taken their enseignes and Artillery During these warlike exploits the deseignes of the Princes were sundry and vncertaine especially those of the Emperor who being by nature variable and inconstant and solicited by the Kings of Arragon an enemy to the French name and iealous of the French Kings greatnesse determined to listen to peace notwithstanding that he had concluded before with the French King by meanes of the Bishoppe of Gurcia to make warre withall his might on the Venetians at the spring and to this end wrot at one time to the Pope and the French King that he was resolued to send the Bishop of Gurcia to Mantua to treate of an vniuersall peace requesting them to send their Ambassadors thether likewise with full and ample power hee wrot nothing to the Venetians knowing that they would doe what-so-euer pleased the Pope whose authority they were enforced to follow This aduice pleased the Pope vpon hope to reconcile the Venetians to him and to disunite them from the French King whereat he cheefely aimed But the King was not contented with such an vnhoped for determination as well for feare of the determination of matters concluded with him as also for the doubt he had that the Pope thorow faire promises to aide him in the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan and to giue a Cardialls Hat to the Bishoppe of Gurcia might separare him from his party He was well assured that it was the practises of the King of Arragon and knâ—…w very well that his Ambassador with the Emperor had labored and did openly labour for the agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians and did vse diuers other practizes to contradict his deseignes and among others did hotly oppose him-selfe against the conuocation of a generall councell vnder collour of curtesie and caused the King his Maister to bee earnest with him to make peace with the Pope making in a manner a silent protestation to take Armes in the Popes behalfe if hee did not agree with him The French King dissembling all these dealings because hee would giue the Emperour no cause of discontent resolued to send the Bishoppe of Paris to Mantâ—… and in the meane time aduertised Iohn Iames Triâ—…lce that his pleasure was to haue him to command the army but that he should not assaile the Churches state till the Bishop of Gurcia were arriued Triuulcio vpon this command turned his forces against the Venetians and came to Stellata then passing on farther he surprized certaine Venetian cauallery and sent Gaston of Foix son to a sister of the kings being yet very yong with a hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and fiue hundred foot to scoure euen to the enemies barriers who did put those that kept them to flight and made them to retire to a strong place beyond the channel In the meane space the Bishop of Gurcia came to Mantua but later then hee was expected where within a while after the Bishop of Paris arriued The Pope entreated the Bishop of Gurcia to come and visit him hoping by his presence and authority and by faire promises to winne him The Bishop after diuers difficulties propounded and wel debated on being solicited by the king of Arragons Ambassadors consented therevnto on condition that the Bishop of Paris should stay at Parma and expect what would fall out by his iourney The Bishop of Gurcia arriuing at Bolognia whether the Pope was of purpose come to receiue him there was so great honour done vnto him as a King could not be entertained with greater magnificence the Venetians Ambassador neere to the Pope went to the city gates to meet him vsing signes of very great submission but the Bishop turning from him with merueilous pride and disdaine shewed great discontent because that â—…epresenting the enemies of the Emperour his master he had beene so bould as to come before him That being done he went with great pompe to the Consistory where the Pope accompanied by all the Cardinals staied for him And hauing breefly declared the causes of his comming into Italy he returned to his lodging The next day with great arrogancy he conferred of diuers matters with the Pope and especially that if the Venetians did mean to haue peace with the Emperor it behooued them in any case to restore whatsoeuer they deteined which did belong to the Empire Yet neuerthelesse they beganne after to treat of agreement betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians where at the first diuers difficulties were made on both sides at the last after long disputation each party cutting off some peeces of the hard conditions propounded by them it was thought that by the mediation of the King of Arragons Ambassadors they would come to an agreement But so soone as they beganne to speake of reconciling the Pope to the French King betwixt whom appeared none other contention but concerning the Duke of Ferrara and that the Bishop of Gurcia went to the Pope to make an end thereof because without that the Emperour would conclude nothing the Pope did sodainely interrupt him requesting him to hold on with the Venetians and not to talke of the affaires of Ferrara being in a manner desirous to incite the Emperor against the French whereupon the Bishop of Gurcia tooke his leaue and without effecting any thing returned from whence he came Triuulcio perceiuing the departure of the Bishop of Gurcia and by that meanes all hope of peace being lost came into the field and beseeged Concordia which he tooke the same day and then marched towards Bomport a village seated on the Riuer Panare that he might be nere the enemies to the end that by cutting off their victuals he might enforce them to dislodge or to fight forth of their campe Entring into the country of Modena he vnderstood that Iohn Paul Manfron was with three hundred light horse of the Venetians at Massa nere to Finall he sent Gaston de Foix thither with three hundred foot and fiue hundred horse who found Iohn Paul Manfron at a bridge in order of battaile to stoppe his passage but being forsaken by his owne souldiers hee was taken prisoner by the French with some others Triuulcio found meanes to passe the Channell to assaile the enemies who durst not tarry his comming The Channell being passed he foorded Panare without impediment in a very broad place and where the water is not deepe and marched towards Plumacia three miles off from the enemies army which was the cause that Castel-franco yeelded to him He was there in great doubt what to doe for on the one side he would willingly haue assailed Bolognia if he had beene certaine that the people would haue taken armes in the Bentiuoles behalfe on the other side he feared if he should come thither vpon hope only of a popular commotion to be enforced forth-with to depart thence as the Lord of Chaumont had done to his great disgrace At the last he determined
deliuery yet neuerthelesse shee entreated the Signory to assist her in so iust a cause and so profitable for them and all Italy by ioyning themselues with the Lords of France to enforme the Emperor Charles to set the King her sonne at liberty vpon honorable conditions The Senate vpon these entreaties did manifest their great griefe for the Kings disastrous fortune with that of the kingdome declaring the great affection which it did beare to the crowne of France and for that present made none other answer but this That because the businesse was of great importance it deserued to haue the Councell assembled to determine thereof But during these practises the Pope who had sent the Archbishop of Capua into Spaine to make an agreement with the Emperor did raâ—…ifie the accord concluded and determined before with the Viceroy by which the Venetians were excluded from it if within twenty dayes after the signifying thereof they did not ratifie it by meanes whereof the Senate was enforced to renew their treaties with the Emperours Ambassadors and to send in regarde of the difficulties of importance which were offered Petro Pesare to Milan to treate with the Viceroy The French in the meane time did not giue ouer their former pursutes beeing not yet out of hope to ioyne the Venetians to themselues albeit the Popes authoritie might then haue drawne them to a contrary resolution wherevpon the Bishop of Bayeux and Ambrose of Florence came to Venice to make in the name of the said Lady Regent and in that of the whole Kingdome more certaine and resolute propositions then at the former time concerning the league and the Kings freedome For this cause as also for that apparent signes were dayly discouered of the Emperours great ambition by reason of the deseignes of his Officers and Agents which tended onely to make him absolute Lord of the State of Milan and of all Italy these French Ambassadors were attentiuely heard in the Senate and their cause consulted on The Marquis of Pescara at the same time entring Milan with three thousand foote two hundred men at armes and with great numbers of light horse required the Duke to deliuer into his hands the Castle of Milan with that of Cremona speaking plainely That hee was come to take possession of the Cittie of Milan beeing sent thither by the Emperour for the same purpose in whose name all Proclamations and other Mandates were already published and although the Pope sought to procure the Emperour to accomplish the Articles of the confederacie by consigning the State of Milan into the hands of Duke Francis Sforza all his pursutes were in vaine for delaying the matter from day to day hee made now one excuse and then an other imputing to the Duke diuerse faults committed by him and among others That hee had treated with the Venetians to deliuer the Castle of Milan vnto them a matter which was neuer thought of by eyther of them These things with diuerse others did greatly with-draw the Venetians affection from the Emperour and caused them to giue no more credit to all his promises nor the Pope likewise who speedily to preuent those perills which threatned them dayly resolued to ioyne in league in regarde there was some difficulty and more trouble and â—…ediousnesse to call the French into it The Pope then renouncing the accord formerly made with the Emperour contracted a new one aswell in his owne name as in the Florentines for the which hee strengthened himselfe with the Duke and Senate of Venice in which agreement it was mentioned that they should ioyne together to preuent those dangers which the experience of things past had taught them might happen and so assure the peace and quiet of Italy and their owne states in perticular each of them taking vppon them the protection of one anothers states and persons running altogether one selfe-same fortune not beeâ—… gâ—…wfull for eyther of them to treate with any other Prince to the preâ—… of that accord and to succour one an other with foure thousand foote-men foure hundred men at armes three hundred light horse and with greâ—…er numbers if 〈◊〉 were And it was more-ouer added therevnto that the Venetians should bee bound to defend and maintaine the greatnesse and power of the house of Medicis to stoppe and preuent all tumult and commotions which any sâ—…ditious mutins should practise against it and to 〈◊〉 and assist him who soeâ—… hee were that the Pope should place aâ—… cheefe Gouernâ—… in the Citty of Florence These things beeing thus concluded and sworne to the Pope the better to begin for his part to prepare that which was concluded on commanded the Marquis of Mantua to visit the Parmesan with his men at armes taking order besides to hasten the Grisons and Suisse footmen where they had begun to leuy but very slowly The Venetians on the other side determined to encrease their Armie to the number of ten thousand foote to make a leuy in Greece of other three hundred light horse and generally to prouide for all matters belonging to their safety And that which did greatly incite them therevnto was the curtezie which the King of England vsed towards the French who beeing iealous of the Emperors power and greatnesse fearing that if hee should grow too mighty hee might afterwards chance to tread him vnder foote conuerted his ill will towards the King into friendship so as he treated with the Lady Regent and the Councell of France promising them all ayde and succour possible as well of men as money to set the King at liberty and to free Italy from all oppression This treaty beeing passed betwixt the Pope and the Venetians gaue hope that they should bee vnited with the Realme of France but they proceeded therein after an vnusuall manner because that the Pope supposing that by the confederacie which hee had already made hee had time enough to preuent dangers and to bee able in the meane time to obtaine more reasonable conditions of the Emperor hee proceeded very slowly in his agreement with the French and cheefely since the Duke of Sessas comming to Rome who was sent from the Emperor to his Holynesse to signifie vnto him the great desire hee had to peace and to restore Francis Sforza vnto the Dutchy of Milan beeing found innocent of those crimes imposed vpon him or if hee were guilty to inuest his brother Maximillian in it But the Venetians not relying on his promises made earnest sute to agree with the French meaning not to trust to his offers which onely tended to breake the league and to delay the prouisions of warre they likewise fearing least the French should enter into league with the Emperour as they were desirous to doe for the recouery of their King and all their practises should by that meanes prooue vaine That hapned which they had foreseene in the beginning of the yeare 1526. when the newes yet vnhoped for arriued at Venice
the Caloprini obtained of the Venetians that Stephano and those who had followed him should be repealed from bannishment which the Prince and people granting at Adheleta's request and the Calloprini being returned into their Countrie it hapned that foure of the Morosini remembring fore-passed wrongs did assaile and kill three brethren of the Caloprini sonnes to Stephano as they returned to the Palace entring into a boate to goe home to their houses The Duke was suspected and the people beleeued it that this murther was committed by his consent but hee cleared himselfe in open Assembly The same Prince gaue to Giouanni Morosino at his returne from Aquitain whither he had accompanied Vrseolo Saint Georges Church which stands right ouer against the Market-place with the Marshes adioining which were dependancies of the Dukes Chappell vpon condition to build thereupon a Monasterie for the Religious of the order of Saint Bennet He sent his sonne Mauritio to Basilius Emperour of Greece to the end that being honoured by him with certaine titles hee might appeare more notable among his fellow-Citizens All these things thus executed he was surprized with a grieuous disease by meanes whereof he voluntarily deposed himselfe or as some say he was constrained so to doe by the people the foureteenth yeare of his gouernment for that in the ciuill dissensions he had carried him selfe not like a iust Prince but had euer fauoured one side more than another He liued not long after for so soone as he had made himselfe a Monke he died forthwith ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLO the second the 26. Duke of Uenice PIetro Vrseolo was by the people declared his successor This dignitie was foretold him a long time before as by a Diuine presage by his Father who was a man of an holie life During his gouernment the Venetians State did meruailously encrease both at home and abroade First of all hee obteined of Basilius and Alexis who at the same time did iointly command the Grecian Empire that through all their Dominions the Venetian Marchants should be free by Sea and land from al customes and tributes He did moreouer by his Ambassadours purchase the frendship of the Kings of Aegypt and Siria Then did he win by bountie and good offices the greatest Lords of Italie So soone as hee perceiued a conuenient time to reuenge all the wronges which the Venetians had receiued of the Narentines hee for bad to paie them any more the accustomed yearely tribute for the free commerce and Nauigation of the coast of Dalmatia The Narentines being thereby incensed against the Venetians did sodainely rob and spoile And not satisfied with their thefts at Sea they came on shoare spoiled the Countrie neere to Zara For that Citie alone of all the rest of Dalmatia was at the same time subiect to the Venetians But the Venetians were not onely molested by these incursions but all the neighbour-Nations Likewise who after they had endured it with much discontentment for a while perceiuing the furie of these robbers who abused their patience daily to encrease and foreseeing that those insolent people would neuer giue ouer vnlesse their attempts were assisted Diuers Dalamatians not finding themselues alone strong enough for such an enterprise had recourse to the Venetians The Ambassadours of Liburnia and Histria came thither likewise being all of them sent for this purpose to treate with the Prince in the name of their Common-wealths That if he would send a mightie fleet into Dalmatia against the Narentines to defend the Sea-coastes and the neere nieghbours thereof from the theftes of these Pirats that it would come to passe which they in the name of their fellow-citizens did promise that all Dalmatia along the Sea-coast Liburnia and Histria would submit themselues vnder the Venetians dominion The offers which the Ambassadours made did puffe vp the Princes minde and filled the whole Citie with great hope one day to be Lords of Dalmatia Whereupon fearing to loose such an occasion they resolued to send forth a mightie Fleet. But before wee speake of the setting out thereof wee must briefly make mention of the situation of that Prouince fetching it from farre The Grecians called those Illirians which inhabited the vpper parts of Macedonia and Thrace from the Cahonians and Thesprotti vnto the Riuer of Histria encreasing in bredth from the hilles of Macedon and Thrace euen to the Peonians and the 〈◊〉 Sea containing in all fiue daies iourney and in length thrice asmuch The which being measured by the Roman Authors was found to containe 6000. stadij in length and 1200. in bredth Whereby it is apparent that the Ancients haue called all that Illiria which is contained within these limits euen to the Adriatick-Sea comprehending therein Dalmatia and Liburnia They 〈◊〉 besides that the Prouince and the Nation were so named by Illirius sonne to Poliphemus and Galathea sometimes Lords of that Countrie that Dardanus Taulanâ—…s with others were his children from whom the Dardanians and Taulantians people of Dalmatia are descended This Prouince such as it is did in times past containe according to the ancient diuision of the Cosmographers Liburnia and Dalmatia At this present all that Countrie whith lieth from Histria verie neere to Liburnia which stretcheth it selfe towards the Adriatick-Sea and almost to the riuer Drillon is called Dalmatia Those who inhabited vpon this riuer were the Dalmatians in times past Since then the Epirots being driuen forth of their Countrie possessed this Prouince euen to Macedon and all the Region is by the Moderns called Albania In this sort Dalmatïa extends it selfe more from the North to the South than from the East to the West Now the armie being in a readinesse and the Soldiours ship't after that Vrseolo had receiued the publicke ensignes in the Church of Oliuollo from the hands of the Bishop he sailed into Dalmatia It was then the spring-time and sailing pleasantly he arriued first at Aquileia after at Grada Vitalis Bishop of the Citie accompanied with the whole Clergie and the people went out to meete him and after he had welcomed him Take saith he Vrseolo this banner of Saint Hermagoras which I wish may be fortunate to thy selfe and to the Commonwealth cause thy Soldiours to follow it among the ensignes of their Countrie and let them fight valiantly vnder it I hope that thou wilt one day confesse that this banner which wee giue thee hath no lesse aided thee in the obtaining of the victorie than the strength and courage of thy people Wee are not ignorant how that by valour all Common-weales are well gouerned but they are much better when they haue God for their guide I doe accept saith the Duke this thy Presage and I pray thee when we are departed hence to beseech that good God to graunt vs a prosperous voiage and victorie ouer our enemies Then bidding him farewell hee came with a faire winde sodainly into Histria Histria is
the assailants to retire was the cause that both sides did not fight with all their forces by reason whereof this fight was made rather in hast than otherwise But how light soeuer it was it lasted euen till night at which time Beamond retired to his fellowes After that they made a bridge vpon the riuer which was directly betweene the Citie and their Campe and they incamped in such sort as it was besieged on all sides sauing on the part next to the mountaines from whence they perceiued no possibilitie to free themselues from the enemies incursions The Citie of Antioch is circled with a double wall The inmost is of bricke and the other of great square stone with foure hundred and threescore towers with a Citadell on the East side thereof so strongly fortified as it did not feare the assaults of the enemies There was besides not farre off a lake abounding in fish and meruailous fruitfull plaines watred with riuers and fountaines twelue miles distant from the Sea of Cilicia It is reported that Saint Peter in the Churchs infancie did there establish his See which did afterward greatly illustrate the Citie The Campe at the first wanted no victualls for ripe grapes hung on the vines and the whole Armie was a long time fed with great store of corne found in wells where the Countrimen did vse to hide their graine and besides they brought at times great store of cattell to the Campe taken stragling in the neighbour vallies by meanes of certaine Armenians Christians by profession inhabiting the tops of the neighbour-mountaines who for that they had constantly perseuered in Christian religion after Hierusalem was taken by the Sarracens in the time of the Emperour Heracleus could neuer since obtaine of the cursed enemie a dwelling place vntill at the last Carpharat the Egyptian permitted the Bishop and a few with him to inhabit the fourth part of the Citie neare to the holy sepulcher paying a certaine yearely tribute But being driuen forth of Hierusalem vpon the report of the Christians comming into Asia they retired themselues into the mountaines neare to Antioch Now whilest the French-men and Germans performed these warlike exploits in Asia the Venetians I know not whether of their owne proper motion or incited at the intreatie of the Pope and the Emperour Alexis sent a greater Armie than euer yet they had done into Ionia the which I finde to be of two hundred vessels of all sorts and vnder the conduct of Henrico Contareni Bishop of the Castle and Michaeli Vitalis the Dukes sonne Some neuerthelesse doe affirme that the Venetians came not into Asia till Hierusalem was taken But I cannot beleeue that a Nation so mightie at Sea as were the Venetians would be idle during these great stirres in Asia and Europe especially at such a time when as they might perceiue all the Sea-coasts from Hellespont euen to Pelusium at the mouth of Nilus to be exposed for a prey the which in a short time with neuer so little labour they might easily take from the Mahometans The Venetians being come to Rhodes it is reported that they fell at words with the Pisans who were likewise arriued in the Hauen with a great Fleet and falling from words to blowes they fought on either side like enemies But the Venetians getting the vpper hand tooke eighteene Gallies from the Pisans wherein were foure thousand men It is not knowne wherefore nor vpon what occasion the Pisans durst buckle with the Venetians seeing they were mightier than they but hauing taken them because they perceiued them to weare redde Crosses they sent them and their vesselles away detaining thirtie of the chiefest Gentlemen among them for hostages From thence they sailed with a faire wind into Ionia where at their first arriuall they tooke Smyrna vnprouided of a Garrison From whence it is said that the bodie of Saint Nicholas was brought to Venice and laid in the Church dedicated vnto him on the shoare This is all which some report the Venetians did in their first iourney But others doe set downe after the taking of Smyrna all that which they did in Syria which is not impertinent For whilest their Fleete was preparing at Venice they tooke in fresh supplies in Dalmatia and came first to Rhodes then to Ionia where they tooke Smyrna and afterwards they scoured the Seas of Pamphilia Cilicia and Syria The Citie of Antioch being taken the French Captaines did not onely besiege Hierusalem but tooke it with ease For it is certaine that the Venetians departing from the Hauen of Ioppa from whence they had driuen the enemies Armie at the Princes first arriuall in Syria came to Hierusalem and then besieged the places round about But wee will hereafter make mention of that which they did in Syria The siege of Antioch in the meane time was no lesse long than painefull hauing for the space of nine moneths greatly weakened all the forces of Europe For they were at times tormented with famine euen with all extremitie so as besides the common Soldiours diuerse likewise of the chiefe not being able to endure so great scarcitie sought manie times to flie thence among whom were Peter the Hermit William Carpenter issued of Royall bloud and Tancred cousin to Beamond who being shamefully reprehended in the middest of their flight for abandoning the Armie were constrained to take new oathes There was likewise great complaints made against the Captains for bringing out of the west al the flower of Christendom to die in the East by famine before the walles of Antioch That there was no kind of meate how vile and filthie soeuer wherewith the miserable Soldiours had not till then fed themselues They said moreouer that it hehooued them to leaue the Armie and those wilfull Captaines For if they had had any care of them or their safetie they would ere then haue ledde them from thence into some other farre place or if they were so pleased to engage them in some dangerous fight saying that in regard of the miseries they sustained they had rather marche to some battaile where they were sure to dye honorably with their weapons in hand than idly to perish through famine like wretched Slaues Beamond his authoritie whose vertue and experience in warre according to the saying of as many as haue written of him had purchased to him selfe aboue all the other Captaines of the Armie a marueilous reputation did with a gentle exhortatation proffit verie much for the appeasing of this tumult who gaue the Soldiours hope of better fortune But the famine neuerthelesse continuing diuers thought on fit meanes how to escape it And without doubt they would all of them at last haue disbanded had it not beene for the sodaine newes that was brought how that the enemies Armie was neere at hand with whom they were not onely to fight for the maintenance of the siege but for the safetie of their liues That now the time was
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
Whereupon they bethought themselues of a subtile stratagem to tie counterfeit letters to the Doues feeâ—…e instead of those which Dachines had sent to the Tyrians which imported Not to expect any succour from the King And therefore they should doe wisely seeing their affaires stood so as they must needs yeeld to giue place to the time which they were chiefely to thinke on and by a timely yeelding to prouide for themselues and their meanes These Letters being publiquely read for the Pigeon being let loose flew directly into the Citie the Tyrians being wholly discouraged did yeeld themselues the fifth moneth of the siege I know of a certaine that many will hold this which wee haue reported of the Pigeon for a fable thinking it to be against nature and so consequently vnworthie of beliefe that a bird transported into a farre Region should at a flight returne to her former nest But it is vndoubtedly true that it was so The which hath beene of ten times knowne by experience For diuers doe witnesse that the ancient Romans made vse sometimes of birds for the same purpose Plinie makes mention of a Pigeon which brought letters to the Campe before Modena I finde that Fabius the Roman Historian and Cecynna Volateran haue sometimes vsed swallowes in such like businesse But let it be granted that it may be so it is no lesse strange that these birds flying in the ayre should fall to the ground by a suddaine noyse For some doe affirme the same to haue hapned in the assembly of the Ismenians as oftentimes in other places at such time as by the meanes of Titus Flaminius all Grecia did recouer her ancient libertie Plutarch a man of singular learning hath taught the same to come to passe by the clearing of the aire because that by a suddaine crie ascending vpwards the aire is forcibly cleft leauing no support for the birds for waxing more soft and slipperie the birds fall as though they were come into an emptie place without any stay at all whereby they fall downe being stricken with the noyse as if it were with an arrow It may bee likewise according to the same Authour that this noyse engendreth in the aire a violent by-turning like to the tempest of the Sea wherewith birds being touched fall downe amazed Now the Tyrians hauing yeelded there were set vp on the Towers and highest places of the Citie the ensignes of Varimond and of the Venetians vnto whom were giuen the third part of the Citie according to the agreement the prowesse and valour of whom according to the saying of Chronicles was greatly admired in that siege The like was giuen to them in the Citie of Ascalon Baldwin returning from his imprisonment at the same time did not only approue all these things but did likewise at the ratifying thereof highly honour the Venetian Prince It is to be seene in some Authours that he vsed this preface Dominico Michaeli Duke of Venice and Dalmatia Prince of the Kingdome of Ierusalem who after he had defeated a great Armie of the enemies on the inaccessible shoare of Ascalon slaine and taken many thousands of those Barbarians and deliuered those of Ioppa from the siege where with they were shut in did enter victorious into Ierusalem Some others adding greater matters than these say That besides these things graunted at the same time to the Venetians in Syria it was confirmed vnto them ouer and aboue all the rest that whilest the Duke of Venice should make his aboad in Ierusalem hee should enioy the same honours and prerogatiues as the King did Whereas there is mention made that the enemies were defeated before Ascalon and not before Ioppa the same proceedeth from the varietie of Historians During the Venetians prosperous successe in Syria Caloianes sonne to Alexis some set downe Emanuel for Caloianes enuying that the Christians had obtained so notable a victorie and chiefely the Venetians vnto whom was ascribed all the glorie of whatsoeuer had beene then done in Syria resolued to make open warre against them In regard whereof there was some likelihood that the Venetians if they respected their owne priuate affaires would wholly leaue Syria as indeed it happened For the Prince being speedily called home vpon the first commotion of the Greekes did depart out of the Prouince who being come to Rhodes and the Townesmen refusing to furnish him with victualls he tooke and spoiled the Citie I beleeue hee had some other cause so to doe For that had beene to haue drawne a kindnesse from them perforce But it is most likely that it was done in hatred to Caloianes who had alreadie declared himselfe their open enemie which some Authours affirme or else certainely because the Venetians had in times past receiued some notable iniurie of the podians they would then at the instant call it in question hauing so fit an occasioâ—… Prince Michaeli from thence commâ—…g to the Isle of Chyos wasted it likewise and carried from thence the bodie of â—…int Isidore to Venice which was laid in Saint Marks Church in the Chappell â—…ich we haue elsewhere said was builded by Narses with the spoiles of the enemâ—…s The fleet made some staie there in regard of the great sharpnesse of the wiâ—…er From whence finding that place fit for the affaires of warre they would noâ—…slodge vntill they had taken all the neighbour-Islands from the Greekes Wâ—…eupon departing thence on a sodaine they first tooke Samos then Lesbos Aâ—…dros and all the other Islands of the Greeke Empire Hauing performed these â—…oloits neare to the Islands Ciclades they sayled into Peloponessus where he sâ—…ed on Methon at this day called Modona and left a garrison there Then commâ—…g into Dalmatia he recouered Zara as some write which had before driuen tâ—…nce the Venetian Magistrate and being thus recouered to the end that her destâ—…ction might serue for example to the neighbour Cities how in time to come to fâ—…ifie their faith so religiously sworne vnto they did for the most part ruine it Ten they recouered Spalatra and Trahu by force But other Authours haue pâ—…sed ouer in silence that which we haue now mentioned to haue beene done by hâ—… in Dalmatia All these great atchieuements luckily finished after that he had â—…amed one part by Armes and protected the other from al wrong from the Seacoast of Syria euen to Dalmatia he brought backe his Armie entire to Venice wâ—…ere hee was receiued with generall ioy And so soone as he had related what he hâ—…d done in that voyage the whole Citie did highly praise him The affaires of the Christians in Syria still declining by little and little did euery day wax worse vnâ—…ill the time of Baldwin the fifth From whom Saladine King of Egypt recoâ—…ered Ierusalem the fourescore and eighth yeare after the Christians had taken â—…t There were diuers and sundrie warlike preparations made aswell in Italie as iâ—… other parts of Europe for the conseruation of
Syria But all those attempts pâ—…oued vaine and fruitlesse of which wee determine briefly to speake as occasion shall serue not interrupting the course of our Historie During the aboade of Prince Michaeli in Asia or soone after his returne the Hospitall of the publike charitie was builded with all that which stands neere to it The bodie of Saint Donato brought from Pera to Venice was laid in a Church newly built by the diligence and cost as some Authours say of one called Marco Iuliano Michaeli after hee had gouerned the Common-wealth eleuen yeares did fortunately decease His funeralls were followed by great multitudes of people His tombe is to be seene at this day in the porch of Saint Georges Church right ouer against the Comcell-Hall on the left hand as ye enter into the Church The end of the sixt Booke of the first Deâ—…ad THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE FIRSâ—… DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the first Decad. THe voluntarie submission of the Faneses The institution of a new Religious Order in the Church of Saint SALVATORI The erecting of the Church of Saint CLEMENT The Paduans are defeated on the turning of the Riuer Brente The Venetians warre against the Normans in fauour of the Emperour EMANVEL The building of the great Tower before the Market-place Diuers people of Histria made Tributaries The building of the Church of the Crossed Friers How greatly the conspiracies of the Neighbour-people did trouble the Venetians The originall of the plaies made at Shrouetide What the Emperour EMANVEL did to the Venetian Merchants ouer all his Empire in one day The Venetians mightie Sea-armie against EMANVEL The familie of the IVSTINIANI are almost extinct through the malice of their enemies The miserable death of Prince VITALIS slaine by his owne people at his returne from Greece Two huge Pillars of a wonderfull workemanship erected in the Market-place by an Artificer of Lombardie An Ambassadour of Venice is abused by the Emperour EMANVEL The cause why the Emperour EMANVEL hated the Venetians At what time they beganne to shut vp in the publike Treasurie the money of particular persons vnder colour of loane Pope ALEXANDER flies to Venice in disguise The Venetians make warre against the Emperour FREDERICK BARBAROSSA in fauour of the Pope The Emperours Sonne defeated at Sea by the Venetians with his imprisonment and the Emperour FREDERICK his comming to Venice The Honours and Titles giuen by Pope ALEXANDER to the Dukes of Venice The agreement betwixt FREDERICK the Pope and the Venetians made at Venice The Venetian Prince hauing accompanied the Pope to Rome returneth to Venice honoured with rich presents And lastly the description of the magnificent Church of St. MARKE ¶ PIETRO POLLANI the 36. Duke of Venice PIetro Pollani succeeded his deceased Father-in-law Michaeli At his entrance into the gouernement the Faneses submitted themselues to the Venetians authoritie promising to aide them when neede should be to giue yearlie the quantitie of a thousand pound weight of oile for the vse of S. Markes Church and to pay them besides a yearly pension of money in manner of Tribute It seemeth vnto mee that this tribute proceeded from some aide which they had receiued from the Venetians in their warres the which some Historians haue noted albeit they set not downe against whom it was Bonfiâ—…io Michaeli Administrator at that time of the Church of S. Saluatori and all those which accompanied him tooke a Religious habit vpon them instituting a new order which was afterward authorised by Pope Innocent and after him Pope Alexander the fourth consecrated their Church Pietro Gathilaso caused the Church of S. Clement to be builded on the Canal Orphano It is reported besides that at the same time a great strife arose betwixt the Venetians and the Pisans occasioned by a brauado rashly made vpon them in the Hauen of Rhodes by Michaeli Vitalis the Princes sonne Generall of the Venetian Armie where the Pisans being ouer-come and loosing the greatest part of their Armie did receiue a great disgrace which afterward caused diuers and sundrie murthers on either side And these two States would haue beene more sharply bent one against the other had not the Pope by his wise mediation sodainely pacified their strife Diuers cities of Dalmatia insinuating themselues into the Venetians fauour promised each of them in her owne name to waite on the Prince with one armed Gallie as often as he should put to Sea with fifteene Gallies The Polani likewise a people of Histria offered them all aide with all necessaries for the furniture of the Gallies at any time when the Prince marching against the enemies should arriue in their Countrey I finde about the same time the Venetians fought a cruell fight with the Paduans who would haue cut off the Riuer Brente neere to Saint Hilaries Church Guido Monticulano Generall of the Venetians Armie by Land in that warre hauing incountered them neere to Tumba the bickering was verie bloudie on either side but the enemies being ouercome and put to flight three hundred and fiftie of them were brought prisoners to Venice who neuerthelesse at the entreatie of the chiefe of their Citie laying all the blame on some audacious persons among the Common people and not on the Nobilitie were all freely sent home againe Vrso Badoario left to Giouanni Throno of Mayorba diuers goodly Lands seated neere to Muriana and Maiorba to build an Hospitall in the name of Saint Iames which being since much augmented and enriched was giuen to the Religious sisters of the order of the Cistercians But whilest the Citie was thus at quiet the Venetians because they would not liue idely did set set forth an Armie at the request of the Emperour Emanuel against Rogero sonne to Guiscard King of Sicilie This Prince departing from Ottranto with a great Fleete came to the Isle of Corfu bordring vpon the Adriaticke and Ionian Seas And hauing seized thereon hee sailed into Morea where betwixt the Promontorie of Mailla and the Gulphe of Argiers and Laconia he executed diuers hostile actions Returning thence towards the Sea of Sarrona neere to the Hauens of Cenchrea and Corinth hee put all the Countrie adioyning to fire and sword Then passing forward without any resistance at all and being come to Istmos vulgarly called at this day Heximilia he filled all Achaia with feare and terror He tooke likewise the Citie of Thebes where it is reported he shewed himselfe ouer-couetous in his curious seeking for gold In the end he neither spared the Countrie of Nigrepont nor Beotia called Phocides And being puâ—…t vp by this happie successe he sent one of his Lieutenants with threescore Gallies to crosse the Hellespont called at this day the streight of Gallipolis euen to the Bosphorus of Thrace at this present called Saint Georges Arme who with great boldnesse vsed such speed as being arriued on the sodaine before Constantinople he set fire on diuers
