to the Sword, which so swollen the Captain with Pride that he gave Ottoman many rich Gifts, as likewise to his Soldiers; but what vexed them more than the Gifts pleased them, he gave them his Hand to kiss; and above all, Ottoman who advised with his Cousin Dunder his Uncle's Son, what Revenge was best to be taken, to humble the Captain's insolence; but seeming to dissuade him from any such Attempt, and to be the Captain's Friend, lest he should relate his Intentions, and that redound to his prejudice, resolving to make all; he at an advantage shot his Cousin through with an Arrow, and hide him in the Sand.  
Long it was not after this Transaction, e'er he was invited by one Michael Cossi Captain of Hirmen Caia, to the Marriage of his Daughter, where according to the Custom of the Country, making large Presents; the rest of Captains began to mistrust his greatness, so that the Captain of Belezuga resolved to prevent it with his Death, and therefore the better to have him within his Power, he invited him to his Wedding at a certain day, making Cossi privy to his Design: And a little before the appointed time, sent Cossi to fetch him, who was as ready to accompany him, which Cossi perceiving, to prevent his Ruin discovered the Conspiracy against his Life: Whereupon he Contracted a strict Amity with him, obliging him to secrecy, and then began to cast about how he might be revenged of the said Captain; and so ordered it, that sending about forty men in a Carriage instead of packs of Presents, they, whilst the Captain and all his People, unless a few left to secure the Castle, by the help of some Soldiers, who in the habit of Turkish Women were sent thither by the Captain's order, as Othomans' Friends, surprised it, putting the Warders to the Sword: Now Ottoman came according the Captains wish, and stayed drinking with him in his pleasant Bowers, till he supposed his men had effected his Commands; and together with Cossi and some other of his Companions retired, which the Captain perceiving, and loath to let him escape his Hands, as supposing he had him sure; he and all his Soldiers followed him, but being overcharged with Wine, they were by him and his Company lightly slain.  
Things thus prospering he followed his Advantage, and the next Morning surprised the Castle of Jarchisar, took the Captain Prisoner; as likewise Lubufer the fair Damosel with all her Attendants, that should have the next day been Married to the Captain of Bilezuga, and gave her in Marriage to his Son Orcanes, who had Issue by her Amurath, the third King of the Turks, and Solyman Bassa; and immediately thereupon besieged the Castle of Einegiol, which he took, and put the Garrison to the Sword; and now no longer resolving to play small Games, he besieged the City of Nice in Bythinia, not many years before the Seat of the Greek Emperor, to relieve which the Emperor sent such Forces as could upon so short a warning be drawn together; which Ottoman encountering with overthrew, and afterward by Famine constrained the Citizens upon promise of Life, to surrender the City with spoils, of which he greatly enriched himself, sending part thereof to the Sultan, who in requital ordered prayers to be put up for his prosperous Success, promising that he should succeed him in his Kingdom, of which being disappointed, at the death of the said Sultan by those that divided it into an Anarchy, he nevertheless took upon him the Dignity of a Sultan, Coining Money, and Causing public prayers to be put up in his own name, and sezing upon Neapolis, made it his Regal seat calling it Despotopolis or the City of the Prince; and thus Anno 1300 begun the great Empire of the Turks. This upstart Turk having so soon advanced his fortune, settled his Government with wholesome Laws, the lasting Cords of Empire, and then drawing all his forces together laid Siege to Prusia, during which the Christian Princes that bordered upon him, drew all their forces together, resolving to give him battle, but therein his good fortune prevailing they were overthrown, whereupon several Towns and Castles fell into his hands, some surrendering voluntarily, and others by force compelled so to do; but the strong City of Prusia, in which was the broken Army of the Christians stood impregnable, whereupon he built two Castles to block it up, and returned to Neapolis, sending his Captains out daily with strong parties, to fetch booties out of the Christian Territories, and to take in such Castles as by surprise, or otherwise might fall into their hands: His Power being now greatly increased, that he was able to draw into the Field 20 or 30000 Horse and Foot, at what time Cossi the Christian Captain revolting, turned Turk, and stood Ottoman in great stead during his Wars; nor did the other Turks in the Lesser Asia less endamage the Christians, so that the Greek Empire began to Dwindle into a small Circumference, occasioned by the divisions amongst themselves about Religion; for young Baldwin the Latin Emperor, being expelled Constantinople, as is aforesaid in flying into Germany, lay daily at Charles the Emperor to restore him, which Paleologus the Greek Emperor understanding, offered unto Pope Gregory the tenth, that if he would divert the Emperor's forces by entangling him in Domestic troubles, he would so order the matter that the Greek Empire, in matters of Religion should acknowledge the See of Rome as Supreme, and from thence take all directions as to Ecclesiastical affairs, which Innovation caused divers tumults, and many to leave the Empire, rather choosing to dwell with the Turks, which troubles lasted to the Death of Paleologus, nor could he fulfil his promise to the Pope.  
After the Greek Emperors Death, Andronicus succeeded in the Empire, who was no less troubled with the Incursions of the Turks, yet he fought with them several Battles with various with Success, but then a difference arising between him and his Brother Constantine, all his hopes of prevailing vanished though without cause, as most believe suspected his Brothers aspiring to Empire, who was one of the chiefest Bulwarks against the Turks, beyond the River Meander, giving to them many a fatal overthrow, yet was he cast in Prison, with many of his followers, and one Alexus Philanthropenus made General of the Army, in his stead, to whom was joined Libadarius, an experienced Captain, and grave Councillor, the former of which after having obtained many Victories over the Turks and Tartars, persuaded by the Cretensians, Rebelled against the Emperor, taking upon himself the title of Emperor, which lasted not long, for being overthrown by the latter in a mortal Battle, was delivered bound by his Soldiers to the Conqueror, who depriving him of his Sight, sent him to the Emperor, then residing at Constantinople.  
The Rebellion created such Jealousy in the Emperor, that he chose rather to trust strangers, than his own Subjects, so that he having notice of the Massagetes, a People dwelling beyond Ister, being oppressed by the Tartars, he upon their Supplication, appointed them part of his Dominions, whereupon they came over to him with about 10000 families, which caused him to fall into the displeasure of his Subjects; these new-come guests, being completely Armed, he sent them with many others, against the Turks, under one leading of his Son, and Partner in the Empire Michael Paleologus, who at the first sight of the Turks, without so much as striking a stroke fled, which gave the Enemy the advantage of conquering the Country as ●ar as Lestos.  
After this as if destiny had so willed it, the Emperor called to his aid Ronzerius a Pirate, who came with 2000 Catalonians, and afterwards increase● his number by sending for more, who at first did considerable service, but within a while fell to spoiling and plundering the Emperor's Dominions in Asia, worse than the Turks, as likewise by setting out certain Galleys, bobbed all the Merchants that passed those Seas, till at last their Galleys being destroyed by a Fleet of the Genoese, and their Captain slain, by the command of the young Emperor, they called in the Turks, having first seized upon the City of Calipolis; against these who with joint forces harased the Country, the young Emperor went in person, but was overthrown and most of his Greeks slain, upon the revolt of the Massagets and other treacherous Mercenaries, who were shortly recompensed according to their deserts; for being about to return home with the spoil they had gotten, the Catalonians set upon them, and put 'em all to the Sword, taking from them a rich booty, and then passing through many Countries, they left the Emperor free, till at last coming to the Territories of the Duke of Thebes, and he refusing to give them passage, they in a set battle overthrew his power and seized on his Country, in which they settled themselves, where their Posterity to this day remains.  
But this freed not the Emperor of the danger, for the Turks coming down in great number, and having overthrown the young Emperor spoiled all Thracia, to stay whose fury Philes Paleologus a devout man and Kinsman to the Emperor, undertook the defence of his bleeding Country, and meeting them as they were ranging to and fro burning and destroying all before 'em, he in a set battle overthrew 'em, and forced 'em into the City of Chersonesus, where he so straightly besieged them by Sea and Land, that endeavouring to break through the Leaguer, they were most of them slain, and the rest taken Prisoners.  
Things being at this pass, and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire, intestine broils began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks; for the young Emperor being dead, they stirred up young Adronicus his Son, to depose his Grandfather the old Emperor, which after several Stratagems and devices he effected, taking the City of Constantinople by treason, and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died.  
These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves, gave Ottoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima, where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions, having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories, and amongst the rest Prusia, which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles, few of which were afterward observed, by the Turk, which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia, became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings. But as all men must yield to death, so in the 28 year of his Reign, and the 69 year of his Age Ottoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire, still called from him the Ottoman Empire, died, and was buried in Prusia, where to this day his Tomb is to be seen, and in his new acquired Kingdom, Orcanes his Second Son succeeded him, his eldest dying during his Regency.   

CHAP. VII. The Life and Actions of Orcanes, otherwise Urchan, Second King of the Turks in Asia.  
THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons, viz. Orcanes, alias Vrchan, his Second Son, and Aladin his third and youngest Son, and he having left great store of wealth, Orcanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom, allotting to his Brother Aladin, at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country, where he lived a private Life, without doing any thing worthy of memory, but Orcanes now settled in his Kingdom, following his father's footsteps, whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General, he forgot not to proceed where he had left off, and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians, but at first with no great Success, for the Christians upon the death of Ottoman, drawing their forces together out of all parts, recovered the City of Nice, with divers Castles and Towns, and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser, which greatly hindered the Turks excursions, who dwelled in Bythinia; whereupon Orcanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded, went with several of his followers, in the attire of Merchants, and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance, but were no sooner entered ere they proved fatal ones; for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death, and seized the Castle, and having Garrisoned it, passed on to the City of Nice, to which they laid siege, when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise, but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers, the Turks from the Mountains, as they were passing through the hot Country, setting upon them a cruel battle begun, but night coming on they parted by consent, yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People, and was himself wounded with an Arrow, so that despairing of effecting what he came for, leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein, every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night, so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels, who heightened by this Success, took in several Sea Towns, and within a while recovered the City of Nice, by Stratagem; As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp, had promised to send them 1000 Horsemen of which Orcanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit, and sent them with full instructions, who being come within sight of the City, he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers, whom the other espying, as if they had been ignorant of the Matter, turned upon them, and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight, then taking their way to the City, the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates, supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid; but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse, and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush, were at their Heels; by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks, whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers, and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives.  
The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract, the Turks wasting all before them as they went, miserably burning up what they could not carry away; so that the Countries before them were dispeopled, all the Inhabitants flying from them, as a tenfold Contagion: So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor, the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance, and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus, he sent Accecozza, one of his great Captains to win them if possible, who by the way having Intelligence that the Captain's Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead, his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnised without the Walls; whereupon laying an Ambushment, they upon the Mourners approach, suddenly issued from their Coverts, and slew several of them, taking the remainder Prisoners, and amongst them the Captain, whom they carried to the Castle; telling those that kept the Walls, that if they did not deliver it, he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes; at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer, that they might Kill him, Boyl him, and Eat him if they pleased, but as for the Castle they would not deliver it; whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force, departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took, and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Money, and amongst the rest, the Captain of Scamandra; and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hell●●●●, was the only place Aimed at, when, as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castle's Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean; the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains, the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision, and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall, 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tied to a stone at his Fee●● 〈…〉 pressed her Passion, Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love, she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands. This Letter 〈…〉 Ac●ecozza, he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request, that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprise, he Consented; it being agreed, that to give the besieged the less Suspicion, the Army should give a general assault, and then draw off, the which being done, the Garrison buried in Sleep and Wine for joy of the Turks departure, neglecting their Watches; the Captain being Conducted by his Mistress a private way, entered with about fifty Followers, and putting the Warders to the Sword, opened the Gates and let in the Army, who the next Morning took the Garrison. The Turks departed with their Prisoners and such Booty as they found: The Tratyress being given to Abdurachman as a reward of his Adventurous undertaking, not long after Accecozza dying, Orcanes made his Sons, Amurath and Solyman Lords of the Provinces he had taken from the Christians, who laid Siege to the City of Ni●●media, which despairing of succour, surrendered upon Condition, that so many as would departed might, and those that would stay there might, without any hurt: Either Body, or Goods, of which City Solyman was made Governor, and thereupon he removed his Court from Prusa to Nice, that he might be near his new Conquests at all times, to give such necessary Orders as were Convenient; and so prospered that he soon after got Possession of Taraxa, Govinucia, and Mndurne; and raising a puissant Army, he invaded the Country of Carasiana (the Brothers of the deceased King being at odds about the Succession) and soon overrun it, forcing one of the Brothers to fly into Pergamum, and the other as his Vassal to hold the Kingdom in Fee of him, at the same time made his younger Son Amurath Lord of Prusa.  
The Turkish Kingdom being thus settled in Asia, Archanes consulted with his Son Solyman about getting footing in Europe, which he promised to effect; and upon his return to his Government, sent over Ezes-Bey his chief Captain, and some others to discover the Country; who taking a Greek Prisoner returned and presented him to Solyman, who having given him Money and Raiment, inquired of the Nature of the Country, who informed them at large: Whereupon repassing with a small Force, they seized upon the Castle of Zembenick, without doing any harm to the Garrison, which was indeed but small; most of them being gone out to fetch in their Harvest.  
The News of the Turks landing in Europe, soon flew to Constantinople, but such was their Cowardice and Sloth together with intestine Divisions, that no Care was taken to expulse them: So that they daily increasing their Power, by such as were sent over in Boats, seized also upon the Castle of Maditas, and afterward spoiled the Country of Chersonesus, as far as Callipolis; which City they took after having overthrown the Governor in a pitched Battle; yet so infatuated were the greater part of the Greeks, that they made a jest of the proceed of the Turks, who were by this time advanced 200 from the Castle of Zembenick, where they first Landed. Whereupon Solyman sent to his Father, to acquaint him with what had passed, as likewise to desire him, to send him fresh supplies of Men, not only to secure what he had won, but to prosecute his successful beginning; upon the recipe of which news Orcanes greatly rejoiced, and immediately Commanded 1000 Saracens and Turks, to pass the Hellespont in Boats prepared for that purpose, upon whose Arrival Solyman intercepted the Goveronour of Conger Castle, who had greatly annoyed the Turks, and striking off his Head before the Castle-Gate so terrified those that were within, that they soon surrendered the Place, from whence the Turks frequently sallying fetched in great Booties, venturing even to the Walls of Didymotichum.  
And thus in the space of one year, the Turks got strong footing in Europe, possessing themselves of divers Castles and Towns, with the Countries about them; which Solyman as a reward of their Service, gave to his Captains and Soldiers, as appeareth by the Monuments of Ezes-Beg, and Fazel-Beg the first, Two Turkish Captains that set Footing in Europe, but for a while a stop was put to the Turks Progress, occasioned by the Death of Solyman; who hawking in the Fields of Bolyre, and following too furious in taking a Ditch, his Horse threw him where he received such a mortal bruise, that he within a few days after died, which News coming to his Father Orcanes, he for grief fell sick, and within two Months gave up the Ghost, Anno 1359. and of his Age 80 years, having Reigned 31 years.  
This Orcanes was both warlike and Politic; Courteous he was to his Friends, and stern to his Enemies, much devoted to the Mahometan superstition; and a great Enemy to the Christians.   

CHAP. VIII. The Life and Actions of Amurath the first of that Name, and third King of the Turks.  
OChanes and Solyman his eldest Son being dead, Amurath succeeded in the Kingdom, as the younger Son to the deceased King; who at his first Entrance upon his Government, had great Contests with the Turkish Princes of the lesser Asia, who Envying his aspiring, as supposing in the Currant of his Victories, he might as well overthrow them, as the Christians; but having Vanquished their Forces, and brought them Terms of Agreement, he turned his Arms upon Europe with a great host; passing the Hellespont he seized upon the Castle of Benutum, when passing on the Greeks now roused out of their security, opposed him with such Forces as they could draw together, but were soon overthrown: After which he won the Town of Trurulus, taking likewise all the Castles and small Towns adjoining, as Mesine, Burgos, Hebrus, and soon after Didimotichum; and staying there sent one of his Captains named Lala-Schakin, to besiege Hadrianople, now called Adrianople with whom the Christians fought a great and mortal Battle, but such was their ill steered Fate that Victory declared for the Infidels. So that that great City being out of all hopes of Relief, opened her Gates to the Enemy, Anno 1362. The City of Hadrianople being taken, or, as their own Histories relate, taken by Treachery in time of Peace; Amuratis made it the chief Seat of the Turkish Kings in Europe, as a place from whence he might best annoy Christendom, and then sending for his Captains, he Commanded to invade the Countries of Philipopolis, Zogora, and Ipsala; the which in a snort time they brought under Subjection.  
The Turkish Kingdom in a small time being spread wide, Cura Rustemes the Doctor of the Mahometan Law, and Zinderlu Chelil the Chief Justice devised the Order or Constitution of the Janissaries (which have ever since been available to Turks in all their Wars) after this manner, that seeing there were great multitudes of Christian Captives frequently taken, the Youths above fifteen years of Age should every fifth be the Kings, and if there wanted of five, than he who had them should pay twenty five Asper's a Head, and that those which appertained to the Kind should for three of four years be put to hard Labour, the better to enure 'em to Hardship; and then being brought to Court to serve in the Wars, as the King's Lifeguard being always near his Person. Which advice was so well approved of, that it has continued acceptable to the Ottoman Kings and Emperors ever since.  
Amurath having settled his Conquests in Europe, leaving a sufficient Power with his great Captains: The Winter coming on, the passed over into Asia; but early in the Spring, upon view than the Christians were in Arms he returned, and by the way took the Town of Boge, putting the chief Inhabitants to the Sword, and carrying away the rest Captives, but held it not long e'er it was recovered and razed by the Christians, who served the Turks in like manner.  
In the mean time the Christian Army in Servia and Bulgaria consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot, advanced in Order to their besieging Adrianople, which obliged him for his better security, to haste over the Hellespont, giving Order for a great number of Asians to follow him, but by reason of the Christians discord amongst themselves, and refusing to join their Forces, they were set upon at advantage, and overthrown with the loss of half the Army, e'er the Forces arrived from Asia. The News of which fatal overthrow spreading wide, Anairath's Fame spread wider; Insomuch that German-Ogly Reigning in the lesser Asia, and being chief of the Zelzuccian Family, sent his Ambassadors to entreat a Marriage between his Daughter Hatun, and young Bajazet, in lieu of which he promised a great part of his Territory, and that his Son-in-Law at his Death should succeed him in his Kingdom, by that means joining both Families into one, the which in short time was accorded; at the Celebration of which Nuptials, the Ambassadors of almost all the Princes of the East were present, who in the Names of their Lords presented the Bridegroom and Bride with exceeding rich Gifts; but Amurath to outdo them all, caused Euronoses to bring out of Europe 100 beautiful Boys, with as many Virgins; all Christian Captives clad in rich Garments, embroidered with Gold and Pearl, each of them holding a Cup of Gold in the one hand, and a Cup of Silver in the other, filled with Jewels, Pearls, Amber, and the like; which he caused in requital of their Kindness given to the Ambassador to be.  
At this Marriage Chusun-Beg Prince of Amisum in Galatia, sold by his Ambassador his Territories of Amisum to Amurath, as doubting to keep them; the Turks Power being now so near him.  
The Nuptials Celebrated, Amurath making his Son Bajazer Governor of his Countries in Anatolia, gathered what Forces he could for the Invasion of Servia, taking by the way the strong City of Pherae; and entering Servia the Despot no ways able to oppose him, he took Nissa the Metropolis of that Province; and soon after Apolonia with many other places of strength, so in fourteen days overrun nigh all the Provinces, but receiving News out of Asia, that Aladine King of Caramania, who a little before had Married his Daughter, wasted his Countries in Asia with Fire and Sword, which so enraged Amurath, that making Peace with the Despot of Servia, he passed over with an Army of 70000 Horse and Foot, to whom in number Aladine was not inferior, as having Confederated hmself with all the Petty Princes of Asia, when after several overtures of Peace proposed and none accepted; both Armies joined on the great Plains of Carramania, where after a dreadful Battle Aladin's Army was overthrown, he was forced to fly into Iconium his chief City, and was there straightly besieged, but at the humble Supplication of his Queen, who would have no denial at her Father's hands; he upon his Submission was restored again to his Dignity and Kingdom, as likewise were all the Princes, his Confederates upon Condition of acknowledging him their supreme Lord.  
Whilst these things passed, the Despot of Servia grieving that he had made such a dishonourable League with the Turks, and being told by his General, sent with Forces to assist Amurath against the Caramanian King, how despitefully he had used him and his Soldiers, therewithal stirring him up to break the League, and cast off the servile Yoke, he sent secretly to the King of Bozan, to request him to join with him against the Turkish Tyrant, who willingly accorded; and at an interview between the said King, and the Despot all things were agreed, upon Notice of which Amurath was not a little perplexed, but yet resolving to take revenge, he gathered great Forces to invade both Princes; the which whilst he was doing, the Captain of Alexandria took a Castle in the Confines of Bosan, came privately to his Tent and offered to deliver to him most part of the Country, if he would follow his directions, strengthening his Promise with many specious Arguments; insomuch that the Greedy Turk giving Credit to what he had said, sent twenty thousand Men under the leading of his great Captain and Tutor Lala-Schalin, who plundering part of the Country, and at last by the said Captain's device, who had by Amurath been highly honoured, especially with a rich Cloak, which signifies the Person so invested to be highly in the Favour of the Turkish King; but having drawn them within the Danger of the Ambush, he sent to the King of Bosan, who coming upon them with 30000 Greeks, as they were straggling cut of 50000 of them, the other 5000 with Schakin hardly escaping to tell the News.  
With this overthrow of his Men, Amurath was greatly enraged, and gathering all his Power marched into Servia (which before he had Relinquished upon the Despots becoming his Tributary) where he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to receive him; when after some Towns and Castles taken, on either side, both Armies met upon the great Plains of Cossovia, where when the Captains on either side had put their Men in Order; exhorting them to do their best for obtaining the Victory, they joined with such Fury that the Earth trembled under their Feet, and such was the horrid noise of Clashing Arms, shouts of the Conquerors Cries, of the Vanquished and Weeing of Horses, that wild Beasts in the Mountains trembled; and those that beheld the Fight supposed that showers of Arrows descended from the Clouds. At first the Turks gave back, being assailed by the Christians in great number, and the Right Wing routed, but Bajazet coming in with a fresh Power renewed the Battle, which having continued eight hours with great slaughter: Insomuch that all the Plains were covered with the Bodies of the slain, most of the Christian Captains killed Valiantly fight, and amongst the rest, Lazerus the Despot, the Victory fell to the Turks; those that fell in the Battle, not being accounted less than 50000.  
After the Battle was over, Amurath greatly Rejoicing in his huge Conquest, in a Vainglorious Humour would needs take a view of the heaps of the dead Carcases, which made the Plain Mountainous, when as a half dead Soldier, named Cobelits faint with loss of Blood and Wounds, rising as it were from the Grave, came towards him staggering and falling three or four times in twenty paces, when those that were about him, would have hindered his approach; but Amurath (Destiny so ordering) Commanded he should have access, supposing he would have Petitioned for his Life; when on the contrary without a Word speaking, Cobelits drawing forth a Dagger, stabbed him into the Belly, for which he was presently hewn in pieces; nor did Amurath long survive him, but within three days after died of his Wound, and was buried in Prusia, Anno 1390. of his Age 68 years, and of his Reign 31 years. To whom succeeded Bajazet his eldest Son, who was no sooner Crowned, but he caused his Brother Jacup to be strangled in his Presence with a Bowstring, which wicked Precedent has ever since been put in Practice by the Ottoman Kings and Emperors.   

CHAP. X. The Life of Bajazet, the first of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity.  
BAjazet a man of a Proud and haughty temper, having taken upon him the Regency of his Father's Kingdoms, fell heavily upon Servia, not so much as vouchsafing to hear the Ambassadors sent on their behalf, which made the Princes of the West begin to consider their own estate, and especially Vincelaus the Germane Emperor, and Sigismond King of Hungary, and not contented with the spiols of Servia, he made several inroads into Bosan, spoiling the Country and carrying away great booties, when in the mean while the King of Caramania hearing of his Father's death, began anew to waste his Countries in Asia, which caused Bajazet to send a great power, who overthrew him and recovered all that was lost taking from him likewise his own Country which obliged him in humble wise to beg their restauration, which Bajazet upon condition that he should from that time forward become his vassal restored.  
About this time Philadelphia, the only City the Christians had in Asia, was besieged by Bajazet's Power, and after a strait Siege and no hopes of any succours, delivered by the Citizens as a ransom for their Lives and Persons.  
Having subdued Servia, and the greatest part of Bosan, he invaded Thessalia wasting it as he passed with fire and Sword, even to the Walls of Thessalonica, taking Neopolis in Greece; and Joannia in Aetolia, and afterward returning into Asia he there spent the Winter, but Spring being come, with all his Power he repassed the Hellespont, and laid close Siege to Constantinople, the seat of the Greek Emperor, Emanuel Paleologus then Reigning, who after he had been brought to great extremity, went to the Germane Emperor's Court to crave aid, who together with many other Christian Princes, sent an Army of 250000 under the leading of young Sigismond King of Hungary, to oppose whom Bajazet raised his Siege and found them besieging Neocopolis; from whence they drew into the great Plain and joined Battle, but by reason of the confusion that was in the Christian Army, their Van being overcharged, the Rear fled without striking a stroke, so that the Turks getting the Victory with a far less number pursued so hard upon the Christians that the greater part of the Army was slain, taken prisoners and drowned in passing the River Danubius.  
After this great and unexpected Victory over the Christians occasioned by the emulation that arose amongst their great Commanders, Bajazet returned to the Siege of Constantinople, now out of all hope to be relieved, where whilst he lay casting his eyes upon Despina, the slain Despot of Servia's fair Daughter, offered by her Mother; his former Wife being dead he Married her, and for her sake restored to her Brother Stephen all his father's Principalities.  
Aladin the Carramanian King being dead, and his Son of the same name Reigning in his stead, desirous to revenge the wrong Bajazet had done his Father's Subjects, coming to Aucyra surprised Temurtasses Bajazet's great Lieutenant, but upon the approach of Bajazet with his Army he richly arraying begged his pardon, and set him at liberty, sending Ambassadors to excuse them; but Bajazet would not suffer them to come into his sight, whereupon the young King gathering all the Power of his Country, fought with him a great Battle, but being far too weak for such an Enemy was overthrown & he taken Prisoner, & by the Command of Bajazet delivered to Temurtases his Capital Enemy, who for the disgrace he had put upon him caused him to be strangled, which rash deed much grieved Bajazet, the young Prince being his Sister's Son, yet he seized upon the greatest part of his Kingdom, though he had several Sons living, and so enraged was he that he expulsed all the Mahometan Princes in Lesser Asia, and seized upon their Territories, whereupon they fled to Tamerlane the Great, who having Married the daughter of the Cham or Emperor of Tartary, and now returned from the Conquest of China, he took them into his protection, and being at the same time Solicited for aid by Emanuel the Greek Emperor, he sent to Bajazet his Ambassadors, with many rich presents, requesting him to cease from molesting his Allies, but he in a proud manner not only rejected his presents, but with many opprobrious words, cast foul reproaches on him, telling his Ambassadors that he desired nothing more than to meet him in the field, and with many taunting expressions dismissed them. The report of which so throughly nettled the Tartar, that he resolved with a puissant Army to go against him, being heightened thereto by Axalla his great favourite, a Genua by birth, and friend to the Greek Emperor, whose cause he daily solicited. And Tamerlane who was a wellwisher to the Christians, in his opinion differing little from them so well approved of all he said, and having taken his leave of his Father-in-Law, and his Wife, with a powerful Army he passed the Mountains, Marching through many Countries, none daring oppose his passage, till at length coming to Bachichich, he mustered his Army, and found it to consist of 800000 Horse and Foot of divers Nations, to whom he gave general pay, not having suffered the least wrong to be done in any Country, through which he had passed.  
Bajazet lying at the Siege of Constantinople, and hearing the Tartar approached with a Power that covered the Countries as he passed, he raised his Siege, and contrary to Tamerlains Expectation, but even as he wished, came over with such forces as he could raise, into Asia; where he joined with his Lieutenant, whilst the Tartars still came on, having by this time passed Euphrates, and taken all the Cities in their way, that appertained to Bajazet, and amongst the rest the great City of Sabastia, once the chief Seat of the Turkish Sultan, utterly rasing it, putting all the Citizens to the Sword, or as some, Buried them alive in deep Pits he caused to be digged for that purpose, unless the Governor whom he set at Liberty to carry the News to Bajazet, who was advancing 500000 Strong, who upon the Governors coming into his presence, demanded which was the greater Army he having seen both, to which after having craved pardon, he replied that the Tartars Army must needs be the greatest: by Reason he was Lord of far greater Countries; whereupon Bajazet Laughing, said out of doubt the sight of the Tartars hath made this Coward so afraid, that he thinketh every Enemy two.  
The Armies being come near to each other upon the great Plains of Sennas', he thought not good to join Battle presently by Reason the Evening approached; yet many light Skirmishes happened between the Parthian Horsemen, and the Forerunners of the Turkish Army; but the next Morning either Host being set in Array, after some Pause the charge was Sounded, whereupon the Prince of Ciarcan Tamarlin's Kinsman, with 40000 Horse charged the Turks in the Front, and Piercing their Battle, put the Jannizaries into disorder; but venturing too far was there Slain, whereupon Axalla Leading the Vanguard composed of Sciths and Parthians, bore upon the left Wing of the Turks Army, cutting in pieces and Bearing down all that opposed him, at what time his Footmen coming to join with him he Faced the Battalion of the Jnnaizaries; who behaved themselves Valiantly for the safety of their Prince, who in the middle of them Fought on Foot, which Fight continued Bloody, and doubtful for the space of an Hour, all the place being heaped with the Bodies of the Slain; till at last the Tartars being overcharged gave Ground, which Tamerlain from his Stand perceiving sent 10000 Horse to Reinforce them, and other 10000 to Fight in the Rearward, and at the same time sent his Footmen, who fell in with the Turks main Battle that remained yet unshaken with such fury, that making them give way, he opened them to the Rear of the Jannizaries; wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet, who sustained the greatest Brunt of the Fight, but at last overpowered with number, they were forced to give Gronnd, at what time Tamerlain coming on with 50000 fresh Horse, Bore down all before him till he came to the Jannizaries (who always Fight in the Heart of the Army) and they weary, and not able to make sufficient resistance, were trodden down on all sides, so that the Battle Swerving, the Turks betook themselves to Flight, and amongst the rest Bajazet wounded as he was, who afterwards fell into the Hands of Axalla, together with his Son Musa. The Despot of Servia and many others of note.  
This great Victory fell to the Tartars chief, by the revolt of a great number of Bajazet's men; who were raised in the Countries of the Mahometan Princes expulsed, who in the Heat of the Battle, seeing their natural Lords under Tamerline's Standard went over to 'um.  
This Fight lasted Bloody and doubtful from Seven in the Morning till four in the Evening, wherein as many report 200000 on either side were Slain, and amongst the rest Mustapha Bajazet's Son with most of his great Commanders.  
After this Bajazet being brought before Tamerlain, and demanded why he oppressed the Christians, and made War upon so Noble a Prince as was the Emperor of Greece; to which he replied, Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me, even the desire of Glory and Sovereignty; and why, said Tamerlain, do you use such Tyranny over those you Conquer without Respect of Sex or Age? That I did, said he, to give the greater Terror to my Enemies: Ah what wouldst thou have done with me, said Tamerlain, if it had been thy Fortune to have had me in thy Power? I would, said the haughty Turk (not Conquered tho overcome) have put thee in a Cage of Iron, and have carried thee in Triumph about my Kingdom. Even so said Tamerlain, shalt thou be served, and thereupon commanded him out of his presence, and as he had determined, shortly after Cooped him up in a Cage of Iron, and carried him into the Countries he Conquered, whose Calamity may well serve as a memento to all aspiring Mortals, by putting them in mind that the Worldly Glory is not perminent.  
After this the Greek Emperor sent his Ambassedor to Tamerlain in his Name, to deliver up his City and Empire; but he refused, saying he had Dominions sufficient of his own, and after having seen the City and wondered at its fair Structures and Riches, he taking leave of the Emperor; he passed with his Army into Egypt, to be revenged on the Sultan for assistng Bajazet against him with 30000 Mamalukes, having first subdued all, or the greatest part of all the Turks Dominions in Asia; and entirely restored Europe to its rightful possessors: and meeting with the Sultan he overthrew his Army, consisting of 174000 Horse and Foot, and so winning Damascus, Jerusalem, Damiata, Cairo, and most of the Cities in Egypt, Syria, Lybia, and other Eastern Countries, making all the Kings as he passed become his Tributaries, he left Calibes a great Captain with the greatest part of his Army, to pursue the Egyptian Sultan, and secure what he had won; having news that his Father in Law was sick, and that his Wife was desirous of his Company, he returned into his Country, but ere his departure Bajazet as desperate and impatient of his Misfortune, had beaten his Brains out against the Bars of his Cage, as the mos Authentic Authors affirm; though the Turks say he was set at Liberty by Tamerlain, who beforehand had caused to take Poison, of which within three Days he died, though their saying is very unlikely to be true; but however he was Buried in Prusa, by his beloved Wife Despina, Anno 1399. having Reigned seven years, and kept under restraint two years.   

CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the first King of the Turks, and the restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars.  
THough Historians somewhat vary about the Successor of Bajazet, yet the most Credible do affirm that his Son Mahomet, several of his other Brothers being slain and carried away Captive, succeeded him, and that the rest might be mistaken in the Name.  
This Mahomet, when his Father was taken Prisoner, was but fifteen years of Age, having been by him appointed his Successor for the great Hope he saw in him, for the recovery of the broken and much shattered Kingdom.  
When Mahomet entered upon Kingly Authority, the Tartars possessed a great part of the before Turkish Dominion, but the Remains of the scattered Army and other Aids resorting to his Standard after the departure of Tamerlain, he recovered many Cities, some by Force, and others by Revolt from the Tartars, and not long after in a great and bloody Battle overthrowing Inal Ogly Tamerlain's Lieutenant, he advanced more boldly and charged Costor Ogly, and Kinpeck Ogly, two more of Tamerlain's great Captains, whom he likewise overthrew; and following his good Fortune passed into the lesser Asia, of which Tamerlain having Notice sent for him with a Promise, to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage, to whom he intended to go; but by the way being often forced to fight through the Ambushment of the Tartars, he fearing it was a Design to take him Prisoner returned to his Government, excusing himself to Tamerlain's Ambassador, and sending one of his own Ambassadors to give the reason of his not coming; upon Notice of which, and that the Turks still prevailed; Tamerlaine prepared for a second Expedition, having recruited his huge Army for that purpose: But what Man willeth God disposeth, whilst he was intent upon the matter falling sick of a Fever, or Ague, after three sits he died; Death Conquering him, who in a short space Conquered fifty entire Kingdoms.  
This mighty Tartar being Dead, his great Kingdom divided amongst his Sons, by their jarring and discontent of the Nobility was soon after rent into pieces, most of it falling into the hands of the Turks who at this day possess it: And now Mahomet winning all the Dominions his Father held in the greater Asia, from the Tartars resolved to recover the rest, which his three Brothers, Isa, Solyman and Mnsa had seized on in Europe, and the lesser Asia; whereupon assembling all his Forces, he marched to L●pacllum, near to which Isa being encamped, he sent to offer him Caramania and several other Kingdoms in the lesser Asia; though indeed they were not his to give, being possessed by their rightful Princes, whom Tamerlain had re-possessed them off, which offer refused from a younger Brother, whereupon a bloody Battle ensued; in which Isa was overthrown, and for the preservation of his Life forced to fly to Emanuel the Greek Emperor: In this Battle were blain the two famous Basas, Eine and Tenurtases, of which overthrow Mahomet sent to certify his Brother Sol●●●●n then in Constantinople; after which he marched with his Army to Prrsa, and received under his Protection all the Countries adjoining; and now growing strong he ●eselved to brook no Rival in his Father's Kingdoms, when on the other hand Solyman his Elder Brother hearing what he had done, and knowing him to be of an aspiring Temper, thought it not Convenient to suffer him longer so Triumphantly to proceed; whereupon by the advice of his Grave Counsellors, he sent for his Brother Isa then at Constantinople, and making him general of his Army, gave him Orders to pass over into Asia, and curb the Pride of his aspiring Brother. Isa glad of this opportunity to revenge his own Injuries sustained, in losing his Dominions, obeying his Brother Solyman's Commands, entered Mahomet's Dominions, and there with Fire and Sword began his Progress, which Mahomet understanding came against him, and having overthrown his Forces put him to a second flight into Carramania; where, in obscurity, of the Wounds he received in Battle, and grief for his foul defeat he died.  
Solyman hearing of the defeat prepared a great Army to invade Asia, which made Mahomet retire into the Country of Amasa, as doubting the affections of his People, by reason the Kingdoms of Bajazet of Right appertained to Solyman as Flder: This retireing gave Solyman opportunity to advance to the Walls of Prus●s, which City he besieged, and had it presently yielded, except the Castle, which upon the Interceptions of Mahomet's Letters, was likewise surrendered, but upon the approach of Mahomet with a great Power, doubtful to keep what he had got, he with all his People retired to the straits of Neapolis, where he defended himself right valiantly against the assaults of his Brother, who by reason of the Intemperance of the Wether, and a Letter framed by Alis-Bassa, that there was a Conspiracy amongst his Captains to deliver him up to Solyman, he retired.  
Whilst these things were acting, Musa being set at Liberty by the Tartars, came to Mahomet's Camp & was of him joyfully received, when after some Discourse it was 'greed, that Musa with an Army should pass over the Euxin Sea, into Europe; and whilst Solyman was busy in Asia, seize upon his Country, which Expedition he undertaking, and making Isfender Prince of Castomonia his Friend, and afterward the Prince of Valachia, by marrying his Daughter, he soon prevailed with the Governors of the chief Cities, to Revolt from Solyman; when entering Hadrianople he caused himself to be invested with Royal Robes, and as King of the Country sent forth his Decrees, which Solyman hearing of as he lay at Ancira in Asia, passed the straits of Bosphorus with all the Forces he could raise, upon whose Departure Mahomet recovered what ever he had won in Asia.  
Solyman being come into Europe, Musa prepared to oppose him, and both Armies coming in sight of each other, Musa so dealt with Solyman's Captains, that they revolted, which he perceiving fled, accompanied only with Caratze-Beg, Cara Muchil and one Country Turk, whom they took with them as their Guide: whose persidiousness brought them to Destruction, for pretending to lead them through the byways all Night, he misnaming places brought them in the Morning near to Musa's Camp; when giving Notice to the Rustics they set upon them, and having killed the two Captains, took Solyman and delivered him to Musa, who immediately caused him to be strangled, whose Body by his Command was carried to Prusa, and there buried by his Ancestors.  
Solyman being Dead, Musa took upon him the Goernment of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe; as had been agreed between him and his Brother Mahomet, but e'er he was settled he began to Tyrannize beyond measure over his Subjects, which caused many of his great Captains to leave him, and amongst the rest Eurenosie feigning himself Blind found means to departed to Constantinople, from whence he wrote to Mahomet then in Asia; giving him an Account of his Brothers proceed, and soliciting him to pass over with his Army, whose Council Mahomet taking, making first a League with Emanuel the Greek Emperor, he entered Europe with his Army: But by the over eager pursuit of his Army, after the Vaunt Couriers of Musa's Army, his Orders being broken, he was put to flight, and forced to repass the Seas into Asia, leaving behind him a great part of his Army, who were spoiled by the Enemy.  
Mahomet thus foiled, and desirous of Revenge resolved once more to try his Fortune, and thereupon drawing to his Assistance Dulgader Ogly, who sent his Son with great Forces to serve him in his War, he repassed the Euxin, and by the Council of Eurenosis, having procured the revolt of Jegides-Bassa, Barack-Beg, and Sinon-Beg, 3 of Musa's great Captains who came over to him with 3000 valiant Turks he resolved to give his Brother battle, the which being joined, Musa by the revolt of other Commanders during the heat of fight was overthrown, taken, and by the Command of Mahomet strangled, receiving therein the same measure he had dealt to his Brother Solyman.  
After this overthrow of Musa, Mahomet proceeded to take possession of his Kingdom, the which whilst he was doing, news came that the Carramanian King spoiled his Countries in Asia, and had burnt his great City of prusa, which being a frontier City was still exposed to the miseries of War; whereupon Mahomet settling his Affairs in Europe as necessity would permit, passed into Asia, and falling like a tempest upon the Country of Carramama took Aspropolis, Despo●opolis, and Hierapolis, laying hard Siege to Iconium, which caused the Carramanian to send his Emb●●●dors to treat a Peace, the which by reason of the great ●oods of Rain that fell, and the Sickness in the Army, occasioned by the intemperance of the Wether, was by Mahomet accorded, but it continued not long ere the Carramanian King in the absence of Mahomet a second time invaded his Countries, with whom Mahomet fight, routed his Army, taking him and his Son Prisoners, for whose Ransoms he had delivered into his possession the principal Cities of Carramania, and then returning into Europe seized upon Valachia obliging the Prince thereof to become his Vassal.  
About this time two Persons viz. Buriluzes and Bedredin, pretending themselves to be great Prophets drew great multitudes after them who spoilt the Country, upon notice of which Mahomet sent forces to apprehend them, who dispersing their followers, hewed the former in pieces, and hanged the latter upon a Signpost, and now Mahomet falling sick without any hopes of recovery, assembled all his great Captains and charged them to obey his eldest son Amurath, whom after his decease he appointed to succeed him in his Kingdom, and lest in his absence he being then at his Government of Amass, any disturbance should happen, that they that were about him, if he should chance to die should conceal his Death: All which, he at that time dying, being accordingly observed, for when the Janiziries and Pensioners mistrusting him to be dead, and demanded to see him, the Bassas attiring him in his Royal Robes, like as when he was alive brought him forth into a large Gallery, placing a Boy under his Gown, who as he was Commanded, lifted the King's Arm and moved his head, with which those that were below were well contented, and by this Stratagem kept his Death Secret 41 days, even till Amurath came and took the Sceptre, the which had they not done the 〈◊〉 and Pensioners would have spoiled the rich City, wherein they were quartered, as ever since has been observed during an Interregnum.   

CHAP. XI. The Life of Amurath the Second of that name and Sixth King of the Turks, his Wars, Victories and Defeats.  
A Murath had no sooner taken possession of his Kingdom, and the Death of Mahomet published, but divers Princes revolted from him, and invaded his Territories, as the Prince of Smyrna, Mentesia, and others, and amongst the rest an obscure fellow of Thessalonica, feigning himself to be Mustapha the Eldest Son of Bajazet who was slain in the battle against Tamerlane, all the Turkish Cities in Europe fell to him, whereupon Amurath sent Bajazet Bassa against him with a great Army, which was no sooner landed but it revolted to Mustapha, leaving the Bassa alone to shift for himself, whereupon the Bassa together with his Brother Hamze submitted themselves to this counterfeit Son of Bajazet, but being envied by the rest of the Captains, they raised such Jealousies of his being treacherous in Mustapha, that he soon after put him to death, and afterward prepared for the Invasion of Amurath's Territories in Asia, of which he having notice, gathered all his forces to oppose him, and after ask Council of a Mahometan Priest, who assured him, he had after two repulses at the hands of the Great Prophet, obtained the favour of making him prosperous in his Wars, and so coming to the North-side of the River Vlibad, he found the Bridge broken down, and Mustapha's great Army encamped on the other side, where he so dealt with the great Captains of Mustapha's Army, that many of them revolted, and at length Mustapha being frighted by forged Letters, importing that his Army intended to deliver him up, fled by night, after which his men submitted to Amurath, and he in his flight being taken in Europe was hanged.  
The Rebellion being pacified, and Amurath informed that all this had happened, by the contrivance of the Greek Emperor, besieged Constantinople, which in vain he often attempted to take by storm, but whilst he lay at this siege, news was brought that the King of Caramania had set up another Mustapha, viz. his younger Brother Son to Mahomet, to whom many Countries in the lesser Asia revolted, which made Amurath raise his Siege, and with all haste March to oppose him, and with large gifts to have the sooner done he so corrupted Ilias Beg the young Prince's Tutor, that he delivered him up together with the City of Nice, where he was by Amurath's command Strangled.  
Amurath having appeased these Rebellious Tumults, Lessened his Council from 5 to 2 Bassas, viz. Ibrahim, and Eivazes, the latter of which being much envied by those that were outed, they supposing it was done by his persuasion, possessed Amurath that he had a design upon his Life, and after that to seize his Kingdom, and for that purpose went privately armed; to prove the truth of which Amurath one day clasping him in his Arms, as in token of Friendship, found it so indeed, and therefore growing more suspicious, notwithstanding his many excuses for his so doing, caused his Eyes to be put out, and soon after had news of the death of the King of Carramania his Mortal Enemy, who having laid Siege to the City of Attalia in Pamphilia, as he was viewing it to see where he might most conveniently make an Assault, was shot into the Breast, with an Arrow from a Lope-hole, at which Amurath greatly rejoiced, but his joy was soon allayed, by other news of a fierce Invasion of his Territories made by Tzunites Prince of Smyrna, but it soon blew over, for the Prince being Vanquished by the Viceroy of Anatolia, was together with his Son taken Prisoner; and contrary to Faith plighted Slain; after this Amurath Married the Daughter of Prince Isflendiar, and then on a sudden in revenge of the pretended wrongs done him by the Greeks, besieged and took Thessalonica and despoiled it of all its Riches, leading away the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity.  
At this time amongst other distressed Princes, John Castriot Prince of Epirus, perceiving the Turks ready to invade him, and being no ways Capable to withstand so powerful an Army, resolved to avoid the Miseries of War by a timely accord with the Turkish Tyrant, promising to become his Tributary, and for confirmation thereof, as Hostages delivered his 4 Sons, viz. George, Stanisius, Reposuis, and Constantine; Amurath promising well and honourably to entreat them, but as soon as they were within his power, he caused them to be Circumcised, and brought up in the Superstition of the Mahometan Religion, and after the Death of their Father, seized upon his Kingdom, and Poisoned all but George, whom he Named Scanderbag; who afterwards became the Mawl and terror of the Turks, as will in the Sequel appear.  
Amurath being busy in Europe, the Carramanian King and the other Mahometan Princes invaded his Dominions in Asia, which caused him to pass over to repress that dangerous Enemy, which done he returned into Europe, and with Fire and Sword fell upon Hungary, and turning thence upon the Prince of Servia's refusing to come to his Court seized Servia, though he had Sworn to the contrary.  
The Hungarians being at Variance amongst themselves, and likewise at Wars with the King of Poland; upon the breaking off of the Match, between their Queen and the King of Poland, Amurath resolved upon the Conquest of that Kingdom, invaded Hungary, laying close Siege to Belgrade, often in vain assaulting it; and now the Queen of Hungary being Dead, leaving Ladislans a Child in the Cradle to succeed her, who not able to take any Measures about opposing the Turk, and the Kingdom in likely hood to be overrun; the Nobility concluded to Elect Vldislaus King of Poland, a man of great Fame and no less courage their King, which done Ambassadors were sent to Amurath, still lying at the Siege of Belgrade, but they were nothing more able to prevail as to his raising the Siege nor procuring a peace, till such time as in divers assaults half his Army were lost, overwhelmed with Wildfire, and strangled in the mines, nor then though he raised the Siege, would his haughty mind condescend to a Peace; in his return, hegreatly troubled the Countries of Servia and Bosan, causing the Princes in lien of saving them from the Spoil, to pay a yearly tribute of 25000 Ducats. Vldislaus being settled in his new Kingdom, and having frequently intelligence of the incursions of the Turks into Transylvania; the better to resist them on that side Created John Hunides Vayvod or his Vicegerent in that Country, who putting all things in order, gathered such an Army as he might, and upon news that Isa the great Bassa, and one of Amurath's most Renowned Captains, was returned with a great power and spoiled the Country; he went against him encouraging his Soldiers to Fight Courageously for their Lives, Country, Wives and Children; and then setting upon the proud Bassa after a hard fought Battle, put him to Flight with the loss of 20000 of his men.  
This Victory nothing daunted Amurath, but pushed him forward more eagerly to revenge the disgrace; whereupon early in the Spring he sent Melites Bassa his Viceroy in Asia, with a great Army, who spoiling the Country, took a great Booty and many Prisoners, but in his return being pursued by Huniades, he overthrew him, & Slew the Bassa & his Son. By that means recovering all the Prisoners and Riches, together with the Turkish Camp, and many Turkish Prisoners of note, which caused the Hungarians and Transilvanians greatly to rejoice; part of the Spoils with the Head of the Bassa and his Son, he sent to King Vldislaus, the other part he converted to religious uses, and what remained freely bestowed it amongst his Soldiers, not reserving any part to himself.  
Upon Bruit of this Victory, and the Fame of the Valiant Huniades, Moldavia and Valachia, before Tributary to the Turks, revolted, which so enraged Amurath that he sent yet another great Army to reduce them to their former obedience, which with great pride (under the leading of Schech Abedin, Bassa, consisting of 80000 Fight men, amongst which were a great number of Janissaries) came on wasting the Country with Fire and Sword as they passed, to oppose which the great Huniades marched with 15000 Hungarians and Transilvanians, and finding them still Plundering near Vascape bid them Battle, where after both Armies were put in order, and both Generals by moving-Oration had incited their Soldiers to Fight to the utmost Extremity, a dreadful Fight began, where after six Hours dealing Death on every side, the Turkish Army broken and disordered by the Christians were put to Flight, with the loss of 30000 Horse and Foot: And their rich Camp which became an acceptable Prey to the Soldiers. The many Victories gained by Humiades over the Turks, made Amurath more inclinable to peace then before; yet in his pride he demanded in consideration thereof, the delivery of Bellgrade and many other places in Servia; upon which King Vldislaus called an Assembly of the Estates of his Kingdom, where after many had given their opinions, it was resolved that the Pious War should be carried on with all Vigour Imgainable, and that the Christians following their good Fortune should invade the Turkish Countries, whereupon a great Army was raised, and passing the Danubius lead by the King and Humiades, they wasted all the Kingdom of Bulgaria, and having intelligence that the Turks were with a great Army coming down against them; Humiades drawing out 10000 of the most expert Horsemen, having notice where they lay encamped in the Night: Broke in amongst them, and put 'em almost all the Sword; returning the next Day with great Spoil, where the King lay encamped, where he was received with great Joy.  
This easy Victory wherein there fell 30000 Turks, and not past 300 of the Christians, so lightened the Soldiers, that they desired nothing more than to be lead forward, but coming to the great Mountain Hemus, and finding all the passages stopped, and being greatly afflicted with Hunger and Cold; their Courages began to abate, and they to conceive a desire of returning home: the which whilst they were about to do, the Turks under the leading of Caramby Bassa, Amurath's Brother in Law came down from the Mountains, and fell furiously upon the Rear of the Army commanded by Humiades, and the Despot of Servia, the King with the Van being a Days march before; but after a sharp Encounter were overthrown, and the Great Bassaw taken by a common Soldier, who being demanded of Humiades what he would have for his Prisoner, he asked only 10 Ducats; yet Humiades ordered him 400, and the same Night sold him again to the Despot for 40000 Ducats.  
In this Battle, but, as some say, in that Fought near Moravia, the famous Scanderbag found means to fly the Turkish Servitude, and leading Amurath's Secretary with him, commanded him in the Name of Amurath to Write to the Governor of Croia, to deliver him the City, that being the Metropolis of Epirus, the which when he had done, he slew him and as many Turks as were with him to prevent its coming to the knowledge of Amurath, before he had accomplished his design. And thereupon with several of his trusty Friends Posting away, had the City as he wished for put into his possession, whither he sent for Prince Amaza his Kinsman, and many other of his acquaintance informing them what he intended, viz. that he resolved to recover his Rightful inheritance, and deliver his Subjects from the Tyranny of the Turks, which made them not a little rejoice, and greatly encourage him to proceed in so honourable an undertaking.  
Things being at this pass, and the design known; great was the resort of the Epirots to their Lawful Prince, who for the delivery of his Country from Servitude had set up his Standard: Such Cities as conveniently could daily revolting to him, as Petrella, Petra, Alba and Stelusa; other he reduced by force, and having possession of the greatest part of Epirus, he raised what forces he could, and the more to provoke the Turk, passed into Macedonia, spoiling the Country before him, and putting the Turks to the Sword.  
Amurath hearing this unexpected news, sent 40000 select Soldiers under the leading of Alis Bassa, of whose coming Scanderbag having notice retired into Epirus, and putting all things in order, raised what forces he could to oppose the Turks, comforting his People in the best wise; who upon the Bassa's approach were filled with fear, and then marching against him, set upon him as he was wasting his Country of Upper Dibra, and overthrew him with the Slaughter of 22000 of his men, with the loss of Scarce 300 of his own, the news of which raised such despair in Amurath, that he was glad to accord a peace with the Hungarian King, by renouncing his claim to Moldavia, Transilvania and Bulgaria; and then turning his Arms against the Carramanian King, his Brother-in Law seized upon the greatest part of his Country, but upon his Submission and giving in Hostage his Eldest Son, for the performance of paying double tribute he restored him again to his former dignity, and then as a man weary of the World, sent for his Youngest Son Mahomet, his Eldest Son Aladine being killed at the Siege of Iconium, by a fall from his Horse, and appointing Caly Bassa his Tutor, and Chosore a learned Doctor of the Law his Counsellors, he resigned to him the Kingdom being as yet but 15 Years of Age, and retiring into Asia entered into a Cloister of Turkish Monks, there intending to spend the remainder of his Days. But he had no sooner resigned his Government, ere Vldislaus King of Hungary persuaded thereto by Julian the Pope's Legate who absolved him of his Oath broke the 10 Years League made with the Turks. But God let not so heinous an Offence against his divine Majesty pass long unrevenged. For Amurath roused with this unexpected news, leaving his Cloister, passed over into Europe with an Army of 100000 Turks, and advancing with all speed against the Christians, who had subdued most of his Countries in Europe near the City of Varna, both Armies meeting a cruel Fight began with an infinite Slaughter of the Turks, whom Huniades and the King charged with such fury, that all the Fields lay covered with the Slain, which Amurath perceiving and finding his Battle to Swerve, and his men at the point to Fly; pulled the Writing containing the League he had made with Vldislaus out of his Bosom, and holding it up, with his Eyes lifted towards Heaven with a loud Voice said, Behold thou Crucified Christ, this is the League they Christians in thy name made with me, which they have without any cause Violated, now if thou be a God as they say thou art, and we deem, revenge the wrong now done unto they name, and show thy power upon thy perjured People, who in their deeds deny thee their God.  
Upon this Speech of Amurath's, the Christians who before were well nigh Conquerors began to give Ground, which the Hungarian King perceiving charging into the Thickest of the Turkish Army, in hopes to restore the Battle was there Slain, which so discouraged the Hungarians, that Huniades not being able to stay their Flight giving place to necessity, and reserving himself for better fortune fled with them, and left the Turks the Victory, but so dearly bought, that only thinking the Christians had retired to their Camp, they durst not venture upon it for two Days space, till by the profound silence they perceived it was abandoned. In this Fight, most of the Hungarian Nobility were slain, and amongst the rest Julian the Pope's Legate, the Author of the perjurous Expedition, who being wounded and flying out of the Battle fainted for loss of Blood, & died in a Ditch. And thus we may see how just the Almighty is in punishing those that dishonour him, and little Avails the Pope's dispensation.  
This great and mortal Battle in which perished on both sides 60000 men, was Fought Anno 1444, after which Amurath glad of the Victory, tho much dismayed with his great loss returned to Adrianople, and again resigned his Kingdom to his Son; but soon after being weary of the Melancholy Life, he again assumed his kingly Dignity.  
At this great Battle of Varna, Scanderbag should have been present; being on his way with 30000 Horse and Foot in order to have joined King Vladislaus. But God prevented his engaging in so bad a Quarrel, by permitting both Armies to engage ere he could arrive, of which intention of Scanderbeg's Amurath having notice sent sharply to reprove him of Ingratitude, to which the Valiant Prince as sharply replied, upbraiding the Turk with the Poisoning his; Brothers, seizing upon his Kingdom, and often determining to take his Life whilst he remained in his Court, which so throughly nettled the old Turk, that he raised great forces to invade Epirus, sending of Ferises and Mustapha his chief Bassas, with promise of great reward if they could take Scanderbag, and subdue the Country: but on the contrary they were both overthrown by the Invincible Prince, and forced to return with great dishonour, yet the Prince of Peloponnesus had not the like good Fortune, but for the preservation of his Country was obliged to become tributary to the Turk.  
Vladislaus being Slain, as aforesaid, Humiades was made Governor by the general cousent of the Hungarian Nobility; during the Minority of the Young King, Son to the deceased Queen, who having settled the necessary Affairs of the Kingdom with great discretion, and finding the Turks since the late dreaful overthrow at Varna, greatly to have encroached upon the Hungarian Territories, he raised a great power and marched against them, when in the Territories of his Country near the River Schichniza, meeting Amurath with a vast Army, he courageously charged upon his foremost Battle, so that within a while, new Succours being sent the whole Armies were engaged, which Battle without any other pausing then what Night obliged them to, Fought for the space of 3 Days, at the end of which the Christians being rather overpowred by number then true valour, having done all that men were capable of doing, Fled disorderly, and were Slain in great abundance: Humiades himself Flying after, having Encountered and overcome two sturdy Thiefs who set upon him to Rob him, was taken Prisoner by the ungrateful Despot of Servia, whose Country he had a little before rescued out of the Hands of the Turks: And forced to deliver up several strong Towns, which the Despot pretended belonged to his Territories for his Ransom. In this Battle were Slain of the Turks 40000, and of the Christians 17000.  
The Year following Amurath invaded the Despot's, for not delivering into his power Humiades his Capital Enemy; whereupon he was constrained to send his humble Supplication to Humiades, whom he not long before had so evil entreated, for aid; who notwithstanding leavyed a great Army, and passing through Servia, where though false Despot to curry Favour with Amurath, taking an account of his Army, secretly sent the Turk notice what number the Christians were, and what they intended; yet this great Captain marched on to the Plains of Cassova, famous for the many Battles there Fought between the Turks and the Christians, where finding Amurath encamped with a huge Army he bid him Battle, which as the former with great Slaughter continued for the space of 3 Days, but with better Success, for in the end Victory declared for the Christians, all the Plains being covered with the Body of the Slain, most of the Turkish Commanders, either Perished in the Fight, or fell into the Hands of Huniades, who having recovered many Towns, delivered the Prisoners to the Despot, and returned with Triumph to Buda.  
And now a quarrel arising between Scanderbag, and the Duke of Venice, about one Lech Zachery, a Nobleman of Epirus; who being shamefully Murdered by Lech Duchagne his Kinsman, and having great Territories on the Frontiers of the Kingdom; the Duke claimed it as belonging to his Signory, seizing upon the City of Dayna part thereof, of which trouble Mustapha the Great Bassa, who lay in Macedonia with a great Army, being advertised by the command of Amurath entered Epirus, of which Scanderbag having notice gathered all his forces, and finding him Burning the Country in the upper Dibria, where both Armies confronting each other, a Turk named Caragusa stepping forth, Challenged any in the Christian Camp to Fight him Hand to Hand; which bold Challenge being accepted by Manessi one of Scanderbeg's Captains, he at the first Encounter slew the Challenger, which did not a little dismay the Turks, who highly relied upon the Strength of their Champion; for the Battle immediately joining, the Turks were overthrown with great Slaughter, and the Bassa taken Prisoner, who was afterwards Ransomed by Amurath for 25000 Ducats.  
This overthrow so enraged the Tyrant, that raising a mighty Power, he came in Person to invade Epirus; promising great rewards to those that could bring Scanderbeg's Head; of which more then ordinary preparations Scanderbag having timely notice, furnished his Cities with all things necessary, providing them with strong Garrisons, himself resolving to keep the Field with his Army, and by Ambushes and frequent Assaults, to weaken and cut off the Enemy, which upon the arrival of the Turkish Army he so effectually performed, that seldom a Day or Night past that he entrapped not some or other of the Vauntcuriers, or broke into their Camp; insomuch that they were obliged to be continually in Arms; whereupon Amurath designing to win some strong City, there to leave a Garrison, and so to departed, besieged Sfetigrade with all his power, continually thundering against it with his great Ordnance. But one Prelate a Valiant Captain being Governor, right Manfully defended it, insomuch that in the frequent Assaults made he lost 20000 of his best men, yet being ashamed to raise his Siege ere he had won the City, sent to offer terms of Peace with great Privileges and immunities, if they surrendered the place, as likewise by secret means endeavoured to corrupt the Captains with great promises; but they detesting his offer regarded more their Loyalty to their Prince then his Gold, yet at the same time there wanted not one base minded Villain, who for a Sum in Hand and other large offers, when he had performed his promise, undertook to deliver the City into the Hands of Amurath; which by this means he effected.  
This great City standing upon a Rock, had in it but one Well, which served both the Soldiers and Citizens plentifully with Water, into this Well did the Villain by occupation a Smith cast the Carcase of a stinking Dog, which the next Morning found by some of the Soldiers, and drawn thence the rumour thereof was quickly spread throughout, whereupon the Soldiers notwithstanding all the entreaties of the Governor and chief Citizens, the Soldiers would not be persuaded to Drink thereof, resolving rather to endure the worst Extremity; and by this means the City not being tenable, the Governor to prevent a mutiny amongst his Soldiers, and the danger the City was in to be sacked, sent to Amurath to acquaint him, that upon condition the Garrison might pass with Bag and Baggage to Scanderbag, and the Citizens live peaceably, he would deliver him the City; who being glad of this offer freely granted their demand, only with this condition, that the Citizens should build their Houses without the City.  
These Articles agreed on, the City was delivered to Amurath, and the Traitor by whose means it was surrendered, was rewarded with three rich Suits of Apparel, 50000 Asper's, and the promise of a yearly Pension of 2000 Ducats; but long he had not enjoyed his riches ere he received a juster reward of his Treason; being, as 'tis said, secretly made away by the command of Amurath, who though he loved the Treason, abhorred the Traitor.  
The City being thus gained, Amurath having furnished it with a Garrison of his best men, departed with the rest of his Army to Hadrianople, upon the Rear of which Scanderbag setting with 8000 Horse and 3000 Foot, cut off a great part of his Army. And having followed quite out of his Territories, returned to Croia, and fortified it, upon notice that Amurath intended to return with his Army in the Spring, in which he was not deceived; for the old Turk desirous to subdue the Country of Epirus, to obliterate the disgrace he had received by the many overthrows he had there received, he sent Sebahyas one of his Bassas before with part of his Army; himself following slowly with the rest, and upon his arrival sat down before the great City of Croia, where having cast 10 Pieces of Cannon, he began to batter it, the which with great fury he continued to do for the space of 4 Days in two places, beating down part of the Wall, upon which he commanded the Assault to be given, thrusting his men desperately into the Breach, giving order that such as Shrunk should be killed by their Fellows, and on the other side promising them great reward, if they entered the City, and Mahomet his Son being then in the Camp, and commanding as General promised 100000 Asper's to him that should first advance his Ensign upon the Wall; but neither prevailed, for Vranacontes the Governor, a Valiant man encouraging his Soldiers, gave the Turks such a Welcome, that they left 8000 of their dead Bodies in the Breach, Ditches and Plains adjacent; which Amurath perceiving and understanding the invincible courage of the Epirots, caused the retreat to be sounded, and after many repulses and no hopes of prevailing, he fell to his old practice, endeavouring to corrupt the Governor, and chief Captains with large Gifts, and to that end sent a Crafty Bassa, with two Servants Loaded with Treasure; which the Governor with disdain rejected, Vowing that if the like were attempted again, that he would cause the Hands, Noses and Ears of the Messengers to be cut off, and they so returned to their Master.  
During this Siege, Scanderbag was not Idle but still hovered about the Turks Camp, frequently Alaruming 'em, and breaking into one Quarter, or other, killing those that Guarded it, and taking great Booties, insomuch that after several months' Siege, and the loss of 30000 men, Amurath through Grief and despair died in his Tent Anno 1450, in the 85 Year of his Age, and of his Reign the 28, or as some say, the thirtieth, leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom, charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbag, and so having his Corpse conveyed to Prusa, he was there interred by his Ancestors.   

CHAP. XII. The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name, seventh King, and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks, who for his many Victories, was surnamed Great.  
A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom, Anno 1450. Being of a fiery Cruel Nature, given to many Debauches, not acknowledging any Deity, but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance; who, e'er he was well settled, caused his two Brethren, the one an Infant, and the other not above twelve years of Age, to be put to Death; after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government, by abrogating the Old Laws, and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour: So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects, when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle, he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia, passed thither, upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him, fled into the Mountains, and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him, who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters, as Mahomet was well Content to accept, and so returned to his City of Prusa, sending Isaac Bassa, against Elias Prince of Mentesia, or Caria, who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country, annexing it to the Turkish Empire, for so henceforth I must call it.  
Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests, without any Colour or Reason, only being driven Headlong by Ambition; he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor, and to have the sooner done, marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power, laying Siege to that Imperial City, which had once been Mistress of the World, which he reduced to such Extremity, that the Citizens for mere Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten, and at last Eat one another; and perceiving none intended to relieve them, they enforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World, to the Will of the Tyrant, having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected.  
The proud Conqueror entering the City, amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility, the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence. Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press, as he was endeavouring to escape the Imperial City; this taken after a years Siege, Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendered, yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite: And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople, where it has ever since remained, he repaired the Walls, and such Buildings, as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon.  
Amongst the Captives taken in the City, one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever form, named Irene, being nobly descended; and for Education not to be paralleled, upon this incomparable Beauty, Mahomet so doted, that he spent whole Days and Nights with her, never thinking his time well spent but in her Company: So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected, which caused his Captains to murmur against him, though they durst not freely speak their Minds, which Mustapha Bassa, one that had been bred up with him, observing, presuming upon the Interest he had in him, took upon him boldly to declare his Mind, laying before him the glorious Achievements of his Ancestors, and the disgrace and obloquy he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights, whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected.  
At this free Speech of the Bassas, Mahomet was wonderfully offended, telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption; but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity, Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains, and chief Councillors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Palace; which being accordingly done, he came out of his Chamber, leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire, which adding Luster to her rare Perfections, made her appear more like an Angel than a Mortal; and sternly demanding of them, Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure, they would not be thrice advised e'er they parted with it: To which they all answered, that he had with greater reason passed his time with her, than any man had to find salt therewith. To which the barbarous Tyrant replied, well, but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me, and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses, or bereave me of my Reason, as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling; yea, I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Ottoman Kings, my noble Progenitors, is so fixed in my breast, with such a Desire in myself to exceed the same, as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance; and having so said, he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair, and with the other drawing his Scimitar smote off her Head, she vainly Crying out for Mercy, and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains; said, now by this Judge ye, whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections, or not; and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind, gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus, which he soon brought into Subjection, taking most of the principal Cities, and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword; but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof, he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire; and afterwards being enamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife, and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia, he seized upon his Country; and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade, both by Land and Water, as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius, on whose Bank that City is seated; which Fleet being encountered by several Ships of War, sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed; which so enraged the Turk, that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City, his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men, and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe, who making his approach was slain with a great Shot; and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City, that after many unsuccessful assaults, Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege, and departed with 40000 less than he brought.  
The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to Christendom, now worn out with the toils of War fell sick; and although his Disease was grievous, yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament, he would be carried to the Church, saying it was not fit, that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant: But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord, and after his being brought home, his Sickness Increasing, he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes, and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia.  
Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain, who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoiced, and now resolving to extend his Dominions, as well by Sea as Land, Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople, with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea, reducing several of them to his obedience, and Landing his Army, straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes; but Calixtus the third than Bishop of Rome, being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera, a City belonging to his See, aided by the Genoese, sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius, Patriarch of Aquilla, fought with the Turks Galley, sunk and burnt most of them. And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken, which so enraged Mahomet, that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring; the which whilst he was doing, Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents, desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master, and remit the Tribute paid him by the King of Trepezond; that Kingdom as he said, after the Death of the then Reigning King, revolving to his Master, in right of his Wife, Daughter to the said King; which Peremptory demand so enraged Mahomet, that he not only refused his Presents, but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer: That he would himself e'er long be in Asia, to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater than himself, and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum, incontinently to sail to Sinope, the chief City of Paphlagonia, and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land; which City and Country being under the Persian King, he resolved to besiege it on no other Account, then to raise a ground of Quarrel; which City being but slenderly fortified, and not able to endure the Force of the Ordnance, it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands, who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond, which he had in like manner yielded to him, who sent the Emperor, together with his Empress' Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople, dispeopling the City, and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janissaries, by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection, and for ever ruining that Christian Empire: And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia, his Tributary, went about to join with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies, he sought by all means to get him into his Power, to effect which he sent Chamuzes' Bassa, and his Secretary accompanied with several others, to invite him to Court, but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life, hanged the Bassa and Secretary, and impailed the rest alive, and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword, which so enraged Mahomet, that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia, ruining all with Fire and Sword, till at length driving the Prince out of his Country, he gave it to his younger Brother, who in lieu thereof became his Tributary, and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum, as he had before purposed, and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City, from whence the Island take its name, after twenty seven years' Battery with the great Ordnance, and then for nonpayment of Tribute, invaded the Kingdom of Bassan; which subdued he by that means encompassed Epirus, he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father, by one or other of his Bassas, maintained War against Scanderbag, but with such bad success, that he thought more than Convenient to make Peace with him; but such were his Proposals, that Scanderbag with scorn rejected 'em, whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen, to waste Epirus; but Scanderbag incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight, and took him Prisoner, and worse faired Debreus Bassa, who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen, for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces, his Army was overthrown, and himself slain.  
Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better, and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbag, he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains, thinking if he could cause them to revolt, Scanderbag would easily be subdued, and so effectually he wrought with Moses his chief Captain, and a great Soldier, that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet; when Scanderbag should be subdued, and a great mass of Money, he found means to escape to Constantinople, and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains, who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus; but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince, they received such cold Comfort at their return, that fearing their Lives, which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off, Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince, he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service, who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars, but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa, with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return, was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned, after which Scanderbag concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year, and was afterwad continued for a longer time, during which great War happened between the Turks, about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum, and thereby hindering the Traffic in the Mediterranean, to the great impoverishing their Signiory. Wherefore entering into a Confederacy with the Princes, they Arm both by Sea and Land; into which League they with many persuasions drew Scanderbag, notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired.  
The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces, when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbag, to keep him from joining with the Venetians, whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him, with ten Galleys appointed; with which Bassa Scanderbag fought, and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men, taking the Treasurer of the Army, and six others of Account Prisoners, who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Ducats; and greater things had been done, had not the Duke of Venice died of a Fever, upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella; the next year with the Venetian Fleet, seized Athens, Aulis, Chalchis, Larsum, and the Isle of Himber: But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown.  
Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks, elected Mathias Corroinus, the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased, who not much inferior to his Father in valour and success in Arms, gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow, with the Loss of many of their Armies, and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom.  
Whilst things thus passed, Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbag, fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories, whom Scanderbag charging furiously overthrew him, but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General, in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straits of the Mountains, where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose laid, they were taken Prisoners, and carried to Constantinople, by those they had before Vanquished, wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them, but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakened by such a loss, caused them Cruelly to be slain alive, and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army, with whom the renowned Prince engaging, slew him hand to hand, and put to the Sword a great part of his Army, upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger, raised an Army of 200000 men, thinking to overrun the Country, but in vain, for having a long time lain Siege to Croia, and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison, and onsets of Scanderbag, lost near half his men, together with Ballabanus his General, he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople.  
But as all things must yield to Fate, so our invincible Champion, whom no mortal hand could subdue, wearied with the Toils of a tedious War, coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians, fell Sick, and calling the Venetian Ambassador to him, he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived, and by what means the War was to be maintained, recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children, appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son, till such time he came of Age, and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus, admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity. Then calling his Wife and Son, told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable, and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia, and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand, and then after some devout Prayers, gave up the Ghost, Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign, to the great grief of the Christian Princes, and joy of the Turks, whose Arms his very name had frequently put to flight. After his death he was with great Solemnity buried in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa, where he rested till about 9 years after, at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones, and happy was he that could get the smallest piece, which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels, superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about 'em Scanderbeg's fortune would attend 'em, and that they should be invincible.  
Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier, the Hungarians under the leading of their young King, seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna, and soon rend it from the Turkish Empire, demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Mahomet, at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Galleys, took divers Cities from the Turks, burnt many Villages, and carried away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea, now called Nigroponte, which so enraged Mahomet, that he prepared a great Army to invade that Country, and recover the spoil; in order to effect which, he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Galleys, whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland, with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to engage it, arrived safe, where the Turks landing took Stora Basasilicon, and Marching to Chalcis joined with the Emperor's Army, who with small Vessels and other Materials, made a Bridge over the strait or narrow Sea, which divides Euboea from Achaia, straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land, and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly, being given to understand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉, whom he had bribed, which was the weakest part, insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉 made, yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉 the Turks could not enter, and every day 〈…〉 Turks forced to make a new Battery, for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down, which the Citizens in the Night repaired, and at length coming to understand the Treachery of their Gunner, hanged him up as a reward of his Treachery; Mahomet perceiving the valour of the defendants, resolved after his having rend the Wall with his Cannon in divers places, and thirty Days besieged the City, to give a general assault with all his power, at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet, but would not though his Captains urged, either Fight with Turkish Galleys, or endeavour to break the Bridge, the which had he done, he had shut up Mahomet, and all his forces in the Island, where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him. This Cowardice of the Admiral, for which he and all his Family was afterwards Banished by the Signory of Venice, being perceived by the Turks, they gave a furious assault on all parts, and were so stoutly repulsed, that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches, but their number still increasing, and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission, the Citizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain, and wounded, the remaining part retired to the Market, and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man; selling their Lives at a dear rate, amongst whom many Women disguised in men's apparel Fight courageously were Slain.  
The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword; which Paulus Ericus the Governor understanding, with his Wise, Daughter, and trusty Friends, betook himself to the Castle, who capitulated that upon the surrender of the Castle, himself, and his Friends should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them, which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to, but having gotten them in his power, made at the great loss, he had sustained in winning the City, he caused the Governor and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain, reserving the young Lady, as the only Mirror of Beauty, to satiate his lust; but she disdaining the Tyrant's promises, and reviling him for his wicked purposes, rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute, he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death, and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island; who terrified with the fate of Chalcis, surrendered without being Assaulted: So that all the Fruitful Island of Euboea fell into the Hands of the Turks, who infinitely enriched themselves in taking the Spoil.  
The Turks thus Triumphing over the Ocean Islands, the Christians thought it no ways convenient to be lookers on, but in time to oppose them, whereupon the Venetians aided by Ferdinand King of Naples, Sextus the fourth Bishop of Rome, and the Great Master of Rhodes, set out a powerful Navy; under the command of Petrus Mocenicus, a Valiant Venetian Gentleman, and the better to Amate him both by Sea and Land, drew Alymbeus Vsan Cassanes, the great King of Persia into a League with them, and so at once by Sea and Land, invading the Ottoman Empire, took many strong places, and Loaded the Fleet with the Spoil, which Fleet consisting of 85 so terrified Mahomet, that he durst not engage them, nor once oppose their proceed, but in revenge thereof turned his whole force upon Epirus and Dalmatia; which Countries having lost their Champion, the renowned Scanderbag, growing Weak, he mightily wasted with Fire and Sword, till he had made an absolute conquest over them, and the easier by Reason of the discords, that arose amongst the great Commanders, during the Minority of the King; but ere Mahomet had well settled himself in those so much desired Countries, he had news that the Persians with a great Army invaded his Countries in Asia, which made him begin to consider how to defend his own, rather than further to proceed in Conquering what appertained to others, so that increasing his Army with no less than 320000 men, he passed over the Hellespont, and after several Days marching, came within a League of the Persian Army, lead by Vsan Cassanes their King, who after some debate, gave the Turks Battle near the Mountains of Armenia, in which one of the great Bassas together with 40000 Turks were Slain, and the rest put to Flight, which so discouraged Mahomet, that had not his great Captains used many Arguments to persuade him to the contrary, would have returned without attempting any thing further, but being roused by their reproofs, lest he should be suspected of Cowardice, he resolved to try the Fortune of another Field; in order to which he drew up his forces in Battalia near to the straits of the Mountains, and so fortified his Camp with Wagons, and other cumbersome Carriages, that it seemed a Walled City, when in the midst of his Army, he placed his great Artillery; the which upon the first joining of Battle, his men opening to the Right and the Left, played so furiously upon the Persian Horsemen, that they soon began to Disrank, by Reason their Horses upon hearing the unwonted Thundering of the Cannon, would know no Ruler but with Headstrong fury Floundered first one way then another, and by that means put all things into confusion, of which Mahomet taking the advantage, commanded his men furiously to charge upon the Enemy as flyers. To resist whose fury and to stay the Flight of his men Zeinal Vsan Cassanes Eldest Son Labouring, was Slain with a small Shot, which more and more discouraged the Persians, so that from retreating, they betook themselves to plain Flight, yet so great was the loss of Mahomet that he contented himself only with the Spoil of the Enemy's Camp, not thinking it convenient to pursue them, for it was generally Rumoured, that in that Battle he lost 40000 men, and the Persians 1000 only, after which Mahomet returning home, and Vsan Cassanes leaving his second Son with his Army, for the defence of Armenia. Ambassadors were sent by the former to Treat of a Peace, the which to the great dislike of the Christians his Confederates, the Persian concluded with the Turks.  
After the Expedition into the Persian Territories, Died the Courageous Prince Mustapha, as some say of a Surfeit, but others say that he was strangled by the Commandment of his Father, for Ravishing Bassa Achmets' Wife, a Lady of Incomparable Beauty, and Daughter to Isaac Bassa one of Mahomet's chief Favourites.  
Mahomet desirous to revenge the wrong done by the Venetians, sent Solyman Bassa with 80000 Soldiers to besiege Scodra a strong City; then in the possession of the Venetians, and an Inlet into Epirus, Dalmatia and Albania, who Anno 1475 set down before it, and having raised his Batteries, gave it a furious assault, but was repulsed by Antonius Lauretamus the Valiant Governor with great loss, when a while after the Venetian Galleys coming up the River Boliana, on whose Banks the City standeth, and as the Turks were busy in laying a Chain across, slew many of them, and forced the rest to retire to their Camp, out of which soon after Mathias King of Hungary drove them with the Terror of his approach, the Bassa being glad after the loss of 14000 of his men to raise his Siege.  
Anno 1476. Mahomet growing impatient to be thus hindered in his progreess of Victory, by the Christians confederates, set out a great Fleet under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes; who did great harm to the Islands in the Mediterranean, and hoped by Treason to have surprised the Island of Crect, but was prevented by the Venetians, who discovering the Plot Executed the Traitors before his arrival, yet sailing into the Euxine, he Landed his men in Taurica Chersonesus, a Friutful Country belonging to the Genoese; in hopes to have surprised the rich City of Caffa, Scituate near to the Shoar, but was repulsed with a great Slaughter of his men, but being reinforced by fresh Troops, he laid Siege to it, which by Reason of the Turkish Garrisons all along the shores of Bosphorus, and the Hellespont could have no relief by Sea, after a stout resistance surrendered, and soon after all the Country to it appertaining, most of the Merchants contrary to the promise of the Faithless Bassa, being plundered of their Riches.  
Mahomet thus conquering on, grew dreadful to the Tartar princes; Namely the Precopenses and Destenses, who for fear of being invaded Voluntarily submitted themselves, and became Tributaries, having ever since been greatly serviceable to the Turks in their Wars, who now impatient that the Venetians held several strong Towns in the Heart of the Ottoman: Solyman Bassa with a great Fleet entering the Gulf of Corinth laid Siege to Naupactum now called Lepanto a strong City near Locris over against Pelopennesus, but upon the arrival of Antonius Lauretanus with the Venetian Galleys, after. he had lain 4 Months before it, and gave many unsuccesful assaults, in a great fury raised his Siege in order to his returning to Constantinople, and by the way Landing his men on the Isle of Lemnos, in hopes to have surprised the City of Coccinum, but were Valiantly repulsed by such Citizens, and Merchants Strangers as were then near the Gate, and amongst the rest one Merulla a Maiden of the City seeing her Father Slain, took up his Weapon, and with it made great Slaughter of the Turks that were entering the Gate, upon which bad Success the Bassa departed for Constantinople, and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus, to the relief of which the Venetians hastened with an Army, under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage; who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter, obliging them to leave their Camp, but not pursuing them by Reason of the near approach of Night, whilst they were taking the Spoil, the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks, and soon turned the Scale of Victory, by subduing those who a little before were Conquerors, in which last Fight the General, and several of his great Captains were Slain. Heightened with this Success, the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium, where being encountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts, under the leading of Hieronimus Nowell, the Count of Verona; he trained the Venetians into an Ambush, by which they being few in number, and beset on every side were mostly Slain, after which the proud Conquerors proceeded to spoil the Country, wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils, and driving before them a number of the miserable People into Captivity.  
The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again, and with a great power passing the aforesaid River, marched further into the Country, wasting all before them, and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany: a way both difficult and dangerous, and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants, they returned home laden with great Spoil. And now Mahomet remembering the disgrace he received at the Siege of Scodra, of which he allowed one a yearly Pension, to put him daily in mind, he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Dominions, and under the Leading of several of his Bassa●, himself being there in person, likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men, and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Metal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass, one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight; he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City delivered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls, and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wildfire, and Stones of a prodigious Weight, which beat down and fired many Houses, yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged, that they daily animated each other courageously to defend the City to the last man, every Night Countermuring the Breaches the Cannon made, with Earth Timber and Planks, which Mahomet perceiving commanded his men to give a furious assault, and either by Firing the Planks, or scaling the Walls to enter the City; the which in hopes of great rewards, promised them if they happened to be Successful in the attempt, thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaughter, being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls, that all the plains were covered with their Bodies, which Mahomet perceiving and understanding, they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded, and gave order for the renewing the Battery, so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach, and immediately caused a second Assault to be made, though with as bad Success, as had been the former.  
About this time the Turks under the leading of Solyman Bassa, had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour, which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger, and not being able to expect any Relief, all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks, had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty; but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise, having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword, which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp, were the more encouraged, resolving manfully to die rather than trust the perfidious Infidels.  
Mahomet enraged at the besieged obstinacy, and the loss of his men in the two assaults, after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall, Commanded the most Courageous of his Soldiers to give a third Assault, which they did with great Fury, shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City, and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians, and began a cruel and dreadful Fight, in which many were slain on either side: The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces, till at length they so far prevailed, that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire; at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governor came happily to their Relief, and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter: Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Battery, and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach, and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal, pitched upon a Mount advantageously to behold what passed, and there by Threats and Promises encouraged them to undertake a fourth Assault. In which he lost 12000 of his best Men, and was forced at last to sound a retreat, yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets, lying covered with Turkish Arrows, and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rend most miserably by the great Shot, they were forced to Labour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches, every one encouraging his Fellow in such sort, that Mahomet began to despair of Victory, and blaspheming God, for (as he impiously pretended) hindering his Proceed, he retired in his Melancholy Mood into his Tent; where Tormenting himself for the space of two days, he would not be spoken with by any, but the third Day calling a Council, it was concluded another Assault should be given, which was according done with great Fury, and much Effusion of Blood on either side, but the besieged and resolving to sell their Lives dear, so manfully withstood them, that with Shame and greater Slaughter than ever they were forced to retire; and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged, the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine, he could not do by Force; and therefore ceasing any further Assault, caused the City to be so closely Blocked up, that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things, as Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rats, Mice, and the like: Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice, under whose Protection that City was, and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant, sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Ambassador to Constantinople, whither weary of the Siege, Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army, to Block up the City as aforesaid; who upon his Arrival being admitted to the Presence of the Tyrant, he so ordered the Matter, that a Peace was concluded upon these Articles: First, that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra, the Isle of Lemnos, the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus, and pay him yearly 8000 Ducats; that they might have leave to Traffic in the Euxine-Sea, by the straits of Bosphorus Hellespontus, and Thracius, and that the Citizens of Scodra, and the Garrison contained therein, should upon the Delivery of the said City, be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government; or depart whither they pleased with their Goods, etc. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governor, who assembling the Citizens related it to 'em, as he had received it from the Ambassador, who then together with the Venetian Admiral, Road at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana, when after some Debate it was agreed, that they would leave the City, and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times; whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa, and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage, went on Board the Venetian Galleys, who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy, and thus was this City surrendered, Anno 1478. after a years Siege, before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives.  
Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for, sent Achmetes Bassa with his Galley, to take in the Islands of Neritus, Zacynthus, and Cephalenia; upon which he seized without any Resistance, Lenord Prince of the same, upon the Arrival of the Turks, hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy, where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman, after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania: Whereupon Stephanas, Batore the Vayvod, fled to Mathias King of Hungary to crave Aid, who at the same time lay sick of the Gout, yet he ordered his two Captains, viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus, and Palus Rivisus, to march with his Army; who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia, in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army, with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men, together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander, and of the Christians there fell 8000 only.  
Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes, and to further his Design at the same time, a Fugitive Knight of the Order, named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court, gave him a Platform of the City; informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted, and how the Island might be best subdued: Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out, and this Traitor to his Country put on Board, with a Command that his Directions should be followed, but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease, so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell, that the Mariners in a great rage threw him Overboard, whilst he vainly Cried to them for Mercy, and thus he received the reward due to his Traitorous Intention.  
The great Master of Rhodes, having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories, was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence, and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power, and was marching towards the City, he assembled his Captains, and with many Christian and Soldierlike persuasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies, which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and die in his defence.  
By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp, and began to raise his Batteries, according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight, who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason, having his Horse slain under him, was miserably trampled to Death; most of the Ordnance now bend against the Wall, the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard, possessed and entrenched by the Christians, which those that possessed it, not being able to defend, against so powerful an Enemy slighted it; and retired to the City, leaving the Ordnance behind them: Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado, the Turks battered the Tower, standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury, and having made a Breach endeavoured to have entered, but were beaten off with great loss; after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats, over a frith of the Sea, fastening by Ropes, so endeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land; the which was no sooner fastened, but the Ropes were all cut in sunder, by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain, and after that attempting to make another Bridge, and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists, the Bridge was broken, and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Master's Brother, who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions, beat them to pieces; but it had not been long e'er Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp, it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks, which so terrified the Spaniards (for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations) that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island, and to return home; but for such their Cowardice, being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master, a most expert and Valiant French man, they, as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon, and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege.  
Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force, though with his Artillery he had leveled the Walls in many places, which were as soon repaired, he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect, and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master, which some of them undertook to bring to pass, but e'er any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered, and the undertakers worthily Executed; upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before, and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege, sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name, to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City, and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal: To which the Heroic Old man returned Answer, that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy, neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yield his Life unto Almighty God, to whom he did owe it, and that with far better Will, then to surrender the City upon any Conditions, bear they never so fair a show of Honour or Profit. The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master, by other Arguments endeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor, paying a small matter yearly for his Peace; but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery, utterly refused; upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'em, who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault, battering the City for four days without Intermission, but not prevailing after three months' siege, having lost 9000 of his Men, and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds, and mortal Distempers, he with great shame raised his Siege; and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island, embarked his Men for Constantinople, where at his return he received but a Cold Welcome from his imperious Master.  
Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes, Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy, and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia; the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it, spoiling all the Country round about it, which brought such a Fear upon Italy, that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome, being only dreadful to the Christian Princes, was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World, as a prey to the Infidels; and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued, had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way; for the Carramanian King, aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt; having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side, had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet, Mahomet's eldest Son (then Living) with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army, to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes, with all the European Soldiers, and in Person passed over into Asia; but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick, and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly (which some supposed to be the Colic, though others to proceed from the effects of Poison) he Died, Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years, and his Reign 31 years. His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chapel, near unto the great Mahometan Temple, which himself had built at Constantinople; Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied (till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome, who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other) Zemes, or Zizimus his younger Brother, as in the Life of Bajazet will appear.   

