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. VI. The Rise of the Powerfull Empire of the Turks, under Othoman its first Founder, with his Life and Actions.

THat Empires and Kingdoms have their Limitation from the Soveraign Creator and Disposer of all things, it is undeniably evident, by the Sundry Mutations that have been in all Ages of the World, for nothing can be assured of long continuance, though never so great and powerful. How are the great Mo∣narchies of the Persians, Medians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Romans, and the like, dwindled away into nothing, no more then a bare Relation, of their Names and Great∣ness remaining to testifie the mighty actions they performed, when at their becks were half three parts of Mankind. And indeed no less famous was the Turkish Empire in Persia, and the Lesser Asia, till broken and dismembred, by the violent intrusion of the Tartars, a

Savage People bursting from the Frozen-North, to the Terror and Subversion of the greatest part of A∣sia, and Africa; but now under the Turkish Scepter, as shall by the subsequent Discourse appear.

During the time that the Tartars overwhelmed the Turkish Dominions in Asia, Solyman, of the Oguzian Fa∣mily, Reigning in the lesser Asia; and seeing his Coun∣try-man the Sultan of Persia, driven from all his Po∣ssessions, thought it not safe for him, of far Inferior force, to abide the Sorm; but flying with such People as would follow him, after long wandring, the Tem∣pest being near over, and he desiring to return home, as he was about to pass the Danube, was carried away by the Stream, and drowned, leaving behind him four Sons, viz. Sencur, Teken, Jundogdis, and Ertogrul, of some called Orthobules, who was the Father of Othoman. This Ertogrul after the Death of his Father, having notice that Aladine the Sultan had again settled him∣self in the lesser Asia: Sent Messengers to him, to de∣sire him, that he and the rest of his poor followers, who were Herdsmen driving Flocks still before them as they travelled, might inhabit in some Corner of his Country. The Sultan not unmindful of the state of poor Exiles, it having so lately been his own Case, appointed them a Village called Suguta, lying between the Castle Belezuga, and Mount Tmolus in the greater Phrygia; during whose residence there with his small Train, the Sultan had many Conflicts with the Tartars, whose Power by this time was in its Wain; and being hard put to it in one Battle near the said Village, Erto∣grul with four hundred of his Herdsmen unexpectedly came to his Assistance, and behaved himself so valiant∣ly, that the Tartars were put to flight, for which the Sultan honoured him with a rich Cloak, and began highly to prize his Valour; insomuch that he inlarged his Territories, making him a petty Lord, which

Lordship with great Repute, he held during the Reign of the Sultan, doing many notable Services, as taking the Castle of Cara-Chisar from the Christians, who by their many Injuries had exasperated the Sultan; but after the Sultans Death, those that succeeded, being Tri∣butaries to the Tartars, till such time as the Kingdom was Anachised, he lived quietly at home; during which time many conceived great hopes of his younger Son Othoman, called by some Osman Gazi, or Osman the War∣like, by reason of the great delight he had in Arms when he was a Child, and when grown up, to discourse and Argue with the Commanders and Governours, of whom he had the general Esteem of an active Youth, designed for great Atchievements, as it afterward fell out.

One day Othoman going to visit the Governour of Eski-Chisar, lately taken from the Christians by his Father: He fell in Love by the way with a beautiful Damosel, named Malhatun, and sent to request her in Marriage, but she seeming something averse, excusing her self that she was of too mean a Parentage, and not a fitting Match for him, that was so nobly descended; he as she conceived, designing rather to Debauch her, then make her his Wife; but this modest repulse making him more and more desire her, he in other Discourses declared his Affections to the aforesaid Governour, who seeming little to take notice thereof, begun to be inflamed with the Love of the Damosel unseen, by the lively Description Othoman had given of her rare Perfection, which Othoman well perceiving, and fearful that he should inforce her to his Lust, having great Power in that Country; he sent her Parents notice thereof, who tender of their Daughters Honour, sent her away secretly, the which upon Knowledge it was done by Othomans means, so inraged the Governour, that he vowed Revenge, and sent after him a strong Party

to seize him at the Castle of In-Ʋngi, whither he knew he was gone, where being demanded of the Cap∣tain of that Castle, after some Debate those that kept it resolved to defend him; but he not greatly trusting them (as knowing the Governours Power in those parts) with several of his trusty Friends, he broke through the Leagures, killing some, and dispersing the rest; yet other Forces coming to their Assistance, they followed him into his Fathers Territories, where his Danger was no sooner known, but all the Youths Arm∣ed, and setting upon the Governours Soldiers, they slew many, took some Prisoners, and put the rest to flight: So that Othoman began to be feared of such as hated him.

