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{"content": "\"Universis et singulis pastoribus et curatis quibus sapienti dictamine sui pecori, vultu petri iudicio agnosceret presenti tenore innotescat. Hoc breve testimoniale defecerat et canonicae facere confectuali fratrum. Augustin.\"", "creation_year": 1524, "creation_year_earliest": 1524, "creation_year_latest": 1524, "source_dataset": "EEBO", "source_dataset_detailed": "EEBO_Phase1"},
{"content": "The true and ancient history recounts that the devout house and holy religion of the knights hospitallers of St. John Baptist of Jerusalem began after Alexander the great king of Macedonia had conquered the Indes, and when the truth of his death was known in Babylon. The worthy and valiant knights Machabees, through their virtuous power, put the pagans and people of strange generations out of Jerusalem. Since then, the said pagans waged great war against them of Jerusalem. But finally, the right noble knight, champion of divine knowledge and victorious triumphator Judas Maccabeus (who worshipped one god), gloriously delivered the said holy city from the tyranny of the said enemies. Yet again, he arrayed his army against the infidels and, with great courage, ordered all things necessary in the city to wage war, fight, and discomfit them..In the battle, many people of Israel were slain, hurt, and maimed. When he returned to Jerusalem, he considered it devout and meritorious to pray for those who had died in battle. He ordered and instituted that continuous prayers should be made for them in holy places, and also sustenance given to those who were sick and impotent.\n\nA certain time after this institution, the devout prophet and noble knight of the people of Israel, John Hicarnus, founded a hospice named Xenodochus. With the money and treasure that had been taken and found in the tomb of King David, he delivered the holy city of Jerusalem from the siege laid against it by King Antiochus Epiphanes, the persecutor of God's name, who destroyed the temple of Solomon. Afterward, it was rebuilt by the Maccabees..In this hospital, as a follower of Judas Maccabees, he ordered continuous prayers to be said, and the impotent, weak people, pilgrims, and sick persons. Over time, the education and institution of this said holy hospital remained until the incarnation of our savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ. Although he was rich, for us he made himself poor. Therefore, we ought to consider devoutly that at times with his bodily presence he visited this said hospital, performing many holy works and miracles through his divine goodness. And in the same place, the holy apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ performed many works of mercy for the people. Certainly, it is not to be doubted that our lord and savior before his passion magnified and glorified many unworthy places in the city of Jerusalem through his holy works; but also, by his grace, he illuminated and ennobled the said hospital of Jerusalem, being a holy place, comfort, and succor for poor and sick people..After the passion of our savior Jesus Christ, by occasion of the sins and iniquities of the people of the Jews, the said holy city of Jerusalem suffered great desolations and ruins in the time of Titus and Vespasian Emperors of Rome, who rightfully took vengeance for the cruel bloodshed of our savior Jesus Christ. And by various cruel methods, the said holy city was polluted and spoiled, and by many nations overcome and destroyed. By these said destructions and violations, the temple of Solomon restored by the knights Maccabees and the said hospital founded by Hananiah Hyrcanus, with other holy places, were desolated, vilified, and wasted, in such a way that the religious observance of the knighthood and hospitality was delayed and left. But afterwards, the said City and temple were restored again by Hadrian Elius, emperor of Rome..For this reason, the realm of Jerusalem being destitute and bereft of all beauty and adornments, having in it reigning people of various generations and sects, the Christian people of the world, both from one country as from another, went there in great peril to visit the holy sepulcher and other holy places. In this city, the Latin Christian subjects of the Church of Rome had no manner of support or habitation, and therefore they suffered great outrages, perils, hurts, necessities, poverty of provisions and bodily subjugations, beaten, damaged, wounded, slandered, injured, and ill-treated by the inhabitants there, in such a way that many died on the waysides and streets as beasts. Not without spite of the holy faith. For there was no man to comfort them, for the cruelty of the inhabitants..A devout and virtuous man named Gerard, moved and induced by the Holy Spirit, began, as a blessed pilgrim devoted to God and desiring the health of his soul, to consider the subjection, perils, and damages of the devout persons who came there to establish a new hospital. This was to be a refuge, succor, and habitation for the sick, impotent, and poor pilgrims, as an example of the first Xenodochus, and by imitating the holy observance of the noble knights Judas Maccabeus and John Hyrcanus. He obtained permission from the prince to carry out works of mercy. The poor people were sustained and ordered. The sick were healed. The holy sacraments were administered. Pilgrims and the desolate were defended from enemies of the faith. The comforted and helped. Prisoners were redeemed, and all hospitality was celebrated and used..For the short time being, the said hospital was augmented and replenished with possessions and lordships through the diligence and labor of Gerard. And as the codicil and estate of the said hospital were accomplished and recognized, the Holy See apostolic, at Gerard's request, took Xenodochus under its protection and named him founder, erector, and defender. And the holy father Pope Lucius the Second decreed that no one should presume to violently occupy the governing and ministry of the said hospital, but that one should be chosen to rule over them from among those admitted into the service of the said holy order. Every day, many devout pilgrims were induced to the love and defense of the holy faith and put themselves into the service and tutelage of the same, and with one faith and hospitality, for the love of God, took up arms. When Gerard had ruled the hospital for a space of sixteen years, he passed out of this present life..And then, by election of the devout persons, a man named Raymond, being of great virtues and merits, was chosen master of the said knighthood and hospitallers. This Raymond, as wise and laudable promising, confirming, and approving the holy father Pope Eugenius the third, ordained and instituted the rule and habit of the knights and hospitallers, which is a white cross with eight points, a rule that many noble men: as well clerks as lay people, admitted themselves under. \u00b6The said order of knighthood and hospitallers was filled with renown and riches under the governing of the said Raymond, first master. Specifically after the reconquering of the holy city of Jerusalem by Christian men. Of this enterprise, Godfrey of Bouillon was victorious captain. \u00b6Following the manners of the said master, many of his successors and adherents have done many great and worthy feats, as it is evidently contained in the histories of the gestes of Rhodes..The text at this time is not necessary to rehearse. For it is not our purpose to write histories. It is sufficient to have shown the beginning and foundation of the said order. But in what manner and in what time the said knighthood/hospitality and holy observance came into Rhodes, and the succession of the gestes, the Rhodian histories more plainly show and declare.\n\nThus ends the treatise of the beginning and foundation of the noble order of the knights hospitallers of Jerusalem.\n\nWillingly, I faithfully promise to write and reduce in verity historical accounts of the great siege, cruel oppugnation, and pitiful taking of the noble and renowned city of Rhodes, the key of Christendom, the hope of many poor Christian men held in Turkey, to save and keep them in their faith in the parts of Levant. I promise to all estates that shall see this present book that I have left nothing for fear of any person nor preferred it for favor..And first I shall show the reasons that moved the prince, for he considered and saw by experience that there was no other town or place in Leontes except this poor rock of Rhodes which warred against him or kept him in doubt. Hearing continuous complaints from his subjects, both from Syria as well as from Turkey, about the damages and prices daily inflicted on their bodies and goods by Christian soldiers in Rhodes, and also about the ships and galleys of the religion, he took it upon himself that if he could put this said town under his power and subjection, then he would be capable of being lord of all the parties of Leontes, and his subjects would no longer complain to him.\n\nThe second reason was that he wished to follow the doings of his noble predecessors, and to show himself a true heir of the mighty and victorious lord Sultan Salim his father, willing to carry out the enterprise left unfinished in the year MCCCCCXXI..The great Turkish sally put his army in readiness, numbering three hundred thousand, intending to send it against Rhodes. But mortality struck his host, and he was unexpectedly surprised and taken captive with death. In the latter days of his life (as some Turks and false Christians who were present at the siege told me), he died or caused his son, now the great Turk, to make his two first assaults according to his testament. Furthermore, the great Turkish sally was informed that all Christian prelates were busy warring with each other, and he should not doubt that if the rebellion lasted among them, the town would be his without fail, as experience has shown. And due to the lack of support from every side, and especially from those who could easily have helped us being our neighbors, with their galleys and men of war, it is now in the hands of the enemies of the Christian faith..The many reasons and motivations of the false traitors, as understood by the great turk and his council, were considered not to miss this good opportunity and time. Therefore, he made great diligence to rig and equip many ships and vessels of various types - galleys, galleasses, pinnaces, fustas, and brigantines - numbering around 500 sail, and more. When the prisoner that Fahed-ed-Din Mohammed sent had completed his commission, he returned to Rhodes, which astonished everyone. And many people thought ill of his return, as of an unusual thing, but none dared to say anything, seeing the said Fahed-ed-Din Mohammed of such great authority and dignity. The great turk, intending with great diligence to make ready his host both by sea and land, the better to carry out his purpose and take the town unawares as he had been advised, thought to keep his doings as secretly as possible..And he decreed that none of his subjects should go to Rhodes for any reason. Likewise, he seized all the bark loaded with news the great master had sent to the castle of St. Peter and to Rhodes, concerning all that was said and done in Turkey. Nevertheless, the said master gave no great credence to all that was brought and told. Because many years before, the predecessors of the great turk had made great armies, and it was always said that they went to Rhodes, which came to no effect. It was held as a joke and a byword in many places that the turk would assault Rhodes. Therefore, doubt was had of this last army, and some believed it should have gone to Cyprus or to Catera, a lordship of Venice. However, the great master did not wish to be taken unawares, but in the meantime, as careful and diligent for the welfare of his town and his people, understanding the news of the Turkish army, did all his diligence to repair and strengthen the town..Among all other things to build up and raise the bulwark of Auvergne, and to clean and deepen the ditches, the said lord oversaw them twice or thrice every day. Then the said reverend lord thought to furnish and supply the town with more victuals for its sustenance, and for this reason he spoke with the lords who had the handling and rule of the treasury and expenses in his absence on several occasions. That is, the great commander Gabriel de Pomerolles, he should take no thought for it. For the town was well stored with victuals for a long time, and there was wheat enough until new came in. Nevertheless, it was good to have more, or if the siege were laid before the town. And therefore it was necessary to send for wheat and other necessities into Ponnant for the town's relief, and at that time to pursue the purchase of every thing..