The generall historie of the Turkes from the first beginning of that nation to the rising of the Othoman familie: with all the notable expeditions of the Christian princes against them. Together with the liues and conquests of the Othoman kings and emperours faithfullie collected out of the- best histories, both auntient and moderne, and digested into one continuat historie vntill this present yeare 1603: by Richard Knolles

ORCHANES.

[illustration]

ORCHANES OTHOMANNI FI SECVNDVS TVRCARVM REX FLORVIT ANNO 1328

Suscipit Orchanes, defuncti septra, parentis: Major vt ingento, sic magis arte valens. Bi thynos, Phrygiamque domat, Prusamque: superbam Et populos latè, Marte fauente premit. Sic laetus tantis Asiam turbasse ruinis: Transit in Europam, Callipolimque capit. Rident interea Graeci sua damna: sed ecce: Dum sua contemnunt, in sua fata ruunt. RICH. KNOLLEVS.

His father dead, Orchanes takes his scepter vp in hand: As one of deeper wit and reach, his foes for to withstand. The Phrigians, and Bithynians, he by force of armes brought low: Proud PRVSA, with faire NICOMEDE, and many cities moe. And glad in ASIA to haue made such hauocke and such spoile: His forces into EVROPE sends, the Graecians there to foile. Who meane while laughing at their losse, did make thereof a game: Not thinking what a world of woe was to ensue the same.

THE LIFE OF ORCHANES, OR VRCHAN, SECOND KING OF THE TVRKES.

AFTER the death of Othoman, his two sonnes Orchanes (whom the Turks call Vrchan) and Aladin his brother, hauing with great solemnitie enterred their father at PRVSA, immediatly summoned a Parlament, where∣unto both the brethren came accompanied with the chiefe of their nobilitie. This parlament was called es∣pecially, for the establishing of the succession in this new kingdome, and for the diuision of Othomans treasure and goods, betwixt them two, his sonnes. But vpon view ta∣ken, there was no money, plate, or jewels found in the kings coffers, for that he had in his life time most boun∣tifully bestowed it vpon his men of warre: so that all the wealth hee left vnto them his sonnes,* 1.1 was, the ho∣nourable remembrance of his life for them to immitate, large dominions for their possessions, store of readie horses, and armour fit for seruice, with great heards of beasts and cattell for house∣hold prouision. Whereupon Orchanes demaunded of his brother Aladin, what order hee thought was best to be taken with those things by their father so left. To whom Aladin an∣swered, That it was most requisite first to establish a king in their fathers kingdome; which like a good sheepherd might gouerne and defend his subjects, rule and maintaine his men of war, prouiding all things meet for defence of his kingdome: And that vnto him of right belonged all these other things by their father left, as the patrimonie of his successour, for the common good and maintenance of his estate. As for mine owne part (said Aladin) I claime no interest therein, you being my elder brother, and so vnto me in steed of a father▪ by whom also you haue been these two yeares, as it were alreadie put in possession of the kingdom, all things being com∣mitted to your gouernment, during the time of his late sickenesse. This modestie of Aladin was greatly commended of all the antient counsellors; by meanes wherof, the kingdome in all peace∣able maner discended to Orchanes. In regard of which courtesie, Orchanes would gladly haue made Aladin his brother President of his counsell: which honour he would in no wise accept, but requested rather that hee would giue him the lordship of FODORE in Tekences coun∣trey; which Orchanes frankly graunted. In which lordship of FODORE, Aladin most part li∣ued a priuat and quiet life, and afterwards built two Mahometan churches, and an abbey at PRVSA, there yet at this day to be seene.

Some Latine Historiographers otherwise report this beginning of Orchanes his raigne;* 1.2 as that Othoman should haue three sonnes, and that Orchanes the youngest obtained the kingdome by murthering of his other brethren. A practise of late much vsed amongst the Turkish prin∣ces, but not before the time of Bajazet the first of that name, who first of the Turkish mo∣narchs embrued his hands with his brothers bloud: where before, they vsed all brotherly ••oue one to another, as the most probable histories collected out of the Turkes owne Chroni∣cles affirme.