Ertogrul being spent with Age and Infirmity, crea∣ted by lying in the Field, and watching in Camps, dyed in the ninety third year of his Age, Anno 1289. Having since the Death of Solyman his Father, governed the Og••∣zian Family fifty two years, who now being dead, the Heads of the Family assembled to chuse another Lord, and thereupon they pitched upon Dunder, Entogrul's Brother, but he by reason of his great Age refusing the Honour; they with one Consent elected Othoman, saluting him by the Name of Beg or Lord, he being by this means become Lord of the same Family. The Herdsmen that sed their Flocks upon the Mountains complained to him, of outrages done them in passing and repassing by the Garrison or Soldiers of the Castle of Einegiol, they being thereto incited by their Captain, with which he being not a little grieved, sent to the Captain of Bil••zuga his Friend, another Castle not far distant from the former, to permit his People to shel∣ter and refresh themselves therein, during their passing and repassing to the Mountains, to which in Relati∣on to the Turkish Women he Consented, but not to permit the Men for Fear of a surprize: So that they went another way, avoiding the former Castle, but

Othoman still studying Revenge for the Injuries done to his People; whereupon gathering what Force he could, he passed to the Mountains, in hopes to sur∣prize it; but the Captain having notice thereof came out to meet him, laying an Ambush in hopes to in∣trap him, of which he being aware came not into it, but gave the Captain battle upon plain Ground; and after some slaughter on both side put him to slight, and passing on took the Castle of Chalce not far from Einegiol by surprize, putting all he found therein to the Sword, of which outrage great Complaint was made to the Governour of Cara-Chisar, and great Forces raised to apprehend him, and destroy the Ogu∣zian Family, who as they said coming not long be∣fore, poor Herdsmen and sheltered out of Pity, be∣gan to Usurp over the rightful Inhabitants.

Against these Preparations Othoman provided the best he could, and near to Mount Tmolus, gave Battle to Calanus, Brother to the Governour of Cara-Chisar, who overthrown in the Battle lost his Brother Saragatine, and many other Friends; when shortly af∣ter Sultan Aladine the last Sultan of Iconium under∣standing what had happened, and that Othoman might stand him in stead against the Christians, gave him the City of Paleopolis, with all the Territories thereunto belonging: So by this means he became of a poor Herdsman, a formidable Governour, when not un∣mindful upon what Account such a Favour was bestow∣ed upon him, he entred into Consultation with his Brother Jundus, how he might best get away, but he finding himself too weak, and by that means Considering he should lay himself open to the Fury of the Tartar, he resolved to make Peace with such as would accord thereto, and wait his better Fortune; for there wanted not some of the Selzuccian Family, that greatly envied his Aspiring, yet incouraged by the

Sultan, he took the strong Castle of Cara-Chisar the residence of his Enemy, and so settled his Affairs, winning upon his People with kind Speeches and boun∣ty, that great numbers of the Turks daily resorted to him.

Now during the prosperous Proceedings of Otho∣man, there happened a Quarrel between the two Christian Captains of Belezuga, and Cupri-Chisar, upon which the former doubting his strength, and yet de∣sirous of Revenge solicited Othoman for aid, who in lieu of some kindnesses received, came to his Assistance with 100 Turks; by whose Valour he overthrew his Adversary, took his Castle, and put him to the Sword, which so swelled the Captain with Pride that he gave Othoman many rich Gifts, as likewise to his Soldiers; but what vexed them more then the Gifts pleased them, he gave them his Hand to kiss; and a∣bove all, Othoman who adviced with his Cozen Dunder his Uncles Son, what Revenge was best to be taken, to humble the Captains insolence; but seeming to disswade him from any such Attempt, and to be the Captains Friend, lest he should relate his Intentions, and that redound to his prejudice, resolving to make all; he at an advantage shot his Cozen through with an Arrow, and hid him in the Sand.

