Chap. 1.

ABout the end of the yeere of our Lord 1550. 1550. The Lorde of Aramont sent Ambassadour from the king of Fraunce to Soliman Em­perour of the Turkes. The Lord of Aramont (a wyse & vertuous Gentleman,) after he had for many yeeres bin Ambassadour for the most Christian kings, Frauncis the first of that name, and Henrie the 2. towardes Soliman Emperour of the Turkes, about certain affaires greatly importing his charge▪ was by the said Soliman sent backe into Fraunce, and departing frō the citie of Constantinople aunciently called Bi­zance, and of the Turks Stambolda, The voiage by land from Cō ­stantinople to Ragusa. hauing trauayled through the countries of Thracia, Macedonia & Bulgaria, and surmoun­ted the height and sharpnesse of the mount Rhodope vulgarly called the mountes of siluer, because of the siluer mynes that there are found, and passed Morannia, Bossina and Seruia, whi­che by the auncients was called Mysia differing from those whi­che are in Asia came to Ragusa in times past called Epidauia, a citie in Dalmatia most rich and famous, cituated vpon the Sea Adriatique & gouerned in common wealth as hereafter in his place shalbe declared. Nauigation from Ragusa to Venice. From thence inbarking himselfe in a Bri­gantin, passed along by the Goulphe Adriatique & the coasts [Page] of Dalmatia, Iourney from Venice to the city of Blois. Slauonia, & the Ile of Istria, vnto the cytie of Ve­nice: afterwardes taking his iourney by land towardes Pado­a, Vincence, Veronne, Bresse, & other towns of the Seigniorie of Venice, of the Grisons, & Switsers, arriued in the end at Ly­ons: and from thence to Roane, where hee imbarked vppon the riuer of Loyre, repayred to the king beyng in the citie of Blois, where his maister did receyue hym with all royall huma­nitie, and hauing well, and at large vnderstanded the procee­dinges in his charge, and the cause of his comming, often put­ting the same to the deliberation of his counsell, his returne was finallye concluded and resolued, and that for the more suretie of his voyage, he shoulde returne by Sea. To which in­tent and in consideration of his vertue and seruice (hauing al­ready honourably endued him with the estate of a Gentleman ordinarie of his chamber, The Lorde of Arramōt made gentleman or­dinarye of the kings chamber and captain of two gallies.) hee gaue vnto hym two Gallies of the best and best furnished that were within the hauē of Mar­seillie, & ordayned the knight of Seur, (a man of great experi­ence and excellent iudgement) to accompany him with his gal­liot well appointed: The king cō ­maundeth the author of this booke to goe with the Am­bassadour into Leuant. and I (for certaine causes) was by his ma­iestie expressely commaunded to assist him in all places during his voyage.

Chap. i [...].

THE sayde Lorde of Arramount thus beeyng dispatched with all thinges necessary for his voyage, The departure of the Lord of Arramont frō the court to re­turne on hys Ambassadge in to Leuant in anno 1551. hauing taken his leaue of his maiestie, and of all the Princes and Lordes of hys counsell, we departed from Hoyron (a house in Poytou moste faire and stately, belonging vnto Monsieur de Boissij, Knyght of the order, and greate maister of his Maiesties horse) about the last of May 1551. and in fewe dayes after beyng come to Lyons, we embarked vpon the Rhone, a riuer being one of the swiftest of al Europe, The Ladye of Arramont re­ceyueth the Ambassadour her husband at Auignion. to go downe into Auignion, where my La­dy of Aramount of most feruent desire and singuler affection [Page 2] was attending her husbande: as hauing byn depriued of his presence more then tenne yeeres. And there being arriued he was of her receyued wyth incredible ioye and contentation, as also of the Gentlemen and Ladies dwelling within the Citie and thereaboutes, his kinsmen and Allies, who all came to visite and bidde him welcome. Afterwardes about the ende of the fifteenth daye, after wee had rested ourselues, the Am­bassadour being mindfully bent to his charge, hauing sette an order in his housholde affaires, and taken his leaue of all par­ties, sent downe his traine by water: & himselfe went by land, accompanied with his kinsfolke, & certain Gentlemen went to visit the countie of Tende, gouernor & Lieuetenant general for the king in Prouince at his house at Marignane: & the day folo­wing they both arriued at Marseillie: & were lodged in the kings lodging, where within few dayes after, the Ambassador was takē with a grieuous sickenes, which persecuted him so vi­olētly, that men dispayred of his life. The Ambassa­dour fell into an extreame sicknes at Marseille. He recouereth his health. Notwithstāding he was so diligently tended & succoured of God & men, that before the captain Coste his Lieuetenant had giuen order for the ful rig­ging of his gallies, & the knight de la Seure, his Galliot, he reco­uered his health: so as the iiii. day of the moneth of Iulie in the yeere before specified, about euensong time the Ambassadour & his cōpany imbarked in his gallies. The ankers being weied, by force of oares we went to the yle of If, distant frō Marseillye one mile at the fortresse wherof my Lord the county of Tende accompanied with the great prior of Rome, the Lord of Carses, the captain Marse, & captain Pier bon, captain of the said for­tresse, & diuers other captaines, gentlemen & souldiers, & with xv. gallies: & there caused a supper to be prepared. And after the table was takē vp, and leaue taken of both parties, the said countie with his companie returned to Marseillie: & we about the first watch sayled straight towards the port of Carry, beyng distant frō the yle of If xij. miles, Port of Carry▪ at which place we made pro­uision of fresh water for our gallies, and reuiewe of the Gentle­men, souldiers and other of our company: the principal wherof were the afore named Knight de Seure, with his Galliot; The Lorde of Monteuand Daulphinois a manne at armes [Page] of the company of the saide countie of Tende with a frigat to accompany vs and to bring backe newes from vs. The Captayn Coste Lieuetenant of the Ambassadours gallies, a nephew of his called Erasme, The Lord of S. Veran, brother vnto my Lady of Arramont; The young Baron of London, and the Lord Fle [...]ri, both nephewes to the Ambassador, the knight of Magliane: the Lord of Corignac, chamberlaine ordinary vnto the king, who for his very long voyages and trauailes in the kings affaires in Leuant, was after the said Lord of Arramont, made chiefe Am­bassadour, (but notwithstanding afterwards, cleane forgetting the honour and good which he had receiued of the king his so­ueraine Lord, Ingratitude mother of al vices. and the crowne of Fraunce, contrary to that whi­che duty & fidelity commanded him, went ouer to the king of Spayne:) The Lord of Vilrailh also chamberlaine ordinary vnto the king, a gentleman learned and of singuler experience: who for that he had the duitch tongue, besides the Latine and other languages very familiarly, hath since diuers times vnder the reigne and commandement of king Henrie, byn very honora­bly and happily imploied in great and honorable affaires tow­ards the Princes and Potentates of Germanie & the holy em­pyre: Three gentlemen of Gascoignie being brethren called Iu­euses: the Lord of Saint Marie: the Lord De la motte otherwise called Chasteau Regnaud: the captaines la castelle Barges, and Bartolome de Auignon, Guiliam de Grantrie, nephew of Mon­sieur de Laubespine presently elected and sent to Constantino­ple as other Ambassadors: a nephew of mine called Claude de Bayard, and diuers other of whom for auoyding of prolixity I leaue to speake. The reuiewe being thus made, and hauing re­turned on shore certaine vnfit eaters: our ankers being weyed, and our sailes displayed, we sayled along by East and by North towardes the North of the cape De creo in Cathalonia which the Spaniardes call Capo de Creuses: Cape de Creo. and after hauing passed Grece & Tramontane, sailed through the Spanish Seas towards the Iles Baleares, so aunciently called: but by the modernes Maiorque and Minorque, whereof passing forwarde wee will make some more description.

Chap. 3.

THE yles Baleares, Description of the Iles Balea­res. (whiche were so called and deriued out of the name of Balee, cōpanion vnto Hercules) althogh the Grecians haue named them Gimnesie, & Diodore Gim­naisis: yet are they vulgarely by the Mariners called Maiorque and Minorque, being situated in the Spanishe or Beleare Sea, according to the name of the saide ylandes. The inhabitaunts whereof (as Vegece writeth) were the first inuenters of casting with the sling. Vigece saith the inhabitātes of this Ile to haue been the first inuentors of casting with the sling. Maiorque, after the opinion of Bordon in his I­solarie conteineth in circuite 480. myles, although the mary­ners now adayes doe ascribe vnto it but 200▪ and in breadth 100. about whiche Iles there are certaine shelues, wherof the one which lyeth towardes the South, is called Cabrera, & the other towardes the West Dragonera. The saide Ilande hath two cities, Palme nowe called Maiorque or Mallorque, accor­cording to the name of the Iland, and Polence, now called Alci­dia: Minorque hath in length 60. miles, & in circuit 150. & to the East stretcheth from Maiorque 30. miles & hath also ac­cording to the modernes two cities, of which the one is called Minorque, but aunciently Mugo, and the other Iamma, nowe called Citadella▪ And although Minorque is lesse then Maior­que, yet in goodnesse nothing inferiour: for certainely both are very fertile, and haue good ports.

Chap. 4.

FRom the Baleares wee sayled towardes the Iles called Pi­tious, Description of the Iles pitious which in times past were called Ebuse: and Ophi­cuse [...] [Page] that all the people moued at it, runne to the mole head to see vs enter into the port: where we being entred Cotignac was a­gain sent with the Chiaous to the king to aduertise him of our arriual, who stayed not, but straightwayes ther came with him diuers other Chiaous, captaines and Ianissaries to receiue the Ambassadour, presenting him with a fayre horse of Turkie harnished after the fashion of a Spanish Gennet, to bring him to the pallace, which standeth in the middest of the citie, wher comming in good order, we entred into the lower court from whence the Chiaous which first was come with Cotignac, con­ducting vs, Description of the Palais. brought vs into another court somthing lesse then the first, in the midst wherof was a smal pond foursquare paued with marble stones. And at the end which is toward the South, stood against the wal a great fountain for the common seruice of the house, and at one of the sides was a great stayre of wood whiche did ascende into a long gallerie standing vpon pillers, some of diuers marber stones, & some of white stone, & in the middest of the pauement which was of Marberstone made ve­ry artificially a small fountaine beeing no higher set then the pauement: The king of Alger recei­ueth the Am­bassadour. besides a seate which did enuiron it. The king be­ing apparelled in a gowne of whyte Damaske, sate at the ende of the said Gallerie vpon a very fayre and costly seat, & a little from hym was his Capi-aga, Capi-aga, which is the Captain of his estate, cloathed in a long gowne of crymson Veluet, wyth a Tulbant vppon his head, holding in hys hande a long staffe of siluer, neare vnto hym were his Capagis, which are Porters, euerye one hauing in his hand a staffe couloured greene: Capigis. a little fur­ther were in a range the kings slaues bearyng on theyr heads a Saracoll of Crymson veluet, and before the front the bande, a siluer socket set with long feathers, and certaine stones of small value: And there the Ambassadour hauing done his reuerēce to the king in kyssyng of hys handes, The Ambassa­dour saluteth the king. the kyng caused him to sit downe by him, and after certaine talke, the Ambassadour she­wed hym his commission, and so tooke his leaue of him, and returning too his Gallies, was accompanied by those whiche brought him vp. The whole day after we were visited of a great number of Turks & Moores, to whom of our partes was made [Page 5] good cheere during foure dayes the king sent to vs euery day sixe oxen and xxi. muttons. Liberalitie of the king. The captaynes of the Gallies of Alger, and other Turks and Moores brought vnto vs all sortes of frutes, as Peares, Apples, Figs, Reasons, and millons of ex­cellent goodnesse, & certain bread without leauen like vntoo cakes or bunnes. To eueri of thē was giuen som money which increased their good will to returne often: For in al the world is no nation like to them in theft and couetuousnes, we remai­ned a whole week in good libertie & friendship, Couetous na­nation. frequēting the one with the other with great familiaritie, during which time the knight of Seure caused his Galliot to be new calked, & for this purpose the king lent him one of his gallies & did further gratefully furnish him of tallowe and other thinges thereunto necessarie.

Chap. 7.

VPon the Thursday being the xvi. day of the said moneth of Iuly, a christian slaue of one of the Foystes which had rob­bed Cotignac, being by subtill means escaped, cast himself in­to the Sea to swim to our gally: but a Turk of another gallie e [...] pying hym did likewise cast himselfe into the Sea, & in swim­ming followed him so swiftly that he mounted vpon his back and without the succour of our maryners, who pulled him be­ing half dead into our gallie, had drowned him: too whom in­continent came running diuers other Turkes to recouer him, & amongest other his maister, who despayring that his slaue should not remain a liue any long time, was contented & left him with vs for x. crownes, & from time to time alwaies came away into our gallies diuers other, & amongst the rest a young nephew of the captain Coste, being slaue vnto a very rich merchāt of Alger, Who was perceiued by certain Turks, as he was climing into the chief gallie, who straighwayes came running [Page] with diuers other with great and furious cryes for to recouer him. Conspiracie of the Turkes a­gainst vs. After which time the Turkes and Moores began to con­spire openly against vs, for too endamage vs, by reson whereof the Ambassadour foreseeing the great dangers into which hee or his, might fall, went twise to the king to haue his dispatch & leaue, to the end to follow on his voyage, on the other side the Rais and Azappis of the gallies persisted instantly too haue a­gaine their slaues, affirming that since our arriuall they hadde lost aboue xx. of them: wherefore vpon Sunday the xix. these Rais accompanied with a number of others, came againe into our gallies to demaund their slaues, and especially the nephew of the captain Coste, whō they affirmed to be within the chief gallie, vsing very rude and outragious words towards the Am­bassadour: who excused himselfe, and assured them that hee knew nothing therof & that he did not think that any of their slaues were gotten into his gallies, which he said he would not permit: notwithstanding for their more satisfaction to search a new within his gallies & galliots, assuring himselfe that they should not find any of their slaues. To whom, for the present they would giue no eare: for that their intent was to haue our gallies discharged on land, and so haue good means to saccage vs, which the Ambassadour wel perceiuing wold not agree vn­to thē, but to the contrary dispatched the knight De la Seure, Cotignac, and me, to go and declare vnto the king of the great wrong & iniurie that was done vnto him. But wee were not so soone on land, the knight De la Seure did instantly request me in al diligence to return to his galliot for a seruice him great­ly emporting touching the slaues, of the losse wherof the complaint was made, which I willingly accomplished. And as I was againe returning to the land [...] the more to augment our quar­rels, and the suspitions which the Turkes had conceiued of vs, there came incontinent another slaue into my boat with a co­fin ful of figs and reysons, which he said he would carry to the master of our gallie, which I would not permit vnto him, con­sideryng the danger such people put vs into. But a Turk which was in another boat perceiuing this, came incōtinētly into my boat, and by strokes with a staffe chased the slaue into his, cau­sing [Page 6] him to mount into a galliot, and vppon the sodayne, alte­ring his purpose, brought him backe againe into my skiffe, which in spite of my hearte hee forced too passe along by the poupe of the gallie royal, into whiche hee made the slaue too climbe, & whatsoeuer I could to the contrarie they hoysed me vp by the armes into their gallie: as also they did to the master of my skiffe, whiche presently and in my presence was made fast by the leg to a chaine, and so they kept me as prisoner, fu­riously threatning me, that I should not get out of their hands before they had again al their slaues: notwithstāding I alwaies shewed an assured countenance, making vnto them protestati­ons and remonstrances of the wrong and iniurie, they did too our Ambassadour and his, and that their master and ours were mightie and sufficient enough to take vp the matter, so as in the end they agreed to let me depart, but kept my poore ma­ster, who perceiuing me departing, thought himselfe vndone, and I was fayne euen alone aswell as I could my selfe too rowe my skiffe to our gallie, to giue the Ambassador to vnderstand of all that had hapned vnto me, which troubled him very sore: & forthwith he sent me a land, therof to aduertise the knight De la Seure, and Cotignac, to the intent they should informe the king thereof, whom I found on the way comming back a­gayn with the Caith (which is their high Priest) hauing charge to do the excuses in the name of the king, and shew that it was not he, that thus troubled vs, but the Iustice of the towne ouer whom he had no authoritie, (for that Alger is as it were orde­red as a particular common wealth). This notwithstanding the other persisted in the demaunding of their slaues, and too the contrary, the Ambassadour sought by al means to appease them with good cheere & presents of siluer, praing them once againe to view and search his gallies aboue and below, which they did curiously enough, and finding nothyng of that they sought for: yet coulde not perswade them selues, and aboue al they sayde that in the Admirall and Galliot there lay manye of theyr slaues hydden, and in that opinion they departed for that time, not forgetting to take with them the siluer that was giuen vnto them in secret. In the meane space we saw al along [Page] the mollehead the people with the souldiers both Turkes and Moores, looking for nothing more then an opportunitie too saccage vs, & therefore we set our selues in good order, and all the night kept very good watch. The nexte day the king cau­sed all hys people to put themselues in armes, and sent a great number of Harquebusiers and archars, whiche were placed as well vpon the poupes and foreships of his gallies, Foystes, and Galliots, as vppon the shore all alongst the mollehead: The Turkes rose in arm [...]s against vs. he cau­sed also to be charged and bent all the Artillerie aswell of the towne as of the gallies, against our Gallies, and this doone in most furious maner, they came to demaund their slaues of vs, which seeing the knight de Seure and Cotignac beeing yet a­land dyd of new endeuour themselues to speak vnto the king which they could not do, for he woulde neither see them nor heare them speak: and they finding the whole towne in armes were greatly amased. All which being seene and vnderstanded by the Ambassadour, & to eschew the perill wherin he saw him selfe & his to be: caused him to be set a shoare, & went straight to the pallace to seeke to speake to the kings owne person, but it was in vaine, for the accesse vntoo him was denied, & (which was worse) the king sent his lieuetenant, & other captaines in­to our gallies to haue the captain Coste & his nephew Erasme to be put vnto the chain in steed of his other nephew, whiche was stollen away, notwithstanding that the euening before he was sent back againe to his master by a Turk who gaue to him his Tulbant & his gowne because he shuld not be knowē of o­thers, Erasme ne­phew vnto captaine Coste was deliuered vnto y ^e Turkes [...]o appease thē. for that he had promised him that none shuld do him a­ny harm: al this notwithstanding the vttermost remedie to ap­pease them was to deliuer vnto them Erasme whom forthwith they condemned to be hanged & stifled vpon the maste of the gallie, which presently they would haue done if the Ambassa­dour through his prudence (as of long time knowing the insa­tiable auarice of these barbarous people hadde not appeased theyr force and rage with great summes of money, promising thē moreouer y ^t in their presence Erasme should bee put to the chaine & not be let out before they came to Cōstātinople. By these meanes & like promises hee was rēdred vnto thē hauing [Page 7] receiued many Bastonados of the Turke) and incontinent ac­cording to the conuentions, put vnto the chaine, where he re­mayned not long. All this notwithstanding they were not ap­peased, for the number of the souldiers and armed men did stil increase, which made vs too feare that they would do some in­iurie to the Ambassadour being yet a land, or at the least keep him prisoner, which they would fayne haue done, and in deed with all rigour forced him to ascend into the gallie royall from which they woulde not suffer him to depart, without first (ouer and aboue all that it had cost him) hee shoulde giue them for theyr losses and interest, two hundreth crownes, whiche were paide downe in readie money. Nowe the brute Barbaries were not so soone departed, but wee weighed our ankors, too escape theyr handes, and dyned in the Rhode: and afterwards by force of oares we came surging along by the East and by South beyond the cape of Matafus, Cape of Ma­tafus. which is thirtie miles from Alger, where we tarryed vntill the morning attending a good wynde. But before I passe further I thought it good to make a briefe rehearse of the foundation, force, and situation of the citie of Alger, wyth the manner, religion, and apparrell of the inhabitantants thereof, so muche as by sight I could compre­hend, and vnderstand of the inhabitauntes & other that haue written thereof.

Chap. 8.

ALger is a citie in Africa very auncient, first builded by a people of Africa called Mesgana, Change of names of Al­ger. of whom shee tooke her first name: afterwardes was called Iol, and was the seate royal of Iuba in the tyme when the Romanes bare dominion in A­frica, in honour of Caesar it was called Iulie Caesare, & since the Moores called it, Gezeir Arab Eleagair, whiche in their lan­guage signifieth yles, because she is cituated neere Maiorque-Minorque Ieuise and Fromentierre: but the Spaniardes nowe [Page] do call her Alger: howbeit, she is situated vpō the Mediterane Sea, vpon the hanging of a mountaine euuironed with strong walles, ramperdes, ditches, platformes and bulwarks, in forme almost threesquare, the largenesse which goeth towardes the Sea side, stretcheth narrowly almost vntoo the highest parte: where as ther is a great building made in forme of a Citadelle to commaund the towne and entrie of the heauen. As for the buildings being beyond the pallace royall, are very fayre hou­ses belonging too particular men, with a greate number of bathes and Cookes houses The places and streetes are so well ordeined, y ^t euery one in his occupatiō apart: there are about three thousand hearthsteedes. At the bottom of the citie whi­che is towards the North ioynyng too the walles whiche are beaten with the surges of the Sea in a great place, is by great artifice and subtill architecture builded, theyr principall & head Mosquee, and a little below that, is the Arcenal, whiche is the place into which are hayled vppe and trymmed the gal­lies and other vessels. This citie is very merchantlike, for that she is situated vpon the Sea, and for this cause marueylouslye peopled, for her bignesse: she is inhabited of Turkes, Moores, and Iewes in great number, which with marueilous gaine ex­ercise the trade of merchandise, and lend out money at vsury. They haue two market dayes in euery weeke, to the which re­sort an infinite number of people, of the mountaines, plaines and valleies, being nighbours therabouts, which do bring thi­ther all sortes of frutes, corne and foule, of very cheape price, for I haue seen a Partridge sold for a Iudit, whiche is a small peece of siluer money, in manner foure square, and is in value of our money foure pence and a myte, but true it is that their partridges be not so big nor delicate as ours are: Furnaces fitly made for breeding of chic­kins. the hennes and chickins be also very good cheape, for that they haue in most partes of theyr houses furnaces, made in maner like vn­to the hothouses or stoues of Germanie in the whiche with a small heate they do breed and hatch their egges without help of the Henne, and therefore it is not to be marueiled at thogh they haue great plentie of such pullen. Camels and oxen shod. They also haue a great number of Camels and Oxen, which they doe shoo, lade, and [Page 8] ryde vppon as vppon horses. And going through the streetes, because of the multitude of people, which there is marueilous they goe crying with a loude voice, Baluc, Baluc, which is too say, beware, beware. I haue also seene diuers Moores mounted on Barbarie horses without saddel, bridle, stirrops or spurres, The Moores do ride their horses with­without sad­del or bridel. hauing only a string in the mouth to stay them withall. And as for the men they are altogether naked, hauing onely aboute theyr midle part to couer their priuities, som peece of a white sarge or blanket in maner of an apron, and about their head a linnen cloath rowled, which they bring about and vnder their chinne.

Their weapons are three dartes or long Iauelins, VVeapons of the Moores whyche they carry in their right hand, and doe shoote and throw with wonderfull dexteritie, and vppon their left arme is fastened a large dagger made a little croked after the fashion of a wood­knife, which they call Secquin, and vse to fight at hande strokes withall, and to anoy their enemies comming to the close. The most part of the Turkes of Alger, whether they be of the kings houshold or the Gallies, are Christians renied, or Mahumeti­sed, of al Nations, Manie ren [...]ed christians in Alger. but most of them, Spaniards, Italians, and of Prouence, of the Ilands and Coastes of the Sea Mediterane, gi­uen all to whoredome, sodometrie, theft, and all other most detestable vices, lyuing onely of rouings, spoyles, & pilling at the Seas, and the Ilande, beyng about them: and with their practick art bryng dayly too Algera number of pore Christi­ans, which they sell vnto the Moores, and other merchauntes of Barbarie for slaues, A miserable life of the chri­stian slaues in Alger. who afterwarde transport them and sell them where they thinke good, or els beating them miserably wyth staues, doo imploy and constraine them too woorke in the fields, and in all other vile and abiect occupations and ser­uitude almost intollerable: And therfore it is not to be mar­ueyled at though these poore Christian slaues made of it no scruple at all in putting of vs in danger, to set themselues at li­bertie.

Without the Citie towardes the West are manye fayre and pleasaunte Gardens sette and adourned with diuers Pleasant Gar­dens. [Page] trees brynging foorth fruites of all sortes. Amongest other thinges there bee milons of marueylous goodnesse and incomparable sweetnesse: they haue also another frute called Pate­que, which the Italians call Anguries, beeing like in bignesse and colour to our greene citrouilles in winter which they eate rawe wythout bread or salt, and hath a tast so delicate & sweete that it melteth in ones mouth, giuing a water as it were sugred and serue greatly to refresh and digest. About theyr Gardens are many Welles full of good water, and the grounde there a­boutes although it is mountaines and vallies, is verie fertile for frutes and vines. On the other part towards the East, wyth­out the towne runneth into the Sea a small riuer called Sauo, Sauo a riuer. which serueth well aswell to drinke of as other commodities, and also maketh many mylles to grynde. The course of the Sea from the Cape of Marfuz, (where as yet are seene the foundations of the auncient citie Tipasa, Tipasa an old citie. which in times paste was by the Emperours of Rome honoured in prayse of the countrie Latine) doth bow & wind lyke vnto a Crosbowlath, and all along the riuer and the shoare the Moorishe women and mayden slaues of Alger doe goe too washe theyr lynnen, being commonly whole naked, sauing that they weare a peece of cotton cloath of some strange colour to couer their secrete partes, (which notwithstanding for a litle peece of money they will willinglie vncouer). They weare also for an ornament a­bout theyr necke, armes, and legges, great collers or brace­lets of latten, set wyth certaine false stones. But as for the wi­ues of the Turkes or Moores, they are not seene goe vn­couered, for they weare a greate Bernuche made of a blanket of white, blacke, or violet colour, which couereth theyr whole body and the head. And to the end yee shoulde more easilye comprehende the maner of all theyr apparrel, I haue thought good in the ende of this present Chapter liuelye too sette foorth vnto you, a woman as shee goeth in the streete, and a maiden Moore beeing a slaue. The seconde daye after our ar­riuall at Alger, I founde the meanes for moneye and withe fayre woordes too hyre a renyed Spaniarde too conducte and leade mee thorowe all places that I most desired too see. [Page 9] So as by his meanes I saw and learned many things within iiii. or v. dayes that we were there in quiet: And namely brought me vpon a high mountaine being a myle from the towne, to see & behold, the cituation of a very strong and great tower, beeyng buylded vpon another mountaine there neere about, & gently enquiring of him what strength the tower might be of: he de­clared vnto me, that the bredth of the ditches about the same, was xvij brases, sauing about the gate & entry into it towardes the North, it was only seuen fadomes broade, and twoo speare lengths deep. Moreouer he saide vnto me, that within the for­tresse, there were niene great cast pieces, and xviij. other, as wel mynions, as faw conets & other: and that in the middest of the tower there was a wel of very good water, vpon the height ther­of standing a windemill, and another standing without the gates. And that xxx. ordinary souldiers are committed within it to keep the same. And to make shorte, that this tower was made to none other intent (as also others since haue confir­med) then for the garding and keeping of the fountayne heads which from thence are brought and conueyed vnder the water into the citie.

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Chap. 9.

ALger was long time vnder the dominion of the king of Te­lensin, vntil such time as they of Bugie chose a newe Kyng, vnto whom they gaue and rendred them selues as his tributa­ries, because he was neerer vnto them then the king of Telen­sin, and that he could sooner helpe them (if need were.) But in processe of time, perceiuing themselues to bee as it were free and out of al doubt: armed certaine shippes too the sea, wyth the which they became suche Coursaires or pirates, that in short time they annoyed by their pyracies & robberies on the Sea, not onely the coast of Spayne, but also all the Mediterane ylandes. Whiche perceiuing Ferdinando the king Catholike sent to Alger a great army to assiege them, Ferdinando king catholike constrayneth the Moores to a truce. & for to keep them in most distresse, caused with a marueilous readinesse a forte to be made in a smal yland, which lyeth before the citie, keeping them by that meanes so straightly besieged, that in short time they were constrained to require a truce for ten yeeres: Which was agreed vnto them vpon condition of a certayne tribute, which they payed vntill the death of king Ferdinando, for then they espying a conuenient tyme and meanes too breake the truce, and to set them selues at liberty, called vnto them Caira­din Barba-rousse, who after the siege of Bone, retired to the ca­stle of Gegill, standing in the coast of the Mediterane Sea, vppon the toppe of a high rock 70. myles from Bugie, who be­ing by them chosen too be their chiefe captaine, gaue many fierce assaults vnto the fortresse, so as he put the Spaniards too flight, and incontinent after caused it to be ruined and pulled downe euen to the foundation. He then seyng so happy suc­cesse of his enterprise, could no longer abyde to be as compa­nion, but in a bath traiterously slew a prince of Arabie called Selim: Selim slaine by treason. who declared himself to be Lord of the Citie.

[Page]Afterwardes forsaking the name of a Captayne any longer, caused himselfe to be called king and coyned money vnder his name, and so wel guided his affayres that in short time after he brought all his neighbours about him to become contributory vnto him. Such was the beginning of the magnificent estate of Cariedin Barbe-rousse: after whose death, his brother Hariad­ne succeeded him in the kingdome, & after him his sonne Cas­sam, who reigned at the time we arriued there.

Chap. x.

TO returne to the discourse of our nauigation, which I left at the Cape Matafuz, from whēce (hauing soiourned there a night) we departed in the morning: the wind was so contrary that it forced vs to come to an anker neere to the cape Tedele: Cape of Te­dele. at which place we saw within a great rocke, a deep entrance be­ing 2. flight shot long, into the whiche the sea entreth euen to the very bottom, where we entred with our skiffe, euen to the halfe way of it: and thinking to passe on further, we founde so great a number of straunge myce, Strange myce. that we were constrayned to turne back: so were we persecuted. And so for feare they should pisse on our heades (their pisse being venimous) we were forced to couer vs, and to wrappe our selues in our cloakes. This parte of the sea is very ful of mountaines and great rockes. Appro­ching the citie of Tedele are certayne valleyes, very fertile of vines, gardens, and fruitful trees, and we there lying at anker, certaine of the citie for our money, brought vnto vs sundry vi­ctuals, fruits and melons. In the euening we took in fresh water out of a wel being a little beyond our gallies, & in the morning with a fauourable winde, hauing doubled the cape, we passed a­long the towne of Tedele, of which I shal make here a brief des­cription.

Chap. 11.

TEddel is a citie conteining about 2000. harthsteeds, Teddel. citua­ted vpon the sea Mediterane 60. myles from Alger at the bottom of a mountaine: & on the hanging o [...] a great rocke. On the midst of the mountain is a litle castel from the which along goeth a wall stretching to that of the citie. The Affricans first did edifie it, and at this present is inhabited of a people very merry and pleasant. For, for the most part of them they are gi­uen to the exercise of the harpe and Lute. Their principal craft and occupation is fishing, and dying of wolles and cloth, by rea­son of diuers small brookes very fit for their dyings, which dis­cending from the mountaines through diuers places of the towne issue into the Sea. The inhabitants of the same place are vnder the same obeisance & iustice, that they of Alger are. Lea­uing the coast and town of Teddele we bare roome to seawards, & had so good speed, that the 24. of Iulie in the euening, we dis­couered the citie of Gigeri, but euen thinking to be neere it, within a moment arose such a sodain Borasque or Flaa, Borasque of Barbary moste dangerous for saylers. that if our marriners had not nimbly bestirred them selues in taking in of their sailes, we had byn in great danger to haue been all drowned, and immmediatly saw our frigat (which was made fast to our gallie) lost before our eyes, because they hadde not quickly cut the halser, but al our men were saued by swimming to our gallies. These Borasques (engendred of a wind called by the Gretians Typhon, of Plinie Vertex or Vortex, but vulgarly Tourbillon or whirlewinde, proceed not ou [...] of the West, not­withstanding do often happen in Winter) are very often & dan­gerous all along the coast of Barbarie, and as they come very sodainly, so are agayne soone appeased. The twentie fiue in the Euening we arryued at the porte of Bone: Porte of Bone. where we being come to an anker, the Ambassadour sent to salute the Caddy, [Page] which keepeth the town vpon tribute vnder the king of Alger. This Caddi was a renyed Christian, & notwithstanding shewed himselfe very curteous and liberal towards vs, for ouer and a­boue the refreshings of flesh, bread and fruites which he gaue vs, about supper time sent vnto the Ambassador two great plat­ters of Macolique, ful of their kind of meat dressed according to their fashion, which was a kinde of Menudes made in paste with onions, and fat poullets with certain sawces of verie good taste and sauour.

Chap. 12.

BOne aunciently called Hippon, Bone ancient­ly Hippon. of which Saint Augustine hath beene Bishoppe in times past edified of the Romains vpon the Mediterane sea, standeth of the one side vppon hygh and ragged rockes, and there is a very faire and sumptuous Mosquee, vnto which is adioyned the house of the Caddy: but the other side of the towne towardes the South, and the valley is cituated more lower, and aswell within as without accom­modated with welles and good fountaines. The houses within it (hauing been twise saccaged and spoyled by the Spaniardes) are euil builded, and this towne doth not now containe aboue 300. harthes. Thee Emperour Charles the 5. after he had sub­dued the towne, Charl. the v. builded there a castel. caused vpon a height of one side towardes the West, a great castle too be builded: which commaunded of all sides, and did accommodate it with a number of cestarns to ga­ther water in, for that on this height there is neither well nor fountaine. Notwithstanding shortly after it was rased by the Turks and Moores, The Spaniards driuen out of the castle. and the Spaniards driuen out of it: without the city towards the East, is seen a goodly & large champion countrey, Merdez a peo­ple. inhabited & tilled by a kind of people called Merdez which countrey besides the great quantity of corne that it [Page 14] bringeth foorth, nourisheth & pastoureth in the valley a great number of oxen, kine, sheep and other cattel, so plentifully, that with their mylke and butter not only the city of Bone is proui­ded and furnished, but also Thunes & the yle of Gerbes▪ there are also about it many faire garden plats, plentifully a­bounding with dates, figs, and sweet melonnes. At the begin­ning of the valley passe two smal riuers, whereof, the next and greatest hath a bridge of stone, vnder the which is a waye to an old ruined Church being between 2. rocks, which the Moores do say too haue byn the Church of S. Augustine, A church buil­ded by S. Aug. which made me the more desirous to go and see it: Notwithstanding that a Iewe, borne in Spaine, being then with me, vsed al the meanes he coulde to perswade me from it: for the daungers which he sayd too be there of the theeues called Alerbes, which there a­bouts do lye secretly hidde too entrappe them that came ther­abouts, by which his remonstrances notwithstanding he could not disswade me, but that needs he must accompany me: and certainly there I found by experience: and vppon the toppe of a high mountaine he shewed me a smal troupe of these Alerbes starke naked mounted on horsebacke with their darts in theyr handes, after the fashion of those I saw in Alger: In the hauen or roade which lyeth before the fortresse is found great quan­tity of very faire corall, whiche Andree Doria then had in farm of the king of Alger, for which he paide vnto him yeerely great summes of money. By chaunce we found there a shippe of Mar­selie conducted by a coursarie, to gather the same, who presen­ted vntoo the Ambassadour many faire and great braunches. The next day being the 26. after sunne set, waiyng our ankers, we departed from Bone, and passed from the gulf which conty­nueth about 18. miles to the cape of Rose, Cape de Rose. & passing further to­wards the sight of the yles De la Galite, & des Symboles, there flew a fish into our Gallie of the length, Galite and Symboles. colour and bignesse of a great sardin, A flying fishe. which before had twoo great wings and twoo lesse behynd hys head and mouth being great according to the proportion of the body: thys fish is by the Moores called Indole. And hauinge doubled the cape Bon the twenty and eyght daye wee arryued at the yle of Pantalaree: where by [Page] reason of a contrary wind, we were for that night constrayned to come to an anker, & to put vs to the disposition of the wind.

Chap. 13.

THe other night following, we came too an anker in ano­ther roade of that Iland about vj. miles from the city, and in the morning one of the warders thinking we had bin of the Emperors party, or of Malta, came into our gallie too make a present vnto the Ambassador of a good quantitie of reysons & figges, which he brought in a goates skin vpon his backe. This present being not so soon rewarded, as it was taken, our trum­petter was sent with this warder to demand of the Lieuetenant of the yland, ii. slaues of prouence: which the day before were runne away out of the galliot of the knight de Seure. For all we had deliuered them from the captiuity of Alger, with such dan­ger as before I haue recited vnto you: whilest we renewed our beuerage out of certaine cesternes, and towardes the euenyng, the warder and our trumpeter returned without hauing heard any newes of our slaues, but in the behalfe of the Lieuetenant told the Ambassadour, Newes sent to the Ambassa­dour. that the Turkes army was at Malta, and that she had saccaged the towne of Augusta in Sicilia, and that Andree Doria meaning to haue passed from Sicilia towards the towne of Affricque, to furnish the place with souldiers and mu­nition, did the vj. day of the same moneth of Iulie through euil conduct and lack of knowledge, so beate against the yle of Lam­pedose, that of xv. gallies, which were with him, there were viii. lost: to wit, his Capitainesse: and two other being his own▪ out of which he and a slaue only were saued, and two which apper­tained to the Marques of Terre neuf the Patrone of Cigallela patrone of Monego, and the galissa of Sicilia with all those that were within them.

Chap. 14.

THis Ile of Pantalaree, which by the auntients was called Paconia, Pantalaree an­ciētly Paconie. is very hilly and full of great rockes. There grow­eth great quantity of cotton, capers, figges, melonnes and rey­sons: and throughout the ylande is full of cestarnes. There are also many small houses very aunciently builded within the grounde (made like vnto caues) made by the Moores in the time they possessed the Iland: Along the sea side are founde stones being blacke, and glistering like vnto fine iet, and cer­taine rough stones. They haue no horses, but of oxen greate store, with the which they do labour & til the ground, how wel there groweth no corne. Of which they furnish them selues out of the yle of Sicilia, vnto which they are subiect. But well there groweth certaine other graine and hearbes of small esti­mation. There groweth a smal tree like vnto Nerte: which the Moores called Vero, and the Sicilians Stinco, bringing foorth a small round fruite, which at the first is read, and being ripe, waxeth blacke. Of which the Inhabitants of the Iland (which are very poore) make oyle, which they vse aswell too burne in their lamps, Oile made of Stinco. as to eate: & the women after hauing washed their heads, do annoint their haire with it to make it grow long and faire: Aswel the men as women are of nature good Swimmers, as by experience we saw by a woman of the countrey, bringing a great basket with fruit, The womē of this countrie are very good Swimmers. entred into the sea, and swimming, brought the same to sel in our gally. This Iland conteineth xxx. myles in length: and in bredth about x. myles.

Chap. 15.

THe 30. day of the same moneth of Iuly wee departed from Pantalaree with such a fauorable winde: that the 1. day of August, being passed the yle of Goze, we arriued about the Eue­ning in the road of Malta, where incontinent we were visited by the knights Parisot & Villegaignon, & of many others of diuers nations▪ And after the Ambassador had giuen to vnderstand to the great maister, his comming, the chains of the hauē being o­pened with salutation accustomed of the one side & other, we entred into the hauen, vppon the sides wherof were with the a­fore named, diuers other knights come thither in the behalf of the grād maister (of birth a Spaniard) named Omede, which re­ceiued, the ambassador & presented vnto him a mulet, on which he lighted & accōpanied him to the great hal of the castle, wher the grand maister with diuers knights attended him, & hauing done reuerence vnto him, & declared part of his auctorisation, the night approching taking his leaue returned to his gallies. The next day he was by the great maister bidden to a sumptu­ous dinner, vnto the which al the ancient and notable knights of the religion were also bidden and assembled, & there was o­penly rehearsed, how that certaine dayes before Sinan Bassha, captain generall of the Turkes army hadd taken and saccaged the castle of the town of Augusta in Sicilia, & that he from thēce arriuing in a port of Malta called Mechetto, neere vnto that of the castel, put his men there on land to ouerrun, rauish & spoile, all whatsoeuer they shuld find for their aduantage, which they executed most cruelly, as such barbarous people in like affaires are accustomed to do. But a most valiant & well aduised knight a Spaniard, named Guimeran, captaine of one of the gallies of the religion, who could not abide such insolency, & secretly as­sembling certaine nūber of souldiers & Insulans, did by ambu­shes [Page 16] & other means so distresse them, that after hauing taken & slaine such as fel into his laps, made them to remoue from that place: but notwithstāding did not desist of their enterprise: for from thence they went to the Roade of S. Paul, where they lan­ded their ordinance to assiege the city, Roade of S. Paule. wherof they got the sub­urbs, & framed their trenches too make the battry. And forso­much as they could not atchieue the end of their enterprise (by reason as wel of the roughnesse of the place being ful of rocks, as seing their mē faile them, dying through extreme heat) they resolued to remoue their siege, & to imbarke themselues with their ordinance, Goze sacca­ged. hauing slaine, taken and saccaged al that they met withal at aduantage. From thence they went to the yle of Goze, being very neere and subiect to the yle of Malta, which they saccaged and by deceiptfull composition tooke the Ca­stle, leading the people both menne, women and children as slaues into miserable captiuity: being in number vj. thousand and three hundreth. 6300. priso­ners taken. The knight de Villegaignon in his treaty which he hath made of the warres of Malta, doth recyte a histo­ry no lesse lamentable then full of dispayre, and vnnaturall crueltye: A pitiful histo­ry. and is of a Sicilian whiche in that place hadde dwel­led of longe tyme, and there married a wyfe, by whom hee had twoo faire daughters then beyng in state to bee marryed, who seeing his laste calamitye approching, because he woulde not in hys presence see his wife and his daughters rauished and violated, and to bee brought in shamefull seruitude, and too deliuer them from all shame and bondage, hauing called them intoo his house, A strange cru­eltie. firste slewe wyth hys swoorde hys two daugh­ters, and afterwardes their mother. And this doone, wyth a Harquebuse and a Crossebow bent (as cleane bereft of sences) made towardes his enemies, of whom he slewe twayne at the first encounter, afterwardes fighting a while with his swoord, beeing inuyroned wyth the multitude of the Turkes, broughte him selfe too the end of his moste vnhappye life. Beholde the summarye of the miseries happened through the Turkes in fewe dayes in the yles of Sicilia, Malta, and Goze. After whi­che thynges the Bascha caused his armye with the whole boo­tie and preye to imbarke, and remooued the twenty seuenth of [Page] Iuly towards Barbary to assiege the castle of Tripoli: the dinner being ended, The zeale of king Henry to the religion of Malta. the Ambassador in presence of that noble assem­bly, declared the zeale & good wil which the most Christiā king his maister had alwaies borne to their religion, & the great dis­pleasure he would take, when he should vnderstand the great dammage which the Turks had done to that yle, assuring them that if in time he had bin there arriued, too haue his remon­strance vnto the Bassha, he wold neither haue spared his pains, nor yet the fauour of the king his maister, to haue caused them to remoue. Whervpon the great maister (after his great thāks) said vnto him, that there was yet time inough to pleasure them, if that according to the good wil of the king, & offer which he had made, it might please him to saile towards Tripoli, which the Turkes were gone to besiege, to the end too perswade them (in so great necessity, and before they should proceed further) to remoue & leaue the siege▪ for he feared that the place being little, and of smal force, and moreouer, for that by reason of the poore treasure of the religious (as he affirmed,) coulde not haue bin fortified nor succoured, and might not long hold out nor resist such a great army: The ambassa­dor consenteth to go too Tri­poli, too per­swade the Bas­sha to leaue the siege thereof. wherunto the Ambassadour did willingly consent, although the charge of his voiage did com­maund him to go another way. And they of the religion hauing prepared a frigat to direct vs, he assured thē that (so soon as he could) he would by the same giue them to vnderstand of al the newes: we soiourned in the Ile of Malta onely two dayes, aswel to make cleane our Gallies, as too take in fresh water & other things necessary. And within this small time I indeuoured all paynes and study, to see and vnderstand the things most nota­ble and singular of this Ilād. In which the knight of Villegaig­non for the old acquaintance, he had with me, and the good wil he bare towardes me, was a great helpe vnto me. And therfore before I proceed any further I thought it not to vary from my purpose, to make here a succinct description of the yland, & me­morable things therof, following therin as well the writings of the auncient and moderne Geographers & Historiographers, as that which with mine eies I haue seene.

Chap. 16.

