Preparations for War the Cardinal in the first place caused several sums of money to be paid to the Colonels and Captains of the old Troops for their Recruits and Commissions to be given out for new Levies he thought it necessary likewise to entertain a Squadron of German Horse as Persons very proper for his Incampments and constant to the Party in which they engage to that end he dispatch'd the Count de Nantueil Monsieur Milet Monsieur Gontier Monsieur Gravelle and others into Germany with ready money as likewise the Counts de Grandprè and Beaujeu into the Countrey of Liege And because of the loss of Casal and the Preparations for War which the Spaniards made in the State of Milan where great Recruits were expected as well from Naples as Germany Piedmont was so dangerously threatned that the Duke of Savoy by his rieterated solicitations prest hard for considerable supplies or else to be permitted to enter into a Neutrality with Spain the Court of France dispatch'd into Piedmont 4500 Foot and 1500 Horse which arrived happily in the Month of May at Anone as an insorcement to the French Troops already in those parts under the Command of Count de Quincy till the Arrival of a Mareschal of France who was expected every day And because the Spaniard continued the Negotiations which were begun long before with the Duke of Savoy to gain him to their party or at least reduce him to a Neutrality by their advantageous Exhibitions to which a Minister of that Court appear'd to be inclin'd The King sent Monsieur de Plessis Besanzon his Lieutenant General with the Title of one of his Gentlemen to all the Princes of Italy to Negotiate about the present Affairs of those parts In execution therefore of his Orders Besanzon advanced with great diligence to Turin from whence Having assured the Duke that his Majesty would maintain the Treaty of Chirasco that he would defend Piedmont always protect that State and cause an Army with considerable Commanders to march immediately thither to that purpose he proceeded to Casal where he found the Duke of Mantua at that time and being receiv'd with the honours usually exhibited to the Kings Embassador he contracted his business into two Points One was that His Majesty should be satisfy'd about the interest of Casal and that that place should be put into a condition not to be surprized exchanged or fall any other way into the hands of the Spaniard The other was about the pretences the Ministers of Spain might make under the name of the said Duke of Mantua to Montferrat which was then in possession of Savoy forasmuch as His most Christian Majesty waâ— ready to deposit the sum contained in the Treaty of Chirasco for thâ— discharge of the House of Savo To these two Propositions the Duke replyâ—d That he esteem'd the coming of the said Monsieur du Plessis as a particular favour not doubting but he as a prudent person would apprehend the necessity which obliged him to possess himself of those places and be perswaded that by no accident whatever he should be alienated from that devotion which upon so many reasons and obligations his Highness profess'd to His most Christian Majesty so he hoped also on the Other side he would shew himself so courteous as to convince His said Majesty that he was resolved to hazard his own life and estate and the lives and estates of all his subjects before he would suffer the Spaniards or any other to make themselves Master of the said places That it might possibly be the money for the payment of the Garrison might come out of the Coffers of the King of Spain which yet was more then he knew but however he protested he receiv'd it as coming from the Empress his Aunt and her Sister under whose Authority that Treaty was concluded That whenever he should be repossess'd of that part of the estate which the House of Savoy with manifest injustice detein'd from him and might freely make use of those Rents as he had formerly done and as he had often protested against the Treaties which were never consented to by the House of Mantua as being too much to its prejudice he would maintain that Garrison himself without the assistance of any one and therefore he conceived in that respect it would have been more proper for him to have been sent to the Court of Savoy to have interpos'd his Majesties Authority there and caus'd them without further expostulation to have restor'd what so unjustly they detein'd then to address himself to his Highness who would be more ready to embrace ways of Amity and Peace then of Violence and War which he knew would disturb the quiet of all Italy so much desired and endeavoured by the House of Mantua which would clearly appear to whoever would impartially look back and consider who they were which did really interrupt it and at length he told him that he could not in reason accept of the sum he was offer'd seeing he had not only not consented to but oppos'd the aforesaid Treaties and besides the said sums would fall much short of what was due by reason of the advantages had been made of the rents of it since the House of Savoy had it in their hands Du Plessis had declar'd before both to the Duke and the Marquess de la Val his Highnesses prime Minister that they could not satisfie France any other way but by putting the affairs of Casal and Monferrat in the same condition they were in before his Highness made use of the Spaniards to cause the French to march out But perceiving by their Answers both by word of mouth and in writing that that instance was in vain and believing it would be sufficient for His Majesty considering the importance of the place if it were well fortified and provided with a Garrison independent on the Spaniards and able to keep them out upon any pretence whatsoever he propos'd that to satisfie those ends if it were possible That half the Garrison should consist of the subjects of the said Duke and the other half of Swisses raised in the Catholick Cantons That all of them should remain under the Command and Authority of his Highness That one half of them should be paid by His most Christian Majesty and the other half by the Princes and Potentates of Italy his Allies and such as were most interested in that Affair He considered this Expedient would be a great ease to the Dukes Treasures till a General Peace could be concluded betwixt the two Crowns upon such conditions as should be proper to draw his Highness out of the necessity in which he was at that time of taking money of the Spaniards which was a thing much to the dishonor of those who had so often defended that place against them and might at length produce inconveniences absolutely repugnant to the quiet and security of the said Duke and his subjects John Coexens Secretary to the Emperess
