act of confidence agreed that together with the National the Cardinals also of the Palace Brother and Nephew of the Pope himself should do it But as to the affairs most important the Ambassadour demonstrated to Vrban what the danger was which impended from the Turkish Arms. That Babylon was taken and therefore in Persia the War at an end or Peace very near It was not to be doubted but that to Amurath puffed up and elated in his mind ambition and power would suggest new designs and bold attempts The long intestine discords of the Princes had these many years served for pastime to the Barbarians who carefully observe the conjunctures by assaulting the weakest to make way to invade the more powerful War was scattered in Italy and in every other part Christendom appeared all bathed in blood nor were other reports heard of but those of deadly Battels and lamentable Sieges Why should so great slaughters be endured for unprofitable Conquests nay for great damages if we will compare them to the progress which the common Enemy promises himself That Christendom can save it self from this present shipwrack but by Peace alone That it was Urbans duty to apply the prayers and ingage the Authority of a common Father and a Prince to pacifie his Sons and unite them against the Power of the Barbarians That it was his office to calm the World appease the Kings pacifie the Princes quiet disturbances and compose the people The Republick would not spare pains and endeavours to second those pious intentions and his most prudent judgment She saw her self threatned by the unjust rage of the Turks but what was her Country but the out-works of others She maintained with a long Frontier the Guard of the Confines of Italy and the violence of a furious Torrent If she should yield to necessity or fall under force what would become of the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples nay the State of the Pope himself This Country the Guardian of Religion the Seat of Liberty and Honour cannot be invaded by the Turks in one part but it will be oppressed all over Their dreadful Arms are to be compared to that poyson which by one sole touch creeps irresistably over the whole body That the Senate for a common benefit promises a constancy in maintaining the War equal to the Generosity of provoking it The proud pretensions of the Turks had for their aim to extort from the Republick Ships and Gallies to offend Christendom with the very instruments of their own defence In case of denial War ensued of granting the power and strength of the Enemy was increased who not content with the usurping of so many spoils lies in wait for the last breath of languishing Christendom That the Republick had given an absolute denial to their demands yet knew their Forces unequal and by consequence the danger great Nevertheless put their Arms in order prepared for resistance with a firm hope that that War being from God and the cause undivided betwixt the Church and the Republick blessings from Heaven would abound nor would warlike assistances be wanting in particular that of the Vicar of Christ The Pope heard all with grave reflections discoursed of many things and although more difficult to resolve and put them in effect nevertheless affirmed that urgency coming upon them he would not suffer his endeavours and forces to be wanting For the present he permitted the Levy of three or four thousand men in his Country and to promote more vigorously the Mediation of Peace betwixt the Princes he sent Extraordinary Nuntio's to the Courts with vehement intreaties and effectual considerations to bring them to some Conditions of Peace and if that should be found too difficult and long to a Truce or at least to a suspension of Arms by Sea by transmitting their powers to Rome to the end that under the eye and direction of the Pope the Treaty might with as much care as the necessity required be brought to perfection The Ambassadours of the Republick cooperated in the same the interposition of Vrban proving faint and not acceptable For a pretext of particular diffidence served the distaste which was pretended by the Emperour by France and by Spain for there being named in the promotion of Cardinals by the Emperour the Prince Rinaldo d'Esté and by one of the Crowns Giulio Mazarini and by the other the Abbot Peretti the Pope denying to comply with the instances and to cover the little inclination he had towards those persons alledging that they were not National deferred the promotion though there were many places vacant The Crowns herewith not at all content insisted on the Nomination with so much heat that being at variance in all else they agreed only in this to force the will of the Pope and passing from intreaties to protests and threatnings gave out they would forbid their Subjects to accept of that Dignity as often as the nominated should not be comprehended The French in particular pressed for Mazarine who besides what he had negotiated in Piedmont had in his extraordinary Nunciature of France so gained the favour of Richelieu and had declared himself so partial for that Crown that having drawn the Cardinal Anthonio to the dependence upon it he not only passed in Rome for the most confident Minister of France but being called to Paris was declared Plenipotentiary at the Meeting for Peace not without the disgust and murmuring of some of the Nation that for the Purple and weightiest Imployments Strangers were preferred as if Merit and Capacity were wanting in so many persons of the Kingdom To exasperate minds the more there happened afterwards other lesser accidents which yet in the Court of Rome take the place of greater matters for the Master of the Horse of the Mareshal d'Estré Ambassadour of France being out-lawed for having taken away out of the hands of the Serjeants a Friend of his was killed in the Country while he was yet in his service and his head publickly exposed in Rome Whereupon the Ambassadour taking himself to be slighted intermitted going to Audiences from whence came that in France also they were denied to Monsieur Scotti Nuntio Extraordinary with much rigour and severity This disgust was at last composed with the punishing some Officers and with the offices of respect and esteem which the Cardinal Barberin passed with the Ambassadour in his own house going thither to visit his Wife After this upon the old diffidences with the Spaniards were sowed new discontents so that the Ambassadour Marquess di Castel Roderigo suspended in like manner the Audiences with Barberino because he being the Cardinal Protector of the Religion of the Franciscans had by the Authority of the Pope assumed to the Generalat a Brother that had not the Royal approbation and the displeasure was so much the more increased by how much the same Ambassadour the night of the Nativity caused in Rome fast by a Church to be arrested the Prince of Sans of the
indisposed with pain in an arm which almost withered by blood-letting and by scars had for a long time tormented him The French thought the enterprise would succeed well and not last long supposing that there would be found a want of Victuals in the place But the Marquess Flores d' Avila the Governour gave them out with such exactness and concealed them expresly to strengthen that opinion that for that cause the place would quickly be taken that so the French being deceived in their hopes might spare blood and force and by prolonging the Siege time might be given for its relief Holding out therefore some months affairs in Flanders proceeded happily for the Spaniards for that Melo not able for the distance to send succours into Spain endeavoured to give them aid by diversion finding his Army twenty five thousand strong and with all things else well provided So that he easily recovered Lens and la Bassee was rendred to him Dividing his Army he afterwards threatned to invade France in two several parts and to oppose them the French Army being separated into two bodies he on a sudden rejoyns his own and falls upon the Count de Guische in his Quarters which near Chastelet he negligently kept The Count saved himself by flight leaving the Camp with that which was in it in prey to the Enemy From that side which is much exposed Melo might have gone even to Paris and some counselled him to it to promote in the Kings far absence confusions and tumults in that vast City Others were of opinion that he should carry the Army to the Rhine and repair those disadvantages which after the defeat of Lamboy the Catholicks sustained by the Weimarians Melo having express commands from the Conde Duke not to ingage the Army in ought that might divert the Forces from those vast designs he framed to himself destroys the benefit of the Victory Olivares built upon the intelligence held with Monsieur le Grand who changing into hatred the benefit of his raising studied revenge against the Cardinal because he had hindred him of the honour of being admitted into the secret Council of the Title of Duke and Peer and of the Marriage with the Princess Maria of Nevers He had observed in his confidences with the King that Richelieu was become troublesom to him and by consequence was rather tolerated than loved nay he affirms that Lewis had secretly given him leave to make use of the means that might ruine the Cardinal But wanting experience and transported with ambition he fails in chusing of the way Finding himself to want a party for the private favour of the King was not sufficient to defend him against the publick Authority which the Cardinal had the management of he seeks to make other friends and before he went with the King from Paris he contracts friendship Monsieur de Thou being the instrument with the Duke of Bouillon and both strengthned themselves afterwards with Orleans to have the applause and name of a Prince of the Blood Orleans besides the impatience of a private life was irritated against the Cardinal both for old businesses and for a new suspicion that upon the Kings death he had thoughts to assume the Regency to himself It was therefore resolved to be rid of him by all means and Bouillon offering Sedan for a place of Retreat it came to be considered that men money and credit to support themselves and withal to undertake was wanting To obtain the means for it they send into Spain Monsieur de Frontailles who in the greatest secrecy concluded a Treaty in which under the pretext of promoting the general Peace and the Service of King Lewis himself who was declared to be oppressed by the Cardinal it was agreed That when Orleans should be come to Sedan the Catholick King should deliver to him twelve thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with four hundred thousand Crowns to make new Levies and necessary provisions of Ammunition and Cannon Over this Army was to command the Duke himself assisted with two Mareshals of the Field which should be Bouillon and St. Mars that of Flanders was by a good concert to second their undertaking To the Duke with the assistance of a Spanish Minister should be permitted to grant Peace or Neutrality with those Provinces of the Kingdom that would demand it excluding nevertheless the general Peace betwixt the Crowns which was not to be made but by common consent and with restitution to the Spaniards of all that was taken Lastly that Orleans should be obliged to declare against the Swedes and against all those which were Enemies to the Austrians The Contractors by this Treaty aimed much further than at the ruine alone of the Cardinal for the Spaniards aspired at the discord and division of the Kingdom Orleans gaped after the Soveraignty or at least to have a share in the Regency And the others either thought to revenge themselves of the Favourite or to procure themselves advantages But because the malecontents did believe that the person alone of the Cardinal was to oppose their designs they resolved to kill him and that St. Mars should execute it not only as having the greatest courage but because he passed through the Guards with less observations and greater confidence And he in the Journey might have performed it at Briara near Lyons for that he found him there not well guarded but abstained from it either desiring that in so great a change of things Orleans should be in Court or at least judging with designs perhaps more vast that the Cardinal being so soon taken away further attempts would remain languishing and discredited which had their principal support from the hatred conceived against him The Cardinal having gotten notice of their designs the King being arrived at Perpignan staid as hath been said at Narbonne believing he might remain a far off with greater safety and besides the vivacity of mind and the artifice of wit in cases of the greatest extremity not abandoning him he caused his deplorable condition of life to be published by his Attendants and the Chirurgions themselves to the end that from such hope the Conspirators might abstain from blemishing themselves with the blood of him of whom nature was within a while to be the more just Murtherer The King falls grievously sick in the Camp of a Dysentery and in the contingency of his life arose in the Court and also in the Army great divisions some adhering to Meilleray who supported the party of the Cardinal others to Monsieur le Grand who declared himself for Orleans Lewis's health in a short space recovered quiets that stir yet giving means to le Grand to the end to entertain the King in his aversion against the Minister to draw arguments from what had happened of Richelieu's excess of power and thoughts of the Regency The Cardinal perceiving that he had no more support in the Kings favour and seeing rather under the shadow of his
