Szigetvar - The General History of the Turks, Knolles, 1603

The General History of the Turks

Richard Knolles,  London,1603

The Life of Suleiman

The Fourth and Most Magnificent Emperor of the Turks

The Siege of Szigetvar

After the return of the Turks fleet to Constantinople, Suleiman being exceeding angry with the governor of the island of Chios his tributary, as well for that he had during the late siege of Malta, had intelligence with the Great master, and revealed to him many of the Turks designs; as also for detaining of two years tribute, which was yearly 10,000 ducats; and had also neglected to send his wonted presents to the great pashas, who therefore the more incensed, the tyrant commanded Pial-pasha his Admiral to make ready his fleet, and by force or policy, to take that fruitful and pleasant island wholly into his own hand. Who without delay, with a fleet of 80 galleys, the 15^th day of April in the year 1566, being then Easter, arrived at Chios. The chief men of the island, upon sight of the fleet, quickly sent ambassadors to the pasha with presents, courteously offering to him the haven, and whatsoever else he should require.  Pial with great kindness accepted their offer, and presently possessed himself of the haven in three places: and afterward landing, sent for the governor of the city, and twelve of the chief citizens to come to him, as if he had had some special matter to confer with him about from the great Sultan, before his departure thence for Malta or Italy. Who having a little conferred together, went to him with great fear; and that not without cause, for as soon as they were come before him, he commanded them to be laid hold upon and cast fast into irons: which done, the soldiers quickly took the town hall, and without resistance pulling down the towns ensign (a picture of Saint George with a red cross) and put in its place one of the Turks: and there was great rejoicing among the Turks throughout the whole island. After that they rifled the churches and consecrated them in their Muslim manner. The governor of the city and the senators with their families, the pasha sent in five ships to Constantinople: as for the vulgar people, they had a choice to their liking, either stay peacefully or depart. And so the pasha, when he had there placed a new governor, one of the Turks, with a strong garrison, and set up the Muslim superstition in that most fertile island, departed thence for Italy: where sailing along the coast of Apulia, he did exceeding much harm in burning and destroying the country villages, and carrying away of the poor people into captivity; and so returned.

At this time, the kingdom of Hungary was most miserably rent in pieces by the lieutenants and captains of Suleiman and Maximilian the emperor, and John the Voyvod of Transylvania, Suleiman’s vassal: who grieved with the harms done to him by the emperors captains, whereof himself was the cause, and vainly hoping to have obtained at Suleiman’s hands the greatest part of the kingdom of Hungary, as had sometime king John; ceased not continually to solicit him to come himself in person to make a full conquest of the relics of Hungary, yet held by the emperor and some of the Hungarian nobility: And flattering himself in that vain hope, called himself the king of Hungary, and increasing his strength by letters to the nobility and burgesses of the cities of Hungary, summoned them, as if it had been by the appointment of Suleiman his great patron, that they should on the 9^th of March meet together at Darda, to determine with him of matters concerning their common good. Which thing, as soon as Lazarus Suendi (Lazarus von Schwendi quells Transylvania insurection) the emperors lieutenant understood, he quickly by other letters countermanded those of the Voyvod; persuading the Hungarians, not to listen to the charms of the Voyvod and the Turk, tending to their destruction, but rather to yield their obedience to Maximilian the Christian emperor, whose purpose was by the aid of the Christian princes, to protect and preserve them in peace.

And hereby it came to pass, that the remainders of this sore shaken kingdom, divided into factions, and diversely carried, according to their affection, some to the one side, some to the other, began afresh to work one another’s confusion, which fitly served the Turks to encroach more and more upon them: Who at the same time surprised the town of AINATSCH (the captain thereof with certain of the garrison soldiers being gone about their business to Eger) and put to the sword all them that they found in the town. They thought also to have taken the strong town of Siget, but were by the valiant count Nikola Zrinski Governor thereof, courageously encountered; and after four hours hard fight, overthrown and put to flight. Not long after, they ranged up and down the country, and plundered as far as Gyula and Gyor, and did the country people much harm.

