The ofspring of the house of Ottomanno and officers pertaining to the greate Turkes court. Whereunto is added Bartholomeus Georgieuiz Epitome, of the customes rytes, ceremonies, and religion of the Turkes: with the miserbale affliction of those Christians, whiche liue vnder their captiuitie and bondage. In the ende also is adioyned the maner hovv Mustapha, oldest sonne of Soltan Soliman, twelfth Emperour of the Turkes, was murthered by his father, in the yere of our Lorde 1553. al Englished by Hugh Goughe.

The ofspring of the house of Ottomanno and officers pertaining to the greate Turkes court. Whereunto is added Bartholomeus Georgieuiz Epitome, of the customes rytes, ceremonies, and religion of the Turkes: with the miserbale affliction of those Christians, whiche liue vnder their captiuitie and bondage. In the ende also is adioyned the maner hovv Mustapha, oldest sonne of Soltan Soliman, twelfth Emperour of the Turkes, was murthered by his father, in the yere of our Lorde 1553. al Englished by Hugh Goughe.

Table of contents

Title page

❀ To the right worshippeful knight, Sir Thomas Gressam. Hugh Goughe vvisheth all godly honour, with Nestors yeres, and Galens healthe.

☞ Bartholomeus Georgieuiz the author wishethe vnto the godly and Christian reader perfecte felicitie

❀ The Originall beginning of the Turkishe Empyre and Lineall Race of theyr Emperours, vvyth the trade and Ordinaunces of theyr warres

A brefe rehersall of al the Emperours of Turkeye

Otthomannus,

Oreanus,

Amurathes,

Baiazetus,

Cyriskelebes,

Moises,

Mahometus,

Amurathes,

Mahometus.

Baiazetus.

Selimus,

Solymannus,

In what maner the Turkes do vse to make vvarres.

❀ The Officers perteinning to the greate Turkes Courte and vvarres, vvith the disposition of the same, and diuersities of his souldiers.

Visier Bassae,

Lesker Kadie

Beglerbeg,

Tepthedar

Iereys,

Moderie,

Muthi,

Iaziti.

Spahioglani.

Soluphthari

Capiti.

Vlufagi.

Caripiti.

Solakhi.

Ianitzaraga.

Ianitzari,

Beslie,

Mutapharak

Czausi.

Gimlie,

Alcantzi,

Mekther

Asappi,

❀ The Turkishe rites and ceremonies. The forme of the turkishe temple, of the resort therunto, and order in praiinges.

Of the Turkes Lent, vvhen They kepe it and hovve their Easter is obserued.

❀ The maner of the turkisne circumcision, after vvhat sort it is done, and of their names.

¶ Of the turkishe Prestes by vvhome they are elected, and hovv thei liue.

¶ The festes of the turkishe Munkes and maner of ther liuinge.

¶ Of the marueillous reūerence vvhich the Turkes exhibite vnto the traditions of Mehemmet.

❀ Of the Scholes for bothe kindes, and in vvhat artes they instructe their youthe.

❧ Vearses called of them Bethler.

☞ Hovve they contracte matrimonye, of their dovvries, and occasion of deuorse.

❀ Of their Pilgrimmes, and to vvhat places they goe in Pilgrimage.

☞ Of the miracles vvrought at Mecha by Machomet, and of suche as they report him ther dailie to doe.

❀ Of their almes houses, and vvhat meate is geuen vnto the pore.

❀ The maner of their sacryfice, for vvhat cause they do it, and hovv the beastes offred are vsed and distributed.

¶ VVhat is assigned to be done by the Testamentes of the Turkes, as vvell of menne as vvomen.

¶ Their ceremonies about the dead, and maner of interrement.

¶ The building of ther sepulture called Tulbe, and of the sacrifices done to the dead.

¶ Of the Turkishe vvarrefare: and first of the king, and a part of his officers.

¶ The estate of the Turkes peeres or nobilitie, and of the possessione.

¶ Of the Bassans, vvhom vve may cal councellours, chancellours or rather Secretaries.

☞ The obediēce vvhich the Turkes are cōstrained to attribute vnto their king and of his messaengers or poastes.

☞ By vvhat meanes the Turkes powre is alvvaies found, and hovve it maye be deminished.

❧ The state of the Chazilarious.

❀ Hovv manie orders ther be of the turkishe footemene.

¶ Of the great Turkes tentes, and pauilions of his nobles, and souldiers, with the order of their iorneyinge in the time of vvarre.

❀ The driuing of their beastes, order in the campe, in vvhat sort they lodge, and vvith vvhat foode they lyue.

☞ VVhat seuere iustice is exercised in the time of vvarre.

❀ Of the triumphe to be celebrated for the Turkes victorie, vvher he is allvvayes resident, and vvherefore he maketh vvarre so often againste the christians.

Of their hunting.

¶ Of husbandrie, and craftes men, vnto whom the tenthes do perteine, of the bath, and ceremonies about the same.

¶ The iustice and equitie vsed amonge Citizens.

☞ The tilling of their grounde, of the graine, Vines, and other frutes, vvhiche grovve in those countries.

¶ The state of their Shepardes, vvhat heardes of beastes they fede, and of the tribute vvhich is required of the Christians.

❀ The forme of building ther houses.

❧ The fashion of ther garmentes, vvherof they are made, and in vvhat sorte.

¶ Of their meates, and foode.

¶ The diuersities of their drinke.

¶ The maner of the turkishe tables, and hovv they sit at meate.

❀ The salutation of the Turkes, Persians, and Arabians, is suche.

Ther aunswere.

¶ A Dialogue conteininge questions, and aunsvveres of a Turke vvith a christian, and firste the Turke in this maner speaketh vnto the Christian.

The lamentable affliction, as vvell of the captiue Christiās, as of them vvhich liue vnder the most greuous youke of Tribute. ❀ In vvhat sort the Christians, taken in warre by the Turkes are handeled.

¶ In vvhat maner the Emperour ordereth, and diposeth his captiues.

¶ Hovv they deale vvith virgins, and other vvomen.

☞ In vvhat sort, the other Turkes doe Vse their captiues.

¶ After vvhat maner, they vvhich ar vnskilefull of manual sciences, ar vsed.

❀ Hovv the nevv taken captiues are handeled in iorneyinge,

☞ After vvhat fashion the captiue Christians are lead, and brought fourthe to be solde.

❀ The state of those captaines vvhich they make Shepardes.

¶ The flight of bonde menne out of Europe.

❧ Of their flight out of Asia the Lesser.

¶ Of the punishement ordained for fugitiues.

¶ The fauorable affection of Grecians and Armenians tovvardes fugitiues.

❀ Of the inchauntementes Vsed by the Turkes against Fugitiues.

¶ Hovve the memorie of Christ by litle and litle vvereth to obliuion in the Prouinces sumetime of Christian religion.

☞ In vvhat sort the conquerour aafe• any victorie behaue them selues, and hovve by them are vsed the Spirituatie.

¶ The estate of prestes and munkes liuinges vnder tribute of the Turkes.

¶ Of the vnmerciful tributes exacted at the Christians handes.

A salutinge dialogue in the Sclauone tounge.

❀ The Lordes praier in the Sclauone toungue.

The Salutation of the Angell.

❀ The Author vnto the Christian reader.

❧ The horrible acte, and wicked offence of Soltan Solimam Emperour of the Turkes, in murtheringe his eldest sonne Mustapha, the yeare of our Lorde. 1553.

§

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¶ The ofspring of the house of Ottomanno, and officers pertaining to the greate Turkes Court.

Whereunto is added Bartholomeus Georgieuiz Epitome, of the customes Rytes, Ceremonies, and Religion of the Turkes: with the miserable affliction of those Chrstians, whiche liue vnder their captiuitie and bondage.

In the ende also is adioyned the maner hovv Mustapha, eldest sonne of Soltan Soliman, twelfth Emperour of the Turkes, was murthered by his father, in the yere of our Lorde 1553. all Englished by Hugh Goughe. (⸫)

Imprinted at London in Fletestreate, neare vnto saint Dunstones church by Thomas Marshe.

❀ To the right worshippeful knight, Sir Thomas Gressam. Hugh Goughe vvisheth all godly honour, with Nestors yeres, and Galens healthe.

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BEyng not manye Monethes sence, by some fortunate chaūce (right vvorshippeful) in the hearing of certaine graue communicatiō, debated by mē, both discrete, learned, and not altogether vnvvorshippefull: it vvas at that present my luckye happe to heare of suche vvell disposed persons as of late daies, and before our time, had bene benefactours to Englād their natiue coūtrey. Amonge the vvhiche, some of a Zealous minde, had bestovved their sage coūcel and politike deuises, for defence of the same, other of a fauorable affection, geuen their labour, to the hauinge in readines of suche [Page] necessary instrumentes, as bothe in time of peace, might cease our doutfull mindes, frō carefulnes therof, and in the perilous seasons of vvarre, defende vs from our daylye imminent aduersaries: the reste, beinge not many in number, hadde either, of a godlye and voluntarie vvil, vvholy (vvich chaunced more seldome) applied their riches, or many ioyning together, laid out their treasures, to the erectinge of suche noble buildinges, as might be for a publike commoditye vnto the inhabitantes of this vvorthy Ile of Britaine. All vvhose deedes for an euerlasting memoriall of them, and of ther vvell spent daies, haue most vvorthely deserued to be engrauen in tables of brasse. But fevve, yea alas to fevve, haue florished, in vvhom all these commendable qualities haue▪reygned, as both to be beneficiall to their countrye, by sage councell, procuring of safegarde for protection of the same, and bestovving of their substance, to the building of such famous and magnificent vvorkes, [Page] as might serue for common vtilitie vnto all men. And by the discretion of those men,, that be learned and vvise, if euer anye subiecte hath enioyed thē, they attribute it vnto yow. For what is he, vvhiche is ignorāt of the policies, and trauels, that your vvorshippe haue vsed and susteined, for to gette safegard, and requisite furniture to the realm. Besydes the infinite riches geuē to the buildinge of that princely vvoorke, commonly called the Burse, vvhich already declareth, and in Lōdon is openly to be sēne. vvhat commodity generaly, it vvill bringe to the Citisens therof. These noble exploi [...]es (as in dede they ar not a litle by all men praised) can not, but be highely commended. To vvhat end shuld I reherse, or make mention of the great diuersity, which men accōpt to be betwene it and the huge towre of Babilō, or outragious buildings in Egipt named Pyramides: or of the exceding difference, wherby it excelleth the intricate Laberinthes, [Page] and monstruous pillers, erected in diuers partes of the world: c [...]sidering that it is vnknovven vnto fevve, that these vvere either builded for a vaine ostentation, or friuolous memorial, vvith out any profitable vse, or of enuye, because the founderers of the same, vvoulde not leaue ouer muche store of worldly treasures vnto their successours. I neade not also to make rehearsal of your curtesy, gētilnes, frendship, and liberalitie tovvardes al men, yea and (vvhich deseruethe no small commendation) tovvardes the vnknovven, and strangers, as diuers other, and I also of late dayes, haue sufficiently proued. In consideration vvherof, lest I might seeme, eyther vnmindfull of suche benefites, as vndeseruidlye, I haue receiued at your frendly handes, or be thought vnthankefull, by not endeuoring, (according to my pore habilities) partly to recompens [...] your fauorable gentilnes declared tovvarde [...] me: I counted it good to present your vvorshyppe, vvith some suche treatice, as both [...] [Page] myght declare me mindfull of your so vnspeakeable benefites, and vvype cleane avvaye from you, the opinion of detestable ingratitude, vvhiche othervvise your vvorshippe might most iustely haue conceyued of me. And in so muche as vvithin these thre hundred yeares, to the great domage, and vtter decay almost of Christes infallible religion, the great Turkes povver, and Empire hath spredde it selfe so farre, that at this instant, ar subiecte to his cruell tyrannye, aboue foure and thirtye moste famous nations vvhiche in times paste haue bene christened, yea and vvithin these fourescore yeares, as one Hiltenius by prophesyinge hathe foretolde vs, he shall haue dominion both in Italie and Germanie: ponderinge vvith my selfe this pitifull estate, and lamentable ruyne of Christianitye, I imagined that it did not so become me, as by dvvtie I vvas bounde, in gratifying your vvorshippe, to reveale and make manifeste vnto my countrey men, the nature, disposition, [Page] customes, rites, and faithe of those circunsised Infidelles, vvith the horrible rackinge, painefull tormenting, and vnnaturall abusing, of our faithefull brethren the innocent Christians, most miserably oppressed vvith the heauye youke of their vnmeasurable taxes, tributes, and continuall bondage: that they by considering of the daungers, hanginge vniuersally ouer our heades, may learne hence fourth to amende their sinfull liues, and cal incessantlye vnto god for soccour against that mortall aduersarye, bothe to the vndoubted veritie of Christes holye gospell, to our countrye, liues and soules.

VVerefore accordinge to my simple skill and knovvleage I haue trāslated into our vulgar speche, this little booke, that herein, the vnaquainted vvith the latine toungue, may learne reade and see the sūme of their belefe, the vnstable, vveake, and folish foundations of their fained religion, vvhich in token of my bounden dvvtie, I offer & dedicate vnto your vvorshippe: desiring most [Page] humblye that you vvill accept it in good parte, and so accept it, as to vouchesafe to protecte and defende the same, vvith the title of your vvorthy name. This if you do, and receiue it so fauorablely, as other thinges of late dayes you haue done, you shall encorage me, hereafter for so frendlye takinge of these rude lines, to attempte and geue the onsette, both vpon bookes of greater volume, and matters of more vveight and substance. In the meanne tyme I vvill not cease daily to call vppon God, that he of his infinite goodnes, vvill encrease this louing affection tovvardes your countrye, endvvynge you vvith perfecte healthe, vvith all godlye honour, and after thys vvaueringe lyfe, to aduaunce youre worship aboue the skyes, ther to remaine in perpetual blissednes, vvorld vvithout end.

Your vvorsnippes most
bounden Hugh Goughe.

☞ Bartholomeus Georgieuiz the author wishethe vnto the godly and Christian reader perfecte felicitie

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THe ciuill discention, deadly discorde and contentious warres of our Princes, most christiā reader, haue procured me thys, that (beinge spoiled of all my goodes, bound with cheines, ledde to be solde as a beast, throughe townes, villages, stretes, and the moste daungerous and slippery places of Thrace and the lesser Asia), seuen times I haue ben sold vnto most peineful and manifolde kindes of husbandry: and there constrained vnder the turkish rustical whippe and sharpe ordinances, in hungar and [Page] thirst, in colde and nakednes, lying a brode out of house, to kepe horses, and fede flockes of sheepe and [...]eardes, to learne the arte of warrefare, and exercise tylling of ground, From whence taking flight, and lyuinge by the mast of Okes, by wilde herbes, and ther bitter rootes sprinkeled with a litle salte, and wandring in desertes, beholdinge the north pole as my guide, I haue bene enuironed with moste rauenous wilde beastes, I haue moreouer, on plankes of timber, bound together with a corde, endeuored to passe ouer the sea Hellesponte: but beinge taken at length, brought back againe vnto my master, bound hand and foote, cast prostrat on the earthe, and greuosly beaten with roddes, I was after cast of vnto the vnmercifull regraters of mankinde, and [Page] slaughterous boutchers to be solde: so that tossed with the fluddes of aduersitie by the space of thirtene yeares, I haue bene forced to suffer and susteine manye miseries, afflictions, calamities and persecutions, throughe ye loue that I bare vnto oure holye and catholyke faith, But when I could not escape by that more nere way, which is throughe Thrace suche tirannye, greuous bondage, and cruell affliction of the Infidelles, flying by an other way, whyche is to wit, towardes the pole Antartike, throught the most daungerous places, and desartes of Caramania and Siria.

Throughe soudrie perilles on the lande

And daungers straung bi seas and sande.

At length I came into the holy lande, vnto the Fryars of Saincte Frances, by Ierusalem, dwelling in the mounte [Page] Sion. From whence after the course of [...]ne yere, raised (by goddes prouidence) [...]s it were from the dead, taken out of the mouth and iawes of that rauenous and insatiable dragon, and deliuered from his rackinges and tormentes, I came vnto my brethren the christians [...]as an vndouted messanger of their pu [...]nishementes, that they may do worthy [...]penance for ther errors and offences, lest thei com into that place of tormēts and affliction: that they may vnderstande also in what hatred thei ought to be, whiche hinder from that moste holy and longe desired expedition the christian sworde, in time to come, to be the reuenger of our miseries, foreshewed so many yeres sence, as well by the propheticall mouthe of trewe beleuers as infidelles, and predestinated to destroye [Page] and vterly subuert that kingedome of Sathan, when therfore after my pergerinatiō throuh the holi land and visitinge of certayne places in the w [...]ste partes, I had briefly noted the tragidyes of theyr crueltye, and certayne other thynges whych by remayninge in the court and warrefare of of the Turkish emperour, I had learned, eyther by daily conuersation long vse, and experience, or suche as I had hearde the learned and wiser sorte of the same, to rearde and rexearse, or (in time past mencioned and readen) vnderstode to be questioned by their sagest coūcellours, and committed thē to memory: all, in fewe wordes and faithefully written, at sondry places and diuers times, by peece meale, I had published, after with publishing, when by [Page] certayne learned and well disposed men, I had found them made commō, dispersed into diuers languages, and perceyued that they woulde be profitable, expediente, and after a sorte necessarie vnto the readers, I gathered the whole into this one bondell, and nowe brought & reduced it vnto a more compendious order. I offer them, moste gentile and Christian reder, of thee to be redden. Thou therfore by the example of oure sauiour Christ (which preferred the litle gifte offred by a poore widoishe woman, before the riche presentes of so many Princes) vouchesafe to take and accepte in good parte this simple gifte of a poore afflicted Pilgrime. ❀

❀ The Originall beginning of the Turkishe Empyre and Lineall Race of theyr Emperours, vvyth the trade and Ordinaunces of theyr warres

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THat the Turkes are lineally descended frō the Barbarous Nation of the Scithians, not onely all the auncyente Hystoryographers do witnesse, but also ther maners, face, countenāces, pryde, rashenes, wonderfull audacity, & finallye al their trade and order in fightyng doth it moste euidently declarē. They sixe hundred yeres sence, entring into the lesser Asia, which now hath to name Natholia, committed ther infinite spoilinges, and robberies, vntill by litle and litle they had brought subiect to their empire inheritances, castels, and cyties, and oppressed the inhabitantes [Page] of Asia the lesser, whiche hadde not bene accustomed to fightinge, and warres. Neyther at that time had the Turkes any certaine Prince or Kynge, but, rouing abrode by flockes, ouerrane, brought vnder their subiectiō, and cruellye raygned ouer the noble countreye of al the lesser Asia. But afterwarde when thre hundred thousande footmen and an hundred thousand horsmen of the Christians had assembled and gathered together vnto the moste renowmed Duke Gottfridus Bilioneus, and passed ouer the Sea to possesse and inhabite the holye lande, where was the sepulcher of our redemer Iesus Christe: the Turkes also flocking together, created one Soliman ther Captaine, & so made warre agaynst the Christians. But after a cruell and blouddye battell, they were by the sayde Christians vanquished and put to flight. From this time foreward we reade not that the Turkes had any Prince, vntill [Page] the yeare after Christes incarnation a thousand and thre hundred, about which season at lenght Ottomannus began to wexe famous, and being of great powr [...] and strenght, was created first Emperour of the Turkes, from whom al the rest, as the table ensewing shall plainely declare, consequently tooke ther beginninge.

