not hear him He died at length being aged Eighty years and was interred in the Cloyster where is a kind of Epitaph or Testament which he left to his Children Composed by himself which is as well remarkable for its Latin as ingenuity of matter It was about this time that the Swede entred into Germany The Chevalier Rache was sent to the Switzers to engage them in this party He had likewise an order to visit Geneva to assure that City of the Kings good will. He was received with extraordinary respect and stayed there some time A while after there was a person executed whose death caused as great a noise as that of Servetus His name was Nicholas Antoine who had Apostatized from the Christian Religion Some people murmured and were displeased at the proceedings saying they were too severe to put people to death meerly for an opinion But the Council considered him not only as an Apostate and Blasphemer who treated the Blessed Trinity as a Cerberus or three-headed monster but likewise as a seditious Impostor and perjured Villain who Preached his false Doctrine contrary to the Oath which he had taken at his reception Here follows an account of his Tryal and Condemnation by which it may be judged whether the Genevoises were to blame in their proceedings against him A Criminal Process Made and formed before Us the most Honourable Lords Syndicks and Counsellors of this City at the instance and pursuit of the Lord Lieutenant in those Causes against Nicholas Son of John Anthony of Berry in Lorrain who being committed Prisoner hath freely confessed That from his Youth he had diligently set himself to the study of Philosophy and conceived damnable and execrable Opinions touching our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ITEM That about seven or eight Years since he had applied himself to the study of the false doctrine of the Jews and for to be the better instructed in it he had addressed himself to them of the City of Metz who after several Conferences had sent him to other Jews and namely to them of Venice Item He hath confessed That had it not been for fear of being discovered he had undertaken to have perswaded his Kindred and Relations to return to Judaism Item That about five Years past he went to Sedan and there perverted a young Student of that place and inticed him along with him into Italy entertaining him in their way thither with the Articles of his abominable Creed Item That being arrived at Venice they went and visited the Jews the said Anthony desiring them to admit him into their Synagogue and to Circumcise him but they refused him fearing lest they should fall under the Magistrates severity Whereat he remained satisfied being told by them That he might live amongst the Christians and yet be a Jew in his heart and that he was told the same by the Jews of Padoua Item That embracing this detestable doctrine he came to this City under pretence of studying Divinity and offered to dispute in Philosophy and for some time had exercised the charge of chief Regent in a Colledge yet all this while counterfeiting himself a Christian although privately he lived and prayed after the Jewish manner not daring to make an open profession of his belief Item That being called by a Church near the City to be their Minister after his examination and consent to the Doctrine of the Orthodox Religion he took an Oath to live and teach according to the confession of the reformed Churches although in his heart he believed in the Jewish Faith and by a cursed equivocation his meaning was different from his Oath Item That instead of preaching Jesus Christ according to the Oath he had taken he had only insisted in his Pulpit on the explication of the Old Testament and falsly wrested and applied passages thereof pointing to our Saviour and appropriated them to other Persons and above all in his last Sermon from whence it followed by the just Judgment of God that he the said Anthony became deprived of his Senses and ran about the Field like a distracted person and came bare-legged into the City uttering horrid blasphemies against our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Item That after he had been under the hands of Physicians and carefully looked after in the Hospital of this City coming again to his Senses and being out of his mad fits he had persisted in his blaspemies against the Holy Trinity and the Person of our Blessed God and Saviour maintaining as well by word of mouth as writing That Jesus Christ was an Idol and that the New Testament was but a meer fable Item He hath confessed That in Administring the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the Exhortation to the People he said only Remember your Saviour And that in reciting the words of the Apostles Creed where our Saviour is mentioned he pronounced not those words but muttered them betwixt his Teeth Finally That notwithstanding the serious exhortations and remonstrances which have been made him since he hath been in custody as well by the Magistrates as venerable Pastors of this Church tending to perswade him to renounce these cursed and damnable Opinions yet hath he persisted in his horrible and impious blasphemies having compiled and signed a Treatise in which he endeavours to combat and overthrow the Holy Trinity still obstinately denying the Deity and Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour having several times renounced his Baptism as it plainly appeared at his Trial. Here follows his Sentence The Sentence of Condemnation against Nicolas Anthony which was read and executed on the 20th of April 1632. WEE the most Honourable Lords Syndicks and Council of this City having seen the Criminal Process made and formed before Us at the instant suit of the Lord Lieutenant in the said Cases against Nicolas Anthony by which and by his own confessions it appeareth That he forgetting the fear of God hath been guilty of the crime of Apostasie and High Treason against God his Creator and Saviour having fought against the Holy Trinity denied our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ blasphemed his Holy Name renounced his Baptism for to imbrace the Jewish Religion and hath been perjured in dogmatising and teaching his damnable doctrine a case and crime deserving the greatest punishment For these and other causes moving the said Lords sitting in the Tribunal of their Ancestors according to ancient custom having the fear of God and the Holy Scriptures before their Eyes and having invoked his Holy Name that they might thereby be able to make a right Judgment beginning in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost do by this final Sentence which they have committed now to writing condemn the said Anthony to be bound and led to the place of Plein-Palais to be there fastned to a stake on a pile of Wood and strangled according to the usual manner and afterwards to have his Body burnt and consumed to ashes and thus
a considerable time was at length drove out from Arpentras by his own Subjects who rebelled against him and killed one of his Sons whereupon he in revenge having taken again the City demolish'd it and seeking a new place whereon to build another he came to the end of the Lake whence issues forth the Rhosne and finding a little Hill of Genevriers or Shrubs he layes there the foundations of a City which he call'd for this reason Genevra or Genebra This was in the year of the Worlds Creation 2833. and fifty years after the destruction of Troy and three hundred seventy nine years before the Building of Rome and eleven hundred and thirty years before the Birth of our Saviour After Lemannus who dyed whilst they were building Geneva his Son Eructonius reigned eight and twenty years leaving three Sons who divided the Kingdom betwixt them viz. Sequanus Allobrox and Helvetius This Chronicle likewise makes mention of several other Kings of these Countreys as Milius Ergogus Tigurus Epantalus Aviticus Carphas and his three Sons Conodus Gavotus and Equester Caturigus Flenans Arulus Centronius Benevits Algurus Ciricus and Oblius who built a Fortress at Geneva in the Isle of Rhosne These names readily offer themselves for the finding out the Founders of Cities and the Etymology of the names of Provinces which gives us plainly to understand that this is a History devised at pleasure seeing there are many of these Latin words although that Tongue was not known till some Ages after Sequanus sayes the Chronicle gave his name to the County of Burgundy from whence the people were call'd Sequaeni Allobrox gave his name to the Countrey of the Allobroges Equester to the Country of Vaud where was Colonia Equestris Ergogus to that of Ergau Helvetius to that of Helvetia Aventica Helvetius his Concubine to Avanche Centronius to the Centrons who are them of Tarantoise Arulus to Arles Gavotus to Gavots Benevits to the City of the same name and in short Ciricus to St. Ciergâ—e Now that which I find the worst contriv'd in all this account is the Etymology of the word Geneva which it derives from Genévres or Jumper Shrubs with which this little Hill on which the City was built was over-spread as if the Latin or French Tongue were spoken four Ages before Rome was built for the word Genévre comes from the Latin Juniperus So it is also with the word Equestris which was never heard of in the Countrey of Vaud till Caesur's time as we shall have occasion to mention hereafter Not that this great Antiquity of eight and twenty Ages need be suspected seeing there are Cities as that of Athens ancienter by five hundred years But we are never obliged to believe without proof neither do we find Homer to mention Lemannus Paris his Son although it may well be expected he should say something of him to inform us of the posterity of that Heroe in his Poem 'T is certainly a very idle humour of some people who would needs perswade the World their Ancestors were sprung from the Ashes of Troy and were no less than Founders of Cities as if Troy had been sufficient to people all the World after it self had been ruin'd Be