Maximilian the emperor in the latter end of May broke up the assembly of the empire then held at Augsburg (Diet at Augsburg), and began carefully to provide things needful for the war: appointing his captains for the raising of such forces in Germany, as were but a little before granted to him by the princes and states of the empire, in their late assembly; but went himself to Vienna. For it was told him (as the truth was) that Suleiman now in his extreme age with a mighty army set forward from Constantinople, marching through Bulgaria and Serbia, was come directly to Belgrade where John the Voyvod of Transylvania met him, and kissing his hand, had commended himself and all his state to his protection.  At which time, Schwendi the emperor’s lieutenant, laid hard siege to the town of HUSTH in the borders of Transylvania. The Pasha of Buda at the same time on the other side, by commandment of Suleiman, with 8,000 Turks and 25 pieces of great ordinance besieged Palotta (Várpalota Hungary), a strong town about eight miles from Gyor; had with continual battery by the space of eight days, brought the fort into great danger, although it was valiantly defended by George Thuriger. But hearing of the approach of George, count of Helffenstein, sent by the emperor with some companies of Germans to relieve Palotta, the Pasha of Buda retreated in such hast from the siege, that he left some of his great ordinance and a great part of his baggage behind him, and retired towards Szekesfehervar. The count having relieved the town, caused the breaches to be quickly repaired, and with a new supply strengthened the old garrison. Thus was a most lamentable war at once begun in divers places of Hungary. After that, the count of Helffenstein, strengthened by the coming of count Salma with certain companies from Gyor, departed from Palotta, and came to Veszprem, a city about two miles off, then held by the Turks and he took the city by force the last of June, and left not a Turk alive therein, because that they a few days before, had cruelly slain certain Christians whom they had taken prisoners: so leaving strong garrisons both in Veszprem and Palotta, they returned to Gyor. Shortly after, the count Salma laid siege to Tata a strong town, between Gyor and Comara, which at length he took by assault the 28^th day of July, and slew all the Turks, except fifty, which flying into one of the towers of the castle, yielded upon composition; amongst whom was the late governor of Veszprem, and the governor of this place, with the Pasha of Buda his nigh kinsman, who were all presently sent prisoners to Vienna. So the count following the course of his victory (the terror of his former good fortune running before him into the Turks strongest holds) was on his way to have besieged Gestes, a town near to Palotta: when the Turks there in garrison, upon the first sight of his army, left all, and fled out at the farther side of the town to Eeztergom. After whose example, other of the Turks garrisons in Witha, Tschokiku, & Sambok, castles thereabouts, set fire on that they could not carry, and followed their fellows to Esztergom also. The emperor understanding of the good success of his captains, caused public prayers with thanksgiving to almighty God to be made through all the churches thereabouts.

Count Zrinski, governor of the strong town of Siget and the country thereabout, certain of the coming of Suleiman, sent Gaspar Alapic and Nicholas Kovac, two of his captains, with 1,000 foot and 500 horse, to lie in wait for the forerunners of the Turks army: who drawing near to the place where these Turks lay, not far from Pecs, suddenly in the shutting in of the next day, set upon them, doubting no such matter, and put them in such a fear that they disorderedly fled some one way, some another, and were most of them slain or wounded by the Hungarians in their flight. Hali-bey, one of the Turks great sanjak-beys, and leader of that company, sore wounded, and seeking to save himself by flight in the marshes, there perished: his son, and many other notable men amongst the Turks, were there taken, and carried prisoners to Siget. The spoil the Hungarians there took, was exceeding great: for beside plate and coin, they also found good store, they took 8 camels, 60 horses, 5 mules, and 6 carts laden with all manner of rich spoils, and many garments of great price; wherein the gentlemen attired, returned to Siget in great bravery, with two fair red ensigns of the enemies.