\"As you, lords, stated regarding the war supplies, there was enough for a year or more, contrary to what was found; the city was yielded after a month. It is true that there was great supply and it could have lasted longer. However, it was necessary to spend lavishly at the enemy's first coming to keep them from approaching and bringing earth to the city walls, as they did. Furthermore, it is important to consider the great number and power of the enemy, which gave us so many assaults and skirmishes in various places, and for six full months they assailed us day and night. The castle of St. Peter and the castles of his island Feraclous and Lindo were supplied with powder and saltpeter to strengthen pursuit of victuals. It was provided by the great master and his three lieutenants.\".lords it was time to send some ships for wheat to places where the Turks host were coming. This was appointed a ship named the Galying, whose captain was named Bramboys. Within a month, he completed his voyage and brought a good store of wheat from Naples and Rome, which gave us great comfort.\n\nAfter this, provisions of wine for the town were moved. The men of Candia dared not sail to Rhodes as they were accustomed to do for fear of the Turkish host. And the townsfolk would not send a ship into Candia for fear of being taken and enclosed by the said host on the way. However, some merchants of the town were willing to venture themselves in a good ship named the Mary to load her with wine in Candia. But they could not agree with the three lords of the treasury, and their letter was but for a little thing. And all this was caused by the said traitor de Merall, feigning the wealth of the treasury..For he intended something other / and sabotaged this good and profitable enterprise of the said merchants, seeing it was unfavorable to the Turk, whose part the said traitor held in his deceitful heart. Nevertheless, the reverent lord, the great master, showed his goodwill in all things from the beginning to the end. And despite all diligence and rightly, a sovereign captain and head of war found other experience, and sent a brigantine to Candia. In this, he sent a brother sergeant named Anthony of Bosca, a well-spirited and wise man. By his wisdom, within a short time, he brought 15 vessels called galleys, laden with wine, and with them men of war. Because the lordship of Candia dared not let any of their men go to the aid of Rhodes for fear of the Turk. And besides these 15 galleys came a good ship whose captain and owner was a rich young man, with his ship laden with 7,000 tons..buttes of Wyne supplied the town with wine and people. Whose good and laboring men these things were, the reverend lord Great Master Sollicityfe caused every man of the said lord to share down the rye of his island and cause wheat half-ripened. However, most of it was left in the fields because the Turkish host was coming out of the straits of Constantinople. And, doubting that any number of ships would come before to take the people of the said island unawares, the said lord made them leave shearing of wheat and caused the people from the farthest part of the island to come into the town. While it, the great master provided for all things according to the course of time and tidings, he had there arrived a carrack of Genoa laden with spices from Alexandria. The which passed before the Porte of Rodes on the 8th day of April and anchored at the Fosse, seven or eight miles from the town, to know and hear tidings of the Turkish host..The lord willing to fortify the town sent a knight from Provence named Sir Anastase de Sainte Camille, commander of la Trouville, to the captain of the carrack. He asked him to come into the harbor for the defense of the town, offering him whatever he desired and assuring him of his ship. The captain excused himself, saying that the marches were not his own but belonged to various marchesans to whom he must render account. However, after much persuasion and promises, he eventually arrived in the harbor. This captain was named Messire Domingo de Fournari. He behaved valiantly during the siege.\n\nAfter the month of April, the lord master, seeing that the Turk host drew near and that they had the majority of the waters within the town, ordered the making of a general muster of armed men..And the knights, who on Holy Rode day in May made their musters before the commissioners, ordered by the said lord, in places designated for each of them, called Almshouses. The commissioners reported to the lord that they had found the knights in good order of armor and other things necessary for war, and their array fair and proper with crosses on them. When the muster of the knights was completed, the lord master considered making the musters of men from the town and strangers together. But his wisdom perceived that harm would result rather than good, doubting that the number of people there was of good quality to defend themselves. To encourage and give them courage and good will, some knights of the cross dressed their men with colors and devices. They took men from the town and strangers with them. And with great noise of trumpets and drums, they made many muster men from the town, amounting to about 15,000 or 200,000. The eighth [part]..The Turks, upon hearing these tidings, lit a fire as a signal in a place called Le Fiseo in the mainland, directly opposite Rodes. And certain days before, they had lit another one, when a ship of a knight named Menetow went there and had been detained by the Turks. For the great town was then in every way thriving. And they of the town, believing that the second fire was to deliver Iacques/ the reverend lord, the great master, waited but it was not yet a letter lighted, or else he would go his way and not tarry for a letter or other delay. And he told them of the evil and dishonest deed they had done the days before in detaining the clerk under their words and saving Sultan Saliman Pach, by the grace of God, right mighty emperor of Constantinople, and holding both the lands of Persia, Arabia, Syria, Mechei, and Jerusalem. Of Asia, Europe, Egypt, and all the sea, lord and possessor..To the reverend father Lord Philip, great master of Rodas, and to your councilors, and to all the other citizens, greetings. Sending convenient and worthy salutations to your reverences. Letting you know that we have received your letters sent to our imperial majesty by George your servant. The tenor of which we have well understood. And for this occasion, we send to you this present commandment, that we will that you know surely how, by our sentence, we will have the island of Rodas from us for many damages and evil deeds which have been and are still done to us and our subjects there. And you, with your good will, shall hold it from us and do us obeisance, and give the city to my imperial majesty. And we swear by God that made heaven and earth. And in the year 1426 of our prophets. And by the fourth..my lord, if you do us homage and yield to these others, all who choose to remain in the said place shall not need to fear peril or damage from my imperial majesty. Nor you, your goods, nor your men. And whoever wishes to go with his goods and household to any other place may do so. And whoever wishes to dwell and inhabit in any other places under my imperial majesty may remain where they please without fear of any person. And if any of the princes and worthy men among you are so disposed, we shall give him greater wages and provisions than he has had. And if any of you choose to remain in the said isle, you may do so according to your ancient usage and customs, and much better. Therefore, if you accept these our oaths and entreaties, send a man with your letters to my imperial majesty. Or know that we will come upon you with all provisions of war, and it shall come as it pleases God..And this we do warn you, as you know, and that you cannot deny but we have given you warning. And if you do not comply with your good will, we shall retake and undermine your foundations in such a manner that they will tear up so down, and shall make you slaves, and cause you to die, with the grace of God, as we have done to many. And have no doubt of this. Written in our court at Constantinople on the first day of the month of June.\n\nWhen the lord great master and his council had heard the tenor of the letter, they would give no answer to the great Turk. But that he should be received with good strokes of artillery. So it was to be believed that he would not have it. For six days after that, it was the fourteenth day of the same month of June, the brigantines that went towards Syria to learn of the said army returned, and said that truly the said army was coming. And that near Lango, an island of the religion, a Cypriot ship had been captured..my lord Froy of Saint Giles, Sir John de Bidoux's commander of the said place, did not stay long behind on horseback with his knights and people of the island. He met well with the Turks and drove them to their ships, killing a certain number of them. Some were hurt on John's side, and his horse was slain. When the enemies had entered their galleys, they went to a place called Castell Iudeo on mainland between the said island of Lango and the castle of Saint Peter.\n\nThe seventeenth day of the said month of June, these thirty galleys departed from the said place and passed by the cape of Cryon, entering the Gulf of Eymes beside Rhodes, and were discovered from the shadow of the hill of Salaco, a castle in the island of Rhodes. On the morrow they came out of the Gulf by fair day. Sailing along the coasts, they entered into a haven\non mainland called Malfata where they stayed three days. Then they waited from there and returned to the Gulf of Eymes, where they stayed two days..The twenty-fourth day of the same month, they issued from Ephesus and traveled along the channel, reaching the island of Rhodes at a place before a castle called Faustus. They went ashore and burned a large field of corn that very day, which was the feast of St. John the Baptist, our patron. The guard of a castle named Absinthe in the island of Rhodes discovered and saw the great host and, in great haste, brought word to the lord master. They said that the said host, which was of such great number of souls that they could not be numbered, had entered the gulf of Ephesus. The thirty ships that lay in the island rose in the night and went to the said host in the gulf.