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. XIV. The Life of Selymus the first of that Name, the third Emperor of the Turks, his Bloody Reign and woful Death.

SElymus Aspiring to the Empire by Blood and Trea∣son, could not think himself safe whilst any of the Othoman Royal Blood remained in the Veins of his Relations; therefore gathering all his forces, he marched into Asia to oppress Achometes, but missing of him at that time, he thirsty of Blood caused 5 of his Nephews, all Princes of great hope to be straug∣led in his presence, causing their dead Bodies to be Buryed in Prusa, and afterward sought to surprise Amurath and Aladin Mahometes 2 Sons, but they hav∣ing notice of his wicked intent, one of them fled in∣to Persia, and the other into Egypt, and Ʋsegi Bassa who was sent to apprehend them at Amasa upon notice beforehand, sent by Mustapha Bassa who now was alienated from Selymus, was intrapped by an Ambush lay'd by Mahometes himself, taken Prisoner, and most of his men Slain, but it coming to Selymus his Ear, that Mustapha held Correspondence with Achometes, notwithstanding he had helped him to the

Empire he caused him to be Slain, so little Assurance has any man in the favour of a Tyrant, who has the power of Life and Death in his Hand; in revenge of which Achometes put Ʋsegi Bassa (whom he held Prisoner) to Death.

Selymus still thirsty of Blood, with all speed march∣ed to Magnesia, in hopes to have surprized his Bro∣ther Corcutus in his Castle, but he having timely no∣tice was fled before his coming, yet he took the Spoil of all his Treasure, and so leaving a Captain with a 1000 Horse to secure the City, and command∣ing Bostanges his Son In-Law, with a Fleet to watch the Sea-Coast that he should not escape, he went to Prusia supposing to have found him there, but on the contary he poor Prince was fain to hide himself in a Cave by the Sea-side, and there for many Days feeding upon Crabs in hopes the Ships would have departed, that he might have wafted over, at length weary of his unwonted diet he sent his Servant to a Shepherds Cottage to purchase natural Food, who suspecting by some words that passed, that it was the Prince, like a perfidious Swain, he gave notice thereof to Coshmos one of Selymus's his Captains who was come insearch of him, upon which he was apprehended, and carryed to∣wards Prusa; of which the Tyrant having notice greatly rejoyced, and immediately sent one Kirengi Og'ly a Squint-Ey'd Captain to strangle him by the way, who accordingly performed his wicked Masters pleasure; and now none remaining alive to obstruct the progress of his greatness, but Achometes and his two Sons, he resolved to go against them, but in the be∣ginning of his Expedition, he intercepted some Let∣ters signed by several Commanders of his Camp, and directed to Achometes, desiring him to advance towards Selymus with all speed, and that he might be assured upon his approach, a great part of the Army

would revolt, or at least in the Battle they would kill Selymus. Upon this discovery those that were found to be concerned therein were Executed, and the Letters notwithstanding sent, upon which Acho∣metes presuming made such hast, that he left his Foot∣men behind, at what time 10000 Janizaries were come to Selymus out of Europe, so that Battle joyning after a most Bloody conflict Achometes was overthrown, and seeking to save himself by flight, his Horse fell with him into a deep Ditch, where he was taken by the pursuers, at whose hands he could not procure himself to be Slain, tho he earnestly desired it, but was lead Captive to his cruel Brother, who Commanded the Squint-Ey'd Captain that had dispatched Corcu∣tus to strangle him with a Bow-String, and now de∣siring nothing more then to get in his possession the two Sons of Achometes, who to his great Grief heard they were honourably received, the one in the Persi∣an, and the other in the Egyptian Courts, and that Amurath the Elder aided by Hysmael the Great Sophy with ten thousand Persian-Horse, was entered into Cappadocia, wasting the Country before him, for fear of whom most of the adjacent Provinces had submit∣ted to do him homage, he resolved after he had driven him back, in revenge of the aid the Sophy had lent him to War upon his Countries in Persia, where∣fore preparing a great Army, tho many of his great Commanders lay'd before him the difficulty and dan∣ger of the undertaking, and amongst the rest Chen∣demus Vice-Roy of Natolia a man of great Experience, and of all others in greatest Credit and Authority with Selymus, who used many Arguments to disswade him therefrom, which he afterward found to be undenia∣ble truths, but some of his Flatterers perswading him that Chendemus was bribed by Amurath, to divert his Arms another way, and bring certain Ruffains hir∣ed

for that purpose to attest what they had said, the Tyrant caused the faithful Bassa to be slain, without hearing his Excuse, and then Marching from Arsenga, he came to the Confines of Armenia the Less, before whose Powerful Army the young Prince fled, but Selymus fearing lest the Mountain Kings not be∣ing made his friends, and yet left behind him, should fall upon his Rear, sent Ambassadors to them, to desire free passage through their Territories, and to send him provision for his Money, at such time as he should be entered into Armenia the greater, to all which they accorded, whereupon with all his Army, he passed the Mountain Scodrisci, and after 8 days Marching over an other great Mountain, called Moschi••, which the famous River Euphrates with his mighty streams, and huge broden Banks, separateth from the great Mountain Anti-Taurus, and with perpetual steep ridges, runneth into Iberia, and Cholchis. Here Selymus with his Ensigns displayed, Marching along the Banks of the River, departed not from the same, for fear in that hot Country he should be distressed for want of Water, and so held on his way directly East∣ward, leaving the Country of Armenia the less, upon the Left, and the Kingdom of Aladeules on the right, and so along to the Banks of Araxes, finding all the Country before him destroyed, and by reason the Mountain Kings kept not their words, in sending him provision, his Army began to fall into great want, which though too late made him call to mind the faithful Council of Chendemus, yet having Marched thus far, he could not without great dishonour turn back, and therefore passing Arazes about the City of Coy, to defend which City Ʋsta Ogli the Persian General approached with his whole power, contrary to the expectation of Selymus, whose Souldiers being oppressed by want, and for the most part were forced to live upon