with the desire of Novelty then the Waters with the Wind. All this was managed and effected without noise the said Duke being contented to deliver it up to the Sieur Bar and he in Exhange to enter upon the Government of Dorlans held by the said Bar To which was added the Title of his Majesties Lieutenant General in the parts about Dorlans and a certain sum of Money payd him for such Arms and Ammunition as he had provided at his own Charge in the Cittadel of Amiens But the end of this Voiage was not barely the securing of Amiens but to be more ready at hand to assist the Army with his Counsels and besides the usual Guards of Horse and Foot there being great numbers of the Nobles attending the King with the one and the other to succour the Army in time of need Nevertheless it had not been amiss had their Majesties stay'd in Paris to prevent such accidents as might arise in that City where the sinister intentions of some persons towards the Government were not absolutely dispell'd especially the Archbishop being decrepit and the Cardinal de Retz to succeed him new troubles might arise among the people who would have pretended not to be satisfied without their Pastor he being a person of much esteem amongst them for his Generosity But there being a necessity of the Kings going into the Field the Cardinal thought to evade all accidents that might happen and to remove the said Retz out of Paris as a person of too high and extravigant a spirit to be left behind to offer him his liberty and the Kings favour upon condition he would renounce the hopes of his future succession and retire to Rome with promise to stay there and not return into France in recompence of which he promis'd him an Equivalence to the Archbishoprick though his Uncle was living and other assistance besides to augment his dignity and splendor Cardinal de Retz though under the durance and inconveniences of a Prison preferr'd the glory of his Constancy before all other private considerations and being puff'd up with hopes of seeing in a short time the face of things altered either by the death of the Arch-bishop or by the means of his friends at Rome emulous of Mazarine he stood firm in the Negative not to quit his dignity declaring That for the King he would do this or any thing else to the very effusion of his blood and loss of his whole estate but knowing it to be no other but the Artifice and interest of Mazarine he could not swallow so bitter a potion presented to him by his most irreconcileable enemy The Pope though not much inclin'd to the interest of France declar'd that the Proposition in his judgment was honourable and practicable of this also the Prisoner had notice but it would not sweeten the bitterness of his mind who bearing his adversity with great constancy he gain'd the reputation of an intrepid person and having found a way to write to the Sacred Colledge of Cardinals in Rome Letters full of Lamentation with earnest requests to be assisted with their Protection by whom he did humbly conceive he ought not to be abandon'd for fear of manifest prejudice to the dignity of the Purple One of the Cardinals of principal credit amongst them seeing they were inclined to answer him declar'd in delivering his opinion that he could not see why they should engage in an Affair more likely to prove a detriment to the Church then any benefit to the prisoner seeing they could give him no other assistance then by words which would perswade more by gentleness then by rigour He urged moreover that Cardinal Mazarine was in the same or greater perplexities with the Parliament of Paris and that nothing have been done in his behalf though concurrent with the service of the King his Master much less were they obliged to do any thing for Cardinal de Retz who was at that time in his Majesties displeasure The Counsel of this Cardinal being heared and approved as the best gave occasion to the resolution they took of interceding to his Holiness that out of his paternal care he would exhort his most Christian Majesty to grant Cardinal de Retz his liberty The King shew'd himself very ready and after divers Negotiations the Dutchess of Chevreuse undertook it shuffling in Conditions for the Duke of Lorrain who though he was secured by the Spaniards as we shall hereafter relate Nevertheless the Treaty about the Cardinal was not laid aside but at last was concluded upon Condition he should renounce his Coadjutorship of Paris giving him as many Benefices as were Equivalent to that Arch-bishoprick the revenue of which amounted to a vast sum This affaire was almost brought to a Period all difficulties being reduc'd to two points the one about the value of the Benefices the other about the security for the performance when the death of the Archbishop chang'd the face of Affaires but though the Curates of Paris all the factious party and the friends of the Coajutor had rais'd new tumults in his behalf nevertheless the Cardinal resolv'd to accept of the Conditions offered him Being brought therefore from the Castle of Vincennes he was delivered into the hands of the Mareschal de la Melleray who convey'd him to Nantes where he was to remain till the Articles agreed on were