CHAP. I.

THE Stupendious Atchiev­ments of the present King of Poland, his incomparable Valour, joyn'd with an equal Prudence of Conduct, and (through the fa­vour [Page 2]of Providence) attended with answerable Success, has afforded Mat­ter of general Discourse and Admirati­on: and the Obligations he has lately laid upon all Christendom, in repelling the barbarous incursions of the Mahu­metans, threatning, like an impetuous Torrent, to overflow Germany; after which, no Christian Kingdom or State could have promised it self security from that terrible Inundation; as it must in point of Gratitude, have exci­ted all this part of the world to pay the iust Tribute of their Praises to his im­mortal Fame; so it cannot but have jnspir'd them with curious desires to be acquainted with the whole History of that Illustrious Hero: For who can be but impatient to know the first Bloomings of a Tree which has yielded such happy Fruit, and to the Shade of whose prosperous Arms (next the Divine Protection) they owe their Repose, To enquire after the past Acti­ons of his Life, as well as the present which have been performed on the [Page 3]publick Theatre; to understand the Family he derives from (since rare­ly extraordinary Branches grow up but from eminent Roots; and Streams usually relish of the Fountain whence they proceed.) To trace the progress of his younger years, and those signal Services whereby he deserved before he wore a Crown; for Sovereignty, which in almost all other Kingdoms is (un­der God) the designation of Nature, by Chance of Birth, is there the sole Guerdon or Reward of superlative Me­rit, where (as of old at Rome) there is no arriving at the chief Temple of Honour, but by passing through That of the highest Vertue.

My Endeavour therefore shall be to gratifie such a just and becoming Cu­riosity, by Publishing the entire Me­moires of this most Excellent Prince hitherto; and though I am sensible such have been his astonishing Actions, as may be apt in after-times to render whoever attempts his History, suspe­cted of Flattery or Romance (since [Page 4]there want not some Scepticks, who causlesly think all the mighty Ex­ploits of Alexander the Great, to be only the Fumes of Grecian Rhetorick, and worthy of no more solid Credit than the Fictions of Poets, or more modern Extravagancies of Pomish Le­gends) yet I am relieved against such Censures, by Publishing these Memo­rials in the same Age wherein the Wonders therein Recorded, were Transacted, and dare appeal to all the World as Witnesses, whilst the Ot­toman Port trembles to behold her Crescent Moon forc'd by the bright Northern Star into a waning Posture; whilst the Plains of Caminick retain yet a Vermilion Die from the Blood of vanquish'd Infidels, and Vienna's re­lieved Walls are all hung round with glorious Trophies of his Victories, it must be the highest Effrontery as well as Ingratitude for any to go about to lessen his Renown, since it cannot be done but by opposing such notorious Truths.

This Valiant Prince is descended both by the Paternal and Maternal Line, of as ancient Noble Families as most in Poland; his Father being James Sobiesky Castellan of Cracovia, a per­son no less eminent for Abilities in Af­fairs of State, than for his Courage and Conduct in the Field; who was employed in the year 1621. as Am­bassador and Plenipotentiary of that Crown upon a Treaty of Peace, which by his Prudence and Address was hap­pily concluded upon honourable terms with the Sultan Osman; and distin­guisht himself by his Merit on many other important Occasions, and after several great Services faithfully per­formed for his Countrey, exchanged this transitory Life for Immortality, in the Year of our Lord 1646.

His Mother was one of the Daugh­ters of Stanislaus Zoltiewski, Grand Chancellor, and General of the Crown, who bravely fought that memorable Battel of Cicora, on the 19th. of September, 1620. And tho [Page 6]he was again five times attacqu'd by the Turks on the Second of October following, yet he gallantly repuls'd them, till at last being overpower'd with Numbers, and abandon'd by his Followers, he was slain, most cou­ragiously fighting amongst the thick­est Troops of the Infidels, on the 6th. of the same Month, and in the 73. Year of his Age.

His Grand-Child, the illustrious Theme of our History, and the worlds present Wonder, was but a younger Brother, yet gave in his early Youth all the blooming Presages of a grow­ing Hero; to further which, his care­ful Parents were not wanting to culti­vate his greener Years to the best ad­vantage, allowing him an Education sutable to his Birth and Hopes; where­in he made a quick, yet solid Pro­gress, endeavouring to surmount the Glories of his Ancestors by an acqui­sition of the most commendable Qua­lities; for after he had imbib'd all the Learning which his Countrey af­forded, [Page 7]and was become well ac­quainted with the Learned Languages, the Latine Tongue being there almost in as frequent use as the Vulgar; he travell'd to enrich himself with Fo­reign Experience and Accomplish­ments, and came into France with his Elder Brother Mark, who afterwards (having given most signal Testimonies of his Courage) was unfortunately slain by the Turks at the Defeat of Betow.

During his Stay at Paris, he dili­gently applied himself to the best Ex­ercises, as frequenting the Academies, Fencing, the Menage, &c. And tho then but young, did by his prudent, manly deportment, contract a great acquaintance with many persons of Prime Quality in the French Court, who regarded him with a particular Esteem: But hitherto he was only laying in a Stock of Merit and Mate­rials for a Foundation able to bear up such a vast Superstructure of Gallan­try, which in his active mind he had [Page 8]already designed; and therefore think­ing it long till he might be actually ser­viceable to his Countrey, after he had taken not a superficial view only of the fairest Parts of Europe, but through­ly considered their Manners and Inte­rests, their Laws, and Military Disci­pline, their Strength, Defects, Polities, Obligations, Intanglements, and in a word, all that is necessary for a Per­son of Quality to observe in his Tra­vels, he hastned home; where after several Specimens of his Valour and Discretion, in quality of a Senator, he was by the then King Cassimir, made first Grand Master of the Crown, Aug. 24, 1665. and afterwards (in 1667) Grand General of the Realm, and Grand Master of the Kings Houshold, Pala­tine of Cracovia, &c, on the several oc­casions and Traverses of affairs herein after mentioned.

But first for the Readers better ap­prehending the Nature of these Ho­nours and Preferments, and of many other Passages which we shall have [Page 9]on to mention in the Sequel of this Work; it will be requisite for him in general to be somewhat acquainted with the particular Constitution of the Goverumens, and past History of that Kingdom.

CHAP. II.

POland is generally agreed to take its Name from Pole or Poln, which in the Sclavonian Language sig­nifies a Plain, or place proper for the Chase: For that the Countrey is there Composed of vast Campagn and level Woods, very fit for Hunting; but O­richovius (himself a Polander) de­nies [Page 10]this Derivation, and tells us 'twas first call'd Polachia, from Lachus, their first King or Leader. This Country, as it has now annext the Great Duke­dom of Lithuania, and other Provinces, may be numbred amongst the largest Kingdoms of Europe, extending from about the 48th. degree of Latitude, unto the 57th, and from the 38th. of Longitude, unto the 60th. making in the whole a much greater Continent than France: Being bounded on the East, for the most part by Muscovy, and in some places by the Petite Tar­tars. Towards the South the Carpathi­an Mountains, and the River Neister divide it from Hungary, Transylvania, and Moldavia. On the West, it bor­ders on Germany, and touches on the Baltick Sea; and on the North they have Livonia (belonging to the Crown of Sweden) and part of Muscovy.

The Air of this Country is pure, and the Soil fruitful. The chief Com­modities are Furs, Honey, Wax, Buff-Hides, and other Skins, Masts for Ships, [Page 11]and other Timber for Building, Flax, Pot-Ashes, all sorts of Grain, and Rye in abundance, whereby it hath made the City of Dantzick famous. The Nobility and Gentry are free, magni­ficent, and very tenacious and jealous of their Liberties; but the Peasants or Common People are no better than Slaves; so much subjection they are in to their Lords, who treat them with the greatest Tyranny in the World; their Lives being assessed at a certain Price; and accordingly a Gentleman there values his Servants or Tenants, that is, if any of his Neighbours kill one of them, paying such a Rate, there's an end of the Business. The publick establish'd Religion is Roman Catholick, tho the Light of the Re­formation darted thither its Beams from Germany; but the good Seed fal­ing into an ill Ground, the Ignorance of the Inhabitants being very great, and no publick Care taken for regula­ting or encouraging the Purity of Doctrine amongst them, and the Pa­pists, [Page 12]being willing to connive at, if not promote extravagant Opinions; (that they the more might have some­what wherewith to upbraid Prote­stants) several Heterodox Opinions have long since there taken footing: but above the rest Socinianism; an Instance whereof, is the Cracovian Catechism; other Books deriving their Original from thence: Their Lan­guage is a Dialect of the Sclavonian; but most of them do also speak La­tine.

As to the Government, 'tis the on­ly Kingdom or Royalty (under which Term I intend not to include the Em­pire) that is at this day Elective in Europe; for tho the Crown of Den­mark were generally so for many Ages, till in the Year 1660. the Se­nate of that Kingdom were made (or forc'd) to alter it, yet now his Ma­jesty of Denmark writes himself He­reditary King of Denmark, as well as of Nerway.

'Tis commonly believ'd, that the first People (of whom we have any Records left) entring Poland, were the Huns and Sclavonians, whom, Orichorius says, came from about Ma­cedonia, and yet retain in their vulgar Tongue some relish of the Greek Lan­guage; and that they having driven thence the Suevi and Goths, and other People who were possest of all that Tract of Land from the River Vistula, even to the Elb; at last one Lechus, (or rather Lachus) made himself their Chief, about the Year of our Lord 350, and commenced the Monarchy of Poland; from whom there are rec­koned 14 Princes to Miesko (or Micis­las) who began his Dominion, Anno 964. and was the first Christian Duke of that Country, being Baptized up­on his Marriage with a Daughter of Boleslas Duke of Bohemia, the 7th. of March, 965.

To this Micislas, his Son, Named Boleslas, succeeded in the Year 999. and was by the Emperor Otho the 3d. [Page 14](going to visit the Tomb of St. Adel­bert, whom those of Prussia had slain) Created King. After whom came Micislas the Second, Father of Casi­mir the First; followed by his Son Boleslas the Second, Sirnamed The Cruel; for that he put to Death Sta­nislaus Bishop of Cracovia; for pu­nishment whereof, Poland lost the Title of a Kingdom; and was govern­ed by several Princes or Regents, till it again recovered the Quality of a Realm under King Primislaus, about the Year 1295. To whom succeeded Ladislas the Third; who after four years was expelled; and Vinceslas, King of Bohemia, chosen in his room; but after five years Ladislas was re­established; and next came Casimir the Third, called The Great.

After whom, Lewis King of Hun­gary, being chosen King of Poland, left two Daughters; the younger of which, being declared Queen, Mar­ried wirh Jagellon Great Duke of Li­thuania, who, upon these Espousals, [Page 15]being Baptized (for before he was a Pagan) was accepted for King, and his Countreys were united to the Kingdom of Poland, about the Year 1386. He at his Christning taking the Name of Ladislas; who had for his Successors Ladislas the Fourth, and Ladislas the Fifth, King of Hunga­ry, and Casimir the Fourth, and John Albertus, and Alexander and Sigis­mund the first and second: Which last dying without Children, in the Year 1572. the Polanders chose Henry Duke of Anjou (second Son of King Henry the Second of France) who was Crowned Febr. 15, 1574. But that Prince being advised of the Death of his Brother Charles the 9th. quitted his Elective Crown of Poland, to take up that of France, falling to him by Inheritance, in the Year 1576.

After whose Recess, the Poles not agreeing in their Election, one Party named Stephen Batheri, Prince of Transilvania; and the other Maximi­lian [Page 16]Arch-Duke of Austria; which oc­casion'd a War between them, But the First carried it, and died without Issue, 1586.

Then Sigismund (the Third King of Poland of that Name) Son of John, King of Sweden, was chosen to the Throne; soon after which, his Father dying, he was also Crowned King of Sweden; but having been secretly bred by his Mother (who was a Pa­pist) in her Religion (unknown to his Father, who was a zealous Prote­stant) and he having upon his Electi­on to the Diadem of Poland, made publick Profession of the Roman Ca­tholick Religion, the States of Sweden, upon their Receiving and Crowning him King, oblig'd him to Conditions of maintaining their then received Religion (which was as still it is, the Lutheran Perswasion) and that he should no way endeavour the introdu­cing of Popery; which Articles he soon [Page 17]after violating, by erecting, or suffering Popish Churches, and placing Roman Catholicks to be Governors of Castles, Forts, and Places of Importance and Trust, whereby they perceived his Resolutions to bring in upon them that Religion; they revolted, and accusing him of Breach of Faith, &c. proceed­ed to depose him, and set up his Ʋnkle Charles (the Third Son of his Grand­father Gustavus Errickson) in his stead.

Hence arose the Foundation of Fewds and Wars between Poland and Sweden; Sigismund prosecuting his Claim and Pretensions, and Charles justifying his Election; which Quar­rel descended to their Posterity; for Sigismund dying in the Year 1632. Ladislaus his Eldest Son followed; who also departing this Life in 1648. his Brother Casimir was chosen, who Reigned Twenty Years, and then (as we shall shew more at large in the [Page 18]following Pages) voluntarily surren [...] dring the Crown, Michael Corib [...] Wiesnowiski was chosen King of Po­land, and he dying in 1673. this Joh [...] Sobietski by his Merits, and those ex­traordinary Services he had rendre [...] his Countrey, was unanimously E­lected King.

I thought it not unnecessary to give this short Deduction, since it may ve­ry much serve to illustrate after-Pas­sages; as also it will be convenient to acquaint the Reader, That the Kings of Poland being thus Elective, are very much restrained and limited in their Power; some Authors telling us, That the King takes an Oath not only to Govern according to the Laws, Statutes and Customs of the Kingdom, to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of every Order, and not to diminish the Revenues of the Realm; but also that there is a Clause in his Oath, a­mounting to the Absolving of the Peo­ple [Page 19]from their Obedience in case he Rule otherwise: But as the latter seems strange, and yet is no more than what [...]n effect is contained in the Aurea Bulla, or Fundamental Law of Germa­ [...]y, in relation to the Emperor, and [...]herefore may probably be true; yet [...]n the form of the old Oath of the [...]olish Kings, Publish'd by Orichovius, [...] do not find any mention of it. How­ever, this is on all hands agreed, That by the ancient Constitution, Laws and Customs of that Kingdom, the King can do nothing considerable without the consent of the Estates; and that he must in making Peace or War, le­vying of Taxes, alienating Lands be­longing to the Crown, or ought else of importance to the Commonwealth, have the advice and concurrence of the Senate.