wild fruit began to Mutinie, so that whilst either Army lay Hovering at some distance, Hismael came in Person into his Camp, and from thence sent a harauld to Selymus, to know why he had in hostile manner enter∣ed his Country, having no title thereto, as likewise to take a view of the Turkish Army, to which demand Selymus replyed that his Grandfather, his Uncle, and himself had greatly Indamaged the Othoman Empire, by making several Invasions, and Aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet, Bajazet, and of late in his Reign, yet he esteemed them not as sufficient causes of War, but sought after his enemy, young Amurath his Brothers Son, who had of late spoiled Cappadocia, whom if he would quietly and friendly deliver unto him, he would withdraw his forces, and peaceably return into his own Kingdom, otherwise with fire and Sword, he would destroy, not only the frontiers of Armenia, but the heart of Persia also, and so dis∣missing the Herauld, both the Armies for that day lay still in their trenches, expecting the dreadful event of Battle, and after both Armies were Marshalled and put in order, the Bloody Blast was sounded, where∣upon the Persian Horsemen came on with great fury, making great Havock of the Vaunt-guard of Selymus his Army, overthrowing the Alapi or common Soul∣diers by heaps, which are such as the Turks for the most part carry to stand the first Shock of the Ene∣mies fury, and to blunt their Swords, nor did the Turkish Horse stand firm, but charged in either Wing gave ground, which Selymus seeing caused his orders to open, and began with his great Ordnances to play furiously, to avoid whose Murthering shot, the Per∣sian Horsemen, opened likewise to the right and the left, yet the thundering of the Cannon so amazed the Horses that many of them cast their Riders, yet Hys∣male with great fury broke and disordered the Turks

right Wing, composed of Asian Horsemen, but whilst Ʋsta Ogli was indeavouring to do the same to the left, he was slain with a harquibus shot, which much dismayed the Soldiers under his command, yet could they not be forced to retire, till Selymus came on with all his Power of Janizaries, yet gaining little ground, whereupon he commanded all his great Ordnance which he had re∣served as his last refuge, to be furiously discharged against the right Wing of the Persian Horse, where Hysmael fought; by the violence of which such a slaughter was made, as well of his own men as of the Enemies, mingled together, that what for the dust, smoak, and thundering of the Artillery, having on both sides lost their sight and hearing, the Persian horse were so terrified that they were not to be ruled, wherefore the battle soon became broken and disor∣dered, so that both Armies retired upon the Approach of night, leaving the Victory doubtful: The Turks to express the terror of this day, number it amongst their dismal ones, calling it the only day of Doom.

Hysmael in this furious battle having received a wound under the left Shoulder, with a small shot, by the perswasion of his friends withdrew himself, to have his wound search'd, which past doubt was the safeguard of Selymus and his Army; for the Persians following their King, left the Victory almost gotten, but the Persian finding his wound not mortal, was about to return, but hearing of the Death of Ʋsta Ogli his General, a man of Great experience, and that by reason of the Thundering of the great Ordnance, his Horsemen could not rule their Horses, he caused the retreat to be sounded, and so retired in good order, the Turks so much dispairing of Victory, that they durst not follow him; and so he passing by the City of Tauris, admonished the Inhabitants to open their gates to Selymus, thereby to avoid being

sacked, and so Marched into the Confines of Me∣dia.

The Persians out of sight, the Turks then and not till then durst seize upon their Camp, where they found divers rich Pavilions, wrought with Needle-Work, and Gold, as also many beauteous Ladies, who had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars, all which he presently caused to be set at liberty, unless one of Hismaels Wives, whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassas.

In this Battle fought in the Galderan Fields near the City of Coy, Anno 1514. Selymus lost 30000 of his men, and amongst them many Bassas and great Commanders, even all the flower of his Army, which consisted of 300000 Horse and Foot, of the Persians there fell not above 8000 Hysmaels Army not consisting of above 30000, so that the Turks were 8 to 1; And amongst the slain, were found the Bodies of several Persian Women, who Armed had accompanied their Husbands, to participate of their good or evil fortune, at which Selymus admiring, caused them to be Ho∣nourably interred, and then received the Embassadors of the several adjacent Cities, who upon condition their Goods, Lives and Liberties, might be preserved, delivered up the Keys of their respective Cities, so that having taken possession thereof, he called a Coun∣cil of his Bassas and great Captains, to consult what was best to be done, himself being desirous to Win∣ter in Tauris, for opposing which Mustapha his chief Bassa, was by him disgraced and thrust from all his ho∣nours, of which the Janizaries having notice, began to Mutiny telling him to his face, they would not stay in that desolate Country, where they had suffered such hardship, daily to be exposed to the fury of the Enemy, who was raising great forces to come down against them, and that if he would not in time depart,