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A brefe rehersall of al the Emperours of Turkeye

Otthomannus,

OTthomannus firste Emperour of the Turkes, whiche was of the turkishe nation as it wer the grandfather, & from whom all the other Princes of Turkey do take their name, was fortunate, victorious, and a very cruell tyrant. He raigned eight and twentye yeares, and dyed in the yeare of our Lorde, a thousande, thre hundred, twenty and eight.

Oreanus,

OReanes secōd Emperour of the Turkes, was subtil & wittye, he inuented sondrye sortes of instrumentes and Enginnes of warre, and gouerned the Empire two & twentie yeares.

Amurathes,

AMurathes the sonne of Oreanes and [Page] third Emperour of the Turkes, beynge a young man, was disceiful, circumspect and vigilant. In the yeare of Christe a thousande thre hundred thre score and thre he possessed by force of armes Adrianopolis, and raygned thre and twentye yeares.

Baiazetus,

BAiazetus the first of that name & forth Emperour of ye Turkes, was victorious, but a famous and cruell tyrant. He brought in subiection to his Empire almost all Grece, and was at lenghte vanquished by the most mighty Tamberlane.

Cyriskelebes,

CYriskelebes the sōne of Baiazetus, and fifte Emperour of the Turkes, came vnto the Empire beynge a very younge man. He fought a battel with Sigismundus Emperour of Rome, whiche at that present was king of Hungarye, ouercam [Page] and put him to flight in the felde called Salumbetus. He dyed beinge yet of youthely yeares, & rained about sixe yeares.

Moises,

MOises was sixt Emperour of ye Turkes. After yt he had slaine Oreanes his brothers sōne, he obteined ye turkish Empire, but not lōg gouerned the same. For he was also murthered by Mahometus brother vnto Oreanes slaine of him before, which after the death of Moises brought vnder his subiection the Empire of Turkey.

Mahometus,

MAhometus the first of that name, & seuenth Emperour of Turks was notable throughe his cruelty. He weakened in many battells the strenght of the Walachians, & oppressed them. He raigned fouretene yeares, and dyed in the yeare from Christes incarnation a thousande foure hundred and nintene.

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Amurathes,

AMurathes the seconde of this name, & eight Emperour of the Turkes was full of guile and cruel. He first inuented, and established the order of Ianitzaries, of whome it shalbe spoken hereafter. He raigned yeares thirty one, and died in the yeare of christian health, a thousand four hundred and fiftye.

Mahometus.

MAhometus of that name the second, ninth Emperour of ye Turkes, was bolde, of great audacitye stubborne, and rash. He toke Constantinople in the yere from Christes incarnation, a thousande four hundred fifty and thre, the nine and twenty day of may, and was Emperour thirty and two yeares.

Baiazetus.

BAiazetus called the second of that name, tenth Emperour of ye Turkes, by [Page] force of warre subdewed all Moldauia, and brought it in subiection to his Empire. Besides that he fought many, gret, and perilous battels, at the whiche he was present in his owne person among his souldiers. He raigned thirty and one yeares.

Selimus,

SElimus eleuenth Emperour of ye Turkes was marueilous cruel. He poisoned his Father, and by that meanes obteined the turkishe Empire, in the yeare of our Lorde God a thousande fiue hundred and twelue. Afterwarde when he had subdewed the great Sultan, he sacked the most populons citye Alkairum, and raigned but eight yeares, at what tyme he was iustly punished for his crueltye.

Solymannus,

SOlymannus the sonne of Selimus and twelueth Emperour of the Turkes, whiche reigned in our time, but now is [Page] saide to be dead, was for our sinnes and offences fortunate and victorious. By him wer subdewed ye Grecian city Alba, with Rhodes. And after that he had vanquished kyng Ludouicus, he adioyned also to his Empire, Buda, Strigonium, Alba Regalis, and many other cityes of Hungarye. He also in the yeare of our Lorde a thousand fiuehundred twentye and nyne beseged Vienna, wher from by helpe of the sone of God, whom he hathe as his enemye, he was driuen away.

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In what maner the Turkes do vse to make vvarres.

AFter that the Turkes had vanquished the strenght & powre of the Macedonians, thei kept and imitated ther traininge vp of souldiers, warrelike discipline, and maner in gouerning, althoughe in euery particuler point they agre not. Wherfore ther harneis being coates of maile, they ar accustomed to fight with spere, shilde, and swordes croked in the backe lyke our woode kniues, and often times proue conquerours. It is most certain that the Ianitzaries do nothing at all differ from the most picked souldiers of Macedonia, by whose martiall prowes Alexander the great, vanquished the inhabitantes of the Easterne partes, and brought thē in subiection to his Empire. They bring vp, exercise, and instructe them euen frō [Page] their infancye in fighting and the warres. Not one amonge them doth knowe either his parentes, or knisefolke. They ar (to saye the truth) the children of christians, rauished and taken awaye at sondrye robberies, and spoiling conquestes, whiche beyng brought into the orcharde of the turkishe Prince, they practise and traine vp in warrelike feates and exercises, wherby in time to come, they may be haue and defend thē selues more mā fully in the forefront of their battelles. If any of them chaunce to dye, or to bée slaine in the felde, eyther at the assaute of any citie strong castell, or other mightye places of defence, incontinent they ordaine and substitute in ther places, certaine of those so exactly exercised and instructed yong menne, and by that meanes fil vp the member. By reason wher of the bande of Ianitzaries, whiche is is it were the fortresse and harte of all the powre and strength of the Turkes, doth [Page] alwaies confinew vndeminished. They haue not equal stipendes, but euery one hath a pension: according to his propre manlines and puisant dedes atchiued.

And this is the onelye cause why they proue so desperate prompt and ready to attempt all kynde of valiant actes and aduentures, as of late yeares wée haue of them bene taught and certifyed, not withe out oure greate grefe, domage, and discommodytie. For euen sithens the time of Amurathes the second, which first constituted the Ianitzaries, and disposed them in this order, we neuer reade that they loste the vniuersall and hole strenght of any generall armye, but by experience haue rather knowen them, to be the victours and conquerours.

The Turkes do mainteine & kepe with suche iustice and seueritie the discipline of war, the lawes and customes in battell, that in this behalfe they maye seme farre to passe ye Gretiās & Romains. Ther [Page] neuer chaunceth amonge them, eyther diuisions, mutual slaughters, seditions, or treason. For they ar fourthe with beheaded, being but for a trifeling offence conuicted. The turkish souldiers in many respectes do surmount the warriours of other nations. First of all they readily obeye, with out grudging or disdaine, their Prince & Captaines, which is not obserued among vs. Secōdly al thoughe they be enforced with moste vrgent necessitie, yet they neuer take flight, but rather assaile and fight more desperatly. For they fully beleue that by celestiall prouidēce it is determined at what time, and after what sorte euerye mane shall ende his lyfe and dye, and therfore they thinke that no misfortune may chaunce vnto them before the prefixed houre.

Finally in as muche as they ar endurable & most patiēt, a lōg space of time they can susteine thē selues with out bred or wine, with only water and rice.

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❀ The Officers perteinning to the greate Turkes Courte and vvarres, vvith the disposition of the same, and diuersities of his souldiers.

Visier Bassae,

VIsier Bassae are Councellours to the turkishe Emperour: For with these he accustometh to deliberate & consulte of all his busines and affaires. They ar in number foure, and are chosen by the Emperour him selfe, of the multitude of those, whiche haue forsaken Christ, and of Christians ar bée come Turkes, yea ther haue bene founde to proue of them more worse then the Turkes thē selues Their authorytye and powre is of great estimation, and they are of marueilous riches and substance.

Lesker Kadie

LEsker Kadie are ye chefe Judges, whiche determine, & discide, be they neuer [Page] so many, all contentions, and controuersies of warre. The one hath his seat in in Romania, the other in Natolia. Theire office is to declare the lawe, sit in iudgement, and the causes of as manye as ar brought before them, to decyde accordyng to the lawes of Mahomet. Unto these do apeale and resort all the other inferiour Judges named also Kadie, and in their powre it lyeth to geue iudgement of any controuersie, be it neuer of so great weight.

Beglerbeg,

BEglerbeg he hath the soueraintye of al other Captaines, & is chefe Prince of warrefare, or one that supplieth ye chefe Princes rome. Ther ar two Beglerbegs, and they haue the dominion ouer them that ar named Szantsakbegler. The one hath his abode in Natōlia at Cutheia a citye of Galatia, the other in Romania in a citie of the Ruscians, whiche of them is [Page] called Sophia.

Tepthedar

Tepthedar in their lāguage doth signify a boke, in the which reckoninges and accoūptes ar writen. Wherof they haue their name Tepthedar. They ar ye Questours, or Treasourers. The one in Ramania, the other in Natolia do receyue an accounte of the yearly profites, and reuenewes, throughe out the whole turkishe Empire, and of all rentes and expenses. They ar of great authoritye an estimation in the courtes of Princes.

Iereys,

Iereys is Prince of the battels fought vpon the sea, and warres about the sea coastes, whiche alwaies is choseu out of the nomber of them wyche are named Szantsakbegler, or Liuetenantes whyche gouerne Calliopolis. He hath the charge of thre hundred shippes, all whiche are gouerned by sailes.

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Moderie,

Moderis are menne learned in the constitutions, decres, and ordinaunces of Mahomet, wise, and of meruelous experience, and therfore they are all generallye called by this name.

Muthi,

Muthi are lawiers, of the whiche one is elected to be as principall Doctor of the lawe, whose apointmente or deciding it is not lawefull for any manne to retracte or call againe. If any obscure & darke places are founde in the lawes, these are consulted concernynge the interpretation therof.

Iaziti.

Iaziti are diuers scribes in the courtes of turkishe Princes, howbeit they vse sondrye languages and letters. For in Turkeye they speake and writte withe their propre spech and letters. In Grece [Page] and Italye with the tounge and letters of the Grecians. But in Pannonia and Moldauia are accustomed in writing the language and letters of the Rascians. The Turkes do call all the scribes by one name Iaziti.

Spahioglani.

Spahi in their [...]ong betokeneth noble, and Oglan doth signifye a younge man or sonne, wherof they haue to name Spahioglani, and they are the principall borsemene in the turkishe armye, brought vp in the Emperours Orchard, and are called his sonnes. Out of ye band of these are chosen such as they call Szantsakbegler, after that his Legates or Embassadours. The ful number of thē is a thousande▪ beinge apparaled with gorgeous and riche ornamentes, they ride by the Emperours right syde. Euery one of thē hath seuē or eight souldiers vnder him.

Soluphthari

[Page] Soluphthari, these are hrought vp together with the Spahioglans, and are equivalent vnto them in powre and dignity. Their number also is a thousand, being cladde in moste fine and sumptuous robes thei go by the Emperours lefte side.

Capiti.

Capi in the turkishe language dothe signifie a Gate, of the which their name deriued is Capici. They are the kepers or porters of the Princes Gates, whiche are maruelously estemed, and aduaunced to highe dignities. They are elected out of the bande of Ianitzaries. The number of them is fourhundred.

Vlufagi.

Vlufagi are a thousande horsemene so called, chosen from the troupe of Ianitzaries, or pycked souldiers of the Bassaens, whiche haue made manifest by some famous or notable acte their fidelytye and manlye prowes. They kepe the thirde [Page] ranke after the Emperour of Turkye.

Caripiti.

Caripiti, these also are horsemene, in number a thousande. And euen as their horses are quicke and swifte, so are they also endewed with wonderfull audacity and swiftenes. Thei vse and arme them selues with bow, arrowes, shilde, [...]ere, and croked swordes, and haue stipendes verye large.

Solakhi.

Solakhi, are the principall and best apointed souldiers. These also are chosen frome the bande of Ianitzaries, whyche ar marueilous skilful in shewing with arrowes, and are practised and accustomed, aboue all the rest, in shewtinge thē of most streight vnto ye prefixed marke. Their number is seuen hundred, whose offyce is to enuiron and safegarde the Emperour with their arrowes nocked.

Ianitzaraga.

[Page] Ianitzaraga. By this name is called the Chefteine of the Ianitzaries, which hath vnder him Peticapteines, of whom certeine haue the gouernmēte ouer a thousande, other of fiue hundred. Ther are besydes these Centurions, and captaines ouer tenne. Vnder whose dominion do the rest of the Ianitzaries lead a moste quiet lyfe.

Ianitzari,

Ianitzari are footmen in nūber twelue thousande, most valiant, of marueilous practise, & stronge souldiers, vnto whose fidelity the turkishe Emperour is wont thefelye to credite and committe hym selfe. They vse long Gunnes, out of the whyche they showte fourthe pellettes with great swiftnes, & strike the marke or thinge whervnto they send the same.

Beslie,

Beslie, are also souldiers most famous and exercised, whiche haue declared notable [Page] actes of their strenght. Euery one of them receiueth the stipendes of fiue souldiers, and are almost in nūber fourhundred.

Mutapharak

Mutapharak, are the sonnes of greate Princes, ministers or seruantes of the Emperour, they enioye aboundant lybertye, and susteine no trauels, sauinge that they stande before the turkish Emperour, obserue, waite vpon, and accumpanye him.

Czausi.

Czausi, these do cary clubbes in their handes, they order and dispose the hoste. They goe also before the Prince in the armye, and make him waye, as hereafter it shalbe declared againe. Ther are of them thrée hundred. Whose help and aide, the turkishe Emperour is also accustomed to vse in Ambassadges.

Gimlie,

[Page] Gimlie. These souldiers are formessangers, which haue horses most swifte, and when necessitye requireth, can ryde and dispatche a great space of grounde in one night. They are couered with coates of maile, and fight with shild spe [...]es and croked swordes.

Alcantzi,

Alcantzi be horsemen of the lowest estate or degre, they are cruell wasters and spoilers, whiche, in as much as they goe to warre, onely for their priuate cō modities sake (for no spoiles or booty is wonte to be exacted at their hādes) they waste and consume euerye thinge with fyre and sworde. The multitude of them is great, for they excead the number of thirty thousande.

Mekther

Mekther, are ministers of the turkishe Prince, whiche are ordeined to purge, make cleane, and decke vp the houses of [Page] the Emperour of Turkeye. These haue the charge of al the hanginges of tapestrye and arras. They kepe the tentes of the turkishe Emperour, when he goeth vnto any warre.

Asappi,

Asappi are footemene verye skilefull in showetinge of arrowes, sent from the cities of Turkeye, the help the turkishe Emperour in time of warre Euery one of them, for the stipende of one moneth, dothe receiue thrée turkyshe peace of goulde.

❀ The Turkishe rites and ceremonies. The forme of the turkishe temple, of the resort therunto, and order in praiinges.

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THey haue temples of a competēt largenes, and sumptuous, called in their language Meschit, in the which I saue at all no images or pictures, sauinge these woordes writen in the Arabian tounge: La Illah Illellah. Mehemmet, Iresul, Allab, Taure Bir Pegambir Hath: which is as much to saye as, their is no god but one, and Mehemmet his prophet, one receatour, and the rest of his Prophets equall. Or these Fila Galib Illelah, whiche thuse maye be englished, their is none so stronge as God. After that their is to be sene a gret multitude of Lāpes burning with oyle, all the temple whitlimed, the pauement [Page] couered with mattes, and bewtisyed frō aboue with hangings of tapistre worke. Not farre from the temple, their is a toure or turret of exceading height, whiche their prest ascēdinge before the time of prayer repeatethe these wordes thrise, with a loude voyce, his eares stopped with his fingers: Allah Hechber whych doth signifye, their is one trewe God. Whose voyce beyng hearde, bothe the noble and baser sorte of mene resort vnto the church, they are so geuen, and addicted vnto deuotion. Then the forenamed preste comming downe doth praye with them, and so is he bounde to doe fiue times within the space of a daye and night, by his office. But as manye as come vnto the prayer Church, ought first to washe their handes, féete, and pryuy partes: after ye thrise they sprincle water vpon their beades, rehearsinge these wordes: Elhemdu Lillahi, wiche is, glorie be to my God. Laste of all their [Page] shoes put of, called Patsmagh, and lefte before the dore of the temple, they enter in: some with bare feet, other hauinge cleane showes named Mesth, with the which they tread not one the bare earth. The turkishe women neuer kepe cumpanye, and sitte with the menne, but a part in a place altogether separete from their sighte and hearinge: and they seldome frequente the temple, but at the time Bairam of Easter, and nowe and then on the Frydaies, which in their lā guage is named Gsumaagun, they praye from the nynthe houre of the night vnto the twelueth of the same, which is myddenighte: and in the time of their praier, they marueilouslye beate and torment their bodyes with continuall mouynge and exclamations, in suche wise that often times destitute of strenght and remembrance, they fal flatte one the earth and if any of them from that time foreward shal féele her selfe to be with child, [Page] she affirme the to haue cōceyued by vertue of the holye ghoste. And when they are deliuered, the children borne of them are called Nefes Oglu, wich is Soules, or children of the holye ghoste. So was it declared vnto me by theyr waitinge maides: for I neuer sawe it, neither is it permitted that any man shoulde be present at that spectacle. But at the prayers of the men I haue bene oftē times with my maister, whose maner and custome is suche. While their prayer endureth, they put not of their bonettes (wyche in their toūg are named Tsalma) but touch them with the toppes of their fingers, as thoughe they were about to lifte thē vp, they knele on their knées and kysse often the earthe. A heinous déed among theim it is accounted that a Christian should be permitted to their prayers: for they beleue (as it is reported among thē) their churches to be defiled by suche vncleanely persons. For the Christians accustome [Page] not those often frequented was [...]hinges, acordinge to their custome. Ther the preste goeth vp vnto the pul [...]itte, and preachethe about the space of [...]wo howers: his Sermon being finished [...]wo boyes supply ye roome, with singing pronounce their praiers. Which also en [...]ed, the preste beginneth with all the people in a lowe voyce to singe (shakyng his head from one syde to an other) no other but these wordes, La Illah Illelah, whose meaning is, ther is but one god, and so the space almost of halfe an houre [...]he shaketh him selfe, and soundethe the prayers with his voyce. But [...]ch kynde of prayers and ceremonies, as singinge and Sermons are not vsed euerye daye, sauynge in the time of Lente, and on a festiuall daye, as Thursdaye, from the ninthe houre of the night vnto the twelueth. And of some Frydaye is most religiously obserued.