Long it was not after this Transaction, e'r he was invited by one Michael Cossi Captain of Hirmen Caia, to the Marriage of his Daughter, where according to the Custom of the Country, making large Presents; the rest of Captains began to mistrust his greatness, so that the Captain of Belezuga resolved to prevent it with his Death, and therefore the better to have him within his Power, he invited him to his Wedding at a certain day, making Cossi privy to his Design: And a little before the appointed time, sent Cossi to fetch him, who was as ready to accompany him, which Cossi per∣ceiving,

to prevent his Ruin discovered the Conspiracy against his Life: Whereupon he Contracted a strict Amity with him, obliging him to secrecy, and then be∣gan to cast about how he might be revenged of the said Captain; and so ordered it, that sending about forty men in a Carriage instead of packs of Presents, they, whilst the Captain and all his People, unless a few left to secure the Castle, by the help of some Soldiers, who in the habit of Turkish Women were sent thither by the Captains order, as Othomans Friends, surprized it, putting the Warders to the Sword: Now Othoman came according the Captains wish, and stayed drink∣ing with him in his pleasant Bowers, till he supposed his men had effected his Commands; and together with Cossi and some other of his Companions retired, which the Captain perceiving, and loath to let him escape his Hands, as supposing he had him sure; he and all his Soldiers followed him, but being over-charged with Wine, they were by him and his Company lightly slain.

Things thus prospering he followed his Advantage, and the next Morning surprized the Castle of Jarchi∣sar, took the Captain Prisoner; as likewise Lubufer the fair Damosel with all her Attendants, that should have the next day been Married to the Captain of Bilezuga, and gave her in Marriage to his Son Orchanes, who had Issue by her Amurath, the third King of the Turks, and Solyman Bassa; and immediately thereupon besieged the Castle of Einegiol, which he took, and put the Garrison to the Sword; and now no longer resolving to play small Games, he besieged the City of Nice in Bythinia, not many years before the Seat of the Greek Emperor, to relieve which the Emperor sent such Forces as could upon so short a warning be drawn together; which Othoman encountring with overthrew, and af∣terward by Famine constrained the Citizens upon pro∣mise of Life, to surrender the City with spoils, of

which he greatly inriched himself, sending part thereof to the Sultan, who in requital ordered prayers to be put up for his prosperous Success, promising that he should succeed him in his Kingdom, of which being disappointed, at the death of the said Sultan by those that divided it into an Anarchy, he nevertheless took upon him the Dignity of a Sultan, Coining Money, and Causing publick prayers to be put up in his own name, and sezing upon Neapolis, made it his Regal seat calling it Despotopolis or the City of the Prince; and thus Anno 1300 begun the great Empire of the Turks. This upstart Turk having so soon advanced his fortune, setled his Government with wholesom Laws, the last∣ing Cords of Empire, and then drawing all his forces together lay'd Siege to Prusia, during which the Christian Princes that bordered upon him, drew all their forces together, resolving to give him battle, but therein his good fortune prevailing they were over∣thrown, whereupon several Towns and Castles fell into his hands, some surrendring voluntarily, and others by force compelled so to do; but the strong City of Prusia, in which was the broken Army of the Christians stood impregnable, whereupon he built two Castles to block it up, and returned to Neapolis, sending his Captains out daily with strong parties, to fetch booties out of the Christian Territories, and to take in such Castles as by surprize, or otherwise might fall into their hands: His Power being now greatly increased, that he was able to draw into the Field 20 or 30000 Horse and Foot, at what time Cossi the Christian Cap∣tain revolting, turned Turk, and stood Othoman in great stead during his Wars; nor did the other Turks in the Lesser Asia less indammage the Christians, so that the Greek Empire began to Dwindle into a small Circumference, occasioned by the divisions amongst themselves about Religion; for young Baldwin the

Latin Emperor, being expelled Constantinople, as is aforesaid in flying into Germany, lay daily at Charles the Emperor to restore him, which Paleologus the Greek Emperor understanding, offered unto Pope Gregory the tenth, that if he would divert the Empe∣rors forces by intangling him in Domestick troubles, he would so order the matter that the Greek Empire, in matters of Religion should acknowledge the See of Rome as Supream, and from thence take all directions as to Ecclesiastical affairs, which Innovation caused divers tumults, and many to leave the Empire, rather chosing to dwell with the Turks, which troubles lasted to the Death of Paleologus, nor could he fulfil his promise to the Pope.