Maximilian the emperor, long before being informed of Suleiman’s purpose for the conquest of the remainder of Hungary; to withstand so mighty an enemy, had beside the forces raised in his own dominions, procured great aid both of the states of the empire and other Christian princes, which about this time met together at Gyor. First there repaired four legions of German footmen, and upwards of 20,000 horsemen, with 4,000 Hungarians: The duke of Savoy sent 400 Argoleteirs (light mounted soldier): and many noble gentlemen out of diverse parts of Europe came, to serve the emperor in those wars of their own charge, especially the knights of Malta: and out of Italy, Prosper Columna, and Angelus Caesius: out of France, Guise the grand prior, Brissack and Lansack; who but a little before were going to Malta, of purpose to have served there if the Turks fleet had come thither again, as it was reported it would; but understanding that it came not, returned directly into Hungary, with certain other knights of the Order. Many also of the princes and free cities of Italy, declared their good will toward the emperor in this war; some sending him men, as did Cosmus Medices duke of Florence, who sent thither of his own charge three thousand footmen; some money, as Mantua, Genoa, and Luca. There came also Alphonsus duke of Ferara, with a gallant company of noble gentlemen, and others his followers.  Beside which land forces, the emperor had also provided upon the river of Danube twelve galleys, and thirty other ships for burthen, so made, as that the men could not be hurt with the Turks arrows: wherein were embarked 3,000 soldiers, most part Italians, under the conduct of Philippus Flachius a German, and one of the Knights of Malta, who was afterward received into the number of the princes of the empire.

Suleiman coming to the river Drava, commanded a bridge to be made over that great river, and the deep fens on the farther side of the river towards Siget, for the transporting of his great army; a work of such difficulty, that being thrice unfortunately begun, it was again given over, as a thing almost impossible: wherewith Suleiman was so moved, that in his rage he swore to hang up the great Pasha that had the charge of that work, if he did not with as much speed as were possible, bring it to perfection. Whereupon the work was again begun, all the boats that were to be found in the river taken up, and timber for the purpose brought from far, for the making of that bridge. In this work were employed, not the vulgar people only of the country which was tributary to the Turks, but the gentlemen themselves also, were by the imperious Turk (now commanding for his life) enforced to lay their fingers to work day and night without ceasing, until the bridge (which before was thought scarce possible to have been made) was by the restless industry and labor of such a multitude of men, in the space of ten days brought to perfection. Wherein the severity the barbarous tyrant used towards his subjects, is worth noting, whereby he extorted from them, more than is almost possible for men to perform: so that it is not to be marveled, that he hath so good success in whatsoever he took in hand. Over this bridge (a mile in length) passed Suleiman, and encamped at a place called MOHACS, where he stayed certain days, until his huge army was all come over. The last of July, 90,000 Turks (the vanguard of Suleiman’s army) came before Siget, and encamped within a mile of the town: after whom shortly after followed an hundred thousand more out of Suleiman’s camp, of whom many in approaching the town, were slain with great shot out of the castle; the rest for all that encamped themselves as near to the town as they could, and began the siege.

The town of Siget is well situated in a marsh, on the north side of Drava upon the frontiers of Slavonia, commanding all the country round about it, which of it takes its name; and was at that time a strong bulwark against the Turks, for entering farther into the country that way toward Styria. In this town was governor Nikola Zrinski, commonly called the Count, a valiant man, and a mortal enemy of the Turks, with a garrison of 2,300 good soldiers: who seeing the huge army of the Turks, called together into the castle the captains of the garrison and the chief of the citizens; where standing in the midst of them, he spoke to them as follows.