* 1.3The Christian princes and captaines, presently vpon the death of Othoman recouered the ci∣tie of NICE with diuers other castles and forts, out of the hands of the Turks: as it commonly chanceth, that dominions lately woon with great perill, are soone againe lost, the Conquerour dying before there be a firme gouernment established. Amongst other forts by the Christians repossessed, the castle of TZUPRICHISER, situate vpon the passages of the riuer SANGARIUS, most grieued the Turks, for thereby their passage into that part of BYTHINIA was much im∣peached. Wherfore Orchanes desirous to recouer this castle, disguised himselfe with a few other of his best souldiors, in the apparrell of Christian marchants, and came to the castle, crauing leaue to passe as marchants: the warders of the castle verely supposing them by their attire to bee marchants, opened the gates, and let them into the castle: who presently drew their swords, slew the warders, and so by force possessed the castle, to the great benefit of the Turkes, and the hurt of the poore Christians yet left in the countrey of BYTHINIA. For they now hauing opened a way ouer the riuer SANGARIUS, and as it were broken downe the strongest defence of that side of the Greeke empire, at their pleasure forraged the countrey in such sort, as that the great citie of NICE (for want of victuals to relieue so great a multitude as for feare of the Turks was fled out of the countrey into it) was brought to great extremitie and want. For the releefe whereof, and for the repulsing againe of the Turks, Andronicus the yong emperour, who then all commaun∣ded, with such an armie as he was then able to raise, passed himselfe in person ouer the strait of CONSTANTINOPLE into ASIA: the greatest strength of his armie consisting in two thousand choice horsemen; the rest as well horse as foot, being for the most part artificers taken vp in the citie, men altogether vnacquainted with armes (who in token of their cowardise, and that they were more mindfull of flight than of fight, carried ouer with them almost as many long boats, and such other small vessels, as they were men, to be readie to receiue them at such time as they should flie) or els abject rascals, taken vp here and there, men of whom no great thing was to be expected, and of all others most vnfit for so great a prince (as was the emperour) to commit the defence of his person and honour vnto. But Orchanes hearing of his comming, sent certain of his most expert captaines, to forelay the straight passages of the countrey whereby the emperor was to passe; following also himselfe after with his armie, of purpose to encounter the emperour. Who in three daies march after his landing in ASIA, being come to PHILOCRENE, a little towne in BYTHINIA, and vnderstanding, that Orchanes hauing before taken the straits, lay not far off encamped with his armie; he there at PHILOCRENE pitched his tents, and staied that night also. But the next morning, the Sunne as yet scarcely risen, he seeing diuers companies of the Turks comming downe from the mountaines fast by, put his armie into order of battell, and so set forward to meet them. Where to begin the fight, the Turks archers freely bestowed their piercing shot amongst the Christians, still keeping themselues aloofe off, so to doe the more harme. Which the emperor mistaking, and supposing that their keeping off to haue proceeded of feare, encouraged therewith, commaunded certaine loose companies disorderly to march for∣ward, & to skirmish with them: which his more expert captains not liking, would haue otherwise persuaded him, as to haue kept his strength together against the danger of the battell. Neuerthe∣lesse, such was his youthfull heat, as that he could by no meanes be otherwise intreated, but that forward needs they must. But all the forenoone spent in this light and tumultuarie kind of skirmi∣shing, and the Sunne at the highest now shining very hot, Orchanes from the top of the moun∣taines perceiuing the Christians well wearied with the heat of the day and long skirmishing, came downe from the hils with a world of men following him; who with a most hideous crie charged the Christians on euery side, some a farre off with their arrowes, and some hand to hand with their swords and other weapons: whose assault the Christians at the first most valiantly receiued, and a great while right worthely defended themselues, hauing wounded and slaine a number of their enemies. Which hard fight was on both sides courageously maintained, vntill the approching of the night, with great slaughter on both sides: at which time, the Christians wearie of the long fight, and oppressed with the multitude of their enemies, disorderly retiring toward their trenches, and hardly pursued by the Turkes, receiued there a great losse, as well of their horsemen, as of their foot: but by the comming on of the night, the battell was at length en∣ded with vncertaine victorie. Amongst others there hurt, the emperour himselfe was wounded in the foot with an arrow.* 1.4 That night happened a wofull mishap, and a manifest token of God his wrath: for Orchanes hauing to his cost made proofe of the strength and valour of the Chri∣stians,

and doubting they would the next day come on farther into the countrey, left three hun∣dreth horsemen, as scouts, to attend the enemies remoouing: and himselfe with his armie retired beforehand to take the aduantage of such places as the Christians were to passe by. But the em∣perour in the euening leauing his campe; and going to PHILOCRENE, a little towne fast by, the better to haue his wound dressed; the rest of the armie vnderstanding of his departure, and sup∣posing him to haue fled for feare (as if Orchanes with a great armie would that night haue slaine them all) fled themselues also out of the campe, euery mothers sonne; some to their long boats and other little vessels they had for that purpose brought ouer the strait; some hasting towards the towne gates, were by the multitude of others running headlong after them, ouerborne, and troden to death; othersome hanging one at anothers taile, like a chaine, got some part of them vp to the top of the rampiers of the towne; othersome drawne backe by them that hung vpon them, falling downe together by heapes, and trod vpon by others, there perished; some (as is re∣ported) died there for very feare, no man either chasing or hurting them; so weake is mans cou∣rage when God withdraweth from him his strength. But in the morning the Sunne arising, the three hundreth Turks, left for scouts, perceiuing the flight of the Christians, entred the forsaken campe, where they found horses, armour, and emptie tents, yea the emperours owne furniture and his horses readie sadled: of all which, two hundred of these Turks tooke the spoile at their pleasure; and the other hundred pursuing the dispersed Christians; like heartlesse men, wandring here and there, slew a great number of them. The emperour himselfe seeing his armie (thus as it were by the hand of God) ouerthrowne and dispersed, tooke shipping also, and so returned to CONSTANTINOPLE. After whose departure, the Turks seizing vpon many sea townes alongst the coast of BYTHINIA, and there seating themselues, laid heauie tributes vpon the other coun∣trey townes and villages; for the benefit whereof, they spared to destroy them, together with the inhabitants, which they might at their pleasure full easily haue done.

