followed by Frauncis Sforce Duke of Bary to performe the like for his brother Maxymylian Sforce And albeit the Bishop of Gurcy represented in Italy the ful person of Caesar as he did at other times yet laying now aside his pomp and accustomed magnificence he entred more modestly into Rome and forbare by the way to weare the cappe of Cardinall which the Pope had sent to him at Foggibonso At his comming was compownded a compromisse by him and the Venetian Embassadors in the person of the Pope of all the controuersies that were betweene Caesar and their common weale But it was a compromisse more in name and apparance then in effect and substance for that neither of the parties for thimportance of the cause would be referred to an arbytrement suspected vntill they had seuerally and secretly receiued promisse of him that he would not giue vppe his arbytracion without their consent and priuitie The Pope by this authority of Compromitting declared in writing that there should be a surceassing of armes betweene the two parties which albeit was ioyfully accepted by them both was yet ill obserued by the Viceroy for that being come betweene Montagnana and Este besides that he had done no other thing since the victorie then made pillage and ouerronne the whole contry hauing withall sent part of his souldiours to Policena he committed in sondry places many insolencies and harmes sometymes he excused his doings in that they were vpon the landes of Caesar sometimes he alleaged that he exspected new intelligence from the Cardinall of Gurcy lastly the ende of the compromisse was no more happie then had bene the middest and the beginning by reason of difficulties that fell out in the negociacion of affaires for Caesar would out consent to thaccord but with condicion to reteine parte of the townes for the other to receiue a great proporcion of money and of the contrary the Venetians demaunded all the townes and offered a very small summe of money it was beleued also that the king Catholike did secretly disswade the accorde notwithstanding openly he made demonstration to desire it yea it was said that to make it more hard he had at the same time put Bressa into the hands of Caesar a place which the Viceroy neuer til that day would giue vp alleaging that he kept it to make him more inclined to the peace But the causes were coniectured diuersly either he had so farre offended the Venetians that he iudged he would no more enterteine with them a true and assured amitie or else he knew that his reputacion and greatnes in Italie depended vppon continuing and keeping on foote the armie which for want of money he was not able to feede and nourrish but by racking raunsoming the peoples that were his frendes and in making praye and pillage of the countreys that were enemies These difficulties together with the vntowardnesse of the parties made the Pope leaue the matter vnperfect when a litle after the Almains by the helpe of the exiles and banished men tooke Marano vpon the suddeine a seafaring towne in the countrey of Friull and so discended to the like action vpon Montfalcon and albeit the Venetians both for their honor profit desired to reconquer Marano being threescore miles from Venice in that disposition did assaile it both by sea and land yet their fortune being all one in all places they receiued losse vexacion on all sides only Ranso de Cero in that time susteyned the name and credit of their armes to his great praise and merit for albeit there was a great rage of plague and hunger in Crema where he lay in garrison and that the bands of Spanyards and Millanois being dispersed into the townes thereabout by reason of the season he was as it were besieged yet he gaue a suddeine charge vppon Calcinaia a towne of the countrey of Bergamo and stripped Caesar Fieramosquo with forty men at armes and two hundred light horsemen of the regiment of Prospero Colonno And not many dayes after he entred by night into Quinsano and tooke the Lieutenaunt of the Count S. Seuerin and spoyled fifty men at armes and within Treuy stripped ten men at armes of the company of Prospero About this time thinges were quiet enough in other places of Italie sauing that the Adorneis and the Fiesqueis with three thowsand men of the countrey accompanied perhappes with the secret fauor of the Duke of Millan drew neare the walls of Genes after they had taken Spetia and other places of the riuer of Leuant But their fortune being farre inferior to their valour they went away almost ouerthrowen hauing loste parte of the men they brought to thenterprise and certaine peeces of artillerie There appeared also in Tuskane certeine beginninges of new iniuries for the Florentins beganne to molest them of Lucquay trusting that thorow feare of the Pope they should redeeme peace in restoring to them Pietrasanta Mutrona They alleaged besides that it was not conuenient that they should enioy the benefitte of that confederacion which they had broken in minstring secret succours to the Pisans Against these suggestions they of Lucquay complained to the Pope and to the king Catholike in whose protection they were but seeing there grew no remedy to them they were at last contented to auoyde greater mischiefes to referre a compromisse to the person of the Pope Who hauing like authoritie for the Florentins pronounced that they of Lucquay who had affore rendered to the Duke of Ferrara Garsagnana shoulde leaue to the Florentins the places of Pietrasanta and Mutrona and that there should remayne betwene them a perpetuall peace confederation About the ende of this yere the Castles of Millan and Cremona who for the necessitie of vittells had agreed to yeelde if they were not succored in a certayne time were deliuered into the power of the Duke of Millan So that there remayned no more that the French king helde in Italie but the lanterne of Genes which in the end of the same yere the Genovvaies assayed to caste downe by mynes They approched to it vnder the benefite of a Caske or vessell of wood conteining thirtie fadomes in length and twentie in breadth within which was stowage for three hundred men and set rounde about with packes of wooll the better to defende the shotte At the first showe it caryed great arte and deepe inuention but being brought to tryall it serued to litle vse as most often is seene by those newe and straunge workes The ende of the eleuenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE TWELFTH BOOKE THe king of Englande makes vvarre vpon the French king The Venetians recouer Friull The Pope as arbitrator pronounceth peace betvvene them and the king of Romains King Lovvis the xij dyeth Frauncis the firste commeth to the Crovvne and discendeth into Italie to reconquer Millan THE TVVELFTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THERE happned the same yere in the regions beyonde the Mountes most
were the particulars That they should not in any sort dispose the benefices or dignities of the Church and that they shoulde make no resistance or difficultie touching the frutes prouisions deriuing of them to the Court of Rome That they should not gainesay that in that Court should not be persecuted the causes for benefices with others appertaining to thecclesiastike iurisdiction That they should not charge the goods of the Church and exempt places of their temporall dominion with tenthes or any other sortes of imposicion That they shoulde renownce from thappellacion against thadmonicion and from all interests rightes gotten vpon the Church landes in what sort soeuer but specially from all those prorogatiues and rightes by the which they pretended to holde the office of Vicedomino in Ferrara That the subiects of the Church and their vessels may freely traffike thorough their goolfe and that with such ample facultie that the marchandise of other nations brought in their bottoms shoulde not be troubled nor subiect to pay tolls That it should not be lawfull for thē in any sort to medle with Ferrara or any townes of that state which were dependant on the Church Thatal couenantes contracts which they had made to the preiudice of the Church with any the subiects or vassalls of the same should be cancelled and made voide That they should not receiue any Duke Baron or other subiect or vassall of the Churche that should be an enemie or rebell to the sea Apostolike That they should be bownd to make restitution of all the moneys which they had exacted vppon the reuenues of the Churche together with reparation of all the harmes which the Church had suffred These obligations with the promises and sufficient renouncements being receiued in the consistorie the Venetian Embassadors at a day appoynted according to thauncient examples of tymes were brought vnder the portall of the great Church of S. Peter where falling at the Popes feete being set in his pontificall seate neare the brazen gates and honored with thassistantes of all the Cardinals and college of Prelates they asked him pardon in great humilitie confessing their contumacie and faultes past After this according to the custome of the Churche were pronounced certaine prayers and so proceding to all the other degrees of ceremonies the Pope receyuing them into grace gaue them absolution and enioyned them for penaunce to go visite the seuen Churches After the action of absolution was done they entred into S. Peters Churche beeing guided by the great penitencier And after they had heard Masse which was denied to them before they were very honorably accompanied to their howses by many prelates and Courtiers not as persons excommunicated and interdited but as reconciled Christians and deuout children to the sea Apostolike Soone after they returned to Venice more loaden with the ceremonies then made blessed with the vertue of their absolution leauing behinde them at Rome Hieronimo Donato one of their number and who by his vertues and singular facilitie of witte and learning becomming very agreable to the Pope did afterwards great seruice to his countrey in things which he negociated with him THE ARGVMENT OF THE NINTH BOOKE POpe Iulio the seconde turneth agaynst the French men The French king and king of Romains enter league agaynst the Venetians vvho besiege Verona The Pope taketh Mirandola and makes vvarre vpon the Duke of Ferrara The families of Bentyuole returne to Bolognia A Councell is published at Pisa agaynst the Pope THE NINTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THE mindes of men of their proper inclination are mutable bearing no small subiection to passions of enuie ambition and glorie And to great Princes aspiring to high actions by so muche lesse tollerable is the stroake of reuolution and chaunge by howmuche more thoccasions are wrought directly contrarie to their exspectations and do conclude preiudicially agaynst their proper imperie and greatnes for as this absolution whiche the Pope gaue to the Venetians brought no litle greefe to the minde of Maximilian beeing so muche the more vexed by howmuche thaction was accomplished with a will resolute and touched him more particularly and principally then all the residue So also the French king hauing no lesse interest in the harmes that might happen did equally communicate in the perplexities of this alteration for that he desired for his priuate profite that the greatnes of the Venetians should not be eftsones reestablished Neuerthelesse he coulde not finde out what were the intentions and laste endes of the Pope And therefore feeding himselfe with vayne hopes concerning the difficulties of th affayres that were prepared agaynst him he perswaded himselfe that the Pope stirred onely for suspicion of his vniting with Maximilian and that temporising with him and giuing him no occasion of greater feare he would passe no further but rest satisfied with thabsolution he had giuen A perswasion muche abusing the kings affayres and no lesse farre from the resolution of the Pope who growing more and more confirmed in his deliberation and litle respecting the declarations and impedimentes of the confederate Embassadors suffred the subiects and dependantes of the Churche to enter into the pay of the Venetians who receiued into intertainement Iohn Paule Baillon as generall of their whole companies standing without a gouernor by the death of the Count Petillano they tooke also into their wages Iohn Lovvis and Iohn Vitelli sonnes to the late Iohn Camilla and made Ranso de Cere colonell of their footmen holding it a iustice as reasonable to fauour them with this libertie for their temporall ayde as to acquite them of the paynes of the Churche both the one and other respecting one meaning and matter And as in this action he made open declaration that he tooke the Venetians into his protection so he laboured also to bring them to agreement with Caesar hoping vnder that meane not onely to seperate him from the French king but withall to knitte him with himselfe and with the Venetians to make warre vpon him wherein for the more easie succeding of this deuise taking his oportunitie vpō the necessities of Caesar he interposed his authoritie to the electors of thempire and the free townes to th ende that in the dyet of August there should be no consent of contribution But the more he aduaunced and vrged this practise the more he founde it of harde operation for that on the one side Caesar would not harken to any motion of agreement vnlesse Verona might remayne to him and on the other side the Venetians in whom the Pope had hope of a greater facilitie perswading them selues to be hable to defende Padoa in all fortunes and that keeping that citie time would fauour them with more occasions demaunded resolutely the restitution of Verona offring to pay in recompence a huge summe of money To a minde disposed to troubles nothing is more sweete then the studie of vexation and by howmuch more plentifully doth abounde the humor of
the Diuines then of the Cannonistes that the authoritie to call councells was inuested onely in the person of the Pope yea though he were infected with all vices if onely he were not suspected of heresies That if the holy authoritie were otherwayes interpreted it would rest in the power of a few eyther for ambicion or for perticuler hatreds couering their wicked intencions with false coolers to alter and chaunge dayly the peasible estate of the Church A matter which ought not to be consented no lesse for the preiudice then for the ill example it brought They alleaged that be it that all medicines were wholesome yet if they were not ministred with due proporcions and in tymes conuenient they bare more of poyson then of medicine By which reasons condemning all those that had other opinions they called this assemblie not a councell but matter to deuide and seperat the vnitie of the sea Apostolike A beginning of schisme in the Churche of God and a councelling of Deuills The ende of the nynth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE TENTH BOOKE AFter the taking of Bolognia the french armie returneth to the Duchie of Myllan The councell that was to be holden at Pysa against the Pope is transferred to Myllan where many stirs happen The Popes armie beseegeth Bolognia The french men take Bressia The battell is giuen at Rauenna The Pope publisheth the councell at Rome And afterwards the affayres of the french begin to decline THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THE successe of the victorie hapning vpon the french king drewe all Christendom but principally the vniuersall regions of Italy to exspect in greate dowt of minde what he would further deliberat of his fortune for euery one gaue this iudgement that it was in his power to make him selfe Lorde of Rome and the whole state Ecclesiastike both for that all the Popes regiments together with the Venetians were dispersed and almost dissolued and also there remeyned not in Italy other armies able to make resistance agaynst the furie of the Victor And as for the Pope seeming onely to be defended with the name Maiestie of the place he stoode in all other regardes reduced to the discression of fortune his resolucion of mind only remeining to support the aduersitye of his estate Neuerthelesse the french king eyther the reuerence which he bare to religion reteyning him or the feare to stirre vppe other Princes against him driuing him to vse a moderacion in his fortune determined not to vse thoccasion of his victorie but with a councell perhaps more religious then profitable he addressed his commaundements to Ioh. Iac. Tryuulce to returne with the armie to the Duchie of Myllan leauing Bolognia to the Bentyuoleis and making restitucion of all other peeces which he occupied of the Church To these actions so gracious and affable he added wordes and demonstracions no lesse acceptable and full of pietie for he forbad throughout his Realmes to make any publike signes of gladnes And protested oftentymes in the presence of many that notwithstanding he had nothing committed against the sea Apostolike nor against the person of the Pope And much lesse done any thing but by prouocacion and constraint yet he would come to humilitie with the Pope and for the reuerence and deuocion he bare to that sea he would sue for pardon where he had done no offence he perswaded him selfe that the Pope knowing by experience what were the difficulties of his conceites and being reassured of the suspiciō which he had of him without occasion would with all his hart come to desire peace the practise and negociacion whereof had not bene altogether giuen ouer seeing the Pope since he parted from affore Bolognia had for that occasion sent to the king thēbassador of the king of Skotland continuing to solicit the same points which by the same Bishop had bene begon to be debated with the Bishop of Gurce In this disposicion to peace ioyned also the famulie of the Bentyuoleis who notwithstanding they followed thauthoritie of the king yet they signified to the Pope that much lesse they would expresse contumacie and rebellion to the Churche seeing they layed them selues downe with ready and franke mindes to liue and dye in that subiection wherein their fathers had continued by so many yeares And in token thereof they did not onely sette at libertie the Bishop of Cluse but according to the auncient vsage they lodged him in the pallayce as Liefetenant to the sea Apostolike Tryuulce departed with th armie and drew neare to Mirandola to recouer it notwithstanding at the request of Iohan. Fran. Piqua Vitfruch was entred vnder cooller to hold it in the name of Caesar And by protestacion had sent to require Tryuulce that because it was of the iurisdiction of thEmpire he should absteine from all violent action But finding in the ende that his vayne authoritie was not sufficient he went his way Tryuulce giuing him onely certaine promisses more honorable for Caesar in shewe then in effect The like did Iohn Fran. after he had safeconduit for goods and life And Triuulce hauing to follow no other expedicion sent to the gard of Verona fiue hundred launces and a thowsand three hundred launceknights vnder Capteine Iacob And reseruing to him selfe two thowsand fiue hundred Gascoins vnder the regiment of Capteine Molard and Mangiron which with the companies of the men at armes he sent dispersed into the townes of the Duchie of Myllan he gaue leaue dismissed all the other bandes of footemen But to the desire and hope of the king was nothing agreeable the disposicion of the Pope who rising into a newe courage by the reuoking of the armie And being euery day made more hard and obstinat by the thinges that in deede should haue made him more easie and tractable seing withall that at Rymyny where he yet remeyned he laye tormented with the gowte In the middest of so many perplexeties he sette downe more in the personne of a Victor then one that was vanquished and that by the meane and working of the same Skottishe Embassador That the Duke of Ferrara shoulde paye to him hereafter the tributes which he was wont to paye before the diminucion whiche had bene made by Pope Alexander That the Churche shoulde holde a Visdomino in Ferrara as the Venetians dyd before And that there should bee rendered to him Lugo with the other townes which Alfonso d'Este possessed in Romagnia These condicions notwithstanding they seemed to the kinge no lesse greeuous then to holde too muche of iniquitie yet the desire to haue peace with the Pope preuailing aboue all other respectes he made aunswere that he was contented to consent to all those demaundes so farre forth as Caesar might also condiscend and concurre in them But the Pope being now returned to Rome seemed with the place to chaunge both councell and will the perswasions of the king of Aragon helping no lesse then his naturall lightnes and mutabilitie
