all his men The Duke was not hereat displeased but foregoing his former obdurancy out of hopes of soon obtaining part of Montferrat he did not insist so much as he had done upon the form of disarming and was perswaded to accept of the proposal Yet were it either that the Articles were cunningly contrived that the Duke giving free consent to the Article of disarming wherein the difficulty lay his fair pretence of providing for his own safety might be taken way or that the Governour thought the Articles repugnant to three points of the Kings Decree the Governour refused to accept of them so as the business was not perfected the rather for that the Governour boasting that he would chastise the Duke for his having entred the Kings Dominions in a hostile manner said he could not consent to any agreement unless the Duke should humble himself to the King and ask his pardon for having offended him by entring his Territories in hostile manner and therefore although the midst of November was over before the Fort was finished and the weather consequently grown very sharp and though the Army which was much lessened by mortality and by the running away of many ought to have been brought into winter Quarters yet the Governour being thereunto sollicited by many of his Captains and much press'd by many of the Officers of the Court who by their Letters desired very much to see the Dukes contumacy severely punish'd by some signal action resolved to go to before Asti for he despaired of getting Vercelles the Duke being there in person with the greatest part of his men This proposal had been several times press'd even from the very first beginning of the war by Rodorigo Oroseo Marquess of Mortara and Governour of Allessandria who being a Souldier and desirous to signalize himself promised the Governour that he would easily take it if he would give him 4000 Foot and 500 Horse but the Governour not giving way thereunto he grew more fervent therein when he saw the Duke busied in building the Fort hoping that he might get it the more easily for that the Duke keeping at Vercelles by reason of the neighbourhood of his Enemies could not divert him nor send any considerable Forces to relieve it Now the times being altered and what was more to be considered the form and design of the enterprise being varied the Governour would of himself attempt it with all his Forces and therefore leaving a sufficient Garrison in Sandoval and having sent away the Artillery before by the Tannaro he attempted to come before it with 1200 Horse 3000 Dutch Foot and 4000 Foot more of several Nations But the Duke as soon as he saw Vercelles free from the Enemies neighbourhood leaving his youngest Son Prince Thomaso there with a reasonable Garrison went with the rest of his men to the defence of Asti passing over the Poe by a Bridge which he quickly threw over between Crescentino and Verrua and whilst the Nuntio and the Embassadour entertained the Governour with divers promises that they would bring the Duke to disarm thereby making him lose much time the Duke minded the more the fortifying of the walls and of other fitting places for the defence of that City The Governours heat was somewhet cooled by the Dukes coming to Asti and much more by the French which he knew fell down into Piedmont wherefore he ordered Iovan Bravo who had already taken up his Quarters at Quarto a Village nere the City to retreat back into Annone and the season growing then to be very sharp and cold he was much confused and found no less difficulty in this Enterprise than in that of Vercelles He saw himself so far advanced as he could not with honour retreat to winter his Army about the City was very incommodious and dangerous to return once more bâ—…ck to the State of Millain did too much repugne the protestations and threats which he had given out he could not therefore do it without much blame and loss of Honour and without being subject to many severe reprehensions from the Court therefore calling a Counsel of War he asked his Field-Officers advice concerning the manner and possibility of quartering that Winter in the Dukes Country Several were the opinions many were against many for quartering there the former alledged the bitterness of the season the weakness and far distance between the places wherein they were to distribute their Army the Dukes being present there who being in a great City and capable of receiving all his men might sally out and suppress one by one all the places wherein their men should be quartered before being so far from one another they could joyn time enough in the common defence They therefore concluded it was better to amend the first resolution of coming before Asti then by persevering in the error be subject to the danger and mischief which might result thereupon The others pleaded and chiefly Morara the chief promoter of the enterprise the conveniences of the Quarters by reason of the vicinity of the State of Millain and of Montferrat from whence provisions might be conveniently brought and also the safety thereof in the Towns of that Country capable to quarter the whole Army which being fortifi'd by Trenches would be able to withstand sudden assaults till such time as succour might be brought from the neighbouring places They mentioned many good effects which might result therefrom first the preservation of the honour of the Kings Forces which otherwise would be totally lost that the State of Millain would be that Winter eased from the charge of quartering and on the contrary the enemies Country troubled therewith which would be thereby kept from assaulting the Kings Towns as they formerly had done and publickly threatned to do again that it was probably to be hoped that time might afford occasions of making themselves masters of the City that very Winter if the Duke not being able as he was not likely to be to keep his men long together without moneys they should chance to mutiny or any other unthought of accident should fall out And as for the bitterness of the season they said it was not now to be taken into consideration the Army being already in the enemies Country and since it differed not much from that when they went from the Novarese In this ambiguity of opinions the Governour sent some Commanders to discover the Country beyong the Tanaro and then going with part of his men by a Bridge which he threw over at Roccad ' Arazzo he ordered Mortara to possess himself with Bravo's Brigado of a Town called Zam up the River overagainst the City which being easily taken he went against 1000 men which he saw passing in boates over the Tanaro But they being quickly repassed and joyn'd with the rest of the Dukes men they began to skirmish with Muskets on both side the banks not without the prejudice and death of some of both the parties amongst which two Spanish
who argued by this their so great tenacity that they aimed more at being masters of what belonged to others then at the purging their Gulf of Pirates The war continued therefore in Friuli with greater forces and preparations but with but small progress made by the Venetians much succour came to the Archduke from Germany part at his own charges part at the Emperours and several valiant and well experienced Commanders were sent him from other Princes as Count d' Ampierre the Commandatore Coloredo the Baron of Lelile and Colonel Standardi amongst others there came 4000 Foot and 500 Horse all select men raised at the King of Spains cost and sent into Friuli under the command of Don Baldasser Marradas Don Inigo di Gâ—…evara Count d' Egnate and Embassadour for that King in the Emperours Court a very accuraâ—…e Lord and vigilant in publick affairs and to whom the King committed all the charge and provision of succour which he contributed to the Archdukes service General Trautmistorft not thinking it now any longer time only to make excursions but to keep the Field and face the Enemy past over Lisonso with his Army took up his quarters under Luciniso intending to fall upon the Venetians quarters whose valour he so little valued as he cared not to fortifie himself The Venetian Commanders had notice of the weakness of his Works and of the Enemies negligence in fortifying themselves and thinking it a fit occasion to prevent being offended they resolved to assault them unexpectedly by night The Venetians Camp was no less re-inforced then the Archdukes with Souldiers raised in Terra ferma Sclavonia Albania and Greece and having alter'd their Officers they had made a new form of Government in stead of Barbarico three Commissaries were sent to the Camp from Venice Antonio Priâ—…i Procurator of St Mark Iâ—…van Battista Foscarini and Francisco Erizzo the first had the title of Commissary-general the other of plain Commissariâ—…s These were the only three that voted and all things were resolved upon by the Votes of two the Council of War being therefore first called and consulted with wherein was Don Lâ—…igi dâ—… Esta General of the great Cavalry Francisco Martinâ—…go de Conti di Malpaga General of the Light-horse Ferrante de Rossi General of the Artiâ—…ery Pompeo Iustiniano Camp maste and Camillo Trivisano Commissary of the Albanesse Horse called Stradiâ—…tta these assisted the three Commissaries with their advice and gave their opinions but had no Votes the execution of what was resolved upon belong'd to Iustiniano as Camp-master which he ordered under the Commissary-General guided the Directions and directed the intended Enterprises The enemy being then to be assaulted within his Quarters according to the resolution already taken Iustiniano disposed of the Army into several Squadrons the first assault fell to Trivigiano's share with his Albanesse and to Horatio Baglioni with his Brigade and some Corsicans the former on the west-side where the Hills ended and the others on the south-side towards the Campagnia Trivigiano took some works far from the enemies Quarters kill'd the defendants and past no further but Baglione at the same time which was day-break forcing the first Port of the Rampiers and having seiz'd on the Court found a stiff dispute at the second for the Austrians awakened at the noise ran in to the defence and had not some Corsicks come to relieve him he had undoubtedly been slain as many of his men were A greâ—…t on-set was also made on the other side which though it appeared to be prosperous at first yet the assailants were forced to give back the same befalling them as did those that made the assault at the Raveline before Gradisca who fought more valiantly and received more harm from their friends who were upon their backs then from theâ—…r enemies who were before them for the former being timerous and fearful stood crouching and many of them lay grovelling on the ground who firing their Musquets low slew the best of their own men The Venetian being returned without having done any good effect to Mariano had no beâ—…ter success in the assault which they resolved afterwards to give to the Fort Stella built by the Austrians on the other side the River in form of a Cavalier against those of Sagra and Fogliano held by the Venetians for Pietro di Vasques a Spaniard who was Captain there fore-knowing the enemies resolution put his men quietly in a defensive posture and repulss'd them with the death of above a hundred of the assailants The loss which the enemy received was increased by a great mortality in the Venetian Camp which beginning with their horses came afterwards to their men for the stench of the dead horses being intollerable the air grew so infected as it begot dangerous diseases whereby the Camp was reduced to so small a number aâ—… if they had been then assaulted by the enemy it would assuredly have been totally defeated A danger whereat the Common wealths Commanders were much troubled the courage and gallantry of the enemy especially being considered and the little esteem which the Austrians made of their men But they were afterward somewhat inheaâ—…ed by the taking of two places situated on two several ways which lead from Germany and therefore of great consequence Ponteba and Chiavaretto Ponteba is cut through in the midst by the River Fella which falls into the Tagliamento the neâ—…her part theâ—…eof belongs to the Venetians and is called Ponteba Venetiana the other part to the Dutch and is called Austriaca The Souldiers which guard Austriaca passing over the River had taken Ponteba Venetiana which when the Camp heard 2000 Fooâ—… of the Country were preâ—…ently dipatch'd away thither under Commissary Fosclarini Francisco Martinengo led on by Count Nicolo Gualdo of Vicenza Governour of Udine by Captain Antonio Manzano and by Captain Daniele Antonini of the same City who when they had past the River drove the Dutch out of Austriaca and did not only recover the booty which they had taken but moreover took much Merchandize which they found in Austriaca and entring further in burnt Malborgeto and Trivese two neighbouring Towns nor had the other Commissary Erizzo less fortunate success who advancing towards Chiavaretto together with Trivigiano and his Stradiotti and a good strength of Foot led on by Iovanni Mâ—…rtinengo took it to the no little praise of Trivigiano to whom almost the whole honour thereof is due he being the first that came thither and the first that did manfully assault it The taking of Chiavaretto was succeeded by the like of Luciniso the Austrians having abandoned it who going to recover Chiavaretto repast over the Lisonzo which when the Venetians knew they marched immediately thither and possessing themselves easily of the Town which was but weakly guarded they in a short time made themselves masters of the Castle situated upon the top of a Hill where after three days stout resistance the defendants were forc'd to yield for want
she had purchased so as she might shew her resentment in equal terms yet thinking moderation did better become her dignity and gravity she was more temperate in her answer whereby endeavouring to possess the Duke fully of her justifiable actions she was resolved to make good what she had done notwithstanding all his threats This constancy and freedom of the answer the less it was expected the more did it sting the Duke to the very soul who was haughty of himself but much more by reason of the present Occurrences whereby thinking himself to be in high esteem with the greatest Potentates of Christendom which strove who should most favour him and draw him over to them he thought himself formidable to the lesser he could not thereforefore well indure that a Commonwealth of Gown-men should so little value his threats and so much the less for that the Commonwealth added Military provisions to her answers shewing her self ready to make resistance in case the Duke should second his words with deeds they therefore gave present order for new levles of men for taking Foot into pay for sending for Captains and Commanders to serve them and for her better justification she together with the Dukes complaints published the merits of the Cause and the small justice he had to complain the business being hereby brought upon the Stage the Duke was the more bound to persist in his pretences and howsoever to maintain them if not for the interest which the having or not having the Fee of Zuccarello would be unto him at least in respect of his reputation wherein he thought he should suffer very much if the world should have reason to attribute his desisting therein to the Commonwealths threats and preparations so as resolving to have the better of the business he being full of inexhaustible invention began to bethink himself how he might find out some plot whereby his honour might not precipitate from that height which it was in he began to invite and to incite the Transalpine Nations against the City and State of Genoa by giving out what immense riches and vast prey they might get from the wealthy Genoeses from these fleight accidents as from a little spark great and dangerous flames for Italy arose which had almost caused an universal combustion for the greatest Monarchs of Christendom had a hand in the kindling and in the quenching thereof and because for the knowledge of this and of several weighty successes which did from thence result it will be necessary to know the condition and state of the Commonwealth of Genoa which was such as made many Christian Princes to appear upon this occasion I will for the present leave the pursuit of this Narration and will unfold somewhat briefly of the Commonwealth of Genoa which though it may seem superfluous to the present Age as being sufficiently known will be both acceptable and necessary for the knowledge of Posterity The End of the Seventh Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK VIII The Contents IN this Eighth Book you have the Description of the Commonwealth of Genoa her Interest and good Correspondency with the Crown of Spain The Diet held at Sula wherein two attempts are resolved upon the one against the Valtoline the other against Genoa for the execution whereof many preparations are made both in France and in Italy The French fall down into the Valtoline under the conduct of the Marquess of Coure and driving the Churches Forces from the Forts which were deposited in the Popes hands they make themselves masters thereof they likewise fall down into Piedmont under de Digueres Grand Constable and joyning with the Duke of Savoy and with his Forces go to the Enterprise of Genoa and proceed far in that State the Pope sends his Nephew Legate into France The Genoeses are reduced into a very dangerous condition by hostile Arms. THe Commonwealth of Genoa which being govern'd by her own peculiar Laws and Magistrates injoys full and fortunate Liberty possesseth the Kingdom of Corsica together with all that Tract which exâ—…ending from Germany to the Haven of Monaco is now commonly called the River of Genoa and was anciently called Liguria and extending her Confines beyond the Appenine and the River Magra commands many Castles in Lombardy and many in Tuscany together with City of Serezzana the City being great of her self and capable of a numerous people is one of the chiefest Cities of Italy and for the opportunity of her situation for her great Traffick for the immense riches of her Citizens is deservedly accounted a rich and noble Mart the staple and the noblest Exchequeâ—… or Treasury of all Europe she was in former Ages very famous for Sea-enterprises by reason of the number of her powerful Fleets and by reason of the famous Victories which she hath long ago had over the Saâ—…asens and since over the Venetians Pisans and Catalonians a people who were also very powerful at Sea who contending long with her for superiority at Sea were some of them suppress'd some totally defeated and certainly she would have gotten the absolute Empire over the Mediterranean had not her endeavours and Military Valour exeâ—…cised with such glory and advancement of reputation against her enemies bâ—…en turned through the ambition and blind unbridled desire of precedency in her own Citizens to their own prejudice and to the prejudice of their Country for being divided into parties and factions and cruelly rent by intestine contention and strife she was forc'd to yield the Reins of Government sometimes to the most powerful Citizen sometimes to some Forreign Potentate but the prosperous and unfortunate adventures of the ancient Commonwealth are already diversly written both in her own Annals and in those of other Nations and they being far from our purpose I have not room to write them here that which is sufficient to know concerning the main business which we are now about to write is that since the Genoeses drove out the French whereby they regained their ancient Liberty and reduced their Commonwealth to the present form of Government which was in the eight and twentieth year of the Age next before this that we now are in they have always kept strict and sincere union with the Crown of Spain insomuch as not any Italian Potentate hath shew'd themselves more a Friend to the Spaniards then they nor perhaps was there ever known a conjunction between Princes of so unequal power and greatness which hath been preserved for the space of a hundred years with moâ—…e sincere faith and more reciprocal advantage the Havens Seas Passages and all other conveniences of the Sâ—…ate of Genoa were always open to receive the Fleets and to give passage or any other accommodation to those of that Crown whereas they were always shut up to any who might bring prejudice to the Grandezza Dignity and Security of the Spanish Dominions The King of Spain is permitted to keep a Squadron of Gallies in the
