The second part of the booke of battailes, fought in our age taken out of the best authors and writers in sundrie languages. Published for the profit of those that practise armes, and for the pleasure of such as loue to be harmlesse hearers of bloudie broiles.

The Battaile of Alcazar, fought in Barbarie, betwene Sebastian King of Portugall, and Abdelmelec the King of Marocco, the fourth of August 1578. Taken out of a namelesse Portugall auctor, trans∣lated into Latine by Thomas Freigins.

THat ye may the better vnderstand what the principall Persons that were present & fought at this Bat∣taile were, & also to know the quarel and cause thereof, I haue thought good to insert myne auctors whole Historie, not omitting his, as it wer pleasant and profitable preamble of the foundation and familie of these mightie Kings that reigne now at Marocco.

The founder of that familie and house, which are now Kings of Marocco, and the first king of that stocke, was a certaine Moore of the Mahometicall superstitiō, called Mu∣ley Mahamet Xeque. His father Muley Xarif, being ac∣compted in his countrie of Mecha in Arabia, the chiefe man

of the Moores (as he that was descended of the bloud & line of the damned and cursed false Prophet Mahomet) had hea∣ped together an immeasurable masse of money, and great•• innumerable treasure. He being moued by I know not what dreame, did take occasion to depart out of his Coun∣trie, and to get him into Africa with all that he had. Wher∣fore that he might bring to effect that which he had deter∣mined with himselfe, he going from Mecha with his onelie sonne, whom we spake off before, and trauailing all Aegypt and Africa, and other regions subiect to the Turkish Em∣pire, came at last into that parte of Barbarie that is at this daie called Sus. In this Countrie when Muley Xerife had gotten a great opinion of wisedome (as touching their sect and religion) among the Moores of Barbarie, and had obtai∣ned a singuler surpassing fame throughout the prouinces there▪ defiled with the superstition of Mahomet, he wanne also the grace and fauour of the Alarbes (that doe dwell in this Barbarie) and namelie of those that did inhabite in the kingdome of Sus. Héereby it came to passe that within short time he had gotten about a thousand horsemen to bée as it were his clients, vassalls, or reteiners at command: that I may passe ouer in silence a great number of seruantes and ordinarie waiters, that still attended on him with horse and armour. Through the helpe of these men and many other that did afterward ioyne with him, he tooke certain Cities of that kingdome, and made them subiect vnto him. But in all tourneies he carried about with him his sonne Muley Mahamet Xeque, that the people subdued might be sworne vnto him, and promise to doe all those things that faithfull subiects doc••••••e ••o performe vnto their Princes. And in déed both the Father and the sonne did so stirre them about their businesse, that within short time they had gotten them that power and strength, that they tooke by force Turodant, the head Citie of the kingdome of Sus, and there the sonne Xeque was constituted king of that Countrie. This vic∣torie did mightelie augment the power and courage of this n••w king. Wherefore he ordeined a strong legion of eight

thousand pike men, with purpose to attempt the Citie of Marocco, where the Marines reigned. Wherefore leauing his Father in Sus, who being now broken with age, had be∣come vnable to do anie seruice, besieged Marocco with fiue hundred harquebussiers, and 7000. pikemen that he brought with him. The twelfth day of the siege, the citie yeelded, and taking also other cities, townes, and fortresses adioyning to Marocco, tooke vpon him the name and stile of king of Ma∣rocco and Sus.

A few dayes after, he assembling a mightie armie, be∣sieged the citie of Fes: the which no man resisting, he tooks with the onelie terrour of his mightie armie, the king ther∣of (whose name was Claude) prouiding for himselfe by flight, and withdrawing into the citie of Tremissen, which was then subiect vnto him (for the Turke had as then no∣thing to doe there) where he also spent all the short time of his life that remained. But as soone as Xeque was proclai∣med king of Fes, all the cities, townes, and villages of that kingdome, sware him homage and fealtie, and subiected themselues vnto him, and the like did other Nations neere, and came vnder his obeisance of their owne accord, and yéelding him the victorie without sweate or bloud. So that the limites and bonds of his kingdome were on the East Tremissen (which at this daie is subiect vnto the Turke) & beyond mount Clario, in olde time Atlas, towards y^e South, the line that goeth by the prouince of Figiga, a slope euen to Zahara (actie taken by the king of Portugal) and from hence towards the West the space of fortie leagues from the coast of the Atlantike Ocean (now Golsode Ynegas) looking to∣wards the Canaries. On the West the coasts and forelands of Aguesio, Cafi, Azamor, Sala, Larissa, Letuams, all fronter cities of that kingdome, euen to the straites of Gibaltar, towards Ceuta, Penon, & Melilla (which cities y^e Catholike king of Spaine possesseth at this daie) & from hence euen to Tremessen. Ouer all these Countries long & brode▪ did Mu∣ley Mahamet Xeque raigne, & his father being shortly after dead, held thempire alone, & was the fi••st king of M•••••••••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that house.

When Muley Mahamet had reigned many yéeres after in passing great quietnesse and peace: and was also desirous that his sonnes might enioy peacebly the kingdomes that he had gotten: being now growen in age, and loaden with yéeres, he assembled the princes, noble men and gouernours of the prouinces, subiect vnto him, that thorough their coun∣saile, he might the more maturely and wisely set an order, for the succession of his sonnes. But although he had a great number of them, as well lawfull as bastards, yet we will speake in this place onely of them, which were cause of trou∣bles and stirres in this kingdome, who were in number foure. Of whome theldest, borne in lawfull wedlocke, was called Muley Abdallas, the second and youngest of the law∣fully begotten, were called Muley Abdelmunen, and Mu∣ley Abdelmelec: the youngest of all was a bastard, called Muley Hamet, who doth at this day possesse the kingdome. But when the péeres of the kingdome were come together at the citie of Marocco (the Kings seate) and the King had proposed the matter vnto the Parliament: it was inacted by common consent, that the Kings sonnes should one suc∣céebe an other, according to their age, so that the right of the kingdome might come vnto them all, and thereby all cause of strife and contention among them, might be taken away. This decrée made by the princes, did the King like and a∣low, and commaunded that it being confirmed by his auc∣foritie, should be kept inuiolable by all their posteritie: and wrought so much, that the Princes and principall men of the kingdome did sweare, to doe their best, that it might re∣maine stable and firme for euer. But not onely the Péeres, but also the kings sonnes did take that othe: for there was no man that gainesaied this law, or was of any other minde and opinion. Wherevpon Muley Abdallas (because he was the kings eldest senne) was immediatly after nominated in the campe Prince and heire of all his Fathers kinge∣domes, and all men were sworne vnto him.

These things being thus ordered and ordained, the old Ling, because y^e he himselfe (as he had of long time vsed)

laie still in the Citie of Marocco, he sent the new Prince for to gouerne the kingdome of Fesse, as the people of the Countrie had requested. When he came to Fes, and was re∣ceiued verie dutifullie of the Citizens, he began his gouern∣ment ouer them verie kindlie and curteouslie, shewing him selfe verie affable & gentle vnto the people of the prouince, and promising much more lenitie and gentlenesse in time to come. Within few daies after, when Muley Mahomet X∣eque flourished in great peace, there happened a tumult in the prouince of Sus, which forced him for to leauie an armie for to represse the insolent. Hauing gottē together all things necessarie therefore, he departed out of Marocco with many horsemen, footmen, and harquebuziers, and marched towardes Sus. Now a few daies before, 500. Turkes had come to him frome Tremissen, with their Captaine (whom they do call in their language Alcaida) who counterfaited that they had runne awaie out of the garison of Tremissen, but in v••••ie truth, they did it, that they might dispatch out of the waie (the which they did indéede) the king of Marocco, For when they came to Marocco, the king that thought they had come to serue him, caused them presentlie to be put in wages, & to follow him to the wars in Sus. So they went forth with the king, marching with him a long iourney towards Sus, but when they were come to y^e confines of those two kingdomes, they hasten their purpose of murthering the king. Where∣fore about a 15. or 20. of the most audacious & despera••••st fellowes, faining as though they had I know not what to moue the king of, entered his pauillion, & finding him fit for their purpose, slue him & cut off his head after he was dead. This so sodaine & so vnthought of a trecherous & villanc as part, stirred vp a great tumult in the campe betweene the Turkes & the Moores (of whom the one fauoured the greate Turke, the other Muley Abdallas) & the matter at last came to that passe, y^e within one houres space, aboue 1000. Moores wer slaine, & not passing fiftie Turks. Who séeing thēselues oppressed with the multitude of the Moores, withdrew them (yet still kéeping their face towards themmies, & defending

themselues into thicke woodes, and tops of mountaines of harde accesse. But when the Moores did also assaile them there, and the Turkes perceiued that they laboured in vain to saue themselues, and namelie, séeing now their victualls began to faile them: they set fire to seuen barrells of Gun∣pouder, that they had set round about them, chosing rather to destroie themselues by furious fire, than to come into the hands of the Moores their enimies.

