Szigetvar - A compendious history of the Turks

A compendious history of the Turks:

containing an exact account of the originall of that people; the rise of the Othoman family; and the valiant undertakings of the Christians against them: with their various events.

Author: Moore, Andrew, Gent
London: Printed by John Streater, 1660

http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A67910.0001.001

The Life of Solyman the Magnificent, fourth Empe∣rour of Turks.

Solyman exceeding angry with the Governour of Chios Island (who during the siege had intelligence with Valetta, revealing many of the Turk's designs, also for detaining 2 years Tribure, 20000 Duckats, and not sending his wonted Presents to the Bassaes) commanded Piall to prepare his Fleet, and take that Island into his own hand: who April 15, 1566. with 80 Galleys, there arrived: Whereupon, the chief men, sent him Embassadours with presents, offering him the Haven, and whatever he should require; who kindly accepting thereof, and landing sent for the Governor and 12 Citizens, as if he had some special matter to confer about from Solyman, before he went thence for Malta or Italy: who coming to him with great fear, he cast them into Irons; the Souldiers taking the Town-Hall, pulling down the Towns-Ensign, having in it St. George with a Red-crosse, and setting up one of the Turks, and so was it thorow the whole Island. Then rifling the Temples, they consecrated them after their manner. The Governour and Senators with their Families were sent to Constantinople: the vulgar to tarry there or depart. So Piall placing a Turkish Governour, and a strong Garrison, departed from that fertile Island for Italy: burning and destroying the Villages along Apulia, and carrying the people into captivity, so returning. John the Vayuod of Transilvania grieved with the harms from the Emperours Captains (whereof he was the cause) and vainly hoping (from Solyman) to have most part of Hungarie, calling himself King thereof, ceased not to solicite him to come personally to make a full Conquest, summoning the Nobility and Burgesses (as if by Solymans appointment) to meet at Thorda, March 9. about matters for the common good; which Swendi the Emperours Lievtenant hearing, counter-manded them, perswading the Hungarians not to listen to the Vayuods and Turks charms tending to destruction, but to obey Maximilian, who purposed to protect them in peace.

Hence it was, that the remainders of this sore-shaken Kingdome (divided) began afresh to work each others confusion, serving the Turks for a further encroachment: who then surprized Ainastch (in the Captain and some of the Souldiers absence) putting all to the sword: but they were by valiant Serinus at Sigeth after 4 hours hard fight overthrown and put to flight; not long after, they ranged up and down fetching in booty, and doing much harm; Wherefore, Maximilian appointed his Captains to raise such Forces in Germany, as were lately granted him by the Princes and States of the Empire at Augusta, going himself to Vienna; for Solyman was set forward with a mighty Army, and come to Belgrade, where the Vayuod of Transilvania met him, kissing his Hand, and commending himself and all his State to his protection. Then did Swendi hardly besiege Husth in the borders of Transilvania: and the Bassa of Buda (on the other side) besieging Palotta, had, by 8 days continual battery, greatly endangered it, though valiantly defended by Thuriger; but the Count of Helffenshein approaching with some Companies, he rose in such haste, that he left some Ordnance and much baggage behind him. The Count had the Breaches repaired, strengthening the Garrison with a supply. After that, he strengthened by Count Salina, with some Companies from Rab, came to Vesprimium about 2 miles off, which he taking by force, June 30. left not a Turk alive, who had lately slain some Christians which they took: so leaving a strong Garrison they returned to Rab.

Shortly after, Count Salma besieged Tatta or Dotis, taking it by assault, July 28. slaying all the Turk's but 50, who fleeing into a Tower of the Castle yielded on composition, the Governour and 2 other chief ones being sent prisoners to Vienna. He was on his way to besiege Gestes nigh Palotta; but the Turks seeing his Army, left all and fled to Strigonium: 3 other Garrisons of Castles, firing what they could not carry, doing the like; for which good success, Maximilian caused publike prayers and thanksgiving to be made all thereabouts.

