beginne the warre on that side seeing that the King of Arragon was dead and that Charles Duke of Burgondy hauing taken vpon him the name of Prince of Castile made himselfe terrible to all those who held any States in Italy and chiefly to himselfe But the Popes cunning being already knowne of a long time caused no great regard to be giuen to his speech The Venetians thus continuing the seege of Bressia without harkening to any truce resolued not to stirre from thence till it was either yeelded vp or taken by force The Emperour who had made warre but slowly the yeere before by his Lieutenants determined to goe thither in person sought all meanes to make new stirres in Italy assembled diuers Diets craued aide made great leauies of soulders and aboue all prouoked the Swisses to take armes to reuenge the death of so many braue men their companions offering to be their captaine and not to abandon them in any trauaile or danger whatsoeuer The King of England made the same request being iealous of the glory and reputation of the French and for that the French King also had taken vpon him the protection of the King of Scots The Pope did no lesse but in more secret manner And all three of them promised good pay to those Swisses that would come shewing them moreouer that the profit which would redound to them by that warre of Italy and by their alliance would bee much greater then their hire The Venetian captaines in the meane time after the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec did often sit in councel where their opinions were very different saying That there was no great garrison within the towne and that it was besides destitute of all prouision making but small doubt of the seege But this opinion was not receiued by reason of the vnfitnesse of the time which was in the middest of winter when it is not good to discampe and to lead the souldiers to a new faction As also because they thought it meere follie to quit a certenty such as was the taking of Bressia for the vncertaine successe of that which would happen before Verona For they certainely knew that there was in Bressia such want of money corne and al other kind of victuals as it was of necessity soone to be theirs either by agreement or by force and this being verified by diuers it was concluded by a generall consent not to stirre from thence and that the City should be more streightlly looked to In the campe there was plenty of all things for the Senate was carefull to furnish it with all necessaries notwithstanding all the impediments which the enemies vsed against the purueyors which prooued vaine to none effect Marke Antonio Colonna was the man who being lodged at Verona vsed all meanes to cut off victuals from the army and to that end kept great numbers of Spaniards and horse-men at Legnaga which they then possessed so as by little and little the enemies waxed so bold as they came and scoured as farre as the Venetians campe whilest they were busied at their seege The Generall and the Prouidatori thinking if they should endure that indignity it would greatly blemish their reputation sent Iohn Paul Manfron and Marke Antonio Bue with foure hundred men at armes and foure hundred light horse to surprize them but the designe succeeded badly for Colonna being by his spies aduertized of their comming came forth of Verona with six hundred horse and fiue hundred foot and went speedily towards Valegia and met them in the field and comming to handy-stroakes he defeated them At this incounter Iulio son to Iohn Paul Manfron his horse being slaine vnder him in the fight was taken his father fled to Gueda A more prosperous issue had the enterprise of Iano Fregosa Iohn Corardo Visin marching with certaine companies as well of the one as other army to the castle of Anse to stoppe the passage of 3000. Lansequenets for they slue 800. of them and the residew escaped with the mony which they carried into Lodron All these exploits were great but not of any great consequence in comrison of the totall of the warre and of that which happened on report of the Emperors comming into Italy which dayly encreased whereby both the assallants and the beseeged were shaken with diuers hopes and feare The Emperor hauing assembled diuers foot and horse companies prouoked great numbers of Swisses to take armes was on his way to come into Italy intending to enter by the mountaines of Trent and to goe directly towards Verona then to Bressia and leauing strong garrison in both those Cities to passe on into the Dutchy of Milan to expell the French The Pope hauing notice of the Emperours entry into Italy the better to honour him and to acquaint him particularly with his loue towards him created Bernardo de Bibiena Cardinall of Saint Mary in Porticu Legat and sent him to him for that he was euer wont to shew himselfe on the Popes behalfe against the French and to hinder their proceedings But the Venetians beleeuing verily that the Emperour would come into Italy exhorted the French King to prouide for their common affaires and not to suffer the Emperour and the Swisses who enuyed his glory and greatnesse to enioy the fruit of his labour and trauaile and that therefore he should either in person returne againe into Italy with a mighty army or else augment that which he had here already according to the worthinesse of the cause promising for their parts to spare nothing that might auaile him The King knowing that what they said was most true tooke great care not only for the danger wherein he saw the Dutchy of Milan but because he should be enforced to put off his enterprize of Naples till some other time wherevnto he greatly inclined Resoluing neuerthelesse first of all to defend his owne Estates and those of his allies he propounded to the Venetians to wage at their common charge eight thousand Swisses because that he hauing at the same time very opportunely renued his alliance with them it was expresly agreed vpon that it should bee lawfull for the King to draw what number of souldiers he pleased forth of their country The Venetians soone agreed to giue pay to two thousand foot of that Nation and readily to furnish money necessary for other expences of warre And notwithstanding that the publike treasury was much exhausted and the whole City greatly afflicted with so long a warre Yet neuerthelesse there was no want seene in any prouision for the army nor in ought else that concerned the continuance of the warre They made a leauy of foure thousand Italian foot they did encrease their garrisons in the Cities and created two Prouidatori Paul Gradonico and Lodouico Barbaro In the Venetians campe were foure thousand Gascons and fiue hundred men at armes commanded by French captaines but amongst those souldiers
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
because they had all freely promised so to doe had not the Popes sodaine death broke off that notable enterprise The Venetians at the same time had friendly composed certaine differences betwixt themselues and the Genoueses diuers Commissioners for the same purpose being sent from either side But a cruell tyrannie which had then crept into the Citie did in a manner interrupt the whole treatie alreadie concluded which would not haue proued very necessarie in regard of that which afterward happened Eccelin a man basely descended and whose grand-father of the same name comming like a poore Souldier out of Germanie had followed the Emperour Otho the third into Italie being made rich and raised to honour by the Emperour Fredericke the second whom he very much resembled did by little and little commit great tyrannie in Italie whilest Frederick being armed against the Pope ouer-ranne the greatest part of Italie and chiefly Lombardie where diuers famous Cities were greatly vexed vnder a colour only as I finde for that at the beginning of the controuersie betweene Pope Gregorie and Frederick they had remained Neuters not taking parts as others did Eccelin by goodly promises solicited the Paduans and in hope to preserue their liberties constrained them to follow the Emperours part These men vnder a gentle kind of bondage were soone after held very short by him who laying vpon them an vnusuall yoke beganne openly to tyrannize Then might you haue seene Gentlemen some led to punishment and others to prison from whence being brought forth they were either condemned to death or perpetuall banishment their goods spoiled Noble Maides and Matrones rauished and defloured In a word all detestable actions which a proude conquerour is accustomed to vse towards poore captiues was executed by this new Prince on the wretched Paduans Diuers fled away for feare Diuers likewise being destitute of all meanes and banished the Citie with their wiues and children came to Venice as to the only Sanctuarie of freedome All Lombardie on the other side did tremble at the Armies of Frederick It is reported that Pietro Tepulo sonne to the Venetian Prince commanding certaine troups of Milan against Frederick was vanquished neare to the new Court and taken prisoner with great losse together with sundrie men of note Frederick in hatred to the Father and to the Venetians whose enemie he was alreadie professed sent him first to Pisa and afterwards into Apulia where as it is reported he was miserably murthered The Historians make no mention why hee put him to death in that Prouince But I thinke he did it to gratifie those of Apulia who about the same time had beene greatly afflicted by Giouanni Tepulo brother to Pietro For the Venetians in the Popes behalfe had sent fiue and twentie Gallies into Apulia vnder the command of this Gâ—…ouanni Tepulo to inuade the Cities of that Prouince which tooke part with Frederick This Tepulo hauing at his arriuall chaced away the Garrison of the Prouince seized on Thermida then on Campo Marino and soone after on Bestica But whilest he was busied in razing and ruining the taken Towne word was brought him that the Barze the goodliest shippe which at those daies sailed on the Seas carrying a thousand Souldiers and which had fought at Sea for Fredericks partie was entred into the Hauen of Siponto called at this day Manfredonia whervpon he sailed thither with his Gallies where for his owne aduantage finding the ship in the Hauen hee assailed it tooke it with great ease brake it in peeces and burnt it in the enemies sight For this cause it is likely that Frederick sent Pietro Tepulo to be executed in Apulia Whilest these things were done abroade or at least soone after diuers good decrees were enacted in the Citie They established first the Court of Requests with three Iudges to decide euery mans controuersies And next the ancient Lawes and Statutes of the Citie were examined and being againe confirmed were set downe in better termes and reduced into another quantitie Some Authors referre to these times this second battaile of Giouanni Michaeli where he defeated with a few Gallies the great Armie of Vattasus Frederick after hee had obtained this victorie at the new Court in the state of Milan as wee haue said where Tepulo was taken prisoner came to Padua alreadie subiect to the cruell tyrannie of Eccelin where keeping the Feast of Easter newes was brought him how the Pope had a while before excommunicated him and all those which followed him or in any sort did giue him assistance wherewith being incensed like a man beside himselfe he forthwith fell on the Venetians Territories and being come as far as S. Hilaries Church where a little before Eccelin had builded a Fort in the view of the Venetians he cut short his iourney and turning on the right hand hee marched with speede towards the Tower of Bebia This Tower for the hard accesse thereunto by reason of the water which enuironeth it did brauely sustaine the enemies assault vntill that a great number of light vessels being come to the relâ—…efe thereof enforced him to dislodge It is certaine that sundrie occasions moued Frederick to warre on the Venetians For first he would reuenge the iniurie that hee had receiued by the burning of his Barze and because the Venetians had made a league with the Pope But that where with he was most moued was because he saw great numbers of Paduans were retired to Venice for refuge thereby fearing if they dwelt so neare the Citie of Padua would not long remaine in the same state it then did And that which makes this seeme to be true is that at his departure from Padua hee carried thence with him the chiefest and richest Citizens vnder colour of sending them to the warres confining them farre from home The Genoueses about the same time sent to the Venetians according to their agreement entreating them speedily to aide them with a nauall Armie saying That they vnderstood how the Pisans assisted by Frederick had armed more than one hundred Gallies against them and that their affaires could endure no delay being well assured that the enemie would soone be with them with whom they were not resolued to fight without the aide of their Confederates Hereupon the Venetians speedily set forth threescore Gallies which being giuen in charge to Andrea Tepulo who was the Dukes sonne likewise he was commanded to make hast to the succor of their friends This man sayling directly to Pola condemned the Polans in a pecuniarie fine for not furnishing a Galley which they were bound to doe and did besides beate downe a part of their walls From thence with a faire winde hee sailed to Durazzo where he vnderstood that the Armie of Frederick and the Pisans was defeated by the Genoueses neare to the Isle of Cyrna At these newes Andrea returned to Pola For he had notice that the Polans soone after his