the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa who for this cause commaunded the subiects of the Empire which were neere neighbours to the Venetians to ouer-runne them At the Emperours commandement those of Verona Padua and Ferrara so soone as they had ioined their forces together did assaile and take by force the Cape of la Mothe But vnderstanding that the Venetian Armie approached which vpon the first report of the enemies rising was prepared they soone dislodged after they had spoiled the Towne and carried awaie the inhabitants as prisoners The Venetians not meeting with the enemie fell on the Territorie of the Hadrians to reuenge the iniurie done to their subiects Vlrich Bishop of Aquileia presuming on these troubles for he likewise fauoured Octauian came with a great troope of Forlani and tooke the Citie of Grada not so much in hope to keepe the place for hee had none at all as to take thence the rarest and richest things and to carrie them to Aquileia But being taken with the manner by the Prince his vnlookt-for comming himselfe with twelue of his Channons and manie others of note were brought prisoners to Venice From whence soon after he was discharged on condition To send euerie yeare at shrouetide a fat Bull with twelue wilde Boares which should be slaine in the Market-place in the presence of all the people for a perpetuall testimonie to posteritie of their victorie But some Authours referre this to the gouernment of Angelo Partitiatio which wee haue heeretofore mentioned But I thinke the errour proceeded hence-from that they deliuer the same to haue hapned in the time of Pope Alexander not making mention of which Alexander Whilest these things were done neere the circuites of the Citie the Emperour Emanuel attempted by new sleights to gripe from the Venetians Who hauing made a new League with William king of Sicilie had giuen his daughter secretly to him in marriage or else of a certaine some hope of new affinitie For if the same had bene done vnder-hand I know not with what face he could haue entreated the Venetians to make warre on him because that euerie one would haue perceiued his dissimulation by solliciting forraine Armes against him with whom hee had contracted new friendship and alliance Now therefore that he might with-draw this King from the Venetians whose faithfull friend hee knew him to be and who as then were ignorant of what had passed he requested them by his Ambassadors to aide him against him Some write that after the agreement was sworne to there arose some dissension betwixt the Emperour and the King If it were so the matter is answered for otherwise it would be a hard matter to beleiue that such affinitie and alliance betwixt so great personages could bee contracted vnknowne to the Venetians or at least could be long concealed from them Therefore the Grecian Ambassadours receiued this answere that the Venetians could not by the Law of Nations nor by their ancient custome take Armes without a cause against him who was their good friend and confederate But that the Emperour Emanuel might wholly make vse of their meanes as of a Nation which did greatly affect him so farre forth as their honour and conscience would giue them leaue though they could not at that time send him aide without great breach to their reputation and publike loialtie The Ambassadours were with this answere dismissed who were no sooner departed from Venice because there was some likelihood of discontent about this answere but they sodainely decreed to send to all Venetian Marchants trafficking at the same time in Greece to returne home speedily to Venice The Emperour who before then bare them no great good will thinking by this refusall to haue a iust occasion to make warre vpon them seized on the Cities of Spalatra Trahu and Ragusa but it is not knowne whether it were by force or by a voluntarie yeelding of the inhabitants Then adding treacherie to treacherie he did feigne that hee seazed on them only to constraine the Venetians to renew the league with him and with no intent to detaine them Therefore he intreated them by his Ambassadours to suffer their merchants to vse their trafficke in the accustomed faires of Greece and that hee would shortly let them vnderstand how much hee did loue them and was mindfull of the benefits which hee had receiued from them as from his good friends and companions in Armes The promise of so great a Prince did indeed moue the whole Citie but much more the remembrance which he said he carried of the benefits which the Greeke Empire had in times past receiued from their Ancestors Vpon which assurance hauing reuoked their former decree they permitted euerie one to saile into Greece Whereupon a great number of Merchants did sodainely depart who stirred vp by profit went thither being followed by two Ambassadours sent to renew the league namely Sebastiano Cyani and Auria Maripietro who were scarce come to Constantinople when Emanuel at a day appointed for the same purpose caused ouer all his Empire all the Venetians to be taken with their ships and merchandize commanding them to bee streightly kept till his farther pleasure were knowne and their money and goods to be shut vp in the publicke warehouses The Ambassadours amazed at the newnesse of this deed for they durst not by the law of Nations hurt them leauing Constantinople returned into Italie Some who in this rumult and feare had put to Sea arriued sooner at Venice than the Ambassadours and did report that by the treacherie and disloyaltie of Emanuel all their Countrimen a few excepted were imprisoned and their shippes and goods seized on in the hauens and faires of Greece The vnworthinesse of the matter did greatly trouble the whole Citie But calling to minde that there is nothing sooner punished among men than trecherie being resolued to reuenge this wronge they sodainely prepared a mightie Armie A hundred gallies were as they say in as many dayes with a meruailous couâ—…age readie to set saile with twentie shippes of burthen And hauing besides sent to all that were abroade in trafficke of merchandize to returne to Venice by the first of September after they had receiued the supplies of Histria and Dalmatia the fleete set saile vnder the commaund of Michaeli He first tooke Trahu by force and wholy ruined it whereby wee may perceiue that they had voluntarily yeelded to the Greekes Ragusa likewise being recouered the walles next to the Sea-side with a tower were beaten downe to the ground whereon the Emperours Armes were ingrauen This being done in Dalmatia they came with a faire winde into the Isle of Nigrepont where Prince Michaeli preparing to besiege the Cities notwithstanding that they were furnished with good garrisons was disswaded from it by the Gouernour of the Island who being amazed to see so great an Armie or perhaps not ignorant of his masters meaning to abuse so mightie an enemie by some
Emperour with a great and inuincible courage made answere at the same time Non tibi sed Petro. Vnto whom hee replied in choller treading more hard vpon him Et mihi Petro. This was done vpon Ascension day Others say that it was vpon the day that the battaile was wonne and that in memorie thereof the Pope granted great pardons to all who repenting and being confessed should visit euery yeare on the same day Saint Marks Church Not long after the Emperour and the Pope departed from Venice But the Venetian Historians say that both of them tarried there certaine moneths Obba of Rauenna reportes that Frederick came by Land to Ancona and Pope Alexander with Prince Cyani arriued there at the same time the whole Citie running out to meet them And to giue them honorable entertainment the City sent out two Canopies the one for Alexander and the other for Frederick and that then the Pope commaunded a third to bee brought for the Venetian Prince and permitted him in the presence of all the people that he and his successours should for euer vse one as they at this day doe when they walke abroad in solemnitie with the other Ducall Ensignes VVhen they arriued at Rome the Pope was receiued with all gladnesse who obseruing amongest these triumphes siluer trumpets which made a verie excellent sound caused eight of them to be giuen to the Venetian Prince in memorie of his victorie which the soueraigne Magistrate of Venice should euer afterwards vse All the Venetian Chroniclers doe affirme this to be true Cyant taking leaue of the Pope returned with his holy blessing to Venice The Marriners appointed for that purpose went to receiue him in the Bucentauro The Bishop of the Castle with the most part of the Citie went forth to meete him and to doe him reuerence who landing at the Hauen hauing a burning taper of white wax borne before him as the first gift which he receiued of Pope Alexander being at Venice the Canopie the siluer trumpets and the banner being the ensignes which he and his successours had receiued on condition to haue them carried before them euer after he entered the Citie with great ioy This is it which we finde aswell in the Venetian Historians as in strangers touching this so famous victorie obtained by the Venetians against Otho sonne to the Emperour Frederick All which the Venetians who liued long time after would haue to be publikely represented For the whole order of this warre is painted in the hall of the Palace where euerie eight dayes they assemble for the creation of new Officers Cyani being oppressed with old age and ill disposed of his person after that hee had prosperously gouerned the Common-wealth for the space of eight yeares caused himselfe to be carried into Saint Georges Monasterie where in short space he died Hee gaue to the Common-wealth by his testament diuers lands neere to Saint Marks Chuch and some others in the Mercers street neere to Saint Iulians to the Pristes of the Church where he should be buried It is reported That it was hee which did enrich Saint Marks Church with that sumptuousnesse and magnificent cost whereof wee will make so much the shorter mention as we drawe neare to the end of this booke Now this Church is not as diuers other so much recommended for the greatnesse and vnmeasurable extent as it is for the richnesse thereof It is builded in forme like a Crosse whose corners are highly vaulted and couered with lead as all the rest is which is discerned of Sea-men higher than all the buildings of the Citie aboue six-score stadij from thence The whole masse is besides supported by most curious Arches ioyned together by a meruailous skill The inner part from the middle euen to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold and the concauitie of the vaults is enriched with diuers goodly and ancient pictures made after the Greeke manner which with the labour to behold them in respect of their heigth doe present to the spectatators by their sad and venerable aspect a kinde of feare entermingled with pietie and religion That which is from the guilding downe to the pauement is so well compassed and ioyned together with goodly tables of marble as by their pleasant raies in forme of vaines the eyes of the beholders are rather wearied than satisfied The seats below are of a strange red stone like to Porphirie The pauement all of marble engrauen with diuers figures wholly different and of sundrie colours Besides sundrie Columnes and diuers tables of marble Tapâ—…ic Parian Sparâ—…an and Numidian at least resembling them enuiron the high seates on both sides the Quire The comming into the Church on both sides is in a manner of the same trimming Whose guilded Arches are susteined without by more then three hundred admirable Columnes not so much for their greatnesse as for their diuersitie of colours the space betweene those pillers being couered with goodly tables of marble On the heigth of this entrance foure great brazen horses guilded are to bee seene as if they neighed for ioy which is indeede a most excellent peece of worke but not of our time All this beares vp the highest top of the Church diuided into sixe steeples euery of which built like a Piramides hath on the sharpest point thereof standing a white marble statue of a naked man Diuers other representations delightfull to behold and wrought with exceeding skill do greatly beautifie the spaces betwixt these steeples The whole worke aswell on the right hand as on the left is of the same substance and workemanship and all that which is vaulted vnderneath is couered with gold In a word there is no place in the whole Church either within or without but is either trimmed with gold or marble or with some other rich stone so that two Columnes of Alablaster which stand neere to the high Altar and the Calcidonie-stones which are to bee seene in the middest of the pauement of the breadth of a foote and halfe are among so great riches counted as nothing Such is the structure of Saint Marks Church the adorning whereof as I haue said is for the most part attributed to Prince Cyani And because it wholly in a manner glistereth with gold I will not sticke as I haue alreadie done to call it the golden Church as often as I shall haue cause to speake thereof The end of the seuenth Booke of the first Decad. THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the eighth Booke of the first Decad. THe institution of the publike Almes by whom and at what time The fourth rebellion of those of Zara. A new iourney of the Christians against the Turkes with the defeate of SALADINE and the recouerie of the Citie of Acre by the Christians The coyning of the money called Aurelia in the Citie Pola surprised by the Pisans The recouerie of the same by the Venetians
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
Venetians But it is farre more pâ—…obable that it was for some iealousie or secreâ—… grudge happened betwixt the Gouernour and himselfe after the battaile because that either of them enuying one another would seeme more affectionate to his countrey and to deserue better of the Common-wealth than his fellow and that at last he would haue driuen him out of the Island by force deâ—…ermining after he had chaced him thence to giue the VenetiaÌ„s a sufficient proofe of his loyalty in deliuering the Island vnto them peaceable and at quiet being defended by his aide Other reasons likewise may perswade vs to beleeue that it was vpon such occasions as I haue set downe For perceiuing by the new supplies that they pursued him as an enemie he would not of set purpose fight and though he possessed diuers places in the Island he neuerthelesse freely abandoned them depaâ—… ted forth of the Prouince Iâ—… he had marched as an enemy against the VenetiaÌ„s there wanted not those who would haue repossessed him in the Island The Genoueses would willingly haue accepted it who were iealous and enuious of the honour and fame of the Venetians But he did rather giue place to the publike peace than helpe his enemie Tepulo Some Historians referre to the same time that notable victorie ob tained by Giouami Treuisano ouer the Genoueses wherof we haue made mention in the precedent booke Candie remained not long quiet For a new commotioÌ„ much more terrible than that whereof we now spake did trouble the whole Island the which growing from a small cause kindled such a flame as the whole Prouince felt it The common report is that by the counsell of one named Pietro Philameno Gouernour of the Castle of Boreparitano the horses of a certaine Candiot Gentleman were stollen Which being told to Paulo Quirino who at that time was Gouernour of the Island he commaunded restitution to the Islanders of that which had beene taken from them Now because it was not done with that speed as they would haue it the Greeks who were set on by others tooke occasion to ouerrunne vnder the conduct of Petro Scordillo who did owe the stollen horses all the countrie of Reparitana from whence they carried away great spoiles The Candiots vpon this stir being desirous of nouelty complotted forthwith a reuolt whereupon in short space all that lieth from Milopotamus vnto the farthest part of the Island towards the West rebelled against the Venetians The Gouernour to stay these new insurrections of the Greekes speedily sent Pietro Thonisto and Giouanni Gritti with great forces beyond the streights of Milopoâ—…amus who passing through the forrest of Psieuronessus not sending out their discouerers were assailed and defeated by Constantine Seuasti Theodore Milesin who lay in ambush for them being accompanied with great multitudes of Greekes Many Venetians were there slaine by them who knowing the waies of the forrest did meete them scattered heere and therein amazâ—…d troupes Giouanni Gritti one of the Captaines died there who was an industrious and couragious person with Nicolaâ—… Balastro Marco Bono Andrea Thealdo and Vendramino of Aquileia with a greate numbeâ—… of souldiers A few of those which escaped the slaughter hauing throwne away their Armes came by verie strait and narrow waies to the Gouernour In whose place soone afterward succeeded Dominâ—…co Delfino vnder whom peace ensued betwixt the Venetians and the Greekes To some of whom to winne them by bountie as to Seuasto and his companions Authors of the reuolt were giuen in perpetuitie certaine Lands on the hither side the Riuer Musella towards the West There be likewise in the Island certaine Lands possessed in olde time by the ancient men at armes called by the common people Knight-ships Some of these were giuen at the same time to the chiefest of the Greeks as some other of them likewise to Theodore and Michaeli Melissini so soone as they were receiued into fauour This is all which we finde to haue hapned as well abroad as at home during the gouernment of Prince Cianiâ—… who after he had commaunded two and twentie yeares being become vnprofitable to the Common-wealth by reason of his olde age did willingly depose himselfe and dyed fortunately soone after in Saint Georges Monasterie whither he retired himselfe for deuotion sake His bodie was buried in the Monument of his Ancestors ¶ GIACOMO TEPVLO the 43. Duke of Uenice GIacomo Tepulo was by the fortie elected in his place Candie in this Princes time was not verie quiet whereof I will briefly mention some passages before I touch anie other matters which hapned as well abroad as elsewhere during this Principalitie The Venetians too much lenitie towards the Candiots was the cause that the Greeks who are by nature light-headed and inconstant insted of yeelding loue and obedience to the Venetians did shew themselues altogether stubborne and peremptorie For a base minde doth rather abuse another mans patiâ—…nce than make any good vse of it and is sooner brought to his dutie by seueritie and exemplarie punishment than by meekenesse and fauour Thus the Scordilli and the Melissini through too much licentiousnesse hauing giuen themselues ouer to all manner of vices and laying aside all shame beganne first to disturbe the common quiet by secret thefts and afterwards by open robberies to make hauocke in all places The Gouernour being mooued with these vnseemely actions did forthwith leauie Souldiours and sent to entreat Marco Sanuto with the greatest forces he could raise to come speedily into Candie for the more speedie expulsion of those theeues and enemies saying That the Islanders did incline to an open rebellion and that if their desseignes were not sodainely preuented and restained by force hee stood greatly in feare of the whole Islands reuolt from the Venetians Sanuto esteeming deâ—…ay in such a case dangerous to the Common-wealth with all speed possible assembâ—…ed his forces and then wafted ouer into the Isle of Candie Where to bridle the Rebelles â—…ee caused a Castell to be built in a verie comodious place At the sight whereof the enemies beeing daunted though not giuing ouer their wilfull headinesse sent to Iohn Vattasus who held Lesbos an Island of the Aegean Sea and who possessed at that time diuers places of the Greek Empire entitling himselfe Emperour of Greece promising him by their menssengers the entire dominion of the Island after the Venetians should be driuen thence so as hee would in time send them sufficient aide to expell the enemie The forces of Vattasus were at that time verie great For he was in league with the King of the Hexagons who likewise in the places neeâ—…e adioyning to the Ponticke Sea called himselfe Emperour of Greece determining at eithers charges to assaile the Empire of Constantinople This King was angrie because young Robert sonne to the Emperour Peter had by the aduice of his counsell preferred the alliance of the King of Hierusalem who had but the title of that Kingdome
beeing wearied with so manie garboiles and scarcely freed from this warre was assailed by two dangerous conspiracies of her owne Citizens But as the Authors thereof were different in qualitie so was the danger nothing like For as the one was acted by people of meaner condition than the other it was likewise the more easily broken Such was that of Buconio which happened before the other of Tepulo beeing much more cruell There dwelt in the Citie at the same time one named Marino Buconio who was neither of the Senatours degree nor yet of meane estate but holding a middle ranke and other-waies audacious and prompt to all mischiefe This man being impatient of the publike libertie or rather of the quiet which the Citie then enioied determined with himselfe to kill the Prince and some other principall persons of the Senate Being thus resolued in regard he durst not vndertake it alone he imparted his designe to diuers of his owne quallitie whom he knew of a long time to haue participated the same discontent who without any more delaie approoued the deed and freely promised him their assistance It is most certaine that they had determined to kill the Prince and diuers of the Senate But it is not knowne whether they did it to vsurpe the Segniorie or else for enuie to see Gradonico in such a dignitie who some yeares before had been elected by the Senators against their wils and therefore had determined to murther him with the Authors of his creation This conspiracie being discouered to the Prince did greatly amaze him but the danger neerly cōcerning him he had no greater meanes speedily to quench it than to seize on the body of Marino and his complices who being taken and conuicted of the deed were according to their deserts hanged betwixt the two Pillars There happened againe certaine strife with the Paduans who had fortified a place in the Lakes which lie betwixt Chioggia and Albana named Patabubula For it is certaine that the Paduans intended so soone as they should haue builded the Fort and left garrison therein to make goodly salt-pits thereabouts in despite of the Venetians But the Senate hauing sent certaine troupes of souldiers thither for the purpose did forth with raz◅ the Fort. The Paduans tooke this heinously but daring not to stirre at that time they did for a while shew themselues neither friends nor enemies to the Venetians Some Authors write that at the same time they made warre on Paleologus Emperour of Greece because he refused to pay the Venetians a great summe of money which he ought them but they tell not how that money was due The fleet being readie for this purpose the supplies of Candie and Nigrepont being comprized therein was of seuen and twentie Gallies whereof Iustiniano was made Generall who speedily sailed into the Ponticke Sea where he tooke diuers Greeke sh◅ps I know not whether it were by fight or surprize and hanged vp all the Greekes that he found in them because as I thinke by their malice the Venetians and Baldwin were certaine yeares before driuen from Constantinople From thence spoyling all along the Sea-coast which lieth from Pera to Argire he put all to fire and sword whereat the enemie was so amazed as hauing paid the summe which was due he in a manner with heaued-vp hands obtained peace of the Venetian The victorious Armie returned to Venice with fifteene thousand prisoners This victorie had in some sort restored the Commonwealth which languished after the losses receiued in the second Ligusticke warre and by her home-bred conspiracie with hope of better fortune hereafter at what time the troubles of Ferrara did throw it head long into a greater danger It came to passe by the Emperours ouerlong absence out of Italie that diuers new Lords had seized on the most famous Cities of Cis-alpine Gaule as those of Escalla on Verona the Gonsagos on Mantua and those of Este on Ferrara VVhose ancestors threescore yeares before this happened hauing driuen Salinguerra from them did in the Popes name gouerne the Citie then being become masters of Modena and of the places neere adioyning their power increased in such sort as Charles the second King of Naples married his daughter Beatrice to Azzon of Este who at that time was verie famous This man had a bastard named Frisco whom he had by another man s wife who the same yeare that his father married Beatrice surprized him by ambush and shut him vp in prison where he died Azzon being dead this detestable young man being fauoured by the Bishop of the place and by certaine Ferrarois would haue assured to himselfe the principalitie of Ferrara gotten by parricide and seizing almost on all could not make himselfe master of the Castle which was seated on the riuer of Po on Bolognia side To besiege the which because that without ships he could not ouercome the garrison within it for the neere neighbourhood to the riuer he had recourse to the Venetians and hauing receiued a fleete from them for his aide he did straightly besiege the place so as the Venetians being encamped on the water there was some likelihood that it would soone yeeld The Popes Legate who lay then at Bolognia so soone as he vnderstood what had passed at Ferrara sent speedily to the Venetian General and earnestly entreated him to desist from his enterprize And by chance as the Legates messengers arriued a furious assault was giuen the Castle which was the cause that by meanes of the noise of Armour and shot they could haue no audience The Ferrarois in the meane time being moued as it is to be thought by the presence of the messengers of the Popes Legate and being diuided among themselues cried out that they would relie vpon the Legates promise wherupon followed a great tumult of such as fauoured the partie of the Church and their owne libertie This sodaine alteration of the inhabitants did greatly trouble the rest and principally Frisco But the Venetians were so farre from being amazed with this new tumult as on the contrarie hauing on a sodaine fired the Ferrarois ships which the tyrant had assembled to besiege the castle giuen a more sharp assault they ceased not till hauing broken the bridge they entred the Fort of Thealdo Frisco being incensed against the Ferrarois for that they had so sodainly forsaken him sent from the strongest places horsemen into the Citie who set fire thereon in diuers parts The townesmen then seeing themselues inuironed with Armes and fire so soone as the tumult was appeased they submitied themselues to the Venetians making no mention of Frisco whom they hated to the death So soone as they yeelded they had no more outrage done to them The Venetians albeit they would willingly haue kept the Citie for themselues which they had receiued vnder their protection neuerthelesse because they would not seeme to breake their promise with Frisco
of Corania but the Venetians afterwards repaired it speedily and placed a strong Garrison in it All this hapned in a Moneths space But about the fifth of Nouember the Campe approaching the village of Bouolenta the Florentine troupes with the other associates which had taried at Chioggia ioyned themselues by litle and litle to the Armie This place is almost on euery side enuironed with water It is thought that Antenor the Troyan laid the first foundation thereof Diuers report that so soone as Rossis was knowne to be in the field the cauallerie which staied at Chioggia was mightily encreased and that the Rendezuous of the Armie marching on the firme land was at Bouolenta Rossis resolued not to stirre from thence till he had in some sort discouered the enemies intent whom hee knew to be so politicke as he would attempt nothing but vpon sound aduise The Annals affirme that which wee first said and further adde that by the aduise of Rossis they builded a Fort at Bubulente wherein they left a strong Garrison both by land and water For hee had obserued that the situation of that place was very commodious for the Warres as it fell out by experience For the Venetians from thence did many times make roades on the Territorie of Padua Rossis departing thence gaue an alarum to Padua and riding neere to the Gates and Wals of the Citie hee called the enemies to the fight and with reproachfull speeches hee taxed their cowardise But the enemie keeping himselfe within the closure of his Wals and not daring to come forth he passed on and tooke the lower way towards Cap-darger to goe from thence to besiege the Fort of the Salt-pits where Marco Lauretano was arriued with the nauall Armie whereupon by mutuall consent the siege was aduanced The Garrison within it were first sounded whether they would voluntarily yeeld without enforcement which they refusing to doe the Venetians did furiously assaile them The engines were already planted against the Wals and the Souldiers mounted on the enemies Rampire at such time as Spirituello Gouernour of the place hauing receiued an hurt sodainely died thereof They of the Fort being amazed at this accident craued truce for eight dayes with determination that if Mastin came within that time to raise the fiege they would still hold it for him and withall faithfully promising if they were not releeued before the Truce were expired that they would yeeld it vp to the Venetians This being graunted they sent to Padua to intreate Mastin to come himselfe and to raise the siege or if he could not come at the least to send forces sufficient to constraine the enemie to raise his Campe But he promising them nothing but willing them rather to seeke their owne safetie the Castle was yeelded which was foorthwith razed by the Venetians About the same time those of Cognilian yeelded to the Venetians and were the way-leaders to diuers other Cities and associates of Mastin to reuolt from those of Escalla as it afterwards happened The tyrants at the beginning had made great leuies of Souldiers and among others of three thousand Lansquenets It is said these men did very roughly intreate the Paduans as well by spoyles and robberies as by deflowring of maidens and rauishing of wiues so as it is to bee thought that these vilanous actions were the first and principall motiues of the Paduans rebellion Mastin being thereby constrained to disperse them here and there vnder shew of going to Garrisons sent fifteene hundred of them to Aeste who by a meruailous vnruly licence did outrage the inhabitants thereof There arose likewise in Padua for those that remained there continued their old trade of life a great sedition and the Townesmen and the Strangers were ready to haue fought in the middest of the Citie had not Mastin by his timely comming appeased the quarrell already begun It is certaine that the Paduans were by this iniurie meruailously withdrawne from the friendship of those of Escalla and that by reason thereof they alreadie tended to rebellion Mastin was determined to call backe the Garrison at Aeste to the Citie had not his brother Albert disswaded him from it saying that hee ought not to charge the citie with any more strange Garrisons and that he had no cause to feare the Paduans nor Marsilio whose truth and fidelitie he held for assured Rossis in the meane time fought with good successe against those of the Garrison of Aeste and taking three hundred of them after he had stripped them he sent them away Those of Escalla perceiuing their affaires exceedingly to decline sent their Ambassadours to demand aide of all their friends and allies as well within Italy as abroad and namely to the Duke of Bauiere But the Paduans because they would not seeme altogether to betray the tyrants sent at the same time their Commissioners to Venice who if it were possible should mediate some good agreement betwixt the Venetians and those of Escalla This they spake in publike But they had secret commandement if they could not conclude a peace to make a league with the Venetians against Mastin Threescore Ambassadours from threescore Princes or Commonwealths came at one time for this purpose to Venice Marsilio Carrario was sent thither from their enemies who at his arriuall as it is reported was pursued by the common people and beaten with stones But it was not so much in hatred to Marsilio as to the tyrants whom the people mortally hated some thinke that it was done of purpose to the end that those of Escalla should haue no cause to distrust him who came to speake secretly against them to the Venetians like the other Ambassadours The Venetians demaunded that Padua Treuiso and Parma should be restored to their ancient libertie and Luca in Tuscany yeelded to the Florentines but those of Escalla thinking these conditions to be too base and ignominious would not accept of them Whereupon the Ambassadours were dismissed without any conclusion at all In the meane time the Ambassadours of Accio Visconte of Philippo Gonzaga and others made a league with the Venetians against those of Escalla Marsilio dealt secretly with the Prince about the yeelding vp of Padua which soone after ensued Some Authours write that in the presence of all the Ambassadours hee spake softly to Danduloâ—… and said What wilt thou say Prince if we giue thee Padua And that the Prince dissembling at the same time both in gesture and speech that which was in question answered We will make thee Gouernour thereof This I rather beleeue than that which is commonly reported That a long time afterward an Ambassador from Carrario spake this openly at a banquet on the Feast day of Saint Vitis as the maner was albeit I graunt it might well enough be spoken in a banquet But the person of the Traitor discouereth the errour committed therein For it is certaine that the Gouernment promised at the first
Ring which hee had on his finger let the Duke and Senate vnderstand that by our meanes the Citie hath beene this night preserued from a terrible floud And because thou shalt not faile but doe this know that he whom thou diddest see enter into his Church is blessed Saint Nicholas which yee Marriners doe so highly reuerence the other is Saint George who is gone to visite his Church and I am Marke the Euangelist the patrone of your Citie This being said he vanished The poore Fisherman emboldned by this pledge so soone as it was day came to the Palace where saying that hee would speake to the Prince concerning some important businesse he was presently brought into his presence who was accompanied by the Senate where he declared in order all that hee had seene and heard then for a witnesse to his speech he drew foorth of his bosome the Ring which the holy Saint had giuen him ouer night They were all greatly amazed at this miracle then they caused diuers solemne Prayers to be made as well in priuate as in publike in the Churches of these holy personages by whose helpe the Citie had beene defended from the present danger Besides they appointed the poore Fisherman a yearely pension out of the publike Treasurie About the same time the Ambassadours of Edward King of England arriued at Venice crauing aide by Sea against Philip the French King whom the Genoueses fauoured with all their power but notwithstanding all their promises on their Kings behalfe they could obtaine nothing Their excuse was in what great danger their affaires stood at Sea which they were constrained to defend from the ordinarie incursions of the Turkes who by the carelessenesse of the Christians were growne so mightie as they could in a moment Arme two or three hundred Gallies if neede were At the same time certaine Lords of Candie reuolted who being retired into some Fortes and Castles in the mountaines did disquiet the greatest part of the Island Nicholao Phalerio Iustiniano surnamed Iustinian and Andrea Morosino with good forces were sent against these men who were embarked in the Gallies which went to traffique in Ciprus Being arriued in Candie they assailed the enemie in three places and giuing them in a maner no time to breath they tooke from them all meanes to robbe and spoile They did moreouer propound great rewards to any whosoeuer should kill any one of those Rebels or could bring him aliue to the Venetian Magistrate hauing set downe a certaine rate for euery head but the Authours whom we follow mention not how much They being by this meanes in few dayes reduced vnder the Venetians obedience were punished according to their deserts diuers of them were throwne into the Sea but the most of them were hanged which caused those of the Iland being terrified by the punishment of those Lords to returne on a sodaine to their due obedience The Island being quiet the Generals of the Armie Nicholao Phalerio excepted who died there returned to Venice Victuals were very deare in the Citie during the principalitie of Gradonico which was very short for it lasted but two yeares and nine Moneths which time being expired he died His body was buried at the entire of Saint Markes Church The end of the second Booke of the second Decade THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the second DECAD A Great Armie prepared against the Turkes The foundation of Saint ANTHONIES Church The Venetians victorie neere to Zara against LEWIS King of Hungarie Thereddition of Zara. The Citie of Venice much shaken by an Earthquake The same Citie terribly afflicted by the Pestilence Truce for fiue yeares with LEWIS King of Hungarie Cape-histria rebelleth which causeth the Venetians to passe ouer thither The cause of the third Ligusticke warre The Venetians take ten Ships of Genoa in the Hauen of Cariste The Genoueses take Nigrepont in the absence of the Venetian Armie The Venetian and Arragonian Fleete greatly tossed by a tempest on the Ionian Sea The prosperous battels which the Genoueses had at one time against three mightie Armies neere the Bosphorus The Venetians and Arragonians ouercome the Genoueses on the lower Sea The Genouses in anger contemne their libertie who after they haue repaired their Armie take Parenza The Genoueses take diuers Ships of burthen from the Venetians at sundrie places The Genoueses defeate a great Armie of the Venetians in the Isle of Sapientia Prince PHALERIO affecting tyrannie is with his complices worthily punished ¶ ANDREA DANDVLO the 54. Duke of Uenice A Ndrea Dandulo succeeded Gradonico a man certainly of rare and singular learning and as eloquent as could be wished in one of his yeares For it is reported that he wrote the Venetian Historie in two stiles the one more amply and it may bee therefore lesse eloquent and the other more succinctly and thereby as saith Carosini more beautified and adorned Hee was besides of a meeke and liberall disposition whereby hee purchased the surname of Comifino And that was the reason as I thinke why before he was of competent age they made him Procurator of S. Marke and soone afterwards Prince For the manner was not to name any one to that dignitie but such as were already of good yeares and all Authors almost are of opinion that he was not aboue sixe and thirtie yeares of age when hee was named for the soueraigne Magistrate We finde in some Authors that at the beginning of his Principalitie according to the league made with Pope Clement other Christian Princes against the Turke the Venetians armed sixteene Gallies and gaue the command of them to Pietro Zeno who after he had sunke diuers ships of the Barbarians did by a sodaine assault take the Citie of Smyrna and where hauing slaine the Inhabitants he left a good Garrison and that soone afterward not farre from those confines the Venetians accompanied with those of Rhodes and Cyprus did oftentimes fight with the Turkes where diuers of both sides were slaine But at the last the Venetians with their Allies being defeated and put to flight part of them being afrighted escaped into the Citie the rest being enclosed by the Barbarians were all slaine At the same time Nicholao surnamed Giouanni was sent by the Senate to the King of Babylon to treate with him concerning the Venetian Merchants free traffick into Aegypt The Barbarian granted their request bnt on certaine conditions the which seeming not to bee allowed of without the Popes permission it was not thought lawfull to trafficke with the enemies of the Christian faith Marini Phalerio Knight and Andrea Cornario were sent to his Holinesse who granted that the Venetians should for fiue yeares following traffick to Alexandria with sixe Gallies Souranza by vertue of this permission was the first that vnder-tooke that voiage with two Gallies wherein Pietro Iustiniano went Consull Two yeares after Iustiniano
some were flung into the Sea Diuers were pardoned who had promised to aide the conspirators but they were not made acquainted with their practise but they were so noted as some for shame and for feare forsooke the Citie with their wiues and children the number of whom was about fiue hundred Phalerio his Pallace was giuen to the Church of the holy Apostle He which discouered the conspiracie was not onely pardoned but they gaue him a yearely pension of a thousand duckates and besides a Senators place But he thinking it a meane recompence for such a peece of seruice did publikely accuse them of ingratitude detracting from them in euerie place The Senate being prouoked at his impudencie had like to haue put him to death but the remembrance of his late good seruice made them to abstaine whereupon hauing taken from him the publike recompence he was banished for ten yeares to Ragusa From whence departing before the prefixed time hee died in his iourney towards Hungarie During these troubles Marco Cornari gouerned the Commonwealth as Vice-Prince Then at the next assembly Giouanni Gradonico surnamed Naso was chosen Duke ¶ GIOVANNI GRADONICO surnamed NASO the 56. Duke of Venice ABout the same time Bernardo Iustiniano departed from Venice with seuen gallies He hauing fortunately scoured the Seas for a time did greatly molest the Genoueses and would haue done much more if peace had not opportunely ensued for the good of either people this warre hauing lasted fiue yeares Order was diligently taken for both of them and with their allies and Armes were laid aside as well by Sea as Land against Bernabo and Galeas Viscount who succeeded Iohn Then the prisoners taken in the warres were on each side set at libertie whereupon the Genoueses to the number of two thousand being deliuered on the feast day of Marie Magdalen went by couples carrying each of them a burning taper in his hand to giue thanks vnto God at the Church of the same Saint This spectacle moued the whole Citie to deuotion so as euer since that feast-day hath beene solemnized which before then was not obserued The end of the third Booke of the second Deead THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fourth Booke of the second Decad. THe truce being expired LEWIS King of Hungarie allieth himselfe with the Carrarians and the Patriarch of Aquileia and at one time assaileth the Venetiaris in Italie and Dalmatia The same King returneth into Hungarie hauing spent some time in vaine before Treuiso and leaueth certaine troupes there to continue the siege The Paduans forbidden to traficke at Venice A troupe of mercenarie Almans defeated by the Hungarians neere to the Riuer Brente The Generallreuolt of Dalmatia from the Venetians in fauour of King LEWIS Peace with the same King Two Venetian Ambassadours sent to the Emperour are taken in Germanie by theeues The Duke of Austria rescueth those Ambassadours and bringeth them backe to Venice The Nobilitie of Candie reuolt from the Venetians LVCHIN VERMIO goeth into the Island with great forces The Venetians vanquish the Greekes neere to Mount Strombula who retire to Candace The Venetians recouer the Citie of Candace The Island being quieted Tilts and Turneyes were made in the Citie for ioy of the victorie The King of Cyprus in the companie of the Venetian Armie taketh Alexandria in Egypt A new sedition in Candie worse than the former so soone as the troupes were gone forth of the Island Those of the Island being a long time very much molested and their forces at the last broken submit themselues to the Venetians obedience The rebellion of the Thriestines The Venetians victorie ouer the Duke of Austria at Thrieste Strife betwixt the Venetians and Paduans concerning their limits ARmes being laid a side by Sea and by Land and the Citie restored to her ordinarie trafficke diuers shippes sailed to Cyprus and to other Faires and Martes of the Aegean Sea who for their more safetie for albeit they feared not the Genoueses yet the incursions of the Barbarians kept them in much awe had certaine armed Gallies for their conuoy commanded by Bernardo Iustinian who hauing brought them to a safe Port returned speedily into Dalmatia from whence hauing taken order for the affaires of the Prouince he brought backe his Armie in safetie to Venice Giouanni Baldo was the first that was sent to gouerne Val-marin that Earledome being fallen to the Venetians by the death of Phalerio This yeare about the Spring-time because the rumour was that Lewis King of Hungarie made preparations against the Venetians Marco Cornari and Marin Grimani were sent into Hungarie from whence they returned within a while after hauing found the Hungarian disposed to Warres Some Authors affirme that the cause of the Kings hatred to the Venetians was because they denied him shipping for the passage of his Armie into Italie at such time as hee would haue made warre on Queene Ioane But it is most certaine that this King was vanquished by the Venetians at Zara before that he beganne any warre in Italie But whether it were on this occasion or for any other as some say for wee know not herein whom to follow without all doubt the Ambassadours were sent into Apulia to the Hungarian who as some Authors say made truce with him for eight yeares and as others say for ten But at the beginning of the Genoueses warre albeit the time of the truce was not yet fully expired he beganne to quarrell with the Venetians about Dalmatia and there were presumptions that hee would forth-with make warre vpon them had not the mediation of the Emperour Charles the fourth caused him to giue ouer who commanded him to stay till the truce was ended whereupon he deferred the warre till this present which the Senate plainly foreseeing made them as it is thought to hasten the peace with the Genoueses the which they had before denied them when they stubbornely craued it to the end that being freed from the Genoan warre they might with more ease intend the other as they had done Some Annales make mention how that Cornari and Grimani the Ambassadours might at the same time haue easily shunned that warre if they would in the Common-wealths name haue promised him a white horse as a yearely tribute for Dalmatia The Venetians not intending thereby to wrong their right to Dalmatia refused it whereupon so soone as the truce was expired hee entred furiously into Dalmatia without farther denouncing of warre It is reported that at his first comming he brought so great an Armie as at one time he besieged Zara Scia Spalatra Trahu and Nona The Venetians who doe nothing rashly measuring the enemie by themselues did not imagine that he would so soone haue beene in the field by reason whereof they had not furnished the Prouince with necessaries But when they heard how that all the Cities almost of Dalmatia were besieged by the