Count Serinus certainly advertised of Solymans comming to Zigeth, sent 2 of his Captains with 1000 Foot, and 500 Horse to lie in wait for the fore-runners of his Army, who not far from Quinque Ecclesiae, next day about night, suddenly set upon them, who disorderly fleeing several wayes, were most slain or wounded in flight. Halibeg sore wounded, perishing in the Marshes: whose son and many others were carried prisoners to Zigeth: beside store of Plate and Coin, they took 8 Camels, 5 Mules, and 6 Carts laden with all manner of spoil, and many rich Garments, with 2 fair red-Ensignes. Maximilian besides his own Forces, procured great aid of the States of the Empire and other Princes, who met at Rab; beside which Land-forces, he had 12 Galleys and 30 ships: so made, that the men could not be hurt with Arrows: wherein was 3000 Souldiers, most Italians, under Flachius a Germane, and a Knight of Malta; afterward, one of the number of the Princes of the Empire.

Solyman commanded a bridge to be made over Dravus, and the deep  on tother side, for transporting his Army, so difficult, that  thrice begun, it was given over as impossible. Solyman swearing in his rage to hang up the great Bassa who had the charge thereof, if he did not with all speed-perfect it: whereupon all boats to be found, were taken up, and timber brought from far, not only the vulgar, but the Gentlemen of the Countrey were forced to work day and night, till the Bridge was, in ten dayes space (by such a multitude) finished: Over which (a mile long) Solyman passing, encamped at Muhatchz staying till his huge Army was come together. July 30. 90000 (the Vantguard) encamped within a mile of Zigeth: 100000 more following soon after, many in their approach being slain from the Castle, yet they encamped and began the siege: Zigeth is strongly scituated in a Marsh on the Frontiers of Dalmatia, denominated from the Countrey it commandeth, and a strong Bulwark against the Turks further entrance that way towards Stiria. Serinus the Governour seeing that huge Army, called together the Captains of the Garrison (being 2300 good Souldiers (into the Castle, making a short but comfortable and resolute fpeech, saying toward the end, I am resolved, as I hope ye are, that as I am a Christian and free born so (by Gods Grace) in the same faith and freedom to end my dayes: neither shall the proud Turk, while I can hold up this hand, have power to command over me, or the ground whereon I stand: which to perform he solemnly took oath, perswading them to the like; so every one returned to his charge.

Aug. 5. The Army encamped a mile off, and next day Solyman came into the Camp, the great Ordnance exceedingly thundering, and the Turks (as they were wont) crying aloud, Alla, Alla, Alla, the Christians answering with the Name of Jesus, Aug. 7. They cast up a great Mount, planting some great Ordnance. Next day, they most terribly battered the new Town in 3 places, casting up a Mount in the midst of the Marsh: whence, next day and night, they battered the inward Castle without ceasing, greatly hurting both Castle and Defendants. Serinus seeing the new City was not now to be defended, set all on fire, and retired into the old, Aug. 10. they furiously battered the old Town in 3 places, bringing their Ordnance into the new Town, and making a bridge the better to go over the marsh: 2 plain wayes of wood, earth, stones, faggots, &c. being (with wondrous labour) made thorow the deep Fenne from the Town to the Castle, where the Janizaries defended with Wool-sacks, &c. (the Defendants could not shew themselves on the Walls without great danger for their small shot. So the Turks (yet with great lols) by force entred the old town, Aug. 19. and with such speed, that rhey slew many of the most valiant before they could recover the Castle. Next day they planted their battery against the Castle in 4 places, making 2 plain wayes to it thorow the Marsh; and Aug. 29. they flercely assailed the Breaches; but having lost many men they were forced to retire, a great Bassa being also lost.

Solyman (the while) distempered with long travel fell sick of a loosness, retiring for Health-sake to Quinque  near Zigeth, where Sept. 4. 1566. he died of the Bloody-flux, 76 years old, Raigning 46. who was tall and slender, long-necked, pale and wan, long and Hooknosed, ambitious and bountiful, more faithful of his promise than most of his Progenitors. Muhamet the Visier Bassa, fearing the insolence of the Janizaries, and some tumult in the Camp, concealed his death, and to that end, had his Physitians and Apothecaries secretly strangled: willing Selimus then at Magnesia by a  Post to hasten to Constantinople, to take the possession of the Empire, and so to come to the Army; but the Janizaries began to mistrust the matter. Wherefore Muhamet caused the dead body of Solyman to be brought into his Tent sitting upright in his Horse-litter, as if sick of the Gout, whereby he contented the Janizaries, who began now to undermine the greatest Bulwark, whence the Defendants did most annoy them; and Septemb. 5. had set all the Bulwark on a light-fire. Whereby possessing it, they with all their force assailed the Bulwark next the Castle-gate, whence they were with great slaughter twice repulsed; but the fire encreasing, Serinus was was forced with those left, to retire into the inner-Castle, where was but two great pieces, besides fourteen others.

