The Ottoman of Lazaro Soranzo VVherein is deliuered aswell a full and perfect report of the might and power of Mahamet the third, great Emperour of the Turkes now raigning: together with the interestes and dealinges which he hath with sondrie other princes, what hee is plotting against the state of Christendome, and on the other side what we may practise and put in execution against him to his great damage and annoyaunce. As also a true description of diuers peoples, countries, citties and voyages, which are most necessarie to bee knowen, especially at this time of the present warre in Hungarie. Translated out of Italian into English, by Abraham Hartvvell.

THE FIRST PART, (Book 1)

Wherein is treated of the head, of the Members, and of the Forces of the Ottoman EMPIRE. (Book 1)

IN the Ottoman Empire,* 1.1 there new raigneth, Mahamet the third of that name: a name veri∣ly no lesse dreadfull and terrible vnto Christendome, if ye obserue and marke the actions of the o∣ther two former Mahamets, then fatall to the Turkes themselues, euen in their owne opinion: for they doe greatly feare, that as the Citie of Constantinople, had her second beginning and in∣crease from one Constantine, and afterwards was lost and destroied vnder another Constantine, both being the sonnes of two Helenes: and likewise the Empire of Rome, began in one Augustus, and ended in ano∣ther Augustus; so this Citie shall be lost againe vnder

a Mahamet, euen as it was with armes conquered by Mahamet the second.

§. I.

THe now liuing Mahamet, Emperour of the Turkes,* 1.2 is by nature wittie, and by disposition fierce and cruell: but by accident myld, timo∣rous, and greatly effeminated, as hereafter shall bee shewed plainely, by certaine examples of diuers matters that haue beene done by him, both before he came to the Empire, and also after.

Mahamet,* 1.3 while he was but young, being shut vp into the Serraglio, and bearing great hatred against the Dwarfe Nasuf-Agà, for the many fauours which he continually receiued at the hands of the Empe∣rour Amurath, endeauoured so diligently to pry in∣to his actions, as hauing obserued, that euerie day he sent out of the Serraglio, a basket of flowers, hee imagined with himselfe, that vnder those flowers, hee conueied forth some things of greater moment. And thereupon, one morning hauing staied the Ca∣rier by force, and powred the flowers out vpon the ground, he found the basket full of Gold, and with exceeding indignation, accused him to his Father, telling him, that he was lesse fauored then his slaues: For (quoth he) they abound in that which is denied vn∣to me. And this he spake, because hee found his Fa∣ther to be verie couetous.

Moreouer,* 1.4 hee was so haughtie and disdaine full, as he could not endure that his grand-mother, who was (if all be true) a Gentlewoman of Venice, and of

the house of Baffo, should domineere in the Court, and ouer his Mother, who was born at Rezi,* 1.5 a towne in the mountaines of the Ducagini in Albania. In so much, as quarrelling with his Father for the same verie oftentimes, and ministring dayly vnto him new oecasions of dislike and feare: (for the Ottoman Emperours are so iealous of their owne life and safe∣tie, as both in regard of the common ambition of as∣piring minds, as also, and much the rather of their owne particular and peculiar crueltie, they will not pardon nor spare their owne bloud.) After hee was circumcised according to the Lawe of Mahamet, (wherat were present the Embassadours of the Em∣perour, of the Moscouite, of the Persian Sophi, and for the State of Venice, Giacomo Soranzo my vnkle, who in that businesse, had the chiefe place aboue the Christian Princes.) presently he was sent by his Fa∣ther into Magnesia, there to abide and keepe his resi∣dence. But when he did there euerie day more and more discouer his fiercenesse and crueltie;* 1.6 by cau∣sing (sometimes in deed of an indignation and rage, but sometimes of a fantasticall humour) the teates of women to bee pinched off with hote burning tongues: by putting to a most cruel death, two thou∣sand Softì, (that is to say, Schollers) onely because they had made a signe vnto him of some vnchast co∣gitation: and by killing many other persons, vpon verie light and slender occasions: and finally when he shewed himselfe to be vtterly alienated from ve∣nereall and wanton pleasures, and wholly occupied in Martiall actions: His Father grew into such a conceite against him, as adding thereunto sundrie

other weightie suspicions of secrete intelligences, which vnder the colour of friendship hee entertay∣ned in the Court with Sinan Bassa, (he that surprised Giauarino, and died the last yeare:) entred into a co∣gitation with himselfe not onely to haue him better guarded, but also to depriue him of his life, if he did not change his course. Whereof being oftentimes aduertised by the Ladie Sultane, his mother, and al∣so aduised by her to plucke this suspition out of his fathers head by addicting himselfe to pleasure, hee was obedient vnto her therein. And afterwardes he was so farre giuen ouer thereunto, as either altering or dissembling his proper nature, hee is by this acci∣dent, and of his owne accord growne to bee a most sensual Prince: and whether it be by habite and cu∣stome, or by enchaunting besotment, as some think, (wherein the Greeke, Hebrew, and Turkish Ladies are most cunning and skilfull,) hee cannot now liue, no not when he is in armes amongst his Souldiers, without those pleasures, not without communica∣ting the most important secrets of his state with his Fauourites and Miniones: Then which there is no∣thing more dangerous and pernitious to Princes. Not∣withstanding, I cannot agree in opinion with those who doe attribute the cause of this late going forth into the warres in his owne person, to this his sensualitie: for there are diuerse other truer reasons, that may be alleadged of that his lingering.

§ II.

FOr Mahamet being now become a new Prince,* 1.7 determined to informe himselfe first before all

other things, what were the forces of his state. Hee did well know the dislikes and braules which were amongst the Bassaes, and especially betweene Sinan and Ferat: in whose handes remained at that time the whole management of his Empire, as in due place we shall shew hereafter. There was in Constan∣tinople, a verie great dearth of all things necessary for vittaile, and specially of bread. He perceiued that the subiects were much discontented for many debts, which his father had not payed, but afterwards he satisfied them himselfe. He was not fullie perswa∣ded, what stirres the Persian might make, for the death of the young hostage Haidar, sonne to Emir Hamze, who was eldest sonne to Mahamet Coda∣banda: which was thought to haue happened not without some suspicion of poysoning. Besides that his principall Captaines promised, that they would follow the warres without his presence: (for they thought, that so they might the more easily enrich themselues.) He gaue exceeding credite to the im∣portant counsel and aduise of Sinan, who had vowed the vtter ruine and destruction, not onely of the Prince of Transiluania, but also of the Emperor with∣out any great difficultie: (and all this, because by continuing still in that supreme degree of gouern∣ment which he then enioyed, hee might make his persō the greater.) Moreouer, most true it is, that Ma∣hamet loueth peace: for that fiercenesse and crueltie which is naturall in him, and yet mollified by plea∣sure and ease, as Iron is by fire,* 1.8 is rather the disposi∣tion of a tyrant, then the hardinesse of a true warri∣our. And that was manifestly declared on a time,

when one of his dearest women, with teares & most affectionate praiers besought him in his gardens, that he would not go forth to the warres, by reason of a certaine strange and wonderfull dreame which she had the night before: but hee, growing into a great rage, for that shee went about in such sort to hinder the glorie, or rather, (as he said himselfe) the safetie of his state,* 1.9 with his owne hand slue her: and did not sticke likewise to threaten his mother, that he would also kill her, though otherwise shee was greatly esteemed and dearly beloued of him.

True also it is, that it was most conuenient for him to applie himselfe to the necessitie of the time,* 1.10 because he was but little esteemed, and not so wil∣lingly obeyed by his subiects, as the most part of the former Ottoman princes were: by reason that the authoritie, which in times past was wont to be in the chief Visier, he suffered to be communicated and di∣uided among the other Visiers: so that whensoeuer any fauour or benefite was graunted to any by one of them, it was verie often repealed and reuoked by the rest: A course that of all other doth soonest abate loue, and ingender contempt. And so much the rather, for that his father Amurath had taken order that the Visiers might bee remooued vpon euerie light occa∣sion, and had also brought vp a new custome to create many for money, and increased the number of them from foure to nine. Lastly, hee was enfor∣ced thereunto by the often chaunge and altera∣tion, which he vsed to make of his Heades and Cap∣taines, either vpon some wrong information, that he had of the state, and of their natures, or else be∣cause

it is a naturall propertie belonging to the Turks to chaunge their honours, and also their purposes, according to the euents of fabulous Fortune. For hauing receiued diuerse and sundrie discomfitures, he was of opinion (and indeed he doth alwayes put it in practise) that with the alteration of the head, hee shoulde make the members more couragious and hardie.

But against all these reasons aboue rehearsed,* 1.11 there were other respectes that preuayled indeede with him, and caused him to goe forth to the warre: and in particular, because the Souldiours being poore, newe, and discontented with the auarice of the former Generals, desired greatly the presence of their Lord and Emperour: and that principally for the largesse and giftes, which hee vseth to be∣stowe vpon them, when hee is in the campe him∣selfe. Where hauing now at the last appeared in person, hee hath obteyned great reputation, hee hath cancelled the dishonourable opinion that was conceyued of him, and he hath yeelded a singular satisfaction to his subiects: and so much the more, for that he endeuoured himselfe to gaine the bene∣uolence of his Souldiours, by shewing himselfe not onely verie liberall in bestowing largely vpon them, but also prouident and circumspect in walking on foote and visiting their lodgings. For which ac∣tion being reprooued by some of his Counsellers, for that hee exposed and offered himselfe too much to manifest daunger, contrarie to the custome of his predecessours, hee aunswered them with the wordes of Cyrus, That all those which followed him in

seruice being his brethren, it was fit he should make as good account of them as of himselfe. Another action of his there was, which did greatly reconcile their loues vnto him, viz. that being in his iourney, one Euening hee mounted vp to the top of his Paui∣lion, and espied two Tentes of Spahogl••ni, disunited from the rest of the Campe, to murther and rob such as scatteringly went abroade from their lod∣ginges: whereof being certainly assured, hee gaue them for a pray to the Gianizzaries, and afterwards caused their bodies to be fixed vpon stakes in the Campe.

Nowe to referre other matters to a more fitte place:* 1.12 hitherto it hath beene discoursed of the nature and conditions of the now liuing Empe∣rour of the Turks, whom they call Sultan Alem that is to say, The Lorde of the worlde, or (as others in∣terprete it) The Emperour of all, and King of Kinges: and therefore they call him also, Vlu Padi-Schach, that is to say- The supreme or Soueraigne Emperour: and to be short you haue here heard of the Chiefe head of the present Ottoman Empire: For as tou∣ching his Children, although they doe also some∣what appertaine to the Head of this Empire, yet I doe not intend at this time to enlarge this discourse about them.

§ III.

ONely thus much I will say,* 1.13 that hee hath two Sonnes: For his first and eldest dyed not long agoe. The eldest of those that are aliue at

this day, is of the age of 14. yeares or there abouts, and hath not as yet beene seene:* 1.14 for the sonnes of the great Turke may not be visited nor seene a∣broad publikely, vntill they be circumcised. And it is verie likely, that keeping companie (as hee doth) with many women, (among whome his greatest Fauorite and chiefe Dearling,* 1.15 is one La Flatra a Gentlewoman of Ciprus) he is to leaue behind him vnto his successor, many other children, for matter of the vsuall and wonted Tragidies of the Ottomans. But now I come to the mēbers, and first to the Principals.

§. IIII.

MAny men hold an opinion,* 1.16 that this Empire wanteth verie good Captaines. Whereunto they are peraduenture induced, because they haue vnderstood, that there are now dead, Piali, he that attempted the Isle of Malta: Mustafa, he that suppri∣sed Cyprus, Pertaf, Ali, and Vlucchiali, who were o∣uerthrowne in the Sea by the League of the Chri∣stian Princes, in the yeare 1571: afterwards Osman, Ferat, and Sinan, who performed memorable ex∣ploites in Persia, and else where: and hereupon they do thinke that together with these, there are wan∣ting some valourous persons among the Turkes. A suspition verily, not altogether varying from the truth. For most certaine it is, that the long and trou∣blesome warre in Persia hath depriued this Empire of many warriours, that were of credit and valour: howbeit the power and mightinesse of this state be∣ing at the first instituted, and sithence encreased by

Armes,* 1.17 and hauing maintayned it selfe hitherto rather by force then by loue, all such as haue any spirite of glorie among the Turkes, applie them∣selues to warrefare, hoping thereby onely to grow rich, and honourable aboue the rest. For they are not the most noble among them, but ordinarily the most valourous (excepting those that serue in the Serraglio, and in the Chamber of the great Turke) that are aduaunced to honours, which necessarily must haue infinite riches waying vpon them. And thereof it followeth that this Prince can neuer want Captaines of approued experience and valour: and so much the more, because euen euerie priuate Souldiour may mount from one degree to another, yea, and sometimes also per Sal∣tum, by Skipp, to the verie chiefe Generalship. But for as much as it is an ordinarie custome, that in all Armies the glorie is not giuen to any other, but to the chiefe Captaines, hereof it commeth, that because the most famous and best knowen Cap∣taines were wanting, all (as it were) at one time, it is commonly reported, that this Empire wan∣teth other men, that are worthie of Militarie go∣uernment.

But I will put downe the names of the principals, which gouerne at this present: to the ende, that if perhappes they should die, or be depriued of their charges and places, yet in regarde of that, where of they shall giue mee occasion to speake, the memorie and mention of them will serue mee to good pur∣pose in this present discourse.

§ V

BEfore that Mahamet the Emperour departed from Constantinople,* 1.18 in the most important go∣uernment of that Citie, which is full of sundrie Na∣tions, and humours, and is the seate of that most huge Empyre, hee set Hassan Bassa, the Eunuch, by Countrey an Albanian, of a towne of the Cica∣lessi, in the territorie of Elbasana. This man was Bassa of Cairo, in Egypt in the yeare 1582. at what time beeing recalled to the Court,* 1.19 because he was accused of diuerse misdemeanours, hee was in a great doubt with himselfe, and almost indeede resolute, eyther by fight to saue himselfe, or else to retyre towardes Ormuz, and so to passe into the Indies, but yet at last to Court hee went: where beeing imprisoned, and afterwardes raunsomed, by his Stewarde for fiue hundred Crownes, and nowe againe by his witte remounted to so high an honour, he will (in mine opinion) passe a great way further, if he liue. He is a man verie wise and gracious: a great enemie to the Iewes, and a friend to the Christians.