for their power by Sea as for the ancient enuie which they did beare to the Venetian greatnesse And therefore they concluded to send ten Ambassadors to Genoa the one halfe Italians and the other Greeks Two of these being intreated to deliuer their opinion did boldly answere that they thought it fittest to send to Venice to the Prince and Senate offering if they thought good that they would not onely be of the Ambassade but rather to take the whole charge vpon themselues if need were assuring them in so doing they should obtaine a generall pardon to their great profit and for the honour and dignitie of the Commonwealth On the contrarie others being moued with enuie said that it behooued them to send to Genoa It is reported that Marco Gradonico one of those who was of opinion to send to Venice being called into the Senate vnder pretence of some publike matter was murthered by some of the contrarie part who were hidden in the Chappell of the Pallace And the residue who did in any sort seeme to leane to his opinion were in danger likewise to haue beene murthered They were diuers daies consulting about this businesse but at last the contrarie faction preuailing the Ambassage was resolued on for Genoa VVherefore hauing made readie a galley for the Ambassadors it hapned by chance that Georgio Mâ—…lino Bishop of Coron a man of singular affection towards his countrey was at the same time in the Island who hauing vnderstood of the Candiots reuolt was come thither to procure if he could a peace and as he was returning thence by reason he could not doe that he came for one of those who at the beginning were of opinion to send to Venice did secretly wish him to aduertize the Prince and Senate that they had sent to Genoa to deliuer the Island into their hands This being knowne at Venice by Molinos letters Ambassadors were speedily dispatched to Genoa to entreate them not to meddle with the Isle of Candie according as they had before time promised The letters being read in open Senate they answered the Candiots That the Genoueses could not grant their request without breach of their publike faith that they were verie sorie both in generall and particular that it was not lawfull for them to succour so noble an Island and as they vnderstood by that Ambassâ—…de which did greatly affect the Genoueses They wished them therefore to depart and to seeke aide elsewhere and not to expect any from them in regard they had sworne to the contrarie The Candiots being dismissed without any hope of aide returned home to their houses The Venetians in the meane time had made hast and were come as hath beene said about the seuenth of May to Fresca Betweene that place and the Citie there is a verie high hill called Strombula and neere to it two others so neere the one to the other as a farre off you would not thinke them to be three hils but one Towards the East there is in it a rough way but so narrow as two armed souldiers can hardly march in front and on each side are deepe downefals and so vneasie to passe through as the entrie of those places being stopped a few men are able to keepe out many thousands In one part of the mountaine which lieth beneath those narrow waies great abundance of salt water issueth forth of a caue which commeth as it is thought by secret conduits from the Sea which is not farre fâ—…om thence which place the Islanders call Almiron Those warers are reported in VVinter to be somewhat fresh in regard of the streames which fall downe into them from the neighbour mountaines which make a small riuer seruing for the vse of certain milles which a mile thence on the North side entereth into the Sea From the mouth of the riuer to the Citie by Sea is but an open shallow Roade The Armie peraduenture landing at this place an hundred souldiers comming rashly as farre as the milles were surprized by the enemie and cut in peeces from whom being dead the Greekes pluckt out their tongues and cut off their priuie members tearing the one with their teeth and wiping their hinder parts with the other This reproach did more incense the Venetians against the Greeks than the slaughter Michaeli so soone as hee had landed his troupes went with the fleete and besieged the Citie Luchin before he passed any farther spake to his souldiers in this manner Vermio his Oration to his Souldiers I Perswade my selfe that yee are not ignorant hauing sailed so large a distance of Sea of the cause why at this time yee are sent into this Island We are come hither to punish the disloyaltie of the new inhabitants of Candace who haue strayed from the naturall condition of Venetians also to chastice the audacious rashnesse of certaine Greekes Now therefore by how much more the Venetians cause is most iust by so much the more ought we to striue to get the victory for feare which I would be sorie least if we be ouer come through our owne negligence the Venetians cause will be reported to be no better than their Armie Yee are to fight with an enemie who by nature is no souldier nor experienced in Armes who hath not throwne himselfe headlong into this warre for any trust he hath to his owne forces but by his owne retchlesse temeritie Besides they haue neither cauallerie Armour nor forraine aide nor indeed any thing wherein they may hope sauing in their owne folly by which they will be as easily ouerthrowne as they haue inconsiderately cast themselues into this danger One thing we may feare which is that being shut vp in their walles they will thereby for a while depriue vs of our victorie But being as they are proud and presumptuous I hope they will sallie forth which if they doe and you being such as you ought to be the victorie is ours The place besides where we are doth constraine vs to fight for this Prouince is enuironed with the Sea and in it we haue no place of retreate Our fleete so soone as we were landed hoysted their sailes and is gone to besiege the Citie We must then either die betwixt the shoare and these moutaines or with victorie march to the Citie to meete againe with our fleete And yet I doubt not if any gallies were heere and should see vs fight vpon the shoare they would not receiue our fugitiue souldiers but would rather put to Sea and suffer vs to be slaine heere as base and cowardly people I thought good to speake this vnto you to the end ye may vnderstand that we must not onely fight valiantly for our cause is better and we are valianter than they but whether we will or no if we desire to liue we must shew our selues couragious in regard of the difficultie of these places Moreouer the wealth of this Island doth exhort vs to winne the victorie whereof
two thousand Treuisans to the Campe. The Thryestines being daunted to see the Venetian forces daily to encrease beganne to bethinke themselues whence they might bee releeued They resolued to haue recourse to the Duke of Austria to implore his fauour and assistance and to deliuer their Citie meanes and estate into his hands To this purpose they sent Ambassadors to him by whom they yeelded themselues to his protection and on a sodaine they set vpon the toppe of the highest tower the Dukes ensignes The Duke soone afterward came thither with ten thousand horse and great numbers of foote The Venetian in the meane time hauing spoiled round about had brought all the townes neare to the Citie vnder their subiection The Almaines at their first arriuall came and besieged the Venetians Campe with such vehemencie as in a moment they seized on the trenches The Campe would hardly haue sustained this assault had not the Souldiers and Marriners who were a farre off hearing the noise ranne to the rescue of their fellowes Those of the campe were so encouraged by their arriuall as they did not only driue the enemies forth of their trenches but with great losse constrained them to retire Truce for a day was granted to the Almaines to burie the dead Being afterwards put to flight in a skirmish and perceiuing their bad successe in releeuing Thryeste and that it was an hard matter to diuert the Venetian from his purpose with great griefe he brought backe his troupes into Germanie The Thryestines when hee was gone desparing of all other forraine aide did on certaine conditions returne to the Venetians obedience which being done the victorious Armie returned to Venice The Citie was not long at rest For a new war was raised against Francisco Carrario the cause thereof proceeded as is said from Carrario who vsurped a certaine place neare to the lakes the which belonged to the Venetian The Venetians being moued with this iniurie did forbid the Paduans the trafficke and commerce of their Citie which is as all men knowe an euident signe of future warre The neighbour Princes being highly displeased that by the Paduans meanes the trafficke was likewise forbidden to their subiects did endeauour all they might to quench this strife and to make them friends But all their attempts proued vaine The King of Hungaries Ambassadours came afterwards for the Carrarians for they said that they were vnder the protection of King Lewis and those of Florence and Pisa for the Venetians and by their meanes truce was taken for two moneths The Venetians deputed fiue commissioners and the Carrarians as many who should debate the matter and search out their bounds in frendly sort and afterwards marke their limits But they could effect nothing At the same time the Venetians were informed that the Tyrant had practised with certain bad persons to murther diuers of the Senate Diligent search was made for them ouer all the Citie and some of them were found and taken in the house of a poore woman named Gobba The womans life was saued because shee had freely confessed the truth but she was confined to prison for ten yeares All the rest were punished according to their deserts being drawn through the Citie with horses and then cut in quarters at the Colummes Their hostesse sonne who had promised to shew the murtherers those whom they should kill was hanged in the same place Not long after others being conuicted of the same crime were punished in the same manner The Senate fearing that by these murtherers the Common-wealth might receiue some great mischiefe appointed that all those who were known to be hated by Carrario should bee guarded by Armed men from their houses to the Pallace They commanded besides to looke carefully to the welles for the reporte was that he intended to poison them and by that meanes to vndoe the whole Citie The Senate were not yet freed from care when as a new feare surprized them For they suspected that some of their owne companie did by close intelligence aduertise Carrario of whatsoeuer was secretly done in the Senate Enquirie here of being made they found certaine Senators to be guiltie of that fact Whereupon those who were found least faultie were dismissed from the Senate and were declared to be for euer vnworthie to execute any publicke charge the others were condemned to perpetuall prison In the meane time the Ambassadours who had beene sent vp and downe from all sides could not preuent a future warre which the Venetians perceiuing they made speedie preparations for the same The end of the fourth Booke of the second Decad. THE FIFTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fifth Booke of the second Decad. RAYNIERO Generall to the Venetians giues ouer his place soone after the beginning of the Warre with the Paduans The Venetians receiue a great ouerthrow by the Hungarians vpon the bankes of the Riuer Anaxus called at this day the Piaua The Venetians victorie against the Transiluanian with the taking of him Peace with the Paduans The Duke of Austria beginneth a new warre with the Venetians They fight with the Almanes neere to Longina Feltre besieged and the siege forthwith raised by the comming of LEOPOLDE The Austrian Marchants are prisoned at Venice Peace with LEOPOLDE The cause of the fourth Ligusticke Warre The taking of the Isle of Tenedos The Venetians driue the Greekes and Genoueses from Tenedos The Venetians Warre almost at one time with King LEWIS the Bishop of Aquileia the Genoueses and the Carrarians The Genoueses being vanquished at Sea neere to Ancia lost diuers of their Gallies The Venetians bad successe in Cyprus at the siege of Famagosta The taking of Catharra by VICTOR PISANI The Genoueses refuse to fight on the Sea of Tarentum The Paduans besiege Mestra VICTOR PISANI taketh Sabenico Trahu is twise besieged in vaine How hardly they made prouision for victuals in the Winter and the losse of a great part of the Venetian Armie by extremitie of cold PISANI hauing lost his Armie at Pola is imprisoned at Venice The Genoueses being proude of this victorie hauing greatly augmented their Armie lay siege to Chioggia IT was very likely that in these great warlike preparations by land there was neede of some one man who should be well experienced diligent and a trustie friend to the Venetians vnto whome they might as very often in former times they had done in the like troubles safely commit the charge of their Armie Whereupon they concluded for this purpose to send for Rayniero Vasco foorth of Tuscanie one of the best Captaines of his time and in the meane time to send Dominico Michaeli to the Armie to commaund there vntill his arriuall They sent with him Andrea Zeno and Thaddeo Iustiniano for Prouidatori The Rendez-uous of all the troupes was at an appointed day assigned at Mestra From thence the Armie first marched against the Paduans The
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
able to approach the Hauen by a mile for want of winde and water did on a sodaine with those who were in his companie leape into a Galliot or small Gallie for the enemie was verie neere and so escaped into a place of safetie Whereupon three Genoa Gallies did enuiron and spoile the ship in the view of the Citizens who stood gazing on the shoare when they had so done they burnt it This was the greatest disgrace that the Venetians sustained during this war to behold one of their ships which was returned from Syria richly loden to be pillaged and burnt by the Genoueses they not daring to stirre or make any resistance The enemie departing thence went and tooke Pelestrina by assault the which hauing found for the most part to be abandoned by reason of the wars they forthwith spoiled and burnt it Then they sailed towards Chioggia where they landed and without any difficultie seized on that part of the Citie which looketh towards the East called by the inhabitants Little Chioggia the which likewise being desolate they forthwith burned The Garrison which lay in the Citie being much offended thereat made a sodaine sallie vpon the enemie The Genoueses attended them beyond the bridge where they fought couragiously on both sides but the enemies number still increasing the Venetian beeing ouer-come was constrained to retire with great losse into the Citie and the Genoueses to their ships who after that directed their course towards Ancona where they staied to refresh their Souldiours and Mariners and from thence hauing with great mirth dragged the Venetians militarie ensignes gotten at Pola through the Sea they returned triumphing to Zara. It is thought that the Genoueses might easily haue taken Chioggia at the same time when they burnt part of it if they had knowen the situation of the Citie The Venetians being in a short space afflicted with so manie mischiefes considering that the meanes of the Common-wealth were not sufficient to leuie an Armie strong enough to oppose against the Genoueses and that the cause therof was partly by reason of the late losse of their Armie and partly likewise because diuers armed Gallies were from home they resolued for that time to defend their Citie Therefore they appointed fifteene Gallies for the guard of the Hauen vnder the conduct of Thadeo Iustiniano But they could hardly manne six of the number by reason that they wanted rowers euerie man refusing to serue in hatred to the Senate who had imprisoned Victor Pisani who was beloued of all men They did afterwards fortifie the Hauen in this manner They did first of all build two Castles of wood of a verie hard and strong substance at each end one These two Castles were filled with great quantities of arrowes and darts and beneath were placed warlike engins to keepe the enemie far off Then they crossed ouer an yron chaine three double supported by verie strong Sandoni for so they call certaine ill trimmed vessels euerie of them being fastned to two Ankors to the end they might not be shaken by the waues of the Sea And they did couer the entrie thereof with yron bodkins and made strong defences on each side Three great ships strongly fastened together were set against those chaines who being furnished aboue with hurdles did represent an inexpugnable Fort. They made a trench at Saint Nicholas on the shoare from the waters which are within the Citie and there they builded a Fort to hinder the enemies approach if he should come from Malomoc then they builded a Fort neere to Malamoc with a strong Garrison and two couered ships to keep the enemie from comming into the Lakes whereby they might greatly indanger the Citie Caballa of Verona was made Generall of all these Garrisons The Ports being thus inclosed and fortified Thadeo Iustiniano Generall of the nauall Armie did keepe sometimes within the Forts and sometimes abroad Diuers other vessells well victualed for a good while were readie and expected when they should bee commanded to saile against the enemie if neede should be The Genoueses likewise were not idle in so faire an aduantage but departing from Zara the sixt day of August vnder the conduct of Pietro Doria with eight and fortie Gallies and diuers other small vessells they sailed beyond the Citie of Venice and came furiously into the Hauen of Chioggia which being taken the Armie approached the Citie Prince Carrario who was before aduertized as being allied to this war of the Genoueses arriuall had leuied forces and shippes and hauing notice of what they had done at Chioggia he came in smal vessels called Ganzarioles through the channell of the Riuer Brent euen to the Venetians Fort neere to Montauban But perceiuing that the place could not be taken without great slaughter and meaning to make no long stay there he tooke in hand a memorable worke and worthy a great Prince For hauing assembled a great number of husband-men from day-breake till noone he caused a trench to be made of fiue hundred paces long euen to the channell called Nasariola so deepe as the vessels with the troupes might easily passe through it by meanes whereof he forth with constrained the Fort of Nasariolas to yeeld Giouanni Chyurani being sent the same day with manie vessells to hinder the Paduans designe ioyning fight with the enemie did greatly foreslow Carrario his attempt till night and then either by feare or negligence rather forsaking the businesse he went to Chioggia The enemie in the meane time came at his pleasure and ioined al his troupes to the Genoueses Armie with his munition and victualls hauing left a Garrison at a Fort built of purpose at the mouth of the Riuer to the end that the passage thereof might be assured to his people comming from the firme Land The Senate commanded Chyurani who was at Chioggia to come home who because he had not perfourmed his dutie in the Seruice of the Common-wealth was condemned in a great fine and to perpetuall prison The end of the fifth Booke of the second Decad. THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the sixth Booke of the second Decad. THe Genoueses take Chioggia The Citie is greatly affrighted at the report of this losse PISANI is set at libertie by the Senates Decree The Generall of the Armies place is diuided betwixt THADEO IVSTINIANO and VICTOR PISANI The Citie fortified neere to the Hauen and in diuers other places King LEWIS sendeth CHARLES to besiege Treuiso The treatie of peace begun by the Hungarian is broken off by reason of his vniust demands The Genoueses besiege Malamoc They fight vpon occasions on either side as well on the shoare as in the middest of the marshes The Senate resolue to leuie a great Armie Diuers particular persons doe diuersly aide the Commonwealth The Genoueses raising their Campe from before Malamoc doe retire to Chioggia CAROLO
the Townesmen ran speedily to the Castle by whose assistance those aboue who defended the place did beate the enemies from the walls with great slaughter Twentie men at Armes were taken and eight and twentie of the Traitours were apprehended who beeing conuicted of the fact were hanged to serue for an example to others About the same time the Bishop of Verseil sent by Amadeo Duke of Sauoy arriued at Venice and in his Masters name requested the Senate to send Ambassadours to his Highnesse who greatly desired to heare the deputies as well of the Venetians as the enemies and maturely to vnderstand the cause of their strife and that he would doe his best to attone them and to procure a peace saying that hee had already for that purpose sent to Genoa and would likewise send to King Lewis and their associates whom he did not doubt but that they would accept of peace Vpon this offer Michaeli Morosino Giouanni Gradonico and Zacharia Contareni were sent Ambassadours to the Sauoyan who accompanied the Bishop The Ambassadours beeing gone the Senate were aduertized by letters from Pantaleon that Leopold had accepted the offer of the Citie of Treuiso whereupon the Duke sent two Almain Gentlemen to receiue it of the Venetian officers These according to their Commission did muster the Souldiours of the Garrison and gaue them pay onely for one moneth till Leopold with his forces were arriued Newes was brought at the same time that the Venetian prisoners at Genoa were so hardly delt with by the enemie as more than three hundred and fiftie of them were in few daies dead with hunger whose bodies they had inhumanly flung into the Sea Some thought that they had beene poisoned in regard so many of them died at one time Vpon this report all men were so enflamed with choller as they presently ranne to Terra-noua to the publike prison where breaking open the prison dores they had like to haue slaine all the Genoueses But thinking it to be a diuelish deede they would be reuenged in an other kinde by depriuing them of all their commodities as of kniues beds couerlets and their kitchin forbidding women who for charitie did minister vnto them not to come any more there Their ordinarie pittance was but bread and water and that verie sparingly But the Citie did soone after remember their accustomed elemencie and all that had beene taken from those poore creatures was by a publike decree restored vnto them Whilst these things were done at Venice and on the confines of the firme Land three Genoa Gallies did in the Hauen of Pisauro take foureteene Venetian vessells loden with wine which they burnt and taking away the Marchants whom they found in the houses neere to the Hauen they speedily departed thence and rauaging from Pisauro euen to Chioggia they did infinite harmes to the Venetians in the Hauens and at the mouthes of Riuers Hauing afterwards taken fiftie vessells loden with Marchandize they sailed towards Ancona and from thence fearing least the Venetians would come to their rescue they sent them speedily to Zara. Vpon report that the Genoueses Armie was greatly encreased Zeno in the meane time beeing with the Gallies farre from home the Senate fearing least the enemie would on a sodaine come and assaile the Citie did speedily fortifie the Hauen and the forces being called from Mestra which since the yeelding vp of Treuiso were there to no purpose they appointed a Campe at S. Nicholas on the shoare They had besides eight Gallies in a readinesse to saile whither neede should be vnder the conduct of Nicholao Michaeli In the meane time the siege of Treuiso was not discontinued but daily augmented by new supplies which the enemie sent thither Arcuano Buccecarino the Princes brother in Law commanded there whereof Leopold being aduertized came within few daies after his people had taken the possession thereof with tenne thousand horse and encamped on a sodaine before Conigliana He was reported to haue in his Armie besides that great number more than foure Hundred Knights and great Lords Arcuano hauing intelligence of the Almans comming sent speedily to his Campe to treate with him about some matters But he was so far off from hearing the messenger as he would not vouchsafe to see him but commanded him speedily to returne and tell the Paduan That he attended him and that the next day they might conferre together about their affaires Arcuano did soone perceiue whereunto those words tended whereupon fearing to be ouerthrowne by his sodaine arriuall the morrow after by breake of day he raised his Campe fled thence Which Leopold hauing notice of was highly displeased that he had lost so faire an occasion of a battaile who soone after departing thence caused his troupes to passe ouer the Riuer of Piaua and came and encamped neere Treuiso in the same place where the enemies had beene And he with the chiefe of his Armie entring into the Citie brought thither such abundance of corne and wine and all other necessaries as the Citie was in an instant deliuered from the siege and famine In this manner did the Venetians loose Treuiso fortie yeares after they had taken it from the familie of Escalla But the Senates constancie in dissembling such a losse was so great as they sent Ambassadours to Leopold to congratulate his welcome and entrie into Treuiso Giacomo Delfino Pietro Hemo Bernardo Bragadino Marini Memo and Alberto Contareni were sent thither Prince Carrario albeit that at Leopold's comming hee had raised his Campe from before Treuiso did not cease for all that to molest and make incursions on the Treuisan where he tooke certaine Townes since the Almains arriuall saying openly that he did it by the King of Hungaries commandement albeit Leopold was newly allied with the same King and at his entrance into the Citie had caused his roiall Armes to be set aboue his owne It was thought that King Lewis had speciall regard to Leopold's profit but because he would not seeme to abandon his associates he entreated them to take Carrario his wilfulnesse in good part whereupon he did often intreate them by Ambassadours the which hee might haue done by force and chiefly the Paduan to desist from his enterprize But neither entreaties nor threates could make him to abstaine Zeno who as hath beene said was of late come from Morea to the lower Sea arriuing at the mouth of the Riuer Arno was aduertized by the Senates Letters that peace was concluded with the Genoueses wherupon being sad and displeased to see himselfe snatched forth of the enemies throat he went back again towards Morea from thence by the Senates commandement he returned with his Armie to Venice And by this meanes this sommer which was the last of the fourth Ligusticke warre was spent without any memorable action By the mediation then of the Duke of Sauoy peace was concluded with the Genoueses King Lewis and their allies
six yeares and foure moneths after that this last warre beganne The conditions of the peace were That the prisonners of warre on both sides should be set at libertie That the Paduan Prince should deliuer Cap-darger and Morensana to the Venetians That he should raze all the Fortes which he possessed in the Lakes and neere to the Riuers that the Venetians should giue him the Tower of Corania that Alberto D'Aeste should be iudge of the controuersie betwixt the Venetians and Paduans concerning their limits that the Venetian should withdraw the Garrison that he kept in Tenedos and that the Duke of Sauoy should haue the keeping of the Island for two yeares and that it should be kept at the Venetians and the Genoueses charges that at the two yeares end the Fort should be razed if the Genoueses thought it fit to be done and that the Venetians should then giue ouer the entire possession of the Island that the Florentines should be caution in the summe of two hundred thousand crownes that neither the Venetians nor the Genoueses should euer after possesse the Island that both the Genoueses and Venetians should not trafficke neere to the Riuer Tanais for feare least by ancient ielouzie as it had oft hapned they should beginne the warre a newe That euerie ten yeare the Venetians should paie seuen thousand Dukats to King Lewis who in regard of the said summe should be bound to free the Sea-cost of Dalmatia of all Pirats and that no Sclauonian nor Dalmatian should make any salt But Chinatius of Treuiso who hath more truely than any other written of this warre maketh no mention of any tribute giuen to the King Some say that on the same day that the peace was published a childe was borne in Venice which had foure Armes and foure Leggs and did liue till it was baptized The Venetian Dames made a collection of money to relieue the Genoueses that came forth of prison halfe naked with cloakes shirtes hose and shoes and other cloathing according to euerie mans need and did besides furnish them with money to beare their charges home to the end they should not be enforced to begge by the way Those that went thence were aboue fifteene hundred persons the residue dyed with the stentch of the prison and others with too much filling their bellies Besides it was found that aboue eight thousand naturall Genoueses did dye in this warre and of the Venetians halfe as many The Senate being freed from this warre because they would performe the promise made by the Common-wealth called thirthie of those into the number of the Senate who in the heate of the warre had at their owne costs relieued the Common-wealth and for others the summe of fiue thousand crownes euerie yeare was appointed to bee distributed among them Those who were made Senators before they came into the Senate went all together to heare diuine seruice then being brought before the Prince and Senators they tooke their oathes to continue loyall and not to reueale the secrets of the Common-wealth Chinatius saith that Caballa of Verona for his great and notable seruice done to the Venetians in this warre was honored with the same dignitie The end of the seuenth Booke of the second Decad. THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the eighth Booke of the second Decad. HOw greatly the difficultie in deliuering vp the Island of Tenedos did trouble the Venetians The Thryestines in fauour to LEOPOLD doe reuolt The Carrarians by LEOPOLDS permission become masters of Treuiso A law against murtherers Prince ANTONIO VENIERI suffereth his Son to die in Prison for wronging a Senatour The Venetians aide GALEAS VISCONTE against those of Escalla and the Carrarians whereby they recouered Treuiso and raised the siege before Mantua The Paduans for saking GALEAS returne to the Carrarians subiection The Duke of Austria and the French Kings Nephew come at sundrie times to Venice The Citie newly beautified The Genoueses nauall Armie comming forth of the Higher into the Lower Sea doth for a time keepe the Venetians in suspence The Genoueses being ouercome in battaile before Modon doe wholly loose the possession of the Sea The Carrarians possesse Verona by deceit VINCENZA BELLVNA and FELTRA are reduced vnder the Venetians obedience The cause that moued the Venetians to warre on the Carrarians who pursued them by Sea and Land Warre for a time against those of Aeste because of the Carrarians The Venetians take Verona from the Carrarians A briefe description of the Citie of Verona The Carrarians Padua being taken become subiect to the Venetians and afterwards by the Senates commaundement are strangled in Prison The Ambassadours of Padua and Verona arriue almost at one time at Venice which did greatly reioyce the people PEace being thus established by Land and Sea the yeelding vp of the Isle of Tenedos did for a while trouble the Venetians Mutatio was at the same time Gouernour there who being too indiscreetly transported with the loue to his Countrie had almost hazarded the publicke credit of the Common-wealth The Senate had giuen commission to Pantaleon Barba who was sent thither for that purpose to deliuer the Fort of the Island according to the agreement into the hands of Bonifacio Deputie to Amadeo Duke of Sauoy The Genoueses Agent was come thither to see it done and to pay the Souldiers that were there Mutatio hauing receiued the money which the Venetians and Genoueses had brought declared to Boniface and the Commissioners his owne determination with that of the Islanders saying That they had heard how in the Articles of peace it was expresly mentioned that the Fort of the Island their only refuge should be razed wherein both the Genoueses who had requested it and the Venetians who consented thereunto had carried themselues basely But he told them that the Islanders would looke to their owne affaires and that therein they should doe wisely That they had neuer yeelded to the Venetians on that condition that their Fort being razed their Island in time should become desolate And therefore calling now to minde that which concerned them they were resolued to hazard all rather than to see their Island in such sort to be wholly ruined And to that end they had instantly entreated him to take their Citie Castle and meanes into his protection The which he finding to bee great both in shew and effect he was determined to keepe and defend the Island as his owne seeing it belonged neither to the Venetian nor to any else He willed them then to depart and not any longer to expect the deliuerie thereof vnto them saying That they were well dealt with in being suffered to goe freely thence Then was there a great noise made by the Souldiers and the Inhabitants of the Island calling Mutatio their Lord and Captaine who commanded the Venetians and Genoueses speedily to depart thence Some say that Mutatio made a shew that this came wholly
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
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
send Sforza vnto them who was then on the further side of the Po But neither hee nor the Florentines resoluing to doe so they alleadged sundrie excuses At the last entreating that he might at least wise come to Regio to enforce the enemie to retire for feare of loosing Parma it came to passe as they wished For Picinino hauing ruined Calepia vpon the Bergamese inuaded the vale of Trescoria and taken the bridge three miles distant from the Citie he went on couragiously and besieged the Castle of Bergamo Sforza being importuned by the Venetians letters came to Regio But hee was scarce gone forth of Tuscanie when Picinino being aduertised of his departure came likewise with speed to Parma Sforza being come to that place beganne greatly to distrust Pope Eugenius notwithstanding that he had beene reconciled to him and made Prince of La Marca For tyrannie leadeth this mischiefe along with it to make a man distrust his best friends Whereupon fearing least in his absence they should practise ought against his brethren whom hee had left to command in the Prouince he sent Italus of Friull thither with certaine troupes of horse Hee had likewise left a great part of his forces to continue the fiege before Luca so as after Italus his departure hee had with him at Regio but the one halfe of his Armie During his abode at Regio the Venetians on the one side entreating him to crosse the Po and Sforza on the other crauing according to the conuention to haue his troupes compleate time ranne on without any memorable exploit Picinino in the meane time being mindfull of the Luquois assembled great numbers of labouring men and peasants and departed from Parma towardes Luca to raise the siege Sforza's troupes likewise went speedily through the Countrie of Modena to the Alpes Sundrie atchiuements were there performed on both sides and diuers skirmishes of small importance howbeit as often as Picinino wo was strongest came to fight Sforza did not only make head but couragiously repulsed him During these passages in the Alpes or within a while after Francisco Gonzaga hauing voluntarily giuen ouer his charge retired to Mantua It is reported that he departed scarce well pleased from the Venetians The cause of his discontent proceeded as some say from the Venetians distrust of him at such time as the troupes crossed the Riuer Adda where they said he had not done his dutie Yet neuerthelesse he carried himselfe modestly for hee left his cauallerie behind him in the Venetian Armie but that which followed makes it apparent to what end hee did it Gonzaga being gone Frederico Contareni the Prouidator did for a time take the charge of the Armie Afterwards Paulo Troni was sent thither from the Citie who by the Senates aduise accusing the negligence of some and the treacherie of others gaue occasion vnto diuers that stood alreadie badly affected to them to craue leaue to depart among whome were Antonio and Asturo Fauentij and Borsia D'Aeste sonne to Nicholao These with many more being departed such as had serued vnder them and were desirous to stay stil did according to their merit receiue good pay Sforza in the meane time demanded of the Florentines and Venetians payment of that which was due vnto him And sending to Venice for that purpose his Agent being brought into the Senate tolde them that he was expresly come to put the Prince and Senate in mind of Sforzaes good seruices done vnto them and to receiue such summes as were due vnto him It is reported that prince Foscari by the Senates appointment answered That the Venetians were euer accustomed bountifully to satisfie and pay those who in any sort had loyally serued the weale publique according to their promise but as for Sforza hee had beene so farre from employing himselfe for them as hauing beene earnestly intreated to aide them he flatly denyed it Whereunto the Agent replying That they should doe well eyther to pay Sforza his due or else to discharge him both of his place and promise that he might more freely prouide for his affaires it is reported that thereunto all men generally answered That the Senate was well pleased that he should take his leaue and be gone Sforza being nettled with this answere resolued to reconcile himselfe to Philip whereunto till then he could neuer be induced for that he would not abandon the Pope and his confederates Whereupon being inflamed with choller and disdaine he went to the Florentines to demand that which they and the Venetians did owe him or if they should refuse it presently to discharge him as the Venetians had done The Florentines promised to pay him for them both they onely intreated him to haue patience for a while and to execute his charge whilest money might be raised on the people whose means were much exhausted and that they might send to Venice to the Prince and Senate For they knew well enough that Sforza being gone they should altogether be out of hope of taking Luca and were besides doubtfull lest some other new warre should assaile them from elsewhere According to this promise they sent Cosmo de Medicis to Venice a man besides his great wealth very wise and beloued of the people Hee had in former times dwelt at Venice at such time as through enuy he was driuen from Florence where during his abode he had behaued himselfe with such modestie and curtesie towards all men as well in publique as priuate that he was generally beloued and esteemed Whereupon being afterwards restored to his countrey for the hearty affection which he conceiued to that City where he had bin so kindly entertained his countrymen called him the Venetian Being come to Venice and brought into the Senate it is reported that with great feruencie he spake vnto them in this manner That his loue and affection towards the Venetians being remembred by his Countreymen it fell out that not as a Tuscan and borne in Florence but as a Venetian hee was sent to the Venetians to acquaint them with the Florentines great want of money and that they were no longer able to make anie leuies vpon the people for the entertainement of the Army That his fellow-Citizens were not cause of the renewing of the warre against those of Luca but Picinino onely who without anie cause giuen by the Florentines had furiously entred vpon the Pisan territorie and had enforced the Luquois to practise nouelties against them hauing by force drawne them to the warre But that by the diuine goodnesse it was come to passe that being enforced to take armes they had brought their enemies the Luquois to that point that despairing of peace from anie place else than according to the report from the Venetians they were readie whether they would or no to fall into the Florentines hands Hee did afterwardes adde That Sforza being commanded to passe the Appenine hilles came to Regio so that during his absence the Luquois
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
