Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. IIII. Of ARGON the Sonne of ABAGA, and REGAITO his Brother; of BAIDO, and of the exploits of CASAN against the Soldan of Egypt, and others.

IN the yeere of our Lord 1285. after the death of Mahumet, Argon the sonne of Aba∣ga Can, would not take on him the title of Can, vntill he had receiued commandement from the great Can Soueraigne Lord and Emperour, to whom he dispatched Messen∣gers [ 60] which were honourably receiued, and entertayned by the great Can, who reioy∣ced much of his successe against Mahomet and sent some of his great Officers,* 1.1 to confirme Ar∣gon in his Dominion, who was thenceforth called Can, and much respected of all. For he was of a goodly aspect and presence, couragious and wise in his proceedings, much regarding and

honouring the Christians. The Churches ouer-throwne by Mahomet he repayred. The Kings of Armenia and Georgia, with the other Christian Princes of the East, came vnto him, desiring his best counsaile, and helpe that the holy Land might be freed from the Pagans. Argon very gra∣ciously answered, That he would gladly doe any thing that might tend to the honour of God, and the aduancement of Christian Religion, and that he intended to make peace with his Neigh∣bours, that hee might the more freely and securely follow that enterprise. But Argon, before the execution of these good designments, dyed in the fourth yeere of his raigne.* 1.2 And a Brother of his, called Regaito, succeeded him, who was a man of small valour, as shall be after declared.

39. In the yeere of our Lord 1289. after the death of Argon Can, his brother Regaito was [ 10] his Successor, being a man of no Religion: in Armes he was of no valour, but was altogether gi∣uen ouer to beastly luxurie, and satiating his insatiable appetite with superfluous meates and drinkes: and did nothing else by the space of six yeeres which he raigned, insomuch that being hated of his subiects and contemned of strangers, he was finally strangled by his Peeres. After whose death Baydo, a Kinsman of his succeeded him,* 1.3 who was vpright and constant in Religi∣on, and did many fauours to the Christians, but he soone ended his dayes, as shall be declared.

40. In the yeere of our Lord 1295. after the death of Regaito, his Kinsman Baydo ruled ouer the Tartars. He being a good Christian builded the Christian Churches, and commanded that none should Preach or publish the Doctrine of Mahomet amongst the Tartarians. But because those of the Sect of Mahomet were many, they could hardly be induced to bee obedient to that [ 20] commandement of Baydo, and therefore sent Messengers secretly to Casan the sonne of Argono, promising to giue him the Dominion which Baydo held, and to make him their Lord and Ruler, if he would renounce the Christian Religion. Casan caring little for Religion, but greatly affe∣cting Dominion, promised to doe whatsoeuer they would, and so began an open rebellion, where∣vpon Baydo assembled his people, thinking to haue taken Casan, not knowing of the Treason which his people had wrought against him. But when they came to the Field, all the Maho∣metists leauing Baydo, fled vnto Casan, so that Baydo being forsaken,* 1.4 thought to haue escaped by flight, yet was pursued and slaine by his Enemies.

