Relations of the most famous kingdomes and common-wealths thorowout the world discoursing of their situations, religions, languages, manners, customes, strengths, greatnesse, and policies. Translated out of the best Italian impression of Boterus. And since the last edition by R.I. now once againe inlarged according to moderne observation; with addition of new estates and countries. Wherein many of the oversights both of the author and translator, are amended. And unto which, a mappe of the whole world, with a table of the countries, are now newly added.

Hungarie.

HVngarie is a Noble Kingdome. I call it No∣ble, because whole volumes might be writ; and yet extenuate the worth, but not relate the troubles thereof; Externall, with the enemie of Christendome; Internall, by rea∣son of confused dissention. For sometime the glory of the Kingdome elateth them, sometime private revenges divide them: sometime the Nobility doth tyran∣nize over them, and sometime the generall cause exciteth compassion.

For the plenty wherewith it aboundeth of all things, both for use and pleasure, it may be numbred amongst the most fertile Kingdomes of Europe. In it are found fruits of as much variety and goodnesse, as in Italy: Corne sufficient to sustaine the Inhabitants; Wine to furnish their neigh∣bours (Poland, Silesia, Moravia, Bohemia:) Fish in such plen∣tie, that strangers borrow of their abundance from them, and out of Valachia, (before the losse of Agria in 96.) were Beeves driven into Italy, and all parts of Germanie, which now finde a present want in their former provision thorow the Turkes stopping of that passage.

The Hungarian Horse by nature are not improper for warre, being couragious, strong, hardy, and swift, but for want of management they fit no service but travell, to which the Italian Hackney-men, and Almain Coach-men finde∣them excellent.

Hungarland is divided by the River Danubius, into two

parts: the one mountainous; and therefore called the upper Hungarland, abounding in Gold, Silver and Copper-Ore; the other nether Hungarland, plaine, without hils, and called for the fertility thereof, the Store-house of Italy, and Germanie. The Metropolitan Citie of that part of Hungar∣land that obeyeth the Emperour, is Possonium or Presb••rgh, which the Hungarians call Posonie; little, and not very beautifull, no more than are Sirigonium, Cassovia, Ni••ria, Tervanio, or any other Cities of Hungarland: a reason whereof may be, that the Gentlemen have their Houses in the Countrey, and the Citizens are more studious to build for use, than for pompe.

In confineth toward the North with Poland and Mo∣ravia: on the East lieth Transilvania and Valachia; on the South, Bulgaria, Servia, Bosnia, Sclavonia, and Croatia: and towards the West it is joyned to Stiria and Austria; two thirds of it possessed by the Turke. The Inhabitants be of sta∣ture and complexion not unlike the English, but in habit re∣sembling the poore Irish; in Warre strong, valiant, and pa∣tient; covetous above measure, yet having rather desire than art to enrich themselves, permitting (of negligence) the Germans to inherit in their Cities, and to Trafficke their Merchandize; a cause why none of them rise by their owne industry to any great wealth. They never com∣bate amongst themselves, but revenge injuries with words, except upon objection of cowardize, whereof the charged is never disburthened, untill he have proved himselfe in sin∣gular combate with a Turke. It hath beene an ancient cu∣stome amongst them, that none should weare a feather but hee who hath killed a Turke, to whom it was law∣full to shew the number of his slaine Enemies, by the number of feathers in his Cap. They punish Adulterie and Fornication with death: the Husband forcing his Wife, the Father his Daughter, and the Brother his Sister to the place of Execution, The Sonnes inhabit equally af∣ter the death of their fathers, occupying for the most part the possessions left them in common. The Daughters have the

value of the part of the Lands in money. They are desirous of warres above measure, they admit no unprofitable man into their Campe, but such as hold servants are served with men. They march in troopes both Horse and Foot, lodging apart, but not in that good order which is used by the Ger∣mans, who distinguish both their Companies and Regiments into streets, placing their baggage at their backs or flankes, according to necessity. They goe no round, neither in their Campes nor Townes, but in stead thereof one Sentinell whoopeth to another, as in like case doe the Turkes. The Horse-men in battell range themselves in files after the Ger∣man order, as doe also their foot, placing all their shot on front. They give a furious charge, and the Enemie broken fall presently to spoile, leaving to follow the execution for any small booty: but being broken, they fly every man home without ever turning head, lying in wait by the way for their enemies, whom they rob in their flight counterfei∣ting for the more terrour the clamour of the Tartars, from whom they differ in the fashion of their Caps.