it how it will concerning these eleven Ages before the coming of our Saviour we read of no considerable matters or Warlike feats performed by the Genevoises during that time but what we have from this Chronicle They laid waste the City of Benevits which stood distant from that place where now standeth Nyons because it would Lord it over the neighbouring Countreys and exact Tribute It addeth that this Oblius dyed without Children and left all these Countreys to the disposal of their own people who by this means became free and under no Monarchy The Genevoises had the advantage of the Lake and the Rhosne which serv'd them instead of Ditches and the Alps which sheltered them as Ramparts They separated them especially from the Romans whose neighbourhood was chiefly to be feared and against whom they have signalized their Valour with the rest of the Allobrogeses who extended their Borders as far as Isere The Air of the Mountains which they breathed and the ignorance of carnal delights which renders us soft and effeminate made them Warlike and Dreadful to their Neighbours The Romans have tryed them sufficiently in their Wars against them The first proof which they gave of their Courage was under the Consul Marcus Fulvius in the year six hundred twenty eight from the Building of Rome and one hundred twenty five years before the Birth of our Saviour The Auvergnats and them of Roüergue were joyned with the Allobroges The Romans bragg'd they had defeated them though 't is certain the Consul obtain'd not the Triumph which is a sufficient proof that the loss on the Gaules side was not great and in effect the War broke out again three years after and the Allobroges raised greater Forces They fought the Romans near Orange not far from the place where the Sorgue dischargeth it self into the Rhosne the Romans got the Victory by a Stratagem after they had for a long time vigorously disputed it They had brought with them Elephants which they had caused to march against the Allobroges believing the Gaules having never seen them would be affrighted as it indeed fell out their Horses being startled set a running after the same manner as it had happened heretofore to the Romans themselves when Pyrrhus who first brought them into Italy fought against them so bloody a Battel in which they were overthrown the Gaules lost in this Conflict twenty thousand men and Bituitus King of Auvergne one of their chiefest Captains was taken Prisoner and led away in Triumph by the Consul Domitius Ahenobarbus to whom the care of this War was committed Notwithstanding this overthrow the Allobroges who had been overcome rather by their Enemies Craft than through their own want of Courage took again the Field the year following with their Confederates and advanc'd as far as Isere offering the Romans Battel The Consul Fabius Maximus who was General lost his Quartan Ague in the heat of the fight and accompanied with his usual good fortune obtain'd a signal Victory Twenty six thousand Gaules were cut in pieces and the Consul obtain'd the glorious Title of Allobrogick and the great Triumph at his return to Rome There might have been seen not many years since in the Village of Versoy about a League distant from Geneva an old Marble Stone on which was engraven the Elogy of the Conqueror of the Allobroges Caesar hath observ'd in the Conference which he had with Arioviste that after this Victory the Romans generously forgave the Auvergnats and them of Rouergue not exacting of them any Tribute nor so much as reducing them into a Province From whence 't is likely that the Allobroges who were their Allies in this War were no worse us'd and that the Romans considering them rather as
was Bishop fifty years and had been present at the Council of Tournus in the year 1117. dying in 1120. the same year Humbert of Gramont was chose in his place who would not consent to the Grant bestowed on Ame Earl of Genevois by his Brother saying He could not consent to the Churches wrong So that the quarrel increasing betwixt the Earl and Bishop the Council endeavoured to make them friends but their obstinacy hindering the Archbishop of Vienna Metropolitan of the Province and Apostolical Legate being deputed for that purpose united them The chief Articles were as followeth First That the Bishop should have the Administration of Justice and Lordship in the City the Coining of Money and Confiscations of Estates as likewise the Fines of those who had dwelt a year and a day at Geneva That the Earl should not build any Fort without the Bishops consent That he should have a Vidame or Lieutenant for Secular Affairs That he should moreover do Homage to the Bishop not respecting any one but the Emperour before him and several other Articles touching Toll Forfeitures and Fines This Treaty was carryed on at Seyssell in the year 1124. After the death of Humbert of Gramont Ar dutius a Lords Son of Foucigny was elected Bishop of Geneva Bernard who was then Abbot of Clervaux and who was afterwards Canonized lived in his time and wrote two Letters to him which were very remarkable in these terms calling him Ardutius To Ardutius Elect Bishop of Geneva BEing perswaded your Election comes from God seeing you have been chosen by such an unanimous consent of both Clergy and Laity we therefore congratulate you for the Grace bestowed on you I will not flatter you saying God hath recompensed your merits for you ought rather to think it is not in consideration of your Righteousness but his Mercy If you look upon it otherwise which God forbid your rise will be your fall If you acknowledge his Grace take heed lest you have received it in vain Be holy in your Life and Office and if Holiness of Life did not precede your Election at least let it follow it Then we shall acknowledge God hath prevented you by his Grace and we hope you will increase and grow in it We rejoyce that you have been established as a faithful and prudent Servant over your Lords houshold that you may be one day possessed as a Son of all your Fathers Inheritance Otherwise if you mind more the making your self Great than Good you may rather expect to be punished than rewarded But we wish and desire of God this may never happen being ready to assist you according to our small power in every thing which is meet and reasonable To Ardutius CHarity hath inspired me with the boldness to tell you the Seat dear Brother which you have lately obtained requires a man of great merit which we are sorry to find wanting in you or at least not to have preceded your Election as was sitting In truth your pass'd conversation hath not been like that of one who was to take upon him the Episcopal charge But how Cannot God from these stones raise up Children to Abraham Is not God able to make those virtuous actions which should have preceded to follow afterwards Which we shall hear with joy if it so happens This sudden change from the hand of God will be more acceptable and surprizing than if it had preceded by the merits of a pass'd life We shall acknowledge it is the work of the Lord and a work worth our admiration So S. Paul from a Persecutor became the Doctor of the Gentiles and S. Matthew taken from being a Publican to be an Apostle and S. Ambrose from the Court to the Dignity of a Bishop Nay we have known some Seculars enter upon this Charge to the Churches great advantage In short it hath often happened that where Sin hath abounded Grace also hath super abounded You then dear Brother being animtated by these examples gird up the loyns of your mind amend your Life and Studies call your self to an account at night for what you have done amiss in the day endeavour to imitate S. Paul in being an honour to your Office You will bring honour to it by Gravity in your Maâ—ners and Deliberation in your Counsels and Justice in your Actions these are the chief ornaments of a Bishop Do all things by deliberate counsel Take only advice of virtuous people Let such have the management of your affairs who may 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 of your holy conversation And in so doing you will procure a good esteem We recommend to your Charity our poor Brethren near you namely them of Bonmont and Hautecombe by which means you may give us proofs of your love towards us and your neighbours THE Bishop Ardutius as well as his Predecessor had enough to do to withstand the Earl of Genevois who being a Secular Prince would not acknowledge any dependance on the Bishop and Chapter of Geneva possessing himself of several Lands and Jurisdictions belonging to them so that Ardutius was forced to have recourse to the Emperour Frederick Barberossa who procured him the Popes Bull for confirmation of all his Rights Some time after this he made an agreement with Amé Earl of Genevois to the same effect as his Predecessor had done before him and in the year following mention being made of the Earls Office or Duty it was expressed in these terms Comes fidelis Advocatus sub Episcopo esse debet the Earl ought to be the Bishops faithful Steward Which was further confirmed by a Bull from Pope Adrian the Third given at Lateran But the same Emperour who had made such a Grant to Ardutius gave to the Duke of Zeringuen the Soveraignty over three Cities namely Syon Lausane and Geneva Amé the Second the deceased Earl Ame's Son who departed this life in the year 1162â— having insinuated himself into this Dukes favour had obtained of him the Soveraignty of Geneva at which Ardutius being allarm'd goes directly to the Emperour who was then at Besancon to whom he represents the Churches Rights and so prevailed on the Emperour that he repealed this Donation by two express Declarations as granted by surprize Which Declarations may be seen at large in the Book called the Citizen This Bishop appeared mighty zealous for the Rights of the Church but in truth he designed chiefly thereby his own private interest The Emperour remitting the sole Authority and Rule to the Bishop thought to preserve the Town under a good Pastor and by this means to keep off Strangers from all pretensions to it Whilst in the mean time on these Priviledges and Concessions these Bishops have strengthened their claims of Soveraignty over this City which say they the Citizens have consented to without contradiction which they would never have suffered had it been against their minds To which they of these last Ages who will