“You see how we are on every side beset with the multitude of our enemies, wherein rests their chief hope: But let us not be afraid or discouraged; for our victory depends not of a confused multitude of heartless men, but of the power of our God, who hath by a few at his pleasure many times overthrown the mighty armies of the proud; and will not in the midst of these dangers now forsake us, if we putting our trust and confidence in him, do what is proper for valiant and courageous men. Besides that our just cause, with the strength of the place we hold, our own valor, and the help of our friends, who I assure my self will not fail us at our need, countervails their confused multitude, forced together by their imperious commanders out of far countries, and whatsoever else the proud tyrant has brought with him into the field. Therefore let us all as become valiant men, for the truth of our religion, and for the honour of our prince and country, live and die together, knowing whatsoever befall, that to a life so lost, beside never dying fame, belongs a most assured hope of endless joy and felicity.

As for my self, I am resolved, and so (I hope) are you also, that as I am a Christian, and free borne, so will I (by the grace of God) in the same faith and freedom end my days. Neither shall the proud Turk, so long as I am able to hold up this hand, have ever power to command over me or the ground upon which I stand."

 This said, he first took himself a solemn oath, to perform what he had promised, and persuaded the rest to take the like: which done, every man returned to the place of his charge.

The 5^th of August Suleiman encamped within a mile of the town, and the next day after came himself into the camp, at whose coming the great ordinance and small shot so thundered out of the Turks camp, as if heaven and earth should have gone together, the Turks after their wonted manner crying aloud their Alla, Alla, Alla, and the Christians answering them with the name of Jesus.

The 7^th of August the Turks cast up a great mount (siege tower), and thereon planted certain great pieces of ordinance. The next day following they began most terribly to batter the new town in three places, and with incredible labour cast up a mount in the midst of the marsh, as it were in the town ditch, from where they the next day with certain pieces of great artillery day and night battered the inner castle of the town without any intermission, and did great harm both to the castle and the defenders. The count perceiving the new city to be now so laid open with the fury of the Turks battery, as that it was not possible to be defended; ordered his soldiers to set it all on fire, and so retired into the old.

The 10^th of August the Turks furiously battered the old town in three places, and brought their ordinance into the new town: and with timber, earth, and rubbish, made a bridge, the more commodiously to go over the marsh. For the speedier accomplishment whereof, all the Turks were compelled to lay to their hands, and to carry wood, fagots, earth, and such like things without ceasing. There might a man have seen all the fields full of camels, horses, and of the Turks themselves, like ants, carrying wood, earth, stones, or one thing or other to fill up the marsh: so was there with wonderful labour two plain ways made through the deep marsh, from the town to the castle: where the Janissaries, defended from the great shot with sacks of wool and such like things, did with the multitude of their small shot so overwhelm the defenders, that they could not against those places without most manifest danger show themselves upon the walls.

So that what by their vigilant industry, and the fury of the great artillery, the Turks (though not without great loss) by force entered the old town the 19^th of August, using in their victory such celerity, that they slew many of the most valiant defenders before they were able to recover the safeguard of the castle. Both the towns thus lost, and so many worthy men slain, not without cause brought great heaviness upon the rest which were in the castle with the count.

The Turks possessed of the old town, the next day planted their battery against the castle in four places, and with faggots, rubbish, and earth, made two plain ways to it, still filling up the marsh: and having with continual battery made it assailable, the 29^th day of August they began fiercely to assailed the breaches: but when they had lost many of their men, and done what they could, they were enforced with shame to retire. In this assault amongst many other of their best soldiers was lost one of their great pashas also.