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Of the Turkes Lent, vvhen They kepe it and hovve their Easter is obserued.

ALent they haue also, in their propre language called Orutz, wherin euerye yeare they fast the space of one Monethe and a weke, but not alwayes one, and the same, for if this yeare they faste Januarye, the next folowing they absteyne in Februarye, goinge in order, so that in the course of twelue yeares, thei faste a yeare, and the twelue wekes are offredde vnto God in stéede of a Tenth. In the time of their fasting, they tast all the daye of no kynde of meate, no not so muche as of bredde or water. But after the sight of a starre, it is lawfull for thē the féede on all sortes of meates, excepting stranguled, and the flesh of Swine. Stranguled meate of thē is called Murdar, whiche doth signifie a deade, or vncleane carcas, and the swine Domutes. The Lent finished they celebreate the [Page] feast of Easter, in their mother speache [...]ned Bairam, with marueilous solemytie, by the space of thre dayes, anoyn [...]nge the nayles of their handes & féete [...]ith a certaine oyntment by thē named [...]hna, whiche causethe their nayles to [...]lister: they steigne with the same oynt [...]ente also, the tayles and féete of their [...]ouses: thys colour sticketh very faste, [...]nd cane not easely be wéeped or was [...]ed awaye: wherfore excepte new nay [...]s encrease out of the rootes, they all [...]ayes apeare glistringe, but from the [...]andes with often and continewal washyng it maye he weipte out. The women not only infecte their nailes, but also their handes and féete with the same Oyntemente.

❀ The maner of the turkisne circumcision, after vvhat sort it is done, and of their names.

THey vse Circuncision called in theyr propre spech Tsuneth, not on ye eighte [Page] daye, accordynge to the custome of th [...] Jewes, but after the childes birth whe he is in the age of seuen or eyghte yeares, then skilefull in speaking their language: and that ceremonye is obserued amonge them at that time, for the wordes of confessyon, whiche are required before the circumcision (the Thumbe of his hande called Larmath, lifted vp) and they are those to witte, that before we haue mentioned to bée written in their temples. And the childe is not brought vnto the chuch, but circumcised at home in his parentes house, At this solemnity haue I ben often present, which is done after this maner. First of all their frindes are called together to a bankete, for whom of dayntye dishes, ther are sufficient prepared, of all kyndes of fleshe, suche as they may lawfully féede on, and here and ther, (as among the richer sort) is slaine an Oxe, in the which (flean, & his boweles taken out), they encloase a [Page] sheepe, in the shepe a henne, and in the henne an egge, all whiche holye together are rosted in honour of that daye.

After that at the time of their banketing and feast, the childe is brought fourth to bée circumcised, then the Phisition or Surgion seruinge for that purpose, openeth the mitte of his yarde, and taketh the skinne folded in a crampe wire, sōne after whereby to rydde the childe from feare, he sayeth that ye circuncision shalbe deferred vntill the nexte daye, and so departeth, not longe betwine, fayninge as thoughe some thynge were omitted or forgotten, whiche necesarye appertaineth to the accōplishinge of that acte, vpō a sodaine he cutteth of peace of that skinne, whiche couereth the heade of the childes yarde, putting vpon the wound a litle salte and softe silke thense fourth he shalbe called Musulman, which is circumcised, and they haue no names geuē them on the daye of circumcision, but at [Page] their very birthe, when firste they are brought into light and this worlde, whiche are these, and firste of kynges as Suleiman, interpreted Solomon Sultan Stelim, whiche is a Prince of peace Murath Begh, a desyred ruler: Mustapha & suche like. Of captaines as Pirin, Haradon, Hader, Ebrahim. And the names of lordes of the meaner condition are Spahalar, Sauslar, Eminler, Behram, Memmi Mehē met, Alli, Ahmat, Tcielebi, Paiazith, Chatsun, Hutscref. Vnto all the reste, Mutsa, Ionutz, Sthender, Perhat, Ferro. Their captiues and bondemene, for the greater parte are called Seremeth, which name signifyeth a bolde and spedye seruante. From that time forewarde the feast continewing by the space of three dayes, the circumcised childe is brought with a moste solemne triumphe vnto a Bathe. And in retourning home, he is leade by the guestes and banketters, which offer giftes vnto him before prouided: [Page] some silke garmentes, some siluer cuppes, other mony or horses. The womē also present him with shirtes, naptkinnes, and other suche like. Euerye of the feasters geueth acording to his pleasure, habilytye, or riches. The women are not at all circumcised, but confessing only the fornamed wordes, are counted Mulsuman But if any amonge the christians of his voluntarye will, graunting him selfe to bée a Mehemmetiste, dothe suffer circumcision whiche not seldome chaūceth by reason of the most greuous yoke and burthen of tribute, he is caried throughe all the streates & highe wayes of the cytye, with great honour and ioye of all the people, playing vpon timbrelles: vnto him also are geuen certain giftes, after that he is made frée frō paying any tribute, in their mother tounge called Haracs. And throughe gredines of this lucre and aduantage, manye of the Grecians, whiche they call Vlumlar, and [Page] Albanians, that are named Arnautla haue bene circumcised. If anye manne forced by vyolence, as one whiche hath stroken a Mulsuman, misused him with reproche, or blasphemed Mehemmet wiche I sawe chaunce vnto a certaine Bishoppe of the Grecian religion) be circumcised, ther is no thing geuen vnto him, albeit he shalbe discharged from paying any tribute, as the reste Mulsulmanlar, whiche is of the circumcised are.

¶ Of the turkishe Prestes by vvhome they are elected, and hovv thei liue.

THe prestes, which in their speche are called Talismanlar▪ do very litle or no thinge at all differ from the laye people, neither from the chefe ministers of their ceremonies (which amonge vs are. Bisshoppes) and no depe learnynge is to be required in them, it is sufficiente if they are of abilytye too reade the Alkaron and Mussaphus. But they that canne interprete them accordynge to the texte, are [Page] counted profundely learned: because thei were not deliuered by Mehemmet in the vulgare turkishe toung, but in the Arabian language, for they counte it a heinous matter if beynge interpreted they should be writen in their mother speche. These prestes are elected by the people, but receyue a stipende for their labour of the kinge: they haue wiues and their apparell is lyke vnto seculer menne. If the stipende be not sufficiente for them to lyue, throughe the multitude of their children, they vse some handye crafte, and handle some suche occupation, as maye be thought worthye a frée manne, they become schole masters and writte bookes, I saue verely no printers among them, but they dresse their paper verye finelye. The rest doo vse other meanes for aduantage and games, as the occupatiōs of Showemakers, Tailers, and suche lyke.

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¶ The festes of the turkishe Munkes and maner of ther liuinge.

THer are not wantinge amonge them Munkes called Deruislar, of diuers sortes verely, but chefely of thrée orders. The first order is of those, which hauing no one thinge propre, goo as it were naked, sauing their pryuye partes are couered with shepes skinnes, and likwise in the time of extreme coldnes, they vse the same skinnes to couer their backes: but their sydes, handes, féete, and head, they couer at all with no garmente. Requesting almes as wel of the christians as Turkes, they desyre it Alahisi, which dothe signifye for gooddes sake. These Munkes deuourynge the herbe called Mas [...]ath, are driuen into a madnes, in so muche that they wounde them selues, and draw a launce from one side of their breast ouerth wart vnto the other, after, that alongest their armes, without shewinge fourthe any token of grefe: and [Page] remoue not the kindlede drye stickes of trées layed vpon their head, breast, and hands, vntil they be resolued in to asses. I sawe an other secte whiche forebidden carnal copulation with women, goe, the fore parte of their yarde, or the secrete parte it selfe perced throughe, and therin encloased an iron ringe of the weight of thrée poundes to obserue chastitye.

The third order seldome goeth abroad, but doth remaine day and nyght in temples, hauing litle cabines in the corners of those churches, with out showes, garmentes, and bare headed, hauinge nothyng about them, exceptyng one shirte. fastinge the space of manye dayes, and prayinge, that God woulde reueale vnto them the estate of thynges to come, withe whom the turkishe, beyng about, and entendynge to stirre or make warre accustometh to consulte.

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¶ Of the marueillous reūerence vvhich the Turkes exhibite vnto the traditions of Mehemmet.

THe Turkes attribute such reuerence vnto the traditions & decrées of Mahomet, yt not only god they blaspheme note (which chaunceth often among vs) yea if they but finde, a scroll, in what facion soeuer it be writen, lyinge on the earth, taking it vp, and often times kissed, they encloase the same, throuste into some chenke of the wal: for it is counted a synne, that the letters, wherwithe the name of God, and lawes of Mahomet are writen, shoulde be trode vnder their féete. And therefore no manne dare to sell an Alkaron, or anye other of their writinges vnto a christian, or mane of some other faith and religion, lest being neglected and cast awaye, they should be troden vnder their féete, or touched with vncleane handes, if otherwise they are be headed. Wherefore in this respecte, [Page] they can not verely but be preferred and estemed before vs.

❀ Of the Scholes for bothe kindes, and in vvhat artes they instructe their youthe.

THey haue places apointed to trade in good letters their youthes of bothe kindes, called in their toung Ochumachgirleri, and teachers for the same whiche are named Hogsialar, howbeit separatly they are instructed, as the male children by men, and young girles by women, in Astronomye, Philosophye, and the arte of Poetrye. Durynge the time of their learnyng, speaking in a shr [...]l voyce, they moue their bodyes from one syde to the other. They haue no skill in artifyciall Musicke, but faine certaine vearses by prescribed rules, whiche are in this maner. Euerye vearse ought too comprehende a leuen syllables. Wherefore it pleased me for an example to subscribe these fewe.

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❧ Vearses called of them Bethler.

Birechen bes on eiledum derdumi

Iarà dandam istemiscem iardumi

Terch eiledum Zachmanumi gardumi

Ne ileim ieniemezum glunglumi

They ar amorous vearses, of a goddesse called in their language Assih, whyche is goddesse of loue, whose interpretation worde by worde is suche:

Birechen, bes on, eiledum, derdumi:

Of on, fifty, I haue mad, in my tribulatiō

Iara dadam, istemiscem, iardumi:

Of my creatour, I haue required, succour

Terch eiledum, Zachmanumi, gardumi:

I haue neglected, of my countrey, the visitation.

Ne, ileim, ieniemezum, glunglumi.

What, shall I do? I can not subdew, my minde.

☞ Hovve they contracte matrimonye, of their dovvries, and occasion of deuorse.

[Page]THer matrimonye called in their toūg Eulenmech, is done in this maner. They ioyne to gether in mariage with out any betrowething [...] made, they take their wiues without dowrye, and for the most parte are constrained to bye them, contrarye to that aunciente custome, which in time past was vsed among the Romaines, wher the sonne in law was wounte to be bought, and not the sōnes wife. The spouse hath no comelye deckynge or furniture about her body, whiche the bridegrome is not compelled to raūsome and by of his wyues parentes. Leude and vnsemelye behauiour or baraines causeth a diuorse betwine them. Their Judge hathe certificate, and decydeth suche matters. Mariage is also permitted vnto them withe their bonde seruantes, but the children borne are counted in seruitude and boundage.

❀ Of their Pilgrimmes, and to vvhat places they goe in Pilgrimage.

[Page]PIlgrimes in their language called Hagfilar, do visite the places by them counted sacred and holye, whiche are Mecha, Medinus, (as our men Jerusalē) wher they affirme that Machomet dyed, but no lesse throughe hope of gaine, then for religion or deuotions sake. Ther after the s [...]ght of a Shoe called Tsaroth, which gilted only, hangeth downe from the roofe or vaulte of the temple, and certaine moste subtile nettes, named Chumas, bought, they departe with greate aduantage into their countrye. And in their retourne, some for deuotions sake dothe carye water throughe the streates, and offer the same srelye vnto the thyrsty, suche as they méete, other attende their propre busines. And if anye, by what meanes so euer it be, happe to dye in the iorney, allthoughe they come not to Metha, yet are they accounted amonge the nomber of Pilgrimes.

[Page]❀ The foolishe fayle vvriten by Mahomet in his Alkaron, and of the beast named El Barahil

MAchomet write the in this Alkaron of two Angelles called Aroth and Maroth, whome he affirmethe to haue [...]ene sente by God into the earthe, that [...]hey shoulde minister iustice and equitie [...]nto menne, and were commaunded too [...]rinke no wyne, neyther adioyne them selues in cōpanye with women, or shew [...]nto any body the waye whiche leadeth to the place of perpetual blissednes, whi [...]he transgressynge the commandement of God, becam drūke, deceiued by a woman, defyled them selues, and declared [...]nto her the waye whyche to heauen bringeth, whome whē God sawe comminge towardes heauen: he asked the Angelles standyng by him, who it was that endewed with suche a shape, would come into heauen. When the Angelles hadde affirmed that it was throughe the [Page] folie of Aroth & Maroth, God commaunded that the woman shoulde bée turned inta a Starre, but bidde them caste the Angelles cheyned together into a burninge pitte foreuer ther to bée tormented. He maketh mention likewyse of a beast named El barahil capable of the speache of manne, whyche beaste caried Machomet into heauen, wher he confessed to haue sene great Angelles, hauing many heades, and those heades to haue diuers and manifolde tōges. These trulye ar rather toyes to mocke Apes withal, and vnworthy to be spoken by suche a prophet as they counte Machomet to be. But peraduenture well tipled with wine, he thought to haue dreamed in his dreames of such miracles, or rather prodigious folishenes. Therfore in as much as he was not ashamed to declare suche trifles, by mouth, but also to write them in his Alkaron, he ought deseruedly not to be called a Prophet, but a false deceyuer, and malicious seducer frō the truth.

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☞ Of the miracles vvrought at Mecha by Machomet, and of suche as they report him ther dailie to doe.

I Doute, and am vncertaine whether they ought to be called miracles, or miraculous trifles, those I meane which are writen in their boke named Mehemmedinum▪ For they stedefastlye affirme and throughely perswade them selues, that, when Mecha shoulde bée builded, God throughe the prayers of Machomet gaue commaundement vnto the Hilles, that euery one should bringe stones, for the erectynge and building vp of Mecha: and when all the hilles had brought the tenth of his stones, wherby Mecha was builded and finished, a certaine hill named Araphatdagh beyng more slacke, by reason of his comming frō farre coastes, then ye rest, whē he saw Mecha throughlye builded, and perceiued that they neaded not hys stones, began bytterlye too wepe. Whom whē Machomet had sene [Page] murning, and vnderstode the cause of his lamentation, sayde, lette not thy corage fainte the, and bée not sorowefull, but laye downe ther (apointinge to the place with his finger) thy tenthe: & whosoeuer shall not praye vpon that stone, his pilgremage shalbe vnprofitable and vnthankefull. Then Machomet stroke the stone with his foote, & brought water ther from, not good to be dronken of, and called it by name Abzemzemsui, which is water of purification, wherof al their Pilgrimes are accustomed to cary home with them in vesselles: and when one chaunceth to die, the clothes wherin the dead carcas shalbe wrapped are sprincled with that water, in remissyon of all his sinnes and offences.

They saye also that no man can come vnto Mecha, but his comminge is foreknowen by Machomet, which afterward to the kepers (& they are all Eunuches) by hym is reuealed: but if that Hagij, [Page] whiche signifyeth Pilgrime, bée a thefe, a wicked persone, christian, or manne of oher suche like religion, the forenamed kepars doe prohibite him entrance into Mecha. But in deed his dead corps, as some affirme, lyethe not ther, but the shape of an image printed by the person of Machomet in a wall of the temple, whome they kysse, and so retourne vnto their habitation. Those Infideles haue suche vaine lyes perswaded vnto thē by Machomet, and a gret number mo to be laughed at, which here I am ashamed to alleage. Howbeit I would that the gentyle reader, shoulde enquere of some Turke, whether suche thinges are so in déede, and then he shall bol [...]lye affirms that the Author hath spoken mere veretye and truthe.

❀ Of their almes houses, and vvhat meate is geuen vnto the pore.

THey haue hospitalles or almes houses, called Imareth, builded by the testamentes [Page] of their kinges, in whyche places meate or foode is geuen vnto the poore and Pilgrimmes, but diuersly at sondrye places. Ther are whyche geue Rice named Pirrincts Tsocbà, with flesh: at an other place, Bolghdaias, whyche is made of wheat, in steade of potage, they adde bread also of a reasonable quantitye: the drincke whyche they distribute is water. But place is graunted vnto none ther to remaine alnyght, or slepe, for ther is a publike Charuatsaur [...]e, wher frelye they are receiued to hospitalytye, howbeit ther be assigned vnto them no beddes, but they slepe vnder the couering of a house eyther in heye or strawe.

❀ The maner of their sacryfice, for vvhat cause they do it, and hovv the beastes offred are vsed and distributed.

THey offer beastes in sacrifice, but for the moste parte before vowed, called Chorban as well in the turkyshe as arabiane [Page] language: In the time of anye disease or perill, they promise (euery mane acording to his habilitie) in certaine places to sacrifice eyther a Shepe or Oxe: after that the vowed offringe is not burned, like vnto a beast killed and layed on the aulter, as the custome was amōg the Jewes, but after that the beast is slaine, the skinne, head, féete, and fourthe parte of the flesh are geuen vnto the prest, an other part to poore people, and the thirde vnto their neigheboures. The killers of the sacrifice doe make readye the other fragmentes for thē selues and their compaynons to féede one. Neyther are they bound to performe the vow, if they haue not bene deliuered from the possessed disease or peril. For all thinges with them are done condytionallye I will geue if thou wilte graunt. The lyke woorshyppinge of God is obserued amonge the Gretians, Armenians, and other realmes in Asia imitating yet ye christian religiō.

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¶ VVhat is assigned to be done by the Testamentes of the Turkes, as vvell of menne as vvomen.

IF any of the circumcised dying entendeth to make a testament, suche legacies for the most part are apointed, (their neigheboures and frendes called together) eyther to fetche springes of water, and bringe them before some Hospitall, temple, or drye place, that is frequented be menne Haritsi, moued with a godlye zeale, & Gsianitsi, for their soules health. Other bequethe their goodes to make captiues and bound menne frée. But the women (as thys kynde aboue all other is moste superstitious) geue monye vnto souldyers, for to kill a certaine number of christians. They make account, that by so doynge, it will greatlye profite the health of their soules. The kynges apoint temples and hospitalles to be builded, and other of the nobility when their lotte is to dye.