MAlta which by the auncientes was called Melita, is an yle in the Sea Mediterrane betweene Sicilia and Tripoli in Barbary, Malta anciētly called Melita. which from the West to the East containeth in length two and twentie miles, in breadth xi and in circuit threescore. It is an Iland low and stonie, and hath fiue faire & large ports, all issuyng at one mouth: at the entrie of which Ile is the castle (where the graund master keepeth) by arte and nature almoste inexpugnable, The castle of the grand ma­ster verye strong. beeing furnished wyth good quantitie of ordi [...]nance, and cituated vppon a high rocke of three parts enuiro­ned with the Sea: and on the side towardes Cande, separated with a large chānel from the Bourg, which lyeth vnderneath it, very great, and well inhabited, full of fayre houses and palla­ces, well builded, euery one with a Cesterne: for they [...]aue nei­ther there nor in the castle, neyther wells nor fountains. There be also many fayre Churches both Greek & Latine, and in the middest of the great place, a great piller erected, wher the ma­lefactors are punished. True it is that this Bourg is not defen­sible agaynst any great siege, because it is enuironed with great hilles, vnto which of all sides it is subiect: shee is inhabited & peopled with a great number of Commaunders, Knights and Merchants of all nations: Many whores in Malta, and aboue all there is great aboun­daunce of Curtisans, both Greeke, Italian, Spaniards, Moores, and Maltez. Sommer cloa­thing of the women of Malta. The common sort weare none other cloathyng because of the extremitie of the heate, then a longe linnen whyte smocke gyrded vnder their breastes, and ouer the same a fine whyte woollen mantle, by the Moores called Barnuche, as in the end of this chapter I haue liuely set foorth vnto you. The citie is distaunt sixe myles from the castle, Description of the citie. cituated vppon the toppe of a mountaine, enuironed on the three partes with great valleyesfull of grauel and large stones very painful too goe vpon. On the South side about two miles from the Citie, is a great fountain, bringing forth such a marueilous number [Page] of Eeles, that it is a matter hard to be beleeued, which haue so sharpe teeth, Eeles with sharp teeth. that there cānot be a string so good, but they wil bite it asunder, so as such as wil take them are forced to streng­then their lines about the hooke with a silke or cotten threed, & as soone as they feele them taken, be very redy to pul thē vp: & out of this fountain our gallies took their fresh water. There are in this Iland 60. castles or villages all wel inhabited & very abundant of Barlie, Sixtie villages in Malta. Cunego (which is a graine which they mingle amongst their corne to make bread) Cotton, Citronnes, O­ranges, Melons, & other frutes of excellent goodnesse, but for wheat & wine they do furnish thēselues out of Sicile: there are bred very good mulers & horses of the rase of Spaine. The sir Villegaigon led me into a garden, which the grand M Omede caused to be made beyond the port, & neare vnto the Bourg, which garden is beautified with a goodly lodging conteining chāber, warderobe, hal & kitchin: the court is pauid with Mo­saique stone, & the fountaines very fresh & good to drink, the gardiners house, chappell, & ponde for to water the horses, all cut out by marueilous & industrious art out of a great rocke, which is of a very faire white stone: and neere the entraunce of the gate, out of the same rock, is cut a great man on horse back coloured greene, a great deale bigger thē the rustique of Rome. As for the garden, the earth is carried into it & planted with all sorts of excellent fruteful trees, as apples of paradice, which they cal muses, dates, apples, pears, prunes, peaches, figs cōmon, & of the Indias, & other frutes & hearbes of incōparable goodnes, in such sort that this place excelleth all others in pleasures & dainties. The aire in sommer is dāgerous, by reasō of the great heat, & therfore they study to seek places coole & shadowous, to eschew the heat of the Sun [...] ther is another port which specteth towards the North, called the port of S. Paule (where the Turks as I haue said lāded to assiege the citie) and this place is so called, Port of Saint Peter. for that the apostle Paule hauing suffred the dāgers of marueilous tēpests vpō the Sea 14. daies, whē by Festus he was sent to Rome, his feet & hādes bound, & beeing stong with a viper, Acts. 28. [...] cast the same into the fire, & healed the fa­ther of publius of the ague, & fluxe, which hapned in the third yere of the raigne of Nero.

[Page 18]

Chap. 17.

To returne to our Nauigation, according too the request which the Grand master hadde made vnto the Ambassa­dour▪ vppon the Sunday beeing the seconde day of August, at the going downe of the Sunne, beeing departed from the ha­uen [...] hauing doubled the Cape of Marche-Siroch, Cape of march Siroch. we sailed vn­til the tuesday following towardes the euening, at which time we descried the coast o [...] Tripoli, but to eschewe the danger of the night, because of the coast which is low and sandie, and for that wee woulde not at an vndue houre enter amongest the Turkes armie, hauing stroke our sayles, we did nothing but lie by the winde vntill the dawning of the day, when wee percey­ued the ignorance of our Pilots, Ignorance in Pilots is most dangerous. whiche hauing taken no heed vnto the streame which in those partes is very fierce, we found our selues to bee driuen backe about thirtie miles from our right course, and were constrained too goe about by Lebech towards the cape of Taiure distaunt from the Towne of Ta­iure twoo miles, and twelue miles from Tripoli. At thys Cape of Taiure, Cape of Ta­iure. were foure Galliots of the rearewarde of the Turkes armie whom hauing saluted we proceeded forwardes towards the armie, which was about a myle frō Tripoli where Cotignac with the Frigat was sent to shewe the Bascha of our comming which straightwayes was sent backe with a Raiz of the gallie & a [...]anissarie to receiue the Ambassador & to bring him to the Gallie royall, who being entred into hys skiffe, ho­norably accōpanied, went to salute the Bascha, who made him good countenance, shewyng hys comming to be very acceptable vnto him. The Ambassa­dour saluteth the Bascha, The talke betweene them was for this time not very long, for the Ambassadour incontinently returned to his Gallies, and within a while after the Bascha sent vnto him a present of fiue and twentie Muttons, & certain other refresh­ments. [Page] All that day we were visited by diuers Turkes and reni­ed Christians: the next day the Ambassadour sent his presents vnto the Bascha, which were two fine peeces of Scarlet of Pa­ris, one peece of fine Holland cloath, and one small clocke or dyall, which he receiued with very great contentment & plea­sure. Afterward Cotignac which had carried the present, re­turning, the Ambassadour accompanied of his Gentlemen, went to declare vnto him the cause of his commyng, praying hym in the name and behalfe of the king to refrain frō such an enterprise, which the Bascha wold not agree vnto, but too the cōtrarie made him answere [...] y ^t the great Turk was much agree­ued, that the knightes at the giuing ouer of the Rhodes ha­uing sworne, The Bascha his answere founded on the periury of the knights of the religion. at no time after to weare armes against the Tur­kish nation, had not only contrary to their oth, aided & fauo­rised all the enterprises of the Emperour: namely at the taking of the citie of Africa against Dorgut: but also of them­selues dyd daily make warre vnto his highnesse, and did there­vnto all the worst they could. And that he therefore was moo­ued to dresse this armie, to chastice their temeritie, and if it were possible, to driue them out of Africa, and in all that laye in him to endamage thē: he cōplained also of the Seure Leon Strossa, priour of Capua, for that he being in seruice of his most Christian Maiesty, had sent his gally to them of the religion, to serue in the warres against them. Moreouer that the day be­fore he had vnderstanding, that the Frigate which we brought with vs was of Malta, whereof he thought very straunge, of which the Ambassadour perceiuing, and that by no intreatie he was to be perswaded from his pretence, determined too proceed on his voyage towardes Constantinople, with all dili­gence to him possible, to the intent to assay whether he could obtaine of the great Lord that which by his lieuetenaunt was refused, making his account that the place (which too him see­med more strong then it was, and better furnished of good men of warre, ordinance and all other kind of munition) wold hold out longer then it did, but he could not obtaine his leaue of the Bascha, but desired him to passe the time ther vntil such time as he had seen the successe of his enterprise, whiche hee [Page 20] hoped to haue shortly executed, which made the Ambassador very sorrowfull, who did greatly excuse himself vppon the hast of his voyage, but all was in vain, for there was no remedy but to obey and to arme himselfe with patience. The Bascha and Dorgut did in the meane space diligently aduaunce their trenches and approches for planting of their ordinance, whiche they did not without great losse of their men: for they of the castle hauing a great deale of good ordinaunce, and the best gunners in the world, did continually nothing but shoot, and discharged very few shot in vaine, in such sort that they were often constrained to retyre, and to returne with longer tren­ches.

The seuenth day of August, the Bascha came a land too cause the rest of his artillerie to be brought vnto the trenches and therfore sent to the Ambassadour, praying him to come to see the placing of his campe, and the place where he made his ap­proches, which he durst not refuse for fear of putting himself in suspition, taking with him to accompanie him the sir of S. Vetan. Cotignac, the knights De Seure, and de Maliane, the sir Caius de Wirail, Saint Marie, and the sir De Montenard, the Captaine Coste, me▪ and certaine other of his houshold: hee founde the Bascha vpon the sea side vnder a pauillion, whiche for the heare of the Sun he had caused to be set vp, and after they had a litle while deuised together, we were brought vpon an hill, from whence me might easily see both the towne and the castle, the planting of their campe and their approches, by long and croked trenches from about 3000. to neare 400. paces from the citie, not without the great endaungerment of them of the Castle, aswell of their artillerie, as courses and skyrmishes, which by the knights were daily offered to them. A hardie en­terprise of cer­taine knights. And the same very morning (as a renied Spaniard tolde mee) 20. kinghts came foorth to the skirmish euen to the pauillion of the Bascha, and that in despite of the whole campe▪ [...]hey ca­ryed away with them a Turke prisoner. Before I passe any fur­ther, for the more certain intelligēce of matters, I ha [...] [...]hoght good to make a summarie description of the foundation and cituation of Tripoli.

Chap. 18.

Tripoli.TRipoli is a Citie of Barbarie, cituated on the maine lande vpon the coast of the Sea Mediterrane, and was first buil­ded of the Romans, and afterwardes subdued by the Gothes which possessed the same vnto the time of Homer the seconde Califfe, and was by the Africanes so straightly besieged, that a­bout the ende of sixe monethes they constrained the Gothes to flee towards Carthage, & to abandon the citie, which being taken pylled, and defaced, part of the inhabitants being slaine, and part kept prisoners, fell in the end vnder the puissance of the kings of Thunes, which dyd reedifie the same. But it came to passe that whylest Albuhenan king of Fez, made warre with Abulhabbes king of Thunes (whom he took prisoner) the Ge­neuois with an armie of twentie shippes, tooke it, pilled it, and carryed away the most part of the inhabitauntes prisoners, of which taking the king of Fez being aduertised, sent in diligēce to compounde with them for the deliuerance of the citie and prisoners, for the sum of fiftie thousand crownes, which were deliuered vnto them in readie money: but after the giuing o­uer and their departure, they founde the one halfe of the mo­ney to be counterfeated. Afterwarde the king of Thunis was set at libertie, vpon an accord and alliaunce which hee made with Abuselim king of Fez, and by that meanes returned too Tripoli, which was of him and hys long time possessed, vntyll such time as the inhabitants not being able to support the ex­tortions & Tyrannies of the Gouernours, Extortions of officers: cause sometimes the subiects to re­uolt from their soueraine. which by the kings were sent thither, did chase them away with al the other king­lie officers. And hauing chosen vnto their Lorde a Citizen of their citie deliuered into his handes all the reuenewes & trea­sures of the same, who gouerned for a certaine space very well, shewing himselfe milde and tractable towardes the Citizens. But when he sawe himselfe, mounted to so high dignitie, wax­ing proude aboue measure, euen sodainly changed his good [Page 21] maners and vertues into most vitious tyrānies, which gaue oc­casion vnto a brother of his to take away his life from him, & to the people to constraine through importunitie, an Heremit which had bin brought vp in the court of the Prince Abubaco, An heremit constrained to take gouern­ment vpō him against his will too take the charge and administration of the citie, which notwithstanding he gouerned with all mode­stie to the great contentment of the inhabitauntes, vntill the yeere 1510 [...] and such time as Fardinando king of Spaine by force of armes came & occupied the same, and after his death was by the Emperour Charles the fith, giuen vnto the knights of the religion, Charles the [...] gaue the keep­ing of Tripoly vnto the Knightes of the religion who brake down the citie to the intent to for­tifie the castle, whiche they furnished with artillerie and other munitions necessary, and yet notwithstanding hath been so ill looked vnto (whether it was through the auarice of the grand master, or negligence of those of the religion, that in the ende to their great shame and ouerthrow, it is againe fallen into the hands of the Barbaries, in maner as hereafter shall be declared vnto you. For that presently we will not leaue the following on vpon our purpose.

So now this citie is enuironed by great circuit, with hilles & a great number of Palm trees (bearing dates,) amongst which are seene many towers and goodly buildings ruined with cer­taine Mosques & cestarnes vaulted, amongst which, one which was vnbroken, besides that it was very great & ful of water of excellent goodnes, was all paued with fine Marber of Numi­dia (& notwithstanding that the ground is leane & sandy, yet being wel tilled & trimmed, doth beare many good frutefull trees, as Oliue trees, Corniers, Carabiers, and great abundāce of palm trees: of the fruit of which trees, the more part of the inhabitants which are poore & needie are nourished [...] Also ther grow good Melons, Raues, and pateques: in steed of corn they sow Maith, which is a kind of grosse Mill, & of that grain they make meale which they knead with water, and thereof make bread for their eating, which they bake vppon an y [...]n plate, heated with a smal fire, because they haue nothing els to burn but the wood of the palme tree: & as for the commodities of the waters, vpon high places they vse cesternes, but vppon the [Page] plaine along the Sea side they haue many welles of sweete wa­ter, aswel for their drinking, as for the watering of their groūd & gardens, they haue also great quantitie of Oxen Asses and sheepe, which haue very long tayles more then a foote long, of which the flesh is very tender and delicate, and aboue al other haue great number of camels, for I haue seen in one field nere the towne of Tripoli, aboue three thousand going in one pa­sture.

Chap. 19.

HAuing wel considered the placing of the campe, the town and castle, we returned to the Bascha, with whom the Am­bassadour talked a while, and in the meane while I went to see the market of the Turks (which they call Basar) being hard by where the poore Christians of Sicil, Malta, & Gose, were sold vnto those that most offered for them & last inhaunsers, being permitted vnto those that bought them (as the auncient cu­stome of the Orientall Barbarians is) to stripp them starke na­ked, Maner to serch the christian slaues that come to bee sold. & to make thē goe, to the intent to see if they haue any naturall impediment in their bodies, visiting afterwards theyr teeth and eyes, as though they had been horses, and standing there, I saw creeping vpon the ground a Scorpion of yealowe coloure, being of length more then a long finger. The same day the Turks brought their ordināce & gabiōs vnto the trenches, whiche Gabions are made of great plankes of three inches, which they carry vpon their gallies or shippes to serue them when they haue neede of them: for when they will bat­ter any place, they set them in the ground in forme of Baskets, Afterwards being set in rankes, they fill them with earth, and is a very commodious inuention, for the shot which can but slippering passe ouer it, and can doe no hurt nor dammage. The Turks hauing in the night placed their gabions, & their ordi­nance [Page 22] readie to the battry, did the next day folowing beyng y ^e eight of August, begin to shoote at the castle with great furie, which was not leaft vnanswered, & euery houre some slaine: whilest this was a doing the Bascha sent to pray the Ambassa­dor that he wold suffer none of his mē to com a land, least the Turks might do them some outrage in mistaking them to bee of those of the castle. This battery cōtinued vntill about noon, but not without receiuing great damage of the besieged, who without ceassing shot into the trēches, so as that day they slue foure of the best gunners of the armie, two Chiaous, & certain Raiz of the Gallie: Raiz are cap­taines of the gallies. they also shot off the hand of the clarke ge­nerall of the armie, being a man of great estimation & greatly beloued of the Bascha, and to be short there were a great num­ber of Ianissaries slayne and hurt. Moreouer they burst one of their best peeces, and dismounted foure other, which for that day made them to leaue of the battery, which they of the Ca­stle did not, but shot without ceasing to endamage the enemy: the night following the Turkes approched more neare vntoo the castle, vpon whom they of the Castle about the breake of day, gaue an assault euen to their trenches: and being retyred, the Turkes (at the Sun rysing, which they haue in great reue­rence) renued their batterie with great force and 8. peeces at once: vpō the euening the fire by mischāce got into their ponder, with the which were burnt 30. Turkes, & many hurt, and one peece broken. The Ambassadour on the other part, sued with great instance for licence too prosecute on his iourney, which was graunted vnto him, but as wee were vpō our depar­ture, the Bascha (being almost mad) sent to him by an Eunuch his Dragoman, that he would stay 2. dayes longer, within whi­che time he hoped to win the castle. This message so greeuous put the Ambassador in no lesse perplexity of mind, thē choler aswel because of the retarding of his voiage: as for the diminishing of our victuals, which began to scanten, but there was no remedie, but to dissemble the matter. The 11. of the monethe the Sieure Wirail, & I, went too see the trenches of the Salaris beeing not passing 150. paces from the Castle, where hee was battering with 8. great peeces. Morataga beeing behinde the [Page] Artillery, sent for me by a renied Spaniard, called Casa matta, who hauing had acquaintance with me in our gallies, had told him that I was an Engener of the king, and therfore enquired of me many things appertaining vnto the siege, and strength of a place: I made him a short & brief answere, and clean con­trary to that whiche by the reason of warres and experience I did know, which hee well per [...]eiued, and smiling, tolde mee that he saw wel that I dissembled. Thys Morataga was an Eu­nuche of nation a Ragusey, but for the feates of warre of good spiri [...]e and iudgement, & then had the gouernment of Taiure & all the countrie Tripoli, hauing no grater enemies then the knightes of the religion, who dayly warred against him: Dor­got was fiue & twentie or thirtie paces, beyond Salarais also, beating with eight great peeces: the Ianissaries & Azapis were on the left hand in their trenches, with their harquebusies re­die, bowes and arrowes, targets and bucklers. And thus being placed they had so well continued the batterie, that they had beaten it downe euen to the very edge of the ditch: but that whiche was beaten downe in the day time, the assieged made vp againe in the night: notwithstanding the end was such that an vnhappie souldier of Prouence, borne in Cauaillon, being the Popes countrie, which by the long frequentation he hadde had in those countries, had learned the language and serued as a spie vnto the enemie, seeyng the occasion to be come to that passe, which his knauery and dissimuled treason hadde wished for, and being corrupted with money, found the menes to fle [...] vnto the campe, where he declared vnto the Turkes the wea­kest places of the castle, by the which it might be battered and soone taken, & it was against the gouernours lodging, which standing towards the ditch, and hauing vnderneath it the cel­lars to retyre the munition, could not be repayred nor fortifi­ed: which the Bascha hauing vnderstanded, caused the battery there to be planted, laying the peeces so lowe that easily they dyd beat the vautes and cellars in suche sorte as in small time they did pearse the walles, wherupon folowed that the height being charged with rampardes through the cōtinuall battery beganne greatly too sinke, which amased the souldiers for that [Page 23] they knew no means to repayr the same, that setting al honor aside, quyting thēselues of their weapōs, cōcluded together to take some party, giuing their captayne to vnderstande that hauing vnto that instant quited themselues as good men and valiaunt souldyers, seeing theyr matters too be in despaire of succour, and not able to holde out any longer: he would not thynke euill of them, if they thought to practise some way for theyr suretie. Whereof the Gouernour called Vallier a knight of Daulphine beying aduertised, and by Argosin a Spanyshe souldier one of the eldest and most authorised, solicited, to come too a composition wyth the enemie, before the walles were further endamaged, was greatly dismayed: which seeing a sage and valiaunt knyght of Fraunce, named Poisieu, as the most auncient, in the name of the other knightes, declared vnto them, that the breache was not so great nor profitable for the enemie, but that it was defenceable too suche as would diligently repayre the same: And moreouer that it was more honourable to knights of honour and lustie souldiers, to die valiauntly, fighting against the Barbaries for the maintenance of the lawe and true Christian religion, then so fainte hearted­lie to surrender themselues to the mercie of those, at whose hands was nothing to be looked for, but miserable seruitude, and all kinde of crueltie. But rather to preuent these dāgers, it were necessarie too refresh the xxx. knightes which were there offering himselfe to sustayne the assaulte, and to succour the first that hee should see wearie or hurt: and therefore ex­horted the Gouernour to fight as long as hee coulde. Not­withstanding all these his remonstrances were of no effect, be­cause the Gouernour was without ceassing solicited vnto and as it were constrained by Argosin, Importunitie of the Argosin & other of his partie to sur­render: which with vehemencie declared vnto him the emi­nent daunger, they and so many women and young children were in: findyng hymself bereafte of hearte and fortune: and forsaken of his souldiers, wythout further consideration con­sented, that a whyte banner should be erected vpon the walles too call the enemies too a Parle. And a Turke presenting hym selfe, they prayed him that he would vnderstande of the Bas­cha, [Page] if he wolde receiue certaine of them to treat of some good accord touching the giuing ouer of the castle, whereunto the Bascha lightly consenting, was in all diligence dispatched a braue Spaniard, Cōditions proponed by the assieged. named Guiuare, and a knight of Maiorque to offer vnto the Bascha the castle with the Artillerie and muniti­on, so as he would furnish them of shippes to bring them with bag & baggage safely to Malta: to whō summarily was answea­red, that (forasmuchas, as yet they had not deserued any grace presuming to be so bold as to keep so small a place against the armie of the highest Prince on the earth) yf they woulde paye the whole charges of the armie, he would gladly agree to the matter proponed, or if they would not thereunto consent (as it became them) that for theyr recompence, all they within the Castle should continue slaues and prisoners: notwithstan­dyng if they incontinently and without delay, did surrender the place he would exempt out of them two hundreth. Wher­uppon the messengers returning in despayre of anye further grace, were stayed by Drogot and Salaraiz wyth flatteryng woordes, and fayned promises, that they woulde endeuour so much as in any wise lay in them, too make the Bascha condis­cend to a better and more gracious composition: for they fea­red that the assieged through despayre would resolue (as their extreeme refuge) to defend themselues euen too the last man. And incontinent went to the Bascha, to declare vnto him hys ouersight, in refusing those which of theyr owne voluntarie came to surrender themselues into his hands, and that too put thē out of dout and despayre, he ought with all mildnesse to a­gree vnto all that they demaunded. For after he had the Ca­ [...]tle and all the men vnder his authoritie, he might afterwards dispose of them, as he should thinke good. The Bascha finding this counsel good, caused the two messengers too bee called a­gayne vnto him, declaryng vnto them wyth fayned & dis [...]em [...]blyng woordes, that at the instaunce and request of Drogot and Salaraiz, there present, inclining vnto their request, he did discharge them of all the costes and charges of the armie, swearyng vntoo them (the better to deceiue them) by the heade of hys Lord and his owne, inuiolablie to obserue all that whiche [Page 24] he had promised vnto them, which they (too easily) beleeued, and foorthwith went to declare the same vnto the Gouernor and others within the Castle.

Chap. 20.

THE Bascha the better to atchieue too his enterprise, sent foorth after the deputie aforesaid a Turk (one of the most subtill to his mind, that he could choose) to whom hee gaue expresse charge to perswade the Gouernour to com with him to conclude and treate concerning the giuing ouer, and for the vessels which should be necessarie for their conduct too Malta, & that if he made difficultie to come he should make a semblance as though he would remayne there in hostage for him▪ and that aboue all thinges hee shoulde haue an eye to consider of the strength and assuraunce of the assieged and of the disposition of all thinges there, which the Turke could ex­ecute so finely, that the Gouernor by the counsell of those that had perswaded him too surrender, notwithstanding the rea­sons of warres, and dutie of his office, forbade him in such ma­ner to abandon the place of his charge, resolued vppon so smal an assuraunce of the Bascha, and gaue eare vnto the miserable end of his fortune. Vaillier vpon the Baschas word goeth to him. So as being depriued of hearte and good counsell, taking with him a knight of his houshold (too sende hym backe vnto those of the castle to declare vntoo them the faythfulnesse or disloyaltie of the Turke) vnder the conduct of the Turke that was come to fetch him, went straight towardes the Tentes of the Bascha, who by the Turke that first entred was aduertised of the small courage of the assieged, which he assured him too be such, that if hee thought it good he myght bryng thē to such order & appointment as he wold himself, vpon whose perswasiō, calling in the Gouernor Vaillier, after he [Page] had rigorously reproched his timeritie, saide vnto him: that forsomuch as he hadde giuen his woorde, that if hee woulde pay the charges of the armie, he wold let them go wyth bagge and baggage, otherwyse he could discharge but two hundred, whereat Vallier beyng greatly moued, aunswered, that is was not y ^t which with the deputy of the castle he had agreed vnto: But seeing he would doo none otherwise, that it would please hym too suffer hym to returne too the place for to haue the aduise and deliberation of the assieged, which he coulde not ob­tayne, but it was onely permitted vntoo him too send backe the knight that hee had brought with him too make report of these piteous newes vnto the assieged and on the other party Vallier was sent to the Gallie with yrons on his legges. Vallier sent to the gallies with irons vp­on him. They of the castell hauing vnderstanded the premisses, were greatly afrayd of the mischiefe, which they perceiued approching to­wardes them and coulde take none other resolution then the next day in the morning early to return the said knight to the Bascha, to know whether they shuld loke for no better. But as sone as he was com before him, the gouernor was brought in, of whom the Bascha asked, which of both he woulde choose, eyther to pay the expences of the armie, or that he & all they of the Castle woulde remaine prisoners, to whom he aunswe­red, that, a slaue had none other authoritie then that which by hys master was giuen vnto him, A good & wise answere of Vaillier. and that hauing lost, besides his lybertie, the power too commaund, if any thing were yet reserued in him, coulde not counsell hym to commaunde too agree vnto any thing but that which was concluded wyth the delegates, which the Bascha hearing, for feare that such an an­swere should not come to the knowledge of the assieged, and that it should cause them desperately too fight it out hauing taken counsell of hys captaines, tooke the gouernour by the hande, & with a smiling & dissembling countenance said vnto him, that without any dout he wold as he had promised them set thē at free deliuerāce: & that therfore without fearing any thing he wold cause thē al to com out of the castle: but the go­uernor (bicause he had before bin deceiued, wold not trust to his woordes, but saide vnto him, that hee shoulde commaund [Page 25] him that was come from the castel, for that he knew they wolde doe neuer a whit the more for him. So that the Bascha tur­ning towards the knight, commaunded him that he forthwith should go vnto them, and cause them to come foorth: swearing vnto them by the head of his great Lorde, and his owne, that they should all be deliuered and set at liberty, according to the first conuentions agreed vpon. Which the knight beleeuing, went to report vnto them these good newes: which they recei­ued with such ioy, that without any further care or considera­tion of their mishap so neere, and prepared for them, they ran to the prease with their wiues, children, and best moueables, preasing who should first go forth. But they were not so soone issued, but were cleane spoyled, and of the enimies, Faith and pro­mise broken [...] part of the knights were sent to the gallies, and the rest to the Bascha; who being by the knight Vallier admonished of his faith, which he had twise giuen, answered that there was no promise to be kept with dogges, and that they had first violated their oth with the great Lord, vnto whom at the giuing ouer of the Rhodes, they had sworn that they neuer would take on armes agaynst the Turkes. The castle being taken and spoyled, and about 200. Moores of that countrie that had serued the knights, cut in peeces, with great cries & shouts, reioycing of their victory, they discharged a great peale of ordināce. At which noyse the Ambassadour there arriued, took in his heart great displeasure, to see, that contrary to the othe giuen to this miserable gouer­nour, & many other knights, they were thus villainously intre­ted, lying along the ground as halfe desperate. And he being by them praied to be a meanes towards the Bascha, that for­somuch as he would not keep his promise which vpon his oth he had promised, that yet at the least according too the offer made vppon his owne voluntary, The ambassa­dors care for the Prisoners. he would release two hunde­reth of them▪ which the Ambassador went to declare vnto him effectually; but he purged himselfe with the excuses aboue mē ­tioned, & yet neuertheles did presently condescend, that 200. of the eldest & most vnapt, (amongst which was comprehēded the gouernour, & certain knights) should be set at liberty. But as for the Spanish knights & certain young French men, which [Page] he had caused to be put vnto the chaine, there was no remedy to get them away, but by great presents which the Ambassa­dor made vnto the Bascha, and to those that were about hym: and also that he should become surety too cause to be rendred and deliuered 30. Turks slaues, which were taken at Malta at the landing of the armie. There was within a towre (which the Spaniards had buylt at the entry of the Hauen when they tooke the citie) a French knight with thirty Souldiers which the Turkes did practise as much as in them lay, too ouercome with fayre woordes, as they hadde doone with them of the ca­stle: but of his part he did dally with them so well and so long, and with so many subtleties & conditions which he proponed vnto them, that he found meanes to recouer a barke, intoo the which he and his men got▪ & after hauing abandoned the place retired into our gallies. This is the whole summe of that I could learne of the Knight, touching the composition and gyuing ouer of the Castle: which the Knight de Villegaignon hath more at large described in hys treatie of the warres of Malta, which he hath directed vntoo the late Emperour Charles the fifth. The Bascha sent to giue the Ambassadour too vnderstand that it were conuenient for him to carry this desolated compa­ny to Malta [...] and that he therfore should cause his gallies to ap­proch: (which during the siege had layn in a rode foure miles from Tripoli) for to take them in, & that he should not suffer a­ny of his to come to land, which was accorded & accomply­shed out of hand. For about the euening were brought intoo our Patrone by a Captayne of the Ianissaries the Gouernour Vallier and the Spanish Argosin, and within a little while after were brought in a Barke, a great number of Knightes and soul­diers promised, of which the Knight Valier kept the scroll for to call them one after another, and the prease was so greate, who should first enter intoo our Gallies, that it was a thynge most pitifull too beholde: for those that were too hasty, were by the Turkes repulsed with staues and fystes: and also some of them before they coulde gette out of the barke were strip [...]ped intoo their shyrtes. Now after the Knights were thus put intoo our Gallie, and the Souldyers into the Patrone, the next [Page 26] daye beeyng the fifteenth daye of August, through meanes of a gowne of fine cloth of Golde fringed, which the Ambas­sadour gaue vnto the Bascha for a present, he obtayned lycence to go to see the towne and the castel, and tooke with him hys brother in lawe de Saint Veran, his twoo nephewes, [...]leurij, Lodon. Montenard, the Captayne Bartolomy and mee, wyth his Moustaffa and the Dragoman. But wee comming too the gates of the castle, finding them shut, gaue to vnderstand too him that had the warde, that the Ambassadour was there with licence of the Bascha, to enter and see the castle. Notwithstan­ding he made vs to stay there a great while, & afterwards com­ming through the wicket vppon the bridge, where with a staffe he began to beat certaine other Turkes which were there, and after returning to the Ambassador, repulsed him with most in­iurious words, wherat he being offended, sent to giue the Bas­cha to vnderstand of the rigorous refusall made vnto him, desi­ring him too send a Chiaous to cause him to haue entraunce. In the mean space after we had gone about the ditches of the castle which are large & deep we went to see the towne which was (as before we haue declared) altogether ruined since the Emperour Charles gaue it vnto the knights.

Chap. 21.

ALthough the houses and buyldings within the Towne be ruined, yet it is inuyroned with very faire & strong wals, ac­companied with a great number of turrets, double ditches and false breaches and the same are on the three parts inuyroned with the sea, & within them are very good wells and fountains. We saw in the middest of the Towne, an Arche triumphall of white marber with foure faces vppon foure pillars of Corinth foure square, An Arch try­umphal. being grauen in the front that looketh towards the East (by excellent sculpture) a Chariote drawen by twoo [Page] great griffions, & within it was Victory sitting with two wings: Toward the West was grauen a Chariot, wheruppon was sitting Pallas, & about the edge were written diuers romaine letters, but were so ruined [...] that scarce they were too be known. Not­withstanding, by that which can be read, we vnderstood, that they were made in the time of P. Lentulus▪ which is a good wit­nes too beleue that this city, as before I haue said, was builded by the Romains. The inside of the arch was ful of diuers inrich­ments, & aboue after the fashion of a foure square turret: & 2. other faces looking towards the North & South, were cutt as from the vpper part of the body vnto the girdlesteed without any heads, two great figures of the ouercome. All the rest was set forth with all sorts of weapons in forme of Trophee, not far from thence was seen a great foure square place enuironed with many great & high pillers in two ranks after the manner of a porch, & neere that are the destructions of a high tower▪ which in times past was (as a Moore of the country told me) the great temple or Mosque of the city: there are a number more of an­tiquities ruined. The Chiaous being come which was sent by the Bascha, we returned towardes the castle, but might not at that time enter in all, because the Bascha had giuen commaun­dement, that there shuld not enter with the Ambassador aboue 5. or 6. at the most, which were Sant Veran de Fleury▪ de monte­nard, Batolomy, & the Dragoman▪ and I: at the entry we mette with Morataga & the captayne which had the charge of the ca­stle, which caused vs to be brought vpon the rampards, too the end we might the better view & consider of al things & hauing seen both aboue & below, we perceiued for certaine, that all things were wel repaired & furnished▪ & well appoynted wyth 36. peeces of ordinance, Munitions of warre resting within the ca­stle. as well small as great, and that there was a great number of pykes & pots to cast fire, aboundance of all kind of victuals & other munitions, a good wel & fountayn: and that at the time when the siege was layd to it, there was as well of knights as souldiers of diuers nations about 600 and the best gunners of the world, it is an euerlasting shame to them that so fainthartedlie surrendred the same vnto those barba­rous people without any warlike reason. Al which hauing well [Page 27] considered with a heauye minde wee returned agayne too our Gallies, whither incontinent the Bascha sent to desire the Am­bassador that the next day he would come to his solemne dyn­ner, which he pretended to make for ioy of his victory, & taking of the castle, & that he wold bring Vallier with him, which hee woulde not refuse, thinking by such occasion too recouer the rest of the 200. knights & souldiers which were yet to be dely­uered: & therfore the day folowing being the 16. day of August 1551. accōpanied by the gouernor Vallier, the knight de Seur, Cotignac, captain Coste, Montenard, & me▪ went towardes the Bascha, being within the ditch against the breach of the castle, where for a magnificency were set vp 2. faire pauillions, the one for him, ioyning vnto a very faire fountaine: & the other for the Ambassador & his cōpany: & so soon as he had sent his presents as well to the Bascha, as to others his familiers (which of olde time hath byn the manner and custome that they that haue to do with these Barbaries must obserue) he was brought vntoo the pauillion that was prepared for him, & foorthwith serued with al magnificence, honor & superfluity of meates as well of flesh as fish, diuersly dressed according vnto theyr fashion: and with wines very excellent that they had founde within the ca­stle, & this seruice was done with noise of al their instruments, and by officers in number aboue one hundreth, apparrelled for the most part in long gownes of fine cloth of gold, tuffed or fi­gured, & the other of veluet & crimson damask, & diuers other colours. The Bascha was no sooner set down, but al the ordināce of the gallies, foists & galliots of the army (being in al 140. be­sides the great gallion and 2. Mahumez) was discharged, with such a noise & thūdring, that it seemed the heauens & skies did shake. The table being taken vp, the Ambassador & the gouer­nor Vaillier entred into the pauilion of the Bascha, which in the end agreed to deliuer the 200. men which he had promised▪ & moreouer gaue 20 vnto the ambassador vpon promise, that he should cause to be released the 30. Turks taken at Malta, at the landing of the army. But the most part of them that were dely­uered, were almost al Spaniards▪ Sicilians & Calabres, and fewe Frēch men: for the most part of them were put to the ranke of [Page] criminels forsworn: that day were brought into our gallies the coffers of Vallier, within which were found certaine apparrel, a sack with money and a cup of siluer, the rest which he said to be more worth then 2000, crowns, the Turks had taken away and spoyled: besides 2. pauillions which he esteemed woorth 300. crowns. The Turks hauing in their hāds an auncient gunner of the castle named Iohn de Chabas▪ A cruel sacry­fice vppon the person of Iohn Chabas a gun­ner of the Ca­stle. born within the town of Ro­mance in Daulphine (to the end that their feast of victory shuld not be vnfurnished of some sacrifice of cruelty) for that wyth a cānon he had shot off the hand of the cleark generall of the ar­my, brought him into the town: & hauing cut off his hāds & his nose, they put him quick into the groūd euē to the girdle steed, & there with a cruelty was persecuted & shot at with arrows, & in the end for to accōplish the executiō of his glorious martirdō they cut his throate▪ About 8. a clocks in the euening were ligh­ted vpon all the gallies, galliots, foysts and other vessels al along vpon the takels, yardes, and other ropes & poupes, in euery of them aboue 300. candels, with cries & shouts accustomed, and sound of drummes and other instrumentes. To make an end of all their triumphs, they againe discharged all their ordinance. The next day being the 17. the Bascha sent to be presented vnto the Ambassadour a gowne of cloth of gold tissed, and with the same his leaue too depart which he so long had desired: & was not receiued without a present giuen him that brought it, & to diuers other officers of the Bascha which on all sides came run­ning one after another as a sort of hounds, to haue their fee & share in the game, for they are the most barbarous, couetous, & cruel nation of the world, & in whom there is neither truth nor fidelity, neuer obseruing the one half of that they promise: and yet men must alwayes be giuing to them. The 18. the Spanish Argosin bought of them a Moore slaue of his with his 2. little daughters, the one being 6. yere old & the other sucking as yet the mothers brests for 62. ducats: which slaue, for my descripti­on of diuers apparel I thought good liuely to present by a pic­ture in the end of the next chapter.

Chap. 22.

THe same day the 18. of August about the going downe of the sunne, we tooke our course to saile towards Malta. But after we had sailed 60. miles, the wind about midnight did arise out of the North: so colde and contrary that we were constrai­ned to returne to Tripoli: whereof the Bascha being aduertised sent woorde vnto the Ambassadour, that he was very welcome backe again: and that before he had wel tolde him that at the Seas he should finde a contrary winde, yet neuerthelesse when he saw the time conuenient to depart he might doe it by night or by day without demanding of further consent, we soiourned there vntil the one and twentie in the morning within the whi­che time we took in fresh water and a fewe victuals. Afterwards with an indifferent wynd sailing and keeping our course North and by East, wee hadde suche lucky speed, that we came to dis­couer the yles of Lampedose and Linose being vpon the Sater­daye the 22. which day dyed of a feuer moste pestilent, the Mayster of our Gallye called Iohn Raymond, which was a great losse vnto vs, The maister & two gallie [...] slaues of our [...] gallie died. beyng a good Pilot and a very honest man. The day before there died also two gallie slaues and foure in the pa­trone: all whiche were cast into the sea to feede fishes. Vppon the Sunday beeyng the 23. approching neere vnto Malta: wee sent the frigate on before along the coast of Gosse to discouer whither the sea were cleere of gallies, galliots and other vessels of the enemies. For we something doubted the gallies of Ge­nua, after hauing long looked for their returne discouering thē a far off, they gaue vs a signe that there was no dāger towards: & so sayling betwixt Goze & the yle of Malta: we arriued there very late: & the entrance of the hauen being shut, the Ambas­sador sent his Lieuetenaunt with his skiffe towardes the grand maister to signifie vnto him our ariual, & to desire him to cause the hauen to be opened for vs, and too giue him also to vnder­stand, [Page] that he had within his gallies the Gouernour and other knights of Tripoli. But he vnderstanding of the taking of Try­poli was in such a rage and anger, that he sent word back again that he would do nothing vntil the morning, that he shuld haue all his counsel together, to vnderstand of them what were too be done, and afterwardes would let him vnderstande his plea­sure. The knight Parisot sent foorthwyth certayne refreshinges of bread, wine, and sweet water: which were accepted in better parte then the answeare of the grand maister: Vaillier & other knights went to lye within the Bourge. The next daye in the morning the hauen was opened, into which we entred without any welcome bidden. And neuerthelesse the grand maister sent Parisot and certaine other auncient knights to receiue the Am­bassador, who greatly disdayned at the message that in the eue­ning before was sent vnto him, which the knights would fayne haue cloaked and excused, but could not with honesty doe it: being come to the castle, he was receiued of the grandmayster with smal countenance, Ingratitude of the grand mai­ster. as a recompence for that he had at hys great charges and costs, besides the losse of his men that were dead and diseased, safely brought away the knightes and soul­diers from Tripoli, who if it had not byn for hym and his gifts had all remayned as Slaues to the Turkes: wherein the grande maister could not be perswaded, which against al right & truth mainteined his opinion, that without the good willes of the knights, they would neuer haue Surrendred. And as for the 30. Turkes being slaues, which Vaillier (vppon caution & assu­raunce of the Ambassadour) had promised too bee redeliuered vnto the Bascha, he would by no meanes thereuntoo consent. The counsell of the religion were three times assembled, where the ambassadour by good reasons spared not to reprooue the false opinion of the grand maister, from the which he was by no manner of remonstrances to be perswaded. But to the contra­ry maliciously suborned the spanish and Italian knight agaynst vs, so farre that some sayde wee were come to Malta to espye and view the place, & to cause it to be brought vnder the Iuris­diction of the Turks: other said that after we had caused Tripo­li to be lost, we would returne againe to the army. And general­ly [Page 29] and aboue al, that we were the very chiefe authors of all the mischiefes that were happened vnto them by the Turks. Such was their vnthankfulnesse for all the good wil and seruices whi­che the Ambassadour and his company had doone to them of the religion. Vaillier put vnder arest▪ Departing from the castell, he went to dine wyth the Knight Parisot, where Vaillier was vnder arest, atten­ding that his processe should be declared against him: all the rest of the day there was preparation made too dispatche and sende away the knight de Seure towardes the court, too ad­uertise the king of al that which during our voyage was happe­ned vnto vs. And in the mean space the grād maister sent away three frigats towarde Sicilie, Affrique and Naples, too aduer­tise them of the losse of Tripoli, or rather (as the cōmon voyce was) to aduertise Andre Doria (which was tarrying for vs at the passage with 5 principal gallies) of the day of our departure, & the course we meant to keep for we vsed al diligence to escape his hands. Neuerthelesse we made some smal prouision for our gallies, and with much difficulty got certain victuals, and wood for our kitchin. Moreouer, we got a pilote being of the yle of Chio in place of him that was dead: the knight de Seure did al­so no lesse diligence in preparing his galliot too returne in­to Fraunce, & being imbarked with him, the Lords of S. Veran, Montenard the knight of Magliane, Vestrie, Flamerin & cer­tain others (who hauing heard that Andre Doria lay in wayte for vs at the passage, woulde not put themselues in hazard to fight, nor to fall into the handes of their enemies) the 26. of August in the euening, their ankers being weied, hauing a good wind, directed their course towardes Marseilie.

[Page] [Page 30]

Chap. 1.

THE Knight of Seure hauing with a very fauourable winde taken hys course towardes Marseille, wee with our gallies after wee hadd taken in fresh water, the rest of our men that were a shore about the beginning of the night beeing shot to the Sea­wards about 25. or 30. miles, found the wind to be at Northwest, which serued vs so wel, that hauing set our course southeast, we sayled that night 60. miles further, & fol­lowing the same course, we sayled so with that wind, that vpon sunday being the last of August, wee had on our left hande the sight of the Ilandes of Zefalonia, The Iles of Zefalonia and Zante. aunciently called Zephalonia and Zante, sometimes called Iacintha, being both subiect vnto the Venetians and contributory vnto the Turke (as I hope to declare in mine other treatie of our returne from Constantino­ple. The same day about noone we descryed a great ship of Cā ­dia, laden with malmsies, Muscadels and other marchadises, being boūd for Venice. And yet notwithstāding wee had giuen [Page] them a shot of assurance, yet left not to set vp a redde flagge in which were painted the armes of Candia, and began to prepare themselues to the fight, thinking we had bin Coursaries, which the Ambassadour seing, made them beleene that he was of Sici­lia; vpon which occasion they foorthwith stroke their sailes, & the maister with his barke came to salute the Ambassador, whō he straightwaies knew, for that he had oftētimes furnished him of wines at Constantinople, and therfore presented him wyth a great barrell of muscadel, a mutton & diuers other pouncils, A gift agreea­ble and neces­sary. citrons and oranges, desiring him too helpe him with a barrell of fresh water, for that theirs began to stinke: which forth with was deliuered vnto him. In which space an Italian slaue which was escaped out of Constantinople, came swimming intoo our gallie: which notwithstanding, we left not to prosecute our race towards the yle of Sapiēce, The yle of Sa­pience. being distant from Malta 550. miles, where we touched not, but followed on along the coast of Mo­rea to passe the cape Malee, Cape Malee or S. Ange verye dangerous for Saylers. now called Cape S. Ange, very dā ­gerous for saylers: extending 50. miles into the sea, the sayling by it is so perillous, by reason of the contrariety of the wyndes blowing the one against the other, that oftentimes the Mary­ners are constrayned to put it in aduenture twise or thrise be­fore they can passe the same, & as oftē are put back to the sea­shore, for the sea which so furiously casteth against Malee, is such that without great labour and long space she is not to be recouered or surmounted, and oftentimes when men do think to be escaped the most danger, are by contrariety of winds car­ried back againe to such places as oftentimes they cannot es­cape death. And there forthwith we found our selues too be in great peril for hauing al the whole day sailed with a prosperous wind: about the edge of the euening being ready to double the cape, euen in a moment arose a wind out of the Northeast, so cold and so contrary to our nauigation, that we were cōstrained thinking to go on forwards, to goe backe 30. miles to the yle of Cerigo, The yle of Ce­rigo. which belōgeth to the Venitians: In which we soiour­ned 8. dayes, and that by reason of the contrary winde: to wyt, one day at the port of S. Nicholas, Port S. Nicho­las. where first we arriued, and seuen daies vnder the castle and fortresse called Capsali, The castle Capsali. & to es­chew [Page 32] the daungers of the Coursaries which euery day were thereabouts) whether we came too an anker vppon good wyll and request of the Proueditor which incontinent after we were come to an anker sent too visite and salute the Ambassadour wyth refreshinges of mutton, foule and freshe bread, comman­ding all the inhabitauntes of the yle to furnish vs for our mo­ney with all sorts of their victualles, which did vs great plea­sure because of the necessitie whiche beganne too presse vs, in such sort that we were at the poynt to distribute the bysket vnto the maryners and gally slaues by weight: Curtesie of the Proueditor of Cerigo. which the Am­bassadour marking very well, and for that he would not be in­grate, he sent vnto him by his Lieuetenaunt and other his gen­tlemen reciproque presents, which by him were courteously re­ceiued and wel estemed▪ for he was a Gentleman both honora­ble & vertuous, wherof I took experience at twoo seueral times that I went to him: and being enformed of mine estate & pro­fession, he vsed all curtesie & liberality towards me, in such sort that without feare or scruple he caused to be shewed vnto mee the whole fortresse & the munitions of the castle, which by na­ture & artifice seemed to be inuincible, being towards the sea side, cituated vpon a high rock not to be ascended, and towards the land inuironed with great and deep vallyes, hauing also the said Castle but one gate to enter into, which is very strōg & wel garded with 20. Italian souldiers which cause al them that shal enter into it (without any exception) too lay downe their wea­pons. The Proueditors lodging standeth towardes the sea and round about the hall are painted the armes with the names of al the proueditors, which for the Seignorie haue gouerned that yland from the yeere 1502. vntil the time of this said gouernor called Iohan Andree Quirini, which was in the yeere 1551. Vn­der the castle stādeth the town being great, & cituated vpō the hanging of a hil, being euil to get vp vnto, for that there is but one streete cut out of a harde slipperie rocke of black marber.

Chap. 2.

