The History of the Turks describing the rise and ruin of their first empire in Persia, the original of their second : containing the lives and reigns of their several kings and emperors from Ottoman its first founder to this present year, 1683, being a succinct series of history, of all their wars (forreign and domestick) policies, customs, religion and manners, with what else is worthy of note in that great empire.

CHAP. XII. The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name, seventh King, and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks, who for his many Victories, was surnamed Great.

A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom, Anno 1450. Be∣ing of a firey Cruel Nature, given to many Debauches, not acknowledging any Deity, but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance; who, e'r he was well settled, caused his two Brethren, the one an Infant, and the other not above twelve years of Age, to be put to Death; after which he fell to altering the Con∣stitution of the Government, by abrogating the Old Laws, and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour: So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects, when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle, he hearing that I∣brahim King of Carramania was entered his Territo∣ries in the lesser Asia, passed thither, upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him, fled into the Mountains, and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him, who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters, as Mahomet was well Content to ac∣cept, and so returned to his City of Prusa, sending I∣saac Bassa, against Elias Prince of Mentesia, or Caria, who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Coun∣try, annexing it to the Turkish Empire, for so hence∣forth I must call it.

Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests, with∣out any Colour or Reason, only being driven Head∣long

by Ambition; he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor, and to have the sooner done, marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power, laying Siege to that Imperial City, which had once been Mistress of the World, which he reduced to such Extremity, that the Citizens for meer Hun∣ger left no filthy thing uneaten, and at last Eat one another; and perceiving none intended to relieve them, they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World, to the Will of the Ty∣rant, having made all the defence that from true Va∣lour could be expected.

The proud Conqueror entering the City, amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility, the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence. Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press, as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City; this taken after a years Siege, Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred, yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite: And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople, where it has ever since remain'd, he repaired the Walls, and such Buildings, as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon.

Amongst the Captives taken in the City, one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beau∣tiful Ladies that Nature ever formed, named Irene, be∣ing nobly descended; and for Education not to be pa∣ralell'd, upon this incomparable Beauty, Mahomet so doted, that he spent whole Days and Nights with her, never thinking his time well spent but in her Compa∣ny: So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neg∣lected, which caused his Captains to murmur against him, though they durst not freely speak their Minds, which Mustapha Bassa, one that had been bred up

with him, observing, presuming upon the Interest he had in him, took upon him boldly to declare his Mind, laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors, and the disgrace and obloquie he in∣curred by devoting himself to amorous Delights, whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected.

At this free Speech of the Bassas, Mahomet was won∣derfully offended, telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption; but notwithstand∣ing he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity, Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains, and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace; which being accordingly done, he came out of his Chamber, leading the fair Greek in most splendid At∣tire, which adding Luster to her rare Perfections, made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal; and sternly demanding of them, Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure, they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it: To which they all answered, that he had with greater reason passed his time with her, then any man had to find sault therewith. To which the barbarous Tyrant re∣plyed, well, but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me, and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses, or bereave me of my Reason, as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling; yea, I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings, my noble Progenitors, is so fixed in my breast, with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same, as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance; and having so said, he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair, and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head, she vainly Crying out for Mercy, and

then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains; said, now by this Judge ye, whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections, or not; and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind, gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus, which he soon brought into Subjection, taking most of the principal Cities, and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword; but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof, he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire; and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife, and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia, he seized upon his Country; and so passing on with his Army besieg∣ed Belgrade, both by Land and Water, as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius, on whose Bank that City is seated; which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War, sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed; which so inraged the Turk, that immediately giving order for the assault∣ing the City, his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men, and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieu∣tenant in Europe, who making his approach was slain with a great Shot; and so well did the Valiant Hu∣miades defend that City, that after many unsuccessful assaults, Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege, and departed with 40000 less then he brought.