As the Nobles have such an influ­ence on the Supream Government, so subordinately they assume (or have [Page 20]formerly done it) a greater pow [...] than they allow to their King hi [...] self; for in their several and respectiv [...] Seigniories, they behave themselves [...] absolute Lords; the Realm being d [...] ­vided into Thirty four Palatinates [...] Governments; each of which has u [...] ­der him Castelains, that is to say, Ca [...] ­tains or Governors of Cities; of who [...] there are in Poland in all about t [...] number of 87.

As for their Grand Ecclesiastick [...] they have two Archbishops, viz. [...] Gnesna and Leopold (there was fo [...] merly another at Riga, till that Cit [...] fell under the Swede.) The Arch-B [...] ­shop of Gnesna is the prime Senator [...] State, and upon the Death of a King he hath the chief Management of A [...] ­fairs, and issues out Precepts for th [...] Election of a new Prince, and adm [...] ­nisters the Oaths to him when he i [...] chosen.

Their most important Affairs are [...]solved on and determined in Diets [...] Parliaments held after this manner; [...]he King by his Chancellor sends to the [...]relates and Palatines his Letters call'd [...]structionis Literae [Letters of Instru­ [...]tion] which mention the Matters [...]at his Majesty will propose to the Assembly, and appoints the Time of [...]heir Meeting; which Letters be­ [...]ng received, each of the Senators [...]onsiders in particular the Nature, the Quality, and the Consequences of [...]hose things, touching which he has [...]iberty to give his Vote as he pleases, [...]ither in reference to the Publick Good, or his Private Interest.

But besides this, the King also sends his Letters into every Palatinate, ac­quainting them when the Nobless is to assemble; and willing them to chuse one or more Representatives of their Province, whom they called Land-Nuntio's; and for this purpose, [Page 22]they have a Convention held in each County, call'd The Landt-Jag, si [...] weeks before the Session of the Diet [...] at which a Commissioner from the King is present, who declares wha [...] is to be debated in the ensuing Parlia­ment on his Majesties part: Upo [...] which they deliberate, and then chuse Members for their several Provinces, giving them their Instructions (which they must exactly follow) in refe­rence to the Kings Desires, and with­all a Liberty to propound what they shall find conducible to the Good o [...] their Countrey.

Now this distinct Body of Nuntio's tho less in dignity than the Senate, ye [...] equal to them in Authority, is a Bal­lance to the Senators, controuling o [...] them, if from the Bounty or Tempta­tions of the King, they should prove corrupted or byass'd to the endanger­ing of their Liberties. And therefore they generally chuse the most prudent and sufficient Persons to that Trust; [Page 23]and indeed they had need be wise; for such is their Constitution, That if in the Diet, upon any Debate, there shall happen but one single Gentleman (be he Senator or Nuntio) to dissent, and obstinately persist therein, nothing can be Concluded by all the rest on that Point; and therefore all their Determinations are made with an u­nanimous Suffrage, or (as they com­monly express it) Nemine reclamante.

Besides the Palatinates, the Cities of Cracow, Dantzick and Vilna, have the priviledge to send their Deputies to the Diet, who have Seats in the Chamber of the Nobles: But ordinary Affairs are heard and dispatch'd by Judges establish'd in each Palatinate, and the Burgraves of each City, where it is permitted to all sorts of Persons to be present; as also in their Provin­cial Assemblies; so that the meanest Peasant may, if he please, know all. The King's Chief Revenue arises from Salt-pits, and the Mines of Copper and [Page 24] Lead, and in some places Silver. He has the Nomination of Prelates, and all Dignities of the Realm, and the Of­ficers of War, of the Exchequer, o [...] Justice, and of Policy.

The Highest Honours are these; of the Grand Marshal of the Crown, Grand Master of the King's Houshold, the Grand Chancellor, &c.

CHAP. III.

THough the great Sobiesky began early to devote his Services to Mars, yet he escaped not the sweet en­ [...]anglements of Cupid; Love and Arms [...]sually intermix the Stories of Heroes: [...]or as Valour is the Property of Ele­ [...]ated Souls, and a constant Inhabi­ [...]ant of the most Generous Breasts, so [...]re they the most susceptible of the Noblest Passions: Nor is it to be [...]eckoned amongst the least of his [...]ood Fortunes, That in his Youth he [Page 26]made so brave a Conquest as the Heart of Madam Arquiem, one of the most Considerable Ladies in the Polish Court, both for Quality, Beauty, and Fortune; 'twas the Charming Idaea o [...] his brave Person and Vertues made the first Impressions on her Soul, and she had not been wanting to testifi­on several Occasions, that his Addres­ses were not displeasing to her, bu [...] rather gave him sufficient grounds to promise himself the Happiness of he [...] Favour.

But she being one of the Queen Ladies of Honour, Her Majesty pro­posed her for a Match to the Princ [...] Zomoski (one of the greatest Pala­tines of that Kingdom) and in th [...] absence of Sobieski prevailed so fa [...] on the Lady, being then very young and asham'd to own her pre-engage­ment, that she was Married to tha [...] Prince: But he Living not long, sh [...] being then at Liberty to pursue he own Inclinations, was shortly after Espoused to Sobieski, bringing him a [Page 27] Beauty more advanced, together with [...]he accession of a vast Dowry added [...]o her proper Fortunes; by which Alliance Heaven has blest him with several Children, and particularly Prince Alexander, of whom we shall have occasion anon to speak further, [...]he having already Signaliz'd himself, and shewn the World that he resolves to follow the steps of his Gallant Fa­ther; nor indeed can any but a Prince of his promising Merit be fit to sup­port and advance that Mighty Glory to which he is Apparent Heir.

The 24th. of August, 1665. Castmir, then King of Poland, thought fit to give Sobieski the Office of Grand Marshal of the Crown, in the room of Lubomirski, then discharged of that Office for his Rebellion in Head­ing the Party called The Confederates, which was like to have destroyed the Polish Kingdom; and concerning the Original of which it will not be un­fit here to give a brief Account.

Casimir being Elected Anno 1648. to the Crown, did, by a Dispensa­tion from the Pope, Marry the Re­lict of his Brother and Predecessor La­dislaus, a French Lady, and of an [...] enterprizing Temper, whose after­intermedlings in Affairs of State, and Endeavours to promote a French Suc­cessor, is thought to have much con­tributed to the Disturbances and Mi­series of that Kingdom: But its first Calamities arose from an Invasion made by Charles Gustavus, King of Sweden, about the Year 1655. To which he was disposed, partly by his Martial Temper, and that Feud that had long been between them, by reason of the Kings of Poland's Pre­tensions to the Crown of Sweden; and partly, as excited by Ragieski, late Vice-Chancellor of Poland, who ha­ving Married a Young and very Beau­tiful Lady, the King, who was Na­turally Amorous, Courted her, and they long had an Intrigue together, till Ragieski at last perceiving it, car­ried [Page 29]away his Wife from Court to a Countrey-House at a distance: The King incensed to be thus deprived of his Mistress, Commands him back to Court, under pretence to render His Majesty the Services which the Duty of his Office required: But soon af­ter, he was Accused of Caballing against the Interests of the State, and holding Intelligence with the Enemies of the Crown; and notwithstanding all the Opposition of the Arch-Bishop of Gnesna, Primate of the Realm, in his Favour, Condemned to lose his Place, Forfeit his Goods, and be for ever Banish'd. The Parents and Kin­dred of this Noble-man Murmured aloud at this procedure, and many others stuck not to say, that the Dig­nity, Priviledges, and Honour of the whole Nobility were violated in his Person, and so became dis-affected towards the King, whilst Ragieski himself taking shelter in Sweden, knew he could no way better ingra­tiate there, than by discovering the [Page 30]Weaknesses of Poland, and the Di [...] ­contents that were amongst its Gran [...] ­dees.

All which made such Impression on the King of Sweden, that notwith­standing there was a Truce depend­ing, he entred Poland with a Formi [...] dable Army, and like a Whirlwin [...] he forc'd his Passage, took the Capi­tal Cities, Warsaw and Cracow, an [...] over-run the whole Kingdom, ma [...] of the Palatines and Chief Lord espousing his Party, so that King Ca [...] ­simir was forc'd to fly to the Border almost generally deserted, only th [...] City of Dantzick persisted in u [...] movable Loyalty; and to their Fide [...] lity next under God, Casimir owe [...] the Recovery of his Kingdom an [...] Crown. For Charles being not ab [...] to win that City, and his Souldier committing all kind of Spoils an [...] Cruelties, the Poles began to forsak [...] him and return to their Duty. Kin [...] Casimir gathered up an Army able to make Head against the Enemy, and [Page 31]having worsted them in several Con­flicts, and the Dane at the same time falling upon the Swedish Territories at home, that King was fain to dis­gorge his Conquests as fast as he had gain'd them, and Casimir was quickly not only Re-establish'd in his Domi­nio [...]s, but to chastise the Great Czar, who had Assisted the Swede, carried the War successfully and with mighty Devastations into Muscovy, and ob­liged them to an Advantagious Peace.

Affairs being brought to this Happy Calm, the King having no Issue, nor like to have any, the Queen-being a passionate Advancer of the French Interest, as being her Native Coun­trey, moved the King to procure a Successor Nominated in his Life time, and strongly Endeavoured that the Duke D'Enguien, only Son of the Prince of Conde, might be the Man, and Marry her Neice, the Daughter of the Princess Pallatine: Nor were the French Pistols wanting to dispose [Page 32]the Court-party to that Choice. Th [...] extreamly irritated others of th [...] Nobles to oppose such a Design amongst whom Lubomirski was th [...] Chief, with whom a strong Part [...] joyn'd, that called themselves Th [...] Confederates: But after several Tra­verses of War, and Treaties betwee [...] them, he was put to the worst; hi [...] Place of Grand Marshal taken from him, and he forced to Retreat to Breslaw in Silesia, where he afterward dyed of a Palsie in Jan. 1666/7.

In the mean time his Office o [...] Grand Marshal was (as you hav [...] heard) confer'd upon Sobieski, and soon after the Crown-General Potos [...] departing this Life, that Importan [...] Charge was also committed unto him though many opposed it, alledging that it was not fit two such great Trusts, as Marshal and General should both be managed by one Person, and therefore would have had the same enjoy'd by Prince Demetrius, a Prince of great Interest and Merit. But indeed [Page 33]the Exigencies of Poland at that time required no less than the incompara­ble Valour of Sobieski to Relieve them; For the Cossacks (who are a People composed of many Strangers of several Nations, but the Gross of them consists of Polish Peasants, who to avoid the Servitude of the Nobles, have abandoned their Countrey, and withdrawn themselves into the Ʋkrain, a Province bordering on the Turks and Tartars, plentifully abounding with all things necessary for Humane Life; where they follow the Greek Church, as to Religion, and have a Patriarch of their own, Residing at the strong and great City of Kioff: They acknowledge themselves gene­rally Subjects to the King of Poland, and serve him in repelling the Incur­sions of the Infidels without any Pay, being always in Arms for their own Security, but their Resentment is so violent against the Nobles, and the ill will of the latter so great against them, to reduce them to an intire Vassalage, [Page 34]that they are frequently in Arms on against the other.) These Cossacks, [...] say, having now joyn'd with the Tar­tars, and promised Assistance from the Turks, Invaded the Frontiers with great Spoils, taking the Town o [...] Podhays, and blockt up Russe-Lemberg against whom General Sobieski advan [...] ­cing about Sept. 1667. was by reason of their numbers reduced to grea [...] streights, they having surrounded him with their Army, but Animating hi [...] Men by his Exemplary Courage, h [...] issued out upon them with a great slaughter of the Enemy, and little loss on his side; and so not only quit­ted himself of those disadvantages but brought them to conclude a Treaty on the Terms following. First as to the Tartars:

The Treaty with Doroskensko, Ge­neral of the Cossacks, was thus:

'Tis most true, that the Grand Mar­shal had done abundance of Illustrious Actions, which render him worthy of [Page 37]that Figure he has since made in the World, but it must be avowed, that this was so eminent, as it might alone have entituled him to the Reversion of that Crown, which he now enjoys with so much Glory: For in that Juncture, considering with what Con­duct and fore-sight he prevented such a pressing Danger, and the Advan­tages of these Treaties, wherein the Honour of the King was conserv'd, and the Realm set at Peace, nothing could be more seasonable, or worthy of Praise.

But still the General well knowing that the Tartars are a People that use not to be very much slaves to their words, and that without doubt they had some amongst them, which in their March homewards, would Ram­ble abroad to Plunder, put himself in the Head of a Party of Horse to observe their Motions, and finding a Detachment of them near Jarnipolis beginning to Pillage, came suddenly [Page 38]upon them, slew divers, and force the rest to fly to their Main Body.

The General Diet met not till Fe [...] 24. at Cracow, where the matter [...] the Succession being taken into De­bate, the States publish'd a Remon­strance of the following purport.

‘That whereas all the Difference and Troubles which have lately arise in this Kingdom, have sprung from no other cause than the Electio [...] (which some Persons intended t [...] have made) of a Successor to th [...] Crown during the Life of our pre­sent King: For the timely preven­tion of so great an Inconvenience. We by these Presents, Declare to th [...] World our dissatisfaction in that point, and that in case of an Inter­regnum, should His Majesty (to whom we wish a long and happy Life) de­part this World, We have Cove­nanted and Agreed amongst ou [...] selves to resume and observe all and every point of the Order made con­cerning Elections; as also the Diploma [Page 39]of Sigismund the Third, and in no wise to allow of or consent to any such Election during His Majesties Life, but to hold and Esteem all and every Person that shall be found to Oppose the same, as Enemies to our Countrey. And if any Ministers of Foreign Potentates shall endeavour to advance their own Interest by Encouraging any such Election, We shall declare and proceed against them (notwithstanding the Law of Nations) as Enemies of our Coun­trey. And whensoever His Majesty shall depart this Life, we shall, ac­cording to our Obligation, imme­diately upon the News thereof, pro­ceed to the Election of a New King, without expecting an Ʋniversal Diet. Further declaring, that whoever shall forcibly endeavour to obtain the Crown, shall be proceeded a­gainst as a common Enemy.’

Hereupon the matter of Chusing a Successor was laid aside, and during these Disputes, the Queen of Poland [Page 40]dyed, which together with the Dis­contents of that ill-regulated Go­vernment, and the perpetual Tur­moils he was in, induced the King to an irrevocable Resolution to Resign the Crown, and betake himself to the Solace of a private Life. To which pur­pose, at a Convention of the Senators, June 12. 1668. He by his Chancellor gave in to them the following Paper.