they were resolved to forsake him, whereupon he as needs must, changed his former determination, re∣solving to return into Cappadocia, whereupon contrary to his Promise, exacting a great Mass of Money from them of Taurus, and carrying with him 3000 families, the best Artificers in that City, especially those that were Skilfull in making Armour, he raised his Camp, and Marched towards Euphrates, a longer way then that by which he came, fearing to return again by the head of Araxis, and the Mountains of Periardes, lest he should meet the Iberian and Albanian Horsemen, who as he was informed were following hard after him, who indeed came within sight of him, as he was passing the Euphrates, which raised such consternation in his Camp, that in hastily passing the River, 2000 Turks were drowned, and a great many of his Ord∣nance, together with much Baggage left as a Prey to the Persians, nor had he better Success in passing the Huge Mountain Anti-Taurus, for the Mountain Kings despising him, by reason of his bad proceedings with their savage People, lay'd all the ways, and by fre∣quently falling upon the Rear of his Army, killed many of his People and took great spoil, though the Kings upon his sending to complain thereof, ex∣cused the matter, promising to punish the offenders so soon as they should be known; At length passing the many dangers he came to Amasa, where he win∣tered with his broken and crazed Army, resolving to return the next spring with a far greater Power; the cause why Hismael being Lord of such great Coun∣tries, came with so small a Power, was for that he to win the Hearts of his People the better to be established in his new acquired Kingdom, had remitted most of the Taxes and Customs, formerly pay'd to his Prodecessors, all his forces consisting in the Souldiers of the Court, those that were by right bound to serve him, and such

as were sent to him by the petty Princes his Neighbours, when as on the other side Selymus had always by him an Inestimable Mass of Money, kept in seven Towers in Constantinople; his yearly tributes and revenues exceeding his expences by a fourth part.

Selymus not thinking himself sufficiently revenged of the Persians, having reised his Camp at Amasa, Early in the Spring, passing the Euphrates with his whole Army, consisting of 300000 Horse and Foot, came before Clamassum a City of the Persians, situate on the further Banks, which he so suddenly invested, and so furiously assaulted, that the Gates being broken up, and the Walls in many places won, the defendants retired into the Market-place, and there fought a∣gainst the whole Power of Selymus to the last man; after the taking of this City, he took two Castles not far distant from it, and being pricked forward with the desire of Glory, purposed to have subdued the Kingdom of Persia, which he might the easier have done, by reason Hysmael was Waring against the Bactrians and Hyrcanians, a savage People dwelling near the Caspian Sea, who had Rebelled against him, but considering what damage he had received from Aladeules the Mountain King, and others inhabiting the Desolate Countries, at the entrance into Armenia, he purposed e're he further proceeded, to subdue him, wherefore he Marched thitherward with all his People, of which the poor Prince having notice, gathered all his strength, and drawing his Horsemen, who were but 15000 into a pleasant Valley, commanded his Foot∣men to keep the Mountains, and from thence with shot of Arrows annoy the Turks in passing the straights, upon which Selymus considering the disadvantage of the place, commanded Sinan Bassa General of the European Horsemen, to charge him with a square Battle afront, whilst himself with the Janizaries and

Asian Horsemen, followed him in the Rear, the Ground by reason of its Scantiness, not admitting the use of Wings, upon which a fierce fight was begun, and Atadeules fighting Courragiously at the head of his men, forced the Turkish Horsemen to give ground, which Selymus perceiving and that his Army was sorely Annoy'd by the Archers from the Mountains, drawing out 2000 Harquibusiers out of his own Squadorn, he sent them to reinforce his Horse, and at the same time commanded the Janizaries to Mount the Hills, which they doing charged the Foot with such Fury, that they being sore distressed with the Harquibus shot, not being used to such engins scattered and fled, so that a great number of them were killed, e're they could clamber up the steep Mountains, and the Horse at that time being discomfited, fled by well known ways, into the fastnesses of the steep Rocks, after whom Selymus fol∣lowed burning all before him, but finding he could not overtake the King, who retiring before him, had fortified himself amongst the Impregnible Rocks, and there stored up much provision, in hopes to weary the Turks with tedious delay.

Selymus having perfect notice of all that had passed, by several Prisoners that he had taken, thought it more fit to prevent his falling into necessity in so barren a Country, to use Stratagems, where force could not prevail, whereupon understanding that there was no good meaning between Aladeules, and Alis Beg his General, (by reason that the King had formerly com∣manded his Father to be slain, upon suspicion he designed to seize his Kingdom) he releasing the Prisoners, sent them to Alis Beg with great rewards, to incite him to deliver Aladeules into his hands, and that in Lieu thereof he of his bounty would give him the Kingdom, which so wrought with the treacherous General, that not finding means to kill the King, as he had purposed, he

caused all his Army to revolt to Sinan Bassa, whom Se∣lymus had sent to pursue him; so that being left alone, flying through many desolate places, at length hid himself in a Cave, where being discovered by a Coun∣try Peasant, he betrayed him into the Hands of those that sought after him, who presenting him to Selymus, he caused his Head to be stricken off, and carried all over Asia the less in manner of Triumph, and after∣ward sent it to the Senate of Venice, in token of his Victory.