The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bul∣wark to Christendom, now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick; and although his Disease was grievous, yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament, he would be carried to the Church, saying it was not fit, that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant: But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord, and after his being brought home, his Sick∣ness Increasing, he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of

all the Christian Princes, and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia.

Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Cap∣tain, who opposed the Torrent of his Victories great∣ly rejoyced, and now resolving to extend his Domi∣nions, as well by Sea as Land, Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople, with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea, reducing several of them to his obedience, and Landing his Army, straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes; but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome, being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera, a City belonging to his See, aided by the Genoways, sent out a great Fleet under the Con∣duct of Lodonicius, Patriarch of Aquilla, fought with the Turks Gally, sunk and burnt most of them. And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken, which so inraged Mahomet, that he prepared an other Fleet a∣gainst the Spring; the which whilst he was doing, Ambassadors came from Ʋsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents, desiring that he would en∣ter into League with the mighty Prince his Master, and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond; that Kingdom as he said, after the Death of the then Reigning King, revolving to his Master, in right of his Wife, Daughter to the said King; which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet, that he not only refused his Presents, but dismissed his Am∣bassador with this Answer: That he would himself e'r long be in Asia, to teach Ʋsun Cassanes what to re∣quest of one greater then himself, and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum, incontinently to sail to Si∣nope, the chief City of Paphlagonia, and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land; which City and Country being under the Persian King, he resolv∣ed to besiege it on no other Account, then to raise a

ground of Quarrel; which City being but slenderly for∣tified, and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance, it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands, who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond, which he had in like manner yielded to him, who sent the Emperor, together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople, dispeopling the City, and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries, by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection, and for ever ruining that Chri∣stian Empire: And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia, his Tributary, went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies, he sought by all means to get him into his Power, to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa, and his Secretary accompanied with several others, to invite him to Court, but the Prince un∣derstanding the Design upon his Life, hanged the Bassa and Secretary, and impailed the rest alive, and then in∣vaded his Country with Fire and Sword, which so in∣raged Mahomet, that he in Person with a great Army in∣vaded Valachia, ruining all with Fire and Sword, till at length driving the Prince out of his Country, he gave it to his younger Brother, who in lieu thereof became his Tributary, and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum, as he had before purposed, and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City, from whence the I∣sland take its name, after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance, and then for non-payment of Tribute, invaded the Kingdom of Bassan; which sub∣dued he by that means incompassed Epirus, he having all this while according to his Directions of the Fa∣ther, by one or other of his Bassas, maintained War against Scanderbeg, but with such bad success, that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him; but such were his Proposals, that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um, whereupon Mahomet sent A∣masa

Bassa with 12000 Horsemen, to wast Epirus; but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight, and took him Prisoner, and worse faired De∣breus Bassa, who soon after was sent with 14000 Horse∣men, for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces, his Ar∣my was overthrown, and himself slain.

Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better, and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg, he dealt underhand by giving great Re∣wards to his Captains, thinking if he could cause them to revolt, Scanderbeg would easily be subdued, and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain, and a great Soldier, that in hopes of the Kingdom of E∣pirus promised by Mahomet; when Scanderbeg should be subdued, and a great mass of Money, he found means to escape to Constantinople, and after him Amasa ano∣ther of Scanderbeg's Captains, who were sent by Maho∣met with great Power to invade Epirus; but being o∣verthrown by the invinsible Prince, they received such cold Comfort at their return, that fearing their Lives, which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off, Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince, he notwithstanding his Trea∣chery received him again into his Service, who after∣ward served him faithfully in his Wars, but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa, with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return, was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poi∣soned, after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year, and was afterwad continued for a longer time, during which great War happened be∣tween the Turks, about the seizing the Islands in the E∣geum, and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Medi∣teranian, to the great impoverishing their Signiory. Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Prin∣ces, they Arme both by Sea and Land; into which

League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg, notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired.