§ VI.

THe chiefe Generall in the Campe before the battaile at Agria,* 1.20 was Hibraim, borne in the pro∣uince of Herzecouina, and cosin to the grand-Turke. Hee is a man of small braine, and most

vnfit for any commaund: but liberall, and pleasant, or rather fantasticall and ridiculous. He calleth the Sate of Venice, and the State of Ragugia, his Cousins. He sayth he will take Milan with an Armada or fleet of shippes: and surprise the Isle of Malta, by making a mine vnder the Island: with diuers other such like fooleries. He sheweth himselfe greatly inclined to peace, not onely because he is verie timorous, but because he would please the Ladie Sultane, Mother to the great Turke, and also his owne wife.

§. VII.

TO Hibraim, there succeeded Sinan Cicala, for that in the last fight with the Christians, as the one shewed himselfe verie vnfit for so principall a gouernment,* 1.21 so was this man iudged to be very va∣lourous euen by the Turkish Emperour himselfe, because he had brought backe the Armie, saued him his life, and left the issue of the battaile, doubtfull. Whereupon he thought him worthie not onely of such a charge, but also of the chiefe Visiership. Yet at the last he was depriued both from the one office and from the other, because he went about (some∣what too boldly) to aduise and counsell the Empe∣rour,* 1.22 that he would not giue so much credite to the Sultane Ladies, and especially to his mother, who, because they would not loose his companie, sought by all possible meanes to make him an effeminate and cowardly person; and in the end hee was bani∣shed into Bursia a Cittie in Asia, sometime the seate of the Ottoman Princes, where hee remained not

without danger of his life. For the mother (as wo∣men are wont to do, which either loue or hate extreamly) ceased not daily to entreate her sonne, that he would cause him to be put to death, because shee could not endure that a slaue should be so bould, as to goe a∣bout to bring her into disgrace. This did Cicala feare, and great reason he had so to do, not onely in regard of the vnstayednesse and inconstancie of the Prince, and the great affection which he bare to wo∣men, but also because he knewe, that Hibraim being now returned to Constantinople at the instant suite of the Sultane Ladies, and especially of his wife, (for the chiefe Visier, being once displaced, cannot re∣turne againe vnlesse he recouer his former degree,) he would continually persecute him, and foster the quarrels that were lately picked against him, by the adherents and followers of Ferat, who was an ar∣rant enemie to Sinan, with whome Cicala had com∣bined himselfe, euen to his death. Notwithstan∣ding Cicala being verie rich, of a good wit and great valour, and especially verie skilfull in Land warfare, as one that was trayned and brought vp in the wars of Persia: it is to bee thought that if hee can escape these first violences of his Lorde, he will with such dexteritie manage the matter as he will recouer that which is lost. For so did hee, after his depriuation from the Generalshippe of the Sea which was ta∣ken from him, not so much in regard of the suspiti∣on conceiued for his brothers going to Constantino∣ple, as to giue satisfaction to the State of Venice, whome the Turke himselfe was verie willing to content. The malice, that Cicala bare to that com∣mon

wealth, beganne and was grounded vpon a discourtesie,* 1.23 that he tooke against them, whiles hee was but yong and a Christian, onely forsooth, bee∣cause the Venetian Galeyes had detained a Galeon of his fathers. He is by his fathers side a Genowaye, but his mother was a Turke of Castelnuouo: and him∣selfe was borne in Messina. He is verie respectiue of courtesies, and reuengefull of iniuries offered vnto him. He hath to his wife a Neece of the daughter of the late Rustem Bassa, and of a daughter of Sultan Soliman, shee that not long agoe, with incredible expences made a verie long conuayance of water in the desertes of Arabia, for the benefite and ease of the Pilgrimes,* 1.24 that go to the Mecca or Macca, as the Arabians tearme that Cittie, which ioyntly they call Medina Alnabi, that is to say, the Cittie of the Prophet, meaning thereby that Impious Seducer Ma∣homet. Which Gentlewoman being now mother-in-lawe to Cicala, is verie famous in these times,* 1.25 for that she was the chiefest perswader of the last Em∣perour Amurath to moue warre against the Christi∣an Emperour, for the death of her onely deare Son, who was slaine with Hassan Bassa in the battail at Cupa.

§. VIII.

THere was Generall or rather Lieutenant for all Hungarie,* 1.26 from Belgrado hetherwardes, in the yeare last past one Giaffer the Eunuch, by Nation an Hungarian. He was depriued of that charge for the same reasons, for which Hibraim was depriued.

He hath warred in Persia vnder Osman, Sinan, and Ferat, vntill he was made Bassa of Tebrisio,* 1.27 now cal-Tauris: where being besieged by the Persians, hee shewed great valour, wisedome and liberalitie.

§ IX.

HAssan Bassa, borne at Herzecouina, sometime the Dukedome of Santa Saua,* 1.28 is now the Begler∣bey of Grecia, as we call it, but of Rumelia as the Turkes tearme it: for the Greekes call that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which we call Europe, by which name [Romania] not onely Asia was called (as we reade in histories) after the translation of the Romane Empire to Constanti∣nople, but also Europe, and particularly Grecia. This Herzecouina is a part of the Prouince of Bossina, which stretcheth it selfe towardes Ragugia, in the high way that leadeth to Constantinople.* 1.29 The fore∣saide Hassan, was sonne to Mahomet Soculeuich, so called of Socol, a place in the same Prouince of Her∣zecouina, and was sometime Visier Azem, that is to say, the head of the counsell, and chiefe gouernour of the Ottoman. Empire vnder three Emperours: which office or charge the Mamalukes in the go∣uernment of the Souldan of Cairo do call Diadar or Deuidar, and the Grecians call it Protosymbolo. Hee is verie well beloued of his Souldiours for his great pleasantnes & iollitie.* 1.30 Hee leadeth with him conti∣nually many women, and through his great expen∣ses is halfe banckroupt. Hee hath beene in Persia, and was also in these warres of Hungarie: and being the greatest person among the rest of the gouernors

of Prouinces (for dignitie and authoritie, and bee∣cause his iurisdiction stretcheth into Bulgaria, Ser∣uia, and Albania) he keepeth a verie great trayne. First he was employed by the greate Turke at Ras∣grad in Bulgaria, aswell to hinder the Walachians and Transyluanians from passing ouer the riuer Danowe, as also if occasion should so require, that hee might be there readie to passe it ouer himselfe. But now he hath hand-ouer-head and verie rashly without a∣ny consideration sent him to Vidino,* 1.31 sometimes cal∣led Bidene, a Sangiackshippe, not subiect to the Begler∣bey of Temesuar, as some haue written, but to him of Graecia. If hee liue, he will proue without doubt the greatest Captaine of that Empire.

§ X.

HAfis Hacmat,* 1.32 sometimes Bassa of Cairo, and Eu∣nuch and an Albanian of the towne of Vonari, not farre from the Cicalessi, was Generall in Croatia and Bossina: but being accused of default for not hauing recouered Petrina, hee was degraded: yet now he is returned into fauour againe, and is in Sco∣pia. He is a iust man and a wise, and one that for re∣ligion, or rather superstition accepted this charge. He was at the first a Mahometane Preacher, (for so signifieth the word Hafis.) He was the first man, that waged Turkish souldiours on horse-backe, with pay and prest-money: in which point, no doubt if the Ottoman Princes would resolue themselues to imi∣tate our Princes, they might haue (as it were) an in∣numerable company of horsemen and footmen.

§. XI.

THere were also in the Campe of Persia, Sinan,* 1.33 Bassa of Buda, an Albanian of the Mountains of the Ducagini, a man esteemed among the Turkes to be wise and valourous: And Mahomet Satarzgi,* 1.34 an Albanian also: for the most valiant Captaines of the Turks are for the most part of that Nation. This Mahomet was a long time Bassa of Caramania, where he made himselfe knowne to be a man of great wis∣dome: but now soothing (forsooth) the humors of the Ladie Sultane-Mother his countrey woman,* 1.35 by shewing himselfe to be desirous of peace, hee hath not onely obtained the office of Tzader Mechei Bas∣si, that is to say, Chiefe Master of the Pauilions, but it is also thought that through the same fauour hee will be aduanced to greater dignities. They say,* 1.36 that while he was Peich to the great Turke, that is to say, his Footeman, hee beehaued himselfe so well in a fray that happened not farre from the olde Serra∣glio, where the Regall Palace is, as hauing hardly hādled his aduersaries with a Butchers knife, he was thereupon called Satarzgi, or rather because indeed he was a slaughterer.

§. XII.

THere was also one Haidar Bassa,* 1.37 hee that beeing Beglerbey was sent by Amurath into Moldauia, who by his maner of proceeding there was in a cer∣taine sorte the occasion, why the Polonians resol∣ued

with themselues to pay a yearely Donatiue or Beneuolence to the Turke, and so to bee agreed with him. He is now in Persia.

.§ XIII.

THere were likewise in Belgrado,* 1.38 Odauerdi and Vel∣li, Bassaes both, the one of them well tried in the warres of Croatia and Bosna, the other in the recoue∣rie of Madauia out of the hands of Srenipetro, who with a band of Cosacthi had gotten possession there∣of, rather by rash temerity, then by any great wisdō.

There are also in the Campe many other Sangi∣acchi and ordinarie Bassaes, whose names, because they are men of no great fame, are not yet come to our knowledge.

§. XIIII.

MOreouer, it is reported,* 1.39 that there is recalled from Gemen or Gimin in Arabia Felice, one Has∣san an Arabian, a Foster-childe and kinsman to olde Sinan. This Hassan hauing cunningly procured the reliques of the kindred of Mudahar, to rise vp in a commotion, who had also before rebelled against Osman, he obtayned ouer them a very honourable victorie. And because he is verie rich, he will haue also some good meanes to maintaine himselfe, euen with the satisfaction of the souldiours.

§. XV.

HAlil Bassa, Generall of the Sea,* 1.40 second Cousin to the now liuing Grand-Turke, is of Bosna or else of Hungaria, a Fresh-man, and such a one, as ha∣uing hetherto had no more skill but to collect and take vp the donatiues and beneuolences of the Ma∣ritine Capes of the Arcipelago and of Morea, and this last yeare to set on fire the Monasterie of the Calogi∣eri in Striuali, called in times past Strophade, because they had entertained the Spanish Armada: is held in no great estimation. And therefore it is supposed, that he shall be discharged of that office,* 1.41 & perhaps there shall be substituted in his place one Giaffer a Calabrian, brought vp by Vlucchiali: who although he fled at the ouerthrow in the yeare 1571. yet is he esteemed to be a man, that will proue well in Mari∣timall warfare.

§. XVI.

OVt of all questiō,* 1.42 that Empire wanteth men that are excellent in the profession of Sea-matters, for so much as the Turke hath not since the yeare 1572. hetherto made any Armada or Fleet of any ac∣account: and when occasion of imployment faileth, no meruell though men of worth and valour be not known, nay though they do wholy want indeede. And yet when soeuer he shall be peraduenture en∣forced to set forth a good bodie of an Armada, hee may take that course which his Predecessors haue done, that is to say, he may vse the seruice of the vali∣antest Pyrats, that he entertaineth in Tunise, in Bona,* 1.43 in Busca, and elsewhere. Among whome the most fa∣mous that liue at this day are Cara Deli, Amurath Bei,

Mahamet Bei, the three Memi, (whereof two are Al∣banians and the third is of Corsica.) Sala Bei & others. There is a certaine French politike author which writeth, that Ariadino Barbarossa, the famous Pirate, was allured by Soliman into his seruice, with verie honourable rewards,* 1.44 euen with the chiefe General∣ship of the Sea, aswel to adde strength to his Empire with the great riches of Ariadino, as also to the end that Ariadino should thereby bee weakened in such sort, as he should not be any more able to annoy the Ottoman State.

And now after this discourse of the Captaines, I will speake of the common souldiours, and such members as are not so principall.

§ XVII.

THe great Turke hath two sorts of souldiours: that is to say,* 1.45 souldiours of his owne, & souldi∣ours Auxiliarie. 1. such as come to aide and as∣sist him. The souldiours, that are his owne, be either horsemen or footmen.* 1.46 I will therefore first treate of the former, because the verie sinews of that Empire consist wholly in the horsemen: and afterwardes I will speake of the rest.

The best horsemen,* 1.47 that the Ottoman Empire hath, are the Spahi, who liue vpon their Timari. For the great Turke giueth two kinds of wages to his soul∣diours: one is called Timaro, and the other Vlefe.* 1.48 The Timaro is properly a certaine pension or an assigne∣ment of rents, which for the most part are leuied out of the lands that are gotten in war, and are pro∣portionately distributed amōg the souldiors that are of good desert, & do answer in some sort to the anci∣ent Colonies and to Fees, or rather to Commendams.

The reward, which the Romanes bestowed vppon their valiantest souldiours to enioy during life, was called Beneficium, and those Beneficiarii, that were so prouided for: the Greekes call it Timarion, and those that enioy the same Timarati, and Timarioti, deri∣uing the tearme from the Greeke worde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifieth Honour. Wherevpon we do read of Theo∣dorus, (not the Tiro, but the Stratelates, that is to say, the Pretor or conductor of the souldiours,) that Li∣cinius Augustus the Emperour, gaue vnto him a Ca∣stle in Heraclea for a Timaro, long before he was wic∣kedly martyred by his owne band of souldiours, as it is written in Phile the Greeke Poet, Damascene, and Nicephorus Calixtus, and as it is read in the Menaco, that is to say, in the Monthly Register of the Greeks. The said word Timaro may also be deriued,* 1.49 and per∣aduenture more truly from the Turkish it selfe, whereby is signified a certaine kinde of procuration or prouision for some charge or gouernment, which the Timarioti are bound to haue ouer the lands that are graunted vnto them.

