of Hungarie as it was afterwards knowne made sodaine incursions vpon the very confines of Italy to surprise Porto-nouo a towne vpon the Riuer Lizonza The Hungarians made a stay vpon the Thryestines territorie But the Senate though it certainly knew that the same King made warre still vpon Frederick and that those troupes were expresly sent into Italy to surprize Porto-nouo and Tryeste which Frederick yet held yet because they were not well assured of the Kings intention they forthwith sent certaine troopes of horse which lay in Garrison betwixt Verona and Padua to the Carnons territories But the Hungarians passing quietly through the territorie of Vdina and frustrate of their hope to take the Citie which the Bandetti had assured them of left Italy and returned without any farther attempt The better part of Haruest was alreadie spent when Roberto Sanseuerino who notwithstanding the peace in Lombardie still remained in the Venetians pay earnestly solicited by Letters from Pope Innocent who succeeded Sixtus went without the Senates consent or knowledge who were then at peace by sea and land with his sonnes Fracasso and Galeas and two and thirtie companies of horse first into Faminia and afterwards to Rome in the middest of winter but hee arriued somewhat before his forces for the Pope being pressed by Alphonso hastened his comming The cause of this warre proceeded from the commotions of the Volaterrans and rebellion of certaine Princes who by a sodaine conspiracie reuolted from Ferdinand retiring to Pope Innocent requesting his aide against that King The Pope finding them not onely worthie to be protected by his authoritie but likewise to be freed from all wrong by the forces of the Church of Rome it fell out that Virgino Vrsino who as we haue elsewhere said besides sundry townes which hee possest neere Rome on this side and beyond Tiber had likewise diuers others in the Marshes as farre as the lake Fuscino in the confines of the Realme of Naples remained still loyall to the King At first he resolued as it is reported not wholly to abandon the King nor likewise in any sort to take Armes against the Pope but together with Ferdinand defending the Realmes frontiers following his Ancestors steps to make no attempt neere Rome In this maner he remained as it were neuter amidst these new garboiles of warre when after Sanseuerins arriual by the perswasion as it was thought of some chiefe Commanders of the contrarie faction the Pallace of the Vrsini vpon Mount Iordano which is the name of some part of the Citie was sodainly by the soldiers spoiled and burnt whereat Virginio being incensed did presently declare himselfe together with the other Lords of that familie an enemy to the Pope Alfonso strengthened by this mans power and hauing seized on certaine bridges neere Rome began after Sanseuerines arriuall to waste and spoile all places round about the Citie We onely mention this to acquaint the reader with the cause of the warre betwixt the Pope and King Ferdinand Now while these things were done neere Rome Prince Mocenigo died the seuenth yeere of his Gouernment ¶ MARCO BARBADICO the 73. Duke of Uenice MArco Barbadico a Senator of great wisdome and authoritie was by a generall consent chosen Prince in his stead This man the Common-wealth being quiet at home and abroad repaired the Ducall Pallace begunne a while before with such expedition as in a few moneths whilest he remained Prince all that part thereof towards the East was with stately Architecture almost finished The cold weather nothing abating the furie of the Pestilence it did greatly afflict the Citie Therefore three Senators were appointed who had ample commission to doe whatsoeuer they should finde necessarie to free it from that calamitie These men that they might the sooner take away the cause of the sicknesse in an open place for the purpose caused a great quantitie of infectious apparell which the couetous graue-makers had layed vp together to bee burned in one fire And because great numbers of people did surcharge the Citie they sent a great part of the vulgar to inhabit elswhere At the same time the great Chanell opposite to the great market-place was clensed the which by a decree of Senate though it were of great extent was in all places scoured They sent certaine foote companies according to their vsuall manner into Cyprus for to guard the Island In the meane time warre betwixt the Pope and the Vrsini who as hath beene said shewed themselues openly for Ferdinand brake forth into great flames after the arriuall of Sanseuerines forces For Pontenomentana being recouered which they had taken and Fracasso sonne to old Sanseuerino almost slaine with a bullet the whole burthen of the warre fellon Paulo Vrsino and other of Virginio's kinsmen For Nomentana being taken by force was sackt and ruined Sanseuerino marched towards Monterotonda when Cardinall Baptista Vrsino came to the Pope and assured him that himselfe and friends would be obedient to the holie Sea by meanes whereof there were none other attempts made neere Rome Virginio's troopes of horse did in the meane time waste the Roman territorie till Alphonso's returne from Tuscanie where according to their agreement they receiued a braue cauallery from the Florentines and Milaneses with which they made towards Rome Sanseuerino with farre fewer number went to incounter him neere Flisco there in skirmish the enemie lost certaine horse but this notwithstanding Alphonso presuming on his owne strength did in despight of Sanseuerino make furious incursions vpon the Romanesca The Pope who till then had constantly maintained this great warre though he alreadie before resolued as some say to craue aide from France hauing sent for Renatus Duke of Lorraine to come into Italy against Ferdinand and had likewise by his Nuncio Nicolao Franco elect Bishop of Treuiso requested the Venetians to associate him in that warre yet because supplies from France are accounted farre off and tedious and that the Venetians in respect of their league sworne in Lombardie at the finishing of the Ferrarois warre with Lodouico Sforza Alphonso and the Florentines would not take Armes hauing thereby lost all hope of aide from any other place and fearing to precipitate the State of Rome into greater dangers he did willingly incline to peace which the enemie offered him on honourable termes For though he was a great Protector of the papall dignitie yet he loued peace and quietnesse in concluding whereof he did as much as in him lay procure the wealth and aduancement of the Church of Rome together with that of his friends and confederates Sanseuerino presently after peace was made being casheerd and resoluing to carrie backe his troupes of horse into Lombardie did by letters and expresse messengers craue leaue of the Senate to retire with two thousand horse into some towne belonging to their territories But his demand not granted himselfe destitute of all counsell as a man forsaken hauing no safe place of retreate and Alphonso
animalls they forthwith supposed that there was some secret in them which they would not haue all the world accquainted with Diasorinus was presently apprehended his letters laid before him and beeing loath to confesse any thing hee was put to the tortures which made him to confesse that not only himselfe but diuers others of the cheife of the Island drawne by the goodly promises of Scander and wearied likewise with the Venetian Gouernment vnto whom they would not giue place either for nobility or fot wealth had conspired and determined to receiue the Turkes into the Island wherevpon he with his other complices were put to death Now to returne to the Senates determination concerning the resisting of the Turkish Army they resolued to place strong and sufficient Garrisons in the Castles of Cyprus speedily to send thither the necessary aid and beeing ready to choose a Commander to conduct those forces Eugenio Singlitico Count of Roccas a Gentleman of Ciprus who at the same time beeing Lieftenant Generall of the Army of the firme land did for the most part continew at Venice did freely offer himselfe to aid his Contrey at such a need and to serue his Prince wherevpon hauing a speedy dispatch he imbarked himselfe with a thousand footmen the Senate hauing first made him General of al the Cauallery in the Island Ieronimo Martinenga Captaine of the men at armes did likewise freely make offer â—…o raise within a few dayes vpon other princes states two thousand footmen to conduct them to the releese of Famagosta and to remaine there with them for the defense of the Citty the which hee hauing in a short space done to his great honor and brought them to Venice to imbarke them in the vessells appointed for that purpose he would first shew them in armes to the people in the market place of Saint Marke who tooke great pleasure to beehold them which being done they sailed towards Cyprus but their Captaine falling sick at Sea dyed within a few dayes after for want of looking to who was mightily bewayled being carried into Ciprus was buried in Famagosta in S. Sophias Church The Senate beeing desirous to implore the ayde of all Christian Princes sent word to their Ambassadors residing in their Courts that they should acquaint them with the cause which at that time did onely concerne themselues but would shortly bee common to all Christendom the which they did not so much for any hope they had to bee releeued as for that they were willing to take from them all cause of suspition that they despised other mens ayde and that presuming too much on their owne forces they went about to precipitate into a manifest danger the euent of that warre whereon depended the common cause of Christendome First of all they made meanes to the Pope as well to draw some succors from him as that hee by his authority should dispose other Princes to send them supplies Micaele Suriana was at the same time Ambassador for the Commonwealth at Rome who augmenting the Popes good-will and disposition by sundry reasons did continually solicite him effectually to embrace the protection of the Republick in a time so dangerous by setting before him the example of other Popes who vpon other occasions had readily ayded them against that common enemy of Christendom Hee did likewise put him in minde of the Republicks benefits bestowed vpon the Sea Apostolick for the conseruation whereof it had often-times exposed hir forces and State against very mighty Princes but hee did cheefly set before his eyes the manifest danger which threatned other Christian Realmes and especially the Churches territories if the Venetian State which all men thought to bee the Bulwarke of Christendome should bee ouerthrowne and ruined By these reasons and diuerse others the Pope beeing drawne to defend the Venetians hee seemed to bee very zealously affected to the cause and desirous to prouide for the necessity of that warre and to aide the Common-wealth yet neuerthelesse excusing himselfe for that hee was not able to doe what hee would hee bewailed the misery of his time wherein the Sea Apostolick by sundry accidents was very bare of means and especially by reason of the troubles in France which threatning the citty of Auignon had constrained him to be at great expences wherevpon although it was often propounded in the Consistory to embrace the Venetians defence and to aide them and that the proposition was approoued by the Colledge of Cardinals yet neuerthelesse it tooke no great effect at the first they were onely permitted to leuy vpon the whole Clergie of their State without any exception the sum of an hundred thousand Ducats towards the expence of the warre Hee did afterwards make a motion to ioyne with all possible speed the King of Spaines Galleys with those of the Venetians that they might make a mighty fleet able to resist that of the Turkes and to disapoint their first attempts And in the meane time to make a league with the same King and other Christian Princes whereby all their forces might continually be ioyned together to make head against the enemies greatnesse The Ambassador Suriana acquainted the Senate with his Holynesse proposition who entreated them to accept thereof and to referre the whole businesse to him that hee would manage it as the common Father with great affection to the good of all Christendom and to their owne particular desire and profit the which the Senate very willingly did The Pope for the beginning of this Treaty sent Lodouico de Torres Clarke of the Apostolick Chamber into Spaine to King Philip to dispose him to ioyne his forces with others against Setim Ottoman the common enemy vnto whom hauing related from the Pope as well the publicke interest of all Christendome as his owne particular hee found his Maiesty ready and well inclined to doe that wherevnto his Holynesse exhorted him referring neuerthelesse his finall answer till his arriuall at Siuill for hee was then at Corduba at the assembly of the Estates of Castill but vpon Torres reply that nothing would so much hinder that businesse as long delay hee granted him that his owne Galleys with those of his Pentioners and Confederates which amounted to the number of sixty fiue besides those of Spaine who by reason of the troubles of Ganado continued vpon those seas should be brought into Sicely commanding Giouan Andre Doria their Admirall to obey the Popes commandement concerning the time and meanes to ioyne them with the Venetians that they might afterwards saile into the Leuant Hee did likewise obtaine a Commission to the Viceroy of Naples and Sicill to permit the Venetians to furnish themselues forth of these countreys with corne sufficient for the fleete but as concerning the entring into the league he answered That it craued a larger and more mature deliberation for which hee referred him till some other time yet neuerthelesse within a while after his comming to Siuill he
than carefully to obserue the precepts and documents which he hath receiued from his Ancestors and how to reuerence by all good meanes and offices your friendship confederacie and good will And seing that by the diuine bountie it is come to passe that it is not needful in such a bond of friendship to renew any treatie of peace or alliance betwixt you and him the Florentines must giue place and with their good leaue if they please to permit Philip according to his owne manner and that of his Ancestors to salute you most excellent Prince and all these well-beloued Senators by his Ambassadours together with the whole Citie Let it be lawfull for vs to say that Philip liueth not but for the good of the Common-wealth that the Duke of Milan an inward friend to the Venetians liues not but to preserue their dignitie and greatnesse who for the great loue he beares them and in regard of the sound alliance and contract betwixt you two and in respect of the correspondence of all fortunate and happie euents that he hath with you giues yee to vnderstand that his enemies the Florentines are ouerthrowne vndone who by euill counsell would with a shameles boldnesse haue ouer-whelmed him if hee had not diligently preuented it in a most dangerous warr This is most wise Fathers this is the chiefe end of our Ambassade This is the cause why Philip hath commanded vs to come hither Moreouer because we haue vnderstood that these men goe about with an affected speech wherewith they naturally helpe themselues and with teares and sighs say not onely in the Senate but likewise in the streets and publicke places of the Citie that they are not the cause of the warre for which they are at this day so badly delt with that Philip did beginne it he willingly referreth the whole matter to your iudgement being resolued to embrace such conditions as ye shall propound Let the Florentines if ye please come into this place and excuse themselues but let them not inuent vnheard of falsities whereby they endeuour to animate against all right and alliance your Authoritie constancie against Philip. Ye must say they beware of him if his power doe encrease For all Kings Princes and Tyrants doe enuie and are enemies to Common-wealths and doe abhorre that name They alleadge Philip of Macedon Mithridates and Antiochus I would he had remembred Porsenna who by a so daine warre did in a manner smother the Romans libertie at her first birth But he did of purpose forget it as I thinke because he would not haue it knowne that Tuscanie hath in times past brought forth any who hath attempted on other mens libertie But if they take such delight in Histories why doe they not rather alleadge Hieron Massinissa the Ptolomies and Attalus who were trustie friendâ—… to the Romans King Lewis was a capitall enemie to the Venetians so were the Carrarians but the Viscontes for a hundred yeares space that they haue enioyed their excellent State were neuer enemies but alwaies friends and allies to the Venetians The Tuscan hath not knowne this nay rather knowing it he hath like a subtill and cunning Orator of purpose concealed it Let him produce but one onely example of this family which doth so much affect you he cannot doe it and therefore it is sufficient to ouerthrow his vntruethes fables and slanders And not to speake of his Ancestors so farre off were the Venetians from euer suspecting the forces of Galeas father to this Philip which vndoubtedly were verie great as on the contrarie he did not let to ioyne his Armes with their forces the better to helpe to increase theirs As it fellout at such time as being your allie he tooke Verona Vincenza Padua and last of all Treuiso Yee haue seene this my Lords to the end that no man may reprooue me of false-hood or you may haue heard it of your fathers who were there present But the Viscontes haue euer beene enemies to the Florentines and haue still from father to sonne euen 〈◊〉 now made warre vpon them Doe you not thinke that they had iust cause so to doe Were they not by wrongs prouoked to take Armes For to speake of the occasion of this present warre by which they say they are greatly molested They complaine of the taking of For li contrarie to the Contract as if wee had neuer heard of this fable till now Philip hath giuen you all authoritie together with Prince D'Aeste to enquire this matter Why doe they not rather tell vpon what cause against all right they did succour the Genoueses with a great summe of money whilest Philip besieged them why did they attempt to shut vp all passages to the Armie of Philip which went to succour Pope Martin what mooued them to passe their bounds on the confines of the Riuer Migra why did they seize on Liuorne and would not giue audience to the Commissioners of Philip till they had head-long throwne him vnto the hazard of an open warre These are the causes which haue now mooued Philip to vndertake this warre The 〈◊〉 cause likewise had the Viscontes in times past They can impute it to nothing but to their owne manner of life their pride and couetuousnesse Let them cease then before you to blame our Prince a friend to peace and quietnesse and one that is stuffed with all bountie and liberalitie But we are satisfied being prouoked thereunto that we haue answered this little for much more which might be said which is so true as they themselues albeit they are vaine lyers dare not affirme the contrarie As for the rest we haue alreadie said and will againe say that Philip is readie and resolued to referre the whole matter to your iudgement wisedome and equitie We are come hither to this purpose and not as the Tuscan presumeth to renew the alliance which hath not yet beene violated by you nor by vs euer shall So soone as Aretine had made an end of speaking the Ambassadours were put forth of the Senate And then the Senators opinions were diuers Some cried out that Philip was to be preuented and warre to be denounced against him who drawing forth the matter in length durst not assaile them till he had vanquished the Florentines Others said it behooued them to beware least they vndertooke such a matter inconsideratly and that it was verie easie for any man to beginne warre but verie hard to end it Vpon this diuersitie of opinions they decreed to call Carmagnolla into the Senate and to heare him This man after his arriuall at Treuiso was euer highly extolled both in publick priuate by Prince Foscari and all his adherents publishing his great renowne and experience in martiall matters with his long and faithfull seruice to Philip a most vnthankefull Prince They affirmed that without all doubt vnder the conduct of such a man who knew Philips forces and was well acquainted with all his designes yea with his most inward
enemie to rout This rumour was not only spred in the Citie of Bressia but being brought to Venice the whole Citie receiued such content as the people being ouerioyed came running from all parts to the Market-place to reioyce with one another by meanes whereof the Republike had like to haue fallen into a great and wonderfull danger There were in the Citie great numbers of Histrian and Dalmatian Marriners and Rowers who were sent for thither expresly to furnish the Nauall Armie which was then making readie Manie of these fellowes being heated with wine ranne to the Market-place where hauing kindled fires in diuers places in signe of ioy seeking vp and downe for wood to feed it they beganne to plucke downe the shoppes of the Bakers and those that sold herbes which stood in the Market-place to make fire-wood of them and hauing beaten away the watch that went about to pacifie them they gathered together about three thousand men who vsing no respect to the Magistrates nor chiefe Senators that were come thither to appease the tumult they beganne to breake open greater shops and to fall into an open rebellion But at the arriuall of Pietro Lauretano this sedition was soone quieted It is reported that these Mechanick people at his verie name stood still and offred to doe whatsoeuer it should please him to command them and he hauing giuen them his word that none among them should bee punished for that which they had done that night euerie man returned home to his owne dwelling place Lauretano by good deserts had in such sort gotten the loue and good will of all men as not onely those meane people of the Citie but those of greatest place and authoritie did reuerence and respect him The which hee had easily obtained by his curteous meekenesse and heartie loue towards the Republick which doth as much cherish and embrace their vertues as it doth abhorre and detest pride aud ambition As also for that the Common-wealth had for the space of twenty yeares emploied him in euerie warre of importance And that time also when the affaires of Lombardie were in great danger and that the Venetian forces were not thought comparable to those of Philip the Senate did choose him notwithstanding his great age for to command the great Nauall Armie which it had prepared against the Mantuan It consisted of greater number of vessells than had beene at any time before seene in any fleet vpon a Riuer For there were more than an hundred and threescore vessells of all sorts among whom were fiue Gallions higher and greater than were vsually made and about threescore and tenne Gallies the residue being smal vessells like to little Brigantines But whilst these things were making readie in the Citie Picinino foure dayes after the incounter comming backe from Coloignes to Rhoades with all his troupes enforced the inhabitants to yeeld The like did those of Bomedes Paternia and Passeria The next day after the Monticulans Iulians Omians and Brienses yeelded vnto him vpon his word and at the last hauing by force seized on Isea he did on the mountaines take Valtropia And within a while after he possessed al the plaines on the Bressan Territories with a great part of the mountaines the new Orges excepted which hee determined to assaile vpon the first occasion Mâ—…llato Barbaro and the other officers of Bressia suspecting that Picinino's designes did only tend to shut vp the passages from the Venetian troupes to the end that all reliefe being kept from them he might famish them in Bressia did secretly resolue that Mellato leauing certaine troupes for the guarde of the Citie should goe his way with the residue of the Armie to Verona or whither fortune should lead him Now Blondus saith That about the third watch of the night hee came forth of Bressia with fiue thousand men both horse and foot We doe not find in Montanus commentaries that he had at that time so manie men Pasius of Arimini sets downe but three thousand And because both of them were present at this warre I doe the rather follow them But of what number soeuer this Armie was it marched speedily to the bankes of the Riuer Mincia where after it had attempted beneath the Bridge of Valeza to passe at a foord and could not by reason of the depth of the waters and for that the enemies were encamped on the opposite shoare hauing lost some horse it returned to Bressia with as great speed as it came thence Picinino marched towards Bressia with an intent to surprize the Venetian but hee was preuented by his enemies speed whereupon he blamed his own negligence for loosing so faire an occasion and without more delaie hee marched against the new Orges who as hath beene said were still obedient to the Venetians Mellato in the meane time attempted to passe by another way which although it was as dangerous as the former had neuerthelesse better successe Whilest these things were done neere to Bressia Nicholao D'Aeste did make great complaints to Pope Eugenius who remained still at Ferrara how the Venetians did hate him saying That hee knew of a certaine that they had of late prepared a Nauall Armie And because he was assured that they did suspect him to haue beene the cause that the Prince of Mantua had forsaken their alliance hee had cause to doubt that the same great preparation was rather made against him than any other The Pope sought to comfort him and to feed him with better hope assuring him that he should not need to feare the Venetians for their designes tended to another end and if he did stand in feare of them hee would take order that all assurance should be giuen him on their partie But notwithstanding all this Aeste leuied a braue Cauallerie and sent for Guido Fauentio with fifteene hundred horse and three hundred foote and called home his sonne Borsia who was in Sforza's Campe with six hundred horse saying that he raised those forces only to defend his owne and not to offend any man Hee did afterwards cause a great quantitie of ground to bee cut which lieth betwixt the Po and Padua drawing a broad and deep trench from the Riuer to the marishes commaunding the Ferrarois to take Armes and that a speedie leuie of Souldiors should be made at Regio and Modena The Pope beganne to exhort Nicholao D'Aeste who was with him and the Venetians by his Ambassadours to laie downe Armes and to embrace some honourable accord but with this condition That the Venetians should surrender to Nicholao D'Aeste Rouigo with seuen Castles of the Pollessin Island which seuen and thirtie yeares before had beene engaged to them Aeste being ouercome by the Venetians bountie did forthwith change his determination and releeued the Venetian Armie with victualls and all other necessaries which alreadie was going vp the Po the like did the Ferrarois following their Princes example In the meane time those
excepted who with Marke Setio their captaine went to gard Verona the like did Marke Antonio Colonna with his cauallery and Spanish and Almaine foot Soone after the Emperours departure the Marquis of Brandenbourg came to the campe with certaine summes of money who although he vsed all meanes to stay the souldiers who were already disbanded all things being in confusion and the money likewise not being sufficient for the payment of the whole army hee lost but his labour Amidest these troubles the small loue and affection betwixt the Pope and the French King began to shew it selfe the which till then lay hidden The King complained for that the Pope being mooued with a bad intent had made so long delay to send that aide to the campe which he was tied to by their agreement That he had secretly stirred vp the Swisses against him and had in diuers other matters manifested his small affection towards him The Pope on the other side alleadged diuers causes which had mooued him to suspect the Kings friendship The Venetians did all they might at sundry times to accord these Princes and to take away al suspition from them knowing very well how important a matter it was for the Pope the French King and their Republike to be vnited together Whilest this agreement was handled by Ambassadors all the enemies deseignes turned into smoake For besides the Swisses who were gonne home into their country as hath beene said three thousand Spanish and Almain foot came to the French and Venetian campes who hauing crossed the Riuer Adda had for certaine daies mightily molested the enemies by diuers and sundry accidents the French now hauing the worse and anon the enemies The Duke of Burbon being at the same time departed forth of Italy the Lord Lautrec remained Gouernor for the King in the Dutchy of Milan who marched speedily with all the French and Venetian forces on the Bressan territory where with the ordnance he began to batter Bressia in foure seuerall places to the end the beseeged might not be able to make resistance in so many places at once who held out so long as they had any hope of aide which they expected out of the country of Tirol it being promised them but it came to nothing by reason that the Venetians did shut vp the castle of Anse and other passages so as the townesmen being not willing to endure an assault because of the great breach that was made couenanted to leaue the city and castle their gods and liues being saued if they were not releeued within three daies on condition that the souldiers might goe any whether sauing to Verona Icaro the Cities captaine came forth of the towne and the Lord Lautrec with the Venetian Prouidators entred it at the same time where they were ioyfully receiued by all the inhabitants who by their cries and salutations did manifest their great content for that the City was reduced vnder the power of the common-wealth Lautrec at his entry tooke possession of the towne and afterwards redeliuered it to the Venetian Prouidators who soone erected the Republikes standard In this manner did this famous City after many thwarts and accidents of fortune returne to the obedience of her lawfull Lords The newes of the reddition of Bressia being brought to Venice did greatly reioyce the whole City all men hoping that this happy successe would be followed with more fortunate euents which would giue end to the warres The Senate did particularly thanke the French King for that by meanes of his aide they had preuailed They likewise wrote to the Lord of Lautrec infinitely commending his speed and loyalty exhorting him not to let slip the occasion which offered it selfe of other most fortunate exploits as was that of Verona if without delay the army might be brought before it by the taking of which City the warre with wonderfull speed would be ended Lautrec being mooued by these words resolued sodainely to discampe and with Triuulcio to march towards Verona But being come to Pescara he had intelligence that those fiue Cantons of Swisses with whom the King was not in league made preparations to come and assaile the Dutchy of Milan Hee then told the Prouidators that in regard of his Kings seruice he could not be absent so farre from the State of Milan This businesse beeing debated in councell all men were of opinion to remaine in the same place where they were and there to expect more certaine newes of those stirres the report whereof was yet vncertaine But the rumor of the Swisses comming still encreasing Lautrec was desirous to bring backe his army into the Dutchy of Milan notwithstanding that all the other captaines were of a contrary opinion shewing how the sytuation of the place was very strong and most commodious where they might resolue on whatsoeuer should bee needfull and prouide for all things necessary to stoppe the enemies passage of whose comming they were yet vncertaine Hee on the contrary remayning firme in his resolution to discampe propounded that he would goe and encampe on the Bressan territory neere to Asola alleadging for his reasons that Verona being well manned with souldiers as well Swisses as Almaines who had retired thither after the rout of the Emperours army that it would bee labour lost to beseege it so as to attempt a difficult enterprize without great hope to effect it would hinder their other affaires and confound all order of warre Besides hee made vse of other excuses namely how that the Venetians had conferred with the King of Polands Ambassador who spake to them of peace and that the money promised to pay the Almaines was not yet sent to the campe Gritti the Prouidator opposing himselfe to what Lautrec had spoken said That he knew of a certaine that there was great scarcity of all things in Verona and chiefly of corne whereby the souldiers that were come thither did more hurt then good to the city that they ought not to giue them time to make prouision least that afterwards the enterprize would prooue more difficult That hee had intelligence by the souldiers that were come to their campe that the townesmen and souldiers were at dissension among themselues that all things were in confusion by meanes whereof the affaires of warre was managed more slowly and with great suspition so as if the army were but before it the people beeing partly prouoked by their owne interest and partly likewise by their loue which they did beare to the Venetians might raise some tumult and giue them meanes for to enter the City As for the Ambassassador of Poland that the Senate had not treated with him of peace without the knowledge of the French King whom they did so honour and reuerence as they had refused sundry and honest conditions of agreement because that they would not disunite themselues from him As for the payment of the Almaines the money was ready long before and should
and inhabited and there were in it at the same time aboue eight thousand persons but the castle is of no great circuit nor capable of contayning great store of people but for the sytuation thereof most safe against all the assaults of enemies it hath two fortes in a very high place vpon the point of the hill which doe not alone beate vpon all sides of the towne walles and castle but discouering likewise the sea and the vallies and neighbour Mountaines can with their ordnance keepe any army from encamping there but with great danger There is no other towne or castle in the whole Island but diuers country houses scattered here and there in the Champaine yet neuerthelesse on the South side thereof vpon an hill there is a castle called Saint Angelo stronger by sytuation then by art This Island had belonged to the Venetians more then an hundred and fifty yeeres and they did carefully keepe it as most fit for the conseruation of their dominion at sea it being accounted the Bulwarke of Italy against the forces of Barbarians Babon di Nalda was gouernor thereof being accompanied with diuers Venetian Gentlemen There was a strong garrison of Italian souldiers in the castle to the number of two thousand and as many of those of the Island all good souldiers and besides the Rowers of foure Gallies which were lest there for the gard of the Island great store of artillery and munition and for the auoiding of all confusion euery man knew what he had to doe which made them without any feare at all to attend the arriuall of the enemies army The Senate fearing a long seege and the sinister accidents which do commonly accompany it did resolue to fight with the enemy to cause him to raise his campe being inuited therevnto by sundry reasons because they knew first that so long as the Turkish fleet should remaine whole furnishing the campe with men of whom they had great numbers that the Isle of Corfou and all the rest should remaine exposed to infinite dangers not for any other cause then the long continuance of the warre all the forces of the Republike being consumed and they in danger besides to loose some portion of their dominions next that which did incite them to hazard the fortune of a battaile was their owne great fleet of an hundred strong gallies with the meanes to encrease it because they would not vnprofitably consume the great expences of such a warlike preparation but that which did most animate them to this resolution was their hope to be speedily releeued by the other Christian Princes according to their offers and promises so often reiterated at what time they should enterprize any thing against the Turke especially of the Pope and the Emperor and not to accept of them at that time the Commonwealth should seeme wholly to haue forgotten her owne safety and that of all Christendome The Imperials had fifty light gallies at sea with as many other great armed vessels the Pope had foure gallies there and the Knights of Malta some other These forces being ioyned to theirs they hoped to chase away the Turkish fleet and if they could not free Corfou from the seege yet at least to open a way to some great and notable exploit wherevpon hauing certaine notice that the enemies army was come to Corfou and thereby warre declared against them they determined to write to Marke-Antonio Contaren their Ambassadour in the Court of Rome that in speaking particularly of this businesse to the Pope together with the Senates resolution he should declare vnto him the greatnesse of the danger in the common cause of Christendome and the speed which it behoued them to vse against the common enemy The Pope hauing vnderstood the Senates resolution seemed to be highly pleased therewith sauing that he did desire nothing so much as during his Papacy to see all Christian Princes vnited together against those Infidels who in the meane time that the Christians had particular quarrells one with an other were so mightily encreased as they now did threaten to ruine them Therevpon he did not only confirme the offers and promises that were made before but did likewise augment them and as a most discret and well aduised person he motioned the making of an vnion and league together against that common enemy wherevnto his exhortation to all other Princes and especially to the Emperor was of great force This league beeing resolued on it was concluded by a Generall consent of all men to arme two hundred light Gallies and the greatest number of ships of warre and other great vessels that they could and in them to embarke fifty thousand foot-men and foure thousand horse But because some difficulties seemed to arise concerning the distribution of that expence and vpon other Articles and that the time in the meane space did vrge them speedily to send away the army to the releefe of Corfoù the Pope by confirming that which had beene concluded would presently haue the league to bee published to giue it more force and reputation and to inuite the other Christian Princes to embrace and follow it reseruing the conclusion of certaine points till he could receiue newes from Spaine It was sollemnly published in Saint Peeters Church where Gasparo Contaren the Venetian Cardinall celebrated masse in the presence of the Pope and the whole Colledge of Cardinalls the like was afterwards done at Venice with praiers in all Churches to giue thankes vnto God for that he had vnited the Christian Princes against the Infidells and for the execution of that which had beene concluded the Senate sent word to the Generalls that leauing the Captaine of the Gulphe with foure Gallies for the guard of Dalmatia they should saile with the whole fleete to Brandiza they did afterwardes make a great leauy of foot forces for to fill vp the promised number then they appointed captaines for the great Gallies and for the bastard ones who did very speedily cause them to be made ready which sailed all of them vnder the conduct of Boudumiero captaine of the Gallion so as in a short space all things were ready on the Venetians part Andrew Doria who lay at Naples hauing intelligence of that which had beene concluded at Rome and Venice that he should meet at Brandiza to ioyne with the Venetians fleet alleadging sundry excuses some times that he would saile towards Marseilles against the French nauall army then that he would go to Genoa to new man his gallies and to make prouision of other necessaries did by all meanes prolonge his departure notwithstanding that Gasparo Bassalu the Venetians Counsull at Naples did earnestly vrge it by declaring vnto him the importance of the Isle of Corfou which was to be preserued and defended from the danger wherein it was in doing whereof notwithstanding that he was to doe the Emperour seruice he should neuerthelesse purchase great glory and reputation the