the Genoueses who at that time did so greatly desire the fight had shamefully fledd from them whereupon they openly said That the enemies did not shew themselues so desirous of fight for any assurance they had of their owne forces or for that they were ignorant of the Venetians valour but only through their owne naturall obstinacie the which at last by right or wrong would ouerthrow them The Genoueses on the other side hardly digested that in the former warres they had seemed at times to strike saile and to yeeld to the Venetians Besides a fresh griefe at wrongs receiued on the Pontick Sea for the space of two yeares did greatly moue them but nothing did so much animate and encourage them as for that about the same time they had so abated the power and forces of the Pisans as they who not long since had been verie mightie had nothing left them besides the bare shadow of their ancient name With these hopes and incouragements both parties came brauely to the fight Carolo and Andrea Dandulo as discreet as valiant commanded the Venetian Armie who hauing omitted nothing which might helpe to the obtaining of the Victorie did boldly and valiantly receiue the enemie comming towards them In the beginning the fight was doubtfull and the slaughter verie cruell such indeed as could not but happen at the encounter of two so mightie armies There was nothing heard but the frightfull clamours of marriners and souldiours incouraging one another All the Sea rang with the noise of broken vessels clashing together Thus the battaile lasted a certaine space with great slaughter but at last the Venetians were defeated And the victorious Genoueses holding them streightly to it filled euerie place with bloud and ruine All the Venetian Historians one only excepted confesse that the losse of this battaile was verie great and that the Venetians Nauie was wholly defeated and lost But all of them iointly conceale the number Whereby wee may rightly presume that of so great a Fleete scarce one vessell was saued which is credible enough or verie few The fore-excepted Authour setteth downe the matter somewhat more at large For hee quite contrarie to the rest saith That the Genoueses beeing besieged by the Venetians in Corfu would haue deliuered all their shippes of wâ—…rre to the Dandulo's so they might haue beene suffered to depart thence with liues and baggage And that vpon deniall their feare turning to despaire they ioined battaile At which time the Genoueses ioining pollicie with force laid fifteene Gallies in ambush which comming forth vpon the Venetians in the heat of the fight did without all doubt giue them the victorie moreouer that six Genoa Gallies and two and thirtie of Venice did not fight which either for feare or according to others being driuen an other waie by force of the winde could not come neere the fleete but that the residue did fight brauely where manie more Genoueses than Venetians were slaine so as at the beginning the Genoueses had the worst and were readie to flee if the fifteene Genoa Gallies comming forth of their ambush with great noise had not restored the battaile put the Venetians to rout Foure thousand Venetians were taken with Andrea Dandulo one of the Generals of the Armie who with sorrow and shame during the time that they carried him prisoner towards Genoa did strike his head so often against the Gallies side as hee died by the way Ricoaldo of Ferrara writes That the Genoueses fought there with fourescore and eight Gallies and that thirtie Venetian Gallies escaped from the battaile hauing kept aloofe from the beginning of the fight likewise that fiue thousand prisoners were brought to Genoa where by reason of the great flaughter of their owne people they shewed small ioie for the victorie so as it was reported euerie where that the Genoueses had lost more at Corfu than the Venetians This was the successe of the battaile in Dalmatia The report of this losse brought great feare and sorrow to the Citie But the feare of imminent danger caused That all griefe beeing laid apart they determined speedily to raise new forces thinking that the victorious enemie no armie being in readinesse to beat him back if he should saile towards Venice would be shortly roaring at their gates But I thinke hee went forth with into Greece or rather home because wee finde not that the Genoueses after the battaile of Corfu performed any warlike action at Sea or in Dalmatia Now the Armie being furnished fearing least the Islands and Sea-townes of the Ionian and Aegean Seas should be vnfurnished of Garrisons fiue and twentie Gallies were sent thither vnder the command of Marco Basseio These likewise scuffling with the enemies on the Hellespont called at this daie the streight of Gallipolis the issue thereof proued as vnfortunate as the other at Corfu The fight is reported to haue beene cruell and that after great effusion of bloud the Venetians good fortune altered and how they lost sixteene Gallies with their boates and mariners who were taken by the Genoueses and how the rest scatteringly scaping from the midst of the throng speedily fled out of the Genoueses sight This new losse was much lesse than that at Corfu by reason they did not fight with so great number of vessels But like as to an ill-disposed bodie euerie accesse of an ague how little soeuer is verie dangerous euen so this new sorrow which followed the other at the heeles did meruailously afflict the Venetians and because the publike good fortune should bee else-where as succeslesse the victorious Genouese soone after the battaile of Hellespont sailed into Candie where at his arriuall he tooke the Citie of Cydon But in the middest of all these misfortunes the Venetian was not discouraged For after he had oftentimes renued his forces he fought sundrie times with the enemie with different successe But neither the Historians whom we follow nor the Annalists make any mention in what place or at what time or with what successe it happened so as we may truely saie that no remarkeable thing was done all the rest of this warre other than that which hath beene heeretofore spoken of All Authors with one voice affirme that after all these reciprocall losses receiued on either side hauing in this cruell war almost wasted their forces the mindes of either parties inclined to peace rather of necessitie than any true affection For though their Armes were sequestred their hatred still continued Albeit the Authors whom we follow make no mention how long this Ligusticke warre lasted neuerthelesse I gather by diuers obseruations that it lasted not halfe so long as the former Yet sure it is though it were much shorter it was more cruell whereupon as hath beene said both parties did willingly listen to a peace not with an intent wholly to lay by their Armes but only because at that present they could doe no more Now the Common-wealth
had the better that they took eight and twenty of the enemies Galleis that the Soldiours and Sailers in them were all slaine with great numbers of others who diuersly perished that the Venetians had lost but foure Gallies But forraine Historians report the matter to haue hapned in the same manner as wee haue alreadie mentioned at the Bosphorus of Thrace But because no man should thinke that wee haue concealed or dissembled ought chiefly in that we said that they fought all the night Francisco Petrarcha the famous Poet speaking of this cruell battaile makes mention of it in these words You haue ouercome saith he writing to the Genoueses content your selues least it be thought that ye haue forgotten your ancient customes Wee haue seene the Bosphorus to swell with the bloud of the Venetians your enemies when at night a strong wind arising yee were assailed by three mightie Nations betweene Constantinople and Nigre-pont fighting with the enemies against wind and tide This is that which he writeth with other matters to the same purpose Blondus besides saith That the battaile continued all night euen till day without any intermission and that which is most to be admired in the middest of winter Soone after this battaile Pisani surprised two Genoa shippes laden with victuailes which were going to Pera. Then perceiuing that he could not draw the enemie to fight after hee had staied there a while victuailes beginning to faile he retired with the Armie of Arragon into Candie where at leisure hee trimmed and repaired his Gallies The Genouese in like manner brought backe his halfe-broken to Genoa The newes of that which hapned at the Bosphorus being reported at Venice did greatly afflict the Citie But the Senators were more ashamed than sorrie being highly displeased with the rashnesse of those who would fight in so discommodious a place beeing accompanied with the forces of two mightie Princes and yet could not vanquish the Genoueses whom they alone had so often ouercome and which is worst of all they had quitted the place as though they had been vanquished with great losse Wherefore because in time to come no more such rash faults might be committed they decreed to send foure Prouidatori to euerie Armie who should in all matters assist the Generall and with him giue order for whatsoeuer should be expedient for the Common-wealth Giouanni Delfiâ—…no Marco Cornari Marini Grimano and Marini Phalerio were sent thither in the same nature These men being come into Candie certaine Gallies were sent to scoure the Ponticke Seas who hauing surprized certaine of the enemies shippes laden with corne and other marchandize returned into the Island After whose returne Paulo Lauretano surnamed the Great was commanded to goe to Cyprus with nine Gallies from whence he brought to Venice diuers Marchants with rich marchandize Whilest these things were done neere to the Islands foure Genoa Gallies entring the Gulphe came on boote-haling euen to Histria vpon these newes Marco Michaeli was commanded to hasten spedily thither with fiue Gallies to take them if it were possible but whilest he made preparations for his iourney the enemie went backe as speedily as he came Much about the same time eight Gallies were sent to Sea vnder the command and of Giouanni Sanuto and not long after nine others of both which Pisani was made Generall Who after he had sailed the Aegean and Ionian Seas and being come as farre as Pera did with admirable speede surprise diuers ships of Genoa among whom were two Barzes laden with rich merchandize which were iudged to bee worth two hundred thousand Crownes wherein were nine Gentlemen of Genoa with diuers Merchants This being fortunately atchieued vpon report that the Genoa fleet was comming Pisani thought it euer better to go and assaile the enemie than to waite for him and to make warre rather in a forraine Countrie than at home Wherefore hauing chosen out of the whole fleet twentie Gallies he left Marco Michaeli with the residue for the guarde of the Gulphe and came with a prosperous winde into Sardinia where he ioyned with the Armie of Arragon which was of fortie Gallies and three Barzes vnder the commaund of Bernardo Caprari The Arragonois did at the same time besiege Algiers the two fleets being there ioyned together came to the Sea of Caralitana The Genoueses being puffed vp with pride for the battaile at the Bosphorus departing from Genoa with three and fortie Gallies commanded by Anthonio Grimaldi went to seeke the enemie Some say they fought neare to Cyrna and others at Callaris which is a part of the Isle of Sardinia from whence it is thought that the Gulphe tooke the name and some say at Congeria But wheresoeuer they fought it is certaine that so soone as the two Armies got sight one of another they forthwith fell into order of battaile and set forward with great courage to the encounter The Genoueses calling to minde how that not long before they had vanquished them albeit they were stronger than they thereby promised to themselues the victorie The Venetians attributed it to the incommodiousnesse of the place rather than to the enemies valour all of them resoluing that day to reuenge the disgrace and losse which they had sustained or else to die in that place Their Allies were of the like minde wherupon they fought with as great courage as force Some say that the Genoueses hauing descried the Venetian ensignes were afraide For hearing that the Venetian was comming to ioyne with the Arragonois they were desirous to fight with the Spaniards before the Venetians should arriue Now the Venetians with their Allies being ready to fight determined to tie and make fast all their Gallies together ten choise Venetian Gallies excepted which were committed to Giouanni Sanuto to execute some enterprise if neede should be By this wee may easily imagine with what courage the Venetians fought that day For hauing in this sort chained their Gallies together they had determined either to vanquish or die there hauing taken from themselues all hope of flight Some say that Giouanni Sanuto did first receiue the enemie with his ten Gallies and that the maine Armie with the Barzes followed after But it is not credible that such a battaile was so sleightly begunne or that ten Venetian Gallies would oppose themselues to three and fortie of Genoa which would in an instant haue been inuested by so great a number It is more probable that these ten were set a-part to come to the rescue and that their Generall was commanded to runne a-thwart the enemie when he should perceiue him most busied in the fight and that by this meanes it fell out that the Genoueses being assailed in front and in flanke were the more easily vanquished But how soeuer it was done either by pollicie or force or rather by both of them together it is not certainly knowne Yet it is most certaine that they fought the same
to the Venetians and departing with them from Candace he marched against the Siuerits where hauing beaten downe the enemies Fortes and defences which they had incompassed with a high Wall made without morter the euent was fortunate They fought with the like good successe at the same time at Milopotamus and in other places The Lithernians being prouoked by these attempts did deliuer Alexis Calergo with his brother and his children to Cressio Molino who after Zeno his death at Milopotamus came into the Island Hee caused them to bee safely conducted to Candace with Zannachio Molino a kinsman of his owne who was thought to be one of the Authors of the rebellion where they were all executed The wife likewise of Georgio Calergo and his children falling at the same time into the Venetians hands had the like end Iustiniano and Nicholao Treuisano desirous to pursue the enemie who was halfe broken ioyned their forces together neere to Anopolis where were diuers enemies both Greeks and Latines The place was strong by nature and the situation thereof inaccessible There was but one way to come to it and but one onely meanes to batter the enemie Namely for the Venetians to seize on the Hill which commandeth the Towne The which being soone done by the Prouidatori in few dayes they became masters of the place Giouanni and Georgio Calergo with diuers Venetians of the number of the Rebels were there taken and brought to Candace It is reported that Georgio being found with his brother Giouanni hid in a Caue did attempt by the shot of an arrow to kill him who came foremost to surprise him but that his bow brake It is great folly to anger him in whose hands a man is sure to fal It was likewise a merrie answere which a simple Souldier mou'd to one of the chiefe of the Rebellion who was taken prisoner and being sore hurt was caried to Candace to be put to death who craued that hee might haue some Chyrurgion to looke to his wounds the Souldier who was next him told him that his wounds needed neither Chyrurgion nor plaister iesting openly at the poore prisoner who was shortly to loose his head The enemies being euery where put to flight Candie became quiet whither came Giouanni Dandulo Paulo Loretano Pietro Morosini Giouanni Fuscareno and Thadeo Iustiniano being sent by the Senate to enquire of the state of the Island and to settle the affaires thereof These men hauing disanulled certaine Lawes established new and hauing razed certaine Fortes they builded others They commaunded likewise the inhabitants of Anopolis to leaue the Towne and to dwel some where else leauing the Towne desolate and forsaken forbidding on paine of life that none should dare to goe thither to inhabite Like prohibitions were made not to build or till the earth on the mountaines of Lasithes And after they had put some of the Rebels to death who were here and there scattered in the Island and banished the residue for euer they restored the Island to her ancient quiet Such was the issue of the rash reuolts of the Candiots Prince Cornari being oppressed with age hauing gouerned two yeares and eight moneths died and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ ANDREA CONTARENI the 60. Duke of Uenice ANdrea Contareni succeeded him who hy some apprehension of future matter did for a time refuse this dignitie and had of purpose retired himselfe to a house of his owne in the territorie of Padua resoluing not to returne to the