for many Years disturb it she notwithstanding observed a constant neutrality The whole Country setling afterward into a most Happy Peace kept not without jealousy by the Foreigners themselves the Venetians made it their business to preserve that present tranquillity sometime diverting the storm at the first appearance and sometimes according to the occasion opposing themselves with Declarations and Treaties The War which hapned betwixt France and Spain in the beginning of this present Age did not penetrate into Italy Some stirs occasioned by the Interest of the Grisons were quieted The differences risen with Pope Paul the Fifth were terminated with increase of reputation and advantage for the Republick and that thunder of War which was threatned by Henry the Fourth vanished with his death All things thus contributing to the Peace of Italy Wisemen nevertheless were not free from fear lest many disgusts lurking secretly in the hearts and several designs in the minds of Princes there would be a new Rupture so soon as any occasion or pretext for it did appear And in that thought they were not long deceived for in the brightest Serenity of this Peace the blow hapned at unawares with so much slaughter and so many mischiefs that defiling Italy it hath put Europe into confusion This shall be the subject and first part of this work of mine because as the Interests of the Republick refer principally to those two great powers of Austria and the Turks with whom it borders so the Narrative shall be divided And I will describe in this the most notable events which have troubled Italy and in which the Republick hath assisted with their Counsels Arms and Treasures And for the other part shall be reserved the Memorials of its long and generous defence against the Ottoman Empire And because Italy being the heart of Europe cannot suffer a shaking but the rest must be moved and have a feeling of it you shall read herein connexed the Affairs and Actions of the chief Princes of the World the Conduct and Maxims of their chief Ministers with the Revolutions of States and so many other accidents as make the Age no less Unhappy than Famous and the Relation equally important For the better knowledge of the things to follow it is needful to look a little back Princes though Mortal are the Genii of the World The effects of their Counsels out-live their Lives and are like the Stars whose influences remain long though they disappear from our sight When Arragon in the Person of Ferdinand the Catholick was joined to Castile and all the Kingdoms within the compass of Spain were in a manner united together comprehending also the Islands of the Mediterranean and both the Sicilies there was laid the Foundation of a vast Monarchy Fortune to second the design with vast Riches about this time discovered a new World The Provinces of Flanders fell afterwards in changing only the Line of Blood but without the least alteration in the series of their Maxims and Interests In Charles the Fifth the Crowns of the Empire and Spain and their great power were conjoined together He neither wanted Wisedom nor Fortune to establish an Universal Hereditary Monarchy but as all ages are for the most part barren of Princes of consideration so his seemed as fruitful having Francis the first King of France and Solyman Emperour of Turky to oppose him The first his Peer in courage the other equal if not Superiour in Power Charles therefore thought it best to leave the hopes and means to his Successors Italy by reason of its scituation Nobleness Strength Riches and a certain fatality which destines her to bear Rule hath always been the first Object of great Conquerours and Charles failed not to increase his Dominion thus joining the Milanese to Spain and putting a foot into Tuscany But he quickly found that every foot of ground cost a Battel That the Princes were impatient of the yoke and Strangers were ready to assist He therefore thinking the Counsel most safe to encompass her without that so at last she might fall insensibly into his hand attempted to cajole Germany and leave the Empire to his Son The design failing him and he from a religious consideration a satiety of Fortune or from domestick Interests betaking himself to a private life and the repentance of having been so great leaves to Philip the Second the hereditary Kingdoms of Spain with their vast appurtenances The Peace of Italy passed as in a mystery and by tradition from Father to Son who no less wise than great applied his Ax to the root of that which might most disturb the design of his Monarchy He employs therefore all his power against England and France but having consumed Armies and Treasure in vain while he was distracted by the revolt in Holland and although he had added Portugal to Castile and with it the increase of a vast power yet at the end of a few years he found sufficiently his Credit Money and Strength weakned He then makes trial of peaceable means giving to the Provinces of Flanders remaining in their obedience to the end to re-unite the rest a Prince of their own He left France to the destiny of its domestick revolts and Italy charmed with the deliciousness of Peace and the opinion of their present felicity Philip the third succeeded him a young Prince of singular Piety but wholly unacquainted with Government and contenting himself with the Royal dignity left the power to his Council Favourites and Ministers These judged it necessary to go on in the same Maxims of Peace because in France they found Henry the Fourth a formidable and vigilant King who having gloriously made his passage through the jaws of an adverse fortune suffered not himself to be gulled by prosperity but would be ready to disturb and prevent whatever designs they should have against him Truce was therefore concluded with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and to divert the scourge of the French Arms from Italy procuring the Duke of Savoy to make Peace upon disadvantageous terms they thought it a great conquest that they had shut out the French beyond the Alps. And now fixing their thoughts on those advantages which time and occasion uses to offer to those in Power silently extending themselves by little and little they got their limits inlarged and their Kingdoms and Territories better united and last of all under the title of Honour and Protection holding dependent and in a manner subject divers Princes of Italy who being not able to resist and believing themselves abandoned by the French yielded to what they thought their advantage or rather to necessity And so besides the places in Mount Argentaro in Tuscany and Porto Longone in Elba the Forte Fuentes built in the entrance of the Valtelline and Garrisons put into Final Monaco Piombino Correggio and other little Fiefs of the Empire the Net was spread and the design made publick These things going thus on one by one some by
their piracy It happened that the Vscocchi returning from plundering of Trebigna a Turkish Town above Castel-novo with twenty Ships in Triumph Felix Dobrovich a Venetian Commander with as many attacques them taking three and chasing the rest became master of a great Booty and a considerable number of Prisoners But they not at all thereby discouraged entring through the Territory of Sebenico into the Ottoman Dominion carry away much Cattel bringing them back in safety the same way they went not without grievous complaints of the Turks against the Republick it self The Republick report it to the Imperial Court summoning the Emperour to the observance of the things promised and that by the means of Augustin Nani and Francisco Contarini Cavalieri sent Ambassadors extraordinary to congratulate with him his assumption to the Empire But while the Venetians were busied in this their complaint the boldness of the Vscocchi transcends all patience and remedy They enter with six Barks in the night into Mandre a Port of the Island of Pago where through the carelesness of the Guards betwixt sleep and the security of their own Port was the Galley of Christofero Veniero Vice-Admiral softly stealing upon her surprised killing as well him that slept as him that offered to resist Lucretio Gravisi one of the Marquesses of Pietra Pelosa and many others being made one by one to climb out of the Galley into the Ships were killed with barbarous inhumanity Flinging the dead bodies into the Sea the Galley was carried away the Cannon dis-imbarked at Segna the spoil divided and the action applauded by that barbarous Crew Against Veniero preserved for greater torture they afterward satiate their hatred with all possible scorn He was butchered at a Feast suffering with great constancy a death which with all the rules of Barbarism they studied to make horrid to him and terrible to all His reins were no sooner cut but ripping up his breast his heart was immediately roasted and devoured for a dainty his blood spilled in bowls or eaten with bread dipped in it his head placed in the most perspicuous place of the table proverbiated and scorned At the advice of such atrocity the City of Venice was horribly inflamed it was no where related but with interruptions of astonishment and fears some raging at the affront all were ashamed of what had happened The Kindred cryed loud for revenge and all the people sollicited for resolutions and resentments But the Senate keeping themselves to more considerate Councils heard one who to provoke them spoke to this purpose How long shall these Robbers abuse our slowness Surely we have given a notable lesson of prudence and patience Fathers you have here before you the dismembred mangled body of Christopher Veniero here is his head cut off and scorned here drops his blood here the caresses of so many well deserving Subjects are Suitors for the revenge The Uscocchi hitherto have spoiled the Turks Country violated our Borders over-run our Islands disordered Istria disturbed the Sea and robbed our Ships We have spread our nets set up Gibbets punished the Pirates by our judicial Laws Their insolence notwithstanding grows greater Our gentleness is too highly slighted They at present prey upon the honour and dignity of the Common-wealth our chief Commanders are made their Prisoners our Gallies are carried away our Ports violated the Sea defiled with the blood of our Citizens our Subjects are made their Slaves and basely killed Are the Children of this Country then born to be a laughing-stock to the Uscocchi or do they preserve blood in their veins to no other purpose but to satiate their cruelty what is become of the noble Spirits of our generous Ancestors Those venerable Carcasses that left us the Dominion of the Sea for a legitimate Inheritance are sensible from their graves of this affront Those that conquered the Adriatick Sea with their blood will reproach our sufferance to see it stained with infamy The offence is done to the Soveraignty and therefore belongs to us to resent it like Princes Private men have the right of speaking complaining and shewing their duties Princes are their own Judges and from them is no appeal but to the most High God alone Shall we yet stay to rouse up our selves till the Uscocchi who in their pride have under our eyes already run over Dalmatia Quarnaro and Istria shall be entred into the never yet violated bowels of these Waters Now they have tasted Patrician blood who doubts but they feel a greater itch to cruelty and barbarism They must be forced by Arms and we must seek these wild beasts in their very Caves and Dens Who shall ever take up Arms more justly or who can exercise them with more Generosity We have hitherto been at a slow but great charge The Fleet is numerous and ready Albania and Dalmatia will supply us with Souldiers Nothing is wanting but to dispose our minds to it and unite our Forces Being shut up every where and invaded in several Quarters they will be constrained at last to receive the punishments due to so many horrible offences If Ferdinand be innocent of their faults he will abandon them to Justice if consenting to them it will not be fit for us longer to bear it But let us suppose him interested and resolved to maintain their defence we shall still be stronger both at Sea and at Land Matthias a just Prince hath pawned his word and saith to us But to superfluous and unnecessary cautions every thing seems to assent What is the Empire else but a vast Engine composed of so many pieces that it either gives way or falls to the ground before it moves united The Austrians delude us the Turks threaten us and if our Subjects are pleased with this our slackness strangers do scorn our sufferance of the injuries This is a Decree fatal to our Country if this ignominy be not wiped out it will be necessary to begin to forget the fact and seek to hide it from posterity To a discourse so full of heat another answers more calmly Passions themselves have their periods and being the adulterers not the spouses of the mind it is fit to repudiate and change them Against the outrages of the Uscocchi who is there that hath not his mind moved with a just resentment The surprise of the Gally the slaughter of the Captain and the blood of so many besides hath with great reason stirred our affections We have sufficiently with tears as private men satisfied the ashes of our well deserving Citizen But here as the Compendium of the Republick we are assembled to deliberate as Princes For Gods sake let maturity more than revenge preside in our Council Scorn and disdain are a weak Weapon to him that wants prudence or strength Who will burn his house to preserve it from the insult of Robbers They will fall at last as they have often done The wickedest I say of the Uscocchi will fall under the hand of the Hangman