\n\nThe twenty-sixth day of June, the said great host arose and left Ephesus an hour after sunrise. Traveling along the channel, they came to a place called la Fosse, eight miles from the town..The first sailors turned their boats back towards Cape St. Martin and other places to watch for ships of Christian men, if any passed by to Rodes. The great host remained there until noon or one of the clock. Not all, but about 80 or a C. ships followed - galleys, galleasses, and fustes - and passed one after another before the town and harbor of Rodes, three miles away. They came to a shore in a place called Perambolyn, six miles from the town. The said host remained there from that time until the end of the unfortunate siege.\n\nThe number of ships were these: 30 galleases, a C. and 3 galleys, as well as bastard galleys, subtle mahonnets, 15 taffours, 20 fustes, 124 great ships, 6 or 7 gallyons, and 30 galleries, besides the navy that waited for us for Christian men if any came to succor us. These were the vessels that came first to lay the siege. And since the said host came out of Perambolyn, 20 other sails came from Syria - as well galleys as fustes..And many other ships came and joined with the said army during the said siege. It was said that there were 4,000 sailes and more. The same day, a part of the host arrived at the said place. The reverend lord, the great master, ordered a brigantine to be sent to Poitans to certify our holy father the pope and the Christian princes about the size of the Turkish army before Rhodes. In the said vessel, he sent two knights: one, a Frenchman named Sir Claude Dansoille, called Villiers; and Sir Louis Dacidoigne, a Spaniard. They went to the pope and the emperor.\n\nAfter the Turkish navy came into the said place, it was 13 or 14 days before the lord great master had sent out his army dressed as Turks, and they obeyed the commandment of their great lord, until the host by land had come into the camp. However, some number came to view the town but they went privately for the order of the town, and the shooting did not cease..All this while galleys and galleons went to and came to land bringing victuals and people. At the ships passing by the town, many strokes with bombards were shot, which made some slaughter of our enemies. And when the most part of them had passed, they began to set ordnance on the land with great diligence. Then the lord great master departed from his palaces and lodged himself near a church called La Vyctory, because that place was most doubted. And also at the other side,\n\nThe day before, many predictions and the church of St. John the Baptist were made. When all the solemnities and all the residences took the lord great master and all the great company, and when the lord great master's mass was ended, he made a pitiful oration or prayer, it would please him to take the keys of this miserable city..The key he presented and laid upon the altar before the image, beseeching St. John to take care and protection of it, and of all the religion, as by his grace he had given to him, unworthy governor, until the day. And by his holy grace to defend them from the great power of enemies that had besieged them.\n\nThe eighth day of July, it was known that the Turkish women, being slaves and servants in many houses of the town, had appointed to set fire in their masters' houses at the first assault, so that the men should be distracted. A woman named Marcho pota, being a slave, was the first of this treachery taken and put to execution. \u00b6The same day, some of our men went out to skirmish with the Turks, and many of them were slain by our artillery and of our men, but one survived.\n\nThe seventeenth day of July, for the beginning and first day, they set up a mantlet, under which they put three or four meat pies as sacrifices, with which they shot against the English and Provencal post..But the mantlet was soon broken and cast down, and its pieces destroyed with the shot of the wall. Those who shot them were mostly slain. As the first mantlet was broken by the great and innumerable people they had, they set all their ordnance on land and carried it to the places where it should be bent or nearby.\n\nAnd on the 29th of the same month, they set up two other mantlets. One beside a church of St. Cosme and Damian, and another towards Ponnau\u0304t. From these mantlets, they shot great pieces, such as serpentines, double guns, and great bombards, against the walls of England and Spain. To these mantlets, the town's ordnance gave many great strokes and often broke them. And they, to further harm the town and intimidate us, set up many other mantlets in various places, almost all around the town. They were counted as 80..The town was heavily bombarded with the noble number of artillery shots from various locations. There were six great guns, each firing a three-and-a-half foot stone. Fifteen pieces of iron, shooting stones of five or six spans. Fourteen great bombards, each shooting stones of eleven spans. Twelve basiliskes, of which they used eight - four against the English and Spanish post, and two against the gate of Italy. Also, there were fifteen double guns with casting bowls, similar to basiliskes. The mean shots were numerous and incredible, and the handguns were in great abundance. Additionally, there were twelve pot guns of brass, of which eight were placed behind the church of St. Cosme and Damian, and two at St. John de la Fountaine, towards the Italian gate. The remaining two were not specified in the text..Before the gate of Auergne, there were three sorts of arrows. The largest were six or seven spans long. They did little harm and kept these arrows from the 19th day of the same month until the end of August. It was reported that they shot two million times or a few more or less. However, the enemies were warned by the Jew who wrote letters to them about all that was done and said in the town. They were told that potgonnes did no harm, which angered them because they believed they had killed a third of our people. They were advised by him to stop shooting, as it was a waste of time and powder, and they stopped shooting at them. It is true that they shot with the said potgonnes twelve or fifteen times with bowls of brass or copper full of wild fire. In the air, they flamed, and on falling to the ground, the fire came out and caused some harm..But at the last we knew their malice and the people stayed away from them, and therefore they did not harm any more people.\n\nOn the twenty-third day of the same month, a brigantine arrived, which had been sent ahead to Candia. In it came a worthy captain named Gabriel Martyningo, along with two other captains. And after his honorable reception, as was fitting, they brought him before the great master. He received him warmly, and was gladly seen and welcomed by the people, as a man who was named very wise and ingenious in matters of war. Then came a Spanish renegade from the host, who gave us warning of all that was done in the field and of the approaching trenches that our enemies were making. And likewise, there was a great commotion in the town that the slave Turks who worked for us in the ditches had killed their keepers and wanted to flee, which they did not..Despite the great rumor and alarm, the slaves, as ordered, were being taken to prison. The people, in great anger, put some to death in all the alarm incidents. Over 150 of them would have been killed that day if the lord, the great master, had not commanded that they should not be harmed. These slaves had done great service during the siege. They labored daily to build our defenses.\n\nThe 25th day of the said month saw many of our men go out to skirmish in the field and make great murders of Turks, as well as our artillery. It is noted that on the 28th day of the same month, the great Turk in person passed by Le Fisco harbor in the mainland with a galley and a fustee more, as reported to us. He came to a church near the town called St. Steven to view the town and fortresses, where they had set up mantlets to lay their ordnance..The last day of July, one of our brigantines went out with a good company of men dressed as Turks. We knew what they did in the field.\n\nThe first day of August, Captain Gabriel Martinengo was made knight of the Order of the Religion by the Lord Grand Master. He was made the first ancient of the Italian tongue of the first balley or priory it should be vacant. And in the meantime, the Religion should give him 12,000 ducates for pension every year, and the same day he was received into the council in the town of a balley.\n\nThe fifth day of the same month, our master gunner was killed with a gun, which was great loss for us at that time.\n\nThe fifteenth day of the same month was known and taken for a traitor,\nMessire John Baptista the physician aforementioned, who confessed his evil and devilish doings, and had his head struck off..After coming of the great Turk, the enemies began to shoot with a different sort of ordinance than they did before, and especially with the town with spades and pikes. And it is to note that they moved the earth from half a mile around. And there was shot out of the town immeasurable strokes with ordinance against the said earth, & immeasurable quantity of people hid behind the said earth were slain. Nevertheless, they never left working till they had shot. And at the gate of Italy was made such another heap, & in no other place. When the trenches were thus made to the dykes, the enemies made holes in the walls of the dyke outside. Wherethrough they shot infinitely with handguns to our men as well on the walls as on the bulwarks. Peri Bacha went to the trenches against the gate of Italy with his folk & captains under him. Acmek Bacha was in the trenches of Auvergne & Spain with Lagat des Genis, Sayres & le Beglarby of Romany with him..The Beglarby of Notilia was in the trenches of Provence. Allibey was with his company against the gardens of Saint Anthony of the bend of Transmonteraine and various other captains with him. They set their ordnance against the wall of the gate of Almayne, which was weak, and set up seven mantlets towards Ponnant. For eight or nine days they battered upon the same wall, which put us in great fear if they had continued. However, the noble lord, the great master beyond, caused repairs to be made within and set up plans and tables to fortify the said weak wall. He stayed there from morning till night to hasten the work. The artillery of the gate of Almayne, and le Massyf of the gate of the camp and of the palaces, battered it so sore and so often that it worried the enemies to repair them so frequently, and they took away the pieces..And they could not well beat the said wall because the brims of the ditch without were almost as high as the wall they were attacking. But when they bore away their artillery, they battered the steeple of St. John's church so much that the most part was broken and cast down. The aforementioned mantlets were pointed to beat St. Nicholas tower, and for ten or twelve days they shot heavily against it. But they