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. XX. The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name, Tenth Emperour of the Turks.

THE Uncle after he had proudly Tyrannized for the space of two Months, being deposed, the Nephew was advanced to his Fathers Throne, being not full Thirteen years of Age, wherefore he was wholly governed by the Vizar Bassa, as was also the whole Ottoman Empire, when the first thing of moment that happened was the complaint of the French King, by two Gentlemen sent for that purpose, by whom he demanded repa∣ration of the new Emperour for the indignity he had sustained by the Imprisonment of his Ambassa∣dor, and the evil treating of his Servants, letting him understand that he could not send any other Ambassador to his Court to condole the Death of Sultan Achmat his Father, nor congratulate his com∣ing to the Empire till he had received satisfaction from him becoming his dignity. and the wrongs he had received in his Ambassador.

The Grand Vizar and Mufti hearing this Embas∣sie, and considering what had passed, advertised the young Emperour to send an Ambassador to the most Christian King, to Confirm the League, and to te∣stifie both by Words and Letters, how much he was dissatisfied for his discontent; whereupon Ʋri

Chiaus was sent with ample instructins, and so great an acknowledgment of the wrong done to the Ba∣ron of Mole, that the French King rested satisfied, and calling the said Ambassador home, he sent the Earl of Sezi to succeed him as Ambassador at Constan∣tinople.

The War continuing between the Turks and Per∣sians, about this time a great Battle was fought be∣tween them, wherein the Turks prevailing put the Persians to flight with the lost of Ten Thousand of them, and thereupon the Bassa General of the Tur∣kish Army, prosecuting his victory entered into the heart of Persia, wasting with Fire and Sword all that stood in his way, but at length having through daily skirmishes with the Enemy, and Diseases ari∣sing from want and evil Diet, lost a third part of his Army, he accepted of the Sophies proposals of Peace, which were that he would yearly pay the Tribute of Silks, and at present relieve his Army with all things necessary. This Peace concluded by the Bassa was allowed on by the Emperour and Ra∣tified at Constantinople, whereupon Two Hundred Cammels laden with Silks were for many years after sent to the Emperour according to Agree∣ment.

Anno 1618. A fearful Comet was seen over the City of Constantinople, in form like a Turkish Scimi∣ter, placed near unto the Zenith under the Horizon, of a fiery colour, appearing very terrible for the space of eight nights which made many conjecture it the forerunner of great bloodshed.

Ʋri Chiaus returning out of France after he had dispatched his affairs at that Court, came into Eng∣land, where he was received and conducted to the

Court, and had Audience of King James his Speech being as followeth.

The Most True Incomprehensible and Most High God, increase and multiply your Maje∣sties years, in all happiness, Amen, O Thou Lord of the World.

THE most invincible, most mighty, and most happy Sultan Osman Chan of the Othoman Empire Monarch, sendeth to your excellent Ma∣jesty a hundred thousand Salutations and Greetings, ever∣more praying the most High God, for your Majesties hap∣pyness, sendeth to your Highness with all possible Honour and Renown, this his Imperial and most Noble Letter, and with all hopeth that the Sacred bond of Peace, which hath been hitherto inviolably on your Majesties part kept and observed, your Majesty will be pleased still on your part, with daily increases of more and more Friend∣ship earnestly to continue therein. And his Imperial Ma∣jesty on his behalf is also resolved in like manner evermore punctually to keep and continue the same.

Also the most Mighty Emperours Tutor, and his chief Visier Bassa, hath addressed to the dust of your Noble Feet, this his most Honourable Letter, with a Thousand commendations, praying everlastingly the Mighty God, for Your Majesties long Lise and Happyness.

Also Your Majesties Ambassador at Constantinople, your slave Paul Pindar bowing his forehead to the dust of your Majesties Feet, and most humbly kissing your Highnesses blessed Feet, hath directed unto your Majesty this his submissive Letter.

This Speech ended, and the Emperours Letter delivered with such other as the Chiaus brought, he was by the Kings command in great splendor con∣ducted

to his Lodging, where after five or six days stay, he came again to Whitchall and made his conjue of leave upon his departure in these words, as near as they can be Translated out of the Tur∣kish Language.