41. After the death of Baydo; Casan being made Ruler ouer the Tartars,* 1.5 at the beginning of his raigne, durst not gainsay what hee had promised the Mahometists that had promoted him [ 30] thereto, and therefore shewed himselfe for a while very austere to the Christians. But when hee found himselfe well and firmely settled in his Dominion, hee began to honour and cherish the Christians, doing them many fauours as shall be declared. First, therefore hee destroyed many great Ones, who had beene perswaders with him to become a Saracen, and to persecute the Chri∣stians. Then hee commanded all the Tartars within his Dominion, to bee readie with their Ar∣mour and all necessarie furniture, to attend him for a Conquest of the Kingdome of Egypt, and ouer-throw of the Soldan, and sent to the King of Armenia, and the King of Georgia, and other Christian Princes of the East in that behalfe. At the beginning of the Spring Casan gathered his forces, and first set forward towards Baldach: and at length turned towards the Land of E∣gypt. The Soldan, called Melechnaser, who had long before some intelligence of the comming [ 40] of the Tartars, assembled all his power, and came before the Citie of Aman,* 1.6 which is seated in the middest of the Kingdome of Syria. Casan vnderstanding that the Soldan meant to giue him battaile, forbore to besiege any Citie or Castle, but hasted speedily to the place where the Soldan was, and pitched his Tents but one dayes iourney from him in certaine Meadowes, where was plentie of forrage and feeding, where he rested his Followers and their Horses which were wea∣ried with their trauell. Amongst whom was a Saracen,* 1.7 called Calphack (or Capchick) who had serued the Soldan, and was fled from him to Casan, for feare of imprisonment and punishments for his misse-demerits. This Calphack had receiued sundrie fauours and rewards of Casan, who reposed great confidence in him: yet, like a wicked Traytor, he disclosed the counsaile and pur∣pose of Casan to the Soldan and Saracens, acquainting them by Letters how Casan meant to [ 50] abide in those Meadowes, vntill they had sufficiently rested their Horses which were wondrous∣ly wearied, and therefore counsailed the Soldan to set vpon him before his Horses were refresh∣ed, whereby he might easily ouer-come the Tartarians.

The Soldan who thought to haue expected the Tartars at the Citie of Aman,* 1.8 did hereupon change his resolution, and with a chosen companie hasted with all speede to assaile Casan at vn∣awares. But his Espials and Scouts giuing him notice of their approach. Casan commanded his men presently to be set in order and manfully to resist them. He himselfe more bold then a Lion with such companie as hee had about him, rode to meete the Saracens, who had approached so neere that they could not auoid the battaile. Casan seeing that the residue of his companie were spred so farre abroad in the Countrie for the feeding of their Horses,* 1.9 that they could not sudden∣ly [ 60] come to him, he commanded those that were with him to dismount from their Horses, and placing them in a Circle, made as it were a Wall of them, and with their Bowes and Arrowes caused his men to expect their Enemies, and not to shoote vntill they were sure to reach them, by which meanes the Tartars shooting altogether, wherein they are very skilfull and readie, wounded the foremost Horses of their Enemies in such sort that they fell before the rest, where∣by

the rest following on with great furie, and finding the former ouerthrowne, fell themselues head-long ouer them: insomuch, that of all the Saracens there escaped few, which were not ei∣ther ouerthrowne or else wounded to death, with the Arrowes of the Tartars.

The Soldan himselfe being in the Armie, fled as fast as hee could, which Casan perceiuing, made his men get vp on their Horses, and manfully to set on their Enemies, being himselfe the foremost amongst them that entred the Armie of the Soldan, who with some small companie re∣mayning so long, sustayned the brunt, vntill the Tartars came in Troupes well ordered to fight, and then came the whole Armie on both sides to battaile, which endured from the Sunne rising till the Ninth houre.* 1.10 But in the end, the Soldan with his Saracens fled, being not able to with∣stand the courage of Casan, who did wonders with his owne hand, and pursued them with his people, killing on euery side vntill it was darke night, and made so great slaughter of the Sara∣cens, [ 10] that the Earth was couered euery where with their dead carkasses. That night Casan rested at a place,* 1.11 called Caneto, reioycing exceedingly at that great victorie which God had giuen him against the Saracens. This fell out in the yeere of our Lord 1301. on the Wedn••••day before the Feast of the Natiuitie.