But the kings armie was also constrained to returne to Marocco, where the Prince Muley Abdallas (although that he was then in the Citie of Fes) was agayne proclaimed king. But he, as soone as he heard of his Fathers death, went forth of Fes, and when he bare him as king, there was none of the prouinces y^e did not willinglie and gladly receiue him. Wherevpon within few dayes after, he gathered a mightie armie of many Nations (who offered him their ser∣uice) with the which hée marching to Marocco, was recei∣ued of the Citizens with surpassing ioy, honour, and gratu∣lation. For whilest his Father was yet liuing, he had per∣ceiued the singular fauour and good will of his subiects, and found it also after his death: because as long as he liued, he sought for nothing else but golden peace, and the quietnesse of his subiects, and to kéepe them happie and blessed, without anie harme. Whereby he gathered together so great riches and treasure, as scarce anie king that euer liued before him had gotten. So Abdallas raigned alone certaine yéeres, and kept his Court by turnes, one yere at Fesse, and two at Ma∣rocco, vntill such time as hée made an heire apparant, and instituted a successor.

After Abdallas had raigned long time in singular quiet∣nesse, and had alone vsed & exercised the supreame rule & go∣uernment, he determined with himself to abrogate & disanul the law, y^e his Father with the péeres of the kingdome had made, for the succession in the crowne: which should in order still descend alwaies to y^e elder brother liuing. And although that Abdallas did priuelie & secretlie practise it, with those in whom he reposed greatest trust, yet notwithstanding the

matter came at length to the notice of his brothers: of whom some béeing carefull of their liues, and fearing to bée made a∣waie by some trecherie, fled out of the kingdome, as Abdel∣munen and Abdelmelec, who not without passing great pe∣rill (because there were many priuie awaites laide for them in their iourney by the seruants of their brother Abdallas) fledde to Tremissen. And béeing there, they were cur∣teouslie entertained by the Turkes, as young Gentlemen of the bloud rotall. And anone after they withdrew them∣selues to Argier, that they might liue more safelte there, vn∣der the defence of the Turkish Emperour. When Muley Abdallas, who as we told you before, priuelie compassed the murther of his brothers, that hée might safelie leaue the kingdome to his sonnes, heard that they sought to saue them selues by flying out of the Countrie, hée dissembling his anger (for it greeued him at the heart that some of them had escaped) least the rest of his brothers should bée also afraide, gathered together all his forces out of hand, vnder pretence of going to the Citie of Fes.

Wherefore being first encamped before the Citie of Marocco, and anone after his Campe remooued, as though he woulde goe to Fes: When he heard that his Brothers were come to salute him, hee leauing his youngest brother (whose childish yéeres hée contemned) staied for them feare daies iourney from the Citie of Fes.

So then when they were come together, and hadde sa∣luted one another, it happened that a littie while after, they suspecting no ill, nor fearing anie falschoode, were with monstrous crueltie all thrée beheaded in their Tentes▪ The which thing dyd not pricke the kinges subiectes a little at the heart, but déepelie pearced it, yet they were for∣ced to dissemble their sorrow.

After that hée had done this so Tragicall an act, hée fi∣nished his iourney to Fes, to the intent for to thrust his sonne Muley Mahomet vpon the Fessans for their Prince and sole heir of all his kingdomes, & so force them to sweare faith & obedience vnto him. For although he had other childrē

and in déede more worthie of the Empire, yet because this was his eldest, and also for other causes, he rathest made choice of him to be his successour. Wherfore as soone as hée came to Fes, he assembling the States, brought the matter to that passe, that they gaue their allegeance to his sonne, & sware to be true liegemen vnto him, rather constrained by feare, than brought to it by loue and good will towards the Prince, or for anie right that he could pretend to the king∣dome. After he had dispatched these matters, and séeing y^e al things had succéeded as he did wish: then, that he, who was now almost broken with age, might passe the rest of his life in quiet idlenesse, he returned with his armie to Marocco, leaning his sonne in the Citie of Fes for to gouerne that Prouince.

Things standing in this state in Barbarie, y^e two brothers got then to Argier, for to escape and auoide the furie of their brother Muley Abdallas, and the younger of them, Muley Abdelmelec went to Constantinople. Where he did serue so well both by sea and by land, that for his noble courage of heart, and passing strength of bodie, he allured many men to his loue, & through his valiant acts and victories gotten of his enimies, he wan the fame of a great name, not onelie a∣mong the people, but also with the Prince of the Turkes himselfe. The which thing got him not onlie singular fauor, & honor full of good will, but also gained him immeasurable riches. That I may omit with what & how great promises the Emperor of y^e Turkes loded him, & in how great hope he did put him, that he wold reduce him into his fathers king∣dome, out of the which he had ben driuen by his brothers in∣iurie. But Muley Abdelmunen that abode at Argier, was so simple witted, that by the perswasiō of his brother Abdallas he returned again to Tremissen, whether Muley Mahamet ••ēt thrée cut throte villains for to dispatch him out of y^e way. And it fel out to, as he wold haue it, for when these villains were come to Tremissen, they so well eied Abdelmunen, y^e one fridaie as he was praying in the temple, they wounded him with an arow, of y^t which wound he died within 2. daies

after, no auctor of the trecherie and villanous fact being knowen. When newes was brought to Abdelmelec at Constantinople, of the death of his brother, he was verie heartely sory therefore. Which caused Solyman themperor of the Turkes to promise him aide to recouer his kingdome. But that this promise was not performed, y^e death of Sul∣tan Solyman that followed shortly after was the let. But when Sultan Amurathes, was come to the Empire, (& now reigneth ouer the Turkes) Abdelmelec obteined more fa∣uour and credit, then euer he had before. About the same time, Muley Abdallas fell sick, and dyed within thrée daies after, in the Citie of Marocco. His death was concealed & kept close thrée dayes, not onely that in the meane time Muley Mahamet (who was then in the citie of Fes,) might be certified of the decease of his father, & but also least that if his vncles had knowen of the death of their brother Ab∣dallas before him) they would make themselues Princes of the citie of Marocco, in the possession whereof, the state of the kingdome consisted. But the subiects bare more good will to the two brothers of Mahamet, although they were younger then he. But when Mahamet had receaued newes of his Fathers death, he caused himselfe to be proclaimed king of Fes, and immediatly after went out of the Citie with an armie, and came to Marocco, the head and Metro∣politan citie of the whole kingedome, and there, although the people were vnwilling, dyd assume the dignitie royall, no man resisting nor impeaching him, except onely his bro∣ther Muley Banacar, whome as soone as he had ascended the seige royall, he bereft of lyfe. But an other brother Mule•• Hazar, he cast in prison, and sent certaine men to murder his youngest vncle of all, that then liued at Tasblet. But when he vnderstooee of the trecherie, he sought himselfe ••••f••∣tie by flight, & went to Tremissen, with the household fur∣niture royall. And being thus escaped out of the hands of the cutthroates, he opened a way for himselfe to the king∣dome. For this is he th•••• reigneth at this present in Maroc∣co, called Muly Hamet. The death of Abdallas and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

of things that had happened in Barbaria, were soone brought into Turkie, and when Muley Mahamet had with singu∣lar diligence, ordered and appointed those things that sée∣med vnto him necessarie for the establishment of the state of the kingdome: at the same time Abdelmelec vsed that di∣ligence, that within few daies he came to Argier with man∣dates of the Turkish Emperour, in whome it was contei∣ned, that the Captaines in those parts, should supply vnto him all things néedefull for the warres. And straightway he had ready to take the field, fiue thousand harquebuziers, as well Turkes, as Azuagas, warlike men and well practised in feates of armes. With these he marched to Tremissen, taking vp by the waye so many horsemen of the Alarbes, as he could get, and gather together. When he came to Tre∣missen, he was very honorably receaued, and there stayed sixe dayes for to make prouision of all things necessarie for the warres, and he with his younger brother Hamet, whom he sound there, leuied twelue thousand speares, and foure hundreth Harquebussiers on horsebacke, and toke with him out of Tremissen, twelue field pieces, with victualls, and all other munition. Being furnished with these forces, he marched to take the Citie of Fes. But although Muley Mahamet, (who was that time at Marocco) was certified of the enterprise of his vnkle, yet he did so contemne him, and did so despise his forces in comparison of his owne, that he tooke no regard thereof, vntill he saw that the mat∣ter was come to good earnest in déede, and that he vnder∣stoode that Abdelmelec hadde now assembled his forces at Tremissen. And then he leuying men in hast, and in a hur∣lie, without choise, encamped a league or two miles from Marocco, and commaunded all the subiects of his kingdoms to repaire vnto him, spredding a rumor that he would as∣saile the Christians of Tangar, that by this allurement they might take armes more chéerefully, because the Moores doe desire no warres more, than those that are kept against the Christians.

These forces being made readie, and furnished with

great Artillerie, he commaunded them to march towards Fesse, and because the greatest part of his power had ioy∣ned with him in his iourney, as soone as he came to Fesse, he mustered his armie, which then consisted of foure score thousande horsemen with speare and shield, thirtene thou∣sand footemen, harquebuziers, and foure thousand harque∣buziers on horseback, with sixe and thirtie field péeces. At the same moment that Mahamet did set foorth with his ar∣mie against Abdelmelec, there came vnto him a noble man Ambassadour from Sebastian the King of Portugall, who promised him in his masters Maiesties name, aide against the Turkes, and his Vnkle. But Mahamet being made more proude for that he saw so great an armie and so strong vnder his commaund, contemned the benefit of the king of Portugall. Wherefore as soone as he vnderstoode that his vnkle was departed from Tremissen, he marched against him with that heate, that theyr Armies mette betweene Fesse, and Tremissen, the seuententh of March, in Au. 1576.

