being taken the chiefe of the Armie consulted together to name fifteene men which should haue authoritie to elect a new Emperour And it was expresly mentioned That if the Emperor whom they chose were not a Venetian it should be lawfull for the Venetians to appoint one of their own nation whom they pleased to be Patriarch of the Citie This thus concluded the Venetians deputed fiue Electors the Earles of Flaunders and Saint Paul as many and the Dukes of Sauoy and Montserrat made vp the number By these mens voices Baldwin Earle of Flaunders was declared Emperour and Thomaso Morosino Patriarch of Constantinople by the Venetians who soone after went to Rome and was confirmed in his dignitie by Pope Innocent The Princes in the mean time desirous to prosecute their voyage to the holy Land vsing great liberalitie to the new Emperour gaue him the moitie of the Citie Prouinces Tributes and other matters fallen to them by agreement of the Greeke Empire And not satisfied with this good office they added to this great liberalitie That all the Cities Castles Forts and Townes which they should take depending on the Greeke Empire should be recouered as in his name and reduced vnder his obedience Some thinke that the fourth part of the Empire was giuen to him and the residue being diuided into two parts the one part thereof fell to the Venetians All things at last being quieted in the Citie the Armie speedily departed Boniface of Montferrat and Henrie the Emperours brother dislodged first of all who with great good successe possessed Thrace which lies on either side betwixt Constantinople and Adrianople three daies iourney in length And all that conquest such as it was they reduced vnder the Emperour Baldwins obedience according to their promise Prince Henrico remaining at Constantinople dealt with the Emperour to bound that part of the Empire which was fallen to the Venetians because it wholly almost consisted of Islands seated in the Aegean and Ionian Seas And because the Isle of Candie belonged to Boniface by the gift of young Alexis Baldwin to take away all cause of strife and that their fellowes should truly receiue whatsoeuer had beene promised them he made Boniface King of Thessalie and gaue the Isle of Candie which he tooke from him to the Venetians And the better to confirme the matter the Venetian Prince sent M. Sanuto Rabani Carcerio his Ambassadors to Boniface who was encamped before Adrianople and till they returned he sent an Armie to receiue all the rest The Ambassadors sent to Boniface arriuing at Adrianople shewed him the Emperours decree and offering him besides a good summe of money he easily condiscended to their request and made ouer to the Venetians all the right which he pretended to the Isle of Candie by vertue of Alexis gift In this meane time Thomaso Patriarch of Constantinople at his returne from Rome where he had obtained whatsoeuer he demaunded came to Venice and after he had staied a while there being readie to returne into Greece hee tooke with him foure gallies which were sent for supplie to the Prince at Constantinople with which he recouered Ragusa which was reuolted from the Venetians and hauing repaired Durazzo which the Greeke Emperours had abandoned he left a good Garrison in it Thence he came directly to Constantinople where he was receiued of all men with great ioy But nothing did so much hasten his returne as the commaundement which the Pope had giuen him to crowne Baldwin Emperour of Greece And that Coronation-day was beautified with a great assembly as well of Greekes as of French-men and Italians Scarse was the yeare expired wherein Constantinople was taken but that all the Cities and strong Townes of the Greeke Empire as well on the Sea-coasts as on the firme Land were reduced vnder the Emperours obedience Adrianopolis excepted But this fortunate fuccesse was interrupted by his too sodaine death Some affirme that hee died at Constantinople And others say that being incâ—…mped before Adrianopolis he fell into an Ambush and being taken by the enemies he died in Prison and that by his death there was no Emperour in Greece for seuen yeares after This is that which the Annalists maintaine Those which alleadge the contrarie say That Henrie his brother was at the same instant saluted Emperour in his stead who being discamped from before Adrianopolis which his brother had besieged to effect his more speedie Coronation at Constantinople receiued newes on the way of the death of Henrico the Venetian Prince so as there was a small time betwixt the death of the Emperour Baldwin and that of Henrico who deceased the thirtenth yeare of his Principalitie and was honourably buried in Saint Sophias Church It shall not bee amisse to set downe in this place certaine propheticke verses which I find in some Historians to bee attributed to Sâ—…bylla the which are reported to haue been common almost in euerie mans mouth long time before the Frenchmen and Venetians tooke Constantinople if it be so I doe assuredly beleeue that this Oracle was the only cause of that mortall hatred which the Emperour Emanuel bare to the Venetians And forasmuch as all that in a manner which hapned at Constantinople since the time of the Emperour Constantine vntill Henrico the Venetian Prince is comprized in these verses I haue thought it fit to set them downe word for word to the end that by them it may be knowne how well this woman possessed with a diuine furie did prophecie of things to come and that which Plutarch speaketh of the Egyptians is not altogether absurd who thought that the spirit of diuination was easily communicated to women They begin thus A Prophecie found in Constantinople AENeadum gloria Bizantium deducetur Eruntque Danai in robore delicato vsque ad Leonem sexaginta pedum Donec catulos eius Vrsus deuoret Hunc Aquila dispecta Vrsum dissipet Aquilam Hircus obumbret Pullum voret Aquilae Fietque Potentum in Hadriaticis aquis congregatio Caeco Duce Hir cum abigent Bizantium prophanabunt Hircus non balabit amplius Nec Gallus cantabit vsque dum sexaginta tres pedes pollices nouem discurrant Which may be thus Englished Bizance shall rise the Romans glorie hight Graecia shall flow with fulnesse of delight Vntill the sixtie-footed Lion come Whose princely whelps with death the Beare shall dome The Beare shall by the roiall Eagle fall The Goat orethrowes the Eagle Chick and all And in the mid'st of th' Adriatick strond Shall meete great States combin'd by mutuall bond Against the Goat They led by Chieftaine blind Shall quell his pride and tame his Tyger mind And Bizance selfe they likewise shall subdue So droops the Goat And the shrill Cock that crew So lowd of late hence forth shall chant no more Till of a greater number kept in store Sixtie three feete with thumbs thrice 3. times told By fading hence this mysterie
of all afflict him was when he vnderstood soone after that Bressia whither he had so speedily marched was taken and in this sort bad tidings comming daily vnto him the end of all was that Luchin had seized on Bergamo Those of Escalla being wholly chased from Padua the Venetian Ambassadours came thither namely Marco Lauretano Iustiniano surnamed Iustinian and Andrea Morosino who comming into the Market-place where the people were assembled Lauretano in the name of the Common-wealth vsed this congratulatorie Speech vnto them The Venetian Ambassadors Oration to the Paduans WE cannot but exceedingly reioyce that yee being now freed from so cruell an enemie haue recouered your ancient libertie lost by the malice of Mastin And therefore by the Senates appointment we conferre the gouernment of the Citie on Marsilio whose courage and valour by how much more it is famous and knowne to all men by so much more doe the Venetians highly esteeme it for the good and commoditie of the Paduans adding thereunto his singular vetue and wisedome which cannot but bring great and desired quiet to his fellow-Citizens For the Venetians verie well know and namely by experience that a Common-wealth is most happie which is gouerned by a wise and discreet person Attend therefore and perpetually receiue your Citizen Marsilio to obey his commaundements and heartily to defend iustice seeing ye are not ignorant how grieuous a thing tyrannie is And thou likewise Marsilio albeit we are all well perswaded of thy vertue thou art neuerthelesse to thinke that we haue called thee to this place not onely to commaund ouer thy countrey but to bring it all helpe and succour If peraduenture thou shalt doubt what course to take for the well-gouerning thereof and by what meanes to make thy selfe regarded without enuie among thine owne people take example by the Magistrates of our Citie which will easily teach thee who whilest they are in office are respected for the honour of the Commonwealth and their charge being expired they liue equally with the meanest knowing verie well that this equalitie is the onely bond of a Commonwealth It remaineth now that this Citie followiag thine example doe highly account honour and respect the friendship of the Venetians as well in generall as particular The which duly and religiously to obserue the nouelties hapned in your time may incite you we hauing twice within few yeares freed you from the cruell yoak of bondage For that man is no lesse foolish than ingratefull who cannot be moued by benefits receiued The exhortation of Lauretano being most true was likewise most pleasing â—…o the people and chiefly to Marsilio who after he had giuen great thanks to the Venetians said That he would in such sort rule as no manâ—…in time to come should haue occasion to complaine of his gouernment much lesse to desire if he were a louer of the publike peace any change And that aboue all thinges he would take order that the Paduans should alwaies be such towards the Venetians as those ought to bee who haue receiued benefits and good turnes namely with such acknowledgement and good offices as all men should say that the Venetians had well imployed their labour and cost As for the present benefit which he had receiued from them he would at all times and in all places confesse that he held his honour dignitie and all the rest of his meanes onely from them This did he speake which was with a generall consent approued by all the people Then followed mutuall embracements and congratulations the whole Citie leapt for ioy all things on a sodaine were changed For in steed of feare and enuie wherewith it was before filled nothing was then seene but ioy and contentment But the course of the fortunate successe of the Venetians affaires was interrupted by an accident hapned to the two brethren of Rossis who in few daies died one after another For Pietro after the taking of Padua being come to the siege of Moncelesse was mortally wounded whereupon being carried to Padua he died so one after to the great griefe of all men He was a man of a goodly stature a great warrior and an excellent Captaine being an enemie to crueltie and when hee went to the warres he forbad his souldiers to murther in cold bloud and to enforce women He was so well beloued of his souldiers for his gentlenesse as the Almaine horsemen who were verie many in his campe called him their father and he was beside so liberall as his horses and Armour excepted he gaue all his wealth among his souldiers Diuers Italians and Almaines cloathed in mourning habite did follow his funerall and bewailed him a long time He died in the prime of his age being but six and thirtie yeares old Marsilio his brother who not long before was sicke of a seuer being brought to Venice died there within sixe daies after being fiftie yeares of age Their brother Orlando Rossis who at the same time held Luca straitly besieged was in his absence chosen Generall of the Armie and being sent for came so one after to thâ—… campe at Moncelesse For the siege was not discontinued although the Generall was dead At his arriuall he tooke part of the Armie and came by the confines of Este and made roads on the territorie of Verona where putting all to fire and sword vnto the gates of the Citie he brought a verie great bootie to the campe Not long after the Senate called him to Venice whither all the Agents of the associates were come to treate of peace But because in this assembly the selfe-same conditions were propounded to Mastin as were in the former and that he stoutly refused them all the commissioners departed from Venice without any conclusion Mastin perceiuing that he was not yet freed from this war craued aid of the Duke of Bauier adding diuers great promises to his entreaties This duke promised to send him great supplies prouided that he might haue good caution for what he promised Mastin deliuered into his hands the Citie of Pescata wirh his sonne Francisco and diuers other children of noble families But the Duke failing of his promise so so one as Mastin perceiued himselfe deluded he came on a sodaine and recouered the Citie with his sonne and hostages Marsilio Carrario died in the meane time leauing by the consent of the Venetians Vbertino his neere kinsman for his successor hauing sent a hundred thousand crownes to Venice to build a Church in a part of the Iury and to enrich it with diuers inheritances At the same time the Armie approched Montfort and from thence diuers roads were made on the territories of Vincenza and Verona Mastin in the meane time battered Montechia whither Orlando came vnlooked for defeated him and draue him thence Not long after Mastin came into the field to execute a new enterprize the which had as bad successe as that of Montechia The Paduan and
defend it in regard of their small number leauing their horses behinde them went to Sea and came to Candie The Greekes after they had driuen away the Venetians from diuers places who had newly inhabited the Island pursued the course of their victorie and ceased not till they had made all that which lieth towards the West from Thalis vnto the Promontorie of Spatha to reuolt from the Venetians the Townes and certaine Castles excepted This reuolt being reported at Venice put the Senate in meruailous care to begin the warre againe which was the more grieuous vnto them by how much they had thought the affaires of Candie to be safer than at any time before The Prince and Senate commaunded those who were in the Island to leuie forces from all partes and to procure horsemen out of Licia Caria and Ionia if they could get none elsewhere They sent likewise to the Pope the which they easily obtained to intreate him to grant plenarie Indulgences of all sinnes commitred till that time to all those who would take Armes against those perfidious Candiots This was done in Italie whilest the Islanders being vanquished by Nicholao Iustiniano at the foote of the hilles Lasithes with the losse of diuers of their troupes they were diuerted from their attempts For their meaning was to haue seized on the mountaines but I know not whether it were to saue and defend themselues or rather from thence to assaile their enemies by a sodaine and vnexpected comming vpon them Moreouer the Greekes all the winter made sundrie and different attempts against which the Prouidatori did with great diligence opportunely oppose themselues Giacomo Bragadino Paulo Loretano Pietro Mocenigo Lorenzo Dandulo and Andrea Zeno were sent into the Island as new Prouidatori They had commaundement likewise to leuie Souldiers as well horse as foote from all places Hauing receiued the old bands and added new supplies to them they were readie to march against the enemie when newes was brought them that after they had leuied great numbers of Souldiers and attempted in vaine to take the Citie of Maluicina they had scattered themselues ouer the Territorie of Cydon and had put all to fire and sword which they knew to belong to the Venetians and to bee newly inhabited This was done on the Sea-coast whilest in the middest of the Island fiue and twentie hundred of the enemies came and incamped themselues at one time neere to Agatia and Melissa Giacomo Bragadino speedily marched against them with foure hundred horse and fifteene hundred foote they fought there verie fiercely where those of the Island being broken and defeated diuers were slaine