42. Then Casan sent the King of Armenia, and a Leader of the Tartars, called Molay, with fortie thousand Horse, to pursue the Soldan as farre as the Desart of Egypt, being twelue dayes iourney distant from the place where the battaile was fought, and willed them to expect him or some Messenger from him at the Citie Gazara.* 1.12 And they departed speedily before the Sunne rising, to follow after the S••ldan. But some three dayes after, Casan sent for the King of Arme∣nia to returne, because he purposed to besiege the Citie of Damascus, and willed Molay with the [ 20] fortie thousand Tartars to pursue with speede after the Saracens, and to put what hee could take to the sword. Yet the Soldan himselfe flying very swiftly, and riding on Dromedaries both night and day,* 1.13 in the conduct and companie of certaine Beduini, escaped into the Citie of Babylon very strangely. But others of the Saracens fled seuerall wayes, as they thought they could best saue themselues, and a great number of them going by the way of Tripolis, were slaine by the Chri∣stians, which inhabited the Mountayne of Libanus. The King of Armenia returning to Casan, found that the Citie of Aman had yeelded vnto him, so that the whole treasure of the Soldan, and his Armie was brought into his presence: which was so great that euery one maruailed, why the Soldan carried so much treasure with him when he went to fight. Casan, when he had gathe∣red together all the riches and spoiles which they had gotten, bestowed them bountifully a∣mongst [ 30] the Tartars, and the Christians his followers, whereby they were all made rich.

* 1.14And I Friar Haython, the Compiler of this Historie, who was present in all Expeditions and Battailes, which the Tartars had with the Soldan, from the time of Haloon to this day, yet did I neuer see nor heare that any of the Tartarian Lords accomplished more in two dayes then did Casan. For the first day, with a small companie of his owne, he ouer-came a great Armie of his Enemies, and did such exploits in his Person, that he wanne fame and commendations aboue all the rest. On the second day, such was his largesse, and so great this liberalitie of his heart, that of all the infinite wealth and treasure which hee got, hee kept nothing for himselfe, but a Sword and a Purse, in which was contayned certaine writings concerning the Land of Egypt, and the number of the Soldans Armie. And this was most maruailous aboue all the rest, how in so little [ 40] a body, and of so bad presence (for he seemed like a Monster) there could be so much vertue and rigour contayned:* 1.15 for among neere two hundred thousand Souldiers, there could hardly one of lesse stature, or of worse aspect be found. Therefore, because this Casan liued in our time, it is fit∣ting wee made the more ample narration of his Acts. And in regard that the Soldan who was o∣uerthrowne by Casan,* 1.16 is yet liuing at the writing of this Historie, they which intend to de∣stroy, or any wayes to endamage the Saracens, may receiue many aduertisements out of these Collections.

After some few dayes rest, Casan directed his course towards the Citie of Damascus: where the Citizens hearing of his approch, and fearing lest if hee tooke them by force, they should die without mercy, by the aduice of the wisest amongst them, sent with one consent their Messen∣gers [ 50] vnto him with offer of their Citie, which hee willingly accepted, and after a while rode towards the Riuer of Damascus, on whose Bankes hee pitched his Tents, forbidding any da∣mage to bee done to the Citie. Then the Citizens sent him diuers gifts, and plentie of victuals for his Armie. There Casan made his abode fiue and fortie dayes with all his Followers, ex∣cept those fortie thousand Tartars which were sent with Molay, who stayed his comming at the Citie of Gaccara.

43 While Casan reposed himselfe neere Damasco, there came newes vnto him, how a Kins∣man of his called Baydo, had entred into the Kingdome of Persia, and committed great spoile there in his absence: and thereupon hee resolued to returne to his owne. Leauing therefore his [ 60] chiefe Captaine Cotolusa,* 1.17 with part of his Armie for the custodie of the Kingdome of Syria (whom hee willed Molay and the rest of the Tartars to be obedient vnto as to his Lieutenant) he set Rulers and Gouernours ouer all the Cities, and committed the gouernment of Damascus to the Traytor Calfach, being not yet acquainted with his trayterous disposition. Then calling

