A new survey of the Turkish empire, history and government compleated being an exact and absolute discovery of what is worthy of knowledge or any way satisfactory to curiosity in that mighty nation : with several brass pieces lively expressing the most eminent personages concerned in this subject.

CHAP. IX. Of the Afflictions of Captives, and Christians un∣der the Turkish Tribute.

WHen the King of Turks makes Expediti∣ons against Christians, amongst divers sorts of Merchants, there alway follow him on Camels, a mighty number of Buyers, or Scorcerers of Children or Men, who in hope of getting slaves, carry with them bundles of long Ropes, wherewith they easily tye together fifty or sixty men. These traders purchase of the Souldiery or Free-booters, whomsoever the Sword hath not devoured; which is granted them, upon condition that the King may have the tenth of what is trafficked for, the rest unto themselves to sell. Nor is there any Mercandize so profitable amongst them, nor so frequent; as anciently among the Romans (who called things fairly bought, their proper Goods and Rights) as just as that of slaves.

* 1.1The Youth and Aged of both Sexes, whom Chance by tenths appropriates to the Turk, he thus disposeth; the elder in ••ears he sells for Husband-men, who yet are rarely or cheap bought; for they seldom escape the Sword, their age making them less vendible. Young men and Maidens, they confine them in Seraglio's, there to be instructed in useful Arts for future times. But first, they must deny their Faith in Christ, and then be Circumcised. And thus

[illustration]

ALLACE•• HECHBER.

DABIT DEUS HIS QUOQUE FINEM.

initiated in their Ceremonies, they diligently examine their Physiognomies, and the several lineaments of their bodies, and then the whole composure; and according to conceived strength, forwardness of wits & dispositions, they are destinated to learn Laws of the Country, or discipline of Wars; and in the mean time are al∣lowed a daily stipend of two or three Aspers, sixty whereof make five shillings, which they conceive a liberal sufficiency for diet and cloth∣ing, until they are fitted for employments. In the elements of War, they thus are trained, accor∣ding to each strength: they first have given them a light bow; skill and strength increasing, they have a greater and a heavier; so by degrees they are fitted for expedition. They have Instructors, severe Exactors of their daily Exercises; and whensoever they erre much from the mark, so often are they cruelly whipped with scourges. These are inrolled in the order of Bow-men. Others are instructed and made fit for Janizaries, who have appointed Masters and Teachers every day to fight, two together with Cudgels▪ Others (an horrid thing) who have more lovely faces, are so close cut, that nothing like man is left them; and this not done without great and eminent danger to life: and if the party escape death, his health is for no other use, but their most wicked lusts; and after youth's grown aged, they are put to the offices of Eunuchs, to attend on Ladies, Concubines, Horses, Mules, and some Kitchin-employments.

Such as are of extraordinary beauty, come∣liness,

or composition of body,* 1.2 are chosen out for Concubines; mean and indifferent Faces, are appointed Matrons hand-maids; amongst whose offices some are so filthy, and so loathsom, as were before (though somewhat uncivilly) re∣lated. Others are set to womens work, as spin∣ning, carding, weaving. It is free for none of them to profess the Christian Faith, or hope of liberty during life. There is some content in hope, but these have none.

* 1.3Hitherto hath been spoken, how the Kings use Captives; now how private men their Pri∣soners newly taken: first, they threaten them with all sorts of menacing sharp words, promises, and allurements, to entice them to circumcision; which if yielded to, they are treated somewhat more courteously; but then all hope of ever re∣turning to their Country is clean cut off; and whosoever endeavours it, burning is his ap∣pointed punishment. Such as are thought more firm and less fugitive, are admitted to their Ma∣sters military imployments, and can onely be made free, when age hath made them useless; and then he is rather turned off, then remitted orderly; or when the Master by hurt in War, or danger of death, bequeaths him liberty. They are permitted marriage; but their chil∣dren are disposed at their Master's pleasure; which makes the more understanding sort ut∣terly abhor marriage. They who refuse Circum∣cision, are miserably and unhumanely treated; of which I have had the experience of thirteen years sufferings: nor can I express in words the great calamities of such people.