his friends but by his enemies for his singular valour and for the gallantry of what he had done Fontanero being taken they talked of going to Sandoval or to before Novara but a strange and unexpected accident hapned which made them think of greater things six French Souldiers who according to the fashion of the Spanish Souldiers wore red Scarffs coming to the Tessino feigned themselves to be Spanish Souldiers and seeing the Barque wherewith they cross the River and which is commonly called Porto on the other shore as he is called Portenaro who guides it they earnestly desired the Portenaro that he would come and pass them over to the other side offering him a good reward for their waftage the Portenaro thought them to be friends by the red Scarffs which they wore and being too credulous and too greedy of gain went to the other side the River and took them into his Porto who presently slew him and passing over to the other side they found the Country abandoned by the Inhabitants who by reason of the neerness of the enemy were fled to the tops of Mountains so they took some Cattel and passing with them over the River they went and acquainted the Duke and the Marshal with what they had done and shew'd them how easie it was to pass over the Tessino The enterprise was very hopeful and glorious beyond expectation and was not to be despised and so much the rather for that to keep in the State of Novara as they had done till now with little advancement made but little for their honour wherefore that somewhat might be done they thought they were forc'd to embrace any whatsoever hard imployment and then much more this which was so easie and which was so propitiously presented to them by fortune they were the more encouraged to this enterprise by what little esteem was had of the enemies Forces which keeping still within the Trench they thought they would not dare to encounter them and that at the present they would shun coming into the open field to keep from hazarding the welfare of the State upon the uncertainty of a Battle having therefore sent some Horse over the Tessino to discover the Country and the affairs better they tarried expecting their return that they might the better ground their resolutions and finding by what they brought back that they agreed in their relation with what the others had said they threw over the boats which they had brought with them in Carts and making a Bridge of them pass'd the Army over to the other side and staid some days waiting some happy occasion which this so fortunate accident might present unto them the Bridge was thrown over neer Casa della Camera the first thing which they did after they were passed was to break the Sprone which is nothing else but the keeping in of the Tessino with great stones to the end that the water being thereby stop'd may rise into a channel which they call ill Naviglio whereby they pass even to Millain carrying and re-carrying boats full of provision from the Lake whence the Tessino comes to Millain and which are necessary for the City and for the Inhabitants who live upon the Lake and to take away the water from the Naviglio that so they might streighten the City in point of provision and bereave it of the advantage it got thereby they afterward fortified themselves in Tornavento a little Town on the left bank of the Tessino and extended their Fortifications to the Brughera which is nothing else but a Copse of many miles about where nothing grows but brush-wood or low shrubs which those of Lombardy call Brughi they tarried there some days pillaging those parts and having no place to take nor Mountains nor Rivâ—…s to pass over nor no enemy to encounter for Guasco was not yet come thither and Don Martine d' Aragona being far short of them in numbers who heard in Novara that the enemies Army had passed over the Tessino did also pass over it himself a little lower and was come to Bigarasso they might march safely to the Walls of Millain when the enemies passage over the Tessino was heard of and that an infinite number of the Inhabitants thereabouts were flock'd together with their Wives Children and with what else they had of most value as to a place of refuge the Citizens fell into such terrour and confusion as greater was never known in the memory of man or was ever read of in ancient Story The City of Millain was bereft of defendants and as it were exposed to be assaulted by the enemy who was very strong neer at hand and was hourly expected to appear before the City walls they saw the Governour and all the chief Officers stood idly minding only the keeping and defending of the Trench and that they did not at all care for the rest of the State so as they might keep the Duke of Parma from passing over that this was the chief thing whereupon all their thoughts were bent that they cared not though the enemy burnt plundered and laid the Country waste they saw that the Army which had been raised at the peoples so great expence and which had suffer'd such hardship in their quarters all the Winter made nothing at all for their saâ—…ety at this time of so neer danger so as the people exclaimed in the streets against the Spaniards and against the Governour himself and bewailing their miseries were neerer tumultuating then preparing to prevent their imminent danger many also thinking the City lost sent away what they had of most precious into the State of Venice so as the Gates of the City were pester'd by those who believing in her safety ran thither with what best things they had and by thâ—…se who not confiding in her safety fled away with what they had of most precious and convey'd them into safer places they were all the more disturb'd by hearing that the Duke of Rohan was fallen down by the Valley of Sarsina into the State of Millain and was come neer Lecco which if he should take he might safely come to the City and joyning with the Confederates Army might put for mighty things so as in this great confusion many of the chief Gentlemen had recourse to Don Ranchillo a Spaniard and Chancellor of the State who in the Governors absence supplied his place desiring that he would use his authority and that he would endeavour the peace and safety of the City he had at the same time received Letters from the Governour who was at the Trench of the same tenure wherefore beating up Drums immediately to raise as many Citizens as he could as well Gentlemen as others he distributed them upon the Walls and Gates in several places to defend them he also took care for repairing the walls and Gates where it was most requisite wherby and by other provisions men began to be of better hopes they were chiefly quieted by the coming of Prince
Prince encourageing him to persevere in defending the Town and promising him that to boot with these succors he would come thither himself shortly with a powerful Army to relieve him and set him at liberty and telling him that what had hapned at Cassalle was but a trick of Fortune and had rather dispers'd then discomfited his men that he stay'd now to rally them under his Colours to the end that with them and with others which he expected very shortly from other parts he might come and relieve him and the City All those that were sent by the Governour got luckily into Turin and Don Mauritio got thither also who was returned with the Prince his Horse from Cassalle though somewhat lessened by Harcourts Cannon which thundered from the hills but little powder could be brought in for want of Waggon horses and the ways being afterwards block'd up and possessed by the En my the rest could not enter without much prejudice to the Enterprise especially for that Prince Thomaso had sent 400 Horse before the ways were block'd up to be a conduct to that Munition which Horse was not suffered to return for the aforesaid blocking up of the ways so the Prince was not only deprived of that provision but also of those Horse which had he had them he would doubtlesly have made greater impressions upon the Enemy by sallies then he did but now he was forced to be more circumspect in his night Assaults 3000 Citizens able to bear Arms were added to the Kings men who were employed in desending the City and also many Country people who were come thither for refuge who were a great help in their handy-works so as the Prince though he wanted fighting men and war-like amunition yet finding that the Governour was mindful of him and of preserving the City and taking that assistance which he had already sent as a Token of what he would do in the future he was not wanting to himself in doing what he could in so short a time to defend the City Turin stands in a large and pleasant Plain twelve miles Eastwards from the Alpes the Poe runs almost within a Bow-shot of it on the East side and on the North the Dora comes almost to one Angle of the City and a little beyond la Dora runs la Stura both which Rivers fall into the neighbouring Poe on the South side runs the Sagone rather a Torrent then a River which falls also into the Poe over against Cavâ—…reto The City thus scituated is divided into three parts the new City the old City and the Citadel The new City joyns to the old on the South they are only divided by a Wall but are both enclosed within a Wall and as the new Town advanced a little further then the old towards the Poe so not thrusting out so far towards the Alps it leaves a spacious Plain whereon the Citadel stands which being further from the Poe then the City wants not only the convenâ—…nces which she might receive by the neighbourhood thereof but not being able to command the River cannot debar it from Navigation The Citadel is a Pentagon The circuit of both the old and new City is flank'd round about with Bulwarks and with Ditches The Prince when he was master of it did not believe he should be forc'd to defend it from without but imploy'd himseâ—…f totally against the Citadel and neglected securing the City on the out side but learning by what had hapned at Cassalle that instead of minding the taking of the Citadel it behoved him to take care of descending the City he fell with all speed and diligence to fortifie it from any assault that might be made from without and leaving smaller matters his chiefest care was to defend the Bridge over the Poe which as whilst it was in his hands it kept the way open for the bringing of succour which he expected would be brought from the Governour so when it should be taken by the enemy it kept out any succour that might be brought by that way for then the reliever must find some other way to pass his Army over the River which was almost impossible to do in the face of a powerful enemy This Bridge is made of Stone and is the best that crosses the Poe at the left side of the foot thereof towards Turin stands a little Burrough the other which stands on the right side lies under a little hill upon which there is a Church and a Covent of Capuchins and this side being all hilly other higher hills stand above that of the Capuchins one above another The Prince munited this Bridge at both ends with Trenches nor herewithall contented he munited very well the aforesaid Church and Covent and Moreover built a little Fort upon another higher hill which overlooked the Monastery he put 300 Foot into these Fortifications and Victuals and Ammunition sufficient for fifteen days within which time he hoped the Governour would appear with his Army These Works were not fully finished when the French Army appeared on three sides the first that appeared having block'd up the Passes of Susa Lanza and the Canevese advanced to the City towards the Dora and the new Park which answers upon that Angle of the City which is called the green Bulwark and which includes the Dukes Palace and Gardens in defence whereof the Prince had made a sudden Trench formed like a pair of Shears the other quartered on the upper hill above the Church and Covent of the Capuchins and the third passing the Poe at Montcalleri by a wooden Bridge that is there advanced to the Palace Valentino whereof after a small Skirmish making themselves masters they the next night took the Burrough which as we said stands between the City and the Bridge and not meeting with any resistance there they assaulted the Bridge where they found some resistance but having mortally wounded the Captain who did defend it they made themselves also masters thereof the Garrison retiring towards the Monastery as to an advantagious place which was not able neither to keep there long for the little Fort which as hath been said was built and fortified by the Prince above the Monastery was at the same time assaulted and taken by those who had taken up their quarters upon the hill which was above that Fort whence playing upon the Covent which was beneath they easily took it though they were manfully fought with for at a third assault the assailants entred the place and from thence went to the Church whither the defendants had retreated where without any respect to the holiness of the place they put all to the sword that were there except the Officers and sacking moreover not only such secular things as were brought thither as into a place of safety but without any distinction laid hands upon such as were sacred and dedicated to divine worship by which good success waxing more bold and meeting with no opposition for the Prince being desirous
further after the Duke who was gotten but ill-favour'dly with his men into Canelli tarried divers days in Allessandria waiting for Men Ammunition and Artillery which he had sent for from several parts of the State of Millain for the enterprize of Asti which he gave out he would take in hand The Duke when he had brought his men into Canelli sent them by degrees into Asti whether he also sent victuals and Ammunition for the defence of that City against which he saw the Governour bent all his Forces who parting from Allessandria about the fifth of May tarried six days in Felizzano and going from thence to Annone the last Town upon the Confines of Millain he went with his Army towards Asti He had with him between 16 and 18000 Italian Foot 4000 Spaniards about 2000 Horse the Gens d' Armes being therein comprehended to boot with 6000 other Foot and 500 Horse which he had left under Cavagliero Melzi in Sandoval not so much to guard that Fort as to keep Vercelles in jealousie so as the Duke being forced to keep it well Garrison'd was the less able to defend Asti He had also 7000 other Foot which he shortly expected from Tuscanye Urbine and Lucca by Sea and those of Parma were already come unto the Camp At his going from Annone towards Asti he divided his Foot into four equal Squadrons which being led on by four Troops of Dragoons the Cavalry divided into two Squadrons winged the left side towards the Tannaro the more inward whereof was led on by Don Alfonso Pimontello General thereof and the outward by his Lieutenant Don Sanchio Salina after these came the Gens d' Arms conducted by their General the Marquess of Este the Baggage came after the Squadrons and the Artillery part whereof was also plac'd on the left hand of the Squadrons The City of Asti stands in a plain at the foot of some hills upon the top whereof stands the Castle joyn'd to the City of an ancient shape as are also the rest of the Walls of the City which therefore have not those Flanks nor Rampiers which are used in modern Fortifications On the South side the Tannaro runs two Musket shot distant from the walls the little hills which run in a large compass towards the North bending from thence towards the East terminate in Annone from whence like a half Amphitheaer they encompass all that plain between the Rivolea Versa and the hills of Tannato for some four miles space and somewhat further between Annone and Asti. But the Duke not at all affrighted at the approach of so great an Army would though weaker in Forces face them and hating to keep inclosed within walls would march into the field against them He had with him about some 15000 Foot and 1500 Horse most of them Forreigners and chiefly French who were come thither notwithstanding their Kings severe Edicts to the contrary for the Princes of that Kingdom being desirous of new perturbations and ruptures between the two Kings and it may be that their King might be the Arbitrator of Peace and War in Italy sent many men thither thinking that look how many more of their Nation should be in the Dukes service both Peace and War should the more depend upon their Kings Being come neer Versa and having taken up his Quarters upon the inward bank of the River where was no commodious foording save in two places he sent Monsieur de Roason with 200 Lorrain Horse beyond the River that he might get into some houses belonging to an Inn called Corce Bianca the first bickering fell out here between these men and Alphonso Balesteros Comissary General of the Kings Horse who was sent before with 400 Dragoons to discover the enemy This Skirmish by the concourse of people on both sides grew almost to a Battel the Duke having sent his Van to relieve his men and the Governour some Troops of Curassiers with the Burgonian Forces led on by the Baton Batteville who was also followed by Alfonso Pimontello with his Horse Troop so as the fray increasing both sides fought valiantly in which fight it hapned that the Lorrainers who were on the Dukes side being cloathed and weaponed like to the Kings Burgonians did so mingle with the Burgonians as passing unknown thorow the midst of them they advanc'd even to within sight of the Spanish Camp The Governour advancing towards them bare headed thinking they were his men who fled began much to his danger to reprehend them and to bid them return and fight valiantly but they for fear of death in case they should be known seeming as if they would return to the Skirmish retreated dexterously to their own men leaving their Captain Prisoner together with Cavalier San Rainero and some others There died in this Skirmish an Ensign-Bearer of the Dukes with some others of both sides Balesteros was sorely wounded and Baron Batteville sleightly who together with his Burgonians behaved themselves gallantly both here and during this whole Campagnia and were of great aid to the Enterprise Don Pimentello's Horse fell over and over with him not without great danger of death The Skirmish being over for the Dukes men retreated to beyond the River the Governour advanced even to Versa and took up his Quarters there in the face of the Dukes Army but he sent Iovan Bravo with his Brigade and some pieces of Artillery to Quarter upon the little Hills for his own more safety and for the prejudice of the Enemy But the Duke having munited all the bank of Versa on his side with a long Trench which reached from the little Hills to the Tannaro sent also 2000 Foot to possess themselves of the Hill which was opposite to that where Bravo was Quartered and being mightily well sheltered on all sides and fortified nor being to be assaulted there without apparent danger to the Assailants they began to skirmish from the Hills and from the opposite Trenches with Muskets and Bumbards but more out of force and fury than out of any well taken advice or any great effect This Skirmish continued two or three days without any advantage on either side so as the Spaniards thinking it a shame that the Duke with so unequal Forces durst confront them and keep himself equal to their Army so long they resolved to advance by the Hillocks intending to fight him both on the back and flanks in his own Quarters and to beat up his Quarters The Enterprise was committed to the Prince of Ascoli who whilst he foreslowed the execution thereof meeting with some impediments he afforded the Duke who had notice of all proceedings leasure to possess himself of other stations fitter to hinder or at least to make the Enemies progress more difficult in that part And because it was necessary for the Prince to go by way of anticipation to the oppugning of Castiglione a little Castle scituated upon a little Hill which being of some consequence was furnished with a reasonable