accomplished after which he was to be sent to Rome and money given him for his Voiage and subsistence there but he making his escape from Nantes all things were disordered again as we shall relate in its proper place In the mean time the enemies of Mazarine seeing their Artifices and Cabals to ruine him ineffectual they began to plot and contrive how to take away his life It was divulged that the Prince of Condy had a hand in this business upon a suspicion that the Cardinal had attempted his life It is most certain as was afterwards made manifest that neither the one nor the other were true but that all was plotted and designed by the malice of the common enemies One Recous and Bertau were gain'd and perswaded to do the deed who being resolv'd upon the Enterprize they began to frequent the Louvre and to watch for a place and time to put their design in execution it hapned that Letters were accidentally intercepted which gave such discoveries as were sufficient to cause them to be apprehended upon which they freely declar'd their resolution to have stabb'd the Cardinal with a knife as he was coming down as he was accustomed every night from the Kings Apartment by certain private and strait stairs They were according to their deserts condemn'd to be broken upon the wheel the 11th of October in Paris near the Bastile in the great street of St. Anthony The Cardinal according to the gentleness of his nature and as a true Prince of the Church abhoring such bloody spectacles interceded very earnestly for their Pardon and had certainly obtain'd it if
Julio Mazarin THE HISTORY OF THE MANAGEMENTS OF Cardinal JVLIO MAZARINE Chief Minister of State of the CROWN of FRANCE Written in Italian by Count Galeazzo Gualdo Priorate And Translated according to the Original In the which Are Related the Principal Successes Happened from the Beginning of His Management of Affairs till His Death Tom. I. Part I. LONDON Printed by H. L. and R. B. in the Year 1671. To their most Serene HIGHNESSES the Duke and Dutchess Regent of Modena and Regio c. CArdinal JULIO MAZARINE'S Government of Affairs hath deserved all the Applauses that Fame can give The World hath admired him as the Product of a Phoenix I have writ his History And as he hath been the Splendour of our times I think it proper to bring him to the Feet of your Highnesses of Este who are the most splendid Ornaments of all Italy In the Heroick Actions of so great a Minister your most Serene Highnesses may behold your own proper Glory take therefore as I most humbly supplicate this testimony of my observance with that benignity which is proper to the Greatness of your most Serene Family known for thousands of years to be the true Seminary of Heroes There is no room for Panegyricks in this short Dedication neither ought your Modesty to be wronged by my weak Pen with inferiour Praises to your unexpressible Merits and therefore with a most humble submission asking Pardon for this my boldness I rest Your most Serene Highnesses most humble and most obsequious Servant Galeazzo Gualdo Priorato TO THE Reader THE HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal Julio Mazarine is a matter most proper and most curious for Posterity The Rules this man went by wil serve for a most profitable Example to whomsoever shall have the Fortune to pass thorough the degrees of the like Sphere Histories do mention many Statesmen with Applause and Veneration and the Managements of the late Cardinal Richlieu are Celebrated with more then humane Attributes as if Nature had given him the preeminence of all her Graces Without doubt Richlieu was a great Politician a great Minister of State and a man may truly say that for Humane Prudence France never had his equal He knew loved and had in so much esteem the vivacity of Mazarine that oftentimes he has been heard to say that this man by his ability and his fortune would surpass not only his Master but the most sublime Wits that have guided States and Monarchies Richlieu was not at all deceived for whoever compares their Actions shall not finde them equal Richlieu was a Frenchman Minister of State to a King in his Majority strengthned by Kindred Friends and Parties Mazarine an Italian Minister to a King in his Minority and to a Regent of an emulous and suspected Nation without Relations and no other friends but his own spritely Wit Richlieu was at the Helm when France was assisted by the Conjunctions of Swedeland Holland the Protestant Princes of Germany the Royal House of Savoy and many others and enjoyed an entire obedience of its subjects When England naturally emulous of the Greatness of France was embroiled by Intestine troubles and when there was a perfect Correspondency with Pope Urban VIII Mazarine governed in a time that Holland was reconciled to Spain that the major part of the Princes of the Empire had deserted the Cause the Swedes abated in their Power the English become formidable by their Victories In the heat of the Revolutions of the Kingdom Persecuted by the Princes of the blood by the major part of the Grandees by the Parliaments and by the People and under the Pontificate of Innocent X. little affecting his Person Richlieu acted with Rigour and with too high Pretensions ending his life in no good opinion with the King his Master disgusted with his vast Aims and left the Warre unquenched Mazarine deported himself with Affability and kindness and exercised Humanity more then Austerity He died in compleat favour with their Majesties who lamented his loss with tears and was he wailed by his very Enemies He gave his King a great Queen for his Wife and with her the Peace so longed for by the Kingdom with so great advantages and so much Reputation that the most Christian King Lewis XIV may rightly be instyled the Great being that France hath never had greater strength in Forces nor a greater King for Valour and all other Eminent Vertues The Reader will pardon the feebleness of my Pen if it hath not