Most happy Emperour, as I have with my own hands howing my self to the dust of your Princely feet, pre∣sented unto your Excellent Majesty, the most mighty and high Sultan Osman my Lord and Master his Imperial Letter, so likewise I beseech your Majesty, that you will be pleased in conformity thereof, to vouchsafe your Prince∣ly answer by your noble Letter, and to deliver the same into the hands of me your slave, and be ever partaker of all blessedness and happiness.

After he had made this Oration and received the Kings Letters, he was conducted to Dover by seve∣ral of the Nobility, where imbarking in one of His Majesties Ships he sailed to Constantinople.

Anno 1619 great trouble arose in Bohemia upon the Emperours sending an Army into that Country to suppress the Protestant Religion there flourish∣ing, so that the Protestants tired with the cruelties of the popish Souldiers sent to Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania, to acquaint him with the state of their affairs, who after he had obtained leave of the Grand Signeour, came with an Army of Eighteen Thousand men into Hungary, and took many Towns, spoiling the Countrey as he went, nor so contented but he entered Austria, Stiria, and Carin∣thia, subdued all before him without opposition, but fearing if the Bohemians should be subdued, the storm would sall upon him, he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signeours assistance in case his affairs required

in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantino∣ple, who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him, and because the Oath for the strange word∣ing of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim.

Sultan Osman,

BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperour Swears, by the highest Almighties, and Almighty Gods Holiness, by his Kingdom, by the substance of the Heavens, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, by the Earth, and all un∣der the Earth, by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother, by my Head, and all the strength of my Soul and Body, by the Holy and great Ma∣homer, and by my Circumcision, That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave, though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to no∣thing, until there shall be no more left but my self, or four or five Turks at the most, yet will I be still obliged to desend thee, and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee, and if thou shalt have need of me, I shall be always ready to go with thee, and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated, then let Gods Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity, and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me, and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth, and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul.

Dated at Constantinople the 5th. of Jan. 1619.

The Transilvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signeours favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague, where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bo∣bemia, a perpetual League was concluded, and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell, where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army, to defend the Pro∣vinces, against the Forces of the Imperialists, who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants, to this motion the Estates consented, when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour, the Venetians and Polonians, all which made in the names of the respective princi∣pals a League with Gabor, which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary, willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine, the Transilvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary, upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot, he subdued almost all Austria, Ca∣rinthia, and Stiria, before the Emperours Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him, at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna, that with the Em∣perours consent the Protestants remaining therein, sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Countrey for theirs their Wives and Childrens sakes.

About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia, where Ma∣bomet the Impostor lyes buryed, which terrified all the Countrey thereabouts, and was as followeth, about the 20th. of September at midnight there hap∣pened a terrible Tempest, accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning, that many

thinking the dissolution of all things was at hand•• leaped out of their Beds to gaze on the Element, at first seeming all on Fire, and then covered with thick darkness, after which all was serene and calm, when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament, viz. O why will you believe in lies, and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold, arrayed in white and incompassed with rayes of Light ap∣peared, holding in her hand a book, coming from the North, and opposite against her were seen Ar∣mies of Turks, Persians, and other Mahometans, be∣ing so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia, ready to charge her, but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled, upon which a suddain murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air, and immediately the lamps that were pla∣ced about Mahomets Tomb went out, and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights to∣gether, whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk un∣dertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight, and declaring that it foreshewed the over∣throw of the Mahometan superstition, he was there∣fore miserably put to death, calling to the last up∣on the Woman with the Book to save him, and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest insued.

Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Mol∣davia assisted by the Polish Cossacks, and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia, in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod, and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship, made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword, and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience, which caused the Sultan to raise a great power, drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the

number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Gallies to put to Sea, which spoiled the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples, surprized the strong Town of Manfredonia, carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity, and then joyning with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca, possessed by the Spa∣niards, which Island they took making great spoil, putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants.