account William of Constant who was then Bishop would have him be satisfied with what he had already gotten without the City fearing to give him footing within He also proposed an agreement to be made with the Earl of Genevois but that party which was for Savoy carried it They granted him what the Earl of Genevois possessed carried fore in the City and were willing he should use the City as a place of retreat to defend his neighbouring States In this reciprocal Alliance he promised on his part to defend them at his cost That he would not conclude any Peace without their consents And that there should be a free commerce betwin his Courtrys and the City Which Treaty was observed whilst he and his two Sons Edward and Amé the Great lived The Bishop seeing the greatest part on the Earls side was forced to agree and confirm it So that at this Treaty it was concluded That the Earl of Savoy should become Earl of Genevois But the name of Earl being hateful to the City he was content with only that of Vidame which signifies the same with Vice-Dominus he had also a Bayliff who was called in the Language of that Country Chatelatn du Vidomne But he acknowledged his dependance notwithstanding on the Bishop and Church of Geneva who granted him this during their pleasure But in process of time the Princes of Savoy encreasing in power scorned to be acknowledged by a Word importing Subjection wherefore they gave their Bayliff this Title of Vidame Six years after Humbert Dauphin of Viennois who was one of the Earl of Genevois's Confederates set upon the Town whilst the Earl of Savoy was fortifying it that he might make him quit so advantagious a Post Bâ—atrix of Savoy Mother-in-law to this Dauphin assisted him with a considerable number of Souldiers which she had caused to be raised in Focigny He would have secretly surprized the City on Sunday after the Ascension but he could not carry it so sliely but his design was discovered Notwithstanding which he fell on the Suburbs and burnt a great part of them and encamped before the City intending to besiege it and win it by Assault The Earl of Savoy was not in the City and the good Bishop William of Constance knowing not which way to turn himself in this affair writ to the Dauphin very submissive Letters entreating him to desist from his purpose but all his submissions and Tears were ineffectual For the Dauphin attacked the City with all his Force and had near won it had not the Citizens defended themselves most gallantly and forced him to raise his Siege but in requital he pillaged the Castles of Thy and Sala belonging to the Bishop and placed therein Garrisons The Bishop finding himself not able to encounter him with Secular Weapons makes use of the Spiritual Sword and Excommunicates him and his Mother-in-law About the twenty seventh of October in the same year and a Month after he aggravated his Excommunication The Earl of Savoy having taken the Field to repel the Duke marched to L'Ecluse and the Castle of Laye which places were very advantagious to him William of Constance being dead one called Martin succeeded him who held that Seat but a very small time and had for Successor Aimé du quart who had been Chanon and Chanter of the Church at Lyons He found himself likewise to be in the same troubles as his Predecessors occasioned by the differences betwixt the Earl of Savoy and Genevois and inclining sometimes to one side and sometimes to the other he caused himself to be suspected by both parties Amé Earl of Genevois built the Castle of Gaillard a League distant from Geneva from whence he made inroads into Savoy Nevertheless he paid Homage to the Church for several Lands and made an Alliance with the Bishop and Commonalty of Geneva This Bishop made a remarkable Decree to wit That they should begin the year from Christmas and not as heretofore from Easter And in the year following he made a Declaration by consent of the Earl of Savoy touching the Office of the Vidame or Steward The enmity continued betwixt the two Earls Amé III. Son of Amé the II. Earl of Genevois would drive away Edward who was then Earl of Savoy and hinder his settling himself in Geneva where he continually strengthned himself Fain would he have gotten the other out that he might come in and joyning with the Dauphin Hugues he deals with the Governour of the Castle of Entremont who was the Earl of Savoy's Vassal and so far prevails with him as to obtain liberty to put in there a Garrison from the Dauphin Whereupon the Earl to whom this place was of importance leaves Geneva to take if possible this Castle again But whilst he was busied about this Siege the Earl of Genevois accompanied with the Dauphin Lord of Focigny came to the Bridge of Arve where he desired to speak with some Chanons and Citizens who inclined to his side He shews them they could promise to themselves no advantage in driving him away and receiving in his stead the Earl of Savoy who had deserted them in their necessities that he could if he pleased enter by force and put all to Fire and Sword were he not withheld by the fear of God the respect which he had for S. Peter who was Patron of the City and the kindness which he had for them who took his part in it That he had more right than his Enemy and that if they would not receive him as a Friend he would treat them as Enemies The Deputies finding his request reasonable made an alliance with him under which they also comprehended the Dauphin mutually promising to defend one another and maintain the Priviledges of the City But when it came to have the peoples consent they of the Faction of Savoy would by no means hear of it so that one half of the Town took up Arms against the other The Captain of the Castle in the Isle was for the Earl of Savoy and he of the Borough of Four for the Earl of Genevois Each of which parties betook themselves to these two Captains The first of these puts in a Garrison into S Peters and under the Piazzas whilst the others introduce the Earl of Genevois and Dauphin into the City by the Ivâ—ry-Gate called then by the name of Porta aquaria with both his Horse and Foot. Notwithstanding all which the Faction of Savoy prepares to encounter them animated by Widon Tavel Guiges of S. Apre Vincent Frombert and Perissodin of Bourdignin who were principal Men amongst them The Earl of Genevois was routed one hundred thirty and two being left dead upon the place The Conquerors lay hold on the chief of the contrary Faction causing Jacquemet and Peter Bosselets to be hanged and confiscated the Goods of several others of their accomplices In the Month of August these two Lords
their goods in the City for fear of him where likewise it was no sooner night but the Masters called to their men to keep fast their doors for fear of Mortel which afterwards became a proverb but all their care did not avail them for he broke in every where especially where they were most cautious of him he seemed to be not so much sollicitous after the mony as how he should do his work dexterously for he took but small summs only to spend with his Comrades whether he did his work by slight of hand or by charms it is uncertain yet it is reported of him that he so enchanted the people that they lost all ability of speaking or resisting The first thing he did when he came in was to take the Keys even from under the Master of the houses pillow although awake he opened the Cup board Sellar door lighted a Candle laid the Cloth eat and drank no body hindring him The next morning after this he usually went to the Tavern with his companions the Vintners received him gladly for besides his being a good Customer to them he never defrauded them of any thing when he wanted mony he would bid his Host to seek in the Corner of such a Chamber which perhaps no body had entred a long time where they were sure to find their due to a farthing Every body wondered he was not punished by the Magistrates he was indeed several times imprisoned but the Syndicks dared not act contrary to their Laws and Customs which were to condemn no man without his own Confession for when he suffered the Rack he was more firm and constant in denying the truth than a Martyr could be in confessing it whether this came through want of the sense of pain or that he was so stout as to despise it so that he valued the Rack no more than a fillip for when he was stretched upon it he would pretend to have been exceedingly tortured and would desire them to take him off promising to confess the fact but when he was questioned about it he would answer Well what would you have me say repeating their words after them and desiring them to give him the other stroak for the sake of the Ladies He died not such a death as he deserved though dreadful enough for he was seized with the Plague so vehemently as that it took away his speech his Mother who attended him in his sickness fearing he should escape it and come one day to be hanged put him into a Coffin and caused him to be buried alive Duke Philbert died in the flower of his age of a cold gotten in hunting and being a good and virtuous Prince he was much lamented by Geneva especially who met not with the same good qualities in Charles the second his successor It was four years before he came to Geneva though he had often promised it which put the City to a needless charge in their preparations for him whilst in the mean time his Officers frequently violated the peoples Rights and Priviledges The Duke had daily complaints made of this but he did not regard it Monaton Secretary to the Bishops Chancellour having been dispatched to Ancy where the Duke then kept his Court to obtain Letters in favour of the City as to the maintaining of its Priviledges