Newes from Vienna the 5 day of August 1566

Newes from Vienna the 5. day of August. 1566. of the strong towne and castell of Tula in Hungary xl myles beyond the riuer Danubius, which was cruelly assaulted by the great Turke, but nowe by Gods mighty working relieued, the sayd Turks marueilouslye discomfited and ouerthrowen.

Imprinted at London by Iohn Awdeley,

dwelling in litle Britaine streete without Aldersgate.

The .21. of September. 1566.

Translated out of hye Almaine into English

printed in Augspurge by Hans Zimmerman.

Source:

http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A14397.0001.001

Newes from Vienna the .5. day of August .1566. of the Turkes ouerthrow:

AFter that the Emperour of Turkie had besieged with an army of thirty thousand horsmen and footemen, the famous town and strōg Castel of Tula in Hungary, lying xl (40) dutch myles beyōd the ryuer Danubius, which City had by the space of vi (6)weekes sustayned many greuous assaultes: God through his great mercy and goodnes so comforted the sayd towne of Iula and the poore Christians therein, at their earnest praiers, that the Turke with all his host was driuen backe, by the handes of the General called Keretshim Laslawe and hys valiant company. Who not onelye defended the sayd Towne, but also constrayned the cruell Turkes to retyre, to their great shame and confusion, wt the slaughter of a great nomber of their Turkish rable. For the which the euerliuyng God be praysed for euer. The manner of their ouerthrow was thys.

As the foresayd Generall Keretshim did see his aduauntage, wyth Captayne George and other horsmen of Schesians and Hungary, beset vpon the arereward of the Turkes, and kylled about .8. thousand of them, and tooke also some of their artillery, and followed them so fast, that the Turkes were constrayned to flee into a marrish grounde, and to breake the wheeles of the rest of their artillery, to saue themselues: which the Christians also tooke, and haue rescued and taken besydes from the Turkes a great number of Christian prisoners, and therewyth a very rych bootye.

The like also hath done that valiant man Magotfrhie the Captayne of Erla (Eger), the which making toward the Turkes, did encounter with the Tertarians, setting most valiantly vpon them, and killed about eyght hundred of them.

A few dayes past the Earle of Serin did encounter with a Turkish Capitayne called Begen, the which Capitaine then had with him a thousand fresh horsmen then comming out of Turkye, to go to a towne called Fynffkyrchen. Which Earle did set vpon them in the night, and killed the Captain, and tooke viii Camels, and viii Moyles laden wyth treasure, and got also two read Gwydons, wyth a whole great peece of rych cloth of gold, and also a very fayre and straunge jewel or token of the field. This foresayd Earle dyd sende vnto the Emperours Majesty to Vienna for a present, the foresayd Captaynes horse, the which was not onely a very fayre one and good, but also betrapped & decked moste rychly. For fyrst the pommel & the back part of the saddel was couered ouer with plate of fine Arabick gold, and the rest of the saddel besyde the sytting place, was drest wyth syluer plate very fayre gilded, which sitting place was couered with a fine purple veluet, and ye trappers & bridle beset wt litle Turkies and Rubies. The Earle would very fayne haue saued the sayd Capitayne, but the turkish Ianyssery defended them selues so manfully, thinking to haue caryed away safelye their Capitaine, yt the said Earle wt hys company was constrayned to kyll both them and their Captayne.

Also this valiant Earle of Serin hath got amongest other great prices from the Turkes xv (15) thousand Turkish and Hūgarish Ducates, which money was brought for the payment of the Turkishe men of warre, which are in the towne called Fynffkyrchen. Thus not onely this said Earle had got to himselfe rich and great prices, but also hys Souldiours haue met with very rich prayes and spoyles.

And now to declare the Mahometical and Turkish cruelty of these hellish Turks, which they vse agaynst the Christians (which cannot be declared without weeping and sorrowfulnes of mynde) is this in effect. Where euer they ouercome the Christians and take them captiues, they take the yong and lusty men tying them to their horses & famishe them to death. The old men and women they cut in peeces, deflouring the maydens and young women very villanously. The sely Infants and yong Babes lying in their cradels smyling vpon them, they take out very cruelly and sticke them on long poles and so gore them to death without pitye or mercy, and this very spitefully they do in the sight of the Infantes Parentes. The residue of them which they keepe alyue being men, they vse as beastes for all kynde of drudgery and toyle, more cruelly entreating them then their brute beastes. To the women and children whych they keepe alyue, they vse such Sodomish abhomination and tyranny as may not for shame be knowen, nor wythout harty sorrow be declared. Wherefore it behoueth al Christian Princes and good Christians to wythstand thys cruel Turckish enemy, & to set to theyr helpyng handes, such as can to helpe to resist hym with some power of warre and suche other good Christians as cannot helpe these our Christian brethrē (so cruelly assaulted) by this kinde of meanes: yet at least to helpe them with their godly prayers.

For if thus he proceede forwarde to take the vpper land, it wyl redound to the great plague and ruine of whole Christendome. Wherefore that thus it may not come to pas, let vs not cease to cal vpon our heauenly father for his mightye defence, who so mercifully hath heard the praiers of his poore afflicted children. And also geue him hartye thankes for this great ouerthrow of thys his Christes and our cruell enemy.

A Prayer & thankesgiving, for the defence

of the Christians agaynst the cruel Turke.