The Vlefe is a payment,* 1.50 which is daily disbursed by the Treasurers to the Souldiours that serue for pay, and to those of the Turkes Court, who are therefore called Vlofezgi, or rather Olophagi, that is to say, proui∣ded as it were only for their diet, deriuing that term from the Greeke worde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

The Timari, which the Turke hath in Europe, may bee some sixteene thousande? Euerie Spahi, that hath from three to fiue thousand Aspres, of yearely rent, is bound to go to the war with one horse: from fiue to ten thousand, with two horses, and so by

proportion to a certaine determinate quantitie: and some there bee that will carrie moe or fewer, according to their abilitie, and the desire which the•• haue of honour. The greatest part of these Spahi are subiect to the Beglerbey, and may con∣tayne some nine thousande Timari: the rest are vnder the Bassaes of Bassina, of Buda, and of Te∣mesuar.

§ XVIII.

BEsides these Spahi,* 1.51 there are also the Spahoglani, who beeing such as commonly come out of the Serraglio, are some what more daintie and delicate, and are neatly apparraled like Courtiers after the Persian manner. They ride (like the Asians) vpon little Saddles, so that they may easily bee vnhorsed. In times past they were not bounde to go to the warres without their Emperour: but at last many of them were (as it were) enforced to goe forth by Sinan and Giaffer, for verie want of good Souldi∣ours: who afterwarde wintered in Seruia, and Bel∣garia, did so destroy and consume the Countryes and the Peasants thereof, as they did more harme to the Turkes themselues, then if they had beene the verie Tartarians, whose apparell also they counter∣feyted, to the ende they might easily and handsomly couer theit misdemeanours.

Among the Spahoglani, are accounted those also which are of the great Turkes Court: who are di∣stinguished into foure orders, viz. the Selectari, Vle∣fezgi, Guraba, and Spahoglani. But because the num∣ber

of the Spahoglani is the greatest of al the rest, they are all generally and indifferently called Spahoglani.

The Selectari and the Spahoglani,* 1.52 are diuided into troupes▪ v••z. the Selectari of the right side, and the Selectari of the left side: and so the Spahoglani of the right, and Spahoglani of the left: and different badges they haue one from the other. These foure troupes of Spahoglani and Selectari, with the two troupes of the Guraba and Vlefezgi, make vp sixe in all.* 1.53 Guruba is in the Turkish speech the Plurall number of Ca∣rib and signifieth Poore and naked soules. And Vle∣fezgi is as much to say, as Hyred, or waged, as we haue tolde you before.

Euerie one of these orders hath his Aga, which commaundeth two or three thousand horse.

§ XIX.

THe Acanzii,* 1.54 are for the most part Countrey Clownes, and are not like the Hayducches of the Hungarians, as some haue written: for the A∣canzii serue on Horsebacke, and the Hayducches on foote. And peraduenture Giouius, and other writers of our time do not well to call them Venturieri, or Voluntaries: for in cōsideration of some exemptions, and priuiledges which are graunted vnto them, they are bound to goe to warre. True it is, that somtimes they will stray abroad, and robbe the Countrey, as the Zingari and Tartars vse to doe. They are men of small woorth. They dwell for the most part in Dobruccia, a Prouince of Bulgaria, towards the Ri∣uer Danow.

The Gionli are Venturiers,* 1.55 or Voluntaries, in deed, who togither with sundrie others,* 1.56 whom the Turks call Baratli, that is to say, such as liue in expectancie, doe goe to warre euen of their owne meere good will.* 1.57 Among these, as also among the Muteferagà, (which are of the principall Courtiers of the Court, not bound to go to the warre, but only with the Sul∣tan himselfe,) there are many Christians that serue voluntarie. They haue speciall exemptions and pri∣uiledges. They go wandring abroad euerie where with great libertie, alwayes preuenting the armie, like Out-runners: but they giue the fift part of their bootie to their Lord. The other Baratli are compre∣hended in the families of the Bassaes, and Sangiacches, and in the number of the seruants to the Spahi.

§▪ XX.

THe Timari of Asia,* 1.58 may bee about some fiftie thousand: and so by consequent about a hun∣dred and fiftie thousand horse and foote, and ser∣uants: that is to say▪ two thirds more then the Ti∣mari of Europe. But they are vnarmed, of small va∣lour, and not apt for warre, excepting onely some few of them that keepe vpon the Sea coastes, and serue in the Galleis.

§ XXI.

THe Beglerbeyes of Asia,* 1.59 before the last warres of Persia, were thirtie: but since there are some moe added vnto them. In Affrica there are three: the

kingdomes of Fesse and Marocco are rather tributa∣ries to the Turke: And in Europe there are sixe.

But because I haue made often mention of this worde Beglerbey, I thinke it will not be amisse to tell you what it signifieth.

The Turkish word Beglerbey, signifieth a Cap∣taine of Captaines,* 1.60 or Prince of Princes: for the Be∣glerbeyes are the Supreme Lordes ouer all that haue any militarie commaund in the Prouinces which are subiect vnto them: and are the verie same, that the Melicul Vmerca be with the Arabians, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, with the Greekes. Three Beglerbeyes there be, that are in authoritie aboue the rest, and sit in e∣quall place with the Bassaes, whome the Turkcs call Visiers, when they sit together in the open Diuano,* 1.61 that is to say, in the Counsell or Court of audience in the presence of the Great Turke: some doe verie ill and corruptly call it Douana and Tiphano.

The first of them is the Rumeli Beglerbeg,* 1.62 that is to say, the Beglerbey of Romania, or of graecia, or (as I tould you before) of Europe. He resideth in Sophia, which peraduenture may bee the auncient Tibisca: but it is not (as some write) the Metropoliticall Cittie of Bolgaria or Volgaria, so called of the people that came thither from the riuer Volga: nor yet is it Nico∣polis, which is so famous for the victorie which Tra∣iane the Emperour had ouer Decebalus King of the Dacians. Neither is it true that Sophia is the same that Scopia is, which is a Citie either of Dardania or of Macedonia, as other some haue written: nor was it Sardica, which is famous for the Synode there kept vnder the the Empire of the Sonnes of Constantine:

For at this day that is not called Sophia, but Triadit∣za.

The Anatoli Beglerbeg is the second,* 1.63 that is to say, the Beglerbey of Notalia, otherwise called Asia the lesse. He resideth in Cutheia, in former times called Cotyaio, a Citie of Phrygia. Some call it by another name,* 1.64 and seate it (peraduenture amisse) in Galatia.

The Denizi Beglerbeg is he that is the Beglerbey of the Sea, otherwise called, the Captaine Bassa. Hee resideth for the most part in Constantinople, which the Turkes by a corrupt word call Stamboli: and hath the chiefe charge of the Arsenall, or Store-house for shipping. Before that Soliman made him a Begler∣bey, he was called the Sangiacch of Gallipoli. He hath for his maintenance, the Reuenues of the office of the Subassi of Galata, that is to say, the Treasourer of Pera, which office is let to ferme, for the yearly rent of about some sixteene thousand crownes: he hath also the reuenues of the nine Islands that lie in the Arcipelago, the chiefe whereof is Nixia.

And now, seeing we haue tould you of the horsemen, let vs tell you likewise of the souldiours that serue on foote.

§. XXII.

THese are for the most parte Giannizzaries, which are drawne out of the Masse or compa∣ny of the Agiamoglani,* 1.65 that is to say, vnexpert youthes culled out of the tenthes of the Christians. The rest of the Agiamoglani do serue in Serraglioes to row in the Caicchies, which is a kind of Boate, and to dresse their gardens, and to do such other serui∣ces.

The greatest part of them haue not aboue one Aspro a day.

The Grecians call Aspro (and not Aspero,* 1.66 as some would haue it) the verie same money which the Arabians call Osmannes, and the Turks Asce, so termed for the white∣nesse of it,* 1.67 because it is made of siluer. Of Aspres there bee two sorts, the lesser, and the bigger. The lesser are but of small goodnesse, and beautie, though they be most in vse, and common among the people. The bigger are of better siluer: and with them are payed the wages of the Souldiours, and the fees of the Courtiers. They are by some writers called Siderocapsia▪ of Siderocapsa, a Castle in the Prouince of Thasso, which is neere to the famous mountaine Athos in Europe, called by the Greekee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Mons Ae∣gaeus, the Goat-hill, either because it reacheth into the Aegaean, sea, or because it is full of Goates and Kids: or ra∣ther, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Holy hill, commonly called by the Turkes, Seitbag, because there are on it three and twentie Monasteries of Calogieri, or Monkes, that loue to liue in the Wildernesse.

One Aspro is worth 24.* 1.68 Manguri: (the Manguro is a Brasse-Money, and is worth as much as the auncient Nu∣mulus.) Fiue good Aspres in weight make a Dramma,* 1.69 or Drachma, (seuen pence sterling:) twelue Drammaes make a Taller,* 1.70 (or a Doller:) and one Taller and a halfe make a Venician Cecchino,* 1.71 which is as much as a Tur∣kish Sultanine being a coine of gold, and the greatest price that the Turkes haue,* 1.72 and is worth some sixteene Paules of Rome, or much there about. The Soltanine or Soldano, (as others tearme it) is truly so called of the Sultanes, that is to say, of the Ottoman Emperours, euen as the Cecchi∣no is called a Dukate,* 1.73 of the Dukes of the Venetian estate:

and as the Bizantii, or Bizantini, in the times of the Gre∣cian Emperours, were so called of Bizantium, now Con∣stantinople: and were euen as much worth as the Sul∣tanini.

Some writers there be,* 1.74 that haue set downe diuerse opi∣nions of this foresaid account, because they haue had a con∣sideration of their seuerall prises at seuerall times For some times the Aspro hath beene worth no more but onely eight Manguri, the Dramma but foure Aspres: Nine Aspres made a Taller: and so the Cecchino, as also the Sultani∣no, were no more but 54. Aspres the peece. But now all these Moneyes are altered: For the Taller is worth seuen∣tie, or 80. Aspres: the Cecchino 110. 120. and 125▪ And this came to passe especially by reason of the heauie imposi∣tions that were imposed in Constantinople, by occasion of the Persianwar. The auncient mony also that went currant in the Ottoman Empyre was prohibited, because it was stamped with sundry Images vpon it, which was forbidden by the law of Mahamet: but rather in deed, and in verie truth, because it was good siluer, and so by coyning it againe somewhat baser, the Treasurie and the Officers did gaine greatly thereby. But now (forsooth) they are not so supersti∣tious as they haue beene: for they do holde that money onely to be good and lawfull, which is of the best allay. This little I haue thought good to set downe touching their money, to the end ye might haue a perfite knowledge of the true wa∣ges, which the Ottoman Princes doe giue to their Souldi∣ours. The rest of this matter, togither with the Aegyptian, Arabian, Sorian and Persian coines, that run currant tho∣rough all this Empire, ye may haue (with the licence of the Venitian superiors) out of a late moderne writer: who if hee had not shewed himselfe somewhat irreligious, no doubt hee

would haue deserued great commendation for the know∣ledge that he hath disclosed in many Turkish matters.

The Giannizzaries then (as it hath beene sayd) are the best souldiors on foot,* 1.75 that the Turkish Empire hath. They serue as the Praetorian souldiours did, and the Mamulukes, for the sauegard of their Lord, and as did those valiant youths that alwayes accom∣panied the kings of Persia, who were called also Iani∣tores, or Porters, as saith the Authour of that booke, whose title is De mundo, amōg the works of Aristotle. And thereupon it pleased some peraduenture to think, that the Giannezzaries were so called of Ianua: i. a Doore,* 1.76 alluding to the word Porta▪ that is to say the Court of the great Turke, because his Court of Audience is ordinarily kept in the gate of his Palace. But in truth, they are greatly deceyued therein: for a Gate in the Turkish language is called Capi, and so is not Ianua. i. a Dore: and therefore the chiefe Por∣ter is called by the Turkes Capisi Bassi. The word Gi∣annizzaro is compounded of two Turkish wordes,* 1.77 Iegni-Zeri, which signifie Noua Militia, a new Soul∣dierie: New, not because it was newly brought in, (for it was instituted euen by Osmanne Gasi, other∣wise called Ottoman, and renued, or rather bettered and enlarged by Amurath the first, vpon the aduice and counsell of Cara Rustem, who was then helde by the Turks to be a verie holy man:) But new or fresh they are called, because the Giannizzaries are the sonnes of Christians, taken from their fathers whiles they are but children, by the Officers of the great Turke, as it were for a tribute, euerie fift or seuen yeare, and sometimes oftener: beeing of the age

some peraduenture of eight, some of ten, some of twentie yeares, and some aboue. And afterwardes they are for the most part destributed among the Turkes in Natolia, to the end they may be instructed betimes in the lawes of Mahamet, learne the fashions and language of that Nation, and accustome them∣selues to labour and hardnesse, and then are they called Agiamoglani, as it hath beene told you before. When they are growne fit for the warres, then they are sent to the Court, to be admitted into the order of the Giannizzaries. Those that are not found fit for the warres, are sent to the Shippes, and to the Gal∣lies, that they may be employed in the Arte of Sea-faring. But they that are of a pregnant wit and good Spirit, are at the verie first shut vp in one of the Serraglioes of Andrinople, or of Constantinople, or of Pera, and so by means they come to be employed in the seruice of the great Turke about his Cham∣ber, vnder the rule and subiection of certaine parti∣cular gouernours.

The Giannizzaries haue for their stipend betwene fiue and sixe Aspres a day,* 1.78 and so haue the Agiamo∣glani likewise: but they are distinguished by liueries. For the Giannizzaries haue two liueries euery yeare, and the Agimoglani haue but one. The Giannizzaries doe handle the Arquebuse very well, and are pro∣perly called the Arquebusiers of the great Turkes guard. They will fight resolutely for honour. Some of the Giannazzaries remaine in the frontiers, and in Garisons: some of them also keepe on the sea, and serue in the Gallies, but the greatest part of them are resident, where the great Turke is: and hereupon

it commeth that there are so many in Constantinople, where principally they may sooner become Gian∣nizzaries. But those that are made Giannizzaries at Damasco at Cairo & elswhere: perhaps, when they come to Constantinople; vnlesse they be there confir∣med, may not wear the Coyffe, which is called Zarcu∣la: the last time that they wēt out to wars with their Aga (a thing not verie vsual) they rather caused great disorder, thē did any seruice: partly because they do not willingly obay their Generall Captaine,* 1.79 (whō by the Persian word they call Ser-Dar, and by the A∣rabike Ser-Asker:) and partly because in our times their order is indeed imbasterdized, and nothing so valourous and faithfull, as it hath beene heretofore.