September. 7. They furiously assaulted the little Castle, whereinto they cast so much fire, that it set all on fire. No place being now left for the Count safely to retire unto, He went into his Chamber, putting on a new rich suit, and came presently out with his Sword and Targuet, speaking a few, his last words to his chearful Souldiers: That the hard Fortune of that sinful Kingdom, with their own, had overtaken them, but they should with patience endure, and since the place was no longer to be kept, &c. They should valiantly break into the utter Castle, there to die and live with God for ever; saying, He would go out first, they to follow like men.

So with Sword and Targuet, calling thrice on the Name of Jesus, he issued out of the Gate with the rest, where valiantly fighting on the Bridge, slaying some Janizaries, he fell down dead with a shot in the Head (being first wounded twice with small shot) the Turks crying for joy, Alla: the rest fleeing back, were all slain, but a few whom some Janizaries (for their valour) by putting their Caps on their Head, saved from the others fury. The Turks reported, they lost 7000 Janizaries, 28000 others, beside Volunteers not enrolled, and three Bassaes.

Serinus Head was cut off, and next day (with the other Heads) set upon a pole; then, by Muhamet, sent tothe Bassa of Buda, who sent it to Count Salma in the Camp at Rab, covered with a fair linnen-cloath, with a few quipping words in a Letter: Whose death was much lamented of all the Army, and his Head honourably buried with many tears by his son among his Ancestours.

Solyman purposed (before his return) to Conquer both the remainder of Hungary, and to attempt Vienna again.

To which end, he sent Parthau Bassa with 40000 Turks to help the Bassa of Temesware, and the Tartars besiege strong Giula, in the Vayuods behalf; not far from whence, Swendi in Aug. before, had slain 10000 , called in by Solyman to ayd the Vayuod. He then also sent Mustapha of Bosna and Carambeius with a great power, who with the Bassa of Buda, should busie the Emperour, whilst he besieged Zigeth. Parthau was still notably repulsed by Keretschen the Governour, before Giula, having some of his Ordnance taken from him, and the rest cloyed; but this brave Captain, was at last perswaded by his Kinsman Bebicus (from whom Swendi had taken some Castles for revolting to the Vayuod) for a great summe to deliver up the Town: the Souldiers all to depart with bag and baggage; who were not gone past a mile, but they were all slain by the Turks, but a few who crept into the Reeds in a Marsh. Keretschen himself being carried in Bonds to Constantinople, where, upon complaint, how hardly he had used some Turks taken, he was by Selimus's command rolled up and down in a closed Hogshead stuck full of Nails with the points inward, till he died, with this inscription, Here, Receive the reward of thy avarice and Treason: Giula, thou soldest for Gold. If thou be not faithful to Maximilian thy Lord, neither wilt thou be to me.

Many hot skirmishes passing between the Emperours Camp at Rab, and the Bassa of Buda and Bosna at Alba Regalis, Septemb. 5. The Turks came in great number out of the Camp, lighting on a few Forragers, slaying some, the rest fleeing and raising an Allarm: whereupon, some issuing out, pursued the Turks, and slew divers: Thuriger descrying the Governour of Alba Regalis, never left him till he took him, and presenting him to the Emperour, he was Knighted and rewarded with a Chain of Gold: When a Spaniard charged the prisoner before the Emperour; that he heard him say openly at Constantinople, He with his power only could vanquish the Germane King (as the Turks term the Emperour.) The Turk answered him: such is the chance of War, Thou seest me now a prisoner and able to do nothing.

Muhamet Bassa, repairing, strongly Garrisoning, and placing a Governour in Zigeth, call'd back the dispersed Forces, and retired towards Belgrade, carrying Solymans body sitting upright in his -, he having been many yeares so carried; whose fortunate presence, though he could do nothing, the Janizaries still desired.