in the battaile but the number of the Prisoners exceeded who were all hanged some few which fled in great feare got into the next mountaines The Venetian departed and set fire on the Farme-houses and villages of the enemies spoiling euerie where round about Thus stood the state of the Island when on a sodaine the inhabitants of fifteene Villages reuolted who fearing to be defeated in open field retired with their wiues and children intto the mountaines of Lasithes where they were forthwith assisted by the cheefest of the Rebellion Diuers others did the like who for their more safetie betooke themselues to those mountaines The forces of the Greekes being thus augmented they were not satisfied with defending themselues but trusting to their great numbers they came cheerefully and spoiled the Countrie of those who had continued faithfull to the Venetians and entring into the bonnds of the Citie of Candace they filled al the places round about with feare and terrour Pietro Mocenigo perceiuing the whole Island almost to be infected with this furie and to tend to a generall reuolt and that he could by no meanes fight with the enemie who kept still in the mountaines brought backe his troupes to Candece intending to keep the Citie and to represse the enemies violent eruptions Then he certified the Prince and Senate of the state of the Island and requested them to send more forces if they desired to see the enemies trecherie daunted that his fellowes and himselfe had with much adoe gotten fiue hundered horse out of Asia that they wanted greater numbers both of horse and foot which of necessitie must be sent to them if they intended to reduce the Island vnder their obedience And therefore he besought them to take speedie order that supplies might be forth with sent from Italie Before Mocenigo his letters came to Venice Pantaleon Barba Giouanni Zeno Nicholao Treuisanâ—… Andrea Zeno Nicholao Iustiniano departed from the Citie with certaine troupes of footmen who came into the Island as new Prouidatori They being ariued the old ones returned home Pietro Mocenigo excepted who remained still Gouernour Those that came last hauing receiued the olde troupes and assembled all the forces which were in the Island caused them to be imbarked in three Gallies and two shippes of burthen and sailed to Milopotamus From thence they forthwith marched towards the enemie against whom being shut vp in strong and inaccessible places Andrea Zeno one of the Prouidators being couragiously prouoked with a desire to fight and entring with his forces into a dangerous place was slaine by those who defended the passage from aboue Hee being dead they made a retreate and brought backe the troupes to Milopotamus In this manner the new Prouidatori began the warre with the enemie when a great number of footmen being come from Italie in three shippes of burthen did maruelously strengthen the Venetian Armie Whereupon the Prouidatori made diuers attempts vpon the enemie but of small moment for the Venetian could by no meanes drawe the enemie to fight But the spoiles and burning vp of houses heere and there in the Island was the cause of a great dearth Howbeit at last the scarcitie of victuals was much greater in the Candiots Campe than in that of the Venetian because the Venetian Gallies did from all partes bring them plenty of corne and all other kind of victuals Whereupon those in the mountaines enforced by famine hauing deliuered the Authours of the reuolt to Iustiniano who lay incamped not farre from thence they submitted themselues vnto the Venetians obedience Those that were guiltie were forthwith punished The reduction of these men did in such sorte daunt the courage of the Greeks as all that which lieth from mount Strombulo stretching Eastward euen to the middest of the Island did in short space yeeld to the Venetians whereupon the whole burthen of the warre fell on a sodaine on that part of the Island which lieth towards the West Diuers Venetians who had beene Authours of those reuolts to make themselues more acceptable to the Greekes renounced the Latine name and promised to obserue the Greeke ceremonies Iustiniano hoping to doe some exploit in regard of the enemies amazement tooke on a sodaine foure hundred Horse and foote of those who had continued faithfull
Some say that Carrario attempted to set Bernabo his Allie at libertie whom Galeas his Sonne in Law and Nephew Sonne to his Brother kept prisoner in the Castle of Trecy because he had beene aduertized by Katherine his wife that Bernabo had laid waite to kill him whereat Visconte being moued made warre vpon him The Venetians in this warâ—…e ioyned their forces wish Galeas who assailed the Paduan and hauing armed foure hundred boates vnder the conduct of Giacomo Delfino did in a manner selze vpon all the Cities Forts and townes which Carrario possessed on the lakes 〈◊〉 at the mouthes of riuers Galeas likewise on the firme land did not alone 〈◊〉 all the Cities of the Paduan territorie but likewise in few moneths that the 〈◊〉 lasted the verie Citie of Padua Where after he had taken the elder Carrario 〈◊〉 imprisoned him in the Medozian prison His sonne surnamed Nouello escaped into Germanie Galeas would not stand still in so faire a way but pursuing the course of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came and tooke Treuiso by force This warre was verie painfull and bloudie At the last Carrarios forces being broken and wholly ouerthrowne Galeas by agreement had Padua 〈◊〉 and Belluna the Venetians Treuiso and the Marques of Aest who was one of the associates against Carrario recouered all the townes which did belong to his ancestors Then not long after Galeas hauing proclaimed warre on the Bolognese and Florentines and his forces being alreadie suspected of all the people and potentates of Italie The Venetians Florentines Bologneses Francisco Gonzaga the Marquesse of Aeste and Carolo Malateste entered into league against him Robert Duke of Bauaria was entreated to bee of the number with whom Nouello remained and to march with his forces into Italie against the troups of Visconte Galeas leauing the Bolognese came and furiously besieged the Citie of Mantua and preâ—…ming on the great number of his souldiers for his Armie was reported to be fortie thousand he enuironed the Citie by land and water The Venetians armed a great â—…mber of boates against him to deliuer a friend and confederate Citie from the siege and because Gonzaga was more molested by water than by land the Venetians hauing added certaine gallies to their fleete this audacious enemie was repulsed with great losse from the Citie by the Venetians aide on the same side of the Citie by which the enemie had thought to haue taken it And soone after being in countred by Malatesta Generall of the land Armie neere to the village of Gouernâ—…lla and being broken and defeated by him in a set battaile he was with great disgrace chased farre from thence Nouello remained not idle in so faire an occasion For Robert vsing delaies he returned into Italie in disguised habite vnknowne to the Venetians and their associates And by that meanes he enâ—…d Padua and enioyed it The Almaine following him afterwards with a great Armie came and besieged the Castle of Padua which held out for Galcas Those of Verona being amazed by their neighbours example tooke Armes and hauing expelled Galeas his Garrison they sent for Antonio of Escalla from Tuscan but they vnderstood that he was dead a while before whereupon repenting of what they had done they sent to Vgoletto Blanchardo who commaunded Viscont his Armie in the countrey of Cremona and hauing obtained pardon of him for their reuolt and for the obtaining of it paid a great summe of money vnder the name of lendings for the souldiers they receiued him into their Citie ino the which entering â—…umultuously the souldiers desirous of bootie could not be kept from spoyling The wife of Galcas being sorie for the mishap of so excellent a Citie commaunded three daies after they began to pillage to spoyle no more Robert in the meane time being discontented for that he was deceiued by his associates of his promised reward raised his campe from before the Castle of Padua and went backe with his forces into Germanie The Florentines did at the same time send Iohn Hancute one of the famouse Cstaptains of his time with forces to aid Nouello by whose valour the Castle was in few daies recouered diuers and sundrie attempts were made on either side but because they do no whit concerne the Venetians for they were done on the firme land farre from the Sea we do of purpose omit them At the last peace being concluded for ten yeares was as acceptable to afflicted Lombardie as pleasing to all men else At the same time the Duke of Austria arriued at Venice where being bountifully entertained he remained till such time as two gallies were made readie to carrie him to the Sepulcher of our Lord. The same yeare the French kings Nephew arriued there who had the like entertainment as had the Almaine he made readie a Galley there at his owne charges to transport him into Syria for the same purpose as the Austrian was gone thither In processe of time all things being quiet by sea and land newes was brought that an Argozie of Genoa of meruailous bignesse was gone forth to robbe at Sea The Venetians vpon this report rigged forth three great ships of warre which were maâ—…ed with fiue hundred armed men which went to Sea But that great Genoueses Argosey being cast away by a great tempest the Venetians returned 〈◊〉 and sound home to their houses The Ciâ—…tie during this long peace was beautified with diuers publike works The market-place of Rialto with that great and spacious place before Saint Markes Church were paued with bricke and with square stone At the same time Prince Venieri died the eighteenth yeare of his principalitie His funerall was accompanied by great multitudes of people to the Church of the Twinnes ¶ MICHAELI STENO the 63. Duke of Uenice MIchaeli Steno Procurator of Saint Marke succeeded him who being chosen in the beginning of December came not by reason of a disease whereof he lay sicke to the Pallace till the tenth of Ianuarie The people did neuer doe the like honour to any of his predecessors as to him All the Trades of the Citie euerie one a-part did prepare costly shewes for his sake each of them inuenting new so as no holy day passed in the whole yeare but some shew or other was presented And that whole yeare would haue beene spent in mirth and pastime if the vnexpected losse of certaine Citizens had not marred the sport Sixe gallies laden with forraine marchandize vnder the conduct of Leonardo Trenisano returned to Venice about the end of Autumne but it fell out that neere to the Islands of the Egean sea at Irene called by corruption of language Turin foure of them which had seldome happened being beaten with a tempest suffered ship wracke Yet neuerthelesse few of the men perished the marchandize being scattered heere there was with great labour recouered The Viari Delfino Sourance and Sagreda were lost Cornari and Gradonico resisting the seas
trouble the French because a great part of their forces was distributed for the gard of the strong towne of the Dutchy and an other part thereof was ioyned with the Almains army against the Venetians Yet neuerthelesse the Lord of Chaumont hauing assembled all the power hee could came with fiue hundred Lances and foure thousand foot-men into the plaine of Chastillon two Miles from Varesa Foure thousand Swisses more came and ioyned in that place with the former six thousand and all of them together sent to the Lord of Chaumont to demand passage saying that they were going for the Churches seruice but it being refused them the fourth day after their arriuall they all marched towards Chastillon and in their march they Valliantly defended them selues against the French army who was still at their side and skirmished with them in front and in flanke and they answered them in like manner no disorder being seene among them After they had in this manner passed along into diuors places the Lord of Chaumont still attending on them they came at last to the bridge of Trese and from thence in troopes retired home into their country being brought to the extremity of hunger and want of mony which inforced them to retire If the Popes deseigne had taken effect which was to haue assailed the French in diuers and sundry places at once their affaires would haue succeeded badly but the enterprise of Genoa was long before the Swisses comming The Venetians also tarried longer then they thought to haue done who comming from Padua recouered without any difficulty Este Monselesia Montagnana Marostia and Basciana and passing forward they entred the Vincentine Territory the Almains being retired to Verona So as in a very short space they recouered whatsoeuer they had lost the yeare before Legnaga excepted and not satisfied here-with they came and beseeged Verona where lay three hundred Spanish Lances a hundred as well Almains as Italians and more then foure hundred French Lances fiue hundred foote-men and foure thousand Almains vnder the command of the Prince of Anhalt who not long before dyed The people of Verona not affecting the Almains had taken armes and therein consisted the Venetians chiefest hope expecting when they within the citty would rise in their behalfe The Venetian Army was of eight hundred men at Armes three thousand light horse the most of whom were Stradiots and ten thousand foot with great numbers of husbandmen They began with great fury to batter the citties walls notwithstanding that the townes artillery did greatly hurt them and they did beat downe a great part of the wall euen to the scarpe yet neuerthelesse it was more valiantly defended then assailed wherevpon the Venetian Captaines being discouraged perceiuing likewise that the people were quiet in the citty they determined to raise their Campe and made hast so to doe vpon intelligence that the Lord of Chaumont who after the Suisses departure hauing notice of the danger wherein Verona was marched thether to their reliefe The Venetians being retired to Saint Martins fiue miles from Verona marched to Boniface in regard of the Lord of Chaumonts comming In the meane time Vdislaus King of Hungary beeing solicited by Maximillian and the French King did at the same time call Petro Pascalic Ambassador for the Signory in Hungary into his councell chamber and told him that his meaning was to make warre vpon them vnlesse they yeelded vp Slauonia vnto him which did in times past belong vnto his crowne and that he was resolued to haue it That if the common-wealth would freely re-deliuer it hee would for euer remaine their friend and confederate otherwise hee would let them know how much better it were to yeeld vp in friendship that which they could not keepe by force The Ambassador vpon this demand beginning to excuse the Senate was not suffered to speake and all the fauour hee could get was To say that hee would aduertise the Senate thereof crauing time that hee might receiue an answer But at the comming forth of the Councell certaine of those who had beene there present did in secret bid the Ambassador not to bee discouraged and told him that their King for want of meanes could not make warre vpon them but that those threatnings were onely to content the French King and the Emperor who requested it and some Hungarian Lords who for their owne particular ambition incited him therevnto the which the successe of that businesse prooued afterward to be true Now to returne to the Venetian Armie which was retired to Saint Boniface those of Treuiso tooke the towne of Azola by composition whilest in the Frioull they proceeded with the vsuall cruelties and variations in destroying buildings and spoiling the countrey The Marquis of Mantua was at the same time deliuered from his imprisonment by the Popes meanes who did greatly affect him meaning to make vse of him and his Estate in his warre against the French King Others say that it was by the meanes of Bajazet Emperor of Turkes who was a great friend to the Marquis who caused the Bayliffe of the Venetian Marchants trading at Pera to promise that the Senate should set him at liberty the which was speedily done because they would not incense so mighty a Prince against them The Pope was againe desirous to make an attempt on the Citty of Genoa promising to him selfe more then euer the alteration of that State Wherevpon the Venetians rather of necessity then for any liking to his furious motions did augment their sea Armie which lay at Ciuita vecchia with foure great ships the like did the Pope adding one Galeasse with certaine other vessels to his owne This fleet departing thence wherein were fifteene light Galleys three great Galleys one Galeasse and three ships of Biscay went and shewed themselues before the hauen of Genoa But the Citty being kept in such manner as not any of the contrary faction durst stirre and the Ordnance of the tower of Codifa playing continually vpon them they were constrained to retire and beeing come to Portouenere dispairing likewise of dooing any good there it returned to Ciuita-vecchia from whence the Venetian vessells departing home-wards by the Popes consent were assailed by a terible tempest in which fiue Galleis were cast away the residew being driuen vpon the coast of Barbary did in the end come into the Venetians hauens much broken In this manner nothing fell out luckily for the Pope of all that he had enterprized against the French King for no commotion arose in Genoa as hee had confidently promised to him-selfe the Venetians also attempted in vaine to take Verona and the Swisses who had rather shewed then brandished their armes returned and went on no farther and in Ferrara by reason of the speedy aid of the French who were come thither ther was no likelihood of any danger Modena only taken by stealth remained to him Yetneuerthelesse the Venetians alone tooke