The Government in the times of the Kings of Hungarie (which in these latter ages were still elective) was admini∣stred partly by the great Officers of the Spirituality, and of the Secular powers. The chiefe of the Spirituality was the Archbishop of Strigonium, who was ever to be the Lord Keeper or Chancellour, principall Secretary of Estate, and Primate of Hungaria. The other Archbishop was hee of Colozza: these two had fourteene Suffragan Bishops under them; all now swallowed up by the Turke, except Sirigoni∣um, Nitria, ••aver••ne, and ••••cia. The chiefe Officer of the Secularitie is the Palatine of Hungaria, chosen by the States and Lords of the Kingdome: his authoritie is marvellous large, both in the Court of the King, the Courts of Justice in the ordinary Diets, and especially in the vacancie of the Throne. The Kingdome of Hungaria is now divided be∣tweene three; First the Turke, who hath the greater part, and is Master of Buda it selfe, the chiefe Citie of the King∣dome. Secondly, Bethien Gabor, who possesses most of the

upper Hungarie, lying betwixt Transilvania and the River Tibiscus: and the third part is in possession of the Empe∣rour, whose sonne was lately chosen King of Hungaria.

For the due administration of Justice under the Secular, the ancient Lords divided their Land into twenty Counties, appointing to every County a Baron for Governour, with one and twenty Doctors of Law to be his Assistants, reser∣ving ever to themselves an Appeale for the redresse of Inju∣stice, and preventing of extortion. Now since the Princes of Austria got the Crowne, their tyrannie so yoketh the Pea∣sants, that nothing may bee done without the Lords leave. Insomuch that these people living in the true condition of slavery, want nothing but the name thereof. In the time of the ancient government, when the Kings would alter any thing in the administration of the Common-weale, under∣take a forren warre, or conclude a peace, there assembled together at one place three degrees of Subjects, Barons, Bi∣shops, and Gentlemen: with consent of the greater part whereof, the Kings had authority to confirme, abrogate, or institute lawes, to denounce warre, to conclude peace, and to charge their Land with impositions fit for their necessities.

This assembly is still in use, but the freedome thereof is altered, nothing being at this day propounded to the assem∣bled by the new Governours but a contribution of money; to which demand at a day given, the Nobility give their resolutions, which in the yeere 96. and 97. (when the Tur∣kish Emperour threatned to descend himselfe in person) was; That the Nobility would put themselves in Campania with their Forces, and promised for their subjects (for so they terme their Peasants) that every Housholder should send a man, and give two Dollars of money for entertain∣ment of Souldiers: but the Turkish Emperour not comming in person, the Gentiles did not further bind themselves, than that their subjects should pay every house one Dollar; with which money were to be waged 20000. horse and foot, the halfe of which never appeared in field, there being not at any

time in armes under the three Generals of Teufeubach in upper Hungarland, of Palfeis upon the border of Da∣nubius, and of Zerius in nether Hungarland above nine thousand men: And at the battell of Keresture in 96. where were assembled the greatest forces that could bee made by the three Confederates, Germany, Hungary, and Transilvania: the Combatants amounted not to above 51000. (viz.) out of Hungarland arrived six thousand horse, and 10000. foot: out of Transilvania six thousand horse, and 12000. foot: out of Germany nine thousand five hun∣dred horse and seven thousand foot. The Germans were so well appointed (horse and foot) as for quantity of Armes and goodnesse of horse nothing could be better devised; Of the foot, the third part were Pikes armed compleat, the rest were shot, whereof three parts were Muskets: the Horse∣men were allarmed, many of whose Curases were Musket-proofe: some of them carried five Pistols, most foure, all two. That which was indeed a want amongst them was, that three parts were Servants, according to the German cu∣stome, many of whom tooke pay for eight Horses. The Hungarish and Transilvanian foot were all naked, part of whom carried Fire-lockes of two foot, and the residue Pikes of nine foot long, either Armes of small or no use, ei∣ther in offence or defence, whether in Forts, Streights, or Campania. The Horse-men carried hollow Launces of twelve foot long, which they brake by the helpe of a lea∣ther thong fastened to their saddles: for the rest, they were armed according to their meanes, the rich with Cura∣••es, the meane with Shirts, the poore with Sleeves of Male, and all with Caskes, which kind of arming, as it maketh them much defective in proofe, so are they of lesse worth for their horses, which (for their manner of riding, bridles and sadd••••s) are more forceable to doe execution upon vi∣ctory, to make excursions, and to discover, than they be ei∣ther to give or to sustaine a charge.

