were commanded to obey him that would shew their fidelity to the Emperour and separate themselves from Wallestain now in open Rebellion Upon the publishing of this resolution he perceived how slippery is the trust to Fortune which turns her head from those from whom the Prince withdraws his favour Seldom to say truth hath that Power been seen to subsist which having grown up under the shadow of Soveraign Authority goes about to separate it self from it At the Name of Ferdinand the Regiments fell into commotion the Officers and Chiefs withdrew the sound in a moment separating themselves from the infected Being then left with a few not thinking himself secure in Pilsen where he now was he leaves the Government of it to one of his Confidents and takes his way towards Egra beleft to be a fit place as being the door of the Kingdom by which he might either let into Bohemia Stranger Armies or save himself into the neighbouring Provinces He had sought to Weimar to come speedily to his assistance offering to deliver him places but whilst the Duke in so weighty a matter was considering the advantages and the hazards and that not to hazard all his Forces he sent Birchenfelt with one part into the Palatinate to give him countenance and Duke Francesco Albert of Saxe to Egra to discover the designs the Scene was changed and the occasion vanished Wallestain did believe that those that stuck to him bound by the bonds of gratitude and obligation would run all sorts of Fortune with him but there wanted not some that followed him for the opportunity to vent by betraying him secret hatred and designed revenge and for the hope to get from the Emperour great rewards He had with him the Irish Regiment of Colonel Walter Butler John Gordon of the same Nation Tersica his Kinsman the Count Lesly Scotch-man Captain of his Guards L'Illo and other as well Officers as Souldiers believed to be most in confidence with him Some of these began among themselves to consider and then discourse with their Friends That in Battels the danger was common to all but the Reward and Glory was to a few that an occasion was here offered to gain a rich Prize with Renown worthily memorable that the Victory depended upon their own wills and hands To what purpose follow an unfortunate Rebel abhorred of all that would sell their Blood their Honour together with their Faith and Towns to Strangers One sole blow kills the Sacrifice expiates the fault pacifies the Prince nay obliges him to retribute wealth and favours to those that with their obedience preserve Kingdoms This was enough to animate them for every one was already perswaded of his own Interest whereupon Lesly Butler and Gordon promising fidelity to one another drew in some others and inviting L'Illo and Tersica to Supper in their Lodging growing hot in discourse among their Cups feigning a Wrangle confounding Wine with Blood and violating Hospitality kill them Thence not to give time to divulge it hasting to Wallestains Chamber and forcing the door whilst he awakened would have looked out of a Window to call for help and reproached the Conspirators they with many blows killed him with a Halbard Then leaving him dead upon the ground they went out of the Castle to inform the Souldiery with what was done and flatter them with great promises Nor found they any great trouble to do it for the Chiefs being dead not one durst shew resentment The day following keeping the Gates shut that the death might not be published they went out of the City under the pretence of honour and conduct to meet the Duke Francesco Albert who came in the name of Weimar to settle some agreements and arresting him Prisoner carried him to Vienna where they found great commendations and bountiful rewards Such was the unhappy destiny of Albert of Wallestain Duke of Fridtland who had formerly subdued the Empire by Arms and frighted Europe with his name He exalted the Nobleness of his Birth by his Military Vertue which from the lowest degrees lifted him up to a great Fortune so much the more honourable as carried to it by his own Merit he ascended not upon the ruine of others Amidst many faults of ambition cruelty and violence with which he afflicted his very friends his enemies commended his prudence his wariness and his discipline It seemed that he was always above Fortune and accidents or rather that foreseeing and mastering every thing in his mind he prevented difficulties and cross adventures He was accustomed to overcome and if at any time he seemed to have the worst the World in the belief of his felicity was perswaded that he had no mind to overcome Some condemned a certain rashness in his actions that rendred him precipitate nevertheless being always guided by hidden motives it was easily discerned that leaving little to chance he rewarded not without judgment nor punished without distinction Whatsoever the cause was if he lived with Glory he dyed with scorn Nevertheless opinions upon his case were diversly contested some believing him a Traitor before adjudged others that he cast himself into the Precipice after he saw himself lost Whereupon various were the Judgments the one by the infamy of his present actions cancelling the Glory of those past and the others by attributing his disgrace to the Fortune of great Imployments easily suffering his death whose life they hated before But in Vienna in regard of his Kindred and Friends which were in the Court quickly suppressing the discourse of the causes and of the fact and punishing some of the Conspirators it was resolved that the King of Hungary should go into the field to chear up the Army with his presence contain the Souldiers in their duty and hinder competition amongst the Chiefs This could not be done so suddenly that the Swedes made not great advantage of the past alterations for that in Alsace the Rhingrave routing near Tarn the Imperialists took amongst more considerable conquests Ensheim Friburg and Rinfelden In Swabe were yielded to Horn Meminghem and Chempem The Elector of Saxony having besieged Budweis and first burnt it with Bombes before he took it passed to Gorlitz which he found abandoned Retiring then into his own Country leaves to Arnheim the Command of the Army and he offering the Imperialists Battel near Lignitz after a long and doubtful fight defeats them with the death of three thousand of their men the gaining of many Colours and nine pieces of Cannon possessing Stenau Glogau and other places of importance at the same time that Banier took Francfort on the Oder and Crossen The King of Hungary coming forth at last with powerful Forces and the Army incouraged with his presence joyns the Bavarians who had recovered Strubingh and begirts Ratisbone with a Siege battering it with a hundred piece of Cannon Weimar draws near to it disturbing the Royal Camp which had not its Circumvallation yet finished but for want of Victuals he was forced
to be given so vigorous that the effect was to see himself lodged upon the breach The place then capitulates agreeing under honourable conditions to deliver the Town and Cittadel The Siege lasted two months during which were discharged 67000 shot of Artillery The Enemy lost 6000 Souldiers and 67 Captains besides some persons of Quality Giovanni Bravo with a strong Garrison enters into it as Governour The Marquess of Caluso who came out of it notwithstanding the Fathers favour was forced for a while to forbear the Dukes angry presence but being guilty of nothing but ill fortune was quickly restored to his former favour The Duke with this loss felt himself touched to the quick and apprehended consequences yet worse fearing lest Toledo should besiege Asti whereupon to divert that thought and to shew courage in his ill fortune finding his Army strong 18000 Foot and 3000 Horse and not a little heartned with Dediguieres presence who by the Kings consent being newly come again into Italy had brought with him some men under the Dukes pay and some Troops that carried the Colours he resolves to enter into the Milanese Leaving Annona la Rocca and Rocchetta behind him he invests Felisano where the French forcing the Barricadoes and entring the Trenches fifteen hundred Germans together with the Inhabitants were cut to pieces the Officers made Prisoners and nine Colours taken Going thence to Quattordici an open place where were lodged 300 men leaving their Arms they were obliged to ingage not to serve any more against Carlo Out of Renfracore which rendred it self 200 Switzers were permitted to march out with their Arms and Colours in respect to the Nation with whom the Duke was in alliance Toledo who in the Siege of Vercelli had harrassed and diminished his Forces had now separated them into several Quarters to refresh but moved with the Dukes bold attempt assembles his Army at Soleri Nevertheless suffers Annona to be taken in his sight a weak place but garrisoned with 2000 men who after a short battery of six Pieces marched out life and Arms saved La Rocca d' Arasso also and la Rocchetta with the spoil of 500 Souldiers yielded These successes contributed to the heightning of Carlo's reputation who always appeared above all misfortunes but in effect the advantage was much less than the noise because they did not recompense the loss of Vercelli whereof not only the Duke but the Venetians were very sensible Nevertheless to uphold a gravity in the Negotiation equal to the constancy of their minds the Senate with the consent of the Duke after the Invasions of Ossuna the taking of the Gallies and the rendring of Vercelli recals the powers give their Ambassadour Gritti to treat a Peace in Spain For the dispatch to Madrid of necessary powers concerning this Negotiation the Archduke was carried to the Court of the Emperour Matthias and there had pretended that the Ambassadour of the Republick should not appear in the Churches or on any other occasion when he was present But the Emperour not willing to pass beyond the Mediation to a partiality remained resolute to oppose it The Archduke had other greater concerns pressing upon his mind for all the Line of Maximilian the Second though numerous coming to fail without posterity the Fortune of the Empire was to devolve into his House And for that cause he was tyed to the Spaniards in the bonds of greater confidence and they expresly promoted it with certain hopes to cast the Empire according to their arbitrement when it should fall upon Ferdinand The Archdukes Albert and Maximilian Brothers to the Emperour wanting issue easily yielded their pretensions and hopes but it was a hard matter to bring Matthias to it who heard not willingly the discourse of celebrating in his life time the Funerals of his Authority and Government He nevertheless insinuates to him the cession of the Title only of King of Bohemia for prevention of those accidents which to Religion and the Family in case of his death might in the Interregnum be feared because it being not certain whether it be Elective or Hereditary the minds of the people sufficiently prepared for it might be moved and if it should fall into other hands or to a Protestant Prince the Election it self of the Emperour would run a great hazard in the parity of six other Electors equally divided into Catholicks and Hereticks themselves Upon such effectual motives the Emperour at last lets himself be perswaded but the Spaniards although with all earnest they inclined to the advancement of Ferdinand yet would not quit their advantages in view and therefore the consent of King Philip the Son of Anna Daughter of Maximilian the Second seeming necessary they required a vast compensation for it Upon this score it was divulged that the Towns of Istria should be yielded to them with the County of Goritia and with all that more which the Archduke possessed in Italy but that tended only to give jealousie to the Venetians although in truth all the Country was moved at the report doubting to be bound up both by Sea and by Land with such Fetters as were not to be shaken off An agreement was afterwards privately stipulated betwixt the Archduke and the Count d'Ognate which contained Philips cession of his Rights to the hereditary Provinces in Germany in favour of Ferdinand and his Brothers and of their descendants masculine but that failing they to return to the House of Spain of which the Females were to be preferred before those born in Germany In recompence it was promised to give up Alsatia to the Spaniards and to maintain them in the possession they bound themselves to grant reciprocal Levies and that the one should not confer benefits or favours on the Vassals of the other but by the approbation of his own Prince or his Ministers That part nevertheless which concerned Alsatia was never executed for fear of making too great a commotion amongst the Princes of the Empire and indeed of all Europe The design notwithstanding of uniting the two Houses and extending their limits coming to be known such was the jealousie of many Princes that that Treaty may justly be called the foundation-stone of the calamities of Germany and the Original of the great accidents that ensued But for the Treaty with the Republick the Count d'Ognate having protested to Ferdinand that the management thereof would not be suffered to pass through other hands than those of Philip himself the Count Francisco Chefniller was dispatched into Spain as Ambassadour Extraordinary from Matthias and the Archduke who shall henceforth be called King of Bohemia and he carried the resolute intentions of Matthias and Gleselio his chief Minister that by all means a Peace was to be made But at Madrid blocks in the way were not wanting for the Spanish Ministers pretended that the Venetians should first restore what they had taken and then Ferdinand should fulfil the agreement but without burning the Barks or banishing
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
thirteen nimble Gallies and lands her at Trieste with such treatment and magnificence that in the straightness of the Ships was seen abundantly contained all that which every Element furnishes for the use of Luxury and the honour of Greatness For which the Republick in the Name of the Emperour and Catholick King received thanks Spinola had pressed the Siege of Casal now brought to straights for Provisions beginning to fail and the Garrison diminished being reduced to only two thousand Foot and three hundred Horse no hope remained but in the Succours of the French excepted by the Inhabitants who although weary of so long vexations retained nevertheless a constant fidelity towards their Prince Ferdinand Duke de Maine incouraged the defence with his presence but the command the fatigue and the vigilancy rested upon Monsieur de Thoiras with great equality of Valour and Renown of two so great Captains for if Spinola had a confidence that at his name alone as to a fatal Conquerour of strong places Casal should yield the glory gotten at the Isle of Rhé did no less stir up the other to confirm it with most vigorous proofs Spinola towards the Citadel had strengthened his approaches which in the circumference of the Camp were four divided to the Spanish German Neapolitan and Lombard Nations and beyond the Po caused to drive away the French with the slaughter of many out of a Fort upon a certain Island which defended the Mills Thoiras not amazed at any thing bringing into the Citadel for its better defence some French Companies tormented the besiegers with frequent Sallies and in one particularly upon the Lombards killing the Count Soragna with many Souldiers drives him out of certain Redoubts flinging down the Works The Enterprise not advancing with the speed supposed the Duke of Savoy was highly offended with Spinola because neglecting to succour him with all his Forces in his great dangers in hopes to profit by his calamities he had ingaged himself before Casal Wherefore the dispatching the Abbot de Scaglia to Madrid to accuse him and complain was a motive to perswade him to send him more powerful assistance by which the Siege slackning gave time to the French to send new Forces into Italy under the Mareshal de la Force and Schomberg and the Duke of Momorancy He with his Troops which exceeded not three thousand men passing towards Pignarol to joyn with the others was near Avigliana attacqued by the Prince Vittorio with five thousand Foot and one thousand Horse in a narrow passage where the gross being passed beyond it the Duke was left with only six hundred Foot and two hundred Horse But the resistance of the French and the Valour of the Duke was such that he not only passed but routed the Savoyards taking Prisoner Pagano Doria who commanded the Spanish Cavalry The Prince saving himself with few Schomberg arrives thereupon to besiege Avigliana which was rendred after a Siege but of eight days Colalto having refused to send succours to the Castle On the other side la Force had reduced into his power Saluzzo making the Garrison Prisoners Villa Franca and Poncalieri yielded to the Conquerour and the best of the Austrian Forces being intrenched at the Bridge of Carignano to hinder the passage over the Po received a great blow for being assaulted by the French and losing a Half-moon they abandoned the Post with great loss and no less confusion Nevertheless the French pressed not forward destroyed amidst the advantages of War by a most cruel plague Piedmont now really served for a miserable spectacle being made the Stage of all sort of Cruelty destroyed by the Enemies through hatred and by Friends in derision Amidst so many and so grievous accidents the Duke Carlo Emanuel burdened with sixty and nine years but much more pierced to the heart by infinite afflictions and the mocqueries of Fortune towards the end of July being surprized by an Apoplexy dies in Savigliano Death surely took him in the greatest straight of his affairs and he just at that time had his thoughts busied in more violent designs But cancelled the memory of them in the fire burning a little before he expired many Papers which contained as was divulged to the prejudice of the Milanese Intelligences and Agreements with Wallestain who was to come for the Emperour into Italy so much the more easily believed by how much the Duke was against the Spaniards for their scanty and longsom succours the more implacably provoked and Wallestain above measure disgusted with the Emperour because resolving to take from him the absolute Command of the Armies he had a mind to send him into Italy as into a specious Banishment but amidst so great chastisements God spared Italy from so great slaughter Carlo Emanuel was without question a great Prince brought up in the experience of the one and the other Fortune magnanimous persevering and valiant in War vertues which might be said defiled by ambition lust and prodigality if his very defects dressed up by his lively Art had not passed almost for things approved and commended He directed his actions immoveably to his own interest alone and measuring by the same steps profit and glory discovered himself highly inconstant in his friendships more than liberal of his own greedy of what was anothers always poor never wanting with the money of his friends he out-stood so many Wars together with the Wealth of his Subjects oppressed with most grievous Impositions Nevertheless exercising Command in his Country and Authority in his House and among Strangers keeping up his honour he was by all reverenced and esteemed In Wars seeking advantages or in Peace sowing the seeds of other Wars his designs wanting success rather than industry as the Architect of so many confusions he dyed buried amidst his own ruines With his death the face of affairs was changed for Vittorio though of a profound yet of a more composed ambition assuming the Government inclined to Peace and not having with Richelieu causes of so great diffidence but rather as the Kings Kinsman shewing himself prone towards France would not close with the Spaniards nor totally separate from them Declaring himself therefore to adhere to that side which would most facilitate Peace he exhorted the Popes Ministers to urge new Propositions whereupon Mazarine had the luck in September to conclude a Truce which though blamed by reason of the conditions by every one was nevertheless by necessity observed by all It was to last till the end of October following within which time delivering to the Spaniards the City and Castle of Casal they were to furnish Victuals for the Citadel and afterwards to have it if within the prescribed time no succours should arrive Some imputed in this Treaty to the French that by rendring the Town they yielded a point of so much honour and left means to the Enemy to hinder the succours Others accused the Spaniards that hunger having reduced all to extremity they would be contented only
