The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

¶ OF THE KINGS OF PERSIA OF THE LINE OF BEN ABAS.

Safa, the twentieth Calife. [ C]

Saf•• the sonne of Abdala, the sonne of Aly, the sonne of Abdula, the sonne of Abas, being thus rid of his enemie, setled himselfe in the realme, where seing himselfe peaceable, and without competitor, he sent his two vnckles, the one called Abdula, to gouerne Surya, Aegypt, and Affricke, which were vnder his obedience; and the other called Daud, that is to say Dauid, he sent to Medina, and to Mecque. He sent Safa to Vuacet to his brother Abuiafar to pacifie those coun∣tries which were all in cumbustion: From thence he caused him to goe to Karason, one of the most famous Prouinces of Persia, for the greatnes and wealth, the chiefe citie whereof is called Mechad, whereas Ismaell Sophi, and his successors are interred. This citie [ D] is fortified with three hundred towers, euerie one being a Musket shot distant from the o∣ther. The countrie is very fertile, and the people white and warlike, obseruing the Persi∣an customes, betwixt this prouince of Karason, and that of Turquestan and Vzbek runs that famous riuer of Iehun: & that which lies beyond those contries is called by the Per∣sians Maurenahar, that is to say, beyond the riuer which is towards the North. This shall serue for the better vnderstanding of things when we shall speake of any of these prouin∣ces: For as it hath beene said, this countrie of Karason had beene vserped by Abusalem, who seing Abuiafar the Califes brother to come against him, not onely yeelded him o∣bedience, but did also put himselfe into his hands, seruing and assisting him with much fidelitie, the which is the more remarkable both in regard of those times, and the humor [ E] of that nation, which was naturally trecherous and inconstant. Safa had for Vuazir one ••alled Abuzalemah a man of great sufficiencie, whom he affected much for his good ser∣uices: yet hauing discouered that he treated with certaine persons, and conspired against his life, he put him to death, and gaue the charge to Kaleb Barmaqui, who carried himself•• very discreetly: In the end Safa hauing raigned foure yeares and nine moneths, he died, in the yeare of Grade 755, and of the Egyra 136.

Abuiasar the one and twentieth Calif.

ABuiafar brother to the deceased Calife was no sooner come vnto the crowne, but [ F] he had aduertisement that Abusalem gouernor of Karason, (who as we haue said had vsed such respect vnto him, whenas during his brothers life he had beene to visit his pouince) meant to reuolt; but this Prince found meanes to draw him into his presence, where he caused him to be presently slaine, by whose death the affaires of

[ A] Persia were more peaceable. But it was not so in Arabia, whereas they of Mekay Ba∣sora had reuolted, against whom he sent his captaines with sufficient forces to draw them to obedience, as they did, yet not without the losse of much bloud. In the yeare of Grace 763; and of the Egyra 1••5. Abuiafar at the end of this war meant to visit his realme, and parting from Cufa, he crost through Mesopotamia, and comming to the bankes of the riuer of Tygris, he found the scituation, bountie of the soile, and commo∣ditie of the place so pleasing vnto him, for the visiting of his prouinces, as he built a great citie, the which by reason of many pleasant and delightfull gardens which are in that countrie, the people called Bagadad of Baga a Persian word, which signifies a garden, [ B] then hauing raigned three and twentie yeares, he died vpon the way to Mecque, in the desart of Byrmaymum, that is to say, the Pits of Maymum, so called of his name that caused them to be digged, in the yeare of our Lord God 777, and of the Egyra 159.

Mahady Bila, the two and twentieth Calife.

A Buiafar after his death left one sonne behinde him called Mahady Bila, who came vnto the Califat, and gouerned the Empire foure yeare peaceably, without any great alteration, at the end whereof a Captaine of his called by the name Akemben O∣cem (who aforetime had beene Secretarie vnto Abusalem, gouernor of Karason, whom [ C] Abuiafar had put to death) reuolted against his Prince, making those prouinces parta∣kers of his rebellion. This man had but one eye, and was of a terrible aspect who not onely sought to be acknowledged for king, but he would be worshiped as a God: And to the end they should beare the like sepect vnto him, he couered his face with a vaile, saying, that men were vnwortie to see his face. And as such monsters neuer want fol∣lowers, in regard of the liberties and infolencies which they allow them, many subiect∣ed themselues to this impious and wicked man, either for feare or ignorance, the people being all naturally inclined to insolencies: so as a great number of prouinces receiued him for king.

Mahady the Calife being aduertised of all these practises, sent a mightie armie a∣gainst [ D] him, whereof the gaue the charge to one called Monsaeb, who marching with all possible speed, came into Karason, the which the kin••men and neerest partizans of A∣kem vnderstanding, seing their forces too weake to resist so great a power, they poyso∣ned him to saue their owne liues, thinking by his death to draw somd better commo∣dities from the Persian Captaine, giuing it out, that he was ascended vp to heauen: But Monsaeb hauing subdued all those countries, seing that he could not get his enemy neither daed nor aliue, tooke seuere punishment of all his kinsfolkes and followers, cau∣sing as many to be burnt as he could get, whereof the number was not small. All this hap∣pened in the yeare of Grace 786, and of the Egyra 169, in which yeare Mahady Bila died; being three and fortie yeares old, hauing beene Calife ten yeares and one moneth.

[ E] Elady Bila Musa, the three and twentieth Calife.

TO Mahady succeeded Elida Baly Musa, but his time was short, to the great discon∣tentement of all his subiects, for that he was a very affable Prince, and of a good disposition: but neither his cheerfull humor, nor his pleasant disposition could wa••rant him from death, hauing raigned but one yeare and three moneths, in the yeare of Grace 787, and of the Egyra 170.

Arachid Bila Harun, the foure and twentieth Calife.

[ F] ARachid, second sonne to Mahady, by his brothers death succeeded to the Empire: He had for Vuazir Hyahya Kaled Bermaky, a very wise man in matterts of gouernement. This Prince in the yeare of Grace eight hundred and foure, and of the Egyra one hun∣dred eightie seuen, sent to massacre the Berameques, who were of a very noble familie,

and his Vuazirs being iealous that they would attempt somthing against him; three yeres [ A] after, the Grecians made warre against him; but sending an armie against them, he for∣ced the Emperour to seeke a peace, and to buy it with a great summe of money. This war being ended, he had an other from Maurenahar, whereas one called Rash Eben Na∣cer of Samarkand had titled himselfe King, against whom Arachid would goe in person: But death surprised him vpon the way, depriuing him of life at Thus, the chiefe towne of a prouince of that name, hauing held the Empire three and twentie yeares, this hap∣pened in the yeare of our Redemption eight hundred and ten, and of the Egyra one hun∣dred nintie three. This Prince had foure sonnes, that is to say, Mamed Hammi, to whom he gaue all that he held in Alep, and thereabouts, towards the West: Mahamun, to whom [ B] he gaue Persia, and Karason, with all the lands depending: and to the third called Ka∣cem, he gaue the gouernement of the prouinces of Aderbajon and Dyarbek: as for the fourth called Matacon, for that he loued him not, he left him no portion, yet in the end his was not the least.

Mahamed Amin, the fine and twentieth Calife.

ARachid Harun had appointed Mahamed Amin to be his successor in the Califat, wherein being installed he was very much discontented in mind to see his Empire so diuided, and his part so small; so as with this conceit the first thing he did was to studie [ C] by what meanes he might dispossesse some one of them; whereupon he leuied a mighty armie, commanding the leaders thereof to enter into Persia. Mahamun to whom, as we haue said the father had giuen that countrie, not holding himselfe safe, his brother Amin being in armes, stood vpon his guard, & seeing the storme ready to fall vpon him, he leui∣ed a mighty army, whereof he gaue the charge to a certaine Vuazir of his called by the name of Taher Ben Ocem, who went presently to charge the enemies, to whom he gaue battaile and vanquished them, pursuing them vnto Bagader, where he entred by force, and tooke the Calife Mahamed Amin, whom he carried away with him and slew vpon the way, hauing held the Empire foure yeares and seuen moneths, in the yeare of Grace 814, and of the Egyra 198. [ D]

Mahamun Ben Arun, the six and twentieth Calife.

MAhamun Ben Arun brother to the deceased, whom the Vuazir Taher had put to death, succeeded in the Califat. He made Fazele Ben Saleh his chiefe Vuazir, a wise man, & of great vnderstanding in matters of gouernment: And as the affairs of his Empire were then quiet, he spent much to haue all the bookes of Philosophy, the Mathematikes, Astrologie, and Physicke, which he could recouer, to be translated out of the Grecian, Sy∣rian, and Arabian tongues: But this peace lasted not long in Persia; for one called Ba∣bek Coramdin reuolted in Aderbajon, against whom he sent certaine troupes: but the war [ E] continued some time; yet in the end they agreed in the yeare of Grace 821, and of the Egyra 205. In this yeare Mahamun sent Taher Zulemin to gouerne the countrie of Kara∣son, but he soone repented him; for he vnderstood that he aspired to greater matters than the gouernement, and practised certaine innouations: For which cause he sent Ha∣med Abichaled to frustrate his enterprises; but all was presently pacified, by the death of Taber. Notwithstanding all the practises of the deceased, yet the Calife gaue the gouern∣ment to a sonne of his called Talahe Ben Taher: But the deceased Taher had an other sonne called Abdula, whom the father had sent to make war against the Vsbeques, for that they would not receiue his sect, who returning victorious, found his father dead, and his brother in possession of the gouernement. This was troublsome vnto him; but [ F] his brother with the Califes consent, tooke him for companion in the gouernment, and so all things were in quiet, and continued so the rest of Mahamuns life, who died in the yeare of Grace 826, and of the Egyra 210 hauing raigned twelue yeares, and seuen moneths.

[ A] Abu Ezach Matacon, the seuen and twentieth Calife.

AFter the death of these two, in the end he came vnto the Empire whom the father had so much contemned, as he left him not any portion in his Inheritance: For he was sonne to Harun, and brother to the deceased. At his comming to the crowne he built a towne within three miles of Bagadet towards the North, vpon the riuer of Tygris, cal∣ling it Samarrah, the which did flourish for a time, but it hath since so declined, as there is nothing at this day remaining but ruynes. At the death of Mahamun, Babec Coram, [ B] who had the gouernment of Aderbajon, had twice reuolted: but at the last Matacon sent so great an armie against him, as he was defeated and taken prisoner, whose hands and feet this Prince caused to be cut off, and then to be hanged. Yet there were some com∣bustions in the countrie of Karason, by reason of the Prouince of Sistom, which is in base Karason and Kermon towards the Persian gulfe, and is ioyning of the one side, to Persia, to the gouernement whereof Sistom is subiect, & on the other side to the realme of Macron neere vnto the countrie of India: For at that time there did rise a man in this prouince of Sistom, who being accompanied by all such as would follow him, seised vpon the better part thereof: and for that it depended vpon the iurisdiction of Karason, [ C] Talahe, who commanded there at that time, armed speedily and went to incounter Am∣zah, (for so the rebell was called who continued his conquest) fought with him, and woon the victorie; from whence he returned to Karason, where he fell sicke presently af∣ter, and died, in the yeare of our Redemption 829, and of the Egyra 213, leauing in his place Aly Ben Talahe his sonne, against whom the neighbour Princes made a long and tedious war, vntill that in the end Aly was slaine in an encounter; yet the war ended not, but seemed rather to be more and more inflamed by his death. During all these broyles in Karason, Matacon made war against the Emperour of Greece, of whom he woon ma∣ny victories, after which he died being fortie eight yeares old, in the yeare of our Salua∣tion 833, and of the Egyra 217 hauing raigned eight yeares. After his death he left be∣hind [ D] him eight sonnes, and eight daughters, with eight thousand slaues: He had taken eight cities, the chiefe of eight realmes, whereof he had put to death eight kings: they also found eight millions of gold in his coffers, all which numbers of eight are very re¦markable, he was a great warrior, yet affable, bountifull, and beloued of all men, espe∣cially of the souldiers.

Vuacek, the eight and twentieth Calife.

VVacek succeeded his father Matacon, of which Calife there is nothing found memo∣rable. This onely past in Karason: After the death of Aly Ben Talabe his vnckle, Ab∣dula [ E] Ben Taher succeeded him in the gouernement of the realme of Karason, in whose time (not withstanding that the soile of this countrie is very fertile, and yeelds aboun∣dantly) there happened a terrible, and generall famine, by reason of a great and mightie drougth, which continued in a manner for the space of three yeares, whereby the whole countrie was almost vnpeopled: But afterwards there fell great store of raine which made the land as fertile as before, so as euery man returned againe to his owne house. In this reunion the Persians and Moores gathered together to make war against the Gentiles, which were yet in that countrie, and of the same nation; yet they doe vul∣garly call them Mayusi, and they doe worship the Fier, whereof there are great num∣bers at this day in Persia: at which time they made a great and terrible massacre of them, and them Abdula Taher died in Karason, to whom succeeded Tahen Ben Abdula his [ F] sonne, being confirmed by the Calife Vuacek, who died two yeares after, hauing raigned fiue yeares and nine moneths, in the yeare of Grace 838, and of the Egyra 222 leauing Iafar his brother to succeed him.

Almoto Vuakel Bila Iafar, the nine and twentieth Calife. [ A]

ALmoto-Vuakel Bila Iafar succeeded his brother Vuacek, during whose raigne the descen∣dants of Aly did rise, for that he sought all meanes to hinder their pilgrimages to his Sepulchre, which is in Mecha Ocem, in the desarts of Kilbelah, as hath beene said, and the better to effect it, he caused the bankes of Euphrates to be broken in many places, that drowning the fields round about, he might with little trouble stop their passage by the great plaine of this desart: In the time of this Calife Taher Ben Abdula died in Kara∣son, leauing his gouernement to his sonne Mahamet, who gaue vnto an vnckle of his be∣ing [ B] his fathers brother, the lands of Tabarstan to liue on, the which he enioyed but little, as shall be said, as for the Calife Vuakel, he had one sonne called Montacer, so desirous to raigne, as his ambition made him so impious and vnnaturall, as he caused his father to be slaine by his slaues, hauing raigned twelue yeares, in the yeare of Grace 850 and of the Egira 234.

Montacer Bila the thirtieth Calife.

THis execrable Paricide came thus vnto the empire; but his ioy was short, for at the end of six monethes a great sicknes depriued him both of life and that which he had [ C] so much desired.

Abul Abas Hamed, the one and thirtieth Calife.

ABul Abas Hamed sonne to Mahamed the sonne of Matacon, as neerest kinsman to the deceased, succeeded himin the Califat: But hauing commanded fiue yeres, and nine moneths with small satisfaction to his subiects, his souldiers tooke him, and cast him in∣to a straight prison, where they suffered him to famish. At that time the affaires of Persia were in some confusion, for that in the prouince of Taberstan, which as we haue said, had beene giuen by Taher to his vncle Soleymon, there did rise one called Acem Ben Zeyd [ D] Alanuy, that is to say, sent of God, who seized vpon the countrie of Taberstan, forcing Soleymon to flie to Bagadet, where he was very curteously entertained by the Calife which then raigned called Mostahhin, who did him much honor. In the meane time Acem Ben Zeyd hauing placed good garrisons throughout all the prouinces which he had conque∣red, entred into Persia, where he committed great spoyles, taking Deylon, Gueylon, Ha∣bar, Zenion, and Casuin: The which happened in the yeare 856, and of the Egira 240.

Mostahhin, the two and thirtieth Calife.

THe souldiers hauing thus famished their king, there was great controuersie among [ E] the Moores for the creation of an other, but in the end they agreed all in the Electi∣on of Mostahhin kinsman of the deceased Calife, whom they installed in their Royall Throne, the which he enioyed very little, for in the end of sixteene moneths, falling sick, he died, in the yeare of Grace 858, and of the Egira 242.

Almatez Bila, the three and thirtieth Calife.

ALmatez Bila being come vnto the Empire, he presently sent a very great army against Acem Ben Zeyd, vnder the command of a captaine called Mesa Ben Buka, who entring into Persia fought with his enemies and had the victorie, recouering by this meanes the [ F] royall citie of Charear, Casuin, Habar, and Zenion, forcing Dahe Alauuy brother to A∣cem Ben Zeyd, to retire to Taberstan, where he died: So as Acem was constrained to send his other brother in his place, called Mahamed Eben Zeyd. Matters passing after this sort in Persia, the Califes souldiers being all discontented and wearie of him, caused him to die

[ A] after this manner: They came into a Stoue whereas he was bathing himselfe, and forced him to drinke a pot full of colde water, whereof he died sodainely, hauing raigned three yeares and a halfe, in the yeare of Grace 865, and of the Egira 246.

