Cipriots fauouring the Venetians certaine Genoueses were slaine and diuers hurt and the residue were driuen shamefully from the banquet The Genoueses being moued with this iniurie did forthwith depart forth of the Island with all their wealth Then returning within a while with a nauall Arrnie they did on a sodaine assaile the Citie of Famagosta and tooke it The Authors whom we haue read doe not plainely tell whether they took it by force or treacherie They slew diuers in detestation of the death of the late King and among others the Kings brother spoiled all their goods The King and his mother for feare of the Genoueses escaped in this tumult forth of the Citie In this manner did the richest marchant Citie of the Kingdome of Cyprus fall into the Genoueses hands The young kings mother was suspected to haue deliuered the Citie vnto them to reuenge her husbands death and that which maketh me to beleeue it is the death of those who slue him and the spoyling of their goods as also because the Genoueses attempted nothing against her nor her sonne Now whilest the Genoueses held Famagosta Visconte had in the meane time betrothed his daughter to the yong king and being desirous to send her to Cyprus he dealt with the Venetians to arme sixe gallies with which his daughter might passe safely into the Island and that he on the other side would leuie eight thousand horse and a great number of footmen at his owne cost to ouerrunne and spoile whatsoeuer belonged to the Genoueses The Ladie being brought to Venice was lodged in the Pallace of the Cornari Then departing from Venice with sixe Venetian gallies and â—…iue which the king of Cyprus had sent she safely arriued in the Island The king lay at the same time at Ceraunia called at this day Cernia where after he had with great magnificence receiued his wife he dealt with the Venetians for a great weight of gold which he promised them that they would with the fiue gallies which he had in pay assaile the hauen of Famagosta the which being taken they gaue an assault to the Citie on the same side whilest he with the greatest forces he could leuie should scale the walles on the other side The Captaines of the gallies were 〈◊〉 Miani Francisco Bocoli Pietro Quirini Francisco Foscolli Grouanni Barba Francisco Mocenigo who had each of them a-part armed one seuerall galley at their owne charge These being moued as well by the kings offer as for their generall hatred which they did beare to the Genoueses with the fiue gallies which as we haue said were sent from the king to Venice beginning to fight at the entrie of the haueÌ„ were at the first repulsed by the Genoueses wherupon they retired to Sea til their souldiers marriners were refreshed The Genoueses had placed three ships of burthen at the mouth of the hauen to hinder the enemies approach The Venetian returning againe with his mercenaries to assaile the Genoueses came not as at the former time to assaile the hauens mouth but the sides and emptied so much earth and grauellâ—…s he made at last a passage for his gallies to enter which comming into the hauen the ships of burthen were forthwith taken by the Venetians with those which defended them Diuers gallies with other vessels which lay there at an Anker were likewise taken The Hauen being thus seised on the Venetians gaue a so daine assault to the Citie hauing set vp skaling ladders in sundrie places diuers hoping to enter did in the midst of the enemies cries arrowes mount to the top of the wall The Genoueses whose numbers were great in the Citie making a furious sally on the assailants did first with great slaughter beate them from the wall and then from the Hauen Diuers doe thinke that the same Citie had beene taken that day if the Cyprioâ—…s had assailed it as couragiously on the other side as did the Venetians The Venetians Histories affirme this for true Some of the authors say that it was not Pietro but Bugon of Lusignam which was father to Petrino and that he was not slaine by his owne subiects but that it was one called Pietro brother to the young king Besides that the Genoueses were not iniuried by the Venetians but that by the kings commaundement some of them were throwne forth of the chamber windowes where the feast was kept and other some slaine in the Citie and ouer the whole Island so that none were left aliue to carrie the newes to Genoa That the Genoueses comming into the Island with a great nauall Armie conducted by Pietro Fregosa did take the Citie of Nicosia by assault with the King and Queene and after they had put all the Island almost to fire and sword brought away the King and Queene to Genoa who being afterward set at libertie did in vaine with the Venetian forces come and besiege the Citie of Famagosta which he had voluntarily giuen to the Genoueses with the residue of the Island But howsoeuer it happened the matter falling out vnfortunately as hath been said the Venetian gallies departing thence failed into Syria who besides the other harmes which they did to the Genoueses they tooke from them a Barze named Spinereggio laden with most rich merchandize and returning on a sodaine towards the Adriaticke Gulph did ioyne themselues neere to Zara with the nauall Armie which was conducted by Pisani Whilest these things were done in Cyprus and Syria Victor Pisani with eighteene gallies tooke the Citie of Catharra by force which belonged to Lewis king of Hungarie At their arriuall they summoned the inhabitants who made a verie proude answere adding diuers reprochfull speeches which did greatly offend the Venetians Pisani in regard thereof being enflamed with choller landing his troupes did come and assailed the Citie The souldiers and marriners did at the first with such violence winne the defences and afterwards the walles as in a moment they made themselues masters of the Citie which being taken and spoiled those which were in the fort being daunted with the sodaine losse of their fellowes did forthwith yeeld The bootie did inrich the souldiers and marriners The Generall did speedily aduertize the Senate of the victorie by a galley which he sent away of purpose Pisani his Armie being increased which was alreadie of twentie fiue gallies vpon report that the Genoueses gallies were comming into Dalmatia and that they were alreadie departed from Genoa for that purpose and had commission after they should haue shut in the hauen of Zara to molest the Venetians not onely at Sea but along the neighbour shoares resolued to meete the enemie at his comming farre from the Citie The Venetian at last ouertooke the Genoueses neere to Tarentum for hauing passed beyond Naples he vnderstood that the enemies Armie a little before had sailed towards Calabria whereupon hauing coasted all the shores he did not misse of the enemies
Lords and Barons of Poland proclaimed a generall assembly at Varsouia in Aprill next ensuing there to proceed to election of a new King After this election posts were dispatched into France to giue Henry notice thereof whilest Ambassadors were making ready to receiue and conduct him into Poland Italy being now freed from the dreadfull Turkish warre was like to haue baâ—…ched an other in her owne bowels for the Duke of Vrbin going about to lay some new impositions vpon his subiects they denied to pay any thing but that which they had granted to Duke Francesco Maria when he entred into the State and therevpon tooke armes protesting neuerthelesse that they did it not against their Prince but onely to defend their ancient priuiledges The Duke on the other side raised an army to enforce them and the matter would haue proceeded to battaile had not the Pope quenched this flame making them friends but the Duke entring afterwards with a power into Vrbin beheaded some of the chiefe of the sedition and banished others consiscating their goods and then built a Cittadell at the Cities charge the better afterwards to conteine them in their obedience Don Iohn of Austria being at the same time in Sicily with a gallant Nauy and vnderstanding that the Venetians had made peace with the Turkes did by King Philips permission passe ouer with his forces into Affrick to â—…eate the sonne of Muleassem in the Kingdome of Tunis who for his intelligence with Christians had beene expulsed by the Turkes and had honorable entertainment giuen him by the King of Spaine in Goletta Being come into Affrick he landed his souldiers and in order of battaile marched to assault the City of Tunis where no resistance being made the Christians without any slaughter entred and sacked it then Don Iohn causing a fort to be built nere to the City placed Gabriele Serbellone the Milanois in it with three hundred Italians and himselfe with the fleet returned into Sicily About the beginning of the yeere 1574. the Venetians hauing intelligence that Selim armed at Constantinople fearing that he would not obserue peace suspected that hee ment to enterprise vpon Candy wherevpon they leauied 12000. foot-men to guard it and rigged their fleet making Iacomo Souranza their Generall but these preparations were needlesse for Selim turning his deseignes vpon Affrike to bee reuenged on Don Iohn ratified the peace and tooke from them all suspition of being inuaded by him sent Sinan Basha with a mighty army into Affrike to recouer Tunis and raze Goletta the which in one month he did Selim perceiuing all things to succeed according to his desire intended to breake his word and oth with the Venetians and to inuade the 〈◊〉 of Candy but whilest he made his preparations death ouerthrew his vniust and proud deseignes God so prouiding for the quiet and safety of Christendome Amurath his eldest sonne succeeded him in the Empire In the meane time Henry of Aniou entring Poland did vpon the confines in great power and magnificence meet with the chiefe of the Kingdome who conducted him to Cracouia where with royal solemnity he was crowned and whilest he busied himselfe with enquiring of their manner of gouernment beginning by little and little to order the affaires of State the Queene his mother sent a speedy messenger to him from France to aduertize him of the death of his brother King Charles and to aduise him to returne into France with all possible speed to receiue the crowne and to remoue those troubles wherewith by his brothers death she was entangled The King accquainted the Polanders with these newes telling them that hee was of necessity to returne into France to order the affaires of that Kingdome which were much embroiled But the Lords which were then with him at Cracouia answered that his departure could not be treated of but in the Generall Councell of the whole Realme who would send him so well accompanied as he should terrifie those that durst make any resistance The Generall Estates of the Kingdome were to the same end summoned to Cracouia but the King againe solicited by his mother to make hast and on the other side perceiuing that the Polanders did not proceed with such celerity as his affaires required and that they were vnwilling to let him goe resolued in secret manner to depart and in disguise by night leaping on horse-back him-selfe with three more went from Cracouia and with great speed hasted towards the confines of the Empire His departure was not long concealed for the Earle of Tericenia the Kings Chamberlaine with other Lords comming to his chamber and finding him not there did presently take horse pursuing the same way that hee had taken meaning to stay him and bring him backe but the King made such speed as they could not ouer-take him till he arriued in the Empires territories where they earnestly entreated him to returne with them which he not granting they went back againe to Cracouia The King in the meane time pursuing his iourney came to Vienna where the Emperors sonnes met him and within a while after the Emperor himselfe who very magnificently entertained him From thence he sent word to the Venetians that he determined to come and see their Citty Archduke Charles accompanied him through his Cuntrey vpon the Venetians confines he met with a gallant troope of Noblemen who came to waite vpon him with eight hundred souldiers the next day foure of the chiefest Senators of Venice came to him as Ambassadors and intreated him to come and view their city where all men with great desire expected him which he pro mising to doe the Duke of Neuers who was then in Italy came likewise to him and so altogether arriued at Maguera the farthest place of the firme land on the lakes where hee met with threescore Venetian gentlemen which came to waite vpon him and entring into a Gondola prepared for him together with the Dukes of Ferrara and Neuers attended by infinite numbers of Gondolas hee came to Murana where the next day hee was visited by the Prince and Senate with foureteene Gallies then beeing conducted to Lia hee went into the Bucentauro and with him the Prince and Senate from thence with great magnificence he was brought to Venice all that Channell betwixt Lia and the city beeing full of boates made in fashion of sea monsters wherein were all the youth of Venice ritchly attired with infinite numbers of Gondolas who rowed before and on euery side of the Bucentaure which was gently towed to Venice where the King remayning certaine daies the Signory shewed him all pleasures and delights that could be imagined and at his departure the Prince and Senate accompanied him three miles from the city where taking leaue of each other the King embraced the Prince giuing him great thankes for his royall entertainment which hee promised neuer to forget and in so saying gaue him a diamond of great valew entreating him to
ancient Venetians in that change after they had carried away with them their wiues and children and the richest goods they had did retire themselues at leasure into the places of most safety But being hindred by the incursions of the Hunnes all along the Sea-Coasts from tilling the Earth the poorest amongst them gaue themselues to fishing and to make salt or else to transport their neighbours Merchandize esteeming that gaine more honest than to till other mens ground some of the richer fort gaue themselues to the â—…raffick of forraine Merchandize others keeping their houses applied their wits to beautifie their Citie with new lawes and customes and yet neuerthelesse such was their care of Iustice and right was so maintained amongst them as in so great a multitude of people no strife could be perceiued The first and cheefest thing they gaue themselues to was the care of Religion and by so much the more as they perceiued any great danger towards from the enemy The presence of certaine Prelates did augment in them this common affection to godlinesse who for feare of the enemie to Christians had with their Countriemen retired themselues thither Their helpe came in good time not only concerning the Ministery of sacred things but to retaine this City as yet ignorant in ancient pietie and Religion from being infected with the poison of the Arrian heresie seeing that contagion did no lesse ouer-runne the whole Prouince than the Armes of the Hunnes After that they did contend and debate among themselues not on voluptuous matters but on pietie and continence Riches and other things whereof men at this day make so much account made no distinction amongst the Citizens for honor but wisedome only They did not regard mens sumptuous clothing but their goodnesse and to such without seeking for it did they freely offer their places of honor In a word a man would haue imagined that multitude not to haue beene fugitiue Citizens but Philosophers at their quiet studie And because wee would not haue any man thinke that wee feigne this matter to embellish our Storie any one that hath the leisure may reade that which Cassiodorus of Rauenna hath written concerning the ancient state of the Citie The poore saith hee and the rich liue there peaceably together vnder one selfe same equality of lawes without any difference of dwelling not knowing what enuie meaneth and ordering their liues in this manner they eschew the most common vice in the World I passe ouer the rest of his long letter which Bonitendius hath inserted in his