to him the King of Armenia, and acquainting him with his purpose, hee told him that hee would willingly haue deliuered the Lands which hee had conquered into the Christians hands, if they had come to him, and that if they came hee would giue order to Cotolusa to restore them the Lands which they had formerly holden: and to yeeld them conuenient supply for the repayring of their Castles and Fortresses. These things thus ordered, Casan tooke his iourney towards Mesopotamia, but when hee came to the Riuer Euphrates, hee sent word to Cotolusa, that leauing twentie thousand Tartars vnder the command of Molay, hee should come speedily to him with the rest of the Armie. Cotolusa did as was commanded him, so that Molay remayned Lieutenant in Syria for Casan, who eft-soones by perswasion of the [ 10] Traytor Calfach, remooued towards the parts about Ierusalem, to a place called Gaur,* 1.18 to finde good feeding and prouision for his Horses.

But in the Sommer time, Calfach (who had formerly hatched Treason in his heart against Casan, sent word secretly to the Soldan, that hee would restore him Damascus with the other Townes which Casan had taken. The Soldan liked hereof, and couenanted to giue him Damasco in perpetuall keeping, and part of his treasure with his sister to wife. Insomuch, that shortly after, Calfach became Rebell, and caused all the strong places to rebell against the Tartars, bearing themselues bold on the heate of Sommer, in which they knew the Tartars could not ride nor yeeld any aide vnto their friends. When Molay perceiued that they rebelled euery where, hee durst not stay any longer with so small a companie, but tooke the shorte•••• way towards the Kingdome of Mesopotamia, and signified thence to Casan all that had hapned in [ 20] the Kingdome of Syria. Who seeing hee could not any way redresse it at that season, by rea∣son of heate, yet when the Winter approached, hee made very great preparation on the bankes of the Riuer Euphrates, and sent ouer Cotolusa before with thirtie thousand Tartarian Horse-men, directing him that when hee came to the parts of Antiochia, hee should call vnto him the King of Armenia, and the other Christians of the East, and of Cyprus, and with that strength should enter into the Kingdome of Syria, whiles hee prepared to come after with the strength of his Armie. Cotolusa did as hee was commanded, and with his thirtie thou∣sand Tartars went forwards till hee came to Antioch, and then sent to the King of Armenia, who came vnto him with his Armie. The Christians also in the Kingdome of Cyprus hauing heard of the comming of Cotolusa, came speedily with their Gallies and other Vessels to the [ 30] Ile called Anterada, among whom was the Lord Tyron brother to the King of Cyprus,* 1.19 Master of the Hospitall of the Temple, with their Brethren of their Societie. And these being all rea∣die to vnder-goe the seruice of Christ, there came a rumour that Casan was dangerously sicke, that men dispayred of his recouerie. Whereupon Cotolusa with his Tartars returning towards Casan; the King of Armenia returned also into his Countrey; and the Christians at the Ile of Anterada to the Kingdome of Cyprus, by which meanes the businesse of the Holy Land was vt∣terly abandoned, which happened in the yeere of our Lord 1301.

Againe, in the yeare of our Lord 1303. Casan assembling a mightie Armie, came with great preparation to the Riuer Euphrates, intending to enter into the Kingdome of Syria,* 1.20 and there [ 40] to destroy the whole Sect of Mahomet, and to restore the Holy Land to the Christians. But the Saracens fearing the comming of Casan, and doubting that they should not be able to with∣stand him when they had reaped and gathered their Corne and other fruits of the Earth, and had housed their cattell in strong holds, they set fire on the rest,* 1.21 that the Tartars when they came might not find victuals for themselues, nor for forrage for their beasts. When Casan vnderstood what the Agarens had done, and how they had wasted all the Land, considering that his hor∣ses could not there be fed nor sustayned, he resolued to remayne that Winter vpon the bankes of the Riuer Euphrates, and to beginne his Iourney at the beginning of the Spring, when the grasse began to sproute. For the Tartars are euer more carefull of their Horses then of themselues, be∣ing contented with the smallest pittance of any kind of nourishment for themselues.