Now lay the great citie of NICE in the suds, the enemie commaunding all the country about it, liuing as sicke men doe by hope, and holding out onely vpon hope of a thousand horsemen which the emperour (notwithstanding his late discomfiture) had promised foorthwith to send, there to lie in garrison for the repressing of the Turks. Of which aid so promised, Orchanes vn∣derstanding, furnished eight hundred of his owne horsemen, after the manner of the Christians: and fetching a great compasse about, came at length into the high way that leadeth from CON∣STANTINOPLE to NICE, and so trouped directly towards the citie, as if they had come from CONSTANTINOPLE. At the same time he sent three hundred of his other horsemen, in the habit of Turks, to forrage and spoile the countrey, as much as they could within the view of the citie (now for want of victuals brought into great extremitie) which whilest they were a doing, the other eight hundred horsemen in the attire of Christians, following vpon them, as if it had been by chance, charged them, and in the sight of the cittizens put them to flight: which done, these counterfeit horsemen returned directly againe towards NICE. The cittizens which with great pleasure had in the meane time from the wals seene the most part of the skirmish; and how they had put the Turks to flight, supposing them to be the Constantinopolitan horsemen whom they daily expected, with great joy opened the gates of the citie to receiue them as their friends: But they being entred the gates,* 1.5 presently set vpon the Christians, fearing no such matter: and being seconded with the other three hundred, which in dissembling manner had fled before, and were now speedily returned, bringing also with them other companies of Turks, before laid in se∣cret ambush not far off, they woon the great and famous citie of NICE, which they haue euer since vntill this day possessed: the spoile wherof was giuen vnto the souldiors for a prey, and the citizens all led away into miserable captiuitie and thraldome▪ Whilest Orchanes was thus busied, his other captaines did with great courage and successe enlarge his dominions on all sides, daily encroching vpon their weake neighbours the Christians. Cunger-Alpes, one of his warlike cap∣taines, subdued the country of MVDURN, or MODRIN, in PHRIGIA; and BOLLI in PAPHIA∣GONIA: appointing one Abdurachman, a man of great valour to gouerne the country. And at the same time another of his old captains called Accecozza, brought CANDARA in PAPHIAGONIA, and ERMENIE, a country neere vnto the mountain HORMINIUS, into the Turkish subjection▪ placing garrisons in all the castles & forts which he had woon, of whom some part of those coun∣tries was after his name called Cozza Ilini, that is to say, The old mans country. So that Orchanes his kingdome grew daily greater & greater, as well by the industrie of his chieftains, as of himselfe.