of a Half-moon The rains which making the high-ways deep in mire retarded for some days the Besiegers in bringing their Cannon and the attacque hindred also succours to the Besieged so that for want of Ammunition they were forced to render The City agreed for a sum of money not to be plundered and that the Garrison should not be French the Germans marched out with Arms and Baggage The Town of St. Germano where an intelligence failed the Duke was presently invested at large and at the same time that of Montiglio was assaulted by St. Giorgio The Town taken kept but by 400 Monferrines the Castle after a breach made is also rendred for the custody of which there arose a dispute betwixt the French and Savoyards with the death of more than an hundred of each side In this disagreement the Capitulation was also broken for entring in confusion into the Castle they cut in pieces the Garrison Dediguieres after such successes in which he assisted with his help and counsel returned to his own Government whilst in France the Court to disapprove his partiality to the Savoyards had suspended several of his entertainments and profits Toledo not regarding the slaughter and losses of Monferrat and resolving not to repair anothers damage by an unseasonable consuming his own Forces and prejudice his own advantages stays to re-inforce and rest his Army till the end of May and then coming into the field closely besieges Vercelli So soon as he moved that way St. Giorgio had happily put into it 1000 Musquetiers and 200 Horse so that the Garrison consisted of 4000 men and the Duke incamped in the Town of Gabiano had his aim to take in Pontestura so to cut off the Spaniards from that important pass but finding a defence in better order than was supposed he forbore to ingage in it to be in greater readiness to succour the place already battered and so much the rather because having discovered several treacheries it was necessary both with his mind and person to be active in several places In St. Ja particularly some French Officers had concerted to put fire to the powder make the Prince Vittorio who was there their Prisoner and give him up to the Spaniards who were to come in upon it to second the design But they that were found guilty by a Council of War of the Nation to whose sentence the Duke submitted them suffered punishment by the hand of the Hangman A certain Provencal also was put in Prison for having attempted to corrupt another to poyson Carlo He notwithstanding amidst all these accidents shewed great constancy and professed to revenge himself for these treacheries upon the Governour of Milan with Arms beseeming a Prince Toledo having inclosed Vercelli with a large circumvallation disposes Batteries in four places to which the besieged with much boldness oppose theirs Garzia Gomez General of the Spaniards Artillery being killed and Alphonso Davalos so hurt by them that he dyed soon after They attempted afterwards with Sallies to drive the Germans from a Post upon the brink of the Sesia but all they did was to demolish there a Fort which was quickly repaired again A great circuit of Out-works was the defence of the place and some Trenches also kept the attacque far off as much as was possible But the besiegers directed particularly their offence towards the Bastion of St. Andrea and under which the defendants in the doubt they had to lose it had made a Mine that it might rather serve the Enemy for a sepulchre than a place to lodge upon It having not been possible to bring all things in abundance into the place after sixteen days siege only Ammunition was wanting insomuch that they were forced to charge their Cannon and Muskets with Tin and stones in the place of Iron and Lead Carlo to supply it in the best manner he could at least with powder sends the Signor Fleuri with 200 Horse and as many Sacks But being met by a Party of the Spaniards the powder which they carried behind them taking fire from the discharge of Harquebuses thirty only got in and the rest for the most part being a miserable spectable were burnt And now forty great Pieces battered the Walls with great violence but two Half-moons were bravely defended they within cutting to pieces in one Sally three hundred Germans and a hundred and fifty Horse That which covered the Bastion of St. Andrea was possessed by the besiegers and regained by the besieged At last upon springing a Mine the Spaniards made an effort to carry the place by a general assault As they had equal motives so the valour was not unequal both in them that gave it and them that received it for if the one were driven on with the rewards of glory and the pillage the other were exhorted by the safety of themselves their Country and their families Fire and Sword with the shedding of blood had pertinaciously their effect for a long time but the Spaniards were forced to retire and in that instant 100 Cuirassiers sallying into the ditch with their Swords in their hands made a great slaughter Fifteen hundred men and amongst them some of note perished on the Spanish side of the besieged the dead exceeded not a hundred The Duke was in Livorno with 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse to whom joyned 3000 Bearnese and he expected a Renfort from France for by the death of d'Ancre the inchantment upon the Government being discharged the Maxims and Councils were also changed It hath been already hinted what power that Stranger had in the Kingdom The Armies depended upon his will he issued forth the money and disposed of all Charges so that he had the chief Ministers depending upon him and the Queen her self had placed the stress of her Authority in the maintaining of him He notwithstanding pretended to subsist of himself holding places and governments upon the Frontiers and a Militia of Strangers which acknowledged nothing but his name and authority But the people in general hated him the great ones abhorred him and those that were friends to the Crown detested his maxims Howsoever having the Councils of Spain interessed in his safety he thought in the favour of that Monarchy to enjoy a strong support Some there were that doubted not but that his thoughts were to make himself be feared and that he might when he believed himself no longer secure in France sell to the Spaniards himself the places and the Kingdom at a high rate That at least was instilled into King Lewis who in the flourishing age of eighteen years was amused by his Mother and the Favourite in childish toys far from the knowledge of any business whatsoever He therefore melancholy by nature and loving solitude looked with delight upon that Authority which he had not yet enjoyed and feeding himself with suspicions nourished a bitter hatred against d'Ancre Divers persons of great birth of his own age and that had been bred up with him began to
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
the custom of the Ottoman Emperours perserved him for the Empire But the Barbarians making Destiny guilty and Author of their villanies Mustapha excuses himself saying that he knew he had oftentimes decreed his death but that God would not permit it Left then in prey to the Janissaries and conducted to the seven Towers amidst the concourse and execrations of the people who having during his Reign endured all kinds of calamity Hunger Pestilence and War detested him as the fatal occasion of their evils his Head was cut off Delivert grand Visir in this interim fled but taken at Scutari and brought back to Constantinople he was killed with his blood and a few others of the chief Ministers and the pillaging of some house the Tumult ceasing Nevertheless Mustapha destinated to frequent passages from a Prison to a Throne remains not long upon the Stage An. Dom. 1623 for his incapacity by new experience being confirmed he was anew deposed and Amurath Brother of Osman being very young was assumed to the Crown He sends to Venice Mustapha Chiaus with wonted respects of friendship and peace and the Republick corresponded as usual by sending Simeon Contarini Cavalier and Procurator Ambassador Extraordinary to his Court. ANNO M.DC.XXIII Bohemia being not alone but the Imperial Crown the object and reward of the War which inflamed Germany the Austrians rejoyced so much the more in the Victories they had gotten by how much with the spoils of the Palatine having taken away a Vote from the Protestant the Empire seemed to be confirmed in their Family and the Catholick Party The Pope with motives of Religion pressed that the Electorate might be disposed of and recommended Bavaria not only a Kinsman in blood to the proscribed Palatine but worthily deserving it for his piety promising also great assistances if it should be necessary to maintain the disposal and decree by Arms. Nor was Ferdinand against it but rather found himself ingaged in his word and interest for Maximilian and he by the almost entire possession of both the Palatinates by his own Forces and those of the Catholick Ligue made himself so much considered and almost feared that it was not easie to dispose of it to another The Emperour was very earnest to get out of his hands by this change the Upper Austria which Bavaria held engaged for thirteen millions of Florins which in subduing the Rebels he affirmed to have spent but great difficulties crossed his desires The Protestants were inraged and in particular Saxony vexed besides at the Reformation of Religion which was practised in Bohemia many had compassion of the calamities of the Palatine and the innocence of his Children and not a few pretended to be sharers in his ruine But the most considerable opposition rose from the Spaniards who irritated that Bavaria had by Arms possessed himself of a part of the Lower Palatinate openly opposed Ferdinands intentions and that with a pretext that it was not fit so publickly to offend the King of England and with reasons besides that it was not convenient to set him up so high who might one day dispute the Empire with the Austrians but that resolving to maintain the Investiture by Arms it was better to come to extremities and bestowing it upon some of their own Kindred to advance the greatness of the Family with an Electoral Vote But the Emperour aiming to recover his own and to amuse those of both Religions in the Empire sends to Saxe the Archduke Carlo his Brother to perswade and appease him and into Spain some Religious persons to represent motives by which he was induced and in a manner forced to resolve There happened at this time the sudden Voyage of Charles Prince of England to the Court of Spain which put into admiration all Europe doubtful which was greatest the artifice on the one side in solliciting it or the happiness on the other in performing it In Madrid Digby resided Ambassadour for King James so much enamoured with such a Negotiation that proposing to himself great rewards according to his desires and proper interest he continually represented facility and safety The project consisted on the one side of promises to restore the Palatine into his Country and Vote and on the other of a connivence or rather assistance to oppress the United Provinces of Holland There resided then in London for the Catholick King the