so zealous in protecting his Dukes Dominions would now so highly injure him in his honour These and other Reasons alledged by the Embassadour were much seconded by the Queen of France her pretentions who sollicited from Mantua made a third in this Affair desiring that the young Lady's education might be allotted to her as to one neerer of kin to her then the King was in case the Duke of Mantua should not be trusted with her Whereupon the King were it either that he approved of the Reasons alledged or to avoid giving dissatisfaction to the Queen dissisted further pursuing his demand Many will have it that the King required this at first more out of his own genius and tender affection to his Nephews the Princes of Savoy then by any advice of his Counsellours or out of any sinister intention to the Duke of Mantua and that it not being intrinsecally approved of by any one no not by the Duke of Lerma from whom he was seldom wont to differ in opinion it had not its just perfection it being known that at the same time when Pimentello was sent to Mantua the answer which that Duke was to make was suggested to him by the Governour of Millain and the manner which he was to observe upon this occurrency to the end that he might retain his Nephew And doubtlesly the Governour did this by order from the Spanish Ministers of State who were desirous to moderate the Kings desires by delays Many were much troubled to think what the truth of this might be the business being spun out at length and what the issue thereof would be not being known During these doubtful proceedings the Duke of Mantua fell sick and there being but little hopes of his recovery it was feared by the Italians that his unseasonable death in these turbulent times might hasten the Spaniards secret designs for he not having any issue and his brother not being likely to have any his Dominions would fall upon the Duke of Nevers the next of kin to the house of Gonsaga who being born in France was for his great adherences and many possessions which he had there esteemed to be more French then Italian Nor was there any that did doubt but that the Spaniards would rather suffer any other condition then that a French-man should possess so great a State in Italy Wherefore all mens minds were possest with fear and confusion foreseeing what troubles and revolutions would insue upon the Dukes death which seemed to be confirmed by bad Auguries and prodigies For in the same year of 1613 on the 11 of October there arose a terrible tempest at Sea the like to which was never seen which beginning at Provence and running along with much terrour to the uttermost parts of the Kingdom of Naples did so agitate the Ligustick and Tuscan seas as entring even into the Havens which were otherwise very safe it sunke almost all the ships therein to the great prejudice of the Merchants and to the terrour of all lookers on the same tempest penetrated into Lombardy where it threw down houses rent up trees by the roots and did such mischief as had never been before so as many as it ofâ—…en falls out when men are astonished with amazement begâ—…n to hold these accidents prodigious as so many signs wherewith the heavens did threaten much greater calamity to come to these Prodigies were added the troubles of France which having been quiet till then under the Queens regency was not a little disturbed For the Princes of the Kingdom were not able to suffer that Concino Concini and his wife both of them being Florentines and the Queens great favourites should be prefer'd before them in Authority and in the conduct of publick Affairs They were likewise much troubled at the Kings Marriage with the Infanta of Spain fearing lest such an union might tend to the diminution of that Authority which they by all means indeavoured to arrogate unto themselves in that Kingdom And the opposition of France being held to be a great curb to the Spanish Forces in Italy therefore that Nation being divided within it self and troubled with civil Wars Italy remained at the Spaniards discretion whose ends and designs not being to be withstood by any other Forces there was no means left of keeping their King from attempting any whatsoever novelty whereby to increase their Kings Empire to the universal prejudice The Duke of Mantua's self whose loss was then chiefliest concerned seemed more to abandon his own cause then any other for not being content to have incens'd France against him and distasted the Princes of Italy by his usage of the Duke of Nevers French he seemed to throw himself too much into the King of Spain's hands and to depend to much upon the Spanish State-Ministers And this course not being commonly approved of then though it proved to be very good afterwards he seemed little to mind the eminent danger of his own Affairs The more for that conferring the Bishoprick of Casalle upon Monsigneur Pasquale a natural Subject of the Kings he had also made Don Alphonso d' Avalos Governour over all Montferrat who though he was an Italian born and a kinne to him yet being originally come from Spain and prosessing to be more a Spaniard then an Italian being also held to be such a one by the King and his State-Ministers the Duke seemed to have but poorly provided for the so turbulent condition of his Affairs by these two Elections at which the Queen and State of Venice were much the more incens'd who publickly seeming to favour the Duke desired to curb the Forces and power of his Protector as much as they could and yet the Queen being careful of her Niece Affairs she sent the Marquess di Coure into Italy a Lord of much authority and reputation and one who had with much grandezza discharged the office of several chief Embassies She sent him with title of Embassadour in extraordinary for the Occurences of Italy to the end that treating as well with the two Dukes as with the Governour of Millain and Commonwealth of Venice he might compose Affairs in a peaceable manner But when he came to Piedmont he could not see the Duke who not desirous to treat with any in this business but the King and Court of Spain from whence he expected much favour he went a little before the Embassadour came thither to Nice in Provence to quiet some commotions which were raised in those parts So as the Embassadour passing to Millain and then to Mantua and from thence to Venice kept in Italy till the beginning of the next year which was 1614. This year produced at last effects which shewed the good intention of the King and did once more free the Italians of the fears which they had conceived by the last years successes For the King having on one side often comforted the Duke of Savoy and on the other side press'd much upon the Duke of Mantua not without
by all seeming artifice wherewith he was naturally very well indued not only to appease the King but to win upon his genius and to captivate his good will Thus by the Dukes dexterity and cunning many thought that the greatest force of France that had for many years past the Alpes was stopt which finding Italy unprovided of defence might easily have over-run it to the universal ruine and particularly to the danger of the State of Millain But the Duke his having after his opposition found the King rather gracious and favourable then angry and incensed his having received honours rewards satisfaction and recompence instead of revenge and resentment his having by these agreements provided well enough for himself and suffer'd the interests of the Crown of Spain to be prejudiced afforded much talk and murmuring against him not only by the Princes of Italy who were displeased with his being reconciled to the King of Spain which was contrary to the common Interest but even in the Court of Spain by those that envied the Duca's favour with the King who finding it to continue strove to make it appear that the Dukes reconciliation to the King of Spain wherein he was assisted and which was effected by the Conde Duca was a cheat to the King and pernicious to the Interest of the Crown They said that it was he the Duke of Savoy who as might be gathered by many conjectures had made the way plain for the King of France to enter Italy by his secret Intelligence held with the Court of France That it was he who having covenanted for and secured unto himself the retention of a good part of Montferrat had before-hand promised not to oppose him in that Enterprize having therein no respect to the Interest of Spain or to the honour of the Spanish Forces by which he had got such a part of Montferrat and with which he was but a little before confederated That this was the faith of this Prince this the fruit of that reconciliation For otherwise how would the King of France have dared to hazzard his total reputation and glory which he had won in so many home actions and particularly in his late Victory at Rochell in so cold a season against so many difficulties of steep and craggy Mountains and as yet cover'd over with snow and all this only for the freeing of a Town that was not in his Kingdom nor did not any ways belong to him To this end they said that the Duke opposed his worst armed men to withstand the first violence of the most resolute and formidable of the French which was the cause why there was so little fighting and why the strong Pass of Susa was rather abandoned then stoutly defended That the Governour nor other Spanish Agents that were in Turin had not consented to those Articles otherwise then as they were enforced by the Dukes peremptory will who consulting with them in very positive and resolute terms bereft them of the freedom of Election and that protesting that these Agreements were the only remedy against the imminent ruine of the State he tacitely threatened that unless they would consent thereunto they would force him to accept thereof without them and by joyning with the French to provide the best he could for the safety of his own In erest so as they consented to what he would to keep the Kings Affairs from falling into a worse condition And so far did these murmurings prevail as the very French being more desirous to make the Duke be suspected in the Court of Spain then zealous of their Kings glory did by their outward demonstrations confirm what was said in his discredit But it was not probable that the Duke by this Agreement should so much to his own disadvantage part with what he was to expect from the friendship of Spain especially when he was known to be naturally very desirous of making new acquisitions and very tenacious of what he had The loss of Susa did yet more gainsay these objections it being a place of great importance by reason of its situation and of greater profit then any other Town of Piedmont for the Customs which the Fairs that are held there do yield and which are had for the Transportation of Merchandize which pass to and fro between France and Italy which that he should willingly grant unto the King and commit so great a fault was too far from being believed by any that was but indifferently wise for what Reason would admit that by the loss of that advantagious place which was one of the gates of Piedmont and of Italy he should willingly make himself subject to the King of France and be less valued by the Italians and Spaniards To this may be added That when in the preceding years the Duke was assaulted by the powerful Armies of Spain and was consequently in great need of being sustain'd by the French yet would he never grant them so much as any one Tower in Piedmont and how was it likely that upon this present occasion he should agree to yield them a place of such importance before he was assaulted The Fortification also made at Avigliana whilest they were treating of agreement the Artillery which were brought thither after the Capitulation the King looking on his having always for his own defence entertain'd Spanish Auxiliaries as they were actions of much diffidence not to say contumacy towards the King and therefore much to be resented by the French so they seem forceable arguments against that intelligence and collusion which would fain have been proved to have been between him and the French And yet as men incline naturally to sinister interpretations though the Court of Spain hearing these bad tidings and maturely considering the state of affairs did approve of the Dukes actions and rejecting vain rumours caused three Pays to be paid unto him before-hand by their Factors in Genoa of 25000 Crowns a piece which were granted him for the expences of these present occasions yet the contrary impression not being to be removed most thought that that Court had dissembled more according to necessity and to the conveniency of the present occurrences then done upon any real and intimate belief as if it were not consistent with the Kings Interests by unseasonable distrust and resentment totally to alienate the Duke from them but by the contrary appearing well satisfied not only to keep him their friend at such a pinch but to oblige him still more by new benefits to keep still the more united and better inclined to the affairs of the Crown This is evidently apparent in so great variety of opinions and may be affirmed that the Duke thinking upon new agreements which by the Mediation of his Son the Prince were to be accorded demanded 4000 Foot and a certain number of Horse of the Governour and in his absence of Don Philippo Spinola which at the beginning of this War were promised him in case he were assaulted in Piedmont by
the Kingdom but in effect by his own command sent him some Ships as it was said fraughted with Foot Count Iohn of Nassau was also daily expected to come with men by land from Holland and it was heard that succours came from Germany to assist the said Duke which were sent him from the Protestant Princes of that Nation who did not a little foment the Wars of Piedmont Nor did the Venetians foment them less then they though secretly who from the beginning being anxious at the proceedings of the Spanish Army and fearing that the Duke might be oppress'd began to assist him underhand with moneys and advice and afterwards seeâ—…g his affairs proceed prosperously they being desirous to abate the Spanish grandezza were not wanting in sustaining him and shoaring him up to the end that he might resist him who thought to suppress him So all these Princes being thought privately to blow this fire it was imagined that their Embassadours who Negotiated the business did not proceed therein with sincerity unless it were the Popes Nuntio for both their manner of treating and form of conclusion was sufficiently different from that reallity which in appearance they did profess and contrary to the great confidence and good correspondency between the Kings of Spain and France the French Embassadour having the â—…ppointment made at Madrid in one hand and in the otheâ—… the intimation of War being consequently able to compel the Duke by the latter and to force the Governour by the other so as he was the chief Arbitrator of all that Negotiation the rather for that the French Souldiers and Captains who fought on the Dukes behalf depending upon his command he might at his pleasure make them forego their Arms and bereave the Duke of the greatest part of his Forces and though by orders from his King he was to be careful of the reputation of the Spanish Crown and to give satisfaction thereunto and as a good servant to so great a King ought not to suffer the peace to be concluded otherwise for the example which it would be to all greater Kings and being trusted by the Barons of France was chosen by the Queen to be imploy'd for this end at the Court of Spain yet the Authority and common desire of the Princes of that Kingdom wherein they differ'd from the King in point of keeping friendship with the Crown of Spain prevailing more with him as also peradventure the French humour naturally averse to the name of Spaniard he made less account of the Kings command which was the chief cause of all the inconveniences which befell the Spanish Army For doubtlesly things would have gone otherwise if he had punctually observed his Kings directions immediately after the Victory upon the Hills but whilst under pretence of not exasperating the Duke he proceeded sometimes too favourably with him and sometimes approving of his jealousies he feared that by intimating War unto him Piedmont might be made a prey to the Victorious Army much to the Kings prejudice and that therefore he temporiseth with the Duke wherein he is fautor'd by the English and Venetian Embassadours the Duke knowing what was done fenc'd himself on one side with subterfugeâ—… and delays and on the other side assaulted the Enemies Trenches and faced him and on the contrary the Spanish Army as hath been said mouldred away and the weaker they grew in Forces and Men the Duke had the less mind to come to an agreement and consequently standing harder upon the advantage of Articles propounded delays and greater difficulties and hoping to get the better at the last