to take Armes against him withall aduising him to take Picinino into his seruice seeing he could not finde a better Captaine nor one that was more readie to procure his ruine To this end they made a league together and King Alphonso was receiued into it as a third man Sforza was fully resolued to relieue king Renatus whom Alphonso by sea and land had besieged in Naples and vndoubtedly would haue performed it to the vttermost if before his comming to La Marca Pope Eugenius had not entangled him in a ciuill warre Whereupon changing his determination because he might not himselfe be so farre from home he sent his brother Giouanni to the aide of Renatus But his iourney proued vnfortunate For ioyning with the Cappilistes and comming by chance to fight with Alphonso he lost at Carpenona both his campe and cauallerie Afterwards the king entering Naples did not only fauour Picinino in hatred to Sforza but adopted him into the familie of Arragon who hauing receiued of the Pope and King money for his pay went with great rumour through the territorie of Perugia into the Dutchie of Spoleta where at his arriuall he tooke Tuderta from Sforza Then marching through the territorie of Sisa to La Marca he did streightly besiege Bellafort Diuers that were present at that iourney say that warre was begunne in La Marca before Sforza departed forth of Lombardie and that from thence proceeded Sforzas great hatred to Ciarpelion who came to meete him which was thought to bee the cause of his death For being of a bold courage and free speech he taunted Sforza telling him That whilest he spent the time in kissing and embracing his wife Bianca he basely suffered the enemie to take the countrey of La Marca from him Warre being thus kindled Sforza came to La Marca and within a while after comming in sight of the enemies he enforced Picinino that was retired to Amandola a verie litle towne to sue for peace which was granted him on condition That he should depart forth of the countrey of La Marca and all other territories belonging to Sforza The Prouince being in this sort quieted Sforza marched against Alphonso And it fortuned in his way that through the stubbornnesse of the Transionates he commaunded their Citie which stands on the frontires of the Prouince to be sacked and spoiled Picinino hauing thereupon taken an occasion and being prouoked thereunto by the Popes Agents as though hee had outraged one of the Popes townes did presently seize vpon Tollentino Galde Nucernio Asisio hauing driuen Alexander Sâ—…orza's brother from thence Sforza being called backe vpon these sodaine newes was inforced to winter in La Marca Renatâ—…s in the meane time hauing lost all hope returned home into Fraunce Whereupon Alfonso within a while after entring the royall Castle which till then had beene in the enemies hands was by Pope Eugenius declared King on condition that hee should presently march into La Marca to ouerthrow the power of Sforzaâ—… At this stay stood the affaires of La Marca and there was likelihood that there would be great warre about the possession of that Prouince when Francisco sonne to Picinino whom his father had left at Bolognia at the beginning of the warre of La Marca tooke Haniball Bentiuoglio who had bin a long time suspected in regard of the great power and authority of those of his partie and sent him prisoner to the Castle of Variana But he escaping thence by meanes of Galeas Marascot and Virginio Maluesia went to Bolognia where hauing incited the people to regaine their libertie he defeated by surprize Francisco Picinino and most of his Garrison Francisco was afterwards exchanged for Gasparo and Achilles Bentiuoles But the Bologneses the better to assure and maintaine their recouered libertie sent to the Venetians and Florentines to craue aide of them and to be receiued into their alliance vnto whom both their demaunds were presently granted Being confident vpon the alliance and forces of these two great States they did not onely maintaine their libertie but after they had driuen Lodouico Vermio from their confines in a short time they recouered all their Townes and Castles And the better to increase their Republike they thought fit to repeale Baptista Canedoâ—…a with all those of his faction who had beene banished from the Citie since the time that Eugenius had recouered Bolognia whose neece Hanibal Bentiuoglio should marrie thereby to extinguish all their ancient enmitie But neither the new alliance nor any other bond of affinitie could root out the hatred which time had planted For Hâ—…nibal being treacherously surprized by Bertucio Canedola and other his complices was most inhumanely murthered The Bologneses being mooued with this monstrous impietie foorthwith ranne to Armes and on a sodaine slew the chiefe of the Canedoli with diuers others amongest whom Baptista was the first that tasted of their furie whose bodie after they had dragg'd it ignominiously about the Cittie was at last in the market place burnt to ashes Their libertie notwithstanding by the supportance of their associates stood inuiolate But these two Common-weales were not onely carefull for Bolognia but likewise for the danger they saw Sforza engaged in And now the Venetians beganne to repent them that they had so soone dismissed Christofero Tollentino with diuers other excellent persons and that Bartholomeo Coioni was gone to Philips party In the meane time Philip had sent William of Monferrat and Carolo Gonzaga to make warre on those of Bolognia The Venetians being troubled with sundrie cogitations dispatched thither Tiberto Brandolino Thadeo d'Aeste and Guido Rangone The Florentines had sent thither not long before Asturo Fauentino aâ—…d Simonetto These men hauing easily broken the enemie did in a short space expell them out of the Bologneses territories Whereupon all places neere Bolognia being in this sort pacified the associates troupes departed by seuerall wayes The Venetian Captaines were by sundry messages called backe into Lombardie by reason of the war renewed vpon the Cremonese The Tuscans were commanded to goe to La Marca to Sforza's aide For vpon the arriuall of King Alfonso and Lodouico the Popes Legate both of them were come to La Marca with great forces where Sforza was brought to great extremitie by meanes of sundrie ouerthrowes happening one vpon an other But nothing hurt him so much as the reuolt of his friends For Troilio with a thousand horse went to the Kings side hauing first deliuered vnto him the Towne of Esia where hee lay in Garrison and Pietro Brunora had alreadie done the like with eight hundred footmen This valiant captaine being amazed with those losses and many others although of himselfe hee was of courage inuincible after the losse of Stella and whatsoeuer almost hee possessed in La Marca was retired to Santa Maria de la Fortuna It is thought That at this time hee sued to Philip and made a secret league with him wherein it was agreed That
aspire to the same principalitie like Philip. They then being desirous to preserue their libertie did by little and little retire their forces and did daily diminish his credit and reputation But Sforza perceiuing that ere long he should bee esteemed no more a friend to those of Milan than to the Venetians he resolued to renew his ancient league and alliance with them for he knew well enough that the onely power of that Commonwealth might serue him for a ladder to mount vp to the principalitie Now among all the prisoners of note that were taken at the battaile of Carauazza and carried to the castle of Cremona was Clemento Thealdino one of the Secretaries of the Signorie with Hermolao Donato Angelo Simonetta had beene acquainted with him a long time whereupon he brought him secretly to Sforza who sent him to the Prince and Senate to let them know from him that if peace were pleasing to them they should secretly send to him Giacomo Antonio Marcello or Pascalis Maripietro The Senate although it had after the ouerthrow at Carauazza by vertue of their ancient alliance obtained great supplies of the Florentines had at that time mightily encreased their Armie yet for all that supposing the successe of warre to be vncertaine they did willingly he aâ—…ken to peace And because Marcello was at that time Gouernour of Verona they sent Maripietro to the Fornaces a place neere to Pescara The Venetian and Simonetta had many secret conferences in that place where they agreed vpon these conditions of peace That Sforza and the Venetians should declare themselues enemies to the Milaneses That the Senate should furnish him with foure thousand horse and two thousand foote vntill he had conquered Milan and should besides for his entertainment send him monthly thirtie thousand crownes Moreouer it was expresly mentioned that the Venetians should possesse whatsoeuer Philip had held on the hither side the riuer Adda and should purchase Milan and the residue of the Dutchie for him The accord being in this sort made and all the prisoners set at libertie Sforza crossed the riuer Adda marched against those of Milan The Venetians hauing dismissed Attendulo from his place sent him to the Treuisan territorie Those of Lodes because they would not fall into Sforza's hands hauing sent away the Venetian Garrison yeelded to them of Milan Sforza in a short space recouered whatsoeuer the Milaneses held betwixt the Adda and the Thesin Lodes and Coma excepted Then from thence he went and encamped within fiue miles of Milan The same yeare about the end of Haruest there was a bloudie fight betwixt the Turkes and the Hungarians vpon the confines of Adrinople wherein fourescore thousand Turkes were slaine and of Christians halfe as manie The Venetian Gallies surprized a Foist of the Pirats all the Rouers were hanged and they that were lesse faultie were made Gallie-slaues within a while after they met with a Marchants shippe belonging to the Gotholans which was loden with oile the which they tooke in hatred of their Countrie-men who were all Pirates Tortona in the meane time Nouara Alexandria and at the last Parma yeelded to Sforza These newes being brought to Venice did greatly reioice the whole Citie and this ioy was by so much greater as they supposed these conquests to haue beene made in part by the valour and conduct of Marcello The Senate according to the treatie had sent him with two thousand horse and two Prouidators Lorenzo Lauretano and Pascalis Maripietro and Sforza had afterwards sent him with Alessadro his brother to recouer diuers Townes beyond the Po most of which being recouered and assured by strong Garrisons this valiant Captaine called for the Venetian forces and went to besiege Milan In the meane time newes was brought that Lewis Duke of Sauoy who had leagued himselfe with the Milaneses against Sforza had 〈◊〉 great trouples into Italie vnder the command of Iohn Compensio to wast and spoile the confines of Nouara who at their first arriuall attempted to surprize Nouara But their enterprise sailing they went from thence and encamped vpon the Territorie neere adioining Coyoni whom the Venetians had sent with Marcello to Sforza was commanded to march against them who were reported to bee sixe thowsand men Hee ioining fight with Compensio vpon the bankes of Thesin did put them to rout and took Compensio prisoner with foure hundred of his horse This victorie did highly renowne Coyoni and did greatly further him afterwards in mounting to those honours which he obtained At the same time Lrrenzo Pisaure was sent with a Gallie to the King of Babilon The cause of his Ambassade was for that the Venetian Marchants had beene badly dealt with by the Barbarians in the Faires of Syria Angelo Pisaure did likewise put to Sea with two Gallies against the Pirats The Milaneses in the meane time affecting libertie which they had a little tasted did on a sodaine murther diuers of the chiefe in the Citie who were said to take Sforza's partie then going forth of the Gates in heapes they ranne towards the enemie Sforza did at that time batter the Fort of Mellignana who vnderstanding of the enemies comming forth who were reported to be three score thousand men hee did in such sort order his battallions as those of Milan hearing of the excellent order of his Armie durst not approch Marcello who was with him perceiuing the great skill and dexteritie of that braue Captaine in a matter so sodain did write to Venice that not only the Venetians but all Italie would haue had cause to haue feared that inuincible Captaine if he had taken Milan The enemies being retired he continued the siege But all his designes tended to famish the Citie Therefore he did so streightly besiege it as at times running to the very Rampiers hee did with sodaine incursions set fier on the Suburbes At this stay stood the Citie of Milan at such time as the Citie of Venice had like to haue sustained a losse as great as vnlookt-for A certaine Greeke named Stamatus borne in Candie being by chance at Venice at that time when they did shew according to their manner to great Lordes that were strangers vnto Borsia D'Aeste the publike treasure which is kept in a part of S. Markes Church it happened after this manner That this Greeke being vnknowne and thrusting himselfe among his household seruants did enter into the Vestrie Then he was so far off from being amazed at the view of such great and admirable wealth as on the contrarie hee did forthwith determine in his minde to commit a notable theft The Walls of 〈◊〉 Markes Church which in the beginning wee haue termed the golden Church in regard of the excellent guilding thereof both within and without is down to the pauement seeled as it were with great tables of marble In that part of the Church where the Innocents Altar standeth this cunning theefe remoued a
day they serue but foure moneths whereby wee may perceiue that as the tribute hath beene altered the which is very true so hath the time prefixed likewise beene At the Spring time warre was renewed with Sforza when Leonesio the Venetians Generall hauing for a time scoured the Countrey round about Lodes Otholenga Manerbia and Pontoglio and taken certaine small Townes by a voluntary yeelding crossed the Riuer Adda at the bridge of Ripata and went as farre as Milan vpon the assurance of some Bandetti who said That if the Venetian troups would approach the Cittie that the people within it would presently rise in their behalfe But notwithstanding the Venetians arriuall and that certaine of their light horse rode into the suburbs there was neuerthelesse no commotion in the citie The Venetian within a while after besieged Soncina and battered it with his ordnance The enemie thinking to raise the siege did crosse the Oglio at Canedulla and with twentie thousand men marched into the Countrey of Bressia where hauing taken Gambare by assault he besieged Ponteuico The Venetians hauing made a reasonable breach at Soncina inforced the Inhabitants to yeeld and from thence hauing made themselues Masters of Romanenga they marched towards the enemie who in the meane time had taken Ponteuico vpon the Riuer Oglio and were gone to Gella thereby to be the better able to presse those of Bressia Leonesio being incamped in a verie commodious place neare to the enemie did seize vpon the streights of the Marshes They fought many times in those places with different euents There were great numbers of souldiers in both armies The Venetians had fifteene thousand horse and sixe thousand foote and Sforza had three thousand foote and eighteene thousand horse Some Historians say that they fought fiercely at that time for three houres space and more neare to the Towne of Porsane and that the losse was equall on both sides but that by reason of the vnfitnesse of the place they lost more horse than men and that both sides would haue fought till they had gotten the victorie had not darke night separated them Fortune inclining to neither partie This was done neare to the Riuer Adda when as William of Montferrat with foure thousand horse made fierce incursions vpon the territorie of Alexandria and from thence riding towards Tortona and Pauia he wasted and spoiled the whole Countrey Sacromor Visconte and Antonio Burgese whome Sforza had sent against him to withstand his attempts comming sodainely to strokes with him vpon the confines of Alexandria did defeate and inforce him to retire to Castelnouo But whilest these things were done in Lombardie twelue Venetian Gallies vnder the commaund of Marco Zeno hauing scowred the high and lower Seas came to Liuorne And King Alphonso's royall armie vnder the conduct of Ferdinand hauing attempted to cause Cortona to rebell went to the Territorie of Rezza where assailing Foilano they tooke it the fortieth day of the siege after sundrie toyles and interchangeable losses It is reported that Asturo Fauentino whilest Ferdinand lay before Foilano was twice put to rout by the Kings armie so that at both times hee lost a thousand horse and certaine foote troupes From thence the Arragonian Ensignes beeing come to the territorie of Siena hauing in vaine besieged Castelina went to winter vpon the sea-coast Sigismund of Arimini Generall of the Tuscan troupes did greatly vex them The Florentines fearing the Arragonians and Venetians forces by sea and land did by Sforza's aduise send Angelo Acciola knight of the Order to the French king who hauing represented to his Maistie the Florentines ancient affection towardes himselfe and his predecessors the King graunted that hee would commaund the Duke of Sauoy to cease from making warre on Sforza and would perswade King Renatus promising him to that intent men and money to vse meanes to recouer his kingdome of Sicill This did the Florentines craue that they might diuert the Venetians and Alphonso's attempts from Italie Sforza likewise had sent to the same King to intreate him to procure Renatus to come speedily into Italie But Lombardie was still in tumult Bartolomeo Coyone who as hath beene said was by the Senates command dispoiled of his forces being followed with a thousand horse tooke manie prisoners and great store of cattell from forth the Bressan territorie Within a while after Giacomo Picinino and Tiberto Brandolino with foure cornets of horse defeated six Ensignes of Sforza's troupes The enemie being aduertized by chaunce that the Venetians departing from the new Orgies were gone to make incursions vpon his territories did speedily from his Campe at Quinssana send Bartholmeo Quartiero and Giacomo Salernitano with sixe Companies of horse to surprize them But the Venetians hauing intelligence of the enemies comming and being charged with greater hope than discretion neere to Iauenotta a towne on the Cremonese they did couragiously abide them and without anie difficultie did absolutely defeate them It is reported that more than an hundred and sixtie of Sforzaes men at Armes were taken that day and that within a while after they tooke a great bootie foorth of the enemies Countrie For Leonesio hauing made a bridge ouer the riuer Adda at Caretta and fortified both the ends thereof with strong Rampires sent part of his cauallery to scoure the Milaneses territories neere to Pauia whereupon Sforza to insnare these Venetian boot-halers commanded Alessandro his brother to march thither with part of the troupes Leonesio hauing intelligence of the enemies designe caused Carolo Montone to march with like number of horse to be there before him Now Alessandro staying in a place not farre from the Venetians Fort and not hauing any thought that his enemies were so neere him Carolo on a sodain gaue a fierce charge vpon him with which vnexpecteâ—…accident he was so affrighted as without any other fight he forthwith brake him and became Master of the Campe and the whole bagage But some few of them by good fortune escaped to Lodes with their Captaine who otherwise had all beene taken prisoners by the Venetians Sforza being troubled with this losse departed from his Camp at Gades and marched to Quinzzana Mattheo Campana being fauored by the Venetians good fortune made a furious rode with his cauallerie into the state of Milan At his returne being loden with spoile hee met with Thadeo D'Aeste who then serued the enemies with diuers others both sides comming presently to the incounter after a confused fight the victorie remained to the Venetians who hauing taken foure hundred horse from the enemie retired with his whole bootie to a place of safetie They had no certaine intelligence what Sforzas purpose was after that he had crossed the riuer Mella and therefore the Venetians Generall went speedily and encamped at Bagnolls Sforza within a while after tooke Caluisiana hauing made his iournie thither to none other end but to make it a wintering place for his troupes in the
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
Citie In that place all the forces being landed the Cittie was inuironed and dâ—…uers peeces of Ordnance wereplanted in sundry places and with fiue and fiftie canons euerie day the wall was much battered The siege continued 30 dayes in which time besides sundrie light skirmishes made before the walls vpon occasions the Turke with all his forces gaue three assaults wherein he lost fiue and twenty thousand men as it was afterwards knowne at the muster of the Armie Some report that they haue heard the Turkes say that after the taking of Nigrepont more than fortie thousand were found to be wanting in their Armie But during this siege by Sea and Land the Venetian Fleete wanting victualls by continuing too neere Nigrepont sailed to Candie whereby the way meeting with some Turkish Fusts it sanke them and tarried there foure daies Ieronimo Molino Gouernor of the Island did presently take order to furnish them with necessarie victualls and did besides in that short space cause seuen ships of burthen to be armed Being strengthened with these armed vessells and with his owne fleete of 35 armed Gallies the Venetian returned from whence he came The newes in the meane time of the siege of Nigrepont being brought to the Senate did afflict them with griefe and feare It was certaine that without some speedie remedie that most excellent Island of all others of the Aegean Sea would be subdued by that cruell enemie to the great losse of the Common-wealth whereupon they speedily decreed to send as manie Gallies as could possibly be made readie one after an other without intermission to the reliefe of Nigrepont Canalis in the meane time departing from the place where he ankored went with his whole fleet lay in the streight of the channell neere to Laureta then with sailes oares winde and tide he went forwards against the enemie Those within the Citie beeing tired with continuall fight had already endured the siege almost a moneth and yet they durst not well trust some of their owne Citizens For Thomaso of Sclauonia that was sent with a troupe of Souldiers to guard the citie being conuicted of treason and sent for before the Magistrates was by commandement cut in peeces Some say that hee did by secret intelligence sollicit the Turke to vndertake that enterprize and that at the beginning he would haue deliuered the Citie to Ottoman if he would haue but graunted him and the townesmen their liues liberties Ottoman promised the traitor any thing sauing that which he demaunded and he would haue none other recompence but that Now whilst these practizes continued on either side as well by those which fled to the enemies as by letters tied to arrowes the whole matter was discouered to the Magistrate by a yong maide of Nigrepont The besieged being afflicted with so many miseries had in their extremitie but only one hope left which was that the Venetian Nauall Armie hauing first broken the bridge ouer the channell would come and bring them aide and assistance This did they talke of day and night and wished for it with teares in their eies when on a sodaine they descried foureteene Gallies and two ships of burthen within view of the Citie with which Canalis was come before the rest of the Fleet There was then great ioy in the Citie and the townesmen from the walls beganne to crie out vpon the enemies thereby to terrifie them This Generall noyse did altogether amaze them Some say that Ottoman hauing intelligence of the Venetians approach began to thinke on flight and to that end he mounted a very swift horse determining presently to passe forth of the Island into the firme Land and that without all doubt he would haue gon his way had not Mahomet the Gouernour of Asia a valliant and courageous man disswaded him from it telling him That if he fled the Souldiers and his Nauie being affrighted with the departure of their Generall would at one time together fal into great danger And therefore that he should do better to giue a generall assault to the Citie by Land and Sea more fierce than all the former and promise the spoile thereof to the Souldiers with a great recompence to him that should first aduance his Ensignes on the Walls The great Turke being moued with this good counsell commanded his Souldiers to giue the last assault His Gallies at Sun-set came forth of the channell neere to the Walls The Venetians that were come forward with the Generall as hath beene said went with full saile within a mile of the bridge Then because the winde tide and necessity did inuite them to set forward against the enemie with as great courage as they were come thither all men cried out that a fit time and occasion was offered to do a notable peece of seruice Canalis alone was of opinion to tarrie for the rest of the Fleet which staied at Politia no man knoweth whether they did it for feare or else because the Captaines of the Gallies were commanded so to do howbeit Canalis did condemne their slownesse Those which were there did earnestly solicite him to set forward saying aloud that there was no good meaning in that delay The Picemanes of Candie bretheren Captaines of a ship of Burthen craued leaue that they with theit ship might Saile against the enemie promising by the force of their ship and by the winde and tide to breake the bridge and if their enterprize should succeede badly they would at least thinke themselues happy to haue exposed their liues and fortunes in the seruice of the Common-wealth The Generall commanded them and all the rest not to stir but to tarrie still where they were till the rest of the Fleete were arriued Those of Nigrepont who in the meane time were furiously assaulted by Sea and Land perceiuing by day-breake that their Fleete Lay still like men amazed could hardly hold their weapons in their hands Great numbers of Arrowes couered the wretched inhabitants The ordnance confusedly beat downe whatsoeuer it encountered steeples towers walls and people Leonardo Caluo Gouernour of the Citie Giouanni Bondomaria the Prouidator Paulo Hericio the Magistrate and manie other Venetian Gentlemen were vpon the Wals and in the trenches some to exhort and encourage the Souldiers others to run vp and down to those places which had most neede of help And although many thousand enemies were neere to the wals they did not cease for all that still to fix their eies on that side from whence they had descried the Venetian Gallies The wretched inhabitants held vp their hands and eies to Heauen and them Then by day-breake they erected a black Ensigne vpon the higest tower of the citie to demonstrate their miserable condition to the end that those which lay in the channel being moued with their disaster might come and relieue them The fierce assault continuing without intermission had in such sort tired the besieged as those which guarded the gate Burchiana
the cause therof who hauing beene able in time to haue quenched that fire had by their mutual hatred auarice suffered it to encrease That they were to blush for shame to repent that they had not relieued that loyal Citie during the siege Therefore all men with one consent detested both the fleet and the Generall and a Decree was made that hee should be dismissed of his place and being sent for home he should giue an account why he had not relieued Nigrepont Pietro Mocenigo was by a generall consent subrogated in his place who was presently commaunded to make hast to the Armie In the meane time after the fleete had made some aboad at Sea Canalis and the rest determined to surprize Nigrepont and by an vnlookt-for assault to attempt the recouery of the Citie They concluded then among themselues that Giouanni Trono Nocolao Molino and Frederico Iustiniano should saile before with nine Gallies and so soone as they from the channell should perceiue the fleete to be neere the Citie then to land their men and march to assaile it on the other side But these men were somewhat too forward for being euuironed with great troupes of Turkes more than two hundred of them were in a moment slaine among whom was Giouani Trono a man whose valour did greatly appeare in that fight although their forces were not equall The rest of the fleete landing on the shoare being daunted with the death of their fellowes and perceiuing those in the channell to goe slowly to worke escaped to their Gallies And in this manner the fleete retired without any good successe to Aulida not farre from Nigrepont The same day somewhat before Sunne-set Pietro Mocenigo with three Gallies came to the fleet so soone as Canalis descried him hee descended into a long boat and went to meete him where after mutuall embracements hee acquainted him what his purpose had beene and why he had assembled that great fleete for the recouerie of Nigrepont which hee hoped to haue effected if hee had any longer tarried in commission But his hope was that what himselfe could not execute by reason of the losse of his place the new Generall by his valour and conduct would fortunately bring to passe all things being in a readinesse for that purpose Mocenigo said vnto him Pursue what thou hast begunne and if thou hast anie hope to recouer the Citie goe on a Gods name as for my selfe I am so farre off in this my new authority from hindering the publique good as on the contrarie I freely offer to aide and assist thee in this important businesse as a friend or ordinarie Captaine but he refusing to enter vpon an other mans charge Mocenigo dismissed the Gallies that had beene sent for and determined not to continue to the weale publiques losse and his owne dishonour an enterprize which had beene so vnfortunately begunne Then he departed for winter was at hand with the rest of the fleete into Morea determining at the Spring to remoue from thence and to attempt some notable exploit which should recompence the losse of Nigrepont Canalis so soone as hee came to Venice was condemned to perpetuall banishment Hee was confined to the Port of Gruare a town of the Forlani where to lessen the griefe for the losse of his country he spent the time in hunting and studie Mocenigo during that winter was not idle for hee repaired his Gallies and sent to the Islands on the Aegean Sea to comfort and assure the Inhabitants who were yet daunted with the losse of Nigrepont Thus was he busied when Marino Maripietro and Lodouico Bembo did about the beginning of the Spring come as Prouidators to the Armie who were sent thither that Mocenigo together with them might manage the affaires of the Republique Ricaosa came thither likewise from Apulia with tenne Gallies being sent by King Ferdinand to make warre on the Turkes in the company and by the aduise of the Venetian Generall The losse of Nigrepont had troubled all the Princes of Italie and especially king Ferdinand who the more he perceiued the frontires of Apulia and Calabria to lie open to the Turkes inuasions the more did he feare their prosperitie and aduancement Ottoman fearing that by his taking of Nigrepont from the venetians all Christian princes would arme against him was willing to trie if hee could make peace with the Venetians or at least if that could not be done to draw the businesse out in length to the end that time might sweeten the sharpenesse of that losse But because hee would not haue them thinke that hee did it for feare hee was content to vse the mediation of his mother in lawe who was a Christian and Daughter to George who in former times had beene Prince of the Tribulles She hauing beene made acquainted with her sonne in lawes meaning sent one of her houshold seruants to Venice from her to aduertize the Venetians that they should doe well to send their Commissioners to the Turke and that if they were desirous of peace it should be graunted them and peraduenture vpon better conditions than they hoped for Hereupon Nicolao Coco and Francisco Capello were sent to her by Sea who found her in a village of Macedonia where shee remained and from thence they went by land to Ottoman But peace being treated of and the Conditions propounded not pleasing and the Commissioners beeing by Letters called home to Venice Capello being troubled with a feauer died at Constantinople Coco in a fisher boat went to Lemnos and from thence in a Gallie that he found there by chaunce sailed to Candie And thus by the going to and fro of Ambassadors by treaties of peace at Constantinople and by transporting of Letters from both sides all that Summer was spent to no purpose Winter drawing neare the Kings nauie returned to Naples and the Prouidators being called home by the Senate went backe to Venice Within a while after Prince Moro died hauing gouerned the Common-wealth nine yeeres and six moneths Hee was buried in Saint Iobs Church which together with the Monasterie neere adioyning hee had erected at his owne proper costs During his gouernement the Citie was not onely beautified with that building but the inner side of the entrie into the Pallace which was begunne before then vnder Maripietro was in his time wholly finished where his Marble Statue is to be seene with two others vnderneath him representing our two first parents wrought by Antonio Crispe the skilfullest Caruer of his time Saint Peters Steeple of the Castle made of a white square stone which is an excellent peece of worke was then builded ¶ NICOLAO TRONO the 68. Duke of Venice NIcolao Trono succeeded Moro whose short gouernment was verie fortunate because the Venetians in his time made a league with the king of Persia and vnited the famous Isle of Cyprus to their dominions The Senate sent Messengers to the Pope and to King
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
reedified The Pestilence begunne in Summer doth in Autumne make diuers places in the citie desolate A briefe Description of their Sea-trafficke Foure Gallies trading into France are taken by Pirates on the coast of Portugall Troubles in Friull by the sodaine arriuall of the Hungarians ROBERTO SANSEVERINO with a braue Cauallerie goes to the warre lately begunne neere Rome The election of MARCO BARBADICO who succeedeth MOCENIGO in the Principalitie of Venice A briefe Declaration of the warre of Rome betwixt Pope INNOCENT and king FERDINAND Three Commissioners are appointed to prouide all things requisite to purge the Citie from the pestilence SANSEVERINO dispoiled of his troupes returnes to the Venetians Their vsuall custome at their Princes funeralls The cause of the warre with the Archduke of Austria and sodaine commotions of the enemie on the very confines of Italie The beginning and end of the Rethicke warre The kingdome of Cyprus is ioyned to the Venetians Dominions by a conueyance made by Queene KATHERINE in her life time The inuention of harquebuzes and the recompence of such as learned to shoot in them An extreame cold frost at Venice and ouer all the Lakes A league betwixt the Pope Venetians and GALE AS SFORZA The preparations of CHARLES the French King for the conquest of the kingdome of Naples THat part of the Dukes Pallace which was burnt during the warre was from the foundation reedified this first yeere of the peace It is an admirable peece of worke and likely to last long The Citie was greatly molested with the Infection the next Summer which increasing in Autumne did make Venice very desolate This domesticke losse was accompanied toward the end of Summer with an other farre from home But before wee enter into this Discourse it shall not bee impertinent to mention the Venetians great industrie wealth purchased by traffike at sea There is no place in all the Sea from Gades betwixt Affricke and Europe towards Syria and Egypt in the Leuant nor from the North and West towards Bosphorus and the Fennes Meotides nor any place so remote which the Venetian Gallies haue not at all times frequented in trade of Marchandize It is almost incredible to thinke how the Venetian vessells doe ordinarily enter into the Hauens not onely of Italie but of Liburnia Dalmatia Macedonia and Grecce as if it were in the suburbs of Venice Wee will speake of those who at the Common-wealths charge are yeerely sent to take in lading in the remotest places of the world Of these foure great gallies bring home into Italie Spice Silke Pretious stones and Pearles from Syria and Egypt Three others goe into Lybia for gold iewells and slaues Two saile into Fraunce and bring home wooll and Spanish silke Others goe towards the Tana is and Fennes Meotides from whence they returne loden with Tapistrie and Emeraldes And besides this number foure direct theyr course into the French Ocean and from the Martes there loade themselues abundantly with woolls gold tapistrie and cloth of Flaunders According to this custome foure Gallies for this purpose were abroad vnder the commaund of Bartilomeo Minio who comming into the Spanish Seas mette with young Columbus nephew to Columbus the famous Mariner who with seauen tall shippes of warre incountered them in the night neere to the sacred Promontorie modernely termed S. Vincents Cape But although at first hee determined to assault the Venetian Gallies yet hee abstained that night and resoluing to fight with them came so neere as the prowes of the pirates shippes were asterne the poopes of the Venetian Gallies So soone as it was day Columbus assailed the Venetians who were inferior to him in men and vessells but superior in courage and resolution They fought fiercely for certaine houres space and with such great slaughter as is seldome seene in any fight with such enemies who rarely come to fight but vpon constraint Diuerse that were present at the bickering say that three hundred Venetians were slaine at that fight others mention not so many Among the dead were Lorenzo Michael Captaine of a Gallie and Giouanni Delfino brother to another Captaine The Venetians were wearied with long fight The Gallie Delfina was taken by the enemies whereupon the rest yeelded Some say that in one Gallie foure score dead bodies lay betwixt the prow and poope which spectacle the victorious enemie lamented saying in despite That the Venetians by their wilfulnesse had procured that losse The dead bodies were throwne into the Sea and the wounded set on shoare Those which escaped went to Lisbone and from thence were sent home Lisbone is a Citie of Portugall standing vpon the Sea I thinke it was in old time called Olisipone It is at this day very famous as well for the ordinarie residence of kings as for her great wealth The Venetians were there very kindely entertained by the king and those that were sicke he commaunded to be carefully looked to the rest according to each mans qualitie receiued mony and cloaths and were sent home into their countrey The Venetians are in ancient league with the kings of Portugall the which being deriued from the Father to the Sonne they inuiolably obserue They say that the cause of this league and friendship proceeded from the Venetians courtesie and liberalitie It is reported That a king of Portugall came in time past with a small traine to Venice to see the Citie where he remained certaine daies in disguised habite But so great a guest could not long be concealed For the Senate hauing intelligence that a Noble man of royall parentage lay in the Citie it did honourably receiue and conducted him to a goodly Pallace where he lodged being accompanied by certaine Senators to shew him the singularities of the Citie and to wait vpon him whither soeuer hee went At his departure they gaue him rich giftes and for his greater honor appointed some to attend him as farre as the Venetians confines This did the Venetians not as they thought to a king but only to a priuate person of blood royall At his returne into Portugall hee acquainted his Princes with the Venetians curtesie and liberalitie and made a Decree That his successors should for euer acknowledge the Venetians bounty towards him And for this cause the king of Portugall gaue such good entertainement to the distressed Venetians he did likewise commaund that none of his subiects should buy any part of the Venetians goods which had bene stollen from them The newes of this losse did greatly afflict the Citie the which exceeding as it was reported the summe of 20000. crownes touched some particular persons But the death of so many men did much augment their sorrow The pestilence at this time did greatly infect the Cittie in regard whereof the Senate was of opinion at that time not to reuenge that wrong but to deferre it to a fitter time At the same time there arose some troubles in Friull Certaine light horse sent by the King
taken by the French notwithstanding the strength thereof Ferentino and Monte Sancto Giouanni seated on the Kingdomes confines had the like fortune where after breach made so furious an assault was giuen to it in the Kings presence who was come thither from Verula as all difficulties surmounted it was taken the same day by force and great slaughter committed there From thence the King sent one of his Gentlemen to the Pope threatning him that if he did not performe the accord which hee had sworne to hee would come backe and make warre vpon him The Pope vpon receit of the Kings letters presently commanded those places to be deliuered to the Kings officers In this manner and without great resistance did King Charles conquer that noble and magnificent Kingdome when Ferdinand by his fathers flight taking vpon him the title and authority royall assembled his forces and marched to Saint Germans where he encamped thinking to keepe the enemies from passing on any farther by reason of the fitnesse of the place enuironed on the one side with high and steepy mountaines and on the other with a fenny country and in front with the Riuer Garillan wherevpon that place is properly called one of the keyes of the kingdome of Naples But his army already terrified with the only name of the French no more shewed any signes of valour but all his souldiers wauering in a manner as much in loyalty as courage and thinking how to saue themselues and goods dispayring of being able to defend the kingdome so soone as they had intelligence of the taking of Mont Saint Giouanni and that three hundred Lances and two thousand foot approched did basely abandon Saint Germans and in such amazement retired to Capua as by the way they left eight great peeces of ordnance behind them Ferdinand and his army were scarce come to Capua when he receiued newes from the Queene that since the losse of Saint Germans the Neapolitans were risen and that vnlesse he speedily came thither some great tumult was likely to ensue vpon these newes hee presently went thither with certaine troupes of horse by his presence to preuent so great a daunger promising for to returne to Capua the next day following The Neapolitans would not suffer him for to enter with his troupes but onely gaue entrance to himselfe and family where vnderstanding their resolution which was not to endure a seege for feare least their city should be sackt caused two of the three greater ships in the hauen to bee buried and gaue the third to Obiâ—…to de Fiesca bestowing three hundred braue horse that hee had in his Stables vpon certaine citizens his friends and seruants and hauing victualled the new castle and that called Del Ouo he returned according to his promise to prouide for Capua But in his absence the city of Capua thinking hee had forsaken it Triulcio the cities Gouernor being gonne to treat with the French King his owne souldiers breaking open his house and â—…ansaking it Virginio Vrsin and Count Petillan beeing likewise gonne his whole army in a manner broken hee was enforced to giue place to the Conqueror Ferdinand beeing come within two miles of Capua was aduertized of what had past by certaine Lords sent to tell him that he should come on no farther wherevpon notwithstanding his intreaties hee was enforced to returne to Naples where hauing made some bootlesse speech to the Nobillity vnto whom the name of his grandfather and father were odious he withdrew himselfe into the new castle from whence within a while after hee departed and embarking himselfe in the Gallies which attended him in the hauen with Frederick his vncle and the old Queene and her daughter Ioane sailed into the Isle of Isehia thirty miles from Naples where hee was enforced to make triall of his vertue and patience After his departure from Naples all places yeelded to the victors fame so as two hundred French horse comming to Nola did without any resistance take Virginio Vrsin and Count Petillan prisoners who were come thither with foure hundred horse they were carried to the fort of Montdragon King Charles hauing intelligence of Ferdinands flight drew neere Naples and came to the city of Auersa betwixt Capua and Naples where the Neapolitan Ambassadors met him and presented him with their cities keyes vnto whom hee hauing freely granted sundry priuiledges and exemptions the day following hee entred Naples where with incredible ioy and contentment hee was receiued by the Nobility and people Hee had sent his captaines before to restraine the insolency of his souldiers Hee was accompanied to the Cathedrall Church by multitudes of people and from thence because Castelnouo held still for the enemies he went to lodge in the Capuan castle which was the antient abode of the Kings of Naples hauing with an incredible course of happy fortune vanquished before he was seene The King peaceable possessor of the city though not of the castles did by letters and by their owne Ambassadors gratifie the Signory of Venice for that it had kept promise with him and continued his friend The report of King Charles his arriuall and successe in the Realme of Naples was bruted so farre as the very Turke feared him because that the king had publikely vanted that after the conquest of the kingdome of Naples hee would turne his forces vpon him so as all the inhabitants on the sea frontiers of Sclauonia Albania and Macedonia presently forsooke their dwellings and retired into the firme land so as if the king had crossed ouer thither hee might easily haue conquered those Prouinces And to speake truth so soone as Bajazeth vnderstood that hee was come to Florence he beganne to trim his old vessels and to build new About the same time threescore ships of warre wherein were sixe thousand foote and three hundred horse arriued at Liuorne sent by the kings of Spaine for the gard of Sicily with Lorenzo Suares deputed by their Maiesties for Ambassador to the Venetian Senate Hee told the Senate that the cause of his arriuall with those forces was the king his Masters feare least after the conquest of the Realme of Naples king Charles would make an attempt vpon Sicily which in former time had belonged vnto the French kings That their Maiesties knowing the pride and great power of the French did suppose that the Venetians mooued with the neerenesse of the danger to see so mighty a King in Italy would be possest with the like feare and therefore had commanded him in their names to salute the Prince and Senate and to assure them that if they desired ought of them they were ready to beare a part in their fortune for in regard of their wisdome and loyalty there was no Prince or King whatsoeuer with whom they more desired to enter into league then with them That Pope Alexander likewise would make one who desired nothing more then to bee vnited with Spaine