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¶ Their ceremonies about the dead, and maner of interrement.

IF a circuncised manne dyeth amonge them, the men take care to make ready the dead corps: if any of the female kind, the women. They washe cleane the coarse, and wrappe in fresh and néet lyuen, after that the same is caried vnto some place without the cytye, for it is a heynous crime to burye in the temples.

The taper bearers & monkes with light goe before, the prestes folowe after, syngynge by all the waye, vntill they come vnto the place of interrement. But if the disceased person were poore and nedye, money gathered together is accustomed to be geuen vnto the religious people for their labour and trauell.

¶ The building of ther sepulture called Tulbe, and of the sacrifices done to the dead.

VPon the kynges sepulcher is builded a temple, for their kinges are buryed [Page] in Cities: the tumbe of riche and poore mene, is about the height of an auter, so that beastes can not leape vpon, and defile the same. They often resort thither in wepinge and murnynge: and certaine infernall sacrifices layde on the monumente, as bread, fleshe, chéese, Egges, milke, and the banket continewinge by the space of nyne dayes, accordynge to the Ethnicke custome, it is al deuoured, for the disceased soules sake, eyther by Pismares and the birdes of heauen, or poore people. For they affirme that it is lyke acceptable vnto God, that almes shoulde be offred to the brute beastes hauinge néede therof, as vnto menne, sins that it is geuen for ye loue of God. I haue senne many, whiche geuing the valewe in monye of one litle birde before kepte incloased, haue cast of the same to flye awaye: other to throwe bread into the riuer for fishes, through the loue of God: addinge that they for suche mercifulnes [Page] towardes the neadye, shoulde receiue an abundante rewarde at goddes handes.

¶ Of the Turkishe vvarrefare: and first of the king, and a part of his officers.

THey haue all one kynge, and in their lāguage he that now raigneth, of thē is called Huncher Othmanlardan Sahitsultan Suleiman, which by interpretation is, Salomon is emperour & Prince of Turkeye, of the Othomans descended, whiche now hathe his first begotten sone of the age of thrée and twenty yeares, or their about named Mustapha, in crueltye and tyrannye, passyng his predicessors, often lying in waite for his father, if he might by any meanes kille or cause him to bée slaine, throughe gredie affection, and desire to beare rule. But in what sorte, he was murthered by his Father it shalbe declared in the ende of this booke. The kynge hath vnder him two chefe goue [...] nours, or liuetenantes, ouer Europe and Asia, named Tsangiach Begler, vnto the [Page] whiche are subiecte inferiour presidentes called Timargilar, whose hestes doe certaine ordinarye souldyers obeye, but if they be founde lingringe and slacke, when they be called for expedition vnto war, are punished with hāging. Bassalar, whiche they interpret heades, are manye in number, they for councell do alwayes accompanye the kinge. Sulihtarlar also, whyche are the garde of hys bodye, are wont continewally to folowe immediatlye after his backe, together with hys Capugtsibegler chamberlaines, Iazitgtsibegler chauncellours, Eminler exactours of tribute, whyche is to witte, of children and money, Spahalar lyght harneysed horsemen, a great route, Vlachlaris postes▪ or pursiuantes, with other such like alwayes folowing the courte.

¶ The estate of the Turkes peeres or nobilitie, and of the possessione.

NOt one of the nobles, doth possesse anye prouince or cytye by ryght [Page] title of inheritāce, which after his death, he maye leaue vnto his children, heires or successours, with out consente of the kynge. But if a Prince or gouernour coueteth to haue certaine possessions, it is graunted vnto him vpon this condition. They enter in bargaine concernyng the Prince and reuenewes of those possessions. The Turke doth know, how many souldiers may yearely be mainteined by the profits of that prouince, then ye Liuetenante is bounde to haue allwayes in readines for him, that band of souldiers, at all callinges, otherwise he léeseth his head: and no thing may excuse him from going vnto warre, but onely sicknes. And if at anye time, it shall please the Turke to depriue him of that benefyte, it is in his frée will and choyse: But if he be not depriued, it is his propre possessiō vntill death. After whose interremente, if the heyres of the disceased, will obserue and kéepe the same couenant, they [Page] are permitted to enioye it, if not, it is assigned vnto others. If some time any of these péeres or noble doth talke with the kyng, he fasteneth his eyes on ye ground, not daring to beholde hys countenance.

¶ Of the Bassans, vvhom vve may cal councellours, chancellours or rather Secretaries.

ALl the Bassans, for the greater part are made [...]nuches (as it was declared vnto me, when I was bonde manne of a certain ruler in Constantinople and are in greater estimatiō with the Turke then all the rest of his nobles, excepting the Sangiackes, and almost as manye as are aduaunced vnto that dignitie, are the rauished children of christians. Not one among them, albeit he hathe a daughter of the Turke to wyfe (as one Chrustā a Bassan had) is indowed eyther with castell cytye are towne, which he may chalenge by inheritance: but if he be aduaū ced vnto any honorable authoritie, he enioyethe [Page] the same vntill his deathe, or as longe as it shall please the Turke.

☞ The obediēce vvhich the Turkes are cōstrained to attribute vnto their king and of his messaengers or poastes.

NOt one, eyther of the Jenitsaries, or nobles, hath leaue, or maye bée permitted to walke in the cytye, armed, or girded withe a sworde: excepte it bée, whē the Turke goeth out of his palaic [...], eyther to pray, or hūte. The gouernours and officers of the cytie do beare in their handes coogelles, whiche if they fynde any brawlyng, or doinge iniurye, and offence one to an other, they punishe them with the aforenamed coogelles. And not one speakinge to an officer, dare to looke him in the face, but fallynge flatte to the earthe, and kissyng his féete, he spekethe vnto him his eyes fastened on the groūd. And when the kynge sendeth Poastes with letters vnto the gouernours of any hys Prouinces, whose horses, as sonne [Page] as they are weried with iourneyng, or tyred with swifte, and contine wall galopinge, the poast is licensed, to take from them their horses, what soeuer they bée whiche méete him in the waye, but if in traueling he méeteth with none, then he turneth towardes the cytyes or townes, Cadiam, whyche is to saye, the iudge he goeth vnto, whiche, excepte he prouide him an horse, is hanged before the gate of his oune house, and for this cause, horses are nowrished by fewe, but for the greater part Asses. And when that messanger, or poast shall come to those, vnto whome he was sent, the kynges letters receyued with greate humilytie, kyssed, and his comaundementes with all spede possible executed, he is sent awaie. Then is no Prince whych dare gaine say him, no one Prouince or cytye (as it often chaunceth amonge vs) that rebellethe, and finallye not one whyche dothe not feare hym.

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☞ By vvhat meanes the Turkes powre is alvvaies found, and hovve it maye be deminished.

THe turkishe Emperour equallye distributeth all his prouinces, vnto the péeres of his realme, but on this condition, that continuallye, as well in the time of peace, as warre, a bande of souldyers may be mainteyned by the yearely profites of that prouince: his powre is not at al deminished, the souldyers being slaine, excepte he léese also the prouince. As for an example, if the Emperour of Turkeye hath now fowre hundred bandes of souldyers, of the whyche a hundred is susteined by the reuenewes of Hungarye, then if Hungarye shoulde be loste, he léeseth also the hundred bandes of souldiers: but if he forgoe no prouince, and léese all the souldyers mainteyned therby, he léeseth nothyng: because that to succede in their places, (yea if he wold desire a greater number,) they may easelye [Page] be founde: like as amonge vs ecclesiasticall liuinges, and other vacant offices, may quicklye finde a possessor.

❧ The state of the Chazilarious.

THe souldiers called Chazilar, are stronge, and marueilouslye practised in warrelike affaires, whyche at the first bickering, do breake their speares vpon the aduersaries, vsyng no kinde of weapons, sauyng shéelde, speare and gleues, accordynge to oure countrymen, with a helmet, and coate of maile: but their speres beyng broken, they manfullye fyght with drawen gleaues, defendynge them selues with sheildes, alwais endeuoring to mischefe the handes or heades of their enemyes, and lyinge in wayte with all their force to destroye them. It is counted among them no prayse, but an ignominyes, to stryke the enemye or horse with the point of their swoorde. These men put all their lyfe and safegarde vnder moderation of the goddesse Fortune, [Page] called in their mother speche Hassup, or Ctsutara, of whom the most common prouerbe amonge them all is this, Iazilan Gelur Bassina, whyche in the Englyshe tounge after this maner maye bée interpreted, Iazilan, the writynge, Bassina, on the heade. Gelur, shall take effecte: their meanyng is that, what so euer the Goddesse Fortune, at the daye of Natiuitye, hathe writen on euerye mans heade, to auoyde it, it is impossible althoughe he lurketh in an in vincible castell. Their worthy déedes and exploites are writen by Historiographers in vearse, and rehersed by all sortes of men, that the reste wt such lyke boldnes (encoraged through desyre of honour and prayse) may valiūtlye, and with out feare assaile their enemies. But for euery noble victorie atchiued by them, their stipendes are doubled, and therfore al the fornamed horse men, ought to folowe & accompanie the kyng, furnished with these kynds of weapens, [Page] that is to witte, Jauelinges or speares, gleaues, dartes, and iron clubbes, some haue tergates, other haue none, and they alwayes receiue wages, as well on the time of peace as warre.

❀ Hovv manie orders ther be of the turkishe footemene.

THe first order of footemene, is of the Solachlaries, which are archers, they vse bowes, arrowes, gleaues, and differ by their heade garment from the Ienitzaries. The second order is of the Ienitzaries, they also haue wepons lyke vnto the Solachlaries, howbeit, for bowe and arowes they vse hargabusheares & poleaxes. All these gathered from amonge the christians, leadynge their liues their vnder tribute, taken awaye by force, circumcised, and brought vp in a certayne place called Tsarai, doe fight moste coragiously against the christians, and haue stipendes litle enoughe to liue by: that is to saye, some fowre, fiue, or sixe peces of [Page] monye called Ahtse, of the whiche thrée score do make vp a Crowne: and these vpon paine of lyfe may not ryde, excepte they be sicke. Ther are many also found to be made Ienitsaries of the Turkishe children. The third order of footemene is of the Azaplares, of whome, the warre being ended, ye wages also do cease, and they are all the children of Turkes.

They vse a longe speare, gleaue, & haue red heade coueringes, or of some other colour, made of cloth, with fowre angles, corner wise, called Tachia, and differ frō the Ianitsaries, and Solachtaries, by their garmentes, and armour: in the time of battell they throust throughe the horses of their enemyes. Ther is besides these an other order of footemene, from wallachia, of the Grecian religion, named Voinichlar, whych haue no other stipend of the Turke, then that they are frée frō payinge any tribute and Tenthes. The men of this order are bound, at their proprecostes [Page] and charges, to féede the idle horses of the Turkish kinge, to take iare of them, and brynge them fourthe in the time of warre.

¶ Of the great Turkes tentes, and pauilions of his nobles, and souldiers, with the order of their iorneyinge in the time of vvarre.

WHen the Emperour of Turkie, forsaking Constantinople, setteth forewarde vnto anye warre, he taketh with him two tentes, called Satorlar, that one this day, may be pitched at the next place of taryinge, when the daye folowing, he purposeth to be receyued. The greatnes of his tabernacle is suche, that vnto the beholders a farre of, it maye be thought a cytye: next therevnto doe the Princes pitche their pauilions, and encompasse round the kynges tabernacle: after these the horsemen, wherof euery one singulerly, or thrée enioye a tente. The footemen also haue vnto them peculier tabernacles, [Page] for it is decréed by ordinance of warre, that no mane shall lye abrode out of house, or couering. Certaine laborers do make way for the Armie to passe, placing heapes of stones, or piles of woode, on euery syde, as tokens of the waye, in somuch that in the darke, they can scarse straye out of the waye. They begine to sette forewarde about middenight, and continew marching vntill noone tide of the next daye. In the time of their iorneyinge, the kinge is caried, sittinge in the middeste, betwne two Bassans talkynge with him, before whom do iorney certaine souldiers of the [...]enitsarye order, on horses, caryinge burning torches, and this is done in a very obscure and darke night. Then the Tsanlar, whyche are captaines or disposers of ye Army, hauinge iron clubbes, sharpened and ky [...]e on euery syde, do driue men awaye from the kinges sighte, by the distance of stones caste, or shootynge of an arowe, [Page] where Sulihtarlar, the multitude of the garde doth goe, amonge whom are the wagons or chariottes laden with loue boyes, seruyng for the Turkes vse and his péeres. Then the forenamed captaines or disposers of the armye, iorney eyther before them, or come after, with infinite bandes of horsemen, footemen, and souldiers of diuers orders, some hauing wages, other for gaine, and lukces sake: men only, for they bringe no womē with them.

❀ The driuing of their beastes, order in the campe, in vvhat sort they lodge, and vvith vvhat foode they lyue.

AFter these succedeth a multitude of Camelles, Mules, and horse (sumetimes they bring Elephantes with thē also, called in their language Phil) carying victalles, tentes, with other suche thinges necessary for the Campe. And when the Turkes tabernacle is pitched, euery thing is their setled, and placed in order, [Page] as it were in a cytie: ther are places for Shoemakers, Bakers and Butchers: some séeke and prouide for all sortes of fleshe, but if freshe meate can not be gotten, then they drawe fourthe suche foode as is caried by their beastes, that is to witte, bredde twise baken, fleshe dried in the smoke, named Pastarmar, chese, and milke congealed to curdes. They ar most pacient of hunger, thirst, and colde. Very seldome they herboure, or lodge in cities, but in the feldes vnder tentes, not farre from heye cockes and riuers, hauinge a greater regarde vnto their beastes, then of them selues, contēted with a light and base meat, as congealed milke tempered with water, and bread put therin, eyther newe, or twise baken, both maisters and seruantes. Ther is suche sylence obserued amonge them in the nyght season, that they neglecte their captiues flyinge awaye, for feare leste if a noyse, or clamour shoulde be stirred, they should suffer [Page] the punishment ordeined for ye breche of Sylence: but at what time they goe to reste, and when they ryse from their beddes, to walke abrode, they crye all with a loude voice these wordes, repeatynge them thrise Allah, Allah, Allah, whyche doth signifie. O god, O god, O god.

☞ VVhat seuere iustice is exercised in the time of vvarre.

SUche seueritie is vsed to the breakers of decrées, and ther ordinances in war that no souldier dare to take any thynge vniustelye, if otherwise he should be punished with out compassion: For ther ar elected among them, certaine ordinarye kepers, or defendours of such necessaries, as ar brought in the wayes, towards the campe, by children of eight or tenne yeares olde, which bring to be solde, bredde, egges, frute, corne, with other such like. The forenamed officers ar also bound to defende the Orchardes of frutes, sytuate by the wayes sydes, in so much that they [Page] them selues dare not to take one apple, or other such lyke thing, with out licence of the possessed, for if it happen otherwise they also shalbe punished by léesing ther heades. When I was in an armye of the Turke, at an expeditiō or voiage against the Persians, I saue a Espahye together with his horse and seruant beheaded, because his horse breakyng louse, had entredan other mans fielde.

❀ Of the triumphe to be celebrated for the Turkes victorie, vvher he is allvvayes resident, and vvherefore he maketh vvarre so often againste the christians.

WHen it is signifyed, or relation made of the Turkes victorye, the cytyes breke fourth into all kinde of ioyefulnes. By night about the first kindeling of the candell, they begin this triūphant mirth, torches, linkes, and tapers of waxe, are euery wher displayed, the house & wayes whereby the turkyshe emperour muste [Page] passe are adorned with tapestry workes clothe of Arras, and hanginges of silke. But the most solemne pompe is done at Constantinople, wher he is alwayes resident, if no warres be stirringe betwene him and other countries. Howbeit by the lawes, he hym selfe is bounde, after euery thrée yeares, to take a voiage into the christian realmes, eyther for amplifyinge or defence of his kyngedome and dominion.

Of their hunting.

THer is no nation, vnder the sunne, that so muche deliteth in hunting as the Turkes. For in pursuing wilde beastes, thei runne throughe on ther horses, daungerous, sharpe, and rockye places, takyng diuers kyndes of beastes, and if the dead beast hath bene choked by dogges, neyther they them selues do féede vpon the fleshe therof, neyther the christians inhabiting those costes. But if by chaunce they kill a boare, him they geue [Page] vnto the christians of those partes, for the circumcised are forebidden to eate of Swines fleshe.

¶ Of husbandrie, and craftes men, vnto whom the tenthes do perteine, of the bath, and ceremonies about the same.

THe Husbandemen doe til the feildes by their seruantes, and paie the tenth therof vnto their Emperour. The laborours susteine them selues with handye craftes, but they whiche lyue sluggishlye, and in idelnes, do pine awaye withe hunger. Merchandise is practised also very diligently amonge them. They trauell into Asia the lesse, whiche nowe is called Natolia, Arabia and Egipte, they discloase them selues, euen amonge the Venetians. In euery of their cytyes ther are Bathes, in the whiche accordynge to their accustomed vse, they washe them selues twyse or thryse. If they voyde vrine, their priuey member is washed, if they vnlode the burthen of nature, their [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [Page] fundament is made cleane with water: the lyke is done by the women, both kindes are waited vpon, as the men by ther seruantes, and the women by their waitinge maydes, caryinge after them vesselles full of water. And when they goe fourth to washe, the women do anointe them selues, with a certaine kynde of Oyntement, whyche after the space of halfe an houre, doth cause the heares to fall of, the men them selues doe shaue ther priuye partes, and in no wyse they suffer the heares to growe, but ridde thē selues therof, as wel the men as the women, in euery moneth twise or thrise: but chefly when they frequent the temples, otherwyse (as defillers of the sacred and holy place) thei should be consumed with fire. Ther are amonge them also diuers sortes of craftes men as bowchers, shoemakers, tailers, goldsmithes, siluersmithes, and of al other kinds of metall, likwise printers, and masons, but not of so [Page] subtile and excellent wittes, as certaine ther ar amonge vs.

¶ The iustice and equitie vsed amonge Citizens.