Selymus having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules as aforesaid, and reduced it into the form of a Pro∣vince, making the Traitor chief Governour thereof, returned to Constantinople, having, at the same time he was Waring against Aladeules by his Bassas invaded Hungaria; and now having notice from his Correspon∣dents in Christendom, that Maximillian the Emperor, Ʋladislaus King of Hungaria, Sigismond King of Po∣land together with the Princes of Germany, were en∣tering into a League against him, it caused him to make great Preparations for the defence of his Territories, but in the end those Princes seperated without doing any thing worthy of their meeting. So that being freed from that Fear, he left a strong Guard upon the Fronteers of his Empire, bordering upon Hungaria, and departed to Iconium in Order, to prosecute his War against the Persian; but during his stay at that City, he had certain notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt, with a great Army levied in Egypt and Judea, was coming to Aid the Persian King, his Confederate as hating Selymus for his Cruelty towards his Father, Brethren and Nephews, as likewise being jealous of his aspiring Greatness, this News was Confirmed on all Hands: Selymus greatly feared that if he should pass over the River Euphrates, the Sultan might enter Asia and spoil his Dominions, wherefore he thought it safe

if possible, to make him his Friend, in order to which he sent the Cadelescher, or great Doctor of the Ma∣homitan Law; A man much reverenced amongst the Turks, and Jachis one of his great Captains, as his Ambassadors to desire the renewing the League, some∣time made between the Sultan and his Father Bajazet; but the Sultan moved by the pittious Complaints of the Princes, Aladine Son to Mahomet, and the Son of Ala∣deules, who as exiled Princes remained in his Court, and incouraged by his great Captains to restore them to their rightful Possessions, would have no Peace un∣less Selymus would leave off to invade the Persian, and restore the Mountainous Kingdom to the young Ala∣deules; which upon the Report thereof so inraged Se∣bymus, that he resolved to lay aside his intended War against Hysmale, and turn all his Forces upon the Sul∣tan, and therefore with words of incouragement, having animated his Soldiers, he passed with his Army over the Mountains in three places, and so appointing a great Company of the Common Soldiers and Coun∣try people, for the opening of the straight Passages; he Commanded the rough and uneven ways to be made smooth and plain, so that in five Days all his Ordnance and Carriages were come into the Plains of Comagena, where he received News of Campson's Army, from A∣lis Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingom, which caused him to march towards him with all speed.

By this time Campson having notice of the approach (whom he could not at first believe to have passed the huge Mountain of Amanus) stood long in doubt what was best to be done, whether to give the Ty∣rant Battle, or to retire to Damasco and protract the War, whilst fresh Forces could come to his Assist∣ance: In the latter Opinion Gazelles his great Coun∣sellor, and Governour of Apamia Concurred with him, labouring earnestly to confirm him in that Opinion,

but Destiny so ordering it, he refused the good and wholsome Perswasions of Gazelles, and imbraced that of Cayerbeius, which was presently to give the Turks Battle; which Council he gave though he knew it to be Destructive, that by such means he might be re∣venged on the Sultan; who some years before had caused his Brother to be poisoned, for designing to de∣prive him of his Empire.

Battle being resolved on, and the Turks Army com∣ing on Campson divided his Army into four Battles; the first whereof he committed to Cayerbeius the Traitor, the second to Sybeius the Governour of Da∣masco, a man of singular Faith and Valour; these two were appointed at once to Charge both Wings of the Turkish Army, the third was lead by Gazelles, and the last by Campson himself, who stayed with it for the defence of the Camp: Nor was Selymus Idle, for he had placed the Asian Horsemen in the right Wing, and the European in the left, and in the middle the Janizaries, and Artillery before, whom between the two Wings, he had placed his Pentioners all most ex∣pert, and valiant Soldiers, and in this Order the Turks always fight, if the Ground will admit so to Marshall the Army.

Both Armies being thus set in Order, the Charge was sounded; whereupon Cayerbeius with his Squa∣dron Charged the European Horsemen with great Fu∣ry, but resolving to betray his trust by and by, Wheeling off fell upon the Sullians and such other Slaves as kept the Baggage, making some small slaugh∣ter, that as a Valiant and cunning Traitor, he might at the self same time satisfie the Expectation of his Valour, and of his Treason; but Sybeius the Gover∣nour of Damasco dealt otherwise, for entering over-thwart the Ranks in the right Wing of the Turks Army; he with his Mamalukes Charged with such fu∣ry,

that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horsemen, they broak in amongst them like a devour∣ing Tempest, bearing down all before them, till they came to the Insigns in the midst of the Wing: Nei∣ther could Mustapha the Beglerbeg, nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces withstand him; or restrain the Flight of their Soldiers, so that cutting in pieces the right Wing, he resolutely thrust in between the Battle of the Janizaries and the Pentioners, and there made such lamentable Slaughter that the whole Army was in great fear for Selymus, by the breaking in of Sy∣beius, was divided from his Footmen, in whom he re∣posed his greatest trust, and now the Janizaries hardly charged by Gazelles••; who following the Fortune of Sy∣beius, had set upon the Front of the Enemies Battle, the Asian Horsemen also put to the worst, found no means how again to restore the disordered Battle.