same conditions as they had beene before treated of with Baziazet This treaty being concluded and effected Iustinian returned to Venice with whom Selim sent Alimbei his Ambassador to cause the Prince and Senate to ratefie the present treaty vnto whom he likewise wrote exhorting them to entertaine his frendship And that he for his part would neuer faile them The Turkish Ambassador being come to Venice and brought into the Senate Prince Loredan swore and ratefied as well in his owne name as in the Common wealthes all that which Iustinian their Ambassador had agreed to and signed Selim by this meanes being out of feare of the warrs on Europes side hauing likewise renewed the truce with the Kings of Poland and Hungary hee marched courrageously against Achomat whome hauing broken and defeated hee commanded to be slaine to the end that by his death hee might without contradiction become absolute Lord of Asia the lesse thereby promising to himselfe that nothing should bee able to resist him whereby hee became so proude as hee thought hee was able to conquer the whole world and cheefely Italy on which hee began to fixe his thoughts imagining that he could with ease subiugate it being weake and molested by the forepassed warres He was moreouer incited thervnto by the Emperor Maximilian who thought on nothing more then how to ruinate the Venetians It is certaine that he sent an Ambassador to Constantinople to aduertise Selim of the great opportunity then offered to enuade the sea coasts of the Venetians state whilest hee with his army would assaille them by land but it was not certainly knowne on what place he ment first to attempt Selim being thus solicited caused that winter diuers Vessels to bee armed and new to be made and to new builde those that were broken But at the spring newes was brought to Constantinople how that Amurath Sonne to his brother Achomat who being not at the battaile where his Father fought with such bad successe had escaped into Persia had on a sodaine entred Cappadocia with great numbers of horse and foote where afrighting the whole country with great wast hee was become maister of diuers places of that Prouince Selim being greatly daunted at these newes and considering that the Sophi alone was cause as well of those present troubles as of those which Achomat his brother had in time before raised resolued to take reuenge and to this end determined to send all that great army as well by land as sea into Asia the which was leuied for Europe This Asian warre fell out opportunely for the Christian Princes whome this most mighty and cruell enemy would haue wholy ruined and afterward would haue gone on in dispite of all their resistance This being considered by Pope Leo with the great good which this warre of Persia had done thought it his duty to meditate a firme peace among Christian Princes to the end that being vnited together they might with more ease oppose them selues against that Barbarous enemy The Cardinalls solicited him therevnto in setting on foot the treaty of peace and not to leaue till it had taken effect according to their desire But albeit the Pope did very well know that this was more then reasonable yet neuer the-lesse hee reuolued in his minde which was troubled with diuers maters that as the successe of that wholesome councell did promise a very great and certaine commendations euen so the diuers respects of warre and peace and the difficulties which he met with in this treatie did affright him and wholy draw him backe from that enterprise For his feare least the French should returne againe into Italy and make head against the Spaniards and Almans did extreamely trouble him thinking verily that the same would happen if the realme of France were not enuaded in some place or other knowing that King Lewis by nature was altogether an enemy to quiet and that so soone as hee had made peace with the English hee would turne his thoughts vpon Italy for the recouery of the Dutchy of Milan in regard hee had euer reiected all motions of peace wherein was propounded that hee should quit his claime to the state of Milan The Venetians affaires were almost at the same stay the Pope being not desirous to haue them recouer their former greatnesse noâ—… yet to be to much deiected in regard of the common reputation of Italy Whilest the Pope was in this sort afflicted with sundry thoughts and that at one time hee would fauour the Venetians and at another shewe them an angry and froward countenance the warre did still continew notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the Winter for Prospero Collonna with the Duke of Millans forces marching to Crema ioyned himselfe to the Spannish army the which did re-enforce the Citties seege and the Paduan territory was daily scoured and spoiled by the enemies incursions the like was done in the Contrey of Friul where there was no towne or castle so strong either by art or nature which was not enforced to obey that partie who was strongest in the field so as the inhabitants of that poore contrey were wholly stript of all And for to dispatch them at once Bernardino Frangipan hauing forsaken the Venetians did by treachery seaze on the Fort of Maran as hath beene said by meanes of a Preest called Bartholomeo who being a familiar frend to Alessandro Marcello Prouidator of the place got leaue of him on a morning before day to haue the Castle gates opened for him vnder coâ—…ller that he went forth to hunt so as Frangipan according as it was concluded betwixt himselfe and the Preist did on a sodaine seaze on the gate with certaine Almaine foot and some horse vntill his troopes were arriued whereby hee became maister of the place But the traytor within a while after was paied his desert for being taken by Nicolo Pisare who commaunded in Gruare hee was sent to Venice where beeing hung vp by one foote hee was by the people stoned to death This place beeing very commodious for the Venetians the Senate was of opinion to haue it speedily beseeged the better afterwards to assayle Goritia which Frangipan had taken in the same manner and held it in the Emperors name The land Army marched thither vnder the conduct of Balthasar Scipione of Luca and the nauall army commanded by Bartholomeo de Must a man well experienced in marine matters These two Armies being come before Maran an Herrald was sent to the inhabitants of the towne and to the Almaines that were within it to summon them in the name of the common wealth to yeeld vp that place to the Venetians aduising them not to delay till it were taken by force Those within it made shewes wholy contrary to the summons and vsed many iniurious speeches to the Herrald whereat those of the Camp being incensed determined to giue an assault not tarrying for certaine galleyes which were to ariue but at
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
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
to the Common-wealth robbing and spoyling the Venetians subiects executing diuers other hostile actions The Senate wrote to the Lieutenants of the Empire saying That for their partes they would keepe and obserue the truce and not make any innouation because of the Emperors death but that they like-wise should doe well to containe their soldiers in peaceable manner and keepe them from making any more incursions vpon their Territories The Lieutenants thinking this to bee iust and resonable the truce was inuiolably obserued euery where In the meane time preparation was made for the election of a new Emperor The French King and the King of Spaine two great and excellent Princes began openly to aspire therevnto And albeit the practize was of great importance betwixt two such mighty Princes yet neuer the-lesse they handled the matter on both sides very modestly without any iniurious speeches or warlik menaces each of them seeking by his owne authority and meanes to draw the Electors on his side But the Italians did stand in awe of either of their powers fearing that which of them two should attaine that dignity would by the aide of the Almains enuade all Italy and ioyne it to the Empire as it had beene in times before so that either of their elections could not but bee very much distastfull and greeuous to the Italians and yet for al that they inclined more to the French King then to the Catholik Maiesty for diuers causes and cheefely because the French as a stranger should not beare such authority in Germany as the King of Spaine who was descended from thence and by that meanes might turne them at his pleasure So as the Pope and the Venetians did rather fauour the French Kings party then the Spaniards and the French sending his Ambassador for the same purpose to Rome and Venice they were honorably entertayned and freely audienced Now besides these Ambassadors the French King sent the Lord of Teligni to Venice as well for this purpose as for diuers and sundry other negotiations and among others to entreate them to lend him some good store of mony to supply his great expence hee was to make if hee should bee chosen Emperor and also that they would send forces into Germanie to assist the Electors to the end they might not be enforced in their election and to aske them what they would haue him to doe if Charles should enter with an army into Italy to enforce the Pope to free him from the oath made to Pope Iulius the second concerning the inuestiture of the Realme of Naples The Senate made answer to the Ambassadors demands That in regard of their great obligation to the French King albeit their treasour was much exhausted by the late warres they would neuer-the-lesse striue to ayde him with an hundred thousand Ducats But for to send forces into Germany it would smalely avayle the King and greatly hurt them Besides the Almains would neuer suffer their soldiers to passe the passages being very streight and wel garded As for Charles his passage if without being prouoked there vnto he would enter armed into Italy against the most Holy Father of Rome that the Venetians would no lesse shew them-selues defenders and protectors of the liberty and dignity Ecclesiasticall then their Ancestors had done preferring the greatnesse therof before that of the Empire During these treaties of King Francis by his Ambassadors Charles King of Spaine being more apt to leuy solders with mony then to giue it to the Electors sent an army into the field vnder collour of keeping the election from beeing forced the which drawing neere to Franckfort did encourrage those Electors that fauored his cause and made those which wandred to encline to him so as Charles of Austria King of Spaine was chosen Emperor the eight and twentith day of Iune which was at the very selfe same time that Soliman the sonne of Selim did peaceably obtaine without any contradiction the Oâ—…taman Empire by the death of his father Selim There was but one onely Captaine named Agazzell Gouernor of Suria that did oppose it and make him-selfe maister of the Prouinces of his gouernment who taking armes for that purpose his rebellion was soone appeased and all the other Prouinces reduced vnder Solymans obedience remained peaceable He was noted to be of a haughty courage and fit for high enterprizes and a great enemy to Christendome yet notwithstanding Christian Princes not considering the perills and dangers which followed them at the heeles suffered this young Prince their naturall enemy to grow great whilst they had time to abate his power by busying him in the defence of his owne lands and Seignories and meanes to keepe him from enuading those of their neighbors Lewis King of Hungary alone leuied soldiers and made great preparations of warre imploying all mens ayde and succor as one that feared this barbarous enemy by reason that Solyman would not renew the truce which this King had made with his father Selim wherevpon he sent his Ambassadors to the Christian Princes and cheefely to Rome and Venice entreating exhorting and admonishing them of other mens ruine and losse by the example of his owne neere at hand The Venetians answered him that the power and greatnesse of the Ottomans was so mightely encreased as all Princes and Potentates stood in awe thereof and cheefely themselues by reason their State was to neere a neighbor to them that they had neuer refused such offers but that they on the contrary had solicited other Princes to oppose themselues against the mightinesse of their Empire which they saw did daily encrease but that they of them-selues alone and with their owne forces could doe no great matter Not long after they sent Marco Minio their Ambassador to Constantinople who with their vsuall presents was to procure the articles of peace to be confirmed in the same manner as some few yeares before Antonio Instiniano had done with Selim and with the same authority immunity and franchize Soliman shewed himselfe very ready to graunt their demands as beeing desirous of their frendship and aliance and for a demonstration of his good will towards them at the same time as Minio departed from Venice Acmat Ferrat set foreward from the Port of the great Turke towards Venice to giue them notice from him of his succession in the Orientall Empires and to renew their alliance begun with his father Selim. Besides he was desirous for that the Venetians trafficke into his Contries might be more free and safe with his owne forces to chase the Pirats that scoured the Leuant Seas entreating the Venetians for their part to doe the like to the end the nauigation might be assured This renewing of their league with the Turke did greatly proffit them in regard their state in Italy was not very firme and by reason that the alarmes and suspitions which they had conceiued at the beginning of the yeare because it was reported
acquainting them with what hee had done in Hungary About the same time Prince Loretan deceased to the great greefe of the whole Citty who with singular wisdome had fortunately gouerned the Republike the space of twenty yeares hauing still retayned to the very last gaspe his vsuall quicknesse of wit where-with hee was adorned hee was buried in the Church of the Twiâ—…s ANTONIO GRIMANI the 76. Duke ANtonio Grimani Father to Cardinall Dominico was chosen in his sted a man very famous as well for his great wealth as for the noble offices which hee had borne in the Common-wealth hauing often times tasted prosperous and aduerse fortune and who not long before was called home from a tedious banishment to which hee was condemned because hee being Generall of the Galleis had let slippe the occasion of fighting with and vanquishing the Turkish army neere to Lepanto He then entring into the gouernment of the Common wealth found it in peace as hath beene said but in so many different rumors of discontent betwixt Princes as it was to be feared that the Republick would therby be drawne into new troubles and into a necessity of taking armes because that the Emperour who being already come into Germany had receiued his first Imperiall Coronation at Aix La Chappelle had a great desire to come into Italy in regard whereof he sought by al good offices and faire promises to draw the Venetians to his side thinking that their frendship might much auaile him for the execution of his deseignes wherevpon among other matters he promised to giue them in authenticall manner the inuestiture of all the Citties and places which they then possessed to which the Empire might pretend any title or claime These offers were the cause that the Senate delayed to send according to their vsuall manner to congratulate the Emperor for his new dignity For hauing determined to send Francesco Contaren to succeed Gasparo Contaren their ordinary Ambassador resident with his Imperiall Maiesty whose time of stay there apointed by the Lawes was already expired they did put off his dispatch from day to day because they would giue the French noe occasion to suspect that they intended to enter into any league or treaty with the new Emperor Charles by this meanes beeing out of hope to draw the Venetians from the friendship of the French changed his purpose and resolued to send Philliberto his Ambassador to the French King as well for that he would haue men thinke that he was desirous to treat with him about the affaires of Italy without mentioning the Venetians as for to induce them to haue recourse to himselfe for feare of some agreement betwixt their two Maiesties wherein they should not be comprehended they hauing already made proofe of very many mischeefes which the alliance of such like Princes had procured to their common wealth he did beside write to his Ambassador resident with the King of England to complaine vnto that King whose authority at that time was so great as he was chosen for Vmpier and mediator of al the important strife betwixt the Emperor and the French King of the Venetians who not beeing contented to accomplish the agreement betwixt Maximilian and them did moreouer refuse his alliance and frendship being therevnto inuited but there was no great regard giuen to his complaints because that the Emperor making shew to be desirous of Peace intelligence was giuen that he prepared all things fit for warre These pollicies being knowne to King Francis after that he had freely communicated to the Senate all the Emperors practises and deseignes would not giue eare to the offers of his Ambassador and standing vpon his gard he sought by all meanes to entertaine his frends and Confederates and to that purpose he had mutuall conference with the King of England neere to Ardres in Picardy who for that end came to Calais that he might more amply confirme the peace and frendship sworne betwixt them where hauing seene one another and conferred together with their Councells of their perticular affaires with all manner of sports and delightes in the middest of the plaine betwixt Guynes and Ardres the French King returned to Boloign and the King of England to Calais About this time a daughter being borne to the French King he entreated the Republick of Venice to witnesse for it at the Font shewing therby that he was desiâ—…ous in all thinges to giâ—…e them content in regard of his speciall loue towâ—… 〈◊〉 Vpon these new propositions of the 〈◊〉 and the French King the Veneâ—… likewise were desirous to looke to themselues and they grew â—…ore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the conclusion of the league noâ—… breaking the fiue yeaâ—… trâ—…ce alreâ—…dy 〈◊〉 by the Elect Emperor nor would they likewise displease the King of England who by sondry good offices had shewed himsâ—…lfe their great friend whom they knew would be â—…ighly displeased with that league in regard of the alliance and frendship betwixt him and the Emperor Whilst thâ—… vpon these occasions â—…he treaty of the league remained doubtfull they had intelligence of that which they neuer expected how that the Pope had secretly agreed with the Emperor to enâ—…ade at their common cost the Dutchy of Milan This did wonderfully amaze al â—…en and especially the Venetianâ—… because the Pope by driuing the â—…rench forth of Italy with his forces and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was desirous to inâ—…hronize and encrease the Emperors power there whom 〈◊〉 long before himselfe did greaâ—…ly â—…pect and held dangerous for the Churches state and for all the Princes of Italy The Popes deseigne was accompanied with diuers and â—…ondry practises of the Imperialls the Bandeâ—…i of Milan who were in great noâ—…ber and the 〈◊〉 of the Citty being ioyned to them to the end that by their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 onâ—… 〈◊〉 same time some sodaine 〈◊〉 might be raised in the Citty and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 places of the Duchy to expell the French who drempâ—… on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and whose nomber was already much decreased by reason of the Lord 〈◊〉 absence who not long before was gone into France But the Lord of Leâ—…cut his brother and his Lieâ—…tenant General in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hauing discouered this 〈◊〉 befoâ—…e it was executed did forthâ—…ith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nombers of Soldiers as he made himselfe assured 〈◊〉 of all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and frustrated their practises 〈◊〉 deseignes driuing all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Dutchy where they had by degrees 〈◊〉 themselues whom he 〈◊〉 euen to the gates of Rhegio whither they escaped by means of him that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Pope who as hath beene said was a Partaker of their deseigne Herevpon the Pope tooke matter of discontent for that without any respect to his dignity and power or to the friendship and alliance betwext him and the most Christian King the French had come and vsed violence in his townes and Castles making his complaints to the Venetians whereas indeed the King had most cause to
of Saint Angelo was by this accord foorth-with yeelded to Captaine Alarcon who entred it with three companies of Spanish footmen and three companies of Lancequenets appointed to guard the Castle and the Pope But the other townes and Castles that were promised were not so easily consigned by reason that the Castle of Ciuita Chastelane was guarded by the Confederates and Aadrew Doria refused to deliuer vp that of Ciuitauechia vnlesse he were first paied fourteene thousand Ducats which he said was due vnto him for his entertainment Parma and Placentia on the other-side abhorring the Spanish gouernment refused to receiue them and those of Modena were reduced vnder the obedience of the Duke of Ferrara who making vse of the Popes calamity threatning the Modenois to spoile their corne which was almost ripe did enforce them to deliuer vp the citty into his handes The Confederates army remained quiet without attempting any thing expecting the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec who was said to be already in Piedmont with great forces both of horse and foot albeit the Captaines in the meane time were of sondry opinions some thinking that being vnited with the French it would be best for them to march directly to Rome where they should find the Imperiall army in such disorder as they might easily set the Pope at li berty by reason that it was much diminished as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in the Citty as by the ouer-much licence which the Soldiers had taken for certaine monethes space liuing without al order and without any martiall discipline some of them being lodged in the Citty and others heere and there abroad and that diuers of them beeing disbanded went their waies daily without any leaue whereby they might with ease driue those few from Rome that remayned behind Those of the contrary opinion thought that for the effecting of that deseigne it were better to scoure the state of Milan beeing neere thereunto to enforce the Imperials to leaue Rome and to come to the defense thereof which might prooue either to slow or insufficient to stoppe the current of the victory wherby they might at one time execute diuers fortunate exploits and perhaps giue an end to the warre This being alowed by all men and propounded to the Lord of Lautrec at his arriuall he entred into the state of Milan with eight thousand Suisses three thousand Gascons and tenne thousand footmen conducted by Pedro of Nauarre and went and encamped before the towne of Bosco on the marches of Alexandria where was a Garrison of a thousand footmen the most of whom were Lancequenets who after they had for the space of tenne dayes sustained the battery and sundry assaults did at the last yeeld themselues at the discretion of the Victor This conquest was followed by that of Alexandria whither the Lord Lautrec came afterwards and encamped wherin lay fifteene hundred footmen who being molested at one time both by the Artillery and the mynes were enforced to yeeld their liues and goods beeing saued But the taking of Alexandria was cause of the beginning of some contention betwixt the confederates For the Lord of Lautrec being desirous to leaue fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison there to the end that at al euents his owne companies might haue one place of retreat and those which should come from France finde some comodiousnesse of meeting there the Duke of Milans Ambassador fearing that it would be the beginning of an occasion to possesse that State for his King opposed him-selfe against it the like did the Ambassadors of England and Venice wherevpon Lautrec agreed not without indignation to leaue it freely to the Duke of Milan a matter which did afterwards greatly preiudice the leagne Now Lautrec after the conquest of Alexandria propounded that he would march to Rome to free the Pope from imprisonment who although he had agreed as hath beene said with the Almaines and Spaniards did neuerthelesse still remaine a prisoner vnder their guard vntill that he had accomplished the articles of the agreement as wel for payment of the money as for the consignation of the aboue mentioned townes where-in were found sundry difficulties wherevppon the Emperor did not there-in shew him-selfe well disposed nor resolute although by his speech he sought to haue all men to beleeue the contrary But the Venetians did wholy dislike of Lautrecs proposition not that they stood lesse affected to the Popes enlargement then did the King but because they thought the enterprise of Rome lesse profitable for the common cause then that of Milan as it had beene debated before his comming and afterwards confirmed by himselfe that there was at the same time great hope of beeing able to conquer Pauia and Milan where there were weake Garrisons and that Antonio de Leua who by his dilligence and skill more then by force did gouerne that State lay greeuously sicke and was vnable to prouide remedies that losing this opportunity the affaires of the league would euer afterwards decline in regard of the huge number of Lancequenets that were ready to come down from the County of Tiroll into Lombardy But by taking Milan from them which was their only retreat and hauing neither cauallery nor victualls they would be enforced to change their mindes and to tarry at home in their houses that in the meane space it would giue time and leisure to tenne thousand Almaines payd by the King of England to come to the campe of the league and afterwards they might with those forces march to Rome and driue the enemies before them assuring together with the Churches State the libertye of all Italy The Lord of Lautrec inclining to their request determined to march towards Pauia before which with great speed he went and encamped the releefe which Antonio de Leua sent not beeing able to enter it the which being battered for the space of foure daies and a great part of the wall beaten downe the soldiors making ther approches did enter it by the breach The Citty was sackt and the French for eight daies together vsed all sorts of cruelty vpon the inhabitants who had vanted that they had beene the vanquishers of the French King because that King Francis was taken prisoner lying at the seege of the same Citty The Genowais at the same time being afflicted with sundry losses and calamities and cheefely with famine sent Ambassadors to the Lord Lautrec for to capitulate The Citties Duke whose name was Antonio Adorni retired him-selfe into the Castellet and the tumult being appeased by Phillip Doria who was prisoner there the Citty returned vnder the Kings obedience who appointed Theodario Triuulcio gouernor thereof and the Venetians because they would not leaue their Captaines vnrecompenced who had valiantly behaued themselues in the reduction of Genoa they encreased to Caesar Fregosa the conductof other thirty men at armes and doubled his pay they did like-wise acknowledge the valour and prowesse of Guy
signory Francis Sforza being not able to doe it who of himselfe could not entertaine the ordinary Garisons not-with-standing that he was obliged by the treaty of agreement to send forces into the field to resist the attempts of Antonio de Leua besides this the Venetians feare to lose their owne did incite them therevnto who stood in doubt like-wise that the warre would light on their owne state hauing intelligence of the great forces which were leuied in Tiroll and in other places neere adioyning with the great preparations of victualls and other munitions which was made at Trent to send into Italy By meane whereof the Senate imagining that it behooued them to encrease their army to the number of twenty thousand foote and to make a very great prouision to maintayne in a manner an other very difficult and dangerous warre â—…ent to entreat the King of England that in so great a necessity hee would bee pleased to releeue the Common-wealth by contributing a part of the payment of the army where-with they were to conserue and maintaine the liberty of Italy whereof hee had so often said that hee would bee the Protector But the King of England continuing that which hee had at other times spoken that hee would beginne to make warre on the Emperor in Flanders and by that meanes enforcing him to diuert his forces else-where hee might free Italy from that danger made a shew that for the common good of them all hee himselfe was to make greate preparations and necessary prouisions for such a deseigne In regard whereof the Signory being constrained alone to vndergoe all the charges of the warre was faine to haue recourse to extraordinary meanes the publike treasure beeing in a manner exhausted by reason of the continuall warres Among all these stirres and great warlike preparations the treaty of peace was not altogether broken of the Emperor making shew to desire it both with the French King and the Venetians where-vpon sundry practizes were set on foote to that end The Demands of the most Christian King and the Venetians were in efect these that the Emperor should restore to the French King his children That hee should set the Pope at liberty giue ouer all that which hee held from the Church re-establish Francis Sforza in the state of Milan and withdraw his forces forth of Lombardy and from Rome The Emperor did not altogether reiect these demands neither yet would wholy accept of them but in seeking not without difficulty to make some certaine resolution hee demanded of the Venetians a great summe of mony holding by that meanes the treaty in suspence being desirous to make vse of time and to behaue him-selfe according to the euent of the affaires of Italy and the new stirres which his brothers preparations would procure hoping in the meane time still to bee able with better aduantage to conclude an agreement with the French King alone determining to exclude al the other Confederates and to appropriat vnto him-selfe the Dutchy of Milan This was easily discerned by his owne words persisting euer in all motions of agreement that he would haue Francis Sforzas cause debated and censured by Iudges there-vnto appoynted and that in the meane time the Citty of Milan and the whole state should bee kept and garded in his name and by his owne Garrisons his cheefe ayme tending wholy to become absolute maister thereof hauing first broken all the forces of the Confederates Where vpon all these motions of peace being laid aside warre was againe denounced to him by the Confederates who hoping therein to make good vse of the Duke of Ferrara and the Marquis of Mantua in regard of the neere neighbour-hood of their states both the one and the other were sounded and it was at last concluded with the Duke of Ferrara that hee should bee receiued into the league on condition to send to the Confederates army two hundred men at armes paid by him-selfe and monethly to contribute for the space of sixe moneths tenne thousand Ducats toward the payment of the infantery and on the other side the Confederates promised to take him and his State like-wise into their protection and safegard where-vpon within a while after a great and Magnificent Pallace was restored to him which was his owne in Venice As concerning the agreement with the Marquis there was greater difficulty in the conclusion thereof because he craued to bee made Generall of the League in the absence of the Lord of Lautrec wherevnto the Venetians would not consent for the respect they did beare to the Duke of Vrbin But in the end Ieronimo Zene Gouernor of Verona being sent by the Senates commandement vnto Mantua to end that businesse hee did conclude it without the aboue-mentioned condition the Confederates taking the person of the Marquis and his State into their protection Now the Emperor perceiuing that he was to deale with so many enemies determined first of all to publish the iustice of his cause and by that meanes to draw away the King of England from them and for this purpose hee resolued to set the Pope at liberty for which hee sent an ample commission to the Viceroy and to D. Hugo de Moncada who being newly deceassed the Viceroy did exexecute it the Pope making ouer to the Emperor according to the agreement Ostia Ciuitauecchia and Câ—…uito Castellane and paying likewise but more commodiously the summe of mony promised and promising in speciall not to haue any dealing in the affaires of Naples nor Milan against the Emperor The Confederates resoluing to make warre both by sea and land in the begining of the yeare 1528. prepared great forces for to passe into the Kingdome of Naples as it had beene determined according to the desire and intention of the French King not-with-standing that they were well assured that the Imperiall army at their departure from Rome would take their iournie into Naples But the Confederates thinking it a matter of great importance to draw the Pope into the Confederacy were in great hope thereof because that his Holinesse hauing aduertized the French King and the Venetians of the passed agreement and his owne liberty entreated them to excuse him if necessity had enforced him so to doe confessing that he was greatly bound to the Princes of the League and to haue receiued a very rigorous and cruell entertainment of the Imperialls So soone as the Venetians vnderstood that the Pope was set at liberty and that he was newly gonne to Oruietta they speedily sent Lodouico Pisani the Prouidator to his Holinesse to lament with him in the Common-wealths name for his passed fortunes and to acquaint him with the great greefe that the Signory had conceiued thereat and with what care they had labored his enlargement whereof they were now wonderfull ioyfull to see that to bee effected which they had so much desired That the Republike had willingly imployed all her forces and meanes beene at
them But not-with-standing all these reasons Antonio de Leua being enforced by necessity to dislodge retired to Milan Aftet his departure the Duke of Vrbin was desirous to come neerer to Monce but the Senate hauing some suspition that Sforza did treate of an agreement with the Emperor which if it should come to passe their army would be inclosed and all the passages shut vp from releeuing Bergamo caused him to goe with the Army towards Lauda to discouer the Duke of Milans intent and to bee assured of him But since then the report of the Lancequenets comming dayly encreasing and how they did meane to come downe thorow the Verona Territory to ioyne them-selues afterward with Antonio de Leua the Senate decreed to place all their troupes in the townes and citties of their owne state Wherevpon the Duke of Vrbin according to this resolution retired to Bressia with one part of the army and the Count Gajazzo went with the residue to Bergamo At the same time as these things hapned the French King tending altogether to peace that hee might haue home his children and the Emperor like-wise enclining therevnto the Lady Marguerite the Emperors Aunt was by him deputed to conclude this treaty on his part hauing for this purpose sent her a large commission which was imparted to a Secretary whome the King had to that end sent into Flanders Wherevpon the King likewise did speedily appoynt the Lady Regent his mother with like commission which was like-wise communicated to the Emperors Agents The commissions being viewed on both sides the Cittie of Cambray was appointed where these two Ladies should meet and talke together to treat of the particularities of peace The King did in no sort aduertize the Senate of this treaty till it was very late at such time as the Lady Regent departed to the Treaty of Cambray when the matter could be no longer dissembled neither did hee so much as communicate vnto them any particularities of the Treaty but he onely promised the Ambassadors of the Confederates in generall that hee would make none agreement what-so euer with the Emperor without their consent and satissaction then shewing his great affection towards the Republike hee did greatly exhort them to a generall peace which assuring them should be mentioned in that diet he entreated all the Confederats to send ample power and authority to their Ambassadors which were at his Court to bee present thereat in their names and to conclude the peace The Senate found this manner of proceeding by the King to bee very strange who wonderfull cunningly had along time entertayned them with hope of his comming into Italy or to send great forces thither both by land and sea and for that he had done neither of them and had euer fed them with words for feare of breaking of the treaty yet for all that being desirous to shew that they had still the same mind and inâ—…lination to peace which they had before they determined to send to their two Ambassadors Iustinian and Nouagera who were at the same time in the french Court commission and authority to be present at that Treaty and to promise in the Common-wealths name what-so-euer should bee necessary and conuenient for the conclusion of peaco But Nouagera falling sicke before the arriuall of this commission in France died to the great greefe of his Country-men Now the whole burthen of this charge lay alone vpon Iustinian who had particular instructious of the Senates meaning and resolution the which in effect was That in any case that which had beene agreed vpon on the three and twentith of the precedent month might be obserued and likewise that the same which had beene concluded and resolued on before at the Diet of Wormes might take effect because that all the strife betwixt the Republike and the house of Austria did onely proceed from not obseruing the precedent accords but that aboue all other things they would haue the state of Milan to be rendered and restored to Francis Sforza of which charge and commission the Venetian Ambassador had no great cause to make vse For not-with-standing that hee had followed the Lady Regent to Cambray hee neuer-the-lesse remayned the most part of the time at Saint Quintins certaine miles distant from Cambray none of the most important particularities nor truest articles of the treaty being communicated vnto him The Senate by this meanes did doubt that the King was desirous to conclude an agreement for him-selfe alone without any regard to their particular intrest nor to the other Confederates and that as concerning that which hee had promised to conclude nothing with the Emperor without them proceeded from feare least they suspecting his intent should preuent him by making an accord with the Emperor and hee by that meanes should bee excluded from all their friendshippes and his accord made thereby more difficult and with lesse aduantage Therefore the King had sent the Bishoppe of Tarbi into Italy with commission to goe to Venice to the Duke of Milan to Ferrara and to Florence to treate of matters belonging to the warres albeit it was the least part of his meaning And within a while after Theodore Triuulcio came to Venice where in the Kings name he required the Senate to deliuer ouer vnto him in Deposito the Citties of Rauenna and Ceruia till such time as that businesse were ended assuring them that hee did it to giue occasion to the Pope to declare him-selfe it being a matter of great importance to haue his fauour Answer was made to this request that as concerning his comming the Republike would not faile him of all aide and succor which it had before times promised and to giue him a more euident proofe there of they were content to send to Suza or to Ast twenty thousand Ducats before hand towards the first paiment But for the sequestration of the Citties of Romagnia an vniuersall peace being to bee treated of at the Treaty of Cambray that difficulty among others was there to bee resolued how the Senate ought not to consent to that sequestring till such time as it perceiued al their affaires quiet and all other contentions setled But in this the Kings cunning and sundry ententions beeing discouered they did except with great deuotion the resolution at Cambray Therefore the Senate commanded Lodoâ—…ico Faliere their Ambassador in England to treate with that king who had euer shewed himself a great friend to the Republike to be pleassed as he had at other times bin to take it into his protection and to procure that in those affaires which were handled at Cambray nothing might be concluded to the hurt and preiudice thereof noâ—… to the liberty of Italy whereof many yeares before he had to his immortall prayse taken vpon him the defense whileâ—… these preparations were made on all sides the Emperour who for all the treaty of peace had not ceassed to pursue his deseines nor