The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces, when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa a∣gainst Scanderbeg, to keep him from joyning with the Venetians, whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him, with ten Gallies appointed; with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought, and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men, taking the Treasurer of the Army, and six others of Account Prisoners, who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats; and greater things had been done, had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever, upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella; the next year with the Venetian Fleet, seized Athens, Aulis, Chalchis, Larsum, and the Isle of Himber: But attempting to recover Pa∣tras was overthrown.

Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks, elected Matthias Corroinus, the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased, who not much inferiour to his Father in valour and success in Arms, gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow, with the Loss of many of their Armies, and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom.

Whilst things thus passed, Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbeg, fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories, whom Scanderbeg charging furiously overthrew him, but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General, in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straights of the Mountains, where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose layed, they were taken Prisoners, and carryed

to Constantinople, by those they had before Vanquish∣ed, wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them, but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakned by such a loss, caused them Cruelly to be flain alive, and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army, with whom the renowned Prince ingaging, slew him hand to hand, and put to the Sword a great part of his Army, upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger, raised an Army of 200000 men, thinking to overrun the Country, but in vain, for having a long time layn Siege to Croia, and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison, and onsets of Scanderbeg, lost near half his men, together with Ballabanus his General, he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople.

But as all things must yield to Fate, so our invinci∣ble Champion, whom no mortal hand could subdue, wearyed with the Toils of a tedious War, coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians, fell Sick, and calling the Venetian Embassador to him, he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived, and by what means the War was to be maintained, recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children, appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son, till such time he came of Age, and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus, admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity. Then calling his Wife and Son, told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable, and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia, and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand, and then after some devout Prayers, gave up the Ghost, Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign, to the great grief of the Christian Princes, and joy of the Turks, whose Armys his very name had

frequently put to flight. After his death he was with great Solemnity buryed in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa, where he rested till about 9 years after, at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones, and happy was he that could get the smallest piece, which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels, superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about u'm Scanderbeg's fortune would attend u'm, and that they should be invincible.

Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier, the Hungarians under the leading of their young King, seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna, and soon rent it from the Turkish Empire, demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Maho∣met, at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Gallies, took divers Cities from the Turks, burnt many Villages, and carryed away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea, now called Nigroponte, which so inraged Mahomet, that he pre∣pared a great Army to invade that Country, and recover the spoil; in order to effect which, he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Gallies, whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland, with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to ingage it, arrived safe, where the Turks landing took Stora Basasi∣licon, and Marching to Chalcis joyned with the Emperors Army, who with small Vessels and other Materials, made a Bridge over the straight or narrow Sea, which divides Euboea from Achaia, straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land, and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly, being given to under∣stand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom he had bribed, which was the weakest part, insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉〈…〉 made, yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉〈…〉 the Turks could not enter, and every day 〈…〉〈…〉 Turks forced

to make a new Battery, for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down, which the Citi∣zens in the Night repaired, and at length coming to understand the Tretchery of their Gunner, hanged him up as a reward of his Tretchery; Mahomet per∣ceiving the valor of the defendants, resolved after his having rent the Wall with his Cannon in divers places, and thirty Days besieged the City, to give a general assault with all his power, at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet, but would not tho his Captains urged, either Fight with Turkish Gallies, or endeavour to break the Bridge, the which had he done, he had shut up Maho∣met, and all his forces in the Island, where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him. This Cowardice of the Admiral, for which he and all his Family was afterwards Ba∣nished by the Signory of Venice, being perceived by the Turks, they gave a furious assault on all parts, and were so stoutly repulsed, that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches, but their number still increasing, and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission, the Ci∣tizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain, and wound∣ed, the remaining part retired to the Market, and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man; selling their Lives at a dear rate, a∣mongst whom many Women disguised in men's ap∣parel Fighting couragiously were Slain.