greatest Inginers accounted it the most absolute peece in the world Howsoeuer the City rather was vnfurnished of a skilfull Commander and braue men then of fortification There were tenne thousand foot-men in the city amongst whom were fifteene hundred Italians and the rest were natiue Cypriots namely three thousand Cernedes two thousand fiue hundred of the city two thousand new men enroled in the townes and villages of Cyprus that were retired thither and a thousand Nicotian Gentlemen all with vnexperienced troupes were for the most part badly armed They likewise sent to Famagosta for to entreat Baillone to come thither with some certaine troupes to command the city but those of Famagosta hauing no superfluous forces and beeing vncertaine whether the enemy changing his determination would on a sodaine come and assaile them did constantlo deny the Nicotians request not suffering the aide they required nor the captaine to goe forth of their city vpon this refusall Baillone likewise excused his departure adding that Martinengas souldiers by wanting a captaine said that they would obey none but him so that his departure might breed some great disorder and confusion in the City Moreouer there was store of ordnance in the towne which wanted but braue men for to mannage it There were many Pioners for besides foure thousand vnder the commaund of Giouan Sosomene as many more were come to the citty neuerthelesse for all this great multitude of people the captaines beeing diuided amongst themselues this so necessary fortification was left imperfect which did much weaken the forces within it On the contrary side there was in the enemies campe such agreement and obedience towardes the captaines as all military actions were speedily executed Mustapha a couragious person and a great soldier besides the ranke which he then held had great credit and authority amongst the souldiers in regard of the fame and reputation he had purchased for his command in Selims army before he was Emperour when hee made warre on his brother Achomat all men attributing the vnexpected victory which ensued to his onely valour and prowesse and therefore the souldiers being accustomed to martiall deeds trauaile and danger were growne much more actiue and valliant hauing their captaines valour for their obiect togither with the hope of great reward if they were victorious His army was reported to be very strong but his chiefe force were sixe thousand Ianissaries and foure thousand Spaches these are horse-men neuer out of pay which some time when need is fight on foote all valliant men and bred vp in warre Therefore by how much those of the city wanted humaine aide against such forces by so much greater was their recourse vnto God For day and night praiers were made in priuate Houses and Churches and sollemne processions ouer all the city which were performed with great deuotion and concourse of people therein following the example and exhortation of Francisco Contaren Bishop of Baffa Hee at that time was chiefe amongst the Clergy in that city for Philippo Moceâ—…igo Archbishop of Nicotia was then at Venice did not cease to aide and assist the people as if hee had beene their owne pastor and hauing on a time assembled the chiefe of the towne in Saint Sophias Church hee gaue them a briefe and learned exhortation befitting the time from whence they departed so well satisfied and resolued as they did put one an other in good hope and comfort of a fortunate issue of that warre and did brauely dispose themselues to defend their country The end of the eight Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the ninth Booke of the sixth Decade THE Turkes beseege the City of Nicotia with their furious battery The taking of the Bulwarke Constance whereof ensued the Cities losse The Barbarous cruelties committed at the sacke of the City Therest of the Island yeeldeth to the Turkes Famagosta excepted The Turkes approach the City of Famagosta with the inhabitants resolution The sundry opinions of the captaines of the Christian army who at last resolue to goe and fight with the enemy Doria hauing intelligence of the losse of Nicotia returnes home into his country Many townes subiects to the Turkes yeeld to the Venetians The Popes exhortation for the conclusion of the league The difficulties which arose in the conclusion of the league The Emperour refuseth to enter into the league Supplies sent to Famagosta Mahomet Basha propoundeth a treaty of peace to the Venetians The Venetians are doubtfull and vncertaine either for peace or warre The Emperor opposeth himselfe against the title which the Pope had giuen to the Duke of Florence The Pope and Spaniards seeke to the Venetians least they should make an agreement with the Turke The league is concluded and signed with the Articles thereof Don Iohn of Austria is made Generall of the league The meanes which the Venetians vsed to get money What Selim promised to himselfe after the taking of Nicotia The enemies are defeated in Candy The Turkes spoile and waste the Islands of Zant and Cephalonia And lastly the conditions of peace propounded to the Venetians by Mahomet Basha The ninth Booke of the sixth Decade of the History of Uenice THe enemy without any empediment being come before Nicosia sent certaine horse to make incursions neere to the city to draw those within it forth to skirmish the Italians would gladly haue sallied but at first the Gouernor would not suffer them yet beeing ouercome by the importunities of all the captaines he permitted Caesar of Vincenza Lieutenant of the Count Roccas to sallie with certaine horse which being few in number could not execute any important matter but onely sought to draw the enemy within the shot of the cities ordnance and hauing done so two daies togither a captaine of a troupe of Stradiots whose name was Andre Cortese was taken by the enemy and being brought before the Basha hee presently commanded his head to bee cut off The enemies afterward without any empediment did build a fort on Saint Marines mount some foure hundred and forty paces from the city for although the beseeged vsed all meanes to frustrate the enemies deseigne towards the curtaines of Podocatera and Caraffa for so were those Bulwarkes called by the name of those Gentlemen that had particular command in the building of them and did continually with their ordnance play vpon that part yet they could not hinder the enemy who wrought day and night from executing his enterprize who not satisfying himselfe with that one fort did on a sodaine build three more in three other seuerall places the one vpon a little hill at Saint Georges the second opposite to the Bulwarkes Constancia and Podocatera on a little rising called Margueriâ—…s Mount and the third on the top of the Mount Mantia hoping with these fortes to batter the Bulwarkes curtaines and houses of the city They did afterwards make deepe and broad trenches which they brought vnto the ditch of the old walles
thereunto is a Chappell of his name because it is thought that he being throwne out of the Citie was stoned in the same place Godfrey and Tancred on the West-side and Raymond neere to mount Sion toward the South So soone as the campe arriued certaine skirmishes were made on both sides as occasion serued And the Armie in the meane time wanted no victualls as it did before Antioch by reason of the Sea which was not far of as also for that they possessed diuers strong townes in Palestine They attempted at times during the seege to take the Citie by Scalado but it was in vaine At the last bringing woodden Castles and other warlike engins before the walls the batterie was somewhat more furious than before and a breach being made they marched to the assault which lasted from the day-breake till noone with a great slaughter of our men the which did howerly encrease without anie likelihood of waxing better had not Baldwin followed by a troope of Soldiers mounted the wall on boards which the enemies had there placed to catch our engins which were brought before the walls For a while it was doubtfull what would become of them But the Citie-gate in the meane time being broken open and the wall neere thereunto beaten downe by the Ramme the victors entring on euerie side the enemie retired where at their first entrance they made in all places a meruailous slaughter without exception of sex or age Dauids tower fortified in manner of a Cittadell was forthwith yeelded vp All the furie of the fight was neere to the Temple whither great multitudes of people were retired They fought there with great losse on either side Despaire encouraged the one and shame the other because the Citie beeing taken the Temple was possessed and kept from them by a few Yet neuerthelesse they entred it by force and ranne so couragiously vpon the enemie as beeing thrust forward in front by those which followed them they which first entred were constrained to fight hand to hand with the whole squadron of the Armed enemie and were besides thrust forward by those which were behinde them vpon the points of their swords The enemies in the meane time did valliantly defend themselues whom the imminent danger did constrain to fight with hazard of all things Therefore the fight was verie bloudie not onely at the entrie of the Temple but in the middest thereof And so great was the slaughter aswell of the victors as the vanquished as the bloud which was spilt on the pauement of the Temple was a foot deep In the end the vppermost part of the Temple being not yet taken the retreate was sounded a little before night The next morrow after commandement was giuen not to hurt those that were disarmed they which defended the higher part of the Temple did sodainly yeeld In this manner was the Citie of Ierusalem taken in the yeare of our Saluation 1099. and foure hundred fourescore and ten yeares after it was taken by the Infidels and the thirtie ninth day after the Christians had besieged it Godfrey of Bouillon was by the consent of all men saluted king who after he had receiued all the Roiall ornaments except the Crowne would by no meanes be crowned saying That it did not become a Christian to weare a Crowne of gold in the same place where Christ the soueraigne king had worne a Crowne of thornes Whilst these things were done in Ierusalem fearefull newes was brought that great multitudes of enemies did approach To meete whom Godfrey after he had left a good Garrison in the Citie marched almost as farre as Asdona There they fought a bloudie battaile which for diuers howers space inclined to neither part In the end the enemies were broken and put to flight with great losse Some saie that there died the same daie an hundred thousand men The prisoners that were taken did report That the number of their Armie was fiue hundred thousand fighting men During this happie successe in Syria the Venetians departing from Smyrna after they had coasted the Seas of Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia they arriued in Syria and kept the Hauen of Ioppa taken before by the Christians But I dare not affirme that the Venetians beeing departed from Smyrna did arriue in Syria before that the holie Citie was taken Neuerthelesse it is certaine that the French beeing encamped before Ierusalem were releiued with victualls comming from the Sea The which I can not see how it should be done by any other but by them at that time seeing that all the coast of Syria was as yet in the enemies power After the Venetians had left a sufficient garrison for the defence of their vessells they departed from Ioppa and marched in order of battaile towards Ierusalem from whence returning they tooke by force the Citie of Ascalon vpon the Sea which the French had a little before attempted in vaine and leauing French-men there in garrison they laid siege to Caypha which is likewise called Porphiria neere to Ptolomais the which siege lasted longer than it was suspected From whence because they would not liue idely they went to besiege Tiberias the which being yeelded by the inhabitants those of Caypha did soone after the like Some Authours attribute these exploits to Godfrey and not to the Venetians But I thinke them to haue beene done by a mutuall consent namely by Godfrey with his Armie by Land after the taking of Ierusalem and by the Venetians by Sea keeping way with him still all-along the coast And from thence it commeth that the Venetian Chroniclers attribute the whole to the Venetians and the French to Godfrey It is certaine that so soone as the Venetians arriued in Syria they ioyned with the French and that the affaires of the Christians were for the space of a whole yeare gouerned in the Prouince vnder the happie fortune of either of them These things being done the Venetian Armie returned to Venice And Godfrey of Bouillon soone after died It is reported that about the same time the bodies of Saint Nicholas and Saint Theodore were brought to Venice the one being laid in Saint Sauiours Church and the other in that which of a long time had beene dedicated vnto him on the banks of the Sea The Normans vnder the conduct of Roger brother to Beamond made incursions on Grecia and Dalmatia The Venetians after they had made a league with Caloman sonne to Geica King of Hungarie marched against the Normans But I know not vpon what ground the Normans at the same time made warre on the Venetians and Alexis The Venetian fleet being strengthned by the succours of the Barbarian passed into Apulia For Caloman had not only made a league with the Venetians but ioyned his forces to theirs I know not vpon what occasion this was done vnlesse it were that the Hungarians did at the same time hold some places in Dalmatia and that it grieued them
