Gynaikeion: or, Nine bookes of various history. Concerninge women inscribed by ye names of ye nine Muses. Written by Thom: Heywoode.

Begum, Queene of Persia.

ABdilcherai, a braue and valiant Prince of Tartaria, taken prisoner by Emir∣hamze Mirize eldest sonne to the king of Persia, in a battaile betwixt the Persians and Tartarians, was sent to the king into Casbia; where his captiuity in regard of his birth and valour was so easie, that hee rather seemed a deni∣son than a forreiner, a Prince of the blood than a captiue: hee not long so∣iourned there,* 1.1 but he insinuated himselfe into the loue of the Queene Begum wife to the then king of Persia, who spent their time together in such publike daliance (not able to containe themselues within the bounds of any lawfull modestie) that their familiaritie grew almost into a by-word, as farre as his iust taxation, the Queenes dishonour, and the kings scorne; insomuch that both court and cittie made them not onely their argument of discourse but theame of table talke. Yet in all this banding of their disreputation, and the kings in∣famy, nothing euer came within the compasse of his eare knowledge or suspi∣tion: insomuch that seeing him to be so wel a featured gentleman, knowing the Tartar to bee so braue a souldiour, and approouing him to bee so compleate a courtier; and withall acknowledging from what high lignage he was descen∣ded (as boasting himselfe to bee the brother of the great Tartar Chan: The king of Persia therefore determined to marry him to his daughter, hoping by that meanes to vnite such a league, and confirme such an animitie betwixt the Tartarian Precopenses and himselfe, that they might not onely deny all ayde and assistance to Amurath the third of that name, and then the sixt Emperour of the Turks; but also, if need were, or should any future discontent arise, oppose him in hostilitie. But this politicke purpose of the kings arriuing almost at the wished period, seemed so distastfull to the Sultans of Casbia, that they first at∣tempted by arguments and reasons to diuert the king from this intended match: but finding themselues no wayes likelie to preuaile, to make the king see with what errours he was maskt, and with what sorceries deluded, They diligently awayted when in the absence of the king, the Tartar and the queene Begum kept their accustomed appointment; of which the Sultans hauing no∣tice, they entered that part of the Pallace, brake ope the doores, and rushed into the Queenes bed-chamber, where finding Abdilcherai in suspitious con∣ference with the Queene, they slew him with their Sables, and after cutting

off his priuie parts, most barbarously thrust them into his mouth, and after (as some report) slew the queene. Though this historie show great remisnes in the king, most sure I am it was too presumptiue an insolence in the subiect.

To this Persian queene,* 1.2 I will ioyne the wife of Otho the third Emperour of that name. This lustfull ladie (as Polycronicon makes mention) was of some∣what a contrarie disposition with the former: For neglecting the pride and gallantrie of the court, she cast her eyes vpon an homely husbandman; better supplied, it seemes, with the lineaments of nature than the ornaments of art, but with an honestie of minde exceeding both: for when this libidinous lady could by no tempting allurements abroad, nor fitting opportunitie sorted in priuate insinuate with him, either to violate his allegeance to his prince, or corrupt his owne vertue; her former affection turned vnto such rage and ma∣lice, that she caused him to be accused of a capitall crime, conuicted, and exe∣cuted. But the plaine honest man knowing her spleene and his own innocencie, he called his wife to him at the instant when his head was to be cut off: and besought her as she euer tendered his former loue (which towards her he had kept inuiolate) to meditate vpon some course or other by which his guiltlesse and vnmerited death might be made manifest to the world: which she with much sorrow and many teares hauing promised, hee gently submitted to his fate, and his bodie was deliuered to the charge of his widdow. Within few dayes after, the Emperour kept a day solemne, in which his custome was, being mounted vpon his royall Throne, to examine the causes of the fatherlesse and widdows, and to search wherein they were oppressed, and by whom, and in person to doe them justice. Among the rest came this iniured widdow and brings her husbands head in her hand, humblie kneeling before the Emperors throne, demaunding of him, What that inhumane wretch deserued, who had caused an innocent man to be put to death? to whom the Emperour replyed, Produce that man before the judgement seat, and as I am royall hee shall assu∣redly loose his head. To whom she answered, Thou art that man (ô Emperour) for by thy power and authoritie this murder was committed; and for an infal∣lible testimonie that this poore husband of mine perished in his innocence, commaund red hot yrons to be brought into this place, ouer which if I passe barefooted and without any damage, presume he was then as much iniured in his death, as I am now made miserable in his losse. The yrons being brought, and her owne innocence, together with her husbands being made both appa∣rant, the Emperour before all his nobilitie submitted himselfe to her own sen∣tence. But at the intercession of the Bishop, the woman limitted him certaine daies in which he might find out the murder, he first demanded ten daies, after eight, then seuen, and last six, in wich time by inquirie and curious examinati∣ons, he found his wife to be the sole delinquent:* 1.3 for which she was brought to the barre, sentenced, and after burned. This done, Otho to recompence the wo∣man for the losse of her husband, gaue her foure Castles and Townes in the Bishopricke of Beynensis, which still beare name according to the limit of those daies: First the Tenth, second the Eight, third the Seuenth, fourth the Sixt.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Adulterie.
• * 1.2

  The wife of Otho the 3.
• * 1.3

  Noble Iustice.