Their forces by Water (or to speake more properly the Emperours) were much impaired by the losse of Iaverin in

94. where of thirteene Gallies the Turkes tooke ten; that losse is not yet repaired, the Emperour not having at this time above five Gallies: which at the siege of Strigonium, durst not make head against three of the Turkes which came to releeve the Towne. There bee moreover ordinarily upon the Danubie sixteene small Barkes, twelve foot broad, and fifty foot long; these carry in the prow two peeces, a crogue three foot long, and one pound bullet; they are rowed by souldiers with twenty Oares on a side, having their halfe pikes standing by them, and their peeces hanging at their backes.

The Captaine governeth the rudder, and the Lieutenant attendeth on the peeces. These barkes (for that which I have seene) are fitter for the skout and guard of the Campe, when it marcheth or lodgeth by the waterside, than com∣modious for fight.

The Hungarians presuming (more than reason) on their valour in Campania, have ever neglected to fortifie their frontiers: the last and best invented meanes whereby small States preserve themselves from being over-run by the great; which error being better lookt unto by the Princes of Au∣stria (who about fifty yeeres since obtained that Kingdome) have used some diligence in this kinde, yet with so small judgement, as that no Fortresse in the Land can justly bee said to be strong, (except Rab) the rest being either onely strong by fight, as Tockay, Villak, Strigonium, Comora, Al∣temburgh, Papae, Canisia: or by art, as Castlenovo and No∣vigrade; or neither by art nor sight, as Guents and Eden∣burgh, (passages of importance in nether Hungarland) with almost infinite others. Tockay, Altemburgh, Papa, and Canisia are governed by the Germans: Novigrade, Ca∣stlenovo, Strigonium, and Komara, have Hungarish Gover∣nours, but the greatest part of their Garrisons be Dutch, a device peradventure as well to secure the Emperour of Hun∣garland, as to defend those places against the Turkish in∣rodes, to which service the Hungarians are more proper, if they were provided oflike Armes.

These Fortresses were well provided of all sorts of Mu∣nition, Artillery, Powder, Bullets, Fire-workes, and Victu∣als, but not so well foreseene with defendants, as is conveni∣ent against so mighty an Enemy as the Turke; there being in the last recited fortresse not above fifteene hundred men, and in some not two hundred.

How abundant this Province is in victuals, I say no more than hath beene mentioned in the beginning of this Dis∣course; that it is one of the most plentifulest Countries in Europe, furnishing the Inhabitants with abundance, with∣out borrowing of any neighbour Province. For as for the Bread, Wine, and Oats which Austria ministreth, that is onely when the Campe is lodged by the River Danubius; which Merchants transport thither, rather for their gaine, than that their Armes suffer any scarcity in want thereof. Artillery is sent them from the Emperours Arsenall in Vi∣enna, themselves neither finding great peeces nor making small; which likewise they have out of Germany, as also Powder and Shot; A note of their exceeding negligence, ha∣ving excellent Metals for this purpose, which they trans∣port unwrought into Germany.

The greatest fruit which the Emperour reapeth by the Crowne of Hungarland, ariseth by the benefit of Mines which yeeld him yeerely one million and a halfe of Gilders, which commeth cleerely into his Treasurie; the presidiarie souldiers being all paid with the contribution money, as i•• also his Lieutenant Generall 30000. Dollars yeerely for his provision. The Emperour Maximilian the second tooke in∣to his hands the living of the Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches, giving to the Bishops and Canons small stipends; by which device he gained yeerely halfe a million of Gil∣ders. The religious houses are almost all abandoned for the feare the Monkes and Friers have of the Turke, except those of the Gray-Friers, to which order he is very favou∣rable. The Villages likewise are many, but some wholly desolate, the Peasants retiring themselves under the Turke, where they live with lesse agrievance than under the Empe∣rour.

Their livings are confiscate, which hath much increa∣sed the yeerely Revenue of that Kingdome.