thinke can be so agreeable unto him as this holy voiage Whereby yee shall free from base and cruell seruitude the place of his birth his Sepulcher and generally all the signes and tokens of his humanitie But because humane affaires are of such nature as there is almost no publike charitie exempted from ambition And your selues likewise perhaps since I began to speake of this subiect haue closely demaunded of your selues what honour what glorie what recompence may be expected thereby Certainly it is and euer shall bee well be seeming and greatly profitable for our reputation that the Venetians only of all Europe haue beene thought fit at this time to oppose themselues with all boldnesse against all Asia in a manner The farthest parts of the East shall feele the worth of the Venetians power Affrick shall talke of it but Europe shall greatly admire it All men shall speake of you The whole honour of the warre shall be attributed to you That which we haue done heeretofore in Asia seemeth to be effected rather by strangers than by vs. But that which we shall henceforth do there shall be ascribed to vs alone The glorie of strangers hath greatly hurt vs who by their luster haue in a manner darkened all our great actions the which in time to come they shall not doe Their trauaile and danger in breaking the enemies forces shall bee our praise and glorie to haue thus brauely broken and beaten them back Moreouer I doubt not but that all of ye are willing and desirous to enlarge your estate as far as may be But how by what meanes will you effect it In liuing idely or rowing vp and downe these Lakes in your little boates Hee that thinketh so doth greatly deceiue himselfe The ancient Romans of whom ye vaunt yee are descended and whom ye desire to imitate did not purchase the Empire of the World by liuing idely and at their ease but by making one warre to grow from off an other By warre they did subdue all Nations And finally by warre their power and greatnesse did increase beyond all thought Heereunto wee may yet adde that which is most to bee desired That wee are to take Armes against enemies whom to kill it is not onely lawfull but likewise iust and holie Besides those whom wee relieue haue alreadie and will still giue vs a share in those Townes and Cities conquered from the enemie But happily some will thinke this a small matter and wholly vnworthie for the recompence of so great an enterpriâ—…e I confesse that it is small in shew But whosoeuer will thinke vpon the time to come will finde it to be an assured foundation whereon to builde and encrease our Dominion in the Leuant For great and admirable matters are often-times seene to spring from meane beginnings But if neither the honour recompence nor the mutuall loue we all beare to the Christians name can not moue you This vndoubtedly ought to prouoke you thereunto That by freeing this holie Land from the bondage of the enemies appearing one day before the Throne of this incomprehensible Iudge we shall stand vpright acknowledged by this great King and by all the rest for Soldiours of his guard receiuing an holie guer don for so holy a war Depart then in Gods name and prepare a mightie Armie which may be for the profit and honor of the Common-wealth It behoueth you to vse speed least as it often times hapneth some vnlook't for accident do foreslow so great an enterprize This speech being ended a sodaine noise was heard ouer all the Church entermingled with sighs and teares all the people crauing that the Armie might quickly be in readinesse saying That there was no man in the whole citie but had rather enroll his name for so holie a warre than to liue idly at home Hereupon they armed fortie Gallies as they say which speak sparingly of the matter but according to their opinions who speak more indifferently thereof one hundred also according to others who amplifie the matter two hundred which opinion neuerthelesse I hold to be the truest For if it were so as they say I know 〈◊〉 vpon what occasion Prince Michaeli as shall bee heere-after mentioned should dare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the enemies Fleete before Ioppa which consisted of seauen hundred Shippes of warre But some say that the enemie insted of seauen hundred had but three score and ten If it were so all the Historians should haue small cause so highly to praise this victorie obtained by Prince Michaeli and chiefly Blondus who hath more curiously than anie other set downe that which was done at the same time in Syria Besides Giacomo of Genoa who came to Hierusalem by and by after the battaile doth write that the Venetians had two hundred vesselles whereof three score and tenne were Shippes of burthen The Prince being come to Dalmatia tooke in fresh supplies Then he sailed with a faire wind to Ciprus where hauing certaine notice of the great multitude of enemies incamped before Ioppa he marched furiously against them The Barbarians at the same time held those of Ioppa which were become Christians streightly besieged and hauing shut vp their Hauen and taken from them all hope of succour on that side from whence they most expected it they attempted to make them yeeld The Bishop so soone as he vnderstood that the Venetian Fleet did approach came to Ioppa with victuailes and with the greatest forces thâ—… hee could to the end to relieue the citie vntill the arriuall of the Venetian succours But whilest he made these preparations Prince Michaeli who as hath beene said was come somewhat neere to the enemie did on a 〈◊〉 assaile him not giuing him time to order his Ships in battell vanquished him and enforced him to discampe after he had slaine some and taken the rest Some Authors affirme That they fought in the maine Sea and that the enemies Fleete was but an hundred vessels where the battell being very bloudie on both sides lasted for certaine houres space and that in the end the enemies being ouercome and their Admirall Galley taken with diuers others the Venetians opened the passage of the Sea to those of Ioppa That our men certaine dayes after tooke in the 〈◊〉 Sea ten of the enemies Ships of burden laden with rich Merchandise so as there was neither Captaine Marriner nor Souldiour but were a long time after the better for that rich bootie Some Authours doe affirme That Prince Mihaeli after this victorie came to Ierusalem where being kindly welcomed by Bishop Varimond and the rest hee was by them gratified for his opportune arriuall and for his happie defeating of the enemie It was debated there among the Captaines after what maner they should prosecute the Warres Wherein hauing spent certaine dayes without any resolution what Citie they should first attempt It is reported that by the aduice of Prince Michaeli they fell to cast lots and that the same falling on the Citie
was taken by two of Genoa It was snpposed to haue beene done by the publike command and therefore they beganne to prepare a new Armie yet neuerthelesse they determined following the custome of their Ancestors to demand first of the Genoueses in the name of the Common-wealth that which had beene taken from them which if they refused to doe it was not questionable but that the Venetians would vse all manner of hostilitie The Ambassadours who for this purpose were sent to Genoa after they had receiued what had beene taken from them returned soone after to Venice well satisfied where finding the whole Citie prepared for a new warre they freed them from all care in bringing them home peace from Genoa The popular sedition which happened in the Citie in the time of Tepulo by reason of the Impost on the Mills was wholly extinct vnder this Princes gouernment But things being thus pacified at home a new warre sprung vp abroade The inhabitants of the Cape of Histria of whose affection towards them the Venetians â—…d better conceiued than of all the rest in that Prouince were sodainly reuolted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was sent thither with great troupes to reduce them to their obedience Whereupon perceiuing the Sea and Land to clatter with the sound of the Venetians Armes they sent to Foâ—…li to entreat the Patriarke of Aquileia in regard of 〈◊〉 mutuall amitie to come to the succour of a Neighbour-Citie and to take Armes to repell the Venetian who highly menaced them He being moued with their entreaâ—…ies in hast leuied forces and sent them to their aide The Histrians relying on these succours attempted by diuers meanes to diuert the Venetian from the siege But neither those nor yet their owne forces did greatly auaile them for being vanquished they were constrained to returne to the Venetians obedience Rayniero Mâ—…rosini was sent Gouernour into the Prouince to containe them in their dutie The Venetians being freed from the warre of Histria were sodainely troubled with that of Ancona and yet I know not whether this beganne before the other was ended For the Annalists handle this matter so confusedly as wee can hardly tell what to beleeue of it Besides very few Historians make mention of this warre of Ancona And they which doe mention it say that the Venetians besieged Ancona in the time of Pope Iohn the one and twentieth whose Papacie lasted no longer than the first yeare of Prince Contareni his gouernment They affirme moreoâ—…er that the warre beganne vpon occasion of the decree for the new impost made certaine yeares before which to abolish they had made meanes to Pope Gregorie but without effect The better therefore to annihilate this decree they caused certaine merchandize to be secretly transported into the Sea of Histria and to other places neare to the entrance of the Riuer Po. The Venetians being therewith incensed for the Anconitans abusing their lenitie and patience became daily more insolent forthwith armed sixe and twentie Gallies to the which they added certaine ships of burthen for carriage of victualls and munition with all other things necessarie for the siege of a Citie But before they made this warlike preparation it is to be supposed that they sent to demand their custome of the Anconitans which was denied them The Venetian at his first arriuall did furiously assaile the hauen from whence being beaten backe and the fleet hauing no place of safetie to ride in before the Citie nor being yet come to an Ankor there arose a terrible tempest which did cast and beate part of their vessels in peeces vpon the Neighbour-shore Sixe Gallies striking vpon the Rocks of Senegaillo were wholly lost and the residue of the fleet being driuen forward by violence of the tempest ranne vp into the maine Afterwards new forces with supplies of ships and Gallies were sent from Venice for whom sailing at Sea the enemie laid a new kinde of Ambush Hee set vp the Venetian ensignes on his Gallies which he had taken from them at the assault of the Hauen framing in the best manner he could the rest of the tackling after the Venetian fashion Then from as farre as he might discerne them he beganne with great ioy and clamour to haile them as their friends and companions By this pollicie on a sodain they grapled with two of the formost which they tooke and dragged to the Citie to the great contentment of the Inhabitants But we doe not finde who commanded the Armie at the same time Howbeit it is certaine that by his negligence and want of experience in martiall matters the Venetians receiued two great ouerthrowes in short time and that for his labour hee was called home from the Armie and committed to prison They did better afterwards than at the first For they resolued to tame the stubbornnesse of the enemie by a siege whereupon within a few daies after Ancona was againe besieged At which time the inhabitants fore-seeing what might happen and that by the perseuerance of their enemies they might fall into some manifest danger they sent to Pope Nicholas the third newly elected to animate him against the Venetians and to acquaint him chiefly with that which their enemies had till then done to them and did daily more and more and besides to declare vnto him that they had alreadie by the Venetians means endured all the miseries which those who were a long time streightly besieged were wont to sustaine and they were likely to endure much more if they were not speedily releeued by some forraine aide In regard whereof they besought his Holinesse to compassionate the miserie of so ancient a Citie and so affectionate to the Church of Rome and that it would please him to deliuer them from so great a danger The Venetian Ambassadours were come at the same time to Rome to congratulate his assumption to the Papall dignitie who after they had a long time attended there and not being called as were others to the publike congratulation they doubting the matter that the Pope by reason of those of the marches was offended with them sent word thereof to Venice The Duke and Senate taking it in bad part did by their letters call home their Ambassadours who being on their way from Rome were by the Popes commandement brought backe who after he had sharply rebuked the Venetians for so streightly besieging the Anconitans being feodaries of the Church of Rome forbad the Ambassadours who would haue defended the cause to speake It is reported that the same day they returned to Venice eight Gallies with supplies were sent to the Camp before Ancona I know not whether it was done vpon necessitie or else in hatred to the Pope for vsing their Ambassadours with so small respect The enemie thereby perceiuing that in sted of raising the siege the Venetian did more sharpely oppresse them abating their courage they became suiters for peace The matter
Cipriots fauouring the Venetians certaine Genoueses were slaine and diuers hurt and the residue were driuen shamefully from the banquet The Genoueses being moued with this iniurie did forthwith depart forth of the Island with all their wealth Then returning within a while with a nauall Arrnie they did on a sodaine assaile the Citie of Famagosta and tooke it The Authors whom we haue read doe not plainely tell whether they took it by force or treacherie They slew diuers in detestation of the death of the late King and among others the Kings brother spoiled all their goods The King and his mother for feare of the Genoueses escaped in this tumult forth of the Citie In this manner did the richest marchant Citie of the Kingdome of Cyprus fall into the Genoueses hands The young kings mother was suspected to haue deliuered the Citie vnto them to reuenge her husbands death and that which maketh me to beleeue it is the death of those who slue him and the spoyling of their goods as also because the Genoueses attempted nothing against her nor her sonne Now whilest the Genoueses held Famagosta Visconte had in the meane time betrothed his daughter to the yong king and being desirous to send her to Cyprus he dealt with the Venetians to arme sixe gallies with which his daughter might passe safely into the Island and that he on the other side would leuie eight thousand horse and a great number of footmen at his owne cost to ouerrunne and spoile whatsoeuer belonged to the Genoueses The Ladie being brought to Venice was lodged in the Pallace of the Cornari Then departing from Venice with sixe Venetian gallies and â—…iue which the king of Cyprus had sent she safely arriued in the Island The king lay at the same time at Ceraunia called at this day Cernia where after he had with great magnificence receiued his wife he dealt with the Venetians for a great weight of gold which he promised them that they would with the fiue gallies which he had in pay assaile the hauen of Famagosta the which being taken they gaue an assault to the Citie on the same side whilest he with the greatest forces he could leuie should scale the walles on the other side The Captaines of the gallies were 〈◊〉 Miani Francisco Bocoli Pietro Quirini Francisco Foscolli Grouanni Barba Francisco Mocenigo who had each of them a-part armed one seuerall galley at their owne charge These being moued as well by the kings offer as for their generall hatred which they did beare to the Genoueses with the fiue gallies which as we haue said were sent from the king to Venice beginning to fight at the entrie of the haueÌ„ were at the first repulsed by the Genoueses wherupon they retired to Sea til their souldiers marriners were refreshed The Genoueses had placed three ships of burthen at the mouth of the hauen to hinder the enemies approach The Venetian returning againe with his mercenaries to assaile the Genoueses came not as at the former time to assaile the hauens mouth but the sides and emptied so much earth and grauellâ—…s he made at last a passage for his gallies to enter which comming into the hauen the ships of burthen were forthwith taken by the Venetians with those which defended them Diuers gallies with other vessels which lay there at an Anker were likewise taken The Hauen being thus seised on the Venetians gaue a so