acts past and to the excommunication he should legitimate the crimes of Felony which were laid to his charge But no sooner was this exhibited to the French Ministers but Barbarino sollicites the Spanish Cardinals to propose to the Grand Duke a suspension of Arms and the depositing Castro into his hand with a Brief apart which should give him power to render it to the Duke of Parma when he should perform those humiliations which should be agreed on The Confederates besides displeasure conceived at the late manner of proceeding in the Treaty found many doubtful significations and sly evasions to be contained in the present Propositions and above all become jealous that Mediators and Propositions were so often changed refused the suspension of Arms declaring notwithstanding to the Ambassadours of both the Crowns their will to be most inclined to Peace when it might be obtained upon conditions that might render it lasting honourable and safe The Count della Rocca Ambassadour Extraordinary from Spain being at this time arrived at Venice and Giovanni d'Frasso at Florence and they insisting upon things already rejected obtained answers not differing The Spanish Cardinals thereupon at Rome hearkened to new Propositions of Union betwixt the Pope and King Philip which the Cardinal Barberino ceased not to suggest to give jealousie to the Confederates but the Republick in the name of all the League made so lively complaints of it at Madrid with a protest that the League on the other side would accept the invitations which France had so long made them to close with that Crown that the King immediately orders that all such practices should be broken off Nay the Vice-King of Naples upon the Popes demand of nine hundred Horse due for the investiture of that Kingdom in case the Ecclesiastick State should be invaded denys them this not being the cause of the holy See but of his Family and Kindred And to say truth the Crowns by reason of the employments wherein they were ingaged and much more for the condition of their domestick affairs had little reason to interest themselves but by mediation and offices for in Spain with the disgrace of the Minister and in France with the death of the King Government was changed King Philip returned from Saragossa to Madrid had in his heart somewhat cooled his affection towards the Condé Duke whether it was that by reason of continual disgraces the unhappy director of his Affairs was become troublesom to him or that he had perceived things had been hitherto represented to him by the Favourite in a prospective differing from the truth And now many from necessity saw themselves bound laying flattery and fear aside to speak plain but none durst be the first till the Queen supported by the Emperour with Letters under his own hand to the King and with the discourse of the Marquess di Grana his Ambassador resolved to break through the vail and discover the secrets All then took the Cue and the very meanest persons either by notes in writing or by word of mouth sollicited the King to put away the Minister and assume the Government to himself He marvelling within himself to have ignored till now the causes of this disgrace overcome with the light of so many advertisements which all at a time unvailed him was wavering at first with himself apprehending the burden of the Government and doubting lest the wonted frauds of Court were practised against the Favourite but at last not able to resist the consent of all orders him one day on a sudden to retire himself to Loeches Olivares undaunted readily obeys going disguised out of the Court for fear of the people who if they are wont to follow Favourites whilst they shine in the station of favour and greatness endeavour much more to tread them under foot when they are precipitated by Fortune This resolution was applauded by all with excess of joy The Grandees formerly sent away and oppressed returned to serve the King and render the Court more majestical and the People offered to strifes men and money animated by the report that the King would take upon him the care of the Government hitherto neglected But either fainting at the burden or new to business and with more new Ministers in the tediousness of business and the difficulties of various accidents he had fallen back insensibly into the former affection towards Olivares if all the Court had not with an unanimous murmuring opposed it nay if Olivares himself had not rather precipitated his hopes for willing by the publishing of certain Writings to clear himself he offended many in such sort that the King thought it best to send him yet further off and confine him to Toro There not accustomed to quiet and afflicting himself as great wits are wont to do he dyes within a while of grief It cannot be denyed but that he had great parts of vivacity of wit and application to business but they were either corrupted by a rash violence which oftentimes in counsel carried him to extremities or were frustrated by fortune which always crost his designs He never suffered himself to be corrupted by Strangers but it was imputed to him that with flattery or not opposing he sometimes betrayed the Kings service He possessed with great jealousie the Kings favour and the power which to arrogate it to himself alone he took from the Council and every body else He employed few and those of his dependants but he proved so unfortunate a Judge of abilities that of all those he employed some wanting diligence many capacities and all approbation he was very often for the faults and errours of others condemned by the world He always vainly shewed his power but he laid up no great riches nor fortified his private power against the publick authority with Places Armies and Governments For this cause if his Government was not applauded his fall made no great noise nor was his death considered The King in truth though he published the contrary could not or would not govern by himself alone Whereupon Luigi d' Haro Nephew but withall an Enemy to Olivares insinuates himself by little and little and with great modesty shewing his obedience to the King in a short time takes upon him the administration of the Government But in France conformable to the nature of the people the changes passed with a greater noise for that Lewis amidst the cares of his mind and the unquietness of his body was fallen sick even to extream languishing By reason of the tender age of his Son he was exercised in difficult thoughts about the direction of affairs and no less were troubled the principal Ministers the reliques of Richelieu's Faction fearing lest the Queen coming to the authority of the Regency should for former disgusts revenge her self against them Mazarine therefore Bottiglier Superintendent of the Finances and his Son Chavigni Secretary of State being reduced to serious consults about their Fortune endeavoured to possess the King with the
where they were received with great applause of that Government which to the prejudice of their Trade receiving very unwillingly Law from the Venetians upon the Sea gladly heard this novelty of Ossuna's and incouraging it with publick services permitted that upon these Ships many of their Subjects should take imployment But Belegno following with seven Ships four great Gallies thirteen Lighters and fifteen armed Vessels Riviera doubting to be assaulted with disadvantage in that place setting sail with a fair wind crossed the Sea and came to Brindisi The Venetians followed him and not being able to fight them in that Port which was well defended with several Forts the Admiral which was Lorenzo Veniero letting fall his Sails defied him four hours long with Cannonades but the other not willing to come out to an ingagement he ransacks all the Coast of Puglia This motion of the Spaniards had not only disturbed the Venetians but greatly alarmed the Turks who taking jealousie came down in great numbers to the guard and preservation of their marine Coast and because Ossuna to the end he might ingage with him the Gallies of the Pope of Malta and of Florence published that he would attempt upon the Ottoman State The Ministers of the Venetians caused the contrary to sound aloud in all the Courts it appearing that he had sent to the Grand Visier Slaves and Peasants to gain him and with all sorts of offices incite him to make War against the Republick For this cause the said Princes did not only abstain from giving their Gallies to Ossuna but used all effectual means to divert him from sending abroad such rumours knowing that they tended to nought else but to provoke the Turk and draw him into the Adriatick to the disturbance of the Kingdom of Naples and the Ecclesiastical State also But Ossuna stopping at nothing so that he might gain at present from the boldness of the attempt fruit equal to the rashness of the counsel despising the conscience of the fact had brought into Naples as in triumph certain Merchandize as if it had been taken at Sea by his Ships though in truth it was the lading of the sequestred Ship of Rossi and meaning by this applause to spread his designs he sends Pietro Leiva with nineteen Gallies to joyn with Riviera They passed altogether to Santa Croce which belongs likewise to those of Ragusa and found at Lesina the Venetians inferiour in strength the Gallies of Candia being not yet joyned nor those ten others with some Ships which with all speed were making ready at Venice The Commanders then themselves not only crossed by the wind but counselled chiefly by the disparity of force applied to nothing but their defence placing on the Land certain pieces of Artillery in convenient places So the Fleets cannoned a whole day at random with more shots than blows and night coming on the Spaniards stood away before the wind taking a Ship of Sali There fell into their power also a Vessel of Holland which sailing with some Souldiers of those Levies was like to be taken by the Ships of Ossuna and thought to find in the Port of Ragusa a safe retreat but that Government permitting the Souldiery to pass by Land to Cattaro put the Vessel into the Spaniards hands who causing the Captain to be hanged turned their course towards Brindisi From such passages as these the Venetians more and more understood what weight lay upon them of Arms Jealousies and Negotiations resolving therefore to maintain themselves in liberty and safety they deliberate greatly to re-inforce their Fleet without weakening or distracting their Forces by Land Conferring the Title with the Authority of Captain General upon Giovanni Giacomo Zane they caused besides other provisions ten Gallies to be armed in Candia which with a 1000 Souldiers raised in that Island arrive at last in the Gulph to joyn with the Fleet after some retardment caused partly for fear of falling amongst the Spanish Ships which they knew were laid for them and partly for some regard had of the Turks Fleet which with two great Hulks and seven and thirty Gallies plyed to and again in the white Sea not so much to be taken notice of for their force or the courage of the Turkish Officers as for the Negotiations of Ossuna who commanding a nimble Frigat to the Captain Bassa had sent him for a Present a Kinsman of his till then kept Prisoner with the Spaniards and giving liberty to a hundred other Slaves invited him with such flatteries and with express Offices to infest the State of the Venetians and particularly to command their Fleet to fall upon Candia But the Turks themselves abhorring such wicked counsels set themselves rather to make a course longst the Coast of Calabria but without doing hurt that was of the least importance The Port being indeed throughly moved threatned the Ragusians for the reception given to Ossuna's Ships and invited the Republick to joyn Forces with them to suppress as they called those Magistrates the common Enemies But the Senate though provoked by the example of the Vice-King and invited by so grievous injuries not willing to confound the interest of State with Religion placed their defence in the justice of their cause and their own Arms not omitting every where and in all Courts the diligence offices and forces to resist so great a power The Spanish Ministers to terrifie with the fame of vast preparations gave out that the Fleet of Gallions accustomed only to the imployments of the Ocean coming within the straights of Gibraltar should advance into the Adriatick and that there was a new Armature of many Ships in Sicily rumours in a good measure believed from the proceedings of the Viceroy of Naples who strengthened the Squadron of Leiva with certain Gallies commanded by Octavio d'Arragona and gave liberty to the Vscocchi to rove every where and rejoyced already in the conceit that with their Barks they would brave it within the sight of the Ports of the Capital City taking Prises and doing mischief This obliged the Senate to dispose of certain Gallies for the guard of the Chioggia and to pick out in Venice a number of people fit to bear Arms who being new and therefore more apt to be discoursed of than they that were wont to be seen in War kept the people in no small unquiet During these apprehensions a false and short joy was the fore-runner of greater trouble The Mariners of a Packet-boat bringing Letters with information of what had happened about Lesina scattered a report every where as they passed either from their own invention or a willing credulity of others that the Venetians had obtained a great Victory of which some bringing the first notice the people greedy of the news and desirous of good success without giving time for greater certainty overflowed with such an excess of satisfaction that running up and down with crys of applause and making Bonfires in all the streets they were very near