purchase without any disturbance The Spanish Agents who were to manage this matrimony and the reconciling of the Duke of Savoy were desirous to please him and that the Commonwealths delay should be granted him lest the purchase of that little Castle might not only be a hindrance to that which was in Treaty but might occasion new rumours and noise of wars in Italy to the prejudice of the publick peace wherefore means being used with the Commonwealth to forbear they also under hand delaied the assignation of Zuccharello some Propositions of accommodation were with the privity of the Cardinal of Savoy offer'd to the Embassadors who were then in the Court of Rome to pay their wonted obedience to the new Pope by which the controverted Fee should be delivered to neâ—…ther of the parties but should be invested in some third person who might be a friend to the other two insinuating Don Carlo Barbarino the Popes Brother but all was in vain for the Commonwealth fearing that the Dukes power would at last prevail over what was right and fearing that they might prejudice the King of Spains reputation if they should put over the business to the Arbitrement of any other Princes or else thinking that to yield to any thing would seem that they were afraid of the Dukes threats persevered constantly not to put that to the Arbitrement of another which was undoubtedly theirs and which they had lawfully purchas'd from the Imperial Chamber so as being resolved to keep it just as they had bought it of the Emperour they complain'd of the delay made by the Governour of Millain but at last all difficulties being oveâ—…come and the Commonwealth being possess'd of the Fee the Duke was necessitated to think of resentment whereâ—…n he found himself much ingaged both by the Letter which he had written and by the Commonwealths refusal the way for his resentment was made more free by Prince Phileberto's death which hapned at this time in Palermo that City being visited with a sore Contagion which did not only put an end to the Treaty of Marriage but cut off all hope of ever piecing it up again for though he left two brothers unmarried yet since the same parts nor circumstances did not concur in them it was impossible to continue it neither of them being acceptable at the Spanish Court they having openly declared themselves for the French party and moreover the Cardinal had appeared openly an enemy to the Duke of Mantua almost upon all occasions A petty accident did also more irritate the Duke which had he not considered too much and published it to be one of the chief incitements to the war would not deserve the reciâ—…al some little boys of the meanest sort of the Genoese Plebeians seeing the Souldiers rendezvouz which were daily made in the City they also put on counterfeit and childish Arms and ran up and down the City meeting and exercising their Arms it hapned tâ—…at at a certain encounter the one side took the Captain of the other side Prisoner who was to represent the person of the Duke of Savoy and led him about as in Triumph which action though the Senate did not leave unpunished yet being given out to be greater then it was it came to the Dukes ears who peradventure desirous to have better justifications for whâ—…t he should do then his buying of Zuccharello made process like wise be made himself but more according to what was reported than to what was true it being said that the Dukes Image was cast into the fire and burnt and sending this Process formed by himself into the Courts of Rome and of other Princes he complained very much theâ—…eof as of an action done by the privity of some Gentlemen of Genoa in scorn and contempt of his person There were besides this some ancient rancours remaining between the Common-wealth and Duke touching a controversie about their Confines and some Castles which they had been long at Law for but more of late for favours privately administred to the Duke of Mantua in the War of Montferrat and afterwards more openly to the King of Spain in the taking in of Oneglia and Marâ—… which hatreds and heart burnings the longeâ—… they were concealed broke forth afterwards into the greater flame when the way was made open for them The French therefore and the other Confederates made use of this occasion to keep the Duke constant to the League to which purpose a Diet was held in â—…sa a Town in Piedmont at the foot of the Alps which divide Piedmont froâ—… Dolpheny wherein met the Duke of Savoy Deguieres who was a little before made Lord High-Constable of France the Marquess of Criccâ—…e Claudio Marini French Embassadour with the Duke the Venetian Embassadour and some other Embassadours of the Confederate Princes Here the Duke of Savoy after having made grievous complaints against the Genoeses for injuries which he pretended to have received from them proposed it as the better and more secure course to turn their Common Arms against the State of Genoa before they should fall upon the State of Millain as was agreed on at the League of Avignon He said the victory would be the more easie and certain by reason of the weakness of the chief City and of the other Towns in that State by reason that that Common-wealth was totally unprovided of forreign Forces and that she could make but little use of her Natives they being imbased by long peace that he himself had many friends and many that would side with him in that City and in that State who being desirous of innovations would be a great help to the Enterprise He represented that when that Common wealth should be subdued the Contract would be at an end whence many inconveniences would result to the Crown of Spain and in particular that the Siege of Breda which was under the eyes of all the Confederates upon the fail of moneys would undoubtedly be raised but he chiefly endeavoured to inform them that when the Valtoline should be taken which was to be assaulted in the first place by their common Arms though thereby the State of Millain would be kept from relieâ—…e by Germany yet the way by Sea being open it might be succoured from Spain Naples and Sicily whereas when Genoa should be taken and the River thereof the State of Millain being block'd up on all sides and debarred succour would become an easie and secure prey to their common Forces These reasons of the Dukes being the more efficacious because the rest saw that unless they would give way thereunto he would not joyn with them in their League they did not only approve of his opinion but contrary to what was agreed upon at Avignon they promised to joyn their Forces with his to the suppressing of Genoa and that the Fleet of Marselles and of England which were destin'd to go against Spain should assist the enterprise of Genoa not only with Arms but with abundance of
the French had done the like to those of Spain that were in France therefore the Duke and the Constable professing to observe punctually friendship and good correspondency with the States and Subjects of the King of Spain did not permit any act of hostility to their men and if any accident should happen to the contrary they proceeded to severe punishment against the Delinquents as done without their order thorow military licentiousness and excused themselves which was not only accepted by the Spanish Officers but seeding the French with the same food they assured them they should not be injured by their Forces many invitations were made moreover to the Duke and to the Constable and reciprocal friendly Offices past between them and upon complaint made by the Constable that some loads of Meal were taken by the Subjects of the State restitution was forthwith made the Governour who was unarmed being unwilling to provoke an Army which was strong and powerful upon his Confines but when he should have past the Apenine where the numbers of men would neither be an help nor hinderance it was certain he would not keep within the same bounds for it being as impossible to keep Genoa without the assistance of the State of Millain as to defend Genoa when that State should be lost it was apparent the Spaniards would be forced to break with all the World rather then to lose Genoa for these Reasons the Genoeses were reasonably well satisfied especially since they saw none of the Enemies Fleets appear but the Duke being desirous to clear the Pass of Rossiglione resolved to assault it with the gross of his Army on Holy-thursday the twelfth day after Ovada was taken the defendants who had had the better upon other occasions were afrighted to see so many men appear in good order so as distrusting not to be able to defend themselves they all basely forsook the Trenches before the Enemy came within Musket-shot and retreated unless it were a Company of the Corsicks which being placed higher made honourable resistance but afterwards fire taking in a Barrel of Powder at the blowing up whereof 20 of them were burnt and slain and seeing the places behind them abandoned they likewise forsook their stations and retreated to Rossiglione and the Enemy following their blow became masters of the Trenches and soon after of Rosâ—…iglione also which was likewise forsaken by the rest who making it a Rendezvouz for Arms for re-inforcing those who defended the more inward Trenches seeing that they all ran away they likewise begâ—…n to run so as the place together with the Victuals Munition Moneys to pay the Souldiers and other provisions fell without any opposition into the Dukes hands they continued running away till they came to the Sea only two Companies of Souldiers staid in Mansone where there was a little Castle very strong by reason of the narrowness of the Passage fifteen miles distant from Rossiglione towards the Sea wherein there was two small pieces and whither sufficient Victuals Men and Munition were sent from Genoa the Enemy entring Rossiglione past on to Campo a place only three miles more inward then Masone here they halted trying those of Masone with small Skirmishes and Articles of agreement who still defending themselves did manfully make good that Pass and that Castle all this while the new work of incompassing the Mountains with Trenches was hardly begun in Genoa the Walls of the City were not at all fortified and their Artillery whereof they had great store and very great ones were yet in their Magazines unmounted as in time of peace and lying one on the top of another they had no experienced Cannoneers little store of Match and the meaner sort of people was beyond measure increased by the concourse of women and others fled thither from the neighbouring parts for refuge the Souldiery which for a whole year were there assembled at the great charges and industry both of the publick and private much diminished those few that were left were sent to Garrison Gavi and Rossiglione and many of the latter were dissipated through the terrour of the preceding day 200 Neapolitans who at the earnest intreaty of Ianetto Spinola were by Iohn Ieronymo Pimontello sent to Tortona some days before what had hapned at Rossiglione as they past a long without thought of being assaulted were cut in pieces by the French wherefore the City appeared to suspect Feria as being abandoned in her so great danger so as the unexpected news of Rossiglione being brought to Genoa the City was in great terrour and confusion which increasâ—…d by the children old men and women of Vettri who flocking to Genoa full of fear and believing that the Souldiers of the Commonwealth who fled from Rossiglione and returned by the way of the Mountains towards the Sea were the Enemy affirm'd that Masone was taken and that the French did draw neer that therefore which befell Rome the City of Mars after the rout at Thrassimeno and Canna and at Hannibals approaching the Walls of Rome and of later times Paris when the Army of the Duke of Burgony and of the other Confederates in the War for the Common Good was heard to arrive and yet of later years when she feared to be assaulted by Charles the Fifths Army that which befel the Venetians after the Rout at Giaradadda befel the City of Genoa a City bred up for almost a hundred years in peace where there was not any that had ever heard the noise of an Enemies Drum or Trumpet some of the Gentlewomen went from the City some of the weaker sort of people fled others freed their houses of what they had of most value and worth and sent them to Ligorne The Senate amidst such a multitude of affairs and troubles hearing the opinion which was had of the greatness and neerness of the danger resolved forthwith to abandon Savona Gavio and all the other places of the State and to withdraw all their Forces to defend the City of Genoa upon whose safety and welfare all their thought were set therefore on Good-Friday the very day that they heard this news they sent all the Gallies that were in the Haven to Savona with order to the Commissaries that leaving the Citadel provided for they should presently return with all the inhabitants to the City Orders were likewise sent to Camp-master Doria in Ottaggio to do the like with all the Garrisons thereabouts and with those of Gavio the first Order was obey'd for on Easter Eve the Gallies returned from Savona with the people and Commissaries but not the other for Doria being experienced in warfare thinking it to be a rash resolution wrot back before he obeyed it that the Enemy having brought so many and so great pieces of Artillery by the way of Rossiglione there was no danger that they could possibly appâ—…oach the City without them and that the people might run danger of being lost if they should be brought away the Enemy being
and a rumour being spread abroad amongst the defendants that the Enemy was entred by another part of the Town the Captains and other Officers being surprized at so sudden a news and not knowing what to do they gave over making further defence and fled to the Castle hoping to get out from thence by the way of the Mountain and go safe to Genoa but they failed in their design for seeing the skirts of the Mountains possess'd by the Enemy and having neither Powder in the Castle to defend themselves nor Victuals to maintain themselves they had but little hope of safety The Town by their retreat slackned their defence and being at last either abandoned by the defendants or overlaid by the assailants whose numbers increased by continual recruits and the Duke being there in person it fell into the power of the Enemy and soon after the Castle wherein there being neither Victuals nor any thing for defence Guasco and the other Commanders who were shut up there surrendred upon Articles which being agreed upon by word of mouth but not in writing afforded occasion of wrangling those within pretending that they were to have their liberty together with their lives and the others that their lives were only granted them wherefore the Duke kept them all prisoners and the more to justifie his doing so said that they had broken their Articles by setting fire to a Barrel of Powder which slew many of both sides and amongst the rest Monsieur di Flandes one of the chief Officers of the Dukes Army and one whom he esteemed very much for his valour at the which unfortunate accident the Duke was so disgusted for the loss of his men and especially for that of Flandes as he thereby pretended to detain them all and to deprive the Commonwealth in such an exigent of time of their chief Commanders attributing the accident to the Enemies maliciousness Thus all Articles were broken and the Souldiers entring the Town presently sack it wherein not only much â—…avenous cruelty was committed but great impiety to the great prejudice of those of Ottaggio they being destined to suffer the first mischiefs of war which was begun against Zuccharello 80 miles distant from thence great was the prey that was here got for this was the usual Market for Victuals which past from Lombardy to Genoa and the Ottaggians being naturally industrious and given to Trade were very rich in Moneys Houshold-stuff and Corn whereby the Dukes men who had known the miseries of war clothed themselves anew and got great store of Moneys Victuals and of many other things the Prisoners were very many amongst which nine of the prime Gentlemen of Genoa besides many other Captains and Officers seven Ensigns were there taken and the Victory was great for here did the chiefest of the Commonwealths Souldiers and Commanders fight but yet it was not without the loss of a great many of the Dukes best Souldiers Ottaggio being taken the Duke took some Horse with him and rode up the Apenine where when he was come to the top he looked advisedly upon the Valley of Pozzevera which lay beneath and upon the Sea which was neer unto it for the City which is inviron'd with neerer Hills cannot be seen from thence and devouring that prey with his looks and desire of revenge which he was never to get he thought every hour a thousand years till he had got the City not knowing nor being able to imagine that God had prefix'd that place where he now was for the boundure of his vast designs and for the utmost limits of his Triumph The Duke could not so fully injoy this his Victory for to boot with the loss of his best men his joy was embittered by the news which he heard the next day touching his Admiral Galley which the very next day after the Battel was brought with his chiefest Standard in her captive into the Haven of Genoa the Common-wealth had sent three Gallies some few days before into the Provencal Seas to annoy the Dukes Coasts who hearing that the Dukes Admiral was at St. Honorato a very small Island in that Sea anciently called Lerino not far from Nice and disjoyned from the Continent by a little Channel they resolved to go in pursuit thereof when they came neer the Island two of them kept without at Sea and Galleazzo Giustiniano who commanded the Genoese Admiral entred between the Island and the Continent and lighting upon the Dukes Galley which seeing what danger she was in retired and strove to get into some Town of Provence but was overtaken and forc'd to yield to the Genoese Admiral but though the unhappy success at Ottaggio did not occasion so great terrour and confusion in Genoa as did the loss of Rossiglione but some few days before for she was the better accustomed to bear with such disasters yet the wifer sort knew that this loss was much greater then that of Rossiglione by reason of the defeat given to all their best men and the imprisonment of sogallant and experienced a Commander in whose worth and valour the Commonwealth reposed so much trust together with the like of their Captains and prime Gentlemen they considered the danger they were in that the Duke following his good fortune might present himself before their Walls with his whole Army and that of the King of France so as being inwardly afflicted with so great a loss they knew not how to sustain so imminent a danger The Senate calling a Counsel of many of their Captains and Counsellors whereinto was admitted the Marquels of Castagnedo being the Spanish Embassadour whose advice they much valued as being one well experienced in the Wars of France and the Duke of Turcis they were of differing opinions as were also their Captains and Counsellors some thought it a pernitious advice to consume their best men in the defence of a weak place against so powerful an enemy and thinking it a better course to make use of them for the defence of the City whose danger could not be greater nor neerer hand they advised to abandon Gavio and to withdraw the Garrison to defend the chief City others persevering in their former opinion said that the Enemy losing also many of their best men which were the very sinews of their Forces they became weaker and consequently less able to expugne the City and that succours being daily expected from Naples and Sicily the City could run no danger so as it might do well though with the loss of the Garrison at Gavio to entertain the enemy and to gain time not only for the coming of the foresaid succours but for the arrival of the Germans who they heard were already entred the State of Millain In this difference of opinions they resolved to consult with the Duke of Feria and to be govern'd by him the Duke of Savoy on the othe other side grown proud with Victory prepared to pass with all his men over the Apenine and to come