The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword; which Paulus Ericus the Governour understanding, with his Wise, Daughter, and trusty Friends, be∣took himself to the Castle, who capitulated that up∣on the surrender of the Castle, himself, and his Friends

should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them, which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to, but having gotten them in his power, made at the great loss, he had sustained in winning the City, he caused the Governour and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain, reserving the young Lady, as the only Mir∣ror of Beauty, to satiate his lust; but she disdain∣ing the Tyrants promises, and reviling him for his wicked purposes, rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute, he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death, and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island; who terrified with the fate of Chalcis, sur∣rendered without being Assaulted: So that all the Fruit∣ful Island of Euboea fell into the Hands of the Turks, who infinitely inriched themselves in taking the Spoil.

The Turks thus Triumphing over the Ocean Islands, the Christians thought it no ways convenient to be lookers on, but in time to oppose them, whereupon the Venetians aided by Ferdinand King of Naples, Sex∣tus the fourth Bishop of Rome, and the Great Ma∣ster of Rhodes, set out a powerful Navy; under the command of Petrus Mocenicus, a Valiant Venetian Gentleman, and the better to Amate him both by Sea and Land, drew Alymbeus Ʋsan Cassanes, the great King of Persia into a League with them, and so at once by Sea and Land, invading the Ottoman Empire, took many strong places, and Loaded the Fleet with the Spoil, which Fleet consisting of 85 so terrified Mahomet, that he durst not ingage them, nor once oppose their proceedings, but in revenge thereof turn∣ed his whole force upon Epirus and Dalmatia; which Countries having lost their Champion, the renown∣ed Scanderbeg, growing Weak, he mightily wasted with Fire and Sword, till he had made an absolute

conquest over them, and the easier by Reason of the discords, that arose amongst the great Com∣manders, during the Minority of the King; but ere Mahomet had well setled himself in those so much de∣sired Countries, he had news that the Persians with a great Army invaded his Countries in Asia, which made him begin to consider how to defend his own, rather then further to proceed in Conquering what appertained to others, so that increasing his Army with no less then 320000 men, he passed over the He∣lespont, and after several Days marching, came with∣in a League of the Persian Army, lead by Ʋsan Cas∣sanes their King, who after some debate, gave the Turks Battle near the Mountains of Armenia, in which one of the great Bassas together with 40000 Turks were Slain, and the rest put to Flight, which so dis∣couraged Mahomet, that had not his great Captains used many Arguments to perswade him to the contra∣ry, would have returned without attempting any thing further, but being roused by their reproofs, lest he should be suspected of Cowardise, he resolved to try the Fortune of another Field; in order to which he drew up his forces in Battalia near to the Straights of the Mountains, and so fortified his Camp with Waggons, and other cumbersome Carriages, that it seemed a Walled City, when in the midst of his Army, he placed his great Artillery; the which upon the first joyning of Battle, his men opening to the Right and the Left, played so furiously upon the Per∣sian Horse-men, that they soon began to Disrank, by Reason their Horses upon hearing the unwonted Thundering of the Cannon, would know no Ruler but with Head-strong fury Floundered first one way then another, and by that means put all things in∣to confusion, of which Mahomet taking the advantage,

commanded his men furiously to charge upon the E∣nemy as flyers. To resist whose fury and to stay the Flight of his men Zeinal Ʋsan Cassanes Eldest Son Labouring, was Slain with a small Shot, which more and more discouraged the Persians, so that from re∣treating, they betook themselves to plain Flight, yet so great was the loss of Mahomet that he contented himself only with the Spoil of the Enemies Camp, not thinking it convenient to persue them, for it was generally Rumoured, that in that Battle he lost 40000 men, and the Persians 1000 only, after which Mahomet returning home, and Ʋsan Cassanes leaving his second Son with his Army, for the defence of Armenia. Am∣bassadors were sent by the former to Treat of a Peace, the which to the great dislike of the Christi∣ans his Confederates, the Persian concluded with the Turks.