In this Confusion Sinan Bassa came in with the Squadron of Horse, under his Command, who had been but lightly Skirmished with by Cayerbeius, he stay∣ed the Fury of the Mamalukes; whereby the Turks taking fresh Courage, soon after wrung the Victory out of their Hands; for the great Artillery being by the Commandment of Selymus discharged amongst them, by the terrible Thundering thereof, their Horses were so troubled that they could not well guide them, nei∣ther could their Riders themselves though they were men of undaunted Courage prevaile, being on every side oppressed with the multitude of their Enemies; yet in that disaster nothing dismayed, setting them∣selves close together, they brake through the midst of their Enemies, with great slaughter of the European Horsemen and Pentioners, and so with speed fled to∣wards the Camp and City of Aleppo; after whom fol∣lowed Sinan Bassa with the swiftest Horse, so that the News of the overthrow being known to Compson the

Sultan, he indeavoured what he could to stay the flight of his Men, but the press being great, and the Turks pursuing hard after them making great slaughter, e∣very one shifting for himself in that general Calami∣ty without Respect to the Sultan, he was overborn in the Press, and there by reason of the weight of his Armour and great Age, not able to relieve himself was troden to Death; who after wards being found amongst the slain, was laid to the view of all People, that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive, and so on his behalf fight more obstinately for the future.

This great Battle cost Selymus 30000 men, and the Egyptians few less, amongst which there fell 1000 Ma∣malukes, and was fought on the seventeenth of August, Anno 1516. After which Selymus received the City of Aleppo into his obedience, the Mamalukes being depart∣ed thence to Damasco; after whom he likewise sent Jonuses Bassa and followed himself with all the Army, but before his Arrival they were departed to Cair, and in a full Assembly chose Tomombeius (a Circassian born) Sultan in the stead of Campson Gaurus, who took speedy Care for providing all things necessary to defend his Countries from the Power of the Turks, mustering great Companies of such, of his Slaves, as he thought fit for the War, as likewise several Moors and Arabians. His Neighbours hiering certian Per∣sons for great Rewards, to Travel through the Arra∣bian Deserts into Mesopotamia, and so to Hysmale the Persian King with the Letters, earnestly requesting him to invade the Turks Dominions in Asia the less, or with all speed to break into Comagena, and so to in∣close Selymus with both Armies as he lay in the Bor∣ders of Judea, and by that means greatly destress him, by reason he had no Fleet at Sea to relieve him with Provision; and by that means might revenge himself, and prevent his Territories from Invasion for the future.

Whilst these things was doing, Sinan Bassa with considerable Forces passing through part of Arabia, seized upon the City of Gaza; of which Gazelles hav∣ing notice posted thither with 6000 Mamalukes, and a considerable number of Arabian Adventurers, think∣ing to surprize the Bassa; but he having notice of his approach, went to meet him with all his Forces: So that both Armies incountering, the Egyptians after a Bloody fight, being over-powred by numbers, and sore Gauled with Harqucbuss Shot, left the fight and fled towards Cair; but whilst the Turks were depart∣ed on this Expedition, the Citizens of Gaza had plun∣dered their Camp, supposing them to be retired for Fear, and discomfited 2000 Turkish Horses, sent by Selymus to the Aid of Sinan Bassa, who retreating were almost slain by the wild Arabs, and had certainly all perished, had they not fortunately met with Juleb Governour of Achaia, sent with another Power; yet the Arabians flocking about them, greatly annoyed them with their Shot from the Hills, not giving them any time to rest; and such through weakness, or for to seek Provision stragled from the Army, and were cut off; so that had not Imbrahor Bassa met them out of Syria, they had never passed alive through those Desarts, for the Arabians as men living upon spoil still pursued them, and in a dispersed manner were continually hovering over their Army, yet long they had not marched e'r they met with Selymus, who with the remainder of his Army was marching to∣wards Gaza, when having notice from those that had been put to flight by the Citizens thereof, what had befell them; he verily believed that Sinan Bassa and all his men were either slain or taken Prisoners, till such time as he was by the Syrian Scouts informed to the contrary, at which he not a little rejoyced, yet the Arabians daily molested his Army: Insomuch

that he was inforced to place his Harquebusiers, and most of his Artillery in the Rear, with order to Charge them as they saw occasion; and so in that Or∣der he marched till he came to Jerusalem, which was then altogether ruinated and defaced, from whence after having viewed the holy Sepulcher, kept by a Com∣pany of poor, yet devout Christians, who payed Tri∣bute for that priviledge to the Sultan of Egypt, and having made his offering, and some miles distant met with Sinan Bassa, who having put to Death the Authors of the revolt of that City, and Exacted a great sum of Money of the rest, came forth to meet him, whom he bountifully rewarded, giving to the Captains Garments of Silk, and to the rest rewards, according to their Demerits.