Pursuant to this Resolution, o [...] the 16th. of September following, th [...] Estates being Assembled in the Cast [...] of Warsaw, King Casimir made t [...] them the following Speech.

This Pathetick Speech ended (which set all the Assembly a weeping) King Casimir Publickly Resigned the Crown, Scepter, and other Ensigns of Royalty, and departed in the Quality of a Pri­vate Nobleman: However the Gene­ral our Generous Sobieski, with all the Nobles waited on him to his Apartment, and the States in grati­tude soon after presented him with [Page 49]his Assurance of an Honourable Main­ [...]enance for his Life.

‘WE the States Ecclesiastical and Civil, as also Inhabitants of the two Nations of Poland and Lyffland in Council Assembled, do by these Presents Certifie and Pub­lish to all the World and to our Po­sterity, That we have humbly be­sought, and by all ways imaginable endeavoured to perswade John Ca­simir our King and Master, that he would not Relinquish that Crown, to which himself, as formerly his Ancestors, the Renowned and Mighty Kings of Poland, had been Elected, but that he would continue the Go­vernment so long as he lived. But for as much as no persuasions could induce His Majesty to alter his Re­solution, but that he hath freely Re­signed the Kingdom of Poland and great Dutchy of Lyffland, together with all their Dependencies into the Hands and free disposal of the Re­publick; [Page 50]we knowing not how t [...] resist His Majesties Intentions herein His Majesty desired that we would make some convenient Provision fo [...] his future subsistence; which being a point in which we had not receiv'd the Advice of our Brethren in their Provincial Assemblies, we were ye [...] willing, out of our Affection to Hi [...] Majesty, to agree and consent to the Allowance of an Yearly Pension of 150000 Livres, whereof this Kingdom to be Charged with th [...] Payment of One Hundred Thou­sand, and the great Dutchy o [...] Lyffland with Fifty Thousand, ou [...] of the Revenues of the Kings Ta­ble: The said Sums to be fixt and specified at the next Election. And that the Lords of the Treasury of both Nations, not attending the said specification, shall make an Allow­ance of the said Pension from the day of His Majesties Resignation. And this we do promise to get con­firmed in our Provincial Assemblies, [Page 51]and to make Provision for the Se­curity thereof by an Agreement with the succeeding King. Further Agreeing, That this Allowance both from this Kingdom and the Dutchy of Lyffland, shall continue during the Life of His Majesty, and to be paid fully and wholly to him, with­out any Abatements, Fees, or Gra­tifications whatsoever.’

CHAP. IV.

KING Casimir having thus aban­doned the Government, Sep [...] 16th. 1668. The Arch-Bishop o [...] Cnesna (according to his Office) ap­plyed himself to take care of th [...] State during the Inter-Regnum, an [...] appointed a General Assembly for [...] New Election to be held at Warsa [...] in May following.

In the mean time the several Can­didates were busie in making the Parties: As the Son of the Grea [...] [Page 53]Duke of Muscovy (who had been bred in Poland, and spoke that Lan­guage) on whose behalf the Duke his Father offered, that he should Change his Religion, and embrace that of the Roman Communion, make a Renunciation to Muscovy, That all places formerly taken from Poland should be restored. That four Mil­lions should be Advanced as his Free Gift for the Payment of the Arrears of the Polish Army, And that he would be Obliged to Assist Poland against all Enemies whatsoever with an Army of 40000 Men, and enter into a firm and perpetual League with them. The next was the Duke of Neuburgh, a Brother to the Duke of Bavaria, whom the Emperour seemed much to favour in his Pretensions. A Third was the Prince of Lorrain, and a Fourth the Prince of Conde's Son, whom the Arch-Bishop of Gnesna and General Sobieski were thought to Favour.

Towards the beginning of Ma [...] 1669. the Grandees began to Reso [...] to Warsaw, in Order to the approach­ing Election. On the first of Ma [...] Duke Michael Radzevil, General o [...] the Field in Lythuania, made his Entr [...] with a stately Equipage: First, Marche [...] five Companies of Heyduques, consist­ing of an hundred in each, with their Ensigns flying, and Drums beating, a [...] clad in large blew Vests lined with Yellow: Then a Foot Company o [...] sixty in Yellow clad like Janizaries followed by two Troops of Dragoon well Mounted, with blew Coats and Silver Lace; then a Troop of German Horse in excellent Accoutrements, followed by as many Hussars, and af­ter them by 60 Gentlemen of Quality Richly Habited, with their Lances after the Turkish Fashion; Then came Duke Radzevil himself, followed by above 200 of the Lords and Principal Gen­try of Lythuania, all splendidly Array'd, and their Horses extraordinarily Har­nessed, and among them divers of the [Page 55]most Ancient Nobility, as Prince Sla­vislaus Lubomirski, the Lord Potoski. These were followed at some distance by a great number of Gentlemen their Attendants, with their other Servants in Rich Liveries, after whom marched two Troops of Tartarian Horse, an hundred in each Troop, followed by five Troops of Dragoons in blew Coats with Silver Lace: And lastly, a full Company of Heyduques brought up the Rear.

This Entry, though Magnificent, was much exceeded in the Afternoon by that of the Lords Pazzi, the one Great Chancellor, the other Great General of Lythuania, who had thrice their Number and Attendance.

But all these were Eclipsed by the more Illustrious appearance, May 3d. of General Sobieski; all the Princes and Nobles doing him the Honour to meet him some Miles from the City, who was followed by a vast number of Gentlemen and Officers, and had a stately Company of Janizaries (like [Page 56]those of the Grand Signior) for his Guard in most sumptuous Habit. The Waywood of Cracovia also came At­tended with a Train of above 5000 Persons.

The Diet being begun, and the No­bles having Elected the Lord Potoski, Brother-in-Law to Prince Slavislaus Lubomirski, for their Marshal or Speak­er, an Oath was proposed to, and taken by the Senators and Equestrian Order, in these terms.

I Swear, That I neither already am, nor hereafter will be bound or engaged either by Word or Writing, to any For­reigner or stranger in the Election of a Prince. That I neither already have, nor will enter into any Party or Faction, nor suffer my self to be corrupted through Gifts or Rewards by any Foreign Princes, [...] I will not give my Vote or Suffrage for any Person but such as I shall judge fittest for the Administration of the Go­vernment of this Kingdom. And if I have formerly obliged my self to any [Page 57]Foreign Prince, I do hereby Renounce the said Obligation, and leave his Party.

After this, the Diet establish'd a Chamber or Court of Justice, compo­sed of Senators and several Waywoods, selected Persons of the respective Pro­vinces, who were to take care of all Affairs concerning the Crown, and to prevent Disorders which daily hap­pened by such a vast concourse: And of this Court, Marshal Sobieski was appointed President.

In the mean time the Dutchess of Muscovy happening to dye, that Duke was so Afflicted therewith, that he had some thoughts of committing the Go­vernment to his Son, and so gave over his Sollicitations for the Crown of Po­land; so that now there were only left three Parties, viz. That of the Prince of Conde, of the Duke of Neuburgh, and the Prince of Lorrain, each en­deavouring to exclude the other. But soon after, the nomination of the Prince of Conde was excluded by the [Page 58]Diet, and the Arch-Bishop of Gnesn [...] was openly called Traitor, and threat­ned to be Killed for offering to but speak in favour of the French Interest; and some Menaces were made by the Nobles to Sobieski on that Account, he being suspected a favourer of that Party, by reason of his Alliance with a French Lady, Mary de la Grange, Daughter of the Marq. of Arquiem, and Widdow of Prince Zomoski, as before mentioned.

Then the Competition between the Duke of Neuburgh and the Prince of Lorrain was bandied very obstinately, so that it was much feared it might oc­casion a Rupture, and the contending Parties fall to blows: To prevent which, on the 19th. of June, the Lord Opalinski, Palatine of Calitz, made an Eloquent Harangue between both Par­ties, wherein having at large demon­strated the fatal consequences of such Heats, he began to Expostulate with them how they came to be so passio­nately concerned for two Princes [Page 59]whom they were strangers unto, and either of which, for ought they knew, might treat them ill, when once he had got Possession of the Crown, and therefore he Advised them rather wholly to lay aside those Foreign pre­tensions, and chuse a Piasti, that is, some Nobleman of their own Coun­trey, of whose Vertues and Temper they had Experience; and for his part, he knew none of greater worth, or better deserving the Royal Dig­nity, than Prince Michael Koribut Wiesnowiski, which Nomination was presently received with general Ac­clamations, the Assembly crying out, Vivat! Vivat! And the said Prince being then present, was immediately forced by the Assembly to be Covered and Take a Chair, which he refused, urging his Incapacity to support so Weighty a Crown; but the Assem­bly not hearkning to his Apology, Obliged him, not without Tears in his Eyes, to accept the Honour: All the rest of the Provinces and Pala­tinates [Page 60]giving in their Suffrages to his Choice, save only the Grand Chan­cellor Patz, the Principal Person of Lythuania, who affirmed he would not give his Voice for any but the Prince of Lorrain. But his Brother, the Palatine of Troski, shewed him the Inconveniences of refusing a Piasti, encouraging him to Nomi­nate one of his own side of the Countrey; whereupon he named Prince Boguslaus Radzevil, for whom there appeared a considerable Party, but that of Wiesnowiski upon the Competition prevailed, and in the Heat Killed two Gentlemen upon the place, who spake over-boldly against their Choice.

Things being thus carried, Mar­shal Sobieski, and the Marshal of the Nobless, retiring themselves, pro­tested against the Election, but the prevailing Party slighted it; and demanded of the Archbishop of Guesna to proclaim the Election, but he pretending some Indispositi­on, would have delayed it, till they threatning to oblige the Bishop of Cajari, and he supply that Office, he then appeared in the Field, with the two Marshals, and according to Custom demanded three times, That if they were agreed upon the Election, they should name the Per­son, which they did with great Ac­clamations, accompanied with the discharge of all the Cannon; this being about eight a clock in the Evening, and before nine, the King was Proclaimed, and so Conduct­ed to the Castle, and next day in St. Johns Church took his Oaths he Observ'd, the Pacta Conventa, [Page 62]or Agreements concluded upon; then dined with the Primate, and afterwards went into the Field of Kolu (the place where the Election was held, some distance from the City) and returned his thanks to the several Waywodeships, Palati­nates, and Provinces.

Both the Archbishop of Gnesna, and Marshal Sobieski were dissatis­fied with the Irregularity of this Election, yet for the publick quiet, complyed therewith. And when shortly after some stirs were like to happen in the Army, upon a report that he was to be turned out of his Command as General, he being sent down thither, not only paci­fied them in that, but other their discontents, and retain'd them in their due Obedience to the Crown, and in January following the Tar­rars of Dialogrod falling into the Ʋkrain and Podolia, where they made great spoil, and had taken [Page 63]a multitude of poor people Cap­tive, he advanced against them, and put them to flight, leaving the most part of their Booty, and Prisoners behind them.

The 27th of February, 1669/70 King Michael was Married to Eleanor, the Emperors Sister, by reason of which Alliance Jealou­sies were raised, that His Majesty had a mind to make himself Abso­lute and Hereditary, and subvert the Polish Liberties. Insomuch, that at a Diet or Assembly of Estates held soon after, the Equestri­an Order put up several Requests, and amongst others, that the Pacta Conventa, or Agreement concluded upon, when he was chosen King, might be openly read; their other desires his Majesty readily Accor­ded, but was loth to grant this, till finding them resolv'd not to proceed in any business, till that were granted, he condescended [Page 64]thereunto, and accordingly next day the Equestrian Order went to the House of Senators, where His Majesty was seated under a Canopy of State, and the Senators on each side of him, and there the said Pacta were publickly read, at the last Article whereof, which impor­ted, That if the King did not right­ly and duly perform his part, what he had there promised, then they were discharged from their Allegi­ance to him; They all gave a loud shout. [Which passage serves to reconcile the difference of Authors touching that Kings Oath, mentio­ned before Ch. 2d. for though there are no such express words in the Terms of the Oath, yet it seems they are wont to be contained in the Pacta Conventa, which by that Oath he swears to observe.]

The Kings Uncle, Prince Deme­trius Wiesnowiski, was Lieutenant General under Sobieski, and be­tween [Page 65]them two, there was no very good Correspondence; to bring them to a better understanding of each other, the King used several means, and to Crown the work, it was resolved, that the said Prince should marry with the Princess of Ostrogy, Sister to the Prince of that Name, and Neice to General Sobies­ki; which was performed with great Solemnity, and thencefor­wards the Animosities between these two great men ceased.

In the year 1672. The Cossacks assisted by some Tartars, having again faln to their old habit of Re­bellion, and General Sobieski with the Forces of the Crown, having Chastised them for the same, and forced their Leader Doreskensko to retire; the Turk took thence an occasion to quarrel with Poland, upon pretence that he had taken the Cossacks into his protection; and making a sudden inroad, besie­ged [Page 66]the City Camieniec, where ha­ving made their Approaches under the shelter of great Sacks filled with Cotton Wool, and raised a Battery, upon which they planted 12 whole Cannons, with which for 12 whole days they continually plaid most furiously upon the Town; the Besieged were forced to surrender upon Articles, to march out with Bag and Baggage, the whole Garrison not being above 500 men, of whom 200 were un­fortunately killed by the accidental blowing up of a Tower by their own Powder; the Grand Seignior was personally present at the taking of it, and entred the Town the same day it was yielded, and placed therein a Garrison of 8000 Jani­zaries, his whole Army consisting of near 190 thousand Horse and Poot, as was reported.

The King of Poland was at this time at Jauowitz, expecting the [Page 67]Arrival of the Nobility, who were from all parts resorting to him; and to gain time, he sent Ambassa­dors to the Grand Seignior to treat of a Peace, or procure a Cessati­on; whereupon the Grand Vizier return'd him this Answer.

But the Winter coming on apace, and sharp weather, hindred the Turks further Advance, and Gene­ral Sobieski falling unexpectedly upon a Body of 20 thousand Tar­tars (at that time Consederates with the Turks) at a place called Try, totally routed them, killing a­bove [Page 70]10000 of them, as also rescu­ing very near as many poor Christi­ans, whom they were carrying away into miserable slavery; and soon after defeated another Party of them with great slaughter, where­by the Country was freed from their Rapine and Devastations, which was generally acknowledged to be a most acceptable and advan­tagious service to the Kingdom of Poland at that juncture.