THis Ile of Cerigo, as writeth Bordon in his Isolary, was first called Scothera, Cerigo. but as saieth Aristotle, Porphiris, for the beautiful marbers which are there. And yet Plinie and diuers others do cal it Cithere, by the name of Cithere the sonne of Phaenis, & presently is called Cerigo. Within this yle Venus after her birth made her first habitation, & (within a temple erected for her) was worshipped & reuerēced as a goddesse & princesse of the same. She regardeth towards y ^e west y ^e cape Malee, distāt frō it according to the opiniō of the moderne mariners 30. myles. But Pliny, Error of Pliny & Strabon. & Strabon make therof but 5. miles distāce, wherein me thinketh they haue greatly erred, for experiēce sheweth the distāce to be much greater. There are diuers ports, which neuerthelesse are very straight & dāgerous, & this yle is round about so ful of woods & mountaines that she is almost desert & vnha­bited, but towards the castel, where the Proueditor dwelleth, & in certain smal villages of no account: the circuit is 60. thousād paces, aboūding (as reciteth the said Bordon) of wild asses, Wild asses ha­uinge in theyr head a stone of great vertue. whi­che haue in their head a stone, hauing the vertue against the fal­ling sicknes, paine in the flanks, & to laye vppon a woman that cannot be deliuered of child.

Chap. 3

DVring the time of our abode in this yle of Cithare for too refresh my spirit & eschew idlenes, I took the pain to seeke out the reliques & antiquities aswel of the city of Cithare, as of the castle of Menelaus and the old temple of Venus, and in the [Page 33] ende were shewed vnto me by one of the Iland, vpon the toppe of an high mountaine certaine ruines which he said too be of the sayde temple, Ruine of the temple of Ve­nus. and there were seen two high pillers Ionique without heads, with fiue other foursquare, amongst the which appeared the forme of a great portal, and neare vnto it the sta­ture of a woman cloathed after the Grecian fashion, of bignes vnmeasured. But as my guide told me, certaine yeeres before the head had been taken away by Proueditor of the Ile, whiche had caused the same to be conueighed to Venice, The sta­ture and effig [...] of Helene. and the Iso­lands doe affirme that it was the effige of Helene, which Iohn de Maire of Belges in his illustrations of Gaule, doth approue saying, that it was there, where Paris after he had rauished He­lene, tooke of her the first frutes of his loue. A little below this temple vpon the same mountaine, was the castle of Mena­laus, the husband of Helene, which was king of Sparta, & lord of this Ile. The foundations of which Castle, are there as yet apparant by the residue of the walles which are made of gra­uen stone without morter or playster, of length and bignesse vnmeasurable, then was also an high tower fouresquare, Foundations of the castle of Menalaus. from the which in faire and cleare weather may be seene, not onely the citie of Sparthe, but also the most part of Penelopese (now called Morea.) From this castle, they discend into the Citie of Citheree, which was cituated on the East part, on the hanging of a hil, in which appeared yet certain peeces of the old walles. And for better witnesse of the antiquitie thereof, the inhabi­taunts of the Ile doe at this present day call all these old ruines Paleopolys, which is to say, and old Citie vnder which passeth a small ryuer, which through the middest of a gulfe issueth into the Sea, and vppon the bankes of this gulfe are within a great rock eighteen or twentie bathes small & great, Bathes cut in rockes. cut out by marueilous art, the most part being made with pypes and gutters to bryng the waters vnto them. I saw these bathes tho­row a great hole, which in times past was made for a breathing hole, vpon the toppe of a rocke whereof the principall entrie was couered and shut with great bushes, and wilde brambles, which in processe of time and lacke of frequentation, were so growen and multiplyed, that to content my minde I resolued, [Page] by a coarde too go downe into this hole, which readily I did by the helpe of those that were with mee, and after mee follo­wed my nephewe, and wee straightwayes so bestirred our sel­ues with an axe too cut downe the trees and bushes, which let­ted the going downe, that we made such a gap that euery man might enter and see at his pleasure. Likewise after our first ar­riuall, the Ambassadour hauing sent his gard to the mountain of S. Nicholas (being very high, stony, & ill to climbe vp), I she­wed hym two chappels, being vppon the toppe of it, of which the biggest had aswel within as without his pauement very an­tickly wrought after the Mosaique fashion with figures of hun­ters on hosebacke, Hartes, Lions, Beares, Dogges, and diuers birdes,

And thus ye haue the most part of those things which I haue seene worthie of memorie: the wind still continuyng contra­rie, and the Seas being sore wrought, constrained vs to remain there all that while to our great griefe. The 7. day of Septem­ber, and of our aboade, dyed of a blooddy flixe a young Gen­tleman called Polmi, kinsman to Saint Marie, who (according to the commoditie of the place) was honourably buryed with in the Bourg: which being notified vnto the Proueditor, fea­ring he had died of the plague, incontinently forbadde all hys folke and the men of the Iland to deale or frequent any more with vs, nor yet to bryng any more victuals vnto vs. The same night also we hadde newes of a Galliot of Messene, which comming from ventring, was arriued at the Dragoners (which are two smal Ilandes very neare to Cerigo) & therfore the better to be on our gard, euerie one put himself readie in armes. And as it pleased God, which knewe what was necessary for vs (for that alreadie we began to way out the bisket vnto the gallie slaues and that in the Patronne there was scarce lefte for foure dayes) about the second watch in the night, the Sea which for eight dayes before had sore raged, began to asswage, and the North East windes, which so long had continued, fauourably changed into the West and by North.

Chap. 4.

About the third watch our ankors beeyng weighed by the help of god (who neuer forgetteth his in time of need) we departed out of the hauen, and with sayles spread, doubled the Cape of Saint Nicholas of the same Ile, and after that the cape Malee, and sayled aswell with one as other wynde, that we entred the Sea Aegeum: passing by the Iles of Archipela­gua, and approching the Ile of Tino, with force of o [...]res we o­uertooke two Ragusian shippes, for that the Seas beyng calme they coulde not flee: the master refusing to speak with vs se [...]t a passenger beyng of Chio, vnto vs in a small boate, whom the Ambassadour asking from whence those shippes came, sayde that it was not fiue dayes past since they were depa [...]ted from Messena in Sicilia: as for any newes of the warres he wold de­clare nothyng excusing himselfe saide that it apper [...]ained too Merchants to be occupied wyth theyr merchādise, and yet ne­uerthelesse tolde vs that Andre Doria wyth fiue [...]allies well appointed, was twyse departed & returned: & determined for too entrappe vs at the passage, and that the first occasion of his retourne too Messena was for that the Maste of one of the chiefe Gallies was by storme broken, and the second, for that he hadde missed of his enterprise, hee was fallen sicke with thought.

Thus hauyng retourned this good fellowe (who scarcely woulde imparte any of this newes vnto vs) to hys shippe, we a­gayne began to follow on our course towards the Ile of Chio, and in the night hauing passed the Cape Mastic, we approched in the morning within eight miles of the Citie.

Chap. 5.

THE next day, beyng the tenth of September, after we had putte our gallies in order, with theyr flagges, banners, streamers and Gailiardets, and the Gentle mē & Souldiers set in their ranks, we made way towards the strēgth port of Chio, Our comming to Chio. at the entring wherof were discharged all the ordinance & harquebuses, and afterwardes wyth sound of Trumpets and Cla­rons, we came to an anker, neare vnto the mole head vpon the which, and al along the hauen, the people came running to see vs arriue: and we had not so soone touched grounde, An oration made to the Ambassadour. but the Ambassadour was straightwayes visited by the principall and most auncient of the Seigniorie of which one made the orati­on for the rest, with great curtesie and honour, offeryng hym the Citie withall that was within it, to dispose of the same ac­cording to his pleasure, & with great affectiō, req [...]sting him to take the same for his lodging, quiet recreation, and repose of his trauailes sustayned on the Seas, assuring him that the Segniorie desired nothing more, then the good intreatie of him and his. For which the Ambassadour rendred vnto them his most hartie thanks, excusing hymself vpon the weakenes of his per­son and hast of his voyage towardes Constantinople, so as hee could not come a land and for that he was also resolued to de­part that night: but promised them that at his return he wold certain dayes passe the time amongst them. The said lordes were not so sone returned into the town, but they sent a boat ladē with diuers Presents: to wit .xij. couple of quick partriges being in twelue seuerall cages, twelue couple of fat capons, sundry baskets full of Citrons, Lemonds, Orenges, Pomegra­nets, Apples, Peares, prunes and Reisons, of such bignesse that there were some of them [...] that euery cluster weighed sixe or se­uen poundes, a great quantitie of new bread, and certaine cal­ues, & muttōs, which refreshings wer vnto vs no lesse welcome [Page 35] then necessary. Moreouer in the afternoone they sent vnto vs a good quantity of al manner of fruit with a 100. poullets, two buts of wine of Chio, two fourth parts of muscadell, 12. boetes mastick 4. tapites floured, of pinsed satten, for there are made the best and fairest of any place in Leuant, 4. Turkie couerlettes, 12. great streamers of green silk, and a good quantity of tallow candles. The Consul of the French men called Ioseph Iustinian, sent likewise on his behalfe diuers faire presents vnto the Am­bassadour, we had made our accompt to reembarke and depart that night but there arose a wind out of the Northeast, so con­trary to our course, that we were constrayned too prolong our aboad vntil the 13. day towards the euening: to the great plea­sure and contentment aswel of vs as the inhabitants and speci­ally of the faire dames and maidens of Chio, which intreated and intertained vs with all curteous and honest liberality, in such a sort that I dare well saye and affirme for certayne, that I haue not seen in any place where I haue been, a nation more a­morous and ciuill, nor which studieth more in all honest sorte to obtayne the fauour of straungers. Nowe to come to the des­cription of thinges most speciall and woorthie of memorie, which are aswell within this famous Ile, as within the Citie of the same, I will first beginne with the generall description of thys most famous Ile, and afterwardes of the particularities.

Chap. 6.

THE yle of Chio or Scio, by Ephore first called Ethalie, of Metrodore Chia, of the nymph of Chione, and as others say, Macrin or Pithiosa, lyeth in the sea Ionique specting East­wardes by the distance of tenne miles. Eolide, a countrie in A­sia the lesser by Ptolome Argenum Promontorium, and of the moderne maryner Capo Bianco, or as Plinie writeth, Mysie: she is cituated betweene the Iles of Samos and Lesbos, about the height of Erithase. The circuit thereof after the opinion [Page] of Ptolome is 128. miles & 500. pases. Plinie maketh mention only of 125. miles [...] but Isidore adioyneth 9. more, Pli. lib. 5. c. 30. although the mariners nowadaies yeeld vnto it only 124. To the northwards she is distāt frō the yle of Lesbos now called Metelin, 50. miles, & from Delos now called Sdile (where sometimes was the fa­mous temple and oracle of Apollo) between the south and the North 90. miles, from Lango, betweene the north the south 80. miles, and from Psara by Strabo Psira to the west 15. miles. This yle is diuided into 2. parts: to wit, by height and lownesse, the height towards the south is high and hilly, ful of great woods, darke vallies and riuers, which issuing into the sea, cause many myls to grind. There are also diuers castles, some on the moun­taynes, and some on the playne which is very fertile, and a­boundeth of al things necessary. On the end of the yle towards the West is the mount of S. Helias: Mount S. He­lie. vppon the which within an olde castle (as the Insulans doe say) is the sepulture of Homer who liued as Iosepus writeth 200. yeres after the destruction of Troy.) But Pliny contrarying them, saith that his sepulture is in the yle Ios, which likewise was called Phenice, & presently Nio. The said Insulanes do further say, that the said Homer was born in a village not farre from thence called to this houre Ho­mero, wheras grow the best & most excellēt wines of al Graecia, which the auncients in their bankets & feastings did greatly e­steem as Pliny reciteth, saying: Book 14. C. 15. that Caesar the Romaine dicta­tor distributed at the celebrating of his triumph a 100. great pots of wine of Falerne, & 100. vessels of wine of Chio amongst his guests. And likewise that in his triumph of Spaine he gaue of the wine of Chio & Falerne. Moūt Pelenee. The mount Pelinee is the high­est in al the yland: producing faire marberstones, & as Pliny al­leadgeth, the sellers & vautes of marber of diuers colours were first seen & discouered in this yle, yee haue there moreouer the mounts Peparque Menaleto, S. Helene, Vicchio, Pino, Carda­nella, S Angelo & Aruisio, a place most rude & hilly: and yet bringeth foorth very good wines. And towardes the North is the fountayne called Nao. Vitruuius sayeth. There is another whiche is of such nature, that if any drinke of it vnawares, hee shall foorthwith become bestraught of hys sences.

[Page 36]Leon Albert in his Archirecture sayth, that in this Ile there are two other fountaines, wherof the one is so venemous, that if any man doe but tast or smelleth to the same onely she pro­cureth present death wythout any smart, and thother likewise killeth those that wash in it. Not far from the fountain Nao is the port of Cardamille, Port of Car­damille. at the entrie whereof there is a shelfe called Strouilli, and neare this port is seene a fayre plaine well inhabited, and watered with the flood Helusan, and below to­wards the South, is the port Delphin, which at his entraunce hath the rock of S. Stephano, with a watch tower aboue it. Af­ter that of S. George, S. George. wheras gather & spring many fair foun­taines, which after a long & sharpe course do come altogether into an vniuersall flood, which by croked wayes finally issueth into the Sea. On the other side of the yle, betweene the South & the West, is another great hauē called Lithilimione, Lithilimione. hauing in the entry two riuers, & round about it a great & plaine field watred with a little spring. The other & lower part, which loo­keth towards the South, the auncients haue called Phane Pro­montoriū & now is called Cape Mastico, Cape Mastico of the aunci­ents, Phane promoutoriū. & is the place where the trees growe, which bring foorth the Mastic, & commeth not (so farre as is knowne) from any other part of the worlde, except as the Spaniardes write, out of certaine partes of the Indies. These trees doe properly resemble the Lentiscus (which is the cause that diuers do write that the Mastic is the teare or droppings of the Lentiscus, but they are a great deale higher & haue more larger leaues. As for the trimming & gathering of the mastick, is vsed in this maner. The Segniori giueth vnto the inhabitats of euery castle or village of this lower part, such portion & quātity of the plants & rootes of these trees, as they think good, vpon conditiō that euery one in his degree shall trim them & keep the ground cleane that is vnder thē, & that the time & season being come to gather the Mastic, he do deli­uer vnto the Segniorie a certaine weight and quantitie accor­ding too the number of the trees that are cōmitted vnto him. And if through the plentifulnesse of the yeere they do deliuer more then they are bound to doe, the Seigniorie payeth vn­to them a certaine reasonable price for euery pounde. But to the contrary, yf the barrennesse of the yeere doeth not per­mit [Page] them to furnish the quantitie by them promised, they are constrained to pay for that which lacketh, the double that whi­che was giuen vnto them for the aboundance, and this charge the Lordes doe lay vpon them to make them the more careful and diligent, the better to labor, trimme, and make cleane the trees. The order to pull and gather the Mastick from the trees is this. About the beginning of the monethes of Iuly and Au­gust, the husband men with a pointed Iron doe rent and cut the barke of the trees in diuers places, and out of these incisi­ons and cuttes proceedeth the Masticke by droppes as it were Gum, The maner of gatheryng of mastick. which they gather in the moneth of September follow­ing, & after do deliuer the same vnto the Segniorie, as before is saide, This done, the Lordes do part the same, and put it to the handeling and administration of foure of them: the one of which hath the charge too furnishe all Grecia: the other, the whole West partes, which is Italie, Fraunce, Spaine, and Ger­manie: the third distributeth his part throughout little Asia, which verily is Turkie: and the fourth, furnisheth Suria, Egypt and Barbarie. Moreouer the said foure Lords haue vnder them Commities, which do distribute the masticke throughout all the principall towns beyng vnder theyr charge. The whole masse of these foure may amount too about 150. caces, euery one weighing two Canters, which are wrothe eightie Hoccha of Constantinople weight, The price and value of the mastick. and euery Hoccha foure pound, at eleuen ounces the pound, the Cantar is worth fiftie crownes, and so is a hundrd crownes for euery case.

Chap. 7.

THE Citie of Chio hath in times past beene so famous and opulent, that she hath kept an armie emperial at the Seas: but by lōg prolapse of time, as althings are subiect to changes and varieties of fortune, the Empyre Constantinoplitan be­ginning to decay, and to fall into the power of the Barbarous infidels, was brought vnder the dominion of the Geneuoises, which long time defended the same against the fury and rage [Page 37] of the Turkes, but in the end perceiuing their strength to bee too much inferiour, they became tributories vnto [...] the prince of the Turkes, for 10000. ducates by the yere. The Geneuoi­ses do pay vnto the Turke 10000. crowne [...] for Chio. Besides the pre­sents which they must giue vnto the Baschas, & other officers of estimation, which amounteth vnto more then 2000. ducats. This Citie is cituated vppon the sea ten miles below the port Delphin hauing his aspecte oriental toward Asia the lesse: the hauen is very good & able to hold a great many vessels, & the towne is inuironed with good walles, large rampards, & deep ditches: Vpon one of the sides of the common place where the market for victuals is kept, is the burse, wheras the Merchants do euery day assemble, The Burse where the merchants doc as­semble. as they do at the Chaunge of Lions and burse of Antwerp, & royal exchange of Londō, for the traffick & handeling of their merchandises: & on the other side, on the left hand, is the pallace where the Segniorie keep their coūsels for the affayres of the Ile & the Citie. The streetes are faire and large, & the houses & churches, builded after the maner of Ge­nua and Italie, without the walles are fayre suburbes full of gardens, pleasant and delectable, filled with diuers frutes of marueilous sweetnes: as orenges, lēmons, citrons figs peares, apples, prunes, abricors, dates & oliues, and likewise of all sorts of hearbes, sweet flowers, good and wholesome waters both of wels and fountaines. The inhabitants are very gentle & cour­tuous towards strangers, & are much giuen too musick and all other vertuous & honest exercises. As for the women and mai­dens, Prase of the women of Chio. I doe not thinke (without offence too any other) that in all the East partes are any, more accomplished in beautie and good grace, & amarous courtesie: for aboue the singular beau­tie, wherewith nature hath so well indued them, they do attyre themselues so finely, & haue so modest countenance & grace, that men would iudge thē rather to be Nymphs or Goddesses, then womē or mortal maidens: Apparrel of the women of Chio. the women of reputatiō weare their gownes or coates of veluet, satten, damask, or other rich silkes, white or of other seemlie colour, which they gard about with broad bands of veluet, and doe fasten their sleeues aboue with silk ryband lace [...] of diuers colours: their apron is of fine linnen cloath wrought & fringed about, and attyre their head [Page] with a coyfe of white satten, or other colour embrodered with gold & pearles, and close the same about the head with long stringes & other [...]ibands of lyke silke, as about the sleeues, in whiche they make knots & deuises behinde with a very good grace, & before their forehead they weare a yeallow Cypresse wrought vpon goldfolie, which they shut and knit fast behind their coyfe: but the married women differing from the mai­dens in steed of a cypresse, weare on their shoulders a fair raile white as the snowe, and generally their hosen and pattins are of colour white. Briefly there is nothing to be seen vpon them which is not proper & pleasant, but that they make their bo­dies short, & haue their brests hanging, because of the cōtinu­al frequentation of the bathes, but about their neck and vpon their stomacke, they were many chaines, tablets, & other tryn­kets of gold, pearles, or other fine stones of great value, euery one according to her qualitie and degree, so that all their pleasure and studie is to attire and set out themselues to make thē the more acceptable vnto men aswel priuate as strangers. To returne to the citie of Chio, she is inhabited with Grecians and Geneuoises, and a number of Iewes, which seuerally haue one streete to dwell in, and because they should be the better kno­wen from others, they are constrayned to weare for a token a great cappe of yealowe colour: they exercise great trafficke, v­sury of money & other merchandises, as they do in other coū ­tries where they dwel. The Grecans do obeisance vnto the pa­triarch of Constantinople and haue a church on a mountaine Westwards, A sumptuous church of the Grecians. and fiue miles from the Citie which is esteemed to be the fayrest that is in al those Ilands Ciclades, being artifici­ally made of Mosaique, and was builded after the common o­pinion of the Insularies, by the Emperour of Constantinople called Constantinus Monomachus, which named her our lady of Niamoui.

I doe here present vnto you gentle Reader, liuely set foorth, two pictures of the wyfe and mayden of the Ile of Chio, and another of the Ile of Paros, not­wythstanding that I doe referre the description of the sayde Ile, and our arri­uall in the same, for that it appertayneth vntoo the seconde tome, in which (y [...] God giue me grace) shalbe described our return and nauigation from Constan [...]tinople into Italy, where I disbarked to go to Rome, and by land into France.

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Chap. 8.

THe gouernment of this citie is in form of a cōmon wealth, for they haue the Mahomies which were the first gentle­men sprung out of the ancient stocke of Iustinian of the nation of Genua: Mahomies gē ­tlemen. Geneuoises. & for that they were the first Dominators in this yle from 2. yeeres to 2. yeres, one of the saide Mahomies is elected & created potestate, and chiefe iustice both ciuil & criminal, the which hath a Lieuetenant being a doctor of the lawes, which as­sisteth him in the hearing and decyding of all processes and dif­ferences. They ordeyn further from 6. moneths to 6, monethes, 4. gouernors which are assistants in the iudgement of criminall persons, Foure goue [...]nors elected. when there is question to iudge them to death, takyng informations of al things pollitique, aswel of the City and sub­urbes, as generally of the whole yle, & are also appointed to re­cei [...]e all Ambassadors aswel Barbaries, as Christians that come into their yle. They haue moreouer 12. counseilers which are called when there are matters of great importance, Twelue coun­cellers. but aboue these the 4. Gouernours do commaund. There are also created 2. other officers, Officers for victuals. which are to take view and acknowledgement of al victuals, & may iudge of small matters being vnder the va­lue of twenty crownes. Being also curious of their healthes, they do establish two persons, which by reason of their charges are called iudges of health, for that specially they haue a regarde that in the plague time no shippe or other strange vessel do en­ter into their port without first shewing a good certificat that the place frō whence they come is not infected with the plague. Furthermore there are foure other officers twoo of which are Mahomies, 4. Officers for the ouerseeing of the buil­dings. the third a Grecian and the fourth a Citizen, which altogether haue the charge to looke vnto the old and new buil­dings, and other meane & pollitike affayres. Item more, twoo Lordes beyng Mahomies which haue the gouernement of the masticke, Twoo Maho­mies haue the gouernment of the mastic. beeyng forbidden vnto all persons vppon payne of [Page] death not to gather & sell the saide Mastick, but by their leaue and consent: they haue also a captaine for the night, and di­uers other meane officers, which for auoyding of prolixitie I wyll passe ouer with silence, and yet wyll speake of two things worthie of reciting, which I haue seene in this Ile, whereof the first is of the diuers nature of two figge trees, which were shew­ed vnto me in the garden of the gray Friers, which is such, that the frute of the one which is good to eat, can neuer com to be rype but with the figges of the other, which notwythstanding are nought to eate, and therefore they vse them in this order. About the time that the figs begynne to waxe ripe, they teare certaine braunches of the figge tree that is nought, and caste the same vpon the other that is good, or els doe fasten by the stake certaine quantitie of the yll figges, after they haue firste picked them, out of which prickes do ingender and breed certaine small flying wormes, which with their billes and stinges picking the other figs, sodaynely after they are picked, they come to a good and perfect rypenesse, and as I was informed they haue of those fig trees, a great quantitie in that Iland. The second thing worthie of memorie is, that in certain Casales or villages of that Ile, are seene an inestimable number of great red partriges, as tame as though they wer chickins or hens of this country which the countrie folks do feed by great flocks, Tame partri­ges which are led & brought to and fro the fieldes. driuing them in the daye time too goe grase in the moun­taynes, and towards the euening the boyes or girles, which do keep them, do cal them together with a whistle or some song: and these Partriges being accustomed to such calles, inconti­nently euery flock (which somtimes are two or three hundred more or lesse) gather to their conductor, which bringeth them home to their village & dwelling as though they were hennes or tame geese: they go also a feeding in small flockes alongest the streets of the citie & within priuate houses, but being caried out of this Ile, they become wild, forgetting their tamenes. A tribute whi­che the wid­dowes of Chio that wil not marry must pay They of Chio (as diuers inhabitants worthie of credit haue en­formed me) obserue a custom vsed of antiquity, that if a womā after the discease of her husbād, wil remain a widow with pre­tēce neuer to marry again: the Segniorie cōstraineth her to pay a certain peece of mony, which they cal Argomoniatico, y ^t is to [Page 42] (sauing the honour and reuerence of the Reader) as a cout set at rest of vnfit. Moreouer, that if a mayden of the countrey or city doth lose her maydenhead before she is marryed, and that she wil continue in that occupation, she is bound to giue a duc­cat vnto the Captayne of the night, The whoore [...] do pay a try­bute vnto the captaine of the night for thyr lycence. and after may vse it at her pleasure without feare or danger, and herein lyeth the most as­sured gayne which this gentle Captaine hath in his estate & of­fice. Diuers great and excellēt personages haue taken their be­ginning & birth in this yle: amongst which were Io Tragicque, Io tragicque. Theopompe the historiā, Theopompe the Historian. Theocrite the Sophist, Theocrite the Sophist. & as the Insulās say, Homere. the Poet Homer (producing for a witnesse those which were called Homerides: which as Pindare sayeth, were most excel­lent singers:) Bubale and Antherme brethren, Bubal and Antherme bre­thren. the sonnes of An­therme the most renowmed caruer and grauer of Images were there borne: which (as Pliny reciteth) in derision and mockery, made the shape and proportion of Hipponax the poet Iambi­que, Hipponax the Poet Iambi­que. because of his hardfauourednesse and deformity, and set it out openly abroade: at which this Poet being full of poeticall spyte and indignation in great coler drew the sword of his wit, that is to say, of his verses, that some dare well say that he con­strayned them of dispaire and anger to hang themselues. Now after we had soiourned in this yle with al pleasures vntil the 13. day of the same moneth of Septem. about the going downe of the sunne, we being al gone aboord & our ankers weyed, [...]ailed close along by the yle to the little yle of S. Stephano, Ile of S. Steph. which ly­eth at the entraunce of the port Delphin, Port Delphin. Cardemille. and from thence too Cardemille distaunt from the port Delphin 10. miles, and 20. myles from the city of Chio. Afterwardes setting our course east Northeast towardes the goulph of Caloni, being from the yle of Metelin and distant from Cardemille 30. miles, and for to be there the next night we sailed alongst the land to the port of Segre, which is 20. miles below the goulph, wheras because the wind was too fresh, we reposed vntil the break of day. But I will not passe further without first making a brief description of the yle of Metelin, following therin the opinions aswel of the aun­cient and late Geographers, as that which I could learn of the maryners and inhabitants of the countrey.

Chap. 9.

MEtelin is an yle in the Sea of Aegee by the auncients first called Lesbos, and aftewards named Issa, Pelasgie, Myty­lene, Mytais: and lastly, Metelim of Milet, the sonne of Phoe­bus, whiche builded the citie, and named it Mytilene which was not only metropolitane of al the townes of Eolea, but al­so (as writeth Pope Pius) obtained the empyre of the Troyans. This Ile (as writeth Ptolome) extendeth from the South to the North in distaunce threescore myles, In his descrip­tio of Asia the lesse. chap. 74. counting from the Citie of manlee ioyning to the Promontorie Sigrie, vnto the cape Lesbos aunciently called the promontorie of Sytrie. Cape of Les­bos. Notwithstanding that the modernes founded on a contrarie opinion and ocular reason, affirme the length thereof to bee from the West too the East 110. miles, and the whole circuite 160. Pompone sayth, that there were in it, fiue cities Antissa, Pyra, Eresson, Ciraue and Mytilene, of which the who [...]e Ile beareth the name. But Seruie calleth it Methine, howsoeuer it be, Stra­bo spake aright, where he sayeth it to haue two great ports, the one, on the direct South, able to hold aboue fiftie gallies and many other vessels. The other, being great, sure, and deepe, ha­uing at the entrie thereof a small Iland, but where he sayth the second to lye on the North part, he may by the view & eisight onely be reproued, being in deed towards the East. Of the Ci­tie of Mytelene, was Pithagore one of the seuen sages of Gre­cia: Alcee the Poet, and his brother Antimenides, a man most valiant at arms: Theophraste & Phanie, Philosophers Peripate­tiques & familiar friends of Aristotle, & likewise Ariō the most excellent player on the harp, of whom Herodote speaketh ve­ry fable like, saying that he being by certaine theeues cast into the Sea, was by a Dolphin brought safe and sound to the porte of Tenare. Of thence was also Terpandre the famous Musitiō, which ioined the seuēth string to the quadricord, after the likenesse of the seuen straying starres. Sapho, a woman most wel [...] [Page 43] learned in poetrie, was also a Lesbian being called the x. Muse & numbred amongst the ix. Poets Li [...]iques. She inuented the verses which after her name are called Saphic, & being very fer­uently in loue with Phaon, who being gone into Sicilia & fea­ring that she was not beloued of him againe, in a fury & rage of a loue dismeasured, she cast her selfe downe headlong from the mount Epyre into the Sea. In our time are spro [...]g out of the same two so happie & renowned Coursaries, Cairadni and Ariadne bre­thren. brethrē Cai­radni & Ariadne Barberousse, which being gone (as being two of the poorest of the Ile to seek their aduēture vppon the Sea, were so fauorably cōducted by fortune, that they both are happily disceased with the name & title of kings of Alger. The first inhabitāts of this yle, after the saying of Diadore, were the Pe­lasgiens, for after the Xanthe the sonne of Priape, king of the Pelasgiens, had part of the Segniorie of Letia went to Lesbos, which thē was not inhabited: after the palasgiens, succeeded the Eoliens, & after was subiect to the Empire of Persia, & af­ter that to the Macedoniās: & finally, vnder the Emperours of Grecia, vntill such time as the Emperor Calo Iani being dri­uen away by Cartacusan, and afterwards recouered [...]he empire through the ayd of Catalusio of Genua, & gaue vnto him in re­compence of the help & succour which he had done vnto hym for him & his posterity, the Lordship & domination ouer thys yle. Notwithstanding since that the Turkes haue made dyuers rodes & spoiles into the same, thei haue finally brought it vnder their puissance & dominiō. Metelin vnder the puissance of the Turke. She produceth of the best wines that are in al Graecia & great quantity of al good fruits for althogh the moste part of the yle is hilly and sauage, yet is therein the middest therof a valley very good and fruitful.

Chap. 10

FRō Metelin we sailed alōg by Natolia or little Asia vnto the promontory of Sigee by the moderns called the cape of Ia­nissaries right against which by the distāce of 10. miles is the yle of Tenedon, Promontorie Sige [...]. so called of one Tenes, which first peopled y ^e same, [Page] and there founded a city which he called after his name. Plinie in his naturall history writeth, The fountayn Ephere. that in this yle there is a fountain which by natural vertue from the third houre of the Solsticium vnto the sixt: doth so abound of water that for a certaine tyme she batheth and watereth the whole plaine of the yle, and after­wards during the rest of the yeere remaineth dry & ful of clifts. Strabo also affyrmeth, that without the city of Tenedon, Temple of Neptune. was the tēple of Neptune greatly reuerenced by the concurrence of the people, which of al parts came vnto it. Alongest this side be­tweene the port of Sigee, and the floud Xanthus otherwise cal­led Scamander are seuen diuers ruines and peeces of walles foū ­dations, colomnes pillers and other monuments of the great and ancient city of Troy by the elders so much celebrated, whi­che ruines by their long & large extending which they shew, is made apparant the greatnes and magnificence of the sayd so renowmed, & in the end most infortunate city. The riuer Sca­ [...]nder. The riuer Scaman­der being aboue it comming from the bottom of the moūt Ida (which is clothed with al maner of trees, as pinetrees, Serapins, Cypres, Terebinths, Iemuers & other trees great & litle Aroma ticque) rūneth softly alōg the vally of Mesaulon, Mesaulon. & so issueth into the sea, frō thence we entred the streit of Hellespōt, [...]trei [...]e of Hel­ [...]espont. for the safe­gard wherof there are 2. strong castles, builded by Mehemet the 2. cōquerour of Constantinople, the one on the one side of Eu­rope, Two castles. at Charronesse Thracien, & the other in little Asia in the same places (as they of the countrie do affirm) where somtimes were the 2. castles of Seste & Abyde so renowmed by the fables of the poets in memory of the loue of Leāder & Hero. Seste whiche is in Europe, is cituated at the foot of a moūtain wherof the circuit is made after the form of a double clauer leafe: to wyt: with 2. towers one within another, euery one made in 3. halfe circles, & the great cōpasse of the wal in form of a triāgle which haue at euery corner a tower which beateth & defendeth the o­ther, for this castle is & alwaies hath bin wel prouided of men & munition: the other on the side of Asia, [...]byde in Asia. wheras stood Abyde is more new & strong thē Seste, for it is in form 4. square cituated in a plain marish, the most faire and fruitfull as in anye place, hath bin seen, aswel for gardens, fruits, tillage grounds and pa­stures [Page 44] which are about it, as for the riuer of Simois wherwith it is watered, which comming from the mount Ida (as doth the Scamāder) runneth along by the castle, & so issueth into the sea: the castle as I haue begun to say is in form 4. square, hauing on euery corner a roūd tower, & in the middest of the base court a high tower 4. square like vnto a platform, which beateth & cō ­mandeth of al parts, al wel & indifferently rāparded & ditched, & furnished of good ordināce, specially the curtines which bea­teth al along vpon the water too the seaward. For oftentimes they are assaulted on that side. Before the gate on the side of the Bourg, there is a great place to keep their markets in, & a faire Mosquee. The gard hauing with a loud voyce requested vs to come neer the shore, we came to an anker very nigh the castle, wherin when our patrone would followe vs, taking the ad­uantage of the streame which there is so extreem & with suche force, A streame very dangerous. that there is no mariner so perfect, but that it would sore trouble him, & not finding sufficiēt depth was so fiercelye caste thwart the nose of our gallie that it whollye burst the same in peeces. Which the warders seing, they came forthwith aboorde of vs with smal boats, Exaction of those of the gard vpon the passingers. & after they had seen the safe conduct of the ambassador & vnderstood of him the newes of theyr army at sea: they gaue him to vnderstand that it was not the custom that ambassadors shuld passe that streight, without some pre­sents giuē to the captaine & other officers of the castle, so as to cōtent their insatiable auarice he gaue to thē certaine ducates. Afterwards hauing mended and newe couered a peece of our palliment, our ankors beeing weighed, wee went that day too come to an ankor at a great village called Maiton, Maitō a great village. which lyeth on the side that the Seste is of, inhabited with Gretians, which are all spynners of wooll and cotten, I say aswell men as women, and of their threed they make Esclaunis, which are co­uerlets with long hayre. The village containeth about two or three hundred hearthsteds and is cituated vppon the hanging of a mountain neare the Sea side, & on the bending of it, which is in the midst are seen the foūdatiōs of an old castle, & alōg the streets of the village & corners of the houses, are peeces of fair columnes & other monuments with certaine figures broken, [Page] which giueth an appearance that it hath in times past bin some renowmed city. This place aboundeth of fayre and fruitful gar­dens, and is a great countrey of vines producing great aboun­dance of good wines, which they preserue in great earthen pit­chers, which they bury in the ground, to the intent too keepe the same the longer good. They haue also aboundance of pa­stures and good waters both of wels & fountaines: al along the sea side are seen 36. windmilles, hauing euery one of them 10. wings, VVindemilles with x. wings. and also there are diuers of them about the castle of A­byde. The next day in the morning as we were lading of wines which we took in for our gallies, there came a complaint vnto the Ambassadour of two Graecian marriners of the Patronne: which the day before had stollen two gownes from one of the Inhabitants of that place. Of which the one being taken hadde presently three stroppados at the yardes arme of the gally: but the other being better aduised and swifter of his feet escaped. After dinner we departed from this place, and hauing a fore­winde, sayling along by Graecia, we passed the castle of widdows lying vpon the sea coast three myles from Mayton: wherof no­thing is seene but the ruines, vnder which lieth a vallie very fer­tile of al things. The Greeks do say that it was there where the Turks first passed out of Asia into Graecia, by the meanes of two Geneuoises, which carried them ouer in their ships for a duccat a peece, & being passed, killed al the men that were within the castle, which afterwardes gaue the occasion that it was called the castle of widdowes. About 5. a clocke in the Euening we ar­riued before the Citie of Galliopoli beyng 30. miles beyonde the castle.

Chap. 11.

GAlliopoli is an auncient city cituated vppon Cherenesse of Thracia at the point whiche looketh towardes Propontide neer vnto the city of Lamsacque, which is in Asia the lesse: some [Page 45] hold opinion that she was builded by C. Caligula, and other say that she was in times past inhabited by Frenchmen, for that this word Gallipoli signifieth City of the Gaules or Frenchmē, and for that the Frenchmen do dwel in Gaule, as Nicopoli and Philipopoli signifieth the city of Nicholas & Phillip. She cōtei­neth 600. housholds, but the principal habitations are so ruined that scarce ther is any notable thing to be seen, but that the ha­uen is very good and able too hold a good army of all sorts of ships [...] neuertheles there is a castle which seemeth in tymes past too haue beene very strong, but now is altogether ruyned, and yet there is an ordinary watche kept there. In this city are dy­uers Windmilles, and there are also twoo Amarathes, whereof the one is at the going out of the towne towardes Constan­tinople, which was builded by Sinan Bascha, which was in the time of Mehemet the second, which conquested Constantino­ple, and the other of Sultan Baiaset, which lieth buried there in a most sumptuous sepulture. Very neere vnto it the great Turke hath caused to be made a very faire fountayne whiche springeth of very good waters through a conduit as bigge as a mans arme, wherof the water is carryed too be sold through­out the Citie for two Aspres the burden, for they haue none other water to drinke then well water, which is neither good nor wholesome to drinke: The other Amarathe is within the Citie: they haue to them both belonging, two faire Mosquees, the Citie is not compassed wyth walles, but is altogether open after the manner of a village, there are within it many fair gar­dens and most frutefull trees of al sorts and very excellent: vp­on the cape whiche stretcheth intoo the sea, is a high Theater made like vnto a Turret eight square, & about the cape are di­uers windmilles.

There are paid two ordinari tributes for euery head, as well for menne as women and children, one of which, Tributes or head mony. which is an Aspre is called Piginte, and hee that taketh it too farme, pay­eth yeerely vntoo the great Turke, 30000. Ducates, and yet gayneth a great deale, besides that which hee stealeth: the o­ther is called the Capitanat, in which they pay two Aspres for euety head, the farme wherof is worth to the great Turke 60000. [Page] duccats▪ This city is peopled with Christians, Greekes, Iewes & Turks which do vse their greate trades of marchaundise be­ing a towne of great resort aswel from the firme land as the sea, which is the occasiō that victuals there are cōmonly very deere. The wind being verye good for vs we continued our voyage a­long the costs of Thracia towards Propontide, passing by Ma­crotique, Macrotique. which otherwise is called Longus murus, afterwardes Byzante nowe Rodesto, or Rodosto, Byzante or Rodesto. beeing vppon the middest of a gulph, (hauing 30. myles in bredth) leauing the yles Proco­nese of the moderns called Mormora, & the Besbiques at thys day called Calanio on our right hand, and from thence passed towards the city of Perinthe vulgarly called Heraclee, which as the foundations do shew hath in times past bin very great. She standeth vpon the point of a promontory, which stretcheth far into the sea, hauing one of the greatest and fayrest portes de­fensible against al winds as is or may be seen: which at the en­try hath certaine smal rockes, and enter into it with a South wind. The rest of the promontory is ful of ruines vnhabited ex­cept that which is in the streight: and whereas now the Towne standeth which towardes the sea side is not walled, wee rested there one nighte, but neuerthelesse came not a lande. And in the morninge in the dawning of the daye beeyng with rowing gotten out of the porte, wee founde a fresh wind, which sayling brought vs before the goulph of Selimbrie, Goulph Se­limbrie. which the modernes call Seliuree, beyng an auncient city. Trauishing this goulph, a Northerly wynde came full in the face of vs, and thought too haue made vs turne backe agayne: but we labou­red so, that we passed the mouthes of the flouds Athiras (which is also called Pidaras, and presently Ponte Picciolo) and Bathi­nias nowe vulgarly Ponte grande, and from thence we went to come too an anker at a fayre Casal called Flora, which is buil­ded on the brinke of the Sea, within a wood of Cypres, and dy­uers other trees. From thence the Ambassadour sent a manne by land towards Constantinople, too signifie his comming too his Secretary Phebus, whom hee hadde left there as hys Agent which was vppon a Saterday beyng the nienteenth of Septem­ber: hauing agayne weighed our ankers, wee recouered by [Page 46] force of oares the Casal of Saint Stephano, which hath a very good port. Casal S. Ste­phano. And there are seene certayne monumentes of olde walles beyng of great apparence. The sayde Casal hath a small cape before which lye certayne small rockes: and wee percey­uing the weather to be very close, came to an anker in the Sea: which wee hadde not so soone done, but the raine ouertooke vs with such an impetuosity and violence, that it semed that the skies would fall. After supper the rayne beyng ceas [...]ed, and the ankers weighed, with strength of rowing we coasted along euen right ouer against the first corner of Constantinople: in whiche place are seuen towres by the Turks called Iadicula, within whi­che the great Turks one after another haue kept their tresure, Iadicula, for the keping wherof there are 500. mē ordinarily called Assa­relis, all beyng slaues vnto the great Turke, and which haue bin his Ianissaries. Their chiefe, called Disdarga, is a manne of great praise and authority. From the said Casal S. Stephano, vnto the 7. towers are seen diuers walles ruined, and many faire mines whereof are taken great quantity of stone too builde the Mos­quee of the great Turk: & other edifices of the city. There came too visit vs in a boate a gray fryer of Calabria called brother Iohn, with a certaine Grecian being both of the Ambassadors familie, vnto whom they presented a letter from his Secretary & Agent, being very glad to heare good newes of his a [...]ayres and houshold: we passed a good part of the night with talke & making good cheer, for the sayd Frater hadde brought with him a great bottle, which the Grecians cal Ocalips ful of good muscadel with a quātitie of Plaisantin cheese, certain sauceges and other good and acceptable refreshments, to make vs mery with. Aftarwards when euery one had prepared himselfe too goe to his rest about twelue of the clocke, arose a fierce colde wynde wyth a sharpe showre of rayne, whiche contynued vn­tyll the morning, and so soone as it beganne too ceasse, the Ambassadour returned the Gray Fryer, and we hauing weigh­ed our ankors, rowed alongest by the Citie too recouer the poynt of the Sarail, whiche is the seconde and moste eminent corner. The wynde and the rayne tooke vs agayne wyth suche a furour and impetuosite that it euidentlye seemed [Page] heauē & earth wold haue gone together. Notwithstanding the great desire which the Ambassador and his, had to ioyne with a place so lōg desired, taking a good heart, & setting al feare aside, we did vse such force, that in despite of the rayne, wind & furye of the sea, we gate the point of the Sarail, but as wee thought to enter into the channel, we found▪ the streame that commeth frō Bosphore of Thracia, so violent & outragious: besides that, the wind was altogether contrary, so as it was not possible for vs to enter, but were constrayned not without great danger, to passe ouer into Calcidonie and Natolie, Calcedon in Natolie. & to passe along by the tow­er of the gard (lying in the sea called the tower of [...]anissaries) to get aboue the streame, working so forcibly with ores, that wee entred into the port, at the entring wherof were put out all the flags, bāners, streames, & gailliadets of our gallies▪ & our artyl­lery charged, wherwith we saluted them before the Sar [...]il: & to be short, thanks be giuen to God (being the souerain pilot of al those that trust in him) which in so long a voyage had safely cō ­ducted vs being escaped out of many great dangers we went to take our harborowe on the side of Constantinople, where the first Dragoman of the great Turk called Hebrahim, a gen­tlemā of Polonia of the Mahumet sect, Our arriuall at Cōstātinople. & diuers other great personages Turks came to receiue the ambassadour, assoone as he was landed accompanied with the Lord of Cotignac, the yong Baron of Lodon, S. Mary, the yong Iueusse Serres, & me, with certain others of his houshold, & hauing caused him to light on a faire horse which was brought for him, was conducted vntoo the house of Rostan Bascha, The Ambassa­dor being arri­ued goeth too salute the Ro­stan Bascha. who receiued him with great coū ­tenance of friendship. And after being returned vnto the gally, we crossed the channel to go towards Pera, where he was also receiued with tokens of great ioy and gladnesse of all the chri­stian inhabitaunts: the most part of which accompanied him to his lodging, which happened the 20▪ day of September, an­no 1551. being the 78. day after our departure from Marse­ille.

Chap. 12.

BYzance called Constantinople, is a citie moste famous (by Strabo entituled Illustre, Byzance other­wise Constan­tinople. and of Pliny and Iustin most no­ble) cituated in Thracia (now called Romaine, a Region being one of the most fertil in al Europe) vpō the goulph of Po [...]thus, which separateth Asia from Europe. Description of Constantino­ple. The forme therof is three square, wherof the two sides are washed by the sea, & th [...] [...]hyrd ioyneth vnto the firme land. The soile therof is very dele [...]able, bringing foorth all kinkes of good fruites, necessary for suste­nance of humane life: the cituation wherof is so wel de [...]sed & ordered that no shippe can enter, nor go forth but with good wil of the Constantinopolitans, being maisters of the sea Pon­tique, which hauing 2. mouths, the one cōming from Propon­tide, & the other frō the sea Euxinū, is by Ouid called t [...] port of 2. seas: Calcedon. for the distance from Constantinople to Calcedon is but 14. furlongs, Phane. & the place which by the anciēts is called Pha­ne, cituated in Asia (wheras Iason returning from Calchos sa­crificed vnto the 12. goddes,) hath in bredth but 10. furlonges. But forsomuch as many great riuers of Asia, and many more of Europe doe fall intoo the blacke and Euxine Sea▪ [...] com­meth too passe that beeyng full, she gusheth out through the mouth of her wyth great vyolence intoo the Sea Po [...]ticque, and from thence through the streit of Hellesponthus (beyng not much broader then three furlongs) into the Sea of Egee. The time of the building & repayring of Constantino­ple. This city according to the saying of many ancient authors, was first builded by the Lacedemoniās vnder the conduct of theyr Duke Pausane, which was about the yere of the world 3292. & before the birth of Iesus Christ 663. which after they [...]ad con­sulted with Apollo, where they shuld plant & settle the [...] abode, & dwelling place, Megariās▪ why they are called blind. they were by an oracle aunswered that they shuld do it euē hard by the blind, which were the Me [...]ariās, for that after they were sailed into Thracia, leauing the good and [Page] fruitfull coast (where since Byzance was builded) vnaduisedly went & planted themselues either for the oppositiō most fruit­ful of the ground of Asia, or for the vain hope they had for the fishing, they builded there a citie which they called Calcedon: But they found themselues greatly decea [...]ed, for the fishes be­ing carried by the violence of the floud, and tyde of the Euxine Sea into Propontide, approching neer vnto the banks of Calce­don, Calcedō buil­ded by the Me­garians. being frayed through the whitenesse of the rocks do retire streightwaies to the side of Byzance, which gaue occasion vnto the valiant Pausanias to fortifie the city with good wals & rā ­pards, changing the first name therof which (as Pliny saith) was Ligos, Ligos. called the same Bizance. Notwithstanding that Diodore and Polibe do contrarily say that it was called Bizance, Diodore and Polibe contra­ry to Pliny. by the name of a captayn which was the first founder therof. Pausani­as (as Zonare writeth) possessed the same 7. yeeres, during which time Fortune shewing her selfe an enemy vntoo hys magnificence stuffed the hearte of the Athenians with such an insatiable ambition, that they hauing brought thither their forces, after a long siege & diuers assaults did beare away the victory which the Lacedemonians seeing could not abyde: but with their whole puissance took their weapons in hand wyth such pertinacie, that the aduenture therof on the one side, & the other was very hazardous and variable, & being somtimes taken agayne by her first founders, & afterwards by her aggres­sors became in the end a pray vnto both the armies. And after that Seuerus succeeding in the Romain empire, the Tyrāt Pis­sinin her mortal enemy beyng in possession▪ Byzance ruy­ned by Seue­rus the Empe­rour. Bizance suborned the emperor to lay siege to the same: who not hauing sufficient power to ouercome the same by assaults, kept thē besieged the space of 3. whole yeres, & in the end through extreme famine constrained them to yeeld them selues vntoo the mercy of the Romaines, which was such that after they had put to the sword al the men of warre that were within it, & killed the magistrats therof, ruined & cast down to the ground the wals of the city▪ & Seuerus afterwards to satisfy his cruelty▪ spoiled the citizens of al their rights, frāchises & liberties, giuing moreouer the land & possessions vnto the Perinthiens. And thus this most famous [Page 48] city remained in miserable calamity, vntil such time as Constā ­tine the great emperor did reedify the same in maner as folow­eth.

