130 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book iii.

to make the business sure, murdered their wivesand children. 1

Yertot, often inexact, is occasionally grossly so;and refers all that, which in truth took place inApril, 1512, not only not to Almeric’s time, noreven his successor’s, but still later. 2 It had beencommunicated to Pope Julius II., who died inFebruary of 1513. 3

Bajazet’s eldest son was of a quiet philosophicturn, like his father, and it seems to have been theprincipal cause of the murder of both; and that itwas because of Selim’s fear his father would havepreferred a son of a nature so similar to his own,or his second, who had some spice of mercy in hiscomposition; so removed all competitors, and as-sumed rule himself. Yet towards Rhodes he usedrather threats, than actual invasion. Except thatthe order was put to heavy expense, and severalnaval combats. In one of these, the commanderwas that Villiers de l’lsle Adam, who was after-wards to be grand master. 4 In another, the knightswere abundantly repaid and took a great ship, that

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Num. cxlvi.—Sansovino de Turchi,210.—Pa. Jovius.—Patti di Selim by Bajazet’s own page, A1Utri, a Genoese, 234.—Seb. Paoli : Osservazioni, ii. 568.

2 Yertot: vii. 240.

3 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Num. cxlix.—Platina: iv. 10.

4 Seb. Paoli: Osservazioni, ii. 567.