The King having summoned the Arrier Ban (that is, a General Convention of all the Nobless throughout his Dominions) to ap­pear in their Arms, lay Encamped near Samosch, where amongst other things, the Nobility took into con­fideration the Party called Male­contents, amongst whom they na­med the Bishop of Guesna, the Crown Ensign, and many others, and ordered that they should be summoned to appear and take an [Page 71]Oath of Confederation, which was there framed, and upon their taking the same, a general Act of Oblivion to pass; but if they should refuse to appear and enter into the same, then they were to be declared Trai­tors, their Offices disposed of to others, and all their Goods and Estates to be Confiscated. Which Oath ran in these words.

I. N. N. Of my own free Will, and without any Constraint, do swear by the Holy and Blessed Trinity, that for the Honour of God, the Dignity and Welfare of our Free Elected and Crowned King and Lord, and the preservation of this Republick, and the Priviledges and Liberties thereof, against all Enemies whatsoever, I will readi­ly expose my Life and Fortunes; and that I will not forsake or de­part from this Confederation, till our Country be freed from all dan­ger [Page 72]of any Enemies as well at Home as abroad, but will do all that shall lie in my power for the making this Treaty more strong and valid, until we shall have obtained the ends a­foresaid, and if I come to know that any Person does Act in prejudice of this Confederation and Brotherly Agreement. I shall be obliged to discover the same, without having the least respect to Friendship or Relation, and account and prosecute him as an open Enemy. I have not taken any Money to be corrup­ted, nor will I take any. I will not hold any Intelligence, or Act on any occasion to the prejudice of my King and Country, but will truly and sincerely observe this Confede­ration in Brotherly Ʋnity, with­out any mental Reservation, or hope to be dispensed therefrom. So help me God.

Things running thus high, seve­ral [Page 73]of those accounted disaffected, retired to Meaco in Prussia; but the Archbishop of Guesna remain'd at Lovitz, his usual Residence, see­ming not at all concern'd at the heats of the Nobless, who offered 1000. Ducats to any that should bring his Head into the Leaguer, and threatned to proceed to Depose or degrade him; but that the Popes Nuncio opposed, as being a viola­tion of Ecclesiastical Liberty, for that Lay Assembly to proceed a­gainst a Churchman without leave from his Holiness.

In the mean time Commissioners sent by the King to the Grand Seig­nior, clapt up a Peace with the Port on the following Articles.

• 1. That the Tarrars formerly In habi­ting the Kingdom of Pol. called Lip­cees, and who have since quitted their abodes there, and given themselves up to the protection [Page 74]of the Port, yet so as to leave their Wives and Children be­hind them, shall have free liber­ty to return and fetch away their said Wives and Children, and their Goods and Moveables whatever, and that such as shall desire still to abide in Poland, shall have liberty so to do, with­out any molestation or distur­bance.
• 2. That the King of Poland shall by his Ambassadours send yearly to the Port 22000 Ducats, which shall be paid every year on St. Demetrius-day, being the 15th of Novemb. on this Condition, that the Grand Seignior shall secure the Subjects of the Crown of Poland, against the incursions of the Turks, Tartars, and other people subject to the Port; and in case the Poles shall at any time be endammaged by them, the King of Poland shall demand [Page 75]satisfaction of the Grand Seig­nior, and forbear to pay the a­bovementioned Tribute, till he shall have received it.
• 3. Podolia, as in ancient time shall be subject to the Port; and in case any difference shall arise con­cerning the Limits, it shall be amicably decided by Commissio­ners to be to that purpose deputed by both Parties.
• 4. The Garrisons which the Poles now have in any place or For­tress in Podolia, shall immedi­ately be drawn out from thence, and have liberty to return home with their Goods, &c. On the other side, the Grand Seignior shall restore all places taken from the Poles in Russia.
• 5. Free Exercise of Religion shall be granted to all Persons.
• 6. Such as desire to depart with their Goods and Families out of Caminiec, shall have free liberty [Page 76]so to do, and return into Poland within the space of two months, after the Ratifying of this Trea­ty.
• 7. The Ukrain shall be left free to the Cossacks as in former times, and the Poles shall quit all the Forts and places they have pos­sess'd themselves of there, and shall depart with all their Goods, &c. except their Cannon.
• 8. The Cossacks that have been un­der Hanensko, may return to their former Habitations in the Ukrain, if they shall think fit, and no injury shall be done them by the other Cossacks; but Ha­nensko himself shall remain in Poland.
• Lastly, All former Treaties be­tween Poland and the Port, shall remain in force.

Besides all which, there was a separate Article that the Crown of Poland should pay a Tribute of 16 [Page 77]thousand Ducats to the Cham of Tartary.

This Agreement, so prejudicial and dishonourable to the Poles, as rendring that Crown Tributary to two of its Infidel Neighbours, at a time when it might have been in a condition to defend it self, (for besides the Army, with the Gene­ral, the King at Lublin, had above 100000 men in Arms) was very ill resented by General Sobieski, and many others, who lookt upon it only as a Politick Device, that in the mean time the opposite Facti­on might be at leisure, and have opportunity to crush those they cal­led the Malecontents; and therefore though two Senators were sent from the Convention to the Army, to invite them to enter into the aforesaid Oath of Association, yet he declined it.

The Peace being thus concluded with the Turks, and the Polish No­bility finding themselves unable a­ny [Page 78]longer to subsist in the Field, by reason of the ill weather, and for want of Forrage and Provision, did about the latter end of October break up their Assembly; only left a party of 2300 men in Arms for the Kings Guard, and agreed that a General Assembly of the Deputies of the several Palatinates should be held in the beginning of January, and there the Confederation begun in the Leaguer to be confirmed, and then to proceed to the Tryal and Condemnation of such of the Malecontents as should continue to absent themselves, and refuse the before recited Oath.

Hereupon the Army entred into a Counter-Confederation, wherein they declare, They will defend the Liberty of their Country, and the Priviledges of the Nobles, which (they alledg'd) under pretence of adhering to the Royal Authority were violated, and endeavour'd to [Page 79]be suppress'd; and that therefore they were resolved to protect those of the Nobility, which were so se­verely prosecuted under the name of Malecontents, and disturbers of the Peace of the Kingdom, Titles which much more fitly belong'd to their Accusers.

Pursuant to this Declaration, the Army began to Advance somewhat towards Warsaw, which put the Court into great Consternation, but General Sobieski thought fit not to approach further than Lo­witz, being willing to determine all differences by an amicable Com­posure; and accordingly after se­veral Overtures, towards the end of March 73, an Accommodation was made upon the Terms following,

• 1. That all past Offences should be forgiven and forgotten.
• 2. That the Confederation made the last year by the Nobility. [Page 80]should be Cancel'd and made void.
• 3. That all those, who had during these unhappy misunderstandings been Branded by the name of Malecontents, should on all oc­casions, without exception or distinction partake of the Kings favours, with, and as well as, the rest of the Nobility.

To confirm this good Intelli­gence, the Grand-General Sobieski came to Warsaw with a numerous Train, where he was complemen­ted on the part of the King by the Vice Chancellor, and by the Wey­wode of Posen for the Senate; and in the name of the Nobility Assem­bled in the Diet by two of their Deputies, and by the said Diet it was ordered that he should be pre­sented with 50 thousand Dollars, as an acknowledgment of his good Services; but he generously con­sidering the present necessities of [Page 81]the Publick, freely abated one third part thereof.

In Council he vigorously urg'd the regaining of that Honour, which by an unhappy Treaty had been lost the last Summer, and that it might never be said the free Crown of Poland, had for a day been Tributary to the Sworn Enemies of Christendom, opposed the pay­ment of any of the Mony agreed on; offering that With an Army of 60 thousand (if the State would take care for their pay) he did not doubt but to give a good account of this Summers Campaign; which much encouraged the Diet to re­solve upon and prepare for a War, and in order thereunto, the Crown-Jewels, which they had before ordered to be Pawned, valued at 600 thousand Livres, were en­trusted in his hands for securing the Army their Arrears; and so forthwith his Excellency departed [Page 82]to Sokal, where the Army was Rendevouz'd, extreamly satisfied with his Conduct.

In the mean time the Archbishop of Guesna departed this life, April the 12th, 1673. and in his Room the King advanc'd the Bishop of Cujavia to succeed him.

The Grand Seignior understan­ding these resolutions and prepa­rations in Poland, dispatcht thither the following Letter (though not delivered by the Chiaux till after the Kings death.)

THou the chief Prince of the Christian People, Administra­tor of the Nazarene Kingdom of Poland, King Michael our Friend, may your Administration have an happy Issue. By these Letters We give you to understand that Achmet Bassa, our Grand Vizier, is the chief Administrator of our Domini­ons, the Dignity and Authority of [Page 83]whose Ministry let God encrease: We have not long since understood, that you refuse to pay our most Se­rene Majesty the Tribute stipulated by the late Treaty between us and you; and to remove the Garrisons out of your places on the Frontiers; wherefore it appears clearer than the light, that you have broke the Peace that was concluded with me; & is it thus lawful for you in so short a time to violate the Peace? The Governors and Souldiers of our Frontier places have not done your Subjects any damage, nor given you any cause of Offence, wherefore then have you broke the Peace? And why have you provoked Me the Monarch of the World to Anger? What? Do your Souldiers think to delude us? Send us quickly the Tri­bute and the Gifts, which by vertue of the Treaty (tho by you violated) and the promise of your Envoy, ought to have been paid on the day [Page 84]of St. Demetrius last past. Send them quickly if you will, that the ancient Treaties between us be pre­served and re established: Send the Gifts, restore the Castles, repair the damages, and do it sufficiently, unless you desire to be by my Arms compelled to it. If you omit it, by the help of God, I will with innu­merable Armies infest and destroy thy Poland. Be therefore ready for War, and send back my Messengers quickly, that I may know thy mind.

But these proud Menaces were in vain, the Invincible Sobieski had advanc'd to the banks of the River Niester, and by a Commanded Par­ty sent out under the Conduct of the Crown Standard bearer, taken in the strong Town and Castle of Miedzibos, after an obstinate Re­sistance; as also Jaslowiec, and se­veral other places, and brought off great numbers of Prisoners, from [Page 85]whom he understood, that the Hussam Bassa lay on the other side the Niester with a Body of 40000 men, expecting a great Reinforce­ment to come up to him out of Asia, whereupon he resolv'd with all expedition to pass the River, and give them Battel, before the arrival of those Troops.

Accordingly having pass'd over the Army, he advanced towards the Turks, who lay commodiously entrench'd under the Walls of Co­thim, greatly exceeding the Poles in number; and his Cavalry being on the 9th of Nov. 73. come within Cannon shot of their Leaguer, the Grand Marshal went in Person within Musket snot of the Enemies Camp, to observe in what posture they lay, and at his return call'd a Council of War, where it was re­solv'd, that considering the want of Provisions, under which the Polish Army at present labour'd, it was [Page 86]their best course to Attack the In­fidels in their Trenches. Towards Evening his Foot and Train of At­tillery came up, several little skir­mishes having in the mean time pass'd between his foremost Troops, and those of the Enemy.

The next morning, Nov. 10. Ge­neral Sobieski drew up the whole Army into Battalia, and having placed his Artillery (which consisted of 50 pieces of Cannon) most con­veniently for annoying the Enemy, advanced in good Order, and with great resolution towards their Camp; and being come pretty near it, the Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia (Provinces formerly be­longing to the Poles) revolted from the Turks, and came over to the Polish Army with 5000 men, im­mediately all things were ordered for the Attack; which was to be made in five several places, the Crown Watchmaster was posted [Page 87]next the Neister, on the side of Czeczora, next him the General Sobieski, and then the under Gene­ral Wisnowiski, assisted by the Wey­wode of Kiovia, the other two were to be manag'd by the Troops of Li­thuania; in which order they had beset the Enemy, but because re­ducing the Army into this posture took up much time, that night the Turks, who were not wanting in their defence, seemed to have some advantage over them; Collonel Danemark a brave Commander in the Crown-Watchmasters Quarter, and Captain Jarozki, with many other Officers and common Soul­diers being cut off; the Enemies loss was altogether as great.

That whole night the Polish Troops stood ready in Arms with­in Musket shot of the Enemies Re­trenchment, and early next mor­ning, Nov. 11. General Sobieski ad­ventured again on foot to discover [Page 88]the posture they were in, and the many of his Officers would have dissuaded from so hazardous an Attempt, continued in his Resolu­tion to fall upon them. And now he ordered his Cannon to play ve­ry furiously on the Enemy, and having every where given the ne­cessary Orders, encouraged his Troops with assurance of Victory, telling them, they fought not on­ly for Honour, but also for the Li­berty of their Countrey, and (what was yet infinitely more valuable) their Religion; and so marched with his drawn Sable in his hand on foot at the head of them till they came up to the Tutks En­trenchments, and then mounted on Horseback, the like being done by the rest of the great Officers. The first discharge was of the Ca­valry, who in the space of a quar­ter of an hour had made them­selves Masters of the Enemies Re­trenchments, [Page 89]and made great slaughter amongst them; upon which the foremost of the Infantry, who should have seconded the Horse in pressing on upon the Ene­my, thinking they had already won the Battel, began to fall to Plundering, which the Turkish Horse perceiving, sell upon them, and did great Execution amongst them; and would have done much more, had not the Hussars come in to their assistance, who again put the Enemy into disorder, inso­much that Hussain Bassa who com­manded the Turkish Army, find­ing himself unable any longer to stand the Shock, began to retreat with many thousands of his Men towards Czraozo, but the Wey­wode of Bleski and the Sicur Ri­ouwski observing it, Intercepted his passage, and forced him to re­turn back into the Battel, where General Sobieski with a party [Page 90]Rencountred him, but being much inferior in number, and the Turks fighting (like their condition de­sperately) tho the General himself performed wonders as well by the slaughters he made with his own Hands, as by the encouragement his Example and Words gave to his followers, yet things were like to have fallen into much confusion, had not the Hussars once more come in with incredible Resolution, and then the Battle seemed altoge­ther as fierce as when it first be­gan; so bravely did they behave themselves on both sides, but after a long and bloody dispute, the Crescent gave way to the Cross, the Turks were broken to pieces, lea­ving many thousands of their Com­panions dead on the place; so that the Field was covered with breath­less bodies, and of those that en­deavoured to escape the greatest part were drowned in the Neister; [Page 91]so that of their whole Army which according to the modestest Com­putation consisted of between 30 and 40 thousand Men, there were not 5000 that escaped; and as there was no Quarters given du­ring the heat of the fight, so con­sequently there were very few Pri­soners; amongst the dead were found Heybegh Bassa, and Soly­man Bassa two great Comman­ders; but their General Hussain had the luck to make his escape, and fled to Caminiec.