Citie vntill they had chosen a new Duke But by no meanes yeelding to come to the Citie neither by the Senates letters nor yet by those of his familiar friends certaine of his kinsmen were commaunded to goe and tell him That if hee continued in his wilfulnesse the Senate determined to confiscate his goods and to banish him for euer from the Common-wealth It is reported that then the feare of his owne particular losse made him obey and returne to Venice If he did this feeling himselfe not to be fit for such a charge it was as all men may perceiue a verie profitable example to the end that no man should presumptuously thrust himselfe into the gouernment of a Common-wealth the profit whereof he ought chiefely to respect whosoeuer he be that is called to such a dignitie For it ought not to be accepted so much for a mans owne particular gaine as for the common good They therefore which aucupate publique honours ought to examine themselues what they are and what their sufficiencie is and if they feele themselues vnfit for such place let them know that it shal be as profitable for themselues as for the Common-wealth to make an honest excuse But Contareni was not guiltie of such a fault who wanted neither wisedome nor skill to gouerne But if he did it as I perceiue to auoide the labour and trauaile which accompanies such dignities he did not well and I know not whether hee erred more in so doing than if hee had rashly thrust himselfe into the Throne For that would haue beene accounted a follie and this malice It is certaine that in his time the Common-wealth was much afflicted by forraine warre and that there was great dearth in the Citie So soone as he had accepted the charge the Thryestines reuolted The Venetians kept an Armed Gallie in Histria for the guard of the Toll The Thryestines who along time before had hatched alterations fell on a sodaine vpon the Venetians who were there by chance and picking quarrells with them slew the Committie of the Gallie and hauing hurt some others they would haue murthered the residue if the Gallie had not presently put to Sea But not satisfied with this brauado they came on an holiday into the Market-place and threw downe the Venetian ensignes which were set vp there as the custome was tearing and treading them vnder feete with reprochfull speeches The Senate perceiuing whereunto the Thryestines dealings tended and knowing that they ought no longer to temporize did speedily send an Armie thither which besieged those mutinous people both by Sea and Land The Land-Armie was committed to Dominico Michaeli and that by Sea to Cressio Molino It was then the middest of winter And because it was to be feared that if the Venetians should procrastinate the enemies might fortifie themselues with some forraine aide all that which was necessarie for the warre was forth with in a readinesse The Citie being at their first arriuall assailed the Thryestines with the helpe of the Forlani did brauely defend it and making a sodaine sallie they did greatly trouble the Venetians neare to the walles with an vnexpected fight Afterwardes likewise they fought diuers times with different successe but the Venetians perceiuing that it behooued them to haue greater forces supplies were sent thither and new Prouidatori Paulo Loretano succeeded Dominico Michaeli and Thaddaeo Iustiniano Cressio Molino who brought
their messengers to Zeno assuring them that the Genoueses liues and deaths were in his and the Venetians hands and that they were to entreate and beg their liues of them and to vse no more meanes to the Souldiers for both they and their Captaines were at the commaund of Carolo into whose presence they being come they could by no meanes change his determinat on Hauing then lost all hope falling to teares and entreaties they sent the chiefe of all their troupes to the Prince who weeping and falling at his feete entreated him for the loue of Almightie God and in pittie of their calamities to take commiseration of their present miserie confessing that they had till then like enemies executed diuers enterprises against the Venetians as well by Sea sa Land but that it was only for dominion and not for greedinesse of mens liues which might bee easily testified in regard that during the warres all prisoners on both sides had beene oftentimes redeemed or exchanged and sometimes likewise by conuention set at libertie Namely that lately at the taking of Chioggia not any one was iniuried by them that were found without Armes except some few who by the rashnesse and follie of some particular persons and not by the generall consent of all men had beene slaine And that besides they had neuer refused to giue anie man his life that had requested it That victualls beginning to growe scarce they dismissed their prisoners fearing least they should be famished in Prison They did not denie but that they had tried all meanes before they wouâ—…d yeelde which neuerthelesse they had not done so much for any hatred they did beare to them as because they would not bee counted Bisonians and cowards among their Countriemen And that now being vanquished rather by famine than by Armes they did not request to carrie away with them their owne gold siluer or moueables but onely their liues the which if it should bee denied to men vnarmed and who did humbly craue it would for euer bee accounted a deed both cruell and inhumane Yet whatsoeuer should befall the Genoueses in this warre they had next vnto God placed their hope in the meeknesse and mercy of the Venetians They besought them then to bethinke what regard they meant to haue to their prayers and teares and lastly to their greiuous calamitie For they could not belieue nor neuer would though they should endure the vttermost extremitie that they who had so many times felt the thwarts of aduerse fortune would forget the alteration of wordly affaires To this there was no gentle replie made but only that they might bee sure to bee soone imprisoned and that then the Senate would at leisure determine of their life or death That in the meane time it was both iust and reasonable that those should remaine in darke captiuitie who to obey their owne vnbridled passions had lost their libertie They were then commanded to depart and to take heed least that by their owne fault they lost not the offer made vnto them and that they should speedily dispatch what they had to doe Being returned to the Citie they brought newes of nothing but sad calamitie how the losse of their goods imprisonment and their liues were in danger But being grieuously afflicted by famine for there were some among them who of a long time had seene no bread they resolued to yeeld howsoeuer rather than to die with hunger Therefore setting vp an Ensigne on the highest Tower of the Citie the Genoueses fleete came forthwith from their vsuall place of aboade into the Cities view but the besieged did soone take it downe whereat those of the Gallies being moued sought by all meanes to encourage them but they within the Citie returning them no signall for an answere they were certainely perswaded that both they and themselues were wholly vndone whereupon being sad and disconsolate they retired to the Fossoni The Captaines in the meane time sent into the Citie to separate the mercenarie Souldiers from the Genoueses and to put the richest bootie into a certaine place Foure thousand prisoners fell to the Venetians three thousand of whom were Genoueses two hundred Paduans a few Forlani and the residue Dalmatians and Illirians with some Greekes who were all brought prisoners to Venice The Souldiers being disarmed were let goe The whole spoile being laid on a heape in Saint Maries Church was for the space of two daies sold to such as bid most the monie was distributed among the Souldiers and the Citie was by the Captaines yeelded to the Venetians In this manner did the Venetians recouer Chioggia ten months after it had beene taken by the Genoueses Prince Contareni Victor Pisani Carolo Zeno and the chiefe of the Armie entred it on the foure and twentieth of Iune and hauing in all places erected the Venetian Ensignes they brought home to the Common-wealth ninteene Genoa Gallies well armed with diuers ships and a meruailous great quantitie of salt The end of the sixth Booke of the second Decad. THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the second Decad. THe Venetians recouer Bebia with all the other Forts on the Lakes soone after the reduction of Chioggia The Thryestines reuolting take parte with the Genoueses Cap-Histra is taken by the enemies The Genoueses passing with their fleete before the Hauen of the Citie come into Histria The Venetians mightie Armie recouereth Cap-Histria The Genoueses take Arba. VICTOR PISANI dieth at Manfredonia CAROLO ZENO is made Generall of the nauall Armie Treuiso is a long time besieged by the Carrarians The Venetians attempt in vaine to relieue Treuiso with men and victualls The Venetians giue the Citie of Treuiso to LEOPOLD Duke of Austria CAROLO ZENO refuseth to fight with the enemie on the Frontiers of the lower Sea The great danger that the Genoueses prisoners were in vpon the newes that the Venetian prisoners were all staine at Genoa What great harme three Genoueses Gallies did to the Venetians LEOPOLD commeth into Italie with tenne thousand horse Peace with the Genoueses and their associates by meanes of the Duke of Sauoy The Venetian Dames relieue the Genoueses prisoners with cloathing and money for their iourney Diuers who aboue the rest had succoured the Common-wealth during the warre are made Senators CHioggia being recouered in this manner the Venetians because they would not stoppe the fortunate course of their victories did forthwith send to besiege the Fort of Bebia thereby to make free passage for their Merchants who traffique into Lombardie The Genoueses in the meane time dislodging from all places neare to Venice did neare to Corbolles set vpon diuers ships loden with corne who tarried in that place till such time as the Genoueses Fleet were remoued that they might with more safetie goe to Venice the which at the first they tooke and furnishing their Gallies with corne for their owne
to escape forth of the middest of the tumult Dandulo was taken by the enemies At the same time two sorts of monies were coined in the Citie that of most value was worth eight souls and the lesser two There was likewise a Bridge built of white stone neere to the Church of the Fryers Minors It is moreouer recorded That the waters round about the Citie were so frozen as men went drie-foote from the Citie to Tourcelles Malamoc and that which is more strange to Chioggia It is reported that a bride was brought from Mestre to Venice in a waggon the which before that time was neuer seene that waggons did passe vpon those waters which are betwixt the Citie and the firme Land The Florentines after the losse of the battaile in Tuscanie neere to the riuer Arno would again haue attempted by reason of Picinino's absence to besiege Luca for after the battaile he had retired himselfe towards Pontremolle to force certaine places belonging to the Fiesci neere to the Alpes had not Bartholomeo Fornari Captaine of fiue Genoa-gallies and two ships of burthen come and encamped before Liuorne Whereupon fearing least by reason thereof the Pisans would reuolt they were constrained to send part of their forces in Garrison into the Citie VVithin a while after Picinino returned who with a wonderfull speed had in a manner reduced al the towns belonging to the Pisans vnder his power The Florentins after that they had lost all the rest fearing least the victorious enemie would seize on Pisa did make a verie cruell decree That all the inhabitants from the age of fifteene yeres to threescore should depart forth of the Citie before that a candle lighted vp for that purpose should be burnt out and by that meanes did vnburthen the Citie which they suspected of a great number of inhabitants The enemie leauing the Pisan territorie marched to that of Volterra which iourney was as prosperous to him as that of Pisa. For hauing taken all places of the countrey Volterra likewise would haue beene mightily endangered if Michaeli Attendulo sent by Pope Eugenius to aide the Florentines had not by his opportune comming freed it These things were done in Tuscanie whilest that Philip was greatly troubled because that Carmagnolla lay at the new Orges with his troupes in a readinesse hauing beene there a long time and fearing least that he would beginne as in the precedent warres by some vnlooked-for reprisall he began heedfully to looke to his affaires that the enemie might not enterprize vpon him by some secret practise VVherefore after diligent search made he discouered that they within the Castle of Lodes had promised to giue him entrance VVhereupon hauing speedily smothered that treacherie he was desirous to trie if he could take the enemie in his owne trappe He did secretly counsell the Gouernour of the Castle of Socinna to promise the Venetian Generall that for a certaine summe of money he would deliuer vnto him the Castle Munition and garrison The Generall did not refuse this offer for which he promised him a great summe of money and had a day appointed him when he should bring his troupes thither Philip being aduertized heereof commanded Sforza and Tollentino to march thither verie secretly with part of their forces to seize on all the waies and to lay an Ambuscado for Carmagnolla to surprize him and his forces if it were possible Carmagnolla failed not at the day appointed and hauing sent before him certaine troupes to seize on the place he made a stand neere to the towne with the residue of his forces Those which were sent before being receiued into a corner of the Castle were at the enemies mercie when on a sodaine the Gouernour of the place cried out with a loud voice calling diuers times to Carmagnolla saying That he was no traitor to Philip but a beguiler of his enemies And thereupon Sforza and Tollentino arising forth of their ambush and assailing the Venetians on euerie side did greatly terrifie them Carmagnolla then perceiued that he was taken in his owne subtilties and presently turning his backe fled in disorder as fast as he could The report was that hauing lost more than a thousand horse he escaped by meanes of Tollentino VVithin a while after the Venetians being rather detained than encamped vpon the Cremonese did fearelesse runne vp and downe Lodouico Colonna who as we haue said was sent to guard the Citie went and assailed them being disorderly scattered vpon the riuers bankes where he brake and defeated them with forces farre inferiour to theirs in number and tooke three hundred horse from them But I finde nothing recorded by Historians concerning this second defeate During these exploits in Lombardie Tuscanie was much afflicted with warre and especially the Florentines who had Picinino still at their elbowes For hauing a long time made incursions on the Volterran territorie he marched towards that of Arezzo where by intelligence he had like to haue taken the Citie But being disappointed of his expectation he began to batter Townes and Castles of which he tooke manie some by force and others by volunrarie yeelding At this stay stood the state of the affaires of these two Prouinces when Tollentino disdaining that Duke Philip should make more reckoning of Francisco Sforza and Picinino than of him hauing to the one promised his alliance and to the other committed the sole commaund of his Armie and thereby as it were held him in contempt did leaue Philips partie and retired with a gallant troup of his own followers into Flaminia The Venetians and Florentines sought to draw him to their parties offering him the sole commaund of the Armie if he would come into Lombardie But matters being delaied he went from Flaminia to the Popes seruice against the Colonessi neere to Rome Philip was enforced by Tollentines departure to call backe Picinino into Lombardie The Venetians in the meane time although they well knew that they had renewed that warre with bad successe did neuerthelesse leauie forces and made great prouisions of victuals and Armour and besides their land-forces they made readie a mightie nauall Armie to send it vp the riuer towards Cremona wherein was ten thousand fighting men besides the Marriners and Pilots Nicolao Treuisano was made Generall and in euerie vessell a Venetian Gentleman commaunded There was besides great store of warlik engines of all sorts as many almost as there were men Carmagnolla likewise was encamped neere to the towne with twelue thousand horse and as many foot Philip had prepared a nauall Armie vpon the Thesin which in number of vessels souldiers and in all other prouisions was inferiour to the Venetians but for the valour of the Generall and skill of the Pilots if it did not surpasse it it did at leastwise equall it Giouanni Grimaldi the Genouese was Generall a man among his countrymen the most famous and expert in marine matters of any of his