brought others exceeding his Commission There were sent other Deputies to annul what the former had done and were commanded to carry the President of Divonne a present who then governed to the value of one hundred Crowns Duke Charles being at difference with them of Valey required help from Geneva who sent him two hundred men under the Command of Captain Burdignin The Duke not contented with this sent for six piece of Ordnance which was fairly denied him being answered that those few they had were only sufficient for the guard of the Town upon which Rollet Nicholas who held a correspondence with the Duke sent him an account of those who had chiefly opposed his request who were Peter Faccon Levrery de Fonte Hurich and some others whom the Duke vowed to destroy The three first of these warned of this withdrew to Fribourg where they purchased the freedom of that City only paying a Crown every year by which means they might live safely at Geneva under the protection of this Canton and so avoid the Dukes displeasure who would not enter the Town nor swear to maintain its priviledges till Levrery was delivered into his hands The Prothonotary of Aux who was since Bishop succeeding Amblard Goyet Abbot of Filly in the charge of the Bishops Chancellor cast Levrery into Prison but his friends giving notice thereof immediately to Fribourg that City sent their Deputies with all speed to procure his release and from that time the Duke ceased his violences on Geneva fearing the Confederates yet his Officers brought in divers innovations contrary to the Cities Priviledges for which cause Levrery was sent to complain to the Bishop who was then in Piedmont and Anthony Pecolat to the Duke who having after long expectation now resolved to come to Geneva they presented him with two little barrels of Silver and the Dutchess his mother with a Vermilion Cup gilt with Gold weighing nine ounces At length he comes having first taken an Oath to observe the Priviledges and Liberties of the Town and made farther declaration wherein he acknowledged he had no power or jurisdiction in Geneva in these following Terms For asmuch as our well beloved the Syndicks and Council of the City of Geneva at our request have permitted us to keep our Court in the Hall over against the Statehouse during our residence we therefore attest and acknowledge this concession not to have proceeded from any sense of duty or acknowledgment of right from the Syndicks and Council but purely out of good will which we do not design shall extend to the prejudice of the Liberties of the said City After this he soon returned to Anecy Philip of Savoy Bishop of Geneva not liking the Ecclesiastical State having presided fifteen years gave his place to Charles of Seyssel brother to the Baron of Aix who had been chosen seventeen years before but driven out by Champion Philip was by his brother made Earl of Genevois and afterwards betook himself to King Francis the first who gave him the Dukedom of Nemours marrying Charlotte of the house of Longueville in the year 1528. he died at Marseilles and was buried at Anecy Charles of Seyssel was of a sweet and pleasant temper but unlearned and imprudent He made a journey to Strasburg at the Cities charge to request of Maximilian King of the Romans a Confirmation of the Cities Liberties Authorized by an Edict made by the Emperor Frederick Barberousse by which it appeared the City was free and exempt from some certain dues which were claimed at that time from her It was in the
year following that the Walls about the Suburbs of S. Gervais were finished for the necessary expences of which there was an Excise laid on Wine and Mony raised by way of loan The Duke likewise gave his assistance but they procured a Writing under his hand that he sent workmen to advance the work not as a Prince who had right to the Town but onely out of kindness as a neighbour but his after-carriage answered not these his declarations He was a Mediator of the Peace made betwixt the King of France and the Confederate Switzers which induced him to believe his credit was so great with the King that with the joynt sollicitation of the Confederate Switzers he should be able to procure the establishment of the Fairs in Geneva from which he promised himself a double advantage First for that he should have Toll paid him for the goods brought through his Country And Secondly get footing in Geneva and by degrees subject it to himself He got then the Confederates to insert this Article in their Treaty and to send at the same time Deputies to Geneva promising them again their Fairs if they would agree to these following Articles First That the City and Bishop should appoint an Officer to keep account of the profit of each Fair one third part of which should be given to the Duke Bishop and City Secondly That the City should once a year make a Present to the Duke Thirdly That the warding the Gates should belong to the Duke during the time of the Fairs Fourthly That the Duke should have henceforward Fines paid for every new building both in City and Suburbs All which was proposed to the Consideration of a general Council assembled the twenty second of July and was as generally rejected the Duke gave not over his pursuit for this but tried other ways which were likewise to as little purpose the meeting held at Baden no more answered his expectation than the former Corn being very dear in this year Francis Mallet Governor of Berne and Dean of the Chappel of the Maccabees a native of Chambery lent to the Lords of the City his Plate which they caused to be Coyned to buy Corn which was given to the poor and for a requital was made a Citizen gratis In this year there was an insurrection of the people against the Vidame or Steward Aymé Consilii the occasion of it was this There were two Prisons in Geneva and to each of them a Jaylor one was only for the Clergy and was called the Bishoprick the other for Laymen in the Isle of Rhosne of which the Vidame was Governor having under him a Jaylor who having been excommunicated for a certain summ of mony which he owed and not obeying the sentence was aggravated and the Creditor would constrain him by the Bishops Authority the Bishops Treasurer went to the Isle to take him and carried him to the Bishoprick giving him in Charge to the Jaylor of that Prison the Vidame supposing the Bishops Officers had not any such power on the Dukedom demanded his Prisoner of the Bishops Jaylor which he refused excusing himself in as much as he dared not do it without his masters consent The Vidame enraged at his denial caused his Sergeant to seize on him and carry him to the Prison of the Isle which coming to the Treasurers ear he ran about the City crying out like a mad man help help Gentlemen against the Vidame who imprisons our Princes Officers for doing their duty the people thereupon tumultuously gather about the Vidame's house and would break open the doors but some in Authority coming in the mean time the Vidame surrendred himself to them and so there followed no other mischief he was carried to the Bishops Prison but at length this breach was made up and the Prisoners on both sides released notwithstanding the Duke when he heard of this was not satisfied but came from Chambery to Geneva with the Bishop desiring to have these mutinous persons as he called them punished but the Bishop having made full inquiry into the business found that the Vidame was in the wrong which he shewed the Duke but he was not thereat satisfied for that which was reason to the Bishop was not the same to the Duke The former of these thought they which had laid hold on the Vidame had reason to maintain his Authority as being their Prince and the Duke on the other side believed they had proceeded contrary to equity forasmuch as he esteemed himself Prince of Geneva he would therefore have the Bishop put to death the Authors of this Sedition whom he thought were those who had obtained the freedom of Fribourg for he would not do it by his own Authority lest he should provoke this Canton and the Bishop not consenting he was so enraged against him as to tell him he had made him Bishop but he would deprive him of that dignity and make him the poorest Priest in his Diocess but the Bishop dying at Moirane some time after his return from our Lady of Puy saved him that labour Geneva much lamented his loss having been ever a maintainer of the Priviledges both of Church and State. The Pope and Duke having heard of the Bishops decease were both concerned in the choice of a Successor The Pope would dispose of it as he had done heretofore but the Clergy and Laity of Geneva would not lose their right in this affair whereupon they betake themselves to their Arms and shut the City Gates assembling in S. Peters Church to chuse their Bishop they could not pitch upon a fitter person that Amé of Gingins Abbot of Beamont and they were induced to such a choice by these following considerations He was a Chanon and of a noble and ancient family and moreover allied and beloved by the Confederates who held at that time a good correspondency with Pope Julius the second he was also very zealous for the Liberties and Priviledges of both Church and State and of a very comely personage whose onely fault was that he was too great a lover of the female Sex. The Chapter then having chosen him by the peoples consent dispatched a Messenger to the Confederate Cantons desiring their commendatory Letters to the Pope to obtain his Confirmation which being obtained the Envoy sets forward to Rome all at this good Bishops charge but the Lords of Savoy were not all this while asleep for John of Savoy Prothonotary of Aâ—x whom we have heretofore mentioned got the start of him who is the same whom the Author of the Book called Christian Gaul terms John Francis of Savoy and whom Severt takes for the Bishop John Lewis John of Savoy was born at Anger 's being son to a poor woman of the said Town who could not be lavish of that which she never had although free enough of her body she lived in the same condition when the Bishop of