The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land, therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King, for that the Cossacks in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars, had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus, giving an overthrow to their Gallies, and brought away great spoiles) Os∣man in person at the head of 300000 men, passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod, he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chan∣celour of Poland, and the Prince Son to the Polo∣nian King strongly intrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Souldiers, and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his mul∣titude inclosed their Camp. So that by the fre∣quent attacks and sallies that were made, a great number were slain on both side, but especially of the Turks; during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon march∣ed into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner, and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Countrey

people which his ravenous crue had scraped toge∣ther, but after two months besieging the Polish Camp, want growing great in the Sultans Army, and by reason of the advancement of the Season such terrible Rains fell, that Tents, Horses, Men, and Carriages were frequently carryed away by the impetuosity of the Torrents thereby occasioned. The Turks desirous to depart sent to the Chan∣celor to treat of Peace, which at the earnest instance of Radulae Prince of Valachia was hearke∣ned to, and soon after accorded the principal points being these.

First, That the Emperour should raise his Ar∣my, and retire from the Confines of Poland, and that the Tartars the occasion of this War, should send an Emirze (that is one of their Princes) to reside as a pledge to secure them from insuing in∣cursions. The Chancelor in the Name of his Ma∣ster promising to send another Pledge to reside in the Court of Tartary, with condition to pay yearly Forty Thousand Florins as a donative from the King of Poland, promising moreover for the better maintainance of the Peace to maintain a Re∣sident in the Ottoman Court, and by every such Ambassador to send a rich Present, and as the Grand Signours Ambassador that was to reside in the Court of Poland, should undertake to secure the incursions of the Tartars, so the Polish Ambassador should undertake the same for the Cossacks, and that the Merchants of Poland should have free Trade with the Subjects of the Grand Signeour making their usual Presents, and this Peace not to be bind∣ing till such time as the Achiaus should arrive in the Polish Court with the overtures, and in the mean time a Parliament to be assembled for the Ratifica∣tion of these Articles.

Affairs being brought to this pass Osman raised his Camp, and returned to Adrinople, having lost in this Expedition eighty thousand of his men, and of the Poles by reason of the unseasonableness of the wea∣ther, and their often skirmishes, no less then twenty thousand perished. Now upon notice of the Turks approach, at the request of the Polonian King, the Emperor of Germany, had sent to his assistance eight thousand high Dutch Souldiers, upon notice of which Osman in a great rage proclaimed war against the Emperor, charging him with the manifest breach of the League between them, though himself had been the first aggressor, by aiding the Transilvanian, but the King of Poland understanding, that what had happened was upon his account, (and that Osman kept his Army on foot about Adrinople, intending to invade the Emperors Countrey early in the spring, for that purpose having caused twenty thousand Tartars to stay upon the frontiers) he called the Turkish Chiaus before him, and declared that unless the Grand Seigneour his master changed his purpose, he could not conclude with him any peace, for as much as he was bound to assist the Emperor his con∣federate, if his Countries were invaded, which re∣solve of the Kings being made known to Osman by his Chiaus, he called a Council of his Bassa's where∣in it was concluded that he should leave Adrinople, and instantly set forward for Constantinople, which was accordingly put in execution, and the Tartars on the Frontiers dismissed, so that the war intend∣ed against the Emperor being laid aside, news came that the Emir of Syria was risen in Rebellion, and had possessed himself of the City and Castle of Tripo∣lis; whereupon 60 thousand Chequins were delivered out of the Treasury, to repair the Grand Seigniors Pavillions and Carriages, himself with a power∣full

Army intending to make an Expedition against the Rebel, though contrary to the advice of most of his Bassa's, and the Mufti, who alledged that it was altogether needless, for his Majesty to ex∣pose himself to the ill conveniencies of such a war, as by the meanest of his Bassa's might be expiated, it being certain, that the Emir would not stand his Forces, but upon their approach fly into some part of Christendom, and therefore if he set out his fleet of Gallies, he would either by Sea or Land fall into his hands, nor was it safe to leave Greece to the attempts of the Christians, who in his absence might spoil it at their pleasure, these and such like rea∣sons caused him to decline going in person, yet he sent forth his Fleet and Army after the best manner sending for Aid to Argire and Tunis, to awe the Spa∣niards likewise, who had sixty Galleys and six Galli∣ons at Messina, prepared as was then conjectured to revenge the taking of Manfredo, and the spoil the Turks had made upon the Coasts of Italy the year before, another Fleet of lesser consequence he order∣ed to keep the black sea, there to hinder the Cos∣sacks from spoiling his Sea-Towns; after which, contrary to the Advice of his Council, he marryed the Grandchild of a Sultan a wife to Pertan Bassa, only for her beauty, being indeed the Paragon of her sex, which wedding was performed without any so∣lemnity, and truly this marriage was greatly disli∣ked, for that his Ancestors for many years past, had not marryed at all in respect of kindred, nor taken any women to their Concubines of the Turkish race, in respect of kindred, and that which rendred this young Prince more contemptible, was his walking up and down the City in disguise, with a Page or two at the most, and prying into Taverns, and other places like a petty Officer.