quiet in the disturbances risen in Bohemia gave him leave to raise 2000 Souldiers and paid them for him for certain months that he might carry them to the Bohemians Carlo over and above exhorts the Venetians to contribute to that cause some secret assistance but the Republick did not believe that it was fit for them to ingage themselves further than in their own defence and in the common Liberty of Italy Mansfelt was gladly entertained by the Bohemians and honoured with the Charge of General of the Artillery he with la Tour became the chief Parties in the Revolt which to say truth could not be more furiously conducted than by those two Chiefs one of which passed for desperate and the other for one of a most turbulent spirit Mansfelt presently possesses himself of the Town of Pilsen and there remained now no other of consideration for the Emperor but Buduais where Carlo Count of Buquoy raised some Troops Such was the Praeludium of so many other calamities which have since involved Germany in many miseries which were too much threatned her by a fierce Comet which about the end of the year appeared towards the North. And if it be true that at some great Crisis Nature it self is moved the fall of a Mountain which burning a whole People alive overwhelmed Plurs the greatest City of those parts might be reckoned as a prodigious Prognostick of the unhappiness of Rhetia And to say truth both for the business and the Arms the affairs of Bohemia and the Grisons had a sufficient resemblance because that in this very year the minds of that people continued stirred and implacably disordered It happened that the Venetians having published and by the means of Anthonio Antelmi solemnly sworn the Alliance formerly concluded with the Cantons of Zurich and Bern the agreement in consequence was that in order to the Union of the three Leagues with the Helvetians the passages should be open for them but the Spaniards opposed it with so much violence that some certain Horse raised under pay of the Republick by Colonel Sciavaleschi were obliged to make a stand finding that the Ministers of Spain themselves kept their own Guards upon the passes doubting lest connivence or the venality of those of that Country should let them through To this business being afterwards added fear and force Feria the new Governour of Milan to incommodate Rhetia and stir their minds stopped the passage of Merchandize and Gheffier observing though there was no Minister of the Venetians in those parts that in the Agnedina the Election of a Ministrat who is a temporary Head of their Government after some contests with the shedding of blood was fallen upon a person of that Faction presented a certain Writing in which feigning to controul the Treaties of Spain struck more to the quick upon those of the Republick proposing that all other Alliances might be cast off except that with France The Proposition pleased not the Commons and so much the less by how much the Creditors of many Pensions from the Crown requiring payment of them he offered to satisfie only one of them which was refused by the people with insufferable scorn Nevertheless their minds were generally wavering because the chief among them making Merchandize to their own profit of the publick evils made themselves powerful with adhering to Strangers and the poorer sort vexed with this corruption and the severity of their judgments did not willingly bear the yoke For which cause taking Arms on a sudden in several places they furiously ransacked the Country not knowing who was to be their enemy and uncertain of their own designs At Zernez they obliged Rudolpho Pianta to run away who with his Brother Pompeo declared Partisans of the Austrians rendred themselves under that protection even as odious to all as feared by many and to him it was principally imputed to have been one of the sowers of discord so that they would have put him to a cruel death if he had not made his escape by flight They run then to Coira whence Gheffier who by his proceedings was not distinguished from a Minister of Spain resolved to retire in haste to Maianfelt and as if the fury of the people had been capable of any order or discipline they deliberated to establish a Tribunal in Tosana composed of Judges Catholick and Protestants who should proceed against those who should have sold to Strangers the weak of the Country Under this censure many principal men perished Giovanni Baptista Zambra by the hand of the Hangman Niccolo Rusca the Chief Priest of Sondrio dyed under Tortures the Pianta's were banished upon grievous punishments and Giovanni Bishop of Coira the City it self being fined in the sum of 15000 Crowns Molina Interpreter of France Native of Rhetia was in like sort banished and to Gheffier was intimated the leaving his imployment but he hoping that good order would be so much the less durable amongst that people by how much they wearied themselves to introduce it took time to give advice of it to the Court An. Dom. 1619 whither the Grisons also dispatched Letters and Deputies to inveigh bitterly against him There being also for the same cause of the Grisons some dissention risen in some Cantons of the Switzers to quiet it as is the custom rather with conference than force a Diet was called in Baden where Gheffier appearing taxed the Venetians to have fomented this last revolution in which there appeared many of their party But the Ambassadours of the Grisons who were at this meeting maintaining the liberty of their actions and judgments against those who had betrayed the Country imputed to himself to have with all Art given incouragement to the present turbulencies But for a proof of their indifferency they had recalled those few Troops of their Nation who served the Venetians and had condemned in a mulct of money some Captains who were not so ready to obey them But the Pianta's to nourish the divisions scattered Letters and Libels and having recourse to the Governour of Milan to obtain only 30000 Crowns therewith to arm their friends and adherents they promised to rise and subject the Valtolina to him which being subject to the Grisons but inhabited by people more civil not willingly suffered the heavy yoke of Democracy so corrupted This passing not without the Grisons knowledge caused that to keep the principal Post they sent some Souldiers which were very useful to suppress also the disturbances made by those of Como in the dispute about Jurisdiction over certain places ANNO M.DC.XIX Many sollicited the Venetians to send a Minister to conclude a League quickly during the predominancy of those most inclined to their Party but they willing to observe the issue of so strange accidents not to confound things rather than contribute to their remedy forbore it It quickly was made manifest that the people in their affection had but a short space betwixt their flood and ebb for they presently fell back
it self no farther than by Treaty and name proposing that the Republick should charge upon it self the burden and the War for which purpose Desdiguieres in quality of a private Captain offered under their pay to raise in an instant ten thousand Foot and a thousand Horse and to pass them through Helvetia into the Grisons but the Venetians excusing themselves upon the season so far advanced which made the passage difficult did not embrace the proposal insisting that they would not be alone but that in the Cause which was common the Crown also should concur and the Switzers assembled then at Badan upon these occurrences Nothing therefore was concluded in Piedmont but in France Priuli being arrived at Court and found the King rid of the disagreements with his Mother and the Voyage of Bearn Declares the intensions of the Republick to be that Religion should be secured and the Country restored to preserve to God and the Princes that which divine and humane right had imparted to them He offers the consideration that Italy despoiled in a manner of the ornaments of its liberty of its strength and of its beauty did apprehend destruction being invironed with a formidable power watching on occasions ready to take advantages greedy of conquests and tenacious in keeping them That in the support of that Crown alone was placed the hopes of the Grisons a people it may be said protected from their very beginning and by the constancy in their friendship ready to fall under the Yoak True it was that the Republick was concerned in the neerness but nevertheless glory ought to stir up the King who was bound to render an account to publick fame of the distress of his most faithful friends That Europe had hopes now in his youth of fruits equal to justice and power the one being due to the oppressed and the other required by his own and common interest That in his Kingdom he had by both triumphed over two of the fiercest Monsters Heresie and discord That now Heaven reserved for him the honour of conquering the ambition of Strangers and overthrowing the slavery of Italy That nothing was so much expected in that afflicted Country as the happiness of his conduct and authority to add new examples to the old that in its straits it was delivered by the Arms of France An. Dom. 1621 That Rhetia at present did implore him and the Republick readily offered it self to second his royal intentions with their endeavours and they not being sufficient with Arms mindful of the ancient friendship and so long correspondence by which Italy hath always received honour and relief That the Valteline and Rhetia did expect it alone from this Vnion equalising by a just Treaty the present advantages of the power of France with the benefits of the vicinity of the Venetians France truly acknowledged the great mischiefs received in the fears of the minority and the civil discords for having neglected foreign occurences and Monsieur de Villeroy being dead an old man and trusty Minister but most averse to the affairs of the Grisons and of Italy a great obstacle was removed Monsieur de Pisieux then Secretary of State in the name of the King answers to Priuli with full encomiums of the vigilance and prudence of the Republick that by sudden and seasonable assistance to the Swizzers and Grisons had endeavoured to remedy the present evils and prevent the future That the King would not suffer the wrongs of Rhetia nor the oppressions of his other Friends That he was sending to the Court of his Brother-in-Law the Marshal of Bassompiere Ambassador extraordinary that he might endeavour the quieting of the present divisions by removing violence and restoring all things to their first estate In case that should not avail that he declared himself fully resolved to take Arms in conjunction with the Republick and Carlo both keepers of the liberty and security of Italy All this was communicated to the Pope who being far advanced in years and desirous to repose his ashes and adorn his Sepulchre with the memorials of Peace was greatly disturbed hearing it in danger and tossed up and down among the greater Powers Of such resolutions which howsoever came to nothing in regard Treaty separated from Force served not but to confirm the Spaniards in the possession of the Valley and of their minds the Austrians believed the Venetians to be Authors A War therefore of hatred rather than Arms breaking forth the Spaniards recal upon the score of their private interests their Ambassador from Venice and attempted in other Courts to introduce disparity betwixt their Ministers and those of the Republick contrary to the practice and use of the other Crowns which treated them as belonging to a Prince that for Soveraignty Power and Titles was numbred amongst the Kings so that all correspondence by Treaty and Offices was wholly interrupted whilst in such formalities the present Age believes that if not the Essence the Covering and Vail of Principality consists ANNO M.DC.XXI The Spaniards judging it their great advantage that the business of the Valteline should pass for a matter of Religion to the end that amidst applauses excuses and pretexts some Princes might be restrained and others proceed with greater caution applied all care well to impress the Pope with that opinion to their offices of duty joining other means and in particular to gain his Kindred having for that purpose created the Prince of Sulmona his Nephew Grande of Spain Paul nevertheless having had the teaching of a long experience preferred Peace before all flattery nor did believe it fit that confounding together the interests of Religion and State the Popes ought to expose themselves to the enmity of great Princes or put themselves to have need of the assistance of the more powerful He applied therefore to a neutrality as a course more prudent than what the Princes shewed themselves pleased with But in the beginning of the year having in a certain ecclesiastical function superfluously wearied and inflamed himself he passes to Heaven to render an account of the World over which for the direction of Souls he had been for sixteen years placed in the Popedom Ever since to the Ecclesiastical Dignity a worldly Power hath been superadded and that the corruption of the Age hath with the veneration of holy things confounded also humane respects Princes have very often in the election of Popes caused to be profaned with their interests that which the Church possesses of most pure and most to be regarded But God that hath espoused it with the Ring of his true Faith protects it from violence confounds the counsels punisheth the attempts and preserving it by his holy Spirit makes it clearly evident that though the Conclaves are not exempt from factions and affections nevertheless the counsels of man seldom succeeding the lot falls where Divine Providence directs it For the present by how much the suspence of the Affairs of the Valteline was more embroiled with
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
extraordinary Embassy to the King Simeon Contarini Cavalier Procurator and Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier But Bassompiere An. Dom. 1620 the time being passed which the change of Princes necessarily carries with it sollicites the affair of the Valteline in such sort that it was the 25. of April concluded That the Armies should be withdrawn out of the Valley and the Countries adjacent and Religion with every other thing as it was before the year 1617 restored France the Catholick Switzers and the Valesians obliging themselves caution for it To execute that much which was to be done there was to be a Meeting in Lucerna of the Ministers of the Pope of France and the Archduke Albert in the Name of King Philip. The ancient Treaties of Rhetia with the House of Austria and with Tirol were to remain untouched Some other Articles in favour of passage for the Spaniards were secretly added which at that time were not known That notwithstanding which was published was more than sufficient to make it understood that both the Crowns conspired in one and the same thing which was to seek to delay the business for France the agitation of civil discords not yet well setled cared not so suddenly to involve it self in those of Strangers and Spain in the instant of the new Reign thought it wise counsel to defer the War and dissemble a Peace The Treaty to say truth contained but a huddle of things little having been decided and all remitted to new Conferences And therefore although in Madrid were published positive Orders to Feria that he should withdraw his Arms and restore the effect nevertheless did not appear some ascribing it to accidents suggested from more secret counsels and the more simple reproaching the Governour of Milan as if he so tenderly loved the fruit of his own contrivance as not to be willing to part with it But in Treaties faith will fail as long as interest lives and interest will be found as long as Princes reign Feria notwithstanding the advices of Peace arms still more powerfully and in Germany the Archduke Leopold interdicting Commerce to the Grisons and Venetians raised Souldiers threatning the latter with Jealousies and the other with War Thus the Mine sprung with great ease for the Archduke having possessed himself of the Valley of Munster while the Grisons demanded the restitution alledging the Peace of Madrid so newly concluded denies to be bound to observe it he having had no Minister there nor given his consent and desired that Deputies might be sent to Felkirch to the end that by an amicable accord those causes and suspicions might be removed which had moved him to possess it The President Dole in the Name of the Archduke Albert being arrived at the meeting in Lucerna pretends to be treated as representing Philip stirring up the dispute of Precedence with the French which expresly the Articles of Madrid by designing a Minister of the Archdukes had aimed to divert During the delays to overcome this difficulty by writing came new Orders Albert dyes and with him the Presidents full power failing the Conference dissolves Neither were other hinderances wanting Feria declaring himself that he would not execute the Treaty without the caution of the Catholick Cantons capitulated not so much for their power as for their neighbourhood and the dominion they have of passages But they would not interpose betwixt two so powerful Monarchs and the common opinion then being that Feria himself did strengthen them in that resistance He also puts those of the Valteline upon sending Deputies to Madrid to make a clamour that Religion was not sufficiently provided for and he accompanies them with Letters from the Senate of Milan in which with motives of piety and Religion were mingled consequences of convenience and advantage He offers afterwards to make a shew only that the Forts should be kept by the Catholick Switzers but that the Protestants should not abide in the Valley till the Treaty should be mended and at the same time suggests underhand to the Grisons vain hopes of having again the Valteline if point blanck it should not be otherwise conditioned by some accord in which the passages should be left free for Spain But it was not in the power of the Grisons to alter what was agreed in Madrid betwixt the two Crowns All this while there arrived not a Courrier out of Spain in Italy but orders to the Duke were published for restoring and disarming with an express command besides to hasten Souldiers for the Fleet whilst the Turks unsuccessfully involved in the War of Poland and in the Black Sea employed in repelling the Cossacks left the White open to whatsoever attempts of the Christians But Feria and the other Ministers having their minds more fixed on advantages in Italy than progress against the Turks such discourses had no other end but to raise a jealousie in the Venetians as if within the bosom of the Adriatick some surprises and acquisitions were to be attempted in Albania but the Fleet lying idle in Messina more numerous in Ships than provided with men the apprehension the Republick received from that side was but little and short But towards Lombardy jealousies did increase because betwixt distrustful Neighbours either accidents frequently cause discord or the more powerful seeks pretexts And so a contest and almost a breach arose for a very narrow way which is called the Steccato which to the Territory of Bergamo joins that of Crema imbayed and environed on all sides with the Milanese By most ancient contracts with the City of Milan it is the absolute and undoubted Dominion of the Venetians but for convenience and shortning of way a passage remains open not only for passengers but was wont to be permitted to Souldiers when passage was demanded from the Governours of Crema Now it hapned that a Company of Horse sent by Feria to Soncino attempted to pass without leave with the flying Colours advanced and Arms uncovered but was hindred by the Guards Feria in great wrath and taking it for an affront to the Kings Colours sends store of Troops to the Confines publishing that he would pass with a good Body of men without leave But the Venetians making equal provisions ordered Nicolo Contarini Proveditor beyond the Mincio that he should hinder him with all his force They at the same time offered the pass when according to custom it should be demanded An. Dom. 1621 and propounded that the Contracts might be examined by Commissioners on both sides They wrote also to the Court of Spain inveighing against Feria that by raising discontents and preferring idle tales before the merit of business he aimed only to disturb the quiet The Pope and the Grand Duke seriously considering that from a small cause worse accidents might arise employed their exhortations with the Governour of Milan to give place for a composure since the Venetians did not appear averse to consent that that Company should now pass but without doing prejudice to the