ALl the christians, and lykewyse the Turkes, haue one iudge chosen frō among the circumcised, whiche is bound to minister the law, and iustice equallye vnto all estates of men. If any man cō mitte murther, he shall suffer deathe for the same. If he steale, or take any thinge by force, he shalbe therfore hanged. As it chaunced vnto a certaine Janitsary, that had dronken vp the milke of a woman, carying it to be solde in the market, not payinge the price therof, whiche, accused before the iudge, whē he had denined the facte, being hanged vp by the héeles, and bounde harde about the middle with a corde, incontinent he vomitted vp the milke, and fourthe with by iudgemente condemned to hanging. This happened, I beyng present, at Damascus, when I [Page] iorneyed from Armenia towardes Jerusalem. If any temple commit adultrye, the man is caste into prison, and after certaine monethes redemed for monye, but the adulterous womanne is caryed throughe the streates and highe wayes, on an Asse, scourged with whippes naked, and hauyng the intralles of an Oxe hāged about her necke, is stoned to death

☞ The tilling of their grounde, of the graine, Vines, and other frutes, vvhiche grovve in those countries.

AS well the Christians, as circuncised Turkes, do till the feldes, mainteine pastures, and plante vines, hauing corne or graine like vnto this of our coū trye, as wheat, Millet or Hirse, barlye, Oates, fine wheat, beanes, and al kindes of pulse: forthermore Rice in great plentye, flaxe, and silke cotten, more then in our countries. Both the sortes of menne aforenamed haue also in possessyon vineardes, vsinge diuersly the frutes therof.

[Page]The Christians make wine, but the Turkes a kinde of honye called in their language Pecmez, thei vse, and order certaine reasons in suche sorte, that as well to the eye, as in taste, they all wayes seme freshe and new, and are by them named Vzum Turssi. They haue frutes ther in gret abundance. At their propre seasons, the Orchardes, gardens, and feldes, are replenished, and laden with Pompones, Melons and cucumbers. Ther are nuttes, apples, peares, pome granates, almoundes, chest nuttes, figges, cheries, plummes, and other of lyke sorte, for a small price to be bought, but not in euerye nation. For ther are places, as heare and ther in Cappadocia and Armenia the lesse, where (throughe extreme cold) not one of these ar to be had, or may be gottē.

¶ The state of their Shepardes, vvhat heardes of beastes they fede, and of the tribute vvhich is required of the Christians.

[Page]THer are Shepardes among the Turkes called Sobaenlar, which leade ther liues contineweally in desartes, & chang places for freshe pasture almoste euerye moneth, hauyng at all no houses or possessyons, exceptyng tentes, and droues of beastes. They féede Camelles, Mules, Horses, Oren, Shepe, Goates, and make chéese, butter, and shere Shéepe, wherof they make a kinde of garment, or clokes called Ghepenech, and tapestrie workinges, which ar solde, to bye corne for foode vnto their familie. The fornamed Shepardes generally, do yearly pay vnto the turkish Emperour, tyethes, of ye encrease of al their beastes. The Christians also, liuinge vnder tribute, ar constrained to paie tēthes, which in quantitie is to wit, of euerye male beaste, one crowne, and whiche is moste cruell, they take awaye from them by force all their sonnes hauinge no wiues, makyng searche therfore in ther houses, euery fifte yeare.

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❀ The forme of building ther houses.

THeir is no great magnificence bestowed vpon ther houses, the greater [...]art of them builded of bricke worke, and [...]her bricke is made after two sortes, eyther they are baked in a kéele, or dryed by heat of the Sunne. The rowses of ther houses ioyne together wedgewise, as do the buildinges of our countrye, and this is obserued throughe out al Europe, but in Natolia the coueringes or roufes, are plain, in fashion of a flowre, without any ridge: cundites they haue, and water pipes, that sende downe the rayne water vnto them, whiche is conueied throughe rouled pipes.

❧ The fashion of ther garmentes, vvherof they are made, and in vvhat sorte.

THeir aparaill made of the substance of wooll, flare, and silke, is riche and magnificent enoughe, the garment called Chauton, they vse gardeo, plaites, and [Page] hangyng downe euen vnto ye shoe hēme our bréeches they abhorre, obiectinge thē opprobriously vnto vs, as thynges to be ashamed at. Their shertes named Gumlech, and Naptkins ar dyed with a violet colour, ther head is builded vp with an heape of cloth, in maner of a turret, and gathered together at the toppe, not much vnlike the fashion of a stéeple, and suche a couering for their head is called in ther tonge Tulbent, or Salma. The wiues of riche men goe with their faces couered, and neuer open their countenaunces vnto any other sauing their husbandes, neither at any time frequent the market, or common assemblies. The shoes named Babucs, or Csisme, as well of the women as men, haue thicke sooles, that they may vse them the longer space.

¶ Of their meates, and foode.

THey vse bread most holesome, called Echmech, both white, & browne, euen as the men of our countries doe, but thei [Page] scater or mingle with the dooghe a certaine kinde of séede named Sussam, after that it is baked, which geuethe a delectable switnes vnto the eaters, that bread is not vsed amonge the Christians, sauinge at certaine places, here and their in Spaigne, as in the kingdome of Granata, and about Ciuill. In their foode is bestowed great conninge, and diuers sortes of sauces, their ordinarye meat is so muche thickened with rice▪ that the partes therof maye be drawen a sonder with their handes. Marueilous is the abstinence amonge them from fishe. They eate all sortes of fleshe, exceptynge of Swine. Their are amonge them no tauerns, or publike Innes, to entertaine strangers, as with vs, howebeit in the stretes are sold diuers kindes of meate, requisite for sustenance, with other thinges necessarye to liue by.

¶ The diuersities of their drinke.

[Page]THrée sortes of drynke they haue: the firste is made of Suger, of them named Secher, or honye alayed with water, this drinke hathe to name Tserbeth. The seconde is of reasons (the kerneles firste drawen forth) boyled in water, after that is added water of Roses, with a quantitye of pure honye, that drynke hath his denomination Hossaph, and is sold euery wher in Turkye, it is swete, and causeth the bealy to swell. The thirde is of that kinde of hony named Pechmes, whiche is made of newe wine sodden, vntill the third parte be boyled awaye, this drinke in taste, and to the sight representeth the lykenes of honye, it is alayed with water, and geuen to be dronken of their seruantes.

¶ The maner of the turkishe tables, and hovv they sit at meate.

WHen the time of refreshyng is cōme, they put vnder them mattes, called Hactser, after that they spred, abrode tapestrye [Page] clothes, or Cuishens. Some, sitte downe vpon the bare ground. Their table hauing to name Tsophra is made of leather, it is sprede abrode and drawen together in forme of a purse. They sitte not downe acordynge to our custome, or after the maner of the auncient fathers, as leanyng to their Elbowes, but their legges lyinge one ouer the other, crossewise, muche like vnto Tailers, Grace or thanke geuinge vnto God is said, before they tast of any meate. They eate spedelye and with great silence, in which space their wiues are kept in som secret place The menne seruantes, after the age of twelue yeares, ar not permitted to enter the house wher women be: but yoūge boyes, within the age of twelue yeares, comming in, and goinge fourth, do bring them thinges necessarie, whyche separated farre of, haue their habitation in an other house. The bounde women haue not so muche lybertye, as to step without [Page] the dores, except it be with the Turkes wiues when they enter the bathes to washe, or goe some other where, with out the cytye, as into Orchardes, vineardes, and Gardens, for recreations sake (whiche often times they are wount to doe) but labour harde, continewally lurkynge in ther houses, neyther are they permitted to talke, or be conuersant with the men seruantes, as in his propre place, whiche is in the treatise next folowing, of the afflictions of captiues, the readers easely shall vnderstande.

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❀ The salutation of the Turkes, Persians, and Arabians, is suche.

Sellam aliech Tsultanum,

Peace be vnto the O Prince.

Sellam aliech Baba.

Peace be vnto the O Father.

Sellam aliech Ana,

Peace be vnto the O Mother.

And so the reste in order yow maye salute according to the worthines of their persons.

Ther aunswere.

Rahmatullah Sellam alechmi,

Our mercifull God geue peace to yow also,

Rahmatullah aliech, tseudigum,

Our mercifull God geue vnto yow, my frende,

Berechyat.

his blessyng.

¶ A Dialogue conteininge questions, and aunsvveres of a Turke vvith a christian, and firste the Turke in this maner speaketh vnto the Christian.

Handa gidertsan bre Giaur?

Whether goest thou O Christian?

The Christian.

Tsultanū giderum stambola.

O Prince I goe towardes Constantinople,

[Page]The Turke.

Ne issum Vac bu meinleketten?

What busines hast thou in these countries?

The Christian.

Ederum bezrgenlik Affendi

I excercise marchaundise maister.

Or

Maslahatom var anadolda.

My busines is into Asia.

The Turke.

Ne habar scizum gilerden?

What newes is ther spoken of in your partes?

The Christian.

Hits neste bilmelom tsaa dimege.

I knowe not what newes you desire to vnderstande, that I might declare it vnto you.

The Turke.

Gioldassum varmi tsenumle?

Haue you anye companion?

The Christian.

Ioch, ilanuz gheldum.

No, but alone I came.

The Turke.

Gelutmisun benumle?

Dothe it please you to come with me?

The Christian.

Irachmider tsenum iataghom?

Is your lodgeynge farre of?

[Page]The Turke.

Iachender, guestereim tsaa bundan,

It is hard by, I will shew it you from hence.

The Christian.

Gel ghusteriuere, tseuertson Allaha.

Come and shewe, if you loue God.

The Turke.

Kalch iochari tur honda.

Lifte thy selfe vp, stande here.

The Christian.

I knowe not in what parte it is.

Bilmezum hanghi darastan der.

The Turke.

Tsag eline bacha ghun doghtusine.

At the right hand looke towardes the east.

The Christian.

Bir buch eun atsarhibi, gurunur, ōmider?

One hyghe house as it were a Castell apeareth, is that it?

The Turke.

Gersksou oder iaken deghilmi?

It is euen hit, it is the same, is it not hard by?

The farevvell.

The Christian.

Tsamarlodach tseni Alaha.

I committe you vnto God.

[Page] Ben gitmezom oraa.

I will not goe that waye.

The Turke.

Bre neden korkartson? nitie gelmetson?

Oh whom do you feare? why come you not?

The Christian.

Benūiolum deghelder oraa.

My iorneye is not that waye.

The Turke.

Vargeth tsagloga, eier ghelmeson.

Depart with good Luke, if you will not come.

The Christian.

Gegsien hair altson.

A prosperous nyght chaunse vnto you.

The Turke.

Aghbate hair oltson.

And vnto you a more happy night.

Ben kurtoldom tsoch succor Allaha.

I am deliuered, highe praise be vnto God.

These fewe wordes of the turkyshe lāguage, I haue here added for the, most gentill reader, not of necessitie, but for delectations sake: that thou maist vnderstand, how grosse and barbarous they be▪ The euer liuing God graunt, that they [Page] may haue more néede of our speche, then we of thers.

Farevvell.

The lamentable affliction, as vvell of the captiue Christiās, as of them vvhich liue vnder the most greuous youke of Tribute.
❀ In vvhat sort the Christians, taken in warre by the Turkes are handeled.

THe turkishe Emperour entending to take any voige, against the Christiās, amonge other hys honorable marchantes a grat number or rablement, of vnnaturall Regraters of manne kynd, and slaughterous bouchers, sitting on Cameles, doth allwayes accumpanye him: these for hope of bondemen, doe bringe with thē cheines of a merueilous lēght, in the whiche maye fiftye, or thrée score easely be bound on a rowe. So many as [Page] the enemies sworde hathe not muthered and cōsumed, they by of the spoilers and botye sekers, whiche is permitted vnto them, on this condition, that they pay the tenth of their captiues vnto the Emperour, the reste it is lawfull for them to kéepe, eyther for their propre vse, or to be solde: and amonge them ther is no merchandise so frutefull, profitable, or more vsed and accustomed, as in time paste it was among the Romanes which called gods merchādise, bought with no faute, and in the whiche no conuincement by lawe ought to be feared.

¶ In vvhat maner the Emperour ordereth, and diposeth his captiues.

THe aged sorte, and youthe of bothe kindes, which befel and happened vnto him vnder the name of tēthes, he this disposeth, that the wel stroken in yeares, may be sold to applye husbandrye, howbeit they ar very seldome taken, for it is arare thinge, that they should be spared, [Page] whome age of many yeares hath made scarse saleable. The young men, and virgins, they kéepe inclosed in a certaine place named in their lāguage Sarai, that ther they maye be instructed in profitable artes and sciences, wherby in time to come, they may vse them the more commodiously, but firste it is attempted, that, the christian faith and religion being denied, they may be circuncised. And nowe hauyng receiued the first instructions of their ceremonies and the proportion and lineamentes of their bodyes, diligentlye marked by Phisiognomye, they ar acording to euery ones disposition & towardnes, apointed, either to learne the lawes of their country, or, (if a greater force of body, apeareth in them, then sharpnes of witte,) vnto warrefare: and they haue geuen for their daily pention, two or thre Ahcse peces of mony, that they call Aspres, thrée score of the whiche do make a crowne: they thinke it to be sufficient for [Page] their foode, and aparaill, vntill they be able to fight in a battell. In this maner, they are instructed in the rudimentes of warrefare. Firste for the tendernes of their strenght, they haue a weke bowe assigned vnto them, but in continuance of time, the force of their bodye, and skilfulnes in showtinge beinge encreased, a tougher and more strong bowe is assigned, thus it still augmenteth vntill they ar fit for the warre. A most seuere maister, at night wil be present among them, to examine, and haue an accounte of ther daily exercise, and as often as they haue [...]rred from the marke, so manye tymes shall they be beaten with roddes. These are ascribed to the order of Solacrarors, whiche are Archers. Certaine other ar brought vp, for that they may be elected amonge the Ienitsaries: these also haue their ouersears, which constraine them to a daily kynde of combating, their contendyng is with clubbes. But the reste [Page] (Oh enuious acte) in whome a greate [...] grace of bewtie apeareth, ar so mangled, that no manlines is to be sene in all ther bodyes, with no small daunger of léesing their liues: but if they escape, yet from thence fourth saftye and sauegard maye they not obtaine, vntill they are made pertakers of their vnnatural lust and lecherye, or, their comly bewtye wearynge away, ar made Eunuches, to serue matrones, and dames, eyther appointed to kéepe horses and Mules, or assigned to be drudges in their kitchens.

¶ Hovv they deale vvith virgins, and other vvomen.

SVche as are endewed with excellent bewtye, they chuse to be Concubines, the meaner sorte are geuen to ryche Dames and matrones, for wayting mades, to vse them about their necessarye busines, amonge the whiche, certaine ar such vncleanlye offices, that with honestye they may not be named: for the maydes [Page] ar compelled to folow them, with a vessell of water, when they goe fourth to lay downe the burthen of nature, and purge their inferiour partes. The reste are streightlye kept to labors fitte for women, as imbrotheringe, and weuing. It is lawful for none of them all, eyther to persiste in the Christian religion, or cō ceiue anye hope of fredome, as longe as they liue.

☞ In vvhat sort, the other Turkes doe Vse their captiues.

HEre before wée haue shewed, what the turkishe Emperour accustometh to doe, and nowe shalbe declared, what is done by these priuate persons. When any new captiues by them ar receiued, first they endeuour by all kinde of thretninges, faire promises, and flatteringes, that the late obtained bondmen, maye be circuncised: whych when it is done, he is handled sume what more gentellye, but all hope of returning into his country is [Page] cleane cutte of: for burning is ordeined [...]s a punishement vnto the flyers away, Those whiche ar counted most constant, and lesse fugitiue, ar taken by their ma [...]ters, to serue them as pages in the armye, and then at lenght fréedom is purchased, whē, being vnprofitable through his age, he is rather reiected by his master, then dimised, or when his maister being in daunger of death at the warres, doth bequeth him fredome. They ar suffred to marrie, but their children ar disposed accordynge to the arbitrement, and pleasure of their maister, whiche thinge causeth the wyser sorte to abhorre matrimonye. But suche as refuse circumcision, ar moste cruelly tormented: what miseries haue I ther susteyned by the space of thirten yeres? Verely I am not able to expresse in any wordes, what calamity and grefe is in that kynde of life.

¶ After vvhat maner, they vvhich ar vnskilefull of manual sciences, ar vsed.

[Page]MOst miserable is the estate of them which haue not learned the manual [...] craftes, for they onely amonge them are had in honour & regarde, wherfore when the learned sort, prestes, and noble men, whyche haue leade all their lyfe in idelnes, come into their handes, they ar coū ted in a more greuous case then of al the rest. For the regrater neuer entendeth to bestow any cost on them, as scarse saleable: they trauell bare legged, with vncouered heades, and often times naked in the greatest part of their body: for their first garmentes worne out, ther shalbe no newe apparell bestowed vpon them, they ar lead and drawen throughe cold, snowe, rockes, stones, summer and winter, and haue no prefixed ende of miserye vntil they dye, or chaunce vpon some folyshe maister, whiche byeth such vnprofitable merchandise, this is their pitifull estate, and dolefull misfortune. Finallye not one among them is so happy of what [Page] age, condition, science or bewtye so euer he be of, that, falling sicke by reason of iorneyinge, the regrater will leaue hym at some place to be loked vnto. Firste he forceth him to go with stripes, if that can not preuaile, he is placed on a beast, vpō the which if he cane not sitte vpright, he is bounde to the beast, his fore part, and face lokinge to the grounde, lyke vnto a fardell or packe: and beyng about to dye, first spoyled of his garmentes, they caste him into the next diche, or pitte, there to be deuoured by dogges, and vultours.

❀ Hovv the nevv taken captiues are handeled in iorneyinge,

NOt only in the iorney, they bynde ther captiues in perpetual cheines but also adde manacles to their handes: the distance of a passe is betwine euerye of them, lest one should tread vnder féete the other: whiche they doe for this occation, because they would not bestoned, of the bondemen, to deathe. For in as much [Page] as euery Regrater leadeth with hym a great multitude, so that often times they haue fiue hundred men lincked in Iron [...], they feare the force of so great a number if they should haue their handes at libertye, and frée to caste with all. But when the night is come, they late their féet also with giues, and laye them vp right to al domages of the aire. The state of women is more gentill, they whiche are of competent strenght, go on their féete, the weker sorte ar caried vpon beastes, but suche as are so féeble, that they cane not abide the rockyng of the beast are placed to be borne in panniars lyke Géese. The nyght is vnto them more sadde and sorowfull, for eyther they are inclosed in mightie senced places, or enforced to suffer the beastly lust, and vncleane lecherie of those mankynd regraters. And a most lamentable howlynge and wepynge is heard throughe the darke of youthelye wightes of both kindes susteining violence, [Page] neyther maye the age of sixe or seuen yeares defende the miserable wretches from suche filthines, the malitious nation is so fearce and feruent, bothe against and beside all course of nature in libidinous lecherye.

☞ After vvhat fashion the captiue Christians are lead, and brought fourthe to be solde.