Motady Bila, the foure and thirtieth Calife.

AFter the death of Almatez they did chuse Motady Bila for Calife, but he enioyed his Empire eleuen moneths onely, at the end whereof the souldiers slew him, in the yeare of our Redemption 863, and of the Egira 247.

[ B] Almat Hamed Bila, the fiue and thirtieth Calife.

ALmat Hamed Bila Hamed Eben Emoto Vuakel was made Calife after the death of Mo∣tady, who to assure himselfe of his kinsfolkes and friends, whom he feared more than any other, found meanes to giue them diuers charges, and to send them by the countrie of Hyaman and Medina into Arabia. And for that throughout the whole historie, there is often mention made of Medina, it shall be fit to aduertise that this word is a common name, which signifies some people: Wherefore they haue beene accustomed to add an other word vnto it, as in Spaine, they say, Medina Celi, Medina Sidonia, or Medina del [ C] Campo, which are words that come from the Moores. In like manner by excellency, the Persians, and Arabians call the towne of the Sepulchre of their false Prophet Mahomet, Medina el Naby: that is to say, people of the Prophet: And when as in pilgrimage to his Sepulchre, although they say, they goe to Mecque, yet it is to Medina el Naby, for these townes are not one, Medina being within the land, and foure daies distant from Mecque or Mokah, which is a maritime towne standing vpon the red sea, whether the Moores vessells doe commonly come, which saile out at that sea into the East: But for that they which come from the Easterne parts disimbarke at Mecque, they say they come from Mecque, as they also doe which come from the Westerne parts, for that hauing ac∣complished [ D] their vowes, and pilgrimages at Medina, they passe to Mecque to buy diuers commodities which come thither from the East: and for that this towne stands vpon the shoare of the red sea, as hath beene said, and is more frequented than any of that coast, the Portugalls call it the strait of Mecque, and after this manner you may vnderstand Medina or Mecque, which is in that sea, and not vpon the Persian Gulfe, as some would maintaine.

Returning now to the affairs of Persia, which were at that time in great confusion, it happened that a new Captaine called Yacub Leys reuolted in the countrie of Siston, who in the beginning had not many of his partie, but fortune so fauored him as with his small troopes he tooke the chiefe towne of the prouince, and of the same name, and [ E] from thence entred into the country of Karason with verie fortunat successe, marching as far as Harat in the country of Maurenahar, wheras Mahamed Ben Taher had planted a gar∣son, with the which Yacub Leys did fight and woon the towne, the which gaue him assu∣rance to goe and charge Mahamed Ben Taher, who was gouernor of Karason, but being aduertised of his comming, he abandoned his company and fled to Nichabur. On the o∣ther side Acem Ben Zeid Alauuy continued still his conquests, and seazed vpon the coun∣trie of Gerion, by whom Mahamed was stopt in his passage; so as seing himselfe without hope of remedy, gathering together what forces he could; he resolued to defend himselfe against Yacub Leys, and to fight with him, as he did, but he was vanquished: who leauing him a rich spoile, with the lands of Siston and Karason, and to Acem Ben Zeyd Alauuy, those of Geryon, vnto Rey Charear, he fled being accompanied by few men to Nicha∣bur, [ F] whether he was pursued by Yacub Leys, who incountered with Abdula Saleh Vuazir to Taher, who talking together, Abdula demanded of him by what authoritie he made this war, for that if it were in the Califes name they should not make any resistance against him: But Yacub drawing his sword, answered: This is it that giues me power and autho∣ritie. And when as Taher sought to draw him vnto him vpon good assurance, and that

Yacub would not yeeld vnto it, they fought againe, in which battaile Taher fell into the [ A] hands of Yacub, who put him to death, being the last of that name which held that go∣uernment. He was of a more royall disposition & indued with greater vertues th••n all his auncestors: But for that the deeds of Leys were worthie of admiration, in whose life there are seene many notable encounters and accidents, it may happilly seeme sitting to relate in more fully, and at length, for that the knowledge thereof auailes much for the historie.

In the prouince of Siston did liuean officer of the kings, who was as we would say among vs a maker of kettles, called Leys, who had thee sonnes Yacub, Hamar, and Aly a∣mong the which Yacub learned his fathers art, and being a young stripling, who went vp [ B] and downe the countrie to earne some small matter to feed his father and himselfe, he still reserued something to spend with his companions and friends, either in making good cheere, or in his sports, wasting what he could get by any meanes possible, after this manner, which kind of life he continued vntill he came vnto the age of discretion, and after that time he left off his childish sports, and with the rest of his companions fell to actions of moment: So as Yacub hauing bound them vnto him by his liberality, which hath a great power to moue men, he found them fully resolued to follow him, whom he armed after the best manner that he could, and began to keepe the high waies vsing still his naturall liberalitie to these his companions, by whom he was called Captaine: hauing withall compassion of the miserable which fell into his hands, taking from them onely [ C] a part of what they dad. At that time Taher Ben Abdula, of whom we haue formerly spoken, was gouernor in Karason, to whom they repaired that had beene thus robbed, telling him that one called Salekh Ben Asar had drawen into his company Yacub Leys, and that he entertained him, and giuen him the title of Captaine; That being entred into the countrie of Sistom, they had taken the towne and spoiled it. This made Taher Ben Abdula send his forces against them, who made them to abandon Sistom. Soone after Taher Abdula died, leauing his sonne Mahamed Ben Taher in his place, who being entred into the possession of his gouernement, an other Captaine called Dram Ben Nacer draw∣ing Leys vnto his partie, made an other incursion into the same prouince, and seised ther∣on: But Dram desiring to pursue his enterprise, left the gouernement of Sistom to Leys. [ D] Taher being aduertised of all these intelligences, forced Dram Ben Nacer to come to battaile, in which he tooke him, and sent him prisoner to Bagader, whereas the Calife caused him to be put into close prison, and kept him there long.

In the meane time Yacub Leys loosing no occasion, seeing himselfe freed from the bond which he had to Dram, made himselfe lord of Sistom, gouerning himselfe in such sort as the loue of his followers did daily increase: so as he fortified the towne, and put good garrisons therein, and in all parts of the prouince for the defence thereof; and then he began to make incursions into the countrie of Karason, in the yeare of our Redemption 763, and of the Egyra 253 with a great armie, subiecting all where he past vnder his power. After which he tooke Herat and Fuchangh, and comming to Ker∣man [ E] he tooke it, expelling the garrisons of the prouince, which had beene placed there by the gouernor of Sci••as, which towne he besieged, the which not able to defend it selfe against his forces, yeelded, whereas the souldiers made a great spoile, of all which he re∣serued nothing to himselfe but twentie Faulkons which did belong vnto the Lord of Sciras, whereoften were white, and ten of diuers collours, and some foure hundred and fiftie weight of pure muske, which things he sent vnto the Calife of Bagadet, offering him his seruice, with all that he held, hauing then disposed of all things which he thought fit and necessarie, he returned to Sistom. But in the yeare of our Saluation 872, and of the Egyra 257 hearing that there were some alterations in Sciras he posted thither, to settle all things in good order. The Calife was not well pleased with these proceedings [ F] of Yacub Leys: So as, notwithstanding all the offers which he had made, he sent him word that he should presently depart out of Sciras, and all the lands of Persia, and that he should not presume to enter into them, contenting himselfe with that which he had tyranously vsurped. Leys finding himselfe vnable to resist so great a power as the Cali••s,

[ A] made no other answere, but obeyed, and left Persia, going from thence to Balte in Mau∣renahar, from whence he marcht to Kabul, a countrie which lies betwixt Karas••n and India, the which he subdued; then he tooke his way by Herat, and came to Nichabur, where he fought with Mahamed Ben Taher, and then going to Karason, he past by Ta∣berstam, and staied at Sary, whereas Acem Ben Zey Alauuy of (whom mention hath been made) came to encounter Leys with a goodly armie, and fought with him, but he was vanquished, and forced to fly to Delmon, Delymon, or Delon, for they call this towne by all these names, and it is scituated in the prouince of Gueylon. Leys hauing pulled this thorne out of his foot, pursued his enemie to Amal: Winter was then well ad∣uanced, [ B] and those countries are commonly exceeding cold. Moreouer there fell great store of snowe, and terrible tempests, which forced him at that time to giue ouer his des∣seigne, with the losse of fortie thousand men which perished by the tediousnes of the weather.

The Calife hearing of this disaster, and desirous to imbrace the best occasion he could to diminish the forces of Leys, sent with all speede into those countries that were sub∣ject to Leys, persuading them that gouerned for him to reuolt, and to obey him no more: But the contrary succeeded to that which the Calife pretended, for that Mahamed Ben Vuacel Tamimy a Captaine of the Arabians (whereof there were at that time good num∣bers in Persia) made an enterprise against the garrisons which the Calife had at that time in cities and forts, whereof he slew some, and made the rest reuolt: in the meane time [ C] one called Muca Ben Bugan, Lord of Bacora, Hauuas, and Hiamema, countries of Arabia, and neere vnto Persia, being aduertised of these cumbustions, leuied a goodly armie, and gaue the command thereof to Abderramon Ben Mosseh who marcht present∣ly againg Maha Ben Vuasel Tamimy, with whom he ioyned battaile, but he was vanqui∣shed by him and taken. In the meane time Leys stept not, but during these reuolts stood vpon his guard, being readie to doe some great exploit when he should finde any good opportunitie, who taking his time entred into Persia so fitly, as he made himselfe ••oue∣raigne, putting all them to death that might haue any pre••ence, then finding himselfe strong enough to passe on further, he marcht towards Bagader.

[ D] The Calife was presently aduertised of the disseigne of Leys to whom he did write, with an intent to diuert him, intreating him not to proceede any farther, and granting him freely whatsoeuer he held: to whom he made answere, that a desire to see him, made him come to Bagadet, that nothing should make him desist from his desseigne. The Calife seeing this his resolution, leuied an armie in great hast, giuing the charge thereof to a brother of his, who marcht against Leys, with an intent to fight with him: but he had another dessigne, for he dislodged in the night, and went towards Bagadet by vnfrequented waies, leauing the Califes brother very much troubled, not knowing what course he should take to follow him. Yacub Leys aduanced with all speed, fortify∣ing his armie in all places as he past: He was come to the middest of his journey, when as [ E] he was surprised with the collique, the which put him to exceeding great paine: where∣upon the Physitians being called together, they were of opinion to giue him a clister, the which he would not take, saying, that death would not be so troublesome vnto him as his disease and sickensse was grieuous and paynefull. Beeing in the extremitie of his paine an embassage came vnto him from the Calife, persuading him to desist from his intended journey; whereupon sitting vp as well as he could, and taking in his right hand a naked sword, & in the left hand a kind of bread which the Persians called Gerda, or Apa, and garlicke; he answered the Ambassadors: Tell the Calife your maister, that if I die of this accident, death shall end our contentions, and if I liue this Sword shall pacifie all; but if I loose the game, without any further pretention of Kingdomes, I will con∣tent [ F] my selfe to liue in some remote place, with this bread and garlicke, and with this answere he dismist them: But they were no sooner returned home to Bagadet but they had presently newes that he was dead of that disease which we haue formerly spoken of, in the yeare of our Redemption eight hundred eightie two, & of the Egyra two hundred

sixtie eight, hauing commanded eleuen yeares in Persia: He was verie valiant, wise, [ A] bountifull, affable, and a strict justicer; they did kill daily for the vse of his kitchin twenty Sheepe, fiue Oxen, and many Fowle, all which after his repast (the which was very so∣ber) he caused to be giuen to the poore and such as had need. After his death, they found not any thing of value in his rent, but the armes which he vsed, a peece of Persian Ta∣pestrie, and a pillowe whereon he rested; he left not any children, so as his brother suc∣ceeded him.

Yacub Leys being dead, and his brother Hamer Ben Leys being heire to his conquests, he thought it best to be in good termes and friendship with the Calife: Whereupon, he presently sent vnto him promising to yeeld him obedience, and intreating him to re∣ceiue [ B] him into grace and fauor, the which the Calife did so much esteeme, as he not one∣ly confirmed him in the possession of Persia, Karason, and all the countries which his bro∣ther had conquered; but he also gaue him the inuestiture of Hierak, the chiefe citie wher∣of is Hisphaon, making him Chena of Bagadet, which is the soueraigne magistrate of justice next vnto the Calife, which charge he gaue with the Califes permission to Abdu∣la Ben Taher, and from thence he past with his armie to Casuin, and so to the citie of Rey, leauing for gouernor at Scyras one called Mahamed Ben Leys which was his kinsman, who seing the other absent declared himselfe king, but Hamer Ben Leys returned pre∣sently from his intended iourney, against him, the which Mahamed vnderstanding he fled, leauing behind him a very rich spoile, the which Hamer sent afterwards for a great pre∣sent [ C] to the Calife; to whom many came with complaints of great insolencies, and tyr∣rannies which Hamer Ben Leys had vsed, whereupon he made a publique Edict, by the which he depriued him of the lands which he had giuen him, and gathered forces from all parts, he gaue the charge thereof to Sayd Ben Mochaled who went against him with his forces and vanquished him. Hamer had one in his companie called Dram, who had beene a long time prisoner at Bagadet, who seing this bad successe fled from the campe: Hamer did the like with a small traine, hauing afterwards recouered new forces, and ga∣thered together the remainder of his defeated armie, he made a new attempt to enter in∣to Scyras; but Mousek brother to the Calife, being aduertised of his intended desseigne, put himselfe in great hast into the towne, the which Hamer vnderstanding, and altoge∣ther [ D] despairing to recouer it, he returned to Kermon to visite the Lands of Siston, and from thence past to Karason. At this time the Calife Almat Hamed Bila died, hauing raig∣ned three and twentie yeares, in the yeare of Grace 893, and of the Egyra 279.

Matazed Bila Hamed, the six and thirtieth Calife••

MAtazed Bila Hamed succeeded his father Almat Hamed in the Califat: He was wise and valiant, yet very sensuall. Hamar Leys hauing (as hath beene said) lost all hope [ E] to recouer Scyras, past into Karason, whereas one of the gouernors of that prouince cal∣led Rafeahy Ben Arsuma, hauing rebelled against the Calife, followed the partie of Maha∣med Ben Z••yd Alauuy, against whom Hamer Ben Leys, with the permission of the Calife, caused his armie to march, vanquisht him, and tooke him prisoner, and hauing put him to death, he sent his head to the Calife, who did much esteeme his seruice, for that Ra∣feahy had greatly troubled those prouinces, so as to recompence Hamer, he made a new gift of Karason, Maurenahar, Parcy, Kermor, & Siston, commanding that his name should be written in their publike Ensignes, to the end that his obedience and loyaltie might be knowne to all men: This happened in the yeare of grace 898, and of the Egyra 284 In acknowledgement of all these fauours, Hamer Ben Leys sent for a present vnto [ F] the Calife, a great masse of coyne, many vessells of gold and siluer, store of amber, muske, ••yuet, with man rich roabes of cloth of gold.

The countrie of Maurenahar had beene long in peace, and in a manner shaked off

[ A] the Persian yoake, being at that time commaunded by Ismaell Ben Hamed, against whom Hamer Ben Leys leuied an armie of souldiers, and marched against him, who attended him neere to the riuer of Gehun, which diuides the countrie of Maurenahar and Kara∣son, where after many and variable encounters, Hamer was vanquished and taken by Ismaell, who as they say was assisted with money from the Calife, being glad to be rid of Hamer, yet he intreated him well, hauing swo••ne that he should maintaine an inui∣olable peace and friendship betwixt them, and that he should neuer make warre a∣gainst him neither by himselfe nor any other; which done he carried him with him to Maurenahar, whereof he aduertised the Calife, and of the whole successe of the busi∣nes, [ B] who did write vnto him to send him to Bagader, the which Ismaell per••ormed; be∣ing in the Califes power he caused him to be sl••ine, hauing beene king three and twen∣tie yeares, he had but one eye, and was exc••eding cholericke. Before this, Ismaell in the yeare of our Saluation eight hundred nintie foure, and of the Egyra two hundred and eightie went out of Maurenahar into Turquestan, where hauing obtained many victo∣ries against the Turkes, in the end he tooke the king of Turquestan in battaile, with his father, wife, and tenne thousand men: some write that the spoile of this victorie was so great, as euery of Ismaells souldiers had for his share a thousand deniers of gold, all which did make about one thousand and fiue hundred duckats. Hauing obtained this victorie he came vnto Samarkand, and from thence he marched against Hamer Leys, with an armie of threescore and ten thousand men, whom he vanquished as hath beene [ C] said, and for this cause the Calife Matazed gaue him the title of king of Maurenahar, Karason, Scyras, Siston, and Kermon.