daine assault to the Citie hauing set vp skaling ladders in sundrie places diuers hoping to enter did in the midst of the enemies cries arrowes mount to the top of the wall The Genoueses whose numbers were great in the Citie making a furious sally on the assailants did first with great slaughter beate them from the wall and then from the Hauen Diuers doe thinke that the same Citie had beene taken that day if the Cyprioâ—…s had assailed it as couragiously on the other side as did the Venetians The Venetians Histories affirme this for true Some of the authors say that it was not Pietro but Bugon of Lusignam which was father to Petrino and that he was not slaine by his owne subiects but that it was one called Pietro brother to the young king Besides that the Genoueses were not iniuried by the Venetians but that by the kings commaundement some of them were throwne forth of the chamber windowes where the feast was kept and other some slaine in the Citie and ouer the whole Island so that none were left aliue to carrie the newes to Genoa That the Genoueses comming into the Island with a great nauall Armie conducted by Pietro Fregosa did take the Citie of Nicosia by assault with the King and Queene and after they had put all the Island almost to fire and sword brought away the King and Queene to Genoa who being afterward set at libertie did in vaine with the Venetian forces come and besiege the Citie of Famagosta which he had voluntarily giuen to the Genoueses with the residue of the Island But howsoeuer it happened the matter falling out vnfortunately as hath been said the Venetian gallies departing thence failed into Syria who besides the other harmes which they did to the Genoueses they tooke from them a Barze named Spinereggio laden with most rich merchandize and returning on a sodaine towards the Adriaticke Gulph did ioyne themselues neere to Zara with the nauall Armie which was conducted by Pisani Whilest these things were done in Cyprus and Syria Victor Pisani with eighteene gallies tooke the Citie of Catharra by force which belonged to Lewis king of Hungarie At their arriuall they summoned the inhabitants who made a verie proude answere adding diuers reprochfull speeches which did greatly offend the Venetians Pisani in regard thereof being enflamed with choller landing his troupes did come and assailed the Citie The souldiers and marriners did at the first with such violence winne the defences and afterwards the walles as in a moment they made themselues masters of the Citie which being taken and spoiled those which were in the fort being daunted with the sodaine losse of their fellowes did forthwith yeeld The bootie did inrich the souldiers and marriners The Generall did speedily aduertize the Senate of the victorie by a galley which he sent away of purpose Pisani his Armie being increased which was alreadie of twentie fiue gallies vpon report that the Genoueses gallies were comming into Dalmatia and that they were alreadie departed from Genoa for that purpose and had commission after they should haue shut in the hauen of Zara to molest the Venetians not onely at Sea but along the neighbour shoares resolued to meete the enemie at his comming farre from the Citie The Venetian at last ouertooke the Genoueses neere to Tarentum for hauing passed beyond Naples he vnderstood that the enemies Armie a little before had sailed towards Calabria whereupon hauing coasted all the shores he did not misse of the enemies
persons I am so farre off from taking any reuenge as I protest and sweare by that most holy Sacrament which I hope I haue this day receiued to my soules health and by that holy diuine seruice which I was present at neuer hereafter to remember it And I intreat those who haue in any sort enuied my fortune and prosperitie to beleeue that I beare them no lesse good will than to my dearest friends and that they shall neuer by me nor for me receiue any displeasure whatsoeuer but I will on the contrarie striue to performe all offices of loue and kindnesse towards them As for your charitable affection inuiting me to the seruice of the Commonwealth I doe most willingly vndertake the defence thereof and I would to God I were a manable in these dangerous times to relieue it in any sort either with counsell or industrie but howsoeuer my loue shall neuer be wanting This being said he was embraced by the Prince and by all the Senators whose eyes were full of teares and then he went home to his owne house It is reported that as he walked in the streets among great numbers of people who came to congratulate him the whole Citie in a manner following him they clapped their hands in signe of ioy and there were some who at randon said that he ought to be Prince and not a priuate Citizen but he mildly reprehended them telling them plainly that those praises ought to be giuen to Saint Marke the Cities Patron and to the Prince and not to an humble Citizen And because the Senate had giuen him charge of those troupes which were neere to the hauen that he might together with Caballa the Veronois aduise what should be most expedient for the Commonwealth the common people thought that he had beene restored to his office of Generall of the nauall Armie Then did all the religious Orders all the Colledges the companies and fraternities of the Citie come to offer themselues both in publike and particular to furnish an Armie freely at their owne costs some likewise made offer at their owne charges to arme all the gallies But he after hee had courteously entertained them sent them backe to the Prince and Senate telling them that it was they who had the managing of all matters and that they would listen to their offers which concerned the good and profit of the Commonwealth In the meane space he spent the time in visiting the works and fortifications made at Saint Nicolas Church against the enemies incursions the which as vnprofitable he caused to be beaten downe and made others of better forme But when the people knew that he was not restored to his former office yee should haue seene in an instant how they stood affected to him and taxed the wilfulnesse of the Senators who in so great a danger would still respect their priuate hatreds What said they shall not so notable a man most skilfull in marine matters and famous for the reputation of his high attempts be restored to the office of high Admirall This is not done for the good of the Commonwealth but onely to satisfie the enuie of a few particular persons These or such like detractions of the common sort being reported at the Pallace the Senate did againe assemble where they propounded the small danger which at any other time the peoples murmuring against the Senate could import but that it was most necessarie at that present to bee at vnitie one with another inregard the safetie of the Commonwealth was then in hazard VVhereupon by a generall consent Victor was admitted to his former office It was presently blowne abroad the Citie how that by a new decree of the Senate Pisani was declared Generall of the nauall Armie and that he was with his forces to lie betwixt the Citie and the Paduan confines Great numbers of people did forth with runne vnto him and in three daies sixe gallies were armed and many more might haue beene made readie if need had beene euerie man striuing who should first enroll his name for that seruice Many Ganzarioles and other small vessels were added to these gallies All which being readie to depart Pisani came with the nauall Armie to the Hauen where he conferred with the Generall of the land troupes to change the Fort which had been builded at the first into a bricke wall to build at both ends two small towers with good garrisons The Senate allowed this opinion of his and euerie one falling forthwith to worke in foure daies the two towers were builded Pisani Thadeo Iustiniano Caballa and diuers other noble men hauing laid the first foundations Then they began the wall in the same place where the trench was the which being drawne from one tower to another was ended in fifteene daies great numbers of townsmen souldiers and marriners laying their hand to it The ruines of this building are at this day to be seene on the left side of the Hauen There was afterward a great yron chaine drawne neere to the Iewrie to hinder the enemies incursions and foure great couered ships were there placed to serue for a defence Then without they made a trench from the new wall vnto Saint Martins Church where diuers light boates were placed who all night long went the round least the enemie entering secretly should burne the buildings next to the Citie They did besides in the night time place diuers corpes-de-guard for feare least the Citie should receiue some harme by a surprize VVhilest these things were done in the Citie diuers persons in light boats made incursions beyond Montauban and those places from which men go from the firme land to Chioggia where they assailed diuers boates which went vp and downe which being easily taken with the profit that arose by them did encourage diuers others to doe the like There passed no day but some vessell or other was taken so as in a while after none durst goe from Padua to Chioggia The Genoueses soone perceiued that if the passages were shut from them victuails would faile VVherfore to stay these incursions or rather hoping to execute some great exploit they came with their gallies and diuers other armed vessels furiously to possesse the Hauen of Malamoc and to encampe there and hauing builded a Fort in the same place where that of the Venetians had stood they landed part of their troupes on the opposite shoare to take Poueggia by force The Venetians being aduertized of the enemies approach did shut vp the channels which came from Chioggia to Venice with two ships which were sunke one neere to the other a little beyond the Church of the holy Ghost and on the side of them another greater than they lying at Anker with store of archers in it The enemies gallies being come thither Thadeo Iustiniano who lay at the foresaid Church did with fiue gallies euerie day giue them alarme where they fought more with arrowes and dartes than
Modon Thither newes was brought him how that the enemie with great forces lay before the Citie of Scutari This Citie standeth in that part of Dalmatia which being possessed by the Epirots was by the modernes tearmed Albania by a particular name it is seated on an hanging hill and in some places the accesse to it is very difficult On the West side is a lake in circuit fourescore thousand paces though Authors make no mention of it The inhabitants call it the lake of Scutari out of which issueth a nauigable Riuer called Boyano Plinie saith That in former time the Riuer Drina did runne on the East side thereof very neere to the Citie walls where at this day the ruines of the bridge are to be seene now the Riuer changing her course it runnes neere to the Island and deliuers it selfe by two channels to the sea ten myles from Boyano The champaine countrey which lieth betwixt these two Riuers and the fields neere adioyning are so fruitfull as seed being cast vpon the ground without any tillage giue a wonderfull encrease and they are enforced to driue their cattell forth of the pastures for feare they should ouerfeed themselues Alongst the sea coast are goodly woods wherewith they build shippes Ottoman who aspired to the Empire of Italie being allured by these commodities resolued to attempt Scutari the chiefe Citie of that Prouince hoping by taking thereof with ease to become master of the rest hee committed the charge of the siege to Soliman the Eunuch whom he made Gouernor of the Prouinces of Europe in his stead who the yeare before was slaine in the Persian warre And besides his other forces he gaue him eight thousand Ianizaries of his owne guard with an hundred Canoniers He hauing assembled great forces forth of all Prouinces subiect to Mahomet had fourescore thousand men in his armie The Citie being besieged he made a bridge ouer the riuer Boyano the guard wherof he committed to Alibeg with his fierce troopes of Tribulls Then he caused foure peeces of ordnance of a wonderfull bignesse to be planted neere the walls to make a breach the munition belonging to those peeces did load foure hundred Camels Hee did besides cause twelue other smaller peeces to be planted to batter the houses of the towne So soone as Mocenigo had intelligence of the siege of Scutary he went to Corfu where he receiued letters from the Prince and a commandement from the Senate to be carefull of the defence of Scutari and of the sea-coast of Albania Therefore he presently passed ouer into the firm land where at the mouth of the Boyano he met with Triadin Gritti his successor and Lodouico Bembo the Prouidator Then although he might haue commaunded alone yet being in no sort ambitious he resolued to doe nothing without their common consent First of all then they sent Leonardo Bolda with foure Gallies to Catharra and commaunded him to goe to Iohn Cernouich who commaunded the Sclauonians neighbours to the Lake and to entreat him from them that he would as became a faithfull associate leuie forces from all parts in some sort to relieue Scutari if it were possible That Leonardos selfe with his vessels appointed for that purpose should together with Ceruouich vse meanes to put some supplies into the towne by water They did afterwards send fiue Gallies by the Riuer Drinon for the guard of the Island The Citie is seated on a plaine and is in no sort strong by Art or Nature The riuer Drinon falling by two channells into the sea makes an Island whither all the Country people of that Prouince which dwelt in the Villages were retired with their wiues and children vpon the enemies comming Now for the defence of this Island the Venetian Generalls sent diuers armed vessells beside the Gallies They did moreouer assure Durazzo with foure gallies and certaine troupes of Albanian horse This cittie was in former time called Epidamnum by the Founders name his Nephew sonne to his daughter added the Hauen to the Cittie and would haue it to be called Dirrachium after his owne name He lost his sonne Ionius in the war against his bretheren vnder the conduct of Hercules who slew him by misfortune and threw him into the neighbour Sea of whom it afterward took the name This is the opinion of the Greeke Authors The Latines do not reckon the place to be of such antiquity and affirme that the Romains named it Dyrrachium in sted of Epidamnum because that name seemed to presage some misfortune to such as went thither It was in old time a very famous cittie and much renowmed during the ciuill warres of the Romans For Pompey in that place made all his warrelike preparations against Caesar but it is now desolate and vninhabited The Venetians kept it for the commodiousnesse of the hauen They did afterwards place garrisons in Buda Antiuari and Olchina which in former times according to Plinie was called Colchina founded by the Colchians who pursuing Medea entred into the Adriatticke sea and Ionian seas Some Authors woorthie of credit affirme That the Inhabitants of that place doe yet retaine the barbarous crueltie of their Ancestours and that among all the Inhabitants of that coast they are most vnciuill to strangers The Venetian Generalls went and encamped with the rest of the armie at Saint Sergius Church in view of the Inhabitants This place is fiue miles from Scutari and foureteene from the Sea The Gallies could not saile vp the Riuer beyond the Church by reason of the shallownesse of the water From thence the fleete gaue signes of encouragement morning and euening to the Cittie by making fires The riuer Boyano diuides it selfe into two very narrow channels beneath the Temple Eschella eight miles from the Armie The Turkes went about to embarre those streights with yron chaines and piles to shut in the Venetian Gallies which would haue mightily endaungered the Venetians had not a fugitiue giuen them notice thereof in time whereat they being somewhat troubled did sodainely saile in order of battell to seize vpon the mouth of the Riuer The enemie vpon the gallies arriuall being landed was encamped vpon the shoare in a close battallion The fight being begunne the Turkes did extreamely afflict the Venetians with their arrows and they them with their ordnance howbeit in the end the enemy was enforced to quit the place with the losse of fiue hundred of his men The victorious Venetians hauing left foure gallies for the defence of the place returned to their campe neere the Temple Many that were present at this exploit affirme that this fight against the Turkes at the entry of the riuer Boyano hapned vnder the conduct of Triadin before Mocenigo his arriuall But whilst this was done vpon the Riuer the Turkes did continually with the cannon batter the city walls and ouerthrew the houses Antonio Lauretano a valiant gentleman commaunded in the city and was Prouidator in the Prouince who as one