the makers of it themselves divulged the conclusion and endeavoured to suppress the Articles gave cause for due considerations Nor was the business so secretly carried betwixt the two Kings but that the Princes Confederate with France had a scent of it But the appearances of War the refuse given to the Popes mediation and the firm assurances of the principal Ministers of that Crown had made them confident of the contrary From the time the Cardinal Legate was at the Court of France it was discovered that the Marquess de Mirabel Ambassadour of Spain had insinuated that it belonged to the greatness and authority of the Crowns to convert the mediation of others to their own arbitrement and by agreeing betwixt themselves to impose the Law to others Olivares afterwards in Spain dealt with Fargis the French Ambassadour to the same purpose with such instance that to sound the bottom Monsieur de Rambogliet under pretext to congratulate the delivery of the Queen was sent from Paris to Madrid From discourse they passed quickly to the Treaty and from the Treaty to the conclusion During the Negotiation frequent Courriers ran to and fro and as it was no easie matter to discover the precise conditions the knowledge so much as of a Treaty being kept from every body but the two Favourites and very few of their Confidents so it was manifest that some great matter was in Treaty and the secrecy made it the more suspicious The Ambassadours of the Republick and of the Prince of Piedmont who were in the Court of France to sollicite the re-inforcement of their Armies concealed not their Jealousies because besides the obligation to which the League did bind not to treat or conclude a part expedience required that they should be Parties to the Treaty who had a common interest in the charge and hazard of the War But some believing though falsely the loss of reputation and faith less than that of private interest it was so far that the chief Ministers had communicated the project or the conditions which were negotiated in Spain that rather with constant asseverations and oaths they denied that there was a Treaty At last that secret being slippery which though the tongue concealed the face declared the Confederates found themselves to be deluded and complained bitterly of it Schomberg in conclusion confessed the Treaty affirming then that some Propositions were come from Olivares but so unworthy that being scorned and rejected by France they had not deserved communication to the Princes their Friends That the Ambassadour Fargis had since transgressed in signing certain Articles prejudicial and contrary to the designs of the Confederates but that the King was not only resolved to disavow them but to recal Fargis and severely to punish him All this aimed only to temper the taste of the Venetians and Savoyards imbittered to extremity to digest by little and little a business so displeasing for the truth was the Articles by direction and approbation of both the Crowns had been sealed in Barcellona where the Catholick King was though they appeared to have been under-written some days before in Monzone and therefore the Cardinal Barberins landing just at that time in Barcellona was believed in some measure to cover the dis-respect which accrued to his own reputation and the dignity of the Pope by not giving way nor place to his Mediation The Treaty which was called of Monzone contained many Articles in the beginning whereof the Worship alone of the Catholick Religion being established in the Valley and in the two Counties adjacent it seemed that other Affairs were to be restored to the state in which they were found to be in the beginning of the year 1617. with abolition of all Treaties and every other thing which had been made or had happened since that time But this came to be destroyed rather than restrained by other conditions for taking away all substance of Soveraignty from the Grisons free Election of Judges and Magistrates was yielded to those of the Valteline the three Leagues were prohibited in a manner to oppose themselves nay were so straightly obliged to the confirmation that they remained deprived also of this apparent right if they should but prolong or deny it In recompence a certain yearly Pension was assigned which the people of the Valley were to pay the Grisons the sum to be limited by Deputies of both sides and this and every other Prerogative should be forfeited besides the resentment of both the Crowns by Arms if the three Leagues should not content themselves with thus much and should in any manner disquiet the Valley or pretend to impose Garrisons there The care over the exercise of Religion was committed to the Pope who in case of innovation advertising the two Kings of it was to sollicite the remedy from them the Forts in like manner were to be delivered into his hands to demolish those which had been built from the year 1620. forwards It was imposed upon the Grisons to lay down Arms and the Crowns were presently to suspend their Auxiliaries in the difference of Duke Carlo with the Genouese offering themselves to interpose that both Parties might perform it and that cause be made an end of They reserve to themselves at last the interpretation in case of any difficulty in the present Treaty which by other private Articles was yet made worse for the Grisons and those of the Valteline not agreeing about the Pension or the Duke of Savoy not according with the Genouese about the business of Zuccarello the Crowns assumed the decision to themselves In sum capitulating all rather like Arbitrators than as Princes of contrary Parties and different Interests Many believed that the two Kings and their chief Ministers being with so much secrecy thus agreed had their aim to divide the care or rather the Dominion of the World prescribing Laws to inferiours and promising themselves reciprocal assistances to oppress their Envyers and Enemies subdue the Protestants and Hereticks divide England and share Europe betwixt them But others considered that the interests of France and Spain being incompatible what between the emulation and the power no other effect in this Conjuncture could happen but that which is seen in bodies which possessed by two spirits are strangely tossed up and down and from thence did foretel that the present friendship would quickly break out into greater contests and a more sharp War In effect the Treaty was penned in terms very differing from those which lodged in the heart of their Authors such a Union so extemporary taking its measures at that time only from occasion and interest The two Ministers had no other aim but to deceive each other Richelieu sacrificed all considerations whatsoever to appease a furious storm which with danger to involve the Kingdom in a Civil War was rising against his Authority He had besides a great desire to subdue Rochel and humble the Huguenots and no less passion drove him to vent his revenge against
his own expression they might serve for ornament but not to give jealousie He and Tilli disposed with an absolute Authority of all Undertakings Garrisons Quarters and Contributions but with a hand so severe and heavy that oppressing the Countries of the Protestants and not much respecting those of the Catholicks they drained them every where by an unheard of licence of the Souldiery of their money and blood The people groaned and the Princes stormed no less having been accustomed to determine with a certain sort of liberty the most important affairs in their Diet and not to have Contributions imposed on them but by common consent and an equal distribution In this sad and servile prospect of things scarce any was found that durst shew his dislike Only the King of Denmark though overcome did his best to resist and to represent the necessities to others and by the quality of the person to give weight to the business sends Christian William of Brandenburg administrator of Magdemburg and of Halverstadt to several Courts imploring assistance In France the designs and Arms of the Crown being turned another way he obtained nothing In Holland he had better fortune those Provinces being in a manner without War in regard the Spaniards continued to apply themselves only to the Affairs of the Empire out of a firm belief that the Protestants there once subdued the Hollanders would not be afterwards but an Appendix to the Victory And for this cause also Spinola finding himself without imployment was gone to Madrid his Reputation and Glory after the taking of Breda seeming among the Spaniards to be turned into jealousie and envy The Hollanders then sending to the King of Denmark a body of men with them were garrisoned some places on the Weser offering two thousand more to keep the Sound which is the Streight defended by two Citadels where betwixt the Island of Zeland and the Province of Schonen Ships pass into the Baltick Sea The King taking all things in good part only refused this out of a doubt lest the Hollanders once entred into that place so commodious and important would afterward not easily be got out of it Christian went also to Venice and found the Senate scarce out of the troubles of the Valteline involved anew in suspicions and attentive upon the dangers which by the succession of Mantua seemed imminent so that he obtained nothing but the discharge of the old Count of la Tour from the Service of the Republick who went thence to the Service of Denmark Bethlehem Gabor was also tempted by the Prince himself but he after Mansfelts departure and the disbanding of his Troops upon it having made a new Treaty of Peace with Ferdinand could not break it though he wanted not will for it because he had not the help and the consent of the Turks who terrified with the prosperity of Ferdinand and intricated with disadvantage in the War of Persia thought it best to preserve the Peace and to confirm it to send an Ambassadour to Vienna And now the King of Denmark taking the Duke of Mechelburg into his protection and putting himself anew into the field with ten thousand Horse and twenty four thousand Foot besieged Blechede upon the Elb. But Tilli who had for his fore-runner the fame of so many happy successes scorning an Encounter with the Marquess of Dourlach who endeavoured to amuse him arriving for its relief at the time that the place being taken the Castle more from the valour of the Commander than the force of the Garrison yet held out obliges him to retire in so much confusion and disorder that he left behind him his Cannon and much of his military Provisions The King thinking himself not secure in Butzenberg whither he retired because the Croats by beating Parties and intercepting Victuals molested him retires with his weakned Army deeper into the Dutchy of Mechelburg From thence he sollicites the Anseatick Towns so called from a certain Company anciently erected for Trade and in particular the chiefest which are Hambourg and Lubeck to joyn themselves to the common Interest whilst the Arms of the Austrians facing them by Sea and guarding it with armed Ships they lost their Liberty and Commerce But the evil being so far advanced with fear of worse hindred the remedy of the present danger whereupon the Cities not only denied the King assistance but being intimidated and admonished by the Imperial Generals to furnish their Armies with Victuals and give them passage to grant them Ships and discharge out of Hambourg the Ministers of England and Holland they obeyed in all save in the contributing of Ships Tilli takes in Lawemburg which gives name to a Dutchy and Wallestain coming out of Silesia after having recovered with little opposition all that which Mansfelt formerly held there entred into the Territories of Brandenburg with Forces so powerful that he obliges anew the Elector to receive the Law to contribute Victuals and Money to recall his Subjects from the Kings Service and to admit Imperial Garrisons in Francford on the Oder and other places nay in Berlin the City of his Residence The same yoke did the Lower Saxony receive from Tilli his Garrisons being brought into Wolfembutie and other places of the greatest strength There remained no more but to pursue the King who leaving Dourlach in Mechelburg was retired into his own Kingdom Wallestain who from henceforward shall be called the Duke of Fridlandt for Ferdinand acknowledged his notable services with the recompence of that Title coming into Mechelburg puts the Marquess to retreat and expulsing those most ancient Dukes possesses it exacting from Wismar and Rostoch Cities Imperial vast sums for the maintainance of the Army The States of Denmark despairing now to resist so much prosperity and so full a tide of the Catholick Arms pressed the King to conclude a Peace though upon hard terms and he by means of the Duke of Holstein demanded it but the two Generals imposed upon him conditions so grievous as differred not at all from servitude They pretended that laying down the Title of General of the Lower Saxony he should disband his Army restore all he had taken in the Empire should leave the Bishopricks into which he had thrust his Sons should deliver up Gluchstadt upon the Elb should pay the charges and losses renounce all Treaties against the Empire or the House of Austria make no Innovations in the Sundt and in sum give caution for the observance of all things agreed The King not assenting to such conditions saw Holstein invaded by two puissant Armies Where that Peninsula is narrowest Tilli enters with one on the left side and Wallestein with the other on the right To the first Benneburg and to the latter Steimberg were rendred without much difficulty the King not defending himself but by retiring deeper into the Country and burning the Country he abandoned the Peasants over and above cutting the Dikes and leaving themselves in prey to the waters to save
who invites the French and sollicites to get Companions Things then are not deplorable to that degree that we should despair of a remedy if we shall be willing to apply it in the beginning but if the disease shall go on fomented by our negligence such will be the increase of it that the recovery will be made more difficult than can be repented of There are O Fathers in cases of importance three Springs whence all disasters plentifully flow which point by point in the contrary opinion I have throughly noted false security careless delay and a covetous fear of charge Let us consider the Duke of Mantua as a new Prince a Stranger as may be said to the Customs and to the Language encompassed with Subjects unknown with a Militia that must be intreated oppressed with necessity staggering under the weight of a State shaken by the Arms of so powerful Enemies that who sees him not ready to fall Let us suppose Casal almost without other Garrison than the Inhabitants deprived of all succour assailed by the forces and skill of the Governour of Milan and by the designs and contrivements of Savoy so that who expects it not almost as soon rendred as attempted Now in this condition let us weigh our own dangers and in the consideration of them more than of the necessities of the Duke let us resolve if we can satisfie our own minds to deny him speedy succours It may possibly be believed that Casal may hold out that Savoy may revolt that the Germans may stay their march and that the French may pass the Alps But if such hopes do but flatter us of what then shall we be afraid to declare our selves in favour of the Duke O Fathers these are Hobgoblins and give me leave to say so false Visions represented from weakness and the fear accompanying too wary Counsels From the Precepts of our Ancestors and the Examples of all Princes may sufficiently be learnt that by assisting the weak ones Power is either preserved or increased The Republick hath always had this belief that the fruit of their quiet and I will say of their parsimony was in a manner due to their friends Those Treasures have been well spent those Cares happy and Counsels wise which in former times have preserved this Country in safety the Princes in their dignity and our selves in our liberty Let us not blush here to speak it Our assistances have been given out to usury with the manifold gain of our own tranquillity and glory All the good which with vain flatteries and uncertain hopes is proposed to us from Chance we may reap from our own generous and wise deliberations for the Duke not abandoned of assistance will take courage and strength his Subjects will get vigour Casal being succoured will defend it self and by holding out will divert blows far from Mantua and keep dangers remote from our Confines France in this interim dis-ingaged from Rochel will joyn to make a seasonable Counterpoise but if standing negligently idle we shall behold the destruction of our Neighbours what may we expect but to be abandoned by all even in their own ruine If to the French be objected the Rampiers of the Alps which way shall we open them a passage if when we shall have passed the Mountains Casal being lost they shall find the door shut That Prince is reduced to a too lamentable condition that expects savour for himself alone from him that is an Enemy to all Can we possibly hope to find in the Austrians moderation and respect towards us I for my part prefer security