complain'd they could not attend so much to the Government of the City and seeing the Bishop laid aside all business it were better to depute Judges for this matter Which proposal being approved Claudius Richardet was chosen Steward and had Four Assistants allotted him who have been since called Auditors This having been heretofore the Vidame's Office the Bishop was sent to for his approbation of this choice who was at that time in the Franche-Comté He privately told the Deputies He was very well satisfied but he would have his consent concealed from the Duke because he did not like to be troubled with him for he had promised never to come into Geneva but in the Dukes company There were sent other Deputies to him who were not suffered to speak with him In the year following the Plague raging in Geneva there was one Michael Caddoz who pretending to be struck with it desired to be put into the Hospital Which being granted and his forty days expired he began to acquaint himself with the Keeper of the Hospital with the Priest and several poor People belonging to it who commonly for a small gain were wont to perfume and clean the Sores of the infected Caddoz finding them disposed to hearken to his pernicious designs he thereupon proposes to them an infallible means to get mony in bringing the Plague where it had not yet been especially in great Houses whose Estates might fall to them by Inheritance or otherwise they might pilfer without controul They needed not much entreaty all the difficulty lay in the manner how they should effect this They concluded then to make a pestilential powder of Linen-rags with which they had wiped the Sores of the sick and to disperse them in several places Caddoz passing then one day over the Bridge of Rhosne let fall a Linen-Cloth thinking no body had seen him but a certain Person perceiving he had dropt something cried out This Rascal Caddoz hath let fall a Cloth in which I believe there 's not any thing of value which said he would have taken it up Another more cautious bid him have a care what he handled They therefore with a Stick tumbled open this packet from whence proceeded such a stink as infected the whole Bridge no Body knowing whence it came There was a Woman sent for lately recovered of the Plague who seeing it said It was the matter of a Plague-sore The Syndicks informed of the business caused Caddoz to be apprehended and carried to the Bishoprick where he was examined It being asked him what was in that Cloth he had dropt He replied It was the Corruption of a venereal Cancer in his Leg. Being questioned what moved him to do it He answered There were several who jeared him because he had the Pox whereupon he in revenge would give it them The Magistrates not content with this answer ordered him to be put upon the Rack He then confessed it was designed for to breed the Plague He was examined again wherefore he did it and having told them who were his Accomplices and their designs they were apprehended and he and the Keeper of the Hospital had their Flesh torn off with red hot Pinchers their Heads cut off and their Bodies quartered the Priest was degraded and afterwards executed The Keeper of the Hospital's Son was much pitied being very young but a word slipt from him which cost him his life for being demanded if he knew how to make this Drug as well as his Father He replied Yes and so was beheaded and immediately after the Plague ceased In the Month following the Genevoises having granted to Ronnivard a monthly allowance of four Crowns and a half in consideration of the loss of the Revenues of S. Victor which the Savoyards had seized on and which he had bequeathed after his Death to the City of Geneva The Duke being informed thereof endeavoured to do him an injury He had to draw him into his Dominions given him a Letter of Safe-conduct with which he went to Seâ—ssel to visit his Mother who lay sick being very ancient A while after he went to the Bishop at Modon where there was held an Assembly He became acquainted with Francis Neel who called himself Monsieur of Bellegarde he trusted a Gentleman whom he gave him for his Guide and Companion to Lausane but he was betrayed by this perfidious Wretch For he had no sooner come up to the top of Mount Jura but he was set upon by one called Rosey of Thonon who had espoused one of D. Philberts Bastards and Bishop Eyries the Duke of Beaufort's Bastard These were two desperate Villains who having spent their Estates needed a Recruit which they expected from Bonnivard Their Accomplices at Modon had observed his Purse and it being full of Parpilloles which was a Coin used in those days of small value all of them which he had about him not amounting to above twenty Crowns of Gold they believed each piece was a Crown It was known since the Duke did not give order to take him but Bellegarde and the others having written to him about it he consented he should be detained Bonnivard perceiving he was like to be set upon spur'd on his Horse but being not well mounted he could not ride far they soon overtaking him Nevertheless he lost not his Courage but clapt his hand to his Sword but his guide planting himself before him gave the others opportunity to enclose him they took him and then carried him away to Chillon where he remained Prisoner six years and an half the first two years he was not kept close Prisoner but the rest of the time he spent in a Dungeon which lay lower than the Lake in which the Duke when he was at Chillon caused him to be put During all which time he was not examined nor put upon the Rack At last when the Bernoises had taken the Country of Vaud they drew him out thence It was observed that he had hollowed and worn the Rock by much walking in the Dungeon The Bishop favoured the Insultings of the Gentlemen of the Spoon for his Letters dated from Arbois were intercepted in which he gave Commission to chastise his rebellious Subjects of Geneva who intrenched upon his Authority One of the hottest of these Gentlemen was called Monsieur of Alussans who killed one day a Merchant of Geneva's Servant in the Country of Vaud The Deputations from the Allies to the Duke availed nothing because he could not hinder this disorder and was moreover glad to see the Genevoises damnified Notice was given that these Gentlemen having gathered Soldiers from all Parts were resolved to make themselves Masters of the Town three days after the Feast of S. Michael and to put all to the Sword. An account of which was sent to Berne and Fribourg the City in the mean time standing upon their guard and continued to strengthen themselves There was a Skirmish passed betwixt them and the
the Bishop came purposely to Chambery to resign his Bishoprick to Monsieur of Bresse his son which would be a means of involving their Allies of Geneva in farther troubles wherefore they intreated him to let them live in peace and to observe the Agreements made at S. Julien and Payerne A Plot was discovered of some Citizens dealing with the Bishop about his coming again and extirpation of the Protestants The Syndicks having learnt the day before the enterprize was to begin that the Bishop was at Salleneure and that the Nobility of Savoy had raised great numbers of Soldiers who were to surprize the Town very early the next morning they thereupon at nine of the Clock at night caused the people to arm themselves and to keep strict watch The Conspirators were to give notice to them without by a fire to be made in some place from whence it might be best seen The City Smith was designed to open the Gates and several Pieces of Ordnance which commanded the Lake were left on purpose without Ammunition The Bishop was within two Leagues of the City near the Village of Leluyset and every thing seemed to favour them But they within from whom most was expected and who were to meet together at Molard under a Red Colours were constrained to keep within doors for fear of the Guards which were doubled The Enemies had sent two persons to see if the Gates of Rive and S. Anthonie were open But when they saw they were fast shut and that there was a Torch in S. Peter's Steeple which shewed that they within expected their coming they cried out one to another We are betrayed we shall never enter into Geneva seeing we have failed this bout So that this contrivance was rendred ineffectual by the care of the Syndicks The Enemies finding themselves next Morning near Gergonant retired Drum beating and their Colours flying contenting themselves with only plundering some Country houses and leading away Prisoner Peter Vandel who was returned by way of exchange for Monsieur of Coudreé who was detained at Geneva upon his account The Bishop withdrew into Burgundy whence he came and some time after turned his Officers at Geneva out of their places chusing new ones in their stead and removed his Court to Gex He designed to have had the Seal of the Bishoprick from Geneva but the City would not send it him The Deputies of Geneva represented their grievances to the General Assembly held at Baden and the Bernoises sent to the Duke to have them redressed But he gave them no satisfaction he likewise complaining against the Genevoises who had battered his Arms in the Castle of the Isle and pulled down his Altar at S. Francis of Rive and had excluded him from the Vidomnat or Stewardship which he would have restored him He required moreover that they would receive their Bishop again The Genevoises made answer they would stand to the Agreement made at S. Julien and Payerne And as to what concerned the Bishop they durst not trust him and therefore would not permit his entrance There was a meeting held at Thonon and another at Lucern where the Deputies of Berne and Geneva could effect nothing The City received Letters from the French-King informing them that out of respect to them and the Bernoises he had set at liberty two Genevoises who had been apprehended at Lyons for their Religion viz. Baudichon and Cologny entreating them to do the