had a greater desire to fight and venting his conceived hatred against the Spaniards aspired at glory by the total Victory of so invincible an Army and the Embassadours who would spin the thread of the Negotiation aâ—… they were resolved to do held the Governours in hand with efficacious promises of peace the conclusion whereof being from day to day defer'd and they the mean while delighting to see the miseries of the Spanish Army they delaied so long as finding it at last reduced to so great weakness as that it was not able to fall upon any enterprise they began to treat of new conditions which together with the three particulars of Madrid contained many other things of satisfaction to the Duke Thus was the Capitulations of peace made upon the beneath written terms and agreement That the Duke should disarm effectually within one moneth and retaining only four Companies of Swissers for the safety of his States together with as many of his Subjects as he would should casheâ—…r all the rest of his men that he should not offend the Duke of Mantua's Dominions and that his pretentions should be discus'd in the Emperours Courts of Justice On the contrary the French Embassadour promised that the Rebels of Montferrat should be pardoned and be fully restored to their Goods Honours and Offices that he should be protected by France in case he should be molested by the Spaniard contrary to what was agreed upon to which purpose express command was given in the Kings name to Marshall Diguere Governour of Dolpheny and to the other Governours of Provinces confining upon the Dukes Territories that immediately without expecting any orders from the King they should succour the Duke in case the Conventions should not be agreed upon that the Swissers and Walloons should be restored to free Commerce in the State of Millain that the places taken by either side should be restored that all the French should be generally pardoned who had served in the present War contrary to the Kings command that the King of Spain should not demand passâ—…ge for six moneths space of the Duke for any men That the Duke should have three moneths allowed him to give notice to his friends that they were to abstain from any hostility against the King during which time the Duke repairing any damage which should be done nothing of Hostility which should happen should prejudice tâ—…e peace and herewith the removal of the Spanish Army was agreed upon in form following That the French Embassadour should desire the Duke to draw a thousand Foot out of Asti at whose marching out he would write to the Governour and cause him to quit his quarters and to retreat to Croce Bianca and to Quarto Which being done tâ—…e same Embassadour was to intreat the Duke to remove the rest of the Souldiers out of the City and the French Embassadour promised that on the same day that that should be done the Spanish Army should march out of Piedmont and that then the Duke should immediately disâ—…rm but with this promise from the Embassadour that after such effectual laying down of Arms the Governour should so dispose of the Kings Army as neither the Duke nor any other Prince of Italy should thereby have any cause of jealousie and that the King of France should ratifie the agreement within twenty days All these Articles and Conventions were reciprocal
of water The like did those of a certain Fort called la Trinita built by the Austrians a little higher to these happy successes was added the taking of Fara a small Castle between Luciniso and Gradisca which being plaied upon by the Cannon yielded upon Articles and Baglione a valiant Colonel was sorely wounded before it Thus did the affairs of the Venetians alter in Friuli but they were not idle the mean while in Istria and Dalmatia for Marcho Loredano Commissary in those parts and Benedetto da Leze Commissary of Horse as they scoured the Country met with several incounters wherein having the better they took many prisoners and slew many and some Galleys going to Antignana after having plaid upon it long they took it upon Articles and aâ—…erwards scouring along the Coast of Pessino they put it to fire and sword and Iovanni Iacomo Zane Commissary of Dalmatia went to before Segna but for want of provision durst not attempt it but turning to Mosconizza after having plaid upon it two days took it Berses upon the bank of the River and the Fort of Sirissa over against the Island Pago through the Garrisons discord fell also into the Venetians hands But not long after the Austrians being become masters of the field in those parts by the multitude of men that came in to assist them they ran all over with much terror burning and ruinating all the Country and the Venetians Subjects the affairs of which States began sore to go less in reputation all mens eyes being bent upon Lombardy where the war grew hotter between the Governour of Millain and the Duke The Duke as hath been said was entred into private consederacy with the Venetians in whose name publickly but privately for the service of the Duke of Savoy a Regiment of 4000 Foot was raised in France by the Marquess of Castiglione besides many others who flock'd in threves into Piedmont The Duke had also made his complaints in that Court of the difficulties interposed by the Goveâ—…nour in the performance of the Treaty and though the Reasons wherewith he strove to imprint in that Nation the necessity which they had for the Kings honour to make the Articles be observed prevailed but little with the King and Queen who were not to be removed from their friendship with Spain yet having made great impression in the Prince of Conde and in the other Colleagues they afforded them more occasion efficaciously to demand the Reformation which they pretended unto of the Kingdom openly complaining that the Queen Mother by reason of her secret intelligence held with the Court of Spain and the chief Officers and State-Ministers of the Kingdom for the great advantage they got in that Court and that they might not withstand the Queens authority did wink at and did not value the Kingdoms saâ—…ety nor the honour of the King who by reason of his years was incapable of knowing how much the sustaining of Piedmont concerned the safety of that Court Wherefore these having sent Monsieur d' Orfe to Piedmont to the end that his assisting the Duke in the name of the Confederates he might incourage him and give him reputation they also made open demonstration in France that they would savour the Dukes affairs by all the means they might But in effect their whole ends tended to bring about their own interests whereunto the union of the two Crowns being contrary they found no better means to break it then by pressing the affairs of Piedmont and that the King of Spain being busied in Italy might be less able to assist their King and yet the King and Queen were it either to take away this occasion of complaint from the Princes or that they had a real value for the observance of the Treaty the execution whereof they never had forborn to indeavour though in a moderate manner as becomes Princes really united they always found the Court of Spain veâ—…y ready to allow of the Dukes disarming as legitimate and forward to order the Governour that disbanding his Army he might readily and without difficulty or delay observe the residue of the Treaty not so much for that the peace of Italy was there desired as for that the Duke of Lerma who was interested in Inoioso's defence and thinking that according to the custom of Courts he was bound to make good his actions would that all exceptions being laid aside the peace of Asti should by all means be executed and made good But were it either that those orders were not over precise or were peradventure so express'd as that they left a power in the Governour to do therein according to the condition of the present times and occurrences or that the Duke thought he could not execute them in consideration of the new accidents and preparations for war as well on the Dukes behalf as on the Venetians or else as some would have it that he had so involved himself in the thought thereof or had ingaged himself so deeply that the Duke should by his means be brought to humble himself to the King and that the Capitulations of Asti should be cancelled as that he thought he could not in honour do less he did not much care to see them performed many were of opinion that as the aforesaid orders proceeded not from the Kings nor his Councils mind but from the Duke of Lerma's meer will whose excessive authority grown odious to the Grandees of Spain began to decline as hath been said aâ—…er the success of Piedmont so were they not punctually observed nor much valued by Don Pietro for he thinking that the Grandezza and Majesty of the Crown lay now upon his Shoulders which he thought had not been very carefully sustained by the Duke of Lerma out of private respects was not well pleased that Lerma preferring his own affairs before those of others unless it were Inâ—…iosa's whom he detested should abandon the publick cause which he professing himself to be very zealous of was ready to repair wherefore not openly gainsaying the Kings commands but execusing himself upon the Venetians new occasions upon the Dukes new commotions and upon the strange pretentions of the French he did as it were by force draw the Court to incline to his opinion Hereunto was added that he not being able to per swade himself but that the past disorders had been occasioned through his predecessours fault and tacite Collusion he took it for granted that when the Duke should see himself assaulted by a powerful Army commanded by himself who proceeded really and would assault Piedmont with all the true rules and rigour of war should out of excessive fear yield and humble himself unto the King he therefore being big with vast conceits promised by Letters written to the Court that he would bring him under without almost once unsheathing his sword and without breaking the peace of Italy by his demonstrations only and by his preparations and that undoubtedly he would repair the publick dignity
longer bound by the Capitulations to favour the Dukes hidden ends He concluded with offering readily to observe the rest of the Articles if the Duke would observe them punctually on his behalf and with passing his word again in the Kings name not to wrong him But as for laying down Arms he confest freely it was impossble to do it by reason of the Venetians new Commotions And finally he entered his Protestation That if the Duke should refuse this and should withdraw from reciprocal restitution the King should remain free from any whatsoever obligation since he had abundantly satisfied him by the abovesaid offer This was the substance of the Answer given to the French Embassadour who at his going from Millain was earnestly desired That as a good servant to his King who was by affinity so nearly join'd to the Crown of Spain he would use the best means he could to appease the Duke and disposing him to make good the Treaty keep him from favouring the Venetians whose ends were only to usurp the Arch-Dukes States who was a just Prince and this the rather for that the Duke might be sure he would thereby irritate the King of Spain towards whom he had reason to proceed with all manner of respect and that therefore taking the word of both the Kings he should not provoke the anger of the whole House of Austria against him wherewith he the Duke was so much interessed both by alliance and in so many other respects The Embassadour promised he would do so and having therewith obtained a Suspension of Arms for the whole moneth of August which was then began he went to Turin where he was present at a Diet in Moncallieri between the Duke the Marshal and the Venetian Embassadour who was admitted thereinto under preâ—…ence of making him acquainted with every thing but in effect because that Common-wealth which is naturally of her self sparing in spending having till now bâ—…en more liberal in words and promises then in deeds the Duke and the rest of that Cabal thought it now a very fitting time to make use of her troubles and danger to make hercontribute a great sum of mony which they pretended to from her and therefore the Governours Answer and offers being heard the Duke began to listen to the proposals seeming to be thereunto inclined rather for want of monies whereof he and his State were much exhausted then out of any desire or inclination to abandon the common Cause The French Embassadour under colour of being a peace-maker assisted him in his drift and the Marshal more then he who being to be the head of the French succour was to share deeply in the Venetians money and therefore concluding that it was impossible for Piedmont to sustain so great a war as was threatned her otherwise then by the Sword of France and Purse of Venice he minded the Duke that he could build but little upon the former if he should fail of the other But the Common-wealth which saw affairs were so far proceeded in as it was impossible to come to any atonement especially the fiery nature of both parties being considered little valued the threats which were made under the colour of necessity and knowing whether these counsels and this sudden inclination to peace tended did not at all fear being left alone to bear the burthen of the war and so much the less for that the Duke was already envelloped in many difficulties and was already by his demonstrations so far ingaged in war as it was impossible at least very hard for him to draw back his hand Wherefore she seemed as cunningly to be inclined to a composure of affairs which she was as much desired to do as the Duke was by the Archduke and by the other Princes and it was in her power to obtain it upon very honourable terms wherefore the Duke hoping that the Negotiation about peace would be a perfect antidote against the Venetians Tenacity gave order that the Treaty should be had in Rome with the Pope who for this and for other affairs sent Alessandro Lodovisio Archbishop of Bollognia into Lombardy under the Title of Nuntio in extraordinary that by his Authority he might stop the Governours forces who growing every day hotter against the Duke was gone from Millain to Pavia to hasten on the war the more which whilst he threatens openly on this side to Piedmont yet he plotted it privately on that side where it might be worse for the Duke as least suspected by him The Duke of Nemours a French Prince of the Duke of Savoy's blood and the nearest to the Ducal Line next after the children of this present Duke upon whom that Line sailing the States of Savoy and Piedmont were to divolve was for some years past not well satisfied with the Duke upon occasion of some private Picque wherefore he had not succoured him at all upon occasion of the last troubles of Piedmont but seeing new Commotions now about to arise from the Capitulations of Asti he laid aside all past enmity and rancor and offered to serve him in that war freely of his own accord with 4000 Foot and 500 Horse The Duke accepted the offer and monies were disburst unto him in point of pay and he was expected with his men in Piedmont according to his promise But his antient hatred and desire of revenge prevailing over his new Reconciliaâ—…ion or his ambition and desire of Reign over his conjunction in blood and his obligations he closed with the Governour of Millain who gave him both men and monies promising to assault Savoy with the same men wherewith he was to have fallen into Piedmont which when taken he offered to acknowledge it as held in perpetual Fee from the Crown of Spain The Governour listened to this offer that he might weaken the Dukes Forces by diversion and therefore sending mony to Nemours 〈◊〉 ordered Monsieur di Disse to pass into Savoy in assistance of this enterprise with 6000 Foot and 400 Horse which were raised by his directions in Burgony And Nemours promised moreover that divert Princes and great Lords of France who were his friends and adherents would likewise come thither upon this occasion Nor was it to be doubted but that the Duke being thus assaulted would have been mightily troubled he not having forces sufficient for two sore warâ—… made upon him at one and the same time in Savoy by Nemours and in Piedmont by the Governour But a Letter written from the Governour into Spain freed him from this so near and so important danger wherein the complotting of this business was intirely contained which were it by chance or by the craft of some of the Governours servants came to the Dukes hands and afforded him opportunity to prevent what was plotted against him Wherefore sending Prince Victorio away in all haste to those parts he also gave order to Monsieur di Lanz Governour of Savoy to secure himself as speedily as might be of Nissi and Remigli