CHAP. XIII. The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name, and second Emperor of the Turks, his memorial Exploits, Victories, and Death.  
MAhomet being dead, and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent (for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown, lest they should aspire to Empire before their time) the great Bassas, and Aga of the Janissaries Conspired together, e'er either of them could arrive, to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor, which accordingly they did; of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople, hearing, horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious deal of the Bassas, and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Viceroy of Greece, and the Aga, or Captain of the Janissaries; the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature, overcome by their Entreaty, and the Reverence of his Father, resigned unto him his Imperial Government, which he took upon him, with the general liking of the men of War, the finest token of any Turkish Emperor's Establishment; for if they oppose it 'tis in vain for them to hope for Empire, and in lieu of this Resignation, Bajazet made him Governor of Lycia, Caria, jonia, and all the pleasant Countries adjoining; where being altogether given to study, he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet, but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brother's Son, as will in his Reign more at large appear.  
During these Troubles, Ferdinand King of Naples, sent his eldest Son Alphonsus' Duke of Calabria, with a great Power to besiege Otranto, which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him, with all the Country lying about it, which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians, during the Reign of Mahomet; to recover which an Army was a second time prepared, under the leading of the same Bassa; but e'er he arrived in Italy, he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army, to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire: In which Expedition Achmetes was made General, who meeting Zemes by plain Force, drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army; insomuch, that not thinking himself safe in his Brother's Dominions, he fled into Syria, and from thence into Egypt, to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who received him with many great Expressions of joy, and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet, to entreat in his behalf, that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him; but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession, would not yield to have so dangerous a Partner: Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing, he joined with the Caramanian King, who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him, by Mahomet, Prince Zemes Father, against whose joint Forces, but few in number, Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot, of which the Princes having notice, and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power, not finding as they had been put in hopes, any to revolt from Bajazet to them; they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset, through the straits of the Mountain Amanus, which done, they dispersed their little Army, and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes, where of the great Master he was kindly received, with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother, hoping by this means, if Bajazet should die a natural Death, or otherwise misearry, this Prince might be set up Emperor, and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians.  
During these Transactions, there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet, who Envying the Prosperity, Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death, falsely insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes: Whereupon at his return from the Wars, Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper, where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid, yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts; he in token of Honouring them, caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them, but when they came to Achmetes, they cast over him a black Velvet Garment, by the Turks called the Mantle of Death; for whosoever that Garment is cast upon, none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to entreat for his Life, which the other Bassas perceiving, most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor, after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed; amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out, but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor, and no sooner were the Bassas gone out, but the Ministers of Death (which are certain strong Men bereft of Speech, whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty) Entered, and were about to strangle the Bassa; when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor, stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man, so beloved by his Soldiers, and best men of War, but rather to defer the Execution, till he saw how the matter would be digested, and in the mean time by Torture to make him confess what might render his Execution more reasonable, of which Counsel Bajazet approving, commanded him immediately to be stripped, and delivered into the Hands of the Tormentors. The which whilst they were doing, his Son having gotten notice in what Extreme danger his Father was in, raised the Jannizaries, who upon notice that their beloved Captain stood on the Brink of the Grave flowed from all parts, like a Torrent to the Palace, Thundering at the Gates as if they would have beaten the Palace about his Ears, whereupon causing the outward Gate to be set open, he shown himself to 'em through an Iron Window; demanding the cause of that Tumult and Uproar, to which they answered, that they would by and by, teach him as a Drunkard or Beast, and a Rascal to use his great place, and calling with more Sobriety and Discretion, Loading him with many more such like opprobrious Expressions, Commandin forthwith to deliver Achmetes, or else they would beat the Palace about his Ears, which demand of the insolent Janissaries he durst not deny, but Commanded that he should be forthwith delivered to them, who for haste was brought out half Naked, with the marks of his severe usage on his Body; who had no sooner got him, but they stripped the Emperor's Minions, and with their Spoils Clothing him, carried him out of the Court on their Shoulders in great Triumph, though the Bassa did what he could to appease the Tumultuary Joy they conceived for his deliverance.  
Bajazet knowing by experience how deeply the Bassa was rooted in the affections of the men of War, durst not presently show his Anger, though Burning with the desire of revenge, therefore the better to bring to pass what he had purposed, he took Achmetes into favour again, promoting him more than ever; which the Loyal old man trusting too far, was as he was sitting at Supper, by the command of Bajazet thrust through with a Sword, and Slain after he had Conquered 7 Kingdoms, and Annexed them to the Ottoman Empire, being the most expert Commander, that ever the Turks could Boast off. But Bajazet's Spleen not so satisfied, he purposed to destroy the whole order of the Janissaries, in revenge of the insolency they had offered him, but his design upon their lives coming to their knowledge, and they standing upon their Guard, he found it a matter not to be compassed without great difficulty, though to execute his pleasure, he had sent for the Acanzii, accounted the best Soldiers next the Jamzaries, throughout all his Dominions; therefore he was forced to forego his Bloody and Tyrannical purpose, and the better to Colour the matter pretended he had sent for those Soldiers to War against Moldavia: But the Janissaries not greatly trusting him, Inbattled by themselves, refusing to receive him into the middle of their Ranks, as was their usual manner, but shaking their Weapons, bid him send his Executioners, for they were ready to receive them; but by the mediation of the Bassas, at length matters were accorded, and they received Bajazet amongst them, for the Turkish Emperors never marched but in the middle of the Janissaries.  
The Tumult pacified, Bajazet with his Army passed over Danubius, and entering Moldavia besieged Keel or Achilleia, which after many furious assaults was delivered to him, as afterward was Ac-Gimen or Asprocastron, the Turks usually changing the Names of such Cities & Towns, as fall into their hands.  
Zemes' being at Rhodes, Bajazet was not a little troubled, lest he should prove a Thorn in his side, & therefore used many Endeavours, to get him into his possession, but the great Master abhorring Breach of trust, notwithstanding the many Threats and Promises of the Tyrant, would not deliver him, nor was he sought only by his Brother, but by Charles the French King, Mathias King of Hungary, and Pope Innocentius the Eight of that Name Bishop of Rome, all of them thinking to advantage their Affairs, by having a Prince of the Ottoman Blood in their Custody; the King and the Emperor in their Wars, and the Pope of a mind more Ignoble, by getting a yearly Pension from his Brother Bajazet, for the safe keeping him to the last; of which after Reiterated entreaties, the great Master delivered him, in lieu of which be was Created Cardinal, nor was the Pope's Expectation vain, for he yearly received of Bajazet 40000 Ducats, yearly for the safe keeping him, but of this more hereafter.  
Bajazet being frequently troubled by the sudden Invasions of the Caramanian King, resolved to subdue the remaining part of his Country, the which with a great Army out of Europe he invaded, spoiling all before him, but the wary Prince knowing himself far too Weak, to meet so powerful an Enemy in the Field, kept himself with his few forces in the Fastnesses of the Mountain, whereupon Bajazet besieged Tarsus in Cilicia, and had it delivered to him, upon condition that the Citizens might departed thence with their Goods, and not be further prejudiced, either in their Lives or Liberties; but by this time Abraham, Alias, Pyramet King of Caramania having obtained considerable forces of Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt, he was resolved to try his fortune in the Field, and put all to the Hazard of a Battle, which being begun the 10th. of May Anno 1486, was Fought with great obstinancy on either side, for the space of a whole day, when the Turks by Reason of their Multitude prevailed, in which Battle the King and the greatest part of his Army were Slain, and afterward his Country totally subdued by Bajazet, who likewise at that time took into his possession all Asia the less, becoming Lord of the Sea Coast from the straits of Bosphorus to the Confines of Syria.  
By this means the Ambitious Emperor Stretching the borders of his Empire, to the bounders of the Egyptian Sultan's Territories, resolved to have no peace with him, by Reason he had not only assisted his Brother Zames against him, but likewise the Carramanian King in the last Battle, so that raising a great Power, he sent them under the Leading of Ishender-Bassa, Michael-Beg, and Jaxis-Beg his two Sons to waste the Sultan's Dominions in Syria; but passing the Great Mountain Taurus, they were intraped by Aladules the Mountain King, who had laid an Ambush of his Savage people for that purpose, where most of the Turks were together with Michael-Beg were Slain, the Bassa his other Son, and the remaining part taken Prisoners; the news of which defeat being known to Carragoses Bassa, who was following with more forces, it so discouraged him that he would advance no further, yet the next Year passing into the confines of Egypt, he was Fought with, and overthrown by the Sultan's power: But these ill haps so little discouraged Bajazet, that he more enraged then ever, resolved to invade Egypt by Sea and Land, which the Sultan understanding resolved to Transport the Seat of War into the Turks Dominions, and so with a great Army, he Commanded Vsbeg to pass into Cilicia, where not far from Tarsus, he found the Turks encamped under the command of Chersogles Viceroy of Greece, a most Valiant Captain, whereupon a mortal Battle begun, and many thousands Slain, for the Sultan's Army consisting mostly of Mamalukes, such an obstinate Fight was fiercly maintained between them, and the Turkish Jannizaries, that Victory stood doubtful for the space of 2 days, at the end of which the Turkish General having lost 60000 of his men, in the Night left his Camp and fled, nor was the loss in the Sultan's Army much inferior, but the Turks loss still proved greater; for Flying through Aladules Country, that King had so beset the way, that most of the remaining part were Slain, and the General taken prisoner, nor fared Bajazet's Fleet at Sea better, for Anchoring in the mouth of Orentes within sight of Antioch, it was by a Tempest beaten to pieces, all which losses coming one upon the Neck of another, caused Bajazet to send his Ambassadors to the Sultan to require peace, which was accorded to, and all the Prisoners set at liberty, when shortly after the Sultan, who of a Circassian Slave, by the favour of the Mamaluke's his Fellows become a mighty Monarch died.  
Peace being concluded in Asia, the Christian Princes stirred up thereto by Pope Alexander the Sixth, that Firebrand of discord, all Christendom was in a Flame, at what time Charles the French King seized upon the Kingdom of Naples, taken from his Father by Ferdinand the first, whereupon the Pope and Alphonsus the exiled King of Naples, solicited Bajazet to send them 6000 Horse, and as many Foot for the recovery of the same, laying before him (like special Christians) what danger the Mahometan Religion would be in, if the French prevailed; the Pope promising him also to Poison Zemes his Brother, if he would pay him well for so doing; these Admonitions and large overtures so prevailed with the Infidel, that he had great store of treasure, but as it was designed for evil purposes, it prospered accordingly; for the Vessel in the Adriatic Sea, being boarded by John Roverius, a Venetian, he seized the cash before it came to the Pope's fingering, yet his Holiness loath to break his Word, nevertheless, contrary to his Oath made to the Ambassadors, from the great Master of Rhodes, Poisoned Zemes, by putting Poison amongst the Sugar which he was wont to mix with his Water, to the great Scandal of the Christian Religion, and reproach of St. Peter's pretended Successors: nor was God slow in revenging the dishonour done to his name, for Alexander having a Bastard Son, named Caesar Borgia, a Profligate Wretch, who after many Outrages and Murders committed, being about to Poison several of the Cardinals, at a Supper in the Vattican, by a lucky mistake of the waiter, in taking up the wrong flagon poisoned his Father, who notwithstanding his infallibility, was not Poison proof, nor did this ungracious Son long escape, for fight under the standard of the King of Navarre, he was slain with a hargubus shot.  
Notwithstanding the death of Pope Alexander, yet he left Christendom in such a blaze, that the flame of discord, was not in a long while after quenched, for whilst the Emperor of Germany, and Princes of Italy, were Bandising against the French King and shedding Christian Blood, the Turks invaded Podolia and Rassia, spoiling the Country and sacking several walled Towns, but by reason of the Excessiveness of the Winter, through Hunger and Cold, most of the Army Perished, yet not dismayed by the Loss sustained, he the next year sent Cadumes Bassa into Illyria, who spoiling the Country was encountered by 9000 Croats and Hungarians near the River Morava, under the leading of Count Bernard Francopain, where after a cruel and Bloody fight, the Christians were put to the worst, and 7000 of them slain, and drowned in passing the River, the noses of which being cut off, and hung upon strings, were sent to Bajazet as a Barbarous present.  
Charles the French King being dead, Lewis the 12 Succeeded him in the Kingdom of France, who laying claim to the Dukedom of Milan made a league with the Venetians, whereupon Sfortia the Duke in possession sent to crave aid of Bajazet, laying before him the danger his Empire was in daily to be invaded, if the French grew strong in Italy, preferring Ambition and revenge, before the advancement of the Christian Religion; Bajazet by this means stirred up, resolved to render the Venetians unserviceable to the French, by keeping them busy nearer home, whereupon he commanded Scander Bassa his Lieutenant in Illyria, to break in upon the Fruitful Country of Friuli, part of the Venetians Territories on the borders of Italy, the which he did with 12000 Horse, destroying all before him as far as Liquentia, driving before him a great number of Captives, the which when he came to the Banks of Tiliaventum, and understanding that the French and Venetians had driven the Duke of Milan out of his Territories, he barbarously caused to be put to the Sword.  
After the Seizure of Milan, the Venetians set out a great Fleet under the charge of Anthony Grimani, who set upon the Turks Fleet (far Superior in number) as it was coming out of the Bay or Haven of Sapientia, in the Island of Sphraga, but through the Cowardice of the Admiral, in not permitting half his Fleet to come up, those that were engaged retired after a sharp dispute, and the Turks kept their course to Naupactum, now called Lepanto, where they found Bajazet already arrived with his Land Army, so that after a few days Siege, the Citizens despairing of Succour Surrendered the City, wherefore the Venetian Admiral upon his return was Banished by a decree of the Senate, to one of the Absytidies Islands, upon the Coast of Liburnia.  
Bajazet by this means having got firm footing in the Venetian Territories, the year following viz. 1500 entered the straits of Corinth with an Army of 150000, and passing through Peloponnesus, laid Siege to the strong City of Menthon, now called Modon, and took it by surprise, putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword, upon which several other Cities belonging to the Venetians, yielded by composition, but after the taking of many Cities on either side, with great Bloodshed both by Sea and Land. A peace between Bajazet and the Senate of Venice was treated, and finally accorded upon consideration, first that the Venetians should deliver up the Islands of Neritoes and Lucadia (the which during these Wars they had taken from the Turks) reserving to themselves only the Island of Cephalenia: And that in consideration thereof, Bajazet should restore all such goods as had been taken from the Venetian Merchants in the late Wars, and that it should be lawful for them (as they were wont, safely to trade and traffic into the Euxine Sea, and to Constantinople, and there to have their Conful or Governor, as they had in former time, and lastly that the Venetian Territories should be certainly known and separated from the Turks, by certain Bounds or Limits. These conditions were Solemnly concluded on, and confirmed, both by Bajazet and the Senate of Venice, and so affirmed: Peace concluded in Anno 1503, after the Wars had continued between them for the space of 5 years.  
Peace concluded with the Venetians, Bajazet raised a great Army intending to invade Hungary, but having been often foiled by that warlike Nation, he changed his mind, and Marched to suppress the insurrection in Albania a part of his Territory, which done as he was returning, a Derviller which is a Fantastical kind of a beggarly Turkish Monk, using no other apparel but two Sheep Skins, the one hanging before, and the other behind, who coming up to him as if he would have asked an Alms, with a short Scimitar, struck at him, and beat him from his Horse, and being about to redouble his blow, had certainly dispatched him, had not Ishender Bassa come in, and with his Horsemans' Mace, struck the Varlet dead, who afterwards by the Soldiers was hewn in pieces; this treacherous and desperate act so moved Bajazet, that he proscribed all them of that Superstitious order, and banished them out of his Empire.  
Bajazet after the incessant toils of War, resolving to repose himself, committed the Management of his great Affairs to his 3 Bassa's, viz. Alis, Achmetes, Kinsman to him that was slain, and Jachia, who having got the Reins of Empire in their hands for the space of 5 years, suffered things to run into such disorder, by regarding their private profit, more than the public good, that a great part of the Lesser Asia was in an uproar by the means of Chasan Chelife, and Schach Culi, or Techellis, two Persian Impostors, who set the Multitude a madding, by spreading a new fangled Doctrine, more wicked than that of Mahomet their pretended Prophet. To quench this Flame that began dreadfully to blaze into a Rebellion, Bajazet was forced to rouse from his Lair, yet the Doctrine could not, nor is it, to this day extirprated, for being persecuted by Bajazet, they fled into Persia, and there pretending themselves to be the true Successor of Mahomet the Imposter, and that none but they knew his Will, and that those that believed not in their Doctrine, should never Enjoy any happiness after this Life, with a deal of such ridiculous Cant they so besotted Asymbeiu●Vsun Cassanes the Persian King, that he had to the first Author of this Doctrine, viz. one Haider, who was Master of these Disciples, given his Daughter Martha in Marriage; but he dying, and his Son Jacup succeeding him in the Kingdom, began to have his Brother-in-Law in suspicion, by reason of the multitude that followed him, upon the account of his pretended Sanctity: Insomuch that he caused him secretly to be murdered, and raised a great Persecution against those that embraced his Doctrine; yet this Haider left a Son which he had by Martha his Wife named Hysmael, who afterward became a Sophy of Persia, as will appear in his Wars with Selimus Bajazet's Son, and Successor, but upon the Persecution raised by Jacup Son to Vsun Cassanes, the two aforesaid Disciples of Haider fled to Armenia, and there dwelling in Rocks began to tell Fortunes, and other strange things which made the Rustics suppose them men more than ordinarily inspired; Insomuch that they gathered about them in great numbers, insomuch that they came out of their jurking Holes into walled Towns, and taught boldly.  
During the spreading of this Doctrine, Hysmael the Son of Haider being grown to man's Estate, and his Uncle Jacup dead, he by the Aid of such as favoured his Father's Doctrine, won the Kingdom of Armenia, and after that overthrowing Eluan the Persian King, Son to his Uncle Jacup in a pitched Battle, wherein the said King was slain, he took Possession of all his Grandfather's Dominions, and from that time was called the great Sophy of Persia, being afterward exceedingly beloved of his Subjects.  
This Hysmale was no sooner Established in his Kingdom, but he Established to his Power his Father's Doctrine, which Chusan, Chelife, and Techellis, perceiving, and understanding the unlooked for success of their Master's Son, they resolved not to be Idle, but to try their Fortune likewise: Whereupon gathering a great number of their Proselytes in Arms, they wasted again the Countries in the lesser Asia, and being encouraged thereto by Hysmale with Promise of great Succours, they set down before the City of Iconium; sending out their Proclamations strictly to enjoin all the People thereabout to embrace their Doctrine, threatening them otherwise with Death, and Confiscation of Goods; which wrought such Terror in the Peasants, that they had many of them joined with them; so that within a while their number was increased, from 10 to 50000. Whereupon Orcanes and Mahomites, two of Bajazet's Nephews gathering what Forces they could Sallied out of the City against them, but were put to flight with the loss of most of their Men: Corcutus also one of Bajazet's Sons, and then Governor of Thyatria, Sypilus, Magnesia, and Phocia, having leavyed a great Army, durst not nevertheless to give them Battle, but waited the coming of Caragoses Bassa, who was raising great Forces in Cappadocia and Pontus; having sent his Command to Achmetes one of Bajazet's Sons to do the like, but e'er he had gathered a sufficient Power, the pretended Prophets came upon him, put such Forces as he had to the Rout, and forced Caragoses then Viceroy of Asia, for his safety to fly into the City of Cutaie, near unto the Mountain Horminius, situate in the middle of the lesser Asia; which City they besieged, took by force, and in it the Viceroy his Wife and Children, putting most of the Citizens to the Sword, and from thence marched to besiege the great City of Prusa; but in their way hearing that Alis Bassa was come out of Europe with great Power, and followed hard upon them, they retreated and passed another way to avoid joining with the Turks in the plain Ground, of which the Bassa having Notice, and despairing to overtake them with his Footmen, chose out 8000 of his swiftest Horse, leaving Achmetes with the rest of the Army, after a tedious March he fell in with their Rear: Whereupon Techellis, who was chosen General of the Rebels, put his men in Battle Array; when taking the most advantageous Ground, he stayed the coming of the Turkish Horse, who charged him in the Front with great Fury, but wanting Foot to second them in so Hilly a Country were driven back, which the Bassa perceiving drew forth 1000 Harquebusiers, who served as Foot to oppose the Front, whilst the Horse Charged on the right and left Wings of the Enemy's Army, which was performed with such Bravery, that Techellis' Men gave Ground, and in the Rear broke and disordered their own Ranks; when Chelife one of the Impostors fight desperately was slain. But Techellis coming with fresh supplies, restored the Battle, to break which Alis Bassa Charging furiously with fresh Troops of Horse, & entering too far amongst the Squadrons of his Enemies was slain, which so discouraged his men (than at the point to have prevailed) that they first fainted, and afterwards betook themselves to plain flight; so that in passing the Mountains many of them were slain, and more taken Prisoners.  
Bajazet hearing of the Success of the Rebels, sent Jonuses Bassa against them with 40000 Horse and Foot, upon whose approach they retired into the Mountains, but being driven thence they fled into Armenia: Whereupon the Bassa fretting that he had not beset the ways, caused all that he found to embrace the new Religion, or to have born Arms against Bajazet on the behalf of Techellis, either to be put to Death, Burnt in the Forehead with a hot Iron, or Transported into Europe, to prevent any future Insurrection; and upon his return to Constantinople had Notice, that Techellis and his scattered Forces in their flight, lighting upon a Caravan of Silks and other Rich Merchandise took the spoil thereof, for which outrage coming to Tauris, the Captains were all by the Command of Hysmael hanged upon Gibbits, and Techellis for a Terror to others burnt alive.  
The Astan Rebellion suppressed by the means aforesaid, the year following, viz. Anno 1509. a dreadful Earthquake happened in Constantinople, and the Country's adjacent, which lasted with very little Intermission for the space of eighteen days, or as the Turks affirm a Month; in which time ●● t●ew to the ground many stately Buildings in Constantinople, Hadrianople and other Cities of Greece, and in their Ruins overwhelmed 13000 People; after which a great Mortality happened, which dispeopled many Cities in the Turks Dominions; but both being past, Bajazet set 80000 to repair the mischief Constantinople had sustained by the Earthquake, which they performed in four Months, Beautifying the City more than ever.  
Bajazet had by his many Wives eight Sons, and six Daughters, who lived to be Men and Women grown, and the Sons all Governors in divers Provinces of his large Empire, whom the Turkish History after this manner reckons up, viz. Abdullah Zelebi, Alem Scach, Tzihan Scach, Achmet, Machmut, Corcut Selim, and Mahomet; yet as Antonius Vtrius, Genois, who long time lived in Bajazet's Court, accounts, they were only six, whose Names he recites thus; Scieniscia, Alemscia, Achometes, Mahomates, Selimus, and Corcutus, and that the two former died long before their Father, and were by him greatly lamented; now as for Tizhan, and Abdula Zelebi, the Turks report they were put to Death by their Father's Command, upon: Suspicion that they aspired too high in Conceit of Empire.  
Of all these Sons Mahomates was of greatest hope who was by his Father made Governor of Magnesia, but being by reason of his Youth, somewhat Frolicksome, he often went disguised, to take a view of his Brother's Courts, how therein they behaved themselves etc. And at last came with two others in the habit o● Seafaring men to the Court of Bajazet, where not at first finding Admittance to the Emperor's Presence they went and bought a fair Christian Captive, and then pretending they had a Present to deliver, were by the Warders permitted to enter, and having delivered the Present found means to departed; being first rewarded with three rich Garments, but e'er they were gotten on Shipboard, they were met by a Courtier that knew Mahomates, who alighting would have done him Reverence, but he forbade it, as not being willing to be discovered, yet it was not kept so close but it came to Bajazet's Ear, who jealous (as always Tyrants are) that under such like Intrigues might be hid some secret Conspiracy against his Life, or Empire, he wrote to one Asmehemides a Courtier highly in Favour with Mahomates to poison him, sending withal a poisonous Powder to effect it; which this perfidious Courtier, in hopes to succeed him in his Government performed, but long it was not e'er the Tyrant repenting him of his inhuman and unnatural Command, cast the said Courtier in Prison where he miserably perished.  
Bajazet having caused Mahomates to be poisoned, whom he need not to have feared: Selimus the Governor of Trepezond, one whom he entirely Loved, immediately Conspired against him, and having Corrupted most of the great Bassas of the Court, the better to strengthen himself, married the Daughter of Mahomates the Tartarian King, who Aiding him with 15000 Tartarian Horse, he left his Government and passed over the Euxine into Europe, under pretence of invading Hungary, where haiung notice that his Father intended to declare Achometes his Successor; leaving the Coast of Hungary, he marched directly towards Hadrianople, where Bajazet lay with his Army, and encamping within sight of the City, sent a feigned Message to excuse his coming in a Hostile manner; the which was as he said, only that he might gain Access to his Presence, to show him such Reasons as he doubted not but he would approve of, why Achometes should not succeed him; but Bajazet not trusting to his fawning, sent him word that if he did not immediately return to his Government in Asia and disband his Army, he would not fail to chastise him with the Scourge of War. But this Speech did not at all dismay the Headstrong Youth, nor could all the Presents, and fair Words Bajazet could devise avert him; but raising his Camp marched directly towards Constantinople, which Bajazet perceiving drew his Army out of Hadrianople, and marched to prevent his surprising the Imperial City, at whose Departure out of Hadrianople Selimus entered it, and having there refreshed his Army, followed hard upon his Father, cutting off the stragglers of his Army, and part of his Rear, which caused the Old man to Face about and bid him Battle, though all the Bassas except Cherseogles dissuaded him from it, as secretly favouring Selimus, which Selimus as willing to accept, after both Armies were put into Order, and Bajazet with a moving Oration had encouraged his Men, a cruel Fight began, which continued from Noon, till the setting of the Sun; at what time the Tartarian Horse sore Gauled with the shot of the Harquebuses, and terrified with the Thundering noise, disranked and fled in spite of their Rider, after which the Foot being Charged by the Janissaries were most of them slain, Selimus himself upon a swift Horse hardly scaping.  
In this Battle fought, Anno 1511. near Chiurlus, 30000 of Selimus his Men were slain and taken Prisoners, with the loss only of 7000 of Bajazet's Soldiers, after which Bajazet kept on his way to Constantinople, where he no sooner arrived, but he bountifully rewarded his Men: Achometes Bajazet's eldest Son being at Amasia, and hearing what had passed, raised an Army of 20000 Horse and Foot, and by speedy marches came to Scutari, Anciently called Christophorus, situate upon the straits of Bosphorus, over against Constantinople, where encamping he sent Messengers to his Father, requesting him as he had frequently determined to declare him his Successor, as by Seniority he ought, and to resign him the Empire, all which Bajazet intended to do, and proposed such his Intentions to his Captains; but they bribed by Selimus, opposed him therein, saying they would acknowledge no other Emperor but himself, and as the Captains said, so said the Soldiers: Whereupon he sent to Achometes, to inform him of the Obstinacy of the Soldiers, and desired him to return to his Government of Amasa, till he could mould them into a better Temper by his Bounty; but he impatient of delay, not only abused the Messenger, but greatly reproached his Father, rose with his Army and marching through the Country spoiled Bythinia, and growing daily more and more inflamed, from being barred of his Expectation, purposed to have seized upon Asia the less; upon which calling to him his two Sons, Amurath and Aladine young Princes of great hope, he admonished them to take up Arms against their Grandfather, who prone enough thereto of themselves, and now incited by their Father, in a short time raised a great Army, and joining with the standing Forces; Achometes had before in pay overrun a great part of Asia, Achometes causing himself every where to be proclaimed King.  
These proceed greatly troubled Bajazet, insomuch that to prevent Bloodshed, he sent to him his Ambassadors to reprove him for his Disloyalty, and to command him forthwith to set at Liberty his Nephews Mahomates, and his Brother whom he had taken Prisoners, for refusing to aid him against their Grandfather Bajazet; but instead of performing what his Father Commanded, he caused the chief Ambassador to be Slain in his presence, and strictly enjoined the other on Pain of their Lives, to departed his Camp ere Sun set, of which strange and Heinous Fact, when Bajazet had knowledge, he was greatly enraged, and caused him to be proclaimed a Traitor against his Person, and Empire, commanding that the European Horsemen should immediately march against him. But the Bassas that favoured Selimus, thinking it now a fit time to procure his being called home, and entering again into Favour, insinuated into the old Emperor, that if he designed to destroy both his Rebellious Sons, he could do it by no better means, then by calling home Selimus, and making him General of the Army designed, to march against Achometes, and that by such means one of them was sure to Perish, and then getting the other into his power, he might destroy him at his pleasure; to this motion of the Bassas Bajazet harkened, adn commanded that Selimus should be fetched to Court, whither now Corcutus was come to claim his Father's promise, as having heard that contrary thereto, he meant to give the Empire from him; to whom Bajazet again made many promises only willing him to be content, whilst this new Rebellion was suppressed, when in the mean while Selimus arrived, and prostrating himself at his Father's Feet, was received into favour, and preferred to the leading of the Army; who no sooner he d●d it, but as it was before contrived by the Bassas, he by the General Voice was saluted Emperor, and Mustapha Bassa sent to Bajazet peremptorily to demand him to surrender the Empire, to his Son Selimus, whom as he said the Soldiers had saluted Emperor, and that if he refused so to do, they were resolved to spoil the Palace, if not commit an outrage upon his Person, upon which Bajazet finding himself betrayed by those he most relied on, after having expressed Indignation and Grief, finding that would, or would he not all was one, with many curses and Execrations upon his unnatural Son, and the rest of the Traitors he delivered the Insigns of Majesty, of which unexpected news Corcutus having notice fled for his Life to Magnesia.  
Selimus having by the means aforesaid Grasped the Empire, could not suppose himself safe whilst his Father lived, and therefore with great rewards tempted Hamon a Jew, and Bajazet's chief Physician to make him away by Poison, who in order to his Hellish purpose went to Hadrianople, whither Bajazet was retired, and there through Melancholy and infirmities incident to Age, he found him indisposed; he offered him Physic, the which the old man not doubting to be of fatal Consequence, when delivered by the Hand of his old approved Physician, at the time appointed took, which he had not long done ere he felt a grievous pain in his Stomach, and plain Symptoms of his being Poisoned appeared, so that amidst Groans and Torturing Pangs, within 24 Hours he gave up the Ghost, Anno 1512, and his Reign the thirtieth.  
Bajazet thus Poisoned, the Jew hasted to Constantinople to receive his reward, which he had accordingly, for not long after his Arrival his Head was stricken off by the Commandment of Selimus, who afterward Buried his Father in a most stately Tomb, near to the Great Mahometan Temple, that himself had built, and by Reason two of his Pages mourned for him, he caused them to be put to Death, but Heaven's Vengeance was not long delayed, as will appear in the next Chapter, in his woeful and unusual Death.   

CHAP. XIV. The Life of Selimus the first of that Name, the third Emperor of the Turks, his Bloody Reign and woeful Death.  
Selymus' Aspiring to the Empire by Blood and Treason, could not think himself safe whilst any of the Ottoman Royal Blood remained in the Veins of his Relations; therefore gathering all his forces, he marched into Asia to oppress Achometes, but missing of him at that time, he thirsty of Blood caused 5 of his Nephews, all Princes of great hope to be straugled in his presence, causing their dead Bodies to be Buried in Prusa, and afterward sought to surprise Amurath and Aladin Mahomates 2 Sons, but they having notice of his wicked intent, one of them fled into Persia, and the other into Egypt, and Vsegi Bassa who was sent to apprehend them at Amasa upon notice beforehand, sent by Mustapha Bassa who now was alienated from Selimus, was entrapped by an Ambush laid by Mahomates himself, taken Prisoner, and most of his men Slain, but it coming to Selimus his Ear, that Mustapha held Correspondence with Achometes, notwithstanding he had helped him to the Empire he caused him to be Slain, so little Assurance has any man in the favour of a Tyrant, who has the power of Life and Death in his Hand; in revenge of which Achometes put Vsegi Bassa (whom he held Prisoner) to Death.  
Selimus still thirsty of Blood, with all speed marched to Magnesia, in hopes to have surprised his Brother Corcutus in his Castle, but he having timely notice was fled before his coming, yet he took the Spoil of all his Treasure, and so leaving a Captain with a 1000 Horse to secure the City, and commanding Bostanges his Son In-Law, with a Fleet to watch the Sea-Coast that he should not escape, he went to Prusia supposing to have found him there, but on the contrary he poor Prince was fain to hid himself in a Cave by the Seaside, and there for many Days feeding upon Crabs in hopes the Ships would have departed, that he might have wafted over, at length weary of his unwonted diet he sent his Servant to a Shepherd's Cottage to purchase natural Food, who suspecting by some words that passed, that it was the Prince, like a perfidious Swain, he gave notice thereof to Coshmos one of Selymus' his Captains who was come insearch of him, upon which he was apprehended, and carried towards Prusa; of which the Tyrant having notice greatly rejoiced, and immediately sent one Kirengi Og'ly a Squint-eyed Captain to strangle him by the way, who accordingly performed his wicked Master's pleasure; and now none remaining alive to obstruct the progress of his greatness, but Achometes and his two Sons, he resolved to go against them, but in the beginning of his Expedition, he intercepted some Letters signed by several Commanders of his Camp, and directed to Achometes, desiring him to advance towards Selimus with all speed, and that he might be assured upon his approach, a great part of the Army would revolt, or at least in the Battle they would kill Selimus. Upon this discovery those that were found to be concerned therein were Executed, and the Letters notwithstanding sent, upon which Achometes presuming made such haste, that he left his Footmen behind, at what time 10000 Janissaries were come to Selimus out of Europe, so that Battle joining after a most Bloody conflict Achometes was overthrown, and seeking to save himself by flight, his Horse fell with him into a deep Ditch, where he was taken by the pursuers, at whose hands he could not procure himself to be Slain, though he earnestly desired it, but was lead Captive to his cruel Brother, who Commanded the Squint-eyed Captain that had dispatched Corcutus to strangle him with a Bowstring, and now desiring nothing more than to get in his possession the two Sons of Achometes, who to his great Grief heard they were honourably received, the one in the Persian, and the other in the Egyptian Courts, and that Amurath the Elder aided by Hysmael the Great Sophy with ten thousand Persian-Horse, was entered into Cappadocia, wasting the Country before him, for fear of whom most of the adjacent Provinces had submitted to do him homage, he resolved after he had driven him back, in revenge of the aid the Sophy had lent him to War upon his Countries in Persia, wherefore preparing a great Army, though many of his great Commanders laid before him the difficulty and danger of the undertaking, and amongst the rest Chendemus Viceroy of Anatolia a man of great Experience, and of all others in greatest Credit and Authority with Selimus, who used many Arguments to dissuade him therefrom, which he afterward found to be undeniable truths, but some of his Flatterers persuading him that Chendemus was bribed by Amurath, to divert his Arms another way, and bring certain Ruffains hired for that purpose to attest what they had said, the Tyrant caused the faithful Bassa to be slain, without hearing his Excuse, and then Marching from Arsenga, he came to the Confines of Armenia the Less, before whose Powerful Army the young Prince fled, but Selimus fearing lest the Mountain Kings not being made his friends, and yet left behind him, should fall upon his Rear, sent Ambassadors to them, to desire free passage through their Territories, and to send him provision for his Money, at such time as he should be entered into Armenia the greater, to all which they accorded, whereupon with all his Army, he passed the Mountain Scodrisci, and after 8 days Marching over an other great Mountain, called Moschi●, which the famous River Euphrates with his mighty streams, and huge broden Banks, separateth from the great Mountain Anti-Taurus, and with perpetual steep ridges, runneth into Iberia, and Colchis. Here Selimus with his Ensigns displayed, Marching along the Banks of the River, departed not from the same, for fear in that hot Country he should be distressed for want of Water, and so held on his way directly Eastward, leaving the Country of Armenia the less, upon the Left, and the Kingdom of Aladeules on the right, and so along to the Banks of Araxes, finding all the Country before him destroyed, and by reason the Mountain Kings kept not their words, in sending him provision, his Army began to fall into great want, which though too late made him call to mind the faithful Council of Chendemus, yet having Marched thus far, he could not without great dishonour turn back, and therefore passing Arazes about the City of Coy, to defend which City Vsta Ogli the Persian General approached with his whole power, contrary to the expectation of Selimus, whose Soldiers being oppressed by want, and for the most part were forced to live upon wild fruit began to Mutiny, so that whilst either Army lay Hover at some distance, Hismael came in Person into his Camp, and from thence sent a herald to Selimus, to know why he had in hostile manner entered his Country, having no title thereto, as likewise to take a view of the Turkish Army, to which demand Selimus replied that his Grandfather, his Uncle, and himself had greatly Endamaged the Ottoman Empire, by making several Invasions, and Aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet, Bajazet, and of late in his Reign, yet he esteemed them not as sufficient causes of War, but sought after his enemy, young Amurath his Brother's Son, who had of late spoiled Cappadocia, whom if he would quietly and friendly deliver unto him, he would withdraw his forces, and peaceably return into his own Kingdom, otherwise with fire and Sword, he would destroy, not only the frontiers of Armenia, but the heart of Persia also, and so dismissing the Herald, both the Armies for that day lay still in their trenches, expecting the dreadful event of Battle, and after both Armies were Marshaled and put in order, the Bloody Blast was sounded, whereupon the Persian Horsemen came on with great fury, making great Havoc of the Vanguard of Selimus his Army, overthrowing the Alapi or common Soldiers by heaps, which are such as the Turks for the most part carry to stand the first Shock of the Enemy's fury, and to blunt their Swords, nor did the Turkish Horse stand firm, but charged in either Wing gave ground, which Selimus seeing caused his orders to open, and began with his great Ordnances to play furiously, to avoid whose Murdering shot, the Persian Horsemen, opened likewise to the right and the left, yet the thundering of the Cannon so amazed the Horses that many of them cast their Riders, yet Hysmale with great fury broke and disordered the Turks right Wing, composed of Asian Horsemen, but whilst Vsta Ogli was endeavouring to do the same to the left, he was slain with a harquibus shot, which much dismayed the Soldiers under his command, yet could they not be forced to retire, till Selimus came on with all his Power of Janissaries, yet gaining little ground, whereupon he commanded all his great Ordnance which he had reserved as his last refuge, to be furiously discharged against the right Wing of the Persian Horse, where Hysmael fought; by the violence of which such a slaughter was made, as well of his own men as of the Enemies, mingled together, that what for the dust, smoke, and thundering of the Artillery, having on both sides lost their sight and hearing, the Persian horse were so terrified that they were not to be ruled, wherefore the battle soon became broken and disordered, so that both Armies retired upon the Approach of night, leaving the Victory doubtful: The Turks to express the terror of this day, number it amongst their dismal ones, calling it the only day of Doom.  
Hysmael in this furious battle having received a wound under the left Shoulder, with a small shot, by the persuasion of his friends withdrew himself, to have his wound searched, which past doubt was the safeguard of Selimus and his Army; for the Persians following their King, left the Victory almost gotten, but the Persian finding his wound not mortal, was about to return, but hearing of the Death of Vsta Ogli his General, a man of Great experience, and that by reason of the Thundering of the great Ordnance, his Horsemen could not rule their Horses, he caused the retreat to be sounded, and so retired in good order, the Turks so much despairing of Victory, that they durst not follow him; and so he passing by the City of Tauris, admonished the Inhabitants to open their gates to Selimus, thereby to avoid being sacked, and so Marched into the Confines of Media.  
The Persians out of sight, the Turks then and not till then durst seize upon their Camp, where they found divers rich Pavilions, wrought with Needlework, and Gold, as also many beauteous Ladies, who had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars, all which he presently caused to be set at liberty, unless one of Hismaels' Wives, whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassas.  
In this Battle fought in the Galderan Fields near the City of Coy, Anno 1514. Selimus lost 30000 of his men, and amongst them many Bassas and great Commanders, even all the flower of his Army, which consisted of 300000 Horse and Foot, of the Persians there fell not above 8000 Hysmaels' Army not consisting of above 30000, so that the Turks were 8 to 1; And amongst the slain, were found the Bodies of several Persian Women, who Armed had accompanied their Husbands, to participate of their good or evil fortune, at which Selimus admiring, caused them to be Honourably interred, and then received the Ambassadors of the several adjacent Cities, who upon condition their Goods, Lives and Liberties, might be preserved, delivered up the Keys of their respective Cities, so that having taken possession thereof, he called a Council of his Bassas and great Captains, to consult what was best to be done, himself being desirous to Winter in Tauris, for opposing which Mustapha his chief Bassa, was by him disgraced and thrust from all his honours, of which the Janissaries having notice, began to Mutiny telling him to his face, they would not stay in that desolate Country, where they had suffered such hardship, daily to be exposed to the fury of the Enemy, who was raising great forces to come down against them, and that if he would not in time departed, they were resolved to forsake him, whereupon he as needs must, changed his former determination, resolving to return into Cappadocia, whereupon contrary to his Promise, exacting a great Mass of Money from them of Taurus, and carrying with him 3000 families, the best Artificers in that City, especially those that were Skilful in making Armour, he raised his Camp, and Marched towards Euphrates, a longer way than that by which he came, fearing to return again by the head of Araxis, and the Mountains of Periardes, lest he should meet the Iberian and Albanian Horsemen, who as he was informed were following hard after him, who indeed came within sight of him, as he was passing the Euphrates, which raised such consternation in his Camp, that in hastily passing the River, 2000 Turks were drowned, and a great many of his Ordnance, together with much Baggage left as a Prey to the Persians, nor had he better Success in passing the Huge Mountain Anti-Taurus, for the Mountain Kings despising him, by reason of his bad proceed with their savage People, laid all the ways, and by frequently falling upon the Rear of his Army, killed many of his People and took great spoil, though the Kings upon his sending to complain thereof, excused the matter, promising to punish the offenders so soon as they should be known; At length passing the many dangers he came to Amasa, where he wintered with his broken and crazed Army, resolving to return the next spring with a far greater Power; the cause why Hismael being Lord of such great Countries, came with so small a Power, was for that he to win the Hearts of his People the better to be established in his new acquired Kingdom, had remitted most of the Taxes and Customs, formerly paid to his Prodecessors, all his forces consisting in the Soldiers of the Court, those that were by right bound to serve him, and such as were sent to him by the petty Princes his Neighbours, when as on the other side Selimus had always by him an Inestimable Mass of Money, kept in seven Towers in Constantinople; his yearly tributes and revenues exceeding his expenses by a fourth part.  
Selimus not thinking himself sufficiently revenged of the Persians, having raised his Camp at Amasa, Early in the Spring, passing the Euphrates with his whole Army, consisting of 300000 Horse and Foot, came before Clamassum a City of the Persians, situate on the further Banks, which he so suddenly invested, and so furiously assaulted, that the Gates being broken up, and the Walls in many places won, the defendants retired into the Marketplace, and there fought against the whole Power of Selimus to the last man; after the taking of this City, he took two Castles not far distant from it, and being pricked forward with the desire of Glory, purposed to have subdued the Kingdom of Persia, which he might the easier have done, by reason Hysmael was Waring against the Bactrians and Hyrcanians, a savage People dwelling near the Caspian Sea, who had Rebelled against him, but considering what damage he had received from Aladeules the Mountain King, and others inhabiting the Desolate Countries, at the entrance into Armenia, he purposed ere he further proceeded, to subdue him, wherefore he Marched thitherward with all his People, of which the poor Prince having notice, gathered all his strength, and drawing his Horsemen, who were but 15000 into a pleasant Valley, commanded his Footmen to keep the Mountains, and from thence with shot of Arrows annoy the Turks in passing the straits, upon which Selimus considering the disadvantage of the place, commanded Sinan Bassa General of the European Horsemen, to charge him with a square Battle affront, whilst himself with the Janissaries and Asian Horsemen, followed him in the Rear, the Ground by reason of its Scantiness, not admitting the use of Wings, upon which a fierce fight was begun, and Atadeules fight Courageously at the head of his men, forced the Turkish Horsemen to give ground, which Selimus perceiving and that his Army was sorely Annoyed by the Archers from the Mountains, drawing out 2000 Harquibusiers out of his own Squadorn, he sent them to reinforce his Horse, and at the same time commanded the Janissaries to Mount the Hills, which they doing charged the Foot with such Fury, that they being sore distressed with the Harquibus shot, not being used to such engines scattered and fled, so that a great number of them were killed, ere they could clamber up the steep Mountains, and the Horse at that time being discomfited, fled by well known ways, into the fastnesses of the steep Rocks, after whom Selimus followed burning all before him, but finding he could not overtake the King, who retiring before him, had fortified himself amongst the Impregnible Rocks, and there stored up much provision, in hopes to weary the Turks with tedious delay.  
Selimus having perfect notice of all that had passed, by several Prisoners that he had taken, thought it more fit to prevent his falling into necessity in so barren a Country, to use Stratagems, where force could not prevail, whereupon understanding that there was no good meaning between Aladeules, and Alis Beg his General, (by reason that the King had formerly commanded his Father to be slain, upon suspicion he designed to seize his Kingdom) he releasing the Prisoners, sent them to Alis Beg with great rewards, to incite him to deliver Aladeules into his hands, and that in Lieu thereof he of his bounty would give him the Kingdom, which so wrought with the treacherous General, that not finding means to kill the King, as he had purposed, he caused all his Army to revolt to Sinan Bassa, whom Selimus had sent to pursue him; so that being left alone, flying through many desolate places, at length hid himself in a Cave, where being discovered by a Country Peasant, he betrayed him into the Hands of those that sought after him, who presenting him to Selimus, he caused his Head to be stricken off, and carried all over Asia the less in manner of Triumph, and afterward sent it to the Senate of Venice, in token of his Victory.  
Selimus having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules as aforesaid, and reduced it into the form of a Province, making the Traitor chief Governor thereof, returned to Constantinople, having, at the same time he was Waring against Aladeules by his Bassas invaded Hungaria; and now having notice from his Correspondents in Christendom, that Maximilian the Emperor, Vladislaus King of Hungaria, Sigismond King of Poland together with the Princes of Germany, were entering into a League against him, it caused him to make great Preparations for the defence of his Territories, but in the end those Princes separated without doing any thing worthy of their meeting. So that being freed from that Fear, he left a strong Guard upon the Fronteers of his Empire, bordering upon Hungaria, and departed to Iconium in Order, to prosecute his War against the Persian; but during his stay at that City, he had certain notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt, with a great Army levied in Egypt and Judea, was coming to Aid the Persian King, his Confederate as hating Selimus for his Cruelty towards his Father, Brethren and Nephews, as likewise being jealous of his aspiring Greatness, this News was Confirmed on all Hands: Selimus greatly feared that if he should pass over the River Euphrates, the Sultan might enter Asia and spoil his Dominions, wherefore he thought it safe if possible, to make him his Friend, in order to which he sent the Cadelescher, or great Doctor of the Mahomitan Law; A man much reverenced amongst the Turks, and Jachis one of his great Captains, as his Ambassadors to desire the renewing the League, sometime made between the Sultan and his Father Bajazet; but the Sultan moved by the piteous Complaints of the Princes, Aladine Son to Mahomet, and the Son of Aladeules, who as exiled Princes remained in his Court, and encouraged by his great Captains to restore them to their rightful Possessions, would have no Peace unless Selimus would leave off to invade the Persian, and restore the Mountainous Kingdom to the young Aladeules; which upon the Report thereof so enraged Sebymus, that he resolved to lay aside his intended War against Hysmale, and turn all his Forces upon the Sultan, and therefore with words of encouragement, having animated his Soldiers, he passed with his Army over the Mountains in three places, and so appointing a great Company of the Common Soldiers and Country people, for the opening of the strait Passages; he Commanded the rough and uneven ways to be made smooth and plain, so that in five Days all his Ordnance and Carriages were come into the Plains of Comagena, where he received News of Campson's Army, from Alis Beg Governor of the Mountain Kingom, which caused him to march towards him with all speed.  
By this time Campson having notice of the approach (whom he could not at first believe to have passed the huge Mountain of Amanus) stood long in doubt what was best to be done, whether to give the Tyrant Battle, or to retire to Damascus and protract the War, whilst fresh Forces could come to his Assistance: In the latter Opinion Gazelles his great Counsellor, and Governor of Apamia Concurred with him, labouring earnestly to confirm him in that Opinion, but Destiny so ordering it, he refused the good and wholesome Persuasions of Gazelles, and embraced that of Cayerbeius, which was presently to give the Turks Battle; which Council he gave though he knew it to be Destructive, that by such means he might be revenged on the Sultan; who some years before had caused his Brother to be poisoned, for designing to deprive him of his Empire.  
Battle being resolved on, and the Turks Army coming on Campson divided his Army into four Battles; the first whereof he committed to Cayerbeius the Traitor, the second to Sybeius the Governor of Damascus, a man of singular Faith and Valour; these two were appointed at once to Charge both Wings of the Turkish Army, the third was lead by Gazelles, and the last by Campson himself, who stayed with it for the defence of the Camp: Nor was Selimus Idle, for he had placed the Asian Horsemen in the right Wing, and the European in the left, and in the middle the Janissaries, and Artillery before, whom between the two Wings, he had placed his Pensioners all most expert, and valiant Soldiers, and in this Order the Turks always fight, if the Ground will admit so to Marshal the Army.  
Both Armies being thus set in Order, the Charge was sounded; whereupon Cayerbeius with his Squadron Charged the European Horsemen with great Fury, but resolving to betray his trust by and by, Wheeling off fell upon the Sullians and such other Slaves as kept the Baggage, making some small slaughter, that as a Valiant and cunning Traitor, he might at the self same time satisfy the Expectation of his Valour, and of his Treason; but Sybeius the Governor of Damascus dealt otherwise, for entering overthwart the Ranks in the right Wing of the Turks Army; he with his Mamalukes Charged with such fury, that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horsemen, they broke in amongst them like a devouring Tempest, bearing down all before them, till they came to the Insigns in the midst of the Wing: Neither could Mustapha the Beglerbeg, nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces withstand him; or restrain the Flight of their Soldiers, so that cutting in pieces the right Wing, he resolutely thrust in between the Battle of the Janissaries and the Pensioners, and there made such lamentable Slaughter that the whole Army was in great fear for Selimus, by the breaking in of Sybeius, was divided from his Footmen, in whom he reposed his greatest trust, and now the Janissaries hardly charged by Gazelles●; who following the Fortune of Sybeius, had set upon the Front of the Enemy's Battle, the Asian Horsemen also put to the worst, found no means how again to restore the disordered Battle.  
In this Confusion Sinan Bassa came in with the Squadron of Horse, under his Command, who had been but lightly Skirmished with by Cayerbeius, he stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes; whereby the Turks taking fresh Courage, soon after wrung the Victory out of their Hands; for the great Artillery being by the Commandment of Selimus discharged amongst them, by the terrible Thundering thereof, their Horses were so troubled that they could not well guide them, neither could their Riders themselves though they were men of undaunted Courage prevail, being on every side oppressed with the multitude of their Enemies; yet in that disaster nothing dismayed, setting themselves close together, they broke through the midst of their Enemies, with great slaughter of the European Horsemen and Pensioners, and so with speed fled towards the Camp and City of Aleppo; after whom followed Sinan Bassa with the swiftest Horse, so that the News of the overthrow being known to Compson the Sultan, he endeavoured what he could to stay the flight of his Men, but the press being great, and the Turks pursuing hard after them making great slaughter, every one shifting for himself in that general Calamity without Respect to the Sultan, he was overborne in the Press, and there by reason of the weight of his Armour and great Age, not able to relieve himself was trodden to Death; who after wards being found amongst the slain, was laid to the view of all People, that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive, and so on his behalf fight more obstinately for the future.  
This great Battle cost Selimus 30000 men, and the Egyptians few less, amongst which there fell 1000 Mamalukes, and was fought on the seventeenth of August, Anno 1516. After which Selimus received the City of Aleppo into his obedience, the Mamalukes being departed thence to Damascus; after whom he likewise sent Jonuses Bassa and followed himself with all the Army, but before his Arrival they were departed to Cair, and in a full Assembly chose Tomombeius (a Circassian born) Sultan in the stead of Campson Gaurus, who took speedy Care for providing all things necessary to defend his Countries from the Power of the Turks, mustering great Companies of such, of his Slaves, as he thought fit for the War, as likewise several Moors and Arabians. His Neighbours hiering certain Persons for great Rewards, to Travel through the Arrabian Deserts into Mesopotamia, and so to Hysmale the Persian King with the Letters, earnestly requesting him to invade the Turks Dominions in Asia the less, or with all speed to break into Comagena, and so to enclose Selimus with both Armies as he lay in the Borders of Judea, and by that means greatly destress him, by reason he had no Fleet at Sea to relieve him with Provision; and by that means might revenge himself, and prevent his Territories from Invasion for the future.  
Whilst these things was doing, Sinan Bassa with considerable Forces passing through part of Arabia, seized upon the City of Gaza; of which Gazelles having notice posted thither with 6000 Mamalukes, and a considerable number of Arabian Adventurers, thinking to surprise the Bassa; but he having notice of his approach, went to meet him with all his Forces: So that both Armies incountering, the Egyptians after a Bloody fight, being overpowered by numbers, and sore Gauled with Harqucbuss Shot, left the fight and fled towards Cair; but whilst the Turks were departed on this Expedition, the Citizens of Gaza had plundered their Camp, supposing them to be retired for Fear, and discomfited 2000 Turkish Horses, sent by Selimus to the Aid of Sinan Bassa, who retreating were almost slain by the wild Arabs, and had certainly all perished, had they not fortunately met with Juleb Governor of Achaia, sent with another Power; yet the Arabians flocking about them, greatly annoyed them with their Shot from the Hills, not giving them any time to rest; and such through weakness, or for to seek Provision straggled from the Army, and were cut off; so that had not Imbrahor Bassa met them out of Syria, they had never passed alive through those Deserts, for the Arabians as men living upon spoil still pursued them, and in a dispersed manner were continually hover over their Army, yet long they had not marched e'er they met with Selimus, who with the remainder of his Army was marching towards Gaza, when having notice from those that had been put to flight by the Citizens thereof, what had befell them; he verily believed that Sinan Bassa and all his men were either slain or taken Prisoners, till such time as he was by the Syrian Scouts informed to the contrary, at which he not a little rejoiced, yet the Arabians daily molested his Army: Insomuch that he was enforced to place his Harquebusiers, and most of his Artillery in the Rear, with order to Charge them as they saw occasion; and so in that Order he marched till he came to Jerusalem, which was then altogether ruinated and defaced, from whence after having viewed the holy Sepulchre, kept by a Company of poor, yet devout Christians, who paid Tribute for that privilege to the Sultan of Egypt, and having made his offering, and some miles distant met with Sinan Bassa, who having put to Death the Authors of the revolt of that City, and Exacted a great sum of Money of the rest, came forth to meet him, whom he bountifully rewarded, giving to the Captain's Garments of Silk, and to the rest rewards, according to their Demerits.  
After he had refreshed his Army at Gaza, for the space of four days, he leaving a Garrison therein passed over the Dangerous, Desolate, and unpeopled Sands; which at many times moved by the Wind, worked like a rough Sea, and rising in the Air, hindered the sight of the weary Passengers; but such was the good fortune of Selimus, that a little before he entered them, such store of Rain fell that it not only allayed the Sand, but furnished his Army with Water during his passage, which took up eight days, yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians.  
The Deserts passed as aforesaid, the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive, or rather entrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan, near to a Village called Rhodania had entrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water, over which he had laid rotten Hurdles, and upon them Earth, and lined all the Banks with Artillery, not doubting but Selimus would march that way; but this their Device, which would certainly have gained them a Victory had it took, was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to Selimus, by four Epirot Mamalukes, who secretly Envying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius, had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp: Upon which Selimus altered his determined Courses, and marching by byways suddenly appeared with his Army, drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egyptian Camp, which put them into a great Consternation, but seeing no Remedy but presently to engage, the Sultan put his Army in readiness, and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance, spoke his indignation, and was answered in the same Language from Selimus his Camp; but after the second discharge of each particular tire, the Armies joined Charging each other with such Force, that all the Ground lay covered with the slain, the Mamalukes enraged with mortal Hatred, bearing down all before them, when in the mean time the Arrabians encompassed the Turks Battle, putting the Thracian, Macedonian, and Epirot Horsemen to the flight, the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse, to stay the wavering Battle, but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain, and his men disordered: So that had not Selimus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janisary, the Victory had fallen to the Sultan; but with them restoring the Battle, and the Mamalukes being tired with continual Fight, at the approach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be worsted, caused the retreat to be sounded, and retired towards Cair, leaving his Camp to the Turks.  
In this Battle, fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides, and the Turks had certainly been worsted, had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janissaries. The Turks in pursuit, having taken the Diadare, a man of great Command amongst the Egyptians, and Bidon the valiant Captain, whom Selimus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa.  
Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit, nothing discouraged at what had happened; but rather more resolute to revenge his disgrace, gathered his Power from all parts, and encamped Commodiously between the City of Cair, and the River Nilus, and there consulted, how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp; e'er they understood what Power he had, not thinking it safe so suddenly to try another Field: But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selimus, as they had been before by several Mamalukes, who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him: Insomuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended. Selimus caused strict Watches to be kept, and great Fires to be made, that so he might discover the Enemy's approaches by night; which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders, retired into the City of Cairo, there to expect the approach of the Conqueror, furnishing it with all manner of Warlike provision, and inciteing the Egyptians, who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms, in the defence of their Country, which the more wealthy whillingly did, but the poorer sort, who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government, thinking to advantage themselves thereby; yet such were the persuasions of the Mamalukes, that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City, towards which Selimus was advancing a pace, wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets, at the bottom of which were fixed sharp Stakes, and before them, Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles, so to entrap the too eager Turks, for why, the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus, was adorned with many stately Towers, Pyramids, Palaces, Temples, and Monuments of the Egyptian Kings, served rather for Pleasure then strength: He likewise caused the Houses to be furnished with Harquebusiers, and his Pieces of Culverin, and other small Pieces, to be every where planted Advantageously for the annoying the Enemy, and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength, consisting of Mamalukes; yet Selimus being now come before it, after his having encouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City, as the last Refuge of the Sultan, he furiously entered the Gate called Basuela, and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at divers Caves, but kept his Janissaries in the high Street, where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were: Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts, insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents; the Artillery and small Shot still thundering from either side, made all seem Fire, and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke; when from their Windows, and Roof of their Houses, the Egyptians cast down Stones, Tiles, scalding Water, Sulphur, Pitch, Tar, and the like, to the great annoyance of the Turks, who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches, and were there impailed on the Stakes; and such was the Clamour and Outcries of the enemy, where together with the Clashing of Weapons, and dreadful Fires, that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come, and in this dismal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days, and two Nights, without intermission: Insomuch that Selimus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with, began to despair of winning the City, and therefore was about to sound the Retreat, as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired, at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes, entered the City on the other side, and had taken the Mamalukes Horses, which they had left there ready Saddled, thereon to make their escapes, if matters came to the Extremity, which not only Animated the Turks, but dismayed the Mamalukes, who expected no such Matter: So that the Fight were renewed on the third day, continuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening, at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords; the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks, which the Mamalukes perceiving, and that by Reason of the great number of Turks, that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made, they were no longer able to resist their Fury, they betook themselves to flight, most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius (who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and Policy) being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta, others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians, and into Caves, and Vaults in the City to hid themselves. A thousand five hundred of the better sort, betook them to the Temple of their pretended Prophet, where after an obstinate and tedious defence, being disabled by Weariness, Thirst, and loss of Blood; they surrendered themselves upon Diseretion, part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple, and the rest within a few days after, being sent down the River to Alexendria, were there contrary to the Promise of Selimus put to Death.  
This great City subdued after the manner aforesaid, Selimus Commanded a part of his Army to extinguish the Fire, which raged vehemently in many places, which done he exhibited a Proclamation, that all the Mamalukes, who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life; upon which many came forth of their secret places, and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any one of them longer than the time specified, he threatened to impail them alive on Stakes, and having sold their Wives and Children, to burn their Houses; which dreadful menace on the one side, and hopes of Reward, which was also Promised on the other, caused many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promises to their old Lords, the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyranny of Selimus, who caused them to be put to Death; but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours, chose rather to suffer Death, then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords: Nor did the Victorious Turks spare, though contrary to Selimus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyptians, Murder many of them, and deflower their Daughters, and ravish their Wives even in their Presence, and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City, upon the entry of an Hungerstarved Army greedy of prey.  
At the taking of Cair Gazales, the great and Valiant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present, but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia, who upon his return finding all lost, and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where, not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle against him, whom Fortune so highly favoured; he came to Selimus upon his Faith before given, for the safety of himself and his Followers, which were three Arrabian Captains, and a number of good Horsemen, and being admitted to his Presence boldly declared, that since Fortune had made him her Darling, and that he by her aid, rather Conquered the Mamalukes, then by any Force; and that since Tomombeins was fled, whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained, he had faithfully served, he and the rest were at his Devotion; if he so pleased to serve him with their Lives and Fortunes, of which offer Selimus joyfully accepted, highly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Valour, which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies, and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs, that made Incursions into the Country about Cair; he suddenly overthrew them, and e'er he was expected returned with Victory.  
Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta, whilst Selimus was settling his matters at Cair, raised a considerable Army, and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians, that if he would come suddenly upon the Turks, they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City, but destroy the Army who were but few in number, and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness, but e'er he could put this Design in Practice, one Albuchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta, discovered the design to Selimus; who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle, and continually guarded the Streets, placing along the River Boats, and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it, and not well assured to hold what he had got, from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes; of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomombeius, he resolved to send Ambassadors to him, to advise him to submit, and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions, but e'er the Ambassadors came to his Camp, they were waylaid by certain Mamalukes, who had vowed no Peace with the Turks, and without respect to their Character shamefully murdered them, upon notice of which Selimus who was of a hot fiery Nature, was so enraged that he could scarcely contain himself: And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats and Planks, to be laid over Nilus, resolving to revenge the affront done to his Majesty, the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair, (leaving only so many as might keep the City from revolting) with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta, to waste it with Fire and Sword; of which Tomombeius having knowledge, by speedy marches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over, and setting furiously upon them e'er they had well put themselves in Order, making great slaughter of such as resisted: Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned, others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water. Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes, all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation, as well on the hither as the further Bank; the Artillery was for a while rendered useless, by reason that if it had been discharged, it must have been against the Turks only, who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank, calling for Help to those on the other side; Selimus seeing in what state Assairs stood, caused all his Boats to be brought, and filling them with Janissaries passed them over, who Ranging in good order stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes; when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King, and Brother-in-Law to Selimus, with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss: So that now the Battle went hard on all sides, and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridge; the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it, they had set it afloat down the River, and destroyed that part of the Army, with whom they were engaged, e'er they could have been relieved by their Fellows; which Mustapha perceiving, had drawn to that place both his Insigns, and his most experienced Soldiers, so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful, but the Turks still coming over in great abundance, true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes; for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do, betook themselves to Flight; after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter, as likewise did Mustapha Gazeles, and Cayrebeius, Selimus being desirous of nothing more than that Tomombeius might fall into his Hands, which at length fell out according to his wish; for, the next Day he was overtaken, when making head with his slender Train, he Fought right valiantly, but at length overcome he again fled, yet so strict was Selimus his command, that the great Captains still pursued him, denouncing all manner of Torture to the poor Villagers, if they did not so watch the passages of the great Marsh, whereinto he was entered, that he should by no means escape; whereupon on the third day finding himself hard beset on everyside, he willingly gave his followers leave to forsake him, and laying aside his Insigns of Royalty hid himself amongst the Flags and Bushes, standing up to the Neck in Water, where being found by the Country Peasants, he was drawn thence and delivered to the Bassa Mustapha, who brought him together with several of his Captains to Cair, where Selimus resolving before hand to put him to Death, thereby to appease the Ghosts of his slain Ambassadors would not admit him to his presence, but commanded him to be delivered to the Tormentors, that with exquisite torments they might make him reveal the Treasure of Campson Gourus, supposed by him to have been hid, all which he endured with a manly courage and stern Countenance, uttering nothing unbeseeming his Character, after which he in tattered Garments with his Hands bound behind him, being set upon a lean Ill-favoured Camel, was in division carried through all the Public places of the City to be Gazed at as a Spectacle of Misery, by those who not a Month before had honoured with profound Reverence, as their great & mighty King, now by the hand of Fortune thrown from the top foe all worldly honour, into the Abyss of extremest Misery, and in this manner the insulting Turks having brought him to the chief Gate of the City, extended their cruelty yet farther by strangling him with a Rope, and that he might be the better seen of all that passed by, Hanged him upon a hook under the Gate; nor did any of the Princes of the Mamalukes who fell into the Turks Hands far otherwise.  
The Terror of Selimus his man Victories now spreading wide, all the Cities of Egypt submitted to the Conqueror, no place between the River Nilus, and the Borders of India and Arabia, that were either Tributaries or Confederates to or with the Sultan, but sent their Ambassadors with Presents to Selimus, promising to continue the same with him, as they have done with the Sultan's, only the wild Arabians stood at defiance till such time as with large Gifts he had won many of their great Captains to bring their People over to his obedience; at what time Amyrases submitted himself, and delivered into his possession the Egyptian Fleet, built to oppose the Portugise Trade in the India's, and so Swimming in the currant of Fortune's favour, he extended his Dominions as far as the confines of the Great King of Aethiopia called Prester-John, and thus having reduced all to his obedience, he came down the River Nilus in his Galley to Alexandria, and having well reviewed it, returned again to Cair, from whence he commanded 500 Families of the Wealthier sort of the Egyptians to be removed to Constantinople, for the Transportation of which Vessels were purposely prepared; as also a great number of Women and Children of the Race of the Mamalukes, thereby to prevent future troubles, and then staying a while to observe the overflowing of Nilus, from which the Egyptians Prognosticate a happy or unhappy Season, as it rises little or much, he resolved to departed for Syria, having made Cayrebius the Traitor Governor of Cair, and his great Lieutenant of Egypt, which he had reduced into a Province, whereat Jonuses the Great Bassa greatly envying, as supposing himself greatly wronged by Selimus, whom he had faithfuly served in all his Wars, in heaping upon a Traitor the honour which he greedily expected by opening his mind therein, and refusing to deliver the Largesses appointed for the Soldiers thereby to render his Competior odious, he fell so far into the Emperor's displeasure, that notwithstanding all the excuse he made in defence of himself, he caused him to be Strangled even in his presence, thereby to deter others from daring to prescribe him what he should Act, or on whom he should bestow his favours, yet was the fall of this great Bassa worthily Lamented of the Soldiers, who spared not to tell the Tyrant to his Face of his many Barbarous Cruelties, repeating all the Inhuman Murders he had caused to be committed, but others again remembering how this Bassa had during his being in favour with Selimus, causelessly Stabed his Fair and Virtuous Wife Manto, upon a jealous, though false and Groundless Suspicion of her Inconstancy, said it was a Judgement of God upon him for that Barbarous and unnatural Crime.  
Selimus having left Egypt, and arrived in Syria, received Letters from Himbracor the Great Master of his Horse, whom he had left upon the Frontiers to attend the motions of the Persians, certifying him that Hismael's great preparations were dwindled into nothing by reason that most of his forces consisting of Voluntary Gentlemen, who served at their own charges, and they not bound to pass the Limits of their Country, had refused to invade the Turkish Frontiers, during the Wars with the Sultan's of Egypt. All the following Winter Selimus stayed to settle his Affairs in Syria, but early in the Spring having notice from his Lieutenant in Europe; that Pope Leo the tenth had stirred up the Christian Princes, to invade his Territories on that side, leaving Gazeles his Lieutenant in Syria, he hasted with his Army to Constantinople, where he no sooner arrived but making great preparations, he resolved to bend all his forces against the Christians; but ere he could perform his design God (who as he plese restrains the power of Tyrants, even in their greatest pride, to make him sensible that he was but a mortal Man) struck him with a grievous Canker in the Reins of his Back, which deriding Art admitted of no cure, but daily increasing with horrible pains, he still Rotting aboveground, and well-nigh Poisoning such as were about him with the noisome Contagion, in his way to Hadrianople, in order to the Solemnising the profane Feast called Bai●●m (or as they Term it the Feast of their Prophet) he Breathed out his dismal-Ghost Anno 1520, near to the City Chiurlia, on the very spot where he had formerly lifted up his Impious Sword against his Father Bajazet, with purpose to have bereft him of his Life and Empire, dying after he had Reigned eight Years and lived 46, filling the World with Murders and prodigius Slaughters, and was Buried in a new Temple at Constantinople, Erected for the purpose by his Son Solyman, who succeeded him in the Ottoman Empire, and in token of his restless Nature, upon his Tomb is Engraven in Greek, Turkish and the Sclavonian Tongues, this following Epitaph.  
H●● M●ximus adsum Selimus, qui orbem Dom●i; non Bell● retinquo, etc.  

In English thus.  
Lo here I lie great Selimus, who held the world in fear,  
The World I leave, yet not the Wars which I seek, though not here.  
Not Fortune's chance, nor Victor's Hand could take from me the Spoils.  
And though my Bones lie Buried here, my Ghost seeks Bloody Broils.    

CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman, the first of that Name, and fourth Emperor of the Turks, who for his many great exploits, or rather Lofty Carriage, was Surnamed the Magnificent.  
Selymus' being dead, his Death was Concealed by Ferha●es, the only Bassa present at his Departure, till such time as Solyman came from Magnesia, lest the Soldier but especially the Janissaries should have Spoiled and Plundered the Merchants-Strangers residing in the great City of Constantinople, as is usual with them in Interregnums, as they call them, which are accounted from the Death of the proceeding Emperor, to the time the Succeeding Emperor is presented to be proclaimed by the men of War; but such was the Incredulity of Solyman, that knowing his Father's cruel Nature, & Jealous apprehension of his intent to Aspire to Empire, for which he had often been in danger of his Life, could not believe what he most desired, till he had it certified from all Hands, upon which with more than ordinary speed, he hasted to Constantinople, and there being met by the Great Bassas, and the Aga of the Janissaries he was lead into the midst of the men of War, drawn up for that purpose, when as the Aga or chief Captain with a loud Voice said, Behold your emperor, upon which immediately followed an Universal Shout, succeeded with the Joyful Acclamation of, Longlive the great Emperor Solyman (which consent of the men of War is to the Turkish Emperors, the greatest Assurance of their safe Establishment in their Empire) and so in great Triumph they brought him into the Royal Palace, and placed him in his Father's Seat Anno 1520, at what time Charles the fifth was chosen Emperor of Germany.  
The Janissaries by this means disappointed of the Spoil of the Goods, belonging to the Jewish and Christian Merchants, in Lieu thereof received of the new Emperor great Sums of money, and had during his Reign, their wage Augmented; upon the Death of Selimus, Gazeles whom he had made Governor of Syria, revolted from Solyman, and drew after him the remaining power of the Mamalukes, seizing upon several Cities, but being Fought with by Ferates Bassa sent against him with a great power, he after a long and Bloody Fight was Slain, and his forces put to Flight; upon which all the Cities of Syria were again reduced to the Turkish obedience: And now Solyman desirous to get himself a Name, by the Counsel of Pyrrhus-Bassa his Tutor resolved to bend his forces against the Christians, who by Reason of the Dissensions amongst themselves, lay open to his Invasion (a fatal oversight which ever gave the Ottoman Emperors, the opportunity to enlarge their Dominions on the Borders of Christendom) whereupon raising a great power, and enteriung Hungaria, he took Belgrade almost without resistance, against which in vain Mahomet the Great, Amurath and Bajazet had lost 500000 Men; Belgrade strongly Garrisoned he dispersed part of his Army, and returned to Constantinople, making great preparations for Sea against the Spring, as having an Eye upon the famous Island of Rhodes, of which the Rhodians not being Ignorant chose for their great Master Philippus Villerius, a man of great Wisdom and Courage, then following the French Court; but upon notice thereof took Shipping at Marcelles, and arrived safe in the Port of the City Rhodes (though Solyman had sent out Cortug Ogly, a famous Pirate of the Turks, with several Galleys to intercept them) whereupon at his arrival he was installed by the Knights of the Order and Citizens, with great Triumph, and more than ordinary expressions of Joy.  
Solyman not a●●ering his Determination, yet desirous to know how the Rhodians stood affected, and to learn all that was possible of their number, and the Strength of the City, sent divers insinuating Letters with Superscriptions of his Thundering Titles to the great Master, of which this is one, viz. Solyman by the Grace of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, greatest Emperor of Constaminople, and Trepezond; most Mighty King of Persia, Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Lord of Asia and Europe, Prince of Mecha and Aleppo, Ruler of Jerusalem and Master of the Universal Sea, to Philippus Villerus Lilladamus' great Master of Rhodes, etc. But neither these thumping Titles, nor his Threats and Promises, could move the great Master to hearken to his Request, which was that he would become his Tributary, and to deliver into his possession the City and Island; so that finding his Expectations Frustrated, and that his Name was not so terrible as he supposed, after many Letters had passed and repassed, he caused a Fleet of 200 Galleys to be furnished with all things necessary, for the siege of that strong city, of which the great Master being Advertised, was not wanting on his part to put all things in order for making a most resolute defence, causing Watch and Ward to be kept in every Street, and the great Artillery to be planted upon the Walls, and Bulwarks, opening all the Armouries of the City, and furnishing every man with Weapons, appointing to each his Station, there to be ready when occasion required his Service, and then taking a General Master of such as were fit for Service, he found about 5000 resolute men, amongst whom were six hundred Knights of the order, each of them capable of Commanding a vast Army, as likewise 500 Soldiers of Cr●●●; there were come thither for fear of the Turks, a number of Villagers, who served to Sink Sounds to Countermine the Enemy, and to cast up Rampires, etc.  
Things thus ordered, the great Master calling together his Commanders and Soldiers, encouraged them in a most Christianlike manner, to fight boldly against the Enemies of Christ, and rather to die in the defence of their Religion, then to submit themselves to the Tyra●my of the Barbarous Infidels, putting them in 〈◊〉 of the Valour of their Ancestors, and of the aid they were to expect from the Christian Princes, etc. Which S●ee●h so Animated the Commanders and Soldiers, that they desired nothing more than to show their prowess to the World.  
By this time the Turks Galleys were put to Sea, and about twenty being the forerunners of the Fleet for many Days braved the Rhodians before their own Port, whereupon the Great Master called a Council to know whether they should be Fought with or not, to procure which the Chancellor a man of Admirable Courage earnestly Laboured, but the de●andents being but few, and therefore the smallest loss at Sea, though they should gain the Victory, might be a means to Weaken the City, yet at length it was resolved upon, that they should be permitted to Land in any part of the Island, except the Port without resistance, which they accordingly did, burning up the Corn, and making great Spoil as they passed, yet durst they attempt nothing against the City, but again entering their Galley stood off to Sea, to join with the rest of the Fleet, which on the 26 of June, Anno 1322, was from the Watch-Tower standing upon St. Stephen's Hill discerned, and notice given thereof to the Great Master, who caused Public Prayers to be put up to God, that as it was his pleasure, that they at that time should become the Champions of the Christian Religion, that so of his infinite Goodness, it would please him to strengthen them, and give them Victory over the Enemies of his name, etc.  
Prayers ended every man betook him to his charge, when as the fleet sailing by in Triumph, the Vice-Admiral of the Turks in the middle, having a fair Wind, struck Sail directly before the Mouth of the Haven, and caused his Galley to row towards the entrance of the Port, Guarded with two strong Towers, from which he received such a thundering welcome, that he was enforced to retire, and so with the rest of the fleet failing along the coast they came to a Promontory called by the Inhabitants Bow, where thrusting their Galleys into a small Haven, they landed their Artillery, and other necessaries fit for the Siege, the whole Army consisting of 200000 men; and whilst they were preparing to entrench themselves, the Great Master sent Ambassadors to Charles the Emperor, and the French King, as likewise to the Pope, and Princes of Italy for aid, but they by reason of the broils amongst themselves, returned the Ambassadors only with fair promises in stead of performance.  
The City of Rhodes is Situate upon plain ground, every where to be besieged, except towards the North, which is defended with a good Haven, and is encompassed about with a strong double Wall, and deep Trenches, threatening the Enemy with 13 stately Towers, 5 Bulwarks, and many strong Gates, and what was more available, within the City was kept a strict and orderly manner of warlike discipline. The defence of the whole City was thus proportioned; From the French Tower the which for its exceeding height seems to kiss the Clouds, stood the Frenchmen with the Lilies in their Ensign, under Johannes Abinus a Knight of the order, from thence to St George's Gate lay the Germans with their Eagle Ensign, in the third station were placed the French of Avernois with the Spaniards, for that the ditches in that place were neither so deep nor broad as in others, next to them lay the English, commanded by the great Master himself, and lastly were placed they of Narbona and the Italians, under the Command of Petrus Balinus, and Gregorius Morgutus, Valiant Knights of the Order.  
Whilst Affaires stood thus, several Turkish Women slaves to the Rhodians, had conspired that when the Assault was given, they would set their Master's houses on fire, thereby to discourage the Soldiers, and draw them from their defences to extinguishing the flame, but this treachery being timely discovered the Conspirators were executed; by this time the Turks had planted several batteries, and began to play upon the English Bulwark, but without doing any considerable damage, when on the other side, the Cannon from the Walls furiously playing upon the Turkish Pioners, as they were breaking Ground, scattered their dead Bodies all over the Plain, when at the same time a strong party Sallying out, cut off a great number of such as were sent to guard them, during their running the trenches, which so discouraged the rest, that they began to Murmur and Mutiny against their Commanders, seeming daily more and more unwilling to hazard their lives against so strong a City, and such resolute Enemies, which caused Pyrrhus Bassa General of the Army, to send Letters to Solyman then residing at Constantinople, to inform him: That if he would have the Siege go forward, he must without delay come in person, for that the Soldiers without regard of shame were ready to rise in Mutiny, and to abandon the Siege, refusing to be commanded by their Captains, upon notice of which Solyman caused his Galleys to be made ready. And on the 28 of August came himself to the Camp, where reading in the Countenances of his Soldiers, the little mind they had to continue the Siege, he was exceeding wroth, when causing them all to be disarmed, he commanded 15000 harquibusiers to encompass them (which Harquibusiers he had brought with him) and Mounting his Pavilion for that purpose erected, he rated with many bitter words, calling them Slaves and Cowards, after which he encouraged them to assume their Pristine courage and fight manfully against the City, till they had subdued it, and thereupon pronounced pardon to all that had offended, and swore them again to his obedience, after which the City was furiously battered, with shot of incredible weight, and huge stones for many days, and was as manfully defended by the Rhodians, so that in 200 shot there were but 10 men slain, though several houses were shattered, with their force, of which the Turks having notice from one Appella a Citizen of Rhodes, who was for the same executed as a Traitor.  
The Turks perceiving the former Battery ineffectual, raised a huge Mount, on which they placed 40 great Ordnance with which they played furiously upon the Tower of St. Nicholas, which was valiantly defended by one Guido a Frenchman, to whom the charge of it was committed, but e'er they had made many shot, most of their Pieces were dismounted by the Cannon from the City, nor durst they, when they had made a Breach, enter it; but used great Diligence to undermine the Wall, thirty two of which Mines were frustrated by Countermines; yet they so plied it, that on the fourth of September having undermined the English Bulwarks, they blew part of it up, and in it divers of the Defendants; at which Breach the Turks attempti●● to ●●t●r, were k●●ed in the Breach to the number of 2000 Which the rest observing, betook themselves to 〈◊〉 Heels, but being forced thereby to please the Tyrant, they three days after renewed the Assault, but with worse success than before; yet though they did as much as in them were possible, Solely sent them a 〈…〉 to enter at the said Breach, in attempting which ●●●0 were slain, amongst whom were many great Commanders, though not without some loss to the besieged; for in expulsing them fifty Knights of the Order, and 100 of lesser Note were slain. These great Losses made the Bassas more wary, resolving not longer to assail the besieged with plain Force, but to work under ground, and by that means to overthrow the Walls, but therein, for the most part they were unsuccessful, as being frustrated by the Countermines; yet by so weakening the Walls, they rendered it more liable to the Force of their Artillery, beating down great Pieces thereof, yet stood hover about, being afraid to enter, and yet not daring to retire, though they were mowed down in abundance by the great Shot, for fear of the Tyrant's displeasure; yet at length creeping under the Walls to the Spanish Bulwarks, they surprised it, whilst their Soldiers were drawn off to relieve their Fellows, hardly Charged by Achmetes Bassa, but e'er they had kept it two hours it was again recovered, and all the Turks either put to the Sword, or thrown over into the Ditch, where they miserably perished: And the Bassa sore Gauled by the Flankers was forced to retire, though not without great slaughter of his Men, who lay on heaps in the Ditch and Breaches, which Solyman perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded; in this Assault, by the Valour of the Christians, 20000 Turks fell, which so grieved Solyman, that in a great rage he Commanded Mustapha Bassa, the first mover of the War to be slain, as likewise Pyrrhus Bassa, for daring to entreat for him; but upon the humble Supplication of his Men of War on their behalf, he remitted the Execution of the Sentence, but would not for a long time receive them into Favour. He also Commanded the Admiral of his Galleys to be put to Death, for suffering Provision to be carried by Sea into the City; but at the entreaty of Achmetes his Life was spared, but he not absolutely pardoned; for being set upon the Stern of his Ship, he there as a Slave by the Commandment of Solyman received 100 Stripes, and so much was the Tyrant grieved for the re-ite-rated losses sustained in that Siege, that he was about to have raised his Camp and returned to Constantinople, the which he had done, had not Achmetes Bassa persuaded him to the contrary, by Promsing to make him speedily a way into the City; at which he taking Courage again heartened his Men to continue the Siege, whose Resolutions had long before fainted; upon which Achmetes to make good his Promise, assailed with all the Forces under his Command, the Vamures of the Avergnon Station, the which although they were not high, were valiantly defended by the Rhodians; yet the Turks Power increasing, they were at last taken, and a great Penthouse claped to the Wall, to secure the besiegers from the Shot of the besieged, notwithstanding Persanes a notable Engineer caused such abundance of Wildfire, Pitch, Tar, Led, hot Ashes, and Water to be thrown on them, that they were forced to retire; but such was the miserable Condition of the Turkish Soldiers, that they were forced back again by their Commanders, even into the mouth of Slaughter, or else by them slain as Cowards, or Flyers; yet for all they could do, the Rhodians forced them to retire in great disorder, which enraged Solyman even to Madness, but perceiving that his Honour lay at Stake, he again by many persuasive Arguments prevailed with them, to give another Assault, promising them great Rewards if they prevailed, and threatening those with Death, that should be remiss in the performance of their Duty, which either, through Hopes or Fear Animated them to another Assault, but with no better success than before; for being miserably rend by the murdering Shot from the Flankers and Countermurers, they were forced to retire leaving Piles of their Dead in the Breach and Ditch; and now being altogether heartless, yet extremely vexed that they should be foiled with a handful of Men, they resolved for the futere to be the more wary, and rather to tyre the Rhodians with continual Alarms then venture upon them, when in the mean time they set their Pioners at work, to make way through the Breach deep in the Ground, and for their defence turned their great Artillery upon it, to prevent the Rhodians Sallying, and with their multitude proved therein so successful, that in a short time they had gained within the City 200 paces in breadth, and 150 in length; yet durst not Sally out to Scale the Countermurers, which the Rhodians had made of the Houses beaten down by the Turks Shot, which Solyman perceiving at the instance of Achmetes, caused a parley to be offered; offering many reasonable Conditions, if the Rhodians would at length surrender the almost ruined City; but, and in Order thereto sent Hieronymus Monelia a Genua, who having procured safe Conduct, would not deliver his Message but to some particular men, which so incensed the Knights of the Order, who now had set down a Resolution to die in defence of the City; that one Franciscus Farnovius a French Knight of singular Valour, bend his Piece against him, and would not suffer him to do his Message; but the Citizens hearing there were Terms of Life and Liberty offered by the insulting Tyrant, came to the House of the great Master, and beseeched him to take pity on them, their Wives and Children, and that since he well saw that the City was not long tenable, he would in time provide for their safety, and not expose them to the Fury of their Merciless Enemies; whereat the great Master, a man of singular Piety, as well as Warlike Ardour, being moved to Compassion sent Antonius Groleus, and Robartus Barusinus his Ambassadors to Solyman, having first received Pledges for their safe return, who coming into the Emperor's Presence, told him that they were sent to know for what cause he had sent to require Parley, who in a fuming heat as if he had been Ignorant of the matter said, there was no such thing offered, and thereupon Commanding them presently to avoid his Camp, sent them away with Letters to the great Master and Citizens to this Effect.  
If I had not Compassion of human Infirmities, which often times tumbleth Headlong men's Ambitions, and haughty minds into most dangerous and unnecessary Mischiefs; truly I would not have directed to you these Letters at this time, but as you have well deserved, persecute you with Death, and most Miserable Servitude, which how easy a thing it were for me to do, you yourselves know, but having now sufficiently tried my force, if you be wise make proof of my Clemency, you have already satisfied your own fury, your own mad humour: Therefore now advise yourselves, lay your Hands upon your Hearts, and without delay yield yourselves, as I command your Lives, I give you your Wealth, and more than that your choice to tarry there still or departed, refuse not the Grace freely Offered, which was of you to have been most hearty desired; it shall not be always Lawful (as at this present) to make choice of both, etc.  
Upon the return of the Ambassadors, the Citizens of all sorts flocked together, to the Great Master's House, standing near the Breach to implore him to accept of any Reasonable terms, who after he had dismissed the Multitude, calling to him the Knights of the Order, and chief Citizens, after the Letters read, he expressed himself after this manner.  
You heard (sacred Fellows in Arms, and Valiant Citizens of Rhodes) these imperious and sorrowful Letters, whereunto how we are to answer, requireth no great deliberation; we must as resolute men either yield or die, all hopes of Victory is gone, except foreign aid come speedily to our Succour; wherefore if you will follow my Counsel, let us with Weapons in our Hands until the last Gasp and spending the last drop of our Blood like Valiant men, defend our Faith and Nobility, received from our Ancestors, and the honour which we have of long time gotten, both at home and abroad, and let it never be said that our honour died but with ourselves.  
This Speech was approved of by all the Knights of the Order, and most of the Soldiers, but the Citizens looking back upon their Wives, Children, and Wealth, stood mute for a good while, but at length Pity working in their Breast, they humbly besought the Great Master; that he would yet have Compassion on them, and accept of the Tyrant's reasonable Conditions, since Fame sufficient had been won by their doing all that men were capable of performing, and that they would yet hazard their Lives to the utmost, if they perceived any hopes of defending the City, or that any foreign aid in time would come to their assistance, but since neither of them were to be expected it was but reasonable to yield to inevitable necessity. After these and many the like Arguments, and others of the resolute Soldiers, and Commanders on the contrary, it was concluded that the City was not capable of being defended by so small a Power, against such a numerous Army, whereupon Messengers were sent to require a Truce for 4 Days, which was accordingly granted, during which time the Turks presuming on the Truce, came in great number to View the Works, at which Fornovius a French man being greatly offended, in a great heat without any command from the Great Master, caused a Fire of Artillery to be discharged amongst the thickest of them; whereupon they pretending a Breach of Truce on the part of the Rhodians, thrust in at the Breach in great Troops, but after a sharp Skirmish were forced to retire, in revenge whereof one of the Turks Fencers having taken 3 Christians, cut off their Hands, Noses and Ears, and in that posture sent them into the City, threatening within 4 Days to serve the Great Master after the same manner; yet Solyman dissembling the matter, signed and swore to the Articles of Peace brought to him for that purpose by Nicholas Vergotus, and Georgius Sandriticus, which were to this Effect; That the Churches should remain unto the Christians inviolate, that no Children should be taken from their Parents, or any Christians be enforced to embrace the Mahometan Superstition: That such Christians as were Contented to remain in the City, might so do at their Pleasure, and that such as would departed, might have Liberty so to do with all their Substance, to be furnished with Convenient Shipping, Provision, and Ordnance as far as Crect, that the Christians should appoint a reasonable Day for their Departure, and that in Consideration thereof, the City to be delivered up to such as Solyman should appoint to take Possession thereof.  
Upon the aforementioned Articles, though they were not all observed by the Turks; the City was delivered up Anno 1522. after it had endured six months' Siege, and cost Solyman the Lives of 80000 of his Soldiers, having been in the Possession of the Knights of the Order 214 years: Upon which the great Master being for his Gravity, Virtue, and Valour highly Honoured, and applauded by the Conqueror embarked (together with the Knights of his Order, and such others as would accompany him) and the Galleys for that purpose ready in the Port, and sailed to Mesina, where he was joyfully received, and after invited to the Courts of most of the Christian Princes, having with Indignation refused Solyman's great Offer made to him, provided he would have accompanied him to Constantinople, and have spent the remainder of his Days in his Service.  
And thus for want of Relief (the Christian Princes at that time being at Variance amongst themselves) the famous Rhodes was lost, where Solyman having stayed awhile to settle his Affairs appointed a Governor, and so breaking up his Army returned to Constantinople, where for the space of three years he lived Peaceably, giving himself up to all manner of Pleasures; but at the end thereof perceiving the Discord amongst the Christian Princes, managed by Pope Adrian the sixth to grow hot (a fatal oversight that ever gave the Ottoman Kings and Emperor's opportunity of extending their Dominions) he conceived it best to fish in troubled waters, and thereupon raising an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot; he fell like a Tempest upon Hungary, subduing all before him till he came within sight of the Walls of their chief City, at what time Lewis the young King persuaded thereto by Tomoreus a Friar, who assured him of the Victory, and several other rash Counsellors, not regarding those of more Gravity, that dissuaded him from so rash an Attempt; with an Army of scarce 30000 raw Soldiers gave him Battle, but was overthrown with miserable Slaughter of his men, and himself seeking to escape, passing over a Fenny Ditch his Horse fell backwards, upon which, he was loaden with his Armour, and none coming to his Relief, he was smothered in the Water and Mud: In this Battle fought on the 29. of October Anno 1526. perished most of the Hungarian Nobility, and well near all the Common Soldiers.  
After this great great Victory obtained, Solyman having most of the strong Cities delivered into his Possession; gave the Kingdom to Joannes Sepusius Vayvod of Transilvania, and taking with him such things of Price as he thought convenient, leaving two of his Bassas with flying Armies on the Frontiers, he returned to Constantinople, but he was no sooner departed and John Crowned by the Consent of the remainder of the Hungarian Nobility (who durst do no other for fear of the Turks) but Ferdinand King of Bohemia laid Claim to the Kingdom, and to make his Title more apparent, sent his Ambassadors to the Courts of divers Christian Princes, to declare from whom he derived his Claim; when aided by Charles the Emperor his Brother, he entered Hungary with a great Army, and without any considerable Resistance took the strong City of Buda; at what time many of the Hungarians joined with him, as not in the least favouring John; so that fearing delays might be dangerous, he caused his Army under the leading of his expert Captains to pass over the River Tibiscus upon a Bridge of Boats, and marched directly to the Cattle of Tocai, where King John lay with his Army; where the Battle being joined after a sharp Dispute, the Victory fell to Ferdinand; when as King John seeing all lost and past recovery, fled with several of his trusty Followers into Polonia; upon whose departure Ferdinand by the advice of such Hungarians as favoured his Cause, was Crowned King at Alba-Regalis the usual place for the Coronation of the Hungarian Kings: Whereupon having disposed all things to the best advantage, and appointing Stephanus Bator his Viceroy, hereturned into Bohemia.  
King John by the means aforesaid thrust of his Kingdom, grew extreme impatient, and often consulted with Sigismond King of Polonia to re-in-throne him in his Kingdom, offering to bear the Charge of the War; but the Pole being already in League with Ferdinand, would not seem unless underhand to favour John, but wished him to take counsel with Hieronymus Lascus a great Politician, what was best to be done in his Affairs, the which Lascus advised him to crave Aid of Solyman now at Leisure to assist him; and urged so many Reasons for it, that he was content to send him his Ambassador to Constantinople, who there with Treasure and fair Speeches, so alured the Bassas of the Court to second him in his Request, that Solyman promised again to enter Hungaria with a puissant Army, and by the Insinuation of this sly Councillor, that when King Ferdinand sent Ambassadors to him, to make out his Title, by which he laid Claim to the Kingdom, he would scarcely give them Audience; and when he did, instead of an Answer to their Embassy, he Herauld-like denounced against their King, all the Calamities that attend on War, and so commanded speedily to departed the City; all which upon their Arrival at Vienna, they made known to the King's Lieutenant, who was so far from believing them, that he looked upon them as vain and idle Tale-bearers, which they perceiving hasted to the King at Spires, who then was Labouring to get himself chosen King of the Romans, and declared to him all they had in Charge: Whereupon he well knowing, that the Turk desirous of Glory, and the enlarging of his Dominions, seldom broke his Word on such occasions; he put all his Forces in a readiness, earnestly, both in Person and by his Ambassadors, craved Aid of the Germane Princes for the Defence of his Kingdom of Hungary, against the common Enemy; but his Brother Charles having his hands full of his Wars in Italy, and he wanting Money to raise a sufficient Army to fight so powerful an Enemy, was forced to suffer him without Control to enter Hungaria, for fear of whom the Citizens of Buda mostly fled to Strigonium, Alba-Regalis, and Possonium: So that marching from Belgrade (where King John came to wait upon him, and received a Confirmation of the Promise he had made to Lascus, of restoring him to the Kingdom of Hungary) he came before it, and had it yielded with little or no Resistance, as likewise the strong Castle, though contrary to the Will of the Captain, yet contrary to his Promise, he caused all that were found in the latter to be put to the Sword, except the Captain, whom the Soldiers had cast in Bonds, for refusing to join with them in their treacherous delivery of that strong Piece.  
Buda taken most of the other Cities of Hungary surrendered; whereupon he resolved to invade Austria, a part of King Ferdinand's other Dominions, in Order to which he sent Achometes Bassa with the voluntary Horsemen, who running through the Heart of Hungary, entering into Austria with Fire and Sword passed by Vienna, miserably burning and destroying the Country before them, even as far as Lyntz, driving the Country People like Sheep, deflowering Vigins, riping up Women alive, dashing Infants against the Rocks, with all other imaginable Cruelties; after whom Solyman followed with the gross of his Army, consisting of 500000 Horse and Foot, as many Writers affirm, who by the way having taken the Castle of Altenbury, and in vain assaulted Neapolis; he came before the great City of Vienna, and encamped about it in five places, covering the Ground with his Tents, and the multitude of his People 8 miles in Circumference. So that Fredrick Count Palatine of the Rhine, and Duke of Bavaria General of King Ferdinand's Forces, not being able to get into the City with his Army sent for that purpose, was forced to stay at Chremse; yet was his Nephew Philip the Palsgrave, a little before the coming of Solyman to the great joy of the Citizens, entered with several Troops of valiant Horsemen, as likewise Nicholas Count of Salma, the Lord William Regendorf Steward of the King's household, Johannes Cazzianer, Nicholaus Turianus, Johannes Hardecus, Leonardus Vels●●s, Hector Ramsack with divers others, all men of great Experience and Valour, and daring Resolution; yet was the City but badly defended with a Brick Wall, without Grafts or Flankers, the Ditch altogether dry, and although at that time there were found 400 Pieces of Ordnance, yet they could find means to mount no more than a 100, notwithstanding the Citizens and Soldiers used all diligence, in raising Rampires, and Barocading the Gates, unless those they reserved to Sally at, and by the Command of the Governor every man was assigned his Quarter, keeping strict Watch upon the Walls, to prevent the Enemy's approach, for that the Bulwarks were not of Considerable strength: The Count of Salma, and the Lord Regendorf, walking hourly from one place to another, to see all things put in a posture of defence, the Citizens laboured continually in strengthening the Fortifications, and raising Batteries, whereon to plant such Pieces as lay useless, for want of where to mount them: they made likewise divers Fireworks, and continually kept Coppers of Tar, Pitch, Rosin, Oil, and scalding Water, in a readiness to pour upon the Enemy, by that means to prevent their Scaling the Walls, every one from the greatest to the least, expressing a Cheerfulness for the defence of this place, the Metropolis of Austria, and chief Hope of the Germane Empire, which the Turks conceived so Considerable, that they doubted not, but it won, all Austria, Stiria, and Corinthia, would be soon at their Devotion.  
The City by this time strengthened and provided, of many necessary for a strenuous Defence; Messengers were sent to Count Fredrick to draw near with his Army, the more to terrify and amaze the Enemy, whose numerous Camp could not long subsist, if supplies of Provision were cut off; upon the Arrival of the Messenger, the Count highly approved of the Resolution of the besieged, and declared he would be always at hand, and omit no Endeavours to secure them, admonishing the Messenger to remember him to his fellow Soldiers, and in his Name entreat them to play the Men, for the defence of the Christian Religion, and Glory of the Germane Nation, whose Ruin the Infidels sought; and so with several presents, he dismissed the Messenger, who returning related what he had in Charge: Whereupon the Lord Regendorf assembled all the chief Commanders, and principal Citizens, and with an undaunted Courage, made this short Oration.  
Christians and fellow Soldiers, the time is now come, wherein we are to fight under the Banner of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom these barbarous Nations have defied, let us then show forth our Courage to the utmost, even in the Mouth of Slaughter; let not Death nor Danger terrify us, since we fight in a good Cause, even for our Religion, our Lives, our Wives, Children, and all that we hold dear, for what it can be but Ambition, and thirst of Christian Blood, that drew this Bloody Monster with his numerous Host, from such remote Countries: Therefore I say, rather let us die like Men, fight it out to the last Drop of Blood, then yield ourselves to these Barbarous Infidels, who know not how to show Mercy, whose Leagues, Vows, and Solemn Protestations are all but Wind, kept no longer than they prove Advantageous to themselves; I for my part, have fixed my unalterable Resolution to defend this Place to the last Gasp, resolving not to survive its loss.  
This Oration spoken with great Earnestness, plainly Demonstrating the Zeal of a brave General, was seconded with loud shouts, every one promising to Live and die with him in the defence of the City: Whereupon it was resolved, that the next Morning a Sally should be made upon the Enemies, to give them a Taste of Christian Valour, and how little they valued their Lives fight in so good a Cause; whereupon every one being dismissed went to his Quarters, to give necessary Orders, and take a View how the Turks lay encamped, whose multitude covered all the Hills and Plains before the City. The Watch being set, the General went round the City, attended by several Officers; Carefully to survey each Quarter, and to see that none neglected his Duty; so that all things being in good Order, about Midnight six Reigments drew up with a Resolution to fall upon the Enemy's Camp, but whilst Orders were in giving, in what manner they should make their approach, a Christian Captive having made his escape from the Turks, came running almost breathless, and begged to be received into the City: Whereupon the Soldiers drew him up with a Pike, who being questioned about the state of the Turkish Camp declared, that every night since they came forty thousand men were driven up in Battalia, to Guard the Camp; which was not as yet well entrenched, upon notice of which the General changed his Resolution as to the Sally.  
During the preparation within Solyman was not idle, (having sworn to carry the City by force ere he departed, if he could not have it otherwise) but appointed to every man his station, dividing his Army under Ibrahim the Great Bassa, Michael Ogli and Becrambeius, so that all things being in a readiness, many salleys were made by the Christians with great slaughter of the Enemies though the Asapi and Janissaries from their Trenches poured showers of Arrows into the City, for as yet the Turks great Artillery were not come up the Danubius, but were daily expected; of which Wolfgangus Hoder a Valiant Captain understanding by several Turkish Prisoners sailed out of the Bay of Possonium, and meeting with the Turks Galleys, sunk those in which the Ordinance were, taking a great Booty, of which Solyman having notice, was greatly enraged, and finding that his small pieces did little other damage than beat down the battlements, and over-jets made of wood in stead of Flankers, he caused the Miners to be set to the Wall, but this their chief hope which with wonderful labour attempted in thirteen places at once, was not so secretly done, but that it was by Drums laid upon the Ground, Basins filled with Water, and deep sounds perceived by the defendants, who with Countermines not only defeated many of them, but destroyed in them by Wildfire, and other Combustible matter Eight Thousand Turks, when to prevent such discovery, Solyman commanded continual Alarms should be given, that so the Christians being employed in defending the Walls, might not regard the Miners which succeeded so to his wish, that a great part of the Wall near the Gate that leadeth towards Carinthia was thrown down by the springing of a Mine; at which the Turks in great numbers endeavouring to enter, were miserably cut off with the Murdering shot bend against the breach for the purpose; which no sooner ceased, but they were furiously charged by the Germans; and in despite of all resistance beaten back with incredible slaughter: Not long after, the Wall being blown up in two other places, they again attempted to enter; but were repulsed as before, leaving heaps of slain in the Breaches, and Ditch; nor was their third Assault any more successful; so that after three hours withstanding the fury of the resolute Defendants, they retired to the Camp Ten Thousand less than they came. A while after, the Lord Regendorfe perceiving the Turks by parties scatter from their Camp, came with a Company of Germane Horse, set upon a Party of Five Thousand Three Hundred with such slaughter, that not above One Hundred and Forty of them returned to tell the News: Nor did other Commanders of the besieged less indamage the Enemies by frequent Salleys, which so enraged the Tyrant, that he animated to a fourth Assault, promising them great rewards if they prevailed, which so far prevailed with them, that they resolved amongst themselves either to win the City, or die in the undertaking; but when they felt the shot from the besieged like a tempest fall on them, they were of a different opinion, so that leaving many Thousands of the slain and wounded behind them, they retire to the Camp; which Solyman perceiving, and fretting that his Honour had so much suffered by so great a loss of his Men, and so many Repulses, dissembled the matter as well as he could, and that the Germans should not suppose he raised his siege, because he despaired of winning it; he caused several Prisoners to be richly clothed, and giving them store of Money, sent them into the City to inform the Commanders that he came not to take the City of Vienna, but to fight King Ferdinand, and restore the Kingdom of Hungaria to King John: therefore since he could not draw his Enemy into the Field to give him Battle, he would remove thence to seek him, wherefore they should do well to yield themselves; the which if they would, he promised not to enter into the City, but to receive both the Citizens and Soldiers into his protection, reserving unto 'em their Lives and Goods with perpetual freedom, which offer coming to the knowledge of the Princes and great Captains of the Christians scornfully refused, whereupon the Imperious Turk perceiving his desires not answered as he expected, having caused all the Prisoners to be murdered, in a great heat raised his siege and departed, not staying till he came to Buda, where having restored the Kingdom to John in consideration of his becoming his Tributary, he returned to Constantinople, yet plotting in his mind to disturb the Christians, and revenge the disgrace he had received before at Vienna, the next year, viz, 1530, he leavyed an Army greater than the former, purposing with himself to overrun Austria, Carinthia, Styria, and most part of the Germane Empire; to effect which, he allowed three years, but was altogether deceived in his expectation: for Charles the Emperor having ended his Wars in Italy, was now at leisure to attend upon the Insolent Turk; who calling together his Valiant Captains, sent them into Spain, Italy, Flanders, and other Countries to levy Forces, which they did in such abundance to oppose the common Enemy, that upon the Muster of the Army there were found Ninety Thousand old experienced Foot Soldiers, and Thirty Thousand Horsemen well appointed, all the flower ●●●ermany, Italy, Bohemia, and Hungaria, as likewise One Hundred and Forty Thousand of less experience, the whole Army consisting of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Men; the approach of which so terrified Solyman, that after he had in vain besieged Gonza, and harazed the Country, though with the loss of Ten Thousand of his Men, he returned to Constantinople, carrying with him into miserable Captivity Thirty Thousand poor Christians taken in divers Countries through which he passed, and to appease his fury, put no less a number to the Sword. And now had the Christian Army, composed of divers Nations, pursued the Turk by Land and Sea, as the Emperor earnestly desired they might have driven him quite out of Europe; but Emulation arising amongst the Commanders and the Soldiers, frequently mutining this great Army, effected nothing more than to oblige Solyman to retire.  
The Empire mindful of the damage sustained by the Turks in Austria, Hungary, and other Countries to revenge the same early the spring following, set forth a Fleet consisting of Thirty Five great Ships, and Forty Eight Galleys, under the Conduct of Andreas Aurea, a most expert Captain, who sailing to the Bay of Ambracia, thought there to have met with the Turks Admiral, who had under his Command Sixty Galleys, but he having notice of his coming from the Venetians, who stood Newters, was sailed to the strong Haven of Calcide; whereupon Auria directed his course to Corone, a strong City upon the Coast of Peloponesus, and had it yielded unto him upon condition that the Garrison might departed with bag and baggage; where leaving a Garrison of Spaniards, he sailed to Patras another City in the same Tract; took it, and ransacked it, permitting the Garrison nevertheleless to march out in safety; after which, he took all the Castles that guarded the strait of Naupactum without any hindrance, which gave Saluiatus General of the Malta Galleys opportunity to waste the Coast of Corinth, and take great booties; which done, he returned loaden with spoils to Naples, and from thence to Genoa the place of his birth and residence.  
The Turks grieving at their great loss, early in the Spring, Anno 1533, laid siege to Corone both by Sea and Land; of which Mendoza the Governor by Letters advised the Viceroy of Naples, craving speedy aid, with all, assuring him, he would defend the Town to the utmost extremity; upon which, Auria was sent with a well appointed Fleet; the terror of whose coming so frighted the Turks, that they left the siege, having lost many Men before it, and for haste left all their heavy Carriages, which became a Prey to the Garrison Soldiers, which exalted their courage to that degree, that they requested Macicaus the Governor to lead them forth to the siege of Andrusa a Garrison of the Turks not far distant from Corone, but their coming being discovered, they could not surprise it as they intended, yet ransacked the Suburbs, and made great slaughter of the Turk, Horsemen, quartering therein, though with the loss of Macicaus the Governor, and divers others; yet not long after they took the City, being abandoned by the Garrison as not tenable; but upon their return to Corone, the Plague began to rage's so fearfully, that fearing if they stay, they should all perish, and fit opportunity offering itself by reason of the Arrival of several Galleys from Sicily with Corn, all the Spaniards, together with as many Greeks as would embarked with the Cannon, and what else they thought convenient; leaving the Town to be again possessed by the Turks, though not without the consent of the Emperor. Anno 1534 Aloysus Grittus, Son to the Duke of Venice, and Soliman's great Favourite, being by him ●ade Lieutenant of Hungary inwardly envying at Ameri●us Vayvod of Transylvania at the instance of one Docia, caused him to be murdered in his Tent, which so incensed the Transylvanians, that they Arming themselves to the number of Forty Thousand, under the Leading Maylat, a Valiant Gentleman, and Kinsman to the Vayvod, pursued the Murderer, who fled to Mega, which the Transylvanians besieged, and not without great difficulty took, and in it Aloysus and Docia; the former of which they beheaded, and the latter tore in pieces, taking the spoil of their Goods, which was very great; for about Aloysus were found as many precious stones as were esteemed worth Forty Millions.  
Solyman thirsting after Glory, and resolving not to let his Soldiers lie idle, resolved to invade at once both Africa and Persia: the charge of the first he committed to Barbarusa, (who of a poor Fisher-Boy became a Pirate, and afterward King of Argire, and then travelling to Constantinople, was upon the recommendation of Achometes the Great Bassa, made one of the Bassas of Soliman's Council.) Whereupon he caused all his Galleys to be in a readiness, appointing the aforesaid Barbarusa Admiral of all his Sea Forces; who had no sooner taken upon him the Command, but sailing out of Hellespontus with Eighty Galleys, (leaving Amurath with twelve to transport Soliman's Army in to Asia,) he shaped his course for Italy, when passing the straits between Italy and Sicily, he brought such a fear upon the Inhabitants on either shore, that they fled with all their substance further into the Country; after which, he laid siege to Saint Lucidius, formerly called Tempsas which he took, putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword, from whence with a rich booty, and many Prisoners, he marched to Citrarium, which he took and burnt, together with Seven Galleys that lay in the Port; and so sailing by Naples, he seized upon Spelunca, from which he marched over Land to Fundi, ten miles from Spelunca, on purpose as was thought to have seized on Jula Gonzaga, a Lady of incomparable Beauty, whom he intended to have presented to Solyman, but she though half naked getting on Horseback, fled to the Mountains, yet he took the City, and put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword; and so coasting along Italy, and taking many Cities, Towns, and Castles, he brought such a fear upon Rome (once Mistress of the World) that many conjectured that if he went directly thither with his Fleet, the Romans would have forsaken the City; but then contrary to the expectation of most, he shaped his Course for afric, resolving to invade the Kingdom of Tunes, over which Reigned one Muleasses, having a little before stepped into the Throne, by treacherously causing to be Murdered all his Brethren, except Roscetes and Abdemelech; the former of which having tried his utmost fortune for the recovery of the Kingdom, in right appertaining to him as Elder Brother to Mueasses, he for his safety was fled to Constantinople, which opportunity Solyman laying hold on, to advantage his Wars in afric, kept him as a Prisoner at large, so that Babarussa landing, and every where proclaiming the Name of Roscetes, whom the Moors and Numidians greatly favoured, hating Muleasses for his extraordinary Tyranny; he had Biferta immediately pat into his possession, the Moors thinking, as indeed the Turks gave it out, that Roscetes was in the Fleet, and that the Turks had made so great a Preparation to restore him to his Father's Kingdom.  
Barbarussa having secured Biserta with a strong Garrison, doubling the Promontory where old Carthage stood, came to Gulletta, a strong Castle standing within the Bay of Tunis, where in token of Friendship he saluted it, and had the like returned; but upon the requesting the surrender thereof, he was answered, that it should be always at his Command, who ruled the City of Tunes, so that returning from thence, he came before the City, upon which by the persuasion of such as affected Roscetes, Muleasses fled with a small number of his Favourites, and for haste left behind him most of his Treasure, which afterwards became a prey to the Enemy; Muleasses fled, the people joyfully received Barbarussa into Tunes, and with eager Eyes, and longing expectations, flocked into the high streets to have a sight of their new King, but when they perceived him not, and heard the Soldiers in their Acclamations name none but Solyman and Barbarussa, they began to doubt as the truth was that, instead of their new King, whom they so much desired, they had received the Turkish Government, which above all things they utterly abhorred; which suspicion once confirmed by several of Roscet's Friends, whom Barbarussa had brought with him on purpose to delude the people, who grieved to see the ruin of their Country at hand, for fear of present danger did not spare to tell their Friends and Acquaintance, that in vain they expected Roscetes, who remained in Bonds at Constantinople, which wrought so sudden an alteration in the minds of the Citizens, that perceiving themselves deceived at the instance of Abdahar the Mesuar, or chief Magistrate, who had before persuaded Muleasses to fly, in hopes of bringing in Roscetes, they every where run to their Arms, and from all parts of the City assailed the Turks, but for the most part being slightly Armed, and in a tumultuary disorder they were not able to stand the fury of the Harquebusiers; but after a long and obstinate Fight, wherein a great number were killed on both sides, they submitted themselves; of which Muleasses having notice, fled to Constantina, the Regal City of Dorax, a Numidian Prince his Kinsman, where he remained in safety till the coming of Charles the Emperor into afric, as will appear in the sequel of this History.  
Tunes thus taken, or rather surprised by Barbarussa, all the other Cities thereto appertaining, were won with little difficulty, and annexed to the Turkish Empire, till they were again sundered by the Germans, and Muleasses the Exiled King restored by the Emperor: And in this posture, leaving the Affairs of afric, I shall take a view of Solyman's proceeding against the Persians.  
Hismael being dead, and Tamas his Son succeeding him, Ibrahim the Great Bassa, who could do all with Solyman, persuaded him that now a fit opportunity offered to be revenged on the Persians, and the rather by the revolt of Vlemus, a Noble Man of Persia, who had Espoused King Tama's Sister, who having Imbesled the Revenues of the Crown, for fear of being called to account for so doing, was fled to Constantinople: But Solyman's Mother, and fair Concubine Roxolan greatly desirous of his Company, much opposed the Motion of the Bassa, laying before Solyman the danger and inconveniency of so tedious and dangerous an Expedition; but not being able to prevail, they ever after became Ibrahim's Mortal Enemies, not leaving to urge Solyman, till at last he gave command that he should be murdered.  
Solyman resolved upon an expedition against the Persian, to revenge, as he pretended, the manifold injuries done to his Grandfather, Father, and himself, raised a great Army, part of which he sent before him, under the Command of Ibrahim the Great Bassa, and Vlemas the Fugitive Persian, who by hasty Marches over the Mountains, and along the Banks of Euphrates, that setting down before the great City Taurus, and the Citizens despairing to be relieved by their King, he had the City delivered into his possession, of which King Tames having notice, hasted thither with his Army, but e'er he attempt any thing for the recovery thereof, Solyman with a great multitude of Soldiers had joined the Bassa, whereupon he thought it not good to give Battle to so powerful an Enemy, but to hover about his Camp, and take all advantages, well knowing such a World of people could not subsist, without exceeding store of Provisions and other necessaries; which device of the Persian, Solyman well perceiving, left a strong Garrison in Taurus, and marched against him, who still retired before the Turks, even to the Walls of Sultania; near to which, Solyman pitching his Camp, lay many days to expect him; during which time, such a horrible Tempest arose, that the Winds driving the Snow off from the steep Hills, buried many Thousands of the Turks alive, overthrowing most of their Tents, and although it was but the middle of September, froze so hard, that many were froze to Death, others lost the use of their Limbs, and most of the Camels and Horses perished; which bad Omen, together with their Apprehensions they had of the approach of the Enemy, and the horrible darkness of the Night, so discouraged the Soldiers that they would all have fled, had they known which way. This Tempest they concluded to be raised by the Persian Magicians to destroy them, but whether so, or not, it greatly discouraged Solyman, so that raising his Camp, he marched into Assyria, and set down before Babylon now Bagdat, which being altogether unprovided, upon the flight of the Governor, fell into his hands, as likewise did most of the Cities, both of Assyria and Mesopotamia; and so far extended the terror of his Name; that most of the countries' round about, sent their Ambassadors to tender their subjection; and in Babylon he Wintered his Army, placing Governors in the adjacent Cities. And a Beglerbeg, as they proudly term him, that is, a Lord of Lords. In Babylon, and under him, divers Sanzacks, or petty Lords, during his abode here, he also caused his chief Treasurer to be executed for Imbesling his Revenues.  
Tamas the Persian King having by this time raised a considerable Army, marched to Tauris, at whose approach the Garrison fled; of which Solyman having notice, and being strengthened with new supply out of Egypt, Syria, Judea, and Comagena; he left Babylon, resolving to provoke the Persian to Battle, or to sack his regal City Tauris before his face, but Tames knowing himself too weak to give him Battle, at his approach drew out his Army, and fled into the Mountains of Hyrcania, destroying all before him, to prevent its falling into the hands of his Enemies; upon whose departure, the Citizens opened their Gates to the Turks, whom they were no ways able to resist: yet notwithstanding, at the Commandment of Solyman, the City was sacked, the King's Palace, and other stately Buildings leveled with the Ground, and a great number of the Citizens lead into miserable Captivity, and thinking himself sufficiently revenged, he resolved to return with his Army into Mesopotamia; but having notice that the Persian was following, even at his heels, he divided his Forces, leaving the Bassas of Cair and Syria with Vlemus the Fugitive Persian, with Eighteen Thousand to follow in the rear of his Army, to repel the assaults of the Forerunners of Tamas' Army; he marched with the rest by speedy Journeys to Amida, now called Caraemida: In the mean while Tamas coming to Tauris with his Army, being the flower of Parthia, Media, Iberia, and Armenia; and beholding what desolation the Turks had made in that famous City, was so enraged thereat, that he would have pursued them with all his Army to revenge the injury at the hazard of a Battle, but being persuaded they were gone too far to be overtaken, and the Gentlemen of which his Army chief consisted, seemed altogether unwilling to undertake so tedious a march, he was content to stay at Tauris, and send Delimeuthes, a Noble Man of Persia, (who freely offered himself to undertake it) with Five Thousand swift Horse to follow them; and as he saw his advantage to cut off the Enemy's rear, the which he so speedily performed, that surprising the Eighteen Thousand under the Command of the two Bassas, and Vlemas, as they lay securely near the Castle of Belthis, that being assisted with the Garrison Soldiers, he put them almost all to the Sword,, the Bassas and Vlemas hardly escaping upon their swift Horse to tell the news, for which service he was highly rewarded by Tamas.  
These reiterated losses greatly perplexed Solyman, so that calling to mind the presages his Mother had made of his evil success in that expedition of that he was wholly lead thereto by the Council Ibrahim, Bassa, he therefore conceived such a displeasure against him, as ended in his destruction: for upon his Arrival to Constantinople, he gave such countenance to those that brought complaints, against which before they durst not do; that at the earnest Request of Roxo●ana● whose Son Bajazet the Bassa hindered from aspiring to 〈◊〉 Empire, and rather favouring Mustapha, Solym●● 〈…〉 another Woman, that he consented to his 〈◊〉 made away; and by reason he had sworn never to injure his person whilst he lived; he caused for the saving of his Oath, an Eunuch to cut his Throat whilst he slept; which Jesuitical Evasion he learned of the Musti, or Chief Mahometan Priest, who being consulted on the matter, gave his opinion that Men only are alive, when they Move, Act, and Enjoy their perfect Senses: and that sleep depriving them of their reasonable Faculties, rendered them as dead Men. Some there are that report the fall of this great Man, who whilst he stood high in his Master's favour, in effect ruled the Turkish Empire to be caused by his too much favouring the Christians, who having in his younger years been brought up in that profession, still continued a Christian in his heart; and that to spare the shedding of Christian Blood as much as in him lay: He turned the Emperor's Forces against the Infidels; yet, however it happened, his Body with a great weight fixed to it, was cast into the Sea, and all his Wealth, which was inestimable, except a small portion allotted for the maintenance of his Wife and Children, was seized to the behoof of Solyman.  
Tunes as aforesaid being taken by Barbarussa, and all the other Cities obliged to submit to the Turkish obedience, Charles the Emperor, who was likewise King of Spain, not liking so potent a Neighbour, leavyed great Forces, solicited thereto by Muleasses the Exiled King; and in revenge of the Injuries sustained by Barbarussa, resolved to drive him out of that part of afric, when appointing Alphonsus, D'valus, Vastius, General of the Footmen; he with Seven Hundred Sail of great and small Ships and Galleys, stood with the African Coast, when doubling the Promontory of Carthage came to an Anchor before a Castle, which by reason of a great Well beneath, is it called by the name of Aquaria, or the Water Castle; whose unexpected arrival so terrified Barbarussa, dreaming of nothing less that he was about to have fled with all his Turks; but then fearing to fall into Soliman's displeasure, which to do, he knew was certain death; upon second thoughts, though he resolved to make all the defence he was able against so powerful an Army as the Emperor lead after him, and thereby get him the name of a valiant Soldier, though he despaired with the Forces he had to keep either the Cities or Castles; whereupon he did what he could to encourage his men with many vain-glorious-speeches; and into the strong Castle of Guletta, standing upon the bottom of the Bay of Carthage upon a point of Land encompassed almost round with the Sea, and the great Lake; he thrust his most resolute Captains and Janissaries, himself remaining in Tunis to expect supplies out of Numidia; at what time the Emperor having with his great and small shot obliged those that guarded the shore to retire. He landed his men, and entrenched them every Nation by themselves, during which, they had sequent skirmishes with the Numidian Horsemen, nor were they less molested by the Garrison, who sallied as often as they saw their advantage; when one days sallying under the Command of Salacia● Arch-Pirate, they came up to the Mount, near the Castle, commanded by Count Serney, a man famous both for the Honour of his House, and great Exploits in War; who not using to be so braved, descended with the Italians under his Command to drive them back by force; but the Enemy being far superior in number, and the Spaniards who were entrenched next him, looking on, and not coming out to secure him, he there fight valiantly, was slain; but the Spaniards, though they secretly rejoiced at the overthrow of the Count, who had so often eclipsed their Glory, fared not better; for the next day Tobacches another of the Turks Captains sallying out, charged them in their Trenches, killing many of them, and taking what they found therein.  
These Losses made the General sharply reprove the Captains of their neglect of duty, in watching to prevent the dangerous attempts of so politic an Enemy; which so wrought with the Captains and Soldiers, that to regain their credit, they vowed to shun no danger, nor were they inferior to their promise; for Giaffer, Captain of the Janissaries sallying out against the Spaniards, was himself slain together with most of his Men whom the Christians pursued, even to the Gate of the Castle, and had entered with those that fled, had not those that were entered, shut out a great number of their Fellows to prevent it, who were all slain or taken Prisoners: after which, the Emperor caused his Batteries to be mounted, whilst Auria with the Fleet blocked up the Castle to the Seaward, so that what from the Ships and the Mounts, the great Ordnance in manner of an Earthquake so terribly roated, that their continual 〈◊〉 made it seem as if the Earth would have ●ent in sunder, and caused the Sea, which before was calm, to mount, as if it had been enraged with a Tempest; the Air likewise became thick, and the Sky was darkened with smoke, so that after ten hours incessant battery, the Vamures, and Walls of the Castle were in many places beaten down: the Turks Canon and Cannoneers lying buried together in the Rubbish, so that the defendants utterly despairing longer to hold it, fled over a wooden Bridge laid for that purpose, who being fiercely pursued by the Christians, were most of them slain; insomuch, that the Surface of the Lake was well nigh covered with dead bodies.  
The strong Castle thus taken, and most of the Turks Fleet of Galleys at A●●hor in the Lake, yielded to the Conqueror; upon notice of which, Muleasses the Moorish King came to the Emperor's Tent, and humbled himself at his Feet, promising to become his tributary, desiring as his Vassal to be received into his protection, swearing never to forget so great a Benefit, with many the like expressions; which so moved the Emperor, that he promised to restore him without any other Tribute, than yearly paying a brace of Falcons, and a brace of Barbary Horses; as likewise to maintain a Thousand Christian Soldiers to keep for him the Castle of Guletta, and ever after to be kind to all Christians either Inhabiting, or that should have occasion to pass through his Country, telling him further, that if he failed in any point, those Arms that restored him, could again depose him.  
Matters thus concluded, the Emperor marched against Tunis, where Barbarussa, with the remainder of his Forces were in Garrison, who upon the approach of the Christians, drew out his Forces, consisting for the most part of Numidian Horsemen, but scarcely endured the first charge, ere he betook himself to flight, and again entered the City of Tunis, where in his mad mood, he determined to kill all the Christian Prisoners; and had put his bloody intent into practice, had he not been dissuaded therefrom by Sinan a Jew, one of his chief Captains, which turned to his great disadvantage; for the Captives, to the number of Six Thousand, hearing in what danger they were in, burst out of the Dungeons in the Castle where they lay in Irons, and killing such Turks as they found therein, barracaded the doors, seizing on such Armour as came first to hand, made signs to the Emperor, from the Battlements, that they kept the Castle to his behoof; which Barbarussa perceiving, and that all his entreaties for the rendition of it was in vain: he in a great rage abandoned the City with such of his followers as would attend him, and fled by Sea in Fourteen Galleys to the City of Bona.  
The Turks having deserted Tunis, the Magistrates came forth with the Keys to meet the Emperor, who without any resistance entered the City, which he laboured to save from the spoil, but such was the fury of the Soldiers, that they could not be restrained neither by the Emperor, nor Vastius the General, but seizing upon all they found, killed such of the Moors as resisted them; so that in a short time all was in a confusion, and great riches carried to the Ships and Galleys, together with many Captives: most of which the Emperor caused to be restored, and the rest were redeeme● by Muleasses.  
Barbarussa not thinking himself safe at Hippona, upon the coming of Auria with the Fleet, fled to Argier, of which the Emperor having notice, he placing Muleasses in the Kingdom of Tunesses, and furnishing Guletta with all manner of Warlike Provision, with a Thousand Spaniards to secure it, returned in Triumph to Naples, Anno 1537; when the same year Solyman envying at the Portugals trade in the East-Indies, sent Solyman Bassa, accompanied with Asau Beg, a famous Pirate, commonly called the Moor of Alexandria, with a Fleet to molest them, who sailing through the Red-Sea, came as far as the River Indus, where with all their power they assaulted Dium a Castle of the Portugals, situate upon the mouth of that great River; but after many day's siege, both by Sea and Land having tried their utmost force, they were glad to retire, leaving behind them for haste most of their great Ordnance: when coming to Aden, a rich City in Arabia Foelix, they alured the King thereof on board their Galleys, with promise of safe conduct, but having him in their power contrary to their Oaths, they hanged him up at the Yards Arm of the Admiral's Galley, and plundered the City; the like they did to another City in the same Tract called Zibith, and returned to Constantinople, one by Sea, and the other by Land; at what time Solyman solicited thereto by John Forrest the French Kings Ambassador, was preparing for the Invasion of Italy, and having for that purpose raised Two Hundred Thousand Men, sending before him Lutzis Bassa, and Barbarussa, with a great Fleet, who landing at Otranto, and conducted by one Troilus Pignatellus, a Fugitive Italian, seized on Castrum, which contrary to their Faith given, they plundered; carrying most of the people Prisoners, at what time Solyman had by night sent over several Troops of Light-Horsemen in great Palendars, who running all along the Sea Coast from Tarentum to Brundisium, for the space of Forty miles, rummaged the Country, carrying away a great booty, and had been likely enough, had Solyman, as he intended, seconded them with his great power to have overrun all Italy; but providence so ordered it, that by the wilfulness of Alexander Contarenus a Venetian Captain, who meeting with the Admiral of Callipolis, and he not vailing his topsail, nor in token of Reverence and Friendship discharge his great Ordnance, offended with his proud insolency, fiercely assailed the Squadron of Galleys under his command, of which he sunk two, the Admiral himself perishing in one of them, and not long after, for the like insolency, the Venetian Admiral caused Junusbeus, Soliman's chief Interpreter, passing by Coreyrae to be assailed, when to save himself and his Turks, he forcing his Galleys on shore near unto the Mountains, called Acroceraunii, he fell into a worse danger, for being taken by the Mountainiers, most of his people were slain, and himself hardly released for a great sum of money.  
These Breaches of Peace, as the Turks termed them, so much incensed Solyman, that he recalled his Forces then in Puglia, resolving to turn his whole power upon the Venetians, upon whose return Auria falling in with Twelve Galleys laden with Janissaries, and chosen Horsemen of the Court after a sharp conflict to them all, which proved a great weakening to the Tyrant's Fleet, yet he desperately bend against the Venetians, resolving to take from them the rich Island of Corcyra, but by the way himself had like to have been slain in his Tent by a Mountainier, which had been effected, had he not been discovered by the cracking of a bough; to revenge which, he sent his Janissaries, and other his approved Soldiers, who hunting the people inhabiting the high and rough Mountains of Chimaera, like wild Beasts killed many of them, and returned with such spoil, as they found, after which, he with a great Fleet landed on the Isle of Corcyra, now called Corfu, (for fear of whom, the Venetian Admiral withdrew with his Galleys into the Adriatic Gulf, 〈◊〉 to expect the other part of his Fleet) yet 〈…〉 long while battered the chief City, in vain 〈…〉 himself with the spoil of the Villages, 〈…〉 Thousand Christian Prisoners departed; 〈…〉 return landing on the Isle of Naxos, 〈…〉 the City, which not being furnished to 〈…〉 so powerful an Army, consented to pay the T●●ant Five thousand Ducats a year Tribute, and to hold the Signiory of him, whereupon, without doing further harm, he departed to Constantinople; at whose return Lutzis Bassa was accused by his Wife, Soliman's Sister of Sodomy, and for that she having in private reproved him thereof, he had struck her a box on the Ear, and confined her as a Prisoner to her Chamber; which complaint so incensed Solyman, who for his Sister's sake had raised him from a low Degree, to the highest Honour next himself, that he banished him into Macedonia, where he spent the remainder of his days in a poor and private life.  
Though Solyman was returned to Constantinople, yet his Wars with the Venetians ended not, for he sent strict command to his Governors and Lieutenants bordering upon their frontiers, to vex them them with all manner Hostilities; who were not wanting to satisfy him therein, nor the Venetians on their part to revenge the injuries; but the fierceness of the Turks were somewhat restrained by a War undertaken by King Ferdinand against them, to revenge former injuries, who raising a great power of gallant Soldiers of divers Nations, sent them under the leading of Cazzianer, by whose Cowardice in leading them through Woods, and byways, many of them perished for hunger; others to avoid that calamity, deserted him, and in fine, the General forsaking his Army (for which he was afterward executed) It was overthrown near Exek, and all the Soldiers either slain, or taken Prisoners.  
The news of this great overthrow much troubled the Christian Princes to repair; which disgrace the Emperor, the Venetians, and the Pope set out a great Fleet of Galleys, which meeting at Corcyra, the Admiral's consulted what was best to be done, when upon notice that Barbarussa lay with the Turkish Galleys in the Bay of Ambracia, they resolved to sail thither, where having a while braved him, the bold Turk incited thereto by one of Soliman's Eunuches, came forth to give them battle, which Auria perceiving contrary to the minds of the Captains, stood away to Corcyra, in the rear of whom the Turks fall, took several of the straggling Galleys: This retreat, or rather flight, much eclipsed the fame of Auria, who before was accounted a second Neptune; but being still followed by Barbarussa, he returned into Italy, to the great dislike of the Venetians, without effecting any thing worthy of memory; which gave the proud Turk opportunity to make great spoil on the Sea Coast, and on the Islands of the Sea, yet held by the Venetians, and to recover Castronovum, a little before taken by the Christians, though not without infinite slaughter on either side; it being for a long time manfully defended by Sarmentus a Valiant Spanish Captain, who amongst heaps of slain expired in the bed of Honour.  
Things being at this pass, the Emperor made a peace with the French King, both which Potentates solicited the Venetians by their Ambassadors to continue the War against Solyman, but they weary thereof, as lying most obnoxious to his fury, could not be persuaded thereto, but laboured to procure a peace, which with much difficulty they obtained. In consideration whereof they yield unto him Nauplium and Epidaurus, two Cities of Peloponesus, together with Nadium and Labrania, two Castles of Dalmatia, which happened by reason the secrets of their Embassy was beforehand discovered to Solyman by several treacherous Venetians, bribed by him for that purpose; some of which being afterward taken, were worthily executed at the same time; a secret consideration between John King of Hungary, and Ferdinand King of Bohemia (including that upon the decease of the former, the latter should enjoy his Kingdom) was discovered to Solyman, which grievously incensed him against the Hungarian King, whom by his Arms he had restored to his Kingdom to appease, which he was content to marry Isabel, Daughter to Sigismond, King of Polonia, by whom he had Issue a Son, who after his Father's Death was crowned King of Hungary, and taken into Soliman's protection, by that means bereaving King Ferdinand of his hope of a peaceable possession; whereupon after having requested it by his Ambassadors of Solyman, and despairing that way to obtain it, he with a great Army entered the Kingdom, and seized upon Vicegrade, Pesth, Vacia, and Alba Regalis: To oppose which sudden Tempest ere it had swept away all her Cities; the Queen sent her Ambassadors to Solyman to crave Aid against King Ferdinand, whereupon he not only sent the young King her Son several Rich Presents, but his Letters Mandatory to his Lieutenants on the Frontiers, with all their Forces to assist her, threatening that if by their neglect she received any damage, their heads should make satisfaction; and withal, caused Lascus, King Ferdinand's Ambassador at that time residing at Constantinople to be imprisoned.  
This news was joyful to the Queen, whereupon she drawing together all her Forces, joined them with those Mahomates, and ustref, two of Soliman's Bassas had brought into the field, and immediately laid siege to Vacia which they took, and to prevent its again falling into the hands of the Bohemians, set it on fire; Vacia thus laid waste, they removed to Pesth, to which they laid strait siege, but after many unsuccessful attempts to carry it by storm, raised their Camp, and returned over Danubius, upon which King Ferdinand sent a great Army under the Leading of the Lord William Regendorff, who entering the Kingdom, laid siege to Buda, and sent Messengers to summon the Queen to surrender the City to his Master, and that in lieu thereof, and of the other Cities, she should have bestowed on her freely the signory of Sepusia, to which George, Bishop of Veradium, who altogether governed the Queen, answered that she should accept no such proffer, and with many opprobrious words dismissed the Messengers, whereupon Regendorff having mounted his Canon, furiously battered the City, making several wide breaches, but they were so notably defended, that the Germans nor Spaniards could not enter, which they perceiving, so dealt with one Bornemissa a great man in the City, that he promised to deliver them a Gate in the night to enter by, which accordingly he performed, but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter, the better to prevent the effusion of blood; and Regendorff contrary to that agreement, sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains, to be more sure of the City, the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken, refused to lead them to the Market place, and they still remaining in the narrow streets, and not knowing which way to go, a sufficient number could not enter e'er the Alarm was taken, upon which the Citizens, and Garrison Soldiers running to their Arms, assaulted them on every side, who being in a strange place, and their fear augmented by the terror of the night, fled back faster than they advanced.  
Spring being come, Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahomates Bassa, to the Assistance of the Queen; which passing, the Danubius entrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians, Germans, and Italians, under the command of the Lord Regendorff, and daily with skirmishes perplexed him, having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River, called Ceppelia, as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp, between which passed likewise many skirmishes, but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shore in the Island held by the Christians, caused them to leave the Fortifications, and fly over the Bridge laid to pass, and repass to the Camp, but by the valour of the Germane Soldiers all was quickly regained, and the City furiously assaulted, though without success, for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made, and the Besiegers, by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army, durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done, yet they had so battered the Walls, that they despaired not to win it in a short time; but in the height of their Expectation, news came, that Solyman with a great power, was near at hand to join the Bassa already encamped, which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no, resolved to raise the Siege and pass the Danubius. So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves, and in the dead of the night raised the Siege, but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened, by those in the City: Whereupon bursting out of their Camp, and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw, and pursued them with great slaughter; insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage, or fell by the Sword, not above a third part of them escaping to Comora. So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks.  
Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison, was taken without resistance by Cason, the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius, and most that were found therein put to the Sword. The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Soldiers, would have died fight amongst the thickest of his Enemy, had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinnace, and so carried by his Captains to Comora, within five days after Solyman came to Buda, and according to his wont cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death, and one amongst the rest a Germane Soldier being of wondrous height, he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff, whose head reached not passed his knees, which he ordered to be done in derision of the Germane Nation.  
Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda, sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King, viz. Three beautiful Horses, with their Bridles of Gold, and their trappings set with precious stones, and three Robes of cloth of Gold, and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold, and rich Gowns; upon the delivery of these presents, as they had it in charge, they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman, who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection, until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary. This request of the Ambassadors (though not without some scruple) was granted, and the young King being then in his swaddling clothes, was sent in a rich Chariot, together with his Nurse and several great Ladies, attended on by such of the Nobility, to whom Solyman had sent presents; upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms, and looked upon him commanding his sons then present, viz. Selimus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Ro●colana to kiss him, in token of there love to him: from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shows, he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary, having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda, called Sabatina, it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death, or carried into bondage; of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's, and others of a far more mild opinion. So that Solyman, when he well considered what had been argued, resolved upon a method between the one and the other, when entering Buda on the 30th. of August, anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet, in the Cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, he published a Decree (the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom, under which it at this day groans.) That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks, and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire, that the Queen with her son, the young King should presently departed the City and live in Lippa, a fertile and quiet Country beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her father's Kingdom, and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janissaries; of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility, all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty, having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp.  
King Ferdinand residing at Vienna, upon notice of what had passed, and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories; first sending to collect his dispersed Forces, afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismond Lethestaine, noble and grave Councillors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the Germane fashion, richly beset with pearls and precious stones, and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device, daily expressing the hourly passing of the time, the motion of the Planets, the Change and Full of the Moon, the motion of the Superior Orbs, ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same, exactly keeping due time and motion, lively expressing the wonderful motion and conversion of the celestial frame, a curious and strange piece of work devised and perfected by the most cunning Astronomers of Maximilian the Emperor, whose noble mind never spared for any cost to obtain things rare of strange device.  
The Ambassadors arriving at Soliman's Camp, after they had been feasted by the Bassa's with Mutton and Rice only, and delivered their Presents, they made it their request that he would deliver Hungary to their Master, to whom of right it appertained, and that in lien thereof he would become his tributary; but were so far from having their desires granted, that the proud Turk demanded tribute for Austria, the which being refused with disdaign he sent the Governor of Belgrade to spoil that Country, as likewise Moravia, to whom he joined Cason the Admiral of his Fleet; but by reason of the overflowing of the Rivers and great Rains, it being now Autumn they were forced to return without doing any considerable damage: after which Solyman appointing a Hungarian of his own name Governor of Buda returned to Constantinople, having first set Lascus King Ferdinand's former Ambassador (whom he held Prisoner) at Liberty, and within a while after having caused Mail Vayvod of Transilvania to be apprehended, and imprisoned contrary to his promise, by Mahomates his great Bassa; he to recompense the Queen of Hungary and her son for what he had taken from them, gave the young King the Province of Transilvania.  
Whilst these things passed, the Emperor Charles at the earnest request of his Subjects of Spain, to whose Trade the Pirates of Argier had put a stop, prepared a great Fleet to invade the Kingdom, and take the City, at that time commanded by Asan Aga, or Asan the Eunuch, whom Barbarossa in his absence had appointed his Lieutenant, when as the Emperor after considerable damage by shipwreck coming before the City of Argier; sent a Herald on shore to demand the City, and upon the refusal of its delivery landed his men, who with great courage beating the Turks, Moors, and Numidians from their defences, leapt on shore, where after divers skirmishes they encamped in three Battles, being in all 60000 Men but long they had not considered which way to make their approaches, e'er by a horrible Tempest (supposed to be raised by Enchantment) which continued for the space of two days, the greatest part of the Fleet consisting of 280 Ships and Galleys was beaten, and such as by swimming escaped the danger of the Sea, were killed by the Numidians and Moors, who came down from the Mountains to enrich themselves by the misery of the Christians. In this storm which was accompanied with prodigious Rain, Thunder and Lightning almost all the Prevision, and great Ordnance were lost: nor fared they on shore much better, for there three parts of the Tents were torn up, and all things in them spoiled by the deluges of Water, so that Famine within three days sorely vexed the Camp; yet the Emperor, a man of invincible Courage, comforted his men in the best wise, causing such Horses as were on shore to be killed, and their Flesh distributed amongst the Soldiers, which at than time proved excellent fare; but finding he could not subsist, by the persuasion of the Duke of Alva his General, he resolved to embark on those few Ships and Galleys that were left, and return into Italy, whereupon to make room for the Soldiers he caused all the Horses to be thrown overboard, but such was his hard fortune, that he was no sooner embarked but another Tempest terrible as the former, arose and scattering his Fleet, drove two Ships loaden with Spaniards into the Port of Argier, who by reason of the departure of the other Galleys had been there slain by the Moors and Numidians, had not Asan Aga at their earnest request taken them into mercy, and driven away the barbarous people, who like ravening Wolves sought eagerly to prey upon their Lives: Many ships in their return were likewise swallowed up of the Sea, but Heaven so ordered it that at length the Emperor with the remainder of his shattered ships arrived at the Port of New Carthage in Spain, not being overcome by the Enemy but by the Tempest, his sad disaster being at the beginning of his Expedition foretold, by a Witch then living in the City of Algiers.  
Frances the French King being greatly offended with the Emperor, for that Antonius Rinuo his Ambassador, upon his negotiation to Constantinople, was by some of the Emperor's Captains slain, for that it being reported that he there discovered all the Emperor's intentions, and incensed Solyman to take up Arms against him, being the principal occasion of his last Expedition into Hungary; whereupon he having sent Polinus in the stead of Rinuo, he incited Solyman to revenge the indignity as well offered to him as to himself, by sending Barbarus with a squadron of Galleys to molest the coast of Spain, and the Emperor's Territories in Italy, whilst his Master warred on his Countries in Flanders and other places. To undertake the like he solicited the Venetians, but at that time both his negotiation proved ineffectual, for the Venetians utterly refused to intermeddle, and the Turk at that time being but slenderly provided with shipping, and those was enforced to use on the Danube for the defence of Hungary, which King Ferdinando in confederation with the Germane Princes invaded with a great Army, under the leading of Joachimus Marquis of Brandenburg, who passing the Damibius encamped before Pesth, which they battered for several days, making divers large breaches, but upon notice that Mahomates Bassa was coming from Belgrade, with a great Army to relieve the City, though the story was altogether feigned, the cowardly General raised the siege, and returned to Vienna where that great Army consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot was broke up, without doing any thing worthy of name.  
Solyman being rid of this fear began to hearken to the request of the French Ambassador, and having Commanded Rustan Bassa his Son-in-law to Feast him, he gave order for the making ready his Fleet of Galleys, which he sent under the command of Barbarossa to the Aid of the French, who to wreck his private revenge called in the common Enemy, too prone of himself to lay Christendom waste. In their way when once dispatched they took Rhegium, burned it, and carried away the Garrison, and Citizens, at which time Solyman with a great Army entered Hungary, to revenge himself upon the Authors of the late Hostilities, and had the strong City and Castle of Walpo delivered to him by the Soldiers, contrary to the will of the Governor, but he was no sooner possessed thereof then he gave them the due Reward of their Treachery, by causing them all to be put to the Sword; and then having left there a sufficient Garrison, he marched to Strigonium, sending Amurathes Bassa with a part of the Army to take in Soclosia, which he having won, put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword.  
Solyman having laid siege in the mean while to Strigonium, in which commanded as Governors Liscanus and Salamanca, two proud and covetous Spaniards, with a Garrison of 1300 Soldiers, but e'er Solyman began to batter the City, he sent to promise them Life, Liberty, and whatever Goods they were possessed of if they would surrender; or upon refusal to denounce against them all the miseries that attend on stormed Cities, yet this nothing daunted the Soldiers, who returned for answer, that they reposed their last hope in their Arms, and were not to be won by gifts, nor terrified with threats, upon notice of which their stout resolution he commanded his Cannon already mounted to play from several Batteries, the which was put in Execution with such fury, that the Walls were beaten down in several places, at which breaches the Turks in great number attempting to enter were beaten back three times successively, with great loss and slaughter, and amongst the slain fell Bultaces Sanzack of Selymbria, a man of great account amongst the Turks, but in the end the weakness of the City being discovered to the enemy, by a fugitive Portuguese, the two aforesaid Governors consulting for their own safety, intended secretly to leave the City, and carry with them all their Riches; but their purpose being discovered to the Captains and Soldiers, they proposed a parley, persuading the defendants that the City was not to be held against so powerful an Enemy; upon which the City was yielded, and the Garrison such as would marched to Possonium, where the two cowardly Governors (who notwithstanding the promise of safe conduct had been rob by the Turks) were by Count Salme committed to safe custody, to answer for their cowardly yielding up the City.  
Strigonium being thus obtained on the 10th. of August, Anno 1543. and the Christian Churches converted to the Mahometan superstition, he marched towards Alba regalis, taking in his way the Castle of Tatta anciently called Theodota, which he utterly razed; after which coming before Alba regalis, a City famous for the Coronation of the Hungarian kings, situate in a Marsh, and encompassed with a Lake. He caused the said Lake with infinite labour to be filled up and thereafter many terrible Assaules, in which he lost 20000 of his men, took the Suburbs, putting all he found therein to the sword, and afterward had the City delivered into his possession, where entering, he contrary to his faith plighted, he caused the most wealthy Citizens to be slain; after which, leaving Ballabanus Governor thereof, and placing Governors in other places by him subdued; in this Expedition he returned to Constantinople.  
By this time Barbarussa and Polinus were arrived at Marselles, where having refreshed themselves, they departed to Province, where they laid siege to Nice, a City belonging to the Emperor, which after a long siege they took, but the Castle being defended with a strong Garrison, they in vain assaulted it, which so enraged Barbarussa, that he threatened to imprison Polinus for not performing his promise made at Constantinople to furnish his Army with all necessaries, when as he said Powder and shot were wanting even in the Country of France, which division between the French and the Turks was ended, by the raising the siege, upon notice that Alphonsus Vastus the Emperors General was coming out of Italy with a great Army, when as the French Forces retiring, Barbarussa sent most part of his Fleet to Argeir, with a command to return early the next spring to Marselles.  
The great preparations of Barbarussa to aid the French King gave Muleasses suspicion that they were intended against him; whereupon leaving the management of the Affairs of his kingdom of Tunes in the hand of his trusty Counsellors, as he supposed, and the management of his men of war, his son Amida, he went to Naples to wait upon Charles the Emperor, and of him to crave aid, when in the mean time by the persuasion of such as hated Muleasses his son usurped his kingdom, who upon notice thereof returning with such Forces as he could gather in Italy, was overthrown, taken prisoner, and by his unnatural Son deprived of his sight, dealing to him therein the same measure that he had dealt. Yet the unnatural Son escaped not altogether scotfree, for Tovarres Governor of Gullet for the Emperor, sending for Abdamelech brother to Muleasses, of whom I have before spoken, he in the absence of Amida surprised the City and Castle of Tunis, but enjoyed no more than 26 days ere he died when leaving his Son Mahomates a Child his Successor, he was soon thrust out and Amida restored, whereupon Muleasses fled first to Guletta, and afterward into Sicily, where at the Emperor's command he was maintained at the common charge of the Islanders.  
The French King being by this time weary of his new come Guest, the Turks having first largely rewarded them sent them away, who in their return spoiled the Island of Elba belonging to the Duke of Florence, upon the Governors refusing to deliver the Son of Sinan the Jew, held Prisoner there, since his being taken at Tunis, and after that committed many outrages upon the Coast of Italy; burning many Towns, and carrying away the people into miserable Captivity, but he long enjoyed not his Triumph ere himself was by death lead into Captivity, viz. anno 1547. In which year died Mahomet, Solyman's Eldest Son, Frances the French King, and Alphonsus-davalus-valtius the Emperor's renowned General.  
Solyman having now not made any personal Expedition for the space of three years resolved to invade the Persian King, being solicited thereto by Ercases Imirza King of Sirnan, and that King's Brother, but after great toil to little or no purpose for the space of 1 year and 9 Months, he returned with his 〈◊〉, to Constantinople, Imirza in the mean while being delivered to his brother Tamas the Persian King by Treachery was put to death, during which Transaction one Dugat a notable Pirate, having taken Africa a City in Tunis, formerly called Aprodise, he greatly troubled the Moors by Land and the Christians by Sea, when to remove so troublesome a man, the Knights of Malta passed over with a considerable power, and after a furious assault possessed themselves of the said City, the which by reason it was not tenable without excessive charge they razed, carrying away a rich booty, and 7000 Captives, whereupon the Pirate fled to Constantinople, craving aid of Solyman, who sent with him Sinan the Jew made Admiral in the stead of Barbarossa, with a great Fleet; who in revenge of what had happened to Africa, landed on the Island of Malta, and attempted (though in vain) the winning that strong City. Yet sailing into afric, they after great slaughter of their men took Tripoli in Barbary, at that time possessed by certain of the Malta Knights, for which Sinan Bassa having as it were Triumphed, left Drugat Governor thereof, by the Title of Sansack returned to Constantinople.  
Anno 1551. Solyman, notwithstanding the five years' peace made with King Ferdinand, sent Achmetes his Lieutenant in Europe, to invade several Towns in Hungary, who upon his Arrival took Temeswar and Zolnock, which Queen Isabel perceiving, and that the Turk contrary to his Faith plighted, daily encroach upon her Territories, whose power she was not in a capacity to repel by force, she agreed with King Ferdinand to resign her and her Son's Title to the Kingdom of Hungary in consideration of Cassovia, and a yearly pension of 100000 Ducats. After which the King recovered most part of the Kingdom from the Turks, and for the better keeping thereof as some say caused George Bishop of Veradium, a great favourite of Soliman's though by Birth a Hungarian to be murdered, in his own House. Upon which the Bassa of Buda drawing together what Forces be could Besieged Agria, but after the loss of many of his best Soldiers he gave over the siege.  
Henry succeeding his Brother Francis in the Kingdom of France, and desirous to molest the Emperor, sent the Lord Avomont to incite Solyman, to waste the Coast of Italy; whereupon he sending a great Fleet in the Tyrrenan and Tuscan Seas, wasted the Coast of Calabria, S●cilia, Majorca, Sardinia, Elba, Corsica and Cerbe, the Frontiers of the Emperor's Dominions, and the same year, viz. anno 1554. Solyman incited thereto by Roxolana, once his Slave and Concubine, but now his imperious Wife, and by the Treacherous insinuation of Rustan Bassa, who had Married Chameria her Daughter by Solyman, caused his Son Mustapha the chief hope of the Ottoman Family, begot on a S●yrcassian Woman to be strangled in his Pavilion, without suffering him to clear himself of what had been falsely laid to his charge during his absence, the which barbarous cruelty when Tzihunger, Roxolana's Son by Solyman, whom she purposed to raise to the Empire after his decease, and for that purpose had procured the death of Mustapha, came to know he had detested his Father's cruelty, with his Dagger killed himself, and fell down dead upon his Brother's dead body; nor was Solyman in safety when the matter came to be once known, for the enraged Soldiers with their drawn Swords (after they had killed a great number of those that came thither to fetch the Riches in Mustapha's Tent) came to his Pavilion Threatening him with present Death, and after many reproaches were hardly appeased, swearing at their departure if the Accusers of Mustapha were not brought to light they would nevertheless kill him, when to satisfy them in their demands, he deprived Rustan Bassa of all his Honours, taking from him the seal whereof he had the keeping, and delivered it to Achomates Bassa, and Rustan commanded to leave the Camp upon pain of Death, but not long after by the means of his Mother-in-Law, who had by the means of a Jew, bewitched Solyman with her charms he was again restored, and to make way for him Achomates who had stepped up into his places of Honour by Solyman's command, in the Divano causelessly was strangled. Whilst these things were doing Haly Bassa having for a long time besieged Zigeth, defended by Marcus Horworth, a valiant Captain was beaten off, by Polviller and Serineus two of King Ferdinandoes' Captains with the loss of half of his Army. Nor fared the Turks better at Sea, for Guise Lord Prior of the Knights of St. John in France, took six Ships and Galleys richly laden, and now God intending to punish the Tyrant for so many Murders suffered his Son Bajazet gotten upon Roxolana, to rise up against him Arms under pretence of supplanting his Brother Selimus, all the remainder of the aforesaid wicked stock, who by setting up a counterfeit Mustapha (and pretending he that was killed was no other, but one much resembling the true Mustapha, sent for great rewards to try his Father's fury) drew after him a World of people being secretly encouraged thereto by his mother, who preferred him before his Elder Brother whom Solyman would have his Successor, and such was her power with Solyman, that after the Plot was discovered the counterfeit taken and executed, she made Bajazet's peace and restored to favour as much as ever; yet such was the fiery nature of the head strong youth, that knowing his Life was dated with his Fathers, if his Brother succeeded him he again took up Arms, being generally favoured of the Soldiers, against whom Selimus was sent with a great Army, between whom was fought a dreadful Battle, in which 300 Turks were slain, and Bajazet put to the worst, who after much adverse fortune flying to the Persian King, was by the procurement of Solyman contrary to Faith given by the Persian, he together with his four Sons was muricated.  
Anno 1558 Charles the Fifth, and warlike Emperor of Germany, stricken in years, and worn out with the toils of tedious War, resigned the Empire to his Brother Ferdinand, having before put his son Philip in possession of all Hereditary Kingdoms, and then retiring lead a private Life, and shortly after changed it for Life Eternal; after he had with great reverence and integrity Reigned 39 years, after whose death at the earnest request of the Knights of Malta, the Christian Princes set out a Fleet for the recovery of Tripoli in Barbary, when coming to the Island of Zerbi belonging to the Turks they spoilt it, and after a small battery to the Castle in which the Islanders put their chief hope, but this Expedition proved unfortunate to the Christians: for Pial Bassa Soliman's Admiral, coming upon them with a great Fleet, suddenly surprised many of the Ships and Galleys out of order, and unable to make resistance, took them and put most of those he found therein to the Sword, and such as could stand off to Sea fled, leaving Don Alvarus De Sandee a valiant Gentleman of great Spirit, and long Experience, General of the Christian Forces on shore, who together with such as were sied from the Fleet entered the Castle, which was most resolutely defended till such time as hunger and thirst compel him to surrender, not less than 18000 Christians by one means or other being lost, from the setting out of the Fleet to the time the Castle was delivered to the Turks, the which by the Bassa being strongly Garrisoned, he with the Christian Captives there taken returned in Triumph to Constantinople, and long was ere the Spanish and Italian Nobility there taken could be ransomed; and to make up this unluckily year, viz. 1560. on the 25th. day of November, Auria the great Sea Captain died being 94 years old, to the great Rejoicing of the Turkish Pirates whose terror he had been for more than Thirty years, nor was the following year fortunate, for King Philip of Spain sending out his Fleet under Mendoza his Admiral, Five and Twenty Ships and Galleys by stress of Wether were broken on the Coast of Sicily, on one of which the Admiral perished, little or nothing being saved in that dismal and unexpected Calamity.  
Anno 1562. The Emperor Ferdinand so laboured with the Electoral Princes, that he procured his son Maximilian then King of Bchemia, a Prince of great hope to be chosen K. of the Romans, who likewise the year following, on the 8th. of September with all solemnity Crowned at Presburg King of Hungaria, to confirm which choice Solyman sent Ibrahim Bassa as his Ambassador, to the Emperor, as likewise to conclude in his name an eight years' peace, and the better to gain credit, he sent his Letters of credence not usually done by the Turkish Emperors, whose proud stile therein, I think not amiss to insert which take as followeth.  
I the Lord of Lords, Ruler of the East and West, who am of power to do and not to do whatsoever pleaseth me, Lord of all Grecia, Persia, and Arabia, Commander of all things which can be subject to King and Command, the great worthy of these times, and strong Champion of the wide World, Lord of all the white and black Seas, and of the Holy City of Mecha, shining with the brightness of God, of the City of Medina, and of the Holy and chaste City of Jerusalem, King of the most noble Kingdom of Egypt, Lord of Jovia and of the City of Athens, Senan, of the Sacred Temple of God, Zabilon, and Bassio, Rethsans and Magodini, the Seat and Throne of the great King of Nashin Rettam, and Lord of the Island of Algiers, Prince of the Kingdom of Tartary, Mesopotamia, Media of the Georgians, Morea, Anatolia, Asia, Armenia, Valachia, Moldavia, and of all Hungary, and many other Kingdoms and Territories whereof I am Emperor. The most mighty Monarch Sultan Solyman, Son of the great Emperor Sultan Selym, who hath power from God to rule all People with a bridle, and strength to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities, and strong places, into whose mighty hand are delivered all the ends of the World, none excepted, I Ruler of the East, from the Island of Tsein unto the farthest bounds of Africa, whom God hath appointed a mighty Warrior in the edge of Sword, amongst whose most mighty Kingdoms the impregnable Castle of Caesarie, is reputed the least, and in whose Hereditary Dominions the Kingdom or Empire of Alexander the Great is accounted of us a trifle, with me is the strength of the whole World, and Virtue of the Firmament. For as much as thou King Ferdinand, etc.  
Their audacious stile being read in the Germane Court, moved some to indignation, and others to secret laughter, yet the necessity requiring it, peace was concluded, but kept no longer than the Emperor lived; for upon his Death which happened two years after, viz. 1564. new troubles arose in Hungary, and several Towns and Castles were won and lost on either side, whereupon Solyman resolved in person to come into Hungary, but upon second thoughts he changed his mind, and bend his Forces against the Island of Malta lying between Africa and Sicilia, in length twenty and in breadth twelve miles, exceeding fruitful and pleansantly situate were it not in Summer time too much scorched by the Sun, which deprives the inhabitants of their fresh water, before which the Turks coming with a Fleet of Two Hundred Ships and Galleys, after some loss sustained both by the Sea and Islanders, Landed and laid siege to St. Michael's Castle, which they furiously battered, but it being defended by several Knights of the Order, they received great loss before it, whereupon they consulted amongst themselves to leave the siege of St. Michael and besiege the Castle of St. Elmo, the which with the loss of 18000 of their men they took, when in the mean while Valetta, the Great Master fortified St. Michael both City and Castle sending to the Viceroy of Sicilia for aid, but the Turks encouraged by the coming of the King of Argier, with his Ships and a great supply of Victuals besieged St. Michael's Castle a second time, as also the City Thundering against it for the space of eight days without intermission, but such was the courage of the besieged, that they either repaired the breaches, or beat back the Assailants who made such slaughter of those that attempted to enter, that their dead bodies filling the breaches served as a Rampire to keep out the rest, and thus they continued furious to assault the City almost every day, till upon notice of the Viceroy of Sicily's approach with a great power both by Sea and Land, they raised their siege and departed to meet him near Melita, where in a set Battle they were overthrown, and most of them slain with the loss of 5000 Christians only, yet those that escaped in their return landed on the Island Chios and took it, it being before almost deserted of its inhabitants, by reason it lay always obnoxious to the fury of the barbarous Infidels.  
Solyman enraged at this defeat resolved to revenge himself upon the Christian Princes, and therefore with a great Army undertook his before determined War against Hungary, solicited thereto by the Vayvod of Tra●sylvania, who hoped to be made King thereof; but Maximilian being Crowned Emperor, he railed a great power being aided by the Germane Princes, and sent them under the leading of several valiant Captains, but especially Count Serenus, and Count Helffeustin whose good Fortunes proved such, that within a short time the Turks were stripped out of most of their Garrisons, and a great number of them slain, for Maximilian the Emperor, long before advertised of Soliman's purpose had raised as is said, a gallant Army, consisting of 40000 Horse and Foot, the flower of all Christian Nations, besides a Fleet upon the River Danubius, which hindered the Turks Provisions and other necessaries from being brought by water.  
By this time Solyman coming to the River Dromus, over which with infinite labour he caused a Bridge to be made for the passage of his Army, which done he encamped before Sigeth, of which Count Serenus was made Governor, a valiant man, and mortal Enemy to the Turks attended on by a Garrison of 2300 resolute Germans and Hungarians, who like a brave Soldier with a most Christian Oration encouraged his men, not to be dismayed at the multitude of their Enemies, but to trust in God, and be of good courage, for he by his Almighty power was able by a few to confound the Armies of the proud. Concluding that as for himself, as he was a Christian and free born so he would by the Grace of God, in the same Faith and Freedom end his days, and that no proud Turk so long as he could hold up his hand should have power to command over him, or the ground whereon he stood, nor failed he in his resolves, for after he had done all that man was capable of doing, killing such numbers of Turks, that the Plains lay scattered with the dead, the Walls being for the most part beaten down, and the Town fired about his Ears, the Turks in great number entering every where, and no relief coming to his assistance, he called the poor remainder of his Soldiers about him, with whom he was retired into the Castle and with an undaunted resolution, spoke these his last words.  
The hard fortune of this sinful Kingdom, hath together with our own overtaken us, but let us, noble Hearts, endure with Patience whatsoever is by God to us assigned, you know what we have before promised, which hitherto God be thanked, we have accordingly performed, and now let us with like resolutions perform this last, the place you see is not longer to be kept, the devouring fire grows fast upon us and we in number are but few; wherefore let us as becometh valiant men break out into the utter Castle, and there die fight in the midst of our Enemies to live afterwards with God for ever, I will be the first that will go out follow me like men.  
Thus having said, the Heroic Count worthy of Eternal fame, or a name greater than ever Roman yet could boast, with his Sword in his hand charged the thickest of his foes, laying them round him on heaps, even till the Rampart of the dead hemmed him in, nor durst the Turks with their multitude encounter him long at close fight, but cowardly at a distance shot him through the head upon which he fell dead amongst the heaps of his Enemies, in token of whose matchless prowess the Turks buried his body and sent his head as a token of his being slain to Count Salma his kinsman in the Emperor's camp with this following Letter.  
Muhamet Bassa to Eccius Salma, gree●ing.  
In token of my Love, behold here I 〈◊〉 thee the head of a most resolute and valiant Captain, thy Friend, the remainder of his body I have honestly buried, as became such a man, etc.  
That which lightened the Christians sadness for the loss of so brave a Captain, and the taking of Sigeth, was the Death of Solyman, who far spent with years and distempers died at Quinque Ecclesiae of the Bloody Flux, on the 4th. of September, anno 1566. when he had lived 76 years, and reigned 46, not living to see the end of the siege; his death was by the Bassa kept secret to prevent disorder in the Army, who according to their wont policy satisfied the inquisitive Janissaries by showing them his dead body sitting in his Horselitter, giving it out that he was extreme ill when after Sigeth having by Treason taken Gyula, for which the Traitor was afterward deservedly put to death by Selimus Soliman's successor, the Bassa's with the Army returned to Constantinople where they published the death of Solyman, and proclaimed Selimus his now only remaining Son Emperor in his stead.   

CHAP. XVI. Selimus the second of that name, and fifth Emperor of the Turks, His Life and Actions.  
SOlyman being dead upon the return of the Army out of Hungaria towards Constantinople, Mabumet Bassa by letters advertised Selimus thereof then residing at Cutai a City of Galatia who glad of the news hasted to take possession of the so long expected Empire, when being conducted over the straits of Bosphorus, he was by Bostanges Bassas, and Scander Bassa conveyed into the Imperial Palace on the 23 of September, Anno 1566, from whence he departed to meet his father's Corpse, not yet arrived at Constantinople, upon the meeting of which he caused the Insignes to be let fall, in token of the Emperor's death, which had been till that time kept secret from the Soldiers, to prevent disorders, and so with it Marching in the head of the Army returned to Constantinople, being first by the men of War saluted Emperor; who upon his Arrival, to quiet the unruly Soldiers distributed a large sum of money amongst them, with a Promise to augment their wages as is usual at the instalment of the Ottoman Emperors, or else by reason of the insolency of the Janissaries and other Soldiers of the Court of their Palace would prove too hot to hold them.  
Selimus thus settled in his Empire, with Royal solemnity buried his father, in a Chapel which he afterward built, together with a College and Hospital, erecting over him a stately Tomb, near unto which is at this day to be seen the Magnificent Tomb of his beloved wife Roxolana, mother to Selimus, and of certain of his Murdered children. By him hangs his Scimitar, in token that he died in war, an honour not otherwise granted to the Mahometan Princes. The Revenues arising of the Country about Sigeth, won from the Christians a little before his death, were given to maintain the houses by him built for devotion, which for Magnificence exceed all others Erected by the Mahometan Kings and Emperors, except those of Mahomet the Great, and Bajazet the Second. It was by many thought that Soliman was in good time taken out of the way, for that he resolving to winter in Hungary the next Spring purposed with himself to have overrun Austria, and a great part of Germany.  
Anno 1567., Solyman being dead great trouble arose notwithstanding in Hungary, occasioned by John the Vayvod of Transilvania, who used his utmost endeavour to dispossess Maximilian the Emperor of those Cities and Fortresses he held in that Kingdom, but they were soon after appeased by a peace concluded between the two Emperors, Maximilian and Selimus. The principal points on which the peace depended being these. That the Germane Emperor should yearly pay 30000 Ducats to Selimus, as a Tribute for Hungary, the Tribute to begin upon the conclusion of the Articles of Peace. That the Subjects of the Turks should pay nothing to the Subjects of the Emperor, nor on the other side the subjects of the Emperor pay nothing to the Subjects of the Turks, but to remain both of them exempted from payment of Tax, Duty or Contribution, and that either Prince should inviolably hold what he was in possession of at the conclusion of the Treaty, which peace was confirmed for the space of 8 years; in which was included the Vayvod of Transilvania, as the Turks Tributary. This peace was concluded Anno 1568, as was likewise the year following a peace concluded between Selimus and Tamas the Persian Kings after which the Turk desirous to undertake some 〈◊〉 exploit, that might get him a name, and out of the Revenues of which he might build him a Temple exceeding any of his Predecessors, which those superstitious people hold to be for the good of their souls; be plotted in his mind many things, but at length being by his mischievous Counsellors, of whom he wanted not, he was ●●ged to the conquest of the rich Island of Cyprus, lying in the Cicilian Sea, and hath on the West Pamphilia, on the East Syria, on the South Egypt, and on the North Cilicia, now called Caramania. This Island at such time as Selimus was intent on the conquest thereof, was in the possession of the Venetians, with whom he had contracted a League since the death of Solyman; but in vain are Leagues with Infidels any longer than they serve their own turns, yet Muhamates the Great Bassa laboured all he could to dissuade him therefrom; and Marcus Antonius Barbarus the Venetian Ambassador then residing at Constantinople so wrought that he procured the lascivious Turk to send Cubates as his Ambassador to the Senate of Venice, with a letter to certify them upon what grounds he undertook to invade their Territory since the League had till that time been kept inviolable, which was done more to gain time, then for any hope he had that Selimus would alter his determination; which Ambassador not obtaining what Selimus desired, which was to have the fertile Island peaceably put into his possession, but on the contrary finding the Venetians resolved to descend it with all their power he returned again to his faithless Master, and related what he had in charge; whereupon the Great Fleet before prepared for the invasion of Cyprus, put to Sea, Mustapha Bassa being General of all the Forces, and within a while stood with the said Island, where the greedy Turks landing, spoilt many goodly Villages, and after some deliberation having by prisoners taken, understood the constitution of the Country, and of what strength the Islanders were, resolved to besiege Nicosia, a City standing in the midst of the Island, in a plain and Champain ground, being in circuit about five miles, encompassed with a strong wall, defended by eleven strong Bulwarks, and three great Fortresses, raised by the Venetians, the Governor of which was Nicalaus Dandalus, a man too weak for so great a burden, as having been always brought up in civil affairs; in Garrison were 8000 horse and foot, but most of them raw soldiers, and not acquainted with Martial discipline, too few to oppose so powerful an Army as the Bassa drew after him, which consisted of near 150000 horse and foot.  
On the 22 of July Anno 1569 the Bassa with his Army Encamped within a mile and half of the City, covering with their Tents the hill called Mandia, and with incredible labour bringing their Trenches from far, cast up several Forts which they raised so high, that they overlooked the walls of the City, and from their Mounts terribly battered the walls with seventy pieces of great Artillery, whose dreadful thundering made the earth to tremble, and having by this time run their Trenches to the brim of the ditch, hotly assaulted the City in several places, which was as valiantly defended by the besieged, insomuch that the ditches were well nigh filled on that side with the bodies of the slain, and what was beaten down in the day time was with great labour repaired in the night.  
During these passages the Venetians having leagued with the Pope, King of Spain, and several of the Italian Princes, prepared their fleet, consisting in all of one hundred and seventeen sail; but whiles they lingered for the Additional Forces of the King of Spain, the plague so raged amongst the Mariners and Soldiers, that twenty thousand died e'er its fury was abated, and amongst them many men of account, but it ceasing, and the summer half spent, the Venetian Admiral no longer expecting the coming of the Spaniards, sailed to Corcyra, and there calling a Council, it was resolved they should pass over to Cyprus and destroy the Turks fleet; but in the height of this expedition died Petrus Loridanus Duke of Venice, Leaving the care of the war to Aloysius Mocenicus, who succeeded him in the Dukedom.  
Mustapha advertized of the approach of the Christian fleet, used his utmost endeavour to carry the City by assault, but being valiantly repulsed, he caused several letters to be shot over the walls fastened to Turkish Arrows, therein persuading the Citizens to open their gates, and receive him their Mild and Merciful Conqueror, and that in so doing they should deliver themselves from the miseries that attended on besieged Cities; but these fair promises nothing prevailing, he encouraged his soldiers to a fresh Assault, in attempting which he lost 4000 of his men, and was forced to sound the retreat; but in the many conflicts the Christians being wasted either by death, sickness, or wounds, expecting succours from the Princes of the West, and none coming to their aid, wearied with continual watching, the Turks in the dead of the night secretly entered a Bulwark the day before sore battered by the Ordnance from the mount, and putting the drowsy Italians and Epirots, they found therein to the sword, e'er the Alarm could be taken; let in such a number of their fellows, that the besieged were not able to repel them, but with the continual Volleys of shot, were on all sides overwhelmed, which Eugenius a valiant Captain perceiving, and as a man desperate, endeavouring to retain his flying Soldiers, in thickest danger, was slain by a Harquibus shot; and now the Turks like a Torrent flowing in at all the Ports, made such destruction that it was lamentable to behold, sparing in their fury neither man woman nor child; whereupon the Soldiers and many of the Citizens, casting themselves in a Ring in the Marketplace, with their weapons in their hands, as men desperate, resolved to die fight, against whom the Governor of Aleppo caused several Murdering Pieces to be bend, which they perceiving, and finding they should be killed at a distance, without having power to revenge themselves on their Enemy, cast down their weapons, and yielded themselves to the mercy of the Enemy, and were thereupon for a while spared; but the Gates being strongly guarded, that none should escape, Dandalus the Governor, Contarenus' Bishop of Paphos, and other the chief men of the City, having retired themselves into the Town-hall, there resolving to die like men, if they could find no other means to escape, sent to the Bassa for life, which request he seemed well to approve; but whilst messengers passed too and fro, the barbarous Turks broke in upon them, and put them all to the sword, when raging on they likewise killed all those that had submitted themselves, and were taken to mercy, as is supposed not without the secret command of the Bassa, a deadly enemy to the Christians; and so great was the inhuman slaughter that eighteen thousand were in all reported to perish by the sword, neither was there any end of the spoil, till the avaricious enemy had carried away all that long peace had accumulated, which according to the moderatest computation amounted to 20000 Millions of Ducats; and notwithstanding the fury of the Barbarous Enemy 200 youths were reserved, and sent as a present to Selimus in order to his training them up in the order of Janissaries. In the City likewise were taken two hundred and fifty Pieces of Great Ordnance. This City was won on the 9 of September, 1570, and to this day remains in the hands of the Turks, as doth the whole Island.  
Nicosia won, the Bassa sent one of his Sanzacks to summon the City of Cyrene of which Palacius was Governor, who upon sight of the Turks Army cowardly yielded the same into their hands; which so heightened their courage, that they laid siege to Famagusta, sending to Summon it to Surrender, but finding the resolution of the Garrison to defend it, and withal having notice that the Christian Fleet was at hand, he raised his siege, and billeted his soldiers for that winter, in certain villages adjacent, nor was Fame's rumour founded upon idle report, for the Fleet set out by the King of Spain, the Venetions, and the Pope, commanded by Auria Zanius and Columnius losing from Crect, had given the Turks battle, had not Auria the Spanish Admiral opposed it, and after him many of the Great Commanders; for Zanius and Venetian Admiral, and Commnius the Pope's Admiral absolutely declared that they had express Command to fight the Turks, but the other alleging the great disadvantage they should receive by fight upon the Enemy's Coast, and the weakness of the Fleet by reason of the Pestilence that had destroyed the most expert Seamen abruptly departed for Messina, leaving the other Admirals to shift for themselves, who not able to contend with so powerful an Enemy returned likewise to Corcyra, where by a Decree of the Senate, Zanius the Venetian Admiral was discharged of his command, and sent prisoner to Venice, and Sebastianus Venerius Governor of Coroyra Commissioned Admiral in his stead.  
The rich prey for the most part taken in Nicolia, being put on board the Admiral's Galley, a Woman Captive taken there, in a desperate Mood giving fire to the Gunpowder blew up the Galley, and by that blow beat in pieces two others that lay near it, destroying thereby a great number of Turks, the Bassa himself narrowly escaping by being a little before gone on shore.  
The new Admiral of the Venetians to get him a name resolving to attempt something upon the Turks, and having a fit opportunity offered he sailed into the Bay of Ambriaca, and by the aid of the Mountain people inhabiting. Acroceraunian took the strong Castle of Chimaera putting to the Sword and taking Prisoners 300 Turks there ingarrisoned, and not long after Querinus the Vice-Admiral sailing along the Coast of Peloponesus, Landed his men near the Bay of Maine, and in five hours took a strong Castle of the Turks, built to guard the pass, and in it 500 Turks, whom he caused to be put to the Sword, and taking out the Ordinance caused the Castle to be razed. The City of Famagustan being again blocked up by the Turks huge Camp, the Governor sent Hieronimus Ragazonius Bishop of the City, and Nicholaus Donaius to Venice, they to make known to the Senate the danger the besieged were in, and to require them not to delay sending them succour, whereupon the Senators wrote to the Admiral, to put a supply both of men and provision who commiting the care thereof to Quirinus the Vice-Admiral, he as an undaunted Captain filling four Ships with all manner of Provision, and 1700 select Soldiers, waiting his opportunity with Twelve Galleys, accompanied them to the mouth of the Port which Ships the Turks that lay at Anchor beholding, came forth in hope of a prize, but being set upon by the Galleys were obliged to retire in great disorder, and run themselves for the most part on shore; where they were beaten in pieces by the great Ordnance from the Venetian Galleys, and then entering the Haven relieved the Citizens as he had in charge, to their unexpressible joy; when coming forth again and roaming about the Seas, he took two of the Enemy's Ships richly laden, who were coming to the Camp in Cyprus, and then wasted the Coasts of Pamphilia he returned to Venice, the news of which coming to the knowledge of Selimus, it so enraged him that he caused the Governor of Chios his head to be stricken off, the Governor of Rhodes to be discharged of his Government and Pial Bassa, to be turned out from being Admiral.  
The Turks encroaching thus upon Christendom did not a little Alarm the Confederate Princes, insomuch that they again consult how to withstand the barbarous Enemy, and if possible to relieve the remaining Cities of Cyprus, but were a long while ere they came to any conclusion. In which space after many terrible assaults, and the loss of 14000 Turks, Tramogusta was taken, and all manner of cruelties exercised (contrary to the Faith of the Bassa before given) on the Soldiers and Citizens, and the same risk soon after run all the other Cities of Cyprus, but by this time the Ambassadors sent by the Venetians to Tamas the Persian King to join in League with the Confederate Princes being returned, with only this answer, that the Persian would not hastily enter into a War against the Turk, but would for two years expect the success of the Christians Arms, the King of Spain, Venetians and Pope, with several of the Italian Princes entered into a perpetual League, and with all diligence prepared their Fleet against the spring, every one being proportioned his charge in the War, and to have proportion of the spoils, to be taken according to the number of Ships and Galleys set forth.  
By this time the Turks having possessed themselves of the famous Island of Cyprus, and not content therewith gaped for Crete, now called Candia, lying in the Mediterranean, and once as Seneca and others witness possessed of 100 Cities, being exceeding fruitful, and then in the possession of the Venetians, on which the Turks landing in great number, did what harm they possibly could, by burning and spoiling all they found in their way, till at length they were encountered by Francisous Justinianus who but a little before their Landing came into the Island with a 1000 Soldiers, and now joining with the Islanders, charged them as they dispersed to seek for prey with such fury, that killing many of them he obliged the rest to make a swift though a disorderly retreat to their Galleys, but the next day they again landing in greater number burnt divers Towns, ransacked Setia and Rhetimo, wherein they found much riches, and carried away most of the inhabitants into miserable bondage. But loaded with their booty dispersed and dreading no danger they were suddenly charged by Lucas Michael a valiant Captain 2000 of them slain, and all the prey recovered together with the prisoners, and they again forced to betake themselves to their Galleys, after which they weighed Anchor and sailed along the Coast, passing by Cythera, Zazinthius and Cephalemia Island belonging to the Venetians, doing much damage in divers parts of them, and carried 6000 of the Islanders into Captivity, and departing thence failed along the Coast of Epirus, which the Venetians had stirred up to Rebel against the Turks, but not sending them the promised Aid they were enforced to submit to the Mercy of their mercyless Enemies, after which they recovered all the Castles and Towns the Venetians had taken on the Sea Coast, which brought a great fear upon most of the Islands yet possessed by the Christians, especially when that part of the Fleet which had done so much harm was augmented, by the arrival of Haly Bassa, and within a while after all the Fleet met at Aulona, and on the 26 Aug. 1571. sailed directly to Corcyra, which little Island seemed to be encompassed with their huge Fleet. There Partus Bassa Vice-Admiral of the Turk upon his arrival landed 800 Horsemen, and 1000 Foot, who ranging up and down the Island did great harm by burning and destroying all before them, till they came to the Suburbs of Corfu which they attempted to set on fire, but were beaten off by the Garrison Soldiers, who sallied upon them with great fury killing a great number of them, and amongst the rest Paphus Rays a man of great account causing the rest to betake themselves to flight, who coming on board the Galley, weighed Anchor and sailed to the Bay of Corinth otherwise called Lepanto, having on board the Fleet 15000 Captive Christians, taken in the Islands belonging to the Venetians.  
The outrages of the Turks made the Christian Confederates hasten out their Fleet, which met at Messina where the Admirals and other great Commanders called a Council, to consider what was best to be done in the management of the War against so powerful an Enemy, not doubting the victory for why the Venetian Fleet, consisted of 108 Galleys, 6 Galliass, 2 great Ships, and many small Galliots to whom were joined 12 Galleys of the Popes, Commanded by Columnius. And with Don John General of Spain, Base Son to Charles the 5th. and Auria the Spanish Admiral came 81 Galleys, of which three appertained to the Knights of Maita. In this Fleet besides Mariners were reckoned to be 20000 Men, an Army not only most beautiful for show, as consisting of able Men, but for the most part composed of old experienced Soldiers, amongst whom were a great number of the Christian Nobility, who came to serve against the Infidels of their own accord, drawing after them a number of their Favourites, whom they at their own charge maintained. The chief of which were Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma, Franciscus Maria Prince of Urbin, and Paulus Jordanus Vrsinus of the Honourable Family of the Roman Ursini.  
All things being thus in a readiness, the Venetian Admiral in the Counsel, called to determine what was to be done, vehemently pressed the General and the rest of the great Commanders instantly to give the Enemy Battle, and was seconded by several others of Note, as well Spaniards as Romans, whereupon Commandment was given for putting the Fleet in order, which by the three Admirals of Venice, Rome, and Spain being brought into the Ocean was marshalled in this manner. In the right wing which consisted of 53 Galleys, was Auria the Spanish Admiral placed. In the left wing Augustinus Barbadious with the like number of Galleys, and in the middle Battle stood the General himself, with 70 Galleys, on the right hand of the General stood Columnius, and on the left Venerius his Associates, and thus with equal form the Fleet set forward as if they instantly had been to join the Enemy.  
During this preparation of the Christians the Turks were not idle, but calling a Council of the chief Commanders held a long debate, whether they should give the Christians Battle, or decline it, but at length those that held it dangerous to give Battle being overbalanced by those that were of the contrary opinion, it was resolved that the whole Fleet should be put in order of Battle, which at the command of Haly Bassa, General of the Land Forces, and Great Admiral of the Turkish Galleys, coming out of the Bay of Corinth or Lepanto, they were put into order of the Battle after this manner. The middle Battle in number much like the Christians, was conducted by Haly Bassa and Partau, attended upon by Agan Master of the Turks Arsenal, Mustapha Zelibi the Treasurer, Achmat Bay with Mahomet his younger brother, the sons of Haly Achmat Aga Governor of Teuthrania, Assis Caiga Governor of Calipolis, Caracoza Cassanes Son to Barbarossa Malamur Governor of Mytilene, Dely Solyman Gider Captain of Chios, Cassambeius Governor of the Rhodes, Provi Aga Captain of Nauplium, Giaper Zelibi Precedent of Calabria, Dordagnan Dondomeni, with many others too tedious to recite. The right wing was by the appointment of the Bassa's commanded by Mahomet Bey, with 56 Galleys, to whom were joined many Captains of great Experience in Sea affairs. The left wing was commanded by Vluzales Viceroy of Algiers, an old experienced Pirate composed of 90 Galleys, accompanied with Cariolo, and Araby, his two sons, attended on by a multitude of Pirates who entered into the War, in hopes to get great spoil. In the Rearward was placed Amurath Dragut with 30 Galleys, and divers other small vessels.  
Both Fleets being set in order of Battle, about noon a fierce engagement happened in the beginning of which God so ordering it, the Wind turned about to the great advantage of the Christians, driving the smoke of the great Ordnance, and volleys of small shot in the face of the Infidels, whereupon for a long time the fight continued with equal success, victory inclining to neither side, but after four hours' space the Turkish Admiral being slain, his Galley taken, and about 40 others sunk and fired, victory began to declare herself for the Christians. Yet the desperate Turks as searing Selimus Anger if they should return vanquished fought desperately, but true valour prevailing and all the chief Commanders, except Vluzales slain or taken Prisoners, and he resolving to reserve himself to his better fortune, fled (after 5 hours desperately fight) with between 30 and 40 Galleys into the Bay of Lepanto, leaving the victory to the Christians, who having pursued him as far as they thought convenient, returned to take the spoil, where it was a horrible spectacle to behold the Sea coloured with blood, and covered with the bodies of the slain, fragments of broken Ships, and such weapons as were subject to float upon its surface. The number of the Turks lost in this great overthrow, could not be known by reason of the Multitude that were buried in the Sea, but Antonius Gnarnaerius writing the History of this war reported 32000 to have perished and amongst them these of Note, viz. Haly Bassa General, Mahomet Bey (otherwise called Chiroche or Siroche) Governor of Alexandria, Cassanes the Son of Barbarossa, together with his son Mulaune Governor of Mitylene, Gider Governor of Chios, Cassambaunes Governor of Rhodes, Provi Aga Captain of Nauplium, Mustapha Zelibi the great Treasurer, Caracoza Viceroy of Algiers, with many others. The chief Prisoners taken in this Battle were Achmet and Mahomet sons to Haly Bassa, and Nephews to Selimus, who being afterwards sent as a Present to the Pope, the Eldest died at Naples, and Machmet Bey Governor of Euboea, and of lesser note 3500, of the Enemy's Galleys were taken 161, & 40 sunk in the fight, and taken about 60 Galliots and other small vessels.  
This notable Victory thus obtained, Don John Venerius and Columna coming together, friendly embraced each other, and afterwards in a most Christian manner on their knees returned most hearty thanks to Almighty God for giving them so Great a Victory over the Enemies of his Name; which pious example was seconded by all the Captains, Mariners, and soldiers of the Fleet of the Christians in this bloody fight died about seven thousand five hundred sixty six, the chief of which were John and Bernardinus of the Honourable family of Cordona in Spain, Horatio Caraffa and Ferantes Bisballus Virginius and Horatius Noble Romans of the Venetian Nobility were slain; Augustinus, Barbadicus, Benedictus, Superantius, Vincentius, Quirinus, Johanes Lauritanus, Marinus Contarenus, Catharinus, Malepetra, Georgius, Andreas Barbadicus, Marcus Antonius, Laudus Franciscus, Bonus Hieronimus, Contarenus, Antonius Paschaligus, and Hieron Venerius, all of the Order of the Senators, besides divers other Honourable Gentlemen, well deserving to be enrolled in the Records of Fame. There were likewise many of note wounded, and amongst the rest Venerius the Venetian Admiral by a small shot that passed through his foot.  
This great and welcome victory published in the City of Venice, caused such a General joy as the like was never till that time; nor only did the Venetians alone rejoice, but likewise all Christian Nations; for in this fight the Turks lost so many substantial Galleys, able Commanders, Seamen, that to this day that loss hath been a weakening to that so mighty Empire, and such was the Grief conceived by Selimus thereat, that he retired himself for certain days, not permitting any to speak with him, and then in his fury passed a Decree for Massacring all the Christians within his Dominions, which bloody and barbarous Edict had been put in Execution had not Muhamat the chief Bassa by many persuasions averted his wicked purpose; yet that his loss might seem the less, he dissembled it as well as he could, giving strict orders for the speedy building of new Galleys, to supply the place of those that were lost, which he had the more leisure to do, by reason that after this so signal a victory, the Christian Fleet separated, with a resolution to meet again the next spring at Coreyra; yet the Venetians not satisfied for the loss of Cyprus spoiled the Turks Frontiers winning strong holds, and amongst the rest, the strong Town of Suppoto, formerly taken from them, which caused Selimus to put to Sea all the Galleys he had, appointing Vluzales a Renegado Christian, but now turned Turk Admiral, in the room of Haly Bassa, slain in the battle of Lepanto, of which the Venetian Admiral having notice, sent to Don John to come to his Aid, but he bearing a grudge against the Venetians for hanging up one of his Mutinous Captains, stood a long time in doubt whether he should send any of his Galleys to his assistance or not; but at length being by his Captains persuaded, that his honour would suffer, if through his neglect the Christian cause should be prejudiced; he sent Lily of Andradu, with twenty two Galleys to join with the Venetian Fleet, then lying before Corcyra; nor was the Pope slow in sending his Galleys, insomuch that the whole Fleet consisted of 155 Galleys, 6 Galliass, and twenty ships of war; nor was the Turks inferior in number, lying about Maluasia in the entrance of the Bay called Sinus Argolicus, of which the Venetian Admiral having notice, resolved to give them battle what ever happened, but the wary Pirate Vluzales could not be drawnthereto, having before to his cost tried the courage of the Christians lying still in the bay, hoping thereby to gain some advantage, without which he resolved not to fight, but finding the Christians every day ready to charge him as he lay, he for his better security found means to sail to Corona, upon which the Christian Fleet retired to Cerigo, not finding any opportunity of giving the enemy battle  
Whilst matters went thus Don John sent a Frigate to advertise the Venetian Admiral that he was arrived at Corcyra, commanding him to meet him at Zacynthus, there to consult about the carrying on the war; but when they came thither, the General not regarding his word delayed to meet them, which did not a little trouble the Venetians; but not staying there they sailed to Cocyra, where joining the ships newly sent to their Aid by several Christian Princes, they resolved to seek out the Enemy, and if possible to oblige him to fight; whereupon they loosed Anchor, and for the most part sailed by night, thinking by that means to oppress the Enemy e'er he was provided to defend himself; but this purpose being discovered by some of the Turks Scouts, the Christians were prevented in their undertaking; yet so resolute was the Venetian Admiral that he pressed the other Generals to enter the Bay, and give them Battle even in the mouth of the Harbour; but this his resolution (though it had past doubt proved successful, had it been put in execution) was opposed by the Spanish General, and Columnius the Pope's Admiral, as not seasonable, but altogether dangerous, even to the hazarding the Christian Fleet, which as they allege was the Bulwark of Christendom; yet lying before Navarinum, they resolved to besiege the Castle of Modon both by Sea and Land, which Castle lying in mouth of the Bay, defended the Turks Fleet, whereupon Sailing before it, they landed seven thousand of their most resolute Soldiers, and at the same time appointed several of the Galleasses and Galleys to batter it with their Great Ordnance; the which more advantageously to effect they joined two Galleys together, with Masts, Ropes, and other tackling, in the nature of a floating battery, on which they planted Baskets of Earth, and several Pieces of Great Ordnance; but being overcharged with too great a weight, they became useless, by reason of the abundance of water that entered them, and at the same time having notice that a considerable number of Turkish horsemen had entered by night into the Castle, they thought good to give over the siege, which made the Turks so adventurous as to send several of their Galleys out of the Bay to seize upon a great ship of the Venetians, that was coming from Zacynthus with provision for the Fleet, but they were soon obliged to retire, which all of them did in safety, except Mahomet, Nephew to Barbarussa the famous Pirate, who to get him a name, stayed on purpose to dare the Christians; but being Grappled by the Marquis of St. Crux, after a fierce Engagement he with almost all his men were slain, and the Galley taken in the sight of the Turks Fleet, they not daring to come to his assistance; after which the Christians besieged the strong Castle of Nauari●●m, anciently called Pylus, the charge of which was by General consent of the great Commanders committed to Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma, whom the Venetians furnished with Munition and Victuals for the better performance of that service, which he no sooner received, but landing 2000 Italians, 1000 Spaniards, and five hundred Germans, with twelve Pieces of Ordnance, did batter the Castles incessantly; but not encompassing it, as he ought, in the night time a Great number of Turks having made their way through a pathless Forest, entered at an unsuspected Port, whilst those of the Garrison were skirmishing with the besiegers; whereupon the Princes despairing to carry it by assault, raised the siege.  
The Turks Fleet shut up in the Bay of Modon, and as it were besieged by the Christians, by this time felt great want, which caused a Pestilence to rage so violently amongst the Soldiers and Mariners, that many of the Galleys were deserted, and the rest so slenderly manned, and so unprovided of necessaries, that had the Christian Fleet road it out a month longer before the Bay, the Enemy's fleet had fell into their hands almost without fight; but such was the perverseness of the Spanish General, that he would needs return with his Fleet, notwithstanding all the pregnant reasons, and arguments the Venetian Admiral used to persuade him to the contrary, and so resolutely was he therein, that he resolved to departed not only without the consent of the Venetians but without their privity, he having in order thereto strictly commanded all his Captains, and Masters of his Galleys, speedily to weigh Anchor, and to stand for the Coast of Sicily; of which the Venetian Admiral having notice, and not a little troubled thereat, came on board his Galley, and renewed his persuasions for his stay; but finding all arguments vain, he at least requested him to stay so long, till the 2 Galleys fastened together for a floating Battery might be fetched off, and not be left there as a prey, to which he hardly consented, alleging that his victuals fell short, and if he should stay longer abroad his Fleet would be oppressed with famine, yet promised that if he met with the ships he had sent for out of Sicily loaden with provision, he would instantly return, but kept not his word, though he encountered them upon the Coast of Corcyra; so that the half starved Turks, upon his departure by degrees got out of the Bay, to their no small joy, most of them getting in safety to Constantinople. For after the departure of the Spaniards to Messina, the Venetian and Pope's Admiral departed likewise, the one to Rome, and the other to Venice, having done nothing worthy of so great preparations as were set forth by the Christian Princes.  
About this time Amida King of Tunes being driven out of his Kingdom fled to Don John for Aide, humbly requesting him that he would restore him to his Kingdom, to which the crafty Spaniard seemingly harkened, but having landed his Forces, taken possession of Tunis and other strong places, he sent Amida together with his wife and children into Sicily, there to remain as prisoners at large, during their lives, and placed Mahomet his brother in his stead, who by reason of his Seniority was rightful Heir to the Kingdom. But withal taking of him a solemn Oath, that he should become and from thenceforth remain a vassal to the Spanish King, and always be ready to do whatsoever he commanded, and having beaten the Turks and wild Arabs out of the Country, he built a new Castle in the Middle way, between Culetta and Tunes, and having put a strong Garrison therein, as likewise into Guletta, he returned into Sicilia.  
The Venetians finding no trust to be reposed in the Spaniards, and of themselves too weak to deal with the Turks, resolved if possible to conclude an honourable peace with Selimus, thinking it more for their advantage than to be subject to the insolent humours of the Spanish General; and thereupon after much debate in the Senate house it was resolved that Ambassadors should be sent to sound the mind of the Turk; who as it afterward appeared, was no less desirous of peace than themselves, though he a long time dissembled it; whereupon the Ambassadors arriving at Constantinople, after much debate subscribed the Articles of Peace; the substance of which were these. First, that the Venetians should pay unto Selimus 300000 Ducats, 100000 to be paid down, and the rest in two equal portions the two succeeding years. Secondly, That such places of the Venetians, as were in the possession of the Turks should still remain in the hands of the Possessors, but that such Towns and Places as the Venetians, during the war had taken from the Turks should be instantly restored.  
This Peace thus concluded, was proclaimed in Constantinople on the twentieth of March Anno 1574, and at Venice the thirteenth of April following, to the great amazement of the Confederates, when the better to justify themselves in what they had done, the Venetian Senators sent for the Spanish Ambassador and Pope's Nuncio, into the Senate house, to whom the Duke in a Grave Speech, addressed himself to this purpose. That anger and Hope two evil Counsellors being set aside, he had concluded a Peace with the Turk, not for that he was desirous of the Turks friendship, which what account it was to be made of, he right well knew, but for the love he bore to the State, which was not only with loss but even with death itself to be maintained; how he had been spoiled of the Kingdom of Cyprus; he further declared, that the Venetian State grew weaker and weaker by continual war, and therefore before it was reduced to extremity, and they not being able to maintain war against so Potent an enemy, were to take a surer course for the preservation of what yet of their Signory remained unto them, for that the safety of the Venetian State should at all times be a sure Fortress and Defence of the Christian Commonweal, against all the furious attempts of the enemy, and uncertain events of time.  
This Peace though disliked of other Christian Princes, was advantageous to the Venetians, for as much as the war had made their Trade to cease, both in the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas, which upon the conclusion of Peace with the Turks, returned again more than ever, by reason few other Christian Merchants had the like liberty. This peace was the easier obtained of the Turk for as much as the Spaniard had reduced the Kingdom of Tunis to his obedience, and that the Knights of Malta had an eye upon Tripoli and other Sea port Towns holden by the Turks, upon the Coast of Barbary, that he might be the more at leisure to defend what he possessed, and if possible to recover that which his father had lost, viz. the Kingdom of Tunis; yet declining that enterprise for a time, he converted his Forces against John the Vayvod of Valachia, who a little before having driven Bogeanus out of Moldavia, had possessed himself of that Province, but upon his refusing to pay Selimus double the Tribute he agreed for, he held him in such distrust, that he resolved to take from him both his Principalities, and annex them to the Ottoman Empire, to prevent which if possible, the said John raised a great power, calling to his assistance the Cossacks a warlike people of Polonia, who living upon the Frontiers secure the kingdom from the incursions of the Tartars, and maintain themselves for the most part by spoils taken from the enemy, who now in great number under the leading of Susercevius their Captain, came to the assistance of the Vayvod.  
Selimus hearing what had passed, sent 30000 Turks, and 2000 Hungarians, to join such Forces as were raised by the Palatine of Valachia Transalpine with a Command that he should take John the Vayvod, and send him in bonds to Constantinople, and in his stead placed Peter his brother, of which the Palatine an utter Enemy to John was not a little glad nor delayed, but upon the Arrival of the Turks and Hungarians, with an Army of 202000 fight men passed over the River Moldavius, not doubting but with his multitude to oppress his adversary, but putting too much confidence in his strength, and by reason thereof encamping disorderly, on the Bank of the River, the Vayvod and Captain of the Cossacks set upon with such fury, that ere his Soldiers could recover their Horses then dispersed in the adjacent Meadows, or put themselves in a posture of defence, they overwhelmed with shot, and every where disordered so, that flying in great confusion most of them were slain or drowned, in attempting to repass the River, the Palatine and Peter his brother hardly escaping to the Castle of Brailonia in Valachia. In the Palatines Camp, were found store of Riches, which the Vayvod bestowed upon his Soldiers, and with Fire and Sword entered Valachia Transalpine, putting all to the Sword that came in his way, without respect either to Age or Sex till he came to the Castle of Brailonia, in which he understood that the Palatine and his Brother were in this Castle, together with a fair City bearing the same name, standeth on the Banks of Danubius, which at that time was defended by a strong Garrison of Turks, near unto which encamping his Army he wrote to the Captain thereof, commanding him to deliver into his hands the Palatine and his Brother, who had causelessly invaded his Territories, and being overthrown in Battle was fled unto him, the which if he refused to do, he vowed never to departed from thence till he had constrained him to yield them up; which Message being sent to the Captain by two Valachian Prisoners, he returned four Messengers, with ten great shot, ten small shot, and two Turkish Arrows; giving them in charge to tell the Vayvod, that forasmuch as he knew him to be a servant to his dread Sovereign Selimus he did respect him, but would in no wise deliver into his hands those he required, but forasmuch as he understood that he of late had slain a great number of his Lords Servants, who by his commandment were bringing Peter the Palatines Brother into Moldavia, he therefore commanded him to raise the siege or he would make him and his Soldier's seed upon those dishes (meaning the Bullets and Arrows) till gorged to the full they dangerously surfeited and cast. This answer so incensed John, that he caused the Messengers to be cruelly entreated by cutting off their Noses, Lips, and Ears, and nailing them by their feet to a piece of Timber hung them up before the City, with their heads downwards as a terror to the rest, and they furiously battering the Walls till large breaches appeared, the Soldiers entered by plain force put all to the Sword that they found therein: Insomuch that the blood running like a Torrent into the Danubius, crimsoned o'er its stream for many a mile. There the greedy Soldiers found inestimable Wealth, heaped up in many peaceful years; but perceiving the Castle not so easily to be won as the City he upon notice of the approach of 15000 Turks to the relief of the former, razed the latter, and suddenly went to meet them with his Cossacks and 8000 Moldavian Horsemen, and by speedy Marches entered their disordered Camp ere they heard he had raised the siege, where the enraged Soldiers so laid about them that scarcely 1000 of the Turks escaped, which were afterwards put to the Sword in Teira, which City the Vayvod took and utterly razed, and returning from thence overthrew another Army of the Turks with incredible slaughter, so that his name became terrible to the Turks, and made Selimus doubt the keeping of his Dominions in Europe, but as Treason is always the wreck of prosperous affairs, so it happened to the Vayvod, for he dissolving a part of his Army and appointing Czarnieviche, one of his great Captains, and a man singularly by him beloved, for the Guarding his Frontiers and preventing the Turks passing the Danubius, corrupted with the Turks Gold he suffered Peter with a great Army the next Spring to enter Valachia without resistance, of which the Vayvod having notice, lying then before the Castle of Teine, he sent the Captain of the Cossacks, and the Moldavian Horsemen to oppose their passage, who meeting with 6000 of the forerunners of the Turks Army, after a light skirmish put them to flight and taking one of them though mortally wounded, inquired of him the state of the Army that had passed Danubius, but he dealing unfaithfully with them, would not make them sensible of the great power which was at hand; yet the Captain of the Cossacks doubting to be oppressed by multitudes, and having in distrust the fidelity of Czarnieviche, sent to the Vayvod to advertise him thereof, and to desire him to provide for himself and the safety of his Army, but he as a man resolved to give the Turks Battle, returned for answer that in the first place he little doubted of the Faith of him whom he had found most faithful in the time of his greatest distress, and used as a most trusty companion in all his Travels, and that it was no time now to stand in doubt or be afraid, and that as for himself, he would ere long come with the rest of the Army, and take a view of the Enemy's Camp, for that he was not come so far to fly but to fight in the defence of his Subjects and Country, and so within four days after he joined with the forerunners of his Army, and encamped near a Lake, which runneth out of Danubius, and with several of his trusty followers ascended a high Hill, the better to take a view of the Enemies huge Camp, upon which plainly perceiving that he was betrayed by Czarnieviche, who had then under his command 13000 of his choice Soldiers, he sent for him, but he doubting his Treason was discovered, sent him word that he could not now come, the Enemy being so nigh at hand, but that he should without delay see him in the Field as forward as the most courageous against the Enemy, but herein he failed his Lord; for Battle being joined he caused his Ensigns to be let fall, and revolted to the Enemy, which so discouraged the rest of the Soldiers that after a desperate and bloody fight, finding themselves oppressed with multitudes, and their Countrymen who should have assisted them, fight against them, they gave back, which the Vayvod perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded, and with 20000 Foot men, and such Horsemen as escaped the Battle, retired in as good order as the danger would permit, into the ruins of an old Town which a little before he had razed, and therein strongly Fortified himself round about, which next day the Turks encamped, but perceiving that it was not only difficult but dangerous to assault him in his strength, they sent Messengers to him, to persuade him to yield to Mercy and not expose his own Life, and the lives of so many of his Subjects to the fury of the enraged Soldiers, or miseries they would be shortly reduced to by Famine, offering the Oaths of all the chief Commanders for his own security and the security of his people, to which proposals he being persuaded to hearken he in consideration that the Cossacks might be permitted to return with their Horses and Arms, into their own Country; that himself might be alive conveyed into the presence of Selimus, there to make his defence, and that his Subjects might return to their respective homes, or take service with the Turks; agreed to come out of his strength and submit himself, to which his demands Capucius Bassa General of the Turks Army consented, and himself with the rest of the great Commanders swore seven times (a usual custom amongst the Turks for the solemnly obliging themsleves) to fulfil his request. Whereupon he came forth only accompanied with Osmolius a Polonian Captive, but after four hours' continuance in the Turks Camp the perfidious Bassa sending for him unexpectedly with his Scimitar struck him cross the face, and afterwards wounded him in the Belly, upon which signal the Janissaries present took him and cut off his head, which they fixing upon the point of a Lance, carrying it in derision through the Camp: nor satisfied with barbarous and base indignities, they at the commandment of the Bassa tore his body in pieces with Camels, and soon after put all the Christians whom they had alured out of their strength to the Sword who yet fell not unrevenged, for the Cossacks perceiving the hard plight they were in, sered together, and with their weapons in their hands made a great slaughter of the Enemy, but being few in number except their Captain, and some other men of note they were all slain.  
After this shameful Murder the Turks over run all Moldavia and Valachia, recovering in a short time the strong places that were possessed by the Vayoods Garrisons, after which Selimus intent for the recovery of the Kingdom of Tunis in possession of the Spaniards sent 300 sail of Galleys under the command of Sinan Pial, and Vluzales his chief Bassa's to reduce it to his obedience, who after the loss of 30000 Turks, with great difficulty took the strong Castle of Guletta, and the new Castle built at the Commandment of Don John in his late expedition against the Moorish Rebels, which strong hold lost, Tunes surrendered without making any considerable resistance, and in it was taken Mahomet the late invested King, whom the Turks sent Prisoner to Constantinople. But Selimus long survived not this victory over the Spaniards, but being spent with Wine and Women, to whom he had given his greatest strength he died on the 9th. of December, anno 1574. having lived 51 years, and thereof Reigned eight, he lies buried at Hadrinople, leaving his Empire to Amurath his Eldest Son, who succeeded him by the name of Amurath the Third, as will appear in the series of his Life and Reign.   

