Acts and Monuments Volume 1

Mahumetes second, the ix. after Ottomanus.

AMurathes left behind him three sons, Mahumete borne of the daughter of Despota, Prince of Seruia, being twenty years of age, the second son called Turcines, the third named Calepinus. This Turcines being an infant, and but eighteen months old, was strangled at the commandment of the Turk, by his servant Moses, himself being there present, and beholding the horrible murder. And when Moses the executor of y ^e murder had desired him not to pollute his hands with the blood of his brother, he answered, that it was the manner of all the Ottoman Turks, that all the other brethren being destroyed, none should be left alive but one to gonerue the Empire. Wherefore Moses was commanded by the tirant, there presently, and in his sight, to kill the infant. This horrible fact when the mother of the child understood, she crying out, and almost mad for sorrow, cursed the tirant to his face. But he to mitigate the rage of his mother, at her request being desirous to be revenged upon the executor of her sons death, delivered the said Moses bound into her hands, who then in the presence of the tirant, thrust him to the heart with a knife, and opening his side, took out his liver, and threw it to the dogs to be devoured.

The third son called Calepinus, which was but six months old, the foresaid Amurathes his father commended to the custody of Halibassa one of his Nobles, who to gratify and please y ^e tirant, betrayed the infant, & brought him unto him, and thereupon he at the tirants commandment was strangled. Some affirm, that in the stead of Calepinus, another child was offered unto the tirant, and that Calepinus was conveyed to Constantinople, and after the taking of Constantinople, was carried to Venice, and then to Rome to Pope Calixt, where he was baptized, and afterward came into Germany to Fridericke the Emperor, and there was honorably entertained, & kept in Austrich during his life. Where note how the merciful providence of God, whom he list to save, can fetch out of y ^e devils mouth. And note moreover touching the foresaid Halibassa the betraier of y ^e infant, how he escaped not vnreuēged: For Muhammad understanding him to be a man of great substance and richesse, thorough forging of false crimes, with great torments put him to death to have his richesse: for this tirant was given to insatiable avarice. Thus this bloody Mahumete began his regiment with horrible murder, after y ^e example of other cursed tirants his predecessors.

Although this Mahumete, notwithstanding that he came of a Christian mother, being the daughter of Despota prince of Seruia, and by her was brought up and instructed from his childhood in the precepts of Christian religiō and manners, yet he soon forgetting all, gave himself to Mahumetes religion, and yet so, that he being addicted to neither Religion, became an Atheist, believing and worshipping no God at all, but only the Goddess of good Fortune, irriding and mocking y ^e minds and judgments of men, which believe that God by his providence, governeth and regardeth the state of human things on earth.

After that this Mahumete heard of the victories and conquests of other his predecessors, and had understanding how Baiazetes lay eight years about Constantinople, and could not win it: he dispraising Baiazetes, and disdaining that so long time should be spent about the siege thereof, and yet no victory gotten, bent all his study and device how to subdue the same. But first having a privy hatred against the City of Athens, and having his hands lately embrued with the blood of his brethren, this murthering Mahumete first of all taketh his v • age to subvert and destroy the City aforesaid, being a famous School of all good learning and discipline. Against the which City he did so furiously rage for the hatred of good letters, that he thought he ought not to suffer the foundation thereof to stand, because that City was a good nursse and fosterer of good Arts and Sciences: wherefore, he commanded the City to be rased, and utterly subverted: and wheresoever any monuments or books could be found, he caused them to be cast into dirty sinks, and the filthiest places of the City, or put to the most vile uses that could be devised, for extirping and abolishing of all good literature, and if he understood any to lament the case and ruin of that noble place, those he grievously punished and put to death.

Thus the famous and ancient School of Athens being destroyed and overthrown, he returned his army & power into Thracia, where in all haste he gathering his power together both by sea & by land, with a mighty multitude compassed the City of Constantinople about, and began to lay his siege against it, in the year of our Lord 1453. and in the 54. day of the said siege it was taken, sacked, and the Emperor Cōstantinus slain. As touching the cruelty and fearcenes of the Turks in getting of this City, and what slaughter there was of men, women, and children, what calamity and misery was there to be seen, for so much as sufficient relation, with a full description thereof, hath been made before, pag. 708. it shall be superfluous now to repeat the same. This only is not to be omitted touching three principal causes of the overthrow of this City: whereof was the first the filthy avarice of those Citizens, which hiding their treasures in the ground, would not employ the same to y ^e necessary defense of their City. For so I find it in story expressed, that when the Turk, after the taking of y ^e City, had found not so much treasure as he looked for, suspecting with himself (as the truth was) the treasures and riches to be hidden under the ground, commanded the earth to be digged up, and the foundations of the houses to be searched: where when he had found treasures incredible, what (quoth he) how could it be that this place could ever lack inunition and fortification, which did flow and abound with such great riches as here is, and plenty of all things? The second cause was the absence of the Navy of the Uenetiās, which if they had been ready in time, might have been a safeguard against the invasion of the enemies. A third cause also may be gathered upon occasion incident in stories, either for that the City of Constantinople fifteen years before did yield to the Bishop of Rome, as is before to be seen, pag. 76. or else because (as in some writers it is evident) that Images were there received & maintained in their Churches, and by the Turks the same time destroyed.

Johannes Ramus writing of the destructiō of this City, amongst other matters maketh relation of the Image of the Crucifix, being there in y ^e high temple of Sophia: which Image the Turk took, and writing this superscription upon the head of it Hic est Christianorum Deus. 1. This is the God of the Christians, gave it to his soldiers to be scorned, and commanding the said Image with a trumpet to be carried through all his army, made every man to spit at it most contumeliously. Wherein thou hast (good Reader) by the way to note, what occasion of selaunder and offense we Christians give unto the barbarous Infidels by this our ungodly superstition, in having Images in our temples, contrary unto the express commandment of God in his word. For if Saint Paul writing to the Corinthians, faith: we know Christ now no more after the flesh: how much less then is Christ to be known of us in blind stocks and Images set up in our Temples, serving for none other purpose, but for the Infidels to laugh both us & our God to scorn, and to provoke God's vengeance? which by y ^e like example (I fear) may also fall upon other Cities, where such Images and Idolatrous superstition is maintained, whereof God grant Vienna to take heed betime, which hath been so long, and yet is in such great danger of the Turk, and polluted with so many Images, and plain Idolatric.

In summa, to make the story short, such was the cruelty of these Turks in winning the City, that when Mahumete had given license to the soldiers three days together, to spoil, to kill and to do whatsoever they listed, there was no corner in all Constantinople, which did not either flow with Christian blood, or else was polluted w ^t abhominable abusing of maids, wives & matrones, without all reverence of nature. Of the which Citizens, some they murdered, some they roasted upon spits, of some they fleyed off their skin, hanging thē up to consume with famine, of othersome they put salt into their wounds, the more terribly to torment them, insomuch, that one of them contended with another who could devise most strange kinds of new torments and punishments, exercising such cruelty upon them, that the place where the City was before, seemed now to be no city, but a slaughter house or shambles of Christian men's bodies. Amōg the dead bodies, the body also of Constantine the Emperor was found: whose head being brought to Mahun 〈◊〉 , he commanded to be carried upon a spear through the whole City for a public spectacle & decision to all the Turkish army. And because he would diminish the number of the captives, which seemed to him to be very great, he never rose from his table, but he put every day some of the nobles to death, no less to fill his cruel mind with blood, then his body was filled with wine: which he used so long to do as any of the nobles of that City was left alive: And of the other sort also, as the stories do credibly report, there passed no day, in the which he did not orderly slay more then three hundredth persons, the residue he gave to his rascal soldiers to kill, and to do with them what they would. Where is to be noted, that as Constantine the son of Helena, was the first Emperor of Constantinople, so Constantine the son also of Helena, was the last Emperor thereof.

Not far from the said City of Constantinople, there was another little City called Pera, & once called Gallatia, situated by the Sea side: who hearing of the miserable destruction of Constantinople, and seeing the City flaming with fire, sent certain of their chiesmē with speed to Mahumete, declaring unto him that they neither had sent any help to the City of Constantinople, neither yet wrought any detrimēt to any of his army: wherefore they desired & prayed him, that as they would gladly yield unto him, so he would be favorable unto thē and spare them, & not to punish the giltles with the gilty. Mahumete, although he was not ignorant that for fear, rather then of any good will, they submitted themselves, and that they would rather resist him if they had ben able, yet he received for that time, the submission of the messengers: but sending with them his Ambassador into the City, he commanded also his army to follow withal, and to enter with him into the City, which, although it was greatly suspected & m • sliked of y ^e Citizens, yet they durst no otherwise do, but suffer them to enter: which being done, the Ambassador gave a sign to y ^e soldiers, every man to do whatsoever he was bidden, of whom, some ran to the walls, some to the temples and Churches, some to y ^• streets & houses of the City, plucking all things down to y ^e ground, sacking and raūging with no less fury and abhominable filthiness, then they had done at Constantinople before, saving only that they abstained frō murder: but the same day letters came from Mahumete to the Ambassador, that he should spare none, but destroy and murder all that ever were in the City: which message, because it seemed to the Ambassador to be too cruel, forsomuch as they had yielded thenselves, he stayed his hand a little until night came. In the mean time drunken Mahumete coming something to himself (whom drunkenness had before overcome) sent his second letters to revoke the first. Where again is to be noted the merciful providence of God towards his people in their deserved plagues, by staieng the hands, and bridling the fury many times of their enemies, when otherwise the case seemeth to be past all remedy.

Mahumete thus being in himself not a little advanced and eleuated by the winning of Constantinople, where he had now made the Imperial seat of the Turkish dominion, the third year next following, to aduēture more masteries, he set out to y ^• siege of Belgradum, a City of Hungary, lieng near to the banks of Danubius, thinking to have the like success there, as he had in the winning of Constantinople, albeit through the Lord's disposing, it sel out much otherwise. Within the City of Belgradum the same time of the siege thereof, was Johannes Hunyadi the valiant Captain, of whom in diverse places mentiō hath been made before, who with a sufficient strength of piked soldiers, albeit in number nothing equal to the Turks army, valiātly defended the City with great courage, and no less success. In the which siege great diligence was bestowed, and many of the Turks slain. Amōg whom also Mahumere himself, being stricken with a pellet under the left arm, was fain to be carried out of y ^e field for half dead, and the rest so put to flight, that of the Turks the same time were destroyed to the number, or not much under the number of 40. thousand, besides the loss of all their ordinance, which the Turks in hast of their flight, were forced to leave behind them.

Hieronymus Zieglerus writing of the siege of this Belgradum, addeth moreover, that whē Mahumete was at the siege thereof, seeing the town to be so small & w • ache of it self, that it could not be won with all his great multitude, he staryng and faryng like a mad man, commanded all his brazen pieces to be laid, to battare down the walls and Towers of the Town: So that the Christians within the walls were vehemently distressed, for the siege continued both night and day without intermission. Amōg y ^e rest of the Christians which defended the town. Hieronymus Zieglerus maketh mentiō of a certain Bohemian, much worthy of his condign commendation: Who being upon the walls, and seeing a Turk with a bāner or ensign of the Turks to be got̄ up, by the sight where of the whole Town was in danger to be conquered and taken, runneth unto the Turk, and claspyng him about the middle, speaking to John Capistranus standing by low, asking him, whether it were any danger of damnation to him, if he of his voluntary mind, did cast himself with that dog (so he termed him) down headlong from the wall, to be slain with him: what should become of his soul, and whether he might be saved or not. To whō when the other had answered that he should be saved without doubt, he estsoones tombleth him self with the Turk, down of the wall, where by his death he saved the same time, the life of all the City: Mahumete being so wounded and in despair of winning the City, was carried (as ye heard) out of the field. Who at length coming again to himself, partly for fear and partly for shame, was ready to kill himself. And thus was y ^e town of Belgradum at that time rescued through God's providence, by the means of Johannes Hunianes and this good Bohemian.

This siege of Belgradū begā in the year of the Lord. 1456. and endured. 46. days. At the which siege were numbered of the Turks. 200. thousand. Of whom more then 40. thousand (as is aforesaid) were slain: where the victory fell to the Christians through the prosperous success given of God to Johannes Hunyadi, & Capistranus. Which Hunyadi not long after the said victory, through the importune labor and travail in defending the said town, was taken with a sore sickness and thereof departed, to whose valiant prowes and singular courage, stories do give great land and commendation.

Mahumetes the Turk after this done in Europe, returned into Asia to war, with Vsumcassanes a Persian, one of the Turks stock with whō he had three battles. The first was about the River Euphrates, where the Turk lost 10. thousand men, and was put to the worse. In the second field likewise he was discomsited. The third battle was at Arsēga, where through the terrible noise of the brazen pieces, the Persian horses disturbed the canpe, and so was Vsumcassanues overcome.

From thence the Turk reduced again his power against the Christians, and first subdued unto him Synope and all Paphlagonia: Also the kingdom of Trapezunce, which he besiegyng both by land and water, wan from the Christians, and sent David the king of the same with his two sons and Calus his uncle, unto Constantinople, where they were miserably and cruelly put to death, & all the stock of the Conneni, which were of the kings stock, by the Turk were destroyed. Which was about the year of our Lord. 1459. at which time this mischievous Mahumete was first saluted Emperor.

Not long after, he got from the Grecians Corinthus and Mitylene, not without great slaughter of Christian men: in so much that the whole City of Mitylene was utterly to the ground almost destroyed. The Isles also of Lemnus & Lesbos he wan from the Venetians: In the which Ilād of Lesbos is the City of Mitylene aforesaid.

Not far frō this I will of Lesbos and Mitylene, there is a country in Asia toward the sea side borderyng next to Europe, called Mysia, or of some called Moesia, wherein stood the City of Troye. This country Mahumete coveting to wynne rather by policy & falsehood, then by doubtful danger of war, secretly sent for the Prince thereof to come to speak with him for certain causes (as he pretended) which should concern the profit and commodity of thē both. Which when the king of Mysia, either for shame would not, or for fear durst not deny, he came to him as to confer upon necessary affairs in commō to them appertaining. Mahumete when he had brought that to pass which he would, he caused the king to be apprehended, and cruelly to be slain, or rather torn in pieces: and so invading the land of Misia, exercised the like tyranny vpō all his kindred and affinity.

This Misia by fraud being taken and lost, Mahumere flieth again toward Europe, where he assailed the Island Euboia, otherwise called Nigroponte, making a bridge of a marvelous frame over the sea Euripus, to convey over his army out of Grecia, and there laid his siege to the City Chalcis, which at length in thirty days he overcame, not without a great slaughter of his army: who in y ^c siege thereof is said to have lost 40. thousand of y ^e Turks. But y ^e slaughter of the Christians was greater: for when the City was won, the tirant commanded most cruelly, none to be spared within the whole city, but to be put to the sword, whosoever was above the age of twenty years. This cruelty was shown of y ^e barbarous Tirant for anger and fury, because such a number of his Turks were slain at the siege thereof, being reckoned (as is said) to 40. thousand. In the fierce siege of this City, it is memorable that is in stories recorded, how that the women of that City, seeing the men to begin to faint, and the City to lie in present danger, took the matter themselves in hand, and plaieng the men, went to the walls, and there defended the City with no less trouble to the enemy, then the men had before done, and so for a space continued, so long as any man's strength and diligence could do any good. A great cause of the loss of this City and Island, is imputed to the cowardly timidity of the Venetians nauy: who being there present, and having prosperous wind, yet durst not, or would not adventure upon the Turks bridge, which if they had done, the Island of Euboia and Chalcis, had not so soon been overmatched of the Turks.

Thus all the East partes of Grecia being subdued to y ^e Turkish tiraunt, with all Achaia, Attica, Acarnania, & Euboia, shortly after followed also Peloponesus, brought in like subjection to the Turk. Within this Peloponesus were these provinces contained, Achaia, Messenia, Laconia, Argolica, and Archadia, &c. The Venetiās in this Peloponesus had great possessions, and had made up the wall again toward the Sea side, near to the streites of Corinth before mentioned, where for the more speed of the work, they had 30. thousand workmen to the building thereof, which when it came to the knowledge of the Turk, he brast into the country of Peloponesus with an army of 80. thousand, and first wasting the regions of the Coroneans, and Methoneans, and making a great slaughter of the Venetians, in short time he brought the whole dominiō of Peloponesus under his yoke & tribute.

Long it is and more lamentable to recite all the victories of this Mahumete gotten against the Christians both by land & sea: who after he had overcome the I will Lesbos above mentioned, and had cruelly slain Nicolaus Catalusius the Prince thereof, turning his army toward the sea of Pontus Euxinus, got the country of Capha from the Genuans. Before was declared how truce was taken between Georgius Scanderbeius, and the Turk for ten years: which truce being expired, Mahumete leaveth no time vnspēt, no diligence unsought, but maketh all his power to Epirus & Albania, which he after long fatigation of siege, at length overcame and subdued. In y ^• which tract also he wan from the Venetians, Scodra, Lysson and Dinastrum. Notwithstanding, when Scanderbeius the valiant Captain had done against the Turk what in man's strength did lie, yet being overmatched with power and multitude, seeing no possibility to make his party good, was forced to depart his country as an exile, and went to Italy, & there being sent for by y ^• Popes letters, openly declared not to be possible otherwise to resist y ^e furious rage of the barbarous Turks by the strength of any one king or prince, unless all Europe, with one consent should join their power & force together. And thus Georgius Scanderbeius, a man of puissant courage, being driven out of his country, continued his age in exile. Whose courage & vehemency is reported to have been such, that in fighting against y ^• barbarous enemy, for very egernes of spirit, his blood was seen to burst out of his lips. It is testified also of him, that being provoked, he neither denied to fight, and in his fighting, never turned his back, neither yet was ever wounded, but only once with a light shaft in his foot, neither ever set against the Turk with moe then 6000. horsemen, and 3000. footmen: who is said with his own hand to have slain above 2000. Turks, whom with such violence he did strike, that many of thē he did clean asunder from the head to the middle.

Neither yet was the insatiable greediness of this Turkish helbound with all this satisfied, but still he conceived greater things in his mind, thynking to conquer the whole world, and so passing forward towards Europe, subdued all Illiria, slaieng Stephanus the King of Bosna, about the year of our Lord 1463. But afterward Mathias Coruinus, the son of Hunyadi afore mentioned, recovered again the said kingdom of Bosna, with many other Cities near unto Croacia and Dalmatia, and moreover repulsed Mahumete the Turk in his second siege of Iaiza, taking his tents and munitions left behind him.