On the Poles side the loss was considerable, the General Quarter­master, the Crown-Hunter, the Lord Starosta Wolbramski; the Lord Rzeozky, the Lord Rozmia­rowski, Captain of the Hussaws, and many other Officers slain; be­sides those that were wounded.

After the fight ended the Soldi­ers had leave to Ransack the Ene­mies Leaguer, where they found [Page 92]great Booty, and to compleat the Victory, the next day they took the Castle of Cothim by Storm.

The joyful news of this Grand Victory (chiefly owing to the Cou­rage and Conduct of General Sobi­eski) found Poland in Mourning; for in the very time that the same was gaining, King Michael after some weeks lingering Indisposition, de­parted this life at Lemburgh Nov. 10, 1673. whence his Corps was removed to Warsaw, where being Embalmed, it was (according to custom) to remain unburied, un­till after the Election of a new King.

CHAP. V.

'TIS hard to imagin, much more to express what unusu­al transports the Polish Nation felt upon the Arrival of these two Dif­ferent Tidings; Joy and Sorrow, like contrary Torrents, struggled in their Breasts, ready to overwhelm them with a Neutral Astonishment. The death of their King in the Flower of his Age (for he was but in his 33th. year) leaving the Kingdom not only engaged in a [Page 94]terrible War abroad, but (what was worse) Embroil'd and in dan­ger of being torn to pieces by Factions at home, and the Clashing Interests of Pretenders to the Crown, was matter of an afflict­ing Consideration: But on the o­ther side, such a Glorious Victory just in the nick, seem'd a good O­men of future success, and that the Divine Favour designed not to a­bandon the State of Poland to the Malice and Cruelties of its Enemies, since it had so signally appeared for its preservation: And besides the present security, this prospe­rous Battel brought to their Affairs (Hali Bassa who was advancing with a numerous Host to reinforce, Hussain Bassa having upon the News of his total defeat, Retreat­ed towards the Danube;) The terror it struck into the Enemy, the en­couragement it gave the Polish Soldiery, the influence it had on [Page 95]Revolted Provinces, and Waver­ing Friends, all vastly augmented the Import of it; for Kingdoms and States as well as Merchants, subsist as much by Reputation as by real Intrinsick strength; an instance whereof was soon found here, for immediately on this Blow to the Turks, the Envoy from the Czar of Muscovy, offered Poland in the Name of his Master an Assistance of 50 thousand Men against them, tho he very little observed this promise afterwards.

Nor was Sobieski wanting in the part of a discreet General, to Im­prove this Victory, but presently dispatcht some Troops under the Command of the Crown-standard­bearer into Walachia, the better to secure that Countrey in their Alle­giance, and sent other Forces under the Weywode of Braklaw to quar­ter round about Caminiec, and so strictly Blockade that place, that no [Page 96]provisions might be brought into it; after which, having disposed the rest of his Troops in fit Winter Quarters, he came to Lemburgh resolving to reside there all the Winter to be near at hand in any emergency; nor could the Invita­tions of the Nobles, nor of the Queen Dowager her self, who wrote to him to be present at the Diet at Warsaw in January, about the Election, re­move him; so much did he prefer the service and safety of his Coun­trey before the pursuing and ad­vancing his own Interests.

January the 15th. 1673/4, the Diet met for the first time, and chose the Lord Bielmiski to be their Marshal, or Speaker; the ge­nerality of the Nobility seemed inclinable to make choice of a per­son qualified to Marry with the Queen Dowager, as well for their Affection to her Majesty, as in Good Husbandry for the Publique, [Page 97]to prevent the many Inconvenien­ces that might accompany a New Queen, especially in point of Charge, when instead of one they must provide Dowries for two. Amongst the Candidates, Prince Charles of Lorrain seemed to stand fairest, for besides the In­terest of the Emperour and the Queen Dowager, engaged in his favour, many of the Noblest greatly esteemed his person for the vigour of his Youth, and the Expe­rience he had already had of Mi­litary Affairs; whilst those that opposed him, had only to alledge, that 'twas to be feared he would be too much addicted to the House of Austria. But all that this Diet agreed on considerable, was to ap­point the time of Election to be the 20th. of April following.

At which day they Reassembled accordingly, and began to adjust the Preliminaries, but General So­bieski [Page 98]arrived not at Warsaw till the 2d of May, making his entry then with great Solemnity; for be­sides his Guard of two Troops of Horse, and a Regiment of Dra­goons, and his Train which were numerous of persons of Qua­lity, most of the Nobility and Se­nators that were there went forth to meet him, at the Pallace of Prince Radzevil Under Chancellor of Lithuania, he alighted and was with all his Retinue entertain'd at a Noble Banquet: The next day his Excellency went out of Town to pay his Respects to the Queen, and on the fourth of May was the first time he appeared in the Diet.

Where for several days following, there happen'd a long and brisk Con­test between the Nobility and Gen­tlemen of Poland, and those of the Dutchy of Lithuania; the former proposing him the said General So­bieski to the Publick Choice as a [Page 99]person eminently deserving of the Republick by the continued services he had rendred it, and particular­ly for the Victory obtained in the last Campaign over the Turks at Coch­mi, which next to the Divine Assi­stance they solely attributed to his great Courage and Conduct; and that at present being engaged in a War with so powerful an Enemy, they thought they could not make choice of any one, whose Expe­rience in Military Affairs, and his other great Abilities could render more meriting the Crown than he: Adding, That a Forreign Choice would but engage them in Forreign Interests, which might perhaps be more regarded than the welfare of the Crown. The Lithuaners on the other side, urg­ed the general Resolution of the Nobility of that Dutchy, not to admit of any Piasti (that is, a Native either of Poland or Li­thuania) [Page 100]for that they had found the ill consequences of it, during the late Kings Reign by the Facti­ons some of the Nobility had stir­red up against him; and therefore they ought to chuse a Forreigner, and such a Prince, who besides his other endowments rendring him worthy of the Crown, could be a fit Husband for the Queen Dowa­ger, and who was assisted by pow­erful Alliances, the better to en­able the republick to carry on the present War against the Turks; on all which Considerations they knew none fitter to be their King than the Prince of Lorrain. Some there were that nominated the Prince of Newburgh, but their number was not considerable; but after all these Disputes, General Sobieski was by plurality of Votes, and in­deed at last almost unanimously E­lected King on the 21st. of May 1674. with the great Applause [Page 101]of the People of that Kingdom.

And accordingly the Bishop of Cracow in the absence of the Arch­bishop of Guesna (who was sick) did with the usual solemnities pub­lickly declare him King by the name of John the third King of Poland, Great Duke of Lithuania, &c. Who forthwith was graci­ously pleased to promise of his own free will and motion, That the Queen Dowager should be pro­vided for according to her high Quality, and extraordinary Merit; as also, that the Arrears of the Ar­my should be forthwith discharged out of his own Revenues, seeing the Publick could hardly do it at present. He also expressed him­self willing to Confer the Com­mand of Grand Marshal, or General, on Prince Demetrius Wies­nowiski, Uncle to the late King, and that of Lieutenant General of [Page 102]the Crown (thereby becoming va­cant) to the Palatine of Kiovia, but as he signified his Resolution to prosecute the War against the Turks with the utmost vigour, or oblige them to an Honourable Peace, and to that purpose that he would at his own particular charge raise 1000 Foot, and main­tain them during the War, to en­courage the Senators and other Great Men of the Kingdom to do the like proportionably; so he de­sired that he might retain the command of General in his own hands till this Campaign be ended, for that the present urgent Affairs of the Kingdom were like to prevent his Coronation before the Campaign; which the Nobility assented to: As likewise that the Article offered in the Pacta Conventa obliging the King not to Resign the Crown on any occasion whatsoever, should be omitted.

The 15th. of May died the Arch­bishop of Guesna scarce warm in his place, and the King raised the Bishop of Culm, a Person of great esteem and merit, to suc­ceed him in that dignity. The Queen Dowager by the consent of the King and Diet had a yearly Revenue of 200 thousand Guil­ders Assigned her, with liberty to reside in any place within the Po­lish Territories, except Cracow, or some other fortified places on the Borders of Silesia; and her Ma­jesty made choice of Thorne in Prussia for her Residence.

Tho his Majesty was most soli­citous for carrying on the War, yet the Nobility and Senators w [...]e generally as Remiss therein, for tho they had promised him at first maintainance for 60 thousand Men, he now desired it but for 40000, and yet such were their Dissenti­ons and Jealousies as would not [Page 104]permit them to consent thereunto.

In the mean time the Muscovites pretending Friendship with the Poles, and that they would oppose the common Enemy, had on the contrary only fallen upon Do­roskensko, Head of the Rebel Cos­sacks and recovered many places in the Ʋkrain to inlarge their Territories that way; However the Great Cham of Tartary, and the Grand Seignior with their For­ces hastned thither to oppose the Muscovites, and in short time had over-run another great part of that Countrey; so that the whole Pro­vince was like to be intirely lost. wherefore to give what Assistance he could in such an unfortunate posture of Affairs: King John see­ing no Recruits or Money could be obtained, departed from Warsaw on the 22th. of August towards the Frontiers, appointing a Ren­devouz of that small Army he [Page 105]had, to be held on the 15th. of September; they being not above 15 or 16000 Men Effective.

'Tis true Romadanowski the Muscovitish General had a vast Army consisting of above 100 thousand Men, encamped near the River Dniester, but did little or no service with them, being di­verted by the Turks, who know­ing the Suspicious, Jealous Nature of that People, caused Reports to be spread, that the Poles had made their own Terms, and were clapping up a Peace with the Port, without including or giving them notice of it; serving them­selves of this Stratagem, the Turks and Tartars without any conside­rable opposition had possessed themselves of the whole Ʋkrania, except two or three places, and at last besieged the Great City Ha­man, which having assaulted with great fury, and the Muscovites, [Page 106]who promised to relieve it, being instead thereof on a sudden repas­sed the Dniester and Retreated, those of the Town surrendred up­on Articles to have their Lives and Goods saved; but the Barba­rous Enemy without any regard to his capitulation, put all the Inha­bitants and People that had fled thither from all parts round about for shelter, Men, Women, and Children to the Sword; so that of 100 thousand Souls very few re­mained alive within the space of few Hours.

About the beginnning of Octo­ber the Troops of Lituania con­sisting of about 12000 came up to the King of Poland, so that then he was 30000 strong, and having held a Council of War at Slotzow on the Frontiers, resolved to March in the Head of them into the Ʋkrain and fall upon the Ene­my, casting aside all further Trea­ty, [Page 107]which now again the Grand Vizier (since his Master the Grand Seignior had repassed the Danube on his return towards Constanti­nople) had made overtures of, on purpose to amuse the Poles, and foment the Jealousies of the Mus­covites, and so divide them.

Accordingly his Majesty sending forth the Weywode of Russia with a considerable party to learn the Condition of the Enemy, who near the Walls of Caminiec surpriz'd and defeated 1000 Turkish Horse; and brought away 150 of them Priso­ners, did in Person march to Barr a City in the Ʋkrain, which he stormed so furiously that he soon became Master thereof: The Turks and Tartars that were there fly­ing to the Castle, which proved not long their shelter, but on the 18 of Nov. was forced to surrender up­on discretion: The Turks his Ma­jesty generously sent away with a [Page 108]Convoy to Caminiec; but the Li­pher Tartars were distributed for purchase as Slaves amongst the Soldiers of Lithuania. Next his Victorious Majesty advanced to the City Mohilow on the Dniester, a place of great Importance, as be­ing the pass into Moldavia, which quickly surrendred to his Arms, as likewise did Sciana, Kalnick and a­bove 40 other places of Podolia; but at this time the Forces of Li­thuania would needs leave his Ma­jesty and return home, alledging they were not able to bear the Ri­gor of the season, it being now Dec. 74. but his Majesty with his gal­lant Poles resolved still to conti­nue the Campaign, and push on his good Fortune, scarce a week passing, but some considerable Post or other was yielded to him; the Turks, tho they had very conside­rable Forces in those parts not da­ring to make Head against him.

Towards the beginning of January, his Majesty took in Raskaw, a Considerable place on the Deinster, wherein were 1600 Turks, of whom the Foot were all Cut to pieces, but the Cavalry made their E­scape, the Polish Horse being so wearyed with continual Service, that they could not pursue them; So that now his Majesty had Subdued all that part of the Ʋkrain which lies Westward of the Neiper, Ex­cepting the City of Czebryn, the Resi­dence of Dorosensko, whom He Endea­voured by a Treaty to Reduce to Obedi­ence, and the other made Shews of Com­plying therewith, upon the Demands following, viz. 1. That the Cossacks shall continue in the free Exercise of the Greek Religion, without any Disturbance what­soever; 2. That a Bishop or Arch-bishop of their Church, shall have a place, and sit in the Senate; 3. That a part of the Ʋ­krain shall be set apart for their Army. 4. That the King at his Coronation shall confirm all their Priviledges, and these Articles upon Oath; 5. That the Re­publick shall declare whether they have need of the Service of the Cossacks, and on what Conditions they desire it. 6. That the Deputies which the Cossacks shall send to the Dyet, shall be received, and trea­ted [Page 110]with the same Respect as the Depu­ties of the Dukedom of Lythuania, or of the Kingdom of Poland; 7. That they shall continue their Commerce with their Neighbours as heretofore: And Lastly, That they may Erect Printing-Houses, Schools, &c. But nothing Succeeded Effectually on these overtures, for Doro­sensko was but Playing his own Game be­tween the Poles and the Muscovites, and friend to neither, further than his Inte­rest led him.

In April 75. The Turks and Tartars be­gan in Numerous Bodies to take the Field. King John who had held out in those parts all the Winter without any conside­rable Recruits, whereby his small Army was much Weakned, so that it was gene­rally believed he would be Necessitated to quit the Ʋkrain, yet Supported by his Natural Courage, he Resolv'd not to Stir a Foot, but on the last Extremity, and therefore Reinforc'd the Garrisons at Moh [...]low, Nimirow, Braclaw, Kalmick, and Bialacierkiew; Which being done, he left not Forces enough to deserve the Name of an Army to keep the Field, had not his Valour and Conduct, like a Figure advanc'd in place in Arithmetick, ren­dred [Page 111]them Virtually as many thousands, as they were Numerally Hundreds.