CHAP. XVI. The Life, Reign, and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name, and sixth Emperor of the Turks.  
Selymus' dead, and his Death kept secret from the Janissaries for the space of twelve days, at the end of which Amurath arriving at Constantinople, was received into the Seraglio, and took possession of the Empire, when having pacified the unruly Soldiers with great liberality, he caused according to the Turkish policy, Mustapha, Solyman, Abdula, Osman and Tzihanger his five brethren to be strangled, with how strings even in his sight, the reason of which strangling is because they would not spill any of the Ottoman sacred blood as they term it on the ground, upon the death of whom the Mother of Solyman overcome with grief and despair, stabbed herself to the Heart with a Dagger, at which Tragical sight it is reported that Amurath wept, as not delighted with such unnatural cruelty, but that the manner and nature of his Government so required, for that by reason of the largeness of the Ottoman Empire, if many of the Princes of the blood lived at one and the same time, they would probably with civil dissensions rend it in pieces.  
Anno 1575. Amurath established many wholesome Laws, altered the Coin, and bountifully relieved the poor, and albeit he was of a mild and peaceable nature, yet that he might seem like to his Predecessors he prosecuted his Father's Wars, and aided by the Tartars entered into Ruscia part of the Territories of the King of Polonia, where he burned and destroyed 200 Castles, besides a great number of Towns and Villages, putting multitudes of the poor people to the Sword, and carrying as many into miserable Captivity, but the Tartar had little joy of their success, for whilst they were busy in Ruscia the Cossack broke into their Kingdom, and destroyed all before them for the space of 100 miles.  
That which gave the Turks encouragement to enter the Territories of Polonia, was the division amongst the nobility for Henry D' Valois their King, upon notice that his brother Charles the Ninth French King was dead, secretly departed to take upon him the Kingdom of France, to which he was rightful Heir, whereupon one party was for Electing Maximilian the Germane Emperor, and the other strongly opposing them would have introduced the great Duke of Muscovy. Of which Amurath having notice, and supposing that to which soever of them it fell he would prove a troublesome Neighbour, he sent a Letter to dissuade the Nobility and Counsellors of the Kingdom to choose neither, but to Elect a King amongst themselves, or else Stephen Buttor Prince of Transylvania, and in so doing they should find him their constant Friend, or in refusing to comply with his desire to expect all the calamities that attend on War. In this Letter the proud Turk styled himself God of the Earth, Governor of the whole World, the Messenger of God, and faithful servant of the great Prophet. Yet so it effectually wrought with the Polonian Nobility, that notwithstanding Maximilian the Emperor was by the Arch Bishop of Gnesna and some others, Elected King; yet was that their Election by the great part of the Electors disannulled, as also the great Duke of Moscovy rejected, and the Noble Princess Anne of the most Honourable Jagelionian house chosen Queen of Polonia, upon condition that she should Marry Stephen Prince of Transylvania, which she afterward performed, as in the series of this History will appear.  
Amurath upon the aforementioned conditions having drawn his Army out of Ruscia, and taking advantage of the discord arising in the Kingdom of Persia, upon the death of Tamas resolved to bend his Forces to the Conquest of that great Kingdom, which (the dissension amongst the Sons of the deceased King about the succession, made him suppose) was easy to be effected, whereupon raising such great Forces as held Christendom in suspense, he yet declined attempting any thing till he had knowledge what effects the civil broils had wrought, which were that after a long contention, and the Murder of many of the Sons and Grandchilds of the deceased King, Mahomet Eldest son to Tamas, who had before rejected the Diadem, to prevent the ruin of his Native Country, took upon him the Regency, though not without the envy of many of the great Sultan's, whose guilt upon his being proclaimed King had caused them to fly, who like thorough paced Traitors in their exile solicited Amurath by all means speedily to invade the Kingdom of Persia, laying before him the facility of conquering that noble Kingdom, abounding with all manner of riches, and that the Georgians and Saracens evily affected towards the new King, would not fail upon the approach of his Army to join with him. These and the like persuasions fired the Turk with hopes of so glorious an achievement, that notwithstanding he was in League with the Persian, yet after long debating the matter in the Divan, it was resolved that the War should be undertaken and carried on with all vigour, and that the first attempt should be made upon the Country of Servan, the better to effect which by alaruming the Enemy in divers places, he sent to his Bassa's Governors of Babylon, Van, and other places on the Persian Frontiers, to molest the Territories by frequent inroads, to perform which they were no ways wanting. And now Stephen the Prince of Transilvania having married Queen Anne, and being confirmed by the free choice of the Nobility King of Poland, he sent his Ambassadors to Amurath, to conclude a firm and inviolable League, which was granted by the Turk very advantageous to the Christians, that he might not be hindered in his Persian War, which in Anno 1578. he undertook, sending a great Army under the leading of Mustapha Bassa (who in the Reign of Selimus had Conquered Cyprus) into the Country of Servan, composed of these following Nations, viz, 12000 Mesopotamians, 14000 Babylonians and Assyrians, 2000 Syrians, 10000 Natolians, 1000 Jews of Palestine, 4000 Cilicians, after which followed the Soldiers of Grecia, the Glory and Hope of the whole Camp to the number of 10000, as likewise 10000 Janissaries, Harquibusires, to whom 4000 of the Citizens of Ere Zicshum were added besides many Volunteers of divers Nations: insomuch that the whole Army consisted of 110000 Horse and Foot, besides this multitude of men, Mustapha brought into Persia 500 pieces of Artillery, and 50 Wagon loads of Money to levy other Soldiers, if occasion required it.  
The Bassa with the Army aforesaid, arriving at Chars, after three days staying there, during which time being marvellously troubled by reason of a sudden Tempest, he raised his Camp and departed to the foot of the Mountains of Chielder, otherwise Periardo, where he had knowledge of the Persian Sophy's Army Approach, which caused him to put his Army into order of Battle, dividing it amongst his great Commanders, which were Deruis Bassa of Caraunt, and Osman Mahomet, and Musta Fada Bassas; as for the Persian Army under the leading of Tocomac an experienced Captain, whom for his known valour and Loyalty, the Sophy had made General, it consisted not of above twenty thousand, all Horsemen, gathered out of Georgia, Media, and Antropatia, who misinformed by their Scouts of the Turks number, boldly held on their way, resolving to give them Battle, who from the Hills perceiving their intent, put themselves in a posture to receive them: whereupon about one in the Afternoon, a dreadful sight began, wherein at the first charge were slain seven of the Turks Sanzacks, with a Great number of Soldiers without any apparent loss to the Persians, who fight close together slew the Turks at a distance with their shot of Arrows, and the continual thundering of their Harquibuzes, of which Engines by this time they had learned the perfect use. But Mustapha, who with a great power of his choice soldiers, having waited a fit opportunity, pierced the Squadrons of the horse, having first made a lane by the reiterated Volleys of his Artillery, and charged with such fury, that although the Persians encouraging each other did all than men were capable to perform, yet being overpowered with number, were at length broken and disordered; they under the shelter of the night retired, which the Turks without much difficulty permitted, they not having any cause to rejoice at the Victory so gotten, their loss was so great, yet keeping the field all that night, the next morning in token of his good success, Mustapha sent the heads of five thousand Persians, and three thousand live prisoners to Amurath, and for the greater terror of the enemy, caused the heads of three thousand others to be stricken off, and piled on heaps; the Turks lost in this battle near twenty thousand, many of their chief soldiers.  
The next day after the battle Manuchlars, a Prince of the Georgians sent a messenger to Mustapha, to acquaint him that he was coming to confer with him, which did not a little rejoice the Turk; insomuch that he caused all his Great Commanders with Trumpets, Ensigns displayed, Drums beating, and the discharge of all the Great Ordnance to receive him, and in like manner to conduct him to his Pavilion (not doubting but that the revolt of this Prince would greatly further his affairs) which being being done, and he entering the Bassa's Tent, he there was caused to sit down on his right hand, when after having made him presents of such ching as for that purpose he had brought, he gave the Bassa to understand, That for the honour and estimation he conceived of the Turkish valour, he was ever devoted to the house of the Ottomans, and as he had often times desired to venture his life and fortune in their service, so at this present time he moved by his former desire, alured by the strange fame of his wonderful and victorious Army, and stirred up by a particular Fanta●e to learn the Turkish Discipline in martial affairs, under such a General as was the Bassa, to whom he offered all his devotion and service, things as he said not offered to any before, and in sine besought him to accept of him in the name of Amurath, whose obedient vassal he had vowed himself.  
This Speech ended the Bassa highly commended him for his prudent choice and good will towards the Turks; and the more to confirm him in the opinion he had of the Ottoman Greatness, he caused him to be led throughout his Camp, that so he might take a view of the Turkish Magnificence, where amongst other things he with detestation beheld the Pile of Persian heads, and then returning to Mustapha's Tent, he was presented with Garments of cloth of Gold, a Gilt Battle Axe and Target enamelled with divers precious stones, and never permitted him to go from his Pavilion without a train of his slaves attending on him.  
Things being at this pass, the Bassa was about to raise his Camp, to march into the very heart of Persia, when lo the face of the Heavens became black as Egyptian darkness, and upon a sudden such Prodigious Thunders, Lightning, Rain and Hail, broke from the yielding Clouds, that it seemed to most that the dissolution of all things was at hand, the wind every where renting the Turkish Tents in pieces, and carrying them into the Air; which Tempest and the noisome stench arising from the Carcases of the dead, caused such a Pestilence in the Camp, that upon the muster taken four days after forty thousand Turks were wanting, yet when the weather cleared up he removed, passing by the sides of the Great Mountain, and in his way taking in several Castles and Fortresses, though not without the loss of many of his men; nor were the Persians wanting to cut off his rear and the stragglers of his Camp, as they found opportunity, by which means many thousands of their Foragers and such as greedy of booty left the Army, were cut short, yet having received a great supply of Provision from Aleppo, he marched into the Country of Siruan, when by the way Alessandro another Prince of the Georgians came to the Bassas Pavilion & submitted himself, as the former had done, being thereupon welcomed in the same nature, receiving rich presents from the Bassa as a token of his favour, as likewise a promise that upon his return he would pass through his Country to pay him a visit.  
The Turks travelling twelve days by long marches came into the confines of Sirvan, but finding all the Country destroyed before them, they fell into many ill conveniencies, for by the means aforesaid pale famine began to stare them in the face, which obliged them to search for provision in all places, yet finding little, as they were about to return to the Camp they happened on several Persian spies, out of whom they extorted that after they had passed certain Marshes where Canac discharged itself into Araxis they should find certain fields of Rice and standing Corn, together with divers herds of Cattle, enough to suffice the whole Army for a month's space, which being made known unto the Bassa, he not greatly credited the Report, and therefore would not pass thither with the whole Army, but freely permitted such as would, to go, so that about ten thousand of the most hungerstarved, with such necessaries as they thought fit, went to seize upon this booty, but had no sooner passed the River and some sew Marshes, but they fell into the Persian Ambush, laid for that purpose, who put them almost all to the sword; but whilst they were taking the spoil Mustapha having notice by the flyers what had happened, came upon them with the whole Army so suddenly that he hemmed them, as it were in an Island, made by the meandring of Araxis and Canac, where setting upon them, after a bloody fight put them to the worst, killing a great many of them, and forcing other to take the River, wherein many of them perished, Tocomac the General and three other great Captains hardly escaping.  
After which Mustapha resolved to pass the River Canac, of which the Soldiers having notice, began not only to murmur but to Mutiny throughout the Camp, alleging that he carried them to their certain destruction for that being in a strange Country, where all necessaries whereby to subsist were wanting, whereby they should subsist, they must inevitably perish, but he urging that it was the command of Amurath, and if no man but himself would pass over he himself would obey his Lords command, whereupon notwithstanding the unwillingness of three parts of the Army the next day the better to encourage his Captains and Souldiiers himself waded over, and after him followed a great number of his slaves, and the rest of the great Commanders, but so slowly by reason of the swiftness of the River, that night approached ere half the Army had gained the farther bank, when the stream swelling with the force of the Wind and darkness making the Soldiers fearful, 8000 of them were driven headlong down the currant into the deep places, where they miserably perished together, with a great number of Camels and Horses, so that the Persians living upon the Banks many mile's distance, perceiving the number of dead Turks together with their weapons floating with the stream, concluded the Army was overthrown, nor was the fortune of those that passed over for a time much better, for coming into a barren Country, a great number of them died for want, yet having passed thus far a greater mischief would have befallen them had they returned, and therefore being every way beset with danger they resolutely marched forward, either to find relief or to end their days in misery. But contrary to their expectation, after two days hard marching they came into a plentiful Country stored with all manner of Provisions which did not a little revive them, being before even at the point to perish, after which having most of the Cities of Sirvan yielded to him, he put Garrisons therein and furnishing them with all necessaries at the importunity of his Soldiers resolved to return home and so passing through the Country of Prince Aleflander, where he revictualled and relieved the Garrison of Testis, who through Famine were reduced to such necessity, that no unclean thing was left uneaten, and so passing through the straits of the rough Mountains, where he lost a number of his people, he at length arrived at Erzirum where without any muster he discharged his Army; thereby to hid the great loss he had sustained from the knowledge of Amurath, and forgot not by Letters to magnify his own exploits; sending withal the two Georgian Princes who had submitted themselves, with Letters of recommendation to Amurath.  
It was not long after the departure of Mustapha, but the Tartars in confederacy with the Turks, having left the Fens of Moetis, and the unmountable shores of the Black Sea, passing over the Rocks upon Colchis, and the frozen crags of the Mountain Caucasus, entered Sirvan with an Army of 30000 Horse, under the leading of Abdilcherai, who no less terrified the Persians than had the Turks, but after the taking of many Cities, and ranging about the Country for prey, as one day they lay dispersed in a Valley near to E'res, Emire Hamze Mirize Eldest Son to Mahomet the Persian Sophy, came upon them unawares with 12000 Horsemen, and ere they could put themselves in a posture of defence, slew 15000 of them and took almost all the rest Prisoners, and amongst them Abdilcherai Son as he pretended himself to the great Cham, who being sent Prisoner to Cabiu the Regal seat of the Persian Sophy, so won upon the favour of the King and Queen, but specially of the latter, who was said to be more prodigal of her favours towards him than stood with her honour, and at the same time Mahomet intending to match him to his Daughter, thereby to procure the Friendship of the great Tartarian Cham: it so far moved the Sultan's or great men of the Court with envy that they slew him in the Palace, and at the same time as many reported strangled the Queen, whom they found over familiar with him in his Chamber, but whether so or not certain it is she was never afterwards seen.  
The Tartars Forces thus destroyed, the Terror of the young Persian Prince was so great, that what by Stratagem and plain Force, he wrested out of the Turks hands most of the Cities they had before possessed. Insomuch that (the City of Derbent of which Osman Bassa was Governor with the title of Vizard of Sirnan excepted) the Turks were driven out of all their strong places, nor was it long ere the Persian Sophy practised with Shahamel, Lord of the Mountain of Brus, whose Daughter Osman had married to betray him and the City into his power, for that he was the only man amongst the Georgians whom Osman trusted, who won by the great promises of the Sophy, without any respect to the Turk as he was his Son-in-Law, undertook to gratify him in his desire, but he carried not the matter so close but his Daughter understanding what that passed, and more studious for the preservation of her Husband, than furthering her Father's purpose, she still revealed all she knew; which so inwardly perplexed Osman that he resolved to prevent the Treachery of his Father-in-law by taking him out of the way, whereupon as his usual manner was inviting him to a solemn Feast with a cheerful countenance he commanded 500 of his Soldiers to be in a readiness, and that as soon as Sahamel was entered the Court off his Palace to seize him, and after having cut of his Head to put all his followers to the Sword, which was accordingly put in execution, and not so contented, he sent out 2000 Horsemen to spoil his Country, to the great astonishment of all the neighbouring Princes, but to the exceeding grief of the Sophy who found his hopes frustrated by the death of Sahamel.  
The year following, viz. 1578. Amurath calling to him his Bassa's, consulted what was further to be done in relation to the Persian War; when after a long debate, it was upon mature deliberation resolved that it was a matter of dangerous consequence to send an Army into the heart of Persia, where they should not only have a fierce Enemy to deal with, but likewise many other difficulties, as hunger, overflowing of Rivers, passing craggy Mountains and the like: But that it was therefore necessary, that by degrees they should pass conquering on from the Borders still securing all at their backs, the care of managing which being referred to Mustapha, he sent into all the Heredatary Countries of the Empire, commanding the respective Governors to send him store of pioneers, and men skilled in Architect, as likewise a great number of the most expert Soldiers, but especially those that had been disbanded the year before, upon notice of which great multitudes flocked to the service, who early in the Spring met at Erzirum, from whence they marched under the command of the Bassa to Chars, a City on the Frontiers of Sirnan, which in the late War had been demolished; yet now again Rebuilt and Fortified within the space of 23 days, notwithstanding the abundance of Snow that fell during their labouring therein, the which was no sooner finished but news came that the strong Castle of Testis was besieged by the Persians, who had reduced the Garrison to so great a strait that through Famine, they would be obliged to yield up the place if they were not speedily relieved. Upon which in great perplexity he sent Hassan Bassa, Son to Mahomet Principal Vizard of the Court, and Resuan Captain of the Adventurers with 20000 Horse and Foot, furnished with Provisions and others Necessaries for the relief of the Besieged, who passing the straits of Tomanis, were set upon by 8000 Persians under the leading of Aliculi Cham and Simon two expert Captains, who in those intricate mazes slew many of them, and took considerable spoil, which so heightened them that within a while after setting upon the Turks, and thinking to have the like advantage fell into their Ambush, so that most of the Persians fell by the Sword or were taken Prisoners, and amongst the latter Aliculi Cham; wwhich gave Hassan opportunity to march without further control to Testis, where through Famine he found half the Garrison lost, yet encouraging them in the best wise, and storing them with all manner of Provision and Warlike Munition, he having at their request displaced Mahomet the Governor, and constituted Amet Bassa in his stead he was about to return the same way he came, but upon notice that Simon had strongly possessed himself of the aforesaid straits, and barricadoed them with his great Artillery, he was wonderfully perplexed as despairing of his safe return, which Aliculi perceiving promised upon consideration that he would release him, to show him a way both plain and easy, through which he might pass without any danger from the Persians, whereupon the Bassa swore to perform what he requested; but afterwards, as is very usual amongst those Infidels revoked his Oath excusing himself, by saying, it was not in his power to release any Prisoner taken in War without the consent of his General: of which perfidious dealing Sinan having notice, who before in consideration of the delivery of Aliculi had winked at their passage, he with his Light-Horsemen pursued hard after them, when overtaking the Rear he charged them with such fury, that in great confusion they fled. In which flight a great number were slain and taken Prisoners with a great booty, especially the Treasure of the Bassa, and of Resuan Captain of the Adventurers, which loss so sensibly afflicted Mustapha that upon notice thereof he broke up his Army, not thinking it convenient to attempt any thing further that year, and soon after he being discharged of his Generalship was called home, where upon his arrival at Court, he was accused by Sinan Bassa, for neglecting the Emperor's affairs, wasting his Treasure in unnecessary buildings, and rather giving the Enemy cause to contemn the Ottoman Forces, then to fear their Prowess.  
These and many other such like complaints being exhibited against him so incensed Amurath, that he resolved he should be strangled; in order to which he sent his chief Gentleman Porter, attended on by fifteen others to the Bassas Palace, but the crafty old blade being forewarned of what was intended against him, caused himself for a long time to be denied, but when the messengers impatient of delay, urged that he must and should render obedience to the Emperors warrant (which they then produced) they were admitted to his presence, but frustrated of their design, by a Guard that enclosed the Bassa with weapons, forbidding any access further than a circle made for that purpose, which they perceiving, thought it no time to put their design in practice, but rather to entreat him by fair means to come to Court, which he refusing, they presented him one of the Emperor's Letters, in which he commanded him that if he would not come in person, yet to send his Chancellor and Treasurer, to give up their accounts, and to answer to the accusation against him and them, to which he consented, upon promise that they should not be prejudiced thereby, yet upon their arrival they were sent prisoners to the Tower called Jadicula, but by the Mediation of certain Great Ladies of the Court, bribed with Jewels of Extraordinary price, the Bassas peace being made, and he coming into the Emperor's presence, all was blown over, and his two Ministers set at liberty, without any further examination.  
During these passages the Great Vizard Bassa Muhamet was stabbed in the Divano by a private Soldier, whom he had bereft of his Pension, got at the price of his long service in the wars, for which the said soldier was put to death with most exquisite Torments, in whose place Mustapha Bassa laboured to be chosen as his right by course, but Amurath inwardly displeased with his proceed, rejected his suit, and sent the seal to Sivan Bassa, whom he also made General for the Persian war, who preparing a great Army marched to the Frontiers, and there expected the success of Maxut Chau the Persian Ambassador then arrived at Constantinople to sue for peace, but not obtaining his desire on such Articles as he insisted on, both Potentates prepared for a resolute and vigorous war, the one to offend, and the other to defend, during which time Mustapha Bassa died at Constantinople, supposed either to have been poisoned by the command of Amurath, or else that to prevent the fate of strangling he had poisoned himself.  
The Persian Ambassador being returned to his Master, and giving him to understand that there was no peace to be had with the Turk unless he would peaceably deliver into his possession the Country of Sir●an, and that himself being taken for a Spy in the Turkish Court, was glad to give Amurath great hopes of obtaining his desire, to prevent death or imprisonment, yet that it remained at the pleasure of the King whether he would stand to any thing that had been by him proposed; for which good service of Mexut Chau the Sophy made him Great Treasurer of Tauris, which at that time was Governed by Emir Chau his mortal enemy, who sought by all the means he could to destroy him; wherefore declining to go thither in person, he officiated his Office by his Deputy, of which Emir taking hold of as a fit opportunity to work his destruction, secretly induced the Sophy to believe that he held secret correspondence with the Turks, and for that reason lay hover on the Frontiers, placing a base fellow as his Deputy to officiate so great a Trust which was not a little dishonour to the Majesty of the Persian King; whereupon the Sophy gave him power to seize Mexut Chau and most of his principal servants, and by Torture to wring out of them the truth of the matter.  
Glad was Emir to have so fair an opportunity to destroy Mexut, and thereupon without further delay sent fifteen stout fellows to Caffangich Mexuts place of abode to fetch him and his servants by force, who arriving there, and having admittance to his presence, he promised to go with them, and gave to each of them a present, ordering his Steward to make them merry, whilst he prepared himself to accompany them to their Lord Emir, but with secret command to make them drunk, which his Steward so suddenly effected, that within an hours space they fell fast asleep, which Maxut perceiving, fast bound them with ropes, and throwing them into a deep well, with all his family fled to the Turkish Bassa, then with his Army on the Frontiers, who upon notice of what had happened kindly received him.  
Sivan Bassa having stayed at Chars with the Turkish Army eight days, he by easy marches came to Teflis, having by the way lost many of his Foragers cut off by the Georgian Horsemen, but arriving at the place aforesaid he was recruited out of Syria and Judea, and having distributed part of his Treasure amongst the Soldiers, and set all things in order, he with his Army departed thence; when passing the Straight of Tomanis, he had notice from Mustassad (afterwards Governor of Aleppo) that not far distant on the right hand, were several fields of standing Corn and Herds of Cattle grazing slenderly guarded, which the Bassa induced to believe, sent the said Mustafsad with a strong power to seize upon that booty, of which his Army stood so much in need, but they were no sooner within danger, but the Persians and Georgians burst out upon them in great numbers, putting them on every side to flight, whom they pursued so fiercely that seven thousand of them were slain, many taken Prisoners, and all their Camels and other beasts of burden taken, of which Sivan, having notice, in a great rage dispatched the Bassa of Caramania, with twenty thousand horse and foot to pursue the Persians, after whom himself followed with the whole Army, but too late, for that perceiving from a high mountain what was intended had withdrawn themselves, yet some stragglers fell into the Turks hands, part of whom they slew, and part they saved alive; yet the Turks holding on their way came to Triala, where they understood that the Persian King being departed from Tauris, was coming against them with a great Army, resolving to give them battle, upon which Sivan gave strict command throughout his Army, that every man on pain of death should be in a readiness to March, he resolving to meet the King on his way; after which he descended into the large Plains of Chielder, where a former battle had been fought between the Turks and the Persians, where not hearing of the King's approach, after having mustered his Army, he resolved to March to Tauris to enrich himself with the spoils of that City, but by the way under pretence of trying his men, he caused a counterfeit battle tobe fought amongst his own Soldiers, as in case of a General muster, which ever after rendered him a byword to his Soldiers, and loitering in the aforesaid plains for the space of eight days; in the mean space Aider the Aga as an Ambassador from the Persian King came to his Camp, offering in the name of his Master such proposals as Maxut had before done at Constantinople, which were that Chars and Teflis should be quietly possessed of the Turks, that so a good correspondence might be continued between the Subjects of both Potentates, for accomplishing of this desired peace, Sinan promised to deal with Amurath, provided the Persian would send an Ambassador to Constantinople, which being resolved on, the proud Bassa returned to Chars, and from thence departed to Erizirum, where he dismissed his Army, having done nothing worthy the name of a General.  
In the year 1581. Amurath caused his son Mahomet to be circumcised after the Hebrew manner; in honour of which solemnity he made a feast which continued with shows and sports, for the space of forty days, where all, or most of the Christian and Mahometan Princes Ambassadors were present; and amongst them the Ambassador of Persia, whom Amurath (after suffering many affronts to be put upon him) caused to be imprisoned with all his Retinue, so straightly, that though one hundred of his servants died of the Plague, yet much ado had he to get himself removed to Erzirum. This hard handling of the Ambassador made the conceived hopes of Peace to vanish, insomuch that either Potentate prepared for war, when as Amurath not well liking the proceed of Sivan, constituted Mahomet Bassa, nephew to Mustapha Bassa deceased, which choice Sivan greatly inveighed against, though all in vain; for early in the spring, he taking charge of the Army designed for the Persian war, departed from Erzirum accompanied with the Bassa of Caramite, carrying with him great store of provision, and a huge mass of money, but such was his bad fortune that in his way to Teflis, passing a River his Army was routed by the Persians and Georgians, and most of his best Soldiers slain or taken prisoners, a great part of the money and provision, fell likewise into the hands of the enemy; so that not having sufficient to relieve the Garrison, hardly oppressed by famine, he had much ado to persuade the Soldiers to continue in it, and exceedingly to straighten his discomfited Army to supply that place with money and provision; all which calamity being supposed to happen by the Sinister Council of one Mustapha a Renagate Georgian, then in the Turks Camp, who was more than suspected to hold correspondence with his Country; wherefore Mahomet with other his trusty Counsellors resolved his death, whereupon he called a Council in his own Pavilion, pretending letters of instruction from the Emperor, and secretly gave order that upon the coming of Mustapha, whilst the Letters were in reading, the Janissaries should cut off his head, but the Georgian having notice, chose out fifty of his faithful followers, and imparting to them what was intended, commanded them to be near at hand and at the first call to enter the Pavilion, where if they perceived any violence used towards his person, they should not spare the General himself. Matters being brought to this pass, and Mustapha entered the Pavilion of the Bassa, the counterfeit Letters were ordered to be read, which done, and the Georgian about to departed, promising to perform what ever the King should command, Capagis Bassa Mahomet's Great usher, came to him and plucking him by the sleeve, would have forced him to have sat down, which he perceiving, and knowing his life was in danger, drew his sword, and struck Mahomet's Lieutenant so forcibly on the head, that he clove him to the stomach, then reversing his blow, wounded the Bassa of Caramite, as likewise many others, and had killed the General himself, had not the uproar caused many to enter the Pavilion, and amongst others his fifty followers, who carried him in safety to his Tent. This action caused grievous complaints to be sent to Amurath from either party, whereby he understanding the evil state of his affairs in those Parts, exceedingly blamed his Bassa's for pushing on into such a dangerous war, and in a rage thrust Sivan Bassa from his Vizarship, placing Sciaus Bassa (a Hungarian born, and to whom he had married his sister) in his stead.  
The Turks affairs being at this pass Anno 1582, they had small mind to proceed in their war against the Persians, nor was the Persian King less desirous to be rid of so troublesome a guest, that he might be the better at leisure to suppress the Rebellion raised by his Son Abas Mirize, who countenanced by the chief of the Sultan's, had seized upon many strong places, and was now Fortifying himself in Ateri, whither his father passed with a great Army by the way, recovering such Towns as had revolted from his obedience, and putting such of the Traitors as he found therein to death; but coming before the City, the young Prince wrote such submissive Letters to his father and elder brother, then in his father's Camp, that the old man was well content, that he should by his Ambassadors be admitted to purge himself of such crimes as were laid to his charge, which he did so effectually that the whole matter appearing to be framed and contrived by Mirize Sulmos, who notwithstanding had persuaded the King to make that Expedition against his Son that he might advantage himself by being made General of the Army; to put an end to further differences the said Mirize Sulmus was by the Kings command beheaded, as being indeed the Author of those intestine troubles.  
These things thus disposed, the Sophy was now at leisure to oppose the invading Turks, wherefore gathering a great Army he striped them out of many of their holds, which so enraged Amurath that appointing Ferat Bassa his General, whom with full instructions he dismissed with a great Army, with which having roamed about Sunan and Georgia all Summer, Anno 1583. with the loss of many of his men, and the revolt of Mustaffa, he in September returned to Erzirum having done nothing more, then destroyed the Country of Mustaffa, and relieved Teflis.  
The following year the Persian King resolving to drive the Turks out of his Country, raised a great Army, and encamped in the Plains before the City of Tauris, of which Ferat having notice would not departed from Erzirum before he had sent to Amurath to have his opinion therein, who sent him an express to relieve if possible the Garrison of Teflis with a small power to oppose the rest of the Army against the Enemy, whereupon he resolved to put in practice the pleasure of his Lord. In order to which the better to secure the passage or strait of Tomanis, he built a Castle in the entrance thereof 1700 yards in compass, furnishing it with all necessaries, and then sent a detachment of 20000 Horse and Foot, under the leading of Resuan Bassa for the relief of Teflis, but fearing that power not sufficient sent others after him, under the leading of the Bassa of Caramite, of which Simon the Georgian Prince having notice yet deceived in their number, hasted over the Country by short cuts to give them Battle, which he was the readier to do because he at first discovered no more than 6000 Turks, the rest lying behind a Hill, but Battle once joined they came down upon him like a Tempest, and so oppressed his small number not exceeding 4000, who yet fought desperately, that he and all his men had been slain, had not the other Turks sent by Ferat to strengthen Resuan, appeared upon the Hills at a distance, whom those Turks that were fight supposed to be Persians, and by that means not daring to pursue the retiring Georgians for fear of being drawn into an Ambush, they easily found means to escape, and the Bassa the like, to relieve Teflis, and with the same facility to return to the Camp which by this time began to be sorely oppressed with Famine, insomuch that a bushel of Wheat was sold for 100 Ducats, which caused the Camp to rise, and march towards the Country of Mustaffa, formerly called Manucchiar the Georgian Prince who now revolting from the Turks took part with the other Georgian Princes, but the many difficulties being apparent to the Soldiers by reason of the advancement of the Season, they flatly denied to obey his command threatening him with great mischief if he did not speedily return to Erzirum, nor did they forbear to assault him in his Tent threatening him with present death, if he continued to expose them to the miseries of Hunger and Cold, which so that finding no means to restrain their insolency, or to quiet their continual clamours, but a speedy return to Erzirum, he was forced to yield to their requests where arriving after a tedious march wherein he lost many of his best Soldiers, he broke up the Army. The Persian King hover about Tauris, and having notice of all that had passed, sent away a great part of his Army, a forasmuch as Emir Cham Governor of that City had neglected to oppose the Turks during their building several strong Fortresses to keep the passages of the straits, nor assisted him as he ought, he caused his Eyes to be put out and himself to be cast into prison (where shortly after he died of grief) and made Aliculi Cham who a little before had escaped from the Turks Camp Governor in his stead.  
About this time the League between Amurath and R●dolphus the Germane Emperor, by reason of some Hostilities committed between their Subjects, had like to have ended; but upon more mature consideration of what had passed, and reparation on the part of the Aggressors for damages sustained, it was again renewed for the space of 8 years, after which Ferat Bassa upon the complaint of the great Captains falling into disgrace with Amurath he was deposed from his trust of General, and Osman Bassa Governor of Sirvan (who for his many victories over the Tartars was become famous) appointed General in his stead, and made chief Vizard; (The greatest honour that can be conferred on any person by the Ottoman Emperors.) And now Amurath casting in his mind the subduing of Tauris, caused a great Army to be raised, and the better to make the Persian neglect the Fortifying of that City, caused it to be bruited that he intended to invade Nassivan; but whilst these preparations were intended against the Persians, the Villainy of a Venetian Captain had gone near to turn them upon the Christian, the manner thus. The Widow of Ramadan Bassa late Governor of Tripoli in Barbary, with her Children and Servant being embarked in three Galleys, in order to their being transported to Constantinople, sailing by the mouth of the Adriatic were by contrary Winds driven into the Gulf where, Petrus Emunius a Venetian Captain, of the order of the Senators, lying with certain Galleys set upon those before mentioned and boarded them, where he exercised most barbarous cruelty, as well upon the Women as the Men. For having slain the Mariners in number 250, and the Son of Ramadan, a Child in his Mother's lap, he caused the Women first to be Ravished, and then having their Breasts cut off to be cast into the Sea; nor did he exercise this cruelty upon the Turks only, but upon such Christians likewise as he found on board, using such barbarity as was thought to prevent the discovery of the great Riches he found in those Galleys. Yet was it afterwards made manifest by one of the Turks, who during the slaughter had hid himself in the hold, and was afterwards saved by a Cretian, who had in like manner been formerly preserved by the said Turk, who coming to Constantinople declared what had happened, which so enraged Amurath that he sent to the Venetians speedily to make reparation or to expect their Frontiers to be invaded. To which the Senators answered, they were altogether Ignorant of what had happened, but if so as the Messengers related, upon enquiry, reparation should be made, which being found according to the relation of the Turks, they caused Emus to be beheaded, the Galley to be restored, and to supply the loss of the slaves delivered them a like number of Turks and Moors, which for that time appeased the indignation of Amurath.  
Amurath anno 1585. having constituted Hassan Bassa the Queen's Eunuch Governor of Cairo, afterwards casting his Eyes upon Ebraim Bassa, a Sclavonian about 23 years of Age, resolved to make him his Son-in-law, and to raise him to a condition worthy so great an honour as to marry the Daughter of an Emperor, he made him sovereign Judge of Egypt, of which Hassan having notice, and by reason of the sudden advancement of Ebraim, doubting his safety fled to Constantinople, and fell at the Emperor's feet, desiring to know what crime he had committed to have a Master so suddenly set over him, but had no other answer than that he must to Prison, where after he had continued a long time still expecting the fatal hour, he was at the earnest intercession of the Empress, and the great Ladies of the Court set at Liberty, but all his riches seized and converted to the Emperor's use.  
Ebraim being settled in his Government of Egypt, by extorting great sums of money from the Egyptians and other people subject to his rule, in a short time heaped up great Riches, when at the end of three years Amurath sent for him to Constantinople, to Celebrate the intended Marriage, charging him withal to pass through the Country of the Drusians, a people inhabiting a large Country environed with Joppa, Caesaria, Palestina, and within the Rivers Orantes and Jordan, stretching itself even to the Plains of Damascus near to the Hills that compass it about, upon the Coast of Mount Libanus, and are said to be the race of those Christians that seated themselves there in the time that the Princes of the West sent their Armies to subdue the Holy Land, but have since been perverted to the Mahometan Superstition, and at the coming of Ebraim into those parts with his Army, they were divided under many Princes of which these were the chief, viz. Ebne Man, of the Turks called man Ogli, Serafadin, Mahamet Ebne-Mansur, Eben Frec, and Ali Ebne-Carfus, by the Turks called Ali Carfus-Ogli, under whom were divers Lieutenants called their Macademi or Agents, all of which except Eben Man Ogli, upon the arrival of the Bassa sent him rich Presents; whereupon he entering the Country of the said Ogli wasted it with Fire and Sword, which made the rest of the Princes exceeding angry, and underhand to send aid to their Compeer, with which encamping himself advantageously, he fell upon Veis Bassa who lead a part of the Turks Army and discomfited him, putting 500 of his Men to the Sword, and carrying away a rich booty, which so enraged Ebraim that he used his utmost diligence to entrap the aforesaid Prince, but finding no means to effect the same, he began with fair Promises and Presents, to corrupt his Macademes, one of which together with 300 Drustans, he got into his power, whom in revenge of Veis his overthrow he caused to be flayed alive, and all his followers slain, and again raged with Fire and Sword throughout the Country, when afterward by dissimulation and feigned Friendship, he got Eben Mansur into his power, whom he caused to be fast chained and sent to the Galleys, after which he took the spoil of his Country, and afterward with a great Booty returned to Constantinople, where he was in triumph received by his Friends, amongst whom he bestowed Liberally the spoils taken from the Drusians, even to the value of one Million of Ducats, and 200000 Sultanies. But upon his departure out of the Drusians Country, they joining with the Arabian to revenge the injuries themselves sustained, entered the Turks Confines and committed many outrages, burning and destroying all before them, not in their anger sparing Man, Woman or Child, passing on even to the Gates of Jerusalem, being assisted covertly by the Subbassa of Bethlehem, who displeased with the rule of Ebraim, watched his opportunity to revolt to the Enemy, but was prevented by being slain, alive at the Commandment of one of the Sanzaks of Jury.  
Whilst affairs stood thus in Egypt and the Drusians Land, Osman had completed his Army at Erzirum, which upon Muster was found to consist of 180000 choice Soldiers, with which on the 11th. of August 1585. he marched toward Tauris keeping on his way till he came into the vast Chalderan, memorable for many Battles fought therein between the Turks and Persians, where straitened for want the Soldiers mutined against him, upbraiding him with many reproachful words, and threatening him with death, for that as they said contrary to his promise he had drawn them into a place of danger to become a prey to the Enemy; at which the Bassa being much perplexed scent for the Captain, and by telling them it was the Sultan's express Command, and that he did not in the lest doubt but to become victorious, and therefore prayed them to rest contented, and not Eclipse their honour by their civil dissensions amongst themselves, which would rather give the Enemy advantage against them then any thing else, and that if it was given out upon the raising the Army, that it was intended for Nassivan, that specious pretence was as he said to render the Persian more secure, and thereby to hinder his great preparations. These and such like speeches, together with a small distribution of money calmed the Tempest the Mutineers had raised, and thereupon the Army rising passed on towards Cay, from thence to Marant a City Subject to the Persians, and so keeping their way came within sight of Tauris the mark at which they aimed, upon which proposing to themselves a kind of security, the Van of the Army fell to spoiling the Country, and seizing upon what best liked them, keeping little or no order in their March, of which Emir Hamze King Mahumets Eldest Son perceiving, with 10000 Horsemen lay in Ambush in a way where they must pass, and having got them within his danger, burst out upon them with such fury that he overrun that part of the Army, put 7000 to the Sword, and carrying away a number of Prisoners, and so with great spoil retired ere the gross of the Turks Army could come up. Yet Osman upon notice of what had happened, sent Mahomet Bassa and the Bassa of Caramite after him, the victorious Prince with 14 Horse and Foot, who by speedy Marches overtaking him had with him a bloody conflict, in which 6000 Turks were slain, nor had any escaped had not the darkness of the night caused the retreat on both sides to be sounded.  
The next Morning the Turks Camp removed, and came within two Miles of Tauris, where Aliculi Chan of whom I have before spoken was Governor, who desirous to revenge himself upon the perfidious Turks issued out of the City with about 6000 resolute Persians, and charging those that were advanced beat them back into their Trenches with great slaughter, but upon the opening the Tires of Ordnance, and advancing of the Janissaries, finding himself not capable of incountering such a multitude he retired into the City, after whom the Turks in a confused manner pressed, but in the entrance so strongly resisted, that the passages were filled with their dead carcases, and all the Ditches swum with their blood, but fresh supplies coming on and the City Walls no way built for defence, badly furnished with Defendants, and worse with Ordnance, at length the Turks entered, spoiling with incredible barbarity that great City the Regal seat of the Persian Kings. Yet such compassion wrought in the breast of Osman the General, that he caused Proclamation to be made, that upon pain of death none should kill any that made not resistance, and when the tumult was over came himself to take a view thereof, and gave Orders for its Fortification, sending out parties daily to reduce the other place adjacent to the Turkish obedience, and so speedy were they in Fortifying, that within the space of 36 days a strong Castle was erected.  
Five days after the building of the new Castle was begun, even when the Taurisians thought themselves secure, news was brought into the Turkish Camp that 8 Janissaries and divers Spaoglians were seen strangled in a Bath, within the City of Tauris, whereupon the Zany Spahini and Janissaries in a great rage went to the General's Pavilion, telling him that although he had with too much clemency given Order that none should molest or hurt the Taurisians, and that according to his pleasure every man had used his modesty towards them, and obedience to him, yet the Taurisians themselves had most audaciously strangled several Janissaries and Spaoglians, which injury and insolency they said was not to be suffered. This outrage (whether true or only raised by such as desired to satisfy their inordinate lusts, is uncertain) so moved the Bassa, that without any further delay hecommanded the City to be sacked, leaving it wholly to the discretion of the Soldiers, who like hellhounds greedy of blood run with full cry into the City, filling every place with slaughter of the amazed Taurisians, Matrons were Ravished, Virgins deflowered, young Children dashed against the pavement, houses fired, and other outrages committed that are commonly attendants upon such General calamities; so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City so populous, so rich, honoured with the Palace of the Persian Kings, now subject to the fury of the Turks plunged in calamity and utter destruction.  
The outrages committed in Tauris coming to the knowledge of the Persian King he was greatly offended, insomuch that he resolved with the hazard of a Battle, to revenge the indignity, of whose approach Osman who then lay sick in his Pavilion having notice, Command Sinan Bassa and Mahumet Bassa should with all the Greek Soldiers, and others, to the number of 74000 should go out and meet the Enemy, who by the craft of the forerunners of his Army drawing the Turks within his strengths, had with them there a mortal Battle, wherein 10000 of their Soldiers were slain, and the two Bassa's in great confusion obliged to fly to the Camp, leaving most of their Insigns, and all their baggage as a prey to the Persians: who heightened with this success advanced within sight of the Turks Camp sending a Herald to the sick General to demand of him Battle, of which accepting though not able to be there present, when as Battle being joined, after a long and doubtful fight victory inclined to the Persians, who in the end slew 20000 of the Turks, and amongst the rest the Bassa's of Caramite and Trepez●nd, and Sanzack of Prussia, with five other Sanzacks, and among the Prisoners were taken, Amurath Bassa of Caramania, and divers other of note.  
Upon news of this bad success, the Genral fearing to have his Army wasted to nothing by continual skirmishes in a strange Country, having Fortified Tauris, and made Giaffer Bassa of Tripoli Governor, he was about to decamp, when on a sudden the neighing of Horses, the noise of Drums and Trumpets were heard, which putting the Army into a great consternation, and soon caused them in great confusion to run all to that side, where they supposed the noise was, when in the mean while Emir the Persian Prince on the other side, without any sound of Trumpet, or beat of Drum, with 28000 Soldiers entered their Camp, took 18000 Camels laden, whom he sent away by 6000 of his Soldiers, and then charging furiously upon such as he found, insomuch that after a hard Battle fought 20000 Turks lay scattered on the Plain, many of which were slain by their own Artillery, which by Osmans' Command being furiously discharged at the Armies, the murdering shot made lanes before them without discerning between Friend and Foe, but night coming on, and the Persians weary with slaughter retired, and were for a while faintly pursued by the Turks.  
Osman lying all this while sick in his Pavilion, sore afflicted with the Bloody Flux, and hearing what havoc the Persians had made died, the grief of so great a loss hastening his end. Yet was his death for a long space kept secret lest thereby the Army should be discouraged which now was returning under the leading of Sinan (or Cicala as some called him) Bassa, Osman in his Will having delivered to him the charge of the whole Army. Yet the Persian Prince with 14000 Horse and Foot followed them at the heels, still cutting of the stragglers, and had utterly destroyed them had not his design been discovered, which obliged him to retreat with the loss of 3000 of his Men; so that by long and tedious marches, the Turks wasted Army arriving, the Van after the publication of the General's death were discharged, all but a certain number retained, who under the leading of D●ut Chan a Renegado Persian, were sent to the relief of Teflis, which without any loss they performed. Now the Castle built in Tauris much grieved the Persians, to take which they used their utmost endeavour, but it being strong of itself, and defended by a strong Garrison their attempts proved unsuccessful. When at the same time great mischief arose in the Kingdom of Persia, for 10000 Turcomen a people bordering upon the Georgians, and resolving to revenge themselves for the death of Emir Chan offered their service to the Persian Sophy, under the leading of their two Captains, Mahomet Chan and Calife Chan, to whom the Sophy as a pledge of his love and their safety delivered Tamas his young Son, whom they had no sooner got into their power but they proclaimed him King of Persia, and in all hast marched towards Casbiu the Regal City in hopes to surprise it, and seat young Tamas, on his Father's Throne of which the Sophy and his eldest Son having notice pursued hard after them when overtaking them at a place called Calisteza, a day's journey on this side Casbiu, the Prince gave them Battle, and after a dangerous and doubtful conflict put them to flight. In which they being swiftly pursued the two rebellious Captains were taken, and by the King's Command had their heads stricken off, young Tamas being likewise taken was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Cabaca, those that escaped the Battle fled to Solyman Bassa of Babylon, which put an end to the Rebellion.  
Giaffer Bassa Governor of Tauris after the departure of the Turkish Army understanding that the Persian Prince was Levying a great Army to Besiege the City, sent an Express to Sinon or Siculi Bassa to send him Aid, for the defence of the City and Castle, the which by reason of the flight of some and death of othersome of his men, must otherwise fall into the hands of the Enemy: now notwithstanding great preparation for that purpose were made, they could not be put into the City, by reason of the near approach of the Persian Army without manifest hazard, of exposing them to the mercy of their Enemies. Yet it so fell out that the Governor without any recruits maintained the City and Castle, the Persians not being so urgent for the recovery of the same as was expected.  
Upon notice of Osmans' death, Amurath chose Ferat Bassa once more his General, who departing from Constantinople in the month of April 1586, and passed over into Asia, where having completed his Army at Sinas, upon notice that Tauris was in danger, he marched thitherward, though with great caution the enemy should charge him at unawares, and by reason of the dissensions arisen amongst the Persian Captains sent to oppose him, and the Treason of Aliculican, now alienated from his Prince, and holding secret correspondence with the Turkish General, he without any loss relieved Tauris, and having caused a strong Fort to be built at Churchine, near unto the said City, and two others at C●y and Carn, and left therein sufficient Garrisons, and store of provision, he sent succours to Teflis in Georgia, and so with little or no loss returned to Erzirum.  
By this time the Persian Prince (who and Mahomet his father, now grown old, ruled the Kingdom) had notice of the Treason of Aliculi Chau, and Emanguli Chan, whom he had drawn into his confederacy, he prepared his Forces to march against them, whereupon the latter submitted, and was received into favour, but howsoever it happened, whether with his knowledge or not, the Prince the chief glory of Persia sleeping in his Pavilion, was by an Eunuch run through the body, supposed to be done at the instance of Abas Miriza his younger brother, to advance whom to the Persian Diadem, Aliculi Chan, had revolted from the obedience of the Sophy, and plotted with the Turkish General to betray Emir Hamzes the Prince into his hands, whose death so unfortunately happening, caused great miseries to befall the Persian State.  
Christendom having thus long been Exempted from the fury of the Turks, who had their hands full of the Persian war, now as it were, destiny so ordering, they having time to breath by reason of the divisions in Persia, turned their restless Arms upon Hungaria, which storm the Christians perceiving, to hang black over their heads, resolved to provide against it; and therefore to show the Tyrant, that they dreaded not his utmost indignation, seized on the Castle of Coppan in Hungary, not far from the Lake of Ballaton over which being hard frozen, they passed undiscovered; to requite which, the Turks drawing five thousand horse out of several Garrisons, entered the Christian Territories, and destroying seventeen Villages, returned laden with great spoils, and many miserable Captives, whereof George Count Serine Son to the renowned Count of that name, slain at Ziget, having knowledge, raised such Forces as the time would give leave, which exceeded not two thousand, and laying the ways by which the Turks must pass, encountered them ere they could recover any strong hold, and put most of them to the sword, recovering all the booty and Captives; amongst those that were made prisoners the Sanzack of Quinque Ecclesiae, son to Haly Bass, slain in the Battle of Lepanto; the Bassa of Ziget, Sanzack of Koppan, and divers others, Sinan Beg Sanzack of Mohaz, endeavouring to escape, and his horse sticking fast, was shot through the head; of the Turks horses were taken, fifteen hundred, and of the Turks five hundred, besides three thousand slain. This bad beginning so discouraged Amurath, that in a rage he caused the Bassa of Buda to be strangled, for that he had began the hostilities in Hungary, and by that means violated the League between him and the Emperor; at what time a great fire happened at Constantinople, which consumed seven Temples, twenty five great Inns, and fifteen thousand houses, with their warehouses and shops, kindled as was supposed by the Janissaries a little before, in a tumult for want of their pay, due since their last Persian Expedition; which was the rather believed, for that it being their duty to endeavour the extinguishing any fire that should happen in the Imperial City; They not only refused to put their hands thereto themselves but hindered such as attempted it.  
These things happening in Anno 1587. and 1588., the year following to prevent tumults which are usual where the soldiers are unemployed in the wars, the new Bassa of Buda, with Amurath's good liking, having drawn to him a strong power, invaded the upper Hungary, but being encountered by Claudius Russel, General of the Christians in those parts, he received a great overthrow, three thousand of his Turks being slain and drowned in the River Seago; upon which the General pursuing his good fortune, broke into the Turks Territories, and took from them the Castles of Blavestine, Jests, and several Forts in the upper Hungary; upon which Sinan Bassa of Buda was called home, and Ferat the late General against the Persians appointed Bassa in his stead.  
Amurath having not a little been terrified with the great preparations of King Philip of Spain, in 1588., wherewith he invaded England, and now understanding that he had received a fearful overthrow, with the loss of thirteen thousand of his Mariners and Soldiers, and most of his ships and Galleys; he sent a Letter to Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her happy victory, and to entreat her not upon any terms to make peace with the Spaniard, in which Letter he styles her the most honourable Matron of the Christian Religion, Mirror of Chastity, adorned with the brightness of Soveraingty, and power amongst the most chief women of the people, which serve Jesus, Mistress of great Kingdoms, reputed of Greatest Majesty and Praise amongst the Nazarites; Elizabeth Queen of England.  
Anno 1590. the Tartars having broken into the confines of Polonia, and taken a rich booty, were driven out by the Cossacks, who making of them great slaughter, recovered all, which Amurath taking in evil part as done to his confederates, but indeed seeking occasion to war upon the Christians, that had not the Queen of England's mediation prevented it, he had turned his Arms upon Polonia; yet impatient of Peace he called his Bassas to consult what war was most expedient to be taken in hand, amongst whom there were eight sundry opinions, whereof the first was that the wars against the Persians should be renewed, the second for the Invasion of the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco, the third was for a war to be taken in hand against the King of Spain, The fourth for the besieging of Malta, The fifth, to war upon the Venetians, The sixth to invade Italy, the seventh, to war upon Sigismond King of Poland, The eighth and last to invade the Territories of Rodolphus the Emperor; all which being patiently heard by Amurath, with the sundry reasons of the Bassas: at length, the eighth opinion was confirmed, and the Tyrant resolved once more to turn his Forces towards the West. Whereupon he caused great preparations to be made, resolving if possible to annex the remaining part of Hungary and Austria, to his other Territories, having by this time and for this purpose concluded a war with the Persian King, wherefore he commanded his Garrisons on the Frontiers as they saw occasion to molest the Christian Frontiers, with fire and sword, which they letted not to do, prone enough of themselves to act any great wickedness, nor was it long e'er they surprised Willitz the Metropolis of Croatia, and committed therein many outrages, and their Army still increasing, they upon an unexpected advantage enclosed 6000 Foot, and 500 Horse of the Christians (who had taken the Mountains, Woods and Strait passages, and so hardly beset them that few of them escaped; those that were slain the Turks cut off their heads and therewith loaded six Wagons.  
Upon this Alarm the Christians drew forth their Armies, and to put a stop to the Infidels, who by reason of the unexpected breach of the League had seized upon many Castles and Strong holds, in that security unprovided of such necessaries as would have rendered them impregnable, and lest A●●rath should allege that those Hostilities were committed without his knowledge, the Emperor sent to him by his Ambassadors to understand the reasons that induced him to break the League, but being able to get no satisfactory answer, he thought it high time to stand upon his guard, and caused all his power joined with Forces of the Germane Princes to march directly into Hungary, under the Command of Rupertus Eggenber his General, who approaching the Enemy consulted with his chief Commanders what was best to be done, who were all of opinion that to give speedy Battle was most convenient, thereby to prevent the Enemies for joining the other Forces, coming to their Aid, so that upon a sign given the whole Army (in number 40000) forthwith removed and with great speed hasted toward the Turks, of which they having notice by their Spials, put themselves in Battle Array, and after their vain glorious manner dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians, whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number, they being indeed much inferior in that nature to the Infidels. Yet had the Emperor's General so ordered his Battles, that placing the Crotians and Hussars in the Vanguard, those of Carolstat and the Harquibusires of Keriva in the Left wing. In the Right the Borderers of Carania all Horsemen in the main Battle, the rest of the Soldiers with the Horsemen of Silesia, under the conduct of Sigismond Paradise, the Rearward was encompassed with three Companies of the Emperor's Soldiers, nor were the Turk idle but Marshaled their Battle in the best wise, when as the Charge being sounded the Crotians and Hussars in the Vanguard gave the first onset with such fury, that being seconded by the Lord Anersburgh, they after a cruel Fight obliged the Turks to give ground, and with Hassan Bassa their General retire towards the River Odder, after whom the Christians following furiously many endeavouring to save themselves by passing over were drowned, and those that stayed in a fearful manner on the Banks overwhelmed by the continual Tempest of shot, from the Flankers, so that within three hours' space all the Army was in a confusion, every man seeking for his own safety, insomuch that 18000 Turks perished, either by the Sword, or in the River's Odder and Kulp, and amongst the rest Hassan Bassa, Mahomet Beg, Achmet Beg, Safer Beg, Meni Beg, Framatan Beg, Curti Beg, Operd Beg and Goschus the Bassa's chief counsellor, together with Sinan Beg, Amurath's Nephew, the only Son of his Sister, after which signal victory obtained, the Christian Army falling on their knees gave Thanks to God, to whom alone they ascribed their miraculous preservation. The news of which overthrow coming to the knowledge of Amurath he like a frantic man blasphemed the God of Heaven, and persuaded thereto by the tears and entreaties of his Sister, to revenge the death of her Son, sent a proud and blasphemous denunciation of War to the Emperor Rodolphus, wherein he styled himself, The only Monarch of the World, a great and mighty God on Earth, an invincible Caesar, King of all Kings from the East unto the West, etc. and proceeded to threaten the said Emperor and his People, with all the miseries that attend on War, impiously declaring that the Crucified God of the Christians long since dead and buried, had not been able to deliver his own Country out of his hands, much less the Germane Empire, which in despite of him he was resolved to take, knowing himself a subverter and sworn Enemy of the Christians, and of all that called upon the name of Christ. And thereupon the more to terrify the Christians, he sent a great Army under the Command of Sinan Bassa their implacable Enemy, who upon his Arrival laid siege to Ciseg, which he took putting all he found therein to the Sword, and after that took several other places of lesser note; yet not without considerable loss, and breach of Faith to the besieged, who finding themselves oft too weak to defend places of little strength against so powerful an Enemy, would surrender them upon promise of Life and Liberty, but falling into the hands of the barbarous Infidels seldom obtained either.  
These proceed of the Turks did not a little alarm the Christian Princes, who having mustered 18000 Men under the Command of Count Hardeck Governor of Rab, he with marching from Comara came before Alba-Regalis, which by force of his Artillery he in a short time made saultable, to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda sent Sinan Bassa, with 20000 Horse and Foot, but he being encountered by the Christians was put to flight with the loss of most of his men, whereupon as victors the Christians returned to the siege, but finding the season far advanced, and a great number of Turks that escaped in the overthrow to be got into the City, the Count raised his Camp and returned again to Rab, but early in the Spring assisted by fresh supplies the Emperor's Captains dividing the Army, took the strong Castle of Sabatzka, the City of Fileck, the Towns of Seeteschiu, Blanestine, and Salleck, the three latter being through fear abandoned by the Turks, having first set them for the most part on Fire. At the same time the Lord Palfie with a strong party marching to Dregel, and Palanka found them likewise abandoned by the Turks, the which having furnished with strong Garrisons of his own he took by force Ainacke, Sellecke, Westkee, and divers other places, so that the Turks were in a manner driven out of the Lower Hungary, and new Buda, and Alba-Regalis the only Strong holds, possessed by the Turks in those parts began to doubt their security, for whilst a party out of the latter coming forth to bury the dead, that lay scattered round the Walls, and by their contagion infected the City, they were so suddenly encountered by a Captain of the Hussars, Commanding a Troop of Light Horsemen, that near 200 of them were slain, and 50 taken Prisoners.  
These proceed coming to the Ears of Amurath, and he from all hands certified that the strength of the Christians daily increased, he began to doubt his Empire in Europe, and therefore to defend the same raised a puissant Army anno 1594. at the head of which he resolved to march in person, a thing he had not done since his taking upon him the Government, but on the 11th. of January, as the Army was upon its march, not far from Constantinople such a terrible Tempest of Hail, Rain, Snow, Wind, Thunder and Lightning arose, that by its impetuosity it overturned the Tents, Chariots, Wagons, Horse and Men, few being able to stand upright before it. The which the Tyrant taking as ominous to his proceed, in great perplexity returned with his formidable Army to Constantinople, where casting himself upon his bed, after much tumbling and tossing, falling asleep he dreamt that he beheld a man of exceeding Stature, standing with one his feet upon the Tower of Constantinople, and the other over the strait fixed on the Asian shore, who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other, at whom whilst he was wondering the Monster with his foot struck the Tower, which forthwith fell down, and in its fall overthrew the great Temple with the Imperial Palace, whose Thundering awaking the Turk he much troubled with the strangeness of the dream immediately sent for his Necromancers and Wizards to Interpret it, who to curry favour with their Prince hypocritically answered, That for as much as he had not with all his Forces, as with a Tempest impugned the Christians, their great Prophet Mahomet threatened by that dream to overturn the Tower, Temple, and Imperial Palace, which by a symbolical meaning denoted the Turkish Religion and Empire: which vain and fictitious Interpretation so moved the superstitious Tyrant, that having first asked pardon of his Impostor Prophet, he swore from henceforth to turn all his Forces upon the Christians, and not to give over War till he had done his utmost to subdue them. These vain threats did not in the least dismay the Christian Princes, yet to engage a sure Friend on their side, they caused public prayers to be put up in all Churches, and that people might perceive on what slender and impious grounds the Tyrant, had resolved the prosecution of the War, had the vain Dream and the vainer Interpretation, read in the Churches of Transylvania and most of the Churches of Hungary.  
The Christian Army having taken the Field, and a Present of the Turks spoils, taken some time before sent to Rodolphus the Emperor, the Archduke of Austria besieged Novograde, which after several assaults was delivered by capitulation, in consideration of Life and Liberty, which strong Town after it had been Turkish for the space of 60 years, was by the Archduke committed to the care of Lord Rebei a Noble Hungarian, and the Turkish Governor upon his arrival at Buda was by the Bassa's Command imprisoned.  
Whilst these things were in doing the Emperor sent his Ambassadors to the great Duke of Muscovy, the King of Poland, and Prince of Transilvania, in all whose Courts their Negotiation proved successful, nor in the mean time was the young Count Serinus idle, for that he with 300 Harquibusires, and certain Troops of Horse, and Companies to the number of 10000 took the Castles of Bresenza, Sigesta and Babostcha, by the recovery of which strong holds he opened a safe passage even to Ziget, the Bassa of which standing at that time in no small doubt to be besieged. These things perplexing the Turkish Tyrant, who was preparing great Forces for the securing his Province on this side the Danubius, he in the mean while sent a Fleet into the Adriatic to besiege Zegna, an Imperial City, situate upon the Sea Coast in the Bay of Quernero, called in ancient time Flanaticus Sinus, in order to the prosecution of which he sent his Ambassador to the Venetians to require the use of their Ports in those Seas, and that his Galleys might pass and repass without any molestation from the Galleys of that State, but the Senate doubting the fidelity of the Turk, and loath thereby to disoblige the Christian Emperor would by no means consent, yet used the Ambassador honourably, and sent him away without obtaining his purpose.  
In the Upper part of Hungaria the Lord Tenffenbeck, Commanding as the Archduke's Lieutenant, with an Army of 2000 Horse and Foot besieged Hatvan, a strong Town of the Turks, lying about six miles from Buda, Fortified with a Triple Ditch and Bulwarks of exceeding strength, to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda came with fifteen thousand Soldiers, thinking at unawares to surprise the Christian Camp but was frustrated in his project, for the Lord Tenffenbeck drawing off from before the City, passed through with much difficulty the River Sagijvay, when setting upon the Bassa's Army after a hard fight he put it to the Rout, having the execution of the Turks for many miles, so that about Ten Thousand of them were slain and taken Prisoners, with a great Booty of Provision and Ammunition, after which the Christians returned to the siege, yet finding the hazards and difficulty that they should meet with in winning it, by the directions of the Archduke who with Forty Thousand Men at the same time besieged Strigonium, the Siege of Hatvan was given over, yet upon the raising thereof the Lord Tenffenbeck discomfited the Bassa of Buda a second time, as he was again coming to the relief thereof, in which conflict Five Thousand Turks were slain.  
Strigonium after a long siege, and the burning of the old Town, being relieved by the coming of Sinan Bassa with a great Army, the Archduke thought it not yet convenient to let him take breath, but on the 28th. of June passed Danubius to expect the motion of Sinan Bassa with his huge Army, composed of Turks and Tartars, and by frequent onsets daily weakened his Camp, nor were the Rascians slow to revolt from the Turkish obedience. So that having raised a confused power, to the number of Fifteen Thousand they took many strong Places, and obtained two notable Victories, one over the Bassa of Temeswar, in which himself and three of his Sanzacks, and about Nine Thousand Five Hundred of his Turks were slain. And the other over another Bassa that succeeded him, upon which they sent to the Archduke to receive them and their Country into the Emperor's protection, and that in consideration thereof they would maintain Ten Thousand Men in the Field, whose Proposals were by the Imperial General accepted.  
About this time the Emperor the better to consult the defence of his Provinces, called a Diet at Ratisbone, where in the assembly of the Germane Princes, he declared how matters stood, and repeated the manifold injuries he had sustained by the Turks, contrary to the League made with Amurath, and that amongst the rest he contrary to the Law of Nations had imprisoned Frederick Creckovitz his Ambassador first at Constantinople, and caused the greatest part of his followers to be thrust into the Galleys, and afterwards to have sent him with a few of his attendants to Belgrade, and thereto have kept him in prison till he ended his days. To revenge which indignities those daily offered, and such as were like to ensue from the great Army at hand, he desired the Princes to consider a most speedy way, and not by delay to endanger the greatest part of Christendoms falling into the hands of the mercyless Enemy. To which the Electoral Princes after a due consideration, replied, That they had a regard to his Imperial Majesty, and for the preservation of Hungary, and others his Hereditary Countries, as also for repressing the fury of the Turks, yet by reason of the late dearth, they were not capable of maintaining such Forces as might be expected, yet besides their Annual Contributions they would for the space of six years, grant such further relief as they well hoped would prove sufficient for the maintenance of a defensive War, both for the present and for the time to come, after which resolves of the Princes the Diet broke up, and all diligence was used for increasing the Army, and Fortifying the strong Holds in Hungaria, Austria, Styra, and Carinthia, Country's most obnoxious to the Incursions of the Turks.  
Sinan Bassa all this while not ignorant of the Emperors proceed, lay with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Fight men, between Buda and Alba Regalis, frequently sending out Parties to waste the Countries in possession of the Emperor, yet with such indifferent success that he had no cause to boast, which made the Bassa to raise his Camp, and in sight of the Christian Army which still attended his motions, battered Dolis and St. Martin's with such fury that within a short time they fell into his hands, the Imperialists at so great an odds not thinking it convenient to hazard a Battle to relief their besieged Friends, and after doing other mischief in their Territories laid siege to the City of Rab situate on the Southside of Danubius, where the River dividing itself makes a most fertile Island called Schut, about twelve Germane miles from Vienna, in which Island lay the Christian Camp. This City was defended by a Garrison of Five Thousand Men, under the Command of Count Hardeck a more valiant then at this time faithful Friend, for when every one supposed the City impregnable, and that the Turks for many days had without intermission battered it with Sixty pieces of Cannon, and made several unsuccessful assaults with the loss of Fourteen Thousand of their men the said Count contrary to the minds of his Commanders and Soldiers capitulated with the Bassa, and in consideration of his departing with all his Treasure, delivered that strong piece in his hands. For which upon his arrival at Vienna, he by the judgement of Sixty of his Peers, had his Head and his right Hand stricken off, it being proved against him that he in lieu of the surrender had of the Bassa received two bags of Ducats.  
During the siege of Rab the Christians in the Island of Schut received a great loss, for Ten Thousand Turks and Tartars getting over in Boats or swimming upon their Horses, came so suddenly upon their Camp, that having slain Two Thousand of them and put the rest into a great consternation, they entered their Trenches and carried thence a booty valued at Five Hundred Thousand Ducats, which loss for a while after sore weakened the Christians. Nor were the Turks only busy in spoiling Hungary, but Italy also, for with a great Fleet under the leading of Ciala Bassa Amurath's Admiral, they surprised Rhegium in Calabria, and utterly razed it, after which they spoilt all the Country about it, as likewise the Sea Coasts of Italy in many other places, taking several Ships richly laden in the sight of the Garrison of Messina, and carrying away a great number of poor people into miserable Captivity. Sinan Bassa having by this time received new supplies and repaired Rab, putting therein a strong Garrison marched to Comara, before which he encamped, but upon the approach of Mathias the Archduke with a puissant Army of Germans, Bohemians, and Hungarians to relieve it, he raised his siege not thinking it safe at that time to hazard a Battle, and by a Bridge of Boats Transported his Army over Danubius to Dolis, where he the following day dismissed them, upon which the Archduke without any hindrance coming to Comara, caused the breaches to be Repaired, and then leaving it to the protection of the Governor, viz. The Lord Bruun, who had faithfully defended it, he departed to take a view of the other Cities.  
About this time Sigismond Prince of Transilvania, weary of the grievous exaction and injuries they sustained at the hands of the Turks, resolved to cast off their servile yoke which being known to certain of the Nobility pensioners to Amurath, they secretly advertized him of the Prince's purpose, promising to send him in Chains to Constantinople, and with the Turks good liking to set up one Balthazor Bator the Princes nigh Kinsman in his stand, but the Treason being discovered most of the Traitors were taken and executed, upon which the Tar●ars to the number of Forty Thousand brake into Transilvania burning and destroying all before them in a fearful manner, which obliged the Prince to raise the whole power of his Country, and to crave aid of the Rascians and other his Neighbours giving freely to his Subjects and Confederates what ever they could take from the Turks, who in their first interprize were so successful, that they surprised seven of the Turks Galleys laden with Provision, Rich Merchandise, and store of Treasure, and miss but narrowly of the eighth, which was the Admiral which loss was so great to the Turks, Sinan Bassa upon notice of what had happened is reported to have said that if those Galleys had come to him in safety he could with the Treasure have bought Vienna, as he had done Ra●b, after which the Transilvanians heightened with this success marched towards Temeswar, but hearing that the Tartars were about to return, they retired for the defence of their own Country; yet by this time headed by their Prince they took many strong Holds from the Turks, and still following their returning Army in the rear cut many Thousands of them short, and by his example soon after the Null and Moldavians risen up in Arms against Amurath and Confederated themselves with the Transylvanian Prince who with one consent sent to Rodolphus the Emperor to make a League with him against the common Enemy which was accordingly concluded very Honourable to the Confederates which made Amurath begin to doubt his safety even in Constantinople, and much more when they with their victorious Armies overrun his Countries on every side, for grief of which, and the disorderly tumults he found amongst his Janissaries and his other Soldiers of the Court, he fell Sick, when greatly afflicted with the Stone and Falling Sickness, his wont Disease, as a man both in Soul and Body tormented, he with great Impatiency and Agony of mind gave up the Ghost, departing this Life on the Eighteenth of January, Anno Domini 1595. When he had lived One and Fifty years, or as some say Two and Fifty years, and thereof Reigned Nineteen years. At the time of whose Death arose so Terrible a Tempest at Constantinople that many thought the world should have presently been dissolved, his dead Body within a while after was with all Funeral Solemnities used amongst the Turks, buried by the Body of Mahomet his Eldest Son, in the Moschie which himself had builded near unto his Palace.   

CHAP. XVII. The Life of Mahomet Third of that Name, seventh Emperor of the Turks.  
A Murath being dead, his death to prevent tumults was kept secret till such time that Mahomet his Eldest Son than living, came from Amasia to Constantinople, where contrary to the mind of the Janissaries, who generally affected Amurath his younger brother, he was saluted Exmperour; when by a wile getting his Ten Brethren into his power, he caused them to be strangled, nay so far extended his barbarity that at his Commandment ten of his Father's Wives and Concubines, whom he suspected to be with Child were drowned in the Sea, one of which number as some affirm was his own Mother. These violent proceed made the great Commanders envy him, and the better to wreck their spleen secretly to stir up the Janissaries, who committed for the space of several days such disorders that the like in no Interregnum had happened, and great had the disorder been even to outraging the Emperor himself, had not the Bassa Governor of the City causedall the great Ordinance to be bend against them, and swore by the head of Ali to discharge them amongst 'em.  
Whilst these troubles happened at Constantinople, the Christian Princes were not wanting to revenge the injuries they had sustained by the Turks, especially the Princes or as the Turks call them Vayvod of Transilvania, Valachia, and Moldavia, who with many fortunate inroads into the Ottoman Dominions greatly enriched themselves and Soldiers, taking and Fortifying many strong Castles, and destroying an Army of Four Hundred Thousand Tartars, with which they had often conflicts. Nor was Rodolphus the Emperor behind with the forwardest, as well knowing that he had to deal with an implacable Enemy, who would have no peace any longer than it served his own purpose, wherefore the said Emperor, and th' States of Hungary sent their Ambassadors to the King of Poland, who then had assembled a Parliament at Cracovia, to solicit his Aid against the common Enemy; of which Mahomet having notice, sent likewise two Chiaus in nature of his Ambassadors to frustrate the negotiation of the Christian Ambassadors in the Polish Court, and to engage that King to take up Arms on his behalf, but passing through Valachia, they were contrary to the mind of the Vayvod slain by some of his followers; yet the Turk sent two others who fetching a greater compass through the Tartarian Dominions arrived safe in Polonia.  
These proceed of the Christians roused Mahomet, and inspired him who was of a fierce and froward nature, to take revenge, in order to which he sent for Sinan Bassa out of Hungary, to confer with him about the management of the war, which once stated, he returned again to Belgrade, where upon his first Arrival, by what mischance, yet supposed to be by the contrivance of the Janissaries, the cords of his Tent were cut, and it was let fall about his ears; now at his coming, so great was the dearth in all the parts of Hungary, where the Turks had their possessions, that several Tartarian women following the Camp, killed their own children, and eaten them, which 'samine engendered such a Pestilence, that the Turks and Tartars died in abundance, insomuch that of eighty thousand of the latter, which the year before came at divers times to the assistance of the Turks, not above eight thousand remained alive. And now the Christian Army hastened from all parts to the Imperial standard; so that of Germans, Saxons, Bohemians, Hungarians, Spaniards, Italians, Romans, Flemings, Franks and Sweeds, in a short time there were found fifteen thousand nine hundred horse, and fifty thousand foot, under the conduct of most resolute Commanders, of which Mathias the Arch Duke was General, and Count Mansfelt sent by the King of Spain with 2000 horse, and 6000 foot, was appointed by the Emperor his Lieutenant.  
Thus all things being in a readiness, nothing wanting but an enemy, on whom to exercise those Arms, which long was not wanting, for Mahomet by this time had raised a great power, yet had but a bad welcome, for at first the Bassa of Buda, with a great number of Turks, attempting to do some memorable exploit in Transilvania, was overthrown by Gestius Ferents, a valiant Captain, with the loss of most of his men; when almost at the same time a great power of the Turks under the leading of their General, entering Valachia, were encountered by the Lord Nadasti, commanding there for the Emperor, who assisted by the Null and Transylvanians, and in a great battle discomfited, with the loss of ten thousand men, and their sttandard embroidered with Pearls and Precious Stones, valued at 30000 Dollars, which the said Lord sent to the Transylvanian Prince, then at Alba Julia, and had it returned him again as a reward of his good service, which evil success being perceived by the crafty Tyrant Mahomet, he dealt under hand by great promises with Aaron Vayvod of Moldavia, to revolt from the Transylvanian and by any means if possible to depose him, which thing coming to light, and made manifest by several intercepted Letters, the said Vayvod with his wife and children being then retired into Transylvania, were secured, and a while after by the consent of the Moldavian Nobility, one Stephen Rozwan, placed in his stead, which Mahomet perceiving, and that his practice was brought to nought, sent an Ambassador to Sigismond Prince of Transylvania, to be at peace with him, and suffer, as formerly, his Armies to pass through his Country into Hungaria, and that in lieu thereof, he should have peaceable possession of Transylvania, Moldavia, and Valachia, paying no more than a small acknowledgement which should not be exacted by the way of Tribute, but the Prince having too often experienced the perfidious deal of the Turks, would in no wise accord to what was demanded, but resolved upon prosecuting the war to the utmost, the which his resolution once made known to the Bulgarians, they sent messengers in secret to assure him that if he proceeded with any good success, they would be ready to follow his fortune, and by joining hands with him, against the cruel Tyrant, shut up all the passages that way into Valachia, Moldavia, and Hungaria.  
The greatest part of the aid, promised by the Christian Princes, for the maintenance of the war, being come to Vienna, Count Mansfelt called a council of the chief Commanders, to consult whether they should lay siege to some place of Importance, or march to give the enemy battle, whom he said he had Intelligence was on his way; in which Council the former proposal being resolved on, the whole Army in number aforesaid, was mustered at Altenberg, after which he besieged Dolis, but at the same time had his eye upon Strigonium, the other being undertaken only to amuse the Turks, and exhaust the Garrison of Strigonum, both of men and warlike provision, to relieve their brethren in Dolis, which supply the Count permitted to enter the Town, and then when he was least suspected, suddenly raiseing his siege set down before Strigonum, to the great amazement of the Turk, who not in the least dreamt of any such matter, yet was it not carried so privately but e'er he could entrench himself, several Walloons Heidons, straggling from the main battle, were set upon by the Turks, and put to the rout, but the Pioniers having run the Trenches within half Musket shot of the wall, fired so smartly upon the defendants, many of them were slain, none being able to appear upon the wall, yet the Christians at at the beginning of the Siege, having taken a little Island in the Danubius, and put on shore several Hungarian Companies, of which the Turks of Buda having notice, they in several Boats and Galleys, coming down the River by night, landed three thousand men, who unawares setting upon the Christians, put most of them to the sword, and recovered the said Island, but that loss was soon repaired; for after many furious assaults (notwithstanding the threats of the Bassa of Buda to Impail the Strigonians if they sought it not out to the last man) the higher City was laid open to the Christians, who just as they were about to enter, had notice that the Bassa of Buda (whom Mahomet had threatened with the loss of his head, if he suffered that City which he esteemed worth a whole Kingdom, to be lost) was coming to relieve it with twenty thousand Turks, resolving to fight his way into it; whereupon divers parties were sent out to skirmish, and by retiring to draw the enemy into the danger of the Christian Army, which project was not unsuccesseful, for the resolute Bassa coming on between the hills of St. George and St. Thomas near to the Suburbs called the Ruscian City, put his Army in order of Battle, as did the Christians, when in the mean while the Lord Paifi with his Hungarian horsemen fetching a compass about the hill, on the one side and the Lord Swartzenburg with such horse as he had under his command, on the other side, so enclosed the Turks rear, that they could not without great danger retire, when as both Armies were orderly ranged, the signal of battle was given, the Turks without any great harm to the Christians discharged seventeen Pieces of Artillery, after which, with showers of Arrows and the smoke of the Harquibuses the Sky was darkened, and in a trice, not without great slaughter, the battle was brought to the sword, at what time Victory declared for the Christians, the Turks being every where most miserably beaten down, crying out for mercy, and flying as they found opportunity, and in the end the Bassa himself from his stand, perceiving his Army in the rout, and that the day was irrecoverably lost, fled for his life, and about midnight recovered Buda, with not above twenty of his followers, filling that City with the laments of such as had in the battle lost their friend. The slain and those taken prisoners were fourteen thousand, and the spoil of the Camp consisting of rich Pavilions, Money, Plate, Ammunition, fair horses, provision, Camels, and the like, was valued at 300000 Ducats, part of which was sent to the Emperor, part to the Arch Duke, and part distributed amongst the Soldiers, to every one according to their deserts.  
The Turkish Army thus overthrown, the Christians returned again to the siege, when as the Count sent to Summon Alis Beg the Governor to surrender the City, and that in consideration thereof, he and all that were with him should be suffered to departed, but the messengers finding the froward old man obstinate, notwithstanding the great dearth that was then in the City, he returned without effecting any thing; upon which a terrible battery being placed against the lower City, it thundered against the walls and Bulwarks so long, that laying open a fair breach, the Soldiers entered with such fury, that bearing down all before them, they upon the coming of the Marquis of Burgave with fresh Troops, they possessed themselves of it, driving the Turks into the Castle and upper City, with great slaughter, sparing in their rage none that came in their way, yet the malicious Turks e'er their departure, to deprive the Christians of the benefit they might reap by the spoil, had by Trains laid for that purpose, fired the building in several places, so that enraged by the wind, the flame could be hardly extinguished, till it had laid most of the goodly building waste, yet was this great Victory accompanied with sorrow for the death of the Count Mansfelt, who by drinking cold Liquors, after his great pains taken in the late battle, fell into a fever, which turning to the bloody Flix, deprived him of his life, to the great grief of the Christian Princes, who on his Courage and Conduct, had reposed next to God the success of their Arms, yet the Christians continued the siege, nor was it long e'er the besieged lost Alis Beg their Governor, who walking upon the wall to give directions in places of most danger, had his arm struck off with a great shot, of which he died, when in his stead the Janissaries in Garrison chose the Bassa of Anatolia, who upon the overthrow of the Bassa of Buda, had escaped into the City with a hundred horsemen; when upon notice of the death of Count Mansfelt the Arch Duke came to the Camp, who when he had well viewed the Army, and the manner of the siege, he assembled his chief Commanders, to consult what was best to be done, who after some debate resolved to give a general assault, which was maintained with great resolution, but the besieged as obstinately defending their walls; the Duke caused the Retreat to be sounded, and then by his Spials understanding that the Turks near Buda were gathering together, to relieve the besieged, he commanded 8000 chosen horse speedily to march thither, who a little before sunset setting upon them, expecting nothing less, made of them a great slaughter, and taking a number of prisoners, and amongst the rest the Sanzack of Copan, returned again to the siege; when as the besieged finding there was no hope of relief, and that the famine was grievous amongst them, the Governor overcome with such like difficulties, and the continual cries of the Citizens and Soldiers, at length consented to parley upon reasonable conditions, so that in fine it was agreed that the Garrison and all the Citizens Turks should be sent with bag and baggage to Buda, and in consideration whereof Strigonium the Metropolis of Hungaria, which for the space of 52 years, had groaned under the oppression of the Turkish Tyrants, was delivered into the hands of the Arch Duke, and the conditions with the Turks accordingly performed, twenty Ships being for that purpose employed by the space of two days, after which the Duke sent 18 thousand to besiege Vicegrade otherwise called Plindenburg, a strong Castle of the Turks, situate upon Danubius, between Strigonium and Buda, which they took, and in their march brought such a fear upon Buda, that had not the Bassa shut fast the Gates, most of the Inhabitants had fled over the Danudius.  
During this good success of the Imperialists the Prince of Transylvania was not idle, but with an Army of his best Soldiers, setting upon thirty thousand Turks (who as unbidden Guests were coming to his wedding, which he was then solemnising with Maria Christina, daughter to Charles the late Arch Duke of Austria) he gave such a welcome, that few of them returned to tell the news, after which, prosecuting his victory he took Lippa, a strong Town, with divers other Towns and Castles of the Turks, out of which they had for a long time annoyed the Country's round about them; about the same time the Lords Herbenstien, Lucowitz and Eckenburg encountered with the Bassa of Bosna, as he was returning with ten thousand Turks and Tartars, from the taking of Babotzka, whom after a hard fight they overthrew, putting most of them to the sword, the Bassa himself, upon a swift horse hardly escaping.  
These successful proceed of the Christians so enraged the Turk, that imputing several of the disgraces that had happened to the neglect of Ferat Bassa, he by the advice of Sinan Bassa, sent for him, who trusting to his innocency, boldly came to answer to what should be objected against him, though warned to the contrary, but he was scarce arrived e'er by the command of Mahomet he was strangled and his goods to the value of five hundred thousand Ducats confiscated.  
After the death of Ferat, who was somewhat a favourer of the Christians, Sinan the proud Bassa, son to a Fisherman, and their mortal enemy, was sent with a great Army into Valachia, to reduce that and the other revolted Countries to the Turkish obedience, but being encountered by the Transylvanian Forces, his Army was overthrown with great slaughter, and himself in his flight falling into a Lime-pit, hardly escaped with life; after which he fled to Canstantinople, to plead his own cause, having promised upon his undertaking that Expedition at the price of his head, to reduce Valachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, to their former obedience.  
Not long after the overthrow of Sinan, the Lords Eckenberg and Leucowitz overthrew twenty thousand who under the leading of the Bassa of Bosna, invaded the country of Crotia, and following their Victory, entered the Turkish Dominions and burnt 15 Villages, carrying away a great booty, and soon after took Petrina, which after a close siege, and some furious assaults was abandoned by the Turks. In the mean while Sigismond the Transylvanian Prince, raised a greater power than before, upon notice that Sinan Bassa was again upon his march to invade his Countries; at what time the Ziculi or Sciculy, a people bordering on the North of Transilvania, sent to him to offer him their service, as weary of the Turkish thraldom; who according to agreement, besides many rich presents, and store of provision, sent him forty thousand men well appointed, which no sooner joined him, he had notice that Sinan had passed Danubius, by a bridge of Boats; whereupon he marched with all diligence to meet him, and in another set battle, gave him a fatal overthrow, in which there were thirty thousand slain and taken prisoners, besides a rich booty; nor did the River Danubius upon their hasty repassing the bridge, which was near two miles over, devour a less number, insomuch that Sinan swore in a great rage, that the young Prince had in a short time Eclipsed all the renown he in the course of his whole life had got.  
After this overthrow of the Turks, which they number amongst their great mischances, the Castle and Island in the River with little loss were recovered, and then in great Triumph laden with the Turks spoils the Prince returned to Alba Julia, at what time by his Captains he took the strong Castle of Jenna, and intercepted about 70 wagons richly laden, which they of Temeswar fearing to be besieged were sending, together with their wives and children, to places of greater strength.  
These things perplexing the proud Turk, he sent his special Messengers to stir up the Crimesian Tartars, (a people living for the most part on spoil) to invade Moldavia, Transylvania, and Valachia, who were likewise encouraged thereto by the Chancellor of Polonia, he so far insinuating with the King, that Moldavia was taken from the Transylvanian Prince, and a new Vayvod placed therein, who opened (contrary to his faith given) three ways for the Turks and Tartars to invade Transylvania, of which perfidious dealing Pope Clement the Eighth by his Letters to the King of Polonia, grievously complained; and likewise against Cardinal Zamoskie, the Chancellor, and first mover of this mischief, whom he cited to appear before him at Rome, there to answer to what should by the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes, be objected against him, charging them both with breach of faith, and disloyalty to the King of Heaven, by betraying the Christians into the hand of the sworn enemies of the Christian Religion, yet both the King and Chancellor used such endeavours that they satisfied the Pope in the necessity of their writing better to him to that purpose, when at the same time Cham Kazikieri the Tartarian King wrote to Sigismond King of Polonia, to put him in mind of his promise to give his Army free passage, as likewise to destroy the Cossacks, who as he said by daily incursions wasted his Frontier, and to make a perpetual League with him yet only the former request was observed.  
The Christians not pleased with the proceed of the Polonian, to show how little they esteemed his Friendship, enraged as it were with his revolt burnt and destroyed all the Turkish Garrisons upon his Frontiers, whom he durst not protect for fear of having his own Dominions wasted in the like manner, but what happened this year 1596 advantageous to the Christians was the death of Sinan Bassa their sworn Enemy, who having by his Friends and many rich presents escaped the fury of the angry Sultan Mahomet who had vowed his death, soon after through grief and shame of his late overthrow died, after he had for Fifty years wasted the Earth with Fire and Sword, Yet the following Spring Mahomet with a great power purposed in person to pass into Hungary, but by reason of the Plague and Famine, that raged throughout his Empire he could not accomplish his design, but was more and more perplexed by the revolt of the Georgians, and the great Army the new King of Persia was raising for the recovery of Tauris, notwithstanding to prevent the worst the Transylvanian Prince in person went to the Courts of the Emperor and Pope to crave Aid, where he was with great kindness received, and promised such supplies of Men and Money as his occasion should require, but during his stay there the Sciculi risen up in arms against him, yet the Rebellion was blown over by the execution of the chief Promoters of the Tumult, and Ten Thousand Rascians in a fit time proffered him their service, for the Tartars were by this time on their way, whereupon having received several rich Presents he returned home, being every where joyfully received of his People. All this time the Lord Palfi with the Garrison Soldiers of Strigonium was not idle, but used his utmost diligence to surprise the Turks Convoys and Garrisons, nor was his expectation frustrated, for overrunning the Country as far as the Walls of Temeswar he got many rich booties, and removed such Christians as were in danger of the Turks Garrison nearer his own missing but narrowly of the Bassa of Temeswar with all his Treasure, as he was going to Belgrade to give place to a new Bassa, but however he fell into the hands of the Hungarian Heidons, who overthrew his Convoy, slew him, and took all his riches laden in Seventy Five Wagons to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats, which so enraged the Turks that gathering Forty Thousand strong they besieged Lippa, but after the loss of six Thousand of their number in many furious assaults, they left their Trenches and in great confusion retired, which flight was occasioned by the Governor of Lugaz his surprising the Suburbs of Temeswar, and setting them on fire, which being seen in the Turks Camp caused amongst them that great consternation, as thinking the Prince of Transilvania with his whole Army was coming on, and even at their backs. After whose flight the Hungarian Heidons passing the Danubius took Plenia, in revenge of which the Turks took Clissa, out of which they had not long before been driven; not long after the Lord Palfi took the strong Castle Sombock, which the Turks in a rage upon the entrance of the Christians set on fire, but thereby so exasperated the Soldiers that they spared none they found therein, but put them all to the Sword without respect either to Age or Sex.  
These continual currants of Victory carried the Transylvanian Prince to the Siege of Tameswar, which he for many days furiously battered, but upon notice that the Bassa of Anatolia the forerunner of Mahomet's Army, was come to Belgrade with Fourteen thousand Turks, and Mahomet with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand was coming after him to the Relief of the City, and he not having yet received the supplies promised by the Christian Princes his Confederates, thought good to raise his siege and departed for Lippa, where having left a strong Garrison he kept on his way to Alba-Julia, and assembled there the States of his Principality to consider the most expedient means for raising more Forces to repress so potent an Adversary.  
Mahomet approaching with his Forces which daily increased, sent to Michale the Vayvod of Valachia to promise him great rewards if he would become his Tributary and revolt from the Transylvanian Prince, but finding nothing would prevail with the Vayvod to break his Faith he came with his whole Army now increased to the number of Two Hundred Thousand to Buda, yet ere he could attempt any thing Maximilian the Emperor's General, (made so in the stead of Mathias the Archduke, who upon the Death of Ferdinand the Emperor's Uncle, had the rich County of Tirol bestowed upon him whither he was retired) had taken Vacia, Hatvan, and several other places, but long rested not Mahomet before, he with his huge Army besieged Agria, which after the loss of Twenty Thousand of his Men not by force but by surrender, for the Soldiers perceiving the new Castle, the place in which they only put their trust, undermined; and about to be blown up, and that all hopes of being relieved were vain, they laid hands upon Paulus Niari and Terskie the Captain of the Garrison Soldiers and Governor of the City, and casting them in Prison capitulated with the Turks to deliver the City and Castle, in consideration that they might departed with bag and baggage, but the faithless Infidels ere they had passed through the Camp contrary to their faith given cut them in pieces, after which the Bassa of Bosua with a strong power laid siege to Petrina, but upon notice that the Lords Herbenstein and Bencowitz were coming to relieve it, and in their way had overthrown Six Thousand Turks he raised his siege in great haste leaving behind him part of his Carriages. But now the two puissant Armies of the Christians and Turks coming in view of each other and nothing but a small River parting them, drew frequently up in Battalia, and had several skirmishes at a distance, but the vain glorious Turks not thinking it sufficient to discharge their great Artillery, and skirmish in small parties at the Command of Mahomet, Ten Thousand of them, and Six Thousand Tartars passed the River, but were so hotly welcomed that few returned, which advantage the Christians following pursued the flyers, and set upon the gross of the Turks Army, putting all into confusion and consternation; so that Mahomet fearing a total overthrow retreated to his Camp, whither the Christians as eagerly pursued, but whilst they disordered themselves to take the spoil, (although the General had caused Proclamation to be made, that none on pain of death should attempt it till the victory was obtained.) They being afresh charged and many of them cut off by the Turks great Artillery, betook themselves to plain flight not to be stayed by the threats nor entreaties of their Commanders, so that the Germane Horse disordering their own Foot put all into confusion, which the Turks contrary to their expectation perceiving followed hard after them, making great slaughter, yet so conscious were they of their weakness, that fearing the return of the Christians, that in the night they secretly raised their Camp and returned to Agria, leaving their Cannon and Baggage in the Trenches for the space of three days, so slenderly guarded that Five Thousand men might have taken the spoil; Mahomet himself confessing that he feared to have been taken Prisoner, and would not for the future venture his person in places of such imminent danger.  
In this Battle or rather running fight, called from the place where it happened, the Battle of Karesta, Forty Thousand Turks and Fifteen Thousand Christians were slain most of the latter in the rash and unadvised flight, the which had it not contrary to all reason happened never had a more glorious victory been obtained over the Infidels. Yet Mahomet after he had furnished Agria with a Garrison of Ten Thousand choice Soldiers returned to Belgrade, and having divided his Army in two parts, the one he left in the Country to secure it against the Christians, and with the other departed to Constantinople, but by the way being set upon by Barbelius Jancaechie the Transylvanian Prince's Lieutenant, and the Vayvod of Valachia, who with a strong power for that purpose had passed the Danubius, they cut off seven Thousand of his men.  
Early in the spring as ashamed of their disgrace the Christian Princes recruited their scattered Forces which meeting together near to Passonium and Altenburg, marched to Papa, which they besieged and after eight day's battery took it, and so again returning to Altenburg the Army mustered, from whence they marched to Rab and besieged it, but upon the approach of the Turks Army under the Command of Mahomet Bassa, raised the siege, as finding it both difficult and dangerous, and so marched over into the Island of Schut, when in their sight they permitted the Turks to take Dolis.  
Michael the Vayvod of Valachia, having his Country almost destroyed by the Turks, and they promising him great favours and bounties more than ever, if he would again return to his obedience; he to save his Country from utter destruction, complied with the Tyrants desire in part, viz. to own him for his Sovereign, and to pay him half the wont Tribute, but denied upon any terms to aid him against the Christians, which the Turk for a while dissembled and seemed well contented with his submission, but afterward contrary to his Oath oppressing him with great Taxes, both he and the Prince of Transilvania recommended the protection of their Countries to Rodolphus the Emperor, who thereupon called a Diet to consult about raising contributions sufficient for the management of the War against the Turks, and such success had his arms immediately thereon, through the good conduct of the Lord Swartzenburg, Rab was surprised for certain Engineers coming by night to the Gates, finding the Portculliss drawn up in expectation of Wagons loaden with Provision to come from Alba Regalis, they fastened several Petards to the said Gates which deadly Engines once fired rend 'em in pieces, so that the Army which followed at their heels pressing in, after a long fight killed two of the Turks Bassa's, and put the rest to the flight, who such as could escaped over the Wall, and those that could not fell by the Swords of the enraged Soldiers, who in the City found so great a booty that many of them were greatly enriched thereby, besides One Hundred pieces of great Ordnance, and store of all manner of Provisions. That City though so easily recovered, being one of the strongest Fortresses in Christendom, the taking of which so encouraged the General of the Imperialists, that (upon notice that great differences were arisen between the Janissaries and the Sphai, the Turks best Footmen and Horsemen upon a point of preeminency) he resolved to besiege Buda the Turks chief strength in Hungary, and thereupon marching thither with all his Army, on the 16th. of October, 1598. he sar down before it, and for many days battered it with sixteen pieces of Cannon. But in fine seeing no hopes of winning it, and having notice that a great Army of Turks was hasting to its relief having plundered the Suburbs the General drew his Army out of the Trenches and departed to Strigonium.  
The Transylvanian Prince having exchanged his Country with the Emperor for the Dukedoms of Oppel and Ratibor, and yearly Fifty Thousand Joachim, or the Revenues of the Bishopric of Vratislavia, Territories lying in Silesia and repenting him of what he had done, he came again into Transilvania in disguise, and was joyfully received by his Subjects, at what time Maximilian the Emperor's Generals was marching with the Army to take possession of it, which had like to have caused great dissensions amongst the Christian Confederates had not the Prince by many submissive Letters pacified the Emperor's displeasure. Now were the Turks Army arrived in Hungary and had laid siege to Veradinum, which City being at the point to be yielded, was relieved by the Lord Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant, who making semblance to give the Turks Battle, and by that means drawing them out of their Trenches, in the mean time by an unsuspected way, thrust Eight Hundred Soldiers into the City and so drew off, through which supply the City was so long defended that the Turks weary of the siege, and by reason of the approach of Winter departed, leaving for haste many of their Tents and great Ordnance as a prey to the besieged, after which the Imperialists spoilt that part of the Lower Hungary, which was in the possession of the Turks even to the gates of Buda, which brought a great fear upon the Garrison and Citizens. When at the same time Michael the Vayvod of Valachia, having gathered a strong power took and sacked Nicopolis, the rumour of which coming to Constantinople where the Plague then raged, it greatly perplexed Mahomet and brought a fear upon that great City. Yet to put a stop to the Vayvods proceed, he caused a great number of Turks under the leading of Taut Bassa to march against him, who joining the forces of Mahomet Satergi with which he had besieged Veradinum; yet the Vayvod not in the least dismayed, marched 100 Miles into the Turks Territories, and destroying all before him obtained a great Booty. But now contrary to the expectation of all men the Transylvanian Prince, instigated thereto by the Polonian King, resigned the right he had in that Principality, to his Cousin Andrew Battor, and thereby defrauded the Emperor of that which by way of Exchange was properly his, the Transylvanians having thereupon sworn him fealty, yet not to discourage his Confederates the Emperor set light thereby, though the proud Cardinal, to whom it was resigned submitted himself a Vassal to Mahomet, and thereby deprived the Christian Commonwealth of one of her surest Bulwarks.  
Buda blocked up by the Christians, and thereby reduced to great extremity, the Bassa thereof upon notice that several wagons laden with provision, were on their way, issued out with six hundred horse to conduct them safe; but being set upon by the free Hadducks, his Guard was overthrown, his son slain, and himself taken prisoner; and within a while after the Lord Palfie incountering the Bassa of Bosna, who was coming with ten thousand men to relieve the said City, overthrew his power, slew the Bassa, and took all the wagons laden with provision, and at the same time five thousand Tartars being set upon by the Lord Swartzenburgs Regiment, were all cut in pieces; upon notice of Ibraim Bassa with a great power set forward from Constantinople, but part of his Forces being encountered by the Imperialists under the command of the Lord Palfis Lieutenant, were overthrown, and rich booty taken, containing all the provision of the Camp, and one hundred thousand Dollars which were coming up the Danubius to pay the Soldiers, which loss greatly discontented the Bassa, and then when he had notice that the Imperialists intended again to besiege Buda, which he by reason of the said loss was not in a capacity to relieve, as also at the same time news came of a great slaughter of the Turks before the City of Agria, the which City had the Christians assaulted in any considerable number, the consternation was so great, that they might easily have surprised it, yet as it happened they took a hundred prisoners and five hundred horses, the free Haducks also entering the Turks Territories, did great hurt by burning their Villages and carrying away a great number of Inhabitants.  
Buda now had not escaped falling into the hands of the Christians had not Ibraim Bassa received an unexpected supply, which increased his Army to the number of one hundred and thirty thousand, with which upon his approach the Christians too weak to encounter him were obliged to raise their siege, yet so much was the Bassa out of love with war, that having relieved the City, he by the command of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor, laboured to procure a peace with Rodolph the Germane Emperor, in order to which several great Commanders on either side met, but the Turks proud demands seemed so unreasonable to the Christian Commissioners, that they rejected them with disdain, and so all hopes of peace vanishing, the Vayvod of Valachia invaded Transylvania, now wholly devoted to Mahomet, against whom Cardinal Batter prepared his Forces, being strengthened over and above with thirty thousand Turks and Tartars, sent by Ibraim yet in a mortal battle he was overthrown by the Vayvod, and the Cardinal in endeavouring to escape was slain, and his head sent to the Emperor, after which most of the Cities of Transylvania revolted from the Turkish obedience. The news of which greatly troubled Sigismond the late Prince, who resided in Polonia, but more Mahomet the Turkish Emperor, imbroiled in new troubles by the revolt of Chusahin or Cassan the great Bassa of Carra●●●●, who had caused most of the Countries in the letter Asia, to cast off the Turkish yoke, but Mahomet sending great Forces against him under Mahomet Bassa, who after several conflicts spoiling the possessions of the Rebels in Arms, he so dealt with the chief of them, that by bribes and large promises, he prevailed with them to leave their ringleader, he was taken and brought in chains to Constantinople, where with most exquisite torments, he was put to death. The end of which dangerous Rebellion, gave the Ottoman Emperor more leisure to prosecute his wars in Hungary, to oppose whose Forces, the Christians were not wanting, for in an other Diet assembled, new supplies were granted by the Electoral Princes for the carrying on the war, toward which the Bishop of Rome contributed very largely, so that Anno 1600 the Christian Army early in the Spring took the field (though to breed delay therein the Turkish Bassa in the name of his master, had made many offers tending to peace) but e'er any notable action was performed, the renowned Lord Palfie, the greatest Commander of that Age died at his Castle of Bibersperg, whereupon the Lord Swartzenburg was by the Emperor appointed Governor of Strigonium in his stead, who to the great grief of the Army, soon after slain with a shot as he was reducing Papa to its obedience, it having a little before at the instigation of De la Mot, a seditious French Commander there in Garrison revolted from the Emperor, and yet stood neuter, not permitting the Turks to enter, yet was it again reduced notwithstanding the death of the Lord Swartzenburg and most of the Rebels Executed, after the severest manner that could be invented.  
These things passing, the troubles in Hungary daily increasing, and the Turks were every where put to the worst, and amongst the rest the Bassa of Sigeth with five thousand of his Turks, and his head sent to the Emperor. Jula was likewise surprised, and the Bassa thereof with two Sanzacks, and Five Hundred common Soldiers slain, and now the Government of Transilvania being vacant (by the death of Cardinal Battor and the absence of the Prince) the Emperor confirmed it to the Vayvod of Valachia, who raising a great power went against the Prince who aided by the Turks, Tartars, and Polonians, was coming to try a field Battle for the recovery of his Inheritance, and in a set battle overthrew him with great slaughter of his men, himself hardly escaping, after which he seized upon the Country of Moldavia, causing all the inhabitants to swear Allegiance to him, when the better to encourage him to invade the Turks Dominions the Emperor not only confirmed him in that Principality also, but sent him six Thousand Men under the leading of D. Petzen, with a mass of money to pay his Soldiers appointing him one of his Council, and chief Intendant for those Countries, but he behaving himself roughly towards the Transylvanian Nobility, they sent Ambassadors to Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant General praying, him to take then into the protection of the Emperor only, and that they might obey no other Sovereign Prince, whereupon Basta after mature deliberation resolved to grant their desires, and to protect them from the fury of the Vayvod, whom he yet not able to appease by fair means he resolved to compel by force of Arms to acquiesce with what he determined, and therefore gathering such forces as he could with Eighteen Thousand well appointed Soldiers he awaited on the Frontiers of Transilvania his coming, and near to a Village called Mivislo adventured to give him Battle, though under his standard he had double the number, and after six hours desperate fight put him to flight, with the loss of Ten Thousand of his men, taking likewise several Prisoners, and a great spoil, yet nevertheless the Vayvod bating of his proud temper by the mediation of Friends they were afterwards reconciled. Yet the Vayvod jealous of the Imperialist as being also without cause persuaded thereto by the Polonians, to prevent as was suggested to him his being taken Prisoner, with a few of his followers fled into the fastness of the Mountains, whereupon one Simon was placed in his stead by the haughty Chancellor of Poland, which choice Basta altogether disliking resolved to displace the upstart Vayvod, but the Transilvanians desirous of freedom, and in order to recover it raising many rumours portending the mischief intended against the Imperialists, at that time hindered his violent proceed, so that for the future the whole matter was referred to the Emperor. The Transilvanians likewise casting themselves upon him, and when they perceived no remedy, desired that Maximilian the Archduke might take upon him the Government of that Province; but whilst these affairs were in controversy, the Turks with a huge Army besieged Canisia a strong City of Stira, to the relief of which came the Imperial Army consisting of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot, composed of divers Nations, under the leading of Duke Mercury General of the Emperor's Forces in Hungary, to oppose which Ibrahim Bassa drew out of his Trenches, thinking by their multitude to oppress the Christians, but was therein deceived, for after a bloody and doubtful fight for the space of eight hours' victory declared herself against him, yet not so apparently but that the next day by reason of the discord amongst the Christian Captains, who at the Command of their General refused to charge the Turks in their strengths the scale was turned, and their Convoy of Provision upon its way to the Camp being taken by the Tartars, they were so straightened that after having lain still for the space of three days, they risen in the night but not so secretly but that the Turks following hard after them cut off Three Thousand of the rearmost, took several pieces of Cannon, and a great part of their Baggage, and afterwards had the City of Canisae yielded to them upon condition that the Garrison should be safely convoyed over the River Mur, with Bag and Baggage, and heightened with this success they afterwards foraged the Country of Stira, for fear of whom the Inhabitants with such of their substance, as they conveniently carry with them fled to the Mountains, whereupon the Bassa sent forth a Proclamation commanding them to return, and that such as would willingly submit themselves to the Turkish obedience should be taken into safe protection, upon which Proclamation many of the half starved people returned and submitted themselves, but the ever renowned mirror of Virtue and Valour, the Heroic Count Serenus being the man that the Bassa aimed at, as well knowing whilst he went free his new Conquests were slightly cemented to the rest, he the better to decoy the Noble Youth into his power wrote to him as followeth.  
We Ibraim Bassa Chief Vizard Bassa, Cousin to the most Puissant Sultan Mahomet, to the Count Serenus, sendeth Greeting,  
WE have often heretofore written to thee, concerning the matter thou knowest of, but what the cause is we received no answer we know not; yet could I not but write unto you again, that if thou canst be content to begin the matter aright, and to submit thyself to our protection we will be ready to receive thee: thou seest what we foretold thee is now more than fulfilled, both upon thee and thine, which thou wouldst never believe; nevertheless for the staying the further effusion of blood as well of thy Subjects as our, and to come to some good atonement, 'tis high time for thee to lay thine hand upon thine heart, and to consider how much more it concerneth thee then us, and that the benefit thereof redoundeth more unto thine then to ours, what our affections are towards thee Hierom the Vayvod can tell thee, etc.  
This Letter the Count well enough known were but an outward show of Friendship, and therefore he thinking it not good to trust the Infidel, so long as he had his Sword in his hand, would not so much as deign to return him an answer, whereupon he in a great rage returned to Belgrade vaunting that if Mahomet so Commanded, he would the next year lay siege to Vienna, and so much extolled his exploits to the great Sultan, that he commanded public Triumphs for the space of four days in Constantinople, for joy of his good success in Stira, and sent the proud Bassa a Robe of Gold, and a leaders Staff set wit Pearl and precious Stones.  
The loss of Canisia sore troubled the Christian insomuch that Paradiser the Governor, who had so tamely yielded it into the hands of the Turks, coming to Vienna was there imprisoned, and many things being proved against him, his Ensign Bearer, Lieutenant, and the Mayor of the Town, they after many strict Examinations were at the command of the Emperor executed.  
Notwithstanding the death of the Bassa of Carramani in manner as aforesaid, the Rebellion was not altogether thereby extinguished but secretly kept alive by the countenance of the Persian Sophy, so that now it again began as if revived from its Embers to break out into a flame, and in a trice swept away several Towns, whereupon Mahomet sent to the Persian to demand for the more assurance of the League one of his Sons as Hostage, which was so evilly taken that the Sophy commanded the Turks Ambassador to be slain, and although that rigorous sentence was remitted, yet by the second Commandment of the Sophy he was bastinadoed, and in despite of him that sent him returned with great disgrace, the which though it highly offended Mahomet, yet he finding himself at that time not in a condition to revenge it, only blustered a little and to prevent the worst, put strong Garrisons into his Frontier Towns.  
Anno 1601, The Christian Confederates brought a strong Army into the Field, for fear of which the Turkish General proposed many ofters of Peace, but ere any was concluded, the said General Ibraim Bassa died, when as the Christians not to omit any opportunity took divers strong places, and amongst the rest after a terrible battery, and the loss of Eight Thousand men Alba Regalis, one of the chiefest and strongest Cities of Hungary, into which the furious Soldiers entering through Streets of fire and over heaps of the slain, put all they met to the Sword, few or none except the Bassa being taken to mercy, enriched themselves with a great spoil, especially the Walloons, who spared not to rifle the Tombs of the Hungarian Kings, which barbarity the Turks themselves had abstained from. Yet hardly was the spoil taken but news came that Assan Bassa made General in the stead of Ibraim, was coming with a great Army to relieve it, whereupon Duke Mercury drew out his Forces and in a mortal Battle slew the Bassa, and most of his men, taking his rich Camp, and a great number of Prisoners, and amongst the rest Fifty of the Rebels that fled from Papa, who yet at the instance of the said Duke were pardoned.  
The Christians heightened with this success, were now resolved to attempt the recovery of Canisia from before which (after they had a long time besieged it, and laid open with their furious battery several breaches, killing in the several assaults a number of Turks) they were by the unseasonableness of the weather obliged to departed, to the great grief of the Commanders, though joy of the Soldiers, who through the excessive Cold that then happened were become unserviceable, many of them being frozen to Death in the Trenches. The Turks now greatly disinaid and almost driven out of Hungary, unhappy chance turned the Christians Swords, upon themselves for although Michael the Vayvod of Valachia was reconciled to the Emperor, yet the Transilvanians desirous to be Governed by Sigismond their natural Prince, cast Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant, and by him appointed Governor of that Province, into Irons; and immediately submitted themselves to Sigismond, and likewise imprisoned several of the Nobility, whom they suspected to favour the Emperor, returning again to the Turkish obedience, and this by the contrivance of the Chancellor of Polonia. Yet at the mediation of Friends Basta was set at Liberty; who thoroughly enraged at the disgrace done to him, and the indignity offered thereby to the Emperor his Master, raised an Army and joying with Michael the Vayvod, invaded Transilvania, and in a dreadful Battle overthrew Prince Sigismond with great slaughter of his men, upon which Claudiopolis and divers other Cities of Transylvania returned to the Emperor's obedience.  
After this great victory the Vayvod still envying at the success of the Imperialists, and secretly grudging against Basta, by Letters held secret correspondency with the Bassa of Temeswar, intending in consideration of Valachia, Moldavia, and Transilvania, to become the Turks Tributary, and by the assistance of the Bassa's drive out the Imperialists, to prevent which it was agreed that he should be sent Prisoner to Vienna. In order to which a Walloon Captain was sent into his Tent with sixty followers, but he making resistance was by the said Captain slain, which caused a great uproar amongst his Soldiers, but when they understood the cause by Letters produced under his own hand, their anger was allayed, themselves protesting that had they known so much they would long before dispatched him. After the Death of the Vayvod the Transilvanians wholly submitted to themselves to Basta. Yet continued not long in that obedience ere stirred up by some restless spirits they again Revolted and Proclaimed Sigismond, denying obedience to any other; at which sudden mutation of this unstable people Basta not a little troubled to prevent his being again imprisoned, (as he had been formerly by them, withdrew himself with his Followers, into a strong Town on the Frontiers, from whence he by Letters advertized the Emperor of what had happened, and requested him to send him speedy Aid, whereby he might be able to reduce them to their former obedience.  
During these troubles in Transylvania, the Turks taking the advantage did mischief in Hungary, yet were often met with by the Imperialists, and amongst the rest the Bassa of Agria, as he was going to besiege Toccaie with ten thousand Turks, who being encountered by Ferrant Gonzaga the Emperor's Lieutenant was overthrown, with the slaughter of almost all his followers; nor was Mahomet the Emperor less perplexed with the Carramanian and Natolian Rebels, who now getting to a great head under the leading of one Scrivano, had given several overthrows to his Bassas sent against them, and spread their borders wide, drawing into their Confederacy all Asia the Lesser, and a part of the Greater, and at the same time the Janissaries were in an uproar in Constantinople, threatening the Emperor and charging him with Cowardice, and the neglect of his affairs, to appease whom Cicala Bassa was obliged to bestow amongst them a great sum of money, and the Musti or chief Mahometan Priest declaring that all these disorders happened, for that Mahomet their Prophet was offended at the excess of wine that was drunk in the City; whereupon Proclamation was made that upon pain of death all those that had any wine in their houses, the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes excepted, should immediately bring it forth and stave it; whereupon such abundance was spilt, that boats in the high streets might have swum in wine of all sorts.  
By this time Basta having received Forces from the Emperor, had so straitened the Transylvanians, that Sigismond sent to offer him all the Towns that were in his possession, at the time of his being expelled Transylvania, of which offer Zachel Moses the Prince's Lieutenant, having notice, resolved not to suffer any agreement upon such conditions, and therefore with the Forces under his Command composed of Turks, Tartars, and Transylvanians, he hasted to oppress Basta in his Camp, but finding him as ready as himself, a dreadful battle was fought between them, wherein Basta with his Germane prevailed, making a great slaughter of the enemy; To excuse which rash action Sigismond sent several of his Nobility to the Imperial Camp, offering to perform what ever he had promised, and to go in person to the Emperor, which once put in practise all the Country returned again to the Emperor's obedience, nor was Valachia at this time less troubled about Election of a Vayvod, that Province being divided into two Factions, the one was for choosing Radol a Noble man, affecting the Emperor's interest, and the other for Electing Jeremias, who had promised to hold his Province Tributary of the Turk; whereupon many Battles were fought with various success, but in the end Rodolph assisted by the Emperor's Forces overthrew his competitor, and obtained a great Victory; in which battle two of the Turkish Bassas were slain, with all their followers, and soon after, having overthrown a great power of the Tartars, he recovered the Principality; nor was Hungary free from the Turkish outrages, who bearing themselves upon their small success, attempted to surprise Alba Regalis, but were by the Christians overthrown with great slaughter, and soon after two hundred of their Wagons laden with provision and Ammunition, was taken by Count Serinus, on its way to Canisia, and about the same time took Ali Bassa Governor of Pesth prisoner, and with him seventy thousand Hungarian Ducats, which Bassa for his ransom over and above offered 300000 Sultanies.  
Mahomet not a little troubled with the continual news of his Losses in Hungary, and resolving to revenge himself on the Christians sent Hassau Bassa, with an Army of one hundred and fifty thousand Turks and Tartars, who upon their arrival, passing the Danubius, laid siege to Alba-Regalis, of which the Count Ysolon was Governor, when raising three Batteries, they incessantly thundered against the wall and Bulwarks, and was by the Defendants answered in the same Language, and by frequent Sallies, cut off a number of the enemies, but having all their walls on the West side beaten down, and most of the Soldiers either killed or disabled, the Count himself wounded in the thigh, their powder being almost spent, and no hopes of relief, they capitulated to deliver the Town upon condition that they should departed thence with all their Goods and be conducted in safety to the neighbouring Garrison, which was sworn to by all the Turkish Commanders; but having once entered the City, they not only spoil and plunder it, but destroyed and put to the sword all the Soldiers and Citizens, sparing none alive but the Count himself, and some few Captains, whom they sent in Chains to Constantinople, insomuch that the streets flowed with the blood of three thousand Christians, in revenge of this loss, the Lord Russworm with thirty thousand men laid siege to the strong City of Buda, and took the base Town, where he got store of Riches, and afterwards laid hard siege to the upper City, but finding it a work of great difficulty, he resolved to turn his Forces upon Pesth a strong Garrison lying on the other side the River, from whence the Turks with their great Ordnance annoyed his Army before Buda, which place he without much difficulty won, and then again returned to the siege of the upper City of Buda, but having lost eight thousand of his men, and having notice that the Tartars were at hand with a great Army, resolving to relieve it, he raised his siege, having first repulsed the Vizard Bassa before Pesth, with the loss of half his Forces.  
Scrivano having rend the Turks Dominions in Asia, by taking from them their principal Cities, fell sick, of which sickness he died, to the great grief of the Rebels, who nevertheless chose his younger brother to lead them, who soon after in a great battle overthrew the Turkish Army, that was sent against him, under the leading of Hassau Bassa, and slew the Bassa himself, together with almost all his followers; whereupon Mahomet doubting his Empire in Asia, was obliged to withdraw his Forces out of Hungary, yet incited the Tartars by frequent inroads to busy the Imperialists, till he could be at leisure to return his Captains with a greater power, who according to their wont mischievous natures committed sundry outrage, burning and destroying all in their way, but in the end were most of them cut off by the Christians against whose joint Forces, they were no ways able to stand, as being rather enured to spoil than fight.  
Anno 1603 The Turks in the several Garrisons roaming abroad in the depth of winter, when Danubius itself was frozen over, committed many outrages in Hungaria, but in their return, being met by Colonel Coblonitz, a great number of them were cut in pieces, and all the booty recovered, so that for want of Victuals Buda was greatly distressed, but see again the change of fortune, for the Turks coming out of Buda upon the Frozen River, braving the Garrison of Pesth, the Soldiers sallied out upon them, but being overpowred were two hundred of them slain, yet this loss was shortly revenged by the Garrison Soldiers, who surprising several of the Turkish Nobility, sporting with their wives in the hot Baths not far from Buda, put all the men to the sword, and suffered the women to escape naked into the City, to whose flight, fear added wings, and so with the spoil of their rich garments returned in Triumph, but want of Victuals increasing, they were obliged to feed upon all manner of unclean things, when at the same time their neighbours of Buda having received a great Convoy of Victuals, derided them, and sent three or four thundering Peals of Cannon over the river against the Town, but their mirth was soon spoiled, for by the carelessness of the Engenier several barrels of Powder taking fire not only killed a great number of them, but likewise overthrew four yards of their Wall, and thus the Winter passed over with many skirmishes, and the taking of several places in Hungary on either side; When early in the Spring the new Vayvod of Valachia over run the rich Country of Silistria, reducing the greatest part of it to his obedience, and soon after Colloninitz gave the Turks another great overthrow, and took a great booty on its way to Canisia, and afterwards laid siege to Baboz, but finding it strongly Garrisoned, and furnished for a long siege, he withdrew from before it, yet he surprised many of the Turks and intercepted several Wagons laden with provision, about which time news came that the Janissaries were up in Arms at Constantinople, as likewise Sphai, and that they committed several outrages on the Bassas, and spared not to abuse their master, telling him they would (seeing he neglected to) reform his Government, swearing that unless he would deliver into their power the Capi Aga, and such others as they should require, they would turn all into confusion, which threats so scared the Pusillanimous Tyrant that he was contented to yield to their demands, who having got those Favourites they most inveighed against, they with all despite put them to death; whereupon the Tyrant not to be outdone in cruelty, caused several of the Bassa's and chief men of his Court, whom he knew the Soldiers affected, to be slain, which caused such a hatred against him, that many of his great Bassa's conspired to depose him, and set up his son Mahomet in his stead, which they were the more animated to put in practice, for that he had at the same time made a dishonourable peace with the Asian Rebels, giving most of their ringleaders great Commands, whilst those that had faithfully served him were rejected, of which intent of his men of war, the Tyrant having notice, caused his son, and so many as he could understand were any ways concerned therein to be put to death.  
These things happening in the foregoing year, the year following the Tartars in great numbers intending to invade Hungary, were denied passage by the Polonians, whereupon they resolved to make their way through Valachia, with whom the Vayvod had many hard conflicts, killing at one time three thousand of them, but their number being great, he was forced at length to let them pass; who upon their arrival in Hungary and Stira, made great spoil e'er Collonitz could take the field, who at length joining with Count Serinus, gave them a fatal overthrow, and recovered about five thousand Christian Captives; yet those that escaped from the battle roving about did great harm, till such time as they were met with by the Lord Nadasti and his Hassars, who with a furious charge overset their battle, and brought them to final destruction, when soon after Collonitz returning fell upon Two Thousand Turks all or most of which he slew, and then passing on besieged the Castle of Loqua which in a short time he took, but by neglect of the Soldiers enjoyed not long, for the Palisades being fired set fire to the Castle and laid it waste. After which he marched towards the Castle of Boulouvenar, upon whose approach the Garrison fled, but in their flight being met were overthrown with great slaughter, and such as were taken Prisoners together with all their substance brought back to the Castle, into which the Colonel having put Four Hundred Haducks, and Two Hundred Hussars, returned to Comara, where with a great Booty he arrived in safety.  
Turning a little from the troubles of Hungary, a Country subject to the continual Inroads of the Turks, I shall return to Transilvania, which by this time was for the most part reduced to the Emperor's obedience. For Moses' the Rebel after his being overthrown by Basta, doubting his safety in the Castle of Solemose, delivered it to the Turks and fled to Temeswar, a City in their possession of which Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant having notice resolved to recover the Castle, which the Turks supposed impregnable by reason of its situation, as being founded upon a steep and hard Rock, but the Germans having by strength of Arms drawn their Cannon to the top of a little Hill, not far distant from it, after a terrible battery made had it delivered to them, the Turks well perceiving they were no longer able to keep it.  
This strong place thus gained many of less account that held out against Basta surrendered, whereupon assembling the principal men of Transilvania, he in a short Oration admonished them to be steadfast to the interest of the Emperor, and not to have any regard to the faithless and wavering Turks, etc. To which they replied, That they were willing to obey the Emperor in all things, but that their people in continual Wars being wasted, they desired him to consider how little able they were to keep an Army in the Field, without which the Country could not be defended; but if the Emperor would protect them, and secure them with a standing Army, they would yearly pay towards the defraying of the charges Fifteen Thousand Hungarian Ducats, and furnish them with all things necessary. It being a thing more Honourable and Profitable for a Prince moderately to use his Subjects, then for covetousness to devour them in one day, and in their loss to lose himself for ever. This their offer was by Basta accepted, and the minds of the people by many persuasive arguments kept in their dutiful Allegiance to the Emperor. But whilst peace was expected on all sides Moses the Rebel, with a great power of Turks and Tartars entered Transilvania, at such time as Basta was absent dreaming of no such matter, and seizing upon Wisceborongh, some other places of small importance, his name began to spread wide. Insomuch that Mahomet the Sultan understanding what he had done, promised to send him more Aid, and to make him his Lieutenant if he prospered in his Wars, which puffed up the Rebel to that height that hearing of Basta being with small Forces in the Town of Somosinar, he resolved to march thither and besiege him, but that experienced Captain knowing how much it impaired the credit of a General, to be enclosed within Walls, upon notice of his approach, after he had put that place in a posture of defence departed thence, and after having received a supply of eight Thousand men from the Vayvod of Valachia, he went to oppose the Torrent, but ere he could prevent it the City of Claudinople fell into the Rebels hands, who used the Citizens with all manner of cruelties. Yet at length meeting with them before he was ware, fell into their danger, not expecting them to be above half the number, he found them so that he not exceeding Nine Thousand, and the Rebels not less than Thirty Thousand, when he had done all that became a valiant Soldier retired in good order, leaving his Baggage, Tents, and Artillery with the dead Bodies of One Thousand of his men as pray to the Conquerors; but they more greedy of the spoil then to pursue him, fell to plundering the Tents with such eagerness, that he thereof advertized, and turning his recollected Forces suddenly upon them, who dreamt of nothing less entered amongst them unarmed as they were, every one with his hands full of spoils, made such a slaughter that scarcely a third part of them escaped, so that by their carelessness within less than four hours, the vanquishers were vanquished and amongst the slain fell Moses himself, whose head was after fixed upon a Lance and set up upon the Walls of Carolstadt.  
This Rebellion suppressed another Rebel aided by the Turks Tartars and Cossacks to the number of Six Thousand, made head about Lippa, but Three Thousand Haducks being sent out against him, his Forces were defeated and himself, for the safety of his own Life glad to fly, after which good success One Hundred of the Rebels Insignes, and the Horse on which Moses fought, traped richly with Gold and Precious Stones were as a grateful present sent to the Emperor, and afterward the Army under the Command of Basta, being increased to Twenty Thousand, he with Five and Twenty pieces of Cannon marched to besiege Temeswar, but ere he long had lain before it, by his Soldiers eating of green Fruit, the Bloody Flux raged so in his Camp, that death triumphing every where over his men he was forced to departed.  
Spring being come the Christian Army in Hungaria being Five and Thirty Thousand strong took the Field, under the Command of the Lord Rusworm, who having carefully provided for the several Garrisons encamped near to Pesth at what time an Army of One Hundred Thousand Turks shown itself on the other side the Danubius, for fear of which several of the Garrison Soldiers of Pesth fled over to Buda, and there were highly entertained by the Bassa, who thought to use them as decoys to train their fellows over, but this project failed though at that time their wants were great, though not long, for in spite of the Turks endeavours to hinder them, two Convoys of Provision and other necessaries, the one by Water, and the other by Land were brought thither, at what time a Turkish Captain upon some displeasure flying from Alba Regalis to Rab, informed the Governor that if he would march thither he would show him an easy way to surprise the Suburbs if not the City itself, whereupon the Christian Soldiers giving credit to the Infidel by his direction succeeded in taking the Suburb as they wished, and in it a great Booty, but despairing in any further advantage returned with great joy to Rab.  
The Rebels in Asia being again in Arms, Mahomet finding himself not strong enough to suppress them by Force, laboured by his Ambassadors to reconcile them offering such advantageous terms of peace as should to all men seem reasonable, but they not caring to trust the Tyrant rejected his offers and would have no peace, whereupon what the Infidels refused he thought fit to offer to the Christians, but on this side he demands so unreasonable (viz. that in consideration of his delivering up Agria and Canisia he might have Transilvania, Strigonium and Pesth) that the Emperor would not accord to any peace upon such terms, so that the treaty broke off, upon which Hostilities that for a while ceased began afresh, so that Collonitz with Six Thousand Imperialists falling upon the Rear of the Turks Army, cut off seven Hundred men, taking a great spoil and many Prisoners, amongst whom was Saxur Beg, a man of great repute amongst the Turks, who upon Examination confessed the design Hassan Bassa had to besiege Strigonium, and Pesth, and the number of Turks and Tartars that were daily expected to join him, of which General Rusworm being informed, as also of the state of the Turks Army, and also that upon some discontent the Tartars were returned into their own Country, to the great weakening of the Bassa's Forces, wherefore to prevent their putting a Convoy into Buda, he caused several Forts to be built, and permitting the Turks to pass ever the Danubius by a Bridge trained them into an Ambush laid in the Flags and Osiers for that purpose, so that with little loss on the part of the Christians, 10000 Turks were slain, drowned in the River, and taken Prisoners; so that a great booty consisting of eighteen Ensigns, two Cornets, four Brass pieces, much rich Armour, and many Wagons loaden with Provision fell into the hands of the Christians, whereby the Turks were so much discouraged that they for a long while attempted nothing.  
Affairs standing thus in Hungary, Asia was still in a flame, especially upon the revolt of one of Mahomet's great Bassa's, whom he had despitefully deposed from being General, of which confusion the Persian King taking the advantage, laid siege to Tauris a strong City, taken by Amurath from his Father, as is beforementioned, the which by the Aid of several Christians, after a terrible battery made against it he took, so that the Turk on every side beset, was greatly perplexed in mind not knowing which way to turn himself, nor fared he better by Sea for the Asian Rebels, under pretence of a reconciliation and transporting themselves into Europe to serve him in Hungaria, seized upon many of his Galleys sent to Transport them, as also the great Duke of Florence's Admiral meeting with Amurat Raise an old Pirate and Mahomet's Admiral overthrew his squadron of Galleys, taking some and sinking others, so that few escaped: and his great Army in Hungary after the loss of Thirty Thousand Men in divers conflicts with the Christian, achieving nothing worth mention, except putting a Convoy of Victuals into Buda, returned to Belgrade under the covert of darkness, in manner of a fearful flight which was no sooner perceived by the Lord Rusworm who had often in vain urged the Bassa to fight, but he sent his Light Horsemen to pursue them who cutting off the Rearmost for many Miles, returned with a considerable booty, after which he laid siege to Hatvan, and had it (after several fierce assaults delivered into his possession, the Garrison and Citizens, as it was agreed on marching out were conducted by certain Troops of Hussars to Solvock, when having put a strong Garrison into it, and relieved such other places as he thought convenient, and now the depth of Winter coming on he broke up his Army, sending as a certain token of several successful exploits sixty four of the Turks Ensigns, to the Arch Duke Mathias, so that till the next Spring nothing of moment happened.  
No sooner was the frozen Earth freed from the cold embraces of Winter, but new stirs began in Transilvania as likewise in Moldavia, where the Tartars in great number destroying the Country were overthrown, and almost all of them slain; at what time Zellali the chief of the Asian Rebels whom Mahomet by great rewards had alured to his interest, entered the Kingdom of Bosna with a great power of his followers, where having trained Zeffer Bassa the Governor thereof into his danger, he set upon him and slew most of his men, and seized upon the Kingdom, upon notice of which Mahomet in a great rage sent his Letters to him, commanding him forthwith to repair to Constantinople, but he not thinking it convenient to trust the Tyrant with his head, he returned for answer that he was already possessed of the Kingdom promised him for his service, and that he as a Loyal Subject would keep it to his behoof, with which answer Mahomet was forced to content himself, as fearing that if he should go about to expulse him by force he would revolt to the Christian Emperor, and so prove a more dangerous Enemy to him in Europe then he had done in Asia. Wherefore to prevent the worst he resolved if he could obtain such conditions as might suit with his greatness to have Peace with the Emperor, in order to which Commissioners met at Buda, and many Presents were given and received on either side, the Turks expressing great joy for the hopes they conceived, that at length they should rest from the toils of War but after many proposals on either side, the demands of the Turkish Sultan was so unreasonable that nothing was concluded, so that after a short truce Hostilities began afresh, when as the Turks seeking to waist Valachia were with great slaughter by the Vayvod overthrown, at what time the Lord Nadasti the Valiant and Renowned Captain of the Christians died, to the grief of all the Confederate Princes there not being a man left whose Council, and Conduct in Martial affairs equalled his, but this grief was somewhat allayed upon certain News that Mahomet the great Sultan was likewise departed this Life, dying about the latter end of January, Anno 1604. When he had lived 44 years, and thereof Reigned 8, being altogether pusillanimous and given up to pleasure, and lies buried in a Chapel of white Marble at Constantinople, near to the Church of St. Sophia; in whose stead Achm●● his Third Son was saluted by reason of the death of his two Elder Brethren, one of which was strangled by the Commandment of his unnatural Father and the other very young died a natural death.   