Moreover, the said Mahumete passing unto Walachia, set upon Dracula the Prince thereof, by which Dracula, although he had no great power of soldiers, yet he so enclosed & environed y ^e Turk, that he had almost lost his whole army, of whom a great part notwithstanding was destroyed, and many of his ensigns taken. Into Dalmatia was sent two Captains of the Turk, who fighting against the provinces of y ^e Venetians, made great spoil and waste about y ^e regions of Stiria & Carinthia: where also the Venetian power was discomfited, & Hieronimus Nouell their Captain slain. At length truce was taken between y ^e Turk & the Venetians, upon this conditiō, that Scodra, Tenarus, & Lemnus should be yielded unto him, and that they should pay to him yearly 8. thousand duckets for the free passage of their Merchants.

After this peace concluded with the Venetians, Mahumete himself saileth over into Asia, sending two of his great captains abroad to sundry places: of whom, Mesithes was sent against y ^e Rhodes w ^t a mighty nauie. The other called Acomates Bassa was sent into Italy to take Rome and all the West Empire. Concerning the viage of which two Captains, this was the event, that Mesithes after his great travail and bloody siege against y ^e Rhodians, was fain to retire at length with great shame and loss. The other Captain Acomates (as is said) was sent into Italy, with a nauie of a hundredth Ships, and fifteen thousand men, who by the way in his sailing got Leucadia (which now they call S. Maure) Cephalenia, and Zacynthus, and sailing by Fauelona, arrived in Apulia, and so passing along by the sea side, spoiled and wasted diverse parts by the coast, till at length he came to Hidruntum, a City of Calabria in Italy, which after long siege he overcame and subdued, and brought such a terror into all Italy, that the Pope forgetting all other things, yet mindful of himself, with all haste fled out of Rome. After the City of Hydruntum was taken, and the Turks placed in the same, which was the year of our Lord 1481. Mathias Coruinus Hunyadi son was sent for by the Italians, to set upon the said City: unto the rescue whereof, when Acomates was about to make his return with 25. thousand Turks, in the mean time news came y ^t Mahumete the great Turk was dead, by reason whereof the siege brake up, and y ^• City was delivered to the Italians again, and so was Italy delivered at that time out of that present peril and danger. This Mahumete wan from the Christians 200. Cities, and twelve kingdoms, and two Empires, which he joined both together. He died in the year abovesaid, anno. 1481.

Baiazetes second, the 10. after Ottomannus.

MAhumetes aforesaid had three sons, of the which, Mustapha the eldest, through voluptuousness & carnal just, died before his father. The other two were Baiazetes and Demes, otherwise called Zizimus. Aboute whom, great controversy arose amongst the Turks which of them should succeed in their fathers kingdom: For neither of them was present at Constantinople whē Mahumetes died, Baiazetes being in Cappadocia, & Demes in Lycaonia, wherefor when great disscution was among the nobles for the succession, and great strife & bloudshead for the matter, the Ianizarites, which were the Turks garde, did proclaim Baiazetes Emperor: others in the absence of Baiazetes the father, did choose Corcuthus his son. Baiazetes the father coming at length from Cappadocia, partly through yielding, partly by corrupting w ^t money, got y ^e wills of the Ianizarites, & was made Emperor. Demes the other brother being in Lycaonia more near, although he made no less speed in his coming, yet was prevented of Baiazetes, and excluded out of Constantinople. Wherefore he being put back from all hope of his kingdom, incited by some of his friends, moved war against his brother, who being overcome in three battles by Acomates Baiazetes Captain, who had got Hydruntum before, did fly to the great Master of the Rhodes, leaving in a place called Carrae, his mother, and two young children, whom Baiazetes slue.

This Demes being with the master of the Rhodes, was desired first of Pope Innocent the 4. then of Ludouicus the 2. French king, but especially of Mathias Coruinus, king of Hungary, intending by him to obtain great victory against Baiazetes. But in conclusion the Knights of the Rhodes sent him to the B. of Rome, where he being kept, and afterwards sent to Charles the 8. French king, for an hostage of Pope Alexander the 6. was poisoned by the way of Terracina, by the said Pope Alexander, as is before declared. After whose death Baiazetes, to require the foresaid Acomates for his good service, put him to the halter, partly misdoubting his power, partly for lucre sake to have his treasure: Whose death redounded to the great profit of the Christians, for so much as he was ever an utter enemy to the religion and name of Christ.

Baiazetes thus being confirmed in his tyranny, made his first expedition against Walachia, where he subdued two great fortes, one called Lithostomus, the other called Moncastrum. From thence he removed his power, taking his voyage into Asia, thinking to be revenged of the Sultane of Egypt, which had succoured and entertained before his brother Demes against him, wh • re he lost two great battles, the one fought at Adena, the other at Tarsus: but specially at the field at Tarsus the army of the Turk took such a wound, that of a 100. M. brought into the field, scarce the third part remained vnslayne. But as touching the Rhodians, although they were succourers of Demes aforesaid, yet Baiazetes (whether for fear, or for subtlety) abstained to provoke them with war, but rather entered with them the league of peace, requiring the master of the Rhodes to keep his brother safe under his custody, promising for his yearly salary, to be paid unto him every yere in the month of August. 45000. duckets,

Thus Baiezetes being overthrown and terrified with evil luck fighting against the Sultane of Egypt, removed from Asia, and directed his army into Europe, where he got Dyrrachium near unto Velona, & had a great victory over the Christian army in the country of Croatia, where the Illyrians, Pannonians and Croatians joining their power together, encountered with the Turk and lost the field, about the year of our Lord. 1493.

From thence the Turk leading his army against the Venetians, had with them diverse and doubtful conflicts, where the Turk sometimes was put to the worse, and sometimes again prevailing, out of Iadra and diverse other cities about Dalmatia, carried away great multitudes of Christians into captivity, which was about the yere of our Lord. 1498.

Two years after this, which was the year of our Lord, 1500. Baiazetes with 150. M. armed men, entered into Peloponesus, which although Mahumete had expugned before, yet the Venetians had defended Methone, otherwise called Modon, all this while against the Turks. Which Methone the Turk besieged with three armies, having about the walls 500. great brazen Canons, whereof 22. were most violent and hurtful, wherewith he battered the City both day and night: but the Citizens, which were within the City, committing themselves to God, defended their City as well as they could, rather choosing to die then to yield unto the Turks tyranny. But the Turcke prevailing, and they not able to wythstande the siege, the Christians convented together into a certain house prepared for the purpose, both men, women, and children, where they setting the house on fire, gave themselves rather to be burned, then to come into the tyrants hands, Certain women also with their children, cast themselves headlong into the sea, by that means to avoid the turkishe captivity. Some writers there be which affirm that the Methonians, seeing 5. great shyps of the Venetians coming with men and vitailes toward them, issued down from the walls to the sea side to receive them, which were all taken captives, being above the number of a thousand: which all being tied with long ropes, were brought before the tyrant, and in his sight were cruelly slain, except certain Nobles whom Cherseugles, son in law to Baiazetes, got to be pardoned, amongst whom was Andreas Britto. The City of Coron, & also Pilus Cities in Grece being terrified with the example of the Methonians, yielded themselves to the power of the turks. Crisseum otherwise called Caput Sancti Galli, was expugned by Cherscogles, by force of gunnes.

These things thus atchieues, although Baiazetes went away victor unto Constantinople, yet notwithstanding the Venetians, through the help of the kings of France and Spain, had won from the Turk Chephalenia an Ilande very commodious for their traffic: Also had gotten other two Ilandes, Leucas and Nericus otherwise called Sancta Maura, slaying all the garrison of the Turks. But afterward peace being taken between the Venetians and the Turckes, by the counsel of Andreas Gitto aforesaid, the Turks so agreed, that Leucas and Nericus the Ilandes abouesayde, should be rendered unto the Turk, and the Venetians should keep still the possession of Chephalenia.

Unto this league the Turk did the rather condescend, for that he had to maintain war against Ishmael Sophus in Asia, king of Persia: Which Sophus was stirred up by God's providence to war w ^t this Baiazetes, where by the Christian Churches in Europe might have some breathing time, and freedom from the Turks cruel tyranny & bloodshed. This Sophus was a valiant Turk, who with great power & victories had overrun a great compass of the East partes of Asia: then passing from Assyria into Media, and returning again into Arinenia, he made war against the Albanians, Hiberians, and Scythians, and from thence coming unto Asia Minor, encountered with Corcuthus Baiazetes son, and afterward coming to Bithynia, sought with Caragius Bassa, Baiazetes Captain, whom he overcame and put to flight, and afterward took him alive and his wise prisoners. Afterward he was encountered by Halibassa another captain of the Turks, whom Techelles one of the said Sophus captains meeting in the plain of Galatia did withstand, and so by the way slue Caragius the Captain, and hanged him upon a poale in the sight of Halibassa, which Halibassa shortly after was slain in war, and his army scattered and put to flight.

Thus through the admirable example of God's justice and providence, were these turks kept occupied, & so came it to pass, y ^t these Barbarians being blasphemous against the son of God, should thus horribly run one to the destruction of another, being worthily punished w ^t mutual slaughter and bloodshed for their impiety and blasphemy against Christ and his religion, whereby in the mean time some rest was given to the Christians.

Baiazetes partly by these victories discouraged, partly diseased and languishing of the goute, and partly also broken with age, finding himself unwieldy to the regiment of that tumultuous kingdom, began to have talk with his nobles about the choosing of one to succeed him. The occasion whereof ministered much matter of inward wars amongst the Turks. This Baiazetes had in all 6. sons, whereof three died before him, and three yet were left alive, to wit, Acomates, Corcuthus and Zilymus, Baiazetes himself had moste mind to Acomates, but the chiefest of his nobles did favor rather Zelymus: who through their traitorous incitation provoked him to stir war against his father: and notwithstanding that he was overcome in war, yet through intercession he was reconciled again to his father, and afterward proclaimed again Emperor against his fathers will, through the help & favor of the soldiers, entering the first beginning of his kingdom, in the murthering of his own father. The story whereof in some authors is thus declared.

After that the Ianizarites had persuaded with Baiazetes for that he himself was unwieldy, therefore he should do well to constitute some successor, and that he had assigned Acomates to succeed him, y ^e Ianizarites being offended with the said Acomates, because he would not enlarge their stipends and bribe them, compassing about the kings palace with their privy swords which they had under their garments, with a mighty cry, required Zelymus to be appointed for their Emperor. Unto whom when Baiazetes had answered that he had assigned Acomates, they refused him because he was fat, gross, and unable thereunto: but needs would have Zelymus, which was stout and warlike, to be made Emperor: and withal drew out their swords, crying Zelymus, Zelymus. Thē Baiazetes giving place to their fury, shown himself content to give them Zelymus: whom the Iaitizarites receiving, brought him into the palace: unto whom Baiazetes his father giving place, willed him not to be so hasty & furious in his doings, but to be modest and take heed what he did, and not to follow his fury, but to give place unto time, which revealeth all things, and think himself to be a man subject to dangers and icoperdies as other men are: and thus speaking, he resigned his Imperial throne and seat unto him, & went away all heavy, entering into a certain order of their religion. Wherupon followed great exclamatiōs of the people saluting Zelymus as Emperor. Who then taking the rule vpō him, begā w ^t great cruelty to govern, destroying many of his nobles, such as had stood against him some with poison, some by other cruel means, & advancing his own side with great honors and promotions.

Not long after that Zelymus was thus settled in his kingdom, Baiazetes his father intending to see & prove howe he behaved himself in his government, first entered into the treasure house, where he found all his riches to be scattered and gone. Afterwarde he came into his armory, where all the spoils gotten by war were likewise wasted: then entering into the Jewel house, where all his plate and gifts sent from Kings and Princes were kept, which likewise were dispearsed & given away. At length he came into the stable, where also he seeing his principal horses to be lacking, sighing with himself, and crying vengeance upon him, he prepared himself with the residue of the treasure which was remaining, to sails over into Natolia unto his eldest son, and passing by an Orchard near to the sea side, where he had appointed to take ship, in the mean time whilst the ships were in furnishing he sat down under a tree, & began to curse his son, and to axe vengeance upon him, for that he had so despised his father & was become so impious a wretch.

Zelymus understanding of his fathers departure, came into the orchard where his father was, seeming to be very heavy, and much lamēting that his father would so privily depart and go away, seeing that he desired not the government of the Empire, but was contented only with the title thereof. O father (said he) do not thus privily depart away: do not procure this shame to your son, who so tēderly loveth you. Let me have but the name only: and be you the Emperor in deed. The ende of your natural life most patiently I shall expect, which I pray God may long continue. And thus using many fair & flattering words to his father, he commanded a banket w ^t many deinty junkets, to be brought unto him, but tempered and infected w ^t poison. Which, as soon as Baiazetes had begun to taste of, and felt the strength of the poison working in his body, he toke his last farewell of his son, and going out of the city accompanied with a great retinue of mē, yelling and crying out in the streets, in the middle of his journey fell down and miserably died, in the year of our Lord, 1512. Here mayest thou see, good Reader, a cursed brood of this Turkish generation, where y ^t father dieth in cursing the son, and the son reigneth by poisoning his father.

Zelymus the 11. after Ottomannus.

AFter y ^t this wretched Zelymus had exercised his barbarous cruelty upon his father, w ^t like impiety he seeketh the destruction of his brethren and their children, first beginning his murder with the five children his Nephews, which were the sons of his 3. brethren before departed. Which done, then remained his other 2. brethren yet alive, Acomates and Corchutus with their children likewise to be destroyed. Of whom the one had 3. sons, whom the father sent to Zelymus his brother & their uncle, with fair and gentle words to entreat him to be good unto their father, offering to him their duty and service in all things, honoring him also as Emperor. But cruel Zelymus commanded forthwith his said Nephews to be strangled. The father hearing of the cruel murder of his sons, leaving house and home, went and hid himself in mountains, where he lived for a space with herbs and wild honey, but being bewrayed by one of his men, was brought to Zelymus, and so was strangled.

Christophorus Richerius, writing of these matters, seemeth something to differ from other stories, and saith that Zelymus, after the death of his brother Corchutus, came to Bursia, where he, under the color of making a great triumph, ordained a feast for his friends and kinsfolk, Wherunto were called especially his nephews: who then at the end of the feast calling his nephews aside (as under the pretence of conferring with them secretly about his necessary affairs) committed them to his servants to be strangled and put to death. All this while Acomates his brother, through the help & instruction of his mother, was kept out of the tyrants hands, till at length, after great labor and search made how to get him, certain forged letters were cast abroad, wherein was contained that Acomates, to revenge the great impiety & subdue the tyranny of Zelimus his brother, should show himself abroad. Which if he would do, he should find friends enough to take his part. Acomates circumvented with these subtle trains, partly for hope of revengement, partly for desire of y ^t Empire, shown him self abroad with such power and strength as he had: who being set upon incontinent by Zelymus his brother, was overcome in battle, and falling from his horse, being a man corpulent and gross, and his horse falling upon him, was so ouerpressed and slain.

Touching the death of this Acomates, Munsterus somewhat differing from this narration, addeth moreover, and saith, that he was not killed with the fall from his horse, but sitting all dismayed upon a stone, and seeing no other remeady but death, desired the Captain, taking his rings from his fingers, to deliver the same to his brother, desiring him that he might not be put to any extreme cruelty of death, but that he gently would suffer him to be let blood in the hath, and so to die. But Zelymus being not ignorant of this, suborneth privy tormenters, who binding his hands behind him, w ^t their feet cast him down upon the ground, and so twixing his neck with a coarde, did strangle him. This Acomates had two sons, who hearing of the death of their father, did fly for succor, the one to Sophus in Persia, and the other to the Sultane in Egypt.

By the means whereof, new occasion of war grew unto Zelymus, whereby he was kept in Asia at home, to fight against the Persians & Egyptians: so that through the Lord's providence, Christendom by that means was delivered from great danger and peril of the Turks tyranny: For otherwise, the Turk was wholly mineded, with all his force and puissance, to invade the Christians, being in doubt whether first to begin with Rhodes, or whether to assault Pannoma, or else to set upon Italy, being then at great discord within it self: but this cause occupied the Turks mind otherwise, and kept him at home. Suche was then the providence of the Lord for the safeguard of his people.

Wherefore, for so much as the affairs and doings of this Turk were spent for the most part in the Turkish & heathenish countries: it shall not be greatly necessary to trouble our Christian stories therw ^t , but only shall suffice to contracte them in a brief sum, declaring superficially what unquietness was amongst them there, which could never be quiet, but ever working some mischief either abroad, or at home. Amurathes the Turks nephewe aforesaid, after he had obtained aide of Sophus the king of the Persians, first invaded Cappadocia: not long after whom followed Ishmael, Sophus the Persian king.

By reason whereof a great battle was fought betwixt the Persians and Zelymus in the fields of Armenia major. In the which battle Ishmael Sophus the Persian Kyng was hurt on the shoulder with a pellet, and so being carried out of the field, left the victory to Zelymus: who all be it had an army of 150. M. men, yet he in the same field lost about 30000. of his Turks. Which field was fought in the yere of our Lord. 1514. Zelymus after this victory went to Tauricia the imperial City of the Persians, which he by yielding subdued.

In this mean time it happened that one Aladulus a king in Armenia the greater, was also a helper to Ishmael against the Turk, whereupon Zelymus the Turk taking great indignation, the next yere following, leaving y ^e Persians, fought against the said Aladulus, & in the end overcame him, and afterward being found in a cave in a wood, was taken out and brought to Zelymus and so beheaded: whose hed being first carried about Asia for a triumph, was afterward sent to the Senate of Venice for a terror unto them. The eldest son of Aladulus scaping the hands of his pursuers, fled into Egypt. This battle thus fought and ended, Zelymus after he had divided the kingdom of Aladulus into three provinces, went to Lycaonia, & from thence to Europe, there to defend the City of Samandria, against the Christians in Hungary. But the Hungarians being sone repressed by Juno Bassa the Turks captain, great preparation began to be made by the Turks against the confines of Seruia bordering vpō Hungary: The terror whereof stirred up Maximilian the Emperor, and Ladislaus king of Hungary, and Sigismundus Kyng of Polonie, to consult together, and conjoin their power for defense of Christendom. But through new incumberances incident, the turke leaving Europe, made haste again into Asia, to renew again his wars against the Persians, who had made a vow not to give over that war before Ishmael was overthrown.