before hopes because we live in times in which Ambition bears rule the Conjuncture is a pretext Interest is the Idol of Princes and the Corner-stone of States I cannot frame to my self reasons more strong nor justice more apparent how to indemnifie and save the Common-wealth than that which appears on the side of the Duke of Mantua and if he be invaded I fear the example and if he be overcome I apprehend lest Fortune should justifie the lust of Dominion The will and a fit Conjuncture to break is enough for Princes to find abundant matter for occasions and pretexts Let us at least resolve upon that which necessity then which no eloquence is more powerful or more compendious perswades us because having once with a generous constancy blunted the edge of the pride of Strangers in Italy Glory and Peace will for a long time reside amongst us But let us be mindful here Fathers that while we are consulting Casal is losing and that if we delay to take our resolution here safety it self will not be able to succour it Amidst these contrary opinions the minds of the Senators were wavering because besides the weight of the reasons of both the Parties a certain discreet and experienced prudence produced great credit to the Author of the first and the conceit of a great sufficiency in Politick matters did no less for the second At last as it often happens that in extremes equally difficult middle counsels prevail a third opinion was followed which consisted in arming and strongly fortifying themselves in all kinds to sollicite France to maintain the Cause of the Duke and when France should ingage it self and send an Army on this side the Mountains to joyn to it that of the Republick for the defence of Mantua which could no more without difficulty receive succours from elsewhere The Senate also were willing particularly in Spain to repeat their most effectual offices for Peace not because they hoped the Armies being so far advanced to divert them but at least to justifie the resolutions to which they saw themselves constrained And to say truth their remonstrances were rather made known to than considered by the Conde Duke whereupon all being reduced to extremes sollicitations were turned again towards France But above that affair there arose great divisions in the Kings Council in which according to the nature of the Nation opinions degenerating into Factions and in them passions and interests ingrafting themselves both Ministers and business were confounded The Queen-mother had by nature a certain propension to the Spaniards and nourished a great aversion against Nevers ever since during her Regency he joyned himself several times to the male-contents But now there were added causes more urgent for the Duke of Orleans for so we will henceforward call the Kings Brother his first Wife being dead earnestly desired to take in second Marriage Mary the Daughter of the same Nevers a Princess of exquisite Beauties on the other side the Mother abhorring to see the Daughter of her Enemy her Daughter-in-law preferred Anna de Medici Sister of Ferdinand great Duke of Tuscany or Nichola de Loraine Daughter of Henry both allied to her in blood And because she doubted that the Cardinal inclined to Gonzagha she began from this suspicion to convert her favour into hatred and their discord had so many things to nourish it as will hereafter render
that place Casal was afterwards in the month of May environed with the whole Army notwithstanding that the Ministers of the Pope wearied themselves with many endeavours to have diverted the thought of it and that the Cardinal Anthonio Legate went to Alexandria thence to Turin and to the French Camp But in several Conferences with the Duke with Richelieu with the Imperial Ministers and those of both the Crowns finding jealousies exceeding and hatreds not to be dealt with he thought it best to return to Rome leaving Pancirolo with Mazarine in Piedmont to prosecute a Treaty The War then continues at the costs and losses of the Savoyards for besides the Vallies about Pignerol the Cardinal easily possessed himself also of the Marquisate of Salusses The King on the other side having received his Brother into favour and being come into Savoy had in four days taken Chambery which is the Metropolis and every place else except Momilian strong both by situation and Art But leaving the Marquess di Vignoles to block it went himself into the Tarantasia where forcing the opposition of Prince Thomas and passing the Mountain St. Bernardo he lays the passage open every way Upon this new irruption of the French Spinola began truly to be in disorder but unwilling to quit the Siege was contented to lessen his Forces by sending to the Duke five Companies of Horse and six thousand German Foot newly come to the Service of the Crown The Cardinal by reason of the diminution of his Army concluding no further progress would be made worthy of his presence and by the force of his favour longing to be with the King goes to him leaving the Army about Pignerol which quickly wasted by several accidents particularly the plague which notwithstanding the Austrians and Savoyards remained at Poncalieri immoveable though weakened For the same cause the further proceedings of the King were slackned for through apprehensions of the plague being perswaded to return to Lyons though a few days after he came again to the Army into the Valley of Moriene nevertheless falling into a Feaver he was carried back to Lyons where contrary to his liking both the Queens being arrived under pretext to withdraw him from the hazards to which Richelieu exposed him they tryed all means to slacken to the prejudice of the Duke of Mantua the progress of the Army and to fling the Cardinal out of his Ministry and Favour The Confidents of Queen-mother went to work with Art and the Marquess of Mirabel Ambassadour of Spain with abundance of gold gained in a manner openly a Party in Court in which the Regent her self had the chiefest place Amidst these gusts of War and Court Mazarine brought projects for Peace all the secret workings of the Austrians consisting in excluding the French out of Italy The Cardinal in truth held the Conquest of Pignerol for his dearly beloved nevertheless pressed by the Queen-mother with earnest motives or rather precise commands lets himself to faciliate Peace be perswaded to restore it declaring to the Mediators that other things being adjusted the Peace should not remain interrupted for the cause of Pignerol But the Savoyards not able to put off the distrust of the French Army nor Spinola the hopes of conquering Casal the Treaty for this time also falls to the ground In the Mantuan the pillaging of the Campagnia the burning of places the rencounters of the Souldiery passed with indifferent successes The worst was that the plague from the Quarters of the Germans getting into the City devoured every thing So that as many Souldiers as were brought in by the Venetians into whose Country that evil was now creeping they served but to fill up Sepulchres nevertheless succours were not neglected so much the more necessary as that a worse enemy which was the alienation of the people from the Duke and the inclination of the Nobility towards the Emperour began to take great strength within Some there were so much the more perfidious as by how much the more secret who feigning confidence sometimes amused the Duke with false advertisements then terrified him with vain fears rendring him in counsels and resolutions always wavering and uncertain Amongst the worst fruits thereof it happened that being deceived by feigned advertisements he sent five hundred Foot of those of the Republick to Rodigo an open Village to surprize a great Convoy of Victuals which he believed was to pass towards Goito and hastily requires Zacharia Sagredo who by the indisposition of Erizzo was succeeded into the Generalat of the Venetians that on his side he would second him with a body of his men The Prince d'Esté with two thousand Foot and four hundred Horse goes as far as Goito but finding no Intelligence from the Duke nor advice of the Convoy returned Matthias Galasso who stood watching the opportunity to give this blow as in ambush with four thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse advances to invest Rodigo constraining the Souldiers to render themselves and making them all Prisoners though with life liberty was also promised by the conditions Things then thus fluctuating in the Mantuan and in Piedmont the Republick sollicited the French that for incouragement of the Duke no less than for the defence of the City and the ruling of the people they would send a good body of men by Sea offering to convoy them with their Naval and Land-forces and to bring them in safety into Mantua But the Cardinal referring to them the care of that defence exhorted them also to resolve with an effort of their Arms to drive the Germans from those Posts which incommodated the City since Colalto with the greatest strength of the Imperial Troops were now busied in Piedmont He caused this instance to be made with great fervency and with power and it being therefore necessary to deliberate about it in the Senate Pietro Foscarini Savio of the Council perswading to comply with it spake thus If the resolutions of Princes were inflexible and that States were governed by everlasting Decrees our discourse and the bringing reasons in the present case would be in vain because rather than seek them by the light of prudence which God kindles in mens minds they would be found in the Memorials where Rules and Precepts are registred But Empires are not governed by Principles they are rather regulated by their Interests which taking a Prospective from times and occasion represent various Events with variety of Counsels I deny not but that hitherto the opinion to cooperate for the common Liberty by auxiliary Arms not to provoke the Austrians to expect the French Succours to come nearer to us hath been commended by the event because the Dutch being harassed and wasted Mantua maintained by seasonable Succours time given to King Lewis to come to the Alps the Republick hath deserved the just Title of the Defender and Protector of the Liberty of Italy But it will be a too obstinate prudence to continue always in the same thoughts and
under pretence of hunting to Versailles caused Marigliac her Keeper of the Seal to be arrested Prisoner together with his Brother in Italy as they that suggested to the Queen such animosities and counsels whereupon the Cardinal secured by greater favour continues the direction of Affairs and the pursuit of his great Designs The causes then ceasing for which he had secretly injoyned the Capucin to conclude at Ratisbone upon any conditions he feigns to be greatly offended with him and Monsieur de Lyon that they had consented to a Treaty in which transgressing the bounds of the Affairs of Italy there was mention made of those of the Empire and of Lorrain the Venetians being ambiguously comprehended and the Liberty and Restitution of the Grisons not sufficiently provided for The doubt particularly vexed him lest upon the noise of such a Treaty and the obligation not to assist Enemies and Rebels the Swedes should be discouraged together with those Princes of the Empire to whom France had made large promises of assistance He was afraid also lest the Hollanders should grow jealous with whom he had lately renewed the League with an obligation of great succours and their reciprocal promise that they should not for seven years listen to a Truce not because the Treaty of Ratisbone did in truth interest those Provinces but in doubt lest by frequent relapses into agreements without due consideration had of their Confederates France should be discredited amongst its Friends It was added that if the Hollanders themselves startled at the Peace newly concluded betwixt England and Spain with opening of Commerce and renewing the old Treaties which for some years hitherwards seemed rather interrupted in name than by Arms should suspect they should be also abandoned by France it would be no strange thing that they should at last embrace the Propositions of a Truce incessantly offered by the Spaniards For this cause the Cardinal with diligent dispatches of Courriers assures all the Friends of the Crown that the Treaty concluded without the Kings order and contrary to the good liking of his Confederates was disavowed pretending to have it qualified and mended The French Ministers foreseeing what might happen remained under pretext to wait for the Kings Orders in Ratisbone and the Emperour returning to Vienna was followed by Veniero the Ministers there imploying many instances that the Republick would sign separate from the French and cut off those demurs cast in by them But the Senate refused to advance a step but by concert with that Crown although by reason of the charges and calamities especially of the Pest weary rather with the War than contented with the Treaty it desired it might be quickly executed for the quieting of Italy having now by many experiences learnt how unequal and dangerous friendships are betwixt States and Princes of a differing constitution whilst the one proceeding with a constant order in their Maxims and aims the other either by intestine alterations or the change of Ministers oftentimes by passion and always by the interests of Favourites are obliged either to go out of their way or stand still But the business was carried on with many delays and difficulties notwithstanding which Ferdinand pressed by his own necessities recals the Troops out of Italy leaving then under Gallas some few which took Quarters in the Mantuan and particularly in Solferino and Castiglione which had been free till now The Affairs of the Empire began now to take a quite other plight than they had hitherto had experiencing by a sudden and strange mutation that in the immoderate desires to greaten Empires the troubles to lose them are most commonly nearest such being the destiny of those States which are increased amidst many cares that they easily shake with their augmented Conquests and at last shaking perish either by intestine Divisions or foreign Assaults Under its own weight to the dread of the Princes of the Empire and the universal suspicions of Europe the Monarchy of the Austrians began now to sink The beginning appeared at Ratisbone whence they hoped to draw more greatness the Electors being assembled there by Ferdinand with pretext to apply remedy to the grievances of the Empire but indeed to place upon the head of Ferdinand his Son adorned already with the Crowns of Hungary and Bohemia that also of the Romans The Emperour was blamed by some that he having the Empire subjected and in possession with an hundred and thirty thousand Souldiers he should call to them the Electors who separated trembled but united knowing not their own strength but their Authority and the wants of Ferdinand might resolve into great and strange resolutions The Protestants were much against the Election Saxony especially full of wrath for the Edict concerning Ecclesiastical Goods Bavaria above all though he acknowledged his Electoral Vote from Ferdinand having as the most powerful so the greater apprehensions declared his Judgment more freely provoked by great dislikes against Wallestain and against the Austrians strengthned by an under-hand League made with the French Making himself then the Head and Author of the common complaints of the Empire he was the first that denied to proceed to the Election of a King of the Romans the Diet having not been called for that purpose and then expressed himself That it was not becoming the Electoral Colledge to resolve so great a business environed by Arms and armed men That the Empire groaned under the cruel slavery of Wallestain who confounded all amidst the frighting of the Princes and the afflicting of the People For what served so many Armies when the Empire was in peace but for so many Ministers of Cruelty to that most savage Chief That he severe in execution rigid in command and covetous in exactions consumed the blood of the Germans and extorted the Gold of the Provinces That the Emperour ought at last to give a cessation to the grievances of the Country in general and in his piety by a separation as it were more strong than that of the fire to distinguish at length in that metal so unjustly drawn out of the bowels of his Vassals and so unprofitably spent the tears and blood of so many Innocents That it was fit to divulge with detestation that to the People of Germany otherwise endowed with a most entire fidelity the sufferance of the Emperour was now become more odious than the cruelty of the Minister That the sighs and neglected groans of so many oppressed would at last make the Empire shake because being ascended to Heaven though deemed light vapours they are converted into the heaviest chastisements of Lightnings and Tempests Such a heavy scourge therefore ought now to be removed Arms to be laid down the Command to be taken away from Wallestain and then with quiet minds and free Votes proceed to the Election of a King of the Romans Thus did he publickly express himself and was seconded by others but in private gave great and assured hopes that giving satisfaction they would