Commentaries Such was the beginning of the Citie of Venice and after such a kind of life and in such exercises did she spend hir childhood afterward by hir virtue it grew and waxed strong And because wee haue as I thinke amply and sufficiently declared what hath beene the beginning of this great State we will speake some-what of hir first gouernment For I perceiue that those who haue written the Venetian Historie doe likewise varie in this Some of them say that the Common-wealth was first gouerned vnder the Consulary dignity by those who dwelt at Rialto They doe more-ouer affirme that Galieno Fontano Simion Glauco and Antonio Caluo who were then Consuls at Padua at such time as the first foundations of the Citie were laid at Rialto were the first that in qualitie of Consuls did gouerne the Citie at hir birth Some thinke that these men were the Authors of the Paduans flight and that their first arriuall was in that place and likewise the first buildings According to others I finde in these mens stceds Alberto Phalerio Thomaso Candiano and Paulo el Conte The third yeare of the Cities foundation they created new Consuls for two yeares Marino Linio Hugo Fusco and Luciano Graulo They say that these men were likewise created at Padua and sent to Rialto from whence may be easily gathered that the Cities foundation was altogether before the comming of Attila Marco Aurelio Andrea Clodio and Albino Moro were Consuls at the third election for the two yeares following I doe not finde who succeeded them But it is credible that this forme of Gouernement lasted till Attilas comming at which time all Ilands thereabouts being peopled in stead of Consuls they created Tribunes All of them in a maner say that the same hapned a little after Attilas comming and that about the sixtie yeare of the Cities foundation the Tribunarie dignitie began in the Ilands which were already inhabited For the Creation of the Tribunes the businesse was first of all debated as the maner is by a fewe after that it was concluded in a generall assembly of the Ilanders that euery Iland should haue a Tribune the Magistrate to be yearely hee shoulâ—… doe Iustice to his fellow Citizens and punish offences with seueritie But that which concerned the generall State of the Commonwealth was referred to the generall assembly of the Ilanders to be determined of That which we haue hitherunto said if it be narrowly obserued belongs to the Cities originall We will hereafter begin to speake of her infancie For diuers Historians greatly delighted in this kind of writing in number of whom is 〈◊〉 who haue distinguished the increasing of Cities according to the seuerall parts of mans life Infancie Childhood and Youth Now the Tribunarie Gouernment which neerely followed the originall thereof shall be rightly termed Infancie Wee will then set downe in order what passed within and without the Citie during the same after that we haue acquainted the Reader how that in the time of the Lombards which was during this Infancie the Citie receiued a meruailous increase For it hapned that the Venetians hauing scarce time to breathe after the Warres of the Hunnes did perceiue on a sodaine the Lombards so called by reason of their long Beards to be entred into Italy vnder Albinus their eleuenth King who at their arriuall did possesse and subdue all that which had beene shaken they did forthwith sease vpon all that which the Venetians held in the firme Land not daring to assaile them at Sea because they knew their strength to be great or else it may bee they deferred to doe it till a more conuenient time This Nation as it is reported came from Scandinauia an Iland of the Germane Sea who hauing often a long time before enterprised on the Prouince of the Romanes which lies about the Riuer of Danubie vnder Geodich their King he being dead they passed into Hungarie vnder Andouinus his successour then vnder Albinus thirtie eight yeares after their arriuall in Hungarie they came furiously into Italy where their power did so encrease as they haue commanded there more then two hundred yeares At the arriuall then of this people the whole firme Land belonging to the Venetians lost her libertie with the name of Venice and the Venetians State which was in the Ilands was limited from the Cape of Rising so named at this day euen
ruines of this ancient one are to be seene in the middest of the Sea Whereby may be coniectured how much ground the Sea hath deuoured since that time I dare moreouer affirme that that place was in the beginning called Medoac and since by the Modernes named Malamoc by corruption of the language like vnto diuers others The Albiolans amazed at the Dukes flight and those of Malamoc fell forthwith to composition the like did those few people which remained in Malamoc These being receiued by composition so soone as the victorious French man came to the Port of Albiola which at this day is right ouer against new Malamoc and had perceiued for he did see nothing but Sea on the one side and lakes on the other that he must either change his purpose or his manner of warre it is said that he sate a certaine time verie melancholie vpon the shoare with his face turned towards the enemie as though hee were deuising some meanes to giue end to that warre and that at last through the counsell of an old woman which is not credible he made a bridge ouer the water for his soldiers passage ouer to Rialto But concerning the counsell of a simple olde woman it is wholly ridiculous as if an old doting Crone had knowne better what did belong to a deed of so great importance than so manie thousands of men which followed the French seeing that diuers Italians most expert in marine matters and capable of greater things were then with him But admit that all those which were with him were ignorant of that meanes those of Malamoc which were taken prisoners could easily haue executed such an enterprise For it is not credible though some say it that there were none in that place which was in time past so populous but one poore old woman There be that haue likewise affirmed that they laboured first to ouercome them by famine but that the besieged hauing with certaine warre-like engins throwne loaues of bread into the enemies camp the hautie French impatient of more delay did foâ—…thwith ioine and make fast together diuers hogsheads or tuns head to head and couering them with boards made a verie long bridge Whereupon the Venetians perceiuing it did behooue them to fight for their libertie their Churches and for their owne liues and their childrens and for want of so doing to vndergoe the yoke of the proud enemie resolued to fight couragiously intending either to die fighting or to preserue their libertie to hazard their last fortune by that maner of fight wherein they were most exercised Hauing then imbarked themselues in small light boats apt for fight and saile the winde and tide seruing them after they had tarried for the ebbe they came furiously vpon the enemie who alreadie approched There began on a sodaine a bloudie battaile betwixt them sustained neuerthelesse by verie different courages For the French fought incited with a desire to spoile and to maintaine their former honour But the Venetians for their wiues and children for their publike and particular wealth and for their libertie which they held deerer then all the rest And because the bridge was weakely built and continually shaken by the waues of the sea the enemie being accustomed to firme footing began forthwith to stagger The Venetians on the contrarie trusting to the lightnesse of their vessels couragiously assailed them behinde and in flanke The bridge at the last being broken by force which some thinke hapned by the violence of a tempest which arose at the beginning of the fight there was in a moment a great slaughter of the french the sword on the one side and the Sea on the other presenting death vnto them The multitude of such as were then slaine and drowned gaue the first ground why that place by the which men turne from Malamoc to the Rialto was for that notable victorie called afterward Orphano We haue heard how the Venetians fought with good successe against Pepin the sonne of Charles We may then vpon a iust ground in some things compare the Venetians Common-wealth with that of the Romans as we will often hereafter doe For diuers things are to be found as well in the prosperitie as aduersitie of both the Common-wealths much like the one to the other It is certaine that the prosperous beginnings and encrease of both these people were wholly almost extinct by the Barbarians albeit the Venetians Common-welth was in some sort more new in the time of her first troubles than was that of the Romans in the time of the Senonians warre Yet notwithstanding each of them had the French for their enemies The Romans were assailed by the Senonians a Nation altogether vnknown before the taking of the Citie These by the Belgians no lesse couragious but more mightie then the Senonians because they were besides the forces of the Empire aided by the succors of Italie The Roman state had incensed the enemie because one of her Ambassadours had contrarie to the law of Nations iniured a Frenchman The Venetian because in contempt of the agreement made betwixt Charles and Nicephorus it had fauoured one of the parties The Senonians were masters of all sauing the Capitol The Belgians left the Venetians nothing but Rialto And both the one and other deceiued the enemie by casting loaues of bread These men defended the Sea bankes and the other a little hill Each of them haue valiantly repulsed the French puffed vp with the pride of his victories and happie successe But the first did it voluntarily and this by constraint But the Roman therein deserued high glorie in that all her enemies were slaine And the Venetians in that they defeated so mightie a king assisted aswell with his owne forces as with those of his Father and the Empire The preseruing of the Capitoll was cause of the encrease of the Citie and of the perpetuall establishment of the Empire That of Rialto gaue not only occasion of the Cities encrease but of establishing the Princes residence in a more eminent and magnificent place than either Heraclea or Malamoc Thus farre extended the Cities infancie Now followes her youth during which the Venetians after they had confirmed their forces did mightily enlarge the limits of their estate But we will returne to Pepin who amazed as they say at such a losse did forthwith raise the siege And after the French had spoyled all the places they went through he brought backe his Armie Some say that Obellerio and his brother being authors of so many mischiefes did willingly banish themselues and followed the enemie Others who make the Emperour Charles the authour of this warre and not Pepin doe affirme that the French after this losse made peace with the Venetian and came to Rialto where being honourably entertained he intreated the people to receiue Obellerio into the Countrie which the Venetians hauing vnwillingly graunted as the euent witnessed so soone as Charles was gone Obellerio
Author That there hath beene reckoned at times in Padua foure hundred families all Gentlemen and that which is more sixscore thousand men sent thereout to the warres at one time Eccelin after the massacre of the Paduans hauing shut vp with great Rampiers a little belowe Vincenza the Riuer Bacchillion diuided it into diuers streames and by that diuision he made the Citie more stronge and made diuers vses of it chiefely for Milles. The Bishop of Rauenna on the other side caused a great ditch to bee made round about the walles of Padua and by that meanes in such sort fortified the Citie as it needed no more to feare the attempts of Eccelin Then he marched sodainely being well accompanied to that place where the Riuer Bacchilion was shut vp The Gouernour of Vincenza equall to the Bishop both in strength and courage sallied with the troupes which Eccelin had left there in Garrison The fight beganne speedily aud held out long time without certaine knowledge which side had the better But word being brought in the heat of the skirmishe that the Raâ—…piers of the floud were broken downe and that the Riuer with great force was returned into the ancient channell the Bishop sodainely sounded the retraite Diuers warlike attemps were afterwards performed on either side but they are not fitting to be here set downe Some Authors affirme that the Pope in acknowledgement of the aide and succour which the Venetians sent him in his action graunted them that the Deane of Saint Markes golden Church should in high solemnities vse a Mitre and pastorall staffe which none of their predecessours could euer till then obtaine The Prince being oppressed with age after hee had fortunately gouerned the Common-wealth deceased the fourth yeare of his gouernment His bodie was buried at the entry into the golden Church Rainiâ—…ro Zeni was named Prince in his sted The end of the ninth Booke of the first Decad. THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The contents of the tenth Booke of the first Decad. THe occasion of the first warre against the Genoueses is handled in this tenth Booke Why the Venetians did seize on the Citie of Acre The Venetians victorie against the Genoueses betweene Acre and Tyre Aide sent by the Venetians to BALDVVIN Emperour of Coâ—…stantinople PALEOLOGVS seizeth on the Greeke Empire and expells BALDVVIN The Genoueses take three Venetian shippâ—… at the Bosphorus of Thrace The Venetians defeate the Genoueses and take foure shippes from them neere to the Hauen called the seauen Swine The Venetians besiege Tyre in vaine MICHAEL DORIA taketh certaine Venetian shippes at the going out of the Adriaticke Sea The notable victorie of the Venetians ouer the Genoueses in the view of the Sicilians neere to Trapani PALEOLOGVS in league with the Venetians Genoueses take Sydonia in the Isle of Candie Apopular tumult in the Citie wherein the Prince is wronged Eight Gallies of Genoa taken neere to Cyprus which are brought to Venice The Venetians victorie against the Genoueses in Syria at the same place almost where they wanne the first victorie The Venetians are denied victuailes by their neighbours Truce with the Genoueses warre with those of Bologna almost for three yeares space at the mouth of the Riuer Po Warre likewise against those of Ancona for the impostes at Sea The Common-wealth hath a new warre by reason of the troubles in Candie The rebellion of those of Cape Histria The Acoonitans after the Venetians had driuen them from Sea haue recourse to the Pope A great Earthquake in the Citie diuers incounters in Histria for a while against the Patriarche of Aquileia and the Prince of Goritia The Citie of Acre is ruinated and ouer throwne by the King of Babylon ¶ RAINIERI ZENO the 45. ' Duke of Uenice THERE was in Phaenicia one of the Prouinces of the Kingdome of Siria betweene mount Carmell and Sydon a Citie in times past verie famous called at first Ptolomais afterwards Acon by a more vsuall name Some Venetian Historians haue set downe Acre for Acon following therein the vulgar who so call it The Venetians at such time as the Christians tooke Hierusalem with a part of Syria had by an agreement purchased a kinde of title in that Citie and not the Venetians alone but likewise the Genoueses and Pisans who sent nauall Armies for the assistance of that warre Now the Venetians and Genoueses had in the same Citie a Church common to them both albeit they had otherwise a particular place and street a-part These being first prouoked with iealouzie and afterward with mortal hatred beganne to striue about the possession of the same Church The Venetians alleaged That by couenant made with Baldwin not onely a street but the third part of the Citie belonged to them and so consequently that Church was theirs which was dedicated to Saint Saba The Genoueses insisted on the contrarie not yeelding either to the couenants or to their felloweâ—… and there was likelihood that some great mischiefe might be fall the affaires of the Christiaâ—…s in Syria in regard of that contention But to take away all occasion of future diuision the whole matter was referred to Pope Alexander the fourth who louing equitie as well as peace did forth with conclude That seeing the â—…iuine seruice was common to them both the Church likewise ought to be so The Genoueses hauing notice of the Popes sentence sooner than the Venetians presuming on the good will which Philip of Montfort a French-man by Nation did beare vnto them who was Gouernour of the Citie they came not staying for the Popes answere and seized on the place and speedily fortified it in manner of a Castle Philip also vnto whome the Venetians complained was so farre off from redressing the same as on the contrarie vpon their speech That the thlrd part of the Citie belonged vnto them he commanded them to giue the people contentment to depart thence The Venetians disdaining to digest such an iniurie made a speedie league with Mâ—…nfred King of Sicill against the Genoueses But whilest they were busied in preparing their Armie the Prince of Antioch and the Patriarke of Ierusalem did sharply by their letters rebuke Philip counsailing him to gouerne himselfe morâ—… discreetly and assured him that if the Venetians were not reconciled to the Genoueses from whom they were seuered by his pride and their owne the affaires of Christendome were like to receiue a great affront in Syria by reason of that quarrell The Venetians vnderstanding the small account that Philip made of those aduertisements and that it was certaine that he would not change his determination either for admonitions or threats but that he would continue will full in the hatred which he had already conceiued They being wholly impatient by reason of the hainousnesse of the matter set presently forth thirtie Gallies well prouided which they had in readinesse at the same time in the Hauen of Tyre The Venetian Historians