* 1.4The condition of such unskilful men is wretch∣ed. Those whose toyl brings profit, are only in reputation with them: and therefore learned Men, Priests, and Noble-men, who have lived in retiredness and pleasures, when they fall into the hands of Turks, are of all most miserable; the Merchant or Man-scourser bestows no cost on them, as scant vendible; they walk with na∣ked head and feet, and often their whole bodies: no new cloaths succeed, the old worn out: they are hurried through Mountains, Rocks, from place to place, Winter and Summer, and have no end thereof till death, or that they find a foolish Purchaser, that (they think) buyes ill Merchandize; but no man is so happy, or esteem∣ed amongst them, for Age, Art or Beauty, that being sick will leave behind them. First, they are whipped to go on; if they cannot do that, then they are put on horse-back; and there not able to sit upright, their bellies are tyed on horse-back, no otherwise then a sack of Corn or Cloak-bag: if he die, he is stripped of all his cloaths, and thrown into the next ditch, to be devoured by dogs and vultures.

* 1.5They do not only bind them in endless chains, but, in their journey, also manacle their hands; they march the distance of a large pace one from another, that mutually they do not hurt; and tye their hands, lest with stones they mischief do their Masters: that when sometimes they lead great multitudes, as ten times five hundred chained together, the strength of whom, if hands at liberty to throw stones, might much

annoy them. At night when they rest, their feet are likewise chained, and exposed to all injuries of weather. The condition of Women is a lit∣tle more humane; they who have strength of limbs, are driven on foot; those more ten∣der, are set on horses; such as are infirm and cannot ride, are put in baskets or ripiers, as we use geese. Afterwards their condition is sadder; either they are included in strong Turrets, or forced to endure the wicked lusts of their Merchants. Where still they are, is ever heard vast and hideous howlings of both sexes, suffering violations from them; neither doth the age of seven or six years, defend them from those vitious actions: a people imcom∣parably wicked, both against nature, and before libidinous.

* 1.6At the break of day they are brought to Mar∣ket, like droves of sheep, or herds of goats: Merchants appear, prizes are set; if the priso∣ner be liked, his cloaths are stripped off, he is viewed by the buyer, all members surveyed, tryed and throughly searched for faults in joints or arteries; if he please not then returned to the owner: and this is done until he find a pur∣chaser. When bought, he's carried to some hea∣vy servitude, to plow, keep sheep; omitting baser Offices. They endure there many unheard examples of calamities: I have seen men tyed together with yokes, to draw the plow. Mai∣dens are severely forced to perpetual labours; separated from the sight of men, nor are they suf∣fered speech or conference with other Servants.

If any man be taken prisoner with wise and chil∣dren, him some great person willingly purcha∣seth, to be imployed in his Country-house, in Tillage, Vineyards, Meadows, Pastures; and children born of them, are all his Slaves: and if they persevere in Christian Faith, a certain time is allotted them to servitude, and then made free; their children notwithstanding continue Slaves at the Master's will, and imployed where he pleaseth; for they have no certain nor enrol∣led Estates in Lands, and so not assured seats of residence. If after making free, they desire to return to their Country, they have Letters Pa∣tents given for their journey. But to such as ab∣jure the Christian Religion, no certain time of bondage is prescribed them, nor right of return; all hopes of their liberty, totally depends upon the Master's pleasure: and when they have got freedom, they pay the Tenths, as other Turks, but freed from other Taxes with which Chri∣stians are burthened.

* 1.7The Husbandman hath an hard and sad con∣dition, but the Shepherd far more grievous; they always live in solitariness, night and day, covered only with the roof of Heaven. The Ma∣ster and the wise have some small Tents; no shelter for the shepherd, unless at spare times compelled to work on Tapestry or Carpets. Every month they change their Pastures, and drive their flocks from one Mountain to another. Some Masters that have more humanity, now and then give small rewards, which the Servant keeps as his proper Goods, and preserves,

to bear the charge of a return to his Coun∣try, if ever he get liberty: but these largesses are seldom done, and then, but as a miserable en∣ticement to servitude, thinking thereby to with∣draw their hopes of shifting from them. To such as deny Christ, and are circumcised, knowing they dare not run away, no like indulgence of∣fered.