first men thought that he had but feigned For the Emperor thinking it not only dangerous but smally for his honour to depart forth of Italy and to leaue matters imperfect without establishing a sure peace there for a time he beganne to shew that his mind enclined therevnto But because hee plainely perceiued that hee could not effect it without making an accord with the Venetians on whome during these troubles the State of all Italy seemed to depend being yet doubtful whether the French king would ioyne with them who were so much distasted of him by reason that hee did no more care to obserue the Treaty of Cambray now that hee had home his children then hee had done that of Madrill after that hee was set at liberty Hee resolued with him-selfe to make an accord with the Venetians and made this his desire knowne to his owne Councellours the better to finde some meanes to end this businesse in which diuers men of authority did employ themselues Andrew Doria sent Frederico Grimaldi to Venice to offer them freely to employ himselfe in this treaty assuring them that he knew for certaine that the Emperor was desirous of an agreement with them and that if the Senate would be pleased to haue him to meddle in the businesse he did hope speedily to dispatch it The Senate neither accepting nor refusing this offer answered that it had euer desired peace and highly esteemed as it became them the Emperors fâ—…eindship being at the same present of that mind but that they were very desiâ—…ous to see some euident signe whereby they might perceiue the Emperors intention to be such as as he spake of for the keeping of the Lancequenets in hostile manner vppon their State spoiling and wasting the Bressan territory was a token of a contrary affection Soone after Sigismond de la Tour Chamberlaine and Ambassador to the Marquis of Mantoa came to Venice to exhort the Senate in like manner to an agreement with the Emperor affirming the very same that Doria had done how that the Imperiall Maiesty was desirous of an atonement with them entreating them to giue consent to suffer the treaty thereof to bee concluded in the Citty of Mantoa whether he knew that the Emperor would forth-with send his Agents with commissions to that end During these treaties the Emperour prepared for his comming to Bolognia to speake with the Pope according as it had beene concluded at Barcelona All men had great hope of this enteruiew wherein matters of importance were to be decided of which men greatly doubted remaining with attention to see what would be the end thereof especially the Venetians because their affaires were very much intermingled and of great difficulty The Pope seemed greatly to affect them seeking by the meanes of Cardinall Cornare to induce them to lay downe their armes and to come to some honourable composition and therefore hee had already before then sent the Bishop of Vaison his Nuncio to the Emperor at Placentia who was thought to haue greatly preuailed in disposing him vnto peace with all men and cheefely with the Venetians This was the cause why diuers Senators shewed themselues more strict in this negociation some of them being desirous to tarry till it were called vpon in the assembly at Bolognia others of a contraâ—…y opinion propounded that it behooued them to accept of the offer of the Marquis of Mantoa and make present choyce of Ambassadors to send thither to treat of agreement And why should we say they deferre it any longer The Emperor hath a mighty army the forces of the league being broken and dissolued are weake nay rather deâ—…eated the Florentines alone the Duke of Milan and We are left to vndergoe the burthen of such a warre which is indeed a matter very vneasie by reason of our smal meanes after so great expences that we haue beene at and in regard of the great forces that the Emperor hath at this present in Italy and yet neuerthelesse in such an inequallity of things whilest he daily increaseth in hope and we wax weak he is content to treat with vs vpon equall termes and as I may say to humble himself and to be the formost in inuiting vs to peace and friendship and we refuse it and make small account thereof And besides it is not to be doubted but that which Doria first of all and then the Marquis of Mantoa haue so freely offered and promised hath not only proceeded from his owne consent but hath beene done by his expresse commandement for beleeue it they would neuer vndertake to be dealers betwixt such great Princes with such an assurance of their mindes were they not more then certaine thereof and is it then a part of wisdome to let such an occasion to escape which offereth it selfe to doe that which wee haue soe often-times desired and which at this present more then euer is to be wisht for Wee haue had for many yeares continuall warre wherein wee hâ—…ue spent more then fiue Millions of gold so as this Citty and our whole State which did scarcely beginne a little to breath after the forepassed warres is now wholy ruined and all mens meanes consumed and yet for all that a way being opened vnto vs to settle vs hence-forward in rest and quietnesse to our honor and reputation by prouiding as there is hope for our safety and comfort we will hold the matter doubtfull and expose our peace to the hazard of fortune which may as it hath often done produce such an accident as will change the Emperors mind and will or else by his remayning armed here in Italy may encrease our discommodities and dangers or by his departure leauing matters in trouble and confusion keepe vs yet for as many yeares more at as great expence in warre and then God knoweth what will be the end thereof Those which haue hithervnto praised the constancy of this Senate for that without sparing cost and without feare of any danger it hath defended with such great affection the common cause and the liberty of Italy perceiuing now accidents being changed and how needfull it is to change opinions that it doth continue in the same way and desire to dwell in armes and to make warre hauing meanes to auoide it will perhaps change their minds and deâ—…me vs to obstinate and others will repute vs foolish and ill-aduised for that wee will not handle matters not onely by reason but according to our owne will without applying our selues to time and occasion by temporizing and expecting better fortune It is without doubt good and commendable to deliberate maturely on matters which present themselues but we must not excced the limmits of reason least wee come to extremity which is euer dangerous but follow as most proffitable the middle way because it often happeneth that a long delay of his which holdeth matters in perpetuall irresolution and length causeth as much and more danger then an ouer hasty 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
proceed more slowly in that wherein they were bound to the Emperor and to abstaine from entring into any new league or confederacy with him he complained of all these matters Câ—…sar Fregoza Captaine of a company of light horsse in Verona departing without leaue and going to Genoa to fauour the Kings partie was depriued of his pay and rancke which he held and was wholly banished from their State The King complained thereof and of diuers other matters and sometimes with very bitter speeches because that the Venetians went about as he said to mar his deseignes and enterprizes The Emperors agents on the other side seeming to be displeased if they should casse certaine vnprofitable soldiers said that they did it to augment the enemies army whither they retired themselues which was assembled at Mirandola so iealous were these two Princes one of an other which of them should haue the Republick for his friend and Confederate The Emperour departing as hath beene said from Prouence went to Genoa meaning to passe as hee did into Spaine leauing the Marquis of Guasto for his Lieftenant Generall in Italy in Antonio de 〈◊〉 steed who dyed in Prouence with twenty thousand foote-men both of Almaines Spaniards and Italians Other Ambassadors from the Republicke came vnto him to Genoa namely Nicolao Tepulo Marc-Antonio Veniero Marc-Antonio Cornare and Antonio Capello and at their arriuall he dispatched Doâ—… Pedro Gonzales de Mendozâ—… to Venice to acquaint them with his successe in warre and with the cause of his returne together with his great loue to peace particularly rehearsing vnto them whatsoeuer had beene treated of with the King the first practises beeing againe renued where the King had taken time for three moneths to resolue him selfe whether hee should accept the Dutchy of Milan for his sonne the Duke of Angoulesme and thereby haue him to marry with Duke Sforzas widdow And if within the time prefixed the King did not resolue thereon hee did intend to giue that State to Don Luigi Infant of Portugall or to Emanuell sonne to the Duke of Sauoy wherein he desired to know their mindes but he added that for the better establishing of all these matters it was necessary to contract a new league betwixt the Princes of Italy for otherwise it was impossible that himselfe alone could beare such a burthen wherevnto if they would not giue their consent they should haue no cause to complaine of him if hee were enforced to do that which would not greatly please them The Senate beeing constant in their former resolution not to declare their meaning concerning the Dutchy of Milan vntill they had more particular notice of the Emperors intent therein nor yet to make any new confederacie other then that of Bolognia so oftentimes renued answered that concerning the new Duke of Milan when the Emperor should directly name any one the Senate would afterwards better consider of their particular common interests and make a more certaine resolution as for the new league they alleadged the selfe same reasons as at other times that there was no need thereof with the same regard to the Turke who euery day grew great and according to common report prepared a mighty Army for the yeare following The Venetians did aduertise the Pope of what had passed still assuring him of their great affection to the peace and safety of Italy for which they intreated his Holynesse readily to employ himselfe because that hauing reuiued the matter concerning the Dutchy of Camerine he seemed to neglect this other important businesse satisfying himselfe onely for that hee had declared himselfe as neuer but being at last earnestly solicited by the Venetians and by the imminent dangers which threatned them from the Turke which did dayly encrease as also for that he had vndertaken to conuoke a generall Councell which was published to be held at Vincenza insteed of Mantua where it had beene first appointed hee did expresly resolue to send his Legates to both these Princes to treate particularly of this businesse namely of an vniuersall peace betwixt the Christian Princes of the league against the Turke and of the celebration of the Councell The Cardinall Triuulcio went to the French King and the Cardinal Carracciola to the Emperor but these Legations were fruitlesse because none of these three points did take effect by reason of sondry difficulties whih happened War by this meanes did in such sort kindle betwixt the Emperor and the French King as enemies and most barberous nations were there-in vsed to the hurt and ruyne of Christendome where-in the Venetians like-wise had an hand notwithstanding that they had determined to remaine neuters and to be at peace and friendship with both parties Now by that which hath beene said the deseignes of Francis the French King may be sufficiently discerned who determining to trie all meanes to abase the Emperors greatnesse and to reuenge all those wrongs which he said he had receiued from him he did at sondry times sound the Venetians meaning and did by diuers meanes seeke to seperate them from the Emperor at the last the Lord of Rhodâ—… comming from him to Venice propounded sundry faire hopes and promises to the Senate and vsed all meanes to change their former determination to continew the league with thâ—… Emperour but it was in vaine For the Venetians were as firme and constant in keeping their promise with the Emperor as they were hard to be drawne to doe any thing which might disturbe the quiet of Italy The kings hope herein being frustrate and himselfe being mightily animated against the Emperor for comming to assaile him in his owne Kingdome knowing likewise that he was to weake of him-selfe alone to finish the enterprize of the Dutchy of Milan which was defended by the entire â—…orces of the Emperour and the Venetians supposed that there was nothing which would sooner cause him to obtaine his desire then to purchase the friendship of Soliman which he had already practized whereby he did hope to enforce the Venetians either to take his part or at least to abstaine from following that of the Emperor the causes being very great and many which did moue the Venetians to make high account of Solimans authority and on the other side by causing the Turkish army to passe ouer into Puglia or to other places of the Emperors obedience hee did thinke to diuert his forces and greatly to weaken his defence for the State of Milan The King then turned all his designes towards the Port of the great Turke where not-with-standing that Iohn â—…orrest was his Ambassador hee did besides send thither Dom Zerafin de Gozi of Ragusa with new and more important instructions and great promises These two being often in company of the Baschas of most authority propounded diuers matters which being reported to Soliman might easily induce him to grant the Kings demands as the Emperors greatnes the which if it were not moderated would become
them for their safety to ioyne with him for the which purpose passing along at the same time almost nere to Corfou he had craued conference with the Generall Pesare meaning expresly more then once to hold long discourse that he might cause the Turkes to enter into some suspition All these exploits being knowne at Venice did greatly trouble the Senate where the opinions neuerthelesse were different some blaming the indiscretion of those who by their rashnesse had throwne the common-wealth head-long into a great and dangerous warre contrary to the Senates intentions others publikely affirming the contrary said that they had done wel and discreetly according to the rule and discipline of sea affaires and the reputation of their army and after sundry other reasons propounded on both sides they concluded to tarry for aduertizements from the Baily to vnderstand particularly in what manner the Turke had taken those things which were past and all their determinations against those who had offended were deferred till then The Baily within a while after by Solimans commandement sent Alessandro Vrsino who did wholly resolue them of all that they desired to know and sent them word sharply to punish those who had violated and broken the peace and to make it apparent that whatsoeuer had beene done was not by the Senates will or consent and that by so doing Aiax the Visir Basha did put them in hope of the continuance of the peace Vpon this aduertisement they resolued to write to the Generall to send the Zaratine captaine Iusto Gradonico who commanded those Gallies that were for the gard of the Channell of Corfoù when Ianusbei was pursued with all the rest whom he should thinke had offended in that action with their legs and hands bound to Venice as for the Prouidator Contaren they commanded him to saile with his Galley to Zara where leauing both it and his office he should come to Venice and present himselfe before the Magistrate of the Auogario Some of the Senators were of opinion to call home the General Pesare likewise for to purge himselfe of that matter because that all errors committed in warre are to be attributed to the Generall who holdeth the soueraigne authority they supposing that if the Generall had punished the Zaratine all the other inconueniences would not afterwards haue happened and that therefore he was guilty thereof that the peace with the Turke was of such importance to the Common-wealth that all other respects were not to be compared to it besides in regard that the whole fleet was to remaine stil together there was no need to haue so many Generals who for the most part doe cause disorder in affaires of importance rather then any good gouernment The Senate not consenting to call home the Generall did sendbacke Vrsino to the Baily and yet they would not haue Soliman at that time to be acquainted with that which had beene concluded against the Prouidator and the captaines of the gallies because they would not haue the Turkes to thinke that what they had decreed was done rather to satisfie them then for their loue to iustice Therefore they enioyned the Baily to demonstrate the Senates sound and sincere affection and how desirous the Venetians were to continue their friendship and peace with Soliman and that for the better testimony thereof they would shortly send an expresse messenger vnto him with particular instructions of what had passed and within a while after Vincenzo Grimani Procurator of Saint Mark was chosen for that purpose But before Vrsino camebacke with his instructions to Valona Soliman who after the taking of Castro had beseeged Ottranto being spurred forward by disdaine and by Barbarossas pursutes notwithstanding that he had promised the Baily to attempt nothing til Vrsinos returne did neuerthelesse determin to returne to Valona and to turne all his forces both by sea and land against the Venetians and especially to assaile the Island and fort of Corfou it being at the same time very commodious for him It is reported that Aiax the visier Basha sought by soundry reasons to diuert Soliman from this resolution by shewing him that in so doing he would encrease the Imperials forces who were deadly enemies to the Ottomans with whom the Venetians should be enforced to ioyne for their owne defense and safety besides that the yeere being already very farre spent for it was the latter end of August would not suffer him to beginne any long or difficult enterprize that the campe did already want victuals by reason that Doria had taken so many small vessels laden with victuals But Barbarossa being greatly incensed for that Doria had taken and sunke twelue of his Gallies at the Merleres sought to reuenge himselfe vpon the Venetians saying that it was They who had giuen meanes and aduised the Imperials to assaile his Gallies neere to the Channel of Corfou and in their sight almost hauing secret intelligence with their enemies furnishing them with hauens victuals and all other commodities so as by these reasons he caused Soliman to condiscend to his councell Now so soone as he had resolued to make warre vpon the Venetians he wrote to all places of the Ottoman Empire where the Venetians had most trafficke that they should imprison their persons and seize vpon their goods and especially at Alexandria whither three great Gallies were come vpon his word Soliman came in the meane time from La Valona to Butrintotto right ouer against Corfou the more commodiously to passe ouer his forces from thence into the Island Barbarossa was already gon thither with part of the fleete and some thousand horse to spoile and scoure the country which he did The newes thereof being brought to Venice which they had before that time suspected did greatly trouble all men for notwithstanding that the castle of Corfou was thought to be strong enough to sustaine all the furious attempts of the Turkes they neuerthelesse feared that they should not long be able to resist so mighty an enemy and defend their owne State exposed in so many sundry places to his mercy The Isle of Corfou lieth right ouer against the Venetian Gulphe betwixt the Ionian and Adriattick sea on the North side thereof lieth the coast of Albania from whence it is some two miles distant and stretcheth it selfe from the West to the East in manner of a Cressent or halfe Moone sauing that in the middest the inward part thereof breaking betwixt the great arch maketh it like two Semicircles it being in circuit a hundred and twenty miles that space of sea which lieth betwixt the Island and the firme land is commonly called the Channell of Corfou The aire there is very good and soile fertil enough there being diuers goodly plaines on the Northside The towne is seated almost in the middest of the Island within it vpon the sea at the foote of an hil which in a manner doth wholly enuiron it it is of a sufficient bignesse
rather by cowardize and indiscretion then for any euell will and therefore they did offer to spend both their meanes and liues for the seruice of the Common-wealth promising to giue sufficient and ample testimony of their loyalty earnestly and humbly entreating them not to forsake them seeing that they were ready and determined to make defense The Senate did willingly giue eare vnto them and with faire speeches and great promises they were sent backe againe where-vpon the Generall was commanded to send fiue and twenty Gallies to the Isle of Candy vnder the conduct of the Prouidator Pascalie who had like-wise commission to carry soldiers and victualls to Naples and to leaue foure Gallies there for the guard of the city They did in like manner furnish the Castle and Isle of Corfoù with all things necessary As for Dalmatia sundry companies of light horse drawne from Greece and Croatia were sent thither to gard the country against the enemies incursions But that which did trouble them was the vncertenty which way they would take there being sundry speeches thereof whereby they were at one time to prouide for all the places which they held vppon the sea and likewise to assure Patria in Frioul because the report was that Soliman in person would be in his land army which made them feare that he might come thither In the meane time the last conclusion of the league was most ernestly sollicited whose forces were supposed would be very great which was the cause that no more mention was made of the treaty of peace the which for a time lay dead The Venetians to please the Emperor had chosen Andrew Doria Generall of the whole army and the Pope in fauour to the Common-wealth had appointed Marco Grimani Patriarke of Aquileia to command his Gallies a Venetian by nation and of a noble and rich family But there rested to conclude the portion of their expence which each of the Confederates were to beare in that common enterprise knowing very wel that the third part was to great for the Sea Apostolick the Venetians being contented somwhat to ease it and that the Emperor should beare the rest but his Agents notwithstanding they said that it was reason to ease the Pope would neuerthelesse not giue their consent to haue him charged more then the Venetians The Emperour at the last fearing least that the delay of the conclusion of the league might breed some coldnesse in those who were most foreward to warre and might in the end cause the Senate to giue eare to the propositions of peace and that thereby he might be enforced alone to sustaine all the Turkes attempts did encrease the authority of his Agents at Rome promising to be pleased with whatsoeuer they should agree to and cheefely concerning the difficultie about the expence suffering the Pope to beare but the sixth part and of the residew the three partes should bee for him selfe and the two for the Venetians Whilest these treaties were made in the Court of Roome Genesino who at Constantinople serued as Dragoman for the Common-welth arriued at Venice bringing letters from the Bayley and was enjoyned by the Visier Bascha and the admirall to aduise councell and exhort the Venetians to harken vnto peace he did afterward acquaint them particularly with the great warlicke preparations which were made in sundry places of Solimans Empire he told them besides from Aiax the Visier Bascha that he did greatly maruaile why they had not answered his former letters that he did neuerthelesse beare the selfe same good will and affection to the Republike that a way lay open vnto them for peace if they would send their Ambassador to the Port of the great Lord to iustifie their actions past and by the satisfaction for losses to vse meanes to appease Soliman who otherwise was ready to make inuasion vpon them The arriuall of this Dragoman and his new offers did cause sundry effects in the Senate for it did more animate those that craued warre and strengthened the other in their opinion which required peace Therefore the Senate being therevppon assembled to answere the Baily the businesse being brauely disputed on in the assembly cheefely by Marc Antonio Cornare who had at other times maintained in that place That it behooued them to ioyne with the League and to make warre and by Marco Foscare who was one of the Councell and by his skill and long experience in the managing of publicke affaires had purchased great authority it was determined by the plurality of voices according to the former resolution not to write vnto Constantinople at all but onely for to make warre Therevppon within a while after they sent ample commissions to their Ambassadors at Rome for the conclusion of the league and for the signing to the articles thereof on which after a long contestation they had agreed and which were read and approoued in the Senate beeing these That there was a league and confederacy made betwixt Pope Paul the third the Emperor Charles the fift and the Republick and Senate of Venice as well offensiue as defensiue against Soliman King of Turkes whereby the Confederats did promise to make warre vpon the Turkes with two hundred Gallies a hundred armed ships and fifty thousand Italian footemen tenne thousand Spaniards and twenty thousand Almans with foure thousand fiue hundred horse armed after the Bourgonian manner to which forces were added a sufficient quantity of artilery munition and other necessaries which should yearely be ready about the midest of March. Of these Gallies the Pope armed thirty sixe the Emperor foure score and two and the Signory of Venice as many vnder the command of Vincenzo Capello their Generall the Emperor was bound to furnish all the shippes of warre and the Venetians to lend the Pope Gallies ready furnished with all necessaries Concerning the expence it was diuided as aboue is said Ferdinand King of the Romans was vnder-stood to be comprehended in that Confederacy whome the Emperor did promise should wholy ratisie it and would cause him to leuy an army a part to assaille the Turkes in Hungary The most Christian king was therin likewise comprehended so soone as he should declare that he would accept of the cheefe and most honorable place which they had reserued for him wherein the Pope was to appoint with what forces he should be present there That the Pope should likwise vse meanes to draw the King of Poland and the other Christian Princes to this Vnion and if that any contention should arise among the Confederate Princes concerning the League the Pope was to decide it and to make them friends Andre Doria was as hath beene said Generall by Sea and the Duke of Vrbin for the enterprizes of the firme land As for the conquests which should bee made by the common armes it was mentioned in a scedule apart that euery of the confedrates should enter vpon the same state which had belonged vnto him so
knew that it did not proceed from magnanimity of courage or from any good will that hee did beate to the cause but onely because hee trusted to the swiftnesse of his owne Galley wherein he might easily escape which Capel perceiuing would not likewise depart till the very selfe-same time that hee retired The end of the second Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the third Booke of the sixth Decade BArbarossa retireth into the Gulph of Larta for feare of Sea tempests How all men did condemne Andre Doria The Confederates take Castel Nouo in the Gulphe of Cathara Doria with his Galleys retireth into Sicily The Venetians take Rissana The occasions which mooued the Senate to make peace with the Turke Gritti goeth to Constantinople for that purpose Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin sonne to Francesco Maria is made Generall of the Venetian troopes An Accord betwixt the Pope and the Duke of Vrbin for the Dutchy of Camerin Barbarossa recouereth Castel-nouo The Bascha alledgeth Solimans complaints concerning the accord with the Venetians Barbarossa giueth an assault to Cathara hoping to take it The Baschas vnreasonable demands vpon the agreement with the Venetians The Emperor Charles passeth thorow France into Flanders to chastice the Gantois The Cardinall Farneze commeth into France as Legat at that enter view The Conclusion of the peace with the Turkes according to their owne minde The sorrow and discontent of those of Naples and Maluesia when they vnderstood that their Townes were made ouer to the Turkes And lastly the Consignation of those two townes into the Baschas hands with the departure of diuerse of the Inhabitants to goe and dwell else-where The third Booke of the sixth Decad of the Historie of Uenice THE Army of the league beeing returned to Corfou Barbarossa not beeing satisfied that hee had escaped shame and danger went into the Isle of Paxu some twelue miles from thence where he continued for a time daring as it were the Confederates to come forth of their Hauen and fight or else waiting for an opportunity to endanger them but the Army of the league was filled with disorder and feare Doria his conduct beeing thought most infortunate and his loyalty and counsell much suspected there was no man that durst vndertake a deed of consequence if any proposition were made infinite numbers of difficulties were found therein and the Galleys remaining thus in the hauen without any military action the Turkes after that they had braued the Christian army fearing foule weather and tempests by reason that part of October was spent retired into the Gulph of Larta Such was the successe of that yeare such was the end of so great a warlick preparation and in a word that great expectation of all men came to nothing to the great hurt and disaduantage of all Christendome and to the particular dishonor of André Doria against whom all men cried out some taxing him of cowardise others of treachery and for that hee stood badly affected to the good of Christendome and particularly to that of the Venetians Those who spake of it more openly did blame his sundry immoderate affections his intollerable ambition his feare to expose himselfe to dangers his great auarice wherewith he was some-times so blinded as hee esteemed nothing so much as his owne priuate gaine The Spaniards more then all others cryed out against him and especially the Marquis of Aguilar the Emperors Ambassador at Rome who went about to wipe out the opinion which all men had conceiued how that the Emperor his maister had intelligence with him and that by his commandement he had so carried himselfe But the Venetian Senate beeing well aduised thinking it not fit to make him their enemy in regard hee still had the command of the Army was desirous amid these publick curses to shew that they did in no sort resent it nor were any whit displeased with him but wrote him a very louing letter to assure him that they beleeued that he as a wise and discreet Captaine had done nothing but with great consideration and good councell Yet neuerthelesse the imputations laid vpon him beeing come to his hearing did greatly afflict him so as since his returne to Corfou he did for many dayes liue in priuate not comming abroad in publick and when in his owne presence any mention was made of that which had happened in that voyage hee did seeme to bee extreamly sorry for it beeing scarce able to keepe him selfe from shedding teares either true or seigned in acknowledgment of his fault All the Army of the league after that retreat did for a time remaine at Corfou but the Confederates supposing it to bee a disgrace vnto them to continue so long in the hauen the season being fit for sea actions notwithstanding that it was then Autumne and the enemies beeing farre from thence they began to propound sundry matters The Generall Capell did solicite them to saile with the whole Army into the Archipelago where as he said some new occasion might be offered of fighting with the enemy and though that should not come to passe yet an other notable and certaine profit might redound by that iourney in regard that diuers ships that were loden going to Constantinople would fall into their hands as an assured booty besides they should releeue Naples and Maluesia and might recouer diuerse Islands of the Archipelago as easily as they had been lost from whence they might draw great commodity and chiefly of Rowers for the Nauy whereby double profit would redound to them as to driue the enemies from thence and to make aboade there by reason of the hauenâ—… wherewith those Islands doe abound where the fleete might lye in all safety and their abode there would make Barbarossa iealous and fearfull so as hee would not dare to carry his fleet to Constantinople and that Gulphe beeing taken from him which was very commodious for his vse hee would not come forth at all or else very late to sea the next yeare whereby his honor and reputation would enforce him to come to a battaile Others and especially Doria were of opinion rather to go and besiege Durazzo thinking it a dangerous matter to saile at that season vpon the Archipelago and the labour likewise which should be bestowed in the recouery of those Islands would be lost there beeing no safe nor assured Fort wherevpon so soone as the Turkish Army should shew it selfe they would bee againe recouered But on the contrary they could but haue great hope of the happy successe of the enterprise of Durazzo inregard of the quality of the place beeing of it selfe very commodious a neere neighbour to Italy and fitte for opening the way to greater exploits in Albania But this proposition likewise did finde sundry difficulties first that there were no hauens there fitte for the Fleet especially for the ships who without danger could not ride vpon those shallow flattes Next that the countrey was full of Turkish Cauallery
Emperor by good offices had beene disposed to the obseruation of the Articles of the league namely to grant a proportion of corne out of Naples and Sicily toward the entertainment of the army to cause Castelnouo to be consigned into the hands of the Republicks officers and to command the Gallies to be ready in the moneth of March that the fleets might be ioyned together but the Emperor performing nothing of all this did still find out delayes and excuses for concerning the proportion of corne his officers were first to haue their owne share and diuision for the restitution of Castelnouo they aleadged that the Common-wealth should first pay the Spaniards for keeping that Fort till then and as concerning the ready expedition of the Army in regard that the Emperor determined to be in it in person it behooued them to make greater preparations and also to haue more forces and so consequently a longer time But in some of these things reason and the effect did manifest that hee did neither regard equity nor the common good the Emperors speeches were very magnificent full of goodly promises but greatly suspected that he did only intend to keepe the Venetians bound by meanes of the league that hee might make vse both of their armes and friendship in as much as concerned his owne particular profit and comodity and not for the wealth or seruice of the Republicke by reason that it was knowne how that the Estates assembled in Spaine did beseech him not to deparrt forth of the Cuntrey besides his want of money was so great as although his meaning had beene to haue gone in person into the Army yet hee would not haue had meanes to haue defraied the expences of such a iourney in regard whereof all men may perceiue that it was farre more safe and expedient for the Signory of Venice to thinke on peace and agreement rather then on armes That which mooued them to this Treaty was their hope to obtaine peace on honest conditions seeing that the Turkes did vse them with more respect then they were wont for they had released the Baily forth of the Tower of the great Sea and admitted them into Constantinople and did likewise put them in hope as it came to passe speedily to restore all the Venetian Marchants to their liberty and to suffer them to trade in the same manner as they had done before so as they would be bound one for another not to depart from Constantinople nor to send their goods forth of the Ottoman Empire There came besides to Venice a man whose name was Antonio de Modon dwelling at that time in Zante bringing letters from Ianusby his friend which he had written to him concerning their owne particular traficke wherein hee mentioned how that the great Turke and the Bascha were desirous of a Peace with the Republick so as if an Ambassador were sent from Venice to Constantinople for that purpose some agreement might bee easily concluded and that this Iauusbey did offer so that they would intreate him willingly to employ him selfe therein All these things did mooue the Councell of Tenne to begin some practise of agreement but to the end it should bee kept secret they would not for that time send any publick person to Constantinople but appointed Lorenzo Gritti the Dukes sonne for that iourney vnder coullor of some affaires of his owne and in particular for the recouery of certaine goods belonging to a brother of his who a little before dyed at Constantinople They enioyned him first to speake of a generall truce and that hee should bee very earnest therein the better afterwards to come to some resolution But if the Turkes should not entertaine it then to motion a treatie of peace for the Common-wealth by renuing the ancient capitulations and on conditions that both sides should yeeld vp those places that had beene taken during that warre The French King had an hand in this treaty of truce sending an Agent expresly for that purpose to Constantinople but the small hope of any peace was soone discerned the Turke beeing not willing to haue any accord with the Emperour wherevpon the better to turne all his forces against him he had propounded and consented to an agreement with the Venetians But so soone as Gritti his going to Constantinople was published notwithstanding that the cause was kept secret all men did suspect the matter how that his iourney was to treate of peace with Soliman Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza Ambassador at that time for the Emperor at Venice beeing come into the Senate in secret audience did discouer this suspition and made a modest complaint for that they went about to treate of peace with the common enemy not comprehending therein the Emperor their friend and confederate and did afterwards seeke by a long and perswasiue oration to disswade them from peace with the Turkes They answered him that the Republick had more then two years since entred into the league yet neuerthelesse it might truly say that it had alone susteined all the Turkish attempts That they did allow of the lawfull occasions which had held back the arriuall of the ayde of the other Confederates at that time when they most needed them that they did likewise beleeue how it might easily come to passe that by sundry accidents the same occasions might be againe offered and yet neuerthelesse they had euer borne and would beare great respect to the Confederates that the French King had procured generall truce at Constantinople by accepting whereof they did suppose to haue procured much wealth and profit to the common cause whereby great commodity might redound to the league if there were nothing else then the gaining of time which the Emperors selfe did thinke to bee most necessary for his voyage into the Leuant The like pursute was made in the Emperors Court betwixt his Maiesty and the Ambassador of the Common-wealth But it was not to any purpose either to hasten the Emperor to make prouisions for warre or to with-draw the Venetians from the treaty of peace already determined With such successe ended the yeare 1538. about the latter end whereof on the seuen and twenty day of December Prince Gritti deceased beeing foure score and foure yeares of age hauing gouerned fifteene yeares and seauen moneths and was buryed in Saint Francis Church PIETRO LANDE the seuenty eight Duke PIETRO LANDE was chosen in his place a noble man and of three score and eighteene yeeres of age The yeere following was in a manner spent about the negotiation of peace at the beginning whereof the Venetians supposing that it behooued them onely to trust and hope in their owne forces for the safety of their state went about to encrease the Garrisons of their fortes and to re-enforce their Armie wherevpon they made a great leuy of Soldiers and armed other light and great galleys at Venice they likewise sent a commandement to Alessandro