therevnto added very earnest speeches to winne their loues which were heard with more attention then profit that done hee enroled all those in the City that were able to beare armes The Venetian army in the meane time still preuailed and after the taking of the towne and â—…astle of Carauagia crossed the Riuer Adda on a bridge of boats and made incursions as farre as Lodi The French army on the other side beseeged Alexandria where Galleas Lodouicos sonne in law lay with twelue hundred men at armes twelue hundred light horse and three thousand foot who the third night after the seege acquainting none of his captains with his intent but only Maluezza did secretly flie from Alexandria to Milan with certaine light-horse His departure knowne in the city as many as tarried behind beganne in tumultuous manner some to flie others to hide themselues wherevpon the French army entring it by day breake did not only ransacke the souldiers but sack't the whole city The taking of Alexandria caused those of Placentia to send their Commissioners to Triuulcio with their Cities keyes the like did those of Pauia and all other townes round about There was the like confusion at Milan as in other places where the foot companies demanding pay Lodouico sent them to his cheefe Treasurer who giuing them no satisfaction was by them wounded and left for dead This accident did so terrifie Lodouico as he sent his children to Coma together his with mistris for his wife was dead Cardinall Ascanio his brother and Cardinal Sanseuerine brother to Galeas and from thence into Germany himselfe resoluing ere long to goe thither The Milaneses perceiuing Lodouico to destrust his owne forces made an assembly in their towne-house where they appointed foure of the chiefe among them to take order for their affaires These comming to Lodouico told him that they were resolued to yeeld to the French King seeing that in distrust he had sent his children and family forth of the City So soone as he heard this he caused pay to be giuen to fiue hundred light-horse and with teares in his eyes departed with them and Galeas of Sanseuerin his sonne in law towards Germany He was scarce gonne forth of the castle when Count Gayazza came to him and the better to collour his disloyalty told him that he now thought himselfe freed from the martiall oth which he had made him seeing that he abandoned his State and that he was now at liberty to goe whether it pleased him and at the very instant not tarrying for an answer went his way to serue the French King with the same company which he had leauied and entertained at Lodouicos cost Before his departure from Milan hee left Bernardin de Corte of Pauia whom he had brought vp of a child to gard the castle whereof he was then Gouernor with three thousand footmen vnder captaines whom he greatly trusted with prouision of victuals munition and money sufficient to defend it for a long time preferring this man before his brother Ascanio who had offered to take that charge vpon him Foure daies after his departure Triuulcio sent for by the Milaneses entred the City where he was receiued with great ioy reseruing the capitulations till the Kings comming all other townes of the Dutchy which yet held out yeelded on a sodaine The Venetians comming nere Cremona the townesmen sent to entreate them to grant them some respit to consider vpon their yeelding This granted they sent to Triuulcio to request him to receiue them for the King for they abhorted the Venetians gouernment but answered that by agreement made betwixt the King and them that city was theirs the chiefest Citizens with the Bishop and Clergy went to the Gates and there receiuing the Prouidators placed them vnder a Canopy and in this manner accompanied them through the City to their lodging where they intreated the Venetians to free them from the taxes and impositions where with Lodouico had opprest them the which was presently granted There is in that City a very strong castle which being well furnished with all necessaries it was a hard matter to take it Antonio Battaglione was Gouernor there vnto whom Lodouico had committed the guard of that place The next day the Prouidators sent to him willing him to yeeld vp the castle to the Venetian State at first he made refusall but after sundry messages too and fro the Prouidatorsâ—…ntred it by meanes of an hundred and fifty pounds of gold which they paied him some in hand and the rest by promise with letters of a Venetian Gentlemans place and an house in Venice and an other in the country neere to Padua with diuers other lands The same day that the Venetians entred the castle of Cremona Triuulcio did the like into that of Milan which was yeelded vnto him by Berdardino de Corte with al Lodouicos and Galleas ritch mouables in recompence of a certaine summe of money a company of an hundred Launces and a perpetuall pension Cremona obeying the Venetians the Senate sent two Presidents thither to gouerne it and to doe iustice Dominico Treuisan and Nicola Foscarinâ—… were sent thither and beside these two Ambassadors were chosen and all foure of them appointed to goe to Milan to receiue the King and in the States name to congratulate his new conquest so soone as he should ariue there The King receiuing newes at Lyons of such fortunate successe his expectatioon rode presently in post to Milan where receiued with in credible ioy hee granted to the people vnreasonable in their demands exemption from diuers tâ—…xes but not from all as they vainely presumed and gaue great rewards to many Milanese Gentlemen and among others to Triuulcio vnto whom he gaue Vigeua and other townes in acknowledgement of his desert All the Potentates of Italy went thither to him King Frederick excepted some personally and some by Ambassadors some to congratulate his happy successe and others to cleere themselues from imputation of inclyning to Lodouico Sforza more then to him and others likewise to secure their owne euer after The King gently receiued them all and compounded with them all but after different manner according to the diuersity of the conditions and greatnesse of the profit he expected from them But whilest these things were done in Lombardy the Senate hauing intelligence that Bajazeth armed by sea and land made Antonio Grimany Generall of their Naual army commanding him speedily to depart He vnwilling to prolong his iourney for want of money their treasure beeing much wasted by continuall warre lent the State foure score pounds of gold to pay the marriners and other officers of the fleet and promised to carry as much with him to Corfou and other places to supply the fleets want when need should be Those of Corfou vpon intelligence that the Turkish fleet was vnder saile and that the State was not able in a short space to set forth a Nauy able to
of most importance till such time as those great nombers of Suisses should be wasted or else some fresh supplies might come to them from France to make head against them Wherevpon he did put into Bressia two thousand foote one hundred and fiftie lances and a hundred men at armes of the Florentines into Crema fiftie lances and a thousand foote and into Bergamo a thousand foote and a hundred Florentine men at armes he brought the residew of the army to Pontuico which consisted of six hundred lances two thousand French foot and foure thousand Lansquenets But the next day letters came from the Emperour who commanded the Lansquenets forthwith to abandon the French Kings seruice they not daring to disobey departed the very same day because they were all his subiects La Palisse despayring by reason of the Lansquenets departure of beeing able any longer to defend the Dutchy of Milan did in great hast retire to Pisquetona The Venetians in the meane time hauing already taken Valegia and Piscara did still with that Army winne the Contrey as they went along Those of Cremona being wholly forsaken did yeeld to the Cardinall of Syon and gaue him a good somme of money to the end that the Suisses should not enter into their Citty The like did Carauagio and Soncino wherein the Cardinall of Syon placed his owne people in Garrison in steed of deliuering it to the Venetians as it was mentioned in the treaty of the League All other townes neere to the riuer Adda did yeeld to the Venetians the like did Bergamo with her territory by reason that La Palisse had recalled his companies which lay there to ioyne them to the army La Palisse forsooke Pisquetona and went and crossed the Riuer Adda hoping to keepe the enemies from passing the riuer if the footmen which they made account to leauy had arriued But through want of money to pay them none were raised wherevpon he retired to Saint Angello and the day following to Pauia determining to stay there But after that Triuulcio came thither to him and had shewed him the vanity of his opinion and how that it was impossible to hould back so great a ruine seeing there were no footmen in the Army nor meanes to wage new as well for the shortnesse of the time as for that there was no money to pay them he went and made a bridge ouer the Po at a place where it is most narrow to the end that the companies might more commodiously passe holding on their way towards Ast. So soone as the French had passed the Riuer Adda Loda yeelded to the confederates who being come to Pauia beganne to batter the Castle The French like-wise did soone abandon it and came to the stone bridge which is ouer the riuer Thesin fearing least it should be surprised hauing but that place alone whereby to escape from Pauia All the French men with certaine Lancequenets who were not departed with the rest being come forth of Pauia the Cittâ—… promised to pay a great summe of mony to auoyde the sack thereof Milan had already done the like compounding for a great summe and all other townes Bi essia and Coma excepted did with great desire doe the same All matters were gouerned in the name of the holy league for so all men called it and all the profit fell to the Swisses which caused many more of that nation to come downe into Lombardy and to vnite them-selues with the first In this change Parma and Placentia were giuen to the Pope The Swisses â—…eazed on Lucarna and the Grisons on Voltolina and Chiauenna Iano Fregossa by the Venetians aide in whose army he serued went to Genoa and so handled the matter as the French gouernor being expelled it reuolted and created him Duke In the like manner all the townes and Castles of Romagnia did returne to the Pope Bolognia like-wise yeelded to his officers after the Bentiuoles being depriued of all hope had forsaken it The Cardinall of Medicis had already before then escaped by meanes of some stirre which hapned of purpose as hee entred into a boate at the passage of the Po wherevpon hee was taken from the French who kept him who intended flight rather then resistance The Senate in the meane time being desirous to recouer Bressia and Coma solicited the Cardinall of Syon to come with his troupes and their army to beseege those townes who making no hast beeing loth to encrease the Venetians greatnesse came in the end and encamped before Bressia neere to Saint Iohns gate battering at one time both the towne and Castle whether the Viceroy came to them with the Spanish army The Lord of Aubigni who was within it perceiuing that in the end he could not choose but deliuer it thought it best to yeeld it together with the Castle rather to the Viceroy then to the Venetians compounding with him that all the souldiors within should depart with liues and goods The French that were at Legnaga followed the same councell Crema did other-wise which was beseeged by Ranze de la Cere with a part of the Venetians forces vnto whome Benedict Cribario being corrupted by guifts and vpon promise to be made a gentleman of Venice did yeeld the towne by the consent of the Lord De Duras gouernor of the Castle the which he would not doe to Octanian Sforza Bishop of Lodi for in the name of the future Duke Maximilian Sforza being come thither for that purpose with foure thousand Swisses In these interims the Bishop of Gurcia as Lieutenant to the Emperor went to Rome who being receiued with all honor they beganne to treat of the establishment of the common businesse and how to root out particular strife and contentions to the end that Italy being vnited together might resist the French King and the hardest matter of all this was the agreement so often treated of betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians For the Bishoppe of Gurcia demanded to haue Verona and Vincenza to remaine to the Emperor and the other townes to the Venetians for which they should presently pay to Maximilian two hundred thousand florins of the Rhyne and thirty thou sand for euer after yearely in manner of rent The Venetians would not pay rent for those townes which they had enioyed for so many yeares as belonging vnto them nor consent to giue mony and much lesse to deliuer Vincenza for diuers reasons by them alleadged The Pope did what he could to attone them now inciting the Venetians then entreating them sometimes threatning The King of Arragons Ambassadors did all they could the like also did the Swisses In the end the Bishop of Gurcia persisting in his demand and the Venetians in their refusall as well of Vincenza as of the summe of mony the Pope forsooke them protesting to their Ambassadors that he should be enforced to pursue their Republick with spirituall and temporall armes and made a league with the Emperor