But before he entered that war, first he sent his messengers to the Sultane of Egypt, requiring him not to entermedle in that war, for this sultane before had promised to assist the Persians against the Turk. The name of the Sultane which reigned then in Egypt, was Campson, set up by the Mamaluci. These Mamaluci were a certain order amongst the Egyptians, much like to the Ianizarites about the Turk, being the childrē of christen men, and after denyeng Christ, were the chiefest doers in y ^• Sultanes court, and being grown into a great multitude, did degenerate into a turkish barbarity, or rather became worse then Turks. This Campson unto the messengers of the Turk gave this answer again, that unless he would leave of his war against Ishmael, and restore the son of Aladulus, otherwise he would not lay down his armor.

Zelymus being incensed not a little with this insolent answer of the Sultane, leaving all other wars aside, with great celerity advanced his power against the Sultane. Which Sultan partly through the falsehood of his captain Caierbeius, partly by the sodeinnesse of the Turks coming, not far from the city of Damascus encoūtread with the turke, and there overthrown from his horse, being a fat and gross body, and falling under his horse, and his horse also falling upon him, was quashed in pieces and so died, which was the yere of our Lord. 1516.

Mamalucie, of whom more then a M. in this battle were slain, flyeng from thence to Memphis, set up Tomoumbeius in stead of Campson: whose captain Gazelles was overcome at the City of Gaza, & he afterward himself driven out of Memphis, where a great part of the Mamaluci were destroyed. Then Tomoumbeius flying over the flood Nile, renewed his army again: but in the ende was discomfited and chased into a marish, where he was found standing in the water up to the chin, and so being brought to Zelymus, was put to the rack and great torments, to make him confess where Campsons treasures were. But when he would not declare, he was carried about the Town with a halter about his neck, & hanged up vpō a hie gibber for a spectacle to all Egypt: which was the year of our Lord. 1517. And thus were the two Sultanes in Egypt destroyed with the Mamaluci, which there had borne the rule in Egypt the space of 243. years. The progeny of the which Mamaluci remaining of the wars, the Turk commanded in prison gates of Alexandria to be cut in pieces. Zelymus frō thence, triumphing departed to Constantinople, intending to spend the rest of his time in persecuting the Christians: But in that mean space he was stricken with a cankerd sore rotting inward, and died after he had reigned 7. years like a beast, in the year of our Lord. 1520.

The reign of this Turk was but short in number of years: but in number of his murders and cruel bloodshed it might seme exceeding long: which lived more like a beast then a mā, for he never spared any of his friends or kindred. His father first he poisoned, his brethren and all his cosins he quelled, leaving none of all his kindred alive. Moreover his chief and principal captains for small occasions he put to death, as Mustapha, Calogere, Chendeme, Bostāg his son in law, and Iunobassa.

It is said moreover that he intended the poisoning of his own son Suleiman, sending unto him a shirt infected w ^t poison, because he seemed something freely to speak against y ^e cruel demeanor of his father: But by the means of his mother, the gift being suspected, was given to another which was his Chamberlain, who putting on the shirt, was stricken with the poison thereof, and therewith all died.

As touching this Turk Zelymus, by the way here may be noted how y ^e secret providence of the Lord kept him occupied w ^t his Turkish wars at home, while that the reformation of Christian religion here in Europe the same time begō by Martin Luther, might the more quietly take some roaring without disturbance or interruption. For so it appeareth by the computation of time, that in the days of this Zelymus, Martin Luther first began to write against the Popes indulgences, which was in the year of our Lord. 1516.

Solymannus the 12. after Ottomannus.

SOlymannus the only son of Zelymus succeeded after his fathers death, who in the first beginning seemed to some to be simple and shepish, and not mete for the turkish government. Wherefore certain of his nobles cōsulting how to depose him, intended to set up another Emperor. In which conspiracy, especially are named Caierbeius & Gazelles. This Caierbeius was he y ^t betrayed before Campson the Sultane of Egypt to Zelymus, as is aforesaid: who now also being in consultation w ^t Gazelles & other about this matter, detected thē also unto Suleiman. Wherefore the said Gazelles and his fellows being thus detected, were put to death by Suleiman, declaring thereby that he was not so shepish as he was thought of them to be, & as also by his acts afterward did more appear.

Solymannus after this execution done upon the conspirators, taking his voyage into Europe, first besieged Belgradum: which being a Citye in Hungary, was the strongest forte of all the Romaine Empire, and the chief defense at that time, of all christendom, which also being assaulted before time by Amurathes the 2. was valiantly defended by Johannes Hunyadi as is above specified. But here now lacked such a one as Hunyadi was: For the kingdom of Hungary at that time, was under y ^• government of Ludouicus a young king, unexpert and of a simple wit. Whom other Princes, & specially the covetous church men did so pil and pol, that they left him nothing but only the bare name and title of his kingdom: Whereby he being unfurnished both of men and money, was unable to match with such an enemy.

An other vauntage also the Turks had in besieging of Belgrade: For the Christian princes at that time were in civil dissention and variance amongst themselves: and the Pope with his Churchmen also were so busy in suppressing of Luther, and of the Gospel then newly springing, that they minded nothing else, except it were to maintain the wealth of their own bellies. Which pope if he had set his care (as his duty was) so much in stirring up Princes against the common enemy, as he was bent to deface y ^• gospel, & to persecute the true professors thereof: soon might he have brought to pass, not only that Belgrade might have been defended against the Turk, but also y ^• to be recovered again which was lost before: and moreover might have stopped the great dangers and perils which now are like to fall upon the religion and church of Christ: which the Lord of his great mercy avert and turn away.

Certesse what so ever the Pope then did, this had been his duty, setting all other things apart, to have had an earnest compassiō of so many miserable & lost captives, which were fallen from their faith & religion, unto the misery and slavery of the Turk, & thralldom of the devil, and to have sought all means possible to have reduced thē, as lost sheep into the fold again: which then might sone have ben done if prelates & princes joining together in Christian concord, had loved so well the public glory of Christ and souls of Christians, as they tendered their own private, worldly, & frivolous quarrels. And admit that the Pope had conceived never so much malice against Luther, his quarrel also being good: yet the public church standing in such danger, as it then did by the invasion of the Turk, reason would nature led, religion taught, time required that a good Prelate forgetting lighter matters, should rather have laid his shoulder to the excluding of so great a danger, as then was imminent both to himself, and the universal Church of Christ: But now his quarrel being unjust, and the cause of Luther being moste just and godly, what is to be said or thought of such a Prelate, who for bearing the Turk, whom in a time so dangerous, he ought chiefly to have resisted, persecuted the truth, which he should specially have maintained? But Christ for his mercy stand for his Church, and stir up zealous Princes and Prelates, if not to recover that is lost, yet at least to retain that little which is left.

Suleiman therefore taking his occasion, and using the commodity of time, while our princes were thus at variance betwixt themselves, without any resistance or interruption, brought his army unto Belgrade, in y ^e yere of our Lord. 1521. Which Citye being but slenderly defensed, the Turk through his underminers, guns and other engines of war, without great difficulty, & with little loss of his soldiers, soon subdued and overcame.

After this victory, Suleiman resting himself a whole year, and casting in his mind howe to make all sure behind him, for fear of enemies to come upon his back, thought it expedient for his purpose if he might obtain the Ilande of Rhodes: for that only remained yet Christian betwixt him and Asia: wherefor the next year following, he brought his army of 450. ships, and 300. M. men to the besieging thereof. This Rhodes was a mighty and strong Island, w ^t in the sea called Mare mediterraneum. The inhabitants whereof at y ^e first did manfully resist y ^e turke, sparyng no labor nor pains for the defense of thenselves & of all Christendom: But afterward being brought to extremity, and pinched w ^t penury, seeing also no aid to come from y ^e Christians: somewhat began to languish in thenselves. The Turks in the mean time casting up two great mountains with strength of hand, 2. miles of frō the city, like rolling trenches carried them defore thē near unto the city, in the tops whereof they planted their ordinance & artillery, to batter the city. The master of the knights of the Rhodes was then one Philippus Villadamus a Frenchman, in whom no diligence was lacking y ^t appertained to the defense of the city. The Rhodians likewise so valiantly behaved themselves upon the walls, that w ^t their shot all the ditches about the city, were filled w ^t the carcases of dead Turks.

Besides this, such a disease of the bloody flixe reigned in the Turks campe, that 30. M. of them died thereof: and yet for all this, Suleiman would not cease from his siege begun: who at length by underminers casting down the vamures and uttermost partes of the city, wan ground still more and more upon the Rhodians, and with mortary pieces so battered the houses, y ^t there was no free place almost standing in all the City. And thus continued the siege for the space of five or six months, and yet all this while came no help unto them from the Christians. Wherefore they being out of all hope, thorough the advise of Ualladamus, yielded themselves unto the Turk upon condition that he would spare them with life and goods, which conuention the Turk kept with them faithfully and truly.

Thus Suleiman with his great glory and utter shame to all Christian princes, and also ruin of all Christendom, got the noble I will of Rhodes, although not without great loss and detriment of his army: in so much that at one assault 20. thousand Turks about the walls, were slain with fire, sword, stones, and other engines. Whereby it may be conjectured what these Rhodians might or would have done, if succor had come to them from other Christian princes as they looked for. This city was won upon Christmas day. An. 1522.

Thys conquest of Rhodes obtained, Suleiman the 4. year after, bringeth back his army again into Hungary, where he found none to resist him but only Ludouike the young king: who being accompanied with a small army, and nothing able to match with the Turk, yet of a hasty rashness and vain hope of victory, would needs set upon him: who if he had staide but a little, had prospered the better. For Johannes Uainoda being a Capitaine well exercised in Turkish wars before, was not far off, coming with a sufficient power of able soldiers. But Paulus the Archbishop Coloss. a Franciscane Frier, a man more bold then wise, with his temerity and rashness troubled all their doings: For the whole sum of the army of the Hungarians, contained in all but only 24. M. horsemen and footmen, who at length coming unto the battle, and being compassed about with a great multitude of the Turks army, were brought into great distress. The Turks twice short of their pieces against the Christian army: yet scarce was any Christian touched with the stroke thereof: which was thought to be done of purpose, because they were Christians which had the ordering of the gunnes, for then the special gunners of the Turks were Christians, whom for the same cause they spared. Then the Turks horsemen coming upon the back of the Christian army, compassed them about, and by reason of their multitude, overcharged their horsemen. Amongst whom was slain the same time the Archb. Frier aforesaid, with the Bishops of Strigone and Uaradine & many other nobles besides. Also the king himself being destitute of his necessary aide and succor, was compelled to fly into a marish, where he falling from his horse, being heavy loden with his harneis, was not able to rise again, but there miserably perished.

Suleiman the Turk marveled at the foolyshnesse of Ludouike the King, who with so small an army would presume to encounter with such a great host of two hundredth thousand. This battle in Hungary was fought, Anno. 1526.

After the deceasse of Ludouicke, Ferdinandus succeeded in the kingdom, being Duke of Austria and king of Hungary. Then Suleiman setting contention betwixt Johannes Uaiuoda and Ferdinandus for the kingdom of Hungary, spedde his viage to the City of Buda, which also in short time he made to be yielded unto him upon condition that they should escape with their lives and goods: which condition some say he kept, and some say he did not. Besides Buda diverse places and munitiōs the said Turk, contrary to his league made before, did spoil and waste, as Varadinum, Quinque Ecclesias, and other fortes and munitions moe, bordering about the coasts of Hungary.

In the year of our Lord 1529. Ferdinandus king of Hungary aforesaid, recovered diverse holds gotten of the Turk before, and also warring against Johannes Uaiuoda his enemy, with whom he had variance (as ye heard before) expulsed him out of his kingdom. Wherupon Uaiuoda flying to the Turk, desired his aid. The Turk glad to take that occasion, with great preparatiō addressed himself to return into Hungary, where he recovering again the City of Buda, which Ferdinandus had gotten from him a little before, removed his army into Austria, spoiling and destroying by the way all that came to his hands, showing many examples of great cruelty & tyranny most lamentable to here and understand. For of some he put out their eyes, of some he cut of their hands, of some their ears and noses, and of their children he cut of their privy members. The maidens he corrupted, the matroues had their breasts cut of, and such as were with child, were ripped and their childrē cast into the fire. And these examples of horrible and barbarous tyranny, this wretched Turk perpetrated by the way coming toward Vienna a noble City in Austria, besides the captives which he took by the way, and led into servitude moste miserable, mounting to the number of 30. thousand.

Among other holds by the way as the Turk came, there was a castle called Altenburch strongly by nature situated, and by art defensed, which castle the Turk intending not to overpass because he would make all things sure behind him, began to make his assault, and lay his ordinance against it. The warders and kepers of the Castle, so soon as the Turks began to lay siege against them, making no resistance, of a womanly cowardnes sent their messengers to the Turk to yield themselves, ready to do his commandment, and further him with their vitaile. Amongest whom were three hundredth Bohemians, who were commanded to follow the host, that the Turk by them might learn what strength was in the city of Vienna: also where the king was, and what was to be done for the winning thereof.

Of whom when the Turk had understanding howe all things stood, and how that there was but 20. thousand men in Vienna able to bear armor, and that other cities of Austria would soon yield if that were gotten, and that Vienna was vitailed but for 2. months, and that the king was of late in Boheme, thus the Turk of all things being certified, having no doubt in his mind of victory, made speed toward Vienna: and first coming to Neapolis a city but 8. miles distant from Vienna, he required them to yield themselves: who notwithstanding withstood them, and repulsed them valiantly. Then the Turks assigned a place for the pitching of their tents, which because it seemed something too little for such a great multitude, they took in more ground to the compass of 7. miles circuit. The multitude of his army, which he there planted, is accounted of some to extend to 250. M. soldiers. The Turk thus being planted, made daily excourses over all the country of Austria, specially about the city of Vienna, wasting and spoiling with great cruelty & murder amongst the poor Christians.

Moreover, to make all things more sure toward y ^e preparation of the siege, scoutes were sent abroad, and bushments were laid about the river side of Danubius, to provide that no aid nor victual should be brought to Vienna. So it pleased the providence of the Lord (who disposeth all things) that 3. days before the coming of the Turk, Fridericus the Earl Palatine, which was then assigned by y ^t Empire to take the charge of Vienna, was come down by the river of Danubius with 14. M. and with a certain troupe of horsemen well appointed and picked for the purpose. After the coming of this Fridericke, provision also of victual was appointed to follow shortly after, by the said river of Danubius.

In the mean time, they which had the carriage & trāsporting thereof, hearing how the ways were laid, & all the passages 10. miles about Vienna, stopped by the Turks although they knew y ^e city to stand in great need of vitail, yet seeing there was no other remedy, rather then it should come to the enemies hand, thought it best to sink their boats w ^t their carriage, and so they did. Whereby, all be it the Christians wanted their relief, yet were the Turks disappointed of their pray & purpose. The captains which had the keeping of the City, which were chiefly Fridericus the Earl Palatine, Gulielmus Rogendorffius, and Nicolaus erle of Salme, seeing themselves so straightened contrary to their expectation, although they had great causes to be discouraged, yet calling their courage unto them, they consulted together for the best way to be taken: and seeing that the little city Neapolis (above mentioned) being 8. miles distaunt from them, so valiantly withstood the Turks, that in one day they sustained 7. grievous assaults against all the main force of the Turkish army: by their example and manfull standing, being the more animated and encouraged, thought to abide the uttermost before they would give over, and first plucking down all the suburbs, and buildings without the walls, whereby the enemy might have any succor, they willed all the farmers & inhabitants about the Citye to save themselves, and to bring in their goods w ^t in the walls. Such places as were weak within the walls, they made strong. About the towers & munition of the walls, they provided rampires & bulwarks distant 80. foot one from another, to keep of the shot: and every man had his place and standing awarded to him upon the wall, and his office appointed what to do: but especially that side of the City which lieth to the river of Danubius, they fortified after the best wise: for that way only now remained for vitail to be transported from the Bohemians unto them. Wherefore 8. en • ignes were assigned to the keeping of the bridge, and in the plain, which was like an Island enclosed within the river, a sufficient garrison of horsemen were placed, lying within the gunshot of the city, to the intent that if any grain or vitail were sent from the Bohemians, they might provide y ^e same safely to be brought into the City.

These things thus being disposed and set in order, L. William Rogendorffe, to assay the strength of the Turks, made diverse rodes out with his horsemen, albeit much against y ^e minds of the Austrians: who knowing the manner of the Turks, thought it better to suffer them, while either with time they might be ouerweried, or for lack of victuals consumed. Among many and sundry skirmishes which the Christians had with the Turks, one especially was to our men unprosperous: in which certain of the horsemen espying a small troupe of the Turks scattering abroad from their company, made out after them, who suddenly & guilefully were enclosed and circumvented by the Turks, before they could recover the gates of the city, and so were all taken alive: Of whom 3. were sent from the Turks into the Citye, to declare to the Uiennians what strength they had seen in the campe of their adversaries, and to solicit them to yield their city for fear of punishment which would follow: The residue they reserved to torments and punishment, whom in the sight of the whole army, and of the Christians (which should tell the same to the Citizens) they caused every man to be drawn with 4. horses a piece, and so to be dismēbred and plucked a sonder.

After this done, the barbarous Turk immediately sent his Herold to talk with the Captains of the City, whether they would yield the City upon honest conditions, or else would abide the arbitrement of war. If they would gently submit them selves, they should have all gentleness to them shown: If they would be stubborn, and stand to their defense, he would also stand to his siege begun, so that he neither would spare man, woman nor child. To this the captains answered again, that they were contented Suleiman to stand to his siege begun, and to do his uttermost, what he would, or what he could. As for them, they were at a point to defend them selves and their City so long as they might: the event & fall of victory to be doubtful, and many times so to happen, that they which begin the war, are wearied sooner then they which be provoked: neither again that they were so unmindful either of themselves, or of their country, but that they did remember well what they are, and what they be called, named to be Germans: who use always first to assay the adversary, what he is able to do, and not rashly to committee themselves into their enemies hands.

Solymannus not a little disdaining at this answer, first burning and consuming all the villages, houses, and places round about the city, infecting also the springs and fountains which gave water into the Citye, and so stopping all passages, that no relief should have way unto thē, began w ^t angry mood to approach more near to the City, with 3. great camps, sending them word in scorn and contumely, by one of his captives, that if they stood in need of help of soldiors, he would send unto them the 300. Bohemians (mentioned a little before) to aid them in their defense. To whom the Palatine directed answer again, that they had moe soldiers in the City then they needed. As for the Bohemians which had yielded themselves, he might do with them, what he would, for Vienna stood in no great need of them.

In the mean time a messenger coming from Ferdinandus, was privily let in by night into the City, which brought word that they should play the men in keeping out the enemy a while: for it would not be long but both Ferdinandus and Carolus his brother, with the strength of all Germany, would be ready to rescue them. At which message the hearts of the soldiers began somewhat to be cheered, and to contemn the huge multitude of the adversaries, being so great as they never did behold, nor did ever almost hear of before. The largeness of whose army, extended to no less in compass (as is above said) then of 7. miles round about the City walls.