the footemen of the launceknightes making a resolute defence aboue all others But passing ouer the bridge of Grauatona which was of wood the plankes breaking with the waight of the horses all the french men and launceknightes that were not yet passed ouer were eyther slayne on the place or taken prisoners That laste calamitie being so much the more lamentable and greeuous by howe much they hoped by their diligence to make waye for their sauetie which they sawe their fortune persecuted to thuttermost The towne of Pauia bownd it selfe to pay a great quantitie of money by whose example also Myllan compownded but for a greater summe And all the other townes except Bressia and Crema fled from the aduersities of the french men â–ª All the contrey cryed now vpon the name of thEmpire the state was receiued and gouerned in the name of the holy league so was it called vniuersally and all affaires disposed by thauthoritie of the Cardinall of Syon assigned Legat for the Pope But the treasor and what soeuer was taxed vpon the townes was made a reward to the Svvyzzers to whom was transferred an interest in all things that concerned gaine or profit the same beeing the cause that many other bandes and trowpes of them discended into Lombardye to ioyne with the residue after the parliament of Zurich was ended which was assembled for that cause In this mutacion the cities oâ— Plaisance and Parma gaue them selues willingly to the Pope who pretended they apperteyned to him as members of Rauenna The Svvyzzers made them selues Lordes of Lucarno and the Grisons got Valuoltolino and Chiauenna places very commodious for them And in the heate of this fortune Ianus Fregosa Capteine of the Venetian armie beeing gonne to Genes with such bandes of horsemen and footemen as he had obteyned of th armie was the cause that that citie reuolted the french gouernor beeing fled whereof he was created Duke A dignitie affore tyme inuested in his father with the same violence of fortune all the townes and castells of Romagnia returned to the Popes obedience And lastly the Duke of Vrbyn approching neare to Bolognia with the bandes of souldiours of the Churche the famulie of the Bentyuoleis left it abandoned their fortune leauing them desperat hauing by these violent degrees depriued them of all hope The Pope pursued this famulie very sharpely excommunicating all the places that should receiue them hereafter he expressed no lesse hatred against the citie And beeing most kindled for their forgetfulnes of so many his benefits bestowed vpon them and in that ingratitude not only reuolting from his obedience but also in their spite had not forborne to spurne his picture and rayle out many villanous words against him he would consent no more that they should create new Magistrates nor communicat any way in the gouernment of the towne he exacted by the meane of seuere officers huge summes of money of sundry Citisens as partakers with the Bentyuoleis yea the opinion ronne that if his deuises had not bene broken by death he had a meaning to destroy that citie and translate thinhabitants to Centa The ende of the tenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOKE THe Duke of Ferrara is in great trouble The Medicis returne to Florence The king of Romains makes alyance with the Pope Maxymylian Sforce is put in the possession of the Duchie of Myllan The French king makes his preparacions to recouer Myllan Pope Iuho dyeth Leon the tenth is created Pope The French men are ouerthrowen neare to Nouaro and the Venetians neare to Vincensa THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOTwithstanding the Pope amyd his greatest aduersities daungers had not onely obteyned victorye of his ennemies contrary to all hope and coniecture but also with the same felicitie had amplified the iurisdiction of the Churche aboue exspectacion and contrary to common equitie yet his auncient couetousnes to the citie of Ferrara the first matter of all these broyles so helde him still ouerruled that he could not make his desires equal to his fortune nor conforme his wandring minde to rest and tranquilletie Such is the rage of couetousnes when it hath thassistance of authority which makes men hard to be contented with that which occasion doth offer for that those things that come first doe abhorre them so long as by the greatnes of their power and place they aspyre and thirst for better But albeit the Pope had violent desires to turne his forces against Ferrara yet the way of peace seeming more easie then the warre or rather hoping more in the benefitte of secret and artificiall practises then in actions apparant and discouered he gaue eare first of all to the Marquis of Mantua who besought him that Alfonso d'Este might come to him to Rome to demaunde pardon and that he woulde eftsoones reclayme him to grace vnder some indifferent condicions In this request was concurrant thEmbassador of the king of Aragon suing for him bothe for that he was the kinsman of his king for Alfonso came of a Daughter of tholde Ferdinand king of Naples and also for that he esteemed it more to the commoditie of the affayres of his kinge to binde him to him by this propertie of benefitte then to suffer so great an estate to bee adioyned to the greatnes of the Churche Moreouer the famulie of the Colonnois beeing become of greate amitie with Alfonso were earnest solycitors in this cause The reason of their compassion was for that after the battell of Rauenna Fabricio Colonno who was Alfonsoes prisoner beeing sent for and requyred of him he vsed so many delayes first in refusing and then in interposing many excuses that by the mutacion that hapned he brought it into his owne power to giue him his libertie without any charge or raunsom At last safe conduit was obteyned for him from the Pope by the sewertie whereof confirmed also with the faith of thEmbassador of Aragon in the name of his king which was protested to him by the consent and priuitie of the Pope he went to Rome his submission beeing greater then his hope to be forgiuen And being come to Rome the Pope admitted him into the Consistorie suspending in the meane while all censures and paynes There with great humilitie he demaunded pardon with the same submission besought him that he might bee receyued into his grace and restored to the fauour of the sea Apostolike offering to doe hereafter all those offices and duties which might apperteyne to a moste deuout and faythfull Vassall of the Church The Pope heard him with a countenance and asspect reasonably peasible and substituted six Cardinalls to debate with him touching condicions of agreement who after certeine dayes spent in disputacion and argument declared to him that the Pope neyther would nor ment to depriue the Church of the citie of Ferrara since it was lawefully reuerted to the imperie of the Churche But in recompense there should be giuen to him the citie of
They ariued at the parke walls certayne howres before day and by the working of their Masons ready wills of their souldiors they cast downe to the earth threeskore fadome of wall by which breach being entred within the parke the first squadron drew towards Mirabell the residue of the army tooke the way to the campe Assone as the king vnderstoode that they were entred the parke thinking they would draw to Mirabell he issued oute of his lodging to feight in playne and open fielde desyring to drawe the battell rather to that place then to anye other for thaduauntages whiche it gaue to the horsemen he commaunded to turne the artilleries towardes thenemies whiche beating them in flanke brought great domage to the arearegard But in the meane while the battell of the Imperialls gaue a furious charge vppon the kings squadron which ordinarely was the battell but as the Spanyards went it was the arearegard The king fought valiantly and susteyned with great courage the violence of his enemies who with the furie of their harquebuziers constrayned his men to giue groūd vntill the reskew of the Svvyzzers came when the Spanyards were repulsed aswell by them as by the horsemen that charged them in flanke But the Viceroy being called in by the Marquis of Pisquairo who brought to the fight his launceknights they were easily broken not without great slaughter of the Svvyzzers who that daye did nothing aunswer the opinion of vallour which afforetymes they had wont so honorably to expresse in battells The king kept alwayes the middell of the battell being enuyroned with a great garde of men at armes And albeit he did what he could to conteyne confirme his people yet after he had fought long with his owne hands his horse beingslayne vnder him him selfe lightly hurt in the face and in the hande he was striken downe to the earth and taken prisoner by fiue souldiours that knewe not what he was In which misfortune the Viceroy pressing into the thronge his maiestie disclosed him selfe to him who with great reuerence kissed his hand and receiued him prisoner in thEmprours name At the same tyme the Marquis of Guast with the first squadron had defeated the horsemen that were at Mirabell And Antho de Leua who as was sayd had to that ende cast downe to the earth so great a quantitie and space of wall as an hundred and fiftie horsemen might sallye forth in front issued out of Pauya and so charged the French men behinde that he put them wholly to flight And in that feare they were almost all stripped and trussed except the arearegard of the horsemen which being led by Monsr d'Alenson from the beginning of the battell retyred almost whole It is holden for certaine that in this battell were slayne more then eyght thowsand men of the French campe part by the sword and part of bodies drowned in the riuer of Thesin seeking their sauetie by swymming of this generall number were about twenty of the most noble and apparant Lordes of Fraunce as the Admirall the L. Iames Chabanes the L. Palissa and Trimouille the Maister of the horse Monsr d'Aubigny Monsr de Boyssy and Monsr de l'Escud who beeing taken greeuously wounded by his enemies gaue to them his life in steede of a raunsom The prisoners that were taken were the king of Nauarre the bastard of Sauoye the L. Montmerancy Saint Pavvle Bryon Aual Monsr de Chandion Monsr d'Imbercourt Galeas Visconte Federyk Bossolo Bernabye Visconte Guidanes with many gentlemen and almost all the Capteines that escaped the slaughter of the sword There was also taken prisoner Ierome Leandro Bishop of Brunduso the Popes Nuncio but by commaūdement of the Viceroy he was eftsoones set at libertie as also Monsr Saint Pavvle Federyk Bossole committed to the castell of Pauya brake prison a litle after by the corrupcion of the Spanyards that had them in charge Of thimperialls side the vniuersall slaughter exceeded not seuen hundred bodies and not one Capteine of name except Ferrand Castriot Marquis of Saint Angeo The Marquis of Pisquaro was wounded in two places and Antho de Leua lightly hurt in the legge The praye and spoyle of this battell was so great as there had not bene seene in Italy more rich souldiours Of so great an armie there was preserued but the arearegard of foure hundred launces commaunded by Monsr d'Alenson they neuer came to the fight neuer suffered charge nor neuer were followed but leauing behind them their baggage they retyred whole to Pyemont their feare making them more hastye to flee then carefull of their honor And as one calamitie followeth an other so the losse of the battell was no sooner reapported at Myllan then Theoder Tryuulce who laye there in garrison with foure hundred launces departed and tooke his way to Musocquo all the souldiours following him by trowpes Insomuch as the same day that the king lost the battell all the Duchie of Myllan was made free from the iurisdiction of the French. The day after the victorie the king was led prisoner to the Rocke of Pisqueton for that the Duke of Myllan in regard of his propper sewertie consented hardly that the person of the king should be kept within the castell of Myllan he was garded with great ielousie and watche but in all other things except his libertie he was vsed and honored as apperteyned to the state and maiestie of a king The ende of the fiftenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SIXTENTH BOOKE THe Pope is accorded with thEmprour Many practises are made for the kinges deliuerie Ierom Morono conspireth against thEmprour The king is deliuered out of prison and returneth into France THE SYXTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin IN the booke before you haue seene set downe the ouerthrowe of the French armie in the battell of Pauia A wretched successe where was so great exspectacion of victorie you haue seene a mightie king deliuered vppe prisoner into the handes of him with whome he contended for glorye imperie A spectacle most tragicall amongest all the calamities that fortune bringeth vppon mans mortalitie you haue seene the moste parte of the nobilitie and honorable Capteines of Fraunce slayne in the seruice and presence of their king A matter that made more lamentable his owne condicion and aduersitie you haue seene the residue of that armie so vniuersally perplexed with feare and confusion that the same thing that should haue reteyned them in so great affliction made them the lesse assured and further of from confidence Lastly you haue seene the lowsse hartes and pusillanimitie of the Svvyzzers A nation which in the warres past had fought in Italy with so great name and glory But the thing that most wonderfully encreased the reputacion of the Victors was the general feare and astonishment of all the Potentats in Italy who looking into the felicitie of the Imperialls carying so honorable a victorie with so litle losse to them selues could not but make a desperat
your amitie and mercy So neuerthelesse your compassion hath principally respected the equitie of the complaynts of such as implored it esteming it not agreable to the lavv of vertue and account of your conscience to make your profite vpon the diuisions of your neighbours though there haue not vvanted reasons and titles to induce your desire I forbeare to make declaration to your Maiestie of the life and learning of the first Author of this booke A matter testified vvith sufficient credit and reputation in the high negociations and employments vvhich he managed long time vnder great Princes Popes common vveales And I am bolde contrary to the custome of some vvriters to leaue to particulate in my Epistle any part of the argument vvhich vvith so great grauitie he hath digested at large in so great a volume Onely the man for his integritie and roundnes vvas such one as vvhose vertues vvere farre from all suspicion of parcialitie fauour hatred loue revvard or any other propertie of humaine affection vvhich might haue force to corrupt or turne from the truth the minde of a vvriter And for the generall matter of his vvorke it doth not onely conteine the vvarres and diuerse accidentes hapned in Italy and other partes for almost fortie yeres but also he doth so distinctly set dovvne the causes the counsells and the fortunes of euery principall partie introduced into those actions that by his studie and iudgement is traced made easie to the reader the vvay to all those svvete and plentifull frutes vvhich vvith paynfulnes are sought for in Histories of this nature And for mine ovvne part vvhere in all my dedications heretofore not my vvill vvhich vvas alvvayes vvarranted by the gracious demonstrations of your Maiestie But my maner of life instituted vpon priuate customes and exercises hath holden me from approching the authoritie of this place affore vvhich nothing ought to be presented vvhich hath not a full perfection of spirite and studie yet novv taking my reason of the vvorthines of the vvorke and obseruing the examples and inducements of others in like oblatioÌ„s I am bold vnder feare humilitie to prostrate these my last payns afore that diuine moderation of mind vvhich alvvays hath holden for acceptable all things respecting learning or vertuous labours Humbly beseeching your right excellent Maiestie that vvhere the vvorke is novv to appeare in the open vievv of the vvorld and stande before the vncertaine iudgements of so many sundry straunge humors of men you vvill vouchsafe to let it passe vnder the happie name of your Maiestie and vnder your gracious authoritie to giue it defence and fauor agaynst the emulation of such as eyther through malice or ignorance may rise vp to interprete me and my labours sinisterly The Lorde blesse your Maiestie vvith a long and peaceable life and confirme in you to the comfort of your people that course of vvell tempered gouernment by the benefite vvhereof they haue so long time liued vnder the felicitie of your name At my lodging neare the Tovver of London vij Ianuarij 1578. Your Maiesties humble and true subiect GEFFRAY FENTON THE GENERALL CONTENTES OF euery booke through the whole Historie LOdovvike Sforce vncle and tutor to Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan fearing least Ferdinand vvould make vvarre vpon him breaketh of from the Le 〈…〉 that had bene renevved betvveene the sayde Ferdinand Iohn Galeas aâ—â— thâ— Common vveale of Florence agaynst the Venetians he procureth the French king Charles the eight to passe into