had such sharp and vigorous answers that not one mantlet remained whole for an hour. The captain of the said tower and his men showed such diligence and busyness in shooting their pieces that the enemies dared set up no more mantlets by day, nor shoot anything but only by night when the moon shone, which is a thing worthy of memory, of marvel, and of praise. At last, when they had beaten against the said wall, and when the said wall was so beaten, they set to beat the bulwark of Spain to raise the defenses. And in their trenches they set three..Greete bombardeers who shot stones of 15 spans in thickness. And with the said pieces they battered the said bulwark and wall in such a way that they made great breaches, and the stones and earth that fell served the enemies for ladders so that they might come upon the plain ground. In like manner they raised the defenses from the height of the bulwark at the post of Provence. And they set three great pieces on the brim of the ditch which shot stones of 15 spans against the wall, and within a while they made a breach as at the post of Spain. The artillery of the town did shoot without cease against the mantlettes and broke many of them, but they made other as it is said in the night. For they had all things that belonged to them and needed. And out of the post of England was shot a gun that broke down one of the said mantlettes and hit one of the pieces, killing II or V men and bearing away both the legs of the master of the ordnance, who died soon after..The great Turk was very displeased and said that he would have preferred to have lost one of his bachas or captains rather than the master. It is also known that there were three or four mantlets placed against the plain ground of Italy. By continuous shooting, they managed to reach the brace. And by the earth and stones that had fallen, they could approach it.\n\nCaptain Gabriel Martyningo, prompt, diligent, and expert in providing remedies, made repairs to the traverses where the brace was, both large and small, which only shot at the braces and not at them. And besides the traverses, the said captain made small artillery, such as hacquesbusses and handguns, to be placed on certain houses within the town, which faced open against the brace, with good repairs. Great slaughter of Turks was made at the assaults from this place..Also, it is true that besides the mantlets that shot against the wall of England and Spain with great bombards, there were two mantlets in a high place to guard the way to Maupas' garden. In these, there were certain double guns as basilisks with hollow stones and wild fire in them, which shot against the wall into the town at all opportunities to make murder. However, thank God it did no great harm but to the houses.\n\nAfter these great and terrible beatings, and the enemies had a way to mount upon the town walls and come to hand-to-hand combat with us by traversing their trenches to the fallen earth within the ditch more securely and without hurt from our gunshot, shooting through holes they made in the walls of the ditch without, they cast much stone and earth because it should cover them from the shot of Auvergne's bulwark..And they shot fiercely against the bulwark of Spain to raise its defenses, raising most of it while reserving only a few gunners in the mine of the said bulwark, which little or nothing damaged them. And this is touching on the gunshot, of which I say not the third part, because it is a thing of the past. And they bent mantlets against the wall of England and Spain twenty or thirty times and more. And I truly believe that such artillery and such great quantity was never bent and laid before any town as it was against Rodes at this siege. Therefore, it is no wonder if the walls are and have been breached. And because it is said before that the enemies' greatest hope to get the town of Rodes was through my mine. Therefore, after I have spoken of the gunshot and battering, I shall show of the mines that the Turk made, which were in such great quantity and in so many places that I believe the third part of the town was mined..And it was found by account made that there were about 60 mines. However, thank God, many of them did not take effect. Additionally, the prudent lord, the great master, made deep trenches within the ditches to a depth of 2 or 3 feet from the water level. These trenches and certain pits he had made in the said ditches proved effective. For night and day, there were men in them to watch and listen when the enemies meant to meet them and cut their way, as was done many times.\n\nRegarding the mines that had taken effect and caused damage to us, it is worth noting that on the fourth day of September, around 4 hours after noon, the enemies put fire in two mines. One was between the Spanish and Auvergne posts, which caused no harm but to the barbican. The other was at the bulwark of England, which was so fierce and strong that it caused most of the town to shake and brought down a great part of the said bulwark at its springing..And by the earth and stones that fell into the ditches, the enemies came upon the bulwark with their banners, and fought sore and mightily with our men, not with hands but with shot from handguns. The lord great master, who had come fifteen days or more with his reinforcements to the said bulwark, went with his company to help those who fought. After they had fought for two or three hours, the enemies were repulsed and driven back by our men from the said bulwark, and beaten with ordnance on every side, withdrew them with their loss, shame, and damage. This was the first victory that our lord gave us. They were right soon to withdraw, for at that place they had made some repair of the earth. Of our men died that day twenty-five or thereabout, as well knights as others..And the same day in the morning, Gabriel de Pomerolles, lieutenant to the lord, departed from this world. He fell from the wall as he went to see the trenches in the ditches and hurt his breast. Due to lack of proper attention, he fell into a fire and died.\n\nThe ninth day of the same month, at 7 in the morning, the enemies put fire in two mines. One at the post of Prouance, which had no effect. The other was at the bulwark of England, which brought down an enemy to that it was cast down before. And the said mine was as fierce as the other, or even more so, for it seemed that the entire bulwark went down. Almost all those who were ready to enter were broken. But when they saw the said standard, the people were lost and overcome, and they retreated. Then the artillery of the bulwark of Quosquino and of other places found them sufficient, and they killed many of them..They returned with great blows of swords and other weapons, and those who had fallen from the said bulwark lay on the ground. Our men fought against them with morisco pikes and fired spears for three whole hours. At last, they, being badly beaten and in disarray on every side, withdrew. We captured one of their banners; we couldn't get any more. For as soon as any of our men went up to our repairs, he was killed with small guns from the trenches or holes in the walls of our ditches. Two thousand men of the enemy were killed that day in the assault, as well as three persons of estate who lay dead in the ditch with fine and rich horses. It was reported to us from the camp that they were three seneschals or stewards. About thirty Christian men remained on our side..And this was the second victory given to us by the divine grace. The seventeenth day of the same month, around midday, the enemies came again to give another assault to the said bulwark at the same place mentioned before, without setting fire in mines. They brought five banners with them, nearly to our replies. There was fierce fighting on both sides, and two of their banners were taken \u2013 one by Sir Xpofre Valdenarc, who at that time was castellan of Rodes Gate, and the other in the hands of Sir John Bourgh, turcopolier of England, chief captain of the English relief force. Holding it, he was killed by the stroke of a handgun, which was a great loss. The said banner was recovered by one of our men. And after long fighting on both sides, the enemies, seeing that they gained nothing but blows, retreated into their trenches..At the said fray, the lord priory of St. Giles, John, was hurt through the neck with a handgun, and was in great danger of death, but he escaped and was saved. The same day and hour of the said assault, the enemies mounted to the bracket in the wall of Spain and came to the repairs to the hands of our men and fought a great while. But the great quantity of artillery that was shot so quickly and so sharply from our traverse on each side, and from the bulwarks of Avignon and Spain, scared them so well that there remained as many at that assault as at the other in England, nearly numbering 50,000. They withdrew them with their great loss and confusion, which was the third time they were chased and overcome. Thanked be our Lord, who gave us the force and power to do so, for they were by reason of a 100 against one.\n\nAlso, on the 22nd day of the same month of September, they fired a mine between Italy and Provence, which did no harm.\n\nAnd the 23rd..On the same day, they fired two mines, one at the Spanish post and the other by the bulwark of Auvergne. The one by Auvergne was so terrible that it made the entire town shake and caused the wall to open from above to below, onto the plain ground. However, it did not explode completely; the mine had fizzled in two places. One of the locals and a rock beneath the parapet had caused the fuse to burn out, preventing the full force and fury of the mine from being released. If those two fuses had not been the wall would have been torn down. And indeed, as reported from the enemy camp, they had great hope in the said mine, believing that the wall would be overthrown and they could enter the town at their leisure. But when they saw the opposite, they were greatly disappointed. The captains decided to launch assaults at four places at once to make us more anxious and to negotiate a truce into the town through one of the gates..And they shot artillery day and night without cease. On the 24th day of the same month, they launched an assault at the bracket of Spain, at the bulwark of Englode, at the post of Provance, and at the plain ground of Italy, all at one hour and one time. The first to attack the bracket of Spain was Lagat des Genissayres, a valiant man of great courage, with his company, bearing 60 or 70 banners and signs, and they fought on the earth of the bracket. Then they sought out our men and engaged in other kinds of combat, making it more rigorous than the previous engagements. The skirmishing lasted about six hours. After the assault was given, a great number of Turks entered the bulwark of Spain and set up 8 or 9 standards..Signs or banners on it, and draw our men out of the English post where they had knowledge of the said Jose and there was great fighting and resistance on both sides at the bracket of Spain, with the banner of the crucifix leading the charge of the said bulwark in the hands of the bailiff de la More, Messire Mery Cobant. And the lord mounted on the wall of Spain where a great commotion began, and every man laid his hands to work, as much to put the enemy out of the bracket as to recover the bulwark that was lost. And the said lord sent a company of men into the bulwark by the gate of the mine or by the barbican, which entered at the said gate and went up where they found few Turks. For the artillery of the English post directly against the bulwark of Spain had met and scattered them so well that within a while our men had killed all those left..And thus the bulwark was taken and recovered again, and with great diligence were new repairs and strengthenings made to the said place. Similarly, the enemies were held back and few, if any, broke through, with the coming and presence of the lord great master, has given us this journey.