The Battaile was begonne about euening, and the furious tempest continued so long, vntill that Mahamets armie being wearied both in heart and bodie, turned their backes. The fault of that flight was ascribed to one Du∣gall, who being Captaine of the Andalousians, reuolted from Mahamet to Abdelmelec, with two thousande verie choice harquebuziers. The which when Mahamet hadde perceaued (who as soone as the Battailes hadde ioyned, withdrew himselfe a nule off prouiding for one, and stan∣ding vppon a Wagon, did beholde the fight a farre off) and was afrayde least the rest of the Captaines following that example, would also take part with his enimie: he im∣mediatlie stole out of his Tent, and with fiue hundreth horsemen, posted a pace to Marocco, leauing his Souldi∣ours to the furie of the enimie, and all his Treasures and riches to the spoile.

So Abdelmelec got the victorie, without much sweete or bloud, on either side, and doubtlesse Mahamet, might

haue easilie defaited and destroied Abdelmelec his power with the tenth part of his armie. But Abdelmelec hauing obtained so famous a victorie, sent a good great troupe for to pursue and take Mahamet, but he himselfe béeing receiued with great ioy of the Fessans, was proclaimed king by them, and the rest of the Cities and Townes of that kingdome. And because he hauing caught an ague was not well in health, he determined to rest a litle while in y^e Citie of Fes, & there dismissed the Turkish forces which came with him vnder the leading of Rabadan Bassa, to the king of Argier. For that Bassa had no more in his commission but to accom∣panie Abdelmelec to Fesse, and to put him in possession of that kingdome. So Abdelmelec dismissed all his Turkes, except a few that hid themselues when their fellowes went awaie, that they might gratifie the new king, and become his subiects: who were in number 1500. verie valiant and stout men.

But that we may returne to Muley Mahamet: as soone as he came to Marocco he repaired his power, he leuied sol∣diours in all parts of the kingdome, he opening his Cofers monyed the Captaines, rewarded the souldiours, and went about more diligentlie to winne all mennes good will with giftes, than euer he had done in his life before, hauing re∣gard and respect of this onelle, that he might wash out with some notable victorie, the shamefull blot that his vnkle had giuen him, and to make amends therefore. So by this care∣fulnesse and diligence, he got together ten thousand harque∣buziers scotemen, and a thousand on horsebacke, but fresh water souldiours, and besides them thirtie thousand horse∣men with speare and shéelde. The which forces, with foure and twentie field péeces, he brought into the field, and proui∣ded so much victuals as was néedfull for that iourney. But if happened that also at this second muster the king of Por∣tugal sent againe an Ambassador vnto him, with Letters, & againe offred him aide against Abdelmelec his vnkle. But he made the verie same answere to the second Ambassador that he did to the first: but that he mustering all his whole

armie, brought it in the sight of the Ambassadour, that his maister might vnderstand that he had no néede of the Portu∣galls.

When Abdelmelec had a little recouered himselfe of his ficknesse at Fesse, and had augmented his armie with sixe thousand harquebuziers, after the departure of the Turkes, (whereof we tolde you before) he lead forth his armie with purpose to march toward Maroccco, for he had heard that Mahamet was in the field with a mightie armie. And be∣cause he began to be now a little better, he being carried in an horse litter marched towards Marocco with sixe thousand harquebuziers, twentie thousand horsemen with speare and shéeld, two thousand argolets, with twentie field péeces. On the other side Mahamet being aduertised of his vnkles in∣tent, went verie spéedelie out of Marocco with great hast, and heate to fight, and to trie the right of a kingdome with the perill of his life. And because the narration of the order and araie of the battailes which they both vsed, maketh al∣most nothing for the thing that we do purpose, we will com∣prehend all the whole Hystorie in few words. So in a cer∣taine valley thrée leagues from the riuer of Sala towardes the West, a long the sea coast, in a place called Motha Arra∣cahana, they encamped, where the 29. of Iune at thrée of the clocke in the after noone, a cruell and a bloudie battaile was fought, in the which the victorie enclined now to Mahamet, and then to Abdelmelec his partie. But Abdelmelec being a wise & a skilfull Captaine, when he sawe that night was at hand, and that his men, although they had a long time laide on with might and maine, could not obtaine the victo∣rie, and that his enimies resisted stoutlie, he going out from the middest of his band, and vambrashing his semitarre in his hand, compelled his souldiours with thicke blowes to renue the charge, and hée himselfe béeing seene among the formost, ranne in vpon his enimies with such force and vi∣olence, that hée forced them to turne their backes shame∣fullie, of whome Mahamet was the first that ranne a∣waie.

The victours in this last battaile slue aboue sixe thou∣sand. But Abdelmelec sent his brother Hamet for to pur∣sue Mahamet with certaine light horsemen, but hée him∣selfe after he hadde stayed a while for the burying of the dead, marched towarde Marocco with his whole ar∣mie.

Mahamet séeking safetie by flight, came to Marocco, not without the greate infamie of his men, followed by a sixe or eight speares, and then going into the plaine, hée tooke out as much treasure as could bée commodiouslie carried a∣waie, and laide it on fiue Mules, & staying in the Citie not aboue two houres, betooke him againe to flight, hasting to escape his vnkles troupes that were not farre off. Béeing thus departed out of the Citie with a few horse men, he ha∣sted a fling on the spurre towards Mount Atlas (now Cla∣rio) which béeing sixe leagues from Marocco, is the sanctua∣rie and refuge of proscribed and banished men and théeues. But leauing Mahamet in the mountaines of Clario, let vs returne vnto Abdelmelec. He as soone as he had gathered to∣gether the spoiles of the vanquished enimies, marched with all his armie to Marocco, and being ariued there the eight daie after the victorie, was receiued with so great pompe & ioy, as neuer was séene before in those Countries, for he had gotten a great fame, to bée a good, curteous, affable, and pit∣tifull man towards those in calamitie, and was also verie well furnished with many other vertues: Then againe, the insolencie and tyrannie of Muley Hamet, made Abdelme∣lec the more gratious & better beloued of all men. As soone as he was entered into the Citie (which was the xv. of Iulie, in the same yéere) he began to set in order the politike state of the kingdome, that he might shew himselfe to be not one∣lie valiant in armes, and the field, but also singular in wise∣dome for framing of a publike weale. For he abrogated ma∣ny lawes & statutes, made by his ancestors, he vsed passing great curtesie and gentlenesse towards his subiects, he also gaue great gifts and largesse, & diuided victuals among the people: applying all his actions to this end, that he might by

these meanes extend his same, and get himselfe immortall glorie aboue all the kings of Africa, that went before him. Although at the first he was nothing gratious, speciallie be∣cause that the people were offended with the vnreasonable∣nesse and vnrulinesse of the Turkes, that he had with him, because y^t they (as they are proud, vnrulie, intollerable, and lawlesse) did verie licentiouslie oppresse the poore Moores w^c many grieuous iniuries & violences: but the king did soone rid the Countrie of them, sending them awaie by little and little, and by two and by thrée at a time, so y^t at the length there remained not aboue 200. whome yet he kept from his companie & sight, and being brought into order, constrained them to liue quietlie, & without doing harme. The which thing made his subiects to turne their loue towards him, and they bing moued with the onlie fame of his vertue, did offer themselues vnto him most humbly, & promised him due obe∣dience, & finallie, they with liberall and bountifull mindes brought him a vie great, rich, and honourable gifts and pre∣sents, out of all partes and prouinces. There were also not a few Christian Princes, that did take singular ioy of his friendship: and he also on the other side receiued them into his friendship with a most louing heart, & did thinke himself flourishing in their familiaritie & fauour to be a happie and blessed man: insomuch y^t many Christians did continually & out of all quarters repaire vnto his kingdome, whom he did more loue, & made more of, than he did of any other kind of men y^t vsed to come into his countries. For he gaue thē ma∣ny & great beneuolences, & vsed thē with wonderful curtesie & gentlenesse, he also dismissed many frée without ransome, gratis, of an vnwonted benificence. But I will not dwell long vpon this his liberalitie & magnificence, namely, seeing that his noble workes are verie well knowen to the whole worlde, through the publike reporte of fame. But after he hadde obtained the roiall throne, the first thing he did, was to appoint who shoulde succéede him in the king∣dome, and to confirme the lawe made by Muley Maha∣met Xeque his Father: and therefore hée swore all the

péeres of the kingdome vnto his brother Muley Hamet, al∣though that he himselfe had a sonne, but yet of tender age, whom he might haue nominated to be his successour. The which thing, although it held the nobilitie in suspence with admiration, yet incontinentlie incredible feasts & triumphs were kept in honour of the new Prince, and memorie of the olde law, and also the memorie of his granfather Xarif was honourablie mentioned & renued by y^e péeres. In the meane time Muley Mahamet, who had gotten him to the streights of mount Clario, beganne straight waie to gather together some souldiours, and among them some outlawes & théeues: insomuch that he had gathered together fiue hundred har∣quebuziers, and two hundreth horse men with shéelde and Speare.