might draw neerer the sea he sent Don Lewis di Cordia Don Piedro Sarmiento Don Ieronymo Pimontello and Thomaso Caracciolo to quarter in those parts with their Brigadoes and some Companies of Iovan Piedro Zerbelloves Brigade and afterwards being advised thereunto by Sancta Croce and Don Carlo Poria who were come into Allessandria he ordeâ—…ed Don Piedro Sarmiento to 〈◊〉 himself of Montbaldne Dente Roccaverano and Cortemiglia by which places the Spaniards became masters of all that Country which lying between the River of Genoa and the lower Montferrat is called Le Langhe Montbaldone and Dente came in immediately to Sarmieneo who going with his Artillery to Roccaverano it is not known for what cause and therefore not without wonder to all men he had new orders to supersede wherefore retiring back the Duke sent 100 Foot to re inforce the Garrison of Cortemiglia he afterwards took Bozalasco Gorzegno Manoxino and other Towns thereabouts this was the success of the Wars of Piedmont in the year 1614 at the end whereof the Governour went to Millain to take order for greater provisions for War the next year and two Millions of Ducates being come to the Haven of Genoa part whereof was for the Army in Flanders part for that in Lombardy the Gabels upon Merchandize and other things was increased to above a third part in Millain The sum whereof being turn'd into annual revenue and a good part thereof sold to particular persons brought great store of moneys into the Exchequer which were afterwards assigned for the War which was noised would be great the next year Levies of men were ordered to be made in Germany Swisserland in the Kingdom of Naples and in Lombardy and not herewith all content the King desired the Genoeses the great Duke of Tuscany the Duke of Urbin Duke of Parma and the Commonwealth of Lucca to send such men to the State of Millain as either for their own concernments or by the condition of obligation they were bound to do and he did this not so much out of necessity as for the honour of the undertaking and to shew how much the Princes of Italy did adhere to the Kings party yea even against an Italian Prince The Princes of Italy were not well pleased to see him proceed with such a bulk of War against the Duke for though the defence and protection of Montferrat and the preservation of publick peace had at first rendred the title and cause of the Spanish Forces less odious yet since the end was now altered and that revenge was indeavoured which made them apprehend worser things they began in respect of the common interest to abhor the proceeding and yet Urbin Parma and Lucca preferring the Kings Authority before any other respect yielded easily to the Kings request The great Duke made some difficulty alledging that being obliged to send 4000 Foot and 400 Horse for the State of Sienna which he held in Fee from the Crown of Spain to defend the State of Millain he was not now bound to do it when as the State making an offensive and not a defensive War his obligation and tenure thereof was inlarged the example being of great consequence and of greater prejudice but reply being made that that which assaulteth must of necessity also be defended his excuse was not accepted of chiefly since as it was said he who held so great a State in Fee from the King ought not to stand so precisely upon the words of his obligation It was therefore agreed that 2000 Foot should effectually be sent which should serve to defend the State and not to offend the Duke and some supplies of money were sent the Genueses case was otherwise who not being requiâ—…ed to administer relief out of any obligation but only by way of fiendship and correspondency and for the great Interest which they had in the Crown of Spain excused themselves upon the necessity they had to guard their Confines towards Piedmont and to keep the Sea and River open for the passage of the people which came to the State of Millain which Reasons gave satisfaction The Duke was not this mean while idle for being much incouraged by the past successes and having after he saw the Governour once more gone out of Piedmont quartered his men in several parts of the State he was wholly bent upon desending himself and not upon agreement He sollicited the promised assistance of the Transalpine Princes and guessing at what was to come by what was past he grew so confident that as he was wont to say his own person was sufficient for half the Spanish preparations Yet the fear of the future war grew daily greater and was confirmed by the knowledge that though the King had declared it did not become a free Prince to ask pardon of another Prince upon the making of peace and that therefore he never expected any such thing from the Duke yet with an intention of resenting what the Duke had done in his Dominions he had openly refused to accept of the last Capitulation subscribed by the Duke But this fear was much more increased by the retaining a Post who coming from Spain was taken Prisoner as he past in a little Barque from Antibo to Finale and was sent to Turin with the Kings and Councels Letters the which being opened and Printed the Duke caused to be divulged throughout Italy together with other Writings wherein he justified his own actions tending as he said only to the defence of his own State which is so natural for all men to do and to the preservation of peace To obtain the which he added he had not refused any submission which became a free Prince And because the Kings Lettess and those of his Counsel contained bitter complaints of what had happened and sharp reprehensions of the Governours actions and breathing forth nothing but fire and threats charged him with having troubled him with grievous war The Duke taking his rise from their apprehensions fill'd the Papers with grievous Revilings of the Spanish Nation blaming the Spaniards without any respect That under the fair pretence of peace they aimed only at the usurpation of his State and that therefore the King refusing the just Capitulations subscribed by him the Duke did incite all the Princes of Italy against him drawing forth all the usual Garrisons of the Kingdom of Naples and Scicily pardoning the most heinous offendors as if he did proceed with all his Forces and Authority against an enemy to Christendom Nor did the following actions delay the confirmation of the fear of the future war for hardly was the tacite Truce occasioned by the sharpness of the season ceased when Arms were taken up with greater fervor about the end of March 1615. Cordona's Spaniards who were quartered in the Langhe were the first that moved who through intelligence held with those of Roccavrano who were weary of the French Garrison entered the Town by night through a hole made in the walls and slew
a friend to them all insinuating the Popes Brother or Nephew Proposals which he listened very willingly unto as being much inclined to the exaltation of his kindred but they were mightily abhor'd by others particularly by the Venetians who grew as suspicious of the Pope after the Marriage as they were confiding in him before for the constancy which he profess'd in the common Cause To this was added That the Principality of the Valtoline being of it self but weak and lying open towards the State of Millain it would too necessarily depend upon the Spanish Authority and if this were not satisfactory in any other person the Venetians must needs abhor it in the Popes Nephews by reason of the Wives Estate held in Fee which being by the Marriage to fall unto the Lodovisian Family and to be annexed to his person who should be Prince of the Valtoline they were too pregnant proofs of the necessary dependance of that Principality upon the Crown of Spain Neither could the French though they stormed at the Popes alteration any ways resent it the business being by the Covenants of the Depositure reduced from Forces to Treaty wherein the French were to carry themselves cunningly lest they might exasperate the Pope and alienare him the more from their Kings interests The Treaty of Marriage which was near concluding between the Prince of England and the Infanta Maria Sister to the King of Spain did not a little trouble the French and suppress their pretentions which Treaty being one of the most memorable and signal Negotiations of those times and for that it was also of great concernment in the present Occurrences it will not be unnecessary nor will it swerve from our present Narration to give you a short account of it The King of Spain being deeply concern'd in the Bohemian wars did not only send men and monies to the Emperour through the Valtoline before it was deposited but commanded Marquess Spinola his Captain General in Flanders and in the Low-Countries to enter the Palatinate and wage war there in the Emperours name In obedience whereunto Spinola with incredible speed and prosperity possessed almost the whole Palatinate and suppressing the Forces of the numerous Army of the Protestant Princes associated in assistance of the Palatinate who durst not give him Battel forced them at last to forsake the Palatinate upon the Rheine and to receive Law from him By which prosperous success the parts of the Palatinate and of the other Confederates being overcome they were afterwards totally ruined by the Emperours Army and by that of the Catholick League in Germany for these two Armies jointly entering Bohemia and joining Battel with the Palatines Army before Prague they routed it totally and the Palatine having lost his new Kingdom and all hopes of regaining it he fled with his Wife Daughter to the King of England towards Holland that he might go from thence to his Father in Law and obtain favour from him or at least monies to recover his Paternal Estate which was possess'd and confiscated by the Emperour for Rebellion and high Treason The King of England could never be drawn to approve of his Son in Law 's resolution of accepting the Crown offered him by the Bohemians and professing that he could not with a just conscience assist him in that Cause which he thought to be unjust and a pernitious example to all Princes forbore sending aid or succour to him which he did profess at first and with miraculous constancy and faith made good unto the last whereby he deserved very well of the Emperour and of the House of Austria who were so deeply concern'd in those Revolts But afterwards commiserating the exile of his Son in Law Daughter and Grand-children and yet resolving not to assist their afflicted Country by Arms nor by joining with the other Princes of Germany who prepared to repair the Prince Palatine with new forces he thought he should be able to do him better service by Negotiation wherein he had placed no small hopes by marrying his own and only Son to the Infanta of Spain and by his having deserved so well of the House of Austria And unusual means being to be used in unusual enterprises he with a sudden and very secret resolution sent his only Son to the Court of Spain to desire in his own person the Infanta for his Wife thinking that by the Authority of his Sons presence and by his generous shew of honouring that King he should cut off all difficulties and hinderances which might obstruct a business of so high concernment And that the Court of Spain being overcome by so magnanimous a favour should not only consent unto the Marriage but in savour thereunto restore the Palatinate which the Prince intended to demand and hoped to obtain amidst the Festivals and Jollities of the Royal Marriage The Prince of England departing from England privately past with a very small attendance disguised through France and came to Madrid before the knowledge of his departure and of so strange a resolution was arrived there The King and the whole Court being astonished and confused at the arrival of such a Guest knew not whether they were to be glad of the Princes coming in respect of the great Honour they received thereby or to be sorry for it being necessitated to grant him whatsoever he should desire though peradventure they were not thereunto well inclined Yet being received with all the demonstrations of Honour and with the greatest applause that might be he found a first very good correspondency of good will in the King and in the whole Court and already desire to please him in what concern'd the Match and for what concern'd the Palatine such demonstrations were used as he had reason to conceive hopes that he should obtain his whole desire by that voyage As for the Marriage all difficulties giving way to the Authority and presence of the Prince the point of Religion was the only Remora wherein the King of Spain desiring much satisfaction many debates were had about it But at last the English being desirous of a conclusion consented to whatsoever the Spaniards did demand so as the Marriage was held as good as concluded and for such divulged Very rich Presents past between the Prince and his Mistress as an earnest-penny of the future Marriage and many signs of rejoycing and of reciprocal affection and union past between the two Crowns There rested only one scruple on the King of Spains part which delayed the Consummation which growing daily greater became an invincible difficulty and afterwards reverst the whole business and did wholly defeat it For the King of Spain desirous to proceed cautiously in so weighty a business and which was on his side irretractable required security for the performance of what was agreed upon And the King of England offering his Princely Word and Solemn Oath which was all that he could offer or the other could pretend unto the King of Spain was
therein in consideration of the unjustness of the fact or weary of their unfortunate success in the late Wars of Italy it abhorred to have to do in so scandalous a novelty and therefore did at first put on the more just and favourable resolution not only of consenting to Nevers his new succession but to receive him into the protection of the Crown and to be his friend and in conformity to so holy and wise a resolution dispatches were already sent out of the Kings Chancery which not being yet come to Italy the Dukes Letters and the Advertisments of Don Gonzallo and of the other Spanish Agents arrived at the Court whereby they acquainted the King with what intelligence they held in Cassalle whereupon the mind of the Court was soon alter'd and the justice of the Cause being born down by the apparent advantage of the new acquisition and of the assured safety which would thereby redound to the affairs of Italy they resolved to oppose the new Duke with might and main and by open war to keep him from the succession of those States and the charge of this new enterprise together with the absolute Government of the State of Millain which was the thing he aspired unto was given to Don Gonzallo the chief Author and Promotor of so unhappy and unfortunate an advice in the execution whereof though the Emperour had not as yet absolutely consented thereunto Don Gonzallo began to declare war in the Emperours name and for his better preparing of Men and Arms he alledged the Emperours Decree of Advocation for the ground work of the Enterprise and said That whereas the Duke ought to have been put into possession of those States by the Emperour he had actually and of his own Authority intruded thereinto contrary to the said Decree He also gilded over this new Commotion with endeavours for the publick Peace of Italy and for the safety of the Affairs of the Crown of Spain And lastly but rather by way of complaint than of any lawfull occasion of new War he added the Marriage of the Princess Mary concluded without any respect to the Kings Alliance or Authority These were the reasons alledged for this present War which being but little allowed of by the tacit consent of most men and as they rendred the Spanish Forces but little justifiable and Cesar's resolutions not correspondent to the fame and universally conceived opinion of his Piety and Religion so did they on the contrary reconcile through commiseration the general favour to the new Dukes Cause as if being oppress'd meerly for reason of State he had been suffocated only by the covetousness and force of a more powerful Adversary But it being apparently known that the Emperour proceeded herein more as forced by the urgent and importunate instigations of the Spanish Agents than by his own genius and will as it did in part excuse him from mens sinister opinion so did it lay all the odium and blame upon the Spaniards which appearing naked in the Field unassisted by the Imperial Name or Authority which they carried in their foreheads written in golden Letters they did appear to men what they intrinsecally were not bent to favour the rights of any of the pretenders nor to the maintaining of the Cesarean Authority but to the new acquisition of Territories and to the further enlarging the Kings Empire in Italy by the suppressing of that Prince so as the Insurrections of the Valtoline susteined and fomented by the Spaniards had fill'd Italy with jealousies and suspicions and rendred their name odious so their present betaking themselves to the manifest usurpation