This being done, Ismaell vnderstood that Mahamed Ben Zeyd Alauuy spoiled the countrie of Taberstan, whereupon he did write vnto him to desist, and in the meane time prepared a mightie armie, the which he sent against him vnder the command of Mahamed Ben Aren Somony, who vanquished him; so as he brought vnder the power of Ismall, the countries of Gerion and Taberstan, of which prouinces he had the go∣uernement, vnder the authoritie of Ismaell. This happened in the yeare our Redemp∣tion nine hundred and one, and of the Egyra two hundred eightie and seuen. The [ D] Calife Matazed Bila dying within two yeares after hauing raigned nine yeares and nine moneths.

Moktafy Bila, the seuen and thirtieth Calif.

MOktafy Bila sonne to Matazed succeeded his father, in whose time many compa∣nies of Arabians, spoiled the countrie of Arabia, robbing passengers, and hin∣dring the pilgrimage to Mecca and into Persia. Taher Ben Hamed Ben Hamer Leys, who in his grandfathers place had beene made king of of Siston, entred Persia at the same time with a mightie armie, with an intent to make himselfe maister thereof, hauing defeated the garrisons, and reduced all vnder his obedience: After which he passed [ E] to Auuas, the gouernor of which prouince was called Abdula, who presently deman∣ded succors from Ismaell, king of Maurenahar, who did write to Taher Leys, intreating him to desist from his enterprise, whereunto either for loue or feare he agreed, so as Ismaell would obtaine from the Calife that he should enioy the lands which he and his father had conquered, and that he should confirme him in the possession thereof, whereunto the Calife consented willingly for the loue of Ismaell, and Taher hauing newes of this donation returned to Scyras, the which happened in the yeare of Grace nine hundred and seuen, and of the Egyra two hundred nintie and three in which yeare the Calife died, of weaknes by reason of his excesse, hauing raigned about foure [ F] yeares.

Moktader Bila, the eight and thirtieth Calife. [ A]

MOktafy hauing left no children, they gaue the place of Salife to his brother M••••tader, vnder whose raigne Mahamed Ben Arun Somony, (who as hath beene said had vanquished and slaine Ben Zeyd Alauuy, and hauing recouered the countries of Gerion and Taberstan, whereof Ismaell had giuen him the gouernement, rebelled, and hauing leuied an armie by meanes of the intelligence which he had with the inhabitants of the towne of Rey, he seised thereon, whereof Ismaell being aduertised he went against him, [ B] but the other fled speedily, yet he pursued him to Casuin, Zenian, and Taberstan, which pouinces he reduced vnder his obedience, yet he could not take Ben Arun; so as hauing placed necessarie garrisons for the defence of the countrie, he past the second time into Turquestan, conquering many new countries, and new realmes, whereas he tooke an inestimable bootie, with the which he returned to Maurenahar, in the yeare of our Re∣demption 909, and of the Egyra 295 leauing his sonne Hamed in the realme to whom the Calife confirmed his gouernements with many prerogatiues: For the Cali••es be∣ing held as soueraigne both of spirituall and temporall matters, they were not thought to hold their seigniories and commands with any just title without their confirmation. In the meane time Taher enioyed Scyras, and other lands which the Calife had graunted [ C] vnto him, who going a hunting in the countrie of Siston, Sanghery a slaue to Leys the sonne of Aly his vnckle, seised sodainely vpon Scyras, and Taher comming to dispossesse him, Sanghery gaue him battaile, & in the same encounter Taher was quite vanquished & taken prisoner, with a brother of his and sent to Bagadet, hauing raigned full six yeares, and to enjoy his conquest with more securitie he also tooke one of the sonnes of L••ys called Aly with his brother Madet, and sent them to Bagadet, the which happened in the yeare of our Saluation 914, and of the Egyra 300.

In the meane time Hamer the sonne of Yacub, grandchilde to L••ys, seeing the coun∣trie of Siston reuolted and all in cumbustion, inuaded it with an army, and subdued it in nine moneths, putting to death many of the sediti••••s, but he died soone after leauing [ D] in his place Kalef Ben Hamed his elder brother, who de••••••ing to goe in pilgrimage to Mec∣ca, left a kinsman of his called Taher Benocem for gouernor, but he seeing him absent re∣uolted presently, and seised vpon his countrie, so as the other returning from his pilgri∣mage he found all the gates shut against him, so as he was forced to goe to Boka••a in Maurenahar to demaund succours of Mansur, who gaue him goodly forces, with the which he recouered his countrie of Siston, Taher beeing ••led.

Kalef seeing himselfe thus restored to the quiet possession of his realme sent back the troupes which Mansur had giuen him, the which Taher vnderstanding he came againe to Siston, and conquered it againe the second time, so as Kalef was forced to haue recourse againe to Mansur, who gaue him a new armie, and as he approached neere vnto Siston [ E] he had newes vpon the way that Taher was dead, and that his sonne Oc••m had succee∣ded him who being aduertised of the comming of Kalef into the prouince of Siston, he retired himselfe into a fort, whereas Kalef besieged him so straightly, as being depriued of all hope and reduced to extremitie, he begged the fauour of Mansur to obtaine some grace of Kalef, who did write vnto him that for his respect he gaue libertie to Ocem and his people, with meanes to retire themselues to Bokara, where he would giue them lands to liue on. All these realmes were tributarie to Mansur; but Kalef seeing himselfe in quiet possession of his owne, forgetting his forepassed miseries, and succours which he had drawne from Mansur, he made no great regard to pay the tribute that he ought him and had beene demaunded; whereupon Mansur leuied a mightie a••mie whereof he gaue [ F] the command to the said Ocem to match against Kalef, who not standing vpon his guard was forced to retire himselfe into a fort, the which by nature and art was held impreg∣nable, so as he beseiged it seuen yeares, but seeing him vnable to force it, Mansur

[ A] sent another captaine called Aboaly Ben Seniur, who joyned with Ocem all the forces he could draw together: The arriuall of this captaine made Kalef to leaue his fort which was called Darek, the which he deliuered to Mansurs armie, who restored him after∣wards to his realme: such was the vnconstant and variable fortune of this Prince, to be often expelled and restored againe: but the most sensible disgrace, was the reuolt of a sonne of his called Tahar, who expelled him his realme; and seeing no meanes to reen∣ter, nor to satisfie the ingratitude of this child, he fayned himselfe to be sicke, causing it to be published abroad that he was brought to the extremitie, and that he desired to see his sonne before his death, and to discouer certaine treasures vnto him, his fatherly loue [ B] binding him to preferre him before any other, and not to relie vpon his seruants; this ill aduised and couetous young man, being aduertised of his fathers will, and thinking to enioy this great treasure, came vnto Kalef; who at his arriuall imbraced him, and for his welcome, slew him with his owne hands, and so reentred into the possession of his realme, the which he lost afterwards twice, and recouered it againe: and in the end, he died, leauing a son of his called Abu Afes.

Hamed, the sonne of Ismael, who by the death of his father was come into the posses∣sion of the realme with the consent of the Calif Moktader, visited his countrie, and com∣ming into Samarkand, he tooke the Gouernour thereof, whose name was Ezach, being his vnckle, and put him in prison, suspecting that he had an inclination to reuolt: yet [ C] soone after, he restored him to his former libertie, and gaue him withall the gouernment of the prouince. Tabarstan had reuolted twice, but he alwayes had his reuenge, and pu∣nished the rebels according to their demerit: He also tooke Siston, in the yeare of our Redemption 900, and of the Egyra 298: and in the yeare following, he gaue the go∣uernement of Nichabur to Mansur the eldest sonne of Ezach. In the yeare of our Sal∣uation 914, and of the Egyra 301▪ being a hunting, news came vnto him that the pro∣uince of Tabarstan had reuolted the third time: whereupon, retiring into his tent verie much discontented, he was slayne by his owne slaues whilest he slept; and his bodie was interred in Bokara, hauing raigned six yeares and foure moneths: he was a prince of great courage, and full of magnanimitie, but wonderfull cholericke, and subiect to his [ D] pleasure: He left one sonne not aboue the age of ten yeares, whose name was Nacere Benhamet, whom one called Hamet Benhamet Leys, Gouernour of Bokara, tooke vpon his shoulders, and being followed by a great multitude, crying through the citie, that it was the king, he caused him to be so acknowledged: but in the meane time, the young prince seeing himselfe carried after that manner, wept bitterly, demaunding of them that were about him, if they would kill him as they had done his father: but euerie man assu∣red him, and freed him from that feare.

In the meane time, Ezach, vnckle to the deceased king, remayned at Samarkand, who hearing of his nephews death, and the greenenesse of his sonnes yeares, le••yed a great armie to seise vpon that Estate: Nacere, whom otherwise they call Amir Seyd, was adui∣sed [ E] to send a captaine against him, whose name was Hamuyhe, who defeated Ezach twice, and in the last he was forced to flie before him to Samarkand, where he had left for Go∣uernour, a sonne of his called by the name of Alyas or Elyas, who abandoned the ci∣tie, and fled away: so as Ezach by this meanes being neerely pursued by Hamuyhe, he was forced to yeeld himselfe at his discretion, who sent him immediatly to Bokara, whereas Nacere put him in prison, in which he died. This death was the cause that Mansur, his sonne, who was at that time Gouernour of Nichabur, tooke armes against Nacere, and joyned with Ocem Ben Aly, one of Naceres Captaines, who had reuolted by rea∣son of some discontents. Hamuyhe prepared to go against him, but vpon the way he vnderstood that Mansur was dead, yet Ocem Ben Aly continued the wa••re, the which was [ F] of no long continuance, for that in the first bat••aile he was defeated, taken prisoner, and sent to Bokara. At the same time, Nacere had sent a Gouernour to Kara••on, cal∣led by name Hamet Ben Sal, who being reuolted, and in armes with the whole pro∣uince, leuied troupes, and seised vpon Gerion and Mar••••o. Hamuyhe went also to

fight with him, whom he vanquished and sent to Bokara, where he died in prison: This [ A] happened in the yeare of our Saluation 914, and of the Egyra 301, at what time the Calife Moktader died, hauing held the empire seuen yeares.

¶ Iafar Ben Matazed, the nine and thirtieth Calife.

AFter the death of Moktader, they gaue the dignitie of Calife to Iafar Ben Metazed his brother, who enioyed no greater peace than his predecessor had formerly done: for in the prouince of Tabarstan did rise one called Leylahe Ben Neaman, who committed [ B] some spoyles in the neighbour prouinces, with happie successe. Nacere was forced to send an armie against him, and to giue him battaile, in the which Leylahe was vanqui∣shed, after which victorie his souldiers seeing themselues vnfortunat in armes, they be∣gan to watch the highwayes, and to rob the passengers: Whereupon, Naceres subiects gathered together, and cut them in peeces, taking from them what they had stolne: they also seised vpon Leylahe, and cut off his head. At the same time there was another rebell in the towne of Rey, against whom Nacere went and recouered the towne, leauing there∣in a captaine called Syntur, with a strong garrison, and then went to Maurenahar: This was in the yeare of our Redemption 926, and of the Egyra 313, whenas one called Az∣far Ben Scyruyhe made a new combustion in Persia vpon this occasion. [ C]

A Persian called Abusuia being verie poore, yet of a great and noble familie, as one that was descended from the auncient kings of Persia, had three sonnes, the one was cal∣led Emaududualeh Aly, Acem, and Akmet: This man dreamt vpon a time, that there came fire out of his priuie parts that did inflame a great part of the countrie, then diui∣ding it selfe into three parts, it continued so verie long. Being then full of amazement, he went to impart his dreame to an Astrologer, who told him that it did signifie he should commaund great prouinces, in the which his three sonnes should afterwards suc∣ceed him. At that time Makon Ben Kakt was lord of Tabarstan, into whose seruice Abus∣uia put himselfe, with his three sonnes, vnder the commaund of Azfar Ben Scyruyhe, and Mardauuege Benzad, with Vuasmaguir his brother. It fell out in the end, that Azfar re∣belled [ D] against Makon, making warre against him for the space of a whole yeare together, at the end whereof Makon died. After whose death, Azfar seised vpon Rostandade, Rey, Casuin, Habar, Zenion, Taromin, and Amedon; committing great spoyles in all those parts, so as Nacera was forced to march against him with a great armie, where, af∣ter many and variable encounters, they agreed, vpon condition, that Azfar should en∣ioy a good part of that which he had conquered. During the absence of Nicera, there fell out some combustions within his countrie, but all things were presently paci∣fied by his presence, yet there was still warre in some one of these prouinces during his raigne.

During these proceedings in Persia, there did rise great troupes in Arabia, who entred [ E] into Mecca Medina, the which they spoyled of great riches, which the superstitious deuo∣tions of the Moores had offered in that place, taking away a stone which was held by them all in great reuerence, carrying it to Cufa, of which stone the Moores tell strange tales, among others, that Adam had brought it out of the earthly Paradise, whenas he was expelled, and that afterwards it came into the power of Ismael, the first sonne of Abraham, and in succession of time was brought to Mecca or Medina. They say also, that by nature it is exceeding white, but if it be handled by sinners, it grows verie blacke, so as it was like vnto a touchstone for sinnes: but all this being ridiculous, we will returne to the Calife Iafor, who hauing raigned twentie yeres, died in the yere of Grace 933, and of the Egyra 320, hauing beene much respected by his souldiers during his raigne. [ F]

[ A] ¶ Kaherbila Mahamet, the fortieth Calife.

I Afer being dead, the souldiers gaue the empire to his brother Kaherbila Mahamet Ben Mathazed; but they did not suffer him to enioy it long, for at the end of eighteene moneths, they put out his eyes, in the yeare of Grace 935, and of the Egyra 322, giuing the gouernement to Razibila.

[ B] THe Razibila Mahamed, the one and fortieth Calife.

THe souldiers hauing thus chosen Razibila Mahamed, sonne to the Calife Moktader, he made Eben Mokale his Vuazir, whose hand within few moneth after he caused to be cut off, and to be hung vpon a gibet, for that he had written a letter in his name of small importance without his priuitie. It was the custome in those times for the Ca∣lifes themselues to preach the law vnto the people, but he ordayned that the Vuazirs should doe it. Razibila raigned foure yeares, and died in the yeare of Grace 939, and of the Egyra 326.

[ C] Mouktafy Byla Ebrahem, the two and fortieth Calife.

MOuktafy Byla Ebrahem, sonne to Moctader, was created Calife after the death of his brother Razy, in whose time there was a great famine in Bagadet, the which was followed by a great plague, whereby a great part of that countrie was vnpeopled, and as for Mouktafy, the souldiers put out his eyes, in the yeare of our Redemption 943, and of the Eygra 330, hauing raigned but foure yeares, yet he liued two and fortie yeares af∣ter he was blind, but he enioyed not the empire, the which they had giuen ••nto his sonne.

¶ Mostachfy Abdela, the two and fortieth king of Persia, and the three [ D] and fortieth Calife.

IN the place of Mouktafy Byla, the souldiers aduanced his sonne Mostachfy Abdela, vn∣der whose raigne Macera, hauing made an accord with Azf••r, fell sicke of a Tisike, which the Persians call Cel. This prince (as hath beene said) had great wars during his raigne, being eight and thirtie yeares, and died in the yeare of Grace 944, and of the Egyra 331. He was a verie affable and bountiful prince; during his life he had caused his eldest sonne Ismael to be declared prince, and his presumptiue heire, but he dying before his father, the younger brother, called Nueben, succeeded in his place.