Aga, is the name of the Giannizzaries Captaine,* 1.80 and is the chiefe of all the Agalari, who are principall Horse∣men, that alwaies accompanie the person of the great Turke, and are so called of the word Aga, which signifieth a staffe, and is a token of the authoritie which they haue o∣uer the Chiliarches, the Tribunes, and the Droncarii or Troncarii, so tearmed a Tronco, of a Bastone or Tron∣chion which they carie in their hand.

Moreouer the Giannizzaries are verie insolent,* 1.81 not onely towards priuate persons, who greatly re∣spect them per-force, but also towardes the great Turke himselfe. For hauing in their hands all the principall forces of the Ottoman Empire, and being verie seldome, or verie sclenderly chastised for any fault and thereupon knowing themselues to be very mightie and greatly feared, they haue not forborne many times to threaten, that they would depose their great Lord and Maister, and set his Son in his

throne: yea and verie oftentimes they haue violent∣ly with most barbarous furie enforced their Empe∣rour to yeelde vnto them in most vnrighteous cau∣ses: As for example, (to leaue those that are aunci∣ent,) they so dealt with the last Amurath, as they compelled him to giue them into their handes ei∣ther quicke or dead, the chiefe Dephterdaro, and Ma∣hamet Bassa the Armenian, (a man whome hee loued beyond all measure,) accusing them, that through their fault, they were not payed their wages by them with good monies.

These Dephterdari or treasourers are three,* 1.82 one is the chiefe, and as it were the President of the chamber, the o∣ther two are as Collegues or Assistants in the Exchecker.

It hath fallen out also, that they are thus become the more sedicious and insolent, because the num∣ber of them is greatly encreased and multiplied, and that through the default of the officers that are sent to make the choice of the youthes: for they doe not choose the best and the most able for warfare (as it was wont to be vsed in times past,) but such as they may haue for want of better men, shuffeling in of∣tentimes, by fauour and bribes, many natural borne Turkes, and sonnes of the Giannizzaries themselues: as indeede it came to passe in these last yeares, wher∣in they haue had no consideration of any other thing but onely of the disposition of bodie, and ripenesse of yeares, to the end they might the soo∣ner shew themselues in the warres, and so passe for old and experienced souldiours, though in truth vtterly voide of any militarie discipline.

§. XXII.

SOme Spahi there be also, that serue on foote,* 1.83 as those which are at Negroponte, Misitra, and o∣ther maritimall places, and are emploied for ouer∣seers, of the Gallie-Slaues: they are subiect to the Captaine of the Sea.

There is likewise an Infanterie or company of footemen in the Garrisons,* 1.84 which is comprehen∣ded vnder the name of Asappi and of Besli. The Asap∣pi or Asepi, are not the same, which the Hungarians call Hussaroni, as one Greek author hath written: for the Asappi go to warre for wages on foote, but the Hussaroni on horsebacke.

§. XXIII.

FInally the last Amurath,* 1.85 perceiuing that he had not such a number of souldiours of action and seruice as that Empire was wont to haue in times past (for the reasons which I will touch hereafter) hath brought in a new kind of souldierie, both of foote and horse, consisting of townesmen and pea∣saunts being naturall Turkes: and hath granted vn∣to them many priuileges of profite and honour, cal∣ling them Culcardasi, a word that signifieth, brethren to Slaues, proper onely to the Slaues Rinegate and is a most honourable tearme among the Turkes.

§. XXIIII.

IN Africa the Turkes haue either no horsemen at all,* 1.86 or else verie few: but some footmen they haue, which remaine in the Garrisons of Algieri, of Tuni∣si, of Tripoli, of Goletta, and of other places on that coast: where for feare of the Spanyardes, who are verie well fortified with Garrisons, and strongly fensed in those parts, because they are afraid of loo∣sing that which they haue there in possessiō, it is ve∣rie necessarie & behouefull, that they should conti∣nually reside and stay.

And these are the Souldiours aswell horsemen as footmē, whom the Great Turke may vse in his warres as souldiours of his owne. Touching whom I am to aduertise you, some∣what of mine opinion.

§. XXV.

FIrst,* 1.87 that the said souldiours are rather in opinion and fame, so great a multitude as verie many haue reported them to be, then in truth they are: for as much as good souldiours there are but few: meane souldiours not many, and of such as make a multi∣tude, namely seruitors, victualers and others that fol∣low the armie, a mā shold make but small reconing.

Secondly that the horsemen, in whome principally consisteth the power of that Empire, are not at this day so lustie, resolute, and painfull, and to be shorte nothing at all such as they were wont to be, for that they haue been greatly wasted and consumed in the

warres of Persia, and particularly in this war of Hun∣garie, where barley was so scant, and all other kinde of victualles, for men, horses, cammels and other cattell verie deere.

Thirdly, that the Spahi, who are the best horsemen that the great Turke hath, haue not had any meanes to buy good horses, not only by reason of the dearth of all things, (which I tell you was verie great) but also because all their good horses are spent and con∣sumed, neither haue the Spahi any commoditie or benefit to maintaine them withall, or to buy them any new, but only that which they defaulke out of their Timari. Moreouer, they beeing become men now a dayes greatly giuen to ease and to gaines, do not sticke to take money to interest, rather to the end they may buy some Timari withall then buy any horse-flesh with it, yea and to lend it out at vsurie to others that afterwardes become banckrouts. And although peraduenture it may seeme to some, that in these last yeares, the horses were many: the cause thereof was this, that the Turkes are now become so tender and effeminate, (especially since the Delica∣cies of the Persians haue wrought euen the very selfe same effect in thē, which riot and excesse wrought among the Grecians and the Romanes) that euery man (for sooth) will carie with him to the wars, so many easments of bedding, kitchen & victual, that they are enforced to vse many horses for those purposes: nei∣ther is there any horsemen; (be he neuer so arrant a clown or peasant) but he carieth more thē one with him: & yet all of them (God wot) stark nought, very leane, & altogether vnseruiceable, as we haue tould you, & as the experience of the battail of Agria hath

manifestly proued.

But forasmuch, as touching the diminution of the Ottomā armies, diuers men do diuersly reason, it will not be perhaps far frō the purpose, or at least not incōuenient, if I tel you al∣so what I thinke of it.

§. XXVI.

VVIthout all question the Ottoman Empire doth want of that number of souldiours which it was wont to haue in their armies.* 1.88 And the reasō of it is this: 1. that the Turkish estate being now greatly enlarged, those Turks, who in times past for the straitnes of rowme & narrownes of the countrie, ran all to the wars like the Tartarians, haue now got∣ten more ease, greater pleasure, & better countrie thē they had before, so that they do not verie willingly resolue with thēselues to leaue their own houses, & to go to the Campe. 2. Moreouer the countrey by reason of the largenes thereof is so far distant & as it were diuided frō the places where they must fight, that it breedeth great tediousnes in thē to go to the wars: & to people or to replenish it al with inhabitāts it is a very hard matter, especially cōsidering that the Ottomā Princes haue alwaies vsed to extirpate & (as a man may say) vtterly to root out the ancient inha∣bitants, of any new Prouinces, which they haue cō∣quered & gotten into their possession: or at least to transport thē into some other countries. 3. Ye may also adde hereunto, that the Cōmoditie & encrease of the countrey hath opened a way to the Turks for diuers other, and greater traffiques then they had in times past: wherin the greatest part of thē being em∣ployed, they cannot so easely bee resolued now to leaue thē & to go to fight, vnlesse they bee enforced

to it against their willes: because by that course they must seeke to enrich themselues with more in∣certaintie and greater hazard of their liues, then by this of traffike. 4. Besides all this the Turkish armies consist (for the most part) onely of Rinegate slaues, and those, Christians: for the Turkes doe not make any slaues of the Persians or Tartarians, be∣cause they will not part or diuide with them their Militarie honours and aduauncements, wherein all the riches, credit and authoritie of their estate doth wholy consist, and wherewith that Empire doth counterpoise the perill and daunger, whereunto it might bee subiect, if they should admit so great a number of armed Rinegadoes. 5. Those of Asia, who in times past were wont to execute all Militarie func∣tions, are now held in small reputation, or none at all, euen as the naturall Turkes are, and esteemed to be verie base minded and cowards, no lesse tender and effeminate, then the auncient Asiatici were thought to be: and therefore they graunt vnto them onely the honours of Cadileskieri and Cadi: excepting some few, that are admitted to be souldiours, and do serue the Sangiacchi, and the Bassaes, who ordinarily and for the most part are themselues slaues of Europe, and sent to be gouernours in diuerse places of Asia.

The Cadiliskieri (or as the Arabians call them) Casiaskeri,* 1.89 that is to say, chiefe Iudges in the Ottoman Empire, and the ordinary Iudges of causes both Ci∣uill and Militarie, are two, the one in Natolia, and the other in Romania. He of Cairo is not properly called Cadiliskiero (as some haue written) but the Graund-Cadi, and was instituted by Selem, after that he had subdued a great part of the Armenians, the Aegyp∣tians,

the Sorians, and the Arabians.

And although there be some,* 1.90 that do attribute the want of Turkish Souldiers, to the diminishment of men, by example of the Arcipelago, and of Greece, which is for the most part disinhabited, and of all Macedonia, which is the best part of the Turkes pos∣sessions: it may be answered, that Greece euer since those times wherein the flower of her greatnes and Maiestie was extinguished, hath also remained so barren & void of men, that it was neuer so reinhabi∣ted as it was before. Paulus Aemilius in one onely day destroyed threescore and ten Cities in Epirus: and many Ilandes there be, which are vtterly waste, and not habitable for barrennesse. Besides that, the Ciuill warres of the Romans, the simplicitie of the Greeke Emperours, the Armadaes, and fleetes of the Sara∣cens, and also of the Latines, and last of all of the Turkes, togither with the notorious iniuries of ro∣uers and Pirates, haue neuer suffered those Ilandes, and the rest of that most populous Countrey, so much as to take breath.

True also it is,* 1.91 that a man may walke many a mile through the Turks Countrey, and find neither men nor houses. But the reason of this is, for that the In∣habitants hauing left the townes and walled places, which are situate either vpon the beaten and com∣mon high wayes, or very neere vnto them are eloy∣ned afarre of, and haue scattered themselues further within the countrey, and retired into places among the Mountaines that are more strong, where they haue setled themselues in verie populous numbers, because they would be safe & secure from the mur∣thers,

and robberies of the Souldiers: who are wont euen among the Turks (I would to God it were not so also among vs Christians) to liue at their owne dis∣cretion, without all discretion, spoyling and wasting whatsoeuer they can attaine: for such is their vse and wickednesse, not the profession of true Souldi∣ers, as more at large I haue shewed in my booke cal∣led Militia Christiana, Christian Souldierie.

And these are in mine opinion,* 1.92 the most certaine and true reasons of the Diminution of the Ottoman armies: but why they are now so full of people that are poore, and as it were vtterly spoyled, this reason may be yeelded, viz. for that onely men of euill dis∣position, and such as are the basest persons, and of no woorth, runne headlong to their warres. And so much the rather, for that the Spahi themselues doe send thither in their owne rowmes their seruants & knaues, who togither with the rest of the Souldiers, haue no sooner taken a bootie (or peraduenture no sooner want an occasion to catch a bootie) but they will flie out of the campe, and returne home againe. As for example, the souldiers of Sinan did in Wala∣chia the last year, who hauing nothing left, but their shirt-sleeues, and being almost vtterly spoyled: be∣cause they would not die for cold and hunger, and because they found nothing to steale for their relief in the fieldes, began almost euen at the first to for∣sake him: yea and at the returne of the great. Turke himselfe from Belgrado to Constantinople, all the soul∣diers almost would needes follow him, and none of their Captaines were able to hold them.

Now that I haue tolde you of the Souldiours, which

the Great Turke hath of his owne, I wil tell you of his Souldiers Auxiliarie.

§ XXVII.

AMong all the Auxiliarie Souldiers,* 1.93 whose ser∣uice and helpe hee vseth in his affaires, without all doubt, the chiefest, the most in number, nay the onely men are the Tartarians: the knowledge of whom, because it is not peraduenture so manifest to euerie man, I will truly and faithfully display, as I haue done in all thinges before, and will doe also in those matters which are to bee set downe here∣after: following that which I haue learned and vnderstoode from many persons that are verie wor∣thie of credite, and haue had long practise and traf∣fike with the Tartarians themselues, and auoyding especially those fables, which diuerse men haue written of them. I will adde also thereunto some∣what of the Circassians, as partly depending vppon them, and likewise of the Curdians, of the Drusians, and of the Arabians.

But because there be diuerse sortes of the Tarta∣rians or Tartars, so called peraduenture, because they are the Reliques (as the worde in deede signifieth in the Syrian tongue) of those Isdraelites, that were transported beyond Media being then not inhabited: I will treate but onely of those that serue for our purpose. And those bee they, which are subiect to a King that keepeth in Taurica. Whereof some doe dwell in Europe, and some in Asia, betweene the Poole Meotis, called at this day Mar Delle Zabacche: the

Riuer Tanais, called by the Tartarians Don: the riuer Volga, which they call Rha, and Edil, and the Mengrellians, and Circassians: and all these are called Nogai. For the other Tartarians, on this side and beyonde the Volga, betweene Mos∣couia, and the Sea of Baccu, that is to say the Cas∣pian Sea, and the Georgians are partly subiect to the Moscouite, partly free and of themselues, and partly vnder the iurisdiction of the Turke, there where Demir Capi standeth, sometimes called the Caspian or Iron Gates.

This foresaide King is called the Tartar of Crimo.* 1.94 Nowe Crimo or Kriim (call it as you list) is the chiefe and principall Cittie of all the King∣dome, although hee bee resident for the most part in Iegni Bascca, a place in Chersonesus Taurica, called at this day by the Polackes and Russians, Pe∣rocopska. The Crimo is beyonde that, neere to the Ditch,* 1.95 whereof the Tartarians, especially by the sayde Polackes, and Russians are called Precopisi, which is as a man may say Zappahsi innansi, Dig∣ged or delued foorth, so tearmed of the worde Procop, which signifieth a hollowing or a digging, and not of a certaine King of theirs, whom some will needes haue to bee one Procopio. Neither is it true (as others affirme) that such a Ditch was made but of late, as it appeareth by Herodotus, there where hee maketh mention of the Market of Cremne.