all agree in the Election of Ferdinand And now taking the Ecclesiasticks into the Council he made it be believed that Wallestain being dispossessed and their advice asked to whom the chief Command of those Troops which were to remain on foot should be given that they should insinuate and propose the King of Hungary By such allurements the Emperour was perswaded to disband fifteen thousand Horse at a blow and the rest afterwards by pieces retaining but few in pay besides those which were in Italy and a Body which under the command of Torquato Conti was kept in the Provinces towards the Baltique Sea Wallestein not being able to bear this did his utmost to demonstrate to the Emperour the prejudice which he saw would result from it whilst Germany brought under by Arms could not but by the terrour of the same be kept in obedience He presaged revolutions of great importance the alienations of Princes and States because by reason of division in Religion many being offended and all disgusted if the yoak of Iron were removed that of obedience would easily be shaken off He was wont to say that it was impossible for the Emperour to entertain ten thousand Souldiers but very easie to maintain a hundred thousand because the great Provinces of Germany abounding not only with store of people but they also a warlike Nation with small Armies might dispute not only passages but Victuals and Quarters whereas those of greater power making themselves way overcame every thing and what with fear and what with force by getting themselves reputation and exacting Contributions might feed themselves and withall gain honour and respect to the Prince His counsel was that shewing rigour and a Whip Ratisbone should be environed from far with a part of the Army and with the rest the Countries of the most reluctant threatned and particularly of Bavaria to bring him to the Election by force But the Emperour either perswaded that he should peaceably attain to his purpose or not believing to be able without greater confusions so highly to violate the Constitutions of the Empire preferred the mild before the more violent counsels But it troubled not his thoughts a little how to take away the command from Fridtland which he exercised with an absolute power and with so much the more applause of the Souldiery as it was with hatred to the people Wherefore he deputes to perswade him the Counts of Verdemberg and Questemberg his intimate friends who were received at Memminghen and forbidden at first to speak of business but after having entertained them with divers divertisements he hearkned to them with a mind free from trouble and ascribing all to his Enemies amongst which besides Bavaria he reckoned the Spaniards and Jesuites foretold the evil event which would arise from it declaring with biting taunts and jestings more than with reasons his obedience to the Decree but not his approbation of the Council And refusing every of those satisfactions which the Emperour largely offered him except the exemption from rendring account of his past administration he lays down his Command and retires to his own estate leaving it doubtful whether he appeared greater in the exercise than in the quitting of it But the Electors having obtained their design shewed themselves so much the more averse to elect a King of the Romans as they thought themselves less capable to be constrained to it Now did they consent to confer on the King of Hungary the direction of the Forces but the Ecclesiasticks being required by Ferdinand to give their opinion proposed Bavaria for the Generalat to the Emperours great apprehension lest that Elector aspired by adding this command to the other which he already had of the Catholick League to make himself Arbiter of the Empire and in a condition to give Law to the Austrians Nevertheless dissembling his displeasure and rather feigning to applaud the proposition he proposes such conditions to Maximilian for the exercise of the Charge that he dissenting from them was the cause that amidst the difficulties and delays the project vanished In this state of things and minds Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden invited as hath been said by some and desired by others enters into Germany sending certain Letters as his fore-runners to Ratisbone in which he complains that the Emperour should have prohibited him Levies in the Empire given assistance to the Polacks intercepted his Dispatches taken his Ships upon the Sea hindred his Kingdoms of their Commerce An. Dom. 1631 endeavoured with Ships of War in the Baltick to prejudice and offend him and in conclusion that his Ambassadors at the meeting at Lubeck where was treated the Peace with Denmark had not been admitted The Emperour had given little heed to such complaints and to the Letters themselves the Diet answered but slowly in general terms and scanty Titles Whereupon assuming the specious pretexts of Religion and Liberty to protect the Protestants of the Empire and deliver the oppressed from the domination of the Austrians he advances towards Pomerania dis-imbarquing in the Island of Rughen where driving the imperial Garrison out of a Fort he fixes the seat of the War the other Islands which are a little separate from the Continent yield themselves to him without dispute This breaking forth of a sudden greatly moved the minds of the Imperialists but it being quickly known that the King had not then more than six thousand Souldiers so slender a beginning and such a little spark was despised till many of the Troops disbanded by Ferdinand joining themselves to him which being accustomed to the license of Armies could not live without such an occupation he was seen with a very powerful Army leaving a Garrison in Stralsond to pass into Pomerania Bolislao Duke of that Province formerly oppressed and molested by Fridtland refuses the Emperours Garrisons pretending that he would defend himself But concluding a League with the Swedes receiving their Troops into some of his Towns and giving contribution declares himself under the protection of Gustavus The King now having a secure retreat advances into Mechelburg to remove the Ministers and Garrisons of Wallestein and by restoring the ancient owners to procure applause to the cause of Religion and the publick liberty which he pretended to rescue To these proceedings opposed themselves the Duke Savelli and Torquato Conti with weak Forces and uncertain counsels because environed by the Protestants they had every thing suspect while Tilli whom the Emperour had been constrained to make with limited powers Generalissimo of his Forces assembled his Army in the Country of Mansfeldt But now together with hopes minds every where raising themselves amongst the first the Citizens of Magdenburg brought in again Christian Administrator of that Bishoprick formerly as guilty of Treason excluded by Ferdinand and proscribed ANNO MDCXXXI From such disturbances in Germany was Italy now again obliged to acknowledge her quiet though for some months it was tossed to and fro without Peace and without War whilst
Army being raised he would send it against the States of Holland for the Conquest of Friesland of which with the title of King they willingly gave him the propriety He by rejecting the offer increased the jealousie and much more by entring into a project of agreement with Arnheim General of the Saxons justly offensive to the Emperour though Fridland with wonted craft let him know that he had no other end but to delude and amuse the Enemy But Arnheim having taken his march towards Leutmerits to attacque Gallas he makes a show to follow him but on a sudden falls near Stenan upon a body of men commanded by the old Count de la Tour and the Collonel Tubald and surprises them in such sort that wanting means and time to defend themselves the Souldiers rendred themselves upon the shameful conditions to deliver up the Cannon and Colours to inroll themselves amongst the Imperial Troops and to leave their Commanders Prisoners until the other places of Silesia should be rendred to Ferdinand But the Governours refusing to obey the orders of Tubald and la Tour Fridland nevertheless increasing as it were with his military attempts the suspicions which were had of his intentions gave to the one together with many Officers liberty and promoted the escape of the other He afterwards recovers Lignits Glogau and Francford on the Oder and would have passed on further aspiring to the recovery of Mechelburg without considering those greater mischiefs which the Emperour suffered elsewhere if new and greater accidents had not recalled him After the death of the King Gustavus France saw the Affairs of the Empire constituted in a state which was more pleasing to them the prosperity of those Arms declining which at first gave them great jealousie and all the party of the Protestants reduced to a necessity to receive with its assistances the law and motion of its interests Therefore renewing in Hailbrun for other ten years with the Chiefs of the Swedes Army the Treaty which France had with the King deceased and inlarging it with other Princes of that faction it obliges them to hold him for a common Enemy that should dare to separate himself or conclude a Peace without the consent of all Supplying then the Confederates with money the King of France begins also to dispose of those Forces Whereupon to divert the United Provinces from the wonted Treaties about a Truce with Spain he brings to pass that the Colonel Melander who served the Landgrave of Hesse should be sent with a good number of Troops to join Orange who so re-inforced might take Rhinberg and keep the Armies of Spain so distracted that the French under the title of protection might have success in making themselves Masters of all the Country of Trier without resistance In Westphalia then the Duke George of Luneburg and William Landgrave of Hesse in their progress against the Elector of Colen and other Catholicks of that quarter defeated the Count John Merode who with an Army of thirteen thousand men raised with Spanish money defended that circle and intended to attempt the relief of Hamelen but being put to flight by the Protestants left them in prey not only almost all his Souldiers with Cannon and Baggage but the place it self and many others thereabouts Weimar in this interim employs himself in Francony and Horn with Bannier opposed themselves to the Elector of Bavaria who with his own Forces alone upholding in those parts the Affairs of the Catholicks was after the taking of Raim passed into Swevia and there taken Meminghen and Kempen The Swedes effectually strengthened at Donawert to the number of seven thousand Horse and eight and twenty thousand Foot did most terrible mischiefs in his Country possessing themselves of Munichen and the Bishoprick of Aichstadt but by Aldringher who came speedily to his assistance were constrained to retire out of it The Austrians were not a whit less troubled by the Rhingrafe in Alsatia and for the defence of it had stirred up with great promises Charles Duke of Lorrain who equally ready to take Arms and to lay them down had in order to the executing of the Treaty with France delivered to the King some Troops but in such sort that they immediately disbanding and re-assembled anew under the name of the Emperour with others which he feigned to license forming an indifferent Army they took in Haghenau Colmar and other places which being presently put into his hand served for the price of his ingagement and a spur to his declaration in favour of the Emperour He hoped to quell the Swedish Force by Arms and to preserve himself from the invasion of the French by the revolutions which Orleans promised to raise up in that Kingdom But on the one side his design was betrayed by fortune and on the other success answered not his hopes for in the first place the Swedes being come to recover Haguenau whilst Charles attempted to relieve it he was entirely defeated by them whereupon Lorrain no less than alsatia remaining a prey to the Enemy the Rhingrave with many incursions did miserably afflict him Lewis then taking upon himself the revenge of the common injury possesses without dispute the Dukedom of Bar after an arrest of Parliament which declared it devolved to the Crown for that Charles had not done his Homage for it and St. Michael Pont a Mousson Chaunes Luneville and other places of less importance being rendred he comes near with his Army to Nancy Duke Charles having brought the War into his own Country without means to maintain it endeavours to pacifie the King with several propositions of submission and agreement But Richelieu admitted not for caution of his faith other pledge than the depositing of Nancy the Metropolis of the Country the residence of the Duke and a very strong place The Duke seeing that by nourishing distrusts he had put all things into a confusion renounces on a sudden to the Cardinal Nicola Francisco his Brother with the Title the Country to the end that being new as to offences he might better mitigate the resentments Richelieu despising the shift and calling the contrivance fraudulent refuses any propositions from the new Duke though having laid down his Purple sought in marriage Mad. Combalet the Cardinals beloved Neece offered instead of Nancy to deposit la Motha and to cause to pass into France Margaret whose marriage with Orleans King Lewis pretended was null as contrary to the Laws of the Kingdom which prohibit those in succession to the Crown to marry without the Kings consent But these very propositions were by Richelieu turned into distrusts and accusations for that Margaret while these things were in agitation going out of Nancy disguised and deceiving the French Guards which environed the place on all sides made her escape by flight and came to her Husband at Brussels after having wandred in the woods and narrowly avoided the risque of falling into the hands of some Swedish parties of Souldiers whence
by the Duke to be put into the power of the Spaniards they doubted lest the Duke of Mantua should take jealousie and in his regard the Venetians resent it From the effect only and the execution was argued the substance of the Conditions The Garrison of the French in Piacenza was sufficiently strong and in a condition if it had been aware of the Treaty to have crossed it and to have resisted if they had attempted to turn them out by force The Duke therefore obliged not only to make use of secrecy but of care calling together the Souldiers with Monsieur Paulo who commanded them into a place apart under pretence of giving them a months pay and there turning the Cannon against them excusing in a few words the necessity of the agreement with courteous expressions gave them their discharge To those that were in Piacenza passage was permitted through the Milanese towards Piedmont the others that were in Parma retired to Viadana in the Mantuan and from thence through the State of the Venetians passed by small parties into the Valteline And now the Duke was restored by the Spaniards into those Territories taken by them and into Goods which at the beginning of the War he possessed in the Kingdom of Naples and had been confiscate With the Duke of Modena misunderstandings ceased Rossena being rendred back to Edward He on the other side gives up Sabioneda as the price of the Peace and the Restitutions withdrawing his Garrison out of it and receiving an hundred thousand Crowns of the Governour of Milan under the notion of repairing his expences Tiberio Brancaccio was hereupon observed to enter into it with Neapolitan Foot it being given out to take away from the envy of the fact that by the Testament of the old Princess of Stigliana who at this time dyed he was named Governour whereupon he had levied those Souldiers for the custody of it till amidst many Pretenders the cause should be decided by the Emperour Time quickly discovers the dissembling it coming clearly to be known that the Revenue being left to Anna a young Princess as hath been said and she married to the Duke of Medina de las Torres vice-Vice-King of Naples the Governour and the Garrison depended upon the Spaniards who with the Art of patience and opportunity came at last to the possession of that a sole thought whereof had formerly raised jealousies and stirs Great was the sorrow with which in France they understood the agreement Richelieu comprehending that to retain the old friends faithful to acquire new ones in Italy no means could have been more powerful than vigorously to have maintained and protected him that with so much fervency had discovered himself to side with that Crown But if France with its distractions excused the abandoning of the Duke he with his necessity justified the agreement so that admitting easily of his excuses the King assures him of his affection and the Duke preserved in his heart his inclinations entire to the French Nevertheless the reputation and interest of France had hereupon a great down-fall every where in Italy whilst the Grisons also perceiving that they were rather oppressed than succoured by Rohan shoke off the yoke obtaining of the Spaniards those Conditions which in the Treaty of Monzone they were to have had of the French Out of the supposition to be restored to the possession of the Valteline or rather by the promise made them by Rohan they were perswaded to receive the Bridle of the Forts and to concur in the Enterprise with Arms. The Duke then being pressed by the three Leagues to put the Valley into their hands now making excuses and then proposing Treaties to the end to unite the minds of the people to their ancient Lords affected delays At last he succeeded to adjust an agreement in which they consented the Judicature remaining to those of the Valteline and the exercise of the sole Catholick Religion being permitted in the Valley Richelieu who by reason of his designs upon Italy desired to retain that purchase interposed several delays and at last disapproves of some of the Articles Whereupon the Grisons out of the desire to recover the Valley passing to impatience and from thence into fury plunge themselves into the utmost extremities the Duke who after his Retreat out of the Milanese had layn a long time sick not being able by reason of his indisposition to imploy himself in person for dispersing their Assemblies and Authority afar off serving for little after having promised the Grison-Militia which mutined for want of pay satisfaction within a time prefixed the money not coming they remained so much the more provoked and in disorder The Commons thereupon meeting publickly in Flanks sent Deputies to Inspruch to demand assistance to drive away the French and the Duke causing himself to be carried to Coira to restrain and delude them with new Propositions found how difficult it is that a people should suffer it self to be long deceived for he saw himself environed with Guards though at large yet in such sort that it was not thought safe for him to return into the Valteline where Monsieur de Leques remained with eight thousand Souldiers This wary proceeding of his was greatly blamed in France it seeming that the state of affairs required that resolute and hazardous counsels should have been preferred before those more prudent and cautious There is no doubt but if Rohan could have joyned the Army in time he might easily have suppressed that multitude which though it blustered boldly in the Diets would have been found dejected and confused in the field But time being given them and with it boldness there was concluded in the Court of Inspruch by the Deputies of the three Leagues with Frederico Enriques Ambassadour of Spain a Treaty in which the Governour of Milan was obliged To pay to the Grison Souldiery such advances as they pretended from the French to drive them out of the Valteline with united Forces restoring it to the three Leagues with reserve of the passages to the Spaniards with a perpetual alliance betwixt the Milanese and Rhetia besides certain pensions to be paid by the King to the Commons and to private persons and the obligation to entertain in his service a body of Souldiers of that Nation The Agreement was hardly made but the Country without expecting the ratification was seen in Arms and the Grison Troops revolted against the French Commanders so that Rohan the way towards the Valteline being stopped was forced to retire into the Fort of the Rhine with eighth hundred men of Zurich of the Regiment of Smith and two hundred French Into some of the Passes that were abandoned the Grisons immediately entred then with six Regiments of that Nation compleated with money from Spain and with the assistance of certain Troops sent from Gallas they invest the Fort. Serbellone advances to the Lago di Como to keep Leques in distraction who wanting orders from the Duke