sufficiently expressed the merits of so great a man for his Actions having brought forth Effects above the order of Nature would require a Style Supernatural not to say Divine to celebrate them The HISTORY of the Managements of Cardinal MAZARINE Lib. I. HE was born in the Year 1602 at Piscina in Abruzzo the 14th day of July son of Peter Mazarine and Hortensia Buffalini In his Infancy he was instructed in the Rudiments of that tender Age and by little and little in all those Exercises befitting a Gentleman In the Jesuits Colledge at Rome he so cultivated his Understanding that the vivacity of his Wit and the sublimity of his elevated Mind shined forth even to Admiration He compleated his course in Philosophy at the Age of 17. maintaining Conclusions in the most subtile Points to the Wonder of all men His courageous heart began to be inflamed with desire of new things and to see and be informed of the Manners and Qualities of forein Nations for that purpose he accompanied Don Girolamo Colonna now a Cardinal into Spain and together with him studied the Law in the University of Alcalà and in a short time he became perfect in the Spanish Tongue While he was intent upon his Studies it hapned that his father being accused of a certain Homicide was in some trouble and having no other sons for Alexander the younger brother was become a Dominican so that he was obliged to return to assist his father in his troubles where he arrived with all diligence and bestirred himself in his Defence so efficaciously that he was clear'd from his accusations He had no sooner Accomplished the Age of 20 years when as his Heroick Genius excited him to the desire of Armes and being favoured by the House of Colonna he obtained to be chosen Captain Lieutenant of the Colonels Company in the Regiment of the Prince of Palestrina he led his Company to Milan where he came acquainted with Giovanni Francesco Sacchetti Commissary General of the Popes Souldiers sent to take possession of the Valtoline and in the management of divers smaller Affairs he made appear so much Ability that he was soon employed in matters of greater moment performing them to the entire satisfaction of those who employed him and of the parties with whom he Negotiated He made a Relation of the Occurrences in the Valtoline full of such exquisite Observations that Torquato Conti General of the Popes Forces sent them to his Holiness that perused them with
every one shall be preserv'd and maintain'd in the same quality and condition as before That Justice shall be administred by the Colonel of every Regiment in the same manner as heretofore That his Majesty will assign them Winter-quarters so soon as the Campagne shall be ended and that they shall be treated in all places and upon all occasions as other forreign Troops in his Majesties service promising in the faith and word of a King to maintain and cause to be punctually observed what he has declared and promised At the first News of the Dukes Imprisonment his most Christian Majesty had dispatch'd Monsieur de la Borez to the Count de Ligneville with instructions to let him know the obligation that lay upon him to endeavor the enlargement of his Master by force of Armes if amicable ways would not prevail But all the Arguments used to the said Count and to Duke Francis who not many days before arrived in Flanders from Germany proved ineffectual the Management of the Spanish Ministers having had better success then the sollicitations of Cardinal Mazarine Ligneville excusing himself that he had express Orders from Duke Charles to obey his brother Duke Francis and this Prince relying upon the Promises made him of being put into the same command as his Brother did hope to be able to obtain more favour by his own merit then by force The Cardinal continued in the mean time with prudent Councils to manage other designs the principal was to carry on the Wars in the Enemies countrey thereby to force the Spaniard to a Peace which he said they pretended very much to wish for but in such manner and with such advantages to themselves that not being fit to be granted they accus'd him of being an enemy to all accommodation He reassumed the Negotiation of a League with the Protect or Cromwell at London to secure the French from the jealousies they had reason to conceive of that Nation at that time in Armes and free from any diversion elsewhere And to observe the motions of the Spaniards in Biscay that they might not introduce any new confusions in those parts he caus'd the Mareschal de Gramont in whose valour and fidelity he rely'd very much to repair to his Government of Bayon and Bearn there to have an eye to any attempt that might be made against those Provinces for the better security of which he concluded a Truce or Treaty of Neutrality and Commerce during the War betwixt Bayon and the Basques subjects of France and the Biscailins subjects of Spain He sent out new Orders for recruiting the old Troops and for levying of new to the end that in the Spring they might be able to take the field in Flanders Catalonia and Piemont He commanded the fitting up of the Fleet in Provence and all necessary Provisions to be got ready to put to sea when occasion should require either towards Catalonia or the Kingdom of Naples from whence the Duke of Guise reiterated his instances for their sudden resolution upon the Account of the good intelligence he held with the malcontents in that City by whom he was sollicited over and over and many Messengers sent to invite him thither And as he was seriously intent upon his martial Affairs so was he not unmindful for the establishment of quiet at home prevailing with His Majesty to extend his clemency even towards those as were still contumacious and to receive every body into favour putting an end to all domestick jealousies that it might appear to all men that there was nothing he desired more then to render his Ministry equally profitable and grateful to all the French