CHAP. XVIII. The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperor of the Turks, and first of that Name.  
UPon the death of Mahomet the Third his Son Achmat then but fifteen years of Age, was by the great Bassa's and men of War saluted Emperor, having purchased the good will of the latter at two Millions and a half of Asper's; upon which after he was solemnly Crowned, he sent Ambassadors to the King of Persia, as he likewise did to the Emperor, but according to the proud humour of his Predecessors his demands were so unreasonable, that they would not be accorded to, neither in Europe nor Asia, whereupon the Turks ere the Treaty was ended with the Emperor, under pretence of Friendship endeavoured to surprise Pesth, but by the vigilancy of the Garrison Soldiers were put by their purpose, which Treacherous dealing made manifest the Treaty was utterly broken off, whereupon great preparations were made for War on either side, during which time the Persian King was not idle, prosecuting his Wars had recovered almost all that the Turks had taken from his Predecessors. Yet the Turks lessened his victory, and the more to amuse the Christians spread a false report, that near unto Babylon his Army was overthrown, and himself taken Prisoner, not forgetting to magnify the Forces of their Emperor, who indeed for his years was very active in the affairs of Government though cruel withal towards his own Subjects, and farther they gave it out that at once he intended to invade with puissant Armies, both Hungary and Persia; purposing to annex them to the Ottoman Empire: but these great words (though in truth the Christians were more negligent in their preparations then the occasion required) proved but Air.  
But leaving the Turks awhile I shall survey the miseries of the once fertile Country of Transylvania, which now through civil discord amongst themselves, and Rebellion against the Emperor was so spoiled, that Famine coming fast on them for want of the Earth's due increase, it by long continuance reduced them to that extremity that the Peasants and poorer sort of people, having eaten up for dainties all the Dogs, Cats, Mice, Rats, and live Horses, fell to eating such starved Beasts as through want they found to have perished in the Woods and Fields, and at length when nothing was left they fed upon human flesh, men eating men, and Women their Children; yea Thiefs and Malefactors hauged for their Villainies, were by the miserable people cut down and eaten, to remedy which the Emperor caused to be assembled the States of the Province, wherein it was accorded that all Hostilities set apart, the Gentlemen of Transilvania having by their Rebellion forfeited their Lives and Lands should be pardoned as to Life, with three fourth parts of their Lands reserved unto them, and that for ready money they might of the Emperor redeem the fourth part, but concerning the moveables of such as were dead in the time of trouble, and already confiscated to the Emperor, they should so remain, and that they should pay their tenths of their Wines and Fruits to the Emperor, and that no other than the Romish Religion should be exercised in that Province, and that Clausenburg and Cronstad should within three weeks after pay the one Twenty Thousand Dollars, and the other Eight Thousand, and that the Governors of those Towns should put their Keys into the hands of the Emperor's Lieutenant. And lastly, That the Gentlemen who would not be accounted in the number of the Rebels, should for the safety of their persons take Letters of Pardon from the said Lieutenant. This pacification gave som● little hopes to the distressed Transylvanians, but I lasted not long, for the Nobility weary of the Germane yoke soon revolted from the Emperor's o●●●●ence, and again took up Arms, which plunged them into their former miseries; wherein for a while I must leave them and return again to the Turkish affairs.  
The several Hostilities having banished all hopes of Peace, several skirmishes passed between the Christians and Turks, in which the latter were for the most part put to the worst, and had been more distressed had not the Imperial Soldiers mutined, and for want of pay spoiled the Country of Austria even within the sight of Vienna, the Suburbs of which City they had sacked, had not the Governor come against them with a great power, and forced them to lay down their Arms, causing the Ringleaders to be punished with death and imprisonment. But whilst these things were doing Zellaly was driven out of Bosna, by Zeffer Bassa sent in order thereto by the Sultan with a great power, yet the better to calm his high Spirit, and to make the Asian Rebels have a better opinion of the young Emperor, he was made Governor of Temeswar, and so became a mortal Enemy to the Christians, his first undertaking being to surprise Lippa, but therein found such bad success, that he hardly recovered his own Garrison, leaving most of his men dead behind him, and soon after a terrible fire happening in Canisia laid it almost waste, firing the Magazine of Powder and blowing up the Citadel, Towers, Houses, and Wall, so that had any forces of the Christians been near in that General consternation, they might easily have surprised it, after which lost the Turks sustained another for Two Hundred of the Garrison of Buda, going abroad to forage, were by the sallying of the Garrison of Pesth all cut off.  
During these stirs the restless Transylvanians having called to their assistance divers Turks and Tartars, had seized upon several strong places, driving out the Imperial Garrisons to repress whose insolency Basta sent the Haducks, under the leading of Horwal their Captain, who lying in ambush for them who were but few in number, and easily overthrown, as being by Famine bereft of their strength, they were most of them put to the Sword; after which the Haducks rob the poor Villagers at their pleasure, killing such as refused to contribute to their greedy desires. So that all was again reduced to the same extremity as before, and when the said Captain was by the Lieutenant Commanded to restrain his men from committing any more such outrages, he answered, that it was impossible to keep Soldiers in order amidst extremity of Famine, for that the belly was an inexorable usurer, which took pity upon nothing but with great rigour exacted that which it thought due for the nourishment of itself.  
The Forces of the Christians increasing in Hungary, the Bassa of Buda to retard their proceeding made many fair shows of the great desires his Lord the Emperor had of peace, and the better to make it be believed, he wrote a dissembling letter signifying as much to the Governor of Strigonium, but his fair Glozing was not of force to lull the Christians into a security; which hypocrisy of the Bassa's soon after appeared by his surprising Simnin, a Castle held by the Christians, upon the banks of the Danubius, and setting it on fire.  
The Persian King having joined hands with Caracas the chief Leader of the Rebels, a man of great power, in a set Battle overthrew Cicala Bassa, with the loss of almost all his Turks, taking the Bassas son prisoner, by secret Messengers invited the bordering Nations to revolt from the Turkish obedience, to prevent which, the same Bassa was with another huge Army sent into those parts, where in a short space, he received two several overthrows, in which, besides what he lost in the first battle, seventy thousand Turks perished; so that now the Terror the Persian breathed even upon Constantinople itself, having overrun the greatest part of the Turks Dominions in Asia, at what time Achmat fell sick of the small Pox at Constantinople, and hardly recovered, when during the time of his sickness it was agreed amongst the Bassas that his brother Mustapha the only survivor of the Ottoman family if he had died, should have been taken out of the Seraglio, where he remained no better than a prisoner, and have been proclaimed Emperor, nor would the Soldiers believe but that he was dead, till such time as he recovering his strength, road for their better satisfaction through most of the Principal streets of the Imperial City of Constantinople.  
The Persian still prevailing, and it being rumoured, that he advanced apace at the head of one hundred thousand fight men, to whom Baggages the discontented Bassa had joined himself, Achmat sent Hassan Bassa his General to maintain the wars in Hungary, and Cicala Bassa (notwithstanding he had been thrice overthrown) against the Persian and Asian Rebels; but amidst his great preparation the Tartarian Cham sent him word that he could not come to his assistance in person, but that he would send his son with a great power into Hungary, (now the reason that this great Monarch is so ready at all times to serve the Turk, is for that they often interchange in Marriages, and that if the Ottoman family fail, the Empire descends to the Tartar Cham, and lastly, which indeed is the greatest motive, by reason of the large Pension that Prince living in a needy Country receives yearly from the Turkish Emperor.)  
To oppose the Turks and Tartars, Rodolphus the Emperor sent Maximilian his nephew in the quality of an Ambassador to the Pope and Princes of Italy, to crave aid, who upon his arrival at Rome, was honourably received, and after having finished his negotiation, sent back with many presents and a full assurance of a speedy supply, the Pope for his part having promised out of his Treasury 150000 Crowns, to be paid towards the defraying the charges of the war, in which he was not less than his word; but by this time the Tartars being upontheir march towards Hungary, (where Hassan Bassa was with a great power of Turks arrived) and denied passage through Polonia, broke violently into Valachia, miserably spoiling and destroying the Country, to abate whose fury the Null aided by Bastas' Forces still following them in the rear, cut off a great number of them, yet at length they passed into Hungary, and there joined the Bassas Forces, whereupon (after several skirmishes, and the taking of some (not important) places on both sides) he set down with all his power before Strigonium, to prevent whose entrenching, the Christians Sallied out, killing many of them, and driving the rest from their works, upon news of which siege, Basta taking a new oath of the Transylvanians, came with all his Forces to endeavour its Relief, who upon his arrival confronted the enemy, and raising a huge Fort of Earth, not far from their Camp, from thence with several Pieces of Cannon greatly annoyed them, so that what with continual sallies of the besieged, and the skirmishes Bastas Soldiers had with them after a tedious siege, and the loss of twenty thousand men, the haughty Bassa raised his Camp, and departed towards Buda, Basta still following them, and cutting off a great number of such as marched in the rear, and took several prisoners of note, yet such was the fera, that the Turks brought upon Hatvan, during their besieging Strigonium that the Garrison abandoned it, carrying with them all their moveables, and several Pieces of Cannon, though the Turks had attempted nothing against it.  
During these troubles in Hungary, Bethlem Habor, chief of the Rebels in Transylvania assisted by Beckberes Bassa, with four thousand Turks, entered the Province, to have taken possession thereof, in the absence of Basta, but being encountered by Count Tambire, when he suspected no such matter, he was overthrown, and a thousand of his men slain, himself and the Bassa hardly escaping, and three days after the said Count, lighting on several Troops of Turks sent to the assistance of the Rebels, by the Bassa of Temeswar, put most of them to the sword, yet the Rebellion ceased not so, for one Botscay a discontented Germane, having drawn a great number of desperate fellows to take part with him, and countenanced by the Grand Signior, took the field in the upper Hungary, against whom Belgiosia a valiant Captain advanced with such Forces as he in haste could muster up, but such was his ill hap, that joining battle he was overthrown by the Rebels, and most of his Soldiers slain, after which defeat of the imperialists the City of Cassonia was surrendered to the Rebels, upon notice of which Basta having gathered a considerable Army marched against Botscay, to put a stop to his proceed e'er he possessed himself of any more of the Hungarian Cities, yet the people Generally favouring their 'cause which wore a mask of Religion and Liberty, the number daily increased, and notwithstanding the diligence of Basta, many strong holds were put into their hands, yet after a tedious march, the renowned Lieutenant, put to flight the forerunners of their Army, and after many difficulties, and the loss of several of his Soldiers, came to a pitched field, of which after a cruel and bloody fight he won, putting Botscay and his Rebel followers to flight, with great slaughter, and by that means recovered many Cities and Castles that had cast off the Emperor's obedience, and taken part with the Rebels.  
The Turks in Persia fared little otherwise then those in Hungary, for Cicala Bassa, with all his Forces were overthrown by the Persian King, and the City of Babylon, now called Bagdat taken, of which he sent to advertise the Germane Emperor, entreating him to join hands with him for abating the Turks pride, which he was resolutely determined to do, resolving not to give over the war till he had stripped him out of all his Cities in Asia, and therefore desired the Emperor to send an Ambassador to confer with him about a lasting peace, which was accordingly done; nor were they all the trouble the Turkish Empire sustained, for by reason of some differences between the Bassas of Damascus and Aleppo, they wage mortal battle one with the other, wherein the latter was overthrown, and flying to his City, there besieged, till compelled thereto by famine, he yielded to what the Bassa of Damascus demanded; about what time Sultan Achmats' first son was born, for which there was great rejoicing at Constantinople.  
Anno 1605. The troubles in Hungary and Transylvania more and more increased, the former being occasioned by the Bishops (in their late assembly) passing a decree that all of the reformed Religion should be burnt, or banished, against which wicked Decree, though the Nobility of the Kingdom openly protested against, yet were their Churches seized, and Public and Private worship forbidden, as also the reading of the Bible; to redress which grievances, Basta promised redress, but Botscay having made them a stirrup to help him into the saddle would hearken to no peace, unless Transylvania might be delivered to him, and that the Lieutenant of Hungary might be a Hungarian born, and that all offices might be bestowed upon Hungarians, and the Soldiers of other Nations withdraw except such as were in Garrison, and those not to pass their appointed limits; and lastly, that Hungarian Soldiers should receive the Emperors pay, and that when ever an Assembly of the Estates was held at Presburg, the Emperor himself should be there in person. These proposals were sent to Basta by two Hungarians, but without success, whereupon all manner of Hostilities were used, and more spoil made in a short time, than the Turks had done in many years.  
These intestine troubles gave the Turks opportunity to possess themselves of the Cities of Vacia and Vicegrade, and committed great outrages in many places, and what was more to the disadvantage of the Emperor, the Haducks his chief strength favouring the Rebels, revolted from him, which Basta perceiving, and finding his Forces daily to decrease, procured of the Emperor a General pardon for all offences past, as well Temporal as Ecclesiastical, promising upon their submission to restore them to their Liberties, privileges, and Religious worship as formerly exercised, and that no man should be molested, by virtue of any Decree made by the Bishops, etc. this pardon was proclaimed with the beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet in several places upon which some of the Nobility, whose Estates lay in danger to be spoiled by the Soldiers, came in and submitted themselves, yet the Rebels Army was no whit lessened, but rather increased, insomuch that the Haducks drawing themselves apart besieged Sacinar, in which was an Imperial Garrison, and after divers assaults took it, and marching from thence endeavoured to have surprised the strong Castle of Tocay, but their design was frustrated by the stout resistance of those in Garrison; but that which had like to have proved worst of all to Basta was the mutiny of his own Soldiers, which he hardly appeased with a great sum of money.  
The Haducks still roaming about as men greedy of prey, lay siege to Fileck, which after some loss they took, and placed a strong Garrison therein; upon which Ambassadors were sent to Boscay the head of the Rebels, to treat with him in the Emperor's name, about a peace, but without receiving any satisfaction, they were forced to return, the Rebel declaring that if they came from the Estates of Hungary he would give them Audience, but if from the Emperor the Articles of peace he had proposed, he expected to be confirmed without delay, if the Emperor expected any, and after the departure of the Ambassadors; he sent forth his Letters mandatory to Assemble the Nobility at Serentium, on the seventeenth of April to settle the affairs of the Kingdom, many of which accordingly met, but concluded on nothing material, the Rebel and such as were of his faction still overruling them in all their consultations, as well knowing the Emperor's Forces for the most part had their hearts with him, which caused them frequently to mutiny and reproach their Commanders, under pretence of wanting their pay. The Haducks now increased in number possessed themselves of Newhawsel, Cibinium, Dort. field and Schemnitze.  
Thus whilst all Hungary, Austria, and Stira were as it were in a flame. The Turks again besieged several Castles which at that time were governed by valiant Captains, so that they prevailed not greatly yet the General confusion made the Emperor desirous of Peace, in order to which he sent Sigismond Forgot with full instructions to Kyrpa where the Estates of Hungary were to assemble, thither likewise came several Commissioners from Botscay and the Turkish Bassa's of Buda, Pesth, etc. when as in the mean time other Imperial Ministers were sent to Comara, to Treat only with the Turks, they having so required but the demands of the Turks and Rebels were so unreasonable, that many believed they only set that treaty on foot to protract the preparations of the Imperialists, so that all hopes of an amicable conclusion vanishing, fierce War began to rage's more terrible than before, all the countries' round being covered with the smoke of flaming Villages by day, and illuminated with shining ●ires by night, nor did the Rebels spare to sell the poor Christians like beasts to the merciless Turk, by them to be carried into perpetual slavery, nor desisted from committing such cruelties as even amazed the Infidels to see themselves out done. To prevent which outrages the Imperialists drawing together in a body, set upon a strong power of the Turks and Rebels, who thought to have surprised them in their Camp, and after a sharp dispute drove them with great slaughter to the Walls of Canusia, and afterwards put strong Garrisons into most of the important towns and Castles, which bad success made the Rebels again bethink themselves of a timely peace so that Botscay their Ringleader having received Letters of safe conduct from Mathias the Archduke, came with his Wife and Children to Vienna, and there by frequent by conferring with the Imperial Commissioners, matters were so ordered that peace was concluded between the Emperor and his Rebel Subjects of Hungary according to the Tenor of these Articles.  
Articles of Peace agreed upon Anno 1606. between the Emperor and his discontented Subjects of Hungary.  
1. That from thenceforth it should be lawful for every man throughout the Kingdom of Hungary, to have the free use of his Religion and believe what he would.  
2. That if the Hungarians so thought good, they might choose a Palatine for their Governor, and that in the mean time the Archduke Mathias should no more use the Title of Governor but Viceroy.  
3. That the Crown of Hungary should still be left in the Emperors keeping.  
4. That the Bishops that were nobly descended in Hungary and had Lands of their own, should be forthwith admitted into the Council but the other Bishops not to be so received.  
5. That Botscay for himself and his heirs male should ever hold Transilvania.  
6. That the same Country of Transilvania should be still subject to the Kingdom of Hungary.  
7 That for his Arms he should bear three Royal Crowns, and three open Helmets.  
8. That he should not more style himself Prince but Lord of part of Hungary.  
9 That they should pay the Heyducks their wages who had leavyed them.  
10. That the harms done on both sides should for ever be forgotten.  
11. That Bohemia, Moravia, Lansnisium and A●stria should not only with their Letters and Seals confirm the Articles, but also swear at Vienna to keep the same, so far as they conerned them.  
12. That the Hungarians likewise should send some to Vienna, who in their behalves should with their Letters, Seals and Oaths, Confirm and Ratify these Articles.  
13. That the assembly of the States of Hungary should be referred unto a more convenient time for their meeting.  
14. That these things being done this Agreement should be publicly confirmed and enrolled in the Records of the Kingdom of Hungary.  
15. That it should be lawful for the Hungarians by their Ambassadors, to invite the Princes of the Empire to the Approving and Confirming of these Articles.  
Peace thus concluded with the Hungarians, the Treaty of Peace between the Turkish Sultan and the Emperor went on, and with such good success that a Peace was soon after concluded to the joy of all the Emperor's Subjects, who weary with the continual toils and miseries of War, were now desirous of nothing more than to repose themselves in the downy arms of Peace. After which Botscay called an assembly of the Estates of Hungary recommending to them the care of preserving inviolable the Articles, and the speedy Election of a Palatine, and that above all things they would maintain and encourage the Reformed Religion, and in the next Assembly labour to have the Articles for burning Heretics repealed, and as much as in them lay to restore the lost Trade of the spoiled Provinces.  
These things done Botscay fell sick, which sickness increasing he greatly bewailed his late Rebellion, and the blood therein shed, wishing nothing more than that before he died, he could beg pardon for the same of the whole Roman Empire, yet had not his wish, but of that sickness died at Cossovia, on the 30th. of December, 1606. persuading in the time of his sickness such as had been his followers to adhere to the Emperor's interest, yet his Counsel was not so well observed, but that after his death (notwithstanding Mathias the Archduke had caused himself to be Crowned King of Hungary, including the Principality of Transivania) there wanted not some who aspired to the Title of Prince, which caused new discontents, but with relinquishing of that Title they vanished.  
Achmat having made Peace with the Emperor, resolved to turn his arms against the Persian King and Asian Rebels, against whom Anno 16●7. early in the Spring he sent the Vizard Bassa, who by Policy more than strength appeased the latter, when upon notice that the Bassa of Aleppo had overthrown the Bassa's of Tripoli and Daucasco, and that at the request of the Sultan he refused to lay down his arms, he marched against him with One Hundred Thirty Thousand men, which puissant Army the Bassa of Aleppo encountered with Forty Thousand, and in three Battles remained victor; but upon notice that the Bassa's of Damascus and Tripoli, were coming to the Aid of the Vizard Bassa with great Forces, and he by reason of the loss he had sustained not able to withstand their united power fled, with most of his Friends to the Mountains. Yet at the intercession of the Vizard Bassa but more for fear he should revolt t the Persian, he was afterwards pardoned and received into favour: upon which the King of Persia wrote to the King of Spain, entreating him to join Forces with him against the common Enemy, but more especially to send his Ships of War into the Gulf, and the rather to induce him so to do he sent him several rich presents.  
Whilst these things passed the Turkish Garrisons, who for the most part lived by spoils, impatient of Peace with the Christians committed some outrages, and secretly encouraged the Heyducks to commit more, of which Achmat having notice sent strictly to charge the Bassa of Buda, not (upon pain of his head) to infringe the Capitulation, whereupon Six Hundred Heyducks being abroad, and not assisted by the Turks as they expected, were intercepted by Humanoius an Imperial Captain and almost all of them slain; yet soon after the kind of proling men assembling to the number of Fifteen Thousand laid siege to Tilesk, having for their encouragement received Three Hundred Thousand Duccates, by the order of the Turkish Sultan, and great Ordnance (the better to enable them to take the Town, which they were to deliver to the Turks) from Agria, upon notice whereof the Hungarian Estates Assembled at Presburg, but by reason of the absence of the Archduke, who by the Emperor's appointment was to have sat as Precedent, there was nothing worthy of mention transacted, whereupon an Imperial Diet was assembled at Ratisbon, where after debating many matters the Deputies of the several Princes fell at variance amongst themselves, which still increasing notwithstanding the endeavours used to prevent it, the Archduke than Precedent dismissed the assembly.  
These great Councils proving fruitless, Troubles and Discontent in the unsettled Provinces of Hungary, Austria, etc. arose, to allay which the Archduke came to Presburg and assembled the Estates, who out of themselves choose Commissioners to appease the Tumults on foot, to hear and determine all Grievances, who so well performed their trusts that Peace for a while ensued.  
Affairs Anno 1608. standing thus in Hungary, etc. about the beginning of Spring Jerome Prince of Valachia died leaving behind him a Son about 13 years of Age whom the Emperor admitted (as yet not being capable to manage the affairs of Government under Tutors) unto the Succession of the Principality, which thing the Null not being willing to endure, and bearing themselves upon the Turks, went about to Elect another Prince, for which cause the Princess, Widow to the deceased Vayvod, by Letters certified Polloscie her Son-in-Law of the intended outrage of her Subjects, and having received of him a great sum of money, Levied Ten Thousand good Soldiers to secure her Sons right, who in a great Battle overthrew such forces of Null, Turks and Tartars as the Nobility had raised to oppose the Succession of the young Prince, and by that means preserved the Principality to the behoof of her Son, but what had like to have proved fatal to Christendom, was the difference arising between the Emperor and the Archduke Mathias upon the ●atters laying absolute claim to the Crown of Hungary, without acknowledging to hold it of the Empire, but when both parties had armed and matters had like to have come to extremity, several Princes laboured so far therein that a Pacification was made, and the Archduke having received the Insigns of Royalty, from the Emperor's Ambassadors upon acknowledging him his Sovereign, broke up his Camp and returned to Vienna, where he was joyful received. Yet the Protestant Estates of Austria, refused to swear Allegiance to him, till he had confirmed the Article of free exercise in matters of Religion, which he for a considerable time refusing to do, great Troubles had thereupon like to have arisen; for the Protestant Estates not regarding his Regal Authority further than stood with the Articles of Pacification, for non performance thereof betook themselves to Arms, but the Estates of Bohemia and Moravia interposing, all was for a while quiet, the King promising that although for fear of displeasing the Pope and King of Spain, he could not tolerate the Reformed Religion, yet he would wink at the free exercise throughout his Dominions, and that as to the disposal of Offices and places of Trust, he them according to the merits of his Subejcts: Upon which the Estates proceeded to the Election of a Palatine, which honourable Dignity they bestowed on Illishascius, a Noble man of Hungary, who faithfully discharged his trust for the space of one year and then died to the great grief of the Hungarians, of whom for his great Wisdom and Uprightness he was generally beloved, in whose stead the Nobility elected George Turson, who got a good esteem amongst them, by his pacifying the Troubles that immediately upon the death of Illishascius arose in Bohemia about Religion.  
Anno 1608 on the 19 of October, the Turkish Ambassador came to the Emperor's Palace at Prague, having by the way visited the new King of Hungary, where being received with the respect due to his Character, he delivered the present sent by his Master the Grand Signior, which were principally a Rich Tent of divers Colours most curiously wrought with Pearls of great value, four courageous horses trapped with Gold and precious Stones, certain Turkish weapons set and garnished with precious Stones, a Princely Turkish Robe, such as they use at their Marriages, Glistering with Gold and precious stones, with divers other rarities of lesser value, together with which he delivered Achmats' Letters, and withal desired the confirmation of the Peace before made for twenty years, to be again renewed; after which he was honourably treated and dismissed with the Emperor's Letters to the Sultan, and many rare presents, no whit inferior to those he brought, and with a train of two hundred horse conducted him to the Turkish Frontiers.  
In the year 1609, nothing worthy of mention happened, but the year following, the King of Persia having overthrown the Turks Forces, sent to stay the current of his Victories, entered into the Province of Babylon, with an intent to annexed it to his other Conquests, which so alarmed Achmet, that Levying a great power he sent them under the Leading of Nassut Bassa, to secure his Territories on that side, but such was the evil fortune of the Bassa, that joining battle, he was overthrown, and twenty thousand of his men slain; after which good success the Persian King sent other Ambassadors to the Roman Emperor, with many rich presents to incite him to break his League with the Turks, but notwithstanding the many pregnant arguments used by the Amassador, the Emperor could not be induced to break his faith, but dismissed him with a return of presents, and many thanks to his master, for the respect he had towards him, and his care for the Christian Commonwealth.  
About the same time the Knights of Malta putting several Galleys to sea, fought the Turks Galleys with various success, sometimes one prevailing, and sometimes the other; nor did the Duke of Tuscany less annoy them with a squadron of Galleys, under the command of Admiral Jughiraim, who running along, the coast of Barbary took many Turkish Galleys, and landing his men in divers places, spoiled the Country and took great booties; nor fared the Morisques or new Christians in Spain this year to their contents, for the Spanish King upon a Capricio Banished them out of his Dominions to the number of 900 thousand persons, most moors and Jews, who for profits sake had suffered themselves to be baptised, but now upon the Publication of the King's Edict, they were forced to wander like vagabonds over the face of the earth to seek new places to reside in; at what time there happened a contest between Muley Xequy King of Fess, and Muley Sidan his younger brother, which increased to that height that mortal wars arose, when after many fields fought, the latter prevailed, and possessed himself of the Kingdom, which caused the former to fly into Spain, there to crave aid of King Philip, who in consideration of the Barbarians promise to deliver Alarache a strong Town seated on the mouth of the River Lucus, in the Kingdom of Fess, into his possession, furnished him with 100 thousand Duccates, therewith to levy Soldiers in his own Country, and sent with him likewise his ships of war, under the conduct of the Marquis of St. Germans, manned with ten thousand Spaniards, who coming before the Town, landed the King, who was received by several of his friends into a strong Castle that guards the mouth of the River, which he put into the hands of the Spaniard, but it was no sooner known that he had so done, but the Mores from all parts run to their Arms, so that e'er they could possess themselves of the Town, an obstinate fight was maintained for the space of three hours, in which space five hundred Spaniards and three thousand moors were slain, but in the end the former prevailed, and possessed themselves of that strong place, which had by them been so often desired, the news of which caused great rejoicing in Spain. This year was fought a great battle between the Son of the late deceased Cham of Tartary, and his uncle, upon the latters usurping the Imperial dignity, during the former's remaining a hostage at Constantinople, in which 40000 men were slain, and the Victory rested upon the rightful Heir.  
Anno 1611, such a Contagion happened in Constantinople that it engendering a Pestilence, which raged so vehemently that thirty thousand died in one month, and amongst the rest, one of Achmats' sons, nor did the Baron of Salignac the French Kings Ambassador escape, to succeed whom as soon as the Mortality ceased, the Baron of Mole was sent, who upon his arrival, after having visited the Mufti or chief Mahometan Priest, and the great Bassa's of the Court, himself and his retinue were attired in Turkish habit (no Ambassadors being permitted in the proper habit of their own Country to approach the Sultan) was conducted to have his Audience of the Grand Seignor, through a little Court paved with Marble; after which, he entered the Royal Chamber, which was enriched on one side with many Pillars of Marble, and square stones of the same, beautified with two Fountains, on either side the planchers were gilded with Gold, and the Walls Enameled with flowers, and the flour covered with cloth of Gold and silver, at the entry of which stood six Capigi or Royal Porters, two of which took the Ambassador by either arm to lead him to the Grand Seigneor (a Ceremony pretended for honour's sake, but indeed to prevent any violence, that upon such near access may be offered, and has been in use ever since Amurath the first was stabbed in the fields of Coss●via) and the rest carried the presents; so that the Ambassador having kissed the hem of the imperious Turk's Garment, was carried out another way backward, because it should not be said that the Minister of any Foreign Prince turned his back upon the Emperor, in like manner his attendants fared, being obliged to withdraw till the Infidel was more at leisure, for as then he stood peeping out at a window to view some disports that were made below for his diversion and a while after being admitted, he delivered his letters written in the Turkish Language, and in a pithy Oration, delivered what else he had in charge.  
Notwithstanding the Peace between the Imperialists and the Turks, the latter ceased not covertly to stir up dissensions, by which means they procured the revolt of Gabriel Battori Vayvod of Transilvania, who raising a great power, chased Raduille Prince of Valachia out of his Principality, who thereupon fled to Constantine Vayvod of Moldavia, when reinforced by the Moldavian, he returned again, and in a great battle overthrew Gabriel, forcing him to fly with his scattered Troops to Hermstad, where he committed many Cruelties under pretence that the Citizens went about to deliver him into the hands of his mortal enemies. The division stirred up Fortga●sie the King of Hungary to pass into Transylvania, to reduce the revolted Cities to the King's obedience, but being waylaid, he was forced to travel through desert places, where through famine and diseases that raged in his Camp, most of his men died; so that fearing to fall into the hands of those he intended to oppress, he fled into Polonia with a slender Train, yet ended not the trouble, for by this time the Turks had stirred up discontents in Moldavia, by sending thither a Competitor to wrestle with Constantine for his Principality, but finding himself too weak, and not assisted as he expected, fled to Constantinople, there to crave aid of Achmet, but finding many delays he traveled to the Courts of many Christian Princes, and amongst others came into England, and made his application to King James, who moved with his heavy complaints, and specious pretences of just claim to the Principality of Moldavia, that his Majesty was pleased bountifully to relieve him, and by his Letters to recommend him to the care of Sir Thomas Glover, his Ambassador then residing at Constantinople, who recommended him to the Grand Signeur, but such were the counterplots of Constantine, that by bribing the great Bassa's he not only prevented him in his purpose but greatly endangered his being made away, which had certainly happened had not Sir Thomas sheltered him under his protection, and by fortifying his house, daunted the bloodthirsty Janissaries, whom the Grand Visier had employed to take him thence by Force, but Sir Thomas being soon after recalled; The Moldavian despairing to obtain the Principality he so much desired, in a rage renounced the Lord that bought him, and embraced the Turkish superstition, whereupon he was made Bey of Bursia in Asia, but enjoyed not that dignity long e'er Nassuf Bassa returning from the Persian war, dispossessed him.  
This year the Galleys of Florence, Malta and Naples, greatly endamaged the Turkish Dominions on the Seacoasts, taking likewise several rich prizes, and amongst the rest the Carravan Galley coming from Egypt, to Constantinople, with the Tribute of that rich Kingdom, sinking at the same time five others, and descending upon the Isle of Lango, and took the Town from which the Island takes its name, putting a number of Turks to the sword, and taking a great spoil, and soon after entered the Bay of Corinth so secretly, that Landing they surprised the City, sacked it and carried away, besides a rich booty five hundred slaves.  
These things made the Turkish Sultan wish for peace with the Persian, that he might be at leisure to turn his Arms upon the Christians, especially upon the Knights of Malta, who greatly obstructed his Navigation, and that which furthered his purpose was the arrival of the Persian Ambassador at Constantinople, whereupon to welcome him he concluded a Marriage between Mehemet Bassa, son to Cicula, late deceased, and his Sister, and another between Mechmet Bassa his great Admiral, and his Eldest daughter, which were cellebrated with all imaginable splendour, but soon after the Pestilence began again to rage in that great City, whereupon Achmat withdrew himself to his rural Palace at Durat Bassa, where whilst he was viewing the Mosque that he had caused to be built, a Dariveler or Turkish Monk, cast at him a stone with such force that it overthrew him; whereupon the Traitor was seized, and ordered by Torture to be constrained to confess what moved him to that outrage; but the officers of the Port with out further examination the next day executed him, which made some conjecture, that either they or some great men whom they favoured, set him on work.  
During these Passages Moldavia groaned under Clandestine Tumults, the Turks still endeavouring to depose Constantine, and he with all his power on the contrary, labouring to support his dignity, so that the Villages in all places went to Rack, the Country for the most part being laid waist; to calm which differences the Polonian Ambassador came to the Court of Constantinople, expecting a sudden Audience, but was contrary to his expectation, after six week's attendance clapped up in prison, with notice that he could not be delivered till such time as the two Capigis which Constantine carried Captive into Polonia, nor was Transylvania free from fraction and civil dissension occasioned by one Giezy set up by the Bassa of Buda, to oppose the Palatine of Hungary, to whom that Province, according to the late Articles of peace does appertain, but the upstart finding his Forces too weak too grasp the Government soon after relinquished his claim.  
Achmat the more to amuse the Persian Ambassador, and oblige him to wonder at his greatness, resolved to show himself in all his pomp, and thereupon making as if he went to Darut Bassa to take the air, after a days stay, returned in this manner. Before him a great number of men at Arms marched on horseback, and after them some Troops of Foot; The Cadies of Constantinople, or his chief Justicers; Then all the Talismans', or those of Mahomet's Law in great number; then the Vizard Bassas in great splendour; after whom followed ten of the Sultan's household, leading ten goodly horses in rich Caparisons, the last of which had a Bridle and Saddle pondered with precious stones, and unto the saddle was fastened the Sultan's Target, and upon it were fastened Tassels of Pearls, hanging almost with the ground, and over these a horse-cloth richly embroidered with Pearl, after which followed the rest of the Sultan's household in divers Troops, first fifty Janissaries on foot, every one of them leading dogs in Leshes, for the most part Irish-greyhounds, presented to him a little before by the French Ambassador, next to whom in order succeeded the Sultan's Footmen called Pelks, who were Persians born, all well attired, wearing on their heads bonnets of Silver, after the Indian fashion, Then sixty Archers, in the midst of whom came Sultan Achmat attired in a rich robe of Cloth of Gold, embroidered with Pearls and Diamonds, and his slave clad in the same manner, his Turban was covered with a Plume of black Feathers, enriched with great Diamonds, and a chain of the same stones, about the lower part of it upon his fingers he had Diamonds of such largeness, as they cast admirable light; his horse had Caparisons embroidered with Diamonds, Pearls, and other precious stones, the Ground being Gold, and the stirrups of beaten Gold set with Diamonds, and from his Horse's neck hung great Tassels of Pearl, of a more than ordinary size; after him there followed three men on Horseback, the one carrying his Cloak, the other his arms, and the third his Imperial Turban, and these were attended on by certain Esquires on horseback. Then came the Music after the Turkish manner, consisting of sixty men on Horseback, which played upon Fiets, Chardons and Trumpets; next followed one hundred of the Sultan's Pages bravely mounted, followed by as many Eunuches, fifty of which carried each of them a Falcon upon his fist, having their heads enriched with Diamonds; after them came thirty Guards of the Port, and fifty Falconers and Huntsmen, richly attired, each of them carrying upon his saddle bow a Leopard covered all but the head with a Cloth of Gold attended on by an other train of Pages, very beautiful, chosen from amongst the Tribute infants, having their Garments beset with precious stones, the ground being Cloth of Gold curled, and after these followed a Troop of youths in plain attire, who were appointed to serve the pages; The rear of which procession was closed with all the great Officers of the Turkish Empire, that were then resident at Constantinople, and to make the Magnificence more complete, as the Archers passed by the Sultan's lodging 100 pieces of Silk, were cast amongst them.  
Four days after this pompous show Achmat gave Audience to the Persian Ambassador, who presented him on the behalf of the King his Master, with 100 Bales of Silk, a Beazor stone, as big as a man's fist, 9 bags of Turquoises of a foot and half long, and above a finger broad, several rich pieces of Tapestry, interwoven with Silk and Gold, with some other things of great price, amongst which he delivered his master's Letters; whereupon they began to treat of peace, which soon after was accorded principally upon these Articles: First, That the Persian King should pay unto the Turkish Sultan yearly by way of Tribute two hundred Camels Loads of Silk, That the King of Persia's Son should be called Bassa of jauris, and that the Cadi or Sovereign Judge of that City should be sent from Constantinople.  
The Peace thus concluded to the advantage of the Turks and dishonour of the Persians, the Ambassador with many rich presents, was dismissed, leaving almost all his Retinue behind him dead of the plague; nor did he long survive them, for upon his arrival at Tauris, his master understanding upon what dishonourable Terms he had concluded the peace, caused his head to be cut off, and sent back the Chiaus that was come with his Ambassador to see him swear the peace, so that not long after all vanished into nothing.  
During these Transactions, Rodolphus the Emperor died, to succeed whom the Electoral Princes made choice of his brother Mathias King of Hungary, who upon his taking upon him the Imperial sway, sent his Ambassadors to Constantinople to entreat a confirmation of the peace made between his brother deceased, and the Sultan, and to complain of the daily outrages committed in his Province of Transylvania, but the Turk who keep no League any longer than it turns to their advantage, not only refused to redress the grievances in Tansylvania, but denied the Emperor to have any right to that Province, although in the League it was expressly mentioned, that Botscay dying with out Heirs male, the Principality should totally remain a member of the Roman Empire, but after all was said that could be said, the Ambassador was dismissed without the satisfaction he expected.  
About the end of September, Anno 1612, great troubles arose in the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco occasioned by a quarrel between the Prince Xerif-Muley-Cidan and Xerif-Muley-Achet-Ben-Abdula his nephew, when after many, battles fought between them, the latter was overthrown, and in his flight slain, having drawn the people into Rebellion against his uncle under the pretence of a Prophecy that foretold his rise, and the flourishing State of Barbary under his Government, which Prophecy himself not long before invented, yet many imagined that he dealt by enchantment, and often would he boast that no Bullet could hurt him, and indeed many were the Victories he gained over Cidan, even with a handful of men in comparison to the great Armies which Cidan lead against him, his Allegation was that he was sent from Heaven to purge the world of wicked men.  
About this time the Estates of the United Provinces under Prince Maurice, sent Cornelius Hage their Ambassador to Constantinople with Commission to treat of the deliverance of the captive Hollanders, that had been taken by the Turkish Galleys, and to require free Traffic in all the Ports of the Ottoman Empire in consideration of which to propose perpetual Amity with the Sultan, in all which he succeeded so well, that the Spanish King was not a little grieved thereat, though himself was afterward obliged to enter into League with the Turk.  
Transilvania altogether disquieted, and weakened by civil discord, the Sultan thought it a fit time to reduce that Province to his obedience, and therefore raised a mighty Army and marched directly thither but whilst he was on his way Fortifying all the important places in his passage, Cosmo d' Medicis the great Duke of Tuscany, setting out a Fleet of Galleys spoiled the Sea Coasts in the Mediterranean, and took many places from the Turks and amongst the rest the strong City of Agliman, with 2 Galleys that lay in the Port putting a number of Turks to the Sword by whose example an. 1613. the Galleys of Sicily set out and destroyed the Turks Galleys in the Levant, making terrible spoil on the Sea-Coast landing several times on the Islands of Chios, Samos and Cyprus, taking rich spoils and freeing many Christian Captives, to oppose whom Ten Turkish Galleys came but after a terrible engagement, seven of them fell into the Christians hands, and one was sunk, the other two hardly escaping under the shelter of the night.  
Achmats' Army arriving in Transilvania committed many outrages, but upon notice that Bethlem Gabor was acknowledged Prince under the protection of the Sultan, and had sent his submission to him, the Tempest fo War grew calm, and the Turkish power dreadful to the Germane Empire returned to Constantinople, at what time S●gismund Battor the Warlike Prince of Transilvania, who had deposed himself and was retired to Prague, there to lead a private Life died; but the Turks upon their arrival at Constantinople found the City almost desolate by reason the Plague raged there so, that Achmat and all his followers retired themselves to Darut Bassa, till the Contagion ceased, and then in great pomp entered the City, publishing an Edict that all the Dogs therein should be transported to Scutary in Asia, formerly called Chirsopolis, but the Inhabitants of that place, not willing to be trouble with such Guests, although provision was allowed them, humbly besought the Emperor to dispose of them elsewhere, so that they were to the number of Fifty Thousand put on shore in a desolate Island where they all perished. The reason why they were not killed was for that the Mufti had told Achmat it was not lawful, alleging that Dogs had Souls.  
To conclude this year 1613 the Persian King upon a suspicion that the Armenians were about to reconcile themselves to the Pope, and yield obedience to the See of Rome, which suspicion was grounded upon forged Letters, he caused Twelve Hundred of them to be put to death, and kept straightly imprisoned double that number which made the Grcassians, Georgians, and Armenians with other Eastern Christians send their Ambassadors to Achmat imploring Aid to protect them from the rage of the Persians, to counterpoise which the Persian King sent likewise his Ambassador, but the Sultan would not admit him to Audience, till such time as he heard his Master had stayed the Persecution.  
Anno 1614 divers direful Prodigies were seen in Hungary, Silesia, Austria, and other parts of Christendom, which greatly amazed most people, who supposed them to be the forerunners of great calamities but nothing followed except the downfall and death of the Nassuf the grand Vizard, who fell from the top of Honour into the depth of misery by offending his soon offended Master, and by the Sultan's Command was by Bestanges Bassa slain in his own house, and that Head which during the time he stood high in the Sultan's favour, had Governed the whole Ottoman Empire, stricken off and carried as a present to Achmat, and in his stead Mechmet who had Married the Sultan's Daughter was made chief Vizard.  
Transylvania now rend from the Germane Empire, the Emperor laboured to recover it, and for that purpose sent several trusty Councelors to deal with the Nobility to cast off the Turkish yoke, and to return to their former obedience; of which the Turkish Sultan getting notice, sent to the Emperor to admonish him to keep inviolate the peace concluded between them, and not to meddle in the affairs of Transylvania, though at the same time, by his Hostilities in Hungary he had manisestly broke it, to which the Emperor replied he was on his part resolved to keep the peace inviolate though the Sultan had already broken the Articles of the League, but as to his tamely parting with his Province of Transylvania confirmed to him by the same League, he would resolve nothing therein till he had consulted Princes of the Empire, with which answer the Chiaus returning to Constantinople.  
The Emperor Assembling the Estates, laid before them the just Grievances of his Subjects, and the indignities offered to himself, with the manifest breach of the League on the part of the Turks, in not only assisting his Rebels, but with great Companies of themselves, making great spoil in his Hereditary Countries. To which the Estates answered, that with all their power they would maintain the Dignity of the Emperor, and defend the Empire, of which resolve Achmat was no sooner advertized, but the better to encourage Bethlem Gabor, to invade the Emperor's Frontiers, he sent him a strong power under the command of Saunder Bassa, with which he besieged Lippa, and had it delivered to him, as he had also had several other places of less importance, which places were put into the possession of the Turks, but to remain part of the Transylvanian Principality.  
Affairs standing thus in Transylvania, Moldavia, was at the same afflicted, and brought low by the Tyranny of Stephano their Vayvod, who the better to secure him in his Estate, had caused most of the Nobility to be cruelly and shamefully murdered, upon which the Moldavians disdaining the Tyrant's rule, who was wont to say, that he valued not his Subject's love, so they feared him, rose in Arms against him, choosing for their Prince Alexander son to Jeremy their former Vayvod, who with a great power entering the Country, had many strong places put into his possession, which the Tyrant understanding, and finding the hatred of his Subjects generally bend against him, he fled, till strengthened by a supply of Turks and Tartars, he again returned, and gave the Prince Battle, but was therein overthrown; after which Alexander was proclaimed with the consent of all the Nobility Vayvod of Moldavia, whereupon he sent Ambassadors to the Grand Signior, to inform him that he would do nothing prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty, but that what he had done was at the instance of the Nobility, to free the Country from a Tyrant, but e'er these Ambassadors could arrive at Constantinople they were imprisoned, at the commandment of the Bassa of Buda, and being afterward put into the power of Stephano, he caused their heads to be cut off and their bodies to be cast into the Danube, and then having recruited his Forces, returned again into Moldavia, where in a second battle he was overthrown, and most of his Army slain, himself hardly escaping to Michna Prince of Valachia; but soon after Alexander, having notice that the said Michna and Hebraim a Turkish Bassa were raising great Forces to assist Stephano, he sent Boyartsk ye his Ambassador to Michna to make him his friend, or at least to persuade him to desist from taking part with the Tyrant, but the proud Bassa, contrary to the will of the Vayvod Michna, caused the Ambassador to be clapped in Irons, and sent prisoner to Constantinople, where upon his arrival, contrary to the Law of Nations he was condemned to the Galleys, to excuse which, the Vayvod sent an Ambassador to Prince Alexander, promising him that unless it were by the absolute command of the Grand Siegniour, which he durst not disobey, he would not assist his Competitor, and at the same time it being rumoured that Bethlem Gaber was likewise raising Forces to invade Moldavia, the Prince sent an other Ambassador to him, who to the Ambassador protested his innocency therein, and that he intended no harm to Alexander his master, but on the contrary greatly desired his friendship, and for his father's sake would assist him in what lay in his power, but that which caused a great trouble in Moldavia was the death of Prince Visnouviskie, who was poisoned by a Greek Priest in receiving the Sacrament, for which the impious actor was fried to death in a wire chair, having first confessed that he was induced to commit that hellish exploit, at the instance of the Prince's enemy, who upon the Priest's detection were fled.  
Anno 161.. at the incessant entreaty of Stephano the Sultan sent Skinder Bassa with a powerful Army to to restore him to the Vayvodship of Moldavia, whereupon Prince Alexander sent to his friends as well in Polonia as in other parts of Christendom, to Aid him against the Common Enemy, and thereupon received great Aid, especially out of Polonia, under the leading of Prince Coreski, who shortly after Married the Princess Alexandrina, Sister to Prince Alexander, and having refreshed the Army, the two Princes as joint Commanders, marched against the Bassa, and in a set battle overthrew him near unto Cochona, together with the Forces of Stephano, and pursuing their Victory entered Valachia, where entering Bonza without resistance, he was by the Estates of that Province, entreated to take upon him the Vayvodship; for that they being weary of the Turkish thraldom, from which Michna their Vayvod had absolutely refused to free them, they resolved for that reason to choose an other, but the Prince refused the charge, he would not deprive his friend of his possession, yet consented that Prince Cherbanne son to the late Vayvod should take the charge upon him, but whilst these things were in agitation Shindar Bassa had gathered a great power; and proclaimed Michna Vayvod of Moldavia, Stephano by reason of his frequent overthrows, being now fallen into disgrace with the Sultan, and on a sudden the said Bassa with his multitude environed the Prince's Camp, where he together with his mother, Prince Coreskie, and his fair Princess Alexandrina were taken prisoners, as were all the Camp, except five hundred Polonians, who under the leading of the Lord Tischevish cut their way through the Army of the Turks, yet for a long time the Princes remained disguised amongst the common prisoners, in hopes of being admitted to their ransoms, but at length all except the Princess Alexandrina were carried to Constantinople; but she falling into the hands of a Tartarian Captain, was carried into Tartary, where she was hardly dealt with, till at length she was ransomed for 3000 Chequins, having during her Captivity been delivered of a fair son.  
The year following the Turks spoilt the Seacoast Towns of Italy, taking many rich prizes, and had the like repaid them by the Christian Galleys in the Mediterranean, and greater mischiefs had ensued had not Achmet the Turkish Sultan died, having lived thirty years, and reigned fifteen, appointed by reason of his son's minority, his brother Mustapha whom he had a long time kept prisoner, to succeed him in the Ottoman Empire.   

CHAP. XIX. Mustapha the first of that Name Ninth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions.  
AChmat being dead Mustapha his Brother, (the First that had been saved alive since the foundation of the Ottoman Empire) succeeded him by his appointment, his Children of which Osman was the Eldest being too weak to sway the Sceptre of so mighty an Empire. So that this Mustapha, brought from a strait Prison every day expecting Death, now advanced to a Throne to rule the East, forgetting his former devout Life, began to Tyrannize over his Subjects more than his Predecessors; which caused him to be hated of many, especially for that he imprisoned the French Ambassador and his servants, breaking thereby the Law of Nations; upon pretence that they had been instrumental in the escape of Prince Coreskie out of the Black Tower, who by the assistance of a Greek Priest descended from the top thereof, on a rople Ladder drawn up by a bottom of Packthread brought in a Pie to the said Prince by the Ambassadors Secretary, though contrary to his knowledge, with the Prince likewise escaped one Rigaut a French Captain, who by the assistance of the said Priest, disguised in Priestly Vestments for that purpose prepared, got passage into Italy, notwithstanding all the Ports were beset with their pursuers. Nor was the Ambassador only imprisoned but his servants and himself evilly entreated, especially the former, two of which were put to the torture according to the Turkish manner, which is to jay them upon their Belly on a Table, and to beat their Buttocks, the Calves of their Legs, and Soles of their Feet, with a flat staff, giving them ere they cease 100 or 200 blows, yet the Servants confessed nothing, whereupon they caught a Weaver being a Turk, whose Shop was near the Ambassadors house: whom they tortured in the like manner, but he as the others had done could reveal nothing against the Ambassador, who for all that was obliged to pay 30000 Sultanies for his own release and his Servants. These and such like insolences, together with the Imprisonment of young Osman and his Brethren, made the Grand Vizard, who was then on the Confines of Persia to haste to Constantinople with his Army, at whose approach Osman was taken out of Prison and Proclaimed Emperor (so sudden are the changes of fortune in great as well as little affairs) and the proud Sultan Mustapha enforced for fear of the enraged Soldiers to betake himself again to his Cell, or rather Prison, where for a while I shall leave him, and relate what happened during the Reign of Osman.   

CHAP. XX. The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name, Tenth Emperor of the Turks.  
THE Uncle after he had proudly Tyrannised for the space of two Months, being deposed, the Nephew was advanced to his Father's Throne, being not full Thirteen years of Age, wherefore he was wholly governed by the Vizard Bassa, as was also the whole Ottoman Empire, when the first thing of moment that happened was the complaint of the French King, by two Gentlemen sent for that purpose, by whom he demanded reparation of the new Emperor for the indignity he had sustained by the Imprisonment of his Ambassador, and the evil treating of his Servants, letting him understand that he could not send any other Ambassador to his Court to condole the Death of Sultan Achmat his Father, nor congratulate his coming to the Empire till he had received satisfaction from him becoming his dignity. and the wrongs he had received in his Ambassador.  
The Grand Vizard and Mufti hearing this Embassy, and considering what had passed, advertised the young Emperor to send an Ambassador to the most Christian King, to Confirm the League, and to testify both by Words and Letters, how much he was dissatisfied for his discontent; whereupon Vri Chiaus was sent with ample instructins, and so great an acknowledgement of the wrong done to the Baron of Mole, that the French King rested satisfied, and calling the said Ambassador home, he sent the Earl of Sezi to succeed him as Ambassador at Constantinople.  
The War continuing between the Turks and Persians, about this time a great Battle was fought between them, wherein the Turks prevailing put the Persians to flight with the lost of Ten Thousand of them, and thereupon the Bassa General of the Turkish Army, prosecuting his victory entered into the heart of Persia, wasting with Fire and Sword all that stood in his way, but at length having through daily skirmishes with the Enemy, and Diseases arising from want and evil Diet, lost a third part of his Army, he accepted of the Sophy's proposals of Peace, which were that he would yearly pay the Tribute of Silks, and at present relieve his Army with all things necessary. This Peace concluded by the Bassa was allowed on by the Emperor and Ratified at Constantinople, whereupon Two Hundred Camels laden with Silks were for many years after sent to the Emperor according to Agreement.  
Anno 1618. A fearful Comet was seen over the City of Constantinople, in form like a Turkish Scimitar, placed near unto the Zenith under the Horizon, of a fiery colour, appearing very terrible for the space of eight nights which made many conjecture it the forerunner of great bloodshed.  
Vri Chiaus returning out of France after he had dispatched his affairs at that Court, came into England, where he was received and conducted to the Court, and had Audience of King James his Speech being as followeth.  
The Most True Incomprehensible and Most High God, increase and multiply your Majesty's years, in all happiness, Amen, O Thou Lord of the World.  
THE most invincible, most mighty, and most happy Sultan Osman Chan of the Ottoman Empire Monarch, sendeth to your excellent Majesty a hundred thousand Salutations and Greetings, evermore praying the most High God, for your Majesty's happiness, sendeth to your Highness with all possible Honour and Renown, this his Imperial and most Noble Letter, and with all hopeth that the Sacred bond of Peace, which hath been hitherto inviolably on your Majesty's part kept and observed, your Majesty will be pleased still on your part, with daily increases of more and more Friendship earnestly to continue therein. And his Imperial Majesty on his behalf is also resolved in like manner evermore punctually to keep and continue the same.  
Also the most Mighty Emperor's Tutor, and his chief Visier Bassa, hath addressed to the dust of your Noble Feet, this his most Honourable Letter, with a Thousand commendations, praying everlastingly the Mighty God, for Your Majesty's long Lise and Happiness.  
Also Your Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, your slave Paul Pindar bowing his forehead to the dust of your Majesty's Feet, and most humbly kissing your Highness' blessed Feet, hath directed unto your Majesty this his submissive Letter.  
This Speech ended, and the Emperor's Letter delivered with such other as the Chiaus brought, he was by the King's command in great splendour conducted to his Lodging, where after five or six days stay, he came again to Whitchall and made his conjue of leave upon his departure in these words, as near as they can be Translated out of the Turkish Language.  
Most happy Emperor, as I have with my own hands howing myself to the dust of your Princely feet, presented unto your Excellent Majesty, the most mighty and high Sultan Osman my Lord and Master his Imperial Letter, so likewise I beseech your Majesty, that you will be pleased in conformity thereof, to vouchsafe your Princely answer by your noble Letter, and to deliver the same into the hands of me your slave, and be ever partaker of all blessedness and happiness.  
After he had made this Oration and received the King's Letters, he was conducted to Dover by several of the Nobility, where embarking in one of His Majesty's Ships he sailed to Constantinople.  
Anno 1619 great trouble arose in Bohemia upon the Emperor's sending an Army into that Country to suppress the Protestant Religion there flourishing, so that the Protestants tired with the cruelties of the popish Soldiers sent to Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania, to acquaint him with the state of their affairs, who after he had obtained leave of the Grand Signeour, came with an Army of Eighteen Thousand men into Hungary, and took many Towns, spoiling the Country as he went, nor so contented but he entered Austria, Stiria, and Carinthia, subdued all before him without opposition, but fearing if the Bohemians should be subdued, the storm would fall upon him, he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signors assistance in case his affairs required in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantinople, who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him, and because the Oath for the strange wording of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim.  
Sultan Osman,  
BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperor Swears, by the highest Almighty's, and Almighty God's Holiness, by his Kingdom, by the substance of the Heavens, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, by the Earth, and all under the Earth, by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother, by my Head, and all the strength of my Soul and Body, by the Holy and great Mahomer, and by my Circumcision, That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave, though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to nothing, until there shall be no more left but myself, or four or five Turks at the most, yet will I be still obliged to descend thee, and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee, and if thou shalt have need of me, I shall be always ready to go with thee, and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated, then let God's Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity, and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me, and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth, and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul.  
Dated at Constantinople the 5th. of Jan. 1619.  
The Transylvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signors favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague, where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bobemia, a perpetual League was concluded, and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell, where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army, to defend the Provinces, against the Forces of the Imperialists, who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants, to this motion the Estates consented, when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour, the Venetians and Polonians, all which made in the names of the respective principals a League with Gabor, which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary, willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine, the Transylvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary, upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot, he subdued almost all Austria, Carinthia, and Stiria, before the Emperor's Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him, at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna, that with the Emperor's consent the Protestants remaining therein, sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Country for theirs their Wives and children's sakes.  
About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia, where Mabomet the Impostor lies buried, which terrified all the Country thereabouts, and was as followeth, about the 20th. of September at midnight there happened a terrible Tempest, accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning, that many thinking the dissolution of all things was at hand● leapt out of their Beds to gaze on the Element, at first seeming all on Fire, and then covered with thick darkness, after which all was serene and calm, when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament, viz. O why will you believe in lies, and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold, arrayed in white and encompassed with rays of Light appeared, holding in her hand a book, coming from the North, and opposite against her were seen Armies of Turks, Persians, and other Mahometans, being so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia, ready to charge her, but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled, upon which a sudden murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air, and immediately the lamps that were placed about Mahomet's Tomb went out, and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights together, whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk undertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight, and declaring that it foreshowed the overthrow of the Mahometan superstition, he was therefore miserably put to death, calling to the last upon the Woman with the Book to save him, and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest ensued.  
Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Moldavia assisted by the Polish Cossacks, and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia, in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod, and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship, made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword, and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience, which caused the Sultan to raise a great power, drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Galleys to put to Sea, which spoilt the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples, surprised the strong Town of Manfredonia, carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity, and then joining with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca, possessed by the Spaniards, which Island they took making great spoil, putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants.  
The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land, therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King, for that the Cossack's in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars, had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus, giving an overthrow to their Galleys, and brought away great spoils) Osman in person at the head of 300000 men, passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod, he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chancellor of Poland, and the Prince Son to the Polonian King strongly entrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Soldiers, and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his multitude enclosed their Camp. So that by the frequent attacks and sallies that were made, a great number were slain on both side, but especially of the Turks; during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon marched into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner, and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Country people which his ravenous crew had scraped together, but after two months besieging the Polish Camp, want growing great in the Sultan's Army, and by reason of the advancement of the Season such terrible Rains fell, that Tents, Horses, Men, and Carriages were frequently carried away by the impetuosity of the Torrents thereby occasioned. The Turks desirous to departed sent to the Chancellor to treat of Peace, which at the earnest instance of Radulae Prince of Valachia was harkened to, and soon after accorded the principal points being these.  
First, That the Emperor should raise his Army, and retire from the Confines of Poland, and that the Tartars the occasion of this War, should send an Emirze (that is one of their Princes) to reside as a pledge to secure them from ensuing incursions. The Chancellor in the Name of his Master promising to send another Pledge to reside in the Court of Tartary, with condition to pay yearly Forty Thousand Florins as a donative from the King of Poland, promising moreover for the better maintenance of the Peace to maintain a Resident in the Ottoman Court, and by every such Ambassador to send a rich Present, and as the Grand Signours Ambassador that was to reside in the Court of Poland, should undertake to secure the incursions of the Tartars, so the Polish Ambassador should undertake the same for the Cossacks, and that the Merchants of Poland should have free Trade with the Subjects of the Grand Signeour making their usual Presents, and this Peace not to be binding till such time as the Achiaus should arrive in the Polish Court with the overtures, and in the mean time a Parliament to be assembled for the Ratification of these Articles.  
Affairs being brought to this pass Osman raised his Camp, and returned to Adrinople, having lost in this Expedition eighty thousand of his men, and of the Poles by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather, and their often skirmishes, no less than twenty thousand perished. Now upon notice of the Turks approach, at the request of the Polonian King, the Emperor of Germany, had sent to his assistance eight thousand high Dutch Soldiers, upon notice of which Osman in a great rage proclaimed war against the Emperor, charging him with the manifest breach of the League between them, though himself had been the first aggressor, by aiding the Transylvanian, but the King of Poland understanding, that what had happened was upon his account, (and that Osman kept his Army on foot about Adrinople, intending to invade the Emperor's Country early in the spring, for that purpose having caused twenty thousand Tartars to stay upon the frontiers) he called the Turkish Chiaus before him, and declared that unless the Grand Seignor his master changed his purpose, he could not conclude with him any peace, for as much as he was bound to assist the Emperor his confederate, if his Countries were invaded, which resolve of the Kings being made known to Osman by his Chiaus, he called a Council of his Bassa's wherein it was concluded that he should leave Adrinople, and instantly set forward for Constantinople, which was accordingly put in execution, and the Tartars on the Frontiers dismissed, so that the war intended against the Emperor being laid aside, news came that the Emir of Syria was risen in Rebellion, and had possessed himself of the City and Castle of Tripoli; whereupon 60 thousand Chequins were delivered out of the Treasury, to repair the Grand Signors Pavilions and Carriages, himself with a powerful Army intending to make an Expedition against the Rebel, though contrary to the advice of most of his Bassa's, and the Mufti, who alleged that it was altogether needless, for his Majesty to expose himself to the ill conveniencies of such a war, as by the meanest of his Bassa's might be expiated, it being certain, that the Emir would not stand his Forces, but upon their approach fly into some part of Christendom, and therefore if he set out his fleet of Galleys, he would either by Sea or Land fall into his hands, nor was it safe to leave Greece to the attempts of the Christians, who in his absence might spoil it at their pleasure, these and such like reasons caused him to decline going in person, yet he sent forth his Fleet and Army after the best manner sending for Aid to Argire and Tunis, to awe the Spaniards likewise, who had sixty Galleys and six Galleons at Messina, prepared as was then conjectured to revenge the taking of Manfredo, and the spoil the Turks had made upon the Coasts of Italy the year before, another Fleet of lesser consequence he ordered to keep the black sea, there to hinder the Cossacks from spoiling his Sea-Towns; after which, contrary to the Advice of his Council, he married the Grandchild of a Sultan a wife to Pertan Bassa, only for her beauty, being indeed the Paragon of her sex, which wedding was performed without any solemnity, and truly this marriage was greatly disliked, for that his Ancestors for many years past, had not married at all in respect of kindred, nor taken any women to their Concubines of the Turkish race, in respect of kindred, and that which rendered this young Prince more contemptible, was his walking up and down the City in disguise, with a Page or two at the most, and prying into Taverns, and other places like a petty Officer.  
Things being at this pass, news came from the Bassa of Buda, that Bethlehem Gabor had concluded a peace with the Roman Emperor, which greatly displeased the Sultan and his Council, especially for that the peace between himself and the Polack was not yet ratified, but the Polish Ambassador daily expected, in order thereto, when in the midst of his perturbations, Sir Thomas Row Ambassador from his Majesty of Great Britain, arrived at the Port, and had his Audience, delivering his Majesty's Letter, wherein he demanded redress of the injuries his subjects had sustained by the Pirates of Algire and Tunes, then in subjection to the Sultan, as likewise the delivery of several of the Polish Nobility, and one Scotch Gentleman, which had been taken prisoners in the late expedition into Poland, and amongst them the Prince Coreskie, who had formerly made his escape, out of the black Tower, with several other things that might create a good understanding and a continuation of the League between them, some of which were granted, and the other denied, as the Grand Vizier (to whom the management of that affair was committed) thought fit, little to the satisfaction of his Majesty's Ambassador, but soon after the Grand Siegneor sent his Letter to his Majesty, containing a satisfactory reply to all that was demanded, except the release of the Polish prisoners.  
Anno 1622, The Grand Seigneur, not hearing of the Duke Sbaraskie, chosen Extraordinary Ambassador for the King of Poland, to consummate the Peace, he gave it out that he would go to Mecha, and from thence to Medina in Arabia to visit Mahomet's Tomb, contrary to the Council of Viziers, who knew not the design, and even to the hazard of a General Revolt, for they were jealous that under colour of that Voyage he had some other project, and that the Polish Duke arriving in his absence, would not follow him at a venture, nor treat with his deputies left at the Port. So that thereby all hopes of Peace would vanish, which did not a little trouble the Turks, whose Trade was greatly impaired by the roving Cossacks, which the Emperor understanding, and resolving not to delay his journey, (or indeed his design to cut off the whole order of the Janissaries, for the insolences frequently offered him, by those Masterful slaves) he sent to hasten Sbaraskie, upon whose arrival a peace was concluded, though much to the prejudice of his Territories in Hungaria, and now that obstacle being removed, he sent his Carriages over into Asia, with all his Treasure, not sparing the Plate and Ornaments of his Palace, which made the Janissaries mistrust some design more than ordinary, whereupon they resolved to stop his proceed, and therefore the day before he intended to departed, they with great clamour run to the Seraglio, though unarmed, and demanded Delavir the Vizier Bassa, Hoja the Emperor's confessor, the Caslariago Governor of the women, the Deflardar or Treasurer, the Cadelescher or chief Judge, with some other prime officers, whom they said had Counselled their Emperor to undertake this dangerous Voyage, for which they resolved to punish them with death, charging the Emperor strictly that he should neither go to Mecca, nor pass over into Asia.  
To calm this Tempest the Emperor came forth in person, and used many arguments to persuade them to their duty and Allegiance, promising he should lay aside his purpose, but now nothing would serve these miscreants, but they must have the aforesaid Officers delivered to them, To which the Emperor replied, that his honour would greatly suffer if he should permit his friends to be torn from him, but if they had offended in aught, and it was proved against them, in the Divano, whether they should be brought to answer any accusation that should be objected against them, they should be punished by Law, but this did not pacify them, for they clamoured yet louder, saying they knew them guilty, and that should be sufficient; whereupon they run to the house of the Hoja, and not finding him there, plundered it, and from thence passing to the Grand Viziers' house, they thought to have done the like there, but finding it fortified, they set Guards in several parts of the City all night, and the next morning came before the Palace with their Arms, making their demands as before; whereupon the Hosa Cadeleschar and Tefterdar fled, and were not for a time found, as likewise did the Grand Vizier, with the consent of the Emperor, who promised himself to weather this storm, though in the end he proved too weak, yet was the Vizier brought back by a Hermit, a reputed Saint, after he was got into Asia, who trusting to his innocence, resolved to face the Tempest, but the rude multitude without respect to his Reverend Age, and great Merits, having gotten him into their power, cut him to pieces in the sight of the Emperor, which he perceiving would, though too late, have fled over into Asia, for now all means were cut off, for the Janissaries had stopped the Port, and in a great rage demanded Mustapha the Emperor's uncle, who was kept a prisoner in the Seraglio, and the first day of the Tumult by the Emperor's command, put into a secret vault, with two Negro women, where after much search, and the racking of several servants to make them discover him, he was found and born in Triumph through the streets, to the old Seraglio, having not yet been able to lay hands on Osman, by reason he kept himself within his strengths, but hearing they intended to proclaim his uncle Emperor, he at the persuasion of the Mufti, putting himself in mourning, went with a few of his followers, and amongst them the Aga of the Janissaries, to the old Seraglio, and presented himself to the enraged Soldiers with tears, beseeching them to return to their former obedience, and Loyalty, offering to make them any satisfaction, repenting him of his error, and finally invoked them by the merits of his Father and all his Aneestors, to have some pity upon him their true master, This submission a little calmed their fierce natures, so that they began to relent, and had again acknowledged their Lord, had not the Aga, supposing to Curry favour with the Emperor, sharply reproved them of ingratitude and disloyalty, which again raised the not extinguished fire, into such a flame, that it was no more to be subdued; but first having slain the Aga, and Huzein Bassa, with several of the Emperor's followers of lesser note, they seized on his person, and carried him before Mustapha, demanding sentence against him, when as the forsaken Prince, pleading for his life (and the new Emperor, not knowing how to condemn, only nodding in token that they might do what they pleased) They after a consult amongst themselves, determined only to imprison him whereupon they set him on horseback, an insolent Spahy changing Turbans with him, and carried him to the seven Towers, denying by the way a draught of water, and then returning placed Mustapha in the Throne proclaiming him Emperor, and went to Sack the Houses of those they had murdered.  
Mustapha having once again mounted the Throne and of a miserable Captive made the second time Emperor, was persuaded by Darut Bassa, a villain raised to that dignity by the new Emperor, that if Osman lived he would sit uneasy in his throne, and that the Janissaries cooling on the matter, would again advance him the rightful Heir of the Ottoman Empire, whereupon it was concluded he should be made away, the charge of which was committed to this wicked Counsellor, who knowing his dignity would expire with Mustapha's, strangled young Osman in prison, after he had reigned three years and some odd days, not exceeding sixteen years of Age, and so an end was put to the design he had to subdue the Germane Empire, and afterwards all Europe, with such success he flattered himself, little remembering that when man proposes, God disposes.  
One thing is worthy of note, a little before this Tumult happened, Osman dreamt that he rid a Camel, and being mounted he could not force him to go by fair means nor stripes, and that then descending in a rage to revenge it with his sword, the body of the beast vanished, leaving in his hand only the head and bridle, at which dream being exceedingly troubled, he the next day sends for one of his Wizards to interpret it, but he refused, persuading him to apply himself to the Mufty, which he did, and had this Interpretation, viz. That the Camel signified his Empire, his Riding his abuse in Government, his descension or alighting, his deposing, the vanishing of the body of the Beast, the revolt of his Subjects, the head and bridle remaining in his hand only a bare Title, and that he should shortly die and lose his Empire, the empty name only of Emperor accompanying him to his grave. And thus much for Osman Tenth Emperor of the Turks.   