other matter he was desirous to continew in his neutralitiy to the end that he might obtaine first to haue the state of Milan deliuered into the hands of Octauiano Farnese as Guardian thereof and to yeeeld to the Emperor and the French King a certaine homage til such time as they should find out some more assured meanes of Agreement wherin he presumed that the Venetians would interpose their authority The Venetians perceiuing that they proceeded slowely in that businesse and with small hope beeing desirous not to giue the Turkes any occasion of suspition did abstaine from it notwithstanding that they were diuers times sollicited by the Emperor to send their Ambassadors to Luca where the Pope and hee were to meet In all other matters they had neuer failed in their duty to the Emperor They had giuen passage through their state to the Almaine footmen leuied for the iourney of Affrick and so soone as they vnderstood of his comming into Italy by the way of Trent they appoynted foure Ambassadors to weet Iohn Antonio Veniero Nicholao Tepulo Marc Antonio Contaren and Vincenzo Grimani who entertained him very honorably vpō the Verona territory and attended vpon him so long as he remained vpon their State which was for the space of two dayes for beeing come to Pescara he entered the Mantuan territory from whence afterward he went to Milan from thence to Genoa and then to Luca where hee met with the Pope with whom hauing made some small abode he pursued his iourney for the enterprize of Affrick which succeeded badly as it had beene foretold for hauing landed his soldiers vppon the sands of Argier he found more resistance in the Garrison of the Citty then hee did expect and did besides receiue great hurt by the Arabian horsemen procured by the Turks who comming vpon them with great celerity and fighting in a new and vnusuall manner with our soldiers did preuent all their deseignes and the businesse beeing drawne forth in length great harme happened for their arose so terrible a tempest at Sea as the ships beeing not able to ride at Ankor by reason of the force of the wind som of them were driuen on shoare and the others to Seaward in the midest of the tempest So as hauing lost diuers of his vessells and the residue beeing sore brused and beaten the Emperor was enforced to giue ouer his enterprize Diuers men of note dyed in that voyage by diseases and bad ayre and among others Marin Iustiniano Ambassador for the Signory who by the Senates command had still followed the Emperor and Doctor Nicholao de Ponte who at that time was gouernour of Vdina was sent in his place During the Emperors iourny the French King was not at quiet who being mightily incensed as hath beene said against the Emperor thought on nothing but meanes how to be reuenged of these wrongs which he had offered him therefore by meanes of his Ambassadors whom he sent to Luca to meet the Pope he had earnestly entreated his Holinesse to declare the truce made at Nice by his owne meanes and authority to be broken and infringed by the murther of Fregosa and Rincon the better to let all men see the iustice of his cause But resoluing by all meanes to preuaile by force he did with greater vehemency reuiue his former conceits to preuent the Emperor by meanes of the Turkes aid and friendship whereupon he determined to send back Polin to Constantinople to treat in particular of the comming of the Army against the Emperor and as he passed along to vse new meanes to draw the Venetians to his party Polin then beeing come to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople he with the Bishop of Montpellier ordinary Ambassador to the King came into the Councell of the Tenne according to the vsuall custome of secret audiences where they discharged their commission from their Prince Polin siriuing very much by a long oration to perswade the Senators by a new aliance to embrace the Kings friendship But all his discourse and goodly reasons could not preuaile with the Senators to make them alter their opinion or to draw them to any new alliance thereby to entangle them in a new warre Therfore that businesse being referred to the Senate their resolution with a generall consent of them all was like to that of the councel of the Tenne to giue the lame answer to the French Ambassadors as was made to Ianusby How that the Common wealth did deerely account of the French Kings friendship the which for their parts they would euer constantly and inuiolably maintaine yet neuerthe lesse they determined to liue at peace wi◅h other Princes not to enterprize any thing which might procure war betwixt them Polin after this answere being inbarked in the Venetian Gallies sailed into Albania and from thence pursued his iourny towards Constantinople with a certaine assurance to cause the Turkish army to march whither he would desire but the deseignes of the French tooke none effect for that yeare either because it was already to far spent to make great preparations and to execute all at one time or else because Soliman had setled all his thoughts vpon the enterprize of Hungary making account to goe thither in person with a farre greater army The French King in the meane time resoluing on warre had raised three armies the one conducted by my Lord the Daulphin went to beseege Perpignan the other commanded by my Lord the Duke of Orleance marched to enuade the French County and Luxembourg the third greater then any of the rest by reason of the supplies of the Duke of Cleaues gouerned by the Duke of Vendosme Prince of the blood of France entred Flanders by the country of Artois But all these forces did by the report of such great prouisions more am aze then hurt the Emperor because that the Daulphin finding Perpignan to be suffitiently fortified by the Duke of Alua returned without any notable exploit the Duke of Orleans on the other side did but scoure and wast the country Wherevpon the French King perceiuing all his deseigns were to no purpose did greatly taxe Soliman and the Venetians because they had not taken Armes to fauour his party whilest the Emperor was busied else-where The King being thus discontented was the more incensed against the Venetians thorow the bad offices of the Bishop of Montpellier his Ambassador so as Polin being informed of his Maisters discontent did openly in all places oppose himselfe against the Venetians affaires scandalizing the Baily and the Common-wealth and because he hoped to haue the Turkish army the yeare following at his kings deuotion he said that it being once ready he would make the Venetians feele to their losse what great force his Kings pursuts and authority had against them The cause of the kings discontentment proceeded from that which is aboue mentioned for that they went armed and in troupes to the house of the French Ambassador to
of Saxony whereon and vpon the quality of the engagement hauing a long time insisted the whole businesse remained vnresolued on This assembly was broken off by reason of the rumors spred abroad at the beginning of the yeere 1543. of the great prouisions for warre made in sundry places and chiefly at Constantinople to enuade Hungary and Austria and to scoure all the sea-coasts belonging to the Emperour The French King hoping by meanes of this army raised in his behalfe and at his entreaty to breake the Emperors designes and forces had likewise raised a great army as well of his owne subiects as of Swisses to vphold the Duke of Cleues rebellion and to assaile the Emperor in diuers and sundry places who on the other side determining to reuenge the wrongs and iniuries receiued from the French and especially to chastise as he said the audaciousnesse of the Duke of Cleues a feudatary of the Empire for taking armes with his enemies against him did assemble the Dyet of Princes and free townes according to the custome of the country where hee procured them to make warre on the French King and the Duke of Cleues at the common charge of all Germany and for the augmenting of his forces he resolued to ally himselfe with Henry King of England notwithstanding that the same King had repudiated his Aunt Queene Katherine and shaken off the yoake of the Romish Catholike Church that they might both of them together make warre vpon France King Henry did easily agree to the Emperors motion beeing distasted of the French King for fauoring Iames King of Scots his enemy The Pope in the meane time and the Venetians did still continue in their neutrallity meaning as much as in them lay to maintaine the peace of Italy The Pope neuerthelesse being for sundry reasons displeased with the Emperor made suite to the Venetians to contract a more strict alliance together for their common safety propounding at that time termes tending wholly to peace and not to depart but vpon constraint from their neutrallity but determining neuerthelesse as it was perceiued by sundry signes to draw the Republike afterwards to some new confederacy with the French King The Senate continuing the accustomed answers and telling the Pope how that there was not any cause to mooue them to renue their alliance which might not without suspition to Princes rather hasten then preuent the mischiefe to come made an excuse saying that it could not make any new agreement with any one for feare least the Emperour would be incensed against them who had so often sought vnto them for new confederacy to the which they had neuer consented But they were most of all troubled to see the Turkish army to depart from Constantinople whereof men spake diuersly notwithstanding that the Turkes did promise them in no sort to meddle with any thing which did belong to their Common-wealth and that captaine Polin who was to goe along with it had assured them of the like who by his Kings commandment had changed his minde Yet the Senate not relying ouer much on all these promises determined likewise to arme the number of three score Gallies and to appoint a Generall ouer them which was Stefano Tepulo a man very famous for his rare vertues and deserts whereof they forthwith aduertized all Princes to the end that the making ready of their fleet might not make them to suspect that they had any sinister meaning saying that the Republike had armed certaine Gallies for the defense of their owne subiects and for the gard of their sea-coasts and they commanded their Generall to visit the Islands vnder their dominion and all their forts vpon the sea to giue order and prouide for all things necessary with expresse charge to auoide all occasions that might giue the Turkes any cause of distrusting their friendship towards them whereinto they very well knew that Doria would haue oftentimes cunningly drawne them The Turkish nauall army in the meane time consisting of sixe score saile departed from Constantinople vnder the command of Cariadine Barbarossa captaine Polin going along with him and comming to Negrepont where it made some stay to take in souldiers and other necessaries it sailed to the Hauen of Figara and from thence directed their course towards the West and hauing passed the Far of Messina came neere to Calabria where landing certaine of his troupes he tooke the city of Regio and after he had spoiled it and scoured the country round about the castle still holding out he did re-embarke his people and held on his course towards France and by the way he tooke in water at the Isle of Ponze and next at Ostia vpon the Riuer Tiber whereby Rome was in alarme but Polin did by letters assure the Gouernor of the towne that no harme should bee done to any one vpon the coast then hoysing ankors and still coasting along the Riuers of Tuscany and Genoa he arriued in the Hauen of Tolon where finding two French Gallies hee was by them conducted towards Marseilles whither the Kings other foure and twenty Gallies came Barbarossa went on shore where hee was magnificently entertained in the city together with great numbers of Ianissaries Polin riding post to finde the King and to receiue his commandements whom Barbarossa was enioyned wholly to obey did speedily returne to the army which being encreased by sixteene French Gallies and certaine shippes wherein were sixe thousand foote-men hee departed from Marseilles and sailed with a faire winde to the hauen of Villafranca to beseege the city of Nice which the Duke of Sauoy then possessed which had euer belonged to the crowne of France The Artillery and souldiers beeing landed the City for certaine daies was battered whereby it was enforced to yeeld without being sacked but the Marquis of Guasto hauing victualled the castle and Barbarossa being diswaded from makeing any longer aboade there Autumne being very farre spent raised his campe and returned with his whole fleete to the hauen of Marseilles Now the Venetian fleete beeing truely aduertized what course the Turkes held and how that Ianetin Doria was gonne into the Leuant did entertaine time in the Gulphe the Generall thinking it more safe and proffitable to prouide for that which concerned themselues and to auoide occasion of meeting with the others that he might take away all suspition of being desirous to helpe or hinder their deseignes The Emperor at the same time resoluing to goe into Germany to stirre vp that country against the French King hauing first caused the Estates of Spaine to accept the Prince Don Philip his sonne for their King came to Barcelona where finding Doria with forty Gallies and certaine ships he imbarked himselfe with the Spanish fantery and came to Genoa Vpon the report of his arriuall in Italy the Venetians chose foure Ambassadours to wit Carlo Morosin Gabriele Veniero Lodouico Faliere and Vittor Grimany to meet him as he passed
The Dukes request to the people ibi The bodies throwne vpon the common dunghill ibi The Emperours cruell Edict against the Venetians 54 The peoples reuenge on the Calloprini ibi Three sonnes of Stephano Calloprini slaine ib. The situation of Pharos 57 Those of Pharos summoned ibi The taking of the Castle and Towne of Pharos called Lessina 58 The Emperour graunts sundry priuiledges to the Venetians 59 Tho Emperor Otho comes to Venice in disguise ibid. The Dukes last will 60 Too great nicenesse of a woman 84 The sundry passages of the Christians into Syria 72 The strength of Nicea 73 The Turkish succour defeated 74 The great danger the Christians were in ibi The taking of Iconium 75 Tharsis being yielded is giuen to Baldwin ibi Treachery of a Citizen of Antioch 78 The taking of Antioch ibid. Tripoly besieged by the Christians 79 The defeat of the enemy before Ierusalem with the number of the dead 83 Acon taken by Baldwin 85 The taking of Sydon 86 The Castle of Soball builded by Baldwin ibi The Emperours mediation betweene the Venetians and Paduans 87 Two great accidents of fiâ—…e ibid. Truce with Hungary for 5. yeres 88 The Duke of Venice comes to Ierusalem 92 The lot fell vpon Tyre ib. Tyre besieged ibi The distrust conceiued against the Venetians 93 The Christians stratagem before Tyre ibid. The third part of Tyre giuen to the Venetians 94 The building of the Hospitall of the publike charitie 95 The originall of the games at Shrouetide 101 The answer made to the Greeke Ambassadours ibi Treachery of Emanuel 102 The contagious sickenesse in the Venetian armie 103 Three great pillars brought to Venice 104 The recompence which the Inginer demaunded 105 The true cause of Vitalis his death 106 The Emperor Fredericks rigorous Edict against the Pope 107 The Prince imbarketh himselfe in the Popes presence 108 The Emperor arriues at Venice 109 The Emperors obedience to the Pope ibid. The ornaments and ensignes of the venetian Princes 110 The death of Cyani and his last will ibi The recouerie of Zara. 117 Theodore Lascaris sallies foorth on the Christian pilgrims 118 The mutuall comfort of the father and the sonne 119 The treachery of Myrtillus 120 Thomaso Morosino Patriarke of Constantinople 121 The Princes liberality to the new Emperour ibid. Thrace reduced to the Emperors obedience ibi Thomaso confirmed Patriarke by the Pope 122 The names of the Islands possessed by particular persons 125 The Bishops See at Malomoc translated to Chioggia 127 The Emperour Peter murdred ib. Tepulo Gouernour of Candie 131 Two Prouidators giuen to euery armie 135 The Pope excommunicateth the Emperour Fredericke 139 The riuers Brent and Bacchillion turned backewards 142 Twelue thousand Praenestines slaine by Sylla in cold blood 143 The originall of the war betwixt the Venetians and Genoueses 146 Their difference referred to the Pope ibidem The Popes Sentence ibidem The treatie of peace broken 147 To what extreamitie Baldwin was brought 149 Treachery of the Greeks against the French ibid. Tyre besieged by the venetians 151 The Genoueses ambush discouered 151 Three Genoueses gallies taken by the venetians ibid. The people beare small respect to the Prince 152 Truce graunted betwixt the venetians and the Genoueses 154 Those of Ancona complaine to the venetians 155 The truce betwixt the venetians and the Genoueses prolonged ib. Thrieste besieged by the venetians 159 The distance betwixt Venice and Genoa 162 The Conspiratours designe 166 The tenour of the Excommunication 168 Those of Pera constrained to sue for peace 173 Turkes put to flight by the venetians 175 Treachery practised by Mastin 182 The suburbs of Mestra burnt by Mastin 183 The territory of Verona spoiled 186 The King of England craueth aide against the French King 191 Truce take with Lewis king of Hungary 197 Those of Cape-histria reuolt ibi Those punished which did not follow the Senates commandement 198 The Genoa-gallies taken 199 The armie returneth to Venice with great booty 200 Truce taken with Visconte 207 The manner of Phalerio his conspiracy ibi The discouerer of the conspiracy recompenced with his discontent 209 The king of Hungary his great armie in Dalmatia 212 The king of Hungary besiegeth Treuiso ibid. Treuiso brauely defended 213 The king infringeth the peace 214 Threatnings of the Candiots 288 The situation of Anopolis 224 Thryestines doe reuolt 225 Thryestines resolue to yield to the Duke of Austria ibi Thryestines returne to the venetians obedience 226 Traitours in the Senate knowne and punished 226 The king of Hungary resolueth vpon peace 230 The enemies put to flight before Longina 231 The Fort of Catharra yielded 236 The common complaint of the people 246 The peoples talke in fauour of Pisani ibi The Genoueses determination fearing to be shut vp 253 The Genoueses beate backe the Venetians to their gallies ibid. The Stellani warre on the Genoueses 254 Two and fiftie gallies in the venetians army by sea 255 Tumult in the venetian army 257 Thryeste reuolteth and yieldeth to the Genoueses 263 The Castles of Thryeste razed by the inhabitants 264 Treachery of two Captaines of the garrison of Conigliana 272 The traitors punished ibid. Thryestines yield to Leopold 277 The Castle of Padua recouered for Nouello 279 The death of Paulo Sabello 285 The goodly situation of Verona 286 Two Forts at Verona ibid. The poore entertainement which the Paduans gaue Carrario returning without peace 287 The death of Pipus 292 The Florentines Ambassadour at Venice 298 The Castle of Bressia yielded to the Venetians 312 The Dukes of Sauoy and Montferrat make incursions on the Milanois 319 The chiefe of Florence animated against the Venetians 324 Those of Luca craue aide of the venetians of Philip and the Sienois ibid. The Prince outraged by a mad-man 325 Thessalonica in Macedonia taken by the Turkes 327 Tollentine leaueth Philips partie 329 The Prince of Mantua Generaâ—…l of the venetian armie 334 The two nauall armies of the venetians and Genoueses returne home 335 Treaty of peace almost concluded broken off 341 Those of Casal desire parlie 347 Treachery plotted against the veneâ—…ians 348 The two armies skirmish 352 The vnlooked for danger whereinto the Common-wealth was like to haue fallen ibi Those of the vally of Sabia seeke to sâ—…op their passage 354 The order which the besieged Bressans kept in the Citty 356 The part of a true Generall of an army 373 The valour of Contareni 382 Three new Procurators of S. Marke created 396 The king of Arragons daughter commeth to Venice 397 The thiefe that would haue robbd the treasury of Venice hanged and the accuser recompenced 410 The king of Bossina sendeth Presents to the venetian Prince 416 Turkish cruelty 424 Turkes successe both in Asia and Europe 427 Traitor punished according to his deserts 432 Turkes before Naples 434 Turkes leaue Naples ibid. Thryeste besieged 435 Thryeste and Arimini freed from the siege 436 Turkish fleet at Tenedos 441 Turkish fleet before Nigrepont 442 Treason
Turkes burn the country of 〈◊〉 The venetian 〈◊〉 comes too late into 〈◊〉 Croia yeelded to the Turkes They besiege Scutari Antonio Legiero Gouernour of Scutari The Turks great labour and danger to passe the sâ—…eepy mountainâ—… Peace concluded betwixt Ottoman and the Venetians The conditions of peace The Uenetians recompence â—…hose of Scutarie Variance betwixt the Uenetian Generall and the Turkâ—… The death of Iulian de Medicis The confederate Armie against the Florentineâ—… Galeaâ—… Duke oâ—… Milan slaine in a Church Roberto Malateste Generall of the Venetian Cauallerie The Arragonois defeat the Florentines Peace betwixt the Florentineâ—… and the associates Comparison betwixt the Romans and Uenetians The description of the Isle of Rhodes Ottoman besiegeth Rhodes Ottoman takes Otranto The death of Ottoman The Coritan Prince flies into Germanie The cause of the warre of Ferrara The Duke of Ferara declares himselfe an enemie to the Venetians The opinion of those disswading warre Their answere that craued war Warre is resolued against the Duke of Ferrara Two Venetian fleets The description of Lombardie The originall and spring of the Riuer Po with â—…er course From whence the Po tooke her name Fascinada The Ferrarois abandon Trccenta Castelnouo yeeldeth to the Venetians The Venetians besiege Ficarolles Hadria is taken Comachia veeldeth to the Venetians Cast peeces called Bases Some of the enemies are defeated in an Island The Venetians are put to rout and their enterprise made frustraâ—…e A fearefull assault by night The Venetians take Ficarolles Great mortality in the Venetians campe The noblest houses of Rome The greatnesse of the Ursini Alphonso aided by the Colonessi and Sauelli besiegeth the Pope A cruell fight betwixt Alphonso Duke of Calabâ—…ia and Roberto of Arimini Genenerall to the Venetians The death of Roberto of Arimini The defeate of the Ferrarois The venetian armie crosseth the Po. A parke neare to Ferrara The venetians build a bridge vpon the Po â—…eere to Ferrara Sanseuerino in battell before Ferrata The Ferraroiâ—… complaints Pope Sixtus withdrawes himselfe from the venetians friendship The Venetians answere to the Pope He excommunicateth the Venetians The state of the Rossians of Parma yeeldeth to Lodowick Two of Sanseuerins sonnes flie to the enemie Sanscuerino's Apologie to the Senate with their gracious acceptation Alphonsos great progression The Mantuan goes to the Consederates Aâ—…mie The 〈◊〉 of Lor rain returns into France The enemie 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 The enemies take the Isle of Lissa A subtill 〈◊〉 of Viâ—…re The enemie retires from Corsâ—… The Maâ—… discontented leaâ—… the armie The Venetians come to Stellata 〈◊〉 d Esâ—…e 〈◊〉 to the reliefe of Sâ—… The death of Giâ—… Hâ—… Alphonso taketh Carpinetta The situation of Valegia Alphonso vpon the Ueronois Sanseuerino coâ—… meth to Valegia Alphonso takes Azzola Parâ—… of the dukes pallace burnt Diuers expostulations vpon the yeelding of Azzola Hercules plaintiue Letters to Alphonso his brother Sanseuerins speed Alphonsoâ—…s â—…xclamations Sanseuerino's magnifiâ—…nt 〈◊〉 at Venice The Senatâ—… compenâ—…th 〈◊〉 Russians of Parma Sanseuerino comes to the new Orges The tower Tristania taken The Venetians câ—…aue a generall Councell The Uenetians receiue new supplies The arrogant brag of Porco The Venetians besiege Gallipolis The death of Generall Marcello Gallipolis taken Alphonsos Armie at Quintiana The Venetians take Calice Alphonso takes Metela A motion of peace The Venetians are put to rout Peace concluded with the Venetians Condition of peace How much the Venetians spent in this warre The Dukes pallace is reedified A great plague at Venice The Venetian gallies are assailed by Pirates Lisbone a Cittie of Portugall League betwixt the venetians and kings of Portugall The cause of this league Sanseuerino aideth Pope Innocent Sanseuerino recouereth Pontenomentana Peace betwixt the Pope and Ferdinand Sanseuerino dispoâ—…sed of his forces The venetians loyaltie Maximilian is chosen king of the Romanes 〈…〉 Ambassade into Portugall Great prosperity of the venetiaâ—… State The Princes instruction to his children on his death-bed The ceremonie at the Princes funerals A league betwixt the Pope and venetians The originall of the Rheticke warre The law of Nations violated The Almaines besiege Rouero Pietro Diede and Ieronimo Marcello Prouidators Ronero yeelded to the Almaines on composition The Venetians intreat old Sanseuerino to be their Generall Sauorgnane defeats the Almaines The Venetians are defeated Sanseuerino's resolution Luca Pisani his opinion on Sanseuerino his designe The siege of Trent is resolued The Venetians in amaze The death of old Sanseuerine the noble Venetian General The Venetians are wholly put to rout A generous act of Guido Maria de Rossis A bloudy victory to the Almanes The Castle of Arques taken and burnt The Venetians refuse thâ—… Articles of peace Peace concluded betwixt Sigismond and the venetians The venetians send a fleet to guard Cyprus What moued the Senate to desire the Realme of Cyprus The Senate send George Cornari into Cyprus The Queene resuseth her brothers request Cornari his replie The Queenes answere The reception of the Queene of Cyprus at Venice A new magistrate sent by the Senate into Affricke Contention betwâ—…xt the Emperour Fredericke and Mathias king of Hungarie The inuention of Harquebuses A decree for the exercise of youth An extreame frost at Uenice A law carefully obserued by the Uenetians Great iustice of the Venetians The death of Lorenzo de Medicis Charles the eight French king sends an Ambassadour to Venice The Venetians answere Lodouico Sforza sends Ambassadors into France to king Charles Antonio Prince of Salern incites king Charles to this iourney What moued the French Lords to perswade the king to this iourney Lodouicos feare He sends another Ambassade into France The death of Ferdinand king of Naples Alphonsos request to the Uenetians The Senate write to Lodouico in Alphonsos behalfe Philip de Comines Ambassador for king Charles at Venice The Venetians answere to Philip de Comines League betwixt Pope Alexander and Alphonso king of Naples The Venetians fleet in Sclauonia The Florentines craue councell of the Venetiâ—…s The Senates answere King Charles departs toward Italy The King by reason of his sicknesse stayed at Ast. The number of the Kings Army The King visits Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan The Dutchesse in teares fals down at the Kings feete His answere to the Dutchesse The death of Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan Lodouico vsurps the title and Armes of Duke of Milan Lorenzo and Giouan de Medicis persuade the French King to go to Florence The first resoluâ—… changed The Kings vantgard at Pontrema Finizana taken and sackt by the French Serezzana and Serezanella two strong places The Florentines in allarme The resolution of Pietro de Medicis The Articles of agreement Pietro de Medicis flies from Florence The Medici are declared enemies to their country The King giues liberty to the Pisans Aubigni with his troupes makes head against Ferdinand Bertinora taken The Venetians send Ambassadors to the King Acord sworne betwixt the â—… King and Florentines Ferdinand goes fourth of Rome
to take the Citâ—…y The estate of the beseeged 〈◊〉 them to yeeld The Captains sâ—…ndry opinions The beseeged resolue to yeeld on composition 〈◊〉 giuen on both sides The artiâ—…les of the 〈◊〉 Mustapha his seigned curtesie Bragadin 〈◊〉 to Mustapha his tent Mustapha his 〈◊〉 â—…cliy More then barbarous cruelty Great impiety against the dead The Bascha returneth to Constantinople The vniting of the Confederate fleet The Aduise of D. Bernardino de Requesens for fighting or not fighting with the enemy Barbarico 〈◊〉 speecâ—… peâ—…swading to fight Cornia his speech confirming Batbaricos The Turkish fleet in the Gulph of Lepanto An accident which had like to haue bred great miâ—…chiefe Don Iohn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Venieri Venieri his answer to them The order and forme of the chrâ—…stian battaile Don Iohns Oration to his soldiors The speech of Hassan Bascha perswadiâ—…g to fight Mehemet Bey bis speech dissweding from fight The order of the Turkish flect Ali Basha his speech of incouragement to his captaineâ—… and soldiers at the inâ—…ant of battaile The memorable battaile of Lepanto Small hope in the reuolt of the Turkes subiects The Ueneâ—…ians preparations against the spring The Emperors excuses to free himselfe from entring into the league The King of Portugals answer to the Cardinall and Venetians The King of Portugals promises The Pope soliâ—… the King of Poland Bascha Mahomet soliciteth the Emperor The Pope and Venetians doubt 〈◊〉 Turkes 〈◊〉 of the Christians before the battaile The 〈◊〉 of peace beoken Rumors diuâ—…lged by the Spaniard The Spaniards feare least the Uenetians make peace with the Turks 〈◊〉 of Pius Quintus The Venetians solicite the Cardinalls in the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 The enterprize vppon Castelno â—…o propounded to the Senate The attempt vppon Castel-nouo in vaine Soranza is honorably enterteined by Don Iohn at Messina His Remonstrance to D. Iohn The Spanish delayes The true cause of Don Iohns delay D. John leadett the Venetians 22. Gallies The French King â—…orhideth his subiâ—…cts to goe into Flanâ—…ers Râ—…asont alleadged by the Protestants to moouâ—… the French King to warre The Spaniards are iealous of the French mens actions Ambassadors 〈◊〉 from Venice to France and Spaine The Venetian Ambassadors discourse to the French Kinâ—… The French Kings answere to the Venetian Ambassador The mother Queene of France writeâ—… to the Pope The Catholick Kingâ—…s resolution before the Ambassadors ariual Tepulo his sute to the Kinge of Spaine The senates resolution when they perceiued the Spanish delaies Colonna his â—…duice General Foscarini his answer to Colonna Colonna's opinion concerning the setting forward towards the â—…mies Gâ—…l Andrada his opinion Don Iohn certifies the Venetians that bee will shortly bee with them The fleet departeth notwithstanding The Christians descry the Tur kish fleet The number of the Christian and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ulâ—…zzalies policy The death of Sigismond King of Poland The Christians flâ—…et desâ—…rieth that of the Turkes The Turkes retire from the Christian fleet Vluzzali determineth to assaiâ—…ls D. Iohn â—… proposition made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 witâ—… securâ—… D. Iohn Difficultieâ—… arising about the meeting of Don Iohn Quirini sale conducts the great vessels to the fleet The number of the confederate fleet The order of the Confederates fleet The Confederates error The enemies 〈◊〉 to Modon Ulâ—…zzali inâ—… not to fight Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayen in the 〈◊〉 fleete 〈◊〉 of the Turkish fleet A vayne and vnprofitable engin The situation of the Castle of Nauarine The Turkes comming to releeue tâ—…e castle doe much anoy the Christians The Confederats discampâ—… from before Nauarin Don Iohns excuses Tluzzali returnes to Constantinople The Cousede rate fleet coms to Corfou The Spaniards desirous to returne into the west Don Iohn goes to Naples 〈◊〉 to paine The Venetians complaine to the Pope Venieri his hoâ—… noroble entertainment and welcome at Uenice 〈…〉 The Turkes build a fort against Catarin The Uenetians take the sort They ruine it by a myne Motion of Peace at Constantinople with the Vene tian Baily The Senate at first makes no great account of peace Peace is propounded in the Councell of Tenne The Spaniards conference with the Venetian Ambassador The Emperor seekes to hinder peace Prince Mocenigo his oration to the councell of Tenne The Senates resolution to peace Causes moouing the Senate to imbrace peace The Bishop of Aix Ambassador for the French King at Constantinople The Turkes deale roughly with the Venetian Bayly Peace concluded betwixt the Turkes Venetians Articles of peace Sundry opinions concerning the Venetians peace The King of Spaine iâ—… not discontented with the Venetians The Venetians send an expresse Ambassador to the Pope The Ambassadors excuses to the Pope The Turkish fleet depaâ—…teth from Constantinople The Ambassadors speech to Selim. An. 1573. Henry Duke of Aniou chosen king of Poland Troubles in the Dutchy of Vrbin Don Iohn goes into Affrick The death of Selim Emperor of Turkes The King of Poland returnes secretly into France The entertainment giuen to the French King at Vienna in Austiiâ—… The Dukes of Ferrara and Neuers come with King Henry to Venice The French Kings magnificent reception at Uenice The death of Cosmo de Medicis first great Duke of Tuscany Troubles in Genoa appeased An. 1575. The Venetians scare The Turkish army in the Empires confines The cause why Amurath hated the Emperor Amurath confirmes peace with the Uenetians The Prince Seâ—…ates vow to God Great charity of a Prelat Price set vpon all wares The Pope sends a golden rose to the Venetian Prince Brescia afflicted with the plague Sundry prodigies seene in the ayre Ambassadors sâ—…nt to the King of Spain Decrces against the Venetians superfluous expences A Decree against superfluous dyet A Persiaâ—… Ambassador 〈◊〉 to Veniâ—…e Vpon what occasion the Pope caused tenne daies to be taken from the yeere Contention betwixt the Venâ—…tians and Knights of Malta A Uenotian Gentleman is exâ—…cuted to satisfie the Turke The creation of Pope Sixtus the fifth A Dutchesse iâ—… cruelly murthered in Paduâ—… The murtherers are put to death Pope Sixtus death with the creation of Pope Vrban the 7. Creation of Pope Gregory the 14. The deceit of a Greeke The Venetians are iealous of Turkeâ—… and 〈◊〉 The building of the bridge of Rialto The death of Pope Gregory the 14. The Creation and death of Pope Innocent the 9. The Creation of Pope Clement the 7. A Prodigie The Institution of the Uenetian Academy A sollâ—…mne Amâ—…assage from Fâ—…ance to Rome The Venetians send Ambassadors to the French King The Pope blâ—…sseth and absoluâ—…th the â—…rench King The Cardinall of Florence Legat in France The Venetians defeat the Vsicoques Henry the 4. motioneth a marriage with the Princâ—…sse of Florence The Kings mariage celebrated at Florence Italy zealouâ—… of the Spaniardâ—… Peace betwixt the French King and Duke of Sauoy The caâ—…se of tâ—…e Venetianâ—… icalou siâ—… Diuers Pirates are defeated The Senates Dâ—…cree agaâ—…nst the Clergie A decree concerning building of Churches The death of Pope Clement the viii The election of Pope Leo the 10. and his sodaine death The creation of Pope Paul the fift The Pope complaineth to the Venetian Ambassador The Popes resolution vpon the Venetians refusall The Senates answer to the Pope The censures against the Venetians are publishâ—…d The Venetians make a declaration vpon the Popes excommunication The French King mediates peace betwixt the Pope and Uenetians Cardinâ—…ll Perron 〈◊〉 with the Pope The Pope grants a commission to the Caâ—…dinal Ioyâ—…use The Commission is giuen to Cardinal Ioyâ—…use to reuoke the censures at Venice 〈◊〉 Articles on which the iâ—…terdiction was reuokâ—…d The Cardinals reception at Uenice After what manner the prisoners were deliuered The manner of 〈◊〉 the censures The Duke reuokâ—…th his first declaration The Senats doubt