Then Casan sent for the King of Armenia, who came to him without delay, and lodged [ 50] himselfe on the Riuer. Casan extended three dayes Iourney in length euen from a certayne Ca∣stle called Cacabe, to another Castle called Bir, which Castles appertayned to the Saracens,* 1.22 yet yeelded without any assault vnto Casan. But while Casan abode there, expecting the conue∣nient season for effecting his desire on the Saracens, and to deliuer the Holy Land out of their hands, the Deuil cast a new Obstacle in his way, for he had newes againe that Baydo had entred, and made more spoyles on his Land then before;* 1.23 so that it was necessary for him to returne to his owne, whereat being much grieued, in respect that he was constrayned so long to delay the businesse of the Holy Land, he commanded his Captayne Cotolusa with fortie thousand Tartars to enter into the Kingdome of Syria, and to take Damasco, and kill all the Saracens;* 1.24 and that the King of Armenia should ioyne his people with Cotolusa. Casan then returned into Persia, [ 60] Cotolusa and the King besieged the Citie Aman: and hauing certayne Intelligence that the Soldan was at the Citie Gazara, and would not stirre from thence, they tooke it by assault put∣ting all the Saracens one with another to the sword.* 1.25 There they found great store of wealth and munition.

Thence they went to the Citie of Damascus to besiege it, but the Citizens sent their Mes∣sengers,* 1.26 desiring a Truce for three dayes which was granted them. The Scouts of the Tartars be∣ing almost a dayes Iourney beyond Damascus, tooke certayne Saracens whom they sent to Co∣tulossa that he might examine them. Cotulossa being aduertized by these that there were about twelue thousand Saracens Horsemen, with in two dayes Iourney from thence, which expected daily the comming of the Soldan. He rode presently with all speed, hoping to take them at vn∣awares: But it was almost night before Cotulossa and the King of Armenia could reach thither, and they had Intelligence that the Soldan was come newly before them. Therefore being decei∣ued of their expectation to assaile those twelue thousand alone, some aduised them for the best to repose themselues that night being now somewhat late, and to set vpon the Enemie in the morning. But Cotulossa despising the Soldan, and his people would not hearken to any aduice, [ 10] but commanded his Armie to bee forthwith put in order:* 1.27 which the Saracens perceiuing, kept their standing, being on the one side fenced with a Lake, and with a Mountayne on another side, and knowing that the Tartars could not come to assault them without danger, they would not goe forth to fight,* 1.28 but remayned in the place where they were, and when the Tartars thought without any impediment to haue assailed their Enemies; they found a small Riuer betweene them, which in some places had no passage ouer: by meanes whereof much time was spent be∣fore they could passe ouer the Riuer; but after they had passed the greatest part ouer the Riuer, they set manfully on their Enemies. Yet the Soldan stood still and would not remoue from the place he was in,* 1.29 betwixt the Lake and the Mountayne; which Cotulossa perceiuing, because the darke night approached, he withdrew his company for that night and lodged them neere the [ 20] Mountayne; only about a thousand Tartars, which could not passe the Riuer, were not with him that night. The day comming, the Tartars againe couragiously set vpon the Soldan: but as before, he would by no meanes come forth to fight, but defended himselfe in that place of aduantage. So the Tartars continuing their assault from the morning vntill the ninth houre, beeing thirstie and ouer-wearie for lacke of water they retyred themselues in good order, leauing the Soldan and came to the Plaine of Damascus, where they had plentie of pasture and water at will, where they determined to abide vntill they had sufficiently reposed themselues and their Horses.