CHAP. XXI. Mustapha Reinthronized, with an Account of his proceed till his second Deposing.  
MVstapha having as has been related, caused his nephew young Osman to be strangled in prison, he made several new Bassas, displacing such as had been made by his Predecessor, least getting power they should revenge the death of Osman, nor were there some wanting that both desired and attempted it, especially Mechmet Bassa Governor of Erzirum, in ●●sia.  
During the consternation of the Asian Turks, at the death of their Emperor, putting them in fear the Empire would be dissolved, the Persian King was not idle, but with a powerful Army recovered most places taken from him, by the Turkish Sultan's, and the like might have been effected by the Christians, had they not been at discord amongst themselves, so that, that much dreaded Empire, would have been reduced into a small circumference, which many afterwards though too late repent.  
The new Sultan altogether governed by his Imperious Officer not yet supposing himself fast in the Throne, consented to the making away the brethren of Osman, and children to Achmat the late Emperor, in order to Execute which bloody purpose, the Capi-Aga or Major Domo of the Seraglio, went to their Lodgings, with a purpose to strangle them, but the children crying out, several of the Pages run to their rescue, and falling upon the messengers of death, slew the Capi-Aga, and evilly entreated the others that attended him, and thereupon sent word to the Janissaries and Spahis, who approved of their proceed, commanding the body of the Aga to be hanged up in the Hippodrome, as a terror to those that should attempt the like for the future, and in a rage went to the Palace demanding Justice on them that had Councilled so wicked a purpose, but the new Emperor, who differed not much from an idiot, solemnly protested he was altogether ignorant of the matter, and if such command were procured, it was gotten by sabreption, which Protestation was easily believed, yet Darut Bassa, and the Emperor's mother were vehemenly suspected, when to appease the angry soldiers, the Bassa was displaced from the Viziership, Hazein Bassa placed in his stead, and the Emperor's mother hid in the Palace till the Tempest was over, which could be no otherwise allayed then by a shower of Gold Chequins.  
After which, the new Vizier protesting either to reform the affairs of the Empire, or fall a Sacrifice, did a little restore the face of Justice, by making examples of some, and terrifying others with threats, insomuch that he was looked upon as a man fit for those boisterous times, nor was that his only aim, but he resolved when once settled in his place, to remove Mustapha, and place Morat brother to Osman in the Imperial seat, not thinking himself safe, under a man that was altogether governed by an imperious woman, desirous of Rule, and was no further capable of the passions of love and hate than they were infused into him.  
During these troubles of the Ottoman Empire, the Duke Sbaraskie lay upon the Frontiers, and would not advance to ratify the peace between the King his master and the new Sultan, till such time as Sir Thomas Rowe his Majesty of Great Britain's Ambassador, then resident at the Port had given him his faith for his security, which done, the Duke advanced, and upon his arrival at the Port, was magnificently entertained by the new Vizier, yet e'er any thing was absolutely concluded, a matter happened which had like to have turned all into nothing; for on the 17 of June 1622 Prince Coreskie, who had been taken in the late war between Osman and Sigismond King of Poland, was strangled in prison at Constantinople, which put all into murmur and deep consideration, to what intent it was done, when so great a ransom might have been had for his release, but most believed it was done out of a Politic end, for that the Prince being a mortal enemy to the Turks, if he should have been set at liberty, his restless nature would not have suffered the peace to have continued long inviolable, yet the urgent affairs of Poland so requiring, the Peace was concluded in nineteen Articles, much to the advantage of the Polonian King, the Turks greatly fearing at that juncture, the Christian's uniting against them, might dismember their Empire.  
The new Vizier by this time having won the affections of the Soldiers, resolved upon his former purpose of Deposing Mustapba, and setting up Morat Brother to Osman, than a child, and the better to forward his purpose, he caused the Aga of the Janissaries, and several Officers of the Court to be seized, as contrivers of the death of Coreskie, whom himself had commanded to be strangled, which raised another Tumult; for the Janissaries running furiously to the Court, demanded their Captain, whom the Bassa had ordered to be put to death, and had done great mischief had he not been delivered, nor were they so contented, but peremptorily demanded the head of the Visier, solemnly protesting to facrifice him for the affront done to their order; upon which escaping through the Emperor's Garden, he took boat and passed over into Asia, whereupon they sacked his house, and found therein great store of Treasure, they likewise demanded the heads of several others, but in the end all was hushed, yet they proceeded to the Election of a new Visier, making choice of one Mustapha, a man of a soft nature and easily ruled, who scarcely durst do Justice for fear of offending any man, which proceeding of the insolent Janissaries nevertheless, caused the wiser sort of men to retire from office and employment, and to the insufficient daily change and ruin; for the Emperor durst not move but by the directions of the Soldiers whose creature he was, so many insolences were frequently committed, and all Asia greatly endangered to be lost, for at Bagdat anciently Babylon, the Captain of the Janissaries killed the Bassa, burned the Mufti, and gave his daughter in Marriage to one Assan Beg, pretender to an Ancient Inheritance of a bordering Province, to cantonize that part nor Asia only stood in suspense what to do, but the Dominions of the Turkish Sultan in afric, greatly wavered, as doubting whom to obey.  
On the 22 of August, an Extraordinary Ambassador from Bethlehem Gabor Prince of Transylvania arrived at the Port, who amongst other instructions had order to excuse his master, and to declare the reasons, why he had made peace with the Emperor, without the knowledge of the Sultan, which were, that the war had continued three years in the Kingdom of Hungary and had so wasted the Country, that it was impossible for him to stay longer in the field unless he would have exposed his Army to those wants, that would have reduced him to have accepted of an inglorious peace, or to have suffered a great part of his Soldiers to perish for want, and that if he had stood out upon the peace concluded between the Sultan and the Polonian, the whole stress of War would have rested on him and therefore he desired to be excused, adding that he meant not long to conserve the peace, therefore desired that he and the Bassa of Buda might have it in joint Commission to raise such Forces as they thought convenient to invade the Empire, when opportunity offered, but this request not agreeing with the interest of the Sultan it was rejected.  
About this time the Janissaries in a tumultuary way came to the Court and demanded all the Offices of gain, and to be Stewards of the Revenues of the Churches which are great as likewise to take the Farms of Customs wherein they committed many outrages, the Viziers not daring to deny them any thing they demanded. They drunk Wine in the streets without prohibition contrary to their Law, and exacted money of the Christians to purchase it, and if denied took it by force, and murdered without being punished, and when at any time complaint was made the Magistrates answered they durst not meddle with them, that had murdered their King, and the Bassa's themselves desired the complainants' patience, telling them that they would bear a part with the general sufferance.  
About the same time the Janissaries in the Galleys which rid before Smirna commanded by Halil Bassa, aslaulted against his will the houses of the Christian Consuls, insomuch that the English Consul with all those of that Nation, were forced to run naked from their Lodgings, and save their lives by swimming to the Admiral's Galley, upon which the masterless Turks ransacked the lower part of the house there, making spoil to the value of Two Thousand Dollars. The French sustained more loss, and the Venetians at least ten Thousand Dollars, the Consul having likewise one of his men cut in pieces, nor could the Admiral either by threats or entreaties restrain these outrages, but was forced for the prevention of further mischief to put to Sea.  
In Asia there were three Rebellions, one at Babylon, another at Arzirum upon the borders of Persia, and a third at Mesopotamia, which threatened the ruin of all Asia; yet to prevent the worst several new officers were made, and an Army raised in Grecia, in order to pass the Hellespont, but in the end nothing was done more than assembling to little purpose, all the Turkish Forces on Europe side, which so impoverished the Treasury that the like had not formerly been known, nor were any Exactions and Extortions omitted to raise money for defraying the necessary charges.  
About this time came to the Court of Poland, an Ambassador from the great Duke of Muscovy to entreat a peace, which was hardly granted by reason several Letters of the said Ambassadors being intercepted, plainly demonstrated that at his first setting out his designs were otherwise, upon notice that a Peace was concluded with the Sultan, he feigning himself sick upon the Frontiers, had sent for new instructions.  
Darut Bassa who had married Sultan Mustapha's Sister falling into the displeasure of the Visier, he so dealt with the Spahi, that coming to the Court they demanded his Head for the murdering the late Emperor, and having gotten him into their hands were about to behead him, but whilst he was upon his knees, every woman expecting the fatal blow, the Janissaries at the instance of the Sultan's Mother rescued him and carried him to their College, promising him their protection, for which he bestowed amongst them Forty Thousand Chequins. But that availed not, for soon after he was taken thence and carried to the prison where he had murdered young Osman and there strangled, now the better to please the Polonians and obstruct the cause of War for the future, the Ambassador was not only dispatched with several Noblemen of Poland, who had since the late War remained Prisoners, but it was likewise concluded that Jehan Begh, the Tartarian Prince, Author of the War should be deposed, and Michmet Geheray his Cousin, and first of the Blood, late Prisoner at the Rhodes, should succeed him in that large Kingdom.  
Asia was still in doubt to be lost for that Abassa Bassa Governor of Arzirum, with an Army of one hundred thousand Horse and Foot had siezed upon most of the Provinces, though without doing any harm to the inhabitants, but wheresoever he found any of the Janissaries he sacrificed them to the Ghost of the dead Emperor, he as he said being by God appointed the revenger of his Death, and for that cause he had taken up arms declaring that he would come to the Port and demand Justice upon the Murderers, and that if he was found a Traitor or guilty, he would lay down his head willingly; but if those he accused were found guilty, he would see execution done, nor did the Nobility of Constantinople much disapprove of his march, rather esteeming him a friend then an Enemy, who came to deliver them from the Tyranny of the Janissaries, whose insolences were insufferable. Yet to prevent the worst it was resolved that Mustapha should be deposed, the Janissaries not gainsaying it, for that they well knew they alone should be exposed to the fury of the Bassa, at the rooting out of whose order he chief aimed, though he had likewise other designs which were to wrest the Grand Visiership from him that held it, and make himself Governor of the young Prince Brother to Osman, whom he intended to advance to the Empire; yet rather for show then otherwise the Soldiers were ordered to pass the Hellespont in great numbers, but the Janissaries would not stir for two reasons, first for that the time of receiving their pay was at hand, and secondly fearing alone to be exposed to the fury of the Asian Army, greatly doubting that if it came to a Battle their Fellows would revolt, and by that means easily bring them to destruction.   

CHAP. XXII. The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the 4th. the 11th. Emperor of the Turks.  
IN this distraction of the Ottoman Empire, the better to calm the tempest ere it turned all into confusion by Shipwracked the State, the Grand Visier going with the Janissaries and Spahi to the Seraglio, demanded to speak with Mustapha, and that he would answer them a few questions, which he being no ways able to do, and refusing to appear they entered the Palace, and took thence Morat or Amurath Brother to Osman, and Son to Achmat then about 14 years of Age, and carrying him through the streets in triumph, caused him every where to be proclaimed Emperor to the great content of the Constantinopolitans, who by this mutation hope for peaceful times, and the face of Justice restored which for many months had abandoned the City, every man doing in a manner what he pleased.  
Thed ay after this innovation the young Emperor made his public entry, from whose lively countenance and apparent activity, every one promised great things during his Reign; but at that time such had been the policy of the covetous Soldiers whom Mustapha had continually supplied with the Imperial Treasure, to support his bad Title to the Turkish Diadem, that Money was wanting to supply necessary occasions. Insomuch that the Janissaries were obliged to remit the Largess usually bestowed upon with an Augmentation of their pay at the Coronation of every Emperor, and that money which was found was for the most part adulterated, insomuch that the Visier sent to the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes residing there to borrow Thirty Thousand Dollars, and narrow search was made after the Treasure that had been conveyed away by the Bassa's that bore sway during the distraction in which search Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars were found that had been embezzled by the Visier Darut.  
During these Transactions Abassa Bassa had possessed himself of all most all Asia, whereupon it was thought necessary by fair means to persuade him to lay down his Arms, and the rather to induce him so to do, the Emperor sent unto the Capigi Bassa with a Vest, Sword and Letters of Credence giving him thanks for the love he had showed to his Brother and his Blood, but now the revenge belonged to himself of which he would take care, and therefore desired him if he were a true subject as he professed himself to be to return to his Government of Arzirum, after having dissolved his Army, and there to rest till further occasion required his service. Upon this order from the Emperor he excused himself, that the far advancement of the season would not permit him to retire, but promised to live in peace until the spring and then to return in obedience to his Government. Nor was this all for the Bassa or Emir of Sidon was up in Arms, and with an Army of Thirty Thousand men had seized the strong City and Castle of Damascus, and was supposed to hold confederacy with the Christian Princes being himself no favourer of the Mahometan superstition, and besides he was a Prince by descent and claimed a right to those Countries, as the ancient inheritance of his Predecessors nor was the Emperor in a condition to repress him by force, therefore entreaties were used as to the former with many large promises, nor was the Transylvanian Prince quiet though in a different nature, for contrary to his League with the Emperor in a hostile manner he entered Hungary, and possessed himself of several Towns: To oppose whom the Imperialists raised a considerable Army and encamped in the way he was to pass, yet was his coming so sudden that he cut off seven hundred stragglers of the Imperialists, and had surprised the Camp had not the alarm been given by some that fled, yet with his whole Army he so pressed them, that they were forced to betake themselves to a small Town Ghoding upon the River of Moran, where they Fortified under a Castle that defended it; but in the end oppressed with cold and hunger they sent to the Prince to make truce which with the consent of Sultan Morat was accorded on these considerations. First, That the Emperor should disclaim all right to Hungary, and should leave the people free under the Government of the Prince of Transilvania. Secondly, That the Prince and all the Provinces that had sent their Ambassadors to the Port, and had made league with him, and had taken the Imperial protection should be restored to their ancient Liberty and Estates. Thirdly, That the Emperor should pay an annual Tribute of forty thousand Dollars, pretended to be granted in the days of Solyman for Austria, and that the Prince, and the Bassa of Buda, should have full power, if they found it convenient at any time to conclude a Peace on the part of the Ottoman Emperor, and that all Cities, Towns, and Castles should remain in the hands of those that possessed them, a free intercourse of Trade being allowed between the Subjects of the one and the other Empire.  
This done the Prince of Transilvania made show as if he would redeem all the poor Captives taken by the Turks at his own charge, with some small assistance from the Imperialists, upon whom he laid the fault, that it was not done, for as much as they failing to send their Commissioners to treat about the matter, the Turks in the night time decamped, and carried away with them contrary to his pleasure twenty thousand Christians into miserable Captivity. He likewise warned the Turks to keep in order and not to straggle in their retreat, nor to commit any insolency or spoil, for that the Country was all in Arms, and already enraged, but they not following his Council two thousand Hungarian Horse fell upon their Rear, and cut off six hundred of them; whereupon they turned head and destroyed many Villages, killing and taking Prisoners all that came to hand, and amongst the rest one of the Hungarian Lords.  
By this time the Persian desirous to dismember the Ottoman Empire, with a powerful Army entered the Turkish Dominions in the Province of Babylon, and greatly Alarmed that City, whereupon a war was proclaimed against him at the Port, and all Soldiers in the Emperors pay commanded to repair to the rendezvous upon pain of Confiscation, and their wives and children being sold for slaves, it was likewise propounded that a reconciliation should be made between the Emperor and Abassa Bassa at any rate, lest he should join with the Persian, and that being so gained he might be employed as General of Turkish Army, but the Janissaries would not hear of the advancement of their mortal enemy, but rather desired to be led against him and fight it out to the utmost, but the Spahi were of another mind, as rather inclinable to the Bassa, yet the Janissaries displaced their Aga, for dissuading them therefrom, and set up in his stead a page of the Court.  
Thus whilst it was unresolved how to proceed, the Persian King omitted no opportunity, but Conquered the Province and City of Babylon, put to flight Hafis Bassa, General of that defensive war, and took prisoner Chur Hassen Bassa a renowned old Soldier, and cutting in pieces all that opposed him, found means to seize upon Mosul (anciently called Niniveh) and Laska, on the Persian Sea, and dividing his Army, sent part towards Van and Diarbeck, and the other towards Mecha, encompassing by that means all that part of the Turks Dominions.  
About this time his Majesty of Great Britain, by his Ambassador residing at Constantinople, complained of the injuries his Subjects Trading in those Seas, had sustained by the Pirates of Argier and Tunis, who in two years' space, had taken about one hundred English Vessels, most of them richly laden, wherefore the Ambassador demanded that they might be punished for violating the League, and be forced to restore such Vessels with their lading, as were found not to be embezzled, or that they might be left to his Majesty to punish without any offence to the Grand Seignor, but many of the Bassas being interested in those Piracies, nothing more could be procured then a Letter to the Bassas of those two Cities, to send their Commissioners to to the Port, to answer to what was objected against them, and at length to promise not any more to molest the English, in order to the confirmation of which, several Articles were drawn, and delivered to Sir Thomas Rowe, then residing at the Port, with the Grand Seigneours Letter of command to the Dage Bassa and Divan of Argier and Tunis to forbear assaulting or in the least injuring any English ships, or the Subjects of the King of England, in what part of the Ottoman Empire soever they resided, insomuch that the fear of punishment, did for the space of five years deter those Pirates from molesting the English, either by Sea or Land, and the better to ingratiate themselves, they delivered six hundred English Mariners (which they had taken at divers times) without Ransom, but upon the Expiration of the years aforesaid they again rob and spoiled the Merchant's ships Trading in those parts, but were frequently met withal by the English men of war that were sent into those Seas to secure the Traffic.  
Anno 1624. on the 24 of March Ali Bassa the great Visier, by whose means Morat was advanced to the Crown, was sent for into the Seraglio, where being questioned by the young Emperor about the affairs of the Persian Invasion, and not answering to the satisfaction of those present, he was then and there at the commandment of the Emperor beheaded, and his body cast out into the street (which caused much murmuring amongst his friends) and one Creques Mechemet advanced to the Dignity of Grand Visier, but he was not settled in his place before news came that the Roman Emperor had entered Hungary with an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot, resolving to recover the Towns a little before take by Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania, and that the Cossack with four hundred Boats were abroad in the Black Sea, and had taken many vessels laden with Provision, as likewise made great spoil upon the Coast. To prevent which the Bassas of Buda, Temeswar, Bosna, Canisa, and Agria, received Orders to join with the Transylvanian, and several Galleys dispatched into the black Sea, nor were the preparations against the Persians slackened, who still marched on conquering, for by this time Abassa Bassa upon the receipt of the Grand Signors pardon had submitted himself, and with the forces under his command marched towards the frontiers, to join with Hafis Achmet Bassa who made head on that side, by which the suspicion of the Janissaries being removed they to the number of Thirty Thousand were mustered for the Wars, and Forty thousand Spahi, their rendezvous being appointed about Brussia, and at the same time Biram Bassa was dispatched General of the frontiers of Poland and Bugdania with Four thousand Soldiers, and Orders to command all the Begs and Sanzacks, to raise such forces as they could and join him to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks, and more Galleys sent into the black Sea, to transport Jean Gheray Han Prince of Tartary the year before deposed by Mechmet, and to re-establish him in his Kingdom, but Mechmet having notice of his arrival, raised an Army of Sixty thousand Horse, and drove him from the Land with the slaughter of many Turks, which so enraged the Grand Signeour that as he said, his honour being engaged he resolved to reinthrone him, for Mechmet was suspected of holding correspondence with the Persian, to whose proceeding the Turks and Arabians had by this time put a stop, but failed therein, for the Captain Bassa with a great Army Landing the second time was routed, two Bassas and about Five thousand Turks slain, as many taken Prisoners, and Twenty pieces of Cannon, with much rich Furniture left to the Tartars, who by that means found that they were able to deal with the Turks.  
Things falling out thus in Tartary, the Cossacks taking the advantage of the Turkish Fleets absence, with Eighty Boats or small Barks entered the straits of Bosphorus, where lying before Constantinople, they brought a general fear upon that great City, and after having plundered and razed several Towns upon the Sea Ceased, they returned in Triumph unopposed, which good success emboldened them with a greater number of Vessels to adventure a second time, when as before they returned with a great booty, the Turks not being able to prevent it. About the same time the Pirates of Tunis and Algiers revolted from the Grand Signors obedience, and rob many of his Ports in the Mediterranean, taking such Ships as they found therein, and setting fire to a great number of Storehouses, so that the loss the Christian Merchants sustained by them in one Expedition amounted to 4 Millions of Ducats, nor did they less harm by Land to such as bordered on their Country, neither regarding Friends or Foes any longer than stood with their conveniency and profit, being indeed Enemies to all men; which intestine troubles obliged Morat to conclude a Peace with Mechmet, the Tartar Prince dissembling the intentions he had to depose him, laying all the fault of what had happened upon the Captain Bassa, whose head had like to have gone off to have rendered his Master's story plausible, such danger are those in that live under a Tyrant, whose will is his Law, not weighing Justice nor good deserts further than may serve his purpose. Yet blood was not wanting for Huzein Bassa who sometime before fled, being taken and brought to Constantinople, where (after in hopes to save his Life, he had confessed his Treasure) he was strangled. Abassa Bassa notwithstanding the specious shows he made to march against the Persians, lingered greatly, which gave the Janissaries a suspicion that he had contrived the matter only to draw them into his danger, and then to destroy them as he had formerly purposed, which opinion of theirs had turned all again into confusion, had he not at that instance reconciled himself to the Grand Visier, and protested that he would not hurt the Janissaries, but use his Arms in defence of the Empire. So that by swearing three times on the Alcoran, that no violence should be done on either side, all animosities vanished, the Government of Arzirum being confirmed to him, and he allowed a competent number of Soldiers to guard the frontiers, as likewise places of trust bestowed upon most of his chief Officers, but upon the Janissaries putting many of his Friends to the Sword who had yielded themselves to the Grand Visier, he in a rage fell into their quarter, making slaughter of three or four thousand of them, though not without the loss of as many of his own men, but finding that the Visier had drawn up his Army in Battalia, he sounded the retreat and marched to his Government, and the Visier kept on his way towards Diarbecher to seek the Persian, when in the mean time the Persian General treated with Abassa to deliver up the City of Arzirum, to the King his Master promising in lieu thereof great rewards, but he knowing upon such terms he could at any time make his peace who ever was Conqueror, seemingly harkened to that motion; so that gaining credit eight thousand Persians was sent to take possession thereof, who he no sooner got within his danger, but he set upon them, put one thousand to the Sword, and took most of the remainder Prisoners, which caused the Turk to have a better opinion of him then formerly, insomuch that they nominated him for Grand Visier the ensuing year.  
Anno 1625. a new Rebellion broke out in Asia, headed by an ordinary Spahi, who drew down ten thousand men before the City of Smirna, the which after some resistance he entered, and pretending to reform abuses cut off the heads of two Cadees, punished divers others, place and displaced the Magistrates as he pleased, and then departed without suffering any spoil to be made, pretending the Grand Signors order for what he had done, and indeed the Court connived at his proceed, for awing corrupt Officers, he restored the face of Justice in those parts, but not long after, he with a greater power marched toward Brussia in Anatolia, using the Name of Morat to colour his purpose, pretending to work a Reformation in the State, but in the ending of great preparations were making to oppose him, he disbanded his Army and retired himself. And now the mortality raged at Constantinople in such sort, that Fifty thousand died in a short space, so that the City was left almost desolate; which known to the Cossacks, they came again in their Boats, and sailing through the Bosphorus made great spoil on Europe side, attempting to burn the Arsenal, to prevent which all the Galleys and small Vessels in the Port were manned out, so that between them there happened a fierce engagement; but the Cossack's Boats being small though many in number, thirty of them by the shot of the Galleys were sunk and overturned, insomuch that five hundred Cossacks were drowned and taken Prisoners, and double the number of Turks slain, for the Boats being in all three hundred, and each Boat manned with thirty or forty Musquetiers, they showered their Bullets so thick upon the Decks of the Galleys, that scarce a Turk peeped out but he was cut off; twice they boarded the Admiral's Galley, and had taken it had not the Sea of a sudden gone high, and the Wind stood against them.  
Upon the approach of great Visier towards the Province of Babylon, the King of Persia sent to desire a Treaty of Peace, which was only to protract time, it in the end coming to nothing, yet the Princes of Georgia sent their Ambassadors, as willing to be freed from the Persian yoke, which Ambassadors were kindly entertained by the Visier, their demands granted, and the Bishop of Chalcedon their Country man sent back with them to see the Peace Ratified; upon which they raised a great Army, and invaded the Territories of Persia, to oppose whom the King sent part of his Army under the leading of his great Lieutenant, who joining Battle was overthrown, with the loss of seven thousand of his men, which greatly encouraged the Visier, so that he resolved the next year to besiege Babylon, in which was a Garrison of eight thousand Persians, besides the Citizens who were five times the number, yet early in the Spring.  
Anno 1626. having refreshed his Army, he pitched his Camp before that great City, but as they were making their approaches Twenty Thousand Persian Horse, who attended the motion of the Turks, fell into the Viziers quarter doing great execution, and by that means troubled the whole Army, but in fine the Persians were obliged to retire, yet not before they had slain about Six Thousand Turks, upon which a muster was taken of the Army, which was found much less than was expected for that a number of the Spahi and Janissaries that were inroled, had forborn to undertake that dangerous, and so often fatal Expedition, and seven Princes of the Arabs Tributaries to the Grand Signeour having raised their power, refused to advance any further than the Borders of their Principalities, alleging that they durst not displease the possessors of Babylon, but were ready to obey if the City fell into the hands of the Turks, which weakness known to the Persian King he drew thither the strength of his whole Kingdom, and running Trenches round about the Turks Camp, besieged it in such manner that all Provisions and Succours was cut off, and instead of hoping to win the City, they were solicitous of nothing more than how to retreat. This danger of the Army was made known to the Emperor and Divano at Constantinople, but nothing was done till it was too late, for through want and diseases the Army was so wasted, that they were no ways able to make head against their Enemies; besides a great number of them were slain in the frequent sallies the besieged made out of the City, and the Persians Incursions, who seldom failed to beat up one quarter or other of the Camp, and hearing of no supplies durst advance, or were in a probability to relieve the half starved Soldiers, who had left no unclean thing uneaten, it was resolved that under the favour of the night the Camp should rise and force a way through the Persian Squadron, rather choosing to die like men then pine with hunger; Whereupon they broke their great Artillery, and cast into the Euphrates all such things as they could not convey away, to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy, and then with as little noise as possible, broke through one quarter of the Persian Camp, yet not so suddenly but that the Persians taking the Alarm, overtook them ere they reached Ninive, and had the execution of the Army for the space of ten days, in which time seventy thousand Turks and Tartars fell by the Sword, when to cast the odium upon the Bassa's, and to save his credit at the Port the Visier caused three of their heads to be stricken off. This great blow caused the revolt of many Cities, upon the Frontiers of Persia, and endangered the revolt of all Asia. The Turks not having received the like blow, since the overthrow of Bajazet the first by Tamerlane the great, which caused a general heavyness throughout the City of Constantinople, few therein but lost one Friend or other in this unfortunate War, of which the Emperor of Germanies Ambassador taking advantage pressed for a speedy conclusion of Peace, and laboured to cross the purpose of the Transylvanian Prince, but in the interim the Imperial and Transylvanian Armies being abroad, on the 16th. of October near to the River Gran a mortal Battle was fought between them, wherein the latter was put to the rout, and in passing confusedly the River over two Bridges laid for that purpose, Six thousand were slain drowned and taken Prisoners, yet Winter coming on the Prince retired with his Troops, and without the consent of the Turks made a Truce with the Imperialists for three months, sending to the Port to excuse himself for so doing, by showing the necessity that induced him so to do. But ere a Peace could be concluded as was intended Count Mansfelt and Duke Ernestus, who were the greatest inciters thereto died, so that nothing for a time was done therein, but it was left in the power of the Prince, and Bassa of Buda to War upon the Emperor, as they found it convenient or most advantageous, insomuch that they raised great forces intending to make Austria the seat of War, but upon further negotiation that design was laid aside, all Parties being more desirous of Peace than War, and so matters were left doubtful.  
About this time an Ambassador from the King of Persia, with overtures of Peace arrived at Aleppo, but could get no Audience of the Visier, who remained there with his broken Army till an other Ambassador with presents arrived at Constantinople, where he made such overtures that they were approved by many, but the non-delivery of Babylon a little before taken by the Persians, put a stop to the negotiation, the Turks not being willing upon any other Terms to hearken to Peace, for that their Army in Asia was by this time recruited and again entered into Persia, to avert which the Persians besieged Achiska a strong City near Arzirum, being encouraged thereto by Abassa Bassa, to whom the Visier sent to draw out his forces, and in conjunction with the Georgians, to join with such forces as he should send him which were three thousand Janissaries under the leading of twelve Captains, with whom he sent Provision and other necessaries, but for the hatred the Bassa had to that order he commanded them to be set upon in the night, and almost all cut in pieces, those that remained and were taken Prisoners he sent to the Persian King, and then with such forces as he had Fortified himself in Arzirum. The news of this disgrace coming to the ear of the Visier, he drew down with all his forces toward the Rebel, resolving to punish him if he could by any means get him into his hands.  
Now the treaty between the Imperial Ministers, those of the Grand Signors and Transylvanian Princes growing ripe, a Peace was concluded though severally, for the Prince having understood that the King of Denmark who was coming to his aid had been overthrown by Walstain the Emperor's General, and that the Bassa of Buda bought with Germane Gold, had crossed all his purposes at Constantinople, and discovered his inmost Councils, he grew jealous of his own state, and therefore thought it best to make Peace whilst he was in a capacity to obtain honourable condition, which Treaty comprised in ten Articles were Ratified at Presburg. The chief points of which were, That either side should cease from Hostilities, and forbear directly or indirectly to assist each others Rebels, and that all the City and Towns taken in the late War, should be redelivered. Nor were the Turks slow in finishing their Treaty, as being no ways able to maintain an Army in Europe by reason of their troubles in Asia, so that much to the same purpose as the former contained in eleven Articles, the Peace was concluded at the Port, to the great joy of all parties especially of the Turks, who were now at leisure to recover their Towns, and quell the Rebellions in Asia.  
Anno 1627. Halil Bassa the great Visier and General of the Turkish Army, in having for sometime besieged Abassa Bassa in Arzirum, and finding his attempts to win the City vain, by reason of the many inconveniencies in his Camp, he was forced to rise, which the Rebel perceiving sallied out and with all his forces followed hard after for seven days, cutting off all his Rear, and took his Treasure, Cannon and Baggage, which so discouraged the Soldiers, that they mutined against their General and sought to stone him, and long was it ere they could be appeased, whereupon he wrote to the Grand Signeour informing him that there was no hopes of obedience unless the reverence of his person did revive it, yet he rested at Tocat and for the better quieting disorders disbanded a part of his Army, who almost naked to the great disgrace of the Visier came to Constantinople, which gave Abassa Bassa opportunity to hold correspondence with the Poles, Tartars, and Cossacks, whereupon Husseruph Bassa a Visier of the Bench, and late Aga of the Janissaries, was chosen conductor of the Militia, and passed over into Asia with such forces as could be instantly raised, and many great Ordinance cast for the service, Galleys were likewise fitted out, and all preparations made as far as the Treasure would extend, and it was further concluded that Husseruph should march directly to Diarbecher to oppose the Persian, and there remain as Bassa of the Province, and that on his way to prevent charge, the Seal should be sent him and he constituted great Visier in the room of Halil Bassa, whose credit therein was had in regard for that he was not sent for home as in disgrace, but in the head of the Army delivered up his charge and so retired to the Port, there to continue one of the Council Viziers.  
Anno 1628., about the 5th. of April Hasseruph was declared Grand Visier, and took upon him the charge of the Army with orders to march directly toward Babylon, for of Abassa Bassa they had had enough the year before. Yet he wrote to the Grand Signeour, terming himself his slave, promising him that he would hold the Province of Arzirum for him, but if he sought to expe●● him by force he would put it into the hands of the Persian, but if he might possess it he would defend it against him, and still hold him as the capital Enemy of the Turkish Empire, nor should his forces be wanting to assist the new General in his Expedition for the recovery of Babylon, and this was accepted as a plenary submission.  
Whilst the Grand Signeour was thus busied to settle affairs of Asia, and to reduce Abassa Bassa to obedience, the Tartar Han was openly declared a Rebel and Enemy to the Turkish Empire, and his Brother Schachin Geheray sent out of Persia, to raise troubles on that side, having exacted a Tribute of the Princes of Bugdania and Valachia, he was overthrown by Count Emire a Tartar Captain, who undertook to reduce him to the obedience of the Grand Signeour, whereupon it was suddenly resolved that it should be once again attempted to restore Ghian Geray to that Kingdom, and to expel Mechmet Han, in order to which the Captain Bassa once more prepared the Fleet of Galleys, so that for a year the Mediterranean was like to be encumbered, and the Turkish Empire engaged in so many troubles, that every thing seemed to work towards its subversion, but great bodies have strong Luctations and die not with one fit, and such was the blindness and misery of the times that whilst the Christian Princes contended in ambitious and envious rather than just quarrels, none of them had leisure to push down that Enemy who stood totterring on the brink of ruin, nor to vindicate the Christian honour, nor the Holy Land oppressed and possessed by a Tyrant, that only subsisted by their dissensions.  
About this time great differences arose between the Greek and Romish Churches, about superiority and forms of Worship, which was strongly maintained by either party, insomuch that for a long time (to the scandal of the Christian Religion) the controversy was debated before the Turkish Commissioners at Constantinople, who being Enemies to both alike, nay, even to the very name of Christ, moving not otherways then they were bribed, laughing to see the simplicity of the Christians, to make them Arbitrators of that which they nothing more desired then to destroy, but in the end after infinite Treasure spent, the Pope proved the richer, and therefore prevailed to have such of his Clergy as had been dispossessed of their Colleges, Monasteries, and the like in the Turkish Empire restored, especially the Jesuits who had been thrust out of St. Bennets Church and Monastery in Galatia, concerning the restitution of whom the Grand Signeour, at the instance of the French Ambassador sent his Letters mandatory to Assan Bassa Captain of the Sea, and to the Cadee of Galatia.  
About this time Sir Thomas Row, Ambassador at the Port for His Majesty of Great Britain, procured leave to departed, by whom the Grand Signeour sent this following Letter.  
The Grand Signors Letter to his Majesty of Great Britain.  
TO the most glorious amongst the greatest Majesties of the Princes of Jesus, most reverenced amongst the People of the Messiah, sole Director of the important affairs of the Nazarean Nation, Lord of the limits of Honour and Power, Patron of Grace and Authority Charles King of Great Britain and Ireland, to whose last days we wish all complete and true happiness.  
Be it known unto your Majesty at the sight of this Letter, That your Ambaffador Sir Thomas Rowe, respected and beloved amongst the Christians, to whom we wish a happy end, being heretofore sent to reside as your Ambassador at our happy Port, to be watchful over all offices of good correspondence between us, and that all requisite terms of honour should be fulfilled, and to renew the mantle of our affections, hath from his first arrival here until this present, most perfectly attended upon the charge imposer in him, and in all his actions proceeded with extraordinary diligence and industry, for the high honour and great fame of your Majesty His Sovereign, and now your Majesty having sent in his place one of the chief of your most esteemed Sir Peter Wyche, to reside at our Imperial Port, and that the said Sir Thomas Rowe hath taken resolution to return to your Majesty, with our Imperial consent we send him unto you, with these our Imperial Letters, hoping in the most High God, that when as he is most safely arrived with you, out of your abundant and innate clemency, and your singular and sincere goodness, in respect of his good and faithful service, that you will set him honoured and rewarded, and to see that the great affection and love which we nourish towards your Majesty, may be daily increased we desire you readily employ your benign care in the keeping and observing our Imperial Capitulation with every Article therein contained, as we on our part will likewise do in all things that are meet to be done, concerning their perfect observation, whereof you shall find a good and clear Testimony by our future effects.  
Given at Constantinople, Anno 1628.  
With this Letter and several presents, Sir Thomas Rowe embarked on the Samson Frigate, in order to sail for England, but coming before Malta, and being there becalmed, four Galleys came out of the Haven and set upon the English Vessel, but after seven hours hot dispute were forced to retire with the loss of thirty six Knights of the Order, and two hundred sixty four common Soldiers and Rowers, when in the Samson only one Jew a Passenger was killed, and about six men wounded, yet the Ship was grievously rend with Culverin shot, and had been lost had the Sea been outrageous.  
Sir Peter Wyche His Majesty of great Britain's new Ambassador at Constantinople, had not long continued there before some disturbance happened, occasioned by one William-Bundock an English Captains taking a Ship belonging to the Port, as she was sailing to Messina, which caused the owners to demand with much clamour reparation, insomuch that the Chimacham or Chief Officer of the Port, caused an Embargo to be laid upon two English Vessels then riding at Anchor in the Haven of Constantinople, nor could the Ambassador procure their release without a promise of reparation for the damages sustained, and that the Actor should be punished, nor would the insolent Soldiers though no way interessed therein till five hundred Dollars were bestowed amongst them.  
Anno 1629. The Grand Signeour after much debate in counsel, made Provision to renew the War in Persia, as the only design of Honour and Consequence, for though the Turkish Empire engaged in many troubles required a judicious and more than common providence to support it, beset with dangers on every side, and bearing more apparent signs of its declination than ever. Yet the disgrace of Halil Bassas retiring from Babylon, and from before Aczirum, and the loss of the Treasure and Munition, so inspired Husseruph the new General with revenge, that he desired nothing more than to blot out those stains that Eclipsed the Turkish Diadem, whereupon having recruited his Army, he came before Babylon, but after some bravadoes retired to Aleppo, without performing any thing worthy mention, and there to satisfy his mutinous Soldiers, exacted money of all the Merchant's strangers and native inhabitants, encouraging every base fellow to accuse Rich persons of one crime or other, and then himself sitting as Judge would lay great fines on them, which they must pay or be imprisoned, upon the the like pretence he imprisoned the English Consul residing there, and hanged his Bruggerman or Interpreter, which insolences made known to His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, he complained to the Grand Signeour but had no redress. Yet within a while after his ill conduct being made known he was displaced, and Haffis Achmat Bassa made great Visier in his stead, though not without much difficulty, could he be induced to render his charge, for having by large Bribes won the Soldiers, he fortified himself in Mosul or Ninive biding defiance to his Master, yet at length he was reduced to obedience, but would not trust himself in the City of Constantinople, but at a distance plotted innovation, and therein proceeded so far that he caused the Janissaries and Spahi to mutiny, and force the Grand Signeour to deliver into their hands the new Visier, whom they instantly tore in pieces, and not so contented they made a further demand of the Mufti and Teftarder put into their power, but at the earnest entreaty of Morat they were appeased, though not before he promised to made Husseruph a second time Visier, and that Regeb Bassa should officiate till his arrival.  
The storm allayed the Grand Signeour began to consider that Husseruph had raised it by the Influence he had upon the Soldiers, and therefore lest he should attempt any thing further, secret order was given to the Bassa of Buda in whose Government he resided to send his head to Court, which was done accordingly, but not so privately but that the Soldiers getting notice thereof, suddenly made up their many headed monster, and in a great rage came to the Seraglio demanding the heads of those that had been any way councelling or consenting to the death of Husseruph, otherwise they threatened all with ruin, but having no answer suitable to their minds they ran to the house of Regeb, demanding of him who it was that had counselled so great a wickedness. Whereupon to save his Life (which was then in no small danger) he protested he knew not, and that himself was innocent of the matter, yet they forced him with them to the Palace, and made him their Orator to demand what they desired, upon which the Aga Mufti and Teftardar with a private Servant of the Grand Signors fled, but the latter being the next day taken and sent back, he was delivered up as a sacrifice to the insolent Soldiers, who after their usual manner in such like cases tore him in pieces. Yet they were not so contented, but upon a rumour that the Grand Signeour had put his three Brethren to death, they broke into the Palace and could hardly be quieted, although the young Princes were produced, and that several officers swore upon the Alcoran, that they see the grand Signeour lay his hand upon the book and swore they should have their demands satisfied.  
In these Tumults the goods of Merchants strangers went to wrack, and divers affronts and indignities were offered the several Ambassadors residing at the Port, nor was this all, for about the same time Eleas Bassa Rebelled against the Grand Signeour, and siezed upon the City of Amasia about a League from Smirna, infesting all the Country with divers outrages, his Soldiers living altogether upon spoil, insomuch that the Merchants and Consuls at Smirna were forced to remove with their goods to Scio, but an Army being sent against him, he was in a pitched Battle discomfited and had most of his followers slain, himself hardly escaping, and now the Grand Signeour supposing Regeb Bassa (though indeed he was not) the Author of the late tumults, sent for him into the Seraglio and there caused him to be strangled.  
About this time a fight for the space of four hours was maintained by two English Merchantmen, against thirty of the Turks Galleys, till at last the English finding themselves too weak for such odds fired their Vessels and cast themselves over board, where many of them perished, and those that were taken up put to the Oars; in this fight a thousand Turks were slain, and amongst them several Begs and men of note, of this apparent injury done by the Turks, His Majesty of Great Britain by his Letter complained to the Grand Signeour, requiring that those that were taken Captives might be restored to their Liberty, that so a right understanding might continue, but the Turks alleging that the Voyage of the two Ships were unlawful, by reason they Traded in the Levant for Corn, the Ambassador could little prevail, and had much ado to save the lives of the Captives. Yet in the end to hinder the dissolution of the Turkish Trade, and to please the Grand Signeour, a Decree passed in the Star Chamber prohibiting the Corn Trade in the Levant, upon which several of the Captives were set at Liberty.  
Three days after this action, a Fire happened in Constantinople which consumed Seventy Thousand Houses.  
The Persian War yet continuing, that King with a great Army besieged Van, a strong City upon the Confines of Diarbecher, the news whereof arriving at the Port, great preparations were made to prevent that important place from falling into the hands of the Persians, it being Decreed that all the Beghs of Asia, should repair thither with such forces as they could levy, and endeavour its relief, and to join them the Grand Visier passed over with all European Soldiers, but ere any thing could be done the City was taken, whereupon the Visier marched towards Aleppo, exacting great sums of money, and the better to furnish himself, sent the Cadee a slave to Cyprus, and siezed upon all his Treasure.  
Soon after the Turks under pretence of the Christians rising, siezed all their Arms, making it death to those in whose houses any were found after a time prefixed, nor content with this they hanged a Venetian Merchant only for his Money, and Imprisoned all the Christian Merchants in Constantinople, setting a ransom of two thousand Dollars upon each, and that if the money was not paid in four days they should be executed. The four Ambassadors of England, France, Holland, and Venice were likewise convented before the Bassas in the Arsenal, and charged for building a House and Chapel without leave from the Grand Signeour, to have done it in contempt of his Imperial Majesty, and much ado they had to escape being imprisoned, but in the end upon the Chapels being demolished, and all the Arms they had in their Houses delivered to an officer appointed to receive them, the Grand Signeour was pacified, though indeed this was used only as a trick to extort money from them.  
This being the present state of things in the Imperial Port, the English Ambassador in the behalf of his King and Nation, made known the just resentments of his Master, for the affront offered in the person of him his Ambassador, as likewise did the rest exclaiming of injustice, insomuch that the Captain Bassa told them that indeed the proceed were too rigid, and that for the future care should be taken to prevent the like, as for their Arms taken away he said they had been seen by the Grand Signeour, and therefore could not be restored, but that they had liberty to buy more, and the money exacted of the Merchants could not at that time be restored by reason of the urgent occasion of the state, and therefore entreated them to be pacified, but the French Ambassador was so far fallen into the Grand Signors displeasure that his Death was determined, the execution whereof was with much danger to the disswaders deferred, and upon second thoughts changed into an Imprisonment, the cause of which was for that he had siezed upon sixty thousand Dollars sent by the Town of Marseilles, to pay his Predecessors Debts contracted in Constantinople, which money he converted to his own use, thereby defrauding the Creditor and obliging them to clamour for Turkish Justice, which in itself is cruelty and oppression.  
These intestine troubles gave the Persians Liberty to make themselves Masters of many strong places, which greatly alarmed the Ottoman Empire, insomuch that great preparations were every where made, the Grand Signeour in person intending to take the Field. But ere the Army could be raised and all things gotten in a readiness, the Persians were far advanced, and taken many places of importance, and amongst the rest Reivan a strong place, Garrisoned by the Turks, taken from the Persians the year before, putting all they found therein to the Sword and Ransom.  
The report of these losses arriving, ere the Grand Signeour had put himself in a readiness to accompany his Army, he laid aside his purpose of going in person, and full of discontents remained at home to consult his own safety, which was now threatened with such a storm, that to shun it was not imagined a possibility in humane Providence, for the Soldiers that were abroad began to express their discontents, refusing to receive their pay or to be commanded by the Grand Visier, for the Turks War with the Persians unwillingly, there being no other cause for their invading each other than the emulation of greatness, which has successively fired the Lords of those two mighty Empires. Besides the Turks seldom meet in Persia with any plentiful spoils, so that they are neither incited by their own freeness, nor alured by the hopes of any large reward. But on the contrary to the Wars of Hungary and Poland, they hast as to some delightful spectacle, induced thereto by a superstitious zeal, as making religion a ground for their attempts, and an assurance of large spoils, where the Countries abound in all manner of Plenty.  
This danger of the Soldier's mutiny abroad reached not presently the ears of the Grand Signeour to terrify him with the apprehensions of a double storm, for he had enough to do with the Janissaries, who now began to suspect another design on foot for the extirpation of their order which made them cast off all obedience, and set the great City of Constantinople in an uproar, which obliged the Citizens every where to provide for their safeties, for the unruly Soldiers having gotten the knack of making and unmaking Emperors at their pleasure, were grown to that height of insolency that they supposed the centre of Government to rest in themselves, and each individual man of them thought himself superior to any Officer in the Empire, insomuch that they accounted the Grand Signeour but as their Steward entrusted by them with the Government, and that his Life and safety wholly depended on their pleasure, which he well perceiving known no better means to render them tractable, then by distributing large sums of money amongst them, which nevertheless at this time much availed not, for being bend on mischief they plundered the houses of several Merchants and rich Burghers killing and wounding such as resisted them, and in a fury ran to the Palace demanding such Favourites as they named which being denied, they presently fell into a consultation about deposing their Emperor. Nay, so far proceeded that many persuaded to take away his Life as they had done his Brother Osmans', but so divided were they in their Councils, that they could come to no result at that time, but soon after assembling it was proposed, that if the Grand Signeour would make amends by some acknowledgement of his ill intents toward them, and confirm their Order and Privileges, his Government (he being one that was not insensible of their power) might prove advantageous to them, but that if his disposition rested yet undiscovered, it might render the course of their Lives obnoxious to incertainties, for the Grand Signeour in the beginning of his Reign, not exceeding fifteen years of age expressed a natural inclination to action, which wits his years increased, and this had settled some good opinion of him in the unruly Soldiers, whose desire is War that by plunder they may enrich themselves. Though of late many of the Janissaries (contrary to their first institution, and the long continued course that former Emperors had obliged them to) had married Wives settled themselves to Merchandise and were become both rich and effeminate.  
In these and the like mischievous consultations many days were wasted, nor could the Janissaries wanting their usual Confederates the Spahi, who were then under the leading of the Grand Visier at Arzirum effect their purpose as they were wont which made them more cautious in their proceed and to keep together in one strong and entire body as fearing to be destroyed by a general Massacre if they separated, such a rumour (whether spread by themselves to countenance them in their unlawful purposes or really intended) being spread about the City, and that in the room of them a new Militia should be established, less chargeable and more tractable, after the same method as Delavire Bassa had formerly purposed, and that many were for that purpose enrolled on the Frontiers, especially European Horsemen that were continually in action to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and free Heyducks, who living mostly upon spoil greatly endamaged the Turks, but in the end a right understanding being created between the Emperor and the Janissaries by the mediation of the great Officers of the Court a Reconciliation was made, though not without a wonderful mass of money distributed amongst the latter, who frequently mutiny for no other purpose then by such means to enrich themselves, well knowing that the Grand Signeour has no other way to appease them, then by distributing large sums of money amongst them; nor were the Soldiers abroad satisfied till they had sacrificed to their revenge the chief Treasurer of the Army, the two Aga's of the spahis and the Chiaus Bassa of the Janissaries, nor till a new Visier was sent to discharge the Old one, and to lead them to the Persian War.  
During these troubles an Ambassador from the King of Persia arrived at Constantinople, with many Rich presents, which caused him to have the speedier Audience, and promise of an honourable Peace, burr whilst the Treaty held, the Cossacks driven out of Poland by King Uladislaus, had siezed upon Asac a strong City of the Grand Signors, situate upon the mouth of the River Tanais, upon the declining of a Hill, which they pillaged and afterward Fortified, keeping possession thereof for the space of four years, at what time the Turk again recovered it, as also great troubles arose in Tartary, upon the Tartar Hans putting to death the Bassa Musti, and Cadi of Caffa, for reproving him of Coward●●●, for thereupon the Grand Signeour secretly maintained Cautimeri and his faction against him, who with Fire and Sword wasted his Country, and at length passing the Niester siezed on the Country of Budziack near to Beliegrode and Kilea bordering on the Country of Moldavia, on which he likewise encroached drawing a World of People after him, which raised a jealousy in Vladislaus the Polonian King, who doubting they would prove troublesome neighbours, resolved to expel them by force of Arms, but whilst he delayed the Tartar Han executed his purpose, for setting upon Cautimeri with a great Army overthrew him, and followed the execution over the large Plains of Dobruc, so that despairing to appear any more formidable in the Field he fled to Constantinople, where the Grand Signeour contrary to his Faith given, to curry favour with Tartar Han caused him to be strangled, together with his Son, when not long after a Nephew of this Cautimeri killed Tartar Han as he was Hunting, and by a misguiding path separated from his followers, for which Treachery he was applauded at Constantinople, as a man of admirable courage, and upon news of Hans death caused Becher Gherey his brother to be Proclaimed King of Tartary.  
Notwithstanding the fair Promises of Morat, the Persian Ambassador was dismissed without any agreement of Articles in relation to a Peace, and order given to prosecute that War with all imaginable rigour, intending to go himself in person and knock at the Gates of Babylon, whereupon he hung out the Horse tail, a certain sign of his or the Grand Viziers taking the Field, and increased the number of his Janissaries, revoking a Decree he had made to the contrary, commanding his Bassas upon the Christian Frontiers to give no occasion of complaint in his absence that might oblige him to retire ere he had accomplished his purpose, and so with an Army of five hundred thousand Horse and Foot, whereof three hundred thousand were fight men, he entered Persia about the end of May 1638. having joined the Grand Visier with such forces as he had at Iconium; and in his way overthrew a Shegh who had drawn a great number of people into Rebellion under pretence of Religion, out of the Mountains of Anatolia, but the Impostor escaping Morat to prevent his further attempts, caused to be proclaimed that if he was not put into his hands he would destroy all the Country with Fire and Sword, for fear of which he was discovered by those that he trusted with the knowledge of his abode, and by the Grand Signors command flayed alive, and with his skin off carried to the wheel, and there broken without expressing the least sense of pain.  
This let removed Morat passed on, to oppose whose passage the Persian King took the Field with one hundred twenty thousand Horse, and put 30 thousand men into Babylon, with what was necessary for their subsistence, but at the same time his Country on the other side being invaded by the great Mogul o● India, who in favour of Morat had raised a powerful Army, he did not think it convenient to give the Turks Battle but permitted them to pass the Euphrates over a Brige, though not without gr●●t loss, for the Bridge giving way under so great a weight, many Men, Horses, and Camels perished in the Water, but it being repaired the remainder of the Army attained the further Bank, and in a short time came to Mosul, anciently called Ninive, where all the petty Princes whose Countries were near came to the Camp and tendered their Homage to the Grand Signeour, bringing many rich presents and promising to become his Tributaries.  
The Army rising from before Mosul, Morat marched directly to Babylon, (otherwise Bagdat accounted the ancientest City in the World, reported to be built by Nimrod on the Bank of the River Euphrates) which he straight besieged, ordering his Batteries in three places to be raised, and each Battalion to be appointed his quarter, himself being attired like a private Soldier to be the less exposed to danger, protesting he would never change his clothes unless he might do it within the Walls of Babylon, and with words and gifts so encouraged the Officers and Soldiers that within three days the Trenches were opened, himself giving Fire to the first Cannon, and after that with fifty great pieces he thundered against the Walls incessantly, being answered in the same Language by the Defendants, who were eighty thousand fight men, four or 5 thousand of which frequently sallied as they saw advantage making great slaughter of the Turks for the Persian had put into this important place his Soldiers of greatest courage, thinking by that means to prevent its falling into the Grand Signiors hands, either by their valour or protracting the time till he could be better at leisure to relieve it, but notwithstanding the continual skirmishes, the Turks numerous Army advanced the Trenches to the brink of the Ditches, railing several redoubts to secure themselves, and hinder the besieged from sallying, and so effectually they wrought, hat within one months' space they filled up the first and second Ditches with Woolsacks, Faggots, and the like; and then in great numbers assaulted the breaches the Cannon had made, but were strenuously repulsed by the Persians, who showered on them all manner of warlike instruments of death. The great Visier signalizing himself above all by his undaunted courage, commanding with his hand and voice was slain by a Musket shot. This fight within the breach continued for the space of five days, where both parties fight like men in despair, the dead bodies lay in heaps, and blood flowed like a Torrent. But at length the number of Turks prevailing they under the leading of Mustapha Bassa, on the 22th. of December, Anno Dom. 1638. entered the City, and set up the Royal standard, against whom notwithstanding four and twenty thousand Persians made head, but quarter being offered them they readily accepted it, throwing down their Arms and submitting upon the public Faith of the Grand Signeour for their safety, who contrary to his promise caused them when disarmed most barbarously to be Massacred, not sparing either Man, Woman or Child.  
The taking of Babylon caused great rejoicing at Constantinople, a twenty day's Feast being thereupon proclaimed, and many Ceremonies used according to the Turkish manner, and the Grand Signeour having left a Garrison of thirty thousand Men in his new conquered City returned to the Port, having in this Expedition lost by the Sword, Famine, and Pestilence one hundred thousand of his best men, and himself very much afflicted with sickness.  
Soon after his return and triumphant entrance, an Ambassador arrived from Persia with proposals of Peace, who being admitted to Audience, and the matter afterwards referred to the Chimacam a Peace was concluded, the chief Article being that Reven should remain to the Sophy, and Babylon to the Grand Signeour.  
During the Persian War the Venetians having sustained great damage by the Pirates of Algiers and Tunis, set forth a Fleet of Galleys and destroyed many of those Rovers and amongst the rest seven in the Grand Signors Port of Valona, which he highly resented, but in the end was by several rich Presents pacified, and the Peace renewed: and soon after an Envoy extraordinary from the Emperor of Germany arrived at the Port, to congratulate the Grand Signors success in his late Persian War, but not bringing such Presents as were expected, he was not received with the honour due to his Character; and there happening a dispute between the English Ambassador and this Envoy about precedency, the Turks granted it the former, being made to understand the difference Christian Princes make between an Ambassador and an Envoy. And now Morat studying on whom to turn his Arms, at length concluded to invade Germany, and in order thereto called him the new Grand Visier Mustapha, whom he had left with a part of the Army in Persia, but death frustrated his project, for drinking excessively with several of his Favourites and pot Companions he fell into a Fever, whereupon his Physicians being called were fearful to administer remedies, least proving unsuccessful their lives should be endangered, yet at length they concluded to let him blood which ha●●●●ed his end, ●he dying the 8th. of February, Anno Dom 1640. of his Reign the seventeen, and of his Age thirty one, having ruled in the height of all excess and irregular disorders his youthful years enabled him to support having murdered Orchan and Bajazet, two of his Brethren and leaving himself no Issue, so that Ibrahim Son of Achmat, and his younger Brother, preserved by strange Providence from his fury succeeded him in the Empire.   

CHAP. XXIII. The Life and Reign of Sultan Ibrahim, the Twefth Emperor of the Turks.  
MOrat being dead as is before recited, Ibrahim the only Male survivor of the Ottoman Race, was taken from the Prison in which his Brother had confined him and proclaimed Emperor, though Morat in his Life time had by his will bequeathed his Empire to the Tartar. This new Emperor being of a soft nature suffered himself to be wholly governed by his Mother, and such Ministers as were about him, himself being altogether weak in his understanding. So that the War intended against the Germans was by the Council of the great Visier reverted on the Cossack's, yet for some reason for a while suspended, the great Visier in the mean while studying to take such out of the way that might Eclipse his grandeur, and amongst the rest he caused the Captain Bassa, the deceased Emperors Chief Favourite to be beheaded in Selistra, whither he had sent him Governor for that purpose.  
The news of Sultan Ibrahims' advancement to the Throne, being known to the Christian Princes, few of them deferred to send Ambassadors to congratulate him on that occasion, each making him large Presents as the manner is, for as 'tis often said in this History none may have Audience of the Turkish Emperor that comes empty handed.  
The Grand Signeour about this time greatly addicting himself to the use of Women, fell into an Apoplexy which put many in doubt of his recovery, and raised the greater confusion by reason he had no Children, and that it was given out by his Women with whom he had to do, that he was not capable of generation, therefore the Councillors consulted amongst themselves, that in case he died without Issue the Son of a Sister or Niece should ascend the Throne, and that in no wise the Succession should devolve to the Tartar, whose right it is upon the failure of the Ottoman Male-line, but he soon after recovering of his indisposition put them in some hopes, though that joy was damped by the advice that came to Court of the ruin of several Important Cities on the Frontiers of Persia by a terrible Earthquake. Yet the Grand Signeour to show the World that he intended something, gave Order to the Grand Visier to besiege Asac, possessed by the Cossacks in the Reign of Morat, as is aforesaid which he did both by Sea and Land, and not without great loss of his best men, reduced it to the Turkish obedience, Anno Dom. 1641. at what time it was abandoned by the Garrison of Cossacks, who despairing to hold it long departed with all their substance.  
About the beginning of the following year the doubt of the Grand Signors improcreation vanished for one of his Sultanesses brought forth a Son, who was named Mahomet, which replenished the Turkish Empire with joy, which Prince now sways the Ottoman Sceptre, during the Triumphs for the birth of the young Prince, the Persian King by his Ambassador renewed his League with the Sultan, which was performed upon an additional Article, that the Sophy would demolish the Fortress of Fortrina, which he had built contrary to Articles on the Frontiers, not far from the Caspian Sea, which that it might assuredly be performed a Capugibathee was dispatched to see it effected, after which a considerable body of Turks gathering together in Hungary, endeavoured to surprise ●ab a strong Garrison on the frontiers in this manner, viz. one hundred men being trussed up in Carts, and covered with Hay and Straw in the habit of Peasants, who getting entrance, were to leap out and surprise the Sentinels that guarded the Gate, at what time four thousand Turks for that purpose laid in Ambush were to enter and possess themselves of the place, but this Treachery succeeded not, the Ambuscado being discovered by an Officer of the Garrison that was abroad, he made it known to the Guards, who notwithstanding permitted the Carts to enter and then drew up the Bridge and unloaded the Carts, which rendered it apparent the intended Treachery in time of Peace, of which the Emperor sent and Ambassador to Constantinople, but the Turks being ashamed of what had happened, especially of their evil success would not admit the Ambassador to his Audience unless the Emperor would first agree to pay a yearly charge of one hundred thousand Rixdollars to the Port, not by way of Tribute but of Present, in which unreasonable demand they took more confidence for that they well perceived the Emperor was entangled in his Wars with Sweden, the Christians dissension being ever advantageous to the Turks. To these dishonourable demands the Emperor would in no wise condescend, supposing it less perilous to venture a War in Hungary then to comply with propositions so derogatory to the Majesty of his Cesarean greatness.  
Ibrahim addicting himself to the Company of Women then in which he seemed in nothing more to delight, spent more Treasure in the sift Wars of Venus, than his Predecessor had done in his Persian Expedition, and so laboured he therein that Anno Dom. 1643. he had two other Sons born, which absolutely took away the reproach of his frigidity and impotency, proving afterward the most Lascivious and devoted Sultan that ever aspired to the Mahometan paradise, where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest felicity promised. Yet that he might not be forgot abroad, he sent out his Fleet of Galleys, under the command of his Captain Bassa, who after much Treasure spent without effecting any thing, except strangling the Bassa of Cyprus for his store of Wealth he returned.  
About this time a great Plague raging at Alexandria, about six thousand slaves found means to escape and carry with them several Vessels that road at Anchor in the road, in which they conveyed themselves to Candia and Malta, and from thence many of them found means to departed to their respective Countries, of which the Grand Signeour having notice, sent to the Signory of Venice to command their redelivery, which not being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia, as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large.  
Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania, who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature, he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel, to whom he joining his Forces, drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot, with which he took Solnock, besieged Filek and Cassovia, for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance, who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels, and overthrew six thousand Turks, who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski, but at length both parties tired with the toils of War, on the 14th. of August in the following year a Peace was concluded, and soon after the Grand Signiors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death, thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest, and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead, who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassaship of Damascus, at her instant suit to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor.  
Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace, made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia, against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them, killing twelve thousand, and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia, in like manner Wisnowick. a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars, as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia, killed ten thousand of them, and recovered a great booty, sending the rest naked into their own Country. The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King, deposed the Tartar Han from his sovereignty, which caused various discourses, but upon the birth of the Grand Signors fourth Son that wonder ceased, nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration, for about this time six Galleys of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta, which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port, to guard those Seas, insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta, this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called great, yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery, but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation, provided cautiously for the safety of their Island.  
During these preparations the Grand Signior followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendour, that his greatest Treasure was spent therein, nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women, but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians, they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength, yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia, for the Fleet of a hundred Galleys, and fifty great Ships with three hundred Saicks, most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Soldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janissaries, fourteen thousand Spahies, fifty thousand Timariot, three thousand pioneers, besides Cooks, Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagna, and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands, some belonging to the Venetians, and others not, they at length came to Candia (having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition, and bound for Retimo by the way) where no longer being able to hid their intentions they unmasked themselves, by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople, the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador, and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republic, and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more than ordinary caution, for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land, he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace. Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferior to those of Venice, he practised by a different method, making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces, yet were not the Venetians so easy of belief, but that they likewise Armed thirty Galleys, seventeen English and Dutch Ships, two Galliass, and several other Vessels of force, raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island, imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes, who were not backward to their said, sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello. Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General, whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General, and afterwards Duke of Venice, and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia, to Arm out twenty Galleys from the Arsenal of Canea, and to promote this design the better, two English, an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber, fitted and already squared for the completing the said number of Galleys, and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces, but he being stricken in years, whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his days with glory was taken off by death, leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions; yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed, but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu, and from thence to Candia, where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition, occasioned by the difference (that ancient Remora) amongst the Christian Princes Confederates, with the Venetians about bearing the flag, which was vigorously contended for by the Genoese and Florentines, nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein, advising them for the deciding the controversy at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies, yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians, the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island, and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea, the second City of importance, and after that Retimo, in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musket shot.  
Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelessly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea, where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt, but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders, that nothing was attempted worthy of mention, whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked by the Senate, and dismissed of his high charge, Capello being appointed to succeed him, who being strengthened with an additional supply of Galleys, Galliass and Ships of War he wasted the Island, whilst Morosini with two and twenty Ships faced the Towers of the Dordanellis in the Hellespont, and braved the Ottoman power incountering such Galleys as in a dead calm were sent out against him, which after a sharp dispute he obliged to retire, and then sailed to join his Admiral persuading him to give the Turks Battle, but whilst he delayed they landed an additional strength of forty thousand men on the Island, and kept their Galleys so close within the Harbour that they could not be indammaged without great disadvantage to the Christians, nor did the Fireships too late prepared to burn them succeed, by reason they took Fire too soon; yet the succeeding year Morosini having notice that the Turks were Landed at Scio, and that they carelessly rome up and down, came thither with divers Ships of War took several of their Galleys, and in them many prisoners of note, but soon afterward being serated from his Squadron in a storm, he was set upon by fifteen Galleys of Rhodes and boarded, where fight valiantly he was slain by a Musket Bullet, yet his Ship upon the coming in of two Galliass was rescued. The funeral solemnity of this renowned Captain was celebrated with all Pomp at Venice.  
Not by Sea only but at Land the Turks invaded the Venetian Territories, for pouring a multitude of men into Dalmatia, yet were not greatly successful for Leonardo Foscolo the Venetian General, on that side overthrew their Forces in divers conflicts.  
In one of which he took the Sanzack Licca, and slew his Son, recovered Saccovar, Polissano, Islan, and Novogrode, the latter of which by order of the Senate he demolished, and pursuing his good success took all the Cities and Towns the Turks held on that side, utterly driving them out of Dalmatia, but this joy was palliated by the unwelcome news of the Fleets being wrecked in the Archipelago, and a great number of Ships and Galleys broken to pieces, which so raised the drooping courage of the Turks that they advanced to the Walls of Candia, and straight besieged it but were so valiantly repulsed by the Christians that had put themselves into it that after the loss of thirty thousand men they were obliged to retire as not being capable of gaining it, though Foscolo about this time proved successful in taking Clissa, a strong Fort situate in the confines of Dalmatia, and overthrew Feckeli Bassa killing and taking Prisoners the greatest part of his Army, which caused Morlaches to revolt, and several of the principal inhabitants of Scutary to treat with the Venetian General about putting that City into his hands, to take possession of which seven thousand men were sent who seized some several small places, but ere they could arrive at Scutari, their design was discovered and they obliged for the preservation of their lives, to betake themselves to the Mountains for as many as were taken the Turks impailed them alive.  
The Grand Visier enraged for the loss of Clissa dispatched Dervis Bassa into part of Bosna with a powerful Army to assault Spelatro, against whom the Venetian General marched together with Serich Capt. of Morlaches, but by reason of the Christians disorderly march, in gathering the spoil of the Country, the Turks set upon a part of the Army and put it to the rout, though Serich and other Dalmatian Captains did all that men could perform In this conflict 400 Christians were slain and as many taken Prisoners, amongst the latter of which was the Captain of Moriaches whom the Turks flayed alive, and afterwards impailed, yet though they subdued his body they could not conquer his invincible mind, he bearing the same Constancy and Resolution in his torments as he had done in Battle.  
During these transactions Ibrahim indulged himself in all manner of pleasures leaving the management of all his affairs to his Bassa, himself being wholly directed by a wench, who in the nature of a Bawd or procurer went from bath to bathe to take a view of the Ladies, and those she perceived fairest, she inquired out the places of their abode and recommended them to her Lord, who upon hearing her praise their beauty would instantly be enamoured of them and send to fetch them either by fair means or force to his Bed. This course taken for a while without coutroul, she at length filled his ears with the commendation of a Sultaness, Widow to his brother Morat deceased, but this Woman could by no entreaty be won to his Lust, nor obliged with presents to comply alleging she had vowed perpetual Widowhood, and that her former Lord to was living in conceit, which denial the more enraged Ibrahim now grown impatient of delay, wherefore he intended to snatch that by force that entreaty could not gain, wherefore watching her one day as she came out of the Bath, he siezed her in his arms, which she perceiving resolved upon the defence of her Chastity, and therefore drew her Dagger (a weapon which the Sultaness and Chief Lady wear at their sides) and offered to wound him in her own defence, which observing let go his hold, at what time the bustle causing a loud clamour his Mother came from her apartment, who understanding what had happened began to reprove her son of his lascivious behaviour, during which the Sultaness found means to escape, which so incensed Ibrahim that he confined his Mother to the old Seraglio, interdicting her his presence till with submission and many entreaties she had obtained pardon.  
After the loss of this Sultaness his procurer called by him Shecher Para, casting her eyes upon the Daughter of the Mufti a young Lady of excellent beauty, so warmed the heart of Ibrahim with the relation of her rare perfections, that he resolved to have her at any rate, and therefore at first resolved to send for her by force, but considering the power of the Mufti, he upon second thoughts suppoled it not convenient to incense him by such a rash action, but rather to send for him and to treat with him about taking his daughter to be one of his Sultana's, which he did, and reasoned with him about that affair, but the old man who entirely loved his daughter and well considering the wandering loves of Ibrahim, and that he having already sons her off spring would be either poisoned, strangled or become sad recluses after his death, inwardly resolved not to consent to his request, yet dissembled the matter in excusing so great an honour to one that was unworthy of it, but withal concluded to deal with his Daughter in the best mannen to the Sultan's advantage, but by their Law could oblige her therein no further than her free consent allowed.  
Pleased with this answer Ibrahim dismissed the Mufti with several rich presents, thinking his wishes should now be satisfied, but the old man having hardened his Daughter not to accept this offer returned with the unexpected news next morning, that notwithstanding his persuasion and paternal commands, his Daughter proved averse contrary to his expectation, but the reason he knew not how to conjecture, since Women are commonly irregular and unreasonable in their affections, Ibrahim in this manner disappointed of what he most desired, dismissed the Mufti with neglect and disdaign, as one who had deceived his trust soon after banished him the Court and his presence, growing unsatisfied at all his administrations of Justice, and resolved another course for obtaining the young Lady, the management of which he committed to her who had recommended her to him, who assaulted her with promises of greatness, rich gifts, and many fair words, but finding the Virgin to be deaf to her Sirens song, she at last taking pity of such innocence and virtue at her request and for a great reward, promised so to deal with the Sultan that he should put her out of his thoughts which she attempted but in vain, for Ibrahim who by this time had viewed her rare perfections was so enamoured of her, that sleeping or waking he fancied her Ideses before him, whereupon finding fair means ineffectual he resolved to use those he had often done, wherefore he commanded the Grand Visier, that next time she came to the bath he set a Guard upon her, and by force bring her to his Bed, which was accordingly done, and Ibrahim for some days enjoyed her, but sullenness, tears and reluctancy much abated the pleasure he expected for she would by no means be comforted, wherefore with scorn and contempt he returned her to her father, who at first dissembled the injury and disgrace, but in the end making his resentments known to Mahomet Bassa a Principal member of the Divano, one of great Wisdom and practice in the conduct of affairs, as also to the Aga of the Janissaries, both Enemies to the Grand Visier. It was concluded the Queen Mother should be drawn into the Conspiracy, but how to do it against her Son they knew not well, therefore resolved first the destruction of the Grand Visier by laying to his charge the contrivance of the Rape, as well as the forceable seizing of the Virgin, though they aimed at deposing the Grand Signeour.  
The Plot thus laid the Mufti begged an Audience of the Queen as if the would entreat her to become an humble Intercessor for him to her Son, and being admitted to her presence, after some conference he plainly perceived her inveterate hatred against Ibrahim which made him break his mind more boldly to her and in the end to propose the Imprisonment of the Grand Signior yet palliated his discourse with this allay, that he should not be absolutely laid aside but only corrected a while, and thereby put in remembrance of his former state, that so for the future he might be instructed what moderation and Justice meant, and so insinuated that the Queen in hopes of Governing all consented to what he proposed, whereupon strengthening their party they so wrought that they caused the Janissaries to mutiny, and went at the heard of them to the Grand Signeour, as seemingly forced to do by the rude Soldiers, and being admitted they boldly demanded that the Grand Visier should be deprived of his office, and that (as it had been before agreed amongst the Conspirators) Mahomet Bassa should succeed him in his office, which the Grand Signeour at first refused, but being persuaded by his Mother that it was at that time necessary so to do for appeasing the Tumultuary Soldiers he consented. Achmet the deposed Visier trembling at the consequences hereof, resolved to commit himself to the protection of his merciless Enemy the Mufti, and therefore hastened to his house to attend his return, hoping to find him his protector, but the Mufti returning with the Aga of the Janissaries, and finding the deposed Visier in his house, the latter by the advice of the former delivered him up to the fury of the Soldiers who having strangled him threw his dead body before the gate of the new Mosch.  
The next day the Janissaries arising in like tumult as before, demanded of the Mufti whether according to their Law Ibrahim as a Fool, Tyrant, and one unfit to wield the Ottoman Sceptre, ought not to be deposed. To which the Mufti gave answer in the affirmative, and caused Ibrahim to be summoned the next day to appear in the Divano to administer Justice to his Subjects, and Soldiers who expected it from him. But the Sultan supposing he had sufficiently satisfied the Soldiers by putting the Grand Visier out of office, laughed at the summons the Mufti had made him which being seconded by a Fetfa (which is a point of Law resolved by the Mufti, who is the mouth and Oracle of the Law, viz. that the Grand Signeour called to account is obliged to appear before the Justice.) The Sultan in high disdaign tore the paper, threatening the head of the Mufti, but it was now too late he having surely fortified himself with the power and strength of his rebellious companions. This Fetfa was immediately seconded by a summons of a higher nature which declared that whosoever disobeyed the Law of God was not a true Mussulman or believer, and though the Person of the Emperor himself, yet being become by his actions a Rafir or Infidel was ipso facto fallen from his Throne, and no further capable of Authority or Government. This Fetfa being seen by Ibrahim he likewise tore it, commanding the Grand Visier instantly to put the Mufti to death as guilty of Treason against his Emperor, but having by this time lost his Authority, his commands were not obeyed, nor his person reverenced, for the Janissaries being assembled about five in the afternoon came with their usual tumults to the gates of the Seraglio, at whose approach Ibrahim losing all courage fled to his Mother for protection, begging her assistance who being a bold and subtle Woman used all her Rhetoric and Eloquence to persuade the Soldiers not to offer any violence to the person of their Lord, promising that he should relinquish the Government, and retire himself with a guard into the Lodging out of which he was advanced to the Empire. Ibrahim comforted a little that his Life was spared willingly submitted himself a Prisoner, when in the mean time the Soldiers taking forth his Eldest Son Sultan Mahomet placed him on the Throne, every where proclaiming him Emperor with loud Acclamations of which Ibrahim having notice grew impatient, and often with sad laments beat his head against the Wall, till at length to put a stop to his fury four Mutes were sent to strangle him, who on the 17th. of August, Anno Dom. 1648. performed that barbarous exploit, so that according to the saying of King Charles the first of Blessed Memory. There is but little distance between the Prisons and Graves of Princes.  
Sultan Ibrahim being thus made away Anno Dom. 1648. in the 8th. year of his Reign, and 39 of his Age, the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Visier, and the Queen Mother called by the Turks Riosem, and of 12 Bassa's, who were to manage all affairs with supreme power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet, whose Reign I shall pursue in the following chapter.   