\n\nRegarding the murder of people done by the artillery of the English and Spanish bulwark, the quantity was such that a man could not perceive or see any ground of the ditches. And those who were but little leeward saw their blood made red. And on our side also died to the number of over 100 men or more. And of dignitaries in the town having charge died Sir Fraucys de Frenolz, commander of Romaygne, who was slain at the plain of Italy, wounded with two strokes of hackbutts. It was great damage for his death, for he was a worthy man, kind, and full of virtues..There died also Master Nastasy of the Holy Chamber, named above, with a company of about 100 men under him, from the lord, great masters' support. There died also various other worthy men that day, and many were injured. Among all others who lost a limb, Master John le Touz, called Pradynes, who was at the said bulwark, had his arm amputated due to a artillery strike during this assault. During this assault, the great Turk was present in a place he had caused to be made, and saw all the business, and how his people were sharply repelled, and the journey lost on his side. He was very displeased and half in despair. He sent for Mustafa Pasha, with whom he was angry, and severely reprimanded him, saying that he had caused him to come there, and had made him believe that he would take the town in 15 days or a month at the furthest. He had been there ready with his army for three months, yet they had accomplished nothing. And after these words, he was determined to have him punished in the camp..But the other Bachas showed him that he ought not to do justice in the land of his enemies, for it would not be fitting at that time. They intended to send him to Cyprus, lest the people there rebel by occasion of the captain of Cyprus who had died a few days before. However, he did not depart so suddenly. Before he went, he tried to do something to please the Turk, both for his honor and to save his person. He made remarkable diligence to mine the English bulwark to overthrow it. And by agreement, eleven mines were made, both to the said bulwark and elsewhere, and it was reported that they had fired. However, most of the said mines came to no profit, though they put fire in them. Many were met with countermines, and some were broken by our men due to the good diligence and solicitude of Sir Gabriel du Chef Stuart, who had charge of the said countermines at the same bulwark..In this presence, he behaved himself well and worthily, and spared not his goods to cause the people to work and toil, but spent them lavishly. The Turks, seeing that they were not making progress and could not carry out their intentions, and having only a small supply of powder in readiness to raise the siege and depart, some of them began to carry their baggage toward the ships. And a certain number of people went out of the trenches with their standards directly to the ships. It was written to us from the camp that the Genoese and other hosts would no longer fight, and that they were almost all of one opinion to leave, save some of the captains of the aforementioned Monstofa bacha or Acmek bacha. And in the meantime, the false traitors who were in the town wrote letters to the camp giving them knowledge of all that was said and done among us..And also Alannty fleed to the enemies camp and warned them not to go, for the gunshots were near wasted, and most of the knights and people would soon be theirs. In the same way, the above-mentioned Chancellor Sir Andrew de Merall wrote, whose treason was not known at the time. But when I come to the effect of his treason, I will show the knowledge he gave to the enemies at various times. When the bailiffs and captains of the host understood the said warnings, they all decided to stay and made the news of the town known throughout the army. They began to shoot artillery faster than ever before, for new shots had come into the camp. Then Monstofa, being in despair that he could do nothing by force, nor by assaults, prepared to depart to go into Surrey by the great Turkish commander's command. Three assaults were made on the bulwark of England. It was assaulted only with stones and bags full of artillery. And at these three assaults:.Many of our men were hurt by the fire and stones that came thickly, like rain or hail. Finally, the enemy's gate and the enemy's plan of one man were heard by our men as they retreated from the bulwark. Since it is said that the enemies at the assault came up from the trench, some of our men advised clearing the rubble and taking out the earth from the ditch, so the enemies would not easily come upon the wall. And, as it seemed beneficial to do so, they labored night and day to clear the rubble, and most of the earth that lay in the ditch was brought into the town, which proved harmful later and caused the enemy to gain a foothold at the base of the wall. Nevertheless, they only had it scarcely. But this clearing delayed the time and caused them to get it sooner than they should have done if the earth had remained..But their final intent was to raise the defense of the bulwarks and then pass at their pleasure and enter the Barbican as they had done. For the enemies, seeing it was cleaned, thought to get into it through trenches, and so they did. However, they were certain days delayed by our handgun fire. The enemies, seeing they could not come near it, covered their trenches with tables to save themselves. And then they dug a mine whereby they might go to the Barbican. So, by these two means, after they were repaid with earth and with a certain wall they made to avoid the shot of the bulwarks of Avignon and Spain, they found only two gunners in the mine, whom they killed by force of men. Being covered on all sides and without any danger, they passed through and leapt into the Barbican, which was the 17th day of October, an unhappy day for the poor town, and the occasion of its ruin..At this point they slept lightly and with great dread they began to say that we had slain many of them, but it availed nothing. For the quantity and multitude of people traveling there was so great that they cared not for the loss of them. And if we had had men within the town, there might have been a remedy to have raised them from thence. But considering that our force and total hope was in people, we left many things undone which should have been done, and at other times also for lack of soldiers. At last it was considered by Sir Gabriel Martingano that there was no remedy but to hew the wall to meet them and beat them with ordnance and with guns of fire to burn and undo them. Then our men began to hew the wall and made some holes to shoot at the enemy who did not sleep but did as we did, to shoot at us. In truth, they killed and injured many of our men..Sir Gabriel Martino ordered repairs within the town at the front where they had cut the wall, so the enemies would know to whom they were meeting. Traverses were made on each side with good artillery, great and small. These repairs and traverses were of the length that the enemies had cut the wall. They began at the massive fort of Spain, made by the reverent lord great master Meriamboise, and ended at the church of Saint Salvador. The common people call these repairs and traverses \"la Mandra,\" meaning \"the field.\"\n\nThe mean time that the repairs and traverses were being made with diligence, Sir Gabriel Martino never ceased going to every place to procure all things. And he being on the bulwark of Spain to order all things there came a stroke of a handgun from the trenches that struck out his eye and put him in danger of his life, but thanked be God he returned to health within a month and a half..His hurt came ill for the need we had of him at that time in all things, and specifically for the repairs of the brakes. Nevertheless, the lord priory of St. Giles (not ignorant in such matters), along with other experienced men in war, intended to carry out the said repairs and travels there and elsewhere. The enemies on the other side, night and day without rest (due to the great number of laborers they had hourly and readily available), hewed and undermined the said wall. And on the 20th of October, they put fire in the undermines to bring it down, but they could not. Then they wanted to pull it down with great ropes and anchors. But the artillery of the bulwark of Avergne broke their ropes and sent them away lightly. At last, they made a mine under the said wall and bridge. And on the 6th..On the same day of the same month, they set fire to the same mine, intending to bring down the wall. This did not succeed, but instead raised it and caused it to almost collapse upright, which was more disadvantageous to the enemy than beneficial. Then they fired artillery at it, which was defeated within a few days, and they had opened a way to enter the town. Nevertheless, it was not necessary for them to enter at that time. Our artillery was better positioned in the forepart, and artillery lay at the two-mile post of Quosquino and at the English post, where there was a bascule with other pieces. Therefore, the enemies sought other means and began to raise the earth between our two walls, drawing toward England on one side and toward Avenger on the other side, intending to cut the wall farther than our traverses were for coming in unbeaten by our artillery. Then the repairs were expanded and made more extensive with the wall that was cut, of the height of.xii. or xvi. foot in breadth. And so the enemies could go no farther forward / but shot great artillery just to interrupt our repairs to break and cast them down. They also made trenches to come right to the breach / and to the repairs. And certainly we looked day by day and hour by hour for some assault. The reverent lord, the great master, who is said to have left the bulwark of England the day the great assault was made / and since then had not appeared from there as they hewed the wall / and there where the breach was / because they were the most dangerous and the most unwelcome places. And continually the said lord kept himself behind the said repairs with his knights and men of support / intently ready and equipped / to live and die / and to receive his enemies as they ought to be received. He remained there iii or iv days after the breach was made / fighting with his enemies every day in great peril of his body..For often he placed himself further in the press than necessary / due to the unquietness of his person. But he did it to hearten and strengthen the courage of his people, being so willing to defend and die for the cause. The enemies, by their will, would give no assault / but continually shot against our repairs / and made trenches to pass forward into the town. By these trenches they shot indefinitely with hatchets and handguns / and slew many of our people / and specifically of those who worked and made the repairs that were broken, and they broke night and day / which was a great hindrance for us and the beginning of our destruction. And if we had much to do in that place, there was no less at the gate of Provence / and at the plain of Italy. For daily they were doing either with assault or skirmish / and most at the plain of Italy..With the help of our lord and the good conduct of the captain of the garrison of the same place, the priory of Narre's man was prompt and intent on encouraging his men. The enemies had always the worst and were driven from the place of the siege and from the brink of Provence.