befall those which haue not meanes to maintaine and defend themselues is to be shrowded vnder a lawfull gouernment and that they would finde it to be as pleasing in that they had recourse to the only Fort of libertie hauing cast off a Tyrants yoake as doth that man which hath escaped out of a terrible tempest when he entreth into a safe Harbor They might then depart when they pleased and take with them the Venetians Ensignes and in so saying the Prince gaue them to the chiefe Ambassador and erect them in the middest of their Citie which he wished might proue to the Venetians and them alwaies profitable and honourable and being so erected to hold them in reuerence Then he willed them to execute justice and equitie in regard they had in times past obaied the vniust commandes of Tyrants In this sort the Ambassadours of Verona were dismissed Those of Padua following their example came soone after to Venice They were entertained as the former and the only difference was that in sted of white the Paduans were clothed in purple The end of the eighth Booke of the second Decad. THE NINTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the ninth Booke of the second Decad. LADISLAVS King of Hungarie restoreth the Citie of Zara to the Venetians Warre for a while in Dalmatia by meanes of the Sibensans What great hurt a sodaine storme hapning on the thirteenth of August did to the Citie and places neere about The Scythians make incursions on the Faires of Tane PIPVS entreth violently into Italie with great troupes of Hungarians FREDERICK soone followeth him thither Diuers encounters with the enemies on the Treuisan and Forlane Certaine new Magistrates are created in the Citie How the Venetians by the contention of those of Vdina entred in Armes into the Countrie of Friul which is reduced vnder the Venetians obedience Strangers come twice into Italie vnder the conduct of LEWIS Bishop of Aquileia CARMAGNOLLA forsaking PHILIP VISCONTE comes and serues the Venetians Sundry opinions of the Senate touching the warre in behalfe of the Florentines against PHILIP And last of all war is proclaimed against PHILIP the Venetians being allied with the Florentines PEace continued three whole yeares as well within the Citie as abroad All which time according to those whom we follow we finde no memorable accident to haue hapned In the end whereof being the yeare of our Saluation one thousand foure hundred and nine Ladislaus leauing Italie departed towards Hungarie to possesse his Fathers Kingdome Hee made a stay in Dalmatia before Zara. This Prince was sonne to the same Charles who in the time of the Genoueses warre did for a while besiege Treuiso from whence being afterward called hee went into Apulia to reuenge the death of King Andrew on Queene Ioane his wife where he conquered the kingdom of Naples but returning afterwards from Italie into Hungarie he was murthered by his owne subiects He left behinde him his sonne Ladislaus who in processe of time being likewise called to recouer his Fathers Kingdome came into Dalmatia and recouered Zara after hee had for a while besieged it In the meane time being aduertized by letters that the Neapolitanes with diuers great Lords of the Kingdome were readie to rebell fully resoluing to returne into Italie he sold that Citie with her Territorie Hauen and other appurtenances to the Venetians for the summe of one hundred thousand crownes Whereupon Francisco Cornari Leonardo Mocenigo Antonio Contareni and Fantino Michaeli were sent thither with a strong Garrison to take possession thereof We finde in some others that the Venetians receiued Zara before the Paduan warre was ended This negotiation was very pleasing to the whole Citie as well in regard of the hauen which is one of the most commodious in all Dalmatia as also because it being reduced vnder their obedience did seeme to promise them the entire Dominion of Dalmatia as it fell out soone afterward Some say that the Venetians did together with Zara buy of Ladislaus all his Title to Dalmatia Whereupon they made generall Processions in the Citie and a decree was made That the same day should be kept holy Within few Moneths after there arose great dissension betwixt the Sibensans the Nobilitie holding for the Venetians and the rest of the people for the King of Hungarie This seditious multitude did put on Armes and hauing thrust all the Gentlemen forth of the Citie they tooke the publike gouernment into their owne hands Those who were expelled went to the Venetians and hauing promised to yeeld themselues vnto them entreated them speedily to passe ouer into Dalmatia to recouer Sabenica The Venetians did forth with arme foure Gallies with about fiftie other smaller vessells The Citie being besieged was not only well defended but the Venetian was expulsed thence with great losse whereby they knew that it behoued them to haue a greater Armie whereupon the Senate sent thither Lodouico Buccecharino with great supplies to besiege it by Land At his arriuall they built a Fort neare to the Citie and all the passages were shut vp that no victualls armour nor reliefe might come vnto it And besides Ambassadours were sent into Hungarie Giouanni Barba and Tomaso Mocenigo both of them being Prouidatori of S. Marke went thither The affaires of the Sibensans being for a while debated was by the consent of the Hungarian and the Venetians referred to Pope Iohn to be decided But in this meane time Marsilio Carrario and Brunora of Escalla being then fugitiues in Germanie did each of them by Letters and trustie Messengers solicite their friends to stirrevp rebellion whereof the Venetians being aduertized it did greatly trouble them At the last it was knowne by letters intercepted by chance that Marsilio would be shortly at Padua where certaine of the Inhabitants who were louers of noueltie had put him in hope to be kindly welcommed One of those who were faultie being taken and conuicted of the fact was cut in foure quarters And an other of them being brought backe from Ferrara to execution lost his head betwixt the two Columnes Diuers were reported to haue a hand in the conspiracie but the Senate were of opinion that it was better to defer the punishment till some other time thinking in the meane time that they had sufficiently prouided for the Common-wealth if by containing the Paduans in their dutie they should for feare of danger keepe the Tyrants farre from Italie They appointed fiue thousand crownes for reward to any that should bring either of their heads to Venice About the same time on the thirteenth of August there hapned in the Citie so great a Tempest of Winde Haile and Raine as diuers ships were cast away some being swallowed by the waues and others dasht to peeces against the Sea-banks Diuers buildings as well publike as priuate were ouerthrowne and among others S. Sauiours steeple Trees were pluckt vp by the rootes and carried farre
Castell of the Garrison and the other was taken as hee fled when he perceiued all to be lost But whilest Plaizancia was besieged Attendulo hauing crossed the Adda at Colombana went to waste the territorie of Pauia from whence he carried away a great bootie From thence the better to diuert Sforza from his enterprize he still marched vp and downe the territorie of Milan wasting and spoyling it where as wee finde in some Authors he seized on Melssa He had determined if Plaizancia had not beene taken to haue besieged Cremona Marcello being at the same time called from the Armie returned to Venice After his departure Lodouico Lauretano and Matheo Victorini came as Prouidators into the Prouince And because winter drew neere and the Armie not being able to lie in campe by reason of the cold weather they went to winter in the villages and farme-houses neere adioyning where the Common-wealth had like to haue beene endaungered by a mutinie amongst the souldiers Peace was again motioned by the commissioners of the Venetians and Milaneses who for that purpose met at Bergamo Those of Milan demaunded Lodes the Venetians on the contrary refused to surrender it vnlesse they might be satisfied for the expences of the warre And although the Florentines and the Popes Ambassadors did exhort both sides to imbrace peace yet neuerthelesse they would not bee drawne to anie agreement At the Spring although the Senate had wholy bent their designes vpon the war of Lombardie yet neuerthelesse because there was a report that two shippes of burthen returning from trafficke forth of the Ponticke sea had beene taken by Pirates there was a decree made to arme three ships of warre and fiue Gallies to chace those Pirates from the Seas Lorenzo Lauretano was appointed to commaund the Gallies and Lodouico Bembo the other shippes Sforza in the meane time was not idle but comming from his wintering places he tooke certaine townes from the Venetians The nauall Armie which was set forth against the Pirates as hath beene said defeated Vitalis Sarde whom it encountred at sea who not long before had surprized three ships of burthen who were going to the Vintage of Candie hee being taken was hanged Within a while after it surprized two other ships of Pirates neere to Naples where all those that were in them were likewise hanged Alphonso being moued with the matter commaunded all the Venetian Marchants that were in his realme to be imprisoned and their goods to be seized on The Senate sent messengers to the King to know whether he would haue peace or war and why without proclaiming war against them he had contrary to the law of Nations outraged their Marchants Factors Alphonso after he had complained of the Venetians for that in the view of the chiefe Citie of his kingdome they had suncke shippes which had offended no man and shamefully put their Captaines and Mariners to death who peraduenture had not deserued it tolde them that notwithstanding that iniurie was very great hee would not at that time re-sent it nor by anie meanes preferre warre before peace but that hee desired to haue the Venetians deale with him in such sort as hee might haue occasion to be at peace with them Therefore they might when they pleased depart and with a prosperous winde returne home into their Countrey with their Marchants and all their goods and thereupon he commaunded all the Venetian prisoners to be enlarged and all their goods to be restored to them Bartolomeo Coyone whom Philip for a time had kept prisoner who after his death had found meanes to escape and went to the territorie of Pauia where he vnderstood that Philips cauallerie wintered vnder the commaund of Nicholao Guerriero of whom he was kindely entertained and within a while after honoured by the Milaneses with the command of 15. hundred horse marched and fortunately fought with whilst Sforza besieged Plaizancia Renaldo of Dreux who after Philips death had beene sent by king Charles into Italie with a mightie French Armie By an accord made betwixt them against the Venetians the French had receiued the town of Ast of Visconte but after his death they not only seizd vpō Ast but vpon a great part of the Countie of Alexandria Coyone being accompanied with Asturo Fauentino went assailed them before Bosca which they held besieged in open field defeated them and draue them from their campe Diuers of the French were slaine in that fight and many were taken prisoners Coyone being renowmed for this victorie did within a while after go to the Venetians side with fifteeno hundred horse The Spring time was almost spent when as Sforza comming from garrison besieged Mozzaniga and speedily inforced the inhabitants to yeeld from thence going into the Countrie of Gyradade hee did in a short space become master of the whole Country Carauazza excepted He did besides take Cassan from the Venetians Attendulo likewise was incamped with his Armie at Calce beyond the Oglio And both the Armies remained for a time in those two places without anie exploit worthy of memorie At the last Sforza going from thence went by land and water against the Venetians nauall armie which wasted all the Cremonese All Quirino's designes aimed at the breaking of the bridge which Sforza during the siege of Plaizancia had caused to bee made vpon the Po neere to Cremona There was a sharpe fight and the Venetian did not cease to assaile it till hee vnderstood that the enemies approached Sforza had sixe and twenty Galeots which were not well furnished with men nor armor At his arriuall the Venetians were repulsed as farre as Casal-maior The Venetian vessels being there inuironed by the enemies both by land water were by reason of the vnfitnesse of the place in such sort beaten with the artillery which that skilfull Generall had planted vpon the Riuer bankes as being all bruzed and battered Quirini like a desperate man hauing about midnight caused all their tackling and furniture to be carried to the next towne burned the vessells for feare lest they should fall into the enemies hands Quirini being come to Venice was by the Senate deliuered ouer to the Procurators fiscall by reason that they suspected that hee had not done his dutie in sauing the nauall Armie The Procurators condemned him to perpetuall imprisonment Some thought that Quirini might at the first haue retired with the fleet into a place of safetie and that he would haue done so had not Attendulo promised him that so soone as he should beginne the fight hee with all his forces would come to his reskew which not being done the Venetian being betrayed did through an other mans fault receiue a verie great ouerthrow The enemy being gone from them for he needed no longer to stand in feare for Cremona went and incamped before Carauazza which was manned with a Venetian garrison Attendulo who had followed Sforza when he went