As for Abus••ia, and his sonnes, who fought for Azfar, this was their successe; Azfar [ E] hauing made an accord with Nacere, he sent Emaudu Daulè Aly, the eldest of Abusutas sons, with his two brethren, and a great number of souldiers, against Hisphaon the chiefe citie of Hierak, where, at that time, Mozafar Ben Yacut was Gouernour, who finding himself•• vnable to encounter them, left the place, and fled to Scyras, where his father Yacut gouer∣ned, then joyning together, they went to fight with the enemie, but vpon the way they encountred Mardauuege, whom they vanquished, so as he was forced to flie, & to cal vnto his succour Emaudu Daulè Aly, and his two brethren, being at Lorestam, against whom Ya∣cut aduanced with his armie, causing his footmen to march before with this stratagem; he had giuen them certaine pots or bottles full of wild-fire, and matches light in them, the which they should cast against their enemies, as they did; but the wind being contrary, the [ F] fire did not annoy the enemie, but burnt themselues, and Yacuts horsemen aduancing, it did so terrifie there horses, as they ran away: Emaudu Daulè pursued them, who in this rout tooke many rich spoyles, with store of gold and siluer, the which encreased the courage and power of Aly and his followers, with whom he entred into Persia, the which he made

subiect without any great effusion of bloud, going afterwards to lay siege to Scyras the [ A] chiefe citie, the sacke whereof, by reason of the nobilitie and reputation of that towne, he redeemed from the souldiers with his owne money.

Emaudu Daulè, hauing rested sometimes in the house of Yacut, he began to be carefull for the payment of the souldiers, being without money, and seeing their insolencie to be great, and that they would mutine if they were delayed, being verie pensiue, he layed him downe vpon a bed, studying what course to take, where, lifting vp his eyes, he espyed an vglie snake at a hole, the which did often put forth her head, and drew it backe againe, Aly being amazed thereat, commaunded that they should presently breake vp the top of the house, which was fla••, (as they be all in Persia) and kill this snake, the which was pre∣sently [ B] done, and the snake killed, with some others that were with her: but in doing this, they discouered a great treasure which Yacut had hidden there, the which was sufficient to pay the souldiers. Soone after, there happened another accident to Emaudu Daulè, the which was both pleasant and profitable; hauing an intent to make some apparell, he caused a taylor to be brought vnto him, who being before him, in stead of a measure he called for a cudgell, the taylor (who had serued Yacut) thinking it had beene to beat him, besought him to pardon him, and that without any force he would confesse the truth, which was, that he had seuenteene coffers in his house, the which Yacut had giuen him in guard; Aly was verie joyfull of this good encounter, and hauing sent for the coffers, they were found ••ul of cloth of gold, and all sorts of silke of great value, whereof the taylor had his share. [ C]

Matte••s passing thus in Persia, Nue, the sonne of Nacera, by the death of his father had succeeded in the gouernement of Maurenahar, Rarason, Nichabur; and other neighbour countries. Hamuyhe, that famous captaine, (of whom mention hath beene made) had some discontentment against Nue, and seeing him now seated in the royall throne, and seeking to reuenge the iniurie he had receiued, had retired himselfe secretly out of his countrie: but Nue writ such gracious letters vnto him, and gaue him such assurance, as Hamuyhe returned, to whom Nue gaue the gouernement of Samerkand. After this, Nue made warre in many places by his captaines, yet alwayes with vnfortunat successe: but his fortune meant to make triall of himselfe; for hauing made one called Aboaly Gouer∣nour [ D] of the towne of Rey, and hauing some subiect of discontent against him, he sent Abraham Ben Siniur to be his successour: whereas Aboaly being discontent, he rebelled against Nue, who went in person to suppresse him, but he was twice vanquished, and the other came to Bokara, where he entred, and would haue burnt and rased the towne, if he had not beene entreated to spare it. But Nue hauing recouered what he had lost, tooke a cruell and exemplarie punishment of such as had reuolted; so as many left him and went vnto his enemie. Emaudu Daulè was then in the towne of Scyras, to whom news came that Mardauuege (vnder whom he serued) had beene slayne by his slaues being in a bath. Vpon this aduice, he sent with all speed his brother Rokna Daulè Acem, to Hierach, and Rey, whereof he seised, conferring with Aboaly, who was verie much discontented [ E] with Nue. This man obtayned from the Calife of Persia the inuestiture of Karason, the which being once graunted, Aboaly delayed no time, but went immediatly to take pos∣session. Within few dayes after, Nue died of melancholie, (as they say) leauing one sonne called Abdul Malek.

Emaudu Daulè hauing sent his brother Rokna Daulè Acem, as hath beene said, to con∣quer Hierach; he also sent his other brother Mohayze Daulè Achmet against Kermon, the which he subdued, where hauing put good garrisons, he went against Bagadet, the which yeelded by force, where he tooke the Calife Mostachfy Abdala, whose eyes he caused to be pulled out, hauing raigned foure yeares, and foure moneths, the which happened in the yeare of our Redemption 947, and of the Egyra 334. [ F]

[ A] ¶ Motyah Byla Fazele, the foure and fortieth Calife.

MOayze Daulè Achmet hauing thus put out the eyes of the Calife Mostachfy, he seated in his place Motyah Byla Fazele, the sonne of Moktader: At this time, they found the stone whereof mention hath beene made, which the Arabians had carried to Cufa, but it was brought backe againe ••o Mecque, giuing as much gold for it as it weighed: This was in the yeare of Grace 949, and of the Egyra 337, whenas Emaudu Daulè Aly fell sicke, he called for his nephew Azudu Daulè, sonne to his brother Rokna Daulè Acem, whom he left [ B] At his place, for he died presently after.

At the same time there died also many princes, as Vuax Maguir going a hunting, for a boare running betwixt his horse leggs, he fell vpon him and slew him. Mohayze Dau∣lè Achmet died also in Bagadet, Acem Ben Feruzan in Taberstan, Kafur Hach••dy in Caire, and the emperour in Constantinople, Aboaly Ben Mahamed Aly in Bokara, and in Damas, Seyf Daulè in the yeare of our Redemption nine hundred fiftie seuen, and of the Egyra three hundred fortie fiue.

Throughout all Karason, Koestam, and many other prouinces of Persia, there was a great and generall plague: And moreouer, there was the greatest confusion that had [ C] neither seene before that day, for that euerie man was offended, and euerie man feared, neither was any man in safetie during this generall combustion which continued some yeares. In the yeare of Grace 962, and of the Egyra 350, Abdul Malek, the sonne of Nue, running at tilt (the which is verie vsuall among the Persians) fell from his horse, and died, hauing raigned seuen yeares, and six moneths, in whose place succeeded Mansur his brother: in his life time he had for Vuazir one called Albataquin, who opposed himselfe with all his meanes against the election of Mansur, but Mansur preuayled, and Albata∣quin, being accompanied with three thousand souldiers, fled to Gazmin, after whom Mansur sent fifteene thousand souldiers, who fought with him vpon the confines of Balk, and were defeated: he sent also the second time, but they were no more fortunat [ D] than the rest; so as Mansur seeing his good successe, turned his armes against Hy••rah, and the towne of Rey: Rokna Daulè Acem, who enioyed it, went presently to field, sen∣ding his sonne with goodly troupes to make incursion into the countrie of Karason to diuert Mansur the Generall of the armie. Rokna Daulè Acem was called Chamguir, who being dead of sicknesse, they gaue his charge to Abul Ocem. This man seeing ei∣ther prince disposed to peace, a treatie was begun, and in the end concluded, vpon con∣dition, that Rokna Daulè should pay a yearely tribute of 50000 deniers of gold, which make two and twentie hundred thousand duckats; and for the better assurance of this accord, Mansur tooke to wife the niece of Rokna Daulè, daughter to one of his brethren: the which happened in the yeare of our Saluation 975, and of the Egyra 363, at what [ E] time the Calife Motyah Byla died of a palsie, hauing raigned nine and twentie yeares, and left the gouernement two moneths before to his sonne Tahaya Abdel Charim. As for Mansur, he died two yeares after, in the yeare of Grace 977, and of the Egyra 395, hauing raigned fifteene yeares, leauing his sonne Nue to succeed him.

¶ Tayaha Abdel Carim, the fiue and fortieth Calife.

TAyaha Abdel Carim, the sonne of Motyah, came thus to be Calife by the death of his father (as hath beene said;) during whose raigne, or rather shadow of his royaltie, (for the Califes began then to be lords in name onely) many memorable things happe∣ned in Persia. Two yeares after his being Calife, Rokna Daulè died, declaring his sonne [ F] Azu du Daulè, king of Hyerak, who much augmented his dominion. As for Nue Ben Mansur, who had succeeded his father in that of Maurenahar: he found worke enough to exercise himselfe; for notwithstanding that Albataquin (whom he had cause to feare) were dead; yet Kabus, the sonne of Camguir, (a captaine to his father Mansur) reuolted, and tooke the prouinces of Geryon and Tabarstan.

At the same time also, there were great controuersies betwixt Azudu Daulè and Fako••o [ A] Daulè, against whom Azudu Daulè leuied an armie, and forced Fakoro to flie into the pro∣uince of Kabus, who entertained him with much courtesie and respect, offering him his person, and whatsoeuer he had else to serue him. Azudu Daulè, being sorie of this acquaintance, marched against them, vanquished them, and recouered Gerion and Ta∣barstan; so as Kabus and Fakor•• Daulè were forced to haue recourse to Nue Ben Mansur, who giuing them succou••s, they returned against Azudu Daulè, and recouering Gerion, they forced him to retire into a fort, the which they besieged, but the siege hauing conti∣nued two moneths, the besieged finding their munition to fayle, got intelligence with one of their captaines, to whom they gaue a good summe of money, so as he would be at [ B] their deuotion, and hauing concluded what to doe, they tooke a time whenas the besie∣gers least expected them, and made a sallie vpon this treacherous captaines quarter, who presently fled with such troupes as were vnder his commaund, the which amazed the rest of the armie which fled, by which meanes the place was freed from siege. Nue, who was then in Nichabur, hearing of the disgrace of his allies, gaue charge to Abul Ocem his Va∣zir, to leuie an armie, and to march against Azudu Daulè; but he finding himselfe too weake, forbare to fight, and Fakoro Daulè dying afterwards, his brother came to be lord of all his countries.

At that time died Abul Ocem, Vazir to Nue, whose death is remarkable: for seeking to haue the companie of a slaue of his whom he loued exceedingly; being with her, he died [ C] sodenly, the which bred a generall amazement, by reason of the strangenesse of the acci∣dent. He left two sonnes, the one called Boaly, who succeeded him in the gouernement of Karason and Nichabur, the other Faech, whom Nue made Vazir of Hyerak: these two brethren, through enuie and jealousie, fell to armes, and made warre one against ano∣ther. But Boaly, hauing beene more diligent than his brother, marched first against him to Bokara, who fled to Marno, where he gathered all his forces together: the which Nue vnderstanding, he sent Innabac and Bakturun, two of his captaines, to force Boaly to come to reason. These, according to his commaundement, pursued him, and defeated him, forcing him to flie to Balk, and from thence to Tremed, from whence he writ to Bokrak∣ham, king of Turquestan, persuading him to make warre against Nue. [ D]

During these dissentions, Aboaly Ben Ocem writ to Nue, demaunding, in recompence of his famous seruice done vnto him and his auncestors, the supreame gouernement of all the countries of Maurenahar, and Karason, the which Nue graunted without any dif∣ficultie, vpon condition, that he should hold them as his vassall: but Aboaly seeing him∣selfe in possession of these countries, carried himselfe as a tyran, and being often per∣suaded to be more temperat, he not onely made them no answer to that which was pro∣pounded, but prepared himselfe secretly to rebell, and writing letters to Bokrakhan king of Turquestan, he persuaded him that they two together might inuade the countries of Nue, and diuide what they should get betwixt them. The king of Turquestan liked so well of this proposition, as he presently went with an armie to field; and Aboaly did the [ E] like, so they began both to make great spoyles in the countrie of Nue, who was also in armes, giuing the charge of his armie to Innabak, who had vanquished Faech, and pre∣sented battaile to the rest, wherein hee was vanquished, and sent prisoner into Tur∣questan.

Nue hearing of this losse, and seeing himselfe reduced to extremitie, seeking to make friends of his enemies, reconciled himselfe to Faech, drawing him to his deuotion with all the courtesie and complements he could deuise; so as he sent him for the defence of Samarkand, where being arriued, he vnderstood that Bokrakhan came against him: so as he abandoned the place, and wen to Bokara in despigh: of Nue, protesting that he had done him much wrong. This treason made Nue to faint, who finding no meanes to make [ F] head against so powerfull an enemie, abandoned his realme. Bokrakham, in the meane time seised vpon Samarkand, and from thence went to Bokara, whereas Faech ioined with him, whom Bokrakham sent with an armie against Balk, and the countries depending thereon. In the meane time Nue passed the riuer of Gehun as secretly as he could, and

[ A] lay about Hamulchet, whither many of his subiects that sought him came vnto him by diuers waies; so as the number increasing dayly, they began to make the bodie of an ar∣mie, and Nue was in some hope of better successe: and to trie all meanes he writ to Abo∣aly, laying before him the fauours and preferments he had receiued from him, promising him greater if he would returne to his seruice: but Aboaly fed him with counterfeit and dissembling hopes, seeking by what meanes he might kill him.

In the meane time Bokra••ham fell sicke, and finding no amendment, by the aduice of his physitians, he returned into Turquestan, hoping to recouer his health better in his owne countrie, but his infirmitie encreasing dayly, he died by the way; the which they of Bokara vnderstanding, they sallied forth vpon his armie, the which being without a [ B] head, was defeated, of whom their enemies made a great slaughter, and a rich bootie of their spoiles. Nue embracing this occasion returned into his realme, where he was recei∣ued with a generall consent.

Aboaly seeing the king of Turquestan to be dead, he resolued to reuenge himselfe by the power of Nue, the which Faech his brother vnderstanding, although he were his ca∣pitall enemie, he sought to diuert him from this resolution, as he did: they two conclu∣ded together to make warre against Nue, who before all these broyles, had sent a captaine of his called Sabutaquin, into India to make new conquests, and was then returned rich, and victorious, hauing purchased the reputation of a rare man, and of great experience [ C] in armes. Nue gaue the charge of this war to him, and hauing made the greatest leuie of souldiers he could, with such as he had vnder his commaund, he sent him to Gaznehen a famous countrie in Karason. Aboaly knowing the preparation they made against him, and desiring to preuent his enemies by some good successe, he sought the friendship of Fa∣koro Daulè, whom he woon with rich presents which he sent him. In the meanetime, Nue and Sabutaquin went out of Nichabur, seeking Aboaly, being accompanied by the gouer∣nors of Balk, Gerion, and Guergestam. As for Aboaly, he had receiued certaine compa∣nies of old souldiers which Fakoro Daulè had sent him, to whom Darab Kabus had ioined with a mightie armie, and so going out of Hyerak, both armies camped one against another, where they stayed not long before they came to battaile. Aboaly disposed of his [ D] armie after this manner: He gaue the right wing to Faech, and to a brother of his called Abalkacem Ben Samur the left, putting himselfe in the middest.

As for that of Nue, the points of his battaile were giuen to his best captaines, but Amir Sabutaquin, and Seyfa Daulè were in the middest: the two armies being thus fronted, euery man shewed his valour, but Nues souldiers behaued themselues in such sort, as they forced the wings of Aboalys battaile to turne their bakes, the which gaue such courage vnto their enemies, as they charged the rest with the whole bodie of their armie so furi∣ously, as they made them to breake their rankes, and in the end to flie.