Italy to conquer the kingdome of Naples Pope Alexander the sixth allieth himselfe vvith the king of Naples The French king hauing ordred the affayres of his kingdome discendeth into Italy vvhere he taketh many tovvnes Diuerse emotions happen in the kingdome of Naples The Pope is in great perplexitie and trauell Pisa rebelleth agaynst the Florentins The Fr. king entreth into Florence and Rome and from thence passeth to Naples Fol. 1. The Pisans continue their rebellion agaynst the Florentins The French king taketh the Castles of Naples The Pope Venetians and other Princes make league agaynst the king vvho returning into Fraunce is fought vvithall neare the riuer Taro Ferdinand vvinneth agayne Naples Nouaro is besieged by the Confederates The fr. king maketh peace vvith the duke of Millan and returneth into Fraunce Fol. 72. Lodovvike Sforce keepeth not the treatie of peace The Venetians take the tovvne of Pisa into their protection The fr. king determineth to returne into Italy The king of Romains besiegeth Liuorna The Pope makes vvarre vpon the Vrsins The fr. king dyeth at Amboyse Freare Ieronimo Sauonarola is hanged at Florence Fol. 129. Lovvis Duke of Orleance succeedeth to the Crovvne of Fraunce He determineth to recouer his Duchie of Millan Pisa and Florence make vvarre Lodovvike Sforce flieth from Millan The Florentins giue battrie to Pisa and agree vvith the French king Pope Alexander aspireth for his sonne to the iurisdiction of Romania Lodovvike Sforce recouereth Millan but beeing betrayed by the Svvizzers he is taken and ledde into Fraunce Fol. 187. The vvarre of Pisa continueth The Duke Valentynois pursueth his enterprise vppon Romania The kings of Spayne and Fraunce inuade ioyntly the kingdome of Naples They occupie it and deuide it betvveene them and aftervvardes make vvarre one vppon an other The Duke Valentynois putteth to death the Vrsins The Svvizzers discend into the Duchie of Millan The Spaniards remayne victors ouer the French at Corignolo and take Naples Fol. 244. The French king maketh his preparation to passe into Italy Pope Alexander the sixt is poysoned His successor Pope Pius the third dyeth vvithin xxvi dayes Iulius the seconde is created Pope The duke Valentynois is apprehended and made prisoner The French men are ouerthrovven at Garillan The Florentins fayle to take the Citie of Pisa Peace is established betvvene the French king and the king of Spaniards Fol. 298. Many treaties are made Pope Iulio the seconde taketh the gouernment of Bolognia The Genovvayes rebell agaynst the French king The king of Aragon meeteth vvith the French king and communicateth vvith him The Dyet of Constance The king of Romains demaundeth passage of the Venetians to go take the Crovvne at Rome He inuadeth their lands and aftervvards maketh truce vvith them Fol. 353. Most of the Princes of Christendome dravv into league at Cambray agaynst the Venetians vvho beeing ouerthrovven by the French king render the tovvnes of the Church and make submission to the king of Romains Pisa returneth to the obedience of Florence The Venetians recouer the tovvne of Padoa vvhich is soone after besieged by Caesar Aftervvards they make vvarre vpon the duke of Ferrara The Pope giueth them absolution of the Church censures Fol. 405. Pope Iulio the seconde turneth agaynst the French The frenche king and king of Romains enter league agaynst the Venetians vvho besiege Verona The Pope taketh Mirandola and maketh vvarre vpon the duke of Ferrara The famulie of Bentiuoley returnes to Bolognia A Councell is published at Pisa
agaynst the Pope Fol. 463. After the taking of Bolognia the French armie returneth to the Duchie of Millan The Councell that vvas to be holden at Pisa agaynst the Pope is transferred to Millan vvhere many stirres happen The Popes armie besiegeth Bolognia The French men take Bressia The battell is giuen at Rauenna The Pope publisheth the Councell at Rome Aftervvardes the affayres of the French begin to decline Fol. 531. The Duke of Ferrara is in great trouble The Medicis returne to Florence The king of Romanes makes alliance vvith the Pope Maxymylian Sforce is put in the possession of the Duchie of Myllan The French king maketh his preparacion to recouer Myllan Pope Iulio dyeth Leo the tenth is created Pope The French men are ouerthrovven neare to Nouaro and the Venetians neare to Vincensa Fol. 602. The king of England makes vvarre vppon the Fr. king The Venetians recouer Fryull The Pope as Arbitrator pronovvnceth peace betvveene them and the king of Romaines king Lovvys the xij dyeth Frauncis the first commeth to the crovvne and discendeth into Italy to reconquer Myllan Fol. 660. The D. of Vrbyn makes an enterprise to recouer his estate out of the handes of Pope Leo The Fr. king makes a league vvith the Pope The conspiracie of Cardinall Petruccio against the Pope is discouered Charles king of Spayne is chosen Emprour Martyn Luther vvriteth against the Pope The Pope putteth to death Iohn Pavvle Baillon Fol. 729. Pope Leo is the cause that the peace continueth not in Italy He ioyneth in league vvith th Emprour against the French king The French king loseth the Duchie of Myllan Pope Leo dyeth Adrian the sixt is created Pope Frauncis Sforce reentreth vppon the Duchie of Myllan Vvarre is made in Tuskane by Ranso de Cero Fol. 777. Pope Adrian comes to Rome The Venetians make league vvith th Emprour The french men beseege Myllan and are constrayned to diuert from it Cardinall Medicis is created Pope King Frauncis discendeth into Italy he taketh Myllan and beseegeth Pauya Themprour sendeth out an army to succour Pauya vvhere a battell is fought and the French king taken prisoner Fol. 838. The Pope is accorded vvith th Emprour Many practises are made for the kings deliuerie Ierom Moron conspireth against the Emprour The fr. king is deliuered out of prison returneth into Fraunce Fol. 9004. The Pope the french king Venetians and Duke of Myllan dravve into league against th Emprour The Duke of Burbon comes co Myllan The army of the league breakes vp from before Myllan The castell of Myllan is rendred to th Imperialls Many enterprises are dressed against the Pope The confederats sende their armies by sea to Genes Rome is surprised by the Colonnois The Pope makes peace vvith th Imperialls vvhich hurteth the deuises of Lombardye The D. of Ferrara is confederat vvith the Emprour Fol. 967. The Duke of Burbon yssueth of Myllan The Viceroy and the Colonnois make vvarre vpon the Pope in the states of the Church The Marquis of Salussa entreth Bolognia The Pope maketh vvarre in the kingdom of Naples The Duke of Burbon leadeth his armie to Rome taketh the tovvne and sacketh it and is slayne in the action The Pope being abandoned of all hope accordeth vvith the Imperialls Amutinie in Florence The king of England against th Emprour The confederats doe many enterprises Fol. 1034. Lavvtrech beseegeth Naples In the meane vvhile Anth. de Leua taketh Pauya and beseegeth Loda Andre Dore leaueth the pay of the French Lavvtrech dyeth The french breake vp from before Naples Monsr Saint Pol reconquereth Pauya Andre Dore taketh Genovvay The Genovvaies take Sauona and put themselues in libertie Saint Pol is taken by Anth. de Leua Th Emprour falleth to accord vvith the Pope Peace is made at Cambray betvvene the Emprour and French king The Emprour passeth into Italy vvhere the vvarre goeth against the Florentyns and peace is solicited vvith all others Fol. 1103. The Emprour taketh th Imperiall crovvne at Bolognia and from thence passeth into Germany The famulies of Medicis by the ayde of th Emprours army returne to Florence Ferdinand is chosen king of Romaines The Pope vvill not barken to a counsell The French king stirreth vp the Turke against th Emprour hath conference vvith the Pope at Marseilles Fol. 1163. The ende of the contents of the bookes THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST BOOKE LODOWYK SFORCE vncle and tutor to Iohn Galeas Duke of Myllan fearing least Ferdinand King of Naples would make warre vpon him breaketh of from the league that had bene renewed betwene the sayd Ferdinand Iohn Galeas and the common weale of Florence against the Venetians he procureth the French King Charles the viij to passe into Italy to conquer the kingdom of Naples Pope Alexander the vj. allieth himselfe with the King of Naples The French King hauing ordered th' affayres of the kingdom descendeth into Italy where he taketh many townes Diuerse emotion happen in the kingdom of Naples The Pope is in great perplexitie and trauell Pisa rebelleth against the Florentines The French King entreth into Florence and Rome and from thence passeth to Naples THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin HAVING in hand to write the affaires fortunes of Italie I iudged it cōuenient to drawe into discoursse those particularities that most nearest resemble our time and memorie yea euen since the selfe princes of that country calling in the armies of Fraunce gaue the first beginning to so great innouations A matter for the varietie greatnes and nature of suche thinges verie notable and well worthie of memorie and for the heauie accidents hatefull bluddie and horrible for that Italie for many yeres was trauelled with all those sortes of calamities with the which principalities countries and mortall men are wont to bee afflicted aswell by the iuste wroth and hand of God as through the impietie and wickednes of other nations The knowledge of these things so great and diuerse may minister many wholsome instructions aswell to all men generally as to euery one in particular considering that by the trial consent demonstration of so many examples all princes people and patrimonies may see as a sea driuen with diuerse windes to what inconstancie humane things are ordeined how harmefull are the ill measured counsells of princes many times preiudiciall to them selues but alwayes hurtefull to their people and subiects specially when they are vainelie caried awaye either with their singular errours or priuate couetousnes without hauing any impression or remembrance of the ordinary chaunges of fortune whereby turning to the domage and displeasure of others the power which is giuen them for the safetie protection pollicie of the whole they make them selues either by want of discression or too much ambition authours of innouations and new troubles But the better to make knowen the state and condition of Italie at that time together with the occasions of so many afflictions happening it is to be considered that
nor faction of men sparing to ronne to behold him as if he had bene their patrone and first founder of the citie yea there was a plentifull and willing presence of those who either in them selues or in their auncestors had bene raysed to honors and estates by the house of Aragon with this affluence and concurse of people after he had visited the great Church he was ledd because new castell was yet to thennemies to be lodged in the castell Capua the auncient resort and residence of the kinges of Fraunce hauing with a wonderfull course of felicitie farre aboue the example of Iulius Caesar rather vanquished then seene his enemie and that with so ready fortune and facilitie that during the whole expedicion he neuer had neede to display one pauilion or tent much lesse to breake a launce And touching helpes and prouisions he had so great plenty and superfluitie that his armie at sea prepared with so great expenses being caried by violence of wether into the yle of Corse was so long in approching the shoares of the kingdom that the king had accomplished his conquest afore there was necessitie of their seruice Thus by ciuill discordes which so long hath blinded the Princes of Italy to the great dishonor and skorne of the men of warre of that nation and common daunger and ignominie of euery region of the same was transferred one of the most goodly and mighty partes of Italy and of the Empire of Italy to an Empire and gouernment of a nation beyond the mountes for albeit olde Ferdinand was borne in Spaine yet for that from his youth he had his trayning in Italy either king or the sonne of a king and holding no other principallitie in any region else where togither that his sonnes and sonnes sonnes were bredd vppe in Naples I may with good right appropper them to the contrey and call them Italyans The ende of the first booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE THE Pysans continue their rebellion against the Florentyns The french king takes the castells of Naples The Pope the Venettans and other Princes make league against the king who returning into Fraunce is fought withall neare the riuer Taro Ferdmand wynnes agayne Naples Nouarre is beseeged by the confederats The king makes peace with the Duke of Myllan and returnes into Fraunce THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin IN the booke before haue bene sett downe the foundacions of the french warres in Italy both out of what founteyne they spronge and with what course and mocions they had their proceedings euen to an action of conquest farre aboue the memorie and examples of all tymes and ages before But as in all powers and causes naturall this is a propertie infallible to haue their reuolucion by the same swift and violent returne where with they did rise to their exaltacion and fulnes So the french king rising with his felicitie into humors of securitie saw the declinacion of his fortune and great triumphes in the like measure and proporcion of tyme by the which he aspired to them And suffering togither the priuacion of the kingdom with the honor of his new cōquest he shewed him selfe more happy to get glorie then able to keepe it Then whilest thinges went in this course at Rome and the kingdom of Naples there kindled in an other parte of Italy sparkes of a litle fier wherein was nourished a smothering heate ordeyned to burst out to a great burning to the hurt of many but specially to the ruyne of him who by too great a desire of dominion and rule first kindled it and set it on slames for albeit the king was bownd by the contract of Florence that Pysa remeining in his handes till he had conquered the realme of Naples the iurisdiction reuenues should be administred by the Florentyns yet at his departure he had sett no order for thexecucion of his word and promise In so much that the Pysans presuming much of the Capteynes and souldiers left by the king for the gard of the citie did determine no more to returne to the obedience of Florence And therefore expulsing some of their officers and others that solicited there for the citie they made the residue prisonners with confiskacion of all their goods and confirmed wholly their rebellion both by demonstracions and actions In this reuolte to be the better able to continue it they dispatched not onely Embassadors to the king to pray him of defence and protection to their doings but also for their stay and strength more assured they recommended their cause vnder many argumentes of compassion to the cities of Syena and Lucques who being auncient ennemies to the name of Florence could heare of nothing more to their liking and gladnes then of the reuolt of the Pysans to whom in common they sent forthwith a proporcion of money and Syenna a part furnished them with an ayde of horsemen In like sort the Pysans sent Embassadors to Venice to sownde the wills of that Senat of whom albeit they were graciously receiued yet they brought away nothing but hopes dowtfull and incerteyne But they reapposed their chiefest confidence and soundacion in the Duke of Myllan for that as he was the first breeder of their rebellion so they hoped he would not fayle to support them with succors countenance and councell The Duke albeit he made other showes and demonstracions to the Florentyns yet he solicited secretly the confirmacion of this reuolt and breathing courage into them with many offers perswacions promises he communicated presently with the Genovvays to furnish the Pysans with armor and municions and to sende to them a commissioner with three hundred footemen There hath bene auncient quarell betwene the Florentyns and Genovvays rising at first by the conquest of Pysa and continued by many degrees of displeasures both for buying the port of Lyuorne of their Duke Tomasin Fregosa which they possessed and also the taking away of Pietra Santa and Serazena The memorie of these ioyned to thoccasion offered was sufficient to arme them with a wonderfull readines to doe all thinges that might annoy the Florentyns occupying euen already many of their places in the contrey of Lunigiane and were become Lords of the borders of Pietra Santa vnder cooller of a letter obteined from the french king for the restitucion of certein goods confisked The Florentyns complayning of these actions at Myllan were aunswered by the Duke that according to the contract and capitulacions which he had with them of Genes he could not well doe any thing to the restraint and impediment of them And laboring to content them with wordes and diuersitie of hopes he forbare not with a studie more secret and sutle to practise and execute the contrary as one that nourished an ambicious expectacion to draw Pysa to his obedience if the Florentyns did not eftsoones recouer it a thing much desired by him no lesse for the qualitie of the citie then