ruines of this ancient one are to be seene in the middest of the Sea Whereby may be coniectured how much ground the Sea hath deuoured since that time I dare moreouer affirme that that place was in the beginning called Medoac and since by the Modernes named Malamoc by corruption of the language like vnto diuers others The Albiolans amazed at the Dukes flight and those of Malamoc fell forthwith to composition the like did those few people which remained in Malamoc These being receiued by composition so soone as the victorious French man came to the Port of Albiola which at this day is right ouer against new Malamoc and had perceiued for he did see nothing but Sea on the one side and lakes on the other that he must either change his purpose or his manner of warre it is said that he sate a certaine time verie melancholie vpon the shoare with his face turned towards the enemie as though hee were deuising some meanes to giue end to that warre and that at last through the counsell of an old woman which is not credible he made a bridge ouer the water for his soldiers passage ouer to Rialto But concerning the counsell of a simple olde woman it is wholly ridiculous as if an old doting Crone had knowne better what did belong to a deed of so great importance than so manie thousands of men which followed the French seeing that diuers Italians most expert in marine matters and capable of greater things were then with him But admit that all those which were with him were ignorant of that meanes those of Malamoc which were taken prisoners could easily haue executed such an enterprise For it is not credible though some say it that there were none in that place which was in time past so populous but one poore old woman There be that haue likewise affirmed that they laboured first to ouercome them by famine but that the besieged hauing with certaine warre-like engins throwne loaues of bread into the enemies camp the hautie French impatient of more delay did foâ—…thwith ioine and make fast together diuers hogsheads or tuns head to head and couering them with boards made a verie long bridge Whereupon the Venetians perceiuing it did behooue them to fight for their libertie their Churches and for their owne liues and their childrens and for want of so doing to vndergoe the yoke of the proud enemie resolued to fight couragiously intending either to die fighting or to preserue their libertie to hazard their last fortune by that maner of fight wherein they were most exercised Hauing then imbarked themselues in small light boats apt for fight and saile the winde and tide seruing them after they had tarried for the ebbe they came furiously vpon the enemie who alreadie approched There began on a sodaine a bloudie battaile betwixt them sustained neuerthelesse by verie different courages For the French fought incited with a desire to spoile and to maintaine their former honour But the Venetians for their wiues and children for their publike and particular wealth and for their libertie which they held deerer then all the rest And because the bridge was weakely built and continually shaken by the waues of the sea the enemie being accustomed to firme footing began forthwith to stagger The Venetians on the contrarie trusting to the lightnesse of their vessels couragiously assailed them behinde and in flanke The bridge at the last being broken by force which some thinke hapned by the violence of a tempest which arose at the beginning of the fight there was in a moment a great slaughter of the french the sword on the one side and the Sea on the other presenting death vnto them The multitude of such as were then slaine and drowned gaue the first ground why that place by the which men turne from Malamoc to the Rialto was for that notable victorie called afterward Orphano We haue heard how the Venetians fought with good successe against Pepin the sonne of Charles We may then vpon a iust ground in some things compare the Venetians Common-wealth with that of the Romans as we will often hereafter doe For diuers things are to be found as well in the prosperitie as aduersitie of both the Common-wealths much like the one to the other It is certaine that the prosperous beginnings and encrease of both these people were wholly almost extinct by the Barbarians albeit the Venetians Common-welth was in some sort more new in the time of her first troubles than was that of the Romans in the time of the Senonians warre Yet notwithstanding each of them had the French for their enemies The Romans were assailed by the Senonians a Nation altogether vnknown before the taking of the Citie These by the Belgians no lesse couragious but more mightie then the Senonians because they were besides the forces of the Empire aided by the succors of Italie The Roman state had incensed the enemie because one of her Ambassadours had contrarie to the law of Nations iniured a Frenchman The Venetian because in contempt of the agreement made betwixt Charles and Nicephorus it had fauoured one of the parties The Senonians were masters of all sauing the Capitol The Belgians left the Venetians nothing but Rialto And both the one and other deceiued the enemie by casting loaues of bread These men defended the Sea bankes and the other a little hill Each of them haue valiantly repulsed the French puffed vp with the pride of his victories and happie successe But the first did it voluntarily and this by constraint But the Roman therein deserued high glorie in that all her enemies were slaine And the Venetians in that they defeated so mightie a king assisted aswell with his owne forces as with those of his Father and the Empire The preseruing of the Capitoll was cause of the encrease of the Citie and of the perpetuall establishment of the Empire That of Rialto gaue not only occasion of the Cities encrease but of establishing the Princes residence in a more eminent and magnificent place than either Heraclea or Malamoc Thus farre extended the Cities infancie Now followes her youth during which the Venetians after they had confirmed their forces did mightily enlarge the limits of their estate But we will returne to Pepin who amazed as they say at such a losse did forthwith raise the siege And after the French had spoyled all the places they went through he brought backe his Armie Some say that Obellerio and his brother being authors of so many mischiefes did willingly banish themselues and followed the enemie Others who make the Emperour Charles the authour of this warre and not Pepin doe affirme that the French after this losse made peace with the Venetian and came to Rialto where being honourably entertained he intreated the people to receiue Obellerio into the Countrie which the Venetians hauing vnwillingly graunted as the euent witnessed so soone as Charles was gone Obellerio
and marched against the inhabitants of Vderza saying that they did wrongfully hold from him certaine lands belonging to his wife Hee did first spoile the Countrie round about then he assailed the Citie which beeing taken hee burned downe to the ground Some Authors affirme that vpon the same occasion he assailed likewise those of Ferrara and that he tooke by force a Citie of their confines These warlike actions made him more insolent For he placed a companie of soldiors in the Dukes Palace for his guard and all his speech and actions sauoured of tirannie The people calling to minde their ancient libertie fel on a sodaine vpon him the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment as some saie or the eighteenth according to others For the Historians doe much disagree concerning the times of euerie Princes gouernment But with his Guarde defending himselfe valiantly from the top of his house they set fier on the houses next to the Palace on this side the Canall on the same side the winde did blow which being kindled the flame did not onely burne the Dukes Palace but Saint Markes Church Pietro seeing himselfe inuironed with so manie miseries and that he must bee constrained either to giue place to the peoples furie or else to die there he tooke his yonge son which he had by this last wife in his armes and went into that part of the Church which the fier had not yet touched and comming forth by a priuie way he endeuoured to saue himself and his sonne by flight whom he meant to carrie into Exile with him But when he perceiued all the waies stopped with Armed men he then fell to intreaties That they would not fall vpon him as on a cruell beast that they would abstaine from hurting him till he had excused himselfe to the people and then it should be at their choice either to put him to a cruell death if they thought it fit or else to saue his life as by their bountie they had done in times past whilst his Father liued at such time as they accounted him guiltie of Treason He did moreouer confesse that the people might be iustly mooued against him but yet the yonge childe in his armes was innocent that they should doe a most vnworthie deede If for the hatred they did beare to the Father they should murther the innocent creature who neuer yet had offended anie one All these entreaties were vaine and those who assailed him cried out a loud That it was lawfull for them being an holie and iust matter to take awaie a Tirant from the Common-wealth whose excuses could not be but wicked And so rushing vpon him he did in a moment fall downe dead to the ground wounded in diuers places with his yong sonne likewise Some saie that they did cut the childes throate in the trembling nurses armes and that the bodies were by the peoples command throwne vpon the dunghill and there left to bee eaten with dogges but that at the intreatie of Giouanni Gradonico that lamentable spectacle was remoued from the sight of the multitude and the bodies honorably buried in St. Hilaries Church Some thinke that through the counsell of Pietro Vrseolo who was Duke after him the people fired the houses next to the Palace and that it was done onely to hurt the Duke But it fell out otherwise For the force of the winde and the houses neere to the Palace did in such sort feede this fier as besides the Palace the most magnificent Cathedrall Church of the Citie and those of Saint Theodore the Martir and Saint Marie Iubenica with three hundred priuate houses were the same daie burnt The end of the third Booke of the first Decade THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the fourth Booke of the first Decad. THe Dukes Palace burnt in the last popular sedition is repaired at VRSEOLO'S cost who succeeded CANDIANO He giues a most rich Table to laie vpon Saint MARKES Altar VITALIS Patriarch of Grada sonne to the deceased Duke CANDIANO flies to the Emperour OTHO ADHELETA a most renowned Ladie and her manie crosses The league renued with those of the Cape of Histria VRSEOLO moued with a Religious desire doth secretly leaue the Citie The Common-wealth endangered by ciuile discorde OTHO the second makes secretwarre on the Venetians whom he first seekes to ouercome by famine Saint GEORGES Churche built right opposite to the great market-place The description of the Countrie of Illiria All Histria and Dalmatia brought vnder the subiection of VRSEOLO The Emperour OTHO the third comes to Venice in disguise and remaines secretly for a time with the Duke The Phaledrini build Saint BENETS Church The Venetian ouercomes the Hadrians neere to the mouthes of the Riuers Po and Adice They fight likewise afterward with good successe in Dalmatia with Heresimus King of Croatia Prince OTHO banished DOMINICO VRSEOLO flies to Rauenna the morrow after he had seised on the Dukes Palace being driuen thence by the people Those of Zara reuolt after they had first yeelded to the Venetians PEPIN Patriarch of Aquileia troubleth the quiet of the Common-wealth From whence the Normans are descended who haue a long time reigned in Italie and Sicilie GISCARD their Captaine The Venetians vanquish the Normans at Sea neere to Durazzo THE Common-wealth hauing by the Dukes death preserued her ancient libertie it was an hard matter to declare whether of these two were the greatest either their ioye for being freed from tyrannie or their sorrow to see so many publique and priuate buildings consumed to ashes by the late fire which did maruellously deface the Cities beautie But fearing least such an astonishment might breed some greater mischeife in the Citie as it is often seene that one new sorrow followeth another at the heeles they forthwith created a new Duke But yet they sought out one differing in humour and qualitie from him that last deceased But they needed not make any farre search being so well furnished neere at hand ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLA the 23. Duke of Uenice THe vertuous wisedome of Pietro Vrseolo being at the same time knowne to all men was the cause that at the generall assembly held at Saint Peters Church for the same purpose which is at this day the Patriarks seat he was with a generall applause declared Prince who refusing this charge tooke it vpon him at the peoples entreatie who told him that he ought not to forsake the Commonwealth in so dangerous a season Yet it is most certaine that hee vnwillingly embraced it For being from his youth brought vp and trained in the loue of Iustice hee was afraid of popular gouernment which seldome or neuer respects the innocent But the affection which hee did beare to his Countrie for the which we are chiefly borne as saith diuine Plato made him not to abandon his fellow-citizens in so great a danger So soone therefore as hee was chosen Prince
thinke can be so agreeable unto him as this holy voiage Whereby yee shall free from base and cruell seruitude the place of his birth his Sepulcher and generally all the signes and tokens of his humanitie But because humane affaires are of such nature as there is almost no publike charitie exempted from ambition And your selues likewise perhaps since I began to speake of this subiect haue closely demaunded of your selues what honour what glorie what recompence may be expected thereby Certainly it is and euer shall bee well be seeming and greatly profitable for our reputation that the Venetians only of all Europe haue beene thought fit at this time to oppose themselues with all boldnesse against all Asia in a manner The farthest parts of the East shall feele the worth of the Venetians power Affrick shall talke of it but Europe shall greatly admire it All men shall speake of you The whole honour of the warre shall be attributed to you That which we haue done heeretofore in Asia seemeth to be effected rather by strangers than by vs. But that which we shall henceforth do there shall be ascribed to vs alone The glorie of strangers hath greatly hurt vs who by their luster haue in a manner darkened all our great actions the which in time to come they shall not doe Their trauaile and danger in breaking the enemies forces shall bee our praise and glorie to haue thus brauely broken and beaten them back Moreouer I doubt not but that all of ye are willing and desirous to enlarge your estate as far as may be But how by what meanes will you effect it In liuing idely or rowing vp and downe these Lakes in your little boates Hee that thinketh so doth greatly deceiue himselfe The ancient Romans of whom ye vaunt yee are descended and whom ye desire to imitate did not purchase the Empire of the World by liuing idely and at their ease but by making one warre to grow from off an other By warre they did subdue all Nations And finally by warre their power and greatnesse did increase beyond all thought Heereunto wee may yet adde that which is most to bee desired That wee are to take Armes against enemies whom to kill it is not onely lawfull but likewise iust and holie Besides those whom wee relieue haue alreadie and will still giue vs a share in those Townes and Cities conquered from the enemie But happily some will thinke this a small matter and wholly vnworthie for the recompence of so great an enterpriâ—…e I confesse that it is small in shew But whosoeuer will thinke vpon the time to come will finde it to be an assured foundation whereon to builde and encrease our Dominion in the Leuant For great and admirable matters are often-times seene to spring from meane beginnings But if neither the honour recompence nor the mutuall loue we all beare to the Christians name can not moue you This vndoubtedly ought to prouoke you thereunto That by freeing this holie Land from the bondage of the enemies appearing one day before the Throne of this incomprehensible Iudge we shall stand vpright acknowledged by this great King and by all the rest for Soldiours of his guard receiuing an holie guer don for so holy a war Depart then in Gods name and prepare a mightie Armie which may be for the profit and honor of the Common-wealth It behoueth you to vse speed least as it often times hapneth some vnlook't for accident do foreslow so great an enterprize This speech being ended a sodaine noise was heard ouer all the Church entermingled with sighs and teares all the people crauing that the Armie might quickly be in readinesse saying That there was no man in the whole citie but had rather enroll his name for so holie a warre than to liue idly at home Hereupon they armed fortie Gallies as they say which speak sparingly of the matter but according to their opinions who speak more indifferently thereof one hundred also according to others who amplifie the matter two hundred which opinion neuerthelesse I hold to be the truest For if it were so as they say I know 〈◊〉 vpon what occasion Prince Michaeli as shall bee heere-after mentioned should dare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the enemies Fleete before Ioppa which consisted of seauen hundred Shippes of warre But some say that the enemie insted of seauen hundred had but three score and ten If it were so all the Historians should haue small cause so highly to praise this victorie obtained by Prince Michaeli and chiefly Blondus who hath more curiously than anie other set downe that which was done at the same time in Syria Besides Giacomo of Genoa who came to Hierusalem by and by after the battaile doth write that the Venetians had two hundred vesselles whereof three score and tenne were Shippes of burthen The Prince being come to Dalmatia tooke in fresh supplies Then he sailed with a faire wind to Ciprus where hauing certaine notice of the great multitude of enemies incamped before Ioppa he marched furiously against them The Barbarians at the same time held those of Ioppa which were become Christians streightly besieged and hauing shut vp their Hauen and taken from them all hope of succour on that side from whence they most expected it they attempted to make them yeeld The Bishop so soone as he vnderstood that the Venetian Fleet did approach came to Ioppa with victuailes and with the greatest forces thâ—… hee could to the end to relieue the citie vntill the arriuall of the Venetian succours But whilest he made these preparations Prince Michaeli who as hath beene said was come somewhat neere to the enemie did on a 〈◊〉 assaile him not giuing him time to order his Ships in battell vanquished him and enforced him to discampe after he had slaine some and taken the rest Some Authors affirme That they fought in the maine Sea and that the enemies Fleete was but an hundred vessels where the battell being very bloudie on both sides lasted for certaine houres space and that in the end the enemies being ouercome and their Admirall Galley taken with diuers others the Venetians opened the passage of the Sea to those of Ioppa That our men certaine dayes after tooke in the 〈◊〉 Sea ten of the enemies Ships of burden laden with rich Merchandise so as there was neither Captaine Marriner nor Souldiour but were a long time after the better for that rich bootie Some Authours doe affirme That Prince Mihaeli after this victorie came to Ierusalem where being kindly welcomed by Bishop Varimond and the rest hee was by them gratified for his opportune arriuall and for his happie defeating of the enemie It was debated there among the Captaines after what maner they should prosecute the Warres Wherein hauing spent certaine dayes without any resolution what Citie they should first attempt It is reported that by the aduice of Prince Michaeli they fell to cast lots and that the same falling on the Citie
matters worthy of memorie as well abroade as at home haue beene done vnder this Princes gouernement we will beginne with those done in the Citie ¶ SEBASTIANO CYANI the 39. Duke of Uenice NOt long after hee was created Duke there were brought out of Greece some say from Constantinople but I cannot conceiue how that should be so long as Emanuel liued in ships of burthen commonly called Carraques three Columnes or Pillars of a wonderfull greatnes these ships being come into the hauen as they began to vnship one of these pillars with cables and other engines the huge weight thereof surmounting the industrie of the labourers brake all the ropes so as it â—…ell into the bottome of the Sea where it yet remaines the other two were landed with more care The which after they had laien for a certaine time on the shore no man durst vndertake for any hire whatsoeuer to set them vp The desire which all men had to see them erected was the cause that by a publike decree it was euery where published That whosoeuer would by his industrie vndertake to bring the same to effect it should bee lawfull for him to craue of the Prince and People whatsoeuer hee would promising on the publike faith that it should be giuen him Prouided that it were a matter which might honestly be demanded At the report hereof diuers as the manner is came running from all parts some for hope of reward and others being pricked forward with the desire of fame But of them al there was none which vnder-tooke the matter but only one that came forth of Lombardie who by continuall wetting with water the great cables which supported the whole weight being by that meanes brought into the Market place did set them vp in the same place where they now stand leauing a certaine space betwixt each of them And on the top of the one was set a gilded Lyon with open wings which is the badge of S. Marke and on the other the figure of S. Theodore the Martyr holding his lance and shield with the Dragon vnder his feete It is reported that he demanded for his recompence That it might bee lawfull for all dice and carde-plaiers to play and cheate betwixt those pillars without any feare of punishment I should praise thine industrie O Enginer whosoeuer thou wert haddest thou not so greatly recommended so base and vile an exercise the which if thou haddest not extremely loued thou wouldest neuer haue so much importuned But God bestoweth not all on one man This man likewise was the first beginner of the bridge aâ—… Rialto and of many other very profitable deuises for the common-wealth in regard whereof it was decreed he himselfe hauing so requested it that he should be maintained during his life at the publike charge But whilest these things were done in the Citie Emanuel being desirous to make his profit of the Venetians misfortune for hee had heard how greatly the Citie had beene afflicted with the plague after the returne of the Armie and likewise of the Princes murther omitted no kinde of treacherie against the Venetians He did outrage to their Ambassadours that were with him contrarie to the law of Nations Prince Vitalis at his departure from Greece had sent them to Constantinople vpon likelihood that the enemie would hearken to a peace Hee called then Henrico Dandulo one of the Ambassadours into his cabinet as if he had meant to haue imparted some secret matter to him where hee made him blinde by holding red hot copper before his eies This monstrous treacherie which noteth such a Prince to be of a base and abiect minde makes me to beleeue that which diuers Venetian Historians haue reported of him That being descended of base Parentage after hee had to satisfie the inordinate appetite of a voluptuous widdow put to death for that occasion all the Nobilitie of Greece he obtained the Imperiall dignitie This widdow as I thinke had beene wife to Alexis for Emanuel succeeded him her husband being dead After his death there being some likelihood that such an Empire could not be well gouerned by a Womans authoritie the Princes and other great Lords of the Empire did solicite her to marrie againe and to take for husband whomsoeuer shee should like among the Nobilitie Shee being enamoured on one of her houshold seruants of meane condition named Gryphon who after he had vsurped the Empire tooke the name of Emanuel called him secretly into her cabinet and bewraied to him her wicked intent I haue determined said shee for feare least by a new marriage I should be depriued of our familiar conuersation to make thee Emperour if thou wilt but shew thy selfe stout and valiant But giue eare how this may be done I know that thou hast many Kinsfolkes in the Countrie I will haue thee cause them all to come secretly Armed into the Citie by sundrie waies and at sundrie times These thus Armed thou must when neede shall bee bring into some place in this Palace making them readie to strike when thou shalt command Then all the chiefe of the Empire beeing called together I will aske them if their meaning be to haue me marrie with such an one as I loue and whether they will acknowledge him for Emperour of Greece If they say as I doubt not but they will that they are so content I will then name the for my husband and Emperour and enforce them at the instant to sweare fealtie and alleageance vnto thee But if they shall refuse so to doe I will deliuer them all into thy hands and into the power of thy friends to doe with them what shall seeme good vnto thee This yong man being valiant and amorous did greatly praise the inuention of this woman and after that hee had made readie that which was concluded betwixt them vpon the refusall which the Princes made to consent to so base and vnequall nuptials they were altogether at an instant murthered and by that meanes in one daie ended the race of Constantine in Grecia Emanuel hauing in this sort vsurped the Empire It is reported that hee found a Booke of Prophecies wherein reading by chaunce he was greatly frighted at one of the verses which said that those of Adria should one daie command in Constantinople I omit the rest which he being not able to vnderstand did impart to soothsaiers and Astrologians who were of opinion that it was to bee meant of the Venetians who inhabited the Adriatick Sea which hee himselfe likewise imagining had alreadie thought likelie to come to passe And from thence as it is said proceeded the originall of his hatred towards the Venetians For he thinking it would shortly happen that the Citie of Constantinople should be besieged by them the which of a certaine fell so out within a while after he sought by treacherie and stratagems not being able to do it by open force to ouerthrow and ruinate the Venetian State And
being taken the chiefe of the Armie consulted together to name fifteene men which should haue authoritie to elect a new Emperour And it was expresly mentioned That if the Emperor whom they chose were not a Venetian it should be lawfull for the Venetians to appoint one of their own nation whom they pleased to be Patriarch of the Citie This thus concluded the Venetians deputed fiue Electors the Earles of Flaunders and Saint Paul as many and the Dukes of Sauoy and Montserrat made vp the number By these mens voices Baldwin Earle of Flaunders was declared Emperour and Thomaso Morosino Patriarch of Constantinople by the Venetians who soone after went to Rome and was confirmed in his dignitie by Pope Innocent The Princes in the mean time desirous to prosecute their voyage to the holy Land vsing great liberalitie to the new Emperour gaue him the moitie of the Citie Prouinces Tributes and other matters fallen to them by agreement of the Greeke Empire And not satisfied with this good office they added to this great liberalitie That all the Cities Castles Forts and Townes which they should take depending on the Greeke Empire should be recouered as in his name and reduced vnder his obedience Some thinke that the fourth part of the Empire was giuen to him and the residue being diuided into two parts the one part thereof fell to the Venetians All things at last being quieted in the Citie the Armie speedily departed Boniface of Montferrat and Henrie the Emperours brother dislodged first of all who with great good successe possessed Thrace which lies on either side betwixt Constantinople and Adrianople three daies iourney in length And all that conquest such as it was they reduced vnder the Emperour Baldwins obedience according to their promise Prince Henrico remaining at Constantinople dealt with the Emperour to bound that part of the Empire which was fallen to the Venetians because it wholly almost consisted of Islands seated in the Aegean and Ionian Seas And because the Isle of Candie belonged to Boniface by the gift of young Alexis Baldwin to take away all cause of strife and that their fellowes should truly receiue whatsoeuer had beene promised them he made Boniface King of Thessalie and gaue the Isle of Candie which he tooke from him to the Venetians And the better to confirme the matter the Venetian Prince sent M. Sanuto Rabani Carcerio his Ambassadors to Boniface who was encamped before Adrianople and till they returned he sent an Armie to receiue all the rest The Ambassadors sent to Boniface arriuing at Adrianople shewed him the Emperours decree and offering him besides a good summe of money he easily condiscended to their request and made ouer to the Venetians all the right which he pretended to the Isle of Candie by vertue of Alexis gift In this meane time Thomaso Patriarch of Constantinople at his returne from Rome where he had obtained whatsoeuer he demaunded came to Venice and after he had staied a while there being readie to returne into Greece hee tooke with him foure gallies which were sent for supplie to the Prince at Constantinople with which he recouered Ragusa which was reuolted from the Venetians and hauing repaired Durazzo which the Greeke Emperours had abandoned he left a good Garrison in it Thence he came directly to Constantinople where he was receiued of all men with great ioy But nothing did so much hasten his returne as the commaundement which the Pope had giuen him to crowne Baldwin Emperour of Greece And that Coronation-day was beautified with a great assembly as well of Greekes as of French-men and Italians Scarse was the yeare expired wherein Constantinople was taken but that all the Cities and strong Townes of the Greeke Empire as well on the Sea-coasts as on the firme Land were reduced vnder the Emperours obedience Adrianopolis excepted But this fortunate fuccesse was interrupted by his too sodaine death Some affirme that hee died at Constantinople And others say that being incâ—…mped before Adrianopolis he fell into an Ambush and being taken by the enemies he died in Prison and that by his death there was no Emperour in Greece for seuen yeares after This is that which the Annalists maintaine Those which alleadge the contrarie say That Henrie his brother was at the same instant saluted Emperour in his stead who being discamped from before Adrianopolis which his brother had besieged to effect his more speedie Coronation at Constantinople receiued newes on the way of the death of Henrico the Venetian Prince so as there was a small time betwixt the death of the Emperour Baldwin and that of Henrico who deceased the thirtenth yeare of his Principalitie and was honourably buried in Saint Sophias Church It shall not bee amisse to set downe in this place certaine propheticke verses which I find in some Historians to bee attributed to Sâ—…bylla the which are reported to haue been common almost in euerie mans mouth long time before the Frenchmen and Venetians tooke Constantinople if it be so I doe assuredly beleeue that this Oracle was the only cause of that mortall hatred which the Emperour Emanuel bare to the Venetians And forasmuch as all that in a manner which hapned at Constantinople since the time of the Emperour Constantine vntill Henrico the Venetian Prince is comprized in these verses I haue thought it fit to set them downe word for word to the end that by them it may be knowne how well this woman possessed with a diuine furie did prophecie of things to come and that which Plutarch speaketh of the Egyptians is not altogether absurd who thought that the spirit of diuination was easily communicated to women They begin thus A Prophecie found in Constantinople AENeadum gloria Bizantium deducetur Eruntque Danai in robore delicato vsque ad Leonem sexaginta pedum Donec catulos eius Vrsus deuoret Hunc Aquila dispecta Vrsum dissipet Aquilam Hircus obumbret Pullum voret Aquilae Fietque Potentum in Hadriaticis aquis congregatio Caeco Duce Hir cum abigent Bizantium prophanabunt Hircus non balabit amplius Nec Gallus cantabit vsque dum sexaginta tres pedes pollices nouem discurrant Which may be thus Englished Bizance shall rise the Romans glorie hight Graecia shall flow with fulnesse of delight Vntill the sixtie-footed Lion come Whose princely whelps with death the Beare shall dome The Beare shall by the roiall Eagle fall The Goat orethrowes the Eagle Chick and all And in the mid'st of th' Adriatick strond Shall meete great States combin'd by mutuall bond Against the Goat They led by Chieftaine blind Shall quell his pride and tame his Tyger mind And Bizance selfe they likewise shall subdue So droops the Goat And the shrill Cock that crew So lowd of late hence forth shall chant no more Till of a greater number kept in store Sixtie three feete with thumbs thrice 3. times told By fading hence this mysterie
they kept him in the Citie Pope Clement who was then in France after that he had vnderstood the misfortune of Ferrara being vexed to see a feudatorie Citie of the Church of Rome to be so vnworthily handled by a tyrant and at last made subiect to the Venetians he forthwith imployed spirituall Armes against them and excommunicated them publishing ouer all Europe that it was lawfull for any man to kill the Venetians wheresoeuer they could finde them as being excluded from the Communion of Christians and enemies to the Church of Rome This doe the Annales make mention of But that which strangers write thereof as it is more gentle so is it likely to be more true That the Venetians were interdicted from the vse of the Sacraments his Holinesse adding that any man should do wel who hauing any Venetian prisoner should sell him as a slaue This was the cause that in all the faires almost of France the Venetians marchandize of great value wereby commaundement of the Princes and Lords miserably spoiled As likewise in Calabria and the marches neere to the Sea In such sort as the Venetians hauing euerie where lost all that they had were verie badly intreated and some of them likewise slaine Whereupon it happened during that time that they abstained from trafficke with strangers The Popes Legate in the meane time after he had leuied great troops and receiued certaine companies of horse from the Florentines marched to Ferrara against the Venetians and Frisco The townsmen at the first newes of the comming of the Papall Armie reuolted from the Venetians and let the Legates troopes who were at their gates into the Citie The slaughter was great on both sides but much more on the Venetians who being chaced by the great number of the enemies did speedily enter the Fort of Thealdo The towne being recouered the Legate sodainly commaunded to besiege the Castle The Venetians notwithstanding that they had alreadie sent to the Pope to treate with him about the yealding vp of Ferrara and that the businesse could not sodainly be effected in regard of the distance of the places fearing to receiue some greater losse did freely yeeld vp the Castle which held out with a strong garrison The Commonwealth being thus afflicted was assailed by a cruell conspiracie the which was likely to haue ouerthrowne both the libertie and the state Baiamonti Tepulo issued from a noble and illustrious family but bearing a diuelish minde towards his countrey and such peraduenture as did Catiline in time past to his making vse as it is to be thought of the times calamitie wherein he perceiued the commonwealth to be tossed vp and down with so many miseries conspired against it together with diuers of the same qualitie and meanes whom he had dealt with and made partakers of his dessigne It is reported that they concluded at a certaine day appointed for the purpose to enter the Pallace by force with all their friends and confederates and then the Prince and Senators being in an instant murthered to make themselues masters of the Commonwealth and after the diuision betwixt themselues of the lands and offices of the state to exercise open tirannie This mischiefe was accompanied by another for that diuers of the common people wonne by faire promises or set forward by a desire of noueltie were in pay with the conspirators vnto whom it is not likely that so great a designe was euer imparted but that shew was made of some other matter It is reported that vpon the appointed day as if heauen would be the foreteller of of so damnable an enterprize there arose a horrible tempest intermingled with haile and raine the ayre being filled with lightning and thunder But the conspirators making vse of this prodigious tempest in steed of being amazed therat ranne armed with great noise to the Pallace The enterprize being a little before reported to the Prince and Senate in great feare did much amaze them The alarme was sodainly giuen ouer the whole Citie by men sent for that purpose who cried out aloud that it behoued all men to take Armes and to runne speedily to the Pallace to the rescue of the Prince and Senate if they desired to preserue the Commonwealth They râ—…n thither from all parts but the conspirators in the meane time had filled the great and large market-place of Saint Marke with armed men without delay assailed the Pallace Then the Senators for diuers were with their weapons alreadie runne to their rescue did not onely sustaine the conspirators assault but did valiantly repulse them There was a sore fight Libertie was the maâ—…ke they aymed it On the oneside these traytors had their weapons in hand against it And on the other the Prince and Senate would either die or preserue it In troth it was a lamentable spectacle to behold a Citie founded in libertie growne vp in libertie to maintaine the which those ancient Venetian Fathers founders of the same had so often sought with barbarous and cruel nations and shed so much bloud by Sea and Land to haue at last taken Armes against it selfe and to desire by those Armes to ruine it selfe and to call that libertie in question among themselues which all men esteemed so deare pretious It is to be thought that this pretence alone held them in awe The Senators by exhortations to defend it the wicked Citizens with shame and reproche And the fight ceased not vntill such time as the Senate getting the vpper hand the conspirators were beaten backe from the Pallace It is reported that in this tumult Baiamont perceiuing it not good for him to tarrie there as he was going home to his owne house through the Mercers streete a woman forth of a window threw a morter on his head with which blow he fell halfe dead to the ground and being there stayed by his hurt was slaine outright by those which pursued him who soone after returned to the Pallace Some of the conspirators which were Patricians by birth being taken on the Dice bridge and brought backe into the Princes presence were forthwith beheaded Whereupon that place hath euer since borne the name of Maupas And that the memorie of these wretches might be vtterly extinct it was decreed in all places to deface the Armes of Baiamont and his complices and that on paine of life no man to be so hardie as to keepe or set them vp in any place whatsoeuer Their houses were razed to the ground and all their goods confiscate Some say that Baiamont his Pallace stood in the same place where at this day the Hall of the shambles of Rialto stands There was likewise a pension appointed out of the publike treasurie for the woman and her heires who with the blow of the morter stayed Baiamont The Citie was deliuered from this conspiracie as some say on the day of Saint Vitis the martyr whereupon in memorie thereof euerie