Nation towards which notwithstanding the ill Treatment he had receiv'd in stead of seeking revenge forgetting all provocations his aim was by his goodness and meekness to work them gently to a repentance for their past faults rather then by punishing them precipitate them into new more desperate offences FINIS THE TABLE MOnsieur de St. Agolin sollicits the Court of Spain in behalf of the Prince of Condy page 35 Another Amnesty sent to the Bourdelots 246 Encamping of both Armies 84 A notable Artifice 118 The Kings Army advances towards Bourdeaux 137 The Assembly of the Olmiera is prohibited 155 Additions to the Capitulations at Bourdeaux 172 The Armies on the Frontiers of France 188 Several Persons of both Armies meet and discourse 200 The Arch-Duke comes to the Camp before Rocroy 220 The Order of the French Army 249 A General Amnesty granted to the Bourdelots 256 The Armies in Catalogne 303 B. The People in Bourdeaux sollicit for help from Spain 35 The Baron de Batteville raises difficulties in the Spanish Court 38 Orders given to Batteville from the Court 40 Propositions made by the Spaniards to the Bourdelots 41 Bellegarde taken 66 The Count Broglia surprizes the Irish 68 Bourg taken 96 Divers disturbances in Bourdeaux 110 Brisac returns to the Kings obedience 298 C Cardinal Mazarine returns to Paris with universal Applause 1 Applies himself to the War 2 By the Cardinals means the Count d' Ognon makes his Peace at Court 16 The Cardinal beloved by the Souldiers 18 His remarkable Policy ib. Count Marsin endeavors to take Granade 31 The communalty of Paris invites the Cardinal to a Dinner at the Town-Hall 59 concourse of the People to see the Cardinal at the Town-Hall 60 The Speech of a Plebeian to the Cardinal 61 The Count de Coligni taken Prisoner 62 The Prince Condy's of intelligence in Arras vanishes 73 Designes of the Cardinal concerning the Warr 73 Councell of war held by the Spanish Commanders 77 Condy's opinion prevailes 85 The Prince of Condy deceaved by his friends 85 The Conspiracy at Bourdeaux discovered 88 The Duke of Candale endeavors to enter Bourdeaux 92 Cromwell refuses to assist Bourdeaux 104 The Cardinal endeavours to win Bourdeaux rather by fair meanes then force 106 The Prince of Conty's answer to the Citizens of Bourdeaux 112 the Count de Fiesco returns from Spain to Bourdeaux 114 the Prince of Conty's answer to those that persuade him to peace 117 The Prince of Conty and Dutchess of Longueville disgusted with Marsin 121 The Prince of Condy shewes great esteem for Marsin 122 The Prince of Conty resolves to consent to the peace 140 the Duke of Candale treates with the Prince of Conty 141 The Contents of the Articles of peace at Bourdeaux 166 The Court of Rome has thoughts of defending the Cardinal de Retz 233 He is conveyed to Nants 235 A conspiracy to Kill Cardinal Mazarine 238 Great Clemency of the King 238. Expedient of the Cardinal to allay the disturbances at Bourdeaux 259 decree of the Councell against the Parliment of Bourdeaux 260 Courage of the French Nobility 276 The Prince Condy being sick orders his Commanders to succour S. Menehaud 278 The Cardinals diligence to hinder the succour 279 The Court returns to Paris 288 The Count de Harcourt's Negotiations with the Court 289 He
Vincennes which was in his Government whether the Duke came accompanied by many followers with design to murder him the Cardinal Advertized of it forbore to appear to the Treat saved himself in the Louvre where the day following he caused Beaufort to be arrested and sent him with a strong Guard to the said Castle of Vincennes With admirable subtilty he raised a glorious Envy betwixt the Dukes of Orleans and Anguien enticing the former to the Incommodities of Warre as well by the Allurements of Glory as by the diligent furnishing him with all things necessary to make it less irksom to him by this means making use of the Triumphs of the one to moderate the haughtiness of the other which was one of his greatest Artifices to enjoy the benefit of a well-concerted Union Hereupon the Duke of Orleans marched into Flanders at the head of a most puissant Army and after the taking of Graveling Mardike and Dunkirk by all men esteemed impossible he opened a way into the heart of Flanders passed the River Colma and brought in a short time under the French Dominion Lens Bourbourg Merville Bettunes St. Venant Armentieres Bergues Courtray Ypres la Bassee Dixmude Landresy Furnes and other places He put them upon few Undertakings that did not succeed and though he failed in that of Cambray attempted by the Count d' Harcourt yet it cannot be said but that he merited great praise for the most accurate diligence that he shewed they ought to use in those Conjunctures which in all probability would have rendred the defence of that place more difficult then the taking it if his Orders had been put in execution according as he directed He caused to be sent to the Catalonians a considerable assistance with which they got Tortosa Roses and other places and to give that people a fuller assurance of the firm Protection of France he made his brother the Cardinal of Sancta Cicilia Governour of that Province In Italy after the Kings death many enterprizes were begun by his directions and Counsel and many things done to the great benefit of the Crown The Town and Cittadel of Aste were suddenly recovered they gained great advantages in the Siege of Turin in the Enterprize of Pontestura and Vigevano and many other Expeditions prudently undertaken although some were unsuccessful whether for the ill fortune of Prince Thomas of Savoy in the Warre of Italy or for the variable Accidents of War Considering moreover how beneficial the friendship of the Princes of Este would be to the French in their Affairs of Italy and making use of the happy Conjuncture when by the phlegme of some Ministers of Spain those Princes thought themselves not treated according to their merit He bent his thoughts to draw them