Chap. 13.

COnstantine the great Emperor of the Romains seeking to resist the courses & robberies which the Parthes dayly vsed towards the Romains, deliberated to transport the empyre in­to the East parts, & there too builde a large city, which first he minded to haue builded in Sardique, & afterwards in Troiada a country of high Phrigia, Troy begun to be new buyl­ded. neere vntoo the cape Sigee, in the place where somtimes stood the city of Troy, which he began to reedify and to repaire the foundations therof. But being by a reuelation in the night inspired to change the place, caused to be recommenced the works of Calcedon, A signe gyuen by Eagles. where certain Eagles (as Zonare writeth) being flowen thither, took in their bils the masons lines and crossing the streit, let them fal neere vnto Bi­zance, wherof the Emperor being aduertised, taking the same for a good signe & diuine instruction, after he had taken view of the place, called backe the maisters of his works from Calci­don, caused the city to be repaired and amplified, which accor­ding to his name he called Constantinople: notwithstanding that at the first he had called the same new Rome, as likewyse it was called Ethuse and Antonie, but by the Grecians Stimboli, and of the Turks Stampolda which signifieth a large City. The Emperour now seyng his city builded and sufficiently peopled, compassed the same with wals, towres & ditches, building ther­in many sumptuous tēples, adorning it with many magnifique buildings & necessary works aswel publike as priuat: and after­wards for the more beautifying thereof, The palladi [...] of Rome brought too Constantino­ple. caused to be brought frō Rome diuers antiquities worthy of memory, & amongst o­thers the Palladium of antiēt Troy, which he caused to be set in the place of Placote y ^e great columne of Porphyre, which was set [Page] vp in the same place, neere vnto which he caused to be erected a stature of brasse, too the likenesse of Apollo of a maruellous bignesse, in which place he ordayned his name too be set vppe, but in the time of the Emperour Alexis Comine this stature, through a great & impetuous tempest was cast downe too the ground & broken all to peeces. This Emperor lyued there ma­ny yeres most prosperously in happy estate, as likewise did ma­ny of his successors, but not altogether exempt of diuers perse­cutions▪ as well by warres, fire pestilēce, earthquakes, as sūdry other calamities, vntil such time as god being bēt to punish the people for their sinnes through negligence of emperors stirred vp Mehemet the 2. of that name, Mehemet the 2. spoyleth and saccageth Cō ­stantinople. & the [...] Emperour, vntoo the Turks: who being moued of an ardent desire to bring the chri­stians vnto decay: & thereby to augment his empire, being be­yond measure [...]elous too see this noble Citie so flourish be­fore his eies, went with a maruellous power both by sea and by land, to giue a furious siege vnto the Citie. The ende and issue wherof was such that after a long siege, battery and diuers as­saultes, the Infidelles hauing gotten the walles with a greate hurlement and fury entred into the Citie, where at the first en­trye they made a maruellous slaughter of the poore assieged without sparyng anye age or degree. Constantine the emperour killed in a presse. The Emperour Constan­tine they kylled in the presse as hee thought too haue saued hym selfe: and after they hadd cutte off hys heade in derision & ignominie, they carryed the same vpon the poynt of a speare round about the campe and Citye. And afterwardes Mehemet not contenting himselfe wyth the violating and deflouring of the Emperor his wife, The emperesse, with her daughters, and maydens, raui­shed, defloured, & after cut in peeces. his daughters, & other Ladies of honour, by a more then inhumane rage, caused thē in his presence to be dismembred & cut in peeces, during the time of the saccaging which continued 3. daies: there was no kind of fornicatiō, sodo­metry, sacrilege, nor cruelty by thē left vnexecuted: they spoiled the incomparable temple of S. Sophia (before by most marue [...] ­lous expences builded by the emperor Iustiniā) of al ornamēts & hallowed vessels, The temple of S Sophia made a Stewes. & made therof a stable & a brodell for bug­gers & whores. This lamentable losse of Constantinople beyng chiefe of the Orientall Empire, & likewise of the Citie of Per [...] [Page 49] by the Turks called Galata, being the seate of trade of the Ge­neuoises, lying hard by Constantinople vpon the other side of the Chanel, was in the yeere of our Sauiour 1453. the niene & twentie day of Marche, some doe say of Aprill, and others of May, after it had remained vnder the dominion of the Christi­ans 1198. yeeres. But this is a marueilous thing and worthy to bee noted, that Constantinople being reedified and new sette vp by Constantine the sonne of S. Helene, after the proporti­on and likenesse of Rome, A marueilous prouidence. was by another Constantine sonne of another Helene, taken, saccaged, & brought into the hands of the Turkes, which for euer shall be an irreparable damage vnto all Christendome. Mehemet after hee hadde thus taken the citie resoluing to keep there the seat of his Empire caused in all diligence the walles to be new made, and certaine other places ruined to be repayred, and in steed of the great number of people, that were there slaine and carried away as prisoners, he caused to be brought thither out of al the prouinces & ci­ties by him conquered, a certaine number of men, womē, and children, with their faculties and riches, whom hee permitted there to liue, according to the institutions & precepts of suche religion, as it pleased thē to obserue, & to exercise with al sure­tie their handicrafts and merchandises, which ministred an oc­casion vnto an infinite multitude of Iewes and Marannes dri­uen out of Spain, for to come and dwel there, by means wher­of in very short time, the Citie began to increase in traficke ry­ches▪ and abundance of people. This Mehemet was the first founder of the great Sarail, which he builded at the entrie of y ^e chanell about one of the corners of the citie vpon the Promō ­torie Chrisoseras, which afterwards by the great Turks which successiuely haue dwelled ther, hath been greatly beautified & augmented, he founded likewise vpō one of the mounts of the same citie, a sumptuous Mosque, Amarathe & College, endu­yng them all with great yeerely reuenewes, Twelue king­domes & 200▪ cities by the Turks taken from the chri­stians. whereat is not too be marueiled for fortune was so fauourable to him, that after hee hadde ruined the Empyre of Constantinople and Trebi­ronde, he toooke from the Christians twelue k [...]ngdomes and twoo hundred cities, so that by reason of his great prowesses [Page] and conquests the name & title of great was giuen vnto him, & to this day remaineth vnto the house of the Othomannes.

Chap. 14.

ZOnar the Constantinopolitan historian, maketh mention in his histories of two fires marueilously happened vntoo Constantinople, whereof the first was in the time and empire of Leon the great, spreading it selfe from the North vntoo the South along by Bosphore, too witte, the length of one of the Seas to the other, and was so horrible and furious for the space of foure dayes, that it deuoured & brought to ashes the whole beautie of the citie: namely, the place where the Senate and citizens, chosen to deliberate vppon common affayres, did as­semble. There was also burned another princely house, and a pallace ioyning vnto the caue or denne called Nymphee, and diuers other churches and priuate houses: the second fire whi­che was in the time and raigne of the emperour Basil, lightned in such sort that it compassed the market of copper, and con­sumed to ashes the houses and streetes thereaboutes with the pallace, A Librarie of 120000. vo­lumes. within whiche was a Librarie of 120000. volumes of bookes, and the stature of a dragon of the length of 120. foote, which was written in letters of gold, the Illiade and the Odis­se of Homer. The stature of of a dragon 120. foot long And moreouer burned the most renowmed Si­mulachres of Iuno, of Samos, of Minarua, of Lynde, of Venus and of Guide: and finally, deuoured the most pleasantest pla­ces of the citie.

Chap. 15.

THe said Zonare reciteth, that during the raigne of Anasta­se chosen vnto the Empyre of the East partes, there hap­pened [Page 50] suche a great Earthquake, that it ruined euen too the foundations a great number of buildings, not onely at Constā ­tinople, but likewise in Bithinia, and other places therabouts. but the last, whereof diuers woorthie authours haue written, namely, Munster in his Geographi, was so straunge and fearful for the space of xviii. dayes continually, that with horrible fearefulnesse and damage it cast down to the ground the walles of the citie, and all the buildings towards the Sea side, and o­uerthrew al the ditches: it did also cast down the towre where the Turke kept his munition with fiue others more: the house of tribute which stoode neare vnto the wall was ouerthrowen euen to the foundation into the Sea, with the leadinges of the waters & conduites, which with incredible expences had byn made to leade the waters out of the Danube intoo the Citie, were for the most parte broken and brused: and the chanell which is betwixt Constāntinople and Pera, was so moued that by great surges, it cast the water ouer the walles of both the ci­ties, but the worst of all was that more then 13000. persons re­mayned dead on a heape: This great Earthquake happened in the moneth of September, in the yeere of grace 1509. in the reigne of Baiazet the second of that name, & the nienth empe­rour vnto the Turkes (which succeeded Mehemet the 2,) who with all diligence caused the walles of the citie to be repayred.

Chap. 16.

THe rest of the noble antiquities, which presently are to be found at Constantinople, are the Hippodrome, Hippodrome. which the Turks do cal Atmayden, which is the place where in times past the Emperours made the horses to run for the pleasure & de­lectatiō of the people, which beheld the same vpon a stage or Theater, which now is altogether ruined. In the middest of this place was set vp vpon foure bowles of fine Marber, a fair obe­lisquie of coloured stone all of one peece 50. cubits high beset with letters Hieroglificque, & nere to it is a great colomne, in y ^• [Page] which are carued by histories the things memorable, whiche haue been done in this Hippodrome: there is also another great columne near vnto it of marber, & one of bras, made by singular artifice, in forme of three serpents, wrong one within another, & diuers other antiquities which are dispearsed in di­uers places of the Citie, as the pallace of Constantin the great, her first restorer, whiche ioyneth to the walles neare vnto the corner which is towards the West. The sepulchree of the same Constantine, The sepulchre of Constantin mad of Por­phyre. which is made all of Porphyre▪ being in a corner of a streete the most filthiest in al the citie. And going towards the gate of Seliuree is to bee seen a great Colomne of Marbre historied after the maner of those of Antonin and Adrian, whi­che are at Rome. Moreouer there are conduit pypes, and di­uers cesternes vauted, supported some by vaultes, and other­som by a great number of pillars, and diuers other fragments of Antiquities.

Chap. 17.

VPon the corner of the citie wich stretcheth towards Galli­poli, nere vnto the Sea side, there is as before I haue said, a very strong castle compassed with seuen great towres, enuiro­ned wyth hygh and strong walles, furnished with a good quan­titie of artillerie, which castle is by the Turkes called Iadicula, for the keeping whereof there is a captaine called Disgarda, a man of great reuenewes and authoritie, which ordinarily hath vnder him fiue hūdred dead payes called Assarelis, which haue all been lanissaries, and haue euery one of them for theyr wa­ges, fiue thousand Aspres by the yeere & there the great Turk keepeth such gard, for that he and other Emperours, Turkes, his predecessours, haue alwayes there kept their treasures, and yet the great Lord commeth thither very seldome.

Chapter. 18

VPon the corner of the citie, which the Grecians haue cal­led S. Demetrius, & the ancients the Promontorie Chri­soseras which stretcheth towardes the Easte, right against the mouth of the port, standeth the Sarail, where ordinarilie the great lord Turk doth resede whē he is at Constantinople, and this Sarail is inclosed with strong & high walles, being in circu­it about two miles, in the midst wherof vpon a little hil is to be seen a faire & delectable garden, which beginning on the mid­dest of the mount discendeth towards the Sea there are diuers little houses & dwelling places, with a gallery, standing vpō co­lumnes after the forme of a monastarie, round about the whi­che are about 200. chābers, & therabout the great Turk dwel­leth for the most part of the sommer, for that it is a place, both high, of a fresh aire, & abounding of good waters: in times past these inhabitatiōs haue bin of the dependēces of S. Sophie, but Baiazet the 2. caused thē to be deuided: and in the midst therof caused a principal house, to be builded, within the which in the lower chābers to eschew the Northeast wind (of the Grecians called Boree & Aparctie, as cōming frō the party of Arctus whi­che in greek signifieth a she Bear, which by the Bosphore Thra­cien cōmeth out of the great sea) he dwelleth all the winter. A litle more below, was another smal habitation, al made of ve­ry cleare glasse, ioyned & tyed together with roddes of Tin in forme of a rounde Hemisphere, vnder which by wonderful ar­tifice passed a faire & cleare fountain, which sweetly discēding by the same Hemisphere, spreadeth ouer the whole garden. In this place Baiazet in sommer oftē went to refresh himself: and pas his sleep ouer with the sweet noice of the waters: Sarail of Sultane wyfe to the great Turke. but now the most part thereof being ruined, the water hath taken his course towards other places, within this cōpasse is as yet the Sa­rail of Sultana, wife to the great Turke, the Sarayl for the yonge Slaues. garnished with bathes most magnificque, & nere vnto the same a place for yong chil­drē, which are pages, being notwithstāding estemed as slaues, [Page] are there nourished, instructed, and exercised aswell in their re­ligion, as to ryde horses, to shoote, and doe all other warlyke exercises, euen from their age of eight, niene, or ten yeeres, vn­to twentie, the ordinarie number of these children being commonly about fiue or sixe hundred. There is also a great stable, within the which the Turk ordinarily keepeth forty or fiftie of his most fayrest horses. The first and greatest gate, wherby mē enter into this Sarail, on the fide of S. Sophia, is very great and well set forth, with letters of gold, and leaues of diuers colours after the fashion & forme Iamesque, & through the same they enter into a great and large place vnpaued, at the head where­of between two great towres, is another gate garded by a nū ­ber of Capagis & Ianissaries, who vpō the same haue their fur­nitures & weapons hanging. for there all those that do resort vnto the Sarail or court doe accustomably alight of their hor­ses, & from thence go on foot into another great Court, where the Baschas three times in the weeke giue publique audience vnto all commers, The court vvhere the baschas 3. times in the week doe giue audience vnto all com­mers. of what nation or religion soeuer they be as­wel in matters politique, as processes & other differences. And notwithstāding the number of the people comming together from all partes is very great, yet suche silence is kept, that yee could scarce say that the standers by did either spit or cough: In the middest of this court is a very fayre fountaine, set about with diuers faire cypres trees: and below the garden towards the point of the Sarail, whereupon the sea beat [...]th, is another gate, neare vnto which is a small pauillion, out of the which the great Turk embarketh, when he wil go to passe the time in his garden, which he hath caused too bee made in Natolie, in the place by the Turkes called Scutary & by the auncients Calce­don, and for this intent are ordeined two Brigantins, vppon one of which hee is embarked by Bostaugi Bassi, Captaine of the gardens & gardiners: and the other Brigentin followeth after, being kept & reserued as at a moment to succour & sup­ply the instant necessities which might happen.

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Chap. 19.

THere is moreouer within the middest of the citie, the olde Sarail, which first was builded and inhabited by Mehemet the second, before the edification of that before mentioned, whiche likewise conntaineth 2000. paces in circuit, inclosed with hygh walles of fifteene cubites, and of thicknesse accor­dingly, without any towres: it hath onely two gates, wherof the one commonly standeth open, being wel garded by Eunuches and the other almost neuer opened, the porters of this Sarail are Eunuches. within this Sarail are di­uers smal houses, being separated with chambers, kitchins, and other necessary cōmodities, whithin which do dwell the wiues & concubines of the great Turk, which in number are aboue 200. being the most part daughters of Christians, some beyng taken by courses on the seas or by land, The turke hath aboue 200 cōcubin [...]. aswel f [...]om Grecians, Hongarians, Wallachers, Mingreles, Italians as other christian nations, some of the other are bought of merchants, and afterwardes by Beglierbeis, Baschas and Captaines presented vnto the great Turke, who keepeth them within this Sarail, wel ap­parrelled, nourished & entertained vnder streight keeping of the Eunuches, and euery ten of them haue a Matrone, too in­struct, gouerne, and teach them too woorke all sorts of needle woorkes. The captaine of this Sarail called Capiangassi, is also an Eunuch or a gelded man, hauing for his wages threescore Aspres euery day, and is clothed twise a yeere with cloth of silk, he hath vnder him fortie Eunuches, which supply the common seruice of these Dames, of whiche the great Lorde taketh his pleasure when hee thinketh good: and if it so come too passe that any of them be gotten with childe, he causeth her to be se­parated from the other▪ augmenting her estate & pention, ac­counteth her amongst the number of his wiues, so as if shee be brought a bed of a māchild, the same may by order & course succeed in the Empyre. But as for the other by whom hee can get no children, he marryeth them vnto hys Spachis, or other [Page] officers of his courte, and is not permitted, that any other but the great Lord and the Eunuches of the Sarail, how greatly so­euer he be fauoured, shal be permitted in any maner of wise to haue the sight of them. And therefore to finde the meanes to represent vnto you the maner of their apparrel I fel familiarly acquainted with an Eunuche of the late Barbarousse called zaferaga of natiō a Ragusan, being a mā of great discretiō & a louer of vertue, which frō his tender age had been brought vp within the Sarail, who so soone as he had perceiued, that I was desirous to see the fashion of the attyre and apparrell of these women, to satisfie my mind, caused to be be clothed two pub­lique Turkish women, with very rich apparrell, which hee sent for the Bezestan whereas there is too be solde of all sortes, by the which I made the draughtes and protractes heere repre­sented vnto you.

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Chap. 20.

THe temple of S. Sophia in times past builded by Iustinian the 15. Emperour of the East parts, Iustinian foū ­der of the [...]ē ­ple of S. So­phia. was a work of bignesse, building, beauty and riches incomparable: the middest wherof is made in form of a Hemisphere according to the proportion of the Panthee of Rome (which is the Rotonde:) but a greate deale higher and larger. There are 2. sorts of pillers of fine mar­bre very great, and of compasse such, as twoo men can not im­brace the same: and afterwardes another ranke of lesse height and bignesse which are for the holding vpp of the Cube, which within is most artificially made with Mosaique figures, garny­shed with gold and Asur and the inner part of the temple is al­together plastered and couered with great tables of Porphyre, Serpentines and marbres of diuers colours, & the cloysters a­bout it are of the same stuffe, & making, of a singular beauty & largenes more thē ordinary but as forthe Images of Mosaique and other flat pictures, the Turks haue scratched out their eies for that they wil not allow or permit any picture or image, say­ing, that we ought to worship one god only, The Turks o [...]pinion of ima [...]ges. the Creator of hea­uen and earth, and not the walles nor pictures, which are but dead things, & in whom there is no sence or feeling The coue­ring of this temple is of ledde, and the gates (being the fairest in the world) of fine laten of Corinth: in such sort that in the time of the Christian Emperors it might iustly haue been called the most perfect, most rich, and most sumptuous temple, not onely of the parties orientall, but likewise of the whole world. For it had one hundreth gates, and was in compasse more thē a mile, within which also were comprehended the houses of the Cha­nons & priests, and was in reuenewes woorth more then 300. thousand duccats a yeere. But incontinent after the takinge of the Citye the Turkes chaunged the same into a Mosquee, [Page] and of the most part of the cloyster, for that it was neare vnto the Sarail, they made stables for horses. Besides this magnific­que temple of S. Sophia (which is to say, S. Sapience) there are within Constantinople three other fayre Mosquees, accompa­nyed with their Amarathes (which are as hospitals) fountaines and schooles to instruct the poore infants in their lawes. The first of which Mosquees and Amarathes was founded by Sult­tan Mehemet the second, Mosques in Constantin [...] ­ple. which tooke Constantinople. The se­cond by Baiazet his sonne, and the thirde by Selim the father of Soliman, which now reigneth, and they are all three buryed within the same, euery one in the place which he had founded. But that of Mahemet is the fayrest & richest, being aninuated with 60000. ducates of rent, & in bignesse & similitude beyng verie like vnto that of S. Sophia, hath about it an hundred hou­ses couered with leadd, and round aboue, made to lodge their Doctours and priestes of theyr lawes, and to receyue all pyl­grymes and straungers, passingers of what nation or religion soeuer they be, where they may refresh & rest themselues, their seruauntes and horses (if they haue any) for three daies & there be lodged, meated, and theyr charges payde for, as wel for thē selues as their trayne, without paying of any pennie, without the presinct of the Mosquee, there are moreouer an 150. other tenementes for the poore of the citie, vnto whome so many as do dwel within the same is giuen euery day an Aspree, and as much bread as they need: but they esteeme that kind of life so vnhappie, that oftentimes the most parte of these tene­ments stand emptie and voide: and is doubtlesse, that in this Countrie are not to be found any companies of vagabonnds, [...]ewe vaca­ [...]oundes in Turkes. which do say thēselues to be diseased of the sicknes of S. Anto­nie, S. Main, or of S. Fiacre, as there are in other our Christian Countries, especially in France, Spaine, & Italie, for there they shuld not be well welcomed. But if it shal so happen that if the moneye ordayned for the poore is not there bestowed, the almes masters do sēd y ^• which resteth into the hospitals of the Leapers, sicke folkes and mad men, for as soone as they finde any one of these fooles, doing harm within the city, he is forth with taken vp & by force brought into an hospitall therefore [Page 58] appointed, and with stripes and buffetinges constrayne them to become wise. But as for other sicke folkes they are gently in­treated, lacking nothing that may serue for their ease, whether it be Apothecarie wares, surgerie or any other necessary thing. The other twoo Mosquees are almost like vnto them, but that they are not so greate, nor so riche. There are foure other particular buyldinges founded by foure seuerall Baschas, the first by Daat Bascha in the time of Mehemet the second, the se­cond by Mehemet Bascha, the thirde by Haly Bascha, and the laste by Mostafa: whiche was in the time of Baiacet the se­conde.

Chap. 21.

IN Constantinople as also in all the other cities Mahematised in Graecia, Asia, & Africa are a great nūber of very faire baths, aswell publike as priuate: Bathes publik [...] and priuate. which according to the imitation of the auncient Graecians & Romaines, are constructed & builded with industry, sumptuousnesse, & expenses almost incredible: & aboue al others those of the Sarails of the great Turke, his wo­men & his Baschas: yea euen the moste parte of the common bathes are beautified and set out with pillers in crustures tables and pauements of diuers marbers rare in colour and beautye. These bathes are builded after this maner, that there are 2. prin­cipal great bodies of building round & strongly set vp vawtwise in form of the Hemispherike: & the first wherin they doe enter, which by the anciēts hath bin called Apoditayre hath in one of the corners therof a furnace like vnto the hotte houses of Ger­manye seruing too drye the shyrtes and other linnē, which do come thither to bath: & in the midst is a faire fountain of Mar­ber, either of a natural spring or artificial, and round about the walles are diuers seueral seats, made the one a little from the o­other, couered with tapistry of Turkie, vppon the whiche they [Page] vncloth themselues, leauing their garments in sure keeping of the Capsaire: and such as will bath themselues after they haue couered their priuie members, with a great blew linnen cloth which is giuen vnto them, doe first goe in to the Tepidarie too make themselues sweate, and from thence they enter into ano­ther great place of the bath beyng more higher, & the [...]eeling thereof made cleare wyth diuers windowes, too the intent too shew the brighter: in the middest whereof is also a fountaine most magnificque casting foorth water abundantly, and euen hard by the same is a table of fine Marber, set vpon foure round bowles, vpon the (which after they haue wel sweated and haue wel bathed themselues in a great vessell of Marber of Porphyre which standeth readie at hand) the seruants which there are in greate number, require you to lay your selfe along flat vppon your bellie, & then one of these great lubbers after they haue well pulled and stretched your armes aswell before as behinde in such sort that he wyll make your bones too cracke, and well rubbed the sooles of your feete, mounteth vpon your backe, and so with his feet slydeth vp and downe vpon you, and vpon your raynes, as if he woulde brouse them in peeces, and then againe maketh you to turne on your backe, pulling and remo­uing your ioyntes as before is said, and neuerthelesse without doing vnto you any harme at all, but to the contrarie doth so comfort your sinewes and strengtheneth your members, that yee shalbe after it a great deale more fresh, liuely & better dis­posed: and being thus dressed, ye enter into a little chamber, temperately whoat, where againe this great fellowe commeth too rubbe you: and after that hee hath well soaped and rub­bed your bodie and your members wyth a purse of Stammin, or Chamblet, which hee holdeth in his hande in manner of a gloue (in steede of the Strigil which the Romans vsed) he wa­sheth you with very cleare water spryng out of 2. conduits or fountaynes, the one being whot and other colde, both which doe fall into a basen of Marber, within the whiche hee tempe­reth it, pouryng out the same wyth a fayre basen of Cop­per damasked, and also with a pounced stone hee rubbeth and cleanseth the plantes of your feete, and then cutteth [Page 59] your beard and the holes vnderneath your arme pittes. But as touching the priuy members, they giue you a rasour, or rather a Psilothre (whiche they doe call Rusma) whiche is a paste whiche beeyng layde vppon the hearye places doeth foorth­with cause the haires to fall out. And of this paste the Turkes both men and women do often vse for that they do abhorre to weare haire in those places: and after ye haue in this order sweated and haue byn pulled, stretched, rubbed, scratched, and wa­shed, you do returne to the place where your clothes are for to dry, and make you ready againe: and after yee haue giuen cer­tain Aspres in reward to the seruants, & 2▪ or 3. Aspres vnto the Capsayry (which sitteth at the entry of the gate to receiue of those that come thither to bathe) ye may go whither it pleaseth you. Now is to be noted that al nations of what faith or religiō soeuer they be, are al alike and indifferently receiued & intrea­ted for their money in these bathes. But aboue all other the Turks, Moors, and generally al the Mehemetised frequent thi­ther most oftē aswel for their volupt pleasure as bodily health. And principally for, the obseruing of their law which commā ­deth y ^• no Muselmans shall enter into their Mosques▪ without they be first wel washed and purified, The Mahumatised maie not enter into the Mosques with out first being washed. these brutish Barbarians esteeming of the outward washing, and not that which inward­ly toucheth the soule. Behold here so much as toucheth the bathes, which now a dayes are in Turkie which the Turkes doe [...]al Tschimuns, and the manner of their bathing and washyng. Iosephus in his booke of the warres of the Iewes, doeth very amply testifie vnto vs where he speketh of the publique bathes which Herod caused to be made in Tripolys, Herod. Damas & Ptolo­maide, as also Herodian in the thirteenth chapter of his first booke, where hee maketh mention of Cleander of Phrygia a slaue vnto the Emperor Commodus, Cleander. who pe [...]ceiuing himselfe through the meanes of his master, and the chaunce of fortune to be exalted from the estate of a chamberlain, to the captain­ship of his gard, durst very well aduaunce himselfe to come too the estate imperiall, whereunto too attaine, after hee had got­ten togeather a great masse of goods, vsed diuer [...] liberalities towards the souldiers and people, & fo [...] to obtain [...] their good [Page] willes, amongst others, caused many publike baths to be made, wherin euery mā might go to bath without paying of any thīg. I cannot also passe with silence the greatnes & magnificence of the costly & sumptuous Thermes of the Agrippians, Neroniās, Domitians, Antonians, & diuers other wherof the ruines are as yet to be seen at Rome the ample discouery wherof I wil neuer­theles omitte, for auoiding of prolixity▪ and too returne to the intreaty of our matter in hand, which is too speake aswel of the bathes of the women of Turky, as we haue done of those of the men.

Chap. 22.

THe Turks wiues by ordinary custome & auncient obserua­tion, which they do reserue of the old custome of Asia and Graecia [...] do delight at al times to haunt the bathes, aswel for the continuaunce of their health, as beautifiyng of their persons which is not to be reputed as spoken of the women of base e­state or cōditiō, but likewise of the great and notable dames, which ordinarily doe frequent the bathes 2. or 3. times in the weeke, not the publike but their priuate bathes, which for the most part they haue very fair within their houses or Sarails, but such as are of the meaner degree goe vnto thē at the least once in the weeke, if by other they will bee esteemed not infamed or scarce honest. And notwithstanding they wil not gladly faile to go thither for two seuerall occasions, the one being for the obseruatiō of their Mahumeticall law, whiche as before I haue said forbiddeth thē not to make their prayers within the Mos­quees, except first their bodies be washed & purified, notwith­stāding that few women do enter into the same Mosquees, but such as are dames of great reputatiō and authoritie, the other & principalest reason is, to haue good occasion and honest ex­cuse too goe abroade out of their houses, within the whiche they are continually closed vppe for the greate ielousie of theyr husbandes, or rather for the obseruing of the ancient [Page 60] custome of their ancetors, whiche after that sorte kepte theyr wiues & daughters closed vp in the backsides of their houses, which they cal Ginaises: so as the Turky women being shut vp without permission to go abroad, nor to appeare in the streets openly, except it be going to the bathes, wherto they ne [...]erthe­lesse goe with their faces couered too bring their Ielous hus­bands out of suspition, which continually so keepe them vnder subiection and closed in, & oftentimes vnder colour of goyng to bathes, they resort to other places where they think good to accomplish their pleasures, & come home againe in good time without the knowledge or perceiuing of their husbāds, wherin they feare nothing at al, for that to those bathes no men do fre­quēt, so lōg as the womē are there▪ & there are also certain womē which do serue & tēd to such womē as come thither without an [...] waiting maids: & likewise that somtimes they do go. 10. or 12. of them together, & somtimes more in a company aswel Turks as Grecians, & do familiarly wash one another, wherby it cōmeth to passe that amōgst the womē of Leuā, ther is very great amity proceding only through the frequentatiō & resort to y ^• bathes: yea & somtimes become so feruētly in loue the one of the other as if it were with men, in such sort that perceiuing some maidē, or woman▪ of excellēt beauty, they wil not ceasse vntil they haue found means to bath with thē, & to handle & gr [...]pe them euery where at their pleasures, so ful they are of luxuriousnes & femi­nine wantonnes: Euen as in times past wer the Tribades, of the nūber wherof was Sapho the Lesbiā which transferred the loue wherwith she pursued a 100. women or maidens vpon her only friend Phaon. And therfore cōsidering the reasons aforesaid, to wit, the clensing of their bodies, health, superstitiō, liberty to go abroad, & lasciuious voluptuousnes, it is not to be maruelled at that these baths are so accustomably frequēted of the Turks, & that likewise the womē of estate do so gladly go thither in the morning betimes for to remain there vntil dinner time, beyng accompanied with 1. or 2. slaues, the one bearing on her head a vessel of brasse made after the fashiō of a smal bucket to draw water with, and within the same is a fine & long smock of cot­ton tissed, besides another smock, breeches, & other like linnen [Page] with a drugge called Rusma, which being putuerised and tem­pered in water, they rubbe vppon all the partes of the bodye where they will haue the haires too go of, which incontinently with the sweat doe fall of. This vessel thus garnished is born be­ing couered with a rich pauillion of veluet or crimson satten set with gold and siluer, and hanged with tassels of silke and gold. The other slaue (if ther be two of them) carrieth a fine couerlet with a faire pillow beere: and in such order the slaues do go be­hynd their mistresses, which vnder their gownes are cloathed with a fine linnen smock by them called Barami. Nowe beyng come to the place of bathing, the couerlet is spread abrode, v­pon the which they vncloth them selues and lay downe their garments and iewels: for their preparation and order is suche, that going to the bathes whither they be Turks, or Christians, the better to be liked the one of the other, they set forth them selues with their richest apparrell, and most precious tablets: and being thus vncloathed vppon the carpet, they turne the vessell wyth the mouth downewardes, and the bottome vp­wards for to sit the more easily, and then the slaues the one of the one side, and the other on the other side, doe wash and rubbe the bodye vntyll it doe suffyce: and then doe goe to re­pose them selues in a small chamber being indifferently hot. In which meane space, and during this repast, the slaues doe washe one another. And after they haue thus remayned in the bathes and whot chambers so long as it doth please them, the slaues doe agayne lay vppe the smockes and other linnen into the vessel, and so following theyr maistresse doe returne home­wards, as ye may perceiue by the picture following: after that she hath paid vnto the mistres of the bath such summe as the men do pay, The vsage of the baths hath byn anciently obserued of the Scithes. & as before I haue recited. Herodote in his fourth book saith likewise, that the baths of long time past had beene much vsed by the womē of the Scithes, who after they haue byn wel washed in the baths, did with a rough stone puluerise the brāches of Cipres, Cedars & of Frākincense, which they tēpered like vnto an vnguēt, wherwith they annointed their bodies & vi­sage, which caused thē to sauor & smel very sweet: and the next day the vnguent being takē away, made them to shew cleere & bright, and consequently more amiable.

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Chap. 23.

HAuing already sufficiently spoken of the Mosquees, A ma­rathes and bathes which are in Constantinople, I will not forget to describe vnto you the place called Bezestan, beyng a house, great, fouresquare & high, made after the maner of a hall couered, hauing 4. gates, and as many streetes within it, beeing round about set with shops, furnished with al sorts of rare mar­chaundises & of high prises, as ringes, precious stones, furres of martirs, Zebelins, Sables, Wolues, Buckes, Foxes, & other fine skins of good prises, Good cheap [...] Pelt [...]rie. in respect & comparison of this countrey: for oftētimes it happeneth that he shall haue the whole furring of a long gowne, al of fine martirs, for fourescore or a 100. duc­cats, where here you shal not haue thē for 3. or 4. times somuch. Al sorts of cloth of gold, of siluer, of silke, chamblets, and fine Mockados, bowes of Turkie, Targets and Bucklers, and other merchandises very rich and necessary. And there are also to be solde vnto them that doe bidde and offer most for them, Slaues sold as horses are in markets. an in­finite number of christian slaues of al ages and nations, in such order as we doe vse to sel horses, for such as doe cheapen them and are desirous to buy any of them, do view their eyes, teeth, and throughout the whole partes of the body, yea cause them too bee stripped starke naked, and see them goe, to the intent they might the better know the defaultes, whiche of nature myght bee in them, or imperfection of their persons, a thing most pitifull & lamentable to behold: I haue there seen strip­ped and 3. times visited in lesse then an houre, on one of the sides of the Bezestan, an Hongariā mayden, being of thirteene or fourteene yeeres of age, and of beautie indifferent, whiche in the ende was solde and deliuered vntoo an olde marchant a Turke for foure and thirtie ducates, I hope with God his help in my second volume to treate more particularly of the payne, calamity & miserable seruitude wherwith these poore christiā [Page] slaues are intreated by the hands of these cruell Barbariās. The Bezestan standeth euery day open vntill the after noon, except vpon the Friday which is the festiual day of the Turkes, The Friday is vnto the Turkes as the Sunday to the Christians, & the Saterday to the Iewes. as the Sunday is vnto vs, and the saterday vnto the Iewes. There are besides this diuers other publike places to sel vpon the market dayes: one for old apparrel and other things, as Saint. Thomas Apostle is in London, and the lowsie mart in Antwerpe: and the other for al sorts of gold works, and of silke wrought wyth the needle, and in the Sadlers hall are sold many faire furnitures for horses, vessels of gold and other fine things, faire painted after the Damaskin fashion, or after the Iamesque sort, fayrer then in any place in Turkie. But the aforesaid Bezestan is the place where the most costly things are sold.

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Chap. 24.

PEra or Galatha, which anciētly was called Cornubyzance, is a citie of great antiquitie, Pera Galata, Cornubizance builded by the Geneuoises, who sent thither one of their Colonies, and is vulgarely called Pera by a Greeke worde which signifieth beyond, for that it is citu­ated beyond the Canal very nigh vnto constantinople, Pera signifieth beyond. & men do passe from the one towne to the other, with barkes called Permes, it is well to be gone by lande, but that it is in compasse round about 12. miles. As for the hauen it is one of the sayrest and commondiousest, which as I think is in all the world, for in circuit it containeth more then foure or fiue great miles, and the breadth at the entrye thereof is more then one myle, and in some places halfe a mile. The depth therof is such, that there is no ships or Galliōs of what bignesse soeuer they be, which cā ­not ankor on both sides euen to the very houses sides. This ci­tie of Pera is builded partlye on the middest and partly on the hanging of an hyll, Description of Pera. beeing in compasse little lesse then three myles and is separated by walles in three partes, within one of the which do dwell the right Peratins, in the other the Greci­ans, and in the third the Turks, which haue the whole gouern­ment thereof, and a certaine of Iewes, Pera inhabited by three sun­dry nations. for that the most part of the Iewes doe dwell in Constantinople. The proportion therof is in a maner confused, for that she is broade in the middest & lowest partes, and long at the further ende. Shee is verye well beset with houses, which neuerthelesse are neither greatly fair, & lesse cōmodious, notwithstānding there are diuers tayre foū ­taines, led through pypes out of the riuer Danube, and other floods neerer vnto thē. All the whole length of the Citie is washed with the springs of the Sea: without the gate which is to­wardes the hauen side, is the arcenal of the great Turk, An Arcenal of 100▪ Arches. which hath neare an hundreth arches or vaultes to builde and hale the gallies vnder couert and drye. And on the further part of the hauens mouth, is the gate of Bombardes or gunnes, which [Page] is the place where artillery is cast neere vnto the sea side, where are to be seene diuers great and little peeces aswell of brasse as of yron being those which the Turkes haue wonne of the Chri­stians in Hungary, Artillery got­ten of the chri­stians. the Rhodes and diuers other places in Chri­ste [...]dome. On the height of the other part of the city, are the vynes & gardens wel tilled, accompanied with diuers pleasaunt houses, for the most part appertaining to certayne Christians, of whom the most part doth dwel at Pera, & few at Cōstantino­ple, for so the great Turke willeth & commaundeth. The Frēch­men and true Peratines doe liue according to the lawes of the Romish Church, which differeth much from the religion of the Graecians, which is the occasion that they doe not greatly loue one another, for the diuersity of their faith▪ wherby it commeth to passe that if a Greek do marry with a Perotte, Francke, or a Graecian woman with a Perot Franco, euery one of them do liue according to their religion and do therfore not agree very wel together. There is also without the citie the Sarail of the Aza­moglans or Ianissaries, Sarail of the Azamoglans. and the places ordained for the burying of the Iewes and Turkes. Churchyards. But the Ambassadours of Fraunce do ordinarily keepe their residence within the City, as likewise do the pledges or ostages of the Venetians and Florentines, The Ambassadors of France Venice & Flo­rance, were lodged in Pe­ra. aswell to maintain the leagues and confederacies of the amity whiche they haue with the great Turk: as for their traffick and trade of marchandise, which they doe there exercise, & likewise through out al the parts of Leuant.

Chap. 25.

The apparel of the Graecians and women of Pera is ex­ceeding rich.THe apparel of the womē & maidēs of Graecia & the Peratins Franques is so rich & costly, that he that had not seene it, would scarce beleeue it, for that they doe not onely set al their care and study to be braue and wel attired, but that whiche is [Page 66] more, they doe oftentimes weare about them their whole sub­stance as they goe along the citie to their churches or bathes, for there is not so base a citizens or merchants wife, which do­eth not weare her gownes of veluet, crymsin, sattin, or damask, set with passament lace & buttons of golde or siluer, and the meaner sort, of taffaties and figured silkes, with many chaines, handrings or bracelets, carquants, tablets, and other Iewels, garnished with diuers stones, some of them being fine & some agayne of smal valew: and on their heade (I speake of the mai­dens and newly married) they weare a rounde cappe of crym­fin sattin, or cloth of gold figured, wound round about with a band of two inches broad, being of silk and gold, set with fine pearles & stones very costlye: their smockes are of cypresse or taffata coloured, hemmed and ouercast with golde, like as the Turkes do weare: they forget not also to attyre themselues af­ter such a sort, that if a man did see them as they do march, he woulde take them to be Nymphes or Spouses, which is the oc­casion that the most part of them specially the maryed sort, Excesse of ap­parrell procureth vnshame­fastnesse. do in steede of vertue and chastitie giue themselues too all volup­tuousnesse and vnshamefastnesse, for if the husbande will not or cannot intertaine them in apparell according to their will and desire, they will procure one or more friendes, to furnish them at pleasure, which amongst them is very common, & ac­cordyng to the custome of the countrie almost ordinarie. But it is also very true, that the womē being somewhat aged, not­withstanding they are richly apparrelled, yet doe weare the same modestly, for as they goe about the streetes they doe weare a fine white linnen cloath, hanging downe behind euen to the calfe of the legge: but the widdowes weare the same co­loured yeallow with saffron, marching with great grauitie, as ye may at large discerne by the three figures folowing.

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The first Chapter.

AZamoglans are children which the Turk sendeth for to be leuied in forme of tribute frō 4. yeres to foure yeeres, throughout al Grecia, Albania, Valaquia, Seruia, Bossina, Trebisonda, Mingrelia and all other prouinces of his Dominion of the Christians dwelling within the same, Of 3. male children one leuied for tri­bute. taking a­way by tyranny more then barbarous, of euery three male children one, at the choise and will of the Cōmissarie, and notwithstanding that all christians dwelling in these countries, are not subiect vnto this kinde of tribute of soules, yet are they so ouer charged with such excessiue Subsidies and exactions of money that oftentimes not hauing wherwith to pay him, they are al­so constrained to giue & deliuer their owne children into bo­dily seruitude, Compassion ought to bee had of these christiā slaues. & eternall perdition of their soules, a tyrannie I say again, most cruell & lamentable, & which ought too bee a great consideration & compassion vnto all true christian prin­ces for to stir & prouoke thē vnto a good peace & christian v­nitie, & to apply their forces iointly, to deliuer the children of their christiā brethren out of the miserable seruitude of these infidels, which by outragious force rauish these most deare in­fants & bodies, free by nature, from the lappes, of their fathers & mothers, into a seruitude of enmity more then bestiall, from baptisme to circumcision, from the companie of the christian faith, to seruitude & Barbarous infidelity, frō childly & father­ly kindnes to mortal enmity towards their own blood: 200. Cōmissaries ordained for leuying of these poore children. for the executing of these lamentable leuyings are ordeined more then two hundred Commissaries, which returning to Constan­tinople, bring with them an incredible number of these chyl­dren, amongest which the most fayrest are chosen to be put in­to [Page] the Sarail of the great Turke, where they are nourished and brought vp in the law of Mahomet, & by diuers masters being Eunuches, are instructed well to ride horses, shooting, and all other exercises of armes & agilitie, to the intent in processe of time to make them the more obeysant and apt too support all paines and trauailes of the warres, or els they doe teach them to learne some art or occupation, according to the capacitie of their spirit: and such as amongst them are found to be the most grossest, they are put some to carry water & wood into the offi­ces some other to make cleane the Sarail, or in the winter too gather the snow which falleth from heauen & for to carry the same vnder the grounde into a place called Carlich, where it preserueth all the whole Sommer in hys accustomed nature and coldnesse without melting, Snow preser­ued al the sommer long. & this being reserued in these colde places serueth in whotte weather too refreshe the great Turke his drinke: the other are made gardiners or cookes, or are put to serue the Ianissaries Spachis, or captains, vnto which degrees by succession & time as fortune and vertue directeth thē, they may attaine vnto themselues: they haue for their wa­ges two or three Aspres a day, VVages and entertainment of the Azamo­glans. and are apparrelled and hosed twise a yeere with course blew cloth, wearing on their heads a hygh yealow hatte made after the fashion of a suger loofe, and are vnder a captaine called Agiander Agassi, whiche hath for his prouision thyrtie Aspres a day, clothed and apparrelled at the charges of the great Turke. The finest of these Azamo­glans, are kept pretilie apparrelled, according to their fashion: And although they haue no skill of the art of musicke, they do neuerthelesse giue themselues to play on diuers instrumentes, and most commonly going in the steetes they doe sound vpon a thing very like vnto a Cittern, which they call Tambora, Tambora like vnto a Cittern. too which sound, they do accord their voices with such an euill fa­uoured and vnpleasant harmonie, that it were bad enough to make a Goat to daunce. Of these instruments, and of their apparrell, yee may see the fourme naturally set forth (as al the other are) by the figure following.

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Chap. 2.