the multitude of causes which was dailie pleaded before them to haue any fit leisure to intend the appeales sent vp by inferiour iudges to their audience The Senate created three Auditors to looke to that businesse who according to the large extent of their iurisdiction were called the Ancients Three others were likewise created to heare the causes of strangers Besides Prince Dandulo caused all that which had beene abolished from the ancient customes to be reduced into one volume together with all the decrees made by the Senate since the principality of Giacomo Tepulo vntill that present and hauing diuided them into Chapters with a large Table he named it The sixth Booke of the Cities decrees And hauing moreouer whilst he was Procurator of Saint Marke carefully gathered together all the iudiciall acts and decrees of the great Councell he set them downe in order and noted who had beene the Authour of euerie of them and vnder whose Gouernment each of them had beene receiued and allowed There was at the same time great scarcitie of victualls in the Citie which began in Graedonico his time by reason whereof Gallies and other vessells were sent into Apulia and Sicil to fetch corne vnder the command of Marco Iustiniano We may heereby easily perceiue that this voiage for corne was before the siege of Zara the which likewise some Authors do not denie For it is certaine that this Iustiniano in that warre of Dalmatia was generall of the Land-Armie and that after Zara was was recouered he was made Gouernour of the Citie Now as all men know it could not bee that one man alone could at one selfe same time execute two so different offices It is reported that two shippes of those which went for Corne were lost by a sodaine tempest as they returned homeward and that they were neuer after heard of Others say that foure only escaped out of this storme The residue of the ships laden with Corne did fortunately arriue in the Hauen by meanes whereof the dearth ceased But this mischiefe being taken away an other presently ensued For vpon the day of Saint Paul his conuersion about one of the clocke after noone there hapned a great Earthquake which did in such sort shake the Citie as diuers publike and priuate buildings were thereby throwne to the ground The Steeples of Saint Siluester Vitalis Saint Giacomo de Lorio fell downe together with the top of Saint Angelo his Church and the left side of that of Saint Basil. The Babylonians thought for I see diuers that demaund from whence this fearefull motion of the Earth doth proceede that it happeneth by the force of some Planet meeting with the Sunne in the Region of the Earth Anaxagoras hath thought that it is engendred in the Earth by processe of time and restraining of Aire Possidonius affirmes that it is a winde shut closely vp in the bowells and concauities of the earth Plinie saith that the earth neuer quaketh but when the Sea is very calme and the aire so still and cleare as birds can hardly beare themselues vp therein and at such time as the winds are inclosed in the veines and entrails of the earth By this speech of Plinie it seemeth that the windes are the cause of this shaking the which diuers Philosophers doe likewise affirme Hee addeth by and by after An earthquake saith he is nothing else but as the thunder in the aire or an ouerture or creuase in the earth or as the lightning breaking forth violently from the middest of the cloudes the wind enclosed therein striuing to burst forth by force The Stoicks set downe diuers sorts of earthquakes opening of the earth swelling of the water and the boiling vp of the same the which is very true For at some time the earth falleth downe very low at other times it is much lifted vp and putteth forth great Mountaines in this the Riuers doe ouer-flow on a sodaine in the other sparkes of fire are seene to rebound the waters to boile ouer and sometimes Riuers to leaue their ordinarie course A fearefull sound goeth before and accompanieth this quaking sometimes like to the roaring of a Bull and then like to the lamentable cry of some humane creature or like the clattering noise of Armour according to the qualitie of the matter which is inclosed or according to the fashion of the caue and hole through which this winde passeth which resoundeth as it is said in vaulted and hollow places waxeth hot in sharp and drie places and causeth great defluxions in moist and humide places The Citie of Venice is not so much subiect to earthquakes as some doe imagine seeing among all the motions of the earth that of the waues and flouds is the most dangerous For lightning is not so hurtfull nor the shaking of buildings nor namely when the earth is puffed vp or falleth downe by an interchangeable motion because the one keepeth backe the other The safest buildings are those vpon vaults the corners of walls and on bridges leaning one against another Besides bricke buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents than are others Those which are at Sea can foretell these earthquakes at such time as they perceiue the waues to swell on a sodaine without any winde and those which are on Land may likewise foretell them when they see birds as it were in amaze to stay their flight or when the water in Wells is more troubled than ordinarie hauing a bad tast and stinking smell for these are as it is reported the true signes and presages of future motions Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a Well foretold an earthquake which hapned there Anaximander Milesius did by these signes declare to the Lacedemonians that an earthquake was at hand for otherwise hee was no God to know things to come And the truest signes of all are when the windes blow not or when the Sea is meruailous calme For an earthquake neuer happeneth when the wind bloweth or when the Sea swelleth with waues for when it blowes the motion ceaseth otherwise it lasteth fortie daies and some times longer some haue lasted two yeares But this earthquake whereof wee speake lasted fifteene daies more or lesse wherevpon all Women that were with child being touched therewith miscarried and died soone after of the contagious sicknesse that forthwith ensued This dangerous sicknesse as it is reported came from Scythia and from thence glided along the Pontick Sea and the Hellespont and at last at the same time that this great earthquake happened it infected in a manner all the West Some Authors call this disease the euill of the groine and I thinke the reason was because the first signes of that disease were small kernells in the groine then there followed an extreame heate with griefe and heauinesse in the head which caused losse of memorie so as in three daies they died And this infection was so sharpe as of one hundred that
obserue euery mans valour The Souldiours being animated by this speech gaue a braue onset and fought so valiantly and with such feruencie as hauing broken and defeated the enemie they purchased that day a goodly and memorable victorie Diuers were slaine in the fight but more in the flight The Transiluanian was taken with all the chiefe men almost of his partie There were taken of the Italianâ—… Bonifacio and Antonio de Lupes with diuers other Paduan Gentlemen King Lewis his ensignes with those of Carrario being throwne away in the fight were taken by the Venetians It is thought of a certaine that if the Venetian had narrowly pursued the enemie he might haue entred Padua with him and haue made a verie great spoile euerie where and gotten great booty The Paduans being daunted with this losse did accuse the Carrarians as Authors of the warre hating and detesting them Francisco Carrario in the meane time to hinder the Venetians did by promise of great pay draw from them to himselfe the greatest of their Caualleriâ—… But they caused greater numbers than they had lost to come from Milan Pauia to their seruice Giacomo Mâ—…ro went to meet them as farre as Verona Marsilio Carrario brother to Francis was with him who after the losse of the battaile hauing offered himselfe to the people to mediate a peace could by no meanes cause his brother to condiscend thereunto whereupon he with diuers others did bend themselues against him But considering the great danger he incurred among his own people he fled to Venice His flight encreased the peoples hatred to Francisco and did so greatly animate the Citizens against him as he had as manie enemies in the Citie as abroad King Lewis hauing notice of the losse of his people and of the Transiluanians fortune sent to command Carrario to harken to a peace vpon any conditions and that he should not hope for any more aide from him The enemies obstinacie being ouercome hee sued for peace which he obtained on these conditions That the Prince and Senate should appoint fiue commissioners to bound the limits for which they were at strife as they should see cause That the Paduans should presently pay fortie thousand crownes to the Venetians and foureteene thousand crownes euerie yeare for the space of fifteene yeares That Francisco Carrario or his sonne should come into the presence of the Prince and Senate and humbly craue for pardon That Castelnouo should be razed with all the Forts thereabouts That the tower of Corania with seauen miles compasse round about should remaine to the Venetians That Marsilio should enioy the possession of his goods and that his reuenue should be brought him to Venice That all prisoners taken in the warres should be released That Carrario should forthwith dismisse all the forrain troupes that were come to his aide That he should yearely send to offer at Venice three hundred crownes on the high Altar of Saint Marke That they should restore to the Venetians all the inheritances with the profit receiued of them which had beene taken from them on the Territorie of Padua during the war That the Paduans should not build within three miles neere to the mouthes of any Riuers That he should not fortifie any place nor maintaine any Garrison On these conditions peace was concluded with the Carrarians which they receiued as more necessarie than profitable Nouello sonne to Françisco came to Venice to confirme and sweare to it who being brought into Saint Markes Church swore vpon the high Altar as well in his owne name as his Fathers that hee did accept of whatsoeuer had beene of late agreed on by his Father and the Carrarians that they would obserue this peace inuiolably and all the Articles therein contained Such was the end the verie same yeare as farre as we can learne of the warre against the Paduans About the same time the monasterie of the virgins was burnt with diuers buildings neere to the same which were all repaired at the Common-wealths cost After this Paduan warre the Common-wealth was three yeares at rest This quiet was disturbed by a sodaine comming downe of the Germans Leopold Duke of Austria hauing entred Italie with foure thousand horse without any warlike summons did tumultuously seize on the Treuisan where putting all to fier and sword he encamped before the Citie to the great terror of the inhabitants It was not knowne vpon what cause he made this warre The Venetians who at that time expected nothing lesse being prouoked by the daily aduertizemenrs they receiued requested those of Aest their neighbours to assist them from whom receiuing some small aid they sodainely marched against the enemie It is not likely that the Venetians would goe to field with this aid alone which was verie small but that at the report of this warre diuers companies of footmen were leuied in the Citie albeit the Authors whom we follow make no mention thereof The German vnderstanding that the enemie marched towards them raised his campe and retired to the Territorie of Belluna The Senate in the meane time being prouoked by this losse caused all the German Marchants which were in Venice to be imprisoned and their goods to be seized on They did besides send for one Giacomo Caballa one of the best experienced Captaines of his time in the art Militarie to be Generall of their Armie But whilst these things were done at Venice Pietro Hemo Gouernour of Treuiso sent fiue hundred horse and foot to spoile the Territories of Feltre and Belluna These being conducted by Marini Souranza to fetch bootie forth of the enemies Countrie after they had made great hauock and carried away with them a great prey retired into a place of safetie for feare of the enemies whom they vnderstood were marching towards them Giacomo hauing receiued the Generals place marched to Treuiso where he staied a while till the troupes were leuied from all places and till his Armie were compleat as he desired with which entring suriously into the enemies Countrie he came first and encamped at Longina where ioining fight with the Almaines hauing slaine diuers of them hee went on his way as farre as the Piles of the victorie There is on the hither side of the Forrest of Feltre a verie narrow bottome through the which the Riuer Piaua doth rather fall furiously than runne vpon the right side where it runneth with greatest force it doth in such sort shut in the Feltrian Mountaines as it leaueth a small space of ground On this side then of the Mountaine cut out euen to the Riuer bankes a very old wall encloseth all these streights which is called at this day The inclosure of the vanquisher The Venetian hauing likewise driuen the enemie from thence came euen to this Inclosure of the vanquisher the which hauing couragiously assailed hee forced and tooke It is reported that the skill and valour of Gerardo Caminensis did greatly appeare in this
by the great frost and snow for it was winter they raised their Campe. The Bishop being out of hope to effect any thing did follow them into Hungarie The Venetians recouered Feltre Belluna and other places which had beene lost in that warre they entred the Patrians confines where they wholy ruined the Citie of Prata Philippo Arcia was Generall of the Armie one of the best experienced Captaines of his time He Prata being ruined marched towards Vdina where the gate on the side of Ciuitade being opened to him by Fredericke and others of his partie the Citie was then like to haue beene taken by that treacherie But a great noise raised on a sodaine and the alarme giuen on euerie side all men ranne to armes The Bandetti being amazed at this sodaine and vnlookt for feare hauing lost diuers of their Souldiours who were at hand with the armed Squadrons of the Citie retired without doing any thing Afterward the Venetian Ensignes ranne here and there vpon the Patrians territorie and the Vdinois for certaine yeares were in danger Diuers Cities and Lords of the Forlani did acknowledge the Venetians But the Vdinois perceiuing that it was in vaine to expect reliefe from any place and that the Bishop his arriuall was vncertaine they resolued likewise to yeeld Therefore they sent their Agents to Venice to offer vnto the Venetians their Lands and meanes as well publicke as particular and in Generall all matters both diuine and humane The Agents being friendly entertained the Senate decreed that Fredericke and his associates should be restored to their Citie and their goods By which decree not onely the Sauergnans but their adherents and all those who had beene banished returned into the Citie and their inheritances The whole Countrie of the Patrians in Friul followed the example of the Vdinois The Bishop being aduertized of the Vdinois yeelding thinking it no time to delay came through Germanie with great troupes of Hungarians and fell furiously on the Forlani and at his arriuall in the streights of the Alpes he tooke the Castle of Clasino a most strong and well defended place and neere thereunto that of Mutiano a place then as now well fortified And the Patrians were like to haue receiued a great losse if the Venetian forces sent thither for that purpose had not opportunely by their arriuall broken the enemies designes who were still in the streights of the Alpes The enemies did not onely refuse to fight but they durst not attend the Venetians who came towards them for they came into Italie with an intent rather to robbe and spoile than make warre And by this meanes within few daies after this great stirre all the Countrie of the Patrians was at quiet all those places which the enemie had seized being easily recouered Within a while after the Bishop returned into Italie with a greater Armie and entring the Patrians confines he assailed Mansane and soone after Rosacia But this iourney prooued as vnfortunate as the former whereof we now spake The Venetians at the first newes of the enemies comming were in the field whereat the Bishop being greatly astonished departed forthwith out of Italie And within a while after practizing nouelties he deceased By his death the Vdinois and Patrians were afterward at quiet vnder the gouernement of the Venetians These things hapned abroad But the Citie sustained great losse by fire as it had oftentimes done before The fire breaking forth on a sodaine from the Dukes Palace did in an instant take hold on Saint Markes Church which is verie neere to the same where the flame did so terribly encrease as the lead beeing melted wherewith it was then couered as it is at this day there was nothing left but the open vaults They tooke great paines neere to the Church to keepe the fire from the neighbour-houses The fire being quenched the Senate decreed that no man vnder paine of forfeiting a thousand Ducats should dare to propound to the Senate to pluck downe the old Palace and to reedifie it more sumptuously It is reported that then the Prince preferring the honour of the Common-wealth before his owne priuate profit brought the same summe to the Senate and requested the Senators that they would permit command that the fore-part of the Ducal Palace which was much defaced might be reedified in more sumptuous manner as was befitting for the maiestie of the Common-wealth The publicke Aduocates and Procurators did forthwith craue that the Prince might pay the forfeiture for that he had enfringed the Senates decree The Prince hauing liberally paid the summe did so constantly pursue his proposition as the Senate reuoked their former decree and ordained that the Palace should be new built whereupon the ancient structure was pluckt down and another more sumptuous was begunne But the Prince dyed before it was finished after he had gouerned ten yeares and almost three months His bodie was buried in the Church of the Twinnes Francisco Foscari succeeded him ¶ FRANCISCO FOSCARI the 65. Duke of Uenice HIs promotion was so pleasing to all the people and to the whole Venetian State as in signe of gladnesse there was no holy day for one whole yeare wherein fight at Barriers running at Ring or other sundrie shewes were not presented The yeare following the Porch of Rialto was builded at the charges of Scipioni Boa and afterward built new againe by him because the former building was thought to be of no long continuance The same yeare likewise warre was begunne against Philip Duke of Milan The cause of which painefull and tedious warre we must fetch from farre to the end that all men may know that it was not vndertaken rashly or without cause against so mightie a Prince and a great friend as then to the Venetians but that they were constrained so to doe This Philip was sonne to Galeas Visconte who being left verie young with Iohn Maria his eldest brother did loose a great part of his Principalitie For Galeas being dead diuers Tyrants and pettie Kings beginning to stirre here and there each of them seized on one or many Townes of his Dukedome and like a bodie being left in the middest of them they tare it in peeces But in succession of time as well by his owne valour as that of Francisco surnamed Carmagnolla one of the greatest Captaines of those daies hee did not onely recouer the greatest part of that which did belong to his deceased father but by a wonderfull course of victorie became master of diuers Townes which were neuer possessed by his Ancestors At the last comming to besiege Genoa and the Genoueses being brought to all extremitie it is certaine that they were relieued by the Florentines with a great summe of money on condition that they should giue them for assurance of the lent summe the Citie of Liuorne a verie strong place on the mouth of Arno. Philip perceiuing that the same warre would beget matter of new dissension did neuerthelesse
that they had him for their Generall in this warre whom if they thought fit to serue them they might dispose of at their pleasure They might peraduenture emploie others more excellent in valour and reputation than himselfe but none who was more affectionate to the Venetian people nor with more iust cause and vehâ—…mencie animated against their enemie Carmagnolla by his discourse had so well mooued the Senatours as all of them in a manner inclined to warre Prince 〈◊〉 thinking it vnfit to stand still in so faire a way did with great vehemencie pursue the same discourse For the Venetians good happe was that the Common-wealth had then a Prince who besides his admirable wisedome was borne for all haughtie enterprizes and an immortall and daily enemie to Tyrants Hee then spake in this maner Prince Foscari his Oration THere are two things in the Common-wealth most excellent Fathers which though in effect and name they seeme to bee very sweete haue of tentimes neuerthelesse brought many mischiefes to very great and noble Cities namely peace and sparing of the publique treasure For being only considered a farre off there is no danger seene in them and being viewed neare at hand there is yet none to be seene or if there be men will so flatter and fauour them as they despise it in such sort as wee sooner fall into an euident danger than haue any leisure to redresse it by a sharpe warre or by some expence which is odious to the Common-wealth The which wee haue found to bee most true by diuers losses which our Ancestours haue sustained and by some likewise hapned in our time The Florentines losse may serue for a sufficient present example who being able to haue ouerthrowne the power of Philip at such time as it encreased many goodly occasions being presented vnto them they would not doe it for feare of expence What is come thereof They doe now vnprofitably spend the Golde and Siluer which in time of Peace they had so curiously gathered together And that which is more to bee lamented they cannot their libertie preserued obtaine peace nor giue end to their expences I say then that it behoueth vs to foresee future dangers and being foreseene to preuent them by counsell and mature deliberation It is in a manner one selfe same gouernment and no man doubts thereof that of a Common-wealth and that of a shippe at Sea I demaund of you if any man in calme weather as they call it the windes gently blowing holding the helme shall fall a sleepe and take his rest without considering from farre such aangers as may happen or whilest other men make vse of the sailes mast and saile-yardes should omit that which were needfull to remedie the suddaine fortunes of the Sea nor exactly consider the time when hee saileth vnder what climate or planet or in what Sea what rocks and shelues hee ought to auoide would yee not say that such a man suffering shipwrack by a sodaine tempest did iustly merit such a losse The verie selfesame is now happened to the Florentines And the like will still happen to such which doe not foresee from farre the imminent dangers which threaten Common-wealths or hauing foreseene them doe not speedily applie the remedie hauing the meanes to doe it The Florentines might not to stray from their example easily haue ouerwhelmed if they would neuer so little haue attempted it the power of Philip when it began to increase but they would not intend it either through negligence or rather coâ—…ctousnesse What is come thereof Being often vanquished in battaile and broâ—…ght to the verie hazard of their libertie hauing lost their meanes they are deceiued and in sted of being accounted wise well-aduised and prouident people they are esteemed dull fooles and senselesse creatures Wee must beate backe I say we must beate backe mischiefes not only those which hang ouer our heads but those likewise which doe nearely presse vs. Besides were I in the farthest partes of Libia let other men be of what minde they please or beyond the Riphean mountaines and should heare tell that the libertie of any Nation were troden vnder foote although I could not succour them yet certainely I could not choose but be a partaker of their griefe And shall we suffer a proud Tyrant to tearâ—… in peices oppresse and abollish the libertie of a Noble people our Neighbour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vp in our common Mother Italie VVee doe not well consider that which wee see before our eyes nor that which all Italie saith that The same dâ—…y as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 loose her libertie will be the first that Philip will assaiâ—…e the Venetians The which seeing all men doe thinke will come to passe I greatly wonder 〈◊〉 some men who albeit they say they haue well considered the matter are neuerthelesse of opinion rather to endure any thing than to relieuâ—… the Florentines and bad people a enuious of our nauigation It is a madnesse certainely it is a madnesse belieue me to be contented to sustaine a great losse so as the enemie may suffer a greater And yet thankes bee to God their affaires neither abroad nor at home are to be compared to ours If vntill now their forces haue beene so great as wee had good cause to suspect them they are at this present so abated as of a long time they will not be able to recouer their former strength Yet neuerthelesse I doe not say they are so meane but that so soone as they shall vnderstand that the Venetians will ioyne with them they will then vpon hope of better fortune bring forth so much gold and siluer as shal bee sufficient to entertaine the one halfe of the Armie And besides Philips forces are not so great as false report hath made vs to belieue Carmagnolla hath sufficiently acquainted vs with what he is able to doe Moreouer the hope which we may conceiue to recouer and ioyne to our state Bressia Cremona Bergamo and all the Territories of ancient Venice is no small spurre to animate vs to beginne the warre This is it I know which yee haue along time thought on and for which ye daily studie But he who durst demaund of the Prince of Mantua whome he knew to be our friend and allie the Citie of Pescara do yee thinke that he will not attempt to haue by force if yee will not giue it him with good will Verona Vincenza and in a manner all that we possesse in the firme Land Therefore if yee will credit me there is none expence the which God be thanked we may easily beare nor labour seeing it is to purchase vs an assured peace which may bee of force to hinder vs from speedie ioyning with the Florentines to make warre on the Tyrant I say a warre no lesse profitable than necessarie The Princes vehement speech with his authoritie which herein exceeded the Ducall dignitie did in such sort moue the Senatours who alreadie of themselues were inclined thereunto as the alliance with the
fought at this assault with such vehemencie and courage as those who beheld them could hardly iudge who defended best either those who mounted the Wall freely exposing themselues to danger or the saml number of the besieged At last the enemies after great losse remained masters of their Walls and were ready to endure as long a siege as the Venetian would had not famine which ouercommeth all things afflicted and enforced them to craue truce for tenne daies conditionally if within that time they were relieued by Philip with sufficient aide to defend the Fort otherwise that time being expired to leaue that place to the Venetians and depart thence with their Armes This Treatie being thus concluded the Souldiers in the Rampier were commanded to keepe good guard and to watch more carefully than before to the end that no supply of men and victualls might from any place come to the besieged In the meane time those of Philips Campe did fret with choller and stuck not aloud to taxe the cowardize of their Commanders saying that by their malice or basenesse the Castle was as well betraied as Bressia was sold to the Venetians by her own Citizens That there was no doubt but if such an Armie as theirs was had at times giuen in vpon the enemies Fort they might easily haue beaten downe the Rampire and the Mount and haue raised the siege Pergulan made answere That it was no reason in that manner to expose the Souldiers to their deaths against an Armed enemie who kept himselfe looked vp in his Fort that it was much better for that present that the Garrison should come forth of the Castle safe and sound and leaue the remnant to the enemie That it might so fall out that hauing receiued those supplies which they expected they might assaile them at their departure thence and enforce them to fight and requite them with some greater losse Picinino there upon being bold and sodaine said That it was ill aduised to giue ouer a place of safety and afterwards to fight for it in plaine field without any aduantage But if there were any man which desired the good commoditie of Duke Philip or would bee held worthie of such an enterprize hee should follow him vpon the enemie and hauing so spoken he departed on a sodain in a rage forth of the assembly and as he went forth Francisco Sforza promised to follow him But whilst he ordered his Souldiers to march against the Venetians Sforza staied behind to perswade Pergulan and the rest to take Armes The Venetian Captaine whose Souldiers were well instructed for such an enterprize so soone as he perceiued a bow-shot off the enemie comming towards him opened the Gate and commanded his Souldiers to set forward Then Picinino perceiuing that no man followed made a stand blaming the want of courage of his fellowes and without other fight returned to the Campe. Those in the Castle perceiuing the retreate of their Countrie-men did abandon the Gates of Pilles and Garzette and retired into the Citadell where they will fully held out for certaine daies after the time of truce was expired but at the last being vanquished by famine they did not giue ouer but left that place to the Venetians The Souldiers comming to assaile the Castle the Plaizantine presented himselfe with fiftie braue Souldiers The Venetians in few daies space did so batter the walls as the vttermost in a manner fell into their Campe whereof Philip hauing notice he sent word to the Plaizantine and the rest that their liues being saued they should leaue the place to the enemie In this sort the Venetian entred the Castle seuen moneths after the taking of Bressia Carmagnolla being freed from the siege and commanded to goe against the strong Cities and Townes there about he receiued on their faith and homage the Salodians with all the inhabitants of the Lake of La Garda which lieth towards the Bressans Countrie before euer he tooke Armes against them Soone after at the arriuall of the Popes Nuncio they began to talke of Peace Ambassadors from each side were sent to this end to Ferrara where the assemblie was held which was cōcluded on these conditions That Philip should friendly quit to the Venetians besides the vale Commonica Bressia with her confines together with that part of CremonaTerritorie which is contingent to the Riuer of Olio in the Bressian being 40000. paces in length and That the Duke of Sauoie should keepe all that he had taken The articles being thus agreed vpon on either side and sealed with the seale of Philip and the rest the Nuncio for the better assurance of them would needes carrie them to Milan where finding Philip who complained of the wrong that was done him accusing sometime the pride of the Florentines who had throwne him headlong into this Warre and then the Venetians couetousnesse who not being satisfied with taking Bressia from him did likewise seize on a part of the Cremonois he had much to doe by faire speeches and exhortations to cause him to condiscend to that which had beene agreed vpon Which the Nuncio hauing at last obtained so soone as he perceiued the Venetian Commissioners who were come thither according to the Articles to receiue the Townes to bee despightfully vsed in his presence he returned to Rome and left the businesse vnaccomplished Some thought then that this sodaine change did proceede from the hope he had to make an attonement with the Duke of Sauoy and others thinke that the entreaties and exhortations of those of Milan were the cause thereof who so soone as they had heard of the conditions of peace came to him in the name of the common-wealth and spake in this manner The Oration of the Milanois to Philip. YOur subiects of Milan most excellent Prince come to you to obay your commandements and there is nothing how grieuous soeuer to be borne so as it be profitable for your greatnesse which doth not seeme light and sweet to them For we are all of this minde that if euer heretoyore we haue beene readie to doe you all seruice which a good Prince can expect of a most obedient Citie we are certainly much more readie now at this present and we may freely speake it with so much more affection as we haue seene you in this wretched time most to distrust our forces and meanes or else to be ignorant of them when for one iniurie receiued in hast from the Venetians you are so mightily discouraged and transported beyond your selfe as you haue shamefully giuen ouer to the couetous enemie that which the hazard of warre had not yet taken from you For what else meane you by giuing ouer to the Venetians all the strong Townes of the Country of Bressia and a great part of the Cremona Territorie with the shore of the Riuer Oglio but only to present the Citie of Cremona to the Vsurper of Bressia Is it not a meanes more to animate
were at the same time two Artificers in Milan who did vndertake in short space to arme as many thousands of men as were reported to haue beene taken in that battaile Sforza and Picinino were not in the meane time idle For ioyning with those that escaped they surprized the Venetians victualls and did greatly trouble the forragers and those which went to the enemies Camp Picinino did moreouer attempt by night to recouer Pontoglio but it was in vaine Captaine Bressan a very famous Gentleman died at this enterprize being surprized by the Townes-men Although Philip perceiued his affaires to be reduced to great extremitie yet neuerthelesse he did not omit all possible meanes to stop the Venetians pursuing the course of their victorie He sent to the Emperour Sigismond vnto whom hee had in former times beene as great an enemie as to the Venetians to entreat his aide and that he would send Brunora of Escalla with an Armie into Italie against the Venetians He did afterwards practize with Amadeo Duke of Sauoy with whom hauing quitted Verseill vnto him he did not only make a league but entred into his affinitie taking his Daughter to Wife whom he neuer touched after the first night He did moreouer entreat Pope Martin to vse all meanes to disvnite the Florentines from the Venetians But the more he went about by these meanes to raise himselfe the more did contrarie fortune deject him by the death of diuers of his best Captaines Angelo Pergulano died within a while after who was followed by Fabricio Campana and diuers other notable persons who died one after another At the last Visconte being afflicted with this latter losse consented to peace This businesse was for a time debated at Ferrara in the presence of the Popes Legat where peace was granted on these conditions That the Venetians should haue Bressia with all the Bressian and Bergamese Territorie and that part of the Bergamese which stretcheth towards the Riuer Adice together with all the Castles which they then held vpon the Cremonese The Florentines had little or nothing giuen to them but only this that it might bee lawfull for them to fixe their owne Ensignes vpon their Gallies in regard that before then by an accord made with the Genoueses they were woont to vse those of the Pisans Those of Ferrara Mantua Paluicin Montferrat and those of Sienna likewise at the entreatie of the Florentines their associates were freed together with those Countries vpon the Riuer of Genoa which lay towardes the Leuant But the Malspini the Fregozas and the Fiesci very Noble families of Genoa could not obtaine leaue of Philip to returne home to their houses notwithstanding that the Florentines did earnestly sue in their behalf yet neuerthelesse he promised to reckon them in the number of his friends Carmagnolla receiued his wife and children and Palace which he had most sumptuously built at Milan before his banishment The end of the tenth Booke of the second Decad. THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the first Booke of the third Decad. THe cause of the second warre in Lombardie The forces of GVENESIO of Luca arc on a sodaine defeated by NICHOLAO surnamed STELLA A treacherous attempt made on the person of Prince FOSCARI by ANDREA CONTARENI FRANCISCO SFORZA his iournie into Tuscanie where hee restoreth those of Luca to their libertie NICHOLAO PICININO passethinto Tuscanie against the Florentines PHILIP putteth SFORZA in hope of a future alliance The Turkes take Thessalonica on the Sea Thermaic A great frost round about Venice where Cartes went vpon the waters The Florentines care and diligence to preserue Pisa. Warre renewed against PHILIP vpon the Cremonese The Venetians nauall Armie is put to rout vpon the Po. The Venetians defeate the Genoueses vpon the Rapalitane Sea LAVRETAN brings supplies to the Pope to Ciuita-veccbia PHILIP giueth â—…attaile to CARMAGNOLLA neare to Somma where the fight is equall Cremona almost taken PICININO wasteth all places vpon the Riuer of Genoa and driueth the Prince of Monferrat an associate of the Venetians from his whole State The Venetians haue no good successe at the siege of Chios CARMAGNOLLA being suspected a Traitour to the Senate and conuicted of the crime hath his head stricken off The Venetians are put to the worst in the Camonian Valley And lastly peace is concluded with PHILIP PEace was not alone in Lombardie but which had not beene seene of a long time ouer all Italie at what time the rebellion of those of Bolognia against Pope Martin did disturbe this rest and within a while after warre was renewed betwixt the Venetians and Philip. And the better to vnderstand the occasion thereof we must fetch the matter from farre Peace being concluded with Visconte the confines of that part of the Cremonese which had beene adiudged to the Venetians were cause of continuall controuersie betwixt them and of procuring that warre which ensued For although the Marquesse of Aeste was at the beginning chosen Vmpier for both sides the same neuerthelesse was some cause of renewing the warre Besides the next Sommer after the peace Philip made fierce warre vpon the Fiesci and Fregozas which were banished from Genoa whome during the treatie of peace hee would not comprehend in the Florentines Articles but had promised to hold them in the number of his friends He tooke from them diuers Townes and Castles first by meanes of the Genoueses and aftewards by Picinino whome he sent against them with a mightie Armie But these matters which were not small were neuerthelesse too weake to renew this warre all at once Another farre greater subiect which was neuer dreamt on ministred a lawfull occasion to take Armes Paul of Luca of the Guenesian Familie had for the space of thirtie yeares vsurped as a Tyrant the Signorie and Gouernment of Luca his natiue Countrie and did in the meane time so Gouerne the Cities important affaires in his owne name as in the middest of so manie stormes of warre which did at that time thunder vpon Italie he could neuer be drawne to take Armes nor to encline to any side This had greatly offended the Florentines for that they could neuer in their aduersitie draw any aide from him as from their neighbour VVherevpon all men both in generall and particular did hate the Guenesian name and enuied his prosperitie Therefore peace being made with Philip the chiefe of the Citie deuised by what meanes they might intangle him in some affaires of importance They wanted not iust matter whereby to make warre vpon him For Ladislaus his sonne being in the Florentines pay was gone from them without their leaue knowing very well that they would not haue suffered him to haue serued against Pope Martin in the troubles of Bolognia But the people of Florence being tired with warre would by no meanes heare any talke of Armes The principall of the Citie who detested the Tyrants power seeing they
