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

MAHOMET. II.

[illustration]

MAHOMETHES II COG MAGNVS TVRCARVM IMPERATOR PRIMVS FLORVIT AN^o 1450

* 1.1Qui vici innumeros populos, tot regna, tot vrbes: Solus & immensi qui timor orbis eram: Me rapuit quae cunque rapit mors improba, sed sum Virtute excelsa, ductus ad astra tamen. Maior Alexander non me fuit, Annniball & non, Fuderit Ausonios tot licet ille duces. Vici victores Dannos, domuique feroces Caoniae populos, Sauromatasquè truces. Pannonius sensit, quantum surgebat in armis Vis mea: quae latio cognita nuper erat. Arsacidae sensere manus has, sensit Arahsquè: Et mea sunt Persae cognita tela duci. Mens fuerat, bellare Rhodum, superare superbam Italiam, sed non fata dedere modum. Hei mihi, nam rapuit mors aspera, quaequè sub alto Pectore condideram, vertit & hora breuis. Sic hominum fastus pereunt, sic stemata, sicquè Imperium, atquè aurum, quicquid & orbis habet.

In English thus.

I that so many nations, townes, and kingdomes, haue brought low; And haue alone dismaied the world, and fild the earth with woe: Am now by death (which all deuoures) brought downe from hie degree, Yet doth the glorie of my name, surmount the starrie skie. The great king Alexanders fame, the world no better fild: Nor worthy Hannibal, whose force so many Romans kild. I vanquisht the victorious Greeks, and tam'd with mightie hand, The warlike people of EPIRE, and fierce TARTARIA land. My force in field HVNGARIA felt, my greatnesse is there knowne: Which of late time through ITALY, to their great ruth is blowne. Th'Assyrians felt my heauie hand, so did th'Arabians wild: The Persian king with all his force, I driue out of the field▪ I purposed to win the RHODES, and ITALY t'vndoe: If that the fatall destinies, had granted leaue thereto. But wo is me, for grisly death hath brought all this to nought: And in the twinckling of an eye, is perisht all I thought. So perisheth the pride of man, his honour, wealth, and power, His golde, and whatsoeuer else, it fadeth as a flower.

THE LIFE OF MAHOMET, SE∣COND OF THAT NAME, SEVENTH KING AND FIRST EMPEROVR OF THE TVRKS, FOR HIS MANY VICTORIES SVRNA∣MED THE GREAT.

THe report of the death of old Amurath the late king, was in short time blowne through most part of Christendome, to the great joy of many: but especially of the Greekes, and other poore Christi∣ans which bordered vpon the tyrants kingdome; who were now in hope, together with the change of the Turkish king, to make exchange also of their bad estate and fortune: and the rather, for that it was thought, that his eldest sonne Mahomet, after the death of his father, would haue embraced the Christian religion, being in his childhood instructed therein (as was supposed) by his mother, the daughter of the prince of SERVIA, a Christian. But vaine was this hope, and the joy thereof but short, as after∣ward by proofe appeared. For Mahomet being about the age of one and twentie yeares, succee∣ding his father in the kingdome in the yeare of our Lord 1450,* 1.2 embraced in shew the Maho∣metane religion,* 1.3 abhorring the Christian, but indeed making no great reckoning either of the one or of the other; but as a meere Atheist, deuoid of all religion, and worshipping no other god but good fortune, derided the simplicitie of all such as thought that God had any care or regard of worldly men, or of their actions: which gracelesse resolution so wrought in him, that he thought all things lawfull that agreed with his lust, and making conscience of nothing, kept no league, promise, or oath, longer than stood with his profit or pleasure.

Now in the Court men stood diuersly affected towards the present state: the mightie Bassaes and others of great authoritie, vnto whom the old kings gouernment was neuer greeuous, in∣wardly lamented his death; doubting least the fierce nature of the yong king should turne to the hurt of some of them in particular, and the shortening of their authoritie in generall, as indeed it shortly after fell out. But the lustie gallants of the Court wearie of the old king, who in hope of preferment had long wished for the gouernment of the yong prince, were glad to see him set vp∣on his fathers seat. And the vulgar people (neuer constant but in vnconstancie, and alwaies faw∣ning vpon the present) exceedingly rejoyced in their young king. The Ianizaries also at the same time (according to their accustomed manner) tooke the spoile of the Christians and Iewes that dwelt amongst them, and easily obtained pardon for the same: whereupon he was by the same Ianizaries and the other souldiors of the Court with great triumph saluted king. Which appro∣bation of these men of warre, is vnto the Turkish kings a greater assurance for the possession of their kingdome, than to be borne the eldest sonne of the king, as in the processe of this Historie shall appeare: so great is the power of these masterfull slaues, in promoting to the kingdome which soeuer of the kings sonnes they most fauour, without much regard whether he be the eldest or not.

This young tyrant was no sooner possessed of his fathers kingdome, but that hee forgetting the lawes of nature,* 1.4 was presently in person himselfe about to haue murthered with his owne

hands his youngest brother, then but eighteene moneths old, begotten on the daughter of Spo••∣derbeius. Which vnnaturall part, Moses one of his Bassaes, and a man greatly in his fauour, per∣ceiuing, requested him not to imbrue his owne hands in the blood of his brother, but rather to commit the execution thereof to some other: which thing Mahomet commaunded him the au∣thor of that counsell foorthwith to doe. So Moses taking the child from the nurse, strangled it, with pouring water downe the throat thereof. The young ladie vnderstanding of the death of her child (as a woman whom furie had made past feare) came, and in her rage reuiled the tyrant to his face, shamefully vpbraiding him for his inhumane crueltie. When Mahomet to appease her furie, requested her to be content, for that it stood with the policie of his state: and willed her for her better contentment, to aske whatsoeuer she pleased, and she should forthwith haue it. But she desiring nothing more than in some sort to be reuenged,* 1.5 desired to haue Moses (the executio∣ner of her sonne) deliuered vnto her, bound: which when she had obtained, she presently strucke him into the breast with a knife (crying in vaine vpon his vnthankfull master for helpe:) and pro∣ceeding in her cruell execution, cut an hole in his right side, and by peecemeale cut out his liues, and cast it to the dogs to eat. At the same time also he caused another of his brethren, committed by his father to the keeping of Caly Bassa, and now by him betrayed into his hands, to be likewise murthered.

* 1.6Thus beginning his tyrannous raigne with the bloodie execution of them that were in blood nearest vnto him, and whom of all others he ought to haue defended, he presently after began to frame a new forme of a commonweale, by abrogating and altering the old lawes and customes, and publishing of new, better fitting his owne humour, and more commodious for himselfe: im∣posing also new taxes and subsidies vpon his subjects, neuer before heard of; thereby to increase his treasures, and satisfie his auaritious desire: which amongst many other his vices so much raigned in him, as that he was thought ouersparing vnto himselfe, as well in his apparrell as in his diet. And proceeding farther, hee called vnto straight account all the great officers of his king∣dome: of whom some he put to death, and confiscated their goods; others he put to great fines, or quite remooued them from their offices. In like manner hee dealt also with his great Bassaes, admitting many false and surmised accusations against them: whereby to bring them within his danger, where little mercie was to be looked for. By which meanes hee became no lesse terrible vnto his subjects, than he was afterward vnto his enemies; and so was of them exceedingly feared, but more hated. Amongst other things, hee much misliked in his court the excessiue number of faulconers and huntsmen; which was growne so great by the immoderat delight which his pre∣decessors tooke in the pleasures of the field, that there were continually maintained of the kings charge, seuen thousand faulconers, and not many fewer huntsmen, saying, That he would not be so much a foole, as to maintaine such a multitude of men to attend vpon so meere a vanitie. And therefore tooke order, that from thenceforth there should bee allowance made for fiue hundred faulconers onely, and one hundred huntsmen: the rest he appointed to serue as souldiors in his warres. At the same time also he entered into league with Constantinus Palaeologus, the emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE, and the other princes of GRECIA: as also with the Despot of SER∣VIA, his grandfather by the mothers side, as some will haue it; howbeit, some others write, that the Despot his daughter, Amurath his wife, was but his mother in law, whom hee vnder the co∣lour of friendship sent backe againe vnto her father after the death of Amurath, still allowing her a princely dowrie. But if shee were not his mother (as like ynough it is that shee was not) much more happie was she, that she neuer groned for so gracelesse a sonne.

* 1.7Whilest Mahomet was thus occupied about his ciuile affaires, Ibrahim king of CARAMA∣NIA, who long before had married Amurath his sister, and yet for all that, had (as his ancestors had before him) alwaies enuied the prosperous successe of the Othoman kings,* 1.8 tooke occasion in the first yeare of Mahomet his raigne, with fire and sword to inuade his dominions in ASIA. Which thing when Mahomet vnderstood, he displaced Isa his lieutenant in ASIA, as a man not sufficient to manage so great warres, and appointed Isaack Bassa in his roome, a most valiant man of warre, vpon whom not long before he had vpon speciall fauour bestowed in mariage the fair daughter of Sponderbeius, one of his fathers wiues, of whom we haue before spoken. This great Bassa passing ouer into ASIA, raised a great armie. After whom followed Mahomet in person himselfe with a greater, out of EVROPE: and hauing all his forces together, entered with great hostilitie into CARAMANIA. But the Caramanian king perceiuing himselfe vnable to withstand

so puissant an enemie, fled into the strength of the great mountaines, and by his embassadours offered vnto Mahomet such reasonable conditions of peace, as that hee was content to accept thereof. Which after they had by solemne oath on both parts confirmed, Mahomet returned with his armie to PRVSA: but when he was come thither, the Ianizaries presuming that they might be bold with the young king; putting themselues in order of battaile, came, & with great insolencie demaunded of him a donatiue or largious, as a reward of their good seruice done. With which so great presumption, Mahomet was inwardly chafed: but for so much as they were his best souldiors, and alreadie in armes, he wisely dissembled his anger for the present, ha∣uing a little before had warning thereof by Abedin Bassa, and Turechan-beg, two of his great cap∣taines, who had got some suspition of the matter: wherefore to content them, hee caused tenne great bags of aspers to bee scattered amongst them, and so pacified the matter. But within few daies after, he caused Doganes (the Aga or cheefe captaine of the Ianizaries) to be brought before him, and to be shamefully whipt: and so presently discharging him of his office, placed one Mu∣stapha in the same. The like seueritie he vsed against the rest of the vndercaptaines, causing them to be cruelly scourged and beaten like slaues: which in that tyrannicall gouernment is an vsuall punishment,* 1.9 vpon the least displeasure of the king to be inflicted vpon any man, with out respect of degree or calling, if he be not a naturall Turke borne. Presently after he sent Isaack his lieute∣nant against Elias prince of MENTESIA or CARIA, by whom the poore prince was driuen out of his countrey: euer since which time it hath remained in subjection to the Turkish kings, as part of their kingdome and empire.

When Mahomet had thus ended the Caramanian war,* 1.10 and was determined with his armie to returne to HADRIANOPLE, he was aduertised, That the straits of HELLESPONTVS were so strongly possessed by the Christian fleet, that he could not possibly there passe ouer but with most manifest danger: wherefore hee tooke his way through that part of BYTHINIA which li∣eth aboue CONSTANTINOPLE, and came to the castle which the Turks call Acce-Chisar, and the Grecians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or White castle, standing vpon the narrow strait of BOSPHORVSON ASIA side, and there passed ouer into EVROPE at the same place where his father Amurath had not many yeares before in like manner found passage. Where when he was safely got ouer with his armie, he by the aduise of his Bassaes encamped fast by the sea side, and there presently began to build a great strong castle close vnto the straits of BOSPHORVS, neere vnto PROPON∣TIS on EVROPE side, directly oueragainst the other castle in ASIA. For the speedie accom∣plishment of which worke, he assembled thither all the workemen he could possibly get out of EVROPE and ASIA; apportioning vnto his captaines and souldiours of his armie part of the worke also: by whose industrie and labour, that great building was in shorter time brought to perfection, than was by any man at the first expected. This castle which for the greatnesse thereof is of most writers reputed for a citie, was by the Turks named Genichisar, & of the Grecians Neo∣castron, or New castle, and also Laemocastron, or castle vpon the straits; and was there by the Turks built, as well for the safetie of their owne passage too and fro, as for to hinder the passage of the Christians through those narrow straits, they now possessing the strong sorts on both sides: and thereby also to distresse the cittie of CONSTANTINOPLE, from whence this castle was not a∣boue fiue miles distant. When Mahomet in the second yeare of his raign had finished this great castle, with some other small forts about the same, and also repaired the other castle in ASIA oueragainst it, hee placed therein strong garrisons, and furnished the same with artillerie; in such sort, that no ship could passe through the strait of BOSPHORVS into the great Euxine or blacke sea, but she was in danger to be sunke: whereby the rich trade which the marchants of VENICE, GENVA, and CONSTANTINOPLE, had to CAFFA, and other places lying vpon the Euxine, were almost quite cut off, to the great hinderance of those estates. Now Mahomet by nature ambitious, and withall desirous to doe some such thing as the glorie whereof might farre passe the fame of his predecessors, thought nothing more answerable vnto his high conceits, than to attempt the winning of CONSTANTINOPLE, and the vtter subuersion of the Greeke empire: whereupon his father Amurath,* 1.11 and his great grandfather Baiazet, had before in vaine spent their forces. Besides that, it greeued him to see that goodly cittie, the antient seat of the Christian em∣pire, to be so commodiously situated, as it were in the middest of his kingdome, and not to be at his commaund. Hereunto the small power of the Greeke emperor himselfe, and the other Chri∣stian princes at the same time at mortall discord amongst themselues, ministred vnto his greedie

desire no small hope of successe, and serued as spurres to pricke him forward vnto so great an en∣terprise. Wherefore all the Winter he caused great preparation to be made of shipping & other warlike prouision both for sea and land: and gaue out commissions for the leuying of a mightie armie, to be in readinesse against the next Spring. But whither hee would employ the same, no man could certainely tell: some gessing one thing, and some another, as the manner of men is, when such extraordinarie preparation is at hand.* 1.12 Constantinus the eight of that name, then em∣perour of CONSTANTINOPLE, a prince of a mild and soft spirit, fitter for the church than for the field, hearing of the great preparation made by the Turkish king; and fearing least that tem∣pest then growing, should vpon the suddaine breake forth vpon himselfe, first made such prepa∣ration, as his owne small abilitie would extend vnto: and then sent his embassadours vnto other Christian princes, earnestly crauing their aid and assistance in that his dangerous estate. But that labour was lost, and all his sute vaine: for they being at variance one with another, and hauing more care of priuat reuenge than how to repulse the common enemie of Christianitie, could not or would not affoord him any helpe at all. Nicholas the fift of that name, then bishop of ROME, with Alphonsus king of NAPLES, and the state of VENICE, promised to haue sent him thirtie gallies, but none for all that came.

There was by chaunce at CONSTANTINOPLE certaine ships and gallies of VENICE, GE∣NVA, CRETE, and CHIOS, of whom the emperour made stay: at which time also it chaunced, that Ioannes Iustinianus, an aduenturer of GENVA, who had beene scouring those seas, came to CONSTANTINOPLE with two tall ships, and foure hundred souldiors: where he was entertai∣ned by the emperour. And for as much as he was a man honourably descended, and supposed to [ I] be both of great courage and direction, was by the emperor appointed Generall of all his forces next vnto himselfe. He also entertained six thousand Greekes: which, with three thousand Vene∣tians, Genowaies, and others, whom he had made stay of, joined vnto the cittizens, was all the weake strength he had to relie vpon, for the defence of his state and empire.

* 1.13Against the beginning of the Spring, the Turkish king had in readinesse a great and puissant armie of three hundred thousand men,* 1.14 of whom, the greatest part were taken out of BVLGARIA, SERVIA, RASCIA, THESSALIA, MACEDONIA, and GRECIA, which as yet were called the Christian countries, and were themselues either indeed Christians, or els such renegates as had not long before forsaken the Christian faith: vnto these also were joyned diuers other Christians which came out of GERMANIE, BOHEMIA, and HVNGARIE, to serue the Turke in his warres. This hath been none of the least meanes, whereby the Turkish kings haue growne so great, and their kingdome so mightily enlarged, by enforcing and alluring Christians to fight against Chri∣stians, to the vtter confusion of themselues. Amongst the great multitude of the European Chri∣stians, were mingled his effeminat soldiors of ASIA, and his naturall Turks and Ianizaries, which were in number fewest, and yet commaunded all the rest.

With this great armie, well appointed with all warlike prouision, came Mahomet the Tur∣kish king from HADRIANOPLE:* 1.15 and the ninth day of Aprill, in the yeare 1453, encamped before CONSTANTINOPLE, and with the multitude of his armie filled all the maine land be∣fore the citie, from the sea side of BOSPHORVS, vnto the place where the same sea compassing in the citie on two parts, and running farre into the land betwixt CONSTANTINOPLE and PE∣RA, maketh there a goodly hauen betwixt them.

* 1.16This citie of CONSTANTINOPLE (called in ancient time BIZANTIVM) is in fourme of a Triangle, situated in EVROPE in the pleasant countrey of THRACIA, vpon a point of the main land shooting out towards ASIA, called of Plinie & Solinus, The promotorie CHRYSOCERAS; where the sea of PRODONTIS joyneth vnto that strait of sea which diuideth ASIA from EV∣ROPE, called in ancient time BOSPHORVS THRACIVS; sometime the strait of PONTVS; and the mouth of PONTVS; and of the moderne writers, the strait of CONSTANTINOPLE; and about 200 yeares past, or more, S. George his a••me. This point of the maine, whereon the citie standeth, lyeth about two Italian miles more Northward than doth the antient citie of CALCE∣DON, on the other side of the strait in ASIA: more than thirtie miles distant from the Euxine or [ M] blacke sea, lying from it Northward; and two hundreth miles from the strait of HELLESPON∣TVS or CALLIPOLIS, from thence South. Which noble citie (of all others most fitly sea••ed for the empire of the world, and with great majestie ouerlooking both EVROPE and ASIA) is by the Cosmographers accounted to stand in the height of 43 degrees, vpon seuen little hils of

no great and easie ascent: and was there first built by Pausanias the Lacedemonian king, and called BIZANTIVM, and so many yeares flourished as a populous and rich cittie, vntill the ci∣uile warres betwixt Seuerus the emperour, and Niger: what time it endured the siege of the Romanes vnder Seuerus, three yeares, with such obstinacie, that it yeelded not vntill it was brought to such extremitie that the citizens did eat one another; and then yeelding, had the wals ouerthrowne by Seuerus, and the citie it selfe destroyed, and brought to the low estate of a poore countrie village,* 1.17 and so by him giuen to the Perinthyans. In which base estate it continued vntill the time of Constantine the Great, the sonne of Helena (whom some will needs haue to haue ben an English woman) by whom it was new built, and beautified with buildings so stately and sumptuous, that vnto the strange beholders it seemed a dwelling place for heauenly wights ra∣ther than for earthly men. And to grace it the more, translated his imperiall seat thether, and called it NOVA ROMA, or new ROME; and all that pleasant part of THRACIA alongst the sea coast of HELLESPONTVS, PROPONTIS, and BOSPHORVS, by the name of ROMANIA, of the faire Romane collonies there by him planted, which name it at this day retaineth, and is of the Turks called RVMILIA and RVMILI (that is to say) the Romane countrey. But as for the citie it selfe, the glorious name of the founder so preuailed, that the citie was and yet is of him called CONSTANTINOPLE, or Constantine his citie: and now of the barbarous Turkes com∣monly, but corruptly, STAMBOL••. It is (as we said) built in the forme of a Triangle, whereof the longest side which runneth from Northeast to Southwest, is on the South side washed with the PROPONTIS; and towards the ending of the point which is about the seauen towers, is some∣what indented; being commonly reputed to be eight miles long. The other side lyeth East and West fiue miles in length, being washed with the hauen, which is somwhat more thā eight miles long before it meet with the fresh water, and about a quarter of a mile broad: on the farther side whereof standeth the citie of PERA, commonly called GALATA, sometimes a colonie of the Genowaies. This hauen is very deepe, and by that reason as commodious as deepe, bearing ships full fraught close to the shoare, so that they may discharge their burthens with the least trouble that may be, and is of Strabo called CORNV BIZANTII, or the horne of Bizantium. The third side of this citie towards the Continent, lyeth almost North and South fiue miles also in length: those two sides that lie vpon the sea, and the hauen, are enuironed and guirt in with a single wall, built after the antique maner, with many high towers, which strongly defend & flanke the same. Without which wals (especially towards the hauen) there lyeth a street between them and the shore. But the other side which is the third, and regardeth the main land (beside the ditch, which is also fenced) is defended with three wals: the first wall standing vpon the ditch being but low; and the second not farre distant from the first, raised somewhat higher; but the third ouerlooketh and commaundeth both the other; from whence as from an high fortresse both the other wals and all the ditch without may easily be defended. But the two vtter wals, with the whole space be∣twixt them, are now by the Turks but slenderly maintained, lying full of earth and other rubbish, euen as they were in the time of the Grecians: some cause why they with lesse heart and courage defended the same against their barbarous enemies. In the East part of the cittie, on that point which in the raigne of the Grecians was called the cape of S. Demetrio, distant from A∣SIA not much more than halfe a mile, standeth the Seraglio or pallace of the great Turke, con∣taining in it selfe a great part of an hill, enclosed round with a wall, as if it were it selfe a citie, in circuit more than two miles: wherein amongst other stately buildings, neere vnto the sea stan∣deth a verie faire and sumptuous gallerie, built for pleasure, with a priuie gate well fortified and planted with great ordinance, and other munition, whereby the great Turke at certaine times passeth, when he is disposed in his gallie to take his pleasure vpon the sea, or to passe ouer the strait vnto his houses or gardens of delight, on the other side in ASIA. In this great citie are also many other most stately and sumptuous buildings, as well of late erected by the Turkish Sul∣tans, since they became lords thereof, as before by the Greeke emperours: amongst all which, the Temple of S. Sophia standing in the East side of the citie,* 1.18 not farre from the Seraglio (now re∣duced vnto the forme of a Mahometan Moschie, and whether the great Turk goeth often times to heare seruice, being indeed but the Sanctuarie or chauncell onely of the great, stately, and wonderfull church built by Iustinian the emperor) is most beautifull and admirable. That which standeth of it now, is both round & verie high, built after the fashion of the Pantheon in ROME, but much greater, fairer, and not open in the top as is that: the wals thereof being of the finest

marble, and the floare all paued with faire marble also. In the middest there is a verie great and large circle, compassed in with high and huge pillars of most excellent marble of diuers sorts; and these support a mightie vault that beareth vp as many moe pillars aboue, standing after the verie same order, and in a downe right line, almost of the like greatnesse and goodnesse of the marble with the other below: vpon which, aboue the second vault in manner of a loo••ar, re∣steth the great round roofe which couereth all that space of the church which is compassed with the aforesaid pillars: being all enameled and fillited, with the pictures of Saints, after the antient manner of some great churches in Christendome: but that the Turks, who like not to haue any puctures in their churches, haue put out their eies onely, as loath to spoile such a rare peece of worke, and vtterly to deface it. In like manner the wals of the vpper vault, are wrought, painted, or portraied after the same order, though in some part decayed, by reason of their long continuance and standing. About this church are eighteen or twentie dores of brasse, right faire and costly, well declaring the magnificence and greatnesse thereof in more antient times: when as it had (as is reported) more than two hundred dores of like making and greatnesse; and beside the hugenesse of the frame, and building it selfe, had also diuers faire monasteries and hou∣ses of religion joyned vnto it: whereunto belonged six thousand priests, whose houses and lodg∣ings extended almost all ouer the place where now the Turke his pallace standeth, and the other places adjoyning to this great church, which is now their cheefe Moschie, and called by them by the proper name of S. Sophia, because they hold euen as we do, the wisdome of God to be in∣comprehensible and infinit. The next in magnificence vnto this, is the Moschie of Solyman, wher∣in he lyeth buried, with his welbeloued wife the faire Roxolana: a worke well beseeming the ma∣jestie [ I] of so mightie a monarch. There are beside these also many other faire Moschies, Seraglioes for the Turke his wiues and concubines, Bezestanes or Burses for marchants, Obeliskes, Bathes, and other publicke edifices and buildings of great majestie and state, all well worth the behol∣ding: wherein consisteth all the beautie of this so auntient and renowned a citie; farre vnlike to that it was in the time of the first Greeke emperours, and before it was spoiled by the Latines. For the Turkes priuat houses in this so great and imperiall a citie, so much renowned through the world, are for the most part low and base, after the Turkish fashion, built some of wood, some of stone, and some of vnburnt bricke, layd with clay and dyrt, which quickly decaieth againe:* 1.19 they after their homely manner (by long custome receiued) neuer building any thing sumptuously for their owne priuate vse, but contenting themselues with their simple cottages, how meane soeuer, commonly saying them to be good inough for the short time of their pilgri∣mage: and yet not sparing for any cost vpon the publicke buildings and ornaments of the com∣monwealth, which they build with great majestie and pompe; but especially their Moschies, wherein they excell. Neuerthelesse there yet are in CONSTANTINOPLE some other houses also built high and comely inough; but these bee few, and verie old, all inhabited by the Christi∣ans and Iewes, and not by the Turks. But of this inough, and so againe to our purpose.

Mahomet with his puissant armie thus encamped before the citie, placing his Asian souldiors on the right hand,* 1.20 toward the BOSPHORVS; his Europeian souldiors on the left hand, toward the hauen; lay himselfe with 15000 Ianizaries and other souldiors of the court, in the middle betwixt both, against the heart of the citie. On the farther side of the hauen also by PERA, hee [ L] placed Zoganus, one of his cheefe counsellors, with another part of his armie. At which time al∣so Pantologes his Admirall came to the siege, with a fleet of thirtie gallies, and 200 other small ships, and a number of other lesser vessels, which were rowed with three, or fiue oares a peece, full of Turkish archers, fitter for shew than seruice. But for defence of the hauen, and so of the citie on that side, the emperour had caused the hauen to bee strongly chained ouerthwart from the citie to PERA: and within the chaine had orderly placed his small fleet, the greatest strength whereof was seauen great ships of GENVA, with three gallies, and two galliots of VENICE, three of CREET, and a few others of the Iland of CHIOS; all which were there, rather by chance vpon marchants affaires, than that they were prouided for any such seruice: yet by this meanes the Turks fleet was shut out of the hauen, and so the citie put in good saftie on that side. [ M]

When Mahomet had thus conueniently encamped his armie, and surrounded the citie both by sea and land: he first cast vp great trenches as neere as hee possibly could vnto the wals of the citie, and raised mounts in diuers places as high as the wals themselues, from whence the Turks with their shot greatly annoied the defendants. After that, hee placed his batterie against one of

the gates of the citie called CALEGARIA, and terribly battered the same, especially with one peece of ordinance of a wonderfull greatnesse, which with much difficultie was brought from HADRIANOPLE with an hundreth & fiftie yoke of oxen, & caried a bullet of an hundred pound waight, made (as his other shot was) of a kind of hard blacke stone brought from the Euxine sea. For as yet (as it seemeth) so soone after the inuention of that fatall engine, the vse of bullets of mettall was vnknowne. There with continuall batterie, he terribly shooke the wals, which al∣though they were verie strong, yet were they not able to withstand the furie of so great a batte∣rie. The Christians also out of the citie discharged their great artillerie vpon the Turkes, but so sparingly, as if they had beene afraid to shake their owne wals, or loath for good husbandrie, to spend shot & powder, which was vnto the canoniers verie sparingly allowed: yet that which was spent, was so well bestowed, that the Turks were therewith greeuously annoyed. The breach also which they had made at the aforesaid gate, was by the defendants with great and dangerous labour againe repaired with faggots and earth, and such like matter best seruing for that purpose, and so made stronger than before. In which most dangerous work, they were altogether directed and greatly encouraged by Iustinianus the Genoway, the emperours lieutenant generall for de∣fence of the citie.

Yet for all this deligence of the Christians,* 1.21 Mahomet continued his batterie with no lesse furie than before: but reposing greater hope to find a way into the citie, by the spade and mattocke, than by batterie; he employed his pyoners, whereof he had great store, to digge a mine: being altogether directed by Christians skilfull in that kind of worke, whom hee had for that purpose entertained. By whose cunning direction, with the industrious labour of the poore pioners, the mine was brought to such perfection, that part of the wall, with one of the strong tow∣ers in the same, was quite vndermined, and stood supported, but with such vntrustie staies as the pyoners had left for the bearing vp thereof vntill such time as it should by the tirants appoint∣ment be blown vp. This dangerous worke was neither perceiued, neither yet feared by the Con∣stantinopolitans, as a thing not possible to haue beene done: forasmuch as Baiazet and Amu∣rath had both with great labour before in vaine attempted the same, at such time as they hardly besieged the citie. But that which those great kings had with much vaine labour by vnskilfull men made proofe of, Mahomet had now by men of greater deuise, brought to passe; although it tooke not such effect as he wished: for one Io. Grandis, a Germane captaine, and a man of great experience, suspecting the matter, had caused a countermine to be made, whereby the labour of the Turkes was in good time discouered, and they with fire and sword driuen out of the mine, and the same strongly filled vp againe, and so the citie for that time deliuered of a great feare and danger. Mahomet perceiuing that it auailed him not to continue his batterie against that place which was againe so strongly repaired, remooued the same, and planted it against a tower called BACTATINA, neere vnto the gate called PORTA-ROMANA, or Romane gate. Which tower shaken with continuall batterie, at length fell downe, and filled the ditch before the vtter wall, euen with the ground. But this breach was also speedily and with great courage made vp againe by the defendants, although the Turkes did what they could, with continuall shot, to haue driuen them from the same. At which time they also erected certain high towers of timber, couered with raw hides to defend the same from fire, out of which they with their shot slew many of the Chri∣stians vpon the wals, and in making good the aforesaid breach: but Mahomet seeing this valiant∣nesse of the defendants, openly said, That it was neither the Grecians skill, nor courage, but the Frenchmen that defended the citie: For the Turks commonly call all the Christians of the West by the name of Frankes or Frenchmen.

The cheerefulnesse and industrie of the Christians in defending and repairing the aforesaid breach,* 1.22 was so great, that the Turkish king began almost to dispaire of winning the citie; which hee could no way assault but on one side. When as a wicked Christian in his campe, put him againe in good hope, by shewing vnto him a deuise how to bring a great part of his fleet ouer land into the hauen, and thereby to assault that part of the eitie by water, which the citizens least feared: by which ingenious deuise, and by the great strength of men; Zoganus Bassa (to whom that charge was committed) brought seuentie of the lesser ships and galliots, with all their sailes abroad (to the great admiration of all that saw them) vp a great hill, and so by drie land, out of the Bosphorus behind PERA, the space of eight miles, into the hauen of CONSTANTINOPLE, which running in betweene the citie and PERA, runneth into the maine land (as we sayd) about

eight miles. The Christian that discouered this deuice vnto the king, is supposed to haue learned it of the Venetians, who not long before had done the like at the lake of BENNACVS. Glad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mahomet to see so many of his ships and gallies in the hauen, and the Christians with the sight thereof no lesse discouraged. Neuerthelesse, they attempted to haue burnt those vessels as they were in launching, but the Turkes had so commodiously placed certaine peeces of great Ordi∣nance for their defence, that the formost of the gallies of the Christians, approching the Turks fleet, was presently sunke; wherewith the rest dismayed, returned backe from whence they came. Certaine of the Christians of the lost gallie, whom the Turkes tooke vp swimming in the hauen, were the next day cruelly slaine in the sight of the Christians: in reuenge whereof, certain Turks before taken prisoners into CONSTANTINOPLE, were foorthwith brought to the top of the wals, and there in the sight of the campe with like crueltie put to death.

* 1.23Mahomet thus possessed of the hauen, shortly after caused a wonderfull bridge to bee made quite ouer the hauen, from Zoganus his campe which lay by PERA, vnto the wals of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE: which bridge was built with timber and plankes, borne vp with small boats & emp∣tie caske, after a most strange manner, and was in length more than halfe a mile: by which bridge his armie came ouer the hauen, to assault the citie on that side also.

* 1.24In the meane time, three tall Genoway ships laded with men and munition from the Island of CHIOS, with one of the emperours laded with corne from SICILIA, came with a faire wind for CONSTANTINOPLE. The Turks great fleet then lying not farre off, within the sight of the campe set vpon them, and after a great fight, wherein an exceeding number of the Turkes were slaine with shot, the gallies boorded the ships: but being much lower, were so far from doing any good, as that the Turks could not well looke out, but they were from aboue slaine or wounded. Mahomet from the shore beholding the vnequall fight, and slaughter of his men, cried out aloud, swearing and blaspheming God, and in great rage rid into the sea as farre as he durst; and com∣ming backe againe, rent his clothes, faring with himselfe like a mad man. The whole armie of the Turkes beholding the same fight at sea, was filled with like indignation also, but could nothing remedie the matter. The great fleet ashamed in the fight of their king to bee ouercome of so few ships, did what they might desperately to enter: but all in vaine, being continually ouerwhelmed with shot and stones from aboue, and valiantly beaten downe by the Christian souldiours. At length wearie of their losse, they were glad with dishonour to fall off againe, and to get them far∣ther off. The report of the losse the Turkes sustained in this fight, is almost incredible: some of the Turks fugitiues reported, almost ten thousand Turks to haue there perished: but certain it is, that such was the losse, as filled the whole armie with indignation & sorrow, many hauing there lost their kinsmen or friends. Three of these ships that had made this fight, arriued in safetie at CONSTANTINOPLE, the other was lost. Mahomet vpon this ouerthrow conceiued such dis∣pleasure against Pantogles his admirall, who in that fight had lost one of his eyes, that hee neuer∣thelesse thrust him out of his office, confiscated his goods, and was hardly by the great Bassaes entreated to spare his life.

Whilest Mahomet thus lay at the siege of CONSTANTINOPLE, and had thereunto giuen many great attempts, with more losse vnto himselfe than to the defendants, a rumour was raised in his campe, of great aid that was comming out of Italie by sea, and out of HVNGARIE by land, [ L] for the releefe of the besieged. This report (although indeed it was not true) with the due consi∣deration of the danger of the siege, filled the Turks campe with feare: so that the souldiors com∣monly murmured amongst themselues, saying, That to satisfie the ambitious humour of their young king, they were led to fight against impregnable wals and fortresses, yea against the barres of nature it selfe, without all reason. Whereupon Mahomet entered into consultation with the three great Bassaes his counsellors, Whether it were best for him to continue the siege, or not. When Caly Bassa, sometime his tutor, a man of greatest authoritie amongst the Turks, both for his long experience and high place, and withall secretly fauouring the distressed emperour, after hee had with long and graue discourse declared the difficultie or rather impossibilitie of the wi∣shed successe in the present warre; and confirmed the same, by producing the examples of Baia∣zet his great grandfather, and of Amurath his father, who had both in vaine made proofe of their strength against that citie: at length concluded, that in his opinion it were best for him to raise his siege, and to depart before he had sustained any further losse or disgrace. But Zoganus the second Bassa, in great fauour also with Mahomet, and secretly enuying the greatnesse of Caly Bassa, per∣suaded

the king to proceed in his honouble enterprise: assuring him of the good successe thereof, and with all the reasons he could deuise, impugned that which Caly-Bassa had said▪ And of the same opinion with Zoganus was also the third Bassa, rather of purpose to crosse Caly-Bassa, and withall to fit the kings humour, than for any great hope he had in the good successe of that hee so much desired. Howbeit the speech he and Zoganus deliuered, so well agreed with the kings affection, that he resolued to continue the siege: and therevpon gaue full authoritie to Zoganus to appoint a day for a great and generall assault to be giuen, resoluing at once to gage all his for∣ces vpon the winning of the city. Which charge Zoganus gladly took vpon him, & with his good liking appointed the 29 day of May for that generall assault, being then the Tuesday next fol∣lowing. In the meane time he sent one Ismael, the sonne of Alexander prince of SINOPE, em∣bassadour vnto the emperour, to offer him peace: but vpon such hard conditions, as were no lesse to be refused than death it selfe. Which thing he did, partly to satisfie the mindes of his Turks (who are for most part of opinion, that God will not prosper them in their assaults except they first make vnto their enemies some offer of peace, how vnreasonable soeuer it forceth not) and partly to make proofe what confidence the enemie yet had in himselfe, for the holding out of the siege. But that dishonourable peace so offered, together with the intollerable conditi∣ons, was by the emperour honourably refused: who no lesse feared the Turkes faith (if he should haue accepted thereof) than he did the hardnesse of the conditions. Three daies before this fatall assault was to be giuen, the Turks (according to their manner) kept their solemne fast, eating no∣thing all the day vntill night; and then making the greatest cheare and joy they could deuise, and in the winding vp of the same, tooke their leaue one of another, with such kissing and embracing, as if they should neuer haue met againe. At the same time Mahomet to encourage his souldi∣ors, caused proclamation to be made through his campe, That he would freely giue all the spoile of the citie for three daies vnto his souldiors if they could win it: and for confirmation therof, so∣lemnly swore the Turkes great oath, By the immortall God, and by the foure hundred prophets, by Mahomet, by his fathers soule, by his owne children, and by the sword wherewith hee was girt, faithfully to performe whatsoeuer he had to them in his proclamation promised.

Whilest these things were in doing, Caly-Bassa disdaining that his counsaile was rejected, and the opinion of his aduersaries followed: by secret letters aduertised the emperour of the day appointed for the generall assault, together with all the preparation made against him: persuading him not to be afraid of them, who were themselues no lesse affraid of him; but carefully to pro∣uide to haue all things in readinesse for the defence of his citie, and valiantly to withstand the rash and last attempt of his enemies.

This wofull emperour had alreadie done what he could to the vttermost of his power for defence of the citie,* 1.25 all the time of the siege: but such was the disloyaltie of the citizens his sub∣jects, that many times they could hardly be drawne from their priuat trades and occupations vn∣to the wals to withstand the enemie, foolishly affirming, That it was to no purpose for them to fight against the Turks at the breaches▪ and to starue for food at home in their houses. For which cause, the emperour commaunded a view to bee taken of all the corne in the citie (which then began to grow verie scarce;) but vpon diligent search made, such store was found in many mens, hands, (which was by them either altogether kept in to sell afterwards at vnreasonable prises; or else so sp••ringly vttered, as if they had none to spare) as that it appeared, the death and scarsitie which then beganne to increase, to proceed rather of the couetousnesse of men, than of any true want of graine: this store the emperour caused to bee proportionably diuided vnto euerie familie at reasonable prices, according to their spending; and so eased the great murmuring and grudging of the common people for bread. The Grecian mercinarie souldiours also, regar∣ding more their owne priuate profit than the publique seruice, refused any longer to goe to the wals than they were sure of their dayly pay:* 1.26 which the poore emperour otherwise vnable to giue them, was glad to conuert the church plate and jewels into money, to content them. For he had many times before with teares, in vaine requested to haue borrowed monie of his coue∣tous subjects, to haue been emploied in defence of the citie; but they would still sweare, that they had it not, as men growne poore for want of trade•• which in few daies after, their enemies found in such abundance, that they wondred at their wealth, and derided their folly, That posses∣sing so much, they would bestow so little, in defence of themselues and their countrey. But this had been their vsuall manner of dealing with their emperours, in that declining state of the em∣pire:

as well appeared in the time of the emperor Baldwin, who for lacke of monie was glad first to sell away many of the goodly ornaments of the citie, and afterwards to pawne his own sonne vnto the Venetian marchants, for monie to maintaine his state, as is in the former part of this Hi∣storie declared.

But to returne againe to the course of our Historie. The emperour certainely aduertised of the enemies purpose, for the generall assault shortly to be giuen, first commended the defence of himselfe and the citie vnto the protection of the almightie, by generall fasting and prayer: and afterwards appointed euerie captaine and commaunder, to some certaine place of the wall for defence thereof: which was done by the direction of Io. Iustinianus his Generall, in whose valor the Constantinopolitans had reposed their greatest hope.

But the cittie being on euerie side now beset with the Turkes great armie, and the defendants in number but few, for so great a citie, (in compasse eight miles) the wals could not but slender∣ly in many places be manned, and especially on both sides toward the sea, where indeed least dan∣ger was. The greatest strength and best souldiours, were placed for defence of the vtter wall, where the breach was, and the assault expected by land. Iustinianus the Generall himselfe, with three hundred Genowayes well armed, and certaine chosen Greekes, vndertooke the defence of that part of the battered wall, neere vnto the Romane gate, where the fall of the tower BACTA∣TINA had filled the ditch, as is aforesaid: against which place Mahomet himselfe lay encam∣ped, with his Ianizaries and best men of warre. Neere vnto Iustinianus lay the emperor himselfe, for defence of another part of the wall: and so other captaines orderly with their companies, all alongst the vtter wall. And because the defendants should haue no hope to saue their liues, more than their owne valour, the emperour caused all the gates of the inner wall to be fast shut vp. And in this sort they lay all the night, expecting continually when the assault should bee giuen: all which time they might heare great hurly burly and noise in the Turks campe, as they were put∣ting things in readinesse for the assault.

* 1.27A little before day, the Turks approached the walles, and begun the assault, where shot and stones were deliuered vpon them from the wals as thicke as haile; whereof little fell in vaine, by reason of the multitude of the Turkes, who pressing fast vnto the wals, could not see in the darke how to defend themselues, but were without number wounded or slaine: but these were of the common and worst souldiours, of whom the Turkish king made no more reckoning than to abate the first force of the defendants. Vpon the first appearance of the day, Mahomet gaue the signe appointed for the generall assault, wherupon the citie was in a moment and at one instant on euerie side most furiously assaulted by the Turks: for Mahomet, the more to distresse the de∣fendants, and the better to see the forwardnesse of the souldiours, had before appointed which part of the cittie euerie colonell with his regiment should assaile. Which they valiantly per∣formed, deliuering their arrowes and shot vpon the defendants, so thicke, that the light of the day was therwith darkened: others in the mean time couragiously mounting the scaling ladders, and comming euen to handie stroakes with the defendants vpon the wall; where the formost were for most part violently borne forward by them which followed after. On the other side, the Christians with no lesse courage withstood the Turkish furie, beating them downe againe with great stones and waightie peeces of timber, and so ouerwhelmed them with shot, darts, and ar∣rowes, [ L] and other hurtfull and deadly deuises from aboue; that the Turkes dismaied with the ter∣rour thereof, were readie to retire.

* 1.28Mahomet seeing the great slaughter and discomfiture of his men, sent in fresh supplies of his Ianiza••ies and best men of warre, whom hee had for that purpose reserued as his last hope and refuge: by whose comming on, his fainting souldiours were againe encouraged, and the terri∣ble assault begun afresh. At which time, the barbarous king ceased not to vse all possible meanes to maintain the assault: by name calling vpon this and that captain, promising vnto some whom he saw forward, golden mountaines; and vnto others in whom he saw any signe of cowardise, threatning most terrible death: by which meanes the assault became most dreadfull, death there raging in the middest of many thousands. And albeit that the Turkes lay dead by heapes vpon the ground, yet other fresh men pressed on still in their places, ouer their dead bodies, and with diuers euent either slew, or were slaine by their enemies.

In this so terrible a conflict, it chanced Iustinianus the Generall to bee wounded in the arme: who losing much blood, cowardly withdrew himselfe from the place of his charge, not lea••ing

any to supplie his roome, and so got into the cittie by the gate called ROMANA, which hee had caused to be opened in the inner wall: pretending the cause of his departure to be for the binding vp of his wound, but being indeed a man now altogether discouraged.

The souldiors there present,* 1.29 dismayed with the departure of their Generall, and sore charged by the Ianizaries, forsooke their stations, and in hast fled to the same gate whereby Iustinianus was entered: with the sight whereof, the other souldiors dismayed, ran thither by heapes also. But whilest they violently striue, all together to get in at once, they so wedged one another in the en∣trance of the gate, that few of so great a multitude, got in: in which so great a presse and confusi∣on of minds, eight hundred persons were there by them that followed, troden vnderfoot or thrust to death. The emperor himselfe, for safegard of his life flying with the rest, in that presse as a man not regarded, miserably ended his dayes, together with the Greeke empire. His dead bodie was shortly after found by the Turkes amongst the slaine, and knowne by his rich apparrell; whose head being cut off, was forthwith presented to the Turkish tyrant: by whose commaundement it was afterward thrust vpon the point of a launce, and in great derision caried about as a trophee of his victorie, first in the campe, and afterwards vp and downe the citie.

The Turkes encouraged with the flight of the Christians,* 1.30 presently aduanced their ensignes vpon the top of the vttermost wall, crying victorie; and by the breach entred as if it had been a great floud, which hauing once found a breach in the banke, ouerfloweth, and beareth downe all before it: so the Turkes when they had woon the vtter wall, entred the citie by the same gate that was opened for Iustinianus, & by a breach which they had before made with their great ar∣tillerie; and without mercie cutting in pieces all that came in their way, without further resistance became lords of that most famous and imperiall citie. Some few there were of the Christians, who preferring death before the Turkish slauerie, with their swords in their hands, sold their liues decre vnto their enemies: amongst whom, the two brethren Paulus and Tro••lus Bochiardi Itali∣lians, with Theophilus Palaeologus a Greeke, and Ioannus Stia••us a Dalmatian, for their great va∣lour and courage, deserue to be had in eternall remembrance: Who after they had like lyons, made slaughter of their enemies, died in the midst of them, embrued with their bloud, rather oppressed by multitude than by true valour ouercome. In this furie of the Barbarians, perished many thousands of men, women, and children, without respect of age, sex, or condition. Many for safegard of their liues, fled into the Temple of SOPHIA; where they were all without pittie slaine, except some few reserued by the barbarous victors, to purposes more grieuous than death it selfe. The rich and beautifull ornaments and jewels of that most sumptuous and magnificent Church (the stately building of Iustinianus the emperour) were in the turning of a hand, pluckt downe and carried away by the Turkes: and the Church it selfe built for God to be honored in, for the present conuerted into a stable for their horses, or a place for the execution of their abho∣minable and vnspeakable filthinesse: the Image of the crucifix was also by them taken downe, and a Turks cap put vpon the head thereof, and so set vp and shot at with their arrowes; and af∣terwards in great derision carried about in their campe, as it had been in procession, with drums playing before it, railing, and spitting at it, and calling it the god of the Christians. Which I note not so much done in contempt of the image, as in the despite of Christ and the Christi∣an religion.

But whilest some were thus spoyling of the churches, others were as busie in ransacking of pri∣uat houses, where the miserable Christians were enforced to endure in their persons whatsoeuer pleased the insolent victors: vnto whom all things were now lawfull that stood with their lust, euerie common souldiour hauing power of life and death, at his pleasure to spare or spill. At which time riches were no better than pouertie; and beautie worse than deformitie. What tongue were able to expresse the miserie of that time? or the prowd insolencie of those barba∣rous conquerors? whereof so many thousands, euerie man with greedinesse fitted his owne vn∣reasonable desire: all which the poore Christians were enforced to endure. But to speake of the hidden treasure, money, plate, jewels, and other riches there found, passeth credit; the Turkes themselues wondred thereat, and were therewith so enriched, that it is a prouerb amongst them at this day, if any of them grow suddenly rich, to say, He hath been at the sacking of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE: whereof if some reasonable part had in time been bestowed vpon defence of the cit∣tie, the Turkish king had not so easily taken both it and the cittie. But euerie man was carefull how to encrease his owne priuat wealth, few or none regarding the publike state; vntill in fine,

euerie man with his priuat abundance was wrapped vp togither with his needie neighbour in the selfesame common miserie. Yea the securitie of the Constantinopolitans was such, that be∣ing alwaies enuironed with their mortall enemies, yet had they no care of fortifying of so much as the inner wall of the citie (which for beautie and strength was comparable with the wals of any citie in the world, if it had been kept well repaired) but suffered the officers which had the charge to see to the fortifying of the citie, to conuert the greatest part of the money into their own pur∣ses: as appeared by Manuel Giagerus, a little before a verie poore man; and likewise by Neophi∣tus, who then hauing that office to see vnto the fortification of the citie, had in short time ga∣thered togither seuentie thousand florens, which became all a worthy prey vnto the greedie Turkes.

After that the barbarous common souldiour had thus by the space of three daies without controlment taken his pleasure in the citie (as Mahomet had before promised) and throughly ransackt euerie corner thereof: they then returned into the campe, with their rich spoils, driuing the poore Christian captiues before them as if they had ben droues of cattell, or flocks of sheepe: a spectacle no lesse lamentable, than was the sacking of the citie. It would haue grieued any sto∣nie heart to haue seene the noble gentlewomen and great ladies, with their beautifull children, and many other faire personages, who lately flowed in all worldly wealth and pleasure, to bee now become the poore and miserable bondslaues of most base and contemptible rascals; who were so farre from shewing them any pittie, as that they delighted in nothing more than to heape more and more miserie vpon them, making no more reckoning of them than of dogs. There might the parents see the wofull miserie of their beloued children, and the children of the parents, the husband might see the shamefull abuse of his wife, and the wife of her husband, and generally one friend of another: and yet not able to mourne together (the least part of heauie comfort) being in the thraldome of diuers cruell masters, by whom they were kept in sunder, like in few dayes to be dispersed into diuers farre countries, without hope that they should euer find release, or one see another againe.

The souldiors being all retired into the campe, Mahomet as a proud conquerour, with great triumph entered into the citie of CONSTANTINOPLE, then desolate and void of all Christian inhabitants; and there after the manner of the Turkish kings, made a sumptuous and royall feast vnto his Bassaes and other great captaines: where after he had surcharged himselfe with excesse of meat and drinke, he caused diuers of the cheefe Christian captiues, both men and women (of whom many were of the late emperours line and race) to bee in his presence put to death,* 1.31 as hee with his Turks sat banquetting: deeming his feast much more stately by such effusion of Christi∣an blood. Which manner of exceeding crueltie he daily vsed, vntill such time as he had destroy∣ed all the Grecian nobilitie that was in his power, with the cheefe of the late Constantinopolitan citizens. At which time also diuers of the Venetian Senatours, with Baiulus their Gouernor, and many rich marchants of GENVA and other places of ITALIE were in like manner murthered: so that of seuen and fortie Senatours of VENICE which were there taken (whereof most part came thither by chaunce, bound for other places, but there vnluckily shut vp) some few found the fauour, with exceeding great ransomes to redeeme themselues.

Amongst these noblemen thus lamentably executed, was one Lucas Leontares, or Notaras, cōmonly called Kyr-Lucas, or lord Lucas, but of late great chancellor of CONSTANTINOPLE, a man of greatest account next vnto the emperour himselfe: whom the Turkish tyrant seemed greatly to blame, that hee being a man in so great credit with the late emperour, persuaded him not in time to haue sought for peace vpon any condition, or els to haue yeelded vp the citie, ra∣ther than to haue run that extreame course of wilfull miserie. Hee to excuse the matter, said, That the late emperor his master was encouraged to hold out the siege, by the Venetians and citizens of PERA, from whom he receiued secret aid: as also by some of the greatest men about his own person: for proofe whereof, hee drew out of his bosome the letters which Caly-Bassa had to that purpose written vnto the emperour, and deliuered them to Mahomet, hoping thereby to haue found some fauour. But when he had said what he could, the eldest of his sonnes then liuing (for he had lost two elder in the time of the siege) was cruelly executed before his face, and the youn∣gest reserued for the tyrants lust: and after all this miserie had his owne head strucke off with the rest appointed for that daies sacrifice. Out of this generall calamitie escaped Io. Iustinianus the Generall, who with all speed fled at first to PERA, and from thence to CHIOS, where in few daies

after he died, of greefe of mind (as was thought) rather than of his wound, being happie if he had honourably before ended his dayes vpon the wals of CONSTANTINOPLE. Isodorus also the Cardinall and Legate from the Pope, disguised in simple apparrell, and being of the Turkes vn∣knowne, redeemed himselfe for a small ransome, as if he had been a man of no account, and so escaped: whom if Mahomet had knowne, he had vndoubtedly beene made shorter by the head.

The glorie of this famous citie of CONSTANTINOPLE continued many hundred yeares, commaunding a great part of the world, vntill that by ciuile discord and priuat gaine, it was by little and little so weakened, that the emperors of later times, for the maintenance of their estate, were glad to relie sometime vpon one, and sometime vpon another, yet still holding the title and state of an empire, by the space of 1121 yeares, when as (God his judgement set apart, wonderfull and shamefull it is to consider, how) it was by this Turkish king Mahomet so quickely taken, and the Christian empire of the East there vtterly ouerthrowne: which happened in the nine and twentieth day of May, in the yeare of our Lord 1453. Constantinus Palaeologus, the sonne of He∣lena, and last Christian emperor, being then slaine, when he had raigned about eight years. Since which time it hath continued the imperiall seat of the Turkish emperours, and so remaineth at this day.

The potestats and cittizens of PERA, otherwise called GALATA, a cittie standing opposit against CONSTANTINOPLE, on the other side of the hauen, and then vnder the gouernment of the Genowayes, doubting to run the same course of miserie with their neighbors, sent their Ora∣tors vnto Mahomet (the same day that CONSTANTINOPLE was taken) offering to him the [ C] keyes of their gates,* 1.32 and so to become his subjects. Of which their offer Mahomet accepted, and sent Zoganus with his regiment to take possession of the citie. Who comming thither, accor∣ding to Mahomet his commandement, there established the Turkish gouernment, confiscated the goods of all such as were fled, and vsed the rest of the citizens which stayed, with such insolencie and oppression, as that their miserie was not much lesse than theirs of CONSTANTINOPLE. And because it was doubted, that the Genowayes might by sea giue aid vnto the cittizens, if they should at any time seeke to reuolt, he caused all the wals and fortresses of the citie which were to∣ward the land, to bee cast downe and laied euen with the ground. Thus is the fatall period of the Greeke empire run, and Mahomet in one day become lord of the two famous citties of CON∣STANTINOPLE and PERA: the one taken by force, the other by composition. At which time the miserie of PERA was great, but that of CONSTANTINOPLE justly to bee accounted amongst the greatest calamities that euer happened to any Christian citie in the world.