In May, the King made a Step to Zlok­zow, Eight Leagues from Leopold, where he had a Consultation with several Sena­tors of the Kingdom, Remonstrating to them the just Reason he had to Complain of being neglected, since after a Cam­paign of Seven Months, in which by an handful of Men so great Advantages had been procured to the Crown, by Resto­ring under its Obedience the greatest part of the Ʋkrain, and in which both his Majesty in his own Person, and all his Souldiers had Suffered so much through the Scarcity of Provisions they found in many places, being forc'd to eat Horses, Dogs, &c. for their Sustenance, together with Innumerable Fatigues and Dangers; Yet no Care had been taken at home to furnish him with Supplies Necessary, or to Enable him to Recruit his Army, which was now become so Weak as not to be longer able to keep the Field; His Majesty having hitherto been Necessitated to maintain the War almost wholly at his own Proper Charges; Which yet under all these Perplexities he Resolved to con­tinue.

But whatever Instances he made, little was done towards his Supply; However, he return'd to the Army, and kept his Head Quarters at Leopold; And it was but high time to assure the People of those parts, by his Royal Presence, Who other­wise were just ready to abandon their Habitations, by Reason of those vast Swarms of Turks and Tartars, which they had Intelligence were every day pouring into their Neighbourhood, a­mounting in all, to the Number of 200 Thousand or upwards.

On the 17th of August 1675. A Coun­cil was held of the Cheif Commanders of the Turks and Tartars, in the Presence of the Great Cham himself, and Ibrahim Bassa, where it was Resolved to Attempt, First, the Town of Slotskow, and after­wards to possess themselves of Leopol, where they understood the King of Poland then was Quarter'd, having not in all above 14000 men with him, for the Li­thuanian Troops had not yet Join'd him. Pursuant hereunto, on the 22d of that Month Sultan Nuradin being on his March, with 40 Thousand Selected Tartars, the Flower of their whole Army; Accompa­nyed besides with the Eldest Son of Cham, and Sultan Aquigitary, and their Troops, [Page 113]and many others of the most Eminent Officers, as Volunteirs, in this Expedi­tion; So that the whole Body Consisted of at least Sixty Thousand; With which Formidable Force, Sultan Nuradin on the 23d early in the Morning appeared be­fore the Town and Castle of Slotskow, eight Leagues from the Polish Camp at Leopol. He immediately made an Assault, and continued it till two in the After­noon, with all Imaginable Fury; But the Palatine of Russia who Commanded there, had so well disposed of his Men and of his Cannon, that with very little loss, he destroyed great Numbers of Infidels; who being thereby Extreamly discoura­ged, quitted their Enterprize, and Marched towards Leopol.

Where his Majesty having received Intelligence both of their Repulse at Slotskow, and of their Advance towards him, presently Ordered the Cannon to be continually Fired from the Castle, to give warning to all the Neighbouring Garrisons to be upon their Guard, then went and Visited the Camp, and gave the necessary Orders for the safety of his Queen and the young Princes, who were at the same time in that City; For he was Resolv'd to venture All in the De­fence [Page 114]of his Country, and Common Cause o [...] Christendom.

Things being thus Setled, his Maje­sty went up to an High Hill, from whence he could observe three Leagues Distance round about, and about Noon perceived by the Clouds of Dust that were raised, The Approach of the Enemy.

The Kings Camp lay about a Mile from Leopol, on the East-side in a Valley shut up by several Hills, somewhat be­yond the Camp; that Way the Enemy was to approach, there was an Ascent of about 300 paces, and having Marcht as far on the top of the Hill, you descend again by a very narrow Way amidst a Wood that had lately been Cut, at the Bottom of which Descent there was a Plain by which the Tartars must neces­sarily pass to Engage them: The King Commanded Prince Radzevil his Brother in Law, to Post himself with some Troops for the Guard of a Pass on the Right hand of his Camp; And General Karis­ki on the Left, caused several Pieces of Cannon to be planted on a Hill, from whence they might command the Plain through which the Tartars were to pass, [Page 115]and Lined the Wood on each side of the Narrow Way with several Companies of Musqueteers; Then his Majesty caused some Troops of Horse with all the Vo­luntiers to advance into the Plain, to Op­pose the Enemy, who about four in the Af­ternoon appeared in such Numbers, that all the Plain was cover'd with them; In the mean time, the King from an Hill ob­serv'd the Countenance of the Enemy, and gave the necessary Orders, and cau­sed several other Troops of Horse to Ad­vance before him, and being followed with Six Troops of Hussars, which [...] posted on the Right and Left of the Way, in the midst of the Copse or Low-wood, so advantagiously that they appeared to be far more in Number than indeed they were, his Majesty with a Natural Air of Gallantry usual to him in time of Acti­on, and a chearful Countenance Presag­ing Victory, Entred himself into the Plain, Encouraged his Souldiers, telling them he came there with a full Resoluti­on either to Conquer with them, or to dye with them; and having thrice with a loud Voice pronounced by Way of Inve­cation, the Name of JESUS, and giving the Souldiers all his Benediction, he brisk­ly Advanc'd in the Head of them toward [Page 116]the Enemy; And now the Fight began to be sharp on all sides, His Majesty omit­ting no part of his Office either as to Courage or Conduct, but perform'd both the parts of a most prudent General, and of a most Valiant Souldier, and by his Example inspiring all the rest of his Of­ficers and Souldiers, so that with this small handful of men, he made those vast Multitudes begin to fly before Night, leav­ing great Numbers slain upon the place. And for a Testimony of a Compleat Victory, their Great and onely Standard which they always carry before them, was taken.

His Majesty would gladly have pursued the Enemy further, but that the Night was dark, and he feared lest the Cham vvith the rest of the Troops might come up to their Assistance. In this great A­ction the most Memorable Victory that has been Atcheived in our Age, or indeed almost in any other, the King had not vvith him above 4000 men (The rest be­ing left to secure the City of Leopol,) and of those scarce 1500 came up to Execution; And vvith such a Party thus to defeat by plain downright fighting an Army of Threescore Thousand Combatants, seems altogether prodigious or miraculous; yet [Page 117]so great vvas the fright and Consternation that the Tartars vvere in, that they fled that one Night as many Leagues as they had Marched three days before, and to make the more hast, left behind them that little Baggage they had brought vvith them.

Nor was the Confusion less in the Camps of the Cham and Ibrahim Bassa, upon see­ing their Companions returning in this disorder from an expedition from which they had promised themselves so much ad­vantage; But after some days Recruiting and Consideration, to shew that they were not dismaid at this ill success, 'twas resolved to March with all their Forces towards the King of Poland; And in or­der thereunto, 2000 Janisaries and a strong body of Horse, were sent out to Attacque a small Castle near Brzeziani, in which were only 60 Poles, who yet so bravely Behaved themselves, that they re­pulsed the Infidels with great loss; which so much dampt their Spirits, that they would not proceed on their intended de­sign upon the City of Brzeziani. But on the contrary, the Polish Crown-Ensign, who Commanded there, making a Sally with a Party of Horse, fell upon the Rear of the Tartars, killed many of them, [Page 119]and made the whole Body mend their pace.

Soon after 10000 Tartars advancing somewhat near the City Leopol, the King sent out the Lord Harkownisky with a good Body of Horse against them, who after a brisk Engagement forced them to take to their heels; leaving a great num­ber dead behind, tho in this Action there were several Brave Polish Gentlemen like­wise slain.

In September the Lithuanian Troops be­ing come, the King was no longer content to make good his Post at Leopol, but would also with that small Army not then above 15000, advance to seek out the Ene­my, who were at least seven times as many in Number. But left his Royal Consort, and the Young Princes still at Leopol, be­ing willing they should remain there, to keep the people of those parts in heart, who might otherwise for fear abandon their Habitations, and leave the Country desolate, but by this means were induced to continue at their Dwellings, consider­ing that the King, his Queen and Chil­dren, were exposed to the same danger as They.

His Majesty understanding that the E­nemy had Besieged Podhais, did intend [Page 118]to March on the 15th of September to Re­leive it, but on the 14. received Intelligence of its being Surrendred, and Twelve Thousand Persons made Prisoners, and the Town first plundred and then Burnt, though they had expresly Capitulated to March away with their Persons and Goods. Upon Advice of which, His Majesty on the 17th, held a Council of War at Lem­burgh, where several of the Senators ad­vised not to Adventure with so few For­ces against such a Mighty Enemy; But His Majesty Heroickly told them, That he would not sit still and see so many poor Christians carried into Slavery, and his Territories laid desolate; But was resol­ved to Remedy it, or perish in the At­tempt. And so Marched forwards the same day towards the Enemy; who were then sat down before Buczaez, but upon notice of his Advance, raised their Seige, and Marched with all their Forces to Trembowlae, which they Invested. And Ibrahim Bassa the Turks General, sent to summon the Garrison to surrender; who Answered, That if they came thither in hopes of meeting with any Booty or Plunder in the place, they were much de­ceived, For there were only Soldiers and Peasants who defended it, and had nothing [Page 120]to lose but their Lives, which they were resolved to sell very dear. His Stout An­swer much incensed the Turks, so that in 14 days which they continued the Seige, they shot above 2000 Cannon Bullets into the Town, and 500 Fireballs, and sprung divers Mines, though without effect, and stormed several times, but were repulsed with great loss, and yet continued obsti­nate to pursue the Siege, till happening by Chance to Intercept a Peasant charged with a Letter from the King to the Go­vernour, in which His Majesty assured him, That he was coming in Person with his whole Army to Relieve him, and that in order thereto he had already passed such a River, and was Marching directly towards the Enemy; Immediately upon which (such was the Terror of King So­bieski's name to the Infidels) Ibrahim Bassa gave order for dislodging the Cannon from the Batteries which consisted of a­bout 100 peices, and to March towards Caminiec, and the next day decampt his whole Army and followed them; March­ing above Fifteen Leagues in so much Confusion and Consternation, that he Commanded the Tartars to keep near him to cover his March, just as if he had been routed in Battel, and a Victorious [Page 121]Enemy were in the pursuit of him; and thought themselves not secure till they had Entrencht themselves under the pro­tection of the Canons of Caminiec; a thing almost incredible, that an Army of 15, or (at most) Sixteen Thousand should, force an Army of 100 Thousand and up­wards to raise two Sieges with so much disorder and precipitation.

Nay when lodged under the Walls of Ca­miniec, they yet thought not themselves safe; For the King advancing after them that way, Ibrahim Bassa held a Coun­cil of War, where it was resolved not to stand an Engagement with the Poles, but to pass the N [...]ester, and March away towards Walachia, which was done accordingly, but not so suddenly, but part of the Kings Troops under the Lord Lubomirski fell upon their Rear, and slew great Numbers of them.

And also the King forthwith caused se­veral Troops to Advance one each side of the Niester, with such good success that the said. Lubomirsk seized on the Enemies Bridge, Cutting in pieces all those that were left to Guard it, and the Night fol­lowing the Lord Konski, General of the Artillery, met with 500 Waggons drawn by above 2000 Oxen, that were coming [Page 122]from Caminiec to pass that Bridge, which he took, destroying their Convoy, and releasing a great many Christians, whom the Infidels were carrying into Slavery; And the Soldiers being for their Encou­ragement allowed the Plunder, possessed themselves of a rich booty, as well in mo­ny as goods, wherewith those Waggons were laden.

His Majesty ordered that the Boats which Composed the Bridge before men­tioned, should be carried and laid up in some place of security, to be made use of as occasion should serve the next Spring. And then being informed, That the Turks in the fear they were in of being further pursued, had marched night and day, and again repassed the Danow, as also that the Tartars were returned home by the way of Bialogrod, resolved to put his Army into Winter Quarters, and to endeavour to settle Affairs at home, so as he might early take the Field next Spring. And accordingly His Majesty on the 12th of November, arrived at Zulk [...]ew, three Leagues from Leopol, where, as he was most joyfully received of his Queen and the Young Princes his Children, so no less almost was the Joy of all the people, Crowding to behold, salute, and Wel­come [Page 123]home the Common Father and Deli­verer of their Country.

CHAP. V.

IT was now high time to prepare for the Solemnity of the Kings Corona­tion; for by the Constitution of that King­dom, there are several things which a Prince Elect cannot perform till that Ce­remony be past. Therefore Jan. 17. the Corps of the late King Michael Wisno­witski was Convey'd from Warsaw in a Chariot, drawn by Six Horses, attended with all the Officers of his Houshold, and many Persons of Quality, to Cracow, where their present Majesties were lately Arrived; Waited upon by almost all the Nobility of the Kingdom; The Body [Page 124]of King Casimire which had been sent for out of France, was also brought thi­ther, and on one and the same day were perform'd the Funerals of both those Kings, with the usual Ceremonies and becoming Respects to their Memories: Which being Dispatcht, on the Second of February 1675/6. King John Sobieski, and his Queen, were Crowned in the Castle of Cracow, with all the Pomp and Magnifi­cence Imaginable, and the next day his Majesty Received the Homage of all the Senators, Nobility, &c. And the French Ambassador presented to his Majesty a Solemn Declaration of the King his Ma­ster, by which he Adopted the Queen of Poland his Daughter, Declaring that ac­cordingly She should upon all Occasions be lookt upon and Treated as a Daugh­ter of France; And on the eighth of March following her Majesty was happi­ly delivered of a Young Princess. The King Applying himself to Supply the Vacancies, made the Prince Lubomirski Grand Marshal of the Kingdom; The Lord Siniawski Mareschal of the Court; on Prince Demetrius Wisnowiski, Palatine of Belz, He bestow'd the Command of General of the Forces of the Kingdom; and that of Lieutenant General, void [Page 125]by his Removal on Jablownowski Pala­tine of Russia.

In June 76. the Sultan Nuradin with the two Sons of the Cham of Tartary, pass'd the Niester with a great Body of Men, and sent out parties to Ravage the Country; And Ibrahim Bassa with his Turks Advanced to several Posts about Caminiac. In the mean time, tho' very good Resolutions were taken at the last Diet, yet so negligent had they been in the several Palatinates to put them in Execution, that the King had neither men nor money to make Resistance: How­ever he Ordered what Troops he had to March towards Leopol, to a Rendezvous there; And being destitute of all other means, Issued out his Letters fot Convo­king the Arrierban for the Defence of the Kingdom.