In this conflict, Darab Kabus quiting the partie of Aboaly, ioined with Nue, the which was a great helpe for the defeating of this armie, whereof part was cut in peeces, and the [ E] rest retired as they could by Nichabur. The victorie thus gotten, and the spoiles which were very great diuided, Nue made Mahamud the sonne of Amir Sabutaquin his generall at his fathers request. As for Nue he went to Bokara, Sabutaquin to Gaznehem, and Maha∣mud to Nichabur: and as for the brothers of Aboaly and Faech, they went to Gerion, which was vnder the commaund of Fakoro Daulè, who entertained them with much kind∣nesse: but they carried themselues so ill in all things, as they continued not long in sa∣uour, which Aboaly perceiuing, forgetting the benefits he had receiued from Fakoro, he ••ought meanes to kill him: whereunto Faech would not consent, but dissuaded him all he could from this desseigne, aduising him rather to fall vpon Nichabur, and to surprise it before that the other had discouered their desseigne; whereof notwithstanding being [ F] suspitious, he sent to demaund succours of the king, and of his father: but before they came, these two had sought with him, vanquished him, and chased him out of the pro∣uince: the which Sabutaquin vnderstanding, he leuied troupes with all speed possible, and went from Siston to come to Nichabur, where he encountred Aboaly at Thus, and fought with him; being in the heat of the fight, Mahamud arriued with with a fresh armie, who

charging the enemie behind, made a terrible slaughter, taking in a manner all that were [ A] left aliue prisoners. As for the two brethren, they got with great difficultie into Ca∣la••, a place wonderfull strong, and being accompanied from thence with some of the re∣mainders of their defeat, they past to Marauo, where being, they sought to get a pardon from Nue, who graunted it to Aboaly, vpon condition that he should not depart out of Geriana without his expresse leaue; whereunto he agreed, contrarie to the will of Faech who retired himselfe to ••echkan king of Turquestan, who ha•• ••ucceded Bokrakham.

There was one called Abu Abdula gouernour of Koarrazm, who was enemie to Abo∣aly: he giuing a sodaine assault to Geriana, carried him away prisoner. The gouernour of Geriana, who had him in guard by the commaundement of king Nue gathered his for∣ces [ B] together, and went to Kat, whereas he of Koarrazm remained, tooke him prisoner, and freed Aboaly; and being returned into his prouince, he put the gouernour of Koa••∣razm in prison. As for Aboaly he entreated him very courteously, feasting him dayly. One day among the rest, hauing drunke freely, Mahamud who was gouernour of Geriana, cau∣sed the gouernour of Koarrazm to be taken out of prison, and his head to be cut off: which done, he writ the whole discourse to Nue, crauing pardon for Aboaly; who made aunswere that he had long since pardoned him, charging him to send him, for that he had some matters of importance to impart vnto him: Mahamud sent him, but at his comming to Bokara, Nue committed him close prisoner, where he died. As for Faech his brother, who was retired to Ilechkam, he persuaded him to make warre against Nue, who being [ C] aduertised of all their desseignes, sent to Sabutaquin to aduance with his troupes betwixt Rehx and Necaf, commaunding also his sonne Mahamud who was at Nichabur, to ioine with his father with all the forces he could raise; so as both being together, they made a mightie armie: the which the king of Turquestan vnderstanding, fearing the danger, he treated an accord, the which Nue did not refuse, by whose meanes they gaue the go∣uernment of Sama••kand to Faech. By meanes of this peace, all troubles were pacified, in the yere of Grace 996, and of the Egira 385; Nue remaining in the peace vntil his death, which happened two yeres after, hauing raigned two and twentie yeres, and leauing for successor his sonne Abul Here Mansur.

Matters passing thus in Vsbek, Maurenahar, and Karason; the base countrie of Persia [ D] was not without combustions, for that the Daules, of whom mention hath beene made, (whom we haue purposely omitted to auoid confusion by the multiplicitie of affaires, and the better to explane this narration) continuing their broyles, afflicted it much, for that Azuda Daulè succeeding in the realme, sent Abul Fauares his sonne to Ker, to keepe a gouernour of his who had reuolted, in awe, whom he vanquished. At that time Moeze∣du Daulè king of Bagadet, and brother to Azudu, died, whom Baktear his sonne succee∣ded, to whom the father gaue charge before his death in all things to follow the counsell of his vnckle, and of those prudent Wazirs which he left him: but he did otherwise than he had charge, for he gaue occasion to Sabutaquin and Albutaquin to enter into his coun∣trie with great troupes of Turkes, who being come to Wacet, did much perplex him. [ E] Baktear demaunded succours of Azudu, who came with all speed, fought with the Turks, and put them to rout, pursuing them to Bagadet, where they were besieged by Baktear. Hauing done wonders for their defence, being forced by n••cessitie, they left the citie, and went with the C••life to Tecrit, a towne in Diarbek vpon the bankes of the riuer of Tygris: so as the citie fell into the hands of Baktear, who caused the Calife to returne and consigned it vnto him. Azudu Daulè was much troubled thereat; so as he seised vpon his nephew, and put him in prison, yet he set him soone after at libertie.

Matters being thus ended, Azudu Daulè caused his armie to march against Hierak in Arabia, and Baktear seeing him absent, entred presently into his countrie, and committed great spoyles: the which his vnckle vnderstanding at his returne, Baktear was forced to [ F] retire himselfe to Mosul, a great citie in Diarbek (which many hold to be Nineue) the which was then gouerned by one called Abusaleb, who came and joyned with Ba••t••••r, with an armie of twentie thousand men, and encountring Azudu Daulè at Te••rit, he van∣quished them. Abusaleb fled, and Baktear was taken, whose head his vnckle caused to be

[ A] cut off, being six and thirtie yeares old, hauing held the realme eleuen yeares, and cer∣taine moneths. After this, the countrie of Mosul seeming verie pleasant to Azudu Daulè, he stayed there, adding diuers other lands vnto it, in the yeare of Grace 980, and of the Egyra 368, sending to reedi••ie Bagadet, the which was in a manner ruinated by the for∣mer wars. He discharged the people of diuers tributes which they had formerly payed, and caused many pits to be opened vpon the high waies, and shewed himselfe fauoura∣ble to the Sages of his Sect, to Phylosophers, to Physitians, and Poets whom he knew to excell others, and giuing leaue vnto the Christians that were in his countries, to build Churches, bearing part of the charge. In the yeare of Grace 982, and of the Egyra 371, [ B] he caused a goodly hospital to be built at Badaget, the which he endowed with great re∣uenues; and another at Scyras nothing inferiour to the other: then hauing done many things worthie the memorie of a good prince, he fell sicke of a kind of lunacie, which they call Sara, and died in the yeare of Grace 983, and of the Egyra 372, hauing raigned foure and thirtie yeares: he left three sonnes, Scerfa Daulè, Scams Daulè, otherwise called Abul Ganiar Marsabane, and the third, Bahao Daulè. The two first diuided the lands be∣twixt them, yet were not content. Scerfa Daulè went into Persia, and Scams Daulè, to Ba∣daget, whom Scerfa tooke in an enteruiew they had together; but he died soone after in the yeare of Grace 990, and of the Egyra 379. Hereupon they drew his brother Scams Daule or Abul Ganiar Marsabane out of prison, and set him in his place. This man did [ C] associat his younger brother Bahao Daule in the gouernment; but hauing some iars they fell to armes, and Scams Daule made warre against him with one Boaly Ben Hostad Hormoz, pursuing him with all rigour: but whenas he had least hope of any succours, newes came vnto him that the souldiers hauing demaunded a pay of Scams Daule, and being refused, they mutined; so as hauing taken a fort by Scaladoe, in the which were foure sonnes, and certaine kinsfolkes of Baktear, they drew them from thence, and hauing ioined with certaine other troupes, they gaue an assault to Scyras, whereas Scams Daule remained, who presently fled; but they followed him, and tooke him at Dudmon, two leagues from the citie, whither they brought him backe, and put him to death with his mother, hauing beene king nine yeares, and eight moneths; in the yeare of Grace 991, and of [ D] the Egira 380: Bahao Daule succeeded without any opposition. At that time Fakoro Daule (as hath beene said) was king of Gerion, who made war against one called Saha••d Hebad, being richer in money than men, whom he vanquished, and became lord of all his trea∣sure: then hauing ended this warre, and many others which were of no small continu∣ance; going (in the yeare of Grace 989, and of the Egyra 378) to Tabarak a fort of his; being one a day at diner, he fed so freely of salt beefe, and did presently eat such aboun∣dance of grapes, as it caused him to haue a great paine in his stomach, whereof he died within few houres after, being little lamented, by reason of the tyrannies he vsed in his lifetime.

At the newes of this death, there was such a confusion and mutinie in the towne, as [ E] they had no time to burie him, vntill the extreme stench of this dead bodie, forced them to enter••e it. He had three sonnes, of the eldest whereof, and his mother Suyda, mention shall be hereafter made. Bahao Daule hauing succeeded in the realme, he tooke Boaly for his generall and leader of his armies, hauing made warre for his brother. He gaue him charge to chase the sonnes of Baktear out of Persia; the eldest of which called A••u Na∣cere, went to Kermon with certaine troupes, surprising the gouernour in such sort, as he forced him to abandon the countrie, whereon he seised. Bahao Daule sent Mousek against him, who defeated him; and as he fled, a seruant of his stept before him, and thrust him through the bodie with his sword, of which death he had beene foretold. Moufek put tru∣stie gouernours into all places; and being well pleased with his victorie, he returned to [ F] the king, who receiued him with much honour: but being slaundred by his enemies, he was taken the same day, and soone after put to death. Bahao Daule, the first yeare of his raigne, deposed the Calife Tayha Abdelcarim Ben Mutia, hauing enioied the dignitie se∣uenteene yeres, and two moneths. Such was then the Estate of this principalitie, which being accustomed to commaund others, was then commaunded by all men. Boaly d••ed

also in Badaget in the yeare of Grace 1012, and of the Egyra 401. Bahao Daule died a [ A] yeare after, hauing liued two and fortie yeares, nine moneths, and raigned foure and twentie.

¶ Kader Bila Hamed, the six and fortieth Cal••fe.

ALthough the Califes affaires were then reduced to that Estate, as these princes had nothing left but the name, and that their commaund was rather after their man∣ner of spirituall things, they hauing no authoritie, but what the princes which then raigned gaue them, hauing euen lost that shadow of temporall jurisdiction which they [ B] had preserued vnto the time of the Daules, of whom we haue made mention: yet for that all began by them, and that Mirkond and Teix••eres do still put them in the ranke of princes, this personall succession seruing alwaies as a more certaine rule to auoid confu∣sion: we haue followed the same order, considering the great confusions and alterations which haue beene in Persia during this age, whereby the trace of their Chronologie is often lost; yet of these Califes we stil find the name B••hao Daule hauing deposed the Calife Tayha Abdelcarim, he gaue his place to Kader Bila Hamed, the sonne of Ezach, the sonne of Moktader: vnder whose name matters past after this manner,

Fakoro Daule king of Gerion, being dead by his excesse & surfer, his sonne Maiudu Daule succeeded him, who was proclaimed king although he were but three yeares old. His [ C] mother Sayda gouerned for him, being a woman of great vnderstanding and judgement, to maintaine this realme in peace and prosperitie, du••ing the minoritie of her sonne. But being growne great, he would dispose of the realme after his owne fantasie, and place gouernours at his pleasure, without the aduice or councell of his mother, where with be∣ing discontented, she retired herselfe into the fort of Tabarak. Her sonne had made one Aboaly his Vazir, against her will, who fearing that she would go out of the realme, was the cause of great trouble, hauing set guards vpon the way to stay her. ••ut all this could not preuent the princesses departure, who went to Kusest••m, whereof Badre Acem Nuyhe was gouernour, who seeing her, and being informed how matters had past with her sonne, he leuied great forces, which they two led, going to encounter Matudu Daule, [ D] the sonne of Sayda, and his Vazir Aboaly, whom they vanquished, and tooke p••isoners: Matudu Daule being in the towne of Rey; so as the realme was againe vnder the com∣maund of Sayda, who gouerned with great wisdome and judgement.

At that time Mamud Gasney raigned in Karason and Maur••nahar, who hauing made proofe of his victorious armes in all the neighbour countries, sent Embassadours to Say∣da, demaunding that there should be no money currant in her realme, but his, and that whatsoeuer should be coined, should haue his name and armes, giuing her to vnderstand that if she did otherwise, he should haue cause of discontent. She made him aunswere with a manly resolution, that if her husband liued, she would much feare his threats, for that they being both men, they might encounter: but being a widdow, she was cer∣taine [ E] he would not so much imbase his generous courage, as to wrong her: with which aunswere he was at that time pacified. Within few daies after, she pardoned her sonne Maiudu Daule, but she gaue him not the absolute gouernment of the realme, giuing vnto the second, called Scams Daule the gouernment of Amadon, and the third, whose name was Abuiafar, she put into Hisphaon; so as this queene preserued their realme in peace and prosperitie vntill her death, the which happened in the yeare of Grace 1030, and of the Egira 420. After which their followed great troubles, for that the Sultan Mam••d Gozney caused his armie to march against Hierak, and being come to Mazandazon, Ma∣nucher the sonne of Kabus, nephew to Vuax Maguir (of whom mention hath beene made) holding his Estate vncertaine, being in this companie, left the campe, and returned into [ F] his countrie without the leaue of Mamud: but fearing least the other should be offen∣ded, he sought to pacifie him with many great and rich presents which he sent him, much apparrell for his souldiers, and foure hundred thousand deniers of gold coyned, which make about six hundred thousand duckats: but for that we haue long forborne to speake

[ A] any thing of Karason, it shall be fit to returne to that discourse, and to se what hath beene done there, during these alterations in other countries.

As it hath been said, by the death of Nue, his sonne Abul Hares Mansur succeeded him in the realme, who had for his captaine generall, one called Baktuzun, against whom Abul Ilechkan king of Turquestan made warre, as he had done against his father, and being come to Samarkand, Faech who was gouernour thereof, submitted himselfe vnto him, who with sufficient forces for his desseigne, went against Bokara whereas Mansur remai∣ned, who abandoning the citie, fled, and passed to the other side of the riuer of Ammuye, Faech entred the towne, assuring the inhabitants that he came not to wrong the king, [ B] but to do him seruice, and to succour him; so as he made the king to returne, who being assured of Faechs intentions, he gaue him the charge of Baktusun, and to Baktusun he gaue the gouernment of Karason.

At that time Sabutaquin died, which was the subiect of new troubles betwixt Mamud and Imaell his children; so as Ismaell was forced to flie. After this, Mamud seised vpon Ka∣rason, whereof he was gouernour, hauing taken it from Baktusun, to whom the king had giuen it; whereof he complained to his prince by letters, beseeching him to interpose his authoritie, and restore him to his gouernment: the which was effected, and they gaue in recompence to Mamud the gouernment of Balk, Termed, and Herat: where with Mamud being discontented, he leuied men, with whom he marched against Nixabur, [ C] whereas the king remained, who not standing vpon his guards was forced to flie, doubting the strength of that place. But Mamud fearing the name of a rebell, proceeded no farther in this new combustion. There came one of king Mansurs subiects vnto him calle Maktusun; so as this prince seeing himselfe supported, returned from his flight. This man complained to Faech, that the king had not entreated him with the honour he ex∣pected: Faech embracing this occasion opened his heart vnto him, discouering vpon what termes he stood with Mansur, and how ill he was affected vnto him; so as these two agreeing together, they conspired against their king, and they gaue such order for their enterprise, as at a banquet they put out his eyes, making king in his place a young brother of his called Abdel Malek; he hauing raigned but a yere and 7 moneths. Mamud [ D] hearing of this accident, leuied all his forces, to go against the traitors, who being sur∣prised, were forced to flie, Maktusun to Nichabur, the king with Faech towards Bokara, and Abul Kacem Siniur to Keostam; whereby Mamud remained lord of Karason, against whom the rest did arme, who being ioined together, were readie to giue him battaile, but the sodaine death of Faech staied the euent. Ilechkan king of Turon or Turquestan, being aduertised of these broyles, leuied a mightie armie, with the which he marched to Bokara, from whence he sent word to king Abdel Malek, that he desired to succour him, and that he was come to that end; the which the young prince beleeuing lightly, he sent the best of his captaines to thanke him, whom he presently committed to prison: the which did so amase Abbel Malek, as he sought some place where to retire himselfe, and [ E] in the meane time he did hide himselfe as secretly as he could. But Ilechkan being come in∣to towne, he set guards in the high waies, at the ports, and vpon the walls; and then he made a search in the towne, whereas he found Abdel Malek, who was taken thence, and sent to V••kand, whereas he died in prison: his subiects aduanced a young brother of his, who raigned very little. This happened in the yeare of Grace 1000, and of the Egyra 389. Ilechkan seeing himselfe in possession of Bokara, tooke king Abul Hares Mansur and put out his eyes: the like he did to his two brethren Abu Ebrahem Montecer, and Abuya∣cub, all sonnes to Nue, and to his two vnckles Abu Zacharie, and Abu Salechk, with others of the royall bloud, putting them all into seuerall prisons, where he had women slaues to serue them, among the which there was one which did much affect Abu Ebrahem Monte∣cer [ F] and desiring to free him, she couered him with her garment, and being thus disgui∣sed, she drew him from thence into a friends house of hers, where he was hidden for a time, but in the end they let him go, then retiring himselfe from Bokara, he went to Koar∣razm, where he had soone made a leuie of souldiers, the which he sent against Bokara vn∣der the leading of a captaine called Arsalon Balu, who fighting with Taquin a captaine to

Ilechkan, vanquished him, and tooke him prisoner: with many other knights of his com∣panie. [ A]

As for Arsalon Balu, he ruined all the countrie vnto the lesser Cantarey, against whom came Taquin Kham gouernour of Samarkand for Ilechkan who was also defeated. After this Montecer came to Bokara, where he was receiued with much ioy, and being ioined to Arsalon Balu, they past the riuer of Gehun, and came to Nichabur. Amir Nacer the sonne of Mamud, who was gouernor, abandoning the countrie, we••t to Herat, where his father remained, who vnderstanding that they were entred into his countrie, drew his men to field against Montecer, who not daring to attend him, retired to Esf••rahen, in the countrie of Rabus, who sent vnto him presents of inestimable value, if we shall beleeue [ B] Mirkond; for he saith, that he sent him ten horses, with their furniture and caparisons of gold, thirtie with their furniture of siluer, and thirtie which were but of silke, thirtie camels laden with fine Persian tapistrie, with many other peeces of great price, many roabs of rich cloth of gold, with a great summe of money, sending also certaine gifts to all his captaines▪ Cabus was desirous he should ayd him when he came to the towne of Rey, whither he would send him good succours, with his two sonnes Darab and Manu∣cher to helpe him to take it. Yet hauing afterwards changed their minds, being past from Rey to Damion, Darab and Manucher returned to their father Kabus. This happened in the yeare of Grace 1002, and of the Egyra 391.