resoluing after the losse of all other places to keep that as most commodious the better to withstand Sforza on what side soeuer he would turne to march to Verona And because that trench drawne from the Marshes could not be forced without great slaughter Sforza and the rest resolued to goe to Verona by the way of the mountaines He came to Ronques called S. Iohns before Picinino had any notice of his resolution Tollentino and those that lay in garrison in Verona sallying foorth on a sodaine which they were expresly commanded to doe hauing fired certaine Forts which Philips forces had built neere to the Citie did place garrisons of their owne souldiors in two of them which they had then forced Sforza in the meane time being incamped at Ronques skiâ—…mished with Picinino neare to the forts which he had before assured on the toppe of the mountaines At the beginning Sforza's troupes were shaken but Troillo and Nicholao Pisani being forthwith sent with a great squadron of horse against the enemies the fight became equall and Picinino in the night being retired with his troupes to Soaue Sforza without anie greater resistance ascended the mountaines towards Verona The Venetians being come to the top Picinino for a time followed the troups that he might with strong garrisons defend the Townes and Castles which he had taken in the neighbour-hilles abstaining by all meanes from fight For Sforza had left him no place fit for an ambuscado and was farre superiour to him in number of souldiors Blondus who onely makes mention of the mercenarie souldiers saith that there were foureteene thousand men in the enemies campe and sixeteene thousand in that of the Venetians howbeit in the one Armie as well as the other there were great numbers of Bisognios or fresh-water souldiors Sforza being come to Verona would not lodge in the Citie but incamped certaine furlongs from it neere to the high way of Hostilia Some say that hee went and incamped in the field of Mars which is neere the Citie-walles and that vpon the report that hee did meane to passe ouer Adice Picinino who remained neere to Porcilia did sodainely crosse the Riuer and retired to Vigasio vpon the Mantuan confines with all his troupes And then thereupon Sforza returning from whence he came besieged Soaue and hauing taken it in a short space he recouered all the townes on the other side of the Riuer Adice Legnaga excepted Whilest these things happened neere to Verona the vnion of the Greek church with that of Rome insued soone after This busines after a long and serious disputation being debated in the Assemblie at Ferrara was by the assistance of the holy Ghost brought to a happie end For it was found that those two Nations more learned than the rest did agree in that wherein they seemed to dissent but with sundrie circumlocutions All the Townes which the enemie possessed on the hither side of the Riuer being recouered as hath bin said the Venetian armie drew neere to the lake of Benac and besieged Bardolin in regard that all Sforza's designes with those of his associates tended onely by some meanes to open the lake it being the onely way whereby Bressia could be releeued the which was reduced to all extreamitie by famine and pestilence For beside the great losse it had sustained during the siege the contagious sickenes had taken away fiue thousand men Famine moreouer did now afflict them more than before hearbs and rootes wherewith they had bin a long time fed beginning to faile them The rumor was that this Citie oppressed with so many miseries would shortly yeelde if by the opening of the Lake it were not speedily relieued with men and victualles And because the enemies nauall armie was in some sort stronger than that of the Venetians Zeni durst not come neere Bardolin which his Country-men besieged Whereupon Sforza perceiuing that hee did no great good there in regard the inhabitants were relieued by the Lake raised his campe Now because his comming hither had been to no great purpose Caualcabon Guâ—…rrieri Martiano and Giouanni el Conte Roman Gentlemen were sent with a thousand horse and three hundred foot to relieue Bressia with men and victualles These men being come through the vale of Sabia into Piedmont were desirous before they entred into the Citie to feede their horses in a medow which were wearied with their long iourney Barbaro in the meane time hauing determined to burne part of the enemies nauall Armie that lay at Sales sent Thadeo d'Aeste Andrea Valerio and Andrea Leon thither Zeni Admirall of the Venetians fleete was likewise commaunded to be there and to assaile the enemie Picinino and Gonzaga hauing intelligence as well of this designe of the enemie as of the arriuall of the victualles did secretly depart from Vigasio with two hundred horse and by Pescara came to Feliciana where they ioyned with Lodouico Sanseuerino and Italus of Friull who being commanded to follow them they fell vpon the Venetian cauallerie which still remained in Piedmont brake them and despoiled them of all their baggage and taking some prisoners put the residew to flight who escaped to the Citie From thence marching against the rest who were comming to the Lake they diuided themselues into three bands Sanseuerino embarking himselfe in the vessells was commanded to fight vpon the water Italus with the footmen to goe vp to the mountaines of Maderna and Gonzaga together with Picinino to conduct the cauallerie by the way which lieth betwixt the Lake and the mountaines In this maner the enemies nauall Armie did assaile that of the Venetians Thadeo vpon this rumour made haste with his troupes that hee might come to the timely rescue of his Countrey-men but the enemies with great cries fell vpon the Venetians in front and in flanke Thadeo being incompassed on euerie side vsed all meanes to preserue his souldiers yet neuerthelesse the nauall Armie and those that fought on land were in a moment defeated by the enemie The Venetians nauall armie consisted of two gallies foure brigantines seuen ganzarioles and othâ—…r vessells two of which ganzarioles at the beginning of the fight fled to Torbolles All the rest with Zeni their Generall fell into the enemies hands Thadeo likewise was taken prisoner with Valerio and Leon the Prouidators This ouerthrow was accompanied with an other For the next day after this vnfortunate battell the enemie tooke the Castle of Maderna It is reported that Sforza had a long time before foreseene this defeate and had often aduertised the Senate to send supplies to the Lake and that if they did not it was to bee feared that their nauall Armie there would be defeated by the enemie But hee did speedily assure Torbolles and Penetra by a strong garrison for feare lest the enemie being prowd of that victorie should sodainely march to surprize them This ouerthrow being reported at Venice did greatly trouble the Senate and yet because they would
shew no signes of discouragement they presently resolued to send a new fleete into the Lake but after an other fashion than the former namely to send to Torbolles in six hundred cartes all the substance and matter wherewith to make them which they had in readines and there as in an hauen neere to the water to make eight gallies as manie gallions and foure brigantines All the workmen of the Venetians ships were sent thither speedily to make an end of the worke Stefano Contareni was chosen Generall of that Armie and in euerie gallie a Senator was appointed to command They did besides send certaine moneths pay for the souldiers to the campe All this was done in a maner during that Summer Autumne was alreadie come which being subiect to diseases had in a short space infected the third part of the armie with agews whereupon Sforza with his troups retired to Gibeta The enemie was incamped at Vigasio where his Armie was no lesse afflicted with sickenes for besides Agews the plague was crept into it The Senate taking great care to free the Bressans from danger wrote to Sforza and earnestly intreated him if it were possible before he sent his Armie to winter to relieue that loyall Citie with men and victualls And for the safetie and assurance of that which he should leaue behind him the Senate resolued to turne backe the Riuer of Adice into the olde channell so soone as it should be cleansed some foure miles beneath Legnaga For that being donâ—… it was certaine that waters running in that maner ouer the Countrie would make the Paduan Vincenzan and Verona territories which lie on the farther side of the Riuer more assured against the enemies incursions and would besides be verie commodious for those that should saile to Verona Foure thousand pioners were imployed in this worke Contareni in the meane time for they could not bring masts for the shippes so farre being come to the Campe went to the mountaines of Trent with skilfull workemen to view those Forrests and to see if there were anie trees in it of that height fit to make masts All men were of opinion that hee might there furnish himselfe not onely with masts but all other matters necessarie for manie vessells whereupon hee caused sixe hundred Carpenters to come thither besides the great numbers which he had alreadie brought with him Picinino who had intelligence of those great preparations that he might in some sort frustrate the enemies designes did about the shutting in of the euening depart from the Citie of Riua whither he was secretly come marching along the lake through a secret and almost vnknowne way he attempted to set fire on a Galley which was newly made Troyllo by chance had the guard of that place who not onely withstood the enemie but comming valiantly to the fight made good his partie Picinino being in the middest of the throng beaten from â—…is horse and being remounted did hardly escape hauing lost three hundred men Sforza hauing notice therof fearing lest the enemie with greater forces would returne to end what he had begun commanded Mellato to go with his troups to guard those places who being come thither caused his souldiers to make a wall of stones without any morter exâ—…ending from the lake to the hilles of Riua of two hundred paces long and of twelue foot high and as many in breadth with a Fort on the top of the hill builded of the same matter heaped vp together in forme of a wall and with diuers small towers These places being guarded with small forces were able to assure the vessels which were then at Torbolles and as many as should be there afterwards against all the enemies attempts Now whilest they were preparing the nauall Armie aâ—…d that the turning aside of the riuer Adice was by a new aduise interrupted Sforza resolued to send victualles to Bressia by the mountaines Wherefore hauing at Torbolles and Penetra made great prouision of corne and hoping either by entreaties or money to winne the Lords of thâ—…se mountaines or if that failed to open himselfe a passage by force of Armes he came forth of Penetra with three thousand horse and a thousand foore of the choisest in the whole Armie and went and encamped within halfe a mile of Thyenna He did besides carrie with him certaine great peeces of Ordnance meaning with them to batter some townes if occasion should serue But whilest he remained neere to Thyenna Philips forces who had discouered the enemies designs being come to Riua did on a sodaine seize on the vale of Lodron and Picinino and Sanseuerino hauing left eight hundred foot and three hundred horse in the forrest of Thyenna to guard those passages they went backe againe with the residue of their troupes In the meane time Martiano and Gâ—…ouanni el Conte being sent by Sforza had ambusht themselues with all the cauallerie at the end of the lake which is in that valley and there lay in great silence expecting the enemies arriuall Now so soone as Picinino and the rest drew neere them the Venetians gaue a charge whereupon there began a cruell fight Martiano's troupes did not onely continue the fight all day long but a great part of the night for when day-light failed they fired the neighbour houses and by that light fought so long till Picinino being weatie and tyred began by little and little to retire Buâ—… in the retreit the Venetians charged him with such furie as they did forthwith put him to rout hauing lost all his cauallerie and the greatest part of his Infanterie and himselfe getting vp to the top of the mountaine Ponall which looketh vpon the lake of La Garda and by the helpe of an Almaine whom he still kept neere him for such purposes with much difficultie escaped those fearefull precipices At length being come to the bankes of the lake he embarked himselfe in a poore boat and went to Riua Sanseuerino in great feare escaped through the mountains with twentie horse to Maderna Fourescore of the chiefe prisonâ—… were by Barbaro his commandement brought to Bressia Picinino nothing danted with this ouerthrow taking Sanseuerino along with him presently marched to seize vpon the pace of Thyenna Sforza was already vpon the mountaines resoluing to passe forward although it were through the middest the enemies Thyenna is seated vpon an high hill there being on either side of it dangerous precipices in one of which on the right side of the towne standeth a Castle strong by art and nature the left side is verie barren and craggie The enemie with a companie of footmen seized on that place Carolo Gonzaga had embaâ—…ailed his cauallerie forth of the Citie gates The Venetians Generall stayed at the foot of the hil where the enemies footmen were encamped where he perceiued that the passages being on euerie side kept by the enemie he could not passe without fight Thus standing amazed not being resolued by what