army to Biagrassa whilest hee stayed there the Duke of Sauoy with the other commissioners whome the King had left at Verceill had made peace with the Swisses in the Kings name But this peace was almost in one day concluded and broken by the arriuall of new Swisses who being proud for their forepassed victories hoping to carry home with them as great wealth as they saw their fellowes laden with they would not heare tell of peace refusing to yeeld vp the valleis mentioned in the agreement so as by this breach of peace matters returned to their former difficulties and to much greater in regard of the Swisses new forces as also of those of the Viceroy and Lorenzo de Medicis who approched Milan Aluiana in the meane time sent word to the French King that he would so amuse the Spanish army as it should haue no meanes to hurt him and therefore so soone as hee vnderstood that the Viceroy was gone from Verona he left the Pollesin of Rouigo and hauing crossed the Adice he speedily came along the riuer Po with nine hundred men at armes foureteene hundred light horse and nine thousand foot with greate store of artillery neere to the walls of Cremona The King according to Aluianas letters came to Marignan to giue him more easie meanes to ioyne with the royall army and to stop the companies of the Church and Spaniards from doing the like with the enemies For it did greately import the king to haue the enemies force diuided in sundry places The King being come to Marignan stayed there and wrot to the Venetian Senate giuing them notice of his arriuall in Italy and of the fortunate successe of his affaires till then together with the hope hee had that his deseignes would prosper in regard that both their affaires were managed by one selfe-same Vnion and concord But in these interims Rance de Cera who had well demeaned him-selfe against the enemies being mooued with iealozy against Aluiana for that hee would not bee enforced to obey him as Generall if the armies should come to ioyne together craued leaue of the Venetians to depart who being not able to make them friends did freely graunt it Hee was a braue Captaine and could not abide any superior and Aluiana could not endure an equall by meanes whereof they could not agree together wherevpon hauing taken his leaue hee put him selfe into the Popes pay with two hundred men at armes and two hundred light horse Marke Antonio Colonna in the meane time who remayned for the gard of Verona made a sodaine sally with three thousand foot-men and about seauen hundred horse of all sorts and went and scoured the Vincentine Territory spoyling and wasting what-so-euer he met with Albeit this did trouble the Venetians yet could it not diuert them from their former determination which was that Aluiana should ioyne with the French army knowing well that if the French Kings affaires did prosper this could not doe amisse Foure armies were at one time in one country very neere to one another The French army was of forty thousand men among whome were fiue hundred men at armes chosen out of the French Nobillity excellently well armed and mounted who after they had seazed on Nouara and Paula were come to Marignan not farre from them lay the Venetian army of twelue thousand foot and three thousand horse which stayed at Lodi both armies being well stored with artillery Against these two were two other armies of the enemies who for the same reasons were enforced to remaine deuided one from another That of the Pope and the Florentines ioyned with the Spaniards was more esteemed for the old soldiers then for the great number and it was lodged neere to the Citty of Placentia on the banke of the riuer Po. The other was of Swisses which was said to bee forty thousand men who at the pursute and perswasion of the Cardinall of Syon kept the Citty of Milan which was well furnished with all necessaries This Cardinall returning from Placentia whither he was fled wondering that his country-men practized with the French king relying on great numbers of soldiers newly come which did fauor his party he came among them who were al in a manner diuided some of them not enduring to heare tell of war and others not of peace And causing them al to come together on a day he beganne with a very vehement and affectionate speech to incite them without any more delay to go forth the same day and assaill the French King and not to set so much before their eyes the number the enemies horse and artillery as to let it make them to forget the valour of the Swisses and the victories obtained by them against the French That it was not the artillery which gaue the victory but onely the prowesse and valour of the soldier And that besides the giuing of the victory which he assured them of they should consider the great wealth they were to get as well by the spoyle of the French army as by that of the whole state of Milan And therefore hee willed them to aduance their pikes with their vsuall courage and sound their drums and without delaying one houre of time to goe and vse their armes effectually and to glut them-selues with the bloud of those who by their pride would molest the whole world and by their basenesse doe euer become a prey to all men The Swisses beeing incited by these or such like speeches did furiously on a sodaine put on their armes and going forth of the Citty did put themselues in order of battaile and albeit it was neere night they marched towards the French Army with such courage as if they had already obtayned the victory notwithstanding that diuerse of their Captaines thought it great rashnesse and a very dangerous matter to assaile the enemy in his camp who was resolued for battaile But the Cardinall of Sion fearing least delay might produce somthing contrary to his deseignes and that as the desire of fight had easily enflamed their courages it might as easily be quenched by the remonstrance of their Captaines of the contrary part he gaue forth a false rumor among them that the French gathered togeather their baggage and prepared for their departure and that their vantgard was already forth of their Camp to goe and ioyne with the Venetian army to retire afterwards to beseege Milan wherevpon he exhorted them to make hast to surprize the enemy in disorder who little doubted thereof This exhortation was seconded by diuers Captaines of his faction who did greatly praise his councell and incited them to battaile going vp and downe the rankes making the like remonstrances wherewith the soldiers being encouraged marched on with a speedy pace towards the enemies Now the French being aduertized of the Suisses comming towards them albeit they were at the first greatly amazed as it happeneth in matters not foreseene nor premeditated they did
the accomplishing of the rest till their enteruiew which by their mutuall consent was concluded to bee at Bolognia The Pope for that purpose departed from Rome and the King from the City of Milan the Venetians Ambassadors did accompany his Maiesty all Italy receiued great contentation by that assembly hoping that it would produce an assured peace to the whole Prouince A legat was sent to the Emperour to treat of agreement betwixt him and the Venetians and to haue him to remit Bressia and Verona to them for a pecuniary recompence The Pope likewise sent a briefe to the Venetians exhorting them vnto peace The Pope and the King being come to Bolognia they couenanted together That the King should take vpon him the protection of the Popes person and the Churches State of Iuliano and Lorenzo de Medicis and the State of Florence That the Pope should cause his forces to leaue Verona and countermand those companies sent to the Emperors aide against the Venetians Diuers other Articles were concluded concerning onely the proffit of either of them In the which treaty hauing continued sixe daies together both of them departed from Bolognia the King thinking that he had done a great matter to haue drawne the Pope to his side and to haue disioyned him from his enemies The King being come to Milan beganne to thinke on his returne to France hauing nothing to detaine him but the desire he had to see the Venetians re-established in their Cities Therefore he commanded to re-enforce the Venetians army which lay before Bressia and had reduced the beseeged to that extremity as all men thought that they would soone yeeld for the Almaines and Spaniards that lay within it had resolued together that if within twenty daies they were not releeued they would yeeld vp the City to the Venetians on these conditions neuerthelesse to depart with displayed Enseignes the drumme beating with the artillery and all their baggage which was the selfe same composition which they had concluded with the Venetians Generall But the Almain succors came and entred the towne before the time agreed vpon was expired The report of the comming of this aide had caused sundry opinions in the army some of the being of opinion to continue the seege others to lead the army elsewhere but the report of the number of the Almaines being greater then the effect and for that they had notice by their spies that Marke Antonio Colonna who was come forth of Verona entred the Mantuā territory made preparations to come and assaile them caused the Venetian captaines who feared that by staying there the enemies might come and enclose them to determine wholy to dislodge and to bring the artillery to Crema and Cremona and the rest of the army to Castlenedulla six miles off from Bressia These newes being brought to Venice did greatly amaze the whole City because they expected rather to haue heard of the taking of the City then of any thing else The Generall and the Prouidatory had written that there was such strong Garrison at all passages as it was impossible that any aide could enter into it which might keepe them backe from obseruing the agreement which they had made and that which caused them most to beleeue it was that the French supplies which were to come to the campe being three thousand Almains and 400 horse were departed from Milan and were on their way towards their campe This did much blemish Triuulcio his reputation whereof he hauing notice craued leaue of the Signory That he might depart saying that the affaires of his owne house called him thence and that he could tarry no longer in their army But the Senate knowing that this mans experience was much important for their affaires vsed meanes to appease him by letters and did entreate the King to cause him to take that charge vpon him but he would by no meanes consent therevnto but returned to Milan Theodore Triuulcio tooke charge of the Venetian army and of the whole mannaging of the warre holding the same authority in the army as Iohn Iames Triuulcio had done al-be-it he had not the name nor degree of captaine Generall The King in the meane time hauing giuen order for his returne into France left the Duke of Burbon for viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan and before his departure he commanded Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrec to carry speedily greater aide to the Venetians and generally to doe all matters for them as if it were for his owne seruice shewing thereby his great affection to the Republike as in all other his speeches and discourses not letting to say that if the Venetians were not wholy restored to their Cities he would returne into Italy with greater forces then before The King being gonne forth of Italy and the Duke of Bourbon tarrying there to command the Dutchy of Milan the Venetians still kept an Ambassador nere to him to sollicite whatsoeuer was needfull for their affaires Andrew Treuisan was sent thither who being come to Milan Andrè Gritti who had remained there after the Kings departure to hasten the supplies went to the army to be Prouidator there in stead of Dominico Contaren that fell sicke and was brought home to Venice At the very same time the Lord of Lautrec came to the army with great forces which did much encrease it so as it seemed that there was no doubt but that Bressia would be taken Now the Pope supposing that this successe did greatly crosse his deseignes sought all meanes to hinder it He propounded truce to draw the matter forth at length hoping to cause the Venetians to condescend to some agreement though it were to their disaduantage by reason of the difficulty to take that City And because he knew that himselfe could doe no good in that businesse for the small credit which the Venetians did giue to his words he determined to make vse of the King of Polands authority whose Ambassador hauing intelligences likewise at Venice he perswaded to reuiue the treaty of peace and to propound to the Venetians that if they would disioyne themselues from the French and allie themselues to the Emperor they might add two goodly Cities to their State Lodi and Cremona because that with the Popes armes the Emperours and their owne being vnited together they might easily expell the French and afterwards by the King of Polands authority obtaine them of the Emperour in guift so as being thus separated from the State of Milan they might for euer after be incorporated to the Venetians demaines Besides this proposition the Pope hoping that by the Generals absence the seege of Bressia might be prolonged wrote to King Francis that it might please him to command the Lord of Lautrec to goe to Rome being desirous to confer with such a man about diuers matters concerning the affaires of Naples to which he knew the King enclined wherevpon he exhorted him to make hast to
to accept peace on such vniust conditions would to much blemish the Republikes reputation and by quitting so easily their townes and giuing away their money was nothing else but to cause the enemies who by nature are insolent to demand greater matters During these irresolutions Casar Cantelmo came to Venice who hauing beene already sent as hee said to Soliman from the most Christian King about the negociation for the truce at his returne into France had informed the King of the whole matter wherevpon hee returned againe by his commandement to Constantinople for the same businesse The French Ambassador comming into the Senate told them that the King his Maister did expresly send that gentleman to Constantinople about the affairs of the Venetian Common-wealth and from him to deale in the negociation of peace and therefore he was come to Venice to receiue their commandements therevpon being by the King enioyned to execute them as though they were his owne The Lord Iohn Francesco Valerio a Venetian Gentleman did affirme the very same who hauing remained a long time in France had beene very familliar with the chiefe Lords of the Court who did often acquaint him with matters of importance this Gentleman did testifie the Kings loue and hearty affection towards them and his readinesse to send other Agents to Soliman if the Senate should dislike of Cantelmo exhorting them to trust to the King and to his loue towards the Republike the totall summe of this negociation that there was no better nor safer way then that to reconcile them to the Turke with more honour and lesse losse They were aduertized at the same time that an enteruiew was practised betwixt the Emperour and the French King the cause thereof was the iourney which the Emperour determined to make into Flanders to chastice those of Gant who had rebelled resoluing to goe thither through France and to talke with the King and to treat with him for so it was reported about some good agreement that being good friends they might afterwards ioyne their forces together against the Turkes The enteruiew of these Princes furnished all men with matters of sundry discourse and chiefely the Venetian Senate where it was a long time debated whether they should continue the treaty of peace with the Turke in regard of matters offered and the hard conditions propounded by Soliman On the other side some were of opinion to embrace the occasion of Cantelmo his voyage and the Kings offer if they should refuse it it was to bee feared that his Maiesty would take it in ill part thinking that they made small account of him or his friendship that they were at least to entreat that Gentleman on the Kings behalfe to insist vpon the Generall truce which beeing graunted would greatly serue for the fitnesse of the time and the quiet which thereby would arise to enioyne him besides to assure the Turke that the Senates intention was none other then to procure a firme peace vpon honest conditions Others propounded that it was best to send a speedy messenger to Contaren to command him for to tarry in that place where hee should meet with him and there to expect a new commission which the Senate would send him according to the progression of the affaires others thought it fit to proceed to the election of a new Ambassadour or else to referre the whole businesse to the Bayly Canalis who was at liberty and able to negociate but these men were not of opinion to make vse of Cantelmo in this negociation nor to impart any thing vnto him that he was a Neapolitan bannished from his Country who besides the Kings deseignes and interests quite contrary perhaps to those of the Republike had his owne likewise a part which might hinder and not further the good successe of that businesse That their safety and publike dignity did not permit them to discouer vnto such men any iot of the Senates intention the which they were to suspect and not without cause that hee was very desirous to know rather to crosse then to further it that the Emperour sought all occasions to breake this pursute of peace which did so much trouble and anoy him and the French King vpon hope to recouer the State of Milan was ready to con tent him in all things To all these considerations they added an other which was of no meane consequence which was that because the haruest of the same yeere had beene euery where and especially ouer all Italie verie badde wherewith the City of which was to feed an infinite number of persons was greatly troubled so as the people who were wont to fare delicately and to eate none other bread then that which was made of wheate were enforced to feed on all sorts of graine and in hazard likewise to want them vnlesse they might bee brought from forraine countries Venice hauing no corne territory of her owne a thing which did greatly trouble the Senate wherevpon the better to prouide for a matter of so great importance some said that the friendship of the Turkes was very necessary and others thought it fit to haue recourse to the Spaniards to get proportions of wine and graine from their countries whereby it fell out that the same subiect serued for a foundation whereon to build the two sundry opinions In this manner was the time spent without any certaine resolution so as the Ambassador Contaren hauing continued his iourney and receiued no new commandement from the Senate arriued at Venice and Cantelmo departed thence without any commission These irresolutions gaue the Emperor some hope who espied al occasions to breake the negociation of peace with Soliman and once more to draw the Venetians to confirme the league therefore supposing that there was nothing which could better further his intention then to make them beleeue that he was friends with the French King and that being thereby freed from all other lets he would employ all his forces vpon the enterprize of the Leuant and that the French King would aide and fauour the league determined to send some noble personage to Venice perswading the King to doe the like to acquaint the Venetians with the enteruiew and to discouer somewhat of their intentions The Marquis of Guasto who was gouernor of Milan for the Emperor and the Lord of Annebault Marshall of France and Generall for the most Christian King in Piedmont came to Venice vpon the tenth day of December Their entertainment was magnificent as well in regard of the Princes greatnesse that sent them as for the quality and nobility of the persons great numbers of Senators went to meet them with the Bucentaur and seuen Gallies then they were lodged in a goodly pallace and their expence defraied by the Signory Their first audience was giuen them in the great Hall where the great Councell is held in the presence of many people where there were no other speeches vsed but complementall and of