THE Deputies and Cōmissaries appointed for the leueing of the christian children, after they haue put the fayrest & pretiest of them into the Sarail of the great Turke, send the o­ther being the most rustique into the Natolie (being little Asia towards Bursie and Caramanie) to labour and till the ground, and keepe the cattaile in the fieldes, to the end to vse them to labour, indurance in heat & cold wether, and to learne the tur­kish language. And afterwardes at the end of 4 yeeres, against which time others are leuied, they are brought to Constanti­nople, and deliuered to the Aga of the Azamoglans or Ianis­sairots, which distributeth them in the seruice of the Ianisses, or els causeth thē to be taught in som art or occupation seruing for the warres, & thus exercising in diuers places their appren­tiships of Ianissairots, The Azamo­glans doe be­come deadlye enemies to the Christiās and their owne parents. are entertained & brought vp (as the o­thers are) at the charges of the great Turk, except for the time y ^t they are in the Natolie, wher they are nourished & apparrel­led at the charges of those whom they do serue. Of these Aza­moglans, christian childrē Mahometised, the venemous nature is so great, mischieuous and pernitious, that incontinent after they are taken from the lappes of their parents and instructed in the lawes of the Turkes, they do declare themselues, aswell by words as deedes mortal enemies vnto the Christians, so as they practise nothing els then to doe vnto them all iniuries & wrongs possible, and how great or aged soeuer they become, they wil neuer acknowledge theyr fathers, mothers, nor other friendes: for by example I haue seene in Andrinople, The great Turke being there a naturall vncle of the late Rostan first Bas­cha & brother in lawe of the said Lorde, Vnnatural in­gratitude of Rostan Bascha which his poore vncle and certaine his nephewes christian men, went openly a beg­ging through the Citie, without that the said Rostan (beeing sprong vp of the rase of the Azamoglans) wold vouchsafe once to know them, and much lesse too doe them any good, and yet [Page] some are found amongst them, (but very seldom) that by their owne goodnesse, vertue and noblenesse of hearte, haue not so vnnaturally forgotten their blood, natiue countrie, nor huma­nitie and true religion, but haue enclined, & finally returned vnto their naturall and primitiue vertue: as of late the most va­liant knight George Castriot, Georg Castri­ot called Scan­derbegus being brought vp as an Aza­moglan reuol­teth against the great Turk and setteth his Cuntrie at libertie by the Turkes called Scander­begus, which is to say the Lorde of Alexandria, the most manly of the manly, & most valiant of the valiauntest, who from hys childhoode beeing taken awaye from his father Iohn Castriot Despot of Seruia, his countrie being desolated, & his people o­uerthrowne & carryed away, he was brought vnto the Turke, was Mahumetised, and put into the Sarail [...] and after he had in feates of armes done very great seruices, & marueilous prow­isses vnder the great Turke Amurat the second of that name, finally reuolted against him, and returning to the christianity, reuenged and set at libertie his countrie and people, & so long as he liued, kept the same against the puissāce of the great Turk making a strong head against him, of whom he had learned the forces and vnderstanded the falsenesse of his religion, and the knauery of the Turkish nation. But of these or like very few are found, so as now a daies the renyed Christians, are a great deale woorse vntoo their christian Brethren, yea vnto those of their owne blood, then the naturall Turkes are, Vnhappie bringing vp Pas­seth nature so doth this vnhap­pie bringing vp of them depriue them of their first nature, and inclination,

By the figure following (whiche is of the Azamoglan Rustique) may almost bee seene and iudged, their gesture and great manhood.

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Chap. 3.

HAuing already by descriptions and figures giuen amply & cleerely inough to vnderstand the vpspring of the Asamo­glans I haue thought good by the same meanes to describe vn­to you the estates and dignities vnto which consequently they may from degree to degree come and attayne vnto, beginning with the Ianissaries whiche are likewise of the number of those which haue byn taken away from the hands of their fathers & mothers, brought to leaue the true faith & light of Iesus Christ, and to follow the darke and blind sect of the false prophet Ma­humet. Their order was first instituted by Amurat the 2. of that name and 7. Emperor of the Turks: The order of the Ianissaries instituted by Amarat the 7. Emperour of the Turkes. & their number hath been since augmēted by his sonn & successor Mahomet Conqueror of the great city of Constantinople, and vsurper of the oriental empire, so as the nūber of them now is 1200. in their order, whi­ch is the principal strength & most puissaunt force of the army of the great Turke. For by their helpe Amurat and such as haue holden the Empire after him, haue gotten & ouercome diuers battels: and ouercome all the East partes, without that euer it hath byn proued that in any day of battel those Ianissaries haue bin ouercome. The order of which is nothing els then the fol­lowing of the Macedonian Phalangue with the which Alexan­der the great extended his domination and monarchy almoste vpon all the regions of the earth, and seemeth that the Turkes occupiers of his empire are also imitators of the warlike disci­pline of the old kinges of Macedonie, Armure of th [...] Macedonians. although the difference of their weapons is most euident, for that the Macedonians co­uering their heads with sallettes, and their bodies with curates carryed long pykes with shields or bucklers of yron cast vppon their backs, to the intent promptly to take the same agayne, & to couer themselues therwith when it shuld come to fight hand to hand with swords. But the Ianissaries or the most part of thē wear other arms, Armure of the Ianissaries. as a Cemiterre, & a dagger with a litle hatchet hanging at his girdle, vsing also lōg harquebuses which they can [Page] handle very wel: the other do carry half pykes. And to the in­tent they should seem the more cruel & furious in the aspect of their faces, they do not suffer their beards too grow but aboue the lips, & let their mustaches grow very long, grosse & thicke: & the rest of the haires of their beards they doe cut away with the rasor, as also those of their head, except a tuffe of haire on the top of their head, to leaue some hold to take vp their heads being stricken off by the enimy, if it shuld chance them to be o­uercome, so as by such defiguration they do shew very horrible, hideous, & feareful, no lesse then in times past was the cruel Ca­ligula, as the histories do witnes of him. They are clothed twise in the yeere with course blew cloth, as the Azamoglans are, and on their heads of a peculiar prerogatiue, in steede of a sallet or morlion, they weare a hood of fine white felt, whiche they call Zarcola, set out in the forefront with a garlande of fine drawen gold, with a socket of siluer & guilt, set vp right in the fore part, enritched with rubies, turquesies, and other fine stones of small price, within the top of which socket they set such plumes of feathers, as they do weare. And yet this is not permitted vnto eue­ry one of them, but only to those who in the warres haue done some notable feate in their person. Their order vniuersall is distributed in tenths, hundreths, and thousands: euery tenne of these Ianissaries going to the warres haue a pauillion or tent, Distribution of the order of the Ianissa­ries. & a tenth person in their language called Oda Bassi, which distri­buteth and parteth amongst them the offices of the chamber, as to the one to cut the wood, the other to dresse vp the pauilli­on, and the other to make ready their meate, an other to keepe the ward, and so consequently al the rest: and by this order of equality, they liue together as in a fraternity, quietnes and in­credible concord. Moreouer, they haue their Bolu [...]z Bassis be­ing chiefs of hundreths, & the Chechaya, or Protogero whiche is chiefe of a thousand or Lieuetenant generall ouer them, & o­uer al these is soueraigne captain one called Aga, being a man of great authority and reputation. Al these captains & chiefs go on horseback: & in their apparrel do much differ frō the Ianissa­ries, as shalbe seen in their places. The wages of the Ianissaries are not alike, for the one hath more & the other lesse: they haue from 4. to 8. Aspres by the day, according to the estimation of [Page 74] the person, it is not to be thought that either fauour or recommendation shal stand them in steed for the aduancing of them to any higher degree, for euery of thē haue their wages augmē ­ted according to his merites & warlike qualities, Wages of the Ianissaries. for that hee which in the warres taketh vpō him, or putteth in execution a­nie act of valiāt prowesse in the sight of euery mā, attēdeth his good or euil fortune: moreouer, since y ^t these Ianissairies haue perceiued their cōpany to be becom so great in nūber, force & authoritie, they haue vsurped & maintained such a bold aduā ­tage, that so soone as their Emperour is dead, incontinently are giuen vnto them for a prey & pillage all the money, clothes merchandises, & moueables of the Iewes & Christians, The spoile of the Marchant Iewes and christians giuen vnto the Ianissa­ries by the new Emperour [...] whiche for their haunt & traficke of merchandise, both by Sea & land, do dwell or frequent at Cōstātinople, Pera, (or Galata) Andri­nopole, Salomique, Bursia, & other places of the dominion of the great Turk, for otherwise being called too sweare vnto the new emperor succeeding, they will neuer sweare fidelitie vnto him, before he haue first granted vnto thē pardon for this kind of pillage & in form of a gift or reward giuen vnto thē for a welcome, this spoile made vpō y ^e Iewes & christiās: Being a custome certainly very barbarous & cruel & more then tyrannical, whi­che reasonably to consider aswel the time past, present, and too come, is a true & manifest token of the ruines threatned of this Oriental empire; which by the same forces whereby nowe it is mainteyned, shall one day be cleane ouerthrowen: for euen as the Romaine Empire (without comparison both greater and better ordered thē that of the Turks, was ouerthrown, & in the end brought into decay from the time that the Caesars & Anto­nines fayled, & the Pretorian legions (which now adaies repre­senteth the estate of these Ianissaries) began to become rulers o­uer their maisters, vnder pretext of such a Militarie gift: euen so by these means shal it happen vnto the Turkes, for that was the beginning to make the empire vnto the world so odious, that frō the election of the estate being come to a successiō inherita­ble, was in the end made poison, & by the bands Pretorians & other the legions Castrenses, set at a price & deliuered vnto him that offred most for it, & that vnder the title of a Militaire gift. [Page] And also the emperor chosen by such corruptiō being once rid, & voyd of money, those very same which had elected him slewe him for to haue a new one ful, & ready to giue, with whō in few daies after they delt as with the former, as also they did by y ^e old Iuliā, with Partinax Maximiā, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Caracola, Heliogabulus, & diuers other, wherby in the end the Romaine empire which before was the monarchy of the whole world cāe vnto ruine & decay, & was ruled in diuers regiōs by sundry em­perors tirants, being chosen in euery place by their Legionaries who sold the title of the empire for a gift corrupted, & so final­ly fell in decay that of the greate name Emperiall (in times past chiefe of the world) there is almost nothing left then a shadow therof, and that through an vsurped arrogancy vnder colour of a gift Military vsed by the Pretorians Captains & souldiers. And likewise according to the pleasure of this Monarque, it shal hap­pen vnto the empire of the Turks, and that through the faction of these Ianissaries, which one day shall choose a great Lorde to their owne wil to wit, one that shal giue most vnto them & suf­fer them to take al, wherupon afterwardes they shall chase him out of the empire, or rather kil him for a recompēce of his de­serts: therefore this warning pronosticated & euidently foun­ded vpon such pillage & robbing of the merchants, Aduertisment for all princes Iewes and christians, may serue for all Princes that they do not suffer their people to be spoiled, for whose defence they are chosen & or­deined, nor yet their subiects to be robbed through the licēti­ous orders of the souldiers, for fear least they by such custōable permissiō doe become arrogāt, doe not ouermatch their chief, & be not the causers of his ruine: as (if he look not vnto it) it cā not choose but must happen vnto the great Turke, if he cut not his Ianissaries from such outragious pillage, & constraine them to content thēselues with their ordinary wages, which are paid vnto thē from 3. moones to 3. moones, & as we might say from 3. moneths to 3. moneths, for whereas wee reckon by the mo­neths, the Turk counteth by the moons, after the order of the greekes, which called thē Neomenies, which signifieth newe moones.

Of the Ianissaries going to the warres yee may see the naturall draught by the figure following.

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Chap. 4.

OF the Ianissaries some are married and some not married, The Ianissaries vnmarryed in time of peace do keep watch in Constanti­nople. and for the dwelling and lodging of those which haue no wiues, are ordayned 2. quarters within the city of Constantino­ple, where they do dwel in time of quietnes & peace, and do or­dinarily euery day and euery night by change and turnes to the number of fortie or fifty keepe watch and ward within the streets, to the intent that no question or strife shoulde be moo­ued or any robbery be cōmitted within the citie bearing none other weapon then onely a long staffe of a cane of the Indies or of some other wood, for that it is forbidden that none of what lawe, estate or quality soeuer he be, shal carry any weapōs about him. The order in liuing of these Ianissaries, is that they lay to­gether a certain number of aspres by the day for their daily pro­uisiō which is prepared by a steward & a cooke, who do prouide their victuals: & as for the rest of their personall seruice, those which amongst them haue the least wages, do serue by bond, for to get part of their expences, by the other which haue more, & in this maner without any woman they do order their Econo­my. The Ianissaries which are married doe abide & dwell in the towns & villages of Graecia and Natolie with their wiues, liuing particularly by some kinde of meanes as they thinke good for the maintenance of their houshold. And of both these estates of Ianissaries maried or vnmaried, diuers of thē are sent abroad for the assistance & seruice of strange Ambassadors of what law or natiō soeuer they be, being come vnto the court of y ^e great Turk for any kind of busines, Euery Ambas­sadour hath 6. or 8. Ianissa­ties for his gard. so as euery Ambassadour hath 6. or 8. waiting on him for his gard, conseruation or surety of his persō, his house & family, so as to them or none of theirs be done any wrōg or iniury, which if any shuld attempt to doe, these Ianissa­ries haue full authority for to punishe suche by beating them [Page] with a staffe vpon their belly, and buttocks, yea & sometime vn­der the soles of their feet, without that any dare withstande or resist them, such is their greate authority. And for this assured gard they haue of the Ambassadors aboue their ordinary wages 4. Aspres of pension by the day, but vpon that they must fynde themselues: and besides this they doe stand in hope, that after they haue wel and truely serued the Ambassadors, vnto whom they are set ouer as theyr gard, by the approuing, good report and laudable attestation of them for their merits and good ser­uice, they may obtayne of the greate Turke augmentation of their wages, or aduacement vnto a more higher degree, to wit, of Spachis Zainligelers, Zagarzis or other more higher estates. But when these men become to be olde, A commenda­ble order for intertaining of the old Ianis­saries. so as they can serue no longer in the warres, or that vpon any other occasion the great Lord wil haue them to be discharged of the states of Ianissaries, they are sent as Assaries, which is to say, keepers of castles and towns, whō we do cal dead payes, & the chief of them are made keepers of the castles, hauing euerye one of them like wages as before they had: by reason wherof none of them can decay in­to such miserable pouerty, but that by reason of their wages or­dinary, they alwayes haue good meanes to liue.

The figure following doth liuely represent vnto you the proportion of the Ianissary about the gates of the great Turke, or at Constantinople.

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Chap. 5.

THe Bolucks Bassis are chiefs of a band or captains of a 100 Ianis [...]aries, hauing a pension of 60. Aspres by the day, mounted on horseback, and apparrelled according to the man­ner, presented by the figure following. Like vnto which are also they whom they do cal Oda Bassis, which are chiefe of the chā ­bers, or tenthmen. And although they are apparrelled after the fashion of the Bolucz Bassis, yet haue they but 40. Aspres by the day. Their number is 3. or 4. hundreth, and their office that whē the gret Lord goeth to the Mosquee, or into the fields, to sit vpō faire horses, wel and richly harnished, and in very good order, before the esquadre of the Ianissaries, being in their handes a launce or light spere after their fashion: and vppon their saddle bow, their roundel & the Busdeghan (being the mase of armes) and being thus moūted and armed with their great tufts of fea­thers vpon their heads, they seem in their appearance proude and hawty, and feareful to those that do see them comming a farre off, being of such a shew, that the number of them which is about 400. sheweth more in sighte, then a 1000, of our hor­ses would do. These Bolucz Bassis being growen into age, and discharged for that they can serue no longer in the warres, are committed as Captains to keepe the places, fortes and castles with a recompence equiualent vnto their accustomed sallery & wages.

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Chap. 6.

THe Captain general of the Ianessaries by the Turkes called Ianissarie Aga, or simply Aga, or Agach, which in their lan­guage signifieth a staffe, hath a 1000. Aspres in wages by y ^t day, & 6000. duccats of Timar, which we do cal pēsion & is clothed 5. times in the yeere with good cloth of gold & silk. And moreo­uer is furnished of victuals, & all other thinges necessary for the supporting of his house & estate: he hath vnder him a Chechaia or Protegero, Chechaia or Protegero. which is as his Lieuetenāt general ouer al the Ia­nissaries, hauing for his wages 200. Aspres a day and 30000. As­pres of pension. He hath vnder him also a Ianissairiazigi, which is to say, a Cleark of the Ianissaries, which hath for his stipende a 100. Aspres by the day, but no yeerely pension.

This Aga hath 2. or 3. hundreth slaues of his owne for his ser­uice, The Ianissa­rie Aga doth somtimes mar­ry the daugh­ters or sisters of the greate Turke. & is a man set in such estate, dignity, and authority, that of­tentimes it hapneth that he marrieth the daughters or the si­sters of the great Turke. And whensoeuer he keepeth his court and house open, which he doth twise in the weeke, he is bound to giue a breakefast or repast vnto the the Ianissairies, & cause thē to be serued with bread, ryse, mutton & water: & they are boūd to present thēselues euery morning at his house, to know whether he wil command them any thing, & thereupō prōptly too obey him: and as often as the great Turke goeth into the countrie, or too the Mosquee, the Aga rydeth alone after the Esquadre of the Ianissaries, mounted vpon some fayre Turkie or Barbarie horse, the saddle, and other furnitures wrought with goldsmithes workes, and set with pretious stones, hee be­ing clothed in a long gown of cloth of gold frised, or els of vel­uet or Crimson sattin, as yee may see in the figure followinge, which I haue onely represented on foote, hoping in the thirde volume to set him foorth, marching on horseback in his order as also all the other housholde officers of the great Turke.

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Chap. 7.

THe Solaquis are 300. in number, 300. Solaqu [...] chosen and picked out of the most strongest and most excellent archers amongst the Ianissaries, for the ordinary garde of the bodye of the greate Turke: and are al clothed in one liuery of damaske or white sat­ten, wearing their garment long behind, and before short, and tucked vp with a large & rich Turky girdle of golde and silke: and vppon their head a high hat of white felt, and set behynde a great plume of Estrige feathers of indifferent greate pryce. They weare for their armes a Cemiterre and in their hande a bowe guilded, being bent with an arrow ready to shoote, and a quiuer vpon their backe. And whensoeuer the Turk goeth into the fields, or to the Mosquee, they march in this order two and two about his person, to wit, a ranke on the right side, whiche are lefthanded, and another vpon the left being right handed, obseruing this order, because that if it shuld happen for necessi­tye, or pleasure of the Lorde: it should behooue them to loose their bowes, To turne the back toward the great Tur [...] is accounted great vnreue­rence. they should not turne their backs towards him for that they take the same for a great vnreuerence, shame and dis­praise, and vpon this occasion they are called Solaquis or Czola­chers, which is to say left handed men. Now if that the Lord go­ing through the countrey, must passe through a Riuer or brook, they must also wade through it, but true it is that if the water do come vnto their knees, the Lord giueth euerye one of them for a present fiftie Aspres, and if it passe aboue the gyrdlesteed, they haue a hundred Aspres: and if they must wade deeper one hun­dred & fifty. But if the water be too furious & deepe, they passe through it on horsebacke, and is to bee vnderstood, that they haue not suche a present at euerye Ryuer whiche they doo passe: but onelye at the firste, and at the other nothing at al. [Page] Their wages are from twelue to fifteene Aspres a day, and are cloathed and hoased twise a yeere as the other Ianissaries, but are not subiect as the other are to watch or ward, nor goe vnto the Sarail, but when the great Lorde meaneth to ryde into the fieldes or to the Mosquee. They haue two Captaynes called So­lach Bassis, which haue euery of them threescore Aspres a day, their liueries and other necessaries, as other Captaynes haue and goe on Horsebacke.

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Chap. 8.

BEsides the number of these Solaquis, the great Lord hath 40. Lackies being Persians, called in their language Peicz or Peiclars, euery one hauing eight or ten Aspres by the day, and twise in the yeare new clothed with garmentes of sattin or damaske, figured of diuers colours, vpon their heads they do weare a high Bonnet of fine siluer gilted, called in their lan­guage Scuff, set round about with diuers stones, whereof some are fine and some false, and in the toppe a great and high tufte of Eastrige fearhers, set out with many diuers & rare small fea­thers of byrdes. About their bodie they are girded with a large girdle of Tissue, or of silke and golde, called Cochiach, beeing verie fayre and of great value, and of such length that it goeth three times about the hodie, & ouerthwart the same, do weare a braue dagger by them called Biciach set with Iuorie or bones of fishes, Sugar candie good for fain [...] nes. carrying in one of their handes an Anagiach being a small hatchet, and in the other a handkercher full of Suger Cā ­die, which in running they do eate, aswell for their sustenance and strength, as to take away the faintnes. These Peicz do run before the great Lord, alwayes leaping on theyr toes without ceasing or rest: and if it chaunce that in their course they com into any greene meddow or vpon any plaine way, they sodain­ly turne their faces towarde their great Lord, They runne backwards on the way. & so do go back­warde a certeine space, or so long as the fayre way dureth, criyng loudly, Alau Deicherin, which is to say God maintain and preserue the Lord long time in such power and prosperitie.

The light running of these swift Peicz is also employed in seruices of more importance, for if it happen y ^t the great Lord hath to send & dispatch in hast any matter into any places of the Empire the same is committed vnto these, who, so soone as they haue receiued the same, & with great reuerence takē their leaue, they do speedily depart, crying with a loud voice, Sauli, Sauli, which is asmuch as beware, beware: & vpon this readie [Page] departure, they runne leaping amongest the people like vnto young rammes, and trauailing both day and night without a­ny rest or stay, do dispatch more way then the best horse in Turkie coulde doe: it is thought certainely, that these light run­ners in their youth doe consume their mylte, by a mean which they keepe so secret, that for nothing in the worlde they will disclose vnto any person: as for my part I referre me too that which it may be, and will not otherwise assure it to bee true, for that I haue not my selfe seen it, notwithstanding that diuers at Constantinople haue affirmed vnto me the same be true & ac­cordingly hath written Iohn Antonio Menauino of Genua, which as a yong slaue was brought vp within the Sarail in the time of Sultan Baiazet.

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Chap. 9.

IN times past, and in the dayes of other Emperors of Turkie, the Peicz, whom we call lackies, haue varyed much in their apparrell, custome, and maners, from those which are nowe a­dayes, for as some haue written, they following the example and antiquitie of the Grecians and Asians, trauailed and ranne barefooted without any shoes, or any other thing on their feet sauing that the soles of their feete were shod like vnto horses, the skin vnder the plant of their feet being so hard that easily they could forbeare the nailes & irons being but light▪ being a matter so hard that at the first I coulde scarcely beleeue it, for that amongest al the Peicz, The ancient Peiz wer shod like horse [...] I had not seene one after that sort, but hauing curiously enquired of the very same partie by whom the liuely figure before set out was made, hee did assure me the same to bee very true, yea and that there were as yet some of his companions (then absent from the gate and court of the Turke) which caused themselues to bee shod, wheerin to giue me a more faithfull testimonie, he caused me to see one in Andrinople, whose soale of his foote was so harde, that with a bodkin how sharp soeuer it were, ye could not easily pea [...]e it. And being thus shod the better to counterfait the horses, did wear in their mouth a bal of siluer, Peichz weare a bal in their mouthes like horses perced & made with holes in diuers places, like vnto the bit of a bridle, & is for to keepe their mouth fresh & the longer to sustain their breath. Round about their girdle, which was very large & very wel wrought of leather, they hung diuers cymbals or belles, which by mouing & shaking in their running made a very plesant and delectable noyce, obseruing that manner as I beleeue of the Tartares, as Marc Paule Venetian hath written, saying, that the foot postes or messengers of the greate Cham Cublay Emperour of the Tartares dyd likewyse in runnyng weare a Gyrdle houng full of Belles, lyke as the Peichz nowe a dayes doe and in one hande carryed an Anagiach, which is as muche as to say a litle [Page] hatchet damaskined, and in the other hand a cruese or viall ful of sweete and smelling water to besprinkle suche as they doe meete in their way for to haue of them some peece of money. Their cappes, whiche they called Meulai were not of siluer as nowe adayes they are, but onely couered with veluet or some light cloth of gold, vpon the tops whereof they fastned certain common plumets of Eastrige seathers, or of other birdes. And these iollie lackies haue such an opinion of thēselues that they do not thinke in the whole world to be any other persons that can runne with like force and swiftnesse, whereat is not to bee maruailed, for truly they do run so swiftly, that the best horse in Turkie could not do the like: so as beeing so required they trauel frō Cōstātinople to Andrinople & back again in 2. daies & 2. nights, as by som I haue been credibly informed, which is as much as a good horse keeping his ordinarie pase, could doe in foure dayes, beeing distant from the one citie too the other fiue daies iourney of the Turkish iourneies, being three or four daies trauell in England: and the reason wherefore theyr iour­neies are longer then ours, is that they doe not goe or ryde frō the morning to the euening as we doe, but frō the morning to high noone. And being arriued at the place of their baite, whe­ther it be in town or village, they take vp their lodging in a Car­uasseras, which is like vnto a barne or greate stable insteed of an Inn, for that ther are none throughout the whole coūtrey of Leuant. And if it happē that the bayt be too long, they stay at half way or neere vnto the baite in some faire medow, There are no [...]nnes through­out al Leuant. neere vnto some riuer or fountain, there alighting do let goe their horse to pasture, & set down themselues vnder the shadow of some tree or hedge vpon a carpet, if they haue one, or els vppon the fayre green grasse, refreshing themselues with such victualles as they haue brought with them in their satchel, but doe drink of such drinke as their horses doe, to wit, faire and cleane water, and so being gotten on horseback againe, they proceed on their iour­ney. Now to returne to our auncient Peicz, the figure following setteth forth vnto you, the manner of their going, and forme of their apparrel.

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Chap. 10.

OF all the games anciently exercised in Asia and Grecia, the Turke hath obserued the Palester of the Athletes, which is too say, the wrestling, being very neare like vnto the old custom of the Greekes, Asians, & Romans, for the great Turks for one of his accustomed recreations, entertaineth in wages o. men, strong, big set, and full of flesh, and sinewes, which are of diuers nations, but the most part Moores, Indians, or Tartares, by the Turks called Peluianders or Guressis, Pleuianders are Moores, Indians, or tartares. which signifieth wrest­lers, who at all times and as often as it shall please him to take therein his pleasure, do wrastle before his person two and two with force of armes, beeing bare on all their members, sauing that they weare breaches of leather, gathered & made fast vn­der the knee, annointed with oyle, as al the rest of their bodies likewise is, according to the auncient custome of the Romans to the intent to giue or to take the lesse hold the one of the o­ther, VVhy wrest­lers do anoint themselues. by reason of the slipperous glyding of the oyle dropping vpon the dead leather or quick skinne, whereby it commeth to passe, that when they are wel chafed, oftētimes for lack of good hold with the hands, they with their teeth do fasten vppon the flesh of the one & other, like vnto the fighting of the mastiffes with the Beares & wild Buls, & in that order they doe bite and with their teeth nip one another, in y ^e nose, eares, or any other part of the bodie sticking out, or wher any hold is to be fastned on, so as oftētimes they do carry away a peece of the flesh with their teeth. The wrestling being thē ended either through vic­torie or a signe of abstinence giuen, and to wipe of the sweate, they cast about their shoulders a cloath of blew cottē, checked according to their fashiō. And such is their forme, order, appar­rel and maner of their combat in wrestling, but when they are wythout the barres, and at common rest, they are clothed with a long gowne, which they do cal Dolyman, girded with a large girdle of silke, according to their maner, their head being co­uered with a bonnet of blacke veluet, or with the fur of a yong lamb, which they cal Taquia, hāging vpō on of their shoulders [Page] after the fashion of the Georgians or the gentlemen of Polonia but that it is more euen & straight, they do say themselues too be impolluted of body & obseruāts of virginitie, which in their opinion (being not vnreasonable) doeth the longer preserue & maintaine their bodies in strength: and what forces with their bodies abandoned soeuer they doe, yet are they not therefore seruants or slaues, but of free condition & for their necessarie prouision haue of the great Lord ten or twelue Aspres a daye. Of these like wrastlers strong & big set men I haue seen a great many in Alger in Barbary, many wrest­lers in Alger which dayly about vhe going down of the Sun, doe present themselues in the place neare vnto the hauen before the great Mosquee making place for al commers and there do wrastle after a fine & strong maner for to make a shew & pastime vnto the assembly & beholders, which therfore do giue vnto them a peece of money beeing fouresquare in the moorish speech called Giudith, being worth about 4. deniers of our money. The Prester [...]an king of Ethyopia hath also of these wrastlers, as lately hath written Francisco Aluarez in hys voyage of Ethyopia, whereby is to be knowne that the people beyond the South & East seas do as yet obserue the Palestres, & exercise of wrastling after the antiquitie of the Olmipicke games, Inuention of wrestling. instituted by the valiant Hercules, whiche in the same countrie of Mauritania and Afrike challenged and ouercame with wrastling the mighty Giant Antheus: & neuertheles Lac­tance firmian in his first booke, doth attribute the first inuen­tion of the Palestre vnto Mercurie as likewise he doth the play­ing on the fiddle.

In these figures following I haue liuely painted out vnto you these Peluianders (as I haue seene them in Constantinople) in the forme as they wrastle, and in the other figure aswell of their making redie to the wrastlyng, as after the game, and finally of their ordinarie appparrell, whiche they weare without the exercise Athletique: and likewise haue represented vntoo you the draught of three drunkardes, who after they haue well tippled themselues wyth their drinke, which they call Sorbet, or after they haue eaten of theyr pouder Opium, goe howlyng about the stre [...]tes like vnto Dogges, and then it is euill for the Christians too bee neare them, because of the perill they shoulde be in of being well beaten.

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Chap. 10.

IT shall not be impertinent nor out of my purpose, if I do speak and intreat of the estates, officers, duties, wages, & seruices of Cooks & other officers of the kitchin of the great Turke, and therfore is to be vnderstood that ordinarily he keepeth within his Sarail 150. cooks, aswel maisters as boies Azamoglās, amōgst which the best & most expertest are chosen & ordained for the priuy kitchin of the great Lord, & the other for the cōmon sort. The Maister cooks haue for their stipend 8. or 10. Aspres a day, & the boyes 3. clothed euery one of thē once in the yere: those of the priuy kitchin haue their furnaces apart for to dresse and make ready the meat without smell of smoke, which being sod­den and dressed, they lay into platters of purcelan, and so deli­uer it vnto the Cecigners, whom we do cal caruers, for to serue the same vnto the great Lord, the tast beeing made in his pre­sence: the other cookes for the cōmon sorte, doe deliuer their meate vnto those whiche haue the charge of the distributing therof throughout the Sarail according to the order made by the officers therunto cōmitted, for ouer these two kitchins, priuie & common are set & ordained foure superiours, of whiche the first being in their language called Hargibassi, is appointed to the charge & keping therof, 4. Officers se [...] ouer the Cookes. & to pay the cooks their wages, & hath for his pensiō 60. Aspres a day, amounting to the valew of a ducat, and euery yeere a gowne of silke. The second is cal-Emimmutpagi, whiche is to say, chiefe kater, ordeined for the disbursing of all the money & charges of the kitchin, and hath 50. Aspres a day, & a gowne such as it shall please the Turke to giue him vpon the day of the great Bairam, whiche is their Ea­ster. The third is the Chechaia or Stewards, ordeined to ouer­see al that which shal go out or into the kitchins, & to take or­der in al differences, which might arise amongest the cookes, [Page] and is prouided in wages like vnto the Emimmutpagi. The 4. and last is called Muptariapagi, who keepeth the books and ac­counts of the whole charges of the kitchins, & hath the charge to ordayne from day to day, the meat for the diet of the great Lord: and for this office he hath but 30. Aspres by the day, and this is the estate of the Cookes and other officers of the kitchin of the great Turke and of his Sarail.

Now there resteth to speake of the dressing of their meat & the ordinary maner of eating of the Turks which farre differeth from ours, Great differēce betwixte the Turks & vs in dressing of meate. being so superfluous, curious, and delicate, and our Cookes dressing the same accordingly: wheras to the contrary theirs is scant, bare, and grosse, without anye diuersities of lar­dings, dressinges, sawces, ioyces, and confections: their Cookes being very simple dressers of meat, as being neither dainty nor delicate in y ^e dressing therof. For the Turks do content thēselues with slight meates & easily dressed, Meates of the Turkes. so as they be nourishing or restoratiue: as Bucks flesh, Goates fleshe, Mutton, Lambe, and Kidde, and certayne Hennes, whereof there they haue as fatte and as sauery as in anye other place, where I haue beene. They do eate little beefe, and lesse veale, for they say that the cow hauing her calfe taken away from her would loose her milke, and thereby should lack butter, cheese, and other whitemeat, they hold the sheepes feet for a very delicate meate, which ordinari­ly in diuers shops at Constantinople are set foorth to be solde readie sodden & dressed with pilled garlike, which is their common sauce at all times, there are also to be sold pies of minced meate, and rice dressed with butter and almonds very sauorie and of a good taste: as for the fleshe they wyll rather eate it rosted then sodde, and do roast the same in maner following: They haue a great Iron potte of the bignesse of a ketle, in the bottome whereof they doe lay red burning coales, and ouer it a gredyron, vpon the which they doe roast their flesh through the vapour and heate of the coales, Water is the moste commō drinke of the Turkis which can neither be whol­some nor daintie. And to be short their kitchins & Cookes are nothyng lyke vnto ours: as for their drynke, their most vsuall and common beurage is that which is natural vnto al beastes in the worlde, too witte, fayre and cleare water. But they [Page 91] haue notwithstanding other drinkes artificially made and con­fectioned of diuers sortes which they doe sel in sundry places of the city. Some made with water and barley after the maner of Ale▪ some other of peares or apples, or with the seething toge­ther of plummes, reisons, figges▪ peares, peaches, and other lyke fruits, & of the beurage which they do cal Sorbet, they do much vse to drinke in the sommer with yse or snow to coole the same. They do also drinke much Aqua vitae both at and after meales which they cal Archent. As for natural wine, notwithstanding that by the Mahumetical law, the drinking therof is forbidden them, yet do they for all that leaue it nothing at all, taking of it oftentimes so much in, that scarce they are able to beare it. But it is when it costeth them nothing, for there is no nation in the worlde which seeke more theyr owne aduauntage then these Turkes doe, specially when they maye get it of the Chrystians, because they doe spend more and keep better cheere then they of their nation doe. For example whereof, I haue often times seene diuers of them, & of the principallest, as Secretaries, Dra­gomans, and other officers of the great Turke which came to the lodging of Monsieur Darramont our Ambassador, to ban­quet and make merry, and without any curtesie drunk as much as pleased them, which nothing was refused them, but to the contrary the Ambassadour wel knowing their natural inclyna­tion, forgotte nothing which might serue for their good inter­tainment, aswell with delicate meats, as diuers sortes of good wines both Malmesies and Muscadels, wherof they do stuffe thē selues so ful, that oftentimes in going home to their houses the largest & broadest streets in the city are too narrow for them. And are so farre from shame and honest ciuility, that they doe not thinke they haue made good cheere, nor attribute any ho­nour vnto those that haue feasted them, except they bee made beastly drunk. Notwithstāding that by theyr law as I haue said, they are specially forbidden to drinke wine or to bee drunken, wherat they make no great scruple & lesse sinne, so as they may drink free without their cost. They haue another order to make themselues drunk without wine which is with their Opium, Opium wyll make them drunke. be­ing a composition made with a white stuffe, wherof the Turkes [Page] doe not only vse, but also the Persians and other people of Le­uant, through the opinion which they haue, that it maketh thē to forget choler & melancholy, & so causeth them to be ioyfull and merry, and in the warres more stoute and hardy. Of which Opium after they haue taken in of it about a Dragma, doth so worke with them, and maketh them so out of square, that they loose both their wits and vnderstanding, for they go reeling a­bout the streetes, holding one of another, as the other Drun­kardes doe, foming out of the mouth like vnto chafed boares, making fierce and terrible cries and howlings like vnto doggs. And being in this case, it is not good for Iewes or Christians to meet with them, least they should be well beaten with fystes or cudgels. But those which are most to be feared in the meeting are those 3. kinds which in the former chapter I haue liuely de­scribed vnto you: to wit, the Azamoglans, the Leuentis, and the Azappis being renied Christians, and mortall enemies vnto all Christians, and those which do vnto them the most wrongs and outrages, and thus ye haue heard of the manner of eating and drinking of the Turkes, farre differing from ours. But because I will not forgette to touch the manner of the apparrell of these Cooks, I wil say that they do weare a long coate of marokin or leather closed, and shutting the same vppon the brest with great flat buttons of tinne insteed of siluer, wearing on their heads a white Zarcole like vnto the Ianissaries, but without any fringe of gold or other enrichment in al respects as the figure follow­ing doth represent vnto you.

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Chap. 12.

IN Turkie and principally at Constantinople, are found dy­uers Phisitions professing the Arte of physicke, and exercy­sing the practyse thereof, but a greater number of the Iewes then Turkes, Iewes excellēt in phisicke & why [...] amongest the which there are many that are skil­full in Theorica, and experimented in practise, and the reason wherefore in this Arte they doe commonly exceede all other nations, is the knowledge which they haue in the language and letters, Greeke, Arabian, Chaldee and Hebrewe. In which lan­guages as to them partly, peculiar, and originall, haue written the principall Authours of physicke and naturall phylosophie and Astronomie, beyng the sciences meete and necessarye for those that study phisick. Besides, the common Phisitions which the Turkes call Echim, the great Lord hath of his owne proper and ordinary, waged wyth great stipendes, and intertainments, whereof part are Turkes and parte Iewes. Hee which in the tyme that I was in Leuant, had the first dignity and authority, amongst the order of Phisitions was of nation an Hebrew cal­led Amon, Amon [...] He­brew Phisitiō. of age aboue sixtie yeeres, a personage great of au­thoritye, and muche esteemed, aswell for his goods, knowledge, and renowne, as for honour and portlinesse. They are moreo­uer besides those aforesaide within the Sarail of the great Turk, ten common Phisitions, Ten Phisitions for the com­mons of the Sarail. which for their salarie haue euery one of them tenne aspres a day, and meate and drinke, their charge being such that so soone as there falleth any sicke within the Sa­rail, one of them goeth vnto the great Turk to aske licence to heale him, (for otherwise they dare not take him in hād) which hauing obtayned, he causeth the patient to bee brought into a place which within the Sarail is ordayned for sick folke, and is bound to visite him foure times a daye, vntill suche time as he haue recouered his health: but if it chaunce the sicke to waxe dayly worse and worse: then all the other Phisitions are bound [Page] to come to his assistance. As for the apparrell of the Phisitions of Turky, it doth not differ much from that of the cōmon peo­ple: but yet from that of the Iewish Phisitions for insteede of a yealow Tulbant very neere like vnto the Iewishe nation, they were a high topped cappe, died of redde scarlet, after the maner as yee may beholde in the figure following:

Chap. 13

THe Voinuchz or Graecian village men, are of a prouince of Graecia on the borders of Bossine, Voinuchz neighbors vn­to Bo [...]sinian. comprehended as the other are vnder the dominion of the great Turk, although that the men, notwithstanding they are Christians, are not tributo­rie in any gabels or money taxes: yet are they pressed wyth a more grieuous tribute of their owne persons or o [...] their Chyl­dren, for they are subiect to obey a Sangiac Turke (whom wee call a Gouernour) whiche euery yeere leuyeth a thousande of them: and sendeth them to Constantinople to be presented at the gates of the great Turke, euery one bearing on their shoul­der a satchell ful of haye in token of their bondage and seruice. Now after they haue bin seen of the great Lord, they are sēt vn­to the Imbreorbassi, being as it were chiefe groome of the sta­ble, which causeth them to be prouided of lodging within the stables of the greate Lorde thereunto appointed, in time of peace to feede the horses in the pastures, and in time of warre to follow the campe, to mowe grasse, and to make hay thereof, for the dayly foode of the horses. And if any should faile to be at suche commaundement and seruice, he should be constray­ned to hyre and pay another in his place, for that these poore Voinuchz must serue of their owne charges: and beeing verye poure people, after they haue done their work appointed them, thei do imploy that smal time of the rest of the day, to make pa­stime vnto the people for to get some money, making an assem­bly throughout the streets, with a great baggepype made of a goates skinne, A Baggepype. (being such a one as ye see here painted in the fi­gure following) and with a sound thereof they daunce certayne daunces, with such a nimblenesse of the body and legges, that the pleasure thereof is not small vnto the beholders. And after they haue well daunced and leaped, they haue some small peeces of money giuen vnto them which is their onely aduaun­tage [Page] and sustentation of their pouerty.

They haue besides this another meane and practise to gette something by, in making an assembly of sixe or seuen of them in a company, disguysing themselues with certaine masquerie, as with heades and Cranes neckes, and other most antike foule and straungest in the world, which (if God do preserue my life) I hope to set forth vnto you in my third Tombe, where I will in­treate of the whole estate of the house of the greate Turke that nowe reigneth.

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Chap. 14.

I Was not determined to haue intreated in this first tome any thing belonging vnto the religion of the Turkes, pretending to haue reserued the same for the second part, where I hope by God his grace too declare, as before I haue proposed, all that whiche may concerne their religion and ceremonies of their iustice and administration thereof which with the same is con­ioynct. But hauing afterwards considered that the strange di­uersitie wherewith these doctours of their lawe doe disguise themselues: and also their Priests, Monkes, religious Heremits and Pilgrimes, would no lesse delight the spirites and sight of the Readers, thē the curious desire to vnderstand of their bru­tish liues & abhominable superstition, I thought it not imper­tinent to set heare in order onely the pourtractes and figures of the principallest amongst them with a briefe description & declaration vpō euery of their figures, beginning with the two Cadilesquers, great doctours of their law & chiefe of their iu­stice, the one of them beeing ordeined for the administration of Grecia, and the other for Natolia. 2. cadilisqu [...] one for the [...]tolie and on [...] for Grecia These Cadilesquers are reputed amongest the Turkes, in the estate of religion, of like dignitie and reuerence, as the Metropolitans are in the church of Grecia and the Patriarches in the Romane Church: and in the exercise of iustice, as Chauncellours or chiefe Presidentes, being created and elected vnto this dignitie and auctoritie not by fauourable ambition▪ but through honorable election out of the first and most learned doctours of their lawe, because they should be approued so pertinent and sufficient in know­ledge, that they themselues be prouided of wisedome, counsel, & good iudgement, before they wil counsaile or iudge others, which they could not do, & lesse shuld be possible vnto thē to decide iustly, an arrest of Iustice, in matter or waight and of [Page] great difficultie, if they were adorned with good knowledge, great learning, and prudent iudgement: and therfore are they chosen of rype age and consistant, too the intent the heat of youth should bee passed & cooled with them, or the fire of car­nall loue of the one sexe to the other (which detestably in those countries is vsed) shoulde not cause them to sway or stray from the true way of iustice, wheras to the contrary, if they were chosen young, that the olde men shoulde not haue occasion to e­steeme them, that euen as they were young of yeeres and age, they should also bee greene of sense and iudgement, which so commonly is not found to be amongest olde men, rype of age & yeres, vnto whom the number of yeres and long experience ought to haue brought more wisedome and rype doctrine wel and duly to administer Iustce which ought not to bee peruer­ [...]ed nor corrupted by any friendshippe, fauour, kinred, or any other alyaunce, and muche lesse through insatiable auarice. The estate therfore of these worthie Cadilesquers is very state­ly and honourable, besides that they dayly and ordinarily doe followe the court of the great Lord (which they call the gate) and through the honour, reuerence, and dignitie, they doe goe before the Bascha, for all that their authority is not so greate. They are executors of the lawes, & with the consent of the Bas­chas they do constitute and depose the Cadis which are Iudges of the prouinces, and also take acknowledgement vpon the ap­pellations interposed vpon the sentences & iudgements of the saide Cadis, according to their prouinces and circuites: to wit, the one for whole Graecia, and the other for the Natolie, which is very Turkie. Their annuall wages for their estate and office aswell for the Churche as administration of iustice, Vages of the Cadilesquers. is about seuen or eight thousand duccats besides their ordinary gaynes, euery of them entertayning for hys seruice two or 3. hundred slaues, and besides haue giuen them and kept at the charges of the great Lord, ten Secretaries, and twoo Moolurbassis, whiche are busied about the horses.

Apparrell and [...]anner of the Cadilesquers.As for their apparrel, they loue to be cloathed in chamblet, satten, or damaske, of sad colours, and more honest, as russet browne, tawny, or darke purple. The sleeues of their gownes be [Page 98] long and streit: vppon their heades they doe weare a Tulbant of a marueilous widenesse and bignesse, hauing the middest (which they doe call Mogeuisi) more lower and streight then the other ordinarie are: going through the Countrie or Citie, they doe ryde most commonly on Mules or Mulets, or some­times on gelded horses couered vpon the croup [...]r, with a cloth of purple colour garded with silk fringes, as in the picture fol­lowing ye may see: and if it happē that they do go on foot they go with a graue, fayre, & soft pace, wearing their beard long & fierce, shewing in thē a great grauitie, ioyned with a fained ho­linesse, casting foorth but few words, but suche as are of theyr lawe and religion altogeather, with euident and meare hypo­crisie.

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Chap. 15.

YF the beliefe and faith of the religious Hermites and Pil­grimes, both Turkes and Moores Mahometistes, were as good, holy, and true, as it is in false appearance coloured with most euident hypocrisie & damnable superstition, they might a great deale better assure themselues of their saluation, then they do: for their maner of liuing is so beastly and farre from the true religion vnder colour of their fained holinesse and vaine deuotion, that by comparable reason it might better be called a life of brute beastes then of reasonable men: wee will therfore discouer here a little of their foure hypocriticall reli­giōs, 4 orders of [...] Religious G [...]ma [...]ers, Cale [...]ders, Doruis [...] Torlaquis beeing a Se­ctarie vile & abhominab [...] & of the obseruatiōs therof, of which in the end of euery description, ye may see the figures naturally drawē out. These foure orders of false Mahumeticall religion are in their lan­guage called Geomalers, Calenders, Deruis, and Torlaquis. The life of the Geomalers (to beginne first with them) is not much different from that of the worldly sort, for that the most part of them are fayre young men and of ryche houses, whiche willinglye doe giue themselues to runne about the countrie, and to trauel through many and diuers regions & prouinces, as through Barbarie, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, the Indies, and the whole land of Turkie, for to see and vnderstand the world with great pleasure at other mens charges, vnder colour of their pil­grimage and religion: the most parte of these are good artifi­cers, & the other giuē to reading, & to describe all their voy­ages, the lands and countries which [...]hey haue runne through and trauailed. Duryng these blind & straying peregrinations, they carry none other apparrell, then a little cassock without sleeues being of purple colour, made and fashioned like vntoo a deacons coate, so short, that it commeth but to aboue theyr knees, gyrt in the middest with a long and large girdle of silke [Page] [...] [Page 99] [...] [Page] and gold of no small beautie and valour, vpon the endes wher­of are houng certaine Cimbals of siluer mixt with some other cleare sounding mettall, and they doe ordinarilie weare sixe or seuen of these aswell about their girdle as vnder their knees. And besides the coote, in steede of a cloke, they are couered a­boue the shoulders with the skinne of a Lion or Leopard be­ing whole and in his naturall haire, which they doe make fast vpon their breast by the two former legges. All the rest of the partes of their bodies are bare: sauing that in their eares they doe weare great rings of siluer or of other mettal▪ and on their feet a kinde of shoes made after the fashion of those which the Apostles did weare, bound togeather with coardes▪ and to bee the more disguised, and appeare more holy, they let their haire grow very long and weare the same spread out vppon their shoulders as the brides doe in these Countries. And to make them grow & to shew the more longer, they vse by continuall artifice Terebinthe and vernish, laying somtimes for to make it the thicker, goates haire whereof the chamblets are made. And in such superstitious apparrell raunging about the coun­trie, they doe beare in one of their handes a booke written in the Persian language full of songes and amarous sonnets, com­pounded after the vsage of their rime▪ And being many of thē in a companie, their belles and cymballes, both neare and afar of make such a pleasant tune, that the hearers do therein take very delectable pleasure. And if by fortune these iolly louing religious do in the streetes meete with some faire young strip­pling, streightwayes they doe set him in the middest of them, cherishing him with a faire and sweete musicke of their voyces and sounde of their cymballes, which to hearken vnto euery one runneth, and true it is that whilest they do sing, they doe sound onely with one of their belles or cymballes, euery man keeping measure and time vntoo the voyce of the other, and then afterwardes doe sounde all their belles togeather, and in this order they doe runne about, visiting the artificers and o­ther people for to allure them to giue them some peece of mo­ney.