children of two yeares olde rauishing maides and abusing married wiues The Souldiers did not commit this crueltie but the Voluntaries of the contrarie partie who to glut their hatred towards the poore vanquished did like brute beastes fall to murther and spoile The bootie which they brought from thence was thought to be more worth than two hundred thousand Crownes Besides Mount Barri being forced by Attendulo was sacked and spoiled Leco afterwards which is seated on the mouth of the Lake of Coma being for a time besieged could not be taken Moreouer diuers small townes neere to the Lake whose inhabitants were supposed would not long continue loiall were giuen ouer to be spoiled In this manner all places from the riuer Adda as far as Coma on both sides the Lake being reduced vnder the Venetians obedience the Souldiers being loden with bootie were brought back on the hither side of the riuer Whilst these things were done abroade the Citie of Venice was greatly afflicted with the plague the which daily increasing generall processions were made praiers said at the Saints Altars which were in the streets so greatly was the citie at that time giuen to deuotion Great fiers were made in the night time in sundrie places of the Citie with sweet odoriferous perfumes to amend and purge the aire Besides al those that were infected with the sicknesse were carried two miles off from the Citie to a place commonly called the Lazaretto Six boates were by the Signorie appointed for that purpose to the end there might be one in euery of the six quarters of the Citie into which the towne is diuided And because this place was found to be verie commodious not only to lessen the sicknesse but likewise for the reliefe of the poore for the sicke were there better and more commodiously look't to it hath been since then by little little stored with buildings all other necessaries An other hath been added neere vnto it for the same purpose of a costly structure which a far off seemeth to be a little towne Philips affaires were as hath beene said much disiointed when Sforza departing from Flaminia with 4000. horse 2000. foot whither he was come from La Marca to assemble forces went through the Territorie of Ferrara to that of Parma At his departure the Pope recouered al places of La Marca Ancona excepted For the Anconitans being besieged by Land and Sea Alphonso's nauall Armie did vex them by Sea that of the Pope by Land fearing if they should too rashly giue credit to the Souldiers who solicited them to yeeld their towne would be sacked did erect the Venetian Ensignes whereupon shippes of warre came presently from Venice who entring the Hauen defended the Citie The Anconitans beeing receiued into the alliance of the Venetians and Florentines as were those of Bolognia not long before Lorenzo Mini was sent thither with seuen Gallies for the guard of the Citie Some Historians write thus But many make no mention at all of the tumult of the Anconitans Two ships of war at the same time departed from Venice against the Pirates who troubled all the Sea-coasts the one was set forth by Giacomo Morosino and the other by Andrea Leone At Sforza his arriual in Lombardie the cauallerie which the Senate had appointed to withstand him marching through the Paduan territorie comming by an other way was sent on the hither side of the Po to Attendulo's Campe. The preparations for war were great on both sides at what time Philip the greatest warrior that euer was in the family of Viscontes being first troubled with a feauer and then with a flux dyed By his death all those of his partie and his subiects being amazed were possessed with sundrie thoughts Those of Lodes louing the name of libertie did voluntarily yeeld to the Venetians Foure daies after those of Plaisantia opened their Citie gates to the Venetians Giacomo Marcello placed strong Garrisons in both these Towns Then causing his troupes to crosse the Riuer Oglio he did in a short space recouer Colombana and in a manner all the Countrie of Lodes The Milaneses in the meane time did with great courage vndertake to pursue in their owne name the warre begunne by Philip and chose Sforza for Captaine Generall of their troupes against the Venetians on these conditions that if hee could take Bressia from the Venetians it should be his owne and if he should become master of Verona likewise that then Verona should be his and Bressia should returne to the Milaneses Some say that presently after Philips death Sforza wrote to all the Captaines of the Armie entreating them to perseuer in their loyaltie that hee would shortly be with them if those of Milan would send for him and that then their forces being ioined together he did hope with ease to ouerthrow those of the Venetians He then being made Generall by those of Milan came to Cremona From thence hauing crossed the Riuer Adda at Picigatone he ioined with Francisco Giacomo Picinino and with the other Captaines of deceased Philip and presently departing thence he did in a short space recouer Colombana The Venetian Armie because it was lesse than that of the enemies retired towards Lodes Those of Pauia being prouoked by their owne particular passion did proclaime Sforza's sonne by his wife Bianca Earle and Lord of their Citie in memorie of his Grand-father The Milaneses in a short space sent three Ambassades to the Venetians one after an other to demand of them that which had belonged to Philip. The Ambassadors were still answered after one manner that notwithstand all those Townes till then taken from Pqilip were well purchased by right of armes yet neuerthelesse that the world might see that the Venetians did loue peace better than war they were readie to surrender that which they demanded so that the Milaneses would truely pay them the great quantitie of gold which they had disbursed in that warre But they offering nothing were dismissed with nothing The Senate perceiuing the great warre they were to sustaine against Sforza and the Milaneses decreed to set forth a nauall Armie which should saile vp the Po to the farthest places of Lombardie and to that ende foure Gallies were armed and two and thirtie Galliots vnder the command of Andrea Quirini and Georgio Lauretano During these preparations at Venice Sforza hauing assembled all the forces of Lombardie went on a sodaine and besieged Plaisancia and hauing beaten downe a great part of the Walls betwixt the gates of Saint Lazarus and Saint Raymond and the Pobeing so risen at the latter end of Haruest as the vessells might easily come to the Walls he did by an assault by Land and Water take the Citie which was giuen to the Souldiers to spoile Gerardo Dandulo and Thadeo D'Aeste that lay in Garrison there with a thousand footmen and great troupes of horse were taken prisoners The one yeelded with the
want thereof would haue enforced them to haue yeelded if he had maintained his siege but a while longer Whereupon so soone as the enemy was dislodged they ran with such earnestnesse to the riuer and dranke so excessiuely of the water which had a long time been kept from them as many of them surfeted and died sodainly Mocenigo being aduertised of the enemies depâ—…rture and being not able to recouer his health at Ragusa went to Venice Within a while after Triadin the Generall of the Armie a man of foure score yeares died â—…r Catharra Stefano Maripietro whom Mocenigo had left with the Fleet at St. Serâ—… Church hauing after the siege commanded all the Captains of Galleis soldiors and marriners who in a manner were all sicke by reason of the fenny aire of the Boyano to remoue to a wholsomer aire himselfe being verie sicke also retyred to Venice The report of the enemies discamping being brought to Venice before Maripietro his arriuall they did highly reioice the whole Cittie which whilest the siege lasted had been greatly afflicted with care All men extolled Laureâ—…ano and a decree was made that the Commonwealth should send him presents The Captains of the garrisons likewise were much esteemed but especially the loyaltie of the Inhabitants and their constancie in defending their Cittie and rewards were appointed for either of them Then they went to Church to giue thanks to God for that the Commonwealth had been freed from so dangerous a warre Great Rewards were likewise giuen to Mocenigo who after the death of Prince Marcello which deceased about the beginning of Winter was by the generall consent of the whole Senat declared Prince Marcello gouerned one yeare and three moneths and was honorably buried in the Chartreux ¶ PIETRO MOCENIGO the 70. Duke of Venice ANtonio Lauretano who for that he had brauelie defended Scutarie was made Generall of the Gallies did about the Spring time of the same yeare tooke a Geneuois Argozie betwixt Cyprus and Sicilia loden with rich Turkish marchandize and sunke it sixteene Gallies had fought with her and could not take it till Georgio Dragone arriued with a Venetian Argozie and then it yeelded her mast being struck ouerboord with a Cannon shot Not long after Solyman who the yeere before had besieged Scutari did with thirtie thousand Turkes besiege the cittie of Naupactum called at this day Lepanto seated on the Corinthian Gulph and in times past amongest the citties of Aetolia next to Calidonia verie famous but at this day it is not much inhabited and her walls are in a manner ruined Towards the North on the toppe of an hill it hath a castle This fort was valiantly defended as well by reason of the trenches and rampires as by the magnanimitie of those within it For Lauretano came thither with a mighty fleet before the Turkes arriued The enemies on all sides made a great batterie The souldiers of the Armie and fiue hundred horse that were in the Tower did not onely defend the Rampires but did make daily incursions vpon the enemies as occasion was offered this siege continued foure moneths But the enemie being out of hope to take it for besides the strong garrison within it the Venetian fleete lay in the Hauen which did aboundantly furnish the besieged with victualls men and munition and tyred with that warre raised his campe This is all which the enemie attempted by land that Summer But at Sea Ottomans fleete after it departed from Lepanto went to the Isle of Lemnos where hauing besieged the cittie of Coccina and with their ordnance beaten downe a great part of the walls the enemie vndoubtedly would haue taken it had not Lauretano come in time to the reliefe of the besieged who so soone as he had intelligence that the enemie had besieged Lemnos left the Prouidator with foure Gallies at Lepanto and sailed with the rest of the fleete to Psara a desart Island very neere to Lemnos He durst not on a sodaine assaile the enemie by reason that his souldiers were in a manner all sicke But the enemie interpreting his delay in an other sence as though the Venetian tarried there but till all things were in readines for the battel did put to Sea and sailed thence Then did Lauretano go to the Island The Inhabitants and souldiers of the garrison were highly commended It is reported that a young Maide of the Island was presented to him that had fought valiantly and by whose meanes as it was reported the citty had beene chiefly defended This Maid whose name was Muralla her father being slaine fighting valiantly at the Coccine Gate ranne to him and tooke vp his sword and target where alone she withstoode for a time the Turkes assault who had almost made themselues Masters of the Gate and then being assisted by her Countrymen they repulsed the enemie with great slaughter to their shippes in regard whereof the Generall gaue her double pay and the Prouidators with all the Captaines of the Gallies gaue her crownes a peece The Generall bid her make choice among all those braue Captaines which shee would haue to be her husband and promised her that the common-wealth should giue her a dowry She gaue him many thanks and answered That for her part she did not altogether respect the valour of a man but his wisedome and discretion and that she would neuer marrie before shee had exactly knowne the disposition of him that should be her husband By this Maidens discretion and vertue if it be lawfull to iudge of the rest I do affirme that the women of Lemnos do not at this day degenerate either in fortitude or valour from that excellent Hipsiphile of old times and from the rest who with her did commaund that Island and that the common Prouerb is most true How that the fortune of places is very often changed but not the manners and behauiour of the Inhabitants This is all that was done by land and sea during that Summer after which the Armies went to Garrison About the Spring time of the yeere following vpon a rumour that was spred how that King Ferdinand determined to inuade the Isle of Cyprus Iohn of the illustrious familie of the Georges was sent thither with fiue gallies and many shippes of burthen but this report being found to be idle vanished Lauretano in the meane time tooke speciall care for the defence of the sea-coasts of Morea with the Isles neere adiacent We do not find that the same Summer or the next that insued it till peace was made with the Turke which hapned foure yeres after any memorable matter was done in the Islands Prince Mocenigo the second moneth of his gouernement died and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes where at this day his sumptuous monument is to be seene enriched with the spoils of Asia Andrea Vendramino was chosen in his place ¶ ANDREA VENDRAMINO the 71. Duke of Uenice THE Summer following which was the third after the