Things being at this pass, news came from the Bassa of Buda, that Bethlehem Gabor had concluded a peace with the Roman Emperor, which greatly dis∣pleased the Sultan and his Council, especially for that the peace between himself and the Polack was not yet ratified, but the Polish Ambassador daily expect∣ed, in order thereto, when in the midst of his per∣turbations, Sir Thomas Row Ambassador from his Ma∣jesty of Great Brittain, arrived at the Port, and had his Audience, delivering his Majesties Letter, where∣in he demanded redress of the injuries his subjects had sustained by the Pirates of Algire and Tunes, then in subjection to the Sultan, as likewise the delivery of several of the Polish Nobility, and one Scotch Gen∣tleman, which had been taken prisoners in the late expedition into Poland, and amongst them the Prince Coreskie, who had formerly made his escape, out of the black Tower, with several other things that might create a good understanding and a continuati∣on of the League between them, some of which were granted, and the other denyed, as the Grand Vizier (to whom the management of that affair was committed) thought fit, little to the satisfaction of his Majesties Ambassador, but soon after the Grand Siegneor sent his Letter to his Majesty, containing a satisfactory reply to all that was demanded, ex∣cept the release of the Polish prisoners.

Anno 1622, The Grand Seigneur, not hearing of the Duke Sbaraskie, chosen Extraordinary Ambassa∣dor for the King of Poland, to consummate the Peace, he gave it out that he would go to Mecha, and from thence to Medina in Arabia to visit Mahomets Tomb, contrary to the Council of Visiers, who knew not the design, and even to the hazzard of a General Revolt, for they were jealous that under co∣lour

of that Voyage he had some other project, and that the Polish Duke arriving in his absence, would not follow him at a venture, nor treat with his de∣puties left at the Port. So that thereby all hopes of Peace would vanish, which did not a little trou∣ble the Turks, whose Trade was greatly impaired by the roving Cossacks, which the Emperor under∣standing, and resolving not to delay his journey, (or indeed his design to cut off the whole order of the Janizaries, for the insolencies frequently offered him, by those Masterful slaves) he sent to hasten Sba∣raskie, upon whose arrival a peace was concluded, though much to the prejudice of his Territories in Hungaria, and now that obstacle being removed, he sent his Carriages over into Asia, with all his Treasure, not sparing the Plate and Ornaments of his Pallace, which made the Janizaries mistrust some design more then ordinary, whereupon they resolved to stop his proceedings, and therefore the day be∣fore he intended to depart, they with great clamour run to the Seraglio, though unarmed, and demand∣ed Delavir the Vizier Bassa, Hoja the Emperors con∣fessor, the Caslariago Governour of the women, the Deflardar or Treasurer, the Cadelescher or chief Judg, with some other prime officers, whom they said had Counselled their Emperor to undertake this dange∣rous Voyage, for which they resolved to punish them with death, charging the Emperor strictly that he should neither go to Mecca, nor pass over into Asia.