Count of Gondomar who with a stupendious acuteness of wit so confounded pleasant things with serious that it was not easie to be discerned when he spoke of business and when he rallied He had marvellously possessed the mind of the King and the inclination of the Prince and so insinuating himself into the hopes and inclination of both with mysterious speeches and facetious discourses he perswades him in earnest to resolve that Charles himself incognito should surprise them at Madrid to conclude the Marriage and bring back the Bride to London The Prince then parting in great silence passes disguised by Post through France accompanied by few others but the Duke of Buckingham Director of the whole Affair and who with an unusual example enjoyed no less favour from the King in being than from the Prince his Successor Not many resolutions haply are to be found which made a noise equal to this Of a Prince that was foreseeing to a wonder who was over-shadowed with jealousie the people made it their discourse and the English more than any murmured at it the only Son of the King the Heir of the Kingdom hazard himself in such a long Voyage carry himself as an Hostage rather than a Spouse to a Court of contrary Maxims of Religion and State humbly to supplicate for a Wife Most men would not be perswaded but the business was concluded so that many discourses were made of secret Alliances and the Protestants feared it nay some of the Catholicks themselves no less suspiciously apprehended it Bavaria in particular doubting lest the Country and Dignity in favour of the Marriage should be restored to Frederick and France was jealous lest if Great Brittany should adhere to the Austrians their Power in Europe would be without a ballance In England the Hereticks were afraid lest the King inclined to change Religion to effect it with greater security had a mind to support himself by the Forces and Countenance of great Princes and the Catholicks rejoyced hoping by such a Marriage for Liberty of Conscience and security for their lives In Ratisbone where the Diet was assembled the Spanish Ambassadour pretended that without disposing of the Electorate the Emperour should at least stay to see the issue of this Voyage and of so great an Emergency But those of the Popes party and the Bavarians with unusual and incessant instances pressed him to declare himself and end the business Notwithstanding then that the major part of the Empire were of opinion that the Authority did not belong to the Emperour alone in a matter of so great importance to deprive
the means to overcome hunger the only force that could conquer it It was boasted to be the Metropolis of Rebellion the old Nest of Heresie the Refuge of Male-contents and the Forge of the most pernicious Councils And to say truth as being the Head of a Republick within the Kingdom with adherence to Strangers with divided Interest and their own Force it always disputed or ingelosied the Authority of the Monarch The Kings respected it as impregnable by reason of its situation and invincible by Arms the difficulty of the enterprise being authorized by the experience of several attempts in vain On the Land side being environed with Salt-pits and Marshes lofty Bastions and strong Works were its defence Towards the Ocean the Sea being narrowed a large Bay opens it self within which afterwards having its passage even to within the Walls makes a Haven immured and secure from the attempts of Enemies or violence of the Winds Much Shipping belonged to it for number of the Vessels and skill of the Marriners considerable and in the Town as many people so many Souldiers for every one even the weaker Sex being brought up in an aversion to obedience were obliged to take Arms for their own defence If the Huguenots looked at it as the fixed residence of their refuge Strangers considered it as the bridle of that most potent Kingdom Nor were some of the Subjects themselves ill pleased that there should be ready a shelter to withdraw themselves in some cases out of the Kings power and resist the favour of the Ministers Sure it was that some even in the Kings Council believing it impossible drove on the undertaking with hopes in the ill success to see the power of the Cardinal who promoted it prejudiced and perhaps ruined But he in the vastness of his mind greedily imbracing designs of importance orders the place to be blocked up and afterwards environed with a large Circumvallation of strong Trenches But it could not be reduced by Famine without taking away the Sea from it and to do that it was of necessity to overcome the Ocean and find a resistance to its great weight and force Pompeo Targone an Italian Engineer more famous for inventions than happy in their effects spent a great deal of time in vain wearying himself there with several Experiments At last the Cardinal in imitation of the Ancients who with unwearied labour shut up Havens and joyned Islands to the Continent resolved without sparing of charge since his own glory and the Fortune of the Kingdom now tempted him to it to lay the foundation of a defence or Dike against the Sea where that Arm thereof was narrow and secure from the interruption and Cannon of the Town by flinging into it stones of a vast bigness and in an infinite number Upon these from each side of the Continent were advanced Walls in the middle there remained a gap for the Tide or impetuous ebbing and flowing of those waters which from the sides Forts and Cannon defended without was the Fleet of great Ships and within others that were sunk narrowed the passage with some Steccadoes and with the Guard of a good number of other Vessels disposed into several parts The besieged beheld the beginning of this work with derision and scorn making of it their pastime as suggested from the Genius of the Cardinal who loving to undertake actions of Fame would quickly perceive that the wit of man hath not the same strength to execute great things as it hath capacity to design them for the Sea wont at certain times when raised by great tempests to bring in mountains of waters and afterwards falling again as it were with a Precipice to discover the bottom made it believed a rash attempt to contend with Nature by fighting with the violence of so powerful an Element Nevertheless the work going on with infinite labour it was easier for them to contemplate the wonder than break it by force Princes had their attention fixed upon this great Undertaking with various aims and thoughts Buckingham touched with the provocations of revenge and honour made ready another powerful Fleet to repair the unhappiness of his attempts with better success but the others which were in concert with him though greatly inclined to it yet durst not perform the promised succours The Hollanders although the ruine of them was in question that were joyned to them by the likeness of Religion yet obliged to France and in necessity of their assistance contributed secret wishes for the prosperity of their common Religion but were bound by vertue of Treaties to send certain Ships for the Service of that Crown Spain alone rejoyced at the Ingagement of these Forces whilst in place of being able to have contested the contrivances they framed to themselves they consumed their Armies and blood amongst themselves Olivares therefore careful to prolong it put on a more strict confidence with Richelieu nourished by Letters by Embassies and also by greater appearances For that to frighten the contrary Party and to make a shew of putting in execution the secret Concerts and tacite Alliances contracted betwixt the two Crowns Frederick di Toledo parts about the end of the year out of the Ports of Spain with a good number of Gallions and in the sight of Rochel joyns with the French Fleet but being but slenderly victualled and man'd returned quickly into his own Country On the other side the Princes of Italy foreseeing by the succession of the States of Mantua a storm at hand and an imminent need of stranger succours deplored that King Lewis in person with the flower of his Forces was imployed so far from them and particularly the Venetians stirring him up to reflections on the common Interest sollicited by most effectual endeavours performed by Giorgio Giorgio and Luigi Contarini their Ambassadours in France and at London both the Kings to a Peace and to sacrifice to the advantage of the Republick some relaxation from the fervency of their hatred and anger THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1627 THE SEVENTH BOOK WOuld to God that as often as there is occasion to name the Interest of Princes and the Ambition of their Ministers Justice humane Reason and Divine Law might go along with them But the World being tossed to and fro by those two Furies which with equal provocations though for the most part different issues do not leave great Princes contented nor the lesser ones in quiet it is no wonder if from thence proceed events lamentable and such cruel calamities While some are flattered with hopes and others thrust on by fear all are at last in a continual disturbance from emulations jealousies hatreds and the greediness of Dominion And for this cause quiet cannot last long nor the tranquillity of Peace be enjoyed especially in Italy which being subject to many some very powerful others more weak remains by consequence more exposed to various passions and experiences most commonly greater commotions whence Wars
it difficult to possess it being unprovided and through the whole Country in the place of defence confusion and fear prevailing Majanfelt in the very brunt ran the same Fortune with Coira where Monsieur de Memin the French Ambassadour who was then there was taken and kept Prisoner The Count John de Merode led this party of men as a Vanguard consisting of ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse At this violence offered to Rhetia Italy justly trembled seeing yet greater dangers imminent The Ambassadour of Spain and the Resident of the Emperour to provoke them to greater suspicions or to make tryal of them in this Conjuncture of their great apprehensions communicated to the Venetians the march of these Troops as intended only to maintain the Rights of the Empire in Italy to which the Catholick King also so nearly joyned in blood and interest to Ferdinand could not deny him his assistance And therefore invited the Republick to second the design and adhere to their party approved by the occasion and by Heaven because in their friendship they would find quiet and advantage The Senate always accustomed in the greatest hazards to shew themselves more resolute and constant in short and grave words complying with their duty applied themselves to their own defence making Levies and providing the chief Cities and places with Money Victuals and every other thing necessary It was given out that the War would fall to be in Friuli though every body believed that Mantua was to receive the first blow in regard that that State as a Peninsula being interwoven within that of the Republick its danger concerned it equally with their own Wherefore after having dispatched Marco Anthonio Businello Secretary to reside in Mantua they sent the Duke a great sum of Money Ammunition and Cannon with Matroses and Engeniers that he might make provision of Corn and be before hand with his Fortifications In France pressing instances were made for diversions and succours But the King though for the insult upon the Grisons and the arrest of his Ambassadour he shewed himself grievously offended nevertheless instead of coming back to Susa returns to Paris Richelieu with the Court following him This retreat which afflicted Italy and struck the Venetians with great dislike had not so much its impulse from the Kings apprehension who saw many of the Gentry dye and sick in the Camp as from the Plots which were working against Richelieu by the Queens in Paris and from the retreat of the Duke of Orleans in disgust that the Queen-mother fearing lest he should with violence take away the Princess Mary to marry her had caused her to be kept in a manner Prisoner in the Bois de Vincennes The King indeed had caused her to be set at liberty but with order to his Brother betwixt themselves not to marry her without the Mothers consent whereupon against the Cardinal believed the Author of this contrivance was equally stirred the hatred of the Queen and of the Duke The one therefore sets her self to work his destruction whilst the other retired into Lorrain and well received by the Duke being greedy to involve France in a civil Combustion published a Manifest in which concealing the causes of the amorous flames those of hatred against the Cardinal were sufficiently vented arraigning the form of the present Government The burden then of the War of Italy rested upon the Venetians and France perswaded them to undergo it without fear with