reedified The Pestilence begunne in Summer doth in Autumne make diuers places in the citie desolate A briefe Description of their Sea-trafficke Foure Gallies trading into France are taken by Pirates on the coast of Portugall Troubles in Friull by the sodaine arriuall of the Hungarians ROBERTO SANSEVERINO with a braue Cauallerie goes to the warre lately begunne neere Rome The election of MARCO BARBADICO who succeedeth MOCENIGO in the Principalitie of Venice A briefe Declaration of the warre of Rome betwixt Pope INNOCENT and king FERDINAND Three Commissioners are appointed to prouide all things requisite to purge the Citie from the pestilence SANSEVERINO dispoiled of his troupes returnes to the Venetians Their vsuall custome at their Princes funeralls The cause of the warre with the Archduke of Austria and sodaine commotions of the enemie on the very confines of Italie The beginning and end of the Rethicke warre The kingdome of Cyprus is ioyned to the Venetians Dominions by a conueyance made by Queene KATHERINE in her life time The inuention of harquebuzes and the recompence of such as learned to shoot in them An extreame cold frost at Venice and ouer all the Lakes A league betwixt the Pope Venetians and GALE AS SFORZA The preparations of CHARLES the French King for the conquest of the kingdome of Naples THat part of the Dukes Pallace which was burnt during the warre was from the foundation reedified this first yeere of the peace It is an admirable peece of worke and likely to last long The Citie was greatly molested with the Infection the next Summer which increasing in Autumne did make Venice very desolate This domesticke losse was accompanied toward the end of Summer with an other farre from home But before wee enter into this Discourse it shall not bee impertinent to mention the Venetians great industrie wealth purchased by traffike at sea There is no place in all the Sea from Gades betwixt Affricke and Europe towards Syria and Egypt in the Leuant nor from the North and West towards Bosphorus and the Fennes Meotides nor any place so remote which the Venetian Gallies haue not at all times frequented in trade of Marchandize It is almost incredible to thinke how the Venetian vessells doe ordinarily enter into the Hauens not onely of Italie but of Liburnia Dalmatia Macedonia and Grecce as if it were in the suburbs of Venice Wee will speake of those who at the Common-wealths charge are yeerely sent to take in lading in the remotest places of the world Of these foure great gallies bring home into Italie Spice Silke Pretious stones and Pearles from Syria and Egypt Three others goe into Lybia for gold iewells and slaues Two saile into Fraunce and bring home wooll and Spanish silke Others goe towards the Tana is and Fennes Meotides from whence they returne loden with Tapistrie and Emeraldes And besides this number foure direct theyr course into the French Ocean and from the Martes there loade themselues abundantly with woolls gold tapistrie and cloth of Flaunders According to this custome foure Gallies for this purpose were abroad vnder the commaund of Bartilomeo Minio who comming into the Spanish Seas mette with young Columbus nephew to Columbus the famous Mariner who with seauen tall shippes of warre incountered them in the night neere to the sacred Promontorie modernely termed S. Vincents Cape But although at first hee determined to assault the Venetian Gallies yet hee abstained that night and resoluing to fight with them came so neere as the prowes of the pirates shippes were asterne the poopes of the Venetian Gallies So soone as it was day Columbus assailed the Venetians who were inferior to him in men and vessells but superior in courage and resolution They fought fiercely for certaine houres space and with such great slaughter as is seldome seene in any fight with such enemies who rarely come to fight but vpon constraint Diuerse that were present at the bickering say that three hundred Venetians were slaine at that fight others mention not so many Among the dead were Lorenzo Michael Captaine of a Gallie and Giouanni Delfino brother to another Captaine The Venetians were wearied with long fight The Gallie Delfina was taken by the enemies whereupon the rest yeelded Some say that in one Gallie foure score dead bodies lay betwixt the prow and poope which spectacle the victorious enemie lamented saying in despite That the Venetians by their wilfulnesse had procured that losse The dead bodies were throwne into the Sea and the wounded set on shoare Those which escaped went to Lisbone and from thence were sent home Lisbone is a Citie of Portugall standing vpon the Sea I thinke it was in old time called Olisipone It is at this day very famous as well for the ordinarie residence of kings as for her great wealth The Venetians were there very kindely entertained by the king and those that were sicke he commaunded to be carefully looked to the rest according to each mans qualitie receiued mony and cloaths and were sent home into their countrey The Venetians are in ancient league with the kings of Portugall the which being deriued from the Father to the Sonne they inuiolably obserue They say that the cause of this league and friendship proceeded from the Venetians courtesie and liberalitie It is reported That a king of Portugall came in time past with a small traine to Venice to see the Citie where he remained certaine daies in disguised habite But so great a guest could not long be concealed For the Senate hauing intelligence that a Noble man of royall parentage lay in the Citie it did honourably receiue and conducted him to a goodly Pallace where he lodged being accompanied by certaine Senators to shew him the singularities of the Citie and to wait vpon him whither soeuer hee went At his departure they gaue him rich giftes and for his greater honor appointed some to attend him as farre as the Venetians confines This did the Venetians not as they thought to a king but only to a priuate person of blood royall At his returne into Portugall hee acquainted his Princes with the Venetians curtesie and liberalitie and made a Decree That his successors should for euer acknowledge the Venetians bounty towards him And for this cause the king of Portugall gaue such good entertainement to the distressed Venetians he did likewise commaund that none of his subiects should buy any part of the Venetians goods which had bene stollen from them The newes of this losse did greatly afflict the Citie the which exceeding as it was reported the summe of 20000. crownes touched some particular persons But the death of so many men did much augment their sorrow The pestilence at this time did greatly infect the Cittie in regard whereof the Senate was of opinion at that time not to reuenge that wrong but to deferre it to a fitter time At the same time there arose some troubles in Friull Certaine light horse sent by the King
of Hungarie as it was afterwards knowne made sodaine incursions vpon the very confines of Italy to surprise Porto-nouo a towne vpon the Riuer Lizonza The Hungarians made a stay vpon the Thryestines territorie But the Senate though it certainly knew that the same King made warre still vpon Frederick and that those troupes were expresly sent into Italy to surprize Porto-nouo and Tryeste which Frederick yet held yet because they were not well assured of the Kings intention they forthwith sent certaine troopes of horse which lay in Garrison betwixt Verona and Padua to the Carnons territories But the Hungarians passing quietly through the territorie of Vdina and frustrate of their hope to take the Citie which the Bandetti had assured them of left Italy and returned without any farther attempt The better part of Haruest was alreadie spent when Roberto Sanseuerino who notwithstanding the peace in Lombardie still remained in the Venetians pay earnestly solicited by Letters from Pope Innocent who succeeded Sixtus went without the Senates consent or knowledge who were then at peace by sea and land with his sonnes Fracasso and Galeas and two and thirtie companies of horse first into Faminia and afterwards to Rome in the middest of winter but hee arriued somewhat before his forces for the Pope being pressed by Alphonso hastened his comming The cause of this warre proceeded from the commotions of the Volaterrans and rebellion of certaine Princes who by a sodaine conspiracie reuolted from Ferdinand retiring to Pope Innocent requesting his aide against that King The Pope finding them not onely worthie to be protected by his authoritie but likewise to be freed from all wrong by the forces of the Church of Rome it fell out that Virgino Vrsino who as we haue elsewhere said besides sundry townes which hee possest neere Rome on this side and beyond Tiber had likewise diuers others in the Marshes as farre as the lake Fuscino in the confines of the Realme of Naples remained still loyall to the King At first he resolued as it is reported not wholly to abandon the King nor likewise in any sort to take Armes against the Pope but together with Ferdinand defending the Realmes frontiers following his Ancestors steps to make no attempt neere Rome In this maner he remained as it were neuter amidst these new garboiles of warre when after Sanseuerins arriual by the perswasion as it was thought of some chiefe Commanders of the contrarie faction the Pallace of the Vrsini vpon Mount Iordano which is the name of some part of the Citie was sodainly by the soldiers spoiled and burnt whereat Virginio being incensed did presently declare himselfe together with the other Lords of that familie an enemy to the Pope Alfonso strengthened by this mans power and hauing seized on certaine bridges neere Rome began after Sanseuerines arriuall to waste and spoile all places round about the Citie We onely mention this to acquaint the reader with the cause of the warre betwixt the Pope and King Ferdinand Now while these things were done neere Rome Prince Mocenigo died the seuenth yeere of his Gouernment ¶ MARCO BARBADICO the 73. Duke of Uenice MArco Barbadico a Senator of great wisdome and authoritie was by a generall consent chosen Prince in his stead This man the Common-wealth being quiet at home and abroad repaired the Ducall Pallace begunne a while before with such expedition as in a few moneths whilest he remained Prince all that part thereof towards the East was with stately Architecture almost finished The cold weather nothing abating the furie of the Pestilence it did greatly afflict the Citie Therefore three Senators were appointed who had ample commission to doe whatsoeuer they should finde necessarie to free it from that calamitie These men that they might the sooner take away the cause of the sicknesse in an open place for the purpose caused a great quantitie of infectious apparell which the couetous graue-makers had layed vp together to bee burned in one fire And because great numbers of people did surcharge the Citie they sent a great part of the vulgar to inhabit elswhere At the same time the great Chanell opposite to the great market-place was clensed the which by a decree of Senate though it were of great extent was in all places scoured They sent certaine foote companies according to their vsuall manner into Cyprus for to guard the Island In the meane time warre betwixt the Pope and the Vrsini who as hath beene said shewed themselues openly for Ferdinand brake forth into great flames after the arriuall of Sanseuerines forces For Pontenomentana being recouered which they had taken and Fracasso sonne to old Sanseuerino almost slaine with a bullet the whole burthen of the warre fellon Paulo Vrsino and other of Virginio's kinsmen For Nomentana being taken by force was sackt and ruined Sanseuerino marched towards Monterotonda when Cardinall Baptista Vrsino came to the Pope and assured him that himselfe and friends would be obedient to the holie Sea by meanes whereof there were none other attempts made neere Rome Virginio's troopes of horse did in the meane time waste the Roman territorie till Alphonso's returne from Tuscanie where according to their agreement they receiued a braue cauallery from the Florentines and Milaneses with which they made towards Rome Sanseuerino with farre fewer number went to incounter him neere Flisco there in skirmish the enemie lost certaine horse but this notwithstanding Alphonso presuming on his owne strength did in despight of Sanseuerino make furious incursions vpon the Romanesca The Pope who till then had constantly maintained this great warre though he alreadie before resolued as some say to craue aide from France hauing sent for Renatus Duke of Lorraine to come into Italy against Ferdinand and had likewise by his Nuncio Nicolao Franco elect Bishop of Treuiso requested the Venetians to associate him in that warre yet because supplies from France are accounted farre off and tedious and that the Venetians in respect of their league sworne in Lombardie at the finishing of the Ferrarois warre with Lodouico Sforza Alphonso and the Florentines would not take Armes hauing thereby lost all hope of aide from any other place and fearing to precipitate the State of Rome into greater dangers he did willingly incline to peace which the enemie offered him on honourable termes For though he was a great Protector of the papall dignitie yet he loued peace and quietnesse in concluding whereof he did as much as in him lay procure the wealth and aduancement of the Church of Rome together with that of his friends and confederates Sanseuerino presently after peace was made being casheerd and resoluing to carrie backe his troupes of horse into Lombardie did by letters and expresse messengers craue leaue of the Senate to retire with two thousand horse into some towne belonging to their territories But his demand not granted himselfe destitute of all counsell as a man forsaken hauing no safe place of retreate and Alphonso
one lower farther neer to the riuer with crooked turnings by which the kings armie marched which was said to consist of more then two thousand lances six thousand Swisses and twelue thousand foot as well French as Italians with great store of Artillery and Pioners the other farther off from the riuer and the shorter way the which led directly for the passage of the VenetiaÌ„ army wherin were 2000. men at armes more then 20000. foot and great numbers of light horse some Italians and some Albaneses there beeing nothing betwixt the two armies but bushes shrubs which hindred either army from seeing one another The two armies marching in this manner the French vantgard conducted by Charles of Amboise the Venetians rereward conducted by Aluiana encountred one another Aluiana not thinking to fight that day did not march in good order But perceiuing himselfe to bee so neere the enemy and in such a place as hee was enforced to fight aduertised the Count Petillan who went with the Vantgard of his necessity crauing his ayde The Earle sent him word to march on still and to eschew the fight according to the Senates determination Aluiana in the meane time placed his footmen with sixe peeces of Ordinance on a little rising and then assailed the enemies with such force and fury as hee enforced them to giue back but the Armies battaile wherein the Kings person was comming forward the chance of the Dice soone turned albeit Aluiana for his luckie beginning had promised to him-selfe the victory who running vp and downe now heere now there encouraged his soldiers They fought on all sides with great fury The French were on fire by their Kings presence who not sparing himselfe was exposed to all dangers and did not cease where need was to command and encourage his souldiors The Venetians on the other side full of valour by reason of their first good successe did fight brauely But at the last after long fight and the Venetians loosing rather their strength then their courage not turning their backs to the enemies they fell downe in a manner all dead vppon the place and chiefly the footemen some of whom affirmed that there were eight thousand of them slaine there Barthelmew Aluiana was taken prisoner who beeing hurt in the eye with his face all bloudy was brought to the Kings Pauillion Such end had the battaile of Gyradade which was fought on the fourteenth of May in the yeere 1509. The King in memory heereof caused a chappell to bee builded on the place of battaile which hee called Saint Maries of the Victory then because hee would not loose his opportunity hee came to Carauagia which yeelded vpon composition and foure and twenty-houres after the Castle on no condition hauing beene beaten with the Artillery Bergamo did the like the next day and the Castle a day after From thence hee marched towards Bressia which by the councell of the Gambares did cast off the Venetian yoake and yeelded to the King and the Castle two dayes after did the like on condition that all that were within it might depart the Venetian Gentlemen excepted because the King would not haue them comprized in the composition of townes not for hatred that he did beare to them but in hope to draw great summes of money from them The newes of the battailes losse and of the kings progression after that did afflict Venice with such griefe and vniuersall feare as it is scarce credible so great it was For from all