reduced to this forme That none of what quality soeuer should giue lands to the Church but onely for two yeares space in which time they should be sold and if the sale were not made by the Clergie a ciuill Magistrate should bee appointed to doe it This beeing considered by the Senate hath euer since beene generally practised ouer the whole Venetian state The yeare 1603. the Councell of the Preguays at Venice decreed that no Venetian cittizen of what degree or quality soeuer should in the Citty without the Senates consent build any new Church Hospitall or Monastery not that the Senate would wholy prohibit such buildings but because the Prince and Senate as Superiours would consider whether it were needfull or not there beeing in the citty one hundred and fifty Churches Monasteries Hospitalls and other like places of deuotion The yeare following 1604. the Venetians inioying peace warre remooued it selfe to other places as Germany the Leuant and Flanders In the yeare 1605. Pope Clement the eight falling sick on the twelfth of February dyed on the third of March following hauing gouerned the sea of Rome thirteene yeares his body was carried to Saint Peters Church and buried in the Clementine chappell which himselfe had built Then the Cardinalls entring into the Conclaue elected Alessandro de Medicis Cardinall of Florence sonne to the illustrious Octauio who beeing Archbishop of Florence was made Cardinall by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and beeing chosen Pope tooke vpon him the name of Leo the tenth The Romaines were very glad of his election but their ioy lasted not long for hee dyed of a Feuer the twenty sixth day after hee was made Pope Some thought hee was poysoned but his body beeing opened in the presence of diuerse Physitions they found it otherwise hee lyes buryed in Saint Peters Church The Cardinals proceeding to a new election and desirous to make haste the Cardinalls Farnese and Montalto went to Cardinall Aldobrandini intreating him to name three among the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Tuscus and Baronius excepted and they would choose one of the three Wherevpon the Cardinals Clement Arragon and Borgesius beeing named Borgesius as best beloued was presently saluted Pope by way of adoration intitling himselfe Paul the fift This Pope descended from an ancient family in Syenna was sonne to a Romaine Gentlewoman his Father comming to dwell at Rome But the Venetian Clergie notwithstanding the Senates decree did dayly more and more augment their reuenues and possessions as well within the Citty as abroad the Senate for reducing their whole State to one conformable custome had before as hath beene said diuulged their law ouer all their dominions and added therevnto a prohibition that none within their Citty or Signory vnder what coullor soeuer should sell giue or in any sort alienate lands to the Clergie without the Senates permission which should not be granted but with the same solemnities vsuall at the alienation of the publick reuenue and all alienations made otherwise to bee declared voide the lands confiscate and Notaries punished The Pope at the beginning of his Papacie hauing notice of this law did duly examine it and would in no sort approoue it but toward the end of October the same yeare complained thereof to the Venetian Ambassador at the time of publick audience saying That whilest the Sea of Rome was vacant the Venetians had made a lawe which prohibited the Clergie to purchase lands adding though it were made vpon important occasion and by vertue of a former dedree yet the Cannons disanulled them both therefore his pleasure was to haue them reuoked inioyning the Ambassador in his name to signifie as much to the Signory The Ambassador did what the Pope commanded and within a while after receiued instruction and Commission from the Senate to acquaint his Holynesse with the equity of their cause and iustice of their law together with the Signories power and authority to make such decrees The Pope confident in his owne opinion said aloud That he gaue him audience onely to content the Venetians and not to admit any of his propounded reasons or excuses then made an other complaint about the detaining of a Channon of Vincenza and the Abbot of Nerueze both of them accused of notorious crimes and within a while after another concerning the law forbidding to build Churches without permission beeing resolute to haue those two lawes reuoked and the prisoners deliuered to his Nuncio residing in Venice And on the tenth day of September making two Iniunctions one concerning the two lawes and the other about sentencing the Clergie hee sent a Commission to his Nuncio to present them resoluing vpon their answer and refusall to proceed to excommunication But the Nuncio beeing peraduenture mooued with pitty because the Senate at that time had chosen an extraordinary Ambassador by humble meanes to seeke to diuert his Holinesse from his resolution and to induce him better to consider of the matter delaied the presentation of those iniunctions which the Pope tooke in bad part wherevpon in all hast he sent him an expresse commandement to present them without farther delay In regard whereof vpon Christmasse day when Duke Grimani lay at point of death and that the Signory and Senators were assembled some of whom had receiued the holy Sacrament and others were ready to receiue the Nuncio craued audience and presented the two iniunctions which notwithstanding the Dukes death happened the day following were not opened till after the election of the new Duke Prince Grimani hauing gouerned nine yeares and odde moneths departed this mortall life in the Christmasse holy-dayes in the yeare 1605. his funerals ended Leonardo Donato Knight and Procurator of Saint Marke was after the 〈◊〉 manner chosen in his steed on the tenth day of February 1606. LEONARDO DONATO the 90. Duke AFter his election the two iniunctions beeing opened were both of one substance containing that his Holynesse was aduertised that the Venetian Senate had decreed diuerse things contrary to the liberty of the Church and authority of the Sea Apostolick and diuulged ouer all their Signories certaine lawes particular to the Citty of Venice forbidding to build Churches and Monasteries and to allienate secular possessions to the Clergie without the Senates permission which as repugnant to the Churches liberty his Holynesse declared to bee of no force and they who had made them to haue incurred Ecclesiasticall censures commanding them on paine of excommunication presently to reuoke and breake those lawes threatning to proceed farther if they obeyed him not To this the Senate answered on the 28. of Ianuary the same yeare 1606. That with greefe and amazement it vnderstood by his Holynesse letters that hee disliked the lawes of the Venetian common-wealth prosperously obserued for many ages and neuer till then taxed by any of his predecessors the reuocation whereof would ouer-throw the foundation of their State that hee accounted those lawes to be contrary to the authority of the
when he vnderstood that the league betwixt the King and Venetians was resolued hee not knowing the particularities thereof Hee was then ready to send Francesco of Sanseuerine with great forces to aide the Florentines but hee detained them vpon intelligence that Triuulcio leauied souldiers neere Ast. Hee likewise thought that if the accord betwixt the Venetians and Florentines should take effect they would peraduenture moderate their indignation conceiued against him and forsake the French King Herein hee imployed Hercules D'Aeste Duke of Ferrara his father in law and by forcible reasons enforced the Florentines in some sort to condescend to the Venetians desire sending them word that if they did not agree he should be constrained for feare of the French King to call home those forces he had sent to aide them Hercules the better to effect it came in person to Venice whither Lodouico sent his Agents and from the Florentins Giouâ—…n Baptista Râ—…dolfi and Paâ—…ic Antonio Soderini two of the wisest and chiefest Citizens came thither all which after long disputation concerning the meanes to be obserued in that accord made an absolute compromise for eighâ—… daies in the person of Hercules Duke of Ferrara who hauing well considered the matter did on the sixth of Aprill prouounce his sentence But the Venetians not satisfied therewith in regard of the small consideration had of their expences in warre nor yet the Pisans who obtained nothing but a seruile kind of liberty contrary to the intention of most of the Venetian nobility nor the Florentines who thought themselues ouer burthened for that they were to repay part of their expenses who had vniustly molested them it tooke none effect notwithstanding that the Venetians and Florentines had signed and ratified it because that the Pisans determined to endure all extremity rather then to returne vnder the Florentines command being there vnto secretly incited by the Geneaois Lukeses and by Pandolfo Petrucci And so soone as they vnderstood the tenure of the sentence being wonderfully incensed against the Venetians they tooke the gard of the Cities fortes and gates from their souldiers and would not longer suffer them to lodge in the City The Florentines despayring by this accord to obtaine Pisa resolued to win it by force King Lewis in the meane time commanded his forces to march into Italy his army consisted of 1600. Launces 5000. Swisses 4000. Gascons and 4000. out of the other parts of France whereof Giouan Iacomo Triuulcio was made Generall This army comming before the fort of Arazza seated on the riuer Tanaâ—…e took it in a short space notwithstanding that there were fiue hundred footmen in it from thence it went to Anon a little towne betwixt Ast and Alexandria vpon the same Riuer which beeing battered in foure seuerall places was in two daies taken by force notwithstanding that the Duke of Milan some few monthes before had well fortified it and placed seuen hundred men in Garrison there The King came after as farre as Lyons intending to passe the mounts from whence he sent an Ambassador to Venice for to accompany the Venetian army whether soeuer it marched to which so soone as it was ready Melchâ—…or Treuâ—…san and Marc Antonio Morosini were sent as Prouidators And the Senate presented this French Ambassador with a gallant horse ritchly caparisond a pauillon for the field and two pounds of gold The Venetians hauing intelligence of Triuulcio his good successe caused their army to march consisting of seuen thousand horse and as many foot which vnder the command of Aluiana hauing crossed the Oglio and entred the enemy country did in a short space take diuers townes and castles and comming before Carauagia the chiefe City of the country tooke it by force with other townes neere the Riuer Adda The end of the fifth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the sixth Booke of the fourth Decade LOdouico is troubled with the newes of the league betwixt the French King and Venetians against him Alexandria is taken by the French The Milaneses reuolt and Triuulcio entreth Milan for the King The Venetians take Cremona King Lewis comes to Milan The Venetians fleet against Bajazeth It sustaines great hurt by fire The Turke takes Lepanto Lodouico is receiued into Milan by the disloyalty of the Inhabitants Lodouico going forth of Nouara is taken by the French and sent prisoner into France The Venetians great warre with Bajazeth The Venetians through want of winde at sea lose the battaile The Turke takes Modon Coron and the fort of Iunca are yeelded to the Turke on composition Naples in Morea beseeged by the Turke is brauely defended The Isle of Samothrace yeeldeth to the Venetians They take the City of Cephalonia Confederacy betwixt Ladislaus King of Hungary and the Venetians against the Turke Peace betwixt the Venetians and Turke The Portugals traffick to Calicut for spices The castles of Moua and Faenza are re-deliuered to the Venetians The Pope complaines against the Venetians in regard of the Cities of Romagnia And lastly are set downe the Venetians Ambassadors inuectiue to the Emperour Maximillian and French King against the Pope The sixth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice THese newes did greatly afflict Lodouico Sforza putting him in feare of his State who lost as it often happeneth in sodaine Aduersities both courage and councell flying to bootlesse and vnprofitable remedies He sent an Ambassador to Venice to vse some meanes to pacifie the Senate This Ambassador comming first to Ferrara Duke Hercules sent one of his Gentlemen before to the Senate with Lodouicos letters intreating them to suffer his Ambassador to come thither The contents of his letters were that himselfe and his brother Ascanio sent an Ambassador to them on great and important affaires requesting them to giue him audience The Senate hauing read both their letters commanded the Ferrarois presently to leaue the City and gaue Lodouicos letters to the French Ambassador At the same time Frederick King of Naples did by his Ambassador acquaint the Senate with his desire to send fiue hundred horse to Lodouicos aide The Senate told the Ambassador that hee should make his King this answer That the Cauallery he intended to send to the Duke of Milan would doe him small good he hauing need of farre greater forces and that if he should send him any they would take it as a wrong done to themselues adding that there was no man liuing who had receiued more fauors and benefits of them then hee which he had requited with ingratefull iniuries That the time was now come when God was his enemy whom hee had so often offended by his disloyalty and periury and that therefore his King should doe much better to leaue him to him selfe In the end Lodouico frustrate of all hope made meanes to the people of Milan who extreamely hated him for his great exactions and hauing assembled them he did acquit and release part of his imposts to them and