* 1.8European Slaves may more easily escape, then those sold into transmarine Regions; they pass Rivers only, that may be swimmed over; others, with great difficulty must pass the Hellespont. Such as intend escapes, usually attempt it in Harvest season, to hide themselves in Fields of Corn, and by it live. The Night they travel, the Day lie close in Corn, Woods or Marshes; and rather chuse to be devoured by Wolves, then brought back to their Tyger-Masters.

* 1.9Who flee from thence, repair to the Helle∣spontick Sea, between Callipollis and those Towers of Sestos and Abidos, now called by the Turks Bogaz Aser, that is, Castles on the mouth of the Sea, where the Waters are straight and nar∣row; hither they come with Saws and Ropes, cut Timber-trees, and tye them fast together, to serve and save themselves for shipping; car∣rying nothing with them but salt. If wind and fortune favour, in three or four hours they are wafted over; if otherwise, they perish in the Sea, or reforc'd again upon the Coast of Asia: if safely pass, they then betake themselves to the Mountains, and by inspection of the Pole and Star Bootes, they tend their way North-ward,

and sustain themselves with Acorns and Herbs sod in salt. If many flie together in society, sometimes in Night, they set upon the Shep∣herds, and what they find of Victuals take from them; sometime they kill, and are sometime killed, or taken and returned to their old Ma∣sters and Drudgeries: but the several dangers of travelling, consumes more then escape, by ship∣wrack, the enemies sword, wild beasts, and starving hunger.

* 1.10Some are hanged up by the heels and most cruelly scourged; and if commit murther, the soles of his feet are all slashed into furrows, and salt stuffed in. Some have great iron chains fast∣ned on their necks, and forced to wear them day and night, and as long as the Master pleaseth.

* 1.11Death and confiscation of all sorts of Goods, is inflicted on those who undertake, procure or assist Captives in their flight, or running away; yet notwithstanding both Greeks and Armenians cease not to entertain them, being Christians, to hide them, and in disguises to conduct them un∣to shippings of the Venetians or other Christi∣ans, and freely give them good provisions and all things necessary for their journeys; nor do they spare or omit any kind of piety towards them; for they confess to have had heard the like experience from Christians charity, when as they travelled for conscience sake to Rome or Compostella.

* 1.12They have certain kind of charms, which they think can draw them off from flying. The name of the Slave is written in a Schedule of Paper,

which is hung up in his Tent or House: then with vengeable and horrible curses, his head is charged and threatned, conceiving this by the de∣vils help, the Fugitive will be affrighted with meeting of Lions and Dragons in his Journey, or that the Seas or Rivers will swallow him, the hea∣vens will grow dark, and these astonishments will bring him back again.

* 1.13There is some memory yet left of the expugna∣tion of Constantinople, the Kingdoms of Greece, Albania, Valachia, and Servia, now reduced to Provinces. These, for a long time, constantly re∣tained the Christian Faith, but the children have forgot it; and there will come to pass a full obli∣vion of Christ. And likely it is to fall out so in Croatia, Hungary, and Sclavonia, which are now Additaments & Adjuncts to the Turkish Empire.

* 1.14When a Province is subdued & taken, all sorts of Goods moveable and immoveable are given away for spoil. They totally extirpate the whole Nobility; but especially the Princely issue. And when they took John the Kings Son of Hungary, & favoured him with life, it was on good advice, that if Hungary were lost again, they might im∣ploy & involve him into any new incumbrances; and when the Province should be in a quiet and calm condition, then to dispatch him: for in such respects, the Turk regards neither Kindred, Fa∣ther or Brother; He spares none. And if they do not kill and murther all Church & Clergy-men they take, yet they expose them to all scorn, nakedness and beggery, despoyling them of all their Fortunes, Goods and Dignities. Their Bells,