with these summons although hee did not looke for them vsed speedy meanes to prouide all things necessary for the defence of the towne and to stirre vp the Citizens and souldiers to a braue resistance then hee answered Barbarossa that hee did greatly wonder and so would likewise all the world beside at his audacious demaund the which beeing wholly against all reason hee could not imagine to proceed from Soliman who was euer wont to keepe his word and promise and that therefore hee did so much relie vpon the iustice of his owne cause as hee did determine to keepe and defend that towne committed vnto him by his Country and Common-wealth Barbarossa made no reply to this answere but caused part of his Gallies to set forward the which being inconsiderately come neere to the forte were to their great hurt and losse beaten backe by the Artillery Barbarossa beeing the next day come thither with the residue of the army was likewise repulsed by the ordnance and hauing landed great numbers of souldiers farre of from the castle those which went by the way of the hill comming very neere vnto the walles were so hurt by small peeces of ordnance which were planted vppon the highest place of the castle as beeing disordered they made all possible haste they could for to returne towardes their Gallies but vpon those who went on the land side where the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis standeth with whom Barbarossa was in person to view the place the Stradiots with certaine Harquebuziers on horse backe made a salley and enforced them to retire to their losse and to saue themselues on the toppe of the next hill whither the horse-men could not follow them Barbarossa hauing well viewed and obserued the castle and the resolution of those within it brauely to defend themselues despayring of beeing able to take it hauing stayed there one day longer without enterprizing any thing determined to raise his campe and to returne to the mouth of the Gulphe whether being come and leauing a strong Garrison in Castel-nouo hee did wholly depart forth of the Gulphe of Catharra it was then thought that hee would goe to scoure the sea-coasts of Puglia and by the way hee passed by the Channell of Corfou wherein signe of friendship hee was saluted with certaine Cannon shot from the castle and presented from the Gouernour with fresh cates and certaine garments which hee did very willingly receiue with great thankes and kinde speeches The report of the taking of Castel-nouo and Barbarossa his enterprize vppon Cathara was not very pleasing to the Senate fearing that their army beeing deuided the enemy would make some other attempt vppon their State At the same time whilest that the Turkes did batter Castel-nouo Andrew Doria departing from Sicily was come to Casopa from whence hee sent word to the Prouidator Contaren who lay at Corfou that a faire occasion was offered to ouerthrow the enemies whilest they hauing forsaken their Gallies were busied in battering Castel-nouo therefore hee did aduise him for to ioyne both their fleetes together the Prouidator hauing answered him the better to sound his intent that hee would bee ready to releeue Castel-nouo and to execute any other enterprize so that all the forces might bee ioyned together with hope of profit Doria making no replie at all vnto this answere retired to the hauen of Brandissa The Ambassador Contaren in the meane time iournyed towards Constantinople whither beeing come and brought into Solimans presence who had graunted him audience all the time that hee was deliuering his commission Soliman held his hand vpon his brest signifying as his seruants interpreted it a troubled minde yet neuerthelesse hauing quietly heard him hee told him that hee was welcome not making any other answere to his negociation referring him as the manner is vnto his Bashas with whom Contaren afterwardes conuersing and beginning more particularly for to explaine his commission so soone as they heard him to motion the yeelding vppe on both sides of places taken in that warre they answered on a sodaine that hee was not to speake any more of that how that their Lord was greatly animated against them and especially for their league made with the Emperour against him whereby hee was so farre off from harkening to any restitution as on the contrarie they were not to hope to obtaine any thing of him vnlesse that they did render vnto him the Citties of Naples and Maluesia with whatsoeuer the Signory did possesse on the sea of Constantinople as farre as Castel-nouo by meanes whereof all cause of warre should bee taken away for after times and a firme peace established betwixt them they demaunded moreouer to haue Soliman recompenced for his expences in that warre hauing beene by them drawne to it perforce and not mooued therevnto by any auarice but for his owne honour knowing very well that they had granted as much to the Emperour a farre meaner Prince then hee The Ambassadour declaring that hee could not grant any of their demands told them that his commission did not extend so farre that the Common-wealth ought verilie for to desire peace so farre forth as it might stand with her honour and dignity the which it would euer maintaine and defend by armes and that for himselfe hee beeing but an actor of the Senates will and pleasure neither could nor would say or doe any other thing but that hee would acquaint them at Venice with the whole matter intreating them in the meane space that the same businesse might bee delayed till such time as hauing written thither he might vnderstand the Senates resolution therevpon The Bashas did put him in hope that the businesse might haue a prosperous end so that the Venetians would grant part of their demaunds how that their custome was to craue much to obtaine little therefore they did aduise him to returne backe in person to Venice particularlie to acquaint his superiours with the whole businesse that they might afterwardes come to some new treaty and that his returne would bee in a very fit time to bee present at the nuptials of the great Lords daughter and at the circumcision of one of his sonnes Contaren vpon these words notwithstanding that so many iourneys and delaies were tedious to him in regard of his yeeres and the important businesse that was in hand yet neuerthelesse supposing that if he should stay any longer at Constannople after this leaue giuen him it would put the Turkes in hope to obtaine their demands hee resolued to depart hauing first very speedily aduertized the Senate of all that which had passed The Ambassadors departure did greatly trouble the Senate together with the difficulties made vpon the accord for the found it a very hard matter alone and of themselues to make warre vpon so mighty an enemy that their hopes grounded vpon other mens forces although weake and to small purpose were by that negociation wholly lost on the other side
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
which might giue cause of suspition of any enterprize The Emperor on the other side and the French King had confirmed the truce formerly made at Nice and shewed to one another sundry good offices of loue and reconciliation For whilest the Emperor stayed in France in his iourney towards Flanders hee remained for a time with the King which gaue hope to all men that those Princes hauing trodden all hatred and rancour vnder their feet did determine to liue in peace and quiet But the new accidents which did happen as humane affaires are subiect to change did alter the State of things and altogether breake of all hope of peace For Iohn King of Hungary beeing deceased and leauing a young Child by his wife Isâ—…bell daughter to Sigismond King of Poland and Perdinand King of the Romanes saying that the Realme belonged vnto him and not to the child by vertue of a late agreement made with that King made hast to get it by armes and hauing to that end raised great numbers of Soldiers he entred vnlookt for into the Kingdome and seazed on Alba Regalis Visgrade Peste and other townes of Hungary and at the same time he sent Ieronimo Alasco to Constantinople to treat with Soliman that hee might obtaine the Kingdome after the same manner as King Iohn had held it but the Queene widdow to King Iohn had likewise sent thither procuring by meanes of a sollemne Ambassade of the cheifest Barons of the Kingdome the aid and succor of the Turkish army to keep the Kingdome for hir Sonne which by the selfe same armes had beene maintained for the Father Soliman seemed to bee greatly displeased therewith and by so much more as he supposed to haue receiued a double iniury from Ferdinand for enuading a state recommended vnto him and vnder his protection and for crauing thatby his Ambassador which he went about to take by force Wherwith being greatly incensed he did not only cast from him that good inclination which he seemed to beare to peace and concord but for the reuenging of this iniury determined to assaile Ferdinand with great forces both by Sea and Land and at the same time to keepe the Emperor so busied as he should not be able to helpe his brother Therefore hauing reuoked that which hee had treated with Rincon the French Ambassador concerning the truce hee sent him backe to his King to tell him that hee had changed his mind resoluing altogether vpon warre The troubles of Flanders were in the meane time appeazed the Emperor hauing rigoroâ—…sly punished the Gantois for their rebellion to giue feare and terror to others This being done sooner then was expected was cause that the foundations of peace betwixt him and the French King were not surely laid and finding himselfe freed of that let which hindred him hee resolued in no sort to quit the Dutchy of Milan On the other side Solimans hatred to the house of Austria did augment the French Kings courrage hoping to make vse of his mighty aide and thereby to reuenge the wrong which he had supposed he had done to him by contemning his friendship Rincon then being come to Venice did acquaint the Senate particularly with all what-so-euer had beene done and of the Turkes great warlike preparations the which he presumed to be able to dispose of at his Kings pleasure and crauing after-wards a conuoy for his safe passage into France Mercurio Bue was commanded to attend vpon him with his company of light horse as farre as the confines of their State And because there were but three moneths limited him for his returne to the Port of the great Lord the King hauing speedily dispatched him and returning onward on his way to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople hee was neere to Pauia vpon the riuer of Po assailed taken and murthered together with Caesar Fregosa by certaine Spanish footmen and by the commandement as it was thought of the Marquis of Guasto This deed did more then can be imagined incense the French King for that during the truce they had so vilanously slaine his seruants that the Emperour not being satisfied as he said to haue deceiued him with words hauing at first put him in hope of peace and that hee would restore the Dutchy of Milan to him after-wards to bee so slacke therein hauing appeased the troubles of Flanders and besides to haue iniuried him contrary to the law of Nations by the trecherous murther of his seruants He complained hereof and caused to be published al a broad that hee would bee reuenged thereof hee wrot to all Forraine Princes giuing them to vnderstand that he had not broken the truce Then he did particularly aduertize Soliman thereof to whome he sent Captaine Polin enioyning him to goe first to Venice to feele how they stood affected to the Emperor and to acquaint them with his iust occasion to take armes for the reuenge of such aniniury and after-wards to offer vnto them for his owne part what-so euer hee could doe for them at Constantinople by imploying his credit and authority so long as he should continue there in quality of Ambassador Polin hauing executed his commission and crauing of the Senate that hee might passe on safely a Gallie was giuen him for his transportation to Raguza The Emperor at the same time was in Germany where at Ratisbon hee held a Diet concerning matters of Religion wherein nothing beeing concluded he graunted to the Protestants an interim so as euery man might vse the same ceremonies which before hee had done and vpon report of the Turkes great warlike preparations who were already come into hungary Soliman being there in person a here they had defeated Guillan of Rocandolf Lieutenant Generall to King Ferdinand perceiuing that in regard of his own honour being in Germany and so neere a neighbour to that defeate all men expected when he would march against the Trukish forces he the better to free him-selfe from it determined to vndertake the enter prize of Argier thinking it to bee easier then that against the great Turke to the great amazement of all men which did see him to attempt an enterprize nothing so honorable as the other but hee did it vpon hope that passing along by Italy he might take the King vnprouided and make some attempt vpon him desiring rather to leaue his owne patrimony in prey then to omit any occasion to be reuenged on the King whom he knew he had greatly wronged by the murther of his Ambassadors but he found that the Lord of Langey Leiutenant fot the King in Piedmont had dilligently prouided for all matters Such were the State of affaires and such were the deseignes of Princes concerning Peace and warre The Venetians thought it fit in those stirrs to beare them-selues with great consideration and vigilancy and to keepe themselues neuters and free from all danger of beeing offended They very well knew how important a matter the losse of Hungary
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
Dominions to make a bodie of an army and to beseege it The Senate had giuen free passage through their State both to the one and other to shew that they had no hand in that businesse they were neuerthelesse displeased for that one Fust and two Brigantins had beene armed at Trieste which entring into the Hauen of Dignana had begunne streightly to shut in those of Maran on the sea side wherevpon to suffer them to stay their besides the drawing of many others thither would seeme greatly to preiudice the Republikes claime to that Hauen and shew some partiality by suffering them to offend Maran from that place the which they determyning not to suffer because they would proceed modestly therein did entreate Ferdinand and the Emperour likewise to cause those armed vessels to depart forth of the Hauen sending thither at the same time an armed galley to hinder their incursions till such time as they should receiue an answere During these treaties Iohn Francisco de Pacis a Florentine came to Venice to offer vnto the Senate in Strossi his name the fort of Maran for some honest recompence protesting that vpon their refusall he should be enforced to negociate with some other great Prince whom he knew would gladly accept it Strossi resoluing in no sort to render it to Ferdinand but rather to get some great summe of money for it by contracting with the Turke that the French King had left Maran to bee disposed of at Strossi his pleasure to make his profit thereof in recompence of the good seruices done by him to the crowne of France The Senate therevpon was greatly perplexed either to accept or refuse it It desired to auoide all occasions of contention with Ferdinand who might suspect that they had some intelligence with Strossi and to suffer that place so nere a neighbour to Venice to fall into the Turkes hands would be very dangerous not only for the Common-wealth but for all Christendome Being then mooued with feare of such a danger they resolued to harken to Pacis proposition and to that end two Senators were appointed Antonio Capello and Francesco Contaren to treat with him vpon the particularities of the agreement where after sundry contestations the composition was made in this manner that Strossi for consigning Maran into the Venetians hands should for recompence receiue fiue and thirty thousand Ducats at one entire payment This being thus concluded Alessandro Bondimiero was so dainely chosen Prouidator of that place who going along with Pacis with some few foot forces was brought into it and Strossi hauing consigned the towne to him the whole people with great ioy did forthwith take the oth of obedience to the Republike of Venice The Venetians did afterwards acquaint the Emperour and Ferdinand with the causes which had mooued them to embrace that necessary resolution that their actions in two yeeres space that the towne had beene offered vnto them could yeeld sufficient testimony of their integrity during which time they had not only refused to giue an eare to their often propounded offers but had giuen passage victuals and other commodities to Ferdinands troupes for to recouer it that they had likewise considered how that place was of no great importance to Ferdinand neither for the States confines nor reuenew there of but on the contrary of great expence accompanied with extreame danger for all his States if it should haue fallne into the Turkes hands as vndoubtedly it would haue so happened if they should haue refused Strossi his offer These reasons being cunningly deliuered to those Princes by Bernardo Nouagera and Marin de Canalis Ambassadours for the Signory the one with the Emperor and the other with King Ferdinand did in some sort appease them both of them hauing at first taken the treaty concerning that place in bad part and then the quallity of the times did greatly helpe to make those Princes capable of the reasons by them alleadged by reason that a Dyet had beene published at the beginning of the yeere 1544. Where all the chiefe Princes and Lords of Germany were to meet to treat of affaires of great consequence to make warre vpon the French and to resist the Turkes attempts for all the thoughts of the Emperour and the King of Romans tended only to those two ends hoping besides as a matter which they much desired that the Venetians perceiuing so many Princes and free townes of Germany leagued against the Turkes would enter into league with them and abandon that of the Turkes this was the vsuall talke among Courtiers Now the Emperor was greatly afraide least that the Venetians vpon the least discontent giuen vnto them from himselfe should quit his alliance and embrace that of the French King who had so often sought to them for it aud his feare was at the same time greater then euer in regard of his hope being ioyned to the King of England and the Suisses to molest France more then euer he had done perceiuing himselfe to be freed from the care of releeuing Italy which would be peaceable so long as the accord with the Venetians should last The French King on the contrary hauing the selfe same considerations did hope to defend his owne Realme by troubling Italy with the warres of Naples and the Dutchy of Milan to constraine the Emperour to diuide his forces and to send part of them to the aide of those countries and to that end did againe vse meanes to draw the Venetians to his party and supposing that the quallity and reputation of the man might greatly further the businesse he caused the Cardinall of Ferrara to goe to Venice to that end who was honourably entertained there and comming into the Senat in secret audience as he had desired he beganne in substance to declare vnto them what the Emperours deseignes were who only aspired to a sole Monarchy and especially to that of Italy the which he might with ease attaine to did not the French King counterpoise him who being their louing and trusty friend did by him entreat them to enter into league with him and speedily to send their nauall army into Puglia where they should finde the country disfurnished of Garrisons and all the people at their deuotion who did openly hold the Spaniards for their enemies and he in the meane time for the safety of their State offered alwaies to haue fifteene thousand men ready in Piedmont or in any other place that they should thinke fit The Senate according to the custome did not at that time giue the Cardinall any answere to his proposition but the businesse being afterwards debated in the councell they answered him That as the Republike did highly esteeme and deerely reckon of the French Kings friendship it did likewise determine still to embrace and cherish it but it neither could nor would being now at peace with other Princes and in want of diuers things by reasons of the last warres enter into trouble
and wasted the whole country and chiefly the Isles of Ischia and Lipari which with a barbarous cruelty he did miserably ruine from thence sayling to Corfou and saluting the castle as a friend he receiued the accustomed presents not suffering any harme to be done to the inhabitants of the Island Captaine Polin was in that fleet with fiue Gallies and other vessels who hauing brought the Turkes as farre as Lepanto returned with all his vessels to Marseilles The Turkes were displeased at the newes of this peace betwixt Christian Princes thinking it be done the better to breake their deseignes vpon Hungary or Transiluania for which they had already made preparations but they went about to conceale their discontent for the better maintenance of their reputation being wont to contemne Christians and therefore not giuing ouer their former determination they caused to be giuen out that they were making farre greater preparations then at any other time before to march at the spring against the States belonging to the house of Austria and yet neuerthelesse the report at the same time was that if the Ambassadors of those Princes did come to that Port they should be entertained and willingly harkened to for by their law they can not deny audience to any that come to sue for peace and friendship with their great Lord the report of these great preparations caused the Emperor and Ferdinand expresly to dispatch their messengers to that Port to treat of peace and agreement and for their safer going to worke they caused the French King first of al to send one of his seruants to sound Solimans disposition therevnto and withall to craue a passe-port for their Ambassadors The King did willingly entertaine this businesse as well to free himselfe of that he was tied to by the treaty of peace to aide the Emperour when he should make warre vpon the Turke as in some sort to wipe out that blot for which men taxed him that a most Christian Prince had made vse of the armes of Infidels against Christians wherevpon his Ambassadour passing by Venice did tell the Senate by his Kings commandement that he had to none other end entertained the Turkes friendship but only to make vse of it vpon such occasions for the good and profit of Christendome This Ambassador being come to Constantinople found Soliman disposed to whatsoeuer he demanded and the passe-port which he craued being deliuered to him which was at the beginning of the yeere 1545. Ioronimo Adorni did in Ferdinands name goe to Constantinople the Emperor hauing to that end appointed Doctor Girardo caused him first to goe to Venice where he and the Prothonotary Monluke ordinary Ambassadour for the French King with the Signory did imbarke themselues in the Venetian Gallies for Raguza and from thence went to the Port of the great Lord. Before their departure from Venice they had entreated the Senate that their Baily might haue an hand in that businesse the which was granted and commandement sent to him so to doe but that he should doe it so cunningly as the Turkes might not conceiue any sinister opinion whereby any harme might redound to the Common-wealth or profit to themselues They treated at the same time in Venice of composing the strife betwixt King Ferdinand and the Republike as well for the execution of the sentence of Trent as for that which happened since concerning Maran where after great contestation they did at last conclude for the businesse of Trent to send Commissioners thither to decide it but for Maran it was referred to the Emperors councell one of the chiefe conditions was that the Venetians should giue to Ferdinand threescore and fifteene thousand Ducats the which all other controuersies being ended they promised to pay in three yeeres and at three equall payments This accord although it tooke none effect was maliciously interpreted by some who vsed to sow discord and contention telling Soliman that the same treaty was made against him in Ferdinands behalfe vnto whom the Venetians promised that summe of money to leauy souldiers These false reports being iustified and the truth of the matter knowne Soliman was satisfied therewith wherevpon the Senate thought it fit not to giue him any more cause of suspition and therefore they wrote to their Baily willing him no more to visit the Ambassadors nor to make any more publike demonstration of dealing in their businesse the which he did exactly obserue yet neuerthelesse some times when he had any secret conference with the Bashas he did not let to doe all good offices which might further the conclusion of the accord wherein because the Republike had no other aime but the common peace and quiet they solicited the Bashas that it might be mentioned in the treaty that the Emperor and Ferdinand should not attempt any thing in Italy during the truce Rustin hauing heard this proposition and seeming to be desirous to performe any thing for the particular profit of the Signory sayd that by all meanes it was particularly to bee inserted in the treaty of the accord as the friend of the great Lord and expresse mention was made how that during the truce the Venetians State should in no sort be molested by the Princes comprehended in the agreement who doing otherwise it should be vnderstood to be broken with Solimans selfe yet neuerthelesse it was thought that the Venetians had opposed themselues against that truce then handled seeing that they could not procure peace which caused the Emperor for that purpose to returne from Trent to Venice his Ambassador Mendoza who not dissembling this suspition and assuring them of the Emperours hearty affection towards them entreated them from him to fauour the treaty of truce which was already as hee said well forward at Constantinople and which for the Republikes sake might easily bee effected promysing to haue it comprehended in the treaty as their good and louing friend This did the rather mooue the Venetians to solicite a suspension of armes betwixt those Princes in regard that besides other commodities they were to receiue thereby great assurance and reputation by being declared friends to both parties enioying the benifit of peace which they were to hope for by such an agreement It was thought that the Emperor did not so earnestly pursue the conclusion of the league for any distrust not to be assisted by Germany against the Turkes but because he perceiued himselfe to be enforced to take armes against the chiefe Lords and States of that country who hauing pell mell ouerturned all matters sacred and prophane to the great contempt of the Church of Rome and the Maiesty of the Empire went daily vp and downe practizing nouelties by a manifest rebellion so that the Emperour who from the beginning to draw them to his party had consented against the Popes minde that the councell should be held in the city of Trent to the great aduantage of the Almaines did afterwards repent him of it
kept an ordinary Ambassador in England Edward the sixt of that name succeeded his Father Henry who was yong and gouerned by the cheefe Lords of the Kingdome vnto whom the Senate send Dominico Bollano for their Ambassador who found them very willing to continue friendshippe and vsuall trafficke with the Venetians promising to giue kind vsage to as many of their nation as should come into those parts The French King was desirous at the same time to make warre vpon the English for diuers respects but especially for the towne of Boloign Those which feared the Emperors to much greatnesse were sorry that the French King should busie him-selfe in that warre which made him to forget the affaires of Italy and to suffer the Emperor freely to pursue his owne deseigns but the Pope was more discontented then any other as he that for his owne particular interests and not for the common good did determine by the armes of the French to abate the Emperors greatnesse therefore hee resolued to send the Cardinall of Saint George into France vnder collour as it was giuen forth to cause the French Prelates to come to the councell published at Bolognia But in effect it was for other ends namely to incite the French King to turne his deseigns against the Emperor and to stoppe his pregressions offering him for that purpose all ayde and friendship King Henry did willingly harken to this motion as one desirous to execute some great enterprize and who would not omit any occasion whereby he might hope to purchase glory by some generous action wherein the Pope by meanes of his forces was thought to be a very fit Instrument for the affaires of Italy as well in regard of the commodiousnesse of his State as most of all for his authority wherevpon the King beeing easily perswaded to harken to this proposition resolued to strengthen his intelligences in Italy and to purchase friends there and among othere he sent for Perro Strossi into France whom he forth with honored with the order of S. Michell which at that time was a great honor and giuen to none but noble persons or to such as had well deserued of the Crowne of France this man was highly esteemed for his excellent witte and also for that he was an enemy to peace and greatly followed by the bandetti of Florence and others which was a ready means to trouble the affaires of Italy The King did likewise fauour thereuolt of the Sienois promising to aid them in the defense of their liberties But together with the Pope for the vnion betwixt them was already confirmed Horatio Farnese sonne to Pedro Lodouico hauing married King Henries daughter he was likewise desirous to draw the Venetians to that league and Vnion because hee would attempt nothing against the Emperor in Italy but that which he was sure would take effect The King to this end sent his Ambassador to Venice so did the Pope his Nuncio who supposed to find the Venetians more ready to condiscend to their demandes then they had beene in times past in regard of the Emperors dealings and especially for the Villany committed vpon the person of Petro Lodouico who had beene murthered by certaine Place ntiâ—…e Gentlemen by the consent as it was reported of D. Ferrant of Gonzaga Lieutenant to the Emperor in Italy who presently after had seazed vppon the Citty of Placentia leauing great numbers of Spaniards in Garrison there in the Emperors name who by that meanes went about to take away an other mans rightes not by open force but by deceit Gonzaga knowing that the Venetians would suspect and think strangely of that deed did speedily send Giouan Baptista Schizze a Senator of Milan to Venice toacquaint the Senate with what had beene done and by quallifying the matter to assure them that he was not guilty thereof but that he could do no lesse beeing sent for and sought vnto by the Dukes murthererers who presently came to him to Milan to haue him goe and receiue that Citty in the Emperors name the which he did but till such time as hee might receiue newes what the Emperors pleasure was therein but his deeds were contrary to his worps for so soone as he entred the Citty he caused the building of the Castle which the Duke had already begunne to be set foreward and caused the nobility and people to take the oath of aleadgeance to the Emperor and made speedy preparations to goe and beseege Parma notwithstanding that Octauio Farnese complained in vaine that so great an iniury was done vnto him he beeing the Emperors sonne in law This stirre being in very deed of great importance had caused the Venetians to make prouisions for the defense of their townes therfore they made Stephano Tepulo Prouidator Generall on the firme land to the end that in that office hee should prouide for all their soldiers visit the Forts belonging to the State and take speedy order for what soeuer should be needfull They did besides call home the Duke of Vrbin Generall of their Army who was then at Rome about his marriage not long before concluded with Virginia daughter to Duke Pietro Lodouico Farnese They wrote afterwards to Antonio de Castello who serued them as maister of their Artillery and a man of great credit that he should make hast to the Citty of Bressia to augment the ordinary Garrison that lay there the Prouidator Generall did the like at Verona and in all other townes of importance the Venetians supposing that all places were full of deceit and trechery Things standing at this stay the Pope and the French King did daily more ernestly solicite the Venetians openly to declare them-selues without any more delay and not to deferre the remedying of the present mischiefe till it were too late The Senate for all that did not make hast to take armes against a most mighty Prince their neighbour who at the same time exalted to the very height of his prosperous greatnes because that the common-wealth was not so weake and low brought as whosoeuer those should bee that were desirous to assayle it might thinke their enterprize easie nor yet so mighty as it was able to keepe others in awe and thereby gaue them cause to goe about to abate their greatnesse so as the condition thereof was farre different from that of others because it might without any feare of beeing assayled by the Emperor expect that which time and the alteration of affaires might procure it which might as it often happeneth open a way to some better and safer course Whereupon after that the matter had beene well debated in open Councell the Pope and French Kings demands were answered after one maner and yet apart how that the Senate did infinitely praise their care of the common safety together with the prouisions which they had made for the mainetainance and defence of that which did belong vnto them that they would follow and imitate that
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
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
authority and reputation who had a long time delt for the Commonwealth in Princes Courts the Senate thinking it necessary first to solicit that Prince who already beganne to grow could in the businesse to the end that by his example other Princes might be drawne into that vnion for Christendome Being come to the Emperors Court he found that he did alleadge sundry difficulties and that he was ready to send the tribute to Constantinople which he vsed to pay to the Turke for the Realme of Hungary the which he vsed meanes to hinder or at least to delay it till the finall resolution Yet neuerthelesse the Emperor seemed to bee glad of his comming either for his owne excuse or else because he desired to haue an expresse Ambassador to come from the Signory about that matter to the end he might be present at the Imperiall Dyet which he determined within a while after to hold at Spire and hee supposed that his presence would be the occasion of propounding and concluding so great and important a matter As for the Spanish Court there was no speech of the league that King hauing sent backe the treaty thereof to Rome to D. Estuniga his Ambassadour and to the Cardinals 〈◊〉 and Pacheco but the Popes Nuncio and the Venetian Ambassador made earnest request that the King would command Doria that so soone as he should bring those Gallies which he had appointed him into those seas to goe presently and ioyne with the Venetians fleet concerning which proposition those of the Kings Councell made sundry difficulties some times alleadging that it was against reason that the Admirall of the Kings Gallies should obey the Venetians Admirall then they made shew to suspect that the Venetians went about to make vse both of the apparence and name of those forces to treat with more aduantage with the Turkes and therefore they concluded that the treaty of the league ought first to take place as most necessary Now at Rome whither the treaty of the league had beene sent backe as hath beene said the Pope perceiuing that to particularize the conditions thereof would breed a very hurtfull delay he propounded that seeing the King of Spaine and the Venetians were agreed to make that vnion that without any more delay they should publish the league being made in the same manner as in the yeere 37. and that in the meane time their forces should ioyne together to inuite other Princes to declare themselues and thereby to affright the enemies During these practizes the Generall Zanne departed from Venice about the beginning of Aprill and went to Zara which was the Rendezuous of all the fleet and for all the prouisions for warre that so soone as things were ready they might from thence saile into the Leuant But the fleet to their great hurt stayed there longer then was expected tarrying for certaine Gallies and for armes for the souldiers and other warlike engins ordained in great number for the souldiers did endure there sundry discommodities and many of them grew sicke by meanes whereof the Gallies were badly furnished with souldiers and marriners yet neuerthelesse so soone as the Senate heard newes from Rome that the King had commanded Doria to ioyne with the Venetian nauall army it wrote to the Generall that leauing foure Gallies for the guard of the Gulphe vnder the command of one of the captaines that had at any time beene an Admirall he should speedily saile with the residue of the army to Corfou and there to expect newes from the Gallies of Spaine that he might afterwards ioyne with them at Messina and the two fleets beeing so vnited should shape such a course as God should direct them According to this commandement Zanne departed from Zara the twelfth day of Iuly and sailed to Liesna where he found sixe great Gallies and certaine ships which he ioyned to his fleet and from thence he went directly to Corfou At the same time twelue Gallies were in the Popes name armed at Ancona to be sent to the Venetian fleet at Corfou For after sundry propositions made in open consistory concerning the aide which the Church might affoord the Venetians in that warre it was concluded that twelue Gallies should bee armed by the sea Apostolike but rigged by the Venetians The Pope committed them to Marc Antonio Colonna duke of Palliano with title of General to the Church in that warre against the Infidels The Venetians seemed to approoue the Popes choise and wrote to him about it Colonna sent letters to Venice wherein hee gratified their loue and good will towards him which he promised in all points to answer to the honour and seruice of the Commonwealth The Turkes on the other side so soone as the Venetian fleete was gonne from Zara beganne to spoile and waste Dalmatia with great troupes of horse and foot where they tooke some castles Now the Venetian Generall being come to Corfou with three score and tenne light Gallies for the great Gallies and Ships staied by the way he beganne to consult what was best to bee done in the councell by the Senates appointment besides the Generall who had two voices both the Prouidators of the army and Sforza Palauicin were present all men were desirous that the fleete should without delay passe forward but many things hindered this deseigne first because they had no certaine newes of the Gallies of Candy which were in number twenty vnder the command of Marco Quirin Admirall of the Gulphe and next because they had no certaine intelligence of the deseignes of the Turkish fleet for it would haue beene a very rash attempt with halfe the forces to haue hazarded the whole fortune of that wâ—…rre on the incertaine euent of one fight seeing that by a little temporizing they might more commodiously assure the estate of that action And lastly because the sicknesse which first beganne at Zara by reason of the miseries which the souldiers and maâ—…riners had there endured was so mightily encreased as great numbers daily died whereby many Gallies were empty of men this was the chiefe cause of the delay and the captaines tooke great care how to make new leauies of men to furnish the fleet To this end commandement was sent to the Gouernors of Zant and Cephalonia to raise the speediest and greatest supplies that they possibly could In the meane time because the souldiers should not grow idle the Generall resolued to send them to beseege the castle of Marguerits a place of it selfe nothing famous but very necessary for the obtayning of other conquests in which action it was thought fit to employ them till such time as the Gallies of the Pope and the Catholike King should arriue The charge of this enterprise was giuen to Sforza Palauicin Generall of the Venetian troupes who departing from Corfoù with eight and forty Gallies commanded by the Prouidator Celsi with fiue thousand foote and foure great peeces of ordnance arriued by day breake
were come so farre together he ought with them to run one selfe same fortune and make proofe of the hazards of warre wherof they should not afterwards haue cause to complaine thereby blotting out the infamy which all men might throw vpon them for hauing such gallant forces and consuming so much time in vaine without attempting any memorable matter but all these perswasions were to no purpose with him nor with the rest likewise who had noe liking to the iourney who vpon Dorias refusall to goe on any farther the Generall Zanne to his great greese was enforced to permit it The Christian fleet then departing from Castell-rosso and comming all of them to Scarpanto into the Hauen Tristano Doria on a sodaine took his leaue directing his course to wards Puglia and from thence into Sicily his only care being to retire safely into his Contrey Colonna and Zanne being desirous to exploit some worthy enterprize remained still together But hauing intelligence that Piali with a great number of well armed Gallies was come from Cyprus to ouertake them and finding themselues to weake for resistance they weighed ankors and sailed into Candy to the Hauen of Canea not without danger of being assailed by the Turkish fleet which hauing notice of the Christians departure sailed speedily to the I le of Stamp alia and Piali determining to goe to Candy iâ—… hope to find some assured booties on those Seas could not execute his proiect by reason of stormes and foule weather wherevppon he returned back and went into the Archipellago where hee entered the Hauen oâ—… Calegiera making a shew as if hee would winter there but on a suddaine changing his mind hee went with his whole fleet vnto Constantinople At the same time certaine Townes of Albania which were subiect to the Turke did rise against them and being desirous to shake off their slauish yoak they sent to request the Venetian Magistrates their nearest neighbors to send them supplies of men and armes a suring them that at the first sight of their Euseignesthey would speedily come vnto them and become their subiects and for a sure testimony thereof they offered to giue them their children in hostage which request of theirs though it could not bee granted as befitted their need and desire great numbers neuerthelesse of inhabitants of the black Mountaine and neere to Boyan called at this day the countrey of Drina and other places belonging to the Marcouichians did submit themselues to the Venetians so that the Gouernors of Antiuari Dulcigna and Budua did in the name of the Venetian Common-wealth receiue the oath of allegiance of more then an hundred townes and villages The Christians of Zara were in armes not so much in hope to make any new conquest as to repulse the enemies and to free the countrey from their continuall incursions But there was no memorable matter done in regard both parties were apter to robbe and spoile then to fight In the meane time the renewing of the league was treated at Rome whither so soone as ample commissions were brought from Spayne and Venice to their Agents and Ambassadors for the conclusion therof the Pope hauing called them before him beganne to exhort them all to enter into league against the common enemy telling them that the cause was common although that in respect of present losse it did more neerely concerne the Venetians in regard the quarrel was betwixt Christians and Infidells and that if his owne presence should be necessary his age should not hinder him from the iourney That he would entreat solicite and admonish the Emperor and all other Christian Princes to enter into the league for which he promised continually to pray vnto God that it might please him to grant it victory ouer his enemies The Ambassadors and Cardinalls seemed to be greatly mooued by this exhortation giuing his Holinesse many thanks for it each of them promising to proceed therein charitably speedily and sincerely as became a matter so important holy and desired by their Princes as well in respect of their owne particular interest as for the Common good of all Christendome these words beeing often re-itterated by them did not produce effects conformable therevnto but euery of them aimed at his owne particular profit which beeing sundry brought forth different opinions breeding extreame and important delayes in the conclusion of that businesse wherein diuers monethes were already vainely spent in idle and needlesse disputations The Pope had appointed fiue of the greatest and noblest Cardinalls of the Colledge to bee present in the name of the Sea Apostolick at the treaty of the league to wit Alexandrine his Nephew Moron Cesis Grassi and Aldobrandino betwixt whom and the two Spanish Cardinalls with the two Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice the treaty hauing beene begunne to be decided they presently fell into sundry difficulties for euery of them aiming to haue the league concluded to his owne particular profit propounded very strange matters as it often happeneth in such cases But the Pope who proceeded therin very sincerely his ayme beeing only for the good of all Christendome went about somtimes to moderate the excessiue demands of the Spaniards protesting that if they did not presently conclude it to reuoke all power and authority granted to their King to leuy money Then turning his speech to the Venetians he exhorted them to harken to an agreement though it were somwhat to their disaduantage promising neuer to faile them in any aid or releefe possible The Cardinalls likewise that were his Holinesse Commissioners speaking now to the one then to the other did all they might for the ending of the businesse but especially Cardinall Moron a man well experienced in the managing of most important affaires and very eloquent who allowing the propositions of the Venetians Ambassador as those which tended to the vniuersall good went about to draw the Kings Ambassadors from their owne priuate interest and to make them capable of truth which hauing done by a very eloquent remonstrance and they vnable to make any reasolable answer fell to new excuse saying that they would write thereof into Spayne and expect a more particular and expresse commission from their King The Spaniards added to the former difficulties which they had propounded That the Venetians should be bound on paine of Ecclesiasticall Censures to obserue in euery poynt that which should be resolued on in the league as though they had suspected the Venetians loyalty which had like to haue broken off the whole businesse They did moreouer striue about a General to command the Army the Spaniards arrogantly crauing not onely to appoint a Generall which was freely granted but a Lieftenant who in his absence should haue the same authority in the Army there-by wholly distrusting the Venetians which suspition still encreasing did much coole the treaty of the league which was begunne with such earnest heate The Senate being highly displeased there with did expresly send a