O Eternal God and most mercyfull father we giue thee harty thanks for this thy mightye working in ouerthrowing that cursed and cruell Turke, the enemy of thy deare sonne Christ Iesus, and hys deare Christians, and for relieuing his poore afflicted members, in deliuering them from his and their bloody handes: Wherefore (deare father) we beseche thee to continue in this thy merciful defending them, and in ouerthrowing his tirannical power, that they hereby may wel feele and know, that ther is none other God besides thee & thy sonne Iesus Christ our Sauiour. Preserue (O Lord) those godlye & Christian Princes which venter their liues against this thi enemy, as namely the Emperours Maiesty with his two brethren, and all hys whole nobility, geuing them prosperous succes & victorious conquest. Graūt this O Father for thy deare sonnes sake Iesus Christ our Sauiour. So be it.


MODERNIZED for easier reading

News from Vienna the 5^th day of August 1566 of the Turkish overthrow:

After that the Emperor of Turkey had besieged with an army of 30,000 horsemen and footmen, the famous town and strong Castle of Gyula in Hungary, lying 40 Dutch miles beyond the Danube River, which City had by the space of 6 weeks sustained many grievous assaults: God through his great mercy and goodness so comforted the said town of Gyula 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 Keretszin Laslaw and his valiant company. Who not only defended the said Town, but also constrained the cruel Turks to retire, to their great shame and confusion, with the slaughter of a great number of their Turkish rabble. For the which the ever living God be praised for ever. The manner of their overthrow was this.

As the aforesaid General Keretszin did see his advantage, with Captain George and other horsemen of Schesians and Hungary, beset upon the are reward of the Turks, and killed about 8.000 of them, and took also some of their artillery, and followed them so fast, that the Turks were constrained to flee into a marsh ground, and to break the wheels of the rest of their artillery, to save themselves: which the Christians also took, and have rescued and taken besides from the Turks a great number of Christian prisoners, and therewith a very rich booty.

The like also hath done that valiant man Magotfrhie (?), the Captain of Erla (Eger), the which making toward the Turks, did encounter with the Tertarians, setting most valiantly upon them, and killed about 800 of them.

A few days past the Earl of Zrin did encounter with a Turkish Captain called Begen, the Captain which then had with him a 1,000 fresh horsemen then coming out of Turkey, to go to a town called Pécs.  The Earl set upon them in the night, and killed the Captain, and took 8 camels, and 8 mules laden with treasure, and got also two red standards (flags), with a whole great piece of rich cloth of gold, and also a very fair and strange jewel or token of the field. This foresaid Earle did send unto the Emperor’s Majesty to Vienna for a present, the aforesaid Captain’s horse, the which was not only a very fair one and good, but also betrapped and decked most richly. For first the pommel and the back part of the saddle was covered over with plate of fine Arabic gold, and the rest of the saddle beside the sitting place, was dressed with silver plate very fair gilded, which sitting place was covered with a fine purple velvet, and the trappers and bridle beset with little Turkies and Rubies. The Earl would very feign have saved the said Captain, but the Turkish Janissary defended themselves so manfully, thinking to have carried away safely their Captain, yet the said Earle with his company was constrained to kill both them and their Captain.

Also this valiant Earl of Zrin hath got among other great prices from the Turks 15,000 Turkish and Hungarian ducats, which money was brought for the payment of the Turkish men of war, which are in the town called Pecs. Thus not only the Earl had got to himself rich and great prizes, but also his soldiers have met with very rich praise and spoils.

And now to declare the Mohammedan and Turkish cruelty of these hellish Turks, which they use against the Christians (which cannot be declared without weeping and sorrowfulness of mind) is this in effect. Where ever they overcome the Christians and take them captives, they take the young and healthy men tying them to their horses and famish them to death. The old men and women they cut in pieces, deflowering the maidens and young women very villainously. The innocent infants and young babes lying in their cradles smiling upon them, they take out very cruelly and stick them on long poles and gore them to death without pity or mercy, and this very spitefully they do in the sight of the infant’s parents. The residue of them which they keep alive being men, they use as beasts for all kind of drudgery and toil, treating them more cruelly then their brute beasts. To the women and children which they keep alive, they use such sodomish abomination and tyranny as may not for shame be known, nor without hearty sorrow be declared. Wherefore it behooved all Christian Princes and good Christians to withstand this cruel Turkish enemy, and to set to their helping hands, such as can to help to resist him with some power of war and such other good Christians as cannot help these our Christian brethren (so cruelly assaulted) by this kind of means: yet at least to help them with their godly prayers.

For if thus he proceed forward to take the upper land, it will redound to the great plague and ruin of whole Christendom. Wherefore that thus it may not come to pass, let us not cease to call upon our heavenly father for his mighty defense, who so mercifully hath heard the prayers of his poor afflicted children. And also give him hearty thanks for this great overthrow of Christ’s and our cruel enemy.

 

A prayer and thanksgiving, for the defense  of the Christians against the cruel Turk.

O Eternal God and most merciful father we give thee hearty thanks for this thy mighty working in overthrowing that cursed and cruel Turk, the enemy of thy dear son Christ Jesus, and his dear Christians, and for relieving his poor afflicted members, in delivering them from his and their bloody hands: Wherefore (dear father) we beseech thee to continue in this thy merciful defending them, and in overthrowing his tyrannical power, that they hereby may well feel and know, that their is none other God besides thee and thy son Jesus Christ our Saviour. Preserve (O Lord) those godly and Christian Princes which venture their lives against this thy enemy, as namely the Emperor’s Majesty with his two brethren, and all his whole nobility, giving them prosperous success and victorious conquest. Grant this O Father for thy dear son’s sake Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

So be it.