About August 76. His Excellency Law­rence Ambassador from the King of Great Brittain, to his Majesty of Poland, being Arrived at Dantzick; the Queen of Po­land soon after came thither also in her Way for France, to Drink the Waters of Burbon for the Recovery of her Health, (though afterwards that Jour­ney was laid aside) of whom he had [Page 126]Audience; and having performed his Complement to her Majesty, presented the Young Princess, to whom his Majesty of Great Brittain was prayed to be God­father, with a very rich and Noble Jewel on the part of his said Majesty, and so passed on to Poland; Where he was Re­ceived with all Demonstrations of Re­spect and Kindness, suitable to his Cha­racter and Person.

The Turks and Tartars began now to appear very formidable, and yet continu­ed so sensible of their last years defeats, and so afraid of the very Name of King Sobieski, That they desired nothing more than Peace, for which purpose the Grand Seignior by the Prince of Moldavia made an Overture for a Treaty; Nor vvere the King of Polands Affairs in a Conditi­on to refuse such an Offer, and so Com­missioners were sent. In the mean time to omit nothing for the publick safety, the King understanding that the Turks were on their March towards Jaslovies, about Six Leagues beyond Caminiec; He Marched on the sixth of September from Javarow with intention to Releive it, but by the Cowardice or Treachery of the Gover­nour, the same was yielded with little or no resistance, and Burnt, as likewise they [Page 127]did two or three other considerable pla­ces, and were Marching towards Trem­bowla. Whereupon His Majesty vvith all Expedition Advanced, and leaving all his Baggage at Zorawno to make more haste, on the 24th of October fell upon the Ene­mies Vanguard, and killed many, putting the rest into disorder; but the Tartars be­ing 30 Thousand strong, Rallied, and came down on the whole Polish Army, where a bloody Fjght continued from Noon till Evening, and in conclusion the Infidels were put to flight in great Confu­sion; but His Majesty being vastly inferi­our in Number, not above 15 or 16000 to oppose near 150 Thousand, had abundance of brave men Killed and Wounded.

These ill Successes on the Turks part the more easily disposed them to a Peace, which soon after was Concluded on the following Articles, very honourable and advantagious to the Polish Crown, viz.

1. That the Treaties concluded with the late King Michael, should be quite a­bolished, and no more account in the least be had of them.

2. That as for what concern'd Podolia, the Turks should retain Caminiec, with a certain Circuit of Ground round it; and concerning the Ʋkrain the greatest part, [Page 128]as Bialacirkew, Pawloz, Galnick, Memocrow, &c. to be quitted to the Poles; so that what was left to the Turks was inconside­rable, and mostly under Dorosensko.

3. All Prisoners and Slaves to be set at Liberty, and no further Hostility to be permitted.

4. The Christian Religion to be freely Exercised in all places that the Turks re­tain, by this Treaty.

5. That the Turks should Renounce their pretentions to the Monies promi­sed them by the Treaty of Leopol, and the Hostages given on that Account to be Released.

6. That the Turks and Tartars should promise a strict Alliance to the Poles, and assist them against their Enemies.

7. That the Custody of the Holy Se­pulchre shall be restored to the Francis­cans, to prevent all differences on that Ac­count.

The Peace being thus happily conclu­ded, and the Infidels retired; His Maje­sty of Poland came back in November to Zulkiew, where His Excellency my Lord Hide the English Ambassador had Audi­ence in a most splendid manner, being Conveyed in the Kings Richest Coach, [Page 129]and received by the Mareschal of the Court at the Stairs, who Conducted him to the Chamber of Presence, where His Majesty received him standing under a ve­ry rich Canopy of State, Cloathed in a long Robe of Cloth of Gold, and a Vest of Cloth of Silver. After the usual For­malities of the Audience were over, and that the King had for some time enter­tained His Excellency in more familiar discourses, He was pleased to take him into the Queens Apartment, His Excel­lency every where meeting with a Recep­tion full of the highest Kindness and E­steem from their Majesties, who as a fur­ther instance thereof, were pleased to In­vite His Excellency to an Extraordinary Supper prepared in a large and stately Room, His Excellency being seated on the Kings Right-hand, and next to him, as likevvise on the Queens Left-hand se­veral persons of the greatest Quality in that Kingdom. After Supper, vvhich lasted several Hours, and vvas served in vvith great Magnificence, His Excellency vvas Conducted back to his place of Re­fidence with the King Coaches, &c. The next day all the Senators and other Per­sons of Quality made their Visits to His Excellency, vvhich he returned the day [Page 130]follovving; And on the 13th of November had his Audience of Congee of their Ma­jesties, in Order to his Return home. He hastening to Nimeguen, where he assisted as one of the Plenipotentiares for mediating a General Peace.

In December following, His Most Chri­stian Majesty in Testimony of his Respects to His Majesty Commanded his Ambassa­dor Resident in that Court to invest His Majesty with the Order of the Holy Ghost, which Ceremony was performed with extraordinary Magnificence; The said Ambassador at the same time, making to both their Majesties several Presents from the King his Master, which were valued at some millions of Livres.

CHAP. VI.

HIS Majesty of Poland having thus Restor'd Peace to his Dominions, than which after such long Confusions and Hazards nothing could be more welcome or advantagious to his Subjects, did not during that Repose, abandon Himself to private Pleasures, nor at all Slacken his Royal Care for the publick Welfare and their Future Security: But applyed himself with all Dilligence to Repair those Im­pressions which the late Incursions from abroad, and Disturbances at home, had made upon the Realm. To provide for the due and equal Administration of Justice, and placing fit Persons in Offi­ces of Importance, and for the Manage­ment of Weighty Affairs: To Recon­cile [Page 132]and put a period to those Factions which had been nourished amongst the Grandees, by the secret Enemies of that Crown; To fortify himself with such ne­cessary Alliances as might conduce to the Common Utility of Christendom; and in a word, accommodating his Vigilant En­deavours to all those prudential Arts of Government that render a people safe and happy, and are in themselves no less laudable and necessary Offices of a good Prince, though perhaps not so fam'd and glittering as the Atcheivments of Warr and Trophies of Victory.

Amongst the rest he entred into a Trea­ty with the Czar of Muscovy, which held a long time for the Adjustment of several points in debate; for though they ear­nestly pressed him to a New Rupture with the Port, offering great Assistances, yet His Majesty reflecting how much they had fail'd formerly in their promises of that kind, was cautious of embarquing himself in a new War without sufficient security that he should not still be left in the lurch when he might have most occasion to ex­pect the aid of their Forces.

But in the beginning of the year 1683. Intelligence daily arriving of the vast preparations the Turks were making for [Page 133]Invading Hungary and other Neighbou­ring Parts of the Empire; His Majesty thought he could no longer in Prudence for his own Safety, Nor in Conscience for the general Cause of Christendom, sit any longer still without endeavouring to op­pose the Designs of the Infidels.

And therefore caused a Diet to be held in February, where the matter being de­bated, It was concluded, That Twenty Thousand Men should be forthwith rais­ed for the Defence and Security of that Kingdom in the Present Conjuncture; And that the said Resolution should stand good tho' the Dyet should happen to be unseasonably broken up through the Pro­testation of any of the Deputies, which too often happens.

And Count Wallastain being sent Am­bassador from his Imperial Majesty to the Crown of Poland, did on the second of April, 1683. Conclude and Sign an Al­liance, whereby the Emperour obliged himself to Act with an Army of Sixty Thousand Men against the Turks, and the King of Poland promised to have between Thirty and Forty Thousand Men in the Field the Summer following for the assi­stance of the Empire; Which League was approved of by the Dyet, who on [Page 134]the fourth of that Moneth broke up their Assembly with great satisfaction to all Parties.

There was at that time a Turkish Chiaux present in the Polish Court, who endea­voured all he could to divert His Majesty from entering into this Engagement, de­claring that the Cham of Tartary with a mighty Army would fall into that King­dom, if any Assistance were given the Emperour from thence. And it was al­so reported, as if the Minister of a cer­tain Christian King was not wanting also underhand to cast in Rubs to hinder His Majesty from those Resolutions. But how­ever, so it was, that the Threatnings of the one, & Insinuations of the other were not regarded, but His Majesty remain'd still stedfast in his purpose of opposing the Progress of the Ottoman Arms; which Pious Inclinations, the Justice of Heaven has since Rewarded with such stupendious Successes, as must render his Name and Memory the delight and wonder of all Posterity.

I shall neither weary the Reader with a tedious deduction of the Original Occa­sions and Progress of the disturbances in Hungary, begun at first by several Great Men of that Kingdom (Roman Catholicks) [Page 135]on pretence of their Liberties being vio­lated, and afterwards unhappily continu­ed and fomented by the unnecessary Seve­rities practised upon the Protestants of that Country; Which the Turk taking the Advantage of, offered them his pro­tection, and on that quarrel seemed to ground his present Expedition; Nor shall I undertake to give a particular Account of that most memorable Siege of Vienna, since the same is sufficiently publisht to the World by other Pens; But briefly summ up the most remarkable passages wherein His Majesty of Poland was Con­cern'd.

The Intelligence of the Turks Advance with a vast Army, extreamly startled the Emperour, the rather for that at the same time, He had Advice that the French were drawing together great Forces towards Germany; So that he was under Appre­hensions they would have taken the Ad­vantage of this Juncture to fall upon the Empire on that side; But whether it were an effect of the Generosity of the most Chri­stian King, or that he omitted it on the earnest Request of the Pope, who wrote to him on that occasion, or that he waited to see first the success of the Ottoman Arms, or for whatever other Reasons, so [Page 136]it was, That he attempted nothing of that kind.

The Imperial Army under the Command of the Duke of Lorrain, had Besieged New-Hausel (a strong Town taken some years since from the Empire by the Turks) where they had advanced with good hopes of being quickly Masters of it, when ex­press Order came from the Emperour to Raise that Seige, and put Forces into Co­morra, Raab, and Presburgh, esteemed the Bulwarks of Christendom, and which it was rationally supposed the Turks would first Attempt, and not leave behind them Garrisons of such Importance; and there­fore great Care was taken to fortify them, whilst the Imperial City of Vienna, not looking upon it self in such sudden dan­ger, was not so well provided for.

The Duke of Lorrain used all the En­deavours of a prudent General to secure his Retreat from Newhausel; but his Forces were so discouraged at the Raising of the Siege, that when the Infidels from the Garrison fell upon them, the Rear­guard made little opposition, but hastned their March to save themselves, and so exposed the Infantry, which the Duke had placed behind in certain Houses to Flank the Enemy, to inevitable destruction, a­mongst [Page 137]whom was the Count de Taexis, de­scended of one of the best Families in Spain. The Duke with the rest of the Army retreated towards the Isle of Schut.

In the mean time the Troops intrusted with the Guard of an important Pass at Va­ag, revolted to Count Teckeley, Chief of the Malecontents in Hungary, and Confederate with the Turks, who thereby finding the way open, past the Vaag, and advanced to the Banks of the Danube; and buil­ding a Bridge above Papas, carried over their Infantry, whilst their Cavalry and Baggage Marched round, and came over the Bridge at Papas-Town, and present­ly sent out Parties which Harrassed and Plundred and Burnt all the Country; And one great Detachment following the Imperial Army fell upon their Reer, who by the suddenness of the Enemies coming, and the Bruit of their vast Numbers, were so amaz'd, that notwithstanding all the Duke could do, his Cavalry aban­doned his Foot, and retired towards Vi­enna; and though the Chevalier of Sa­voy (Son of the late Count of Soissons) and Count Taaff, made a brave resistance, (wherein the Former was slain) yet the Turks became Master of the Baggage, and therein of a Booty valued at Three Hun­dred [Page 138]Thousand Crowns. The greatest part of the Dukes Infantry secured them­selves in the Isle of Schut, and were in eminent hazard of being all lost, had not the Duke quickly brought back his Horse, and forc'd a passage to their Relief, and put part of them (as ordered before) into Raab, Comorra, and Presburgh, and with the rest and his Cavalry withdrew near Vienna; For which Cities-sake this disaster may be counted happy, for if these Forces had not been thus driven thi­ther, it would not have been able to de­fend it self against the unexpected Siege which immediately followed.

For upon Advice of this near approach of the Enemy, Their Imperial Majesties and the Court, on the 7th of July, left Vienna, and went thence to Lintz, and afterwards to Passaw; but before they were gone far from the City, had the af­fliction to behold all the Towns, Villages and Houses on the other side the Danube on Fire by the Enemy, who wherever they came gave those Flaming. Testimo­nies of their Cruelty.

Soon after the Duke of Lorrain thought fit also to retire with his Cavalry, and what Forces he could spare, leaving there under the Governour Count Starem­bergh, [Page 139]Twelve Thousand Men Effective, which with the Standing Garrison com­pleated the whole to about Fifteen Thou­sand Souldiers, besides the Scholars, Bur­ghers, and Handicrafts-men, who were able to bear Arms, and did continual duty.

On the fourteenth of July the City was Invested by the Turkish Army, consisting in all of about 150 Thousand Men, against which most Formidable Power, and all their Attaques, wherein they were not wanting either in Courage or Skill, but did more mischief by their Mines than their Batteries, the Garrison though but ill provided, did yet by the Resolution and Encouragement of their Incomparvble Go­vernour, bravely defend it self, till the twelfth of September following, during all that time doing great Execution on the Enemy, who were then beat off by the United Forces of the King of Poland and the Imperial Princes.

For pursuant to the League with the Emperour before mentioned, No sooner was it known, That the Infidels were Entred Christendom, but His Majesty of Poland with all imaginable diligence ga­thered together his Forces: And though there wanted not some about him vvho [Page 140]were supposed Pensioners to France, That insinuated how unsafe it might be to the Kingdom, for its Forces to March out to assist others, when in the mean time they might be liable to the Incursions of the Tartars and Turks at home; yet this brave Prince esteemed himself obliged in Justice and Honour to neglect such Suggestions, and with all Expedition put his Army in­to a posture to March. And having dis­patcht away the Sieur Lubomirski with three Regiments of Horse, before, who notwithstanding Count Teckeley's Endea­vours to Intercept them, joyned with General Schuts, and did very good Ser­vice in several Rencounters, His Maje­sty in Person came to Cracow on the 29th of July, having first been to perform his Devotions at Crenstochow, And soon af­ter advanc'd with his whole Army, through Silesia, causing it to March in three Bodies, and different ways, for their great­er Conveniency and Speed; And from the Imperial Court the Schafgats vvas ordered to go and Complement him at his Arrival on the Frontiers, also his Imperi­al Majesty Himself on the twenty third of August parted from Passaw for Krembs, where was appointed the Common Ren­dezvous for His Majesty of Poland, the [Page 141]Duke of Lorrain and the Auxiliary Troops of the Empire, all to meet at.