About this time, it fortuned the captains son of SCAMANDRIA (a town not far from the ruines of the antient citie of TROY, and about a daies journey from the renoumed castle of ABYDUS) to depart out of this world: vnto whose funerals being kept in the countrey, whilest his wo•••••• father the captaine with his friends out of SCAMANDRIA resorted, the old craftie. Turke Ac∣cecozza lying alwaies in wait, as a fox for his prey, suddenly set vpon those heauie Christians, whereof he slue the most part, and tooke the rest prisoners. Amongst whom he also tooke the captaine of SCAMANDRIA, with his castle and countrey: whom he afterwards led prisoner vn∣to the castle of ABYDVS, which is one of the most famous castles situate vpon the sea coast of ASIA, ouer against SESTVS in EVROPE, where the sea of HELLESPONTVS by the nar∣row strait falleth into the sea AEGEVM: two castles much renoumed, by reason of their nigh situation, and yet placed in diuers parts of the world; eternized also by the euer liuing wits o•• Poets, for the aduenturous passage of Leander ouer that fret of the sea, to his loue Hero: which castles are now called DARDANELLY. Accecozza hauing brought the captiue captaine of SCAMANDRIA (lately a man of great account in that country) so neer as he could vnto the castle of ABYDVS, offred to set him at libertie if they would surrender their castle, otherwise they should see him cruelly slaine before their faces. These Turkish threats nothing moued them of ABYDUS, more than to say, That they might if they would cut off his head, seeth him, and eat him, but the castle they intended not to deliuer. The same captain was afterward by the cōmandement of Or∣chanes profered to the emperor of CONSTANTINOPLE, to be redeemed, which he refused. Yet at the last he was ransomed by the gouernour of NICOMEDIA, and againe set at libertie. Acce∣cozza of long time held the castle of SCAMANDRIA: yet so continually molested with the garrison of ABYDVS, and men of war sent from CONSTANTINOPLE, that he with his fol∣lowers were glad for the most part to liue on horsbacke, to be alwaies in more readinesse against the attempt of their enemies. The captaine of the castle of ABYDVS had at that time a faire young gentlewoman to his daughter, who (as she said) chanced to dreame (what she had happily waking, for the most part wished) That being fallen into a deepe mirie ditch, out of which she could by no meanes helpe her selfe, a lustie young gallant comming by, did not onely helpe her out, but also in friendly manner, made her cleane, and afterwards apparelled her in rich and costly attire. The danger of this dreame much troubled the tender gentlewoman, but the image of the yong gentleman was so well phantizied in her braine, that waking, she thought she still saw him, and sleeping longed sore for what she saw not. Thus whilst this yong gentlewoman with great deuotion entertained this imaginarie man; the old gray headed Turk Accecozza came, and with a strong companie besieged her fathers castle of ABYDVS.* 1.6 During which siege, this gentlewo∣man oftentimes went vp into the high turret of the castle, from whence shee might at pleasure see the marshall deeds on both sides, and take full view of all the enemies campe. But see the chance, as Abdurachman with great courage and no lesse brauerie, approched neere to the siege of the castle, she thought (vpon the first sight of him) that he was the verie man whom she had before dreamed of, and whose Idea was in her heart so deepely imprinted: wherefore she fully re∣solued to performe what she had without witnesse with her selfe determined. And waiting ano∣ther time, when Abdurachman approched the castle, she cast downe to his feet a letter written in Greeke, and made fast vnto a stone: which letter he taking vp, deliuered the same to the Gene∣rall Accecozza. Wherein after she had discouered her passionat affection, she promised to deli∣uer the castle into Abdurachmans power, if the Turkes would raise their siege, and Abdurach∣man himselfe with some few would secretly returne to the castle in the dead time of the night, and then follow her direction. Accecozza like an old fox, which is seldome taken in the trap, gaue small credit to these louing lines, for feare of treason: yet for so much as you are the man (said he to Abdurachman) whom she vpon speciall liking hath made choice of for the purpose, will you aduenture your person? And he, armed with a manly courage, a surer defence than any armour of proofe, incited also with hope of honour, riches, and beautie, all woorthie prises for marshall minds; said he would vndertake the atchieument of that exploit, if it were his plea∣sure so. Whereupon Accecozza, because nothing should be suspected by his sudden departure, gaue a sharpe assault to the castle, as if hee would haue taken it by fine force, yet in the end retired, and presently brake vp his siege, as dispairing of the winning thereof. The defen∣dants of the castle thinking themselues deliuered from a great danger, greatly rejoyced: and as in like case it oftentimes falleth out, in their great jolitie surcharged themselues that night with

excesse both of meat and drinke. But Abdurachman at the time in the letter appointed, put himselfe vpon the way, with certain select souldiors, and about midnight came to the appointed place of the castle, where the yong gentlewoman was attending his cōming: & he by her means was conueyed into the castle, and so by her directed to the porters lodge: where he slew the por∣ter, being fast asleepe, and opening the gates, let in his followers: which went directly to the cap∣taines lodging, and there tooke him prisoner, being before their comming ouertaken with wine, and fast asleepe. Thus was the castle of ABYDUS surprised by the Turks, from whence they had a faire prospect out of ASIA into EUROPE. The captaine with his faire daughter and the grea∣test part of the rich spoile of the castle was deliuered to Abdurachman, to bee presented to Or∣chanes at his court, then lying at NEAPOLIS. Who wonderfull glad of so good news, gaue the faire gentlewoman with the greatest part of the prey in reward to Abdurachman. The posteritie of this man (as they say) yet remaine among the Turks. Amongst others of the warlike captains, there was also one Cararachman, whose name was so dreadfull to thē of CONSTANTINOPLE, that when their children cried, they would terrifie them to make them hold their peace, by saying Cararachman comes. Not long after the two valiant aforenamed woorthie captaines Cunger-Alpes and Accecozza died: after whose death, Orchanes made his sonnes, Solyman and Amurath, lords and gouernours of those countries and prouinces. And intending (by the persuasion of Ab∣durachman) to besiege NICOMEDIA, he leuied a great armie, wherewith hee tooke diuers small castles and forts as he marched towards the citie. NICOMEDIA was at that time gouerned by an honourable ladie, kinswoman vnto Andronicus the emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE: but she seeing her citie besieged by the Turks, and doubting her owne forces not to be able to hold out the siege,* 1.7 by a trustie messenger offred to yeeld the citie vnto Orchanes, vpon condition, That she with so many of the citizens as would, might in safetie depart with their liues, libertie, and goods: which being graunted, she with so many as would follow her, departed out of the cittie by night, taking shipping for CONSTANTINOPLE.