promises of greater assistance when invaded in their own Dominion it seeming that the Mantuan whither the Arms of that Crown could not reach was in all respects to rest upon the care of the Republick Monsieur de Razilier was nevertheless dispatched by the King to Crequi with orders that he should press Savoy to the execution of the Accord and thence passing to Mantua should incourage that Duke and sollicite the Venetians to take into their possession the passages of the Valteline to stop the Germans way but difficulties too great opposed themselves the Imperialists having now Rhetia in their power and being able by other ways to go into the Milanese whence the French saw it necessary to change design and resist by more powerful means the prejudices feared from that side Whereupon a Council being held at Paris where was present the Ambassadour Soranzo who consenting that the Republick should come in for a third part it was agreed that at a common Charge four thousand Switzers should be levied to which joyning four thousand French Foot and five hundred Horse the recovery of the Passes by force should be attempted The counsel was seasonable to hinder the Spaniards from Succours in future and to keep the Imperialists distracted or ingaged amidst those Mountains if to the warmth of the resolution there had followed an effect of suitable expedition But whilst the Mareshal de Bassompiere was designed for the command of these men and the direction of the enterprise and that he knowing the Cardinal ill affected towards him feared lest in the heat of the business he should abandon him and ruine him and whilst that Coevre was substituted into his place who for the future shall be called the Mareshal d'Etré and whom the Switzers and Grisons mindful of things happened formerly in the Valteline openly opposed the opportunity and the season vanished so that when Bassompiere accepting at last the Charge went amongst the Cantons he effected nothing but the Levy of a Body of that Nation to re-inforce the Kings Army which returned into Italy Richelieu excusing to Soranzo the mutation of Councils by the change of times because the plague infested Rhetia the Snow shut up the passages and above all the Switzers on several considerations refused to carry their Arms in open Hostility against the Colours of Ferdinand Carlo Emanuel that had stirred up the Emperour to send his Armies into Italy and with specious offers had presented himself for his Captain General sollicited the French to render to him the Town of Susa alledging that by the retiring of Cordua the Corn brought into Casal and the giving passage to their Troops to garrison it he had on his side fulfilled the Accord But he at the same time fortifying Avigliana and more and more closing in confidence with the Austrians gave clear arguments of an irreconciled and hostile mind whereupon Richelieu lets him know that the Crown would keep that Pass of the Alps till the Emperour should restore those of Rhetia to the Grisons Ferdinand on the other side renewing the respect of that people by giving liberty to the Ambassadour Memin quits not the possession of the Passes nor gives the Investiture to the Duke of Mantua though in order to the Treaty of Susa King Lewis by the means of Monsieur de Sabran instantly required it but rather refuses every thing until the Crown of France should ingage it self in Italy and take part in that cause the decision whereof belonged to his Authority The Spaniards
usually exacted from all sorts of Vessels Vrban complained of it by reason of the prejudice that would thence result to the Port of Ancona but the Senate did not release them till upon the coming of Bernardo Giorgi Ambassadour from those of Ragusa to Venice to demand them of grace they were contented to deliver them upon payment of the contribution which was due But because in fulfilling of the Contract made by the Costaguti with the Germans the Corn was carried by the Sacca di Goro to Ferrara the Senate sent armed Barks and Gallies thither which stopped certain Boats and seconding it with great complaints made by their Ambassadour Angelo Contarini Cavalier represented to the Pope how prejudicial it was that having revolted from the first invitations to France and the Republick to be assistant to the Cause of Mantua and the publick Counsels he should feed to the hurt of others that Army whereof but a while ago himself was so much afraid of their neighbourhood and force THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1630 THE EIGHTH BOOK ANNO M.DC.XXX NIcolo Contarini being assumed in the beginning of this year to the Principality of Venice the care of the Senate was busied about the defence of Mantua whose preservation being to be ascribed to the Merit of the Republick obliged for the future to a most vigilant minding of it In order thereunto they brought into it a new Relief of Men and Provisions in abundance repaired the Fortifications paying the Garrison with their own money and maintaining also the Dukes Court. Marmirolo and Castiglione called the Mantuan were guarded by their Souldiers the Duke having abandoned Curtartone and Montanara not to distract his Forces into so many places Frequent and bloody occasions happened with the German Garrisons of Castelluzo Gazzulo Borgoforte Governolo and Goito with various Fortune The Country was full of terrour and slaughter The Campagnia was made desolate the Churches were pillaged and the People were killed The Inhabitants of some Towns taking Arms from despair drove out the Enemies Garrisons but not having a Force to defend themselves equal to their impatience paid miserably the penalty with fire and blood in particular la Volta a great place suffered a chastisement so barbarous and cruel that no sort of cruelty was there omitted The Mareshal d'Estré was Richelieu his fore-runner in Italy appointed by the King to reside in Mantua in quality of Ambassadour Extraordinary He being arrived at Venice and followed a while after by Monsieur de Sabran a Gentleman that was sent passed together with D'Avaux Ambassador in Ordinary most effectual offices with the Senate that they would send their Army into the Milanese magnifying with such efficacy the Generosity of the King the Prudence of the Cardinal the Felicity of their Colours the Strength of their Army that Conquests seemed secure and Spoils certain Their considerations were That the Germans were weakened by what they had suffered and were almost consumed by the plague Spinola's Army diminished and the Duke of Savoy constrained to submit to the Kings will or necessitated if he should resist to draw the Army of the Austrians into the bosom of his Country though Auxiliaries yet little less than Enemies So that the Common-wealths danger was every way diminished and the Enemy removed far off When could that Chain ever be broken which hath already held Italy so many years in subjection if a resolution were not taken to shake it off now that Wills Forces and a Conjuncture conspired for it Let the Senate therefore happily resolve to be stirring with their Army for that there remained no greater enemy to be overcome than the slowness of resolutions and hesitations of Councils Let them bestow this unheard of benefit upon Italy and procure glory to themselves which carried with it quiet and increase because the King liberally bestowing on his Confederates the Conquests contented himself with his own Greatness and with the glorious Title of the Deliverer of Italy The French were as much fixed in the resolution not to break with the Spaniards as they effectually desired the Republick should do it But the Republick although it knew the present danger to be so great that it was fit not to regard future hazards persisted in their first counsels offered to invade so soon as the Kings Army having passed the Alps should assault the King of Spains Country on the other side alledged in excuse the consideration of being over-powred by the Germans and the necessity of not esloignating the Army from Mantua The Cardinal found himself ingaged with the general expectation of the World to make good with actions and counsels that great reputation which Fame had cast upon his person so that he diligently pursues his march overcoming the difficulty of the season and the artifices of the Enemy who by several propositions attempted to amuse him At Ambrun he gave Audience to the Nuntio Pancirolo and in the presence of the Ambassadour Soranzo gave him a Project which contained the departure of the Germans out of Italy the restitution of what they had taken the Investiture to Carlo and the liberty of the Grisons But the Austrian Ministers affirming to have no power to treat concerning the Grisons insisted that the French Garrisons should be removed out of Casal and out of Monserrat Peace then amidst such contrary propositions being despaired of the Cardinal by means of Monsieur Servient turns his instances towards the Duke of Savoy to give passage to the Army furnish it with Victuals and joyn his Troops to the Royal Colours He to spend time alledged sometimes excuses then made difficulty about the way the Army was to take and the means to provide it at last he desired that the enterprise of Genoua might be resolved on and that invading conjoyntly the Milanese Arms might not be laid down before it was wholly conquered Nothing pressed the Cardinal more than to mortifie the Duke Declaring therefore friendship with the Genouese and publishing the carrying of Arms into Italy to no other end but to advance and establish an honourable and secure Peace firmly denies him that which he had formerly offered him nay seeming doubtful lest Carlo with scanty Victuals inconvenient Quarters and other tricks might go about to destroy and consume that Army he demands that Avigliana should be demolished it being neither seemly to march under the view and Cannon of that place nor safe to leave it behind At last it was agreed after long contests that the new Works being dismantled three hundred Souldiers should be put into the old Fortress but it was quickly discovered that the one Party retaining disdain sought for pretexts and the other meditating on revenge was framing Treacheries The French beginning their march beheld not only the Fortifications still on foot but the place guarded by the Duke in person with three thousand Horse and fifteen thousand Foot the Militia of the Country hastily assembled for a shew The
had brought a Garrison into the Imperial City of Ratisbone Wallestein follows the Kings Army who directing his march towards Wittemberg thought by drawing the Imperialists after him to consume and weary them to overcome them afterwards more easily when he should meet with a fit place and an occasion seasonable to give Battel But Wallestein considering that for the approaching Winter he lost these better quarters the further he went from those convenient Provinces ceasing to follow goes into Misnia taking Leipzick and every other place of any moment He had a mind in Saxony to attacque Dresden the residence of the Elector not so much to divert him from making progress in Silesia as to chastise him by taking quarters in his Country Thence in the Spring he designed to go into Mechelburg to recover that Province causing Papenhaim to be his forerunner who in the mean time in the Lower Saxony attempted important Conquests The King perswaded by the prayers and dangers of the Elector or rather by his protests that if he abandoned him he would incline to Peace joining Bannier sets forwards to his succours whereupon Fridtland recalling Papenhaim thought to possess Naumburg to stop his way but prevented by the King resolves to protract time and sends back Papenhaim to relieve Colen by another body of the Swedes besieged Nor was the King much inclined to a Battel but seeing the Imperialists weakened follows them to Lutzen a small Town not far from Leipzick There Fridtlandt doubting to be constrained with great disadvantage to some encounter recals in all haste Papenhaim who willingly keeping himself in a command apart was ingaged in the Siege of Hall But the King hastned the Battel so much that Papenhaim hardly arrived in time with those of his Troops which were in the greatest readiness The sixteenth of November was the day on which with the blood of sixty thousand Souldiers that in both Armies boldly exposed their lives it seemed that the fortune and glory both of the King and of the Austrians was to be decided The Troops were the day before marshalled into their distinct orders the Imperialists composed of great Battalions of Foot with the Horse that defended the flanks the Swedes in two very long Lines mingled with Foot and Horse Each had great store of Cannon in the front nor could there on either side be seen better order or greater daring Nevertheless the Fight was deferred the King seeming irresolute and troubled