Mahomet had of long time borne a secret grudge against Caly-Bassa, sometime his tutor, for that by his meanes Amurath his father,* 1.33 in the dangerous time of the Hungarian warres, had againe resumed vnto himselfe the gouernment of the Turkish kingdome, which hee had before resigned vnto him, then but young. But for as much as hee was the cheefe Bassa, and had for many yeares ruled all things at his pleasure, to the generall good liking of the people, during the raigne of old Amurath, and was thereby growne to bee of such wealth, credit, and authoritie, as no man had at any time obtained greater vnder any of the Othoman kings: Ma∣homet in the beginning of his raigne, before hee was well established in his kingdome, durst not to take reuenge of that injurie (as hee deemed it) but yet still kept it in remembrance, warily dissembling his deepe conceiued hatred, as if he had quite forgot it. Neuerthelesse sometime (for all his warinesse) words fell from him, whereby the warie courtiers (which as curiously weigh their princes words, as the cunning goldsmith dooth his finest gold) easily perceiued the secret grudge that stucke in his stomacke against the Bassa: and thereby deuined his fall to be at hand. So it happened one day that as Mahomet was walking in the court, he saw a fox of the Bassaes ti∣ed in a chaine, which after hee had a while earnestly looked vpon, hee suddainely brake into this speech: Alas poore beast, hast thou no money to giue thy master to set thee at libertie? out of which words, curious heads gathered much matter concerning the kings disposition towards the Bassa. This ominous surmising of the courtiers (which oftentimes proueth too true) was not vnknown vnto the Bassa himselfe, but troubled him much: wherefore to get himselfe out of the way for a season, more than for any deuotion, he tooke vpon him to goe in pilgrimage to visite the temple of the great prophet (as they tearme him) at MECHA, which amongst the Turkes is holden for a right religious and meritorious worke: hoping, that the young kings displeasure might in time be mittigated, and his mallice assuaged. But Mahomet perceiuing the distrust of the Bassa, and

whereof it proceeded, seemed to take knowledge thereof, and with good words comforted him vp, willing him to be of good cheere, and not to misdoubt any thing; neither to regard the vaine speech of foolish people, assuring him of his vndoubted fauour: and the more to put him out of all suspition, continually sent him rich gifts, and heaped vpon him new honors, as if of all others he had esteemed him most. Vntill that now at the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE, it was dis∣couered by Lucas Leontares, that he had intelligence with the late emperour of CONSTANTI∣NOPLE, and his letters produced. For which cause, or as the common report went, for the old grudge that the tyrant bare against him, as also for his great wealth, he was by Mahomets com∣mandement apprehended and carried in bonds to HADRIANOPLE: where after he had with ex∣quisite torments been enforced to confesse where all his treasures lay, he was most cruelly in his extreame old age executed. After whose death, his friends and seruants (which were many, for he was a man greatly beloued in court) in token of their griefe put on mourning apparell: so that in the court appeared a great shew of common sorrow; wherewith Mahomet being offended, caused proclamation to be made, That all such as did weare such mourning apparell, should the next day appeare before him: at which time there was not one to be seene about the court in that heauie attire, for feare of the tyrants displeasure.

* 1.34After that Mahomet was thus become lord of the imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE, as is aforesaid; and had fully resolued there to place his imperiall seat: he first repaired the wals and other buildings spoiled in the late siege, and by proclamations sent forth into all parts of his do∣minions, gaue great priuiledges and immunities to all such as should come to dwel at CONSTAN∣TINOPLE, with free libertie to exercise what religion or trade they pleased. Whereby in short time that great and desolat citie was againe well peopled, with such as out of diuers countries re∣sorted thither: but especially with the Iewish nation, which driuen out of other places, came thi∣ther in great numbers, and were of the Turkes gladly receiued. So when he had there establish∣ed all things according to his hearts desire, he tooke vpon him the name and title of an Empe∣rour: and is from that time not vnworthely reputed for the first emperour of the Turks.

Now amongst many fair virgins taken prisoners by the Turks at the winning of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE, was one Irene a Greek borne, of such incomparable beautie and rare perfection, both of body & mind, as if nature had in her to the admiration of the world, laboured to haue showne her greatest skill; so prodigally she had bestowed vpon her, all the graces that might beautifie or commend that hir so curious a worke. This paragon was by him that by chance had taken her, presented vnto the great Sultan Mahomet himselfe, as a jewell so fit for no mans wearing as his owne: by the beautie and secret vertues whereof, he found himselfe euen vpon the first view not a little moued. Neuerthelesse, hauing as then his head full of troubles, and aboue all things care∣full for the assuring of the imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE, by him but euen then woon; he for the present committed her to the charge of his Eunuch, and sent her away, so to be in safe∣tie kept vntill his better leisure. But those his troubles ouerblowne, and his new conquests well assured, he then began forthwith to thinke of the faire Irene: and for his pleasure sending for her, tooke in her perfections such delight and contentment, as that in short time he had changed state with her, she being become the mistresse and commander of him so great a conqueror; and he in nothing more delighted, than in doing her the greatest honour and seruice he could. All the day he spent with her in discourse, and the night in daliance: all time spent in her companie, see∣med vnto him short; and without her nothing pleased: his fierce nature was now by her well tamed, and his wonted care of armes quite neglected: Mars slept in Venus lap, and now the sol∣diors might go play. Yea the verie gouernment of his estate and empire seemed to be of him, in comparison of her, little or not at all regarded; the care thereof being by him carelesly commit∣ted to others, that so he might himselfe wholy attend vpon her, in whom more than in himselfe, the people said he delighted. Such is the power of disordered affections, where reason ruleth not the reine. But whilest he thus forgetfull of himselfe, spendeth in pleasure not some few daies or moneths, but euen a whole yeare or two, to the lightning of his credit, and the great discontent∣ment of his subjects in generall: the Ianizaries and other souldiors of the court (men desirous of [ M] imploiment, and grieued to see him so giuen ouer vnto his affections, & to make no end therof) began at first in secret to murmur thereat, and to speake hardly of him; and at length (after their insolent manner) spared not openly to say, That it were well done to depriue him of his go∣uernment and state, as vnworthy thereof, and to set vp one of his sonnes in his steed. Which

speeches were now growne so rife, and the discontentment of the men of warre so great, that it was not without cause by some of the great Bassaes feared, whereunto this their so great insolen∣cie would grow. But who should tell the tyrant thereof; whose frowne was in it selfe death? or who durst take in hand to cure that his sicke mind? which distraught with the sweet, but poyso∣ned potions of loue, was not like to listen to any good counsell, were it neuer so wisely giuen: but as a man metamorphosed, to turne his furie vpon him which should presume so wholesomely (but contrarie to his good liking) to aduise him. Vnhappie man, whose great estate and fierce na∣ture was not without danger to be medled or tempered with, no, not by them who of all others ought in so great a perill to haue beene thereof most carefull; but were now for feare all become silent and dumbe. Now amongst other great men in the Court, was one Mustapha Bassa, a man for his good seruice (for that he was of a child brought vp with him) of Mahomet greatly fauou∣red, and by him also highly promoted; and he againe by him as his Soueraigne no lesse honored than feared: who no lesse than the rest, greeued to see so great a change in the great Sultan, of whom they had conceiued no small hope of greater matters than were by him as yet performed; and mooued also with the danger threatened vnto him by the discontented Ianizaries and men of warre: espying him at conuenient leisure to be spoken vnto, and presuming of the former cre∣dit he had with him, aduentured thus to breake with him, and to giue him warning thereof.

How dangerous a thing it is for a subiect or vassale, without leaue, presumptuously to enter into the secrets of his dread Lord and Soueraigne, the wofull examples of others (most mightie Mahomet) haue so sufficiently warned me, as that were it not for the dutifull loyaltie I ow vnto your greatnesse, far dearer vnto me than mine owne life, I would not at this time aduenture my selfe vnto the hazard of your doubtfull acceptance of my faithfull speech and meaning; but with others keepe silence, and in secret mourne together with my heauie thoughts: which if I should in so great a danger both of your life and empire now doe, without warning you thereof, I were not to be accounted vnworthie onely those your great fauours and honours, most bountifully on me bestowed; but as a most vile traitor both vnto your state and person, to be of all men detested and abhorred. The life you haue of late led, euer since the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE, as a man carelesse of his state, and wholly wedded vnto his owne pleasure, hath giuen occasion not vnto the vulgar people onely (alwayes readie to say the worst) and sol∣diors of the Court, the guarders of your person, but euen vnto the greatest commaunders of your ar∣mies and empire, to murmure and grudge, I dare not say, to conspire against you. Yet pardon me dread Soueraigne, if I should so say, for that there is no man which with great discontentment maruelleth not much to see so great an alteration in your heroicall disposition and nature: whereby you are become far vnlike that noble Mahomet, which hauing ouerthrowne the Greeke empire, and taken the great citie of CONSTANTINOPLE, promised both vnto himselfe and others, the conquest of ITALIE, and the sacking of ROME, the stately seat of the antient Romane conquerours. You haue giuen your selfe ouer (as they say) for a spoile and prey vnto a poore simple woman, your slaue and vassale, who with her beau∣tie and allurements hath so bewitched your vnderstanding and reason, as that you can attend nothing but her seruice, and the satisfying of your most passionate and inordinate desires; which how much the more you cherish them, so much the more they torment and vexe you. Enter but a little into your selfe (I pray you) and compare the life you now lead with the like time heretofore by you spent in treading honors steps, and you shall find a notable difference betwixt the one and the other. Had the noble Otho∣man, the first raiser of your house and familie, so giuen himselfe ouer vnto pleasure, you had not now inherited the countries of BITHYNIA and GALATIA, with others moe alongst the Euxine, by him conquered. Neither had his sonne Orchanes (the liuely image of his father, and follower of his ver∣tues) by leading this kind of life, triumphed ouer LICAONIA, PHRIGIA, and CARIA, or extended the bounds of his empire so farre as vnto the straits of HELLESPONTVS. What should I speake of Amurath his sonne and successour in the empire, who in person himselfe, first of the Othoman kings, passed ouer into EVROPE, placed his imperiall seat at HADRIANOPLE, con••uered THRACIA, BVL∣GARIA, and RASCIA. Yea Baiazet your great grandfather is in his misfortune to bee more than you commended, as vanquished in field by the mightie Tamerlane with foure hundred thousand horsemen and six hundred thousand foot, and not by a silie woman: comforting his mishap with the honour and greatnesse of him by whom he was so ouercome. Neither may I with silence passe ouer your woorthie grandfather the noble Mahomet, who not contented to haue restored the shaken empire, conquered al∣so a great part of MACEDONIA, euen to the Ionian sea, and carying the terror of his armes ouer into

ASIA did great matters against the Caramanians and others. As for your father Amurath (of wor∣thie memorie) I cannot but to my great greefe and sorrow speake of him, who by the space of thirtie yeares made both the sea and earth to quake vnder his feet, and with strong hand more than once van∣quished the Hungarians, & brought vnder his subiection the countries of PHOCIS, B••OTIA, AETO∣LIA, with a great part of MOREA; and to speake of him truly, brake euen the very heart & strength of the Grecians, and other his fierce enemies. Let all these most famous conquests of your noble proge∣nitors, whose worthie praises (as eternall trophees of their honour) are dispersed into euery corner of the world, awake you out of this heauie Lythargie wherein you haue too long slept, yea, let the remem∣brance of the conquest of this imperiall citie by you to your immortall glorie woon, stir you vp to grea∣ter things: and let it neuer bee said of you, That you were able with your sword to ouercome your grea∣test enemies, and not with reason to subdue your inordinate affections: Thinke that your greatest con∣quest, and suffer not your selfe, so great a conquerour, to be led in triumph by your slaue. What auaileth it you to haue woon CONSTANTINOPLE, and to haue lost your selfe? Shake off these golden fetters wherein the wilie Greeke hath so fast bound you: which at the first though it seeme vnto you hard and painefull, yet shall time disgest it, and make you to thinke it both good and necessarie for your estate. Weane your selfe from your desires, and giue rest vnto your troubled thoughts: which if you cannot doe at once, striue by little and little to doe it: pleasure groweth greater by the seldome vse thereof, and sa∣tictie bringeth loathsomenesse. Moderat your selfe therefore, and againe take vp armes. Your soldiors if they be not employed abroad, will to your farther trouble set themselues to worke at home: Idlenesse maketh them insolent, and want of martiall discipline corrupteth their manners. Hereof proceedeth their intemperat and disloyall speeches, That if you will not lead them forth for the honour and enlar∣ging of the Othoman empire, as did all your most noble progenitors, they will set vp another that shall, euen one of your owne children. And what the common souldior foolishly sayth, their great commaun∣ders malitiously purpose: which what a confusion it would bring vnto the whole state of your empire, to∣gether with the danger of your royall person, I abhorre to thinke. Wherefore it is time, it is now high time for you to shew your selfe, and with the maiestie of your presence to represse their tumultuous in∣solencie, before it breake farther out. Rebellions are by far, more easily preuented, than in their heat ap∣peased. The discontented multitude is a wild beast with many heads; which once enraged, is not a little to be feared, or without danger to be tamed: yet doe you but shew your selfe master of your owne affecti∣ons, and you shall easily master them also. But what is fit for you to doe, beseemeth me not for to say: yea pardon me, I beseech you, that I haue thus much (contrarie perhaps to your good liking) alreadie said; prouoked (by what diuine inspiration I know not) euen halfe against my will, to discouer vnto you the se∣cret of my heart, and to lay open vnto you those things, which others knowing as well as I, doe yet for feare keepe the same from you. And if I haue gone too farre, or in any thing that I haue said, forg••t my selfe, impute the same (my dread Soueraigne) vnto the zeale of my loue and loyaltie towards you, or vnto my fidelitie so often by you tried, or to our antient education (the ground of your affection to∣wards me) or to what els shall please you, rather than to my presumption; from which, how farre I haue alwayes been, I appeale euen to your maiesties owne knowledge.

Hauing thus said, he fell downe at his feet, as there to receiue the heauie doome of his so free speech, if it should bee otherwise than well taken of the angrie Sultan: who all this while with great attention and many a sterne looke had hearkened vnto all that the Bassa had said: for well he knew it to be all true; and that in so saying, he had but discharged the part of a trustie & faith∣full seruant, carefull of his masters honour. But yet the beautie of the Greeke was still so fixed in his heart, and the pleasure he tooke in her, so great, as that to thinke of the leauing of her, bred in him many a troubled thought. Hee was at warre with himselfe, as in his often changed counte∣nance well appeared: reason calling vpon him, for his honour; and his amorous affections, still suggesting vnto him new delights. Thus tossed too and fro (as a ship with contrarie winds) and withall considering the danger threatened to his estate if he should longer follow those his plea∣sures, so much displeasing vnto his men of warre, hee resolued vpon a strange point, whereby at once to cut off all those his troubled passions; and withall, to strike a terrour euen into the stou∣test of them that had before condemned him, as vnable to gouerne his owne so passionate affe∣ctions. Whereupon with countenance well declaring his inward discontentment, hee said vnto the Bassa, yet prostrate at his feet:

Although thou hast vnreuerently spoken, as a slaue presuming to enter into the greatest secrets of

thy soueraigne (not without offence to be of thee once thought vpon) and therefore deseruest well to die; yet for that thou wast of a child brought vp togither with me, and hast euer been vnto me faith∣full, I for this time pardon thee: and before to morrow the sunne go downe, will make it knowne both to thee, and others of the same opinion with thee, whether I be able to bridle mine affections or not. Take order in the meane time that all the Bassaes, and the chiefe commanders of my men of warre be assem∣bled togither to morrow, there to know my farther pleasure▪ whereof faile you not.

So the Bassa being departed, he after his wonted manner went in vnto the Greeke, and sola∣cing himselfe all that day and the night following with her, made more of her than euer before: and the more to please her, dined with her; commanding, that after dinner she should be attired with more sumptuous apparell than euer she had before worne: and for the further gracing of her, to be deckt with many most precious jewels of inestimable valour. Whereunto the poore soule gladly obeyed, little thinking that it was her funerall apparell. Now in the meane while, M••stapha (altogither ignorant of the Sultans mind) had as he was commanded, caused all the nobilitie, and commanders of the men of warre, to be assembled into the great hall: euerie man much marueiling, what should be the emperors meaning therein, who had not of long so pub∣likely shewed himselfe. But being thus togither assembled, and euerie man according as their minds gaue them, talking diuersly of the matter: behold, the Sultan entred into the pallace lea∣ding the faire Greeke by the hand; who beside her incomparable beautie and other the greatest graces of nature, adorned also with all that curiositie could deuise, seemed not now to the behol∣ders a mortal wight, but some of the stately goddesses, whom the Poets in their extacies describe. Thus comming togither into the midst of the hall, and due reuerence vnto them done by al them there present; he stood still with the faire lady in his left hand, and so furiously looking round a∣bout him, said vnto them: I vnderstand of your great discontentment, and that you all murmur and grudge, for that I, ouercome with mine affection towards this so faire a paragon, cannot withdraw my selfe from her presence: But I would faine know which of you there is so temperat, that if he had in his possession a thing so rare and precious, so louely and so faire, would not be thrice aduised before he would forgo the same? Say what you thinke: in the word of a Prince I giue you free libertie so to doe. But they all rapt with an incredible admiration to see so faire a thing, the like whereof they had neuer before beheld, said all with one consent, That he had with greater reason so passed the time with her, than any man had to find fault therewith. Wherunto the barbarous prince answered: Well, but now I will make you to vnderstand how far you haue been deceiued in me, and that there is no earth∣ly thing that can so much blind my sences, or bereaue me of reason as not to see and vnderstand what be∣seemeth my high place and calling: yea I would you should all know, that the honor and conquests of the Othoman kings my noble progenitors, is so fixed in my brest, with such a desire in my selfe to exceed the same, as that nothing but death is able to put it out of my remembrance. And hauing so said, pre∣sently with one of his hands catching the faire Greeke by the haire of the head, and drawing his falchion with the other, at one blow strucke off her head, to the great terror of them all. And hauing so done, said vnto them: Now by this iudge whether your emperour is able to bridle his affe∣ctions or not. And within a while after, meaning to discharge the rest of his choller, caused great preparation to be made for the conquest of PELOPONESVS, and the besieging of BEL••RADE.

At the same time that the barbarous Turkes tooke the imperiall cittie of CONSTANTINO∣PLE; Thomas and Demetrius Palaeologi, brethren to the late vnfortunat emperour Constantinus, gouerned a great part of PELOPONESVS, one of the most famous prouinces of GRaeCIA: which in forme of a leafe of a Plane tree, is almost in manner of an Iland, enuironed with the seas Ioni∣um and Aegeum, which running farre into the land on either side thereof, separateth the same from the rest of GRaeCIA, by two great bayes; leauing but a straight necke of land, called of the Greeks ISTMOS, in breadth about fiue miles, which was sometime by the Graecians, and after∣ward by the Venetians, fortified by a strong wall, and fiue great castles: neare vnto which place stood the great and famous citie of CORINTH. This prouince is in length 175 miles, and almost as much in breadths; wherin are contained the countries of ACHAIA, MESSENIA, LACEDEMO∣NIA, ARGOLICA, and ARCHADIA; with many famous cities and goodly hauens, wherein it far exceedeth all the other prouinces of GRaeCIA. These two princes Thomas and Demetrius, dis∣maied with their brothers disaster fortune, began now so farre to dispaire of their own estate, that vpon the first brute thereof, they were about presently to haue fled by sea into ITALY. And as ••t commonly falleth out, That one euill happeneth not alone; so at the same time it fornined, that

the Albanians rise in armes against the said two princes their soueraigns: and vnder the leading [ G] of their rebellious captaine Emanuel Catecuzenus, grieuously troubled both the poore princes. These Albanians were a rough and hardie kind of people, which liuing after the manner of the rude Scythian heardsmen, by feeding of cattell, had of long time planted themselues in PELOPO∣NESVS; differing from the naturall Greekes, both in the manner of their liuing and language: which diuersitie was no small cause that they oftentimes spurned, as now, against the gouernment of the Graecian princes. In this extremitie, the two distressed princes (not well knowing which way to turne themselues) sought for peace at Mahomets hands,* 1.35 offering to become his tributa∣ries. Of which their offer he willingly accepted, as an induction to the full conquest of that coun∣trey; and sent Turachan gouernour of THESSALIA, one of his greatest men of warre, with an army into PELOPONESVS, to aid those princes against the Albanians: by whose industrie the [ H] masterfull rebels were in short time discomfited, and the countrey of PELOPONESVS quieted; yet so, that it was now become tributarie to the Turkish king.

These two princes Demetrius and Thomas, the last of all the Christian princes that raigned in PELOPONESVS, hauing thus lost their libertie, liued for a few yeares as the Turkes vassales; paying such yearely tribute as they had before promised. During which time, many displea∣sures arose betwixt the two brothers, being both jealous of their estate, and desirous by all plau∣sible meanes to win the hearts of their subjects one from another: whereby it came so to passe, that whiles they both desired to become popular, they weakned their owne credit, and had not their subjects at such commaund as best stood with the safetie of their estate.* 1.36 Neuerthelesse as soon as they vnderstood that the Christian princes of the West were making great preparation [ I] against the Turke; and that Calixtus the third of that name (then the bishop of ROME) had alrea∣die put a fleet of gallies to sea, which did great spoile vpon the borders of the Turkes dominions; they vainly persuading themselues that the Turkes would in short time be againe driuen out of GRECIA, refused to pay any more tribute vnto the Turkish king, or to keepe league any longer with him. Vpon which occasion, Mahomet with a puissant army came downe and first besie∣ged CORINTH, and afterwards entring into PELOPONESVS tooke diuers strong townes, and destroied the countrey before him: and forced the two princes for safegard of their liues to flie, the one to MANTINIA, and the other into the strong cittie of EPIDAVRVS, now called RAGV∣SIVM. The poore princes destitute of such aid as they expected, and altogither vnable to with∣stand the power of the mightie tyrant, began againe to sue for peace: which he, hauing now spoi∣led [ K] their countrey, granted vpon condition, That all such places as he had already taken, should be still his owne; and also that the citie of PATRAS with the countrey adjoyning, should be deliue∣red vnto him; and that for the rest, the said princes should pay vnto him a yearly tribute: which hard conditions the poore princes, now in danger to loose all, were glad to accept of: wherup∣on a peace was for that time againe concluded.

In his returne he tooke the citie of ATHENS in his way, which he not long before had taken from Francus Acciauoll by composition (by meanes of Omares the sonne of Turechan, one of his great captains) promising to giue him the countrey of BEOTIA with the citie of THEBES in lieu thereof. This Francus was nephew to Nerius, sometime prince of ATHENS, and had of long time been brought vp in the Turks court, as one of Mahomet his minions; and was of him [ L] (as was supposed) entirely beloued. But when he had receiued the dukedome of THEBES, in exchange for his princely state of ATHENS, he was shortly after, as if it had been in great friend∣ship sent by Mahomet to Zoganus, his lieutenant in PELOPONESVS: by whom he was at first courteously entertained, but afterwards being about to depart, he was (according as Mahomet had before commanded) suddenly staied, and when he least feared, cruelly murdred.

About three yeares after the peace before concluded betwixt Mahomet and the two brethren, Mahomet vnderstanding that the Christian kings and princes had combined themselues against him, with a purpose to driue him againe out of GRaeCIA: thought it now high time, and much for the assurance of his estate, to roote vp the small reliques of the Grecian empire, which yet re∣mained in PELOPONESVS in the two princes of the imperiall bloud,* 1.37 Thomas and Demetrius: [ M] whereunto he saw a faire occasion presented. Forasmuch as those two brethren were at that time at great variance betwixt themselues, neither paied him such tribute as they had before promised: hereupon he with a great and strong army came to CORINTH, where Arsanes a noble man of great authoritie and power in that countrey, whose sister Demetrius had married, came vnto him

[ A] from the prince his brother in law, attended vpon with many gallant gentlemen, his followers, of purpose to aid him against the other prince Thomas, nothing fearing any harme to haue been by the Turke intended against himselfe or his brother in law Demetrius, whom they both recko∣ned of as of a friend. But when Mahomet was entered into PELOPONESVS, and come to TE∣GEA, he caused the same Asanes, with all his cheefe followers, to be laied hold vpon, and cast into bonds: knowing (as it should seeme) no man for friend, which might any way hinder his ambiti∣ous designes.

Demetrius hearing what was happened vnto Asanes,* 1.38 fled to SPARTA, now called MIZI∣THRA: whether Mahomet in few dayes after came and laied siege to the citie. But the poor prince considering, that he must needs at length fall into his hands, went out of the cittie, and humbly [ B] submitted himselfe with all that he had into his power. Which so well pleased the Turkish ty∣rant, that hee courteously receiued him, comforted him, and promised him in stead of SPARTA to giue him other lands and possessions of like value elsewhere: Neuerthelesse, hee committed him to safe custodie, and carried him about with him as his prisoner, vntill hee had finished those warres. After he had taken SPARTA, he besieged CASTRIA, where he lost diuers of his Ianiza∣ries: for which cause, when he had taken the citie, he put all the souldiours therein to the sword, and cut the captaines ouerthwart in two peeces. From thence he marched to LEONTARIVM, called in antient time MEGALOPOLIS, which he tooke; with another cittie called CARDICEA, whither they of LEONTARIVM had before conueyed their wiues and children; as to a place of more safetie. There he cruelly put to death all the inhabitants of those cities, men, women, and [ C] children, in number about six thousand, of whom he left not one aliue: and yet not so satisfied, commaunded the very beasts and cattell of those places to bee killed. Many cities of PELOPO∣NESVS terrified with the dreadfull example of their neighbours, forthwith yeelded themselues: and amongst others SALVARIVM, a great and strong citie of ARCHADIA; where hee caused all the inhabitants, men, women, and children, to the number of ten thousand, to be cast into bonds, looking for nothing but present death: all which he commaunded afterwards to be sent captiues to CONSTANTINOPLE, and with them peopled the suburbes of that citie. After that, he by the counsell of Demetrius, sent one of his captaines called Iosua, with certaine companies of Greeke souldiors, vnto the strong citie of EPIDAVRVS, to commaund them in the name of the prince, to deliuer vnto him the citie, with the prince his wife and daughter, which lay there. But the Go∣uernour [ D] trusting vnto the strength of the citie, refused to deliuer the same: yet suffred the princesse with her daughter to depart out of the citie, being willing to goe to her husband; whom the cap∣taine hauing receiued, returned, and presented them to Mahomet. By whose commaundement they were presently sent into BEOTIA, there to attend his returne towards CONSTANTINO∣PLE, and an Eunuch appointed to take charge of the young ladie, who had so warmed Mahomets affection, that he tooke her afterwards to his wife. At the same time hee also subdued the most part of ACHAIA and ELIS, by Zoganus Bassa his lieutenant: whether hee came not long after himselfe, and laied siege to the citie of SALMENICA, which for lacke of water was at length yeel∣ded vnto him: but the castle was by the space of a whole yeare after valiantly defended against the Turks left to besiege it, by Thomas the prince: of whom Mahomet afterwards gaue this com∣mendation, [ E] That in the great countrey of PELOPONESVS hee had found many slaues, but ne∣uer a man but him. This valiant prince seeing the miserable ruine of his countrey, and the state thereof vtterly forlorne, after he had most notably endured a yeares siege in the castle of SALME∣NICA, got to sea, and so arriued in ITALIE: where trauelling to ROME, hee was honourably re∣ceiued by Pius Secundus,* 1.39 then bishop there: who during his life, allowed him a large pension for the maintenance of his state. Thus Mahomet hauing thrust both the Grecian princes out of their dominions, and subdued all PELOPONESVS (excepting such strong townes and castles, as bor∣dering vpon the sea coast were yet holden by the Venetians) left Zoganus Bassa his lieutenant to gouerne that new conquered prouince, and with great triumph returned himselfe towards CON∣STANTINOPLE, carrying away with him Demetrius the prince, with his wife and daughter, and many other noble prisoners. But after he was come to HADRIANOPLE, and placed in his royall seat, he remooued the Eunuch from the faire young ladie, and tooke charge of her himselfe. As for Demetrius her father, hee gaue to him the cittie AENVM, with the custome arising of the salt there made, as a pension for him to liue vpon. Thus this most famous and populous countrey of PELOPONESVS fell into the Turkish thraldome, about the yeare of our Lord 1460, seuen years

after the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE. Which I haue here togither set downe, as it is re∣ported [ G] by them who liued in that time, and in the same countries: omitting of purpose other great occurrents of the same time (which shall also in conuenient place be hereafter declared) to the intent that the fall of that great Empire, with the common miserie of the delicate Graecians, might appeare vnder one view; which otherwise being deliuered by peecemeale, as it did con∣curre with other great accidents according to the course of time, would but breed confusion, and require the Readers greater attention.

The Christian princes, especially such as bordered vpon the dominions of the Turkish tyrant, were no lesse terrified than troubled with the subuersion of the Constantinopolitane empire: for they saw by the continuall preparation of the Turk, that his ambitious desires were rather encrea∣sed, than in any part satisfied with his so great and late victories. Wherefore they with all care∣fulnesse [ H] fortified their frontier towns, and prouided all things necessarie for defence of themselues, and for the repulsing of so mightie an enemy. Amongst the rest, George the old Despot, or prince of SERVIA (whose dominions of all others lay most in danger of that tempest) speedily mustred his men of warre, fortified his strong citties, placed his garrisons, and left nothing vndone, that he thought needfull for the defence of his countrey: for he had many times before to his great losse, endured the furie of the Turkish kings, although he were joyned vnto them in the bonds of nee∣rest allyance. And hauing thus politikely set all things in order at home, in person himselfe tooke his journey into HVNGARIE, from thence to procure aid against such time as he should haue need. But the Hungarians, and especially Huniades (who at that time bare greatest sway in that kingdome) hauing before had sufficient triall of the vncertainty and light faith of that aged prince, [ I] who had so often fashioned himselfe according to the occurrents of the time, that he was accoun∣ted neither right Turke, nor good Christian; refused to promise him any aid, but left him to his owne fortunes:* 1.40 wherewith he returned discontented, and full of indignation. But shortly after he was come home, he died of an hurt receiued in a skirmish with Michaell Zilugo, gouernor of BELGRADE: whose brother Ladislaus he had but a little before trecherously murdred, as he was trauailing by wagon to BELGRADE with his said brother Michael, who at the same time hardly escaped. This was the end of George Despot of SERVIA, when he had liued nintie yeares: in which time of his long life, he had plentifully tasted of both fortunes. A man assuredly of great courage, but of a maruellous vnquiet nature: by profession a Christian, yet a great friend vnto the Turkes, whom he many times stood in great steed: a deepe dissembler, and double in all his [ K] dealings; whereby he purchased vnto himselfe that credit, that he was not of any his neighbour princes whilest he liued, either beloued or trusted; and after his death, of his subjects so detested, that the people of that countrey euen at this day in their countrey songs, still tearme him, The faithlesse and gracelesse Despot. Lazarus his youngest son, after his death succeeded in his place; hauing depriued both his elder brethren (Stephen and George) of the gouernment: for Amurath the Turkish king had long time before put out their eies, of purpose to make them vnfit for the gouernment of so great a countrey: yet these blind princes found meanes to flie away from him to Mahomet, carrying with them a great masse of money; and so incited him against Lazarus their younger brother, that to keepe friendship with the tyrant, he was glad to promise vnto him a great yearely tribute, and so to become his tributarie. But within few moneths after, Lazarus [ L] died; the last Christian prince that raigned in SERVIA: after whose death, great troubles arose in SERVIA for the soueraigntie: The blind brethren still crauing aid of Mahomet, with whom they then liued; and the desolate widow of Lazarus, putting her selfe with her three sons, Iohn, Peter, and Martin, into the protection of the Hungarians: by which means she with much trou∣ble held her state for a season.* 1.41 Vntill such time as that the Seruians, seeing small assurance in that manner of gouernment, and wearie of the harmes they daily receiued of the Turkes; yeelded themselues with their countrey, vnto the obedience of the Turkish emperour Mahomet, who foreuer vnited the same vnto his empire as a prouince thereof, and so it remaineth at this day.

Now was Mahomet by the continuall course of his victories, growne to that height of mind, that he thought no prince able to abide his forces; neither any enterprise so great, which he was [ M] not of power to bring to passe: wherefore he ceased not on euerie side continually to vex and trouble the princes, whose countries bordered vpon his. But aboue others, his heart was grea∣test against the Hungarians: for that by them the Turkish kings his auncestors, had been more troubled, and their state more endangered, than by any or all other the Christian princes. Wher∣fore

[ A] he resolued now to take them in hand; which thing he had from the beginning of his raign greatly desired. And because the citie of BELGRADE standing vpon the great riuer of Danubi∣us, was accounted the key of that countrey, he determined there to begin his warres, and by ta∣king thereof to make an entrance into the heart of HVNGARIE. Hereupon he leuied a great ar∣mie of an hundred and fiftie thousand of his best souldiours; in whom he reposed such an assured trust and confidence, that he accounted the citie already as good as taken, and a faire way made into HVNGARIE: so ready are we to promise vnto our selues, the things we earnestly desire. For the better accomplishment of these his designs, he had prouided in readinesse a fleet of 200 ships and gallies, which he sent vp the riuer of Danubius from VIDINA to BELGRADE, to the intent that no reliefe or aid should be brought vnto the citie out of HVNGARIE, by the great riuers of [ B] Danubius and Sauus, whereupon the citie of BELGRADE standeth. With this fleet he kept both those riuers so straitly, that nothing could possibly be conuaied into the citie by water: and not so contented, sent part of his said fleet farther vp the riuer of Danubius, and so landing his sol∣diours in many places,* 1.42 spoiled the countrey all alongst the riuers side. Shortly after he came with all his forces by land, and encamped before the citie: whereunto at his first comming he gaue a most fierce assault, thinking to haue taken them vnprouided: but finding greater resistance than he had before imagined, and that the Hungarians were ready to skirmish with them without the wals, he begun to proceed more warily, and entrenched his army: and to prouide for the safetie therof, by casting vp of deep trenches & strong rampiers, against the sudden sallies of his enemies: and after, planting his batterie, began most furiously to shake the wals with his great artillerie. By [ C] the furie whereof, he ouerthrew a part thereof, and laid it flat with the ground: which the defen∣dants with great industrie and labour speedily repaired, by casting vp of new fortifications and rampiers, in such sort, that it was rather stronger than before.

In the meane time Huniades (not to be named without the addition of a most worthy cap∣taine) being then Generall for the Hungarians,* 1.43 sent a fleet of ships and gallies, wel appointed with all warlike prouision, downe the riuer of Danubius from BVDA: which encountring with the Turkes fleet, tooke twentie saile of them, and so discomfited the rest, that they were glad to run themselues on ground neere vnto the kings campe. All which were by Mahomets commande∣ment presently set on fire, because they should not come into the power of the Hungarians. By this meanes the Christians became masters of both the riuers of Danubius and Sauus; and so at [ D] their pleasure, by water conuaied into the citie all things needfull for the defence thereof. Huni∣ades also himselfe, with fiue thousand valiant souldiours, and Io. Capistranus a Minorite frier (by whose persuasion fortie thousand voluntarie Christians out of GERMANIE, BOHEMIA, and HVNGARIE were come to that warre) entred into the citie that way with their souldiours and followers.

Mahomet resolutely set down for the winning of the citie, had with continuall batterie made the same at length saultable; and so determined the next day to giue a generall assault, appoin∣ting which part of the wall euerie Colonell with his regiment should assaile. But as they were with great diligence and greater stirre, preparing all things needfull for the next daies seruice: it fortuned,* 1.44 that Carazies Bassa, Mahomet his lieutenant generall in EVROPE, and his best man of [ E] warre, was by chance slaine with a great shot out of the towne. With whose death, Mahomet was exceedingly troubled, as with an ominous token of the euill which afterwards ensued vnto him and his whole army. For all that, prosecuting his former determination, the next day early in the morning he commanded the assault to be giuen: and with the dreadful sound of trumpets, drums,* 1.45 cornets, and other instruments of warre, brought on his Ianizaries to the breach; who as couragious souldiours fiercely assailed the same, and without any great resistance, entred both there and in diuers other places of the citie; reckoning the same, to be now their owne. For Hu∣niades hauing before stored euerie corner of the citie with his most valiant and expert souldi∣our••, had taken order that the defendants, vpon the first charge of the Ianizaries, should forsake their stations, and as men discouraged, retire towards the citie: of purpose to draw the fierce ene∣mies faster on, to their farther destruction; and vpon a signe giuen to set vpon them on fresh, and to repaire vnto their former places of defence. Which was accordingly done: so that as soone as the Ianizaries, with other of the Turkes most forward souldiors, were in great numbers ente∣red, vpon the retiring of the defendants, and the signe before appointed in the citie giuen, the de∣fendants, as men suddenly changed, turning againe, fiercely charged the Turkes which were en∣tred

contrarie to their expectation:* 1.46 and the valiant Huniades, at the same time issuing out on [ G] euerie side with his most resolute souldiors, so oppressed the Turkes, that few of them that were entred escaped with life, but were there in the cittie either slaine or taken prisoners; and the rest with exceeding slaughter beaten from the wals. Presently after, Huniades in this confusion of the Turks, strengthned with the souldiors which came with Capistranus the frier, made a sallie out of the towne, and set vpon the Turks appointed for the defence of the great ordinance; which was with such resolution performed, that the Turks were glad with great slaughter to forsake their charge, and to leaue the ordinance to their enemies.

The Turkish tyrant sore troubled and throughly chafed with the losse of his great ordinance, couragiously charged the Hungarians afresh, to haue recouered the same againe: but was so va∣liantly repulsed by Huniades, and so beaten with the murthering shot out of the citie, that he was [ H] glad when he had got him out of the danger thereof into his trenches. Huniades also retiring, turned the ordinance he had lately woon, vpon the Turks campe, and with the same did them no small harme.

In this hurle, a great part of the Christian army (which then lay on the other side of Danu∣bius) was speedily transported ouer the riuer; and making no stay in the citie, joyned them∣selues with Huniades, then lying without the wals of the citie. Who notably strengthned with this new supply, assailed the Turkes trenches, as if he would euen presently haue entered their campe: at which his presumption, the proud tyrant (neuer before so braued) disdaining, went out of his trenches, and valiantly encountring him, beat him backe againe to the great ordi∣nance; from whence he was againe by the Christians driuen to his trenches. Which man∣ner [ I] of doubtfull and dreadfull fight, was on both sides notably maintained, vntill the day was almost spent: victorie with indifferent wings, houering now ouer the one side, now ouer the other.

In these hote skirmishes and conflicts, Chasanes captaine of the Ianizaries, with many other valiant men were slaine.* 1.47 And Mahomet himselfe performing the part as well of a couragious souldiour as of a worthy chieftaine, was sore wounded vnder his left pappe; so that he was taken vp for dead and so carried into his pauilion, to the great discomfiture of his whole army. But comming againe vnto himselfe, and considering that he had in that siege lost his whole fleet, his great ordinance, with most part of his best souldiors, and yet in no possibilitie of the towne: se∣cretly in the night arose with his army, and with great silence shamefully departed; still looking [ K] behind him when the Hungarians should haue pursued him into SERVIA, or haue troubled him vpon his way towards CONSTANTINOPLE. At this siege (beside many of his best cap∣taines and chiefe commanders) were slaine fortie thousand of his best souldiours. The losse that he there sustained was so great, and so stucke in his mind, that euer after during his life, when he had occasion to speake of that siege, he would shake his head and sigh deeply, and many times wish, That he had neuer seene that citie, whereat both he and his father had receiued so great dis∣honour. Many were of opinion, that if Huniades had there had his horsmen on that side of Da∣nubius to haue presently pursued the fearfull enemy, that the whole army of the Turkes might haue there been ouerthrown. This notable victorie was obtained against the Turke the sixt of August in the yeare of our Lord 1456. [ L]

Shortly after, this most valiant and renowmed captaine Huniades, worthy of immortall praise,* 1.48 died of hurt taken in these warres; or as some others write, of the plague, which was then rife in HVNGARIE: who when he felt himselfe in danger of death, desired to receiue the sacra∣ment before his departure, and would in any case (sicke as he was) be carried to the Church to re∣ceiue the same; saying, That it was not fit, that the Lord should come to the house of his ser∣uant; but the seruant rather to go to the house of his Lord and master. He was the first Christi∣an captaine that shewed the Turkes were to be ouercome; and obtained more great victories a∣gainst them than any one of the Christian princes before him. He was vnto that barbarous peo∣ple a great terror, and with the spoile of them beautified his countrey: and now dying, was by the Hungarians honourably buried at AL••A IVLIA, in S. Stephens church: his death being [ M] greatly lamented of all good men of that age.

Mahomet the Turkish emperour, no lesse desirous to extend his empire with the glorie of his name, by sea than by land; shortly after the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE put a great fleet to sea, wherewith he surprised diuers Islands in the AEGEVM, and hardly besieged the cittie of the

RHODES. At which time, Calixtus the third, then bishop of ROME, aided by the Genowaies (for the grudge they bare against the Turkes for the taking of PERA) put to sea a fleet of sixteene tall ships and gallies well appointed, vnder the conduct of Lodouicus, patriarch of AQVILIA; who with that fleet scoured the seas, and recouered againe from the Turkes the Island of LEMNOS, with diuers other small Islands thereabout: and encountering with the Turkes fleet neere vnto the Island of the RHODES, at a place called the Burrow of S. Paule, discomfited them, sunke and tooke diuers of their gallies, and forced them to forsake the RHODES. After which victorie at sea, hee for the space of three yeares, with his gallies, at his pleasure spoiled the frontiers of the Turks dominions all alongst the sea coast of the lesser ASIA, and wonderfully terrified the effe∣minate people of those countries: and so at length returned home, carrying away with him ma∣ny prisoners and much rich spoile.

After that Mahomet was thus shamefully driuen from the siege of BELGRADE,* 1.49 and his fleet at sea discomfited (as is before declared) hee began with great diligence to make new preparation against the next Spring to subdue the Isles of the AEGEVM,* 1.50 especially those which lay neare vn∣to PELOPONESVS. But whilest he was busie in these cogitations, in the meane time embassa∣dours from Vsun-Cassanes the great Persian king, arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE, with diuerse rich presents sent to him from the said king. Where among other things, they presented vnto him a paire of playing tables, wherein the men and dice were of great and rich precious stones of inestimable worth, and the workmanship nothing inferiour to the matter: which the embassa∣dours for ostentation said, That Vsun-Cassanes found in the treasures of the Persian king, whom [ C] he had but a little before slaine and bereft of his kingdome, and had there beene left long before by the mightie conquerour Tamerlane. Together with these presents, they deliuered their embas∣sage, the effect whereof was, That those two mightie princes might joyne and liue together in amitie: and that whereas Dauid the emperor of TRAPEZONDE, had promised to pay vnto Ma∣homet a yearely tribute, enforced thereunto by George his lieutenant in ASIA; he should not now looke for any such thing: for as much as that empire after the death of the emperour then liuing, should of right belong vnto Vsun-Cassanes, in right of his wife, who was the daughter of Calo-Io∣annes, the elder brother of Dauid the emperour, then liuing: And further requiring him, from that time not to trouble or molest the said emperour his friend and neere alliance, so should hee find him his faithfull and kind confederat: otherwise it was (as they said) in his choice to draw vpon himselfe the heauie displeasure of a most mightie enemie. Mahomet before enuying at the rising of the Persian king, and now disdaining such peremptorie requests, little differing from proud commaunds; in great choller dismissed the embassadours with this short answere: That he would ere long be in ASIA himselfe in person, to teach Vsan-Cassanes what to request of a greater than himselfe. This vnkindnesse was the beginning and ground of the mortall wars which afterwards ensued between these two, then the greatest princes of the East, as shall be hereafter more at large declared. The embassadours being departed, and Mahomets fleet of an hundred and fiftie saile readie to put to sea, hee altered his former determination for the Islands of the AEGEVM (which after the losse of CONSTANTINOPLE had for the most part put themselues vnder the protecti∣on of the Venetians) and commanded his admirall with that fleet to take his course through the straits of Bosphorus into the great Euxine sea (now called the blacke sea) and so sailing alongst the coast to come to anker before SINOPE, the cheefe citie of PAPHLAGONIA, and there to expect his comming thither with his armie by land.* 1.51 This great citie of SINOPE standeth pleasantly vp∣on a point of the maine which runneth a great way into the Euxine, sometime the metropoliti∣call citie of that prouince: but as then, with CASTAMONA and all the countrey thereabout, was vnder the gouernement of Ismael, a Mahometane prince: vpon whom Mahomet had now bent his forces, for no other cause than that he was in league with Vsun-Cassan, the Persian king. Now with great expedition had Mahomet leuied a strong armie, and passing therwith ouer into ASIA, was come before he was looked for, to SINOPE. Ismael seeing himselfe so suddainely beset both by sea and land in his strongest citie, although he wanted nothing needfull for his defence, hauing in the citie foure hundred peeces of great artillerie, and ten thousand souldiours: yet doubting to be able with that strength to endure the siege, offered to yeeld vp the citie to Mahomet, with all the rest of his dominion, vpon condition, That he should freely giue him in lieu thereof the citie of PHILIPPOPOLIS in THRACIA, with the countrey therevnto adjoyning. Of which his of∣fer Mahomet accepted: and so taking possession of SINOPE, with the strong citie of CASTA∣MONA,

and all the rest of the princes territorie, sent him away with all his things to PHILIPPO∣POLIS, as he had promised. This Ismael was the last of the honourable house of the Isfendiars, who had long time raigned at HERACLEA and CASTAMONA in PONTVS. From SINOPE he marched on forward with his armie to TRAPEZOND. This famous citie standeth also vpon the side of the Euxine or Blacke sea in the country of PONTVS, where the emperors of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE had alwayes their deputies, whilest that empire flourished and commaunded the East part of the world, as farre as PARTHIA: but after it began againe to decline (as all worldly things haue but their time) one Isaack (whose father, emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE, the Constan∣tinopolitanes had for his euill gouernment slaine) flying to TRAPEZOND, tooke vpon him the gouernment of that citie, with the countries of PONTVS and CAPADOCIA, and many other great prouinces, and was at first called the king of TRAPEZOND: but after hee was well establi∣shed in that gouernment, both he and his successours tooke vpon them the name and title of em∣perours; which they maintained equally, if not better, than the late Constantinopolitane empe∣rours, and therefore are of most accounted for emperours. Hee that then raigned, was called Da∣uid Comnenus: which most honourable familie of the Comneni had long time before raigned in CONSTANTINOPLE; and out of the same were many other great princes descended, which ru∣led in diuers places of MACEDONIA,* 1.52 EPIRVS, and GRaeCIA. Mahomet comming to TRAPE∣ZOND, laied hard siege vnto the same by the space of thirtie dayes both by sea and land, & burn•• the suburbs thereof, as he had before at SINOPE. The fearefull emperour dismayed with the pre∣sence of so mightie an enemie, and the sight of so puissant an armie, offered to yeeld vnto him the citie with his whole empire, vpon condition, That hee should take his daughter to wife, and deli∣uer vnto him some other prouince, which might yeeld him such yearely profit as might suffice for the honourable maintenance of his state. Mahomet perceiuing the weakenesse of his enemie by his large offers, refused to accept therof, and attempted by force to haue taken the citie: which not sorting to his desire, the matter was againe brought to parle: where after long debating too and fro, it was at last agreed vpon, That the emperour vpon the faith of the Turkish king for his safe returne, should in person meet him without the cittie, if happily so some good attonement might be made betwixt them. Whereupon the emperour following the Turkes faith before so∣lemnly giuen for his safe returne, as was before agreed, went out of the citie to meet him, in hope to haue made some good agreement with him: but as soone as hee was come out, Mahomet ac∣cording to the damnable & hellish doctrine of his false prophet (That faith is not to be kept with Christians) presently caused the emperour to be cast into bonds, and so to be detained as prisoner. Which when it was bruted in the citie,* 1.53 the citizens vtterly discouraged, without farther resistance yeelded themselues with the citie into his power.

Mahomet now lord of TRAPEZOND, entring the citie, tooke prisoners the emperors daugh∣ter, with all the rest of his children and kindred, and all such of the nobilitie as hee found in the ci∣tie: whom he caused forthwith, together with the emperor, to be sent by sea as it were in triumph to CONSTANTINOPLE. Of the rest of the cittizens he chose out so many as hee pleased for his owne seruice, and appointed eight hundred of the Christian children, in whom appeared most towardlinesse, to be brought vp for Ianizaries, many also of the other citizens were sent into cap∣tiuitie to CONSTANTINOPLE: the beautifull women and virgines hee deuided amongst his friends and men of warre, certaine chosen paragons of whom, hee sent as presents to his sonnes. After he had thus taken his pleasure in the citie, and left none there but the basest of the people, he put a strong garrison of his Ianizaries into the castle, and a great garrison of common souldi∣ors into the citie, appointing his admirall to gouerne the same. The rest of the emperours strong townes, discouraged with the taking of TRAPEZOND, and the miseries thereof, in short time sub∣mitted themselues vnto the Turkish thraldome, wherein they haue euer since most miserably li∣ued. So Mahomet in the space of few moneths hauing reduced that empire into the forme of a prouince, returned in great triumph to CONSTANTINOPLE; when hee had in this expedition subdued PAPHLAGONIA, PONTVS, and a great part of CAPADOCIA, with some other pro∣uinces neere vnto the Euxine sea. When he was come to CONSTANTINOPLE, he sent the em∣perour with his children prisoners to HADRIANOPLE. But afterwards vnderstanding that the Persian queene, the wife of Vsun-Cassan, sought meanes to get some one of her vnckles children, whom by the power of her husband she might if it were possible aduance vnto her fathers em∣pire, he sent for Dauid the wofull emperour to CONSTANTINOPLE, and there cruelly caused

[ A] him, withall his sonnes and kinsmen, to be put to death; and to the vttermost of his power roo∣ted out all that most honourable familie of the Comneni, excepting George the emperors youn∣gest sonne, who at his first comming to HADRIANOPLE turned Turke: whose sister (the empe∣rours daughter) Mahomet afterwards tooke to be one of his concubines. This Christian empire was by the Turkish tyrant Mahomet thus miserably subuerted & brought to nought in the yeare of our Lord 1461.* 1.54

The yeare following,* 1.55 which was the yeare 1462, Mahomet hauing intelligence, that Wladus Dracula prince of VALACHIA,* 1.56 his tributarie, was resolued to cast from him his obedience, and to joyne himselfe vnto the Hungarians, his mortall enemies; thought it best to proue if he could by policie circumuent him, before he were altogether fallen from him. For which purpose hee sent Catabolinus his principall secretarie vnto him to bring him to the court, promising him grea∣ter fauours and promotions from the emperour, than he had as yet at any time enjoyed. And by the same trustie messenger, he commaunded Chamuzes Bassa, gouernour of BIDINA and the countrey lying ouer against VALACHIA, on the other side of Danubius, to doe his vttermost deuoire for the entrapping of Wladus: promising him great rewards if he could bring the mat∣ter to effect. Wherupon Chamuzes deuised with the secretarie, that when he had done his mes∣sake to the prince and with all his cunning persuaded him to take that journey vpon him, hee should secretly beforehand giue notice vnto him of the certaine day of his returne backe againe from the prince: at which time it was like, that Wladus would in courtesie of himselfe bring the secretarie well on his way, being a man of so great account in the Court, or at leastwise not refuse [ C] so to doe, being thereto requested by the secretarie: at which time the Bassa secretly passing ouer Danubius with certaine troupes of horsemen, and lying close in ambush vpon the way, should suddenly set vpon the prince, and so either take him, or els kill him. The plot thus laied, and eue∣rie circumstance agreed vpon, the secretarie held on his way; and comming to the prince, forced his wit to persuade him to go to the court: sometime cunningly extolling the great opinion that Mahomet had of his fidelitie and valour; and otherwhiles feeding him with the hope of greater honours and princely preferments he was to receiue at the emperours hands. But when hee had said what he could, he obtained no more of the warie prince, but good words againe, and that he would in courtesie conduct him on his way vnto the side of Danubius. Wherof the secretarie by speedie messengers gaue Chamuzes intelligence: who secretly passing ouer Danubius with cer∣taine [ D] troupes of horsemen, and riding a good way into the country, lay in ambush vpon the way whereby the prince with the secretarie must needs passe. According as was before appointed, the secretarie accompanied with the prince, put himselfe vpon the way, and at the very prefixed time came to the place where Chamuzes lay in ambush with his horsemen: who suddenly arising, and on euerie side assailing the prince, slew diuers of his men before they were well aware of his comming. But Wladus being a man of great courage, and better appointed than the Bassa had supposed (for he went alwaies attended vpon with a strong guard of valiant and stout men) so re∣ceiued Chamuzes and his Turkes, that hee slew many of them, and at length after a hard conflict tooke him with the rest prisoners:* 1.57 whose hands and feet he caused to be cut off, and their bodies afterwards to be thrust vpon sharpe stakes set fast in the ground, to the terror of all that saw them▪ and did the Bassa so much honour, as to hang him and the secretarie vpon a gibbet a great deale higher than the other Turkes. And not satisfied with this reuenge, presently gathered his forces, and passing ouer Danubius into the Turks dominions, burnt all the country before him alongst the riuers side, killing man, woman, and child, without mercie: after which great spoile & slaugh∣ter made, he returned againe into VALACHIA. The report of these news being brought to Ma∣homet, set him in such a choller and rage, that he commaunded the great Bassa Mahometes, which first told him thereof, to be cruelly whipt: Which seruile punishment in that tyrannicall gouern∣ment hath vsually beene inflicted euen vpon the greatest Bassaes of the court, vpon the least dis∣pleasure of the tyrants, especially if they bee not naturall Turkes borne; accounting the rest in their anger but as their base and contemptible slaues, as well appeareth by the wofull end of ma∣ny, euen of the greatest of them. But when he vnderstood by most sure aduertisements, that all was as the Bassa had before reported, or rather worse, it is not to be in words expressed into what a rage he fell: the spoile of his countrey greeued him much, but the shamefull death of the secre∣tarie his embassadour, and of Chamuzes the Bassa, tormented his heart, and filled him with indig∣nation and desire of reuenge. Wherefore with all speed possible he assembled his souldiours and

men of warre, out of all parts of his dominions to PHILIPPOPOLIS: and had in short time [ G] raised such an army, as the like he had not at any time imploied since the winning of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE. At the same time also, he sent his Admirall with 25 gallies, and 150 saile of other small vessels by the Euxine, to enter the riuer Danubius, and there landing his men, to joyne his forces with the prince of PODOLIA: who for a grudge he bare against Wladus, had promised to aid the Turke against him. When all things were now in readinesse, he marched with his army from PHILIPPOPOLIS,* 1.58 and passing ouer Danubius, entered into VALACHIA; before which time, the Admirall had landed his men, and with the helpe of the Podolian, had burnt the citie of PRAILABA, the greatest towne of trade in all VALACHIA; and was besieging CEBIVM, called in antient time LYCOSTOMOS: where after they had lien a while and receiued some losse, they left the siege and departed, the Podolian backe againe into his countrey, and the Ad∣mirall [ H] to his fleet.