of a Principality without any the least colourable reason forc'd the Italian Potentates to privide for their private and for the Common safety which if the Spaniards should obtain their ends they foresaw would be much endangered The Duke of Savoy's reconciliation to the King of Spain did accelerate the Enterprise against the new Duke for the Kings Agents to make the business easie to themselves and to lay the way open for the taking of Cassalle which they did so excessively desire and firmly believing the Duke would not stand idle upon such an occasion nor suppress his ancient presences and on the other side the Duke seeing that he could not better advantage himself in the present conjuncture of times then by help from Spain therefore all other respects being laid aside they thought neither of them could do better than to hasten the conclusion of the Agreement which had been treated of long before touching the division of Montferrat by which Trino Alba San Damiano and many other Towns of Montferrat being assigned over to the Duke which being more incorporated with Piedmont was very advantagious for the union of that State the Spaniards were to put themselves into the possession of the rest wherein was comprehended Cassalle Pontestura Montcalvo Nice Acqui Ponzone together with the adjacent Towns which as being annex'd unto and confining upon the Marquesate of Finale and the River of Genoa made much for the accommodation of the Spaniards It was agreed upon by colourable pretence That each of them should prosecute the Enterprise in Cesar 's Name That it should not be lawful for the Duke to fortifie any place he should take and That neither of them should be a hinderance in the possessing of what should fall to them by the Division So the Duke that he might get part since he could not get the whole was content that his Niece the Princess Mary should be quite bereft of the whole and the Spanish Forces which till now withstood the Dukes pretences for their own interest began now to protect him therein The French had long before this endeavoured to disturbe this reconciliation and to this end it was thought that in the Negotiation of Peace between the Duke and the Common-wealth they held the Dukes pretences very high not so much to gratifie him at the Genoeses cost and to mitigate the injury done him by the Peace of Monsone as for that Peace remaining unconcluded by reason of the Dukes high demands the reconciliation should not be effected and not herewithall content that they might keep him to fide still with them they during Duke Vincent's life held Treaties of Alliance between the Cardinal of Savoy and Princess Mary and between her Mother the Dowager Infanta and the Duke of Nevers with some settlements touching the pretensions to Montferrat and Monfieur Sanchiamond being to this end sent Embassadour Extraordinary from the King to Duke Vincenzo after Duke Ferdinando's death by the usual way of condoling and congratulating he as he pass'd through Turin and went afterwards to Mantua treated thereof with them both in the Kings Name But Duke Vincent dying not long after the no sincerity of the Negotiation appeared by the sudden match which was concluded not without satisfaction and joy to the French and to the same Sanchiamond who because he was in Mantua when the Duke dyed
mile off observing their movings The Marquess seeing that he had to do with the Enemy upon the Plain and upon the skirts of the Mountains sent a good Band of men against those that defended the Mountains and with the rest charged the Dukes right wing where the Neapolitans were who assisted by the Piemontese Horse made stout resistance insomuch as the Assailants not being able to stand before them were forced to give back A thousand of them seeing it was impossible for them to force their way waded thorow the River and getting upon a little hill put themselves there in order The others advancing by the skirts of the Mountains assaulted the Dukes men who seeming to give back drew them into an ambush which they had prepared falling wherinto those of the Ambush fell upon them with such violence as being forc'd to retreat they were afterwards put to flight with a great loss of men Those who were sent at first against them on the hill ran a fortune not much unlike to this for the Prince observing the wind which blew full in their face caused some little Cottages to be set on fire the smoak whereof affording him to send men into some ambushes without being discerned the French men light upon them and were severely dealt with and slain and being also struck with stones which were tumbled down from the higher places they began to run The Conflict lasted from morning to night and the Dukes men were so well disposed of and divided as not any one of them stood idle The Fâ—…ench seemed that night as if they would retire but as the effects shewed they resolved to try their fortune once more which the Prince having learnt by one that was run away he presently sent for fresh supplies of men to the Duke which whilst they were expected the greatest part of the French â—…id themselves that night behind certain Trees and the rest upon break of day appeared in a large but very thin and ill-composed Squadron shewing themselves to the Prince to the end that allured by the hopes of Victory he might assault them and so fall into an ambush which they had prepared for him that very night The Prince who expected a re-inforcement stirr'd not so as those who were in the ambush came out and entred into the Squadron seeming as if they would fight with more Forces then they had done the day before but the Prince still keeping in expectation of succour from his Father moved not till finding not long after that the Enemies Squadron was much diminished by the retreating of many of their men he assaulted those that remained who not being able to resist were put to flight and pursued with much slaughter even to the Confines of France whither being come he with held out of observance of the Kings Confines hâ—…ving gotten much baggage and many Arms which the French threw away as they fled After this Victory the Duke and Prince march'd presently towards Pinarolo lest the French being beaten from hence might attempt that pass from whence hearing that they went towards Savoy where Prince Thomaso was the Duke sent most of his men thither but it was superfluous for the French were so confused and dissipated by the discomfiture as hardly any four of them were together in this retreat The Duke won as much reputation by this happy success with the Spaniards as he ever had purchased the contrary before He was publickly acknowledged to be the Kings right hand the bulwark of his Affairs in Italy by this action all offences were cancelled and no reward was equivalent to so great merit the King himself hearing the news said in publick That he would have accounted it a great happiness to have been found with a Pike in his hand by the Duke his Uncles â—…ide And the Conde Duca chief Author of the reconciliation boasted not a little that the King and Court began now to taste the fruit of his counsels and negotiations But the more favour the Dukes merits found in the Court the more jealous were the Genoeses who saw their own declination joyn'd to the exaltation of their Enemy An as the Dukes satisfaction seemed to consist in the Affairs of Genoa and the reward equal to his vast expectation and to his implacable hatred to the Genoeses which every day grew greater in him so such a great conjunction of will and so general a disposition as was found to be in that Court to gratifie him made it be much apprehended that some great mischief would redound thereby to the prejudice of the Common-wealth This suspition was encreased by the Conde Duca his not caring for the Genoeses the affronts given to the Embassadors of that Common-wealth and the rigorous proceedings with others of that Nation the upbraiding of the Conspiracy and of other accidents which had hapned at Genoa which accidents might by the connexion of Affairs redound to the prejudice of Italy did very much perplex the Statists of that Court. To these things wherein the publick Interests were concern'd other sinister demonstrations were added which touched the Fortunes and Interests of private men the rigorous Decrees of the preceding year the difficulty in exacting the Revenues the introducing of other Nations to contract with the King to the shame and exclusion of the Genoeses and the continual extorting of monies from those Genoeses who remained yet in Court enforcing them to contribute great sums of monies for the urgent occasions of the Crown by which accidents the face of that Court being totally changed towards the Genoeses both in publick and in private from what it had used to be they put the Common-wealth into some anxiety of their own safety And these Novelties and Commotions being known in Italy they first filled all the Princes of Italy with admiration and then with suspition what the sequel of so great and unexpected an alteration would prove These suspitions had also an influence upon other Nations which being intent upon all occasions did not pretermit their wonted artifices to make the rent greater to the end that they might thereby reap such advantage as might not conduce a little to the conduct of their Affairs and Interests And amongst others a Spanish Courier being intercepted in the Seas of Provence who was sent to their Officers of Italy the French gave out that they had found very strange Negotiation in those Dispatches which past between that Court and the Duke to the prejudice of the Common-wealth which Dispatchâ—…s being sent from the Court of Paris into Italy to the Duke of Nevers and by him participated to the Pope they were by both of them made known to the Common-wealth to the end that growing apparently to distrust they might ioyn with them in the common Cause which might procure the lessening of the Spanish Affairs and the advancement of the Common Cause of Italy And to this purpose they offer'd with arms thrown abroad to receive them into their protection
business might be put over to the Law and given out writings and published the opinions of Civilians in Print whereby he strove to prove there was no reason why he should be forced to forgo his Dominions without the cause given why and afterward having complained very much why the like commands had not been sent to the Duke of Savoy and to the Governour of Millain who had actually and by violence possess'd themselves of part of his Dominions and still proceeded to possess themselves of the rest they came to the third Summons wherein Cesar declared that if Nevers would put what he possess'd into his hands the Duke of Savoy and the Governour of Millain should do the like with what they had taken of his Nevers seemed to accept of this offer and to this purpose he sent his Son the Duke of Retell to Cesars Court that he might expedite the dispatch of the business by favour of the Empress who was Sister to the three last Dukes of Mantua and did wish well to Nevers his cause to whom she was neerly allied in blood but being come thither he found that Cesar perceiving that neither the Duke nor Spaniards would be brought to make any restitution and it was hard for him to compel them to it had mitigated the Edict and accommodating himself to the times had made a new Proposal by which the Duke of Savoy and the Spaniards were permitted in Cesars name to keep what they had taken and the Duke of Nevers was to possess the City and entire Dukedom of Mantua so as the Dutch who were to be sent by the Emperour into Italy might have the City Castle and Citadel of Casalle assigned over unto them till cause to the contrary was known Retell not being able to get better conditions and not being received nor acknowledged by the Emperour as Prince of Mantua by reason of the Spaniards earnest desire to the contrary lest by such a Declaration his pretentions might not seem to be tacitely granted and the Kings cause in Montferrat might in the eyes of the world seem to be damnified he departed but ill satisfied from that Court and the new Proposals were not accepted of by his Father whose fear of the Emperours Edicts were lessened by the weakness of the Spanish Army and the King of France his prosperous proceedings made him believe more in the favour and forces of that Kingdom then in the Imperial Dâ—…crees or Decisions In these Negotiations and Transactions the year 1628 ended and the King of France having at last compass'd his ends upon Rochel whereinto he entred victorious and triumphing on All Saints day he prepared to pass over the Mountains with gallant Forces to assist the Duke of Nevers for the Hugonots of France having received a great blow by the loss of Rochel and the Affairs of France being almost perfectly setled nothing was heard of in that Kingdom but preparations for Italy which being divided into two Armies the one was to pass through Dolpheny and Syonois to the relief of Montferrat and the King prepared to pass over the Mountains personally therein and the other was to advance by the County of Nizza and by the River of Genoa towards Casalle the Spaniards nor the Duke of Savoy could not believe so strange a resolution they thought it was impossible that the King having his Kingdom yet full of troubles and exhausted of moneys his Army being weary and wasted before Rochel could pass over the Alps in the midst of Winter with great forces and carry over Victuals Artillery and other necessaries for so great an action the Alps being yet loaded with Snow Especially when he should know that he would be opposed by the Duke of Savoy who being joyn'd in Forces and Intelligence with the Spaniards was to resist him strongly at the Passes which he kept well garrison'd and munited hoping therefore that the fame of these great preparations would prove but talk they continued the Siege the scarcity of Victuals increased this their confidence which scarcity being so great an impediment to their Forces who were masters and peaceful possessors of the State of Millain and of Piedmont it would assuredly prove a much greater hindrance to the French if they should come into Italy and have occasion to keep there for a great conduct of Victuals being requisite to feed so great an Army it would be impossible for the French to compass it and consequently the greater their numbers were which should pass the Alps the easilier and the sooner they would be overcome meerly by Famine they therefore thought that this sole consideration should not only retarde but retain the fury of the French Forces at least for this year and that in the mean while the enterprise of Cassalle undisturb'd by any Forreign assistance would be happily effected The Court of Spain confiding in these difficulties did not only not make any necessary preparations for defence but forbore to send the Duke the succours which they had promised for the maintaining of Piedmont and to oppose the French Forces they forbare also to endeavour diversion by the Pirenean Mountains and by Burgony and by secretly fomenting the Rebels in France so to keep that King in work and busied with his home affairs and consequently from medling with those of Forreigners the pretermission of which provisions did not only facilitate the resolution taken by the French but did incite them to it For the King being firm to his resolution valued not any of the difficulties or contrary considerations being confident to overcome them and to make his way by the Sword The fame of the mighty preparations of this Kingdom increasing greater then those of any of the preceding Kings the Spaniards and the Duke began at last to fear not only the success but whatsoever might be the result of so great and so neer an Army The Duke and Governour were likewise much troubled for not having for a long time heard from the Court of Spain for the Spaniards being jealous of France through which the expresses used to pass and the Sea not being open in Winter people could not without much difficulty pass from Spain into Italy and such had the ill fortune been as three several Posts that had been sent from Spain being driven by violent winds upon the Coast of Provence were detain'd and had their Letters intercepted so as the deliberations of Italy depending much upon the results of that Court the Duke and Governour knew not in such a perplexity of business what to do nor was it only the scarcity of moneys and want of advertisment which kept them from making any provision but neither had they time to make new Levies of men for the necessary defence of the State of Millain and for the Provisions for the Army before Cassalle and for the Forces which were towards the Cremonese and which were already much diminished it was therefore thought the best expedient to beat up Drums in the State of