On the second of September His Maje­sty of Poland Arrived at Holbron with the bravest Cavalry that the Sun ever beheld, (but much Harrassed with the fatigues of so tedious and continual a March) consist­ing of 18000. Horse, most of them Po­lish Gentlemen, who for the most part had each of them a stout Servant or Two well Arm'd; His Infantry were about 15000, and could not come up till two or three days after, so that there was a Necessity to rest a few days to Refresh the wearied Souldiers before they adventured on any Action: For which purpose the Duke of Lorrain had provided against their co­ming great quantities of Provisions both for Horse and Men.

In which time, as well the Duke of Lorrain, as their Highnesses of Bavaria, and Saxony came to visit and pay their Re­spects to His Majesty, who received them after a most obliging manner, and pre­sented his Son Prince Alexander to their Acquaintance and Friendship; a Prince not above Fifteen or Sixteen Years of Age, but in prudence and Courage much [Page 142]out stripping his years, who attended his Father this Campaign, to instruct him­self under so great a Master in the Rudi­ments of War.

After the first Civilities necessary be­tween Persons of such Illustrious Quality were past, knowing their Business was not Complement, but the Securing of Christendom from the most Eminent Dan­ger it had been in, for some Centuries; They held a Council of War to adjust the measures fit to be taken in the Manage­ment of that great Work before them, viz. The Relief of Vienna; And having Concluded all Particulars, and Commu­nicated the Scheme of their Resolutions to the Emperour (who had altered his Intention of Coming up to the Armies, because he would leave the Honour of Commander in Chief to the King of Po­land) and the same being by him ap­proved; They began to Advance to put them in Execution; and indeed it was High time; For the City was now reduc'd to the very last Extremity, and in Hu­mane probability could not have held out for many hours longer.

On the 11th of September, The whole Christian Army, consisting of near Four­score thousand Combatants, was come almost within sight of the Turks, and all things were prepared for the Battel next Day.

The Right Wing was assign'd by Con­sent to his Majesty of Poland, because He had most Horse, and the Country was on that side open; The Left to the Ele­ctor of Bavaria, and the Duke of Lor­rain, for that it was amongst Inclosures all along the Danube [...]; And the Main­body to the Elector of Saxony, and Prince Waldeck, with the Troops of the Circles.

By break of Day, September 12. All the Generals met on an Hill to give the last Orders, and were no sooner come thither, But a Body of about ten Thou­sand of the Flower of the Turkish Caval­ry appeared, advancing amain towards the Christians; whereupon a Battalion was Ordered to put themselves into a Vineyard that was on another Hill, hard by, seconded by three other Battalions, who put a stopp to the Turks Carrier; for not induring the fierce Firings of the [Page 144]said Battalions, and being all Horse, and in a Ground where they could not well Attaque the Foot, they contented them­selves with one Discharge accompanied with an Hideous Noise or Hollow, and so retired. Whereupon the King of Po­land and other Princes, drew the Army in Three Lines, all closed, without any Intervails, charging them to March very flowly towards the Enemy, and to stand when the Turks came to Charge them, keep themselves close, and not Fire till the Enemy had made their Discharge; which was observ'd accordingly. The Turks advanced towards them with a horrible Cry, as if they meant to break in upon them, hoping thereby to make them give way, or put them into Disor­der. But perceiving that the Christians stood firm, and expected them in a very close Order; They durst not push any further, but made an Halt, Discharg'd and wheeld off; Upon which immedi­ately all the first Line of the Christians Fired, and the whole Army advanced with a slow pace, gaining Ground upon the Enemy; who returning, came up as before, and the Christians thereupon made an Halt, and expected them; and the Turks having Discharged, again [Page 145]retired; and thus they did several times without being able to break in upon the Christians, who still gain'd Ground and drave them before them. Being thus got near the Enemies Camp, a Body of Foot and Dragoons was Detached to Attacque their Cannon, which they became Masters of without much Opposition, the Ene­my having but a small number of Foot to defend them. On the Right Wing their Horse endeavoured to Charge the Christians in Flank, but the King of Poland mistrusting their Design, caused part of the second Line to Advance and make a Front on that side, and Char­ging the Enemy in Person with the first Line made them give way.

Whilst this was doing, the Grand Vi­zier had caused two Mines to be sprung under the Ramparts of the City not farr from the Scots-Gate, whereby a Breach was made able to let in Thirty or Forty Men a Breast; designing to take the City by storm, and instantly to draw his Men within the Walls, and under the Cannon thereof to secure his Baggage Tents and Train. But tho' his Forces designed to Effect this, omitted nothing that could be done, and fought like men [Page 146]Desperate, rather than Valiant; yet Count Starembergh having instantly clapt ten Great Guns upon the Breach loaden with Musquet Shot, Nails, pieces of Horse-Shoes, &c. Cut off the Assai­lants in vast Numbers, and yet fresh ones still Crowded on, and were as Va­liantly resisted by the Besieged, so that the Ground for above half an hour was Disputed with the last Efforts of Reso­lution on each side; but at last the Turks were forced to Retreat to their Tren­ches; Upon whom Starembergh made a sally; and a party from the Prince of Lorrain coming at that instant to his Assistance on the other side, beat them out, and Cut in pieces more than Four Thousand Janizaries.

In Conclusion towards Night the whole Body of the Turks began to fly, the Chri­stians pursuing them beyond their Camp, being too weary, after having been near Forty-eight hours upon Duty, to follow them; But the Soldiers were Command­ed upon pain of Death not to stirr out of their Ranks, and the whole Army continued all night in Battalia to pre­vent any surprize. But the next Day finding the Enemy clear March'd away, [Page 147]Liberty was given to Plunder their Camp, half a Company going out at a time, while the other half continued in Arms, and when the first return­ed, the Second went out in like man­ner.

Here were taken all the Enemies Bag­gage, and vast quantities of Provisions and Ammunition, above one hundred pie­ces of Cannon, two Horse-Tails (which they use to hang out as a Denunciation of Warr, when they undertake any Ex­pedition.) The Viziers own Horse, all their Tents, in Number above Thirty Thousand, and the Graud Seigniors STANDARD, Extraordinary Rich and Sumptuous; The Exact Figure, and Arabick Inscriptions whereof, with their Interpretations, you have before the Title-Page hereof.

This mighty Victory (in obtaining which, the Christians lost not above One Thousand Men, and very few Per­sons of Quality) must under God, be chiefly attributed to the great Conduct and Courage of the King of Poland, who Engaged his Royal Person amongst the thickest of the Enemy, having with him [Page 148]the Prince his Son, who thus early signa­liz'd Himself. Nor ought the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony, the Duke of Lorrain and Prince Waldeck, to want their share of the Glory, since they all Behaved them selves extreamly well, and gained great Honour and Reputation.

September the Thirteenth, The King of Poland and other Princes entered Vienna, a sad Spectacle of past desolation, which yet now served to Inhance the Joy for its delivery; His Majesty Embraced the gal­lant Starembergh with the highest expres­sions of Esteem for his Person, Valour and Conduct. The next day the Empe­rour Arrived there, and met the King of Poland at the Head of his Army drawn up in Battalia, to whom in the most En­dearing Terms, he made his Ac­knowledgments; Who received them with a Modesty equal to his Courage; a­vowing that he had only used his just en­deavours to discharge the Obligations which he ow'd to the Safety and Repose of Christen­dom, and that the Success of his Arms, was to be wholly attributed to the Goodness of God, and the Bravery of those Princes who had done him the Honour to joyn their Treops to his. His Imperial Majesty having ordered [Page 149]Prince Alexaneer to be presented with a Sword richly set with Diamonds, and so after a short interview departed, and the King of Poland Decamped with his Army and marched to Wiseha, and so by a Bridg of Boats over the Danube about a mile below Presburgh, on the twenty fifth of September, and the twenty seventh the Imperial Army advancing after him pas­sed over at the same place.

On the ninth of October, understanding that a Body of about 14000 Turks lay in­camp'd near Barkan, being the Choicest Troops that were remaining of their whole Army, under the Command of se­veral Bassa's of best account, His Majesty of Poland, and some few of the Imperial Troops advanced thither, The Turks no sooner saw them, but they came briskly on, and Charged very desperately, but being as warmly received, after a sharp Encounter the Infidels were put to Flight, one of their Bassa's slain, another taken Prisoner, and the rest of them hurrying over the Bridge at Gran, the same broke down, so that of all that Body of men, there were not 4000. that escaped. In this Battel the young Prince Alexander had his Horse shot under him. Also here, the [Page 150]brave Lord Landsdown, a young English Noblem [...]n (Son to the Right Honourable the Earl of Bath) who being abroad upon his Travels with his Brother, had put himself into the Campaign, first as a Vo­luntier, and at the Relief of Vienna ser­ved as a Captain of Horse, where having given large Testimonies of his Valour, he now Commanded a squadron in Count Taafts Brigade, and so signaliz'd himself. That afterwards about the beginning of January last, waiting on his Imperial Ma­jesty at Lintz, he was received with par­ticular esteem in that Court, and the Em­perour at his taking leave of him, vvas pleased to declare, that he could not suffer a Nobleman of so much merit to return for England, from a Compagne, wherein he had acquitted himself with so much Gallantry, without a Mark of Honour, and therefore at the same time delivered him a Warrant to the Elector of Mentz, Chancellour of the Empire, to pass a Diploma constitu­ting his Lordship a Count of the Empire, by the Title of Count Greenville.

The next Considerable Exploit of his Majesty of Poland was, by taking of Zyt­chin, a place of great Importance; for ha­ving parted with the Duke of Lorrain, [Page 151]and understanding that the Turks had there a Considerable Garrison, vvhich might Incommode the Communication between his Troops, and the Imperialists; sent the Prince his Son and the Palatine of Lublin with a small Body of Horse, to view it, and at their return, gave order to attaque that place; where the Turks on their side were in a posture of defence, and having notice that that the King had ordered the Cossacks to fall upon their Suburbs, set them on fire the night before, which yet hindred not the Cassacks from possessing themselves of one of their Gates, and breaking down the Paliza­dos. The Turks defended themselves with great Resolution, and after a sharp dis­pute forced the Cossacks to retire, till being seconded with some fresh Troops, they renewed the Charge, and Compelled the Turks to quit the Town, and take shelter in the Castle, which the King com­manded immediately to be Assaulted, and then the Turks hung out a White Flag, and the Commander in Chief with two o­thers came out, and prayed his Majesty to permit them to March out to Buda; Which was granted, and so they went forth, being eight hundred Foot and five hundred Horse; In the place were taken [Page 152]great store of Provisions and Ammuniti­on, and Twenty Pieces of Cannon, be­sides several small Field Pieces; and His Majesty afterwards put the Town into the hands of the Imperialists; And the very next day sent to summon two Castles called Brigh and Holoch, who yielded at discretion. Thence his Majesty Marched to Kimasombat, and on the sixteenth of Novem. the General of Lithuania met his Majesty there.

During his Majesties stay in the upper Hungary, he endeavoured by all fair means to reduce Count Teckeley to obedience, offering him very good Termes, for the performance of which he would be Guar­ranty; but finding the same ineffectual, and that it would not be convenient to continue with all his Troops this Winter in those parts, left only those of Lithua­nia there, and with the rest which had been much weakned by those extraordi­nary and continual Services they had per­formed, Marcht home into Poland? and Arrived at Cracow on the 21st of Decem­ber, where he was welcomed by all the Applauses and Testimonies of an univer­versal Affection from his Subjects; and to [Page 152]render their Joys and Triumphs more Compleat, the News Arrived that the Sieur Kiniski General of the Cossacks, had obtained a Great Victory over the Turks and Tartars, who being above forty thou­sand strong, Commanded by two Tartari­an Generals, and Haley Bey a Turkish Of­ficer, who had under him a selected Body of Spahies, and some Troops of Janiza­ries, had made a suddain March, design­ing to fall upon the Poles in Podolia, and Relieve Caminiec, which was Blockt up; whereupon the General of the Cossiacks drawing together thirty thousand Men, and marching with great diligence to in­tercept them, on the fourth of December Attacqued them near Tilgrotin, and de­feated them, with so great a slaughter, that thirty thousand men of them, were destroyed on the place, and in pursuit; Their two Tartar Generals en­deavouring in vain to Rally their men, being slain, and Haley Bey being taken Prisoner, offered an hundred thousand Crowns for his Life, But the Cossacks in­to whose hands he fell, quarrelling a­bout sharing the money, Killed him, to end the dispute.

After which Victory, the Cossacks ad­vanc'd into the Countrey of the Tartars of Budziack, putting all they met with to the Sword; so that, 'tis said, they slew near one Hundred-Thousand; and having finisht their Ravage, took Bialogrod and Ketin, and placed Garrisons therein. All which successes made such Impres­sions on the Wallachians, that Thirty Thousand of them have Sworn fidelity to the Crown of Poland, and to Joyn with the Cossacks against the Turks and Tartars; And 'tis said the Moldavians are following their Example. In the mean time His Majesty has appointed a Diet to be held for taking the Necessary Resolutions for prosecuting this Happy Warr; Resolving to be again in the Field early in the Spring with a greater Army than ever.

Thus have we waited on this Trium­phant Prince through several of the most Important Actions of his Life; and now must leave him, for the present, to the Conduct of that Divine Hand which has hitherto blest him with such a constant series of miraculous Success.

To Attempt his Character would re­quire [Page 155]another Volumne; Alexander and Caesar, Ʋnited, will not express half the Idaea of his Merit. He is Master of all the Gallantry of Antient Hero's, but free from the Blemishes of their Pride, Ambi­tion and other Vices; His Subjects find Him as Just, kind and Indulgent, As his Enemies, Valiant; And he Labours not for his own Glory and Interest; But to Repel Barbarians, and secure and In­large the Bounds of Christianity; where­by his Name is become more terrible to the Infidels than ever was that of Scander­beg or Huniades; In a word He seems a special Instrument raised by Providence to Conferr a double Obligation on all the Christian World, by Repulsing the Mahu­metans from without, and preventing the Tyranny of others amongst them­selves, who from an Insatiate Ambition, are more than suspected of a Design to have taken the Advantage by those Con­fusions, to have Grasp'd to themselves an Ʋniversal Monarchy.