\n\nUnder these terms and assaults, the treason of the chamberlain, Sir Andrew de Merle, was discovered. A servant of his named Blasy was found shooting a quarrel of a crossbow with a letter, of which he was accused before the great master. This man was taken and examined by the justice, and he confessed to the shooting of that letter and other matters at the commandment of his master. He said that he had great acquaintance with the Turkish basques and that it was not long since he had written a letter to them, warning them not to go, for gunpowder had begun to fail and the men were wasted by flying and hurting in great quantity during the assaults..And if they remained and gave more assaults, the last town would be theirs. The servant also spoke of his master, whom I have mentioned partly before at the beginning, and of the warning he gave to the Great Turk to come. But returning to Italy. After many battles and assaults done in the said place by continuous shooting of seventeen great guns, the repairs and traverses were almost broken and lost. And by trenches, the enemies were joining to the breach, and never ceased to grate the earth and scrape the earth to cause the repairs and traverses to fall. And at last, most of them fell down, and our men were forced to leave the said plain, saving a cantonment that was towards the sea. Certain days before the enemies came to the foot of the plain, and did cut it, raised the earth, and at last they passed through into the town wall..And anyone began to hew and cut as they did at the place of Spain. The great master seeing it immediately ordered a part of the church of Our Lady of the Victory, as well as another church of St. Pantaleon, to be torn down. Inside, repairs and traverses were begun, as at the place of Spain. There was great diligence there, but not as much as the lord desired, and not sufficient because there were no laborers to help. After the enemies had won the most part of the bulwark of England and the plain of Italy, they were determined to make an assault on the breach with their banners and entered the repairs with a greater number of people than they had at the great battle in September. But on their arrival, the artillery of the traverses and the handguns, and the gunfire of the mills, found them so well and sharply that he who came in was immediately dispatched and overthrown, and above two million Turks were slain..The other, upon seeing their fellows so poorly welcomed as if they were astonished and had lost their way, turned again to their trenches. To these, the artillery of the mills shot vigorously and hurried them to move faster. And by report, in the camp, six thousand or more died that day. This day might be called very happy and well fortunate for us, thank God. For there was none who thought to escape that day but to have died and lost the town. However, our lord's pleasure was evidently a miracle to have it otherwise, and the enemies were chased and overcome. It is to be noted that the same day the rain was so great and strong that it caused a large part of the earth they had cast into the ditches to cover them from Auvergne's shot to sink. And the said earth, being so sunken, the artillery of the said bulwark (unaware to them) struck them going and coming and made great slaughter of the said dogs..The enemy came to the plain of Italy to assault it on this day, but they were dismayed when they found that their comrades had been driven back so harshly and with such great slaughter. And since Acmek Bacha saw that things were going from bad to worse for them at the assaults, and that they were suffering heavy losses without achieving any gains, he decided to launch no more assaults but to follow his trenches and enter the town discreetly without losing a man from the breach to the other end. It seems that he intended to conquer the land beyond Spain. He approached the foot of the wall at his leisure and began to dig down the ground and give many skirmishes and conflicts to our men guarding it. Many good men were killed there..And at the last, due to lack of help and ammunition, our men left it and gave it up, resulting in its loss. After this, the enemies approached as they did in other places. This is the third time they came near the foot of the wall. And whoever considered the state of the poor town at that time, seeing their enemies had such great advantage, might well say and judge that in the end it would be taken and lost.\n\nAfter the journey was completed, a few days later, a Christian man who was in the camp, identified as a Genoese or Ciotte, came to the gate of Auergne and asked to speak. After being questioned about what he wanted, he said that he had mercy on us and wondered why we would not yield. As a Christian man, he urged us to yield with some agreement. He added that if we looked to our safety, some should do something for our salvation..And it is to be believed that he did not say such words or speak so abruptly in the matter without commission from some of the chief of the camp or the great Turk himself. Cyotis was answered that he should go away with an evil fate, and that it was unnecessary to speak of a point. Although the enemies had great advantage, yet there was enough to receive and feast them if they made any assault. Having heard this, Cyotis went away. Two days later, he returned and demanded to speak with a merchant named Geneueys of the town named Mathewe de Ura. He was answered that the one he inquired about was sick and could not come, but that he should deliver the letter and it would be given to him. Cyotis said no, and that he would give it to him himself and speak with him. He also had a letter for the lord master. Upon this, he was ordered to go his way, and they shot after him a piece of artillery..The next day after Ballatis Alabanyty, who had fled through the bracken of Spain to the camp, came from the said Genoeys proposing words similar to those the others had said. He said, like them, that the great lord had sent a letter to the lord master. To whom no words were spoken or answer made, for the lord great master, being wise and prudent, considering that a town that willingly entreating is half lost, made to defend up on the pain of death since Cyotis had spoken those two times that none should be so bold to speak or answer to them of the camp without his knowledge and commandment, but seeing they were such embassadors, they reported the words of the said Alabanyty, or ever the said lord had knowledge of the words of Cyotis. The which words spread through the town and put many people in thought, and would have undone him that Cyotis said..The which is no more valuable there than the lives of many people. For with good will and most often they regarded saving their lives and their children more than they did the honor of the remainder. However, not one dared speak a word openly about this matter, but all spoke secretly. And some came and spoke to certain lords about the great cross to speak to the lord master. In effect, some lords spoke of it to him, urging him to consider it, seeing that the town was going to ruin. To whom the said lord showed many things for his honor and the realm. And it was no such things ought to be done or thought, for anything in the world, but rather he and they to die. The lords, hearing this answer, went their ways, and then returned again to the said lord, advising him to think well on all things and to the salvation of his town and of his realm..And they said further that the people would rather have an appointment than die, and their wives and children. The lord, seeing that such words were as things enforced (as who should say), if thou dost not do it, we shall do it as wise and prudent men, willing to make remedies for necessary things by counsel given, to call the lords of his council for advice in these doings and others. And when they were assembled, the lord proposed the words that were to him denounced, & said. With these terms and words came two or three merchants and citizens of the town that knocked at the door of the council and presented a supplication to the great master and lords of the council, whereby they required and besought earnestly the Rods to save them, for they would not that they were slain nor made slaves to the enemies. And the conclusion was that if the said lord would not pursue it therefore, they would pursue it for themselves..And there were written in the said request the names of eight or ten of the richest in the town, which words of the said supplyation heard, the said lord and his council were ashamed and ill content, seeing that it was but a foolish game, and thought on many things to answer the said citizens, to content and appease them. And also to see if they intended to the appointment, as they required, and after as the Genoa had reported. To make the said answer and to know more clearly in what degree the town was in all things, that is to say, first of powders, then of men of war, and of the cats. Also, the lord of St. Giles, Pre John, who had the charge of the powders, and then the captain, Sir Gabriel Martyningo, were interrogated and questioned, being over their men of war (as it is said), as to him it knew the truth if the town might hold or not, or there were expedient to save it..The lord of St. Giles arose, affirming on his honor and conscience that almost all the slaves and laborers were dead or hurt. And it was said that the lord replied, \"That all that was stored in the town was spent long ago. And of that which was newly brought, it would not serve and furnish for two assaults.\" Seeing the great advantage of the enemies being so far within the town without the power to put or chase them away due to lack of men, the lord's words finished, and Captain Gabriel Martyningo was dismissed. He declared to the reverend lord and the council that considering the great damage of shot the town had suffered, and after seeing the enemies' entry that they had such a large one, and that they were within the town by their trenches, both endlong and outward..Seying that in two other places we were at the foot of the wall, and that most of our knights and I, of war, and others were slain and wounded, and the powder wasted, and it was impossible for us to resist our enemies any longer, it was certain that the town would be lost if no reinforcements came to help and resist the siege. The open opinions and reasons of these two worthy men, experts in such matters, were understood and weighed by the great master and the lords of the council. They were mostly advised to accept and take a treaty if it was offered, for the safety of the commons people and of the holy relics of the church, including part of the holy cross, the holy thorn, the hand of St. John, and various other holy relics. However, the great master, to whom the matter belonged closely, took it most seriously in council..You and your thoughts should be focused on every matter, considering the potential outcomes, and he presented two points to them. The first point was, is it better for us to die all or save the people and the holy relics. These two points and doubts were long disputed, and there were various opinions. Nevertheless, they finally decided that, although it was well and safely done to die for the faith and most for our honor, there was no remedy to resist against our enemies nor means to save the town. On the other hand, the great Turk would not oppress us to abandon our faith but only wanted the town. It was much better and leading to greater wealth to save all the aforementioned evils that would be defiled and lost if they fell into the hands of the enemies of the faith..And also to keep so many small people as women and children from being tortured and cut into pieces, or taken and forced to forsake their faith, with innumerable cruelties and shameful sins that would be committed and done if the town were put to the sword, as was done at Modon and lately at Belgrade. Whereupon they concluded that it was better and more agreeable to God for them to take the treaty if it were offered than for them to die as desperate and hopeless people.