Being furnished with which bands, he beganne to com∣mit robberies, he spoiled those that he met, and sacked the villages, and places that laie vnder mount Clario, and forced their inhabitants for to acknowledge him for their Lorde, and to paie him tribute, as to their king. These robberyes and roades he vsed the space of seauen or eight moneths, so that Abdelmelec was forced to leuie forces for to coole his lustinesse, & to driue y^e théeues out of the dens of the moun∣tains. For the doing of the which exploit, he vsed the seruice of the new prince Muley Hamet, who was with a power in the kingdome of Sus, for to make excursions. He discomfited Muley Mahamet in certaine places, and almost wholie de∣stroied all his band as wel footemen and horsemen, and for∣ced him to hide himselfe in the verie thicke woodes, and in∣accessible cragges of the mountaine, where hée lurked aboue a yéere, almost killed with colde, snowe, and other miseries, and the inclemencie of the aire, and most miserablie mole∣sted and beaten with despaire of his lyfe, and feare of a∣waites, which his Vnkle layde for him, proposing greate rewards to him that could bring him eyther dead or aliue. At length he was driuen by necessitie, (the sharpest wea∣pon) to that which hée hadde before refused, and tooke scorne off: that is, to desire the aide of the Kinge of

Portugall, for to deliuer him from the awaites, and hands of his vnkle, and to restore him vnto his graund fa∣thers and fathers kingedome. For the which cause he sent a messēger from Mount Clario, with letters vnto the king of Portugall, and willed him to goe by Mazaga. But that he might receaue some aunswere more safely & speadely, he resolued to leaue the mountaines, and to get him to Tan∣gar. So through the woodes and wildernesses of the moun∣taines, where the way was very safe, and not beaten with tract of mens féete, he came without any great daunger vn∣to Penon: where after he had stayed a few dayes to gather his men together, he went towards Tangar, where he was courteously receaued into the Citie, by the Gouernour, but leauing his forces without the walles. From that Citie he sent two of his Captaines in Ambassade with letters, ac∣companied with two gentlemen of Tangar, vnto king Se∣bastian, and desired of him aide for to restore him vnto his Fathers kingdome. And because the gouernour of Tangar was not ignorant, that if he vsed the king of Marocco cour∣teously, that he should thereby well please the king of Por∣tugall, he dispatched a Carauell to Lisbon with the Ambas∣sadours for their spéedier passage, of whose iourney and suc∣cesse, we wil speake, after that we haue first admonished the reader of certaine things necessarie to be knowen.

King Sebastian being by nature verie much giuen to loue of armes, sought for no other pleasure then by marti∣all matters, which had caused him in former yéeres to passe ouer to Tangar, to thentent to conquere Barbarie, but with vaine endeuour. For Mahamet, (as we haue tould you before) had of a vaine and foolish confidence, twise refused aides offered him by the Portugall. But when the king of Portugall saw that now his ayde was desired by the letters of the king of Marocco, he was very glad that a most wish∣shed occasion whereby he might fill his long lust and long∣ing, was offered vnto him, who was desirous of praise, and studious to enlarge his Empire, and Religion. Wherefore he receued magnificently the Ambassadour of Muly Maha∣met,

being ariued in Portugall, and graunted them their re∣quest in all demaunds, and also wrote letters to Mahamet, wherein he promised his trauaile, helpe, and fauour, in re∣storing him into his fathers kingdome, no man of his coū∣seile, or of the nobilitie holding much against it. And this might be the cause of that interview, where the Catholick king, and the king of Portugall met and talked together, in An. 1578. at Guadalupea, a citie of Castilia. Where the Ca∣tholicke king laboured all that he could, to feare the king of Portugall from that enterprise: or if he would néedes goe through with it, nor could not be disuaded frō his purpose, that then he would doe it very substantially, and effectual∣ly, prouiding and furnishing himselfe passing well with all things néedefull for so great an attempt. But when the King of Portugall continued constant in that he had once purposed, he returned home: whither anone after the Ca∣tholike king sent his Ambassadours for to deale with him about the same matter that he himselfe had talked with him off in presence. For the Catholick king was not ignorant, how the king of Marocco did surpasse in strength & power, & how skilful, expert, & valiant a warriour he was, and how great power and prouision, so great an enterprise required, wherof he knew that the Portugall was yet fully vnfurni∣shed. But y^e king of Portugal remained constant in his pur∣pose, & began to prouide all things necessarie for y^e voiage. First he made leuies of souldious throughout his own king¦dome, he sent some into Germany to take him vppe 5000. footemen. He also wrote letters to certain knights of Anda∣louzia, to bring vnto him olde souldiours. Moreouer he com∣maunded great store of ordenance, wepons, armour, & other munition & victualls to be prouided & brought together, & that all these things might be the more cōmodiously trans∣ported, he commaunded shippes to be staied in all hauens of his kingdome. The number of the souldiours that he leuied in his owne kingdome was great, but they were ill furni∣shed, & freshwater souldiours, taken vp of clownes, & hus∣handmen, and a rable nothing fit for the field.

As for the Germaines, they were also fresh water soul∣diour, and vnskilfull of martiall matters, and when they came to Lisbon, they fell sick, and aboue 2000. of them died. There came also vnto the king, 600. Italians, with whom the Pope had furnished the Counte of Ireland, who being ariued at Lisbon, offered his seruice to the king & promised to follow him in y^e iourney. Moreouer the king caused pro∣clamation to be made with sound of Trumpet, thoroughout his whole kingdome, that all Noblemen and Gentlemen his vassailes, should attend vpon him to the warres, vppon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of losse of landes, and rentes, and all priuiledges g••••••••ted by the king. So then all things néedefull for an armie being prouided, and sufficient store of shippes and boates gathered together, he commaunded the ordenaunce, victualls, munition, horses, and other necessaries to be ship∣ped, that when the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist, (on which day he had determined to leaue his house) drew néere, ther might be nothing to let & hinder, but that the armie might be embarked, and transported into Africa.

When Abdelmele•• the king of Marocco was admoni∣shed, and aduertised of these things, and what the king of Portugall entended against him: he was verye sorrow∣full therefore, not so much because he feared the King of Portugall his forces, as for that he being well affected to∣wards men of the Christian Religion, did foresée in minde that Africa would be the graue of the King of Portugall, yea, though he brought with him thrise so great an Armie as he had.

Wherefore it is well knowne that he spake one day to this effecte: The king of Portugall ought diligent••ie to weigh and thinke with himselfe, how iust and lawfull a cause he hath to come into Africa. For séeing that he ••••eth about to take the kingedome from him, to whome it dot•• of right appertaine, & to giue it to the Negro, and that with no profit nor commoditie to the Christians, that will almigh∣tie God, who is a iust Iudge, neuer suffer. Furthermore, Abdelmelec, as he was a man of a sharpe witte, and in

such matters of surpassing diligence and prouidence, began also to make prouision for the warres, and to bethinke him of things necessarie therefore. Wherefore he commaunded Tents to be set vp in a fielde a league from Marocco, and warres to be openlie proclaimed through his kingdome a∣gainst the Christians: the which thing highlie pleased the Moores.

He also commanded a great number of great Guns, and speciallie field peeces, and also infinite store of victualls and of horses and Camells, for to carrie necessaries for their ar∣mie, to be prouided. Which being done, when he heard that the king of Portugal was now vpon the point to goe a ship boord, and to ariue at Arzil, he also went out of Marocco the sixtéenth day of April with great applause of the people, and with almost an infinite companie of men into the campe, and kept the armie in the Tents, where he staied twentie daies, looking for the rest of his forces. From hence he marched with Ensignes displaied by small iourneyes towards Ar∣zill, and that he might the more commodiouslie ioyne with those forces that he looked for, he staied a little while at Te∣mocen, which is in the confines of his kingdome. But the king of Portugall, who was hot set on his voiage, comman∣ded before he went on shipboord, processions and praiers to be publikelie made throughout all the kingdome, that God might vouchsafe to graunt happie successe to this enterprise, and victorie against his enimie.