their Organs, and other Instruments and Orna∣ments of Churches, Chappels, and Devotions, they raven and tear from the Temples, profaning them with consecration to their Mahomet; lea∣ving onely the most miserable and wretched Chappels to the Christians, wherein they are forbid publick Prayers, and may pray seeming∣ly in silence: which Chappels, when either Earth-quake, Fire, Tempest, or Age destroy, they must in no sort re-edifie. Preaching or reading parts of the Scripture is utterly for∣bidden. It is a sin to admit a Christian to any publick Office, to wear, have Arms or habit like a Turk: or else to use the recreations of cheerfulness, as Pageants, Playes, or Dancings. If they injure Christ or you with bitter or con∣tumacious words, you must be silent, and endure it. If you speak ought against their professed Religion, you are forced to Circumcision; and but to whisper against Mahomet, Fire and Brimstone followeth. If a Christian on horse-back pass by a Musselman, (that is, one initiated in the Turkish Faith) he must on necessity light from his horse, and bowing down his head wor∣ship him; which if omitted, he straight is knock∣ed down with clubs.

* 1.15Priests and Fryers are held the worst of Men, and are esteemed by Turks the very Sacriledge and Scandal of God and mankind. They have no benefit from Churches. Upon some festival days, a little bread is given them by poor women, and not on other dayes. They get their live∣lihood by carrying Wood; their custom

being to cut down sticks in Woods, lade them on Asses; and with this Merchandize, they cry about the streets, Wood to be sold.

They pay a part of all encrease, not only of Corn and Cattel,* 1.16 but even Mechanicks pay it out of all their profits. And then they pay ano∣ther Subsidre, for every single man through a Fa∣mily, each head a Crown. If Parents refuse this Tribute, their children are taken from them, and made Slaves. Others are bound in Chains; and beg from door to door to pay this Crown; which if they cannot this way procure, they are cast into perpetual Prison; and when all Duties are performed, it is yet lawful for the Turk to chuse the best amongst his Children, whom he circumciseth, and removes from all approach or sight of Parents, and breeds him for his Wars, never to return to his Friends; and so a child easily forgets both Christ, his Parents, and his Kindred; that after, if he chance in company with them, he shall not know them. No man can express by Words, the Lamentations, Cries, Tears and grievous sighs, at this distraction of Children. The Father to see his Son (educated in the fear of Christ) torn from him, and made an instrument of Satan, to oppose Christ; hur∣ried from his Mother, to live perpetually with strangers, leaving whatsoever is dear in blood, pleasing in society, or loving infamiliarity, with an everlasting dereliction; after listed in the ranks of those the Greeks call Fatherless and Motherless: yet many of these, although they have denied Christ, carry about them the Go∣spel

of St. John, (In the beginning was the word, &c. in Greek or the Arabick tongue) as an Amu∣let or preservative in their Arm-pits; and with great desire they expect the Christian Sword (according to some Turkish Prophecies) should revenge and free them from those great afflicti∣ons and persecutions; and that if Christians do it not, whatever is the cause, or with what mind soever hindred, all very ill deserve of Christian Religion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How the Turks imploy their slaves.
• * 1.2

  The con∣dition of Virgins & other wo∣men
• * 1.3

  How pri∣vate Turks use priso∣ners.
• * 1.4

  How Chri∣stians ig∣norant in mechanik Arts are used.
• * 1.5

  How pri∣soners newly ta∣ken are used.
• * 1.6

  How used that are exposed to sale.
• * 1.7

  Of Cap∣tives made shepherds
• * 1.8

  Escapes of priso∣ners out of Europe.
• * 1.9

  Out of lesser Asia
• * 1.10

  The pu∣nishment of Fugi∣tives.
• * 1.11

  The cha∣rity of Greeks & Armeni∣ans to Captives.
• * 1.12

  The In∣cantation of Turks against Fugitives.
• * 1.13

  The me∣mory of Christ by degrees lost in former Christian Provinces
• * 1.14

  The con∣dition of the con∣quered.
• * 1.15

  Condition of Priests & Frya••••. under Tribute.
• * 1.16

  The Tri∣bute of Christians