The tytle of the Tartarian King, is Han, (which signifieth a Lorde) and not Chan, vnlesse wee will

pronounce C. for H. as the Italian vseth some∣times to doe in certaine Latine wordes:* 1.96 or with a more harde pronounciation as the Dutch doe Kiocai, in Beluacens is signifieth Kioc-Han, that is to say, Gog-Han, a worde familiar and welknowen in the holie Scriptures. Ezekiel. 38. and 39. Reuel-20. The Polacckes call him Zar, that is to say, Caesar.

The Familie or house of the Tartar King,* 1.97 which giueth him his Surname, is Kirei: whereuppon they haue beene called Mahomet Kirei Han, Is∣lam Kirei Han, Hassan Kirei Han. The King nowe liuing is called Alip: So that by his stile, you may call him, Alip Kirei Han. i. Alip Kirei the Chan, as in Fraunce Hugh Capet the king, Henrie Valois the king, Henrie Burbon the king, &c.

The coast of Taurica,* 1.98 that is watered with the Blacke Sea, till yee come to the streyte of Os∣phorus, (which is the Cimmerian Bosphorus) at the entrance of the Poole Maeotis, belongeth to the Turke: But betweene the Continent, and that part which is watered with the sayde Poole, be∣longeth all to the Tartar, although many Christi∣ans that vse the Greeke rites and ceremonies, doe dwell there also.

Of these Tartarians,* 1.99 the Moscouite standeth in greate feare, because with sundrie In-roades they enter into his Countrey, and carrie away ma∣nie of his Subiectes, to sell them afterwardes to the Turkes, and others: and in the yeare one thou∣sand fiue hundred and seuentie: they burnt the very

Cittie of Mosco it selfe: howe much more then woulde hee feare them, if hee shoulde goe out of his owne Countrey? In deed the Moscouite may annoy the Tartarians that dwell in Asia, and keepe them from dooing any hurt to the Christians vp∣on the banke of Volga, where they are to bee founde as soone as they haue passed ouer the Riuer. And herevppon it commeth to passe, that they goe out but in a small number. and that in this present warre, the report of their multitude is farre greater then in truth it is.

These Tartarians that are vnder the Mos∣couite,* 1.100 are those of Cassan, Asdrahan, and Ci∣trahan: of whome, because they serue not to our purpose, I will not say anie thing at this time.

The Tartarians of Europe,* 1.101 that dwell in Tau∣rica, and out of Taurica, from the Poole Maeotis, to the greate Sea, can not bee hindered by the Moscouites, without the good leaue and pleasure of the Polaccke. For they must needes passe through his Countrey, eyther by the way of Smo∣lensko, or else somewhat lower, by the way of Tanais, neerer to the Poole. But those wayes are verie difficult, both in regarde of the Riuers, and also of the Fennes and Marishes: and besides that, they are verie long.* 1.102 And these are the ve∣rie selfe same Sarmatians, which are of Sarmatia in Europe and Asia: For the Auncient Wri∣ters doe make Scythia, and Sarmatia, to bee all one.

The Weapons of the Tartarians are Scimitarres and Bowes.* 1.103 And because they want that quan∣titie of Steeles both of wood and Iron, whereof they haue great neede to make their arrowes withall, they make them of Reedes, whereof they haue great aboundaunce. They are ve∣rie keene and sharpe, which they can handle verie well and nimbly, as well in shooting them foorth outright, as also backewardes, when they make as though they woulde retyre and flie away: which kinde of fight they vse more like to theeues then souldiers.

They all ride on Horsebacke: their horses are small, and vnshodde: when they passe ouer the Ices, which in those partes are verie great, they driue a crooked nayle into their horses feete, to auoyde the daunger to slipping: couragious they bee, and verie apt to labour, and take paynes.

§ XXIX.

THe Turkes vse the Tartarians in their warres,* 1.104 both because they are all of one offspring, (for Mahometanes they bee all:) as also, and especiallye because they shoulde not vnite them∣selues with their enemies agaynst them: for they are the onelie men whome the Turkes doe greatliest doubt: and the rather, for that (as

Sultan Soliman saide once in a Counsell which hee helde in his owne presence,* 1.105 touching those Princes whome the Ottoman Empire ought chiefly to feare:) the Tartarians may of a soden runne with infinite numbers euen to Constantinople it selfe, and arriue there, before that euer the Turkes can be pre∣pared for defence against them.* 1.106 And hereupon it commeth to passe that the Turkes do endeuour by all kinde of good offices to hold them in friendship, and to be allied with them in mariage: (for in that respect Solimans mother was maried to his father, she being a Tartarian, and the daughter of Mehe∣met Kirei:) the Turkes also for the same reason doe bestowe diuers contributions and beneuolence vp∣on the Tartarians, yea, such and so great, as in the time of warres a Leauie of the Tartarians is verie costly to the great Turke, because hee must of ne∣cessitie giue them so much, as may bee sufficient not onely to maintayne themselues, but their wiues also and children which they leaue at home: so that to tie them the faster and safer vnto them, besids the bonds of alliance and kindnesse they are enforced to vse this necessarie exigent, whereas on the contrary side, in the time of Soliman the Tartarians were en∣forced vnder Sedac Kirsi to gratifie the Turke.

The Moscouite and the Polack likewise do bestow great gratuities vpon the said Tartarians, for feare of their soden in-roades which they may make vpon them in the time of haruest.

The Moldauian also, although hee pay tribute to the Turke, yet is he bound in many respects to gra∣fie the Tartarians, who are in those parts none other∣wise

held to be friends to any, then the Switzers are to the Princes in our countries

But because the passages of the Tartarians into Hungarie in this time of warre,* 1.107 are diuers and vncer∣taine, and so may also be in times to come, it shall not bee vnfruitfull and inconuenient, if I touch the courses and voyages, which they may take, to the end that we on our side may the more easily en∣deuour and prouide either altogether to hinder them, or at least to make their arriuall there to bee more difficult vnto them.

.§ XXX.

THe Tartarians,* 1.108 when they will ioyne thēselues with the Turkish armies, must needes of neces∣sitie passe through the Polack countrey, either inha∣bited, or wast and desert.* 1.109 The countrey inhabi∣ted, is Russia, & Podolia, two Prouinces which are on their right hand. They may passe also on a soden vn∣der Premisla,* 1.110 by the vallies that lead into vpper Hun∣gary. But both these former waies may be easily stop∣ped by the Polackes, and the last also by the Imperi∣alistes, and the Transyluanians. They may likewise passe at Sumber,* 1.111 or somwhat neerer to Transyluania: but this is a more difficult way then the rest.

Through the wast or desert countrey,* 1.112 they may passe two wayes, the one farre from the Sea, the o∣ther nigh to the Sea. If they will go that way which is farre from the Sea, they arriue at the Riuer Nie∣stro and so enter into Moldauia, and from thence trauersing Walachia,* 1.113 they come to Zuerin or Seuerino

(so called by the christians in memorie of Seuerus the Emperour:) but this may be stopped by the Polac∣ches, the Moldauians and the Walacchians. At Seue∣rino, if they had the countrey friendly and fauoura∣ble vnto them, yet they may peraduenture haue somwhat to do, before they can passe ouer the Ri∣uer Danow: but now forasmuch as that place is at the deuotiō of the Transyluaniā, they shal be enforced to passe it, & to make way to thēselues by force & arms: which will proue no lesse difficult vntō them, then if they should haue attempted the voyage by land.

The Tartarians also may come to the Niestro,* 1.114 by the way that is nigh to the Sea: for they may passe to Achermano, (which the Polacckes call Bialogrod, the Moldauians Cittat-Alba, and the Hungarians Nestor Alba,) a territorie and Sangiacche-ship belonging to the Turkes, at the mouth of the said Riuer Niester, and not at the mouth of Ister or Danubius, as some haue written: and it is neere to the Sangiacche-ship of Bendero,* 1.115 called by the Polackes and Moldauians Tegina, and is a place in the Prouince of Maldauia, but subiect to the Turke, through the default of that Aaron the Vaiuode, who in this present warre, thinking to reconcile himselfe, for the reuolt which he made from the Turkes, would not surprise it, when he might.

In the said Sangiacke-shippes, the Tartarians may take two wayes, the one by passing the Riuers of Pruto and Sereto, and so annoying Walachia: the other without passing the saide Riuers, and by go∣ing ouer the Danowe in Bulgaria, which is a countrey belonging to the Turke. This last way, though at

this time it would be the safer, yet for all that it would not be without great difficultie, yea, and so∣much the rather, for that the Turkes themselues will not willingly yeeld their consents that the Tar∣tarians shall take that way, for feare least they should wast their countrey.* 1.116 The first time, that they pas∣sed to this present warre, they tooke the way of Pre∣misla, and in their returne they went home by Seue∣rino: but after that they were discomfited and ouer∣throwne by the Walachians and Transyluanians, to the end they might more easily saue themselues in their returne homewardes, they tooke the way last before named.

§. XXXI.

BEsids the Tartarians aboue mentioned,* 1.117 there are also certain other Tartarians called Giebeli, which may be to the number of about two thousand, they handle the Scimitarre and the Bow: they weare a Salate and a Iacke, whereupon they haue gotten the name of Giebeli, that is to say, men of armes. They dwel commonly in Dobruccia, between the Danowe, and the Ruines of the wall, that was caused to bee made by the Greek Emperours, from Gorasui, neere to Silistria, as far as Constane, vpon the banke of the Greeke Sea.* 1.118 These Tartarians do the Turkes ve∣rie often vse, because they would make the worlde beleeue that the Tartarians of Crimo, are come to as∣sist and succour them: and so causing these few Tar∣tarians to passe ouer on this side of the Danowe: (for they dwell in the vttermost parte of Moldauia, bee∣tweene

the Niestro and the Danowe,) euen vntil they come to the great sea in the Sang••ack-ships of Bende∣ro and Achermano (whereof I tould you somewhat but a little before,) they doe mightily encrease the rumor of them, and breede a great feare in our peo∣ple. Lastly,* 1.119 I will conclude this discourse touching the Tartarians, with a conceite worthie of conside∣ration and memorie, and it this, that as the Tartars of Europe in the time of the Romanes went euen as farre as Persia, by the way of Demir-Capi, that is to say, the iron gates, a place verie famous and renow∣med in regard of Alexander the great, passing through the countrey of the Georgianes: euen so the verie selfe same way was taken in our daies, particu∣larly by Osman Bassa, who therein did greatly labour to imitate,* 1.120 or rather to ouergo Domitius Corbulo, and Pompeius Magnus, as yee may reade in Tacitus and Dion.

§. XXXII.

THe Circassians, sometimes called the Zighi,* 1.121 are by the Polackes named Pientzcorschii, that is to say the Inhabitants of fiue mountaynes, and therefore they are also tearmed Quinque-Mon∣tani▪ i. Fiue-Mountayne-men. They doe not reach to the Caspian Sea, as some haue written, but only to the Cimmerian Bosphorus, to the Poole Maeotis, and to the great-Sea.* 1.122 Some of them are Freemen: but some of them are tributaries to the afore named Tartar of Crimo. They liue all after the Supersti∣ons and rites of the Graecians. They goe with the

Turkes to warre, but they serue them euen for poore pouertie. They vse to sell one another of themselues: and many of them are become Sclaues, as well by the way of Mengrellia, and by the Tarta∣rians, with whome they haue to doe sometimes, as also by the meanes and conueniencie of Asaf, which is a Forte belonging to the Turke at the mouth of the riuer Tanais. They are well accoun∣ted of, for their good disposition and liuely cou∣rage. In the time of the Souldanes all the Mama∣lukes almost were Circassians, and thereupon came the Mamalukes to be called by the Turkes,* 1.123 Zercas. In Circassia was Osman heretofore ouerthrowne by the Cassacchi: (what they are, it shall be told yee in due place:) in his returne from Persia to Constantino∣ple, after he had passed the Riuer Phas or Phasis, (which is so famous for the Golden Fleece) in Men∣grellia,* 1.124 which is vpon the great-Sea in the confines of Trabisonda, a Riuer which Pompey durst not passe ouer, when he pursued Mithridates, for feare of the Tartarians, the Circassians, and other people neere thereaboutes.

And let thus much suffice to be spoken of the Tartari∣ans and Circassians.

The Turke is also wont sometimes to inuite the Curdians or Gurdians to his warres:* 1.125 who are Maho∣metanes, and liue like Freemen, and are verie coura∣gious. They dwell in the region of Bagadat, and in that part thereof, which now is called Curdistan, that is to say, Chaldaea, named by the Arabians Kel∣dan. Some are of opinion, that they may one day do great hurt to the Turkish Empire. Some thinke

the same also of the Drusians,* 1.126 who are souldiours by profession, and dwell in the Mountayne Libanus: as also of the Arabian Bandoliers,* 1.127 who are Lordes and Maisters of the Champeine, as sometimes our Fuo∣rusciti or outlawes are wont to be among vs. But in trueth I do doubt, that the Maiestie and State of that Empire shall haue small cause to feare either the first, who do inhabite but a small countrey, or the second, who are but some few Mountaine people, or to be briefe the last, who are indeede a confused number of theeues.

Now lastly, it will bee verie conuenient, that I shewe vnto you,* 1.128 the strength and forces of that Empire, that is to say, how the great Turke is able to prouide himselfe and his Armies with victualles, with Armour, and with Munition, aswell by land as by Sea. For in vaine were it to haue an Armie, and not to be able to arme and feede both men and cattell, or to make an Armada without timber and people. I will also by the way touch vnto you, how these prouisions of the Turkes, may bee either stopped, or verie hardly be brought vnto him: and by the knowledge thereof it will the more easily ap∣peare, what the enimie can by all likelihoode doe a∣gainst vs.

§ XXXIIII.