Senate being moued by these letters did presently from all parts cause great quantitie of Ordnance to be prouided and gold plate curiously wrought with many peeces of Scarlet cloth of Verona and a certaine summe of Duccates likewise for a present to the Persian king with an hundred young men skilfull in Gunners art to attend vpon the Ordnance whose Captaine was Tomaso Himolao Iosepho Barbaro an old Senator a man skilfull in the Persian tongue was appointed Ambassador for to carrie these presents to the king which loded three ships All things being in readinesse Barbaro imbarked himselfe and with a faire wind sailed to Cyprus from thence along the coast of Cilicia and Syria he arriued in the countrey of the king their friend Moreouer the Senate commaunded Mocenigo to make his fleete readie to saile with it whither soeuer it should please Vssan-Cassan to command it Mahomet in the meane time hauing left a strong Garrison in Constantinople marched with great forces into Asia to oppose himselfe against that warre The Venetian likâ—…wise because the common rumour was that the Caramani brethren associates to the King of Persia whom Mahomet had bereft of their fathers Kingdome did inuade the Sea-townes of Cilicia did at the Spring time in the behalfe of the king of Persia saile with his fleete to Cyprus from thence to goe to the aide of the Caramans He had as many horse and foote troupes and the same prouision for warre as the yeare before The Rhodians sent him two well-armed Gallies and the king of Cyprus their friend and allie gaue him foure The Venetian fleete being thus augmented sailed into Cilicia neere to Seleucia at the siege whereof Caraman was then encamped There is an hauen called Theodora which the Venetian fleete made good There in old time stood a Temple of Venuâ—… and the place by reason of the commodiousnesse thereof was much frequented by Pirates without the ruines of the Citie on the shoare there is at this day a verie ancient Temple to be seene builded of square stone Cassambet the younger of the Caraman brethren for the eldest whose name was Piramet and king of Cilicia remained in the king of Persias Amie sent Ambassadors to the Venetian who after they had congratulated his safe arriuall told him that the Caraman brethren had euer grounded their hope and trust on the Venetians in regard of the friendship and alliance betwixt their dead father and them that Cassambet had for foure monethes besieged three Cities of Cilicia Sichin Seleucia and Coric which if he might take he did assure himselfe in short space to recouer his whole Kingdome that he wanted nothing but Ordnance and other warlike engines to batter townes That he did entreate him to aide the king a friend and allie to the Venetians till such time as he had recouered his fathers kingdome which Ottoman their common enemie did wrongfully possesse The Venetian after that he had put the Ambassadours in good hope dispatcht Victor Souranza to Cassambet to consult with him concerning the forme of the warre He learned of him that of those three Cities which were besieged it behooued him first to take Sichin for that being taken the rest would presently yeeld Mustapha the Cilician was Gouernour therof a treacherous man and one that with his fortune had changed Religion and had in times past beene a friend to Cassambet and his brother who so soone as he saw their Kingdome to be taken from them did follow Ottomanâ—… Armie and did wrongfully seize on that Citie Cariolan Cepio of Trahâ—… being sent to view the towne reported that the Citie was seated on an high place but that the wall was weake and vnfortified the people vnskilfull and disarmed with other matters which did promise victorie The Venetian resoluing to besiege that Citie sent Lodouico Lombardo the Venetian with ten Gallies to Coric by Sea to keepe all victuals from comming to the inhabitants By land Caraman with his troupes did neerely presse the enemie the rest of the Armie drew neete to Sichin and gaue an assault but by reason of the difficultie of the place the town could not be taken The inhabitants waxing proud for that good successe did from the walles mocke the Venetians saying Get yee home O Venetians and command the Sea and fishes but leaue the Empire of the land to Ottoman The Venetian by an Herald of Armes sought to draw Mustapha to a voluntarie yeelding wishing him rather to make proofe of the Venetians loyalty and gentlenesse than of their Arms but perceiuing that the Turke contemned peace he gaue a more furious assault to the Citie and planting his Ordnance on the North side and hauing made a reasonable breach the enemie being daunted presently yeelded The Venetians suffering Mustapha with his souldiers to goe whither he would deliuered the Citie to Hisafa Caramans Lieutenant From thence going to Coric he did by the way meet with Zanchio General of the royall Armie with ten Gallies The Sea enuironeth two parts of Coric the rest on the land side hath a verie depe ditch fortified with a double wall The hauen lieth towards the East whose entrance is likewise fortified On the South side is the Isle of Eleusia three hundred paces from thence fortified with a wall of white square stone The Venetian from the poope of the Galley hauing curiously viewed the situation of the place made a signe to his Gallies to enter Thereupon the Gallies with discharging their Ordnance and in a shower of arrowes did winne the Hauen Mocenigo hauing landed his troupes sent to the Gouernour of the Citie to know of him whether he would yeeld and goe from thence He made a proud answer saying Tell him from me that the weake coward Mustapha is not heere but another who by his deserts commandeth the royall troupes which are heere in garrison The Turkish Princes doe vse to appropriate to themselues the fifth part of all captiues They make choice of male children from ten yeares old to sixteene If there be no captiues they doe by their officers carrie away children of that age in despite of their parents forth of such Prouinces as they haue wonne from the Christians These by constraint hauing renounced Christianitie are instructed in the Mahometan superstition and then are deliuered ouer into the hands of tutors who teach them martiall discipline and when they come to be men they follow the Prince to the warres The vulgar call them Ianizaries such among them as are wise and valiant attaine to great honours of these the Baschas Gouernours of Prouinces Townes and Castles are made Some of them lie in Garrison in the Cities and some of them remaine at the great Lords port to be neere him with their Armes when he rides abroad Out of these he chooseth a Regiment for the Guard of his owne person when he goeth to warre Ottoman had left many of these men for the Guard of Coric Ismael the
reedified The Pestilence begunne in Summer doth in Autumne make diuers places in the citie desolate A briefe Description of their Sea-trafficke Foure Gallies trading into France are taken by Pirates on the coast of Portugall Troubles in Friull by the sodaine arriuall of the Hungarians ROBERTO SANSEVERINO with a braue Cauallerie goes to the warre lately begunne neere Rome The election of MARCO BARBADICO who succeedeth MOCENIGO in the Principalitie of Venice A briefe Declaration of the warre of Rome betwixt Pope INNOCENT and king FERDINAND Three Commissioners are appointed to prouide all things requisite to purge the Citie from the pestilence SANSEVERINO dispoiled of his troupes returnes to the Venetians Their vsuall custome at their Princes funeralls The cause of the warre with the Archduke of Austria and sodaine commotions of the enemie on the very confines of Italie The beginning and end of the Rethicke warre The kingdome of Cyprus is ioyned to the Venetians Dominions by a conueyance made by Queene KATHERINE in her life time The inuention of harquebuzes and the recompence of such as learned to shoot in them An extreame cold frost at Venice and ouer all the Lakes A league betwixt the Pope Venetians and GALE AS SFORZA The preparations of CHARLES the French King for the conquest of the kingdome of Naples THat part of the Dukes Pallace which was burnt during the warre was from the foundation reedified this first yeere of the peace It is an admirable peece of worke and likely to last long The Citie was greatly molested with the Infection the next Summer which increasing in Autumne did make Venice very desolate This domesticke losse was accompanied toward the end of Summer with an other farre from home But before wee enter into this Discourse it shall not bee impertinent to mention the Venetians great industrie wealth purchased by traffike at sea There is no place in all the Sea from Gades betwixt Affricke and Europe towards Syria and Egypt in the Leuant nor from the North and West towards Bosphorus and the Fennes Meotides nor any place so remote which the Venetian Gallies haue not at all times frequented in trade of Marchandize It is almost incredible to thinke how the Venetian vessells doe ordinarily enter into the Hauens not onely of Italie but of Liburnia Dalmatia Macedonia and Grecce as if it were in the suburbs of Venice Wee will speake of those who at the Common-wealths charge are yeerely sent to take in lading in the remotest places of the world Of these foure great gallies bring home into Italie Spice Silke Pretious stones and Pearles from Syria and Egypt Three others goe into Lybia for gold iewells and slaues Two saile into Fraunce and bring home wooll and Spanish silke Others goe towards the Tana is and Fennes Meotides from whence they returne loden with Tapistrie and Emeraldes And besides this number foure direct theyr course into the French Ocean and from the Martes there loade themselues abundantly with woolls gold tapistrie and cloth of Flaunders According to this custome foure Gallies for this purpose were abroad vnder the commaund of Bartilomeo Minio who comming into the Spanish Seas mette with young Columbus nephew to Columbus the famous Mariner who with seauen tall shippes of warre incountered them in the night neere to the sacred Promontorie modernely termed S. Vincents Cape But although at first hee determined to assault the Venetian Gallies yet hee abstained that night and resoluing to fight with them came so neere as the prowes of the pirates shippes were asterne the poopes of the Venetian Gallies So soone as it was day Columbus assailed the Venetians who were inferior to him in men and vessells but superior in courage and resolution They fought fiercely for certaine houres space and with such great slaughter as is seldome seene in any fight with such enemies who rarely come to fight but vpon constraint Diuerse that were present at the bickering say that three hundred Venetians were slaine at that fight others mention not so many Among the dead were Lorenzo Michael Captaine of a Gallie and Giouanni Delfino brother to another Captaine The Venetians were wearied with long fight The Gallie Delfina was taken by the enemies whereupon the rest yeelded Some say that in one Gallie foure score dead bodies lay betwixt the prow and poope which spectacle the victorious enemie lamented saying in despite That the Venetians by their wilfulnesse had procured that losse The dead bodies were throwne into the Sea and the wounded set on shoare Those which escaped went to Lisbone and from thence were sent home Lisbone is a Citie of Portugall standing vpon the Sea I thinke it was in old time called Olisipone It is at this day very famous as well for the ordinarie residence of kings as for her great wealth The Venetians were there very kindely entertained by the king and those that were sicke he commaunded to be carefully looked to the rest according to each mans qualitie receiued mony and cloaths and were sent home into their countrey The Venetians are in ancient league with the kings of Portugall the which being deriued from the Father to the Sonne they inuiolably obserue They say that the cause of this league and friendship proceeded from the Venetians courtesie and liberalitie It is reported That a king of Portugall came in time past with a small traine to Venice to see the Citie where he remained certaine daies in disguised habite But so great a guest could not long be concealed For the Senate hauing intelligence that a Noble man of royall parentage lay in the Citie it did honourably receiue and conducted him to a goodly Pallace where he lodged being accompanied by certaine Senators to shew him the singularities of the Citie and to wait vpon him whither soeuer hee went At his departure they gaue him rich giftes and for his greater honor appointed some to attend him as farre as the Venetians confines This did the Venetians not as they thought to a king but only to a priuate person of blood royall At his returne into Portugall hee acquainted his Princes with the Venetians curtesie and liberalitie and made a Decree That his successors should for euer acknowledge the Venetians bounty towards him And for this cause the king of Portugall gaue such good entertainement to the distressed Venetians he did likewise commaund that none of his subiects should buy any part of the Venetians goods which had bene stollen from them The newes of this losse did greatly afflict the Citie the which exceeding as it was reported the summe of 20000. crownes touched some particular persons But the death of so many men did much augment their sorrow The pestilence at this time did greatly infect the Cittie in regard whereof the Senate was of opinion at that time not to reuenge that wrong but to deferre it to a fitter time At the same time there arose some troubles in Friull Certaine light horse sent by the King
Venice in all mens opinions is preferred before all other citties vnder heauen and accounted the goodliest of all Italy What cause then is able to moue you after so long absence especially your country requesting you to come home to refuse it You are to thanke the Senate for being Queene and for that you haue raigned so long in peace but it seemes you haue no desire to acknowledge it if otherwise you would not neglect and refuse their intreaty In a word I being your brother and one who ought to haue some interest in you if you deny me this request all men will thinke that it is not you which haue refused to gratifie the State but that I haue aduised you to the contrary whereby I shall purchase my countries hatred and blot my children with infamy And therefore Madame I humbly beseech you to graunt the Senates request and to respect me and mine There is nothing more worthy commendation than to know modestly how to entertaine Fortune when she smiles on vs and not to desire to be still on the wheeles toppe Almightie God doth sometime by aduersitie trie those whom he hath a long time fauoured to make them remember that they are mortall To conclude you can offer vp to his diuine Maiesty no prayer more pleasing nor sacrifice more acceptable than to submit your selfe to his will which you must be perswaded is that you grant your Countries request Georgio more eloquent by Nature than Art hauing thus discoursed with his sister preuailed so farre with her as melting into teares shee made him this vnwilling answer Brother if this be your opinion I will yeelde vnto it and will striue to ouer-master my selfe But our Country shall thanke you for my kingdome and not me Their departure concluded and order taken for all things the Generall and Prouidators commanded a solemne Masse to be celebrated in the Cathedrall Church of Famagosta then by the Queenes commaundement and in her presence the Standard of the Venetian Common-wealth was eâ—…ected in the Citties Market-place and by this meanes was the kingdome of Cyprus reduced to a Prouince The Queene and her brother did afterward embarque them selues traine and royall prouision in the Venetian Gallies and in short space in the middest of winter arriued in the hauen of Venice Shee was honourably receiued by Prince Augustino Barbadico and by all the Senate who met her at Saint Nicholas Church with infinite multitudes of people of all sorts who entring into their Gondolas did with great ioy accompany her Herselfe in the Bucentauro sitting in the middest of the Senate and illustrious Ladies of the Citie did in that magnificence enter Venice The like honour was neuer done to any Venetian Ladie and her arriuall was most pleasing to the people Not long after the Councell of Tenne presented her with the Castle of Azzola seated on the Treuisan hilles and appoynted fiftie pounds weight of gold for her yeerely expence with many other rich presents which they gaue her Within a while after the king of Tremisen in Affricke did by his Ambassadors request the Senate to send some Venetian Gentleman to do iustice to the Venetians that liued in three