Long it were to recite the whole order of this terrible siege, with all the partes and circumstances thereof. Briefly to touch so much as shall suffice for this history, with fewer words then were stripes given at the siege thereof: this is to be judged and confessed: whosoever beholdeth the noneber and fierceness of the Turks, the absence of the king Ferdinandus, the lack of provision and vitaile within the city, the noise of the gunnes, the violence of the shot, the terror of the sight, and yet no succor sent unto them: that the custody of that city was no man's doing, but the arm only of the Lord God of hosts, according to the true saying of the Psalm: Unless the Lord do keep the City, the watchmen watch in vain, which watch to save it: Unles the Lord do build the house, the builder striveth in vain, which taketh upon him to build it. Experience whereof in keeping this city may well appear.

First Solymannus bending his shot and ordinance against the City, beat down to the ground the vāmures with all the uttermost suburbs of the city, and that in such a short moment of time, that the hearts of the Uiennians a little before refreshed, were now as much appaled again with fear, misdoubting with themselves, least the Turk with the same celerity and violence would have prevailed against the inward walls, as he did in beating down the outward vamures. And no doubt the same time the Turk had put the city in great hazard, had not night coming on, broken of the siege for that day.

In the mean time the Citizens labored all night in repairing and refreshing the walls, to make all things sure against the next assault. The next day early in y ^• morning, the Turks approaching the city again with a new assault, thinking to scale the walls, were so repulsed & manfully resisted by the Germans, that vnneth any ditches about the walls could be seen for the bodies of the dead Turks, wherewith they were replenished: so that the Turks were fain to fight standing upon the bodies of them which wer slain. By the which calamity the force of the enemy was not a little abated,

It happened the same time, that a company of the Turks being spied out of the City wandering out of order, the Captain Rogendorffius with two legions of horsemenne issuing out of the City gate called Salmaria, and so passing closely under the hills side, did so set upon them, that they slew a great number of them: the rest being driven to take the river, whom with stones and shot likewise they destroyed, and so retired back into the City again. By this victory the Captain Rogendorffius began to be terrible to the Turks. For in the same skirmish (as after was known) was slain of them so many, that of 5000. and 300. horsemen and footmen, scarce 140. escaped alive.

Suleiman disdaining at this repulse, thought to prove another way, & so bringing his power toward y ^e gate called y ^e kings gate, there making his trenches & bulwarks, planted his ordinance, w ^t the violence whereof y ^e walls were so battered & shaken, that no man was able there to stand. Wherefore the Turk seeing 2. great breaches made in the wall commanded his soldiers covertly in the darck smoke of gunnepouder to press into the City. The like also was done at y ^e scottish to wer, whereby y ^e city was invaded in 2. sundry places at one time. The Uiēnians at y ^e first, freshly began to withstand thē, new soldiers still coming in the place of them that were slain and hurt: and so this assault continuing more thē 6. hours together, our mē began at length to languish & faint, not only in strength but also in courage: whereby the City had been in great danger of loosing, had not y ^e two foresaid Capitaines Rogendorffius in the one place, and the Earl of Salme in the other place, manfully encouraged the soldiers to abide y ^e brunt, and to bear out a while the violence of the Turks, promising that immediately they should have aid from Ferdinandus.

In the mean time the Turks came so thick for gredines of the victory, scaling, climbing, and fighting vpō the walls, that had it not been for the press and throng of the great multitude of the Turks coming so thick that one of them could not fight for another, Vienna that same day had been taken and utterly lost: But by the policy of y ^e captains giving a sign within the city, as though new soldiers were called for, our men began to be encouraged, & the Turks hearts to be discomfited.

When Solymannus saw his army the second time, repulsed, he began to attempt a new way, purposing by undermining to overthrow the city: in the which work specially he used the help of the Illyrians, of whom he had a great number in his campe, expert in that kind of fear. These Illyrians beginning to break the earth at the gate Carinthia and coming near to the foundations of the Tower, which they by strength of hand attempted to break, could not work so closely under the ground, but they were perceived by certain men above, which were skillful & expert in y ^t kind of matter: who contrariwise undermining against thē, & filling their treēches as they went, w ^t gūpowder, conveyed their train, that when fire should be set unto it, the violence thereof should brast out by the trenches of the enemies: which done, suddenly the ground beneath made a great shaking, so that the tower did clean asunder, and all the underminers of the Turks working in their treēches, were smothered and destroyed, which came to the number (as it was supposed afterward) of 8000. persons: in so much that yet till this day a great number of dead men's skulls are found in the ground.

When Suleiman saw y ^t this way also would not serve and had privy intelligence that the walls about the gates of Stubarium were negligently kept, and that he might have there more easy entrance: secretly he conveyeth about 10. garrisons of fresh soldiers, in such sort as the towns men should not perceive them: who came so suddenly upon them, that they had filled the ditches, and were upon y ^e top of the fortresses and munitions, before that our men were aware of them, or could make themselves ready to resist them. For although there was no lack of soldiors within the City, yet for so much as the whole brunt of the siege did lie, specially at the 2. gates aforesaid, from whence the soldiors which were there warding, could not be well removed, for a shift the rescuers (which within the City were ready for all sudden adventures) were sent to the walls: by whose coming, those few which kept the enemies of before, being sore hurted and wounded, were succoured and sent to surgery: and thus the said assault continued terrible and doubtful until (the dark night coming upon them) they could not well know the one from the other. In this vickering were counted of the Turks to be slain, more then 5000.

Then the Captain Rogendorffius commendyng the valiant standing of his soldiers, misdoubting with him self (as it happened in deed) that the Turks would not so give over, but would set upon him the next day w ^t a fresh assault, providing with all diligence for the purpose, made up the breaches of the walls, & prepared all things necessary for resistance: The next morning following, which was something dark and misty, the Turks thinking to prevent our men with their sudden coming, began again busily to bicker upon the top of the walls.

It would require a longe tractation here to describe the great distress and danger that the city, those 3. days following, was in. During all the which time, there was no rest, no intermission, nor diligence lacking, either in the enemies, fighting against the City, either in our men in defending the same. For the Turks besides the multitude of the great ordinance, wherewith (as with a great tempest of gunshot) they never ceased, still battering the walls and beating the munitions of the City, sent also such heaps & multitudes of the Turks, to the scaling and climbing the walls, that vnneth with all the ordinance and shot of the city, either y ^e violence of them could be broken, or the number of them diminished: til at last the soldiors of y ^e Turks perceiving themselves able by no means to prevail, but only to run in danger of life, and to do no good, began to wrangle among themselves, grudging and repining against their dukes and captains, imputing y ^e whole cause only to them: that the City was yet untaken, seeing there was in them neither diligence nor good will lacking: and so ceased the siege for that time.

After this, when Solymannus had purposed in him self, with his last and strongest siege, to try against the city the uttermost that he was able to do, and had encouraged his soldiers to prepare thenselves in most forcible wise thereunto: the soldyers shown thē selves much unwilling to return again from whence they were so often repulsed before: by reason whereof great commotion begā to rise in the Turks campe. The rumour whereof when it came to Solymans ears, he sendeth his grand captain to keep all the soldiers in order and obedience, or if they would be stubborn, to compel them whether they would or not, to accomplish his commandment. Who coming to the soldiers, shown to them the great Turks message, and to animate & encourage them, declared that the opportunity of the time present was not to be neglected, neither could they now w ^t out great shame give over, after so many assaults attempted: Who if they would sustain but one brunt more, y ^e victory were in their own hands. The townesmen, he said, were wasted and their victualles spent: and the more to enflame their minds, he promised them not only great thanks and reward of their Emperor, but also the whole spoil of the City, in recompense of their travail.

But when all this could not stir up y ^e sturdy stomachs of the tired Turks, using compulsion where persuasion would not serve, he appointed a number of horsemen to be set at their backs, whereby to enforce them, either to go forward, or if they denied, w ^t gunnes and spears to destroy them. The Turks seeing themselves in such a strait, that whether they went or tarried, it was to them like peril, yet would they not set forward, except the Captain would take the vēture before them. Who warding forward in his array, thus spake unto his felows, saying: Do you forsake your faith & allegiance, and betray the Emperor of Constantinople unto the Christians, if you will: but I will discharge my duty towards the commune wealth and my Emperor, and with that word auaunced his ensign, making toward the city walls. Whō when other followed & still mo and mo pressed after, so it came to pas that whole routs of them were overthrown & slain of our men upon the walls, before it was known what they meant. Other terrified by their example, gave back and left their array, and wineding them selves by by ways and under covert of hills, returned again into their tents, and so came it to pass that the strength of the enemies daily more and more decreasing, they had less hope every day more then other of obtaining the City. For besides the innumerable slaughter of Turks upon the walls, the townesmen also watching the forragers and purueyers of the Turks, as they raunged about for victual for the campe, ever as occasion served them, did compass them about, and so encountered with them by the way, that of a whole Legion, scarly the tenth part returned again to their fellows alive, by means whereof the courage of the enemies began greatly to faint. Whereby such a marvelous alteration happened, that as our mē began to receive more hope and courage, so the Turks began still more to droupe and to languish with despair, so that at length scarce durst they appear without the bounds, where they were entrenched, but only in light skirmishes, when they were provoked by our men to come out, and to show them selves.

Solymannus perceiving his soldiers thus daily to go to wrack, of whom he had lost already more then 80. W. and that with long tarrying he could do no good, being also in lack of forage, for that the country about him was wasted: beginneth to consult with his captains & counsailors, what remained best to be done. Of whom the most parte advised him to raise his siege, and betime to provide for himself. Which to do, many causes there were that moved him.

First the loss of his men, which daily were cut frō him by great numbers, besides them which lay in his campe wounded, or sick, or famished. Secondly, lack of perueyance. Thirdly, y ^e approaching nere of winter. But y ^e chiefest cause was, for that he heard Friderike Palatine above mentioned coming with a great army at Ratisbone towards Vienna, and there had done great molestation to a great number of the Turks forragers, whom by the way he prevented and so enclosed in the woods, y ^t he slew them. Wherof when Suleiman had intelligence, thinking it not best to abide the coming of the Palatine, made hast with bag and baggage to remove his campe and to retire: and first sending away his carriage before him, made speed himself with his army, to follow shortly after.

The Uiennians, when they heard of the removing away of the Turks, although at the first they scarcely believed it to be true, being afterward certified out of doubt, both of their removing, and also of the order thereof, how it was in a manner of a flight or chase, were greatly desirous to make out of the City after them. Wherein, albeit the presence of the Palatine with his army, if he had been there present, might have stand them in great stead, yet notwithstanding they took the opportunity of the time present, and issuing out of the City, in moste speedy wise, set after them w ^t their horsemen: and first ouerpassing the tents (where y ^e Turks had pitched their stations or pauillions) for hast of the way, they made such pursuit after them, that within little time, they overtook the rearward or latter ende of the army, whereof they made such havoc and destruction, that (as the author reporteth) there was never a shot of the pursuers, nor weapon drawn, nor stroke stricken, which light in vain. Which was no hard thing for our men to do: For as the Turks in their flight went scattered out of order & array, neither would they in the fore rank (being so far off from jeopardy) return back to help their fellows, it was easy for our men, without resistance, to come upon their backs as they would.

Yet notwithstanding in long pursuit, when our men could not see the carriage of the Turks, which was wont in armies to come away behind after the host, and suspecting (as truth was) some ambush to be left in privy wait behind them, to come betwixt them and home: called themselves to retraite, and consulted upon the matter, thinking good, first to send out certain scoures, to espy and bring them word, where the enemies lay, & what was the number of them. Wherof when intelligence was givē them, that the remnaunt of the Turks army was remaining in the tents behind, word was sent to their fellows in Vienna, to issue out, and to join also with them against the tail of the Turks, which had entrenched themselves within the campe. Other were appointed to follow the chase, least peradventure y ^e turks seeing our men to recule back might return again upon thē, & help their fellows. Which things being thus ordered and appointed, in the mean time, while part of the Uienians were hovering after the main army, the rest encountered with them that were left in the campe. Who seeing themselves overmatched, first defensed their campe with a deep ditch & Bulwark, to delay the time, until some help might come to them from the army. Secondly they directed messengers to the Christians, to entreat for peace. Thirdly they conveyed their privy letters unto Suleiman for speedy aid and rescue. But all the ways and passages being stopped by the Christians, there letters were intercepted, and so the miserable Turks being destitute of all hope & sucour, seeing no other remedy, made out of their campe, to hassarde and prove the uttermost for their defense: but in conclusiō, in their desperate venture they were enclosed about by our men on every side, and there put to the sword and slain, a few only excepted, who escaping out very hardly by secret passages, shifted after the rest of their fellows, as well as they could. Their carriage and other furniture left behind them in their tents, was distributed amongst y ^e soldiers only such things reserved as might serve for the public use and commodity of the City.

Thus through the merciful protection and benefit of almighty God, Austria was delivered from the fierce and barbarous hostility of the cruel Turks: notwithstanding that neither Ferdinandus the king, nor the Emperor his brother were there present, but only y ^e power of God, thorough the valiauntnes of the worthy Germans, defended that city, in defense whereof consisted y ^e safety & deliverance, (no doubt) of all these west partes of Christendom. For the which immortal praise and thanks be unto our immortal God in Christ our Lord, according as he hath of us most graciously and worthily deserved. Wherein by the way take this for a note (gentle reader) how & after what manner God's blessing goeth with the true reformers of his religion, and so much the more is it to be noted, for that the Turks in so many battles & sieges heretofore, were never so repulsed & foiled, as at this present time in incountring w ^t the protestants & defenders of sincere Religion. This city of Vienna was besieged & delivered y ^e year of our Lord. 1529. The assaults of the Turk against y ^• City are numbered to be 20. and his repulses as many. The mumber of his army which he first brought, was 25000. Wherof were reckoned to be slain 80. thousand and above. During the time of his siege, he led away out of the country about many captives; virgins and Matrones he quelled & cast them out naked: the children he stuck upon stakes.

Solymannus thus put from y ^e hope of victory of Vienna after he had breathed himself a while at home, the second yere after, which was an. 1531. repairing his host, returned again into Hungarye, with no less multitude, then before: where first he got the town called Gunza being but slenderly kept with a small garrison. By reason whereof the townsmen and soldiers yielding thenselves unto the Turk, were constrained to agree upon unreasonable conditions. Ex John. Ramo.

Melchior Soiterus in his second book writing De bello Pannonico, touching the foresaid Town of Gunza, or Gunzium, differeth herein something from Ramus, declaring how this Gunza being a small town in Hungary and having in it but only a 100. soldiers (or as Wolfegangus Drechslerus in his chronicle reporteth, at the most but 200. soldiers) under the valiant captain Nicholas Iureschitz, defended themselves so manfully and wonderfully, through the notable power of God, against the whole puissance of 200. thousand Turks, that they being notwithstanding distressed with lack and penury of purueiance and suddenly of the Turks invaded, yet with pure courage and promptnes of heart, sustained the uttermost force and violence of xiii. assaults of that great multitude, for the space of 25. days together.

Although the narration of the author may seem to some incredible, yet thus he writeth, that what time the great ordinance and battering pieces of the Turks were planted upon two mountains much higher then y ^t town whereby they within the town were oppressed both before and behind, in so much that 8 ensigns of the Turks were already within the town, yet by the reason of women and children and other impotent persons, who in the middle of the town were congregate in an house together such a noise and clamour went up to heaven praying and crying to God for help, that the Turks within the walls supposing a new army of fresh soldiers to be sent into y ^e town for sodayn fear, voided the town, & leaped down from the walls again (which before they had got) whom no man either pursued or resisted: for never a soldier almost was left on the walls, which was not either slain or else wounded with the Turks ordinance. At what time through the Lord's providence it so happened, that one Ibrahimus Bassa, near about the Turk, seeing both the town to be small, and the great destruction of the Turks in the siege thereof, and that the captayn in no case would yield, persuaded so the Turk, declaring howe the Town being so little was not worth the loss of so many men, in y ^e winning whereof there was no glory, & if he were repulsed, great dishonor might follow: whereby the Turk being persuaded, did follow his counsel, which was this y ^t Nicholaus the Christian captain being called unto him under pledges and safe conduict, should receive the town as of his hand and gift, with condition, that he should do no violence to his soldiers left behind and wounded, but should procure such means as he could, for the recuring of them: and so he raising his siege departed. An other cause might be also, which moved him so sodaynly to raise his siege, for that he heard the Palatine not to be far of in pursuing after him, and therefore taking his flight by y ^t mountains of the Noricians, he returned with much spoil of Christian men's goods into Constantinople. Ex Melchiore Soit. lib : 2. de bello Panno.

For so it was provided the same time in Germany, after the counsel or August and of Ratilboon (at what time the controversy of Religion between the Protestants & the papists, was deferred and set of, to the next general Council) that Charles the 5. and Ferdinandus his brother having understanding of the Turk thus raunging in Hungary, should collect of the Germanynes, Hungarians, and Spaniards and others, an able army of 80. thousand footmen, and 30000. horsemen, to repulse the inuasious of the Turk. But Solymanus having intelligence of this preparation of the Christian power coming toward him whether for fear, or whether to espy further opportunity of time, for his more advantage and our detriment, refused at that time to tarry their coming, and so speeding his return unto Constantinople, retired with much spoil and pray sent before him, as is above premised: Which was in the year of our Lord. 1532.

Not long after, being the year of our salvation, 1534. Solymannus intending ii. wars at once, first sent Corradinus Barbarossa the admiral of his nauies into Afric to war against the king of Tunece: Whō the Barbarossa also dispossessed & deprived of his kingdom: but Charles the Emperor, the next year following, an. 1535. restored the said king again into his kingdom, and delivered in the same viage 20. thousand captives out of servitude.

The same time the Turk also sent another captain into Hungary, to war against Uaiuoda while he him self taking his course to Persia, planted his siege against the Citty Taurus, which he in short space subdued and expugned. Albeit he long enjoyed not the same: for Tahames king of the Persians, sodaynly coming upon the Turks unprepared, slue of them 20. thousand, and took his concubines to the great foil and reproach of the Turk.