Amongest these deuout pilgrimes of loue, there are some [Page 100] which secretly and vnder pretext of religion doe of a feruent loue draw vnto them, the hearts of many faire women, & like­wise of the fairest yonglings, of which they are no lesse amarous then they are of the woman kind, so much are they giuen vnto the abhominable sinne of luxurie against nature. Thus thē they doe goe triumphing vppon their loue, voluptuousnes and pleasure, giuing thē selues betimes to wander throughout the coū ­trey at their pleasure, in such sort that vnder this colour, they are called of some Turks, the men of the religiō of loue, as in ef­fect they in very deed are, so as if there were such an order and profession amongst vs, VVhy the G [...]malers are ca [...]led men of [...] religion of loue. I beleue that the most part of our youth, would sooner giue themselues to the auowing and profession of such a religion, then to that of chastity and obseruance.

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Chap. 16.

THE religion and maner of liuing of these Calenders, is far different from the aforesaide religion of loue: namely, for that the religious and obseruatours of the same, for the most part contrary to the Geomalers, say themselues to be virgins, making their boast and glory not of lasciuitie & luxurie, but of very streight abstinence and pure chastitie, which if it be not holy, is at the least fained▪ they haue for their dwelling certain little churches, abstinence & chastitie of the Calenders. which they call Techie, ouer the gates where­of they doe wryte these or like wordes, Caeda normas, dil ersin cusciunge al cachec ciur: whiche is to say in our language, hee that wil enter into this religion must do the same works, which they doe and obserue, to wit, in virginitie and abstinence lyke vnto them. These Calenders are clothed with a little short coat without sleeues after the fashion of a hayre cloath made of wooll and horse haire, and do not let thei [...] haire growe long as the Geomalers doe, Apparrell of the Calender [...] but cause their haires to be cut, couering their head with a felt hatte, like vnto the priestes of Graecia, a­bout which they hang certaine stringes, hanging downe the bredth of a hand, being strong and rough, being made of horse haire, in their eares wearing great rings of yron, & likewise a­bout their neck & arms, & vnder their priuy members they do pearce the skin, thrusting through the same a ring of yrō or sil­uer of an indifferent bignes & waight, to the intent that beyng thus buckled, they can by no manner of meanes vse luxury, al­thogh they would & had therunto commodity. These also goe reading of certain songs & common rymes cōpounded by one of their order called Nerzimi, The first mar­tir of these re­ligious. whō they repute & take amongst them to haue bin the first Saint of their religiō, who for hauing spoken certaine words against the law of Mahomet, was in Aza­mia, which is Assyria flaide quicke, and by these means the first martyr of their religion.

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Chap. 17.

A Great deale more straunge and beastly is the life and ma­ner of doings of the Deruis, altogether diuers, and other then that of the Geomailers and Calenders, for these go bare headed, and cause their hayre and beard to be cut with a raser, and generally all the other partes of the bodie, where as any haire groweth, and moreouer burne and scauld their temples with a whot Iron or an old peece of cloath burnt, hauing their eares pearced, wherin they doe weare certaine great ringes of Iaspe, of diuers colours and rare beautie. All their cloathes are two sheepe or goates skinnes, Apparrell of the Deruis. the haire therof being dried in the Sun, putting on the one before, and the other behind, im­bracing the bodie in forme of a girdle: the other parts of their body are naked, whether it be in Winter or Sommer: they dwel without the cities in suburbes and villages in diuers partes of Turkie. And all the Sommer long goe running throughout the Countries from one village to another, doing vnder the colour of holinesse and religion, infinite knaueries and robberies, for they are all of them great theeues, Spoiles vnder pretext of reli­gion. fornicatours & spoylers ma­king no conscience to rob, kill, & murder (if they find thēselues to be the stronger parties) those whō they meet withal on the way with a smal hatchet, which they beare vnder their gyrdles, and with the same to assault and spoyle the straunge wayfaring men of what law or nation soeuer they be. Besides which inhu­manitie, they are also full of diuers vnhappy vices for they are wonderfully giuen to the detestable sinne of Sodomitrie, not­withstanding that for to couer their lothsome filthinesse, Matslach an hearbe of pe­stilent opera­tion. & to shadow their hypocrisie & for to shew some godlinesse to be in thē, they do going through the countrie, eate of an hearb cal­led Matslach, the violent operation maketh them to become mad, inraged, & out of their wits. So as through a certayne fu­rour, they with a certain knife or rasour do cut their necke, sto­mack, & thighes, vntill they be full of most horrible woundes, [Page] which for to heale, they doe lay vpon them a certaine hearbe, letting it lie vpon the hurt vntill it be altogeather consumed and become vnto ashes, suffering in the mean space an extreem paine, and that with marueilous patience. And this they doe to shew themselues true immitatours of their Prophet Mahomet, saying, that during the time that he was within the caue or den through the great abstinences whiche hee vsed, fell one day into such a furie, that hee would haue cast himselfe downe headlong from the toppe therof, and for this cause they haue fooles in great reuerence, saying that they are acceptable vnto God. These deuoute Deruis liue of almes as the other religi­ous doe, which they do beg with these wordes, Sciai Merda nes­cine: which is to say, giue an almes in the honor of the valiant man Haly brother in law to Mahomet, which was the first that exercised armes amongest vs. They haue moreouer in the Na­tolia, the sepulchre of another Saint by them called Scidibattal which they say, to bee he that hath conquested the most parte of Turkie, and about the place of his sepulchre is an habitati­on and couent, wher do dwel a great number of these Deruis, and there once in the yeere they kept a generall chapter of assembly, in which their Priour or Superiour is president, a foolish temeritie of one of these Religious. whom they doe call Assambaba, a name signifiyng father of fathers. These good religious people are not very welcom at Cōstanti­nople, for that a while agoe one of them durst take vpon him with a short Rapier, which hee carried hidden vnder his arme to haue killed the great Turke Sultan Mehemet, the second of that name: notwithstanding because the Turkes haue aboue all thinges charitie in greate recommendation, they doe not leaue to giue almes vnto them for God his sake.

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Chap. 18.

THe Torlaquis by others called Durmislars, cloathe them­selues with sheep and goat skinnes, like vnto the Deruis, a­boue the same, they wrap about them in maner of a cloke, the skinne of a great Beare with the hayre, Apparel of the Torlaquis. made fast vppon their stomack with the legs: vpō their heads they weare a high bon­net of a white felt, folded with small pleights, hauing the rest of their bodies altogether naked. They doe also burne them­selues on the temples with an old cloath burned for too take away and dry vp the humours of the braynes, and too let that they shoulde not fall downe vpon their eyes, and take awaye their sight. The Libians, as Herodote in his fourth bo [...]e doth write, had the like custome, to burne the vaines of the braynes or of the temples of the young children when they were come to be foure yeres olde, with wool or cotten, to preuent the fal­lyng downe of the Catharres so long as they lyued, and were of opinion that the same made thē a great deale more health­full.

The fourme and manner of liuing of these Torlaquis, Beastlinesse of these Torla­quis. is more rude and beastly, then the life of the brute beastes, for they know not, nor will learne, to reade, write, or do [...] any ci­uill or profitable acte, but doe liue Idlely vpon almes, as the o­thers doe. And most often go roging alone through the towns and villages following the bathes, tauernes and assemblies, for to haue free shot and cheare. But going in great troupes tho­rowe the desertes, if they finde any at their aduauntage, wea­ring good apparrell, they wyll stryppe them and constrayne them too goe starke naked as they doe, and by suche vaga­bounde beggerie, they make the poore and simple people of the Townes and Villages beleeue, that they canne foresay and deuine the good or euyll fortune by lockyng in the Palme of theyr handes, as if they hadde good skyll and knowledge [Page] in the art of Chiromācie or Palmestrie, for the beastlinesse of this barbarous people is so lewde and grosse, that these poore idiots doe come running on all sides vnto these abusers, as if they were Prophetes, hauyng an opinion and false perswasion that they are endued with the spirite of prophesie. And aboue the rest the simple women, who for to haue of these [...]oothsay­ers some vaine prediction or fayned promise of their desires, either for the time present or to come, doe bryng vnto them great quantitie of bread, egges, cheese, & other victuals, being no lesse welcome vnto them then necessary. But these impo­sters Torlaquis vnder colour & pretext of their false religion, doe further commit many other more greater abuses, not on­ly false and inconuenable, but enorme and most blasphemous against the diuine prouidence, for that oftentimes they lead a­mongest them an auncient old man, whom they reuerence & worship like a God: and being come into any towne or village they doe lodge themselues as neare as possible they can in the best and richest house, placing themselues rounde about him with most faygned humilitie, and hypocriticall reuerence. Af­terwards, this good hypocrite, beeing no lesse growen in kna­uery then in age, fayneth himselfe to be rauished in spirite, pro­nouncing at sundrie times a fewe wordes, and those full of gra­uitie and spirituall commandementes, and as if hee were in a traunce, lifteth vp his eyes vnto heauen, and afterwardes by lit­tle and little turning himselfe toowardes his disciples spea­keth vnto them in thys manner: My welbeloued chyldren I praye you too take mee awaye, and carrye mee out of thys Towne, for in lyftynge vppe mine eyes vnto heauen I haue bothe seene and vnderstanded by deuine Reuelation greate tribulation too bee prepared for the same. And then these gentle disciples beyng well instructed and taught in this sort of knauery, do altogether with great affection desire him to make his prayers to God, that he would appease and mitigate the yre which iustly he had determined against such a desolate citie, and the inhabitants thereof. The reuerend olde man shewing hym­selfe by their prayer to bee wonne, and wel inclined to doe the same with his simuled holinesse, beginneth to make a feigned [Page 105] prayer vnto God, desiring him to forbeare his threatned fury, and euil eminent. Then this poore barbarous and ignoraunt people being feared with the diuine threatning, and comfor­ted through the deprecation of this reuerend reuealer and In­tercessour, doe runne towardes him from all partes, giuing so muche faith vnto the masked hypocrisie of this olde foxe, that they are fully perswaded, that all these diuelish & abused works are diuine myracles. For which by charitable admiration, they doe bring vnto them so many almes, that these false religious at their departure from that place, haue like vnto Somners, as ma­ny brybes as they can carry away. And hauing thus spedd they returne to their houses triumphing of their impostrie, and ma­king merrie cheare at the costes of these too muche credulent people, which doe giue the same vnto them, of whose foolishe simplicitie they go mocking & scoffing amongest themselues. They doe also eate of the hearbe called Matslach like vnto the Deruis, The Torla­quis do vse al­so of the Matslach. and do sleep vpon the ground, no lesse naked of shame then bare of clothes, vsing their damnable and abhominable, sodomiticall luxurie, the one with the other more beastly and vnnaturally, then would do the brute and wilde beasts. And thus then vnder pretext and appearaunce of theyr holinesse, yea but rather of theyr fayned and abused religion, these beg­gers going a begging do commit so many horrible and execra­ble abhominations.

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Chap. 19.

THere are moreouer throughout whole Turkie another sect of religious, dwelling within the towns and villages in cer­tayne shoppes: the walles whereof they do couer with skinnes of diuers wilde beastes: as of oxen, goats, harts, beares and wolues. And about the walles thereof they doe fasten and hang vpon the hornes of the same beastes a great number of tallow candles. And in the midst of this their sacred shoppe standeth a stoole couered with a greene cloth or couering, and vpon the same a greate latten candlesticke without any candle or tape: which shew they make to declare themselues true followers of the law of Mahomet.

Moreouer, they haue painted a Cemiterre, houng by the mid­dest, in memory and reuerence of the brother in law, & succes­sor of Mahomet called Haly, of whom they do say, as we doe of Beuis of Hamptō, miraculous fables, saying that with the same Cemiterre he cut the moūtains & rocks asunder: moreouer, to shew thēselues more strange & maruellous, they bring vp and feed certain wild beasts, as wolues, beares, harts, eagles & rauēs to declare that they haue abandoned the worlde, to liue a so­litary life amongst beasts: wherein their false hypocrisie is too openly shewed, for whereas they say they doe liue a solitary life, they resort and frequent in the middest of most populous townes and villages, and professing to liue solitarily amongest wild beasts, they doe tame thē & accustome them to liue wyth them for they doe not dwell in Hermitages solitarily, but a­mo [...]gst great assembly of people, and likewise do not liue with the wild beasts, but the wild beasts do liue with thē, except they do mean that these beastly & barbarous Turks, their cōpanions are the same wild beasts, amonst the which they do say they do liue. These good religious people thus liuing on the profite [Page] of their shop, and when soeuer that there is not brought suffici­ently vnto them for the maintenance of their ydle life, thē they come forth out of their denne, (euen as the wolfe pinched with hunger commeth out of the wood) and goe about the streetes asking of almes, leading in their hande a Beare or Harte with a bell about his necke, as yee may see in the figure following. Beholde then how vnder colour of religion, they doe disguyse their damnable and more then euident hipocrisie. And of these gallaunt companions I haue seene a great manye in Constanti­nople, but many more in Andrinopole.

[Page 107]

Chap. 20.

THere are diuers amongst the Turks, which doe call them­selues & for such are reputed, kinsemen of Mahomet, wher­of some doe weare a greene Tulbant, and the other a Muzaue­gia, which is to say, a bonnet whiche they doe weare vnder the Tulbant being of colour green: Mahomets kinsemen doe weare a gar­ment & Tul­bant seueral to be known frō others. & al the rest of the Tulbāt white They do weare such colour for that they say their Prophet ware the like on his head, and contrarie to the Turks. The Sophians whiche are the Persians, weare redde ones. Sophy is not the name of the King of persia (as some doe thinke) for this name commeth of their sect and religion, which commandeth them of an humility, not to weare on their heades any habite; more precious then wool, and for that in the Arabian tongue wool is called Sophy, those which are of this sect are called So­phians, and in derision the Turks do cal them Kesulbach, which is to say, redde heads. The Turks & the Sophians doe say that it were not reasonable to couer the dishonest partes of the body, with the colour which the Prophetes did weare on their heads. And therefore is no more permitted vnto the Turkes to weare green hose, then vnto the Sophians to weare red hosen: & who­soeuer should weare them, shuld be esteemed amongst them as an heretike. And therefore is not permitted vnto any: but vnto such as do say themselues to be sprong of the kinred of Maho­met, to weare a greene Tulbant, and therefore are called Ies­silbas, wich is to say greene heads. They are also commonly cal­led Emirs, which may be interpreted, kinsemen of the Prophet, and are holden in such reputation for holinesse of life that in iudgement, the testimony or witnessing of one of them is allow­ed for 2. others. But they are so mischieuous & vnhappy, that for money they wil make no conscience to beare such false witnes, such as ye wil haue thē: & specially if he be a Iewe or a Christian vnto whom they are mortal enimies. Some of them are verye [Page] rich, and go honorably apparrelled. The other are poore handi­craftes men, or sellers of fruites, candles, and vineger, whereof I haue seene a great many in Constantinople and Andrinopl [...]. Likewise diuers of them come with the Hagis pilgrims of Mec­que, making often with them through great hypocrisie, their prayers in the midst of the place. And for that they are of most peruerse and abhominable nature diuers amongest these bar­barous and rusticall people, are constrayned more for the feare which they haue of their false witnessing, then for the holinesse which they know in them, to beare vnto them greate honour and reuerence.

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Chap. 21.

THe Turkes, Moores, and all other such barbarous nations, liuing vnder the obseruance of the law, & commādement of the false prophet Mahomet, find written in diuers places & pas­sages of their Alcoram, that God hath promised vnto all Musul­mans which through deuotion should go to visit the temple of Mecqua by the Arabians called Alcaaba, that he woulde neuer send their soules into perdition. Vpon confidēce of which pro­mise they will gladly goe on such pilgrimage, leauing vndone al other houshold or common affaires, and foreseeing the diffi­culty of the voyage, by reason of the long desarts and sandes, whereby they must passe, doe beginne these pilgrimages, some soone, and some later, according to the distaunce of the Coun­trey, because they wil be at Mecqua against Easter, which they do cal Chucci Bairam. But before they do depart, because their voyage should be the more lucky, they doe aske one another forgiuenesse of their offences. And then the day of their depar­ture being come, they doe assemble in great companies, taking their way, first towards the city of Damas or of Caire, which the Arabians doe call Alcair where the crewe doth assemble: for they will not depart lightly, except they be at the least thirty or fortie thousand in a companye, with a good number of Ia­nissaries appoynted for the securitie, conduct, defence and safe­gard of them, and to take regarde that the same be not pilled and saccaged of the Arabians, which day and night are wat­ching in the desarts to spoile and take the pilgrims and tra­uaylers. And besides that, the companye hauing to passe tho­row so manye desartes, sandye, wythered, vnfruitefull, and lacking of all thinges necessarye for mans sustenance, order is taken for the loding of many Cammels with great prouision of victuals, fodder and water, aswell for the persons, as for the Cammels and other beastes, for that in these sandye and drye [Page] wildernesses no droppe of water is founde but from three dayes to 3. dayes iourney, whiche notwithstanding they must get with force of armes from the Arabians, which keep and de­fend the same: hauing then thus passed these desarts, and the Pilgrims arriued at Medine Thalnabi, which also hath bin called Tribic, or as others do say Iezrab. They do go vnto the temple and there lay their Alcoram vpon the sepulture of Mahomet. And after that, the houre of seruice being come, the Maizins beginne to cry vppon the towres as their custome is, to call the people together to come vnto their ceremonies, and there re­mayne in prayer the space of 3. houres, which ended, they re­paire vnto a mount neere vnto the town called Arafetagi, vpon the which they doe strippe themselues starke naked, and goe to bathe in a riuer neere vnto it, euen to the necke, mumbling out certaine long prayers: which ended, they go out of the wa­ter to putte on their clothes agayne: and the nexte morning they proceede on their way towardes Mecqua, being 3. small dayes iourney from Medine: where they being come, do enter into the temple to say their prayers. After which they goe tur­ning seuen times about a fouresquare towre, at euery circuite kissing the edge thereof, from thence they goe vnto a pit of salt water, which they cal Birzenzen, being closed within a Tower, being from the other, ten or twelue pases, pronouncing these wordes. All this be to the honour of God which is most merci­full, God forgiue me al my sinnes. These wordes being ended, certayne mynisters there appointed to draw the water doe cast vpon the head of euery one of them three small buckets full, without sparing of their clothes. These beastly Mahometistes thinking through such outward washing to be cleansed & pur­ged of their inward sinnes.

Moreouer, they say, that the tower which they seuen tymes doe goe about, was the first house of prayer whiche Abraham buylded through the commaundement of God. Nowe when they are in this towre well washed and bathed, they goe to doe their sacrifice vppon a mount neere vnto it, presenting for an offering manye sheepe whiche beeyng immolated and sacryficed, they doe distribute amongest the poore for [Page 111] God his sake. The sacrifice being thus ended, a Sermon is made vnto them by the Cady Muselman, and that beng done, euerye one of them doe goe to cast 2. stones in a place, where they say the Diuel appeared to Abraham when he builded the temple. From thence they returne to Mecqua to say diuers other pray­ers, desiring God to exalt them as he exalted Abraham to the building of the temple. All these ceremonies being accomply­shed▪ they depart to goe towardes Ierusalem, which they cal Cu­zumobarech, & there do visite the holy mount where the tem­ple of Solomon was, which they holde in great reuerēce. In this place they do celebrate another feast, and there exercise new ce­remonies. At the departure from the temple of Solomon euery one taketh his way to returne homewards or els where he doth thinke good. And thus they goe in troupes carrying great ban­ners with a pyke & halfe moone in the top of the staffe, going a­bout the townes & villages▪ singing the praises of their greate Prophet Mahomet, and asking of almes for the honor of God, & that which is giuen them they do eate altogether, beyng sett downe in the middest of the common place, & after they haue thus eaten with a great hypocrisie and shew of holines, they doe openly make their prayers. The most part of these pilgrim [...] (which the Turks call Hagislars) are Moores, clothed poorely i­nough although that diuers of them doe say to bee descended of the line of Mahomet, as the Emirs aboue mentioned. And of these I haue seen a great number at Constantinople, appar­relled after the maner, as here I haue represented vnto you in the figure following.

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Chap. 22.

IT is founde in the Alcoram that Mahomet prophet of the Turks, VVine forbid­den by Mah [...] ­met and why. doth forbid al his [...]ectators Mahometistes to drinke wine. For that he did esteeme it a true nourishment of all euils and sinnes: and also as diuers haue written, to keepe the Arabi­ans with such seuere prohibitiō in greater sobriety, who for the naturall heat which is in them, taking the wine in too aboun­dantly, would not so easily suffer themselues to be tamed nor brought vnder subiection: by reason of these defences, are tho­rowout whole Turky, Graecia, and other prouinces vnder the o­beisance of the great Turke, a great nūber of Turkes & Moores called Sacquaz, which dayly goe by the streetes, places and as­semblies of the cities, townes, and suburbes of the said prouin­ces, with a scrippe of leather ful of fountaine or cestarne water, hoūg on their side, & couered aboue with a faire cloth embro­dered with leaues about it or els plaine: & in one hand, a cup of fine Corinthian latten guilded and damaskined out of the which of great charity they doe offer and giue to drink, al them that will: but yet for to make the water seem more faire & de­lectable to drinke, they put within the cuppe many and diuers stones of Calcedonie, Iaspe and lapis Azuli, bearing in the same hand a lookingglasse which they hold before the eyes of those to whom they giue to drink, exhorting and admonishing them with words demonstratiue to think on death: for doing the of­fice of this gentlenes, they wil aske no paiment nor recompēce; but if through honest liberality some peece of monie be giuen vnto them, they wil most gladly receiue it, and in manner of thankes and congratulation, they pull out of a budget or poke which hangeth at their girdle a vyollfull of sweet smelling wa­ter, which they cast on the face and beard of him that hath gi­uen them money. I haue in a morning at Constantinople seene fifty of these Sacquas in a companye, all furnished with theyr scrips, large girdles, cups, glasses & al other their instrumēts, whiche thus apparelled went through the city demāding their new [Page] yeres gifts of al those they met withal, whether they were Turks Christians, or Iewes in the honour of one of their saints, whose feast they celebrated that day. And the more to prouoke men to giue vnto them, presented to the one an apple, to the other an orange, or as I haue said, did cast sweet water in their faces, for you must vnderstand that the liberality of the Turkes and Moores is so great that they will hazard to giue the value of a Mangor, which is the 8. part of an Aspre, to haue two or three Aspres again for it. The same day in the afternoone these woor­shipful Sacquas with their ornature came vnto me to the house of my Lord the Ambassador, where then I was lodged, he being then in Andrinopole, to see as they said, the picture which the day before I had made of one of their companions, whiche brought them thither. But the end was, that they would not de­part without hauing of me some present, alleadging by their reasons that they had done me great honour, in comming to vi­sit me with the best of their stuffe and apparrel, so as for to ridd my self of them I gaue them about 20. Aspres, and so being very well contented, they returned to the place from whence they came. Now to returne vnto my first purpose, some of these Sac­quas, do this office of charitie through deuotion, whiche they haue receiued at Mecqua, but the others doe it for hope of a gaine, which they pretend to get therby, for besides that which is giuen vnto them of almes, they are waged either publikely, or of som in particular. Ther are moreouer diuers other which in that order do keep before their houses great vessels of mar­ber full of water, couered, & vnder locke and key, & about the bottō therof is a cock of brasse to draw water out of, with a cup of latten damasked, fastened vnto it, with a small yron chaine, to the intent that euery on may drink therof at his pleasure or going to the Mosquee, likewise wash his hands. So as this cha­rity is in such recommendation amongst the Turks, that there are no artificers keeping shops, which haue not cōmonly great vessels or artificiall fountaines ful of water standing vpon their stalle [...], for the common commoditie as before I haue amplye declared.

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The first Chapter.

XEnophon in his first booke of Cyro­pedie, which is to saye, of the life and institution of Cyrus, speaking of the auncient custome of the Persians, sayth that they had a certayne great place called the place of libertie, whereas was the Pallace royall, and other houses publike; and that the same place was deuided into foure quarters. The first, being for the chil­dren: the second, for the young menne: the thirde, for men of perfect age: and the fourth for the auncient and aged men vn­fit for the warres. Euery one of the aforesaide degrees were by the lawes constrayned to repayre at a time and houre ap­pointed in his quarters. To wit, the children and perfect aged men at the point of the day: the auncients at certaine dayes and houres for the affaires of the common wealth. The charge of the young menne was in the euening to present themsel­ues in armes, and so to passe about the houses publike, except those which were married, which were not bound to appeare except they were thereunto specially commaunded. Euerye one of these quarters hadde twelue Prouosts of the most wise and grauest that coulde bee chosen, for that the nation of the Persians was deuided into twelue lynes. Ouer the children were appointed certaine of the most auncient, wyse, and best [Page 114] aduised for to bring thē vp in vertue. To the yong men, well to instruct thē: to the mē of perfect age, others were cōmitted & deputed for to accustome and keepe them in [...]re, for the due obeysance towardes their Prince. The auncients also had their superiours, which admonished them in the perfection of their dutie: vnto the Prouosts, was giuen the charge and administra­tion of iustice, to doe right vnto euery man, to condemne the offendours and false accusers, but aboue all other vices, ingra­titude was most seuerely punished: for that they knewe ingra­titude to be the spring of al vices, the enemie of nature, poyson vnto sweetnesse, and destruction of benignitie. They did more­ouer take great paines to make their children patient and o­bedient towardes their superiours, and able too endure both hunger and thyrst, They neuer went to take their repast with­out leaue and permission of their superiours and neuer dyd eate in the sight of their mothers, but in presence of their ma­sters, hauing none other meate then bread and other small pulaunce, and for their drinke nothing but cleare water: their exercise was to cast the dart & to shoot: & being thus brought vp from the age of 6. to 17. yeres, and came vnto the degree of yong men, vnder which they remained 10. yeres more, passyng as I haue said, in the nightes to goe about the streets & houses, aswel for the watch and surety of the towne, as for to make thē strong and able to endure paynes, and to withdraw them from vice and voluptuousnes. In the day time they did represent thē ­selues before the Gouernours to be imployed in the publike affayres, as was commaunded vnto them: and whensoeuer the king would goe on hunting (as euery moneth he did,) he took the one halfe with him, set out and furnished with bowes and arrowes a skayne with a buckler, and two dartes to throwe at length, and the other weapons to fight at hand. And in this ex­ercise they were instructed by the king as if it had beene in the warres, so as he woulde not hunt himselfe alone, but had also a carefull regarde that his menne should doe as he did, saying and esteeming, hunting to be a true exercise of thinges requi­site for the discipline of warres, as being an argument & occasiō [Page] to vse men to ryse betimes to forbeare heate and cold, hunger and thyrst, and to trauaile and run a long while: they also tooke their meate with them, and dined not, before the hunting was ended, nor yet hadde they that which they had taken, nor yet their Cartadanne, which is to say, their accustomed fee. As for the other halfe of the young menne that were left in the towne, whilest these were a hunting, exercised them selues in those thinges whiche in their infancie they hadde learned, to wit, to cast the dart, and shoote in companies. And if any oc­casion fel out to take theeues and robbers, they were bounde to waite on the Maiestrate, and to assist him in the watche. Af­terwardes hauing spent tenne yeres in this order of discipline, they were put amongest the degre of the men perfect in age, in which state they remained xxv. yeeres more. And if neede re­quired to goe to the warres they carried no more arrowes nor dartes, but all sorts of weapons to fight at hand, as the corslet on his backe. The shield in the the one hand, and the sword in the other hand. The Maiestrates were chosen and elected out of this degree, except the gouernors that hadde the charge o­uer the children, who after they hadde thus liued and attained vnto the yeres of fiftie or aboue: they resorted with the elders and were no more subiect to goe vnto the warres out of their countrie. And might freely returne to their houses to Iudge of the affayres both common & priuate, giue sentences of death and to chose Maiestrates. In those dayes the common wealth of the Persians conteined about sixe score thousande men of which none was excluded from comming to the said estate honour and dignitie, for vnto euerie Persian it was lawfull to put his children to the schole of the lawes, if he had wherewithall to maintaine and keepe them, or els they brought them vp in the learning of some science or occupation. The children that had beene brought vp in the lawes might haunt and frequent amongest the young men, afterwards might also be acquinted with the perfect men, and atchieue (according to their vertue) vnto honours and dignities. And the men perfect, accompany amongst the old men, to be preferred vnto the gouernment of the common wealth, so as they had passed their time & yeeres without reprehension.

Chap. 2.

AS for their religion and ceremonies, they esteemed it for a great shame, openly to spit, blow the nose or to pisse, or els to doe any other like thing in publike: they called the he­uen Iupiter, worshipped the Sunne, which they called Mitra, and honoured the moone, Venus, the fire, the earth, the wa­ter and the wynde. And bare suche a reuerence vnto [...]he water, that they would at no time bathe themselues in any riuer nor cast any carrion or dead thing into it. They did sacrifice neere vnto some lake, riuer or fountain, making a hole in the ground, within which was killed the beast that they would sacrifice: ta­king a special heed, that no drop of the bloud should fall into the water, least the same shuld therby be polluted and vnclean­sed. And after this oblation was cut in peeces & dressed vnder some Bay tree or Lawrel. Their Mages put the flesh into the fire by them made of smal branches or barks of trees, & after some imprecations made, annoynted their sacrifice with oyle, milk & hony mixed together, Their king was created out of a certaine family amongest them, to whō if any were disobedient, for his transgression and rebellion, had his head striken off, and his bo­dy was left vnburied. Euery Persian (besides the number of Cō ­cubines which they kepte:) for to increase their stocke and ly­nage, took many women in marriage. And to her that brought foorth most children in the yeere was by the king lawfully au­thorised marriage. Such was the auncient manner and lyuing of the Persians, whose kinges hauing possessed the Monarchie after the Medes for the space of 250. yeeres were afterwardes through manye battayles ouercome and vanquished by Alex­ander the great, who surmounting Darius, were cōstreyned to giue place vnto him in the Empire.

Cap. 3.

THE Persians, (according to Herodote his saying) whiche went vnder the armie of Darius, at the ouercomming of Grecia, were armed after this maner, they had on their heads bourgonets, strong and inpenetrable, and vppon their bodies curates of shelles of diuers colours, with halfe Targets, and in steede of shieldes, bare targets of steele, (as at this present day they yet doe) vnder which, houng their Cemiter. Their dartes were short, but theyr bowes and arrowes made of Cane Reed, were long. Moreouer, they hadde theyr Woodknife or skaine hanging at their girdle, beating on the left thigh.

Chap. 4.

PResently all the Persians are Mahometistes, like vnto the Turks, which two nations, notwithstanding that they both haue one faith, yet are different in Ceremonies and opinions, for that Haly (whiche was cousin vnto the false prophet Mahomet) or as som say his sonne in law hauing marryed his daugh­ter Fatoma or Fatma) beeing the seconde Calyphe woulde no more beare this name, but woulde bee called a messenger of God, as great or more then Mahomet, whose institutiōs lawes and ordinaunces, he chaunged and disanulled and made newe ones, whereby it came to passe that the Mahometists were de­uided, for those which followed Mahomet made a Caliphe in Egypt, and the other dwelt in Persia with Haly, which, of these two peoples was holden in such reuerence, that vnto this daye the Turkes doe call vppon him next after Ma [...]omet, saying Alla Mehemet Haly, which signifieth, god Mahomet Haly: and [Page 116] such hath been the diuision of the Mahometistes in their reli­gion, which vnto this present continueth betwixt the Turkes and the Persians, which hath been the chiefe and beginning of all the warres which they haue hadde one with another vntoo this present day.

From Haly are descended the Sophis whiche neuerthe­lesse (as I haue sayd in the description of Emir) is not the true name of the kinges of Persia as some doe thinke, but this name of Sophy commeth of theyr secte and religion, whiche com­maundeth that of an humilitie they shoulde weare no aray on theyr heades beeyng more costly then is the wooll▪ and for that in the Arabian tongue: wooll is called Sophy, those bee­ing of that secte are called Sophians. These must alwayes liue in pouertie and abstinence of wine and meates, and be in con­tinual watchinges and prayers. They are also called Etnazeri, for that their custome is to weare a Talbant high topped be­fore deuided with twelue pleites or folds, & that Nazerin the Arabian language signifieth twelue: they are also in derision called Kesulbach, whiche is to say, redde head. So as through diuers causes & accidents, this sect hath gotten and obtayned diuers names.

Chap. 5.

AS for the state of the warres of the Persians: there are verye puissaunt and warlike, hauing a good number of horsemen. Their men at armes are armed with curats, of shelles, bucklers, roundels and targets of steele. Bourgonnets and headpeeces of yron, garnished with feathers, hauing the right arme and hande armed, and doe fight with a launce or light speare. Their horses are great and couragious, and are barded with leather. Moreo­uer, they are set foorth with strong and large bowes, shooting arrowes like vnto those of the Tartaries, and are so gyuen [Page] vnto the seruice of their king (aswel for y ^e opiniō that they haue that hee hath some heauenly and diuine spirite in him, opinion of the Persians to­wardes their Kinge. as also for the oth that they owe vnto their religion) that there can be no daunger so great, wherein they wil not hazard thēselues without any feare of death. The deputed of the gard of the So­phia, are maintained at his charges & expences, and at a time appointed, they haue by auncient custome, giuen amongst thē armour, horses, gownes, tenthes and victuals, whē he marcheth in the field he is enuironed with them for the suretie & gard of his person. And often chaunging his place, seeking the moste frutefull groundes of his regions for fouriage, doth visite the most noblest townes of his prouinces. Afterwards at the point of the warres, the Dynastes Barons, Tetrarches, and vassals of the auncient nobilitie are by publike edict called together to doe that which they shalbe commaunded, & in time ordeined, doe repayre to their ensignes well appointed. Of these there may be about 50000. on horsebacke, part of them armed as before I haue said, & part of them with som priuie coat made of diuers plates of yron. They fight with speare & dart, coue­ring their bodies with their shields & targets. There are more­ouer those which are named to be of the royall citie Sciras (in the which are made armors most excellent, which are the most esteemed, and nearest like vnto the Assyrians in valiantnesse, hardinesse, dexterit [...]e, & renowme, more then any other nati­on of the East partes. As for the Armenians being subiects vn­to the Persians they doe fight the most part of them on foote, and comming in the face of the enemie, hauing fixed in the ground a long rowe of dartes, doe defend themselues as with a ramparde against the furious brunt of the horsemen, and do fight with arrowes & short weapons. They haue moreouer for their aide the Iberians and Albanians inhabiting on the moūt Ca [...]case sent by their kings vnto them being friendes and al­lied vnto the Persians, and neighbours vnto Medea and Arme­nia, the greater part whereof beeing halfe christians doe beare vnto the Turkes the like hatred, which they of Persia do.

Chap. 6.

THE aforesaid Persians now adayes contrary to their aun­cient customes, are much giuen to all pleasure and volup­tuousnesse, apparrelling themselues very sumptuously as the figure folowing doth shew, vsing singular perfumes, & taking pleasure and delight in all Iewels and pretious stones. By their lawe it is permitted vnto them to haue many wiues▪ which be­cause they are very iealous of them, they keepe shut vp vnder the keeping of the Eunuches, and neuerthelesse like vnto the Turkes and other nations of the East partes, they are so gi­uen vnto the detestable sine against nature, that they take it for no shame, but haue places appointed and ordeined for the same. I haue seene and practised with diuers Persian gentlemē which had giuen themselues into the seruice of the great Turk and spoken with them by interpreters, and Dragomans, as I haue likewise done with diuers merchants and artificers dwel­ling at Constantinople: but to say truth, I do finde them with­out comparison, more noble, more ciuil, more liberall, and of better spirite and iudgement then the Turkes are, vnto whom (what countenance soeuer they doe shew) they are mortall e­nemies, I thinke that I haue nowe sufficiently described, the lawes, customes, religions, and manner of liuing aswel of the Antique as Moderne Persians, and resteth now to describe vn­to you the cituation of their countrie, whereunto to attaine fully, I am deliberated (as hereafter yee shall vnderstand) to fo­low the most auncient, famous, and moderne Geographers & Historians, which are found to haue theereof written.

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Chap. 7.

THE kingdome of the Persians (according to Ptolome is a region of Asia (so named Persea after the name of Perseus the sonne of Iupiter and Danae) which on the North parte bordereth with the Medes, on the West with Susiana, on the East with the two Carmanies, and on the South with a part of the Persian sea or Goulphe. In Persia are founde many aunci­ent and moderne Cities, whereof the most auncients are Ba­bylon, now called Baiadet. Suse which is altogether ruined, ex­cept the Castle, whereof as yet a part standeth: the great citie of Procopolis or Percepolis vppon the flood Araxes, in times past destroyed by Alexander the great. Likewise the Citie of Scyras, whiche remaineth in her autiquitie, conteyning in cir­cuit with the suburbs, twentie thousand paces. Moreouer the Citie of Alexandria (otherwise called Isia, cituated vpon the ri­uer Syria) and Arion, lying all on the foote of the mount Cau­case, vppon the riuer Euprates (whiche the Arabians call Afo­rat) are the Cities of Ioppe and Nicephore, the Castle of Isse, where Darius was ouerthrowne and discomfited. The Cities of Thesiphon and Carra, where was broken the armie of Mar­cus Crassus, in which place are as yet seene diuers sepulchres and antiquities, whiche the Inhabitannts doe say to be of the Romane Senatours, which dyed in the same ouerthrowe. The Cities of Persogade, Opine and others, bordering vppon Ar­menia the greater, being vnder the dominion of the Sophy. In which Armenia vpon the riuer Euprates, are many townes in­habited of Christians, Georgians, being mē valiant at armes. The names of their cities are, Tunis, Masestan, and Derbent, lying vpon the Caspian sea, or sea of Bachau, there are likewise the Cities of Artassetta, Asimosia, and Micopoli.

As for the Moderne Cities of Persia the pincipallest where most often the Sophy dwelleth, is the noble Citie of [Page] Thauris aunciently called Phasis, or Terua, and by the Persians vulgarly Teuris (being notwithstāding in Armenia:) within the same is vsed great trafficke of diuers marchandises, of cloth of gold of siluer and of silke, and of al sorts of fine stones, & an in­fini [...]e number of merchaunts doe resort thither of al partes of the world as from the Indies from Baldac, from Molsuc, from Cremesol and from the countrey of the Latins: the other are Bagadet, wherof I haue spoken before, and Cambalech, a great city Basta, Mulasia, Va [...]ta, Drecherin, and Saltamac: All which cities are in the countrie of Chelmodate betwixt the riuer Eu­phrates and the Tigre, vppon the side of the mount Cortestan, called by the ancients the mount of Taur. Vpon the said riuer of Euphrates lieth the citie of Adene, and the castle of Bir. The Cities of Merchin, Assanchef, Sair, Chesfen, Vastian and Coy, all being cituated on the toppe, and about the mount Cortestan. Gies also being a great city sixe dayes iourney distant from the goulph of Persia, otherwise called the Misidan Sea: vppon the which lye also the yle & city of Ormus, where greate trade of marchandise is vsed with the Portugals: and whereas are fished great quantitie of Pearles. Likewise the cities of Sultania, Sa­ban, Cassan, Come, and Iex, being all cities of great Persia, wel traded with merchandize, and whereas is made great quanti­tie of silke, which is carryed throughout all Suria, and into Bur­sia (aunciently called Prusa) being the principall citie of Bethi­nia, cituated at the foote of the Mount Olimpe. Vppon the borders of the flood Indus, as yee goe too Calicut, is the great citie of Querdy, neare the Persian gulfe, and vpon the ri­uer Bindamach the foure cities following to wit, Vergan, Ma­ruth, Sana and Nain, and on the North side from the Sea Cas­pium vnto Thauris, Coy, Rey, Sidau, Billan, Strana, Barbari­den, Madranolan, Samachi, and the citie of Arben, which hath gates of yron, sometimes builded by Alexander the great. And vpon the border of the same Sea, is the fayre and rich ci­tie of Bacach. Moreouer, towards Armenia the greater in Per­sia, are the cities of Ansengā, Maluchia, Sio, Ere & Meson. These are the fairest & most famous cities, which at this present are [Page 119] vnder the dominion of the Sophy: as for the riuers the most renowmed in al Persia is Bindmir, of the auncients called Bra­gada, whereupon is to be noted that the distance from the sea Maior vnto the Sea Caspium, is.

Chap. 8.

IF amongest the women of the East partes, the Persians haue of all auncestrie obtained the laud and prayse to be the most gentle, and proper in their apparrel and cloathing, so are they likewise no lessefull made in proportion of their bodies and naturall beautie: namely, and aboue al other, those of the aun­cient and royall Citie of Sciras, which are so praysed in their beautie, whitenesse, pleasant ciuilitie and shamefast grace, that the Moores of an olde and common Prouet be will say, that their Prophet Mahomet would not go to Scyras, for feare that hee hauing once tasted of the pleasures of those women, his soule after his death could neuer haue entred into Paradise, we haue moreouer sufficient testimonie of the singular beautie of these Persian women by Alexander the great, who keeping the daughters of the king Darius, as his prisoners, would neuer sa­lute them but with his eyes looking downewards, and besides so seldome as he could, for the feare which hee had of beeing ouercome with their beautie, and would saye sometimes vnto his familiar friendes, that the daughters of the Persians did great harme vnto the eyes of those that looked vpon them.

The Persians in their habite goe very honourably clothed, and like vntoo the Turkes and Grecians weare long gownes, closed and buttoned before, and attyre their heads with sun­dry bandes of diuers colours, the endes whereof hang downe verye lowe before and behinde ouer their shoulders, in the fourme and maner as the picture following doth shew vn­to you, which I haue naturally drawen out in Constantinople, with the fauor of a Persian with whom I was entred in friend­ship, [Page] but it was not without cost, great difficultie and danger, for that there is no nation in the worlde, which are more loth to let their wiues be seene, not only vnto straungers (like as I was vnto them) but scarce they will trust them with their nea­rest parents, whether they be father or brother, so full are they of suspition and Ielousie. The first Sibille (called Sanabete or Sambetha) of whome Nicanor maketh mention, describing the deedes of Alexander, was of nation a Persian, notwithstan­ding that some doe say a Chaldean, hauing too her father one called Berose, and her mother beeing called Erimanthe, shee compounded foure and twentie bookes and prophesied the myracle of the fiue loaues and two fishes as more amplie is treated in the booke of the Sebilles.

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Chap. 9.

To come to the more easier knowledge of the lawes, man­ners, customes, religion, and maner of lyuing of the aunci­ent and moderne Arabians, I haue taken in hande first to be­ginne with the description of their countrey, which according to ptolomie and other Geographers aswel ancient as moderne hath bin diuided into three prouinces, to wit, Arabia the sto­nye, Arabia the desart, and Arabia the happy: Arabia parted into three pro­uinces. Arabia the sto­ny was thus called of the name of the old and famous citye of Petra (called in Esaie the stone of the desart) and presently ac­cording to Voleteran, Arach. Notwithstanding that the vulgare Arabians doe cal it Rabach, cituated vpon the brooke Arnon: and wheras aunciently was the seat royall, namely in the time of the most puissant king Areta, which about the comming of our sauiour into the world was king. Or els this countrie is called stonie, because of the great mountaines and rocks which enuirone & close the same in. Notwithstanding, that within the same are found diuers fountaines abounding of very good wa­ters: she bordereth on the West with Egypt, almost in the midst of Istma, being between the castles of Posside, presently called Ara, and Rinocorura, lying vpon the further parts of the redde sea, or the Arabian sea, & on the part of our Mediterane sea, the lake of Syrboni, betweene which space (whereof Plinie maketh but 125. myles) the seas cōming frō diuers parts do diuide thē ­selues. And the third part of the world which is Asia the grea­ter, ioyneth there with the firme land of Egypt aboue Istma, at the mouth of the red sea, which appertaineth vnto this Arabia, and extendeth beyond the gulph Elanitick, and the city Elane of whom this gulph hath taken his name. Of the East and the south it is enuironed with moūtains, which diuide the same on the one side from Arabia the happy: and on the other part frō [Page] the desart. On the North it bordereth with Syria entring vnto the lake Asphaltide (so named because of the aboundaunce of the Asphalte which it produceth: which is gathered vppon this lake, of whiche is made the Greeke fire, some doe call it Stercus Demonum, for that the smell thereof stinketh verye muche) Philadelphe and Batanee, and in none other place is the sayde Arabia more fertile then in this, This Arabia was in times past through the great heat & barrēnesse of the fields, lit­tle estemed of the auncients, but we ought otherwise to think thereof, for the memorie and reuerence of the dyuine things which there haue happened: for be [...]ingly shee receyued and kept the children of Israel: for the space of forty yeeres, after they had maruellously passed dry foote through the redde sea. And likewise the same tyme the Citie of Madian nourished Moyses, his wife and children. Likewise within the same is the mount Sinai, or Oreb, which Ptolome calleth Melane, and the Moores Turla▪ vpon the which the law was giuen vnto Moyses. Neere vnto this mount is the stone, which beeing touched by the saide Moyses, cast forth water abundantly to the great alte­ration of the children of Israel. Likewise towards Egypt is the mount Casie so renowned for the sepulture of Pompee the great, which there is. Plynie calleth the people of this Ara­bia, and of the desart Scenites, because they dwelled vnder tentes & cabbynes, wythout hauing any other houses or buyl­dinges, and like Vagabondes went straying with their cattell from place to place, staying onely at the place where aboun­daunce of pasture bade them. Their most famous and auncient neighbors are the Nabathees, so called by the name of Nabai­oth the sonne of Ismael, neighbors also vnto the Amouerats.