could not be suffered to raise open warre would helpe themselues by a secret meanes To this end they wonne priuately to their side Nitholao surnamed Stella Nephew to that great Captaine Bracchio who being a young man was in the Florentines pay that he giuing ouer his charge should openly say that hee would as his vncle had done beare Armes for himselfe and that afterwards hee should attempt vpon the Lucan Territories telling him what claime he might pretend thereto to wit That it was knowne ouer al Tuscanie that Guenesio was in times past tributarie to Bracchio and that by right of succession he might demaund that tribute of the Tyrant which he had paid vnto no man since his death This young man being so daine and resolute did not refuse the businesse Whereupon hauing openly giuen ouer his charge he did in a short space assemble two thousand men and remained for a while vpon the Florentines Frontiers as though he made preparations for a farre iournie By reason of which assemblie the Sienois were in greater feare than those of Luca. This expeditious Captaine discamping about twilight the next morning by breake of day fell fiercely vpon the Lucan Territorie where finding all things to be abandoned hee carried away with him great numbers of prisoners and much Cattell Hee continued two dayes incamped vpon the plaine of Luca in which time he wasted and burnt whatsoeuer hee met with From thence going to besiege the Townes hee tooke from the Guenesian within a few dayes eight Castles of which hee razed those that hee tooke by force and preserued the rest which voluntarily yeelded Many vpon report of this newe warre ranne to his Armie on hope of bootie The tyrant and those of Luca being amazed at this sodaine incursion and not knowing at first whence this tempest came were fearefull of all things But when they vnderstood who was the Captaine and how that it was a practise of the Florentines hauing recommended the guatd of the Citie to the young Guenesians they first sent to Florence to complaine of that iniurie as proceeding from them The Florentines being ignorant of the matter did confidently repell that slaunder But those of Luca sent to Venice to complaine vnto them of their Confederates and at the last to Philip and to the Sienois earnestly entreating them for reliefe in their affliction The Florentines in the meane time perceiuing that the exploits of yong Bracchiâ—… did daily prosper thinking that it might shortly come to passe that by hauing a hand in that warre they might annexe the Citie of Luca to their State which was oppressed with so many miseries did by a publick decree write to Nicholao his camp who already of himselfe was no more able to beare the burthen of so great an Armie That he should continue the pursuite of that warre in the Florentines name that they were ready to furnish him with men victualls supplies and monie and generally with all necessaries for the warre that his only care should be to goe forward as he had begun and to end that warre whereby he should purchase the peoples loue and immortall praise saying That the Florentines would prouide for all the rest Those of Sienna on the other side fearing if their neighbours should subiugate Luca this storme would afterwards fall vpon their libertie sent to entreate the Venetians to diuert the Florentines their common associates from that war by some great menaces if by other meanes they could not effect it But it hapned by chancâ—… that at the same time as the Ambassadors of Sienna came to Venice for that purpose the sacred Soueraigne Magistrate of the Citie was by the follie of a Citizen highly outraged Andrea 〈◊〉 issued from a verie noble and ancient familie being by a disease become in a manner lunaticke sued for the office of Admirall of the Adriaticke Sea It came to passe that after it had beene denied him in the generall assembly he was in the companie of certaine yong men who lesting with him laid the cause of that denial on the Prince telling him he should neuer be preferred so long as Foscari liued This man being heereupon prouoked with rage and griefe two mightie spurs became so vnmeasurably and inordinately furious as he went and assailed the Prince as he was comming downe the staires to Diuine Seruice in S. Marks Church But the better to effect his purpose hee made shew as if he would haue spoken with him in secret whereupon such as were neere him gaue place that he might speake to him with the more priuacie Thus hauing gotten opportunitie he drew forth a poniard that he had hidden vnder his gowne and had without all doubt slain the old man if one of the Ambassadours from Sienna who was verie neere him had not laid hold on his Arme and turned aside thâ—… blow which strook him on the face neere to the nose The Senators and the Princes Officers did presently encompasse the wounded Prince and the Traitour they defended the one and haled the other to execution who made meanes to escape His right hand was cut off in the same place which being tyed about his neck he was hanged on the highest top of the Palace or according to some Authors betwixt the two Columnes The Republick being troubled with so strange an accident did in hast answere the Ambassadours That the Venetians did desire to maintaine defend the Sienois libertie but that it belonged not to them to meddle with the controuersie betwixt those of Siena and the Florentines their associates And with this answere the Ambassadors were dismissed The Florentines in the mean time did hardly presse those of Luca which at the last caused Guenesio and the Sienois to sue vnto Philip and to the Genoueses Philip vsing the same policie as did the Florentines perswaded Francisco Sforza that asking him leaue he should leuie the greatest forces he could and march into Tuscan to the aide of those of Luca. Whereupon Sforza being valiant and couetous of honor did forthwith passe the Alpes and speedily brought a great Armie to Luca. Vpon his arriuall Stella retired to the conâ—…ines of Pisa because he would not be enforced to fight at one time neere to the Citie Wals with Sforza's forces with the Guenesians being induced thereunto by his vnckles example whom he remembred to haue beene defeated in the same manner at the siege of Aquileia He resolued therefore to draw the warre out at length vntill that Sforza's Armie should be enforced through want of all things to abandon the Lucan Territorie For they being gone hee determined to continue the siege so long till he had constrained the Tyrant or in despight of him the inhabitants to yeeld Sforza hauing razed the Fortes which the enemies had builded neere to the Citie-gates entered the Towne in a triumphant manner where being receiued by Guenesio with a reciprocall congratulation he made no long aboad but went into
both Armies beein ioined together they might with more ease breake the enemies attempts This he said although he was not ignorant of the enemies designe Mellato in the meane time was readie to send Cristofero Giouanni Tollentino with their companies of men at Armes in Garrison to Verona The Mantuan was not of this opinion The Prouidatori that were present at this consultation and reposing more trust in the Mantuan than he deserued were likewise of his opinion He on the contrarie either by chaunce or else because he had some suspition not of the whole matter but of some part of the plot did still persist in his owne opinion The enemie remoued his campe from place to place whereupon the Venetian was greatly troubled to see him so often day and night to shift places who after he had spent certaine daies in such like faigned shewes all things being in readinesse about midnight he sent the third part of his forces without any rumor at all to passe ouer the Bridge which was forth of the enemies view to ioine with Gonzaga's troupes And he in the meane time still shewed himselfe on the opposite shore the better to colour his enterprize himselfe resoluing within a while after to passe ouer at the bridges of Macharia and Canet The Venetian Armie had like to haue been ouerthrowne being enclosed by the enemies ambuscado and by the treacherie of the inhabitants But that good God vnto whom as we haue often said all Republicks are pleasing and especially those whose beginning like that of the Venetians hath beene Religiously established would not suffer it to be so It happened verie fitly for this purpose that a certaine man whose name was Bareta Gotholengian sent by his compartners to the enemie to this end was taken by the Venetian forragers and brought to Mellato who after that he had promised to free him from all punishment did discouer vnto him the danger wherein the Venetian Armie was Mellato hearing it made no longer delay but sodainely discamping did with all his troupes without any danger take the way of Bressia Picinino had alreadie about the fourth watch of the night sent his forces ouer at Macharia where the troupes sent to the Mantuans Campe did goe and receiue them In the meane time word was brought them that the Venetian hauing speedily dislodged was twelue miles onwards on his waie That the inhabitants of the Countrie did not dare to mâ—…ddle with them in regard they saw no man pursue them The Mantuans reuolt being vnderstood at Venice they presently decreed to Arme a mightie nauall Armie against him of threescore and fiue Gallies and fiue Gallions with a great number of other small vessells Pietro Lauretano Generall of this Armie entring by the mouth of the Po into the Mantuans Countrie was expresly commanded to wast and spoile whatsoeuer he met with Mellato in the meane time was come to Bagnols where he had fortified his Campe with trenches and rampiers He determined to send part of his forces to Bressia which was not farre off whereunto the inhabitants of the Citie opposing and crauing to haue the guard of the Gates giuen to themselues hee thereby perceiued that the Venetians were safer abroad than in the Citie Francisco Barbaro commanded in the Towne a man verie discreet and well acquainted with affaires of importance He by good aduise hindered them from so doing shewed them the danger whereto the Cities State would be brought if those of one partie alone committed to the guard of the Citie the rest should be accounted enemies and traitours seeing they reposed no more trust in them For then they would practize nouelties and would in hate to the contrarie partie openly hazard all things possible for them The authoritie of the man did much preuaile with them and according to his aduise the Venetian Magistrates which were within the Citie garded the Gates Then he did reconcile the Martinenga's and the Auogadres together the heads and chiefe of the two factions by a new alliance wherein by meanes of Leonardo Martinenga and to the great profit of the Common-wealth he made Paris de Lodron who held certaine Castles in the Mountaines of Bressia and Pietro Auogadre who were mortall enemies good friends Picinino resolued to shut vp the Lake of Benac and the riuer Mincia from Mellato's Armie to the end it might receiue no Venetian succour and being in this manner starued for it was certain that it could get victualls no where but from the Towne he assured himselfe of the entier ruine of the Venetian forces Whereupon in this resolution he diuided his troupes into two parts Gonzaga and Lodouico Vermio did fiercely fall vpon the Verona-territorie and hauing seized on Valeza and the bridge thereof by treacherie sooner almost than their comming was knowne they made themselues Masters in a verie short space of whatsoeuer lieth betwixt the riuers Adice and Mincia The sodaine losse of Valeza was cause that Giouanni Malauolte who conducted three hundred horse from Bressia to Verona falling by misaduenture neere to the bridge into the enemies hands was wholly despoiled of his Cauallerie He did besides reduce vnder his command all the inhabitants of the Lake of Benac and the Mantuan Prince tooke Pescara seated at the head of the Riuer Mincia and Lonata vpon the Mountaines of Bressia which had beene his The Lake of Benac by some termed La Garda to speake somwhat of it is the pleasantest Lake of all Italie and is more long than broad It extendeth in length from the West to the North some thirtie miles filling itselfe with the riuers Sarca and Ponalis on the West and North side and emptieth it selfe to the Southward into the Riuer Mincia The water thereof is so pure and cleere as one may see the bottome except in the middest where it is verie deepe But it is not so pleasant in calme and faire weather as it is dangerous and terrible when it is tossed with tempests It is the onely lake of all Italie which being stirred with the wind hath her waues swelling like the billowes of the Sea It feedeth excellent fish of which the Carpes are best which are in season from the end of haruest till the beginning of the spring and are with great labour taken from forth the deepest places of the water It is moreouer enuironed on all sides with goodly Oliue trees entermingled heere and there with delicate gardens full of excellent fruite trees as Citrons Pomegranates and Peaches which the inhabitants of those places call Adams apples That side thereof which lookes towards Verona on the right hand hath besides Pescara Langissa Bardolin and la Garda whereof the Lake taketh the name the towers of Malsesina which some call Malaselse And opposite to that vpon the Lake is the Town of Sermion the Countrie of Catullus the sweet and eloquent Poet with that great huge stone a marke of antiquitie which appeares aboue water After
Sermion commeth Riuoltella called by some Riualtella Manerbia Feliciana Portuesia and lastly Sales the chiefe of the Prouince It hath besides on the North-side verie high and steepe Mountaines as farre as Riua This place with Penetra which appeares not farre from thence vpon a Rock did in times past belong to the Territorie of Trent The Borough of Nac is to be seen aboue the Fort of Penetra whereby wee may coniecture that the Lake was in olde time called Penac which wee by changing of a Letter call Benac The Ancients called it Penac because it was so neere to Nac Now all the places from the Lake on the hither side and beyond the Riuer Mincia being taken the Mantuan marched with his forces to Vidizolles where Picinino lay encamped Blondus saith that he departed from that Campe when he went the first time to scoure the Verona-Territorie But let it be how it will it is certaine that Philips forces during the incursions vpon the Veronois were encamped at that village seated vpon the Riuer Clesia in the midway betwixt Bressia and the Lake of Benac Against whom Mellato being desirous to oppose his forces went with his troupes to Gauarda Barbaro sent him from Bressia a braue troup of yong foot-men and from the Mountaines great multitudes of Souldiers came vnto him so as in a short space fiue and twentie thousand men were in the Venetians campe Mellato with his forces seized on all places along the Mountaines from St. Euphemius euen to La Garda The Riuer Clesia separated two goodly Armies readie to fight by reason that it was too deep in that place nor in any sort foordable Mellato resolued to fight But vnderstanding afterwards that Picinino's Armie was mightily encreased by Gonzaga's arriual he abstained from battaile As also because he distrusted certaine Captaines who had a long time followed Gonzaga's campe but the euent did afterwards manifest whether he had cause to distrust them For diuers of them hauing an inckling thereof and perceiuing that he took from them the meanes to do hurt did with-draw them selues from his camp went to that of the Prince of Mantua Mellato then fearing least some sodaine reuolt might draw the Venetians affaires into some danger and being desirous to take all occasion from those who practised nouelties hauing lodged the greatest part of his forces in Bressia he sent the residue into Garrison to the Cities Townes neere adioining which were vnder the Venetians obedience And by this meanes Picinino had time and leisure to remoue his camp from place to place whose only aime tending to keepe the Cities victualls from Mellato's troupes he went with his Armie and besieged Sales But those within it hauing brauely defended themselues he approched with his Armie neere to Feliciana and Manerbia Thereupon the Forlani and those of Monteclaro embraced Philips partie Within a while after hauing receiued those of Sales and all the other inhabitants vpon the Lake in Philips name he marched to Bagnolls from whence on a sodaine coasting about with his Armie he first tooke Pontoglio then Palacicla and diuers other Townes without any difficultie All this was done in the Champaine But in the Camonick valley they fought at the same time with better successe For Antonio Bechari with two thousand horse did by the consent of the inhabitants make himselfe Master of the whole valley Barbaro sent Giouanni la Conte Bartholmeo Coioni Leonardo Martinenga against him with great troups of Mountaniers who did greatly affect Martinenga who entring on a sodaine into the vale and hauing made a great slaughter of the enemies did put all those of that rebellious valley to the sword spoiling and burning the whole Countrie The end of the second Booke of the third Decad. THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the third Decad. A False rumour being spred in Venice concerning the battaile wonne at Coloignes doth put the whole Citie in danger of a nocturnâ—…ll sedition MELLATO attempteth in vaine to goe from Bressia to Verona NICHOLAO D'AESTE maketh sundrie attempts against the Venetians The Venetians surrender the Polesin to AESTE MELLATO with great trauell ouer the tops of the Mountaines arriueth at Verona A great nauall Armie commeth by the Po vpon the Mantuan Territorie Bressia is streightly besieged The Senate determineth to renew the alliance with SFORZA MELLATO being made Generall of the Armie resolueth to relieue Bressia with victualls PARIS LODRON vanquisheth the enemies neere to the Riuer Sarca The Venetians resolue to prepare a nauall Armie for the Lake of Benac Gallies are carried by maine strength ouer high Mountaines into that Lake SFORZA allieth himselfe with the Venetians and Florentines PICININO and the Prince of Mantua hauing crossed the Riuer Adice take diuers Townes on the Verona and Vincenzan Territories from the Venetians The Venetians fight against the enemies by Land along the Lake of Benac with good successe WHilst al these warlike actions were done in the Camonicke valley those of Chiaua yeelded themselues to Philip. This new Rebellion was accompanied with a greater losse For Guerriero Martiano and Michaeli Gritti whom Mellato had sent with three hundred foot and a hundred and fifty horse to lie in Garrison in that place were defeated Picinino went afterwards encamped before Rhoades whereat the Venetians being moued marched thither with a companie of Mercinarie Souldiers all young men chosen among the inhabitants of the Mountaines of Valtropia and Seroliana to raise the siege These troupes setting forward at the beginning of the night staied neere to Passirana and Paderna Picinino being aduertized of their approach did presently discamp returned to Coloignes three miles from Rhoades The next day hauing placed part of his forces in ambush in the neighbour Mountaines to entrap the Venetian he marched with the residue of the Armie against the enemie as it were to assaile him with all his forces And being come neere to one another Picinino did embattaile his Souldiers Mellato did not refuse the fight but sent some of his troupes disbanded to scoure the plaines and the skirmish being begunne he did by little and little send troupes of horse among his footmen against the enemie and without any disorder retired his wearied and hurt men putting those that were able and fresh in their places both sides dealing so cunningly as when Picinino's troupes came forth of the Ambuscado Mellato's not being moued remained firme Now the fight hauing continued from day-breake till it was almost night with greater losse on the enemies side than on the Venetians both sides retired Picinino to Coloignes and the Venetian to Bressia And although Fortune at that time no more fauoured the one than the other neuerthelesse to satisfie the inhabitants of Bressia who were desirous to vnderstand the successe of that encounter the Magistrates commanded that it should bee giuen forth how that Mellato had broken and put the
not thinke to doe that had beene Authour of that treacherie he should be punished according to his deserts Then Sforza M◅cello and the rest did comfort the sorrowfull inhabitants and did put them in hope of better fortune It is reported that Ci◅rpelion had almost spoiled Mag◅is by force dragging him like a Traitour before Sforza And that he did so constantly iustifi◅ his owne cause with that of the Citizens as he did not only cleere himselfe from all obiections but gaue them to vnderstand that the Citie had beene taken neither by his fault nor by any of the Citizens whereupon by the consent of all men he was declared guiltlesse and as one that had well merited of the Venetian State was greatly commended Sforza from the vale Clusiana had aduertized the Senate of the di◅aster of Verona and how that he was going thither with an intent to reduce it quickly vnder their obedience or else to hazard the liues of himselfe his brethren and the residue of the Armie He wished them therefore to be patient for a while and in the meane time to pray vnto God for the happy successe of that iourney for they should shortly heare either the one or other ◅he Senate after these newes were continually in the Pallace and the Nobilitie sad and disconsolate walked vp and downe the Market-place floating betwixt hope and feare when on a sodaine by letters vpon letters both of publike and particular persons they had notice of the recouerie thereof and the enemies shamefull flight the fourth day after it was lost The Cities ioy was then so great as the Senate bei◅g ouerioyed could not refraine from teares and great multitudes of people from all parts of the Towne ranne to the Pallace the Senatours and common people reioycing together Generall processions were made for three dayes together with prayers and thanksgiuings vnto God in all Churches The posts were recompenced according to their speede some more than others The Commissioners of those of Verona who came thither within a while after had audience These men with teares in their eyes did relate the wretched estate of their Citie protesting their own innocence and that the cause of their comming was to assure them of their loyaltie in generall The Senate did curteously entertaine them and congratulate the present victorie assuring them that their fidelitie had beene a long time knowne to the Prince and Senate in regard whereof they had euer beene desirous of the con seruation of that loyall Citie and that they did therefore greatly reioyce that the matter was ended without any further losse or danger to them Sforza's valour was highly commended with Mellato's prowesse and Marcello's speed for that they had opportunely recouered that which was almost lost and vanquished the enemie so soone as they saw him Wherefore they thought it not onely well beseeming but did allow of it that the Magistrates of their Citie should present Sforza with ten thousand crownes for hauing so brauely borne himselfe in that action and Mellato with two thousand The Commissioners being dismissed and rewarded returned to Verona Sforza in the meane time because winter was wel forward resolued to tarrie at Verona But his care for Bressia did greatly afflict him and the rest which caused him to leaue his winterning-place before the first of Ianuarie and returne to the siege of Aranes and Thienna The Campe abode certaine daies in the plaine of Arques where many were reported to perish with extreme cold Mellato by the sharpnes of the weather lost all feeling and was so benummed as he lay like a dead man who was presently by the Riuer Adice carried to Verona Sforza being then enforced by the vehement cold and by the enemies resistance to returne to his wintering place did send by Ciarpelion and Troyllo accompanied with three hundred men certaine victuals to Bressia by the way of the mountaines It was reported that the Bressians were reduced to such extremitie and want as they sustained themselues with filthie and vnholesome diet And moreouer That at such time as the enemies took Verona accounting all for lost and desperate they were at the point to haue yeelded which they had done had not Barbaro opportunly come to the assembly with great importunity brokē that which they had determined Besides it is most certaine that Picinino and Gonzaga had by Philips commandement sent new forces who with great heed were to keep the Bressians more closely mewed vp carefully to prouide that no victuals might from any place be brought vnto them Now S◅orzas troupes being come to Franzacorte or as others say to Guzac they fell to blowes with Philips forces who being daunted with Sforza's arriuall before day fled and lost three hundred Horse But the better to disburden the Citie freed now from the siege and in some sort from famine of so great a multitude those which had brought the victualls returned by the same Mountaines and went to Winter with Sforza The Nauall Armie in the meane time went forward at ◅orbolles where they had slowly wrought because that after the taking of Verona the Carpenters and other workmen being scattered here and there for ◅eare the worke had for a time beene discontinued Likewise Mellato who had the charge of the Hauen and the workmen by extremitie of cold which he had taken died the same winter but it happened not in the Armie as I finde in some Authors The remainder of the Winter was more free from troubles by reason of the extreme cold weather It was reported that Gionanni Cornetano of the Familie of Vitelli who commanded the Popes troupes and who for the secret practizes he then made was much suspected of the Pope had about the beginning of the spring-time made a secret league with Philip and Picinino who had concluded together That at one time Cornetano with his troupes should inuade La Marca and Picinino should crosse the Po and come into Tuscanie the one wholly to ruine the Florentines state and the other to ouerthrow Sforza's Principalitie The report hereof was hardly beleeued when Picinino vpon the eighth day of Februarie was then alreadie come forth of Garrison and with his troupes had crossed the Po. Sforza being troubled with these newes went himselfe to Venice to conferre with the Prince and Senate about the state of that Warre He was afraide least Cornetano would speedily inuade La Marca which was wholly vnfurnished of aide and Garrisons The Venetians at his entreatie sent to the Pope who dealt so with him That whatsoeuer had beene granted vnto Sforza as Prince of La Marca should in peaceable and safe manner remaine vntouched They did likewise entreate the Florentines speedily to arme and not only to driue the common enemie from their confines but to stop him if it were possible from making incursions vpon Sforza's state Picinino in the meane time made diuers and sundrie attempts on Flaminia which were valiantly
such sort lessened his greatnesse by many ouerthrowes one after an other as hee hath beene of late enforced to send to your Campe and humbly to sue for peace whereof he hath made me Iudge and Authour Your Armie is safe and in good estate wee haue recouered the Townes which hee tooke from you which are vnder the commaund of your Prouidator Besides I bring you peace if you thinke it worthie of you and such as being receiued may profit the Common-wealth Receiue it if ye so please with as good a will as it is offered But if yee thinke it more expedient still to continue the warre seeing it lieth in you to embrace which of the two yee shall best like of command what you will haue to be done As for my selfe I will endeuour if fortune answerâ—… my desire to finish this war to your contentment with as great loialtie and constancie as I haue vndertaken it and by Gods helpe to continue it to the end Sforza's arriuall was very pleasing much more his sweet and gratious speech but peace most of all For they could not haue wished for one more iust and aduantagious Therefore they highly thanked him for that by the selfe-same valour and loyaltie as hee had begunne that long and tedious warre he had brought it to the desired end And concerning peace they answered him That the Venetians were pleased with it and would hold that for firme which he had made with the enemie Hee had leaue then when he pleased to depart and to dispose they praying God that it might be to the profit and honour of the Republike and his owne of the publike businesse as hee should thinke fit For they were assured that he could doe nothing but that which would be profitable and honourable for the Common-wealth In this manner he went forth of the Senate reioicing as much for that peace as for a victorie and so returned to the Campe. From whence sending the Armie to Garrisons he stayed at Capriana to giue audience to Ambassadours who he knew would come thither to him from all parts of Italie There came to him at the same time the Patriarke Lodouico Nuncio to Pope Eugenius who taking his leaue of him to returne to Rome Blondus of Furli the Historian remained with Sforza Nerius Câ—…pare and Angelo Acciarole were sent from the Florentines Francisco Barbadico and Paulo Troni from the Venetians to the end that if neede were some might be there to defend the Venetians cause Nicholao Arcimboldi and Franchino Castellone were sent by Philip from Milan diuers others came thither as Ambassadours from other Princes and Common-wealths Philip according to his promise at the beginning hauing called backe his daughter from Ferrara did send her with a gallant Nuptiall traine to Crem ona Commissioners likewise were appointed from him in his name to giue the Citie and Castle of Cremona to Sforza for her dowrie The which to receiue together with the Ladie he came thither attended on by three thousand horse And entring the Castle glistring in Armes with a numer of his choice friends comming neare to the Ladie he spake vnto her in this manner Sforza's speech to his future Bride I Haue along time laboured my dearest Spouse to attaine to this so much desired marriage The good will which I haue euer borne to thee since I first made suite to haue thee to my Wife hath neuer suffered me to take rest but night and day thou hast beene imprinted in my minde And it did greatly despight me to see those that enuied our good fortune to haue so much credit with thy Father Philip as that by their meanes hee denied mee his Daughter I resolued either to die valiantly or else to winne thee if not by faire meanes at leastwise by force of Armes I will not deny but that I tooke armes and did enterprize a dangerous warre but it was to let thee see how that there is nothing how difficult soeuer but I would attempt for thy sake I neuer hated Philip because he was thy father and by thee my father-in lawe nor did I euer so much desire to hurt him as I was willing to keepe him from offending mee The which may easiâ—…y be discerned by the effects that ensued Hee was desirous to haue mee lay downe Armes I presently did so He made me Iudge and Vmpire of the peace I haue procured him a perpetuall peace with the Venetians Whereunto hath all this tended but to let thee know that I neuer had anie intent either to hurt thee or thine And doe not thinke because thou seest me armed that thou art sent to an enemie and not to a louing husband For it beseemeth the daughter of a great Prince to be in this manner first saluted by a souldior and great Captaine her husband There remaineth nothing to doe but that with mutuall affection we loue one another and that by thy meanes thy father may heereafter thinke well of vs And for mine owne part I will loue and honour him as our common father with the like affection as thy selfe This he spake according to Pasius of Arimini and the better to oblige the Ladie to himselfe he presented her with many rich gifts Others say that hee was betrothed vnto her in Saint Sigismonds Church without the Citie and they make no mention of Sforza's speech to his wife The Nuptialls being solemnized hee spent certaine dayes in dispatching the Ambassadours For on the one side the Popes Nuncio craued Bolognia which Picinino held and Rauenna which was possessed by the Venetians On the other side the Venetians were not well pleased because that Legnaga and those Towns which they had formerly possessed in the Gyraldade were taken from them Philips cause was well debated there as was that of Prince Gonzaga by those whom they had sent thither The one craued Lonada Pescara and diuers other Townes and the other Bressia and Bergamo two most excellent Cities In the end after sundrie contentions Sforza pronounced his sentence in this manner That Philip should pretend no claime to the Bressan nor Bergamese Territories but that those two Cities with their dependances should remaine to the Venetians Cremona and all the Cremonese should bee the dowrie of Bianca his wife That the â—…etians should surrender Martinenga to Philip with all the Cities in the Gyradade That they should haâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gonzaga should haue againe whatsoeuer belonged to the Mantuan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…is condition neuerthelesse That after hâ—… had drawne 〈◊〉 Garrison 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he should deliuâ—…r both it and the Hauen to the Venetians That the 〈◊〉 â—…ould enioy Riua Torbolles and 〈◊〉 which they had wonne by right oâ—… Armes together with Rauenna That Pope Eugenius within two years should haâ—…e â—…olognia restored from Picinino That 〈◊〉 Fauentino hauing restored to the Florentines those Townes which â—…e had taken from them and which hee 〈◊〉 held should bee freed from his impriâ—…ent Thâ—… 〈◊〉 Genoueses
beiâ—…g come to certaine Farmes within a mile of the cittie the souldiers being desirous of bootie did without any commaundement fall to pillaging those country houses Whilest these were busied in spoyling and expected nothing lesse than the enemies arriuall three hundred Turkish horse did with great cries inuiron and assaile them who were all slaine there hauing no meanes of defence or escape Barbadico riding vpon a Mule and comming by chance to that place where the enemies made great slaughter was beaten downe among a number of thicke bushes and there trodden to death vnder the horses feete His body beeing afterwards knowne by his Coate-armour and Signet was carried to the Castle of Patras and impaled vpon the highest tower thereof and of so great a number one thousand onely escaped Ragio being taken by the enemies was impaled aliue Capel for all this was not discouraged supposing it to haue happened rather by the carelesnesse of his owne souldiers than by the enemies valour and prowesse Therefore eight dayes after he sent the brauest men of his troupes together with the Ensignes to assaile the Cittie Vincimanica the Sicillian who commaunded the nauall Armie as Vice-admirall with Dominicke the Blacke and other valiant men that followed the Ensignes went and displayed them before the cittie The enemies did not refuse the fight but making a furious salley came couragiously vpon the Christians There was a cruell fight for some houres space at the last fortune inclining to neither side the Venetian resolued to send threescore horse of the remainder of those which were Ragios downe the hill which was on the one side to charge the enemie in flanke and thereby to make him retire and abandon his standing but they were not gone farre ere they discouered the Turkes comming forward for the same purpose at the sight of whom Ragios horse betooke themselues to flight and fell in among the troupes of the Islanders There a great slaughter of men and horses was presently made The Turkes in the meane time arriued who did cut the disordered squadrons in peeces And this losse would haue proued farre greater than the former had not a great dust risen vp into the aire like to a black clould which tooke away the sight both of Turkes and Christians A thousand Christians lay dead vpon the place and the rest with the ensignes escaped to the vesels Capello being daunted with these two ouerthrowes went to Xant from thence to Modon and within a while after to Nigrepont where he remained sixe whole moneths without any memorable exploit After the ouerthrow at Patras he was neuer seene to smile though Giouanni Diede the States Secretarie with diuers others of his familiar friends told him that it hapened not through his default At the last being wasted with griefe and melancholie eight monethes after the battaile of Patras he died at Nigrepont Giacomo Venieri after his death commanded the Armie vntill that Giacomo Lauretano sent by the Senate to succeed the late Capello arriued in the Prouince This man for the space of sixteene monethes that he was Generall of the Armie did brauely defend all the Islands and Sea-coasts from the enemies assaults and incursions About the same time likewise or soone after or rather a little before Lauretans departure to the Armie although the Venetians were in some sort quiet in Italie the cause neuerthelesse is not knowne why Bartholomeo of Bergamo a great Captaine in his time did by his sodaine incursions into Romagnia in a manner trouble and entangle them in a new warre This man departed from Lombardie with great troupes of horse and foot at the pursuit of Angelo Accaiuola and Nicolao Soderino that were banished from Florence vpon hope that they gaue him of good successe in Tuscanie by meanes of a popular commotion this was the common rumour But others supposed that he departed in Armes from Lombardie at the soliciting of Pope Paul to the end that bringing his troupes through Romagnia and La Marca he might on a sodaine in his name make warre on king Ferdinand who refused to pay vsuall tribute to the Church of Rome But whatsoeuer the cause was it is certaine that al his attempts which seemed at the first to be fearefull to all Italie did soone deceiue euerie mans expectation For so soone as he came into Romagnia Galeas Maria Duke of Milan a braue and couragious young Prince made head against him Then did the forces of king Ferdinand and the Florentines withstand him wherewith this great Captaine being troubled did in some sort begin to decline A battaile was presently giuen at Molinella a towne on the confines of Bolognia which was fought in the absence of Galeas vnder the conduct of Fredericke of Vrbin Those that were at the battaile affirme that in memory of man there was neuer a more furious or mortall in Italy The Senate fearing if his forces should be broken for till then he had euer beene in the Venetians pay and therefore it was thought that the Venetians did fauour him the aduerse Princes and Commonwealths being armed would cast the whole burthen of the warre vpon them sent him some supplies of horse and foote with expresse charge to make peace and safely to bring backe the Armie into Lombardy Ieronimo Barbadico a man of excellent wisedome and aduise and who not long before was made Procurator of S. Marke was in the Armie yet this new dignitie nor the entreaties of his friends were of power to keepe him at home nor to stay him from assisting the Republike in so great a danger But his authoritie and wisedome being grealy feared of the enemies it fell out that before peace was concluded he was by their meanes for so it was thought poisoned There is no other mention made of Lauretans exploits at Sea besides that which hath alreadie beene said Nicolao Canalis succeeded him He departing from Venice with two Gallies arriued at Nigrepont from whence setting sa le with twentie Gallies hee spoiled certaine farme houses and villages in Thessalie and then returned to Nigrepont and from thence went to Modon and afterwards to Coron He resolued to seize vpon the cittie of Lagostitia on the Sea of Patras which the Turkes had forsaken and speedily to fortifie it the which hee easily performed without any resistance Ieronimo Nouello for Malateste had left Morea had well fortified it and there the whole Armie remained consisting of six thousand men at such time as two thousand Turkes made an attempt to recouer it but they being beaten from the rampires with great losse did within a while after dislodge Canalis hauing left Giacomo Venieri with six Gallies for the guard of the citie returned with the rest of the fleete to Nigrepont and hauing there re-enforced the fleet with fresh supplies he sailed to Lemnos and thence to Imbres where he determined to assault Oenos and comming by day-breake to assaile the citie he commaunded his souldiers