of his Citties The Senate to satisfie the king created a new Magistrate to goethither who for his entertainement should haue the hundred part of all marchandize solde by the Venetians Lodouico Pizamane was the first that was appointed to this office At the same time they builded a Fort vpon an hill neere to the Lake Ider not farre from Anfer a small Towne on the Bressan which did greatly secure the countrey About the same time there arose some contention betwixt Mathias the valiant king of Hungary and the Emperor Fredericke Mathias leuied two armies to inuade his enemie in two seuerall places the one hee sent into Friull and the other to the confines of Liburnia The Senate being troubled with this neighbour warre dispatched two Ambassadors Antonio Bolda to the Emperour and Dominico Bollano to Mathias who dealt so wisely with these two enemie Princes as they appeased them and procured truce for a certaine time Frederick in the meane time freed from warre came to Trent to knowe if the Senate would giue him leaue to passe through that part of Italie which stretcheth along the Alpes from the lake of La Garda as farre as Aquileia The Senate aduertized of his comming sent foure Gentlemen in Ambassage to him Ieronimo Barbaro Dominico Grimani who was afterwards Cardinall Paulo Treuisano and Ieronimo Leone who meeting him neere to Rouero did in the States name honourably salute and receiue him and accompanied him so long as he remained on their territories taking order that he should want nothing in his iourney They bringing him as farre as Portonouo which is not farre from his owne confines tooke leaue of him He sent three Ambassadors to Venice to gratifie the Senate for the honor and courteous entertainment he had receiued in their Countrey which hee tooke as a demonstration of their loue towards him From thence he departed home to his owne kingdome Now although the Citie was peaceable they did not for all that cease to prouide things necessarie for warre Harquebuses were at that time much in vse an engin which footmen vsed in warre deuised at first by the Almains The State vnwilling to be without such weapons when need should be did by a decree of the Councell of Tenne send for the expertest workmen in that Arte from all parts of Christendome and for the skilfullest gunners to instruct and teach their youth And because the Countrie people should not be ignorant therein it was decreed that in euery village vnder their iurisdiction two young men should be chosen to practize this exercize and for recompence should be freed from all subsidies and impositions and that those young men at a certaine day in the yeere should meete at the next Castle or Citie to shoot at a marke where his village that should shoot best was for one whole yeere freed from all taxe and tribute The ensuing winter was so sharpe and cold by reason of snow which fell as all the marshes round about the Citie was frozen ouer the Country people comming thither on horsebacke with prouision and the Magistrate of Mestre came in a wagon as farre as S. Secondo's in the middest of the lakes And the horsemen for disport armed themselues and ranne at Tilt vpon the great Chanell so sharpe and vehement was the frost Not long after Marco Barba Cardinall and Patriarke of Aquileia died at Rome Pope Innocent bestowed the Patriark shippe on Hermalao Barbaro the Venetian Ambassador then at Rome This being knowne at Venice notwithstanding that Hermolao was a man of great desert and had written to the Senate that the Pope had enforced him to forsake his order of Senator and put on that of Patriarke yet because there was an expresse law forbidding all Venetian Gentlemen being
would be reported to king Charles and Alphonso answered That in so difficult a businesse subiect to sundry accidents they knew not what was best to be done and though they loued the one better than the other yet they durst not deliuer their opinion because that Fortune is commonly Mistresse in warre and that it vsually comes to passe that matters done by chance and aduenture did oftentimes prosper better than those which are premeditated and debated with long consultation and therefore they ought to craue councell of none but Almightie God who onely knew what was best for men to embrace or auoide and with this answere dismissed them Now the forces which king Charles and Lodouico had sent before being come neere the enemies neither the one or other durst come to stroakes but marched close together being still protected by some fort or riuer which was euer betwixt them yet they made sundrie light skirmishes to shew their valour King Charles had sent the Duke of Orleans Iulian the Cardinall nephew to Pope Sixtus and Antonio Prince of Salerne of whom we haue heretofore spoken to Genoa with braue troupes of foote to man the Gallies which were ready rigd with them to open a passage by Sea into the Realme of Naples whilest himselfe did the like by Land The end of the third Booke of the fourth Decad. THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fourth Booke of the fourth Decad. KING CHARLES departs from Vienna in Daulphine towards Italy The King by reason of his sicknesse taries at Ast. The death of IOHN GALEAS Duke of Milan whereupon LODOVICO his vncle vsurps the Title and Armes of Duke of Milan The French take Fiuizana and sackeit PIETRO DE MEDICIS grants all King CHARLES demaunds and for his labour is driuen from Florence and declared an enemie to the Common wealth The King restoreth the PISANS libertie The French take Bertinora King GHARLES his victorious entry into Florence The King makes an accord with Pope ALEXANDER and kisseth his feet and cheeke ALPHONSO in loue to his sonne FERDINAND deposeth himselfe from the Kingdome of Naples FERDINAND retires into the Isle of Ischia King CHARLES entreth Naples and takes the Cities two Castles Aleague made at Venice against the French betwixt the Pope Emperour King of Spaine Venetians and Duke of Milan King CHARLES is crowned in Naples and departs from thence to returne into France The preparation of the League to stoppe King CHARLES his passage The Duke of Orleance his incursions on the Leagues territories he takes Nouara The battell of Fornouo betwixt King CHARLES and the Confederates And lastly King CHALES his arriuall at Ast. SOONE after the departure of the Duke of Orleance and his troopes towards Genoa King Charles leauing Vienna in Daulphine on the 23. of August 1493. iourneyed toward Ast by the mount Geneua Galeas of S. Seuerine met him at Suza and accompanied him to Ast whither Lodouico Sforza came presently to him with his wife and many faire and gallant Ladies of the Dutchy of Milan Hercules Duke of Ferrara came thither likewise where after consultation of sundry affaires it was concluded that the Armie should presently march Lodouico in the mean time retired to Num a Castle on the Milanois a mile from Ast whither those of the Councell went often to see him whilest the King tarried at Ast sicke of the small pocks whereupon his Army was quartered in that towne and in other places neere adioyning the number of it beside the 200. Gentlemen of the Kings guard accounting the Suisses that were gone before with the Bayly of Dijon to Genoa and those troopes in Romagnia vnder the commaund of Aubigni amounted to 1600 men at Armes 6000. Suisse and 6000. French foot-men And for the vse of this Armie they had brought by sea to Genoa great store of Ordnance both for batterie and the field with munition in such abundance as the like before was neuer seene in Italy The King during his aboad at Ast had sent for the Duke of Orleans from Genoa willing him to attend him there This towne belonged vnto him by his grandmother vnto whom it was giuen in dowry by the Duke of Milan her father Now so soone as king Charles had recouered his health hee sent his Armie into the field and himselfe went to Pauia where being lodged in the Castle he went to visite Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his cofin german the king and hee were sons to two sisters daughters to Lewis the second Duke of Sauoy who lay daungerously sicke in the same Castle His talke to him was generall by reason of Lodouico's presence he told him that he was extreamely grieued for his sicknesse comforted him and willed him to be of good cheere and to vse all meanes for the recouerie of his health But the hope thereof being small the King and as many as beheld him did lament his estate and perceiued that this young Prince through his vncles treacherie would not liue long This compassion was augmented by the presence of Princesse Isabell his wife who languishing aswell for her husbands sicknesse feare of her young sonne as for the daunger whereunto her father and kinsfolke were exposed fell downe at the kings feet recommending vnto him with floods of teares the perseruation of her father and familie of Arragon and though her youth and beautie moued the king to pitie her yet so great an enterprize could not be delayed vpon so weake a ground whereupon he told her that warre being now begunne he was enforced to pursue and continue it From Pauia the king went to Placentia where whilest hee remained he receiued newes of Iohn Galeas death whereupon Lodouico who had followed him returned in post to Milan where the chiefe of the Dukes Councell suborned by him prouided in open Councell that in regard of the States greatnesse and miserie of the times it would be a dangerous matter to haue Francisco sonne to the late Duke Galeas who was but fiue yeeres old to succeed his father but that it behooued them to haue a Duke that was a man of wisdome and authoritie and therefore they ought to dispence with Law and for the generall good enforce Lodouico to accept the Ducall dignitie Vnder this colour honour giuing way to ambition he did the next morning though he seemed to bee vnwilling take vpon him the Title and Armes of Duke of Milan hauing first solemnly protested that he receiued the Dutchie as belonging vnto him by the inuestiture of the king of Romans The King remaining certaine daies at Placentia was in a manner willing to returne home into France as well for want of money as also because no Italian Potentate shewed himselfe on his partie and besides because this new Duke returned no more though at his departure he promised to come backe againe Yet at last he determined to passe on The same day that the
those that were almost vanquished did at that time very cleerly demonstrate it For the Stradiots sent to assaile the French bagage began to spoile and to driue away the Mules and other wagons beyond the Riuer Their fellowes appointed to charge the French in flanke perceiuing that others returned loden with spoile incited by the selfe same desire of gaine fell vpon the bagage and by their example others both horse and foote left their files and went from the battaile to doe the like By this meanes the Italians wanting their lookt for fresh supplyes and the number of those that fought still decreasing nothing did so much incourage them as the valor of the Marquis who fighting valiantly did still abide the enemies furie incouraging his owne soldiers who much weakned by the departure of their fellowes that went to spoile and their enemies on euery side pressing in vpon them and no longer able to resist were enforced to flye and to attempt to repasse the riuer which beeing swelled by the former nights raine and by a great shower of hayle which fell during the fight they could hardly doe The French followed them very fiercely euen to the Riuer killing all those that fled taking no prisoners at all Whilest they fought so valiantly on that side of the Army the French Vantgard gainst which Count Gajazza brought part of his Cauallery presented it selfe in battaile with such furie as the Italians daunted because they were not seconded did of themselues fall into disorder and fled to the body of their Army which was on the farther side of the riuer wherevpon the Marshall de Gié would not pursue them any farther some afterwards reputing it to wisedome and discretion others to cowardize The Marquis of Mantua passed the Riuer in the best and closest order he could where he found his troopes so disordered as euery man with his booty thought on nothing but meanes how to escape but his presence and authority stayed that confusion The King with his troopes comming to his Vantgard which had not stird demanded his Captaines aduise whether hee should sodainly crosse the Riuer and assaile the enemies in their Campe but their opinions beeing various and also the troopes which had fought wearied they resolued to take vp their lodging and for that night they lodged on the hill in the village called Medezana a mile from the place where they fought Such was the end of the battaile betwixt the French and the Italians neere the Riuer Tarro where of the French side dyed scarce two hundred but of Italians more then three hundred men at armes and as many others as amounted to three thousand men in regard of which number of dead so disproportionable the victorie was attributed to the French though the Venetians challenge to themselues the glory of the day because that their campe and baggage remained whole and entire whereas the French on the contrary lost much of theirs and among others some of the Kings rich stuffe Wherevpon by publick Decree ouer all the territories vnder their obedience and especially at Venice bonefiers and other signes of ioy were made The day following the King remained in the same village and by means of the Lord of Argenton who parlied with the enemies truce was granted till night The next morning before day the King with his Army dislodged sounding neither dâ—…um nor trumpet the better to conceale his departure and all that day he was not pursued by the Confederate Army by reason that the Taro was exceedingly swelled and could not that day be foorded Sanseuerine whose selfe and soldiers had not fought in that battaile made an offer to the Marquis and Prouidators that if they would giue him a troope of light horse to cut off the taile of the Kings army hee by his incursions would amuze the French so long till their Army might ouer-take them His demand granted hee departed from the Campe with two thousand fiue hundred horse and by reason of the swelling of the Riuer tooke a longer way so as that day hee did not ouer-take the Kings troopes but so soone as hee drew neere them hee serued rather for a guide to conduct them to Ast then a disturber of their iourney so as it seemed that his request to the Marquis and Prouidators was onely to accompany and safe conduct the King His intent was afterwards knowne to bee such by Lodouicos commandement who when Bernardo Contaren would haue giuen in vpon the Kings reregard could not bee suffered so to doe So soone as the waters were downe the Marquis pursued the Kings Army which hee not beeing able to ouer-take sent sixe hundred horse after it to cut off the taile and to keepe it in continuall alarum who returned to him loden with booty The French at last comming neere to Alexandria tooke the higher way towards the mounts where the Riuer Tanare is most shallow and in eight dayes march without losse of men or other encombrances came before the wals of Ast where after the King was entred hee caused his Armie to bee lodged in the field The Campe of the league which had followed him into the Tortonois beeing no more able to annoy him ioyned with Lodouicos Sforzas forces before Nouara The Kings retreat beeing knowne at Venice the Senate commanded generall Precessions and publick prayers to bee made to giue God thankes for that by his retreat the Citty was freed from the danger which threatned it The end of the fourth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the fifth Booke of the fourth Decad. THe Venetians at Genoa arme by Sea against the French and take Rapalla in the Realme of Naples Lodouico and the Confederates besiege Nouara Peace concluded betwixt King Charles and the Confederates the King returnes into France The Neapolitans reuolt from the French bring Ferdinand into Naples A Generall rebellion ouer the whole kingdome against the French The Pisans giue themselues to the Venetians The Venetians ayde Ferdinand hee giuing them three Citties in Puglia The Venetians resoluing to defend Pisa against the Florentines send ayde thether King Charles determineth to returne into Italy and makes great preparation for it The Duke of Montpensier besieged in Attella is through want of victuals enforced to Capitulate and quit the Realme of Naples The death of Duke Montpensier and other great Captaines King Ferdinands death The pursutes of Lodouico and the other Confederates to haue Pisa restored to the Florentines The death of Charles the eight French King Lewis Duke of Orleans French King Coruin sonne to the King of Hungarie made a Gentleman of Venice Caesar Borgia sonne to Pope Alexander quitts his Cardinalls Hatte and is made by King Lewis Duke of Valentinois Lodouico procureth the Turkish fleete to inuade the Venetians League betwixt Lewis the French King and the Venetians The French King sends an Army into Italy vnder the command of Iohn Iames Triuulce And lastly the taking of Caruagio by the