After he had refreshed his Army at Gaza, for the space of four days, he leaving a Garrison therein pas∣sed over the Dangerous, Desolate, and unpeopled Sands; which at many times moved by the Wind, worked like a rough Sea, and rising in the Air, hin∣dred the sight of the weary Passingers; but such was the good fortune of Selymus, that a little before he en∣tered them, such store of Rain fell that it not only allayed the Sand, but furnished his Army with Water during his passage, which took up eight days, yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians.

The Deserts passed as aforesaid, the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive, or rather intrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan, near to a Village called Rhodania had intrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water, over which he had laid rotten Hur∣dles, and upon them Earth, and lined all the Banks with Artillery, not doubting but Selymus would march that way; but this their Device, which would cer∣tainly have gained them a Victory had it took, was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to

Selymus, by four Epirot Mamalukes, who secretly En∣vying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius, had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp: Upon which Selymus altered his determined Courses, and marching by by-ways suddenly appeared with his Army, drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egypti∣an Camp, which put them into a great Consternati∣on, but seeing no Remedy but presently to ingage, the Sultan put his Army in readiness, and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance, spoke his in∣dignation, and was answered in the same Language from Selymus his Camp; but after the second discharge of each particular tire, the Armies joyned Charging each other with such Force, that all the Ground lay co∣vered with the slain, the Mamalukes inraged with mor∣tal Hatred, bearing down all before them, when in the mean time the Arrabians incompassed the Turks Battle, putting the Thracian, Macedonian, and Epirot Horsemen to the flight, the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse, to stay the wavering Battle, but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain, and his men disordered: So that had not Selymus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janizary, the Victory had fallen to the Sultan; but with them restoring the Battle, and the Mama∣lukes being tired with continual Fighting, at the ap∣proach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be wor∣sted, caused the retreat to be sounded, and retired to∣wards Cair, leaving his Camp to the Turks.

In this Battle, fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides, and the Turks had certainly been worsted, had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janizaries. The Turks in pursuit, having taken the Diadare, a man of great Com∣mand amongst the Egyptians, and Bidon the valiant Cap∣tain, whom Selymus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa.

Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit, nothing dis∣couraged at what had happened; but rather more reso∣lute to revenge his disgrace, gathered his Power from all parts, and incamped Commodiously between the City of Cair, and the River Nilus, and there consult∣ed, how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp; e'r they understood what Pow∣er he had, not thinking it safe so suddenly to try ano∣ther Field: But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selymus, as they had been before by several Mamalukes, who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him: In∣somuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended. Selymus caused strict Watches to be kept, and great Fires to be made, that so he might discover the Enemies approaches by night; which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders, retired into the City of Caire, there to expect the approach of the Conqueror, furnishing it with all man∣ner of Warlike provision, and inciteing the Egyptians, who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms, in the defence of their Country, which the more weal∣thy whillingly did, but the poorer sort, who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government, think∣ing to advantage themselves thereby; yet such were the perswasions of the Mamalukes, that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City, towards which Selymus was advancing a pace, wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets, at the bottom of which were fix∣ed sharp Stakes, and before them, Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles, so to intrap the too eager Turks, for why, the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus, was adorned with many stately Towers, Piramides, Pallaces, Temples, and Monuments of the

Egyptian Kings, served rather for Pleasure then strength: He likewise caused the Houses to be furnish∣ed with Harquebusiers, and his Pieces of Culvering, and other small Pieces, to be every where planted Ad∣vantagiously for the annoying the Enemy, and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength, consisting of Mamalukes; yet Selymus being now come before it, after his having incouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City, as the last Refuge of the Sultan, he furiously entered the Gate called Basue∣la, and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at di∣vers Caves, but kept his Janizaries in the high Street, where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were: Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts, insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents; the Artillery and small Shot still thunder∣ing from either side, made all seem Fire, and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke; when from their Windows, and Roof of their Houses, the Egyptians cast down Stones, Tiles, scalding Water, Sul∣phur, Pitch, Tar, and the like, to the great annoyance of the Turks, who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches, and were there impail∣ed on the Stakes; and such was the Clamour and Out∣cries of the enemy, where together with the Clashing of Weapons, and dreadful Fires, that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come, and in this dis∣mal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days, and two Nights, without intermission: Inso∣much that Selymus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with, began to despair of winning the City, and therefore was about to sound the Retreat, as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired, at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes, entered the City on the other side, and had taken the Mamalukes

Horses, which they had left there ready Sadled, there∣on to make their escapes, if matters came to the Ex∣tremity, which not only Animated the Turks, but dis∣mayed the Mamalukes, who expected no such Matter: So that the Fight were renewed on the third day, con∣tinuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening, at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords; the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks, which the Mamalukes perceiving, and that by Reason of the great number of Turks, that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made, they were no longer able to resist their Fury, they be∣took themselves to flight, most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius (who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and Policy) being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta, others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians, and into Caves, and Vaults in the City to hide themselves. A thousand five hundred of the bet∣ter sort, betook them to the Temple of their pretend∣ed Prophet, where after an obstinate and tedious de∣fence, being disabled by Weariness, Thirst, and loss of Blood; they surrendered themselves upon Di∣seretion, part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple, and the rest within a few days after, being sent down the River to Alex∣endria, were there contrary to the Promise of Selymus put to Death.