parts of the citty people ranne to the publick Pallace with great cryes and pittifull lamentations where the Senators knew not on what to resolue their Councell beeing dulled by dispaire so weake were their remedies At the last taking courage they determined to vse meanes to bee reconciled in any sort whatsoeuer with the Emperor and the Catholick King not mentioning the French King because they did as much distrust his hatred as they were fearefull of his Armes The Senate then did write to Dominico Grimani and to Marco Cornare sonne to the Prouidator both of them beeing Cardinalls at Rome to promise and offer to the Pope in the Senates name that the Citties which hee demanded in Romagnia should bee yeelded vnto him by meanes whereof they besought him not to abandon the common-wealth to the pleasure and dispose of barbarous people such as the French-men were who if they should once become maisters of all Lombardy the Popes them-selues should not bee safe in Rome They likewise decreed that Antonio Iustiniano who being chosen Prouidator for Cremona was ready to go thither should directly go to the Emperor Maximillian conclude a peace with him if it were possible on any terms whatsoeuer That the Senate was ready to deliuer to him Thryeste Portonoue and the other lands which they had taken from him the yeare before and that the Signory would acknowledge to hold of him whatsoeuer it possessed in Frioul in Lombardy and in the country called old Venice So weake and vncertaine were their remedies as if one of these two did not helpe to repulse the audatiousnesse of the French they had not any sure meanes left to stay them Neuerthelesse makeing a vertue of necessity they consulted for their defence how to prouide mony to wage new companies for those which remaind aliue after the defeate were bereft of strength and courage They determined likewise to augment their army by sea whereof Andre Treuisan was Generall with 〈◊〉 Gallies to oppose against that of the enemies which was preparing at Genoa But the French Kings sodaine speed did preuent al their Councells vnto whom since the reduction of Bressia Cremona was yeelded the Castle expected which the Venetians yet held Pisquetona did the like then hee marched towards Piscara to take the Castle for the towne was yeelded And as they began to batter it the Swisses and Gascons made a furious entry by small ouctruâ—…es in the walls and slew all those that were within it except the Captaine and his sonne who were Venetian Gentlemen who were both by the Kings commandement hanged on the Castles battlements to the end by that example to moue those of the Castle of Cremona not obstynately to make defence nor to hold out till the very last The King in this manner in lesse then fifteene dayes after the victory had recouered the Castle of Cremona excepted all that which did belong to him according to the diuision which had beene made at Cambray The Pope had enuaded the Citties of Romagnia with foure hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and eight thousand foote-men and with the Duke of Ferrara his ordnance vnder the command of Francisco Maria de la Rouera his Nephew Sonne to his brother Iohn who with that army scoured from Cesenna to Ceruia then tooke the towne of Sauarolla betwixt Imola and Faenza and that of Bre siquella with the Castle and all the other townes of the
fearing least the people through scare might be wonne did speedily send to demand aide of Gaston of Foix who the selfe same day sent thither a thousand foot and the morrow after a hundred foure score Launces and then resolued to goe thither in person with the whole army not-with-standing that in councell all the captaines contradicted it Therefore hee came forth of Finall late in the euening and the next morning he marched towards Bolognia with the whole army in battaile notwithstanding the snowes and sharpe windes and entred it by Saint Felix gate hauing in his company thirteene hundred Lances six thousand Lansequenets eight thousand foot both French and Italians The enemies had no knowledge of his comming till a day after that a Stadiot of the number of those who were come forth among others to skirmish was taken who being questioned what was done in Bolognia answered That he could not say much because he came thither but the day before with the French army whereat the enemies wondering did more exactly examine him in what manner and what numbers had entred and finding him constant in his answeres they beleeued him and resolued to raise their campe in regard it was dangerous to tarry there as wel in respect of the cold season which did greatly afflict the souldiers as also for the neighbour-hood of the City so great an army being within it Wherfore the next night following which was the nineteenth day of the seege after they had with great dilligence and stilnesse retired their ordnance they dislodged early in the morning It was thought of a certaine that if the French army had salâ—…ied forth the next morning after their arriuall as Gaston of Foix had propounded it they had surprized the confederats campe who in no sort doubted that he was come thither as hath beene said but â—…ues of Alegre councelled to let the companies rest one day who were weary with their iourney and the bad way thinking that the enemy had knowne of their comming as it was to be presumed entring at broad day light and by the high-way of Rome The end of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decad. The Contents of the tenth Booke of the fourth Decade THe City of Bressia taken by the Venetians is rescued by Gaston of Foix by meanes of the Castle which held out still for the French Bergamo by the example of Bressia expelleth the French The defeate of Iohn Paul Baillon and Meleager of Furli by Gaston of Foix. The imprisonment of Andrew Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano Truce betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians by meanes of the Pope Rauenna beseeged by Gaston of Foix. The Battaile of Rauenna wherein the French were victors The death of Gaston of Foix slaine by the Spaniards after the battaile was wonne In what perplexity the Pope was after the French mens victory The Swisses come downe into the territory of Verona with their great hate to King Lewis and vpon what occasion The Champaine Country of Milan is forsaken for to keepe the Cities from the Swisses Milan with all the Cities almost of the Dutchy is redeliuered to the confederates The City of Genoa reuolteth from the King League and confederacie betwixt the Pope and the Emperour Maximillian Sforza is restored to the Dutchy of Milan The death of Pope Iulius the Second A league concluded betwixt King Lewis and the Venetians The Election of Pope Leo the Tenth of the family of Medicis King Lewis his great preparations for the warre of Italy The Venetians take Cremona The whole Dutchy of Milan in trouble and tumult in the behalfe of the French The French make re-entry into all the state of Milan two townes excepted The Swisses resolution to make warre on King Lewis They come downe to Nouara The Swisses comming forth of Nouara in the night obtaine the victory against the French The French are driuen forth of the whole Dutchy of Milan And lastly the taking and dismantling of Legnaga by the Venetians The tenth Booke of the fourth Decad of the History of Venice THe army being dislodged from before Bolognia Gaston of Foix hauing left there three hundred Launces and foure thousand foot for the garde thereof came with great speed to the reliefe of the Castle of Bressia for the Venetians tooke the City the same day that hee entred into Bolognia For Count Lodouico Auogare a Bressian Gentleman being wearied with the arrogancy and indiscretion of the French hauing written to the councell of the Tenne That if they would send their army to Bressia he would finde meanes to raise some tumult there during which hee would by night open a gate for them by which their forces might easily enter and seize vpon the city This matter was for certaine daies debated in the councell of Tenne and then by them referred to the great councell to the end it might be maturely determined whether Count Lodowickes offer ought to be entertained or refused After diuers and sundry opinions it was concluded to accept it the matter being commanded to be kept secret then they acquainted the Prouidator Gritti therewith enioyning him to march speedily with his troupes towards Bressia and to march at the very houre and to the gate which Count Lodowick should send him instructions for Gritti vpon this commandment crossed the Riuer Adice at Albera then that of Mincia at the mill of La Volta and comming to Monteclaro with three hundred men at armes thirteene hundred light-horse and three thousand foote he encamped that night at Castagnetta fiue miles from Bressia from whence he on a sodaine sent his light-horse to scoure euen to the gates But the enterprise being discouered by a wife of one of the complices who aduertized the Gouerthereof of whom she was enamored and by that meanes the towne being carefully guarded Gritti thought it not fit to passe on any farther wherevpon Count Lodowicke not being staied by the French came with his sonne forth of the City Andre Gritti being returned neere to Montagnane from whence he first came left a sufficient gard for the bridge which hee had made ouer the Riuer Adicé to the end to assure the passage if he should happen to returne againe as it afterwards fell out For within a while after being recalled he crossed the Riuer with two Cannons and foure falconets and returned to his quarter at Castagnetta Count Lodowick on the other side being accompanied with very great numbers of the people of the valeys of Eutropia Sabina whoÌ„ he had caused to rise was come within a mile of Bressia And al-be-it they within the City did not yet make shew of fauouring the enterprise yet neuerthelesse Gritti perceiuing that he had greater forces then at the former time he resolued to haue it by force And beeing come with all those peasants he assailed it in three seuerall places two of which had good successe namely at the Gate of Piles where Auogare fought at the
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
of Saint Angelo was by this accord foorth-with yeelded to Captaine Alarcon who entred it with three companies of Spanish footmen and three companies of Lancequenets appointed to guard the Castle and the Pope But the other townes and Castles that were promised were not so easily consigned by reason that the Castle of Ciuita Chastelane was guarded by the Confederates and Aadrew Doria refused to deliuer vp that of Ciuitauechia vnlesse he were first paied fourteene thousand Ducats which he said was due vnto him for his entertainment Parma and Placentia on the other-side abhorring the Spanish gouernment refused to receiue them and those of Modena were reduced vnder the obedience of the Duke of Ferrara who making vse of the Popes calamity threatning the Modenois to spoile their corne which was almost ripe did enforce them to deliuer vp the citty into his handes The Confederates army remained quiet without attempting any thing expecting the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec who was said to be already in Piedmont with great forces both of horse and foot albeit the Captaines in the meane time were of sondry opinions some thinking that being vnited with the French it would be best for them to march directly to Rome where they should find the Imperiall army in such disorder as they might easily set the Pope at li berty by reason that it was much diminished as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in the Citty as by the ouer-much licence which the Soldiers had taken for certaine monethes space liuing without al order and without any martiall discipline some of them being lodged in the Citty and others heere and there abroad and that diuers of them beeing disbanded went their waies daily without any leaue whereby they might with ease driue those few from Rome that remayned behind Those of the contrary opinion thought that for the effecting of that deseigne it were better to scoure the state of Milan beeing neere thereunto to enforce the Imperials to leaue Rome and to come to the defense thereof which might prooue either to slow or insufficient to stoppe the current of the victory wherby they might at one time execute diuers fortunate exploits and perhaps giue an end to the warre This being alowed by all men and propounded to the Lord of Lautrec at his arriuall he entred into the state of Milan with eight thousand Suisses three thousand Gascons and tenne thousand footmen conducted by Pedro of Nauarre and went and encamped before the towne of Bosco on the marches of Alexandria where was a Garrison of a thousand footmen the most of whom were Lancequenets who after they had for the space of tenne dayes sustained the battery and sundry assaults did at the last yeeld themselues at the discretion of the Victor This conquest was followed by that of Alexandria whither the Lord Lautrec came afterwards and encamped wherin lay fifteene hundred footmen who being molested at one time both by the Artillery and the mynes were enforced to yeeld their liues and goods beeing saued But the taking of Alexandria was cause of the beginning of some contention betwixt the confederates For the Lord of Lautrec being desirous to leaue fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison there to the end that at al euents his owne companies might haue one place of retreat and those which should come from France finde some comodiousnesse of meeting there the Duke of Milans Ambassador fearing that it would be the beginning of an occasion to possesse that State for his King opposed him-selfe against it the like did the Ambassadors of England and Venice wherevpon Lautrec agreed not without indignation to leaue it freely to the Duke of Milan a matter which did afterwards greatly preiudice the leagne Now Lautrec after the conquest of Alexandria propounded that he would march to Rome to free the Pope from imprisonment who although he had agreed as hath beene said with the Almaines and Spaniards did neuerthelesse still remaine a prisoner vnder their guard vntill that he had accomplished the articles of the agreement as wel for payment of the money as for the consignation of the aboue mentioned townes where-in were found sundry difficulties wherevppon the Emperor did not there-in shew him-selfe well disposed nor resolute although by his speech he sought to haue all men to beleeue the contrary But the Venetians did wholy dislike of Lautrecs proposition not that they stood lesse affected to the Popes enlargement then did the King but because they thought the enterprise of Rome lesse profitable for the common cause then that of Milan as it had beene debated before his comming and afterwards confirmed by himselfe that there was at the same time great hope of beeing able to conquer Pauia and Milan where there were weake Garrisons and that Antonio de Leua who by his dilligence and skill more then by force did gouerne that State lay greeuously sicke and was vnable to prouide remedies that losing this opportunity the affaires of the league would euer afterwards decline in regard of the huge number of Lancequenets that were ready to come down from the County of Tiroll into Lombardy But by taking Milan from them which was their only retreat and hauing neither cauallery nor victualls they would be enforced to change their mindes and to tarry at home in their houses that in the meane space it would giue time and leisure to tenne thousand Almaines payd by the King of England to come to the campe of the league and afterwards they might with those forces march to Rome and driue the enemies before them assuring together with the Churches State the libertye of all Italy The Lord of Lautrec inclining to their request determined to march towards Pauia before which with great speed he went and encamped the releefe which Antonio de Leua sent not beeing able to enter it the which being battered for the space of foure daies and a great part of the wall beaten downe the soldiors making ther approches did enter it by the breach The Citty was sackt and the French for eight daies together vsed all sorts of cruelty vpon the inhabitants who had vanted that they had beene the vanquishers of the French King because that King Francis was taken prisoner lying at the seege of the same Citty The Genowais at the same time being afflicted with sundry losses and calamities and cheefely with famine sent Ambassadors to the Lord Lautrec for to capitulate The Citties Duke whose name was Antonio Adorni retired him-selfe into the Castellet and the tumult being appeased by Phillip Doria who was prisoner there the Citty returned vnder the Kings obedience who appointed Theodario Triuulcio gouernor thereof and the Venetians because they would not leaue their Captaines vnrecompenced who had valiantly behaued themselues in the reduction of Genoa they encreased to Caesar Fregosa the conductof other thirty men at armes and doubled his pay they did like-wise acknowledge the valour and prowesse of Guy