Orchanes hauing taken NICOMEDIA, made his sonne Solyman gouernour of the same. The churches of the Christians he conuerted into Turkish Meschitas or temples. The greatest church (being of wonderfull beautie) he conuerted into a colledge or schoole, for the learned professours and students of Mahomets law, which is yet called in NICOMEDIA, Orchanes his schoole or col∣ledge. And because the countrey neere vnto NICOMEDIA, lying open vpon the sea, was euer in danger to be spoiled by the gallies of CONSTANTINOPLE; he placed in those countries diuers of his most experienced soldiors to defend the same, appointing to euery of them possessions and pensions, according to their degrees and merits. After this, Orchanes by the counsell of his brother Aladin, commaunded all his men of war to weare white caps, thereby to be knowne from others, which commonly wore red. Such manner of caps the Ianizaries vse at this day. The Turks also in Orchanes raign, & long time after, vsed not to cut or shaue their beards, but did weare them long: so that if the king would disgrace any man, he would in his displeasure commaund his beard to be cut or shauen. The manner of cutting and shauing their beards, which they now vse, they learned of the Italians: of whom they haue also borrowed many other fashions, not onely differing, but quite cōtrarie to their antient maners & customes.* 1.8 Orchanes about this time remoued his court to NICE, where he lay long time after. There he built a sumptuous church, appointing a preacher to preach vnto the people euery friday: he erected in NICE also two faire abbeyes, in the one of which, he with owne hands serued the strangers and poore the first dinner. He was the first that builded abbeyes or monasteries among the Turks, whose example most of his successours haue imitated, and is amongst them vsed vnto this day.

The gouernment of NICOMEDIA, Orchanes committed to his eldest sonne Solyman (as is beforesaid) a prince of great towardlinesse, giuing him in great charge, to haue a vigilant eie vnto the townes of TARAXA, GOVINUCA, and MUDVRNE, which were nigh vnto NICOMEDIA, yet in possession of the Christians: all which townes, with the countries adjoyning, Solyman in short time got without force, by composition. This Solyman was of a princely disposition, so tem∣pering justice with clemencie in his gouernment, that many Christians (allured with his vertues) became of his religion, and gladly put themselues vnder his subjection: the politicke laws of the countrey he neither abrogated nor changed, but maintained as they had ben of antient time ac∣customed, whereby he greatly woon the hearts of the people. Amurath his yonger sonne, Orcha∣nes made lord and gouernour of PRUSA, after he had remooued his court to NICE. And the

castle of CHARA-CHIZAR, with the seignorie thereto belonging, he gaue to his cosin Artemu••e, the sonne of his vncle Iundus.

* 1.9There was at this time in Orchanes court, a noble yong gentleman, called Turson-beg, the son of Charasis, king of CHARASIA; by whose persuasion Orchanes in person himselfe with a strong armie, made an expedition into that countrey: for that his fathers subjects after the death of the king his father, denied their obedience to his elder brother, wishing rather to haue Turson for their soueraigne. In whose behalfe Orchanes taking that journey, surprised by the way many ca∣stles and townes to his owne vse. Orchanes was no sooner entred the countrey of CHARASIA, but Tursons elder brother fled to PERGAMUM, whither the Turks shortly pursued him: Where Turson desirous to speake with his brother, vnwarily approching the citie, was wounded with an arrow shot from the wals, and there slaine. With whose death Orchanes was so greatly offended, that he threatened to destroy the whole countrey with fire and sword, if they did not by a day prefixed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 submit themselues to his mercie. The people terrefied with this proclamation of so 〈…〉〈…〉 alreadie in armes,* 1.10 yeelded themselues vnto his subjection. The kings sonne also 〈…〉〈…〉 into PERGAMUM, vpon reasonable conditions yeelded himselfe vnto Orcha∣nes, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him to PRUSA, where after he had there liued two yeares, died of the plague: after whose death, Orchanes made his son Solyman prince of CARASINA. Neither is this taking in of the countrey of CARASINA to be accounted a small conquest; one of the greatest houses of the Turks the successors of the Iconian Sultan Aladin, now thereby taking end, and their domini∣ons, which were not small (as containing almost all LYDIA, with some good parts of MISIA, TROAS, and the lesser PHRIGIA) now vnited vnto the Othoman kingdome. Orchanes vpon his returne, for the good successe of this journey, built a church and monasterie at PRUSA, placing therein religious men, with all diligence sought for out of all his kingdome: of which religious, the Turks write many fables, better worth the smiling at than the serious reporting. Hitherto the kingdome of Othoman and Orchanes his sonne, was contained within the bounds of the lesser ASIA, which the Turks call ANATOLIA.

Now it resteth to be shewed, vpon what occasion Orchanes, or rather his sonne Solyman Bass••, as it were fatally, with a small power first passed ouer HELLESPONTUS into EUROPE; where they and their successors haue by little and little so enlarged their dominions, that they haue now long ago quite ouerthrowne the Grecian empire, with many other great kingdoms, & are at this present a terrour to all Christian princes bordering vpon them: to the perpetuall infamie of the Greeks, who for want of courage, and busied with ciuile discord, neuer sought in time to impeach their greatnesse.