the Arms of France which demand being made when the Army before Casalle was in greater want of men then ever it had been he wish'd they might not be granted him that by that denial he might have a fair pretence to forego friendship with Spain and to abandon the Cause which till then he held in common with that Crown And that when Spinola had punctually satisfied his demand and sent the men contrary to the Dukes expectation he was troubled at their coming which made him not only make them keep upon the Confines but by hard usage endeavoured to make them return back but when he saw his Counsels prevented by the King of France his speed he speedily summoned them in to his defence against the Kings Army which he saw came suddenly upon him and by their help made what defence so short a time and the imminent necessity could permit him to make for though there was no collusion in the conflict at Susa yet the unseasonable demand made by the Spanish Agents the little satisfaction he seemed to receive by their coming the preceding Negotiations and the Conclusion of the subsequent Agreement shew that the Duke was much more inclined to imbrace friendship with France upon new terms then according to the observance of his Ancestors to keep union with the Crown of Spain But it may be said that the then so dangerous condition of Affairs forced the Duke to put on this resolution and it being usual with Princes to make all change lawfull not onely when their State is in danger but where they may better or increase their condition there was not any one that blamed the Dukes Counsels nor his Actions How ever it was the King of France his name was generally exalted to the skies throughout all Italy in several Writings and Composures they said he deservedly merited the title of Just for having assisted an oppress'd Prince the title of powerful for that he had opposed himself in Arms to the oppressors of generous Protector because without any private end or interest nay with such inconveniency to his own affairs with so much trouble and hazard of his own person he could not tolerate the oppression of a Prince who was his friend Some praised the speed of his advancing others the undaunted execution others his miraculous happy success they wonder'd how so many difficulties of the season Alps sterility and opposition yielded to his fortunate Arms and Genius how he had had the courage being tired both himself and Army in hardships undergone before Rochel to pass armed over the Alps in the midst of Winter and to come into Italy to free her from imminent slavery and to assist his Petitioner in his greatest extremity they could not comprehend how at his only presence so many Forces such preparations of Arms and so many Plots against a Client of his Crown should vanish just like a shadow before the Sun some called him the Protector of the oppressed others the avenger of the liberty of Italy and expecting greater proceedings from such a beginning they promised unto themselves great alterations almost all the Princes of Italy sent Embassadours to him partly to congratulate his so happy success and to thank him for having freed them from the imminent slavery they apprehended if Casalle should be taken partly to purchase his favour in case as it was much feared he had any further intentions then the freeing of Cassalle and that he might not prejudice their Dominions some and particularly the Venetians to incite him as it was said to advance further with his Arms offering to joyn their Forces and Intelligence with him against the Spaniards with whom they were very ill satisfied in what concerned the Valtoline and this new commotion against Montferrat but the King did soon free all men from such suspitions and by his sudden and unexpected resolution broke off the thred of his so prosperous Fortune for on the last of April he return'd into France leaving the Cardinal and chief Officers of the Court in Susa not tarrying till the business of Montferrat should be ratified from Spain but leaving the things unconcluded and unperfect for which he had with so great fervour and preparation entred Italy The Cardinal and the rest soon followed after the King leaving Marshal Cricky in Susa supream Governour of the affairs of Italy with 6000 Foot and 500 Horse The occasion of this so sudden and so unexpected departure was variously interpreted some allotting it to the Kings vivacity of spirit some to his moderation as if content with having freed his Friend with having secured peace to Italy and to so many Princes who apprehended the contrary he had with a Prince-like magnanimity let the world see not only how just his thoughts were but how moderate and content upon such an occasion and so great an opportunity of affairs and how far he was from dreaming of novelties or of disturbing the publick peace but these specious pretences not being able to prevail with those who could have desired more constancy and resolution in the King and much less with those who desirous of novelty had conceived great hopes by the Kings coming the French gave out that the Duke of Roan head of the Hugonots in France seeing his party ruined by the loss of Rochel and that he could not get ready help to sustain himself from Spain whither he had dispatch'd Messengers of purpose by reason of the great scarcity of moneys began to cry Peccavi and would render obedience to the King which because it was likely to put a final end to the troubles of France was of so great moment to the Kings affairs as that all other enterprises set aside it forced him to return to secure them which though by the soon ensuing accidents appeared might be true yet not being then believed it was not sufficient to maintain the reputation of the French Forces which being but a little before formidable to Italy by reason of so prosperous success began after the Kings departure to decline and the rather for that it was soon known that it was a new tumult of the Hugonots who had fortified themselves in the Mountains of Auvergnia and not Roans surrender which had forced the King to return thither to suppress them This the Kings so sudden departure afforded also occasion of belief and this was afterwards judged to be the truest cause that the King was come into Italy with far smaller Forces then fame gave out which not being fit for new enterprises he had done more wisely to content himself with the glory which he had won then to hazard the loss thereof by falling upon new enterprises But be it what it would that occasioned the Kings departure it sufficiently lessened the reputation of the Kings Forces and on the contrary the Spaniards who seemed to be totally quel'd began out of these respects and other favourable accidents to hold up their heads The Duke of Savoy though he appeared
the Sacred Empire which they publickly said were broken and violated as well in this as in many other things they tacitely reproved him for having by the Cesarean Arms and Authority assisted the rather violent then just ends of the Spanish Agents against a Vassal who was ready to acknowledge that he held those States from Cesar and did with all submission desire to be invested thereinto they exaggerated the strange consequences which would result to Germany from these commotions for the King of France and Prince of Italy being desirous for their own safety sake to maintain those States and that Duke though they could not directly oppose the Cesarean and Spanish Forces in his defence did notwithstanding hold intelligence together and did assist the German Princes underhand who were desirous of novelties that they might alienate themselves from the Emperour and incite the people against him and that they did also administer aid to the King of Swedland to the end that the Emperours Forces being held play in Germany might not foment the Spaniards in Italy they persisted the more confidently in these their complaints for that they saw the Emperour unarmed and themselves favoured and set on by the King of France with whom they held strict and secret Intelligence That King had sent Monsieur Leon Embassadour to the Diet to justifie in appearance his assisting a Vassal of the Sacred Empire against the Spaniards who under the colour of the Sacred Empire strove to oppress him and to possess themselves of his Dominions to make way for the Monarchy of Italy which they so much coveted but in effect to sollicite the Electors and Princes of Germany who were ill satisfied with the present condition of affairs and to encourage them to joyn in beating down the Austrian greatness and to favour the Duke of Nevers his cause which the Pope did also favour who was veâ—…y desirous to keep those States in the House of Gonsaga to the end that by excluding the Spaniards from thence Italy might not hazard the loss of Liberty but he chiefly favoured the emulation which all the German Princes bore to the Spaniards by reason of the excessive authority which the King of Spains Agents arrogaâ—…ed unto them selves in Cesar's Court wherein pretending to be above all they seemed as if they would govern the affairs of Germany as they listed and the Emperour as well for his conjunction in interest as for his necessity of being supplied with moneys was forc'd to adhere unto them which the Germans not being able to tolerate they did oppose their ends and interests so as under colour of the justice of Nevers his cause and of preserving the rights of the German Empire they cross'd the Emperor in this very cause and would maintain it against the Spanish Agents who endeavoured to suffocate it by power in Cesars Court as they did to oppress it by Arms in Italy wherefore they reiterated their former Protestations not to joyn in the defence of the war made by the King of Swedland whose actions increasing in fame and reputation began to make men bethink themselves The Duke of Savoy also and Collalto fomented the speedy conclusion of the peace who both of them writ to that Diet and told the Emperour and the Electors that Piedmont could no longer maintain the war whose affairs running manifest ruine the Duke was forced either to succumb to the King of France or to agree with him if either of which should happen all things would necessarily be ruined The Emperour who had no Forces on foot and saw such an aversion in the Electors and in so many other Princes to the wars of Italy being scandalized at the unjust proceedings against Nevers the Emperour being also touched in conscience and desirous of his Sons election for which he had already given way to much greater things easily consented to all their desires many things were therefore treated of many things pretended and neer concluding in favour to the Duke of Nevers and to the great prejudice of the Spanish pretensions Don Carlo Doria Duke of Turcis was then Embassadour in extraordinary from the King of Spain in Ratisbone being sent to that Diet to further the Election of the King of the Romans in the person of the King of Hungary Son to the Emperour married at this time to Mary Sister to the King of Spain but this Election not being to be treated of in this Diet because it was not in imated therein as was necessary by the Laws of the Empire and for that the Electors of Saxony and of Brandenburg disgusted by the Emperour and almost quite alienated from him were neither come thither nor had sent their Proctories thither And after Orders taken in the Diet for the Affairs of Germany and of the Empire the Negotiations were reduced to the Affairs of Italy and particularly to the Duke of Nevers his Cause Doria who saw upon what disadvantagious terms the Peace was treated on for the King of Spain and how far the French prevailed by the help and Intelligence held by the Electors and that the Emperour being forced by the leudness of the Times and of his own Interests could not govern his pretensions as he would have done but was forced to incline towards giving them satisfaction even much to the prejudice of his own Affairs he earnestly desired and obtained it That he not being sent to Treat of Peace in the Kings Name might be permitted to acquaint the King upon what Conditions the Agreement was negotiated before it was concluded Thus having gotten a suspension for two moneths they forbare to conclude what they were already agreed upon Whilst the peace was treated on in Ratisbone it was not abandoned by the Nuntio Panciruâ—…lo in Italy wherein all parties were well inclined unto it the King of France Duke of Savoy and Collalto for the same reasons for which they did sollicite it in Germany and the two last because they liked not the business of Casalle The Duke by reason of the great prejudice which would result to him if it should succeed happily and Collalto out of the emulation he bore to Spinola and his hatred to the Spaniards which respects on the contrary made Spinola very much desire it lest that the bad correspondency with the Duke and Collalto's emulation might ruine it to his great discredit Collalto having appeared so averse unto it as that he would not grant him one bare thousand men though he cashiered them after Mantua was taken and Spinola needed them much before Casalle so as Spinola being inforc'd by so many difficulties and diffidences had promised the Nuntio to quit the enterprise if the French would forego the Dukes Towns which they had taken and would retreat to beyond the Mountains which Agreement being accepted by the King of France would have been effected had not his authority been restrained by new Orders from Spain for Abbot Scaglia who was sent as hath been said by the late Duke
which they aspired to give Laws to all men and to suffocate thâ—… Liberty and Sovereignty of the Princes of Italy and though the double and clandestine dealing between the King and Duke were contrary to the peace of Ratisbone and to the Treaties of Cherasco yet winking at so great a gainsaying they allowed of the Kings justification and on the contrary the Declaration made by the Emperour touching the investment of the Duke of Mantua the day before was judged to be clandestine and yet he who shall justly consider the cause which moved the Emperour to make that Declaration will find that he was not to be blamed for it nor had any and much less the King of France reason to complain of the Articles which were granted before for the Articles of Ratisbone being reciprocal between the Emperour and the King it was clear that the one party observing them when the other did not it was lawful for the observer to withdraw from what he had on his side done but the original fault of the first moving against the Duke of Mantua conveighing sinister influences into all actions which did depend upon that moving did little justifie any action which might any ways prejudice the Dukes interest and the Italians minds being incumbered by fear that the former wars of the Valtoline and then those against Mantua and Montferrat aimed at the inslaving of Italy they allowed no place to any more subtile interpretations or considerations to define what was just and honest since justice and honesty seemed to have taken up the highest seat in the balance which did secure the Liberty of Italy and whatsoever co-operated to lessening the Spanish greatness being held good for the common liberty and safety was esteemed just and honest according to that saying salus populi suprema lex esto for this respect the Duke of Feria's suspition was not thought just who seeing the French brought into Mantua and Casalle and the Grisons parts gartison'd with French pretended that it was against the Article of Peace the events soon shewed that the pretence was not vain since it was seen that those places fell into the hands of the French so as their actions were applauded and the Spaniards suspitions blamed some of the Iâ—…alian Princes joyed to see that the French were became as it were Arbitrators of Italy and little less then masters of Mantua Montferrat and Piedmont and Concha if for no other cause at least for that they thought them by reason and opportunity to be of equal power and authority to the Spaniards and peradventure superiour to them by reason of the adheâ—…ence which those Princes would rather have with him then with the King Spain for they desired to keep the Spanish Forces curb'd by those of France the Spaniards being grown jealous and hateful to them this was the success of the ill advised ill govern'd and worse justifiable Spanish Forces this was the fruit they reaped of their so much stirring to no other end but that they could not tolerate that a Prince who depended upon France should have any possessions in Italy nor were the King of France his Forces less fortunate out of Italy for to boot with the Garrisons put into the Grisons Country whereby they depended no less upon his arbitrement then did the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua he did at the same time assault Lorrain with a powerful Army being offended with that Duke who had received and fomented the Duke of Orleans who as hath been said was fled from the Court and the Duke of Lorrain having no means to defend himself the