WHen the daye begynneth too were bright, they are brought fourthe into the market to be solde, lyke drones or flockes of shepe and Goates. The merchantes assemble together, the price is sette: if the captiue liketh them, his garmētes taken of, he is shewed openly before the eyes of his mayster to come, all his membres are vewed, they ar felte, and euery part searched, whether anye hurt or domage hauing bene taken, lieth in the limmes and ioyntes. If he likethe them not, againe he is retorned vnto the regrater, so many times that to suffer, as [Page] any man entending to by shall come and drawe neare: if he contenteth their mindes, and they agre vpon a price, he is leaden awaye to moste painefull bondage, eyther to bée made a ploughe manne or sheparde, that in the weane time I may omitte more laborous trauels. For there are amonge them vnspeakeable examples of miserye, I haue sene menne verye often coupled together in a youke to drawe the ploughe. The bonde women, are moste streitly kept to perpetuall labours, separate from the sight of menne, and they are not permitted so muche as to talke with their felowe seruantes. If any man hath bene taken by them, with his wife and children, the noble and rich men will bye him very gladdely, and he is made ouersear of their farmes, eyther to take the charge of tillinge their lande, dressyng of their vineyards, or maintainyng pastures. The children of these are in bondage. If they perseuer and continewe [Page] in the christian faithe, a certaine time of bondage is assigned vnto them, whiche beynge passed, they enioye their auncient fredome: howbeit their childrē, except they be redemed, remaine in seruitude, according to the pleasure of their maister, eyther to abyde in the same places, or som other wher to be transferred: there is no lande geuen by inheritance, for the which they serue a certaine space of time. If after their obtained libertye, they long to retorne into their countrye, letters patentes are deliuered vnto them for safe conducte. But vnto such as haue abiured and foresworne our religion, neyther is ther any determinate time of bondage, neyther lawe to be chalenged cōcerning retorne into their natiue lāde, all hope of Fredome onely dependeth at their maisters frée will and pleasure, and albeit that fredome be obtained, yet paye they tyethes, as the rest of the Turkes doe, but are frée from other burthens, [Page] were with the Christians ar oppressede.

❀ The state of those captaines vvhich they make Shepardes.

PEinefull is the lyfe of husbandmen, yet more greuous it is with thē which are bought to take the charge of Shepardes, they must leade their liues in desertes, and remaine continually both day and night abrode in the open ayre: only their maister with his wife, dwelleth in the tente, and besides the painefull trauell in defendyng and kepyng their stockes, they ar cōstrained at leasurable houres to make garmentes, & tapestrye workinges. Euerye moneth they change pastures, conueying them selues from one hill to an other. They which are of a nature more gentil and tractable, ar w [...]nte to gene a small stipend vnto their seruantes, suche as we reade to haue bene measured amonge the Romaines, and that is counted their propre goodes, whiche is kept for assistance in the waye, yf [Page] after obtained Fredome they purpose to retorne into their countrye, or vnto other thynges necessarye for maintenance of their lyfe. But this chaunceth not euery wher, for it is a miserable enticement in to bondage, wherby they restreine them from their intente of departure. But vnto them whiche haue denyed Christe: because they ar sure that they will not take flight, no suche fauour is shewen.

¶ The flight of bonde menne out of Europe.

FLight is more easye for them to take whiche passe their dayes in Europe, then vnto suche as are sold ouer into the regions beyond the seas: for by them no daungerous places ar to be passed but riuers, whiche easely they maye swimme throughe, the greatest perill is in goinge ouer the sea Hellesponte. These whiche purpose to flie awaye, are wont to endeuour it in the time of harueste, for that the more commodiously they maye hide [Page] them selues in the corne, and haue sustenance therof, they continewe their flight in the night season, and lurke in the daye time, either in wooddes, marishes or among the corne, and had rather to be deuoured by wolues and other beastes, thē backe to be drawen againe to their olde maisters.

❧ Of their flight out of Asia the Lesser.

THey whiche seke meanes to flye out of Asia, doe take their iorneye towardes the sea Hellespont, betwine Call [...]polis, and ye turrettes sumtime called Seston and Abidon but nowe in these our days Bagas Asar, whych maye be interpreted, a castell of the streightes of the sea, wher the sea is most narrowe. Thei cary with them an Axe and cordes, both to cutte downe trées, and binde them together, therof to make them boates for passage ouer the sea, bearinge no other thynge with them, sauing salte: by nyght they [Page] enter the boate. If the windes and good fortune be fauorable, they rowe ouer in thrée or foure houres, if otherwyse, eyther they perish in the waters, or are driuen backe agayne to the sea bankes of Asia▪ Hauinge escaped the seas, they approche the hilles, and fixinge allwayes their eyes vppon the Pole, and Bootes, they directe their iorneye into the northe part: In the time of hūger they sustaine them selues with Acornes, and herbes sprinckeled with salte. If a companye resorte & assēble together to take flight, they inuade by nyght the Shepardes, whiche beyng slaine, they carye awaye with them what meate and foode soeuer ther they finde, howebeit often times they perish them selues, receiuing death of the Shepardes, or taken by them, and deliuered to their old masters, ar brought again vnder their accustomed thraldome and bondage. But a greater nomber the daungers destroye, thenne doe escape in [Page] safty, for either they ar drowned by shipwracke, deuoured with ye téethe of wilde beastes, slaine by their enemies sworde, or finally famished for defecte of nowrishemēt, when by flyinge thei haue wandered a longe space.

¶ Of the punishement ordained for fugitiues.

MAnifolde ar the punishemēts apointed for flyars awaye: some hanged vp by the héeles ar most greuously scourged, but of such as haue committed murther, the féete ar launced with kniues into manye furrowes, and so miserablely mangled they sprinkle them with salte, throughe the bodyes of other is thruste a great forke, that hath an iron toppe, which a longe space both daye and night they beare and susteine.

¶ The fauorable affection of Grecians and Armenians tovvardes fugitiues.

PUnishement by death and forfaiture of all their goodes is ordained for thē, [Page] ye fauer or further the flight of fugitiues. Notwythstandyng the Armenians and Gretians doe not cease daily to hide the Christian captiues in their houses, and bringe them diffigured with their apparell vnto the shippes of the Venetians, or other Christians, and geue prouision requisite for their iourneye, with all other thinges necessarye, neyther by them are ther omitted any tokens of godlye loue, For they affirme to haue receyued lyke fauour at our handes, at what time they come to Rome and Compostella.

❀ Of the inchauntementes Vsed by the Turkes against Fugitiues.

THey haue a certain kind of inchauntmente, wherby they bringe thē backe ma [...]ger their teth. The name of the seruant writen in a scroll of paper is hanged vp in his lodging or cabinne, after that they coniure his heade with horrible wordes and incantatiōs: which dōne by poore of the deuil it commeth to passe, [Page] that the seruaunte flyinge shal thinke to chaunce, in his iorneye, amonge Lions or Dragons, either the sea and fluddes to breake oute againste him, or all th [...] ges to seme blacke by reason of darkenes, and driuen backe with this terrible sightes, he retorneth vnto his maister.

¶ Hovve the memorie of Christ by litle and litle vvereth to obliuion in the Prouinces sumetime of Christian religion.

THere are certaine yet remayninge aliue, whyche haue in remembrance the conqueringe of Constantinople, and the kyngdones of Gretia, Albania, VValachia, and Seruia, whiche the Turkes do nowe call Bosnam, reduced and brought into Prouinces, they verelye sticke most firmelye vnto Christe, but the younger sorte can not remember it, and in short space it will come to passe, that the obliuion of Christianitye shall replenishe all those countries: The like will happen in [Page] Croatia, Ilungarie, & Sclauonie, which are [...]ate additions and augmentinges of the Turkishe empire.

☞ In vvhat sort the conquerour aafe [...] any victorie behaue them selues, and hovve by them are vsed the Spirituatie.

WHen the Turke hath subdued any [...] prouince, al the goodes therunto appertayning as wel moueable as not moueable, are graunted and geuen for a bootye. He noteth out by the grounde all the nobility, but chieflye the princes issue. And in that at this presēt is fauoured by them the sonne of kynge Ihon, they do it not to none other ende, then if Hungarie should be taken frō them, they may place him therin, newe mischiefes to attempt, but whē of Hungarie they shal haue sure and safe possession, no doubt but they wil ridde hym out of this life. For the Turkes to obtaine a kingdome do fauor neither their owne bloud nor kinsfolke, no [Page] not their propre brethren. If they murther not the spirituall men, at least wise▪ spoiled of al their riches and promotiōs▪ thei cast them of to be laughed at, and to get their liuinge by begging. They take oute of the Churches all the belles, organes, and other musical instrumentes, yea the temples them selues profaned & defiled, they cōsecrate to their Mahomet: the naked and base chapelles are lette stande for the Christians, wher they say their seruice not openlye, but with great silence, and couertly: whiche when they are fallen to the grounde by meanes of earthequakes, consumed with fyrye flames, or rotten throughe longstanding, it is not lawfull for them to réedifye without the paiment of a greatsome of mony. Sermons and preaching of the Gospel is plainelye forbidden, neyther is it lawfull for thē to assēble vnto any Christian cōmon wealth, beare wepōs about with them, be cladde with like apparrail [Page] vnto the Turkes, daunce, or sette fourth pleasant sightes of a ioyefull lyfe▪ If any iniurie be done towardes the, or Christ, by opprobrious wordes, thou must holde thy peace, and pacientlye suffer it. But contraryewyse, if thou speake anye vnworthye or disdainefull thynge of their religion, thou shalt be enforced to circū [...]ision, if then also thou mutter againste Mahomet, fire and burnyng shall consume the to asshes. And if a horseman of ye Christians passe by a Musulman, whiche is one entrede in the turkish religion it is necessaryly required that he descend from his horse, and worshippe the other sitting, with a lowly countenance, and bēding his body, which except it be done, he is beaten downe from his horse with clubbes.

¶ The estate of prestes and munkes liuinges vnder tribute of the Turkes.

PKestes and mūkes with the Turkes are of all other in vileste estate, [Page] they ar reputed as cōmitters of sacrilege & accursed both by god & man, neither do they receiue any stipēds of ye church. Upō Festiuall they haue caste vnto theym [...] y certaine women, a small quantitye of bredde, no thinge is distributed amonge them vppon otherdayes. They lyue by purueyinge of wodde: for the custome is that they he we downe trees in the woddes, wherwith their asses beynge laden, they wander wyth that marchaundyse through out al the streates, proclayming wodde to be solde.

¶ Of the vnmerciful tributes exacted at the Christians handes.

THe Christians do pay the fourthe of all their increase, and this fourthe is not only gathered of the profites of their landes, fieldes and flockes, but also the manual artificers do geue the fourthe of all their gaines. Ther is besides this an ther burthen of payment, by the which [Page] so many as ar in one familie, do exhibite euery one a duccate. If their parentes be not able to discarge it, they are constrained to sell their children into bondage. Some other linked in cheines do wander doore by dore to begge money for dischargement therof, but if neyther then they ar of abilitie to paye, they are condemned to perpetuall imprisonement. And nowe when they haue performed all dew [...]ies, yet is it alwayes lawful for the Turke to haue the frée election of the best of his sonnes, whiche, circumcised, and conueied awaye out of his parrentes sight, is trained vp for the warres, neyther shall he euer retorne againe to his parentes, and first because a childe will quicklye commit Christ to obliuiō, soone after also his parentes and alyes, so that if they should be conuersant with him, he can not discerne, or iudge one of his kinsefolke. No manne is able to expresse [...] wordes, with what bitter teares, [Page] sorowefull sighes, and pitifull sobbinges that violente separation is done. The Father séethe his sonne, whom he hathe instructed and brought vp in the true worshippinge of Christe, to be drawen by force vnto the warrefare of Sathan, that he maye fight against Christe: the soone is rauished from his parentes perpetually to liue amonge straungers and Aliantes, vtterly to forsake that whiche by bloud is dearely beloued, grateful throughe aquaintāce, and frendly by familiarity: from thense foreward to come amonge the number of them, whom the Grecians are wont to call Apatoras and Ametoras. And albeit that this greatlye degenerate frō the trew Christian faith, yet a great number of them do cary vnder their armepittes, as a most sure preseruatiue against euill happes, the Gospell of saint Ihon, (whiche is to witte. In the beginning. &c.) throughely written vnto the ende, bothe in the Grecian and [Page] Arabian language, whiche intentinelye and with feruent desire expect and lōge for the Christians sworde (of whom the turkishe prophet dothe speake, as it shalbe declared in ye treatice next folowing) to reuenge and deliuer the Christians from their vnspeakeable afflictions and painefull persecutions. Whiche in that it hathe not vntill this daye made haste, and ben lifted vp against them, who soeuer they be that ar the hinderers therof, and to what purpose they do it, it forceth not, but they seme trewlye to haue deserued moste vnworthely of the Christian religion. For nowe (Oh soroweful mischaunce, our brother George of Varadinum being disceased) how quickely haue we lost the gouernement of the Temesuans? let hence fourthe Hungarie lament, and Transyluania be sorowefull, Pollonia also ought to bée circumpecte, with Lutē Russia, Prussia, Moschouie, Dacia, Denmerke, Gutlad, Norvvaie, and Sueuelande [Page] Lotte the lyke be sayde of Austriche, Morauie, Siletia, Boeme, Saxonie, Germanie. England, Scotteland. Spaigne, and France. Let Rome, Venice with all Italie loke no better to spede. God graunt that these thinges maye attaine vnto a more happye end then I suppose they will.

A salutinge dialogue in the Sclauone tounge.

Bogh pomozi gospodaru

God helpe you my patrone.

The Aunswere.

Dobro dossao priiateliu.

In good time you come my frende.

The Question.

Ieli ouay praui put u kaliplie?

Is not this the streyght waye into Callipolis.

The Aunswere.

Ni brate, Zabludiossi daleko.

No brother, you haue erred greatlye,

[Page]The Question.

Od Zemlie koiessi kazuimi.

Of what Countrie ar you? tell me.

The Aunswere.

Od Vlaske Zemliessam, od benetak▪

Of the Italiās region I am, from venice.

The Question.

Vkasi mi praui puth takoti boga.

Shewe me the streight waye, for goddes sake,

The Aunswere.

Hodi ssamnon, neboisse nistar

Come with me, neyther feare you▪ any thynge.

The Question.

Ieda koie glasse imas, Kazuimi.

If any newes you haue, declare it vnto me.

The Aunswere.

Ne takomi vice dafnam prouidablih ti.

No by my faith If I knew any I would shewe it you.

The Farewell, and geuinge of thankes.

Ostai Zbogom brate, onie grad

Staye in goddes name brother, that is ye citye.

[Page] K amogres

whether you goe.

The Aunswere.

Poi Zbogon, i bogh te zdrano no [...]sio.

Depart in goddes name, & god the in safty keepe.

Hallu ti imam i dobrati nots bila.

Thankes vnto you I geue, and a haypy nyght haue you.

❀ The Lordes praier in the Sclauone toungue.

Nass otsse ki yessi na nebessi. Our Father whiche arte in heauen. Ssuhtisse tuoie ime. Kralyeusstuo Holowed be thy name. They kyngdome. pridi, tuoia olia budi na zemlij kako come, they will be done in earthe as it is na nebu. Dai na [...]ga danass nassega in heauen. Geue vnto vs this daye our ssagdaniga kruha, iodpusciainā nasse dughe daillye bredde, and forgeue vs oure debtes. kako mi odpuscianao nassiiw dusuikon, i as we doe forgeue our depters. and nepeliai nats u napast, da izbaui leade not vs into temptation, but deliuer nate od nepriazni, Amen. vs from euill.

Amen.

[Page]

The Salutation of the Angell.

ZDrano Mario puna milosti, gospidin Haile Marie full of grace, the Lorde is stobum, blasena ti meusenami, with the, blessed art thou amonge women, i blasen tsad tuoye vtrobe and blessed is the frute of thy wombe Iesus Kristus, Amen. Jesus Christe,

Amen.

❀ The Author vnto the Christian reader.

I Thought it good, most fauorable reader, heare to recite certaine woordes of Scaluone speche, yt thou mightest knowe by howe muche the Sclauone tonge, differeth from the Persian language, whiche is vsed by the Turkes. Ʋnderstand therfore that it is lawfull for all men, skilefull in that tounge, safelye to passe into Croatia Dalmatia, Russia VValachia, Seruia, Boeme, & Poole althoughe throughe distance of the prouinces, they differ not alitle in certaine wordes, and pronunciation, [Page] as the Italians frō the Spaigniar: des, and Germans from the Flemminges. Farther let not this be vnknowen to the, that the Russians and inhabitantes of Seruia do vse one lāguage in their deuine seruice. For they haue foure and thirty letters, not muche vnlike those of the Grecians▪ And likewise the Croatians, but their letters differ verye muche from the other in forme▪ howbeit in number and pronunciation thei ar like. And therfore it is impossible for vs, with English letters to vtter the trew pronunciation of their words. The Turkes conuersant in their kings courte, and confines of Scla [...] [...]ony do vse the same language.

Farevvell.

❧ The horrible acte, and wicked offence of Soltan Solimam Emperour of the Turkes, in murtheringe his eldest sonne Mustapha, the yeare of our Lorde. 1553.