Modon Thither newes was brought him how that the enemie with great forces lay before the Citie of Scutari This Citie standeth in that part of Dalmatia which being possessed by the Epirots was by the modernes tearmed Albania by a particular name it is seated on an hanging hill and in some places the accesse to it is very difficult On the West side is a lake in circuit fourescore thousand paces though Authors make no mention of it The inhabitants call it the lake of Scutari out of which issueth a nauigable Riuer called Boyano Plinie saith That in former time the Riuer Drina did runne on the East side thereof very neere to the Citie walls where at this day the ruines of the bridge are to be seene now the Riuer changing her course it runnes neere to the Island and deliuers it selfe by two channels to the sea ten myles from Boyano The champaine countrey which lieth betwixt these two Riuers and the fields neere adioyning are so fruitfull as seed being cast vpon the ground without any tillage giue a wonderfull encrease and they are enforced to driue their cattell forth of the pastures for feare they should ouerfeed themselues Alongst the sea coast are goodly woods wherewith they build shippes Ottoman who aspired to the Empire of Italie being allured by these commodities resolued to attempt Scutari the chiefe Citie of that Prouince hoping by taking thereof with ease to become master of the rest hee committed the charge of the siege to Soliman the Eunuch whom he made Gouernor of the Prouinces of Europe in his stead who the yeare before was slaine in the Persian warre And besides his other forces he gaue him eight thousand Ianizaries of his owne guard with an hundred Canoniers He hauing assembled great forces forth of all Prouinces subiect to Mahomet had fourescore thousand men in his armie The Citie being besieged he made a bridge ouer the riuer Boyano the guard wherof he committed to Alibeg with his fierce troopes of Tribulls Then he caused foure peeces of ordnance of a wonderfull bignesse to be planted neere the walls to make a breach the munition belonging to those peeces did load foure hundred Camels Hee did besides cause twelue other smaller peeces to be planted to batter the houses of the towne So soone as Mocenigo had intelligence of the siege of Scutary he went to Corfu where he receiued letters from the Prince and a commandement from the Senate to be carefull of the defence of Scutari and of the sea-coast of Albania Therefore he presently passed ouer into the firm land where at the mouth of the Boyano he met with Triadin Gritti his successor and Lodouico Bembo the Prouidator Then although he might haue commaunded alone yet being in no sort ambitious he resolued to doe nothing without their common consent First of all then they sent Leonardo Bolda with foure Gallies to Catharra and commaunded him to goe to Iohn Cernouich who commaunded the Sclauonians neighbours to the Lake and to entreat him from them that he would as became a faithfull associate leuie forces from all parts in some sort to relieue Scutari if it were possible That Leonardos selfe with his vessels appointed for that purpose should together with Ceruouich vse meanes to put some supplies into the towne by water They did afterwards send fiue Gallies by the Riuer Drinon for the guard of the Island The Citie is seated on a plaine and is in no sort strong by Art or Nature The riuer Drinon falling by two channells into the sea makes an Island whither all the Country people of that Prouince which dwelt in the Villages were retired with their wiues and children vpon the enemies comming Now for the defence of this Island the Venetian Generalls sent diuers armed vessells beside the Gallies They did moreouer assure Durazzo with foure gallies and certaine troupes of Albanian horse This cittie was in former time called Epidamnum by the Founders name his Nephew sonne to his daughter added the Hauen to the Cittie and would haue it to be called Dirrachium after his owne name He lost his sonne Ionius in the war against his bretheren vnder the conduct of Hercules who slew him by misfortune and threw him into the neighbour Sea of whom it afterward took the name This is the opinion of the Greeke Authors The Latines do not reckon the place to be of such antiquity and affirme that the Romains named it Dyrrachium in sted of Epidamnum because that name seemed to presage some misfortune to such as went thither It was in old time a very famous cittie and much renowmed during the ciuill warres of the Romans For Pompey in that place made all his warrelike preparations against Caesar but it is now desolate and vninhabited The Venetians kept it for the commodiousnesse of the hauen They did afterwards place garrisons in Buda Antiuari and Olchina which in former times according to Plinie was called Colchina founded by the Colchians who pursuing Medea entred into the Adriatticke sea and Ionian seas Some Authors woorthie of credit affirme That the Inhabitants of that place doe yet retaine the barbarous crueltie of their Ancestours and that among all the Inhabitants of that coast they are most vnciuill to strangers The Venetian Generalls went and encamped with the rest of the armie at Saint Sergius Church in view of the Inhabitants This place is fiue miles from Scutari and foureteene from the Sea The Gallies could not saile vp the Riuer beyond the Church by reason of the shallownesse of the water From thence the fleete gaue signes of encouragement morning and euening to the Cittie by making fires The riuer Boyano diuides it selfe into two very narrow channels beneath the Temple Eschella eight miles from the Armie The Turkes went about to embarre those streights with yron chaines and piles to shut in the Venetian Gallies which would haue mightily endaungered the Venetians had not a fugitiue giuen them notice thereof in time whereat they being somewhat troubled did sodainely saile in order of battell to seize vpon the mouth of the Riuer The enemie vpon the gallies arriuall being landed was encamped vpon the shoare in a close battallion The fight being begunne the Turkes did extreamely afflict the Venetians with their arrows and they them with their ordnance howbeit in the end the enemy was enforced to quit the place with the losse of fiue hundred of his men The victorious Venetians hauing left foure gallies for the defence of the place returned to their campe neere the Temple Many that were present at this exploit affirme that this fight against the Turkes at the entry of the riuer Boyano hapned vnder the conduct of Triadin before Mocenigo his arriuall But whilst this was done vpon the Riuer the Turkes did continually with the cannon batter the city walls and ouerthrew the houses Antonio Lauretano a valiant gentleman commaunded in the city and was Prouidator in the Prouince who as one
brother Hercules the Venetians did earnestly embrace his cause and assisting him by land and water seated him in the Dukedome for which hee lately stroue with Nicolao sonne to Lionello fauored by his vnckle the prince of Mantua and Galeas Visconte But not long after Hercules maried Leonora daughter to king Ferdinand by means of which new alliance growing more insolent his loue to the Venetians waxed cold and he did not greatly care to infringe his league with them For contrary to their agreement hee had permitted his subiects to make salt at Comachia Neuerthelesse to cleere himselfe thereof hee was content at the Venetians intreatie by Benedicto Treuisano sent to him to Ferrara to that end that a great quantity of salt made there should be cast into the Sea Hee did besides lay taxes and impositions on the Venetians notwithstanding their ancient freedome and exemption But this was nothing for he builded a Fort neere to Cap-Darger as if himselfe had beene to haue bounded his owne confines Lastly the Venetian Magistrate which by couenant remained in Ferrara being outraged expulsed and excommunicated by the Cities Archbishop the Duke declared himselfe an open enemy to the Venetians The Senate in the meane time knowing whereunto his designes intended did sometime by Letters then by Ambassadors intreate him not to enforce the Venetians to become his enemies but rather imitating his brother Borsia and other his Predecessours to perseuer in their ancient friendship which would both bee profitable and honourable for him This proude man who by reason of his new alliance promised great matters to himselfe contemned this counsell Neuerthelesse the Senate made Pope Sixtus a means to containe him in their ancient friendship But his mediation doing no good they being prouoked as well by new as old iniuries which they had dissembled during the warre with Ottoman resolued to inuade him and by Armes to reuenge that which till then for quietnesse sake they had more kindly than honourably endured This determination did for certaine dayes busie the Councell Some of the auncient Senators were of opinion not to make warre on Hercules vpon any occasion whatsoeuer not that it was vnlawfull but because the time permitted it not and did often aduise those that craued warre to take heed that by desire of reuenge they did not precipitate the Common-wealth into danger saying That the City and Tributary Townes were tired with long warre That it behooued them sometimes to lay downe armes lest by heaping one warre vpon another the world should say that the Venetians loued nothing lesse than peace Moreouer though there were nothing else in it they ought to consider that Hercules besides his owne experience in Martiall matters was allied to two potent Kings and that vndoubtedly he would neuer of his owne priuate motion haue so mightily prouoked them Besides it was certaine that diuers Italian Princes were leagued with him which being so they desired those that wished for warre to aduise themselues if they had not more need of a Target than of a Sword At this speech most of the Senatours as euery man was inclined cried out to the contrary saying That the allegations of cowards ought not to diuert their former resolution and muchlesse cause them to beleeue them that by the example of one man other Princes their neighbours would rise against them who would be twice aduised ere they inuaded the Venetians That the Citie was able to vndergo the whole burthen of the warre and being of a long time accustomed to warre would not liue ydlely That the State by Gods goodnesse was so wealthie that notwithstanding the great masse of gold spent in the warre against Ottoman her treasure was in a manner infinite whereby warre might be mannaged to the honour of the Common-wealth That all passages to sealay open to the Venetian Marchants whose trafficke did daily augment their imposts and customes That diuerse Senators present in Councell offered to aide the Common-wealth with great summes of gold whereby they might perceiue that nothing could be wanting for the entertainement of the armie That the King of Hungarie was in no sort to be feared for besides his perpetuallwarre with the Emperour Fredericke the Turkes were still on his confines and wasted his Countrey so that hee had enough to doe to defend his kingdome from two such potent enemies That King Ferdinand was not to be regarded who had not yet recouered his losses at the siege of Ottranto That the Venetian fleete scoured the Sea coast of Apulia and Calabria which if hee were desirous to defend it behooued him whether he would or no to haue no hand in the Ferrarese warre But admit said hee which spake that his forces be so great as they may fitly be diuided into sundry places by what way shall he come to bring aide to his sonne in lawe His souldiers haue no wings to flie through the aire from Calabria into Lombardie Rome belongeth to Pope Sixtus so doth Sabinia the Dutchy of Spoleta la Marea and all Italie besides from Tibers mouth as farre as Ancona His Holinesse so soone as hee perceiued that hee could not preuaile with Hercules hath not onely aduised vs to make war vpon him but together with the Venetians hath an hand therein The Florentines and Milanois will not take our parts But the Genouese and Prince of Montferrat will assist vs The Rubrians of Parma will doe the like who as we vnderstand are ready to reuolt And seeing wee want neither Armes money nor aide what shall hinder vs from inuading Hercules When did euer any of your neighbours most noble Senatours more prouoke you Ouer all his Territories hee hath cancelled your freedome and immunities He hath of a long time vsurped vpon the confines of your dominions Hee hath suffered your Magistrate to be outraged expulsed and excommunicated If this wrong cannot moue you what then is able to incite you Will you tarry till hee inuade you first Questionlesse hee will assaile you and it may be sooner than you imagine On then follow the steppes of your Auncestours and with fire and sword pursue this open enimy Let your Armes quench this flame which our long sufferance hath so kindled as but by this meanes will hardly be extinguished Let all men see that when neede is the Venetians know how to draw peace from warre and warre from peace Heereupon the Senate with generall consent presently resolued to take Armes And that all requisite solemnities might be obserued therein it was decreed that so soone as the people were made acquainted therewith it should be denounced to the enemy When it was published the people were so ioyfull as men might easily perceiue that neuer any warre was more pleasing to them than that Whereupon the Senate resolued to prepare two fleetes the one to inuade Apulia and Calabria if Ferdinand should stirre And the other to passe vp against the streame of the Riuer Po into the enemies Territories
the confederats But the losse of the victorious was greater without comparison by reason of the death of the Generall of â—…s of Alegre â—…ters French Gentlemen and Almaine Captaines to whose valour the victory was partly ascribed The victors beeing returned to their Campe those of the Citty sent word that they would yeeld but whilest they câ—…pitulated the Lanâ—…equentes Gascons perceiuing the walls to be carelessely kept did enter it at the breach which was made before the bataile and â—…ade cruell spoyle for despight of the losse which they had sustayned in the battaile but they could not take the Castle whether Marke Antony Câ—…llonna was â—…tyled which hee afterward yeelded vpon condition â—…o haue their goods and liues saued The Venetians hauing newes of this losse sent word to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whome they kept in pay with a thousand foote in Flaminâ—… to gard and defend the lands of the Church The Viâ—…y neuer â—…aid till hee came to Aâ—…coha where hee vsed meanes to renew his army promisâ—…g to him selfe that beeing ioyned with the Swisses hee would easily driue the French forth of â—…taly so as euery one would employ him-selfe in that busienesse The Venetâ—…ns beeing aduertised of his intenâ—… sent to comfort him for his losse and to offer him al ayde and releefe by Antoâ—… 〈◊〉 who brought him a good summe of mony from the Senate the liâ—…e also did King 〈◊〉 Aâ—…ssador which lay at Venice The French Army being daunted with the death of their Generall remained within 4. miles of Rauenna attempting nothing expecting the kings pleasure In the meane space newes being brought to Rone of the losse of the battaile all the Cardinalls came forth-with to the Pope earnestly entreating him to accept of peace with the French King the which they assured him hee might obtaine on honest conditions they seeing no other remedy for all these daungers but peace onely The Ambassadors of the King of Arragon and the Signury of Venice insisted on the contrary giuing him to vnderstand that matters were not so desperate nor the army so much decayed but that it might easily bee restored in short space without any greate expence with many other very pertinent reasons to induce the Pope to their opinion But he continewed in very great doubt for on the one side hatred and disdaine against the French did possesse him and on the other feare and danger Wherevpon hee answered the Cardinalls that he would make peace with the French King and yet it was not with that resolution which might giue any certaine hope and last of all when as Iulius of Medicis a Knight of Malta who was after-wards pope came to him from the Cardinall of Medicis and had fully informed him how greatly the French were weakened by their Generalls death and of diuers other particularities of the French army which did much recomfort him And bringing him into the Consistory he caused him to rehearse the selfe same things to the Cardinalls who neuerthelesse did perseuer in their desire of peace the which though in words hee made shew to please them to accept of hee had neuerthelesse resolued not to graunt but vpon the last extremity and rather to leaue Rome hoping that his cause would bee maintayned by the armes of Christian Princes But so soone as hee vnderstood that the Lord of La Palisse who commanded the French army after the death of Gaston of Foix was called into the Dutchy of Milan by the Generall of Normandy for feare of the Swisses comming and that he was with the army departed out of Roâ—…gina he found him-selfe freed of the doubt and feare which hee was in concerning the affaires of Rome whereby hee was more then before confirmed in his obstinacy albeit the Legate of the councell â—…arried still in Romagnia with three hundred lances three hundred light horse six thousand foote and eight peeces of ordnance Now the Pope beeing greatly confirmed by that which hath beene already said and by the great hopes which the King of Arragon gaue him so soone as bee had intelligence of the losse of the battaile of Rauenna promising to send him Gonsaluo the great Captaine into Italy with new supplies and likewise by the commission which the King of England had sent to the Cardinall of Yorke to enter into the league hee did openly reiect peace and pronounced in open Consistory a Monitory against the French King if hee did not release the Cardinall of Medicis whome hee kept prisoner in Milan where hee was honorably vsed The Swisses in the meane time who stood badly affected to the French King and did wonderfully hate him beeing assembled at Coire a city of the Grisons there antient confederats marched from thence to Trent the Emperour to collour the matter with the King saying that hee could not stoppe their passage in regard of the antient confederacy which he had with them From Trent they came vpon the Verona Territory where the Venetians army expected them who together with the Pope did contribute for their pay They were in number more then sixe thousand though no more were demaunded For the hatred which they did heare to the French King was so greate as contrary to their custome they did pâ—…tiently endure al difficulties and namely they caâ—… from home hauing receiued only one florin of Ryne a peece wheras in time before they would not march for the Kings seruice vnlesse they had beene promised many paies and their Captains presented with sondry guifts La Palisse comming first of all with the Army to Pontoglio to stop their passage thinking that they would come that way into Italy perceiuing afterward their meaning to be otherwise came and incamped at Chastillon of the stirrop not being assured whether they would come downe into the Dutchy of Millan or els march towards Ferrara It was certainely thought that they would haue held on the way towards Ferrara according to the Popes directions had not a letter which the Lord of La Palisse sent to the General of Normandy been inâ—…ercepted by mishap the which fell into the hands of the Venetian Stradiots by which he sent him word how his affaires stood and that it would be a hard matter to resist them if they should turne towards the Dutchy of Millan This letter made them change their determination and caused the Cardinall of Syon the chiefe motiue of this warre with the Captaines to resolue to enterprise that which their enemies most feared as was perceiued by that letter Therefore they came to Villafranca to ioyne with the Venetian army vnder the command of Iohn Paul Bailon which was of foure hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and sixe thousand foote with peeces of Ordnance as well for battery as for the field La Palisse who in all had not aboue seauen thousand foote and a thousand lances did with the Captaines determine wholy to forsake the field and to looke to the defence of the townes
battaill whome ignominiously he put to death openly hee made beside a great slaughter of those Mamaluks and thereby in a manner did wholy root out their name hee tooke Cairo which is a populous citty and the Soldans ordinary residence and in a short-time seased on all Suria and Aegypt Al these great victories and encreases of his Empire had not without cause giuen occasion to all Christian Princes to stand in awe of him and cheefel◅ the Venetians of whome hee pretended to demand a yeerely tribute of 8000. Ducats which the Kings of Cyprus were wont to pay to the Soldans of Aegipt in times before Now the Venetian Ambassadors being embarked at Venice did first touch at Cyprus and from thence they went to Damasco where Selim returning from his victories had wintered with al his army The Senate had expresly enioyned them to procure that the Venetian marchants who dwelt at Tripoli Alexandria Barath Damasco and other marchant places of those Prouinces might be maintayned there in the selfe same priuiledges which they were wont to enioy in former times graunted vnto them by the former Kings of Suria and Aegypt That it might like-wise bee lawfull for the Signory to haue their Magistrates in those places with the same authority they were wont to haue to doe iustice to their Cittizens in their strife about marchandize and other such like businesse Selim ayming at other ends did easily graunt it as wel for the desire he had to entertaine the Venetians friendship as to restore trafick to his new conquered Prouinces whereby great profit and commodity might redound to him At the same time for the same purpose an Ambassador was appointed to goe to Charles King of Spaine to the end that it might be lawfull for the Venetians to traffick thorow all the lands and signories newly fallen to him as they were wont to doe in the life time of King Fernand in Spaine because that his officers did seeme to make some difficulty in it in regard of the trade with Africke whereof it shall not not be impertinent to say some thing by the way The antient founders of the citty had speciall care that the cittizens of their new citty should exercize them-selues in voyages and sea-traffick to bee able by their vertuous industry to encrease their domesticke meanes and faculties and make themselues knowne to forraine nations The situation of their citty inuited them there-vnto because the Inhabitants had not they any inheritāces wheron to busie themselues Whervpon they decreed diuers ships should traficke into sondry places of Christendome and of the Infidells in which they sent diuers gentlemen to learne them nauigation and other matters belonging to the sea some of whome remained for a time among those forraine nations and cheefely wher there was greatest trading negotiating for themselues and others whereby besides the greate wealth which they purchased they made themselues fit by experience for great maters so as returning afterwards to Venice they readyly executed all matters committed to them Now the places whether these vessels which were commonly called shippes of traffick vsed to goe at their departure from Venice was first into Sicily to the Citty of Saragossa from thence to Tripoli in Barbary and hauing coasted the Iland of Gerbes they passed on to Tunis from thence they directed their course to the realme of Tremisen staying cheefely at Tusen and at Mega two excellent Marchant townes called at this day Ona and Orana Then they went to diuers places of the Kingdome of Marocco and touching at all the hauens of Barbery which were antiently comprized vnder the Prouinces of Mauritania and Numidia they sailed into Spaine But their traffick was very different for at their departure from Venice they carried to the Affrican Moores sondry kindes of mettalls and woollen cloathes which they sould there then comming into Spaine they bought sondry kinds of merchandize as silk wool graine and other things which they found in the contrey with which being laden they returned to Venice This traffick then being interrupted by the difficulties which the agents of the new King of Spaine did set abroach and by reason of other accidents that did happen is wholly lost But to returne to our discourse the Venetians perceiuing that a great part of the time of truce betwixt the Emperour and them was spent they thought it necessary to come to some new agreement with him the which the Pope desired and that it might be by his meanes at Rome But the Venetians trusting more to the most Christian King referred the whole matter to him and made means that the Emperour should to that end send his Ambassadors into France who comming thither and concluding no peace the truce by the Kings meanes was prolonged betwixt them for fiue yeares on condition that for euery of the fiue yeares they should pay twenty thousand crownes to the Emperour The occasion of this truce was because that the Pope being mooued by the Turkes fortunate successe beganne to thinke on other milder matters he sent Breefs to all Christian Princes putting them in mind of the danger which threatened them requesting them that all discords and contentions being layd aside they would speedily prouide for the defence of Christian religion and for their common safety the which was exposed to very great dangers vnlesse that they being vnited together did transport the warre into Turky in regard of the encrease of Selims Empire and his great desire of rule and soueraignty which would prouoke him at last to oppresse all other Princes as he had done by the Souldan of Egipt and the Mamalucks These things being by the Pope represented to the Venetians as well as to other Christian Princes were cause that the Venetians consented to the truce as hath beene said made by the French King betwixt the Emperour and them seeing that peace could be hardly concluded on to the end they would not seeme by their refusall to turne away so great a good from all Christendome But as for the popes proposition made particularly vnto them to take Armes against Selim they answered that when they should see matters set foreward and ernestly pursued the Venetian Senate would be more ready for that enterprize then any else and would neuer faile of their duty knowing very well how much it did import them not only in regard of the common interest of all Christendome and for the Popes entreaties and exhortation as because their Sea-state did border vpon that mighty enemy the which he would in a moment assaile and molest with all outrages before the Confederates Army would be ready to enter into his Contrey Soone after this treaty of truce the Emperour Maximilian fell sick and dyed at Lynx in the be◅inning of the yeare 1519. which is a towne seated on the marches of Austria his death being knowne to the soldiers that lay in Garrison at Gradisca and Maran they sallied foorth vppon the lands belonging
that the Turke armed was by that meanes cleered so as one part of the nauall Army that they had prepared vpon that rumor sailed into Barbary against the Pirats of whom many being taken the passages were freed from danger In this manner did the Venetians temporise with the Turke vsing all means to keepe his friendship despayring of being able to hurt him so long as the Christian Princes carelesse of the common danger were at strife among themselues Now the most Christian King being som-what troubled with this election and fearing least Charles of Austria would turne his deseignes vpon Italy to expulse him from the state of Milan acquainted the Pope and the Venetians with the great danger that threatned them if they suffred the elected Emperor to passe with an army into Italy and therefore he councelled them to enter into a threefold league together against those that would attempt to inuade any of their states and specially to oppose themselues against the Emperors passage comming in armes to goe to Rome as he said to receiue the Imperiall Crowne because he could not enter in that manner but to the great danger of all those who possessed any states in Italy The Venetians soone consented to the French Kings proposition for the safety of their states But the Pope being resolued what to doe and ruminating sundry matters fed the King and the Venetians with faire hope but when it came to the conclusion he would not consent to haue any thing set downe in writing saying That in such a case the onely words of Princes did suffice with their true meaning to execute what had beene concluded In this manner the businesse being delayed the French Kings heaâ—…e in time beganne to coole The Venetians had some suspition that the King did seacretly treat with the Emperor and that the same might bee the canse why the Pope doutbed and prolonged the affaires that were concluded on And that which did increase their suspition was for that they had certaine notice that Artur Gouffiar Lord of Boyssy great maister of France and the Lord de Cheures met at Montpellier the one from the elect Emperor and the other from the King to consult of a finall peace betwixt both their Maiesties and to decide all controuersies betwixt them and their allies The Venetians neuer-the-lesse still continuing their former resolution and firme desire not to separate them-selues in any sort from the alliance of the French made no shew that they suspected the King albeit his Maiesty was sufficiently aduertised of their suspition but held it for certaine that if the King were desirous of agreement with the Emperor they especially should be named and comprised therin and all their contention with the Emperor should be wholy composed Charles so soone as hee was chosen Emperor hauing turned his deseignes vpon Italy knowing how much it did import him to haue the Venetians friendship did shew him-selfe desirous to compose all the differences which had beene betwixt the Emperor Maximilian his predecessor and them and to effect this good desire hee sent his commissioners to Verona according as it was concluded in Maximillians life time with ample power and authority to conclude and decide not onely the businesse of the truce for fiue yeares but like-wise to end all other matters which were yet vndecided two yeares before betwixt them Francisco Pâ—…sare a long time before chosen by the Senate for that purpose went to Verona whither for the Emperors part came foure of the cheefe of the councell of Inspruch who had ample power to negociate that businâ—…sse Iohn Pin the French Ambassador came thither in his Kings name who at the last truce was chosen Vmpier and Iudge of all their controuersies The Venetians craued possession of all the places taken from them in the last warre and that all thing should remaine as they were before the warre saying That it was the surest meanes to end all their controuersies and to establish a firme and assured peace But the Imperialls alleadging now one thing and then an other did still dâ—…lay the businesse and would conclude on nothing so as hauing spent certaine monthes there in vaine and being recalled by the councel of In spruch they returned home Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians hauing at the same time their Ambassadours in the Emperours Court they were put in hope of a prosperous end of that businesse and that the Emperour would speedily appoint Commissioners to intend it beeing very desirous by meanes of a sure peace to become their good neighbour and perpetuall friend his officers thereby shewing how much hee desired the Venetians friendship who for their partes did in like manner declare how they desired nothing more then peace but that they could not their faith kept inuiolate doe any thing contrary to their alliance with the French King After this manner did these two Princes at one time pursue the Venetians friendship and alliance but by different waies each of them seeking to make vse of them in their enterprize of Italy so as in these practizes and negotiations all that yeare passed on without any certaine resolution The yeare following which was 1520. Italy did still continue peaceable but Christendome was threatened by Soliman who perceauing his Empire to be at quiet and all things to fall out as hee wished would not bee idle but following rather the generousnesse of his Ancestors hee determined to take armes and to warre vpon the Christians This was a long time before foreseene of many but remedied by none Following then this determination hee resolued to enuade the realme of Hungary hoping to reape great glory thereby by reason that the Hungarians were reputed valliant and great soldiers Therefore so soone as all things were ready hee departed from Constantinople about the beginning of the yeare 1521. with a mighty army and marched into Hungary King Lewes being amazed at the comming of so mighty an army and distrusting his owne forces did againe send new Ambassadors to solicite and entreate Christian Princes to aid him it being the common cause of all Christendome Philippo Moro Bishop of Agria was sent to the Venetians who being brought into the Senate spake in this manner My King most excellent Prince and yee most noble Lords hath such confidence in yourselues in your fidelity curtezie and power in respect of the strict alliance which of a long time hath beene betwixt this Republike and the crowne of Hungary of the Common interest of both your states of the iustice of his cause and your owne antient custome with that of your ancestors who euer fauored iust and resonable actions and releeued those that stood in need as hee is desirous in this eminent perill of the Turkish warre cheefely to haue recourse vnto you my Lords and vnto you to communicate his deseins and necessity hoping to finde from you not onely a speedy ayde as much as in you lieth
Senate to whom of purpose he sent his Nuncio to exhort them therein to interpose their councell authority and forces by intreating the Emperour to harken therevnto and the easier to draw him to it to offer him a summe of money But the Senate being of a contrary minde sought to disswade him from it and in praysing his good meaning they shewed him how that to take armes at such a time and without vrgent necessity was nothing else but to shew that he was afraide of a most iust cause whereof all men were desirous to be assured by preuenting with force the power which the concourse and fauour of the people might bring to the aduerse party That it did not beseeme him who maintained reason and truth to flie from the triall thereof especially by the Scriptures and by the same reason and not to impose a necessity vpon the Protestant Princes to raise their forces and thereby to make their cause to be more fauoured by the people and accounted to haue some shew of honesty by opposing themselues against the violence which would be done to them by comming in armes That the Princes of Italy were whole drawne drie of money by reason of the late wars The Electors of the Empire were doubtfull in such a case what part to take and more desirous of peace then warre as their Ambassadours doe affirme who for the same purpose were sent to the Emperour at Bruxells The free cities of Germany are resolute in no sort to aide or fauour the Emperour if hee should seeke rather to preuaile by force then reason and the Emperour is to weake of himselfe to leauy sufficient forces to ouer-throw the Princes and people being risen The Pope being mooued by these reasons or by the anthority of the Senate to whom he much referred himselfe hauing changed his minde desisted from sending his Nuncio to the Emperour as hee had determined whereby this treatie was broken off And to speake truely it was then thought most fit to consider rather how to resist the Turkes deseignes and to keepe as much as might be the forces of Christendome vnited together and chieflly those of Germany who were to susteine the first attempts of the Barbarians by reason that it was held for certaine that Soliman being proud and haughty could not digest his shamefull discamping from before Vienna which he could not take that he was 〈◊〉 to returne thither with a mightier army the which according to the common report he was already preparing The Emperour in this regard did rather encline to peace then warre and 〈◊〉 making any solid resolution was content for that time to set downe cerâ—… rules concerning religion vntil the next future councell He likewise desired the better to reduce all matters to peace and quiet to end the controuersies which remained vndecided betwixt the Archduke Fedinana and the Republike of Venice wherevpon he commanded to choose vmpiers according to that which they had concluded wherevnto al be it that the Senate did not onely consent but did likewise seeme greatly to desire it by soliciting the deciding of the controuersie yet neuerthelesse nothing succeeded thereof contrary to the desire of both parties by reason of the difficulty they had to name a third person if it were so that the vmpiers could not agree amongst themselues The Archduke chose the Duke of Mantua the Bishop of Ausbourg and the Popes Nuncio residing with himselfe And the Venetians made choice of the Bishop Theatinâ—… the Archbishop of Salerne who was of the family of the Adorni and the Popes Nuncio refiding at Venice but those which pleased one of the parties displeased the other whereby matters remained still in controuersie to the great preiudice and hurt of the subiects on the frontiers and caused an alteration amongst the Princes Besides this the Emperour had not yet surrendred which was the very latter end of the yeere the castle of Milan nor the city of Coma to Francis Sforza as he was bound to doe wherevpon the Venetians being desirous to haue it performed as soone as might be for feare least time might produce some sinister accident and Francis Sforza hauing not altogether meanes of his owne to furnish so great a sum of money as was to be paied to the Emperour they did lend him fifty thousand Ducats to make vp the payment the which they re-embursed vpon a bargain of salt they made with him by which meanes the castle of Milan and the city of Coma were rendred to Sforza to the Venetians great content whose only end was to assure the Duâ—…chy of Milan to the Duke The Venetians great desire to conserue that State for Sforza was the cause that he seeming to haue some distrust of the French entreated the Senate to interpose their authority with that King that he might desist from his great warlike preparations which he was reported to make to renue his old claime to Milan and notwithstanding that they gaue small credit to that report yet neuerthelesse to shew their constant desire of the preseruation and defense of that State and to take from the French all suspition that they would euer separate themselues from the Emperour and the other Confederates they determined to make it knowne to all men as well in France as in the Courts of other Princes But the Emperour being displeased with this declaration did summon them besides to arme the number of souldiers which the Signory was bound to leauy by the treaty of Confederacy The Venetians therevpon supposing that he aimed at some particular deseigne of his owne and would draw them to more then they were tied vnto by the league answered that the affaires of Italy standing at such a stay as there was nothing to be more hoped for then an assured peace they were not to be vrged to so great expences Now at the same time the Venetians supposing that King Francis beeing newly married and hauing recouered his children should rather thinke on feasting and pleasure then on the trauails of warre to make it knowne that they desired to partake some part of his content sent into France Iohn Pisani Procurator of Saint Markeâ—… their extraordinary Ambassadour to reioyce with him in the name of the Republike But he hauing discouered some true likelihoods said boldly that they would not suffer the peace and publike quiet to be troubled or interrupted and they would neuer faile in ought wherevnto they were tied by their confederacy In the Interim of these negociations the Republike enioying an assured peace the Senate tooke care to re-establish it in her ancient preheminences which it had enioyed before the last warres and amongst others to appoint all the Bishops belonging to their owne State for which hauing made many requests to the Pope without receiuing any certaine resolution they seized on the temporalties of diuers Bishoprikes which the Pope had giuen whereat his Holinesse being incensed made shew that he would resent it and