Mahomet being got ouer Danubius, burnt the villages, draue away the cattell, and made ha∣uocke of all that came in his way. As for prisoners, he tooke but few; for the Valachies before his comming, had retired their wiues and children, and all that were vnfit for warres, either into their strong citties, or into the refuge of great and thicke woods (whereof there is in that coun∣trey plentie) or else into the high and rough mountaines, where they were in more safetie than in any their strongest holds: and all such as were able to beare armes, followed the prince, who euer kept the woods and mountaines, still following the Turkes army so neere as he possibly could, with safetie; and many times cut off such as stragled any thing farre abroad from the ar∣mie, into the countrey: yet neuer durst shew himselfe in plaine field, being indeed but a hand∣full, [ I] in comparison of the Turkes multitude. Mahomet, to small purpose roaming vp and down the countrey at his pleasure, staied neuer long in one place; and making no reckoning of such a weake enemy as durst neuer shew himselfe, pitched his tents still in the open plaines, and so lay with his army in great securitie, not entrenched at all. Wladus by his espials vnderstanding of this the manner of Mahomets encamping, came in the dead time of the night, and with all his power furiously assailed that quarter of the Turkes campe where the Asian souldiours lay, and slew many of them in their tents; the rest terrified with the suddennesse of the alarum, fled out of their tents for refuge vnto the Europeian souldiours: the prince following them at the heeles, and entring into that quarter of the campe also, did there great harme; and strucke such a gene∣rall terrour and feare into all the Turks army, that they were euen vpon the point to haue wholy [ K] forsaken their tents and betaken themselues to flight. Yea Mahomet himselfe, dismaied with the terrour of the night and tumult of his campe, and fearing least the Hungarians had joyned their forces with the p••ince; not knowing which way to turne himselfe, had vndoubtedly fled, had not Mahomet Bassa a man of great experience in martiall affaires, persuaded him otherwise: and by generall proclamation made through the campe, That no man should vpon paine of death, for∣sake the place wherein he was encamped, slaied the flight; and with much adoe enforced them to make head against the prince. Wladus perceiuing the Turkes now to begin to stand vpon their guard, and to make resistance: after great slaughter made, returning, tooke the spoile of the tents forsaken by the Asian souldiours, and vpon the approach of the day, againe retired with victorie into the woods. As soone as it was day, Mahomet appointed Haly-Beg with certaine [ L] companies of select souldiours, to pursue the Valachies: who ouertaking part of the princes ar∣mie, tooke a thousand of them prisoners, and put the rest to flight: all which prisoners were by the tyrants commaund, presently put to the sword. From that time Mahomet euerie night en∣trenched his army, and caused better watch and warde to bee kept in euerie quarter of his campe, than before.

* 1.59As he marched along the countrey, he came to the place where the Bassa and the secretarie were hanging vpon two high gibbets, and the dismembred Turks empailed vpon stakes about them: with which sight he was grieuously offended. And passing on farther, came to a plaine containing in breadth almost a mile, and in length two miles, set full of gallowes, gibbets, wheels stakes, and other instruments of terrour, death, and torture; all hanging full of the dead carkases [ M] of men, women, and children, thereupon executed, in number (as was deemed) about twentie thousand. There was to be seene the father, with his wife, children and whole family, hanging togither vpon one gallowes; and the bodies of sucking babes, sticking vpon sharpe stakes; others with all their limbes broken vpon wheeles, with many other strange and horrible kinds of

[ A] death: so that a man would haue thought, that all the torments the Poets faigne to bee in hell had been there put in execution. All these were such as the notable, but cruell prince, jealous of his estate, had either for just desert, or some probable suspition, put to death; and with their goods rewarded his souldiours: whose cruell manner was, togither with the offender to execute the whole family, yea sometimes the whole kindred. Mahomet, although he was by nature of a fierce and cruell disposition, wondred to see so strange a spectacle of extreame crueltie: yet said no more but that Wladus knew how to haue his subjects at commaund.* 1.60 After that, Mahomet sent Iosephus, one of his great captaines, to skirmish with the Valachies; who was by them put to the worse: but by the comming in of Omares the sonne of Turechan, they were againe in a great skirmish ouerthrowne, and two thousand of their heads brought by the Turkes vpon their [ B] launces into the kings campe: for which good seruice Omares was by the king preferred to be gouernour of THESSALIA.

When Mahomet had thus traced VALACHIA, and hauing done what harme he could, saw it to be to no purpose, with such a multitude of men to hunt after his flying enemy, which still kept the thicke woods or rough mountaines: he returned againe to CONSTANTINOPLE, lea∣uing behind him Haly-beg with part of his army, to prosecute that warre; and with him Dracula the younger brother of Wladus, who was also called Wladus, as a stale to draw the Valachies in∣to rebellion against the prince. This Dracula the younger, was of a little youth brought vp in Mahomets court, and for his comely feature of him most passionatly affected: which inordinat perturbation, so preuailed in the intemperat nature of the lasciuious prince, that he sought first [ C] by faire words and great gifts to corrupt the youth; and not so preuailing, attempted at last to haue forced him: wherewith the noble youth being enraged, drew his rapier, and striking at him to haue slaine him, grieuously wounded him in the thigh: and thereupon fled. Neuerthe∣lesse being drawne backe againe to the court, and pardoned, he was afterwards reconciled to the king, and so became his Ganimede; and was of him long time wonderfully both beloued and honoured, and now set vp for a stale (as is before said) for the Valachies his countreymen to gase vpon.

It fortuned▪ that after the departure of the king, diuers Valachies came to Haly-Beg the Tur∣kish Generall, to raunsome such friends of theirs as had been taken prisoners in those warres, and were yet by him detained: to whom the younger Dracula by way of discourse declaring the [ D] great power of the Turkish emperour, and as it were lamenting the manifold and endlesse mi∣series of his natiue countrey; cunningly imputed the same vnto the disordered gouernment of his cruell brother, as the ground of all their woes: assuring them of most happy and speedy re∣dresse, if the Valachies, forsaking his fierce brother, would cleaue vnto him as their soueraigne, in speciall fauour with the great emperour. Which speech, he deliuered vnto them with such liuely reasons, and in such effectuall tearmes, that they their present, persuaded by him; and o∣thers by them; in short time all, as if it had been by a secret consent, forsooke Wladus the elder brother, and chose Dracula the younger brother to be their prince and soueraigne. Who joy∣ning vnto him the Turkes forces, by the consent of Mahomet tooke vpon him the gouernment of that warlike countrey and people; yet holding the same as the Turkish tyrants vassaile, the [ E] readiest way to infidelitie. Wladus seeing himselfe thus forsaken of all his subjects, and his youn∣ger brother possessed of his dominion, fled into TRANSYLVANIA, where he was by the ap∣pointment of the Hungarian king apprehended and laied fast in strait prison at BELGRADE, for that he had without just cause (as it was laid to his charge) most cruelly executed diuers Hun∣garians in VALACHIA:* 1.61 yet such was his fortune, after ten yeares hard imprisonment, to be a∣gaine enlarged, and honourably to die in battaile against his auntient enemies the Turks.

Mahomet returning out of VALACHIA to CONSTANTINOPLE, sent the same fleete which hee had vsed in his late warres, into the AEGEVM, to take in such islands as being before vnder the Constantinopolitane empire, had vpon the losse of the citie put themselues vnder the protection of the Venetians;* 1.62 but especially the isle of MITYLENE, called in auntient time LES∣••OS: pretending that Nicholaus Catelusius prince therof, did harbour the pyrats of ITALY, and other places; and also bought of them such prisoners, and other bootie, as they continually tooke from the Turkes at sea, or alongst the sea coast, out of many places of his dominions: preten∣ding also the chastising of the said prince, for that he had by treacherie slaine his eldest brother, and so vnjustly taken vpon him the gouernment. His fleet thus set forward, he himselfe with a

small army passed ouer into ASIA, and came by land to POSSIDIVM a citie of IONIA ouer [ G] against MITYLENE. From whence he embarked himselfe ouer the narrow straite into the island: where after he had once landed his army, he in short time ouerran the whole island, and miserably spoiled the same, leading away all the inhabitants thereof into captiuitie; who shortly after were sold at CONSTANTINOPLE like flocks of sheepe, and from thence dispersed into all par••s of his dominions. After he had thus harried the countrey, and left nothing therein vnspoi∣led; he besieged the Prince in the citie of MITYLENE,* 1.63 whereof the island now taketh name: and with his great ordinance continually battered the same by the space of 27 daies. In which time many sharpe assaults were also giuen by the Turkes, whereby the defendants were greatly diminished and wasted.* 1.64 The prince perceiuing himselfe not able long to hold out, offered to yeeld vp the citie, with all the strong holds in the isle, vpon condition, that Mahomet should [ H] therefore giue vnto him some other prouince, of like valew to the island: which his offer Ma∣homet accepted, and by solemne oath bound himselfe for performance of that he had promised. Whereupon the prince came out of the citie, and humbled himselfe before him, excusing him∣selfe for the receiuing of the men of warre (wherewith he was charged) as done for no other pur∣pose, but that they should forbeare to spoile his owne countrey, much subject to their furie: vt∣terly denying that he had at any time bought, or shared, any part of such prizes as had by those pirats by sea or land been taken from the Turkes. With which his excuse, Mahomet seemed to be reasonably well contented, and with good words cheered him vp: neuerthelesse, as soone as the citie, with all the other strong holds in the isle, were by the princes meanes deliuered into his hands, hee no longer made reckoning of his Turkish faith, but cruelly caused many of the [ I] chiefe citizens of MITYLENE to be put to death; and three hundreth pirats, whom he found in the citie, to be cut in two peeces in the middle, so to die with more paine. And when he had placed conuenient garrisons in euerie strong hold in the isle, he returned to CONSTANTINO∣PLE, carrying away with him the prince, and all the better sort of the inhabitants of MITY∣LENE, that were left aliue, togither with all the wealth of that most rich and pleasant island; lea∣uing it almost desolat, none remaining therein more than his owne garrisons, with a few of the poorest and basest people. Mahomet after he was arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE, cast the prince Nicholaus, with Lucius his cosin (whose helpe he had before vsed in killing of his elder brother) into close prison: where they seeing themselues euerie houre in danger of their liues, to winne fauour in the tyrants sight, wickedly offered to renounce the Christian religion, and to [ K] turne Turke. Which Mahomet vnderstanding, caused them both to be richly apparelled, and with great triumph to be circumcised, and presently set at libertie: yet still bearing in minde his olde grudge, he shortly after, when they least feared any such matter, clapt them both fast againe in prison, and there caused them to be most cruelly put to death. A just reward for the bloodie murtherers, and apostacie, who to gaine a little longer life, were content to for∣sake God.

* 1.65Shortly after it fortuned, that Stephen king of BOSNA (in antient time called MaeSIA SVPE∣RIOR) who supported by the Turkish emperour, had wrongfully obtained that kingdom against his owne brethren, refused now to pay such yearely tribute as hee had before promised: for which cause Mahomet with a strong armie entered into BOSNA, and laied siege vnto the cittie [ L] of DOROBIZA: which when he had with much adoe taken, he deuided the people therof into three parts; one part whereof he gaue as slaues vnto his men of warre; another part he sent vn∣to CONSTANTINOPLE; and the third he left to inhabit the citie. From DOROBIZA he mar∣ched to IAZIGA, now called IAICA, the cheefe citie of that kingdome, which after four months siege was deliuered vnto him by composition: In this citie hee tooke the kings brother and sister prisoners, with most of the nobilitie of that kingdome, whom he sent as it were in triumph vnto CONSTANTINOPLE. The other lesser cities of BOSNA following the example of the greater, yeelded themselues also. But Mahomet vnderstanding that the king of BOSNA had retired him∣selfe into the farthest part of his kingdome, sent Mahometes his cheefe Bassa with his Europeian souldiors to pursue him: wherein the Bassa vsed such diligence, that he had on euery side so inclo∣sed [ M] him before he was aware, that hee could by no meanes escape, which was before thought a thing impossible. So the king for safegard of his life was faine to take the citie of CLYSSA for his refuge: where he was so hardly laied to by the Bassa, that seeing no other remedie, hee offered to yeeld himselfe vpon the Bassaes faithfull promise by oath confirmed, that he should be honoura∣bly

[ A] vsed, and not to receiue in his person any harme from the Turkish emperour. Wherupon the Bassaes oath to the same purpose was with great solemnitie taken; and for the more assurance conceiued in writing, firmed by the Bassa, and so deliuered to the king: which done, the king came out of the citie and yeelded himselfe. The Bassa hauing thus taken the king prisoner, carri∣ed him about with him from place to place, and from citie to citie, vntill he had taken possession of all the kingdome of BOSNA; and so returning vnto his master, presented vnto him the cap∣tiue king: who was not a little offended with him, for that hee had vnto him so farre engaged his Turkish faith. But when the poore king thought to haue departed, not greatly fearing further harme, he was suddenly sent for by Mahomet: at which time, he doubting the worst, caried with him in his hand the writing wherein the Bassaes oath for his safetie was comprised: neuerthe∣lesse, the faithlesse tyrant without any regard thereof, or of his faith therein giuen, caused him pre∣sently to be most cruelly put to death, or as some write, to be flaine quicke. Thus was the Christi∣an kingdome of BOSNA subuerted by Mahomet in the yeare 1464: who after he had at his plea∣sure disposed thereof, and reduced it into the forme of a prouince to be (as it is at this day) gouer∣ned by one of his Bassaes; in great triumph returned to CONSTANTINOPLE, carrying away with him many a wofull Christian captiue, and the whole wealth of that kingdome.

Mahomet following the example of his father Amurath,* 1.66 had from the beginning of his raigne by one or other of his great Bassaes or expert captaines still maintained wars against Scanderbeg, the most valiant and fortunat king of EPIRVS: the greatest part whereof, although it did in the course of time concurre with the things before declared, and might by peecemeale haue beene [ C] amongst the same in their due time and place inserted; yet I haue of purpose for diuerse reasons wholly reserued them for this place: First, for that I would not interrupt the course of the histo∣rie before rehearsed, with the particular accidents of this warre: And then, for that the greatest heat of this hereditarie warre, deliuered as it were from hand to hand from the father to the son, happened not long after this time; when as Mahomet hauing conquered the kingdome of BOSNA, had surrounded a great part of Scanderbegs dominion: Wherein I had respect also vn∣to the Readers ease, who may with greater pleasure and content, and lesse paines also, view the same together, than if it had beene dispersedly scattered and intermedled with the other greater occurrents of the same time. In which discourse I will but breefely touch many things well wor∣thie of a larger treatise. And if forgetting my selfe, I shall in some places happen to stay somthing [ D] longer than the Readers hast would require; yet I hope, that the zeale and loue hee beareth vnto the worthie memorie of most famous Christian princes,* 1.67 together with the shortnesse of the hi∣storie, in comparison of that which is thereof written in just volumes by others, shall easily ex∣cuse a larger discourse than this. But againe to our purpose.

Mahomet in the beginning of his raigne sent embassadours to Scanderbeg, offering him peace, so that he would graunt to pay vnto him such yearely tribute as his father Amurath had in his life time demaunded. Which embassage the craftie tyrant s••nt rather to proue what confidence Scanderbeg had in himselfe, than for any hope he had to haue his demaund graunted. This disho∣nourable offered peace Scanderbeg scornefully rejected, and so returned the embassadours as they came: and presently vpon their departure entered with his horsemen into that part of the Turks dominion which bordereth vpon EPIRVS: & when he had wasted the countrey, returned home laded with the spoile thereof. In reuenge of which despight, Mahomet shortly after sent Amesa one of his best men of warre, with twelue thousand horsemen into EPIRVS, to requite Scander∣beg with the like spoile of his people and countrey. But Scanderbeg vnderstanding by his espials of the Turks comming, lay close in ambush with six thousand souldiours vpon the great moun∣taine MODRISSA, ouer which the Turks must of necessitie take their way: and as they were about by night to haue passed ouer that rough and steepe mountaine, and were with much diffi∣cultie almost got vp to the top thereof, they were suddenly charged by Scanderbeg his footmen, who hauing the aduantage of the place, made great slaughter of the Turks, & draue them downe the mountaine amaine; at which time their horses stood them in no stead at all, but were rather vnto them an hinderance in that vneuen and troublesome ground. Now when the Turks were come to the foot of the mountaine, they were in that great feare and disorder againe fiercely as∣sailed on the one side by Scanderbeg, and on the other by his nephew, called also Amesa; who be∣fore the Turkes comming had placed themselues with their horsemen in places of most aduan∣tage: so that the Turkes hardly beset and forced on euery side, were in short time ouerthrowne

and put to flight. In this conflict seuen thousand of the Turkes were slaine, and Amesa Generall [ G] of the Turks armie with diuers other captains taken, whom Scanderbeg sent prisoners to CROIA. For joy of this victorie at Scanderbeg his returne, great triumph & feasting was made at CROIA: During which time, Scanderbeg caused Amesa the Turke, with the rest of the Turkish captain••, to be enlarged, to be partakers of that joy, whereof they against their wils had giuen the occasi∣on; and afterwards vsed them with all kind of courtesie during the time of their abode. This A∣mesa requested of Scanderbeg, That he might send a messenger to CONSTANTINOPLE, to cer∣tifie Mahomet how the case stood with him and the rest, whom happily he might thinke to haue beene slaine in the battaile; and to procure from him their ransome. Which his request Scander∣beg easily graunted, and set downe their ransome at thirteene thousand duckats. The newes of this ouerthrow sore greeued the Turkish tyrant, but afterwards when he saw the remainder of his [ H] armie without their generall and leaders, hauing for most part lost their ensignes and armor, and also the messenger that was sent from Amesa, he fell into such a rage, that hee denied to giue any thing at all for his ransome: imputing all that losse to his trecherie, follie, or cowardise. Howbeit he was afterwards persuaded by his Bassaes and other great courtiers, Amesa his friends, to thinke better of the Generall, of whose faithfulnesse and valour he had of long time had great experi∣ence, and also to send his ransome: by denying whereof, hee should (as they said) discourage his other generals and captaines, who by chaunce of warre might hap to fall into the like danger. By whose persuasion Mahomet sent an embassadour to Scanderbeg, with the ransome demaunded, and other great presents also. Vpon receit whereof, Amesa with the other captaines were set at li∣bertie, and sent with safe conuoy out of EPIRVS. All the money sent for the Turkes ransome, [ I] Scanderbeg deuided amongst his captaines and souldiors.

This late receiued ouerthrow filled the proud tyrant with desire of reuenge, so that hee deter∣mined foorthwith to send another armie into EPIRVS: the leading whereof, diuers of his great and most expert captains ambitiously sought for. For Mahomet had promised great rewards and most honourable preferments to him whose hap it should bee to vanquish Scanderbeg. Amongst the rest,* 1.68 one Debreas (a man for his forwardnesse and courage, in great fauour with his soueraign) by great sute obtained to haue that charge: promising with exceeding confidencie vnto Maho∣met, to make a beginning of better successe in his warres of EPIRVS, than others thither by him before sent: for the accomplishment whereof hee required to haue no greater power than was sent the yeare before. But after that Amesa was returned to the court, and had with long dis∣course [ K] set forth the vertues and valour of Scanderbeg, with the inuincible courage of his souldi∣ors, Debreas became more temperate in his speech, and was contented to receiue a new supplie; so that he had vnder his charge foureteene thousand souldiors: with which armie hee marched towards EPIRVS, and was come to a place called POLOGVS, where he lay with his armie en∣camped in a plaine in great securitie, fearing no danger, for that he was not as yet in the enemies countrey, neither as he supposed, neere the enemie. Of all this preparation, and of the comming of Debreas, Scanderbeg had intelligence: and being resolued not to expect the comming of the Turkes into EPIRVS, made choise of six thousand of his best horsemen; with whom he mar∣ched with as much speed as was possible into the enemies countrey, and came by night vnto the plaine where the Turkes lay, hoping to haue been vpon them before they were aware, and so to [ L] haue ouerthrowne them. Wherin he was much deceiued: for by the light of the moone (which then shined all night) he was by the Turkes in time descried, yet the suddennesse of his approach with the strangenesse of the attempt, exceedingly dismaied the whole army of the Turkes. But Debreas mindfull of the promise he had made vnto his lord and master, with cheerfull words en∣couraged his souldiours, and presently sent out certaine troups of light horsemen, to receiue the first charge of the enemy, vntill he might set his whole army in order of battaile. Betwixt these troupes,* 1.69 and others sent out by Scanderbeg, began a sharpe skirmish; both the armies standing fast, as beholders, carefully expecting the euent thereof. But Scanderbeg doubting, that if his sol∣diours should in this first encounter be put to the worse, it might tend to the great discouraging of the rest of his army; seconded his men with other fresh troups vnder the leading of Moses and [ M] Amesa: by whose comming in, the Turks were forthwith beaten backe, and chased euen to their maine battaile. In the heat of which chase, Moses forgetting himselfe, had with great danger in following on too fast, been enclosed by the Turkes, had not his furie beene in good time staied by Amesa: for which ouersight, he was afterward blamed by Scanderbeg, that he could not

[ A] with greater moderation vse his good fortune; commending such forwardnesse in a priuat soul∣dior, but not in so great a commaunder.* 1.70 When Moses and Amesa had thus put the Turkes to flight, Scanderbeg brought on his whole armie, and fiercely assailed the Turkes, yet troubled with the discomfiture of their fellows. Debreas on the other side, with cheerefull speech, and his owne valour, so encouraged his souldiors, that Scanderbeg was there notably resisted, and his fortune as it were at a stand: vntill that Musachius, with certaine troupes of resolute men, drawne out of the left wing of Scanderbeg his armie, gaue such a fierce charge vpon the side of the Turkes armie, that he brake their rankes, and sore disordered that part of the armie. Which when Debreas per∣ceiued, he withdrew himselfe out of the front of the battaile wherein hee had valiantly stood a∣gainst Scanderbeg, and came to the place where Musachius had disordered the battaile, and with such courage cheared vp his troubled souldiours, that his onely presence and valour see∣med to bee the very life and heart of his whole armie. Whilest Debreas was thus busied against Musachius, Scanderbeg in the meane time with might and maine still charged the front of the enemies armie: who now in the absence of the Generall began to loose their order and to giue ground, making no such resistance as before. At which time, Moses forcibly breaking into the thickest of them, tooke one of their ensignes, which hee threw backe amongst his followers: wherewith they encouraged, so pressed vpon their enemies, without regard of danger, that the Turks being therewith discouraged, and their battaile disordered, were almost readie to turne their backs and to flie. Debreas seeing all in danger to be lost, hasted with all speed vnto the place where he saw most perill, and did what was possible to haue restored the battaile, and encoura∣ged [ C] his souldiors:* 1.71 where pressing in amongst the formost, hee was by Scanderbeg himselfe en∣countered hand to hand, and so by him slaine: with whose fall the whole armie discouraged, without further resistance fled. Moses pursuing them on the one side, & Musachius on the other, with furious hand slew more in that chase than were slaine in the battaile. Of the Turkes were slaine in this battaile 4120, and some prisoners taken, but of the Christians few or none: so that for the good fortune thereof, Scanderbeg accounted it a victorie giuen. All the spoile taken from the enemie, together with the prisoners, was by Scanderbeg equally deuided amongst the souldi∣ors. Vnto Moses he gaue Debreas his horse and armour: and vnto Musachius a prisoner, which by his port and behauior seemed to be a man of some good account.* 1.72 This Turke agreed with Mu∣sachius vpon a ransome of two hundred duckats, and presently vpon agreement made, drew forth the money out of a little bag which he had kept secretly about him, and offered it to Musachius for his ransome: Who receiuing the money, told the Turke, that he must prouide another ran∣some, for as much as that money was his owne before by law of armes, as taken with his person. The Turke on the other side alledged for himselfe, the agreement alreadie made, with the pay∣ment of the full summe agreed vpon. This controuersie was brought before Scanderbeg: who with great pleasure heard them both what they could say: Musachius laying in hard for another ransome, and the Turke for his libertie vrging the agreement. Who when they had both said what they could for themselues, Scanderbeg smiling, told them, that they both contended for that which was in right his and neither of theirs: for the prisoner with the money were both mine (said he) at the first taking of him; since which time I haue giuen to you Musachius the prisoner, which I knew, but not the money which I knew not of: neither doth the concealing thereof make it yours (said he to the Turke) who had by law of armes lost your selfe, together with all that you had about you. After he had thus pleasantly discoursed of the matter, and brought them both in doubt, he awarded vnto Musachius the money he agreed for, and to the Turke his desi∣red libertie: who glad thereof, and hauing also receiued his horse and armour of the gift of Scan∣derbeg, departed, speaking all the honour he could of so noble a conquerour. After this victorie Scanderbeg with great triumph returned againe to CROIA.

When Mahomet vnderstood that Debreas was slaine, and his armie ouerthrowne, hee be∣came exceeding melancholie: but after he saw so many of his souldiors returned as had ben suf∣ficient to haue restored a lost battaile, he was so highly displeased with their cowardise, as that he could not endure the sight of them. The death of Debreas greeued none more than the king himselfe: for the captaines generally either enuied at his hardinesse, or else hated his insolencie. Amesa amongst the rest tooke no small pleasure, that his proud successour had taken part of his euill fortune, and so in part eased his former infamie. The great Bassaes and men of warre seeing their soueraigne so desirous of reuenge, offered to spend their liues in that seruice: whose for∣wardnesse

he seemed not to refuse: howbeit he had in his mind alreadie plotted another manner [ G] of reuenge. He was not ignorant, what great matters his father Amurath had brought to passe, by sowing discord amongst the princes of GRaeCIA: which fowle practise he purposed now to put in practise himselfe. There was at that time many famous chieftains in EPIRVS, of Scander∣beg both beloued and trusted; amongst whom, he was in hope to find some one who for desire of wealth or promotion, might be allured to giue some desperat attempt against the life or state of Scanderbeg. Of all others, Moses Golemus of DIBRA (a man honourably descended) was most inward with Scanderbeg, and for his prowesse and experience in martiall affaires, of all men accounted the best captaine in all EPIRVS, next vnto Scanderbeg himselfe: him, the craftie ty∣rant most desired to alienat from Scanderbeg, as one fittest to serue his purpose, and easiest with∣out suspition to be delt withall; because he commonly lay with a strong garrison in DIBRA, vp∣on [ H] the verie frontiers of EPIRVS. Wherfore he directed his letters vnto the gouernor of SFE∣TIGRADE, commanding him by all meanes he could possibly deuise to withdraw Moses from Scanderbeg; and not to spare for any gold or golden promises whereby to allure him: promising also vnto the gouernour himselfe great preferments, if hee could winne him. Vpon receit of which letters, the gouernor began forthwith carefully to deuise, how he might best attempt the matter he had in charge: where after many deuises, he at last thought vpon a shrewd-headed fellow, one of the Christians which dwelt in SFETIGRADE; whom for that he was a Christian, he might without suspect vse as an instrument in so dangerous and important an action. This Christian the gouernour called vnto him, and after he had with great gifts and large promises woon him to vndertake the matter; he sent him away, fully before armed with plenteous instru∣ctions, [ I] full of treason and deceit. When this subtill messenger was come vnto Moses, and vnder pretence of great and secret matters of importance, had obtained to speake with him in priuat: he after some discourse had of matters well worth the hearing, began at length vnder the couert of faire glozing words,* 1.73 to vtter his poison: Shewing vnto him (as a messenger from the gouernor) the great and good opinion the Turkish emperour had of long time conceiued of his valour and prowesse: for which cause his heroicall nature could not but honour him, although he were his enemy; and therewith also maruell, that he being a man of that worth, could be contented to be commaunded by Scanderbeg, whose state was by him chiefly vpholden: whereas if he would doe wisely, and changing his affection, follow Mahomet, an emperour of greatest magnificence and power, he should quickly in his court find such honourable entertainment, as were to be pre∣ferred [ K] before the state of Scanderbeg: or if the soueraigntie of EPIRVS his natiue countrey did better please him, he might easily be thereunto aduanced, by joyning his owne endeuour vnto Mahomets great power. It pleased Moses well to heare his owne praises (a thing incident vnto hautie minds) and he liked well that he was so fauoured of the Turkish emperour: but the hope of the kingdome of EPIRVS began to worke in him new conceits, and moued him more than all the rest. Such is the force of ambitious thoughts, that they make a man forget all things, saue themselues: so glorious a thing it is, to stand in the highest place. For all that, Moses neither in word or countenance made any semblant of liking, or disliking the message. Which the wily messenger taking for a secret consent, and hartely glad that he had been so well heard: not desi∣ring as then any further answere, craued leaue to depart; promising in short time to returne to [ L] him againe. After the departure of this messenger, many troubled thoughts began to arise in the mind of Moses: his mirth was changed into melancholy, and the cheerfulnesse of his coun∣tenance was abated, his hautie thoughts were his solitarie companions, and the imagined king∣dome the idoll he in secret worshipped; so that in short time, he seemed vnto the wiser sort as a man altogither metamorphosed. Some were so bold, as for to aske the cause of the messengers comming▪ vnto whom he answered, That he was one, from whom he receiued intelligence of matters concerning the good of the state: which his answere was holden for true; for who durst once mistrust Moses? Whilest he was thus tossed vp and downe with his owne thoughts, as a shippe with the billowes of a wrought sea, the same slie messenger, according to his pro∣mise came againe; and for his more credit, in secret brought with him such presents as well [ M] might seeme to haue beene sent from the Great Turke; with his message better framed than before. Of all which that was sent, Moses is reported to haue receiued nothing but the worst, which was,* 1.74 the verie treason it selfe. And so returned the messenger, with answere, That he could not but in good part accept of the Turkish emperours great fauours; and for the rest of his re∣quests,

[ A] whatsoeuer he should chance to doe therin, he should not from thenceforth find him any great enemy: commanding the messenger at his departure, no more to repaire vnto him about that matter, for feare of suspition.

After that, it chanced that Scanderbeg came into DIBRA, to see how all things stood there, and to consult with Moses for the besieging of SFETIGRADE; which citie it grieued him to see in the possession of the Turkes. Moses to auert Scanderbeg from that enterprise, wherein hee must of force be driuen to shew himselfe, told him, That he vnderstood of late by a certaine mes∣senger which came to him out of SFETIGRADE, that the citie was so well stored by the Turks, of all things necessarie for the defence thereof, that it were but lost labour to attempt any thing against the same: wherefore hee aduised him rather to besiege BELGRADE (not that BEL∣GRADE [ B] which is situated vpon the riuer of Danubius, but another of the same name) in the con∣fines of EPIRVS, then holden by the Turkes, but distant from SFETIGRADE about an hun∣dreth and fortie miles; of the taking whereof, there seemed to be more hope. By this persuasion, Scanderbeg resolued with himselfe to make prouision for the besieging of BELGRADE. And for∣asmuch as his souldiours of EPIRVS alwaies vsed to the field, were not so fit for the besieging of townes,* 1.75 he thought it good to pray aid out of ITALY, from his old friend Alphonsus king of NAPLES, with whom he had been of long time acquainted, and vnto him much beholden. Wherefore he sent two of his noblemen embassadours vnto him, with certaine rich presents, and familiar letters of this purport.

[ C] Our souldiours of EPIRVS, know only how to fight with men, and them to vanquish: with wals they know not how to deale. You Italians (as I vnderstand) haue skill in that kind of seruice, and take pleasure therein: wherefore now at this present, I haue need of your helpe and cunning. There be cer∣taine townes of our enemies in EPIRVS, yea almost in the heart of our kingdome; which eye-sore I haue of long desired (if it pleased God) to take out of my sight: but being occupied with continuall wars, had no leisure vntill now, happely to attempt any thing against them. This time I haue chosen as most fit, to satisfie my desire, both for the seasonablenesse of the time of the yeare, and for that Mahomet spareth me leisure; whose furie I haue twise calmed: You vnderstand in few words, what I haue need of: all other things are almost in readinesse, and we only looke for your helpe. Lend me such souldiors as know how to fight a farre off, I meane harquebusiers and canoniers, for of others we haue store plenty. [ D] But happy is APVLIA, my Alphonsus, vnder thy gouernment, from whence men fit for all seruices may be drawne as out of a most plentifull treasurie. Whensoeuer we haue requested men fit for seruice, either in peace or warre, you haue beautified both our court and campe. By you the kingdome of EPI∣RVS hath been supported with ciuile pollicie, and warlike strength: all sort of people, of what condition soeuer: yea euerie corner of EPIRVS soundeth forth thy praise, both at home and abroad. But for mine owne part, I doe so louingly embrace your kindnesse, and so firmly retaine the remembrance of your de∣serts towards me, that sometime I wish you that fortune (although in so doing I may seeme vnkinde) which (as the common saying is) proueth, but getteth not friends: to the intent, that you might by some more certaine proofe know, how much I am to you deuoted.

When Scanderbeg had sent away his embassadours, he with all diligence began to prouide things necessarie for the siege of BELGRADE: wherein he had purposed also to haue vsed the ser∣uice of Moses. But he now in heart a traitor both to his prince and countrey, and a friend to Ma∣homet, found many excuses to stay at home in DIBRA: alleadging first, that it was to be thought, that so soone as the Turkish king should heare of the siege of BELGRADE, he would inuade some part of EPIRVS, thereby to withdraw his enemies from the siege: and then, that no part of all EPIRVS lay neerer vnto the Turkes, or more in danger, than DIBRA; and that therefore he could not doe any better seruice, than to see vnto the safetie of that countrey, long before com∣mitted to his charge, and in which also most part of his liuing lay. These his excuses, procee∣ding indeed from deepe treason, were yet neuerthelesse thought reasonable, and he for his proui∣dent care highly commended; and authoritie giuen him with new supplies to augment the gar∣rison vnder his commaund, as time and occasion should require.

By that time that Scanderbeg had fully made his preparation for the entended siege, the em∣bassadours before sent to Alphonsus, were returned into EPIRVS, and with them such aid as Scanderbeg had before requested,* 1.76 and a great deale more: For Alphonsus fearing the greatnesse

of the Turkish emperour, in what he could furthered Scanderbeg his actions, reckoning EPIRVS [ G] not aboue 60 miles distant from his dominions, to be the strongest wals of his kingdome in A∣PVLIA (as not many years after, it by proofe appeared, when as the Turks hauing taken OTRAN∣TO put all ITALY in no small feare.) With this aid he also wrote louing letters vnto Scanderbeg, thanking him for his presents, and for the good opinion he had of him, willing him to make as bold of all his things, as of his owne. But when he came to make mention of the souldiours he had sent; Alphonsus, after the manner of his pleasant nature, merrily wrote vnto Scanderbeg, That he had sent him Italian souldiors which could according to his desire, fight well both with men and wals; but better with women: and that therefore the Epirots were best to take heed, that they whose helpe they required for ••ight a farre off, proued not also good warriours at hand at home in their houses. The great commendation Scanderbeg had giuen of the king, was by him [ H] referred vnto the excesse of his loue, and by the king requited with like.

* 1.77Scanderbeg now furnished with all things needfull, set forward, and according to his former determination, came and encamped before BELGRADE, with an army of fourteene thousand good souldiours: and in short time had so distressed the citie, that the Turkes were glad to take truce with him for sixteene daies, which time expired, they promised to deliuer vp the towne, if they were not before relieued. Vpon conclusion of this truce, Scanderbeg encamped himselfe vpon an high hill neere vnto the citie, with three thousand horse, and a thousand foot; and ap∣pointed Musachius and Tanusius, with the rest of the army, to remoue farther off▪ into a large plaine, where they might encampe themselues in a more wholsome and fresh ayre, in that hoat season of the yeare, during the time of the truce. At which time he appointed also 25 scouts to [ I] keepe continuall watch vpon the top of the highest mountaine, to discouer a farre off the com∣ming of the enemie, and to giue warning therof vnto the campe by making a fire vpon the moun∣taine: by the negligence of which watch, Scanderbeg receiued a great ouerthrow, as hereafter followeth.

The newes of the siege of BELGRADE was brought vnto Mahomet, at such time as he was readie to haue passed into ASIA against the emperour of TRAPEZOND: which great enter∣prise he was loath to giue ouer, for the reliefe of BELGRADE; and yet to lose that citie vnto Scan∣derbeg, grieued him much: wherfore he resolued with himselfe so to do the one, as that he would not altogither neglect the other. And so holding on his entended journey into ASIA himselfe, with such fortune as is aforesaid, he sent Sebalias one of his great Bassaes, with fortie thousand horsemen to relieue BELGRADE, promising him great rewards if he could bring him Scander∣beg either aliue or dead. This Bassa was of the Turks accounted for a warie captaine, but not so couragious, alwaies more politike than forward: he hauing receiued his charge, set forward with all speed possible, no lesse carefull of that he was commanded, than was Mahomet himselfe, and by great journies came on so fast, that he still preuented the fame of his comming; and by his ••orerunners intercepted, or rather (as some write) corrupted the watch which Scanderbeg had before placed vpon the mountaines; so that no signe was giuen vnto the campe of the enemies, as was expected. By meanes whereof, Sebalius with all his power were vpon that part of Scan∣derbeg his army, which lay in the plaines, before they were well aware of his comming: so that most part of them had not so much leisure as to bridle their horses, or to put on their armor. In [ L] which so sudden a feare, Musachius armed himselfe, and put his souldiours in such order as the shortnesse of the time and the enemies approach would permit; doubting much, whether it were better to fight or to flie: but seeing no lesse danger in flight than in fight, he resolutely re∣ceiued the enemies charge, as a man desirous before hand to reuenge his owne death. And at length (seeing his men slaine about him by heapes, and that courage must needs giue place vnto fortune) fiercely attempted to haue broken through the middest of his enemies, and so to haue fled vnto the mountaine where Scanderbeg lay: but he was so beset, that no way was possible to be made; wherefore resoluing there to die, he desperatly fought, to the great admiration of his enemies,* 1.78 vntill that he, with all there with him, were euery man slaine▪ Tanusius on the other side, after he had giuen diuers braue attempts to haue rescued his cosin Musachius, finding by [ M] proofe, that he could doe him no more good therein but to become the wofull companion of his death, exhorted all the rest yet left, for safegard of their liues to flie: in which doing, most of them were slaine, for the Bassaes great army so ••illed all places thereabout, and so eagerly pur∣sued the victorie, that it was almost impossible any way to scape. Scanderbeg lying vpon the

mountaine,* 1.79 and seeing the ouerthrow of most part of his armie, was about many times to haue descended from the hill, to haue holpen them in what hee might, or els to haue there died with them: but yet stayed, being thereto earnestly requested by his other most expert captaines; and persuaded, not desperately to thrust both himselfe and them all into the manifest perill of assured death.

Sebalias hauing slain Musachius, and put Tanusius to flight, followed the chase with the grea∣test part of his armie, so that few were left in the great plaine, except such as stayed to rifle the dead. Scanderbeg taking that oportunitie, came downe from the hill whereon he stood, with his foure thousand souldiors, and in a moment slew all such Turkes as he found in his way: and after following in the taile of the Turkes armie, cut off a great number of them, and brought a gene∣rall feare vpon the whole armie: insomuch, that Sebalias perceiuing that he gained not so much in chasing of Tanusius, but that he lost more in the rereward of his armie, by the pursuit of Scan∣derbeg, left the chase, and turned vpon his fierce enemie: Where after a sharpe skirmish begun, the warie Bassa fearing in the maintaining of that disordered fight to haue the victorie wrung out of his hands by Scanderbeg, caused a retreat to bee sounded, so to call together his dispersed souldiors, and in better order to encounter his dangerous enemie. Scanderbeg in the meane time hauing assembled the remainder of his armie, valiantly again encountred the Turks, who thought in this battaile to haue made an end of the warres in EPIRVS: and with his owne hand slew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Barach, two valiant souldiours of the Turkes; which like stout champions had ••efore sworne vnto Mahomet the death of Scanderbeg, if they should chance to meet with him. In this last skirmish a great number of the Turks were slain: but night drawing on, Sebalias retired with his armie to a mountaine neere vnto the cittie, and Scanderbeg likewise to another almost two miles off: and in the dead time of the night rising with his armie, returned in safetie into EPIRVS, leauing strong garrisons vpon all the strait passages as he went, for feare least the Bassa proud of this victorie, should forthwith breake into EPIRVS. This was the onely and greatest ouerthrow that Scanderbeg had hetherto receiued of the Turkes: wherein hee lost two thousand horsemen and three thousand foot (most part whereof were of the Italians sent from king Alphonsus) toge∣ther with his tents and great artillerie,* 1.80 and about eightie of his men taken prisoners. And of the Turks were also slaine three thousand.

The next day Sebalias perceiuing that Scanderbeg was retired, commaunded the bodies of the slaine Turks to be sought out and buried: but of such Christians as they yet found breathing, the Turks cut off their hands and feet, and so left them amongst the dead. The head of Musachius and of many other the slaine Christians, which by their armour or apparrell were thought to be of the better sort, were by the commaundement of Sebalias cut off: which because he could not for the distance of the place, and heat of the weather, without great annoyance carrie with him to CONSTANTINOPLE, as the barbarous manner of the Turks is; he caused them to bee flaine, and stuffed with chaffe, and so to bee carried as the vaine trophees of his victorie. Afterwards, when hee had repaired the battered wals of BELGRADE, and put a new supplie of seuen hun∣dred fresh souldiours into the cittie, beside the old garrison therein before, and set all things in good order, he returned with great triumph to CONSTANTINOPLE. And the more to set out the glorie of his victorie, at such time as he entered the citie, he first caused the captiue Christians to be led in chaines before him; after whom were borne the ensignes taken from the Christians, with the aforesaid heads thrust vpon launces, and after them all the spoile: last of all came Seba∣lias himselfe, with his souldiors, as great conquerours, and was of the people receiued with such applause and joy, as if hee had conquered some great kingdome. No man was now spoken of but Sebalias, his praises were in euery mans mouth, hee was the onely man (as they said) that did shew that Scanderbeg was to be ouercome: no preferment was now thought too great for him, or reward sufficient to counteruaile his desert. The poore Christian captiues were afterwards for most part sold: of the rest, some were aliue thrust vpon sharpe stakes, some hanged vpon yron hookes, some otherwise cruelly at the victors pleasure tortured to death.

Moses lately before corrupted by the practise of the gouernour of SFETIGRADE, hearing of the great losse Scanderbeg had receiued at BELGRADE, thought it now a most fit time for his re∣uolt. But for as much as the fact, in the nature of it selfe foule, seemed euen to himselfe the doer thereof, a great deale fouler and more dishonourable, for that he had therein no complices: hee thought it good, if it were possible, to allure some others into the fellowship of his treason, so to

diminish the infamie of himselfe, in communicating the same with many, and to appeare with [ G] greater credit before the Turkish tyrant, than if hee should as a contemptible fugitiue come all alone. Wherefore vpon the bad newes from BELGRDE, he seemed at the first very pensiue, and much to lament the misfortune of Scanderbeg, and the common miserie of the countrey of EPI∣RVS, with many words amplifying the same: and then on the contrarie part, setting forth to the vttermost the force and power of the Turkish emperour Mahomet, thereby to strike a greater terrour and distrust into the minds of them with whom hee was conuersant: but vnto such as were more secret and inward with him, hee discouered the great affection and fauour the great emperour Mahomet had of long borne him, with the large offer of his gifts and preferments, as∣suring them of the like also, if they would conforme themselues vnto his appetite; seeking hereby so much as he could, to allure them into the participation of his most execrable treason: yet when he had said what he could, he found none but a few of the baser sort of the common souldiours, which were willing to hearken vnto him or to follow him. When Moses saw how much he had laboured, and how little preuailed, fearing to be discouered, hee fled by night to SFETIGRADE, accompanied with a few base fellowes, and easily obtained the gouernours passe, with safe con∣duct to CONSTANTINOPLE: where he arriued a little before the returne of Sebalias from BEL∣GRADE, and was of Mahomet both joyfully receiued and honourably entertained.

When Scanderbeg vnderstood that Moses was thus reuolted, at the first report thereof hee was so troubled with the strangenesse of the fact, that he stood speechlesse as a man astonied: but after he had pawsed a while, and vpon further enquirie had found it to be true, he according to his heroicall disposition, said no more, but that he could easily haue Moses excused, for that hee was carried away with the violence of such fortune as might haue alienated the mind of a right con∣stant man. And when diuers of his friends (according to the manner of the world) with hard speeches seemed to agrauate his offence: he could not abide to heare the same, but commanded them to hold their peace, and no more to vse such speeches: wishing that all treason and euill for∣tune were together with Moses gone out of EPIRVS. Vpon this newes, Scanderbeg accompani∣ed with Amesa his nephew and a troupe of horsemen, presently went into the countrey of DI∣BRA, and there with all care caused most diligent enquirie to be made, if any could be found par∣takers of the conspiracie with Moses. But finding none, he much rejoyced in the fidelitie of his subjects: and hauing set all things in good order in that prouince, returned himselfe to CROIA.

Moses remaining in the Turks court, ceased not to solicite Mahomet to proceed in his warres against Scanderbeg, promising to doe therein great matters, euen to the spending of his life in that seruice. But the craftie tyrant thinking it not good to trust him too farre before hee had further triall of him, delayed him off vntill the next Spring, pretending that the yeare was too far spent to begin warres. In the meane time he caused all Moses talke, his behauior and actions, to be dili∣gently obserued and noted; and oftentimes himselfe discoursed with him concerning the mana∣ging of that warre: all which he did especially to sound the depth of Moses his thoughts. And finding nothing in him but the most assured and vndoubted signes of a mind deuoted to his ser∣uice, and altogether estranged from Scanderbeg: in the beginning of the Spring he committed to his charge the leading of fifteene thousand horsemen for the inuading of EPIRVS, such men as Moses himselfe should make choice of: for a greater number he required not for the vanquishing [ L] of Scanderbeg.* 1.81 These soldiors although they detested (so few in number) to enter that fatall coun∣trey of EPIRVS, as men faire warned by other mens harmes, yet heartened on by the opinion they had conceiued of their new Generall, and the hope they had by his meanes to find friends in that countrey to joyne with them, were the willinger to goe. So Moses furnished with a no••••∣ble armie, and all warlike prouision he could desire for the destruction of his countrey; and blin∣ded with the imagination of a kingdome, set forward▪ & marching through THRACIA and M••∣CEDONIA, forgetting the loyaltie due vnto his soueraigne, and the loue hee ought to haue borne vnto his natiue countrey, came and entered into DIBRA.

Scanderbeg by his espials vnderstanding of the comming of Moses, as also what strength hee was of, stood not now vpon any policie against him who had of long been priuie to all his strata∣gemes, but was readie euen at his first entrance with true valour to encounter him. As both the armies stood raunged in order of battaile, a messenger came from the Turks campe, to know of Scanderbeg, if any one of his armie durst to proue his fortune hand to hand against one of the Turks, before the beginning of the generall battell. By which messenger answere was returned,

That the challenge should be accepted.* 1.82 The name of the Turk which made this braue challenge was Ahemaze, a man for his valour and courage of great name amongst the Turkes. Vpon this proud challenge, Zacharias Groppa, a gentleman of no lesse reputation amongst the Christians, hastely stept forth before Scanderbeg (as if he had beene afraid to haue beene preuented by some other) and requested, that he might be the man to abate the Turkes pride Scanderbeg embracing him, commended his noble mind, and wishing him good fortune, gaue him leaue to carrie with him into the field the first honour of the Christian armie. As he was arming himselfe, his com∣panions & fellowes in armes standing about him, wished vnto him not more courage or strength than he had, but onely the fortune of Manessi. Vpon his armour hee put on many rich jewels and ornaments, the allurements or rather the rewards of the enemie, if hee could vanquish him. The Turkish champion was no sooner come into the plaine betwixt both armies, & made shew of himselfe in great brauerie as if his match had yet beene scarcely found, but he saw Zacharias come forth brauely mounted, and readie to charge him: to whom Ahemaze calling aloud, said there would bee time ynough for him to hasten to his death, and therefore requested to talke with him before. So when he had learned of him both his name and place, he propounded such like conditions of the combat, as had beene long before derided by Manessi: whereof Zacharias in no better sort accepted. In few words it was agreed vpon betwixt them, That each of them should abide his owne fortune, without any helpe or aid of others; and that the victor should haue full power ouer the bodie and spoile of the vanquished. Thus agreed, they withdrew them∣selues one a good distance from another, and with their launces charged, ran together with such force, that with the violence of the encounter they brake their launces one vpon the other, and were both horse and man ouerthrowne. Both vnhorsed, they nimbly recouered themselues, and with their scimitars fiercely assailed the one the other on foot. Fortune it should seeme had de∣termined to beautifie that combat with varietie, standing a great while indifferent to both. After many sturdie strokes giuen, without any hurt done, by reason they were so strongly armed, it for∣tuned that both their swords were beaten out of their hands: then grapling together with their bare hands, as if they had beene two vnarmed wrestlers, after long strugling till they were both almost out of breath, Zacharias ouerthrew the Turke, and lying vpon him, with his dagger, aboue the gorget thrust him into the throat, and slew him: and so rising vp, with the sword that first came to his hands, cut off the Turks head: at the sight whereof the Christian armie gaue a great shout for joy, to the great discomfiture of the Turks. To be short, Zacharias despoyling the Turk of his armour, and what else he thought good, returned loded with the spoile of his enemie, and presented vnto Scanderbeg the proud Turkes head: for which hee was of him afterwards most honourably rewarded.

Into this place yet reeking with the bloud of the late slaine Turke, came Moses, and with a loud voice challenged Scanderbeg hand to hand; thinking indeed that he would not haue aduen∣tured his person: but when he saw him readie to come forth, hee shamefully forsooke the place, and returned with shame ynough into his armie.

Presently after,* 1.83 both the armies vpon signall giuen set forward, and so began to joine battaile: where at the first onset Scanderbeg so valiantly charged the vauward of the Turkes armie, that they were glad to giue ground: which Moses perceiuing, releeued them with new supplies: and riding now here, now there, with his presence and courage restored the battaile, in many places almost lost. Howbeit, the Epirots encouraged with the beginning of their good fortune, still pre∣uailed vpon their enemies, and after great slaughter made, came to the strength of their battaile; where Moses had placed most of his best souldiours, as his most assured and last refuge: In this place the Turks fought with exceeding courage, and Moses warily obseruing in what part of the battaile Scanderbeg himselfe was, directed his greatest forces against him, of purpose, if possibly he might, to haue slaine him: whereof he missed but a little; for a courageous souldiour of the Turkes by chance encountering with Scanderbeg, with his horsemans staffe bare him quite back∣ward vpon his horse, in such forcible manner, that the Turks for joy gaue a great shout, thinking verely he had beene slaine: but Scanderbeg recouering himselfe againe, and chafed with such an vnwonted disgrace, furiously assailed the same Turke with his sword, and after a great fight slew him. A great part of the Turkes armie being alreadie ouerthrowne by them that had the leading of the wings of Scanderbeg his armie, diuers of the common souldiours thrust the heads of the slaine Turkes vpon the points of their speares, in token of victorie, to the great astonishment of

the Turks: and now joyning themselues with Scanderbeg, more fiercely charged the maine bat∣taile of the Turkes than before. Neuerthelesse, Moses encouraging his souldiours, did what was possible for a man to doe, and euen with his owne valour a great while staied the course of the victorie: vntill he seeing the ground about him couered with the dead bodies of his best sol∣diours, and that there was no remedie but that he must either flie, or there die; turned his backe and fled. In which flight, many of the hindermost of the Turks were slaine: as for Moses him∣selfe, he escaped by waies to him well knowne, onely with foure thousand men, the poore re∣mainder of so great an armie: the rest, to the number of about eleuen thousand, all choise men, were slaine: whereas of the Christians were not past an hundreth lost, and about eightie woun∣ded. Of all the Turkes that were taken, onely one was saued; who being a man of good ac∣count, had yeelded himselfe to Zacharias, and was afterward raunsomed: the rest were all by the common souldiours, without pittie, tortured to death, in reuenge of the crueltie by them shewed at BELGRADE: Scanderbeg himselfe either not knowing thereof, or winking thereat.