weare it for his sake After his departure whilest with his friends the Prince celebrated the day of his election â—…ire by negligence had like to haue consumed the dukes pallace who was enforced to with-draw himselfe to the house of Giouan de Leggè knight and Procurator of Saint Marke this fire besides the present great hurt it did was by some interpreted as a bad presage The same yeere died Cosmo de Medicis the first great Duke of Tuscany a Prince of rare and excellent iudgment Francesco his eldest sonne succeeded him There arose likewise great troubles in Genoa betwixt the antient and moderne nobillity which continued the remainder of that yeere and most part of next 1575. till that the Pope Emperor and King of Spaine whom they had made vmpiers of their controuersies made them friends So soone as Amurath had possest himselfe of his fathers Empire following the president of his Ancestors hee murthered all his brethren and to let the world see that he was a souldier commanded Vluzzali to prepare a mighty fleet This did greatly trouble all Christian Princes especially the Venetians who fortified all their sea-coasts against the fury of this barbarous enemy but they were soone freed from this feare by a great plague and dearth at that time in Constantinople which enforced the new Emperor to abandon his warlike deseignes and to seeke meanes to redresse the miserie and calamity of the chiefe citie of his Empire yet to confirme mens opinions conceiued of his new enterprises he commanded truce beeing not yet ratified with the Emperor that his Garrisons neere to Hungary should enter into the Empires territories to waste and burne the country where the Turkes did not only execute many hostile and bloudy actions but tooke diuers castles of the Empire carrying away with them many Christian prisoners whereof the Emperors Ambassador complayning to Amurath he willed him to write to his Master that if he ment to haue truce with him he should resolue to pay him tribute for all his dominions otherwise hee would in person come into his country to ruine him Amurath was incensed against Maximillian because that the Polanders determyning to elect a new King by reason of King Henries departure he was one that laied claime to that crowne and because the house of Austria and the Ottoman family had of a long time hated each other Amurath would by no meanes haue him for his neigbour and therefore inuaded him to diuert him from those thoughts sending word likewise at the same time to the Polanders that if they could not agree about the election of their King they should choose Stefano Battori Prince of Transiluania threatning if they did not so to waste and spoile their country Whilest the Turke stood on these termes with the Emperor and Polanders he sent one of his Chiaus to Venice to promise and ratifie both by word and writing perpetual peace with them This Ambassage was entertained with wonderful ioy they being thereby freed from great care and expense At the same time an exchange of prisoners taken at the battaile of Lepanto which were now at Rome was granted for Christian prisoners held by the Turke among whom was Serbolone and many others of note Toward the latter end of this yeere the pestilence which had much afflicted the city of Trent bewraied it selfe in Venice where by reason of cold weather it brake not forth much that winter but the spring following the yeere 1576. it beganne to rage and with the heate so encreased as there died that yeere aboue three score and ten thousand persons and no humaine remedy appearing the Prince and Senate had recourse to God and meeting altogether in Saint Markes Church the Prince in all their names made a sollemne vow to God to build a Church and dedicate it to the worlds Redeemer beseeching him with heart and mouth that it might please him of his infinite mercy to heare them and to appease his wrath by restoring them to their former health This gracious God heard their humble and deuout praiers and from that time the sicknesse beganne to decrease so that the City in March following was wholly freed from that scourge wherevpon a goodly Church was builded at La Zuecca and dedicated to the Redeemer where now the Capuchins abide whither the Signory and Clergy doe yeerely goe in precession euery third sunday in Iuly to giue thankes vnto God for his mercy and fauor shewed vnto them The city of Venice was not alone infected but diuers other townes of the Marches of Treuiso and Lumbardy but especially the city of Milan where Cardinall Borromeo Archbishop of the place a Prelate of holy life spared neither his means nor life for the releefe of his flock exposing himselfe without feare to all dangers that were offered Things thus variably changing Lodonico Mocenigo Duke of Venice deceassed in Iune the yeere 1577. hauing gouerned eight yeeres hee was honorably buried in the Church of Saint Iohn and Paul vnder the great Gate neere to Loredana Marcello his wife His funeralls ended all men were desirous to acknowledge the vertue and deserts of Sebastiano Venieri who when he was Generall had renouned the Christian Commonwealth by so notable a victory and though hee had competitors did neuerthelesse merit to be preferred before them all wherevpon the forty one being assembled of which number himselfe was one they without any contradiction chose him Prince SEBASTIANO VENIERI the 86. Duke THIS election published the people were very ioyfull of it But that which seemed most strange and therewithall pleasing was that amongst such multitude of all sorts of people as went to congratulate his new dignity ten Turkes who were then in Venice came and kissed his feet saying aloude This is that inuincible Generall who by defeating our fleet and vs hath iustly purchased to himselfe this deserued crowne vnto whom we wish a long and happy life The Prince thanked them and with a liberall hand rewarded them Not long after fiue correctors of the lawes were created who had authority to order the affaires of iustice For sundry corruptions by long continuance crept into pleas did much confound mens sutes to the preiudices of iustice These fiue were Giouan Donato Iacomo Gussone Francesco Venieri Iustinian Iustinians and Lodouico Micaele all Senators of great reputation Then vpon intelligence that the Turke rigged certaine Gallies at Narento to send into the Hadriattick Gulph contrary to the treaty of peace made with the Venetians to defend his owne subiects trafficking on those seas whom the Vscoques of Segna robbed the Venetians sent foure well armed Gallies thither who cleered and defended those seas from their thefts and robberies whereof the Turke hauing notice called home his owne Gallies forth of the Gulph and freed the Venetians from all feare and suspition The Senate perceiuing that the prices of all things were excessiue in Venice either by reason of the late sicknesse
who were particularly vnder the command of Triuulce were seuen thousand foot and about fiue and twenty hundred horse as well men at armes as light horse-men and there staied with the Duke of Bourbon after the Kings departure foure thousand Gascon and Italian foot-men and seuen hundred men at armes Now all these forces being vnited together with the Swisses who were already said to be arriued at Iuree to the number of sixe thousand seemed to be sufficient to defend the State of Milan and to make all the Emperours attempts vaine and vnprofitable al-be-it the report was that his army consisted of fiue and twenty thousand which were no great good souldiers especially the Almaine foot who had beene leauied forth of his countries in hast and his Cauallery was well worse so as his best forces were Swisses whom the Emperour did well not to trust ouer much as well in regard of the Nature of that Nation which is variable and inconstant as for the small loue they beare to the house of Austria so as the Emperours forces being such the common opinion was to march against them as they approched neuerthelesse they resolued on the contrary and the whole army departing from the Bressan Territory came vpon that of Cremona whither the Duke of Bourbon a while before was come with all his Cauallery and foot intending there to stay for the Swisses who were not yet arriued and likewise to stop the enemies from passing on any farther The Emperour being come by Trent to Verona went and encamped before Asola which was garded by an hundred men at armes and foure hundred Venetian foot-men where hauing spent diuers daies to no purpose he was enforced to depart thence and crossed the Riuer Oglio at Orcinouo wherevpon the French and Venetians determined to raise their campe and hauing left three hundred Launces and three thousand foot-men in Cremona they retired on the farther side of the Riuer Adicé resoluing to stop his passage But the French and Venetians were scarce gonne from thence but the whole country which lieth betwixt the Riuers Oglio Po and Adda were at the Emperours deuotion Cremona and Crema excepted the one garded by French and the other by Venetians After that the Emperour had crossed Oglio he drew nere to the riuer Adda to passe it at Pisquetona and finding the passage there to be very difficult he came to Riuolta the French lying at Cassiana on the other side of the Riuer who by reason that the Swisses were not yet arriued and that the Adda might be foorded in many places they marched away the next day to Milan whereby the Lord of Lautrec purchaced small honour who had published and written to the King that he would with ease stop the Emperors passage ouer that Riuer Maximillian being mooued at this retreat crossed the Adda then he pursued his iourney and being come within sixe miles nere to Milan he sent an Herald to summon those of the City threatning the Milanois that if within three daies they did not chace thence the French army he would handle them in worse manner then Frederike Barbarossa his predecessor had done saying that he was come into Italy to receiue according to the custome of his Ancestors one of the markes of the Empire in the City of Milan and to driue thence and forth of all the confines of that State the French as vniust and vnlawfull possessors thereof They answered the Herald according to the pleasure of the French That the State of Milan being in times past a member of the Empire was by the consent of Emperors cut off from it for a summe of money giuen vnto them in regard whereof Emperors could no more lay any claime to it the which was lawfully possessed by Francis the French King as well for that it was his owne inheritance as being likewise wonne by right of armes and therefore that the Milanois would keepe that City for their lawfull Lord vnto whom they had sworne homage and fealty Notwithstanding this braue answere the whole City was filled with great amazement and their determinations were different Some were of opinion to abandon the City despayring of being able to resist the enemies others on the contrary reiecting that councell as too base would not depart but perswaded to tarry still and defend the City and the better to doe it they resolued to retaine all the foot-men in Milan with eight hundred Launces and to distribute the residue for the gard of the neighbour townes Neuerthelesse the first councell had beene followed had not André Gritti and Andrè Treuisan the Prouidators disswaded it who by meanes of their authority procured them not to make so much haste so that as they were ready to depart certaine newes arriued that the day following Albert Peter would be at Milan with ten thousand Swisses and Grisons These newes did encourage the Citizens and souldiers The Emperour in the meane time came and encamped at Lambre two miles from Milan whether he was no sooner come but the Swisses arriued at the City This comming gaue spirit to the French but greater terror to the Emperor For seeing the City to be strengthened with such a garrison he doubted not but that the seege would be long and painefull whereunto he himselfe had no meanes to tarry there long for want of money victuals and all other necessaries for a seege as also for that he did greatly suspect the fidelity of that Nation by reason of matters past and for that the French might easily winne them for some great summe of money the which himselfe could not doe in regard of his pouerty calling to minde beside what had befalne Lodouico Sforza at Nouara there hauing beene Swisses in his army and in that of the French his enemies he feared least they should play him the selfe same tricke as they had don to Sforza because he could not pay them The Emperour beeing troubled with these and other such like cogitations feare hauing mightily possessed him determined to leaue his army and to returne into Germany hauing caused it to be giuen forth that his departure was only to prouide money to pay his souldiers and that he would soone returne againe And in this resolution he went on his way with two hundred horse onely Now the souldiers of the campe perceiuing themselues to be forsaken of their captaine beganne to take a new party as their particular profit vrged them The Swisses went to Lodi which had yeelded to the Emperour when hee crossed the Adda where hauing wasted the country round about they spoiled the towne and had continued their rauaging had not the other Swisses that lay in Milan protested against them that if they did not abstaine from so doing that they with the French and Venetians would come and assaile them Vpon these threatnings they ceassed from spoyling and hauing remained peaceably there for certaine daies they returned home into their country some