At the same time Mamud sent a captain called Altuntax, with his sonne Amir Nace••, to [ C] recouer Nichabur, and Montecer sent against them Abul Kacem and Arsalon Balu, who lost the battaile. Nacer was at Nichabur, and Montecer fled to Iburd, whither Nacer followed him; but Montecer tooke his way towards Gerion, the which Kabus vnderstanding, being discontented with the bad proceedings of Montecer towards him, he layd two thousand men vpon the passage to stop his entrie into his countrie▪ ••o as Montecer was forced to take another way, where, vpon a light occasion he caused Arsalon Balu to be slaine, the which did purchase him the hatred of all his people. Afterwards the war continued be∣twixt Nacer and him with variable successe, vntill that Montecer was wholy defeated in battaile, whereas Nacer woon the victorie, and the other lost the best part of his men: then flying with some few that did accompanie him, he fell into the hands of the Turco∣mans: [ D] these are shepheards which feed their flockes in diuers plaines, and make their re∣treats in cabbins, who knowing him, entreated him with much courtesie for the loue they did beare his father. Of these he sodainly gathered together a great number, with the which he past into Maurenahar. Ilechkan came against him; but the Turcomans surprising him sodainely in the night, slue a great number of his souldiers, and put him to flight, ta∣king the best part of the spoile. They returned to their cabbins, and Montecer past the ri∣uer of Gehun; but for that it was in Winter and night (the which are exceeding cold in that countrie) it was impossible for him to passe it without boat or bridge. The Turco∣mans who had assisted him, being sorrie for the spoiles which they had le••t him, prepared themselues to set vpon him, and to take it from him. But comming to the riuer, at the [ E] breake of day, they found it thawed; so as they could not follow Montecer, who found meanes to retire himselfe free from them. All this happened in the yere of Grace 1004, and of the Egyra 393.

At that time there was one called Abuiafar, a man of base condition, who of a r••bber by the high way, was growne to that power, as he commaunded the whole countrie: Montecer demaunded some succours of him, but in steed of gratifying him, he opposed himselfe against his proceedings; so as they were forced to come to battaile, where Mon∣tecer vanquished him, and going to Iburd, he had another encounter with Abu Nacer gouernor of the prouince, which was very bloodie and cruell, for that it was in the night, whereas Abu Nacer was slain during the fight: in the meane time Montecer had no place [ F] of refuge, and going along the riuer to seeke a passage, he met with the Xena or Gouer∣nour of Bokara, where he lost the best part of his men; so as with such as could follow him, he retired to Da••band, where being assisted by the gouernour of Samarkand, and some noblemen Turkes, which liued in the citie, and by some choise troupes, he gaue an

[ A] assault to Bokara, and tooke it: the whith Ilechkan vnderstanding, he went to encounter him, and fought with him; but he was vanquished, with whose spoiles, the souldiers of Montecer grew rich. This happened in the yeare of Grace 1005, and of the Egyra 394: Ilechkan hauing repaired his armie, came againe to charge Montecer, at such time whenas the souldiers which had assisted him, were retired, and that a captaine of his was gone to Ilechkan with fiue thousand souldiers: this was the cause of his rout; for hauing no power to resist his enemie, he fled, and came to the riuer of Gehun, the which not able to wade through, and wanting victualls, he was forced with his companie to stay the night there, and to feed vpon the flesh of beasts that were alreadie dead. After this, he went by vn∣knowne [ B] waies, fearing to encounter his enemie, and came to Koestam, where being pursued, and being hated of all men, for the diuers and variable changes and crosses of fortune, the which he had endured, he came in a manner alone to Bokara, for that his followers which were most discontented, had gone to Soleymon and Safy captaines to Ilechkan. The Gouernour of Bokara promised to assist him, but knowing that these two lay in ambush, he put him out of the towne. Mamud who was then lord of Karason, had rented certaine lands to one called Ebenbayg an Arabian captaine, into whose ju∣risdiction Montecer retired, & hid himselfe in a poore cottage, but another called Maruyh hearing it, he came in the night with certain Arabians, found him out, and slew him. Thus Montecer ended his troublesome life, in the yeare of Grace 1006, and of the Egyra 395: [ C] for whose death Mamud or Mahamud (although he were his enemie) was much grieued, causing Maruyh to be put to death with cruell torments.

Kabus Ben Vuax Maquir had enioied certaine lands in the countrie of Karason quiet∣ly eighteene yeares. He was descended from the auncient kings of Persia, and had not beene an actour in the aboue mentioned confusions: for being very wise and rich, he so managed his affaires, as he did bind them vnto him who for their ambition and power would not spare any man. As for Amir Sabutaquin, hauing gotten the victorie of Aboaly in Karason, he came to Bokara, where he made a strict league of friendship with Kabus, and desired to do him some seruice. At that time Fakoro Daule was lord of Gerion, as hath beene said, whom Sabutaquin sought to oppresse, and to bring Kabus into that go∣uernment: [ D] for the effecting whereof, he demaunded ten thousand souldiers of Ilechkan, the which being ioined to his owne troupes, made a great armie, the Rendezuous where∣of was at Balk, whereas, whilest Sabutaquin attended his troupes, death surprised him: Fakoro Daule died also, in whose place succeeded Maiudu Daule his sonne, vnder the go∣uernment of Sayda his mother, as hath beene said: Abul Kacem remained at Kumes, who after the death of Sabutaquin went to Kabus, with whom he made an accord that they should inuade the lands of the deceased Fakoro Daule, and enioy them both together, and so they brought their armies vnto the field, making entrie into this countrie by diuers waies: Kabus put himselfe into Nichabur, from whence he sent a captaine called Sfabed Charear, who being met by Marzabah vnckle to the deceased, hauing an armie in the pro∣uince [ E] of Gerion, for the defence thereof, he fought with him, and put him to rout: by the meanes of this victorie, he brought a great part of this prouince vnder the obedience of Kabus: and in that of Tabarstam, they held Amal a place of importance, for the recoue∣rie wherof Aken Feruzan comming with a good armie, they within the towne went out against him with Sfabed Charear, and gaue him battaile, the which he lost, being taken pri∣soner with aboue twentie of his captains.

This good successe gaue still more hope to Kabus, and made him aspire to greater mat∣ters: who to loose no time, came to Gerion, where he was proclaimed king, in the yeare 1011, and of the Egyra 400. He had afterwards some encounters with his enemies, but all succeeded fortunatly for him, so as in the end, he commaunded ouer all Gueylon, [ F] which are prouinces of a great extent, of the which he made his sonne Manucher gouer∣nour, sending great presents to Mam••d, to the end he might fortifie himselfe in his new Estate by this acknowledgement.

Kabus had a great respect to justice, & did administer it with such rigour, that wheras be∣fore he was much honoured of his people, he was now hated of them, imputing it to his

crueltie; so as not able to endure him any longer, being one day in his campe, they entred [ A] his tent to kill him, but he escaped their hands, yet not without great difficultie, and got to Bostam: but they conuerted their rage against his tent, spoiling all that was within it, being of no small value; seeking to set Manucher his sonne in his place; vpon condition that he should not reuenge that which they had done, nor ayd his father against them. But he refused the realme, vnlesse his father would consent thereunto, preferring the respect of a father, before a royal crowne; so as some of them went vnto the father, who much commending the obedience of his sonne, would not suffer him to remaine in his seruice, as he desired, but made him returne, giuing him the realme freely, and all that did belong vnto him, wherof Manucher tooke possession, with the general applause of all men, [ B] and Kabus retired himselfe into the fort of Kakek, there to spend the residue of his daies, whereas they of Gerion, fearing that whilest he liued he would be offensiue vnto them, found meanes to kill him, Manucher not knowing who were the actors therof: but wh••n he vnderstood it, he punished them seuerely.

Manucher the sonne of Kabus otherwise called Malech Almaly, seeing himselfe king of those countries, which his father had gotten in Gerion and Gueylon (in the which Ma∣iudu Daule held a good part) he sent his Embassadours to the Sultan Mamud, to dec••are himselfe his vassall, and to offer him a tribute of 50000 deniers of gold, which are about 60000 duckats, and Mamud gaue him a daughter of his to wife, but within few daies af∣ter his marriage Manucher died, his brother Darab remaining in his place. [ C]

Darab the sonne of Kabus, and brother to Manucher, was a great actor (as hath bin said) in the controuersies betwixt Nue and Boaly, whose partie he followed, & afterwards that of Nue, by whose death his father inuading the realm of Gerion, he serued him, whom he sent with troupes to Tarbarstam, for the guard of those lands which he held in that pro∣uince, but hauing beene accused of some crimes in his gouernment, he purged himselfe before his father: yet this accusation did so discontent him, as he resolued to retire him∣selfe to Mamud, who entertained him honorably; yet by his own bad carriage, in the end he fell into disgrace, which he finding, he left him, and went to Schachar king of Gurge∣stam, who at the entreatie of Mamud, dismist him: in the end, he succeeded his brother, but his time was short. [ D]

Mirkond reports in this place the valiant exploits of Sabutaquin in India, which were too long to relate. There had beene many controuersies, as hath bin said, betwixt Mamud and Ismaell his brother, after the death of their father, the which were ended by armes, to the preiudice of Ismaell, who had bin forced to flie: and Mamud seeing himselfe at rest, in re∣gard thereof, had made a peace, and contracted friendship with Ilechkan, for the desire which he had to go to the conquest of India, as his father had done, where he obtained great and famous victories, and brought away rich spoiles. Ilechkan enuying his good for∣tune, and without any respect to the faith which he had giuen him, entred into his coun∣trie, and sent Iafar Taquin his kinsman against Balk.

Arsalon Balu held then the gouernment of Herat for Mamud, and of all the Gaznehen, [ E] which are very great prouinces: this man opposed himselfe against the attempts of Il••ch∣kan and Iafar Taquin. Mamud was soone aduertised of the trecherie of his allie; so as lea∣uing his conquests of India, h•• returned speedily for the defence of his owne countrie, giuing such order for his affaires, by the meanes of Arsalon Balu a captaine of very great experience, as he first defeated Ebu Abdala an Arabian captaine, who led Taquins armie, which in the end was wholy ouerthrowne and put to flight: he cut in peeces the greatest part of his souldiers, the rest escaped by the riuer of Gehun, which they past with their generall, who lost in this battaile many of his kinsmen, and left a brother of his prisoner.

This defeat toucht Ilechkan very neere, for he saw it impossible for him to resist the force and good fortune of his enemie: this caused him to make a league with Kaderkham [ F] king of Ketao Kotan, which we call Catay, to the end he should succour him in this war, and stop the course of Mamuds victories, who made a great leuie as well in Catay, as in Turquestan and Maurenahar, and ioining with the forces of Ilechkan, they past the riuer of Gehun together.

[ A] The newes of this great preparation was soone brought to Mamud, being at Ta∣barstam, who went speedily to Balk, where he gathered together a great armie of Turks, Calanges, Gazneys, and Aueganys, and marching against his enemies, he gaue them bat∣taile, in which, they of Ilechkans side in the beginning had the aduantage, which Mamud seeing, despairing in a manner of the victorie, he mounted vpon an elephant, which he thrust with great furie into the middest of his enemies, of whom he ouerthrew many, notwithstanding any resistance they could make, the elephant being in choler: this gaue great courage to Mamuds souldiers; for seeing their prince in such danger, they did what they could to free him, and so got the victorie, putting their enemies to flight. They hold [ B] that this was one of the most bloodie battailes which had beene giuen in that age, which happened in the yeare of Grace 1008, and of the Egyra 397.

This victorie did purchase such peace to Mamud, as no man could hinder his desseigne, which was yerely either by himselfe or his captaines, to make a voiage to the Indies, to conuert those people to his sect: which the king of the countrie perceiuing, especially one called Bal, he found means, as wel by his own forces, as by his allies, to leuie a mightie ar∣mie, and came to encounter Mamud, with whom he did fight a whole day, but Mamud got the victorie of the Indians, where he had a rich spoile, taking fortie elephants for the war: the rest retired to a fort which was held impregnable, for that it stood in the middest of a [ C] great lake, into which they had drawn all their treasure, and the riches of their Pagodes, or houses of their Idolls, which was inestimable: but the building being weake, Mamud found meanes to enter it. There was in this fort (as Mirkond writes) seuen millions of dragmes of gold, 700 ingots of gold, waighing 2800 markes, with store of pealre and pretious stones, and many other rich peeces of great value, putting all into a house where they kept this treasure. Mamud hauing taken this great prize, returned to Gaznehen, lea∣uing that which he had conquered to confident persons. This happened in the yeare of Grace 1011, and of the Egyra 400. He had another battaile against the Gaores, which be they of Guzarate, and whereas one called Mahamed Ben Sury a captaine of the Vaneanes would haue taken their quarrell in hand, he was defeated, and a sonne of his taken priso∣ner, [ D] who died vpon the way, hauing poisoned himselfe.

At that time there was a great famine in the countrie of Karason, so as men and women did eat on another, without any respect of sexe, age, or condition.

After the great battaile aboue mentioned, Ilechkan had retired himselfe to Maurena∣har, where hearing that Togan Kam his brother, who had beene with him in that battaile, would fall to Mamud, he tooke armes against him; but Mamud arriuing, they agreed. These troubles thus pacified, Mamud went against Bagadet, which he besieged; so as the Calife Kader Bila being within it, was forced to yeeld himselfe, and to content him with fiue millions of dragmes, euery dragma being six pence of our money, by meanes of which summe, he left him in peace, and retired into Persia.