and by them in their returne from that warre was dispersed and spredd thorow all Italy This disease either altogether newe or at least vnknowne in that age in our hemispheare otherwayes then in the most extreame and furthest partes was for certeyne yeares so horrible that it well deserueth mencion and monument as a calamitie greeuous lamentable for it appeared alwayes either in vile botches or buttons which oftentimes proued vlcers incurable or else they tormented the whole bodye with payne and aches in the ioyntes and sinewes And the Phisicions hauing no experience in maladies of that nature and therefore ignorant in the remedies proper and naturall applied oftentimes cures directly resisting and contrary which inflamed the infection to greater rage euen to the killing of many bodies of all ages and sexes Many became deformed with them and subiect almost to perpetuall torments yea some such as seemed to be deliuered of them returned eftsoones in short time to the same miserie But after the course of many yeares either the influence aboue being appeased which bredd them so horrible and raging or by long experience their proper remedies and cures being founde out the disease began to be lesse malicious chaunging it selfe into diuerse kindes of infirmitie differing from the first calamitie whereof truely the regions people of our times might iustly complayne if it hapned to them without their propper disorder seeing it is well approued by all those that haue diligently studied and obserued the proprieties of that euil that either neuer or very rarely it hapneth to any otherwayes then by contagious whoredom or immoderat incontinencie The french thinke it reasonable to acquite them of thignominie for that it is knowen since that such a disease was transported out of Spaine to Naples yet not proper or natural of that nation but brought thether from the yles which in those seasons began to be made familiar to our regions by the nauigacion of Christofer Colonus a Ganovvay In which yles by the fauor of nature are remedies ready to the cure of that ill by drinking onely of the iuice of a wodd most singular for many other worthy properties which growing plentifully in those places is a remedie no lesse easie then absolut and assured to thinhabitants there The ende of the second booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE LODOWYK SFORCE keepeth not the treatie of peace The Venetians take the towne of Pysa into their protection The french king determineth to returne into Italy The king of Romaines beseegeth Lyuorne The Pope makes warre vppon the Vrsins The french King dyeth at Amboyse Frear Ierommo Sauonarolais hanged at Florence THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin BY the dishonorable returne of the frenche kinge ouer the Mountes proceeding notwithstanding more of indiscression and disorders then by pusillanimitie or weakenes of his armie wise men grew into hopes and iudgements that Italy after so many skourges and greeuous stormes of infelicities would now at last resume her libertie or at least be redeliuered of the insolent iurisdiction of the french wherein by so much more were worthy and notable the vertues actions of the Senat of Venice and Duke of Myllan by how much the taking armes with a wise and resolut councell were the onely lets that so goodly a part of the world fell not into the seruitude of straungers But as nothing can satisfie the couetousnes of man so if they had not bene caried with ambicious respectes touching their interests and desires particular nor to their propper infamie and common harmes had so corrupted the vniuersall benefitte and common weale of that region No man might haue dowted that Italy readdressed by their armies and councells and eftsoones repossessed of her auncient dignities and prerogatiues had not bene for long time assured against the importunities furies and violent inuasions of the prowde nations beyonde the Mountes But ambicion which would not suffer either of them to be contented with his lymitts was the cause not onely to returne vpon Italy new inuasions and troubles but also that they could not enioy the frute of the victorie which their fortune brought into their hands against those miserable remeynders of the frenche in the kingdome of Naples A victorie which the negligence vnwise councells of the king made of easie action to them for that the succors which he had leuyed at his departure out of Italy were either vtterly vaine or at least of so litle frute that they brought no comfort to his people his prouicions of nauigacion and the aydes promised by the Florentyns seruing also to like effect This is a rule in the nature of man that to him that is iniuried and can not haue iustice nothing is more sweete then the passion of reuenge euen so by howe much the remembrance of th offence is greene and freshe by so much stronger is the desire of reuenge in the mind greeued and so much lesse the trust or confidence in the partie that hath offended Lodovvyk Sforce consented not to the peace with the king with a sownd faith and meaning for that remembring the iniuries he had done him he thought it stoode not with his sewertie eftsoones to commit him selfe to the fidelitie of the king But the desire to recouer Nouaro deliuer his owne estate from thincommodities of the warre induced him to promise that which he had no desire to keepe following the kinges humor with wordes and keeping his intencions dissembled And it may be supposed that in the peace made with this semblance did participat the consent of the Senat of Venice willing to disburden their state without their infamie of the very huge and great expenses occupied vppon the warre of Nouaro But Lodovvyk to whom in actions of shift and conning nothing was more familiar then moderacion of wit because he would not in vnaduised sort breake the articles of the capitulacion but shadow his doings with some coller accomplished that which he could not deny to be in his power he deliuered ostages he sette at libertie the prisoners paying their raunsoms of his propper treasors he restored the vessells taken at Rapale he withdrew from Pysa Frecasse whom he could not dissemble to be in his pay lastly he put the castell of Genes into the handes of the Duke of Ferrare who went thether in person to receiue it But on thother side he left within Pysa Luke Maluezzo with many bandes of souldiers as though he were in the wages and payes of the Genovvayes he suffered that two carrakes which were armed at Genes went to Naples for the seruice of Ferdinand vsing this excuse that for that he had interteyned them afore the conclusion of the peace they of Genes woulde not consent that they should be denied to him he labored secretly that the Genovvays should not deliuer in their ostages to the king And that which was of greater consequence for the losse of the castells of Naples after the
doe all thinges to confirme him in that inclinacion On the other side his disciples and partakers defended and iustified him alleaging that men ought not for the regard of humane thinges to trouble the operacions diuine nor consent that vnder such coolers the Popes of Rome should begin to intrude into th affayres of their common weale But after there were certeine dayes spent in this contencion the Pope wonderfully inflamed sending out new thunderbolts with threates of censures against the whole citie he was at last commaunded by the Magistrats of the citie to forbeare to preach to whom though he obeyed yet diuerse of his brethren supplyed his office in sundry Churches And the diuision being no lesse amongest the spiritualtie then the layetie the Fryers and brethren of other orders ceased not to preach feruently against him arising at last into such high and malicious inflammation that one of the disciples of Sauonarole one of the Frear minors agreed to enter into the fier in the presence of the whole people to th ende that the disciple of Sauonarole either being burned or preserued the people might be left satisfied and certeine whether Sauonarole were a Prophet or an abuser seeing that at tymes afore he had affirmed in his sermons that for the iustificacions of the truth of his prophecies he could in all necessities obteyne of God the grace to passe without hurt thorow the middest of a flaming fire And yet notwithstanding greuing not a litle with the resolucion made without his priuitie touching a present experience he labored to breake it with all his deuises and diligence But the matter being so farre proceeded of it selfe and earnestly solicited by certeine citisens desiring to haue the towne deliuered of so great troubles it was necessary at last to passe further In so much as the two religious brethren accompanied with all their brotherhoods and couent came at the day appointed to the place afore the publike pallaice where was not onely a general concursse of the people of Florence but vniuersall assemblies of the cities adioyning There the Fryer Minors were aduertised that Sauonarole had ordeyned that his disciple and brother entring the fire should beare in his hand the Sacrament which deuise they impugned greatly alleaging that there was sought by that meane to put in daunger thauthoritie of Christian faith which in the mindes of thignorant would not a litle decline if that holy oste should be burned by which contencion Sauonarole being there present perseuering in his resolucion there arose such factions and disagrements that the action of experience proceeded no further the same diminishing so much of his credit that the day following in a tumult then hapning his aduersaries tooke armes whereunto being ioyned thauthoritie of the souereigne Magistrat they entred the Monastery of S. Marke where he was and drawing him out of the place they ledde him with two other of his brethren to the common prisons In this tumult the parentes of those that had bene executed the yeare before killed Francisque Vatori a Citisen of great authoritie and the most apparant fauorer and follower of Sauonarole the chief mocion inducing this quarrell was that aboue all others his authoritie had depriued them of the facultie to haue recourse to the iudgement of the councell popular Sauonarole was afterwards examined with torments but not very greeuous and vpon the examinacion a processe published which taking away all imputacions that were layed on him for couetousnes corrupcion of manners or to haue had secret intelligence or practise with Princes conteyned that the matters by him prophesied were not pronownced by reuelacion diuine but by his propper opinion grounded vpon the doctrine and obseruacion of holy Scripture Wherein he had not bene moued by any wicked intencion or purpose much lesse by that meane to aspire to any office or greatnes in the Church onely he had a holy desire that by his meanes might be called a generall councell wherein might be reformed the corrupt customes of the Clergie and the estate of the Church of God so farre wandred and gone astray to be reduced as neare as might be to the resemblance of the tymes drawing nearest the Apostles A glory which to giue perfection to so great and holy an operacion he esteemed farre aboue the obteyning of the popedom for that the one could not succeede but by meane of an excellent doctrine and vertue and a singular reuerence of all men where the Popedom most often was obteyned either by sinister meanes or else by the benefitt of fortune vppon which processe confirmed by him in the hearing presence of many religious persons euen of his owne order but if that be true which his owne faction bruted afterwardes with wordes darke and such as might receiue diuerse interpretacions there were taken from him and his two other companions with ceremonies instituted by the church of Rome the holy orders and that by sentence of the generall of the Iacobins and of the Bishop Romolyn Commissioners delegate by the Pope And so being passed ouer to the power of the secular Court they were by their iudgements hanged and burned being at the spectacle of the degradacion execucion no lesse multitudes of people then at the day of the experience of entring the fire when was an infinit concursse to beholde the yssue of the miracle promised by Sauonarole This death constantly endured but without expressing any word whereby might be discerned either their innocencie or fault quenched not the diuersitie of iudgements and passions of men for that many supposed he was but an abuser and others of the contrary beleued that the confession that was published was falsely forged or perhaps in his aged and weake complexion the torments had more force then the truth wherin they excused that manner of frailtie with the example of S. Peter who neither imprisoned nor constrayned with torments or by any other extraordinary force but at the simple wordes of the handmaides and seruantes denied that he was the disciple of his Maister in whom he had seene so many holy miracles The ende of the third booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH BOOKE LOWYS Duke of Orleans succeedeth to the crowne of Fraunce he determineth to recouer his Duchie of Myllan Pysa and Florence make warre Lodowyk Sforce fleeth from Myllan the Florentyns giue batterie to Pysa and agree with the french king Pope Alexander aspireth for his sonne to the iurisdiction of Romagna Lodowyk Sforce recouereth Myllan but being betrayed by the Swyssers he is taken and led into Fraunce THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin IT was almost an vniuersall coniecture amongest thItalians that by the death of king Charles al the regions of Italy were now deliuered of those feares afflictions daungers which the power and nation of the french did threaten Their opinions were induced by this reason that the newe Kinge Lovvys presently ascended to the crowne would not intangle the
the others to the Towne of Bellyzona scituated within the mountaines tooke the Towne as they returned to theyr countrey A place which the Frenche King might haue drawne from them in the beginning for a verie small porcion of money But as he lost oftentymes by the propertie of his nature occasions of great thinges by sparing small proporcions of expences So tymes and accidents came so about afterwardes that many tymes and by many solicitations he would haue purchased it of them with a verie great price for that it is a straite verie conuenient to hinder the descending of the Svvyssers into the Duchie of Myllan Lodovvyk Sforce was caried to Lyon where the King was and entring the towne at noonedayes many multitudes of people flocked to see a Prince who from such a greatnes and maiestie and for his felicitie enuied of many was falne into so great a miserie And not hable to obteine leaue to be brought to the Kinges presence which he much desired he was conueyed within two dayes after to the Towre of Loches wherein he remeyned prisoner ten yeares euen to the ende of his life being now inclosed in one straite prison the thoughtes and ambicion of him which earst could skarcely be conteined within the limits tearmes of all Italie A Prince certeinly most excellent for his eloquence and industrie and for many giftes of nature and spirit a creature of verie rare perfection And lastly not vnworthie of the name of mylde and mercifull if the death of his Nephew had not defiled him with bloudie infamie But on the other side he caryed a mynde vayne full of thoughtes buisie and ambicious and nourishing alwayes intentions dissembled he kept no reckoning of his promises and faith He alwayes presumed so muche of himselfe that seeming to be discontented when praises were giuen to the wisedome and councels of others he persuaded him selfe to be hable by his Arte and industrie to alter and turne the conceptions of euerie one to what purpose he listed The Cardinall Askanius folowed him a litle after but he was both receiued with more honor and humanitie and graciously visited by the Cardinall of Amboyse by whose intercession he was sent to the great Tower of Bourges a prison more honorable wherein the king that sent him had bene restrained two yeares in captiuitie So variable and miserable is the destinie of man and so incerteine to euery one what wil be his cōdicion in time to come The ende of the fourth booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE FYFT BOOKE THe vvarre of Pisa continueth The Duke Valentynoys pursueth his enterprise of Romagna The kinges of Spaine and Fraunce inuade ioyntly the kingdome of Naples they occupie it and deuide it betvveene them and aftervvardes make vvarre one vppon an other The Duke Valentynoys putteth to death the Vrsins The Svvyssers descende into the Duchie of Myllan The Spanyardes remeine victors ouer the Frenche at Cirignolo and take Naples THE FYFT BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin SVCHE is the disposition of myndes occupied with ambicion that who are desirous of glorie are easelie stirred to doe thinges contrarie to reason councell and experience Ambicion is an humor that carieth men into weenings farre aboue the possibilitie of their proper power ouerruleth their thoughtes without regard to the oportunitie of tymes places or occasions as is expressed in thinclinacion of the French King in whom the absolute happie conquest of the Duchie of Myllan had nourished suche spirites of will and courage that the selfe same sommer he woulde haue proceeded to thenterprise of the kingdome of Naples had not the feare which he had of the descending of the Alemans restrayned his rashenes and made him wyse agaynst the propertie and working of his will For notwithstanding he had the yeare before obteyned a contract of truce of Maxymylian Caesar wherein the Duchie of Myllan was comprehended yet Maxymylian debating with better consideration howe muche the maiestie of the Empyre woulde bee diminished by the alienation of so principall a Cheeff and what dishonour woulde followe him for suffring to be deuested from it Lodovvyk Sforce who not only had put him selfe vnder his protection and reapposed whollie in the hopes which hee gaue him But also had bound himselfe to his succours by receiuing his money at sundrie tymes in great quātities He would no more heare Thembassadors of the French refused also all audience to the Agents of the Venetiās as vsurpers of certein places apperteining to Thempire And lastly ioyning to the memory of aunciēt ielousies iniuries don to him and his predecessours in diuers seasons by the house of Fraunce the inflamed compassion which he had of the miserable calamities of the two brethren he helde many generall diottes and assemblies to stirre vp the electors and other Princes of Iermany to ioyne in the quarrell and reuenge of so high wrongs committed no lesse against him thē the whole nation of Iermany to whom th imperiall dignitie was proper And to giue better operaciō to his purpose in the minds of the Iermain princes he laide affore thē consideratiōs of daungers that might happen if the french king presuming more and more by so great a pacience of the Princes of Thempire and rising into pryde by so many fauours of victorie and fortune woulde so farre aspire as to set the Crowne imperiall vppon the heades of french kinges and incorporate the soueraine estate in that forreine famulie as had bene done affore tymes Whereunto the Pope would consent easelie partly by necessitie not hable to resist his power and partly for the respect of his sonne whom he studied to make to excell in greatnes and dignitie not remembring that those authorities are vniust whose meanes be vnlawfull and that the vertuous man shoulde not obtrude into rule but receiue it as if he were thereto compelled This was the cause why the king not knowing to what ende the race and course of his plottes might runne tooke truce with his enterprises deferred till an other tyme th execution of his thoughts touching the warre of Naples By reason meane wherof his men of warre being not intangled with other enterprise he was cōtēted to giue to the Florentyns those bands regiments which they did demaunde for the recouering of Pisa Pietrasanta And yet not without many doubts difficulties for that both the Pisans the Genovvays the Siennoys they of Lucqua made great instance to the cōtrary offring to giue the king presently an hūdred thousand crownes vppon condition that Pisa Pietrasanta and Mont Pulcian might be protected from the harmes and ambicion of the Florentyns to make to him a perpetuall paiment of fiftie thousand duckats yearely if the Pisans by his meanes obteined the fortresses of the port of Lyuorna with all the region of Pisa To these offers it seemed that the mynde of the king was much inclined by a couetous desire of the money Notwithstanding as was his familiar