\n\nThe divine power that saves them trusting in him, and that it would not allow so many evils and cruelties to come upon the poor city and its inhabitants. And also that the great Turk would not arise in excessive pride and vainglory, putting him in the mood to seek to have the said town by treaty, which he ought not to have done for his honor, nor by reason, for the town in a manner belonged to him..And in the same way, he should not have let us go as he did, seeing that we were his mortal enemies ever and will be still in the future, considering the great slaughter of his people that we have made in this siege. However, eternal goodness has blinded him, and it has pleased that these things should be thus for some unknown reason to us. And for conclusion, the great Turk sent to have a communication and speaking together, following the words of the Genoese aforementioned. Then a sign was set upon the church without the town. To which was made a response with another at the miles of Quosquino. And forthwith came two Turks to speak with them of the town. Then the lord great master sent the prior of St. Giles, John, and the captain Gabriel Martiningo to know the cause of their coming..And they received without long delay the two turques' letter for the lord Great Master from the Great Turk. When they had received it, they bore it and presented it to the reverent lord Great Master, who caused it to be read. By which the Great Turk demanded of the lord Great Master that he yield himself and all his knights and all the other people, regardless of condition, with all their goods and jewels, without fear of harm or displeasure from his people. And he swore and promised this on his faith. The said letter was sealed with his sigil, that is, stamped..And he said afterwards that if the lord great master would not accept the said treaty, none of the city, whatever estate they were, should think to escape, but they all must pass by the edge of the sword, and should give him an answer forthwith, either yes or no. After the sight of the contents of the said heavy letter and the short time for giving such a great answer with demand, the said lord great master and all the lords of the council were in great thought. However, they were determined to give an answer. Hearing the report and opinions a day or two before of the two lords ordered concerning the effects of the town, saying that the town was lost without remedy. Considering also that the principal men of the town would have an appointment..And in the same way, at the other council, all you lords had readily willed and declared that it was better to save the towers for the sake of the poor people rather than to put it all to the fury of the enemies. Upon this agreement and conclusion, he should not repent of it nor change his opinion. For every hour, his people continued to enter further and further into the town. And it was ordered that these two knights, Sir Pasyn, named before, and another from the town named Robert de Perrutis, judge ordinary, should go. When these two ambassadors had made themselves ready, they went out at the gate of Quosquino and went to the tent of Amek, the Bacha captain general..And because it was late, and they couldn't go that day to the great Turk, on the next morning, the captain Acmek led and conveyed our said ambassadors to the great Turk's pavilion, so they might have clearer knowledge and hear his will regarding the reported words to the reverent master. When the two ambassadors had departed from the town, two men of authority from the camp entered. One was a new or kinman of the said Acmek. The other was the great Turk's emissary. The lord master caused them to be well received, and they were lodged near the said gate of Quosquino. Truces were taken for three days. The enemies came to our representatives and spoke with our people and drank together..When our ambassadors had made reverence to the great Turk, they said that the great master of Rhodes had sent them to his imperial majesty to know what he meant and demanded, and to arrange a meeting. The great Turk answered them through his emissary that he knew nothing of demanding a letter to be written to the great master, but since the great master had sent to ask for his will, he bided them tell him that the great master should yield him the town. In doing so, he promised by his faith to let him go with all his knights and all others who wished to go with their goods, without any displeasure from his people in the camp..And if he had not accepted the treaty, he would notify him that he would never depart from before Rhodes until he had taken it, and that all his power of the Turks would die there if he did not have it. Neither great nor small would escape, but only to the cats they would be put in pieces. He said this within three days they should give him an answer. For he would not have his people lose time. And during the said truce they should make no repairs or defenses within the town.\n\nWhen the great lord had finished speaking, our ambassadors took their leave of him and returned to the town. And rich garments of braided velvet with gold cloth in the Turkish fashion were given to each of them. Then Akem Bacha took Sir Pessinus and led him to his pavilion. He treated him well and caused him to stay there all day and night. In eating and drinking, they had many discussions about things to be done at the siege, questioning each other..Among all other things, our ambassador requested of Acmek and asked him to truthfully report how many men had died in the camp since the siege began. The said bacha swore by his faith and confirmed that there were over 120,000 men who had died violent deaths - that is, from gunshots and other means. Besides those who died of sickness, there were around 40,000 or 100,000.\n\nReturning to our purpose and the answer our ambassadors brought to the great master, Robert Perruse made the response and informed him that the great turk would have an answer either yes or no. The aforementioned answer, after the demand of the great turk, had been proposed and concluded by the whole council, and his offer and treaty had been accepted. However, our ambassadors were not able to do this right away or the first time they went, for good reasons, but they would not delay it for fear that he might change his mind..And upon these terms that they would have sent the said Peruse to bear the answer came some of the common people of the town to the lord great master, who was with the lords of the council, and said that they were warned of the appointment that he had made with the great Turk, and that he would yield the town with convenances taken by him, which they seemed unwilling to accept. And because they were not called to it, they said that they would not agree to it. They also declared that it would be better for them to die, for the great Turk would put them all to death by some means, as was done in Belgrade in Hungary.\n\nWhen the reverent lord great master had heard their words, he said graciously to them that, as concerning accepting the great Turk's offer, it was necessary to do so in the degree that the town was in his possession..The council had seen and discussed why he had done it, and it was something that shouldn't be said or published in common report to the enemies through traitors. They also decided to make a quick response to take the great turk at his word, lest he changed his mind. If they had been called or the answer had been given, it would have taken too long, and in the meantime, the turk might have changed his mind and done something different. The lords of the council had carefully considered and weighed all things, regarding their profit and advantage as much or more than religious matters. They would send other ambassadors to the great turk again to better understand his will and ensure his promise. Then, the lord great master ordered two other ambassadors to go to the great turk..Spaniards / you are the ones named Sir Raymond and Messire Loup, / at whose presence entered Sir Pasyn, the first ambassador, / and the other two went to the tent of Acmek Bacha to lead them to the great turk. And when they were within the turks pavilion / and had done reverence as appropriate, our ambassadors said that the great master had heard and seen his demand to yield the town. And because it was a matter of great weight and he had much to do and say, with many men of diverse nations, / and because the time for an answer was so short, he could not do it. Nevertheless, he would speak with his people / and then he would give him an answer.