[ E] In the time of Nue the sonne of Mansur, Chachar Abu Nacer, sonne to Abu Mahamed had his fathers gouernment, which he had giuen him, comming to f••ll age, and had retired himselfe to a priuat life, whenas Aboal•• a rebel to Nue, armed against Chachar, & dispossest him of his countrie, whom Amir Sabutaquin father to Mamud, tooke into his seruice: and his lands comming afterwards to his hands, he restored them againe. Abu Nacer came af∣terwards to serue Mamud, who recompenced him with a confirmation of the realm, and other rich presents. Yet Mamud desiring to returne into India, & hauing a will to lead him with him, he excused himselfe from this iourney: which Mamud then dissembled, but be∣ing returned, he sent Altuntax against him; & Abu Mahamed the father of Nacer, he sent to Bagadet, but he depriued his sonne of the realme, who (flying into a fort) was taken, and put to the racke, to make him confesse where he had hidden the great treasure whi•••• ••e [ F] had: and being afterwards carried before Mamud, he caused him to be whipt, & com••it∣to close prison: then calling the father from Bagadet, he gaue him the price of all th••t which he had formerly held in Gurges••am and Gaznehen, giuing him many other pre∣ferments, to the end he might haue meanes to liue honourably about him, ••nto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1016, and of the Egyra 406, when he died.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hings thus pacified, Mamud returned againe into India, where he woon many [ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ and brought home rich spoiles. At that time Mamun gouerned the countrie of 〈…〉〈…〉, who died soone 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ leauing his sonne Aboaly to succeed him: he married a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Mamud, who loued him much; so as he past the small time he liued in peace, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whose ••eath his 〈…〉〈…〉 called Mamun Ben Mamun came to the succession of the realme, who 〈…〉〈…〉 within few daies after, not without suspition of poison, which one Neala•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 of his, was suspected to haue giuen him. One of his sonnes was 〈…〉〈…〉. But Mamud being much grieued for the death of Mamun, resol∣ued 〈…〉〈…〉; wherefore he leuied an armie, causing it to march to Koarrazm: 〈…〉〈…〉 ••harged him sodenly one morning, striking a great amasement into the [ B] 〈…〉〈…〉 so as the victorie was verie doubtfull, yet in the end it turned to Mamud, 〈…〉〈…〉 being forced to flie, seeking to passe a riuer, he fell in quarrell with the 〈…〉〈…〉 th•• boat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowing him, dissembled it, vntill that hauing giuen a watchword 〈…〉〈…〉 they bound ••is hands, and carried him to Mamud, who in the 〈…〉〈…〉 to pardon him: but he talked with him so boldly, and with such little 〈…〉〈…〉 as he caused him to be hanged, giuing the gouernment of Koarrazm to 〈…〉〈…〉 we••t againe into India, where he had a famous victorie against Gulkand a 〈…〉〈…〉 who▪ ••eeing himselfe vanquished with the losse of fiutie thousand men, fearing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a wife which he loued deerely for her great beautie, should fall into his enemies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he flew her, and himselfe presently after.

After this Mamud made another voiage into India, where he vanquished two kings, [ C] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Iand••bal, from whence he brought rich spoiles: then returning to Gaznehen, because a stately Mosque or Temple to be built, as a thanks giuing for his victories: and from thence he entred into Persia, where he tooke the towne of Rey, and that of Hispha∣on in Hie••a••▪ the which did belong to Maiudu Daule, the gouernment of which he gaue to M••sud his sonne▪ then hauing beene sicke two yeres, he died in the yere 1031, and of the Egyra 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Two daies before his death, he caused his chiefest treasure to be brought before him, which seeing, he poured forth many teares without speaking any word; so as it is not known vpon what consideration: but for that he commanded they should keepe it carefully, it was conceiued that his heauinesse grew for that he might no longer enioy [ D] it. Being readie to die, he caused the youngest of his sons to be brought to him, thinking that he would proue very factious, whom he entreated to passe his word, that after his death he would liue louingly with his brethren, and would respect and obey the elder as reason required: the other answered, that he should not trouble himselfe in that regard, and that he would gouerne himselfe with them, as he had done with his.

Matters passing thus in Karason, Maurenahar, and Vsbek, the affaires of Persia were in no lesse cofusion: for Magidu Daule being king of Gerion, he gouerned himselfe carelesly, and without judgement. Mamud, a most ambitious prince, being loath to loose so good an occasion, sent a mightie armie against him, led by one of his best captaines, to whom Ma∣gidu Daule yeelded without blowes, imagining that hauing not offended Mamud, he [ E] would not depriue him of his realme: but he was deceiued; for being a prisoner with his sonne Abuzef, Mamud had no sooner intelligence that he was in the town of Rey, but he caused the treasure of Magidu to be brought to him, where there was a million of deniers of gold, which do almost make a million & a halfe of crowns, 15000 deniers of gold in iewells, and great store of plate both of gold and siluer, with other peeces of great price, and then he caused Magidu Daule to be brought before him, of whom he demanded if he had euer read Chanoma, which is the Chronicle of their kings, to whom he aunswered 〈◊〉〈◊〉; then he asked him if he could play at chesse, the other answered yea. Haue you neuer ••ead then, said Mamud, that two kings did hold one realme together, or haue you not ••••ene at chesse two kings in one place? whereunto Magidu Daule aunswered no: Mamud [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••hen blame him sharply for his ignorance and carelesnesse, and then he sent him with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and a Wazir to Gaznehen, where Mamud had a goodly librarie, which he cau∣se•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brought to Karason, where he had left his sonne Masud for king.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 were also great broiles among the Daules, as well in Persia, as in Kermon, especi∣ally

betwixt Albufauares and Gelala, brethren to Sulton Daule, who had succeeded his fa∣••her Baodaule; but in the end they agreed in the yeare 1019, and of the Egyra 309. In Di∣••rb••k raigned Acen Ben Baoda••le, therwise called Mocharaf Daule, who had intelligence ••ith one of the chiefe captaines of Sulton Daule the which being discouered, it was hard ••o preuent, but by armes: after many encounters, they agreed, vpon condition that Mo∣••haraf Daule should gouerne the prouince of Hierak of Arabia, and Sulton Daule should ••aue Auuaz and Persia: but Sulton Daule being returned home, leuied a greater armie ••han before, vnder the commaund of Eben Salak, whom he sent against Mocharaf, but he was vanquished, and besieged in a fort, whither he had retired himselfe, and in the end ••orced by necessitie to yeeld to his enemie, to haue his life saued; the which did so puffe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mocharaf, as he caused himselfe to be called king of kings. This was in the yere 1021, ••nd of the Egyra 411: and in the yere after, he put out the eyes of Eben Salak. The same ••eare Gelala Daule was made king of Bagadet, who had for Wazir Abugaleb, whom the ••ouldiers murthered, for that he paied them with words. There was afterwards a new ac∣••ord made betwixt Mocharaf Daule and Sulton Daule, by the meanes of Sultons sonne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 condition that Mocharaf should enioy Hierak of Arabia, and Persia, and Sulton, Kir∣••on, who died two yeares after, in the yeare of Grace 1023, and of the Egyra 413. After his death Abu Mokarram one of his chiefe Captaines sent his sonne Abulganiar with forces to Auuaz: but the Turkes or Turcomans the which remained in Persia, called Abulfauares brother to Sulton who was in Kirmon, and brought him into Scy∣••as, before he began to march; the which Abulganiar vnderstanding, he raised a new ar∣••ie which he sent against Scyras; which made his competitor to retire to Kirmon: but ••he countrie was nothing more quiet, for some demaunded peace, others would haue ••ar made against Abulfauares, and the king hauing no money, was forced to go to Noa∣••••ndian, wanting experience (by reason of his youth) to auoid so many crosses; where∣••••on they that were of Abulfauares faction made him returne to Scyras, and proclaimed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 king; and they of the partie of Abul Ganiar did so animate him, as he did arme against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnckle, where after variable euents, in the end he forced him to abandon Scyras the se∣••••nd time, where the other entred, and was againe declared king.

In the yeare 1026, and of the Egyra 416, Mocharaf Daule died at Bagadet, aged three 〈◊〉〈◊〉 twentie yeares, and three monethes, hauing raigned fiue yeares, and fiue and twentie 〈◊〉〈◊〉: after his death they sent for Basora Gelala Daule to succeed him, who comming not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such speed as is required in the like affaires, they gaue the gouernment to another; ••••ereof Gelala seeking reuenge, he came against Bagadet, whom the Calife Kader sought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••acifie with reasons and entreaties; but all this could not keepe him from fighting, to ••••lala•• losse, who was defeated and forced to flie to Basora, hauing lost the best part of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and a rich bootie. The yeare following, the Turkes came in great troupes to Baga∣•••••• which they tooke, spoiled, and fired, the which they did assure themselues against the ••••bians which remained in that countrie: this made the inhabitants to call Gelala to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 succours, whom they proclaimed king of Bagadet, where entring, he went to the ••••••ifes house to kisse his foot, who receiued him courteously, in the yeare of Grace 1029, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Egyra 419: but in the meane time, the Turkes which he had brought with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 demaunded their pay, and Gelala hauing no money, they committed great insolen∣•••• ••specially in the house of Aboaly Ben Mekula Wazir to Gelala, which they spoiled, car∣•••••• away all that was within it, which was of no small value, and they did shut Gelala 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house, not suffering him to come forth, vnlesse the Calife would be come aunswe∣••••ble that they should be paied, as he did; for the effecting whereof, he sold many peeces 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great value. It was at the same time whenas Mamud Gaznay sought to seise vpon Per∣•••••• whereof Abul Ganiar aduertised his vnckle Gelala Daule, that they might ioine toge∣••••••••, and resist their common enemie; but the other, in steed of marching against Ma∣•••••• went and spoiled Auuaz which did belong vnto his cousin, from whence he drew a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 summe of money.

••he dissentions were as great at Basora betwixt the Turkes, and them of Dialema, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one fauouring Malek Azir sonne to Abu Mansur, and nephew to Gelala Daule, whom

they of Dialema would not receiue, but during their discords Abul Ganiar imbracing [ A] th•• ••••casion to his aduantage, seised vpon Basora, and from thence he went to Wacet; so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••is kinsmens goods came into his power, the which Gelala sought to hinder by all meanes possible: but the souldiers would not march for him before they had their pay; so as for want of money, he demaunded some as it were by way of loane, of the richest men in Bagadet, the which did purchase him the hatred of all men. In the meane time, Abulfau••r••e•• who raigned in Kermon, seeing the affaires thus confused in Persia, leuied an armie to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his profit thereby: but he died vpon the way; so as the great men of Ker∣mon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one common consent called in Abul Ganiar, to whom they gaue the gouern∣me••••▪ and so he was declared king of Persia and Kermon: then without losse of any [ B] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he came with a good armie against Bagadet; but Gelala Daule met him and gaue him 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••he which Abul Ganiar lost, and was forced to retire to Auuaz, and Gelala leauing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 garrisons at Wacet for the guard thereof, he returned to Bagadet in the yeare 103••, and of the Egyra 422, in which yeare the Calife Kader died, hauing held the seat one and fortie yeares, and foure moneths, in whose place they did set Kahem or Alkahem Bea••••••yla Abuiafar Abdula his sonne.

¶ Kahem or Alkahem Beamaryla Abuiafar Abdula, the seuen and fortieth Calife.

THe time of Kahem or Alkahem the sonne of Kader was not more peaceable than the [ C] rest: and beginning with Karason, we haue formerly spoken of the death of Mamud, whom Mahamed his sonne succeeded. He had a brother to whom his father in his life time had giuen the gouernment of Hisphaon; who no sooner heard of his fathers death, but he armed against his brother: he commaunded ouer his subiects with such rigour, as all hated him, and seeing him absent, they reuolted; but Mamud returned speedily, and inuested the towne, the which he tooke, and punished the rebells: after w••ich he con∣tinued his enterprise against Karason; but before he came there, he writ to his brother Mahamed, assuring him that his comming was onely to serue him, for that the countries which he enioied were more than sufficient to make him liue happily. Mahamed who was not well pleased with this visit, sent him word that he desired to be excused, and that he [ D] should returne, the which did much discontent Masud; so as he declared himselfe an open enemie to Mahamed, whom they did aduise to reconcile himselfe, the which he would not harken to, but sent against his brother a captaine called Issuf Sabutaquin, and he himselfe followed with the greatest forces he could raise; but he stayed a moneth at Tanganabat, where he past the Ramedon of Mahometan Len••in the end Masud enui∣roned ••im, and by the treason of Issuf, and the villanie of Amir Aly (one of Mahameds chiefe men) he was taken and deliuered to Masud, who rewarded the traitors as they had deserued: for he cast Issuf laden with yrons into a dungeon, and caused Amir Aly to be hanged, and as for his brother Mahamed, he put out his eyes, remaining after this manner mai••te•• of the realmes of Karason and Gazneken, besides the prouince of Hierak, which [ E] his father had giuen him, the which happened in the yeare of Grace 1032, and of the Egyra 422. After this he sent Altuntax gouernour of Koarrazm against Aly Taquin, who held Samarkand and Bokara, betwixt whom there was a battaile, where Altuntax had the worst in the beginning, by reason of a stratagem which Taquin vsed; yet in end he had the victorie, but it cost him deere: for he lost many of his men, and his owne life, who seeing his end draw neere, caused his people to make an accord with the enemie, least they should fall into some daunger, being without a head.

In the yeare of Grace 1034, and of the Egyra 424, the countrie of Gibal, and the 〈…〉〈…〉 w••••e of Rey, reuolted against Masud, the like did the garrisons which his father had l••••t in India; but in recompence therof, he subdued Gerion and Tabarstan: And where∣•••••••• [ F] his absence two captaines (Turkes) the one called Togotel or Togozelbek, and Ia∣k•••••••••• ••alinquis, did rise against him, at his returne he subdued them, and then he made a 〈…〉〈…〉 India; but the Turkes being but scattered, and not defeated, they made ••••ad ag••••ne by reason of his absence, and subdued many townes in Karason, forcing

[] ••l••on Daulè Ben Kakuya, and Abusale, to go out of their gouernements, for which cause M••sud came presently to Gerion, and hearing in his passage that a robber by high wayes ••ad retired himselfe into a fort, with a hundred of his companions, he caused them to ••ome vnto him, vpon his safe conduct and assurance: but when they were before him, he ••••nt them to be hanged, saying, That such people should be punished in any sort what∣••oeuer, and so continuing his way, they made many complaints vnto him of Nur Taquin, ••ouernour of Balk, but he could hardly satisfie their demaund, for that it was W••ter, and there had fallen aboundance of raine; yet going on his way, he had news that Daud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Turkish Captaine brought great forces to succour Balk, in fauour of Nur Taquin; so as Masud fearing to be compassed in, went to encounter Daud, the which Nur Taquin vn∣••erstanding, he pursued him, and charged his men in the rere, whereas he slew many, and carried away a great bootie. Masud being thus ill entreated, continued his course ••gainst Daud, who vanquished him, and forced him to flie to Gazneken, where he put ••••ny Turkes to death which were his souldiers, hauing fought but faintly in the bat∣••••le which he had against Daud Sailuk; then, hauing sent his sonne Maod••d to Balk, with ••••••cer Hamed his V••azir, and a good number of souldiers, he went towards India, carry∣••••g his blind brother, and his children, with him: comming to a passage of the riuer of ••••nd, (which the Persians call Pang, the which is that of Indus) he went ouer with his troupes, leauing his blind brother, with his treasure, on the other side, in the guard of a captaine called Nustaquin, who embracing this occasion, diuided the treasure among his ••••••ldiers, and proclaymed the blind man king, who refused it: but in the end he yeel∣••••d, for that they had otherwise threatned to kill him; after which, they past the riuer with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and fell vpon Masuds men, who made no great resistance, expecting no such charge; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Masud was taken, of whom they demaunded no other satisfaction, but that he ••••uld content himselfe to liue in peace in some conuenient place; the which he accep∣••••d, and demaunded the fort of Kobrakebir, the which was graunted, with a good guard. ••••sud, at his departure, entreated his brother to send him some money to defray his ••••rney, but Mahamed (who was verie couetous) commanded they should giue him fiue ••••••dred Dragmes, which make about twelue pounds ten shillings starling, whereat Ma∣•••••• was much grieued; but he that brought the money, gaue him of his owne one thou∣••••••d fiue hundred deniers of gold, which are about two thousand duckats, the which was ••••••••rwards well payed.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the blind king, seeing himselfe vnfit to gouerne, by reason of his blindnesse, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his realme to his sonne Hamed, who by the counsell of a sonne of Issuf, and of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aly Kachoand (whose fathers Masud had put to death, to reuenge the blind king) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 secretly to Kobrakebir, and s••ue Masud, hauing beene king ten yeares. He was very 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and bountifull; who hauing (as hath beene said) sent his sonne Maodud to Balk: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••earing of his fathers disgrace, and of the returne of Mahamed from India, attended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the passage of Gazneken, where he tooke them at such an aduantage, as he van∣••••••ed them, and tooke prisoners Mahamed, his sonne Hamed, and others that were there; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to death Nustaquin, and the two councellors of the death of Masud, with many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bloud royall, except one Abderrhayn, sonne to the blind king, whose life he saued 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his occasion: Masud being a prisoner, Abderramon found him with a crowne vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the which in contempt he cast to the ground; Abder Rhayn finding this deed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••range, and taking it vp, set it vpon his vnckles head, with words of great comfort, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 act of pietie comming to the knowledge of Maodud, in this occasion he requited 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with his life.