Moses with the rest of his discomfited armie, lay still a while vpon the borders of EPIRVS, and would faine haue persuaded them, after the departure of Scanderbeg, to haue followed him againe into EPIRVS, to haue surprised the garrison left in DIBRA, in number not aboue two thousand; promising to bring them vpon the same garrison, before they should be aware of their comming. But the Turks hauing him now in contempt, were about by generall consent to for∣sake him,* 1.84 and to returne home. And so Moses seeing no remedie, returned with them to CON∣STANTINOPLE, with countenance as heauie as if he had beene a condemned man now carried to the place of execution: and the Turkes which had not long before had him in great admira∣tion, [ I] expecting that he should haue ended the wars in EPIRVS; began now to disgrace him as fast, and to speake all the euill of him they could deuise. Yea the prowd tyrant himselfe (although he could blame nothing in the man, but his fortune) was so highly offended with him, for the losse of his armie, that he had vndoubtedly put him to most cruell death, had not the great Bas∣saes, and others neere about him, persuaded him otherwise: saying, That in so doing, he should alienat the mindes of all others from reuolting vnto him, or attempting any great thing for his seruice. So was he by their mediation, pardoned his life; but withall, so disgraced, that he had little or nothing allowed him afterwards for his necessarie maintenance: all which despitefull contumelies he outwardly seemed patiently to beare; but was inwardly so tormented with me∣lancholy and griefe, that he could neither eat nor drinke: The remembrance of the foule trea∣son [ K] committed against his prince and countrey, was day and night before his eies; and the dis∣graces of the Turkes court inwardly tormented him with intollerable griefe: The sight of the tyrant (who measured all things by the euent) filled his heart with secret indignation; and to re∣turne againe vnto his naturall prince, of whom he had so euill deserued, he was ashamed: Some∣time the clemencie and princely nature of Scanderbeg, whom he knew of old, slow to reuenge, and easie to be entreated to forgiue, hartened him on to thinke of returne; and by and by, the con∣sideration of his fowle treason ouerwhelmed him with despaire. Thus with contrarie thoughts plunged too and fro, tormented with the inspeakable griefes of a troubled conscience, not know∣ing what to doe, purposing now one thing, and by and by another: at last he resolued to forsake the insolent tyrant, and to submit himselfe to the mercie of Scanderbeg; wishing rather to die in [ L] his countrey for his due desert,* 1.85 than to liue with infamie, derided in the Turkes court. Resting himselfe vpon this resolution, one euening hee got secretly out of the gates of CONSTANTI∣NOPLE, and trauelling all that night and the day following before he rested, by long and wearie journies, came at last vnto his natiue countrey of DIBRA. The garrison souldiours behol∣ding their old gouernour all alone, full of heauinesse, as a man eaten vp with cares; mooued with compassion, and forgetting the euils hee had beene the occasion of, receiued him with many teares and friendly embracings, and brought him to Scanderbeg, who by chance then lay not farre off. Moses comming vnto him with his girdle about his necke, in token that he had de∣serued death (as the manner of that countrey was) found him walking before his tent, and there with heauie cheere falling downe vpon his knees at his feet, submitted himselfe vnto his mercie, [ M] and with great humilitie and signes of repentance, craued his most gracious pardon. Which his request Scanderbeg presently granted, and taking him vp by the hand embraced and kissed him, in token he had from his heart forgiuen him: and within a few daies after, caused all such things of his as were before confiscat, to be againe restored vnto him; with all such offices and promo∣tions

as he had before enjoyed: and by open proclamation commanded, That from thenceforth no man should either publikely or priuatly speake of that Moses had trespassed. Mahomet vn∣derstanding that Moses was returned againe into EPIRVS, and honoured of Scanderbeg as in former time, was much grieued thereat, and fumed exceedingly: First, for that he had at all tru∣sted him; and then, that he had so let him slip out of his hands: being verily persuaded, that all that Moses had done, was but a finenesse of Scanderbeg to deceiue him.

Shortly after that Moses was returned into EPIRVS, Mahomet by like practise allured vnto him Amesa, Scanderbeg his nephew; promising to make him king of EPIRVS in his vnckles steed. For by that meanes, the craftie tyrant thought it a more easie way to draw the mindes of the people of EPIRVS from Scanderbeg vnto him descended of the princes bloud, than to Mo∣ses, or to any other stranger he should set vp. Amesa vpon this hope of a kingdome, fled to CONSTANTINOPLE: and because he would cleere the mind of the tyrant of all suspi••ion and distrust, he carried with him his wife and children, as the most sure pledges of his fidelitie. This Amesa was of stature low, and the feature of his body not so perfect as might sufficiently ex∣presse the hidden vertues of his mind: He was of courage hautie aboue measure, subtill, and of a pregnant wit; wonderfull painfull, and thereto courteous and bountifull (the chiefe meanes whereby aspiring minds steale away the hearts of men) whatsoeuer he got of himselfe, or had by the gift of his vnckle, he deuided it amongst his souldiours or friends: he was verie affable, and could notably both couer and dissemble his affections: for which things, he was aboue all others both beloued and honoured of all the people of EPIRVS, next vnto Scanderbeg himselfe. [ C] At his first comming to Mahomet, he filled not his eares with great promises, and vaine praises of himselfe as had Moses; but only excusing his owne reuolt, laboured to persuade him, That he had for just causes left his vnckle, with a desire now faithfully to serue him. And to that purpose spake vnto him as followeth:

If it should please thee (most noble Mahomet) to call to remembrance the old iniuries,* 1.86 and aunti∣ent displeasures by vs committed against thine imperiall Maiestie: we might seeme now rather to haue come hither to receiue the just guerdon of our euill deserts, than vpon any hope of honor or preferment. For what could haue been done more in disgrace of the Othoman empire, than that you haue seene long since done by vs, in the most dangerous time of the Hungarian war; rather of a malicious & set pur∣pose, than for that we were just enemies? When as in the same perfidious course, I my selfe being a hel∣per and partaker therein (for now no excuse is to be pretended for our doings, more than repentance) your fathers army was betrayed at MORAVA, and the kingdome of EPIRVS by great treacherie wrested out of your fathers hands; the only cause of so many calamities, and of so much bloudshed. But vaine is this feare, and our suspition needlesse, with so wise and mercifull a prince; especially for that my yeares then greene, and youth prone vnto the harme of it selfe, and a mind not resting vpon his owne resolutions, deceiued me. I beleeued mine vnckle (for the ignorant beleeue many things) and allured with the desire of soueraigntie (the proper disease of that age) and too much credulous, I forsooke you and followed his promises: but discretion growing with yeares, I haue by little and little perceiued both the slie persidious dealing of mine vnckle, as also that my reuolt from you was more hurtfull vnto my selfe than to any other. Scanderbeg recouered, and also enlarged the kingdome of EPIRVS; but not without my great labour and helpe. I expected long time, that he should haue giuen me, if not my fa∣thers whole inheritance, yet at least some part thereof, as a small reward of my so great trauell and danger. Not long after he married a wife, and hath begot a young heire, a new successour in his king∣dome: vnto me for shame of the world, because I should not altogither lead a priuat life, he hath assig∣ned a base corner of EPIRVS; where he enioyning the rest, I might lead a poore and contemptible life. In this case I had much adoe to bridle my affections, and could neuer disgeast that iniurie: yet the ini∣quitie of the time, with the insolent disposition of the man, compelled me to smother vp my thoughts, and to make faire weather, least finding some suspition, he should craftely haue entrapped me, as he did of late George Stresie his sisters sonne; whom wrongfully charged with fained surmises, he hath al∣most depriued of all his possessions. I would willingly haue fled vnto the feet of your highnesse, I would gladly haue forsaken my ingratefull vnckle with the staines of his infamous kingdome; but that the re∣membrance of the old rebellion, and many iniuries sithence done, did make me afraid: vntill that now (God I thinke so appointing it) I came most gladly, following your most royall faith and promise. You had scarcely beckned vnto me, you had scarcely inuited me, hauing of long intentiuely waited eue∣rie

occasion; but straight way I came with such speed, as if I would haue flowne: I lingred not, I expe∣cted [ G] not either Scanderbeg or his euill happe, or your more prosperous successe, as of late did Moses; least I might thereby justly seeme either for feare or regard of some imminent danger, rather to haue prouided for mine owne safetie than to haue embraced your magnificence. Neither haue I left any thing for you in me to suspect, nor any cause wherefore I should desire to returne againe into EPIRVS: here are present most sure bonds of my loue, and faithfull pledges of my loyaltie. Behold (worthy Ma∣homet) you haue whatsoeuer is deere vnto me, yea whatsoeuer nature could giue, pleasing vnto men in the course of mans life. These I haue brought vnto thee, which should with violence haue been taken from an enemy: such pawnes as might assure thee of the faith of a most doubtfull man. More than this, haue I brought nothing: for in so great speed and secret departure, I could not haue regard of my substance. And if I might haue had time to haue trussed vp my trash at leysure; yet I know not how, I should haue thought it a kind of basenesse, to haue brought with me any part of the poore reliques of mine old fortune: especially vnto thee, of all other the richest. Onely my fidelitie I lay downe before thee, for any thing greater I haue not: and if thou desire of me any other bond for more assurance, I re∣fuse not whatsoeuer your highnesse shall appoint: for I came not hither to set downe couenants and a∣greements of my selfe, but to receiue them from you. I dare not promise to vanquish mine vnckle, and to subdue EPIRVS with an army of fifteene thousand men: the misfortune of Haly-Bassa and other your Generals; yea and the late and rare victorie of Sebalias, with great bloodshed gained, may serue for examples. In me you shall neither want diligence nor faithfull seruice: as for other things concer∣ning the euent of this warre, and for the reuenge of the iniuries by you receiued; you being a prince of power inuincible, and of a most deepe judgement, are not to be aduised by me your vnskilfull vassaile.

* 1.87This speech of Amesa, seemed vnto Mahomet free from all dissimulation, forasmuch as he knew most part thereof to be true; and his wife and children brought vnto his presence, confir∣med the rest. Wherfore commending his good affection, he appointed him honourable enter∣tainment, referring other matters vnto a farther time.

Vpon the approch of the Spring, Mahomet desiring nothing more than to be reuenged vp∣on Scanderbeg, entred into consultation with his great Bassaes, concerning the inuasion of EPI∣RVS: vnto which counsell Amesa was by Mahomet admitted, and his wicked deuise for the de∣struction of his countrey, of all others best liked. After the matter had been long too and fro de∣bated, it was concluded, that Isaack the great Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE, should with an ar∣mie of fiftie thousand be sent against Scanderbeg, and Amesa with him, hauing the charge of fiue thousand horsemen: and the Bassa to proclaime Amesa king of EPIRVS; thereby to persuade the Epirots, that Mahomet inuaded EPIRVS rather for the displeasure he bare against Scander∣beg, and for the aduancement of Amesa, than for any ambitious desire he had to take vnto him∣selfe that kingdome.

Great was the preparation for this warre, and the expectation thereof greater. Flying fame had in short time filled euerie corner of EPIRVS with the report of these newes; adding therun∣to (as the manner is) a great deale more than was true. Whereupon Scanderbeg without delay, sent for his great captains and men of warre into DIBRA, where that tempest was first to be ex∣pected: and when they were all assembled, he declared vnto them the greatnesse of the danger, and what he thought thereof himselfe as followeth.

* 1.88Amongst all other things which God hath left to vex and greeue the minds of men in so great va∣rietie of worldly affaires, we see (right worthie souldiors) these two the greatest, Hope, and Feare. The first a more comfortable thing, and proper to courageous minds (I may not say) of light beleefe: the other a thing of more discretion and safetie, which although it vse to deferre the desires of men, yet hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 power at length excellently to cure and season the same. Hereupon is it easily to be gathered, that the great cheefetaines of former times haue gained more honour and greater victories, by fearing all that was to be feared, than others in shew more hardie, which feared nothing. Hereupon the great Carthagi∣nentian captaine vsed to call Q. Fabius (whom the Romanes euer thought too slow and too fearefull) his great enemie: but Terentius Varro he called a greater enemie vnto his owne countrey and the peo∣ple of ROME, than to himselfe. But wherfore do I wrongfully call that Feare, which might more tru∣ly be called Discretion, or wholesome Policie? Call it as you will, it is not much materiall: but this one thing no man can denie, That thereof hath risen the antient discipline of warre, and the old and severe

gouernment of martiall affaires. This aduised carefulnesse cherisheth and nourisheth Hope it selfe, it doth nothing rashly, it hath eyes before, behind, and on both sides, it waigheth in indifferent ballance things past; present, and to come. You may now perceiue to what end my speech tendeth. I would first conferre with you, and know your opinions, before I determine any thing of the order of this warre; that either I might yeeld vnto your opinion, or els you (as you haue alwaies hitherto done) to mine. You heare▪ you now heare with your eares what preparation, what warlike prouision is daily made against vs. Lo the great Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE, all the flower of EVROPE, and whole strength of the Otho∣man kingdome knocketh at our gates. I want not courage (neither euer did) to prooue my fortune a∣gainst him, not without your honour: but I thinke it better to vse police and warie heed against so great an enemie, than our wonted force and courage. That notable ouerthrow of Hali Bassa; so many great victories by vs atchieued, our minds by so many good haps confirmed, persuade me to thinke that wee haue both courage and strength to encounter him in plaine battaile: but the vncertaine euents of war; and fortune neuer sufficiently knowne, maketh wise men to forget what is past, and to feare that is to come. It was neuer proper to any man, it was neuer giuen by inheritance, alwaies to ouercome; new occurrents require new correspondents: neither may you, for that you conquered yesterday, presume to assure your selfe to deuide the spoile of your enemies to day. Victorie is like a trauellour, and goeth hi∣ther and thither, not resting long in a place: and although it be for most part both gotten and kept by courage and discretion; yet oftentimes, when you haue most carefully and politiquely disposed of all things, the fortune and chance of warre haue therein a great sway. I was wont to require (I remember it well) onely valour and courage in my soldiors, contemning all externall accidents and fortunes haps; if you did promise vnto me courageous minds, I assured you of all good hap and prosperous successe: but that losse we receiued at BELGRADE (the remembrance whereof my mind feareth, and alwayes ab∣horreth to thinke vpon) hath much changed my former cogitations, and made me to deeme farre other∣wise of worldly matters, and the vncertainetie of fortune. What if that day had been longer? or Se∣balias of more courage? might not the state of EPIRVS haue that day been vtterly ouerthrowne? We were then rather by God preserued, than by any thing that was in our selues: what remained more, but that we should like cowards haue yeeld••d our selues to haue been bound of the conquerours? The night defended vs, yea euen God himselfe defended vs; who tooke from them both policie and force, and gaue vs time to breath and escape away. We were then but as a prey; expecting but the comming of the vi∣ctor: Howbeit, he tooke nothing from vs, he carried little or nothing away with him, being too much carefull to keepe the honour he had alreadie gained, and peraduenture in feare of them of whom he was not without cause most feared. I speake not this of purpose to terrifie any of you, but rather to admonish you, and to consult with you, how such great preparations may be frustrated and ouerthrowne, and some notable victorie by vs atchieued, without the price of our blood, or the losse of such things as we haue. The number of our enemies is great, and so great, as vntill this day we neuer saw in EPIRVS greater, except at such times as they came to besiege our cities, and to deuour vs all. Now if we shall meet them in the plaine fields in a set battaile, the euent thereof will be doubtfull, many of vs must needs fall, ma∣ny of vs must die (I would I might be a false prophet) before so great an armie will either flie or be ouercome, your victorie shall be mingled with teares; and the heauinesse of the conquerour not much vnlike the sorrow of the conquered. Was it but a few that we lost at BELGRADE? Is that losse so to be recou••red? What flower of Chiualrie, hardly to be in many yeares restored? How many worthie men were there slaine? EPIRVS must needs in short time be vnpeopled, if we shall so desperatly only seeke for such glorious victories. Wherefore if we will doe well, we must so fight to day, as that we may fight to morrow also. Neither are our enemies and we in like case: The losse of fortie or fiftie thousand is lesse vnto the Turkish tyrant, than the losse of an hundred of you is to me. We are in all but a few, and therefore carefully to be kept: which if we regard not for our owne sakes, yet let vs doe it for our wiues and childrens, whose welfare and libertie dependeth of our liues: I know the number of you, I know your faces and countenances, and almost euery one of your names, which maketh me also more carefull of your health. And yet I would not refuse to trie the whole fortune of this battaile in plaine field, if we might thereby end all the wars against the Turks for euer; if I were in hope so to find an end of our labours and trauels hereafter, I would gladly aduenture my life with yours, for the perpetuall quiet and peace of our posteritie: but a new enemie alwayes ariseth, and we must still looke for new wars. When this Isaack is gone, another Isaack will ere long come in his place: we shall be alwaies exercised with new wars, and enclosed with new dangers: It is the destinie of EPIRVS (as far as I can see) and wee our selues are borne thereto. Wherefore we must gather our wits together, we must well husband our forces,

and so diuide our patrimonie, as that we may alwayes haue somthing to content our creditors, when they shall chance to come vpon vs. Yet shall God (no doubt) giue an end also vnto these troubles: for extre∣mities cannot be of long continuance, and you your selues shall at length take rest: yea, the strong and puissant enemie, wearied with so many vaine attempts, will at last haue ynough thereof, and leaue off his perpetuall hatred against vs: then shall it be to you no small pleasure to remember so many labours and dangers past. Thus haue I declared vnto you the commodities and incommodities ensuing the victorie in plaine battell. But what if we be vanquished? Where haue we any hope of reliefe left? from whence may we expect helpe? Will the bloodie enemie, inflate with victorie, expect whilest we again recouer our strength and encounter him againe with new forces? No, he will pursue vs and chase vs, so long as any of vs are left: and hauing ouercome vs, will poure out the rest of his furie vpon our towns and country, then subiect to his iniurie. But some of you peraduenture will say, that they are by policie to be ouerta∣ken, and not to be met in open field: of which opinion I also am my selfe, yet happily differ from you in the time of doing the same. Then I thinke it best to deceiue them, when they thinke they cannot be de∣ceiued: when as they being as it were in possession of a supposed victorie, like men ouerioyed, shall cast no perill. Now they come euen from the gates of CONSTANTINOPLE, full of distrust, prying into euery corner, as men before warned by others harmes, and so many dreadfull examples of their fellows: Besides that, they haue with them my gracelesse nephew and domesticall foe Amesa, who will teach them to foresee and shun such snares as in times past he with vs was wont to lay for them. Wherfore we must now tower vp vnto the height of some notable and strange policie, whereby both our country may be from danger preserued, and also some great victorie, without our owne bloodshed (which seldome chanceth) obtained: which to the maintenance of our antient glorie and renowne, we haue to this day by many most notable victories gained: But time and space, and the sight of the enemie, shall furnish vs with this deuise. Now (that my discourse may come to the purposed end) first of all, all things subiect either to the furie or victorie of the enemie, are to be remoued out of the way; all people, of what age, sex, or condition soeuer, are to be brought out of the countrey into places of safetie; and then, our towns are to be furnished with strong garrisons and all other necessarie prouision, against all the chaunces of fortune. Besides, who knoweth the secret designes of the tyrant? or whether he himselfe (of long time desirous of reuenge, and thirsting after our blood) will follow the Bassa at the heeles, or no? Perhaps I may beleeue and feare more than is needfull: but it is good to feare all that may be feared, that we may indeed feare nothing. If all things shall thus be set in order, if there shall be nothing left in the fields or in the villages, that may enrich, feed, or feare our enemies, and which may withdraw our care and thoughts from our enemies, vndoubtedly we shall be victors. And if you will be ruled by me, and follow my direction in these wars, I will assuredly deliuer your enemies into your hands to be slain at your plea∣sure; and (by the leaue of God) will make the name and valour of the Epirots more terrible vnto the Turke, than euer it hath been in the time of our ancestors. I flatter not my selfe, I deceiue you not▪ if any thing may be promised in worldly actions, this I assure you of, and this will I take vpon mee. But th••se things are better done than said. In the meane while, to spend no more time in longer talke and discourse (than which, no greater losse can be to soldiors) let euery one of vs take a part in this charge, for the good disposing of all things, and how to withstand the enemie. I will not commaund any thing to others, which I will not my selfe doe: I will refuse nothing, or reckon any thing base, which may tend to the common honour or profit of vs all.

This speech of Scanderbeg was well liked and joyfully receiued of all the hearers, so that ma∣ny besought him to manifest vnto them how he purposed to proceed in those wars: whereunto hee with cheerefull countenance answered, That it was ynough for him, if they did but beleeue him, promising himselfe in person to bee in the most dangerous actions as farre as any of them, wherwith they rested contented.* 1.89 And presently dispatching his lieutenants into diuers parts of his kingdome, as he thought most conuenient, prouided, That all things were in short time conuey∣ed out of the countrey into the strong townes and other places of refuge. No corne, no cattell, or other things of any worth was left in the countrey; but all left desolate, in like manner as was be∣fore at the comming of the great king Amurath to the siege of CROIA▪

By this time Isaack the great Bassa was come into EPIRVS, accompanied with Amesa: and as hee marched, still sent before him his scouts and espials, carefully to view euery corner of the countrey, for feare to bee entrapped as others before him had beene; directed in his journey for most part by Amesa. Scanderbeg had in readinesse such an armie as he had purposed to vse against

[ A] his mightie enemie, but lay with six thousand horsemen onely in shew, as if hee had determined with them to haue giuen them battaile, but meaning indeed nothing lesse. For as soone as the Bassa was come in sight, he with those horsemen, according as hee had before appointed, as if hee had beene discouraged with the very sight of the Turkes, turned his backe and fled. And because he would not giue them any occasion to suspect it to be done for some policie or finenesse, and so to make them more carefull, he fled not into the mountaines or woods, as his wonted manner was, but directly toward LYSSA, a towne of the Venetians standing vpon the sea coast, as if hee had quite despaired of the keeping of EPIRVS, and fled thither for refuge. The Bassa seeing him flie, was glad thereof, and sent certaine troupes of horsemen to pursue him, & diligently to marke which way he tooke: but encamped himselfe with his armie in the plaines of DI••RA, neer vnto ORONYCHIVM, where Scanderbeg lay before: & there rested his armie, wearie of long trauell, expecting the returne of his horsemen, sent after Scanderbeg. But vpon their returne, when it was for a certaintie reported by them, That Scanderbeg with an handfull of men was fled out of EPI∣RVS, and not an enemie to be seene, the Turkes began to rejoyce, and proudly to triumph; that they had without any losse driuen the enemie out of the countrey; yet much greeued, that they could no where find any thing to satisfie their greedie desires: for why, all things were so cleane gone, as if the countrey had beene swept against their comming, which might haue beene a suffi∣cient cause for them to haue distrusted some great matter; but they flattering themselues; suppo∣sed all this to be done for feare of them, vpon extreame desperation: such is the fraile condition of men, to loose strength of bodie, common sence, yea, their reason and vnderstanding, when some great mischeefe is appointed for their ouerthrow or destruction. The Bassa seeing the enemie fled, and now no cause of feare, consulted with his cheefe captaines, what were now best to bee done? Amesa still persuading him not to remoue, but there to stay a time, and to expect the farther euent of matters. But the greater number, whose opinion preuailed, said it was better to goe far∣ther into the countrey, and to take the spoile thereof, before the countrey people should conuay away all their substance into places of safetie, as they had done there in DIBRA, and leaue them nothing but the bare ground and emptie cottages. By this persuasion, the Bassa earely next mor∣ning in good order set forward: commaunding by generall proclamation, That no man vpon paine of death should breake his array or straggle from the armie. Yet before he set forward, he called Amesa vnto him; whom after he had highly commended, and with great vehemencie in∣uayed against Scanderbeg,* 1.90 he with the great applause of the whole armie in the name of Maho∣met created him king of EPIRVS. That day he marched not farre, by reason of the great heat: for it was then about the middest of Iuly. Yet when he had well wearied himselfe with that daies trauell, finding neither enemie nor any things els worthie to be accounted in any part of a victo∣rie; he encamped at night, keeping dil••gent watch, and sending forth his scouts euery way, but es∣pecially towards LYSSA. The next day, which was the third day after the Bassaes comming in∣to EPIRVS, hee set forward againe, and came at length into AEMATHIA, and there encamped that night.

When Scanderbeg (flying for feare, as the Turks supposed) was gone a great way out of their sight towards LYSSA, and come euen to the borders of his kingdome, he there staied all the rest of that day. And a little before the going downe of the sunne, he with a few select horsemen de∣parted from the army, and with painfull trauell got vp to the top of the high mountaines, from whence a man might by day well discouer all the plaines of AEMATHIA. There he appointed one Peieus Emanuel, a politicke and valiant gentleman, with certaine horsemen to marke dili∣gently which way the enemy held, and by certaine secret and appointed wastings and signes, to giue knowledge thereof to the army. After such order taken, he returned himselfe, and came againe to the campe after midnight. And presently rising with his army, and fetching a compasse about, came vndiscouered, and secretly encamped himselfe as neere as he could vnto the moun∣taines where his scouts lay, with eagles eies waiting for the least mouing of the enemy. The Bassa desirous to get as farre as hee could into the countrey, before the heat of the day, began early in the morning to set forward, and came to the plaines of PHARSALIA, through the world spo∣ken of for the great battell in them long time before fought, between the two most famous chief∣taines Caesar and Pompeius: and now once more to bee made famous, by the slaughter of the Turks. Here the enemie finding some stragling cattell▪ and other small things which the country people had in their hastie flight left behind them, fell to seeking after bootie, and as men without

feare, spent that day in roaming vp and downe the countrey, in hope to find something: and at [ G] night encamped without any great watch, but towards LYSSVM, from whence they (in great se∣curitie) looked for the comming of Scanderbeg; and as it were in disgrace of him, carried Amesa in triumph vp and downe the campe, as if he had been alreadie possessed of the kingdome of E∣PIRVS. Scanderbeg lying on the other side of the mountaines, perceiued by his espials which way the enemy lay: and with great silence vnder the couert of the mountaines and woods, secretly bent his course the same way, vntill hee came to a mountaine called TVMENIST, at the foot whereof he encamped that night. The next morning the Bassa holding on his way, came and encamped not farre from the same mountaine, and there staied himselfe with halfe his army, and sent Amesa with the other halfe to burne and spoyle the countrey: who about noone returned to the campe with such prey as he had got, with his souldiours well wearied with trauell and the [ H] heat of the day. Scanderbeg like a carefull housholder, who being about to entertaine and feast some honourable personages, trusteth not to his wife and seruants, but looketh vnto the bestow∣ing of his prouision himselfe, carefully ordering and disposing and setting foorth all things, espe∣cially if his prouision (for want of abilitie) be short, to welcome so great guests▪ and setting all things foorth to the greatest shew, seeketh at least to fill the eies of his guests, although he doubt to satisfie their appetites: so he carefully viewing all the mountaines and thick woods therabouts without resting, set Moses in one place, Tanusius in another, and all the rest in places most con∣uenient. He appointeth euerie man what to doe, and instructeth them, and considereth of euerie particuler circumstance himselfe: and so diuideth his forces, as might best serue his purpose, and make the most terrible shew vnto the enemy: for which purpose he in euerie companie placed [ I] mo trumpets, drums, and other instruments of war, than he had before at any time vsed. When he had so to his most aduantage bestowed so many of his captaines and souldiours as he thought good, and as the nature of the places would giue leaue, he with foure thousand horsemen and the like number of foot, speedily marching vp the rough mountaine of TVMENIST, from thence plainly beheld in what order the Turkes campe lay in the plaines below. The Turks, especially they which were lately returned with Amesa from the spoile of the countrey, lay scattered abroad in the fields, with their horses vnbridled and vnsadled, resting their wearie bodies: some got vnder the shadows of trees were victualing themselues;* 1.91 some hauing filled their bellies, lay fast on sleep vpon the greene grasse; the rest were passing the time, some with one kind of sport, some with an other, as souldiours doe in field when they haue little or nothing to doe: for it was then the ho∣test [ K] time both of the yeare and of the day, being about the midst of Iuly, and the noontime of the day▪ The like negligence was also in that part of the campe where the Bassa himselfe lay: euerie man taking his ease and pleasure, with small regard of horse or armour; for being out of feare of Scanderbeg, whom they thought to haue been a great way off at LYSSVM, they lay as men with∣out care wrapped vp in securitie, the common destruction of great armies and common wealths. Amesa with the great captaines, were at the same time altogither in the Bassaes pauilion, con∣sulting what course they were best to take, to doe something to the contentment of Mahomet, and their owne commendation: Some said it were best, with fire and sword to destroy all they could in EPIRVS; and so hauing laied the countrey wast, to returne: Others thought it better to march directly to CROIA, to proue if the citizens could be persuaded to yeeld themselues, [ L] and receiue Amesa for their king; otherwise to threaten them with a continuall siege, and vtter destruction of the countrey, if vpon the vaine expectation of helpe from Scanderbeg they should refuse to submit themselues. As for Scanderbeg himselfe, who then lay houering ouer their heads, he was in all that consultation least feared: who from the top of the mountaine, beholding the securitie and disorder of the Turks camp, and delighted with the sight therof; encouraged his sol∣diors, and martialed them in such order as they were to follow him, for the charging and terrify∣ing of the enemy. But first of all he determined to oppresse the Turkes scouts, which lay at the foot of the mountaine for which purpose he himselfe with a few horsmen first secretly discended the mountain, the rest of his army following shortly after, and so suddenly came vpon the scouts that he slew them all, excepting one, who escaping by the swiftnesse of his horse, came running [ M] into the campe as one halfe feared out of his wit, crying out that Scanderbeg was comming. The Turks suspecting nothing lesse than the comming of him that way, at the present instant hardly beleeued that he was so 〈◊〉〈◊〉: whē as he following him at the heels as fast as he could, with his hors∣men and his footmen after them, was in a moment as if it had been a sudden tempest broken in

amongst the vnarmed Turkes▪* 1.92 and there making great slaughter of them, filled all the campe with sudden tumult and feare. Amesa who at the first noise had speedily got him to his charge, with his souldiours some halfe armed, some on foot, hauing no leisure to bridle their horses, was the first that made head against Scanderbeg. The Bassa also did what he might in that sudden feare and shortnesse of time, to arme his men, and to put them in order: but whilest these things were in doing, the souldiours which lay in ambush in the woods, came downe the mountaine with such horrible shouts and noise of instruments of warre, as if heauen and earth should haue presently gone togither; the hils and vallies with their hollow ecchoes, encreasing the terror of the alarum. Insomuch, that the Turkes dismaied, and fearing that all the force of EPIRVS with the countries adjoyning had come vpon them, began to flie on euerie side, before that Moses and the rest that lay in ambush were come into the plaines. Amesa acquainted with his vnckles stratagems, as much as he could encouraged the Turkes; crying alowd and telling them, That such vaine tumults and terrours were not to be feared, being but the bare shifts and deuises of their enemies to couer their owne weaknesse: and by his owne valour staied many which before were about to haue fled. In this while, the Bassa hauing put his men in best order he could, was com∣ming to the aid of Amesa, hardly charged by Scanderbeg: but in his setting forward, he was so valiantly encountred on the one side by Moses with his horsemen, and on the other by Tanusius and Ema••uel with their footmen, that he was enforced, not without great losse, againe to retire vnto his trenches.

All the hope of the battell depended vpon Amesa, who still with great courage withstood [ C] his vnckle; exhorting his souldiours valiantly as men to endure that first assault, which should afterwards bring them most assured victorie: hartening them on with hope of speedie help from their fellowes, if they would but a while endure the furie of their enemies, whose hearts (as hee said) would presently be discouraged, if they preuailed not in that their first and desperat attempt, hauing nothing else to trust vnto. By which persuasion the Turkes were againe encouraged, ac∣counting it a great dishonour to flie, and leaue their chieftaine in the field. But when they saw Scanderbeg still to preuaile vpon them, and that no helpe came as they hoped (for many were by Scanderbeg his horsemen slaine as they were arming themselues; many were by the way cut off as they were comming, and the rest put to flight) they which before fought valiantly with Amesa, turned their backs and fled also. Scanderbeg his horsemen pursuing the chase, made great slaugh∣ter of the Turkes, and in the same chase tooke Amesa prisoner. Scanderbeg, hauing ouerthrown that part of the Turkes battell, was comming with a thousand footmen and some horsemen, to haue ayded Moses against the Bassa: but before his comming, Moses to blot out his former in∣famie, had with inuincible courage put the great Bassa with all his army to flight: and Scander∣beg following the chase, gaue him not leaue to looke behind him, vntill he was got out of EPI∣RVS. Many were in this chase taken prisoners, and amongst the rest one Mesites a Sanzacke, a man of great account amongst the Turkes. In this battell beside the prisoners, were taken twen∣tie of the Turkes fairest ensignes. As for horses, armour, and other spoiles taken in the field, and in the campe,* 1.93 all which fell vnto the souldiors share, it is almost incredible to be told. The num∣ber of the slaine Turkes is of diuers diuersly reported, they which write of the most, reckon vp thirtie thousand; and they which speake of the least, account twentie thousand. Of the Christi∣ans were lost but sixtie. Now if any account it strange, that so great a victorie should be gained with so little losse; not to speake of that is written in holy writ, let him but read the auncient hi∣stories of the Romans, or the chronicles of our owne country, and he shall in them find victories no lesse strange. There was to be seene the sudden and strange alteration of these worldly things, no more indeed (whatsoeuer we account of them) to be reckoned of, than of things we haue not. Scanderbeg possesseth the rich pauilion, erst belonging to the great Bassa; and other of his cap∣taines enioy tents, with much other rich furniture neuer prepared for their vse. Amesa which the same day as a victorious conquerour ouerran a great part of AEMATHIA with his horsemen, and was in triumph carried vp with the generall acclamation of many thousands of valiant souldiors, and honoured as a king, and of them so called; is now led through the Christian army to his vn∣kle, with his hands bound behind him as a slaue, speechlesse and confounded, vnable to hold vp his head for shame: whose miserie moued most of the beholders to compassion, and forced teares out of the eies of many.

The next day after this great victorie, Scanderbeg caused the bodies of the slaine Turkes to

be buried, togither with their horses; which he did not for any regard of them, but that their [ G] loathsome carkases should not infect the countrey! and after that, returned in great triumph to CROIA. By the way as he went, the countrey people, which were before for feare of the Turks fled into the woods and mountaines in great multitudes, met him; as did others also out of the citties, whose mouthes were all full of his worthy praises. Before him went the captiue Turkes with their hands bound behind them, excepting such as were enforced to carrie the Turkes en∣signes: Next vnto them followed the great Bassaes rich pauilion, in such manner supported by the souldiours, as if it had been in the field: Then came Scanderbeg himselfe with the Turkish Sanzacke, and Amesa following him; for Amesa had with great and humble sute obtained of his vnckle, that he might not as he well deserued, be carried bound amongst the other captiues: Last of all came Scanderbeg his victorious souldiours in goodly order, euerie man leading a spare [ H] horse taken from the enemy, and loaded with spoyle. So when he was come to CROIA, and there of his subjects joyfully receiued, he brake vp his army, and gaue euerie man leaue at his pleasure to depart. The Sanzacke, and Amesa, were committed to safe keeping, vntill farther or∣der was taken for them. Amesa afterwards was for his treason worthely condemned to perpe∣tuall prison, and by an embassador from Scanderbeg sent vnto king Alphonsus to NAPLES, there to be kept in durance; and with him was also sent an honourable present of part of the spoile taken from the Turkes, in token of the victorie. What became afterward of this Amesa, con∣cerneth not much the course of our historie; yet to satisfie the desirous, I think it not amisse with him to stray a little out of the way.

When Amesa had remained a yeare in prison at NAPLES, Scanderbeg vnderstanding of the death of Alphonsus, by his embassadour requested of Ferdinand his sonne, to haue Amesa re∣stored to him againe. By which meanes he was brought backe againe into EPIRVS, and cast in prison at CROIA; but not in such straight manner as before: for Scanderbeg according to his ac∣customed clemencie, began now to forget the injurie to him before done; and at last ouercome with the continuall supplication and teares of his nephew, pardoned him his life; and restoring him to his former libertie, receiued him also into his former fauor. But Amesa remembring what pledges of his loyaltie hee had left with Mahomet at CONSTANTINOPLE, and fearing what would become of his wife and children, if he should hastely vse that his libertie, giuing his vnckle most humble thankes, brake vnto him his mind concerning that matter, as followeth:

* 1.94Whereas you of your owne gracious goodnesse onely, without any desert of mine, haue regarded my life and welfare, it behooueth me also to be carefull for the life of others: least whilest I receiue your exceeding bountie with too much desire of mine owne health and honour, I doe at this present, by this same benefit of yours, cast away them, whom I haue long sithence by mine owne trecherie vndone. Mine vnfortunate and guiltlesse wife is with Mahomet, my little and innocent children are with him also: these yet liue, and shall liue, so long as the tyrant shall thinke, that I liue in heart his; but when he shall once perceiue by this your gracious dealing that I am fallen from him, the cruell creditor will foorthwith cut and rend in peeces the pledges of my faith, and their inno∣cent blood shall pay the guilt of their fathers offence. Wherefore the Othoman tyrant is of me by some deuice to be deceiued, that I may in the meane time preserue those pledges, vntill I may by some fit occasion afterwards redeeme the same. I will by your leaue this night take my flight out of CROIA, as if I had broken prison, and escaped against your will, and so flie vnto Mahomet, ma∣king the greatest shew I can of my wonted loue and loyaltie towards him: not omitting to heare, or speake vnto that credulous king such things concerning your estate, as I was wont in my better for∣tune: that hauing so cleared my selfe of all suspition, which he perhaps hath conceiued by reason of my captiuitie and long stay with you, I may at length, with my wife and children, so escape from him: Wherein you may helpe me much, if you shall openly make shew as if you were greeued with my escape, and seeme to be highly offended with the keepers of the prison for the same. In the meane time, whilest I shall stay in the tyrants court expecting some fit time for my escape, I will stand you in stead of an intelligencer, so that your enemie shall not to my knowledge either attempt or goe about any thing against you, which shall be kept from your hearing or knowledge.

Scanderbeg refused not to graunt whatsoeuer he had requested, but said vnto him:

Amesa,* 1.95 sithence we haue graunted you life, with all the good things thereunto belonging, we will not prohibit you to vse that our gift to your most good, and to the preseruation of them who for euer may most justly call vpon you, as debtor vnto them, for their welfare and libertie. Go thy waies, proceed, take thy time and occasion as seemeth vnto thee best; and at length reforme thy selfe, whilest thou yet hast sufficient time and space. We now beleeue you in all things, and well like of this your deuise: Amesa you shall herein deceiue no man but your selfe, if you shall longer follow the faith & court of the barbarous king, whereas like danger is both of bodie and soule both to thee and thine. Whensoeuer thou shalt re∣turne vnto vs, thou canst not doe vs a greater pleasure: and in what regard thou hast heretofore been with vs, in the same thou shalt be with vs againe.

The same night Amesa by secret order from Scanderbeg, escaped both out of prison and out of CROIA: and in the morning it was all ouer the citie, that he was gone, and the keepers sharp∣ly rebuked for their negligence. He comming to CONSTANTINOPLE, easily persuaded Ma∣homet, that he was by chance escaped, with all things els that he told him: yet was he not for all that, so well graced of him as before; not for any distrust he had in the man, but for the euill suc∣cesse hee had in the former warres. Now whether Amesa neglected his promised returne, or could find no oportunitie to performe the same, is vncertaine: but certaine it is, that shortly after he died at CONSTANTINOPLE,* 1.96 poysoned as was thought by the commaundement of Maho∣met, who could no longer endure the sight of him, whom he reckoned the author of the notable ouerthrow receiued in AEMATHIA. This was the wofull end of this noble and valiant man, well worthie of remembrance, had not his haughtie thoughts soared too high with the desire of soueraignetie.

When Mahomet vnderstood in what manner Isaack Bassa was ouerthrowne, and his armie discomfited, hee was therewith much greeued, and justly blamed the Bassaes securitie: yet such was his credit with his soueraigne, that the matter was in better sort passed ouer than was suppo∣sed it would haue beene. Neuerthelesse, Mahomet in reuenge thereof would willingly haue im∣ployed all his forces vpon Scanderbeg, if his more vrgent affaires would haue so permitted. For at the same time, besides that great warres began to arise betwixt him and the Venetians (which continued for many yeares after) hee was certainely enformed, That the Christian princes were making a strong confederation against him. At which time Mahomet disdaining openly to sue for peace at Scanderbegs hands, cunningly practised by such as were sent to redeeme the prisoners, and also by the Sanzacke himselfe, to persuade Scanderbeg to require peace of him; assuring him, that if he did but aske it, it would for a long time bee easily obtained. Which thing Scanderbeg well acquainted with the Turkish policie, vtterly refused to do. Wherefore Mahomet for defence of his countries bordering vpon EPIRVS, sent two of his most expert captaines, Sinam, and Ha∣mur, with each of them foureteene thousand souldiors into MACEDONIA, expressely charging them not to enter at any time or vpon any occasion, into EPIRVS, or by any meanes to prouoke Scanderbeg: which his commaundement they so well obserued, that the Epirots by the spac•• of almost two yeares enjoyed the fruits of peace, although there was no peace at all concluded. So that the remembrance of old injuries wearing out with time, at length by the mediation of the same captaines,* 1.97 a peace for a yeare was agreed vpon betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg. In which time he passed ouer into APVLIA, and there notably aided king Ferdinand against the French, the proceeding wherein, as not pertinent to our historie, I of purpose passe ouer.

After that the time of the peace before concluded was expired, all things now going well with Mahomet, as he desired, he determined according to his wonted maner to trouble the quiet estate of Scanderbeg: and so sending a new supplie of souldiors vnto Synam-beg, who then lay with a strong garrison vpon the frontiers of EPIRVS, commaunded him with all his power to make warres vpon Scanderbeg. Synam accordingly, with an armie of twentie thousand men entred into EPIRVS, where he was forthwith encountered by Scanderbeg, and his armie vtterly ouerthrown, so that but few escaped by flight with Synam himselfe. Presently after he sent Asam-beg, another of his captaines, into the same seruice, with an armie of thirtie thousand, whom Scanderbeg also in plaine battaile vanquished at OCRIDA: in which battaile Asam himselfe was sore wounded, and finding no way to escape, was glad to yeeld himselfe prisoner to Scanderbeg, by whom hee was courteously vsed, and afterwards set at libertie. Iussum-beg following Asam with eighteene thousand into EPIRVS, was set vpon by Scanderbeg also, and hauing lost part of his armie, was

glad by speedie flight to saue himselfe with the rest. After all this, Caraza-beg, an old captain and a man of great experience (who had beene a great commaunder, and a companion with Scander∣beg in the time of old Amurath) requested of Mahomet, That he might proue his fortune against his old acquaintance Scanderbeg, assuring him of better successe than before. The long and appro∣ued experience of this old leader put Mahomet in such hope of good speed, that he gaue presen•• order for the leuying of such an armie as Caraza had requested, and for ten thousand mo than he had at the first required. With this strong armie, in number almost fortie thousand, Caraza set forward, hauing before filled the minds of men with the expectation of some great matter to haue beene by him done. Scanderbeg vnderstanding certainely, that Caraza was comming, stood more in doubt of the man than of his power: and therefore assembled greater forces than hee had vsually done before: and to welcome him, sent two thousand of his best and most expert souldiors secretly into the enemies country; who lying in ambush amongst the woods & moun∣taines, whereby Caraza must needs passe, suddenly set vpon foure thousand horsemen, the fore∣runners of Caraza his armie; who marching disorderedly, and fearing no such matter, were in a trice ouerthrowne, and most part of them slaine: those few that escaped, fled backe again to the armie, as if they had come in poast to bring tidings of some hastie newes to the Generall. With which so vnfortunat a beginning, Caraza was so discomfited, that if he might for shame, he could haue beene content to haue returned againe and gone no farther: yet for his honours sake hol∣ding on his way, he came into EPIRVS; where whilest hee was (after the manner of old men) long in resoluing what course to take, he was vpon the sudden assailed by Scanderbeg, before hee could well put his men in order of battaile. At which time there fell such a vehement shower of raine, that both the armies were glad to retire before any great hurt was done. Three dayes toge∣ther it rained continually (for it was about the later end of Autumne) all which time Scanderbeg ceased not in one place or other to trouble the Turks campe: so that the old Generall, partly di∣stempered with the extremitie of the weather, which for the violence therof he tooke to be omi∣nous; and more discouraged with the restlesse attempts of Scanderbeg, rise with his armie, and reti••ing back, by the same way he came returned to CONSTANTINOPLE. Where he was well derided of Mahomet, that hauing promised so much, had performed so little: yet afterwards was again by him in some sort commended, for that he had with lesse losse looked vpon Scanderbeg, than other his Generals before sent against him.

Mahomet perceiuing that Scanderbeg was not to be subdued but with such forces as hee was not then at leisure to imploy vpon him, thought it not amisse to proue if hee could by faire spee∣ches and glorious shewes of fained friendship get within him, and so bring him to confusion. For which purpose he sent vnto him an embassadour, with rich presents, and letters of this purport.

Sultan Mahomet, Lord and Emperour of the East and of the West, and of all parts of the World, vnto Scanderbeg, prince of ALBANIA and EPIRVS, sendeth greeting.

* 2.1I thinke friend Scanderbeg, that no acquaintance can be greater, or friendship more firm, than that which hath growne of long and mutuall conuersing and liuing together: and especially if the same haue taken beginning from childhood and tender yeares, as you know it hath done betwixt vs two; who haue of long time, euen from our childhood, liued together in great loue and friendship, when as you first lay as hostage in my fathers court. Wherfore beloued Scanderbeg, when as I call to remembrance all those things, with others, wherewith our youthfull yeares were then delighted; and being mindfull also of all those things which you haue oftentimes done for the aduancement of our empire and kingdome, and for the glorie of the Othoman familie; I cannot chuse but imbrace thee with a singular zeale and affe∣ction. For I take God to witnes, that nothing could chance more welcome or pleasing vnto me in my life, than to haue thee with me, and for a while to enioy thy companie. Neither needest thou to fear any thing to come vnto me, for that my souldiors without my knowledge or commaundement haue of late broken in and spoiled thy kingdom: which thing as reason required, was vnto me exceedingly displeasing: nei∣ther did it any whit offend me, that they were by thy forces vanquished and ouercome, and so receiued the iust reward of their euill deserts, and that all things fell out with thee according to the equitie of thy cause, and as thy heart could haue desired. But to let these things passe, the remembrance of our old loue and friendship persuadeth me to come to agreement, & to joine together with thee in a perpetuall league

of amitie: to the intent that our auntient acquaintance and familiaritie, which by reason of long ab∣sence is almost worne out, may againe take life, encrease, and be confirmed. Of which peace, let these bee the capitulations, if they shall seeme vnto you reasonable: for I know it belongeth vnto him that requi∣reth not the peace, to appoint the conditions of the same. First, we require of you freely and peaceably to suffer our armies to passe through your kingdome, for the besieging of the cities and inuading of the countries subiect to the Venetians our enemies: Then, to deliuer vnto vs your sonne Iohn in hostage, whom we will always vse as one of our own naturall children: And afterwards, that our marchants and men of trade may peaceably come and trauell into all parts of your kingdome with their marchandize, and there freely and safely vse their negotiation: Last of all, that your selfe in parson may at your plea∣sure safely and without all feare repaire vnto vs, and in like manner returne againe. In which things if you will yeeld vnto vs, I promise in the faith of a king, to graunt vnto you and your kingdome sincere peace, with perpetuall tranquilitie; and that there shall not be any more deerer vnto me than your selfe; and will neuer to the vttermost of our power permit your kingdome to be infested or molested by any of our subiects, or others. Whatsoeuer you shall farther receiue from vs by the mouth of our embassadour Mustapha, you may thereto giue full credence. Fare you well from our imperiall pallace at CONSTAN∣TINOPLE the 10 of May 1561.

Scanderbeg hauing receiued these letters, and well considered of the same, returned him an∣swere by the same messenger as followeth:

The souldior of Christ Iesus, George Castriot, otherwise called Scanderbeg, prince of the Albaneses and Epirots, vnto Mahomet prince of the Turkes, greeting.

Your letters (most magnificent) are deliuered vnto vs:* 3.1 wherein you write of your exceeding loue and singular affection towards vs, confirmed as you say by old acquaintance: which being growne vp be∣twixt vs, and by tract of time firmely rooted and as it were into nature conuerted, shall alwaies retaine his force and strength. But for as much as it seemeth vnto you good to awake the same, hauing of long time and many yeares lien as it were asleepe; and to make a motion that we should enter into a certaine new league and confederation, whereof amongst other conditions of the league by you propounded, this is one, That your forces may freely passe through my kingdome, to inuade the Venetians: Vnto this your request, worthie Mahomet, it standeth neither with equitie nor with mine honour to consent, for so much as the Venetians are my especiall good friends and confederats. As for that you desire to haue my sonne Iohn with you in hostage for the better assurance of the peace betwixt vs, I should peraduenture doe it (most noble Mahomet) if fatherly affection would giue me leaue: but sithence I haue no moe but him, and he as yet a tender child, it is not for the good either of him or vs, to haue him now taken from vs, when as he ought of vs to be most tenderly cherished, and carefully instructed. As for that you re∣quested concerning your marchants, that they may freely and safely trafficke into my kingdome at their pleasure, I can be content to yeeld thereunto, and wish heartily, that there might be a free entercourse for our marchants indifferently with their commodities into both our kingdomes. Farther, where as you earnestly persuade me boldly and without feare to come vnto you, that by such enterview and personall presence, our great desire, growne of long absence, might be the better satisfied: in this thing most ex∣cellent prince, I cannot but praise your most honourable disposition, and commend your good nature▪ and would therefore boldly follow your persuasion, if my other vrgent affaires, with the gouernment of my kingdome, would so permit. But what should I doe? my sonne Iohn is (as I said before) but little, and as yet vnfit to gouerne: and my people (as you know) loue alwayes to haue something to doe; being by nature a fierce and restlesse nation, whom I my selfe haue much adoe to rule and gouerne: For all that, I will come vnto you according to your desire, expecting onely a more commodious time. So fare you well, and loue me still. From our campe the 30 of May, 1461.

When Mahomet had receiued these letters, and well perused the same, he writ to him againe in manner following:

Sultan Mahomet,* 4.1 Emperour of all the parts of the World, vnto Scanderbeg, prince of the Albanenses and Epirots, greeting.

Your letters we haue receiued by our embassador Mustapha, wherin you giue vs to vnderstand, that

you like of none of the conditions of peace by vs propounded, but onely that concerning our marchants [ G] and men of trade, that they might freely and at their pleasure vse their traffique and trades with their marchandise too and fro: and vpon this condition onely you graunt vs peace. This your offer we ac∣cept of, and all the rest of your excuses we willingly admit: wherefore I promise vnto thee (my louing Scanderbeg) and will performe all that thou doest require, and vpon that resolution rest: and will so long as I liue obserue and keepe a sincere and inuiolable peace with thee for euer, except thou first giue cause of violating the same. And for that purpose haue we with our vsuall and imperiall seale signed these our letters, which we by our embassadour Mustapha haue sent vnto thee, as thereby confirming vnto thee this perpetuall peace. Wherefore you also (if you be so content) may subscribe, and with your seale confirme this of ours, that I in like manner may also haue your like consent and agreement. And would farther, that you would commaund knowledge thereof to be made by open proclamation through all your kingdome, as I will in like manner cause to be done through mine. And for the more manife∣station of this my loue towards you, I would also that you should vnderstand, That of mine owne meere motion and bountie, I doe freely giue vnto you all those things, which you by force of armes haue taken from my father in ALBANIA and EPIRVS, so that you may possesse and enioy the same, as if they had alwaies been yours and your ancestors: Wherefore I giue, graunt, and confirme vnto thee and thy heires, all the right, title, or interest, which I heretofore had therein: and from henceforth will alwayes account and repute thee as prince of ALBANIA and EPIRVS, and so call thee. And as I haue pro∣mised thee in the faith of a king, will neuer hereafter with warres molest thee or thine, except thou thy selfe giue cause thereof. Wherefore after you haue with your seale confirmed these things, you may commend them to our faithfull embassadour Mustapha, to bee by him brought vnto vs: vnto whom I would you should in all things giue full credit. So fare you well, and render vs loue for loue. From our imperiall palace at CONSTANTINOPLE, the 22 of Iune, 1461.

* 4.2Vpon receit of these letters a peace was concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg, and the same by publicke proclamations solemnely published through both their kingdomes, to the great rejoycing of many. Which peace was for a season faithfully kept on both sides, vntill that the Turkes lying in garrison vpon the frontiers of EPIRVS, began after their woonted manner againe to fetch preyes and booties out of the countrey. Of which injuries Scanderbeg by let∣ters complained to Mahomet: who answered that he was altogether ignorant thereof, and see∣med in shew to be much offended with the insolencie of the doers thereof: and foorthwith cau∣sed many things to be againe restored. By which meanes the peace before concluded, was still as before continued.