ANd to beginne with victualles,* 1.129 as a thing more necessarie then any other prouision whatsoe∣uer, for the maintainance of an Armie, most cer∣taine it is, that the Turke wanteth not corne: For

he may haue great store of it out of Asia, and to con∣uay it into Hungarie,* 1.130 he hath many diuers and sun∣dry wayes. But that which is by the great Sea at the mouth of the Danow, hath no good free passage, in regard of the Walacchians, who do now depende vpon the Transyluanian. That by Constantinople is to long a iourney, and yet there can none be caried that way neither. The most free and easiest way of all the rest for this purpose, is that by Sea to Salonic∣chi, and from thence by the way of Scopia to Belgra∣do, where the countrey being verie plaine and euen, the Turkes may verie commodiously make their conuoyes, and much better they might do, if they had any cartes.

In Europe,* 1.131 the Turke hath not now any great cō∣moditie of victualles. For Maldauia and Walachia, although they be Prouinces, that are by nature ve∣rie fruitfull of Barley and Wheate, yet by the oc∣casion of this present warre, they are beecome al∣most altogether vnfruitfull, not onely because they are not now sowed as heretofore ordinarily they haue beene, but also beecause that little which the grounde yeeldeth, is purloyned by men, and trampled with horses. Beesides that, the Walachian and the Moldauian, who beeing as tributaries to the Turke, ought to minister vn∣to him all the helpe that possibly they can, yet at this present they will faile to doe it: the Walachian, beecause hee is vtterly alienated from him, and the Moldauian, because hee hath e∣nough to do to furnish himselfe.

The Turkes may also conuay some vittailes out of Macedonia,* 1.132 and Seruia, (two Prouinces that are woont to bee verie plentifull of corne:) which they may easily do, because the Country is partly plaine, and partly hilly, but without any stones. They may also take the same way of Salonicchi, by passing through the Champaines of Moraua in Seruia, not farre from the most fertile plaines of Cossouo, which our writers do call the Champaines of Black birds, by reason of the great multitude of them that were seene there before the battaile, wherein Amurath the first was slaine. Whereupon I do note by the way, that the ancient writers were in an errour,* 1.133 whiles they thought, that a man coulde not possibly passe through all the Mountaines of Macedonia and Seruia,: considering that they are verie easie to bee passed, excepting onely that part of them, which out of Epirus entreth into Macedonia, for that is in deede vnpassible with carriages.

Now touching the point,* 1.134 how to hinder the Turkes vittailes, that they may not be conueighed and brought into those Countryes, where the wars now are. I doe thinke that it will proue a verie diffi∣cult and hard matter for vs Christians to bring it to passe, either by sea or by land. The vittailes of Asia, which come out of Aegypt, and are embarked at Alexandria, Damiata, and other places, cannot be im∣peached or stayed, without an Armada, or a fleete of shippes, nor without fighting also with the fleete of the enemie. Besides that the Arcipelago, where this must specially and principally bee attempted, hath many channels.

And by land,* 1.135 they can be stopped but in one on∣ly case (vnlesse the Turke might bee debarred and kept out of his owne Countrey, which is the hardest thing of all.) And this onely way is for the Transil∣uanian, togither with the Walachians, to passe ouer to the hither side of the Danowe, and interpose them∣selues betweene Bulgaria, and Seruia, which in times past were called the two Misiaes. And yet when all comes to all, there is no remedie but we must looke to fight, and therefore it will behoue vs to haue a ve∣rie mightie armie in a readinesse.

Moreouer,* 1.136 euerie Spahi, is bound to bring to the campe, one load of corne for his owne vittaile. All the Sangiacchi doe send thither, Meale, Barley, and Graine, when and as much as they can. And all the villages also are bound to send a certaine quantitie of Barley, whensoeuer they are commaunded. And in Belgrado, there is ordinarily made great store and prouision of Bisket, Meale and Barley.

§ XXXV.

IT is verie true,* 1.137 that the Turke cannot set forth his armie towardes the warres before the grasse bee growen, or rather not before haruest-time as well in regarde of the prouisions (as I haue told you) which the Spahi & others are bound to bring to the camp, as also because it is necessarie, that both men and cattell should haue good meanes to maintain them selues in the field, yea and so much the rather for that the armie is verie populous, as indeede all the Turkish Armies are for the most part, of people, of

horses, and of Camels: whereupon it falleth out also, that that they cannot long bee maintained nor stay togither by great heapes and multitudes in one place by reason of their great expences.

Out of Scopia, they haue some little store of Rice,* 1.138 whereof the Turkes doe make themselues a pecu∣liar kinde of pottage: they haue also some quantitie of it out of Alexandria, and other places, whither our Marchants do vse to transport it.

§ XXXVI.

THey haue great aboundance of flesh-meates, al their Countrey ouer (specially where their soul∣diers meete togither,* 1.139 and goe to warre:) namely of Muttons, and of Beeffes, which are (as a man may say) innumerable in those huge and wide Cham∣paines where they feede and pasture: yea and so much the more store of them they haue: because the Moldauian is content that the Turkes shal passe through their Countrey, with their cattell, their ho∣nie, and their Butter, in regard of the great custome and toll which they gaine of them for the passages therof. Although (to speak the truth) there doth not now passe that way, so great a multitude of Muttōs, as in time past there hath done, because there was not heretofore so good a riddance of them into Po∣lonia, as now there is. Which in deede is no small griefe and displeasure to the Turkes, who doe vse to eate the flesh of Muttons with great delight and ve∣rie sauourly, whereas on the other side they do not so greatly care for the flesh of Beefes.

The Turkes also vse to carrie with them a certaine kinde of salt poudred flesh, which being beaten into powder, serueth them for a verie great nourishment, especially if they mingle it with their pottage, or broath: and this meate they call Tzorba.

§ XXXVII.

ANd now to their drinke.* 1.140 It is most certaine, that there want no good waters ouer al the country where the warres are.* 1.141 And for water, it ought not to seeme a straunge drinke: for the Turkes considering that by their law they are bound to drinke it, as the Carthaginians also do: and as for Religion sake like∣wise it is vsed to bee drunke by the inhabitants of the Kingdome of Tarsus, which on the East con∣fineth and bordereth vppon Cataio, and is famous in the holy Scriptures for the three wise kinges,* 1.142 that came from thence to worship Christ. But what a great aduauntage it is to the Turkes to haue this commoditie of water, let them consider that haue conuersed and practised with the Dutche, (al∣though at other times also, as Tacitus writeth, they vsed to drinke at the Well-head.) certaine it is,* 1.143 if we mark the matter well, that Mahamet their Law-giuer, did for none other cause so straitely commaund his followers, that they should so precisely abstaine from wine, but onely because that hauing throughly re∣solued with himselfe to haue his law defended with force & armes, he thought it conuenient by meanes of sobrietie to make them as fit and apt for the wars as possibly he could. And besides that also, he did in∣thrall

them to the imaginary opinion of the gouern∣ment of Destinie, to the end hee might make them the more obedient to their Captaines, and the more resolute in fight. He also ordained, that they should often wash themselues, to the ende, that his Armies might the more easily bee kept cleane and free from those euils and diseases, which do ordinarilie breede of filthinesse, and likewise make them the more able to endure the hardnesse and distemperature of the weather, with other such like policies.

The Turkes also haue a certaine kinde of Breu∣uage or drinke (which they call Tzerbet,* 1.144 and wee S••rbetto, a Soupe or Broath:) and it is made of Raisins and water, sometimes mingled with the iuice of Lemmons, and with Muske: most daintie and delicate it is, to the taste, and will often strike vp into the heade like Wine. Whereof also if any of the Turkes are desirous to drinke,* 1.145 especially the Giannizzaries, who will swill of it beyonde all measure, they may haue some in Hungarie, and chiefly in vpper-Hungarie, where the wine of Toccai is verie famous.

§ XXXVIII.

LAstly, the Turkes cannot want prouision of wood and timber,* 1.146 which (as Cyrus sayth) is as ne∣cessarie for an armie, as any other thing whatsoeuer. True it is, that in some places of Seruia there is no great store of it: but there is as much as may be desi∣red, in the rest of the voyage from Constantinople to Belgrado: and in the way of lower Hungarie, on this

side of the Danow, euen vnto Vesperino: but specially in Bazca,* 1.147 & also in Srema, which is a Prouince so cal∣led of the Cittie Sirmio, so noble and renowmed, principally for the Councill that was kept there.

These two Prouinces doe lie on this side of the Danow, betweene the Danow it selfe, and the riuers of Draua and Saua, and haue great abundance of wood and timber, by reason that they haue not felt the miseries of the warre, because the Turkish ar∣mies haue not taken that way, but onely in the be∣ginning vnder the conduct of Sinan.

And now that we haue discouered whatsoeuer is neces∣sarie for the vittaile and foode of their men and cattell:* 1.148 it followeth also to be considered, how the Turkes are at this present armed, and how they may haue munition sufficient for the warre, whether it be Defensiue, or Offensiue.

§ XXXIX.

THe Spahi of Europe, to strike a farre off,* 1.149 doe vse to weare a light Launce with a pommell, and to strike at hand, an Iron Club or Mace, which they call Pusdogan: or else a Scimitarre, or Cimitare: for so by a barbarous worde they call that weapon, which by little and little groweth crooked towards the poynt, and is like for all the worlde to the Knife, that Xenophon attributeth as proper to the Persians, called by the Turkes Cedare, by the Ara∣bians Seife, and by the Dutche Sabell, a corrupt worde taken from the Hungarians, and Sclauoni∣ans, who call it Sabla. Some of them doe also weare an Axe, and a short sword. Some few Iacks,

and Targates they haue:* 1.150 but the rest of all their bo∣die is vnarmed. None of them doth handle the Pi∣stoll: and many of them doe onelie vse the Dart. The greatest part of those Spahi, that kept in the frontiers of Croatia, and of Hungarie, had Cuirasses, and Corslets, but they are almost all extinguished, & those that are of late gone thither in their roomes are not accustomed to such armour.

All the Giannizzaries, and some of the Asappi,* 1.151 handle the Arcubuse, but for the most part not so wel as it is handled by vs Christians. Which what ad∣uauntage it may be vnto vs, let those iudge that saw the handling of the Arcubuse, Da posta: that was so profitably vsed in the actions of that most glorious Gentleman Alexander duke of Parma.

The Acanzii, the Spahoglani,* 1.152 the Chiaussi, (which vse ordinarily to go as Messengers or Embassadors) and other Caualieroes of the great Turkes Court, do handle the Dart, and some of them the Launce, after the Asian maner. To be short, all the footemen almost go with a Scimitarre, and without any Mur∣rion, but the most part of them with Daggers after the Greeke fashion.* 1.153 The horsemen of Asia doe car∣rie, as it were, half Pikes. Many of them are Archiers: they ride vpon low Saddles, so that they may easily be ouerthrowen to the ground.

§▪ XL.

THere are also in the Turkish armies diuers Of∣ficers or seruants,* 1.154 as the Giebegi, that is say, Armourers, that surueigh their Armour. The Topigi

or Bombardieri,* 1.155 that looke to their Guns: whereof some haue pay, and some haue none, but diuers fees and recompences they haue. The Armenians for the most part do serue for Pioners, and do such workes among the Turks, as our Spazzacamini or Chimney-sweepers doe among vs Italians, and thereupon are in scorne called Bochgi.* 1.156 There go also with the camp many Voinicchi, who are villaines or slaues. They liue after the Greeke maner: they serue for any vse, and dwell in Seruia and Bulgaria. Vonicchi is a Scla∣uoine worde, signifying Bellicos, warlike men, because in times past they were much imployed in the warres.* 1.157 Many other there be likewise, that voluntarily follow the Armie to be Pioners, and to doe such other base ser∣uices, and are called Sarchor.

And here in this place I will omit at large to entreate of the Militarie discipline of the Turkes,* 1.158 because that point hath beene better examined by others then I can do. One∣ly I will tell you some speciall matters, because I will not leaue the Reader fasting and vnsatisfyed in this be∣halfe, as peraduenture in other poyntes I haue alreadie glutted him.

§ XLI.

VVIthout all doubt,* 1.159 the Turkish souldiers are farre inferiour to our souldiers that are ex∣ercised. By our Souldiers, I doe vnderstande not onely the Italians, but also those of Spaine, of France, of Hungary, of Germany, & of other natiōs that vse to go to warfare in our armies. And by exercised soldi∣ers, I mean such as haue not only bin wel instructed

in the arte of warrefare, but also such as haue beene accustomed with the exercises of a Christian souldi∣er, to the end that accompanying valour and vertue both together▪ they may the more surely in the ser∣uice of our Princes become victorious, although they be peraduenture farre inferiour in number to our enimies. Most euident and plaine are the ex∣amples of the victories obtayned by a few Christi∣ans vnder Marcus Aurelius, Constantinus,* 1.160 Theodosius the elder, Theodosius the yonger, Honorius, Aetius and many others: but more particularly ouer the Sara∣cenes, vnder Pelagius the first, King of Castile, who with one thousand slew twentie thousand of them: and vnder Charles Martell, who at one onely time ouerthrewe and vanquished three hundred, three∣score and fifteene thousand of them: I leaue to tell you what the Christians also did, vnder Alfonsus the Chast, Ranimiro, Ferdinando, and Waltero the great Master of the Duch order, who slew a hundred thousand Tartarians with the death of one onely of his owne souldiers: and Corui••us, who after hee had obtayned seauen victories against the Turkes, with fifteene thousand onely,* 1.161 most valourously fought the eight battail against eightie thousand of them, as (among others) Thomas Bozius writing against Mac∣chiauel hath at large described.

Moreouer, euerie man that hath warred with the Turkes doth know well enough, that they lodge at large: and that in their marching they go verie con∣fusedly, so that they may verie easily be endamaged in the tayle of their Armie. George Castriota, was one of the most famous Captaines, that euer fought

with the Turkes,* 1.162 and was otherwise called Iskander-Beg, i. the Lord Alexander, a name that was giuen him by Sultan Amurath, when being his Hostage or Pledge he caused him to bee circumcised at seauen years of age: (for the Turkes at circumcision change the name, as we vse to doe at baptisme.) This man fighting thus with the Turks being in this disarray, had such victories of them as were most worthie of triumph.