the certeine knowledge and also the Launces of the men at armes holden vpright and the stalkes of fennels growing high in that countrey dimmed their sight that they could not well discerne The Spanyardes were the first that arriued at Ciriguole which the Frenchmen kept and incamping betweene two vines they enlarged by thaduise of Prosper Colonno a ditch or trench which was at the entrey of their Camp Whilest they were dressing their lodgings or Camp the diligence of the french in marching had brought them to the place but by the cōdition of the time drawing near night they stoode doubtfull whether they should so sodeinly accept the battell or deferre it till the day folowing Yues D'alegre and the Prince of Melfe perswaded that the fight might bee put ouer till the next day a respit conuenient for the refreshing of their owne men and to no lesse purpose to distresse the Spanyardes who they hoped would bee constrained by necessitie of vittels to remoue their Camp To this reason was ioyned also a consideration of warre howe muche it would bee to their disaduauntage to set vppon them in their lodgings specially being ignorant of the disposition of the place But as euery calamitie is ledde to his effect by his proper meane and mortall men in many thinges are made thinstruments of their owne harmes So Monsr de Nemours caried more by his rashe inclination then by the safe councell of others the Spanyardes were charged with great furie aswell by the French as Svvyzzers And the fyre hauing taken the powder of the Spanyardes either by chaunce or by other meane Consaluo vsing thoccasion of that accident cryed with a courage well resolued the victorie is ours God declares it by manifest tokens specially when we see we haue now no more necessitie of the seruice of artillerie There be sundrie opinions of the state of this battell The Frenche publishe that in the first encounter they brake the Spanish footemen and offring to the artillerie they had wonne it and set the powder on fyre only by the darkenes of the night their men at armes by negligence misknowledge had charged their owne footemen by which disorder the Spanyardes reassembled But others reason that for the difficultie to passe the ditche the French men beginning to intricate and intangle them selues fell to fleeing no lesse by their proper disorder then by the vertue of their enemies being most of all amazed For the death of Monsr de Nemours who entring with the first into the furie of the fight and as he was in the action of a noble Capteine to encourage his men to winne the trenche was striken dead with a boollet There bee others who discoursing more particularly saie that Monsr de Nemours dispairing to be hable to passe the ditch labouring to turne his strength towardes the flanke of the Camp to aduenture to enter on that side cried that they should giue backe Which voice to those that knew not thoccasion gaue a signe to flee which ioyned to the chaunce of his death in the first squadron hapning also at the same tyme caused all the armie to turne their backes and enter into a manifest fleeing Some acquite the Viceroy for taking the battell against the councel of others and do laye the blame vppon Yues D'alegre who contrary to thintention and desire of the Viceroy to fight that daie reprehending his fearefulnes induced him to doe that whereunto he bare no disposition The battell was of very small continuance and albeit the Spanish passing ouer the ditch followed the chase of their enemies yet as euen in calamities fortune is not without her fauours so by the oportunitie of the night couering all thinges with darknes there were fewe that fell into the perils that they feared most I meane that were either taken or slaine specially of the horsmen of whom Monsr Chandion was one The residue with losse of their cariage and artillerie saued them selues by fleeing The Capteines aswell as the soldiours being dispersed into many separate places not as their vertue wold but whether their feare and fortune ledde them This victorie hapned the eight daie after the ouerthrow of Monsr D'aubigny being both on Friday a day which the Spanyardes haue obserued to bee happie vnto them The French after the feare of the chase was passed reassembled againe aswell as the violence of the tyme their fortune would suffer and as men whose greater perils were yet to come debated many deuises Sometymes they thought best to ioyne with the residue of the armie in some place conuenient to take from the victors all meanes to goe to Naples eftsoones they iudged it most conuenient for their safetie to sticke to the defence of Naples And yet as it hapneth that to men in aduersitie their feares growe dayly greater and to such as bee vanquished is left nothing but consideration of difficulties So neither one of these deuises was suffred to bee put in execution For that neither had they any election of places for their safe abiding neither was their possibilitie to defende Naples for the skarcetie of vittelles For the prouision and furnishing whereof the French had sent affore to Rome to buy a great quantitie of corne which they could not transport either for the impediments that they of Rome gaue seeking to haue their towne stande in good prouision or rather by the secret persuasion of the Pope which was not the least credible The consideration of these difficulties made Alegre the Prince of Salerne many other Barons to retyre betweene Caietto and Tracetto where they reassembled vnder their names the most parte of the residue of the armie But Consaluo to whose vertue this one thing was peculiar and proper to know howe to follow his fortune aswell as he was skilfull to get the victorie after this good successe tooke his waie with the armie towardes the towne of Naples and as he passed by Melfe he made offer to the Prince to leaue him possessed of his whole estate so that hee would remeine at the deuotion of the Spanyardes But he rather chusing to go his way with his wyfe and children went to ioyne with Levvys D'ars lying at Venousa By whose departure Consaluo taking Melfe folowed his way directly to Naples at whose comming those Garrisons of the French which were in the towne retired into the new Castle and the Napolitans depriued of all hope but such as is left to men abandoned receiued Consaluo the xiiij daie of May Capua and Auersa doing the lyke in the same tyme. The ende of the fift booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SYXT BOOKE THE French King makes his preparation to passe into Italy Pope Alexander the sixt is empoisoned His successour Pope Pius the third dieth vvithin xxvi daies Iulius the seconde is created Pope The Duke Valentynois is apprehended prisoner The Frēchmen are ouerthrovne at Garillan The Florentyns faile to take the Citie of Pisa Peace is established betvveene the French
agaynst those whom any of them should name and they named ioyntly in Italie the Pope and the French king apart named the Florentins That for strengthning of this peace there was ment to be made betweene the two kings a perpetuall confederation for the defence of their estates wherevnto the king should be bounde with a thousande launces and six thousande footemen and Ferdinand with three hundred launces two thousande Iennytairs and six thousande footemen After the peace was made and published wherin the king of Englande promised obseruation for both the parties the Barons of Aniovv who were in Fraunce hauing taken their leaue of the king went almost all with the Queene Iermana into Spayne the king vsing towards them at their departure a very small gratulation of their seruices past Isabell the widowe of Federike hauing her leaue went to Ferrara refusing to put her children into the power of the Catholike king In this towne of Ferrara Alphonso the sonne of Hercules beeing nowe succeeded to the Dukedome there hapned vpon the ende of the yere a straunge and tragicall accident suche one as had some similitude with the barbarous actions of thauncient Thebanes but for farre more lighte occasions if th unbridled furie of loue be lesse then the burning ambition and desire to reigne The Cardinall Hypolito d'Este louing feruently a young mayde his kinswoman who for her parte was no lesse amarous of Don Iulio naturall brother to the Cardinall and confessing her selfe to the Cardinall that that which aboue all other things made so vehement her affection to his brother was the sweete aspect and beautie of his eyes Loue is a Lorde of the worlde and aboue all naturall impressions hath a tyrannicall subiection ouer the creatures whom he possesseth for the Cardinall enuying the communitie of his brother turned his loue into ielous furie and setting espiall ouer Don Iulio when he should go out of the towne on hunting set vpon him in the fielde with a crewe of tormentors prepared to mischiefe whose violent handes the Cardinall in his owne presence suffred to thrust out the eyes of his brother for that they were the companions of his loue An action no lesse infamous to the Cardinall then intollerable to all humanitie and which afterwards trayned with it many occasions of seditious and Ciuil quarrels betweene the brethren Suche was the ende of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and fiue The ende of the sixt booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOKE MAny treaties are made Pope Iulio the seconde takes the gouernment of Bolognia The Genovvaies rebell agaynst the French king The king of Aragon meeteth vvith the French king and communicateth vvith him The dyet is holden at Constance The king of Romaines demaundes passage of the Venetians to go take the Crovvne at Rome he inuadeth their lands and aftervvards maketh truce vvith them THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THESE were thaccidents of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and fiue whiche albeit left apparant hopes that the tranquilitie of Italie would recontinue the warres for the quarrell of Naples being nowe quenched yet suche is the mutabilitie of worldly affaires there began to appeare in other places seedes of newe innouations and chalenges tending to many ciuill calamities for Philip which nowe tooke vpon him the title of king of Castillo and was no lesse discontented that suche a kingdome was gouerned by his father in lawe inclined to thincitation of many Barons and prepared him selfe to passe into Spayne agaynst his will pretending as the trueth was that the late Queene had no power eyther to dispose or to prescribe lawes or to bequeath the gouernment of the kingdome after her death The king of Romains also taking stomack by the greatnes of his sonne solicited to passe into Italie And lastly the Frenche king albeit the yere before he was muche discontented with the Pope for that he had disposed and inducted the benefices whiche were voyde by the death of Cardinall Askanius and others in the duchie of Millan without his participation And for that also in the creation of other Cardinals he had refused to call the bishop of Achx nephewe to the Cardinall of Amboyse and the bishop of Baieux nephewe to Monsr Trymouille being earnestly solicited by the king who in those regardes had caused to sequester the frutes of the benefices which the Cardinall S. P. ad Vincla others of the Popes amitie possessed in thestate of Millan yet the king on the other side holding both suspected and feared the greatnes of Caesar and his sonne iudged it necessarie not to nourish occasions of reuenge but to reenter into reconcilement with the Pope to whom after he had releaced all the sequestrations he sent in the beginning of this yere the bishop of Sisteron thapostolicall Nuncio to negociate with him many plotts and offers agaynst the Venetians to whom he knewe the Pope could not but continue to beare an yll will with a hatred redoubled for the desire he had to recouer the townes of Romania An humor which the Pope did so muche the more dissemble by how much vntill that day he had proceded in al things so tractable respectiue that euery one tooke occasion to maruell greatly that he who in his estate of Cardinall had bene alway full of immoderate and aspiring thoughtes and who in the time of Popes Sistus Innocent and Alexander had bene many times thinstrument to trouble Italie expressed now that he was become Pope an estate for the most part administred with ambition and troublesome imaginations to be more easie and abated in courage then did well beare th ambicious profession which he had alwayes made to the contrarie not making any showe or demonstration to remember olde iniuries or to seeme to be like to him selfe So dangerous is dissimulation in the persons of great men whose authoritie and place shadowing their dispositions defends all things from blame though they haue nothing vnworthy of reprehension for the intentions of the Pope were farre other wayes then agreed with the propertie of his actions for that hauing a determination to surmount the former opinion that was had of him and to do more then was expected turned all his wittes deuises and labours contrarie to the custome of his auncient magnanimitie to heape vp a wonderfull masse of treasure to th ende that to the will he had to kindle the warre might be ioyned also the meane and power to susteine it And finding in that time that he was furnished with sufficient treasures and money he beganne euen then to discouer his thoughtes aspiring to right great things suffring nothing to stay th execution of that whiche he had pretended with so great studie secrecie and hope Therefore the Bishop of Sisteron being receyued and hard with a gladnes agreable to the nature of his desire was dispatched and sent backe agayne with diligence to solicite betweene them a new reunion and amitie wherein the
The ende of the seuenth booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE EIGHT BOOKE MOST of the Princes of Christendome dravve into league at Cambray against the Venetians vvho being ouerthrovven by the Frenche king render the tovvnes of the Churche and make submission to the king of Romains Pisa returneth to the obedience of the Florentins The Venetians recouer the tovvne of Padua vvhich is soone after besieged by Casar Aftervvardes they make vvarre to the Duke of Ferrara The Pope giues them absolution of the Church censures THE EIGHT BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THE diuisions of Italie were not so tractable as that they could be reconciled with little labour nor the infirmities of the countrey so easie and priuate as that they stoode subiect to be readdressed or recured with light medicines But as it often hapneth that in bodies replenished with humors corrupt the remedie that is applied to repurge the maladie of one parte engendreth more daungerous infections euen so the truce made betweene the king of Romains and the Venetians in place of the vniuersall expectation of tranquillitie brought foorth to the Potentates and Communalties of Italie infinite calamities and cruelties of warre farre exceeding the examples passed for notwithstanding the regions of Italie for fourteene yeres had borne a perpetuall crosse of warres and mutations yet quarrells beeing oftentimes ended without effusion of blood and battels and skirmishes falling for the moste parte vpon the strangers only the peoples had lesse suffred then the princes and the naturall regions muche spared from the bloudie miseries and actions of warre But the gappe beeing opened to newe discordes in tyme to come there followed throwout all Italie and agaynst Thitalians themselues a miserable trayne of many calamities and cruell accidents infinite murders sackings destructions and spoyles of cities a libertie of warre no lesse offensiue to their friendes then hurtfull to their enemies and a lamentable violation of religion and all holy things with lesse reuerence and respect then if they were prophane and popular the lawe and equitie of things being measured by the wils of the souldiours and nothing iudged vnreasonable agaynst him that was hable to alleage authoritie might or will fruites ordinarie following diuill discorde and by so muche the more perillous and working by how muche they happen in a second mutation as all euils are more daungerous in a seconde degree then in the first The cause of so many afflictions in a generall consideration was thambition and couetousnesse of Princes of whom many of them coulde not brooke any limitation of power imperie or kingdome But if they be weighed in a particular consideration they may be seene to take their beginning of the too rasâ—e and insolent maner of proceeding of the Venetians by occasion whereof were ceassed those difficulties which till that time had holden in suspence and impediments the French king and Caesar from agreeing together agaynst them of whome the one beeing greatly kindled they put him in dispaire and at the same time moued the other to no small indignation or at the least gaue him meane to disclose vnder an apparant coolour that which he had long desyred for Caesar beeing netled by so many infamies and harmes receiued loasing part of his proper inheritaunce in place to conquer thestates of others was not to omit any oportunitie wherein occasion might be giuen him to recouer or repayre so greatslaunders and losses A disposition which the Venetians vndiscretly increased a newe since the making of the truce for that not sparing to aggrauate his indignation no lesse with vayne demonstrations then worse effects they receyued into Venice Aluiano with publike pompe almost resembling a ceremonial triumph And the French king albeit at the beginning he gaue a certen hope to ratifie the truce that was made yet expressing afterwardes the discontentment he tooke he complayned of the presumption of the Venetians to name him and include him as adherent and prouiding for their proper tranquillitie to giue him ouer and leaue him in the cares and trauels of the warre These dispositions of minde both of the one and the other began to burst out into speedie and manyfest experience for Caesar hauing no further confidence in his proper forces and lesse expectation that the Princes or peoples of Germanie would take to heart the iniuries that had bene done to him made as though he had a desire to confederate with the French king agaynst the Venetians as the onely remedie to recouer eftsones the honor and estates he had lost And the French king following the course and oportunitie of the tyme norished the same inclination the new disdayne renewing in him the memorie of ancient offences receiued in the warrs of Naples enterteining also a working desire to draw out of their hands Cremona other townes of the auncient possessions of the dukes of Millan Therefore to th ende that in remouing the impediments of things inferiour they might withall procede to those of higher degree they began to debate how to resolue the quarels betwene tharchduke and the duke of Gueldres whose safetie the Frenche king helde muche for recommended for thauncient alliance and commodities he had receyued by him The Pope did also communicate in this motion stirring vp at the same tyme the French king agaynst the Venetians beeing besides the auncient indignations newly kindled and made hatefull agaynst them for an opinion he had that by their meanes the exiles of Furly who were retired to Faenza had made a tryall to enter that Citie hauing withall receiued into their dominions the familie of Bentyuoleis chased by the king out of the duchy of Millan To these was added this imputation that in many things they had borne slender regarde to the authoritie of the court of Rome and of late experience had slenderly respected it in this which troubled not a litle the Popes minde the Pope had translated the Bishoprike of Vincense vacant by the death of the Cardinall S. P. ad Vincla his nephew to Sixtus his nephew also suborned by him into the dignitie of Cardinall and to those benefices But the Senate of Venice making small reckoning of this collation choase a gentleman of Venice who the Pope refusing to confirme him tooke boldnes to name him selfe Bishop of Vincense of the election of the moste excellent counsell of the Pregati But the Pope beeing not a little kindled for these obstinacies dispatched first to the king Maximus secretarie to the Cardinall of Narbona and afterwards the Cardinall himselfe who newly succeding the late Cardinall of Achx in his Bishoprike was called the Cardinall of Achx They were willingly receiued and heard of the king and brought backe with them the deuise of many meanes and plottes to put in execution that which he desired both without themperour and without any confederacie with him But the Pope shewed a more inclination to complayne then to determine any thing for that on the one side the vnquiet desire he had to make
THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRTENTH BOOKE The Duke of Vrbin makes an enterprise to recouer his estate out of the hands of Pope Leo the french king makes a league with the Pope The conspiracie of Cardinall Petrucci against the Pope is discouered Charles king of Spaine is chosen Emperour Martine Luther wryteth against the Pope The Pope puts Iohn Pawle Baillon to death THE THIRTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin FOrasmuch as all armes and hostilities were now surceassed betwene Caesar and the Venetians and in the french king all occasiōs restrained to make warre against Caesar or the king Catholike it seemed that to the regions of Italie afflicted with so many calamities and trauells of warre was now appointed a time of rest and tranquillitie wherein these were the reasons that the Svvizzers a mighty instrument to any that sought to innouate and trouble things seemed now reclaimed to their auncient amity with the french king and yet bare no mindes estraunged from other Princes that in thaccord made at Noyon was declared such a hope that to establish a greater alliance betwene the two kings there was working to draw them to an enteruiew at Cambray whether were gone to that end Monsr de Cheures the great Maister of Fraunce and Robertet Lastly there was expressed no lesse readines on the parte of Caesar who besides the rendring of Verona sent two Embassadors to the frenche king to solemnise and confirme the peace so that it was a iudgement accompanied with his iust cause reasons that by the benefit of peace concord betwene so mightie Princes would be dissolued the seedes of all quarrels and disagreements in Italie But as there is no certainty in the councells of mortall men so is there lesse exspectacion of their worldly euentes for men and their doings standing subiect to the law of nature and destiny haue no other libertie then to deeme and debate and to God alone is referred all power of disposicion and execucion since he is able to gouerne and commaund all things by the same power wherewith he hath created them of nothing Insomuch as in this action of Italie either for thinfelicity or destinie of the countrey or for that the vniuersall iurisdiction was deuided into so many seueral principalities and states it was almost impossible that it should suffer any dispensacion of miseries by reason of the diuersity of wills and interests of such as had it in hand for searcely were layd aside armes and hostility betwene Caesar and the Venetians yea the Citie of Verona not yet resigned when were disclosed tokens and beginnings of new tumults And of these was the breeder and conspirator Franciscomaria who had practised and drawne to his faction such bands of Spanishe footemen as had serued both within Verona and affore Verona he perswaded them to follow him to the reconquering of his estates out of the which the Pope had expulsed him the same sommer A matter wherein he found small difficulties for that to souldiours forreiners and marcenary accustomed in the time of warres to sacke townes and to make pray and spoyle of contreys there was nothing more contrary then peace whereunto they saw all the affayres inclinacions of Italy disposed at that instant There drew to him about fiue thowsand spanish footemen whereof was chiefe one Maldonato A man of the same nation and of long experience in many warres And to this regiment was ioyned a strength of eight hundred light horsemen led by Federyk Bossolo Gaiozo a Spanyard Succhar a Burgonion Andrevv Bue Constantyn Boccalo Albanoesies al Capteines of name marke especially estemed for their knowledge in warres Amongest them he that bare the greatest reputacion whether it were for the noblenes of his house or for the honorable degrees in warre which he had borne from his youth was Federyk Gonsagno Lord of Bossolo who happly was one of the greatest parties to perswade this enterprise being no lesse moued by an ambicion to make greater his merits prayses by newe warres concurring also thamity which he had with Francisco Maria then through an auncient setled hatred which he bare to Lavvrence de Medicis chiefly for that at such time as was transferred to Lavvrence the charge of all the armies of the Church the Florentyns by reason of the sicknes of Iulian his Vncle he had denied to make him Capteine generall of the footemen an estate which Iulian had assigned to him affore This army standing only vpon bodies numbers was lame in all other proporcions prouisions for they had neither resort of money assistance of artilleries nor any strengh of municions except their horses and armor they wanted all furnitures accustomed to followe armies Onely they bare estimation more by their vertue then through any other abilitie or meanes to susteine the warre They departed to go to the state of Vrbyn the same day that the citie of Verona was giuen vppe to the Venetians A matter which troubled not a litle the Pope after he had receiued aduertisement for he considered the qualitie of tharmy which was to be feared both for the hatred of the Capteines vertue reputacion of the spanish footemen And he was not ignorant with what inclinacion the peoples of that Duchie fauored Francisco Maria hauing long liued vnder the easie gouernment of the house of Montfeltro the affection whereof they had transferred to him as to one that had bene trained nourished in that Duchie bred of a sister of the Duke Guido Besides it greeued him not a litle that he was to menteine warre against an armie which hauing nothing to lose could leaue no reward to his victory And marching onely vpon desire of pray and pillage drew with them a miserable exspectacion of profit bringing nothing to the warre but what they hoped to get by the chaunce and fortune of the warre he doubted also least the sweete desire of gayne which for the most parte carieth marcenory souldiours to the fight would draw such others to ioyne to their faction as by the meane of the peace were vtterly excluded from action But the matter that moste troubled his minde was a fearefull suspicion that the French king did communicat in this conspiracie for bothe he knewe that the king was displeased with the warre made against Francisco Maria and was no lesse touched in his conscience with the consideracion of causes that he had giuen him to be ill contented of him he knewe also he had not obserued the confederacion made after the conquest of Myllan at the tyme when Caesar discended into Lombardye he considered that after he was returned to Rome he sent him a bul touching the collacion of benefices in the Realme of Fraunce and Myllan muche different from the conuencion made at Bolognia which for the shortnesse of the time was not then subsigned This Bull the king would not accept both for that it bare contradiction agaynst the agreement and also
Spaine all the peoples of any prouince whatsoeuer gathered into commocion not against their king as they protested but to suppresse the couetousnes of his wicked gouernors And after they had communicated together their councels they would no more obey the kings Officers but of them selues set downe a forme of gouernment dressed by the vniuersall councell of the multitude which they called La santa giunta such is the name they giue to the vniuersall councell of the popular sort The Capteines and kings Officers tooke armes against them and so thinges being reduced to a manifest warre the disorders encreased by so many degrees that thEmprour held amongest them a very small authoritie The same being the cause that aswell in Italy as out of Italie the hope of those encreased who desired the diminucion of suche a greatnes Neuerthelesse as his armie by sea had wonne vpon the Moares the I le of Gerbes so in Germanie the reputacion of the frenche king had bene somewhat embased for the king to nourrish the troubles of Germanie fauored in that prouince the Duke of VVittemberg who was disagreeing from the league of Suaue which thing his peoples finding and feeling to their damage and harme they chassed him by force out of his estate and after they had wonne his liuing vpon him they sold it to thEmperour whom they knew to be desirous to pull downe the factioners of the frenche king thEmperour bounde him selfe to defende them in all oppressions whatsoeuer insomuch as the Duke seeing him selfe reduced to hope in the succours of the frenche was constrained to haue his recourse to the clemencie of thEmperour and to receiue of him such lawes as was his pleasure to assigne not being for all that restored to the possession of his Dukedom Towards the end of this yeare a regiment of three thowsand spanishe footemen hauing no mindes to returne into Spaine according to a cōmaundment which they receiued of thEmperour and litle esteeming thauthority of their Capteynes passed to Reggia in Calabria And from thence committing many insolencies as they past they drew towards the territories of the Church A matter which put the Pope in whose minde was fixed the memorie of thaccidents of Vrbin in great feare least being either stirred vp by other Princes or ioyning them selues with Franciscomaria or with the sonnes of Iohn Pavvle Baillon or some other enemies of the Churche they were not the cause of some great emocion This feare was made greater in the Pope for that the souldiers refused the offers made to them by him the Viceroy of Naples to enterteyne parte of them in paye and to distribute money to the residue But these offers raised them so much the more into corage made them to march towards the riuer of Tronto not keeping the straite way of Capinai but spreading ouer the large way of Povvilla The resorte of other souldiers ioyning with them daily together with certeine companies of horsemen encreased more more the humor of this feare In men timerous feare is a readie impression and for the time carieth the minde in contemplacions of perill and daunger Neuerthelesse this emocion tooke ende both with more expedicion and more facilitie then was exspected since assoone as they had passed Tronto to enter into the marke of Ancona whether the Pope had sent strength of souldiers incamping before Ripatransono they were compelled to retire for the great losse of men they had susteined in a fierce assault they gaue to the souldiers within Ripatransono an accident so preiudiciall to their vallour and reputacion that they accepted willingly of thEmperours officers condicions of farre lesser quality then such as they hadreiected before The ende of the thirtenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRETENTH BOOKE POPE Leo is the cause that the peace continueth not in Italy He ioyneth in league with thEmprour against the French king The French king loseth the ` Duchie of Myllan Pope Leo dyeth Adrian the sixt is created Pope Frauncis Sforce reentreth vppon the Duchie of Myllan VVarre is made in Tuskane by Ranse de Cere THE FOVRETEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin ABout the beginning of the yeare 1521. was reappeased that former litle stirre touching the which mens mindes suffered more feare by a freshe recordacion and memorie of those bands of spanish footemen that inuaded the state of Vrbin then for any other cause bearing either reason likelihood or probabilitie of terrour But as one warre draweth on an other like to diseases that redouble in bodies il disposed so not many moneths after Italy began eftsoones to be vexed with warres of greater perill of longer continuance and of more importance then were all the other quarrells that had passed affore Wherein the ambicion of two most mighty kings puffed vp with mutuall ielowsies hatreds and deepe suspicions drew them on to make exercise of all their power and forces in the partes and bowels of Italy which hauing skarcely breathed three yeres in peace and yet alwayes full of doubt and suspicion it seemed that in the powers of heauen destinye and fortune was layed vp either a manifest enuie of their tranquillitie or els a supersticious feare that vnder the benefit of rest and concorde those regions woulde eftsoones returne to their auncient felicitie and greatnes Such personages were the beginners of these new emotions as albeit they had farre more interest then all others to procure the preseruacion of the peace yet generally and seuerally they troubled it more then any others and by their industrie authoritie sought to kindle the fire which they ought to haue quenched with their propper blood if other remedies had not sufficed For notwithstanding the hard moodes and inclinacions betwene Caesar and the French king grew increasing continually yet there was no cause at all to push them on so fast to make present warre neither did the one so farre exceede the other in Italy either with force or friendes or any other propertie of ayde that they were able to offend one an other without the fauors oportunities and meanes of the Italian Princes for that as the French king had noreason to feare any vexacion of Caesar neither touching the kingdom of Naples nor for any quarrel of Germany both hauing the Venetians conioyned with him for the defense of Myllan and in the Svvizzers remayning no more readynes to make warres in their owne names but stoode only disposed to serue as souldiors to who so euer would minister paye to them so also he had no meane to offende Caesar in the realme of Naples vnlesse the Pope were concurrant with him in the action who stoode solicited by them both by many offers and meanes to be their friende In so muche as it was beleeued that if the Pope continuing indifferent betweene them were carefull to temper and raunge with his high authoritie and fidelitie of a newter their disdaynes and quarrells and to cut of and stop the passage of their troublesome
the chiefe Magistrate of that Citie And as one furie draweth on an other and in an vprore is seldome seene any moderacion so they ranne with their armed weapons throughout the towne and made slaughter of diuerse other Citisens their aduersaries with suche an vniuersall terror and feare that not one durst oppose agaynst them Neuerthelesse assone as the first violence was somewhat ceassed the same feare that had amased others beganne to terrifie themselues by the remorse and greatnes of the offences they had done In which oportunitie certayne wise Citisens thrusting in to solicite and appease the murderers issued out of the Citie vnder certayne condicions and afterwardes were sharpely persecuted by thinhabitantes of Lucquay Thus were the matters of Lombardie and Tuskane brought to some appeasement but the College of Cardinalls taking no care of thestates of the Church partly for the Popes absence but more for the ambicion and disagreementes that were betwene them Sigismond the sonne of Pandolfo Malateste an auncient Lorde of Rimini tooke almost wholly into his handes the gouernment of that City hauing therin but a very small intelligence And albeit Cardinall Medicis at thinstance of the Colledge went to Bolognia as Legate of that Citie both to recouer Rimini and to reorder the other affayres of Romagnia whiche were muche troubled and altered to whom the Colledge had promised to sende to his succours the Marquis of Mantua capteine generall of the Churche yet nothing sorted to effect no lesse by the wantes and impedimentes of money then through the iealousie and emulacion of the Cardinalls his aduersaries who obiected themselues agaynst all counsells and actions that any waye might aduaunce his reputacion or greatnes The ende of the fourtenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIFTENTH BOOKE POpe Adrian comes to Rome The Venetians make league vvith themperour The Frenchmen besiege Millan and are constrayned aftervvardes to returne from it Cardinall Medicis is created Pope King Frauncis discendeth into Italie he taketh Millan and besiegeth Pauia Themperour Charles sendeth out an armie to the succours of Pauia vvhere a battell is fought and the French king taken prisoner THE FYFTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin ALBEIT the late victorie agaynst the Frenche men had somewhat reduced the matters of Lombardie into an estate peasible and setled yet it had nothing diminished the vniuersal suspicion that the king would eftsones recontinue the warre and in short time bring new inuasions vpon the Duchie of Millan for both his owne kingdome stoode quiet and acquited from ciuill troubles his Capteines and bandes of men of warre whom he had sent into Italie were returned in safetie the Svvizzers well disposed and prepared to take his paye as before and lastely the Senate of Venice stoode firme with him in the auncient league and confederacion Whiche argumentes ioyned to the remembrance and passion of his harmes receyued and no lesse concurring the violent inclinacion of his youth naturally caryed with moodes of reuenge were sufficient to arme his minde with bloody desires and to make him by his vallour to seeke to recompence the displeasures whiche the malice and enuie of his fortune had lately heaped vpon him By the consideracion of which daunger the Capteines of thimperialls were driuen to enterteine and paye th armie A compulsion very harde and grieuous for that they