\n\nWhen the great turk heard the answer of our ambassadors, he said nothing but commanded his bachas that they should begin the battle again against the town / which was done. And then the truces were broken and the enemy's shots were sharper than before. And on the other side, nothing or very little was done for lack of powder..For what was left, the Acmek Bacha kept it for some great assault or need. However, only Messire Loup entered, and the great master, seeing the war had begun and the shots thicker than before and the enemies entering hourly through their trenches further into the town, urged those before him to yield the town rather than die. And therefore, the said lord said that he was content to die with them and that they should dispose themselves to defend themselves well or do their duty better than they had in the past. He made a proclamation throughout the town that all those held at posts or gates should give attendance and not depart day or night on pain of death. For before the Rodions came but little there..And those who were not of the posts or of his support were to go to the bridge of Spain, where the said lord was continually, and not to leave day or night on the above-mentioned pain. The said cry made each one obedient for a day or two, but a young Roden left his post and went to his house, which on the next day was hanged for breaking the lord's commandment. Notwithstanding that little by little the people annoyed them and their hearts failed, and they left the posts and bridges, in such a way that the enemies might come in without finding great resistance, but of a few that the lord master caused to remain (it is to note) knights of his support. And in the night, he made to search for more people to keep watch at the said bridge and paid them as much as they would..The lord, feeling abandoned and left by his people, asked them why they had not consumed the provisions as they had promised and why they had not died as they had earlier stated. The people replied that they had seen and knew well that the town was lost due to certain reasons that had been told to them. They admitted that they had been misinformed about various things. On the other hand, they feared that the Turk would not keep his word. However, since they saw that there was no other remedy but to endure the adventure and fortune, they put themselves in the lord's hands and asked him to do what seemed best for them. They also requested the lord to grant them the favor of allowing them to choose one or two among themselves to accompany the lord's ambassadors to the great Turk for assurance..The which was granted, and two ordinary ambassadors were chosen for them: one Nicholas Vergotti, and the other Piero of Saint Cyprian. The said Pasquin was to return with them to make the answer. Then the great master or they departed (prolonging the time as much as he could), advised sending a letter to the great Turk, whose grant-father had written or caused to be written. In the which letter he gave his malediction or curse to his children and successors, if they interfered to besiege Rhodes. The said Robert Perruce bore the said letter. And, as he was accustomed, he went to Acmek Bacha to obtain an audience and present the said letter. Bacha said he would see the letter. For it is the custom in the great Turk's court that none may speak to him nor give him a letter unless he is first advised what shall be said or written..When the Bachas had seen the words written in the said letter, he broke it and threw it on the ground, and stamped on it, saying many injurious and threatening words to the said judge. And he bade him return quickly to his great master, and urged him to think about his business and to answer the great lord (as he had commanded), or else it would not be long before he saw his dolorous and woeful end. And on that same day, two of ours were taken who were carrying earth toward the English bulwark. Of these, the said Acmek caused an officer to cut off their noses, fingers, and ears, and gave them a letter to take to the great master. In it were great words and threats. After the said Perruce was returned, Messire Passyn was sent again to the said Bacha, to find out if the great Turk would be content with some money for his costs and expenses, which he had incurred for his army..The lord replied that such words or offers of silver should not be spoken or presented to the great lord, on pain of life, and that he valued honor more than silver. He therefore instructed him to tell the great master to answer the great lord according to his demand to yield or not yield the town. Passyn reported the lord's words to the great master. The latter, in great sorrow and having always differed, saw himself in a pitiful state. Nevertheless, the lord, putting all to the will of the Lord, and considering there was no remedy to do otherwise or to resist any longer his enemies, and being compelled on all sides to make the appointment, with great heaviness, inestimable sorrows, and bewlamentations, at last gave his consent to yield the town (along with the treaties or offers presented to him) on the 20th day of December, in the year 1522..And yet, if only there had been a reason why the said lord great master had yielded the town to the Great Turk, demanding it with treaty and covenants. This was a sign that he feared and would no longer fight, but go his way. To this I answer. Despite the Great Turk being informed by some treators and having fled to the camp, and despite the fact that his powder almost failed and there were few men of war within the town, he did not believe or give credence to all that was reported to him, but truly thought that we had enough for a long time. And considering that he must tarry until they were wasted and spent, where time was required, and seeing that all his estate had entered into strange places and into lands of his enemies, and had been there for six months (not without great danger to his own person), he thought on the other hand that taking the town by assault he would lose many of his people..And yet when he had overcome and won the town, they should fall upon each other in departing of the buty or plunder, doubting finely the hazard of war. For these reasons and others that may be alleged, the great Turk had much rather have the town by composition and treaty than otherwise. And it sufficed him to drive his old enemies out of the countries of Levant, and set his subjects of his countries in rest and security. But we of the town knew our weakness, and that we might no more, it seemed better to save some small people than we and they to fall into the hands of our enemies, for otherwise we could not have done, but tempt God and died in despair.\n\nBut to return to our principal matter. After the reverend great master had given his voice to the yielding of the town, he sent the said Pasyn again to bear it to the great Turk. And with him went the two men who were chosen of the commons. And they went together to the tent of Ahmet Bacha..To whomsoever Master Passyn addressed the peace treaty, he yielded the town to them under the promises made by his imperial majesty in the treaty. He assured them he would not renege on this promise. However, the people had requested that he grant them permission to go to his majesty to ask for certain requests. Then, the two citizens begged the great Turk that he would remove his camp from the town, so they would not be hindered or harmed in body or goods. Those who wished to go could do so, and those who wished to stay could remain peacefully. The great Turk agreed through his interpreter to Master Passyn that he accepted the town and promised again, on his faith and honor, to Master Great Master that he would keep his word. Master Passyn was informed by the same interpreter that he should not doubt the truth of this..And if he had not ships now to carry his people and their goods, which he would allow them to have from his own, and would cause the artillery that was in the reliance ships to be delivered. Regarding the people's request, he said he would remove the camp. Those who wished to stay could do so, and they would be well treated, paying no tribute but for five years, and their children would not be touched. Those who wished to go within the said five-year period could do so in good time. Our ambassadors took their leave of him. When they were issued, they spoke again with the said Acmek Bacha to obtain a letter concerning the contents of the lord's promise. By his command, the said letter was made, in which he promised to let the great master go with all his knights, strangers, and men of the town who wished to go with their goods without displeasing any of his people in the camp or on the ways..When the letter was made, it was delivered to Master Pas. Regarding withdrawing the camp, Bacha proposed again that he would do so since the great lord intended to. However, he only moved away from the trenches, and some of his people went a little way off. Bacha demanded through the Turks that they should send him in hostage forty-two knights, of whom two were to be from the great cross, and twenty citizens. The great master was to send only a small camp when it had withdrawn. This was done, and in addition, Bacha granted a twenty-one day truce to the great master to prepare and depart from Rhodes. In conclusion, Bacha gave him the letter to go safely. Then, the twenty-four persons and others from the town were ordered by the great master. When they were ready, they went to the camp, where they were well entertained for four days. During this time, Ferraba Bacha passed the main land to the camp with twenty-four or twenty-five..The messengers, who had been commanded by the great Turk, were at the borders of Sophy's forests. The Turk, seeing the people in the camp discouraged and unwilling to go to assaults, sent word to the said Bachas to come to Rhodes with his people. These, who had been severely tested with their bodies as fresh men, came after the appointment was made. It was the work of God and an evident miracle that they came after the appointment was made. If they had come before, it is supposed that the outcome would have been different, and there would have been many strokes given. But I believe that it was not the Turk's will that he should have known his might. On the other hand, it may be said and marveled how it is possible that we have always overcome our enemies in all assaults and skirmishes, and at the end lost the town, preferring the will of God that it should please so for some unknown reason to us..It is believed the lack of men and gunpowder, the enemies so far within the town ready to enter at other places with treason, caused the town to be lost. Two or three days after the coming of the said Bacha's generals and other of the camp entered the town, which was on Christmas day, within the given time to us. Then the Turks' word was broken; whether it was his will or not, I cannot tell. Nevertheless, no sword was drawn, and in that promise was kept. But they pillaged and entered by force into the castles, took all they could, and would. Afterward, they ransacked the houses and entered the churches, pillaging all they found, and broke the images. And there was no crucifix, nor figure of our lady nor of other saints that remained whole..They entered the hospital of the poor and sick for Fermory and took all the silver vessels served to the patients and dragged them out of their beds, some with great blows of staves and some thrown down from the galleries. Once they had completed this act, they went to the church of St. John and took down the tombs of the great masters and searched for any treasure with them. They forced certain women and maidens, and all those who were christened and had been Turks before, whether men, women, or children, and children whom the said men had made Christians, were led into Turkey. The morning after Christmas day, the reverent great master went to the Great Turk's palace to visit him and to be assured of his promise. The lord was received graciously and well by the Turk..And caused him to say by his truceman that the case was common and usual for him, as losing towns and lordships. He should not take much thought for it. As for his promise, he bid him not to doubt anything. He should not fear any displeasure to his person, and should go with his people without fear. With these words, you said, \"Lord,\" thanked him and took his leave and departed.\n\nFinis.\n\nGo little book, and woeful tragedy.\nOf the Rudian's fearful opposition\nTo all estates complaining ruthfully\nOf thy affairs\nExcusing me if in thy translation\nAnything is amiss in language or work\nI submit myself with their support\nTo be corrected, for I am so small a clerk.\n\nImprented at London in the Fletestrete at the sign of the Rose garland by Robert Coplande. The year of our Lord God M.V.C.xxiiii. the 23rd day of July.", "creation_year": 1524, "creation_year_earliest": 1524, "creation_year_latest": 1524, "source_dataset": "EEBO", "source_dataset_detailed": "EEBO_Phase1"}
]