Now Hungarland being not in better termes to support it selfe against the irresistable power of the Turke, than ap∣peareth in the premises; it may reasonably be demanded, what hath beene the cause that the Turke in an hundred and fifty yeeres space (about which time hee invaded that Country) hath not made an absolute conquest thereof: For having in this time not conquered above two third parts thereof, it is manifest that he must be defective in the meanes before spoken of, wherewith Princes augment their Great∣nesse, (viz.) either in Treasure, Munition, Men, Armes, or (that which is principall) in judgement to embrace or pro∣secute occasions. For answer unto which, I say; first, that the Turkish Emperour hath not only above these foure hun∣dred yeeres beene superiour to the Kings of Hungarland in Treasure and Munition, but also to any other Prince in the world: so is hee likewise in number of his Captaines and private Souldiers; but borrowing a conjecture from the managing of his actions, it is manifest that his councell of war (schooled above in the barbarous service of Persia) hath ever beene inferiour to that of Christendome, as it is at this present. Secondly, the Emperour hath of late served him∣selfe in all his occasions of worthy Chieftaines, as Count Charles Maunsfielt, the Marquesse Sanseverino, Alexander Malospina, Francisco de Monte, the Baron Swarzenburg, George Basta, Ferrant di Rossi, &c. All which, either by their experience in their Netherlandish warres, or diligence in Historie, or else paines in both, have long since obtained the names of great Souldiers; which providence of late times used by the Emperours, and heretofore by other Princes, hath in part prevented the Turkes designes in the intirenesse of this Conquest. Another hindrance hath beene the evill arming of the Turkish Souldiers, the greatest numbers whereof are naked: And which is as great a defect, none of them carry Weapons of much offence, except the Ianizars. who serve with Muskets of longer and bigger bore than

the Christians: To which number of Ianizars, being 2000. tripled, if 20000. Pikes compleat were added, they would make an Armie of greater consequence for the Conquest of this Kingdome (which is secured by passages) than doth the multitude of Horses in which the Turke putteth so great confidence.

I must also confesse, that the Turke in all his attempts against Hungarie hath used irreproveable judgement, in making no inrode into that Country, but when hee had peace with his Neighbours, and the Christians at division amongst themselves, atchieving by such providence infi∣nite victory; So, if he had prosecuted the least advantage with constancy and celerity, befitting the occasions; the Conquest of Hungarland had beene finished many yeeres since. Of all negligences in this kinde, none hath beene of greater note than that of Mahomet the third, superiour in the battell of Kerestur in 96. by which victory, not Hungarie alone, but all Austria stood in great dan∣ger. For the Christian Armie being irrecoverably over∣throwne, and all the Townes disfurnished both of defen∣dants and Munition, there wanted nothing (in mans judge∣ment) to the gaining of that Kingdome, but the speedy pro∣secution of that absolute victory.

But whether with the learned wee may beleeve, that great Kingdomes have their periods, or that Greatnesse in it selfe produceth carelesnesse, whose true symptoms are pride, effeminacy, and corruption in Militarie Discipline: most certaine it is, that those Empires which formerly have fallen from their prime felicity, have generally decli∣ned through the Alteration of their ancient Orders and pristi∣nate vertues.

Nor can it otherwise bee, but that as those Ordinances and Lawes which reason at first introduced, and experi∣ence afterward approved, doe settle and fortifie States: so the manifest neglect of the same should make them weake againe and crazie.

Which being duly considered, a Prince ought not in any

thing to be more watchfull and vigorous, than to keepe in life those Lawes by which his State at first became to bee exalted to that height, wherein he found it at the decease of his Predecessor: for let him be assured, that the same are still, and shall be the foundations and Basis of future pro∣sperity.

Herein the Ottomans have by two meanes especially ad∣vanced their power, & have raised it to the height wherein we see it at this day. The one was their personall presence and travelling to the wars; the other, theirmaking of great warres, and fierce to effect, but short. Their perpetuall ex∣peditions produced many profitable effects; as first, that it kept in awe and attendance the great Servitors of the State: Secondly, that the Ianizars were thereby the better inured to obedience, patience, and practice of their Armes with the discipline of the field: Thirdly, it caused their whole forces intirely to attend them.

For better understanding whereof, it behoveth to know how that the Port (or Court) of the Great Turke, was an∣ciently wont to make twelve thousand Ianizars monthly paid, and that without faile. Now that number by occa∣sion of the warres of Hungarie is much increased, and their pay raised to five Aspers a day; to some, more in regard of desert.