Chap. 10.

THe second Arabia, which is the desart, is of greate com­passe and Solitude, which on the West part (according to [Page 122] Ptolome) bordereth vppon Arabia the stonie, and on the East with the Sea Persick and along the Chaldees is deuided from Arabia the happie, being on the North side, with the riuer Eu­phrates, whiche commeth from Comaigene: she is inhabited with diuers peoples, whereof those whiche are called Naba­ [...]ees, which doe dwell in the East partes the most desart, and without water, goe straying like vntoo theeues through the fieldes, making many incursions vpon theyr neighbours, and vnto the Carouanes, which thereby doe passe to go to Medine and to the Mecqua. For in all Arabia the desart, there are but these two Townes, and the place called Metach, where Maho­met wrote his Alcoram, but there are many small castles: the Countrie is so barren, that it bringeth foorth neither trees, fruites, nor waters but very little. But the inhabitants, whiche doe none other occupation then to robbe and steale doe dig there certaine pittes which are vnknowne vnto the strangers, & by that meanes doe eschewe the daunger of their enemies, & cannot be ouercome▪ likewise haue alwayes liued with al li­bertie without at any time to haue beene subiect vnto strange kynges, but vnder certaine Captaines vnto whom they obey. Many haue written that besides these greate desartes, there is another called the sandye sea, the greatest whereof whiche is called Benahali is in breadth twelue dayes iourney, beyng all whyte and loose sande.

These saide desarts are called sea, for that like vnto the sea, they are subiect vnto the fortune of the wyndes, so as those which doe conduct the Carouanes, are constrayned to helpe them selues with the carde and compasse as the marriners doe vpon the sea. And he which is the guide goeth before moūted on a cammel: but if through misfortune the wind come cōtra­ry vnto their way, diuers are found buried in the sand: & whē ­soeuer that hapneth few do escape the peril: these dead carcases being by succession of time discouered, are curiously takē vp, & carried vnto the merchants, who buy the same, and is, as diuers do affirme, that which is called Mumie. Plutarch wrytinge of the lyfe of Alexander maketh mention, that in thys greate desarte remayned dead vnder the sandes fifty thousand menne [Page] of the armie of Cambises, this sand being moued with a storme which blew out of the south. And that which is worse in al this sandy sea, is found no water, but those which do passe through it, must carry the same vpon their Camels: with al other things necessary for the sustentation of their bodies: for, during these twelue dayes iourney there is nothing to be found but white sande. The principallest places of this Arabia, neere vnto the redde Sea, are the Citie of Zidem, the porte of Mecqua, and the yle of Camarran, The people thereof are of com­plection neerer the blacke then white, and are all Mahome­tistes.

Chap. 11.

THe third Arabia so called of Arabo the sonne of Apollo of Babylon, by the Graecians called Eudemon which signifi­eth very happie, separateth Iudea from Egypt, and deuideth it selfe from Arabia the desart at the port of Zidem, & within the firme lande stretcheth vnto Arabia the stonie, shee hath at the mouth of the Sea, the citie of Adem, whiche is in greatnesse, strength, quantitie of people, & trafficke of merchandize, the most famous, not only of this prouince, but likewise of al those other parts. Moreouer, Fatarque the Ile of Maeyra, at the cape of Reselgati, Calha, Masquati & Curia on the side of the streight of Ormus: and also amongest the mountaines are diuers other Cities, Castles and Villages. The people are very apte for the armes, because they are ordinarilye exercised in the warres: Their horses are the best in the world, and haue great number of Camels and Oxen, whom they vse in carying of fardles and burdens, and other things necessarie. Of nature they are pre­sumptuous and proude, notwithstanding doe obey vnto a king which for the most part of the time, hath warres with certaine people of the other Arabies. The part of this Arabia borde­ring vpon Ethyopia by the auncients called Trogloditick, be­ginneth [Page 123] vpon the red sea, towards the coun [...]ie of the Abissins, and endeth at the yle of Madagassar otherwise called the yle of S. George, and extendeth neere vnto the yle of Delaque: some do say that it extendeth no further then vnto the cape of Guar­dafumi, whiche if it bee so, she hath without the streight Zeila, Barbora: and within Delaque Laquari, being a port not greatly peopled; frō whence if it were not for feare of the Arabiās, whi­che assaile and robbe the Carouanes that passe along, ye might by land goe ouer in 6. daies vnto the riuer of Nyl. The richest & best peopled nation of this region are the Sabees. The Metro­politan Citie wherof is called Saba, cituated on a high moun­ted in which their king was in times past created by succession of linage, with great honour and reioycing of the people, whose life although the same seemed to be happy for that he might do al thinges, and had euery man at commaundement without giuing account or reason of those thinges which he did, it was mixed with a great many of perplections: for that it was not permitted vnto him to goe out of his pallace vppon paine (that attempting the contrary) to bee foorthwith stoned by the peo­ple, being an auncient superstition and obseruance which they had by an oracle of their goddes. This region aboue all the o­ther in the world, is the most pleasant and abundant of things pretious & Aromaticke. Moreouer it beareth corne aboundāt­ly, oliues & all other excellent fruites, and is watered with dy­uers riuers, & most wholesome fountaines. The South parte is furnished with diuers faire forrests, full of trees, bearing Fran­kincense and mirrhe. Palme trees, Cinamond, Casse & Ledanū, the sauour of these trees being vnto the smelling of men of such a sweetnesse: that the same seemeth rather to be heauenly then earthly or humane. So as it might be saide, that nature consul­ted there to gather togither so many good and sweete smelles. In the same forrests are a great number of redd and venimous serpents, which leaping vpon men doe byte them with poyson most daungerous and mortall. They make fire of the branches of mirrhe, The smell of mirrhe vn­wholesome, but the smell therof is so pernicious, that if they dyd not remedy the same with the smoke of Storax, it woulde ingender vnto thē sicknesses vncurable. They which gather the [Page] Frankincense (dedicated vnto diuine honors) are called sacred or holy, for that during the time of their gathering, they do ab­stayne from women and burialls, esteeming, that by that kinde of obseruation and ceremony, their marchaundise will increase the more; Diuers haue written, that the incense is not found in any other place then in Arabia. But Pedro Gesa of Leon, in hys second part of the history general of the west Indies, saith: that neere vnto the riuer Marannon, is found great quantitie of Frā ­kincense, better then that of Arabia. In this place are also found the Sardonique stones, Molochite, and those which are called I­ris, being of colour as cleere as crystal, the Andromede also and the Pederote, which Plinie calleth Opalius: it is saide also, that there is bred the bird Phaenix, which liueth as some do say [...]40. yeeres: but Pliny saith 660. yeres; & Manilius, Senator of Rome affirmeth, that with the life of this bird, the reuolution of the great yere is made, which diuers (as Solin) say to consist, not in 540. yeres, but in 12950. yeres. Let him beleue it that wil [...] as for me, I thinke that to speake of the Phaenix is none other thing then the telling of a fable; vnto the ports of the said Zeila, Bar­bora, & Delaqua, come to traffick, the merchants of Cambaia, of Adē, & of the whole Arabia. They bring thither smal clothes of diuers sorts and colours, and other things from the said Cā ­baye and Ormmus, and for their marchandises, they receiue a­gaine raisons, dates, golde, Iuorie and slaues, and do their traf­ficke at the port of Zeila, and Barbora▪ vnto which ports lyke­wise do come they of Chiloa, Melinde, Braua, Madagassar, and Mombaza. And thus by these two ports are dispersed the mer­chandises throughout the countries of the Abissins, and euen into Turkie and Graecia, where I haue seene diuers merchants of Arabia, clothed and apparrelled as the figure following doeth shew.

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Chap. 12.

IN old times the Arabians had amongst them diuers maner of liuing and different ceremonies, they weare long haire, and weare on their heads a cloth wreathd, shauing their beard with a rasor, suffered no haire to grow, but only the moustaches be­twixt the nose & the mouth as they do yet at this present. As for arts & sciences, they kept no schoole, but liued after the instru­ctions which they had receiued of their fathers. Vnto the most auncient of them was giuen the puissaunce & gouernement o­uer all the other, hauing nothing particular, but lyued al in one comminalty: vsing their wyues which they tooke of their lyn­nage, in common, yea euen of their own mothers & sisters, este­ming themselues in that manner, as al brethren together. And such amongst them as vsed carnal company with any other wo­man, then as was of his own blood, was punished by death as an Adulterer. They had in great obseruation the solēnity of others, for whensouer they woulde sweare amitie and confederation with any other, they set in the midst of the 2. parties, som certain person who with a sharp cutting stone, cut them in the hand as neere the thumbe as might be: & afterwards took the haire & flocks of their coates which he dipped within the blood, & ther with rubbed 7. stones, which were laide betweene both the Iu­rāts, calling vpon Bacchus & Vranie, (for they had an opinion that there were none other gods, then these: calling Bacchus, V­ratalt, & Vranie Alilat) & then the mediator of such a peace & a­mity, admonished the 2. parties carefully to obserue & keep the pacts & couentions between them made & sworne. The Ara­bians as before we haue said, are crafty & proud, & doe beleue that in valure & hardines they doe surpasse al the other nations in the world: for the present they are al obseruators of the sect of Mahomet, & the most part are subiect and Tributories vnto the great Turke.

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Chap. 13.

DEllis are aduenturers, like vnto light horsemen, whose pro­fession is to seeke their aduentures in the most daungerous places, Dellys. where by warlike feates of armes they make proofe of their strength and manhood, and therfore do loue to follow the armye of the great Turke, without any wages (like vnto the Anchises) but that the most part of them are kept and intertai­ned at the charges of the Basshas, Beglierbeis and Sangiaques, which euery one of them haue a number of the brauest & vali­antest in their trayn. These do dwel in the parties of Bossine, & Seruia, bordering vppon Graecia on the one side, and on the other, Hungarie and Austria, and at this present time are cal­led Seruians or Crouats, whiche are the true Illirians, whom Herodian in the life of Seuerus, describeth to bee men most valiaunt, of greate stature, well shapen, and bigge sette, their colour beyng yealowishe, but of nature most malitious, and of custome more then barbarous, of grosse vnderstanding, and easie to be deceiued. Notwithstanding they were in great e­stimation with Alexander the great: yea, so that oftētimes they durst vndertake to take in hand the occupying of Macedonia. The Turks doe call them Dellys, which is to say hardye fooles: but amongest them they call themselues Zatasnicis, which sig­nifieth in their language, defyers of men, for that euerye one of them are bounde to fight agaynst tenne (before they can at­tayne to the name and token of Delly, or Zatasnici) they chal­lenge alwaies body for body, to breake the speare vppon their enimies, vsing in their fightes many guyles and craftes, which are remained to them from their auncestors, with such dexteri­ty & hardines, that most often they remaine victorious. The first Delly, that I saw, was in Andrinopole, being then with the Lord of Arramont, in the house of Rostan Basha, too whom the sayde Delly was retaynour, who not onelye at my request: [Page] but also in hope to haue some present, as he had, did follow vs vnto our lodging, where whilest he was making good cheere, I tooke the extract of his person, and of his strange habite, which was suche as followeth, his doublet and his longe and large hosen, by the Turkes called Saluares, were of the skinne of a young beare, wyth the haire outward: and vnder theyr Salua­res, bootes, or buskins of yeallowe Marokin, sharpe before and very high beinde, shodde vnderneath with yron, and com­passed with long and large spurres. Vppon the head he hadde a long cappe after the Polonian or Georgian fashion, hangyng downe ouer one of his shoulders made of a Leopardes skynne well spotted, and ouer the same before the foreheade for too shew more ferefull, was fastned a long tayle of an Eagle and the two winges nayled vpon the target with two great yron nailes, which hee carryed in a scarfe about his shoulders: hys armes were the Cymiter or skayne, and the dagger: and in the ryghte hande the Busdegan, whiche is to saye, the mase of armes well damaskaned. But certaine when hee departed from Andrino­pole, with the forces whiche Achmat Bascha (whiche since the great Turke caused to bee strangled in his bedde) carryed for the great Lord into Transsiluania, I saw him mounted on a fair Turkie horse decked with the whole skinne of a great Lion, fa­stened with the two formost feet before vpon the brest, and the other two hanging downe behind, his Busdegan hung at his sadle bow, & in his right hand bare a long launce, the poleaxe at the point being well steeled, altogeather beeing as yee may liuely see in the picture following. I was moreouer curious to aske him by a Dragoman of what nation he was, and what re­ligion he kept, wherupon wisely he gaue me to vnderstand that he was of nation a Seruian, but that his grandfather was descē ­ded of the Parthes, a people sometimes renowmed & estemed to be the most warlike in all the East parts: and that as for his religion notwithstanding that hee dissembled to liue with the Turks according to their law, yet was he frō his birth of heart & wil, a christian, & the better to make me beleeue it, he sayde in the vulgare Greeke, and in the Esclauon tongue, the Lordes Prayer, the salutation of the Aungell, and the Symbole of [Page 127] the Apostles. Furthermore I asked him why hee did apparrell himselfe so strangely, and with such great feathers, his aunswere was, that it was to shew and appeare vnto his enemies▪ more fu­rious & fearefull. And as for the feathers, the custome amongst them was, that to none other it was permitted to weare them: but vnto suche as had made some memorable proofe of their person for that amongst them the feathers were estemed to be the true ornament of a valiant man of warre, which was al that I could learne of this prety Delly.

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Chap. 14.

WIthin the citie of Constātinople, neere vnto the 7 towres there is a great street for the most part inhabited by the Caramanians (by the auncients called Cilicians) liuing as other strange nations do vnder the tribute of the great Turke and ex­ercising marchandises or handicraftes, wherein they are verye ingenious and cunning, specially in goldsmithes worke, & im­brodering. The Goldsmithes keepe their shops neere vnto the Bezestan, which is, as before I haue said, a hall, whereas al sortes of costly marchandises are solde, as of golde, of siluer, of stones, furres, cloth of gold, and of siluer and silke, slaues, Cammels & horses vnto him that most biddeth: Amongst which Caramani­ans are the most excellent and richest workes.

The Caramanian women, principally those of quality, do but seldome goe abroade, as the other Graecians do, except it be to the bathes or to the Church: but keepe themselues ordinarily inclosed within their houses, imploying their time in making of diuers faire needleworks vpon cloth, which they put to be sold at the Bezestan or other common markets. But the other wo­men of lesse estate, for to get their liuing and for reliefe of their necessity, giue themselues to sel openly within the citie, egges, chickins, cheeses, and hearbs, & go apparrelled as yee see in the figure [...]ollowing. But the richer sort goe more brauely & costly apparrelled, for they weare their Doliman, either of veluet, sat­ten or damaske, & on their head a long myter, figured with flo­wers of diuers colours, couered with a great cloake, hanging downe behynde to the ground: the men are apparrelled after the fashion of the other Graecians, obseruing the same fayth and religion, and obeye vnto the Patriarche of Constantino­ple.

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Chap. 15.

AS for the countrey of Caramania, first called Cilicia, of the name of Caelix the sonn of Agenor, according to Herodote, Hipachea, Cilicia of Ci­lix. is described by Ptolome in his fift booke as a pro­uince of little Asia, hauing for her borders towardes the East, the mount Aman, presently called the blacke mountaine, of the North the mount of Taur, of the west side a part of Pamphi­lia, and on the other part of the South the vttermost partes of the goulph Issique, which now is called [...]asse. This region is en­uyroned with high and sharpe mountaines, from the whiche drop towardes the sea, diuers riuers. And of these mountaines the issues are very narrow, and streight▪ of the one & other side enuironed high with mountains, first called the ports of Arme­nia, afterwards the mountains of Caspie, & presently of Silicia: through which narrow streights, Alexander the great going in­to the East parties, with great perilles and daungerous hazard, made his armie to passe. The principall and Metropolitan ci­tie of this coūtrie is Tharse▪ vulgarely called Terrase, being the place of birth and houshold of S. Paul, which first was founded by the noble Perseus sonne of the faire Danae. Although Solin, and pope Pius attribute her first edification vnto Sardanapal the last sonne of Anacindaraxe, and last king of the Assyrians: through the midst of the same Countrie runneth the fayre ri­uer Cydne or Ca [...]ne, by the Frēchmē called the riuer of Salef, which takes her spring from the mount of Taur and wherein was drowned the Emperour Frederike Barberosse. Vitruuius in his eight book and third chapter saith, that if they did wash their legs within this riuer Cydne, that incontinent after they should finde them selues cleansed and healed of their disease. The Tarsians were in times past so giuen to philosophie, that they excelled the Athenians and Alexandrians, notwithstan­ding that the Athenians were more famous and renowmed in straunge countries, and that their Citie was more frequented [Page] with al sorts of people. Neuerthelesse, the Tarsians were in phi­losophy more excellent, and of their citie tooke origin, Anti­pater, Archelaus, Antenor, Marcel, Diogenes, Artemidore, Dio­nisius, and Crates the Grammarian. Besides Tarse the head ci­tie of Cilicia, there is another renowmed citie of the auncients called Coryce, and of the modernes Curth, of all sides enuiro­ned with a hauē of the sea, sauing of one side being very streight which ioyneth vnto the firme land. Aboue this citie there is an Antherne, a caue or denne, A caue very strange. which Pomponius Mela saith to be made by such singular artifice of nature, that the admiration, excellency, and soueraigne beautie thereof, carrieth those that enter into it out of their proper senses and memory and almost rauisheth and taketh awaye the spirites of those, whiche vp­pon the sodaine enter intoo it. But after they are come to themselues, they cannot satisfie them of the pleasure which is there. For, for to come to the bottom of this heauenlike denne, you doe discend by a faire stare, about 3. quarters of a myle in­delectable and shadowed, where is heard a harmony more then humaine, certaine sounds agreeing, & sounding like vnto sym­bals or other melodious instruments, which greatly abasheth and seemeth marueilous to those that firste enter into it. So as in times past the inhabitauntes of the countrie by super­stitious, opinion did thinke, that this sounding caue was the se­pulchrall bedde of the valiaunt Gyant Typhon. In the playne fieldes, which are about Coryce or Curth groweth abundance of very good saffron, giuing more smel, & being more like vn­to the colour of golde, and more profitable in medicines, then any other, & hath for the singularitie thereof by the ancients been called saffron of Coryce. Tarse therefore and Coryce are two the most famous and renowmed Cities of Cilicia or Ca­ramania, although there be diuers others of good and antique name, as Selimontis in the honour of the good Emperor Tra­ian after his death consecrated in his name, and called Traia­nopolis. There is also Satalia cituated vpon the sea coast of Ci­licia, whereof hath taken the name the goulfe of Satalia, aun­ciently called Issa, and presently Iasse: about this place Alexan­der the Macedonian vanquished and ouercame the great Da­rius [Page 130] kyng of the Persians, by reason whereof the Citie was cal­led Nicopolis, which is to say, towne of victory. Moreouer in the same region, is as yet resting the auncient towne of the Sun called Heliopolis, or to say better, Solos or Soloe, for that So­lon one of the seuen sages of Grecia, was founder therof, and afterwardes by the name of Pompe was called Pompeiopolis, for that in the time of the triumphaunt Rome, the Cicilians dwelling along the coast of the Mediteran sea, a people beeing acquainted with the seas, & exercising the nauigation, Pirates, Coursaries, and Skummers of the sea, stood vp in so great num­ber, and so strong men giuen to piracie, & of vessels and ships necessarie for that purpose, as Foysts, and Brigantins, that they possessed and kept the Sea side in such distresse, that they did not onely let and anoy the merchaunts shippes, and shippes of warre, but likewise kept the portes and passages so shutte, that they kept away the corne and victuals from all Italie, whereby the Romane people were in danger of being famished. Wher­fore (as Flore writeth in his Epitome) Pompee was sent against them with an armie, which through marueilous diligence and speede within fortie dayes ouercame them, and chased them cleane out of the sea, and in the ende hauing on the land taken them into mercie, sent them into certaine townes and landes in Cilicia, farre from the Sea, there to dwell and liue, and too the ende to purge the sea: and namely assigned newe inhabi­tants in the towne then called Soloe, and since vpon this rea­son Pompeiopolis.

The Cilicians were in times past called Tarses (as Iosephus writeth) theyr denomination hauing taken that name of Tar­se, nephewe vnto Iaphet, who first gaue them the order too liue, bearyng ouer them the principalitie and gouernement. Likewise, called after hys name theyr chiefe citie Tarse. Nowe a dayes the whole Cilicia is as I haue sayde, called Caramania, a countrie reduced vnder the puissaunce and domination of the great Turke, whiche before was a kingdome so puissaunt, that the kinges of Caramania, might haue brought intoo the fielde fortie thousande menne on horsebacke, yea that Or­can Lorde of the Turkes sonne, and successour of the firste [Page] Othoman, who made himselfe chiefe of the Turkes, and that first gaue the name of his noblenesse to their Emperors, durst wel, for to make himselfe more noble to take in marriage the daughter of Caraman king of Caramania, so called after hys name, after he had conquested and ouercome the same.

Chap. 16.

Iewes great vsurers.THE number of the Iewes dwelling throughout all the Ci­tities of Turkie and Grecia, and principally at Constanti­nople is so great, that it is a thing marueilous and incredible, for the number of these, vsing trade and trafique of merchan­dise, like of money at vsurie, doth there multiply so from day too daye, that the great haunt and bringing of merchandises which arriue there of all parts aswell by Sea as by land, is such, that it may be saide with good reason that at this present day they haue in their handes the moste and greatest trafique of merchandize and readie money, that is in al Leuant. And lyke­wise their shops and warehouses the best furnished of all riche sortes of merchandises, which are in Constantinople are those of the Iewes. Likewise they haue amongest them workemen of all artes and handicraftes moste excellent; and specially of the Maranes of late banished and driuen out of Spaine & Por­tugale, who to the great detriment and damage of the Christi­anitie, haue taught the Turkes diuers inuentions, craftes and engines of warre, as to make artillerie, harquebuses, gunne pouder, shot and other munitions: they haue also there set vp prin­ting, not before seene in those countries, by the which in faire characters they put in light diuers bookes in diuers langua­ges, as Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, and the Hebrewe tongue, beeing too them naturall, but are not permitted to print the Turkie or Arabian tongue: they haue also the commoditie & vsage to speake and vnderstand all other sortes of languages v­sed [Page 131] in Leuant, which serueth them greatly for the communica­tion and trafique, which they haue with other strange nations, to whom oftentimes they serue for Dragomans, or interpre­tours. Besides, this detestable nation of the Iewes, are men ful of all malice, fraude, deceit, and subtill dealing, exercising exe­crable vsuries amongst the Christians and other nations with­out any consciences or reprehention: but haue free licence, paying the tribute: a thing whiche is a great ruine vntoo the countrie & people where they are conuersant. They are mar­ueilous obstinate and stubborne in their infidelitie▪ attending daily their Messias promised, by whō they hope to be brought agayn into the land of promise: they haue the vale of Moses so knit before the [...] eyes of their vnderstanding, that they will not nor by any manner of meanes can see, or acknowledge the brightness and light of [...]esus Christ, whom through misbelief, enuie, and vnmeasured rage, they condemned and caused too dye on the crosse, and charging themselues with the offence & sinne committed towardes his person, wrote vnto Pilate, hys blood bee vppon vs and our children, and therfore their sinne hath followed them and their successours throughout al gene­rations, so as where they would not receiue his saluation, the same for euer shalbe kept from them, to their great mischiefe and confusion, for since their extermination and the venge­aunce vpon Ierusalem vnto this present day, they hadde at no time any certayne dwelling place vpon the face of the earth, but haue alwayes gone straying dispearsed and driuen awaye from Countrie to countrie. And yet euen at this day in what region soeuer they are permitted to dwell vnder tribute, they are abhorred of God and menne, and more persecuted of the Turkes, which in derision call them Chifont, then of any other nation, who haue them in such disdaine and hatred, that by no meanes they will eate in their companie, and much l [...]sse marry any of their wiues or daughters, notwithstanding that often­times they doe marry with Christians, whom they permit too liue according to their lawe, and haue a pleasure too eate and bee conuersant with Christians: and that which is woorse, if a Iewe woulde become a Muselman, he should not bee receiued, [Page] except first leauing his Iudaical sect he became a christian. The Iewes which dwell in Constanstinople, Andrinople, Bursia, Sa­lonica, Gallipoli, & other places of the dominion of the great Turke, are all apparrelled with long garments, like vnto the Gretians, and other nations of Leuant, but for their mark and token to be knowen frō others, they weare a yealow Tulbant. Those that dwel in the Ile of Chio (which are in great number vnder the tribute of the Seigniorie) in steed of a Tulbant doe weare a great cap of credit, whiche some doe call a bonnet of Arbaleste, being also of yealow colour. This which I haue dra­wen out is one of those that carie cloath to sell through the citie of Constantinople.

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Chap. 17.

THE Armenians are conuersant in Turkie and Grecia lyke vnto straungers, chiefly at Constantinople and Pera, being the most part merchants, doe great trafique of merchandizes of Leuant, as Chamblets, Mockados, Sayes, and Carpets of Su­ria. The poorer sort of them are artificers, or els doe giue them selues to dressing of gardens and vines. Their garmentes are long, like vntoo the Grecians and other nations of the East partes, and on their heads doe weare a blue Tulbant, mixed with redde and white, for that it is not permitted vnto anye then to the Turkes to weare a Tulbant being white onely.

Chap. 18.

IN times past, the Armenians in theire lawes, customes & ma­ner of liuing, did not much differ from the Medians, nor like­wise in theire religion, wherin the most parte followed the er­rour of the Persians, neuerthelesse the Persians worshippe one Goddesse onely called Tanais, Tanais a god­desse worship­ped by the Ar­menians. vnto whom they builded in sun­drie places, diuers temples, and dedicated vnto them not one­ly their menne and woman seruants, but likewise their owne daughters of the most noble houses: their lawe being such as constrained them too put them foorth publikelye, and a long time vnto all commers, before they might be marryed, & there was none that for this matter woulde refuse too take them in marriage, which to contract, they dyd as followeth. The bride grome did cut of the tip of the right eare of the bride, A strange fa­shion of con­tracting mar­riage, and the bride of the left eare of her husband, & by this mutuall con­sentment without any other ceremonie, was the marriage contracted and obserued betweene them, and published to all the worlde. But when they would vowe any great & solemne oth, [Page] they tooke of the blood of their right eare, & so drunk it with wine, as is written in the nienth booke of Valerius Maximus. Iosephus in his first booke of the antiquitie of the Iewes, wri­teth, that Otree the sonne of Aram, was he which first gaue the lawe and maner of liuing vnto the Armenians.

Chap. 19.

AS for their faith and moderne religion, they are christians, hauing their church and ceremonies a part, as all other not being Turks haue, al which the great Lord doth permit, to liue according to their minde, their lawe and religion, paying vnto him the Carach or tribute of a Ducate for euery head by the yeere. Notwithstanding the ceremonies of the christian Arme­nians are far different from those of the church of Rome, & a great deale more from the Grecian, for that in steed of a pope of Rome, or Patriarch of Grecia, or els of an Abyma, chiefe of Aethiopian church, and the countrie of Prester Iohannes, they haue a catholike Lord, being both temporall and spiritual▪ to whom aswell in ecclesiasticall reuerence as tēporal iustice they do equally obey. Their priests are married according to the li­bertie of the oriental church, & of the Ethiopians, which in ap­parrell do shew themselues modest, of countenance, graue and venerable, being shauē on their head with a large crowne, wea­ring their haire hāging down very long & likewise their beard. They celebrate their office after the maner of the latin church, but not in latin nor greek, but in the Armenian tongue, to the end without any difficultie to bee better vnderstanded of the stāders by, which do answere thē in the same vulgare lāguage. And when they do rise to heare the gospel read, do crosse them selues, in signe of peace and reconciliation, making their sacra­ment according to the Roman maner, with a round cake, with a challice of glasse or wood. Amongest the annuall feasts they do not celebrate the natiuitie of our Lord Iesus Christ, but on the twelfth day, vse great feasts and solemnitie▪ As for the Lent they doe fast and obserue the same as wee doe, but with grea­ter [Page 134] and streighter abstinence, not only of earthly flesh and fish: but likewise of all other substances wherein life hath been, and of all nourishing and delectable liquors of oyle and wine, vsing none other food, thē simple meates without fatnesse, as hearbs frutes, and certaine leane pottages. True it is that for to shew themselues more different from the Grecians, the Emulators, at certaine dayes on the friday, they doe eate fleshe and drinke wine, and vse of all other meate and drinke that pleaseth them. And amongest all the holy Apostles of the catholike churche, they take S. Iames the greater, for their great patron & prote­ctor. Their ecclesiasticall men in their maner of doing and out­warde appearaunce, doe shewe a great sanctimonie, deuotion, modestie, & simplicitie of life, as wel in their garments, fashiō, & ornamēts of the body, as in gesture, port, & maner of going, if they were not furred with too great & mischieuous hypocri­sie, for vnder such deuout pretext of holines & religiō, they do not only without any shamefastnes exercise vsurie as the secu­lar men do, but also giue themselues to the art magick, and all other sorts of southsayings and Nicromancies, altogether contrary to the true and christian religion.

Chap. 20.

TO come now to the original coūtrie of the Armeniās, you must vnderstand that Armenia is a region in Asia, so called Armenia by the name of Armene, otherwise called Thessall, cō panion of Iason the Thessaloniā in his expeditiō Argonātique, and is deuided in two parts, to wit, Armenia the greater, nowe called Turcomania, & Armenia the lesser, which yet reserueth his name. In this region (as Isidore saith) is the moūt Ararat, o­therwise called the mount Gordian, vppon the toppe whereof rested and remained the arke of Noe, after the great deluge was ceassed. Through the playnes of Armenia passeth the ry­uer Araxe by them called Arath, and likewise a great part of the renowmed Ryuers of Euphrates & Tiger. The Euphrates whych in the Assyrian tongue is called Almacher, through his [Page] inundations (as Nilus doth in Egypt) maketh the coūtrie frute­full and abundant, in the channell and decourse whereof are founde many pretious stones of great price and valew. Ptolo­me in the first booke of his Geographie, & pope Pius in his 3. part of y ^e descriptiō of Asia, describe Armenia after this maner: on the North side it hath a part of Colcide, now called Calpurt of Hiberia and Albania: on the West it hath the great course of the riuer of Euphrates, which on the left hande leaueth Ca­padocia▪ Armenia the lesser, Sira, Comegena, and towards the Euxine the mounts Mosquises. On the East it is termined with part of the Sea Hircanum, and of Media, toward the which are the Caspian mountes: and on the South side hath Mesopota­mia and Assyria. The most famous mountaines of Armenia are the Mosquises, which stretch towardes Capadocia vppon the part of Periade, whereas are the springs of Euphrates, Araxes and Antitaure, which is the halfe part of the Euphrates, & run­neth through Media and Armenia, and at the ende of his course is called Albus: the Cordicque out of which the Tiger groweth and extendeth vnto the pales of Tospie the Taur, and the Niphante, whiche deuide Mesopotamia and Assyria from the Armenians, the Caspiens which decline to the Medes and the Caucases, whiche shut vp the North parts towards Iberia & Albania▪ As for the riuers most renowmed in Armenia▪ the 4 principallest are these whiche followe: Cyrus which growing from the mount Caucase, leaueth on the left hande Iberia and Albania, and on the right hande Armenia, and so falleth into the Hircan Sea: Araxe, (which as wee haue sayde) falling from the mount Periade, taketh his course farre Eastwardes, after­wardes enclineth towardes the North, and hauing runne so a great way, deuideth into two streames, whereof the one kee­peth hys course Northwardes, and falleth into Cyrus, and the other towardes the East, casteth out into the Sea Caspium: the Euphrates whiche issueth out of the same mounte towardes the West, runneth vnto the Mountes of the Mosquice, and to the borders of Capadocia, and from thence taketh his course farre towardes the South, returnyng too Antitaure parteth the same from Armenia the lesser: afterwards taking his right [Page 135] course towards the South; the floud Mela, which falleth frō the mount Arga, after cutting the Taur in two, leaueth Syria on the right hand, and Mesopotamia on the left, extending vnto Ara­bia the desart, & then againe hauing run along course towards the South, & tēding againe towardes the East and West, separa­teth Babylon from Mesopotamia, & of new returning towards the East, not farre from Selencia, boweth towardes the South, & maketh a great course by Apamia: and afterwardes running once agayne towards the East, mingleth with the Tyger, which also taketh his origin in Armenia, from the mount Cordicke: & running with him towardes the south, entreth into the goulph of Persia. The most famous cities of Armenia the lesse, accor­ding to Plinie in his sixt booke the nienth chapter, are Cesaria, Asa, and Nicopoli. And of Armenia the greater, Arsamote, whi­che Ptolome calleth Arsamosate neere vnto Euphrates, and to the Tiger Carcachiocerte. In the mountaines is Tigranocerte, and in the playne neere vnto the floud Araxe, Artaxete. Ptolo­me speaketh of a great many more which I leaue behind for es­chewing of prolixity, but only that I will say, that at this present day, Armenia the greater hath the first place amongst the coun­treyes of Sophy, as being ennobled of his royall city of Tauris or Terua, as Ptolome saith, or els as it seemeth vnto some He­brewes very well experimented in languages, & assieties of coū ­tries, the famous & auncient citie of Susa. But as fo [...] Armenia the lesser, the most part therof is now vnder the yoke & domi­nion of the great Turke, and Armenia the greater, vnder the pu­issance of Sophi king of the Persians.

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Chap. 21.

THe Ragusins generally are riche: for that they are very co­uetous, enclining their minde to nothing more then to the gayne of marchandise, and to make ready money. Besides this, they are of nature so proud, that they do not think to be more knowledge or noblenesse in any other nation then is in them▪ And to speake trueth they do deserue great praise, considering that the cituation of their towne being in such a sharpe place, and so streightly extended, by their onely vertue and industrye, yea almost in despite of nature, they haue opened the way to all cōmodities necessary. The apparrel of the mē is such, that some do cloth thēselues after the Venetian, & others after another maner, as ye may see by y ^t figures folowing, to wit, the merchāts & the foot posts, as are the Fantes carrying of letters, whom we do cal messēgers which carry y ^e ordinary dispatches frō Raguse to Constantinople, and from Constantinople to Raguse, aswell of the Ambassadours of Fraunce, as of the hostages of the Ve­netians and Florentins. Their common language is the Scla­uonian speeche, and doe also speake certaine broken Italian, more lewdly then the Venetians doe. Their women are not very fayre, and apparrell themselues but homely, wearing ordi­narily on theyr head an high attyre made of fine linnen cloth, but the nobler sort weare it of white silke, hauing their hosen euen to the heeles: they doe goe very seldome abrode out of their houses, but do loue to be looking out at the windowes to beholde the goers by▪ As for their daughters are kept so close shut in, as they are not to be seen by no manner of wise.

Chap. 22.

THE politique estate of the Ragusins, is Aristocratie, or a common wealth gouerned by the Lordes, out of which, is created euery month a president which remaineth in the pal­lace, and hath twelue counsailers by whom the congregation is called Pregai or Pregadi, vnto which doe resort an hundreth or more of the auncients of the citie. And besides these afore­saide, they haue moreouer the great counsell, vnto which are assistant, all the nobles of the age of twentie yeeres and vp­wardes. They are tributaries vnto the great Turke of twelue thousand ducats, which they are bound to send vnto him eue­rie yere with two Oratours to Constantinople, or els where he shalbe.

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Chap. 23.

RAguse (which Ptolome calleth Epidaure is a citie very an­cient & noble, although the same which presently is called Raguse, is not the old, for that was destroyed by y ^e Gothes, but of the ruines therof the later Raguse was by the inhabitauntes builded ten thousand pases from the olde, which for th [...] present is but litle inhabited, but the new is so much the more [...]requen­ted & better peopled, edified in most faire cituation vpon the coast of the Adriatique sea, beeing notwithstanding within the precinct of the Dalmatian. The hauen is very little & wrought with handes. On the vpper part there is a mount of great highnesse and sharpnesse: at the foote whereof the citye is founded, she is very subiect vnto windes & Earthquakes, and also in Winter season is very colde. There are diuers fo [...]ntaines taking their beginning of the next mountains, the water wher­of is very sweet & wholesome to drink. About the distance of a myle from the city, there is a faire & delectable place called Grauosa, set all along with houses builded by most fayre & in­genious Architecture, accompanied with diuers gardens and pleasaunces, planted with Orenge trees, citrons, lemons & o­ther excellent fruitful trees of diuers sorts. There are also seene many cleere & fayre fountaines dyuinely wrought, which tho­row conduits & pypes they make to come foorth where it plea­seth them. And this faire place of Grauosa standeth on the edge of the sea, which there maketh a goulph after the fashion of a port very pleasant, and able to receiue a 100. Gallies.

Chap. 24.

THracia which first was called Perca, and since Scithon, is a prouince in Europe (counted amongst the regions of Sci­thia, most ample and of great compasse, but of an yll tempera­ture, [Page] the ayre being vnwholesome, & not healthfull, the ground also barren inough, except it be in the places neere vnto the sea. It was named Thracia, after the name of Thiras the sonne of Ia­phet, or els as others say of Thrax the sonne of Mars, & by thys reason (seeming to be the most apparant) was by Euripides cal­led the house of Mars, at this present day is called Romaine, & is diuided in 2. partes, the one wherof is called Thracia onely, and the other Thracia Chersonese. On the East part bordereth vpon the sea Exinum, and Propontide, on the south the Sea Ae­geum, the floud, Strymon, presently Redino, & the fields of Ma­cedonia: on the North the riuer Istre, beeing the Danube or Danoe, and on the West the mountains of Peonia a part of Pan­nonia, & the riuer of Saue, as Plinie & Strabo haue written, who doe affirme Thracia to be diuided by the mount Eme, and that the Triballes Dardanes (a fierce & proude people) and the My­siās inhabited Thracia, but the Triballes possessed the part pre­sently kept by the Rastians, whom we do cal Seruians. After the Triballes are the Bulgares, from the East vnto the sea Euxinum, & dwel between Istre and the mount Eme, extending towardes the south alongest the sea coast vnto Hellespontus, and is that which presently is called Romanie. The riuers of Thracia are, Bathynia, Athyras, Arsus, vulgarly Chiarelech, Melas, whereof taketh the name the gulph of Mela, otherwise the gulfe of Ca­ridia, Hebrus now Matizza, or Valisa, Nesus or Neste, & Strimō. But the most famous are the three last. Of the most renowmed mounts ye haue Eme, which separateth the Thracians from the Triballes, which by some hath byn called the chayne of the world. Rhodope, so called by Rhodope Queene of Thracia, out of which do spring the riuers Neste, & Hebrus, & the mount Orbel, much celebrated for the sacrifice of Bacchus▪ & through the congregation of the Menades vnder the conduct of the Po­et Orpheus. Amongst these mountaines Eme is of such a height that from the top therof (which as Pliny reciteth is 6000. paces) is seen the sea of Exinum: there is moreouer the mount Athos of the Latines called Monte santo, because it is altogether habi­ted of the Caloeres, Greeks, which are (as most curiously wri­teth M. Peter Bellon in his obseruation) in number 5, or 6. thou­sand, [Page 140] & haue 23, or 24. monasteries al well fortified, for that they shuld not be molested of the Coursaries and Pirates on the sea, & al these Caloieres liue vnder the obeysance of the Patri­arch of Cōstantinople. This mount Athos is so high, that it pas­seth the skies, so as diuers haue written that from thēce the sun shining, the shadow doth extend to the yle of Lemnos, being di­stant one from another 70. M. pases. And neuertheles Xerxes the great king of the Persians, going against the Graecians, cau­sed this mount to be cut through on the side that ioyneth vnto the firm land, making the sea to passe vnderneath it in such sort, that easily he made it round about nauigable▪ The Thraces (as Herodote in his 7 book writeth) haue the way whereby Xerxes passed his army, in such reuerence, that neuer since that time they would till or sow the same. Plutarch in the life of Alexan­der the great, maketh mention of a certayne Stacicrates, an in­genious maister, who being sent for, to come before the said A­lexander, proposed vnto him that if his pleasure were, he would make to be cut in humain figure, the mount of Athos, with such art & industry, that with his left hand, he should sustaine a Citie habitable for 10000. persons, & with the right hād shuld powre out a great riuer: which should run down into the sea. But Alex­ander taking it for a iest would not beleeue it. As for the cities of Thracia, the principallest and most ancientest are Bisia, some­times the fortresse of the kings of Thracia, but odious vnto the swallowes for the detestable sinne of Thereus, Phinolopis, Cur­nubisance, presently Pera or Galatha, & Bizance, now Constan­tinople, cituated vppon the Bosphore Thracian, (wherof I haue before made particular descriptiō.) Ye haue afterwards Opisi­me at the foot of the mount of Eme, Valla, Orcelis, Tonsus, Ca­liba, Nicopoli, Ostamphus, Arsus, Carpudemon, Bergula, pre­sently Bergas, Plotinopolis, Drusipara, Selimbria, otherwise Se­lions or Solombria, Perinthe or Heraclee. About Propontide, Praside, Terta, Penetropolis: at the foot of the mount Rhodo­pe, and afterwards of his foundator Philippopoli: and finally, Adrianopolis, which I cannot passe without description, for that the great Lord keepeth oftentimes his residence there.

Chap. 25.

ADrianopolis which sometimes was called Stratomcie, Odrysus and Trimuntium: vulgarly Andernople, Andernopoli or Andrinople, was a city most ample and faire, as by the auncient walles may be seene, her cituation is in a playne: but about, it hath many fruitful hilles. All the houses, except the auncient churches of the Christians, and the Mosquees and bathes of the Turkes, are builded after the Turkie fashion of wood and earth, Sultan Selim builded there for a dwelling place, a fayre and sumptuous Sarail, for that it was the place of his most resi­dence: as also is of Sultan Soliman, that now reigneth, namely, in Winter, for the commodity of hunting, wherein hee greatly delighteth. There is besides another Sarail for the lodging of the Azamoglans or Ianissaries, but the fairest and most sumptu­ous building of all is the Mosquee of Sultan Amarat: at one of the entries of the citie, ye passe ouer a great bridge of stone of Marbre, very high, on the one side wherof as also alongst by the Sarail passeth the riuer Hebrus, vulgarly called Matizza, and on the other side the Tuns, whiche riuers by the turning in their course haue made neere vnto the citie many faire & prety yles, no lesse pleasant then profitable, as being trimmed and dressed into most faire orchardes (full of all sortes of excellent fruitfull trees) and delicious gardens. The citie is peopled with a great number of Christians Greekes hauing there their Metropoli: who hauing lost their liberty, and seeing them selues destitute and dispossessed of all they hadde, are retyred thither, some to giue themselues to some trade of merchandise or handicrafte. The other hauing yet left some meane to liue by, go vp & down thinking of their former estates and degrees. There are likewise an infinite number of rich Iewes, and great traders, with mer­chandise & ready monie, to giue and deliuer out by grosse vpon excessiue vsury. But the number of the Turkes is the greatest of all, and specially of excellent woorkmen, which is the occasion that the city doth abound of all sortes of merchaundises, and [Page 141] faire works, of saddels, bridles, & al other furnitures for horses, which there are made very faire and perfect: likewise fine da­maskened needles, & the faire maroquins and skins of al sorts▪ of liuely colours, straunge & diuers aboue al other places in the world.

As for the manner of the garments of the inhabitaunts, I haue hereafter presented in order the liuely drafts of a woman of estate of Graecia, of a Turky woman of meane estate, and of a mayden of ioy or a common woman, or strumpet▪ (of whom not only the city, but likewise the whole countrey is full.) And as for the men, Turkes, Iewes, or Christians, they goe apparrel­led after the manner of those of Constantinople, & other cities of Thracia and Graecia. To returne now to our first points of Geographie, you haue also in this region Traianopoli, Apri, Bi­zanta, now Rodesto or Rodeste, but according to Pliny, Ma­cronticke, Partyra, Lysimachia, which is cituated at the foote of the great chersonesse: within the which is Gallipoli, builded by C. Caligula, Maditus presently Maythō, aboūding of very good wines, Ceste against Abide: Cretee & the port Cele, where was foughten on the water the battaile betwixt the Athenians & the Lacedemonians, in whiche place are the markes of the ruines of Lacedemonia. There is againe founde Cinosseme the sepulchre of Hecuba: after that Helle being the end of Helles­pont, and likewise the place where Xerxes, made a bridge to passe ouer his armie out of Asia into Grecia: there is also the promontorie Mastuce, and the flood Egee, memorable because of the shipping of the Athenians. Afterwardes returning into the lande Aphrodise, Cipselle, otherwise Capsilar, whereas is founde great quantitie of fine allom, Aen [...] builded by Aeneas in the time of his fleeing after the ruine of Troy, Sardique pre­sently Triadisse, Pergame, Nicopolis, Abdere or Polystilo, wher Democritus the Philosopher was borne, Ene a free Citie, with­in which was erected the sepulchre of Polidore, Fisique, Dyme, Marogne, Pantalie, Topicis, Gazore Phillippi, Oesine, Neapo­lis, whiche besides is called Cristopolis & Stagira, the natiue countrie of the great Aristotle.