This great City subdued after the manner afore∣said, Selymus Commanded a part of his Army to ex∣tinguish the Fire, which raged vehemently in many places, which done he exhibited a Proclamation, that all the Mamalukes, who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life; up∣on which many came forth of their secret places, and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any

one of them longer then the time specified, he threat∣ned to impail them alive on Stakes, and having sold their Wives and Children, to burn their Houses; which dreadful menace on the one side, and hopes of Reward, which was also Promised on the other, cau∣sed many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promi∣ses to their old Lords, the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyrany of Selymus, who caused them to be put to Death; but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours, chose rather to suffer Death, then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords: Nor did the Victorious Turks spare, though contrary to Selymus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyp∣tians, Murther many of them, and defloure their Daugh∣ters, and ravish their Wives even in their Presence, and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City, upon the entry of an Hunger-starved Army greedy of prey.

At the taking of Cair Gazales, the great and Vali∣ant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present, but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia, who upon his return finding all lost, and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where, not thinking it Conveni∣ent to hazard a Battle against him, whom Fortune so highly favoured; he came to Selymus upon his Faith before given, for the safety of himself and his Follow∣ers, which were three Arrabian Captains, and a num∣ber of good Horsemen, and being admitted to his Pre∣sence boldly declared, that since Fortune had made him her Darling, and that he by her aid, rather Conquered the Mamalukes, then by any Force; and that since Tomombeins was fled, whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained, he had faithfully served, he and the rest were at his Devotion; if he so pleased to serve him with their Lifes and For∣tunes,

of which offer Selymus joyfully accepted, high∣ly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Va∣lour, which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies, and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs, that made Incursi∣ons into the Country about Cair; he suddenly over∣threw them, and e'r he was expected returned with Victory.

Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta, whilst Selymus was setling his matters at Cair, raised a consi∣derable Army, and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians, that if he would come sud∣denly upon the Turks, they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City, but destroy the Army who were but few in number, and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness, but e'r he could put this Design in Practice, one Al∣buchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta, discovered the design to Selymus; who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle, and continually guarded the Streets, placing along the River Boats, and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it, and not well assured to hold what he had got, from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes; of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomom∣beius, he resolved to send Ambassadors to him, to ad∣vise him to submit, and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions, but e'r the Ambassadors came to his Camp, they were way-laid by certain Mamalukes, who had vowed no Peace with the Turks, and without respect to their Character shamefully murthered them, upon notice of which Selymus who was of a hot fiery Nature, was so inraged that he could scarcely contain himself: And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats

and Planks, to be laid over Nilus, resolving to re∣venge the affront done to his Majesty, the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair, (leaving only so many as might keep the Ci∣ty from revolting) with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta, to wast it with Fire and Sword; of which Tomombeius having knowledge, by speedy mar∣ches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over, and setting furiously up∣on them e'r they had well put themselves in Order, making great slaughter of such as resisted: Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned, others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water. Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes, all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation, as well on the hither as the further Bank; the Artillery was for a while rendered useless, by reason that if it had been discharged, it must have been against the Turks onely, who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank, calling for Help to those on the other side; Se∣lymus seeing in what state Assairs stood, caused all his Boats to be brought, and filling them with Janizaries passed them over, who Ranging in good order stay∣ed the Fury of the Mamalukes; when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King, and Brother-in-Law to Selymus, with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss: So that now the Battle went hard on all sides, and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridg; the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it, they had set it afloat down the River, and destroyed that part of the Army, with whom they were ingaged, e'r they could have been relieved by their Fellows; which Mustapha perceiving, had drawn to that place both

his Insigns, and his most experienced Soldiers, so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful, but the Turks still coming over in great abundance, true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes; for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do, betook themselves to Flight; after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter, as likewise did Mustapha Gazeles, and Cayrebeius, Selymus being desirous of nothing more then that Tomombeius might fall into his Hands, which at length fell out according to his wish; for, the next Day he was overtaken, when making head with his slender Train, he Fought right valiantly, but at length overcome he again fled, yet so strict was Se∣lymus his command, that the great Captains still pursued him, denouncing all manner of Torture to the poor Villagers, if they did not so watch the passages of the great Marsh, whereinto he was entered, that he should by no means escape; whereupon on the third day finding himself hard beset on everyside, he willingly gave his followers leave to forsake him, and laying aside his Insigns of Royalty hid himself amongst the Flags and Bushes, standing up to the Neck in Water, where be∣ing found by the Country Peasants, he was drawn thence and delivered to the Bassa Mustapha, who brought him together with several of his Captains to Cair, where Selymus resolving before hand to put him to Death, thereby to appease the Ghosts of his slain Ambassadors would not admit him to his presence, but commanded him to be delivered to the Tormentors, that with ex∣quisite torments they might make him reveal the Trea∣sure of Campson Gourus, supposed by him to have been hid, all which he indured with a manly courage and stern Countenance, uttering nothing unbeseeming his Character, after which he in tattered Garments with his Hands bound behind him, being set upon a lean

Ill-favoured Camel, was in division carryed through all the Publick places of the City to be Gazed at as a Spectacle of Misery, by those who not a Month be∣fore had honoured with profound Reverence, as their great & mighty King, now by the hand of Fortune thrown from the top fo all worldly honour, into the Abyss of extreamest Misery, and in this manner the insulting Turks having brought him to the chief Gate of the Ci∣ty, extended their cruelty yet farther by strangling him with a Rope, and that he might be the better seen of all that passed by, Hanged him upon a hook under the Gate; nor did any of the Princes of the Mamalukes who fell into the Turks Hands fare otherwise.