to the French party beginning luckily with the Acquisition of Cardinal Rinaldo d' Este a Prince in earnest very worthy of that high esteem which he enjoys in the opinion of all the World causing him to be honoured by the King of France with the Protection of that Crown in the Court of Rome and afterward obliging Duke Francesco his brother by giving him the charge of General of the Army of his most Christian Majesty in Lombardy Both these by their generous actions have always upheld the one in Rome the other in the Army the Reputation of the Crown of France to their eternal glory and merit Mazarine well knowing that to attaque the Spaniards in their holds of Italy would touch them to the quick caused to be set out to Sea a very potent Fleet and aiming to gain some Poste on the Shore of Tuscany caused Orbitello to be beleagured by the Army under Prince Thomas of Savoy by Land and by the Navy commanded by the Duke of Bresé by Sea But the Duke of Bresé being slain at the very first by a Cannon-shot and the Prince probably ill served by his Officers the Action succeeded not which otherwise was well designed by the Cardinal intending by the gaining of this place to facilitate the Enterprise which he had plotted against Naples and to hinder the communication betwixt that Kingdom and the State of Milan Likewise in the other attempts made upon the same Kingdom by the Duke of Guise they found no better fortune for the sinister correspondencies of those giddy headed Napolitans with the Crown of France together with the contrariety of their humours that hindred all good operations yet whether they succeeded or not Mazarine gave not over to make his advantage of them as potent diversions for the Enterprizes of Flanders which were of greatest concernes being nearest to the heart of the Kingdom Mazarine desirous to recover the Glory of the French which the ill success in Italy had much eclipsed with an incredible and unexpected resolution that Navy which was supposed incapable to appear in the Mediterranean for a long time was seen to return again the year following more formidable then ever under the Command of the Mareschals de la Milleray and Plessis Pralin with which in a few days they possest themselves of Piombino and Porto Longone in the Isle of Elba half belonging to the King of Spain and half to the Duke of Tuscany by which Victories the Reputation of the French was much recovered the Applauses and Fame of the Victors echoing every where to the great advantage of the Neighboring Princes especially of the Cardinals Barbarini who flying the indignation of Innocent the tenth had sheltered themselves under the Protection of the King of France by the efficacious and powerful Offices of Cardinal Mazarine who by a noble Example of Gratitude upheld that Family which newly fallen from a potent and long Dominion a warning to elective Princes knew not whether to turn themselves for a friendly Sanctuary Thus by the help of Mazarine they saw themselves honoured with the Protection of the most Christian King by which means they were in a short time re-established by the Pope himself and with a strange Metamorphosis embraced again The Comedy of their wandring ending in a strict Union and Alliance by the Marriage of one of the Popes Nieces Daughters to Don Maffeo Barberino to whom Don Carlo Prince of Pellestrina renounced his Titles and Honours himself being promoted to the Scarlet whereby he had a fair pretence to free himself from the engagement wherein he had promised to wed no other then the Countess Martinozzi Mazarines Niece who finding in this as in all other occasions the usual experiment of working good out of evil saw afterward his said Niece more highly matched in the Family of Este and Dutchess of Modona It will not be amiss since we are entred upon the discourse of this Family to give a touch of what Cardinal Mazarine being chief Minister of State did in favour of the Barbarini in the War with the Duke of Parma with whom most of the Princes of Italy were joyned in League for the aversion that they bore to Cardinal Barbarini with whom they
were generally dis-satisfied The Warre being kindled the Fire seemed unextinguishable not only because it chiefly arose as the common report went from private passion and particular envy and the flames daily encreasing from those puffs of anger the discontents grew still higher which according to the Contingencies of Warre administred new matter of rancour But also on the Popes Account that he being the Common Father should with a constant resentment pretend a just title to disturb the quiet of Italy by armes when all Christendom groaning so long time under the weight of innumerable miseries thought they might expect from his Piety a paternal and serious application to compose the inveterate motions of War and not to excite new ones On the other side the interessed Confederates longing to abate the temporal power of the Ecclesiastical Princedom and to give a wholesom Admonishment to those that being destin'd by God to enjoy it for a season are oftentimes unmindful of returning again to their private condition were resolved to maintain with all perseverance the reputation of their Armes For this cause the mediation or the Spaniards and the Emperor for a pacification proved a long time ineffectual the King of France not omitting to interpose his his Authority for the service of her to whose Assistance his Ancestors had so often passed the Mountains dispatched by the Counsel and dictates of Mazarine the Marquess of Lionne to the Confederate Princes to whom he delivered his Message with such vigour and reputation that by his prudent Negotiations he ripened that fruit which Cardinal Bichi who was ordered by the King to manage the Treaty afterward had the good fortune to gather by the Conclusion of the Peace as acceptable and advantageous to the Barberines as afterward the memory of that War proved prejudicial to them The Cardinal likewise got no