Moreouer about the beginning of the bankes Pontick, wheras [Page] the riuer Istre entreth into the sea, are many fayre cities▪ as Istropolis of the Melesians, Ionie, Celatin or Acernete, Hera­clee and Bizone, which was swallowed vppe through an earth­quake. About the riuers Mela and Hebrus are the Cicones, and more further the Dorisques, whiche is the place where Xerxes not being able to number his armie, measured the cir­cuite of the grounde whiche they ouerspreade. After that is the promontorie Serree, in which place Orpheus, through the sounde and harmonie of his voyce and harpe, moued the trees [...]nd beastes to giue [...]are vnto him. Beyond that is the citie of Tinde, where the cruell Diomedes was borne, which through his vnnaturall crueltie, made certaine of his cruell horses too eate the fleshe of straungers, which by a mischaunce fell into his handes. But in the ende hee himselfe was deuoured beeing ouercome by Hercules, and was cast before his horses. Be­tweene the riuer Strymon, and the mount of Athos, is the to­wer Calerne, and the port Crapule the citie Acanthe, and Oe­sine, and betwixt Athose and Pallene, Cleone & Olinthe. Thus much as concerning the descriptiō of Thracia. Now resteth to treate of their lawes, fashions, religion & maner of liuing of the Thracians, aswel aunciently as nowadayes.

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Chap. 26.

HErodote father of the Historians in his 5. booke sayeth, the nation of the Thracians to bee next after the Indians, the greatest of all the countries on the earth, and that if the same were gouerned by one head, should be inuincible, or if they a­greed amongst themselues: but that it would be hard to bring them to that poynt, for that at al times they haue byn esteemed amongest all the other people of Europe the most cruel, spiteful and inhumaine, proceeding of their nature, for that parte of them are true Graecians, and the other come of the Scithes, a people most barbarous: their eyes are hollow their countenāce furious, and the sound of their voyce fearefull, exceeding all o­thers in bignesse of body and force of members, & are of long life, their custome was to sel their children, to be carried hither and thither amongest straunge nations. And permitted their daughters to forsake them, and haue company with such men as they thought good, or with him that first prayed them. But as for their married women, they were very carefully looked vnto, by reason they bought them at a great pryce of their fa­thers and mothers, specially the fayrest: which beyng once set at a price none could marry them, except they first payde the pryce, they were rated at. And to the contrary, those which lac­ked beauty, were cōstrained to giue greate presents vnto those that would marrie them. Amongst them it was esteemed a faire and noble thing to haue the forhead stigmatized▪ & not to haue it, was esteemed great shame and villany. They had likewise in great honour, & commended it, to liue in idlenesse without do­ing of any thing, or els in theft and stealing, and esteemed it a great shame and dishonour to labour the ground, or doe any husbandry. Diuers amongst them that knew not what it was to drinke wine, had a custome to turne rounde in taking their repast about a great fire, vppon the coales whereof they cast a [Page] certaine seede, the smoke whereof was so violent, that foorth­with it made them so dissy, that it seemed they were drunke in very deede, and out of their wittes, and in such follies they took a singular pleasure and pastime.

Chap. 27.

AS concerning death, the opiniō among the Thrasiās was ve­ry diuers, for some thought that the soule being departed out of the body, sodainly entred into another, or els if she returned not, did not therfore die, but passed into another life more sweet & happy thē was the first. Others with great pertinacy af­firmed, that the soule died with the body, but y ^t such death was better then a life ful of bitternes & perplexity. And vppon this occasion the Trauces, a people of Thracia, did at the birth of their childrē, with weeping [...] crying, & sighing, lamēt their com­ming into the world, pitifully rehearsing the trauels and cala­mities which they had to suffer in this miserable world, during the smal course of their life: & to the contrary if anye of them came to die, they brought them to their graue with all kind of plaies & [...]eastings, reciting & singing altogether, the euils, tor­ments & aduersities, wherof by the tribute of death, they were deliuered. For like as man is borne of a woman in dolor & an­guish: so he liueth in miserie and calamity vnto the ende of his daies: & for that they had many wiues, if any of them came to dye, they fell in great discord the one with the other, to knowe which of them had bin the best beloued, and she to whom the honour & praise was adiudged, was of al men greatly honored, and afterwards being by her next parents brought vnto the se­pulture of her husband, clothed & set out with her richest gar­mēts, was there buried by him. And as for the other wiues, they brought ouer the rest of their life in mourning and displeasure, as if some great misfortune had bin happened vnto them. But when it came to passe some nobleman to be buried, the body [Page 146] was buryed for three dayes, about the citie, sacrificing al sorts of beastes, and then after a great feast made, consumed the bo­die into ashes, and that beeing done, set foorth all sortes of [...]ur­noyes and cumbates in honour of the deceassed. When the Thratians perceiued it thunder or lighten, incontinently they shoote their arrowes towards heauen, threatning of their god, for they thought that there was none other God then theirs, whiche was Zomolixis, beeing the firste that instituted them lawes to draw them to ciuilitie, such as he had seene by the Io­nians, being with the philosopher Pithagoras, vnto whom hee had been a disciple: and did besides commonly worship Mars, Bacchus, and Diana, & did sweare by the onely name of Mer­curie, whom they had in great honour and reuerence for that they esteemed themselues to be descended of him. Their kings weare chosen by the voyce of the people, and not by nobilitie and aboue all thinges had a regard, that he should be of a ripe age of good lyfe and manhood, and that he hadde no children, for feare least in the end the kingdome should come to an he­reditarie succession. Likewise they left vntoo him no abso­lute power to commaunde, for they ordeyned fortie counsai­lours too gouerne him, and if question of death chaunced vpon one criminall person, or many, hee alone had neither po­wer to iudge nor condemne. And if by fortune their king him selfe was found attainted & conuinced of capitall crime, with­out hauing regard to his dignitie, he was punished by death as a priuate person, but not by handye execution, but they for­bade him the vsage of any kind of meat, and so through hun­ger was constrained to die an vnhappie death.

Chap. 28.

AT the time when the king Darius hadde warre wyth the Thracians, they vsed the armes following: their headpeece was made of the skynne of a Foxe, and they carryed Dartes, [Page] pauoyses, and little daggers, vsing shooting with great dexteri­tie, whereof the do vaunt themselues to haue been they first in­uētors: those which dwelled in Asia, did weare for their armes, little shields couered with oxe hides, with two hunters speares, and on their heads hadde sallets of leather, & vppon the same hornes like vnto Oxen. Thus ye haue that which Herodote doth write in his seuenth booke. Their language is like vnto that of the Scithians. But at this present their speeche, their garments, religion, manner of liuing miserable calamitie and seruitude, is cōforme & like vnto the other Grecians, which are vnder the same puissaunce and tyrannous obeysaunce of the Turke.

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Chap. 29.

GRecia amongest other countries in Europe, is the most no­ble, A generall de­scription of Grecia. & most famous, and was first called Helles, of one of the sonnes of Deucalion and Pirrha, and afterwardes Grecia of a king whose name was Grecus, and is so ample, that shee ex­tēdeth & ioyneth with the sea Mirtee (so called of Myrtile the sonne of Mercurie) drawing by great circulation, from the North to the South, from the East towardes the sea Egee, and from the West, to the sea Ionie, vntil she commeth to ingulfe 5. miles within it, so as it lacketh very little but that in the midst it is cut and deuided. Then againe enlarging her, sometimes of one side & sometimes of another principally towards the sea Ionie, and then agayne comming intoo a lesse breadth then where she taketh her beginning draweth in y ^e end to be almost an iland, which aunciently was called Appie and Pelasgie, and since Peloponese by reason of the gulfes and promontories, wherewith they are parted and deuided. But by the modernes is called Moree, being in figure almost like to a plātin leaf: the circuit of the Peninsula, according to Plini [...] and Isidore is fiue hundreth seuentie and three paces, but if all the creekes of all the gulfs and promontories should be reckoned, woulde con­tein little lesse then twise as much, notwithstanding (according to Polibe) besides the borders, containeth about foure thou­sand stadias or paces, and from the East to the West forty thou­sand and foure hundreth. Ptolome bordereth the Pelopōnesse of the North, with the gulfe of Corinthe, presently called the gulf of Lepanto▪ and with Istine, and from thence with the sea Creticque. Towards the West and the South, bordereth wyth the Adriaticque sea, and on the East with the sea of Candia, sometimes called Cretique.

The country of Macedonia first called Emathie of Emathias that was king thereof, afterwards Macedonia of Macedon, the sonne of Deucalion, or according to Berose, the sonne of O [...]y­ris, [Page] by valiant strength of the great Alexander, obtained before the Empire & Monarchie of the most part of the world habita­ble, for, hauing passed Asia, Armenia, Iberia, Albania, Capado­cia, Siria, Egypt, the mountaines of Taur & Caucase, subdued the Bactrians, the Medes, & the Persians, and in the end vanquished and ouercame all the East partes: & moreouer was victo­rious ouer the Indians. The Macedonians doe say themselues to be come & descended of Sethim, the sonne of Iaon, & theyr prouinces are Thessalia▪ which (according to Pompone and Pli­nie) was first called Emone of the king Aemon, since Pelasgie: and againe Hellade & Myrmidone, by reason whereof Homer gaue three sundry names vnto the Thessalians, to wit, Mirmi­dons, Helenes, & Achees, but at the last was called Thessalia of Thessale, whiche possessed the kingdom▪ The principall citie is Thessalonia vulgarely called Salonicke, vntoo whiche people S. Paul the apostle of Iesus Christ, wrote many godly Epistles. This citie is as yet most ample & rich, inhabited of thre sundry sorts of people, to wit, Christian Greeks, Iewes [...] & Turkes: but the number of Iewes (being merchāts very rich) is the greatest: and there are 80. synagogues: their attire on their head is a ye­low Tulbant safroned, that of the Grecian christians is blew, & that of the Turks white, for that through the same diuersitie of colors, they should be known the one from the other, & are all clothed in long gownes as the other Orientals are. In Thessa­lia is the mount Pernassus, consecrated vnto the god Apollo, vnto which the people retyred at the time of the deluge in this region, & in the riegne of Ducalion. There is also the mount Pelion vpon the which was celebrated the mariage of [...]he king Peleus, with the Nymph Thetis. Neare vnto Thessalia is Mag­nesia. Moreouer Ethiotes, Dorie, Locre (whereof the inhabitāts were called Ozoles) Phoce, Beoce, hauing taken that name as Plinie writeth, of an oxe which there was sacrificed by Cadmus the sonne of Agenor. In this prouince neare vnto the riuer E­rimne, are two fountaines of such vertue that the water of the one of them giueth & increaseth memorie to those that drink of it, & the other taketh away the memorie. Beoce stretching from the East to the West, toucheth the sea Eboique, and the [Page 150] gulfe Etanee famous through the goodly reuowme of the city of Thebes. In this prouince is the mount Citharee, the riuer of Ismenee & the fountaines of Irce & Aganippe, & was the place of birth of the Muses at the wood of Helicon, the natiue coun­trie of Hercules, & of the father Bacchus (who taught the The­bans to plant the vines & the vsage of wine) moreouer she was the productrice of the strong & valiant Epimanondas. As for the citie of Thebes so much renowmed by the auncients is at this present but a small castle of little estimation, as likewise presently are the most part of the other Cities of Macedonia, which are altogether desolated & ruined. In Macedonia is the foūtain of Susistige, out of which issueth a poison being of such a strength, that it will not be kept in any other thing thē in the hoof of a horse foot, & is thought of diuers that Alexander the great was poisoned with the same: Ye haue moreouer Attique which took such a name of one of the sonnes of a king named Attis, who after Cecrops, succeeded in the kingdome, or els of Athis the sonne of Cuba, king of the Athenians, but according to others Actique of the king Actron, or of Arcte, which signifi­eth a coast. And likewise Megare, a region so full of woods and mountains that the most part of the inhabitants are shepherds & keepers of cattel. Of all these prouinces Attike is the princi­pallest & most famous. In Peloponese which somtimes was cal­led Rocque, & the most noble prouince of Grecia, are the regi­ons of Argole & Laconia, which before was named Oebalia, in the which is the citie of Amicle, being the naturall countrie of Castor & Pollux. There is the cape Malee of the modernes cal­led the cape of S. Ange, being a great enemie vnto the seafaring mē, as before I haue described in the first chapter of the second book. There is moreouer Messenie, which by the Sparthes was brought vnder seruitude, for that oftentimes it was giuē to re­uolting & seditions, which was the occasiō, that they were more rudely intreated thē other seruāts to take away al their means & strength of reuolting [...] After that is Achaie aunciently called Egial, because of the cities in order cituated al alongst her bor­ders, Ele, Arcadie which hath the name of Arcade the son of Iupiter. In the same is the Palude lerne wher Hercules killed y ^e [Page] serpent Hidra that had seeuen heads. There is also the great & impetuous flood of Erimanthe (greatly remembred by diuers Poets and Historiographers) taking his origin of the mounte Erimanthe, wherof it hath taken his name. Moreouer, there is Etolie and Acarnie before called Carte. Epire goeth euen to A­drie, in these regions the places & cities farre from the Sea, the most notable, and that doe merite to be set out, are Thessalia, Thessalonique & Larisse, anciently Iolque, in Magnesie, Antro­nie, in Phiotide Phithie, in Locree, Syne, and Calliacre. Plinie in hys fourth booke, the first chapter, sayth, that the Locrians haue been called Ozoles. In Phocide, is the citie of Delphe, ci­tuated at the foote of the mount Parnasus, and watered wyth the riuer Cephisusi: within the same citie was in times paste a temple, within the which Phoebus or Apollo, the God of deui­nation according to the errour of the auncients was worship­ped. In Beoce, Thebes, whiche at this present hath but a little castle stibes, and Citheree, muche celebrated by the fables of the Poets, and in Atticque, is Eluse, consecrated vnto Ceres. But the most renowmed citie of all Grecia is Athens, whiche was builded by Cecrops Diphies, beeing in the dayes of Moses, which called it Cecropia: afterwardes was called Mopsophie of Mopsus, and Ionie the sonne of Ion, the sonne of Xuthe, or els as Iosephus reciteth of Ianus the sonne of Iaphet: & final­ly of Minerua, for the Greciās called Minerua, Athene, she was the inuentour of all good artes, and industrious liberall scien­ces, mother & nurse of diuers excellent Philosophers, Orators, and Poets, which through their labors and memorable works, haue gotten immortal praise. But by chaunge of time and vn­stedfastnesse of fortune this so flourishing a citie is brought to such extremitie & ruine, that at this present there is nothing of estimation left of it, but a little castle, which is called Sethi­ne, builded on the leauinges of the walles of the auncient and renowmed temple of Minerua. In Migare otherwise called Niscee, is the Citie of Megare, in whiche was borne Euclide, prince of the Geometrians, and thys Cytie gaue the name vntoo the prouince, as Argus dyd in Argos. In Argolide is Argos and Micene, and the temple of Iuno muche renowed [Page 151] aswell for antiquitie as deuotion. In Laconie is Terapne, La­cedemone (the seate and habitation of the king Agamemnon) which also was called Sparthe of Sparthus, the son of Phoro­neus, but presently is called Mysithra. Ther is likewise Amicde, distant twentie stadias from Lacedemon, a country abounding of all good and excellent frutefull trees and other goods, and in the same is the temple of Apollo the most excellent of all o­thers in that countrie, aswell in riches as cunning building, set in that quarter of the towne, which is towards the sea and the mount Tayget. In Messenia, Messene, and Methon, or Modon, at the siege whereof Philip king of Macedonie, father of Alex­ander the great lost one of his eyes, with the shot of an arrowe. In Achie is, Pise of Oenomae, Elis, & the Olimpiā tēple of Iupi­ter, much renowmed because of the Olimpian games, and tho rowe singular deuotion, and a great deale more, because of the excellencie of the image made by the hands of Phydias. Arca­die is rounde about enuironed of the Peloponesians, and her principall cities are Psefe, Tenie, and Orcomene. The mountes Pholoe, Cillene, Parthene, and Menale: the ryuers Erimanthe, and Ladoen. In Arcadia greatlye florished Prometheus the sonne of Iapetus, who being a man of deep knowledge taught the rude menne to liue ciuillie, hee inuented the natural pour­tractes with the fatte earth, and was also the firste that stroke fire out of the flint stone, and that taught the Grecians Astro­logie and therefore the poets doe faine that hee helde vp the heauen. In Etolie is Naupacte vulgarely Lepanto or Epacto. In Acarnania presently called Ducte or Ducat, or Duche, the castle Strate. In Epire is the temple of Iupiter Dodone, and the sacred fountayne, whiche is of such a vertue, that putting into it any burning thing: is sodainly extinguished: but putting into it a bundle of straw, it is foorthwith set on fire. Passing be­younde the coastes of the promontorie Sepie, by Demetrie, Boic, Pitheleon and Echine, is the passage towardes the gulfe of Pagase, whiche hauing imbraced or enuironed the Citie of Pagase, receiueth into hys hauen the ryuer Sperchie, and this place is renowmed for that the Minies accōpaning Iason when he went to Colchos to conquer the golden fleese, did there go [Page] on land, and deliuered their ship Argo, to goe and driue vpon the greate sea, whiche voyage is so celebrated, that the poets haue fayned this shippe Argo, to haue been taken vp into hea­uen and vpon this reason doe put it amongest the Celestiall signes. It is needfull and of force that they which this way will go vnto Sunio first to passe the gulfes Maliabe and Opunce of which are the Trophees, sometimes by the Laconians there discomfited & killed) and come vntoo the straights called Ther­mopyles, which crosse through the midst of Grecia, like vnto the Appenin hilles of Italie. The mountaines are so high that it seemeth almost a thing impossible to get vppe vnto them, but betweene both, there is a valley about threescore paces wide, by the which onely yee can get vp vnto them: through which means these mountainnes haue been called Pyles, which is to say, portes, and by reason of the whot waters that runne out of the same Thermopyles. They were so renowmed by the great discomfitures of the Persians done by the Greekes vnder the conduct of the valiant Leonidas the Laconian, who brauelye withstoode the impetuositie and furor of Xerxes, but in our time they haue not been able to resist or shut vppe the passage vnto the Turkes, of whō all the Grecians haue been ouercome & subued. It hath againe Scatphie Cnemides, Alope, & Larym­ne. Besides Aulide, wher the assembling of the army, was made by Agamemnon and other princes of Grecia after the league by them made to goe to the siege of Troy. There is also Mara­thon, a true testimonie of diuers noble prowesses [...] celebrated since the victorie of Theseus, and by the great foyle which the armie of the Persians receiued there. yee haue moreouer there Rhamne, a little citie, but famous, because of the temple of Amphia [...]aus, and the Nemesis of Phidias. Thorique and Brau­ron, were there sometimes good cities, but now there is no­thing left of them but the name. Sunio is a promontorie bor­dering and running along by the sea side of Hellade or Grece, on the side that is towardes the East, and from thence vnto Me­gare a citie of Atticke, doth turne towardes the South. The fields of the Megarians come vnto Istine, being of a long and streight extēdure of the space of 5000. paces, & entreth into the [Page 152] sea Egeum, and the sea Ionie. There is the castle Cenchree, the temple of Neptune and the famous games called Istmetiques, instituted by Theseus vpon enuie of those which Hercules had instituted in Olimpe. Corinthe which in time passed was so no­table of riches, first builded by a Brigand called Sisiphe the son of Eolus in the foure score yeare of the age of Moses, and was called Corcyre or Certhyre and a [...]terwardes Ephire, after that she was augmented, was ruined and builded againe by Corin­thus the sonne of Orestes or Iupiter, which after his name cal­led it Corinthe, whiche signifieth administration or publicque safegarde, and since was againe destroyed by the Romans, and restored by Auguste Caesar, within this citie of Corinthe there was somtimes a temple of great beautie & excellēcie [...] dedicated vnto the Goddesse Venus, to whom belonged aboue [...] 1000. whores of renowne dedicated to this goddesse according too the Heathen custome, which were common vnto all commers. But now Corinthe is but a little village called Carā tho. In the region of Corinthe is a place nowe adayes called Sydrocapsa, whereas be many fine mines of gold, of which the Turk recei­ueth an inestimable riches. This prouince bringeth foorth the most fine copper of all Europe, whereof are made vessels verye excellent & of great prise. Frō the most high towre of the for­tresse, called Acrocorinthe, are seene both the seas, to wit, of Io­nie and Egee. The mouth & rinage of Peloponese, is deuided with many gulfes & promontories, too wit, towardes the East with Bucephalus, Cherchonese, & Scilee, towardes the South Malee, Tenare, Ac [...]ite & Ichtis, & towards the West Chelonate & Arasse: frō Istmus to Scilee, do dwel the Epidaures famous & renowmed, for that they haue the temple of Esculape and the Trezeniās, Illustred, for the faith which they alwaies obs [...]rued in the confederacies whiche they made with the Athenians. Ther are the ports Saronique, Scemte, & Pagone, but as for the townes whiche are on the sea coastes, Epidaure is cituated on the side of the gulfe Saxonique of nature beset and enuironed with high mountaines. The sicke folkes which went [...] vntoo the temple of Esculape for to bee healed, slept there in the nyghte and said that Esculape in this manner did heale them in theire sleepe. Troese and Hermione are also cituatid and placed on [Page] the border of the sea Betwixt Scilee and Malee, is Argolique & betwixte this & Tenare, is Laconique, frō thence to Acrite, Asinee, & frō thēce towards Ichtis, Cyparissienne. In Argolic­que the riuers knowne, are Erasine, and Inaque, & the Castle of Lerne. In Laconique, Githie, and Eurotas riuers: but in Te­nare is the temple of Neptune, & a caue or Antre, like vnto the same of Pont called Acherusienne. In Assine is the riuer Pamis­se, and in the Ciparissenne Alphee. And euery one of these are called after the names of the Cities, cituated vpō the sea coast. Cilene and Callipoli, are vpon the riuer of Patras, which aun­ciently was called Aroe, in which place Saint Andrewe an apo­stle of Iesus Christ, receiued the crowne of his martirdome. In Epire sometimes called Molosse, by reason of the people Mo­losses, which somtimes haue reined there, ther is nothing more singular then the gulfe Ambritien. In this prouince are the townes Action, Argy, Amphiloche, Ambratie and Buthroton, vulgarelye Butrinto, the royall citie of Aeacides and Pirrhus. The Partheneans and Dessaretes vsed for their habitation the first countries, amongest which the principall townes are, Ori­que and Dirrachium, by the auncients called Epidamne, but the Romanes chaunged the name thereof, for that it seemed vnto them almost à Malum Auguriū, & an vnhappie encounter to them that went thither, because that Damnum in their lan­guage signifieth damage. Neere vnto Epidamne is Apollonie, Salone, Iadere, Narone, Tragure, the gulfe Polatique and Pola, sometimes (as is sayd) inhabited of the Colques. But since as all thynges in the worlde are chaungeable and inconstant, be­came the Colonie of the Romanes. The riuers thereof are Eas and Nar, and the Danube, which is in that place, and hauing chaunged or lost his name, is called Ister. Eas runneth alongest Apollonie Nar entreth the Pyreans and Lyburnians, and Ister through the Istrians. Tergiste, lying beyond it in the middest of Adrie, closeth and endeth the Illiricque.

Chap. 30.

THe Graecians in their ancient maner of liuing were very vn­ciuil & barbarous, for they liued & dwelled with the beasts in al idlenesse, hauing no meate more daintier for their nourish­ment then the fruits of wild trees, to wit, acorns & other mast. But through long succession of time, they became so to be fra­med & ordered vnto al humain society & good manners, that amongst all other nations they were reputed to be the most ci­uil, wise, & valiant in al Europe. Neuerthelesse, for that in diuers countries of Graecia, the men not thinking them selues suffici­ently assured, neither vppon the high wayes nor in the houses, because of the feare they had of the Pirates & rouers on the sea, which in great number dwelled alongst the seaside, wēt alwaies armed, according to the custome of the Barbarians, for the de­fence & conseruation of their goods, their families & persons. The Athenians were the first that left off to go so armed, & fra­med themselues to leade a life more honest & ciuil. And true it is that for a certayne time the auncient men did cloth thēselues most simply, & aboue all others the Lacedemonians, who not­withstanding that at al times they had bin esteemed the most rich & wealthy of al the Graecians, did notwithstanding goe all apparrelled equally & after one sort, aswell the meaner as the richest sort, & haue byn the first, that for the wrestling haue stripped themselues naked & annointed their bodies with oile, wheras they which vsed the like exerci [...]e in Olimpe, couered the shame fast [...]members with small clothes. And as yet presently the Barbaries, Asians, & Affricās, being appointed to wrastle for the game, do weare breeches of leather, & do annoint their bodies & armes with oyle, to the end their aduersaries shuld fasten the lesse hold vpon them, euen as I haue before amply declared, in the description of the ordinary Wrestlers of the great Turk.

Chap. 31.

LYcurgus perceiuing the Lacedemonians to liue without a­ny honest form of pollicie was the first that instituted lawes vnto them, hauing first abolished all the corrupted customes, which they had before amongst them. First, he confirmed the people in the obeysance of their princes, and the princes to the true iustice of the Empyres, through the meane of a Senate of 28. Counsellers, which he constituted as a barre and bulwarke vnto the popular temerity, and againe to the contrary, to fore­see likewise, that the Princes should not vsurpe vpon tyrannous force▪ to diuide and equally part the lands & possessiōs, to the end that in goods & heritages, the one should not be esteemed more wealthy then the other but only in this, that they should surpasse one another in vertue and manhood, and that by this meanes they should liue altogether as true brethren. He tooke away and abolished al kinds of money, of siluer and golde: and insteed thereof made yron to be coyned: which notwithstan­ding he made to be tempered and extinguished being red hot in vineger, to the intent to make it soft: & by that meanes, to be vnfit for all other woorkes: he banished out of Lacedemon all handicrafts and artes not necessary, and instituted banquets & common feasts, to the intent to refraine superfluity and daynti­nesse: vnto which aswel the poore as the rich were called & wel­commed, both with one place and one kinde of meate & they called these banquets Phiditia & by the Candiots were named Andria he forbad the often attempting of warres agaynst ones self party or enemies, for feare least they should be constrained often to defend themselues, and in the end become valiaunt and good fighters, he commaunded that the maydens should exercyse them selues to runne, wrastle, cast the dart and throw the barre, to make them through such exercise: the more strong & able to beare children, and when there was any great feast [Page 154] or solemne sacrifice, willed them to sing and daunce amongest boyes starke naked, which was done with al honesty, without a­ny feare or shame: & ordained also that the mayden virgins should be married without any dowry of money, for that the men should marry them for their vertues and good manners, & to get children, and not for cou [...]tous getting of money. Moreouer, it behoued, that those which would marry, should not haue too doe with wiues, whilest they were little, young, & of a tender age, but with such as were strong & able to beare children. He also further permitted to those that were fayre & well disposed to lye with other mens wyues, for to labour in them as in a fruitfull ground, and to engender children in com­mon, & it was estemed a matter of no reproch to an old & de­cayed man▪ hauing a faire and young wife, to choose some faire young man seeming agreable vnto him, to make him to lie with her, and so to get her with childe, and rayse vp seede vnto him, which child he took and brought vp as his owne, and yet it seemed vnto him a very foolish and straunge matter in other nations, which so carefully got faire dogges to lyne their hot bitches, and sought the fairest stoned horses to spring their mares: and notwithstanding with great care kept their wyues so closely vnder lock and key, for feare least they shoulde gette of theyr neyghbours, whereof sometymes theyr iealous hus­bandes coulde not furnish them. The great honours he ordai­ned to be giuen according to the degrees of age, and not accor­ding to the aboundance of goodes & riches. And for that some of his lawes seemed to be too rigorous and streight, by reason of their corrupted maner, he feyned that he had instituted thē by the commandement of the God Apollo, which had inuen­ted the same, & this did he because they should be receiued of the people with more renerence, and by othe bound the city to keepe the same inuiolated, without diminishing any part there­of vntil his returne from the Oracle of Delphis, whether as he said, he went to consult what should be good to be added or ta­ken away. But he went intoo Crete, where hee ended hys dayes in voluntarie exyle, where after his death, as wry­teth Aristocrates the sonne of Hippa [...]chus, his body by some [Page] of his friends was consumed into ashes & according to his de­cree were throwen into the Sea, for feare if they were brought vnto Lacedemon, the Sparthans shoulde not thynke them­selues to be free of the othe which they hadde sworne, for the inuyolable obseruation of hys lawes. Thus yee haue summa­rily that which Plutarche writeth of the life of the same Licur­gus.

Chap. 32.

AS for the Athenians, Iustine in his 12. booke reciteth, that they were the first that taught the art of spinning of wooll, making of wines and oyles, to plow the ground, & to sow corn: for at the first they fed on nothing but on acornes, & for theyr dwellings had none other lodgings, thē litle cabbins & caues. Doxius was the first that builded houses in Athens, which (fol­lowing therin the maner of the swalows) he builded of earth. In the daies of Deucalion, Cecrops raigned as king ouer the Athe­nians, & is he whom the Poets haue fayned to haue 2. forheads because he was the first that ioyned the men & the women by the right line of mariage. After him succeeded Granaus, which had a daughter called Athis▪ which gaue the name vnto the re­gion. After that reigned Amphitrion, which first cōsecrated the citie vnto the goddesse Minerua, & named it Athene. In his time was the great flood & inundation of the waters, which marred and drowned the most part of Grecia, & in this great deluge, were only saued those that could get vp to the mountaines▪ or the other which were cōueyed towards Deucaliō king of Thes­salia. By whom according to the feinings of the Poets, the world was by order of succession restored. The kingdome being since come vnto Eristheus, during his reigne the sowing of corne was brought in & inuented in Eleusine by Triptolemus, & therfore in remembrance of this good thing the nights were sacred vn­to him. The Athenians being esteemed the wisest amongst the Graecians (for that the administration of their common wealth [Page] was gouerned by the sage & wise doctrines of the Philosophers) made a lawe that to euery one of them it was permitted to take two wiues, but thereby were streightly forbidden to keepe any concubine, saying it to be a thing without all honesty, to keepe other mennes wiues, and to giue vnto his owne an yll exam­ple of liuing. And this they did for the opinion which they had that a man could not liue without women and company: and when the one was brought to bed or sick he might go vnto the other, or els if the one were barren the other might be fit to bring forth children and succession, and to her that was fitt to conceaue, the gouernement and administration of the house was giuen, and the barren woman was vnto him as a seruaunt. Plinie is one of his Epistles saith, that the Athenians were wont to marry the brother with the sister, but not the Vncle with the nephew, alledging for his reason, that the marriage of a brother with the sister was an euen match: but the Vncle with the ne­phew was the marrying of the olde with the young.

Chap. 33.

SOlon beyng by the common voyce of the Athenians, chosen for the general reformer of their lawes, and of the whole e­state of their common wealth, to confirme or abolish that whi­che he thought reasonable, first reuoked and made voyde all those which Dracon had made, except certain touching mur­thering & deathes of men, for that they were too seuere & rigo­rous, for, for all sorts of crime he had almost ordayned but one punishment only which was death, so as if any had bin foūd in idlenes, or if he had stollen fruits or hearbs out of a garden, he was aswel condemned to death as if he had bin a murtherer, or sacriledge, which gaue occasion vnto Demades, that the lawes of Dracon were rather written with blood then with ynke. Se­condly he ordained that the rich citizens shuld haue the offices of magistrates, & that the meaner sort of the people shuld haue [Page] their part in the authority & gouernmēt of the city, he made generally to be estimated the goods of euery one particularly, put­ting into the first order those which were found aswel in grayn, as fruits of yerely reuenues the quantity of 500. minots liqui­ded, and those he called Pentacosiomedimnes, which is to say, hauing 500. minotes of reuenue, and those whiche had 300. and might maintaine a horse of seruice, were put into the se­cond degree, & were called knights, & those which had but 200 were put into the 3. rank, and were called Zeugites, but the o­ther beyng vnder 200. were put vnto the fourth rank, & he cal­led thē Theles, as who would say, mercionaries, and wold not permit these to exercise any publike office, nor yet to enioy the right of Burgesie, but to haue voyces in the elections, assemblies of the city and iudgements, in which the people were soueraine iudges. Notwithstanding, the bettet to prouide for the weake­nesse of the people: he permitted vnto euery one that would, to take in hand the quarrel of him that had bin wronged. Aboue the counsel of the Areopages, which he had established, he set a­nother second coūsel of 100 men, for the matters of estate, whi­che he did choose out of euery degree, wherof 4. were chosen to consult vpon matters before they were proponed vnto the people. He willed moreouer, that if any had married a rich & yong heire, & that afterwards he was found not able to liue with her so fleshly, as his youth required, that thē it was permitted to the womā to choose to her helpe the neerest kinsemā of her husbād such as shuld plese her, & to couple her self with him, so that the children which he shuld beget, shuld at the least be of the blood and linage of her husbād. Furthermore, he took away the dow­ries of other marriages, willing that the men should haue with their wiues three gownes only, and certaine other small moue­ables of litle value, thinking it a thing neither iust nor reasona­ble, that marriage should be made a traffique to be gayned by, as by other merchandises, but wished that it should be done of a hearty loue towards the common children. He forbad the speaking euil of the dead, & expresly not to wrong or iniury the citizens, either in word or deed, vpō pain of three dragmes: the one to be giuen to him that shuld be offended, & the other [Page 156] two to be for the common purse: he permitted vnto euery one to make a wil, & to take such an heire, as he shuld thinke good: so as he had no children. He permitted also the killing of the Adulterer being found with the deed, but only condemned him that took a womā of free cōdition by force, in a 100 drachmas: he forbad that none might sel his daughters or sisters, except that being married, they were foūd in adultery. To those y ^t won the prise at y ^e Istmick games, he ordained out of the cōmō purse 100. dragmas, & those that had wonne at the Olimpicke, 500. and to him that brought in the head of a woolfe, was giuen 5. dragmes, and one dragme, for the head of a she woolfe, he wold not that the freedome of the Citie shuld be giuen vnto any strā ­ger, except he were banished his Countrey for euer, he made many other goodly ordinances, which I passe with silence, re­ferring vnto the reader, to see that which Plutarch hath written of the life of the said Solon, but will declare onely that after he had authorised the lawes for a 100. yeres, he made them to be written in boords or roundelles of wood (which roundels, ac­cording to Aristotle, were called Cyrbes) and fayned that the Goddesse Minerua had inuēted the same: & afterwards hauing made the counsel & common people to sweare the obseruation therof, because of the opportunity which some dayly vsed to take away or mittigate some of them, he tooke leaue of the A­thenians for 10. yeres, and by sea went into Egypt, where he re­mayned a certaine space: afterwards returning into Cypres in the end returned to Athens, where he found such troubles, se­ditions & partialities amongst the inhabitants that in the end they opened the way vnto Phisistratus, to vsurpe his tyranny to the great grief of the said Solon, which notwithstanding lyued vnto the time that Hegestrate was prouost of Athens.

Chap. 34.

THe Macedonians in times past, were amōgst the other Grae­cians in feats of warre most valiant & flourishing, they had [Page] their Phalanguelike vnto a fouresquare battell of footmen, ioy­ned togethet with their armes, Phalangue. being long pykes called Saris­ses of 18. foot long: with the which they opened the battels of their enimies, their headpeece was of a raw oxe hide, their cu­rasse cuilted with flaxe, the shield of leather, the iauelin & sword short: and thus were set out their Phalangue, which as Vegece writeth, were at the first but 8000. men, but according to Dion of the life of Antonie Caracole, euery Phalangue Macedonique in the time of Alexāder the great, was 16. M. men, & did not set in order their legions as the Romains did, which did make one rāge to enter within another, but made only a souldier to enter in the place of him that was slain, and by such warlike order dyd many high and memorable feats of armes. But after the discō ­fiture of the Persians, through the maruellous increase of their power, they fell into such a vainglory & arrogancy (euen as at al times pride and presumption are accustōmed to accompanye great prosperities) that in place of most honest gouernment, which they had in their common wealth: they gaue thēselues to a life disordered, corrupted, and ful of al villany, and abho­minable dissolution: wherupon ensued, that during the time of this monarchy, the Graecians had between themselues many great & long warres: yea such, as in the end, this so noble Grae­cia was altogether ruined and destroyed: for euery one attēp­ting vpon it of al sides, was in the end giuen as a pray vnto all strangers. By the figure following is to be seen, what the maner of apparel is of the Macedonian women nowadayes.

[Page 157]

Chap. 35.

THe same Graecians, through their marueilous industry and subtlety of spirite, were inuenters of many monstrous man­ners of superstition and idolatry, for euery one of them had their God, prayers, and ceremonies proper vnto themselues. Iu­piter was honored amongst them for a remedy of stormes and tempests, Mars for to eschew the perils and fortune of warres. They honoured Iuno for to get riches, Pallas to obtayne wise­dome, and Venus for to haue discent, & a 1000 like follies whi­che amongst them were obserued, so as they fell into such infa­my, that in the end they established their solemne feasts impure and vnhonest: at the which it was vnto euery one indifferently permitted, vnder pretext of religion and holinesse, to rauish & defloure women and maydens: such were the braue solemni­ties of their false gods, by the Graecians aunciently obserued vnder colour of religion, and so deeply were their hearts drow­ned in errour and idolatry most abhominable, through igno­rance of true vnderstanding, and knowledge of the most high­est Lord. Cecrops▪ of whom before mētion is made, was the first amongst them that called on God vnder the name of Iupiter, who inuented the images, and dressed the altars for to offer sa­crifices. And Orpheus was he which produced and celebrated the first sacrifices vnto Liber Pater in the mountaine Boetia, neer vnto Thebes, wheras Liber Pater was born. Wherfore they were called Orpheique, and in the same Orphee was after­wardes taken and torne in peeces. And likewise amongest the Thebans, the Eagle was in opinion thought to be of such diui­nity, that because she did flie so high, they supposed her to haue some communication with God. The Athenians also had their religion in such honour and reuerence, that they banished out of their city the Philosopher Diagoras, for that he durst write, that he doubted whether there were any goddes, and if there were any, what kind of ones they might be. These also condem­ned [Page] the wise Socrates, for the suspitious opinion they had in him, that he would haue brought into their citie a new religi­on, which Socrates when it was reported vnto him, that the A­thenians had condemned him to die: and they (quoth he) are vndoubtedly condemned by nature. Behold, thus haue yee the auncient maner of liuing and religion of the Graecians.

Chap. 36.

ABout the time that the sauiour of the world suffered death and passion on the crosse, with his own blood to buy again the sinne of our first father, the true religion and knowledge of God began to shew and take roote amongst the Graecians, tho­row the meanes of the holy preachings of the disciples and A­postles of Iesus Christ, namely, by the Apostle S. Paule, whiche by diuine inspiration in Thessalonia, Athens, Corinth and A­chaia, preached and announced Christ to be the true Messias, and through many godly miracles, so multiplied the christiani­ty, that in the end, leauing their dānable superstition, the woor­shipping and calling on their false gods (which so long time had held them in obscurity and dark damnation) they acknowled­ged their faults, & opened their eies to take the right tast of the light to eternall saluation, wherein they haue alwaies persisted, vntil such time, as through the inuention & cursed venim of Sa­than, they fel (in succession of time) into many errors & damna­ble heresies, as into that of the Manicheans, which affirmed that there were 2. goddes, the one good and the other euill, whiche both were eternal, that Iesus Christ was not the true God. They boasted also that they could giue the holy ghost, they forbade marriages, Heresie of Donatus. & al superior puissāce▪ & as for the books of the apo­stles, they wold by no means beleue in thē, but made doctrines of themselues, which they called gospels of Iesus Christ. They were also infected with Donatus sects, which said the sonn to be lesse thē the father, & the holy ghost lesse thē God & the sonne: [Page 159] afterwardes following the heresie of Nestor Bishop of Con­stantinople, affirmed that the virgin Marie was not the mother of God, but only the mother of a man, in placing two persons the one humane and the other diuine: with the heretike Euti­ches Abbot in Constantinople, said the diuinitie to be with the humanitie, & consequently from the time of Constantin the Emperor, they stuck vnto the infected heresie of Arrius, which was no lesse pestiferous then other, for they taught that Iesus Christ was not borne naturally God, & diuers other most blas­phemous things more amply wiritten in the first book of The­odorete Bishop of Cyropolis, wherby in the end through god his myraculous worke, the authour of the same sect was puni­shed according to his deseruings for being pressed in his belly as he was going to the stoole he burst through the middest of his bellie and so died miserably, and notwithstanding that all their errours haue been reiected and conuinced by many Sy­nodes and Councels [...] yet doe they at this present erre in many things from our faith, for they maintaine that the holy Ghost proceedeth from the father and not from the sonne▪ they doe nothing agree with the Latines, for they will by no meanes ac­knowledge the Pope of Rome to be the head of their churche and much lesse doe esteeme his commaundements. But to the contrary doe say that the Popes (whom they esteeme with all their adherents, as heretikes and schismatiks) haue corrupted and violated the gospels and other bookes of our religion, to adde or take away that which seemed good vnto them, for to serue their insatiable and damnable auarice. Moreouer they say themselues too bee the first that were conuerted vnto the faith, and that because they beleeue purely and simply the true traditions of the primitiue churche, as by the Apostles it was preached & anounced vnto thē. They haue foure patriarches in foure seueral prouinces, which do command & haue power of the orientall churches, whereof the first & principall [...] is hee which is at Constantinople vnto whom as vnto their chiefe su­periour, they doe obey with all honour & reuerence. All the Christians of Grecia, Macedonia, Epire, Thracia, and the yles of Archepelague, and other count [...]ies subiect vnto the Con­stantinopolitan [Page] Empire, yea and ouer the Muscouites. The se­cond recedith at Caire, & hath vnder him Egipt & Arabia. The third cōmandeth ouer Iudea, Damas, Barut, & Tripoli in Suria, keepeth his seat at Ierusalem. The fourth & last hath his place of aboad in the citie of Antioch, and hath puissaunce ouer the Greciā church of Suria. These Patriarches are chosen & created by the Metropolitans of the prouinces as the popes are by the Cardinals, & aboue all things they haue a regarde to choose a­mongst thē those which they think to be of a perfect age, wit­tie, manfull & holy of life. And notwithstanding they haue the ful power & autoritie ouer their churches, yet do they not pos­sesse either townes, castels or fortresses, nor yet doe entertaine men of war or archers for the gard of their persons. They doe not also apparrel thēselues in cloth of gold, purple veluet, crimsin sattin, or any other cloth of silk, but do liue in all simplicitie & modestie, hauing none other reuenew, for their entertaine­ment or liuing, bookes & apparrel, thē about the sum of 200. d [...]cates a yeere, which are ordeined & distributed vnto thē by the churches, ouer which they do cōmaund, & their garmentes are nothing different nor more rich, thē those of a simple mōk, whom they do call Caloier, but that vpon their head insteed of a three crowned myter, they do weare a great felt hat, wherup­on is laid a large band of cloth of gold crosse wise. Their priests did weare long beards, & were marryed to one woman onely, which comming to die they might not marrie another, and if they were found in adultery, they were punished by their supe­riors without any mercy. They do celebrate the masse in their vulgare lāguage to the intent to bee vnderstanded of all men, and cōmunicate the L. supper vnder two kinds, & do it indiffe­rently aswell vnto the great as lesser sort. They do not put any water into their wine: they deny the purgatory, & say, that praiers, fastings & almes do nothing help the souls of the disceased & wil not suffer any carued images of saints in their churches, but on flat pictures painted. These patriarches haue besides an other custom very strāge, which is that euery yere on the good friday, they do anathemise & excōmunicate the pope & al princes & christiā people obeying vnto the traditions of the Rom▪ church. They do obserue two Lents with great abstinence, wher of the first beginneth on the fat mūday, being ix▪ dayes before [Page 160] the lēt of the Latins, & during these ix. daies, they may eat egs, cheese and fish: but after that, vntil Easter they doe abstayn frō al kind of fishes and other meat that hath blood in it. The other Lent they do solemnise in the time of the Aduent, & thē do fast 40. dayes with like abstinence as at the first. And finally, they haue many other ceremonies farre different from the Romaine Church, and although in their religion they do obserue many good things, yet do they in many things differ much from the primitiue Church, I meane such as haue bin taught vs by the A­postles. By reason of which their errors, as for diuers other vy­ces, wherwith they haue bin & are entangled: it is not to be mar­ueiled at, though this Graecian nation, which hath byn the most flourishing in al Europe, aswel in gouernment of cōmon wealth as administration of iustice, good policy, ful of excellēt captains and good souldiers & expert philosophers, yea that rightly it might haue byn called the iust spring, and fountaine of all phy­losophy and liberall sciences: and now through the variable course of nature, & vnstedfastnes of fortune, the most desart, barbarous & desolated countrey, habitable on earth▪ as beyng fallen into ignominious calamity, and miserable seruitude vn­der those that are more barbarous. For besides the great vyces wherin first they were so deepe drowned, being in the chiefe of their monarchie and magnificēce, after they had ouercome the Persians, feeling themselues riche & puissant because of suche a spoile, they fel into such pride & presumption, that not being a­ble to liue in peace one with another, had between them many long & cruel warres, vppon which followed the ruine, saccage­ment, & desolation of their coūtrey, burning of their cities, cru­el murthering of their anciēt citizēs, & other inestimable losses. So as by the same, Graecia was altogether destroied, marred and ouerthrown, yea that after, it was set as a pray & opē passage to those y ^t wold inuade y ^e same, & in the end frō honest cōmō weal­thes, & politike gouernmēt, the inhabitāts were brought vnder tirāny, & forthwith vnder kingdōs. And after they had remaind vnder the subiectiō & obeisance of the romain empire, vnto the last Cōstantin for making vp of their last calamities, by diuyne permission & for punishmēt of their vices & detestable sinnes, after they had lost their Emperour and the imperiall citie of [Page] Constantinople, his wife, children, parentes, friendes, and ri­ches to the whole ruine of the oriental empire, they beyng all destroied dead or captiues, seques [...]red of their rightes, immu­nities, traunchises and liberties too the moste shamefull con­fusion of Princes, and Christian potentates & contempt of di­uine religion. These wretched Graecians are left vnder the mi­serable seruitude of these miscreated Mahometists, constrained to insupportable tributes, yea to pay the tenth person of their owne children, as before in the description of the Azamoglans I haue declared: such are the righteous iudgements of GOD towards the misbeleeuing, and those that abuse his gracious gifts.

I haue before liuely set forth the figure of a woman of Lacedemonia, to wit, of those which vpon the high waies neere vnto the villages do sell bread vnto the passers by, and hereafter I doe represent vnto you, the Gentleman and the Merchant of Graecia, and the Gentlemans hat must be blacke, as that of the Albanoys, and the tulbant of the merchant must be skie coloured, yee haue also here the portraite of a woman of the countrey in Graecia.

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