The Terror of Selymus his man Victories now spreading wide, all the Cities of Egypt submitted to the Conquerour, no place between the River Nilus, and the Borders of India and Arabia, that were either Tri∣butaries or Confederates to or with the Sultan, but sent their Ambassadors with Presents to Selymus, pro∣mising to continue the same with him, as they have done with the Sultans, only the wild Arabians stood at de∣fiance till such time as with large Gifts he had won many of their great Captains to bring their People o∣ver to his obedience; at what time Amyrases submitted himself, and delivered into his possession the Egyptian Fleet, built to oppose the Portugise Trade in the Indi∣as, and so Swimming in the currant of Fortunes favour, he extended his Dominions as far as the confines of the Great King of Aethiopia called Prester-John, and thus having reduced all to his obedience, he came down the River Nilus in his Gally to Alexandria, and having well reviewed it, returned again to Cair, from whence he commanded 500 Families of the Wealthier sort of the Egyptians to be removed to Constantinople, for the Transportation of which Vessels were purposely pre∣pared; as also a great number of Women and Chil∣dren

of the Race of the Mamalukes, thereby to prevent future troubles, and then staying a while to observe the overflowing of Nilus, from which the Egyptians Prognosticate a happy or unhappy Season, as it rises little or much, he resolved to depart for Syria, having made Cayrebius the Traytor Governour of Cair, and his great Lieutenant of Egypt, which he had reduced into a Province, whereat Jonuses the Great Bassa greatly envying, as supposing himself greatly wrong∣ed by Selymus, whom he had faithfuly served in all his Wars, in heaping upon a Traytor the honour which he greedily expected by opening his mind there∣in, and refusing to deliver the Largesses appointed for the Soldiers thereby to render his Competior odious, he fell so far into the Emperors displeasure, that notwith∣standing all the excuse he made in defence of himself, he caused him to be Strangled even in his presence, thereby to deter others from daring to prescribe him what he should Act, or on whom he should bestow his favours, yet was the fall of this great Bassa worthily Lamented of the Souldiers, who spared not to tell the Tyrant to his Face of his many Barbarous Cruelties, repeating all the Inhumane Murthers he had caused to be committed, but others again remembring how this Bassa had during his being in favour with Selymus, causelesly Stabed his Fair and Virtuous Wife Manto, upon a jealous, tho false and Groundless Suspicion of her Inconstancy, said it was a Judgement of God upon him for that Barbarous and unnatural Crime.

Selymus having left Egypt, and arrived in Syria, re∣ceived Letters from Himbracor the Great Master of his Horse, whom he had left upon the Frontiers to attend the motions of the Persians, certifying him that His∣mael's great preparations were dwindled into nothing by reason that most of his forces consisting of Voluntary Gentlemen, who served at their own charges, and they

not bound to pass the Limits of their Country, had re∣fused to invade the Turkish Frontiers, during the Wars with the Sultans of Egypt. All the following Winter Selymus stay'd to settle his Affairs in Syria, but early in the Spring having notice from his Lieutenant in Eu∣rope; that Pope Leo the tenth had stirred up the Chri∣stian Princes, to invade his Territories on that side, leaving Gazeles his Lieutenant in Syria, he hasted with his Army to Constantinople, where he no sooner arri∣ved but making great preparations, he resolved to bend all his forces against the Christians; but 'ere he could per∣form his design God (who as he pleses restrains the pow∣er of Tyrants, even in their greatest pride, to make him sensible that he was but a mortal Man) struck him with a grievous Canker in the Reins of his Back, which de∣riding Art admitted of no cure, but daily increasing with horrible pains, he still Rotting above-Ground, and well-nigh Poysoning such as were about him with the noisome Contagion, in his way to Hadrianople, in order to the Solemnizing the profane Feast called Bai∣••••m (or as they Term it the Feast of their Prophet) he Breathed out his dismal-Ghost Anno 1520, near to the City Chiurlia, on the very spot where he had formerly lifted up his Impious Sword against his Father Baja∣zet, with purpose to have bereaved him of his Life and Empire, dying after he had Reigned eight Years and lived 46, filling the World with Murthers and prodi∣gius Slaughters, and was Buryed in a new Temple at Constantinople, Erected for the purpose by his Son So∣lyman, who succeeded him in the Ottoman Empire, and in token of his restless Nature, upon his Tomb is In∣graven in Greek, Turkish and the Sclavonian Tongues, this following Epitaph.

H•••• M••ximus adsum Selymus, qui orbem Dom••i; non Bel∣l•• retinquo, &c.

In English thus.

Lo here I lye great Selymus, who held the world in fear, The World I leave, yet not the Wars which I seek, tho not here. Not Fortunes chance, nor Victors Hand could take from me the Spoils. And tho my Bones lye Buryed here, my Ghost seeks Bloody Broils.