Out of the number of these Ianizars are chosen two hundred, whose Office is to runne by the stirrup of the Prince, and three hundred Porters that receive twenty Aspers a day above their ordinary stipend: The Cavalry ariseth to a farre greater number. The Spahi are six thou∣sand, marshalled in two troopes; whereof the one guar∣deth the right hand of the Prince, the other the left in all marches. Every one of these Spahi is bound to maintaine three or foure servants on Horsebacke for the warre: and these servants, either in valour or costlinesse of furniture, doe in little or nothing give place to their Lords. Their place of march is in reare of their Masters, but in distinct troopes.

Besides these troops doe march two other squadrons, consisting of a thousand horse apeece: The one is made of certaine select & stalled persons, knowne for some one or o∣ther famous exploit. Into which troope doe also entersome Ianizars, and many servants, as well belonging to the Prince himselfe, as to other of his principall Ministers, that have approved themselves by some notable endevour, to be worthy and capable of that degree.

The other squadron is all of naturall Turks, recommen∣ded to that honour, for some superordinary skill at their weapon; for horsemanship, or some such like quality.

The souldiers of these two troopes are not tied to keepe above two servants mounted at the most. So that these foure squadrons (whereof we have spoken) doe make in all as good as forty thousand horse, all excellently furnished.

Besides these, there are also neere 20 thousand men that are servants and attendants upon the supreme Officers of the State; as Judges, Treasurers, Counsellors, and Com∣manders. Amongst which, some there are that bring into the field two or three thousand apeece; all well armed, and in like livery, being indeed tied for every five Aspers, that they have of provision, to finde one horse-man. So that what for pompe, and what for their owne safety, in this oc∣casion they doe set all their slaves being Renegadoes on horse-backe. What shall I say of the infinite number of ca∣riages of Mules and Camels accompanying this Equipage? Of which sort Bajazet led into the field forty thousand, and Selim in the enterprise of Aegypt, one hundred and thirty thousand: This was the ancient proportion. Now all these forces (whereof I have spoken) from the Court doe accompany the Prince, setting forward to the warres. But if his Person move not, then doe these also stay idle at home, where the Ianizars (for their too much ease) doe of∣ten fall into mutinies, and the great Bashaes busie them∣selves about nothing, but to disgrace or overthrow one another through envie and ambition. Which is well wit∣nessed on the one side by the extreme rancors and partiali∣ties

that boyle amongst them, and sometime breaketh forth; and on the other, by their immoderate affection and swelling into titular dignities, which of necessity cannot be avoided; for that as trees which are lesse fruitfull doe thrust forth most leaves & branches, to cover therewith the defects of nature: So doe men (in whose minds desert and vertue is wanting) seeke nothing so much as with outward vanity of apparell, and shew of great descent to shadow their inward imperfections. Through which abuse, it is not possible to imagine unto what number the titularie Officers of that State are augmented. The Bashawes which in the flourishing dayes of this Empire were only two, one in Asia, the other in Europe, are now seven in Asia alone, (viz.) of Natolia, Caramania, Amasia, Anadule, Damascus, and Cairo; who doe sucke from the Prin••es Coffers no lesse than an hundred and thirty thousand ducats yearely. And this is sprung from nothing else, but that upon opportunity of the Princes keep∣ing at home, the Ministers of the State, especially such as lie farthest off, have by little and little presumed to usurpe and arrogate to themselves more power and authority than was anciently belonging unto them. Besides which, the Prince by his personall intervention in all expeditions, became by his experience better acquainted with the condition of his Armies, made himselfe cunning in the causes that did en∣vigour or corrupt his souldiers; so that by cherishing of the one, and redressing of the other, the discipline of the field was made more firme every day than other.

And in truth it can seeme to no man lesse than a very mi∣racle that in this house of the Ottomans should follow a con∣tinuall succession of twelve Princes together, that have been all men of great action, and extreme Warriers. But since the successours of Soliman have disused themselves from the field, and to be personally absent from the Warres, it is wonderfull againe to see, how much the power of that Empire is impaired.