After the Expedition into the Persian Territories, Dyed the Couragious Prince Mustapha, as some say of a Surfeit, but others say that he was strangled by the Commandment of his Father, for Ravishing Bas∣sa Achmets Wife, a Lady of Incomparable Beauty, and Daughter to Isaac Bassa one of Mahomets chief Favorites.

Mahomet desirous to revenge the wrong done by the Venetians, sent Solyman Bassa with 80000 Soldi∣ers to besiege Scodra a strong City; then in the possession of the Venetians, and an Inlet into Epirus, Dalmatia and Albania, who Anno 1475 set down be∣fore it, and having raised his Batteries, gave it a fu∣rious assault, but was repulsed by Antonius Laureta∣mus the Valiant Governour with great loss, when a while after the Venetian Gallies coming up the Ri∣ver Boliana, on whose Banks the City standeth, and as the Turks were busie in laying a Chain across, slew many of them, and forced the rest to retire to their

Camp, out of which soon after Matthias King of Hungary drove them with the Terror of his approach, the Bassa being glad after the loss of 14000 of his men to raise his Siege.

Anno 1476. Mahomet growing impatient to be thus hindred in his progreess of Victory, by the Christians confederates, set out a great Fleet under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes; who did great harm to the Islands in the Mediterranean, and hoped by Trea∣son to have surprized the Island of Creet, but was prevented by the Venetians, who discovering the Plot Executed the Traitors before his arrival, yet sailing in∣to the Euxine, he Landed his men in Taurica Chersonesus, a Friutful Country belonging to the Genoways; in hopes to have surprized the rich City of Caffa, Sci∣tuate near to the Shoar, but was repulsed with a great Slaughter of his men, but being reinforced by fresh Troops, he lay'd Siege to it, which by Reason of the Turkish Garrisons all along the shoars of Bos∣phorus, and the Hellespont could have no relief by Sea, after a stout resistance surrendered, and soon after all the Country to it appertaining, most of the Merchants contrary to the promise of the Faithless Bassa, being plundered of their Riches.

Mahomet thus conquering on, grew dreadful to the Tartar princes; Namely the Precopenses and Desten∣ses, who for fear of being invaded Voluntarily sub∣mitted themselves, and became Tributaries, having e∣ver since been greatly serviceable to the Turks in their Wars, who now impatient that the Venetians held several strong Towns in the Heart of the Ottoman: Solyman Bassa with a great Fleet entering the Gulph of Corinth lay'd Siege to Naupactum now called Lepan∣to a strong City near Locris over against Pelopennesus, but upon the arrival of Antonius Lauretanus with the Venetian Gallies, after. he had layn 4 Months be∣fore

it, and gave many unsuccesful assaults, in a great fury raised his Siege in order to his returning to Constantinople, and by the way Landing his men on the Isle of Lemnos, in hopes to have surprized the City of Coccinum, but were Valiantly repulsed by such Ci∣tizens, and Merchants Strangers as were then near the Gate, and amongst the rest one Merulla a Maiden of the City seeing her Father Slain, took up his Wea∣pon, and with it made great Slaughter of the Turks that were entering the Gate, upon which bad Success the Bassa departed for Constantinople, and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus, to the relief of which the Venetians hast'ned with an Army, under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage; who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter, obliging them to leave their Camp, but not pursuing them by Reason of the near ap∣proach of Night, whilst they were taking the Spoil, the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks, and soon turned the Scale of Victory, by subduing those who a little before were Conquerers, in which last Fight the General, and several of his great Cap∣tains were Slain. Heightned with this Success, the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium, where being incountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts, under the leading of Hieronimus Nowel, the Count of Verona; he trained the Venetians into an Ambush, by which they being few in number, and beset on every side were mostly Slain, after which the proud Con∣querers proceeded to spoil the Country, wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils, and driv∣ing before them a number of the miserable People in∣to Captivity.