At length on Midsommer daie the whole armie was embarked, and the next daie after verie earlie in the mor∣ning, king Sebastian (hauing nominated before seauen of the chiefe of the Realme gouernours of the kingdome) because the Cardinall his vnkle had refused the gouernment, for that he could not intreate the king to relinquish the voiage, launched out of the Hauen, and hoised vp sailes the 26. of Iune, with ten or twelue Galeons, in whom were embar∣ked almost all the whole Nobilitie of his kingdome. The sea was passing calme, the fléete of the whole armie launch∣ing from Lisbon, was of great and small vesselles about a

thousand and thrée hundreth saile, so pleasant a spectacle, that many sayd they neuer sawe such a fléete before, and hauing a good winde they ariued at Caliz on Saint Peters eue. The king being receiued with singular gratulation and ioy of the people, staied there fiftéene dayes, for to prouide ne∣cessaries that he lacked, and that he might transport with him certaine bands of Spaniards, that were leuied for him in Andaluzia. Which things being dispatched, he departed from Caliz the eight of Iulie, and sailed with the Galeons towards Tangar, but commanded the rest of the Fléete to kéepe their course towards Arzil. So the tenth of Iulie the king ariued at Tangar, but before he was come into the ha∣uen, Mahamet sent his sonne, a child almost ten yéeres old, named Muley Xeque, against the king in a small vessell, whom the king did verie gentlie and curteouslie salute. But béeing come on land, he shewed greater signes of good will and friendship to Mahamet, and verie liberallie offered his trauaile & aide for to restore him into his kingdome. When Mahamet was come to the kings presence, although he had before sufficientlie certefied him both by Letters & Ambas∣sadours of his will and mind: yet that he might more safe∣lie prouide for his state, he did then more-plentifullie and more at large open vnto him by spéech what he was min∣ded to doe: and did tell him how that his vnkle, supported by the power and strength of the Turke, did vsurpe the kingdome, the which hée had taken from him by force. Hee added moreouer, that the vassalles and subiects of Abdel∣melec did practise nothing else, and were wholie busied, how they might secretlie kill Abdelmelec, or at the least forsake him, and reuoult to Mahamet, and that thereof hée receiued dailie without intercession Letters from the Péeres of the Realme, in the which Letters they promised to re∣noult vnto him, as soone as euer hée would come agaynst the enimie, yea, and if it were but with a small power Hée woulde also perswade the king of Portugall that he shoulde not fight with the Abdelmelec, but onelie go into the field: which thing if hée did, then his vnkles souldiours

would immediatlie bée at his deuotion and command. Hée promised also to giue the king of Portugall two or thrée Hauens in Barbarie, with their territories adioyning, and for suretie thereof hée gaue his sonne in hostage. The king of Portugal as hée was a Prince of noble passing good na∣ture, credited all that Mahamet spake, and assented to his petition without conditions, couenants, and sureties. From hence hée went with Mahamet to Arzil, where his armie was, and there Muley Xeque was Generall of his Fa∣thers small forces, and had with him the horsemen and foot∣men of the garison of Tangar.

The king came to Arzil on Sundaie, béeing the foure∣téenth of Iulie, and as soone as hée was come on shoare, hée commaunded the Ordenaunce, victuall, and the rest of the warlyke furniture to bée disbarked, but sent foure shippes well appointed to Massaga, to carrie thether Muley Xeque his pledge: but commaunded his campe to bée pitched néere the walles of Arzill, and it to bée entrenched rounde with rampires and ditches, that hée might lye there the safer.

But that wée may returne to Abdelmelec: as soone as hée came to Temocen, a greate multitude of horsemen that serued with shéelde and Speare, and many other forces ioy∣ned with him. But thrée dayes after hée came thether, hée fell verie sicke, the cause wherof, as then no man vnderstood. But anone after when he felt a mightie torment in his sto∣macke, it was easilie vnderstoode whereof it came: that is, hée had eaten gréedelie of sowre milke, which had curded in his stomacke. That he might cast it vp, hée assayed in vaine two and almost thrée daies to make himselfe vomite (as he had vsed to doe) and so at the length be cast vp a great gob∣bet of Chéese, which made his stomacke so weake and faint, that afterward it could concoct no meate. Also his sicknesse was increased by harde and ill lodging. But as soone as hée heard that the king of Portugall was departed from Caliz, to sayle to Arzil, although hée were at that time no∣thing well, yet hée commaunded his armie to march for∣ward

towardes Arzil, he himselfe béeing carried in an horse litter.

And now he was from Alcazara (where his brother ex∣pected him with an armie) not aboue a dayes iourney, but when hée drew néere him, his comming was receiued with a great peale of great and small shot, in token of ioye. And there hée was forced to pitch vp his Tents, and to lie there in a Campe certaine daies, staying for other forces and to recouer his strength weakened by sicknesse. Wherefore as soone as those forces that hée looked for were come, he sooke muster of his whole armie, and found fiftéene thousand foot∣men harguebuziers, of whome fiue thousand were verie choice olde souldiours, and the rest fresh water souldioure, and of none experience.

Then he had two thousand Argolets, two and fortie thousand Alarbes with shéeld and spere, & sixe and twentie field péeces verie well furnished, and Gunners verie good and readie. Moreouer, all his whole armie was verie well prouided of victualles, and his souldiours well paide, the which is one of the chiefest thinges in warres, and where∣of the Generall ought to haue most speciall care. So his souldiours were paide euerie moneth a Duckate or péece of golde, wherefore they were also all readie to abide all extre∣mitie for Abdelmelec, and to spendr their liues for him, ex∣cept the horse men of the Alarbes, whome hée little trusted, as he that was not ignoraunt that they were full of false∣hoode, nor gaue their mindes to anie thing else than to gette booties, and to rob they cared not whom.

And that I may tell you all in few words, he had more trust in none than in those fiue thousand old souldiours har∣quebuziers. But the thing that gréeued Abdelmelec most, was, that at so great and perillous a battaile, whereat hee must néeds be present himselfe and order it, vnlesse he wold endaunger the whole state of his Kingdome, hee dyd finde himselfe to bée so weake and quite broken with sick∣nesse, the which the burning Dogge dayes dyd in∣crease.

Wherefore he laie still there eight or nine daies, vntill that the king of Portugall constrained him, yea, vnwilling for to march forward, and to encampe at Alcazar. In the meane time the king of Portugal béeing issued out of Arzill, and readie to march, mustered his armie, wherein (besides the thousand stipendaries, that he had left to kéepe the fléete, and the two thousand that hée had sent to Massaga) he had foure∣téene thonsand footemen, and two thousand horsmen, a great part armed.

Moreouer, there were thrée thousand pioners, and aboue a thousand cochmen, and almost an infinite number of drud∣ges, flaues, Negroes, mullotters, horse boies, land resses, and those swéete wenches that the Frenchmen doe merrilie call the daughters of delight, for now the world is come to that, we thinke we cannot kéepe wars without these snailes. So that all y^e insauorie companie of baggage did excéede sixe and twentie thousand persons. He had also sixe and thirtie field péeces, and 1500. wagons full of mattes, vessell, and house∣holde stuffe onelie for noble men. He might in deede haue brought a greater power in this voiage, as wel out of Spain as out of other Countries, but that he giuing credite to the words of Muley Hamet, who said that the armie of Abdel∣melec would reuoult vnto him, he dismissed many Spani∣ards that would haue gone aboord at Caliz, and did more ea∣silie discharge them, that vnder pretence of sicknesse, desired that they might goe home. In the armie that followed him were thrée thousand Germanes, sixe hundreth Italians, two thousand Spaniardes, sire hundreth Souldiours of Tangar, two thousand fiue hundreth light horsemen, in whome hée reposed his greatest trust. The rest were Por∣tugalls. And the greater parte of these forces had their wa∣ges sparingly and verie ill paide them, and were distressed with want, and many other ills, for now victuals beganne to faile, the which were so sparinglie distributed, that many died for hunger.

The fault was in the purueiours, who do full often in the time of wars through their knauerie, cast princes & generals

into extreme calamities. But that which was worst of all, the greater part of the armie consisted of fresh water soul∣diours, who were without skill of martiall discipline, nei∣ther had euer séene battaile or campe. That I may omit those eight thousand that bare long pikes, then the which kinde of souldiours there is none of lesse vse and seruice, & more vnfit for wars in Barbarie. By that time the king of Portugal had mustered his armie, Abdelmelec was come to Alcazar, with an armie full of fury and wrath. Which caused the King of Portugall his Counsell to desire their Prince in no case to ioyne in battaile with his enimies, who did farre surpasse him in men and might, but rather that he would march with his armie to Larissa, & take that fortified place, and prouide for himselfe.

But when Abdelmelec knew by espies almost euerie houre what was done in the campe of the Christians, and how weake the Portugall forces were, and how coldly all things were ordered, and therefore did sée that the wretchen king being in the prime of his yeares, was néere to death and desiruction: he wrought by all meanes he could, that he should not be forced to fight a battaile, because he was not otherwise verie ill affected towards Christians. Where∣fore he laboured priuile and secretly by certaine men, and they mostly merchants, to certifie the king of Portugall of the guiles and deceits of Mahamet (that had brought him into these daungers, and so present ruine and ieoperdie of life.) But although these aduises of Abdelmelec were not vnknowne to the king of Portugall, and his counsaillours aduised him the verie same that Abdelmelec dyd, and went about to withdraw him from his purpose: yet he wilfullie contemned all that could be sayde, not onely that he might fulfill his burning desire to fight, and to trye his strength and valiant heart, but also chiefelie because he trusted the promises of Mahamet, which he beléeued to be verse true. To he short, his Counsaile laboured to their vttermost, to disuade the king from ioyning in battaile, but rather adei∣sed him to march to Larissa, and they wrought so much by

blaming and brging him, that the king at length yéelded to goe to Larissa. Wherevpon the Nauie was commaunded to make saile towards Larissa, & he himselfe marched by land the therwards, going out of Arzil the 29. of Iulie (which was tues daie) and thrée daies he marched, but making small iourneies by reasen of the multitude of haggage that follo∣wed the armie, and then he fraied the fridaie, because he loo∣ked for some aide from Arzil. The Saterdaie verie earlie he began to march againe, and at length came to the riuer of Mazaga, which runneth to Larissa, and there he lodged, wat∣ches and wardes being diligentlie appointed and set after his vsed manner, for feare of the Moores that were dispearsed round about him.