CHAP. XXII. The Reign of Mehmet or Mahomet the fourth of that Name, and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks, who now Reigneth.  
IBrahim deposed and murdered as in the foregoing Chapter is related, Mehmet or rather Mahomet his Eldest Son of the Age of seven years supplied the empty Throne, during whose minority which was to continue ten years longer, His Grand Mother, the Grand Visier and twelve Bassa's took into their hands the Reins of Government, and after many debates resolved to continue the War with the Venetians which Ibrahim designed to conclude the treaty of Peace in order thereto being far advanced and the Ambassador of that Signiory, then at the Port impatiently expecting an end of his negotiation, but whilst these affairs were in hand the unruly spahis not having received the Largess usually bestowed amongst them at the Instalment of a new Emperor, making it their pretence the better to colour their discontents, that they were resolved to revenge the death of the murdered Emperor whose fall the Janissaries had occasioned, insomuch that a great difference arose between those two orders, the former being the best Horsemen, and the latter the best Footmen, and although many laboured to appease that Tempest which threatened the dismembering the Empire. Yet many skirmishes happened between these contrary Factions in the streets of Constantinople, in which some hundreds were slain, but the Spahies being for the most part worsted at length abandoned the City.  
These animosities and divisions amongst the Turkish Soldiers, gave the Venetians opportunity to provide for their defence, as expecting nothing less than a War, for that their Ambassador had been clapped up on Prison for demanding Audience, and chains put upon him, but at the entreaty of the other Christian Ambassadors there residing he was set at Liberty. Yet to affront him the Grand Visier caused his Dugerman or Interpreter to be executed, and his body thrown out at the Castle Window, which barbarous act is frequent amongst the Turks, either to put a disgrace upon the Ambassador, or to terrify those Interpreters that they shall not dare to speak any thing after an Ambassador though upon his Audience, that should be ungrateful to the Grand Signeour, which causes them many times to mince their words and not render a true interpretation.  
These matters widening differences between the Venetians and the Turks, great preparations were made on either side, the former with all diligence reinforcing Candia, and the latter to hinder it; so that many skirmished happened by Land and Sea, till at length the Bassa Governor notwithstanding the Venetian Fleet blocked up the Dardaneles, having received a recruit of 1500 men laid siege to the strong City Candia, and battered it with many pieces of Ordinance, till at length having taken a small Fort that flanked it, he lodged his men therein just as 6 Galleys of Malta arrived with 600 Volunteers, and 60 Knights of the Order, who beat out the Turks with great slaughter, yet they retook it again and planted the Ottoman colours upon the highest Bulwark which so enraged the Christians that sallying with all their force they drove the Turks from the Walls with great slaughter, regained the piece, and caused the Bassa with shame and loss to raise the siege.  
The Wars growing hot in Candia, the discontents between the Spahi and Janissaries that was before supposed to be appeased grew hot again, and much slaughter happened between those inveterate factions, when to pacify the latter the great Visier was deposed and executed. Yet that little availed nor was that all for several of the Bassa's denied to return the Tribute of their Provinces, alleging they would reserve it till the Grand Signeour was of age, and then be to him accountable both for principal and interest, nor were the Wars in Bosna, Dalmatia, Foscolo, and other places on the Venetian Frontiers neglected, but continued with doubtful success, and great slaughter, yet part of the Ottoman Forces on that side were diverted by the Cossacks, who at the instigation of the Tartar Han covered the Black Sea, with their Boats and committed many outrages insomuch that Constantinople trembled at their approach as fearing a sack by the hands of those resolute people, but in the end having gotten a rich booty they returned to their station.  
The Venetians finding the Turks resolute bent to make themselves absolute Lords of Candia in which Island they had got strong footing laboured as earnestly to expel them, so that huge Fleets on either side were prepared that of the Turks consisting of 1100 Ships, Galleys, Galleasses, Saiques, Brigantines and dat Vessels furnished with Bombes, Mortar-pieces, and Fireworks, producing strange effects, and in that order set forward from the Port of Constantinople, with a strict command to give Battle of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral having notice with the same willingness bore up with them, so that there began a bloody, and for a long time doubtful Fight, but the Venetians being better appointed than the Turks, broke and disordered their huge Armado, sinking and taking several Galleys, and putting the rest to flight, killing in one of them flying, the Bassa of Anatolia, who was sent to succeed Chusadin Bassa, who had been made Grand Visier in the General Ship of Candia, yet the Turks having put into the Islands, and conceiving it a shame for so great a Fleet to fly from one much inferior in number, resolved to hazard another Battle, and therefore coming out of the several Harbours, and ranging in the form of a Crescent, the Captain Bassa fired two Guns a Stern, in token he was ready to Engage, which Mocenigo perceiving, bore up with him, and began a second fight more dreadful than the former, playing with his Canon so furiously, that he broke off her Poop, and killed 100 so her Men, sinking two Galleys by her side, and greatly disablihng several others; nor were the Turks idle, but used their utmost endeavour to blot out the disgrace they had sustained by their late flight, but it availed not; for by the Thundering shot and Fireworks, the Venetians plied them with, they were every where put to the worst; so that flying in all parts, the Venetian General following the advantage, took 39 Galleys, 23 Ships, 3 Galliass, and 3000 Soldiers, 40 Galleys, Ships, and other Vessels were burnt, or sunk; and in them, and by the great and small shot, 9000 Turks perished in both Engagements, the rest hardly escaping to Naxos.  
This great loss made the Turks out of heart with marine Affairs, and so far discouraged them, that ever since they have laid aside building Vessels of Force as useless, say that God hath given the Sea to Christians, and the Land to Turks.  
About this time came news to Constantinople that the people of Grand Cairo and Damascus taking the advantage of the intestine broils, had rebelled, and shaken off the Turkish yoke; and assembling to the number of forty thousand, had seized upon several strong places, many of the Ottoman Governors in those parts, conniving at their proceed, which greatly perplexed the Bassas of the Divan, and obliged them to use their utmost Council to contrive a way to extinguish this Combustion, during which, the Ca●di●ts had rest, and Fortified their City in such a manner, that it became afterwards the wonder of the World, of which the Grand Vizier having notice, and fuming that his neglect had turned so much to the advantage of the Christians, he resolved to try if he could gain it by fair means, and in order thereto sent a Letter written in Letters of Gold to the Venetian Senate, requiring them to deliver Candia up to the behoof of the Grand Signior, which was the only obstacle that hindered the conclusion of Peace, desiring that an Ambassador might be sent to treat about it; but the Venetians remembering that the Turks never made any peace, but when necessity drove them to it, nor kept it longer than they found it advantageous, and withal called to mind how evilly they had entreated their Ambassador, generously refused to hearken to any Peace upon those terms commanding their Admiral with his Fleet to block up the Dardanellis, which he so strictly observed, that for want of succour the Turks in the Island of Candia were greatly distressed, and began to mutiny, being hardly with great rewards retained in due obedience, upon which, the Divan sent strict orders with many Menaces upon refusal to the Captain Bassa then in the Bay of Rhodes to force his way through the Venetian Fleet, and put men and Provision on shore at Candia, thereby to cease the loud complaints of the Soldiers, yet could not be induced thereto, but having plundered certain Islands he returned to Constantinople with the Galleys, in hopes with his ill got booty to appease the Divan, b●t contrary wise he was seized on and the goods sealed up with the Grand Siegniours Signet, which none may on pain of death unloose without command, yet such was the presumption of his Sons that they broke it open, and putting the richest of the spoil, into a Galley, fled to distant Lands, thereby exposing their father's life to the fury of this enemies, who having dispatched him constituted the Bassa of Buda Captain General in his stead, using all diligence to rig out a new Navy, which once done, the new Captain desirous to perform some exploit that might render him worthy of his place, taking his advantage, broke through the Venetian Fleet, but therein sustained such damage that he had little cause to boast, for the Venetians following him even to the harbours mouth, plied him so with thundering shot, that seventeen of his Galleys were sunk and taken, and four thousand of his men killed, yet he put twelve thousand men on shore, and what provision he could spare, receiving order to return when he had repaired his damage, though at the hazard of battle, the which he did, though with more loss than went, for that the Venetians having notice of what was intended, stood continually on their guard, nevertheless he so extolled his own exploits and demeaned the Courage of the Turkish Bassa, than General of the Forces in Candia, that he wrought the destruction of the latter, for none being present to plead his Cause, and Officer was instantly sent to fetch his head, whose place the foul detractor afterwards enjoyed, as likewise that of Great Visier, which he soon after resigned to the Bassa of Aleppo, a stirring active man, who after he had placed and displaced such Officers of the Court as he thought convenient, sent to all the Maritime Ports, Commanding those that were appointed to oversee them, with Expedition to hasten thence such Ships and Galleys as were sit for Service, determining to set forth a Fleet greater than what had for many Years before been seen in the L●vant, which was accordingly done, but fared no better than those that had been formerly Equiped; For Mustapha the New Captain Bassa joining Battle with the Venetians was overthrown, and most of his chief Galleys and Ships of War so rend by the Cannon, that for the future they were rendered unserviceable, and many fell into the hands of the Venetians, the terror of whose Prowess was such, that those Turks that could, abandoned their Ship and fled to the shore, leaving their Ships to the Christians, in which conflict the Venetians lost only one Vessel, which overpowered by a number of the Turks Galleys, was fired by her own men.  
These unfortunate Losses much discouraged the Turkish Merchants, and Inhabitants of Constantinople, whose Trade was not only obstructed by reason of the Seas being shut up, but they were likewise oppressed with heavy Taxes for the maintenance of the War, which made them so desirous of Peace, that mutining in great Number, they ran to the Gates of the Palace, Exclaiming against the Ministers of State for protracting the War, and hindering the procurement of a Peace, nor would be appeased till the Grand Vizier was made a Sacrifice to their Revenge, the Muphti hardly escaping with Life.  
For the better quieting these Tumults, the Bassas of the Divan were obliged to enter into a further treaty with the Venetians, offering for Ten Millions to withdraw their Forces out of the Island of Candia, and grant them an entire peace, but this unreasonable demand was not accepted, the Senate knowing that the City of Candia was so well Fortified that the Turks despaired of winning it, and thereupon that they might seem the less to regard the Ottoman power, they revoaked their Ambassador Signior Capello, but he through Melancholy and discontent occasioned by his hard usage at the Port, soon after died, leaving his Commission with his Secretary, but that Expiring, nothing more was done at that time, in relation to peace, which caused another Insurrection in the City, which had like to have turned all into ruin and desolation, for the spahis and Janissaries joining together, and pretending to reform abuses of State, deposed the Grand Vizier, discharged the Principal Officers of the Court, and obliged the Muphti to fly for his Life to Jerusalem, nor scarcely did the Queen-Mother remain secure in the old Seraglio, and to so great a height their Rebellion proceeded, that they proposed the deposing the Grand Signior, and having thus cast off all duty and respect to their Prince, they entered the Palace in a tumultuous manner, where forcing the Guards, they broke up the Treasury, and conveyed thence Two Millions of Sultanies.  
Nor in this General combustion which continued many days, did the Shops and Warehouses of the Merchants escape pillaging, none daring oppose the fury of the Licentious Soldiery, who had advanced a base fellow of their Faction to the Grand Viziership, though afterward the storm allayed, he was decently laid aside, and one Kuperlee a Grave Turk placed in his stead, who caused several of the Mutineers to be Apprehended, and publicly Executed.  
Notwithstanding these troubles, the Turks desisted not to carry on the War against the Venetian, so resolutely were they bend to have Candia; In their possession therefore Equiping another Great Fleet, they put to Sea in order to relieve their men in the Island, but being again fought with by Mo●errigo the Venetian Admiral, all the Fleet was either taken, sunk or stranded, upon which the Venetians landed on the Island of Tenedos, and in four days became Masters of it, as also they did of Stalimene anciently called Lemnos, which losses so incensed the Grand Seignor (by this time grown to understanding, that he resolved to carry the War into Dalmatia part of the Venetians signory, but upon second thoughts resolved the recovery of the Islands, and in order thereto put another Fleet to Sea, who after a great damage sustained by the Venetian shot, thrust their men on shore in great numbers, and by that means the evil Fortified Islands so lately taken by the Venetians, were by the Turks recovered, in attempting the relief of which, Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral had his Ship blown up by his powder, accidentally taking fire, by which Accident himself, together with all that were on board perished.  
These important places regained, the treaty of peace was offered to be renewed, and some overtures were made by the Venetians, but now the Turks would hearken to nothing unless Candia might be entirely put into their hands, with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia, and payment made of three Millions of Gold, for the Damages sustained by the War, which unreasonable proposals, so perjudicial to the honour of their Seignoury, the Senators Generously rejected, rather resolving to maintain the War, and defend themselves more vigorously than ever, which intention known, the Grand Signior gave second orders for his Army to spoil Dalmatia, but in their March the Grand Vizier who headed them, having caused the Bassa of Aleppos' brother, who had a command in the Army to be put to death for coming later to the Randesvous than was appointed, which so ●nraged the Bassa, that raising 40000 men, he advanced even to the Walls of Constantinople, burning up the Country before him, and there pitching his Tents, sent to demand the head of the great Vizier, in reprisal for that of his Murdered brothers, but not finding his expectations answered, he sent a second Messenger to demand the heads of 4 other Bassas of the Council, whom he said had been consenting thereto, and upon refusals threatened the destruction of the City, but the Plague raging there at that time, after he had burnt up all the Country about it, he retired into Asia, and there setting up a Youth of Twenty Years of Age, whom he gave out to be the Lawful Son of Sultan Morat, till that time hidden by his Mother from his Uncle's fury; His Army was wonderfully increased, insomuch that he would hearken to no Proposals of an accommodation, though the Government of divers Provinces were offered, but Exhibited a Proclamation, wherein he declared Mahomet the unrightful Heir to the Ottoman Empire, upon which he was pronounced a Rebel, and all men commanded to rise up against him, and destroy him, but instead thereof most of the Asian Forces revolted to him, which made the Divan suppose it high time to give a check to the Progress of his Arms, and thereupon shipped over the Great Vizier with a puissant Army, composed of the Flower of the Ottoman Chavalarie in Europe, who joining with the Bassa, was in a great and mortal battle overthrown: and with his broken Forces obliged to retire, which made the Grand Signior with such Forces as he could raise, pass the Bosphorus, and joining with the Viziers rallied Soldiers Composed an Army of Thirty Thousand Horse, and Seventy Thousand Foot, with which he Marched against the Bassa, whose heart at the approach of so great a power began to fail him, and make him more pliable to hearken to Terms of Agreement, which he proposing to his Council of War, and they approving his Resolution, a place was Assigned for Treaty, and Mortaza Bassa made the Grand Seigniours Plenipotentiary, the Grand Signior promising to stand to what ever he should Act, as indeed he did, for the Bassa under pretence of a Treaty, being unadvised, drawn from his Army, was together with Seventeen of his Attendants strangled by the said Mortaza, and such as he had laid in ambush for that purpose, upon notice of which his Army that then consisted of Eighty Thousand Horse and Foot dispersed, every Man shifting for himself.  
For this Exploit Mortaza was greatly applauded by the Grand Signior and Grand Vizier, and had a considerable command conferred on him in the War, against Rogotski the Transylvanian Prince, whose Country about this time the Tartars had entered, at the instance of the Sultan with a great power, yet was not the Asia Rebellion thus extinguished, for a Nephew of the dead Bassas raising great Forces in the Territories of Aleppo, advanced with a Resolution to revenge his Uncle's death, to whom joined the two sons of Chusaein Bassa, whom the Great Vizier had caused to be put to death, as also the Bey of Torgne, and many others, which rendered this Army as formidable as the precedent, gave new subject of fear at Constantinople, but the great Visier so managed the matter by sowing dissension among the chiefs, and bestowing large sums of Money on the Soldiers that the Army daily diminished, till at length it came to nothing; leaving many of the Commanders to the mercy of the Visier, who never spared any man that was guilty of a crime, or suspected to be so.  
Asia being again reduced to Obedience, the Grand Signior had leisure to think of his Wars with the Venetians, and therefore gave strict command for part of his Army to march into Daimatia, and the other part to be embarked for Candia; he resolving to besiege the Metropolitan City of that Name; nor were the Venetians slack for having received a reinforcement of Four Thousand French Foot, and divers other Aids sent them by the Christian Princes, their Confederates; They took the Forts of Calamo, Calegro, and Epicarno, hardly distressing the Bassa of Canea in the principal City of his Province; insomuch that he was obliged to write to Constantinople for speedy succour, le●t that City should be lost; for the Venetians daily battered it, and pressed it hard with continual Assaults; but a supply of Three Thousand fresh men being by Night thrust into it, the Venetians raised the siege, and marched to New Candia, (built near to Old Canoia) in hopes to beat the Turks out of it, but prevailed not according to their expectation.  
About this time, the Visier with a Great Army arrived at Belgrade, but there falling sick, he returned to Adrinople, to recover his Health; swearing, that if he found Death approach, he would ca●●e all his Physicians to be put to 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 servation rendered them double-diligent. These were the principal revolutions in the Ottoman Empire from the time Mahomet ascended the Throne, till the year 1●60.  
Anno Dom. 1661. About the beginning of this year, His Majesty of Great Britain sent the Earl of Winchelsea, his Ambassador, to Constantinople; who upon his arrival at the Port, was received, as became his Character, with all the Grandeur that the Turks allow to any Ambassador; and after his Audience, conveyed with due Ceremony to the prepared for his reception; and now the Turks being at leisure, invaded Transylvania, in order to depose Prince Rogotski, who after having deposed himself and made his submission, in hopes to be restored, but finding his hopes frustrated, and another advanced in his stead: Again he assumed his Government, and raising a powerful Army, made divers Inroads into the Turkish Dominions, till at last joining Battle with the Bassas of Buda and Temeswar near Julia A●ba; where being overthrown and wounded, he fled to Varadia, and there within Fifteen days, died of the Hurts received in Battle, yet was it no ways satisfactory to the proud Bassas, unless they might reduce that City, which as they alleged, had taken part with their Master's Rebels; whereupon drawing down their Army, they laid close siege, which so terrified the Citizens, that they sent their Deputies to the Caesarean Emperor, to require aid, desiring him to take them into his protection; but whilst the Imperialists delayed, and made many scruples of breaking the League with the Turks after many furious Assaults, and great Slaughter on either side the City was surrendered. In consideration that the Garrison should march out with Drums beating, Colour flying, etc. and to go whither they pleased, which conditions being performed, the Turks took possession of that strong Frontier City.  
Varadin thus taken, the Citizens of Vienna were not a little alarmed thereat, though none used any endeavours either to relieve it when besieged, or to recover it when taken; nor in the least to annoy the Turks, unless Count John Serini, a Prince, who had a fair Sovereign Inheritance in those parts, & was under the Emperor made Governor, of Croatia, who raising a power laid siege to the strong City of Canisia, which at that time was almost destroyed by an accidental Fire; but upon notice thereof, the Emperor not only denied to assist him in his enterprise, but sent an express Command to him to raise his siege; at which in a rage he cast his Scimitar on the Ground, and for a while stood mute, yet not thinking it convenient to disobey his Sovereign's Commands, though he might easily have taken the City, he raised his siege.  
The Transylvanian blocked up as it were on every side by the Turks, about this time implored a second time the Emperor's Assistance, resolving to shake off the Turkish yoke; and in order thereunto, they banished Acatius Barklay, who since the Death of Ragotski had governed in chief, greatly favouring the Turks, and in his stead constituted one Kemenus, sometimes General of Ragotski's Army; which plainly manifesting their hatred to the Turks the Germane or Caesarean Emperor resolved to assist them; they consenting to admit Garrisons of Germane Soldiers into divers of their Cities, using them with all respect, and plentifully providing them with all convenient necessaries.  
Yet the Germans made small show of taking the Field to assist or protect the Transylvanians; but on the contrary wrote to the Bassa of Buda, to certify him that the peace should be kept inviolable; ye● the Turk not contented, entered Hungary, and laye● waste a great part of it that was subject to the Emperor; whereupon Count Serini built a Fortress i● the Turks Dominions, near Canisia, ere the Turks were ware, at which the Grand Visier was so enraged, that he sent an express to strangle the Bass● of Buda, for permitting it; so that the League being apparently broken, or infringed on either sid● the Germane Army, under the Command of Coun● Montecuculi, and joined with the Transylvanians under the Leading of Kemenius, their General; whic● Conjunction rendered them so formidable to the Ottoman Empire, that Ali Bassa durst not oppose their progress, till he had divided the Transylvanians amongst themselves, by advancing one Apafis to th● principality, who being well beloved, caused by sundry means the Army of Kemenus for the most part t● revolt; of which the crafty Bassa taking the advantage, set upon him, and in a bloody Battle over threw his people with great slaughter, obliging him for his safety to fly into Hungary, from whence returning after he had recruited his broken Army, once more to try the fortune of a Field; he was in a second Battle put to the rout; and as he retired beaten from off his Horse by one of his own Soldiers where none relieving him, he was trodden to Death under the Horse's Feet, and left the greatest part o● his people a sacrifice to the enraged Turks.  
Kemenius thus dead. Apafi's Party was greatly in couraged, insomuch that joining with a Body o● Turks, they besieged Claudiopolis, of which David R●tani, a right Valiant Soldier was Governor, having under his Command a Garrison of Germane Horse and Foot; yet the Turks and Transylvanians battered 〈◊〉 for a while, but upon the arrival of General Schenidan, who in spite of them put a reinforcement into the Town, and made great slaughter of their outguards.  
About this time the Plague raged in Constantinople, in the Camp at such a rate, that Fifty Thousand persons of all Ages and Sexes died, which leaving the City almost desolate, the Grand Signior retired to Adrinople, and there made his solemn entrance; which place so delighted him, that he had since for the most part resided there, where Rupe●ee the Old Visier so dealt with him, that he procured a promise that his Son Ahmet whom he had made Chineacam of Constantinople, should be assisting to him in his Visiership, and after his Death succeed him in that place of trust, the which though contrary to the Ottoman Custom, who hold it dangerous to, that any Office should go by Inheritance; accordingly came to pass, to the great grief of the Court Bassas, who are ever emulous of that place, etc. For old Kuperle (after he had been five years Visier, and in that time had caused Thirty Thousand Persons to fall by the hands of divers Executioners, being the bloodiest that ever officiated that place) dying, his Son Ahmet had the Grand Signiors Patent, and the Seal of the Empire delivered to him, taking upon him the Office of Great Visier at the Age of Thirty two years, a thing not usual, and not to be behind hand with his Father, established himself upon the destruction of such as he suspected to envy at his advancement; amongst whom, the Bassa of Magnesia fell a Sacrifice; he likewise procured the Banishment of Solyman, Bassa of Damascus, and that of the Muphti, and indeed caused to be made away, or displaced all that he suspected averse to his interest.  
During the transaction of these miscalled state-policies: the Venetians had rendered themselves formidable at Sea, by taking and destroying many of the Turks Galleys, few escaping them in the Archipelago, which greatly discouraged the Turks in Canaea, and put them out of all hopes of procuring an● entire possession of the Island of Candia.  
Anno Dom. 1662. About the beginning of this year, the Government of Algiers sent Deputies with presents to the Ottoman Court, to exhibit a complaint against the English; for that the Earl of Sandwich, with a Squadron of his Majesty's Frigates, had destroyed several of their Ships, and beaten down, or dismantled their Castles; but the cause being rightly stated by the Earl of Winchelsea, they were so far from prejudicing the English by their complaint, that they were fain to sneak away for the preservation of their own heads. The Plague being now abated at Constantinople, the Grand Signior returned thither, and gave himself wholly to hunting, which above all other exercises he admired, having in the Chase of Wild Beasts many times Twenty Thousand Men attending him, who forelayed the Woods and Forests to procure his Game ● but whilst he thus gave himself up to Recreation the Visier was as studious to remove all those that might Eclipse his Greatness, or any ways endanger him; so that in despite to the Queen-Mother whom he knew was no savourer of his proceed he displaced the Teftarder, or Chief Treasurer, and banished him the City; which so far incensed he● that ●he joining with Ruzlir Aga, chief Eunuch ●● the Women, procured the removal of his Chief Favourite or Counsellor; by whose advice he was only supported in the management of his Affairs, and greatly inveighed against the Visier, exhibiting many complaints against him to the Grand Signior, and pressed them to that point, that the Grand Signior began to have him in suspicion, and to make him more narrowly, which he perceiving, and knowing from what Fountain it sprung, endeavoured to reconcile himself to the Queen-Mother, but in vain; for her Spirit would not permit her to make any Accommodation; wherefore he fearing one day to fall by her means, was about to resign his Visiership; but upon second thoughts, concluded it safer to face the Tempest, come what would come, and fall with Honour, rather than tamely expose himself to the mercy of his Enemies; wherefore he began a new to practise the Death of such as stood in opposition to his greatness; and especially of Mortaza, Bassa of Babylon, whom he obliged to relinquish his trust, but could not get him within his power: for having married one of the Daughters of the Prince of Gordean, he retired to his Country in the Mountain of Amanus, where he had a strong City assigned him, and there kept out of the Viziers reach, refusing all the feigned proffers of kindness which were made to decoy him into danger; but such was the restless endeavour of the Grand Visier, that he desisted not, till he was put into his hands, who immediately caused his Head to be stricken off, and sent to Constantinople, which was looked upon by many as a just Judgement of God, for his treacherously murdering the Bassa of Aleppo, contrary to the Faith given for his security.  
These things happening, the Turks after breath taken, purposed to turn their Arms upon the Germans, but after many Consultations the matter was deferred to a fit opportunity, by reason the Affairs of Transylvania were not to the mind of the Grand Signior, though the progress of his Arms had put all that Principality into a fear of utter subversion, having seized most of the strong places nor durst Apafi: Prince only in name, interpose his Authority, or so much as intercede for the preservation of his bleeding Country; yet the Germane Commanders seeing all on the point of ruin, resolved to lay hold of the opportunity, and secure s●●● places as were most commodious to the Empire when pushed forward by the renowned Captain● Count Serini, they seized on Claudiopolis, Somosw●● Sc●hil●●d, Clewa●, alias Coleswar, and Betlem, with some other Towns and Fortresses of lesser note.  
The outrages committed by the Turks in this Province were so great, that the oppressed Nobility were obliged to send their humble Petitions to divers Christian Princes, to take pity of their sufferings, and deliver them out of the hands of their barbarous Enemies, and to the minister of the Christian Princes, residing at the Port to intercede with the like supplication, to intercede for them to the Grand Signior, or Grand Visier, but all proved ineffectual, for the Turks had resolved a total subjection of that Principality, and to reduce it under the obedience of a Bassa.  
Affairs standing thus in Transylvania, the Wa● with the Venetians went on slowly; for the Venetian being Masters at Sea, intercepted all such Vessel● and Ammunition as were sent to any of the Islands and amongst the rest, the Fleet bound for Alexandri● in Egypt, consisting of Sixty Sail, most of which we●● taken, sunk, and burnt; a number of Slaves rescued, and prise made of a rich booty: Soon after which, Signior Capello, through grief and hardship endured in his Imprisonment, died; whose Bod● imbalmed was with much difficulty sent to Venice, by the Earl of Winchelsea, His Majesty of Great Britain's Ambassador, and there honourably Interest with his Ancestors.  
The 〈…〉 being informed that the Christians had rebuilt several Churches, consumed by the Fires that had happened in Constantinople, and Gala●ia, by some malicious Pharisees, caused them to be demolished, and that the Authors of those Buildings should be Imprisoned; for as much as the Mahome●an Law tolerates the rebuilding of no Christian Churches, nor Erecting new ones where none stood before; but allows those to stand, that were found standing, when the Mahometans took possession of the City, Town, or Village wherein they are situate; and so far proceeded he therein, that procuring the Labourers of the Maimarbashed, or Master-Builder, to accuse him of encouraging the building of those Churches; which done, he caused his Head to be stricken off, and his Wealth to be seized, which according to report, amounted to Two Thousand Purses of Money, every Purse containing Five Hundred Dollars.  
About this time, The Sieur De la hay, the French Ambassador having received divers affronts at the Port, was imprisoned, which had like utterly to have dissolved the Communication between the two Nations; but at the entreaty of the Merchants of Marseles and Lions, whose interest would greatly have suffered, if by that means their Trading into the Grand Signiors Dominions had been obstructed, the French King was prevailed with to send another Ambassador with Letters to the Grand Signior, and Grand Visier, to require in some manner a reparation of the dishonour he sustained in the person of his Ambassador, greatly dissembling his resentments, but in the end was obliged to rest satisfied with a Compliment or two, instead of other reparation, and himself to make his own Ambassador amends the better to blind the Eyes of the Christian Ministers residing at the Port, and salve up the wounds his honour received by the disgrace.  
The Emperor of Germany resolving on a War with the Turks after great preparation was obstructed, and obliged to come to a dishonourable treaty by reason of an accident that happened at Rome occasioning a wide breach between the Pope and the French King to the endangering of Christendom, which was thus, the French Ambassadors Coach passing the streets of Rome, was assaulted by the Corsi Natives of the Island of Corsica, which are retained as the Pope's guard, the page killed in the boot, and the Ambassadors Lady wounded, but upon what instigation remains doubtful, yet the King took it so heinously that he resolved to War upon the Pope's Territories in Italy, which discord did not a little rejoice the Turks, who imputed it the merit of ●●eir Prayers as indeed they do all other divisions amongst the Christians.  
The Treaty of Peace by reason of the divisions aforesaid having continued between the two Empires, without coming to any result, about the beginning of the year 1663. great forces were levied on either side, and all hopes of peace vanished, insomuch that the Turk's squaring out the platform of the War on their part, resolved to recover the places they sometimes held in Hungary, but more especially Rab and Komora, and thereupon with a great Army passed the Danube over a Bridge of Boats, upon whom the Governor of Newheusel sallied with eight thousand men, though contrary to the advice of his Council, with which in the night he entered their Camp and made a great slaughter, but the gross of the Army having passed the River, and taken the alarm, Cressent-wise closing the horns at the back of the Christians made of them a miserable slaughter, who notwithstanding sold their lives at a dear rate, falling upon heaps of the Enemy till at last tired with slaughter, those that remained alive yielded themselves Prisoners, and were notwithstanding contrary to the Law of Arms by the Viziers command barbarously murdered. In this disaster the Governor hardly escaped, and in his return was but coldly received, for that he by his rashness had exposed the lives of so many brave Soldiers, to the cruel Swords of their barbarous Enemies, but this cruelty was soon after revenged upon the Turks in like manner by Count Serini.  
This fatal loss sounded harsh in the Emperor's ears, and obliged Forcatz Governor of Newheusel to send to Monticuculi Governor of Rab, to advise him of his evil success, and that if a re-inforcement was not speedily sent the place must of necessity fall into the hands of the Enemy, whereupon one thousand select Soldiers were drawn out of Rab and sent thither, but scarcely were they entered before the Turk set down before it, and summoned the Governor to surrender, but upon his refusing on the 14th. of August they prepared for a General storm. In order to which about break of day Faggots and Rubbish were brought to fill up the ditch, and scaling Ladders to ascend the Walls, but although they were many in number, and the assault made with all imaginable vigour, yet they were received by the defendants with that courage and gallantry, that the Trenches were filled with their Carcases, and at length obliged to retreat with the loss of six thousand of their men.  
The siege still continuing the Turks angry and inflamed with the disgrace of their late foil, endeavoured to redeem their honour by a second attempt filling up the Ditches as before, and furiously attacked the outworks, but was so miserably rend with the Flankers that they were forced to fall of with more loss and confusion then before, which so incensed the Visier, that drawing and part of his Army to which he joined some Companies of Tartars, he sent them over the River Waag to Forage the Countries of Austria and Moravia, which they did (after having defeated the Germane fo●… that (few in number) were appointed to guard the frontiers) in such a manner as the like desolation had never happened in those parts, running even to the Walls of Vienna with Fire and Sword, which put that City into a great consternation, and caused the Emperor to remove to Lintz, yet for all this imminent danger the Diet brought nothing to perfection, in order to the enabling the Emperor to raise more Forces, but rather spent the time in cavilling at little niceties, during which Newheusel upon their Magazine of Powder accidentally taking Fire surrendered, upon Articles honourable to the besieged.  
The Turks heightened with their success laid siege to Levents, which after many threats and fair promises was put into their possession by the Inhabitants, which so overjoyed the Turks that feasted they for several days, and then marched to Schinta the Magazine of the Emperor's Arms, and Artillery, which they assaulted, but with great loss were beaten off, and forced to raise their siege, yet passing on they took Novigrode, a strong Castle situate upon a Rock, and Garrisoned with six hundred Soldiers, provided with all necessaries that might have encouraged them to a resolute defence, and not upon such easy terms have surrendered a place of such strength.  
Winter approaching the Grand Visier with part of his Army marched back to Belgrade there to quarter till the Spring, ordering a flying Army of 〈◊〉 thousand Turks and Tartars under the leading of the Bassa of Temeswar to pass into Stira and Crotia, the Countries of Count Serini, who was about that time returned out of Hungary, and there to fill all places with desolation of which the heroic Count having notice resolved they should not want a welcome and therefore raising such Forces which were not above six hundred, and with this handful betook himself to the banks of the River Muer, to give a stop if possible to the passage of the Enemy placing Sentinels in all places where the River was fordable, yet two thousand Turks, passed undiscerned upon whom he set with such undaunted courage that he soon put them to flight, who in seeking to repass the River and missing the place they passed at and pressed by the Count they threw themselves headlong into the depths and there mostly perished, which the Turks on the further bank perceiving were so amazed at the stupendious valour of Serini, that their courage failing them they desisted from any further attempt upon his Countries. Yet the Count not satisfied raised against the Spring, viz. 1664. a considerable power and marched into the Turks Territories, destroying all before him taking many important places, and burning a bridge made over the Fens six or seven miles in length, which cost the Turks six hundred thousand Dollars in building, and six years' labour, he likewise took Quinque Ecclesiae, and following the course of his victory taking in many small Towns and Castles in his way, he came before Sigeth a Fortress of the Turks, consisting of the new and old Town joined by a bridge cross a famous marsh, and fell into the hands of the Turks in the Reign of Solyman the Magnificent, Anno 1565. he then besieging it with an Army of six hundred thousand Men, in defence of which Nicholas Serini great grand father to this Count, immortalised his same and memory with the loss of his Life. This place the Count resolved to take and sacrifice such barbarous Turks as would not by a timely surrender submit to his mercy, to the Ghost of his Ancestors, but when he had a long time battered it, and it at a point to yield, news was brought that a great number of Turks and Tartars were on their way to relieve it, whereupon calling a Council of War it was therein concluded that it was not safe to hazard a Battle, and thereby endanger what was already acquired, but rather give place to necessity and return with such spoils as they had which indeed were very great.  
Whilst this renowned Champion in the Christian cause so bravely behaved himself on the one side, the affairs in Transilvania succeeded not so well for the Garrison of Clovinopolis wanting pay mutined and delivered up that important place to Apafi, which roused the Germans out of their Lethargy, and made them begin to bestir themselves, and the grand Signeour mad at the loss he had sustained by the Arms of Serini, sent sharply to reprove the Visier of negligence charging under severe penalties to be more vigilant for the future, but in spite of all he could do, the Count on whose plumes fledged victory sat perching, having a while taken breath plucked other plumes from the Turkish Empire; when to exasperate him the Visier sent several Troops to take his new Fort of Serniswar, yet not so covertly but that he had notice thereof, and immediately dispatched a messenger to his brother Peter Serini, (whom he had left to guard the frontiers himself at that time prosecuting his good success in Hungary) to be in a readiness to receive them which young Prince no less courageous than his brother, setting upon the Turks as they were passing the straits of Morlac he killed two thousand of them, took fifteen hundred Prisoners and put the rest to a disorderly flight.  
Upon news of this success the Count resolved to besiege Canisia, and in order thereunto went disguised, only accompanied with fourteen of his officers to take a view of its strength and situation but was not so private therein, but that the Turks had secret intelligence of his purpose, and laid an Ambush of five hundred Horse some distance without the Walls to entrap him, but providence so ordered it, that by the swiftness of his Horse he broke through them, when at the noise 300 of his Crotian Horse coming up he faced about and valiantly at the head of his Troop, charged the Enemy and made of them such slaughter that few of them escaped death, or bondage. Amongst the slain one was found completely armed, with a silk twisted Cord of divers colours about his waist, who by the Captives was reported to have taken a solemn Oath to bring the Count bound in that Cord, and to have laid him at the Viziers feet, but in this as in most human affairs it was observed that when man proposeth God disposeth.  
After this success the Count made known his intention of War against the Turks, desiring his approbation who by the advice of the Diet at Ratisbon approved of his proceed, and sent him supplies of Men and Money, to persist in his erterprises, whereupon he sat down before Canisia, and battered it furiously, but for want of the supply promised he at the approach of the Turkish Army which was very numerous raised the siege.  
The Diet was not idle in studying and contriving the preservation of the Empire, but finding themselves too weak, advised the Emperor to send his Ambassadors to his Majesty of Great Britain, His Majesty of Poland, and the Princes of Italy, to contribute towards the defence of Christendom, who all freely, either with Men or Money, engaging in the common cause an Army of Four Thousand Thirty Seven Horse and Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety One Foot was Embodied, and were promised success the rather by reason of the Rebellion in Egypt, where several of the Begs had taken up Arms, and driven out the Bassas, yet the difference amongst the Christian Commanders retarded their success, and especially some affronts put upon the renowned Count Serini, which not being taken notice of by the Emperor, he supposed he connived at them, and therefore retired from the Army, which put a great stop to their proceed, upon which the Turks encouraged besieged many places, but with small success, for in the end Husaein Bassa, General of the Turks Army being encountered by Count Soise chief Commander of the Imperials, he was overthrown with great slaughter of his men, when flying to Strigonium he was denied entrance, and obliged to March to Newhusel, where he was received, the Garrison there being thin, and the tempest of War at that time threatening that place.  
Soise animated by this success besieged Barcan a strong Garrison of the Turks, on the other side Danubius near to Strigonium, the which after a terrible assault he took, and after having plundered it, set it on Fire, and so marched back to Romora, the News of which made the Turks pass the River Rab with part of their Army, for Providence so ordered it, that in the night time abundance of Rain fell, and the River swelling kept the other part from passing, so that being divided, that part which had passed being set upon by the Christians was routed with great slaughter, most of them perishing by the Sword or the Water, the slain of note on both sides being these, on the Turks Ismale Bassa of Buda, the General of the Spahies, the Aga of the Janissaries, the youngest Son of the Tartar Han, Three other Bassas, Ali Beg General of Bosna, Thirty Capugibashes, Thirty Five of the Viziers Pages, and Three Hundred of his Guard, Fifty Janissaries, Three Thousand Spahes, Fifteen Hundred Bosnacks, Eight Hundred Albanians. Six Hundred Crotians and Hungarians subject to the Turks, Two Hundred and Fifty Null and Moldavians, Six Hundred Tartars, Fifteen Hundred Anatolians, and Four Thousand other asiatics, in all Seventeen Thousand; Of the Christians were slain about Three Thousand, the chief of which were the Count of Nassan, Charles Count Bracondorf, Count Fulchire General of the Artillery, and Colonel Pleiter with his Lieutenant Colonel, and Sergeant Major.  
This great overthrow caused the Turkish Forces to Mutinye, declaring the War to be undertaken upon an unjust quarrel, alleging that the Total Eclipse of the Moon had before presaged their evil success, nor could the Visier appease them, or secure his own Life without a promise to use his utmost interest for an accommodation of Peace between the Empires, yet kept not his word, but immediately sent his Commands to the Princes of Moldavia and Valachia, who had retired to return to the War, whereupon though very unwillingly they returned, after which the Turks Turk Serniswar, the Imperials not so much as vouchsafing to relieve it, which so afflicted the Noble Mind of the Count Serini, that growing Melancholy, to divert himself he often used Hunting, when one day Chase a Boar, whom he wounded in several places, the furious Beast turned upon him, and with his Tusk struck him on the Knee, which made him fall to the ground, when before he could recover himself with a second stroke, he was mortally wounded in the head, and soon after died in the Arms of one of his Pages; This was the end of this valiant Captain, whom his Enemies could never subdue, to the great grief of all worthy Christians, and the joy of the Turks, whose Mortal Enemy he was, a man in dangers most courageous, in War valiant, and patiented in labour, in peace courteous, and moderate in his pleasure, and in fine he was accomplished with all those virtues that renders a man complete.  
After the death of this Count, the Peace between the Empires was concluded, when as the Grand Signior being at leisure, plotted the destruction of his Brothers, but at the persuasion of the Muphti altered his Resolution.  
About this time the Grand Visier endeavoured to depose the Tartar Han, and place his Son in his stead, but the young Tartar though barbarous would not consent thereto, but sent his Father secret notice what was intended against him, which so enraged the Tartar, that he used his utmost endeavour at the Ottoman Court to overthrow the Visier, and promote another to that Office, in order to which he dealt with the Bassa of Buda, promising him his utmost interest at the Port to make him great Visier, by which, though contrary to his wish, he destroyed him for the Visier, having notice of what had passed, obtained a private Commission from the Grand Signior, by which he Summoned the Bassa to appear before him, when immediately without any process, proof or accusation, caused his Head to be stricken off.  
Anno Dom. 1665. The Genoese sent the Marquis Durazzo as their Envoy Extraordinary to the Ottoman Court, where by gifts and other means, he so effectually wrote with the Grand Visier, that a peace ensued between the Grand Signior and that Republic, the which was the rather accorded to that the War against Candia might be the better carried on, on which the Turks seemed absolutely bend in order to the Equiping of Galleys and other things necessary, the Grand Signior came from Adrinople to Constantinople, but before his arrival great part of the Seraglio was burnt to the ground, fired by some of the women, to prevent the discovery of their stealing divers Jewels that garnished the Royal Cradle, and upon his arrival he desired of the Earl of Winchelsea Fifteen Sail of English Men of War, with the consent of His Majesty of Great Britain, but the Earl excused it, saying, that though his Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and zealous disposition towards the affairs of the Ottoman Port, yet at present the Wars with Holland, and ill understanding with France, made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent than usual, and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in that particular, whereupon the Grand Visier gave order for the building Sixty Galleys against the Spring, at what time a great Fleet was in a readiness, several English, French and Dutch Merchant Men, who were at that time found in the prots of Aleppo, Smyrna, and Alexandria, being pressed for the service.  
These proceed greatly alarmed the Venetians, insomuch that they delayed nothing that was requisite for the defence of their important City of Candia, the which who ever holds, commands the rest of the Island, whereupon the Marquis Ghiron Franciseo Villa a brave Soldier, was entertained as General of Foot, and a Salary of twelve thousand Crowns per Annum allowed him, with a large Commission not to be subject to any command, but that of the Captain Generals, who with a great train arriving at Venice made an Oration to the people, wherein he encouraged them to the utmost to fight against the enemies of their Country and Religion with wearyness, and cheerfully to provide all necessaries for so honourable a War, whereupon they fitted their Fleet with all things necessary, and strengthened their Forts both with Horse and Foot drawn out of their Garrisons on the Terra Firma, being assisted with Men and Money from other Princes and States; The Pope gave them permissions to levy four thousand men out of his Countries, the Emperor likewise notwithstanding the peace furnished them with considerable Forces, to which were additions made from other parts of Germany, and indeed from many of the Christian Princes, who were grieved to see an Infidel encroach yet farther into Europe, but above all the French King contributed largely, though at the same time he sent monsieur d' Vently his Ambassador to the Port, who as the former received many affronts during his residence there; The Captain of the Ship that brought him thither likewise was ordered by the Grand Signior to be Executed, for too rudely pressing into his presence, which Sentence had been put in Execution had not the Bostangi Bassa interceded for him, yet he nevertheless was imprisoned and put in chains, nor could the Ambassador without a great Sum procure his Liberty, nor at his Audiences had of the Grand Signior and Grand Visier was he received with such respect as became his Character, yet he made the best on it, boasting to the other Christians, Ministers of the ample satisfaction he had received both for his own affronts, and the affronts put upon his Predecessors.  
Whilst these things passed, the Marquis d' Villa passed into Dalmatia to take a view of the Forts and strong places on that side, as fearing whilst the Turks gave out for Candia, they might suddenly turn their Forces upon that Frontier Territory of the Venetians, but having given such necessary orders as he thought requisite, and being certified from Count Lisle the Emperor's Ambassador at Constantinople, that the Grand Visier early in the Spring would with a puissant Army land on the Island he set over, with such Forces as he had, to join those already there.  
About the beginning of the Year 1666. great troubles had like to have risen in the Ottoman Empire, occasioned by one Sabatai Seni a Jew, born at Smyrna, who impiously pretending himself to be the Messia drew after him a multitude of that unhappy nation, declaring that he came to restore them to their temporal Kingdom, and to gather the scattered tribes filling their heads with prophecies, dreams and false delusions, that they every where credited him, and laying aside all business, prepared for their march to Jerusalem, once more to possess the Land of Promise, and raise a Glorious Monarchy above what ever their Ancestors could pretend too, and to that purpose made themselves Garments according to the Levitical Ordinance, several of them affirming that they had seen Elias, and that he had expressly commanded it, writing to each other many Blasphemous Letters in commendation of their Impostor, whom they style King of Kings, and Lord of all Lords, attributing to him many other vain Titles, nor was it long e'er he became Hydra headed, for other despicable Jews finding the cheat take so effectually took up the deceiving Trade which caused the Turkish Ministers to nip them, ere they grew too popular, by confining the Ringleaders to divers Prisons; and amongst other things, the Jews being ashamed that so many Missias should at once appear, procured the Imprisonment of some of them, themselves, by accusing them of Adultery, and other heinous Crimes, as for Sabati, he finding his fraud too apparent, renounced the Judaisme, and turned Mahometan, and drew many of his Nation to follow his Example, being for that purpose set at Liberty, and allowed a pension for his Maintenance in the Turks Seraglio.  
About this time the Ambassadors of either Empire exchanged, that is, the Turks Ambassador returned from Vienna to Constantinople; and the Germane Ambassador from Constantinople, to Vienna; during which, the skirmishes between the Venetians and the Turks grew hot, Hostilities being on both sides maintained with great fury, both by Land and Sea, though with various success; sometimes on side prevailing, and sometimes another; till at last in was resolved by the Marquis D' Villa, and the Admiral of the Galleys, that by reason of the great Inundations occasioned by the incessant rains, that the offensive War should be laid aside, and the Forces for better security, incamp near the Walls of Candia, as being the Metropolis of the Island, whilst the Galleys divided into two Squadrons scoured the Seas, and hindered any new succours from Landing; but e'er they were encamped, Two Thousand Turks sallying from their Trenches, set upon the out Guards, beating them from their Post, and pursuing even to the entrance of the Camp, but being reinforced, the Turk were obliged in disorder to retire; yet the Turks not contented, made another attempt, but with no better success than the former; though the Loss was considerable on either side; yet the Turks Camp was greatly annoyed by the shot, from which played furiously upon their ●renches; but the Marquis D' Villa having notice of the approach of greater Forces, thought it wisdom to remove his Camp to a place of more advantage, till new aids came to his assistance; the which after ●illing up the Trenches, and blowing up the Forts that they might not profit, the Enemy was performed.  
During this Action, the Great Visier, with a numerous Army Embarked on the Galleys at Constantinople, and after touching at Thebes, arrived at Candia, though by the way, Twelve of his Galleys fell into the hands of the Venetians, mostly laden with Provision and Ammunition, taken near the Gulf of ●olo by the Cavalier, Grimani, Captain of the Galleys; the Visier upon his arrival went to take a view of the City of Candia, that Bulwark then of Christendom, and finding the taking of it would require much time and labour, he returned to Canea, to consult the measures used in carrying on the siege; when in the mean time the Princes of Christendom being at discord amongst themselves, were not so ready in sending the promised succours as was expected, only the Pope and Great Duke of Tuscany kept their promise, and some few private men out of their proper Treasury, sent a supply of Money and Provision, insomuch, that the juncture did no ways promised success to the Venetians.  
Anno 1667. The Tartars in the depth of Winter entering Poland, laid a great part of it desolate, carrying away One Hundred Thousand Christians into miserable Bondage, which made the Polonian King exhibit a grievous complaint to the Grand Signior; but with all desirous to renew the League between them: In order to which, he sent his Ambassador with many rich Presents to the Port, but he being too peremptory in his demands upon his Audidience, and receiving no answer agreeable to his expectation, uttered such Speeches as caused the Grand Signior to confine him to his own House, and a Guard to be set upon him, which so increased his fury, that growing high, it casted him into a Fever, of which he died; when as his Secretary took upon him the character of an Ambassador, expecting a reply to what had been proposed, and within a while after, had an Audience of the Chimacam, but in the end could obtain no other answer, then that no compensation or pretence should ever after be demanded for the damage sustained by the Tartars in Poland, nor that the Polanders should make War upon the Cossacks now revolted from the Obedience of that Crown; but that they should immediately make War upon the Muscovite, and permit the Turkish Merchants to Trade in their Country; with this answer the Secretary was obliged to departed, though it proved nothing grateful to the Poles, who did not vouchsafe to return thanks for this unesteemed favour, yet by reason of the differences amongst themselves, warred not on Tartary, though some of the bordering people with any Authentic Commission, joining with a considerable party of Muscovians, entered Tartary, and running with Fire and Sword even to the Walls of Coffa their chief City, burned Three Hundred Villages, and brought away a great booty of Prisoners, Cattle, and the like.  
About this time the Bassa of Basora revolted from the Grand Signior, and with displayed Insigns marched with an Army of Forty Thousand Horse and to the great terror of those countries', which he pretended were of right, his Legal Inheritance descended to him by his Ancestors; but the Bassas of Erzirum, Aleppo, and Damascus going against him, routed his Forces, and for the preservation of his Life, obliged his to fly to the King of Persia.  
The Venetian Galleys coasting the Island of Candia, to hinder what in them lay the Landing of Forces on that Island, encountered with Twenty Ships of the Turks, laden with Men and Provision; most of which they burned, sunk, or took, and a while after had one of the Turkish Galleys brought to them by the Slaves, who had by stratagem taken it from their Masters, but these proceed seemed small to what afterwards happened; for by this time the Visier having laid his siege to one of the strongest City in the World, fortified by the most industrious of men, as far as Humane possibility could render it impregnable, dismal things ensued.  
The Town was fortified with seven great Bastions, viz. the Sabionera, Vetturi, Jesus, Martinengo, Betlem, Panigra, and St. Andrea, all encompassed with a large and deep Ditch, of which were the Revelin of Spiritto, the Revelin of Panigra flanked to the right, with the Half-Moon of Mecenigo, next thereunto, was the Revelin of Batlem bordering on the work of St. Mary's, which to the left had the Revelin of St. Nicholas, and this joined to the Fortification of de Palma, next whereunto was the Revelin of Priuli, with the redoubt of Crepa Cuore, and over all was the Royal Fort of St. Demetrio, which Commanded the work of Molino, and Sabionera, even to the very Sea.  
Before this formidable place, the Visier pitched his Tents, raised his Battery, and provided all things necessary to approach the work, running his Trenches with great celerity to the border of the outworks, but there met with such blasts of Aetnean Fires from the Mines and Farnelloes, that they hindered the Turks Traverses, and greatly disincouraged them, considering that if the Ground was unsecure at that distance, what Abysses and Chasmas must there be prepared to make them Graves under the Walls or entrance of the City, when not to let them breathe, the Christians sallied twice on them, making great slaughter of such as were far advanced in the works; when retiring in confusion, the Colonel of St. Demetrio fell upon them, cutting Two Thousand of them in pieces, ere they could recover their main strength; about which time, Captain General Morosini arrived in the Haven with his Galleys, and put One Thousand fresh men into the City, which so exasperated the Turks, that they resolutely advanced to hinder it, but being within danger by the springing of Mines, some hundreds of them were sent to cut capers in the Air; yet the Turks forced by their Commanders like Moles, continued there working under ground, where many of them dug their own Graves, never more appearing above ground; for being countermined, they were overwhelmed with the blasts of Powder and dreadful Wildfires prepared by Castellan (the most expert Engineer in the World) for that purpose, yet the Turks with their stink pots, which flaming, they threw into the works, so infected the Air with noisome vapours, that long it was ere it could be purged with the burning of Juniper-wood, and Aquavitae.  
During these daily rencounters, arrived the Auxilarie Galleys from the Pope, and Maltesians commanded by Prior Bichi, and Bali Deal Been, as likewise the Galleys of Naples and Sicily, Commanded by Gianettino Doria, and the Duke of Ferandina, but such was the Cowardice of these Commanders which they imputed to, the straitness of their Commission, that they durst not come on shore, nor at the instance of the Marquis D' Villa, send him so much as a man, except such renowned French Volunteers as would enter the City, not being under their Command, amongst whom was the Cavalier D' Harcourt, of the House of Lorraine, who did singular service by his Valour and Conduct; nor did these Galleys ought at Sea, but after some time, coasting the Island, ingloriously returned home to theirs, and their Master's Infamy.  
These things happening, the Signior Giavarina surrendered his charge of Captain of the Galleys to Signior Pasquelino, and by the order of the Senate, went again to Constantinople, and from thence passed over to treat with the Great Visier about a truce, but nothing would be consented to, unless Candia was delivered, whereupon he generously scorned to treat further, though the Visier desired it, and appointed a place for that purpose, which so enraged him, that he commanded the Mines about Panigra to be sprung, and a furious Assault to be given, but it proved unsuccessful by the great slaughter of the Turks, whose bodies filled up the ruins of the Mine.  
At the end of July arrived Six Hundred Foot, under the Leading of Ottanio Alba, a Noble Venetian bringing with him likewise Twenty Thousand Ducats, who entering the City, was joyfully received, during which spaces, the Fights between the Miners under Ground, were as bloody as those in the open Field, so that the Men seemed to make war in the Grave; nor were the Turks slow in placing their Mines to advantage, especially one, which taking Fire, blew up part of the Half-Moon, leaving thereby a passage Twelve Foot wide, at which the Turks pressing to enter, were miserably overwhelmed by the storms of shot that flew like Hail from the Flankers, whereupon the better to make their approaches, the Turks filled sacks of Earth, and planted them near the Walls, which the Christians with long Iron hooks drew away, and left them open to the fury of Musketeers, who were the more encouraged by another supply of Five Hundred Venetians, under the Command of Signeour D' Riva, when on the Fifteenth of September, the Christians sallied, and after a hot skirmish, trained the Turk into the danger of a Mine, which being sprung, sent Three Hundred of them into the Air, yet they continued the Fight very bloody and doubtful, till at length the Christians retired under the Bastion of Betlem, and the Turks with the shot from thence were beaten off.  
On the Eighteenth they made another sally, and trained the Turks into the danger of another Mine, though not without some loss of their own; their Captain being wounded, and Ten or Twelve of them slain, yet they again sallied, and sprung several Mines to the destroying of Six Thousand Turks, whilst the Engineer framed an Engine to rid the Ditch of the Earth that the Mines had thrown into it, but the Turks undermining where it stood, blew it into the Air, yet the Labourers with Baskets and Sacks supplied its place; and on the Twentieth of October, a Mine of Forty Barrels of Powder was fired by the Christians to destroy the Enemy's redoubts, but on the contrary, it burst through an old Gallery with such force, as made the City tremble, as if an Earthquake had happened, and with the confused smoke stifled about Sixty Men.  
About this time, the Grand Signior sent an Express to the Visier, to send him an exact account how the siege was carried on, and what hopes there was of winning the piece, sending him a Sword, and a vest of Sables as a token of his favour; to merit which, and that the Grand Signiors Inquisitor might be a Spectator of the difficulty in winning the place, he commanded a General assault the next day should be made upon Panigra, which was carried on with such desperateness, that the Turks entered the Ditches, but were soon dislodged by the Springing Mines, which made them spraul by Hundreds in the Air, and overthrew many of the Enemy's redoubts, yet the Visier not satisfied with threats and promises, obliged them to renew the Assault, which they did with such eagerness, in hopes of great rewards, that notwithstanding the undaunted courage of the Defendants, Panigra had been taken, had not the General given order for the blowing it up, which was done with such a Thundercrack from the breath of Seventy Barrels of Powder under a huge pile of stones, that the Turks Camp trembled, and in it perished Three Thousand Turks, amongst whom were Three Bassas, and many other of note. This for the present astonished the Turks, and gave a stop to the further proceed of this Assault. This proof gave evident Conviction to the Grand Signiors Inquisitor of the strength of the place, and difficulty of the work; and having been an Eye-Witness of what had passed, returned with dismal stories of a cruel War, reporting (perhaps) and it was related in most parts of Christendom, that this was the place where blood was spilt day and night, where Gallant Men had forgot to sleep, living in perpetual labours, innured to intolerable sufferings, and hourly dangers, there being none secure in Church, House, or Street; for Granades spouted f●●e, Cannons thundered out their Iron Globes, Arrows and Stones fell like Hail, so that there were none in that place but who quartered on the brink of the Grave.  
Winter coming on Hostilities ceased not though their heat was somewhat abated, and to the wonder of all men the Visier could not be persuaded to forsake his Trenches, but proving when necessary he could to secure his Soldiers from the raging cold and prodigious Rains he immediately dispatched Letters to the Grand Signeour and Divano, to send him new supplies for that his Army was so wasted that of one hundred and fifty thousand with which he at first encamped not a third part of them remained adding that he was resolved to take the City or die under its Walls, which resolution was highly approved by the Grand Signeour, and a speedy dispatch of Men, Provision, and Ammunition was made when to the Visier supposing to render the Officers of the City more negligent of their trusts sent to propose certain Articles of Peace and a flag of Truce, but his design being perceived he drew in his horns, about which time arrived the new Proveditor Bernardo Navi (the other having been killed with a Musket shot on the Fort of Panigara) bringing with him five hundred Soldiers, and Matteo Mattheus Serjeant General with recruits from the Pope, as likewise three hundred Medals, to bestow upon such Worthies as should best deserve them.  
Anno Dom. 1668. in the month of March a sharp engagement happened between sixteen Venetian, and twelve Turkish Galleys, the latter not expecting such a number in those, though indeed they had been sent to surprise yet entering into a sharp dispute six of the Turks Galleys were sunk or taken, and the rest much shattered escaped under the shelter of the night, having lost most of their Soldiers and Commanders, and soon after the Captain General of the Venetians, lighting accidentally of six other Turkish Galleys took and sunk them all save one that run herself on shore.  
Spring being now come the Turks began to creep out of their Trenches, having raised a Fort on the side of the Lazaretto, which so offended the Port that there was no harbour or access for Vessels, and the like they had erected on the other side near unto the Fort of St. Andrea, which greatly offended Tramata another harbour on the left hand, and in the night passing undiscovered of the Sentinels they fixed a strong Cable to the palisado of St. Andrea, and strained it so hard with an Engine erected for that purpose, that they tore away several of the main beams, heightened with which success they continued to advance their Lines on that side, to prevent which the General commanded two hundred under the leading of Major Motta, to sally out upon them, which they effected with such expedition and secrecy, that they slew a great number of them and put the rest that were running the Line to flight, overthrowing their redoubts and filling up Lines for which good service the General bestowed amongst them fifty Zechins, and commanded the platform to be finished from whence with his Cannon he greatly annoyed the Enemy, and having destroyed several Redoubts by springing of Mines, sallied about eight hundred strong, and made great slaughter of the Turks driving them out of their Trenches. Howsoever the Turks with admirable patience crept forward under the shelter of their Bastion, running their Traverses cross the Lines till Maupassau an Engineer by springing several Mines put a stop to their proceed. But now what was the greatest loss to this famous City the Duke of Savoy (whose subject the Marquis D' Villa was, recalled him home, his urgent affairs so requiring, notwithstanding many overtures were made for his continuance, but in obedience to his Prince he embarked and left his charge to the Marquis St. Andrea Montbrun a Noble man of France, with whom the Venetian Ambassador at Paris by order of the Republic, had prevailed to take upon him the defence and protection of that deplorable reduced now almost to its ultimate crisis.  
The new General established in his place of trust took a diligent survey of the Forts and Walls of the City, giving such necessary orders as he conceived most convenient, nor was his diligence without reason for the Turks daily pressed nearer to the Walls of the City, raising many redoubts with such expedition, that they could not be destroyed so fast as they were raised, though the Miners ceased not to use their utmost diligence, and from them playing with their Cannon many brave men were killed on the Walls, and amongst the rest Providetor General Nani, and Francisco Bataglia, Brother to the Duke of Candia were slain with Musket shots.  
The long continuance of this siege drew thither many Worthies, and amongst others monsieur La Fuillade Duke of Roanez. The Count of St. Paul's. The Duke De Carderousse. The Count D' Villa Maur, and the Duke De Chateau Tiery, who came accompanied with six hundred Men most of them Gentlemen of note, to try their valour in the field of Mars, who like so many enraged Lions by their frequent sallies killed a great number of the Turks, beating them through their Trenches, and terrifying them at that rate that they scarcely durst make their approach, but these men came not to stay but only to see the Wars and so departed, which after good service done, such as escaped did; when in their places several valiant Soldiers sent by the Dukes of Lunenburgh and Brunswick arrived under there leading of several valiant Chiefs, of which Count Waldeck was principle, who in a sally venturing into the Enemy's Trenches too far, received several wounds of which he soon after died.  
Between St. Andrew and the Ravelin of Spirito, where the Turks had planted a Battery of three pieces of Cannon, and raised several Doubts, a Mine of one hundred sacks of Powder was sprung, which not only overthrew the Battery and Redoubts, but vast quantities of Stones and Timber it carried into the Air, destroyed a great number of Turks in their Trenches, and thereupon the Christians sallying put them into a great confusion, dismounting and spiking up their Cannon, but by the loss of the Duke of Candia who was slain by a Musket shot, much of the joy for this success was abated, yet three thousand Turks were slain, and amongst them the Bassa of Canea, and Major General of the Janissaries.  
This slaughter for a while greatly discouraged the Turks, but in the end recovering breath, they made a strong assault upon one of the Forts of St. Andrea, and gained it, pressing on to the Bastion of Sabionera to the West with a force of ten thousand men having the advantage of three batteries, each consisting of then pieces of Ordinance, and the next night gave a general assault with all their Forces to the Bastions of Panigra, Sabionera, and St. Andrea, together with the great Fort of St. Demetrius, but the besieged were armed with all caution and vigilence against surprise, and with that conduct and valour that they gave the Enemy three gallant repulses with much slaughter and confusion, but yet this success was diminished by the loss of the Count de Maur an experienced Venetian Captain, who after proofs of an invincible courage lost his Life in defence of the Christian cause, but not long after the Marquis Cornaro and the Baron Spar arriving with a recruit of three thousand men, as if they intended to requite the Turks last assault, made so resolute and successful a sally, that they killed about two thousand Turks, amongst whom were divers Commanders of note.  
About this time whilst the Grand Signeour was at Larissa, news came of the near approach of the Excelle●●ssimo Abuisse de Molino Ambassador from the Venetian Republic with Propositions of Peace, but the haughty Turks before they would admit him to a nearer approach than a days journey, would first be resolved whether or no he brought with him the Keys of Candia, to which it was replied by the Interpreter, that he was not capable of giving them satisfaction in that particular being but a menial Servant, to whom the secrets of State and resolutions of great men were not committed, his office being only to render faithfully the words and sense of his Master, and not to enter into the private thoughts, and Cabinet of their Councils. To which the Chimacam proudly and barbarously replied, That he should go tell his Master that unless he brought the Keys of Candia his head should pay for it, and that he presumed not in person to approach nearer unto the Court. So the Ambassador remained at a distance till he received orders to pass over into Candia, there to treat with the Visier, who weary of the tedious siege willingly gave him Audience hoping that he came to treat about a surrender of the City, which in any case he desired as fearing notwithstanding his bravadoes he should be forced to raise his siege without success, but he only offered Suda and a considerable sum of money, which not redounding to the glory of the Visier, by reason that might have been had ere the War began, he would come to no agreement, for the Ambassador insisted that Candia being maintained by the Arms of Foreign Princes it could not without their consent be surrendered, but that all the rest of the Island should be the reward of their blood and labour, and although the Visier afterwards proposed in lieu thereof, the Venetians should have free Licence to rebuild Paleo Castro, yet the final answer of the Ambassador was, that Candia was capable of no conditions but what were imposed on it by force of Arms.  
About this time the French King by reason of the many indignities put on him in the person of his Ambassador, recalled him without deigning to send another to negotiate his affairs at the Port, which greatly amused the Turks, as judging he intended to revenge the affronts received at Constantinople upon the Ottoman Forces before Candia, as indeed in some measure he did, and might have been the preserver of that important Bulwark of Christenaom to this day, had not the Caprice of such as commanded his Forces sent there obstructed it; About this time likewise the Earl of winchelsea Ambassdor for his Majesty of Great Britain, having had his Audience of the Grand Signior at Salonica returned into England, and was succeeded by Sir Daniel Harvy.  
Anno 1669 The Turks finding a great cheat through their Empire by light and false Moneys introduced by the French, Dutch and Italians (for in Turkey the Money of all Nations in currant to a certain value) they complained to the Cadies or chief Judges, who with the consent of the Grand Signior, called it into the Mint, allowing no more for it than it was in true value, to the infinite loss both of Turks and Strangers, and soon after the Grand Signior being greatly fearful that the people growing weary of his Government, might place one of his Brothers in the Throne, to secure any danger that way, sent an Officer to the Queen-Mother, under whose Tuition they were, to demand their heads, and bring them to him at Larissa, but she upon sight of his mandate abhorring the Fact, secretly gave notice thereof to the Janissaries, to whom she had sworn the protection of the Young Princes, which unexpected News blew up such a flame as had like to have turned all into confusion, and wrote worse effects than any the Grand Signior had before causelessly imagined, but in the end, with large promises and larger Donations, the Tempest was allayed.  
Spring approaching, the Turkish Army which for the most part had lain immured all Winter, twixt the Walls of earth, crept forth as Worms out of the ground, and again began to run their Trenches towards the Walls of Candia, before which Mountains and confused heaps of rubbish and Mould lay, which had been thrown up by the Mines and Frencellos, which so loosened the nerves and pores of the Earth, that all about it seemed hollow, insomuch that light appeared often out of one Mine into another, which gave either side frequent opertunities of stealing ponder out of each others Mines, the Turks like Moles working still underground, so that the strongest City in the World was rather reduced to extremity by such as knew no use of any thing, but of the Spade and Mattock, rather than by force of Arms, for many were of opinion that all the Forces of the Ottoman Empire could not otherwise have taken it, by this means being so near advanced that their Granades could easily be slung into the City, they did great mischief, wounding and killing many of the Prime Commanders, and beating down houses in abundance, when amongst the rest a Cannon shot fell into a Magazine of Fireworks, and striking upon a Granado shell that was filled with powder fired, that firing about a hundred more, containing thirty barrels of powder, which beat down most of the adjacent houses, and did great hurt to the Garrison, and on the 28th. of May the Turks sprung 5 Mines in the mouth of the breach they had made on the Fort of St. Andrea, and pressed hard to carry it, now weak and almost turned into a heap of rubbish, which caused the Captain General the Marquis of Montburn, and all the chief Officers to take up their quarters on that side.  
The City of Candia thus in danger, the Princes of Christendom were not slow in relieving it, but above the rest Pope Clement the 9th. Expressed his zeal for the defence of this place, not only sending succours himself, but inciting and stirring up others to do the like, and mostly the present French King, who was best able to send a strong power, who was not wanting to comply for the defence of the Christian cause, who in order thereto raised seven or eight thousand foot under the command of the Duke of Beaufort, near Kinsman to the King, the Duke of Navailles, the Maresca●s, Lambert and Colebert, with many others of note, who were desirous to signalise their valour in the Field of Fame, who embarking on the Ships for that purpose prepared at Toulon, arrived before the City of Candia on the 19th. of July, where fourteen Venetian carnals laden with horse attended their coming, on which they were mounted, and now began the hopes of the besie●●● to rise high, and the Turks although within th● City in a manner to despair, nor were the French slow in entering the City, for the night of the same day they arrived, the Duke of Navailles with the Regiment of old Soldiers Mounted the guard on the Fort of St. Andrea, the place of greatest danger, and the next day a council of War was called, wherein it was concluded that the Town was not Tenable, or to be long maintained without some extraordinary Enterprise attempted on the Enemy, and by some furious sally performed with resolution and stratagems of War, in order unto which it was resolved, that the 27th. should be the day for sally both with Horse and Foot, an the Fleet not to lose their part in this action, but should play their great Guns on that side next St. Andrea, making as it were a Wing to the Army.  
The Sally agreed on, the Army was drawn up in four Battalions, the first called the Admirals, commanded by the Sieurs Martel Ʋander and Gravier, the second was the Vice-admirals', commanded by the Sieurs de●la-Mothe and Planta, the third was the Rearadmirals', under the command of the Chevaliers Bovillion Gabaret and daily, the fourth was the Battalion of the Sieur d' Almeras, commanded under him by the Si●urs Panetire de la-Rogne, Fontier Bitault, and the Chevalier de Nemond; On the Left hand of these, ●●re the Guards of the Duke of Beaufort himself, though thereto persuaded by all the Nobility, not refra●ing to make one in the Enterprise, who after he had given order for the Fleet to accost the shore on the side of St. Andrea, as near as co●i●sted with their security, and from thence with their great Guns to play upon their Enemy's Camp, he resolved to fight at the head of the Forlorn hope, consisting of Four Hundred Men, preceded by Fifty Granadeer, flanked with Three Troops of Horse, Commanded by Count Dampire, and the Regiment of Guards, with Four Troops of Horse for their Wing flanked with Three Regiments of Foot: The reference consisted of the Regiments of Harcourt, Conti, Lignie●es, Rosan, Montpesat, and Vendosme, flanked with Four Troops of Horse under the Command of Count Choiseul, which placed themselves on a rising-ground, to hinder all communications between the Visier, whose Camp was before St. Andrea, and the Janissaries Aga, who was Encamped before Sabi●●era▪ between the first and second Line were placed Fifty of the King's Musquentiers to be assistant on occasion, and the other Troops of Horse were to take the left hand along the Trenches, leading to the Sabionera. The Regiment of ●●o●peyr●●x was appointed to mount the Guard of St. Demetrius, to second the retreat if occasion required it; in like manner Five Hundred Pioners were ordered to levelly the Trenches of the Enemy on the quarter of St. Andrea, whilst the Body of the Turks Army was employed in repulsing the violence of the Sally.  
All things being in a readiness, the French about Two hours before day, in the secretest manner imaginable, sallied at St. George's Gate, the Signal to fall on, being the springing of the Royal Mine, which through the Dampness of the Powder, or the timerousness of the Engineer, took not effect; the General impatient of delay, not staying for the onset of the forlorn-hope, which lay within half Musket shot of the Enemy, assaulted two redoubts, took them, and put all he found in them to the Sword; with the like courage the other Regiments entered the Line, and after much blood, and slaughter, made themselves Masters of the Trenches, storming a Fort, on which was a Battery, directed against St. Demetrio, possessed themselves of it, 〈…〉 up all the Cannon found therein, at what time day appearing, discovered the bloody Scene, which caused the Turks to hasten from the Hills near New Candia in great number to regain their Trenches, whereupon the Duke D' Navailles perceiving his forlorn hardly beset, came in with Two Troops of Horse, and two Regiments of Foot; who with great slaughter beat the Turks out of their Trenches, following the Execution even to the heart of their Camp, but whilst fortune seemed thus to favour the Christians, an unhappy accident fell out, which quite turned the scale of Victory; for a Magazine of Powder, containing One Hundred Thirty Four Kintals being won from the Turks, and possessed by the Christians accidentally, or as some suppose, by lighted Matches purposely dropped into it; upon its surrender, blew up with such a terrible noise, that it not only destroyed most of the Battalian of Guards, but terrified the rest of the Army, by making the Earth, as with a violent Earthquake, tremble under them, that they verily believing a great number of Mines were springing under them; opened in great confusion to the right and left, and in the end, notwithstanding the endeavours of the Commanders to restrain them, the Soldiers betook themselves to open and shameful Flight, nor could they be persuaded to rally, or once more face the Enemy, but in great disorder, re-entered the City.  
The Duke of Beaufort is said to have laboured much in resisting the shameful flight of his Men, and venturing his Person into danger, from whence he resolved never ingloriously to retreat, was oppressed by Numbers, and fight courageously amongst the thickest of his Enemies, expired on the heaps; but by reason his Body, though much sought after, could not be found; many conjectured him to have perished by the fatal blow of Powder, which so frighted and disordered the Christian Army, nor had the French Fleet much better success; for being driven from shore by a strong Wind, they little or nothing endamaged the Turks, but received considerable damage for a great Ship of Sixty Brass Guns blew up, in which Two Hundred Ninety Two perished, and her shot passing through the Admiral, killed several on board, and endamaged other Ships, by the fall of her Timber and Splinters.  
The Loss the Turks sustained is uncertain, but however, according to their own report. Eight Thousand are said to fall in the Trenches, Forts, and Redoubts; the loss amongst the French consisted mostly in their Nobility and Officers of note, a fate incident to that Nation, the chief of which were the Duke of Beaufort, Count Rosan, the Marquis D' Fabert, the Chevalier Villereceaux, and the Chevalier D' Quelas, with about Twenty others, all Commanders, and a Thousand common Soldiers, many of note were likewise wounded, the Prisoners taken, exceeded not Seven or Eight, the chief of which were the Sieur D' Bois, Dauphin Son to a Marshal of France, of that Name, and the Sieur D' Chateau Neuf the first for his youth and beauty, and the second for his courage, being afterwards greatly esteemed by the Turks, and both entertained by the Visier with more generosity than ordinary.  
These proceed so amazed and discouraged the French, that the Duke D' Navailles, now their Commander in chief, could not be persuaded to stay any longer in defence of the City, but pretending the Kings express command for his return at a time prefixed, and that time being almost come, notwithstanding the earnest entreaty of the Captain General; he withdrew the greatest part of his Forces, and although he met further orders that enjoined his stay, yet embarking, he returned to France, where for his Cowardice he was forbid approaching the presence of the King, or entering the pursues of the Court for a considerable time.  
The French thus departed, the Turks took courage, and attacked the quarter of Sabionera, and St. Andrea, where putting the outguards to flight, they advanced to the Palisado of the new retrenchment, but Volleys of Cannon, and showers of Musquet-shot, with quarries of stones thrown from the Engines pouring on them, gave a check to their proceed; but the Candiots perceiving, they opposed the multitudes of the Enemy in vain, with one voice implored the Captain General to surrender the City that was not Tenable, and not to expose them to the fury of a Merciless Enemy, of whom the Marquis D' Montbourn taking pity, and finding himself too weak to oppose such powerful Forces as the Turks, by reason of new supplies had in their Camp, they as it were already having possessed the main strengths of the City, he assembled a Council of all the Chief Officers both in the City, and those that belonged to the Fleet, who after a serious consideration, concluded that the City could not by force nor policy be much longer held by reason of the small number of the Defendants, and the encroachment of whose number was ten to one; whereupon the General was of opinion, that having embarked all the unnecessary people, and those that were wounded, they should by firing of Mines lay the City waste, and so leave the Enemy a bloody and inglorious Victory, which Noble Resolution was seconded by several other Chiefs, but in the end it was agreed that a treaty should be had with the Turks about its surrender, the which after some debates was concluded on these Articles.  
First, that for obtaining a good and lasting peace, it is agreed that the City of Candia with all its Cannon which were planted there before the time of the War, be consigned into the hands of the Visier.  
Secondly, That the quiet possession be given to the Republic of Suda Carabusa, Spina Longa, and the Territories thereunto belonging, together with the Fortress of Calissa and Dalmatia.  
Thirdly, That the Venetians may carry away all the Cannon which have been brought into the Town, since the beginning of the War.  
Fourthly, That for Embarking the Soldiers, Pioners, and Inhabitants of all Qualities and Conditions, with their Arms, Provisions, and Baggage Twelve days shall be allowed.  
Fifthly, That what shall remain unshipped, at the end of Twelve days, the Visier shall with his own Boats assist the Lading thereof.  
Sixthly, That during this time of Truce, no Person whatsoever shall transgress his Limits, and he that doth, shall be treated as an Enemy.  
Seventhly, That so soon as those Articles shall be subscribed under the White Flag, all Acts of Hostility shall cease under the one side, and the other.  
Eighthly, That for security of performance of these Articles, Three Hostages be mutually given on the one side, and the other.  
Ninthly, That for better assurance, that the Venetians will use all their endeavours to embark their Men; The Turks may employ two Officers for Eye-Witnesses of the same.  
Tenthly, That for Effecting hereof all Ships, Galleys, and other Vessels may freely approach unto the shore, and enter the Port, either day or night.  
Eleventhly, That the Venetian Fleet may remain at S●andia, or at any other Island in the Archipelago, until such times as they are dispatched, or that things are duly prepared for their departure  
Twelfthly, That all Commissions given by the one side or the other be revoked, and that whosoever within the space of Forty days shall commit any Hostility against the Tenor of these Articles, shall be punished with capital punishment.  
Thirteenthly, That so soon as an Ambassador from Venice shall arrive at the Port, all Slaves and Prisoners taken under the Venetian Colours shall be freed and released.  
Fourteen, That what Depredations shall be made at Sea or Land after these Articles, shall be subscribed, and before the publication thereof, shall be faithfully made good and restored.  
Fifteenthly, That a General pardon be given to the subjects on both sides, who have acted contrary to their Faith and Allegiance during this War.  
Sixteenthly, that in virtue of these capitulations, the former Articles be confirmed, which were made in the year 1571, and that no Tribute or Present be demanded by the Port, unless such as has formerly been paid for, such Islands as the Venetians hold in the Archipelago.  
Seventeenthly, That two Copies of them be made, one in the Turkish Language subscribed by the Visier, Sealed with the Grand Signiors Signet, and another in the Italian Language, under-wrote by the Captain General, and Sealed with the Seal of the Republic of Venice.  
These Articles being signed, the Hostages were given on both sides, those for the Venetians were Faustino da Riva, Lieutenant General, Giovanni, Commissary, and Zacar a Mocenigo, who had been Duke of Ca●●●a. Those on the part of the Grand Signior were these, viz. Belir Assan, Bassa, Mahomet Aga of the Janissaries, and Gurgi, Bei, Te●terder, or Treasurer.  
During this siege Three Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Five Christians were killed and wounded, and of the Turks a Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred Fifty Four.  
The Batteries which the Turks raised against the Sabionera, and St. Andrea consisted of Fifty Nine pieces of whole Cannon, carrying most of them Bullets of a Hundred and Twenty Pound weight.  
The Storms which the Turks made upon the City, were Sixty Five.  
The Sallies made by the Venetians Ninety Six.  
The Mines and F●rneli sprang by the Venetians Eleven Hundred Seventy Three.  
The Combats under ground Forty Five.  
The Mines sprung by the Turks Four Hundred Seventy Two.  
In this siege the Venetians spent Fifty Thousand Three Hundred and Seventeen Barrels of Powder, and Bombies of all sorts, from Fifty, to Five Hundred weight, Forty Eight Thousand One Hundred and Nineteen.  
Granades of Brass and Iron One Hundred Thousand, Nine Hundred Sixty Eight, Granades of Glass Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Four Canonshot of all sorts, Two Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Three Pounds of Lead, Eighteen Millions, Forty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Seven pounds' weight, and of Match Thirteen Millions twelve thousand five hundred weight.  
What quantities the Turks might consume of Ammunition is uncertain, but it was observable that the Brass taken up in the streets, which came from their Granades and Bombes filled a Warehouse employed for that purpose, and was afterward sold for a hundred thousand Crowns.  
Upon these Articles Candia was surrended the news of which coming to the ears of the Grand Signior he could not for a while believe it, till he had a further confirmation. Yet the City upon its delivery was so ruined, that it seemed rather a heap of confusion, than a place to dwell in, nor did any more than five able persons, and some that were so aged and decrepit as were not fit to travel, stay in it, so that the Turks gained this sixteen Acres of ground, for no more was that famous City in compass, with inestimable expense of blood and Treasure; yet the glory and fame which attended it being the consummation of five and twenty years, of which the last siege lasted two years, nine months, and seven and twenty days, was of greater value to the Turks, than any other consideration, and may with time prove a place of advantage to the further increase of their Western Empire, unless the Almighty give a stop to the progress of their Arms.  
The News of Candia's surrender being published greatly rejoiced the Turk, who groaned under the Taxations levied for the maintenance of that War, as likewise ridded the Grand Signeour of a great part of his care insomuch that he gave himself only to Hunting and dalliance with his Sultana, who had born him the first Son, of whom he became so enamoured that he slighted all his other Women, contrary to the custom of other Sultan's. Yet having notice that Sir Daniel Harvy, His Majesty of Great Britain's Ambassador expected his Audience, he caused him to be introduced, acknowledging the reverence and respect for his Majesty, and the esteem he had of the English Nation, ordering the Capitulations to be renewed, commanding the Chimacam that if any one should break or infringe them that he should cut him off without further argument. But as to the renewing the Capitulations the Chimacam falling at the Grand Signors feet, implored, That that particular might be deferred until the arrival of the great Vi●er, whose proper power and act it was to make War and Peace, and therefore for him to meddle about capitulations, was to invade the Viziers Authority, which he durst not do without putting his Life in danger, or at least rendering his person obnoxious to his irreconcilable displeasure; with which the Grand Signeour being satisfied, ordered that tha● particular should be referred to the Grand Viziers the renewing of which was reserved for the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of Sir John Finch, who succeeded in the Embassy a●ter the death of Sir Daniel Harvy.  
Anno 1670. the Grand Visier having disposed the affairs of Candia, embarked for S●io, where having stayed some days revelling in all excess and drunkenness he 〈◊〉 into a surfeit, which put such an enmity between Wine and him that by some other motives exasperated, he interdicted the drinking of it upon severe penalties throughout the Ottoman Empire. The Turks generally being given to take Opium, which sort of drowsy intoxication they for the most part hold beyond the charms of Wine, but this prohibition continued not long.  
The Visier passing from Scio sailed to Rodesto, and from thence to Adrinople, where he was received in a manner of Triumph by the Grand Signeour, who expressed the more than ordinary satisfaction he conceived not only in the conduct of his affairs, but that he was safely returned from a tedious and bloody War.  
About the beginning of the following year the Venetian Ambassador arrived at the Port, to settle and confirm the Treaty, as to the establishing the Frontiers in Dalmatia, Albania, and other parts of the Venetian Territories, in which there arose such disputes between the borderers on either side, that some skirmishes happened after the Articles of Candia were subscribed; The Ambassador being introduced with all due ceremonies, complained of several outrages done to the Subjects of the Venetians, whereupon commissioners on either part were appointed to meet between Climno and Clissa, to adjust matters as they saw convenient, but such was the fury of the people that without regard to the honour of the Grand Signeour or the Senate, they seized upon several places which they alleged to be their peculiar Patrimonies, swearing that no peace made to the advantage of their Superiors should exclude them their right, but in the end the Turks who were the chief Aggressors were put to flight by a power of Venetians sent for that purpose, and Vsuph Bey their Commander and chief persuader to the infringement of the Peace was slain, after which the Commissions were granted and made more ample then formerly, for determining the right of the Signory and Empire on the confines of Dalmatia, and other Countries adjoining, and on the 27th. of July, conferring in a Tent set up for that purpose, after much debate many boundards were affixed, but that which was most insisted on, was Verpogly a small Fortress on the top of a Hill once belonging to the Venetians, which at the beginning of the War they abandoned, as costing more to maintain or defend, than the value or consideration of it, which the Turks possessing averred it to be theirs by the Law of Arms, arguing strongly, that any other Nation might have seized on it to the prejudice both of the Venetians, and the Subjects of the Grand Signeour. These debates had like to have created new Hostilities, but Mamut Bassa dying in the middle of the Treaty, and Chusaien Bassa commissioned in his stead, who was of a milder and more flexible temper, difficulties that obstructed a conclusion were removed, and on the 24th. of October, 1671. in open Divan held in the Campaigne of Salona all things were concluded, and Copies of the Agreement subscribed and interchangeably given. And in this manner the difference about the confines were concluded, and the long War between the Venetians and the Turks ended.  
About this time a Turkish Envoy sent to the French Court returned, bringing with him an Ambassador from the King called Monsieur de Nointel, who with three Men of War and a Fireship sailing through the Hellespont, and coasting along the Propontis refusing to salute the Seraglio unless he was first saluted, a nicety not required by any Ambassador before him, which not being granted lay off at Sea, as being refused by the Officers of the City as Ambassador, but in the end the Visier prudently considering that for a mere punctilio it was not convenient nor safe to exasperate the French Nation, nor thereon to ground a War, whereupon he gave order he should be received with the usual Ceremony, and conducted to his Audience, nor was the insolency of the French Soldiers and Sailors who committed many ourages on the Coast taken notice of, or if they were it was so that they were dissembled, and although whilst the Ships lay before the City a hundred slaves from on board the Turks Galleys, and out of the City escaped by getting on board and amongst them Monsieur de Peau-jeu a Knight of Malta, yet that was likewise dissembled, and not thought a sufficient ground for War with a Nation whose valour the Turks by fatal experience had tried, but in the end the French became more moderate, and new instructions being brought the Ambassador by a man of War, he passed to Adrinople where the Grand Signeour was gone, and having his second Audience granted, his first being had of the Visier, he desired that the League so long continued between his Master and the Ottoman Princes might continue, and that the capitulation might be renewed only with the Alteration of the customs, imposed upon his Master's Subjects from five to three in the hundred according to that privilege which the English and other Christian Merchants, whose league and Friendship was subsequent to theirs, but after many delays the Visier would not accord, but referred him to his return from the Wars of Poland, on which he was intent, which disappointment greatly perplexed the Ambassador.  
The Grand Signeour having before miss his design in making away his Brethren for fear of the Janissaries, now in their absence most of them being busied in the Wars, renewed his resolution and under pretence of Friendship poisoned Orcham the Eldest with a bowl of Wine, though some affirm he was strangled with a Bow string, and that ere he fell he killed one of the Executioners, but howsoever it happened he was made away, whose death once known greatly incensed the people against the Grand Signior, and prevented the like effects on the other Brother. All other matters now laid aside about the beginning of the year 1672. preparations were made for the Polish War though with such deliberation as expressed an unwillingness thereto on the part of the Ottomans, who having experienced the force of that warlike Nation moved thereto with caution. Yet their motives were not inconsiderable, but such as thereon a War might be grounded not only for the continual Piracy of the Cossacks on the Black Sea, and their assisting the bordering Princes in their opposing the Turkish Arms, and the little regard the Polish Ambassador had of the Port treating there with equal grandeur, and assuming a Liberty above the Ministers of other Christian Princes, and now they lay more open to be assaulted by reason of the divisions amongst themselves, whereby an opportunity offered to the Grand Signeour to oblige the Polonians to a compliance of his demands, yet whilst preparatians were making on all hands an Ambassador was sent to the Visier, he advancing with his Army towards the frontiers named Wisozski, a Noble man of Poland presuming upon his Power and Authority argued after such a lofty manner, and in terms so contrary to the methods of an Ambassador, that the Visier much incensed dispatched a Chiaus into Poland with Letters, desiring that this Ambassador might be recalled as being a person unable to manage matters of the least concernment, insinuating that if they supplied his place with another he should be received with due respect, and a plain way laid opento conclude his Negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties. Upon notice of which the Ambassador was so sensibly touched that he in a rage sent Letters to the assembly of the Polish Nobility to certify them that he was not only debarred of the allowance usual to Ambassadors but also was imprisoned, both of which (though untrue, for the former he refused as too little for one o0f his Character, and the latter being only his confinement to the City of Constantinople, by reason of some outrages his servants committed at his house at Pera) being believed kindled such a flame that the Poles imprisoned the Turkish Chiaus, and ordered that all the Country should be put in Arms rendering the Visier no other answer than that when their Ambassador was set at Liberty and had Licence to departed, the like should be done to theirs. Of these proceed the Grand Signeour having notice was highly offended immediately ordering that Wisoski should departed, and at the same time commanded his whole Militia to rise and follow him to the Wars, fending a Sword and Vest to the Tartar Han with orders to unite his Forces with the Cossacks that had revolted from the Poles, and speedily to invade Polonia, which accordingly he did and incountering near Batowa with a Body of Polish Horse, under the command of Luzecki Governor of Podolia he overthrew them, which was the first bad Omen of the ill success of this unhappy War.  
The Grand Signeour having raised an Army of one hundred fifty thousand men marched towards Poland already sick and languishing with its own intestine distempers, and unable to contend with a body united within itself. The first enterprise he made was upon impregnable Fortress of the Caminieck which had so often baffled the Ottoman Force, but now being weakly manned unprovided of all necessaries, and despairing of Relief, after fourteen days siege surrendered, the Garrison in it submitting to the will of the Conqueror, which opened a passage through all Podolia and Volhinia to the very Walls of Leopolis, which they passed over rather like Travellers than Enemies, not one man in arms appearing to oppose them delighting and sporting themselves in those the most fruitful and delicious Countries of Europe, permitted so to do by the animosities and intestine broils amongst the Nobility, who being divided into factions, regarding more their private quarrels then the safety of their Country, now ready to be devoured by the Infidels, and indeed it has been always seen that the divisions of the Christians have laid the foundation of the Turkish greatness, which they impute to the merit of their prayers. Yet such was the command of the Grand Signeour, that no Soldier spoiled or outraged any person, which so far won upon the affections of the Polonians that they in all places where he passed submitted, and put themselves under his protection, which so awakened the Nobility, that a Council being called it was resolved that to buy their Peace, and be shut of these new come guests.  
That the King of Poland should quit all claim to the ukrain, Pedoli, and Russee land.  
That Leopolis and the Country thereabouts should pay a Tribute of seventy thousand Dollars a year, and all other Capitulations formerly made to stand in full force and virtue.  
These Articles being signed the Grand Signeour committed the Government of Veravia, and Podolia to Dorosensko General of the Cossacks, and the defence of Cominieck and Chusaein Bassa, with a Garrison of twelve thousand Janissaries, and so returned to Constantinople dismissing the greatest part of his Army, poor and almost naked by reason of their being restrained from plundering.  
About this time Tripol●es matined against Osman Bassa their Governor, for refusing to divide amongst them such booties as were taken by Piracy who thereupon with his Friends and slaves betook himself to the strong Castle, but in the end was strangled by his own slaves, and the gates opened to the Mutineers who committed all manner of disorders, and resolved to take upon them the same form of Government with that of Argire, and to be Governed by a Dey, but at length to prevent the effects of the Grand Signors just displeasure, it was resolved to send their Deputies with great presents to the Port there to excuse the matter, and to crave a new Bassa, aggravating the iniquities of the old, all which with some difficulty was obtained, and fair weather was made between them and their Lord though the Bassa's of Tripoli, have ever since been rather in name then power, those unruly Pirates doing what they list, to the great hindrance of Trade, and blemish to the Ottoman Empire, who living by Theft and Rapine keep peace with none longer than stands winh their advantage.  
In August died the worthy Sir Daniel Harvy His Majesty of great Britain's Ambassador at the Port, and soon after in his room succeeded Sir John Finch.  
The League the Poles made with the Turk was not long observed, for after they had recollected themselves being ashamed of such inglorious conditions, dealt with the Cossack's to revolt from Dorosensko, who had engaged them in the Grand Signors interest, which put all again into hazard and confusion, so that the Grand Signeour was obliged to give over his pastimes, and betake himself to Arms, nor was the unexpected news of the loss of the Alexandian Fleet, taken by the Galleys of Malta and Corisaries of Legorn less unwelcome news.  
The Poles encouraged by the motion of the Cossacks notwithstanding the Articles, refused to pay the Tribute agreed on, which by their Ambassador they certified the Grand Signors Ministers, desiring to have it waved, but the Turk surprised thereat more earnestly demanded it, though at first many fair words were used but they not prevailing the Grand Signeour gave order for all his Forces to be in a readiness, hanging out the Tough or Horses tail, and ordering his Tents to be pitched in the Field, & the more to frighten them sent a Letter filled with dreadful menaces agreeable to the Turkish stile, which threatened them with confusion, Sword, Famine, Fire, destruction and a thousand other direful punishments. Yet was not so forward, for though his Army was embodied yet that Summer they only passed the Danubius, and the ensuing Winter quartered about Silistria, that they may terrify the Poles the more with their approach, and for the diverting the French Kings Arms from being serviceable to the Poles, his Ambassador received satisfaction in what he demanded as to the lessening the customs and allowance of Jesuits and Religious Houses in Jurusalem, Galatia and other parts of the Turkish Dominions, and that in all respects the subjects of his most Christian Majesty should be every where well entreated, throughout the Ottoman Empire, after which the Ambassador obtained a licence to travel and take a view of the Country, when in the mean while the Polish Army to the number of 20000 horse and foot were advancing from the Walls of Leopolis under the command of General Sobieski, and Zircha made General of the Cossacks in the room of Dorisensko, joining with a party of Mascovites and Calmuck Tartars, made incursions into the parts about Osac, the news of which so amazed the Grand Signior that he put off his intended march to Kemenitiz, and again endeavoured to oblige the Poles by fair means to an observation of the Articles, and satisfy the contents therein concluded, but finding them averse, he resolved if possible to compel them thereto by the power of the sword.  
The Grand Signors forwardness was not so great, but that the Poles were as earnest as he, and little regarding his Menaces resolved to be the first Aggressors; For General Sobieskie having increased his Army to the number of Fifty Thousand, boldly passed the Niester, to whom soon after revolted the Prince, or Vayvod of Moldavia with certain Troops of Horse and Foot, for that the Bassa Chusaein had reproached him, and at the head of his Troops struck him with his Battle Axe, and the Prince of Valachia was forced into the Polish Camp by his Soldiers, but he soon after made his escape, and was by the Grand Signior received into favour.  
The Armies now approaching, and the Poles having had exact Intelligence of what had passed in the Turks Camp; The Battle was begun at what time the Prince of Moldavia inspired with revenge charged furiously upon Chuseain Bassa and wounded him, requiting thereby the wound he had received of him. The heat of the fight continued for the space of fifteen hours, in which none behaved himself more valiantly than did Solyman Bassa the Beglerbeg of Bosna, yet having that day six horses killed under him, and finding himself overpowred, fled the Field, as did Chusaein Bassa, the Bassa of Sinas and Chidd-Ogla, but he in flight was slain, and the other three Bassa's wounded; The Generals of the Green and Yellow Sangiacks of the Spahies were taken Prisoners, and two other Principal Commanders of that Order killed. The Zagergeebassa who commanded Eighteen Chambers of the Janissaries was likewise taken Prisoner together with the Standard of that Order, and of them Eight Thousand Five Hundred slain, all the Troops and Attendants of the Bassa's, with four Sanzacks were slain, so that together were computed to be slain on the part of the Turks in that Battle Twenty Five Thousand Two Hundred Men; The booty taken was very considerable, for besides the ordinary baggage they took Two Thousand Purses of Money, newly brought for the payment of the Soldiers, and Twenty Five Thousand Wagons of Provision and Ammunition.  
This victory thus happily obtained, the strong Fortress of Chotin was surrendered to the Poles, and many other places of less importance, for the loss of which, and the overthrow of his Army, the Grand Signior was so highly displeased with Chusaein Bassa, that he caused him to be imprisoned, deprived him of all his Estate and Honours, and caused him to be laid in chains, denying him the use of Physicians, or any others, unless such attendants as brought him necessaries, and thus was this proud Bassa, who but a while before Lorded it over Princes, plunged into the depth of misery.  
The joy of this great victory that had so elevated the Poles, was soon damped upon the death of their King, who departing at a juncture, when the Enemy who by this time had recruited, was at hand with a powerful Army, and the Nation not well settled caused divers fears in the people, yet the Army not to be idle divided into divers parties, and in the depth of Winter, a time wherein they well knew the Turks would not travel, entered Moldavia, blocked up Keminitz, and brought away great booties, spoiling all in their way, till such time as the Spring coming on, the Turks with multitudes came against them, and obliged them to retire, at whiat time the Tartars committed divers outrages upon their Frontiers, carrying away much People and Cattle, burning and destroying all before them, the which though it incensed the Tartar Han, yet feigning himself sick upon some displeasure received, he refused to take the field in person, though the Grand Signior had commanded it, yet that that might not obstruct the progress of the Ottoman Arms, the Great Visier sent him his own Physician, an Italian of great experience, who found him overwhelmed with deep Melancholy, but with Cordials and Medicaments soon raised him to his former vivacity.  
Keminitz all this while blocked up, was by the approach of the Turkish Army relieved, which the Visier perceiving, caused his Troops to March to Chuozim a strong Fortress taken by the Christians upon the defeat of Chusaein Bassa, which was retaken, and the Garrison contrary to Articles put to the Sword, nor durst the Muscovites who were far advanced oppose his Forces, but retired before them, leaving Asac dismantled and plundered, which the Turks rebuilt and fortified.  
About this time Mahomet Bassa being made at the instance of his Favourites Captain of a Squadron of Galleys, plundered and harassed most of the Islands in the Archipelago, which raised such hatred against him, and the loud complaints of the people being arrived at Constantinople before him, he at his return had his head stricken off, and all his ill gotten gains confiscated; So that like an Indian Cormorant, which being made tame, and taught to fish for the benefit of his Master, he was prevented from swallowing the prey.  
Hungary being torn with civil dissensions, the Malcontents desirous to throw off the Germane yoke sent to the Port, desiring to be taken into the Grand Signors protection, and to become his Tributaries, which made the Turks hasten to settle their affairs, that they might be the better at leisure to take the advantage of those intestine troubles, for the reducing the rest of that spacious Kingdom to the Ottoman obedience, and the better to secure his new conquests, he removed a part of the Cossacks with all their substance to the banks of the Black Sea, there assigning them Lands, and as for the Armenians and Jews that dwelled in Reminitz, he transplanted them to Philopolis, Adrinople and Constantinople, giving the youngest and lustiest of either Sex as a prey to his Soldiers, who sold them for slaves throughout the Turkish Empire, and then returning with his Army to Adrinople, there to watch all advantages, he soon after disbandoned part of his Asian horse as chargeable and troublesome, but whilst these projects in State were broaching, great differences arose between the Latin and Greek Church about the possession of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, which had been so possessed by those of the Roman Catholic Religion for many years, but now at the instance of Panajoti the Viziers Interpreter a zealous Greek, the latter were preferred, and after a long controversy and much Money spent, the Greek obliged the Romanists dwelling in those parts to pay them tribute for such places relating to Religion they there held, every Friar paying a dram of Silver yearly to the Patriarch; So that now the Romanists have possession neither of the Chapel of Bethlehem, nor of the Sepulchre; The former of which had of a long time held, and the latter as earnestly contended for.  
The Grand Signior not unmindful of the affairs of Hungary, gave order to the Bassas on the Frontiers, secretly to encourage the Division till such time as he should be at leisure to employ his Arms on that side, hoping that an accommodation with Poland would ensue, but found not the Poles so forward therein as he expected, for the Wars still continued though not with such violence as before, which gave the Grand Signior leave to Solemnize the Marriage of his Daughter with Rul-ogli, (which in the Turkish Language signifies the Son of a slave) who was his great Favourite and Bassa of Magnesia, as also to Circumcise his Son, the former being 17 years of Age, and the latter 12, to solemnize which, the Festivals were appointed on the 16th. of May, Anno 1675. when in the Morning the Grand Signior with the young Prince his Son went to their Tents, which were pitched in a Plain before the City exceeding rich, round which all the great men of the Court had their Pavilions placed, amongst which was raised a stately Throne covered with a Canopy of Cloth of Gold, placed beneath the umbrage of two Elms, which shining with many Lamps in the night made a glorious show, and in this Seat of State the Sultan placed himself in the Morning, being accompanied thither by all the Bassa's then residing at Constantinople, and by the representatives of those that were absent, who according to their degrees kissed his Robe, and in silken Purses deliver a note of what Presents they had brought, which were put into the hands of the Treasurer to see them duly received, opposite to the Tents were several Poles fixed, on which by night many Lamps were hung, giving a glorious Light, by which were exercised several tricks of activity, as Wrestling, Dancing, Singing and Comedies, Fireworks there were in abundance, but not effectually made; The Night being passed, in the Morning the several Trades passed before the Tents one after another, every one making their Presents, and bearing Pageants, Music all the while sounding, after whom came a Cavilcade of all the chief Officers, and amongst them the young Prince flaming with Diamonds, Rubies, and other precious Stones, and before them passed Twenty Four small Nachils or Pageants, and two large, one higher than any Ship-Mast, supported by a Hundred Slaves, and were afterward set before the Seraglio. On the 27th. being Mahomet their Impostor Prophet's birthday, the Grand Signior went publicly to the Mosch of Sultan Selim, with no other Attendance than those of his own Court, his Pages richly clad in Cloth of Gold, carried each a Feather studded with Jewels of great value; after the Grand Signior road the young Prince, who that night was circumcised: During this Festival, a great number of people had their Provision at the expense of the Grand Signior, and about Two Thousand being at that time circumcised, every one of them had a Quilt given him with a Pension of three Asper's a day for Life.  
The Solemnity of the Circumcision ended, the Festival for the Marriage of Rul-Ogli with the young Princess, which Ceremony in form and manner according to the Turkish fashion was thus, The Kuzlier Aga or Black Eunuch of the Women was Bridegroom or Compeer to the Princess, and the Lord Treasurer to Rul-Ogli, both which in the Name of the Bridegroom and Bride went before the Kedelescher or Chief Judge, who wrote the Articles of Marriage, and passed them into an Act, which done, the Presents were sent, and first those from the Bridegroom to the Bride, which were a great number of Beasts and Birds made in Sugar, Thirty Mules laden with two Chests of Sweetmeats a piece, and about each of their necks a Satin Vest for the Muliter; after them went several men, carrying Pots of Sherbet, or Water and Sugar boiled, which the Turks for the most part drink; next, a Hundred men carrying Vests of Silk, Satin, Velvit, and Cloth of Gold, than five Horses laden with rich Furniture, followed by men, bearing Cloth of Gold Vests, with sable Loops richer than the former, for the Loops and Buttons were embroidered with rich Pearl, and on the top of each were a Ruby Diamond, or Saphier: These likewise carried Shoes, Boots, and Pattens for the Bagneo, all covered with Pearl, as likewise two dressing Boxes with Crystal Glasses, and a Cap in form of a Crown, a little Cabinet embroidered all over with Pearl, Eight Girdles set with Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds, a large Diamond Ring, a pair of Pendants of two great Emeralds, with many other things of value.  
These Presents sent by the Bridegroom, the Grand Signior, as his Daughter's Dowry, according to the custom of the Eastern Countries, ushered with a Caval-Cade of all the Grandees sent to the Bridegrooms-house, two Gardens made of Sugar, Forty little Nachils, Eighty Six Mules laden with rich Furniture for a House, Ten Men with dress, as Boots, Shoes, etc. Embroidered with Pearl and precious Stones, after them were carried the Jewels set on Girdles, Bracelets, and the like; then came Twelve Coaches laden with Slaves, and Thirty Six Black Eunuches, these were succeeded by a Cavalcade, in which was the Bride riding in a Coach covered with Plates of Silver, and drawn by six Horses, the sides adorned with Golden streams; before which, went the chief Eunuch of the Women, after followed four Coaches with six Horses a piece, each carrying two Eunuch's; some distance from them, came the Bride's Mother in a Coach covered with Plates of Silver, attended by Ten other Coaches; the night following, the Bride was conducted to the Nuptial Chamber, in Ceremony only as not being yet ripe for consummation of Marriage, though in England of late, the Virgins think themselves wronged to stay to her Age unmarried.  
The Ceremony thus performed, great was the rejoicing demonstrated by Fireworks, Shows, and sounding of Musical Instruments; After which, the Grand Signior on some private considerations, though to the wonder of the whole Court, removed the great Treasurer to the Bassaship of Grand Cairo, and appointed the Efendi, or Judge-Advocate of the Janissaries to succeed him in the Office of Treasurer; and now the public Treasury by the late Wars, and costly Ceremonies being almost emptied, divers ways were used to recrute it with Money, some was procured by the Sale of great places, from which those that would not largely contribute, were thrust, and some again extorted from the poorer sort, whilst to save charges the Sedentary Millitia was abridged in their pensions, and some utterly cast off, so that in a while, a great mass of Money was heaped together, and Forces sent to the Frontiers of Poland.  
About this time the Republic of Genoa's resident at Constantinople, for want of that due Income that was expected to accrue by Trade, contracting large Debts, and having several debts contracted by his Predecessors deceased, contracted likewise with the Turks of Constantinople, a great Man of War that brought him thither, upon the Republic refusing to pay, was seized, and laid up in the Arsenal, nor could a release be procured, till Thirty Three Thousand Dollars, part of the contracted Debt was paid and secured, which so discouraged the Genoese, that it has ever since damped their Trade in the Ottoman Dominions, and now the Grand Signeour moved by chief Customer resident at Smyrna, casting his Eye upon that Scale of Trade, brought him in great Revenues by way of Custom; the better to beautify it, and restore its ancient Lustre, built a Basasteen or Exchange, as likewise a Customhouse Erected on Piles in the Sea, sending his absolute Decree, that all Merchant's Ships should there unlade, and make due enteries, which greatly perplexed the Merchants, who before were wont to land their Goods on their own Keys, but in vain was their complaints, for the Grand Signior would not admit of any reversal, but by his Ralya declared that rather than he would be disobeyed in his own Dominions, he would blow up the Port and Town, upon which answer the Merchants despairing of success, were content to unlade their Ships at the Customhouse, or there to make a true Entery of the Goods in their Boats; for the Customer being sensible that there was not water enough for the Ships to ride at the Key, was content to dispense with divers matters that the Innovation might sit more easy on the Merchants.  
Things being at this pass, the Grand Signior after sixteen years' absence from Constantinople, which had rendered that City almost dispeopled, returned thither to the great Joy of the Constantinopolitans, and frequently took his pleasure on the River in his Barge, or on the Bosphorus in his Galley, strictly commanding that no Christian Minister should be suffered to dwell upon the Banks of the latter, a prohibition never before made by any of his Predecessors, when soon after his arrival, the Captain Bassa died, and Zayd Ahmet Bassa Ogli succeeded him, and soon after Ibrahim, Bassa General of the Forees on the Borders of Poland died, nor was the great Visier far from the Brink of the Grave, by reason of his immoderate drinking of Wine and Strong-Waters, which made him incident to the Dropsy and Jaundice.  
The new Bassa of Cairo by this time having entered on his Office, used great diligence to settle the Revenues of that Kingdom, hoping thereby to please the Grand Signior, of whose favour since his removal from Treasurer, he stood doubtful, but so severe he was in his Exaction, that the Egyptians not accustomed to be so used, complained of his rigour to the Begs or great Lords of Egypt, who though they receive the Turkish Bassas, pay Tribute, and own them their chief Governors, yet are They in themselves Absolute Lords in their respective Provinces; for that Kingdom is rather an Aristocracy, than a Monarchy. These great Men much displeased at the proceeding of the Bassa, which tended to Tyranny and Oppression, took up Arms, and drew after them a great multitude, with which they assaulted the Bassa's palace, entered it, and dragging him thence, cast him into Prison, which news flying with all haste to the Ottoman Court, filled all with fear and confusion, upon apprehension that Egypt was revolted; but a while after the truth of the matter being rightly understood, the Grand Signior with all speed sent a new Bassa with gentle Letters to pacify the Begs, and restore things to their former tranquillity; promising that restitution should be made for all injuries sustained, which message of Grace and Favour made all former discontents vanish, and restored a right understanding, insomuch, that the imprisoned Bassa was set at Liberty, and shipped to Candia, where the Grand Signior had appointed him Governor; the people without any further disturbance returning to their obedience.  
About this time happened the unfortunate fall of Chesine Aga, a man of great repute amongst the Turks, which was after this manner, a woman called Sultana Sporche, with which Sultan Ibrahim had had to do with her in her youth; being now turned Bawd, bought many beautiful Female Slaves, which she brought up to Singing, Dancing, and many other Exercises, and then for money, yielded them up to the Lust of the Great Men of the Court; one amongst which for her Wit and Beauty being greatly famed, the Grand Signior sent for her, but the Sultana fearing to lose her, by whom she got daily gain, and doubting the Grand Signior would put her into his Seraglio, admonished her to a sullen coyness, as likewise to declare that she was a freewoman, which by the Turkish Law ought not to be defiled, nor carnally know any man, unless she be married; which part she played so well, that the Grand Signior sent her back with disdain and reproach to her Mistress, who was not a little glad of her escape; but so it happened, that the aforesaid Aga soon after casting his Eyes on her, and delighted with her acquaint Discourse, fell enamoured with her, and treated of Marriage, which the Wench highly approved, but her Mistress would in no wise consent to it, declaring that she was her Bondwoman, and not at her own disposal, which for a time put a stop to the proceed; but soon after the Lover contrived away to bring their designs to pass, for the Aga having taken her private Lodgings, she under the shelter of the night made her escape, but upon her being miss, her Beldame charged him with conveying away, and concealing her slave, which he for a while denied; but she setting many spies over him, at length found them together, and charging an Officer with them, caused them to be carried before the Great Visier, who sent to the Grand Signior to know his pleasure therein, of which the Aga having some mistrust, told the Visier that he expected no other sentence then that of Death from the Grand Signior, only he desired that his beloved Mistress might be spared, for he was sure he should live in her; nor were his fears in vain, for soon after came a fatal Decree for his Execution, and sent the Woman to the Seraglio This cruelty of the Sultan's as most conjectured, proceeded from the disdain, he conceived that the Wench should refuse his proffered kindness, and embrace the love of his Slave, for such the Sultan's account the greatest men in the Empire.  
The Grand Signior having spent most part of the Winter at Constantinople, early in the Spring returned to Adrinople, though the better to comfort the Constantinopolitans, who by reason of the sensible decay of Trade that must thereon ensue, mourned his absence; he presumed about Autumn to return again, and for his reception caused a new Seraglio to be founded, and so setting forward, accompanied with a great train of Nobility, and amongst the rest, the great Visier, he marched towards Constantinople, but by the way the Visier died, having destroyed himself by intemperate drinking Wine and Hot Spirits, his Body accompanied with a slender Train, was brought back to Constantinople, and there buried in the Sepulchre of Old Ruperlee his Father.  
The Great Visier dead, the Seal was given to Kara Mustapha, Bassa, who for many years had exercised the Office of Chimacam, or Deputy to the Great Visier, being a Man of courteous behaviour, wise and affable, not given to Covetousness nor Cruelty, but as soon as he was promoted, he sent to the deceased Viziers Servants to condole the Death of their Master, promising them to take them into his care and protection; most of which he afterwards promoted to Honourable places, to such advantage, that by their dependency on him, they secured both him and themselves from the malice of such as envied the advancement: Long he had not been settled in his place, ere he cut off the Chief Paymasters head for bringing false Money into the Exchequer, and had given another the same measure, had not his Life been redeemed at Forty Purses of Money, or Twenty Thousand Dollars, though thereby his place was not regained, nor was diligence less in looking after the corruption of Ministers of State, displacing and deposing all such as he sound remiss in their duty, or that for lucre or gains-sake oppressed any of the Grand Signiors Subjects, or such strangers as traded in any part of his Dominions.  
But by the Example of this man it may be seen how Power and Greatness can alter the disposition of Men, and make them swell with Pride almost to bursting, for finding the Reins on his neck, without restraint, he took upon him the Power and Office of the Sultan, it being more difficult to gain access to him, than to the Sultan himself, and in imitation of their Master, the sub-Officers grew proud and insolent; insomuch, that the face of things, contrary to most men's expectations were changed; and this haughty behaviour was showed especially towards foreign Ministers, whose Interpreters were not admitted as formerly to private Audiences or Conferences about their Affairs, but only at the public Divan where their Arzes or Memorials were to be preferred, which was always allowed to the Subjects of the Grand Signior, and those of Tributary Nations, when they Petition for Justice; which Judgement was not only cast upon interpreters, but on the persons of the representatives themselves; an instance of which was seen in the French Ambassador, who at the time appointed coming to receive his Audience, was rudely crowded and jostled by a company of unmannerly Chiauses, who regarded the representative of so great a King at no other rate than they did one of the Grooms, or Lackeys of the Sultan. Being come to the Seat of Audience, he perceived the Stool set for him, was set beneath the Soffra, and that of the Viziers upon it; whereupon he commanded one of his Servants to place it equal with that of the Great Viziers, which he had no sooner done, but it was brought down again by one of the Viziers Pages, whereupon the Ambassador seizing the Stool, carried it up and sat upon it. The report whereof coming to the Visier, who was in his retiring Chamber, he sent word that he would not come into the Chamber of Audience till the Stool was set in the place appointed, whereunto the Ambassador replied that he might dispose of his Chair as he pleased, but not of his Person, when in the interim Chiaus Bashe came in bawling Calder, Calder, which is take it away, take it away; at which unexpected noise the Ambassador standing up to see what the matter was, had the stool taken from under him; whereupon he in a great rage fling out of the Audience Chamber, causing the Presents which he brought to be again returned with him, and so mounting his Horse, departed to his Lodging.  
Soon after it was by some of the Officers intimated to Sir John Finch, His Majesty of Great Britain's Ambassador, that he might if he pleased, receive Audience of the Visier; but upon notice what had happened to the French Ambassador, he excused his going, on pretence of an indisposition of body: But however Venetian, Dutch and Genoan Residents were content (the better to curry favour with the Visier) to be admitted to Audience on those terms which the Visier would vouchsafe to allow them; for though during the time, he was Chimacam, as is aforesaid; he was meek and humble, yet being placed in the highest dignity next the Sultan, the unexpected Exaltation made him so far forget himself, that his pride knew no bounds.  
These things happening, and no hopes of accommodation with Poles, who by this time had Elected Sobieski for their King, great preparations were made for the carrying on that War. The Tartar, Han, in order thereto receiving express command to take the Field, which early in the Spring he did, and entering Lithuania, committed many outrages, but being encountered by Sixteen Thousand Poles, and Cossacks his Army was put to the rout, and in great confusion obliged to repass the Neister, leaving behind him all the booty, which consisted mostly of People and Cattle, during which, the Bassa of Kemenitz, with a great Body of Horse made an Inroad even to the Walls of Leopolis, which caused the King to send his Queen and Children to Cracow, resolving to give the Turks Battle, and in order to strengthening his Forces, summoned all the Polish Nobility to repair to his Standard, putting himself and such Troops as he had between the City and the Enemy, the better to alienate the fears of the people, who upon the approach of the Turks, who burned up all before them, had fled, and left the City desolate, had not the Gates been closed upon them.  
The Turks perceiving the great preparations that were making against them, thought fit with such booty as they had gotten to retire into Vckrania, but in their retreat were charged by the King with such bravery, that Seven Thousand of them were killed, and a great number of Captives rescued to their unspeakable joy.  
They finding the Turks were resolutely bend to carry on the War, and that the Kingdom was greatly weakened by the Provinces they had already rend from it, the better to strengthen himself by Alliance, by the Advice of the Senate, sent his Ambassador to the Court of the Czar of Moscovy, to solicit Aid against the common Enemy, who upon his arrival was received with great expression of Joy, and due Ceremony being daily heightened with fair promises to expect great matters, but in the end, nothing worth mention came on it, yet it so wrought upon the Turks, that for the better preservation of what they had already required the Visier began to be intent on peace, but his propositions were so unreasonable, that the Poles generously refused them, and early in the Spring prepared to take the Field with a puissant Army, yet could not so soon draw them together, but that the Tartars living on the Frontiers, joining with some, revolted Cossacks, committed divers outrages, burning about Two Hundred Villages, carrying away a great number of Christians into miserable captivity, whilst Podolia groaned under the oppression of the Turks, who now turned their clemency into rigour, killing and carrying away great numbers of these distressed people, burning their Houses, and robbing them of the small matter they had left in such a manner that that fruitful Country was laid almost desolate; to oppose which Torrent, the King drew out his Forces and by fair promises and large gifts procured Thre● Thousand Cossacks to join him when passing th● Neister, and falling upon the Stragglers as they at pleasure were ravaging the Country, expecting no such matter, and killed Five Thousand, amongst whom fell One Bassa and Two Sanziacks; but upon notice the Tartars in great number was entered the heart of Poland, leaving some of his Troops under the Command of Witnowitzki, his Lieutenant General, he posted to oppose them, but upon notice they were Forty Thousand lead by Expert Turkish Commanders; he drew near to Leopolis to encourage that City, which otherwise terrified at the approach of so great an Army might have been deserted, when finding the Tartars made divers halts, having put a Garrison into the City, and given such necessary orders as he thought convenient, he marched towards them, and having notice by his Scouts that they approached, he commanded his Army to extend large in Front, and the Wings of Horse to lie off, that they might seem more in number than they were; he resolutely descended from a small Hill into the Plain, and after having thrice proclaimed the Name of Jesus at the Head of his Troop, fell like an unexpected Tempest upon the Infidels, insomuch that the Front of their Army was overthrown, before the Rear could come up to their assistance; which putting them into a great confusion, when perceiving the reserves advance to charge them in the flank, and supposing the whole power of the Kingdom at hand, by reason of great shout from the Hills made by the Rustic, set there for that purpose; they first gave back, and in the end betook themselves to plain flight, casting away many of their Arms and Baggage to make the swifter retreat, upon whom the Polonian Horsemen followed hard, making great slaughter of them for the space of Twelve Miles; but night coming on, to prevent the pursuers from falling into any ambush that might for that purpose be laid, the King caused the retreat to be sounded, and returning to the City Victorious, he was received with all expressions of joy, and the next day commanded a public Thanksgiving for the Victory so miraculously obtained.  
In this Battle Ninety Thousand Tartars, Turks, Moldavians and Null were slain, Seven Hundred taken Prisoners, and a great booty recovered; of the Poles fell only Seven Hundred, their whole Force not exceeding Six Thousand. The reasons were gathered from some of the Prisoners why the Tartars, etc. were so suddenly discouraged, were two, first for that about ten in the Morning of the same day making a Halt, abundance of Snow and Hail fell upon their Army, and round about them none was seen to fall, which they took as a bad Omen. Secondly, that when they perceived the large Front of the Polish Army which extended near a Mile; they verily believed it to be the forerunner of the Forces of the whole Kingdom, which they had heard were in Arms, and therefore having so far advanced into the Country, and left many Enemies at their backs, they feared to be enclosed, which occasioned their hasty and disorderly retreat.  
These reiterated Losses, and the desire the Grand Signior had to possess himself of the rest of Hungary, whose divisions gave him a prospect of reducing it to his Obedience, made him more willingly hearken to the proposals of the Polish Ambassador, so that in the end, upon much the same Articles as those that had before been broke, the Tribute accepted, a peace was concluded, in which the Moscovite would fain have been included, but he failing to help his Neighbour Prince in his greatest Extremity, was thought unworthy both by the Poles and Turks; insomuch, that soon after divisions arising amongst the Bowyers, and great Men of that Dukedom; the Tartars taking the opportunity thereof, overrun a great part of the Country, carrying away all that came to hand; but another party soon after attempting the like, were fought with, and most of them cut off, or drowned in repassing the Borysthenes.  
About this time the differences between the Visier and the French Ambassador greatly increased, notwithstanding the mediation of divers Christian Ministers then residing at the Port. The one Insisting to take his place during his Audience on the Saffora, and the other as obstinately refusing to permit discontented that the Honour of his Master should be so much impaired, yet in hopes of a better treatment, he once more resolved to attend his Audience, being introduced, the Chair was brought and set at the Foot of the Saffora, the which while he was with his own hands about to remove, the Viziers Servants hindered him, wherefore in a rage he took up the Cushion and fling it over his head, which happened to fall upon the Great Visier, who grievously resenting the Affront, caused him head and Shoulders to be thrust out of the Audience-Chamber, whereupon the rude Officers (without respect to his Character, or the Law of Nations, which renders the Person of an Ambassador Sacred and Inviolable) so roughly handled him, that he kept his Chamber for several days.  
These are the most remarkable occurrences that have happened since the beginning of this Emperor's Reign over the Eastern Empire, till 1680, the relation of which I have partly received from Authors of undoubted Credit and Reputation, and partly asserted of my own knowledge, many of the Transactions of this Emperor's Reign happening during my abode in those Countries; But to proceed.  
Anno 1680. the Grand Signior arriving at Adrinople about the middle of December, and being recovered of an Ague that had sometime afflicted him, he commanded his Visier Bassa to draw his Forces together from all parts of his Empire, causing the horse's tail to be hung out, which is a certain sign that the Grand Signior or Grand Visier intends to take the Field, and in order to defray the charges, great sums of Money were every where exacted, the Grand Visier labouring more earnestly therein that he might again recover the Grand Signors favour, from which he was fallen, with these Forces he intended to invade Muscovy early in the Spring, and to prosecute that War till he had compelled the Czar to submit to such terms of peace as he himself should propose, and at the same time dispatched Achians to the Emperor of Germany, to treat on the behalf of the Hungarian Malcontents, whom he declared he must take into his protection, if their proposals for liberty of Conscience was by the Imperial Diet then sitting at Ratisbon rejected, and soon after him followed the Bishop of Sebestini, the Count D' Petrozi, and two or three others of less note Deputed by the Hungarians, to treat about the same matter, but their demands seeming unreasonable, they were dismissed without the satisfaction they expected.  
About this time Muley Hamet Nephew to Muley Ismale King of Morocco and Fess, assisted by a number of Renegado Turks and Moors, mustered his Army near Suz, and advanced to give his Uncle battle, but near Morocco many of his followers deserting him, and his horsemen in which his chief strength consisted, being overthrown near to Alarach he fled to Tunis, and was there received into protection by the Governor, from whence he sent divers of his Favourites and followers to Constantinople to pray the Grand Signors aid against his Uncle, who as he alleged unjustly detained those Kingdoms, but he being a Prince of no Fortune, and less power, he nothing prevailed therein, yet his Rebellion proved advantageous to the Garrison of Tangier, the Moors being thereby diverted, whilst the English rebuilt many of their Forts ruined a few months before, and were disincumbered of those troublesome neighbours, who had so long beleaguered them, nay more in the end, it occasioned a firm and lasting peace.  
The French Merchants Trading in the Levant, having sustained great damage by the Pirates of Tripoli, and amongst other Vessels the Sa●ta Sophia, laden at Alicant with Sa●t and Spanish Wool o●●er way to Venice, a great brigantine bound for Messina, and a Petach of Ragus, etc. to revenge that injury, and reduce those Turkish Pirates to obedience, several Ships and Galleys were fitted out at Marselles, under the command of the Baron of Quesne, who coming before the Port of Trip●ly sent his Boat on shore, and in it several Officers, in the Name of the most Christian King, to demand Restitution for the damages sustained by the French Merchants, but receiving no other answer than that of the Cannon from the Castles that guard the Port, he caused the boat to be haled back, and with many broad sides fired upon the Town, but by reason of the distance did no considerable damage, but whilst he was cruzing, he had notice that seven Tripolean Men of War rid at Anchor in the Port of Scio, or Chios, an Island belonging to the Grand Signior, whereupon he stood away from the Coast of Barbary, and sailed thither upon whose approach the Turks slipped their Anchors, and snugged close under the Castle, where notwithstanding they were miserably torn by the shot from the French Galleys, which their Admiral perceiving put out a Flag of Truce, and offered to deliver without ransom all the French slaves that were on board, with two prizes he had lately taken, but the Baron would not hearken to these offers, well knowing they could not escape him, yet not thinking it safe to venture too near the shore, he blocked them up; and sent to Tripoli to let the Governor understand what danger their Ships were in, and that nothing could deliver them out of his hands, but satisfaction for the wrongs sustained, and a delivery of all the French Captives ransom free, and immediately to conclude a peace, but receiving no satisfactory answer, he resolutely entered the Port with his Galleys, and after having beaten down a great part of the Castle, and demolished many stately Edifices, he sunk two of the Ships, took one, and fired the rest, in which Action he lost but Thirty of his Men, but of the Turks there perished Eight Hundred.  
This News made known to the Grand Visier, he instantly sent for the French Ambassador residing at Constantinople, and after having rated him, and severely threatened him with death, unless reparation was speedily made for the damage sustained in the Grand Signors Port, he caused him to be confined, imprisoning likewise many of his servants, nor could he obtain his Release till he had purchased his peace at the price of Three Hundred Purses of Money, each Purse being accounted Five Hundred Dollars, yet the loss of these Ships wrought such effects, that the Tripoles soon after concluded a peace with the French.  
Matters being at this pass, and the troubles increasing in Hungary, Count Teckely still opposing himself against the Emperor's Interest, and useing his utmost endeavours at the Port to have himself proclaimed Prince of Transylvania, the Emperor thought good to send an Ambassador to the Grand Signior to put him in mind of the league between the two Empires, desiring that it might be kept inviolable, not any ways infringed by his giving countenance to his Rebels in Hungary, which Ambassador upon his arrival had his Audience of the Grand Visier, and a promise made him, that a strict command should be sent to all his Beglerbegs and Sanzacks on the frontiers, not upon pain of losing their heads to aid or countenance the Malcontents, and being afterwards with the Grand Visier, he assured him that the Grand Signors resolution should be maintained, that thereby the peace and friendship Established between the two Empires might continue, yet these specious pretences were to no other end intended then to protract time, to make their own terms with the Rebels, for soon after without the least provocation the Tables were turned, and not only assisted them with all manner of Warlike provision, but with Men and Money, in consideration of several Towns to be put into their hands when taken; They likewise made great preparations at Belgrade and Buda under pretence of deposing Abafti Prince of Transylvania, and causing divers Janissaries to be attired like Hungarians, and to serve Count Teckely as his guard.  
The Turkish Pirates of Algiers having broke the peace sometime since made with his Majesty of Great Britain, and taken several English Vessels (and amongst others, these by name, viz. the Anne of London, the John of Exeter, the Thamar of Colchester, the Post-horse of London, the Rosemary of Yarmouth, the William of London, the amity of Plymouth, the Fortune of London, the Unity of Barnstable, and the Mary Land Merchant, which last fought two Algerine Men of War almost one whole day; but at last taking fire, she, together with most of her men perished) To curb their insolency, the Vice-Admiral Herbert with the Squadron of his Majesty's Frigates under his command was appointed to cruse in those straits, who with such success happened on those roving thiefs, that within the space of two years he took and destroyed forty of their Ships, recovering a great number of Christian Captives, and brought those Pirates so low, that not only they, but those of Tripole and Sally were obliged to truckle, and receive such terms of peace as the Victor would allow; Amongst the many engagements that happened, during the space aforesaid, this is remarkable, on the 8th. of April 1681. Captain Booth in the Adventure Frigate, cruzing to the Leward got sight of a great Turk's Man of War, with a prize, which she towed at her Stern, the which upon a more full discovery, proved to be the Golden Horse of Algiers, mounted with upwards of Forty Guns, and Five Hundred and Eight Men, commanded by one Morat Raiza a Dutch Renegado, with which about Ten in the Morning near Cape de Gal, he began a sharp fight, which continued till about Three in the Afternoon, when the Algerine having her Main Mast shot by the Board, and her Captain's Thigh broken with a Musket Bullet, the Turks were about to yield, but seeing a fresh Ship with Turkish Colours (which afterwards proved to be his Majesty's Frigate, the none-such Captain Wheeler Commander) they took new courage, and continued the fight with extraordinary Resolution till night, at what time the Algerine had One Hundred and Twenty of her men wounded, and near as many killed, all her Masts shot by the Board, and five or six foot deep of water in the Hold, Captain Booth having likewise all his rigging cut in pieces, and every thing out of order, and apprehensive of engaging in that condition with the said fresh Ship, which he supposed to be an Enemy, commanded the Calabash Fireship (then attending him lest the prize should escape) to burn which of them she could most conveniently grapple, which had been put in Execution, had not the Fireships Boat been in the night time accidentally staved, next Morning by break of day Captain Wheeler came up, and being within half culverin shot, put out the English Colours, and bearing directly upon the Algerine, siezed her without firing a Gun; By this action thirty seven English Captives were redeemed, and of Dutch and Spaniards One Hundred and Thirteen.  
The Muscovite by this time beginning to dread the Tempest of War that was ready to fall upon him, and not able of himself to resist such a power as the Grand Signior had raised by reason of intestine troubles, and despairing to be aided by the Polonians, whom he had some years before deserted in their greatest necessity, he thought it the safest to conclude a peace, which by Presents, and many entreaties he procured to be ratified for the space of twenty years; It being the rather consented to by the Grand Signior, that he might be at leisure to turn his Arms upon Hungary, in which so many of his Predecessors have been foiled.  
Leopold the Emperor finding by experience that he had given too much credit to the Faithless Turks, and it was but too apparent that they aided his Rebels; He thought it convenient to call a Diet at Odenburg, there to endeavour a Reconciliation, and put an end to the intestine troubles, which the Hungarian Nobility likewise urged, and requested him to be present in the like Royal Robes as the Kings of Hungary were wont to apparel themselves in, but he not consenting thereto, after some debate, and many particulars offered, the Assembly broke up without concluding any thing, whereupon Count Tecke'y siezed on several Garrisons on the Banks of the Waga, and sent to the Bassa of Buda to hasten the Forces he had in a readiness, for that he would have no peace with the Emperor unless his own proposals were granted, upon receipt of which Letter, Seventeen Thousand Turks passed the Danubius, and made great spoil, burning and destroying all the Villages for the space of Fourteen Miles, till Teckely moved with the cries of the poor Country people, who fled like Sheep before them, he sent an express to the Bassa that commanded them, to restrain them from spoiling the Countries.  
The news of these proceed greatly troubled the Emperor, than infested with the French who encamped upon the Rhine, and had seized upon Strasburg a free City of the Empire, yet like a prudent Prince he used many persuasions to reduce the Rebels to their former obedience, publishing his declaration, wherein he promised them all convenient liberty for the exercise of their Religion, and that they should have a Palatine, a native of Hungary offering likewise a general pardon for all that had passed, but this availed not, for Teckely aiming at the principality of Transilvania (which he must utterly despair of obtaining if he displeased the Grand Signior) rejected all these reasonable concessions, alleging that he would not trust to promises which were not likely to endure longer than he had power to right his Countrymen, upon which the Emperor caused a detachment of Seven Thousand Horse and Foot to be drawn out of his Army, then encamped along the Rhine, to have an eye upon the motions of the French, to these Seven Thousand he added three new raised Regiments, and sent them to join with Count Caprara his Lieutenant General in Hungary, which reinforcement made the Rebels keep in a body, who before had divided themselves in several parties, and took in many small Towns, possessing themselves of two Silver Mines, and one of the strongest Berg Towns daily expecting Six Thousand Tartars, who were on their way, under the leading of Hames Emir Han their Captain.  
About this time the Grand Signior fearing the power of the Muscovite should refund on part of his Dominions, used great diligence by his Agents to procure a Reconciliation, the which was the easier harkened to by reason of the differences arising between the grandees, threatened an intestine War, whereupon in May 1681. a Truce was concluded for the space of Twenty years, though contrary to the opinion of the Polonians, who by a conjunction with the numerous Forces of that Dukedom, were in hopes to gain more easy conditions at the Port then in the Articles between them and the Grand Signior were included, in order to which that King had assembled a Diet at Warsaw, which after Sixteen week's consultation, by reason of the perverseness of a deputy of Lythuania, broke up without resolving on any one point referred to their consideration.  
About the beginning of the year 1682. The Emperor dispatched a Minister to Count Teckeley, who was fortifying divers places against him, to treat of an accommodation as himself had required, but he having received an Assurance from the Port of the Grand Signiors protection declared that he had not full power to treat of himself, but must be obliged to take the advice of the Bassa of Offa in that affair, and move according to the directions he should receive from the Port, having wholly thrown himself upon the Grand Signiors, and therefore referred all to the success of Count Capraras' Negotiation at Constantinople.  
Vice Admiral Herbert having obliged the Algerine Pirates to a compliance, the treaty of peace was about the latter end of April brought by Captain Almyer for his Majesty's Approbation and Ratification, both which being had, the Treaty both Honourable and advantageous to the English Nation was returned, the success against these Rovers having been such as has given reputation to his Majesty's Arms in those parts, and will past doubt give them cause to value his Majesty's Friendship for the future.  
The season for Action advancing, the Emperor caused Six Regiments of Foot, and two of Horse to march for Hungary, to enable Count Caprara to oppose the Turks that had embodied themselves near Offen, as likewise about Sonluck, between great Waradin, and the River These, which parties upon their uniting were further enforced by the Troops of Count Teckeley, and Abaftie Prince of Transylvania, and for the better assurance of the former, the Grand Signior caused to be placed about him One Thousand Janissaries as a Guard to his person, which many did at that time believe it was to no other end then to secure him in the interest of the Port. These Forces of Turks, Hungarians, and Transylvanians meeting, it was in the Bassa's Tent concluded that since the Germane Forces were not considerable on that side, they should divide into two Bodies, and act separate, one to be commanded by the Count, and the other by the Bassa of Waradin, upon which the former immediately besieged Chascaw, a strong City near the Waag, battering it for many days with twelve pieces of Cannon, carrying the out-work by storm, but perceiving his Camp annoyed by the shot from the City; into which Count Strasoldo had put Five Hundred Men he removed his Battery to a small Hill which commanded it, and from thence playing furiously, he beat down a great number of Houses, and laid open a great breach in the Wall, which obliged the besieged after many Sallies, and a resolute defence to capitulate for their Lives and Liberties which were granted, and leave given for as many as would, to take service under his Ensigns, but whilst the Soldiers hastily entered, whether of purpose, or by chance, a Mine near the breach took Fire, and blew up several of the Teckeleyans, which so enraged them, that they fell upon the Garrison, and put many of them to the Sword ere their fury could be stayed; the Citizens to redeem themselves from being plundered, paid Fifty Thousand Crowns, and two days after Espiers surrendered to the Count  
During this Action, the Bassa besieged Zathmar, which after divers attempts they carried by force, putting many to the Sword, and carrying away a considerable number of all Sex and Ages into miserable captivity.  
Count Teckeley upon this success, sent Summons from his Camp near Lewentz, to summon the Hungarian Nobility to appear in Arms, but by the Industry of the Imperial Ministers, he failed for the most part in his expectation, few obeying his Orders, yet many of the inferior rank came to increase the number of his Forces; upon notice of which Count Caprara, and Count Strasoldo joined their Forces, and marched to oppose the Torrent ere it swollen too high. The Emperor sent likewise an Express to the Palatine of Hungary to raise the Ban and Areirban of that Kingdom, and to march with all speed against the Turks who had passed the Waag, and caused the Governor of Chascaw to be imprisoned, as being accused of not having defended that City to Extremity, and now the Armies being within view of each other, there was great expectations that the Issue would have been a fought Field, but it proved otherwise; for after some light skirmishes had passed, the Imperialists finding themselves too weak, quitted their Camp at Atsol, and retired toward St. Croix, which so discouraged the Garrison in Lewentz, that they abandoned it, and retired to places of greater strength, so that it became a prey to the Enemy.  
All this while the Turks having besieged Villecke, after divers Assaults and great slaughter of their Men, had it delivered into their hands on the Sixteenth of September, the Garrison making articles of surrender without the consent of the Governor, who upon his refusing to sign the capitulation, was made a Prisoner of War, and the Turks unwilling to put this Fortress into the hands of the Hungarians, as by Articles was agreed; and on the other side the Hungarians being loath that the Turks should possess so strong a place in the heart of the Kingdom; it for some time occasioned great contest, but in the end both parties concluded to demolish it, which was accordingly done.  
During these Transactions, his Imperial Majesty's Ambassador at the Port was flattered with a promise of renewing the League between the two Empires, and conducted to his Audience with the usual Ceremonies, which was only to protract time till the Turks had possessed themselves of such strong places as might render them formidable, and give them hopes of annexing all Hungary to the Ottoman Empire; but the Germane Princes perceiving their drift, sent several of their own Troops to reinforce the Imperial Army under the Command of Count Caprara, with whom the Count Strosoldo refusing to join, in order to give the Turks Battle near Lewentz, fell into the Emperor's high displeasure being sent for to Vienna, and for a while is suspended, but upon his submission was again restored to favour.  
Winter approaching, Count Teckely sent Four Hussars to Count Caprara, to procure of him a passport for the safe passage of such Deputies as he intended to send to the Emperor to treat of a Truce which Hussars were by the Counts express Command Imprisoned till such time his Imperial Majesty's pleasure was known therein; but in the end they were released, and the Deputies permitted to pass uncontrolled, when after many debates a Truce was concluded for two Months, whereupon Count Teokley by reason of the Difference between him, and the Prince of Transylvania retired with the greatest part of his Troop to a strong place, which together with some others in dowry with the Princess Ragotski, whom this year he had married. The Turks for the most part Wintered in Temeswar, Buda, and New Hausel, and the Imperialists on the Frontiers of Austria, and so ended the Campaign for this year.  
Anno 1683. Early in the Spring, the Imperialists and Turks taking the Field, and several skirmishes happening between parties, with various success. The Count Wallastain, his Imperial Majesty's Minister residing in the Polonian Court, dealt so effectually with that King, that he resolving no longer to sit still, and see the Infidels and Rebels insult over his Neighbouring Countries, on the second of April, pursuant to a treaty on foot signed an alliance with the Emperor, by which he obliges himself to take the Field with between Thirty and Forty Thousand Horse and Foot, to act offensively against the Turks, and defensively against all other enemies to the Germane Empire, in consideration of which, the Emperor binds himself to have an Army of Sixty Thousand Men in readiness upon all occasions, immediately to pay Twelve Hundred Thousand Florins, and that himself, and the Queen Dowager of Poland disclaim all Pretensions to the Crown of Poland, and that neither Potentate enter into a treaty with the Turks tending to Peace, but with a joint approbation; And that both Army's act separate, unless Cracow or Vienna be besieged, and then with United Forces to fall upon the Enemy, into which Alliance it is expected the Czar of Muscovy will shortly enter to revenge the outrages done him by the Turks and Tartars, who since the late Divisions have made divers incursions into his Countries. This Alliance made known to the Grand Signior greatly perplexed him, insomuch that he sent orders to all the Bassa's, Begs or Sanzacks of Europe, to raise what Forces they could to attend him in the Field, himself resolving instantly to march to Belgrade, whither the Great Visier with an Army of 60000 Horse and Foot marched before to join with the Tartars, under the leading of Tartar Han or Cham, and then to cover such places as Count Teckely (who now seems jealous of the Turks) shall besiege.  
The better to take measures for the carrying on the War, his Imperial Majesty on the 8th. of April called a Council of War at Vienna, where it was concluded that the Duke of Lorraine should be Generalissimus of all the Forces on that side, and the measures concluded on were these, that the Imperial Army the third of May should muster near Presburg, to the number of 40000 men; That General Schutz shall with 7000 men, join with 6000 Polish Horse already on their march, under the command of the Prince Lubomerski, and that the Hungarian troops in conjunction with those, making a body of 25000 men act in the upper Hungary, and another body of 6000 Incamp near Leopa●stadt on the Waag, and in case they find the Turks have a design upon that place, to put themselves into it, and besides these 10 or 12000 men to be posted on the confines of Moravia and Silesia, to secure those Countries against the incursion of the Enemy.  
This being the state of the Imperial Army designed against the Turks, and Hungarian Rebels Count Teck●ey the better to secure himself and reinforce his Army sent out summons to the Nobility once more to be in Arms and as occasion served to oppose the Imperalists, but most of them seemed unwilling to comply therein as abhorring to bear Arms against their Lawful Sovereign.  
Whilst matters were thus carried on that side the King of Sweeden has obliged himself to assist the Emperor with seven thousand Horse and Foot, four thousand of which he intends to raise in Germany, and the rest in his own Countries, nor will the Elector of Bavaria who is in all likelihood shortly to marry the Emperor's Daughter, be wanting to send his Forces against the common Enemy.  
The King of Poland the better to complete the Quota, he intends to summon the Arrearban of that Kingdom, all the Nobility showing a ready compliance to attend in the Wars, his Army to the number of thirty thousand mustering near Leopol he advanced against the Turks, who made divers incursions into his Territories on the ukrain, a party of whom advancing too far he cut off killing three hundred and taking a like number of Prisoners, and following the success of his Arms, he is preparing to besiege Caminieck, a strong Fortress taken from the Poles by the Turks some years before, and sent an Express to Count Teckley to inform him of the Alliance made with the Emperor, and to let him know that unless he does immediately make Peace with his Imperial Majesty, he shall be obliged to treat him as an Enemy.  
These Menaces caused Teckley to draw up his Troops with great diligence, and send immediately to the Visier of Buda for such Forces as by the Grand Signors appointment were to join him, that he might the better be able to defend himself till the gross of the Ottoman Army (reported to consist of one hundred and fifty thousand men) could arrive, and immediately dispatched his Secretary to the Emperor's Court to crave a truce, but the proposals were so insignificant that he nothing prevailed. For the Emperor in person having been at the Randezvous near Presburg in Hungaria, was so well satisfied with the order of his men that he altogether contemned the Forces of the Enemy. Yet to appear like himself he caused a general Pardon a third time to be published indemnifying all Hungarians and Germans, that have been actually in Arms against him, and any ways concerned in the Hungarian Rebellion both in Person and Estate, in consideration of their speedy submission and obedience for the future, upon which many laid down their Arms and made an ingenuous acknowledment of their disobedience to the Palatine whom the Emperor empowered to receive their submissions.  
About this time a Crotian having put himself into the service of the Turks at Zigeth, a strong Garrison on that Frontiers, and insinuated himself into their confidence he put what he had before designed in practice, which was to set their Magazine on Fire, and having succeeded therein made his escape during the general consternation thereby occasioned. This Magazine stored with all manner of Provisions as well as warlike Furniture, was computed sufficient for the maintenance and furnishing thirty thousand men for the space of two years, which the Turks desirous to save, flocked about it to extinguish the flame but to their fatal cost, for the powder consisting of two thousand Barrels taking fire, destroyed five hundred of them, and beat down most of the houses in the City, renting in sunder the walls in divers places, the blow being heard 6 leagues distant from that place.  
The Duke of Lorraine having been to take a view of Rab and Comorra, on the 6th of May returned to the Army, at what time it was greatly augmented by voluntary supplies, who not able to see their bleeding Country over run by barbarous infidels, whilst they stood unconcerned for its defence, joined with their Lawful Sovereign to oppose the coming tempest of destructive foes, willingly joined in the defence of the Christian cause, which a few rash men, under pretence of Conscience, though indeed out of an ambitious desire of Sovereignty, have exposed them to all the calamities that attend on miserable War.  
The Grand Visier arriving with part of the Ottoman Forces at Belgrade, the place appointed for the General Rendezvous, the Grand Signior on the 20th. of April set forth from Adrinople, attended by a numerous train of his great Officers, and 80000 Janissaries, Spahies, Timariot, Asaphies, and others enured to the Turkish Wars, and by speedy marches came to the place appointed, though by reason of the excessive rains and noisome vapours thereby occasioned, 6000 of his men perished by the way, nor fared that part of the Army the great Visier lead much better, for passing the Dravas many of the Soldiers were drowned, and much of the baggage lost.  
The Polonian King desirous to bring Count Teckely over to the Emperor's interest, sent an Agent to treat with him about a Reconciliation, to hearken to which at first he seemed inclinable, but upon pressing the matter more home, it appeared he did it only to gain time, till he could join with the Tartars, which the Visier of Buda had assigned to act in conjunction with him in the upper Hungary, but part of the imperial Troops not to give him that opportunity, under the command of Major General Schutz, have posted themselves between him and the Niester, which the Tartars who march in two bodies must pass before they can enter that part of Hungary, who a little before their taking, that post had defeated a party of Turks belonging to the Garrison of Newheusel, killing 7000, and taking 200 Prisoners; The Polish Troops of Volunteers on the Banks of Danubius, meeting with 5000 Tartars, the forerunners of the Army overthrew them, killing 1000 of them, and forcing the rest to take the River, in passing which most of them perished, which success so heightened the Poles, that pursuing their good fortune they passed the River, at a place fordable they fell in with a Turkish Convoy of 600 Mules, laden with Provision and Ammunition, going to the Camp at Belgrade, which they took and converted to their own use, killing and putting to flight such as had the charge of them, upon notice of which the Polonian King, to appear more formidable to the Turks, Tartars and Hungarian Rebels, commanded 2 new Regiments to be raised, one at the charge of his Queen, and the other at the charge of Prince Alexander his Eldest Son, himself allotting out of his Patrimonial Estate 100000 Crowns to be distributed amongst his Army, and to raise 800 Hussars expert at handling Lances.  
On the 11th. of May the Imperial Army after having Randizvouzed at Presburg, passing from Keiser marched towards, and encamped between that Fortress and Comorra to observe the motions of the Turks, who were embodied near Newhausel to the number of 15000, daily expecting a detachment of the Viziers Army upon its march to join with them, the Visier at the same time being encamped at Greick Weiffenburg, expecting the arrival of the Grand Signior, who was some days marching behind.  
During these proceed Teckely suddenly collecting his Troops, laid siege to the strong Castle of Donowitz, in which was the Baron Joannel with a Garrison of 250 Imperialists and Hungarians, yet after a furious battery with 8 pieces of Cannon, he made himself master of that important place, making the Governor and the Germans found therein Prisoners of War, when to prevent his further proceed on that side, the Palatine of Hungaria received orders to join Major General Schutz, who had passed the Waag to meet the Prince of Lubomerski, who advanced with the 6000 Polonian Horse before mentioned, whereupon the Visier of Buda summoned Count Teekely to join the Turkish Troops under his command, which he refused to do, making several pretences to excuse it of which the King of Poland taking notice sent a Letter to the Count to advise him to quit the engagement he has with the Turks, (which in conclusion will turn to his ruin) and make his peace with the Emperor, whilst his free grace is offered him; the which had such an effectual operation that many were of opinion he would have closed with the Imperial offered Grace, but after some debate and new encouragement from the Grand Signior, he resolved to persist in his rebellious purpose of opposing the Emperor's interest, whereupon the Duke of Lorraine who has absolute power to act as he sees convenient for the advantage of the Empire, sent orders to the Palatine to draw down his Troops and entrench himself on the banks of the Waag, to secure the passes where the River is Fordable, as likewise to the Viceroy of Crotia to raise new Forces for the increase of those already under his command, and to keep diligent watch upon the Frontiers of that Province to prevent any incursions.  
About this time Zathmer was regained, and young Count Serini (true Heir to the valour of his immortal Ancestors) appointed Governor thereof which has put the Turks out of all hopes of recovering it.  
The Duke of Lorraine having notice that the Turks were imbodying themselves near Gran, raised his Camp on the 24th. of May and marched towards them, resolving to give them Battle before the Grand Visier (who together with the Aga of the Janissaries, was on his march) could arrive in those parts, having for that purpose stored his Army with all necessary Provision and Ammunition sent up the Danubius in boats from Vienna, but during these preparations the Turks had so strongly lodged themselves upon the Counterscarp to the number of 25000, that he thought it not convenient to attack them in their strength, but having made a detachment of 13 men commanding them to pass the Danubius, and invest Newhausel a strong place about a Leagues from Komora, whilst the rest of the Army followed in good order, with a train of 80 pieces of Artillery, most of which carry bullets of between 30 and 40 pounds' weight, which made Count Teckeley draw off towards Tokay, still declining to join the Turks under the command of the Visier of Buda, insomuch that the Bassa of Offen fearing to be exposed to the Fury of the Imperialists sent a Messenger to the Duke of Lorraine to propose a Cessation of Arms for 14 days, which the Duke would in no wise hearken to, as well knowing it was but to protract the time till a greater power arrived in Hungary, and when it was urged that the Grand Signeour intended to observe the Peace with the Emperor, till the prefixed was expired, but the Duke replied that the Turks by their unjust Hostilities and manifest outrages had broken it long since, so that now they must expect no other favour then the Sword would allow them, whereupon he dispatched orders to Count Caprara to batter Newhausel resolving to carry it by storm, if it should fail to be delivered by capitulation having already overthrown a party belonging to that Garrison, who were returning from ravaging the Country laden with great booties, upon which success 2 parties were sent out to burn the Bridges of Gran, and Esseiniek which they successfully attempted burning the former, and possessing themselves of the latter, guarded by 700 Turks, most of which were killed or taken prisoners.  
The Count Caprara His Imperial Majesty's Ambassador at the Port, is by order of the Grand Signeour looked narrowly after, not differing much from a confinement, lest during these Hostilities he should withdraw himself, nor could the intercession of the Lord Shandois His Majesty of Great Britain's Ambassador residing at the Port on his behalf remove the suspicion conceived, etc. Thus far having related impartially the success of the Christian Arms against the Turks, I shall leave them engaged in a bloody and doubtful War, and conclude so much of this years Campaigne as to the 4th of June, 1683. has occurred with an exact account of all the Imperial Forces. The List whereof take as followeth, viz. The Emperor has in pay 27 Regiments of Foot, making together 55700 men, whereof 25296 follow the Duke of Lorraine, 4692 are appointed to secure the upper Hungary, 2040 posted at Jabluncka on the frontiers of Hungary, 2040 at Leopolstadt on the Waag, 3640 in Austria, 2040 at Vienna, 13912 in the Empire, 2400 in Bohemia, 17 Regiments of Horse making together 13600 men, 7 Regiments of Dragoons containing 5600 men, & 4 Regiments of Croats making 3200, whereof 15200 are at the Camp, 800 in the Upper Hungary, 400 at Jabluncka, 2400 at Leopolstadt, 800 in Austria, and 2800 in the Empire. So that the general List of Horse and Foot stands thus, viz. at the Camp 39696, in the Empire, 16712 in the upper Hungary, 7532 making in all 78540 men not accounting the Hungarian Troops under the command of the Palatine, nor those in Crotia commanded by the Viceroy, nor the 6000 Polonian Horse brought into the Emperor's service, by the Prince of Lubornirski, which in conjunction will render the Emperor's total Forces no less than 100000 fight men. The Turks Army together with the Tartars and Hungarians under the command of Count Teckley, being accounted no less than 250000.  
But thou, O Lord, on whom all things depend,  
In gentle Peace let these dire discords end.  
Or let firm Concord with the Christians dwell,  
To turn their Swords on the proud Inf●●●●.   

