The grand Turk detained the ambassadors in Constantinople, for he suspected that Sophi would invade his country of Natolia; and in consequence, he assembled a large army near to the town of Angora[31], and commanded all in Pera[32] to hold themselves in readiness to bear arms against Sophi Christian or Red Bonnet. They were, however, refractory, and refused to obey, showing more willingness to surrender themselves to Sophi. The Armenians say, that Sophi does not esteem the grand Turk a button,--for he has an army of ninety thousand men, well armed, without including his own countrymen from Armenia, who daily follow him. All this information was brought to the king of France, when he was at Morestel[33] in Dauphiny, in the year 1503. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 29: I cannot make out this chapter to my satisfaction. In the 'Art de Verifier les Dates,' I find, that in the year 1501, which nearly answers to the date in the chapter, Schah Ismael Sophi I., &c. the restorer of the sect of Ali, in Persia, when only 14 years old, assembles a large army of Alides, conquers Tauris from Alvand IV. successor of Uzun Cassan, and obliges him to fly to Diarbeker, where he dies in 1502. Schah Ismael gains Bagdad in 1510, putting to flight Morad Beg, son to Alvand, and in the following year conquers Khoristan, &c. In the year 1514, Selim I. emperor of the Turks gives him battle and defeats him on the plains of Chaldéron, and takes the town of Tauris. Sophi dies aged 38, &c.] [Footnote 30: Arzian. Q. Erzerum, or Erivan?] [Footnote 31: Angora,--a town in Natolia: Bajazet was defeated near to it.] [Footnote 32: Pera,--partly a suburb to Constantinople. I believe it was then possessed by the Genoese.] [Footnote 33: Morestel,--election of Vienne.] CHAP. XIX. A GREAT MORTALITY FROM THE UNWHOLESOMENESS OF THE SEASON.--OF THE DEATHS OF MANY PERSONS OF NOTE. In the course of the year 1504, a truce was concluded between the kings of France and Spain, touching the county of Roussillon: nevertheless, the Spaniards that had been garrisoned in Saulse embarked secretly for Naples. It was said, that the king of Spain had bribed some of the French (of which they were afterwards accused), and by this means he had conquered Naples. The lord of Aubigny and the lord of Alegre, the principal leaders of the french army, were made prisoners; and great numbers of their men perished, more from want of food than in battle, for there was no great effusion of blood. The lieutenant of the lord of Ligny maintained his post in the territories of that lord's deceased wife,--and the French, notwithstanding the spanish force, made several good prisoners, who were exchanged for the lords of Aubigny and of Alegre.