like by Furbity which they would not consent to before they had leave from the Bernoises through whose means he had been all this while detained Their consent was obtained yet he was not set at liberty till the end of the year by way of exchange for Mr. Saunier a Minister whom the Duke kept Prisoner in Piedmont In the Month of February in the Year following a Grey Frier of S. Francis's Order came and presented himself to the Syndicks that he might be permitted to preach who having requested the Chanons of S. Peter to lend him their Pulpit they would not grant it But the Curate of S. Germans offering him the use of his Church he began to preach on the first Sunday in Lent and held on till Easter It was known before-hand that he was a Protestant as well as the Curate of S. Germans Thomas Vandel who had been one of the Chanons of S. Peter About this time the Protestant party was the strongest there being three Syndicks of it They kept constantly with them a Captain and a Herald of Berne under pretence of the differences between the Duke and them but in effect to authorise their party and prevent their being molested They likewise encreased by the additional numbers of Protestants in France who being persecuted in their own Country withdrew to Geneva There was amongst others a Woman of the Borough in Bresse who came there under pretence of Religion but was executed for attempting to take away the lives of three Ministers by putting poyson in their Mess of Broth but there was none but Viret who eat of it and thought he sould have died with it She accused the Chanon of Orsiers for confederacy with her who was by the Syndicks order imprisoned On Ascension Eve the Genevoises at Eleven of the Clock at Night went to surprize the Castle of Penay with 500 Men and 7 pieces of Cannon They within although they were but few in number yet defended themselves most couragiously they lost but one Man but the Genevoises two or three besides several that were wounded The Night being spent to no purpose and the Country round about being alarmed by break of day they prepared to relieve the besieged which made the Assailants withdraw This caused them of Penay to begin again to molest Geneva and that the more eagerly because the chiefest of them were for their obstinacy condemned to pay a Fine to the City of 100000 Crowns These disorders obliged them to finish the walling in of S. Gervais and to pull down the other Suburbs Some days after the Bishops Chancellor and the Judge in Secular Matters who had removed themselves to Gex cited the Gray Friers of Rive to make their appearance because on the first of May Father James Bernard Guardian of the Convent who was Lewis Bernard's Brother who had forsaken the Convent the year before had caused Bills to be pasted up in the principal places of the City wherein he openly declared his acknowledgment of the truth and that he determined to maintain publick Theses touching the Mass the Invocation of Saints and such like points These Disputations were to begin on the 30th of May in the Convent of Rive The Bishop strictly forbad the Catholicks of his Diocess and the Duke his Subjects to appear there On the contrary the Syndicks encouraged both Parties to meet there promising both should have a fair Hearing These disputations lasted till S. John's day There were but two
Country of Vaud viz. Lausane and Yverdun which surrendred on composition The Castle of Chillon gave them more trouble and the Genevoises sent thither their Frigate to besiege it likewise by Water It being at length surrendred there were found in it several Prisoners amongst whom was Bonnivard Prior of S. Victor who had been a long time confined to his Dungeon as we have already observed The Valesans taking the advantage of these disorders took up Arms and possessed themselves of one part of Chablais which reached as far as the River of Dranse The Genevoises having made themselves Masters of Jussy Thy Peney Gaillard Bellerive and Seligny settled Officers in these places having first demolished the Castle of Gaillard The Syndicks published an Order enjoyning every one to go to Church and hear Sermons utterly abolishing the Mass An Oath having been administred to the People and an Inscription set up over the Town-house in Letters of Gold in memorial of this and their deliverance by succours from Berne They erected a Freeâ—School at Rive and chose Anthony Saunier chief Master of it The Country People kept still to the Catholick Religion The Magistrates caused a Convocation of all the Priests in their Jurisdiction to be held who were told by the Principal Syndick Farel and Bonnivard being then present That if they did not make it appear from the Holy Scriptures before Whit-Sunday That the Mass and other Popish Institutions were approved of by God they should no longer be permitted the exercise of them The ancientest of them in the name of all the rest made this ingenious reply My Lords said he We are not a little surprized at this suddain command to forsake without any farther deliberation a Religion which hath been received for so many Ages as holy and safe without the least conviction of the contrary Ye have indeed left this Religion but not in a moment of time as ye expect we should do seeing ye have had several Sermons for your instruction And although we are your most humble Subjects yet are we nevertheless Christians Redeemed by the Blood of Christ as well as your selves and as much concerned for our own Salvation as ye can be for yours We therefore intreat you for our Saviours sake our common Lord That you would give us the same liberty ye have taken your selves Send us Preachers who can instruct and shew us wherein we err and then if they can convince us we shall without further delay follow your example and submit our selves wholly to your disposal The chief Syndick having heard this answer caused them to withdraw that he might consult on the matter Bonnivard was of opinion it were expedient to grant their request and not to force their Consciences but to inform them for if they should shew themselves so light said he as to pass so soon and easily from one Religion to another it was to be feared they would on the next occasion return to the old one again Whereas Farel on the contrary being less moderate answered him saying Will you hinder the immediate work of God And proceeding in his Exhortations he made the Lords consent to his opinion The Priests were again sent for in and had the same command laid on them as before Some who said Mass privately in the City were found out and brought to Farel who sharply reprehended them The Country People were enraged at this and would have returned as bad or rather worse usage to the Ministers who preached about in the Villages had they not been well guarded The Bernoises insisted still on their old demands and there was a Meeting appointed to be held in Berne to decide fairly this difference The Alliance between the two Cities was confirmed to last for 25 Years on these conditions That the Genevoises should pay in six Months time to the Bernoises the summ of ten thousand Crowns for the charge of the War that they should give them entrance into their City as oft as they had occasion and that they should quit to them the Lordship of Gaillard the Abby of Bellerive and the Castle of Cholex The Genevoises keeping in their own possession the Vidomnat or Stewardship the Revenues of the Bishoprick and of the Priory of S. Victor which they designed as a maintenance for Ministers and the Hospital It was about this time that John Calvin of Noyon in Picardy accompanied with his Brother Anthony Calvin intending to retire into to Basle or Strasbourg and leaving by reason of the Wars the direct Road came to pass through Geneva not intending to tarry there Yet Farel knowing him to be a learned Man would needs retain him Which he would not a long time consent to till Farel was so urgent with him as to admit of no denial desiring him only to read Lectures in Divinity A while after the Bernoises caused publick Disputations to be held at Lausane to which he was called together with Farel and Viret who was now become a Preacher The Protestant Religion was confirmed by these Disputes and the Catholick banished The Bernoises would have had the Monks of Payerne to receive the Protestant Doctrine but they refused it being upheld by the Fribourgers who had an equal right with the Bernoises in this Abby And upon this account these two Cantons were like to have engaged in a War. The latter of these had already sent to Geneva for 200 Men to assist them but the other Cantons interposing they were made Friends In the Month of March in the Year following there came a stranger out of the North Country who publickly disputed against Farel and the other Ministers before the great Council maintaining amongst the rest That the Baptizing of Infants was unlawful and that the Sacrament of Baptism ought not to be administered to any but to those who could give an account of their Faith. Farel proved the contrary and convinced him of several other Errors held by the Anabaptists He was together with his Companions banished the City from whence they went to Switzerland where the Bernoises caused some of them to be put to death The Ministers had another Disputation with one Carolyn who undertook to prove the lawfulness of the Mass and Prayers for the dead The Magistrates of Berne having heard both Parties at Lausane banished Carolyn out of their Dominions Farel compiled a form of Confession which was read every Sunday in S. Peter's Church But the Bernoises complained that these Constitutions were not agreeable with theirs for they observed still some chief Festivals and used unleavened Bread in the Sacrament and married Women after the old custom with their Hair discheveled which Farel did not approve He was present at the Synod of Berne consisting of 300 Divines from Switzerland Strasbourg and other neighbouring Countries who rejected the opinion of Consubstantiation or Corporeal presence of Christ in the Sacrament which some at that time held