The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again, and with a great power pas∣sing

the aforesaid River, marched further into the Country, wasting all before them, and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany: a way both difficult and dangerous, and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants, they returned home laden with great Spoil. And now Mahomet remembring the disgrace he re∣ceived at the Siege of Scodra, of which he allowed one a yearly Pension, to put him daily in mind, he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Domini∣ons, and under the Leading of several of his Bassa••, himself being there in person, likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men, and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Mettal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass, one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight; he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City de∣livered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls, and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wild-Fire, and Stones of a prodigious Weight, which beat down and fired many Houses, yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged, that they daily animated each other couragiously to defend the City to the last man, every Night Coun∣termuring the Breaches the Cannon made, with Earth Timber and Planks, which Mahomet perceiving com∣manded his men to give a furious assault, and either by Firing the Planks, or scaling the Walls to enter the City; the which in hopes of great rewards, pro∣mised them if they happened to be Succesful in the attempt, thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaugh∣ter, being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls, that all the plains were cover∣ed with their Bodies, which Mahomet perceiving and understanding, they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded, and gave order for

the renewing the Battery, so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach, and immediately caused a second Assault to be made, tho with as bad Success, as had been the former.

About this time the Turks under the leading of So∣lyman Bassa, had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour, which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger, and not being able to expect a∣ny Relief, all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks, had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty; but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise, having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword, which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp, were the more incouraged, resolving manfully to dye rather then trust the perfidious Infidels.

Mahomet inraged at the besieged obstinacy, and the loss of his men in the two assaults, after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall, Commanded the most Couragious of his Soldiers to give a third Assault, which they did with great Fury, shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City, and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians, and began a cruel and dreadful Fight, in which many were slain on either side: The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces, till at length they so far prevailed, that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire; at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governour came happily to their Relief, and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter: Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Bat∣tery, and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach, and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal, pitched upon a Mount advan∣tagiously to behold what passed, and there by Threats

and Promises incouraged them to undertake a fourth A∣ssault. In which he lost 12000 of his best Men, and was forced at last to sound a retreat, yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets, lying covered with Turkish Arrows, and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rent most miserably by the great Shot, they were forced to La∣bour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches, e∣very one incouraging his Fellow in such sort, that Mahomet began to despair of Victory, and blasphem∣ing God, for (as he impiously pretended) hindering his Proceedings, he retired in his Melancholly Mood into his Tent; where Tormenting himself for the space of two days, he would not be spoken with by any, but the third Day calling a Council, it was con∣cluded another Assault should be given, which was ac∣cording done with great Fury, and much Effusion of Blood on either side, but the besieged and resolving to fell their Lives dear, so manfully withstood them, that with Shame and greater Slaughter then ever they were forced to retire; and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged, the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine, he could not do by Force; and therefore ceasing any further Assault, caused the City to be so closely Blocked up, that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things, as Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rats, Mice, and the like: Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice, under whose Protection that Ci∣ty was, and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant, sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Embassador to Constantinople, whither weary of the Siege, Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army, to Block up the City as aforesaid; who upon his Arrival being admit∣ted to the Presence of the Tyrant, he so ordered the

Matter, that a Peace was concluded upon these Arti∣cles: First, that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra, the Isle of Lemnos, the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus, and pay him yearly 8000 Duccats; that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea, by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus, and Thracius, and that the Citizens of Scodra, and the Garrison contained therein, should upon the Delivery of the said City, be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government; or depart whither they pleased with their Goods, &c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour, who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm, as he had received it from the Ambassador, who then together with the Venetian Admiral, Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana, when after some De∣bate it was agreed, that they would leave the City, and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Ty∣rant at all times; whereupon at a certain time prefix∣ed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa, and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage, went on Board the Venetian Gallies, who carefully Transport∣ed them into their other Territories of Italy, and thus was this City surrendered, Anno 1478. after a years Siege, before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives.

Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for, sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally, to take in the I∣slands of Neritus, Zacynthus, and Cephalenia; upon which he seized without any Resistance, Lenord Prince of the same, upon the Arrival of the Turks, hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy, where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman, after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Ar∣my to invade Transilvania: Whereupon Stephanas, Batore the Vayvod, fled to Matthias King of Hungary to

crave Aid, who at the same time lay sick of the Gout, yet he ordered his two Captains, viz. Stephanus Che∣repetnus, and Palus Rivisus, to march with his Army; who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia, in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army, with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men, together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander, and of the Christi∣ans there fell 8000 only.

Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Medi∣terranian Sea, began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes, and to further his Design at the same time, a Fugitive Knight of the Order, named Antonius Meli∣galus residing in his Court, gave him a Plat-form of the City; informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted, and how the Island might be best subdued: Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out, and this Traytor to his Country put on Board, with a Command that his Directions should be followed, but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease, so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell, that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board, whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy, and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous In∣tention.

The great Master of Rhodes, having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories, was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence, and having certain No∣tice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power, and was marching towards the City, he assembled his Cap∣tains, and with many Christian and Soldier-like per∣swasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies, which so wrought up∣on them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence.

By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp, and

began to raise his Batteries, according to the Directi∣ons of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight, who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason, having his Horse slain under him, was mise∣rably trampled to Death; most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall, the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard, possessed and intren∣ched by the Christians, which those that possessed it, not being able to defend, against so powerful an Ene∣my slighted it; and retired to the City, leaving the Ordnance behind them: Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado, the Turks battered the Tower, standing about 300 pa∣ces from the City with great Fury, and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered, but were bea∣ten off with great loss; after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats, over a frith of the Sea, fastening by Ropes, so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land; the which was no sooner fastened, but the Ropes were all cut in sunder, by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain, and after that attempting to make another Bridge, and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists, the Bridge was broken, and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Dam∣boise the great Masters Brother, who with his Artil∣lery planted for that purpose on the Bastions, beat them to pieces; but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp, it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks, which so terrified the Spaniards (for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations) that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island, and to return home; but for such their Cowardize, being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master, a most expert and Valiant French man, they, as asha∣med of what they before proposed begged Pardon, and

afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege.

Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force, though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places, which were as soon repaired, he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect, and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master, which some of them undertook to bring to pass, but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered, and the undertakers worthily Executed; upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before, and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege, sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name, to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City, and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal: To which the He∣roick Old man returned Answer, that he would not wil∣lingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Ene∣my, neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God, to whom he did owe it, and that with far better Will, then to sur∣render the City upon any Conditions, bear they ne∣ver so fair a shew of Honour or Profit. The Messen∣gers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master, by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor, paying a small matter yearly for his Peace; but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Sla∣very, utterly refused; upon which the Messengers re∣turned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um, who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general A∣ssault, battering the City for four days without In∣termission, but not prevailing after three Months siege, having lost 9000 of his Men, and 15000 dan∣gerously

sick of their Wounds, and mortal Distempers, he with great shame raised his Siege; and after hav∣ing destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island, imbarked his Men for Constantinople, where at his re∣turn he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperi∣ous Master.

Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes, Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy, and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia; the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it, spoiling all the Country round about it, which brought such a Fear upon Italy, that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome, being only dreadful to the Christian Princes, was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World, as a prey to the Infidels; and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued, had not the Ottoman Forces been Con∣verted another way; for the Carramanian King, aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt; having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side, had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet, Mahomet's eldest Son (then Living) with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army, to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes, with all the European Soldiers, and in Person passed over into Asia; but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of By∣thinia he fell sick, and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly (which some supposed to be the Collick, though others to proceed from the effects of Poison) he Dyed, Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years, and his Reign 31 years. His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel, near unto the great Mahometan Temple, which himself had built at Constantinople; Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied (till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome, who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other) Ze∣mes,

or Zizimus his younger Brother, as in the Life of Bajazet will appear.