Orchanes hauing now so augmented his kingdome, that he might from many parts therof out of ASIA, take view of the pleasant borders of EUROPE, from whence he was excluded only by the narrow sea of HELLESPONTUS; and continually incited with the vnsatiable and restlesse de∣sire of soueraignetie, began to deuise how he might possibly passe that strait sea, and set foot into EUROPE, another part of the world. Which his conceit one day he imparted to his sonne So∣lyman: who presently answered his father, That if it would please him to giue him leaue, he would not doubt to passe the strait of HELLESPONTUS, and in time to plant the Mahometane religion in those countries of EUROPE, possessed by the Christians. Which answer of Solyman, much pleased his father, who gaue him leaue to depart into his countrey, and in that matter to proceed further, as he thought best, and as occasion should best serue. Solyman taking leaue of his father, tooke his journey into CARASINA, where riding vp and downe the country, as it had bin for his pleasure only, he made his way to the place where it is thought the famous citie of TROY sometime stood; where yet (as the Turks and some others say) are to be seene the woonderfull ruines of that vnfortunate citie by the sea side: In this place Solyman stood still a great while as it were in a studie, forecasting (as it seemed) some great matter, without speking one word to any of his followers. When one of his chiefetains called Ezes-beg, to put him out of his deep thoughts boldly said vnto him: My lord and great soueraigne, what strange thing is this, that you are so deepely drowned in these your melancholy thoughts, vndoubtedly it is some great matter that you are studying vpon? Truth it is, said Solyman, for I was thinking how it were possible to passe ouer this sea of HELLESPONTUS into the borders of EUROPE, and to take view of that coun∣trey, and so to returne vndiscouered. If this bee the matter, said Ezes-beg (joyning vnto him one Fazil-Beg, a man of no lesse valour than himselfe) wee two will by the power of God performe

••nto you this enterprise. Then was Solyman desirous to know of them, about what place they would passe ouer: which they well knowing the sea coast, shewed him not far off. Wherfore Soly∣man giuing them leaue, they departed: and shortly after making a little boat, or rather as some suppose a raffe, passed ouer HELLESPONTUS by night, and arriued in EUROPE side, neere vnto •• castle of the Turkes, called ZEMENIC or ZEMBENIC, but of the Greekes Coiridocastron; that is to say, The hogs castle, not farre from SESTUS: where going ashore, they tooke prisoner a Greeke in a vineyard neere vnto the castle, whom they finding to bee a good sensible fellow, without delay put him into their boat or raffe, and returning backe againe, presented him to So∣lyman. This Christian captiue Solyman entertained courteously, giuing him great gifts and rich apparrell, to discouer vnto him the estate of his countrey: and in fine, learned of him a meanes ••o take the castle of ZEMBENIC, before the Christians should thereof be aware. For atchieue∣ment whereof, certaine boats were speedily made readie by Solyman commaundement, and he with eightie chosen souldiors easily passed ouer in them by night, with their Christian guide the Greeke: for in that place, the strait betwixt ASIA and EUROPE is not past an Italian mile ouer. This guide brought Solyman directly to the aforesaid castle, where was a great dunghill, so high, that from the top thereof Solyman with his souldiors easily got into the castle, which they woon without any great resistance; for it was then haruest time, and most part of the people were in the vineyards, or treading out of their corne all night, as the vse of those countries is▪ Solyman thus possessed of the castle of ZEMBENIC, vsed no extremitie against the inhabitants thereof, seeking rather by courtesie to gaine their good wils, than by extremitie to force them to his: yet such gentlemen as he tooke, with some others also of the better sort, hee sent by shipping into ASIA; and by the same ships returned souldiors as fast as he could into EUROPE: so that he had in one day two hundred souldiors more brought ouer vnto him. And manning such small vessels as hee had left about the castle, sent Ezes-beg alongst the coast on EUROPE side, to burne such shipping or vessels as he could find, least the Christians should by them hinder his passage vpon the strait of HELLESPONTUS. So in a few daies Solyman had transported into EUROPE two thousand good souldiors of the Turks, whom he so gouerned, that they did not in any violent sort injurie the vulgar Christians, by reason whereof the common people began to like reasonable well of the Turks, and to conuerse with them without feare. This was the first comming ouer of the Turks into EUROPE, with purpose there to conquer and inhabit, vnder the fortune of the Otho∣man kings. For albeit that some of that nation had at sundrie times before come ouer, as men see∣king after spoile, or otherwise sent for, yea sometimes by the Greeke emperours themselues; yet neuer stayed they long, but hauing done that they came for, or els lost themselues, returned back againe into ASIA: vntill that now conducted by Solyman, and possessed of the little castle of ZEMBENIC (as is aforesaid) they there tooke so fast footing, as that they and their posteritie after them, were neuer thence to be since that time remoued: but still more and more encroching vp∣on the Christians, haue vnto their Asian kingdome joyned a great part of EUROPE also, to the terrour of the rest that yet remaineth, as in the processe of this Historie shall (if God will) at large appeare.