hee houered two whole dayes before the Citty of Naples expecting some popular commotion in the Citty which had been promised but it was in vaine for the French tooke good order there for that time so that the third day after Ferdinand dispayring of any good successe made to Sea determining to returne to Ischia The Cittizens of Naples who had resolued to deliuer the towne to Ferdinand their plot being halfe discouered determined to make a vertue of necessity and to win or loose all according to this resolution secretly sent a small boate to call back Ferdinand intreating him to land all or part of his forces to giue incouragement to those that intended to rise in his behalfe Vpon this aduertizement Ferdinand returned againe before Naples and then landed a mile from the Citty which the Duke Montpensier perceiuing sallied forth of Naples with all his forces to hinder his landing The Neopolitans then taking hold on occasion presently tooke armes and at the first ringing of the Toxin or larum bell made good the gates and began euery where to cry Ferdinand Ferdinand The French amazed at this suddaine tumult thinking it dangerous to abide betwixt the rebellious Citty and the enemies determined to returne to Naples but they were enforced to fetch a great compasse to come to the Gate neere Castelnouo for that through which they came forth was seazed on by the Neopolitans Ferdinand in the meane time entred the Citty on horseback where to the peoples incredible ioy he rode vp and downe The French entring at the Gate next the Castle did their best to get into the heart of the Citty but their attempts were vayne for at euery streetes end they found resistance and night approaching they retired into the Castle to gether with the Duke of Montpensier Yues of Alegre a famous Captaine Antonio Prince of Salerne and many other French and Italian Captaines of note Those of Capua Auersa the Fort Montdragon and other townes neere adioyning and the greatest part of the Kingdome did the like Those of Gayetta going about to follow their example were with great slaughter preuented by the French Garrison who in heate of blood sackt the Citty The Venetian Senate hauing intelligence that Ferdinand had recouered the Citty of Naples wrote to Antonio Grimani that he should no more assault any towne of the Kingdome in the Venetians name but to remaine at Monopoli to know their farther pleasure The Pope vnderstanding that the Venetian fleet was idle intreated the Senate that it might saile to Naples to aid Ferdinand this was granted and Antonio Grimani leauing 100. light horse and two Gallies for the gard of Monopoli went to Tarentum which held out against Ferdinand But Grimani being there aflicted with a flix sent twenty Gallies to Ferdinand vnder the command of Contaren the Prouidator and himselfe with the rest of the fleet for he had in the meane time receiued new supplies directed his course to Corfou At the same time the Florentines being desirous by all meanes to recouer Pisa and the Pisans being to weake to resist sent secret messengers to the Venetian Senate to intreat them to receiue their Citty into their protection and to hold it for a member of their state At first the Senate found the matter to be of such importance as they made no great hast either to refuse or accept it yet at last some Senators beganne to tast this offer and to harken vnto it as they who with the deseignes and hopes embraced the entire Monarchie of Italy for obtaining whereof they supposed that the Signory of Pisa would greatly auaile them in regard that their antient vnion with other Potentates was broken and most of those who were wont to resist them weakened as also because that Citty would giue them sure footing in Tuscany and extend their bounds as farre as the lower sea and therefore concluded to accept it as an offer sent from God This opinion being approued by the greatest part of the Senate the businesse was consulted on by the councell of Tenne that the resolution of it might bee kept more secret whose opinions being various the matter was put off till some other time Lodouico likewise was greedy to impatronize this Citty and therevpon seemed very ready vnder-hand to aid the 〈◊〉 against the Florentines whom he entertained with sundry practises The Pope mooued by Ferdinands intreaties wrote at the same time to the Venetians to send part of their Army returned from the seege of Nouara to aid Ferdinand to driue the French forth of the Realme of Naples promising that Ferdinand should engage certaine sea townes to them till they were satisfied for their expence in that warre The Senate not fully resolued to send the Army to the King commanded Bernarao Contaren to go before to Rauenna with 600. light horse to the end that if they should determine to send it he might be so farre onwards on his way This beeing vnderstood at Rome the businesse was prolonged for Cardinall Ascanio brother to Lodouico made a proposition that the Venetians should assist the King in that warre and yet haue no townes engaged to them Ferdinands Ambassadors that came to Venice to make an accord following the Cardinalls aduice demanded the army but offered no pawne The Senate knowing that this was Lodouicoes practise who enuied their greatnesse did on a sudaine dismisse the Ambassadors not suffering them to remain a moment in the Citty The Ambassadors spent many dayes to pacifie the Senate and notwithstanding that they promised that Ferdinand should deliuer three of his best Citties with their territories vnto them namely Trani Brundusium and Oâ—…ranto they would hardly agree to it had not the Confederate Ambassadors there present interceded for them whereuppon a new league was made by which the Venetians hauing first receiued the three townes were obliged speedily to send 600. men at armes and 3000. foot to Ferdinand and the Treasorer to the State did deliuer to Ferdinands Ambassadors 150. pounds of gold by way of loane with diuers other conditions which the Pope approoued and ratified as one hauing interest in the Realme of Naples The League thus made Commissioners were sent to Ferdinand to receiue the three townes and messengers to the Marquis of Mantoua to will him without delay to lead his troopes into the Realme of Naples These things thus concluded and diuulged caused diuers townes in the Kingdome which the French held presently to yeeld to Ferdinand the like did the two Castles in Naples King Charles after his returne into France sent the Lord of Argenton to Venice to tell the Senate that hee accounted their State to be comprehended in the accord made with Lodouico because their Generals Prouidators were present at it in which regard he intreated the Senate to surrender Monopoli to him which their Army had taken from his subiects and that they would no more assist Ferdinand The Venetians sent him back without
last extremity being out of hope of hauing any longer truce with the enemies it being almost expired expecting euery day when Prospero Colonna with new forces would come againe to beseege it They should likewise assure him that the Senate would neuer faile of their duty hauing already made new prouision of souldiers for the land army of armour and munition and giuen order to arme certaine Gallies to amuze the enemy as well by sea as land and that the King should for his part doe the like The Venetian Ambassadors hauing executed their commission with the King in the City of Paris went into England to finish the remainder of their Ambassage where being curteously enterteined they declared at their first audience the great sorrow and griefe that the Venetians had for the death of King Lewis his brother in law a very mighty Prince and a great friend to the Republike then they gaue him many thankes for the great correspondence betwixt them for that in the conclusions of peace as well with King Lewis as since then with King Francis he was euer desirous that their common-wealth as his good friend should be especially named and comprized And afterward the Ambassadours being in priuate with the King did earnestly entreate him that it might please him by his authority to perswade the French King according to the desire he had to harken to the affaires of Italy to giue aide and succour to the Venetians and incite him to put in practize his said desire That in the meane time the peace and alliance betwixt them might continue firme and inuiolable from which would proceed nothing but good to both partes and bee very commodious for all Christendome After both the Ambassadors had in this sort accomplished their charge Iustinian remained in England with King Henry and Paschalic returned into France to doe the like there who beeing come to Paris receiued letters from the Senate whereby he was commanded to goe with speed into the Low countries to the Arch-duke to congratulate him for his marriage and for the peace whereof the common-wealth was very glad which they would haue to be signified to him by their Ambassador After this manner did the Venetians striue to entertaine the friendship and alliance of fortaine Princes fitting themselues to the time But their greatest care was how to find meanes to draw the Pope to their side and to ioyne him with the French whereof they had some hope by reason that Iuliano de Medicis the Popes brother who could doe much with his Holinesse had married Philiberta sister to the Duke of Sauoy and a very neere kinsewoman to the French King by which they supposed that hee would fauour the French and that the Pope in time to come would more encline to them then he had hither vnto done perceiuing that the Realme of France beeing strengthened both by kindred and confederacy with England and the Arch-duke nothing was able to hinder King Francis from growing great in Italy and from being feared there Yet for all that the Pope being tossed to and fro with his accustomed doubts and difficulties had no firme or certaine resolution for now he tooke part with one and anon with an other sometimes being vanquished with feare he inclined to the friendship of the French but he did oftner and more willingly discourse with the Ambassadors of the Emperour and King Fernand and made answere to the Venetians who spake to him about it that they might draw some thing from him that hee would bee a looker on and see what the issue of the warre would bee intending to ioyne with the Conquerour But hee did not imagin in his heart that the French King would euer passe into Italy so as if King Francis had already passed the mounts with his army yet he would not beleeue it The Venetians beeing acquainted with his humour sent Marin Georgio their Ambassador to Rome with expresse commission to tell him That he was of necessity to shew himselfe otherwise then hithervnto hee had done and to doe his best to alter his former opinion and to that end he should make the French Kings forces to bee very great and giue him to vnderstand how that seeing his Realme was out of daunger of forraine warres he might without contradiction and on a sodaine turne towards Italy wherevnto he was much enclined in regard of his desire to conquer the State of Milan that there was nothing so hard or difficult that was able to diuert him from this deseigne That the Venetians had the same will to renue the warre and to ioyne themselues with the French That they euer desired as well in peace as warre to be vnited to the Sea Apostolike to runne the selfe same fortune with it and had greatly laboured to haue it so But not being able to obtaine it of his Holinesse and perceiuing the hope of the victory to be very great on the French side the Venetians were resolued not to abandon their friendship and aliance thinking that by so doing they had discreeâ—…ly prouided for their affaires The which he likewise ought to doe hauing first maturely considered whatsoeuer might hinder or delay the Kings intent and finding none at all to preserue by so doing the papall authority and Maiesty together with the possessions of the Church That there was but onely one remedy left in all this which was that the Pope would vnite himselfe with the French and Venetians because that the Swisses being forsaken by his Holinesse and by his succors would of a certaine giue ouer the defence of Maximilian Sforza and lay downe their armes which they had taken against the French so as the confederates being depriued of that aide should be enforced to change their mindes the Emperour would no more thinke on the affaires of Italy and Fernand would satisfie himselfe with his kingdome of Naples wherevpon others might recouer what belonged vnto them namely the French the State of Milan and the Venetians those Cities which had beene wrongfully taken from them and thereby a firme and sure peace might be established All these goodly discourses could smally preuaile with the Pope to make him alter his opinion but on the contrary continuing firme in his first determination he thought in himselfe that he might easily induce the Venetians to doe what he pleased But perceiuing that to deale with them by faire and gentle meanes hee should neuer obtaine his desire hee resolued to vse seuerity and rigor Hee caused to be published ouer all the Churches territories that no subiects or Vassals belonging to the holy sea should vpon paine of most greeuous censures beare arms vnder the Venetians pay commanding al Captaines as wel of foot as horse to come with al speed to the Spanish campe with their soldiors and horses going about by that meanes in such sort to diminish the Venetians forces and reputations as being encompassed with so many mischeefes they should