Two year after this, which was the yere of our Lord 1537. Solymannus, who could not be quiet at home nor rest in peace, returning again out of Asia into Europe w ^t 270. ships, great and little, set upon Corcyra, another Island belonging to y ^e Uenetians, which he besieged x. days wasting and burning the Towns and fields as he went beside the destruction of much people therein, whom partly he slue, partly led away captives. From thence he sailed to Zacynthus and Cythara, another Ilande not far off from Corcyra, bordering near to the coasts of Epirus and Grecia. Where he sodaynly by night invading the husband men in villages and fields, sleeping and mistrusting no harm, drew them out of their houses and possessions, men and women, besides children, to the number of ix. hundred whom he made his bondslaves: burning moreover their houses, and carrying away all the goods and cattle being without the said Cities of Zazinthus and Cythara. Ex. John. Crispo.

From thence these helhoundes turned their course to y ^t siege and spoil of Egina, a rich and populous Island, lying between Grecia and Asia. Where first the Egenians did manfully in battle resist them, and were like to have prevailed: but being weryed at length and oppressed with innumerable thousands of fresh Turks, which still were sent in, to rescue the other which were overcome before, were compelled to fly into the City of Egina. Which city the cruel Turks (or rather Devils on earth) w ^t much labor, & violence of their great ordinance fet out of their ships, subdued and cast down to the ground: the Citizens and inhabitauntes whereof, the Turk after he had burned their houses, and ransacked their goods commanded to be slain and killed everyone. The women both noble and unnoble, with their infantes, were given to the mariners to be abused, and from thence being shipped unto Constantinople, were led away to perpetual misery & slavery, which was in the year of our Lord. 1537.

In the same journey Suleiman also took the I will in the said sea of Eugeum, called Parum: also the I will adjoining to the same named Naxus, and made them to him tributaries. The duke whereof was he which wrote the story both of these Ilandes aforesaid, and also of the other Ilandes called Cyclades, and other Dukes. Ex John Crispo, Duce Naxi. &c.

Thys done, Solymannus directed his Navy unto Apulia, where he set on land. x. thousand footmen, & 2000. horsemen, which spoiled likewise and wasted those parties while the Emperor, the pope and y ^e Uenetians were together in war and dissension. Furthermore the next yere following. an. 1538. great attempts began in Stiria, but by the resistance of the inhabitants, the force of the barbarous turks was repulsed: notwithstanding great spoils of men & cattle were carried from thence, and the country miserable spoiled. In the which year also the Turk turning into Hungary, gave battle unto the Christians in Sauia: where through the fraudulent falsehood of the Captayne Cassianerus (Wolfegangus nameth him Calcianus being (as they say) corrupted with money, our men were put to the worse. an. 1538.

After that the Turks had invaded the Ilande of Corcyra abovesaid, the Uenetians with Suleiman the Turk had joined truce for a certain time, for y ^e which they gave the turke 300. thousand crowns, with the city of Neapolis, and Ma • uasia in the borders of Macedonia. But with in 4. or 5. years, the Turk to get a new stipend of the Uenetians, brake his league, and invaded their dominions: whereby they were enforced to enter new conditions again with him.

In the year of our Lord, 1540. the wrestles Turk making his return toward Hungary, by the way passing by Dalmatia, lay against the town called Newcastle, being defended by the Spaniards. In the which town because they refused to yield themselves all the inhabitauntes and soldiers were put to the sword & slain everyone. This Nouum Castellum or Newcastle was a strong fort of y ^t Christians, which being now in the Turks power, he had great advantage over all those quarters of Dalmatia, Stiria, Carinthia, and Hungaria. From thence he proceeded further, keeping his course into Hungary, where he planted his power against the City of Buda.

This Buda was a principal city in Hungary, about which great contention had been (as ye heard before) between Johannes Uaiuoda, and Ferdinandus. By reason whereof the Turk occasioned by Uaiuoda, came into Hungary and delivered the City to Uaiuoda. This Uaiuoda living not long after, left behind him a son, whom being an infant he committed to the governance of one Georgius Monachus: who being left tutor unto the infant, reduced all Transiluania, Buda, Pesta, with other parties of Hungary, which belonged to Uaiuoda before, to the subjection of the child. Ferdinandus hearing thereof, in a great hast and anger: leuyed an army to recover his lands in Hungary, and so laid siege to Buda. Monachus seeing his part weak, first sent his legate to Ferdinandus, desiring him to talk and confer with him upon matter, as he pretended, pertaynign to the behoove of them both. Wherupon both the parties being agreed, the place and manner of their conuention was appointed, and also the day and time assigned. Thus the parties (according to the agreement) conventing together with their armyes, with drawing a little aside, as they were entered in communication, suddenly among Ferdinandus men, happened a dagg to be heard, which by the heat of the day (as is thought) loosing of his own accord, gave a crack. The sound whereof coming to the ears of Monachus, he supposing the same to have been discharged, against him, in great anger drew out his sword, bidding Ferdinandus auant w ^t his doubling dissimmulation, saying that he would never anymore trust the promises of Christians, and immediatelye up on the same sent to Solymannus the Turk, for aid against the Christians, promising that he would surrender to him free possession of Hungary, if he would come and vanquish the army of Ferdinandus lying about the siege of Buda. The Turk maketh no long tarrying, but taketh the occasion, and with a mighty power, flieth into Hungary, and eftsoons discharging the host of Ferdinandus, and putting them of from the siege of Buda, getteth the Citty into his own hands, commanding the son of Uaiuoda with his mother, to follow after his camp.

In the history of Johannes Ramus it followeth, that when Suleiman the Turk had thus prevailed against the City of Buda aforesaid, & against other parties more of Hungary, by the asset of the Empire, one Ioachimus duke of Brandeberg, prince Electour was assigned with a puissant army of chosen soldiers of all nations collected, to recover the City of Buda from the Turk, and to deliver the other parties of Christendom from the fear of the Turk. an. 1542. Which Ioachimus at his first setting forth, appeared so courageous and valiant, as though he would have conquered the whole world: but this great heat was so slaked in short time by the Turk, that before any great ieoperdy was offered unto him, he was glad to to be discharged of the viage, and with shame enough, returned home again. And would God he had left behind him in the field, no more but his own shame. For the enemies having intelligence before of his cowardly departure, thinking to work some point of maistry or victory before his going, did set upon the right wing of his army (which chiefly consisted of Dutchmen of low Germany) out of the which they took away with them above 500. strong and valiant soldiers, not killing them, but carrying them away alive. For whom it had been much better to have stand to their weapon and to have died manfully upon the Turks, then by yealding themselves to be disgarnished of weapon and armoure, and so to be left to the cursed courtesy of the foul Turks. To whom what courtesy was sheweed, by the sequel did appear. For after y ^e Turks had led them out of Hungary into their own dominiō, after a most horrible & beastly sort they disfigured & mangled them, & so sent them abroad through all Grecia to be witnessrs of the Turks victory. Their kind of punishment was thus: First they had their right arm thrust through with an iron red hot, whereby they should be unable and unmeet to all labor & warfare. Secondly, their heads were shaven to the very sculles, after the manner of our Friers & monks, when they are newly shaven. Thirdly, they had all their privy members cut of frō their bodies to the intent to make thē unfruitful for propagation which wound was so grievous unto them, that the greatest part of them died thereupon, the few that recovered the torment thereof, led a life more bitter & more miserable then death it self. And this kind of cruelty was executed in order vpō them all. In much like sort did cruel Pharaoh exercise his tyranny against the people of God in Egypt: who to destroy the generation of them, caused all the male children to be drowned in the river. Whereby it is the more to be hoped, that seeing the tyranny of this turkish Pharaoh is come to such an extremetie, the merciful goodness of God will the more shortly send some Moses or other unto us for our speedy deliverance. This was by the cruel Turks done. an. 1542. witnessed by Johannes Ramus, which not only writeth the story, but by the testimony also of his own eyes recordeth the same to be true, beholding with his eyes one of the same number in the city of Vienna, who having wife and children in Bruxelles, either for shame or sorrow had no mind to return home to his own house. Ex John Ramo.

But to return again to the city of Buda, from whenre we have digressed, here is not to be pretermitted, what falsehood and what cruelty the Turks used toward the Christians there, after their victory. For after that Suleiman y ^e Turk upon the yielding and submission of the men of Buda, had given to them his promise of safety and life, within short time, the said turke picking a quarrel with them for selling Oxen unto the Christians, and for bargaining with them, slue all the Magistrates of the said Citty of Buda: like as in all other Cities, where so ever the Christians yielded unto him, he never, or very rarely kept his promise with them, neither did ever any Christians speed better w ^t the turke, then they which most constantly did resist him.

And as his promise with the Magistrates of Buda was false and wretched: so his cruelty with the soldiers thereof was more much notorious & abhominable. For in y ^e expugnation of Buda among y ^t rest which were slain ii. cohortes or bands of Christian soldiers came alive to his hands. To whom, when he seemed at the first to grant pardon of life, he commanded to put on their armor again, and to dispose themselves in order and battle array after y ^e warlike manner of the Christians, which when they had accomplished readily, according to his commandment, & he riding about the ranckes of them, had diligently vewed and be holden them a certain space, at length he commanded thē to put of their armor again, which done, certain of the tallest and strongest of them he pyked out, the residue he commanded by his soldiers coming behind them, with swords to be cut in pieces and slain. Of the other, whom he had elected and chosen, some he set for marks and buttes to be shot at: some he appointed to his two sons, for them to slash with their swords, & try their strength, which of them could give y ^e deper wound and (as they termed it) the fairer blow, whereby moste blood might follow out of their Christian bodies. Ex Mart. Stella. De successibus Turcarum.

After the winning of Buda, the Turk purposing not so to cease before he had subdued and brought under his obedience all Hungary, proceeding further with his army first brought under a strong hold of Christians named Pestum or Pesta, where a great number of Christian soldiers partly were slain, partly were led away to more cruel affliction.

Then he came to another Castle called Walpo situate in the confines of Bosna, Croatia, and Hungary. Which forte or castle he besieged three mōthes, while no rescue nor aid was sent unto them, neither from Ferdinandus king of Hungary, nor from any other Christian Prince or Princes. Whereupon at length the forte was given up to the Turk, but more through the false treachery or cowardly heart of the soldiers, then of the Captain. Wherein is to be noted an example not unworthy of memory. For when the cowardly soldiers, either for fear or flattery, would needs surrender themselves & the piece unto the Turk, contrary to the mind of the Captain, which in no case would agree to their yielding: they thinking to find favor with the turke, apprehended their captain, and gave him to Suleiman. But see howe the justice of God sometimes by y ^e hands of the enemy, disposeth the end of things to the rewarding of virtue, & punishing of vice. For where they thought to save themselves by the danger of the faithful Captain, the event turned clean contrary, so that y ^e Turk was to the captain bountiful and very liberalll: and the soldiers, notwithstanding that they had all yielded thenselves, yet were all put to death and commanded pitiously to be slain, Ex John. Martino Stella De Turcarum in Hungaria successibus. &c.

There is in Hungary another town bearing y ^e name of five Churches, called Quiquecclesiensis, partly spoiled before, as is above mentioned, pag. 751. but now thorough the loss of Walpo, & by the hugenes of the Turks army (containing in it. 220. thousand fighting men) was so discouraged and put out of hope and heart, that the b. • h. and chief nobles of y ^e town fled before y ^e ieoperdy: the rest of the commons, which were partly prevented by the sodein coming of the Turks, partly for poverty could not avoid sent their messengers to the Turk, to yealde and surrender the town, upon promise of life, unto his hands. Whose promise how firm it stood, the story leaveth it uncertain. This is affirmed, that three days after the yielding of this Quinquecclesiensis, never a Turk durst enter the City. an. 1543. Ex John. Mart. Stella. & alijs.

The next fort or hold gotten by the Turks in Hungary, was Soclosia. The town at the first invasion of the Turks, was won, sackte, and fired. The castle within the town, did something hold out a time, and first requiring truce for 14. days, to see what aid should be sent unto them, and to deliberate upon the conditions that should be proposed unto thē, after the 14. days expired, they (trusting to the situation and munitiō of the place, which was very strong) began for a certain space stoutly to put back the enemy: But afterward seeing their walls to be battered, their foundations to shake (for the Turk had set xii. thousand underminers under the diches of y ^e castle) & their strength to diminishe, and misdoubting themselves not to be able long to hold out, agreed in like manner to yield them selves, upon condition to escape with life & goods. Which condition of saving their goods, was the loosing of their lives, especially of the richer sort. For the Turks perceiving by that condition, that they were of wealth and substance, omitting the inferior or baser sort, fell upon the wealthy men for their riches, and slue them everyone, an. 1543. Ibid.

In the which his history this is also to be noted, that during the time while the castle of Soclosia was besieged, the villages & pages round about the same, came of their own accord, submitting and yielding themselves unto the Turk, bringing in (as they were commanded) all kind of victual and forage, into the Turks campe. Which done, Suleiman the Turk commanded all the head men of the pages to appear before him, which humbly obeyed and came. Then the turke warned them to return again the next day after, everyone bringing with him his inferior retinue, and household servants. Which when they had with like diligence also, according to his commandment accomplished, the turke immediately commanded them everyone, in the face of his whole army, to be slain and so was this their reward. Which reward the more that it declareth the bloody cruelty of the turke: the more encourage it may minister to our men, the more constantly to w ^t stand him. Ex Martino Stella.

An other strong town there is in Hungary named Strigonium, distant from Buda above said, the space of five Dutch miles, against the which the Turks made great preparation of ordinance, and all other instruments of artillary necessary for the siege thereof. Which city in like manner began also to be compassed and enclosed by y ^e turks, before it could be sufficiently prepared & garnished of our mē but that the archbishop only of Strigon privily conveyed unto them 200. Oxen. Such was then the negligence of Ferdinandus king of Hungary, which so slenderly looked unto the necessary defense of his towns and cities. More over such was the discord then of christen kings & Princes, which in their civil dissension and wars were so occupied and hot in needeles quarrels, that they had neither leisure nor remembrance, to help in time there, where true need required. Which slender care, and cold zeal of y ^e Christian rulers, not in tendering y ^e public cause, while they contend in private trifles, hath caused the Turk to come so far as he hath, and yet farther is like, unless the mercy of the Lord do help more, then our diligence. One of the chief captaynes within the City, was Martinus Lascanus, a Spaniard.

The Turks in the beginning of the siege began first to attempt the Citizens with fair words, and accustomed promises, to yield and gently to submit themselves. But they not ignorant of the Turks promises wisely refused, and manfully stood so long as they could to the defense of their city, now and then skirmishing with them in out corners, and killing certain numbers of them: sometime with their shot disturbing their munitions, & breaking the wheels of their gunnes. &c.

Three special means the Turks use in winning great fortes and cities: great multitude of soldiers: great ordinance and mortarie pieces: the third is by vndermyning. All which here in the siege of this City, lacked not. This siege continued vehement a certain space: in which the Strigonians had borne out four strong assaults, and slue many thousands of y ^e Turks, till at length the Turks either departing away, or else seeming to depart unto Buda, the people at last being so persuaded and made to believe of some chief rulers of the city (peradventure not the truest men) the citizens being erected with hope and comfort, and singing Te Deum, as though the city had been free from all danger, suddenly (by whose counsel it is unknown) conveyed themselves all out of the Citty. 300. horsemen also passed over the river and departed. The Italiās which were under Frāciscus Salamanca a Spanish captain hardly could be persuaded by him to abide, which were in all scarce. 600.

Within 3. days after 300. German soldiers, with 2. ships laden with shot, powder, & artillery, were privily let into y ^e town: So that of our men all there were scarce 1300. soldiers. Who seeing the small quantity of their number, burning and casting down the town & suburbs, took thē to y ^e castle: from whence they beat of the Turks valiantly with their ordinance, a good space, and with wyld fire destroyed great companies of thē, till at last they seeing their walls to fail them, and the whole castle to shake by vndermyning, but especially by the working of a certain Italian surnamed Presbyter, they gave over. Thys Italian whether for fear or falsehood, secretly unknowing to the rest of the soldiers, accompanied with two other conveyed himself down from the walls, & being brought into the tents of the next captain or Bassa of the Turks, there in the name of all his fellows, convented with the Turks, to give up to them the Castle: whereupon y ^e Turks were bid to cease the shooting. This Italian shortly after with two other Turks was sent back to Salamanca his Captayne, with the Turks message. The going out of this Italian being privy to the residue of his fellows, contrary to the laws and discipline of war, although it seemed to come of his own head: yet for so much as the other soldiers were not sure, but rather suspected lest the other Italians his countrymen had been in some parte of consent therein, and would take his part: neither durst offer him any harm for that his doing, nor yet could well advise with themselves what was best to do, for fear of privy confederacy within themselves.

Thus while Lascanus the chief captain of the Christians aforesaid, w ^t his fellow soldiers, were in a mase what to do or not to do: in the mean time came one running, who giving a sign both to the Christians and the Turks, to hold their hands and weapons, for that it was against all law of war to fight after peace and truce taken: our men, as they were commanded, went into y ^e inward tower. The Turks in the mean time, had got into the Castle, and occupied all the utter parties. Then was Salamanca by the consent of the rest, sent out to the Turk, who there being stayde that night, the next morrow the Turks bull or warrant was sent into the Castle, permitting free liberty to the Christians to depart with bag and baggage. Who now being ready to depart, first were commanded by the Turks compassing them round about, to cast from them their dagges, launces, and battle axes, into the trench. Then coming to the gate to go out, their swords were taken from them, looking then for nothing but present death.

At last whē they were come a little further, other were sent to them to discharge them of their helmettes, their tergattes, currettes, and whatsoever piece of harnes, was about them. Whereupon great fear came upon them, least some great cruelty should be shown upon them. Solymā after he had long deliberated w ^t himself, whether to kill thē or not, at last contrary to all expectatiō, granted their lives but before they should be dismissed, he first caused them, in derision of Christianity, to be baited with scorns and mocks throughout all the Turkish army, and so the next day commanded them being stripped out of their coats and apparel, to be reduced again into the castle by companies setting over them certain Turks with cudgels, & bats to lay upon their backs and sides, causing them to bury y ^e dead carcases, and to gather up the rubbish broken down from y ^e castlewalles, and to scour the ditches. Which done the next day following he demanded of them by an interpreter, whether they would enter wages with him, & take horse and armor to serve him in his. Wars, which condition diverse for fear were contented to take, seeing no other remedy to avoid present death. Some neither by manasing words, nor for any fear of death, could be compelled thereunto, of whom certain which stood stoughtly in refusing thereof, were presently slain, whom I may worthily recite in the number and catalogue of holy martyrs.