himself environed with Armies They described in him Cruelty and Avarice with equal horrour to have joyned hands to defend him from the threatnings which he incessantly feared That nothing remained in France unviolated That he had revenged himself of some of his Enemies with punishment others of the clearest innocency were more secretly made away That many had been forced to seek their safety by retiring into other Countries and that the Cardinal had either usurped to himself or distributed amongst his Kindred all their Charges Goods and Spoils For these publick causes then and to purge the Kingdom of a Monster so hateful who had either offended every body or did threaten all with ruine they gave it to be believed they had taken Arms protesting perfect obedience to the King But other private motives and perhaps more powerful were not wanting Soissons by reason of his generous and active Spirit was feared by the Cardinal and therefore to bind him in the strict bonds of confidence he had tempted him to take one of his Nieces to Wife But the Count publickly scorning the match by reason of the inequality of birth the Cardinal from his ambition falls into a hatred and from hatred to meditate upon revenge crossing all his pretensions with the King Guise gave the Court that suspicion which was inseparable from the House of Lorain from whom he had taken away with their Estates and Governments all authority in France He enjoyed the Archbishoprick of Reims with other benefices of the Church and the Cardinal desirous to have the spoil of them to impoverish him assigns him a short day to enter into holy Orders knowing that being in love with Anna de Nevers Daughter of Carlo the deceased Duke of Mantua he aspired rather to Marriage than the Priesthood So that not yielding obedience he was deprived of the benefices and reduced to a very narrow condition without permitting him to resign any one of them to his Brothers To strengthen themselves with foreign Forces the said Princes concluded a Treaty with Micael de Salamanca who in the name of the Spaniards promised them a very great assistance of money and men and that Lamboy with a good body of an Army should come immediately to join with them Carlo Duke of Lorain concurred in the same sense though in the beginning of the year being gone to Paris he had agreed to renounce the Austrian party and adhere sincerely to France by which a part of his Country was restored Clermont with Stenay Dun and Jamets remaining in propriety to the Crown and Nancy till a general Peace in deposito He that had aimed at nothing but to recover some places out of the hands of the French having obtained his purpose retires from the Court and presently begins to make Levies yet making it believed that he would join with the Mareshal de Chastillon for the service of King Lewis Thus the revolt of the malecontents was rendred considerable by stranger Forces and perhaps by an internal disposition it seeming to be without doubt that if the United Princes should have hapned in the first heat of some advantage to enter into the Kingdom and should have advanced into the Provinces there would have followed a general commotion of the Gentry Parliaments and People Neither was it without some appearance but that to the King himself the excess of pride and predominancy of the Favourite growing troublesom some opportunity would have been acceptable to be rid of him and disgrace him The Cardinal sometimes opposing Counsel and sometimes Force took care for provisions and for defence He closes with the Prince of Condé giving to his Son the Duke of Anguien one of his Nieces to Wife for it highly concerned that Family to keep Soissons under who had assumed the title of first Prince of the blood Royal and sends La Meilleray with an Army to divert the Spaniards from lending succours to the Mutineers and the Mareshal de Chastillon with another against the Princes united The first passing the new ditch the known and ancient border betwixt France and Artois mastering certain Forts which defended it layed Siege to Aire a place most important secured not only by Nature with much moorish grounds round about it but strengthened by Art with all sorts of Fortifications within and without Chastiglion being come near to Sedan met on the sixth of July Lamboy together with the Princes malecontents The Kings Army was ranged in excellent order upon a certain rising ground with great advantage having the flanks covered with two little Woods On the other side that of the Princes pressed for want of room by reason of the situation was rather confused than well and orderly placed but not being able to avoid the shock certain of Chastillons Troops charged with so much resolution that some of the divisions opening and others retiring behind the Artillery Fortune shewed the Royalists the way to a signal Victory Soissons hasting to remedy this disorder of his armed at all pieces with the visier open and with few that accompanied him while he was mingled in the Fight being shot by a Souldier of the Company of Orleans with a Pistol in the Eye fell backwards from his Horse on the ground losing at the instant his speech and his life Whilst this ought to have confirmed to the Kings Army the advantage it happens by a contrary accident that the Cavalry took basely the flight without being pursued by any either because many abhorred the spilling of so much of their fellow-subjects blood or that some were glad to celebrate the Funerals of those beginnings under which they hoped to make War for private revenge upon the Cardinal The issue was that the Conquerours stopped by themselves in the course of their prosperity nay rather turning their backs to fortune became conquered for the Imperial Troops and those of the Princes over-running the Infantry part were cut to pieces and the rest with all the Cannon and Baggage brought Prisoners into Sedan Almost all the Officers ran the same fate either of death or being taken Chastilion with a few others saving himself with difficulty Nevertheless with a notable example of the indulgence of Fortune towards the Cardinal Richelieu Soissons being dead who was the soul or rather the fury of the male-contents the fruits of the Battel redounded not to the benefit of the victorious but to those that were defeated for although Lamboi took in Doncheri a little and a weak place yet such and so long was the resistance that it gave time to Chastillon to re-assemble in Rhetel the relicts of his men together with new recruits and for the King to arrive with an Army so vigorous that he not only recovered Doncheri at the first appearance of it but threatning Sedan with a Siege perswaded Bouillon to submit and make his Peace The place is for its situation for works and defences truly numbred amongst the strongest nevertheless the Duke considering the head of that
connivence the party of the malecontents increasing had thoughts of retiring from Narbonne where he thought himself not safe but before he would do it supplicates the King that he would come to see him either to unloose him from the malecontents or to awaken in him with Eloquence and Art his former thoughts of him Lewis refusing to do it be then knew he was totally lost and therefore as fast as he could though in a bad season causes his Guards to carry him by hand in a certain Couch of Wood where he reposed upon a Bed towards the Baths of Terrascona to go forwards afterwards into Dauphiné and Provenze whither the Governours of those Provinces which were depending upon him invited him In this Conjuncture came the News that Guische had been defeated on the Frontiers of Flanders and that Paris was in great apprehension Many judged that the Count being in a strict intelligence with the Cardinal had by an affected negligence been the cause of this sinister accident to the end that in the confusion of things the King might know how necessary would be to him the Minister in whom the intelligence of the Kingdom rested In effect no other Expedient offered it self to Lewis but to send a Courrier after the Cardinal requiring him that to so sudden an emergency he would apply seasonable remedies for the better ordering whereof he desired in some place to speak with him But as the same Fortune in opposition to the Kingdom contributed to the prosperity of the Cardinal so did he heap much greater advantage from the accident for continuing his Journey very uncertain what measures to take the Treaty of Orleans made with the Spaniards came to his hands He presently sends it to the King to the end that he might know that whatsoever wounded the authority and favour of the Minister did withal strike through his own felicity and the Grandeur of the Kingdom Lewis was as much moved as the relapse of his Brother the ingratitude of le Grand and the perfidy of others deserved wherefore changing his affections into anger he goes to Narbonne and there to the end the Arrest might be done out of the Camp and with less noise he caused St. Mars and de Thou to be put Prisoners ordering secretly in Italy whither Bouillon was gone to command the Army that the same should be done with him He then goes to Tarrascona where the Cardinal staid and there speaking together they vented even with tears their affections and past disgusts The King communicates all that to the Cardinal which they had suggested against him and this confirmed the King in the opinion that in his fidelity and power consisted the greatest defence against foreign Forces and domestick Treacheries Thus the Mine being sprung into the Air Orleans asked the Kings pardon who grants it him on condition to see him no more and that with an assignment of two hundred thousand Francs he would retire to Nissi a Town upon the Confines of Savoy Melo the hope vanishing of raising so great a storm in France draws near to Sedan to perswade at least the Mother and Wife of Bouillon who was now a Prisoner in Italy at Casal to admit into the place a Spanish Garrison But he obtained it not because those Princesses considered the preservation of it the best caution they had of the Dukes life Making then an Incursion into the Territory of Bologne with the taking of certain Forts presently retaken by Harcourt the Spaniards ended the Campagnia on the side of Flanders The minds of the King and his Minister being reconciled and by that concord the Forces also of the Army strengthened before Perpignan by the concourse of much Gentry from the neighbouring Provinces the French prepared themselves to resist the more resolute attempts which the Spaniards gave out they would hazard The Naval Army of Spain under the Command of the Prince John Carlo di Medici General of the Sea was to second by Water the Relief which the Marquess di Torrecuso was to attempt by Land But retarding his march too too long Perpignan the Victuals after several months siege being spent and the Garrison wasted was at last rendred to the Mareshals Schomberg and la Meilleray whilst the King weakly in his health was at some distance from the Camp The loss of this place was of importance to the Spaniards and most afflicting to the Conde Duke who to hinder it had without effect imployed Treasures Treaties and Arts infinite The doubt more particularly tormented him lest while the happiness of successes maintained Richelieu amidst so many contrarieties his ill Fortune should at last weary the Kings affection towards him And the report was that he came into the Kings Cabinet lamenting and afflicted and falling upon his knees with tears demanded leave to expose himself to some certain danger to kill himself or at least to retire into the most obscure corner of the World to deliver himself from that unhappy Destiny which pursued him and that the King asking with apprehension the cause and understanding it to be the loss of Perpignan did embrace and comfort him ascribing all to the disposition of the Divine Will After Perpignan Salses was also taken and at last out of time the Army appears commanded by the Marquess of Leganes which consisted of twenty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse but coming to a Battel with the French that were inferiour in number the Spaniards at first prevailed but at last superfluously busying themselves in drawing off three Cannon gained in the first shock la Mothe Haudancourt rallying his men charges the Vanguard and disorders it Night thereupon coming on both Armies retired each ascribing to it self the Victory The Spaniards having possessed Aitona a weak place and more weakly defended were quickly wasted through scarcity of Victuals which were to be brought from far and with excessive charge Richelieu triumphed over his intestine no less than foreign Enemies for Perpignan rendred St. Mars and Thou had their heads cut off at Lyons and Bouillon threatned with the same punishment ransoms himself with the delivery of Sedan to the King to which Cardinal Mazarine betwixt the terrours of death and the hopes of great recompence perswaded him In these distractions was highly advantagious to Richelieu the common desire of the Confederates of France to maintain him for having some of them his Pensioners and in a manner all depending on him they imployed their offices with the King and Orange in particular little less than with protests gave him to understand that in the belief of the Cardinals ruine he contrary to his former inclinations had counselled the Provinces to hearken to a Truce with Spain fearing lest Maxims being changed with the change of Government there might be a change also with new Favourites in the faith of the Crown towards its Confederates At this time the Queen Mary Wife Mother-in-law and Mother of the greatest Kings of Europe wandring without shelter or refuge