before the City Walls and was very careful in preparing all things fitting for the enterprise but the Constable kept him from this resolution who being unwilling to leave Gavio behind his back which was well fortified and had a great Garrison in it it being an inlet for succour and a place of safety for the Enemy to retreat unto upon any occasion gave order for the expugning thereof before they should advance further The Duke thought it somewhat hard to foreslow the course of Victory but not being able to do otherwise he was forc'd to give way to the Constables will without which he could not prosecute the intended enterprise and because the Constable thought the loss too great which was received by the former assault given to place by the General of the Horse and the loss greater which was received before Ottaggio because they had proceeded in those actions according to the Military manner he would therefore proceed orderly in the taking of Gavio with Artillery Approaches and making of Trenches Captain Meazza Governour of the Garrison of that place labouring how to defend it and how to offend the Enemy by often sallies conceived such hopes as he writ to the Senate that he would make good that place for the space of ten or twelve days nor would he peradventure have failed to do it had not one who had gotten privately into Gavio given him some orders from Stefano Spinola and from the Resident for the Commonwealth with Feria at Millain whereby he was told that Feria thought it a better and safer way to preserve their men then to lose them together with the Town the preservation whereof was desperate that he should therefore give over the defence thereof and provide the best he could for the safety of the Garrison The Senate had writ to Meazza when they left the decision of the business to Feria that he should observe such Orders as he should receive from Spinola from Millain and they had written to Spinola that he should direct Meazza what to do touching the maintaining or abandoning of Gavio according as Feria should think fit hereupon Meazza about midnight without knowledge of the Townsmen went away with the Garrison of 3000 Foot towards Serravalle a Town lying towards the State of Millain about some five miles of but finding the ways bad and therefore having spent much time in his march he began to fear being surprized by the way the next day wherefore resolving to return back he did so with the like silence as he had come out that night and upon Articles to march out with his men the next day he yielded up the Town but not the Castle which was not at his disposal this third accident did again afflict the City which the day before the surrender had received Meazza's Letter by which he assured them he would maintain the Town fourteen or twelve days at least in which mean time the Genoeses believing that for certain that relief would come from Naples and Sicily they began to hope that the succour would come before they should see the Enemies Army but now failing of that assurance and not seeing the succour come every one apprehended his own misfortune and were astonished at the Enemies success and finding that they prospered in all their actions they thought it impossible they should do otherwise in the enterprise of Genoa This their affliction and astonishment was presently increased by the loss of the Castle which hapned not long after for the Duke being desirous to remove all pretences and impediments that the Constable could alledge for not going to Genoa speedily prepared the Battery wherewith having for a while plai'd upon the Walls and prejudiced them a little the Captain of the Castle though he were strongly situated and well provided of all things yet being but young and unexperienced he came to Parley and obtain'd Truce for three days with leave to send to Genoa to advertise the Senate of his condition but the Duke having made some Trenches during the Trucâ—… and the Captain not having received any advertisement from the City during those three days for the Duke had detain'd the Messenger he also surrendered so the Army having no other obstacle to keep them from going to Genoa unless it were the craggedness of the Mountain the Duke eg'd on by ardent desire and by the great hopes which so noble a concourse of Victories afforded him he press'd the Constable very hard that without giving further respite to the Enemy he would give order for the advancing of the Army and Artillery assuring him of undoubted Victory We have already said he opened the gate paved the way to the City all obstacles and impediments are already removed the Enemies are routed their chief Commanders are our Prisoners the City her self before the Victory at Ottaggio being full of terrour and confusion had as we understand by some Prisoners sent to Article with us and to offer us great sums of Money many of the chief of the Commonwealth do the like to redeem themselves from us and our hands from whence knowing their own weakness and being confounded with the presages of imminent ruine they very well know they cannot possibly escape what will they now do after so many defeats in the heels of one another after having lost their best men when they shall see themselves deprived of so many Chieftains and Officers deprived of their General at the very first encounter in whom they did so much confide shall we think that they will hold out at the very first appearance of our Ensigns that they will wait for the noise of our Cannon shall we believe that a City accustomed only to Traffick and to give account how they have gotten so great riches as they have now within their Walles and as they have distributed elsewhere shall dare to make any resistance against our Forces our Ensigns our Fame against the dread which the French Forces bear with them every where and which are every where so feared and reverenced let us go for Gods sake before they by their flight rob us of such riches as are already ours before that being fortified and succoured by the Spaniards they may dispute that Victory which nothing but speed can in all probability assure us what terrour what consternation hath the loss of their Trenches the rout and defeat at Rossiglione imprinted in our Enemies how neer was that City then to be abandoned and shall we now after the defeat of Ottaggio after the loss of Gavio when they are deprived of their best Souldiers best Commanders doubt that they will not undoubtedly be readier to run away then to defend themselves that they will not rather think of their own safety then of making resistance I pass by the many intelligences which we have with those Citizens I mention not the discontents and dissatisfactions which are in that City which certainly will much facilitate our Victory Let us go on then great
the most part Montferrians common people who being affrighted and terrified by the loss of their Houses and Fields when they should see them ruined by the Enemy would not in likelihood persist long in defending Casalle But their Calculations proved false and their designs vain for the Munition and Provision did far exceed opinion and the Montferrians proved not only more valiant but more faithful and constant then Subjects use to be to a Prince who was hardly known to them the intelligence wrought no effect either through the diligence of the Duke of Mantua's Captains and Officers or out of the diffidence and fear of those that treated therein The Governour notwithstanding coming into the Field about the end of March and passing over the Po at Valenza came with his Army to Frassinero the first Town of Montferrat two miles distant from Casalle where making a Magazine for Arms for Victuals and Ammunition he muster'd his men wherein he found not above 8000 Foot and 1500 Horse wherein were comprehended 2000 Neapolitans who were first of all come from the State of Genoa under Antonio dal Tuffo The City of Casalle stands upon the Banks of Po in a Plain on the left side of the River the form thereof is irregular but rather round then of any other shape it is begirt with Walls unless it be on the North side where the Poe coming almost up to the Wall serves for a Ditch on the South side where the Plain extends it self is the Citadel within half a mile whereof the Hills draw neer and ancient Castle defends it It was thought very fit by many to make themselves masters of the Hills not only because they command the City but for that the defendants would thereby be streightned in Victuals for being to expect succours only from Montferrat which lies behind the Hills the seizing of them deprived the defendants of all hope of succour but weâ—…e it either that the Governour who was almost equal to the defendants in Foot was loth to part from the Plain where he was superior in Horse or that he thought if he should incamp upon the Hills he should be too far from the River from whence he was to receive Victuals and other Provisions not without danger of having them intercepted by the City which would be between the River and him or that he thought his very accosting the City would be enough to take it he kept upon the Plain and going from Frassinero went in Rank and File towards Casalle whither when he was come so neer as that the Cannon could not reach him he halted and quarter'd himself before that part of the new wall which is called Alla nuova which thrusting out from the Citadel towards the Poe joyns with the ancient wall of the City At the sitting down of the Camp those within according to the custom of Souldiers sallied out very strong both in Foot and Horse and shewing great courage made a stout Skirmish that day which lasted till night and though they were manfully withstood and repuls'd they failed not to make another sally the next day out of a double design the one to hinder the Enemy as much as was possible from fortifying himself and from making his approaches or at least to retarde them the other that they might gain more time to fortifie themselves the better on the side whereon they were assaulted nor did their endeavours prove vain for being defended by Artillery from the Citadel which plaid upon that side they came to underneath the Rampiers where they fought valiantly and being afterwards pursued they retreated safe to underneath the shelter of their Cannon Continuing to do thus many days they afforded their men conveniency to fortifie their new wing against which the Enemy bent their whole Forces and they had made two Half-moons beyond it which defended the new Gate and two great Plat-forms which did also shelter the Mills which furnish'd them with grist but the assailants being got so neer as they were able to plant Batteries they raised four one of Italians on the side of the Capuchins Church the other three of Spaniards neerer the Poe from whence though they began to play furiously yet did they advance but a little for the shot gave only against the highest houses and sometimes slew some of them who wrought upon the Trenches and having spent some days thus and finding themselves deceived in their opinion of taking the Town â—…o easily and of the smâ—…ll resistance they should meet with they began to distrust the sequel and to know by experience that all they did was but apparent loss of labour time and reputation they knew also that Victuals were daily brought into Cassalle by the way of the Hills and new men and fresh Provisions which the Montferrians who extreamly hated the Spaniards Government and were desirous to keep under their natural Prince brought in so as finding now for certain that it would be too desperate an enterprise for them to attempt that place without being masters of the Hills and knowing the necessity thereof it became them to desist from what they had begun and fall to another manner of Siege that would be more convenient and more profitable which they might the more commodiously do for that all the men that could come from the State of Genoa were already come and from Naples 1200 Neapolitans and as many Spaniards to boot with 400 Sardinians from Sardinia so as the Camp being stronger in men was likewise more able for the enterprise of the Hills then before but being loth to acknowledge an errour and a certain ambition peculiar to Commanders who rather then to amend resolutions already taken will be subject to any inconveniences that may thereby result and the hopes which they had given at Court of the easie and speedy dispatch of the business would not suffer the Governour to re-begin it when by his promise he was obliged to have ended it so as deceiving both himself and the Court he continued his former supposals and with some new additions forced himself to persist therein wherefore without quitting those Quarters he resolved upon two Enterprises The one to deprive the Enemy of the Mills the other to take Rossigliano a Castle upon the Hills five miles distant from Cassalle not so much for that when they should have taken it it would avail much for the taking of the Hills as for that it was a receptacle for the Montferrians who were a Convoy to the Victual which were brought to the City and which oftentimes did infest the Spanish Horse which were quartered abroad in those Countries But neither of both these Enterprises did hit for Don Frederico Enriques going with six Companies of Foot and three of Horse to surprise that Castle and having to that purpose carried along with him some Petards â—…e got not thither before Sun-rising through the maliciousness of his Guide who was a Montferrian and prolong'd his March so as being discovered
the Castle upon Articles that the Officers might march out with Arms and Baggage and the Souldiers with their Swords but they had hardly march'd two miles when contrary to conditions they were barbarously strip'd by the Neapolitans and others even to their shirts and many to their skins and those that strip'd them got as it was said much money which the French who came from Mantua were furnish'd with by the Duke not only for their private occasions but for defence returning from the taking of Punsone they betook themselves at last to the taking of the Hills which they began at the Town of St. George situated upon them where the oppugners made a Magazine of Arms and many Fortifications not only to defend themselves from the Garrison which was there of 300 Foot but to resist the insulting of those of Cassalle who sallying out very strong from the City did continually annoy them on the backs whilst they were most intent upon the Siege and yâ—…t the Garrison surrendered upon honourable conditions of being permitted to return to Cassalle From hence they went to Rossiglione a strong place both by nature and art the defendants resisted stoutly but Don Philippo Spinalo who ordered the busienss having presented Battery and plaid upon it with his great Guns for four whole days at last he level'd his great Cannon against the Gate and the defendants apprehending Mines which they saw were begun to be dig'd they grew distrustful to be able to defend it and surrendred it with safety to their persons The Governour being hereby master of the Hills began to block up all passes and avenues by which the City might be come unto on that side he then drew a long and a deep Ditch from the Poe to a rivulet called Gattola which falling from the Hills a little beneath Casalle runs towards Frascineso and disgorgeth it self into the Poe and many Fortifications were made upon both sides of the Ditch as also on the outward side of the Poe whereby Casalle was streightly besieged and being inclosed between the fortified Hills the Ditches and the Poe it was impossible to be relieved a resolution which if it had been taken at first the business had been already ended but being thus long retarded it did little or no good for much provision was already brought in and the compass of Campagnia inviron'd by the Governours Works was large full of Meadow-ground Trees and Shrubs so as the besieged had wherewith to maintain themselves for all the ensuing Winter and to wait for succour that Campagnia yielding great store of Wood and Roots Hay and Straw for the maintenance of Horse and Castle and Fewel for Ovens the which they might the more easily do for that the Governour quitting his former Quarters went to Winter between the Hills and Gattâ—…la leaving all that Campagnia uninjured he made a Bastion upon a little rise at the foot of the Hills upon which placing four pieces of Artillery he plaid upon the Castle and part of the Wall which together with the Citadel invirons the City on the Hills side but being so far off it did but little harm in this manner he continued all the next Winter the besieged drew out the Siege at length with great good order and vigilancy and sparing their Victuals and the besiegers with patience and industry and much hardship endeavour'd to streighten the City and bring it to surrender In this interim several Skirmishes hapned worthy to be particularly related if as they were valiantly fought they had conduced any thing to the main business in one of them the Marquess of Bevorone the head of the French being shot with a Musket-shot in the throat died which was a great loss to the besieged for he was the man who underwent almost the whole burthen of the defence but the bâ—…siegers were no less streightned in all things then the besieged not only for that lying for the most part in the open air they were subject to the sufferings of rain frost the distempers of weather but by reason of the great want of Victuals This years harvest was generally poorer then that of the preceding year and which made the scarcity the greater those who had corn in Millain out of avarice hid it that they might sell it at a dearer rate the next year and the Duke of Guise to keep Victuals from being sent from Genoa to the Camp and to the State of Millain did prohibit the exportation of corn from Provence and detain'd many boats which were sent from Genoa into those parts to fetch Grain to the end that they might not carry any Corn to Genoa and from thence to the Camp before Cassalle and the Duke of Nevers blocking up the Poe with two Forts upon the Mantuan side hindred the carriage of Provisions into Puglia and the other Maritime parts so as they were forced to send new Commissions to Naples Sicily and Sardinia which being brought by the way of Genoa to Millain and so to the Camp might ease the present necessity but the Orders being given out late and the far distance of place added to the scarcity of conduct requiring much delay the remedy suited not with the urgent necessity wherefore the common people of Millain impatient of delay and seeing the Bakers shops shut up began to mutiny which made the Governour leave the ordering of the Camp to Don Philippo Spinola and go to Millain to appease them which by punishing some and by sudden prevention he soon did but great was the scarcity of Victuals in the Camp insomuch as though Provision of bread was scarce enough in Casalle yet bread was cheaper there then in the Camp so as the besiegers being rather become in condition of besieged they suffer'd more want and by an unusual and peradventure unheard of example they were thereby likely to have abandoned the Siege many Souldiers died of hunger and mutinies were much feared which had certainly insued had not force awed the murmurers some of which not being able to wait for assured death by famine chose rather to endeavour their preservation by the doubtful event of running from the Camp so as the Army did daily diminish and it was impossible to raise more men as well for want of moneys as of victuals which affrightned whatsoever necessary provision or resolution there being no means found whereby to provide for the Forreign Souldiery and the very Souldiers who came from the State of Millain were in danger of mutinying thus weakly and with so many necessities did the business of Cassalle proceed and Cesars Edicts and Citation proceeded not more fortunately for the Count of Nassaw being come as hath been said into Italy with title of Cesarian Commissary and having sent out Monitors twice to the Duke of Nevers and threatned him with the Imperial Proclamation of banishment unless he would obey Cesars will by fâ—…eely yielding up the possession of those States and Nevers having at first desired in vain that his