A little before the conclusion of the aforesaid peace, great warres began to arise betwixt the Turks and the Venetians: who all this while being in league with the Turk, peaceably followed their traffique and trades of marchandise, little or nothing at all regarding their neighbours harmes and miseries, vntill that now the flame and fire began to take hold vpon their owne hou∣ses, and as it were to awaken them out of a dead sleepe. For Mahomet after he had subuerted the empire of CONSTANTINOPLE, and driuen Thomas and Demetrius the emperours bre∣thren out of PELOPONESVS (now called MOREA) rested not so contented, but by his lieute∣nants and other great captaines began to disturbe the quiet of the Venetians, who then held in their possession METHONE, CORONE, NEAPOLIS, ARGOS, with diuers other strong townes in PELOPONESVS, standing vpon the sea coast. And now it chanced, that about this time, Iosue, Mahomets lieutenant in PELOPONESVS, had by the treason of a Greeke priest, vp∣on the suddaine surprised the citie of ARGOS: And Omares another of his great captaines, ha∣uing first spoyled the countrey about NAVPACTVM (now LEPANTO) entered farther into the territorie of the Venetians about METHONE and CORONE, making hauocke of whatsoeuer came in his way. With which injuries, plainely tending to open warre, the Venetian Senatours being much troubled, sat oftentimes in counsell, deliberating with much care what course to take in a matter of so great importance. Some being of opinion, that it were best to send embassa∣dours to Mahomet, so to make proofe if the matter might by faire means be redressed: others on the contrarie part deeming it to be to no purpose so to doe; for as much as such great and mani∣fest outrages, nothing differing from plaine hostilitie, could not possibly be done without the ty∣rants knowledge and expresse commaund. After the Senatours had oftentimes met together, and with many great reasons debated the matter too and fro, and yet for all that concluded nothing

[ A] (as in consultations of great matters with a multitude, it most commonly falleth out to be a har∣der matter, and to require longer time, to bring the multitude to some certaine resolution, than it is afterwards to performe the same in action.) In this so great a diuersitie of opinions concer∣ning so weightie a cause, at length one Victor Capella, a noble gentleman and graue Senator stept vp in the middest of the Senate, and there franckely deliuered this notable speech vnto the rest concerning the matter propounded, as followeth:

I haue before this at other times by long experience often noted (most noble Senatours) that in all our greatest consultations of matters most concerning our common state,* 4.3 some are alwayes so ad∣dicted or rather wedded vnto their owne conceits, that they can hardly with patience endure to heare the reasonable opinion of others contrarie to their owne; the cheefe cause of our slow resolutions. Wherefore I haue thought it good, breefely at this time to call vpon you for resolution: for as much as I see we must of necessitie take vp armes, be we neuer so loth or vnwilling: For to my vnderstanding, you doe but betray the state, in delaying the time to make present warre vpon the barbarous enemie. Yet many principall men amongst vs, aduise vs to beware, that wee doe not rashly or vnaduisedly de∣termine of matters of so great consequence; and thinke it requisit, that we should send embassadours vnto the tyrant, to expostulate with him his vniust dealing in breaking his faith and league; and withall to request him to obserue the conditions of the peace before agreed vpon, if happily he may ra∣ther by persuasion than by armes be mooued to change his purpose: and if by this meanes nothing may be obtained, then at length they thinke it necessarie to resolue to make warre vpon him. They alledge further, That if we shall attempt warre, our citties in the continent bordering vpon the Io∣nian, in PELOPONESVS, with diuers others of ours in the firme land, will not bee able to hold out very long, but for want of necessaries must needs perish with the first of the trouble; besides that, if those places shall be wasted and spoiled, great losse (as they say) shall ensue thereby vnto most of vs in priuat: the greatest motiue (perhaps) wherefore they thinke it most conuenient to deferre the warres, and for that purpose to send our embassadours vnto him▪ Of which embassage, first by your leaue a few words. At such time as these our embassadours, men of great wisedome and reach, not long since came vnto him, he had them in no regard; but dalying off the time with fraudulent, deceit∣full, and glosing speeches, did indeed such things to the contrarie as we least hoped: wherefore I can∣not well deuise (if we should send them, or such others againe) what especiall thing of all that we then gaue them in tharge, they should now propound vnto him, hauing alreadie said what is to be said; ex∣cept they should say, That whereas we are not of sufficient strength and power to wage warre against him, we would be glad to decide the matter by talke, and by that simple meanes to redresse our iniu∣ries; and vpon the matter, to shew our selues prest and readie to fall to agreement with him, accor∣ding as shall stand with his good pleasure and liking. Truly this were good plaine dealing, but it will not serue our turne: ARGOS is alreadie taken from vs, and he maketh open war vpon vs: where∣in he doth but prooue our courage, and trie how long we will put vp these iniuries. If we will quietly disgest these, he will then confidently and without feare proceed further: but if we shall as best be∣seemeth vs, valiantly resist him, he shall be glad of such rest as wee shall giue him; and when hee knoweth not well which way to turne himselfe, shall be as glad as we to lay downe armes and to seeke for peace: whereas if we shall doe otherwise, I feare we shall repent our selues when it will be too late. It is reported, that as soone as he was come into PELOPONESVS, he went himselfe in person vnto EVBoeA, to view the cittie of CALCIS: and going a second time out of PELOPONESVS, soun∣ded the depth of the passage, and came within the sight of the cittie, of purpose to haue assaulted it, if he had found oportunitie: at which time he himselfe rid ouer that strait of the sea betwixt Boe∣OTIA and EVBoeA with his horse, and curiously viewed in what place he might most conueniently passe ouer with his armie to besiege the cittie. Verely these are the most manifest signes of war, where∣by any man may sufficiently prooue, that he hath long since resolued (so soone as he is readie) to make warre vpon vs, whilest we are yet dreaming in the middest of our long consultations. Hee will pro∣ceed in the warres he hath begun: and cutting vs short, augment his owne dominions. Then will hee blame his lieutenants and captaines, as authors thereof: but yet still be doing that best serueth his pur∣pose. And whilest no man opposeth himselfe against him, his power dayly encreasing, he will doe the best he can suddainely to swallow vs vp, being vnprouided. For he may easily raise great forces, that by sufferance of others, maketh himselfe of great strength there where hee had before no footing▪ Shall we then say that we haue no warres with this encroching tyrant? Some I know feed themselues

and others also, with vaine hopes, saying; That he will neuer turne his forces vpon vs, nor ruinate our [ G] estate, although he might at ease doe it: wherefore (say they) let vs refraine from warres, and vse our peace and quietnesse, yet omitting nothing in the meane time that shall bee needfull for our safe∣tie. But for as much as it plainely appeareth vnto all men by that which is before said, That he hath alreadie indeed proclaimed warre against vs, inuading our countries, surprising our citties, and kil∣ling our people: Whether thinke you it more expedient or profitable for vs, to sit still and suffer our dominions to bee taken from vs, or rather by open warre to make the barbarous king know the great∣nesse of our power and strength? For if we shall enter into open warrre, wee being in armes suffici∣ently prouided for all euents, and with carefull eye attending all his attempts, shall easily auoid both himselfe and all his deuises: who if hee bee suffered to run still on forward with his prosperous suc∣cesse, people will dayly more and more fall vnto him, in hope to liue the better, as his friends. For which [ H] cause, I thinke it better to preferre an honourable warre before a doubtfull peace. As for delay, it hath hurt may great States, and our selues most of all: whereby wee haue in sort betrayed the empire of GRECIA, with the wofull emperour himselfe, when as this tyrant battered the wals of CONSTAN∣TINOPLE: for our traffique was much holpen by the Grecians, whom we then left to themselues. Af∣ter that, we despised and reiected the pittifull complaints of the princes of PELOPONESVS, who with teares craued our aid: and now wee see that famous countrey lost, and fallen into his hands, through our sloth and negligence. Of late, when as the king of BOSNA humbly requested our aid, and promised fully to requite our courtesie, and whatsoeuer els we should doe in his behalfe; we suffe∣red his kingdome to be lost, and himselfe to be cruelly murdered of the Turkes. For all these things by vs thus neglected, we cannot escape the infamous report of all the rest of the nations in EVROPE, but that they will say, That we for the greedie desire of trade and filthie gaine, haue forsaken, and for our parts betrayed whole kingdomes and nations, agreeing with vs both in manner and religion; and to haue stood still, looking on, vntill they were subdued and brought in thraldome by the Turkes. Wherefore in few words to shut vp the matter, if we shall joyne in league with the Hungarians, and enter into armes, we shall so be able to keepe our owne: whereas if we shall vse delayes, and hunt af∣ter peace, we shall in short time see; that he will suddainely deuour vs, being vnprouided, and wrest from vs all our prouinces and territories which border vpon him. And therefore it is (in my opini∣on) best to send our embassadours into HVNGARIE with a great masse of money to stir vp that war∣like nation into the fellowship of this warre. And beside the nauie we now haue in readinesse, to put to sea as many moe ships and gallies as we are able. The great Bishop also is not to be forgotten, but by all meanes to be drawne as a cheefe man into this warre. Besides all this, we must doe what wee can to raise vp rebellion against the Turke in PELOPONESVS: which will be no hard matter to bring to passe. For if the Peloponesians rise in armes with one of their poore princes which reuolted from the Turkish king, and forsaking all that they had, aduentured themselues into all manner of perill and danger: what thinke you they will doe, if they shall see so great forces comming both by sea and land against the Turkish king? It were good also, that we should send two thousand Italian horsemen into PELOPONESVS, to animate the people: who when they shall see vs thus to proceed, will vndoub∣tedly presently reuolt from the Turks, and yeeld themselues with their countrey vnto vs, from whence we may most commodiously vex and molest this tyrant: For there is no where better entrance into his kingdome, than by the way of PELOPONESVS. So that joyning in league with the Hungarians, we [ L] shall be set him on euery side: they all along the riuer of DANVEIVS, and we out of PELOPONI∣SVS. Let vs not therfore sit still with our hands in our bosomes, suffring our countries to be taken from vs, & our subiects made bondslaues to the Turks: but encouraging them by our example, animate them to take vp armes, and valiantly to resist the cruell and barbarous tyrant.

* 4.4The greater part of the Senat mooued with this graue Senatours speech, decreed without delay to make warres, and to send their embassadours to the Pope, the king of HVNGARIE, and other the Christian princes their neighbours, to pray aid of them in these warres against the Turkes. According to this decree, the Venetians for defence of their territorie sent one Bertholdus Este, a valiant captaine, with an armie into PELOPONESVS: where at his first com∣ming, [ M] he in short time recouered the cittie of ARGOS before lost. And departing thence, ma••∣ched through the country with his armie of fifteene thousand men vnto the strait of CORINTH, called ISTHMVS. At which place Alouisius Lauretanus, Admirall for the Venetians (by ap∣pointment before made) met him: and there joyning their forces together, with great labour

[ A] in the space of fifteene dayes fortified all that strait from the Ionian vnto the sea Aegeum, with a continuall rampier and double ditch, in length about fiue miles. In which worke they vsed the helpe of thirtie thousand men: and in doing thereof, were much furthered by the ruines of the old wall before destroyed by Amurath. The Venetian commaunders hauing fortified this strait, encamped before CORINTH, and laied strait siege vnto it: where, at the second as∣sault, Bertholdus the Generall desirous by his owne forwardnesse to encourage his souldiours, was in that assault greeuously wounded with a stone, cast downe vpon him from the wall, of which hurt he shortly after died. Neuerthelesse, the siege was still contiued by Betinus Calcina∣tius, who succeeded in Bertholdus his place. But whilest the Venetians lay thus at the siege of CORINTH, suddainely newes was brought vnto the campe, that Mahomet was comming with a great armie himselfe in person to raise the siege, and to destroy the new fortifications at ISTHMVS. Whereupon the Venetians left the siege, with purpose to haue defended the late fortified strait. But after that it was certainely knowne, that Mahomet was euen now at hand with an armie of fourescore thousand Turks, Betinus distrusting with his small number to be able to defend the strait against so puissant an armie, left the place so lately before fortified, and with all his armie retired to NEAPOLIS to keepe the sea coast.

Shortly after, Mahomet without any resistance at all entered with a world of men by the strait into PELOPONESVS: and when he had with the great slaughter of the countrey people roamed vp and downe about ARGOS, he came to NEAPOLIS, and in most terrible manner as∣saulted the cittie twice: both which times hee was notably repulsed by the Venetians, and many of his men slaine. Departing thence, he destroyed and wasted the countrey about METHONE (now MODON) and CORONE; and assaulted the cittie of IVNCVM, but with no better successe than he had before NEAPOLIS. Wherefore Winter now drawing on, hee returned with his armie to CONSTANTINOPLE.

After his departure, the Venetians spoiled all that part of ARCHADIA which was subject to the Turkes, requiting him with like injuries as he had done them before. Not long after, Laure∣tanus the Venetian Admirall had the Island of LEMNOS deliuered vnto him by one Cominius, a famous pyrat, who had surprised the same, and taken it from the Turkes: but distrusting how he should be able to keepe the same, deliuered it ouer vnto the Venetians. Shortly after, Vrsatus Iustinianus, a great magnifico amongst the Venetians, was sent to succeed Lauretanus their Ad∣mirall: But whilest he was scouring the Aegeum with a fleet of two and thirtie great gallies, An∣dreas Dandulus, Generall of their forces at land, inconsiderately encountering with the Turkes horsemen betweene MANTINEA and PITHEME, was by them ouerthrowne and slain, and with him diuerse other gentlemen of great account. In which skirmish fifteene hundred of the Ve∣netians were slaine also with their Generall. And as fortune is neuer more constant than in mis∣cheefe, so at the same time Vrsatus, Generall at sea, landing his men in the Island of LESBOS, be∣sieged the citie of MITYLENE, and gaue thereunto two great assaults, wherein he lost fiue thou∣sand men. And vnderstanding that the Turkes fleet was comming to releeue the cittie, raised his siege, and sailed into EVBoeA, and from thence passed ouer into PELOPONESVS: where hee shortly after died for sorrow and greefe of mind. In whose place the Venetians sent another fa∣mous captaine called Iacobus Lauretanus.

The Venetians well considering the great power of the Turkish emperour,* 4.5 laboured by their embassadours, to draw as many of the Christian princes as they could into the fellowship of this warre; but especially the great Bishop, by whose meanes they were in good hope to bee greatly strengthened. Pius the second of that name was then the great Bishop, who at first an∣swered the Venetian embassadours▪ That he must take away the little Turke, before hee had any thing to doe with the great: meaning thereby, Sigismundus Maletesta, prince of ARIMI∣NVM; whom he deadly hated, for that he tooke part with the French against the Aragonians. Howbeit (the warres in ITALIE being well appeased) Pius still sollicited by the Venetians, made great preparation against the Turkes, giuing it out, That hee would in person himselfe goe vnto those warres: and by his authoritie, then much regarded, procured great aid out of GERMANIE, FRAVNCE, SPAINE, and other countries also farther off: at which time also vo∣luntarie men in great numbers resorted out of all parts of Christendome into ITALIE, readie to aduenture their liues in those religious warres. At the same time also the Venetians had with much adoe by the working of Paulus Angelus, Archbishop of DIRRACHIVM, persuaded Scan∣derbeg

to renounce the league which he had before made with the Turke, and to enter into arms [ G] againe: which he presently did, and vpon the sudden spoyled the borders of the Turks domini∣ons next vnto him. Wherwith Mahomet was no lesse troubled, than with all the rest of the great preparation of the Christians against him: fearing that (as it was then reported) he should be made generall of the Christian armie, which Mahomet feared might tend to the vtter ruine of his king∣dome: so dreadfull was the name of Scanderbeg amongst the Turkes. Wherefore thinking it most expedient for his affaires, to reconcile him if it were possible, by his embassadour sent for that purpose, writ vnto him as followeth:

Sultan Mahomet, Emperour of the East and of the West, vnto Scanderbeg, prince of the Albanenses and of the Epirots, greeting. [ H]

* 5.1I haue alwayes had thy fidelitie and vpright dealing in great admiration, most noble prince Scan∣derbeg: for which cause, I thought it a thing incredible, that thou being a prince of such an heroicall and princely perfection, should so inconsideratly and without any occasion breake the faith and league which thou not long since solemnely contracted with me. For as I am aduertised, thou hast entred into the confines of our dominions with a great armie, and with fire and sword destroying all that thou coul∣dest, hast caried away with thee a great bootie. Of which thing I know right well, that the Venetians are the onely cause, by whose counsell and persuasion thou hast been set on to doe this deed; and seduced by their allurements and subtill persuasions, hast made war vpon me, and art become the faithlesse breaker of thine owne league, and of the sacred law of nations. Yet doe I little or nothing blame thee therefore, [ I] regarding more the cause of the ignominie, than the despight it selfe, and lay the blame vpon them who haue alwayes been my foes and capitall enemies, rather than vpon thee. But alas, what is this vnto me (Scanderbeg) that thou hast done, which possesse so many and so large dominions? Diddest thou thinke to doe so great hurt vnto our kingdome, by spoiling a little peece of our countrey, and by stealing our cattell, more like a theese and robber than an open enemie? Which thing I yet account not woorth the name of an iniurie. But if thou thinke it so good, proceed in these thy doings: for I make more ac∣count of thy friendship and loue, than of whatsoeuer is to me dearest: because as thou knowest I ha••e alwaies borne vnto thee an especiall fauour, and loued thee most entirely. And therefore as oft as I call to remembrance our tender yeares and old familiaritie whilest we liued together in my fathers court at HADRIANOPLE, I cannot but thinke my selfe bound vnto thee in all courtesie. And therfore my good [ K] Scanderbeg, I most heartily request and entreat thee, That we renuing the former conclusions of peace, may of new confirme the same by solemne oath: wherewith if the former peace had beene established, thou wouldest not haue suffered thy selfe to haue been now of the Venetians so circumuented or sedu∣ced. It is therefore needfull, that we now againe for euer confirme a league and peace betwixt vs by so∣lemne and sacred oath on both sides: which if thou shalt doe (as I hope thou wilt) and in this be aduised by me, thou with thy posteritie shall vndoubtedly alwayes raigne in peace, and in safetie possesse whatso∣euer is yours. Whereas if thou shalt do otherwise (beleue me) it will repent thee, and that right quickly. Thou knowest alreadie my force, which whether thou be able to withstand or not, thou were best to bee well aduised. The poore princes thy neighbors, the Venetians thy seducers, cannot deliuer thee from my forces and power. Doest thou not see the Grecians almost all rooted out before thy face? the emperours of [ L] CONSTANTINOPLE and TRAPEZOND by vs depriued of their empires? the princes of SERVIA and RASCIA destroyed? the king of BOSNA put to death? and all the kingdomes of ASIA, with many other kings and princes moe vanquished and ouerthrowne, and made subiect vnto mee? Wherefore Scanderbeg, I aduise thee in this to follow my counsell, keepe thy promise, and so beleeue me thou shalt not be deceiued. Concerning these matters, we haue giuen further commaundement to our embassador and seruant Mustapha, which commeth vnto thee: vnto whom doubt thou not to giue credence in any thing. Farewell from our imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE the 7 of May 1463.

Scanderbeg hauing by the afore said messenger receiued these letters, and well considered of the same, returned answere as followeth: [ M]

The champion of Christ Iesus, George Castriot, otherwise called Scanderbeg, prince of the Albaneses and Epirots, to the most excellent Mahomet king of the Turks, greeting.

* 6.1You maruell (most noble Mahomet) that my souldiors (as you say) contrarie to our league and the

conditions of our peace, haue entered into your confines, and from thence caried a great bootie. Of which thing (you say) the Venetians are the authors, whom you call your mortall enemies: inferring after∣ward, that you are little therewith offended, for that you are a most mightie prince, and can easily disgest such vnkindnesse, for the great loue you beare vnto me: and the rather, for that I did it deceiued (as it pleaseth you to say) by others. All these things you can easily forgiue and forget: so that I will by so∣lemne oath confirme the same conditions of peace that were in our former league betwixt vs agreed vpon. And thereunto you do greatly vrge me, you admonish and counsell me to follow your aduise, as ten∣ding to the great profit and securitie of me and my posteritie, least happily whilest I seeke to please the Venetians, I incur your heauie displeasure. Besides this, the more to terrifie me, you reckon vp as it were in a catalogue, the people, nations, kings, and princes, by you ouercome and subdued. But what is that which is so strange (I pray you) and which you so much maruell at (most noble Mahomet?) Is it not for that my souldiors did that in the confines of your dominions, whereof they were (of right) sorr••e; and had therof to me complained, that your souldiors had before done the like in their goods and possessions. Wherefore if they also vpon a militarie brauerie (as is your manner of phrase) haue made themselues whole, and done one shrewd turne for another, reuenging iniurie receiued, and not inferring any of new: there is no cause that you should either thinke it strange or blame me. I would my selfe haue restrained my souldiors, although they were greeuously iniuried (I will plainely confesse vnto you a ••roth) I would haue appeased their angrie minds, enflamed with desire of reuenge; if you (a prince of all others most rich and bountifull) would either haue taken order, that full restitution might haue beene made vnto them of all such things as they had lost, or els would with condig••e punishment haue chastised the inso∣lencie of your souldiors: which you would seeme to couer with the tearme of militarie wantonnesse or brauerie; an excuse scarce currant amongst children. For although offences are in all places greeuous, yet ought they most of all so to be deemed in martiall affairs. What I pray you, would you haue me to take it for a lasciuiousnes in your men of war? especially when I had receiued so great losse, when as you might with a word first haue restrained them from doing of it, and at your pleasure corrected them after the deed was done. Wherfore (most excellent Mahomet) take you also in good part these our tearms, which you haue accustomed hitherto most gloriously to giue and sell vnto vs, whilest you alwaies couer your reach with some excuse or shew of right. As for that in excusing me vnder colour of old acquaintance and friendship you inuey against the Venetians, verely you do them wrong: for why those good, iust, and vertuous princes are not to be slandered by you, as seducers of me or others. Beside, what need that in∣uincible state to enter into counsell with me, or (as it pleaseth you to say) to allure me to fall at ods with you, or to prosecute you as their enemie? Who of themselues, yea (I say) of themselues alone, when occasi∣on shall require, are able to dare you in plaine battell, and to abate your pride. Further, whereas you ad∣uise me to reiect their friendship, your labour is therein but lost: for what man is so desperat, or hated of his subiects, that would not chuse rather to erre with that most honorable Senat, than to be in the right with you? especially I, who haue of long time been confederat with them, and am of all others vnto them most deere: which you for all that had no regard of, but (according to your vntrustie dealing) breaking in sunder the bonds of peace, spoiled and wasted their territorie in PHLOPONESVS. Neither can your great threats terrifie me, which you after the Turkish manner thunder & poure out against me, except I will be ouerruled by you: for it is the part of an Albanese both to endure when need shall require, and also to do such things as beseeme a man of courage. You cannot make me afraid, being but a small prince, with my honorable friends the Venetians. And what are you? so great an emperor of the East and of the West, and of all parts of the World, as you vainely tearme your selfe? Truly you make me smile, and other Christian princes laugh you to scorne, in vsurping falsely to your selfe the stately stile of the emperor of the World. What possesse you in ASIA the greater? verely nothing. Is all yours in ASIA the lesser? not so. What haue you in EVROPE? except THRACIA, MYSIA, part of GRECIA, and PELOPONESVS, with the Isle of MYTILENE. As for AFRICKE, you neuer set your foot therein. Is this to be emperour of all the world? But suppose, suppose (I say) woorthie Mahomet, that all from the farthest part of the Ocean were yours, you ought not therefore so to swell, as to contemne all others. Cease to boast, and learn now (if you can) the speciall but true examples of humane fragilitie. Where are now the Assyrians, which sometime swayed the world? Where be the Medes? where the Persians? and to be short, where are the Romanes, the great commaunders of all? Verely, Tamerlane the Scythian king (called the terror of the world) was far greater than you: who in triumph drew before his chariot thy great grandfather Baia∣zet in chains: who had before gained so many victories, whom neuerthelesse he ouerthrew in the plains of ARMENIA, with three hundred thousand Turks, hauing in his armie (as is reported) twelue hundred

thousand men, greater than Xerxes or Darius, whose armies couered the seas, and dried vp the riuers before them as they went, yet for all this (noble Mahomet) they are all cast out by him that casteth out all nations, the finger of the highest hath brought them all to nought. Wherfore learn to know your selfe to be a man also. Trust not too much to the multitude of your souldiors, and strength of your armies: for oftentimes great and puissant armies haue been ouerthrowne with far lesse, as all histories beare wit∣nesse: whereof it is commonly said, Thou shalt not praise the valor of the Generall, before he be brought to the triumph. And do you not thinke Mahomet, that God will fauour the better cause? you know, you well know, that all your kingdome is violently gotten, that it is wrongfully and vniustly possessed: for which cause I am not afraid not only to withstand you when you shall come, being so great a prince; but also val••antly and couragiously to dare you into the field, and by the power of God both to hope for & haue a notable victorie ouer you. We haue souldiors also, which know how to vse their weapons, to march be∣fore their enemies, and how to beare themselues in the heat of the battell. Wherefore, to that you s••y vnto me for the new confirming of the former league, you labour now but in vaine to circumuent mee. with such faire gloses, I haue your faith in such distrust, and your friendship in detestation: for as much as you cunningly and subtilly, after the manner of your ancestors, whatsoeuer you do, or whatsoeuer you promise vnto me, it tendeth all to no other end than to thrust me out of my kingdome. Yet thus long I haue by Gods helpe well escaped all your policies, all your crafts and deceits. But I hope there will in short time be an end of all these matters, when all your sleights and deuises shal not ease you, neither your wor∣king head or Turkish pride any thing profit you. It is not I alone that so much stomacke you, there com∣meth after me a great number of Christian princes: Behold, the whole chiualrie and glorie of the Chri∣stian commonweale is in armes, and comming against thee with all their force: all the kings and princes of Christendome haue combined themselues together, with the great Bishop, against thy state, and will in short time be present to destroy thee & thy kingdome. Wherfore (worthie Mahomet) I haue thought it good in regard of our old friendship (although the same hath by you been greatly empaired and viola∣ted) to ••orewarne you of all these things, that you might gather your wits together, and in time prouide for the safetie of your selfe and of your kingdome. You see the force and power of so many great princes, from which whether you can escape or no, I know not: yet you may, if you will follow my aduise, you may •• say make both your name and empire of great, greater, of famous most renouned, of fortunate most hap∣pie and blessed; if casting off from you the grosse errours of the Mahometane superstition, you will em∣brace the ••aith and truth of Christ Iesus, and at length haue regard of your soules health. And you which excell all your predecessours in highnesse of spirit and pregnancie of wit, suffer not your selfe and your subiects as it were by inheritance to be longer blinded in your wilfull errours: but doe that (as a wise prince) of your owne accord, which otherwise you will shortly of necessitie be constrained to doe. To say, Had I wist, hath euer been accounted a great disgrace from the mouth of an emperor. At length amend and measure your selfe. Behold, Almightie God doth offer you means, whereby you may quiet the whole slate of your kingdome, and all our kings and princes loue, honour, and reuerence you. Neither let the ambitious desire of soueraignetie or immoderate care of those things you possesse, trouble you from so doing: For whatsoeuer you haue vniustly and vnlawfully vsurped, the Christian princes will grant, confirme, and establish vnto thee, as if they had been your owne by antient inheritance. So shall you be a true monarch indeed, and rule and raigne lawfully, if you shall embrace this faith, and worship God a∣right: which so soone as you shall feele the sweetnesse of, you will be sorrie that you knew it no sooner, you will greeue at the time you haue lost, and vtterly detest and abhorre all that filthie superstition which the most filthie false Prophet Mahomet hath left amongst you. From our campe the 26 of May 1463.

With these letters Scanderbeg dismissed the Turks embassadour. About which time he recei∣ued letters from the great bishop, That he accompanied with the Christian princes, would with∣out delay come ouer into EPIRVS with a strong army of valiant Christians, to joine their forces with his against the common enemie of the Christian religion: exhorting him in all their names to denounce war against the Turkish king. Which thing Scanderbeg most joyfully vndertooke: and without delay with all his power brake into the Turkes dominion, burning and destroying the country before him as he went: from whence he returned laded with the spoile there gotten.

When Mahomet had perused Scanderbeg his letters, and certainely vnderstood of the great preparation made against him in ITALIE, as also of the great spoile of late made by Scanderbeg, hee became exceeding melancholie, as a man much troubled in mind, which dayly more and

more encreased: for that hee saw not the wonted cheerefulnesse in his men of war, but all full of heauinesse and dispaire, as if they had beene men alreadie vanquished. Neuerthelesse, he speedily took order for the leuying of a great armie; fortifying his cities and strong holds, leauing nothing vndone that was possible, for the assurance of his state. And to represse the furie of Scanderbeg▪ sent Seremet Bassa with fourteene thousand souldiours to lie vpon the borders of EPIRVS, with charge onely to attend vpon him. Who mindfull of his charge came into MACEDONIA▪ vnto the citie OCRIDA, now called ALCURIA, in the verie confines of MACEDONIA towards EPIRVS, and there lay with his armie; some part thereof lodged in the citie, and the ••est in pla∣ces more conuenient neere about the same.

The comming of the Bassa, as also the manner of his lying, was not vnknowne to Scander∣beg, who desired nothing more than to bee doing with him. Wherfore he secretly in the ••ight marched towards OCRIDA with twelue thousand souldiours, and being come within three miles of the towne, lay close in ambush, and vpon the breaking of the day sent out 500 horsemen towards the enemie, vnder the conduct of Peicus Emanuel, and Petrus Angelus, two valiant and expert captaines, to draw him if they could into the field. But Scanderbeg had before comman∣ded them, that if the enemie did come foorth to fight, they should make but small resistance, but retire backe as if they had fled, and so to traine him on to the place where the armie lay. Which was so well performed by the two skilfull captaines, that the Bassa with all his power was accor∣ding as they could haue wished, drawne into the field, and brought to the verie place where Scanderbeg lay: Who suddenly rising vp with all his armie, assailed the Turkes on euerie side, and slew them as deere enclosed in a toile.* 6.2 In this battell ten thousand of the Turkes were slaine, the treasurer of the armie with twelue other of great marke were taken prisoners, and brought bound to Scanderbeg, who were presently ransomed for 40 thousand duckats.

Scanderbeg hauing obtained the victorie, returned with triumph into EPIRVS, daily expe∣cting the comming of the great armie out of ITALY: but fatall destinie, the mightie controuler of mens highest designes, had not so appointed. For when Pius the great bishop had out of all parts of Christendome assembled a great armie (wherof the greatest part were voluntarie soldiors) and all things were now in such readinesse, that he had put himselfe vpon the way, and was come to AN∣CONA, a citie vpon the sea side (where Christophorus Maurus duke of VENICE came vnto him, with ten gallies well appointed, to haue accompanied him in those warres: and all men were now in expectation of some great matter to haue beene done) suddenly he fell sick of a feuer, and died in the yeare 1464. Whereupon the armie was forthwith dispersed, and all that great prepa∣ration frustrated, to the exceeding griefe of many Christian princes; and no lesse joy of the Turks▪ who now rejoiced to see themselues deliuered of so great a feare.

About this same time, Victor Capella chiefe persuader of this warre betwixt the Venetians and the Turkes, was by the Senat sent Generall of their forces at sea, in stead of Lauretanus, whose yeare was then expired. He hauing receiued the charge from Lauretanus, and sayling out of EVBoeA, in short time tooke from the enemie the citie of AVLIS in PELOPONESVS ouer a∣gainst CHALCIS, and also the cittie of LARSVM in the gulfe of THESSALONICA, with the isle of HIMBER. Afterwards landing his men by night at PYRaeVS, he suddenly surprised the cit∣tie of ATHENS (now called SET••INae) sometime the mother of learning, and most noble cittie of GRaeCIA; and from thence caried away with him into EVBoeA all the people he there found, as his prisoners,* 6.3 togither with the rich spoile of that citie. Whilest he lay in EVBoeA, he was persuaded that the citie of PATRAS in PELOPONESVS would be deliuered vnto him by the Christians that dwelt therein, if hee did but shew himselfe before it. Whereupon he depar∣ted from EVBoeA, and comming into the gulfe of PATRAS, landed 4000 footmen vnder the leading of Barbaricus, and 200 horsemen, of whom one Nicholaus Ragius was captaine. Bar∣baricus marching toward PATRAS, was come within a mile of the cittie; when manie of the horsemen, and of the vnruly mariners, disorderly scattering abroad, neglected the intended ser∣uice, and sought after pillage all about the countrey. The Turkes garrisons taking this opportu∣nitie, set vpon them with their horsemen, and so easily ouerthrew them, being scattered and out of order. At the first encounter, Barbaricus himselfe was slaine: Ragius captaine of the horsemen was taken, & aliue empailed vpon a sharpe stake. Of all them that were landed, scarce a thousand were left, who saued their liues by flying vnto the gallies. With this ouerthrow Victor the Vene∣tian Admirall was greatly discomfited; yet hauing conceiued some hope of better successe, in few

daies after attempted againe to haue taken PATRAS, but with like hap as before. For hauing lost a thousand of his men about the citie, and the rest glad to take their refuge to the fleet, he was constrained with great dishonour to depart thence. And so full of sorrow and heauinesse retur∣ning into EVBoeA oppressed with melancholy, there suddenly died.

The Venetians deceiued of the great hope they had conceiued of the generall preparation made against the Turkes, and much troubled with the hard proceeding of their warres against so mightie an enemie▪ by their embassadours solicited Mathias, not long before chosen king of HVNGARIE, to joyne in league with them, and to take vp armes against the common enemie: offering presently to furnish him with a great summe of money, beside a large yeare∣ly pention for the maintenance of those warres: for which he should to his power by land de∣fend all their territorie betwixt the Rhetian Alpes, and the Adriatique, against the inuasion of the Turke.

This Mathias surnamed Coruinus, was the yonger sonne of the most famous captaine Io. Ha∣niades▪ whose elder brother Vladislaus, a gentleman of such courage as might well sh••w whos•• sonne he was, being not able to disgest the injuries and disgraces done vnto him and his brother, by Vlricus countie of CILIA, and vnckle vnto Ladislaus the yong king of BOHEMIA and HVN∣GARIE; for the despite he alwaies bare vnto their father Huniades, slew the same Vlricus at ALBA REGALIS, euen in the kings court. Which outrage the yong king was glad for the present to winke at, and also to grant him pardon; as hauing taken away the man, whose immoderat power well stood not with the kings safetie: but in deed fearing the citizens of ALBA & the men of war, who exceedingly fauoured the sonnes of Huniades for their fathers sake. For all that,Ladislaus re∣turning into BOHEMA, caused both the sons of Huniades vpon the sudden to be apprehended; and most cruelly executed Vladislaus, being then about six and twentie yeares old. Mathias the yonger brother was kept in prison, expecting nothing else but to be partaker of his brothers hard fortune: as vndoubtedly he had, had not Ladislaus the yong king vpon the sudden, as hee was vpon the top of his marriage with Magdalaine the French kings daughter, by vntimely death beene taken away. After whose death, the Hungarians for the loue they bare vnto the re∣membrance of Huniades, by a militarie election, chose this Mathias his youngest sonne, the•• in prison at PRAGE,* 6.4 to be their king. Wherof Pogebrache (who after the death of Ladislaus, of an old gouernour had made himselfe the young king of BOHEMIA) hauing speedie intelli∣gence as he was sitting at supper, sent for Mathias his prisoner, and when he was come, com∣maunded him to sit downe at the vpper end of the table: whereat the young gentleman being then but about eighteene yeares of age, and sore abashed, began to craue pardon. But when the king would needs haue it so, and that he was set; the king to quiet his troubled thoughts, wil∣led him to be of good cheere, for that he had good newes to tell him. Good newes, said he, if it would please your majestie to grant me libertie. Yea that, said the king, and more to: and then saluting him by the name of the king of HVNGARIE, brake vnto him the whole matter, how that he was by the generall consent of the Hungarians, chosen their king. And so in few daies after, married vnto him his daughter: which done, he furnished him with all things fit for his estate, and royally accompanied him into HVNGARIE, where he was with great joy and tri∣umph receiued of the Hungarians: ouer whom he afterwards gloriously raigned for the space of eight and thirtie yeares. In which time, he notably enlarged the kingdome of HVNGARIE, and became a farre greater terrour vnto the Turkes, than euer was his father Huniades. And therewithall (which is not to be accounted in the least part of his praises) was alwaies a great fa∣uourer and furtherer of good letters, and ingenious deuises.

But to returne againe to our purpose, Mathias hauing well considered of that the Venetians had requested: answered them, that they had many times before in like case refused to giue aid vnto the Hungarian kings his predecessours: yea and that more was, thought it a thing not reasonable, that anie such thing should be requested at their hands; forasmuch as they then re∣ceiued no harme from the Turke, but were in league and amitie with him: so that the Hun∣garian kings wanting their helpe, had manie times receiued greater losse from the Turke, than otherwise they should haue done, if they had beene by them aided. Yet for all that, he was con∣tent to forget all such vnkindnesse, and to grant them what they had requested: promising the next Spring to inuade the Turkes dominion, and according to their request, to take into his pro∣tection all their territorie betwixt the Rhetian Alpes, and the Adriatique: which thing hee

most honourably performed. For with the first of the Spring he passed ouer Danubius at BEL∣GRADE with a puissant armie, and rased the forts which the Turkes had built thereabouts; and so entring into SERVIA, laid all the countrey waste before him: and afterwards laden with spoile, returned home, carrying away with him twentie thousand captiues. Neither so rested, but with great good fortune maintained great warres against Mahomet during all the time of his raigne: and afterwards against Baiazet his sonne also, wherein he most commonly returned with victorie: so that it is of him as truely as briefly written, That no Christian king or chief∣taine, did more often or with greater fortune fight against the Turkish nation, or had of them greater victories.

Mahomet deliuered of the great feare he had before conceiued of the generall preparation of the Christian princes against him; determined now to worke his will vpon such as were nee∣rest vnto him, and afterward not to forget them that were farther off. The proceeding of Scanderbeg, with the late ouerthrow of SEREMET with his armie in EPIRVS, stucke in his stomacke: in reuenge whereof, he now sent one Balabanus Badera, a most valiant captaine, with fifteene thousand horsemen,* 6.5 and three thousand foot, to inuade EPIRVS. This Balabanus was an Epirot borne, a chorles sonne of that countrey: and being of a boy taken captiue of the Turkes, as hee was keeping of his fathers cattell, and of long time brought vp in seruitude a∣mongst them, framing himselfe both to their religion and manners; after long seruice, got the credit of a good common souldiour. But when as at the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE, it was his fortune to bee the first man of the Turkes armie that gained the top of the wals, and entered the cittie; hee was for that peece of seruice, euer afterwards of Mahomet greatly estee∣med: and beside his other great preferments, now sent Generall of his armie into EPIRVS. Who as soone as hee was come to ALCHRIA (a citie vpon the frontiers of that countrey) sent manie rich presents to Scanderbeg, making shew as if hee had beene desirous peaceably to lie vpon the borders committed to his charge, without farther purpose to trouble his coun∣trey: yet in deed waiting nothing more than some notable opportunitie, suddenly to doe him the greatest mischiefe he could. But Scanderbeg well seeing into the malice of the man, rejected his faigned friendship and giftes, and in derision sent him a spade, a mattocke, a flaile, with other such instruments belonging vnto husbandrie: willing him to take in hand those tooles, and to follow his fathers trade of life, and to leaue the conducting of armies vnto men of greater skill and better place. Which disgrace Balabanus tooke in exceeding euill part; purposing in himselfe, if euer it lay in his power, to be thereof reuenged. Wherefore knowing that Scan∣derbeg with a small power lay not farre off vpon the frontiers of his kingdome,* 6.6 he determined suddenly in the night to set vpon him before he were aware of his comming, and so if it were possible to ouerthrow him: but Scanderbeg hauing knowledge thereof by his scouts, set for∣ward in good order to haue met him. When Balabanus perceiuing that hee was discouered, staied vpon the way, and encamped within two miles of Scanderbeg: who had then in his armie but foure thousand horsemen, and one thousand and fiue hundred foote, but all choise men and most expert souldiours: and then lay in a large pleasant valley called VALCHAL. At the farther end whereof Balabanus lay also encamped, neere vnto a rough and wooddie hill which enclo∣sed that part of the valley. Whilest both armies thus lay within view one of another, Scan∣derbeg well considering the ground the enemie had taken, and that it was like he would offer him battell, with cheerefull speeches encouraged his souldiours: straitly charging them vpon paine of his displeasure, that if the enemie vpon the fortune of the battell, should chance to flie or to retire, they should not in anie case pursue them farther than the straits of the hill where∣by the enemie lay: ghessing too truly, that hee would in so conuenient a place leaue part of his armie in ambush, as a sure refuge to trust vnto whatsoeuer should befall. When he had thus en∣couraged and instructed his souldiours, he rise with his armie, and in good order retired vnto the rising of an hill, which was a good way behind the place where he before lay; of purpose to haue the aduantage of the ground, if the enemie should follow to giue him battell. Balabanus seeing him retire, and the small number of his armie, thought verily that he had fled for feare: and therefore to stay him who ment nothing lesse than to flie, set forward in great hast. The Turkes thinking vpon so great aduantage to haue found no great resistance, followed after Scan∣derbeg as if they had had him in chase: and by that time they were come to the place where hee staied, were by their hast greatly disordered and out of aray. Scanderbeg his old trustie souldi∣ours

nothing dismaied with the hastie comming & hideous clamour of the Turks,* 6.7 receiued them with great courage: so that there began a fierce battell, with much slaughter on both sides, which for a great while stood doubtfull. Yet such was the inuincible courage of Scanderbeg his reso∣lute souldiours, that the Turkes (who as then fought in great disorder) were at last put to flight: and with much slaughter chased vnto the straits of the mountaine, where Scanderbeg had be∣fore commaunded his men to stay. But certaine of his best and principall captaines forgetting what he had said vnto them; and led on (whether with the heat and furie of the battell, or rather with ineuitable destinie is hard to say) vnaduisedly pursued the enemie into those straits, whereof they were by Scanderbeg before warned, and charged that they should not enter: where they were on euerie side beset with their enemies, arising out of ambush: and after they had a long time desperatly fought as wild beasts enclosed with hunters, at last oppressed with multi∣tude, were there togither taken and brought to Balabanus; by whom they were forthwith sent to Mahomet to CONSTANTINOPLE. Who as soone as hee heard of their taking, is re∣ported with great rejoycing to haue said: Now am I sure that the strength of Scanderbeg is broken. The names of the principall men which were there taken, was Moses Golemus of DIBRA, the greatest captaine of EPIRVS next vnto Scanderbeg himselfe; Giuriza Vladerius, Scanderbeg his kinsman; Musachius, Scanderbeg his nephew by his sister Angelina; Ginius Musachius; Ioannes Perlatus, who valiantly defended SFETIGRADE against Amurath; Ni∣cholaus Berisius; Georgius Chucca; and Ginius Manessius: whereof euerie one of them was able to haue conducted a great armie, and might worthely haue beene accounted amongst the grea∣test captaines of that age. The taking of these worthie men brought such a generall sorrow and heauinesse vpon EPIRVS, that the victorie was nothing accounted of, euerie man lamen∣ting the losse of such notable leaders. Scanderbeg carefull of their deliuerance, presently sent an embassadour to Mahomet, requesting that hee might redeeme his prisoners; either by exchan∣ging of others for them, or else for such raunsome as it should please him to set downe. But hee knowing them to be Scanderbeg his best captaines, would neither exchange them for others, not grant that they should be raunsomed for anie gold: but after hee had vsed them with all the dis∣pight he could deuise, caused them all by little and little, to be flaine quicke: in which misera∣ble torment they liued fifteene daies,* 6.8 and so died. Scanderbeg hearing thereof, was therewith rather encouraged than discouraged: and in reuenge thereof, with fire and sword entered into the Turkes dominion, sparing nothing that hee could either burne, or possibly by anie other meanes destroie.

Mahomet glad of the taking of these notable men (although they were bought with the liues of manie of his people) commended Balabanus highly, as the onely man that knew how to fight against Scanderbeg: and in reward of his good seruice, sent him diuers rich giftes, with commaundement to repaire againe his armie, and to proceed in his warres so happely begun. Which thing Balabanus with all diligence performed. Yet trusting more vnto his pollicie, than his strength; lying at ALCHRIA, sent againe diuers rich presents to Scanderbeg, as desirous to liue in peace by him: but seeking indeed to bring him into securitie, and so suddenly (if it were possible) to entrap him. Which thing Scanderbeg well perceiuing, rejected his faigned friend∣ship togither with his presents, as sent from a base peisant. Whereupon Balabanus entered into a new deuise, and by secret meanes, with great rewards corrupted Scanderbeg his scouts, whereof some were Balabanus his kinsmen, though it were to Scanderbeg vnknowne. By which practise, he had vpon the sudden in the night oppressed Scanderbeg, lying encamped in ORONYCHEVM, if Scanderbeg himselfe (who commonly spent most part of the night in carefull watch) going about the campe, had not in the silence of the night a farre off perceiued the comming of the ene∣mie by the noise of his horses: and thereupon with wonderfull celeritie putting his armie in such order as he best could, was readie to receiue him; and at last after a great fight, put him to flight: and hauing him in chase, slew most part of his armie, Balabanus himselfe with a small remnant hardly escaping.

Now when Mahomet vnderstood that Balabanus was ouerthrowne, and his armie lost, hee was in doubt, whether to send another Generall, or else againe to prooue the fortune of the old. But after hee had well considered, that Balabanus was a right valiant captaine, and one that well knew the countrey of EPIRVS, and withall a mortall enemie to Scanderbeg: he resolued to staie vpon him, and not to send anie other. So committing to his charge fourteene

thousand horsemen and three thousand foot, sent him againe to inuade EPIRVS: and the more to encourage him, promised to make him king of that countrey, if he could subdue Scanderbeg. Balabanus with this armie comming to ALCHRIA, and still in vaine plotting how hee might cir∣cumuent his warie enemie, after his wonted manner sent diuers presents to Scanderbeg; which he still scornefully refused. Three moneths he lay still at ALCHRIA, with nothing more troubled than with his owne thoughts: but finding nothing that pleased himselfe, hee determined to ad∣uenture by plaine force to subdue him. And vpon that resolution marched with all his armie in∣to the great plaines neere vnto SFETIGRADE, whither Scanderbeg came with his armie also▪ which then consisted of eight thousand horsemen and fifteene hundred foot: with which small power hee refused not to joyne battaile with Balabanus,* 6.9 being in number two to one. But after they were come to hand••e blowes, to haue seene Scanderbeg his men fight▪ a man would haue said them to haue beene rather raging lyons than men, they so furiously assailed their enemies▪ without regard of perill or danger, as men nothing afraid to die. Scanderbeg with great skill go∣uerned that battaile, carefully prouiding for euery danger: himselfe valiantly fighting in the head of his battaile, but not without care of the rest, still sending speedie releefe where most need was, and bringing in fresh supplies in stead of them that were wounded or slaine▪ performed all the parts of a most worthie cheefetaine and valiant souldior: where most perill was, there was hee straight, and at his presence danger fled, as if victorie had attended vpon him. But whilest he thus fought in the middest of his enemies, his horse fortuned to be slaine vnder him, and falling down with him, sore brused one of his armes, whereof he complained long time after. The Turkes see∣ing him downe, pressed on fiercely to haue slaine him: but hee was quickly rescued by his owne souldiors, and remounted. And forthwith encountering with one Suliman, a great commaunder in the Turkes armie, slew him in fight hand to hand: whereupon such a terrour fell vpon the Turkes, that they began to retire, and after a while to betake themselues to plaine flight; Scander∣beg pursuing them with such execution, that of that great armie few escaped with Balabanus to carrie newes home.

Balabanus now thrice vanquished by Scanderbeg, and in the last battaile hauing lost what hee could loose, except he should haue lost himselfe, returned to Mahomet at CONSTANTINOPLE, of whom he was sharpely rebuked for the great ouerthrowes he had so often receiued. At which time Balabanus at first gaue place to the kings furie: but afterwards when the heat was ouer, hee with a large discourse cunningly excused himselfe, imputing all those his mishaps vnto the ap∣pointment of God, and the fortune of warre: and in the end told Mahomet plainely, That it was but in vaine to send such small armies into EPIRVS. But if it would please him at once to send two valiant captains with a puissant and strong armie, who deuiding the same betwixt them, and entering at one time into diuers parts of EPIRVS, might spoile the countrey before them, and en∣close Scanderbeg betwixt them, if he should aduenture to giue either of them battaile, being be∣fore resolued neither of them to offer him battaile, or yet to accept of the same being by him offe∣red, except the other were also at hand: and so by mutuall consent to vndertake him, but neuer single. By which course hee promised vnto him an easie and assured victorie: for as much as it were impossible for any man so beset, and as it were on euery side coupt vp with his enemies, ei∣ther to escape or yet to make any great resistance. This persuasion of Balabanus so well fitted the tyrants humor, that he appointed Balabanus himselfe to be the man to put his own deuise in exe∣cution: giuing him commission to leuie such an armie as he should thinke sufficient for the per∣formance of that seruice: and withall to associate vnto himselfe for his companion which soeuer of his captaines as he pleased. Balabanus according to his commission, tooke musters of the men of warre, and made choice of fortie thousand good souldiours, and chose one Iacup Arnauth, (otherwise called Iames the Epirot, because he was also borne in EPIRVS, a valiant captain) to be his companion: whom he sent with sixteene thousand soldiors by the way of THESSALIA and GRECIA into EPIRVS, commaunding him in no case to joyne battaile with Scanderbeg, vntill he himselfe were also come into the countrey with the other part of the armie. And so setting both forward, Balabanus taking the neerer way through THRACIA and MACEDONIA, came first into EPIRVS with twentie thousand horsemen and foure thousand foot, and encamped in the valey of VALCHALL. Scanderbeg both by his espials and letters from his secret friends in the Turkes court, hauing certaine intelligence of all Balabanus his intent and purpose, had in readi∣nesse against his comming a strong armie of eight thousand horsemen and foure thousand foot,

all choise souldiours. And now hearing that he was come into EPIRVS, and encamped in VAL∣CAAL, sent out three espials to discouer in what order he lay: one of which spies was Balabanus his kinsman (but not so knowne to Scanderbeg) by whose persuasion the other two when they had taken full view of Balabanus his army,* 6.10 and should haue returned to Scanderbeg to haue giuen intelligence of that they had seene, like false traitors went ouer to Balabanus, and discouered vnto him all that they knew concerning Scanderbeg: hoping therefore to receiue some great reward, as their fellow had before borne them in hand. Scanderbeg maruelling that his espials returned not againe as they were appointed, and doubting that they had been by the enemie intercepted, and vsing many times in matters of such importance to trust himselfe best, presently went out with fiue lustie souldiours, and rid foorth to discouer the manner of the enemies lying. Balabanus like a craftie fox, mistrusting that Scanderbeg deceiued of his first espials would for like purpose send forth others, laied certaine horsemen in secret ambush in diuers places, to intercept them if it were possible. These horsemen lay not so couert, but that they were in good time descried by Scanderbeg and his followers (who with Argus eies, pried into euerie bush and thicket as they went) before he was altogether fallen within their danger: and yet but so that he came to handie strokes, where Scanderbeg and his followers oppressed with multitude, were glad to flie as fast as they could into the next wood, the Turkes horsemen following them at the heeles. It fortuned that as they were flying, a great old tree was fallen crosse the way, which Scanderbeg putting spurs to his horse, leapt ouer, with one of his men after him; the other foure not able to get ouer, turned backe vpon the Turkes, and there fighting were slaine. One of the Turkes which so hardly pursued Scanderbeg being well mounted, forced his horse to leape the tree, and still fol∣lowed after Scanderbeg: who looking backe and seeing but one, turned vpon him and slew him: the other Turkes hauing slaine foure of Scanderbeg his men which could not get ouer the tree, returned. And Scanderbeg accompanied but with one of his followers, came backe againe to his campe; and there with all speed put his army in readinesse to go against Balabanus before the comming of his companion, with the other part of his army. Vpon which resolution, after he had with cheerfull persuasions encouraged his souldiours, and filled their minds with hope of vi∣ctorie, he set forward, and came with great speed into the valley of VALCHAL where Balaba∣nus lay. Scanderbeg had deuided his army into foure squadrons, whereof Tanusius had the lea∣ding of one, Zacharias Groppa of another, the third was committed to Peicus Emanuel, and Scan∣derbeg himselfe conducted the fourth. So setting forward, he sent before certaine companies of harquebusiers, and archers, to prouoke the enemie and to draw him foorth vnto battell. Balaba∣nus also shewed himselfe with his army in seemly order before his tents, but there stood fast and would not stirre, expecting continually the comming of his fellow. Which Scanderbeg percei∣uing, and that he sought but to dallie out the time, and as one vnwilling to fight had againe reti∣red his army into the safetie of his trenches; drew neerer and neerer vnto him, continually skir∣mishing with such as he sent out, daring him into the field, and brauing him vnto his trenches, in such sort as if hee would haue forced the same, and by strong hand haue ••et him out thence. Whereat the Turkes fretted and chafed exceedingly: insomuch, that they were readie to rise against their Generall, because he would not lead them forth to battell, but suffer them to be so disgraced. Balabanus mindfull of that he had promised vnto Mahomet his great lord and maister, did what he might to haue deferred time: but when he saw that his fellow came not, and that he could no longer delay the matter; being so continually assailed and braued by Scanderbeg his souldiours, that his Turkes therewith prouoked, were readie oftentimes to haue issued out with∣out his direction, and now no remedie but that he must needs fight; placed his men in good or∣der, and so went out of his trenches to giue battell, himselfe leading the left wing thereof: where betwixt him and Scanderbeg was made a fierce fight, many falling on both sides. But Scander∣beg strengthned with the old garrison of CROIA, and the most expert souldiors of DIBRA, pre∣uailed vpon the Turkes and forced them to giue ground, yet still keeping their order. The fight was so great in this part of the battell, that in other places they stood almost still as lookers on, expecting the doubtfull fortune of their Generals: Which thing Scanderbeg perceiuing, drew certain troups out of the right wing, where as he saw was least danger, which speedily fetching a compasse about, charged the side of the enemies army; and againe withdrawing themselues, and with wonderfull celeritie wheeling about, set vpon the backe of them that fought in the left wing so that the Turkes there fiercely charged both before and behind, by the most valiant souldiours

of Scanderbeg his army, fell in other places with a great slaughter. Balabanus with exceeding cou∣rage gainstood his enemies, so long as there was any hope left: but when he saw the fortune of Scanderbeg to preuaile, and all about him to become desperat, he made shift for himselfe, and fled out of the battell as fast as he could. The rest of the army, being in other places before trou∣bled and disordered, fled also, some one way, some another, euerie man as his fortune led him. Some few that followed Balabanus escaped: the rest were for most part either slaine or ta∣ken prisoners.