but expressed himself that for reputation it was fit to fight doubting nevertheless that Heaven would punish him by letting many that worshipped him as a God see that he was indeed but Man Each kept their order all the night and Wallestein took a great advantage by lining with Musquetiers certain ditches just before his Enemy So that about these at the first peep of day was he hottest of the Fight and the Swedes prospered in the gaining of them though hindred by a thick mist discerned not in the Fight either their danger or advantages Six Cannons being taken they turned them against the Imperialists doing great slaughter with them They nevertheless getting into order again repulsed beyond the ditches the Enemy who left four of the Cannon nailed and carried away two The left Wing of the Imperialists where was the Polish and Croatian Horse used more to Incursions than set Battels being charged by the Kings left easily gave way and would have disordered other Squadrons if Papenhaim bringing them again to fight had not stopped the Enemy till struk with a Cannon bullet he dyed with that commendation of valour and courage which with the testimony of many scars appeared imprinted upon his face The King that thought it the honour and duty of a great Captain not to overcome only with the blood of others but having ordered his Troops and given directions for the Battel to hazard himself no less than a common Souldier was there killed also leaving it uncertain whether in truth he overcame or dyed first Some will have it that in the beginning of the Battel passing from division to division accompanied but with few he fell into a Company of the Enemies Horse by reason of the Mist not discovered and that while unknown with his Sword in his hand he defended himself and by a shot of a Carabine being flung out of the Saddle and by one foot in the Stirrup by the Horse dragged away he was afterwards by another shot slain Others that having in the left Wing beaten the Imperialists and now certain of the Victory he was hasting elsewhere but by a Company of Horse which advanced to charge was flung to the ground and as an ordinary man trampled upon and amongst others stript There wanted not some who reported and this is the most rational account of them who were in the Battel that the King whilst at the head of the Regiment of Colonel Verde of Finlanders seconded by two others of Swedes charged a great Body of eight hundred Cuirassiers commanded by Ottavio Piccolomini was shot with a Pistol in the Arm for his Cuirasse by reason of some old hurts incommoding him he wore no Arms in the Battel but not to discourage the Souldiers concealing the hurt and though willing to redouble the charge yet constrained by pain had resolved to retire with a few when at the instant he was with a Carabine shot in the Back by a Souldier who was killed in the same occasion Piccolomini returning then to the charge passed over him yet alive and left him under a heap of dead bodies ignobly covered It was never known who could boast of such a blow either because in Battels chance bears so great a sway that confounding the Fate of the King with that of the Souldiers they are not distinguished after death but by Glory or Oblivion or because in this Fortune had withal a mind to shew her self favourable that no mean person may vaunt himself to have killed so great a King and withal so noble a Souldier The Swedes continuing the fight ended the Victory before they knew of his death So that the Souldiers accustomed to fight under the eye of him from whom they expected reward and commendation believing he was fighting with them and would overcome disordered not their Ranks nor grew cool in their accustomed courage Bernard Duke of Weimar alone knowing the Kings Horse that ran loose and was bloody being aware of what was happened but inraged with the grief not to give time to the Souldiers to take notice of it charged with such a force that the Imperial Army was constrained to give way The Horse of both Wings were now fled Piccolomini alone remained the last with his Regiment and with proofs of wonderful valour after four Horses killed under him had five wounds upon him which Wallestain with a generous Present of twenty thousand Crowns cured and acknowledged And the Swedes would now have environed the Enemies Foot on all sides when the Mist which arose towards
off till they should see the success the Fleet on the 7. of August in the morning was ranged into a Half-moon on the points whereof were placed the two Galliasses to cover the lesser Gallies from the shot of the Fort and so entred couragiously into the Haven where the Corsaires astonished at so great boldness and those thereupon who had the guard of the Ships flying in confusion to Land they made their defence only with Cannon and Muskets from the Fort and from the Trenches The Fort was not sparing of its Cannon but the two Galliasses halling themselves under the Wall and with greater Pieces some shot whereof fell particularly into the Church to the great resentment of the Turks restraining its Battery covered the Gallies in such sort that they advanced under the Bolsprits of the Enemy There finding them empty some Mariners of Perasto incensed at the remembrance of the spoils done to their Country not long before by these very Pirates leaping into the water cut the Cables and the Chains which tying the Ships one to another made them fast to the shore So all the sixteen being taken and towed away with incessant shooting on both sides but little shedding of blood on the Venetians side of persons of account Giovanni Minotto only a Masters Mate being hurt with a Musket they carried them to Corfu in great Triumph There was found upon these Gallies Cannon Arms and Provisions over and above all the Furniture belonging to the Ships themselves and some booty which was presently divided The Hulls of the Gallies to the end both the Corsaires and the Turks might lose the hopes of ever having them again were afterwards all sunk for the making of the Mole at Corsu except the Admiral of Algier which was sent to Venice to be kept in the Arsenal as a Memorial and another which was known to belong to a great Man of the Turks carried away formerly into Barbary by one Cicale a Fugitive The gallantry of the action was universally magnified especially in the Kingdom of Naples and by the Subjects of the Church who acknowledged themselves preserved from cruel mischiefs The news coming to Venice by the Galley of Martin Molino Master of it the Ministers Residents of Princes came to congratulate and the Pope sent an express Brief commemorating the glorious enterprises of the Republick for the maintenance of the Faith and numbred this present action amongst the most famous and advantagious to Christendom offering his Forces whatever should happen upon it The Nuntio as the occasion required was admitted to present it at an Audience and the Senate corresponded in giving thanks Greater signs of joy were not publickly permitted in Venice than to give God thanks by the Sacrifice of a solemn Mass Molino being rewarded with a Chain of Gold Capello honoured with the dignity of a Counsellor and Marcello with that of Censor and a thankful commendation given to the rest the Senate remained in suspence what resentments and resolutions the Ottoman Ministers were to shew upon it Ordering therefore an exact Watch every where in the Islands and on the Borders they communicated to the Christian Princes the success shewing in this occasion also to have practised their ancient custom to prefer honour and common safety before dangers and their own interest At Constantinople mens minds seemed in truth variously affected for upon the first report of the Pirates being besieged in the Port the Turks had made a shew to be somewhat sensible of it but judging that the Sea would either open a way for them to escape or would hinder the Venetians longer stay there Musse Bassa who in the Kings absence governed in quality of Caimecan that is Lieutenant of the Grand Visier made himself ignorant of what had happened not so much out of a dexterity as because Forces being far off and the King ingaged against a powerful Enemy he thought it not fit for him with complaints and jealousies to provoke him thereby against others But when the certainty came of all that had happened with the carrying away of the Gallies artifice being out-done by Nature and Barbarity he brake out into excess of anger The whole fact coming afterwards to be published the principal Ministers and all sorts of persons were moved at it exasperating the violation of the Port of the Fortress and of the Church besides the carrying away of the Ships appointed for the Grand Signors service There happened a while after a commotion amongst the Corsaires some of which and in particular the Son of Piccinino in a mournful semblance and a pitiful habit as is the custom of that Nation with tears and crys filled with lamentations the Divan and the principal houses of the great men describing the insult deploring the loss of the Gallies the dispersing of the Slaves and reckoning amongst the losses the lost hopes by roving at Sea to plunder and devour the Wealth of the Christians The Ministers hereupon greatly moved arrogantly required of the Bailo the restitutions of the Ships but he it was that Luigi Contarini Cavalier who had grown old in the experiences of almost all the Courts of Europe with as much calmness and constancy denied it and brought his reasons interposing time to fury and also with dexterity shewing The right to punish him that dare come into another mans house to steal He alledged the Articles and Agreements attributing the blame of the evil that had happened to the Turkish Commanders that had contrary to the Peace given the Pirates protection and therefore he rather demanded that they might be exemplarily punished as guilty through an insatiable covetousness of prey and in contempt of the Orders of Amurath to have gone out of their way and violated the Dominion of a Prince in friendship with the Ottoman Port. In effect minds being a little quieted many within a while detested their imprudence and temerity nay at Algier Ali Piccinino was condemned as having gone beyond his Commission if he should fall into the power of that Government to lose his head The Ambassadours of the other Christian Princes presented a Writing of one and the same tenour to the Caimecan inveighing bitterly against these very Corsaires for the mischiefs received by every of the Nations which frequented the Ottoman Havens though in perfect friendship with the Port whereupon approving as just the chastisement received they appeared to interest themselves in the maintaining what the Venetians had done It seemed thereupon that the accident was communicated to the King with some sort of moderation But with so much the more bitterness did the Sultana-Mother and the other Women of the Seraglio exclaim against it for either corrupted with gifts by the Corsaires or longing that to exercise their authority nearer hand and enjoy their wonted pleasures he might quickly be restored to the Seraglio they all laboured that abandoning the remote undertaking of Persia he would imploy his Arms on this side against Christendom Amurath was at