After the Greek Emperors Death, Andronicus succeed∣ed in the Empire, who was no less troubled with the Incursions of the Turks, yet he fought with them se∣veral Battles with various with Success, but then a diffe∣rence arising between him and his Brother Constantine, all his hopes of prevailing vanish'd though without cause, as most believe suspected his Brothers aspiring to Empire, who was one of the chiefest Bulwarks a∣against the Turks, beyond the River Meander, giving to them many a fatal overthrow, yet was he cast in Prison, with many of his followers, and one Alexus Philanthropenus made General of the Army, in his stead, to whom was joyned Libadarius, an experienced Cap∣tain, and grave Councellor, the former of which after having obtained many Victories over the Turks and Tartars, perswaded by the Cretensians, Rebelled against the Emperor, taking upon himself the title of Emperor, which lasted not long, for being over∣thrown by the latter in a mortal Battle, was delivered bound by his Souldiers to the Conqueror, who de∣priving him of his Sight, sent him to the Emperor, then residing at Constantinople.

The Rebellion created such Jealousie in the Emperor, that he chose rather to trust strangers, then his own Subjects, so that he having notice of the Massagetes, a People dwelling beyond Ister, being oppressed by the Tartars, he upon their Supplication, appointed them part of his Dominions, whereupon they came over to him with about 10000 families, which caused him to fall into the displeasure of his Subjects; these new-come guests, being compleatly Armed, he sent them with many others, against the Turks, under one leading of his Son, and Partner in the Empire Michael Paleo∣logus, who at the first sight of the Turks, without so much as striking a stroak fled, which gave the Ene∣my the advantage of conquering the Country as ••ar as Lestos.

After this as if destiny had so willed it, the Emperor called to his aid Ronzerius a Pirate, who came with 2000 Catalonians, and afterwards increase•• his number by sending for more, who at first did considerable ser∣vice, but within a while fell to spoiling and plundering the Emperors Dominions in Asia, worse then the Turks, as likewise by setting out certain Gallies, bobbed all the Merchants that passed those Seas, till at last their Gallies being destroyed by a Fleet of the Genoways, and their Captain slain, by the command of the young Emperor, they called in the Turks, having first seized upon the City of Calipolis; against these who with joynt forces harased the Country, the young Emperor went in person, but was overthrown and most of his Greeks slain, upon the revolt of the Massagets and other treache∣rous Mercenaries, who were shortly recompenced according to their deserts; for being about to return home with the spoil they had gotten, the Catalonians set upon them, and put 'um all to the Sword, taking from them a rich booty, and then passing through many

Countries, they left the Emperor free, till at last com∣ing to the Territories of the Duke of Thebes, and he refusing to give them passage, they in a set battle over∣threw his power and seized on his Country, in which they settled themselves, where their Posterity to this day remains.

But this freed not the Emperor of the danger, for the Turks coming down in great number, and having overthrown the young Emperor spoiled all Thracia, to stay whose fury Philes Paleologus a devout man and Kinsman to the Emperor, undertook the defence of his bleeding Country, and meeting them as they were ranging to and fro burning and destroying all before 'um, he in a set battle overthrew 'um, and forced 'um into the City of Chersonesus, where he so straightly besieged them by Sea and Land, that indeavouring to break through the Leaguer, they were most of them slain, and the rest taken Prisoners.

Things being at this pass, and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire, intestine broyles be∣gan anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks; for the young Emperor being dead, they stirred up young Adronicus his Son, to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor, which after several Stratagems and devices he effected, taking the City of Constantinople by treason, and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died.

These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst them∣selves, gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Em∣pire in Phrygia and Bythima, where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions, having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories, and amongst the rest Prusia, which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yield∣ed upon several Articles, few of which were afterward

observed, by the Turk, which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia, became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings. But as all men must yield to death, so in the 28 year of his Reign, and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire, still called from him the Othoman Empire, died, and was buried in Prusia, where to this day his Tomb is to be seen, and in his new acquired Kingdom, Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him, his eldest dying during his Regency.