But the Inhabitants knowing, that the Armie of the Tartars was spread abroad in that Plaine, opened the Sluces of the Riuer in the night time, whereby the waters rose so high in [ 30] eight houres ouer all the Plaine, that the Tartars were constrayned on the sudden to arise and de∣part, so that the night being darke, and the Ditches all filled with water, and no wayes nor pathes to be seene, they were all amazed in such sort that many Horses perished, and much Ar∣mour was lost, insomuch, that the King of Armenia endured much losse, yet the day comming through the goodnesse of God, they escaped the waters, but the Bowes and Arrowes of the Tartars being their chiefe weapons which they vse,* 1.30 and the rest of their Armour being all wet and vtterly vnseruiceable, they were so astonied therewith, that if their Enemies had then pur∣sued them, they might haue beene taken or slaine. Afterwards, the Tartars by reason that ma∣ny had lost their Horses, returned softly by small Iournies to the bankes of the Riuer Euphrates, yet none of their Enemies durst follow or pursue them, but the Riuer beeing risen and swolne [ 40] through the abundance of raine that fell, many of the Armenians, as also of Georgians, perished therein, more then of the Tartars, whose Horses knew better to swimme: so returned they in∣to Persia ruined and disgraced, not by the power of the Enemie, but by accident partly, partly by euill aduice. A great cause whereof was the obstinacie of Cotolusa, who would not regard any aduice that was giuen, for if he would haue harkened to the counsell of the wise, he might easily haue preuented those dangers.

And I Frier Haython the Compiler of this Historie, was present at all these proceedings: and if happily I treate more largely thereof then shall be thought conuenient.* 1.31 I craue pardon in re∣gard that I doe it to this end, that on like occasions happening these courses may bee called to [ 50] minde. For these actions that are ordered by counsell, haue commonly good and commenda∣ble euents, but the rash and improuident Enterprizes, doe vsually faile of their wished successe. After that the King of Armenia had passed the Riuer Euphrates with some losse, he resolued to goe to Casan before he returned to his Kingdome of Armenia, and therefore hee went streight to the Citie of Niniue in which Casan then resided. He entertayned the King with much honour, kindnesse, and magnificence, and being compassionate of his losses to make him some recompence of especiall fauour vnto him, he granted him a thousand Tartarians, continually in pay at his charge for the defence of his Kingdome, and also granted him out of the Kingdome of Turkie, a yeerely pension, for the maintenance of another thousand Armenian Horse men yeerely at his pleasure, the King thus recompenced, hauing taken his leaue, returned to the Kingdome of Ar∣menia, [ 60] which Casan had enioyned him to watch warily ouer, vntill God pleased to enable him personally to goe to the reliefe of the Holy Land.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Argon is con∣fi••med by Co∣bila Can.
• * 1.2

  He dyeth.
• * 1.3

  Baydo succee∣deth him.
• * 1.4

  The death of Baydo.
• * 1.5

  Casan succee∣deth.
• * 1.6

  Melechnaser the Soldan.
• * 1.7

  Calphacks dou∣ble dealing.
• * 1.8

  The Soldans sudden on-set.
• * 1.9

  He dealeth po∣litikely.
• * 1.10

  He ouer-com∣meth.
• * 1.11

  Caneto.
• * 1.12

  Gazara.
• * 1.13

  Beduines are wilde Arabs.
• * 1.14

  A••••••n yeelded. Ayton present at these and the other Ex∣peditions, from Haloon till this time.
• * 1.15

  Casans dwarfish stature and ill-fauoured fea∣ture.
• * 1.16

  1307.
• * 1.17

  Cotolusa.
• * 1.18

  Calfachs trea∣son. Gaur.
• * 1.19

  Tyron.
• * 1.20

  Casan renew∣eth the warre of Syria.
• * 1.21

  The Saracens burne and waste their owne Coun∣trey.
• * 1.22

  Caccabe, Sir.
• * 1.23

  Baydo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 againe.
• * 1.24

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.25

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 t••ken.
• * 1.26

  Damascus be∣sieged.
• * 1.27

  The obstina••ie of Cotulossa.
• * 1.28

  The Soldan a wary Warrior.
• * 1.29

  Cotulossa his fruitlesse at∣tempt.
• * 1.30

  The Tartars in∣dangered by the waters.
• * 1.31

  He aydeth him with men and money.