Of the foresaid Christians, part were carried over the river of Danubius, not without great vilany, & contumely most despiteful, For some had their wives taken from them and carried away, some had their wives ravished before their face: and such as made or shown any resistance thereat, had their wives before them cast into the river and drowned: also their infantes and young children, being appointed by the Turks to the abhominable order of the Ianizarites, mentioned before pag. 736. their parents not consenting thereunto, were precipitate and thrown into the river and drowned. All which things are testified by John Martinus Stella, in his Epistles in print extant, written to his two brethren, William, & Michael, &c. Which Mart Stella moreover this addeth & affirmeth, that he himself being the same time at Vienna, did see one of the foresaid wives, who being holden fast by the hear of the head yet notwithstanding having her hear plucked off, cast her self into the river Danubius, for the singular love to her husband, and so swam to the ship where he was. And thus this miserable company of Germaynes, Spaniards and Italiās mixed together, macerate with labors, with hunger pyned, with watchinges, dolours, and sorrow consumed came at length to Schinda.

When the tidings thereof was noised at Vienna, partly with fear and dread, partly with indignation, all men's hearts were moved & vexed diversely. Some thought them not worthy to be received into their city, showing themselves so dastardly and cowardly. Other thought again that mercy was to be shown unto them, and commended their fact for that they being so few, & unfurnished of aid neither able to match by any means with such an innumerable multitude of the Turks, kept themselves till better time might serve thē. But howsoever the matter was to be thought of, the captains brought the poor remnant of that rueful company, unto possidonium, where the said Captayns were laid fast, and their kept in durance, to render accompt of the whole matter, howe it was wrought and handled. And thus have ye, the lamentable story of Strigonium.

The Turk proceeding in his victories, conducted his army next unto Tath, and to the parties lying nere about Comaron. This Tath was also a strong hold in Hungary wherein were placed certain garrisons, pertly of the Germaynes, partly of the Italians. The chie • tayne of the Italians was one Anniball Tosso, constitute by Philipus Torneilius. This Tasso was a man well experte in prowes of war: but of a filthy corrupt life, & also a foul swearer: and horrible blasphemer of God and his saints. To make the story short, this forte of Tathe, before any siege was laid unto it, was yielded and given up to the Turks: upon what conditions, or by whose means, the author showeth not: Thus much he showeth, that the said Anniball shortly vpō the same, returning into Italy, was commanded by Tornellius aforesaid: to be apprehended and beheaded.

After the Turks had subverted and destroyed the forte of Tathe, they turned their power against Alba, surnamed Regalis, for that the kings of Hungary have been always wont there to be crowned, and buried. This Alba is a little well compacted city in Hungary, having on y ^e one side a marishe somewhat foggishe or fenny, which made the town less assaultable. But nere to the same was a wood from y ^e which y ^e Turks every day with vi. C. cartes, brought such matter of wood and trees felled for the same purpose, into the marish, that within less then 12. days they made it apt, and hard to their feet, which the towns men thought never could be gone upon, but only in the hard frostes of winter. At the first beginning of the siege, there stood a little without the munitions in the front of the city, a certain church or Monastery, which the Citizens pretending to maintain and keep against the Turks, had privily conveyed light matter easily to take flame, with powder, in secret places thereof, and had hid also fire withal. Which done, they (as against their willes being driven back, withdrew themselves within the munitions, waiting the occasions, when this fire would take. Thus the Turks having the possession of the church, suddenly the fire coming to the powder, raised up the Church, and made a great scatter and slaughter among the barbarous Turks This was not so soon espied of them within the town, but they issued out upon them in this disturbance, and slue of them a great number: Among whom diverse of their nobles also the same time were slain, and one Bassa an Eunuch, which was of great estimation with y ^e Turks. Moreover, in the same skirmish was taken one of those gunners which the french king is said to have sent to the Turk a little before. Which if it be true, let the Christian Reader judge what is to be thought of those Christian princes, which not only forsaking the common cause of Christ's Church joined league with the turke, but also sent him gunners to set forward his wars to the destruction of Christ's people, and to the shedding of their blond, for whom they know the blond of Christ to be shed. If this be not true, I show mine author: If it be, then let the Pope see and mark well howe his title of Christianissimus, can well agree with such doings.

But to let this matter sleape, although the Turks (as ye heard) had won the fen, with their policy and industry, against the City of Alba, yet all this while the Albanes were nothing inferior to their enemies, through y ^e valiant help & courageous endeavor of Octauianus Scruzatus, a captain of Millane. By whose prudent counsel and constant standing, the busy enterprises of the Turks did little prevail a long time, till at length, suddenly arose a thick fog or miste upon the city, where as round about besides, the sun did shine bright. Some said it came by Art Magicall, but rather it may appear to rise out of the fen or marish, being so pressed down with men's feet and other matter laid upon it.

The Turks using the occasion of this misty darkness in secret wise approaching the walls, had got up to a certain fortress, where the Germaynes were, before our men could well perceane them: where they pressed in so thick, & in such number, that albeit the Christian soldiers standing strongly to the defense of their lives, did what valiant men in cases of such extremetie were able to do: yet being overmatched with the multitude of the Turks, & the sodennes of their coming, gave back, seeking to retire into the inward walls. Which when their other fellows did see to recule, then was their flyeng of all hands every man striving to get into the City. There was between the outward Wales or vamures, and inward gate of the city, a strait or narrow passage, cast up in manner of a bancke or causey, ditched on both sides: which passage or ingress happened y ^e same timeto be barred & stopped. By reason whereof the poor soldiers were forced to cast them selves into the ditch, thinking to swim as well as they could, into the cittye: where many of them sticking in the mud, were drowned: one pressing upon another: many were slain of their enemies coming behind them, they having neither heart, nor power to resist. A few which could swim out, were received into the Citty: but the chief Captains and warders of the town were there slain.

The cittizens being destitute of their principal captains and warriors, were in great perplexity and doubt among thenselves, what to do, some thinking good to yield, some counsayling the contrary. This while the minds of the cittizens were distract in diverse & doubtful sentences, the Magistrates minding to stand to y ^e Turks gentleness, sent out one of their heads unto the turke, who in y ^e name of them all, should surrender to him the city, and become unto him tributaries, vpō condition they might enjoy liberty of life & goods, which being to thē granted, after the turkish faith & assurance, first y ^e soldiers which were left w ^t in y ^e city, putting of their armor, were discharged & sent away. Who being but only 300. left of 4. ensigns of Italians, & of a thousand Germaynes, by the way were laid for by the Tartarians, for hope of their spoil: so that they scattering a sunder one one way, another another to save themselves as well as they could: fled everyone what way he thought best. Of whom some wandering in woods & marishes faynted for famine: some were taken and slain by the Hungarians, a few with bare and empty, and wythered bodies, more like ghostes then men, escaped & came to Vienna. And this befell upon the soldiers.

Now understand what happened to the yielding Citizens. So in story it followeth, that when the turke had entered the town, and had visited the sepulcher of the kings for three or 4. days he pretended much clemency toward the cittizens, as though he came not to oppress them, but to be revenged of Ferdinādus their king, & to deliver them from the servitude of the Germans. On the fourth day, all y ^e chief & head men of the city were commanded to appear before y ^e turke in a plain, not far frō the city where the condemned persons before, were wont to be executed, as though they should come to swear unto the turke. At this commandment of the turke, when the cittizens in great number, & in their best attire were assembled, y ^e turk contrary to his faith and promise, commanded suddenly a general slaughter to be made of them all. And this was y ^e end of the citizens of Alba.

In the mean time, during the siege of Alba, the Hungarians meeting sometimes with the horsemen of y ^e Tartarians, which were sent out to stop their vitailes from y ^e city, slue of them at one bickering. 3000. Turks. In which story is also reported & mentioned of mine author, an horrible sight and example of misery, concerning a certain captive (a Christian belike) who coming into Vienna, was found to have in his scrip or satchel the half of a young child of two years old, which remained yet vneaten, the other half being eaten before. an. 1543. Ibid.

Next after this was expugned the castle of Pappa, by y ^e Turks. Let the castle now of Papa take heed, least one day it follow after.

The like fidelity the Turks also kept, with the fort of Wizigradum and the soldiers thereof. This Wizigradū is situate in the mid way between Buda and Strigoniū. Of the which fort or Castle, the highest tower so mounteth upon the hill, that unless it be for famine and lack of water they have not to dread any enemy. Notwithstanding so it happened, that the lower piece being won, they in the higher tower abiding four days without drink were compelled with liberty granted of life and goods, to yield themselves. But the devilish Turks keeping no faith nor promise, slue them everyone, only Petrus Amandus the captain of the piece, excepted: who privily was conveyed by the Captayne of the Turks, out of the slaughter. an. 1544.

To these moreover may be added the winning of Nouum Castellum in Dalmatia, where he slue all that were w ^t in both soldiors & other, for that they did not yield themselves in time. Thus the turke, whether they yielded to him or not, never spared the people and flock of Christ.

As the false & cruel Turk was thus raging in Hungary, and intended further to rage without all mercy and pity of the Christians, and easily might then have prevailed and gone whether he would for that Charles the Emperor and Franciscus the french king were the same time in war and hostility, and also other Christian Princes, as Henry Duke of Brunswike, against John Frederick Duke of Saxony, also Princes and rulers were contending among themselves: behold the gracious providence of our Lord and God toward us, who seeing the misery & having pity of his poor Christians, sodeinely as with a snafle reined this raging beast, and brought him out of Europe into his own country again, by occasion of the Persians, who were then in great preparation of war against the Turks, & had invaded his dominion. By reason whereof the Turks was kept there occupied, fighting with the Persians a long continuance. Which wars at length being achieved and finished, (wherein the said Turk lost great victoryes, with slaughter of many thousands of his Turks) he was not only provoked by the instigation of certain evil disposed Hungarians, but also occasioned by the discord of Christian Princes, to return again into Europe, in hope to subdue all the partes thereof unto his dominion. Whereunto, when he had leuyed an army incredible of such a multitude of turks, as y ^e like hath not lightly been heard of, see again the merciful providence & protection of our God toward his people. And as the Turk was thus intending to set forward with this innumerable multitude against y ^e Christians, the hand of the Lord sent such a pestilence through all the Turks army and dominions, reaching from Bithynia, and from Thracia, to Macedonia and also to Hungary, that all the Turks possessions almost seemed nothing else, but as a heap of dead corses, whereby his viage for that time was stopped, and he almost compelled to seek a new army.

Beside this plague of the Turks aforesaid, which was worse to them then any war, other lets also and domestical calamities through God's providence happened unto Solymannus, the great rouer and robber of y ^e world which stayed him at home from vexing the Christians, especially touching his eldest son Mustapha.

This Mustapha being hated and partly feared of Rustanus the chief counsailour about the Turk, and of Rosa y ^e Turks concubine & after his wife, was diverse times complained of to his father, accused, & at length so brought into suspicion and displeasure of the turke, by them aforesaid: that in conclusion his father caused him to be sent for to his pauilion, where 6. Turks with visours were appointed to put him to death: Who coming upon him, put (after their manner) a small cord or bowstring full of knottes about his neck, & so throwing him down upon y ^e ground, not suffering him to speak one word to his father, w ^t the switch thereof throtcled & strangled him to death his father standing in a secret corner by, and beholding the same. Which fact being perpetrate, afterward when the Turk would have given to another son of his and of Rosa called Bianger, the treasures, horse, armor, ornaments and the province of Mustapha his brother: Bianger crying out for sorrow of his brothers death: phy of thee, saith he to his father, y ^u impious and wretched dog, traitor, murderer, I cannot cal thee father, take the treasures the horse and armor of Mustapha to thyself: and with that taking out his dagger, thrust it through his own body. And thus was Suleiman murderer & parricide of his own sons: which was in the year of our Lord. 1552.

Wherein notwithstanding is to be noted the singular providence and love of the Lord toward his afflicted Christians. For this Mustapha as he was courageous & greatly expert and exercised in all practice of war: so had he a cruel heart, maliciously set to shed the blood of Christians: Wherefore great cause have we to congratulate, & to give thanks to god, for y ^e happy taking away of this Mustapha And no less hope also and good comfort we may conceive of our loving Lord, hereby ministered unto us, to think y ^• our merciful God after these sore afflictions of his Christians under these 12. Turks afore recited: now after this Suleiman intendeth some gracious good work to Christendom, to reduce & release us out of this so long & miserable turkish captivity: as may be hoped now by taking away these young imps of this impious generation, before they should come to work their conceived malice against us: the Lord therefore be glorified and praised. Amen.

Moreover as I was in writing hereof, oportunely came to my hands a certain writing out of Germany, certifyeng us of such news & victory of late achieved against the turke, as may not a little increase our hope and comfort us, touching the decay and ruin of the Turks power & tyranny against us. Which news are these: y ^t after y ^• turkish tyrant had besieged with an army of 30000. men, the famous & strong town and castle of Iula in Hungary lyeng 40. dutch miles beyond the river Danubius, which cittye had, by the space of 6. weeks sustained many grievous assaults: God through his great mercy & goodness so comforted the said town of Iula and the poor Christians therein, at their earnest prayers, that the Turk with all his host was driven back, by the hands of the general, called Karetshim Laslaw and his valiant company, who not only defended the said town, but also constrained the Turks to retire, to the great shame and confusion, with a great slaughter of the turkish rabble: For the which the everlasting God be praised forever.

The manner of the overthrow was this. As the foresaid general did see his advantage w ^t Captayne George, and other horsemen of the Sclesians and Hungarians, they set on y ^e rearward of the Turks and killed about 8000. of thē, and took also some of their artillery and followed them so fast, y ^• the Turks were constrained to fly into a marishe ground, and to break the wheels of the rest of their artillary, to save themselves, and therewith they got a very rich booty, rescuing besides and taking from the Turks a great number of Christian prisoners. Like thanks also are to be given to God, for the prosperous success given to Magotschie the valiant Captain of Erla, who making toward the Turks, and recountring with the Tartarians, slue of them about 8. hundredth.

Not long after this, it happened through the like providence of our God, a turkish Captayne called Begen, accompanied w ^t a thousand fresh horsemen came newly out of Turkey, to go toward the city named Quinque Ecclesiae, or Finffenkyrchen: with whom the Earl of Serin by the way did encounter, and in the right setting upon him, killed the captain and took 8. Cammels, and 8. Moyles laden with treasure, and also got two red Guidons, with a whole great piece of rich cloth of gold, and with another fair and strange Jewel. The horse of this foresaid turkish captayn, was betrapped and decked most richly. The sadle whereof had the pommell and the back part covered over with plate of fine Arabic gold, and the rest of the sadle, beside the sitting place, was plated with silver very fair gilded. The seat of the sadle was covered with purple velvet: the trappers and bridle beset with little Turkeys, and Rubies: Which horse was sent to Vienna unto the Emperor Maximilian for a present.

Although the Earl would very fain have saved the Captayn, not knowing what he was, yet the Ianizarites laboring to carry away their captain, so stiffly defended thenselves, that the Earl with his company, was constrained to kill both them and their Captayne. From whom the said Earl of Serin y ^e same time got, xv. thousand Turkish and Hungarish Ducates: which money was brought for the payment of the Turkishe soldiers in the town aforesaid of Finffenkyrchen. &c. All which be good begynninges of greater goodness to be hoped for hereafter, thorough the grace of Christ our Lord, especially if our Christian rulers and potentates, first the churchmen & prelates for their partes: then the civil powers & princes for their partes, with holding their affections a little, will turn their brawls & variance, into brotherly concord and agrement, which the Lord of peace put in their minds to do. Amen. Or otherwise if it will so please the Lord, that the turke come further upon us, so as he hath begun, for our punishment & castigation, his grace then give to the flock of his poor Christians, constancy of faith, patience in suffering, and amend̄t of life: For so I understand by public fame, although vncertaynly rumored by the voice of some, that the Turks power of late, this present year of our Lord 1566. hath perced the parties of Apulia within Italy, wasting and burning the space of an. 100. miles toward Naples. Which if it be certain, it is to be feared, that the Turk having thus set in his foot, & feeling the sweetness of Italy, will not so cease before he get in both head and shoulders also so far into Italy, that he will display his banners within the walls of Rome, & do with old Rome the like as Mahumete his great granfather did with new Rome, the city of Constantinople, and as the Persians did with Babylon.

The causes why we have so to judge, he diverse: first y ^• the sea of Rome hath been defended hitherto and maintained with much blood, and therefore it may seem not incredible, but that it will not long continue, but be lost w ^t blood again, according to the verdict of the Gospel: He that striketh with the sword, shall perish with y ^e sword. &c. An other cause is, the fulfilling of the 18. chapter of the Apocalypse: where is written that great Babylon shall fall & be made an habitation of devils, and a den of unclean spirit, and a cage of filthy and unclean birds: the fall whereof shall be like a millstone in the sea, that is, which shall not rise again. And this to come before the day of judgment, the text of y ^e said chapter doth apertly declare: where the words do follow, showing that the kings of y ^e earth, and the merchants which had to do with the whoorishe City, standing a far of for fear of the heat, and beholding the smoke of the said City flaming and burning w ^t fire, shall be wayle and rue her destruction and desolacion &c. What city is this, called great Babylon, which like a mylstone shall fall and burn, and be made an habitation of unclean spirits, and beasts, let the reader construe. This is certain and plain by these her kings and merchants standing a far of for fear, and beholding her burning, that the destruction of this city (what cittye soever it be) shall be seen here in earth before the coming of the Lord's judgment, as may easily be gathered by these iii. circumstances, that is, by the standing, the beholding, and be wailing of her merchants. By the which merchants and kings of the earth, peradventure may be signified, y ^e Pope, the rich Cardinals, the great prelates and fat doctors, and other obedienciaries of the Romish sea: who at the coming of the Turks, will not auenture their lives for their Church, but will flee the city (no doubt) and stand a far of from danger: and when they shall see with their eyes, and hear with their cares the city of Rome to be set on fire and consumed by the cruel Turks, the sight thereof shall seem to them piteous and lamentable, to behold the great and fair city of Rome, the tall castle of S. Angel, y ^e Popes mighty sea (where they were wont to fish out such riches dignities, treasures, and pleasures) so to burn before their eyes, and to come to such utter desolacion, which shall never be reedefied again, but shall be made an habitation of devils and unclean spirits, that is, Turks and heathen Sultans, and barbarous Saracens. &c. This (I say) peradventure may be the meaning of that prophetical place of the Apoc. not that I have here any thing to pronounce, but only give my guess, what may probably be conjectured. But the end at length will make this and all other things more plain and manifest. For mystical prophesies lightly are never so well understand, as when the event of them is past and accomplished.

An other cause concurring with the causes aforesaid may be collected, out of Paulus Iouius, who writing ofy ^e subversion of Rhodes, which was as ye heard. an. 1522. upon Christmas day, saith that it chanced suddenly the same day in Rome, that as Pope Hadrian the vi. was entering into the church to his service, sodeinly over his head the upper frontier or top of the chapel door, which was of marble immediately as the pope was entering, fell down and slue certain of his garde waiting upon him. Whereby peradventure may be meant, that the ruin of Rome was not long after to follow the loss of Rhodes.