At that time Abdelmelec remained at Alcazar, verie weake and sicklie, and although he heard that the Portugall was gone out of Arzil, and was encamped at Mazaga, yet he would not stirre out of his place, vntill that he vnderstood by espies, that his enimies made towards Alcazar. For hée would haue suffered his enimie to haue taken Larissa, thin∣king that the Portugall being contented with the taking of it, would from thence returne home. But when he was aduertised that the Saterdaie morning his enimie marched forward, he also at the same time made towards Arzil by Alcazar. And when he had marched with his armie a little more than halfe a league (that is, aboue a mile) he encamped on a certaine high downe in the sight of the Portugails, who were a league from that hill, and were encamped on a great and pleasant plaine. And being néere to the riuer of Alcazar, he commanded his Tents to be pitched on the banke of the riuer, not farre from confluence of another riuer that goeth to Larissa. After that noone was past, he and his armie refre∣shed themselues from the heate of the Sunne in their tents, hée taking his rest in an horse litter. In the meane time hee sent forth certaine horsemen for to bring him more cer∣taine newes of the en••••ie, and placed souldiours before the waroes, for to let that none of his people should flie out of his campe to the Portugall, and Muley Hamet. When the

king of Portugall was come the Saterdaie morning to the riuer of Larissa, & was encamped néere to the place where he thought ther might be a foord foūd to passe ouer his ordenāce, & was minded to go to Larissa: then Mahamet, a subtile fel∣low, ambitions, and deceitfull, thinking with himselfe, that if the Portugall should enter Larissa, and did consider the power and most puisant armie of Abdelmelec, that then hee would returne home, and doe nothing, and leaue him forsa∣ken and alone to be deuoured of his enimies: he resolued to talke with the Portugall that daie, and to dehort him from the iourney y^e he purposed towards Larissa: and y^e he might the better bring it to passe, ••he began with a craftie tale to tel him that many Moores horse men had fled vnto him from Abdelmelec, & that the rest of y^e armie went about to do the same. That if he should goe to Larissa, then all men would blame him, as one fearefull, and such an one as reposed sase∣tie in running awaie. That Abdelmelec was naked of friendes: for hée handled his Souldiours hardlie, and that they didde therefore minde to doe him a mischtefe, ei∣ther by slaying of him, or else by forsaking him in the bat∣taile. That it was better and more wisedome to march to∣ward Alcazar, namelie, séeing that enimie that came against him had not so much heart as to goe about to impeach him.

He added also other arguments making for his purpose, by the which hee diss waded the Portagall from going to Larissa, and to saie the truth, it had otherwise bene an harde matter for him to haue gon forward, séeing y^e his enimy was so néere. The Sundaie morning verie earlie the Portugall remoued his campe, and went vp a long the banke of the ri∣uer, that he might come into the high waie that leadeth from Arzil to Alcazar, and when he had found a foord, he staied, and commaunded the pioners to make it readie against the next daie.

But Abdelmelec vnderstanding y^e intent of the Portugal, caused a signe to be giuē by sound of Trumpet, y^e euerie man

should make himselfe readie to fight. Wherefore in the af∣ternoone he marching forward almost a quarter of a mile, stayed and commaunded his armie to breath, vntill he vnderstoode what his enimie, that was about halfe a league off, ment to doe. For as we haue tolde you before, Abdelmelec had determined not to ioyne in battaile, except the Portugall did first desire it.

When the Portugall being encamped along the Riuer of Larissa, heard that the enimie made towards him, he was forced also to remoue his Campe, and to put his people in array of battaile, not for to fight, because the fourde of the Riuer could not be passed ouer without very great difficul∣tie, and also there was a great troupe of Moores that dyd continually prouoke his men with skirmishes, but that he might defense himselfe, and he vsed the mightie Riuer in stéede of a wall against the enimie. In this sort those two Armies, when either did looke that the other should beginne the battaile, kept themselues in, the rest of the day. So when it drew towards night, and Abdelmelec saw that the Por∣tugals stirred not out of their place, although y^e chiefe Cap∣taines were verie instant on him to fight, and to giue the signall of battaile, yet because night was at hand, he com∣maunded the retreate to be sounded, and ledde his Armie backe to their Campe. But yet he commaunded proclama∣tion to be made in the Campe by sounde of Trumpet, that no man should put of his armour, nor lay downe his wea∣pon that night, and also commaunded the watch to be dou∣bled, as he also did the night before, that no man could flye out of his Campe vnto Muley Hamet. And doubtlesse this watch was the cause of Mahamets ouerthrow, because that no man durst to goe out of his ward & tente. In the meane time Abdelmelec was fully resolued to fight, for séeing he had heard that many horsemen, and men that had abiured the faith, were fled out of his Campe, and did feare that if he deferred to fight the next day, that then the greater part of his armie would reuolt: he thought that he must staye no longer, but determined to goe on forward, and to aduenture

the battaile. Wherefore he commanded that it shoulde bée signified by a Trumpet, that all men shoulde be in a readi∣nesse, and prepared either to liue or die. After that the king of Portugall sawe that his enimies were retired into their camp, he also did the like, and lodged in the verie same place from whence he came. He assembling in counsaile the chiefe men of the armie that night, determined the next day, being mundaie, to offer the enimie battaile. And it is the constant same of all men, that Muley Hamet gaue him coun∣saile to beginne the battaile the next daie in the euening, not so much because by this meanes the souldiours of Ab∣delmelec might the more commodiouslie rououlf vnto him, as for that he coulde not by reason of the darknesse of the night remedie it, if anie confusion did arise in his armie. This counsaile as good and wholesome was approued of all men, and therefore the king commanded that the same night it shoulde bee proclaimed in the campe, that the next daie béeing mundaie, as soone as it was light, the ordenance and the carriages shoulde bée speedelie passed ouer the wa∣ter through the foorde. For if they had tarried longer, no doubt the enimies wold haue impeached their passage, which also was the cause that the battaile was not beg••n in the euening, but sooner. The foord béeing made readie, the armie straight waie passed ouer, and they encamped beyond the ri∣uer, and also the king began to arange his battailes, to set forth his bands, and to dispose his ordenance in commodious places.

He also made a long Oration to his souldiours, and ex∣horted thē with curteous & louing spéech, vsing also verie ef∣fectuall arguments for to present themselues to perills cou∣ragiouslie, for the honour of God, and the increase of the Christian Religion, promising them great riches, fauour, honours, and priuiledges, willing them to haue good hope of the victorie, speciallie through the helpe of God, in whom he had all his whole trust fixed.

The like did the noble men that followed the king in this voiage doe, to their vttermost, name lie, the Bishoppes of

Coimbra and Portua, and also the Popes Commissarie, and many other spirituall persons. In these adhortations all the forenoone was spent. On the other side Abdelmelec séeing the Christians come in battaile araie, he also commanded the signall to be sounded throughout his campe, and willed the Captaines to bring forth their souldiours, & to dispose them into the order that he had prescribed. And because that hée through sicknesse was verie weake in bodie, and of coulour pale and wan, and by reason of the palsie could in no wise vse his armes, the wiser and warier of his counsailours dehor∣ted him from comming in person into this instant battaile: to whom he would in no case consent, but whereas he had not come on horse his back in more than twentie daies be∣fore, he resolued to leaue his horse litter, and to bée clothed in most sumptuous apparell, and to be adorned with infinite most precious stones, and most excellent pearles of y^e East, and mounted on a goodlie and lustie strong horse. Being in this sort prepared to fight, he began to adhort his men to va∣lour, promising honors and great warlike rewards to them that should behaue themselues like men, and doe their du∣ties and accomplish their charges valiantlie. With the which wordes and promises he did so incourage and inflame his souldiours, into whose sight he had not come long time before, by reason of his sicknesse, that they séemed to bee in∣spired by Mars, and to runne to the battaile like Lions. And although at the beginning there were some that went a∣bout to murther him, or reuolt from him, yet now they chan∣ging their mindes, did so subiect themselues vnto him with all reuerence, that they disdained not, yea to kisse his féete. At length his armie béeing cast into the forme of a semi∣circle, or croisant, and diuided into thrée battailes, he began to aduance his armie in that order that this table doeth shew.

The right wing the Prince, the brother of Abdelmelec dyd leade, who had with him a thousand verie choice Har∣quebuziers on horsebacke noted. He had also ten thousand

horsemen with speare and shéelde. The lefte wing of the new Moone, which held two thousand argolets, and tenne thousand horsemen with speare and sheeld. These did the Vireroie Mahamet Zareo leade. The third battaile, which was the maine battaile, wherein king Abdelmelec stoode, was defenced with harquebuziers on foote. Thou dyd the king followe, enuironed with his garde of two hundreth souldiours, that had forsworne the faith, who were all wea∣poned with halbardes. But he had in the battaile of suc∣cour twentie thousand horsmen diuided by two thousand in a troupe.