[Page]

I Haue thought it a thinge conuenient, and necessarye for me purposing to make manifest by writing vnto the world so mischenous a déede, for the more full and perfecte demonstration therof, a litle to retire, and firste of all brefelye to tu [...]che the originall cause, & beginning of that vnnaturall acte. It is therfore to be vnderstanded, ye Soliman had begotten thys Mustapha on a certaine bondewoman, vnto whom euen from his childehoode he assygned the prouince of Amasia. Whether, after the contine wance of certaine monethes, he iorneyed, his mother him accūpanying, at what time, through his florishinge in youthelye yeares and [Page] vertue, he was thoughte, in ye opinion, & iudgement of al men, by some heauenly prouidence, to be geuen and sente vnto their countrye. This younge man being departed with his mother, the kynge in processe of tyme what rauyshed aboue measure with the be wtie of an other his cōcubines named Rosa: by whom he had foure menne children, and one woman. The finite had to name Machomet, and vnto him was geuen the prouince of Caramania. The seconde Baiasith, whyche helde the country of Magnesia. The third Selimus, vnto whome Machomet beynge dead, was assigned the prouince of Caramania. The fourth was sirnamed Iangir of the bunches, wher with he was both deformed before, & behinde in his backe, notwithstāding of a sharpe prudent and politike will. But the virgine was maried to one Rustanus a paschan. He after the slaughter of Hybrachimus obteined the dignitye of a Visier, whiche we may [Page] cal one of the chiefe councellers. But abusing that office with ye auerice in him naturally engraffed, he eyther renewed or cleane changed all the customes and orders, deminished the yearly stipendes of the souldiers, whiche they call Janischaries, enhaunsed the reuenews of the Captaines (paide by them vnto the Emperour) whiche are named Sangiackes, encreased sub [...]idies and tributes vppon the prouinces, and no lesse added a measure to the inordinate expenses of ye kinges house, applyinge his office to none other ende, then that he might heape vp for him selfe infinite treasures, by his colored and di [...]ceitfull pillage, by the whiche meanes, beinge estemed as a diligēt and profitable seruitour, he easely allured the kings fauour vnto him selfe: litle regardynge in the meane time, that he was enuied and hated of all other men. Duryng whiche space, Rosa, of whome we haue mencioned before, perceyuinge [Page] her selfe to be fauored and beloued of the kynge aboue the rest of his concubines, vnder a colour of religion minded to declare vnto ye Muchti, that in déed she was stirred of a godly desire and affectiō, and throughely purposed to build a temple, and erecte an hospitall, to receiue pilgrimes in the honour of the highe God, and his prophet Machomet, yet that shée had determined, not to attempte it with out his councell and aduise. wherfore she demaunded of him whether suche workes wolde be acceptable vnto God, and anye thinge auaile for the health of her soule▪ To whiche demaundes the Muchti aunswered, that the déedes woulde be vnto god moste gratefull, and althoughe not muche profitable for the safegarde of her soule, yet that they woulde bée a greate [...]urtherance vnto the kings soule, vnder whose dominion, & at whose commaundement were all her goodes, riches, and also (for shée was a bondewoman) her [Page] lyfe. With this aunswere, the woman semed, euery day one more thē an other, to be sadde, sorowfull, and disquieted in her minde, and so much that in the space of many daies she coulde not bée comforted. Of whiche anguishe & pēsiuenes, the kinge beyng certifyed, begane to solace her most curteouselye, affirminge that hée in shoorte space woulde finde a remedye, whereby at lenght shée shoulde enioy the long wished end of her desire, Wherfore incontinēt he made her frée, and thervpon confirmed his déed by such writinges (as amonge them it was accustomed to bée done) that from thence fourth she shoulde neuer be bounde vnto him againe. After obteining of this desired and louing fauour, Rosa with a great quantitie of treasure, departed to finishe the woorke before mencioned. Duringe which time the kyng (as aboue it is specified) baited, and as it were drowned, passinge all moderation, in an vnbrideled [Page] desyre and lust of Rosa, commaunded by a messanger that she should come vnto him. But the craftye and desceitfull woman, from whome no guile was hidden, subtillye willed the messanger, that he shoulde admonished his Lorde of honestye, and obseruinge the lawes: and that shée acknowleged her selfe no lenger to be bonde, but a fre woman, albeit in the meane season not to denye, hys kingely maiestye, at his arbiterment to haue the apointing and disposition both of her life and death: but concerning carnall copulation, that of all other thinges it coulde not be done, with out the committinge of a moste greuous sinne and offence. And least perhappes he myght thinke it to be a fable forged, and fained by her, that she was contented, and wold repose her selfe in all thinges to the iudgement of the Muchti. This repulse so stirred vp the inflamed hart of the kyng, that, all delaye set aparte, he commaunded [Page] the Muchti to be sent for vnto hym, and geuing him frée leaue to aunswere, asked, whether with out breakynge and violation of the lawes, he might carnallye ioyne with a bonde woman by hym made frée? wherunto the Muchti auneswered, that it was not lawfull, except he had first contracted lawful matrimony with her. But this difficultie so augmented the kinges affectiō, that blinded beyounde all measure with sensuall appetite, he consented in wedlocke too the frée woman. Wherfore the mariage robes, and other necessary prouision made ready, acordyng to their custome, he sente her fiue thousand Soltane ducates, vnder the name of a gift for their mariage, not with out the great admiration of all men, especially because it was contrary to the vsage and custome of the house of Ottomanno. For, to auoyde equalitie in the Empire, they neuer marye anye honest and lawfull wiues, but in their places, [Page] to satiffye their pleasures, and libidinous lustes (whervnto in moste vile & and filthy maner, they are subiecte, as boue all other nations) they haue rauished virgines frome all partes of the worlde, bewtifull and in fauour the most excellent, whom princesse like, and honorablelye, they nourishe in the kinges palaice (whiche of thē is called Sarai) bring them vp to serue for al vses and commodities, and instructe them in honest, and ciuill maners, with whome the kynges by course, as their pleasure shalbe, are wount to accompanyé. But if by chaūce any amonge them beyng begotten with childe of the king, shall afterward bring foorth and be deliuered, then she aboue all the reste is reuerenced and honored, and for a great dignitie and reputation, is therfore called Soltana. Those women after the birth of their childrē ar maried to great Lordes, paschans, and Sangiaches. But to retorne vnto our purpose of to [Page] this bonde woman latelye made frée so highelye aduaunced by the benefite of Fortune, yt she myght well be thought the chefest of all the women of Asia, and accompanyed with suche successe of felicitie, wherby she might satisfie all her ambitious endeuours and desires: this only thinge remained, that meanes and occasion might be founde, wherby Soliman beynge dead, the succession of the Empire, myght be translated vnto her only posteritie which purpose, the gentilmāly to wardnes of Mustapha so much hindered, a younge mane of a noble corage, and passynge witte, no lesse excelling in his coragious hart, thē in strenght by reason of ye multitude of his souldiers, whiche also throughe his magnanimity and fortitude was in wounderfull estimation with the souldyers, and for hys graue wisdome and vpright iustice, marueilously fauored of the people. All whiche commendable qualities in him, the [Page] crafty woman well considering, and priuely with Rustanus consultinge of that matter, for she knewe (as by the instinct of reason it is most probable) that Rustanus woulde rather desire his kinseman, and brother of his wife, to be aduaunced and setled in the Empire, then Mustapha with whom she knewe for a certaintye, that he was in most mortall hatred, and chefely because ther had fallen betwyne them great variance and strife. For from the beginning, whiles he went aboute to deminishe the pentions of others (as before we haue partly touched) he endeuored also, but in vaine, to detract a part of the stipend and reuenewes of Mustapha: wherby she sone coniectured, that so noble and stout a hart, if he shoulde bée aduaunced vnto the estate of the Empire, woulde not easelye burye in obliuion, so vnderserued an iniurye, in so muche ye Mustapha raigning, he thought by meanes of his forepassed lyfe, that not [Page] onely, he shoulde fall in danger of his office and dignitie, but also of his heade. All whiche lykelihodes to chaunce the malicious woman pondering in her pestilent minde, endeuored to kindle in the kynges thought no small suspitions of Mustapha, which were that he inflamed with desire to beare rule, hauinge his cō fidence in the fauour and beneuolence of all menne towardes him, and swellynge throughe the great armye of souldiers (of the whiche he hathe great plentye and abundance) lefte no other thinge to bée looked for at hys handes, then that shortlye he woulde affecte the Empire, and craftelye lye in waite to murther his Father. And whereby the better to conceale and clooke this matter, shée fitelye prouided all thinges to be attempted by Rustanus, whiche continually hadde the charge of weightie affaires about ye king neither were ther anye craftye meanes priuy vnto him, whiche he applied not [Page] for the destruction and accusemēt of the young men. For vnto as many as were sente for administration and gouerment of the prouince of Siria, he priuely tolde, as thoughe Mustapha was had in suspicien by his father, geuinge in charge to euery of them that they shoulde haue a diligent eye vnto the estate of Mustapha, and with out faile to certifie him by writinge of all suche matters as they bothe sawe & heard concerning his behauiour: craftely affirming, that the more odyous thinges, were writen by them of Mustapha, so muche the more they shoulde be in fauour and accepted of the kyng. Frō that day forewarde Rustanus beynge often certifyed by them, of the princelye excellency, wisdome, fortitude, magnanimitye, beneuolence, and liberalytye of Mustapha towardes all men, wherewith he hadde marueilouslye purchased vnto him the fauour of the multitude, and no lesse of the moste feruent desire, with the [Page] whiche all menne, for the most parte, semed to bée kindled, about election of him vnto the Empire: all thys notwithstanding, he not onely first dared to sowe the séede of so mischeuous a conspiracie, but also those letters deliuered vnto the vngratious woman, he lefte the reste to bée prosecuted by her pestiferous head. But Rosa seyng good opportunitie offred, for accomplyshinge of her detestable intent, thought neuer to leane of corrupting the kynges minde with effeminate allurementes, and Flatteringes (as she knew the wayes, few lyke vnto her) so that, if at any tyme mention shoulde be made of Mustapha, she woulde take a fitte occation of the time to oppen the letters.

And in déede shée was not deceiued of her expectation, for a conueniente season beyng awaited, she admonished the king not with out teares (as vnto women in fained matters they are at no time wantinge) of the perill and daunger wherevnto [Page] he was subiecte, rehearsing among other obiections, howe Selimus the kinges parent, had before at one time, by suche lyke meanes depriued his Father bothe of his kingdome and lyfe: wherefore she earnestlye entreated him by example of other to take diligent care for him selfe. But these argumentes of suspicion, at the firste sight, semed not in euery behalfe so probable vnto the king, whereby it came to passe, that by those assayes, the cursed woman litle profited. Whyche perceiuynge in her enuiouse harte, after tracte of certaine monethes, she directed her malitious thoughtes vn▪to other disceites, sekynge opportunitye by all mannes possible, to distroye the younge manne wyth poison. Neyther were ther wantinge bloudsheders, and most detestable menne, prompt and ready to accomplishe vilanouslye all heynous actes, least by celestiall prouidenc [...] shée might haue applyed her selfe to s [...] [Page] horrible a dede. wherfore he first touched not the venimed robes, sent vnto him, by this woman, vnder the name of hys Father, vntill an other hadde bene clad with the same: by whiche prouident wisdome, he preuented the vndeserned mischefes of his vnnaturall stepmother, and openlye, in the sight of all menne made manifeste the poison. Howbeit the adulterous harlot yet ceased not to imagine againste him freshe and newe wiles, for she wēt about (beyng boldened throughe the amourous drynkes, with the whiche by the héelpe of a bewtifull woman, a Juishe enchauntrisse, shée hadde so allured the kinges minde, that euerye daye riche presentes, and the successe of diuers requestes, wer vnto her daily, more and more promised by the kynge) to get her selfe suche beneuolence and familiarytie, as neuer any béefore hadde obteined in the princely palaice of Ottomāno: for shée desired, that by course her children [Page] might he conuersant in the royall houses of their Father, whyche was because by their continewall presence, and daily faire flatteringes, thei might more and more entice vnto them his Fatherlye loue, and if throughe some fortunat chaunce, Mustapha shoulde also come, shée might gette a more conuenient occation to oppresse him: if not, to expecte the time to kill hym by messangers.

But Mustapha in déede not comminge (for the kynges sonnes haue not accustomed, their father not wittinge of hit, to depart out of the prouinces assigned vnto them, and repaire to Constantinople, except their father beyng dead, they come accompanied with a great number of souldiers, to take possession of the Empire) she hadde soone in redines an other mischefe. For the request whyche was desired, beynge obteyned, shée brought to passe, that not onlye in the cytye, but in the prouinces also her children folowed [Page] the kynge their Father yea Giangis difformed with bunches accompained his father remaining in the cāpe. But the forged inuention of this wicked steppe mother standynge in doubte the space of certaine yeares, fortune at lēght minding to fauer those cursed iutentes of the woman, brought suspicious letters from the Paschan (for euery of the kings sonnes is wount to haue with hym one Paschan, whiche is suche a one, as occupieth the rome of him, that geueth aunswere vnto the people concernynge the lawe, and ministreth councell about warrelyke affaires, with a teacher by whom he is trained vp in good letters, and princelye behauiour) whyche was constituted ouersear of the regiment of Mustapha, and gouernynge of the prouince of Amasia: in the whych was conteined, a mariage to be in handeling betwine Mustapha and a daughter of the kynge of Persia, and that he therfore referred [Page] the matter vnto the sacred gate, because that if anye misfortune shoulde chaunce therof, he might be counted frée from al suspition. These letters brought vnto Rustanus, he thought that at lenght he shoulde bringe the long hoped ruine, and destruction of Mustapha to a desired ende. And makynge no longer delaye, with spede he declared al the whole matter to Rosa, and soone after bothe conueyinge them selues into the palaice, they reuealed the state therof before the kinge. In the whyche cause, whereby to drowne the kynges minde, yet staggeringe, and full of doubtes, in their ambiguouse suspicious, they applied all their wilye disceites, sayinge: that Mustapha, as an ambitions person, to bée kindled, and sette on fire, with a furious rage of the minde, contrarye to all heauenly and humaine lawes, throughe desire of obteinynge soo noble an Empire: to conspire also against his fathers death: and [Page] wherby a greater confidence myght bée geuen to their crafty imaginations, they put the kinge in remembrance of the aliance contracted by Mustapha with the persians, most auncient and deadly enemies to the of springe of Ottomanno, and therefore he ought narowely to sée vnto hym selfe, lest, to persian strenght ioyned to the Sangiaches and Ianischaries, whose fauoux Mustapha longe sence had wonne by his liberalitie, in short space, he shoulde bereue his father both of lyfe and kingedome with these and such like accusations, they brought the troubled minde of the olde manne to suche passe, that he fullye purposed to prouide for safegarde of his owne estate, by death of his sonne, after this maner. In the yeare of our lorde God a thousande fiue hundred fiftye and twoe, he caused with all diligence and celerytie, throughe out, for the moste parte, all his prouinces, to bée proclaimed, the Persians, departed out [Page] of their coastes, to haue inuaded Siria wt a great Oste of armed men, ouerthrowē cityes, lead awaye the people captiue, and, no mane resistyng them, spoiled all the countrye with fire and swoorde, whiche so bolde an enterprisse, and desperat acte to repell, that he was constrained, to sende thither Rustanus with an, army. Certaine bandes of souldiers therefore beynge gathered together, he priuelye committed thē to Rustanus, that as secretlye as it might be, and without all tumulte, he shoulde laye handes or Mustapha, and bringe him bounde vnto Constantinople, but if he coulde not commodiouslye bringe it to passe, that then by one meanes or other, he shoulde cause him to be murthered. This vnnaturall and beastelye commaundement of a father being receiued, Rustanus guarded wt a mightye Oste of souldiers, marchethe towarde Ciria. Whither, when he was come, Mustapha certified of his ariual, [Page] all lingrirg set a part, iorneyed towardes Siria, accompained with seuen thousand of the most valiant and best apointed souldiers throughe out all Turkeye. Wherof Rustanus hauing intelligence, and seyng that he could not, according to his intēt, accomplish the wicked cōmaū dement, of his most cruell & vnkinde father, with out longer tarying begane to flye, and, retiring made hast with his army to Constantinople again, & with such spede, that he dared not to sée the duste, raysed in the aire by the horsemene of Mustapha, muche léesse too abyde hys commynge. Beynge retorned therfore wythe hys companye of souldiers, he perswaded all menne, to haue founde the prouince quiet and in safegarde. But at lenght opened vnto the kynge in secret the cause of hys retorne: addynge that he had senne by moste manifest signes and coniectures, the mindes of all the whole armye, to be meruellouslye enclined to [Page] the fauour of Mustapha and yt he thought it not good, in so daungerous a busines to attempt the matter by open warre: for whiche cause he referred the decydynge therof vnto the wisdome of hys maiestye This relation encreased newe and no small suspicion in hys vncurteouse and bloudshedynge father, and in no pointe degenerating from the engraffed crueltye of his auncestours, from whiche too deliuer him selfe, in his wicked thought he throughely determined, wherefore in the yeare next folowyng, he commaunded a mightye oste to be gathered to gether, signifying that the Persians hadde inuaded Siria with a more huger armye then before: and that he forced for a publike safegard, hadde determined thither to leade the Oste in his propre person, and resiste the intētes of their enemies. The souldiers therfore gathered to gether all most at a beckning, and necessarye prouision generally ordeined for the [Page] warre, commaundement beynge geuen to sette forwarde, after fewe dayes the bloud suckyng father dothe folowe hys armye. Whiche when he was ariued in Siria, fourthe with charged Mustapha, to repaire vnto him at Alepes (for ther he had pitched his tētes. But in the meane space Solimam was not so able to conceale, by outwarde aparance, (althoughe diligent regarde was applied thervnto) the detestable and deadlye hatred, which in his harte he had conceiued towardes his sonne, but that it came to the euident perseuerance of the Paschans, and other men of greater dignitye about him.

Throughe the whych one Acmat a pascha secretly warned Mustapha by a messenger, that he shoulde haue a more carefull regarde vnto his lyfe and saflye.