the vncertainty of other Princes ayde who were all addicted to their owne particular interests they were transported with other thoughts and some-times changed to accept some honorable conditions of agreement from which they knew by intelligence from their Bayly that the Turkes would not much starte and in regarde they still held the Citty of Famagosta the report which was spred abroad euery where of the league and of the Confederates great forces together with the vncertaine successe of that warre did put them in good hope and comfort the more easily to obtaine peace and quietnesse and to reduce their affaires to their former State Besides the great difficulties which hindered the conclusion of the league the bad presage and ill successe of so vnfortunate and vnluckie a beginning of warre and the confluence of so many aduersities did take away from the mindes of the most generous all hope of any future successe The Senators beeing thus irresolute a very fit occasion was offered them with their honors to negotiate a Peace For the Bascha Mahomet still desiring to compose this warre in friendly manner was willing to renew the motion of peace the successe of that warre in no sort liking him for if it should prooue vnfortunate it would encrease the danger of their Empire if prosperous the authority reputation of his enemy Mustapha Mahomet then beeing moooued by these reasons did oftentimes discourse with the Venetian Baily concerning the treaty of peace which was broken off going about to draw from him whether he had any commission to deale therein at the last taking occasion through the ordinary complaints made at the great Lords Port by the freinds and kinsfolkes of those Turkes that were imprisoned at Venice or whose goods had beene seazed there at the beginning of the warre he began to deale with the Baily to vse means to the Senate that the Ottomans subiects so imprisoned might bee set at liberty and their goods restored to them saying That it was against all equity the Venetian Marchants liuing at liberty and enioying their goods ouer the whole Ottoman Empire the subiects of the Turke should bee dispoiled of their goods and kept in miserable bondage and captiuity The Bascha in speaking heer of told him that his Lord was vexed thereat and that hee did not only wish him to write to Venice but to send an expresse messenger thither to treat of that businesse more effectually Ibraim vsed the like speech to the Baily wishing him to incite the Senate to send a messenger of purpose to Constantinople to the end that vnder coulour of this treaty concerning Marchandize some meanes of a Generall Agreement might bee propounded The Baily vppon this assurance and by the Baschas permission dispatcht his owne steward with one of the Dragomans to carry letters to Venice which the Bascheas selfe had dictated to him concerning the affaires of Marchants acquainting them afterwards more particularly what hee had done and with the Baschas intention Grassinan a French-man departed at the same time from Constantinople hauing beene Agent for the most Christian King there who arriuing at Venice told the Senate that the Bascha had vsed diuers speeches to him concerning the treaty of peace and that he brought letters from the great Lord and the Bascha to his King to that end knowing very well that they would not take it in bad part that the most Christian King as friend to both sides should mediate such an agreement Although the Senators did sum what suspect these propositions fearing that they were rather made to delay the preparations for warre then to lay downe Armes and enter into some honorable accord Neuer-the lesse the sundry accidents of those times did much perswade to harken to those Treaties cheefly for that at the conclusion of the league a new difficulty arose about the time when it should beginne For the Spaniards would haue let slippe all that cheefe part of the Summer and not haue had it to bee mentioned in the capitulations therein contained and that it should not bee in force till the yeare following The Venetians on the contrary fearing that they should not bee able to repulse the first attempts of that mighty Army which the Turkes were said to haue prepared and which was ready to march had very earnestly written to the Pope that hee by his authority would remooue that difficulty giuing him to vnderstand how that by his Councell they had embraced warre dismissed the Chiaus from Venice and contemned all other means of agreement propounded oftentimes by their Bayly that they had likewise by his aduise and councell so long wayted for the Spanish Galleys as in the end their ayde was more in name then in effect and yet they had euer shewed them-selues ready to conclude a league sutable to his intention and to the present need of all Christendome But all these increaties and pursutes did not produce such effects as the time required For the Pope beeing of him-selfe well disposed and wholy inclining to the generall good knowing that the Venetians were agreeable to his will confessed that their request was iust and honest exhorted them to continue stedfast and not to giue place to these first accidents of warre And yet hiâ—… Holynesse beeing ouer-credulous and suffering himselfe to bee carryed away by those who for their owne particular interest fauoured the cause of the Spaniards was cyther remisse or did not constantly with his authority withstand such impediments as were perceiued eyther to weaken the league or delay the conclusion thereof The Venetians were likewise much greeued to see the Pope at that time entangled in other affaires for the Emperors Ambassadors protested that vnlesse hee did reuoke and disanull the new title which hee had bestowed on the Duke of Florence their Maister should bee enforced to maintaine his owne dignity with that of the Empire by all meanes possible The Pope though by Nature timerous would not for all that retract that which hee knew hee might doe and was well done but made preparation by temporall armes to defend his owne authoritie and that of the Sea Apostolick Therefore hee speedily leuyed forces prouided armes money and all other necessaries for warre causing Proclamation to bee made in all places vnder the Churches iurisdiction to the particular hurt of the Venetians that it should not bee lawfull for any without exception to leuy Souldiers forth of that State and therevpon hee imprisoned Pompeo de Castello and Giouan Aldobrandino who beeing Pentioners to the Venetians had in their name enrolled footmen in the Churches territories whereby all men thought that Italy would fall into a dangerous warre This made the Senate resolue to send the Secretary Formenti to Rome to appease this new stirre but his departure was delayed and Commission sent to their Ambassadors there to make the same request to the Pope and to put him in minde of the miseries of the time the greatnesse of the
and assure the Seas belonging to the Ottoman Empire These prouisions and the Confederates delaies and irresolutions had much imboldened the Turkes and although in the beginning they had sundry times conferred with the Venetian Baily concerning peace and seemed to be very desirous of it they neuerthelesse delayed the certaine resolution thereof till the arriuall of the Bishop of Aix Ambassador to the most Christian King whom they knew at that time to be come from Venice towards Constantinople vppon important affaires supposing that hee brought som particular commission with him concerning that businesse and that by his mediation together with his Kings authority they might the easier establish and conclude some honorable agreement but the condition of matters being afterwards changed when they came to treat on particulars they propounded very vniust Articles being desirous to make peace as though they had been victorious not vanquished menacing the Venetians with losse and destruction The Confederates neuerthelesse being no whit mooued by these nor other geeat mischeefs went very slowly to work as though the enemies had beene wholly defeated that they had no more cause to fight and as if at their own pleasure they might haue enioyed the fruit of the Vlctory All men did wonder at these delaies and differently discoursed therof A rumor was spred abroad that the French did no longer in secret but openly assist the Flemmings who determined to inuade the territories of the Catholick King that to this end they prepared fifty shippes of warre at Rochell which should be commanded by Phillippo Strozzi and elsewhere other stirrs and rumors of war were reported to be currant in the Realme of Nauarre These soe important and dangerous reports held the Spaniards in suspence and would not suffer them to imploy their sea forces in which their greatest hope consisted in forraine enterprizes fearing not to haue them again at their need for the defense of their owne territories Many alleaged other reasons which mooued the Spaniards not to set forth But whatsoeuer the true occasion was it was after the Spannish manner kept very secret for they making no shew to feare the French or that they had giuen ouer the enterprize of the Senate for any other respect they did still affirme the contrary promising from day to day to come to Corfou all this they did very cunningly knowing well enough that if the Venetians should suspect that the Conederates went about to forsake them it would enforce them to make vse of the present time and to agree with the Turkes a matter which would greatly preiudice the Spaniards who resoluing for to continue perpetuall enemies vnto the Turkes would alone bee constrayned to make head against the forces of so great a Potentate After this manner did the Spaniards at the same time beare themselues not bewraying their inward intentions but temporizing in conclusion did nothing In the meane time Pius Quintus dyed generally lamented a man of great Sanctimony and zealous of the common good of Christendome the onely instrument of the preseruation and augmentation of the league These newes flying to Venice the Senate presently by letters sollicited the Colledge of Cardinalls not to suffer the league which his late Holinesse had cherisht to dye with him knowing how mortall delay was to it and how preiudiciall the dissolution to the common good the Colledge resolued to continue the preparation for warre and instantly committed the maâ—…naging of the businesse vnto the former Commissioners who then presently 〈◊〉 in hand with it The Papacy was not long vacant for the same day the Conclaue elected Hâ—…go Boncompagno Cardinal of Saint Sixtus a Bolognesse doctor of the lawes long resident and very famous in the Court of Rome intituling himselfe Gregory 13. His Coronation solemnized he confirmed the league in the former condition but concerning the conuention of the fleetes there arose many delayes and difficulties for D. Iohn only seeking procrastination grew scrupulous of his departure saying his commission extended no farther but euery day expected a more ample where with hee hoped ere long to satisfie them by this meanes was the great preparation of the Venetian frustrate and D. Iohn perseuering in these protractions wrote to the Generall Foscarini that his onely stay was for the Duke of Sessa who if he came not uery speedily himselfe resolued without him to come to Corfou hee likewise taxed Collonna because his expectation of the Florentine Gallies made him delay his ioyning with the fleet The Senate had enioyned the Generall Foscarini not to attempt any particular enterprize till the Spanish Gallies were arriued â—…erst he therby should hinder the common cause of the league At the same time Sciara Martinenga of Bressia a man famous for his martiall experience and Gouernor Generall of Albania propounded the enterprize vppon Castelnouo to the Senate a matter greatly desired by the Venetians not so much for facillity of conquest the towne beeing small and badly inhabited as for the commodious situation thereof lying at the mouth of the Gulph of Catharra The Senate in som sort desirous to let the enemies feele the fury of their Armes committed this attempt to Martinenga who told them that he had already sufficiently viewed the place and that the execution thereof was easie Hee imbarked himselfe and fiue thousand footmen at Chioggia among whom were many Frenchmen gallant fellowes and good soldiers hee directed his course towards the Gulph of Catharra carrying with him a commission from the Councell of Tenne to the General Venieri to aid and asist him in that enterprize whom meâ—…ting by â—…he way neere to Sisena they sailed together towards the mouth of the Gulph where landing their soldiers and attempting to surprize the Towne the alarme was so whot ouer the whole Countrey as multitudes of Turkes comming to defend it Martinenga and the Generall were enforced to quitt the enterprize and to retreat the one to Zara and the other with his French forces to Catharra After this manner did the Christians affaires languish and were nothing answerable to the reputation which the late victory had gotten them their fleets and soldiers remayning idle at Corfou and Messina being spectators of the enemies insulting braues at sea their number and victualls daily diminishing D. Iohn still remayning at Messina and vsing his former delayes did infinitely discontent the Generall Foscaren who somtimes determined of him selfe to attempt somewhat vppon the enemy but at last making a vertue of necessity and knowing his owne forces alone to weake for any great enterprize he was enforced to spend the time in expectation of the confederates arriuall And yet he did by all meanes auoide any occasion that might discontent the Spaniards or giue them cause of any suspition that they might haue no lawfull cause to bee wanting to the common cause Foscarini beeing thus perplext thought it best to send the Prouidator Soranza to Messina who was newly come from
ordred all their squadrons and after some small stay our vant-gard set forward and comming neere to the enemies discharged their ordnance vpon them to draw them to fight but the Turkes hauing noe such intent and finding no aduantage retired vnder the protection of the Castle of Modon After the enemies retreat ther arose great 〈◊〉 and difficulties among the Captaines concerning their proceeding thinking it a dangerous and impossible matter to enter into the Channell of Modon to fight with the enemies fleet the entrance whereof narrow of it selfe was flanqued with great store of ordnance where vpon the Generall knowing that the enemy could not be enforced to fight determined to retire to Sapienza and to enter the Hauen the two wings being gone afore Vluzzali perceiuing the Confederates retreate came forth with fifty Galleis to assaile our Vantgard which lag'd behind but so soone as Don Iohn espied him giuing signall to the fight hee 〈◊〉 his prowes towards the enemies Vluzzali who came not forth to fight perceauing our battailes ranged on a sodaine returned from whence hee came doing it very aduiâ—…edly as well because night approached as by reason of a great fogge that arose which enforced our men to keepe aloofe to sea ward the shores on both sides belonging to the enemy The next morrow the sea being calme the Confederate fleet went to the Gulph of Coron to take in water at the mouth of the riuer Pamisus some foure miles from Coron and to conuoy those that went for water it being in the enemies country they landed certaine foote-men conducted by Francisco Andriana campe Maister to intercept whome and for the gard of Coron Vluzzali had sent thither a thousand fiue hundred Ianizars and two hundred horse with whom they often 〈◊〉 among whome the valor and prowesse of Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne did shew it selfe who at that time accompanied with diuers French Gentlemen was in the army as a Voluntary Our men hauing warred returned to the Gallies and before their departure bestowed certaine cannon shot vpon the forte of Coron and sailing neere to the Isle of Cuprare passed along in the enemies view diuided into three battaillons one after another because the place was very narrow and came againe to the South-East side of Sapienza comming to an ankoâ—… right ouer against Modon But all men perceiuing that to tarry long in that place hoping to draw the enemies forth to fight was but lost time and very dangerous the Venetian Generall made a proposition to land tenne thousand foote to seaze on the hill at the point of the Channell from whence it was most likely to annoy the enemy for that the place was weakely garded which would not be defended by Vluzzali who would not vnman his Gallies for feare of greater danger the enemy being so neere him The Spaniards reiected this proposition saying that they ought not to weaken the fleet by vnshipping such multitudes espetially the enimy bing so neere wherevpon Foscareâ—… perceiuing all his propositions to be crost and considering that ere long the fleet would be dissolued without any notable exploit resolued that in a matter of so great consequence where hope of good successe was greater then the danger to hazard the entring of the Channell of Modon and thereto assail the enemies this being by him like-wise propounded hee offered to expose himselfe formost to the danger and to leade the way to others though at first all men allowed this and some straue to haue the honor of the first charge yet it tooke none effect so as the fleet without doing ought at al departed thence and went into the 〈◊〉 and spatious Hauen of Nauarin free from the danger of the Castle shot seated on an high place farre from thence our men lying there the enemies fleet was as it were beseeged beneath Modon so as it could not returne to Constantinople but indured much scarcity and was in danger of shipwrack and that which was worse it could not come forth but our men might at their pleasure fight with it The Turkes in the meane time sent diuers Harquebusiers that knew the wayes who comming vp by the mountaines neere to Nauarin attempted to anoy and hinder our men from taking in water Heerevppon wee landed fiue thousand foot vnder the command of Paul Iordano Vrsino who repulsing the enemies secured the Contrey whereby matters were brought to such a passe as there was no doubt made but that the Victory would ere long fall to the Confederates This was rumord ouer Christendome and al men reioyced thereat not as a thing hoped for but already effected In the end the enterprize vppon Nauarin was propounded but considering afterwards that if it should succeed prosperously it would not greatly profit the common cause they turned to that of Modon on whose conquest depended their cheefe hope because that the enemies fleet beeing driuen from thence could not auoid fight therefore they determined to assaile the Towne Castle of Modon assaulting it at one time by land and sea and to the end that the soldiers which lay in the shippes might bee imployed in that enterprize Giouan Moceniga was presently sent vnto Zant to fetch them to the fleet In the meane time Ioseffo Bonello the Florentine made an engin by ioyning foure Gallies together on which were planted tenne Cannons fortified with Parapets wherewith to approach and batter the Castle of Modon and at the same time to secure the passage of the other Gallies which beeing by this engin defended from the enemies ordnance might enter the Channell and come to the assault But so soone as it was finished they perceiued many defaults in it which made it vnseruiceable for first they could not guide it on the water next thewaight of the burthen and ordnance was likely to sinke it neither could they make it ankorable by reason of the Seas great depth but the greatest difficulty was to bring it to the place appointed whether it was to bee towed by the Gal lies which beeing not able to make way were exposed to the mercy of the enemies ordnance planted at the mouth of the Channell which would easily haue sunke them so that dispairing of the seruiceablenesse thereof and hauing intelligence that the Beglarbey of Grecia was comming thither with a thousand horse to frustrate their deseigne they gaue ouer the worke That which most tormented the Venetians and frustrated their hope was a rumor spred through the fleet that the Spaniards victuals would not long hold out who said that in regard thereof it behooued them to prouide for their departure and beeing desirous to leaue some token of victory behind them which might encourage the inhabitants of Morea and put them in hope of better successe they determined to beseege Nauarin so often before propounded and still reiected in regard of the small reward of the conquest The Castle of Nauarin in old time called Pila is seated on a mountaine toppe
Christendome and particular profit of the Venetian State they likewise in acknowledgement of his loue would be ready to doe the like for him when need should bee and generally all Spaniards as well at Rome as in Spaine approued it Many discoursing why the Spaniards did so modestly carry themselues therein said that in accusing the Venetians they feared to vrge them to iustifie their owne cause and to taxe the actions of some of the confederates the precedent yeere others said that though the league were broken they would not for all that wholly forsake the Venetians friendship whom in other matters they might neede But I thinke they did it of their owne proude nature beeing willing to let the world see that they did not greatly care for the breach of league accounting themselues strong enough without it to make head against the Turkish force Now the Pope continuing his displeasure the Venetians did not shew themselues stubborne but determined to send an expresse Ambassadour to Rome honorably and reuerently to appease and dispose him to receiue their iustifications Nicolo de Ponte was chosen a man of great yeeres and authority and at that time Procurator of Saint Marke Hee beeing arriued at Rome and hauing audience acquainted his Holinesse with the iust occasions which had mooued the Signory to accept the Turkes offered peace Hee told him that all their sea-coasts were in very great daunger by reason of the enemies mightie preparations the Venetians friends and Confederates delaying their aide that the burthen and expence of that warre had for three yeeres space beene very greeuous to them and their subiects who were able to vndergoe it no longer That the Venetians so long as hope of happy successe did comfort them in their miseries had contributed more then they were tied towards the expense of warre but all faire occasions being omitted they saw no reason to continue it any longer And seeing that the Common-wealth perceiued by many experiences that it could not preserue it selfe by any better meanes then peace his Holinesse ought not to take it in bad part if fitting it selfe to time it sought meanes to temporize with so potent an enemy thereby to imploy the remainder of her forces in some more prosperous action for the aduancement of Christendome and seruice of the Church as it had often done in former time That Pope Paul the third perceiuing that they had in vaine taken armes against Soliman did himselfe aduise the Venetians to peace the league beeing then as now That the Senate for diuers reasons did not impart this their deseigne to any of the confederates proceeding therein by the rule of State and by the same which the Catholike King a very wise Prince had vsed who at that time when he detained his fleet did not acquaint the Venetians with the cause These reasons did somewhat satisfie the Pope who beganne more mildly to treat with the Venetian Ambassadors The Senate in the meane time had speedily dispatched Francesco Barbaro to Constantinople to carry newes of their consent and confirmation of peace till that Andrea Badoario appointed to goe thither as Ambassador should be ready to depart to Selim for the sollemn confirmation of the Articles and with the vsuall presents Barbaro made great hast as befitted the importancy of the businesse and in 14. daies arriued at Constantinople which was at the beginning of May his arriuall was very gratefull because that the Turkes hauing daily intelligence of the warlike preparations made at Messina beganne to suspect that the Venetians had cunningly made this treaty to delay their warlike prouisions that they might with more ease surprize them vnawares and that which confirmed them in this opinion was because they had no notice of the comming of a Venetian Ambassador This sodainely caused them to prepare the fleet which had beene disarmed notwithstanding that the time was too farre spent for such actions Mahomet with sundry difficulties hauing till then deferred it to take away all occasions that might frustrate peace At last toward mid Iune the Bashas Vluzzali and Piali went to sea with an hundred and fifty Gallies thirty Foists and ten Mahonnes and sailed to Negropont where they made some aboad expecting the issue of the treaty of peace and Piali hauing intelligence from the Sanzhac of Chersega that the Ambassador and the new Baily were arriued in Dalmatia and on their way towards Constantinople did with the whole fleet saile to Modon and hearing that peace was established with the Venetians he turned his forces vpon the Catholike King scouring the sea coasts of Puglia where he burnt the city of Castres The Venetians being aduertized that the Turkish fleet was abroad and that they intended not to obserue the peace and what themselues had done was interpreted as a collour to deceiue were possessed with the same iealozies as the Turks wherevpon notwithstanding the Ambassador was already in Dalmatia the euent of his Ambassage was held very doubtfull and a decree being made that Generall Foscarâ—…ni leauing sixe Gallies at Corfou should bring the rest of the fleet to Zara and vnrig it they neuerthelesse deferred the execution thereof and sent him word to disarme only tenne of the worst and to re-enforce the rest which being done there remained with him foure score and twelue seruiceable Gallies But this did farther encrease the Turkes iealouzies All these shaddowes of false suspition being vanished and the Senate supposing that the Common-wealth was out of danger being vnwilling any longer to continue so great a charge sent word to the Generall that he should vnrigge his Gallies and returne home to Venice By this time the Ambassador Badoario arriued at Constantinople where in few words he told Selim That by how much the Prince and Venetian Senate had beene greeued with the breach of friendship betwixt the State and the Oâ—…toman family by so much more was their ioy then compleate because all controuersies ended they were now revnited as before their subiects enioying peace quiet and free traffick hoping that peace and friendship now renued would be of long continuance which the Venetians for their parts would be very carefull to obserue intreating Selim to doe the like for his part as became a vertuous and iust Prince Selim made no other answer but briefly seemed to allow that which the Ambassador had spoken and ratified and confirmed the Articles before concluded with the Baylie In this sort after that warre had continued foure yeeres peace was established with the Turke The same yeere 1573. in March Henry Duke of Aniou brother to Charles the ninth French King was elected King of Poland that Kingdome being voide by the death of Sigismund Augustus the last of the noble family of the Iaâ—…elons who had worne that crowne for the space of two hundred yeeres and because succession hath no place in that Realme being an electiue Kingdome after Sigismunds death which happened in Iuly in the yeere 1572. The
ex 〈◊〉 was in the beginning The Venetians zeale to Religion The Arrian sect ouer all Italy The Venetians great modestie The first gouernment of Venice vnder Consults The Creation of Tribunes The partes of mans life compared with Cities The comming of the Lombards into Italy From whence the Lombards are descended The Lombards giue limits to the Venetians The Venetians first voyage to Sea The ancient custome of marrying their daughters The Triestines defeated The occasion of the games dedicated to the glorious Virgin Narses comes into Italie Wherein the Venetians aided Narses Churches builded by Narses The Empresse Sophia reprocheth Narses Narses auswere to the Empresse The Church of Grada made Metropolitane by the Pope Strange prodigies A great miracle at Verona The Paduan fugitiues dwell at Embragola The Church of Grada robbed Vision in a dreame Uderza ruined by the Lombards The foundation of Heracles The Episcopall See of Padua translated to Malamoc The foundation of Equiline Luitprand Duke of Forleini What moued the Venetians to change the gouernment The generall assemblie held at Heraclea Complaint in the assemblie against the Tribunes What forme they obsâ—…ued at the first Dukes election The Duke takes his oath A league made with Luitprand The taking of Rauenna by the Uenetians The creation of Exarch The troubles round about Grada The Duke murthered by his owne Citizens Difference arising about the creation of a new Duke The master or Colonell of the men at Armes Dominico Leon the first Felix cornicula the second Theodato the third Iuliano Cepari the fourth The gouernment of Duke restored A cruell and vnworthie acte A punishment of God Monegario his miserable end The first association into the Principalitie Conspiracie against the Duke What Bonitendius saith concerning the association The cruell death of the Bishop of Grada Conspiracie against the Duke discouered The Duke and his sonne expeld the Citie Who led the French Army against the Uenetians Pepin King of Italie The cause of the warre betwixt the two Empires The French takâ—… Commada The Greeke defeated before Commada Obellerio practiseth treason against Pepin The opinion of Blondus concerning the warre French against the Venetians Why the French did assaile the Venetians The Venetians 〈◊〉 allwaies kept their ancient libertie Discription of the scituation of the Citie of Venice The retreate of Valentin and all the Venetians to Rialto The auncient Malamoc ruinated The Albiolans yeeld The Venetians pollicie The Venetians resolution Different intents of the combatants The French vanquished by the Uenetians The Venetians compared witâ—… the Romans Pepin retires to the firme land Heraclea after it was repaired 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rialto chosen for the Princes ordinarie residence The Dukes Palace in Rialto Description of the Dukes Palace A verie excellent Librarie within the Prelace Wherefore they are called Pirguays Iustiniano the Dukes sonne sent to Constantinople Giouanni deposed by the people The Emperour Leo giues many goodly relikes to the Prince A conspiracie against the Prince discouered Vlric Bishop of Aquileia vanquished by the Venetians The publike games at â—…tide Succour sent to the Greeke Emperour against the Sarazens From whence came the name of Sarazens Why S. Marks bodie was brought from Alexandria The Alexandrines insolent to strangers Augustus his prouerb Pollicie of those which carried S. Markes bodie to the ships Miraculous apparition of S. Marke The prophecie accomplished Iustinians last will and Testament concerning S. Marks Church The Creation of the Deane of S. Markes Church Malamoc ruined The death of Obellerio Duke Giouanni flieth The vsurper punished Giouanni repealed Duke Giouanni deposed from his charge and becomes a Priest Pola an ancient Citie The 〈◊〉 request against those of Benâ—…c The comming of Theodosius to Venice A Sea-armiegraunted to the Grecian against the Sarracens From whence the Sarracen Moores are descended The Pirgueys Saint Peters Church at Rome taken by the Moores The spoiles made by the Moores The Moores returne into Italie Saba the Moore before Tarentum The Citie of Crotona Pythagoras and Milo the two ornaments of the Crotonians The battaile of Crotona The Greekes stir The Venetian Armie defeated before Crotona The Moores came into Dalmatia The Narentineâ—… roâ—…des euen to Caorli Pope Bennet comes to Venicâ—… The bodies of S. Pancracius and S. Sabina brought to Venice The Emperour Lotharius confirmes the franchizes of Venice Great strife among the Citivens Duke Tradonico murthered The Princes household-seruants retired into the Palace doâ—… Capitulate Three men appointed by the people to enquire of the Princes murther The murtherers punished Pouegia newly inhabited The Saracens before Grada The Sâ—…racens fought with before Grada Dorsse dura newly inhabited Vrso declared Prothospater of the Grecian Empire The Dukes brother taken by the Count of Commachia Duke Giouanni doth voluntarily depose himselfe The Duke dies fighting with the Narentinâ—…s Giouanni Parti tiatio takes again the gouernment vpon him The Citie 〈◊〉 fortified The Huns 〈◊〉 into Italie the sâ—…cond time Ciuill warre betwixt the Huns. Lewis King of Germanie Tributarie to the Huns. Berengarius defeated by the Huns. Treuiso taken by the Huns. The Huns assaile the Citie of Venice The great crueltie of the Huns. Exhortation to the Venetians The Venetians constant resolâ—…tion Battaile betwixâ—… the Venetians and the Hunnes The Venetians ouercome the Hunnes Great praise giuen to the Duke The Dukes son taken at Sea The Duke voluntarily deposeth himselfe becomes a Monke The originall of the plaies dedicated to them that are married The Commachians vanquâ—…shed Complaints against the Narentines A fleet sent against the Narentines The Dukes son which was his Colleague stirres vp sedition in the Citie The Dukes son banished the Citie A solemme oath made by the Clergie and chiefe Citizens The sonne warrs on the Venetians The Duke dyes for griefe The Church of the Augustines builded The Generall Councell held at Rome declares the Church of Grada for Metropolitan The Duke puts awaie his wife The Duke marrieth Vualdeâ—…ta daughter to Guido The Dukes tirannie Uderza taken and ruinated by the Duke The people assaile the Duke The Duke seekes to saue himselfe and his yong son The Dukes request to the people The death of the Duke and his son â—… The bodies throwne vpon the common dunghill Buried afterwards verie honourably The great harm which the fier did the same day He refuseth to take the charge vpon him The people â—…weare to the Prince The Palace and Saint Markes Church repaired Vrseolo ouercomes the Sarazens before Barri The husband wife â—…ow chastitie The complaint of Vitalis Bishop of Grada The Emperours answere to Vitalis A maruailous example of for tune Berengarius his some Albert defeated The Histrions tributarie to the Venetians Guerin comes in pilgrimage to Venice The Prince resolues to giue ouer his place How the Prince spent the time in the meane space till he departed The Dukes secret departure Otho the second hateth the Venetians Ciuill discordes The cruel intent of the Caloprini Dominico Morosino
meanes the Isle of Tenedos came into the Venetians possession The Venetians in Constantinople wronged Diuers opinions in the Senate concerning the taking of Teâ—…eaos The Genoueseâ—… surprise the Isle of Lemnos The Greekes and Genoueses defeâ—… ted by Zeni at Tenedos The Genoueses allie themselurâ—… against the Uenetians wirh the King of Hungarit the Bishop of Aquileia and the Carrarians Victor Pisani Generall of the Venetians Warre denounced to the Genoueses Battaile at Sea with the Genoueses The Genoueses put to flight Carrario beginneth warre against the Venetians The Bishop of Aquilea denounceth ware in like manner Gerard Caminensis taketh the enemies partie Famagosta taken by the Genoueses The cause of the taking of Famagosta The Genoueses reuenge Visconte of Milan giueth his daughter to the King of Cyprus Uisconte his daughter commeth to Uenice An agreement betwixt the Venetians and the king of Cyprus The venetians take the hauen of Famagosta The venetians repulsed from the Citie and hauen of Famagosta Diuers opinions concerning the taking of Famagosta The venetians take the citie of Catharra The sort of Catharra yeelded The situation of Tarentum The Genoueses flie from the venetians A sâ—…ratagem of the Genoueses to 〈◊〉 the fight The flight of three Genoueses gallies Description of the hauen of Brandissa The number of the Venetian Armie The Cities of Cesalta and Saligetta taken Mestre besieged by the CarrariaÌ„s Mestra relieued by the VenetiaÌ„s The siege of Mestra raised A braue answer of those of Sicco Sicco taken by the Venetians The Venetian Armie neere to the hauen of Trahu The Venetians assaile Trahu in vaine The Venetian before Zara. The Albanois reduced vnder the Venetians obedience The Uenetian Armie returneth before Trahu The Souldiers 〈◊〉 with hunger and cold The Senate sends new supplies to Pisani The Venetian Armie separated by tempest The Venetians being deceiued by the Anconitans were taken and spoiled by the Genoueses A quarrell against the venetians at Barletta soone appeased A battaile at Sea betwixt the venetians and Genoueses The Genoueses slie from the sight The Uenetian Armie 〈◊〉 at Pola The Genoueses challenge the Venetians The battaile at Sea The death of the Genoueses Generall Those of the ambuscado come forth vpon the Venetians The flight and defeate of the venetians Pisani with the Captaines of the fiue Gallies are imprisoned at venice The people are displeased with Pisani his imprisonment The number of the Genoueses Armie Humaga Grada Caoâ—…li taken by the Genoueses The Genoueses spoile and burne a ship in the view of Venice Pelestrina taken by the Genoueses The Genoueses before Chioggia The Genoueses error The venetians resolution How the Mariners loued Pisani The Hauen of Venice fortified Cabâ—…lla of Verona Generall of the venetians footmen A memorable enterprize of Carrario The Fort of Nasariola taken Carrario ioineth himself with the Genoueses Chyurani for not doing his dutie is condemned to perpetuall imprisonment The description of the Citie of Chioggia Supplies come to the Genoueses The Venetians enforced to retire into Chioggia The enemies cunning The Genoueses take and spoile Chioggia The number of the dead on the Venetians side Carrario his crueltie A diuine punishment The Genoueses take Loretta the tower of Bebia Cap. darger taken by Carrario Great sorrow ouer all the Citie for the losse of Chioggia The common complaint of the people Pisani is set at libertie by the Senates decree Pisani his great modestie The Princes speech to Pisani in open Senate Pisani his answere to the Prince The ioy of the people when they beheld Pisani at libertie The peoples talk in fauour of Pisani Pisani is restored to his former office In what manner Pisani fortified the Citie The diligence which was vsed in the fortifications The venetians daily incursions Diuers and sundrie encounters where the venetians had still the better Charles sonne to Lewis king of Hungarie commeth before Treuiso The venetian Ambassadors come to the campe to treate of peace The enemies vniust demaunds The treatie of peace broken Charles returneth to HuÌ„garie Secret speeches of the people The Citizens resolution A new decree of the Senate in fauor of those who should releâ—…e the Citie A liberall offer made to the Senate by a Citizen of Chioggia The Genoueses feare The Genoueses do wholy ruinate Malamoc and Poueggia An enterprise attempted with bad successe The Genoueses fortifie Chioggia What Charolo Zeno did after his departure from Venice Zeno makeâ—… spoile all along the Riuer of Genoa Caloianes earnest intreatie to the Venetians for succour The Venetians take the Castle The Uenetians besiege Pera in hatred of Andronicus In what place Zeno receiued newes of the losse of Chioggia and the Cities siege A great Barze of Genoa taken A Genoueses ship esteemed to bee worth fiue hundred thousand crownes The Prince with his Armie in the Hauen of Chioggia The Genoueses beate backe the Venetians to their Gallies The Venetian Barzes tâ—…ken burnt by the enemies Cornari seizeth on Brondolli The Genoueses determination fearing to be shut vp The Passage of Brondolli shut vp to the Genoueses Ielouzie betwixt Pisani and Thadâ—… Iustiniano A sharp sight in the Hauen of Brondolli The Venetians and the Geno ueses lodge at one time in one Hauen The Stellani â—…rre on the Genoueses The Genoueses defeate the Stellani The Venetian attempts to binder the Genoueses escape Pisani exhorâ—…eth his murmuring souldiers The great respect which the souldiers did beare to the Princes presence Two and fiftie gallies in the venetians Army by Sea Carolo Zeno arriueth in the hauen of Chioggia A new fight with the enemies The venetians attempt to hinder the enemies escape Loretta recouered The death of the Genoueses Generall Great scarcitie of victuals in venice The Genoueses designe to get forth Tumult in the venetian Army Iohn of Agons â—… French man The Genoueses come and assaile the venetians in set battaile The Garrison of Brondolli broken and defeated in the fight The great losse which the Genoueses sustained that day Pisani entreth into Brondolli Ten Genoa Gallies taken The Genoueses put all vnprofitable eaters forth of Chioggia 〈◊〉 passages leading to Chioggia are shut vp Pisani fortifieth Brondolli Iustiniano it sent to Apulia for forrage The Genoueses assaile Iustinianâ—… at Manfredonia Iustiniano taken by the Genoueses A great fight on the lakes The venetians repulsed from the Fort of the Mills The Paduans deseaâ—…ed and put to flight Demands of the besieged The Venetians propositions to the besieged The resolution of the besieged The Genoueses Armie calleth the Uenetians to the fight The Genoueses dare not attend the Venetians The Venetians sodaine arriuall hinders the enemies escape The enemies are euery where ill intreated The Genoueses pollicie to get forth of the Citie in despite of the Venetians An in what conditions the Genuoueses designes were broken Roberto de la Marca is hanged at Uenice A discreet answere of the mercenarie Captaines to the enemies The Genâ—…eses on their knees at the Princes feet