the feare likewise for their owne State the Turke waxing so mighty a neighbour on the other side their doubt not to finde in the Christian Princes such steadfast constancy as to expose themselues to necessary trauailes and dangers held them backe so as in this diuersity of opinions they answered the Pope that the Venetian Senate had euer desired and sought the good of Christendome but as the same did sodainely incite them to vndertake all matters for the seruice thereof euen so they were sory that the condition of the times and the particular estate of â—…heir affaires would not permit them to shew it in effect That the greatest Princes of Christendome were at the same time at discord and dissention amongst themselues so as it could not be promised that they would vnite themselues against that common enemy that the forces alone of the Signory were to weake to march against him besides that their State for the space of two thousand miles from the Isle of Ciprus unto the end of Dalmatia was neere neighbour to the Turkes where there were ordinarily great numbers of Citizens and much wealth a matter with indeed did enforce them to temporize with them and kept them from so easily declaring themselues their enemies That they did therefore much commend the Popes goodnesse and wisedome for that he did so well foresee and prouide for the perills of Christendome And that they did hope that their excuses would bee entertained of all men as most iust and reasonable Ferdinand in the meane time al-be-it he perceiued that all these treaties of league would come to nothing yet neuerthelesse promising vnto himselfe to bee able to obtaine by armes a more aduantageous peace then that which King Iohn had propounded vnto him contemned all treaties that were offered by reason that hee had beene declared King of Romaines in the assembly at Colein and thereby successor to his brother Charles in the Empire and had moreouer obtained sundry aides in the Diets held at Lins and at Prague beside the great help which he hoped to haue from his brother The Venetians neuerthelesse without giuing ouer their former proposition of peace hauing sent their Ambassadours vnto Ferdinand for to congratulate in the common-wealths name his new dignity caused him to entertaine the motion of peace exhorting him to embrace it and to answere the hope which men had conceiued of him that as a wise and vertuous Prince he would haue the peace and quiet of Christendome in singular recommendation All those that had regard to the publike good and did neerely consider the conditions of those times desired peace because they did fore-see that great warres and calamities would arise in other places by reason that the Kings of France and England perceiuing a goodly occasion offered to enuade the Emperours dominions who was enforced to turne his forces against the Turkes to defend the Estates of his house and the Empire did practize sundry waies to make warre vpon him the one beeing prouoked with an antient desire to recouer the State of Milan and the other for a disdaine newly conceiued against Charles for defending his Aunts cause wife to the King whom he had put away that hee might marry with an other therefore they had ioyntly practized the German Princes who did not greatly affect the Emperour and in the meane time they armed so as it seemed that they tarried for nothing else to make warre vpon him but till the Turke should beginne and thereby draw the Emperors forces into another place according to their common report Soliman who had dayly intelligence of the Christian Princes deseignes much esteeming the selfe same occasions to see the Emperour at one time busied in diuers and sundry places seemed euery day to be more resolute to defend and maintaine the Realme of Hungary for King Iohn his friend and Confederate desiring to recouer his reputation which he supposed he had lost at his retreat from before Vienna At the beginning then of the yeere 1532. the Turke being come to Andrinople acquainted all men what way he ment to take but before his departure shewing both in word and deed what great account he made of the Venetians friendship he called home the great Gallies which he kept in Soria and Alexandria for the aboue mentioned causes and freely suffered them to traffick in all places as they were wont to doe caring no more to reduce the trade to Constantinople Then being carefull to raise his army he sent for all the Spaches from Greece these are horse-men vnto whom the Prince giueth for wages the possession of certaine lands during their liues to come to him with their armes and horse he demanded likewise of the Tartarians Valachians and Transiluanians the aide which by their confederacies they were bound to send him so as marching into the field and being come vpon the confines of Hungary he found that there were a hundred and fifty thousand fighting men in his army amongst whom the most esteemed were twenty thousand Ianissaries who fight on foote being brought vp from their youth in the exercize of martiall discipline Soliman then being arriued with his whole army before Belgrade a City seated in low Hungary he caused it to be published that he would enforce the Emperour to come to battaile with him promising to himselfe easily to vanquish him threatning with insolent speeches to driue him forth of Germany and to make himselfe Lord of all the States of the Westerne Empire which as he said belonged vnto him as true Emperor and Lord of Constantinople Vpon the report of the Turkes arriuall the Emperour Charles likewise hauing assembled a mighty army from all parts of Christendome and such an one as in the memory of man the like had not beene seene went and encamped before the city of Vienna determyning there to attend the enemy All men were attentiue to see what would be the issue of this warre especially the Venetians who vnder-hand sauored the Christian party hauing suffered their subiects to goe as of themselues to the Emperors army The effects neuerthelesse of these two great armies were farre otherwise then were the expectation and feare which men had because that Soliman entring very late into Hungary beeing not able to come sooner as well in regard of the greatnesse of his preparations as for the distance of the way did not directly march towards the Emperours army but hauing onely made a shew of warre and some few incursions hee returned to Constantinople The Emperour who had not stirred from before the walles of Vienna not going forth to met the the Turkes notwithstanding that he had intelligence of their approches being assured of their retreat did on a sodaine breake vp his army and burning with an extreame desire to returne into Spaine after that he had left certaine Italian foot-men with his brother and some numbers of Lansquenets hee tooke his iourney into Italy from
Councell of the Forts to consider thereof and himselfe in the meane time walking at liberty in the Citty not tarrying for his iudgement escaped thence then hauing againe armed three Fusts hee continued with great arrogancy and contempt of the Common-wealth his â—…ormer courses wherevpon the Prouidator hauing narrowly watched him did in the end surprise him and hauing disarmed his vessels caused Philippos head to bee stricken off as author of all those misehiefes setting all the Turkish slaues at liberty whom hee sent to Constantinople It was supposed that this execution would haue incensed the Emperor who had that Religion vnder his protection and the great maister of Malta but they being aduertised how the matter stood both of them were appeased In the middest of these affaires the Pope who was fallen fick at the beginning of summer hauing a long time endured sundry accidents departed forth of this present lise at such time as he was at the heighth of all his happinesse Hee beeing dead the Cardinalls who according to the vsuall ceremonies had shutte themselues vp into the conclaue did with a generall consent elect in his steed Alexander of the family of Farneses a Romaine by nation and the eldest Cardinall of the Court of Rome who tooke vpon him the name of Paul the third All men thought that hee would haue behaued himselfe as Neuter as hee had euer done for the space of fifty yeares or there-about that hee had beene Cardinall and would thereby maintaine Italy in peace and quiet a long time after the which was very pleasing to the Venetians as they who greatly desired to â—…ee all matters brought to a setled quiet and who did besides perswade themselues by reason of the loue which he had euer seemed to beare vnto them before hee was Pope that if he should leaue his neutrality hee would rather confirme the league which they were at with Clement his Predecessor then practize any noueltie therefore they sent eight Ambassadors to him namely Marco Minio Tomaso Moceniga Nicolao Tepulo Ieromino Pesare Giouan Badoariâ—… Lorenzo Bragadino Gasparo Coâ—…taren and Federico Reniero not giuing them any other commission then to present to the new Pope their accustomed obedience thinking it not fit to sue vnto him for any thing vntil they had better discouered his deseignes in his new fortune But the Emperour beeing desirous to know his meaning from himselfe being therevnto mooued by his feare least the French would stirre hee did foorth with sound him concerning the renuing of his league with the late Pope And the more easily to induce him therevnto hee made the same request to the Venetians that they would againe confirme betwixâ—… them the former Articles of their confederacy exhorting them therevnto for the quiet of Italy which hee knew they so much wisht for and they beeing vnited together would bee able to maintaine and defend themselues from all the attempts of the French although the new Pope would not ioyne himselfe with them and yet neuerthelesse the true meanes to draw him to them at the beginning of the Papacie was to see a firme vnion and correspondence betwixt the Republick and him on whom the wills of other potentates of Italy were to depend The Venetians did not altogether approoue nor yet reiect the Emperors motion for they beeing in no sort desirous of innouation said some-times That there was no need to haue it renued and at other times seemed to be ready so to doe when need should bee And in these practises ended the yeare one thousand fiue hundred thirty foure The Pope who did maturely confider all these matters not dooing anything rashly did at the beginning of the yeare following shew how desirous hee was to establish a firme peace betwixt the Emperour and the French King vnto whom hee speedily sent his Legates for that purpose and likewise in what singular recommendation hee had the affaires of Italy aboue all other matters with a particular affection to the Signory of Venice Yet neuerthelesse as Princes actions are different and subiect to change an occasion was offered which had like to haue altered this good disposition of the Popes to the great danger of all Italy Whilest the Sea Apostolick was vacant the nuptialls had beene solemnized betwixt Guido Vbaldo sonne to Francesco Maria Duke of Vrbin and Iulia the onely daughter to Iohn Vâ—…ran Duke of Camerine who succeeded in her Fathers State This marriage was at the first allowed by the Pope and all men thought that matters would haue gone forward peaceably but within a while after the Pope beeing otherwise perswaded by some or else aspiring of himselfe as it often happeneth to those that are at the height of their feilcity to greater and higher deseignes thought this a very fitte occasion for the aduancement of his owne house by conferring therevnto this enfeoffment of the Church for a beginning Wherevpon hee openly declared That hee would neuer suffer that the Duke of Vrbin should against all law and right possesse as hee sayd the Dutchie of Camerine belonging to himselfe alone to dispose thereof hauiâ—…g to this end raysed great forces to hinder the fortifications which the Duke intended to make at Camerine and the Garrison which hee purposed to place there This declaration of the Pope did greatly discontent the Venetians vnder whose protection the Duke of Vrbin was vnto whom and his whole house they did beare singular affection for the good seruices which hee had done to the common-wealth and therefore they vsed all possible meanes to appease the Pope as also because that the Duke of Vrbin did freely offer to haue the matter consulted and dâ—…bated on by reason but the Pope giuing no eare to their entreaties or messages said that hee could doe no otherwise therein then hee was councelled and aduised by affaires of State and that hee did determine without any more dissembling to recouer by force that which had beene detained from that State the which all men did account very strange in regard of those times Christendom beeing infinitely molested both by the armes of the Infidels and by heresies newly sprung vp in diuerse and sundry Prouinces The Venetians therefore not to omit ought which might quench this small sparke which was likely to burst forth into a great flame did aduertise the Emperor thereof earnestly entreating him therein to interpose his authoritie to preserue and maintaine ouer all Italy the same peace and quiet which to his honor and renowne hee had so well established The Emperor did willingly embrace this businesse and hauing hotly pursued it with the Pope did greatly moderate his former heate But it was supposed that the same which did most of all appease him was a proposition made vnto him by those who managed the affaires of the Duke and the Venetians which was to giue to his sonne Pietro Lodouico some honorable estate in Romagnia and to râ—…nder Rauenna and Ceruia to the
saile with the army to Corfoù as resoluing aboue al things to gard that place which was of so great importance for them The winter season being much spent the exploits of warre did for that yeere cease all men expecting what would be the beginning of the yeere following 1537. Soliman seemed to be desirous of peace with the Venetians wherof the Visier Basha by his commandement made a motion to the Baily Canalis perswading him to cause the Ambassadour to come to Constantinople who had beene already appointed for that purpose vnto whom he promised to giue a pasport and good enterteinment But by how much the Turkes did vse gentlenesse and curtezy contrary to their fierce and haughty nature by so much the more did the Venetians suspect their speech and actions doubting that vnder these treaties they sought not a firme peace but how to separate them from the Emperours friendship and to breake the practizes of the league The Emperor Charles on the other side made shew that all his thoughts were bent to make warres vpon the Turkes so as he often times said that he greatly desired to march against them in person to haue a share in that glory crauing none other recompence then that being willing to haue whatsoeuer should be conquered from them to be ioyned and vnited to the dominions of the Venetian common-wealth the which he termed the very bulwarke against the Turkish forces and that he might the better intend that enterprize he had consented to a truce with the French King in Flanders Such in outward apparence were the discourses of the Emperor and his officers in Italy who made a shew to be very careful of preparing al things for the warres Doria promised to haue his gallies ready in a short space to ioyne them with the Venetian fleet assuring them that he would in that war do some notable seruice to Christendome and to the profit of the Signory The Marquis of Guasto gouernor of Milan did the like both of theÌ„ seeking to make al men beleeue that the Emperor in that businesse did proceed wâ—…h great zeale affection yet neuerthelesse many were of opinion that these exterior shews of the Emperor were only to hide some other of his designâ—… to prouoke the Venetians in the meane time to war who by altogether intending the league might wholy breake it with Soliman and thereby be enforced to ioyne with him who was more desirous to make war vpon the French to assure vnto himselfe the State of Milan then vpon the Turkes Sundry signes of the Emperors secret purposes were discerned his long delay to answer the Senate concerning that which it had written to him about the league then his refusall to make a generall truce with the French and lastly the report which was current how that by meanes of a Spaniard nephew to the viceroy of Sicil and prisoner to the Turkes he made meanes by faire promises to purchase the friendship of Barbarossa and namely that Barbarossa passing by the Far of Messina at such a time as there were none to make resistance had in no sort touched any that did belong vnto the Emperor As for the French King all men did perceiue how desirous he was of peace and that the Venetians should be in league and amity with Soliman that he might see them freed from all constraint of being vnited to the Emperor to the end that if he should happen to make warre vpon the Emperor he might easily draw them to his party although he did greatly desire to be friends with him hoping thereby to obteine the Dutchy of Milan for the Duke of Orleans his second sonne perceiuing very well that he could not get it by force wherevpon he did willingly harken to all motions of peace that were propounded to him Francisco Iustiniano by the Senates command went to him not in quality of an Ambassador but only as a Gentleman of Venice who was honorably entertained and welcomed by the King The Pope likewise to this end sent both to the Emperor and the King to euery of whom the King answered that he desired nothing so much as peace and whereas he vnderstood that the Emperor propounded a meeting at Narbona there to consult thereon he speedily sent the Cardinal of Lorraine the great Master of France thither with ample instructions to conclude a peace But all these assemblies prouing vaine and to none effect the Venetians were greatly perplexed For some reiecting that which did make them to doubt and feare did promise to themselues that being ioyned with the other Christian Princes they should be able not only to defend their State from the Turkes but likewise to daunt and ouerthrow their pride wherevpon they were of opinion to embrace the league and to continue the war Wherevnto they were the more prouoked by an opinion that al Germany was wholy ready to take armes against those Barbarians being incited therevnto by Ferdinand King of the Romans to reuenge himselfe on Soliman who had a long time molested him in Hungary Vpon this hope time hasted away they not answering the Bailies letters for that they could not resolue on the motions of peace made by the Turke and vpon the Bashas particular discourse to the Baily the which did greatly displease the other Senators who opposed themselues against all propositions that were made of sending new commissions to Rome concerning the league saying that it was not expedient for the Common-wealth to reiect all propositions of peace and altogether to intend the practizes of the league that they ought first well to examine the conditions and State of the present affaires and afterwards to see how they could make warre with what forces and meanes they could continue it that the publike treasure was so exhausted by the last warres on the firme land as the Republike had more need of long quiet then to enter into a new warre more dangerous then all the former and for to shew that their hope vpon the aide of other Princes was badly grounded they were to call to minde that the Isle of Corfou by Dorias meanes who derided their deseignes had beene almost lost had not their owne forces and the sytuation of the place defended it that they ought not stil to contemne the great interests of so many citizens who were to vndergoe the burthen of so many subsidies whose meanes were in the Turkes hands and who were in hope by that treaty to recouer them from them Diuers other reasons were propounded to direct them from war which were answered by those of the contrary opinion how that they did not abhorre peace but that they did in some sort seeke to prouide for the necessities of the times if they should happen to maintaine warre and that which kept them from writing to Constantinople was because they would not giue any cause of iealozie and suspition to the Christian Princes 〈◊〉
come to this last point to leaue her deere and welbeloued subiects vnder a tyrants power made great prouisions of Armes beene at excessiue expences and at last vndergone for a time the insupportable burthen of warre But what greater signe of loue can the Common welth shew vnto yee in this present affliction then to promise as it doth vnto al those who are willing to depart to giue them another fit dwelling place wherein they may safely liue vnder her protection and to helpe fauour and nourish them The ancient Sages said how that the same place may be truly termed a mans Countrey where hee liueth well but what better thing is there or more to be desired then to liue vnder the moderate gouernment of a good Prince yee shall remaine vnder the gouernement of the Common wealth wee will find yee out a dwelling place in an other Countrey where yee may liue if not so commodiously as heere at leastwise more safely and free from the continuall dangers and alarmes of the Turks to which I may truly say that yee were dayly exposed Diuers nations their numbers waxing ouer great at home haue of their owne free-will departed from their natiue Cuntrey haue followed fortune seeking by armes for new and vncertaine habitations In miseries and calamities to haue a certaine and assured refuge carrieth with it such a comfort as a man doeth oâ—…ten-times remember things past with greater contentation Without all doubt our cheifest desire hath beene to haue still liued at peace not to haue had the enemies to come and beseege this Citty not to haue purposed to take it by force or if this should happen to haue had greater forces to resist and repulse their attempts But seing neither the one or other was in our power or yours what other thing is ther now to be done in this State that we stand but for vs to performe the duty of a good Prince Father and Pastor of his people to defend vnder our safeguard and protection your persons seeing that we cannot preserue and beare from hence the houses and walls of this Citty and for you to comfort your selues with the loue of your Prince to fit your selues to time and to make vse of necessity your persons shall be preserued your posterity shall encrease and of you beeing valiant fathers shall be borne generous Children who knoweth but that some of them may one day reuenge your wronges so great is the change of humaine affaires whereunto the greatest Empiers are no lesse subiect then the meanest things on earth It is certaine that the Common-wealth will euer retaine the same will and desire to take armes against these enemies so soone as it shall perceiue the Christian Princes so well vnited together as it may hope for som commodity thereby and bee able to doe some notable seruice to Christendome Therefore as it is necessary so is it great discretion and a gallant resolution to seeke to liue in safety and still hope for better and better Whilest the Generall did thus comfort them all men did shed warme teares being no lesse moued by loue then by greefe and sorrow The Generall after-wards did make the same remonstrance to those of Maluesia whereby the poore people beginning by little and little to bee resolued the greatest number of them prepared for their departure carrying with them their best and deerest wealth And so within a while after in the moneth of Nouember the treaty of peace beeing confirmed and ratified the Prouidator Contaren came thither with twenty Gallies and diuers other Vessells of all sorts in which hauing imbarked the artillery munitions soldiers those inhabitants who were willing to depart with their bagage consigned as it was decreed those two townes into the hands of Cassin Bascha of Morea who came thither with smale forces All matters being in this sort pacified the Generall and the Prouidator did disarme leauing only abroad the ordinary number of Gallies for the gard of the Gulph But so soone as the Prouidator Contaren came to Venice he was called into question by Petro Moceniga Auogator for the common-wealth to answer according to the Senates decree made three yeares before for that which hee had done in Puglia when he sanke the Turkish Gally but the matter being debated in Senate and diuers Senators defending Contarens cause the Commandement of the Auogatore was declared to bee of none effect and Contaren was wholy acquitted in regard of the worthinesse of his good seruices done during the time of that warre No other thing worthy of Memory hapned during this yeare 1540. which was made notable by the peace concluded with the Turkes which continued for the space of thirty yeares The end of the third Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the fourth Booke of the sixth Decade THE occasion of the warre of Hungary Soliman determineth to make warre in Austria The French king resolueth to make vse of the Turkish forces against the Emperor who had broken promise with him The Imperialls doe murther Rincon and Fregosa going in Ambassage from the most Christian king to Soliman The Emperor granteth the Interim in Germany The Senate deny the Pope the holding of a Councel at Vincenza The Accord betwixt the Turke and the Venetians is confirmed The Venetians are discontented because there was not a particular Duke of Milan An Enterùiew betwixt the Pope and Emperor at Luca. The French King being incensed against the Emperor doth at one time prepare three armies against him Maran is taken from Ferdinand A league betwixt the Emperor and Henry King of England against the French King Barbarosâ—…a with his Army aideth the French King Enteruiew betwixt the Pope and the Emperour at Basset The Turkish Army in Hungary Maran by agreement remayneth to the Venetians The English men take Boloin Peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King Trruce graunted betwixt the Emperor and Ferdinand on the one side and Soliman on the other The Pope giueth Parma and Placentia in title of Dutchy to Petro Lodouico And lastly the great contentions betwixt the Emperor and the French King which were the causes of the quiet of Italy The fourth Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice PEACE being in this manner concluded betixt Soliman and the Venetians as hath beene said and the Venetians hauing elsewhere no warre with any Christian Princes they did hope after so many toyles and trauaills of warre to see an age full of peace and felicity For Soliman made shew that hee was disposed to make a generall truce for a long time with the Princes of Christendome Wherein the French Ambassador did much good who assured them that he held the to â—…all resolution thereof in his owne hand and that which made them to giue more credit to his speeches was because though the fleet were ready to set saile yet Barbarossa his iourney was held doubtfull and beside no preparation at all for a land army was made
hee feared vnlesse hee were releeued to bee enforced for the conseruation of his owne State to ioyne himselfe with some one or other and to deale otherwise then hee desired This demand was thought to be very suspitious and ful of cunning they supposing that the French went about by this meanes to sound their meaning the better to draw them to some confederacie or at least to discouer some-what of their interior purposes wherupon the Senate was of opinion to answer him in generall termes Now it had aboue all thinges desired the peace of Italy and that to those ends it had vsed al possible means with the Pope and others besides according as it had seene occasion but 〈◊〉 nothing preuailed therein they were at least resolued to keep themselues in peace and in their ancient neutrality and the better and more honorably to doe it and with greater assurance other men being armed they thought it â—…it to arme and by prouiding for that which concerned them had together taken care for the preseruation of the Dukes state in regard of the particular affection they did beare him and for their owne interest likewise being in manner inseparable with his by reason of the neere neighborhood of their States This answere not satisfyieng the French they resolued to discouer themselues more plainely to the Senate seeing that all men knew that they did meane to en terprize some matter of consequence vpon Italy for which Lodouico Alemani beeing sent to Genoa had vnder sundry pretences attempted to raise his faction there and craued in the Kings name that it might please the Genouois to lend him their hauen for his fleet to lie in safety where hee might land those troops which he intended to send into Italy Now the Cardinall Tournon beeing at the same time at Venice whither he came from Rome vpon the Popes commandement that all the French Cardinals should leaue the Citty King Henry wrote vnto him that he should in his name expose to the Prince and Senate in open Councell the State of the affaires of Italy the occasion and intent for which and with which he had resolued to send his troopes to the aid of Duke Octauio and to defend his cause That hee thought he should performe a noble part and worthy a great Prince and which in particular ought to be pleasing to the Princes of Italy to defend an Italian Prince weake and vniustly oppressed by the violence of other men who had cast himselfe into his armes and protection that he could hardly be perswaded that the Pope would hinder the defense and preseruation of his owne vassall with an other mans armes and aid seeing he himselfe was able to giue him small releefe and that beeing so defended he could least of all beleeue that the other Italian Princes would crosse him in going about to moderate the Emperors greatnesse and curbe his vnmeasurable desires aiming as all men did plainly see to rob weake Princes of their States and to bring Italy into bondage that the matter it selfe was able to giue sufficient testimony that his deseignes tended to none other ends seing that he stood vpon those termes that without needing the Citty of Parma possessing so many townâ—…s in Piedmont the passages lay open to himt through which hee might march against the State of Milan but because hee then knew that his actions were sinisterly interpreted he was resolued to giue ouer that enterprize yet neuerthelesse he could not be perswaded but that the Venetian Senate beeing so great and wise a Prince in Italy on whose authority all others were at last to depend would be mooued with these troubles which drew after them sundry others of very great importance that he did excuse that which the Pope had done as falling out by constraint rather then of set purpose being incompassed with feare in the midest of the Emperors power and armed forces as also in regard of the Councel already published with very dangerous deseignes the Hereticks of Germany being come to it but when his Holinesse should be assured that other men would aid him it was not then to be doubted but that hee would embrace some other resolution seeing that to quit the Emperors friendship in such a case might rightly be termed a setting of himselfe at liberty The Senate gaue the King thankes and did highly commend his generous deseigne of defending such as are destitute of helpe yet they were in good hope that by an accord already treated of with the pope who did not resist it those businesses might in som sort be composed The King notwithstanding continued the war although contrary to his desire he found none in al Italy Octaâ—…io â—…arnese excepted whom hee might bee assured did fauour him but resoluing to declare him-selfe afterwards more openly against the Emperor hauing sent other forces into Piedmont hee did vnlooktâ—… for cause diuerse places to bee assailed which were kept by the Imperialls some of which hee tooke hee did at the same time proclaime warre by sea commanding the Prior of Capua brother to Pietro 〈◊〉 Admirall of the French Galleys that scouring the seas hee should fight with the Emperors vessels whereby it happened within a while after that Doria wâ—…th his Galleys conducting Maximillian King of Boheme and his wife from Barcelona to Genoa he hardly escaped the French fleet yet neuerthelesse some of his vessels that lod'g behinde were taken and brought to Marseilles But the Kings treaty with Duke Maurice of Saxony Albert Marquis of Brandenbourg and other Princes and free Citties of Germany was of faâ—…re greater importance all these beeing merueilously distasted of the Emperor though vpon sundry occasions some beeing not able to digest the wrong done to the Landgraue whom the Emperor kept prisoner contrary to his promise and others beeing prouoked against the Emperor for matters of Religion King Henry resoluing vpon this league and hauing imparted it to Giouan Capello the Venetians Ambassador resident with his Maiesty hee did assure him that hee would in person goe into Germany earnestly entreating him to follow him thither to the end as it was supposed that hee might haue occasion to practise some confederacy with the Venetians or at least to keepe the Emperor in perpetuall iealouzie and suspition The Senate although it had determined not to enter into any farther allyance with the French did thinke it against reason to deny the King that as well to shew their good meaning towards him as in regard of the profit and commodity which the Republick might receiue thereby to the end that the Emperor who by reason of Parma and Placentia and other his actions which all Italians did greatly suspect might know that a more strict alliance might bee easily contracted betwixt the French and the Venetians to the great danger and preiudice of his Estates in Italy The Pope in the meane time beeing mooued with these troubles and considering that himselfe hauing beene the motiue thereof