Emperouâ—… and all Germany being sufficiently molested and a great part of Germany possess'd by the Swedes he was forced to humble himself to the King and to sue for peace which was not granted him without parting with some of his chiefest Towns and being thus received into protection he obliged himself not only to give free passage to the King through Lorrain whensoever he would go with an Army into Germany but to joyn with him in that war and assist him with a certain number of men whilst he went to defend the liberty of the German Princes the ancient Friends and Conâ—…ederates of his Crown wherefore when the King drew neer Germany with his Army the Ecclesiastick Electors and many other German Lords and Princes put themselves under the protection of the Crown of France pretending fear of the Swedish Forces but in effect to have a Protector of their greater liberty to which they aspired against the Austrian authority Much about the time that the Peace of Ratisbone was concluded a League as hath been said was made between the King of France and the King of Swedland in defence of all common Friends and of all the German Princes in their oppressed Liberties and to restore Germany and the Princes thereof to the same condition they were in before the war began in which League the King of France obliged himself to pay 400000 Crowns a year unto the Swede for maintenance of his Army which was as much as to set up a Standard in maintenance of the German Rebellion unto which all male-contents might have recourse nor did the design prove vain for after the famous Victory of the Swede and Duke of Saxony before Lypsick as hath been elsewhere said wherein the Emperours Army and that of the League was discomfited and almost all slain and wherein Tilly was also sorely wounded the Protestant Princes openly adhered unto the Swede and joyn'd with him against the Emperour and those who in respect of the Catholick Religion could not openly adhere unto an Heretick Prince who was manifestly bent to take â—…he Empire from the house of Austria and to overthrow the Catholick Religion and who were unsatisfied with the Austrian Dominion taking pretence from their fearing the Swede had recourse to the King of France by whom being taken into protection they covenanted neutrality between the Swede and the Emperour and to permit the King of France to pass armed through their Territories by means of which protection they were secured from the Swedish Forces and the Emperour who was by this means bereft of the adherence and help of almost all the German Princes and also openly assaulted by the Swede and his adherents and molested under-hand by the King of France was brought to so low a condition as not being well able to withstand so many enemies the affairs of the Empire were in a very sad condition to this was added that the Duke of Bavaria who was head of the Catholick League and the greatest maintainer of the Catholick Religion and who next to the Elector of Saxony was the greatest support of the Empire and of the house of Austria especially after Saxony his revolt was also though very secretly confederated with the King of France which King by Articles of Confederacy was bound to maintain the upper Palatinate and the Electoral Dignity for ever in this Duke and in the
were therein comprehended they resolved to return to the Camp and have it cleared by the General who being interrogated thereupon it is not known whether as being terrified thereat and repenting what he had done he imbraced the occasion which might make for his justification or whether continuing in his first design of bringing the business to that good end for which he profess'd he had moved it he freely answered that the Swedes were to be prosecuted with the common forces and exâ—…irpated as disturbers of the publick peace of Germany and he was so resolute in this point as no reason which could be alledged to the contrary being able to alter his determination and Arnheim and his companions consenting by no means that the Swedes should be driven out the Capitulations were cancel'd and the Treaty of Agreement was at the same time almost concluded and broken yet the Capitulation was so detestable as all men were generally much scandalized with it the rather for that Wallestein strove not to regain his credit afterwards by contrary actions nor to cancel the sinister opinions which he had thereby purchased but as if he scorned the vulgar opinion giving them new colours he did consolidate them more and more till in time they proved pernicious to him The Capitulations being broken Wallestein sent part of his Forces to assault Saxony which made the Duke thereof recall his men from Slesia to defend himself Arnheim immediately after he had received his Princes Orders marched with his Army towards Saxony leaving a Garrison in Slesia under the old Count de Toure a chief Lord of Bohemia whose authority was so great in the Diets of that Kingdom as the Palatine acknowledged his promotion to that Crown from thence which made the Count be declared a Rebell by the Emperour Arnheim also left Colonel Tubal one of the chieâ—…est of the Swedish Commanders to accompany the Count. Wallestein kept behind Arnheim having also left as many men in Slesia as Arnheim had done but when he saw Arnheim so far advanced as he could not return to succour the Count in Slesia he faced about and returning speedily to Slesia he came thither just then when his men were ready to fight the enemy and he did so surround the enemy as he took the Count and Colonel Prisoners and gave life and liberty to all the other Souldiers and Officers upon condition that they would march into the Emperours quarters and joyn themselves to the Cesarean Army but the Colonel finding a means quickly how to escape made men suspect that Wallestein had underhand given him his liberty as he had openly given him his life The Count having bargained for his own liberty delivered up the Towns in Slesia which were yet in his power and those of least consequence being delivered up the Duâ—…mo di 〈◊〉 which was the chiefest and which commanded all the Province and which by agreement was to be delivered up held out so as the Counts presence being requisite for the surrender thereof he was set at liberty upon condition that he should return prisoner if the Duâ—…mo were not effectually delivered up which not being done and the Count not returning Fritland was still more blamed of collusion with both the prisoners and much more for that having sent so many of the enemies to the Emperours Army he was thought to have done it for that owing their lives to him they should upon all occasions depend upon him yet professing himself abused by the Count and breathing out nothing but revenge he went with his Army to Turingia and Lusatâ—… Provinces which belonged to the Emperour but were in the Duke of Saxony his possession and prosecuting his former designs he seemed resolved to make that Duke and the Marquess of Brandenberg make peace with the Emperour he therefore made much progress there took many Towns amongst others Franckfort upon the Odâ—…r and Lansperg in Marca di Brandenberg both of them great Cities and of much consequence whereby he made way for passing further into the march in the Country of Brandenberg and in Pomerania in which case if he should come to the Coasts of the Baltick Sea he would keep as he threatned to do the Swedes from being relieved from that Kingdom and from returning thereinto these threats accompanied by the multitude of his Forces and by his happy success did so terrifie those Electors as finding themselves unable to make resistance they press'd very eagerly for relief from the Confederates protesting that that if they were abandoned they must be forc'd to abandon the Common Cause and joyn with the Emperour Oxenstern and the other Heads of the League were divided in their judgements not knowing whether they were to abandon or to relieve those Princes for by abandoning them to boot with the great errour they should commit therein and to boot with the loss of reputation they foresaw the manifest ruine of their party and union On the contrary if they should relieve them they must quit all upper Germany to the Emperour so full of Cities and Towns upon the Rheine and the Danow which so much to their praise and encrease of Dominion they had won and from whence they got infinite contributions of Moneys Men Victuals and Munition which Towns and Territories being abandoned were necessarily to fall into the Emperours power if they should go to relieve Saxony and they should thereby infinitely weaken themselves and strengthen the Emperour so amidst these streights they pitch'd their thoughts upon Bavaria which A'dringer being gone into Alsatia was bereft of all defence and they held it their absolute best course to fall upon it with all the Forces they could assemble taking it for granted that when they should have won that Dukedom the way would be open for them to enter Austria and to come even to Vienna they were confident that by this noble and generous diversion without loss of honour or of any thing they had gotten nay by making yet much greater acquisitions they might bring that relief to the Electors which they could not do if they should go directly to their relief with all their Forces without manifest loss of honour and what they had gotten for the Emperour being assaulted in the midst of his Empire would be forced to recall his Army from offending the Electors to defend himself so as Fritlands cunning would be deluded and his counsels countermined wherewith he had fancied unto himself to destroy their League The success out-did the expectation of so noble and generous a resolution for Duke Weymer being deputed to execute it he with 50 Cornets of Horse and 15000 Foot took both sides of the Danow and coasting along came to Ratisbone where sitting down at unawares he after several batteries forc'd it to surrender within 12 days having gotten it he advanced and took Straubingen and dechendorfe great Towns upon the Rheine and with such gallant acquisitions advanc'd towards Austria so as the Court of Vienna was in
examples did the Prince Cardinal goe about to justifie his and his Brothers cause and both of them thinking that they might ground their pretentions best in the Court of Spain they laboured there and with the Spanish Agents in Italy to get their cause to be embraced by them and powerfully assisted by their Forces wishing them also to consider how much danger would redound not only to their Kings Reputation but to his Affairs and Dominions that the supream arbitrement of Piedmont should depend upon the pleasure of the King of France by his Sisters means which King making himself master afterwards of the chief Towns confining upon the State of Millain the Crown of Spain might get a new and a powerful neighbour that it became not his Majesty to suffer that he and his Brother should be so persecuted for the name sake only of having adhered to him then he strove to perswade theâ—… that the business would be easie by reason of the peoples inclination who desired beyond comparison rather to be govern'd by their natural Princes then by a forreign Lady who was suspected by reason of her greatly enforced and necessary dependancy upon the King her Brother upon whom being of necessity to relie a blind man might easily see the ruine of the house of Savoy and the danger of having the people recommended to their protection subjected to a forreign yoke and that therefore it was most certain that when the people of Piedmont should see their Princes accompanied by any considerable strength they would unanimously abandon the Dowager and adhere to them but these reasons could not prevail with other Princes who were concern'd at a further distance with the concernments of Piedmont and much less with the Spanish Court and Agents whom it concerned more neerly were it either that they were weary of seeing the war renewed in Lombardy or that fearing according to the ancient Spanish maximes that to wrastle in Piedmont would undoubtedly draw on war from France in the State of Millain they desired rather to enjoy the present advantage then hastily to provoke trouble they therefore held it better not to disquiet the present peace though it were doubtful then to enter into new wars which might be long and costly and of uncertain event thus thinking it suited better with the common interest not to innovate then to maintain the Princes presentions by Forces they proceeded cooly and reservedly with them and seemed more inclined to disswade them from pursuing so dangerous a business then to adhere unto them therein whereby to make the Dowager jealous they found yet the Princes of Italy lesser inclined to them who being desired by the Cardinal that together with their so just cause they would embrace the common concernment of Italy which did so much depend upon the good or bad success of Piedmont none of them would so much as appear to favour their pretences The Dowagers affairs seemed therefore to proceed successfully on this side if fortune had not pleased to put a spoke into her wheel here the Dowager could â—…ave desired no greater safety to her self nor to her Sons Principality and the Princes though exiled might have shared in the happiness as was thought by those who saw best into business but the heavens had destined it otherwise for the King of France who was more obliged then the Mother her self by reason of the protection he profess'd to take of the young Duke to preserve the peace of Piedmont which was so necessary for the present affairs of his Sister and Nephew became the chief instrument of disturbing it to the great admiration of all those who considering the inconstancy and vieiffitude of humane affairs wonder'd that the Spaniards who had great reason to oppose the Dowager should willingly offer her peace and that the King of France should purposely disturb it This King was with miraculous fortune and valour got rid of the wars and troubles whereinto the Austrian Forces had brought his Kingdom as hath been said before wherefore he prepared to revenge himself by falling upon the Emperour and King of Spains Territories with as much fervour as they had done upon his to this end he had disburst moneys to the Hollanders and to Duke Weymer to the end that these passing back over the Rhein might enter Germany with the men which he had furnish'd them withall and re-enforcing the Swedish weakned party might renew war with the Emperour and these having at last recovered Schincks Sconce and making ready a powerful Army which they joyned with another Army that he had raised in his Kingdom and entring Flanders might assault those Provinces which were under the King of Spain and embroil them as formerly they had done but the Swedes and Hollanders covenanted with the King that he should assault the State of Millain with a powerful Army at the same time that they should fall upon Germany and Flanders to the end that the Austrian power being assaulted on several parts might be the more easily subdued and that the King of Spain being molested in Italy might not assist the Austrians in those parts he therefore substituted the Cardinal of la Vallette in lieu of deceased Cricky in the command of his Forces in Piedmont and assigned him men and moneys wherewith to renew the war in the State of Millain which could not be done without the consent of the Dowager of Savoy the French Armies being to pass through her State before they could enter the State of Millain she was therefore desired by the King not only to renew the League which was made with her husband and which was then expiring but that she would joyn her Forces in Piedmont with his and resolve to make war upon the State of Millain The Dowager being no less affrighted then surprized with this demand by which all her designs were overthrown said and did all she could to evade it First she represented unto his Majesty how much better peace would be for her and her Son in those his tender years then war how much the present times did differ from those when her Husband lived wherefore she was to govern her self by other Counsels that for the present the safety of her Sons States consisted chiefly in peace and the ruine thereof in war she therefore desired him not to put her upon so dangerous a point that it better became the protection which â—…s Majesty profess'd to preserve peace in Piedmont and to keep 〈◊〉 â—…om the revolutions and combustions of war then to put it to the hazard of dangerous events by fomenting war made by his Majesty elsewhere that the intreaties of his Widow Sister and the innocence of his little Nephew ought to prevail more with his Majesty then the fierce cruelty of the Swedes and Hollanders or the ambitious and unquiet advice of his Counsellors who pretend to vent their rage against the house of Austrâ—…a at the cost of Piedmont that his Majesty ought not to subscribe to