Whilest these things were in doing, Suleiman far spent with years, and distempered with his long travel, fell sick of a dysentery, and for the better recovery of his health retired himself (the siege yet continuing) to Pecs, a city near to Siget, where shortly after he died of dysentery, the 4^th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1566, when he had lived 76 years, and reigned thereof 46. He was of stature tall, of feature slender, long necked, his color pale and wan, his nose long and hooked, of nature ambitious and bountiful, more faithful of his word and promise than were for most part the Muslim kings his progenitors; wanting nothing worthy of so great an empire, but that wherein all happiness is contained, faith in Christ Jesus. Grand Vizier Sokollu (aka Mehmed-pasha, who all commanded in Suleiman’s absence) fearing the insolence of the Janissaries, and least some tumult should arise in the camp, if his death should be known, concealed it by all means: and to be sure of them that were of all others best able to make certain report thereof, caused his physicians and apothecaries to be secretly strangled, and by a trusty messenger, sent in post, certified Selim (Suleiman’s only son, and his father in law, then lying in Magnesia) of the death of his father, asking him to come quickly to Constantinople to take possession of the empire; and that done, quickly to come to the army in Hungary. But this could not be so secretly done, but that the Janissaries began to mistrust the matter: Which the Grand Vizier Sokollu quickly perceiving, caused the dead body of Suleiman in his wonted apparel to be brought into his tent sitting upright in his horse litter, as if he had been sicken of the gout; and so showing him to the Janissaries, both deceived and contented them, and so went forward with the siege.

The Janissaries having in the last assault lost many of their fellows, began now to undermine the greatest bulwark of the castle, from which the defenders with their great ordinance did most harass them: wherein they used such diligence, that the 5^th of September they with gunpowder and other light matter provided for that purpose, had set all the bulwark on a light fire; and by that means possessed thereof, with all their force assailed the bulwark next to the castle gate, from whence they were with great slaughter twice repulsed by the count. But the raging fire still increasing, he was enforced with those which were yet left alive, to retreat into the inner castle, wherein was but two great pieces, and fourteen others of small force.

Thus the Turks still prevailing, and taking one place after another, the 7^th of September they furiously assaulted the little castle, into where they cast such abundance of fire, that in short time it caught hold on the buildings, and set all on fire. The count thus assailed by the enemy without, and worse distressed with the fire within, which still increasing, left no place for him in safety to retire to, went into his chamber, where putting on a rich new suit of apparel, came presently out again with his sword and shield in his hand; and finding his soldiers with cheerful countenance and their weapons in their hands, attending his coming, spoke to them these few his last words.

“The hard fortune of this sinful kingdom hath together with our own overtaken us: but let us (noble hearts) with patience endure what is to us by God assigned. You know what wee have before promised, which hitherto God be thanked we have accordingly performed, and now let us with like resolution perform this last. The place you see is not longer to be kept, the devouring fire grew so still upon us, and we in number are but few: Wherefore let us as become valiant men break out into the outer castle, there to die in the midst of our enemies, to live afterwards with God for ever, I will be the first that will go out, follow you me like men. “

This said, with his sword and shield in his hand, without any other armor, calling thrice upon the name of Jesus, he charged out of the castle gate, with the rest following him: where valiantly fighting with the Janissaries upon the bridge; and having slain some of them, he was first wounded in two places of his body with small shot, and at last struck in the head with an unlucky shot, fell down dead; the Turks for joy crying out their wonted word Alla. The rest of the soldiers in flying back again into the castle, were all slain by the Turks, except some few, whom some of the Janissaries in regard of their valor, by putting their caps upon their heads, saved from the fury of the rest.

In this siege, the Turks (as they themselves reported) lost 7,000 Janissaries, and 28,000 other soldiers, beside many voluntary men not enrolled in their muster-books, and three of their great pashas. Zrinski his head was presently cut off, and the next day (with the heads of the other slain Christians) set upon a pole, for all the army to gaze upon. After that, it was taken down, and by Sokollu the Grand Vizier sent to Mustafa-pasha of Buda his kinsman; who by two country men, sent it wrapped in a red scarf covered with a fair linen, to count Salma in the emperors camp at Gyor, with this taunting letter thus directed.

Muhamet-pasha to Eccius Salma, greeting.

“In token of my love, behold, here I send thee the head of a most resolute and valiant captain thy friend, the remainder of his body I have honestly buried, as became such a man. Siget bids thee farewell forever.”