pleasing and Courteous he introduced himself with a general applause into the place and withall exposes himself to the expectation of the world where so great a force of Fortune was to end ANNO MDCXLIII His first care was to assure the Confederates of the Crown that there should be no change of a constant continuance in their friendship and with the Princes of Italy he affects to beget a greater confidence as one that born under the same Climate and versed in the Affairs of that Country had a better inclination towards it and therefore shews himself sollicitous to procure a Peace betwixt the Pope and the Prince of Parma But at the instant that he intended to set upon the Mediation with earnest it hapned that the Ambassador Fontenay with Lionne were retired from the Court of Rome The cause seemed not great for Vrban having deposed from the Generalat of the Dominicans the Father Ridolfi upon a Schism raised in the Convocation of that Religion held in Genua the Spaniards thereupon saving Rodolfi his rights had chosen Rocca Mora and the French with the Italians Mazarini Brother to the Cardinal the Pope having made void that Convocation that they might proceed to a new Election the Ambassador of France pretended that that was against the promise made him to promote Mazarini and leaves the Court. The pretext seeming too slight though he aimed chiefly to gain the good graces of the new Favourite he added other disgusts and amongst them that the Portuguese Ambassadour was not admitted and the Mediation of the King had been slighted in the fraudulencies of the Treaties with the Duke of Parma But the Court at Paris ill resented that he had ingaged himself so far the Cardinal abhorring that under the cover of the Kings favour his private interests should so soon appear to the world He therefore orders the matter so that the Ambassadour with some appearance of satisfaction should return to Rome and the Venetians were in the Kings name desired to interpose notwithstanding their so slender confidence with the Pope in the present Affairs They nevertheless employed their offices but the business was quickly silenced for the charge of Master of the holy Palace being conferred on the Father Mazarini and he flattered with greater hopes easily let fall his pretensions to the Generalat The Ambassador now come to Court again employs himself with greater warmth than formerly in the agreement of Parma But all without effect because the Cardinal Barberino put more confidence in Tricks than Treaties and therefore sending the Abbot de Bagni to Florence proposed to the Grand Duke That to Edward should be given the absolution of the censures with the forms contained in the Ceremonial that to his eldest Son the investiture of his Dominions should be granted with the restitution of all that was possessed except Castro Montalto and so much Country round about as a Cannon-shot could reach These propositions handed by the Grand Duke to the Venetians were by common advice rejected they seeming not admittable by the Duke of Parma and little honourable to the League who declared themselves Protectors of that Interest For this cause the Treaties were confirmed more closely in Venice whither were come the Cavalier Giovanni Battista Gondi the Grand Dukes chief Secretary in the place of Pandolfini who was sick and the Duke of Modena to recommend to the Senate besides the publick his own private interests also He had a great desire that his pretensions with the Pope might be comprehended in the League but they importing many and weighty difficulties could not but too much disturb Italy besides that every one of the Confederates would thereupon have reason to produce their own that were of no less moment It was therefore resolved that they should not abandon their first ends of protecting the Duke of Parma procuring Peace and also shewing resentment of the contempt in the late Treaties But in the interim of these Negotiations Duke Edward put forward by the fury and fervour of his Genius sends under the Marquesses Sciabuf and Edward Scott about three thousand Foot cross the Appennines through the Lunigiana to be imbarked where the Magra falls into the Mediterranean upon certain Tartanes hastily got together in hope that landing upon the shore and easily taking the weak Rock of Montalto they might speed also in possessing themselves of Castro in the sudden astonishment of the surprise To second the design and divert the Enemies Forces he with fifteen hundred Horse intended as formerly to enter into the Bolognese The cold of the Winter and the difficulty to pass over the Snow retards so long the march of the Foot that advice of it came to Rome so that they had time to prepare for the defence and strengthen the place But the Dukes Souldiers came not there at all for being scarce imbarked and the Tartanes put from the shore so fierce a storm encounters them that being driven to Genoua and Porto Fino they were forced to cast Anchor and save themselves there Victuals wanting that were but scantily provided and money part of the men perished and the rest disbanding were received into pay by the Spanish Ambassadour who seasonably sent them to strengthen the Governour of Milan who besieged Tortona Upon this accident the Barberins published that it was evident that Fortune from Heaven had fought upon the Sea in favour of their cause Seeming afterwards to doubt that the Duke rather irritated than wearied by ill success designed to possess that part of the Ferrarese which beyond the Po confines with the Republick the Cardinal Anthonio talked of laying a great Fort at Lago Scuro to pass a Bridge over the River and draw a Chain cross it which was there ready upon the Banks with all preparations to fortifie himself on this side the Po and send men thither If the Venetians had in the beginning been troubled when by the Barberins certain Guards had been sent thither and a certain Fort traced that to avoid at that time jealousies proceedings were discontinued they were at present so much the more moved as they saw the design to shut up the River to others and facilitate passage for their own Army which passing to this side of the River might ravage as far as to the Adice possess or at least lay waste the Polesene and drown it at their pleasure They therefore gave it to be understood that they were not to suffer the novelty and violation of so ancient agreements and ordered Giovanni Pesari Cavalier and Procurator succeeded into the Generalat di Terra firma to Luigi Giorgio deceased that with powerful Forces he should go into the Polesene to save harmless their concerns and to hinder the building of the Bridge or destroy it if he found it built He marching immediately thither with six thousand five hundred Foot and a great number of Horse was the cause that the Cardinal Anthonio suspended putting it in effect Minds being in this manner irritated
Treaty of Monzon 245. of Simeon Contarini to defer the resolution in favour of the Duke of Mantua 276. of Dominico Molino to the contrary 278. of Battista Nani upon the authority of the Council of Ten 295. of Pietro Foscarini to drive the Germans out of the Posts about Mantua 327. of John Nani in the contrary opinion 329. another of his to the Pope 457. of Julio Mazarine to perswade the Duke of Savoy to yield Pignarol to France 351. of Bellievre Ambassadour of France to perswade the Senate to a League with his King 402. of the Spanish Ambassadour de la Rocca to disswade it 425. of Monsieur de Hussé who demands assistance for the Duke of Savoy 465. of the Spanish Ambassadour la Rocca against it 465. of Giovanni Pesari that the Republick would take the Duke of Parma into their protection 506. of Vincenzo Gussoni on the contrary 508 Ornano Governour of the Kings Brother promotes disturbances in France 248. his imprisonment and death 249 Osmond succeeds in the Turkish Empire 117. deposed and killed 194 Ostia taken by the Venetians 331 Ottaviano Bono Ambassadour to the King of France 60. recalled by the Republick 110 P. PEace of Asti and its conditions 50 Peace betwixt the Republick and the Archduke treated at the Emperours Court 65. transferred into Spain 87. and thither also the Treaty of that betwixt Spain and Savoy 87. an Imperial Ambassadour arrives there 105. further Negotiation suspended 106. is transferred into France ibid. is concluded at Paris as extended in Madrid 109. the conditions of it ibid. approved by the Republick though not content with their Ministers 111. the execution for Piedmont concerted ibid. interrupted by Toledo ibid. the ratifications exchanged and Commissioners appointed 115. and executed betwixt Ferdinand and the Republick ibid. Peace for the Valteline treated at Paris without effect 238. is concluded at Monzon 243. its conditions ibid. various judgments 244. the aim of the Contractors ibid. the opinions the Confederates had of France ibid. the Republick approves it 246 Peace betwixt France and England 297 Peace of Susa not executed 301 Peace betwixt the Emperour and King of Denmark 305 Peace of Ratisbone for the affairs of Italy 342. complaints of many Princes ibid. executed in Piedmont 344. disapproved by France 345. is moderated by a new Treaty at Chierasco 351. the Governour of Milan complaining 353. is executed ibid. Peace betwixt England and Spain 345 Peace of Prague betwixt the Emperour and the Protestants 411 Peace general meets with great difficulties yet the Pope sends a Legate and the Republick Ambassadours to negotiate it 425 431. some Pass-ports are granted 432 460. a Treaty betwixt France and Swede concerning the management of the peace 444. greater difficulties still arise 474 484 499. a beginning given to the Meeting 558 Peace betwixt Spain and the Prince of Parma Peace betwixt the Princes of Savoy and their Sister-in-law and France 414 Peace of the Pope with the Princes of the League and with the Duke of Parma managed by the French Ministers 549. disturbed by the propositions of the Barberins to the Spaniards ibid. Cardinal Bichi imployed and Plenipotentiary are named 566. the opinions of the Confederates 569. Propositions of Cardinal Bichi at Venice 570. interruptions feared by the Popes sickness ibid. recovers 571. is concluded the Articles comprehended in two Capitulations ibid. are published and executed 572 Palatinate possessed by Bavarians and Spaniards 174. succoured by Mansfelt 178 Paulo V. Pope endeavours the peace of Italy 13. the peace betwixt the Republick and the Archduke 53. betwixt Spain and Savoy 66. sollicited by the Spanish Ministers against the Republick 72. fears lest the peace break for the cause of the Valteline 163. dyes 164 Perpignan its situation blocked by the French 532. besieged by the King in person 533. is rendred 538 Plague in Italy 319. destroys the Armies 326. Mantua unpeopled 329. lays waste the State of the Republick and the City of Venice 337. ceases 350. is manufactured in Milan 350 Piacenza straightned by the Spaniards 426 Pietro Contarini Ambassadour in England hires Ships for the Republick 117 Pietro Barbarigo after many imployments made Captain General 222 Pietro di Toledo inveighs against the peace of Asti 83. comes Governour to Milan and reinforces the Army 59. demands of the Republick to withdraw their Army from Gradisca and gives jealousie to their Borders 64. endeavours to break the Treaty of Asti 65. with various Propositions to Carlo against whom nevertheless he hatches treachery ibid. draws near with his Army to Piedmont corrupts the Duke of Nemours 79. endeavours to separate Carlo from the friendship of the Venetians 83. not caring what Monferrat suffered besieges Vercelli 99. takes it 103. invades the Confines of the Republick 111. afterwards publishes the peace 112. makes difficulty to execute it in Piedmont 120. hatches a conspiracy in Crema 122. renders Vercelli 123 Pietro Foscarini counsels to force the Germans from their Posts near to Mantua 327. Ambassadour at Constantinople 469 Pietro Girone Duke of Ossuna and Viceroy of Naples renders the Republick jealous by Sea 72. arrests their Ships 93. incourages the Uscocchi ibid. his various designs 94. sends Ships into the Adriatick ibid. publishes a design against the Turks and demands the Gallies of the Princes of Italy 95. but intends rather to stir up the Turks against the Republick 95 96. sends Gallies into the Adriatick 97. takes Merchant-ships belonging to the Republick ibid. invade the Adriatick anew 113. does not restore the Booty ibid. his disturbing thoughts 116. arms more and more and treats with the Turk 117. to make the Republick jealous 118. withdraws his Ships ibid. hinders the restitution of Goods taken ibid. advises of new attempts against the Republick 119. partaker of the conspiracy in Venice 123. continues to trouble the Republick by sending out Ships to rob 146. desirous to maintain himself in his Government 226. the King jealous of him appoints a Successor 147. goes into Spain and dyes in prison 148. his Ships taken by the Venetians ibid. Pietro Gritti Ambassadour in Spain insinuates the peace 86. concludes it 109 Pietro Hein Admiral of Holland takes the Spanish Fleet. Petillano besieged by the Pontificians raises the siege and are beaten 564 Polesene important to the Venetians 565 Pompeo Justiniano taken into the Venetian pay 44. commands the Army in Friuli 55. abandons Lucinis 56. offers to besiege Gradisca 61. dyes 76 Portugal rebels 488 Prague taken by the Catholicks 156 Prefectureship of Rome given by the Pope to his Nephew to the distaste of the Princes 364. whose Ambassadors abstain from the Churches ibid. encounter of the Venetian Ambassadour with the Prefect 364. the matter composed 366 Princes moved by several affections and interests especially those of Italy 267 Princes of the Vnion in Germany approve the Republick resentments against the Archduke 60. they disunite for fear of the Spaniards 177 Princes of Italy invited by the Republick to a League are
Treaty transported to Rome 181. and at Madrid a depositing is spoken of ibid. Feria concludes apart with the Grison 182. the Spaniards offer the deposition to the Pope 199. who accepts it 220. with dislike of the Confederates 220 204. yet consented to by the Ambassadour Sillery 205. the French change afterwards the form of the Negotiation 206. demand of the Pope the redelivery of the Forts 209. take arms ibid. which are moved 333. with advantage to the Confederates 334. to the resentment of the Pope and the Austrians 218. the Arms of the Confederates advance into the two Counties 222. are stopped at Riva 224. those situations described ibid. and several factions 225. the Confederates endeavour an accord betwixt the Valteline and the three Leagues 240. conditions of the peace of Monzon 243. are executed in the Valteline 252. new designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. enter there again with their arms 400. with various success 409. are at last driven out of it 428 Venetian Ships defend the French in the Port of Alexandretta 296 Venice its original undertakings and increase from the first to the tenth page Venetians exhort the Duke of Savoy to peace 12. assist him of Mantua 13. recall their Ambassadour in Turin 15. arm 16. molested by the Uscocchi 18. besiege Segna 23. increase their strength 27. endeavour peace 35. give audience to Piscina Ambassadour of Savoy ibid. resent the injuries of the Uscocchi 36 37. send Renieri Zeno to Milan and Turin about peace 39. strengthen themselves more and more 44. Warrant for the Treaty of Asti 49. moderate their assistance to the Duke of Mantua ibid. their reason of resentment against the Uscocchi 53. suspend Hostility 54. invade the Territory of the Archduke 55. justifie themselves for it 59. draw off from the siege of Gradisca 64. reject the Popes propositions ibid. after many consults resolve to assist the Duke of Savoy 70. endeavour to adjust him with Mantua 85. molested by Ossuna arm at Sea 93. refuse the assistance of the Turks 96. complain of the actings of Ossuna 98. invite the Princes of Italy to an Vnion ibid. inlarge their assistances to Savoy ibid. revoke their powers for peace from Madrid 104. invaded by Toledo 111. arm more and more by Sea 117. deny passage by Sea for the assistance of Ferdinand 119. a new League with Savoy ibid. dissemble the conspiracy though discovered 121. deny assistance to the Bohemians 131. interest not themselves in their Treaties at Constantinople 151. by many Princes sought to for assistance ibid. deny the Transilvanian 157. troubled at the revolt of the Valteline sollicitous for a remedy 159. in particular of the French 162. of the Pope 165 of the King of England 167. agree with the Duke of Savoy for new Levies 172. assist the Hollanders 179. hire Mansfelt into their service 182. dissent from the enterprise on Genoua 212 228. endeavour to divert the King of France 214. strengthen themselves 215. flattered by the Austrians separate not from the French 226. refuse the offers of the Turks assistance 227. counsel the invasion of the Milanese ib. but refuse to do it alone 228 234. increase their Troops in the Valteline 237. endeavour peace betwixt England and France 252 266. approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. deny succours to Dourlach and the King of Denmark 258. their thought concerning the succession of Mantua 271. lured by the Imperial Ministers 274. carry into Spain offices for peace 280. consult about the interests of Mantua 276. resolve together with France to assist Nevers 280. incourage him 284. consent to joyn with France 285 292 298 give money to the Duke of Mantua 286. 302. send an Ambassadour into France 300. resolve to invade the Milanese 301. are withheld by the Treaty of Susa 302. tempted by the Austrians 309. resolve to maintain Mantua 309 312. with great forces 312. sollicite the King of France 315. distasted with the Pope 319. deliberate about driving the Germans out of their Quarters 331. threatned by the Germans in several places 333 337. not frighted at the disaster of Valezza 333 337. jealous of the Sea-coast 337. denying passage to the Spanish Fleet they with their own Gallies conduct the Queen of Hungary to Trieste 338. participate of the concerts of France with the King of Swede 341. send Ambassadours to Ratisbone 442. refuse to sign the Treaty of Peace without the French 346. sollicited by them put a Garrion into Mantua 354. will not interest themselves in the designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. deny assistance to the King of Swede 360. displeased with the Pope for several causes 364 365 385 414. refuse to assist the Emperour 369. at also to have any hand in the concerts about Sabioneda 370. and to correspond with the Duke of Savoy after having taken the Title of King of Cyprus 384. and to unite with the King of France 386. resolute in neutrality betwixt the two Crowns 400. 402. endeavour Peace 413. deny passage to the French and Germans 419. after the death of the Duke of Mantua imploy offices for that House 435. reform their Militia and discharge the Treasury of debts 436. interpose betwixt France and the Princess of Mantua 489. stand and pause after the Victory at Vallona against the Barbary Pirates 419. they arm and demand assistance of the Christian Princes 452. send an Ambassadour to the Pope 457. remain still neutral in the affairs of Piedmont betwixt the two Crowns 400. incline to compose with the Turk 466. and approve the Treaty 467. sollicite the Pope to mediate for the Peace of Italy 473. resolve to interpose with offices betwixt the Pope and Duke of Parma 509 511. excluded out of the Treaty 511. grow jealous 512. also for a report of the designs of the Barberins upon Mirandola 516. relieve Parma with money 518. and Modena with Troops ibid. and refuse to concur to invade the Ecclesiastick State 520 incommodate with their Gallies the Commerce of Ferrara 530. excuse not to assist the Emperour 531. and to conferate with France ibid. whose correspondence with Rome they endeavour to restore 541. jealous of the Borders of the Polesene send Troops thither 542. command the possessing of the Banks 545. send their Army to the other side of the River ibid. imploy also their strength by Sea 547. do more than perform the conditions of the League protest to Spain in case of Vnion with the Pope 549. give Troops to the Duke of Parma 558. succour the Great Duke 564. make new agreements for the War and raise Troops with great difficulty 568 Vercelli blocked by the Spaniards and relieved by the Duke of Savoy 82. besieged by Toledo 99. the Duke attempts in vain to bring in powder 100. assaulted ibid. the Duke endeavours to relieve it 103. is rendred ibid. restored to the Duke 123. besieged again by the Spaniards 437. the French succeed not in bringing in relief 438. renders 439 Verrua besieged by the Duke of Feria