small reputation by composing the differences between the Kings of Swedeland and Denmark who were entring into a most cruel War He shewed himself also very constant in overcoming all the difficulties which hapned upon the Marriage of the Princess Maria Gonzago with Uladislao King of Poland brought to an end by his great Prudence While the Affairs of France went thus prosperously on and that all Europe had their eyes fixed on the greatness and power of that Crown admiring the Ascendant Fortune of the most Christian King with the same Reflexions wherewith heretofore were admired that of the most victorious Emperour Charles the Fifth on a sudden she saw her self overwhelmed by those Civil broils which have always been the most powerful mischiefs to depress her The first ground from whence these turbulent Revolutions arose was from the Treasurer Emery who was the Person that disposed the minds of the Parlementarians of Paris to Commotions by troubling them in their places hereby to raise money not without the opinion of many that he did this with an intent to overthrow the Cardinal who vigorously opposed such his dangerous Undertakings knowing the nature of the French to be most extremely violent for their particular benefit For this cause therefore the Parlement of Paris having declared against the Kings Government the Queen thought to destroy this growing Hydra by punishing three of her Heads giving order for the Imprisonment of the Counsellour Brussel and the Presidents Blamenil and Charton though Mazarine did greatly impugn it well perceiving that it was not yet time to stir the Humours when there was no likelihood to dissipate them and it succeeded just so as he foresaw for the People having taken Arms and chained the streets compell'd the Court to set free the prisoners and to turn out Emery to the great prejudice of the Royal Authority and to the emboldening of the Seditious to undertake new Villanies The Cardinal on this occasion maintained but it did not help him that by the rule of good Government they ought constantly to adhere to their resolutions once taken although they were not assumed with their due precautions it being always hurtful to Princes to recede from that which they have once pretended to be observed by their Subjects From the like beginnings the Alterations plotted by the restless minds of those who hoped to advance their private Fortunes greatly increased These disorders were fomented by the Coadjutor of Paris allured by the hopes of Mazarines ruine to enter into his place of Chief Minister being a person of an high spirit and very intelligent in the Affairs and by the Count de Chavigny likewise exasperated seeing himself by the Queens aversion to him not in that full Credit and Authority which he had in the Consultations in the time of Richlieu's Government So that all things being in a confusion and impossible to provide against the disorders without That flourishing and potent Kingdom at the height of its greatest glory became a Scene of most lamentable miseries losing in one Campania the fruits of many others purchased with so much sweat with so much bloud and with so great expence of money The Cardinal sought nevertheless to hinder what he could the growth of these disorders and knowing how dangerous it would be to France if England should declare for Spain as it was by all Arts endeavoured by the Spanish Agents he knew so wisely to manage the business that he frustrated the Enemy's design and preserved the friendship of the English though ever emulous and no well-willers to the French The Events that after these commotions rent in pieces the Regency and all France were infinite and deplorable for although Mazarine with all sweetness and gentleness did endeavour to smooth their minds by temporizing till the Kings Majority but the more he endeavoured by these means to appease the Animosities of the Seditious the more they were hardened in their insolence and by open violence opposed the Orders of the Regent whereupon by his advice the Queen resolved to remove from Paris with the King which she did on Twelveth-night 1649. For this cause the City was in a great commotion and the Court in a state to recover its due regard but hereupon their Animosities against the Cardinal grew higher suspecting him to be as indeed he was the Author of this Retreat whence the fury of the People and Parlement breaking out against him he was by the later order'd to depart within eight days The Court stoutly supporting the Cardinal resolved to block up Paris with the Army as it was forthwith done by the Prince of Conde who though he had his Brother his Sister and his Brother in Law on the Parlements side yet held himself always united with the Regent and Mazarine who failed not in the mean while accurately to watch how to compose the differences In this occasion Cardinal Mazarine made manifest the height of his Intellectuals the excellency of his Skill his Wit and his Craft joyning himself now with the one now with the other Party and finally crushing them both remained Conquerour in the field and obtained the