And in deede Mustapha thought it not vnworthy to be marueled at, ye hys Father with out any probable reason, shold thither resort with so great an armye of [Page] souldiers, howbeit trustynge to his innocencye extremely vexed with anguish and perturbation of minde, he fully purposed to satiffye and obeye, (althoughe with no small perill of his lyfe) hys fathers cōmaundementes. For he thought it to be more honest and laudable, by obeyinge his father to incurre death, then by liuynge to fall into the crime of disobedience. But weyinge, in this so great sorowe and heauines, many cogitations in his minde, at lenght constantlye and with out tremblinge, he demaunded of his teacher, whome (as before wée haue mencioned) he had alwayes with hym, in his courte, whether on empire of the whole worlde, or a blissed lyfe, were rather to be wished for by a man? vnto whō the doctor frely aunswered, that ye Empire of this worlde, vnto a man throughlye considerynge it, doth brynge no felicitye, but vnder a vaine and colored apearence of the trewe goodnes, for then [Page] that, their is nothynge more vnstable, and lesse assured: in as muche as it is wont to brynge with it selfe, méere sorowe, perplexitye of minde, tribulation, suspicions, manslaughter, feare▪ vngodlines, vniuste dealinges, ruine, captiuitye, spoilinge, with diuers other kindes of mischefe, neuer too bée wished by such a one, as is desirons to attayne vnto the trewe blissednes, by the whyche doutles a happye lyfe shoulde bée loste and not wonne, but vnto whome bée geuen, depelye to weye and consider the vnstabilitye and shortnes of this our fragile estate, whyche the common sorte estemeth to be the trewe felicite, and striue againste the vanityes of this worlde, and imbrace honestye, that no doubte for them, ther was a place assygned and prepared in heauen by the highe God, wher they [...]shoulde geue the fruition of perpetuall ioye, and a blessed lyfe. With thys aunswere of the Doctor, the young [Page] mans minde beynge marueilously troubled, as it were after a sorte, by a presagement of hys deathe, it is throughelye purposed, he sayde, and abidyng no long communication, incontinent directed his iorneye towardes hys bloude thirstynge Father, and not farre from hym, pitched his tentes in the plaine felde. But this soo hastye commynge of Mustapha, kyn [...]led a greater suspicion in hys wicked Father, and in the meane time Rustanus ceased not, in that behalfe to augment and encrease thys suspicion with hys moste leude lyes, and dissemblynge deuises, for geuynge a sygne, he encoraged the Janischaries, and other the chefest souldiers of the armye, to goe fourth and mete Mustapha. And farther prolonging sette a syde, euerye one moste spede [...]ye executed hys commandementes, prouided and furnished hym selfe for the iorneye. After that the moste disceitfull villaine shewinge fourthe (as he knewe [Page] exceadyngelye to faine) a disdainefulnes in hys countenance, conueyed streyght waye hym selfe into the kynges tente, moste impudentlye affirming [...], that all the principall souldiers, for the moste parte, were departed of their owne accorde, and without any biddinge, to receyue and méete Mustapha. Whyche beynge heard, the kynge, throughe vexations of hys minde, beganne too were pale, and goynge out of hys tente, soone perswaded him selfe, that the woordes were trewe whyche had bene spoken by Rustanus. And there wanted not vnto Mustapha prodigious visions of his vnfortunate chaunce to com. For the thirde daye béefore he shoulde make ready him selfe for the iourneye, slepyng about the twye light of the daye, he semed to haue seene Machomet appareled with glisteringe robes, takyng him by the hande, to bringe him vnto a certaine place moste delectable, granished with exquisite and [Page] gorgiouse palaices, and enuironed with a most pleasant garden, whiche pointing to euerye thynge with his finger, spake to hym in this maner: sayinge, here perpetually do rest as many as in the world, haue leaden a godlye and vpryght lyfe, with suche as haue bene mainteiners of the lawes and rightuousnes, and equitie and reprouers of synne and vices. After that turnyng his face on the other syde, to haue beholden two brode and moste swifte riuers, whereof the one to séethe with water more blacke then any pitche, and great number to bée drowned therin, the reste to appeare aboue the water, cryinge for mercye with a most horrible voice: and in this place, he sayd, are tormēted such as malitiously haue wrought iniquitie, remaininge vnder the waueringenes of hys fickle life. And the greatest parte of them he affirmed to be Emperours, kynge, princes, and other suche great potentates of the worlde. Whiche [Page] being finished, Mustapha broken out of his slepe & vision, commaunded the Doctor to be sent for, & opened vnto him the whole course of his dreame. But he musing ther vpō a long space, (for the supersticious Machometists do attribute very much vnto ye doting to yes of dreames) replenished with sorow & pensifenes, in the & aunswered, that the vision was to be feared, as one whych foreshwed vnto hym great perill of hys lyfe. Wherfore he councelled hym to haue especiall regarde of his healthe and dignitye. But Mustapha, as he was endewed withe magnanimitye and fortitude, hauynge no respecte to hys awneswere, stow [...]lye replied, sayinge, shal I suffer my selfe to bee made a fearde, and vanquished, with friuolous and childishe feare? whi rather doe I not make hast with a constant and vnwauering corage, to go towardes my Father, and so much the bolder, because I knowe moste certainelye, that I haue [Page] alwayes so duelye reuerenced (as it béecommed me) his maiestye, that hée vnwillinge thervnto, I neuer turned mine eyes towardes his roiall seate, muche lesse my féete, but least of all mynded to affecte the Empire: except the especiall fauour of the highe God, had called hym awaye vnto a better lyfe, and not then also withou [...]e the frée and publike election of the whole Oste, that at length, with out all slaughter, bludsheding, and crueltye, I might raigne after a godlye sorte iustelye, and kéepe inuiolated the Frendeshippe of my brethren. For I haue purposed with my selfe, and rather chosen, sins that my Fathers will and pleasure dothe so require, by dwe obedience to ende my lyfe, then raignyng manye yeares, to be reputed of all men, but chiefely by mine aduersaries, as a rebell. This communication finished, Mustapha apparaleth hym selfe in whit robes, putteth certaine letters in his bosome, [Page] whyche the Turkes mindinge to goe any where, ar wont alwayes to carye with them, (for in supersticious ceremonies they dote verye muche,) and so sette forwarde towardes his Fathers campe, and (as we haue sayde (pitched Pauilyons: this at length accompained with certaine of hys trustye frendes, he directed hys iorneye to the tente of hys wicked Father, mindinge with great reuerence (as the customes amonge them required) to kysse his parentes handes.

But when he came to the first entrance therof, remembryng him selfe to be girded with a dagger, he entred not in before he hadde layed downe the same, because he woulde not be séene to come armed in his fathers presence, and to remoue far from him all suspicion. Being entred the iuner partes of the t [...]nte, he was receiued ioyfullye enoughe & with suche reuerence as ought to bée required, by the Evnuches of his Father. [Page] But seing but one seate prepared wherin he alone should sitte▪ replenished with care, he stede still a good space musinge with him selfe, and at lenght demaunded where the Kynge was. When the standers by hadde aunswered, that he shoulde incontinent behold him, he sawe frome the other syde seuen dumbe men to come towardes him, (whom the Emperour of Turkye is accostomed to haue about him, as partakers of his secretes, and redye wickedlye to accomplishe all kyndes of murther, and heynous actes) wherwith beyng stroken with feare and terror, beholde my deathe, he sayde, and risynge, contented to flye awaye, but in vaine, for apprehended by the Evnuches and kepers, he was drawen by force vnto the appointed place of hys vnhappye chaunce, and with out anye longer delaye, the dumbe men quickly bounde the stringe of a bowe aboute his necke, the miserable younge man struggeling, and [Page] humbly desiringe that he might bée permitted to speake but two onely woordes vnto his father, whiche beastlye and vnnaturall manquellour, that, from an other side of the tente behelde that lamē table sight, rebuked them with a thundrynge crewell voice, saying: what not yet at lenght, will you execute my commaundementes? and kil this traiter whiche by the space of tenne yeares hath not suffred me to take one quiet nights rest? whose so sharpe, fearce, and imperious wordes beyng hearde, the Evnuches by helpe of the dumbe men, threwe the miserable wretche to the grounde, and the stringe bounde about his necke, drawen from eyther his sides, they strangled the most vnhappye sone, by commaundemēt of his vnkynde Father. This horrible & pitifull murther in such sorte dispatched, sone after by assignemēt of the king, was taken the Paschan of the prouince of A masia, and beheaded in the kynges presence, [Page] whyche accomplyshed, he sent for the bunched Giangir, ignorant of suche happes as were befallen, and iestinge as thoughe he hadde done a thinge worthy prayse and commendation, he bidde hym to go and receiue his brother Mustapha. Then Giangir with a ioyfull and merye hart made haste, thinkyng to haue mette wyth his brother. But when he came vnto the place, and vnhappye strangled brother, and beheld him yinge one the earthe, it is impossible to bée declared, with what griping gryfes he was pricked at the harte. And scarse was he yet come thyther, whē hys malitious father, sente after hym messangers, whyche in his name, shoulde offer vnto him all the treasure of Mustapha, his horses, tentes, seruantes, robes, ornamentes, and besides that the prouince of Amasia. But Giangir replenished with extreme sorow and pensifenes, for the pitifull deathe of hys dearest beloued brother, powrynge [Page] out plentye of teares, spake in thys maner: Out vppon the, O defestable and wicked dogge: Otraiter, I wil not name the Father, thou thy selfe nowe enioye the treasures, horses, ornamentes, & prouince of Mustapha. Coulde ther any such thinge take place, in that fearce vngodly and mischeuous minde of thyne, as too murther so noble, warlyke, and sonne of suche a towardes, whose lyke the house of Ottomanno hadde neuer vntill thys daye, neyther shall in time to come, and that withe out all respecte of humanytye or ryght of bloudde? I will beware therfore, least heereafter, thou triumphe in lyke maner, bragge soo vnshamefastlye ouer me poore bunched miser. Hauinge in this sorte tragicallye lamented, and takyng in hande his dagger, wherwith hée was girded, he thruste it throughe his inwarde boweles, and so sodainlye gaue vp the ghouste. Whiche déede whē it cam vnto the Emperours hering, [Page] a hard matter it was to speake, what vexations griped him at the hart. Howbeit so great anguishe and sorowe ouercame not his couetous minde, for incontinent he commaunded all the riche treasures of Mustapha to be brought into hys tentes. But the souldiers thinkynge that all his substance was graunted and geuen for a praye, made earnest spede with prompt and readye mindes to performe the kynges hostes. Durynge which time the souldiers of Mustapha remaining in the campe, ignorante of that whyche had befallen to their Lorde and gouernour, seynge so great a bande of souldiers, to come rushe on, with out al order of war, wherby to repell & driue of their tumultuous insolence, came armed agaynste them, and soo manfullye brake theyr force, not with out slaughter of a great number on their syde. As soone as ye rumor of this tragedye was brought vnto the kyngs souldiers, perceiuing the hurlye [Page] burlye more and more to kyndle and encrease, determined to helpe their companions: and so at lenght proclamation made vnto armour, a blouddye cumbate was fought on bothe sydes, in so muche that in short space wer slaine aboue two thousande men, and manye other wounded: and the tragedye had gone farther, if one Achmat a Paschan, a manne moste graue, and for his vertuous exploites, of no small reputation amonge the souldiers, had driuē backe the Janischaries, and apeased their rage, turnynge hym selfe also towardes the souldiers of Mustapha, and mitigated with gentill wordes and exhortations their stirred mindes, saynge: what will you nowe deare brethren and louyng frendes, degenerating frō that wisdom throughe the whiche, in so many ages you haue bene praised and highelye commended, go against and withstande the commaundementes of the great Soltan our Emperour? I [Page] can not (as God shoulde loue me) maruell enoughe, what hath soo inflamed your harts, whom I hethervnto haue alowed as mostvaliant & renowmed souldiers, as in this ciuill conflicte, to str [...]tche fourth these wepons againste your owne fellowes, whiche with suche prosperours successe, and good fortune, you haue vsed vpon the enemies of the house of Ottomanna, and to represent suche a spectakle vnto your aduersaries, yt they, by whose ryght hande they lament them selues, vanquished, shoulde now reioyse for their mutual destruction and slaughter. Therfore my sonnes haue diligent regarde, for your magnanimities sake, lest by this your rashe insolency, you lese that wisdome and fortitude, wherby vnto this daye aboue all other men you haue bene extolled, and reserue these wéepons, which to much you haue exercised agaynst your owne selues, for your enemies, when a better occatien, and more [Page] prayse woorthy shalbe ministred. With this and suche lyke sainges, Achmat the Paschan aswaged the kyndled corages of the souldiers, so that they suffred all thinges peaceablely to bée caried out of the tentes of Mustapha vnto the kynge. But when the death of Mustapha came to the Janischaries & eares of the whole Hoste, a freshe sedition began amonge them. Euerye one cried vnto armour agayne, and makyng a terrible noyse, by reason of their teares and wepinges, as they were this in a ragyng and furious minde, came violentlye rushynge withe great tumulte and drawen swordes, into the kinges tente. But this renewed conspiracye, broug [...]t suche tremblynge into the kynges minde, that destitute of all councell, he woulde haue taken flight, with no small daunger of his head. How beit beynge helde by his seruantes, and takynge occation of necessyty, he purposed to attempt the thyng, whiche in saftye, [Page] he neuer thought to haue done, and entringe out of the doores, spake in thys sort (but with a pale countenance) vnto the soudiers: what rumor, noyse, rufling, and insolencye is this, wherwith so rasshelye you haue disquieted my minde? What doe this furious, inflamed, and irefull visages signifie? Wil you not cal to remēbrance that I am he which hathe the powre to rule & gouerne you? Haue you determined to blotte your warrlyke prowes, and the martiall feates of your auncestours, by shedynge the bloudde of your kynge and Emperour? Vnto the kynge speaking in this maner, stoutlye aunswered the souldiers: that they in dede confessed him to be the same, whom manye yeares sence they hadde elected, but in that they hadde by their coragious mankynes conquered him so large an Empire, and defended the same, for thys occation to be done, because he shoulde raygne vprightlye, minister iustice, and [Page] not without regarde to laye hys handes one euery iuste person, and wickedlye too embrwe him selfe in the bloud of Innocentes. And that in defence of an vpright quarell, they were come armed, and prouoked to reuenge the deathe of giltles Mustapha, neyther the kyng to haue any resonable cause, whereby to bée stirred with displeasure against them. Their desire therfore was, that, wherby to purge them selues openly of the crime of traiters, of the whiche they were falsely accused by ye aduersaries of Mustapha, the accuser should come fourthe in the middest, & that they woulde not laye downe their armour, beefore he had personallye apeared in iudgemente, and beginne his accusation, as the lawe required, vppon paine of lyke punishement. Duringe the time that these thinges should he donne, the horrour of that heynou [...] acte, prouoked them all to wepyng, in so much that the kynge semed to repent hym of that [Page] cruell, detestable, and beastlye killing of his sōue. Then the kinge promised vnto the souldiers, with gentill woordes, the successe of their demaundes, and endeuored, as muche as he coulde, to pacifye their inflamed minds. But in the mean time the souldiers, lest the kynge should craftelye haue escaped, and disapointed them of his promises, and the expectatiō of suche thinges as they had requested, remained all of sette purpose, with diligent care to kepe the watche and warde, After that the kyng cleane depriued Rustanus of all his dignities, toke from him the kynges ringe, wherof he hadde bene keper, and deliuered it to Achmat the paschan. But Rustanus brokē with feare and trembling, seynge hym selfe scarse voyde of daunger in hys owne tentes, fludde priuely vnto the pauilious of Achmat the paschan, and consulted with him what were best to be done in soo doutfull and perilous a busines, whiche aunswered, [Page] that therin he should vse the aduise of the kynge, and obeye what so euer by him should be commaunded. These wordes greatly contented the mynde of Rustanus, and makyng no long delay, asked councell of the kyng concernyng all hys minde, by messangers, his trusty and familiar frendes. But aunswere being geuen, that, al lingring set a part, he should absent him selfe, most spedely from the kinges sight and pauilions: he replied, that it coulde not conueniently be done, with out money & pauilions, vnto whom the king againe aunswered, that neither time, place, or longer delay to take commodious opportunitie, by anye meanes shoulde be graunted▪ Then Rustanus at length, with out longer taryinge, giltye enoughe vnto him selfe, of his misceuous committed dedes, accōpained with eight of his most faithfull frendes directed his iorney towardes Constantinople, and with spedy pace (as feare is accustomed [Page] to minister wynges) in the ende came thyther, and there with Rosa, and manye other confederates vnto that conspiracye, expecteth the euente of his fortune, not with out great iepardye of lesinge his head. The rumor went that Soliman also, giltye vnto him selfe of so outragious a murther, was pricked with a supersticious repentance, to goe vnto Mecha, and takyng his iorney, beyng cō pelled by the Persian powre, from thése to spede him selfe vnto Ierusalem, ther to offer sacrifice (called in ye language Corban) for his disceased son. And this much (once to make an ende) came to my remembrance, to declare, or rather geue admonishement of Mustapha, yt he was, for his warrelyke prowes, and prompt minde to shedde christian bloud, so fauored of all menne, that they maye thynke neuer anye to haue sprongen out of the linage of Ottomanno, whyche woulde haue promised so muche concerning enlargemēt [Page] of their empire, so that among them of dispared maters is rysen thys prouerbe Gietti Soltan Mustapha, wherby they would signifie, that of their first purposed intent their labour to be lost, or in vaine. We oughht therfore to reioyce one with eche other, for the deathe of so fearce, cruell and deadly an enemye, and thinke, that it came not to passe with out the prouidence of God, whyche in that behalfe was minded to prouide for our saftye and sauegarde. Finallye, lette vs once at length, take diligent care for our selues, that we maye absteine from ciuil warres and dissentions, thynkynge, that we ought to goe againste (euery manne addynge his helpinge hande) this common enemy, not only of our natiue countrye and liues, but also vnto our soules. Whyche if we doe, it shall not bée harde to driue from vs this mortall aduersarye vnto the name of christianitie, if otherwyse, it wilbe daungerous, leaste, (wee [Page] beyng occupied about hatefull conspiracies amonge our selues) endeuour to inuade, wast, and spoile with his tyrannye that part of Europe that yet remaine the vnto vs vnperished, whyche the almightye and omnipotent God forbidde, and reduce ds vnto concorde and vnitie for his sonne IESVS Christes sake our Sauiour and redemer

AMEN.

§

§

❧ Imprinted at London in Fletestrete, nere to S. Dunstons Churche by Thomas Marshe▪ ❀

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The ofspring of the house of Ottomanno and officers pertaining to the greate Turkes court. Whereunto is added Bartholomeus Georgieuiz Epitome, of the customes rytes, ceremonies, and religion of the Turkes: with the miserbale affliction of those Christians, whiche liue vnder their captiuitie and bondage. In the ende also is adioyned the maner hovv Mustapha, oldest sonne of Soltan Soliman, twelfth Emperour of the Turkes, was murthered by his father, in the yere of our Lorde 1553. al Englished by Hugh Goughe.

Georgijević, Bartolomej, d. ca. 1566.

Edition statement

1569

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01618

ID [STC]

STC 11746

ID [STC]

ESTC S108633

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99844290

ID [PROQUEST]

99844290

ID [VID]

9087

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01618)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 9087)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 544:10)

Source

— The ofspring of the house of Ottomanno and officers pertaining to the greate Turkes court. Whereunto is added Bartholomeus Georgieuiz Epitome, of the customes rytes, ceremonies, and religion of the Turkes: with the miserbale affliction of those Christians, whiche liue vnder their captiuitie and bondage. In the ende also is adioyned the maner hovv Mustapha, oldest sonne of Soltan Soliman, twelfth Emperour of the Turkes, was murthered by his father, in the yere of our Lorde 1553. al Englished by Hugh Goughe., Georgijević, Bartolomej, d. ca. 1566., Gough, Hugh, fl. 1569..

Extent

[184] p.

In Fletestreate, neare vnto saint Dunstones church by Thomas Marshe,. Imprinted at London :: [1569?]. (A translation, by Hugh Gough, from the original Latin by Bartolomej Georgijević.) (Publication date conjectured by STC.) ("The Turkishe rites and ceremonies" and "The horrible acte, and wicked offence of Soltan Soliman Emperour of the Turkes, in murtheringe his eldest sonne Mustapha, the yeare of our Lorde. 1553" have caption titles.) (Signatures: A-L m4(M4 is a blank).) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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