The first that gave passage to this disorder was Soliman himselfe, who howbeit he were a Prince of excellent cou∣rage

and great sufficiencie for State; and not only did put his owne person into many and hazardous attempts, but also did leave his life in one of them (which was at the siege of Sigeth) yet did he suffer his Sonne Selim, to lie shame∣fully rioting and consuming himselfe at Court. By which custome once taken, he never after his fathers time would abandon the City, but managed all his affaires abroad by his Captaines and Ministers.

The selfe-same course held Amurath also, Selims sonne; Mahomet indeed his son hath not wanted to shew both spi∣rit and valour enough by his personall going into Hungarie, and forcing of Agria. But for all that, whether through the indisposition of their own persons, or through the over∣deepe rooting of disorders growne in the Empire, he was neither able to recover the old reputation of his predeces∣sors, nor to reforme the lost discipline of his souldiers.

Besides, since those times men are now weighed by the abundance of their fortunes, not of their vertues; who buy∣ing their greatnesse of the Prince, like Merchants, must make their profit of the people: which violent humor in the great Ones, hath bred disobedience in the inferiours. So that the Princes commandement is no more esteemed in any remote part, than it fitteth with the profit of him to whom it commeth. From hence have budded all these so great inconveniences.

For the Ianizars lying idle, and having nothing to doe, are swollen unto such insolence, that they make every thing lawfull for them (as it were) by prescription, nor forbearing to sacke and pillage the naturall Townes of the State, in stead of the enemies: yea, falling into further fury and in∣surrection, they were (these few yeares passed) the causes that Amurath was forced at their instance, to behead his best beloved Bassa, Hebraim. In which mutinie they also fired above five thousand houses in Constantinople. And even the last day almost, at the importunate request of the Spahi, he was saine to behead his Capi Aga, who was the grea∣test personage for counsell, and the most deare Servitor he

had in Court. Albeit indeed his death was afterward reaso∣nably well revenged, with the heads of three of the princi∣pall of the said seditious Spahi. And of late yeares they pro∣ceeded to such an height of insolencie, as to murther their Emperour himselfe, because hee had a purpose to change their Militia, to correct the lazinesse and cowardise of those Ianizars, and to prove a Prince of activity.

And forasmuch as through the want of exercise of Armes, and imployment of the Ianizars, their valour also is much abated. For (contrary to their first institution) the Ianizars are now married, have families and trades in Constantinople, from which profit & pleasure the Emperors will scarce ever againe be able to draw then to any hazardous, long, or for∣ren expedition; they will mutiny, and fire the Towne ra∣ther: for recompence of such defaults, they have beene saine to increase their number from twelve, to twenty and nine thousand. Which number also being not able to bee made up of Christian children, and the Azamoglam of Eu∣rope, they have beene fame to supply it with Asians and Mahumetans, contrary to the first and ancient ordinance of the Ianizars.

Neither are lesse the inconveniences and mischiefes that doe arise from prolonging of warres; whereas by contrary usages, the Ottomans were wont to reape two notable bene∣fits. One was, that by leading a full force into the field, whether they wanne any Towne, or had the better of a field: they evermore in the same instant oppressed their ad∣versaries; and againe on the other side, by making speedy and short warres, they gave respit and leasure unto the sub∣jects of those parts where their Armies lay, to repaire them∣selves againe: unto which subjects otherwise the neerenesse of the Ottoman Campe doth bring unrecoverable dam∣mage: for it is observed, that the Ottoman Prince never doth conquer so much of the enemies Country, but that he destroyeth more of his owne. Nor can they otherwise chuse, having no peaceable or orderly way of provision, but for want of necessaries they must make prey of all they can come by.

And the reason is, that because the vast extent of that Empire, and the distance of the frontier parts from the head, they are faine to march more upon their owne ground, than upon other mens. And they passe it not once, but twice: first, in setting forth, and againe in the retreit. Whereby the people, and especially the husbandmen, being pilled and spoiled of their substance, are consequently constrained to forsake their tenures, and to leave their land unmanured.