three of the Clock in the Morning on Sunday the Twelfth of the said Month he standing in the Ditch and encouraging them so that having gotten down into the City some of them marched directly to the new Gate endeavouring to force it open and to bring in their main body to assist them which lay at Plein-Palais others would have gained the Gate of Monnoye to enter by this means into the heart of the City but it hath pleased our good God to look down upon us with an eye of pitty and to encourage our men in such a manner that they drove them back and slew the greatest part of them some have been taken and hanged since by our Order The remaining part have cast themselves down from the Walls so that several of them being wounded have died thereupon This is a marvelous deliverance which God hath wrought for us and for which we are bound to praise him But it being very likely that the said Sieur Albigny intends to prosecute his design and in as much as we do also understand that his Highness lies not far hence we therefore earnestly intreat you that you would please to take into your Consideration the prejudice his Majesty would suffer by the taking of this City and to continue your favour towards us and to assist us by your wise and prudent Counsel The King was immediately informed that Geneva was taken the design appearing so likely to take effect that there was less reason to doubt of it than to believe it He was not undeceived till he received Letters from the Sieur de la Guiche which preceded the account which the City published His Majesty vouchsafed to write to them of Geneva Letters full of sincere affection and becoming the generosity of so glorious a Monarch The Contents of the Letter were as follows Most dear and well beloved I Have heard to my great grief of the enterprize made on your City by the Duke of Savoy's Subjects and having known how couragiously ye have repelled and chastised them let me tell you I am heartily glad thereat I have promised my assistance to preserve your City and have told the Duke as much by word of mouth when I last saw him and likewise them who have come from him an occasion then now offering it self I am resolved to shew you effectually what I then did put promise hoping that God will revenge the breach of those Protestations and Oaths which have been made at the Treaties of Vervins and Lyons I cannot yet guess what the Dukes after-Designs may be nor yet what need you may have of my help which shall neither be refused you nor deferred and having not as yet understood what resolutions ye have taken in this affair with our other Allies and Confederates I shall defer the discovering of my thoughts to you till I understand yours and then I shall be better able to judge of the Remedy which we must use in a matter of so great importance you will oblige me in sending notice of whatsoever shall occur and what you shall resolve upon touching this last occasion In the mean time I will tell you if the Duke sets upon you either by open force or fraud you shall not want my assistance and if occasion requires it my person too howsoever let me have notice how he deals with you I intend without delay to Write to all the Governors and Lieutenant-Generals of my Provinces who are near you to watch diligently over you and assist you at your need to their utmost power and that with the same care and diligence as if it were for the saving of the most important places of my Kingdom under their Government I beseech God most dear and loving friends to have you in his holy keeping Written at Paris the Eighth of January 1603. Signed Henry and underneath de Neuf-ville The day wherein the Walls were scaled had been a day of trouble and confusion to every body in general but it had like to have proved double dangerous to the Syndicks for on Saturday night a man came to the Gate of Rive to give notice of the Enemies approaches which news was carried to the chief Syndick who remitted the affair to the fourth Syndick who was a savourer of the Enemy so that this was like sending a Patient from the Physician to the Hangman The people who could not brook this proceeding considering the danger threatning them and what they had already sufferred determined thereupon to be revenged on these two Syndicks but they were so prudent or fearful as to keep their Chambers till noon the time when the Prisoners were led to execution the people then running to behold this spectacle were taken off from the thoughts of being revenged on them The Sermons at night allayed the heats of some One of the Senators had made answer when they went to him for the keys of the Arsenal to take out Arms Surely these are not Birds to flie thus over the Walls not believing it was possible for them to get in In the beginning of the Year there arose a great difference in the general Council in the choice of Syndicks by reason of the scaling the Walls which had hapned three weeks before for fear they should fall into the hands of some Magistrates ill affected to the publick At length there was chosen John Maillet John du Pan John Favres and John Budé which gave occasion to this Proverb We are at S. John ' s and because that the Lieutenant too was named John Rillet Maillet was soon after clapt up in Prison upon suspicion of Treason and likewise for that contrary to his Oath he had betrayed the Liberties of the City in the case of the Village of Moin at the instance of one of his Creditors who was a Counsellor in Berne He remained a Prisoner seven years and at length was released and withdrew with his family into Savoy where he had a small Pension allowed him but not sufficient to maintain him so that he was forced to live very sparingly he died in the year 1625. having persevered in his Religion amongst them of the contrary party He was much pittied being a man learned for it was he who composed those neat Inscriptions which are to be seen in the Bishops Palace The Duke gave out that the principal motive which induced him to make the late attempt on Geneva was the establishment of the Catholick Religion amongst them for the promoting of so good a work he having neither spared his Soldiers his Treasure nor his Person But the Genevoises replied thereupon that he took not the way to shew himself zealous for Religion when he gave such a plain demonstration how little he valued his Oath and that doubtless God would not let them escape unpunished who had taken his name in vain On the other side the Earl of Tournon his Hignesses Resident amongst the Cantons came from Fribourg to Berne for to make
this following Harangue to the Lords of that City and to endeavor to palliate the matter according to the instructions sent him from the Duke by his Secretary Caron These were his Words Most Mighty Lords c. FRom the day and hour I heard of the enterprize against Geneva I was desirous of nothing more than of knowing from my Soveraign Lord and Prince how the matter really had passed to the end that I might in the name of his Highness inform your Lordships and other affectionate Friends seeing that in such like affairs false Reports never fail to be spread abroad by the Adversaries For being destitute of all lawful reasons and equity they have endeavoured to colour over their bad cause to the dishonour and prejudice of his Highness and to render him odious to his friends Wherefore having been advertised by his Highness as well by word of mouth as by writing and also by his Secretary who is joyned with me in this affair of the whole truth of the matter and having received an express charge to communicate the same unto you according to the good correspondence which ought to be amongst Neighbours to the end ye may no longer doubt of my Masters good will and affection My self I say and his Secretary would not be wanting likewise to inform you according to the instructions given us of this late undertaking this then in short is the true account of it Your Lordships know very well the reasons moving his Highness to make the late War against the City of Geneva it being upon the account of the Tallies Imposts and other ordinary Charges on the Estates which the Genevoises hold in his Highnesses Dominions They were sollicited and intreated to submit to reason and equity after the same manner as their other Neighbours who possess Estates in his Highnesses Countries But they on the other side have never ceased from making their complaints and representing their cause to his Majesty of France as also to your Lordships although they have been rebuked by several noble Lords about his Majesty for their unseasonable requests and sent back to make satisfaction to those equitable demands after the same manner as your Lordships have dealt with them Yet have they still obstinately continued in their unjust pretensions and have not only endeavoured by force to maintain their pretended right as his Highness hath been well informed but endeavouring moreover contrary to his Highness's declaration to bring and convey into their City Corn which ought not to be transported out of his Highness's Countries for the relief of his Subjects and to preserve in store against time of need so that they have by this means infringed and violated this Edict for which just causes and reasons his Highness had a design of bringing Geneva to Reason but he hath deferred his resentments till some other opportunity especially till his Highness can be present in his own person to prevent all mischief and confusion which commonly happens in such like occasions But forasmuch as the said Genevoises do alledge the priviledges granted them by your predecessors of blessed memory against the pretensions of hs Higness they are of no validity seeing they have not acquitted themselves in what they were obliged to on their parts and have by this means made void their priviledges And thus it is likewise in the claims which they lay to the Treaty as if they were comprehended in it and included with his Majesty of France and the Duke of