Mao••ud hauing obtayned this victorie, he caused a sumptuous building to be made, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they call Fall Habad, and in the language of Karason, the place of Adoganè. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Masud bred great combustions in Persia and India, from whence Maodud feared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that his brother Maiudud should returne and trouble him: but he died vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Maurenahar, and the lands in India, came into the possession of Maodud: yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••urkes Salinguis, which were at Maurenahar and Karason, would not acknowledge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against whom he sent his armie, in the yeare of our Redemption 1045, and of the

Egyra 435, against the which Olob Arsalon, the sonne of Iakarbek, opposed himselfe with [ A] goodly troupes, fought with them, and had the victorie: on the other side, great multi∣tudes of Turkes going out of Turquestan, spoyled the countries of Garmeer and Kan∣dachar; but the garrisons of Maodud attended them at the passage, and made a great slaughter.

At that time, the kings of India which were vassalls to Maodud, rebelled, and hauing made a league among themselues, they came to besiege Lahor, which Maodud sent spee∣dily to relieue: but the dissentions of these kings among themselues, was the cause that Maodud pacified all things easily, and m••de the rest returne to their former obedience. Hauing ••nded this quarrell, he caused his armie to march against the Turkes Salinquis, [ B] wh•• ••eld Karason, but he died vpon the way of the chollicke, in the yeare of our Salua∣••••on 1050, and of the Egyra 441. Although he had two sonnes, yet the souldiers would haue Aly Ben Masud his brother succeed him, but he did not long enioy his royaltie; for a Wazir of Maoduds set Abd Rachid at libertie, and proclaymed him king, supporting him in such sort, as the other was forced to quit the place.

As for Bagadet, matters were still in confusion: for the people reuolted againe against G••••••••a Daulè, in contempt of whom they proclaymed Abulganiar king of Bagadet, and sent for him, but he excused himselfe, wherein he was happie: for the Turkes agreed soone af∣ter with Gelala Daule: yet this reconciliation was not lasting; for they made a new spoyle within the towne, the which they fired to haue more meanes to spoyle, seeking [ C] to chase away Gelala, so as these broyles continued all the yeare of Christ 1037, and of the Egyra 427, and th•• next yeare after, when the cold was so extreame, as the riuer of Degile, which is Tygris, was frosen twelue dayes together, and there fell such aboun∣dance of snow about Bagadet, as it lay three spans deepe, the which is worthie of admira∣tion, considering the climat.

Gelala continued for a time in good tearmes with the Turkes, but in the yeare of Grace 1044, and of the Egyra 434, one of their captaines called Ebrahem Nealy Salinqui, en∣tred ••••to Persia, in the prouince of Hyerak, and tooke Amedon.

T••••zelbek, another captaine, tooke the towne of Rey, and hereupon Gelala Daulè di∣ed, hauing raigned seuenteene yeares. His sonne Abu Mansur was at Wacet, whom they [ D] sent ••••r, but the troubles were such, as he durst not abandon the countrie; so as they gaue gouernement to Abul Ganiar. Tokzelbek, in the meane time, spoyled all Persia with a victorious armie: whereupon, Abul Ganiar made an alliance with him, and married his sonne to the daughter of Daud Salinqui, cousin to Tokzelbek, and in the yeare following, which was in the yeare of our Redemption 1049, and of the Egyra 440, he died in Kermon, leauing fiue sonnes; Abu Mansurfulad Sotun, Kozrrao Feruz, Abu Taher, Abu∣sayd Aboaly, and Kay Kozrrao. Sotun, as the eldest, thought to succeed, but Kozrrao Fe∣ruz seised vpon the realme, who changing his name, was called Malek Rhaym; so as there was great warres betwixt these two brethren, with variable successe; in the end, Rhaym, with the helpe of Tokzelbek, tooke Scyras, and the better part of Persia, all being in com∣bustion, [ E] and then he returned to Wacet.

The troubles continued also in Bagadet, the which had lasted since the death of Gela∣la, by the meanes of the Calife of Damas, who was of the familie of Ismael, and sought to expell the Calife Kahem or Alkahem, out of Bagadet, whom he forced to quit the seat, and to flie to Tokzelbek, with whom he had some friendship: he entred into Bagadet, and put all to ••••re and sword, sparing neither quicke nor dead; for he opened the sepulchres to see if there were not some thing hidden in them, and so restored him to his Calife∣ship. In the meane time, Malek Rhaym came to Bagadet, who notwithstanding all his al∣legations, and that he was retired into the Califes house, yet he fell into the hands of Tokzelbek, who put him in prison, where he died: but this peace did not reconcile his [ F] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 brethren, Mansur, and Abusayd, so as in the end, the last, after many variable 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was taken by Mansur, who put him to death: the like he did to a Wazir of his, 〈…〉〈…〉 serued his deceased father, setting in his place Facel Ben Acen, who seeing 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••••led in his charge, in requitall tooke king Mansur, and put him prisoner in a

[] Tower, where he ended his dayes.

In Kermon there was a Turkish captaine called Saliuquy, and otherwise Malek Kaoerd, ••ho hearing what Pazel had done against Mansur, leuyed a great armie against him; so ••s the other was forced to flie, and to retire to Olob Arselom, with whom he got great ••ches, yet he was not in such safetie, but was taken prisoner, with a sonne of his at Na∣••om of Molk, and they were put into the sort of Stahhar, where they died, in the yeare of our Redemption 1057, and of the Egyra 448. As for Aboaly Kay Kozrrao, the sonne ••••to Abul Ganiar, to whom the father had left his gouernement, he did willingly resigne it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the hands of Olob Arsalom, who gaue him the lands of Naoband, Iun, and Aktak, ••••ere he spent the remainder of his dayes; Arsalom entreating him still with much cour∣••••••••••. He liued fortie yeares after his brethren, and died in the yeare of our Saluation ••••••5, and of the Egyra 487, which was in the end of the Daulès gouernement in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

As for Togotel or Tokzelbek, he pursued Abd Rachid, who had retired himselfe into a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of that strength, as seeing he could not win it by force, he wrought so by gifts, as he ••••••rupted the guards, so as Abd Rachid was deliuered vnto him, with many of his kins∣••••n, whom he caused to be murthered, and then he declared himselfe king, marrying a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the deceased: but within few dayes after, being in a publique place to receiue the salutations which they are accustomed to make in those quarters, ten of the chiefe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the countrie, combyning together, came to doe it, who being round about him, ••••••w their swords, and slew him. Soone after, Charkir, a captaine which came from the ••••••dies, freed Ferrogozad out of prison, who was the sonne of Masud, and brother to Abd ••••••hid, and made him king. Daud Saliuqui, of whom Ferrogozad had gotten the victorie, ••••yed an armie to go against Karason, against whom Saliuqui, king of Turquestan, sent ••••ny of his captaines, who were vanquished: in the end, Olob Arsalom did fight with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and defeated him, taking many Gazneys prisoners, who were afterwards reuenged ••he Turkes that were prisoners in Gaznehen. Ferrogozad hauing gouerned six mo∣••••••••s, died, leauing to succeed him his brother Kobrahem Ben Masud, at that time also di∣•••••• ••ahem or Alkahem the Calife, in the yeare of our Lord God 1074, and of the Egyra 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hauing held the place foure and fortie yeares, and foure moneths.

¶ Almoktady Byla, the eight and fortieth Calife.

••Fter the death of Kahem, Almoktady Byla was set in his place, in whose time there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were many broyles in Persia, but of small importance: and as for Karason, and the ••••••••trie of Maurenahar, Hebrahem, brother to Ferrogozad, who had succeeded him after ••eath, made an accord with the Turkes, and hauing setled his realme in peace, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 voyage into India, where he got great conquests, and tooke great spoyles: but 〈◊〉〈◊〉, king of Turquestan, seeing Persia to enioy a secure peace, thought the time fit 〈…〉〈…〉 his profit, for the effecting whereof, he leuied a great armie, whereof Ebrahem 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aduertised, he sent Embassadours vnto him, by whose meanes he was diuerted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his dessigne, and for the better confirmation of their friendship, Ebrahem marryed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Masud to the daughter of Malekcha, and then Ebrahem died, in the yeare of our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1089, and of the Egyra 481. Six yeares after, the Calife Almoktady Byla died, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare of our Lord God 1095, and of the Egyra 487, hauing gouerned nineteene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and fiue moneths.

¶ Almostazer Byla, the nine and fortieth Calife.

[] ••••••ostazer, the sonne of Almoktady, succeeded his father; in whose time Bagadet ha∣••••ng beene ruined by the ouerflowing of the riuer of Tygris, the scituation was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and it was new built on the other side of the riuer towards the East, where it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in a more commodious scituation than the first, hauing had fiue and twentie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 since the first foundation layed by Abuiafar, and yet not one of them died in it,

the which is worthie of consideration. As for Almostazer Byla, he liued in peace in a [ A] manner the whole time of his gouernement, which was fiue and twentie yeares, and six moneths, at the end whereof he died, in the yeare of our Lord God 1129, and of the Egyra 512.

¶ Almostarched Byla Fazele, the fiftieth Calife.

TO this ••••••able Calife succeeded his sonne Almostarched, who was verie couragi∣ous, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inclined to warre, the which he made against some princes of Persia, and ha∣uing se••••ed vpon some of the prouinces of Masud Saliuqui king of Karason, they fought [ B] with variable successe, but in the end Masud had the victorie neere vnto Tabris, whereas Almostarched was defeated, and escaped by flight, yet he was presently after taken, and pre∣sented to Masud, who caused him to be slayne, in the yeare of Grace 1136, and of the Egyra 529, hauing gouerned seuenteene yeares, and two moneths.

¶ Rached Byla, the one and fiftieth Calife.

RAched Byla, sonne to Almostarched, came to be Calife after the death of his father, whereof desiring to be reuenged, he leuyed all the forces he could, and went against Masud into Persia, whereof he conquered a great part, but being encountred by [ C] his enemie who gaue him battaile, he was vanquished, and fled to Isfaon, the chiefe towne of Hierak in Persia, whereas Masud caused him to be slayne, in the yeare of Grace 1139, and of the Egyra 532, after whose death Masud came to Bagadet, where he en∣tred without any resistance.

¶ Almoktafy Byla, the two and fiftieth Calife.

MAsud being maister of Bagadet in the place of Rached, he seated Almoktafy Byla, vnckle to the deceased, and soone after Masud died in Persia, his captaines conten∣ting themselues with what they had in gouernement: the which encouraged Almoktafy [ D] to leuie a goodly armie, & to go into Persia, where he recouered without any great resi∣stance, that which Masud had vsurped, the which hauing enioyed the space of two and fortie yeares, without any notable innouation, he died in the yeare of our Redemption 1161, and of the Egyra 555.

¶ Almostanget Byla Issuf, the three and fiftieth Calife.

TO the Calife Almoktafy succeeded his sonne Almostanget Byla Issuf, Masud dying in Persia (as hath beene said) in his fathers life time; Arsalon Chason, his eldest sonne, had succeeded him in Gaznehen, who being come vnto the crowne, caused all his bre∣thren (which were many in number) to be taken, onely one called Baharoncha escaped. [ E] They had two kinsmen, the one was Gouernour of Karason, called Saniar, and the other of Hierak in Persia, whose name was Mahamed: these two were brethren: Baharoncha retired himselfe to Saniar, who sought to reconcile him to Arsalon; but he refusing it, Sa∣niar made warre against him, and entred into Gaznehen, so as in the end Arsalon was van∣quished: an aunt of his sought to reconcile them, but Saniar by the persuasion of Ba∣roncha, returned to armes, and hauing gotten a second victorie of Arsalon, he entred a∣gaine into Gaznehen, whereas he had a verie rich spoyle: then hauing setled Baharoncha in possession of this countrie, he returned home. Arsalon seing him absent, returned again into Gaznehen, forcing Baharoncha to flie, whom Saniar restored afterwards; and Arsa∣lon [ F] flying away, he was taken and brought vnto his brother, who caused him to be slaine, hauing raigned three yeares, in the yeare 1119, and of the Egyra 512, Baharon remay∣ning in quiet possession. He was a verie good prince, courteous, and bountifull, louing learned men, himselfe being verie learned; so as he writ some workes in phylosophie:

[ A] yet his studie made him not to loose his warlike disposition, so as he made some enter∣prises in India and Persia, where he died, in the yeare of Christ 1153, and of the Egyra 547, hauing raigned fiue and thirtie yeares.

Kozrrao his sonne succeeded him, but there falling out many combustions in this new royaltie, and not holding himselfe satisfied in his countrie, he went into India to the pro∣uince of Lahor, returning afterwards to Gaznehen: but finding his realme made sub∣iect to Saniar king of Karason, and that he was not able to oppose himselfe against his power, he returned to Lahor, where he died, in the yeare of our Redemption 1161, and for the Egyra 555, hauing raigned nine yeares. His sonne Kozrrao Malek succeeded him in Lahor, the chiefe of the realme of Molton in India: for as for Persia, all his realmes were held by others; and to recouer them it required a more warlike spirit & lesse vitious than his, which made him hatefull to all men, and especially to souldiers. A part of the coun∣trie of Gaznehen was held by one Sultan Guaya Cadin Mahamed Gaury, who made some incursions into India towards Lahor, the which he tooke, so as Kozrrao Malek returned into Gaznehen, where he died, in the yeare of our Saluation 1169, and of the Egyra 563, and in him the Sabutaquis ended. Three yeares after, the Calife Almostanger died, in the yeare of our Lord God 1172, and of the Egyra 566, hauing gouerned eleuen yeares.

¶ Almostanzy Benur Elah Acen, the foure and fiftieth Calife.

ALmostanzy Benur Elah was Calife after the death of his father: he was a good prince, bountifull, and beloued of his subiects: he gouerned nine yeares, and eight mo∣neths, and died in the yeare of Grace 1180, and of the Egyra 575, there happening no∣thing memorable during his raigne.

¶ Nacer, or Nacere Ladin, the fiue and fiftieth Calife.

ALmostanzy being dead, his sonne Nacer, or Nacere Ladin, came to be Calife, who held it seuen and fortie yeares, vnder whom Bagadet did greatly flourish. During 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gouernement, they of Koarrazm came against the Saluiquis, vanquished them, and ••••de them subiect, and the Tartarians, vnder the leading of Chinguis Kam, seised vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 countries of Turon, and Agem, putting all to fire and sword, at what time the Calife 〈◊〉〈◊〉 died, in the yeare of Christ 1226, and of the Egyra 622.

¶ Alzaher or Altaher Byla Mahamed, the six and fiftieth Calife.

THe sonne of Nacer called Alzaher or Altaher Byla Mahamed was made Calife in his fathers place, the which he enioyed but nine moneths, for he died in the yeare of our ••••••uation 1227, and of the Egyra 623.

Almostancer Byla, the seuen and fiftieth Calife.

ALmostancer Byla Mansur succeeded his father Alzaher: he did so much esteeme libe∣ralitie, as hauing giuen away prodigally, he became poore. In his time Persia en∣••yed a profound peace: but the Mogoles or Tartarians hauing made their first entrie, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maisters of some of the prouinces, against whom the Calife Almostancer oppo∣•••• himselfe, forcing them to quit the best part of that which they had gotten, and ha∣••••••g defeated them diuers times, he died the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernement, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yeare of Grace 1244, and of the Egyra 640.

¶ Almostacem Byla Abdula, the eight and fiftieth and last Ca∣life [ A] of Bagadet.

THe Tartarians hauing beene vanquished (as you haue heard) by Almostancer Byla, they had their reuenge vnder the gouernement of his sonne Almostacem, for Ol••ku∣kan vanquished him, and slew him, hauing beene Calife fifteene yeares, and six mo∣neths: Th•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Califes of Bagadet ended in him, which towne we call Babylon or Baldak, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tartarians seising thereon, and on all Persia, there hauing beene seuen and thi•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this familie, who commaunded about fiue hundred twentie and three yeares, [ B] of ••••om they had entreated particularly, for that in the Chronicle of Persia they are ac∣••••••nted for kings thereof, as well by Tauarich, as Mirkond. Almostacem died in the yeare o•• our Redemption 1258, and of the Egyry 655.