The government of the Ottoman Empire in the time of Suleiman the MagnificentLybyer, Albert Howe
History
The government of the Ottoman Empire in the time of Suleiman the Magnificent
Lybyer, Albert Howe
Süleyman I, Sultan of the Turks, 1494 or 1495-1566; Turkey -- Politics and government
“When the cavalry had ridden past, they were followed by a long
procession of Janissaries, but few of whom carried any arms except their
regular weapon, the musket. They were dressed in uniforms of almost
the same shape and colour, so that you might recognize them to be the
slaves, and as it were the household, of the same master. Among them no
extraordinary or startling dress was to be seen, and nothing slashed
or pierced. They say their clothes wear out quite fast enough without
their tearing them themselves. There is only one thing in which they
are extravagant, viz., plumes, head-dresses, etc., and the veterans
who formed the rear guard were specially distinguished by ornaments of
this kind. The plumes which they insert in their frontlets might well
be mistaken for a walking forest.[489] Then followed on horseback their
captains and colonels, distinguished by the badges of their rank. Last
of all, rode their Aga by himself. Then succeeded the chief dignitaries
of the Court, and among them the Pashas, and then the royal body-guard,
consisting of infantry, who wore a special uniform and carried bows
ready strung, all of them being archers.[490] Next came the Sultan’s
grooms leading a number of fine horses with handsome trappings for their
master’s use. He was mounted himself on a noble steed; his look was
stern, and there was a frown on his brow; it was easy to see that his
anger had been aroused. Behind him came three pages, one of whom carried
a flask of water, another a cloak, and the third a box.[491] These were
followed by some eunuchs of the bedchamber, and the procession was closed
by a squadron of horse about two hundred strong [the Muteferrika].”[492]
Busbecq spent three months in Suleiman’s camp near Scutari:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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