Savoy my Master whereas it ought to be considered in this case they have no grounds or reasons for their pretensions for it is certain they cannot be understood under this word of Allies seeing they are not in League with all the Cantons of Switzerland and that they have not been expressly specified and named as the other Allies and so consequently could they not be inserted in his Highness's absence against his will and pleasure as being a party principally concerned Moreover I will not forbear to tell your Lordships that his Highness has been credibly informed that my Lord Esdiguieres designed to surprize the said City which had he effected it would have proved highly prejudicial to his Highness and to your selves and therefore his Highness thought it his most prudent course to prevent him But lest your Lordships should suspect that he had any design against you his ancient Neighbours with whom he hath all this while held so good a correspondence He hath therefore withdrawn his men on this side the Mountains resolving to keep up a good understanding with you as his predecessors had done before him and for this effect he will maintain and encourage all Traffick and Commerce betwixt the two States expecting in the mean time an answer from you which we hope will prove satisfactory to our desires and worthy your resolutions This Harangue of the Earl of Tournon was heard by the Council of Berne yet did it not satisfie them for they dismissed both him and the Secretary without answer and had they not speedily departed it is very probable the people forgetting the respect due to persons of their quality would have affronted them so much did they slight his apology for an attempt which was not only condemned by them but as it is said by all Europe and even by the Pope himself The Duke of Boüillon passing about that time through Geneva was desirous of being informed of all the circumstances of the enterprize and went to see the places where they entred and made their efforts In the mean time they of Geneva strengthened by the Troops of their Allies and several French Soldiers both Horse and Foot whom the King permitted to assist them maintained themselves against the Garrisons with which they were surrounded and drove away them who approached their Walls they cut down the Trees about the City to take away all shelter for the Enemy and made several incursions into the Countries of Savoy and surprized the City of S. Genis d' Aoste where they setled the Baron of Vilars Governor from whence they continually molested the Dukes Subjects and kept Chambery in exercise marching many times up to their Gates and had it not been for the death of a valorous Gentleman named Monsieur de Nesle Chambery would have run the same risque as S. Genis The King gave order to de Vic his Ambassador in Switzerland that in his return home through Geneva he should assure the Citizens that he was not one of them who only love their friends whilst they advantage themselves by them and that he would never be wanting to defend and protect them he therefore desired to know of them the means they intended to use in making an offensive War to the end that the succours which he should send them might be profitably imployed They received the Sieur of Vic with the greatest respect and heard his general proposals and particular remonstrances which tended rather to exhort them to a
intentions as Henry the Fourth and then it would be too late to repent So that upon this different advice the Common-Council remitted the business to be determined by the Council of 200 and they to the General-Council These French â—Lords interpreting these delays to be a kind of mannerly denial departed home and there was no mention made of it afterwards In the first day of the following Year the Foundations of a Bulwark were laid near the Lake the better to defend and fortifie the Gate of Rive and it was finished in the Month of October following There was an Inscription Graven in Stone for an acknowledgment of a Present made the City of 12000 Crowns by the Landgrave of Hesse who had passed through it and of 6000 which the Prince Palatin had given them which was a great help towards carrying on the work The City acquired every day learned Men and lost them as fast Charles Perrot a knowing Divine and very Charitable to the Poor died about this time He was a Man of an exemplary Life but of a strange humor causing himself to be called always Peccator for which some blamed him saying That this smelt of the Monk. His hands were always lifted up towards Heaven a great contemner he was of the World and its Vanities and a great admirer of Antiquity His care for the Poor caused several abuses to be reformed in the Administration of the Revenues belonging to the Hospital which were consumed before in feastings He wrote a Book Intituled De extremis in Ecclesia vitandis which made some disturbance and was suppressed after his death In the War-time there were appointed extraordinary Prayers to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays but one Minister not being sufficient to perform all these Offices they reduced it to Fridays only There were likewise Proposals made touching the reducing the Sermons made on Week days to the number of them of S. Magdalens Church to save the allowance which must be made to a Minister But the Consistory would not hear of it chusing rather to give them another Collegue King Henry the Fourth granted in the same Year Letters of Naturalization to the Genevoises to free them from the Aubeine and other Taxes They were dated from Paris in the Month of June 1606. Signed Henry and on the fold by the King. Brulart The City was extreamly surprized by an information that notice of whatsoever passed in the Council was sent into Savoy At length it was discovered That one named Canal the Common-Serjeant of the City sent an account thereof to a Lady of Savoy under the feigned names of Chapmen and under pretence of a Law-suit which he had at Chambery he wrote daily no body being able to discover the mystery when his Letters should be intercepted But at length when he was apprehended not being able to give satisfactory answers to the questions proposed to him he was committed to Prison and an Indictment was drawn up against him for this crime and likewise for Sodomy whereof he stood convicted and for an execrable design of blowing up the Council by a Mine He was first broken alive upon the Wheel and afterwards burnt in a small fire he seemed to be very sorry for his crimes A more dangerous Enterprize was at the same time carried on against the City by Lewis of Comboursieur Sieur of Terrail He was a French-Gentleman of a very good Family and of a goodly personage he had been chosen heretofore by King Henry the Fourth to be a Cornet in the Dauphin's Company who was afterwards Lewis the 13th But being a stout Man he had a quarrel with a Gentleman whom he killed in his Majesties sight who was then at the Windows Which obliged him to fly quickly out of France lest he should carry his head to Greve He retired into Flanders towards the Arch-duke's where he was well received He undertook three Enterprizes to no effect two on Berg op-zom and the other on L'ecluse Afterwards there being a Truce made in those Countries he went on Pilgrimage to Lorette with a Bourdelois called la Bastide a great Ingeneer At their return passing through Turin they saluted the Duke of Savoy who discovered to them the desire he had by some Enterprize to make himself Master of Geneva They set before him the means and offered their service which he accepted with great expressions of kindness and thereupon presented du Terrail with 700 Ducatoons and with a Ring worth 300 Crowns of Gold and gave to Bastide 260 and Philippes injoyning them to go first to Geneva and observe the State of that City and what Guard they kept there La Bastide went to Geneva and took an exact notice and being returned towards his Highness gave him an account what alterations there had been made in the Fortifications of that City since the Enterprize of scaling the Walls of it Upon which the Duke amended his ancient Platform and they discoursed together on their design Du Terrail was for surprizing by a Petard or otherwise one of the Gates of Geneva La Bastide alledged it was impossible and too hazardous considering the great number of Fences which were before the Gates and the strict Watch kept at them That which was he proposed was opproved of both by the Duke and Terrail which was to surprize the Gate leading to the Lake where there were no appointed Guards and where with a good number of Soldiers making a descent they might seize on the Gate of Rive and by this means become Masters of the City without any difficulty It remained only to resolve upon the manner They passed over then both of them from Evian to the Lake side where they remained eight days informing themselves by the Boatmen who frequented Geneva of the dispositions of the Watch-men and the search made in Boats. They learned several defects but to be the more certain La Bastide passed over the Lake and went to Morges where he imbarked himself in Genevoise Bark and being brought into the City he observed the condition of the Port and the Gate of Rive and returned by Land. Being with the Duke they assured him of the success of their undertaking which was put off to the end of May. They were to take along with them from Savoy five large flat-bottom Boats and lade them with Wood which should be piled after such a sort that 200 Soldiers might lie in each Boat under these piles of Wood with which lading they might enter the Port without the least suspicion and easily kill the Searchers and seize on the Gate of Arve and likewise let in the Troops of Horse who were to lie ready near Geneva at an appointed hour and in the mean time they were to conceal themselves in the Vallies on the side of Evian which lies at a small distance from Geneva together with some select Soldiers who were to be put into these Boats who were not to