all that induce him to make any braue resolution nor hinder him from thinking on an accord determining to accept such an one as it should please the conqueror to offer him rather then with his owne forces and those of his friends and confederates oppose himselfe against the violence that might bee offered him and hee had already begun to treate with the Viceroy fearing least the Imperiall forces beeing destitute of all meanes should come and fall vppon the Church territories and on those of the Florentines The Viceroy gaue a willing eare to the agreement which the Pope craued knowing of what importance it was for the confirmation of the victory and for the drawing of himselfe and the Armie forth of many necessities where-with they were oppressed supposing likewise that by his example all the other Princes of Italy dooing the like it was no more to bee feared that the French would euer afterwards come and raise any tumults in Italy The Venetians hauing discouered this treaty and knowing how many inconueniences the Popes safety would bring vpon them they not beeing able to diuert him from his intent proceeded slowly in their determinations without breaking off altogether with the Imperialls nor likewise contracting any other alliance with them but they sought to perswade the Pope that for their last refuge because they would not bee found vnfurnished if the accord which hee sought to make show of haue no good successe to leuy ten thousand Suisses and at the same instant to dispatch a Nuncio to the King of England to entreate him to succour Italy in such an vrgent necessity that they likewise would send an Ambassador to the same King to make the like request whereby they hoped to obtaine some speedy ayde of him such great enuies and distrusts had that victory procured vnto Charles But the Venetians perceiuing that the Popes intent did wholy tend to an agreement with the Imperialls they likewise resolued to follow him therein seeing they could not doe otherwise Therefore the Viceroy hauing sent Iohn Sarmiento to Venice to aduertise them of the victory they courteously enterteined him with great demonstration of loue towards the Emperor and they sent word to Lorenzo Prieuli and André Nouagero who beeing already gone in Ambassage towards Charles did tarry at Genoa that they should prosecute their iourney into Spaine to reioyce with him in the Senates behalfe for his gotten victory and to excuse their delay for not sending their Forces to the Imperiall Campe. Now the Emperor beeing aduertised of this fortunate successe albeit in his heart hee was pricked forward with a desire of glory and greatnesse which made him very ioyfull yet neuerthelesse shewing by his speech and outward gesture a wonderfull modestie hee assured all men that hee would vse it as it beseemed that speciall fauour which God had done him and for the good and quiet of all Christendome Wherevpon hee forth-with sent the Duke of Sessa to the Pope to offer him peace and to assure him that hee was wholy disposed to the peace and quiet of all Italy Hee caused the same speech to hee deliuered to the Venetian Senate by Alonzo Sanchez his Ambassador and by the Prothonotarie Carracciola who remained at that time in Venice But by how much the Imperialls seemed to desire peace and alliance with the Potentates of Italy at such time when as they should rather haue beene sought to then haue solicited others by so much more they gaue suspition that they practised high and secret enterprises hurtfull to the liberty of Italy which caused the Venetians to temporize without concluding or reiecting those treaties which the Emperor motioned The end of the fifth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the sixth Booke of the fifth Decade THE sorrow which did afflict all France for the Kings imprisonment and the Councels resolution The Venetians answer to the French Commissioner Accord betwixt the Pope and the Emperor The Marquis of Pescara demandeth the Castles of Milan and Cremona of Sforza Accord betwixt the Pope and the Venetians The curtezie which the King of England vsed towards the French King Agreement betwixt the Emperor and French King The King complaineth of the Emperor A league concluded at Coignac betwixt the Pope the French King the Venetians and Francis Sforza The King of England is entreated to enter into the league with his answer Lauda is taken by the Confederates The Duke of Bourbon commeth to Milan The Armie of the league retireth from before Milan The offer of the Pope and the Venetians to the King concerning the enterprise of the kingdome of Naples Genoa is besieged by the Confederats Francis Sforza deliuereth the Castle of Milan to the Emperor The Citty of Cremona is deliuered to the Confederates Rome is surprised by the Colonnesi and the Pope maketh an agreement with them The King of England giueth a great summe of money to the Pope The Emperors preparations both by land and Sea The Confederates prouisions to resist the Emperor The great leuy of Lanfquenets made by George Frondsperg in the Emperors behalfe The Marquis of Saluffes crosseth the Po with his forces Foscare exhorteth the Florentines to continue firme in their league The Spanish Nauall Army flieth from the Confederates The Pope seeketh an accord with the Viceroy Frossolona is in vaine besieged by the Viceroy The Confederates Army in the kingdome of Naples Aquileia in Abruzzo taken The Confederates take the Burrow of Sea The Confederates summon the Citty of Naples to yeeld Great disorder in the Armie of the league for want of pay The Duke of Bourbon commeth into the field to beseege Rome Accord betwixt the Pope and the Viceroy Cottignola is taken by Bourbon Great troubles in Florence Bourbon beeing come neere to Rome craues passage of the Pope to goe into Naples The Duke of Bourbon assaileth Rome His death Rome is taken by the Imperialls And lastly the great cruelties which they there committed The Sixth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe newes of the battailes losse with the Kings taking beeing brought into France the sorrow and griefe which afflicted the Lady Regent his mother and all the subiects cannot bee imagined yet neuerthelesse like a discreet and vertuous Lady shee determined by all meanes possible to redresse it and for that purpose hauing sent for all the Princes and Lords which were in France to come speedily to Lyons where shee then lay to determine and prouide for matters concerning the Kings liberty and the Realmes safety It was there resolued to send to forraine Princes to vse meanes for the Kings deliuery and among others to the Venetians and Gaspar Sorman beeing to that end sent to Venice from the Lady Regent hee declared vnto them in her name that albeit the Realme of France did not feare the enuasions of any but was strong and mighty enough to defend it selfe and willing to employ all her power for her Kings
the other side sought to enter into the Churches territories to defend those of the Colonnesi and to enforce the Pope to disioyne himselfe from the league and to giue him a certaine summe of money for the payment of his army wherevpon he set foreward and came with twelue thousand men before Frossolona where he encamped which is a towne very weake and seated in the Champaine countâ—…y the houses of particular persons seruing in stead of walles within which neuerthelesse the captaines of the Church had left a strong Garrison to keepe him from any sure footing in that country At his first comming he beganne to batter the towne not giuing any assault to it afterwards But the arriuall of Rance de Cera and Alessandrâ—… Vitelli with the Churches forces which were much encreased by the Popes dilligence who had augmented his campe with great numbers of foot-men paied and commanded for the reliefe of that place was the cause that after certaine skirmishes on either side the viceroy raised his campe two houres before day and set fire to certaine munitions which were left leauing there behind him some bullets for great ordnance and retired to Cesenna and from thence to Cepparane This fortunate successe encouraged the Pope and at the entreaty of the confederates Ambassadors whom he could not otherwise satisfie he resolued to execute the enterprize of the Kingdome of Naples notwithstanding that it was in the middest of winter being the month of Ianuary in the yeere 1527. The Venetians for this purpose commanded Augustine de Mulla their Prouidator in the nauall army to bring it to Ciuitauecchia and ioyning there with the Popes gallies to saile together towards Naples But the French army tarrying to long that of the Venetians sailed towards Terracina to take in three thousand foot conducted by Horatio Baillon who was freed by the Pope from his imprisonment wherein Pope Leo had confined him At the same time the Earle of Vaudemont came from France to make one in the enterprize of Naples which they resolued to enuade by sea and land who determining to imbarke himselfe in the Venetian gallies they re-enforced their army with two thousand foot Rance de Cera in an other place against the Popes will entred into Abruzzo with sixe thousand men where by the meanes of the Earle of Montorias children he did hope with ease to take Aquila the which he forthwith did by reason that Ascanio Colonna fled from thence so soone as he had intelligence of their arriuall Doria likewise sailed before with his gallies and went and assailed Pozzola a place very important for the confederates in regard of the commodiousnesse of the hauen of Baja but being at his first arriuall repulsed by the artillery he dislodged from thence without assailing it afterwards other gallies of the league arriuing they resolued to assaile the sea Burrow of Stabia where Diomede Caraffa lay with fiue hundred footmen the which was taken by assault on the third day towards the side of the hill and the day after the castle yeelded The tenth day the souldiers tooke the Greeke tower and Surrenta by force diuers other places on the coast did within a while after yeeld on composition They had before then taken certaine ships laden with corne which were going to Naples where victuals were very scarce Now the army of the league finding no resistance at sea it came so neere to the Peere of Naples as the castle and the gallies plaied vpon it with their shot It was then consulted on whether it were necessary to beseege the city some saying that by the taking thereof the warre would be ended they hauing taken from the enemies all meanes to come by money for the entertainement of their army as also because their greatest hope of being able to keepe that State consisted in the conseruation of that city the which being lost they would forth-with leaue the Kingdome and retire to some other place Diuers reasons might incite them to that seege First of all the small numbers of souldiers which were in the city and yet that small number not well disposed to put themselues forward to dangers for the maintenance of the insolent Dominion of the Spaniards Secondly the Nobility stood badly affected to the Spaniards who for feare of loosing their goods durst not shew their discontent and last of all the Viceroys absence who was farre from thence and the small expectation which the Spaniards had of any speedy releefe from their fellowes Others who weare of a contrary opinion thought it best to â—…arry for Rance de Cera the better to shut in that city with greater forces on which they knew the whole end and successe of the warre depended to the end to proceed therein more considerately and with greater hope the delaying of a small time could not but prooue very commodious to them because they certainely knew that there was want of bread in the city and if succors did enter into it the scarcity would thereby be the more augmented and would be cause of the people 's disordered rising which would open a more easie passage to their victory and that therefore it behoued them in wayting for such an occasion to saile towards Salerno to seize on that city and others neere adioyning whereby Naples it selfe would at last be brought vnder their obedience But these reasons being not much approued nor thought worthy to be equaled with the profit which was to bee hoped for by the then taking of that City they resolued to send an Herald to summon those within it to yeeld the city to the consederates with the promises and threatnings determined in the councell Don Hugo of Moncada who commanded there and held the people in awe determining to defend himselfe so soone as he had notice that the army of the league was within foure miles of the City tooke two thousand fiue hundred foote as well of the Garrison as of the people and three hundred horse and with them marched forth of the City to shew that he wanted no courage to frustrate the enemies deseignes Those of the league â—…ad already landed diuers souldiers vnder the command of the Earle of Vaâ—…demont and Horatio Baillone who marching towards the City to make discouery met with Don Hugo his troupes and skirmishing together they did put them to flight in such disorder as they left certaine field-peeces behind them which Moncada hauing made a stand with his Spaniards recouered and by reason thereof hauing delaied his retreat he was so amazed as he had not the leisure at his entry to plucke vp the draw-bridge and to shut the gate the which standing open was on a sodaine seized by Baillone who followed him at the heeles hauing no great numbers of souldiers with him and considering that if hee should enter he could not keepe them from the spoile which would cause them all to be cut in peeces he retired to the gallies which
such time as the three first Gallies which seemed to flie towardes the maine sea returning vpon the enemies strooke the Admirall Galley vpon the broade side and sunke two others two were taken by Doria and two others which had beene sore beaten committed themselues to â—…light perceiuing that the enemies were victorious There dyed at this incounter of cheefe Commanders Don Hugo the Viceroy and Caesar Fieramosea with more then a thousand men of the ordinary companies there were taken prisoners the Marquis of Guasto Ascanio Colonna the Prince of Salerno Santa Cruz Camillo Colonna Gobba Serenon and diuerse other Captaines and Gentlemen whereby the Citty of Naples was bereft of her best and brauest defendants During these exploits at sea Petro Lande Generall of the Venetians sea-army arriued before Naples with twenty Galleys who came from Puglia where hee had taken the sixe Citties belonging to the Venetians His arriuall did greatly profit the French and annoy the enemies because that hauing left sixe Galleys at Gayetta and as many at Cumes hee with the residue scowred all places neere to Naples did shutte the sea from the besieged suffering nothing to enter into the Citty and stopt their passage who were come foorth of the Towne to runne vp and downe along the Sea side who durst not returne for feare of the shotte of the Venetian Galleis he did beside seaze on diuers places where their mills stood whither those of the Citty did vse to send their corne to be ground whereby they were enforced to vse hand mills or to eate their graine beeing vn-grownd which was distributed vnto them foorth of the munition Besides it did greatly serue for the safe and more easie bringing of victualls to the Army which came fâ—…om sea whereof there was great scarcity as well by reason of the great nomber of vnprofitable eaters that were there as of the great dearth which was then generally ouer all Italy and likewise in regard of the small care of the Captaines At the same time the Lord of Barbezieuz being come from France to Sauona with money for to pay the Army and hauing sent it by sea into the kingdome great difficulties were made for the bringing it to the Campe the Lord Lautrec sendeth forces to the sea-side to receiue the money but the Gallies beeing not able to come to land by reason of the working of the Sea the Marquis of Salusses returned the day following with his Lances and a strong band of Gascons Suisses Lansquenets and of the black-bands Wherevpon at their returne they mette with the Imperialls who were come foorth of Naples in great troopes to assaile them and to take away the money who were valiantly repulsed by Valerio Vrsino with the Venetian troopes and by Hugo de Pepoli Captaine of the Florentines to their great losse and hurt but Hugo de Peopli hauing too farre pursued the runne-awayes was within an Harquebuze shotte of the Battaillon of the black-bands taken prisoner by the Imperiall horse-men Hithervnto had the affaires of the league prospered with hope of giuing a speedy end to the warre by the conquest of the Realme of Naples but within a while after euident signes began to appeare not of the declination of their good fortune but of their entire ruine fortune in a manner declaring that shee could no longer fauour the affaires of the French in Italy For the Armie was afflicted with diuerse sodaine diseases sundry occasions occurring as first of all the celestiall influence which the same yeare had in diuerse places caused contagious sicknesse next their aboade there in the moneth of August when as the Soldiors liuing carelesly did greedily and in aboundance eate of all manner of fruites but that which did most hurt them was the waters which beeing for diuerse moneths turned foorth of their ordinary channells and courses had well neere drowned the whole Counttey round about and infected the ayre The Lord Lautrec being greatly troubled by these difficulties either enforced to continue the siege with these discomodities or else to enlarge his troopes farther