receiued no supplies of money neither from Caesar nor from the kingdome of Naples And touching thestate of Millan it was so narrowly raked and gleaned that of their proper treasor and habilitie they were not able to susteine so great a proporcion of exspences as were distributed to the feeding of so many souldiors And therefore for the releeuing of so great burdens they sent the greatest parte of their companies to be bestowed vppon the estates of the Churche notwithstanding the popular voyces and College of Cardinalls obiected many impedimentes and vayne exclamacions Also other prouinces of Italie were taxed for the conseruacion of the Duchie of Millan and that by the labour and solicitacion chiefly of Don Charles de Lauoy lately made Viceroy of Naples by the death of Don Reimond de Cardona and Don Iohn Manuell The rate of thimposition was that monthly for three monthes next folowing thestate of Millan should contribute a thousande duckets the Florentins fyfteene thousande the Genovvayes eight thousande Siena fiue thousande and Lucgua foure thousand And albeit many murmured agaynst this taxacion yet the feare of so great an armie made it to be both executed and suffred So mightie is necessitie that in cases of extremitie it makes tollerable those things which in all other condicions are ful of inconueniencie and difficultie Onely they of Millan iustified the taxacion to be necessarie for that the defence of all Italie depended vppon the continuacion of that armie Neither dyd it cease after the ende of three monthes for that the same necessitie continuing the imposicion was eftsones renewed though in a farre lesse rate and taxacion In this estate of affayres Italie stoode oppressed with continuall aduersities and no lesse terrified with the feare of greater euills that threatned the vniuersall regions thereof for the remedie whereof muche was attributed to the comming of the Pope as an apt and conuenient instrument by reason of his supreme authoritie to appease and reorder all disorders And albeit Caesar passing at the same time by sea into Spayne and in his way did cōmunicate with the king of Englande had besought him to tarye for him at Barcelona whither he would come in person to honor him as Pope yet ye forbare to abyde themperours comming eyther fearing least for the great distance of themperour who as yet was in thextreme consines of Spayne he should let slippe the commoditie of his good tyme which after his nauigacion began to be rough and daungerous or else he suspected least themperour would solicite him to deferre his voyage or lastly which was more credible he feared to aggrauate thopinion conceiued of him from the beginning that themperour dyd so muche gouerne him as to be hable to lette him to treate of the vniuersall peace betwene Christians An action wherein he was determined to employe all his studies and labours So that ouerruling by his wisdome all these suspicions he passed at last by sea to Rome where he made his entry the xxix of August with a great concourse of the commons and the whole Court of whom albeit his comming was desired with an vniuersall gladnes for that without the presence of the Popes Rome beareth more a resemblance of a sauage deserte then of a Citie yet that spectacle wrought sundrie impressions and diuersitie of thoughtes in the mindes of all men when they considered that they had a Pope for nation language a straunger and for th affayres of Italie and the Court altogether vnexperienced and also for that he was not of those regions and countreys who by long conuersacion were already made familiar with the customes of Italie The
with the Frenche king was made no particular mention of him nor of the suretie of thestates of Italye stoode more and more confirmed in his former opinion that the ambicion and greatnes of themperour woulde in the ende be his seruitude and thraldome And therefore he determined not to accept thaccorde in the maner it was offred to him but to reserue him selfe free vntill he were assured what course the Frenche woulde take touching the obseruation of the peace In which resolution he stoode so much the more firme by howe muche besides thapparance and likelyhoodes of it he had heard by the relation of certayne speeches deliuered by the king affore hys libertie and spread abroade by some that were familiar in counsell with him that the king had a mynde altogether estraunged from performing the thinges he had promised to themperour And the better to confirme the king in that deliberation his owne suretie also depending vppon it he sent in poste into Fraunce Pavvle Vittorio a Florentin and capteine of his Gallies his charge was to be at the Court at the same tyme the king should aryue vsing that diligence not onely to know his intention assone as might be but also the king hauing a ready hope to be hable to drawe into league agaynst themprour the Pope and the Venetians he might take occasion the sooner to resolue himself It was enioyned also to the expedition of Pavvle to congratulate in the Popes name the kings deliuerie and to discourse with him at large what he had done to that ende and howe muche did induce themperours inclination to his libertie the practises of confederation that were enterteyned with the Lady Regent Lastely that he shoulde impart with the king the Popes vehement desire to haue an vniuersall peace in Christendome and that thEmperour and he woulde perfourme together thenterprise agaynst the Turke who was reapported to make mightie preparations to inuade that yeare the Realme of Hungarie These were his Commissions apparant and knowen but this was his direction most substantiall and secrete that aboue all things he should sounde throwly the kinges inclination whom if he founde resolute to obserue the resolution of Madrill then to passe no further least vaynely he should make his case more desperate with themperour then before but if he founde him to haue other thoughtes and to hang in doubt that he should labour to confirme him in that disposition and seruing hys turne of all occasions he should specially compell him to take that course giuing him knowledge of the Popes desire to ioyne with him for the common benefite He dispatched in like sort into Englande the pronotorie Gambaro to manage the like office with that king and to the same ende Besides he procured the Venetians to sende into Fraunce their secretory Andrevv Rosse with semblable commissions As Pavvle past by Florence vpon his voyage he fell sicke and dyed by reason of whiche accidēt the Pope sent to performe the legacion in his place Capui de Mantua taking it to an yll prediction that nowe the seconde tyme the Ministers which he had sente into Fraunce to aduaunce those practises were in the waye intercepted by death In the meane while making no omission of time nor oportunities he together with the Venetians did all that they could to keepe in courage the Duke of Millan and to enterteine him in hopes least the peace of Madrill ledde him not both with feare and rashnes to make some accorde with themprour By this time the french king was comen vpon the confiues of Fontaraby a towne apperteyning to themprour standing vppon the Occean sea and is a frontyer betwene Biskay and the Duchie of Guyen And on the other side the Lady Regent was aryued with the children of Fraunce at Bayonne not many leagues from Fontaraby The tormentes of the gowte tooke her by the waye which was the cause that she had lingred some tyme longer then the daye appoynted of permutation But at last the xviij daye of Marche the French king accompanied with the Viceroy and Capteine Alarcon with fifty horse was presented vpon the shoare of the ryuer that deuideth the realme of Fraunce from the kingdome of Spayne And on the other side vpon the shoare opposite appeared Monsr Lavvtrech with the kings children and like number of horse There was in the middest of the ryuer a great barke made fast with ankers in which was no person The king was rowed neare to this barke in a little boate wherein he was accompanied with the Viceroy Capteine Alarcon and eyght others all armed with shorte weapons And on the other side of the barke were likewise brought in a litle boate Monsr Lavvtrech with the ostages and eight others weaponed according to the others After this the Viceroy went into the barke with the person of the king and all his companie and also Monsr Lavvtrech with his eyght that accompanied him so that they were within the barke a like number of both partes Alarcon and his eyght being with the Viceroy and Lavvtrech the others with the person of the king And when they were all thus within the barke Lavvtrech fetched out of the boate into the barke the Daulphin who being giuen to the Viceroy and by him committed to capteine Alarcon was foorthwith bestowed in their boate and after him followed the little duke of Orleans who was no sooner entred the barke then the French king leaped out of the barke into his boate which he did with suche quicknes and celeritie that thexchaunge or permutation was thought to be done at one selfe instant Assoone as the king was on the other side of the shore his newe libertie making him fearefull of ambush he mounted vpon a Turkishe horse of a wonderfull swiftnes which was prepared for the purpose and running betwene feare and gladnes vppon the spurre he neuer stayed till he came to S. Iohn de Lus a towne of his obedience foure leagues from the place And being there readilie relieued with a freshe horse he ran with the same swiftnes to Bayonne where after he had past ouer the offices of Court done to him by his people he dispatched with greate diligence a gentleman to the king of England to whom he wrote with his owne hande letters of his deliuerie charging the messenger vnder verie louing commissions to tell the king of Englande that as he acknowledged theffect of his libertie to be wrought whollie by him and his operacions so in recompense he offred to remaine to him a perpetuall and assured frend and to be guided in all his affaires by his councell And afterwardes he sent an other solemne Embassage into Englande to ratifie the peace which his mother had made with him as one that reapposed a verie great fundacion in thamitie of that king The ende of the sixteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTENTH BOOKE The Pope the french king the Venetians and the Duke of Millan draw into league against thEmperour The Duke of Burbon comes
to Millan The armie of the league breakes vp from before Millan The castell of Millan is rendred to thimperialls Many enterprises are dressed against the Pope The confederats send their armies by sea to Genes Rome is surprised by the Colonnois the Pope makes truce with thimperialls which hurteth the deuises of Lombardie The Duke of Ferrara confederats with the Emperour THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOtwithstanding the pledge of the two children of Fraunce of whom the eldest being heire apparant to so great a succession was one was added to the oth and faith that passed betwene the Emperour and the frenche king for confirmacion of the accorde solemnly made at Madrill and notwithstanding for the full perfection of th assurance the king had contracted thEmperours sister in his owne person Yet by his deliuerie both straunge for the maner and seuere for the assurance and pawnes that were enforced all the Princes of Christendom drew into no small exspectacion what would be the issue of thinges And as during his captiuitie the eyes of men stoode fixed vpon thEmperour to behold vnder what raunsome he would restore him to libertie so being deliuered they began now to turne all their thoughtes and contemplacions vpon the king for that they discerned sundrie and great effects depending vpon his deliberacion either to obserue or not obserue the capitulacion of Madrill for as in obseruing the contract they saw a destinie of present seruitude to hang ouer the regions of Italy both for the authoritie and greatnes of thEmprour which went increasing and for the imbecillitie of the prouinces to whome was left neither fortune nor vertue to make head against so great a course of victory So in not performing the articles of thaccord they saw the Emprour would be driuen either to put vp in forgetfulnes the conspiracies and enterprises dressed against him by the Duke of Myllan and to restore to him that Duchie least the Pope and Venetians tooke occasion to conioyne with the French king by which meane he should stand in hazard to lose the great profits he hoped to reape by his victorie or els making his indignacion against the Duke of Myllan more mighty together with his desire to haue no impediment of the French in Italy he should be compelled to assure the accord made with the king conuerting into certeyne payments of money all his obligacions and promisses to restore Burgonie or lastly neither yelding to the one nor the other he would be driuen to suffer to be brought against him by so many enemies a warre very greeuous almost by his owne confession since to auoid it he was reduced to this straite to let the king goe with so great a daunger But the world stoode not long in doubt of the will and intencion of the French king for that assoone as he was got into Bayonne being required by a gentleman of the Viceroys to ratifie thaccord according to thobligacion of his word being come into a place free and assured he deferred it from one day to an other interposing reasons and excuses generall wherein to th ende to hold still the Emprour in hope he sent to aduertise him by a man especiall that he forbare for the present to accomplish the ratificacion not by omission or willing negligence but vpon this necessitie that before he proceeded really to such an act he was to labor to reappease and reduce the mindes of his subiects ill contented with the obligacions he had made tending to the diminucion of the crowne of Fraunce Neuerthelesse he would in his time resolue all difficulties and obserue with fidelitie all that he had promised to him both in substance and circumstance By this dealing no lesse doubtfull for the manner then daungerous in meaning might easily be comprehended what were his intencions the same being more manifestly detected at the arriuall of the Messengers sent to him not many dayes after by the Pope and Venetians In whome was no great neede of industrie or labor to sownd out the plaine coursse of his inclinacion for after he had receiued them with many demonstracions and offices of Court he enterteyned them seuerally and a part with sondry speeches of compassion such as tended to manifest complaints against the inhumanitie of thEmprour who he said did neuer administer to him during his captiuitie any one office apperteyning to the ranke of a Prince Nor at any time shewed him selfe touched with that affection and commiseracion which one Prince ought to expresse vpon the calamities of an other And much lesse would vse any coursse of common comfort either to relieue the heauines of his condicion with any propertie of apt consolacion or once to enter into consideracion that the same accident that had falne vppon him might also be as heauily heaped vppon his owne heade In this complaint he alleaged the example of Edvvard king of England called of some Edvvard Longe shanke To whome when was presented as prisoner Iohn king of the French men taken by the Prince of VVales his sonne in the battel of Poytiers he did not only receiue him with greate comfort compassion of his afflicted case but also all the tyme of his imprisonment within the Realme of England he let him go at libertie vnder a free gard he had daily famillier cōuersation with him he would oftentymes haue him to accompany him on hunting to communicate in the open ayre and solace of the field and was not curious to call him to eate with him at his table And by these humanities muche lesse that he loste his prisoner or raunged him to an accorde lesse fauorable but of the contrarie by the operation of those graces and good offices there grewe betwene them suche a familiaritie and confidence that the French king after he had continued many yeres in Fraunce made a voluntary voyage into Englande to honor and gratifie vnder that propertie of office the liberalitie and franknes of the king He alleaged that as there was onely remembraunce of two kings of Fraunce that had bene taken prisoners in battell king Iohn and him selfe So the diuersitie of thexamples was also worthy of singular memorie seeing vpon the one was exercised all facilitie and mildues of the victor and to the other were ministred all those rigours and seuerities which tyrantes in the height and pride of their fortune are wont to vse That muche lesse that he boare towardes others a disposition eyther more peasible or better qualified seing he gathered by the construction of his speeches vsed at Madrill that following the humor of his ambition he employed his thoughts most how to subdue vnder seruitude the imperie of the Church the potētacies of Italie all other Princes of Christendome In which regard he wished the Pope and Venetians to prouide for their proper safety wherein he offred him selfe with great affection to be concurrant with them in the quarrell of their common safetie and to establishe agaynst