little resistance The City being unfurnished of the better part of her men would have run danger of being stormed had not the Venetians who were aware of the danger sent a thousand Foot thither immediately under Colonel Durante with some moneys the City of Mantua stands almost in the midst of a Lake made by the little River Mincio which comes from the Lake of Garda the Island whereupon it stands is joyned to the Continent by some Banks and Bridges whereof some are greater some less according to the distance of place at the end of the greatest Bridge stand the Suburbs of St George weakly walled and without any Plat-form to which when the Enemy drew neer with their Cannon Frederico Gonzaga who had the defence thereof committed to him began to treat of compounding in the Dukes name with Aldringer letting him know that Nevers being desirous to appear an obedient Vassal and to witness his respect and observance to the Emperour would not refuse to receive him and to allow him quarter in that Borough Aldringer who knew the place to be untenable would not accept it upon those terms since he saw that in all likelihood it could not escape his hands whereupon Gonzaga not being able to do any more yielded it unto him retaining only the Hold which is only a Gaâ—…e a little fortified which leads from the Lake to the City The Dutch being entred into St George a Truce for a few days was treated of and concluded during which time Nevers bâ—…ing desirous to asswage the Enemies fury by some act of submission offer'd Collalto who though not yet perfectly recovered caused himself to be brought from Lodi into the Mantuan Territories and lay in St Benedicts Monastery â—…he same Hold so as he would receive it only as a willing and honourable surrender but Aldringer replying that he offer'd a thing which could not hold out two hours assault the business proceeded no further the rather for that a new accident which hapned broke off both the Truce and all the Treaties for at the same time that Aldringer advanced to St Georg's Borough with the Van the Reer being led on by Frederick one of the House of Saxony went to quarter in Cireggâ—…e a Borough upon the Bank of the Lake wherein was no Garrison or any other defence but upon a bank which leads from the Borough to Mantua a Rampier was begun to be made in form of a Half-moon which opposed those who would pass that way into the City some of the Dutch coming to this Rampier which was basely abandoned by the Venetians who defended it they without any opposition became masters thereof and might easily make themselves masters of the Island of Te which was disjoyn'd from the City only by a large Ditch This caused great confusion in Mantua wherefore thinking themselves to be assaulted during the time of Truce the Town sent Colonel Durante immediately to defend that part fire was also given to the Cannon from the City against the Borough or Suburbs of St George and those who guarded the Hold hearing the noise shot off their Muskets against the Magazine of Arms which was beneath where many of the Captains and Officers of the Camp were sporting themselves trusting in the Truce and amongst them Colonel Coloredo was sorely wounded The Dutch being hereat moved who knew not what was done at le Gireggie nor the occasion thereof assumed their Arms and fell immediately upon those of the Hold which they soon made themselves masters of with the death of many of the defendants and then passing forwards took the Bridge till they came to the Draw-Bridge which being timely hoisted up by the Mantuans kept the Dutch from entring the City so as not able to get further they began to fortifie and to turn their Cannon upon the City and to play upon it whilst things went thus Mantua was again relieved with another 1000 Foot with ten pieces of Artillery and with 100 carriages of Victuals and Ammunion beside some moneys A succour which was sent by the Venetians to Goito and from thence to Mantua the Dutch perceived how fit a place Goito was to send relief being seated upon the Mincio before it falls into the Poe so as being to take it that they might streighten the City the more they sent the Baron Galasso to view it there was in it a good Garrison and it was sufficiently munited so as the cold season being considered it might have held out till the Spring but when Galasso came neer it with some few men he by some tokens found how base and fearful the defendants were wherefore hoping for good success and having seen some of those Barques which serve to bring in the Vintage in some of the neighbouring Cottages he made use of them and of some ropes to pass over the Mincio and to get neer the Town which whilst he successfully did those within began to parley and two pieces of Cannon which Galasso had sent for before he had past the River being come from the Camp they agreed to surrender the Town which accordingly was done and proved no little prejudice to the City being thereby deprived of so important a place for succour Goito being taken and the Dutch finding that the Battery of S. Georgiâ—… against the City by reason of the far distance did no good they â—…ell to expugne Porto which is another Town neerer the City reduced into a Fort with Walls Bulwarks and Ditches and partly secured by the neerness of the Lake from whence you go to the City by the Mill-bridge and by a bank at the head of the Bridge Being gotten by their approaches to the Ditch they would have drained it and then have come to Battery and to Assault which if they could once have done they had great hopes by reason of the Defendants cowaâ—…dize whereof they had had so many proofs and the Artillery being already prepared they were ready to begin Battery But the Winter coming on and the weather growing very cold the business began to appear to be longer harder then it was thought it would have been especially since the City being secured every where else might make use of all her men to defend this place To this was added the great scarcity of victuals and straw which grew daily greater in the Army and the plague whereof many in the camp dyed Wherefore altering their minds they resolved for that Winter to minde only the keeping of what they had got and distributing their Army in the neighbouring Towns to keep Mantua besieged at a distance and to possess themselves of the Avenues and Passes which were fittest for relief and they quarter'd their Horse so as they might scoure the Country and keep back relief Collalto went to winter in Reggio where he quarter'd one Regiment the Duke of Modena not knowing how to refuse them as being Feudatory to the Empire as neither could the other Feudatories of the Empire do some allowing
the care of the Camp master Filomarini his Neapolitans and was directed against that part of the City which is called de Treventi and lay under some Fortifications which were built upon a rise without the City and the wall of the City together with that of the Castle making an angle inwards which the Assailants were to play upon the on-set on that side was the more hard and dangerous the other approaches led straight upon the two Bulwarks of the Citadel betwixt which Toras had made his Half moon to the first whereof which was more inward and neerer the Gate which leads to Turin were two approaches made the fiâ—…st by the Spaniards commanded by the Duke of Lerma the other by the Dutch who were commanded by Shamburgs Lieutenant the fourth approach which was against the Bulwark from whence the Campagnia is first discovered fell to the Lombards share under the two Camp-masters Trotti and Sforza Thus the Trenches being begun to be opened every one endeavoured to come speedily to what was intended this mean while Don Ieronymo Augustini being left in Vâ—…llata to guard that Frontier by Spinola's Order drew neer the Poe over against Casalle and that he might streighten the Town the more on that side he took up his Quarters there wherein he was not well fortified when he began to attempt the neerest Island upon which those of the City had made some Fortifications for it was of great consequence for the safety of the City and of the Mills which were not far from thence fooâ—…ding over the River with his Horses fastned together notwithstanding that he was plaid upon by Musket-shot from the Walls and from the Forts he advanced so far as he became master of the Island with the death of 300 French part whereof were slain part drown'd in the Poe which is very deep and runs very swift between the Island and the City This being the first action attempted by those without upon such disadvantage and yet with such courage and vigor and proving so fortunate to the assailants and so prejudicial to the assaulted did much discourage the Cassalians who were not accustomed all the preceding year to so fierce and bloody sport and the basenesse of the French here being added to that which they shew'd in defending Pontestura they began to fear the worst and to confide but little in the Souldiers of that Nation upon whom they had formerly built so much But Toras had occasion soon enough to signalize himself and his Souldiers in an other action which he attempted with no lesse Judgement and Valour then Fortune whereby he won Reputation to himself and to his men and revived the almost extinct credit of the French in the Montferrians he was aware that the Lombards that were working upon the fourth approach had not as yet finish'd a redoubt and that those who were to guard it were negligent believing that those who were within having already lost their Reputation would not dare to assault them he sallied forth with about 400 of his best and most experienced Foot and with 50 Horse and falling upon them at unawares cut them all in pieces And not tarrying here he past on to the second redoubt which being abandoned by three Ensignes who with some of their companies had the keeping thereof he easily master'd it Then passing forward to the third with like Valour and like hope he failed in his intent by the resistance he met with there and by reason of the Horse which came in led on by Count Soragna so as being forc'd to give back he retreated to underneath the shelter of the Citadel with more prejudice to the Enemy then to his own men having slain three Captains and many Officers and having wounded Count Soragna mortally who died soon after and kill'd above fourscore Souldiers and wounded many more This action did much incourage the defendants and made the enemy more cautious and delay'd the making of the approaches the which the more they advanced were more subject to danger to losse of men and delay the defendants failed not to sally out both by day and night with sometimes greater sometimes lesser losse to each side Whilst they wrought thus with more toile and danger before Casalle businesse cooled in Piedmont when the Cardinal and Cricky went away the managing of the power was left as you have heard to the Marshals De La Force and Scomburg and Scomburg who went afterwards to France was succeeded by the Duke of Momorancy who distributing their men in Pinorollo and in Brischerasco stood more upon defence then offence For many of their Commanders and Officers were gon from France many of their Souldiers had done so likewise or were run away and the Plague had play'd his part amongst them and the Duke having sent about 10000 Foot into Savoy under Prince Thomaso to defend Savoy fearing lest it might be invaded and possest by the King made of the rest of his Souldiery a body of 15000 Foot and 3000 Horse made up of his own men and of the King of Spain's men which were left him by Spinola which together with the Dutch were still increased by the continual recruits which were sent in by Spinola and Collalto And going into the field he incamped at Pancareli a Town beyond the Poe towards the Alps 15 miles from Pinarollo and fortifying it with Trenches he stood observing what the French would do that he might oppose them The French had their eyes upon Vigone which though it were an open Town yet of much concernment for the Corn that was in it they went thither very strong and assaulted it But the Prince of Piedmont coming in with some companies of Carabines and Musketiers they were repuls'd Wherefore they turned to Cercenasco a Castle not far from thence very convenient for their falling down into Carignano where there is a wooden Bridge over the Poe which the French desired to be Masters of it lying conveniently for them to passe unto Casalle they took it and left some to defend it But the Duke being desirous to recover it came before it with many men when the French were retired to Pinarollo and at the same time sent Marquis Villa with 1000 Foot and 100 Horse to attempt Bricherasco formerly taken as hath been said by the French and fortified The event of these enterprizes were different for Cercenasco yielded to the Duke within three days and the Marquess though he fell upon the Fortifications by night and was gotten a good way into them yet was he forced quickly to retreat through his mens faults who being wholly intent upon booty afforded those of the Garrison conveniency to make head and to assault them and to repulse them whilst they were in disorder busie about booty The French not content to have beaten them back went with all their Forces to recover Cercenasco which they could not indure to loose The Duke who was ready with almost all his men to receive them
was in it a Garrison of 3000 Foot and Weymer who was formerly made General of the Confederates Forces desired by the perservation of that place not only to preserve the glory of having taken it but therein also the honour of his commencing General and being gotten thereinto before the King came before it he lefâ—… a recruit of 1000 Foot together with some Ammuniton there and then leaving it he used all diligence in raising as many men as possibly he could to relieve it but it was too strongly opposed for at the very name of the Kings going to the Field all the Nobility and Princes of Germany strove who should first joyn with him he had with him his own Army and those of Bavaria and the Catholick League he still abounded in men and had brought along with him a hundred pieces of battery yet the Defendants were not at all dismay'd but continued their defence undauntedly for many days but their Ammunition falling short they were at last forced to yield upon honourable Conditions being still playd upon by 100 Cannon and seeing no succour come for Weymer could not assemble Forces sufficient to relieve it he could not get Marshal Horne nor the Lanâ—…grave to come to that enterprise though he had sent for them they being both of them much displeased with his being chosen General and were not willing to be under his command only Horne coming in at last brought so few men with him as being joyned to Weymer's they amounted not to 16000 fighting men too small a number and much inferiour to the Opposers This Victory gotten so succesfully under the first Auspice of a young Prince of great Birth it is impossible to express how much spirit it restored to the Cesarean Forces and how much it revived their valour which Wallestine being dead seemed almost quite extinct conceiving that he being gone who was thought to be the only support of Germany no action of moment could be expected from Cesar's Forces On the other side that Victory did sufficiently abate the pride and haughtiness of the Enemy who puff'd up with success were victorious every where and Fritland being dead they thought they could meet with no opposition the Name of this young Prince was therefore not only exalted to the skies but he was received and cry'd up as a new deliverer of afflicted Germany On the contrary the Confederates Forces having lost much reputation by this action forsook Bavaria and retreated towards Ausâ—…erg and Swevia thinking that the Infanta would come by that way and joyn his Forces with those of the victorious Kings they therefore betook themselves to hinder their joyning from whence they foresaw great ruine and prejudice would ensue to their Affairs The King on the contrary hearing that 〈◊〉 was assaulted by the Saâ—…on Forces was already marching to relieve that Kingdom but understanding by the way that it was sufficiently defended and that the Assailants had been repuls'd with great loss from before the Walls of Prague he sent some Regiments thither to strengthen it and returned back and joyning with Bavaria went to before Donavert a strong in Bavaria upon the banks of the Danow which was yet held by the Confederates and which confining upon Franconia and the Country of Wittenberg was the key of Bavaria on that side a place of great importance and having recovered it also happily by assault he also forced some other Towns to surrender Wherefore having recovered almost all Bavaria and left the Duke to recover the rest the King went with his Army and with that of the League against the Country of Wittenberg a fruitful Country and which being till now untouch'd by the present Wars of Germany was thought to be the Magazine of the Confederates Army for the Duke of that Country being a Protestant and having always appeared to be a capital Enemy to the Catholick Religion and to the Austrian Naâ—…e furnish'd the Armies of the League with all things necessary Wherefore the King having refresh'd his men a little went against Nordling the chief City of that Dukedom which joyning with Ulmes not far off was of great concernment for the Affairs of Germany This the Kings resolution made the Chieftains of the contrary party very sollicitous to relieve it lest it might be lost as well as Ratisbone and Donavert so as they thought them bound to do their utmost to defend it Express Orders being therefore sent to all the Forces even those of Garrisons which were in several parts of Germany they commanded them expresly to quit the places and Towns wherein they were and to joyn with them immediately in so necessary and important a succour The King on the other side hearing of so great an union dispatch'd away a Messenger immediately to the Infanta who was then come with his Forces to the Confines of Bavaria desiring him that for the present he would give over prosecuting his journey which he intended for Alsatia and joyn with him in the common enterprize against the common Enemy Alsatia was then abandoned for almost all the Garrisons of the Towns thereof upon General Weymers command were marched towards Nordlingen so as the Infanta might more easily and more securely march thorough Alsatia His chief intent was to get as soon as he could into Flanders where he was much desired by those Provinces which wanted a Governour but â—…hearing no better harmony then what concerned the defence of the Catholick Religion the well-fare of the Empire and the Grandezza of his own house which depended all upon his joyning with the King setting all things else aside and not caring for what was said to the contrary he fix'd his thoughts and pitch'd his resolution onely on this union Taking therefore all necessary orders for it he went with his Army towards Monaco where Serbellone and Gambacorta together with the remainders of Feria's Army joyning with him he drew towards the Danube and passing over it about Donevert he came to the Cesarian Camp before Nordlingen whither Weymer was come a little before with his Army and expecting other recruits was firmly set upon the relief thereof He was quartered upon a Hill called Arespurg just over against that part where the Cesarean Camp was pitch'd so as the City was seated just between as in a Diametre between the two Armies and the Hill was within four hours march of the City Weymer out of a desire to end the business endeavoured to draw the King out to battle but the King expecting the Infanta kept within his quarters and endeavouring to keep on the siege would not hazard the publick and his private fortune upon the uncertainty of battle Being afterwards much reinforced by the Infanta's Arrival he neither quitted the siege nor refused battle if it should be presented by the enemy but was prepared for both his Forces consisted of three Armies his own of the Empire that of the Catholick League and that of the Infanta's They in all made up the full