Besides all this the Turkes, when they do fight, put more confidence in their Multitude, in the o∣pinion that they haue of Destinie, in the noyse of their warrelike instruments, and in the horrible cry of their barbarous shoutings,* 1.163 then they haue in any good order, or in true discipline. And yet many good things they haue, as namely, a Supreme au∣thoritie in their Captaine Generall, an obedience in the souldiers, though now it be somewhat dimini∣shed: forces alwayes readie,* 1.164 so that they shall not neede to go about, begging of souldiers, as our Princes doe, who verie oftentimes make more ac∣count and better reconing of other mens forces, thē they do of their own, and to make a leauie of souldi∣ers, are enforced to euacuate and emptie their trea∣suries and to consume the greatest part of their time vnprofitably. The Turkes spend their treasure either in matters of greatest importaunce,* 1.165 or in be∣stowing liberally vpon their souldiers: which is a most sharpe spurre to animate and encourage them to battail. They neuer attempt any enterprise at a iumpe or vpon a soden. They do not employ their forces in matters of small moment. They vnder∣take

no action, but with order and great militarie preparation: and for the most part they fight not out of season.

And although some be of an opinion,* 1.166 that the Turkes want Engyners, yet it is daily seene, that with great facilitie and ease they ouerthrowe the greatest fortes and fortresses of the worlde, whereof they make no account at all: for sometimes they will cor∣rupt the enimies officers, with honours, with gifts, and with prouinces, and sometimes they will make breaches into the walles with continuall batteries, working with the mattocke, filling vp the trenches, and other whiles also ouerwhelming Citties, either with huge artificiall mountaynes of earth, or with vndermining: and lastly, disquieting the inhabitants with perpetuall and importunate assaults and neuer giuing ouer the enterprise till it be performed.

Moreouer, they do not want any munition,* 1.167 of Bullet, Artillarie, Powder. For Bullet, they alwaies make it when they haue neede of it. For Artillarie, they haue great quantitie of it, at Constantinople, at Pera, at Belgrado, and at Buda: the most part of it ta∣ken from the Christians. They haue also learned to cast Artillarie: the more shame for vs, who haue not beene contented to transport our arrant cruell enimies out of Asia into Europe in Amurathes time, but haue also become Maisters vnto them in this Arte: and I would to God, that we did not likewise carrie them great store of Armour and weapons be∣sides: nothing regarding or fearing the wrath of God, the excommunication of the Popes, nor the vtter ruine of our selues. And as for Powder,* 1.168 it is

made at Cairo, and at Acque Bianche. i. the white∣waters, (which is a place not farre distant from Con∣stantinople:) and elsewhere in great aboundance.

The Turkes do also greatly practise militarie stra∣tagemes,* 1.169 or wilie pollicies in warre, whereby they do vse to mingle deceite with force, according to the commandement of Mahomet their law-giuer: neither do they want meanes and ministers, that are cunning and skilfull to practise the same, both because all such, as among them do attend the Arte of warrefare, do endeuour themselues to learne and knowe whatsoeuer is necessarre for the good ma∣naging of an exployte, and also because fraud and deceite is a thing most proper to the Turke. Much other matter might be set downe touching this poynt: but if any bee desirous to vnderstand more hereof, let him read, (among others that haue writ∣ten of the Turkish affaires,) the discourses of Renato Di Lusinge, Lord Alimes, in his booke intituled, Of the beginning, conseruation, & decaying of States.

And now that I haue shewed you the Land-Forces of the Ottoman Empire, it is also verie fit and conuenient, that I should, likewise shewe you, the forces thereof by Sea.

§. XLII.

THe great Turke hath many Tersani,* 1.170 that is to say Arsenales or Storehouses for shipping. The Arsenal or Storehouse of Sinopoli neere to Trabisonda is one of the best. At Constantinople there are a hundred & thirtie seauen roomes in one vaulte;

and at Midia and Achilo they haue space enough to make some if they will. Besides that, the Turkes do vse also to make Galeyes in such places, where they may most commodiously haue timber for them: the charge and care whereof they lay most commonly vpon the Raislari or Raisi, that is to say, the Captains of the said Galeyes. Moreouer they haue great a∣boundance of timber in many places, & specially in the golfe of Nicomedia in Asia, ouer against Constanti∣nople: and in the mountaines of the Ducagini,* 1.171 from whence they may conuay it by the Riuer Drino vn∣to Alessio a territorie of Albania: in which prouince also they haue some quantitie at Velona, and at Polo∣na, which is verie famous by Augustus, who was there studying, when Caesar was killed.

The great Turke hath also an Arsenal or storehouse in Africa at Suez,* 1.172 in the mouth of the Red Sea, with certaine Galeyes, which were made heretofore a∣gainst the Portingales, for the enterprise of Diu & Or∣muz: but it is of small reconing because in that coun∣trey there is no store of timber, and to bring it from the portes of Bithynia and Caramania to Cairo by the riuer Nilus, and so to Suez vpon Camels is a matter of great difficultie and expense.

§. XLIII.

IT is most certaine and true that the Turkes do put their timber to worke,* 1.173 so ill seasoned, so greene, & so fallen without any obseruatiō of the course of the Moone, that their Galleyes cannot proue very good & durable: and the rather, because they vse to make

them for the most part in great hast: besides that the houels or vaults, that are made to couer them, are not so well fitted, nor safe from the raine.

* 1.174

They haue Pitch, both hard and soft from Velonae, and from Rissano in the golfe of Cathare: the one out of the mines, the other from the trees. And tallowe they want not, by reason of the great aboundance of Beefes and Muttons, that are in those countres. But they haue not hempe enough, and so by conse∣quence they are not well prouided of Sayles: and so much the worse, because the Sultane Ladies (who haue thirtie Galeons of a thousand & fiue hundred tunne a peece, and eighteene great Hulkes,* 1.175 which they send into Alexandria with diuers marchan∣dise,) do draw out of the Arsenal, with the good li∣king and pleasure of the Grand-Turke, sayl & chor∣dage, asmuch as is requisite for the seruice of their said vessels. Besides that the officers, who haue the charge of the said Sayls, & such other like furniture for ships, do keepe them but ill fauouredly and lend them out easily for gaine.

The Turks do also want nayls, so that very often in steed therof, they are fain to vse sharp wooddē pins.* 1.176

Of Mariners they haue great store. They enter∣tayne the Asappi principally to serue them in Sea actions.* 1.177 And if they should happen to want any, they would compell the Candians to serue in their Galeyes (for there is alwaies a great multitude of thē in Constantinople) & other Graecians that are their sub∣iects, which do wholy attend that trade.* 1.178 To this pur∣pose also they keepe many boies exercised that way, in their watch-Gallyes, in their shippes, and other

Boats. But gally-slaues they want which is a matter of great consideration: for vnprofitable are their Gallies, without people to row them. And neither will the Christian slaues be enough for that seruice, nor yet those that are supplied out of Barbarie. Besids that the Turkes do not make any slaues of the Tarta∣rians, of the Persians, nor of the Georgians, because they will not admit thē into their militarie gouern∣ment, which wholly resteth in the handes of their slaues, as it hath bin somewhat touched heretofore, and more at large shall be hereafter in the third part of this treatise. Sometimes they will also command the Asappi to go and serue for Gally slaues, as a base kind of people and of no worth: and sometimes o∣thers of the countrey:* 1.179 for whose stipend and wages there was applied in times past, an Auariz, that is to say, an exaction layd vpon the christians of Europe, which amounted to the summe of three hundred thousand Cecchinoes or Duckats: but now it is em∣ployed vpon other land-matters. In their great ne∣cessities they vse also some of the Armenians, some of the Iewes, and some of the Christians, euen by force & compulsion, as namely Cicala did in the last yeare of his generalship. The Spahi likewise go for souldi∣diers in the Gallyes, that are kept for the defence & safegard of the Islandes of Barbarie, and other places, but without any other pay, sauing only the profite of their Timari: and thereupon they growe wonder∣full greedie to robbe and spoyle. If they make a fleete of a greater number of Gallyes then ordinary, (which may be about some thirtie,) they will send some Giannizzaries into them.

They make great aboundance of Bisket,* 1.180 at Velona at Lepanto, at Negroponte, at Volo in the gulfe of Salo∣micchi, whether the wheate is brought and conuay∣ed, that is gathered out of Macedonia and Seruia in Zataraes or Lighters by the Riuer Vardaro, which in old time was called Auxius.

And thus much let be sufficient to haue spoken of the Turkes forces by land and by Sea. But for as much as ac∣cording to the opinion of some auncient Captaines, Gold is the Sinewes of warre,* 1.181 and (as it were) the Spirite and Soule, that quickeneth and giueth life to an Armie: I will briefly adioyne hereunto some matter touching the Ottoman riches: Wherein a great parte of the For∣ces of that Empire and of other principalities doth con∣sist.

§. XLIIII.

FIrst,* 1.182 if wee doe consider the value and account of the Timari, it is manifest and playne that the Great Turke, is the richest Prince, that is vpon the earth: because hauing bounden vnto him by his Timari, moe then three hundred persons, to serue him in his warres, without any interest, hinde∣raunce or charge of his owne, it may easily bee perceyued, what a great matter it would bee for him to maintayne so many Souldiours, with his owne pay.

Moreouer,* 1.183 the great Turke hath two Hasnads, (or as many do pronounce it with a stronger aspiratiō, Gas∣nads) that is to say treasuries whereof the one is

called the outward or cōmon treasury, the other the inward or priuate Treasurie.* 1.184 The former hath about some nine or ten millions of yearly reuenue, which is wholy imployed in the expences that are need∣full and necessarie for the state. The later is excee∣dingly rich, by reason of the many and great giftes or presents, which are giuen to the grand-Turke by sundrie Princes, and specially by the Christians, by his owne seruiters and subiects, and by all such as haue any thing to deale with him, not permitting any person to come before his presence with emptie handes, for hee doth attribute that, which indeede turneth to his chiefest gaine, rather to be a signe of his great pompe and Maiestie. And truly if yee shall well consider the nature of the whole generation of the Turkes, ye shall find all of them to attend none other thing, but onely to gather that they may giue it afterwarde to the great Turke: so that by this meanes, all the riches of that large Empire doe passe through their handes, as it were through water-pipes, into the huge Ocean of their Emperours couetousnesse.

Into the same priuate Hasnad, or Treasurie,* 1.185 there runneth also the yearely reuenue of Miszir (for so the Arabians and Turkes doe call the ancient Mem∣phis, that is to say, Cairo, by a corruption from the Hebrew worde Mizraim) which reuenue amoun∣teth to the summe of aboue one Million. There runneth thither also,* 1.186 the yearely value of all the in∣heritances of the richest persons in all his Empire, whose heire he maketh himselfe to bee, euen at his owne pleasure. For all the wealth of those, which

beare the title of slaues, doth wholy depende vpon his supreeme will and disposition. Thither come likewise, all confiscations and forfeytures,* 1.187 all fines and amercements (which are verie many) all the goods of such as are condemned by law, all the Re∣uenue that is gathered of Custome and Impost: all the rent of the Salt-pits, and the Tithe and tents of all prayes that are taken by land or by sea, of all cat∣tell, and of all Haruests in the fields: the profite also of the Mines,* 1.188 whereof there are verie many in Ser∣uia, (insomuch as it is called, Prouincia d' Argento, 1. the Prouince of Siluer) in Bosna about Iaiza, in Ma∣cedonia, and elsewhere. All which ioyntly togither, amounteth to a most huge quantitie of golde more or lesse, according to the greedie auarice of the Prince, and to the diligence, or rather insaciablenes and extortion of his officers.

Besides all this,* 1.189 the Turke doth also leuie a tribute vpon the Christians, which is a Sultanine vpon eue∣rie Head, or Poll of them, assoone as they are aboue xiiii. yeares olde: which tribute is now encreased to a higher rate,* 1.190 by occasion of this present warre. There is likewise a certaine redemption of that, which is payed by the Turkes according to the rate of fiue and twentie Aspres a peece, and is called a Gift, because it is expressely forbidden by their law that the Turkes shoulde take any tribute of the Turkes.

Lastly,* 1.191 the now liuing great Turke, did finde in this priuate Hasnad or treasurie, great store of gold, but not in that excessiue quantitie, as some haue bin bolde to write, which was gathered togither by his

father, who was very auaricious and greedie beyond all measure, and as insatiable and carefull to hoorde vp, as he was miserable and sparing in spending and giuing.* 1.192 He was of the minde that he would sell euen the flowers of his owne Gardeines: hee payed no debts: he gaue nothing, or at least verie little to his souldiers: a thing that was farre different from the custome of that Empire. To bee short, he was most respectiue and heedie in all his expences as well or∣dinarie as extraordinarie, those only excepted which he laide out vpon his women, who (although they were his slaues) yet was it his pleasure, that when they departed from his entertainement, and em∣bracement, they should bee greatly enriched, and well furnished with Iewels.

To all these things before rehearsed, there may be added a matter,* 1.193 which without teares cannot bee remembred, and that is, the tributes (or rather to vse a more modest name for it, the Beneuolences and Gra∣tuities) which the Christian Princes do vsually giue to the great Turke. The memorie whereof ought to enkindle, yea and enflame them with a most iust disdaine and indignation against so barbarous and vniust a tyrant, and to cause them, that (as indeede they doe in their consciences acknowledge it to bee more profitable for Christendome, and honourable for themselues:) so they would all ioyne togither with one consent to spend the same money for the glorie of Christ, and for there owne safetie.

§ XLV.

THe Christian Emperour payed vnto the Turke for Hungarie,* 1.194 and to haue peace with him (if I do

well remember my selfe) fortie and fiue thousande Dallers.

The Vaiuode of Moldauia paieth one and thir∣tie loades of Aspres,* 1.195 or little lesse. A hundred thousand Aspres make a loade, which at the time of the imposition make two thousand Crownes, eue∣rie Crowne being worth fiftie Aspres, which is now worth more then a hundred. And besides, he payeth also to the Tartarian twentie Cart-loades of honie, with foure Oxen in euerie Cart, and fiftie Mares be∣sides. but it may be that by some new composition he payeth now somewhat more or lesse.

The Vaiuode of Walachia, before it was at the de∣uotion of the Transiluanian Prince,* 1.196 paied fiftie loads. Such is the information that I haue had from such as haue seene the bookes of Moldauia, and Walachia: and therefore I do differ somewhat from those, that haue written otherwise hereof.