To calm this Tempest the Emperor came forth in person, and used many arguments to perswade them to their duty and Allegiance, promising he should lay aside his purpose, but now nothing would serve these miscreants, but they must have the aforesaid Officers delivered to them, To which the Emperor replyed,

that his honour would greatly suffer if he should permit his friends to be torn from him, but if they had offended in ought, and it was proved against them, in the Divano, whether they should be brought to answer any accusation that should be objected against them, they should be punished by Law, but this did not pacifie them, for they clamoured yet louder, saying they knew them guilty, and that should be sufficient; whereupon they run to the house of the Hoja, and not finding him there, plun∣dered it, and from thence passing to the Grand Vizi∣ers house, they thought to have done the like there, but finding it fortifyed, they set Guards in several parts of the City all night, and the next morning came before the Pallace with their Arms, making their demands as before; whereupon the Hosa Ca∣deleschar and Tefterdar fled, and were not for a time found, as likewise did the Grand Vizier, with the consent of the Emperor, who promised himself to weather this storm, though in the end he proved too weak, yet was the Vizier brought back by a Her∣mit, a reputed Saint, after he was got into Asia, who trusting to his innocence, resolved to face the Tempest, but the rude multitude without respect to his Reverend Age, and great Merits, having got∣ten him into their power, cut him to pieces in the sight of the Emperor, which he perceiving would, though too late, have fled over into Asia, for now all means were cut off, for the Janizaries had stopped the Port, and in a great rage demanded Mustapha the Emperors uncle, who was kept a prisoner in the Seraglio, and the first day of the Tumult by the Emperors command, put into a secret vault, with two Negro women, where after much search, and the racking of several servants to make them discover him, he was found and born in Triumph through

the streets, to the old Seraglio, having not yet been able to lay hands on Osman, by reason he kept him∣self within his strengths, but hearing they intended to proclaim his uncle Emperor, he at the perswasion of the Mufti, putting himself in mourning, went with a few of his followers, and amongst them the Aga of the Janizaries, to the old Seraglio, and pre∣sented himself to the inraged Souldiers with tears, beseeching them to return to their former obedience, and Loyalty, offering to make them any satisfaction, repenting him of his error, and finally invoked them by the merits of his Father and all his Anee∣stors, to have some pitty upon him their true master, This submission a little calmed their fierce natures, so that they began to relent, and had again acknow∣ledged their Lord, had not the Aga, supposing to Curry favour with the Emperor, sharply reproved them of ingratitude and disloyalty, which again raised the not extinguished fire, into such a flame, that it was no more to be subdued; but first having slain the Aga, and Huzein Bassa, with several of the Emperors followers of lesser note, they seized on his person, and carryed him before Mustapha, de∣manding sentence against him, when as the forsaken Prince, pleading for his life (and the new Emperor, not knowing how to condemn, only nodding in token that they might do what they pleased) They after a consult amongst themselves, determined only to imprison him whereupon they set him on horse-back, an insolent Spahy changing Turbants with him, and carryed him to the seven Towers, denying by the way a draught of water, and then returning placed Mustapha in the Throne proclaiming him Emperor, and went to Sack the Houses of those they had murthered.

Mustapha having once again mounted the Throne

and of a miserable Captive made the second time Emperor, was perswaded by Darut Bassa, a villaine raised to that dignity by the new Emperor, that if Osman lived he would sit uneasie in his throne, and that the Janizaries cooling on the matter, would again advance him the rightful Heir of the Ottoman Empire, whereupon it was concluded he should be made away, the charge of which was committed to this wicked Counsellor, who knowing his dignity would expire with Mustaphas, strangled young Osman in prison, after he had reigned three years and some odd dayes, not exceeding sixteen years of Age, and so an end was put to the design he had to subdue the German Empire, and afterwards all Europe, with such success he flattered himself, little remembring that when man proposes, God disposes.

One thing is worthy of note, a little before this Tumult happened, Osman dreamed that he rid a Camel, and being mounted he could not force him to go by fair means nor stripes, and that then de∣scending in a rage to revenge it with his sword, the body of the beast vanished, leaving in his hand on∣ly the head and bridle, at which dream being ex∣ceedingly troubled, he the next day sends for one of his Wizards to interpret it, but he refused, perswading him to apply himself to the Mufty, which he did, and had this Interpretation, viz. That the Camel signified his Empire, his Riding his abuse in Govern∣ment, his descension or alighting, his deposing, the vanishing of the body of the Beast, the revolt of his Subjects, the head and bridle remaining in his hand on∣ly a bare Title, and that he should shortly dye and lose his Empire, the empty name only of Emperor accompanying him to his grave. And thus much for Osman Tenth Emperor of the Turks.