from whence it became so much the more easie for Amurath to incamp himself under the Walls of Babylon a City on the Banks of Tigris of a most vast circuit and fortified by the Persians with three ditches and three inclosures of wall but without that order and art which in this present Age renders places invincible even of a much less circumference Emir Fatta was Governour with a Garrison of little less than thirty thousand Souldiers Nevertheless they sufficed not to hinder Amurath in November from encamping there and he having advertisement that the King of Persia with sixty thousand Horse was on his march to attempt the relief prevented him sending a great number of his men to take possession of the avenues and passages On the other side over-running the Country with many parties and with good Guards keeping the ways secure and open for his Victuals he diverted from his Camp that necessity which he feared much more than the Enemy Distributing afterwards three attacques with as many Batteries against the Town he gave the command of one to the Grand Visier assigns another to Mustafa and committed the third to Deli Vssein The King had a mind with his own hand to give fire to the first Cannon and with a fierce stoutness assisted and was present every where giving orders rewarding and punishing with a most exact vigilance To these beginnings the besieged making no opposition but only with Cannon endeavouring to hinder their approaches and ruine their works the Turks covered with Trenches were able to advance to the first Ditch And then the Persians made a sally with great numbers and much fury penetrating into the very Trenches where they cut to pieces six thousand Janissaries and would have done greater mischief if Amurath hasted thither with the Chiefs drawing with him the flower of the Army and the greater part of the Souldiers had not with as much violence repulsed them It is the custom of the Turks in Sieges to overcome Art and conquer Nature with fatigue and industry for prevailing in numbers and strength of bodies they weary out the defenders with indefatigable pains win places with works and miraculous labours and if other means fail they use to make Bridges fill up Ditches and raise Engines with the very bodies of the slain In this Siege they undertook to fill up a very great Ditch and effected it after twenty three days of continual labour and many oppositions of the besieged by the benefit whereof making a breach of fifty paces in the Wall they made way to make themselves Masters of the first inclosure Two others remained probably of greater difficulty so that it was of necessity for filling up another Ditch to employ great endeavours and raising a great Cat with many Cannons on it commanding the Wall they attempted to dislodge the defenders but they opposed another not inferiour in height and with an equal number of Cannon silenced the Battery of the Turks They then by ways made under ground penetrating into the Ditch made nothing of the opposition of their Enemy taking out of the way all that which of earth or otherwise they had brought to hinder them But the Turks not to be wearied out with great bodies of Palm Trees with which the Country abounds raised the Ditch equal to the Earth And now Amurath vexed that blood was spilt so slowly resolves to give a general assault and with one fury alone force both the Ramparts Making then choice of the day on which Christians celebrate the Nativity of our Lord and was the fortieth of the Siege he orders the Town to be assaulted on both sides Himself in person had a mind to lead on the Troops and was not easily diverted from it by the chief Bassa's promising solemnly to expose themselves and sacrifice their own lives so he would spare himself The Grand Visier took the charge of one side and Mustafa of the other The Visier having given proof of all possible force in vain was killed upon a heap of dead bodies The other seeing almost all his men dead about him taking in his hand in a fury one of the Royal Standards climbs up the wall and plants it there The Souldiers followed with great boldness and killing some of the Persians they entred the City meeting with no other difficulty to make themselves way in several places for the defenders overcome in one abandoned all The Turks pursuing entred also the third inclosure with the cruelty which not only Nature and the Victory suggested but fury and blood also In the City were killed without distinction the armed and the unarmed the Inhabitants as well as the Souldiers preserving only alive the Persian Governour with a few others to satisfie the pride of Amurath and adorn the Triumph In the Assault which lasted a great while the fight being obstinate and with much valour with Sable in hand thirty thousand Turks were slain and more than ten thousand hurt Amurath having his mind sweetned with the flatteries of glory and so noble a Conquest suffered it to be carried away with an unwonted scene of clemency ordering that the slaughter should cease and the Inhabitants be pardoned as to life when Mustafa immediately taken as the reward of his courage into the place of Grand Visier remonstrating to him how much danger from commiseration towards a people so numerous and an Enemy might be expected whilst when the Army was retired the Garrison might at some time or other be overpowered he gave way that twenty four thousand men more should be slain Thus was Babylon lost losing withal that boast which some gave it never to have been taken by assault Amurath made his Entry over the bodies yet warm of so many slain and amidst their blood almost reeking barbarously rejoycing to triumph over a City formerly so famous and stately The pillage lasted three days and the King commanded that sixty thousand bodies should remain unburied that a Persian Ambassador whom he expected might be terrified at the horrible spectacle of so great a slaughter Thus pride induces barbarous Princes to shew their greatness by those means through which An. Dom. 1639 believing themselves to be exempted from the common condition of Mankind they fall into that of Bruits ANNO MDCXXXIX In Constantinople with all sorts of jollity for twenty days was the Victory solemnized after which it seemed not to be at all doubted but that Amurath from so happy success elated in his mind and confidence would think of adding to his Persian Triumphs those also which the disunion of Christendom promised him In this conjuncture of so great faste arrived to him the Letters of the Venetians to which with an express Currier the Turks call him Olaccho he answers but not making the least mention of the arrest of the Bailo if he were a Conquerour of Asia he no less threatned Europe Whether through ambition or scorn he touched not a word of an adjustment Diversity of enterprises offered themselves
popular tumult which would vanish of it self or being quickly appeased by force would contribute to render the authority of the Government more respected for by Arms the Rebellion would not only be quieted but the pride of the Catalans brought down and those priviledges abolished which rendred them contumacious But reflecting in his mind with more secret cares upon the importance of the Province the quality of the situation and those greater mischiefs whilst the French would be brought in there he weighed within himself which either artifice or force might more profitably be employed Nor was he free from doubt lest other Kingdoms especially Arragon might follow the example He first trys by the perswasions of the old Dutchess of Cardona who with the people of Barcelona had much veneration and authority and by the means of the Minister of the Pope who resided there to pacifie their minds and quiet the tumult and that not succeeding to advantage he resolves to use force with such power and expedition that the people should neither be able to resist nor the French arrive time enough for their relief He then goes about to assemble the Army commanding the Fee-Farmers and inviting the Nobility and among them many of the most suspected particularly the Portuguese that they might serve for Hostages as well as Souldiers But the Provisions could not be so soon ready but that the Catalans had time to provide themselves with much resolution and to send Deputies into France to demand assistance It is not to be said with what satisfaction Richelieu who had formerly with his wonted arts nourished their first dispositions entertained them He heaps honours upon them and loads them with promises but at the same time willing to make use of the occasion which chance offered him he not only contrived to nourish War in the bowels of Spain but to reduce Catalogna to a necessity of rendring themselves to the subjection of the French He sends Monsieur de St. Paul with some few Officers and by Sea some Souldiers and Cannon to the end that that people might take heart to blood themselves with the Castiglians and dispatches Monsieur de Plessis Besanzon an eloquent Minister and a witty man to discover the disposition of affairs and minds But Olivares having gotten the Army together which amounted to thirty thousand Combatants the command thereof was committed to the Marquess de los Velez by birth a Catalan and destined to be Vice-Roy of the Province towards which it was so far from his having any disposition of affection that he rather had causes of hatred and detestation the people in Barcelona having razed his house and confiscated his goods In the month of December be begins his march from Tortosa a City participant in the Rebellion but which either by the inclination of the Inhabitants or for fear of the Army was the first that restored it self to obedience He advances to Balaguer many Towns not able for defence rendring themselves every where And there though the straits of the Passes might have been defended by a few yet the Guards of the Catalans durst not expect him whereupon the Marquess breathing terrour and severity proceeds as far as Combriel the Mutineers place of Arms. The place though weak despising the conditions which to disband the people in it the Marquess offered had the boldness to hold out five days after which being willing to render it self it was not received but at discretion the Town being laid waste the Magistrates hanged and the Souldiers cut to pieces From this blood was hatched despair over all In Barcelona particularly the Citizens animated one another to undergo all extremity rather than fall into the hand or under the Government of so arrogant a Conquerour or a Vice-Roy become so cruel Entring into consideration of their liberty and safety order was taken for the defence fortifying Mongiovino and uniting their minds for the common danger they went on in the Government and in their resolutions with vigour and concord They nevertheless feared they should not be able to withstand so powerful a shock without a strong support That apprehension was fomented by the French Ministers who represented to them imminent ruine on one side and succours at hand on the other But demonstrating that it was not reasonable that the Crown to procure anothers advantage should abandon its own they insinuated amidst fears and discourses how much it belonged to them to oblige so great a King to support both for honour and interest that Principality The design took for the fear of the danger and the hopes of succours induced the Catalans to deliver themselves up to the protection and dominion of France with many conditions which preserved their priviledges those especially of the consent of the people in the laying on of Imposts the Collation of Church-benefices and temporal Charges on those of the Nation except the Supreme of Viceroy who might be a Stranger To this all gave their assent The major part out of a desire of novelty the simple out of a conceit to change their condition for the better the more wise for being aware that after the first steps of Rebellion whatsoever liberty or servitude was to be it could not be enjoyed but with the same ruine and calamity This happened about the last days of the year very near the time that Portugal also casting off the yoke revived with a new King the ancient name of a Kingdom The emulation which is betwixt the Castiglians and the Portuguais is natural being imprinted by birth nourished by the milk and transmitted as an Inheritance from their Ancestors but was now rather become an abhorrency and impatience after these were forced to bend their necks under the Dominion of the Castiglians The Portuguais had several times applied their attentions and hope to various accidents which might give a change to their present Fortune but the potency and felicity of the Castiglians had till now either kept off foreign designs or prevented those at home The desire nevertheless greatly increased and the consideration of the Dukes of Braganza served to provoke it who descending from Edward Brother to King Henry were by many as much preferred in their Right as they had been forced to submit to the Force of King Philip. The present Duke John observing that the Castiglians had a waking eye upon him shewed himself so much the more averse from all application and business and a Tumult in a certain City having happened some years past upon the hearing of his name called upon he had contained himself within such a modesty that he was believed equally averse from ambition and deceit Olivares considering the Rights of the House and the Favour of the People besides his Riches and Lordships which exceeded the condition of a Vassal to secure himself of him invites him to the Court with rewards and imployments and with a dissembled confidence conferred upon him Charges and Titles which it was believed tended not