Another benefit which they received by making great, but short warres, was, that thereby they kept their owne souldiers in continuall practice and exercise of warre, with∣out giving their enemie so much breath as to doe the like. For as soone as any one exploit was ended, their order was suddenly to bring the adversary asleepe by negotiating of some truce or peace; that done, as suddenly they transfer∣red the warre upon another part and enemie, never giving time to their owne to lay downe, or to their neighbours to take up their weapons. With these practices they tooke from the Venetian Cyprus, and making peace with them, they presently transferred the warre into Africke, where they surprized Goletta and Tunis: and that warre being fi∣nished, Amurath himselfe without intermission put him∣selfe into the expedition of Persia. And this course is indeed in it selfe of so great consideration, that Lycurgus amongst the three Lawes only, which he left to the Spartan Com∣mon-wealth, left this for one: first, that they should use no written Lawes; secondly, that they should admit of no other architecture, but of such as might be performed with an Axe and a Saw; and lastly, that they should never fight twice together with one enemie.

In this point Philip the second amongst many other er∣rours committed the greatest over-sight, in protracting the wars so many years in the Low-Countries. For by meanes thereof the people of Holland and Zeland (who in former times had little or no experience in the warres) became one of the most warlike and souldier-like Nations of Europe. So Amurath, contrary to the custome of all his predecessors,

made warre in Persia that lasted twenty two yeares or more. And albeit he tooke from the Persian at that time a good peece of his State, yet doe I not thinke, but that the losse thereby received did more than counterpoise the gaine, not so much by fight and fortune of the field, as by length and tediousnesse of the journies; wherein, partly through want and distresse of victuall, with other sinister accidents arising from the quality of those Countries, hee lost the flower and vigour of all his forces; namely, above two hundred thousand horse, and five hundred thousand men: leaving the Country besides so naked of Inhabitants, so poore and ruinous, that in one Province alone (Armenia) Osman Basha was forced to destroy and set fire on above two hundred thousand houses. Moreover, by occasion of so long a warre, not onely the Persians, but the Georgians, and Arabians also, betooke themselves to the exercise of Armes, and therein attained to such ability, that to this day they are ever and anon in tumult, and beginne to reco∣ver some of their losses. This was the true reason (as afore∣said) that induced Amurath and his Counsellours, distrusting the obedience of that people, (against the Turkish custome) there to erect many Citadels, as at Chars, Nassivan, Lori, Teflis, and at Tauris; whereinto they thrust great Gar∣risons: as namely, into that of Tauris eight thousand. The predecessors of Amurath, who reposed the maine re∣putation of their forces to consist in being Masters of the field, made no account of these holds; maintaining this rule; That who is strong in the field needeth not the assistance of Holds, and who will maintaine many fortresses garrisoned, can never be very strong in Campania.

From these and such like oversights, have arisen all the corruptions whereof I have spoken in this relation of the Turkish greatnesse. Whereby those Armies, which were wont to amount to two hundred thousand fighting men and upward; and their Navies accustomed to bee of two hun∣dred saile and more, are now brought to a farre lesse recko∣ning: They are now come to fifty thousand, the proportion

that Hebraim brought with him not many yeares since into Hungarie: And to some thirty six Gallies, or there∣abouts, with which Cicola, Admirall of that Empire, came of late into the Levant Seas.

By which diminutions it hath fallen out, that a poore Prince of Transilvania durst meet Sinan Bassa, and fight with him; and that the Vayvod of Valachia durst also make him the like opposition.

So likewise I say, that this one Kingdome and one Com∣mon-wealth hath done more in abatement of the ambition, and checking the fortune of the Ottoman, than all Christian States have done all together: For where all the rest of the Princes bordering anciently upon them, were in short time devoured & spoiled of their Estates; the Hungarian and the Venetian alone, have for the space of one hundred and fifty yeares and more, maintained themselves. And though both the one and the other have quitted unto the Ottoman some parts of their Territories, yet have they well warded and re∣tained the residue; So that to speake truth, Christianity hath at this day no other frontier upon the Turke but what is theirs: which, how much it importeth; no man can rightly judge, who hath not by experience made triall, how dread∣full the Ottoman power is to all those that dwell neere it. And howbeit in these later yeares, the Hungarian hath had in his favour the continuall supplies of Germanie, and the Venetian hath beene assisted by the association of the Pope and the Spaniard, yet it is to be understood, that unlesse both those and these had had of their owne a sufficient bo∣dy of warre, the cold assistance of others would finally have helped their sudden necessities.

Notes

• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Hungarie.
• Bounded.
• Government.
• Forces at land.
• forces by wa∣ter.
• Fortification.
• Plentie.
• Mines.
• Reasons why the Turke standeth at a stay in Hunga∣rie.
• Causes of greatnesse of Empires.
• Causes of de∣clination.