Scanderbeg had scarcely well breathed himselfe after this victorie, and deuided the spoile a∣mongst his souldiours; but that newes was brought to him in post from the lady Mamiza his sister, then lying at PETRELLA, that Iacuppe Arnauth was by the way of BELGRADE come into EPIRVS with an army of sixteene thousand horsemen, burning and destroying the countrey before him, and then lay encamped in the plaines of TIRANNA the lesse. When Scanderbeg to proue the minds of his soldiors, had cheerfully imparted vnto them such newes, as was like to be the beginning of new labour and perill; they were therewith nothing dismaied, but readie to follow him with such cheerfulnesse of countenance & mind, as if they should haue gone to some great feast or banquet: reckoning of them, but as of the remnant of a discomfited army. This cheerfulnesse of his souldiours, Scanderbeg tooke as an assured token of his good successe: and hauing all things in readinesse, presently set forward, and in short time came to the place where the enemie lay. Iacuppe hearing of his comming, remoued his campe into a corner of the plaine of TIRANNA, neere vnto a little hill, as a place of more safetie for his armie to lie in. Scanderbeg taking the plaine, encamped his armie in the same place from whence Iacuppe was but a little be∣fore departed, where he rested one whole day. The next morning to terrifie his enemies (who as yet had not heard of the ouerthrow of Balabanus) he caused diuers of the Turkes heads which were slaine in the late battell (which he had brought for that purpose) to be cast before the tren∣ches of the enemie, and withall, diuers of them which were taken prisoners to be showne: Which Iacuppe beholding, in great dispaire said, I see the euill hap of Mahomet. Immediatly after, Scan∣derbeg sent forth 500 horsemen to skirmish with the Turkes, commaunding them so soone as they were charged by the enemie to retire, if happily they might so be drawne into battell: which fell out accordingly. For Iacuppe now seeing his fellow was not to be looked for, and willing also without farther delay to trie his fortune, came readily into the field, and began a fierce bat∣tell: which endured not long,* 6.11 for Scanderbeg perceiuing in what part of the armie Iacuppe was, bent his greatest force that way, and singling him out, with his owne hand slew him. Where∣with the Turkes being discouraged, forthwith betooke themselues to flight, and in flying, were for most part slaine or taken. Those which escaped the present furie of the sword, stragling through the countrey by thicke woods and blind waies, were by the countrey people either slaine or taken prisoners. In these two battels were slaine of the Turkes foure and twentie thou∣sand, and six thousand taken. And of Scanderbeg his men, were lost about a thousand. Scander∣beg and his souldiours were so wearie of the slaughter of the Turkes, that when it was told him the next day, that Balabanus was fled but with one cornet of horsemen, and might easily be sur∣prised, if he were well pursued: he said, O let some of our enemies liue to report their owne slaughter and our victorie. After that Scanderbeg had in this sort vanquished these great captaines, he pre∣sently entered into the frontiers of the Turkes dominions, and roaming vp and downe at his pleasure without resistance, made hauocke of all that came in his way. And after returning to CROIA with victorie, brake vp his armie, and gaue his souldiours leaue to depart, euerie man to his owne dwelling.

Whilest these things were in doing,* 6.12 Mahomet had with great rewards procured two Turks to vndertake to kill Scanderbeg. These traitors came vnto Scanderbeg as fugitiues, making such shew of the detestation both of Mahomet his tyrannicall gouernment, and vaine superstition, that they were both of Scanderbeg and others reputed to be in deed the men they desired to be ac∣counted: and so after they had learned the principles of the Christian religion, were by their owne desire baptised. But treason against princes whom God hath in his most mightie protecti∣on, cannot be long couered; much lesse without his great sufferance performed. So fortuned it, that these two false dissembling traitors, expecting nothing but opportunitie to performe their diuelish deuise, vpon some occasion fell at variance betwixt themselues, and in their heat, let some such words fall, as being taken vp by some there present, drew them both into suspition: and

therupon being straitly examined, it was at last by them confessed, that they were sent by Maho∣met [ G] of purpose to haue slaine Scanderbeg▪ for which their treason they were both presently exe∣cuted, as they had right well deserued. When Mahomet vnderstood that Balabanus was ouer∣come, Iacup slaine, and both their armies almost quite destroied, he after his impatient manner fell into a great rage, and became as a man almost franticke: and afterwards calling togither his great Bassaes, resolued by their aduise, not to send any mo generals against Scanderbeg, but to go himselfe in person with such an armie as should at once make an end of his warres in EPIRVS for euer. Hereupon commissions were directed through all his kingdome, and an armie raised of two hundred thousand men: whereof Scanderbeg hauing certaine aduertisement, fortifyed all his cities and strong holds, especially the citie of CROIA, vpon the fortune whereof, depended the whole state of his kingdome. Into this cittie he put a strong garrison of his most valiant and faithfull souldiours; and throughly furnished the same with all things necessarie for the enduring of a long siege: and left one Balthasar Perduci (a graue and worthy captaine) gouernour thereof. With like care he prouided for the safetie of his other cities, and tooke order that the countrey people were either receiued into the strong townes, or else conuayed into other places of re∣fuge: and left nothing abroad in the countrey for the Turkes to prey vpon, as he had in like case done long before, at the comming of old Amurath to the siege of CROIA, as is before in his life declared.

By that time that Scanderbeg had set all things in order, his old friend Balabanus with eightie thousand horsemen (the forerunners of Mahomet his armie) was entred into EPIRVS, and ran∣ging ouer the countrey two daies, came and sat downe before CROIA: Vpon whom the go∣uernour at his first comming, made many brauesallies. In few daies after came Mahomet with his huge armie,* 6.13 and there encamped also. Who at his first comming summoned the citie, re∣quiring to haue it deliuered vnto him, vpon such vnreasonable conditions as it pleased himselfe (as the manner of the Turke is:) whereunto the worthy gouernour returned him no other an∣swere, than by continuall thundring shot into his campe. Whereupon Mahomet caused such ordinance as he had, to be planted for batterie; and commanded other new to be cast, of such mettall as he had for that purpose brought in masse: all which he did rather to strike a terror into the minds of the defendants, than for any great hope he had of taking the cittie by force; know∣ing by his owne experience, that it was a place almost impregnable. Whilest Mahomet was thus busied and little or nothing preuailed, Scanderbeg lying abroad in the woods and mountaines with a small army of most valiant and couragious souldiours, continually cut off the forragers of Mahomets armie, and such as brought in victuall or necessaries for his campe: and manie times in the night, suddenly brake into one quarter or other of the Turks great camp with great slaugh∣ter, and with continuall alarums neuer suffered them to rest in quiet. Mahomet seeing his army to decrease daily, and no hope of winning the citie but by famine, which would require a long siege: and fearing also to make that same place again famous by some notable mischance, which might happen vnto himselfe vnder the wals of CROIA, as had before vnto his father Amurath; deter∣mined to returne himselfe to CONSTANTINOPLE, and to leaue Balabanus with a great part of his armie to continue the siege. Vpon which determination he committed the charge and or∣dering of the whole matter for the continuing of the siege to Balabanus, joyning vnto him eight of his most expert captaines; yet so, as that they should be all at Balabanus his commaund. And so leauing with him three and twentie thousand of his best souldiors, and with euery one of the other eight captaines seuen thousand moe, departed himselfe with the rest of his armie from CROIA towards CONSTANTINOPLE. But by the way as he went he tooke from Scanderbeg certaine small forts, and with faire promises corrupting the Gouernour of a place called CHID∣NA, wherein eight thousand of Scanderbeg his souldiours lay, had the same deliuered into his power, vpon his faith before giuen, That all the souldiours with the rest of the people should in safetie depart thence. But after the tyrant had them in his power, without regard of faith or pro∣mise, hee caused them all most cruelly to bee cut in peeces, sparing neither man, woman, nor child, to the great greefe and weakening of Scanderbeg, who had not at any time before recei∣ued so great a losse. And after hee had so raged, hee in great melancholie returned vnto CON∣STANTINOPLE.

Scanderbeg disdaining to haue his cheefe cittie besieged by Balabanus, sometime one of the basest of his fathers subjects: and yet finding himselfe vnable to releeue the same, for as much

as his souldiors were with continuall warres sore wasted, and his warie enemies lay so encamped, as that they were not but by a strong armie to bee remoued, sent vnto the Venetians and other the confederat princes of ALBANIA, ILLYRIA, and DALMATIA, praying of them aid now at his need against that enemie, which preuailing against him, would forthwith set vpon them. All which princes promised forthwith to send their succours. At the same time also hee passed ouer into ITALIE secretly, and disguised in simple attire, came to ROME, to craue aid of Paulus the second of that name, then great Bishop: by whom he was honourably entertained, but obtai∣ned nothing of that he came for; so cold was his holy deuotion: onely at his departure hee gaue vnto Iunetrio, Scanderbeg his treasurer, a poore almes of three thousand duckats.

Scanderbeg returning into EPIRVS, found all such aid readie as was promised from the con∣federat princes, but especially from the Venetians, which was for most part drawne out of their garrisons of SCVTARI, DRIVASTO, ALYSSA, and DIRRHACHIVM: so that hee had in few daies in his armie thirteene thousand foure hundred choice soldiors. With this strength he mar∣ched towards CROIA: but vnderstanding by the way, that Ionima was within a daies journey comming with a new supplie to his brother Balabanus, hee drew out certaine troupes of his best horsemen: and coasting ouer the countrey in the night, suddainly came vpon the Turks, and put them to flight;* 6.14 where amongst others, Ionima himselfe, with his sonne Hedar, were taken priso∣ners, whom he shewed the next day in bonds to Balabanus. This exploit so happily performed, he with all speed returned to his armie: and so marching to CROIA, by plaine force driue the Turks from the mountain CRVINA, their greatest strength, and nearest to the citie of CROIA. Which thing when Balabanus saw, he with certaine troupes of horsemen rid euen to the gates of the cit∣tie, persuading the defendants to yeeld the citie, making them in the name of his master such of∣fers and promises as he thought might most moue them. But they nothing regarding his words, but rather incensed with his presumption, sallied out vpon him, and enforced him to retire: but he therewith enraged, and halfe mad for anger, came vpon them with a fresh charge, thinking by plaine force to haue driuen them backe into the citie. In which skirmish he was by one Georgius A••exius with a bullet shot quite through the throat; and feeling himselfe mortally wounded, setting spurres to his horse, ran as fast as he could to his campe, where he presently fell down from his horse and died. The Turkes discouraged with the death of their Generall, and the comming of Scanderbeg, rise the same night, and with great silence retired themselues vnto the plain of TI∣RANA, about eight miles from CROIA. Scanderbeg the next morning entring the forsaken tents of the Turks, found therein great store of corne and other victuals, which he caused to be forth∣with conueyed into the citie, and in great triumph followed after himselfe, to the great joy and comfort of his late besieged subjects: whom he highly commended for their fidelitie, and boun∣tifully rewarded according to their deserts. The same day he sent certaine companies of souldiors to take the strait passages whereby the Turkes must needs passe in their returne out of EPIRVS; which when the Turkes vnderstood, they sent two messengers vnto Scanderbeg (who seemed to be men of good account in the armie) offering in the name of the rest of the captaines and com∣maunders, to deliuer vnto him their horses and armes, so that they might in safetie depart with their liues. Which their request Scanderbeg propounding vnto his counsellors & captaines, was by them diuersly disgested. In conclusion, they receiued this answere from Scanderbeg himselfe, That as they came into his country without his commandement, so should they not by his leaue depart thence. The Turkes receiuing this short answere by their messengers, and considering that they must needs in that bare countrey in short time perish, either with famine or with the sword; the very same night departed from TIRANNA, and in the dead time of the night entering the aforesaid straits, by plaine force desperatly brake through and escaped, but not without their great losse: for whose escape the common souldiors murmured greeuously against Scanderbeg, and were not without much ado appeased. In short time after, Scanderbeg recouered all such places as Mahomet had before taken from him, and put to sword the soldiors he had left for the keeping of the same: which done, he brake vp his armie, retaining only two thousand horsemen and a thou∣sand foot for the defence of his frontiers.

The Turkish tyrant hearing of the euill successe of his affaires in EPIRVS,* 6.15 as that his Generall was slaine, CROIA releeued, his armie discomfited, and all that he had done, brought to nought; fretted thereat exceedingly, and was therewith so much greeued, that hee could not for a season eat or drinke or take rest, his discontented thoughts so much troubled him. In the end, to reme∣die

the matter, he resolued the next Spring to goe againe in person himselfe with a most puissant [ G] armie into EPIRVS, and so if it were possible, to make a full conquest thereof: of which his pur∣pose Scanderbeg vnderstanding, prouided for his comming, as he had in former time. The Spring being come, Mahomet according to his former resolution, with a mightie armie entred into EPI∣RVS, and there with exceeding labour and charge first repaired or rather reedified the old ruines of the citie of VALMES, wherein he left a strong garrison, of purpose to trouble that part of the countrey. From thence he marched to DIRRACHIVM (now called DVRAZZO, but of old time EPIDAMNVM) a citie vpon the sea coast, then in the possession of the Venetians, famous for ma∣ny things in the time of the Romane empire, but especially for the flight of the Romane Senate thither, and their entertainement there in the time of the ciuile wars betwixt Caesar and Pompeius. This citie Mahomet thought to haue taken vnprouided, and so vpon the suddaine to haue carri∣ed; it; but was therein much deceiued, finding it strongly fortified and manned both by the Vene∣tians and Scanderbeg. Where when he had there spent some time, and to his great losse in vaine attempted the cittie, hee rise vpon the suddaine: and retiring into EPIRVS, came and sat downe againe before CROIA, of purpose by his suddaine comming to haue terrified the cittizens: and vainely persuaded, that he had left Scanderbeg in DIRRACHIVM, for that in the assailing thereof he had discouered many of Scanderbeg his men, and thereby supposed him to haue beene there also; the greatest cause why he so suddenly rise and came to CROIA. At his first comming he of∣fered great rewards and large priuiledges vnto the cittizens, if they would forthwith yeeld vp their citie; otherwise he threatened vnto them all the calamities of warre, vowing neuer to de∣part thence before he had it: whereunto he receiued no other answere out of the cittie than was sent him by the mouth of the Cannon, or brought him by many most braue sallies. Scanderbeg in the meane while continually molesting his campe, and euery night falling into one quarter or another thereof. Mahomet taught by experience, to what small purpose it would bee for him to lie there long, rise with his armie, & marched againe to the sea side to a place now called the head of REDON vpon the gulfe of VENICE, not farre from DIRRACHIVM, where Scanderbeg had begun to build a new cittie called CHIVRILL, not yet finished: which Mahomet in despight of the man, rased downe to the ground. After that, hearing that many of the Epirots were retired into the mountaines, hee went to seeke them out, and was with gre•••• losse by those mountaine people repulsed: Scanderbeg still following him at the heeles, and awaiting all oportunities, daily cut off part of his armie. So that at last the tyrant despairing of any good to bee done in that expedition, was glad to depart out of EPIRVS, hauing atcheeued nothing worth his com∣ming, and so full of discontentment and melancholie returned to CONSTANTINOPLE.

After all these great troubles, Scanderbeg rid ouer most part of EPIRVS, to view the state of his kingdome, and so at last came to LYSSA (a citie of the Venetians, which he had alwaies speci∣ally liked) there to conferre with the Venetian legate and other the confederate princes, of mat∣ters concerning their state in generall, as his manner was: but more particularly how they might take the citie of VALMES, which Mahomet had the last yeare built in the siegnorie of Aryanni∣tes Comynat,* 6.16 and much troubled that part of EPIRVS. But whilest he lay there, he fell sicke of a feauer, which daily so encreased vpon him, that he became sicke euen vnto death: and now per∣ceiuing his end to draw nigh, sent for his wife and sonne, with the princes and lords his confede∣rates, and the embassadours of the Venetians, into his bed chamber. Where after he had at large with greater paine notably discoursed of his troublesome life led amongst them, than he had be∣fore passed the same, and carefully forewarned them of the dangers like to ensue; he earnestly ex∣horted them to continue in vnitie and concord, and valiantly to stand in defence of their religion, countrey, and libertie. And afterwards turning his speech to his wife and his sonne, commended them both with his kingdome to the tuition of the Venetians: who by the articles of the confe∣deration betwixt him and them, were in honour bound to protect his sonne and kingdome, du∣ring the time of his minoritie, and afterwards peaceably to place him in the same. In fine, he wil∣led his wife after his death to passe ouer with her sonne into APVLIA, where they might in safe∣tie and quiet liue vpon such possessions as he there held by the gift of king Ferdinand. And so af∣ter he had with most feruent prayer commended his soule into the hands of Almightie God, de∣parted in peace the seuenteenth day of Ianuarie, in the yeare of our Lord 1466, when hee had li∣ued about 63 yeares,* 6.17 and thereof raigned about 24. His death was worthely lamented of all Christian princes, but especially of the Venetians and princes of ALBANIA, who had now lost

their most carefull watchman and inuincible champion: the sorrow of his subjects is not to bee expressed, euery man bewayling him, as the onely stay of the commonweale▪ and as if with him they had lost all their hope. His dead••bodie was with the generall lamentation of all men royally buried in the cathedrall church of S. Nicholas at LYSSA:* 6.18 where it rested in peace, vntill that a∣bout nine yeares after, the Turkes comming to the siege of SCODRA, by the way tooke the citie of LYSSA, and there with great deuotion digged vp his bones, reckoning it in some part of their happinesse, if they might but see or touch the same: and such as could get any part thereof, were it neuer so little,* 6.19 caused the same to be set, some in siluer, some in gold, to hang about their neckes, or weare vpon their bodies; persuading themselues by the wearing thereof to be partakers of such good fortune and hap as had Scanderbeg himselfe whilest he liued: which is not vnaptly by Ga∣briell Fairnus of CREMONA, thus in verse expressed.

[illustration]

SCANDERBEG.

* 6.20Tu••••••••um clades, Othoman•••• nomin•••• h••r••or, Epiri tutela, illo iacuere sepulchro: 63 Quo quondam inuicti cubuerunt ossa Georgi. Nunc & membra viri, & dissectum in frusta sepulchrum Interijt, sparsimanes, conscisa vagantur Ossa, nec in gelida nunc saltem morte quiescunt. Nam{que} vt is assertum toties cum laude paternum Imperium, exacta moriens aetate reliquit.

Illicet immanes tenuerunt omnia Turcae. Tum clari Herois venerati nobile bustum, [ G] Ossaque, marmoraque, inuictum condentia corpus Abstulerant, sibi quisque in partes secta minutas, Tanquam ijs bellica vis, & Martius ardor inesset: Et genium praestare bonum, sortemque valerent. Sic quae alijs tumulum virtus parat abstulit illi: Atque eadem dir•• venerandum praebuit hosti.

In English thus.

The bloudie bane of faithlesse Turkes, and terrour of their name, EPIRVS strong defence and guard, lay buried there with fame: Within that tombe wherein long since, Great Castriotus lay, But now those limbs and tombe defac'd, are carried quite away; The remnants of that worthy wight out of his graue were torne: And being dead could find no rest, but were for jewels worne. For after he farre spent with age, gaue place to fatall doome, And left his fathers kingdome got, and kept with great renowme: Forthwith the cruell Turkes preuaild, and all things there possest. Who worshipping his stately tombe, and place of quiet rest, Dig'd vp his bones, and brake the tombe wherein he did remaine: And glad was he that could thereof, some little part obtaine. As if in them some martiall force, or vertue great had beene: Or fortune rare, such as before in him was liuing seene. So vertue which to others giues, a sepulture and graue, Bereft it him, yet forst his foe in honour it to haue.

Most part of the time of these warres betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg, the Venetians by sea and the Hungarians by land,* 6.21 kept the Turkes throughly busied. Mathias Coruinus king of HVNGARIE (according to his promise made vnto the Venetians) entred into the kingdome of BOSNA, where by force he ouerthrew the strong forts which the Turks had built for the defence of their frontiers, and manfully draue them out before him vntill he came to IAZIGA (of some called IAITZE) the chiefe citie of BOSNA, which he at length tooke: and following the course of his victorie, scarcely suffered the Turkes to breath, vntill he had by force wrested all that king∣dome out of their hands. Wherewith Mahomet being exceedingly grieued, in great furie came with a strong armie into BOSNA, and laid hard siege to IAZIGA, which was by the Christians right valiantly defended: vntill Mathias with a puissant armie came to the reliefe thereof, who so troubled the Turkes campe with continuall skirmishes on the one side, and they of the towne with desperat sallies on the other; that at length the prowd Turke was driuen to such extremitie, that he was glad secretly to steale away by night with all his army into SERVIA; and for hast to leaue behind him both his tents and great ordinance, which (the Turks histories report) he cau∣sed to be cast into the riuer, because it should not come into the hands of the Christians. Ma∣thias after he had thus valiantly put to flight his enemies and relieued his citie, followed the Turkes into SERVIA, and tooke part of that countrey also, which togither with BOSNA he vni∣ted to the kingdome of HVNGARIE. In these warres, Mahomet had such proofe of the force and power of Mathias and the Hungarians, that for a good while after he had no great stomacke to prouoke them farther: for why, the name of Mathias was now become vnto the Turkes no lesse dreadfull, than was sometime the name of his father the valiant Huniades.

The Venetians at the same time also with their gallies scoured the seas, and landing their men sometime in one place, sometime in another, did great harme in manie places of the Turkes do∣minion neere vnto the sea coast. Amongst other their generals at diuers times sent from that state, one Nicholas Canalis succeeding Lauretanus (whom we haue before spoken of) as soone as he had receiued his charge, came with his fleet into the bay of SALONICHI, and landing his men, burnt diuers townes and villages alongst the sea side. Afterwards returning into PELO∣PONESVS,

he fortified the towne of LEGOSTICIVM in the gulfe of PATRAS, which worke the Turkes with their often skirmishes laboured to haue hindred, but in despite of all they could doe it was brought to perfection, and a strong garrison therein left for the defence thereof, which done, he returned againe to EVBoeA. Shortly after, he with the same fleet put to sea againe; and sayling alongst the coast of MACEDONIA and THRACIA, surprised the citie of AENUS which standeth vpon the mouth of the riuer Meritza, called in auntient time Hebrus, vpon which riuer the famous cities ANDRINOPLE and PHILIPPOPOLIS are also situate. Canalis after he had taken the spoyle of the citie returned to his gallies, carrying away with him two thousand cap∣tiues into EVBoeA. At the same time also, the Venetians giuing aid vnto Nicholaus Duchaine against his brother Alexius, then at variance for the principalitie of ZADRIMA, neere vnto the riuer of DRINO in EPIRVS, gaue a great ouerthrow to the Turkes which came in the quar∣rell of Alexius.

Mahomet not a little offended with the harmes done vnto him by the Venetians,* 6.22 and per∣ceiuing that the island of EVBoeA (now called NIGROPONTE) was for the commodious situa∣tion and strength thereof, the chiefe place from whence they wrought him all these wrongs, and whither they afterwards retired againe, as vnto a most sure place of refuge; determined with himselfe at once to be euen with them for all, and to imploy his whole forces both by sea and land, for the gaining of that place. This island of EVBoeA is about an hundred miles in length, and lieth ouer against that part of GRECIA which was of old called BaeOTIA, from whence it is separated with a narrow strait of the sea: it aboundeth with corne, wine, oyle, fruit, and wood fit for shipping. The chiefe citie thereof, was in auntient time called CHALCIDE, and of later time NIGROPHONTE, by which name also the whole island was knowne: albeit the Turkes now call it EGRIBOS: a populous, rich, and strong cittie; so fortified with wals and bulwarks, that (in most mens iudgement) it seemed a place impregnable. Vnto this strong citie Mahomet resolued to lay siege, knowing well that vpon the fortune thereof depended the state of the whole island. Wherefore he assembled a mightie army, and made great preparation both by sea and land: and when all things were in readinesse, sent Mahomet (the great Bassa of the court) with a fleet of three hundred gallies, and certaine other small vessels well furnished with souldiours, ma∣riners, and all things necessarie, by sea into EVBoeA: and with a great armie marched himselfe by land through ACHAIA, vntill he came ouer against the citie of CHALCIS. The Venetian Admirall hearing of the comming of the Turkes fleet, set forward to haue met them neere vnto the straits of HELLESPONTVS: but after he had by his espials descried the great number of the enemies fleet, finding himselfe too weake, shaped his course to the island of SCIROS. The Bassa comming out of the straits of HELLESPONTVS, couered the sea with his fleet, and holding on his entended course, without let came to EVBoeA: where at his first landing, he tooke STORA and BASILICON,* 6.23 two small townes, which he rased to the ground, and from thence went di∣rectly to CHALCIS. As soone as this great fleet was there arriued, Mahomet caused a bridge to be made of his smaller vessels ouer the strait betwixt ACHAIA and EVBoeA, whereby he pas∣sed all his armie, and so belaid the citie round both by sea and land. And after he had planted his batterie, began most furiously to shake the wals: wherein he had in short time made faire brea∣ches, and the sooner for that one Thomas of LIBVRNIA (chiefe canonier of the citie) before cor∣rupted by the Turkes,* 6.24 by signes agreed vpon, gaue them certaine knowledge in what places the wals were weakest: whereby they so aptly planted their batterie, as if they had taken view on the inside of the wals. Which foule treason was at length perceiued, and the traitor therefore wor∣thely executed. Yet little preuailed the tyrant thereby, for such was the industrie of the defen∣dants, that whatsoeuer he had by the furie of his great ordinance beaten downe by day, that they with restlesse labour repaired againe by night. Thus was the siege continued thirtie daies, in which space many a sharpe assault was giuen by the Turkes, to their great losse; and the citie still valiantly defended by the Christians. At length the Venetian Admirall (to the great comfort of the besieged) came with his fleet within view of the cittie, making semblant as if he would haue giuen the Turkes battell. Whereupon it is reported, that Mahomet was about to haue raised his siege, and haue got himselfe ouer into the maine, for feare the Venetians should with their gallies haue broken the bridge, and so haue shut him vp into that island: Which thing it was thought the admirall might haue done to his great praise, if he would as a couragious chieftaine haue aduentured the matter, as he was earnestly requested by the captaines of euerie priuat gally;

who generally grieued to see him so great a commaunder, to let slip so faire an opportunitie•• But he fearing to come any neerer, came to an anchor and moued not, neither gaue any signe of comfort or reliefe to the besieged. Which thing the Turkish king quickly perceiuing; and ther∣with encouraged: hauing now in diuers places beaten downe the wals, and made them sau••∣table; brought on his men to the breaches, promising them the spoile of the citie, with many other great rewards and hie preferments according to their particuler deserts, whereof he said, he would himselfe be an eye-witnesse. Hereupon the Turkes gaue a most fierce and furious assault▪ which the defendants with inuincible courage receiued, and made such slaughter of them, that the ditches were filled, and the breaches made vp with the bodies of the dead Turkes. But such was the number of that populous armie (the greatest strength of the Turkes) that the liuing little felt the losse of the dead: Mahomet continually sending in new supplies of fresh men, in steed of them that were slaine or wounded: So that one could no sooner fall, but two or three slept vp in his roome, and so successiuely, as if new men had sprong out of the bodies of the dead. Twise they had euen woon the breaches, and were both times with wonderfull slaughter beaten out againe. This deadly and dreadfull assault, was maintained a whole day and a night without in∣termission. At length the defendants being for the most part slaine or wounded,* 6.25 and the rest wearied with long fight, and vnable to defend the towne now assaulted almost round, retired from the breaches into the market place, and there like resolute men, sold their liues at a decre price vnto the Turkes. Amongst the slaine Christians, were found the dead bodies of manie notable women, who seeing the ruine of the citie, chose rather to die with their friends in defence thereof, than aliue to fall into the hands of their barbarous enemies.

Mahomet being now become lord of the citie, and hauing lost fortie thousand of his Turks in that siege, in reuenge thereof caused all the men that were found in the citie aliue, to be put to most cruell death, especially the Italians, vpon whom he shewed his tyrannie with most exqui∣sit and horrible torments. Paulus Ericus gouernour of the citie, with a few others, who with him were fled into the castle, without resistance deliuered the same vnto him, vpon his faithfull pro∣mise, that they might in safetie depart: but after that he had got them into his power, the perfidi∣ous tyrant without regard, commaunded them all to bee cruelly murthered. The gouernours daughter a maiden of incomparable beautie, was amongst the rest taken prisoner, and for her rare perfection, by them that tooke her presented to Mahomet, as the mirrour of beautie: The barbarous tyrant greedie of so faire a prey, sought first by flattering words and faire persuasi∣on, to induce her to consent to his desire: but when hee could not so preuaile, he fell into an other vaine, and began to shew himselfe in his owne nature, threatning her with death, tor∣ture, and force, worse than death it selfe; if shee would not otherwise yeeld vnto his appe∣tite. Whereunto the constant virgin (worthie eternall fame) answered so resolutely, and so contrarie to the tyrants expectation, that hee being therewith enraged, commaunded her to bee presently slaine. The horrible and monstrous crueltie, with the filthie outrages by that beastly and barbarous people committed, at the taking of that cittie, passeth all cre∣dit. CHALCIS thus woon, the rest of that fruitfull island without farther resistance yeel∣ded vnto the Turkish slauerie,* 6.26 vnder which it yet groaneth. This calamitie happened to the Venetian state, or rather (to say truely) to the generall hurt of the Christian common-weal••, in the yeare of our redemption 1470.

Canalis the Venetian Admirall, who all the time of the siege, had in the sight of the cit∣tie lien at anchor as a looker on; fearing now that the cittie was lost, to bee set vpon by the Turkes fleet, hoised saile, and laded with dishonour returned in hast vnto VENICE, where hee was by the commaundement of the Senat committed to prison, and afterward with all his fa∣mily exiled to VTINVM.

Shortly after, when Mahomet was departed with his armie out of EVBoeA, and his fleet re∣turned to CONSTANTINOPLE:* 6.27 the Venetians with their gallies, attempted to haue vpon the sudden surprised the cittie, a little before lost. But Mahomet had therein left so strong a garri∣son, that when the Venetians had landed their men, they were againe enforced to retire to their gallies, and to forsake their island.

CHALCIS thus lost with all the island of EVBoeA, the Venetians chose Petrus Mocenicus, a valiant and discreet gentleman, Admirall of their fleet, instead of Canalis: and by their embassa∣dours sollicited Sixtus the fourth of that name, then bishop of ROME, and Ferdinand king

of NAPLES, with Lewis king of CYPRVS, and the grand master of the RHODES, to joyne their forces together with theirs against the great and common enemie: which thing all the aforesaid Christian princes promised them to doe. And the more to entangle the Turke, they at the same time sent Caterinus Zenus their embassadour with rich presents vnto Alymbeius Vs••n-Cassanes, the great king of PERSIA, to incite him on that side against the Turke: in which negotiation Zenus so well behaued himselfe, that the next yeare following that great king tooke vp armes against Mahomet, and had with him mortall warres, as shall be in conuenient place hereafter de∣clared. Mahomet not ignorant of these proceedings of the Venetians, and that they did what they might to stirre vp as many enemies as they could, and to bring him (if it were possible) into hatred with the whole world: and well knowing how much he had offended the minds of the Christian princes with the crueltie he had of late vsed against them of CHALCIS, thought it not best as then further to prouoke them, and so happily to bring all at once about his eares, but for a season to lie still at CONSTANTINOPLE, as if he had beene desirous now to liue in peace, not meaning further harme: hoping therby, that although he concluded no peace with any of them (which indeed he was not desirous of) yet that tract of time might mitigate the hainousnesse of the fact, and coole the heat of their displeasure: whereby it came to passe as hee wished, that no∣thing worth the speaking of was that yeare attempted against him. And because the Persian king was the man of whom he stood most in doubt, hee sought by his embassadours to pacifie him, and to withdraw him from the league of the Christians: requesting him, if it were for nothing els but for the communitie of the Mahometane religion, wherein they well agreed, and were thereby the professed enemies of the Christians, to withdraw his hand, and in their cause to cease to take vp armes: vrging now (for that it so stood with his purpose) the zeale of religion, whereas otherwise he regarded (as was thought) no religion at all. But Zenus the Venetian embassadour lying continually in the Persian court, so wrought the matter with Vsun-Cassanes, that hee told the Turkes embassadours plainely, That he could not nor would not longer endure the manifest injurie and wrong done vnto him by the Turkish king: and farther, that hee had made a faithfull league with the Christian princes, and therefore would to the vttermost of his power make it knowne vnto the world, that he would effectually performe what thing soeuer he had promised: and so dismissed them, now no lesse discontented than were before the Persian embassadours at such time as they returned from the Turkes court, hauing obtained nothing they then requested concerning the emperour of TRAPEZOND.

The yeare following,* 6.28 Mocenicus the Venetian Admirall with his fleet arriued in the Isle of LESBOS,* 6.29 where he did great harme. From thence hee passed the bay of ADRAMITTIVM into the lesser ASIA, and sore spoiled the countrey about PERGAMVS. After that hee landed againe at CNIDVS vpon the coast of CARIA, where he tooke a great bootie: and so hauing done the Turkes exceeding much harme in ASIA all alongst the sea coast opposit to GRaeCIA, he retur∣ned laden with spoile towards PELOPONESVS. In his returne, about the promontorie of MA∣LEA, vpon the coast of PELOPONESVS, he met with Richaiensis comming vnto him with seuen∣teene gallies from king Ferdinand: by whom hee was certified, that the great Bishops fleet was readie to come forth also. After mutuall gratulation, as the manner at sea is, the Admirals joining their fleets in one, landed at METHONE, now called MODON, then a citie of the Venetians in PELOPONESVS: where after they had well refreshed their souldiours, and taken in fresh victu∣als, they put to sea againe; and sailing through the Islands, landed in ASIA, where they were at their first landing encountered by the countrey Turkes, whom at last they put to flight, and by the space of foure daies tooke what pillage they could in the countrey: where the souldiours found great store of rich bootie, especially of Turkie carpets, which are there made in great abun∣dance. From thence they sayled to HALICARNASVS, which is a part of CARIA (where some∣time stood the stately tombe which queene Artemesia built for her husband Ma••solus, accoun∣ted amongst the wonders of the world) where they tooke a wonderfull spoile. There came vnto them Nicholas Bishop of MODRVSSA, with twentie gallies sent from the great Bishop: whom the other two Generals welcommed with great joy. At the same time also came thither two gal∣lies from the great master of the RHODES. With this fleet of 85 gallies, they sailed to the Isle of SAMOS oueragainst EPHESVS (sometime a place of great fame, but then altogether desolate and vnpeopled) there to consult for their further proceeding in those warres. Loosing from SA∣MOS, they tooke their course alongst the coast of ASIA, and landed at ATTALIA, the cheefe citie

of PAMPHILIA, a place of great trafficke: where they found in the suburbes of the cittie great store of many rich commodities, brought thither out of AEGIPT and SYRIA; whereof they tooke what pleased them, and burnt the rest, together with the suburbes. Vnto the cittie it selfe they began to lay siege, but perceiuing that it was not without great losse of their men to be ta∣ken, they departed thence: and running all alongst the coast of PAMPHILIA, burnt and destroi∣ed what came in their way, and so returned backe againe to the RHODES: where they met an embassadour from Vsun-Cassanes the Persian king, to the bishop and the Venetians, for great or∣dinance; whereof that so mightie a prince was altogether vnfurnished. Of this embassador they vnderstood, that Vsun-Cassanes was entered into league with the Christian princes, and now bu∣sie in making preparation against the Turke. At which time Mahomet requited the Venetians with no lesse harme in EPIRVS and DALMATIA, than they had done to him in ASIA: for now that Scanderbeg was dead, the Turkes mightely preuailed vpon the weake princes of EPIRVS and ALBANIA, with the countries adjoyning. The Christian fleet departing from the RHODES, landed in the countrey of the Myndians, a part of CARIA, and with great spoile returned to the Island of NAXOS, one of the CYCLADES: from whence king Ferdinand his gallies returned home, laded with much rich spoile; for now the yeare was farre spent. Yet after the departure of the kings gallies, Mocenicus with the Legate returned backe againe into ASIA, and there landing their men, tooke the famous citie of SMYRNA in IONIA, and when they had taken the spoile thereof, set it on fire. At which time also they did great harme about CLAZOMENE, not far from SMYRNA. So Winter drawing now fast on, they returned laded with the rich spoiles of ASIA, the Legate into ITALIE, and Mocenicus to METHONE.

* 6.30The insatiable desire of soueraignetie, whereunto the Turkish king was naturally enclined, had continually armed him,* 6.31 not onely against the Christian princes, but against others also euen of his owne superstition: making no great difference betwixt the one & the other, if so he might extend his dominion. He had long before vnder the pretence of a friendly parley craftely circum∣uented the king of MYSIA, a countrey in ASIA, and hauing got him within his danger, cruelly put him to death, and by force subduing his kingdome, left not one of the kings blood aliue. Af∣ter that he inuaded CILICIA, which the Turkes call CARAMANIA, where the two young bre∣thren, Pyramet and Cassambet raigned, and draue them both out of CILICIA: of whom Pyra∣met the elder, fled for refuge to Vsun-Cassanes; Cassambet the yonger, assisted by his old friends, sought by force of armes to recouer againe his inheritance wrongfully by the Turkes possessed, and was besieging certaine townes vpon the sea coast, which being taken from the Turke•• would easily draw all the rest of the kingdome after them. Mocenicus the Venetian Admirall being now with the first of the Spring come vpon the coast of CILICIA, at the request of Cas∣sambet landed certaine companies of his men vnder the leading of Victor Superantius, and cer∣taine peeces of great artillerie, wherewith he so battered the wals of SICHINVM, that hee enfor∣ced the Turkes therein to yeeld vp the citie: which he deliuered to Cassambet. In like manner he tooke the citie of CORYCVS, which he also restored to Cassambet. At last hee laid siege to S••∣LEVCIA, which standeth vpon the riuer ORONTES, and was built by king Seleucus, one of the successors of Alexander the Great, distant from the sea about fiue miles: the Gouernour of this citie discouraged with the sight of the great artillerie, deliuered the citie to the Venetian captain, who by the appointment of the Admirall restored the same to Cassambet. Who by this meanes brought againe into his kingdome, gaue great thankes vnto the Admirall, promising both for himselfe and for his brother to be alwayes friends vnto the Venetians. Mocenicus departing from CILICIA, landed his men in LYCIA, and harried that countrey all alongst the sea coast. After this Mocenicus sailed into CYPRVS, to appease a great insurrection there raised against the queene, who was by her husband at his death left to the protection of the Venetians: which re∣bellion when he had well quieted, hearing that Triadanus Grittus, was by the decree of the Senat appointed Admirall, and alreadie come into PELOPONESVS, he with as much speed as he could hasted thither, to giue vp his charge, and so to returne home againe to VENICE.

About this time the great Persian king Vsun-Cassanes began to make warre vpon the Turkish emperor Mahomet, for the better vnderstanding whereof, it shall not be from our purpose briefly to shew by what meanes this Vsun-Cassanes, of a small prince aspired to the kingdome of PER∣SIA, and so in short time grew to that greatnesse, that he was justly accounted amongst the grea∣test monarchs of the world then liuing; as appeareth by these warres betwixt him and the great

Turkish emperour Mahomet. This Vsun-Cassanes of whom we now speake, was the sonne of that Tachretin, who with other poor princes was driuen into exile by the violence of Baiazet the first, great grandfather to this Mahomet the great emperour of the Turks, and was againe resto∣red by the great Tamerlane, as is before declared in the life of Baiazet. By the death of Tachre∣tin, his sonne Vsun-Cassanes (of some called also Asymbeius) obtained that small territorie which his father had in ARMENIA: nothing answering vnto the greatnesse of his conceits. Where∣fore not contented with such possessions as was from his father discended vnto him, he began to shoulder for more roome, with such weake princes his neighbours as he thought he might best deale withall; wringing one prouince from this prince, another from that, and thrusting some others quite out of all that they had: And in short time so enlarged his dominion, that he had got into his hands a great part of ARMENIA, and was reputed both for a mightie and fortunat prince. Insomuch, that Calo Ioannes then emperour of TRAPEZONDE (whose power altogi∣ther answered not to the greatnesse of his stile, being for most part shut vp within the bounds of PONTVS; and fearing the greatnesse of the Turkish emperour Mahomet, whose name began then to grow dreadfull vnto his neighbour princes) gaue to him his onely daughter Despina in marriage: by such aliance to strengthen himselfe against the Turkish tyrant, if need should re∣quire. At which marriage it was agreed, that Vsun-Cassanes should in the right of his wife enjoy all the kingdome of PONTVS, after the death of Calo Ioannes her father, and of Dauid his bro∣ther: and that Despina should so long as she liued haue the free exercise of her Christian religion. By this woman, Vsun-Cassanes had a daughter called Martha, whom I willingly remember, for that she was the mother of Hysmael, afterwarwards the great king of PERSIA, commonly cal∣led Hysmael the Sophi: of whom more shall be said hereafter in the life of Selymus. Vsun-Cassanes honoured with this great marriage, and strengthened with this new alliance, ceased not after his wonted manner daily to encroch vpon his neighbour princes: and proceeded so farre, that at length he began to lay hand vpon a part of ARMENIA, which was then part of the dominion of the Persian king. Zenza (whom some call Tzokies, which was indeed the name of his father) raigning then in PERSIA, by his embassadours admonished and in sort commaunded Vsun-Cassanes to hold himselfe content with his owne, or at least with that he had alreadie wrongful∣ly taken from others, and not to presume to come within the bounds of his dominion, threat∣ning otherwise to take him as an enemie to his state, and to turne his forces vpon him. With which embassage Vsun-Cassanes being much offended, gaue the embassadors no entertainment, but commanded them with speed to get them out of his kingdome, and to tell their master, That he would shortly himselfe in person come and debate the matter with him face to face. With which proud answere from so meane a prince, the Persian king moued, leuied such an armie for the inuading of him, as was thought to haue beene sufficient to haue subdued a farre greater prince: and so appointed, set forward toward ARMENIA. Vsun-Cassanes much inferiour to this great king in wealth and number of men, but not in hautinesse of mind and valiantnesse of cou∣rage, staied not to expect the comming of so puissant an enemie, but full of hope set forward to meet him, & by great journies sought to come vpon him before he could haue any knowledge of his comming: yet had he then in his armie scarcely one man to ten, but all armed with couragious hearts,* 6.32 and conducted by a most fortunat chieftaine which feared nothing. So holding on his way, at length he met with the great armie of the Persians, with whom he presently joyned bat∣tell; and after a long and cruell fight, ouerthrew them in the plaine field, with such a slaughter, as might well haue weakned the forces of a right great kingdome. The great king more enraged than discouraged with this ouerthrow, raised a farre greater armie than before, the verie strength of his kingdome: resoluing now not to send anie more his lieutenants, but to goe in person himselfe against so desperat an enemie. All things being in readinesse, hee set forward, and at length met with the Armenian prince, whom he found as readie to giue battell as he was at the first. So being both desirous to trie their fortune, they joyned battell; wherein the Persians were againe discomfited and put to flight, and mo of them slaine in that battell, than were brought in∣to the field in the first armie. Zenza the Persian king was there slaine with Vsun-Cassanes his owne hand, and Cariasuphus his sonne taken prisoner: whom the Armenian prince vsed with the greatest honour could be deuised, giuing vnto him the honour and title due vnto the Persian king, taking vnto himselfe the bare name of the protectour of the Persian state. Which he did onely to please the Persians, and to keepe them quiet vntill he had got some more assured pos∣session

of that kingdome. But after hee had in the two former battels broken their greatest strength, and then vnder the colour of a peaceable gouernour got into his power the regall ci••••e of TAVRIS, with the rest of the cities and strong places of that great kingdome, and that all men had him now in great reuerence and admiration for his great vertues: hee secretly dispat∣ched out of the way the poore titular king his prisoner (the last of the posteritie of the mightie Tamerlane) and tooke vpon himselfe the highest place, which admitteth no partner. Whilest this restlesse prince was thus tumbling in the world, and not yet well setled in his new gotten kingdome, Mahomet the Turkish emperour no lesse ambitious than himselfe, had scornfully re∣jected the embassadours and presents which Vsun-Cassanes had sent: and hauing shamefully put to death Dauid the emperour of TRAPEZONDE his aliance, had conuerted all the kingdome of PONTVS (which Vsun-Cassanes of right claimed, as his wiues dowrie) into the forme of a pro¦uince, and so vnited it vnto the Turkish empire. Which so manifest a wrong, Vsun-Cassanes in the newnesse of his so late atchieued greatnesse, durst not aduenture to redresse: but after that he was surely seated, and had with the course of time ouercome all dangers at home, being daily prickt forward with the remembrance of the former injuries (still suggested by the importunitie of his wife Despina) and the solicitation of the Venetians, to whom he had by solemne promise bound himselfe; he determined now to take the matter in hand, and to trie his forces vpon his proud enemie the Turkish emperour. Hereupon he raised a great armie, and being well appoin∣ted of all things necessarie, passing through ARMENIA toward PONTVS, neere vnto the riuer EVPHRATES, was encountred by Mustapha (Mahomet his eldest sonne, a young prince of great hope) and Amurath the great Bassa of ROMANIA, whom Mahomet (fearing such a matter) had sent before with a strong armie out of EVROPE to joyne with such forces as Mustapha had alrea∣die raised in ASIA, so to withstand the inuasion of the Persian. These two great commaunders Mustapha and Amurath joyning battell with Vsun-Cassanes, were by him in the plaine field ouer∣throwne; where Amurath the great Bassa himselfe with thirtie thousand Turkes were slaine: Mustapha with the rest of the armie, by shamefull flight sauing themselues.

* 6.33Now when Mahomet vnderstood that Amurath was slaine and his armie discomfited, he was therewith exceedingly troubled.* 6.34 But purposing to be thereof reuenged, gaue order into all parts of his dominions for the leuying of new forces: so that at the time by him appointed, was assem∣bled a great and mightie armie of three hundred and twentie thousand men. Vsun-Cassanes in like manner was in the field with an armie, nothing in number inferiour vnto his enemie. These two Mahometane kings, drawing after them their hugie armies, met togither neere the moun∣taines of ARMENIA: where, at the first encounter, one of the Turks greatest Bassaes was slaine with fortie thousand Turkes. With which hard beginning the prowd tyrant was so daunted, that he could hardly be persuaded to proue his fortune anie farther, but contenting himselfe with that losse, was about to haue retired: and had vndoubtedly so done, if some of his most ex∣pert and valiant captaines which might be bold with him, had not sharpely reproued him, that hauing so populous an armie as scarcely felt that small losse, he should once thinke of returning without victorie. With which their comfortable persuasions, he was againe encouraged to giue battell. Yet for his more safetie, he withdrew his armie into a strait betwixt two mountaines, and with his cariages fortified the front thereof, as with a trench: behind which cariages, he pla∣ced his great ordinance, and on either side his archers. The Persians, as men of great valou••, and thereto encouraged with their former victories, came on as men fearing no perill, to haue char∣ged the Turkes euen in their strength; presenting their whole armie before they were aware, in∣to the mouth of the Turkes artillerie: which suddenly discharged amongst the thickest of them, brake their rankes, and tooke away a number of them. Besides that, the Persian horses terrified with the vnacquainted and thundring report of the great ordinance, were not to be ruled by their riders, but starting backe, ran some one way, some another, as if they had felt neither bit nor ri∣der. Which their confusion Mahomet perceiuing, presently tooke hold of the occasion offered, and with his horsemen fiercely charged them, being now by themselues entangled and out of order. Neuerthelesse the Persians made great resistance, and slew manie of the Turkes: but still fighting confusedly and out of order, they were at the last enforced to flie. In which fight a great number of them were slaine, and their tents also taken. Zeinal, Vsun-Cassanes his eldest sonne, labouring to stay the flight of the Persians, was slaine with a small shot. So the honour of the day remained with the Turkes: yet had they no great cause to brag of their winnings, hauing

lost in that battaile fortie thousand souldiours: whereas of the Persians fell not aboue ten thou∣sand. Mahomet contenting himselfe with this deere bought victorie, returned homewards. And Vsun-Cassanes leauing another of his sonnes with his armie for the defence of ARMENIA, retur∣ned likewise to TAVRIS. But whilest the Christian princes were in their greatest expectation what might bee the euent of these warres betwixt these two mightie Mahometane kings; they vpon the suddaine concluded a peace, and confirmed the same with new affinitie, excluding the Christians quite out of the same. This last battell betwixt Mahomet & Vsun-Cassanes, was fought in the yeare of our Lord 1474, about foure yeares before the death of Vsun-Cassanes, who died the fifth of Ianuarie, in the yeare 1478.

In the time of these warres died the noble Mustapha, Mahomet his eldest sonne, at ICONI∣VM, hauing spent himselfe with reuelling amongst his paragons:* 6.35 or as some write, commanded to die by his father vpon this occasion. This youthfull prince vpon a time comming to the court to see his father (or as they tearme it, to kisse his hand) became amorous of the wife of Achmetes Bassa (a ladie of incomparable beautie) and daughter to Isaack Bassa, the cheefe men in the Turkish empire, next vnto Mahomet himselfe: but finding no meanes how to compasse her in whom his soule liued, he awaited a time, when as shee (after the manner of the Turkes) went to bathe her selfe: and there as he found her all disroabed, shamefully forced her, without regard either of his owne honour or of hers. Of this so foule an outrage, Achmetes her husband, with his clothes and hat all rent for madnesse, came and greeuously complained to Mahomet, crauing vengeance for the same: vnto whom Mahomet againe replied: Art not thou thy selfe my slaue? and if my sonne Mustapha haue knowne thy wife, is shee not my bondslaue hee hath had to doe withall? cease therefore thus to complaine, and hold thy selfe therewith content. Neuerthelesse, hee in se∣cret sharpely reproued his sonne for so hainous and dishonourable a fact by him committed, and commaunded him out of his sight: and as hee was of a seuere nature, caused him within a few dayes after to be secretly strangled. Neuerthelesse, the wrong done vnto the Bassa, sunke so deep into his haughtie mind, as that he would neuer admit excuse therefore, but put away his wife, the ground of the implacable hatred betwixt him and the great Bassa Isaack, his father in law: and in fine, the very cause of his vtter destruction, as is afterward declared in the life of Baiazet.

Mahomet deliuered of his greatest feare,* 6.36 by the peace he had lately concluded with Vsun-Cas∣sanes the Persian king, was now at good leisure to employ all his forces against the Christians. And bearing a deadly hatred against the princes of EPIRVS and ALBANIA, with a wonderfull desire to extend his empire vnto the Ionian and Adriaticke, that he might from thence but looke toward ITALIE, which he began now to long after: he determined with himselfe first to subdue those countries, as standing in his way, both for the inuasion of ITALIE, and of the territories of the Venetians. And for as much as the strong cittie of SCODRA (otherwise called SCVTARIE) then in the possession of the Venetians, for the commodious situation thereof seemed to giue him the best entrance into the countries of ALBANIA, EPIRVS, DALMATIA, and to such cities as the Venetians held alongst the sea coast, he resolued there to begin his wars.

This citie was of great strength, as well for the naturall situation thereof, as for the strong for∣tifications therein made by the hand of man, which thing Mahomet was not ignorant of: but pre∣suming of his owne strength and power, vainely persuaded himselfe, that no place was now able long to hold out gainst him. Wherefore hauing prepared all things fit for the besieging thereof, he sent Solyman Bassa, an Eunuch (whom hee had made his lieutenant Generall in EVROPE, in the place of Amurath Bassa, before slaine by Vsun-Cassanes) with eightie thousand souldiours to besiege SCODRA.* 6.37 This great Bassa according to his charge came, and with great pompe encam∣ped round about the citie, the fiue and twentieth of May. Shortly after hauing planted his batte∣rie, hee began most furiously to shake the wals, and ceased not by all meanes hee could deuise to ••rouble the defendants: and when he had by force of the cannon done what hee could, gaue di∣uers sharpe assaults vnto the cittie, but was still with great losse valiantly repulsed by them of the citie. Long it were to declare, how often and in what terrible manner that warlike Bassa, Maho∣met his cheefe captaine, attempted to haue woon the citie: as also to shew how they of SCODRA directed by their worthie Gouernour Antonius Lauretanus, valiantly defended themselues and their cittie: nothing was omitted, that the enemie could doe or deuise for the gaining thereof; but all his deuises and attempts were so met withall by the defendants, that they serued him to no other purpose but to the destruction of his people. Whilst the Bassa thus lay at the siege of SCO∣DRA,

Mocenicus hauing receiued such commaundement from the Senate, came and joyned him∣selfe [ G] to Grittus the new Admirall, who then lay with his fleet in the mouth of BOLIANA, a great riuer running out of the lake whereupon the cittie of SCODRA standeth. These two great com∣maunders being met together, were both as one man, and with a wonderfull consent did what they might for the furtherance of the common good, a thing not common: first they put strong garrisons, with all things necessarie, into CHOLCHINVM, LYSSA, DIRRHACHIVM, and other citties of their signorie vpon the sea coast. After that they went vp the riuer BOLIANA with certaine gallies, and came within sight of SCODRA, and there by fires in the night, and other to∣kens of comfort, encouraged the defendants as with an assured promise of releefe: which thing it greeued the Turkes to behold, who therefore went about to haue shut in those same gallies with a great chaine drawne crosse the riuer, where it was narrowest betwixt them and the sea: but in [ H] doing thereof, the Venetians out of their gallies slew fiue hundred of the Turkes, and wounded diuers others, and so returned againe to sea. It was afterward attempted by the aforesaid Admi∣rals, if a new supplie might haue beene put into the cittie: but the enemie had so beset the same, that it was not possible to be done.* 6.38 In the meane time, Mathias king of HVNGARIE (receiuing a great yearely portion of the Venetians for the defence of their countries against the Turke) hea∣ring that SCODRA was besieged, began to make such spoile in the Turkes dominions bordering vpon him, that Mahomet was glad to call home the great Bassa from the siege of SCODRA, to defend his owne frontiers. So the Bassa after he had lien three months with his great armie at the siege, and lost foureteene thousand of his men, whereof the greatest part died of sickenesse taken by long lying in the rotten moorish ground neere vnto the riuer, by commaundement from his [ I] mast••r rise with his armie and departed. The Venetians also, which lay all that while thereabout in their gallies, were toucht with the same contagion: Triadanus Grittus died thereof, and Moce∣nicus the other Admirall fell thereof dangerously sicke; but being somewhat recouered, returned home, and was shortly after for his good seruice chosen duke of VENICE, Marcellus the old duke being then dead. With this dishonour taken at SCODRA, Mahomet was so discontented, that he appointed a yearely fee vnto one, to put him in mind dayly of the siege of SCODRA.