The fourth cause I borowe out of Johannes Auentinus, who in his third book alleging the names, but not the words of Hildegardis, Brigitte, and other prophetical men hath these words: Si vera sint carmina & vaticinia D. Hildegardae, & Brigittae. Sybillanum Germaniae, & Bardorum fatidicorū, qui ea quae nostro aeuo completa vidimus, longo ante tempore nobis cecinerunt: A grippinensis Colonia, nolimus, velimus, Turcarū caput erit, &c. That is, if the sayings and prophesies of Hildegarde, of Brigitte, & of other prophetical persons be true, which being foretold long before, we have seen now in these our days accomplished: y ^e town of Colen will we, nil we, must needs be the head city of y ^e turks. &c.

And this I write not as one pronouncing against the City of Rome, what will happen, but as one fearing what may fall. Which if it come to pass (as I pray God it do not) then shall the Pope well understand, whether his wrong understanding of the Scriptures, & his false flattering glosers upon the same, have brought him.

Wherefore my counsel is to the Pope, & all his Popish mayntayners and upholders to humble themselves, & to agree with their brethren by time, letting all contention fall: lest that while the Bishop of Rome shall strive to be the highest of all other Bishops, it so fall out shortly, y ^t the bishop of Rome shall be found the lowest of all other Bishops, or peradventure no bishop at all.

Wherevpon also another cause may be added, taken out of Hieronunns Sauonarola, who prophecieth that one shall come over the Alps like unto Cyrus, & destroy Italy. Wherof see more, pag. 737.

Thys Solimanus, if he be yet alive, hath now reigned 46. years, who began the same year, in the which y ^e Emperor Charles the v, was crowned, which was an. 1520. and so hath continued by God's permission, for a scourge to the Christians, unto this yere now present. 1566. This Suleiman by one of his Concubines, had his eldest son called Mustapha. By another Concubine called Rosa, he had four sons, Mahumete, Baiazates, Zelymus, and Gianger. Of the which sons, Mustapha and Gianger were slain (as ye heard before) by the means of their own father. And thus much concerning the wretched tyranny of the Turks out of the authors here under written.

The Authors of the Turks stories.
• Laonicus Chalcondila.
• Nicolaus Eboicus Episo. Saguntinus.
• John. Ramus.
• Andraeas a Lacuna.
• Wolfgangus Drechslerus.
• John. Crispus.
• John Faber.
• Ludouicus Viues.
• Bernardus de Breydenbach.
• Mityleneus Archiepise. Sabellicus.
• Isiodorus Rutherus.
• Marinus Barlerus.
• Henrious Penia de bello Rhodio.
• Melchior Soiterus.
• Paulus Iouius.
• John Martinus Stella.
• Gaspar Peucerus. &c.
• Nicolaus a Moffen Burgundus.
• Sebast Munsterus.
• Baptista Egnatius.
• Barthol Peregrinus.

A Notice touching the miserable persecution, slaughter and captivity of the Christians under the Turks.

HEtherto thou hast heard (Christian Reader) the lamentable persecutions of these latter days, wrought by y ^e Turks against the people and servants of Christ. In the reading whereof, such as sit quietly at home, & be far frō jeopardy, may see what misery there is abroad, y ^• knowledge and reading whereof, shall not be unprofitable for all Christians earnestly to wey & consider, for that many there be, which falsely deceauing themselves, imagine that Christianity is a quiet and restrull state of life, full of pleasure & solace in this present world, when in deed it is nothing less, testified by the mouth of our Savior himself, who rightly defining his kingdom, teacheth us that his kingdom is not of this world, premonishing us also before, y ^t in this world we must look for affliction, but in him we shall have peace. Examples hereof in all partes of this history through all ages are plenteous and evident to be seen, whether we turn our eyes to the first x. persecutions in the primitive Church during the first 3. hundredth years after Christ: or whether we consider the latter 3. hundred years in this last age of the Church, wherein the poor flock of Christ hath been so afflicted, oppressed & devoured, y ^e it is hard to say whether have been more cruel against y ^e Christians, the infidel Emperors of Rome in the primitive age of the Church, or else those barbarous Turks in these our latter times of the Church now present.

Thus from time to time the Church of Christ almost hath had little or no rest in this earth, what for the Heathen Emperors on the one side, what for the proud Pope on the other side, and on the third side what for the barbarous Turk: for these are and have been from the beginning the three principal & capital enemies of the Church of Christ, signified in the Apocalypse by the beast, the false Lamb, and the false Prophet, from whom went out three foul spirits like frogs, to gather together all the kings of the earth to the battle of the day of the Lord God almighty. Apocal. 16. The cruelty and malice of these 3. enemies against Christ's people hath been such, that to judge which of thē did most exceed in cruelty of persecution, it is hard to say: but y ^• it may be thought that the bloody & beastly tyranny of the Turks especially above the rest, incomparably surmounteth all the afflictions and cruel slaughters that ever were seen in any age, or read of in any story: In so much y ^• there is neither history so perfect, nor writer so diligent, who writing of the miserable tyranny of the Turks, is able to express or comprehend the horrible examples of their unspeakable cruelty and slaughter exercised by these 12. Turkish tyrants, upon poor Christ̄ men's bodies, within the compass of these latter 3. hundred years, whereof although no sufficient relation can be made, nor mumber expressed: yet to give to the Reader some general guess or view thereof: let us first perpend and consider what dominions & Empyres, how many countries, kingdoms, provinces, cities towns, strong holds and fortes, these Turks have surprised and won from the Christians. In all which victories, being so many, this is secondly to be noted, that there is almost no place, which the Turks ever came to and subdued, where they did not either slay all y ^e inhabitants thereof, or led away the most part thereof into such captivity and slavery, that they continued not long after alive: or else so lived, that death almost had been to them more tolerable.

Like as in the time of the first persecutions of the Roman Emperors, the saying was, that no man could step with his foot in all Rome, but should tread upon a Martyr: so here may be said, that almost there is not a town, city, or village in all Asia, Grecia, also in a great part of Europa, and Africa, whose streets have not flowed with blood of the Christians, whom the cruel turks have murdered. Of whom are to be seen in histories, heaps of soldiers slain, of mē & womē cut in pieces, of childrē sticked vpō poles & stakes, whō these detestable turks most spiteful (& y ^• in the sight of their parents) use to gore to death: some they drag at their horse tails & famish to death: some they tear in pieces, tying their arms and legs to four horses: other some they make marks to shoot at: vpō some they try their swords, how deep they can cut and slash, as ye before have read, pag. 777, The aged & feeble they tread under their horses: womē w ^t child they spare not, but ripp their bodies, and cast the infants into the fire, or otherwise destroy them▪ Whether the Christians yield to them, or yield not, all is a matter As in their promises there is no truth: so in their victoryes there is no sense of manhood or mercy in them, but they make havoc of all.

So the Citizens of Croia, after they had yielded & were all promised their lives, were all destroyed and that horribly. In Mysia, after the king had given himself to the Turks hand, having promise of life, Muhammad the Turk slew him with his own hands. The Princes of Rasia had both their eyes put out with • asens red hot set before them. Theodosia, otherwise called Capha, was also surrēdered to the Turk, having the like assurance of life and safety: & yet contrary to the league, the Citizens were put to the sword and slain. At the winning and yielding of Le • bos, what a number or young men and children were put upon sharp stakes and poles, and so thrust thorough? At the winning of the Citty of Buda, what tyranny was shown and exercised against the poor Christians, which had yielded themselves, and against the two Dukes Christopher Bisserer and Johannes Tranbinger, contrary to the promise and handwriting of the Turk, is to be seen in the story of Melchior Soiterus, de Bello Pannonico.

The like also is to be read in the story of Bernardus de Breydenbach, who writing of the taking of Hydrimtum, a City in Apulia, testifieth of the miserable slaughter, of the young men there slain, of old men trodden under the horse feet, of matrons & virgins ravished, of women with child cut & rent a pieces, of the Priests in the Churches slain, & of the Archbishop of that Citty, who being an aged man and holding the cross in his hands, was cut a sonder with a wooden saw. &c. The same Bernerdus also writing of the overthrow of Nigropontus, otherwise called Chalcides, an. 1471. describeth the like terrible slaughter: which there was exercised: where the Turk, after his promise givē before to the contrary, most cruelly caused all the youth of Italy to be pricked upon sharp stakes: some to be dashed against the hard stones, other some to be cut in sonder in y ^e midst, and other mo with other kinds of forments to be put to death: in so much that all the streets and ways of Chalcides did flowe with the blood of them, which were there slain. In which history the foresaid writer recordeth one memorable example of maid̄lie chastity, worthy of all Christians to be noted and commended. The story is told of the Pretors daughter of that City, who being the only daughter of her father, & noted to be of an exceeding singular beuty, was saved out of the slaughter, & brought to Muhammad the turke, to be his concubine: But she denying to consent to his turkishe appetite and filthiness, was commanded therewith to be slain and murdered, and so died she a Martyr, keeping both her faith and her body undefiled unto Christ Jesus her spouse. Ibid.

The like cruelty also was shown upon them which kept the Castle, & afterward yielding themselves vpō hope of the Turks promise, were slain everyone. What should I speak of the miserable slaughter of Methone, & the Citizens thereof dwelling in Peloponesus: who seeing no other remedy but needs to come into the Turks hands, set the barn on fire where they were gathered together, mē, women, and children: some women also with child volūtarily cast themselves into the Sea, rather then they would sustain the Turks captivity. Vide pag. 734.

Miserable it is to behold, long to recite, incredible to believe all the cruel parts and horrible slaughters wrought by these miscreantes, against the Christians, through all places almost of the world, both in Asia, in Africa, but especially in Europa. Who is able to recite the innumerable societyes and companyes of the Grecians Martyred by the Turks sword in Achaia, Attica, Thessalia, Macedonia, Epirus, and all Peloponesus? besides y ^e Island of Rhodes and other Ilandes, and Cyclades adiacēt in the sea about, numbered to 52. of the which also Patmos was one, where S. John being banished, wrote his revelations. Where did ever the Turks set any foot, but the blood of Christians there, without pity or measure, went to wrack? & what place or province is there almost thorough y ^e world, where y ^e turks either have not perced, or are not like shortly to enter? In Thracia, & through all the coasts of Danubius, in Bulgaria, Dalmatia, in Seruia, Transiluania, Bosna, in Himgaria, also in Austria, what havoc hath been made by them, of Christian men's bodies, it will rue any Christian heart to remember. At the siege of Moldauio, at the winning of Buda, of Pesta, of Alba, of Walpo, Strigonium, Sociosia, Tathe, Wizigradum, Nouum, Castellum in Dalmatia, Belgradum, Uaradinum, Quinque ecclesie: also at the battle of Uerna, where Ladislaus king of Polonie with all his army almost, through the rashness of the Popes Cardinal were slain: at the winning moreover of Xabiacchus, Lyssus, Dinastrum: at the siege of Guntza, and of the faithful town Scorad, where the mumber of the shot against their walls, at the siege thereof, were reckoned to 2539. likewise at the siege of Vienna where all the Christian captives were brought before the whole army and slain, and diverse drawn in pieces with horses: but especially at the winning of Constantinople above mentioned, pag. 706. also at Croia & Methone, what beastly cruelty was shown, it is unspeakable. For as in Constantinople, Mahumer the drunken Turk never rose from diner, but he caused every day, for his disport. 300. Christiā captives of the nobles of that City to be slain before his face: So in Methone, after that his captayn Omares had sent unto him at Constantinople 500. prisoners of the Christians, the cruel tyrant commanded them all to be cut and divided in sonder by the middle, & so being slain to be thrown out into the fields.

Leonicus Chalcondyla, writing of the same story, addeth moreover a prodigious narratiō (if it be true) of a brute Ox, which being in the fields, and seeing the carcases of the dead bodies so cut in two, made there a loud noise after the lowing of his kind and nature: & afterward coming to the quarters of one of the dead bodies lying in the field, first took up the one half, & then coming again, took up likewise the other half, and so (as he could) joined thē both together. Which being espied of them which saw the doing of the brute Ox, and maruelling thereat, and word being brought thereof to Muhammad, he commanded the quarters again to be brought, where they were before, to prove whether the beast would come again: who failed not (as the author recordeth) but in like sort as before, taking the fragments of the dead corps, laid them again together. It followeth more in the author, howe that Muhammad being astonied at the strange wonder of the Ox, commanded the quarters of the christiā man's body to be interred, and the Ox to be brought to his house, and was much made of. Some said it to be the body of a Uenetian: some affirmed, that he was an Illyrian: but whatsoever he was certain it is, that the Turk himself was much more bestial then was the very brute Ox: which being a beast shown more sense of humanity to a dead man, thē one mā did to another Ex Leonic. Chalcondyla.

To this cruelty add moreover, that beside these 500. Methonians thus destroyed at Constantinople, in the said City of Methone, all the towns men also were slain by the forsayd Captayn Omares, and among them their Bishop likewise was put to death. Ex Andrea de Lacuna, & ex Wolfgango & alijs.

John Faber in his Oration made before king Henry the 8. at the appointment of king Ferdinandus, and declaring therein the miserable cruelty of the Turks toward all Christians, as also toward the bishops and ministers of the church, testifieth how that in Mitilene, in Constantinople, and Trapezunda, what Bishops & Archbishops, or other ecclesiastical and religious persons the Turks could find they brought them out of the cities into the fields, there to be slain like Oxen and Calves. The same Faber also writing of the battle of Suleiman in Hungary, where Ludouicus the king of Hungary was overthrown, declareth that 8. Bishops in the same field were slain. And moreover, when the Archbishop of Strigon, and Paulus the Archbishop Colossensis were found dead, Suleiman caused thē to be taken up, & to be beheaded and chopped in small pieces. an. 1526.

What Christian heart will not pity the incredible slaughter done by the Turks in Euboia, where as the said Faber testifieth that innumerable people were sticked & gored upon stakes, diverse were thrust through with a hot iron, childrē and infants not yet wayned from the mother were dashed against the stones, & many cut a sūder in the midst. Ex Johan Fabro & alijs.

But never did country taste and feel more the bitter & deadly tyranny of the Turks, then did Rasia, called Mysia inferior, & now Seruia. Where (as writeth Wolfgangus Dreschlerus ) the prince of the said country being sent for, under fair pretence of words & promises, to come & speak with the Turk, after he was come of his own gentleness, thinking no harm, was apprehended & wretchedly & falsely put to death, & his skin flain of, his brother & sister brought to Constantinople for a triumph, and all the nobles of his country (as Faber addeth) had their eyes put out. &c.

Briefly to conclude, by the vehement and furious rage of these cursed cayrifes, it may seme that Satan the old dragon, for the great hatred he beareth to Christ, hath styred them up to be the butchers of all christen people, inflaming their beastly hearts with such malice & cruelty against the name and religion of Christ, that they degenerating frō the nature of men to devils, neither by reason will be ruled, nor by any blood or slaughter satisfied. Like as in the primitine age of the Church, and in the time of Dioclesian and Maximiliā, whē the devil saw that he could not prevail against the person of Christ which was risen again, he turned all his fury upon his seely servants, thinking by the Romayn Emperors, utterly to extinct the name and profession of Christ, out from the earth: So in this latter age of y ^e world Satan being let lose again rageth by the Turks, thinking to make no end of murdering and killing, till he have brought (as he intendeth) the whole church of Christ, with all the professors thereof, under foot. But the Lord (I trust) will once send a Constantine to vanquish proud Maxētius: Moses to drown indurate Pharaoh: Cyrus to subdue the stout Babylonian.

And thus much hitherto touching our Christian brethrē, which were slain & destroyed by these blasphemous turks. Now forsomuch as besides these aforesaid, many other were plucked away violently from their country, from their wives & children from liberty, & from all their possessions, into wretched captivity and extreme poverty, it remaineth likewise to entreat somewhat also concerning the cruel manner of the Turks handling of the said Christian captives. And first here is to be noted that y ^t turke never cometh into Europe to war against the Christians, but there followeth after his army, a great number of brokers & marchaunts, such as buy men & children to sell again, bringing with thē long cheines in hope of great cheates: In y ^e which cheynes they link thē by 50. & 60. together, such as remain vndestroyd with the sword, whō they buy of the spoils of thē y ^t rob & spoil the Christian countries: Which is lawful for any of the Turks army to do, so that the tenth of their spoil or pray (whatsoever it be) be reserved to the head Turk, that is, to the great master thief.

Of such as remain for tithe, if they be aged (of whom very few be reserved alive, because little protite cometh of that age) they be sold to the use of husbandry or keeping of beasts. If they be young men or women, they be sent to certain places, there to be instructed in their language and Arts, as shall be most profitable for their advantage, & such are called in their tongue Sarai: and the first care of the Turks is this, to make them deny the Christian religion, and to be circumcised: and after that they are appointed everyone as he seemeth most apt, either to the learning of their laws, or else to learn the feats of war. Their first rudimēt of war is to handle the bow, first beginning with a weak bow, and so as they grow in strength, coming to a stronger bow, & if they miss the mark, they are sharply beaten: & their allowance is two pence or three pence a day till they come & take wages to serve in war. Some are brought up for the purpose to be placed in the number of y ^e wicked Ianizarites, that is, the order of the Turks champions, which is the most abhominable condition of all other. Of these Ianizaraites, see before pag. 736. And if any of the foresaid young men or children shall appear to excel in any beuty, him they so cut, that no part of that which nature giveth to man, remaineth to be seen in all his body, whereby while the freshness of age continueth, he is compelled to serve their abhominable abomination: and when age cometh, then they serve instead of Eunuchs to wait upon Matrones, or to keep horses and Mules, or else to be scullians and drudges in their kitchins.

Such as be young maidens & beautiful, are deputed for concubines. The which be of mean beautye serve for matrones to their drudgery work in their houses & chābers, or else are put to spinning and such other labors, but so that it is not lawful for them either to profess their Christian religiō, or ever to hope for any liberty. And thus much of them which fall to the Turk by tithe.

The other which are bought and sold amongst private subjects, first are allured with fair words and promises to take circumcision. Which if they will do, they are more favorably entreated, but all hope is taken from them of returning again into their country, which if they attempt the pain thereof is burning. And if such coming at length to liberty, will mary, they may: but then their children remain boud to the Lord, for him to sell at his pleasure: and therefore such as are wise amongst thē will not mary. They which refuse to be circumcised, are miserably handled: for example whereof, the author (which giveth testimony hereof) doth infer his own experience.