CHAP. XXV. A Description of the Power, Policy, Forces, Revenues, Religion, and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire; and by what Means it subsists and maintains its Grandeur, etc.  
HAving in the succinct Series of this History related the Original of the Ottoman Empire, and its Growth from time to time, till it arrived to the vast Extent it at this Day is found; I shall now proceed to give the Reader a View of the Grandeur of it, and by what means it is supported, in the Description of the Grand Seignior's Port or Palace, Government, Officers, Riches, Forces, Religion, and the like.  
The Turks originally a People of Scythia, supposed to have sprung from the Ten Tribes carried into Captivity, as is in the former Part of this History related, began their Second Empire in Asia under Ottoman, about 1300; and spreading wide, entered Europe, seizing at length upon the pleasant City of Constantinople, expelling the Greek Emperor, and making it the Imperial Seat of the Ottoman Sultan's, now dignified by the Title of Grand Signors: A Description of which City, and of the Seraglio, or Imperial Port or Palace, take as followeth.  
Constantinople, built by Constantine the Great, is according to the Opinion of many, sixteeen Miles in circuit, called by the Turks, Stambul or Stombolda; the Sea bearing upon it on the North and South sides, and on the East it is divided from Asia by a large Channel, which runneth from the one Sea to the other, being seven Miles in length, called the straits of Bosphorus. The City is built upon the declining of a Hill; for Buildings comparable to any in the World: But above all, beautified with seven Mosques standing upon seven little Hills, founded by seven of the Ottoman Emperors; of which, that of Sultan Solyman is most famous: And the Seraglio, now made the Grand Seignior's Palace, which is three Miles in circuit, standeth on the North side, having on the one side of it the Sea, and on the other the Haven; the other two Parts being encompassed with the Building of the City. This Palace, Port, or Seraglio, which you please, (for all these Names it bears) has within it many Gardens, Orchards, Meadows, Woods, pleasant Groves, Fountains, and all things else that can render it delightful. The Entrance is through a Gate of Iron into a large Court, where on the left hand stands a Building like a Turkish Mosque, which is used as a Storehouse for Arms and Provision; on the Right, are several fair Gardens palazadoed in, from which they pass to another Court, with a Gate like unto the former; upon which hang many Targets, Scymitars, and other Weapons of War, many Porters attending; through which they pass into another large Court, planted with Cyprus-Trees; where many Deer are kept: which Court is surrounded with a Cloister, which is in length 680 Foot, and in breadth 500; paved with Marble, leaded over, and supported by 140 Pillars of White and Grey Marble curiously wrought, standing upon Basis of Copper, with Capitals of the like Metal. On the North side stands the Divano, or Council-House, where the Grand Vizier, and such others as are by the Grand Signior appointed his Councillors, four times a Week, or oftener of Occasion require it, sit to consult the Important Affairs of the Empire; to hear and determine all Matters of Controversy, and give Audience to Ambassadors, and other Foreign Ministers.  
In this Seraglio the Grand Signior has many Chambers hung with Cloth of Gold, gilded Skins, and Tapestries made of Silk and Gold; wherein are lively represented the Wars of the Ottoman Emperors. His Lodging-Chamber is garnished with divers Precious Stones of great value; and constantly attending him six young Men, who do Service in his Chamber, and watch his Person all Night, two and two by turns, with lighted Torches; the one sitting at the Head, and the other at the Feet of his Bed: And when he attires himself, they put into his Pockets a thousand Aspars', and twenty Ducats of Gold; the which, if he does not distribute that Day, at Night is their Fee; for he seldom or never puts on one Suit of Apparel twice; and whensoever he goes to Hunting, or any the like Exercise, (besides the Money in his Pockets) his Casnadar Bassa, or Chief Treasurer, follows him with great store of Money to give away: Of these six Young Men, who are changed at Pleasure, their Offices are distinct; for the first carries his Shoes, the second his Bow and Arrows, the Third his Vest, the fourth a Vessel with Water, the fifth his Seat, and the sixth, called Oda Bassa, is Head of the Chamber.  
He hath daily a great number of Persons resident in his Palace, employed in their several Charges; the chief of which are these:  

First, The Capi Aga, by whom the Grand Signior speaks to such as have any Important Business; for no Ambassador can be admitted to his Presence, but at his first Arrival, when he delivers his Letters of Credit and Presents: But if afterward any matter arises, he must address himself to the Capi Aga, that is the Grand Vizier, or his Substitute.  
Secondly, The Casnadar Bassa, or Chief Treasurer of the Household.  
Thirdly, The Chilergi Bassa, or Chief Cupbearer.  
Fourthly, The Seragli Agasi, Steward or Master of the Household.  
Fifthly, The Chiller Agasi, or Seraider Bassa, Overseer of the Seraglio of Concubines; who is always an Eunuch.  
Sixthly and lastly, The Bostangi Bassa, or Chief Gardener; who is Captain of the Jamoglans, and steers the Grand Seignior's Barge. When ever he goes by Water, he hath a Protogero or Lieutenant, and many Gardiner's, to attend him, which are called Bostangi; who are frequently listed in the number of Janissaries, when fitted thereto by hard Labour, etc.   
These Six Officers have no Authority out of the Seraglio; yet the greatest Bassa's fear them, for that they being always near the Emperor, frequently incense him against them to their Destruction.  
Near unto the Grand Seignior's Person, are commonly six Mutes, Men born both Deaf and Dumb, with whom he makes himself Pastime. There are found likewise about thirty four more of the same Tribe, which he keeps as Executioners of his Wrath; for upon the least Command, they will strangle the greatest Bassa of the Court, or otherwise make him away, it being their frequent Practice.  
Within the Seraglio are kept to the number of five hundred, such Youths as are taken up for Tribute-childrens in Graecia, and other Parts of the Empire; all Sons of Christians, who taken young from their Parents, are instructed and brought up in divers Arts; and taught more especially to manage all sorts of Weapons, and to be perfect in the Mahometan Superstition; few of them being above eight Years of Age at their first Entrance. Of these, some they make Janissaries; others are preferred to Offices of Trust, and come to great Preferment: But none of them may, on Pain of Death, stir out of the Seraglio, till the Sultan thinks them of a fit Age, and sufficiently qualified for his Service. He has in like manner eighty Mutaferache, or Lance Bearers, who carry his Lance; and are subject to the Command of none but himself.  
He hath in continual pay a thousand Eunuches, whom the Turks call Hundurni; many of which are employed to attend his Virgins and Concubines in the Seraglio. They are not only deprived of their Genitors, but in their Youth they have their whole Privities smoothed off by their Bellies: And in their Turbans they bear a Silver Quill or Crew, through which they evacuate their Urine. This Inhuman Barbarity was first commanded by Solyman the Magnificent, who grew jealous of them upon his observing a Gelding back a Mare; gathering from thence, that his Eunuches though they had lost their Genitor, might yet dalliance with his Females.  
The Seraglio of Women is within the Palace, in which are constantly five hundred Virgins, the choicest Beauties that can be procured, being all Daughters to Christians, taken from their Parents when they are about eight Years of Age or under; none above are admitted, lest they should be debauched ere they enter. These are brought up to curious Works: And when at any time the Grand Signior is desirous to have any of them brought to his Bed, he the Day before gives notice to the Captain of the Eunuches; who commands those under him to put them in order, and array them in their best Attire. Which done the Grand Signior, attended by the said Captain, walking between them as they stand demurely in rows on either Hand; and where he likes, drops his Handkerchief, of which he has many hanging at his Girdle; which the Eunuches that follow, observing, put her (or as many as his Pleasure is to signify by such Tokens) into a Coach, and carry them to his Lodgings; where they are gorgeously attired, and used as he has occasion for them: After which they return, not to the Seraglio of the Virgins, but have other Lodgings appointed them. And when by reason of the Failure of Tribute-Virgins, the Seraglio grows empty, they purchase the Fairest they can find in the Market of Constantinople, whither they are brought to be sold as Slaves.  
Another Seraglio there is, in which the Grand Signior keeps his Sultana's or Sultanesses, and their Children; as likewise, such other Concubines, of whom for his delight he hath chosen from amongst the Virgins. He never marries; but when any one is brought to his Bed side, he gives her a Golden Head-tire, and ten thousand Asper's; causing her to live apart, daily increasing her Maintenance. The first that bears him a Child, is called the Sultana or Sultaness, and is accounted Mistress of the rest of his Women; and by him, for the most part, best beloved. The rest that hath been brought to his Bed, and with whom he hath dallianced, are returned back to their several Apartments, there to expect the Issue; and if they prove not with Child, then are they given in Marriage to his Slaves; whom for their sakes he advances to great Dignity, for the most part.  
He hath three hundred Sollacchis, who march continually about his Person, and make (as it were) his Guard, being under the Command of the Aga of the Janissaries; all of them attired in Linnen-Garments hanging down beneath their Knees; and over them quilted Waistcoats, with half Sleeves of Taffeta, Damask, or Satin; and on their Heads Caps and Feathers, carrying Bows and Arrows. There are another sort of Footmen, called Pei●●i, wonderful swift of Foot; whom he employs in the nature of exequys, or Foot-Posts; being attired in Cloth of Cold, with 〈…〉 of the same tied fast about them; upon their Heads wearing Caps like Butter-pots; with a Silver Pike standing out before, in the nature of a Horn.  
The Porters of the Court, that give Attendance there, are four thousand; and are attired like the Janissaries, having over them three Capigi Bassa's.  
The Grand Seignior's Power is so absolute, and his Government so tyrannical, that his Subjects term themselves his Slaves; none of them being sure of his Life or Goods beyond his Pleasure; for without any Trial or Process, he puts to Death whom it pleaseth him, unless restrained by the Soldiers, who often rescue their Minions out of his Hands, and oblige him to pardon them.  
Their Suits are few, and those very short, they rarely being permitted the Favour of Advocates to procrastinate Matters from coming to a speedy Result; tho' commonly he who can bribe most, fares the best: For the Turks are of all Nations the most Avaricious, doing no Man a Kindness unless they are feed; though they have the least Certainty of any People, to keep what they have gotten, all (as is aforesaid) being at the Disposal of the Prince. They punish Crimes with great Severity, and so speedily, that it is observed that seldom any Theft or Murder is committed by any private Turk; but what Outrages do happen in the City, or elsewhere, are committed commonly by the Grecians, and those that are not of the Progeny of the Turks.  
The Grand Seignior's Chief Councillor is the Great Vizier; who wears his Signet, and is styled his Lieutenant; every Divano-day giving him an exact Account what is said and done: Nor dare he dissemble in aught; for that the Grand Signior has a Window, from whence he can see and hear, and yet not be seen himself; which Window looks into the Divano. When this Vizier is abroad, which never happens unless to be General of an Army, or upon some such like important Occasion; at what time he appoints his Lieutenant to officiate in his Absence, who is called the Chimacham.  
Next unto the Bassa's, (of which there are many dispersed throughout the Empire, to manage the Affairs thereof) are the Beglerbegs, or Lords of Lords: They are Men of great Authority, and have the Command of great Kingdoms and Armies; under whose Obedience are divers Sanzacks, which are sent as Governors into Provinces, during the Prince's Pleasure; being Men of great Experience; for the most part, commanding over the Spahi and Timariot, the Turks chief Horsemen, whom they continually exercise to render them the more expert. The Chief of these Beglerbegs, is the Beglerbeg of Romania or Grecia, under whose Command are twenty one Sanzacks; next to him is the Beglerbeg of Buda, who hath under his Command thirteen Sanzacks: The Beglerbeg of Temeswar has under his Command eight Sanzacks: The Beglerbeg of Bosna hath under his Command nine Sanzacks: The Beglerbegship of Cough or Capha, who resideth in Taurica Chersonesus, and commandeth over the Sanzacks near unto the great River Tanais, and the Fens of Maeotis, which was at first but a Sanzackship, and depended upon the Beglerbegship of Grecia; and is indeed rather a Beglerbegship in Name, than in Power. These Beglerbegs, or Lords of Lords, great Governors of the Turkish Empire in Europe, besides the Sanzacks, have under their Command 257000 Timariot or Horsemen, who are bound for certain Lands allotted them by the Grand Signior, out of his Conquests, to serve in the Wars upon all Occasions.  
The Beglerbegs, or Great Commanders of the Turk's Empire in Asia, are thirty in number; under whom are a proportionable number of Sanzacks, and not less than 400000 Timariot. The Beglerbegs commanding the Turk's Empire in Africa, are four; and have under them fourteen Sanzacks, and sixty two thousand Timariot. Besides these Timariot-Horsemen, there are the Spahi, who are for the most part Europeans, being such as were brought up in their Infancy, or taken Captive: As likewise, Spa●hoglanians, Silictarians, and Olofagians; who have likewise Lands, or Annual Pensions assigned them; for which they are bound to serve in the Wars: for no Man in the Ottoman Empire can have any Lands, or Yearly Revenues that way, but must be ready, or send others in his stead; it being held, that the whole Empire in Fee simple, is the Grand Signors: No Man being permitted to buy or enjoy any Lands longer, than it pleases his Prince: Nor can any one claim a Propriety to a Foot, unless by the Donation of the Grand Signior, or his Assignment; and that last, at longest, but during the Natural Life of him, to whom it is so given or assigned. These Horsemen march under a white Banner, being armed with strong Coats, Bows, and Arrows, Culeverings, Scymitars, and Battle Axes.  
Another sort of Horsemen there are, called Caripices, not exceeding eight hundred; who still ride near the Grand Signior, as his Lifeguard, in the middle of the Battalion of the Janissaries; and are the best Horsemen accounted of all others, being (for the most part) Sons of the Great Commanders.  
As for his Foot Forces, the chief Strength consists of Janissaries, who are Children taken from their Christian Parents, and enured in their Youth to all manner of Hardship, taught all the Use of Arms, and trained up in all Warlike Discipline, till they are adjudged fit to be enrolled for the War. These are taken up in Europe, no Children born either in Asia or Africa being admitted into their Seminary. These Men always enclose the Person of the Grand Signior at what time he marches with his Army; and are the last that fight, unless urgent Necessity require it. They wear white Caps, carry Harquibusses, and sharp Scymitars; who since their first Institution have been the chief Supporters of the Turkish Empire; but of late they are much degenerated from their former Discipline, giving themselves up wholly to Ease and Pleasure; yet keep themselves in good order, for the most part. There remains twenty four thousand of them in Constantinople, and a far greater number in divers Places of the Empire. They are commanded by their Aga, or Captain, to whom nothing is so fatal as their Love for him; for then the Grand Signior has him in mistrust, and well is it if he be not made away. They sleep together in great Halls, their Beds being placed on either side; and all those of a Squadron feed at one Table; the Younger ever serve the Elder: And if any one of them be absent from his Lodging in the Night, unless upon public occasion, then is he the next day severely cudgeled, and nevertheless obliged to kiss the Hand that beat him. Their Employs are different in time of Peace; for some wait upon Ambassadors, others upon Merchants and Consuls, others again upon such as travel through the Turkish Empire. They likewise arrest Malefactors, and see good Order kept, being feared of all Men; insomuch that if they buy any thing, they will have it at their own Price, the Vender not daring to refuse it. They have great Power in their Prince's Election; no Emperor thinking himself safe in his Throne, till they approve of him: So that to gain their good Opinion, every new Emperor at his entering upon the Government, distributes large Sums of Money amongst them, and increases their Stipends.  
Though the chief Strength of the Turkish Foot Forces rests in the Janissaries; yet are there another sort of Footmen, called Acovices; which is a Forlorn Hope. These receive no Pay, but have free liberty to plunder; so that they deliver the fifth Part to the Grand Signior. Another kind there are, called Asapi; who are but of small Account, and rather used as Pioners, than to encounter the Enemy; yet are they often thrust into the Front of the Battle, with their Bodies to blunt the Enemy's Swords, or to scale the Walls of Towns; that by being slaughtered, their Dead Bodies may fill up the Ditches, and so give the Janissaries opportunity on their Dead Carcases to mount the Bulwarks.  
The Grand Signior keeps in continual Pay six thousand Gunners, whom the Turks call Topegi; and for the Guard of the Powder and Shot, upon the March of the Army, twelve thousand Men are kept in pay, called Jebegi.  
The Grand Signior hath likewise certain Officers attending on him, to the number of three thousand, whom they call Chiaus; which act in the Nature of Sergeants at Arms. These Men are well esteemed, and are often employed in Embassies to Foreign Princes: They also carry Letters or Commendations from the Grand Signior, or his Chief Vizier; and are impower'd to apprehend Malefactors: But never go to the Wars, unless the Grand Signior be there in Person. They are commanded by a Chiaus Bassa; who is of such Credit with all Men, that when he is sent by the Grand Signior to any Bassa, Sanzack, or Caddi, to have any Man's Head cut off, though he have no Warrant in writing, yet his Authority is not disputed.  
Thus have I set down the Land Forces of the Turkish Empire; in number so great, that in show they should breed Confusion, and ruin themselves; yet such is the Order and Discipline, that in that point they give place to none. They live (for the most part) on a little Bread baked in the Ashes, with Rice and Powder of Flesh dried in the Sun. Wine is forbidden them by their Law, though 'tis often drunk by them in private, especially the Great Commanders. No Women are seen in their Armies. In their March they observe a wonderful Silence; and all the Soldiers are governed by the Beck of the Hand, or Show of the Countenance. Quarrels and Thefts are severely punished. When they March they dare not enter any Cornfield or Vineyard. The Valiant are assured of Preferment, and the Coward of Punishment.  
As for the Grand Seignior's Naval Forces, they are great; he having of late, for Gain-sake, alured many Christian Carpenters and Shipwrights to his Arsenal, and hath a great number of Men trained up in Marine Affairs, by being continually employed aboard his Galleys at Rhodes, Cyprus, and Mitylene and Alexandria. He has also at his Beck the Pirates of Tunis, Tripoley, Sally, Argire, and other Places; from amongst whom he chooses his prime Commanders in Marine Affairs.  
To maintain these great Forces, it is requisite a wonderful Mass of Money should be employed, which is the Sinews of War, and without which so great an Empire could not be kept in frame, though many are of opinion, that the Grand Seignior's Annual Revenues exceed not eight Millions; meaning thereby, that which is collected of his Subjects, and upon the account of Customs: For which they give these Reasons: First, That the Turks have no care but of Arms; the which do rather ruin, than every a Country. Secondly, They consume so many Men in their Erterprises, that they scarce leave a sufficient number to manure the Land; insomuch that the Subjects despairing to enjoy their Wealth, and necessary Commodities, which they might get by their Labour and Industry, employ not themselves to work nor traffic, more than by necessity they are constrained: For they argue, 'tis to no purpose to labour for another, their Lives and Estates being daily exposed to the Mercy of their Prince: And for this Reason, many spacious Countries in the Turkish Empire lie waste; which neglect frequently causes a Dearth. A Third Reason that is given, why the Grand Seignior's Revenues are no greater, is, for that when he Conquers any Country, he assigns the Lands therein to his Timariot, who serve in the Wars, and are no otherwise liable to accommodate their Prince.  
But although his ordinary Revenues amount to no great Sum, in consideration of the large Circuit of his Empire; yet his extraordinary Profits accrueing by Confiscations, Presents, (for no Stranger may approach his Presence empty handed) and Money raised upon Places and Offices of Trust, amount to a far greater Sum than what has been mentioned. Nor are the Sums small, which he draws from the Princes their Tributaries, that are not absolutely under his Jurisdiction; as Moldavia, Vallachia, and Transylvania, with many more. So that in all, moderate Writers affirm, That his Coffers are yearly supplied with twenty Millions: The Management of which is left to the Defterdari, or chief Treasurer, who has many Sub-officers under him.  
Thus much having been spoken of the Forces, Revenues, and great Officers; I shall now proceed to give the Reader a View of their Religion, if it may without offence be so termed; which they call the Law of their great Prophet.  
As for their Religion, it began in the time of Heraclius the Emperor; at what time the Heresy of Arius and Nestorius spread itself: to whose Infamous Proselytes Mahomet the Impostor, born in Arabia, joined himself; impiously denying the Divinity of Christ, and proclaiming himself a Prophet sent from God, drawing a Multitude after him: Insomuch that such as would not receive his impious Tenants by fair means, he compelled by force: And the better to ingratiate himself with the lewd and licentious sort of People, he tolerated all manner of Lust, and Worldly Delights. By the Law this Impostor left, and that now has overspread two Parts of the World, a Distinction is made between clean and unclean Meats, to content the Jews, who are the greatest Merchants in the Ottoman Empire. They also maintain Circumcision, but not at the Expiration of Eight Days, according to the Jewish Custom; but at the End of Eight Years, when the Infant is able to make a Confession of his Belief; and lifting up his Finger to speak these words in the Arabic Tongue, viz. There is but One God, and Mahomet is his Prophet; one God, and equal Prophets. The Circumcision ended, they feast three Days. As for the Female Children, they at eight Years old speak the same words; but are not capable of Circumcision. If any Christian turn Apostate, and deny his Redeemer, which (to the loss of their Souls) too many do, only to avoid Taxations and Tribute, they are led through the Town or City, where they dwell in great Triumph, many People presenting them with Gifts, as they pass, to encourage them to persevere in what they have undertaken. And for the Men, at what Age soever they are, they must be Circumcised.  
The Law of Mahomet is contained in his Koran; wherein he confesseth One God, and honoureth Jesus Christ as a great Prophet: But impiously denies him to be the Son of God.  
The Turks by their Law are forbid to worship Images, or to have any placed in their Mosques: The whole Series of the Alcoran being full of Fables and Fictions, much like to those the Poets feigned of the Elizium-Shades; indulging Men in all Sensuality during this Life, and promising them a Paradise, where they shall enjoy the like more perfectly after Death.  
Their Sabbath is kept on our Friday. They keep Lent thirty Days; during which space they eat nothing in the daytime, but take their Repast after Sunset, abstaining from Wine and Women. This Lent is called by them Ramaden.  
They likewise observe an Easter, called Bayran; which continues for the space of the three Days, though not always prefixed by reason they begin it in the New of the Moon.  
They have no Bells in their Mosques; neither do they suffer the Christians to have any that live amongst them. When they enter the said Mosques, they leave their Shoes at the Door, and take them again when they return. Where soever they sit or stand in their Religious Houses, they have Tapestry or Mats under them, as not thinking their Feet holy enough to stand in that Place, during the Reading their Law; and if they look back, or scratch their Head till the Orison is ended, they think they have lost the Benefit they were at that time to receive by their coming thither. They are not much addicted to Learning; yet of late they have brought up their Children to use the Arabic Tongue, in which their Law is written.  
By this Law they have leave to marry as many Wives as they can maintain; and when once any of them proves with Child, her Husband may not carnally know her till she is delivered. They have certain Marriages contracted during Pleasure, which they call Kebin, mostly practised by Strangers; who may, for a certain Sum of Money, have the Use of a Woman during his Pleasure: Yet when he turns her off, if she have any Children, he is bound to keep them. A Turk having had to do with a Christian Woman, both of them upon Conviction are to suffer Death, unless she add sin to sin, by renouncing her Faith. The like is to be observed between a Christian, and a Turkish Woman; though either Offence, by bribing the Caddi's or Judges, may be omitted.  
They allow of Divorce in case of Barrenness or Incontinency.  
The chief Interpreter of these Laws, is the Muphti, or Archpriest, who is chosen by the Grand Signior; and is greatly reverenced amongst the Turks, being Head of their Church, and Decider of all Controversies arising in matter of their Superstitious Religion. His Eminency is such, that all the Bassa's are subject to his Direction. He abaseth himself not so much as to sit in the Divano; only passing through it, when he is sent for by the Grand Signior; who at his approach riseth from his Seat, (an Honour not allowed to any other) and then they sit together, and familiarly discourse of their Affairs.  
The next to him are the Cadilesquires, or Talismen: Two Doctors of the Law, whose place it is to Examine the Caddi's or Judges, who are dispersed throughout the Provinces of the Empire, and are always attendant upon the Grand Signior: The one of them having Jurisdiction over all the European Caddi's, and the other on those residing in Asia; there being few Cities, or great Towns, in which one of the Caddi's have not their Residence there, to hear and determine Matters of Controversy arising between Man and Man. The Cadilesquires are likewise Sovereign Judges within their own Jurisdiction, in all Causes belonging to their Religion, as it were Patriarches. They are of great Authority, and have places in the Divano, and in Council with the Bassa's, consult the weighty Affairs of the Empire.  
There is a third Degree of Churchmen, not belonging to their Law, called Mulli; which they account their Bishops, and are directed in their Affairs by the Muphti. Their Office is to place and displace Churchmen as they see it convenient.  
Another sort there are, called the Nuderisi, who act in the nature of Suffragans, and have under them several young Doctors of the Law, who are their Disciples, called Naipi; who are, in the Absence of the Caddi's, constituted to hear and redress Grievances.  
After these are the Hagis, who are employed to write their Books, they in no wise allowing them to be Printed; and inferior unto these are the Cassi, who read unto them what they writ, etc.  
These are their several Degrees of Lawyers, and Churchmen; for the Turks are governed by a kind of Ecclesiastical Law, according to their Koran. Many Colleges they have, which they call Medressae's, situate not only in Constantinople, but in divers other Cities.  
And thus, Reader, have I related the Suceinct Series of This History, as near as can be gathered from Authors of undoubted Credit, and my own Knowledge: And now nothing more remains, but to make known the Vastness of the Ottoman Empire; which is, for the most part, the Subject of This History.  
Know then, that since the Reign of Ottoman, first Founder of the Turkish Empire, it has proudly built itself upon the Four Monarchies of the World, viz. the Assyrian, Grecian, Persian, and Roman Empires; for they enjoy Babylon, and all Chaldea, with the Kingdom of Media, a great part of Persia, all Greece, with the Kingdom of Egypt, and the greatest Part of Arabia; the Islands of Cyprus, Rhodes, Mitylene, Negropont, Ch●o or Scio, Candia, and many others: The Empire of Trepezond, the Kingdoms of Colchis, now called Mingrelia, Tunis, and Argeirs, Dalmatia, Illyria, and Triballenia; the Countries of Transylvania, Wallachia, Moldavia, and Bulgaria: A great part of Hungary, and many other Countries, which hold of the Empire, and pay Tribute to the Grand Signior; who in Europe hath all the Sea-Coast from the Confines of Epidaurus, the utmost Boundard of his Empire in Europe, Westward, unto the Mouth of the River Tanais, now called Don; with all that lieth between the City of Buda, and Constantinople: and Southward, all the Sea-Coast from Velex or Belis, the Boundard of the Kingdom of Fez, unto the Arabian Gulf, or Red-Sea; and so proportionably every way: The Greatness of which may be better conjectured by the Greatness of some part thereof; for the Mere of Maetis, which is all at the Grand Seignior's Command, is in Compass one thousand Miles; and the Euxine, or Black Sea, in Circuit two thousand seven hundred Miles: The Mediterranean-Coast, which is subject unto him, is in Compass upward of eight thousand Miles. But to speak of his whole Territory together, he passeth in his own Dominion from Tauris to Buda three thousand two hundred Miles; and the like Distance from Derbent to Adena: From Balsera, upon the Persian-gulf, to Tremisena in Barbary, is accounted little less than about four thousand.  
Yet that this great Empire will not long consist, but like those that have preceded it, be again brought to nothing, the Turks themselves have divers Prophecies: Nor is Sacred Writ silent in this Matter; many of the Prophets plainly foretelling its Rise and Fall; which will undoubtedly be manifested, when God (in whose deep Counsels the Gr●at Revolutions of Empires and Kingdoms are from Eternity shut up) shall in his Infinite Wisdom see fit time, to the unspeakable Comfort of the poor afflicted Christians, that groan under the Oppression and Tyranny of those proud Infidels, Enemies to the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God blessed for evermore, Amen.  
FINIS.    

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A Continuation of the preceding History to this present time; Containing the Remarkable Siege of Vienna for Sixty days, the raising of it by the Imperial Forces, and the King of Poland: The Ruin of their Army before it, and a Second Fight in Germany; together with a Table to the whole Book.  
Newhausel Besieged by 13000 Imperial Horse and Foot, they run their Trenches within a hundred yards of the Wall, and with the Cannon on the Battery raised on the East part continually for the space of two days, Thundered against it, insomuch that divers houses were beaten down, and a great number of the Enemy slain, yet encouraged by a Party of Turks who had posted themselves upon an Eminence near Gran, watching their opportunity to annoy the Christians, they made divers brisk sallies so that often coming to handy blows; the disputes grew hot, many on either side being slain, but after several unsuccessful attempts to take the place by Storm, and notice had that the Grand Visier was on his way from Belgrade with sixty or seventy thousand Horse and Foot, resolving though at the hazard of a Battle to raise the Siege. The Duke drew off the Besiegers having for that purpose received an express Command from the Emperor and Council of War, assembled to debate the important 〈◊〉 of the Empire, and uniting them 〈…〉 Forces kept close in his Camp before 〈…〉, immediately upon whose departure the 〈◊〉 in the Town fired all their Cannonry joy of their deliverance, being a little before in great distress for Provision and other necessaries, having over and above lost five hundred of their most resolute Soldiers.  
〈…〉 the Siege of Newhausel the Palatine of 〈…〉 with a thousand Foot, and five hundred Hor●e marching to Scarce a Fortress of the Turks, so 〈◊〉 Besieged it, that the Garrison being altogether unprovided, after a short Battery sounded a ●●rly, and upon condition that they might march out with Bag and Baggage, offered to surrender the place; but that not being granted, they to save their lives were contented to become Prisoners of War, in all being but sixty eight person, of which eight had been killed with the 〈◊〉 of the Culverines', upon which the Palatine having put a Garrison of Hungarian Soldiers into it, and sufficiently stored it with Provision, 〈◊〉 to have an eye upon Teckeley, who was moving towards the Frontiers of Silesia, daily expection re-inforcement from the Bassa of Buda, and to join some Tartarian Troops who were on their March.  
These things passing the King of Poland used all diligence to draw his Forces together near Cracow, giving great encouragement to his Soldiers, and such of the nobility as sent any Forces to his assistance 〈◊〉 the Grand Visier slow in his March, as 〈◊〉 thereby to draw the Imperialists to a 〈…〉 that conjunction, and so 〈◊〉 was 〈…〉 Rivers by Bridging them over with Boats, Floats, Cask, and plashing of Trees, that beyond expectation, he arrived at Stat-Wessemberg, not above six Leagues from Commora, before the Imperialists had notice of his passing the Gran, and there encamping received the compliments of divers traitorous Hungarian Lords, who encouraged him to undertake the siege of Vienna, and seize upon the Hereditary Countries of the Emperor.  
The sudden advancement of the Turks caused the Emperor to send an Express to Count Chakay Commander in chief of the Garrisons upon the Banks of the River Neytray, to demolish such as he supposed not tenable, which was accordingly done. And now the two potent Armies approaching, great was the expectation of a battle, but the Turks expecting a supply of twenty thousand Tartars, who were on their march through Moldavia, protracted the time, as likewise did the Imperialists, expecting something from the Transylvanian Prince, who (secretly envying Teckelies' advancement, who had by this time proclaimed himself Prince of Hungary, Coining money in his own name, and using the ancient Insigns of Royalty) had underhand promised to put himself under the Emperor's protection, and take the field with eighteen or twenty thousand men. But on the second of Ju●y 1683, the Duke receiving notice that a body of Turks and Tartars 〈◊〉 passed the Waag at Segith, and used all manner of 〈◊〉, burning and plundering, killing and taking prisoners all that fell into their hands 〈◊〉 thousand other outrages and insolences. 〈…〉 party to oppose their advancing 〈…〉 into the Country and oblige them to 〈…〉, the which he effected, but they 〈◊〉 as it they intended to lay siege either to 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉, to prevent that purpose the Imperial horse posted near Altenberg and the foot in the Isle of Scutz, to assist upon the first offered occasion, but it being soon perceiving hat the Turks intention was no other than to get between the horse and foot, and so render them unserviceable to each other.  
The Duke sent away the Baggage under a convoy of six hundred horse towards Altemberg, to seize upon which the Turks advanced with a party of three thousand horse, so that a sharp dispute happened till the Turks by the courage of the Imperialists were obliged to a disorderly retreat, but being reinforced by eight hundred fresh horse, they rallyed, whereupon the Duke of Lorraine and divers great Commanders, with all convenient speed advanced, and the Forces on either side increasing the fight grew hot, the Imperialists behaving themselves very resolutely, but especially the Duke of Lorraine who with his Regiment of Guards charged through the thickest of the enemy's squadron, but the Turks power still increasing, and the Imperialists not being so suddenly able to pass the River as the Action required, after two hours resolute fight, those that convoyed the Baggage were most of them cut in pieces, and to the value of forty thousand Guilders fell to the enemy, and in the whole action twelve hundred Imperialists and seventeen hundred Turks were slain, amongst the former the Prince of Savoy, General Rabatta, the Count d'Lamberg and Prince of Aremberg, after which the Imperial horse having made good their retreat, passed the River and joined their foot, who could not though they were speculators of the Action come up, which gave the Turks this considerable advantage, and so exalted their spirits, that upon receiving a new supply of eight thousand foot, they besieged Raab, but received such welcome from the mouths of the murdering Cannon, that they were glad to draw off, when having burnt some few Villages, with what plunder they had got, they marched to the Grand Viziers Camp; upon which reinforcement, he trussed up his Tents and marched directly towards Vienna the Imperial chief City, situate in Austria, on the banks of the River Danubius, burning and ruining all his way, insomuch that the Imperial Army being found too weak to encounter him, the Duke retired with it under the walls of that City, to expect the Forces of the Confederate Princes, whilst Count Staremberg Governor thereof, who had been abroad with a party to observe the motion of the enemy, was obliged to fight his way through the Vaunt-Corriers of the Turks Army, to get into the City, through which likewise the Duke of Lorraine passed, when he had given such necessary orders as were convenient for maintaining a strenuous siege, leaving therein eighteen or twenty thousand soldiers under the command of the aforesaid Count, who sallying out fired the Suburbs, dislodging and killing a great number of Turks, that he found there plundering the houses, and upon his return calling together the Chief Citizens, he admonished them to behave themselves like men against the enemies or their Country, and Religion, from whom notwithstanding the specious pretences they might make, they should receive little mercy at the hands of the Infidels if they became victors; he likewise with speech and large promises of reward, animated his Captains and soldiers, whom he found resolved to live and die with him in the defence of that City, which is the glory of the Empire, protesting rather to suffer the worst extremity then hearken to any surrender.  
The Duke of Lorraine having passed through the City with his Army, encamped himself strongly near Kremps, resolving there to expect the King of Poland, and the Troops of the Confederate Princess which were on their march, and as opportunity offered both to encourage and secure the besieged, whom by this time the Visier had with his Army consisting of one hundred thousand men blocked up, being the flower of the Ottoman Empire, running his Trenches with great celerity, though to hinder it, the Cannons from the walls incessantly played, and the besieged frequently sallied, killing and repulsing the Infidels, following the execution even to their Camp, yet the number of their Pioniers increasing, they under the shelter of the night, and favour of their Cannon, in two days lodged themselves, running their works to a great depth, leaving the earth arch-wise, thinking so to reach the walls and blow them up, by springing their Mines, but such diligence was used by the Germane Enginiers, that a great number of the Infidels were buried in their works & several poisoned by the stench of dead bodied they met with in their Subterranean Progress, which had been buried in the last plague, which the 〈◊〉 perceiving commanded eight thousand 〈◊〉 to lodge themselves in the ruins, and 〈◊〉 from six batteries containing thirty which Cannon, he caused the City to be battered 〈…〉 without intermission, and having there●● 〈…〉 breach near the Carinthian Gate, com●● 〈◊〉 his men to enter, who in a desperate manner came on, but were so warmly received by the besieged, that after three thousand were slain upon the place, they were obliged to retire, which so enraged the Visier that he commanded them to make a second Attack, which was done but with altogether as bad success as the former.  
The City of Vienna thus straitened, the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister, represented the danger it was in, to the Diet for that purpose assembled at Ratisbone, recommending it especially to the care of the Electoral Princes, requiring them in the name of the Emperor to find out such effectual and speedy ways to raise men and money for its relief, that it might not fall into the hands of the Infidels, and thereby open a way for them to conquer all the Cities of Austria. This matter being debated, it was resolved that a fund of money should be speedily raised, and all other necessaries provided, for the subsistence and relief of the besieged, and to stay the further progress of the Turkish Arms. Upon notice of which the Elector of Bavaria drew his forces into the field, and ordered them to the number of ten or eleven thousand, immediately to march and join the Duke of of Lorraine, whom they found encamped near Kre●ps.  
Whilst these things were doing, the Rebels under the command of Count Teckely made great spoil upon the borders of Croatia and Silefia: bes●e●ing and taking Budekim by storm, ravaging and destroying all the pleasant places about it, which put the adjacent Garrisons into such consternation, that several whether through fear or treachery i● uncertain, put themselves under his protection, whereby he was puffed up to that extravagance that he sent Summons to divers of the Nobility to attend him in Arms as their Prince, under the Penalties of Confiscation, Imprisonment and death, which so affrighted divers, that they came in, but many there were whose Loyalty could not be shaken which so enraged the Rebel that he destroyed their Country dwellings, and seized on whatsoever of theirs he could find.  
By this time the Turks had far advanced their Trenches, and began to throw their Bombs into the City, whereupon the Citizens covered many of their houses near the wall with earth, and with the shot of the Cannons from the Tower, overthrew the mortars, sallying out at the same time, and making a terrible slaughter of the enemy, who were advancing to the wall with a design to enter the new breach, recovering from them a Bastion of which they had possessed themselves, and cutting in pieces all they found therein.  
This bad success making it apparent that the City was not so easy to be taken as the Visier had supposed, he commanded Arrows to be shot over the walls, with Letters fastened to them, containing his admonition to the besieged, speedily to surrender and receive liberty in their persons, a free exemption of their goods, and such treatment as they should desire, but if they refused, and held out obstinately, till the City should be taken by storm, or reduced by famine, no mischief should be left unpractised that wit or horror could invent, but this device not at all prevailed, but rather induced the besieged to contemn the besiegers, whose weakness thereby they the better understood, as observing from former acts of the like nature, they never capitulate underhand, till they despair of obtaining their ends, or grow weary of the siege. All this while the Duke of Lorraine lay close in his Camp within sight of the City, the better to encourage the besieged, daily increasing his number, and as earnestly expecting the Polonian King, who had sent the Prince Lubomirskie before him with six thousand horse, and daily Curriers passed between him and the Emperor, who with the Court was retired to Pashaw, there to expect the great event, on which the eyes of all Nations were fixed.  
The increase of the Christian Camp did not a little trouble the Visier, who well knew that if he could not make himself master of the City before the King of Poland arrived, he must be obliged to give battle, or raise his siege, and that if he miscarried in the former, it would greatly redound to his disgrace, if not hazard his life, by rendering him obnoxious to the Grand Signiors displeasure, whom he had assured of taking the City; whereupon to hasten the enterprise he spared not his men, but thrust them on even into the mouth of slaughter, swearing by Mahomet that in whomsoever he found the least mark of cowardice, or neglect of duty he should be put to death, and thereupon he commanded the Cannon from all the Batteries to play without ceasing, but such was the care and skill of the Christian Engineers, that they with their great shot dismounted divers of them, overthrowing their battery, and burying such as were there posted in their ruins, yet having made two breaches in the wall, one near the red Tower, and the other not far from the Imperial Palace, he commanded five thousand Janissaries, and ten thousand other soldiers to enter the Breach, but Count Staremberg having drawn his chief strength on that side to oppose the Torrent, although as men desperate they came on, yet the besieged sallying out and coming to hand strokes, by plain force drove them back, killing about three thousand, and recovering the Ravelin, and Counterscarp, of which they had strongly possessed themselves, yet in this sally five hundred of the Imperialists fell, and two hundred wounded.  
This hot dispute over, and the Turks beaten out of divers of their Trenches, they lay still for two days, not attempting any thing, when on the third the Visier sent to the Count Staremberg for a Cessation, or a five days Truce to bury the dead, whose noisome smells greatly afflicted his Camp with sickness, but the Count returned for an answer, that he had no need of a Truce, nor would he accord to any, upon which under the shelter of the night, the Turks in great numbers approached the walls, but being discovered by lights thrown out for that purpose, the shot from the Flankers and Battlements, gabled them so desperately, that they were obliged to return two thousand less than they came on, when upon their retreat three thousand of the Imperialists sallied, and did great execution; whereupon the Visier storming, and finding the greatness of the loss he had at divers 〈◊〉 sustained, 〈…〉 unsuccessful attempts, repaired his Battery, and planted as near as he could his Mortars to the wall, with which he threw divers Granades and Bombies into the Town, freeing some houses, on fire, and killing 〈…〉 the inhabitants, the which he continued all the 21 and 22 of July, but by the extraordinary diligence of the besieged, who still countermured the breaches, repaired what was shattered and earth behind to keep the Bulwarks from renting, and the wall from shaking by the force of the furious shot, the Turks at that vast expense of powder and shot were little advantaged.  
The Duke of Lorraine having received another supply of five thousand men, part of the Troops of the Circle, and certain notice from the King of Poland, that he was advancing with all diligence, he the better to encourage the besieged, sent a Fisherman to assure them of speedy succour, commanding him to give him notice of his safe arrival, by setting up a blue flag upon the battlements of the Tower, and that the besieged if they were in danger should set up a red flag, and that rather than the City should fall into the hands of the Infidels, he would without the King of Poland endeavour to raise the siege, though at the hazard of a Battle, nor was it long e'er he safely arrived, by swimming over the Danubius, and gave the first signal, but so far were the besieged from giving the second, that they encouraged thereto by their renowned Governor the Count d' Staremberg, sallied early in the morning, and finding the Turks advancing their Mines, fell upon them with such fury, that they overwhelmed the Miners, and beat the Janissaries, who were appointed to guard them, insomuch that the noise arose so great that the Grand Vizier not well assured, supposed the Christian Army had at that time attempted the relief of the City, and for his own safety caused him to draw up his Army in Battalia.  
Things being at this pass, the Duke of Lorraine in his Camp where he lay had notice that a Convoy of provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turkish Camp, and arrived within three Leagues thereof; whereupon he commanded out a party to intercept it, who accordingly performed his desire, killing and taking prisoners, and putting to flight those Turks who guarded it, nor was the booty less worth than forty thousand Dollars.  
On the 24 of July the besieged made a vigorous sally with five thousand horse and foot, and charging the Turks in their Trenches with much bravery and resolution, drove them thence, thereby recovering, though not without considerable slaughter on either part, divers redoubts of which they had possessed themselves, firing the bavins and planks with which they attempted to fill up the Ditch, in order to a storm, which the next morning was intended, but seven thousand Turks being sent to reinforce those that were routed, they with fresh fury returned upon the Imperialists, to secure whom two thousand issued out of the Town, at what time the fight was renewed, and for a long time continued bloody and doubtful, and most of the works the Christians had possessed themselves of were recovered, the Turks still pressing on to enter the Town with the besieged, but being within danger, the Imperial engineers sprung a mine, and thereby destroying about two hundred of the forwardest, put a stop to the courage of the rest, and gave fresh vigour to the besieged, insomuch that again charging the enemy with the former courage and bravery, they overthrew them far and near, insomuch that five thousand were computed to fall during the action, which carnage so infected the Turkish Camp, that the soldiers died in great numbers, which obliged the Visier to remove three or four miles further with the gross of his Army, leaving only a competent number to guard his former Camp, and cover the siege.  
The Elector of Bavaria according to his promise, having raised an Army of thirteen or fourteen thousand men, for the service of the Empire, after having mustered them in the presence of the Emperor, caused them to march directly towards Kremps, to join the Imperial Forces, resolving in person to follow them with all convenient speed, when in the mean while General Dunwalt, having notice that seven or eight thousand of the enemy were fallen into the upper Austria, he strengthening himself with what Forces he could, marched with all diligence to oppose their progress, in which they made such devastation that the like had not been formerly known, and such was his good success, that coming upon them at unawares, he put them to the rout, killing a great many of them, and rescuing two thousand Captive Christians, whom they had taken in their progress, as also recovered a great booty.  
Upon notice of these and the like successes the Imperial Confederates hastened their quotaes to join the Army, and for that purpose a Conference was held at Hasford on the 27 of July between the deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg, the Bishop of Bamberg and Wittenberg, the Princes of Hanspatch, Bereith, etc. wherein it was resolved that the Troops of Franconia, designed for the assistance of the Emperor should set forward on the second of August, and that the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtzberg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of foot, and that four Companies of the Guards of the Elector of Brandenbxrg, over and above his Quota, as likewise a Regiment of new raised horse should be employed against the Turks under the command of the Velt Marshal Dorfling.  
Fresh Troops daily arriving at the Imperial Camp, and the besieged receiving new assurance of being suddenly relieved, would by no means admit of any Treaty with the Turks, but generously scorned their pretended advantageous proposals, which not a little enraged them, so that on the 30 of July they renewed their Battery with great fury against the Red Tower and Scotenburg Gate, continually thundering against them for twenty four hours, when having made two small Breaches they came on with great resolution, but were by the sallyers as strongly opposed, whilst the Cannon from the Tower, Battlements and Flankers, made such destruction amongst them, that they retired in great disorder, but whilst the Imperialists hotly pursued, their own Cannoneers not discerning them from the enemy, by reason of a great mist that fell about that time, divers of them were killed by the great shot, and scarcely was the mistake rectified e'er the Turks, being seconded with six Regiments of Janissaries and Spahies returned upon them, so that the fight on all sides was continued with great fury; each being desirous of honour and victory, but at length the Turks not being able to endure the Force of the Christians retired, yet being commanded to a third assault, and receiving fresh supplies from the Camp, they again returned, strongly possessing the works out of which they had been before beaten, 〈◊〉 Count Staremberg accompanied with divers Commanders and one thousand foot soldiers coming upon them, so encouraged his weary men, who had been in the heat of the action, with little intermission for the space of ten hours, that a greater slaughter than ever was made, and in sine the Turks put to flight.  
During these three assaults not less than eight thousand of the Besiegers were slain, not fewer than three thousand of the besieged. So that the Visier fearing the noisomness of the Carnage might oblige his men to forsake their Trenches, again desired a Cessation to bury his dead, but it would not be granted, but rather the slaughter Increased by another sally the besieged made, whilst their Cannon on the wall being skilfully mounted, overthrew the Turks Cannon, and ruined their new Battery against the Scotenburg Gate.  
This great City; in the siege of which the Turks have been always unfortunate, had not above sixteen hundred Garrison soldiers in it the morning of the day wherein it was besieged, and but lightly stored with provision; but so providence ordered it that in the sight of the Turkish Army, two great Vessels laden with provision coming up the River Danubius, got into the Port safe●●, and the Garrison augmented by sixteen thousand horse and foot, left there by the Duke of Lorraine as he marched through the City in his retreat, nor were the Burghers and Religious Orders less diligent in the defence thereof then the soldiers, being by the women animated thereto, but more especially by the unwearied example of their Governor, who spared no pains nor labour, being ever seen in places of greatest danger, sacrificing his rest and safety to the Public good of Christendom, and preservation of his Country, of which that great City is the only Bulwark; and since money was mostly wanting, he borrowed it of the Monasteries and Religious foundations, promising to refund it with great interest if the City scaped falling into the hands of the Infidels, or if it did, so be it, his Life and Liberty remained to him they should lose nothing.  
By this time the King of Poland having mustered his Army under the walls of Cracovia, and furnished himself with all things necessary, divided it into two parts, and by hasty Marches advanced to join the Imperial Camp, now swollen big by the daily arrival of fresh Troops, and longing to be in action, which the Grand Vizier well noting, used all diligence in running his Trenches chief trusting to his Mines, many of which being successfully sprung, ruined a great part of the outworks, but such was the indefatigable endeavours of the besieged that they made them for the most part good e'er the Turks could enter, and frequently by digging deep sounds, laying pebbles upon drums, and setting basons of water near the walls, discovered their Mines, which they countermining frustrated, destroying the Miners in them for the most part, or taking thence the powder  
Teckely imagining that the Duke of Loraint durst not adventure out of his Camp for fear of being attacked by the Ottoman Forces, he with twenty five thousand Turks and Hungars advanced towards Presburg with a design to besiege it, of which the Duke having notice, drew out a strong power, and came upon him so suddenly, that in great disorder he retired, but the Imperialists falling in with his rear, cut off six or seven hundred of his men, taking a like number prisoners, together with a thousand Wagons laden with Ammunition Tents and Provision, as likewise burnt a great number of Boats and Casks, brought to pass a branch of the River Danube, sending after him the Prince Lubomirskie with the Polish Horse under his command, to prevent his falling into Moravia, who still cut off his rear, so that from the beginning to the end of the action fifteen hundred of the Rebels and Turks were slain and taken prisoners, with the remainder of which Army Teckely passed the Waag, where the Turks, separating from him returned to the Garrisons, out of which they were drawn, yet the Duke stayed upon the banks of the River Merck, two miles from Presburg, till he had certain notice thereof, when increasing the Garrison of that City he returned to his Camp near Kremps, where upon his arrival he had certain notice that the King of Poland was within ten days March of Vienna, when to assure the besieged thereof, he sept a person into the City, who safely arrived there, and thereby gave them great encouragement, insomuch that sallying about twilight, they m●●e a terrible slaughter of the Janissaries, that were lodged in the Counterscarp, taking divers or them Prisoners, who being strictly examined, confessed the Turkish Camp was exceedingly weakened through sickness and want of provision, but especially since the Convoy that was on its way thither fell into the hands of the Imperialists.  
During these Transactions a body of Turks a●● Tartars fell into Croatia, burning and destroying all before them, leaving no manner of cruelty unpractised; to oppose which Torrent, the Viceroy gathered the strength of the Country, and coming upon them at unawares, put them to flight, following the execution for ten or twelve miles; Nor was the success of Count Leshly less against another party of the Infinels, who greatly infested the Frontiers 〈…〉 Country of Moravia, from whom, after he had put them to flight, he took 78 Wagons laden with the spoils of those countries', and became the deliverer of divers Christians, whom the Infidels were leading fast manacled into miserable Bondage.  
The Duke of Lorraine fearing by this time that the besieged were in some strait for that he had received frequent advice that the Turks pressed the siege with great resolution, he to be the better satisfied sent another person into the City, who in the habit of a Hungarian Rustic safely passed the Leaguers, and under the shelter of the night swum over the Danube, giving upon his arrival the signal agreed on, and the same night returned with advice that the besieged were not as yet in any want either of men or provision, though the Turks almost without intermission kept them in action, but that which annoyed them most, was the bloody flux, of which thirty or forty died in a day.  
The Turks having advice of the daily increase of the Imperial Forces now encamped at Enzesdorf, nearer than before to the City of Vienna, to the great encouragement of the besieged, the more eagerly pressed the siege, the Visier no way sparing his men, but rather as a man desperately resolved rather to lose the whole Army than go without that City, whose Keys he had promised to say at his Master's feet. He on the twelfth of August caused the Cannon from all the Batteries to fire upon the Scottenburg Gate and Red Tower, commanding at the same time sixteen thousand Grecians, Hungarians, and people of other Nations subject to the Ottoman Sceptre, to make the Attack, and enter the Breach by plain force, promising a 1000 Sultanas to him that should plant the first ensign upon the Wall, which so animated them that like men altogether careless of their lives, they threw themselves into the Ditch, where many of them were impailed upon stakes, and although a storm of small shot, and the loud mouths of eighty pieces of Cannon, plied them with fearful slaughter, yet they pressed on and lodged themselves in the ditch, but upon the besiegeds sallying and springing a Mine, they were driven thence, and although great scarcity raged in the Turkish Camp, insomuch that horseflesh was accounted dainty fare, and an Ammunition loaf of bread sold at five Dollars, yet the proud Bassa sent again to summon the Governor to surrender, but the Messenger not being admitted to enter the City, or parley with such as kept the outworks.  
That evening a Letter from the Governor to the Duke of Lorraine which the Turks had intercepted, was shot into the City, and another paper in it signed by the Visier, admonishing the Governor timely to provide for his own and the people's safety, and not by obstinately resisting Irritate the Grand Signior, but this so little availed that in stead of a 〈…〉 in the Morning the besieged sallied, and 〈…〉 part of the Counterscarp, of which the Turks had possessed themselves, drove them 〈◊〉, and seconding it by springing a Min● which 〈◊〉 their Retreat, most of them were cut in pieces, yet in this action divers of the besieged fell.  
The better to encourage the besieged a party of Imperial horse sent by the Duke of Lorraine, passing a branch of the Danube, landing upon a small Island, fell upon three hundred Turks, put most of them to the sword, and with inconsiderable loss on their own part, returned with two hundred Camels laden with provision, and other necessaries which good success was seconded with certain Intelligence to the King of Polands advancing with all speed, and that for haste he with his horse was four days march before his foot, as fearing the ill consequences that might happen by the least delay.  
The Turks finding the time grow short in which they must of necessity win the City or fight a Battle, they pressed the siege with more eagerness, especially upon their receiving a supply of men and provision; So that on the fourteen, fifteen, and sixteenth of August they advanced they works in the Ditch, and lodged themselves upon the point of the Ravelin, form whence they had been before beaten, gave two fierce assaults, in which they were repulsed, with great loss on either side, and on the seventeen day, being about to make another attack, the Governor and Count d' Souches sallied, and having beaten them back, ruined their works in the Ditch, making a terrible slaughter of such of the Infidels as they found too sar advanced, and then returning into the City with the Turkish Ensigns, the ensuing day they made another sally wherein they beat the enemy from the point of the Ravelin, which they had again possessed, killing about three thousand of them, in which Action Count Staremberg was wounded in the head with a stone raised by a Cannon buller that fell three yards short of him, and the Count de Souches received a hurt in his leg by an arrow from one of the Trenches, yet like men devoting their lives to the service of their Country, they pressed on courageously, animating the soldiers to pursue the flying enemy, which they did, making great slaughter, and recovering almost all the works they had possessed, till such time as eight thousand Janissaries advancing, the Turks thereby encuraged, returned furiously, insomuch that the besieged not being able to stand the charge, under the favour of the Cannon, retreated into the Town, where during the sally the breaches had been made good, yet in this action they lost two thousand men, and amongst them divers officers of note, yet as men not dismayed, finding still the Turks encroach, they on the 22 sallied again, and finding the enemy had made great lodgments in the Ditch, beat them thence, and ruined their works, and the better to hinder their approaches made several retrenchments within the Bastion, which the Turks perceiving, threw that day a great many Bombies into the Town, which killed twenty men, and fired six or seven houses, playing very furiously from four Batteries, and by this time having possessee themselves of divers small Islands in the River Danube, as it were blocked up the City by water, yet the Governor resolving to hold out the siege to the last extremity, rather than to deliver the City, or come to any capitulation, he on the twenty sixth made another resolute sally, in which coming to handy blows with the enemy, and the fight continuing hot for the space of eight hours; the loss was great on both sides, yet in the end the Turks were beaten out of all their works, and three great Mines of theirs being discovered, the powder was taken out, but so much Christian blood was shed in the action, that the Garrison was greatly weakened, and great was the want of Officers, for since the beginning of the siege were slain one Colonel, five Lieutenant Colonels, thirty Captains, and thirty eight Lieutenants, besides divers that died of the bloody flux, and were at that time sick, insomuch that it was resolved not so frequently to Sally, but use all endeavours to discover the enemy's Mines, and Subterranean Traverses, and thereby defeat them, and that it was convenient to give the Duke of Lorraine notice of the straight the City was in, whereupon the Count d' Starenberg wrote a Letter, wherein he gave his Highness to understand as followeth.  
The Copy of a Letter from the Count D' Staremberg Governor of Vienna, to the Duke of Lorraine, bearing Date August 27th. 1683.  
I Cast myself at your Highness' feet, humbly to thank your Highness for the good Opinion you were pleased top express towards me in your last Letter: Your Highness knows I am perfectly devoted to you, and that I desire nothing more passionately, than by my Humble Service to render myself worth thereof. Since my last, the Enemy have sprung six Mines in the Ravelin, which after having repulsed them, we presently repaired, and still we keep our Retrenchment. The Enemy have hitherto gained no more than a Lodgement on the point of the Ravelin: We search above and under ground, and have Countermined three of the Enemy's Mines and sprung two Mines, which had good Effect, and would have had better, were our Miners braver, and more expert; but being people that we are fain to get together any way, it is impossible to make them re-enter the Mine, if they hear the Enemy at work. In the Counterscarp the Enemy have likewise sprung three Mines near a Retrenchment: Palisadoes which we still maintain to cover the Caponiers, we have in the Ditch, and though the Palisadoes were in some places beaten down by the last Mine, yet our men maintained the Post with their Swords in their hands, until such time they were made good again, and 〈◊〉 still keep it. The Enemy have 〈◊〉 other descents in the Ditch, one towards the Bastion Lebeland, and the other towards that of the Court; out of which our men under the favour of the fire we gave, did in open day dislodge them, whilst others commanded for that purpose filled up their works, and burned their Gabbons and Galleries, so that they must begin anew: But Sir, it is time to secure us, we lose a great many Men, and many Officers, more by the Bloody Flux, than by the fire of the Enemy; for there dies almost every day sixty of this Distemper: We have no more Granades, which were our best defence; our Cannon are partly spoiled by the Enemy's Battery, and partly burst ere they had endured fifty shot, by reason of the ill Temperament of the Metal; and the Enemy finding they cannot with small numbers lodge themselves in the Ditch, make great Lodgments on the Counterscarp, and keep a great number of men there, to make Extraordinary Efforts. For the rest it is certain the Enemy have lost, and do daily lose a great many Janissaries, and that they have a great multitude wounded, and no less number sick of the Bloody Flux, which rages amongst them. They have several Camps far enough from each other, and may be easily beaten if they stay for. Your Highness, which I do not believe they will do: They are not at present 60000 fight men, and one Camp may be beaten before it can be assisted by the other. We expect your Highness with the greatest impatience, but I not so much to be delivered of this Siege, as to have the Honour to assure your Highness of the Respect which I am, etc.  
 
Postcript.  
AT this Instant my Miners Informed me, that they hear the Enemy working beneath them, under the Bastion of the Court. they must have passed the Ditch under ground, and there is no more time to be lost.  
This advice greatly alarmed the Imperial Camp, not so much for fear as with a desire immediately to march, and adventure the relief of the City, at the hazard of a Battle, whereupon the Duke assembled the Great Commanders in his own Tent, laying before them the Danger the City was in, and at the same time informed them that he was resolved to attempt its relief, though at the hazard of Battle, which resolve was liked by most, though some there were, who alleged that seeing the King of Poland was near at hand, it was not safe to attempt any thing till both Armies were joined, and that it was better to hazard the City, than the Army, upon which the safety of the Empire depended. Notwithstanding the Army had express orders to March, and had set forward the next day, had not advice in the mean while arrived in the camp from the Count d' Staremberg, informing his Highness that he had discovered and defeated the great Mine under the Court Bastion, and dislodged the Turks in the Counterscarp, by successfully springing two Mines, which had enabled him to hold out much longer than he supposed, therefore he earnestly besought his Highness not to hazard any thing rashly.  
This advice altered the former resolves, especially upon notice of the near approach of the Polonian Horse, yet the Scouts giving information that a great body of Turks and Hungarians, were on their way to join with the Besiegers, under the leading of the Bassa of Buda; Prince Lubomirskie, with the horse under his command, and three Regiments of Imperial Dragoones, advanced to meet them, upon whom coming unexpectedly, after a hot dispute he put them to flight, with the slaughter of four or five thousand of them, taking many prisoners, and a great Convoy of Provision and Ammunition, such as escaped flying to Gran, Newhaussel, and other adjacent Garrisons.  
The Prince was no sooner returned with these spoils to the Camp, but an Officer arrived from the King of Poland, assuring the Duke of Lorraine, that the King was with thirty Regiments of Horse within twelve or fourteen hours of the Imperial Camp, whereupon his Highness dispatched the Margrave of Baden, to compliment him upon his arrival, and immediately drew up his Army in Battalions, to receive him at the head thereof, resolving with all convenient speed to give the Turks a Camisado, and withal sent an express to the Emperor lying at Pashaw, to let him understand the Polonian Kings Approach, and his resolves to fight the Ottoman Army with the first advantage offered, as also in what danger the City of Vienna had been, and was in, giving at the same time straight command to every officer throughout the Army to be in readiness to March upon six hours' notice.  
The Imperial Camp being put into good order, and a resolution taken to fight the Infidels, the King of Poland on the 29 of August arrived with all his Chivalry, and was immediately followed by the remaining Troops of horse, his foot being at the same time advanced, ● within 8 〈◊〉 German Miles of the Imperial Camp; when upon his arrival, having been by the Margrave congratulated. first in the name of his Imperial Majesty, and then in the name of the Duke and all the great Commanders of the Army; he encamped about a mile on the left of the Imperialists, and the next day a Tent Royal was pitched between both Armies, where the King, the Duke of Lorraine, the Electors of Bavaria, Saxony, and divers other Princes met, and after passing the usual compliments, fell to debate about the necessity of their attempting to raise the siege, and that no time was to be lost in that affair, for that the Garrison Soldiers from twenty thousand were by divers distempers and the fire of the enemy, reduced to five or six thousand, nor were they slow in coming to a resolve upon the Method to be observed therein.  
During these transactions the Turks incessantly Battered the City of Vienna, labouring earnestly in their works, as being greatly desirous to take it by storm, and more especially to save the Grand Viziers oath, who had sworn by the head of Mahomet, to take it or die under the walls, though afterward it appeared he had not strength enough to acquire the former, nor courage sufficient to keep his word in the latter, for such was the courage of the besieged, that sallying they beat the enemy once more out of all their works, but by the former sallies and sickness as before mentioned, they were exceedingly weakened, insomuch that they despaired much longer to maintain the City, against the assaults of such so numerous and restless enemies, so that on the fourth of September Count Staremberg at the earnest entreaty of the Burghers, caused it to be signified from St. Stephen's Tower by setting up a purple slag, the signal appointed that the City was in distress, which being perceived by the Imperial Scouts, they acquainted the King and Duke, who thereupon drew up in Battalions, and sent out four hundred horse, to observe whether the enemy had possessed the Forest, and immediately set forward with the whole Army, altogether full of courage and brave resolution, desiring nothing more than to be in action with the Infidels, when in the mean time, the City being pressed by two successive assaults, and a Mine sprung on the point of the Bastion, the Besieged on the eight, made another sign from the Tower of the great danger they were in, and sent out two Enginiers to inform the Duke of Lorraine thereof by word of mouth, the better to hasten relief before the enemy had finished the new Batteries within Musket shot of the Scottenburg Gate, but one of them was taken by the Turks Scouts, and the other supposed to be drowned in passing the Danube.  
But the General having received sufficient notice (and dreading of what evil consequence the least delay might prove) in good order passed the Forest of Vienna, which the Turks to their great disadvantage had not where Fortified. But coming to the hill of Calemberg on the 11th. of October found it strongly possessed; whereupon a squadron of horse, and eight Regiments of foot ascended to Attack the enemy, and remove them from their post, who charged up with such bravery, that after a hot dispute, the Turks gave ground, and retired in great confusion to a strong retrenchment, made at the bottom of the hill towards their Camp, where being reinforced, they made a stand, and again disputed it, but being cut off in great numbers by the shot of the Imperial Cannon, from the hill, on which by this time they were planted, and charged on the one hand by the Polonian horse, and on the other by the Bavarian foot, they after an hours dispute were driven thence, leaving an open field to the Imperial Army, which under the Duke of Lorraine, advanced in good order to charge the Bassa of Sielistra, who as the forlorn, with ten or twelve thousand men, advanced, though in some disorder, by reason his Ranks were broken by the shot from the Hill, which played furiously, till the Duke's squadron of horse under the leading of the Margrave of Baden, caused the Bassa, after a sharp dispute to retire to the main Body, when the Duke of Lorraine with fifteen thousand horse, taking the advantage, fell into the left wing, with such fury, that the Turks in spite of the resistance they made began to fall into disorder, when as the King of Poland charging on the Right, where the Visier sought in person, great was the slaughter, till in the end, the Turks as men discouraged and dismayed, began to shrink together, which the Margrave of Baden perceiving, drew off to relieve the besieged, and by six in the evening posted himself before the Sotch gate, yet did not the Turks in the Trenches desist from assaulting the City, but like men desperately resolved to lose their lives, or win it, but the scale of victory, by this time turning apparently on the Christians side they being seconded by six thousand fresh horse made great slaughter, though the Bassas laboured to encourage their men, and restrain their flight in vain, for by this time the King of Poland with his own Troops, and such Imperial Auxiliaries as seconded him, having broken and quite disordered the left wing, pierced even to the flank of the right, which the Visier perceiving, and finding his Forces two weak longer to maintain the field, fled with the foremost, whilst the Confederate Princes followed, making great slaughter, having the execution of the enemy even till night came on, at what time they prudently weighing that the Turks, as their custom is, might Rally, returned to charge the Turkish Camp, in which were left almost all the Janissaries, but the King of Poland breaking in with great fury, after a hot encounter possessed himself of it, putting such as he found there to the sword, whilst the like success had the Margrave of Baden, who perceiving the Turks Army in rout, entered the Trenches and Works, of which (assisted by the besieged, who at the same time sallied) he soon became Master, cutting in pieces the Turks, that were left to continue the siege, and possessed himself of all the Cannon, Mortars, Powder, and Granado shells, entering the same evening the almost ruined City, which was by sixty days close siege brought to such distress that the most courageous doubted to defend it against another assault, which the enemy was about to make, had they not been prevented; for in it at the time it was delivered, no more than four thousand five hundred fight men were found, and all the works so ruined, that it was left in a manner open to the approaches of the enemy; the Cannon spoiled, the powder spent, and the store of Provision brought to its ultimate Crisis.  
This so great and memorable victory, obtained over the daring Infidels on the eleventh of October, and the City Vienna entirely lest at liberty; all that night the Christian Army stood in Battalia in the enemy's Camp, to prevent any surprise, and the next morning the King of Poland, to whom the greatest share of plunder fell, found besides the Tent-Moveables and horse of Caera, Mustapha, the Prime Visier, the value of a Million of Crowns, the greatest part thereof being in ready money, nor did any soldier want to furnish himself with something; there were likewise found 80 pieces of Cannon, besides those on the Batteries, three thousand Quintals of Powder, and Provision sufficient for the subsistence of the Turkish Army for three months, and immediately thereupon the Polish horse were sent out to pursue the flying enemy, who upon their return brought into the Camp many prisoners, some Camels laden with Tents and Provision, and two great pieces of Cannon, the one drawn by sixty, the other by eighty yoke of Oxen, having likewise cut off a considerable number of such as Marched in the Rear, and pursued them almost as far as Alba-Regalis; so that in this Battle the Turks lost ten or eleven thousand of their best men, and by the bloody flux and fire of the besieged thrice the number.  
The City of Vienna. thus freed, with the loss of not above three hundred Christians, on the twelfth of October his Imperial Majesty, who had resided at Passaw, to give necessary Orders, in all great and weighty affairs, came to Cuisier-Newburg, whither the Count Staremberg, and the chief Officers of the Garrison went to pay their duty, and were received with great respect, when on the fourteenth the Emperor came up the Danube in his Barge, and arriving at the Port Royal, was received at his landing by the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony (attended by their Guards) By the Count d' Staremberg most of the great Commanders, Magistrates, etc. the Garrison Soldiers being posted on the Bastion as they were during the Siege, the Burghers in Arms, and all the Cannon round the Town thrice discharged, where his Imperial Majesty passing on took a view of the Bastion and other works, ruined during the Siege, and the several Retrenchments the besieged had made within the Town, and so went to St. Stephen's Church, where Te Deum was sung, after which he went to the Arch Duke's Palace (his own being so much endamaged by the enemy's Cannon, that it was not capable of receiving him) where he gave Public Audience, and in the evening the Duke of Lorraine arrived, and was by the Emperor received in a most obliging manner, and had a long Conference with him relating to the present war, at what time the King of Poland sent his under Chancellor in his name to congratulate his Arrival, and presented him with the Ottoman Imperial Standard, richly Embroidered and set with precious Stones, to a great value, the which together with two horse-tailes the usual signals of war amongst the Turks, he found in the Viziers Tent; as likewise the original Copy of a Letter signed by divers Hungarian Lords, wherein they congratulate the Visier upon the successful progress of his Arms, and encouraged him to undertake the Siege of Vienna, and withal the Vice-Chancelor had it in charge to invite his Imperial Majesty into his masters Camp.  
The day following the Emperor left the City and went to visit the Army, which was encamped about 2 miles from thence, the two wings reaching towards Ebersdorf and Laxemborough, when coming first to the Bavarian Troops, the Elector at the head of them, saluted him with his sword, and having performed his compliments, accompanied him to the Polish Camp, where the King had drawn up his Army in Battalia, at the head of which, attended by the Great Marshal, and divers Senators of Poland, he advanced to meet the Emperor, each approached the other on horseback, expressing all possible demonstration of Reciprocal love and friendship, and after a short interview, the Emperor took a view of the Polish Army, and then returned to Vienna, whereupon the King of Poland decamped, and marched to Wischa, and was followed by the Imperial Troops under the Leading of the Duke of Lorraine, accompanied with the Electors of Bavaria, Saxony, etc. resolving to strip the Turk out of his Garrisons in Hungary, and now the Emperor, as a signal of his love and respect to Count Staremberg, made him great master d' Camp, and the Magistrates of Vienna attributing their preservation next Heaven, to his courage and conduct, in recompense of so great service, made him a present of two thousand Ducats, and by a Public act under their seal, freed his house for ever of all Taxations or other duties, to the payment of which it before was liable.  
The Grand Visier by this time, having considered and well weighed the greatness of his loss, and the excessive expense his master had been at, in Levying and maintaining so vast an Army, the conduct of which himself had undertaken ' promising at his setting out no less than the subversion of Austria, Croatia, Silesia and Moravia, and now defeated without acquiring any thing memorable, he greatly fearing his head must pay the price of his presumption; the better to cast the blame upon another, and thereby frame a plausible excuse, he in a great rage sent to strangle the Bassa of Buda, which was performed in his Tent, the Visier laying to his charge, that he had basely and Cowardly suffered the overthrow of those Forces he was conducting to the Camp, and had not afterwards taken timely care to recrait his Forces, nor send provision and other necessaries to the Camp. This Bassa thus made away, one Hamet Chellif was made Bassa in his stead, but long enjoyed not his honour, for at the fight at Barkan he with divers other Bassas, was slain, as in the sequel of this History will appear.  
The Visier having notice that the Christian Army had entered Hungary, with a resolution to set down before some important place, and that the Generals had eye upon Gran and New-Hassel, he collected his scattered Forces, to the number of twenty five thousand, encamping near the walls of Stoel-Weissenburg, but not thinking himself safe there, retired before the Christian Army, which marched with all diligence to find him out, but the King and Duke having notice that the lower Hungary was entirely ruined, and left desolate, they repassed the Danube near Comora, with a resolution to possess themselves of Barkan, 〈◊〉 Garrison of the Turks covering the Bridge of 〈◊〉 and Pest over against Buda, the better to secure their winter Quarters in the upper Hungary, which the Visier mistrusting had posted there a body of ten or twelve thousand Janissaries and Spahies or Timarii, whilst himself marched to Alba-Regalis, to be at hand to join them in case they should be attacked, and caused another small body drawn out of the Garrisons, to possess the banks of the River Gran, to hinder the Christians passing over. But this letted not the progress of their Arms, for the King of Poland by swift marches advancing a Germane mile and a half before the Imperial Army, coming near Barkan, the Turks came out in small parties, to skirmish with whom, and to attack the Garrison, the King caused his Dragoons to alight, who after some dispute caused the enemy to retire, but their retreat proved only a design to draw the Poles into their Ambush, for whilst the King furiously pursued, six thousand Janissaries passing undiscovered behind a hill, charged the King's Battle so strongly in the Flank, that piercing the Array, they put it into some disorder, the horse notwithstanding the King was present, breaking rank and giving ground, yet wheeling off he soon brought them to recover their order, and continued the fight bloody and doubtful, when being seconded by foot, the Turks were slain in great numbers, and about to fly, had they not been reinforced by two thousand horse, brought on by the Bassa of Buda, who in the first charge was himself slain, yet they obstinately maintained the fight, which making the King doubt that the Visier with a greater power was at hand, as having no certain intelligence of his march, he sent an express to the Duke of Lorraine to let him know he was engaged, and to desire him to advance with all convenient speed, which he did, but not with such celerity as was expected, by reason he had a long defile to pass, but upon the first approach of his Troops the Poles retired, to avoid the confusion they were falling into, but being reinforced by six Regiments of Imperial Dragoons, they again returned in good order, and every where put the Turks to the rout, following the execution to the Bridge of Barkan, over which a few made their escape, but the Bridge once broken, and all hope of flight cut off, they resolutely threw themselves into the River, and their perished, so that of the whole body a very small number escaped the sword and drowning, unless eight hundred that were taken Prisoners, amongst whom was the Bassa of Silestria, and the Bassas of Buda and Aleppo, fell amongst the slain, which were not computed less than ten thousand, upon which defeat the Garrison surrendered upon discretion, in which was found a rich booty, containing part of the spoils of Austria, Croatia and Moravia; In this Battle fought on the 9 of October thirteen hundred Poles, and one hundred Imperialists fell, the King himself was much endangered by the enemy's shot, and Prince Alexander his son had his horse shot under him; none of note being killed on the part of the Christians but Kirotski a Polish Palatine.  
This second overthrow greatly discouraged the Visier, who was advancing to join this body, but upon the news of the defeat he in great perplexity retired to Belgrade, there to expect new supplies, whilst the King and Duke after thanks for this unexpected Victory returned to Almighty God, kept on their way to Gran, beating the straggling parties appointed to let their passage, and on the 18 of October coming near the City sent out a commanded party to burn the Suburbs, the which after a hot dispute which such Turks as sallied to prevent it, in part they performed, and thereupon prepared formally to besiege that important Garrison, which no doubt will fall into their hands.  
And now Tekely finding the ottoman sword too feeble to maintain his usurped Title, and support him in his Rebellion, sent his deputies to the King of Poland, earnestly to implore his mediation with the Emperor to pardon his past offences, and accept of his future obedience, but that king not finding him real in his intentions, refused to meddle in that affair.  
And thus much Reader have I thought fit for your satisfaction impartially to recount, and conclude with my hearty prayers to Almighty God, that as the Christian Arms have been of late successful, so may they continue till the haughty Infidels by sad experience know, that the crucified God, whom they impiously contemn, blaspheme and revile, is not only able to deliver his people from their merciless cruelties, but in his just displeasure to break in pieces their aspiring Monarchy with a Rod of Iron.  
FINIS.