draw the other over to the French party laboured the contrary verymuch at the same timâ—… the Governour of Millain it sent for into Spain and is succeeded in that Government by Count Siruela the French go to Montcalvo take the Town as their first arrival and afterwards the Castle which yields without expecting succour THough the Princes saw their cause brought to an advantagious condition through the assistance of the Spanish Forces and by the Popular favour and that they had the better of the Dowager who had not as yet been assisted by the French answerably to her need yet finding it very hard to recover the chief Towns of Piedmont some of which were fallen into the French-mens hands some into the Spaniards and the Citadel of Turin which was the head and foundation of the State at the present posses'd by the French which if it should be recovered was likely to fall contrary to their will into the hands of the Spaniards they did inwardly resent it and began at last to find that by experience which before these commotions it was impossible for them to comprehend by Reason that they were not likely to be concern'd in the good of any victories they had got or hoped to get and that by overcoming they overcame not for themselves nor for the Duke their Nephew whose protection they pretended but that they submitted themselves the Duke and the Principality of their family to the disposal of others they might also conceive how little reason they had to rely upon the Spanish Forces which were managed with ends differing from theirs and aimed at things much more differing especially if that were true which the Prince complained of so bitterly that the Governour of Millain had abandoned him in the dangerous conflict which he had at the Bridge Dellarotta they also seemed to have reason not onely not to confide in but to abhor the favour of the Spaniards which looked more after their depression then their exaltation as they might find moreover by the Truce concluded so unseasonably and contrary to all expectation before Turin and much more by their pretending to put a Spanish Garrison into the Citadel of Turine these things did certainly cause much greater Commotion in the Dowager who was powerfully assaulted by her enemies weakly protected and defended by her friends bâ—…reft at the same time by both of them of her chiefest Towns and even of the City and Citadel of Turin besides forced by the Cardinal of Richelieu to yield to unreasonable conditions or else to be fiercely prosecuted by his bitter malice all wise men thought therefore that the frequent Negotiations which pass'd all Winter long between the Dowager and the Princes would have produced the desired and so necessary agreement but they were deceived The Princes were at the present in much Authority and Grandezza and were with no expence to themselves brought by the Spanish Forces almost to what they desired The Prince Cardinal was possess'd of the City Fort and almost of the whole County of Nice of Cunco Mondovi of the Marquisate of Ceva and almost of all Piedmont from Carmagnuola to the Sea Prince Thomaso had the City and County of Asti Trino together with the Canevese the Valleys and Cities of Inurea Biela and Aosta and the City of Turin They executed all Jurisdiction in all these places they chose all Officers and Governours they received all usual Revenues and imposed Taxes the people did not only freely follow them but readily obey'd them they had moneys from Spain to maintain the present Wars and their Courts and what was most considerable in these ruptures they were much sought to by the King of France by whom before this War they were not only kept from the Guardianship and Regency but banished out of Piedmont as publick Enemies Wherefore considering their former condition their present State and what they were to be if abandoning such noble acquisitions they should submit to the Dowagers Regency it was impossible that they should forsake their present fortune to receive afterwards as a great favour from the Dowager their Childrens Portions which were so short of the splendour they lived in now Neither did their ends and hopes cease here for believing that the Governour of Millain would undoubtedly put them the next Spring in possession of the Citadel of Turin they thought they should have atchieved their utmost pretences and be become absolute Arbitrators of all things and that they should be in a condition not only of not receiving Laws from the Dowager but of doing what they listed in Piedmont Neither did these their hopes appear to be idle for besides that they might hope well by what was past they saw the French were very thin in Piedmont and that they had but small or no hopes to be recruited from France On the contrary the Spanish Forces in Italy by what recruits were already come and by what was expected the next Spring were very powerful so as not being likely to meet with any that would withstand them they promised themselves assured Victory And no comparison being to be made between what they were offered either by France or the Dowager and what they at the present enjoy'd and might promise themselves for the future from the peoples favour and the assistance of Spain they could not parallel the slender hopes of what was to come with their present advantagious condition so as they could not listen to any accomodation and if they did it was but to feed the people with vain hopes to sell their conjunction the dearer to the Spaniards and for other particular ends of their own On the other side the Dowager though it might be thought that her unhappy present condition might make her accept of any thing yet finally she could not allow but of what stood with the joynt safety and dignity of her self and Son Several Proposals and Articles pass'd between them all the Winter by which the Princes questioning her lawful Authority they aimed at bringing all to a Triumvirate consisting of her and of themselves to the Arbitriment whereof all things should be referred a specious Proposition in appearance but which finally comprehended nothing but the absolute exclusion of the Dowager from all Sovereignty and Grandezza and the bereaving her of all Liberty for the Princes being sure to joyn in any whatsoever resolution she must necessarily be excluded from all choice and must submit to their joynt opinion What would her Authority be then in this Triumvirate What would her Guardianship and Regency be How could she secure her self of her own and her Sons Affairs Was not this to put her self the State and her Son into the absolute discretion of the Princes between whom and her there were so many differences and diffidences It was better for her assuredly to be at her Brothers will and to run any fortune together with him then to joyn with her Brethren in Law who were her Rivals and so bitter Competitors
value his Brothers interest as highly as his Brother had formerly done his he began to proceed but cooly in signing those very Articles of Agreement which he himself had sent to the Dowager excusing himself that he had sent them to let her see how well he was inclined to her and that he would use all means possible to bring his Brother to be included theâ—…ein but that it became him not to divide the family further whilst the uniting of it was in treaty Thus he sent the Articles to Turin where they were reformed by the Prince and much altered in the most essential parts for being desirous to have a share in the Government the Prince inclined to the Triumvirate wherein he being to make one he was to have his share in the administration of the weightiest affairs whereunto the Dowager would not consent for the aforesaid reasons and yet being desirous to preserve the Dominions which he saw would be manifestly ruin'd by these dissentions she who was always a well-wisher to peace and quiet strove to keep the treaty on foot which being handled with much patience and accuratenesse would by her sollicitous endeavours have been brought to perfection had it not been sometimes interrupted sometimes prolonged by the Princes delays who were not yet well resolved what to do The occasion of the delays and demurs made by the Princes was attibuted by some to their constancy to the Austrian party by whose favour and forces being so far advanced they thought they could not in honour abandon them as they must have done if they should condescend to the Dowagers desires others said it was because the Princes could not give over their aforesaid advantages nor their yet greater hopes if they should prosecute the common cause by Arms which and by what means it hapned it will not be far from our purpose to touch upon briefly The Princes kept the Treaty still on foot with the French and by their means with the Dowager and Prince Thomaso did publickly admit of Monsieur d' Argenson one in great authority with the King of France who was often busie about him beating the iron whilst it was hot that he might bring the Prince to end the business The Governour of Millain and the other Spanish Agents did resent this and many thought that this which seemed to be a wavering from the Spanish party would at last break out into an open alienation But the Princes who did not much confide in the Spanish Forces and Counsels did not resolve by abandoning the Treaties with France to deprive themselves of the favour and assistance which they had thereby for they making their accounts also found that the same continuation was not onely a great cause of keeping the people faithfully devoted to them and their party but served to shew their greatness which certainly was the more conspicuons and resplendent whilst the world might plainly see that at the same time that they were effectually protected and upheld by the Crown of Spain they were sued unto and entreated and had large offers made them by France which they waged War against to adhere unto the Crown of France and which was yet of greater importance the continuance of the said negotiations did not onely serve as a curb to the excessive power of those Arms which protected them to keep them within their due limits but as a preservative against any machination which might peradventure be plotted against them and Piedmont by the Spaniards and finally the fear of losing them made the Governour of Millain much more willing to give them all possible satisfaction The Princes therefore being neither able nor having reason to neglect such advantages they excused the continuing of the Treaty with the French by the necessity they were in of keeping the people constant to them by these feigned demonstrations by the hopes which they conceived of an approaching peace and of the sorrows of a not far off War and to assure him the more fully of their firm intention of persevering constant to the common cause they used to communicate freely unto him all that pass'd between them and the French and telling him that they could ground no certainty thereupon they strove to make him believe it was impossible it should be ever effected and thus they endeavoured to quit all jealousies and to make the Governour of Millain bâ—…ar with their French negotiations but their freedom in communicating their occasions to him did rather irritate then appease the Governour For he thought that the exact notice which they gave him of what great offers were made him was a secret threatning of him that they would embrace them if at any time they should not be satisfied in their pretentions which partly concern'd their private interests partly the publick concernments the private consisted in what hath already been said that Prince Thomaso might have an Army given him which might wholly and integrally depend upon himself which he might manage as he lifted upon all occasions and that monies might be assigned to both of them for maintaining their Courts and that neither of them should have any dependency upon the Governour the publick aimed at being absolute Arbitrators of the Regency of the States As for the first though Prince Thomaso by denying the ratification which hath been formerly spoken of did himself hinder the resolution therein yet the Governour being desirous to satisfie him took order for providing him speedily with monyes and was fully bent to consolidate him in that regency wherein at the present he had put him and to advance it But the Prince not thinking all this sufficient and thinking it unworthy of his own greatness to keep in the Kings Army without command several distastes did many times arise by the which the Prince appearing to be daily less satisfied with his present condition the Governour did not onely desire to satisfie him in his own particular concernments but added a great willingness to content them in their publick pretentions so to keep them from foregoing the King of Spain's party To this purpose he added his yet more powerful endeavours to those great ones which were used by the Princes for finding that all the Princes ends aimed at the taking of the Oitadel of Turin he held them in hopes that that should be the first thing that he would take in hand the next Spring by which hopes being sed and dazled they could not listen to the Dowagers proposals nor to those of France neither of them being able to make them any such offers So these reciprocal hopes and jealousies continuing between them all that Winter when the next Spring of the year 1640. began the Princes seeing the Governour busie in drawing the Army into the field they quit their pretentions of having men and monies assigned them as inferiour to their conceived greatness and minding this which was the publick and greatest importance they began to sollicite the Governour to make good his promised
the Governour on the out side or ready to be assaulted and being gotten to Pioppi he took a Farm-house and a neighbouring Chappel which environed the Fort which was assaulted on the out side and though he saw the souldiers very desirous to fall upon the same Fort on the inside yet he held it better to restrain their forwardness till he might see the succourers Ensigns â—…dvanced in that Fort for the Governour at the same time that Gatta assaulted the Trenches was gone from his quarters to Montcalleri and went to assault Valentino but not with any intention of adventuring the rest of his Forces theâ—…e his chief end was to entertain the Enemy in desending that part so as they might not oppose Gatta who when he should have broken into the line of circumvolution was to joyn with the Prince and fall joyntly on the Trenches on the inside and assist the assault from without to the end that the Trench being thrown down both within and without they might raise the Siege and ruine the besiegers The eight Cannons on the Hill beyond the Poe had from the break of the day plaid uncessantly upon the Parapets of the Trenches about Valentino which were to be assaulted and having broken down a Bulwark which was neer the banks of Poe towards which the Governour sent Don Lewis di Lincastro with his Brigade and with many Ladders Bridges and little Huts after whom he also sent the other Camp-master Don Iovan Artiaga with his Brigade and with some of Prince Borso's and Don Pignatello's Brigades against a Fort which flank'd the way from Montcalleri and which was the same upon which the Prince expected to see the victorious Ensigns set but these and the rest being somewhat at a loss they occasioned some confusion yet they went on to an assault but though the assault were twice re-inforced they could do no good upon it but were at last forced to retreat wherefore the Governour finding that the aids from within were not answerable to his Forces without began to apprehend Gatta's success since he could not hear that he was entred so as night drawing on and having lost 500 Foot in that assault and six Captains he caused a retreat to be beaten and gave over the enterprise a more unfortunate or disastrous succour then this hath not been read of for it ended very unfortunately not only for that Gatta had no ways aided the Governour in his assault nor for that he had not guarded not kept open the breach he had made and whereby he entred but for that having carried neither powder nor victuals with him it served to no purpose for without these those that were entred were neither able to force the Enemies quarters nor to defend the City so as their entrance did but little good nay rather harm since they were to be sed by the Cities Victuals those who entred being as it were so many imprisoned Sampsons imployed in nothing but in turning about Hand-mills to supply themselves with Victuals and the City with Grift nor did the mischief cease here for the Governours Army being deprived of so noble a part of his men who being broken into the Trenches were there shut up was rendred unable for bringing any more succour and on the contrary the French Army was hereby freed from all danger it languished before for hunger and was only sed with slender hopes whether the succour which was expected