The death of this noble and valiant captain was much lamented of all the Christian army, and his head with many tears by his son Balthasar honourably buried amongst his ancestors in Cakovac, his own castle. Suleiman at his coming with this mighty army into Hungary, had purposed before his return, if he had not been by death prevented, to have conquered both the remainder of the kingdom of Hungary, and to have again attempted the winning of Vienna.

For the accomplishing of which his designs, he at his first coming sent Pertev-pasha with 40,000 Turks to help the pasha of Timisoara and the Tartars, in the behalf of the Voyvod, to besiege the strong town of Gyula, situated upon the lake Zarkad in the confines of Transylvania; not far from where Schwendi had but in August before overthrown the Tartars, called in by Suleiman for the aid of the Voyvod, and slain of them 10,000. And at the same time he sent Mustafa-pasha of Bosna, and Carambeus, with a great power to Szekesfehervar; who joining with the Pasha of Buda, should keep the emperor Maximilian busy, while he in the meantime besieged Siget, as is before declared. Pertev-pasha coming to Gyula, and laying hard siege to the town, was still notably repulsed by Laszlo Kerecseny, governor of the town: insomuch, that in a sally he had certain pieces of his great ordinance taken from him by the defenders, and the rest cloyed. But this brave captain, not to have been constrained by all that the pasha could do, was at last persuaded by his kinsman George Bebicus (from whom Schwendi had a little before taken certain castles, for revolting from the emperor to the Voyvod) for a great sum of money to deliver up the town to the pasha: which he did, covenanting beside his reward. That the soldiers should with bag and baggage in safety depart; all which was frankly granted: who were not gone past a mile out of the town, but they were set upon by the Turks, and all slain, except some few which crept into the reeds growing in the marsh fast by, and so escaped.

The traitor himself expecting his reward, was carried in bonds to Constantinople: where afterward, upon complaint made how hardly he had used certain Turks, whom he had sometime taken prisoners, he was by the commandment of Selim, who succeeded Suleiman, thrust into a hogshead struck full of nails with the points inward, with this inscription upon it: Here receive the reward of thy avarice and treason, Gyula, thou sold for gold: if thou be not faithful to Maximilian thy lord, neither wilt thou be to me: and so the hogshead closed fast up, he was therein rolled up and down until he therein miserably died.

The emperors camp then lying at Gyor, and the Pasha of Buda and Bosna with 30,000 Turks not far off at Szekesfehervar, and many hot skirmishes passing between them: it fortuned that the 5^th of September the Turks in hope to have done some great piece of service upon the Christians, came forth of their camp in great number, and by chance light upon a few foragers of the army, of whom they slew some, the rest flying, raised an alarm in the camp: whereupon the Hungarians and Burgundians with some others issuing out, pursuing the Turks, slew many of them: in which pursuit George Thuriger, descrying the Governor of Szekesfehervar, a man in great account, and very inward with Suleiman while he lived, fiercely pursued him in the midst of the flying enemies, and never left him until he had taken him prisoner: and at his return presenting him to the emperor, was for that good service knighted, and rewarded with a chain of gold. There was by chance then present a Spaniard, who had heard him say openly at Constantinople, that he alone with his own power was able to vanquish the German king (by which name the Turks commonly call the emperor:) With which words when that the Spaniard hardly charged him in the presence of the emperor, still urging him as it were to say something for himself, the Turk answered him in these few words following:

“Such is the chance of war, you see me now a prisoner, and able to do nothing.”

All these troubles, with many more like in short time to have ensued, were by the death of Suleiman within a while after well appeased. Mehmed-pasha after he had repaired the breaches, and placed a Turk governor of Siget, with a strong garrison for the defence of the place and commanding of the country, called back the dispersed forces; and rising with the army, retired toward Belgrade, carrying Suleiman’s dead body all the way sitting upright right in his horse litter carried by mules, giving it out that he was sick of the gout: which thing the Janissaries easily believed, knowing that he had been many years so carried: yet still wishing his presence, as to them always fortunate, although that he were able for to do nothing.

FINIS.