About two miles from ZEMBENIC in CHERSONESVS was another castle called MAI∣TO,* 1.11 or more truely MADITVS, which Solyman also tooke: so that now he had gotten two ca∣stles in EVROPE, both which he stongly manned. After which time, the Turkes in great num∣bers came out of ASIA into EVROPE ouer that narrow strait of HELLESPONTVS, to dwell in CHERSONESVS: and Solyman in stead of them, to make roome for his Turkes, sent Christians out of EVROPE to be placed amongst the Turkes in ASIA. The report of this com∣ming ouer of the Turkes into CHERSONESVS, and of the taking of the castle of ZEMBENIC carried in post to CONSTANTINOPLE, was sufficient to haue stirred vp any prouident or care∣full men, presently to haue taken vp armes for the recouerie of the lost castle, and the driuing out againe of the barbarous enemies out of EVROPE, before they had gathered any greater strength, or setled themselues in those places: but such was the carelesse negligence and great se∣curitie of the proud Greekes, that in stead thereof they to extenuate the greatnesse of the losse, commonly sayd, That there was but an hogstie lost; alluding vnto the name of the castle: and vainely (as sayth a graue Father of their owne) jeasting at that was not to be jeasted at, and laugh∣ing at that was not to bee laughed, but lamented for; as in few yeares it prooued, their foolish laughter being not without good cause conuerted into most bitter teares.

* 1.12Solyman his strength so still increasing by the dayly comming ouer of the Turkes, hee pro∣ceeded farther to spoyle the countrey of CHERSONESVS, almost as farre as CALLIPOLIS, di∣stant from the castle ZEMBENIC about two and twentie miles: after which pleasant citie the proud Turke began now to long. Which the gouernour thereof perceiuing by the Turkes con∣tinuall encroaching vpon him, raysed what power he was able to make, and so went out against them; all the rest of the Greekes in the meane time lying still as if they had beene a sleepe, or that the matter had not concerned them: but meeting the Turkes, he was by them (after a great conflict) ouerthrowne, and for sauegard of his life glad to flie into his citie: after whom the Turkes following, spoyled the countrey round about, and in their returne by plaine force tooke the citie, together with the castle also: which hapned in the yeere of our Lord 1358 Where the madnesse of the Greeks was againe more than before to bee wondred at; for the newes of the losse of CALIPOLIS being brought to CONSTANTINOPLE, the people there made small account thereof, although it was indeed a right great losse, and much concerned the state: but to extenuate the matter, when they had any talke thereof, in jeasting wise commonly said, That the Turks had but taken from them a pottell of wine: but by taking of such hogstyes and pottels of wine (as they termed it) the Turks in a few yeares after had gone so farre in THRA∣CIA, that Amurath (this same Solyman his Nephew which now tooke from the Greekes the citie of CALLIPOLIS) euen in the heart (as it were) of the Greeke empire, placed his royal seat at HADRIANOPLE: and immediately after him Baiazet his sonne (hauing subdued all the countrey, euen to the walles of CONSTANTINOPLE) for certaine yeares layd hard siege vnto the imperiall citie it selfe; and had no doubt then carried it, had not the great expedition of the mightie Tartar prince Tamerlaine (vnto Baiazet fatall) in the meane time hapned: whereby (God so appointing it) the prosperous succeedings of the Turkes were for a space well stayed, that they should not before the time by him prefined, deuour the reliques of the Greeke empire. And it were to be wished that the Christians of our time also (by their example warned) would at length awake out of their dead sleepe: who of late haue lost vnto the same enemie, not the castle of ZEMBENIC, or the citie of CALLIPOLIS, but whole kingdomes, as HVNGARIE, and CY∣PRVS and are still faire in the way; I say no more for greefe, and foreboding of euill fortune▪ But againe to our purpose, Solyman hauing made this prosperous entrance into EVROPE, and there got strong footing, by speedie messengers certified his father what he had done, and that it was expedient for him with all speed to send vnto him a great supplie of men of warre, as well for the sure defence and keeping of the castles and forts by him alreadie gotten, as for the fur∣ther inuasion of the countrey. This message was woonderfull welcome vnto Orchanes, and whereas many families of the Sarazins, at that present were come into the countrey of CARA∣SINA to possesse the dwellings and places of them, which in hope to better their estate were be∣fore gone ouer into EVROPE; all these Sarazins hee commaunded to passe ouer into EVROPE likewise: which they did accordingly, seating themselus for a time in the countrey neere to CAL∣LIPOLIS. In the meane time, Solyman omitted no oportunitie to enter further into the countrie, winning small forts and holds, and still peopling the same with his Turkes: And on the other side, they of CARASINA passed ouer into EUROPE, placing thēselues as it were in a new world. For which cause, and for the great desire they had to extend the Turkish dominion and religion, they refused no paines of warre: so that all things at that time prospered with the Turkes, and went backward with the Christians.