Gallows if they should dare to expect the Cannon Arriano a great Town and easie to have been defended because there was no access but by two Dikes only being in a fright driving out the Garrison of their own accord yielded to Delfino himself He now roves to and fro on the other side of the Po and spoiling the Country routs two Companies of Horse which were quartered at Cologna They then assaulted Codegoro where were assembled six hundred Foot and two hundred Horse either to attempt the recovery of Arriano or for some other design and there the Albanian Souldiers inraged at the sight of the blood of some of their Officers that were hurt entred with so great fury that cutting to pieces without distinction almost all the Inhabitants and Souldiers and setting fire to it they savage-like burnt the place Cardinal Anthonio observing the pause and demur of the Confederates in invading the Ferrarese and thinking by carrying the War into the Country of Modena to give their Army greater imployment for the defence of it sends from the side of Castel Franco Mathei with a thousand Foot and as many Horse who took in Spilimberto Vignivola and St. Cesareo open places of that Frontier threatning to go further in towards Sassuolo and into Montagna The Duke with the Proveditor Corraro and with all the Army follow him Cardinal Anthonio coasting upon it not far off The Confederates desired to draw him to a Battel for though their number were not greater surely the Discipline of their Troops was more veteran and experienced They resolved to invest under his eye Crevalcuore a good Town of the Ferrarese but not strong at all and sent thither to attempt it la Valette with a thousand Foot and four hundred Horse who dividing the Foot into three Troops thought to take it at one assault But finding the Ditch large and full of water he causes to be brought two small pieces of Cannon to make a breach which gave time to Cardinal Anthonio to bring succours into it and attacque la Valette who with a few Foot and abandoned by the Cuirassiers was constrained to retire in disorder and leaving one of his Cannon sticking in the miry ways He had carefully sollicited the whole Army which was not far off to move but the Duke and the others of the Consult by reason of this disorder changing counsel and considering of what importance it would be if any misfortune happening the Modenese should remain in prey to the Enemy stirred not The Pontificians had little loss save one French Captain of Cuirassiers killed The Confederates loss about two hundred men and amongst those one Captain of Foot and another was taken Prisoner After this the Confederates pursuing their resolution to march obliged Matthei to go out of the Modenese and abandon all the Posts except that of Spilimberto They then alted for some days at Buon Porto and Cardinal Anthonio quarters at St. Giovanni In this interim the Grand Duke coming to St. Casciano had put the Army into the field under the Command of the Prince Matthias and the direction of Alexander del Borro a valiant and experienced Souldier Barberino sends against them betwixt Petigliano and Sorano a body of betwixt five and six thousand men commanded by the Duke Frederico Savelli who as a Roman Baron and Subject of the Church being obliged to obey the Pope was by the Emperour at the instance of the Confederates discharged from the Embassy which in his Name he exercised in the Court of Rome But notwithstanding that opposition the Florentines advanced into the Ecclesiastical Territory and having taken the strong Pass of Buterone attacqued the City della Pieve where the Garrison though of fifteen hundred men scarce staying for the Cannon went out with their Swords only From thence Borri with eight hundred Horse and two thousand Foot made an Inroad as far as Orvieto obliging Savelli to retire more into the Country Monteleone then was rendred and the Army was scarce come to Castigliano del Lago but Fabio della Corgna who possessed it in Fief overcome as was said by the Great Duke with secret Treaties gave it up without defence He was therefore by sentence and censure declared by the Pope a Rebel The gaining of that drew along with it Passignano upon the same Lake The Gallies also of the Grand Duke scoured the Coast of Romagna but he now pressed the Republick that it would send him for a greater Renfort to his Army the men promised by the Treaty The Venetians shewed to have not only fulfilled what they were obliged to by sending beyond the Po all the men of their repertition according to the disposition of the League but also to have superabounded by keeping for the common benefit the Banks of that River with their own Souldiers and by distracting the Enemy with another body of men upon the Confines of Loreo and by obliging them with Barks and Gallies to the custody of a long tract of Country besides that they were forced to furnish to the Army of the Modonese Victuals Carriages and Cannon with their draught and to garrison Finale a Town belonging to the Modonese which situate amidst the Waters of the Tanaro served exceedingly for communication with the Posts kept by the Parmigians and with the Country possessed on this side the Po. But in truth all disorder arose from the two Dukes the one proving to be no help and the other serving for a burden for that Edward stood within his strength idly looking how things went and he of Modena not being able to defend his Borders because he had not in the field above a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse kept the whole Army of the Confederates busied in defending his Country though the Republick to dis-ingage it offered the pay of two thousand Foot if he could levy them of his own Subjects or Strangers The Grand Duke thereupon was contented that for the present four hundred Horse should be sent to him for so long till the three thousand Foot which after many contradictings and difficulties the Republick had in France obtained to be levied in Provenze should be dis-imbarked at Ligorn to remain in Tuscany whither the Senate sends Bertuccio Valiero with Title of Proveditor to assist the Grand Duke at the Consults and other occurrences Amidst these motions or rather unquietness of Armies treating was not given over by the French Ministers for that the Ambassadour d'Amo presented a sheet of Paper in Venice which the Marquess de Fontané had received in Rome from Barbarino in which was contained To restore the State of Castro to Duke Edward the Fortifications being demolished and the Rights reserved to the Montists when the League withdrawing their Arms should render what they had taken and the Duke should ask absolution and pardon the Pope offering an ample Brief secretly to be dispatched to free him from prejudices which he feared to incur when by giving his consent to the
re-united themselves and the Chiefs receiving the advice of the Kings death with express order not to hazard in that conjuncture a Battel kept it secret not to take away courage from their own nor increase confidence in the Enemy since they found themselves so far advanced that they could not retire either with safety or honour The Army then was put into order and Gassion with the right wing made choice of a place of such advantage that he could conveniently attacque the Spaniards in flank Melo with a redoubled errour not caring to stay any longer for Bech for whom he had the evening before neglected the advantage to defeat one part of the Enemy readily accepts the engagement and in the beginning had the success to rout and pursue all the left-wing with the gaining of eight Cannons taking Monsieur de la Ferté Seneterre Prisoner and the wounding of Monsieur del Hospitall This notwithstanding Anguien with an undaunted courage played still the part of a Commander and suggesting to himself if not from experience at least from his birth the memorials and provocations of glory restores the broken Troops to courage and order and leads again those that were most entire to the Fight Gassion with the natural fury of the French shocks the left-wing of the Spaniards in such a manner that the Cavalry could not withstand him The Duke of Albequerque was General of it arrived to that degree by the favour of Melo and he just unmindful of the publick danger and his own honour was the first that betook himself to flight whereupon the rest easily followed him Gassion then charges in the rear of the right wing which being victorious pursuing advantage had scarce been put to a little stop by Monsieur de Scirot who seasonably with a body of reserve was moving to encounter it But feeling on a sudden blows from behind them turned aside and at last gave way totally The Foot which consisted of the best of the Italian and Spanish Troops made resistance with the proof of great courage as long as they were able The Marquess de Fontaine their General having by the Gout the use of his Feet taken from him died upon a Chair at the head of the Battailons with a great number of Souldiers whose bodies were seen lying in ranks so unmoveably had they kept their station Many flinging away their Arms endeavoured to escape by flight and amongst those Melo after having given greater proof of courage than experience flinging away his Truncheon of command saved himself not softly Five other Squadrons closing themselves together withstood a long time the charge of Gassion resolving not to part with their lives but at the price of a great deal of blood But they abandoned and environed by the French who at last intended to bring Cannon to overcome them were forced to yield The Prisoners were six thousand which with the Cannon Baggage and a great number of Colours remained in the power of the French who found of theirs not above two thousand wanting Anguien warmed with the battel and fierce for the Victory casts himself into the Enemy Country not only recompensing with burning the mischief done in the Tirasche as hoping in that consternation of minds for some great revolt But the Flemmings observing France also by the death of the King tottering kept themselves quiet He applies therefore to more profitable Conquests besieging Thionville which through the importance of the situation in Lutzemburg having been formerly attempted after a bloody Siege was now rendred and a while after Sirch ran the same Fortune The Queen in this interim after the Husbands death comes with her two Sons from St. Germans to Paris amidst long files of the people in Arms and entring with the new King into the Parliament Orleans and Condé assisting expresses rather with tears than words shewing the Sons as pledges of her affection and the Kingdoms felicity that nothing remained to her but Widowhood and tears She referred to the Kings disposition of the manner of the Regency to which Orleans and Condé declared to have given their consent only not to defile with reluctancy and disgusts the quiet of the Kings last breath To many of the Parliament it self it seemed incapable of admission no less than new Being therefore abolished with unanimous Votes the Regency remained decreed to the Mother of the King alone with an absolute power Yet it is true that to have the two above-mentioned Princes consent to it it was before concerted that the Queen should confirm them in the charges conferred by the King and that the same Ministers should be continued in the Council As the first act of her authority to the end to avoid any intestine over-turnings the Queen recals the exiled and sets the Bastille open and to gain applause she bestows charges and gifts upon those she knew she could not wish better publishing that her desire was during her Regency to make appear all the virtue but none of the defects of the past Government To the Princes Confederates and Friends she stedfastly affirms that she would persevere in the alliances and affections of her Husband deceased As to Ministers of the Counsel it quickly appeared that she desired to bring into it persons more in her own confidence They were but few and had out-lived the persecutions of Richelieu neglected rather than preserved by reason of the opinion of their mean abilities Wherefore the others beginning to fear a fall the Chancellor to uphold himself employs as much money as he could and as much art as he knew for the gaining of those who being most conversant with the Queen should remonstrate on all occasions to her his ability in employments and the facility with which he suffered himself without reserve to be bowed to the supreme will of the Government a quality not to be despised in a new Regency Bottillier having the Keys of the Treasury as his Son managed the Pen of the secrets of State having with such eminent charges and immense riches provoked the hatred of the people and the envy of the Court judged it would be available for the preservation of the rest to renounce the superintendency which was by the Queen divided betwixt the President Bailleul her Chancellor and Monsieur d' Avo both in the reputation of sincere and dis-interessed virtue Nevertheless a while after Chavigni also under the title of sale was forced to yield up the Secretaryship of State to the Count de Brienne a person of exemplary integrity and of the Queens oldest Servants To the charge of chief Minister as difficult to be disposed of as to be undertaken because confidence and capacity were in an equal degree requisite she destines the Bishop of Bovés kept from Court by Richelieu as long as he lived But he being at first in the opinion of probity and sufficiency was no sooner arrived at Court but that in the darkness of so many affairs and interests he found a