But y^e Portugal arāged his armie far otherwise, for he di∣uided his whole armie into 4. battailes. On y^e right side was the first battaile, consisting of the light horsemen and gari∣son of Tangar, and Aluares Peres de Tauora lead them. The lefte or the middle battaile consisted of Germanes and Ita∣lians, which the Marques of Ireland gouerned. In the third battaile of succour, stoode the Spaniards and certaine Ita∣lians, the Captaine whereof was Alonzo Aquilar. The fourth battaile were Portugals, vnder the conduct of a cer∣taine noble man of that Nation, whose name was Ludo∣uicke Caesar. Euerie battaile hadde almost thrée thousande footemen, but some moe and some fewer. But the Generall of the whole armie was Duartes Meneles, the gouernour of the Citie of Tangar.

Besides these forces, hée had ten thousand horsemen ve∣rie well appointed, and diuided by fiue hundreths,* 1.1 as well in the first battaile and the battaile of succour, as in both winges.

In the middest and middle of the whole armie were placed the baggage, the weake rable, the wagons, and slaues. Muley Hamet stoode on the right side of the bat∣tayle, with his fewe Souldiours, to the number of fiue hundreth harguebuziers, and sixe hundreth Speares. The king had placed sixe and thirtie field péeces in the front of his battaile.

So then the two armies were thus aranged on a mightie large plain, which was so open and bare, that there was nei∣ther tree, plant, nor stone, to be séene within two leagues round about. The Moores were defenced on the left side with the riuer of Alcazar, which serued them for a rampire or munition, and the Portugalls had on their backes the riuer of Mazaga, that runneth to Larissa. But for two causes hée desired to come to the riuer of Alcazar before they came within Gunshot: first, that he might take the winde from his enimies, and secondlie, that he might vse the riuer for a rampire and wall. So the Christians had the winde indif∣ferentlie well with them, although at the beginning the Sunne beames were against them. For afterward, and that too sodein••••••, the cléere Sunne shine was turned into darke weather, and so cloudie, that the Sunne beames troubled them nothing. But when the two armies were come within an ha••quebusse shot one of another, about halfe an houre be∣fore high noone, the Moores began to staie their march, and to leuell their péeces.

The fourth daie of August, which was mundaie, in the yéere of our saluation 1578. the battaile was begun between the two kings about twelue of the clocke, and the Moores did first begin to shoote off their great ordenance against the Christians, but they had not shot off thrée, but that the Christians answered them with theirs. And straight waie the harquebuziers on foote on both sides discharged as thick as haile, with such an horribie, furious, and terrible tem∣pest, that the cracking and roaring of the Gunnes did make the earth so to fremble, as though it woulde haue sunke downe to hell, and the element séemed to burne with the fire, flames, lightning, and thunder of the Gunnes. After that the storme of the shot was past fiue hundreth men of armes of the first battaile, whom the Duke de Auero lead, gaue a charge on the left wing of the Moores, and brake and scattered them, and hauing slaine many, compelled the rest to flie, so that aboue eight thousand harquebuziers on horse∣barke, and twentie thousand Speares (who were Alarbes)

left the place, and flying some one way, and some an other, almost twentie leagues, spred euery where a rumour of the victorie of the Christians. In this first encoūter the Moores lost two guidons, not without the great griefe of Abdel∣melec, who when he sitting on his horse in the middle bat∣taile did see his men flye so soulye, he was so kindled with anger and furie, that although for weakenesse he could scarse sitte on his horse, yet he went about to charge our men in that quarter where his menne fledde, that he might repaire that winge broken, and shamefully dispersed, and to staye them that fledde, and to turne them againe against the eni∣mie. But the souldiours of his gard knowing his extreme weakenesse, tooke his horse by the bridle, and would let him goe no farther. But when he would haue set his hande to his swoord to haue rid himselfe out of their handes, he per∣ceaued that his armes and hands were as stiffe as a stone, with the palsey: whereof he conceaued so great griefe at the heart, that leauing himselfe forward vpon the pommel of his saddle, he lost his speach, and neuer spake worde after, but y^t shuld they ••o forward fatter: the which was done but no farther then a man could cast a stone. In the meane time the ga••d ••ooke ••••••king from his horse, and layd him in his horsel••••ter, where he gaue vpp the Ghost within halfe an houre after. Ye•• his death was subtilly dissembled, they bru••ing th•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was layde downe to rest him. But although the Christians vanquished in the first encounter, yet the rest of the king of Mortugall his Armie knew not how to vse the victorie: For because there was no man to com∣maund what was néedeful to be done, or did send the bands of succours with aide, they did suffer a goodly victorie to slip out of their hands. When the Moores saw so great a dis∣coms••ture was giuen by the enimies their onely horsemen, neither was there any man that backed them, they sent out a thousand Argolets, and many other, who made the Por∣tugalls before victors to flye with that force, that they run∣ning vpon the middle battaile of their footemen, mightely disordered all the whole armie of the Christians. The thing

was done in the sight and presence of the king, who through the counsaile of them about him was yet in his Coch, but as soone as he sawe the flight and disorder of his men, hee spée∣dely mounted on a horse strangely bardbed, and accompani∣ed with the Duke of Auero and other men of armes, char∣ged the enime. But although he were carried against his enimies with that force and féese, that he brake their araie againe, yet because the armie of the Moores did not abandon the place, those horsemen that were scarse fiue hundreth, were forced to retire: whom the Moores followed with such force, that flying many of them, they forced the rest to runne among their footemen with such hast, that they ouerranne and troade to death a great number of their owne footmen, and committed a miserable misorder and slaughter. In the meane while all the forces of the Mahometan armie running downe from the hill, began to charge the Christi∣ans with great violence. In that conflict the Duke of Aue∣ro was slaine, and many other noble and valiant men, and also the horse of the king of Portugall was slaine, but hée himselfe safe and vnhurt, and the great ordenaunce which serued the Christians to no vse in this battaile, was taken. Now as touching the right wing of the Moores: the soul∣diours thereof neuer ceased from the beginning of the bat∣taile to powre downe showers of shot vpon the Christians, yea, and moouing out of their place, but alwayes kéeping the croisant figure of their armie, they beganne to inclose the Portugall armie, and to charge the hindermest battaile of the side.

Wherefore the king (who had mounted another fresh horse) perceiuing that the hindermost battayle néeded suc∣cour, taking with him fiue hundreth men of armes, who hadde beene appointed for that purpose, charged the third tune the Moores that were vnder Muley Hamet, the bro∣ther of Abdelmelec: whom he did so skarre, that he forced them to giue ground more than halfe a league, slaying ma∣ny and scattering the rest.

But séeing he was alone, and had no man that woulde

follow him, he was forced with great griefe, and full sore a∣gainst his will to retire to his armie, for to beholde the sor∣rowfull sight of the entire discomfiture of his whole forces. For the Moores in the lefte wing after they hadde taken the Ordenance of the Christians, pursuing the victorie, dyd also so discomfite those Christians that stoode néere to the banke of the riuer, that they ranne vppon the forces of Mu∣ley Mahamet (that stoode betwéene the Christians and the Riuer) and made miserable spoile and slaughter of them, yea, and many of Mahamet his men ranne vppon the Chri∣stian troupes.

Muley Mahamet séeking to saue himselfe by flight, as he would haue passed ouer at the foord of the riuer of Larisla, which is myrie and moorish, was cast out of the saddle by his horse that striued and struggeled to get out of the durt, and beeing vnskilfull to swimme, was drowned and peri∣shed in the riuer. The victours Moores following the van∣quished, came to the warde of Muley Hamet, the brother of Abdelmelec, and there either slue or carried awaie pri∣soners the principall men of the Christians being inclosed, and as it were brought into a pinfolde. So then our men being thus enclosed on all partes, and not hauing Gunne∣pouder (for that through negligence had taken fire, and was all consumed) nor anie other thing to defende themselues, or else had with indifferent slaughter as wel destroyed their owne fellowes as their enimies, ranne awaie amaine, so that through headlong and hastie flight, one ranne vppon another, and many were squised with the weight of horses running ouer them with a miserable slaughter. For yée might sée the heapes of men troden downe and squised lye as thicke as sheafes of Wheate cast downe in a Barnes floure.

The enimies also that did insatiablie thirst for Christi∣an bloud, shotte off their Harquebusies thicke and thrée folde vppon them, with whom they did hurt not a fewe of their owne men, and foulie tare them. But as for the eight thousand pikemen, whome the Portugall had in the

field, séeing they did nothing else, then leaue so many pikes for the barbarous enimie, experience it selfe taught how lit∣tle good they dyd in the battaile. For when the King vsed them for so many harquebuziers, whom he shuld haue sent against the enimie, by taking them, he deuised assured ruine for himselfe. And although the Christian state was now become desperate, yet the king of Portugal ceased not to in∣damage the enimie, now in this quarter, now in that, being accompanied with no nto then seuen or eight souldiours of Tangar, for the noble men, gentlemen, & horsemen of Por∣tugal were so cowardly, and so delicate, (they say) that ma∣ny of them leauing their horses, got them to shadowy pla∣ces, and vnder the shadow of the wagons, for to coole them∣selues: with this minde, that when they saw all lost, they might séeke to saue themselues by running awaye. And so when they began to flye, part on foote, and part on horseback towards Arzill, from whence they came: the Moores folow∣ed them with such violence & speede, and specially the horse∣men, (who were yet fresh) y^t they made a miserable slaugh∣ter of them. Yet king Sebastian forsaketh not his people: thinking it dishonorable to séeke safetie by flight, and with those few that followed him, behaued himselfe valiantly. He slue so manie, he sent so many to hell, that many called him the lightning, and few durst to looke him in the face, or to defend themselues against him. At length about a three score of Abdelmelec his souldiours seeking glorie by slaying of a King, enclosed him. Then he séeing no way left him to escape, commaunded one of them that followed him, to hold vp a white scarfe hanged on a launce, in signe y^t he would yeeld. But they that had enclosed him (that is to wit, A∣larbes, a kinde of people of all other most barbarous & cru∣ell) supposing that by this signe he dyd call the Portugalls to ••ide him, charged him a fresh on all parts, and wounded him in many places, and at length tooke him, and cutting a sunder the lace of his helmet, gaue him two blowes on the ••edde, and as many in the face, so that he tumbling off from his horse, gaue vp the Ghost.