in so enormous a case it could have bin done without violence to justice which in such accidents ought not to be overpowered by pity and compassion There follow'd several other Executions in Paris upon persons imprison'd for hainous Offences but without doubt the King's Clemency was greater then his Justice they that received grace and pardon being superiour in Number to those that were punish'd We cannot omit in this place the action of a dilinquent who being to loose his Head declar'd his ambition should triumph over his fate and therefore before he was to appear upon the Scaffold as he had been to go to a Feast he put himself in a gay dresse caus'd his face to be Shaved his haire curld and powdered and his Mustaccio's turn'd up boasting with an undaunted boldness That Persons of Honour even in the most ignominious death ought to die like themselves And though clemency and too much indulgence gives but fresh boldness and encouragement to fall into the same crimes again and is therefore look'd upon in many peoples opinions as a very ill Maxime yet that was no impediment to the present Councils for to all generous minds the opportunity of meriting the benedictions of such as received grace being much rather to be chosen then the imprecations of those which were punish'd the Kings Ministers took this course whereby their Charity working upon Heaven has since produc'd those Miracles that have rendred his Government the happiest who bearing the hereditary Title of most Christian has to his everlasting honour added to it the Epithite of most merciful And certainly they may justly be called Miracles which were seen in France in this Year 1653. for whilst it was expected and too probably that that Kingdome could not avoid destruction by so many storms and tempests both at home and from abroad The Heavens cleered up on a sudden and that Clime became quiet sedate which was before so dismally dreadful for by the reduction of Guienne and Bourdeaux being rid of that fastidious diversion they were able to use those Armes in other places which have since secured the Frontiers from daily Alarms and penetrating into Catalonia and Lombardy interrupted those designes which by the favour of their antecedent Victories would have brought extraordinary advantage to thinterest of Spain Whilst the military Affairs in Catalonia Guienne and Champagne were managed in this manner in Piemont also they began to have a better face and those doubts to clear up which by reason of their want of assistance the people of that Province might have reasonably pretended if to evade the calamities of a War they had come to an Agreement with the Spaniards For the Count de Quincè having past into Piemont and by order from Mazarine being enforc'd with fresh Troops from France he advanc'd with 5 or 6000 men into the Enemies Countrey and encamping at Annone upon the Banks of the Tanaro in a months time that he was there he infested the Countrey about Alexandria with continual incursions after which he return'd into the Territory of Montferrat and passing the Po at Verrica he went to encamp above Crescentino to observe the motion of the Marquess of Caracene who having taken the field with 8000 men was come to Foâ—tane and Palazzuolo three miles distant Here the Armies remain'd several days observing one anothers motion in which time the French made several excursions and one in particular with 1500 men as far as Vercelli afterwards before they drew off Quince drew out his Horse into the Fields of Bertola within Cannon-shot of the enemies Camp and challenged the Spaniards to a battel but they holding it as a Maxime to tire out the French fury with the Spanish Phlegme laugh'd at his defiance This Gallantry of the French vanishing in this manner without effect Quincè repass'd the Po in the Month of July and entred a fresh into Montferrat passing the Tanaro upon a Bridge of Boats near Asti and from thence having stay'd two days at Rochetta he encamped at Monbersel At the News of this March the Marquess of Caracene cross'd the Po likewise with his Troops near Pontestura and traversing Montferrat came to Felezzano to pass the Tanaro at Rochetta but discovering the enemy ready to oppose him he went to pass it lower towards Alexandria advancing as far as Nizza de la Paglia Quince stayed observing his motion about 15 days at Castel nuovo Bruzato where hapned daily skirmishes betwixt their Horse But Caracene resolving finally to fall into Piemont and by this diversion oblige the French to quit Monferrat he pass'd the Po at Pontestura and began to scour the Countrey round about which yet was not sufficient to make Quince remove who judging it a thing very prejudicial to transfer the War into the Countrey of his Friends and Allies he took another resolution He sent his baggage to Asti and forded the Tanaro at Rochetta and so passing to Bormida by the way of Novi he came to Serravalla a great Village above Alexandria upon the Confines of the Territories of Genoa betwixt the Rivers Scrivia and Orba and having sack'd it he March'd towards Tortona and Castel nuovo di Scrivia making great Booties in those places where he was not expected Upon this Caracene was constrained to change his designes upon Piedmont and pass with all diligence to Alexandria draining his Garrisons and drawing all the forces together he was able to cut off the retreat of the French to Nizza But Quince having notice both of his motion and design he march'd by Cassino di Stradda by Aicqui and by the vale of Bistagno and Nizza where the Spanish Army was arrived before him The same Night the French retreated to Santo Stephano and hasted away to gain the Pass of la Madonna de Tennello preventing the enemie who arriv'd there at the very instant that the French had made themselves Masters of it with their Vauntguard Here they fell a skirmishing but with reservation on the Spanish side who would not engage themselves in a Battel with the French who though they were inferiour in number yet were too strong for them in respect of the goodness of their Horse Quince past directly towards Alba without any stop and from thence to Govenne betwixt Alba and Asti extending his Troops along the Banks of the River Tanaro where the French made a stay till the Arrival of the Mareschal de Grancè who having pass'd the Mountains with a Recruit of 1200 men on the 18. of September arrived at the Camp where informing himself of the state of the Spanish Army which was likewise encamp'd upon the same Confines endeavouring to penetrate further into Piedmont he had News that Caracene was removed from Montenego and march'd with all diligence to gain the Pass of the Tanaro at a place called Rochetta with design to go to Felezzano Hereupon they held a short Council of War and it was resolv'd not only to hinder his Advance but engage him