from France would force its way or no through the Pass and opposition which was made at Collegno where their fear was certainly greater then their hopes but Gatta's assault removed all difficulties for that he might give it he had left but a small Garrison in Collegno and the Gates almost open so as the French succour made use of the occasion and almost beyond all expectation came the next day after Gatta's entrance to the Enemies Camp and having recruited it with Victuals and Men did in an instant free it from the misery it was in being almost ready to ask mercy of the Enemy or to retreat as it did at Cheri and made it frollick and couragious and of being almost conquered it became Conqueror and having no cause to fear the Spanish Army it became doubly formidable as well by the encrease of its own Forces as by the weakning of the Spanish Army The Scene of affairs being thus strangely altered new and more fervent rancours and reciprocal complaints arose between the Prince and the Governour and between their Souldiers and Captains each of them laying the fault of this disaster upon other The Governour that he was too much importuned to this action by the Prince and said that if he had continued a few days longer in his own course he had assuredly gotten a famous Victory without effusion of blood he also complained that the Prince had not assisted from within the assault which he gave without which was the occasion of all the misfortune on the contrary the Prince exclaimed horribly upon the Governour for that he had not sent him any Horse by Vanchiglia that he came not really and with all his Forces to assault the Trenches that he had altered the time appointed without giving him any notice and he also complained of some lesser failings which he said did concur to the misfortune of the success It would be too tedious to relate the bitter accusations which they laid one upon another or rather the redargutions which past between the fautorers of them both to insist upon which too accurately belongs not to the Office of a good Writer The Governour seeing this unfortunate success and the loss of those men who were entred the City without Ammunition bit his fingers ends for madness was grieved at the very heart and blamed himself for having suffered himself to be removed from his first resolution and considering that the mischief would be yet greater and irrecoverable unless he could find some means to send Ammunition of War into the City he cast about how he might do it and having long thought upon the business he could not light upon a better way then to convey it over by the Ford of the Poe called Margerita over against Vanchillia he therefore sent some loads underneath the Hill which coming into the Valley which answers upon that Foord they came to the River but the Governour having made signs to the Prince by some fires that he should send Horse to the River to receive them for all commerce between the besieged and the Spanish Camp was so block'd up as they could not converse but by such signs that now hapned which doth often times fall out that the signs not being understood but very little good was got thereby so as none appearing from the City at the Foord the Carriages returned back by the same way that they went And on the other side fearing what might ensue if no help were found out against this default got together as much Salt-peter and Sulphur as he
could whereby he provided though but in a scant measure for the necessary and daily defence But the Governours Forces being so dis-joyned as they could not be of any help one to another and finding that the Enemies Forces were not only refresh'd but recruited he began to bethink himself rather how to secure those men which he yet had then how to relieve the City or how to recover his losses so as giving over his first design of famishing or besieging the French Camp nay doubting the safety of his abode at Montcalleri he would provide himself of a more secure quarter Repassing therefore back again over the Poe over the which he had passed a little before with such glory and honour he went to his first quarters upon the Hills where he thought he might keep more safe from being assaulted where he might better defend himself and watch any occasion which should be offered of relieving the City which Harcourt perceiving he took a course that fearing less to be assauted on the other side beyond the Poe he might draw many of his Forces closer togeâ—…her and joyn'd them almost all in defence of the bridge and Capuchins Forts where he made new Forts and new Trenches that he might the better resist any attempt that the Enemy might make upon those confining parts Nor herewithal content having by experience known how easily the Enemy had made way to relieve the City what danger his Army had incurr'd by Gatta's entrance he strove to prevent the like disasters for the future He therefore began a second line of circumvolution which was two thirds lesser in compass then the former which though it needed a lesser number of Souldiers to deâ—…end it yet he drew a good part of the Garrison out of the Citadel to guard this second line which beginning from the furthermost angle of the Citadel struck strait toward la Dora and crossing the Dora ex ended it self a little further and then falling towards the Poe enclosed the new Park and then crossing the Dora again drew neer the banks of Poe and running along thereby to Valentino joyned in a crooked line to the Citadel from whence it began The Citizens were much afflicted at this second line whose numbers being encreased both in Men and Horse they were forced to let them partake of that Bread and Forrage which was hardly sufficient for themselves Finding therefore for certain that things could not continue long in this condition they began to think of a remedy Many entreated the Prince to attempt getting out of the City and to get with a good strength of Horse to the Governour and to try whether he could prevail more with him by his presence then by his Letters to do some gallant action for the freeing of the City more then he had yet done They wish'd him also to consider that when his person should be safe come what would come the common Affairs would not be so much damnified as if he should meet with any misfortune in his own person and out of this respect only he was sollicited by Letters from the Governour But the Prince reâ—…used absolutely to do so not being able to abandon his Sisters in the common danger who had followed their Brothers fortune with such constancy nor to forsake that Countrey where he was born a Prince nor those people who to maintain his Cause had put themselves into those troubles And this Proposal being absolutely denied it was resolved that Gatta who whilst he kept idle in the City by reason of the Souldiers and Horse that were entred with him was rather an incumbrance then a help should a tempt forcing the Line with the same Horse that he brought with him at the same place of the Porporata by which he had entred and should go joyn with the Governour whereby the City was to receive a double advantage which should thereby be eased of the great burthen of maintaining so many Horse and the Relievers should be made better able to assist it This motion was presently embraced and put in execution every one thinking that it might be easily effected for the Enemy having drawn almost all his Forces towards the hills had left all the other parts slightly guarded Gatta went out in the dark of night with the Neapolitan and Dutch Horse being guided by some Troops of Croats and one of the Prince Cardinals Troops led on by Count Broglia which carried spades and mattocks to throw down the Trenches and which might levell the way for the rest who kept with Gatta under the Bastion della Consolata expecting News when the way should be levell'd These went out and luckily threw down the first Line and afterwards though with some more difficulty the second but they met with a very great impediment beyond it which was a great ditch newly digg'd behind the Trench whereinto the water of Dora was brought and for their further misfortune the earth of the Trench which was beaten down falling into the Ditch and mingling with the water made it muddy and harder to be pass'd over Wherefore being astonished at this difficulty which they saw was not to be overcome whilst they were thinking what to do they were discover'd by the Enemy and though some of them escaped by wading through the ditch many notwithstanding who attempted the same stuck fast and not being able to recover themselves were taken Prisoners or were stifled in the mud amongst which Captain Lamas was one of the first the greatest part fled towards the City some whereof saved themselves some were slain or taken prisoners by the Enemy Gatta seeing this misfortune gave over his intended voyage and went into the City again which not being any wayes eased by its disgorgement returned to its former streights which the Citizens endeavouring to get out of and finding that the scarcity of Grist which was encreased by the many mouths which were added to the eating thereof was that which would hasten their deaths they attempted to open another channel to the Dora a little below the old and accustomed one which was notwithstanding much hindred by the Enemy The Engineers disputed very much whether the lowness of the Dora would not hinder the design but it proved easie though not without much danger and labour and expence of time for they could not work but by night by reason of the Enemies Musketiers yet in a months space they perfected the work but could bring water only to four Mills which was a great consolation to the City but this comfort lasted not long for the Enemy after having endeavoured by divers Batteries to beat down the Mills which were notwithstanding frustrated by the diligence of the besieged Harcourt made an out-let for the water on the opposite side of the River by which the water was turn'd away and the Mills were left dry it remained that some provision might be found out to furnish the City with Ammunition of War since by the abundance of Hand-Mills
doubly weakned in Lombardy both by the want of those Souldiers which they could not expect neither from Germany nor Spain and by those which they being to send into Spain could not employ them in the Wars of Italy Let us return to the affairs of Piedmont where the Armies being retired to their quarters the cessation of Military actions afforded opportunity to the concluding peace between the Dowager and the Princes which had been often broken before and often reassumed but the occurrences of affairs having taken away many difficulties which had formerly obstructed it both parties grew weary of the War which the Dowager saw grew daily more prejudicial to the people and to the Duke her sons State and the Princes likewise found that their hopes grew daily less the Prince Cardinal who was naturally more inclined to peace and quiet then to the troubles of War desired daily to marry out of the great desire he had of issue whereby he might continue the Principality in case of succession which appeared not to be far of if not by the conceived weakness of his Nephew at least by frailty of humane condition and not knowing any Princess in those times more conducible to his ends then his Niece he desired very much to have her for wife and the Dowager who had formerly promoted the treaty thereof forbare not to allure him to peace and union by this alliance Conio being lost and therewith all that part of Piedmont from whence he received so much revenue and seeing himself confined to within the confines of the County of Nizza he doubted he could not maintain himself long in that State notwithstanding that he was possess'd of the impregnable Fort of Nizza and of those of Villa Franca and S. Sespiro all which were sufficiently provided with Warlike provisions from the Kingdom of Naples and that he might hope they might daily be supplied therewith from thence yet the present Agents being very slow in furnishing him with monies which he wanted more after the loss of Conio then before he began also to fear that he might want provisions when he should need them and which was of more concernment he being to introduce forreigners into them in case they should be assaulted and particularly Spaniards there was such reciprocal distrust between him and the Spanish Agents that he held the Forts to be as good as lost if ever he should be compelled to bring them in wherefore to free himself from the imminent danger that he foresaw both he and his family was in and to obtain his ends which were inclined to peace and marriage he earnestly desired agreement on the other side Prince Thomaso who knew the Genius and inclination of the Prince Cardinal feared lest the marriage might be made whereby he should be excluded from all pretentions which if it should so happen he could have no pretence of taking up Arms against the Dovvager vvhen she should be united to his brother so as he had but small certainty of his present condition and vvas very doubtful of the future Moreover he was ill satisfied with the assistance of Forces which he received from Spain but he was chiefly terrified at the prosperous success of the French and the contrary of the Spaniards who failing in all mens expectation as much as the French bettered did prognosticate the unfortunate fall of those who thought to better themselves by them these auguries and prognostications did so work upon the Prince as the dangers and ruines which were yet far off seemed to him to be present he therefore thought it better to secure his fortune on that side which was uppermost and to get at last free from the slavery and danger which he foresaw he must undergo by adhering to the losers it was also thought that an accident which hapned at this time in France weighed down the balance of the Prince his resolution some Princes of France who were not well pleased with the present Government of that Kingdom and consequently not with Cardinal Richlieu's Authority were gotten into Sedan a very strong Town of the Duke of Bullion's the first whereof was the Count of Soisonsâ—… 〈◊〉 Prince of the blood betwixt whom and the Cardinal there had been 〈◊〉 disgusts this Prince thought to kindle such a fire in France by the 〈◊〉 of other discontented Princes and by the assistance of the Spanâ—… Forces who were to come from Flanders and joyn with him in this enterprize as that thereby the Cardinals authority should undoubtedly bâ—…â—…d in the dust the business which had been long a framing there broke our at last and a battle insued thereupon in open field between the Counts Forces and those of the King those of Sedan had the better of the Kings men in the conflict and by a very famous victory the conspirators were likely to have compassed their ends had not the King and the Cardinals fortune exceeded the Victory by Count Soisoâ—… death who was slain in the battel by a Musket shot which defeated the Colleagues for the rest of the Princes of that faction wanting that â—…eaning-stock and being dismay'd at his loss who was their Chieâ—…n and of the Blood-royal stood no longer to the business but running some one way some another abandon'd the Commâ—… cause and every one endeavoured their own safety 〈◊〉 Soisoâ—… was Brother to Prince Thomaso's wife and leaving no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him the succession fell to his sister wherefore the Prince was thought to be conscious of Soisons conspiracie and that he expected what the event thereof would be and accordingly would dispose of himself in his adherence either to Spain or France and that it had been the Counts perswasions which had prevailed with him to forego the Capitulations made with Mazzarine wherefore when he saw the unfortunateness of the success and that his brother in Law was slain he was forced to take new resolves either because he could build no more upon the conspiracy of Sedan so to joyn with the Spaniards or else for that his half-brothers estate being fallen to his wife he could not forsake so great a Fortune but close with France from whence he continually received great offers nor was the Dowager wanting in promoting the business but making use of what had hapned in France she represented unto the Prince with what opportunity to advantage his interests with that Crown and desired him that he would not injure his wife and Children by refusing it to this was added that the Spanish Agents either for want of mony or by reason of the news that was given out that the Princes who were ready to conclude with France were somewhat slow in disbursing monies fearing that they might not onely be ill imployed but to the Kings prejudice the Princes were therefore forced to agree with the Dowager not being able to maintain the Towns they were possess'd of from being taken either by the French or Spaniards to the irreparable loss of their Family and which was