introduce a Vote absolutely depending upon the King of France into the Electoral colledge A thing which though it was sufficiently contrary to reason and to the preeminence of the German Empire and repugnant to the Votes of the German Nation yet would it not have been ill looked upon by the Protestant Princes in those times and to such as were ill affected to the Austrian Name And the Emperour fearing these plots which he saw were a framing by this Electory he ordered the Infanta that he should secure his person In order whereunto the Infanta put 2000 Souldiers in some barks cover'd with cloth like to Merchants vessels which pass upon those Rivers and sent them down the Mosell towards Tryers which is seated upon the bank thereof whither being come by night and telling the Sentinels that they were boats come from Lucemberg they fastned two Petards to two Gates by one of which they entred and by the other 200 Horse which were sent by land to that purpose by the Infanta who coming to the Gate at the same time that it was beaten down by the Petard the Horse and Foot entred the Town at unawares cut the French Garrison in pieces who were overcome with fear and the darkness of the night and easily made themselves Masters of the City and of the Elector who being speedily carried to Lucemburg and from thence to Namures and so to Brussels was honourably treated there as an Archbishop and Elector but was diligently guarded as a Prisoner The King of France held himself highly offended by this action as if it had been done in a resentment of the new Protection whereinto that Prince had put himself he therefore made the Electors liberty be demanded of the Infanta by his Resident who was then in that Court to which the Infanta answered That what was done at Tryers was done by the Emperours express command and that therefore he was to address himself to Cesar. The King not being satisfied with this answer sent an Herauld to the Infanta who did intimate War against him and against the King of Spain expresly declaring and protesting That that intimation should serve as effectually for the King of Spain as if it had been given to his own Person in Madrid Many Discourses pass'd about under the Names of the Kings themselves and of others as they stood severally interessed or devoted to either of the Courts wherein each side sharpely defended their cause The most solid and most ascertained Reasons of this breach publish'd in print by the King of France in his own Name were That the Elector of Tryers being abandoned by the Emperour when the Empire beaten by the Swedish Forces was not well able to sustain it self not knowing whom to â—…ly unto for refuge had put himself into his protection to free himself from being suppress'd by them wherefore he deserved not to be made prisoner for doing so without citation or being condemned he therefore accused it as not only unjust but unworthy being committed against a Sacred Person an Archbishop and one of the seven Electors of the Empire and that since it redounded not only to the great offence of his Crown in respect of the protection whereunto the Elector had put himself but to the like of the Apostolick See and of the Electoral Colledg the Pope and Electors were to resent it as well as he To this was answered That that Elector had never put himself into the protection of the King of France but had only desired some assistance from him as from a Prince that was his friend against the Swedes so as even by the Electors own confession the title of protection was faulty which was the chief foundation of the complaint and of the injury pretended to be done to the King and if the Elector had desired or received help under the name of protection he ought not to have withdrawn him from the natural Sovereigâ—…y of the Emperour nor from the protection of the Dukes of Luxenberg he being a Prince of the Empire and under the protection of the ancient Dukes of Luxenberg it being a clear thing That a natural Subject cannot withdraw himself from the Jurisdiction of his Sovereign Prince nor prejudicate it by any action of his and that howsoever his protection against the King of Sweden did not extend against the Emperour or King of Spain the one being his Sovereign the other his ancient Protector no otherwise then fealty by a natural Subject of a Prince sworn to another Prince from whom he holds any Town or Castle in Fee shall never be of force to engage him against his natural Prince nor to withdraw him from his obedience That therefore the King of France ought not by title of new protection to intermeddle with what the Electors Sovereign Prince was pleased to order The ground-work of the breach seeming to be shaken by these Reasons the King of France pleaded other former injuries which he had at several times and upon several occasions received from the Crown of Spain and beginning from the reciprocal Marriages made between the two Kings it was said that the Spaniards had never ceased to make plots against the quiet and safety of France and in the first place That the King of Spain had waged war with the Duke of Savoy under the honourable pretence of protecting the House of Mantua against which the same King did afterwards conspire himself for no other reason but because the Duke would not joyn with him in making war with the King of France To this was added the revolutions of the Valtoline to the prejudice of the Grisons ancient Clients and Confederates of the Crown of France which were endeavoured for no other end and somented by the King of Spain but only that he might carry the war more commodiously through the Valtoline from Germany to Italy and from Italy to Germany and to make himself Master of the parts confining upon the Valtoline That the Court of Spain not being able to endure the good correspondency which was held between France and England had by means of Marquess Mirabello his Embassadour at Paris sowed dissentions and discords between them and fomented the Rebellion of the Hereticks of France to the end that the King being busied in suppressing them might not have leisure to defend Mantua and Montferrat which were then powerfully assaulted by the Spaniards and that when the King of France had by the success of his Forces and by the Peace of Susa freed Cassalle the first time the King of Spain had not only let slip that occasion of preserving Peace in Italy and of securing the liberty of the Client of France but had called in the Dutch against the City of Mantua whilest his Commanders endeavoured once more to take Cassalle by force whereby the King of France was forced to send his Arms back again into Italy to secure his Confederates and to keep the Spaniards within some bounds wherein faring as successfully as
Borsoda Este into the State with 2500 Dutch who sent them immediately towards Lecco to oppose the violence which Rohan threatned and to keep him as far from the City as he could but the confusion of the Confederates was not less then that of the Millainois when they found themselves in an enemies Country which was laid waste abandoned by the Inhabitants and wherein the neighbouring Towns not being able to furnish food contribution nor quarters necessary for their daily sustenance they were forced not without delay difficulty and danger to have them from Piedmont and from the Continent of Novara they therefore knew â—…at to keep there with so much inconveniency was impossible and that to go to Millain as their so happy passage did in honour bind them to do was dangerous and difficult for if they should do so they must necessarily in the first place abandon the Bridge which not being to be fortified it was impossible to secure and the impossibility of securing it arose from the left side of the Tessino which being very high and commanded by many Hills it was altogether as impossible as necessary to fortifie all those Hills so as to secure the Bridge from battery and to fortifie them so as that the one might be a help to the other and that they might all joyntly concur with that which guarded the head of the Bridge for otherwise any one of those Hills being taken by the enemy and a battery being thereon placed the Bridge must necessarily be beaten down the Army must be debar'd the River being in an enemies Country wanting the conveniency of retreating and of those succours which they were only to expect by the Bridge being moreover exposed to be insulted over by the enemy who it was to be supposed would quickly come and fall upon them to their ruine and undoing to this was added that they heard a flying rumour that the Governour hearing that they were pass'd over the Tessino was already removed and was already come with his Army very neer Millain so as if they should go thither the Governour must either necessarily be got before them with his Army into the City or come upon them when they were hottest in besieging it or when they should have finished their Siege in any of which cases there appeared manifest ruine for if he should come before they were sat down before the City it would be a rash and headlong resolution to go to assault a great City well peopled and that they should not be able to continue the Siege having an enemy Army upon their backs and that in their retreat which would be necessary they were likely to receive a great blow and that say they should take the City the Souldiers would assuredly fall to plunder and would not obey their Captains commands but flying from their colours and running about the City without any Military Discipline nothing but ruine was to be expected they therefore concluded that their going to Millain would afford the enemy an opportunity of obtaining a signal Victory Yet the Duke of Savoy had much a do to keep the Marshal from going thither Who alleaged that the pressing over the Tessino had alwayes been dreadful to that City and was likely to prove so now more then ever That therefore it behoved them to make use of the occasion and aspire after the victory which they could not fail of if they would couragiously go about it That else they had done better never to have passed the Tessino then after so happily past it to do nothing That to make any doubt thereof was nothing else then to abandon the occasion of overcoming and to shun victory That the French Army had never past the Tessino but that the issue thereof had been the entire acquisition of the State of Millain Wherefore then should they now forbear when the Enemy who were inferiour to them in Forces and far more inferiour in Courage would never dare to shew their faces nor hazard battle When the people full of confusion and fear and moreover very ill satisfied with the Spanish Government would joyn with theâ—…in the ruine of so abhorred an Empire But reasons to the contrary and the authority of supream command which resided in the Duke prevailing over the Marshals Allegations and the having also heard for certain that the Governour was at last gone from the Trench and was come neer the City the Marshall was forc'd to give way to the Dukes will not without much murmuring Not proceeding therefore any further and being forc'd to go from thence by Famine they resolved to go towards the Lake and to take Sesto Anghiera and Arona which were scituated in the mouth thereof which believing they should take without any manner of difficulty they thought to be thereby masters of the whole Lake Whereby they should command the onely passage which the Spaniards had to bring men from Germany into the State of Millain And not being now able to bring in any by the Valtoline that State would be a prey to the French Armies when they should assault it with greater Forces The Duke therefore preferring the safety and advantage of this proposal before the airy and perillous enterprize of Millain made the Bridge be broken up and ordered that the Army should march towards the Lake putting some of the Boats whereof the Bridge was made into Carts and drawing some against the current of the River they marched with their Army divided by the River the Marshal with his French along the left side the Duke along the right side with his Piedmontese But the Governour having in this interim heard of the Enemies being past over the Tessino by messengers sent unto him from the City of the confusion of that City the desolation of the State of Novarra and of the Towns on this side the River he at last left the Trench and sending precise orders to all those that were either in the Country of Tortona or in the parts about Picenza to follow him he past over the Poe and the Tessino with Don Francisco di Melo and some others and came to Pavio and without entring Millain he went directly toward Biagrassa He sent Melo notwithstanding to Millain to be Governour of that Castle lest some disaster might happen in so great confusion For fearing lest the Enemy might approach the City he thought fit to put a wise Governour thereinto and one of authority Melo being come thither was very diligent in bringing Ammunition into the Castle by night lest if it should have been discovered it might have caused greater fear in the people He also armed 1200 Horse which were come a little before from Germany and put the much confused Affairs of the City into better Orders The Horse being armed were presently sent to Biagrassa and with them 13 Companies of Neapolitans and those who were come from the French and from the parts about Piacenza past over the Poe and the Gravalone and went to joyn
over against the Abbey of St. Lasaro by which they sent men to possess themselves of that Abby which being defended but by 60 Souldiers after the making of some shot surrendred here the French made their head-quarter and began diligently to fortifie it viewing attentively on which side and where they might best bring the relief and the Governour though at the first appearance of the enemy he seemed very desirous to fall to an assault lest in case of delay his Army might be assaulted by the enemy on the back yet he was kept from doing so for that all things were not ready for an assault For though the Spaniards were already come to the brink of the ditch of the Tenaglia on the front whereof there stood a Half-moon which was made undefensible by their Cannon-shot and though the Dutch were also gotten to the ditch of the other Tenaglia yet the Italians who were in the middle between them were not come within 45 paces of the Bulwark which they were to assault and yet the Governour fearing to be disturb'd if he made any longer delay setting all considerations of whatsoever difficulties aside gave Order that every one should be ready in their quarters about two a clock at night Thus the sign being given at the hour appointed they fell on couragiously and finding the defendants awake and vigilant the conflict was great and hard the defendants assisting themselves with Granadoes Fire-works and Stones and the assailants as valiantly overcoming all difficulties continued constant in the enterprise The Spaniards having first of all bereft the Half-moon which stood before them of all defence by their Artillery got upon the Tenaglia and killing some and taking other some of the defendants prisoners they became masters of it and fortified themselves therein the like befell the Dutch who likewise took the other Tenaglia The Italians met with more difficulty as not being yet fully prepared the Bulwark which fell to their share yet overcoming all difficulties they advanced unto the ditch and driving away the defendants betook themselves to the Bulwark which not having been plaid upon appeared impregnable yet being masters of the ditch they would not quit the enterprise but digged a Mine the fear whereof made the Bulwark be abandoned the next day and the assailants took it and fortified themselves there the defendants were astonished at the loss of these three chief places the rather for that they saw it was done whilst the French Army looked on who without moving suffer'd these three so important Works to be lost and yet when those within the Town were offer'd fair conditions by the Governour they shewed much courage and confidence in their answer but on the other side they acquainted the French Army with what they had suffer'd and in how great danger they were of being lost if not soon relieved not only in defending themselves against assaults and in sallying out but for want of bullet to supply the which all the Pewter of the City had already been made use of upon which news the French Army advanced to within Musket-shot of the City on Sandoval side and intending to break down the enemies Bribge they sent a Fire-boat down the River which being detained fell on fire to no purpose yet resolving to bring relief they cast their eye upon the Island made by Servo and Sesia and thinking that as indeed it was to be the weakest part they resolved to pass by there and to keep the Spanish Camp from re-enforcing the Island upon the coming on of night they made several seeming assaults upon sundry parts of the Line nor did the Stratagem prove vain for the enemy fearing that the succour would be attempted on a part which was guarded only by the common people they sent for some men from the Island thither though the Marquess Serra whose charge it was to defend the Island did sufficiently oppose it so about the fourth hour of the night a Body of 1500 Foot advanced part French led on by Colonel St. Andrea and partly Savoyards and Piedmontese led on by Colonel Senantes The Cardinal deputed Monsieur di Castellano a Marshal of the French Camp and the Marquess of Pianezza General of the Dowagers Foot to order the whole action who had leave to cull out the best commanded men both of the French and Piedmontese to order the business to discover the foords and to pass their men thorough them whilst the rest of the Army stood ready to keep off any diversion the relievers waded over the foord which came up to their middle and the Marquess Serra prepared for defence industriously notwithstanding his Forces were dismembred they were stoutly resisted every where and the attempt would doubtlesly have failed if aguard of Grisons who were placed between the Spaniards and Italians had fought as stoutly as the rest did but no resistance being there made for they basely abandoned the station at the very first brunt the relievers began to pass over the Line Serra who was imploy'd elsewhere when the business began came to that place and finding that the defendants had basely thrown away their Arms and were directly run away he encouraged those few that followed him and gave in amongst the thickest of the enemy where fighting with much danger to himself and encouraging others by his example he stopt the current of the relievers and though he was shot through the Arm by a Musket he continued fighting till Francisco Tuttavilla Lieutenant to the Camp master General came in to his relief with a squadron of those who were under Bolognino and who having no certain place allotted them to defend were appointed to go where there should be most need And Bolognino coming in with the rest after Tuttavilla those relievers who had not yet past the line were repuls'd Moreover the Horse which being distributed into several squadrons stood in guard between the City and the line were faulty also upon this occasion some whereof ran down-right away and part being deceived by the succourers who in the dark night cried Viva la Spagna past by those Horse and stole into the City and about 1200 of them entred with the succour which did prolong the life of the Town for a few days but was not sufficient to do so long For the Enemy having possess'd themselves of the chiefest out-works those of the Town were not able to recover them though they endeavourd it For they sallied to recover the Bulwark which was taken by the Italians here the conflict was greater then in other parts and it had been recovered had not Bolognino advanced with the most of his men and after a bloody contest forc'd them to retreat and the assaults given for the two Tenaglia's had the like fortune from both which after a fierce fight the Assailants were beaten back The Governour being angry to see the Town relieved made some Officers be proceeded against and put to death who thorough their carelesness were the occasion
