And Johannizza, the King of
Wallachia besieged them; nor had he been there long before he took the
burgh by force. And at the taking of the burgh a great misfortune
befell, for Hugh of Colemi was killed; he was struck through the eye.
When he was killed, who was the best of them all, the rest of the
garrison were greatly afeared. They drew back into the castle, which
was very strong; and Johannizza besieged them, and erected his
petraries and mangonels. Nor had he besieged them long before they
began to talk about surrendering, for which they were afterwards
blamed, and incurred great reproach. And they agreed to yield up the
castle to Johannizza, and Johannizza on his side caused twenty-five of
the men of highest rank that he had to swear to them that they should
be taken, safe and sound, with all their horses, and all their arms,
and all their baggage, to Salonika, or Constantinople, or
Hungary-wMchever of the three it liked them best.
In this manner was Seres surrendered, and Johannizza caused the
besieged to come forth from the castle and en-
104
camp near him in the fields; and he treated them with much fair
seeming, and sent them presents. So he kept them for three days, and
then he lied and foreswore his promises; for he had them taken, and
spoiled of their goods, and led away to Wallachia, naked, and unshod,
and on foot. The poor and the mean people, who were of little worth,
he sent into Hungary; and as for the others, he caused their heads to
be cut off.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164