HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
uses Google technology and indexes only and selectively internet - libraries having books with free public access
 
  Previous Next  

CLAUDE DELAVAL COBHAM
Exerpta Cypria
page 157

View PDF version of this page

CALEPIO. 14Θ A true anil most exact Narrative of the Conquest and Defence of Famagosta compiled by the Reverend Father, Fr. Angiolo Calepio, of Cyprus a Doctor in Theology of the Order of Preachers, at the instance of the Reverend Father, Fr, Stefano Liisignano, a Reader in the same Order. FRA ANGELO CALEPIO, OP CYPRUS, OF THE ORDER OP S. DOMINIC, A POOR DIVINE, TO HIS COURTEOUS AND KIND READERS. Be it known that the narrative of the conquest and defence of the city of Famagosta was compiled from the memoirs of many captains present iu Cyprus at the defence of that stronghold, who are now in the prison aud tower of the Great Turk, which I, being arrested in February 1572 by tho order of Kilij AH, as a spy of our lord the Pope, while I was in durance with them collected with all care: and this verified by themselves, and by the accounts of many other persons, I offer yon as genuine and trae, and lifted above every kind of passion. "And thus I make an end, exhorting all to pray the Lord for me, and for those poor defenders who are still in captivity : and for you 1 implore every temporal comfort, and happiness in eternity. From Bologna, November 10, 1572. Immediately after the capture of Nicosia the naval commander Ali Pasha marched away and re-embarked his troops at Salines on September 11, 1570, when the fleet sailed for Cape della Grea. On September 18, Mnstafa, General of the army at Nicosia, left a garrison in that city, and encamped before Famagosta. He was anxious to swallow up quickly the whole kingdom, of which Famagosta only remained nnsnbdued, and on the 23rd he caused a fort to be built near the little rock, to batter the city as well as the ships which were on our side. It was completed in three days, and on the 26th a few cannon shots were fired. On the 29th they built two other forts, one at the fountain of S. George, the other at Precipolla; on these they mounted a few pieces of artillery and on October 1 opened fire. Our men were prompt in harassing them, and on the 3rd tho whole camp retired to the village Pomo d'Adamo, three miles away. The great galley of Mehmed Pasha, full of artillery and ammunition, was burnt about three miles off Famagosta. After this onr troops made a sally on the 8th, and did their best to destroy the forts and trenches. So far nothing had happened of particular moment, bnt on November 3 there arrived a Turk with two fine horses and a lady of Nicosia. Some people were afraid he had been sent by the Pasha with some mischievous intent: many howeveV knew that he was flying for his life. A man of Famagosta was assigned to him as interpret^*. The Turk got drunk, drew a knife which he had in hie sleeve and killed him. For this murder he was hanged on December 7. On the 30th the Turks brought four nieces of artillery to S. Alessio. On January 23, 1571, we descried four vessels with infantry and ammunition, and on the following morning twelve of onr galleys and a frigate arrived, and landed the garrison, victuals and ammunition.

View PDF version of this page


  Previous First Next