condition Cuneo was they resolved to go thither they had great hopes of taking it for the Prince Cardinal would either go out of Cuneo or he would not if he did Corvo who was Serjeant Major there offer'd to yield the Town to them and if not they were sure to take it by reason of the small provisions that were there and if they should take it it would put an end to the Civil War since the Prince Cardinal who was the Head of the controverted Guardianship would be therein taken Prisoner whereof Duke Longueville made himself so sure as he writ thereof to the King as of a thing done but they were much deceived for Cuneo was not taken and Turin was lost which the Prince Cardinal did cunningly foresee for Prince Thomaso whilst he was in Mandovi going to see him at Cuneo and having earnestly desired him not to suffer himself to be enclosed in that unprovided place which was not such as he ought to adventure his person therein and therewith the whole affair he absolutely refused his advice for he held undoubtedly that if he should go out the Town would be lost and on the contrary that the Governour of Millain would either come with all his Forces to relieve him or that else he would go to Turin which he might easily take all the Dowagers and French Forces being now in these parts and the Siege of Cuneo being to be abandoned for the necessary defence of Turin the freedom of his person and the like of the Town would ensue but these very thoughts falling into the minds of those who fought on the Dowagers behalf they likewise knew what dangers Turin and the Citadel and the Dowager that was therein would be subject to if when they should go with almost all the Forces of Piedmont to an enterprise so far off the enemy making use of the occasion should come strongly against Turin whilst it was unprovided of defence it was therefore thought necessary that the Cardinal of Valletta should go with all his men to defend the parts thereabouts which resolution was approved of and pursued by the Cardinal and was as good as necessary and if it had been as well perform'd as it was plotted it had quite oveâ—…throvvn all the Prince Cardinals Counsels foâ—… both Turin and the Dovvager would have been preserved from danger and Cuneo would have been taken with evident hazard of the Prince Cardinals person but the misfortune in performance marred the design and made good the Prince Cardinals opinion when the Cardinal Valletta was gone Duke Longueville went to Cuneo and on the sudden in the night season assaulted the out Works and forc'd the defendants with much loss to them to forsake the Works and betake themselves to defend the Walls and the Gates which the assailants had well nigh taken as they pursued them he therefore had happily begun his business and had fair hopes of ending it successfully but before the Trenches were begun to be made the whole thred of the business was cut off by a Letter of the Cardinal of Valletta's wherein he signified to Longueville that the Enemy came very strong against him and that he could not possibly withstand them unlesse he were recruited with eight hundred more Horse though the Duke was somewhat amazed at this demand yet he readily sent the desired Horse that the Cardinal might have no occasion to fail in what was by common consent agreed upon but the want of these Horse forc'd the Duke to abandon Cuneo and to retreat to a Town neer to Fossano called St. Albano whereby one part of the Prince Cardinals judgement was verified that Cuneo would be abandoned to relieve Turin and the other part proved as true not long after for Prince Thomaso having had speech with the Governour of Millain in Aâ—…sti and having perswaded him to relieve Cuneo and his Brother at least by diversion got of him 600 Spanish Foot under Marquess Caracena and 2500 Horse under Carlo della Gatta with express promise that all the rest of the Forces should immediately follow him so he went forthwith from thence and came speedily to Villa nuova where getting 500 other Foot under Camp-master Tuttavilla he past over the Poe about the evening and came by night to Vallentino Villa nuâ—…va Carmagnuola and Turin make a just triangle wherefore when news came to the other two Cities that the Prince was come with a great body of men to Villa nuova they were both much terrified and began to cry out for help The Dowager sent Count Piveasâ—… forthwith to the Cardinal of Valletta desiring that he would hasten to defend her and the City of Turin and the Cardinal fearing no less then she to be assaulted in Carmagnuola not knowing what to do did not stir The Prince kept in Vallentino till midnight giving out fitting Orders for the surprizal of Turin and in maturing intelligence with those that guarded it and having ordered all things well resolved to assault the Town on four sides The Marquess of Caracena was appointed to assault the Castle Gate with the 600 Spanish Foot which were the very best of that Nation that beating it down with a Petard he might make himself master of it Tuttavilla was sent to scale the Wall between the Bastion of S ta Maria and that of Citta nuova Colonel Alardo was ordered to fall upon the Posto di nostra Signora towards the Citadel and Count di Vich was sent to fasten a Petard to Porta nuova and each of them had sufficient Orders Instruments and Men given them for what they had to do each of them did punctually perform what they were appointed at one and the same time which was at fiâ—… a clock at night and the darkness of the season was a great furtherance to the enterprise and yet Caracena could not fasten his Petard for he found the Bridge drawn up and the Ladders wherewith he was to scale the Walls were too short he notwithstanding fell to break the Steccadoes which lay along the Courtain toward the Bastion Verde and entred thereby into the Garden of the Pallazzo Ducale Tuttavilla who was abandoned by his guide who could not endure the noise of a Musket marching alone with his Squadron and groaping in the dark light upon a Half-moon which was defended by 500 Souldiers and after having skirmished a while with them he at last made himself master thereof then entring the ditch to fall to the Scalado he also found his Ladders too short wherefore being called upon by Caracena he resolved to go to him and being joyned they entred the City by the Garden and formed two Squadrons upon Piazza San ' Iovanni The Dowager hearing that the enemy was entred the Town withdrew with her Guard into the Citadel being waited upon by the Lord Chancellor some of the chief Magistrates of Turin and by a great many Ladies and Gentlemen Caracena and Tuttavilla went to the Castle Gate they broke the Portculles and
appli'd a Petard to the Gate which being thereby thrown down the Horse entred which waited there to be let in Fontana Captain of the Gate was thought to hold private intelligence with Prince Thomaso as also Amerino Captain of the Swissers who were deputed to defend the Steccado who being corrupted by moneys made no resistance but presently past over to the Princes party for which he was question'd by the Cantons Count Vischio by reason of the great darkness and opposition made by the defendants lost his Guide and his Petard so as not being able to execute his Commission he entred the City by the Bastion Verde by which the Spaniards and Italians also entred the Castle-Gate not being as then opened nor could Colonel Alardo do what he was appointed being stoutly opposed but he entred by the Castle-Gate which was now opened so as before full day the City was reduced into the power of the Prince not any of the Citizens appearing in defence for the Dowager had commanded that upon pain of death none of them should stir out of their doors but when they heard that she was retreated into the Citadel and that the Prince was entred the City they ran out to the streets and Piazzas with unusual expressions of joy and flock'd about the Prince with incredible applause but their congratulations which lasted many hours were not any hindrance to what was necessary for defence for they presently fell to block up the ways which led to the Citadel to keep the City from being from thence assaulted which was diligently observed all the rest of the day at night Lights were put in all the Windows and the Citizens stood with their weapons in their hands together with the Souldiers to defend the streets fearing some sallies out of the Citadel and the Prince made the Rampiers be raised to keep the City from being prejudiced from the Citadel The next day things were better secured by the entrance of the Governour of Millain with the rest of the Army who together with the Prince viewing all parts as well within as without the City by which the City might be entred they munited it with Souldiers and other necessaries To end the work compleat the Victory and to put an end almost to the War there remained the blocking up of the Citadel on the out-side and the keeping it from any succour by continual circumvallations which required not the guarding of above three miles for the Citadel was more then half begirt by the City Five days after the City was taken the French and Piedmontese Army appeared coming from Cuneo who when they heard the sad news of the loss of Turin marched speedily to relieve the Citadel and finding no Trenches to keep them off nor any Forces in the Field to oppose them they secured the Citadel they quartered their men without opposite to the City towards la Porporata and none but the chief Commanders went into the Citadel to kiss the Dowagers hand and to consult of what was to be done The Dowagers affairs begun to better a little by so seasonable a succour and the French began to be much encouraged the Spanish Army was in the City and all the Citizens that were fit to bear Arms were very diligent to defend it moreover the Trenches which were over against the Citadel were in good order and did shelter the City indifferently well from the shot which were made from thence The Marquess of Caracena having assisted therein with no lesse diligence then danger who foreseeing how much the defendants might be damnified by the Garden of the Carmelites which commanded the Trench and streets of the City if they should be possess'd by the Enemy prepossess'd himself thereof and munited it well and put a good Garrison into it and therefore though both the French and Piedmontese who were in the Citadel did much desire to assault the City and to drive the Enemy from thence yet the Cardinal of Vallette opposed it and by his Authority of Supream Command of the French Forces curb'd the general desire yet being overborn by the General order of Longueville and of the other Commanders and for that he would appear to have some hand therein rather then out of his own addiction he consented that 300 of the best men of the French Army should assault la Citta Vecchia under the Marquess Nerestano who accosted the walls and fell on furiously but being stoutly opposed were forc'd to retreat with the loss of many of them amongst which the Marshal Nerestano and the Camp-masters Alincourt and Valiaci together with other officers and gallant Souldiers and with little loss to the assaulted by which as well he as the rest of the Captains having found by experience how much harder it was then they had imagined to recover the City and the Dowager being put to great streights in the Citadel they thought it fit that she should go from thence and should go together with her Court to Susa which was so necessary as it was presently done she went out with an undaunted spirit bearing in her bosom two consolations amongst so many misfortunes the one that if she had been suffer'd to Govern according to her own will she had not fallen into such misfortune the other that the King her brother who had brought her into that condition would doubtlesly bring her out of it at her departure she left the Citadel in charge with the Duke of Longueville who received it as deposited by her in the King of France his name for she confiding but a little upon this occasion in the Piedmontese and in so great perplexity and cross fortune not having Forces sufficient to defend so important a place threatned by so neer and powerful an Army and not having wherewith to fight nor to subsist for above two moneths she thought she could not do better then to put it into the protection of the King her brother being come forth and attended by a competent number of hers she came to Susa where she waited looking in vain where this so great storm would finally fall a treaty of Truce was afterwards introduced between the Abbot Vasques in the Governour of Millain's name and Mousieur d'Argenson on the behalf of the Duke of Longueville which was desired by Longueville not so much for the scarcity of provision in the Citadel as for the precise orders which he received from the King at his departure from Court and which were often after reiterated by which he was enjoyn'd that he should rid his hands as soon as he could of the Wars of Piedmont to the end that they being over he might go into Flanders or Germany but Prince Thomaso was totally against it thinking any whatsoever Truce injurious to his cause and to the whole business and for that he knew for certain that the Duke had orders to rid his hands of the business as soon as he could so as departing with the forces he brought and Vallette's men
to keep his men within the Walls would not go out they did not only give themselves to better the Fortifications which they there found but joyned another Fort which they themselves made to that which the Prince had erected above the Monastery which commanded all the other Fortifications even those of the Bridge they likewise fortified the heads of the Bridge better and extending their Trenches towards the Burrough they placed a very strong Garrison there of 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse which were commanded by Count Plessis Pralin the rest of the Army was distributed into several quarters about the City the Inhabitants whereof were the same day so enclosed within their walls by theenemies Army as they could not hear news of any succour from the Governour unless it were by various inventions which they found and which did often deceive them by which they inform'd the Governour of what streights they were in and sometimes received hopes of succour The Governour was much troubled at the scarcity of powder that was in the City wherefore he sent Carlo della Gatta with 2000 Horse to Inurea that he might endeavour by a greater force to bring in that Ammunition which was left there but it proved in vain for la Gatta being come with that Ammunition to Cassalle five miles from Turin and having found conveniency to inform the Prince of all things he was willed by him to retreat for that it was impossible for him to get into the City he being first to overcome La Stura and La Dora which were then munited with strong French Garrisons but in his return passing thorough the Canavese he found the Town of St. Mauricio taken again by the French and ready to be sack'd which he freed with the death of all the French whom he put to the sword Harcourt kept this mean while in the Vallentino expecting that the people should rise in the City as the Prince and the Governour did when they came first before it the preceding year But this proved in vain for for all that he could do there was not any one amongst the Souldiers who was discover'd to comply with the Dowager or were blemish'd so much as with any such thought but all of them during the whole siege proved faithfull to the Prince Wherefore Harcourt failing every day more and more of effecting his desire by that way he try'd another La Dora falls a little above the City by a cleft into a Channel which conveyes water to the Mills which serve the people with grist He therefore gave order that that cleft should be dam'd up with earth by night so as the Mills not being able to go for want of water the City which abounded in Corn began to want bread For there were onely two hand-mills within the Town which could not possibly supply so great a multitude with grist so as the City was in a short time like to be famish'd for want of bread though it abounded in Corn. Harcourt resolved to reduce the City yet to greater extremities and to make it altogether despair of succour with hopes whereof being fed it patiently suffer'd all hardships For at last he began to draw a line of Circumvolution which beginning from the bank of the Poe about a Musket-shot above the Vallentino ran along the plain towards the West and came to the Church Della Crocetta just over against the Citadel and then winding about the Citadel came to the great Edifice called La Porporata and continued to the Dora crossing with it came to the little house which is called Bianchina and then declining by the Madalene to the mouth of the same River where being broken off by the source or course of water it was reassumed again and terminated in the neighbouring banks of Poe a compass of eight miles which being furnish'd with small Forts and other works was divided into six quarters wherein the French and Piedmontese Armies were thus distributed Count Plessis Pralin the first Marshal of the Camp was quartered from the bridge to the Parco This quarter contained within it the Burgo and the fortifications of the bridge and of the Capuchins hills From Vallentino where the line began towards La Crochetta and so forwards towards La Porporata La Dora and Le Cassine divia d' Albera was General Harcourt quartered and with him the Viscount Di Turenna Camp-marshal of the French Horse The Circumvolution made a great bow from one bridge upon the Dora to another bridge below the Parco and neer the Poe to which La Dora served as a string wherein Ill Signeior della Motta Odencourt field Marshal was first quarter'd who commanded a small body part Foot part Horse who were left by Duke Longueville and were subordinate onely to General Harcourt But afterwards the Porparata was assigned him for his quarter together with a good part of the line on both sides and with him were Villa and Pianezza quartered with the French and Piedmontese Horse The Citizens of Turin saw themselves thus surrounded and as it were imprisoned and were not able of themselves to break the line which did not onely threaten their liberties but their lives and fortunes And in these great streights all their hopes lay in being relieved by the Governour which they were day by day inform'd should be ere long For he having rallied his men and re-inforced his Camp was come from Vercelli to Crescentino and by a bridge thrown over the River there marched straight to Cheri where having stay'd some days to get his men together he endeavour'd by all possible means to get neer the City to free both it and the Prince from fiege in which time the Prince desirous either to try the Enemies Forces or to give a trial of his sally'd very strong both in Horse and Foot by night out of the City and fell upon Motta's quarter which was at the Magdalene beyond the Dora and charging him whilst they were all a sleep his men entred even into the Rendezvous of Arms of that quarter wounding and killing many before they could put themselves in a defensive posture which proved not such but that after having done them much prejudice the Prince might get to within the shelter of the Cannon of the City whereinto he retreated with little loss to himself and more to the Enemy This action revived the spirits of the besieged and much more the bringing back of the water of Dora to the Mills which was done by the Citizens a great band whereof back'd by a squadron of Musketiers went out of the City and coming to where the water was dam'd up broke as much of the earth which closed the orifice as made way enough for water to turn four wheeles and the next night the current of the River broke down the rest so as the water came plentifully into the Channel much to the comfort of the City which thereby got bread enough To these two happinesses which amidst so many evils appeared to