The Moores followed the flying Christians vntill it was late nights. So when all were vanquished and scattered, or brought into wretched captiuitie, Muley Hamet comman∣ded the retraite to bée sounded, and returned to the Campe with the bodie of his brother Abdelmelec, and it was euen night when he came thether, and straight waie was the death of king Abdelmelec published, and thereby also Mu∣ley Hamet acknowledged and receiued for king, and all the whole armie was verie sorrowfull for the losse of Abdel∣melec. Although y^e this ouerthrowe was no doubt sent vs by God for our sinnes, yet two hundreth or few lesse, with hap∣pie successe escaped out of the handes of the Barbarians a∣liue and well, of whome thrée score were horsemen, and the rest footemen, and among them Don Antonio, a Portugall, who was deliuered by a certaine Moore out of the handes of his enimies, and brought to Tanger. But there were slaine of Christians in this battaile, aboue twelue thousand. For all the whole field was filled with dead bodies of men, yea, and of horses, mules, asses, oxen, and other beasts of bur∣then and draught.

Among the nobler sort that died in this battaile, were be∣sides king Sebastian, the Duke of Auero, the Bishoppes of Coimbra and Portua, the Commissarie General sent by the Pope, the Marques of Treland, Christopher de Tauora, and many other knightes and Gentlemen, whome I doe omit for breuities sake. The Tuesdaie, which was the fift of Au∣gust, the new king sent in the morning a band of footmen to seeke out the men slaine on their side, of whome a thou∣sand fiue hundreth being knowen, were buried in the same place, among whome were many valiaunt and renowmed Captaines, friendes and familiars of king of Abdelmelec, They being buried after their manner, the bodie of Muley Mahamet (who was the author of so many euils and slaugh∣ters) was found on the banke and sands of the riuer, where∣in he had ben drowned.

The bodie of the king of Portugall was also found a∣mong the bodies of the slaine Christians, by two of his

seruants that were prisoners: whom the new king had sent for that purpose in the hard morning, promising them liber∣tie, if they did finde the kings bodie. Wherefore when they had found it naked, they brought it to the new king couered with their owne clothes, and with it was also brought the bodie of Muley Mahamet. These dead bodies of thrée kings being brought into one Pauilion, made an horrible specta∣cle, and wrong teares from the beholders. For what more sorrowfull and horrible a sight could there bée, than to be∣holde thrée most mightie kings, that died in one battaile, ly∣ing together. The armie of one of whom was vanquished when he liued, & after he was dead did straight waie ouer∣come the armie of the other two kinges: and whereas all thrée did aspire to the kingdome of Marocco, none of them helde it. But this thing being shut from mans senses, and reserued to the hidden iudgement of Gods maiestie, I doe omit.

The bodie of Abdelmelec was carried in an horse litter to Fesse, distant about twentie leagues from Alcazar, that it might be buried there. All the horsemen with one legion or regiment of footemen attended on the coarse. Which be∣ing brought to Fes, and receiued with the great sorrowe of the Citizens, was laide in the tombe of his auncestours, in the verie same sumptuous apparell, and precious garnish∣ment of gems that the king died in. Many of the noble men that were taken prisoners, were verie desirous to redéeme the bodie of the king of Bortugall, and they offered Muley Mahamet ten thousand Duckates if hée would vouchsafe to send it to Tangar.

But the Barbarian aunswered, that it was not séeme∣lie to sell a dead mannes bodie, yet notwithstanding if they woulde giue him Tangar or Arzil, they shoulde haue the bodie, but when that was not in their handes and power, they coulde goe no farther: yet this they obtained of the new king, that hée suffered the bodie of the king of Por∣tugall to bée carried to Alcazar, where also it was buried in the Hospital, (which is in the pallace of the gouernour of

the Towne,) and some appointed to kéepe it continuallie, least the Christians shoulde steale it awaie. But as for the bodie of Muley Mahamet, the newe king his vnkle com∣maunded the skinne to bée pulled off (because he had béene the author of so many slaughters) and to bée salted, and then stuffed with strawe, and to bée carried about thorough out all prouinces of his kingdome, for to deferre all other for attempting the like at anie time after. The men, wo∣men, boyes, slaues, and blacke Moores taken in this battaile by the Moores, were in number aboue fouretéene thousand, and they béeing the next daie diuided among the Souldi∣ours, were carried into all Prouinces of Barbarie. For as the Moores came out of all places to the battaile, so euerie man carried home with him his prisoners and spoyle. But although the counsailours of the new king were verie ear∣nest with him to besiege either Tanger or Arzill, namelie, séeing that there was no man that woulde resist or de∣fend it: yet hée refused so to doe, but rather prepared him∣selfe to goe to Fes, that hauing taken the possession of that Citie, hée might bée seised of the inheritance of all the king∣domes: thinking that there woulde not otherwise want them, that would assaie to set him besides the saddle, if they did perceiue him to be slacke therein. And hée was acknow∣ledged for king but with vnwilling heartes, and in a man∣ner repining thereat: neither in déede was hée receiued with the same chéerefulnesse and ioye, that they vsed to receiue other kings: and the cause thereof was, for that there was no mettall in this newe king Hamet, an art∣lesse man, not caring for martiall matters, nor such an one as was fit for to vpholde the dignitie of a king, but contrariwise effeminate, nice, giuen to delicacies, de∣lyghtes and pleasures, and lurking at home in the Pal∣lace.

Hée was then about nine and twentie or thirtie yéeres of age, of coulour blacke, not bigge, but yet faule and weake, and of no strength, and much lesse skilfull of things,

and endued with that wisdome which is required in the go∣uerning of a kingdome, and that I may comprehend all in few wordes, he was altogether vnlike his brother Abdel∣melec, for he was of a meane stature, of a fine proportion of bodie, with brode shoulders, white face, but intermixed with red, which did gallantlie garnish his chéekes, a blacke beard thicke, and curled, great eies and graie. In summe, he was a verie proper man, and verie comelie in all his actions and iestures, and verie strong: the which strength he conserued by continuallie exercising of himselfe in skirmishes, and in bending of bowes. He spake Spanish verie well, and with a great grace, he could also write in Spanish. But hée had the Italian tongue best of all other, yet he tooke most delight in the Turkish tongue, so that for loue of it he cared not for the Arabian, the which was his mother tongue, and wherein he was accounted for the most excellent Poet of his time. He was ingenious, sharpe witted, and passing prudent and wise, wheras in other things than speciallie in the gouern∣ment of a kingdome. He plaied wel on diuerse instruments, and also daunced excellentlie, but delighted aboue measure in armes, and the art of warre, in which things he also exer∣cised himselfe much: insomuch, that he made with his owne hands many great péeces of ordenance, that are yet at this daie in Barbarie. For he was of a singular and wonderfull wit in all things that he went about or tooke in hand. And although he professed the religion of Mahamet, yet he so lo∣ued Christians, and of them Spaniardes, that I cannot ex∣presse with wordes the loue and good will which he shew∣ed towards many captiues & prisoners. For he suffered thē to returne into Spain, being dismissed without ransome, and w^e this munificense & liberalitie he had set at libertie aboue 200. within y^e 3. yeres tthat he raigned. I do now omit to tel you with what fauor & curtesie he vsed y^e prisoners, least I be ouerlong, or may be carried too far with his loue. But y^e he néeds not my publication of his praise, the thing it selfe doth witnesse: & the hospital built for sick Christians, adioining to y^e tēple of Marocco, & endowed w^e gret reuenues, doth proue it

manifestly. He died in the 35. yéere of his age. When he had reigned not full 3. yeeres, leauing a son of 3. yéeres and an halfe olde, whose name is Ismaell, & as yet is it at this day brought vp with the Quéene his mother, the wife of Ab∣delmelec at Argier. But as touching his nephew Muly Hamet, he was younger then Abdelmelec, being about xxix. or xxx. yéeres of age: of stature meane, of bodie weake, of coulour so blacke, that he was accompted of many for a Negro or black Moore. He was of a peruerse nature, he would neuer speak the trueth, he did all things subtelly and deceitfully. He was not delighted in armes, but as he shew¦ed in all battailes, of nature cowardly, and effeminate. But he so cruelly hated Christians, that he would kil either with famine or nakednesse, those that he caught. If that in these warres he being constreined by necessitie, gaue any signi∣fication of good will towards them, he did it against the heart, & in a maner vnwillingly, that he might make them the more readie and chierfull to endaunger themselues for him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  It should be tvv••••, doutl••••••