this day The Venetians in the meane time beeing vnwilling to bee surprized if they should happen to be enforced to take armes receiued into their pay Sforza Palauicin Marquis Cortemajor a very famous captaine then they sent Ieronimo Grimani Ieronimo Zene and Marc-Antonio de Mulla Ambassadors to Pope Pius the 4 an inward friend to the Common-wealth who entertained them very louingly and hauing giuen them audience in the Chamber of Kings hee did greatly commend the Republike promising to fauor and augment it with all his power who being desirous to roote out heresies which on euery side troubled the Catholike Religion did by his briefe cause the Generall councell to be published at Trent in the Octaues of Easter of the yeere following exhorting the Prelats to come thither and Christian Princes either to come or send their Ambassadors In this manner ended the yeere 1560. wherein Francis the second French King deceased and Charles Maximillian Duke of Orleance his brother succeeded him in the Kingdome of France being twelue yeeres of age and was called Charles the ninth In this meane time the ouerture of the councell still continued at Trent whither the Pope sent seuen of the chiefe of the Colledge of Cardinals famous both for learning and good life namely Hercules Gonzaga of Mantua Ieronimo Seripand the Neapolitan Giouan Moron of Milan Stanislaus Hosius a Polander Lodouico Simonete a Milanois Marâ—…-Sitic a German and Bernardo Nauigera a Venetian The Emperor likewise sent his Ambassadors thither who were Sigismond Thuonius Archbishop of Trent and Antony Muglitius of Morauia Archbishop of Casurgia Those of the French King were Regnard Ferrier a very learned man and well seene in the tongues and Lewis of Saint Gelais Lord of Lansac Knight of honour to the Queene the Kings mother For Philip King of Spaine there was Claudio Fernandes Earle of Lunel a very noble person and for the King of Poland Valentine Herbutus a Polonois The Venetians sent thither Nicolo de Ponte and Matteo Dandulo men much renowned for their singular learning and knowledge in many matters they were accompanied by Antonio Milledonna the Secretary a man of so rare excellent a wiâ—… as being employed in some actions in that holy assembly he made him selfe to be admired of all men Toward the latter end of the same yeere the last Session of the General Councell was held at Trent and about the beginning of the yeere following that which had there beene concluded was sollemnly published and sent to Rome to Pope Pius the fourth who in the open consistory of Cardinals accepted and ratified it commanding it to be receiued ouer all Christendome At this councell were present diuers great Prelats of the Venetians State all borne at Venice namely Bernardo Nauagera Cardinall and Legat in the councell in stead of Seripand who died there Giouan Treuisan Patriarke of Venice Daniele Barbaro chosen Patriarke of Aquileia Piâ—…tro Lande Archbishop of Candie Marco Cornare Archbishop of Spalatra Philippo Moceniga Archbishop of Cyprus Antonio Coceo Archbishop of Corfou and afterwards clarke of the Chamber Lodouico Pisani the Bishop of Padua and afterwards Cardinal Georgio Cornare Bishop of Treuiso Iulio Contaren Bishop of Bellun Tomaso Bishop of Cap 〈◊〉 Giouan Francisco Commendune Bishop of Zant and Cesalonia and afterwards Cardinall Pietro Barbarico Bishop of Cursoles Pietro Contaren Bishop of Bassus Dominico Bolano Bishop of Bressia Federico Cornare Bishop of Bergamo André Moceniga Bishop of Himosia Ierâ—…nimo Treuiâ—…an Bishop of Verona Ieronimo Ragazzone Bishop of Famagosta Matteo de Priuli Bishop of Vincenza â—…rancisco Contaren chosen Bishop of Baffus Giouan Delâ—…ino Bishop of Torcelles and Ieronimo Vielmo Bishop of Citta-noua all men of singular knowledge and admirable learning At the beginning of the councell there arose a controuersie which did greatly trouble the Pope betwixt the Ambassadours of France and Spaine about precedency each of those Kings beeing desirous to haue their Ambassadours to take the chiefest place next to the Emperours Ambassadour King Philip sent word to the Pope that his pleasure was to haue the chiefe place assigned to his Ambassadour or otherwise hee gaue him to vnderstand that hee would not onely call home his Ambassadour from the Councell but likewise all his subiects King Charles protested against it saying That if they went about to doe him that wrong to take from him the place and ranke which his predecessors had euer held as well in regard of their nobillity and antiquity as for the great benifits which the Church of Rome had receiued from them hee would not onely call home his Ambassadours but himselfe together with his whole Kingdome would depart from the obedience of the sea Apostolike The Pope to preuent the inconueniences that might arise thereby did decree by the aduise of the consistory of Cardinals That the French Ambassadour should keepe his vsuall ranke and place and that hee of Spaine to giue some satisfaction likewise to that King should sit in the middest of the Cardinals below the Priests and aboue the Deacons by meanes whereof the whole matter was pacified About the same time there happened a very strange accident at Rome the like whereof had neuer before beene seene which was thus certaine young men of verie good place beeing prouoked by a vision which they said they had receiued from Angelles how that to the Pope then liuing an other diuine Pope should succeed him who should bee the onely Monarke of the world commanding both the Spirituall and Temporall iurisdiction and should bring all men to the knowledge of the true God and they being desirous to haue it sodainely come to passe not tarrying till the Pope should die his naturall death resolued to dispatch and kill him whilest as his manner was hee should giue audience and one of their number called Benedetto Accolto tooke vpon him to strike him as hee should read a supplication that hee would present vnto him but when it came to the execution so great feare and amazement seized on him as hee withdrew himselfe all trembling wherevpon one of the conspirators fearing least that they should bee discouered went presently to the Pope and opened the whole complot to him so as they were all apprehended and publikely executed In other places great numbers of pirats scoured the Adriattick seas so that nothing could escape their hands comming euen as farre as Chioggia The Venetians disdayning these incursions sent Christofero Canalis against them who departing cheerefully from Venice with foure Gallies did so narrowly pursue them as he tooke part of them whom he forthwith hanged and chased away the rest so as by that meanes the nauigation was assured Toward the latter end of this yeere the Emperour Ferdinand died whom his sonne Maximilian before crowned King of the Romans succeeded who so soone as his fathers funeralls were ended did forthwith march against the Transiluanian to reuenge the wrongs which he said he had done
wounded which Venieri interpreting an intollerable contempt of his authority iealous rather of the States dignity then his owne commanded Mutio and his Enseigne to bee apprehended and according to martiall seuerity in case of mutiny presently hanged at the yard arme of the same Galley to deterre others from like insolence This priuate sparke of dissention had like to haue kindled a generall flame through the whole army and haue turned their swords now drawne against the common enemy vpon their owne bosomes For the Generall naturally partiall to the Spanish and perhaps enuious of Venieros Authority as his Corriuall in honour considered only the seuerity of the punishment but not the capitalnesse of the crime exacting it so that now the combustion suruiued the Author and the discord bred in an inferior member of the army was ascended to the head and endangered the whole Don Iohn complained that his authority was more contemned by Venieri then Venieri by Tortona for which if the councell of warre gaue him nothonorable satisfaction he would take it himselfe and teach him that though he respected the honor of the Venetian Estate he would not neglect his owne To these coales the friends of Tortona and maligners of Venieri a very base office serued as bellowes Venieri on the other part protesting that he did it not to blemish the reputation of the Generall but to preserue his owne and preuent the sodaine contagion of the mutiny desired Don Iohn would make his reason not his affection iudge of it and consider the party executed not as a Spaniard but mutineere Affirmed that if the Generall should take this iust though seuere execution as an occasion to breake the league which was applied as a meanes to keepe it it would be manifest that not deuotion induced but ambition diuerted him from this honourable action As for violence hee should finde him as dangerous an enemy as otherwise a necessary friend Colonna Admirall of the Popes Gallies a man worthy so eminent place wisely foreseeing what this might grow to as a man equally beloued and louing both parts nobly vsed his intercession to suppresse or at least cōpound the strife Chiefly importuning Don Iohn in whom hee found greater obstinacy of discontent and estrangement telling him the act was iust though sodaine like the occasion and that suddainnesse necessary in dangers of so swift extention as hauing once got the start remedy could hardly ouertake them That mutiny in an army was of as instant conueyance as a Gangrene in the body if the parts infected were not presently cut off it endangered the whole That it was no intrusion on the Generalls authority for an vnder Admirall in his owne squadron on to execute a priuate offender That in deed hee had no cause of offense or if hee had cause yet no leisure to entertaine it That the enemies strength could not so much endanger them as their owne diuision weaken them That as nothing could heape more honour on him then the suppressall of the enemy so nothing could lay fowler aspersion then to loose this opportunity of doing it Therefore ifhee could not cassier his passion hee should imploy it against the common Aduersary These petswations strong but not bitter deliuered by a friend though for a reputed enemy mooued him to abstaine from the effects of choller though not to extinguish it So that distasted of Venieri he communicated al important deseig nes and consulted with Barbarico From hence they held on their course to Cephalonia according to their former resolution and on the sourth of October passing the Channell of Viscarda on the fifth they anchored in the vale of Alexandria Where Gyll Andrada and Giuan Baptista Contareni brought letters from Paulo Contareni Prouidator of Zant confirming their intelligence of the Turkish fleet Herevpon by vnisent of the whole councell of warre and earnest desire of the souldiers they hasted to the Gulph of Lepanto to fight with the enemy And drawing neere vnto vnto the place Don Iohn commanded the decks to be cleered chests stowed those cabins which might bee impediment to the valliant taken downe the rest that might bee receptacles to cowards lock'd vp leauing neither excuse for his men nor aduantage for his enemies And as hee prepared all essentiall so hee neglected no imaginary or opinionate part of defense or offense Therefore knowing that strength was the beauty of an army but brauery the Enseigne of that strength his men were armed ritchly and his Gallies sutable to his men both carrying the badge of triumph and a face of victory displaying magnanimity and confidence not effeminacy like a bright but dreadfull flame And now that hee might husband the small remainder of time of the vtmost minute he caused victuals to be proportioned to his men moderately not superfluously farre from the swynish custome of some northerly nations who as if wine were the nursse of valor as oyle to a lampe against any sea fight knock the heads out of their barrels and drinke the wit out of their owne heads and so reele aboord some times stumbling vpon victory but neuer vpon honor which must euer be deriued from vertue not vice This noble tempera◅e captaine vnderstood drunkennesse could not be the fountaine of resolution and therefore distributed so much to his souldiers as might strengthen their bodies not weaken their iudgements and breed courage in them not rage which with more speed then ceremony ended the Heroick Generall with countenance and habit becomming such a place and person descended into his Barge in which he passed through the fleet being arranged in forme following It consisted of foure distinct partes principall viz. Two wings the maine battaile and a reseruation of succors In the right wing were conteined three and fifty Gallies whereof Giouan Andrea Doria was Admirall bearing in his maine top a greene flag The lest wing was composed of an equall number of Gallies commanded by Augustino Barbarico with a yellow flagge on the starboord side of his toppe In the maine battaile were included three score and one Gallies wherein Don Iohn the Generall was himselfe distinguished by a sky-colloured flag The two wings and the maine battaile were one hundred sixty seuen Gallies strong so placed that the two wings carried forwards the body with equall pace one not forsaking the other yet betweene all three was there suffitient distance to admit three or foure Gallies a brest without falling foule either of themselues the wings or maine battaile as well to giue way to those supplies of reskewes which should be needfull in any part as to transforme the whole battaile it selfe into any figure without confusion Aluarez de Bassan Marquis of Santa Cruz bearing a white flagge in his poope conducted the reseruations of succor consisting of thirty eight Gallies out of which were deducted eight commanded by Don Iuan de Cardona precursor of the whole fleet who running twenty or fiue and twenty miles before the rest by
this by letters he certified the Senate Tepulo in the end because his Ambassage should not be fruitlesse told him that he might assist the common cause of Christendome against the infidels by other meanes not hindring himselfe at all namely by causing his officers in the Indies to acquaint the Persians sworne enemies to the Turkes with the vnion of the Christian Princes with their late victory against Selim and with their deseignes and afterwards by sending certaine numbers of Portugall Harguebuziers from the red sea vnto the confines of the Turkish Empire to keepe them busied in sundry places or at least to amaze and hold them in suspence The king promised so to doe adding therevnto that they should stop their commerce from Ormus and Bazzana and the transportation of mettal through the Persian seas which aboundantly was brought to them from China The King likewise gaue meanes to the Cardinall Alexandrine to conuey certaine Breefes to the Persian King Prester Iohn and some other Kings of Arabia written vnto them by the Pope wherein he solicited them to take armes against the Turkes the which letters tooke none effect nor were euer answered The Pope likewise solicited the King of Poland with whom at the same time the Cardinall Commendon remayned who promised to draw that King into the league in regard of sundry accidents which happened besides the victory the Turkes meaning to bee reuenged on the Polakes for that they had fauored the Valachian to the preiudice of the Ottoman Empire and for that purpose had in hostile manner entred Prussia Padolia and Russia But the King falling sicke during the treaty and not beeing able to bee present at the negociation it was referred to some Lords of the Kingdom who did smally affect that war being vnwilling to contribute according to their custome towards the expense of forrain war As also because that at the same time they had intelligence that a Chiaus was comming from Constantinople to their Court to treate about that contention al the Popes endeuor authority could not make it sort to any good effect After this manner were matters handled in the Court of Christian Princes who seemed already to decline from their former hope and knew that for the abating of the Turkish power the Sea-forces were not sufficient but that a mighty land-Army was needfull and that therefore it especially imported them to haue the Emperor to enter into the league all men holding it for certain that Poland Muscoâ—…y and the other northerne Prouinces apt to take Armes against the Turkes would presently yeeld to the authority of the Empire this being considered by the enemies they vsed all meanes to preserue the Emperor Maximilians friendship thinking the danger which threatened them not to be small if all Germany should league it selfe against them Therefore Mahomet Bascha had written to the Emperor and had particularly acquainted him with the battaile making the ouerthrow farre lesse then indeed it was and the power of the Ottoman Empire very great requesting him not to breake the truce for other mens pleasures but to preserue his inuiolate freindship with Selim which beeing once knowne would continue for euer But that which did heerein most trouble the Pope and Venetians and made them to feare was their suspition that the Spaniards would not shew themselues so ready to pursue the course of the victory as the importancy of the cause did require because that diuers of the Catholick Kings courtiers murmured against D. Iohn for hazarding the Kings forces in battaile seeing that his maiesties interest was vnlike that of the Venetians where-vppon they were differently to bee mannaged and for that afterwards when they vnderstood that the Duke of Sessa a noble and famous Gentleman came to command in the Army in stead of the great Commander Requâ—…sens who went to be Gouernour of Milan they inferd therevppon that the Catholik King would not haue D. Iohn attempt ought without his aduise and Councell Now the greatest let then found in pursuing this warre of the Leuant was the bad successe of the affaires of Flanders where they daily grew from bad to worse not without som suspition that the Protestants of Germany England and France would fauour and asist that rebellion so that a fit and conuenient opportunity being made to vnite the Nauies and put to Sea notwithstanding that Leonardo Contaren the Venetians Ambassador with D. Iohn did solicite this vnion and shipping of the soldiers all his pursuites were in vayne The Venetians alone not loosing time spared neither cost nor labour but sought to make vse of the victory and with great speed trimd their Gallies augmented their number made new leuies of soldiers to compleat their army that it might speedily bee ready to saile into the Leuant And because that D. Iohn and the Spaniards had entertained some distast of the Generall Venieri as hath beene already said the better to take away al occasion of hatred and diuision they chose Iacomo Poscarini their Generall who at that time was Prouidator Generall in Dalmatia who hauing notice that hee was elected and receiuing the Common wealthes standerd from Lodouico Grimani who succeeded him in Dalmatia he departed from Zara on the first day of Aprill with nine Gallies and went to Corâ—…ou where taking charge of the fleet which at that time consisted of 40. Gallies he made a General review and sent for great numbers of footmen vnder diuers Captaines from Brindisi he stored the Gallies with victualls armor munitions and all other necessaries this being done the Generall Venieri with some Gallies retired into the Gulph there to execute some Noble enterprize if occasion were offered This in effect is all that was done by the Christian Princes The Turkes after the battaills losse were by so much more aflicted as inured to victory they could not entertaine conceit of contrary successe and contemning the Christian forces they came rather to spoile then to fight but this vnexpected ouerthrow made them more circumspect wherevppon Selim who then lay at Constantinople fearing â—…least some innouation might happen at Constantinople presently went thither and shewed himselfe to the people dissembling as much as in him lay his discontent and feare The Baschas neuerthelesse were very carefull to prouide all necessaries for the army so as it seemed they were in hope to reforme their former error and to recouer their lost reputation they repayred their old Gallies built new enrolled great numbers of Marriners sent for soldiers forth of the Prouinces to come to Constantinople so that vsing industry and speed to the hurt and wonder of the Christians Carassali departing forth of the streight of Gallipolis with threescore armed vessells began to scoure the Seaes and to wast the Islands of Tino and Carigo whilest Vluzzali prepared a great fleet for they had determined being once vnited to passe on and to inuade the Isle of Candy or else face the Venetians Nauy frustrate their deseignes
giue ouer their robbing the Dalmatian and Histrian seas sent certaine Galleys thither vnder the command of Giouan Bembo their Generall assisted by Colonell Piercente Gabutio his troopes who defeated these theeues and cleered the seas Heerein during peace did the Venetians busie themselues whilest the Turke enuaded Hungary and Transiluania But the Vsicoques in the yeare 1599. continuing their incursions the Venetians sent Nicolo Donato who succeded Bembo against them together with the same Colonell Pierconte Gibutio and his Regiment who entred and wasted their countrey tooke diuerse of theirs Castles and slew many of them Henry the fourth French King vpon diuerse iust and reasonable causes hauing obtained the Popes dispensation to repudiate his wife the Lady Marguerite of France sister to the late King and to marry an other by whom hee might haue issue craued the Lady Maâ—…y of Medicis Princesse of Florence daughter to the late Francisco great Duke of Tuscany and Neece to Ferdinand de Medicis now great Duke a Princesse beside her youth endowed with rare beauty wisdome and many excellent parts The great Duke perceiuing how honorable this match would bee to himselfe and the whole family of Medicis did willingly consent therevnto wherevpon so soone as it was determined and concluded a great Lord of France was sent thither who in the Kings name married her at Florence honoring her as his maisters wife Then all things prepared for the iourney of so great a Princesse towards the latter end of the yeare she embarked hir selfe and traine in the great Dukes Gallies sailing to Marseilles where arriuing she remained for certaine daies receauing magnificent entertainment till she might faâ—…ther know the pleasure of the King her husband who at that time made warre vpon the Duke of Sauoy for recouery of the Marquisat of Salusses which that Duke had seazed on during the ciuill warres of France His Maiestie hauing intelligence that the Queene his wife was arriued at Marseilles sent word that shee should come to Lyons whither himselfe came in post and consummated the marriage begun at Florence Italy in the meane time was in all arme because the Count Fuentes being by King Philip sent Lieutenant Generall to Milan made great leuies of soldiers both Spaniards Italians Swisses and Almaines vnder collour of aiding the Duke of Sauoy against the French King if peace betwixt those Prines tâ—…eated of at the Popes command by his Nephew the Cardinall Aldobrandini tooke not effect This troubled all Italy and especially the Venetians in regard of their townes in Lombardy The great Duke likwise grew iealous whervpon each of them armd and gaue order to fortifie their frontiers the lâ—…ke did Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin Peace in the meane time being proclaimed at Lyons betwixt the Christian King and duke of Sauoy at the beginning of the yeare 1601. and Count Fuentes for all that not disarming but on the contrary encreasing his forces made the French King to renew his league with the Swisses and to leuy new troupes that if the Spaniard should enuade any of his friends or Confederats in Italy him selfe might speedily be able to succor him King Philip aduertized of this iealozy commanded Count Fuentes to disarme whereby al these suspitions ceased Not-with-standing the Venetians sent the Colonell Pier-conte with other Captaines into Lombardy whither like-wise by their commandement the Generall Leonardo Donato was gone together with Giouan Baptista Generall of their fantery to fortifie their frontier townes hauing discouered a plot laid to surprize one of their cheefest Citties and although Count Fuentes by his masters commandement had deuided his Army at Milan into sundry parts namely into Flanders Croatia and to Prince Doria yet he still retained such great numbers at Milan as might iustly cause his neighbors to feare and suspect The Venetians likewise armed certaine Gallies and two Galeasses Diuers causes mooued the Venetians to doe so but cheefly because Prince Doria by King Phillips commandement hauing rigged a mighty fleet houered vp and downe the mediterranean no man knowing his deseigne in the end he cleered this doubt for he sailed to Argier in Barbary making an attempt there which by reason of sundry difficulties had no good successe In the yeare 1602. the fort called Palma Noua by the Venetians was ended and is thought to be one of the goodliest in all Italy which beeing inhabited they there beganne to build faire houses and goodly Pallaces so as in a short time they hope it will prooue as populus as strong The Senate afterwards perceiuing that one of the mouthes of Po would in time choake vp with aboundance of earth the Hauens of Chioggia and Malamoc to the great preiudice and hinderance of the Citty of Venice which by that meanes would loose the ordinary trafficke and commerce of those Hauens caused a great trench to bee made through which they diuerted that mouth of the Riuer another way making it to fall into the Sea at a place whereas it could doe noe more hurt At the same time Philippo Pascalic arriued at Venice returning from his iourney against the Vsicoques hee was sent by the Senate as Prouidator Generall of Dalmatia wherein hee got great commendation hauing defeated those theeues who were afterwards wholy rooted out by the Archduke Theodoro Balbi likewise Prouidator of the Gulphe did put the Pirates of Barbary to flight who scouâ—…ed the seas almost to Venice from whom hauing taken three Galeots and set many Christian slaues at liberty hee did so terrifie them as they durst no more come into those seas The great Dukes Galleys had the like good hap which according to their custome sailing in the Archipelago to meet with Turkish Foists and to spoile their sea coasts incountred the Galleys of Rhodes which they fought with tooke some of them and carried a rich booty to Florence But not to stray farre from the Venetians the Clergie of Prague hauing vehemently contested against Doctor Francisco Zabarello for the â—…ute prefer'd to sell certaine antient Church lands The Senate made a decree that the Church should not appropriate vnto it selfe rents possessed by the Layety grounding that decree vpon a prohibition made by the Senate in the yeare 1333. that no lands should bee giuen or bequeathed in perpetuity to Churches within the Citty and Dutchy of Venice and if any were left vnto them they should bee sold by a certaine time prefixt and the money alone to be theirs alledging for reason that the Clergie who pretend themselues and goods to bee exempt from all necessary charges belonging to the Common-wealth the number of them dayly increasing and on the contrary that of the Citizens still decreasing who serue and busie themselues in the ciuill gouernment and the quantity of their goods wheron the publick reuenew depends beginning to faile in the end all wealth would of necessity fall to the Clergie This law was variously obserued till the yeare 1536. when it was
knowing that therein he had done no great good seruice to Religion that he had broken with the Pope and nothing preuailed with the Almains wherevpon he sought to moderate the conditions with which it had beene published The Venetians on the other side perceiuing that the assembly of the councell though they would not openly hinder it was not pleasing to the Pope as being made in an vnfit time and place and by meanes not beseeming the dignity and authority of the sea Apostolike would not send their Ambassadors thither Concerning the accord treated of at Constantinople of which al men hoped for a prosperous end by meanes of a long truce of many yeeres certaine difficulties arising about the restitution of some few castles in Hungary it ended by a short suspension of armes for one yeere with an intent neuerthelesse as Solimans selfe did say and write to the French King that after the matter should bee well debated in Ferdinands Court the Ambassadours might returne to the Port the next yeere following with new Commissions to strenthen the peace with a longer terme In the meane time a new Contention arose betwixt the Turkes and the Venetians about the confines of Dalmatia where the Sangiacks of Bossina and Clissa being desirous to disturbe the peace for their owne particular profit or else to spoile the country or to receiue so me presents of the Venetians would haue vsurped a great part of the territory of Zara saying that a country contayning nine and forty villages did belong vnto them as dependances of the castles of Nadin and Laurana which by the last accord remayning to the great Lord they said did likewise belong vnto him with all their territories wherevpon they forbad the inhabitants of those places vpon grieuous penalties to acknowledge any other Lord but Soliman This new trouble did greatly vex the Venetians the country in question being of great importance both for it selfe and for the preseruation of the city of Zara and although their reasons were vnreasonable in regard that Nadin and Laurana small castles had no territory belonging vnto them but did with the other villages nere adioyning depend on Zara the chiefe city of the Prouince yet neuerthelesse fearing least the strange and insolent proceedings which the Turkes are wont to vse in such businesses who hold it for a law that the whole country whereon the horse of the great Lord hath once trod doth belong vnto them might occasion longer strife had recourse to Soliman who referring the decission of that controuersie to the Sangiac of Chersega and to two Cadis these men are ordinary iudges in law was desirous to haue whatsoeuer they should set downe to be executed who were to meet in the same place with the Commissioners of the Signory The Senate did for that purpose choose Lodouico Rayniero who handled the businesse so wisely and discreetly with the Turkish officers as the whole territory in question was quietly adiudged to the Republike of Venice The same yeere deceassed Prince Landi leauing behind him a great and singular reputation to haue well and wisely gouerned the Common-wealth for the space of sixe yeeres and eight monthes and lieth buried in Saint Antonies Church Francesco Donato was chosen in his place FRANCESCO DONATO the seuenty ninth Duke ABout the beginning of the yeere 1546. all those that desired the peace of Italy were afraide least it would be shortly shaken with new troubles because that the peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King the principall Articles thereof taking none effect was so badly assured as there wanted nothing but a fit time to take armes The French King by the sodaine death of his sonne the Duke of Orleance hauing not obtained the Duchie of Milan promised vnto him by meanes of the marriage had not for all that lost his desire to recouer it the Duke of Sauoy likewise could not be restored of his State the King still detayning it vpon sundry pretences hoping to enforce the Emperor to some other conditions by the restitution thereof seeking thereby to obtaine his desire An other new matter happened in Italy which gaue cause of feare of some new troubles for the Pope perceiuing al his deseignes to fal out contrary to his desire for the aduancement of his house hauing cut off from the Churches demaines the cities of Parma and Placentia which Pope Iulius the second had annexed therevnto gaue them in see to Petro Lodouico his son on condition to pay a yeerely rent of eight thousand crownes to the Church and in recompence thereof to make ouer to the sea Apostolike the Dutchy of Camerin and the Signory of Nepi wherwith his son Octanio had beene inuested This Cession did so much displease the Emperor as he could by no meanes be induced to giue the Pope the inuestiture of those two cities which he demanded hauing beene in formet time incorporated into the Dutchy of Milan This resusal of the Emperor had equally incensed both the father and the son so that Petro Lodouico would willingly haue embraced the first occasion offered against the Emperour and the Pope distrusting both the Emperour and the French King resolued by all meanes to maintaine and defend what he had done concerning the erection of the new Dutchy in the person of his sonne who discoursing with the Venetian Ambassadour told him into what danger Italy was like to fail so soone as the French King should be at peace with the King of England which at that time was treated of and that the Emperor if he could not at the Dyet of Ratisbon draw the Protestant Princes to his desire would bee enforced to make warre vpon them therefore he did exhort the Senate to ioyne with him a firme and sound intelligence as it behooued them for their common interests and for a greater assurance he caused the new Duke to send Augustino de Landes his Ambassador to Venice who acquainting them with the new grade and dignity which he had lately obtained did in his name offer both his State and person to the seruice of the Signory The Senate did very louingly thanke him for his offers offering him the selfe same but in generall termes which could not tie them to any thing because they would not thereby giue his Holinesse any hope by their meanes to raise any troubles in Italy then prouiding for the defense of their owne States and foreseeing what might happen they tooke into the seruice of the Common wealth Guido Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin in quallity of Generall of their forces by land with a yeerely pension of fiue thousand crownes and fifteene thousand crownes for an hundred men at armes and a hundred light horse which he was bound to haue continually ready for the seruice of the Signory But the troubles wherein the Emperor and the French King were engaged was cause of the safety of Italy because that the one notwithstanding all his attempts could not get Bolloigne
from the English and the other hauing called the Protestant Princes to the Dyet of Ratisbon to treat of affaires concerning Religion although he were there in person could not induce them to decree or conclude any thing but whereas at the beginning it seemed that they would haue beene satisfied to haue had the councell held in the city of Trent whither they promised to send their Doctors to treat of matters concerning faith and afterwards to hold and embrace what there should be decided they did then craue first of all to haue a nationall councell held in Germany and if afterwards it should happen to be referred to that of Trent that the assembly might on all sides be free with diuers other exorbitant and vnreasonable demands This caused the Pope no more to feare the councell and to assure the State of Parma and Placencia to his sonne the Emperor Princes and people of Germany hauing turned their thoughts to other matters determining to end that controuersie by armes The end of the fourth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the fist Booke of the sixth Decade THE Venetians goe about to diuert the Pope from taking armes against the Protestants The Venetians grant passage thorow their Territories to the Pope and the Emperors Soldiors who were the Protestants partakers The Venetians refuse to lend mony to the Duke of Saxon and Lantgraue of Hesse The Protestants take the Castle of Chiusa to stop the Italians passage The cause of the losse and ouerthrow of the Protestants What the Venetian Gentlemen are with their prerogatiues The commotion of the Sienois against the Spaniards Petro Lodouico Duke of Parma and Placentia is murthered The Death of Francis the first French King The death of Henry the eight King of England The occasion of the new warre betwixt the French and the English Horacio Farnese marrieth the daughter of Henry the French King The Venetians being solicited by the Pope and the French King against the Emperour continue Neuters The Popes great perplexities Soliman takes armes against the Persian making truce with Christian Princes Contention betwixt the Emperor and the French King concerning the Truce with the Turke Controuersy about the Place wherein the councell should bee held The death of Pope Paul the third with the election of Pope Iulius the third Horatio Farnese committeth him-selfe and his family into the French Kings protection Great warre in Italy concerning Parma and Placentia The Publication of the Councel of Trent Pietro Strozzi his pollicy to reuictuall Parma The German Princes Treate with the French King against the Emperor The French King being incensed against the Pope forbidd◅th the Annates in France The Turkes warre in Hungary and Transil◅ania All Germany in league against the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand to free him selfe from the warre with the Turkes offereth to pay him tribute for Transiluania And lastly the murther of Frier George Cardinall of the Sea Apostolike The fift Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice THE Pope perceauing the Emperor to be distasted of the Protestants as hath beene said began to heate him more by promising to aid him with great numbers both of horse and foote paid by the Sea Apostolike The Senate from the beginning vsed meanes to appease the Pope and to diuert him from medling in that warre the which it thought could bring no good to Italy and there was small hope to preuaill by force in matter of Relligion For all the free townes of Germany hauing declared them-selues for the Protestant Princes fearing that the Emperor vnder other pretences went about to subiugate them Germany on the other side standing badly affected to the Pope and Court of Rome it was to be feared and not without cause that the same fierce and warlike nation would by reason ther of make incursions into Italy where they that had in no sort delt in that businesse were to smart for it Or if the Emperor should happen to quell Germany hee by that victory growing more mighty both in forces and reputation his greatnesse would proue fearefull to the Princes of Italy But the Senate knowing him to be resolute therein and that being prickt forward by two mighty spurrs Feare and Hope concerning the affaires of state of his own greatnesse and that of his house he would not embrace any councell contrary to his owne opinion did for beare to speake vnto him any more concerning that matter but vpon the Pope and Emperors motion vnto it about that exterprize by their Ambassadors it made a modest answer because it would not vainely offend the Emperor without praising or dispraising it being not willing to giue any occasion to be requested to aide him Yet neuerthelesse it was certainly reported that the Common-wealth had promised at the conclusion of the league at Rome to giue paiment for fiue thousand footemen which was most false The Venetians being desirous in some sort to content these Princes in any thing which was not of expence and being intreated so to doe did promise free passage to the Popes soldiers who being assembled at Bolognia to the number of twelue thousand footmen and fiue hundred horse were to passe thorrow the Territory of Verona to goe to Trent the like was done to the Emperors forces who for their mony were furnished with victualls and other necessaries The best and brauest soldiers of all Italy were in the Popes Army whereof Octania Farnese his Nephew was Generall who was a yong Lord of great hope But that of the Emperor was composed of sundry nations namely of diuers Almans drawne forth of the patrimonial States of the house of Austria frō those of the Dukes of Bauaria and Cleues and the Marquis Albert of Brandenbourg who did follow the Emperors party so that the whole number of his forces were forty thousand footemen and fiue thousand horse The Protestant Princes made preparations at the same time the cheife of whom were Iohn Fredericke Duke of Saxony one of the Electors of the Empire and Phillip Lantgraue of Hesse who saying that they would defend the liberty of Germany which Charles went about to vsurpe as they said did draw vnto their parts diuers of the greatest Lords and Citties of Germany as the Duke of Wittemberg the Count Palatin another Elector with the Common-wealthes of Argentine Vlmes Francfort and Norimberg the Citty of Ausbourg hauing a long time before declared it selfe in their behalfe all which hauing resolued to hold a diet at Vlmes did send their Ambassadors and Commissioners thither to treat particularly of the preparations for warre where the concourse of all Germany was such as they leuied a very great army of fourescore thousand footmen and tenne thousand horse with which forces they promised vnto themselues to be able to ouercome those of the Emperor and to driue him forth of Germany in regard hee was not able to assemble Germaine forces comparable to theirs They feared