In the time of these warres, not farre from CALLIPOLIS, was a little castle called CON∣GERE, the captaine whereof was by a Greeke name called Calo Ioannes, a valiant and painefull man: this captaine continually molested and troubled the Turks which lay on that side of CAL∣LIPOLIS, vnder the leading of Ezes-beg, many of whom he slew and tooke prisoners, as hee could find them at any aduantage. Solyman much angred herewith, by craftie and secret espials learned a certaine time when he was gone out of his castle to doe some exploit vpon the Turks: whereupon he presently so beset the castle with souldiors, that hee could by no meanes returne thither, but hee must first fall into their hands; and for more assurance placed others also in by∣waies, least he should by any way escape. The captaine ignorant of all this, prosecuted his enter∣prise, and hauing taken a Turke prisoner, thinking to returne to his castle, was hastely pursued by Fazill-Beg: for which cause, making the more hast, he suddainly fell into the danger of the Turks laid in ambush: where his men were all slaine, and he himselfe taken and brought before his own

castle, and had there his head presently strucke off: whereupon the castle was forthwith by them that were therein (hauing now lost their captaine) surrendred, and Chazi Ili Beg, a valiant captaine of the Turks, placed in the same: who from thence neuer ceased to trouble the countrey euen to the wals of DIDYMOTICHUM, as did Solyman also out of CALLIPOLIS.

Thus in the space of one yeare the Turks got strong footing in EUROPE, possessing diuers castles and townes, with the countrey about them, which Solyman gaue in reward vnto his cap∣taines and souldiors, as appeareth by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and tombes of Ezes-beg and Fazill-beg, the two which first came ouer into EUROPE, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there yet well knowne.

About this time it fortuned,* 1.13 that as this ma••••all prince Solyman was for his disport hawking in the fields of BOLAYRE, on EUROPE side, galloping in to his faulcon, was with his horse ouer∣throwne in a ditch, of which fall he being sore brused, shortly after died. The newes of his death being brought to Orchanes his father 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him (then being sicke) just occasion of great sor∣row: so that within two moneths after he died also, being fourescore yeares old, when hee had thereof raigned 31 yeares; and died about the yeare of our Lord 1359. Some histories report otherwise, both of his death, and of the time wherein he liued: as that he should beslaine in a bat∣tell against the Tartars, or as others write, with an arrow at the siege of PRUSA, in the yeare of our Lord 1349. But Ioannes L••unclaui•••• in his historie collected out of the Turks owne chroni∣cles whom we follow as most probable reporteth it as before.

This Orchanes was wise, courteous, and bountifull, more ingenious than his father in deuising warlike engins. He built diuers princely Churches, Abbeies, Colledges, and Cels, and was in his superstitious religion very zealous: insomuch, that he appointed pensions to all such as could in the church say the booke of Mahomets law by heart▪ and appointed competent maintenance for all Iudges of his courts, because they should not take any thing in reward of his subjcts, for the peruerting of justice. He greatly inlarged his kingdome in ASIA, and not content to bee in∣closed with the seas of EVXINUM and HELLESPONTUS, set fast footing in EVROPE; which some attribute to his sonne Amurath. He was vnto the Christians alwaies a most mortall ene∣mie, and so 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

FINIS.

Christian prin∣ces of the same time with Or∣chanes.

• Emperours
  • Of the East
    • Andronicus Palaeologus the younger. 1325. 29.
    • Iohn Palaeologus. 1354. 30.
  • Of the West
    • Lewes of Bauaria. 1314. 32.
    • Charles the fourth, sonne to Iohn, king of Bohemia. 1346. 10.
• Kings
  • Of England
    • Edward the third. 1327. 50.
  • Of Fraunce
    • Philip Valois. 1328. 22.
    • Iohn Valois. 1350. 14.
  • Of Scotland
    • Robert Bruce. 1306. 24.
    • Dauid Bruce. 1341.
• Bishops of Rome
  • Iohn the XXII. 1317. 18.
  • Benedict the XII. 1335. 7.
  • Clement the VI. 1342. 12.
  • Innocent the VI. 1354. 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The wealth that Othoman left vnto his two sonnes, Orcha∣nes, and Aladin.
• * 1.2

  When that bar∣barous manner of murthering their breth••e••, first began among the Turkish Sul∣tans.
• * 1.3

  The city of Nice with diuers o∣ther castles reco∣uered from the Turks after the death of Otho∣man.
• * 1.4

  The emperour wounded.
• * 1.5

  The city of Nice surprised by the Turks.
• * 1.6

  Abydus besieged by the Turks.
• * 1.7

  Nicomedia yeel∣ded vnto Orcha∣nes.
• * 1.8

  Orchanes remo∣ueth his court to Nice.
• * 1.9

  Orchanes inua∣deth the country of Carasi••a.
• * 1.10

  The countrey of Carasina yeelded vnto Orchanes.
• * 1.11

  The castle of Maditus taken by the Turks.
• * 1.12

  Calipolis taken by the Turkes.
• * 1.13

  The death of Solyman Bassa, Orchanes his eldest sonne▪ The death of Orchanes.