Such captives as be expert in any manual art or occupation can better shift for thenselves: but contrariwise, they which have no handycraft to live upon, are in worse case. And therefore such as have been brought up in learning, or be priests or noble men, & such other, whose tender educatiō can abide no hardness, are the least reputed, & most of all other neglected of him that hath y ^e sale or keeping of thē, for y ^t he seeth less profit to rise of them, then of the other: & therefore no cost of raymēt is bestowed upon them, but they are carried about bare head, & barefoot, both summer & winter in frost and snow. And if any faint and be sick in the way, there is no resting in any Inn, but first he is drivē forward with whips, and it that will not serve, he is let peradventure upon some horse: or if his weakness be such, that he cannot sit, then is he laid overthwart the horse upon his belly, like a Calf, and if he chance to die, they take of his garment such as he hath, and throw him in a ditch.

In the way moreover, beside the common chain, which doth inclose thē all the hads also of everyone are manacled which is because they should not harm their leaders, for many times it happened y ^t x. persons had the leading of 50. captives: & whē night came, their feet also were fettered, so y ^• they lodged in no house, but lay upon the ground all night.

The young women had a little more gentleness shown, being carried in paniers on the day time. But when night came, pity it was to hear the miserable crying out of such as were enclosed w ^t in by reason of the filthy injuries which they suffered by their cariers, in so much that the young tender age of 7. or 8. years, as well of y ^e one sex as of y ^e other could not save thē frō y ^e most filthy villainy of the bestial Turks.

When the morning cometh, they are brought forth to the market, to sale, where the buyer if he be disposed plucking of their garments, vieweth all the bones & joints of their body: and if he like them, he giveth his price, and carrieth thē away into miserable servitude, either to tilling of their ground, or to pasture their cattle, or some other strange kind of misery incredible to speak of: In so much that the author reporteth, that he hath seen himself, certain of such Christian captives yoked together like horse and oxen, and to draw the plough. The maid servants likewise are kept in perpetual toile and work in close places, where neither they come in sight of any man, neither be they permitted to have any talk with their fellow servants. &c. Such as are committed to keep beasts, lie abroad day and night in the wild fields, without house and harbor, and so changing their pastour, go from mountain to mountain: of whom also, beside the office of keeping the beasts, other handy labor is exacted at spare hours, such as pleaseth their masters to put unto them.

Out of this misery there is no way for them to fly, especially for them that are carried into Asia beyond the seas: Or if any do attempt so to do, he taketh his time chiefly about harvest, when he may hide himself all the day time in the corn, or in woods, or marishes, and find food: and in the night only, he flieth and had rather be de •• outed of wolves and other wild beasts, then to return again to his master. In their flying they use to take with them an hatchet and coardes, that when they come to the sea side, they may cut down trees, and bind together the ends of them, and so, where the sea of Helle • pontus is narrowest, about the Sestos and Abidos, they take the sea, sitting upon trees, where, if they word & tide do serve luckely, they may cut over in four or five hours: But the most part either perish in the floods, or are driven back again upon the coasts of Asia, or else be devoured of wild beasts in woods, or perish with hunger and famine. If any escape over the seas alive into Europe, by the way they enter into no town, but wairder upon the moūtaynes, following only the Northftarre for their guide.

As touching such towns & provinces, which are won by the Turk, and wherein the Christians are suffered to live under tribute: first all the nobility there they kill and make away, the churchmen and Clergy hardly they spare The Churches with the belles & all the furniture thereof, either they cast down, or else they come • ert to the use of their own blasphemous Religion, leaving to the Christians, certain old and blind chapels, which when they decay, it is permitted to our me to repair the again, for a great some of money given to the Turk: Neither be they permitted to use any open preaching or ministration. But only in silence and by stealth, to frequent together. Neither is it lawful for any Christian to bear office within the city or province, nor to bear weapon, nor to wear any garment like to the Turks. And if any contumely or blasphemy, be it never so great, be spoken against the, or against Christ, yet must thou bear it, and hold thy peace. Or if thou speak one word against their religion, thou shalt be compelled (whether thou wilt or no) to be circumcised: And then if thou speak one word against Muhammad, thy punishment is fire and burning. And if it chance a Christian being on horseback, to meet or pass by a Musulman, that is a Turkish priest, he must light from his horse, & with a lowly look, devoutly reverence & adore y ^e Musulman: Or if he do not, he is beat̄ down frō his horie w ^t clubs & slaves.

Furthermore, for their tribute they pay the fourth part of their substance and gain to the Turk: beside the ordinary tribute of the Christians, which is to pay for every polle within his family, a ducket unto the Turk: which if the parents cannot do, they are compelled to sell their children into bondage. Other being not able to pay go cheined in fetters from door to door begging, to make up their payment, or else must lie in perpetual prison.

And yet notwithstanding, whē the Christians have discharged all duties: it remaineth free for the Turks to take up among the Christians children, whom the best like, and thē to circumcise and to take them away being young, from the sight of their parents, to far places, to be brought up for the Turks wars, so that they may not return to them again: but first are taught to forget Christ, & then their parents: so that if they come again amongst thē, yet are they not able to know their kinsfolks and parents.

This misery passing all other miseries, no man is able w ^e tongue to utter, or with words to express. What weeping & tears, what sorrow and lamentatiō, what groaning, sighs, and deep dolor doth tear & rent a sonder the woeful harts of the seely parents, at the plucking away of their babes and children? to see their sons & their own childrē, whō they have borne and bred up to the service of Christ Jesus the son of God, now to be drawn away violently frō thē to y ^e warfare of Satan, and to fight against Christ? to see their babes borne of christiā blood, of Christians to be made turks and so to be plucked out of their arms and out of their sight without hope ever to return to them again: to live perpetually with aliens, barbarous & blasphemous Turks, and so to become of the number of them which are called fatherless and motherles.

Albeit the same childrē afterward do greatly degenerate from the faith of Christ, yet very many of them have privily about them the gospel written of S. John, In principiō erat verbum. &c. Which for a token of remembrance of their Christian faith, they carry under their arm hole, written in greek and araby. Who greatly desire, and long look for the revenging sword of y ^e Christians to come & deliver them out of their dolorous thralldom and captivity according as the Turks themselves have a prophecy, & greatly stand in fear of the same. Wherof more shall be said (Christ willing) in the chapter following.

And thus have ye heard y ^e lamentable afflictions of our Christian brethren under the cruel tyranny & captivity of y ^e turks, passing all other captiuityes that ever have been to God's people, either under Pharaoh in Egypt, or under Nabuchodonoser in Babilō, or under Antiochus in y ^e time of the Maccabees. Under the which captivity, if it so please the Lord to have his spouse the church to be nurtered, his good will be done and obeyed. But if this misery come by the negligence & discord of one Christian guides & leaders, then have we to pray and cry to our Lord God, • yther to give better harts to out guiders and rulers, or else better guides and rulers to his flock.

And these reoubles and afflictions of our Christian brethren suffered by the Turks, I thought good and profitable for our country people here of England to know, for so much as by the ignorance of these, and such like histories worthy of consideration, I see much inconnenēce doth follow. Whereby it cometh to pass, that because we English men being far of from these countries, and little knowing what misery is a broad, are the less moved with zeal & compassion to tender their grievances, and to pray for them, whose troubles we know not. Whereupō also followeth, that we not considering the miserable state of other are the les grateful to God, when any tranquility by him to us is granted. And if any-title cloud of pert • rhation arise upon us, be it never so • ile, as poverty, less of living, or a little banishment out of our country for the Lord's cause, we make a great matter the reat, and all because we going no further then on • own country, and only feeling our own cross, do not compare that which we f • ele, with the great crosses, where unto the Churches of Christ commonly in other places abroad are subject. Which if we did rightly understand, & earnestly consider, and pōder in our minds, neither would we so excessively forgette our selves in time of our prosperity given us of God: nor yet so impatiētly be troubled, as we are in time of our adversity, and all because either we hear not, or else we pōder not the terrible crosses which the Lord layeth upon our other brethren abroad in other nations, as by this present story here prefixed may appear.

NOw consequently remaineth, as I have shown hitherto what tyranny hath been used of the Turks against Christ's people, so to declare likewise, how far this tyranny of the Turks hath extended and spread it self, describing as in a table, to the Christ̄ Reader, what lands, countries and kingdoms the Turks have won, and got from Christendom, to the intent that when Christian princes shall behold the greatness of the Turks dominions spread almost through all the world, and how little a part of Christianity remaineth behind, they may thereby understand the better, howe it is time now for them to bestyrre them, if ever they think to do any good in God's Church. And therefore to make a cōpendious draught as in a brief table, of such countries, kingdoms, and dominions, got from us by the Turks, we will first begin with Asia, describing what tractes, countries, cities and Churches, the Turk hath surprised, and violently plucked away from the society of Christian dominions, taking only such, as be most principal, and chiefly them that be in Scripture contained, for that it were to long to discourse all and singular such places by name, as the Turk hath under his subjection.

The world being divided commonly into three parts, Asia, Africa, and Europa, Asia is counted to be the greatest in compass, containing as much as both the other, and is divided into 2. portions, the one called Asia Major: the other called Asia minor. And although the Empery of the Turk extendeth unto them both: yet especially his dominion standeth in the other Asia, which is called Asia Minor, which reacheth from the coasts of Europa, unto Armenia Major, beyond the river Euphrates, and comprehendeth these regions and Cities under written.

The division of Asia Minor, called Cheronesus, with the particular Countries and Cities belonging to the same.

Aeneas Sylvius, otherwise Pope Pius. 2. in describing of Asia Minor, cap. 74. reciteth a certain fact of a worthy Virgin: who at what time the Turks were besieging a certain town in Lesbos, and had cast down a great part of the walls, so that all y ^e Townsmen had given over, putting on man's harness, stepped forth into the breach, where not only she kept the Turks from entering in, h • t also slew of them a great sor • . The Citizens seeing the rare courage, and good success of the Mayden, took to them again their hearts and harnes, and so lustely laid about them, that an incredible number of the Turks were slain. The rest being repulsed from the land, reculed into their ships: who being then pursued by a Navy of Calisa, were worthelye dis • omfited likewise upon the sea. And thus was the I will of Lesbos at that time, by a poor Virgin, that is, by the strong hand of the Lord working in a weak Creature preserved from the Turks. Ex Aene.sil. Et SebMunst. Lib. 5.

Beside these Regions and Countries of Asia minor, above described, Seb. Munster in the fifth book of his Cosinography, declareth moreover, that the Turks and Sultannes have under their subjection, both Arabia, Persia, and also India exterior wherein is Calecute. The which Persia, although it be under the Sophi, which is an enemy to the Turk, yet it is to be thought that he is a Sultane, one of the Turkyshe and Mahometish Religion. This Persia and India were once seasoned with Christ's Gospel, as may appear by the primitive Church, pag. 98. And thus have you the partes of Asia described, which in times past being almost Christened, do now serve under the Turk.

After the description of Asia, let us next consider the partes and countries of Aphrike: Where although the greatest parte either consisteth in deserts desolate, or is possessed with Prester John, which professeth Christ and his gospel: yet the Turk hath there also no little portion under his dominion, as

As I was writing hereof, a certain sound of lamentable news was brought unto us howe the Turk, whom we had hoped before to have been repulsed by the Emperor Maximilian out of Christendom, hath now of late this present year. 1566. got the town of Gyula about Transyluania, after they had sustained 16 of his most forceable assaults, destroying in the same most cruelly, many thousand of our chisten brethren, men, women, and children: but because we have no full certainty, we will refer y ^e story thereof, to further information,

The Prophecyes of the holy Scriptures considered touching the coming up and final ruin and destruction of this wicked kingdom of the Turks, with the Revelations and foreshewinges also of other authors concerning the same

FOr so much as you have hitherto sufficiently heard, to what quantity & largeness the dominon of the Turks hath increased, & do understand what cruel tyranny these wretched miscreants have and do daily practice most heinously wheresoever they come, against the servants and professors of Christ: it shall not be unprofitable, but rather necessary, and to our great comfort, to consider and examine in the Scriptures, with what prophesyes the holy spirit of the Lord hath premonished and forewarned us before, of these heavy persecutions to come upon his people by this horrible Antichrist. For as the government and constitution of times and states of monarchies & policies fall not to us by blind chance, but be administered and allotted unto us from above: so it is not to be supposed, that such a great alteration and mutation of kingdoms, such a terrible & general persecutiō of God's people, almost through all Christiandome, and such a terror of the whole earth, as is now moved and gendred by these Turks, cometh without the knowledge, sufferaūce and determination of the Lord before, for such ends and purposes, as his divine wisdom doth best know. For the better evidence & testimony whereof, he hath left in his Scriptures sufficient instructiō, & declaration, whereby we may plainly see to our great comfort, how these grievous afflictions & troubles of the Church, though they be sharp & heavy unto us, yet they come not by chance or by mans working only, but even as the Lord himself hath appointed it, and doth permit the same.

And first to begin with the time of the Old Testament let us seriously advise & ponder, not only the Scriptures & Prophecies therein contained, but also let us consider the whole state, order, and regiment of that people: the Church I mean of the Israelites. For although the Scriptures and Prophets of the Old Testament, were properly sent to that people, & have their relatiō properly to things done or thant should be done, in that commonwealth, of which prophets, John the Baptist was the last & made an end, as our Savior himself witnesseth, saying: The law and Prophets be unto y ^e time of John. &c. Yet notwithstanding the said people of that old Testament, beareth a lively Image & resemblance of the universal Church which should follow, planted by the son of God through the whole earth: So that as the Prophets of God speaking to them from the mouth & word of God, prophesied what should come to pass in that people: so likewise the whole course & History of those Israelites, exemplifieth & beareth a Prophetical image to us, declaring what is to be looked for in y ^e universal Church of God dispersed through the world, planted in Christ Jesus his son, according as Phil. Melan • thon gravely gathering upon the same, testifieth in diverse places, in his Commentary upon the Prophet Daniel.

As first the History of godly Abel slain by wicked Cain, what doth it import, or Prophecy, but the conditiō of the people and servants of God, which commonly go to wrack in this world, and are oppressed by the contrary part, which belongeth not to God?

The like may be said also of Isaac, and Ishmael: of Jacob and Esau. Of whō, those two which were the children of promise, and belonged to the election of God, were persecuted in this world, of the other, which were rejected. Where moreover is to be noted concerning Ishmael, that of his stock after the flesh, came the Saracens: whose sect the Turks do now profess & maintain. And as Ishmael had but xii. sons: so it were to be wished of God, that this Suleiman which is the twelfe of the Turkish generation, may be the last. But of this, better occasion shall follow (the Lord willing) hereafter.

Furthermore, of the xii. tribes of Israel, the sacrate history so reporteth, that after they had a long season continued together, by the space of. 8. or. 9. C. years, at length, for their idolatry, & transgression of their forefathers. x. tribes of them were cut of, and dispersed among the Gentiles. 130. years before the captivity of Babylon: so that but ii. tribes only remained free, and they also at last, after a. 130. years, were captived under the Babylonians, for a certain time. No otherwise hath it happened with y ^e Church of Christ almost in the universal world, of which Church the greatest part both in Asia, in Africa, & almost in Europe (where the holy Apostles so labored and travailed) we see now to be disparcled among the Turks, and their candlestickes removed (the Lord of his great grace, reduce them again. Amen:) So that of xii. partes of Christendom, which was once planted in Christ, scarce ii, partes remain clear, and they how long they shall so continue, the Lord knoweth: And albeit thorough the mercy of the Lord, they escape the danger of the Turks, yet have they been so beaten with the Pope, that they had been better almost to have been in the Turks hands.

Agayne, after the said Israelites returned, being restored of Cyrus, let us consider well their story, the continuance of time, the manner of their regimentes, and what afflictions they sustained in the time of the Maccabees: and we shall see a lively representation of these our days expressed in that Prophetical people, according as S. Paul writing of them, showeth how all things happened to them in figures: that is the actions and doings of that one nation, be as figures and types of greater matters, what shall happen in the latter times of the whole Church universally in Christ collected.

So the transmigration & deliverance again of those two tribes, declareth to us y ^e affliction of Christ's Church for sin: and yet y ^t God will not utterly reject his people for his sons sake, as by manifold examples of y ^• Church hitherto may well appear.

Again, the continuance of the law first given by Moses, unto the destruction of the said people by Titus, amounteth to 1564. years: So we counting the age of the New Testament, and reckoning from the day of our redemption unto this present, be come now to the year 1534. lacking but only 33. years of the full number.

Likewise in counting the years from their deliverance out of captivity, to the ende of their dissolution, we find 564. years, during which years, as the Church of the Jews was not governed under the authority of kings, but the high Priests took all the power and authority to themselves: so we Christians for the space especially of these later 564. years, what have we seen and felt, but only the jurisdiction and domination of the Pope and his high Priests, plaieng the Rex in all countries, and ruling the whole: whereby, by the count of these years, it is to be thought the day of the Lord's coming not to be far off.

Furthermore, in those latter years of the Jews kingdom, what troubles and afflictions that people sustained three hundredth years together, but chiefly, the last 166. years before the coming of Christ, by Antiochus and his fellows, the history of y ^e Maccabees cā report. Wherein we have also notoriously to understand y ^e miserable vexations and persecutions of Christian Churches in these latter ends of the world by Antichrist: For by Antiochus Antichrist (no doubt) is figured and represented. Thys Antiochus surnamed Magnus, and Antiochus Epiphanes his son, came of the stock of Seleucus Nicanor, much like as the Mahumetes the Turk, and Solymannus, came of the stock of Ottomannus. Wherein this is to be noted and pondered, that like as of the said Seleucus issued xii. Syrian Kings one after another of that generation, which reigned over y ^e Israelites with much severity and tyranny: so of this devilish generatiō of Ottomannus, have come xii. Turkish tyraunts, whereof this Suleiman is now the twelfe, God grant he may be y ^e last. And as the ii. last Antiochi, being sons of the ii. brethrē, did fight together for the kingdom, and in fighting were both slain, and shortly after the kingdom fell to the Romaines: so the Lord grant for Christ's sake, that the bloody brood of this old Suleiman, (which had reigned now 46. years, may so fight together, and perish in their own blood, that the bloody tyranny of theirs may come to a final end forever, Amen.

And that the truth hereof may the better appear to such as be disposed to meditate more upon the matter, I thought good and profitable for the reader, to set before his eyes, in tablewise, the catalogue of both these Antichristian families, with the names and succession of the persons, first of the twelve Syrian Kings, then of the twelve Ottomans, in like number and order.