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EL Mahdia founded in our time by Mahdi the first patriarke of Caira∣oan vpon the Mediterran sea, and fortified with strong wals, towers, and gates, hath a most noble hauen belonging thereto. Mahdi when hee first entred into this region, fained himselfe in an vnknowne habite to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the linage of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whereby growing into great fauour
of the people, he was by their assistance made prince of Cairaoan, and was called El Mahdi Califa: afterward trauelling fortie daies iourney westwarde into Numidia to receiue tribute due vnto him, he was taken by the prince of Segelmesse, and put in prison, howbeit the saide prince of Segelmese being presently mooued with compassion toward him, restored him to his former libertie, and was for his good will not long after slaine by him: Afterwarde tyrannizing ouer the people, and perceiuing some to conspire against him, he erected this towne of Mahdia, to the end he might there finde safe refuge when neede required. At length one Beiezid a Mahumetan prelate (whom they called the cauallier or knight of the asse, bicause that riding continually vpon an asse he conducted an armie of fortie thousand men) came vnto Cairaoan: but Mahdi fledde vnto his new towne, where with thirtie saile of ships sent him by a Mahumetan prince of Cordoua, he so valiantly encoun∣tered the enimie, that Beiezid and his sonne were both slaine in that battaile: afterward returning to Cairaoan, he grew in league and amitie with the citi∣zens, and so the gouernment remained vnto his posteritie for many yeeres. But an hundred and thirtie yeeres past this* 1.1 towne was taken by the Chri∣stians, and was after recouered by a certaine Mahumetan patriarke of Maro∣co called Abdul Mumen, but nowe it is subiect vnto the king of Tunis, by whom it is continually oppressed with most grieuous exactions. The inha∣bitants exercise traffike with forraine nations: and they are at so great dis∣sention with the Arabians, that they are scarce permitted to till their grounds. Not many yeeres ago Pedro de Nauarra assailing this towne one∣ly with nine ships, was defeated of his purpose, and constrained to returne with great losse of his men. This hapned in the yeere of our Lord 1519.
El Mahdia.