The same yeare that this great Bassa Solyman had in vaine besieged SCODRA, hee was after∣ward sent with a great armie into VALACHIA, where he was so entangled in the woods and fens by Stephanus the Vayuod, that hee lost all his armie, and with much adoe escaped himselfe by the wonderfull swiftnesse of a mare whereon he rid. [ K]

* 6.39The yeare following, which was the yeare 1476, Mahomet sent out a great fleet to sea, vnder the conduct of Geduces Achmetes, his cheefe counsellour and man of warre, (whose very name was dreadfull in all places where hee came) in hope to haue by treason surprised the Island of CRETE: But that plot was in good time by the Venetians perceiued, the traitors executed, and he of his purpose disappointed. Whereupon he changed his former purpose for CRETE, & sent the same Achmetes with his fleet into the Euxine (or as the Turkes call it, the Blacke sea) to be∣siege the rich citie of CAFFA. This citie was in antient time called THEODOSIA, situate in the countrey of TAVRICA CHERSONESVS, fast by the sea side, and had of long time beene in pos∣session of the Genowaies, and was a place of exceeding great trade, vntill that this great emperor Mahomet hauing taken CONSTANTINOPLE, and falling out with the Venetians, had by his [ L] strong castles built vpon the straits of HELLESPONTVS and BOSPHORVS, taken away both the trafficke of marchants into those seas, and all possible meanes for the Genowayes to send succour to that citie: yet it is credibly reported, that one valiant captaine vndertooke to carrie his companie (in number not aboue an hundred and fiftie men) by land from GENVA to CAFFA, not much lesse than two thousand miles, and worthely performed what hee had vndertaken. Achmetes comming thither with his fleet, enclosed the citie both by sea and land: which deui∣ded in it selfe by reason of the diuers disposition of the inhabitants, being of diuers nations, some Genowayes, some Greekes, some Armenians, but most Tartars, could not long hold out, but was in short time giuen vp to the Bassa, vpon condition, That the Genoway marchants, who were there both in number many and exceeding rich, might in safetie depart thence with their wealth. [ M] Which promise the Bassa performed not: but when he was possessed of the citie, sent such as he thought good to CONSTANTINOPLE, and commaunded the rest vpon paine of death not to depart thence, or to conuay away from thence any part of their substance. In short time after, the whole countrey of TAVRICA CHERSONESVS yeelded vnto the Turkish obeisance. At which

time also the Tartar princes, namely the Precopenses and Destenses, terrified with the greatnesse of the Turke, cowardly yeelded themselues as tributaries vnto him; euer since which time they haue liued a most seruile and troublesome life, subject to euerie commaund of the Othoman em∣perours: for whom they haue done great seruice manie times in their warres, against the Persi∣ans, the Polonians, the Hungarians, Transyluanians, and Germains, as in the processe of this hi∣storie well appeareth; and as the aforesaid nations their neighbours, with others also farther off, haue euen of late to their great losse felt.

Although the Venetians had in these late warres lost the great and fertile island of EVBoeA,* 6.40 with the strong citie of CHALCIS, the surest harbour for their gallies: yet held they still diuers strong townes and commodious hauens by the sea coast, both within PELOPONESVS and without, as METHONE, CORONE, TENARVS, NAVPACTVM and others: which standing as it were in the bosome of his empire, Mahomet sore longed after. And therfore to satisfie his ambitious desire, sent Solyman (the great Bassa of EVROPE) with a strong fleet into PELOPO∣NESVS: who entring the gulfe of CORINTH, at his first comming laied siege to NAVPACTVM, now called LEPANTO, a citie standing in the gulfe of CORINTH, in the countrey of OZOLae neere vnto LOCRIS, ouer-against PELOPONESVS. Antonius Laurettanus (for his late good seruice done in defending of SCODRA) made Admirall for the Venetians, came with speed to NAVPACTVM, and in despight of the enemie, so furnished the citie, both with men and what∣soeuer else was needfull, that the Bassa now out of hope to win the citie, rise vpon the sudden with his armie, and in a great furie departed, after he had lien there foure moneths. In this fret returning towards CONSTANTINOPLE, he put certaine companies of his men to shoare in the island of LEMNOS, in hope to haue vpon the sudden surprised the citie COCCINVM: but as they were about to haue entred, they were contrarie to their expectation manfully resisted, by such Christians as by chance were next the gate. Where the notable courage of Marulla (a maiden of that citie) was much commended: who seeing her father slaine in the gate, tooke vp the weapons that lay by him, and like a fierce Amazon notably reuenged his death, desperatly fighting in de∣fence of her countrey with those few which were there at the first; and so kept the Turkes out vntill the rest of the citizens (mooued with the alarum) came to the gate, and forced them (not without some losse) to retire againe to their gallies. Not long after, Laurettanus came thither with his fleet: but before his comming, the Bassa was departed thence for CONSTANTINOPLE, hauing in this expedition done nothing that was expected at his hands.

M••homet after the death of Scanderbeg, ceased not from time to time by one of his great cap∣taines or other to inuade EPIRVS, and the other parts of ALBANIA; and so gaining sometime one part, and sometime another, had subdued most part thereof. And about this time, his armie lay at the siege of CROIA:* 6.41 for reliefe whereof, the Venetians (in whose protection it was) sent Franciscus Contarenus a noble gentleman their lieutenant, with such forces as were sufficient for the raising of the siege. He finding the Turkes in the plaine of TIRANNA, gaue them battell; which for a great while stood doubtfull, at length victorie enclining to the Venetians, the Turks began to flie: after whom, the Venetians made no great pursuit, but contented to haue put them to flight, tooke their tents, with such forts as they had raised against the citie. Thus whilest the Venetians thinke themselues in sure possession of the victorie, and out of feare of their enemies, they were through their owne too much securitie, by and by themselues ouerthrowne: For whi∣lest the common souldiours hauing their minds more set vpon the spoile than vpon the pursuit of the enemie (the battell as yet scarce ended) scatter themselues; and the captaines were consul∣ting whither they should lodge that night (which began then to approach) in the enemies tents or not: in the middest of their consultation, the Turkes hauing perceiued their disorder, sud∣denly returned againe vpon them, and without great resistance ouerthrew them, and put them to flight. In which flight, a thousand of them fell; amongst whom Contarenus the Generall, and diuers others of good place and calling were slaine also.* 6.42 This ouerthrow, the Venetians tooke a great deale better than that which shortly after followed, in the confines of ITALY at the riuer of Sontium.

Mahomet hauing conquered a great part of AL••ANIA, and daily encroching vpon the Chri∣stians, made diuers incursions into the countries of DALMATIA, HISTRIA, and CARNIOLA, yea and sometime went so farre, that he with his Turkes entred into the prouince of FRIVLI, called in auntient time FORVM IVLII, a part of the Venetian seigniorie; and so carried away

with them manie prisoners with much spoile. For remedie whereof, the Venetians with excee∣ding [ G] charge and wonderfull labour fortified alongst the riuer of Sontium from GORITIA to the fens of AQVILEA, the space of twelue miles, and there built two forts, wherein they continually kept strong garrisons for the defence of the countrey. Whereby the countrey people thinking themselues now in safetie, began to fall into securitie (the daungerous sicknesse of all common weales) neglecting by their carefull watch, to foresee a farre off the enemies comming, as they had before vsed.* 6.43 It fortuned at this time, that Asa-beg (whom some call Marbecke) one of the Turkes great captaines, vpon the sudden when no such things was feared, came and shewed him∣selfe in an euening vpon the farther side of the riuer of Sontium, with a thousand horsemen: vpon the sight of whom, an alarum was raised in both forts, and euerie man put himselfe in readinesse, as if they should euen presently haue joyned battell. But it was so nie night, as that nothing could [ H] as then be done: yet the Venetian garrisons joyning themselues togither, watcht all that night in armes. There was at that time in both these forts, three thousand horsemen and some few com∣panies of footmen, all vnder the commaund of Hieronimus Nowell Countie of VERONA, a fa∣mous captaine of that time: who with the rest of the captaines resolued if hee could, to keepe the Turkes from passing the riuer; if not, then to giue them battell. Marbecke Generall of the Turkes armie, taking good view of the place, in the night time secretly conuaied a thousand of his best souldiors ouer the riuer, foure miles off, in such a place as the Venetians feared least, dee∣ming it impossible for anie man there to haue passed ouer. These men he appointed to lie close in ambush behind a great hill in sight, not farre from the other side of the riuer, and vpon a signe giuen, presently to discouer themselues and charge the enemie. The next morning verie early he sent certaine troups of his readiest horsemen ouer the riuer, which by offering to skirmish with the Venetians, might so draw them into the field; and then as men in doubt whether to fight or to flie, to tole them on vnto the place where the ambush lay. The Venetians had diuided them∣selues into three battalions; wherof the Generall himselfe had the leading of the first, who seeing these disordered troups comming to skirmish with him, encountred them fiercely, and easily put them to flight, being so determined before, and in that flight earnestly pursued them: especially the Counties sonne, a valiant young gentleman, who with others like himselfe, thought by that daies good seruice to gaine vnto themselues great honour. When the Turkes Generall saw that the Venetians following the chase, were gone a great way from the riuer, he forthwith pas∣sed ouer with the rest of his armie, and followed the Venetians at the heeles: which the Turks which before fled now beholding, turned againe vpon their fierce enemies, and valiantly with∣stood them. At which verie instant, the other Turkes vpon signe giuen arising out of ambush, came downe from the hill LICINIS, with such violence & clamor, that the Venetians therwith discouraged, would haue fled if they could haue told which way: but they were on euerie side so beset, that there was no way left for them to escape: but were there all slaine, except some few which yeelded themselues and so were saued. The other two battalions of the Venetians, dis∣couraged with the slaughter of the first, fled incontinently; and in flying, were manie of them slaine. In this battell the Countie himselfe with his sonne, and manie other notable gentlemen; and halfe the horsemen,* 6.44 were lost. The Turks encouraged with this victorie, the next day spoi∣led all the countrey of FRIVLI, betwixt the riuers of Sontium (otherwise called Lisonzo) and Tiliauentum, and cruelly burnt all the countrey before them: so that at once an hundred coun∣trey villages were to be seene on a light fire togither; which stood so thicke, that it seemed as if one continuall fire had wholy couered all the face of the countrey. The barbarous Turkes la∣den with the spoile of that rich countrey, and driuing before them great numbers of miserable captiues as if they had beene flocks of sheepe, returned to Sontium. But when they had passed the riuer, and had trauelled homeward one daies journey, and all men thought they had now beene quite gone; they suddenly returned backe againe, and posting through the countrie they had before spoiled, came to the riuer of Tiliauentum, which they desperatly passed, and did no lesse harme on that side the riuer, than they had before on the other: and so carrying away with thē what they pleased, returned by the same way they came, hauing filled all that part of ITALY [ M] with terror and feare. This ouerthrow at Sontium, the Venetians account amongst the greatest losses which they receiued from the Turkes in all these their long warres.

* 6.45The next yeare about Haruest, the Turkes came againe with a farre greater power; and pas∣sing the riuer of Sontium, came before the forts at GRADISCA, where Carolus Fortebrachi••••

lay with a strong garrison of the Venetians, offering him skirmish, so to haue drawne him into the field. But the warie captaine considering the great strength of the enemie, and the losse recei∣ued the yeare before, would not be drawne out of his strength, but stood vpon his guard, expe∣cting to take the enemie at some more aduantage: which thing the Turkes fearing, durst not dis∣perse themselues abroad for the spoile of the countrie, leauing so strong a garrison of the enemies behind them. And therfore when they had gone about foure miles into the countrey, they tur∣ned their course vp into the mountaines (which are part of the Alpes) towards GERMANIE, and there grieuously spoiled the mountaine people: strangely passing through those abrupt and hie mountaines with their horses, where men could hardly either go or stand on foot without som∣thing to stay vpon. And so when they had done what harme they could, taking a great compasse about, returned home another way.

Mahomet remembring the shamefull repulse hee had about foure yeares before receiued at SCODRA,* 6.46 and hauing the name of that citie daily sounding in his eares; determined now once againe to gage his whole forces vpon the winning thereof,* 6.47 and so to giue peace to his ambitious desires. And because he would not againe be dishonored with that he purposed to take in hand, he gaue out order into all parts of his dominions, both in EVROPE and ASIA, for the assem∣bling of his best souldiours and men of warre. Now when all things were in readinesse, and such an armie assembled as he seldome or neuer had a stronger; first he sent forth Aly-Beg (warden of the frontiers of his kingdome alongst the riuer Danubius) with eightie thousand of the soul∣diours called Achanzij, towards SCODRA. These Achanzij are horsemen, which for their good seruice according to their deserts, haue certaine lands giuen them by the king to liue vpon du∣ring their liues; for which they are of duetie bound to serue vpon their owne charge as the fore∣runners of the Turke his armie, whensoeuer he goeth to besiege anie place: These be they which first enter into the enemies countrey, burning and spoiling what they can, vntill they come vn∣to the place appointed: and haue this priuiledge, That so soone as all the armie is come to the place to be besieged, they may then at their pleasure either depart or stay.

The gouernour of SCODRA vnderstanding both by common fame and certaine intelligence, of the Turks designs, with all care and diligence fortified the towne, labouring continually both night and day at the rampiers, as if the enemie had been alreadie present, and plentifully prouided all things necessarie for the enduring of a long siege. The aged and vnnecessarie people, he sent out of the citie into other places of more safetie farther off: in whose stead hee tooke in great numbers of strong and able men which dwelt in the countrey round about; among whom were manie marriners taken out of the gallies, and other men of like qualitie, which got their liuing vpon the riuer and lake of SCODRA, lustie bodies enured to hardnesse, who in the long siege following did great seruice.

Whilest this preparation was making in SCODRA,* 6.48 behold the mountains a farre off North∣ward from the citie, began to shine with manie great fiers, and all the country was couered with thicke smoake, which euerie houre seemed to draw neerer and neerer: when within short time after, the poore countrey people (which as yet were not all fled) with such trash as they could well carrie, came running for life all ouer the countrey to the strong cities vpon the sea side, crying out that the Turks were come.

The next day which was the fourteenth of May, Aly-Beg with his eightie thousand Achan∣zij, came into the suburbs of the citie, and there encamped; so that none could go in or out of the gates: which was not the least part of his charge. To him by the commandement of Ma∣homet, had Scander-Beg gouernour of BOSNA, and Malcotius with seauen thousand horsemen, joyned themselues vpon the way. Of this Malcotius it is reported (as was of Augustus) that the majestie of his countenance, with the resplendent beames issuing out of his eies (as if it had been the raies of the Sunne) were of such piercing brightnesse, that no man was able with immo∣ued and fixed eye long to behold the same. These horsemen (the forerunners, as I said, of Ma∣homets great army) the Christians much troubled with often sallies and shot, out of the town, and slew manie of them with little or no losse vnto themselues.

When Aly-Beg had thus lien before the citie ten daies, came Taut Gaiola the great Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE with fiue and twentie thousand souldiours, and about twelue thousand camels, for most part laden with mettall in mass, for to make great ordinance of, and other ne∣cessaries for the campe. The Bassaes great and stately tent of purple colour, was pitched vpon

the top of an high hill called the Bassaes hill, because in that place Solyman Bassa had lien in the former siege about foure yeares before: The Bassaes armie lay encamped betwixt the same hill and the towne. This Taut Gaiola was borne in EPIRVS of base parentage, and was from thence by the Turkes carried away young to CONSTANTINOPLE; where for his sharpenesse of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and rare actiuitie, he grew into such fauour, first with Mahomet, and afterward with Baiazet his sonne, that he was by them promoted to the greatest places of honour, next vnto themselues: wherein he became so popular, and had so possessed the hearts of the people, that it was suspe∣cted of some, he would haue aspired to the Turkish empire himselfe. Presently after the comming of this great Bassa, workmen were set a worke about the casting of the great ordinance, and ma∣king readie of other things for the siege. The Christians also were no lesse busie about their for∣tifications, the gouernour appointing vnto euerie man his charge, and which part of the wall to defend: yet keeping continually in the market place certaine companies (with the ensignes of S. Marke and S. Stephen) to serue as fresh supplies, as need or occasion should require. While••t the great ordinance was in casting, the Bassa caused a great bridge of timber to be made ouer the riuer, that so he might at his pleasure passe ouer his men, and commaund both sides of the riuer. The Christians in the meane time with vigilant eye so attending the Turkes, that none of them could stir within shot, but he was forthwith fet off and slaine.

The thirteenth of Iune, Mustapha the Beglerbeg or Viceroy of ASIA (commonly called the great Bassa of NATOLIA) came also in great pompe to the siege with thirtie thousand souldiors brought out of ASIA; personable men, but not accounted so good souldiours as they of EV∣ROPE: for it is a common saying among the Turkes, That the men of EVROPE, and the hor∣ses of ASIA doe best seruice. This great Bassa was honourably met and welcomed by the other great Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE, and was quartered vpon an other side of the citie, where his rich pauilion (all of Greene) was pitcht in a vineyard about a mile from the towne. Mustapha to proue the courage of his souldiours, propounded a reward to which soeuer of them, as durst aduenture but to go and touch the wals of the citie: vpon which occasion, two of his souldiours passing well mounted,* 6.49 attempted to haue performed that enterprise. But making what hast they could possibly, they were both slaine from the wall, and one of their bodies recouered by certain valiant souldiours which sallied out of the towne, and his head being cut off, was vpon a launce set vpon the wals for the Turkes to behold.

The fifteenth of Iune 5600 Ianizaries came into the campe, with foure white ensignes: at whose comming all the souldiors of both the Bassaes camps gaue a wonderfull shout, and wel∣comed them with great joy. These are the great Turkes guard and best souldiours, in whom the greatest strength of his kingdome consisteth, and are called the sons of the great Sultan: after whose comming, Mahomet himselfe was daily expected. Three daies after came two other great men, attended vpon with a number of followers, who by their countenance, and the great re∣uerence done vnto them by the rest of the Turkes, seemed to be men of great place and authori∣tie: these men desired that they might with safetie speake with the gouernour of the citie and the rest of the captaines, to deliuer vnto them such a message, as they had for their good (as they said) brought vnto them from Mahomet. Which their request being granted, the elder of them, after he had with manie glorious words set forth the power of his master, and what hee had done to other great cities, with their princes; and farther shewed into what danger they were like to fall, if they should long stand vpon their defence: he began to persuade them to yeeld vp the citie, assuring them of all kind vsage, with manie rich rewards from the great emperour; whereas otherwise, they were to expect nothing but extreame miserie and most shamefull death. Whereunto answere was in the name of them all giuen by the mouth of Petrus Pagnanus, a graue and worthy citizen, That they were not afraid of the greatnesse of Mahomet, or of anie thing he had done or could doe: and that he should find it hard to enforce them, but impossible to persuade them to deliuer their citie: and therefore that he might at his pleasure vse his for∣ces against men fully resolued rather to yeeld vnto nature her last due, than to hearken to anie composition: and in conclusion told them, that if they should at anie time after make any such motion, they should not expect any other answere than from the mouth of the Canon. With which short answere these great men departed, not a little discontented.

At this same time the strong citie of CROIA (which the worthy Scanderbeg had liuing so ho∣nourably defended, and dying had left it with his kingdome, in the protection and possession of

the Venetians) hauing holden out a years siege, after that all the kingdome of EPIRVS and most part of ALBANIA was lost, for lacke of victuals was yeelded vp vnto the Turke, vpon conditi∣on, That the hungerstarued defendants (who then seemed rather ghosts than men) might at their pleasure in safetie depart: which agreement the faithlesse Turke brake, and without mercie put them all to the sword. This heauie newes was deliuered to them of SCODRA by certaine Chri∣stians in the Turkes campe: wherewith they were much greeued, but nothing at all discouraged.

Whilest the Turkes thus lay at the siege, the watermen, of whom a great number liued vpon the great lake of SCODRA (being in circuit about an hundred mile) came many times down the riuer by night, and did much harme in the Turks campe: for remedie whereof, they were enfor∣ced to build certaine small gallies to keepe them in, who for all that many times stole secretly vp∣on them, and much troubled them.

The two and twentieth of Iune the Turkes mounted two great peeces of Ordinance vpon the top of the hill whereon the Bassa lay: whereof the one carried a bullet, made of an hard kind of round stone, of three hundred pound weight, and the other a bullet of foure hundred, where∣with they began to batter the towne foure daies: after that, they placed a third peece of artillerie at the foot of the same hill, which deliuered a bullet of foure hundred pound weight: and the next day they planted a fourth peece, greater than the rest, about the middle of the same hill, which carried a shot of six hundred and fiftie pound weight. In this while, eight thousand of the Turkes souldiours, called Asapi (which are knowne from the Ianizaries by their red caps, where∣as the Ianizaries weare white) came into the campe. And shortly after came Mahomet himselfe with all his armie to the riuer of Drimon, whether the two great Bassaes of ASIA and CON∣STANTINOPLE went with great pompe and triumph to meet him.

The second of Iuly Mahomet with all his armie before the rising of the Sunne came to the campe before SCODRA: where after he had well viewed the situation thereof, he is reported to haue said:* 6.50 O what a faire and stately place hath the Eagle chosen out for her selfe to build her neast, and to hatch her young ones in. Diuers rich pauilions were set vp for Mahomet himselfe, but one farre greater than the rest, distant from them about a flight shoot, which was the place wherein he held his counsell: the other were for his owne priuat vse. Round about these his tents lay the Ianizaries encamped, a good distance off; yet so close one to another, as if it had been a perpetu∣all rampire or strong trench, whereinto was but one entrance, continually guarded with a most strong guard. Round about the Ianizaries lay all the rest of the armie encamped: so that all the countrey, as farre as a man could see, was couered and white with tents, much like as when the ground in Winter is couered ouer with a deepe snow: and still moe people resorted to the campe dayly, so that it was d••emed by men of great experience, that Mahomet had then in his armie of all sort of people about three hundred and fiftie thousand men, all gaping to deuour that poore citie: a sight of it selfe sufficient to haue daunted the courage of right valiant men: But what can be terrible vnto them that feare not to die? Against this terrour of the enemie, the de∣fendants were notably encouraged by the comfortable persuasions and exhortations of one Bartholom••us, a preacher (sometimes one of the worthie Scanderbeg his soldiors) who afterwards giuing himselfe to the studie of diuinitie, became a zealous preacher, and in this siege did notably comfort the Christian defendants against the terrour of so great an armie of miscreants. All this while the batterie was still maintained: and the fifth of Iuly the Turks mounted two other great peeces, whereof the one was like vnto the former before mounted, but the other placed vpon the middle of the Bassaes mount, was of an incredible greatnesse, discharging a shot of twelue hun∣dred pound weight, and was called the Princes peece, in whose name it was with much cunning and industrie made: with which huge peece, the Turkes euen from the beginning of the siege had threatened the besieged, willing them to expect the comming of the Princes Peece. The next day they planted vpon the same mount a seuenth peece, which caried a shot of fiue hundred and fiftie pound weight: from which time they battered the citie with the aforesaid seuen great peeces; and ceased not oftentimes by night out of their great mortar peeces, to cast great bals of wild fire into the citie, so to haue set it on fire: whereby diuers of the citizens were enforced to vncouer their houses couered with shingle, and by men appointed for that purpose, to watch the fall of such fireworkes, and so to quench the same: which they so carefully looked vnto, as that the deuise of the enemie tooke none effect at all. At the same time also the Turkes out of their short mortar peeces cast huge great stones of incredible weight, which falling from high, did

most terribly crush in peeces whatsoeuer thing they light vpon, wherewith the defendants were wonderfully troubled. In few daies after, the enemie mounted three other great peeces, whereof one was greater than that was called the Princes, and caried a bullet of thirteene hundred weight from which time they daily battered the citie with ten such peeces, as the like hath seldome times been heard of: and arrowes fell so thicke into the citie, as if it had beene continuall-showers of haile, so that no man could goe or well stirre in the streets without hurt. Yet in the middest of al•• these dangers the Christians valiantly defended the citie, and with their deadly shot from the wal•• and mounts exceedingly annoied the enemie. The eleuenth of Iuly the Turks mounted another great peece like vnto the former, vpon the Bassaes mount, and the same day battered the wals with 178 shot of this hugie artillerie.

Mahomet hauing by the furie of his great ordinance beaten downe a great part of the wall, and that now nothing stood in his way but such simple repaires as the defendants had made of timber and plankes, with earth cast in betwixt, was in good hope in short time to become master of the towne: and therefore sent certaine companies of his Ianizaries and other soldiors (which he with continuall supplies of fresh men still releeued) to assault the breaches, so if it were possible to enter the towne, or at leastwise to burne such fortifications of timber as the defendants had made. But that which seemed vnto him at first so easie, hee found in execution full of difficultie and danger: for the Turkes approching the breach, found there resolute men, a surer defence than any wall: whose valiant courage serued in stead of a strong bulwarke. So whilest the Turks desperatly striue in the face of the breach either to enter or to set fire vpon the new fortifications made for most part of timber, and the defendants with no lesse resolution doe what they may to the vttermost to repulse them, many were on both sides slaine, but especially of the assailants. Which Mahomet well perceiuing, and that by that manner of assault he gained nothing but no∣table losse and spoile of his best men, caused a retreat to be sounded, and his batterie to be againe forthwith renewed: euery day shaking the wall with 160 or 180 most terrible great shot, and one day with 194, which was the greatest batterie he made in one day during that siege.

After this great batterie, the tyrant caused a fresh assault to be giuen, but with little or rather worse successe than before: for though diuers of the defendants, & amongst them some of good place, as Franciscus Patauinus, Franciscus Scorbaro, two Italian captaines, and some other of the better sort of the citizens were there slaine with the great shot, whereof the enemie that day dis∣charged into the breaches 193: yet were they with greater losse enforced againe to retire, and with shame to giue ouer the assault.

Notwithstanding this repulse, Mahomet continuing his batterie with no lesse furie than be∣fore, still sought by force of his artillerie to open a way into the citie: and the third day after the former assault gaue a more furious and desperate attempt vnto the citie than before, insomuch that the Turkes were in the breaches come to handie strokes with the Christians, and there made a most cruell and deadly fight; wherein many fell on both sides, but of the Turkes most, yet were there many of the Christians also slaine, especially with the Turkes great ordinance. It was a right ruthfull sight to haue seene the rampiers at the great gate of the citie beaten downe flat to the ground, and to lie full of the rent bodies of the Christians: at which place the enemie so pre∣uailed, that he was euen now readie to haue entered; for the Turkes so furiously assailed the de∣fendants, and the murthering shot from the Bassaes mount fell so thicke and so terribly into the breach, beside the infinit number of arrowes, that there was scarce any of the Christians which defended that place but they were either slaine or greeuously wounded. But when all seemed now almost desperat and forlorne, and the greedie enemie euen ready to deuour his prey, a new supplie of lustie souldiors well armed, came courageously to the breach, and as lyons encounte∣ring the enemie, draue him downe againe, and so enforced him with great losse to retire. Maho∣met greeued with this repulse, in his furie caused 173 great shot to be discharged into the citie, and afterwards sending for his great Bassaes and other his principall men of war, declared vnto them his mind as followeth:

* 6.51I thinke none of you are ignorant (right worthie souldiours) that now it is the third moneth since this citie hath by vs beene most straitly besieged, and with all manner of artillerie and engines of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 impugned, assaulted, and on euery side assailed, the wals thereof vtterly subuerted, and the bulwarks laied flat with the ground, and (as you see) as good as rased: Besides that, so oft as wee haue set 〈◊〉〈◊〉

vpon their fortresses, so oft we haue prouoked them of SCODRA to fight, and haue also much vexed them with assaults. Last of all, as you know, we haue left nothing vnproued, nothing vnattempted which could be deuised, the easilier to ouercome them, being wearied, worne out, & their strength spent. Wher∣fore (in mine opinion) the matter is not longer to be put off or delayed, but euen to morrow before the enemie can recouer his strength or repaire his breaches, let vs enclose the citie round, and giue them a generall and terrible assault: and therefore euery one of you make your selues readie, and exhort your souldiors in the campe, that they euery one of them to morrow with the dawning of the day come forth armed and well appointed for the winning of the citie. Now will I proue and know them that are wor∣thie of my pay. Thou the Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE, with thy squadrons and certaine companies of the Ianizaries our faithfull guard, giue charge vnto the breach: in the meane time, let the Bassa of ASIA with his power assault the other parts of the cittie: let euery man make readie and bring with him what so is needfull for this generall assault▪ my mind giueth me, that to morrow before this time we shall win the citie: for who is there can resist vs? The towne (as you see) is bared both of wall and of all other defence: the bulwarkes and ditches are laied euen, and an easie way for vs to come vnto it: the citizens themselues wearie with so many fights and assaults faint and want strength; whereas we are still fresh and lustie: they in number few; we almost innumerable: besides that, we farre passe them in the force of our artillerie, wherewith many of them shall perish in the defending of the breaches. Who then can gainesay, but that they of SCODRA are alreadie our prisoners? Where, vpon such as remain aliue, I will at my pleasure vse the law of armes and captiuitie. On therfore courageous hearts without further delay. Is not the very name of SCODRA hatefull vnto vs? for which of you dooth not with great disdaine call to remembrance the death of your parents, or brethren, or friends, or companions, cru∣elly slaine vnder these wals? Can you disgest your hatred against them of SCODRA? and so many slaughters of your friends, by them made? But to forget elder times, and the harmes receiued from them long since, let vs but looke vpon our late slaughters and wounds as it were yet bleeding: it is not yet full foure yeares since that we made warre with these men of SCODRA, wherein so many thou∣sands of our people fell, that their slaughter is yet almost obiect to our eyes, and their blood crauing re∣uenge. This very hill whereon we stand, and the stones yet seeme besprinckled and polluted with their blood. Wherefore hast you as men of courage, take vp armes, valiantly mount the hill, assault the town, and reuenge your old iniuries. Glut your selues to the full in the effusion of the Christian blood, where∣unto our lawes doe so much exhort vs, and do what you may with force and sword, that not one of them of SCODRA may be left aliue: which you may easily bring to passe, hauing all things thereunto need∣full: for there is nothing to withstand you, nothing wanting for the gaining of the victorie. All things are prepared, all things are readie: an easie matter it is for a strong man to ouercome the weake and feeble, that wanteth strength as doe they.

This speech of the barbarous tyrant, was receiued with great applause and good liking of the hearers: and now was SCODRA to be with all might and maine assaulted, and not a man there left aliue. Hereupon proclamation was made throughout the campe, That euerie man vpon paine of death should be readie against the appointed time. And the great captains and comman∣ders of the armie departing from Mahomet, went vp to the top of the hill whereon the Bassa lay, and from thence taking view of the citie, and laying their heads togither, consulted how they might best giue the assault. The defendants on the other side alwaies expecting their enemies houering ouer their heads, left nothing vndone that they could possibly deuise, for the defence of themselues and the citie. Now vpon the top of the Bassaes mount was a royall pauilion ere∣cted, richly couered with purple, from whence the prowd tyrant might plainly behold all the assault: who with the dawning of the day (being the two and twentith of Iuly) entring the same, the Turkes who in the couert of the night had conuaied themselues as neere vnto the walles as they could,* 6.52 (vpon the signall of battell, giuen by a tire of ordinance discharged from the Bassaes mount) suddenly ran to the breaches as thicke as bees, in hope by their sudden approach to haue taken the Christians at some aduantage: wherein they were much deceiued. For they alwaies doubting such a matter, and carefully obseruing the least motion of the enemie, were alwaies in readinesse to meet with their attempts: so that the Turkes desperatly striuing to gaine the brea∣ches, and the Christians valiantly defending the same, there was in diuers places begun a most cruell and mortall fight; but especially neere vnto the great gate, where the furie of the Canon had made the wals most saultable. There the enemie was come to fight hand to hand, and pre∣uailing

vpon the defendants, had set vp one of the Turkes ensignes vpon the top of the rampiers: which Mahomet beholding, rejoyced exceedingly, thinking the citie now as good as taken. But the Christians seeing the danger, speedily repaired thither with new supplies, and by plaine force draue the enemie out againe, and beat him from the rampiers. Vpon them also that were comming vp, they cast downe peeces of timber, great stones, wildfire, pots of lime, and such other things as might most annoy them: as for shot, none fell in vaine by reason of the wonder∣full multitude of the Turkes, who stood so thicke, that a man could hardly haue cast downe a graine of mustardseed from the wall but it must needs haue light vpon some of them: by which meanes the Turkes were notably repulsed, their ensigne pluckt downe, and they enforced to re∣tire from the wals. Which sudden alteration Mahomet perceiuing, fell into a great rage, and forthwith commaunded his great ordinance, with greater furie than euer, to be discharged into the breach: And with great words commaunded the two chiefe Bassaes which stood by him vpon the mount, to go presently downe and enforce the souldiours which were alreadie retired, to returne againe vnto the assault. These great commanders seeing the tyrant in such a fret, forth∣with descended from the hill, and where persuasion would not serue, with their drawne swords enforced the souldiours to returne backe againe to the assault. The Turkes knowing that they were now in the eye of their king, and in the presence of their greatest commanders, striue with might and maine to win the rampiers: for in that place, the wals of the citie were beaten downe to the ground, shaken before this assault with 2539 shot of the cannon or other peeces of no lesse force. The Christians likewise in defence of themselues and their citie, with inuincible courage opposed themselues against the Turks:* 6.53 so that a more desperat fight than there, was hardly euer to be seene; desperat men with desperat hand assailing one another: And the more to encrease the terrour of the day, the thundring shot, with the clamour of men and noise of the instrumen•••• of warre, was so great, as if heauen and earth should haue presently fallen togither; and arrowes falling into the citie as if it had beene showers of raine, oftentimes darkened the light of the day. In this dreadfull fight, manie of the defendants were slaine; but of the Turkes, twentie to one. Neere vnto that gate where this terrible assault was giuen, were certaine loupes hewen out of the maine rocke, which flanked the ditch all alongst that side of the citie, out of which the Chri∣stians with their murthering shot made lanes amongst their enemies, and slew them without number. For all that, the mightie Bassaes and great captaines, one while by persuasion, another while by threatning, forced them still forward; and if anie turned backe, presently slew him: so that the Turkes seeing no lesse danger in retiring, than in fighting against the enemie, like despe∣rat men thrust forward by heapes, and were slaine without number. Yet still pressing on so long as life lasted, and others stepping forward in stead of them that were slaine; they began againe to preuaile vpon the defendants (who in that place were for most part either slaine or hurt) and againe recouered the top of the rampiers, and there aduanced the Turkes ensignes. Then be∣gan the tyrant to lift vp his head, making sure account that the citie was now his owne. But as the common saying is, He that reckoneth without his hoast, must reckon twise: so chanced it to Mahomet. For the companies, from the beginning of the siege left in the market place rea∣die for all euents, and oftentimes wishing for some occasion wherein to shew themselues; being now in good time aduertised of the imminent danger, came with speed to the place of the assault before the Turkes had taken good footing; and there valiantly encountring them, slew a great number of them, and forced the rest from the rampiers; and plucking downe their ensignes be∣fore set vp, in stead of them placed their owne. With which repulse the Turkes were so dismai∣ed, that they quite forsooke the assault, and in despight of their imperious commaunders, not ex∣pecting anie signe of retrait, in hast retired to their campe. Mahomet fallen from so great an hope, and grieued aboue measure with this shamefull repulse, returned into his pauilion fretting and fuming as a man halfe mad, where two daies he tormented himselfe with his owne passions, not admitting any man to his presence. The Christians afterwards tooke the spoile of the dead Turkes, and cutting off diuers of their heads, set them vp vpon poles round about the citie, to the terrour of their fellowes.* 6.54 In this assault were twelue thousand of the Turks slaine, and many mo wounded. Of the Christians were lost 400: and of them that came to the breach escaped none, but he was wounded more or lesse.

After that Mahomet had two daies disgested the last repulse, the shame whereof grieued him more than the losse it selfe: he sent for both the great Bassaes of CONSTANTINOPLE & ASIA,

and other two of his chiefe councellors, with whom hee resolued to giue another assault, and thereon to gage his whole forces: for they were all of opinion with him, that the defendants were so weakned and wasted with the former assault, that they could not possibly hold out ano∣ther. Wherupon straight commandement was giuen through the campe, that euerie man with∣out exception, should be readie to go to the assault whensoeuer they were called vpon: and the more to encourage the souldiours, great rewards and preferments were promised to them which in time of the assault should performe any especiall piece of seruice.* 6.55 The first appearance of the new Moone (which the Turks worship with great deuotion) was the time that Mahomet had appointed for this generall assault: in the meane space he spared not to poure out his furie against the wals and rampiers of the towne, by the mouth of the cannon. The Christian defen∣dants on the other side, first by heartie prayer commended themselues and their citie to the pro∣tection of the most mightie, and afterwards with restlesse labour and no small perill, speedily re∣paired and new fortified whatsoeuer the furie of the artillerie had ouerthrowne or shaken; omit∣ting nothing that could be done or deuised for the defence of themselues and the citie. Now as soone as the new Moone began to shew her selfe, the Mahometane priests going about the ar∣mie, gaue the souldiours knowledge thereof (as their manner is) by singing of a song, in manner of a procession; wherunto the whole armie answered with a short responde, but with such a ter∣rible noise as was wonderfull to heare: and at the same time bowing themselues to the ground, saluted the Moone with great superstition. All their fond ceremonies performed, they began to drawnie the citie so thicke, and in number so manie, that all the ground for the space of a mile round about SCODRA was thicke couered with men. The Christians expecting euerie houre to be assailed, were readie vpon the wals and rampiers of the citie to repulse the enemie: but es∣pecially at the great gate where most danger was feared, for that the Turks with their great ordi∣nance had made that place of all others most saultable. Here Iacobus Moneta a noble captaine, with his brother Moncinus a valiant gentleman, tooke vpon thē to receiue the first assault which is commonly of all others most terrible: for the Turks vse in their assaults to giue three attempts, whereof the first is most furious and dangerous, as performed by their best souldiours; the other two are of lesse force: but if they faile in all three, they forsake the enterprise as men discouraged. Whilest both the assailants and the defendants stood thus in readinesse, the one as it were facing the other a great part of the night, Mahomet before day went vp to the top of the Bassaes mount, from whence he had before beholden the former assault: at whose comming, there were pre∣sently eleuen cannons discharged, and twelue smaller pieces (the signal appointed for the assault.) The Turkes vpon this signe giuen,* 6.56 with exceeding tumult and most hideous outcrie (as their manner is) began to assaile the citie round, and with such wonderfull agilitie of bodie and cou∣rage mounted the rampiers at the great gate, that they had there as it were in a trice set vp one of their ensignes, which was foorthwith pluckt vp by Moneta, and the Turkes with great slaughter driuen downe, where many of them were slaine with stones, timber, fire, and such other things cast downe vpon them; beside a great number slaine or wounded with shot, arrowes, and darts, whereof none fell to the ground in vaine, by reason that the Turkes stood so thicke, that they vi∣olently pressed one another forward, in such sort, that the formost could by no meanes shun any danger, were it neuer so great or terrible. In this sort the assault was with great slaughter of the Turkes continued vntill it was day; they striuing to win the breach, and the Christians most va∣liantly defending the same: Moneta himselfe in this fight receiued diuerse wounds, and was twice beaten downe to the ground; yet still recouering himselfe, encouraged his souldiors, and woor∣thily repulsed the enemie. Mahomet seeing his souldiors beaten from the breach, caused a tyre of his great Ordinance to be discharged vpon the Christians which stood therein thicke for the de∣fence thereof, by force whereof many of them were rent in peeces, and the rest sore dismayed: which the Turkes quickly perceiuing, and therewith encouraged, came on againe with a fresh charge, forcing themselues to the vttermost to haue entred. But the valiant captaine nothing dis∣couraged either with the losse of them that were slaine, or with the danger of himselfe, couragi∣ously withstood the furious enemie, and maintained the place vntill new supplies came to relieue him, and neuer departed thence, either suffered any man to depart, vntill the assault was ended. Many were slaine on both sides, yet nothing troubled the defendants so much as the great or∣dinance; which being discharged from the Bassaes mount into the breach; at such times as the Turkes were driuen backe, slew many of the Christians, leauing the breach almost cleare: so gi∣uing

occasion for the Turkes to haue entred, had not other couragious souldiours stept vp in stead of them that were slaine, who manfully repulsed the enemie. The tyrant from the mou•••• seeing the inuincible courage of the defendants, was therewith exceedingly troubled: but fully resolued now or neuer to haue it, commaunded all his forces to be drawne from all other parts of the citie vnto the great gate, there to renew the assault; straightly charging his captaines, ne∣uer to returne thence vntill they had taken the citie. Hereupon the greatest part of that hug•••• armie was forthwith in the sight of himselfe brought vnto the appointed place, and there gaue a sharpe and cruell assault at the breach, with such desperat furie, that in short time they had slaine most of the defendants there present, and aduanced diuers of their ensignes vpon the top of the rampiers. Which Mahomet beholding from the mount, rejoyced exceedingly, making sure account that the citie was now his owne: but by that time he had well conceiued this hope, new supplies of fresh and couragious men (of purpose reserued for all euents) came to the place of danger, and with great resolution encountring the wearied Turkes, draue them backe, cleared the breach, and ouerthrew their ensignes. Which so sudden an alteration in the breach, wrought no lesse alteration in the prowd tyrants mind, his hope was turned into despaire, and his rejoy∣cing into choller: insomuch that in his furie, he commaunded all his great artillerie to be at once discharged into the breach;* 6.57 whereby manie of his forward and couragious souldiours were slaine togither with the defendants. At the same time, the great commaunders and captaines knowing themselues to bee in the eye of their imperious lord and maister, with their drawne swords forced the poore souldiours againe forward to the breach; and the more to encourage them, aduentured themselues also amongst them: whereby the fight became more fierce and terrible than before. Manie of the Turkes were there slaine; yet such was the force and multi∣tude of them which still stept vp in their place, and bullets and arrowes flew so thicke, that the de∣fendants oppressed with multitude, and ouerwhelmed with shot, were hardly able longer to maintaine the place, being for most part either slaine or wounded. Whereupon a great one ran vpon the sudden through the citie, that euerie man without exception, should forthwith re∣paire to the breach. Which was with such cheerfulnesse done, that in lesse time than was to haue been thought, a wonderfull multitude of all sort of people was there met togither, encou∣raging one another against the present danger; who all as men resolued to lay downe their liues in defence of their countrey, valiantly encountred the Turkes vpon the top of the rampiers, and so hardly laid vnto them, that notwithstanding their great number, they began now againe to wauer and shrinke backe. Which thing the tyrant perceiuing from the mount, in great rage commanded his canoniers, as fast as they could to discharge the great ordinance into the breach, without anie regard of his owne men, so that togither with them, he might also kill some of the Christians: and withall imperiously commanded his captaines, with all their force and power to maintaine the assault, threatning them with most horrible death, if they returned without vi∣ctorie. Hereupon the assault was againe renewed, euery man (in shew at least) set downe there to doe his last deuoire. But the great ordinance still playing vpon the breach, slew manie of the Turkes as well as of the Christians. Thrise the great shot fell amongst the Turkes themselues, and rent in sunder a great number of them which were formost, to the great discouragement of the rest: whereof the tyrant had small regard, so that togither with them he might also diminish the number of the defendants. Neuerthelesse, such was the desperat furie of the enemie, that the citie was in no small danger to haue been euen presently taken, had not fresh supplies come from other places of the citie which they were appointed vnto; who with great courage resisted the enemie. Yet the Turkes farre exceeding in number (and fresh men continually stepping vp in stead of them which lay by heapes vnder their feet, and serued them in stead of steps to get vp to the rampiers) maintained a long and terrible fight: at which time the great ordinance also sore annoied the defendants, so that with one shot (whereby the greatnesse of the harmes done at other times may be gathered) eighteene of the Christian defendants were slaine. As for ar∣rowes, they flew as thicke as haile into the citie; so that they obscured the light of the day, and lay in most places of the street a span thicke: so that for the space of a moneth after, the inha∣bitants vsed no other fuell to burne,* 6.58 but Turkish arrowes. It was a ruthfull sight to haue seene the bodies of the valiant Christians rent in sunder with the great shot, and pieces of them cleauing vpon euerie wall thereabout, euerie street was stained with their bloud, the great ordinance con∣tinually thundred, churches and houses came ratling downe, yea the heauie countenance of the

ayre it selfe seemed to bewaile the miserie of the poore Christians: besides, the noise of trumpets, drums, and other instruments of warre, with the horrible crie of the hellish Turkes, was so great and hideous, that it seemed as if heauen and earth should haue gone togither: nothing was to be heard but the verie terrour of the eare; nothing to be seene but death, and the verie instruments of death. And now in this extremitie a fearefull crie ran through the citie, That without present helpe all would be lost at the great gate: Wherupon, not onely they which were whole (which were the fewest in number) but they also which lay wounded or sicke in their beds, cheering vp themselues, with weapons in their hands ran with speed to the place where the danger was; chu∣sing rather there to die, than to be slaine in their beds. Thus whilest the Christians of all sorts, and from all parts of the citie ran desperatly to the gate, the Turkes were on euerie side hardly pressed and in great number slaine: yet fresh men still comming vp as if they had sprung out of the earth, the deadly fight was by them still maintained. For the Turkes on the one side, for feare of the tyrant, laboured with might and maine to win the citie; and the Christians on the other, knowing no hope left for them if they should be ouercome, with no lesse resolution de∣fended the same.* 6.59 In this obstinacie of minds, manie fell on both sides: sometimes the Turkes seemed to haue the better, and were straight way by the Christians put to the worse. Which manner of mortall fight with doubtfull euent, was continued most part of that day: vntill that at length manie being on both parts slaine, and the rest for most part sore wounded and hurt, the furie of the assault began to assuage: for the Turkes now wearie of that long and deadly fight, and fainting with their wounds, had no great stomacke to mount vp the rampiers, where they saw no hope to preuaile, but all things threatning present death. Mahomet beholding the wonderfull slaughter of his men, and that hauing done what was possible for men to doe, they now fought as men discouraged, and in despaire of victorie himselfe, caused a retrait to be soun∣ded, which the Turkes no sooner heard, but that they left the assault, and without order ran to their tents as men halfe feared out of their wits.

Of this victorie, the Christians (as they had good cause) rejoyced greatly: yet was this joy mingled with much sorrow and heauinesse, for the losse of such worthy men as were slaine in that assault, manie of whose bodies, they were glad to gather vp by pe••cemeale, some here, some there, some cleauing on this wall, and some on that: which they, as the time would giue leaue, honourably buried with the rest of the slaine. At which time also, they with all diligence and expedition repaired their breaches, and put all things in such readinesse, as if they should haue presently receiued a fresh assault.

Mahomet wonderfully grieued with the shamefull dishonour and great losse he had receiued at the last assault, repented himselfe that euer he had taken the matter in hand, wishing that hee had neuer heard of the name of SCODRA: and in his choller and frantike rage, most horribly blasphamed against God, most wickedly saying, That it were enough for him to haue care of heauenly things, and not to crosse him in his worldly actions. In which furie he descended from the mount and got him into his tent, where he againe tormented himselfe with his melancholie passions by the space of two daies; wherein he would neither be spoke withall, or admit any man to his presence. Vpon the third day he called a generall counsell of his commaunders and best souldiours, and there openly before them all said, That he was determined to giue the enemie a fresh assault, for that being weakned with so manie assaults, he could not possibly be able to hold out another: and therefore hoped for an easie victorie. But he had no sooner so said, but that all they that heard him, cried out with one voice to the contrarie: saying, That it was not by anie meanes to be attempted, forasmuch as his best souldiours were alreadie slaine, and the greater part of them that were left, either sore wounded, or brought to that weaknesse that they were not able to doe anie more seruice; and that therefore it were better for them to kill one another, or else himselfe to kill them one by one, than to expose them to be so shamefully butchered by the Christians. In this diuersitie of opinions, Achmetes Bassa the great champion of the Turkes (a man reuerend and of great authoritie, for his birth, yeares, and rare experience in martiall affairs, and one by whom Mahomet had done great matters) standing vp, with pleasing speech calmed his furious mind, and with substantial reasons persuaded him to desist from that his entended pur∣pose, and to take another surer course, as followeth.

Your great valour and worthie praises inuincible emperour (said he) who is able to expresse?* 6.60 the

greatnesse wherof the mind of man cannot conceiue, and my dull spirit but wonder thereat; my tongue [ G] faltereth to speake of them, neither would this time serue so much as to recount them. It is of all men deemed a thing of great honour (most dread soueraigne) when a prince hath receiued a kingdome from his ancestors, to be able in safetie to keepe and defend the same: greater than this is it, honourably to encrease and augment it, so left: but of a small thing, by worthie prowesse to bring it to the highest type of worldly honour, is of all other things the greatest. Which most rare excellencie, all men worthi∣ly ascribe vnto your perfection and felicitie: and I of all others can thereof bring the most assured te∣stimonie, who haue oftentimes heard it of mine ancestors (which following the fortune of the Otho∣man princes out of ASIA into EVROPE) that your worthie predecessors at their first comming into EVROPE (without offence be it said) possessed but a corner thereof; to whom you afterward by di∣uine appointment succeeding, haue adioined so many prouinces, kingdomes, and empires, as were tedi∣ous to rehearse them. For who can worthily expresse, how you haue in EVROPE subdued CONSTAN∣TINOPLE, the imperiall citie of the East empire, with all THRACIA, ACHAIA, GRECIA, PELO∣PONESVS, BEOTIA, THEBES, and the noble citie of ATHENS, the mother and nurse of all good learning. The empire of TRAPEZOND, with the emperour thereof, is by you ouerthrowne: the king∣domes of SERVIA and BOSNA, with the princes of PELOPONESVS, are by you gloriously van∣quished. You haue at your commaund twelue kingdomes in ASIA the lesser, PONTVS, BYTHINIA, CAPPADOCIA, PAPHLAGONIA, CILICIA, PAMPHILIA, LYCIA, CARIA, LYDIA, PH••I∣GIA, NICHOMEDIA, and NICEA, with the famous citie of PRVSA. Besides these, IONIA, DO∣RIS, SMYRNA, COLOPHON, EPHESVS, MILETVM, HALICARNASVS, PERGAMVS, with the countrey of TAVRICA, are vnder your subiection. The great countrey of ARMENIA hath felt your force: the Islands of LESBOS, CHIOS, and EVEoeA, are parts of your empire. What should I speake of infinit people and nations, by you most victoriously vanquished? This may suffice for all, that you haue gained from the Christians twentie prouinces and two hundred great citties. For it were too long to rehearse the Mahometane kings and princes by you also vanquished: in all your expeditions 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things haue yet giuen place to your fortune. The antient monuments may now cease to extoll the prai∣ses of Caesar, Scipio, Pyrrhus, Hanniball, and other cheefetaines of ROME, and forraine nations: for why, they are all inferior to you both for victories and countries subdued. The Othoman familie is vndoubtedly fatall for soueraignetie: all the world shall in short time come vnder your gouernment, and all nations shall serue you. As for this towne of SCODRA, let it not so much greeue you: worldly things (as you know) doe oftentimes deceiue our expectation: in them fortune beareth great sway. Yet for this matter, quiet your selfe: for I dare gage my faith vnto your imperiall maiestie, that I will in short time find meanes, that this citie shall stand at your deuotion. Did not I of late bring into your sub∣iection the impregnable citie of CROIA, which you so long desired? But whereas you would now agai•• forthwith attempt to win it by assault, I therein craue your pardon, in that I cannot be of that opinion, but must needs thinke farre otherwise: for to attempt warre, and to be ouerthrowne, is an easie matter for euery man to doe; but to vanquish the enemie, and to carrie away the triumph, that right few men know. He that consulteth of such great and weightie matters, ought to be free both from furie and de∣sire, both euill counsellours. The Christians of SCODRA are not in my opinion to be againe assaulted: for in so doing you shall but lose your labour. For if you could not subdue them, your armie being then fresh and strong, how shall you now ouercome them with much fewer, and they wounded, weake and fee∣ble? I haue viewed the whole campe, and searched euery tent; and found no place, no tent, yea scarcely any cabbin, without groning, sighing, weeping, or wailing; in euery place was heauinesse, sorrow, mour∣ning, and death it selfe: for in the last assault you lost thirtie thousand and more of your best souldior••▪ many moe are greeuously wounded and maimed: none, but he carrieth about him some signe that hee was there: few or none there be that dare againe mount the hill to giue a fresh assault, they are all afraid and discouraged. Whom when I demanded, how so great a feare was come vpon them, and what was the cause they had so lost their wonted courage? they answered me, That it was the looke, euen the very looke of them of SCODRA, whose eyes did seeme vnto them to burne and sparkle with fire: their sterne and terrible countenances (said they) haue strucke this terrour into vs. Wherefore I thinke it not good to giue a fresh assault with men so dismayed: but rather to vse policie and delay against such resolute enemies. This citie of SCODRA is the eye and head of all this prouince, which the Venetians haue notably fortified and planted with store of ordinance and of all things els necessarie for defence thereof; but especially with most valiant souldiors, of purpose chosen out of many their garrisons for defence of this citie: you haue not now to doe with the weake and effeminate people of ASIA, but with

[ A] the hard and rough people of EPIRVS. And you know (most mightie emperour) the strength and courage of this nation: it is now thirtie yeares that you haue made warre against this people, and haue not yet altogether subdued them: and how dangerous and chargeable this warre hath beene vnto you, who knoweth not? It is now six moneths since we came first before this citie; we haue intrenched our selues round about it, we haue day and night laid hard siege vnto it, we haue battered it of long with eleuen cannons: I speake not of other smaller peeces or engines of warre, with all kind of shot and fire∣worke, and whatsoeuer els we could deuise. We haue many times to our cost assaulted it: what could be done by force, strength, or multitude of valiant men, is alreadie done in the former assaults. Nothing hath been left vnattempted, no policie no direction hath wanted in your leaders, neither courage in your souldiors. What should I recount the innumerable great shot, or speake of our arrowes and darts, deliuered into the citie as showers of haile? Did all this or any thing els we could doe, any thing terrifie these defendants? Were they not, nay are they not still readie, with great assurance and courage at all assayes to encounter vs. You take a wrong course by force to constraine them. They haue taken vpon them the defence of this place, and are not thence to be remoued, there shall you be sure still to find them either aliue or dead. And what account they make of their liues, you see; they will sell them vnto vs deare for their countrey, and preferre an honourable death before a seruile life. Wherefore against men so set downe, policie is to be vsed: and them whom we cannot by force subdue, let vs by delay and time ouercome. If you will win SCODRA, blocke it vp, build strong forts in places conuenient round about it, and furnish them with good souldiors: make a bridge ouer BOLIANA, with a strong castle on ei∣ther side, to stop the passage: which done, besiege the other weaker cities of the Venetians, which are as [ C] it were the lims of SCODRA: and subdue the countrey round about, which will be no hard matter for you to doe, being master of the field: so must SCODRA at length of necessitie yeeld vnto you, as of late did CROIA, enforced thereunto by famine. Thus may you in safetie without slaughter of your people come to the full of your desires.