an yll counsel of the Pope wrote to him that the Viceroy reiecting all motions to truce was contented to make peace with the Pope onely or with the Pope and Venetians ioyntly so farreforth as they would make payment of money to thend to mainteine the army for assurance of the peace and afterwards to debate in the matter of the truce with the others An alteration mouing eyther by the variation or chaunge of the Viceroy or happly by the perswasions of tharchbishop as many suspected At which time Paule d'Arezze being come to themprours Court with authoritie from the Pope the Venetians and Frauncis Sforce whither also went by the motiō of the king of England for the negociation of peace the Auditor of the Chamber the rather for that before were come thither full commissions from the french king He found themprour wholy chaunged both in minde will taking the reason of his alteration vpon an aduertisement he had receiued of the army of the launceknightes and of his Nauy in Italy In so much as enforcing the fauor of that good aduauntage he fled from all the conditions that were set downe before and vrged vehemently that the French king should obserue absolutely thaccord of Madrill to haue the cause of Frauncis Sforce heard by law before Iudges assigned by himselfe Thus did both the will and intention of themprour vary according to the successe of affayres like as also his commissions which he sent to his Agentes in Italy bare alwayes by reason of the distance of the place eyther an expresse or silent condition to gouerne themselues according to the variation of times and occasions Therfore the Viceroy after he had many dayes abused the Pope with vayne practises and would not so muche as consent to a surceance of armes for a few daies till the negociation might soart to some issue brake vp from Naples the xx of December to goe into thestates of the Church In which wilfulnesse he offred many new and very straunge conditions of accorde But to returne to the laste daye of the yeare wherein the Launceknightes as we haue sayde passed the ryuer of Nure The same day also the Duke of Ferrara by the meane of his Embassador capitulated with the Viceroy and Don Hugo who had commission from themprour Neuertheles the capitulation was made with a very small liking of that Embassador for that he was almoste constrayned to consent by the threates and rude words of the Viceroy Tharticles of the capitulation were these That the duke of Ferrara should be bounde aswell in his person as in his estates to serue themprour agaynst all his enemies That he should be capteine generall for themprour in Italy with a company of an hundred men at armes and two hundred light horsemen onely he should assemble and leauy them at his owne charges and receyue agayne allowance in his accountes That he should presently receyue the towne of Carpy and the Castell of Nouy which had apperteined to Albert Pio for the dowry of themprours bastard daughter promised to his sonne onely the reuenues should be aunswered in account of the souldiors a compensation to be made vntill the consummation of the mariage And that Vespatian Colonno and the Marquis of Guast should disclayme and renounce the rightes which they pretended to them That he should pay the summe of two hundred thousand duckets when he had recouered Modena but out of that should be deducted that which he had giuen to the Viceroy since the battell of Pauia That if he did not recouer Modena all the summes of money which he had before disbursed should be eftsones repayed to him That themprour should be bound to his protection not to make peace without comprehending him and not without obteining for him of the Pope absolution of the paynes and censures which he had incurred euer since he was declared confederate to themprour And lastly that he should vse all his meanes and authoritie to the Pope to absolue him of all those penalties and transgressions which he had runne into before Thus in the ende of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and sixe twentie all things prepared and tended to a manyfest and open warre The ende of the seuenteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE EIGHTENTH BOOKE THe Duke of Burbonissueth out of Millan The Viceroy and Colonnois make vvarre agaynst the Pope in thestate of the Churche The Marquis of Salussa entreth vvithin Bolognia The Pope maketh vvarre in the kingdome of Naples The Duke of Burbon leadeth his armie to Rome taketh the tovvne and sacketh it and is slayne in the action The Pope beeing abandoned of all hope accordeth vvith thimperialls Amutinie in Florence The king of Englande is declared agaynst themprour The confederates do many enterprises THE EIGHTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOW ensueth the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundred and seuen and twenty A yeare prepared to many harde euentes and accidentes suche as for their crueltie were full of feare and daunger and for their straungenes had no example or experience with the worldes and ages before For in the predictions of this yeare was expressed an vniuersall face of troubles and confusion of mutation of estates of captiuitie of princes of desolation of Cities of dearth of vittelles and of a generall visitation of the plague yea through all the regions and climates of Italy there was no apparance nor contemplation of other thing then of blood death famine and fleeing A condition lamentable euen to forreiners and straungers that dyd but heare of it but moste intollerable to those miserable wretches vpon whose neckes the lawe of destenie had drawne so grieuous a yoke To these calamities there was no other thing that stayed the action of beginning and execution but the difficulties whiche the Duke of Burbon founde to make the regimentes of Spanishe footemen to departe out of Millan for where he had determined that Anthony de Leua shoulde abide there for the defence of the whole Duchie and reteyne with him all those bands of Launceknightes which were there before for whose enterteinmentes and payes were consumed bothe all the moneyes exacted at tymes vppon the Millannois and also suche other summes as were leauyed by the billes of exchaunge which the Duke of Burbon brought from Spayne And where he had also appoynted to remayne with the sayd Leua for the seruice of the Duchie a strength of twelue hundred footemen Spaniardes together with some bandes of Italian footemen vnder the leading of Lodovvike Belliense and other commaunders So likewise by their example all the other bandes and regimentes of souldiors for that they had in pray the houses the wyues and daughters of thinhabitantes of Millan were not discontented to liue still in that estate of licentious libertie But for that both for the necessitie of the present seruice and regarde of their proper honor and lastely for the awe and authoritie of the Duke of Burbon they
the person of Monsr Lavvtreth laye somewhat before Poggia Royall at the pallace of the Duke de Monte Alto In this place he had made great fortification stretching out the sace of his lodging towardes the way of Capua It was a place of very good situation and aptly seruing to cutte of from them of Naples the commoditie of the water conduits that come from Poggia Royall He made account to plant an other lodging somewhat before that aboue the hyll that is beneath the mount Saint Hermo to th ende to cutte off more commodities from those of Naples and to vexe the towne more nearer But to haue a more true and perfect information of these matters it were necessarie to set downe by description the situation of the Citie of Naples and the countrey thereaboutes The ende of the eyghteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE NYNTEENTH BOOKE LAwtrech besiegeth Naples In the meane while Anthonie de Leua taketh Pauia and besiegeth Loda Andre Dore leaueth the pay of the French Monsr Lawtrech dyeth The French breake vp from before Naples Monsr de Saint Pol reconquereth Pauia Andre Dore taketh Genes The Genowaies take Sauona and put them selues in libertie Monsr de Saint Pol is taken by Anthonie de Leua Themprour falleth to accorde with the Pope Peace is made at Cambray betwene the Emprour and the French king The Emprour passeth into Italy where the warre is made against the Florentins and peace is sollâ—câ—ted with all others THE NYNTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THVS Monsr Lavvtrech hauing reduced his whole armie vnder the walles of Naples the first thing he drew into consultation was whether it were best to attempt thexpugnation of the towne with the furie of artilleries and vallour of men An action whereunto many of his Capteines aduised him wishing that for the better execution of thenterprise the regimentes of footemen might be encreased with newe numbers They alleaged many difficulties in regarde of which there coulde be no hope to entertayne the armie any long space before the towne The first difficultie consisted in vittelles the traffike and reasort whereof was alwayes in daunger by the inroades of thennemies who hauing many companies of light horsemen commaunded by their incursions all the wayes and passages of the feeldes The second impediment rested in the hope very vncertayne that Naples would render for famine by reason the gallies of Phillip Dore beeing not sufficient to holde the porte besieged or restrayned and the Venetian gallies not aryuing notwithstanding they were promised dayly there came from Caietta to Naples foure gallies laden with meale and by the weake defence of the hauen other vessells entred the towne dayly with releefe The third doubt was referred to the colde prouisions of the Venetians who beeing taxed to pay monthly to Monsr Lavvtrech xxij thowsand duckets were alreadie become behind with him for lx thowsand The successe of thenterprise stood also desperate both by the slender releefe of money that came out of Fraunce and also by the maladies and diseases that generally reigned in the armie such as did not proceede so much by the stinche and ordinarie corruption of that ayer which by custome beginneth to deliuer infection in the ende of Sommer as through the great quantities of raines that fell which by so muche more offended the armie by howe muche most parte of the souldiours lay in the open fieldes hauing no other couer then the skie yet neuerthelesse Lavvtrech considering that in so great a multitude and vertue of defendantes wherein he knewe to consist not the least difficultie and for the fortification of the mount Saint Martin which lay apt to be succoured it woulde be an action verie harde eyther to take the hill or to force the towne And happly foreseeing not to exspend his money with small hopes fearing to want for the furnishment of exspences ordinarie tooke this resolution not to assault the towne but to besiege it hoping that in verie short time the enemies woulde fall into the want of vittells to feede their bodies or money to conteyne the souldiours So that vnder those hopes and the reasons and consideracions of them he conuerted his whole minde and all his prouisions to the besieging of Naples cutting off all meanes of accesse or reasort of vittells by lande and soliciting the comming of the Venetian gallies to reduce the towne to an absolute priuacion of releefe by sea And yet altering his resolution in some poyntes he set the campe at libertie to skirmishe least the souldiours liuing without action might become effeminate and abated in vallour Insomuch as there passed many skirmishes betwene the campe and the defendantes of the towne to the great commendation of the souldiours of the blacke bandes who being most resolute and ready in that kind of fighting by the discipline of Iohn de Medicis had not as yet made any show of their vallour in the playne field in any battell pitched and raunged where they were to keepe their grounde and either to be found dead or liuing in the places appoynted to them About this time came to the armie fourescore men at armes of the Marquis of Mantua and an hundred from the Duke of Ferrara who notwithstanding he had bene amply receyued into the protection of the Frenche king and the Venetians yet he deferred so long as he coulde to sende to th armie reseruing to him selfe to dresse and regulate his deliberations according to the coniecture and iudgement of the accidents and euents of the warre In this estate and condition of affayres thImperialles were not without their hope to bee hable to breake the fleete of Philip Dore who roade with his Gallies in the gulfe of Salerne In whiche enterprise they reaposed not their fundation and hope so muche in the numbers and goodnesse of their vesselles as in the vallour and dexteritie of their souldiours For they furnished sixe Gallies foure Foystes and two Brigantins with a thowsande harquebusiers Spanish and that of the most approued and best choyse of the armie And with them entred as commaunders Don Hugo Viceroy accompanied almost with all the Capteynes and personages of authoritie To this armie by sea disposed and gouerned by the direction of Gobbo a stowte and famous Capteine for sea seruice were adioyned many Barkes of fishermen to th ende to astonishe thennemies a farre of through the multitude and number of vesselles appearinge This fleete departed from Possilipo and by a directe course made with the I le of Caprio where Don Hugo to the great preiudice of that exployte lost tyme to heare a Spanishe Hermit who vnder reasons and perswasions of hys profession inflamed them to feight according to the glorie of that nation gotten in so manye victories From thence leauing on the lefte hande the Cape of Minerua they entred into the mayne sea and sente before two Gallies with this direction that beeing come within sighte of the ennemies they shoulde make showe as thoughe they
the pawne and assuring of these payments themprour to kepe in his handes Coma and the Castell of Millan which he bounde himselfe to render and readelyuer vp to Frauncis Sforce assone as the payment of the first yeare were finished he gaue him also the inuestiture of the Duchie or rather confirmed that which had bene giuen to him before But to furnish three payments and to perfourme the giftes and bribes which he promised to those that gouerned the emprour he imposed greate taxes vpon the towne of Myllan and throwe the whole Duchie notwithstanding the people had bene miserably wasted and consumed both by the crueltie of their long warres and also by the rage of hunger and pestilence Touching the Venetians they accorded That they should render to the Pope Rauenna and Ceruia with their territories sauing their rightes and also the Pope to pardon all such as had conspired or donne any thing against him That they should giue vp to themprour by the ende of the next Ianuarie all that they possessed in the realme of Naples and to paye him the residue of the two hundred thowsand duckats due vpon the thirde article of the last peace contracted with them That is to saie xxv thowsand within one moneth next folowing and xxv thowsand at the yeares ende but vpon condicion that their peeces should be rendred to them within one yeare if either they were not rendred alreadie according to the tenor of the saied peace or at last the controuersies and differences iudged by common arbitratours That they should paie to the exiles fiue thowsand duckats for euerie yeare for the reuenues of their goods according to the disposicion of the treatise of the same peace That ouer and besides this they should paie to the Emprour an hundred thowsand duckats the one moitie within tenne monethes and the other halfe within a yeare after it was further accorded that the rightes of the patriarch of Aquilea which had bene reserued to him in the capitulacion of VVormes against the king of Hungria should be decided That the Duke of Vrbin should be comprehended in this peace and confederacion because he was an adherent and in the protection of the Venetians That the Venetyans should pardon the Count Brunoro de Gambaro That the traffike and entercoursse should be free amongest all their subiects and that there should be giuen no place of retraite to the corsaires or roauers who would trouble either partie That it should be lawfull to the Venetyans to continue peasibly in the possession of all those thinges which they helde That all those that had bene published rebelles for folowing the faction of Maximilian the Emprour and the king of Hungria since the yeare 1523. should be restored onely the restitucion should not extende to the goods that had bene brought to their fiske That betwene the saied parties there should not onely be a peace but also a perpetuall league defensible for their estates of Italye against all Christian princes The emprour promised that the Duke of Myllan should kepe and holde in his estate a strength of fiue hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horsemen six thowsand footemen and a good bande of artilleries for the defense of the Venetians and the Venetians to menteine the like strength for the defense of the Duke of Myllan In which article was set downe that whē either of their estates were molested the other throw their cōtreys should giue no passage of vittells municions corriers nor embassadonrs restraining all natures of aide in their estates and all passage or suffrance of succours what so euer That if any Christian prince though he were of supreame dignitie should inuade the realme of Naples the Venetians to bring to the defending of it fiftene light gallies well armed That in this present accord should be comprehended all such as the affore named and to name helde in their protection though without other obligacion of the Venetians then for their defense That in case the Duke of Ferrara accorded with the Pope and with thEmprour it was ment he should be comprehended in this confederacion for the execucion of which accordes and composicions thEmprour rendred to Frauncis Sforce Myllan and all the Dukedom and reuoked all the souldiours excepte such as were thought necessarie for the garde of the Castell and of Coma which places he rendred afterwardes according to the time couenanted The Venetians restored to the Pope the townes of Romagnia and to thEmprour the peeces which they helde in Povvilla * ⎠* The ende of the ninteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE TWENTEETH BOOKE THemprour taketh the imperiall crowne at Bolognia and from thence passeth into Almanie The famulie of Medicis by the aide of themprours armie retorne to Florence Ferdinand is chosen king of Romains The Pope will not harken to a councell The french king stirreth vp the Turke against themprour and hath conference with the Pope at Marseilles THE TVVENTEETH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin IT seamed that the conclusion of this peace and confederacion had reduced to their last ende the warres of Italye which for their continuance and longnes had drawne a space of viij or x. yeares and for their horrible accidents had left to all the regions of that climat matter of lamentable and iust compassion Onely the citie of Florence either more wretched in destinie or lesse worthy of so good participacion was not dispensed from tumultes and daungers of armes seeing that as she was a meane helpe to reduce others to peace so of the contrarie in the tranquillity of others was wrought to her selfe matter of a more heauy and daungerous warre for where it was supposed that all natures of difficulties were so resolued and disgested that there was no further dowt nor impediment to deteine the accord from his perfection Themprour leauying his companies bandes of men of warre from thestate of the Venetians sent out to make warre against the Florentins an army of foure thowsand launceknights two thowsand fiue hundred Spanish footemen eight hundred Italians and more then three hundred light horsemen with fiue and twenty peeces of artilleries But in this warre either for the ill directiō of the capteines or worse order of the soldiours much lesse that there was done any exploit notable seeing there was performed no action worthy thexercise of a penne to write it The assailantes lacking harts to inuade the towne and the defendantes hauing no deuocion to assaie the fortune of a battell They saw in the accompt of their prouisions that they had meanes sufficient to make defence for many monethes and in the reckoning of the mindes and inclinacions of men they dowted not of an vniuersall resolucion of the citie to resiste the quarrell inflicted against their common libertie in which regards they hoped by tēporising so to make weary the campe of thenemies that either for want of money which maketh the soldiour mutinus or for some other accidēts which ordinarily ensue