The Prince of Transiluania,* 1.197 payed to the Turke before this present warre 15000. Cecchinoes or Duc∣kets.

The state of Ragugia payeth. 12500.* 1.198 Cecchinoes.

The state of Venice, for the Iland of Zante (i. Za∣cinthus) 1000. Cecchinoes: as Selem also chalengeth a certaine summe of money, before it was bereaued of the Kingdome of Cyprus, because the Ottoman Empire was somewhat entered into the Soldanes accounts and reckonings.

The Moscouite also gratifieth the Tartarian for Taurica,* 1.199 to auoyde the incursions, which the Tarta∣rians are wont to make into his Countrey, either of themselues, or at the instance of the Turke.

The Polack payed to the Turke in the yeare 1591. so many furs of Sables, as were worth 25000. crownes of gold: but it is not a yearely tribute, as some haue written. Indeed hee giueth to the Tartarian euerie yeare a certaine summe of mony, to buy Scimitarres, and apparell withall, by an auncient capitulation or composition, as it is read in the Histories of Polonia.

I haue noted also the giftes which some Princes do bestow vpon the Tartarian, which although they began at the first indeed, before the Turke had any thing to doe with the Tartarian, are yet still conti∣nued by the said Princes, principally to please the Turke.

There be also certaine tributes and giftes, which the Princes of Africa, and of Arabia,* 1.200 and the Ge••r∣giani, and others do vse to giue, but I wil omit them, because they are not of any moment, nor serue any thing to this present purpose.

Finally, there be also many Rewardes and Gra∣tuities,* 1.201 which the foresayd Princes do bestow extra∣ordinarily vpon the officers of that barbarous Prince to keepe them to bee their friends: and which vpon diuerse and sundry occasions they bestow also vpon himselfe, either to holde him in friendship, or to pa∣cifie his rage and furie (which is sometimes eager in deed, and somtimes but counterfaite) or else they giue it for a certaine Ceremonie: because (as I haue signified before) he doth account this kinde of pro∣fite to be verie honourable vnto him. Besides that all such as desire Offices and Dignities, or returne from the gouernments of Prouinces, or from some notable enterprice, do bestow vpō him (as it were by

bond and dutie) the godliest and most precious things which they haue gotten: Neither is there any other cause why his pleasure is that all the pre∣sentes, which are offered vnto him, should thus o∣penly and in publike view be presented to his owne presence, but onely with this barbarous pride and ostentation to enflame and prouoke both his owne subiects & strangers to bestow the more vpon him.

The end of the first Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mahamet, a name dreadful to Christians, and fatall to the Turkes.
• * 1.2

  The nature & conditions of Mahamet.
• * 1.3

  Why he hated Nasuf-Aga, the Dwarfe.
• * 1.4

  Who were his grand-mother, and Mother.
• * 1.5

  The suspition that Amurath had of him.
• * 1.6

  Examples of Mahamets cru∣eltie.
• * 1.7

  VVhy Maha∣met lingred his going to the warre.
• * 1.8

  Why he killed one of his dearlings.
• * 1.9

  He threatned his mother.
• * 1.10

  How the au∣thoritie of the visiers was diminished.
• * 1.11

  How he gay∣ned the good will of the Souldiers.
• * 1.12

  How the Turkes call their Emperor.
• * 1.13

  The sonnes of Mahamet.
• * 1.14

  When they may be seen o∣penly.
• * 1.15

  Who is Maha¦mets chiefest Minion.
• * 1.16

  Whether the Ottoman Em∣pire want good Captains or no.
• * 1.17

  How the Turks arise to militarie ho∣nours.
• * 1.18

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.19

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.20

  Hibraim and his toi••s.
• * 1.21

  Sinan Cicala. why he succee¦ded: Hibraim in the general∣ship; and chief Visiershippe.
• * 1.22

  Cicala degra∣ded and con∣fined into Bursia.
• * 1.23

  Why Cicala is no great frend to the Veneti∣on state.
• * 1.24

  Mecca in Ara∣bia.
• * 1.25

  One occasion of the present war in Hun∣garie.
• * 1.26

  Giaffer, why degraded.
• * 1.27

  Tauris.
• * 1.28

  Hassan (Sonne to Mahamet Socoleuich,) Beglerbey of Grecia.
• * 1.29

  How the Turks cal him that is chiefe next after the great Turke himselfe.
• * 1.30

  The state of Hassan.
• * 1.31

  Vidino.
• * 1.32

  Hafis Hacmet why degraded.
• * 1.33

  Sinan.
• * 1.34

  Mahamet Sa∣tarzgi.
• * 1.35

  Why fauou∣red by the Sul∣tane mother.
• * 1.36

  Why called Satarzgi.
• * 1.37

  Haidar Bassa.
• * 1.38

  Odauerdi & Velli.
• * 1.39

  Hassan: why he stirred vp the reliques of Mudahar to an insurrectiō.
• * 1.40

  Halil Bassa ge∣neral of the sea & his simpli∣citie.
• * 1.41

  Giaffer.
• * 1.42

  Captains at sea
• * 1.43

  Famous Pirats
• * 1.44

  Why Soliman vsed the ser∣uice of Ariadi∣no.
• * 1.45

  Two sortes of souldiours of his owne and Auxiliarie.
• * 1.46

  Souldiours of his owne.
• * 1.47

  The Spahi.
• * 1.48

  VVhat wages the Timari are
• * 1.49

  Niceph. Call. Eccles. Histor. Lib. 7. Cap. 44
• * 1.50

  What wages the Vlefe are.
• * 1.51

  The Spaho∣glani.
• * 1.52

  The selectari.
• * 1.53

  The Guruba. The Vlefezgi.
• * 1.54

  The Acanzii, The Heduc∣chi.
• * 1.55

  The Gionli.
• * 1.56

  The Baratli.
• * 1.57

  The Mutefe∣raga.
• * 1.58

  The Timari of Asia.
• * 1.59

  The Begler∣beyes of Asia. of Africa, of Europe.
• * 1.60

  What Begler∣bey signifieth.
• * 1.61

  The Diuan▪
• * 1.62

  The Rumeli Beglerbey.
• * 1.63

  The Anatoli. Beglerbey.
• * 1.64

  The Denizi Beglerbey.
• * 1.65

  The Agiamo∣glani.
• * 1.66

  The Turkish coynes.
• * 1.67

  Aspri.
• * 1.68

  Manguri.
• * 1.69

  Dramma.
• * 1.70

  Tellero.
• * 1.71

  Cecchino.
• * 1.72

  Sultanino.
• * 1.73

  Brizantini.
• * 1.74

  The diuerse values of these coynes at se∣uerall times.
• * 1.75

  The Giannez∣zaries.
• * 1.76

  Not so called of the worde Ianua.
• * 1.77

  The true Ety∣mologie of the Giannizzaries.
• * 1.78

  The Gianniz∣zaries wages. &c.
• * 1.79

  Their Captain Generall.
• * 1.80

  What Aga is▪ and what A∣galari are.
• * 1.81

  The insolence of the Gianniz¦zaries.
• * 1.82

  The Dephter∣dari.
• * 1.83

  Footmen of the Spahi.
• * 1.84

  Asappi & Bes∣ly footmen.
• * 1.85

  The Culcar∣dasi.
• * 1.86

  Souldiours in Africa▪
• * 1.87

  The Authors Aduertisemēts touching the Turkes soul∣ours.
• * 1.88

  The Authors opinion tou∣ching the de∣creasing of the Ottoman Ar∣mies.
• * 1.89

  The Cadiles∣kieri, and the Cadi.
• * 1.90

  Why Greece is not now so well peopled as it hath bin.
• * 1.91

  How it com∣meth to passe that the Turks countrey is so much disin∣habited.
• * 1.92

  Why the Turks armies are so full of poore rascals.
• * 1.93

  Souldiers Auxiliarie.
• * 1.94

  Crimo. Iegnibasca.
• * 1.95

  Why the Tar∣tarians are called Preco∣pisi.
• * 1.96

  The title of the Tartar king. Han. Kiocai. Zar.
• * 1.97

  The surname of the Tartar King.
• * 1.98

  Which part of Taurica be∣longeth to the Turke, and which to the Tartar.
• * 1.99

  VVhy the Moscouite feareth the Tartarians.
• * 1.100

  Tartarians vnder the Moscouite.
• * 1.101

  Tartarians of Europe.
• * 1.102

  The Tartari∣ans are Sar∣matians.
• * 1.103

  The Tartari∣ans weapons.
• * 1.104

  Why the Turkes vse the seruice of the Tartarians.
• * 1.105

  The opinion of Sultan So∣liman.
• * 1.106

  Why the Turke and O∣ther Princes seeke to keepe friendshippe with the Tar∣tars.
• * 1.107

  The voyage that the Tarta¦rians may make into Hungarie.
• * 1.108

  Through the Polack coun∣trey inhabited:
• * 1.109

  By Russia and Podolia.
• * 1.110

  By Premisla.
• * 1.111

  By Sambur.
• * 1.112

  Through the wast Polack Countrey.
• * 1.113

  By Seuerino.
• * 1.114

  By Acherma∣no.
• * 1.115

  By Bendero.
• * 1.116

  Which way the Tartarians went & came to and from this presēt war
• * 1.117

  The Giebeli Tartarians, their weapons & habitation.
• * 1.118

  Why the Turkes vse them.
• * 1.119

  The voyage of the Tartari¦ans of Europe into Persia in old time.
• * 1.120

  And of Osman Bassa of late time.
• * 1.121

  The Circassian
• * 1.122

  Their maner of life.
• * 1.123

  Osman ouer∣thrown by the Cassacchi in Circassia.
• * 1.124

  The Godlen Fleece.
• * 1.125

  The Curdians
• * 1.126

  The Drusians
• * 1.127

  The Bādoliers of Arabia.
• * 1.128

  Victuall, Ar∣mour, & Mu∣nition of the Turke.
• * 1.129

  Corne in Asia.
• * 1.130

  The wayes to conuay it into Hungarie.
• * 1.131

  Corne in Eu∣rope.
• * 1.132

  Corne in Ma∣cedonia and Seruia: and how to con∣ueigh it into Hungarie.
• * 1.133

  An errour of the auncients touching Ma∣cedonia and Seruia.
• * 1.134

  How the Turk may be hin∣dered from his vittailes by sea.
• * 1.135

  By land.
• * 1.136

  What vittaile the Spahi; the Sangiacchi, all villages, and Belgrado do furnish.
• * 1.137

  Why the Turks cannot set forth to warre in the beginning of the yeare: nor keepe long in one place.
• * 1.138

  Rice from Scopia, Alex∣andria, &c.
• * 1.139

  Great store of flesh meate, mutton and beefe.
• * 1.140

  Their drinke.
• * 1.141

  Water.
• * 1.142

  The Country of the 3. kings that came to worship Christ
• * 1.143

  What meanes Mahomet vsed to make his followers to be souldiers.
• * 1.144

  A drinke cal∣led Tzerbet.
• * 1.145

  The Turkes especially the Giannizzaries will drinke wine.
• * 1.146

  Prouision of tymber.
• * 1.147

  Basca & Srema plentifull of wood.
• * 1.148

  Armour of the Turkes.
• * 1.149

  Armour of the Spahi, Launce. Pusdogan. Scimetarre.
• * 1.150

  Axe. Short sword. Iacke. Targate. Dart.
• * 1.151

  Armour of the Giannizzaries and some Asappi, Arcubuse.
• * 1.152

  Armour of the Acanzii, Spa∣hoglani, Chi∣aussi, &c. Armour of the footemen.
• * 1.153

  Horsemen of Asia.
• * 1.154

  Armourere▪ Gunners.
• * 1.155

  Armenians.
• * 1.156

  Voincchi.
• * 1.157

  Sarchor.
• * 1.158

  Militarie dis∣cipline of the Turkes.
• * 1.159

  Qualities re∣quired in Christian Souldiers.
• * 1.160

  Victories of the Christians against the Infidels.
• * 1.161

  Victories of the Christians against the Turkes.
• * 1.162

  Scander-Beg.
• * 1.163

  Good gouern∣ment among the Turkes.
• * 1.164

  A fault in Christian Prin¦ces.
• * 1.165

  Good quali∣ties in the Turkes.
• * 1.166

  Engyners.
• * 1.167

  Bullet Artillarie.
• * 1.168

  Powder▪
• * 1.169

  Stratagems.
• * 1.170

  Storehouses for shipping in Asia.
• * 1.171

  Europe.
• * 1.172

  Africa.
• * 1.173

  Timber and Gallies. Their Gallies not very good.
• * 1.174

  Pitch hard and soft. Tallow. Hempe not much. Sayles why scant.
• * 1.175

  The Sultane Ladies Ga∣leons.
• * 1.176

  Nailes scant.
• * 1.177

  Marriners
• * 1.178

  Gallyslaues.
• * 1.179

  An Auariz; or exaction rai∣sed vpon the Christians for the mainte∣nance of Gal∣ley-slaues.
• * 1.180

  Bisket.
• * 1.181

  The riches of the Ottoman Empire.
• * 1.182

  His Timari.
• * 1.183

  The Turkes Hasnads or Treasurie.
• * 1.184

  The common or publike Treasurie. The priuate Treasurie. Giftes.
• * 1.185

  Reuenue of Cairo.
• * 1.186

  In heritances.
• * 1.187

  Confiscations, fines, &c.
• * 1.188

  Mynes.
• * 1.189

  Tribute of the Christians.
• * 1.190

  Tribute of the Turks them∣selues.
• * 1.191

  Treasure left.
• * 1.192

  The couetous∣nesse of Amu∣rath the third.
• * 1.193

  Yearly Tri∣butes of Chri∣stian princes to the great Turke.
• * 1.194

  The Emperor
• * 1.195

  The Vaiuode of Moldauia.
• * 1.196

  The Vaiuode of Walachia.
• * 1.197

  The prince of Transiluania.
• * 1.198

  The state of Ragugi. The state of Venice.
• * 1.199

  The Mosco∣uite.
• * 1.200

  The Princes of Africa, Ara∣bia, and Geor∣gia.
• * 1.201

  Gratuities ex∣traordinary to the Turke and his Officers.