The wholesome counsell of the Bassa so well pleased Mahomet himselfe, and the rest there present, that the assault was laid aside, and present order taken for the speedie execution of that which was by him so well plotted. Whereupon the Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE with his forces was sent to ZABIACHE, a citie in the borders of DALMATIA, standing vpon the lake of SCVTARIE, not farre from ASCRIVIVM, which in few daies was yeelded vnto him. The Bassa possessed of the citie, thrust out all the inhabitants, and leauing therein a garrison of Turks, retur∣ned againe to the campe at SCODRA. At the same time the great Bassa of ASIA was also sent by Mahomet against DRIVASTO, a citie also of the Venetians: which when hee had besieged and sore battered by the space of sixteene dayes, the great tyrant came thither in person himselfe, and the next day after his comming tooke the citie, without any great resistance. Such as hee found vpon the wals, he put to the sword: of the rest he tooke three hundred away with him vnto the campe at SCODRA, and there in the face of the citie caused them all to be cruelly slain, of purpose so to terrifie the defendants. The next day after hee sent the great Bassa of CONSTANTINOPLE to LYSSA, called also ALESSA, a citie of the Venetians, situated vpon the riuer Drinus, about thirtie miles from SCODRA. The Bassa comming thither, found the citie desolate (for the citi∣zens hearing of his comming, were for feare before fled) for which cause he set the citie on fire. Here the Turks digged vp the bones of the worthie prince Scanderbeg,* 6.61 for the superstitious opi∣nion they had of the vertue of them: and happie was he that could get any little part thereof to set in gold or other jewell, as a thing of great price, as is before declared. All these things thus done, Mahomet committed the direction of all things concerning the siege of SCODRA, vnto the discretion of Achmetes. By whose persuasion, he leauing a great power for the continuing of the siege, departed thence himselfe with fortie thousand souldiors for CONSTANTINOPLE, cursing and banning by the way all the countrey of EPIRVS, all the inhabitants therein, and eue∣ry part thereof, their corne, their cattell, & whatsoeuer els was fruitfull; but aboue all other things the citie of SCODRA, with all that therein was, for that he had neuer receiued greater dishonour or losse than there.

After his departure, which was about the seuenth of September, the two great Bassaes of CONSTANTINOPLE and ASIA, according to order before taken, built a great bridge ouer the riuer Boliana, and on either side a strong castle, to the intent that no releefe should that way bee brought into the citie. Which worke when they had brought to perfection, and furnished both

castles with garrisons, ordinance, and all things necessarie, they left Achmetes Bassa with fortie thousand souldiours to continue the siege, and returned themselues the one to CONSTANTI∣NOPLE, and the other into ASIA. The warie and politicke Bassa mindfull of the charge he had taken vpon him, tooke such order, that no releefe could possibly be brought vnto the citie either by land or by water: and so lying still before it a long time, brought it at length into such distresse and want of all things, that the poore Christians were faine to eat all manner of vncleane and loathsome things; horses were daintie meat, yea they were glad to eat dogs, cats, rats, and the skins of beasts sod: it exceedeth all credit to tell at what exceeding great price a little mouse was sold, or puddings made of dogs gu••s. All these bare shifts and extremities the poore Christians were content to endure euen vnto the last gaspe, rather than to yeeld themselues into the hands of their mercilesse enemies.

Whilest SCODRA thus lay in the suds, the Venetians wearie of the long and chargeable warre they had to their great losse now maintained against so mightie an enemie, by the space of sixteene yeares; and hauing no meanes to releeue their distressed subjects in SCODRA, thought it best to proue, if they could procure a peace from the tyrant. For which purpose they sent Be∣nedictus Triuisanus, a graue Senatour and a man of great experience, to CONSTANTINOPLE: who so well vsed the matter, that after long debating too and fro, at length a peace was conclu∣ded; whereof the cheefe capitulations were, That the Venetians should deliuer vnto Mahomet the citie of SCODRA, the island of LEMNOS, and the strong castle of TENARVS in PELOPO∣NESVS, and pay him yearely eight thousand duckats; That they might freely after their wonted manner trafficke into the Euxine by the straits of Hellespontus and Bosphorus Thracius, & other parts of his dominions. Concerning the citizens of SCODRA, it was comprised in the same peace,* 6.62 That it should bee at their owne choice either to liue there still vnder the gouernment of the Turkish emperour, or els at their pleasure to depart in safetie with their goods whether they would. Triuisanus hauing in this manner concluded a peace, in his returne homeward the fourth of Aprill, found the Venetian Admirall riding at anker in the mouth of Boliana, from whence they both by letters certified the Gouernour and citizens of SCODRA, in what manner the peace was concluded with the Turke, and what prouision was therein made for them. Vpon receit of which letters, the gouernor calling together the citizens, declared vnto them how the case stood: and there with them entered into consultation vpon this hard question, Whether they would remaine there still in their natiue country vnder the Turkish tyrannie; or forsaking the same, liue amongst other Christians in perpetuall exile? But after the matter had beene throughly debated, and many reasons on both parts alledged, at length it was by generall consent concluded, That they should all forsake the citie and the house of bondage, as dangerous both to their soules and bodies, and liue as it should please God amongst other Christians. So the Turks giuing pledges for the safe departure of the Christians in SCODRA, they all at an appointed day with bag and baggage came out of the citie, and were by the Venetians carefully transported into other pa••••s of their territorie in ITALIE, where they liued in peace. The Turks (who had now besieged the citie a whole yeare) after the departure of the Christians entered the citie with great joy and tri∣umph, which with many others therabout, hath euer since to the great ruth of all Christendome▪ remained in the possession of the faithlesse infidels.* 6.63 Thus was the strong citie of SCODRA lost, and the long warres ended betwixt Mahomet and the Venetians, which happened in the yeare 1478.

* 6.64Mahomet now at peace with the Venetians, sent the same Achmetes Bassa (by whom he had but a litle before taken in SCODRA) with his fleet of gallies against one Leonard, prince of NERI∣TVS, ZACYNTHVS, and CEPHALENIA, islands neere vnto PELOPONESVS: where the Bassa arriuing, easily tooke the same islands, the poore prince for safegard of his life being glad to flie into ITALIE with his wife & treasure to king Ferdinand, whose nigh kinswoman he had maried.

About the same time Alis-Beg, surnamed Michal Ogli, Isa Beg the sonne of Cassanes, and B••l•• Beg, surnamed Malcozogli (men of great account amongst the Turks, and most honourably des∣cended) entred into TRANSYLVANIA with a great armie of an hundred thousand men, and brought such a generall feare vpon the country, that Stephanus Batore the Vaiuod, was glad with all speed to flie vnto Matthias king of HVNGARIE, to declare vnto him the danger of his coun∣trey, and to craue his aid. Matthias at the same time lay sicke of the gout: neuerthelesse he tooke such order by his captaines, Stephanus Cherepetrus, and Paulus Kinisius countie of TEMESWARE,

that the Turks were encountred not farre from ALBA IVLIA, and there in a great and bloudie battell ouerthrowne: wherein Isa one of their great captains was slaine, with 30 thousand Turks mo. Neither was this victorie gained by the Christians without losse, Bator the Vayuod him∣selfe being sore wounded, and eight thousand men slaine.

Mahomet in his ambitious humour,* 6.65 had long time desired to haue in his subjection the island of the RHODES. For why, it grieued him that so small an island should lie so nie his great do∣minions in ASIA, holden by a few Christians, to the great trouble of his merchants trading in the Mediteranean, beside manie other harmes daily from thence receiued, and to haue no feeling of his greatnesse. But forasmuch as the winning of that place was thought to be a matter of great difficultie, and in former times vnfortunatly attempted by some of the Mahometane princes: he purposed now with good aduise to take this enterprise in hand. Wherefore calling togither his graue counsellors and most expert men of warre, after he had declared vnto them the manifold injuries receiued from them of the RHODES; he propounded the matter, Whether it were best to attempt the winning of that island or not? Some forward men persuaded him to reuenge those injuries done by those Christians, and to subdue that island, which for the neernesse vnto CARIA, might of right be accounted as part of his dominion; and not to forbeare that enterprise for feare of repulse, forasmuch as he was able to bring mo men to assaile it, than were stones in the wall about it. Others better aduised, declared the strength of the island, with the valour of the defen∣dants; men alwaies brought vp in armes, and as it were chosen out of all parts of Christendome▪ so that it was (as they said) like to proue a matter of more difficultie than was by some suppo∣sed; whereof some of the Mahometane princes had to their no small dishonour, alreadie made sufficient triall: Alleadging farther, that that small island which scarcely appeared in the sea, was not of that worth, as that he should thereon gage his honour, with the liues of so manie good men, and most valiant souldiours as might serue for the conquest of a kingdome. For all that, Mahomet prickt forward with the spurs of ambition, and continuall solicitation of Anthonius Meligalus, a fugitiue knight of the RHODES, resolued to follow the counsell of them which per∣suaded the warre. This Meligalus was a knight of the order, which when he had prodigally consumed his substance which was great, with two others, Demetrius and Sophonius, men of his owne qualitie and disposition, fled vnto the Turkish emperour; presenting vnto him a perfect plot of the citie, with all the strength both of it, and the isle wherein it stood, and which way he might with most ease win it. In which seruice they frankly offered to spend their liues: but ho∣ping indeed by such foule treacherie to repaire their broken estate. All things being now in readi∣nesse, Mahomet appointed Mesithes Paleologus, one of his chiefe Bassaes (the neere kinsman of Constantinus Paleologus the last emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE) Generall for that expediti∣on; committing to his charge the whole managing of that so great an action. Mesithes embar∣king his armie in number eightie thousand, and throughly furnished with all things necessarie for the siege, set forward from CONSTANTINOPLE, and with a pleasant gale of wind, sayled alongst the coast of ASIA the lesse, towards the RHODES: where by the way he called vnto him Demetrius (one of the fugitiue knights) to learne of him the best meanes for the safe landing of his a••mie. As for the arch traitor Meligalus, and chiefe author of this warre, he was fallen sick vpon the way; and in the extremitie of his sicknesse, growing both troublesome and loathsome vnto the Turkes that were with him in the same gallie, was by the marriners throwne ouer∣boord aliue: crying out in vaine for helpe, no man vouchsafing to haue anie compassion vp∣on him;* 6.66 and so swallowed vp of the sea, receiued amiddest the waues, the just guerdon of his treacherie.

At this time Peter Damboyse a Frenchman, an Auergnoies, a man of singular gouernment, was Great Master of the RHODES; whose valiancie was such, that commonly once in eight daies he had certaine intelligence what great matters passed in the Turkes court: and therewith o•• such deepe judgement, that he was seldome or neuer ouertaken, or deceiued with anie false aduertisements. This carefull Graund Master, was not ignorant of all these great preparations, neither of the comming of the Bassa; and therefore had before strongly fortified the citie, and so stored the same with all things needfull, as might well haue serued for manie yeares siege: but especially with such shot and powder, that it was deemed (as indeed it was) an especiall meanes whereby the citie was afterwards preserued. At the same time, manie noble and valiant gentle∣men hearing of the Turkes designes, repaired thither out of ITALY, FRANCE, SPAINE, GER∣MANIE,

and other places of Christendome, cheerfully to aduenture their liues, in defence both of the place, and of the Christian religion, against the common enemie of Christianitie. The Great Master taking a generall view of all the forces he had, to oppose against so puissant an ene∣mie, found that he had in the citie sixteene thousand able men: in which number were recko∣ned manie Iewes and other men of seruile condition; who in the siege following, did right good seruice. The great Bassa conducted by the false traitour Demetrius, safely landed both his armie and artillerie in the island the two and twentith day of Iune, not farre from the citie. At which time the Great Master considering that the safetie of the citie consisted more in the liuely valour of the defendants, than in the strength of the dead wals, or other warlike prouision; thought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 requisite, as a part of his duetie, by cheerfull persuasions to encourage them, valiantly to wi••h∣stand the force of their enemies. And therefore calling them all together, spake vnto them as followeth:

* 6.67At length valiant souldiours and fellowes at armes, we see the Turkes our mortall enemies (〈◊〉〈◊〉 we were before aduertised, as well by letters from our friends, as by common fame) breathing after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 destruction; in readinesse to destroy our churches, our oratories, our alters, our religion, and whatsoe∣uer els we account sacred or religious; seeking the ruine of this noble citie, and the cruell death of vs all; gaping at once, to deuour our liues, our wealth, our hope, with all our former honour. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as I cannot denie but that the chance of warre is doubtfull, and the euent thereof vncertaine: so when I consider your valiant courage and cheerfulnesse of mind, I presently conceiue a most assured hope of victorie. They haue entered into armes against vs, not so much for anie desert of ours, or vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other quarrell; as for the vnsatiable desire of rule, and the great despite they beare against vs and the Christian religion. But to withstand their furie, and to frustrate their designes, we want neither w••••∣pons, nor artillerie, nor prouision for many yeares; we haue a most strong garrison of Frenchmen, Spa∣niards, Germaines, English, and others, the verie chiualrie of Christendome: and that which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, Christ Iesus our Captaine and Generall, by whose power, we shall no doubt easily repulse the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 force of our most wicked and gracelesse enemies. The care wee haue for the defence of the Christi•••• faith, wherunto we are by speciall profession bound, will animate and encourage vs against them, which seeke for nothing more than to extend their wicked and grose superstition, to the great dishonour of God, and of his sonne Christ Iesus▪ Besides that, we are warlike Frenchmen, Italians, Germaines, and other worthy Christians: they are of CARIA, LYDIA, CAPADOCIA, and the other delicat coun∣tries of ASIA; effeminat persons, brought vp to pleasure. I say it not to draw you into anie manifest or ineuitable danger, neither to feed you with vaine hope, or to fill your eares with windie words: b•••• this I promise and assure you of, that if this siege shall continue long, hither will come such strong 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANIE and SPAINE, as will serue not onely to raise the siege, b•••• to recouer againe the empires of CONSTANTINOPLE and TRAPEZONDE. Then shall our en••∣mies see no good end of their counsels; but all their deuises so confounded, as that they shall hardly be able by speedie flight to saue themselues. But suppose the hardest should happen, which I feare 〈◊〉〈◊〉: would not anie man account his life most happely and honourably spent, in defence of a good conscience, and the quarrell of Christ Iesus? Truely my great yeares and course of life now almost spent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 defe•••• of the Christian religion (as I euer desired) doth call me forth, as one so assured of that good laid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for me in heauen by Christ Iesus (whose battell we are to fight) that I no whit feare anie enemies force or future chance: which for all that, I haue as farre as I could, and to the vttermost of my power so prouided for, as that we will not (I hope) be therwith ouerwhelmed. Be you therefore of good che••re and comfort (as I know you are) and shew your selues valiant and couragious, which resteth wholy i•• your selues: and as for all the rest, time, and our discretion shall right well prouide I doubt not.

The valiant men and worthy souldiours, resting vpon the assurance of their aged gouernor, departed euerie man to his charge, full of hope and courage. Now had the Bassa landed his great armie, and sent Demetrius the traiterous knight, Meligalus his companion, with certaine troupes of horsemen and some foot, to view the ground, where he might best encampe with his armie. Demetrius in great pride riding about the citie, was knowne by Anthony Damboyse, the Great Masters brother; by whose leaue, he sallied out with a troupe of gallant horsemen, and skirmished with them: but the Turkes being mo in number, cast about to haue encloased them; which Anthony perceiuing, turned vpon them that were comming behind him, and that with

such force, that he slew or wounded most part of them. In this hoat skirmish, Demetrius ha∣uing his horse slaine vnder him, and himselfe ouerthrowne, was there troden to death vnder the horses feet: an end too good for so false a traitour. Muratius a French knight, vnaduisedly dis∣poiling his dead bodie, was by the Turkes slaine, and his head presented vnto the Bassa in stead of Demetrius.

The Bassa approaching the citie, at the first comming tooke a great orchard, which the Great Master had strongly entrenched, and therein placed certaine companies of souldiours, with some small pieces of ordinance: which place if it could haue beene kept, might haue fitly serued the defendants to haue at their pleasure sallied out vpon the enemie. But they which were appointed to the keeping thereof, either terrified with the sight of so great an armie, or else doubting to be able to hold it against so great a power, abandoned it by night, and retired into the citie; leauing the great ordinance behind them for hast. In this place, the Bassa by the counsell of George Fra∣paine (a Christian fugitiue of the RHODES, and now master of his ordinance) began to plant his batterie, & from thence to batter the tower called Nicholea, or S. Nicholas his tower, distant frō the citie three hundreth paces. But against this place, Damboyse had so aptly mounted two great Basiliskes, that he made him glad quickly to forsake the same: yet finding no other place more conuenient for his purpose, shortly after he neere vnto the same place planted againe his batte∣rie, of farre greater force than before. Wherein beside the ordinance of greatest charge, he had three hundred smaller pieces for batterie: wherewith at the first he did small harme, for that this George Frapaine repenting himselfe (as it was thought) of his foule treason, bestowed the shot to small purpose; for which cause the Bassa began to haue him in distrust: which Frapaine per∣ceiuing, fled by night againe vnto the RHODES, and discouered vnto the Great Master all the secrets of the Turkes campe. The Turkes continuing the batterie, had sore shaken the aforesaid tower called S. Nicholas, and beaten downe some part thereof: which the Christians with great industrie, speedily repaired in best sort they could. For all that, the Turks gaue therunto a fierce assault, by the space of six houres, forcing themselues to the vttermost to haue taken it: but per∣ceiuing that it preuailed them nothing,* 6.68 they retired, hauing lost eight hundred of their men, with manie others drowned in the sea, of whom the number was not knowne, and a thousand others sore wounded.

Mesithes disappointed of his former purpose, bent his artillerie against the wals of the citie, and with continuall batterie had made a faire breach. But Damboyse foreseeing the danger, had with great labour cast vp such rampiers with a countermure before the breach, that the Bassa durst not in anie case aduenture to enter the breach he had made. For performance of this so ne∣cessarie a worke, the captaines themselues refused not to put to their helping hands: by whose ex∣ample, all the rest of the people which were able to doe anie thing, being moued, willingly em∣ployed their labour vntill the worke was fully finished.

Whilest these things were in doing, Cali-Bassa the younger (a great courtier) was sent from Mahomet, to see with what successe the siege went forward. Vpon whose arriuall, it was giuen out through all the Turks campe, That Mahomet was in person himselfe comming to the siege, with an hundred thousand men, and an hundred and fiftie peeces of great ordinance. These news (of purpose deuised to the terrour of the defendants) being blowne out of the campe into the ci∣tie, strucke an exceeding great feare into the mindes of some of the defendants, and so discoura∣ged the Spaniards, with their nigh neighbors that came from NAVAR, that they began openly to reason in their conuenticles, That it was not possible for the citie to be defended against such a power; and therefore after an insolent manner, desired leaue to be gone: to the great discourage∣ment of the rest. The Great Master vnderstanding of their doings, sent for these mutinous Spa∣niards: and after he had sharpely reprooued them both of disorder and cowardise, promised to ship them away forthwith out of the isle, saying, That he doubted not, right well to defend the citie against the greatest power of the Turke, without the helpe of such base minded cowards. In the meane time he commanded them to surcease from their mutinous talke, threatning other∣wise to make them examples to others, what it were so much to forget themselues. But these Spaniards shortly after, better considering of the matter, and what a dishonour it would be both to themselues and their nation, if they should so dishonourably be sent away; repenting them∣selues of that they had done, came and craued pardon of the Great Master: and to redeeme their former fault, in all sallies and seruices during that siege, shewed themselues most valiant and

forward men: for all that, the Great Master would neuer afterwards trust them in any seruice [ G] alone. The Bassa attempting much and preuailing little, thought it would much further his de∣signes, if he could by anie meanes take the Great Master out of the way, by whose carefull pol∣licie he saw all his deuises still countermaunded: wherefore to bring this his purpose to passe, he practised by the meanes of one Ianus a Dalmatian, to poyson him. This Ianus hauing con∣ceiued this treason from the Bassa, was receiued into the citie of the RHODES, as a Christian fugitiue fled from the Turkes: where hee acquainted himselfe with one Pythius an Epiro••, of great familiaritie with Marius Philelphus (of late secretarie vnto Damboyse, but as then out of fauour and in disgrace, for that he was partaker with the Spaniards in the late mutinie.) Ianus by the meanes of Pythius, whom he had now throughly corrupted, sought after Philelphus, who then as hee right well knew,* 6.69 liued discontented, as a fit instrument whereby to worke this trea∣son; for that he was a man well acquainted with the cookes and butlers, and other seruitours in the Great Masters house, and himselfe (yet) there verie conuersant also. Pythius presuming of his old acquaintance and familiaritie with Philelphus, and waiting vpon his melancholie hu∣mour, began to persuade him to reuenge the disgrace he liued in, and withall to shew him the meanes how to doe it, by poysoning of the Great Master: which might (as he said) fall out to his greater good than he was yet aware of. Philelphus making semblant as if he had not disli∣ked of the motion, was desirous to know of him what farther benefit might thereby arise vnto him, more than reuenge. To whom Pythius forthwith shewed the Bassaes letters to Ianus, whereby hee assured him, that whatsoeuer he should promise vnto anie man for the furthe∣rance of the practice, he would to the full performe the same. Philelphus hauing got full vn∣derstanding of the treason, presently discouered the same to Damboyse. By whose commande∣ment Ianus and Pythius were straightwaies apprehended, and being examined confessed the treason: for which Ianus lost his head, and Pythius (as hee had well deserued) was shamefully hanged. Philelphus for his fidelitie, was pardoned his former errour, and againe receiued into the Great Masters fauour.

The Bassa vnderstanding that the treason was discouered, and the traitours executed, was much grieued therewith. Neuerthelesse, he ceased not with continuall batterie to shake the ci∣tie, but especially the tower of S. Nicholas, for the assailing whereof he made wonderfull prepa∣ration. Amongst other things, he had framed a great bridge, staied with strong ropes and cables, ouer a short fret of the sea, betwixt the place of his batterie and the same tower, whereon six men might march a breast: in which deuise he reposed great hope. But as the Turkes were making fast this bridge, and had (as they thought) brought the worke to a good perfection; Geruaise Ro∣gers an English man of great courage, and verie skilfull in sea matters, found meanes by night to cut and breake in sunder all the ropes and cables wherewith the bridge was staied: which now loose, was by the violence of the sea quickly carried away, and the Turkes disappointed of their purpose. For which good seruice he was by the Great Master honorably rewarded, and of him in publike audience highly commended.

Yet was the furious batterie by the Bassa still maintained, and a new bridge framed vpon small boats and lighters, fast moored with cables and anchors; and diuers peeces of great ordi∣nance placed in fusts and gallies. So that the tower was at one time battered both by sea and land, the defendants assailed with small shot and arrowes innumerable, and the tower at the same in∣stant desperatly scaled. But Damboyse had so placed his great ordinance, that with the force ther∣of the bridge was broken in sunder, foure of their great fusts sunke, with great store both of men and ordinance: the defendants also in the tower, with shot, timber, stones, and other such like things prouided for that purpose, grieuously ouerwhelmed the Turks that were scaling the wals, and beat them downe with great slaughter. This hoat assault was desperatly maintained by the Turkes, from three a clocke in the morning vntill ten: when the Bassa seeing no hope to pre∣uaile, gaue ouer the assault,* 6.70 hauing therein lost aboue 2500 men; whose dead bodies shortly af∣ter driuen on shoare, were spoyled by the Christians. The same night two mercinarie souldiors of CRETE, going about to haue fled vnto the enemie, were apprehended and put to death. And George Frapaine, who in the beginning of the siege fled from the Turks, now againe vehemently suspected of treason, was executed also.

Thus neither force nor treason preuailing, the Bassa because he would leaue nothing vnpro∣ued that might better his cause, sent certaine messengers vnto the great Master, offering vnto him

in the name of the Turkish emperour, great rewards, with many honourable preferments, if he would yeeld vp the citie; which he could not (as they would haue persuaded him) long hold against so mightie an enemie: wishing him now in his declining estate not to refuse such honou∣rable and princely offers, for feare he were afterwards constrained to accept of farre worse, or els through his desperat wilfulnesse plunge himselfe and his people into such extreame perill, as should be impossible for him or them to find any way out of. Whereunto the great Master in breefe answered:* 6.71 That he would not willingly in his sure estate vse the counsell of his enemie: neither in his greatest distresse refuse chearefully to yeeld his life vnto Almightie God, to whom he did owe it; and that with farre better will than to yeeld vp the citie vpon any conditions, beare they neuer so faire a shew of honour or profit. The messengers perceiuing his constant resolution, rather to die than to yeeld his citie, began (according to instructions before giuen them by the Bassa) to temper with him another way, and to persuade him to yeeld vnto the mightie emperour some small yearely tribute or other homage, as an acknowledgement of his greatnesse, and so to liue as his friend in peace. But the great Master knowing by the wofull example of others, that in that small request lay included the beginning of the Turkish thraldome and slauerie: vtterly refused to pay him the least tribute, or to doe him the least homage that could be deuised. With which answere the messengers returned, hauing obtained nothing of that they were sent for.

The resolute answer of the great Master reported by the aforesaid messengers vnto the Bassa, troubled him exceedingly: for though he had small hope by force to win the citie, yet hee was alwayes in hope vntill now, at his pleasure to forsake the siege with some such reasonable com∣position as might stand with his honour. But sith nothing remained now, but by plaine force to constraine his enemies; hee resolued for the safegard of his honour, in that extremitie to vse that extreame remedie. Wherfore beside the great peeces of batterie he had alreadie planted against the wals, he mounted diuers smaller peeces much higher, thereby the more to annoy the defen∣dants, by beating downe of their churches and high built houses. His ordinance thus placed, he battered the citie day and night for the space of foure dayes together without intermission: du∣ring which time, the Christians out of the citie spared not liberally to bestow their shot amongst their enemies also: so that the aire seemed to grow thicke, and the light of the day to be darkned with the smoke of the great ordinance; and the great shot came so thicke into the citie, that the fearefull women and children were glad to shroud themselues from the danger thereof, in cellars and caues vnder ground. So long continued this great batterie, that at length the strength of the wall gaue place to the furie of the cannon, and a faire breach was laid open for the enemie to en∣ter: which was no sooner made,* 6.72 but that with the first shew thereof the Turks gaue thereunto a desperat assault; and preuailing by reason of their multitude, had vpon the suddaine recouered the top of the wals, and there set vp some of their ensignes: but the Christians speedily comming in on euery side to the defence of the breach, they were againe quickly repulsed and beaten down into the ditches, out of which most of them neuer rise more. At which time the Turks in ano∣ther place with their scaling ladders had gained the top of the wals, and there aduanced their en∣signes also▪ and were now fiue hundred of them entred the citie, and come into the street called the Iews street: where they were encountred by the Great Master & his followers, and all slaine that were alreadie entred, and their ensignes that stood vpon the wals throwne downe. The rest yet scaling the wals, and ignorant of the fortune of their fellowes, were likewise beaten from the wals, and with wonderfull slaughter rejected. So that the Bassa not able longer to endure the slaughter of his men, being in both places repulsed, caused a retreat to be sounded, and left the assault; wherein he had lost of his most forward men about fiue thousand, with small losse of the Christians. In this assault the great Master himselfe receiued fiue wounds, whereof one vnder his right pap was thought to haue been deadly: which yet afterwards was very well cured with the rest.

After that the Bassa had by the space of three months to small purpose spent all his forces and deuises vpon the citie, he began to doubt whether it were better for him to raise his siege and de∣part, or to tarrie and expect some better fortune, which in all his former actions had seemed al∣most to haue waited vpon him: to forsake the siege, was dishonourable; and to continue it with∣out hope, presented no lesse danger. Besides that, in the former assaults he had alreadie lost nine thousand of his best souldiours, and all the rest of his armie was filled with heauinesse and de∣spaire, to heare the wofull sighing and groning of their fellowes, of whom fifteene thousand lay

dispersed in the campe sore wounded, and readie many of them to giue vp the ghost: and also but euen a little before two great ships sent from Ferdinand king of NAPLES with men and munition, were in despight of all the Turkes gallies safely arriued at the RHODES, to the great joy and encouragement of the besieged, and no lesse discontentment of the Turks. Whilest the Bassa was thus deliberating what course to take, a rumor was raised in the campe, That the Chri∣stian princes were comming with great power to relieue the town: with which news the whole armie was exceedingly troubled; whereupon he raised his siege. Some others say that Maho∣met hearing of the euill successe of his armie in the island of the RHODES, with the difficultie of the siege, and now readie to goe in person himselfe against the Sultan of AEGIPT, sent for the Bassa, and that so the siege was raised. Howsoeuer it was, the Bassa before his departure caused all the vines and trees growing in that part of the island to be cut downe and spoiled: and so af∣ter he had poured forth his furie vpon the sencelesse creatures,* 6.73 which he could not according to his desire exercise vpon the people, againe embarked his armie, and with shame departed, the 17 day of August.

At the same time that the RHODES was thus besieged, Mahomet sent his old and most ex∣pert captain Achmetes Bassa, with a great fleet and a strong armie to make an entrance into ITA∣LIE (for no kingdom was so strong, which the ambitious tyrant in the pride of his heart thought not hee might now commaund) and hauing long before conquered CONSTANTINOPLE▪ otherwise called New ROME, was still dreaming I wot not what of the conquest of old ROME also. The mischeeuous Bassa according to his great masters designs, embarked his armie at VAL∣LONA (otherwise called AVLONA) a sea towne in the borders of MACEDONIA; and from thence passing directly ouer that narrow sea, which is in breadth about sixtie miles, landed his men in that rich and fertile part of ITALIE,* 6.74 called in antient time APVLIA (now PVGLIA) neer vnto the old and famous citie of HYDRVNTVM, at this day called OTRANTO: where as soone as this warlike Bassa had landed his forces, he forraged all that rich country alongst the sea coast, and tooke such infinit spoile as might well haue satisfied the greedie desire both of himselfe and of his hungrie soldiors: all which rich bootie he caused to be conueyed vnto his gallies. So when he had at his pleasure raunged vp and downe the countrey by the space of foureteene dayes, and saw that none made head against him, he laid siege to OTRANTO, the cheefe citie of that coun∣trey, and as it were the key of that part of ITALIE: and hauing with such ordinance as he tooke out of his gallies made a breach, easily entred the same, and so without any great losse tooke the citie. A thing not greatly to be maruelled at, for as much as it was but weakly manned, and more weakely defended,* 6.75 by men altogether liuing in securitie in the middest of their wealth and plea∣sure. The Archbishop, with Zurlo the Gouernour, and the cheefe men of the citie, for safegard of their liues fled into the great cathedrall church, as into a sanctuarie; where they were altogether most miserably slaine. The rest of the citizens, whose hard fortune it was to escape the sword (as people reserued to more miserie) were afterward shipped ouer into GRECIA, and there sold for slaues. The landing of the Turkes in APVLIA, with the taking of OTRANTO, brought a gene∣rall feare vpon all ITALIE, insomuch that Sixtus Quartus, then the great Bishop of ROME, for∣getting all things saue himselfe, was about to haue forsaken the citie for feare. Now after the Turkes had at their pleasure ransackt OTRANTO, Achmetes caused the same to be strongly for∣tified (as the sure footing of the Turkes in ITALIE) and victualled for eighteene moneths, and there leauing eight thousand of his best souldiors in garrison, returned himselfe with the rest to VALLONA, and so by land to CONSTANTINOPLE to know his great Masters further pleasure▪ but purposing with himselfe, with the first of the next Spring to haue returned with greater for∣ces againe into ITALIE for the prosecuting of his former victorie. Which if he had done, it was greatly to haue been feared, that all that goodly countrey, sometime mistresse of the world, but then and yet also rent in sunder by the discord and ambition of the Christian princes, had in short time become a prey vnto the barbarous Turke for euer.

But whilest the great Bassa (in his life time the great scourge of Christendome) thus proudly plotteth the ruine and destruction of faire ITALIE, God in whose hands the hearts of kings are, put an hooke in the great tyrants nose, and led him quite another way. For at the same time, the Caramanian king, aided by the Persian and the Sultan of AEGIPT, had in a great battaile ouer∣throwne Baiazet (Mahomets eldest sonne then liuing) and slaine most part of his armie: in re∣uenge whereof, Mahomet with great expedition raised a great and puissant armie, and taking

Achmetes with him as his cheefe man of war, rejecting the wars of ITALIE vnto a more conue∣nient time, passed ouer into ASIA: where vpon the way, about a daies journey short of NICO∣MEDIA, a citie of BYTHINIA,* 6.76 at a place called GEIVISEN, he fell sicke; and there for the space of three dayes greeuously tormented with an extreame paine in his bellie,* 6.77 which some supposed to be the collicke, died; but being indeed (as most men thought) poysoned: when hee had liued a∣bout 52 yeares, and thereof raigned 31, in the yeare of our Lord 1481. His bodie was afterwards magnificently buried in a chappell neere vnto the great Mahometane temple, which he himselfe first built at CONSTANTINOPLE.

The death of this mightie man (who liuing troubled a great part of the world) was not much more lamented by those that were neerest vnto him (who euer liuing in feare of his crueltie,* 6.78 ha∣ted him deadly) than of his enemies, who euer in doubt of his greatnesse, were glad to heare of his end. He was of stature but low, and nothing answerable to the height of his mind, square set, and strong limmed; not inferiour in strength (when he was yong) vnto any in his fathers court, but to Scanderbeg onely; his complexion was Tartarlike, sallow and melancholie, as were most of his ancestours the Othoman kings; his looke and countenance sterne, with his eyes piercing, hollow and little sunke as it were in his head, and his nose so high and crooked that it almost tou∣ched his vpper lip. To be breefe, his countenance was altogether such, as if nature had with most cunning hand therein depainted and most curiously set forth to view the inward disposition and qualities of his mind: which were on both parts notable. Hee was of a very sharpe and appre∣hensiue wit, learned as amongst that nation, especially in Astronomie, and could speak the Greek, Latine, Arabicke, Chaldey, and Persian tongues. He delighted much in reading of histories, and the liues of worthie men, especially the liues of Alexander the Great, and of Iulius Caesar, whom he proposed to himselfe as examples to follow. He was of an exceeding courage, and thereto ve∣ry fortunate: a seuere punisher of injustice, in them especially to whom hee had committed the administration of justice. Men that excelled in any qualitie, he greatly fauoured and honourably entertained: as he did Gentill Bellin, a painter of VENICE, whom he purposely caused to come from thence to CONSTANTINOPLE, to draw the liuely counterfeit of himselfe, for which he most bountifully rewarded him. He so seuerely punished theft, as that in his time all the wayes were safe, and a theefe scarcely to bee heard of. But these good parts were in him obscured with most horrible and notorious vices: for why, he was altogether irreligious, and of all others most per••idious, ambitious aboue measure, and in nothing more delighted than in blood: insomuch, that it is probably gathered, that hee was in his time the death of eight hundred thousand men: craft, couetousnesse, and dissimulation were in him accounted for tollerable faults, in comparison of his greater vices. In his loue was no assurance, and his least displeasure was death: so that hee liued feared of all men,* 6.79 and died lamented of none. He had issue three sonnes, Mustapha (dead before him as is before declared) Baiazet, and Gemes, or rather Zemes, of some called Zizimus, competitor of the empire with his elder brother: whom hee exceedingly troubled in the begin∣ning of his raigne, so that he could not well attend any other thing but him▪ which oportunitie (by God himselfe no doubt offered for the safegard of ITALIE) Alphonsus duke of CALABRIA, (king Ferdinand his eldest son) taking hold vpon, with all the power he could make in ITALIE, besieged the Turks in OTRANTO: with whom he had many sharpe skirmishes, wherein he lost diuers of his great captaines and commaunders; as the countie Iulio de Aquaiua, Loys de Capua, and the countie Iulio de Pisa, with others, and was still by the strong garrison of the Turks put to the worse: vntill such time, as being strengthened with aid out of SPAINE and PORTINGALE, but especially with certaine companies of most valiant souldiours sent from Matthias Coruinus out of HVNGARIE (whose forces the Turks most feared) he began to cut them short, and straitly besieged the citie both by sea and land: vntill at length the besieged Turkes hearing of the death of their great emperour, and now hardly pressed with the dangers of a strait siege, no longer ex∣pecting the returne of Achmetes their Generall (then readie to haue come to their rescue with fiue and twentie thousand soldiors) yeelded vp the citie vnto the duke vpon composition before made,* 6.80 That they might with bag and baggage in safetie depart thence: which they did, after they had to the great terror of all ITALIE holden that strong citie by the space of a yeare. And so was that rich countrey rather by the mercie of God (in taking away the great tyrant) preser∣ued, than by the strength or policie of the inhabitants; which was then in great danger to

haue for euer giuen place vnto the power of the great tyrant, had he longer liued; yea and after [ G] his death to the power of Baiazet his sonne, had he not by domesticall troubles been enforced to turne himselfe another way, and as it were to neglect in time to releeue his distressed garrison in OTRANTO, as shall hereafter be declared.

FINIS.

Christian prin∣ces of the same time with Ma∣homet the Great.

• Emperours
  • Of the East
    • Constantinus Palaeologus, last Christian emperor of Constantinople. 1444. 8.
  • Of the West
    • Frederick the third, Arch∣duke of Austria. 1440. 54.
• Kings
  • Of England
    • Henrie the sixt. 1422. 39.
    • Edward the fourth. 1460. 22.
  • Of Fraunce
    • Charles the seuenth. 1423. 38.
    • Lewis the eleuenth. 1461. 22.
  • Of Scotland
    • Iames the second. 1437. 24.
    • Iames the third. 1460. 29.
• Bishops of Rome
  • Nicholas the V. 1437. 8.
  • Calixtus the III. 1455. 3.
  • Pius the II. 1458. 6.
  • Paulus the II. 1464. 7.
  • Xystus the IIII. 1471. 13.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Paulus Ioui∣us Illust▪ vi∣rorum, Elog. lib. 3.
• * 1.2

  1450
• * 1.3

  Mahomet of no religion.
• * 1.4

  Mahomet mur∣dereth his bre∣thren.
• * 1.5

  A cruell reuenge of an angrie wo∣man.
• * 1.6

  Mahomet refor∣meth the Tur∣kish cōmonweale.
• * 1.7

  1451
• * 1.8

  Mahomet goeth against the king of Caramania.
• * 1.9

  Mentesia subdu∣ed by the Turks.
• * 1.10

  1452
• * 1.11

  Mahomet ma∣keth preparation for the besieging of Constantino∣ple.
• * 1.12

  Constantinus the emperor in vaine craueth aid of the Christian princes.
• * 1.13

  1453
• * 1.14

  Vide ••••onardi Ch••ensis Ar∣chiepiscopi Mi••••len hist. d•• captiuitate Con lantino∣politana.
• * 1.15

  Mahomet en∣cam••eth before Constantinople.
• * 1.16

  The situation of Constantinople.
• * 1.17

  Constantinople built by Pausa∣n••as, destroyed by Seuerus, reedifi∣ed by Constan∣tine the Great, and now taken by Mahomet the Turke.
• * 1.18

  The magnificent temple of S. So∣phia.
• * 1.19

  The frugalitie of the Turkes in their p••iuat buil∣d••••g••.
• * 1.20

  The Turks fl••et.
• * 1.21

  Constantinople vndermined by the Turks.
• * 1.22

  Seuentie of the Turks galliots brought eight miles ouerland (by the deuice of a Christian) into the hauen of Constantinople.
• * 1.23

  A wonderfull bridge made by the Turks ouer the hauen of Constantinople.
• * 1.24

  A notable fight betweene four of the Christians ships, and the Turks fl••et.
• * 1.25

  The citizens of Constantinople without cause murmure against the emperour.
• * 1.26

  A bare shift for money.
• * 1.27

  Constantinople assaulted by the Turks.
• * 1.28

  Mahomet renu∣eth the assault.
• * 1.29

  The Christians forsake the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.30

  Constantinople woon by the Turkes.
• * 1.31

  Mahomet solem∣niseth his feast•• in Constantino∣ple with the blo••d of the Grecian nobilitie.
• * 1.32

  Pera yeelded to the Turke.
• * 1.33

  Mahomet nota∣bly dissembleth his hatred a∣gainst Caly Bassa.
• * 1.34

  Mahomet pla∣ceth his imperiall seat at Constan∣tinople, and is worthely accoun∣ted first Emperor of the Turks.
• * 1.35

  1454
• * 1.36

  Thomas and De∣metrius rebell a∣gainst Mahomet, and are by him spoiled of part of their dominion.
• * 1.37

  Mahomet com∣meth againe into Pe••••ponesus.
• * 1.38

  Demetrius sub∣mitteth himselfe to Mahomet.
• * 1.39

  Peloponesus sub∣dued by the Turks.
• * 1.40

  The death of George, Despot of Seruia.
• * 1.41

  Ser••ia yeelded to the Turke.
• * 1.42

  Belgrade besie∣ged.
• * 1.43

  The Turks fleet ouerthrown by the Christians.
• * 1.44

  Carazies Bassa slaine.
• * 1.45

  Belgrade assaul∣ted by the Turks.
• * 1.46

  The Turks nota¦bly repulsed.
• * 1.47

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉.
• * 1.48

  The death of the most famous cap∣taine Huniades.
• * 1.49

  1461
• * 1.50

  Vsun Cassan the Persian king sendeth embassa∣dours with pre∣sents to Maho∣met.
• * 1.51

  Mahomet inua∣deth Ismael, prince of Sinope.
• * 1.52

  Trapezond be∣sieged by Maho∣met.
• * 1.53

  Trapezond yeel∣ded vnto the Turks.
• * 1.54

  The ruine of the empire of Tra∣pezond.
• * 1.55

  1462
• * 1.56

  Mahomet see∣keth to entrap Wladus prince of Valachia.
• * 1.57

  Chamuzes Bassa and the Turkes secretarie hāged.
• * 1.58

  Mahomet him∣selfe in person in∣uadeth Valachia
• * 1.59

  A most horrible spectacle.
• * 1.60

  Two thousand of the Valachies slaine.
• * 1.61

  The death of Wladus.
• * 1.62

  1462
• * 1.63

  Mitylene besie∣ged.
• * 1.64

  Mitylene yeelded to the Turk••.
• * 1.65

  1464
• * 1.66

  The great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betwixt M••ho∣m••t and Scan∣derbeg, are at large written by Marinus Barle∣tius, in 13 books, De vita & ge∣stis Scanderbe∣gi, from whence this Historie is taken: and w••re done betwixt the yeares 1450 and 1467.
• * 1.67

  Vide Marinum Bar••etium lib. de vita & gestis Scanderbegi.
• * 1.68

  Debreas sent with 14000 horsemen t•• in∣uade Epirus.
• * 1.69

  A skirmish be∣twixt the Chri∣stians and the Turks.
• * 1.70

  The battell be∣twixt Scander∣beg & Debreas.
• * 1.71

  Debreas slain by Scanderbeg, and his armie ouer∣throwne.
• * 1.72

  A pleasant con∣tention betwixt Musachius and a Turke for his ransome.
• * 1.73

  The craftie pro∣c••eding of the Tur•••• messenger
• * 1.74

  Moses corrup∣te••.
• * 1.75

  Scanderbeg cr••∣ueth aid of Al∣phonsus king of Naples.
• * 1.76

  Alphonsus sen∣deth aid vnto Scanderbeg.
• * 1.77

  Scanderbeg be∣siegeth and ••i∣stresseth Belgrad.
• * 1.78

  Musachius slain and the Epirots put to ••••ight.
• * 1.79

  Scanderbeg seeth his men slain▪ and is not able to re∣leeue them.
• * 1.80

  Scanderbeg fli∣eth by night into Epirus.
• * 1.81

  Mahomet sen∣deth Moses with fifteene thousand sei••ct men to in∣uade Epirus.
• * 1.82

  A combat be∣twixt a Turke and a Christian••
• * 1.83

  The battell be∣twixt Scander∣beg and Moses.
• * 1.84

  Moses contem∣ned of the Turk••
• * 1.85

  Moses flieth from Constanti∣nople.
• * 1.86

  Amesa his first speech vnto Ma∣homet.
• * 1.87

  Amesa honoura∣bl•• entertained by Mahomet.
• * 1.88

  A notable speech of Scanderbeg vnto his cap∣tain••, how the Turks were to be withstood a•• their comming into Ep••u••.
• * 1.89

  The E••iro••s re∣mo••e all their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ut of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into the 〈…〉〈…〉 Turks.
• * 1.90

  Amesa is by the Bassa created king of Epirus.
• * 1.91

  The Turks camp 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.92

  Scanderbeg sud∣denly assaileth the Turkes.
• * 1.93

  A notable victo∣rie of the Chri∣stians.
• * 1.94

  The s••ee••h of Am••sa to Scan∣derbeg.
• * 1.95

  The answere of Scanderbeg to Amesa.
• * 1.96

  The death of Amesa.
• * 1.97

  A peace for a yeare concluded betwixt Maho∣met and Scan∣derbeg.
• * 2.1

  The letters of Scanderbeg to Mahomet.
• * 3.1

  The answere of Scanderbeg to the former letters of Mahomet.
• * 4.1

  The letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg for the concluding of a perpetuall peace betwixt them.
• * 4.2

  A peace c••••clud••d betwixt Ma∣••omet and Scan∣••erbeg.
• * 4.3

  The notable speech of Victor Capella, to per∣suade the Vene∣tians to take vp armes against Mahomet.
• * 4.4

  The Venetians take vp armes against the Turk.
• * 4.5

  The Venetians enter into confe∣deration with other Christian princes against the Turke.
• * 5.1

  The letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg.
• * 6.1

  Scanderbeg his answere to the letters of Maho∣met.
• * 6.2

  Ten thousand Turkes slai••••.
• * 6.3

  The Venetian•• attempting to win Patras, re∣ceiue great losse.
• * 6.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hos••n king of Hun∣ga••••e.
• * 6.5

  Mahomet sen∣deth Balabanus to inuade Epirus
• * 6.6

  Balabanus goeth against Scander∣beg.
• * 6.7

  The battell be∣t••ixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg.
• * 6.8

  Moses and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 captaines cruell•• ex••cuted by Mah••met.
• * 6.9

  The battell of Sfetigrade be∣twixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg.
• * 6.10

  Scanderbeg his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trai••••••••••∣ly fl••e to Bala∣banus.
• * 6.11

  Iacup slaine by Scanderbeg, and his armie dis∣comfited.
• * 6.12

  1463
• * 6.13

  Mahomet com∣meth to the siege of Croia.
• * 6.14

  Scanderbeg sur∣priseth Ionima the brother of Balabanus, and Hedar his sonne.
• * 6.15

  1466
• * 6.16

  Scan••erbeg fal∣leth si••ke.
• * 6.17

  The death of Scanderbeg.
• * 6.18

  Scanderbeg bu∣ried at Lyssa.
• * 6.19

  The bodie of Scanderbeg dig∣ged vp by the Turkes, and of them greatly ho∣noured.
• * 6.20

  Paulus Io••••••us Illust. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rorum, Elog. lib. 3.
• * 6.21

  Mathias king of 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ingdome of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Turke.
• * 6.22

  1470
• * 6.23

  Chalcis the chi••fe citie of Euboea besieged by the Turk••.
• * 6.24

  Treason in the citie.
• * 6.25

  Chalcis taken by the Turkes.
• * 6.26

  The fruitfull island of Euboea ta••en by the Turkes.
• * 6.27

  1471
• * 6.28

  1472
• * 6.29

  The Veneti∣an•• aided by king Ferdinand, the bishop of Rome, and the great master of the Rhodes, doe the Turks great harme all alongst the coast of the lesser Asia.
• * 6.30

  1473
• * 6.31

  Mahomet no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 troublesome vnto the Maho∣meta••e princes than to the Chri∣stian.
• * 6.32

  Vsun-Cassanes in a great battell ouerthroweth the Persian king.
• * 6.33

  1474
• * 6.34

  Two huge ar∣mies of the Turk•• and Persians in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 together.
• * 6.35

  The death of the noble Musta∣pha, Mahomet his eldest sonn••.
• * 6.36

  1475
• * 6.37

  Sol••man Bassa besiegeth Scodra with an armie of eightie thousand men.
• * 6.38

  Matt••ias ••ing of Hu••ga••ie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Turks to ••orsake the si••ge of Scodra.
• * 6.39

  1476
• * 6.40

  1477
• * 6.41

  Croia besieged by the Turke.
• * 6.42

  Contarenus the Venetian Gene∣rall slaine.
• * 6.43

  The Turk•• sh••w themselues at the riuer of Sontium
• * 6.44

  The countrey of Friuli spoiled by the Turkes.
• * 6.45

  1478
• * 6.46

  1479
• * 6.47

  Vide Marinum Barletium de expug Sco∣drensi.
• * 6.48

  The poore coun∣trey people flie for feare of the Turks.
• * 6.49

  Two o•• the Turk•• attempting to touch the wals of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ are both sl••ine, and one of their heads set vp vpon the wal.
• * 6.50

  Mahomet in person himselfe commeth vnto the siege of Sco∣dra.

  The order of Mahomets campe.
• * 6.51

  Mahomet purpo∣sing to giue a generall assault, encourageth his captaines and soldiors therunto.
• * 6.52

  The cittie of Scodra assaulted by the Turks the fourth time.
• * 6.53

  A most terrible assault.
• * 6.54

  Twelue thousand Turkes slaine in the last assault.
• * 6.55

  The Turk•• su∣perstitiously re∣uerence the new Moone.
• * 6.56

  Scodra againe most furiously assaulted by the Turkes.
• * 6.57

  The assault fiercely againe renued by the Turks.
• * 6.58

  A wofull sight.
• * 6.59

  A doubtfull fight.
• * 6.60

  A notable speech of the great Bassa Achmetes.
• * 6.61

  Lyssa taken by the Turks, and the bones of Scanderbeg d••g∣ged vp by them, and had in great reuerence.
• * 6.62

  A hard choice.
• * 6.63

  Scodra yeelded vnto the Turks.
• * 6.64

  1480
• * 6.65

  Mahomet lon∣geth after the Rhodes.
• * 6.66

  A death right worthy such a traitour.
• * 6.67

  The oration of the Great Ma∣ster to the rest of the knights and souldiors, to en∣courage them valiantly to with s••and the Turks.
• * 6.68

  Eight hundred Turks slaine.
• * 6.69

  Treason against the great Master d••sc••••ered, and the traitours executed.
• * 6.70

  Two thousand fiue hundred Turks slaine in the assault.
• * 6.71

  The resolute an∣swer of the great Master.
• * 6.72

  A faire bre••••h made by force of the Turkes bat∣terie.
• * 6.73

  The Bassa rai∣seth his siege.
• * 6.74

  Achmetes lan∣d••th his army in Apulia neere to Otranto, and spoileth the countrey.
• * 6.75

  Otranto taken by the Turkes.
• * 6.76

  1481
• * 6.77

  Mahomet dieth at Geiuisen in Bythinia, not without suspiti∣on of poyson. He is buried a•• Constantinople.
• * 6.78

  The description of Mahomet.
• * 6.79

  The sonnes of Mahomet, Mu∣stapha, Baiazet, and Zemes.
• * 6.80

  Otranto yeelded vp by the Turks vpon composition