accomplishment of the enterprise if it had been entirely executed as the Prince advised He sent Don Carlo della Gatta with a good number of Horse and with about 4000 Foot to Collegno to the end that quartering and fortifying himself there he should do what the whole Camp was to have done if it had gone thither which was to block up all the avenues from succour and victuals Gatta past succesfully on with his men to the place appointed by the way of Mille Fiori though a thousand Horse went coasting along by him which came out of the line of Circumvolution For the Prince sallying at the same time out of the City had faln upon the Enemies quarters toward the Dora and the Governour was gone to give a feigned Allarme to Vallentino and the Garrison of Cheri being recruited by the Trades-men had at the same time assaulted the fortifications which were above the Capuchins So as the French being diverted into many parts could not much impede Gatta in his passage who coming to Collegno drove out the French Garrisen and being master thereof began immediately to fortifie it better The Governour also instead of taking Grugliaseo look Bianesco which stands upon another way which leads from Pinarvolo but a little lower then Graliasco and consequently neerer the quarters of Montcalleri by which the besieging Camp was somewhat more streightned and almost as much besieged as the City The taking of Collegno caused much jealousie in Harcourt who apprehended that his Trenches might rather be assaulted on that side then elsewhere and they being weaker then the rest he put stronger Garrisons into them and fortified them better towards Collegno the same day that Gâ—…ta came to Collegno he met with a fair occasion of intercepting a great conduct of Victuals as he did and of routing a Regiment of the Dowagers which served for a Convoy thereunto he also defeated 500 Horse and 500 Foot of Count Verrua's which were coming from Susa to the Camp and either slew almost all of them or took them Prisoners except the Count who got safe with some Horse to the Camp Vincenzo della Marra a Neopolitan Gentleman took also 60 load of Corn and utterly defeated the Convoy and the Governour having sent the Horse of his quarters towards Millefiori had a gallant Skirmish with the Enemy where the Corps de guard which were therein was totally put to the sword at the same time or a little before the French having thrown a Bridge over the Dora between the Meadows called Vanchiglia and the New-Park which made very much for Communication between the quarters of the Burgo and of the Capuchins with those beyond the Dora the Prince took a fancy to try whether he could deprive the enemy or no of that conveniency and free the City of the inconvenience which might result by the communication of those quarters by means of that Bridge he to this purpose Sallied out by night very strong both in Horse and Foot and though he cut the Ropes in sunder which fastned the bridge on this side yet the enemy easily mended it and put it into it's former condition and made some fortifications for the safety thereof the Prince being desirous to attempt the same again he sent Don Mauritio with 300 Horse thither and Marquess Serra with two squadrons of Foot one Spanish one Italians these sent Fra. Iovan Pallavicino with some Foot to discover the Bridge who finding it newly fortified whilest some sleight Skirmishes past between him and the Enemy they might see five companies of Horse come from the Borgo and advance towards them to cut them off from joyning with their companions against which Don Mauritio's Cavalry advancing Fra. Iovanni had conveniency to withdraw to a place of Safety and incorporated himself with Serra who went not onely to shelter Don Mauritio's Cavalry with his squadrons of Musketiers but to fall upon the enemies Horse which were forced with much loss to face about and get into a place of safety and though some other squadrons of Horse came from Vallentino to relieve him yet they came not time enough for they were de ained by the Cannon which played from the works of the City and by musket-shot which poured down from the Walls but the Bridge not being ruined neither by this second attempt the Prince threw another Bridge over the same River that he might pass over to the other shore when he pleased and receive any succour that might come by that way a difficult business for all the Bank beyond the River was defended by a Battery levell'd against the Mills but the knowledge that Marquess Villa who together with Pianezza was quartered there was gone with most part of the Piedmontese Horse elsewhere and the Enterprise being intended at the third hour of the Sun when the night Guards being relieved grow remiss encouraged them to the Enterprise which was wholly given to Bâ—…lognino who going forth with Horse and Foot threw over the Bridge with little loss over which the Foot pass'd the next day part of them were sent towards the Park against some Foot which guarded a Redout which was over the against the old broken bridge of the Park which Redout being assaulted and the Defendants cut in peices was taken the other part went to assault a body of men who guarded a half Cannon placed over against the new bridge who being routed the half Cannon fell into the assailants hands which they began to draw towards the Dora but Pianezza hearing thereof strove to repair the loss He therefore headed two squadrons of French Horse which were in that place and the ordinary Troop and spur'd on a pace to assault the Enemies Horse and skirmishing fiercely with them the half Cannon and those that carried it away put to flight the Foot with some of the Horse past back over the Dora the rest were chased by Pianezza towards the Park yet were the takers but little prejudiced for the Enemy having in the heat of the pursuit left the half Cannon behind them they immediately took it again and brought it to the banks of the Dora where it was under good shelter and being impossible to be recovered it was carried in triumph into the City But the French were as well damnified by the Garrison within the City as by the Army without for together with the continual pressure of victuals the Garrison of Collegno having ransack'd the Country as far as Pinarvolo had spoiled the mils which were not far from that Town and put the Town in such a terrour as it kept the Gates shut for many dayes And Gatta going with 1000 Horse afterwards into those parts fell upon St. Secondo a Town neer Pinarvolo where he kill'd 200 Dragoons and took their Captain Prisoner The Prince Cardinals Horse likewise which were sent as hath been said to the Spanish Camp being come from Beinesco under Count Broglio fell upon Rivalta cut the Garrison in pieces and made themselves Masters of
joyn with him in excluding the Spaniards and he was almost certain that the Governour to shun greater inconveniencies would give way that the Citadel should rather remain in his hands then in those of the French The Commendator Pasâ—…ro one of much experience and in great authority with the Prince was cry'd up for the Author of these counsels which being divulged about the Court were approved of by the Piedmontese nobles as those who being naturally more inclined to the French then to the Spaniards apprehended that to fall under the Spanish Empire was the worst of evils that could befall them They therefore thought that to keep from that misfortune they had best embrace any thing how slender so ever and expect better fortune The Prince being oppress'd by the nearness and by the greatness of the danger which though it was foreseen when a far off yet was it never so inevitable nor formidable as now Being therefore resolved to do all that was possible he sent a Letter to the Governour on the seventh of Iuly wherein he signified unto him that he could hold out no longer and that if he were not relieved within four dayes at the furthest he would without more a doe accept of the French offers and would surrender the City Which Letter was very unfortunate for the Prince and for the business in order to the relief and to the raising of the siege was the ruine of the common affairs did overthrow the Princes cause and on the contrary raised the French Army out of the extream precipice and danger whereinto it was more then manifestly brought The City was not effectually in so great streights as the Prince would fain have made it been believed to be for it had great store of Corn nor did it want grist as before that default being much supply'd by hand-mills which were daily made And though in conforminy to what the Prince had writ the Governour was also informed by Don Antonio Sotelo of the aforesaid wants who though he was chief of the Kings men and affairs that were handled in the City had upon many occasions appeared apâ—…e to please the Prince then careful of the Kings concernment yet the Governour had received contrary intelligence from other Captains and in particular from Marquess Serra who looking more narrowly into affairs knew that the City might hold out longer and woe his mind freely to the Governour and did assure him that there were those who had offer'd to maintain the City with bread for two moneths at no exorbitant rates Which offers the Prince refused as thinking them impossible to be performed and though there was more want of powder then of bread yet it was found that the City held out and made stout sallies upon the Enemies quarters twenty days after the eleventh of Iuly and yet had received no recruit in powder and the danger of the French succour which was said to be very neer proved vain for La Gatta being stronger in Collegno then the relievers who were not above 4000 Foot and some Horse it was impossible for to pass that way or to force the Garrison The Governour seeing himself taken off from continuing his designes and bereft of the victory which he so longed after and was neer getting by the Princes so precise pressures and resolute proâ—…estations he was much astonished and was the more confused for that by letters which he received at the same time he was informed as hath been said that the City was in a far different condition from what it was represented to be in by the Prince so as suspecting the Princes pressures must needs ayme at some hidden end amongst many things which he thought upon at last he light upon one or two either that the Prince had closed with the French or was upon agreeing with them And that therefore that he might the better honest his surrounding of the Town he put him upon the poynt of speedy relief that so he might provide for himself abandon the King of Spain and bâ—…ake himself to the King of France or else that he would revive his claim to putting of a Garrison into the Citadel The Governour had alwayes proceeded so reservedly with the Princes as without either assuring them of his intent or making them despair he had still held them in expectation that they should be pleased and they were always confident to have what they pretended unto either with his will or against it wherefore he was forc'd to vary his determination in the Enterprise though it proceeded on very successfully and to put the certainty of Victory upon the uncertain chance of a Dye He therefore began greatly to doubt what peradventure was true he knew no better way how to avoid this exigency then by feeling Paseroe's Pulse with offering him six thousand Pistols to procure the Prince to delay his expectation of succour for fifteen days to the end that he might the better attend the keeping out of that relief which was expected by the enemy from France hoping nay firmly believing that if that succour could be kept out the Siege would be raised before the desired time of delay should be expired and that by this means he should not need adventure his Forces in relieving the City The care of this was committed to Marquess Serra who was chiefly trusted by the Governour in carrying on this Siege but this Negotiation not being to be ended so soon by reason of the difficulty of giving and of receiving advertisement and for that it becomes those that negotiate in such affairs to wait the conjuncture of times the eleventh day being come before the Negotiation was ended the Governour who had precise Orders from the King not to give the Prince any occasion of foregoing his party he suffer'd himself to be pul'd on by necessity and by the Prince his inclinations as one doth sometimes who rides an unruly horse and resolved to please him he therefore agreed upon the doing of it in this manner The Governour was to go from his quarters of Montcalleri and Gatta from his of Collegno upon the break of day on the eleventh day upon the sign being given by certain fires and should fall upon the enemies Trenches Gatta was to assault those which were between the Porporata and a certain Channel which is called Martinetto and the Governour those which do terminate on the banks of Poe neer Valentino that the same night 1000 Horse should be sent to the Prince by a Foord over the Poe which being joyned to his Horse might enable the Prince to sally strongly out of the City that same night and face the enemies Horse The Prince was to go with this recruit of Horse and with the Spaniards which were with him towards Valentino to facilitate the Governours entrance on the innerside and to the end that these three which were the chief actions might succeed the better the Governour was to place eight piece of Cannon upon the hills beyond
Accommodation with him and with Count Iacomo Mandello who was sent to him by Nevers offering each of them That he would procure that Nevers might be invested in his Dominions upon condition that he would receive and Quarter part of the Emperours Forces in the Dukedom of Mantua and part of Spinola's Forces in Montferrat in sign of his respect to both their Majesties to the end that making amends by this his ready obedience and publick submission for his former contumacy they might with honour receive him into favour and gratifie him the one with the Investiture and the other with the Protection which he desired Nevers would not accept of this either out of fear of non-performance or out of his relying upon the French Forces and those of other Princes who were joyn'd with him on whose pleasure he profest he did in all things depend so as he was first to acquaint France and the Venetian Senate with his offer without whose approbation and consent he could not resolve any thing in this point but being advised to the contrary by the Venetians who could not endure that the Dutch Army should come neer their Confines and an answer not coming from France the Dutch not having whereof to subsist amidst the barren Rhetian Alps where they had tarried all this while Spinola was forced contrary to his inclination to permit them to enter Italy They came in number 22000 Foot and 3500 Horse commanded by Ramboldo one of the Counts of Collalto in Friuli General of the Cesarean Forces in Italy a Commander of good esteem and Authority who had been long vers'd in the Wars of Germany and Hungary They fell down into the Valley of Chiavenna by the Lake of Como being come to Lecco they pass'd into the Territories of Cremona and proved prejudicial to Lombardy and Piedmont by their cruelty rapine plunder and contribution which they forced from thence and fatal to a good part of Italy by reason of the Plague which they brought with them and which burst forth in great violence throughout all Lombardie and Piedmont and then entring the Venetian Territories and Romagnia it came into Venice and Tuscany causing so great a mortality both of men and cattel as the better half of these Provinces did not escape the fury thereof Collalto being come into Italy spoke with Spinola in Millain by whom being honourably received after a long debate about what was to be done they agreed upon this That dividing the Armies and the Enterprises Collalto with his Dutch should undertake the business of Mantua and Spinola with the King of Spains men that of Casalle and Montferrat Having thus distributed the carrying on of the war each of them betook themselves to what fell unto their share and the King of France joyning with the Venetians in Nevers his defence left the Venetians to relieve the State of Mantua and took the care of Montferrat upon himself Spinola's Army many Captains and Officers being cashiered came to 16000 Foot and 4000 Horse wherein were comprehended the Spaniards Dutch Neapolitans and Lombards under their several Camp-masters amongst which was the Duke of Lerma Nephew to him who was so great a Favorite to King Philip the Third and was come to commence his Militia under Spinola Spinola to give a beginning to the business on his side sent his Son Don Philip to Valenza upon the Poe with part of his Army which was distributed in several Towns upon the Confines of Montferrat where gathering Victuals and Munition he gave out that he would go to besiege Casalle whereupon the French abandoning the Towns of Montferrat retreated in great â—…aste with their men to defend that place and Don Philippo invited by that occasion sent Don Ferrante di Ghirava his Lieutenant-general with 4000 Foot to beyond the Tanaro to whom Nizza Acqui and Ponsone came in and all the neighbouring Towns return'd to be govern'd by the Spaniards then bringing his men into Alessandria he went to take in Sansalvadore Lu Fubine Vignale and the other Towns of that State which lie between Alessandria and Casalle leaving Rossigliano St. Georgio and Pontestura unattempted which being as so many Bulwarks to secure Casalle were not only not abandoned by the French as the other Towns were but were begirt about with Trenches and furnish'd with good Garrisons and yet Spinola for all his shews to the contrary forbare to attempt Casalle being detain'd partly by the very cold weather which came on partly supposing that the French would imploy all their Forces to defend it he feared to begin with that as would be a great obstacle to the Treaty of peace which he so much desired Moreover he doubted much the Duke of Savoy who were it either that he was loth that that place should fall into the Spaniards hand or that he was angry at Spinola's proceedings with him began to oppose his ends and cross his designs or that minding the preservation of that place he aimed at being himself the Arbitrator of affairs and to sell the possession thereof at the dearer rate wherefore he began to declare expresly that by the last agreement at Susa he could not but grant both passage and Victuals to the French that went to relieve it wherefore Spinola being contented with the Towns that he had taken and with having regained those Towns in the face of the French which his Predecessor was forced to quit at the King of France his appearance in Italy he quarter'd his men in those Towns which he had taken where they lay idle all the ensuing Winter The Cesarian Army made better proceeding in the Territories of Mantua where the Duke of Nevers not minding the defence of the chief City so much as that of the other Towns of the State had indiscreetly distributed the greatest part of his men within those Towns which would all of them have been hardly sufficient to Garrison the chief City so as the Cesarian Army led on by the Serjeant-majors Mathias Galasso and Aldringer for Collalto who was sick at Lodi could not go along with them having taken Loglio and Volengo the chief Towns in the Mantuan Territories went immediately to Caneto somewhat a greater Town where were 2000 Foot amongst which two Companies of Venetians under Angelo Cornaro a Gentleman of Venice to defend it Nevers relied much upon that Garrison which being very great â—…e hoped would hold the Enemy play but it proved otherwise for at the first appearance of the Enemy they yielded up the Town without one stroke striking the example whereof as it is commonly seen being followed by the other Towns Gazzuolo Cicognaro and Governolo which lies in the mouth of the Mincio where it falls into the Poe fell also into the hands of the Dutch who being by this easiness of the Mantuan Souldiers become masters of almost all the Country thereabout after having miserably plundred it had conveniency to approach the City which was in great confusion to see her men make so