of was councelled by all the Captaines to send the soldiers into the territories neere at hand and by separating them in that manner to take from the disease which was already become contagious the cause of any greater progression and giue meanes to the diseased to heale and to looke to themselues But that which did most of all torment the Lord Lautrec was for that hee perceiued the victory which hee had almost obtained to be snacht foorth of his hands and that by enlarging his troopes hee knew very well that the Imperialls who had great numbers of horse to send abroad and finding no resistance at all would haue meanes to prouide for all their discommodities Hee vnderstood dayly how that Simon Roman whom hee had sent into Calabria had fortunate successe that all those people hauing a particular inclination to the French did yeeld vnto him that the townes and Hauens of Puglia were in the hands of the Venetians that Abruzzo was from the beginning at the deuotion of the French that the Spaniards were already in a manner driuen forth of the whole kingdome and yet neuerthelesse that all these happy conquests would turne to nothing if by temporising they should giue any relaxation to those of Naples who were already reduced to great extremity and lose the occasion of taking that Citty whereon depended the good or bad successe of that enterprise Besides hee was ashamed to see the Spaniards who were afflicted with greeuous diseases and discommodities should constantly beare them without enduring any speech of yeelding whereas the French at the first touch of aduerse fortune did strike sayle and seemed to bee ouer-come by the vanquished Hauing afterwards receiued a farre lesse summe of money out of France then hee expected or was needfull for the paiment of the Army hee dispaired of beeing able any longer to entertaine it But that which did most of all torment him was to see himselfe to bee constrained to enforce his owne nature beeing not wont willingly to heare nor esteeme an other mans opinion and least of all to giue ouer a resolution which hee had once taken Wherevpon notwithstanding that occasion was dayly offered to change his minde and to fitte himselfe to time yet for all that hee would neuer consent to discampe nor suffer any man to depart thence vntill that extreame necessitie enforced him to doe that which reason might haue perswaded him to because that meane soldiers alone did not dayly dye but the very cheefe of the Army and among others Lodouico Pisani and Petro Pesare the Venetian Prouidators and the Earle of Vandemont within a while after diuerse beeing stricken with the contagion retired to Gayetta and to other places In the meane time a new accident did more trouble him then all the rest and caused him wholy to despaire of any fortunate enterprise which was the determination
the King for that wherewith hee cause lesly did presse them and for this end they chose Gâ—…sparo Pineli Secretary to the Signory to goe speedily into France to giue the King to vnderstand that for their part all things were in readinesse to renue the warre and that there was nothing wanting but his presence promising to send forthwith their troupes to meet him to the end that with greater safety and speed they might execute some notable enterprize At the same time the Bandetti of the Realme of Naples came into the field in sundry places of the Kingdome and did extreamely presse the Imperials whereby Rance de Cera did promise to himselfe some good successe being supplied with money and with certaine foot companies he had by sundry messengers acquainted the King therewith who from him did represent vnto his Maiesty the State of the affaires that he might obtaine the supplies that he craued the which albe it they were promised to be sent with the army were neuerthelesse delayed from day to day to the great preiudice of their league by giuing time to the Imperials to renue and augment their forces for the report of the Emperours comming had caused diuers Barons and people of the Kingdome to change their purposes diuers of them being desirous to insinuate themselues into his fauour some to obtaine pardon and others to get offices and immunities in the Realme so that the Prince of Orange being gonne into Abruzzo recouered Aquila by composition by drawing forth of the city and the whole country neere adioying an hundred thousand Ducats for the payment of his army from thence he sent forces to Matriâ—…a where Camillo Parde lay in Garrison with foure hundred foot-men who beeing gon forth thereof a little before promising to returne so soone as the Imperials should approach it the foot-men that were within it went ouer the walls and left it whereby the towne was yeelded This notwithstanding the successe of the Imperials was not so good in Puglia where treason being secretly practized in Barletta and discouered Iulio of Naples captaine of certaine foot forces and some of the townesmen as authors and complices of the Rebellion were put to death Besides the Venetians hauing drawne horse-men forth of Greece into the same Prouince they ioyned with those o Simon Romano and all of them together scouring the Country did assure it and kept the waies open to victuals hauing driuen Pignatello Count of Borella forth of the whole Prouince Now the Marquis of Guasto beeing come into Puglia would not deale with Barletta a very strong and well fortified city but went and encamped before Monopoli with foure thousand Spaniards and two thousand Italians and lodged in a small bottome couered by the mountaine so as he could not be hurt with the towne ordnance wherein lay Camillo Vrsino Andre Gritti gouernor of the city and Iohn Vitturt the Prouidator vnto whom Rance de Cera forthwith sent three hundred foot-men by the Gallies The Marquis then caused a great Bastion to bee made right ouer against the walles within Harguebuze shot and two others vpon the sea shore on each side one Then hauing battered the towne and made a breach hee gaue an assault where he lost aboue fiue hundred men and great numbers of Pioners with three peeces of ordnance that were broken wherevpon he retired a mile and halfe further off because that the cities ordnance did him much hurt in the place where he was lodged which caused the Venetians to sally forth and to assaile the bastions that he had made where they slue aboue an hundred men and then they assured the Hauen by a bastion made vpon their shore opposite to that of the enemies The Marquis being newly returned before Monopoli and hauing made two Caualiers with two trenches two hundred foot men sallied forth of the towne and burned his workes After that the Marquis making an other approach on the right side of the battery and causing a bastion to be made behind he planted the ordnance vpon it and did beate downe three score fathome of the wall within foure fathome of the ground but hauing intelligence that new companies had entred the towne the same night sent by Rance de Cera he withdrew his ordnance and at last discamped wherevpon being come to Conuersa he afterwards retired to Naples The braue resistance of Monopoli and the retreate of the Marquis did greatly encourage the Confederates so that diuers Barons and others repenting that they had gonne to the Imperial party shewed themselues very ready for a new rebellion the which emboldened the souldiers and captaines of the league to vndertake some enterprize This being reported to the Senate perceiuing that their nauall army remained idle at Corfou expecting the arriuall of the French army they commaunded their Generall to saile into Puglia where beeing arriued he cast ankor neere to Brundusium hoping as it came to passe that those of the towne prouoked by a particular affection towards the Venetians would forthwith yeeld The city beeing yeelded on conditions was preserued from spoile and from all wrongs of the souldiers and Iohn Francisco Iustinian was made gouernour thereof as Magistrate for the Signory and presently afterwards they begannâ—… to batter the castles the charge thereof was committed to Camillo Vrsino who hauing in short space brought them to a streight passe could not for all that enforce them to yeeld by reason of their hope ere long to see the Imperiall nauy vpon that sea The Venetian army in the meane time did from the Cape of Otranto molest the whole country to the great hurt of the Imperials Simon Romano died at that exploite who was a valiant and couragious person The affaires standing at this stay the Prince of Orange knowing that the Confederates forces were not so meane and weake as they could easily bee driuen forth of the Realme neither yet so mighty as they were able to make any progression of great importance Or perhaps because that the Emperour would haue the Popes content preferred before all other matters that hee might haue him for his friend and confederate at his comming into Italy after that he had put strong garrisons into the most important places he turned with the residue of his forces towards Perusa to driue Malateste Baillone thence and from thence to enter into Tuscany to restore those of Medicis to their country The behauiour and approaches of the Prince did cause the Duke of Vrbin to suspect that he went about to enuade his State wherevpon he departed sodainly from the army to goe and prouide for his owne territories The Venetians were not well pleased with their Generalls departure in so trouble some a season as well for their owne interests as for feare of the suspition of the French who by that accident taking some occasion of a feigned suspition might grow slow in the prouisions for warre Therefore the Senate determined with
time defended but beeing at last enforced to quit the place the Venetians tooke it There were found in it diuers small peeces of ordnance and 18. great peeces which the Prouidator presently sent to Venice and by a mine ouerthrew the fort to the foundations which beeing speedily done and leauing a sufficient Garrison in Cattarra hee returned with his Gallies to Corfou where the fleet remained Diuers consultations were made at Rome that winter concerning preparations for warre against the next Summer knowing what time they had giuen the enemies to repaire their losse receiued at the battell of Lepanto therfore they concluded to augment the Confederates force to the number of 300. Gallies 60000. footmen there was likewise a proposition made to send a hundred Gallies betimes into the Leuant not staying till all the fleet were vnited which should be at Sea before the enemies who as it was reported did intend to keepe all supplies from Candy and to wast the Venetians Sea-coasts But all these propositions vanisht into aire The Venetians not meaning wholly to depend on fortune did speedily place strong Garrisons in the Castles and forts of the Island and sent many foot-companies thither in the meane time earnestly soliciting the Pope to augment the force of the league and that it would please him to assist them with certaine summes of money toward their great expense putting him in mind how that his Predecessors had in former times vpon lesse occasion giuen leaue to sell Church-possessions His Holinesse not altogether granting their demands did permit 100000. Ducats belonging vnto the tenthes of the Clergie vnder their Dominions At the same time diuers Conferences had beene held at Constantinople concerning peace for the Turkes hauing intelligence of the vniting of the Christian fleet and doubting the successe of warre had oftentimes motioned peace to the Venetian Baily there the Visier Bascha seemed then more then euer desirous of it whose authority and reputation had beene much augmented since the battell wherevpon contrary to the opinion of others he disswaded the great Lord from warre He thought it then a fit time to motion it whilst Selim danted with the vnlookt for losse of the battaile seemed to incline to peace and that the Venetians likwise vpon some aduantage might wish for it This inclination of Mahomet once knowne the people who by reason of the discomodities of war did greatly desire it bruted it abroad ouer the Citty that the force of the Confederate Princes was great These rumors being entertained as true and worthy credit by those who wisht for peace and beeing related to Selim induced him to permit it for to bee motioned vnto the Baily Mahomet therevpon began freely to conferre with him making vse therein of the helpe of Oriâ—…bey the chiefe Dragoman and Rabi Salomon a Iewish Phisition who beeing familiar in the house of the Visier Bascha were often imployed in affaires of great importance The Bayly hauing aduertised the Senate heereof it seemed not greatly to like of the motion desiring rather to continue warre prouoked therevnto on hope of better successe making account that their late victory would giue greater reputation to the Confederate forces Yet when they considered how many notable opportunities they had lost and spent much time vnprofitably they were willing to change their opinions and wiâ—…h new resolution to lend an eare to these motions of peace the better to secure their owne exposed to the vncertaine euents of fortune This was propounded in the Councell of Tenne that it might with more secrecy and greater speed bee effected In this Councell the Senators were at first of various opinions For many of them were possest with their former hotte inclination to warre by reason of the promises of Christian Princes who doubting this treaty did then more then euer promise to assist the league Wherevpon Lorenzo de Priuli sent Ambassador into Spaine insteed of Leonardo Donato Secretary Perez and Doctor Velasco who at that time managed the most important affaires of that Court visited him more then ordinary making such impression in the new Ambassador as themselues desired and vsed all their skill to perswade him that their King had euer stood affected to the league and at that instant more resolute then euer to pursue the warre affirming that his Maiesty had written to his officers in Italy to make speedy preparations and to auoyde the long delayes of the precedent yeare and that Don Iohn on the other side had promised to ioyne with the Venetians with the onely force of Italy not tarrying for that of Spaine The Emperor likewise who by no offers could till then be diuerted from his resolution suspecting only that the Venetians had an intent to make peace with the Turke told the Venetian Ambassador resident in his Court that he would ioyne with the league These new offers caused the Venetians to proceed slowly in the treaty of peace already propounded but Prince Mocenigo euer inclining more to peace then to the league assembling on a time the Councell of Ten spake to them in this manner When at first we determined to take armes for our own defence and with a generous courage imbraced warre against Selim I do not thinke it was done with intent to continue it long but onely to make proofe of fortune to manifest the valour of our own Common-wealth the strength of Christian Princes and to purchace to our owne State and all Christendome greater safety against the power of that insolent common enemy It is certaine that war is ordained for peace and that the end of our dangerous trauailes is quiet and safety I now suppose that experience of matters hapned at that time may more then sufficiently instruct vs what our condition will be if wee continue warre any longer what end wee may hope thereof and what recompence for so great expences trauailes The first yeare vainly presuming to ioyne our force with strangers for the releefe of the Kingdome of Cyprus we lost the famous citty of Nicosia neuerthelesse without declining from our former resolution wee continued our warlike preparations drawne to it by hope of entring into a strict confederacy with Christian Princes thereby to recouer our late losse God miraculously gaue vs such a victorie ouer our enemies as wee could not haue desired a greater and yet I know not by what fault or misfortune of our owne the citty of Famagosta was taken and we enforced to quit the entire possession of that kingdome to the vanquished enemy but the ioy and contentation of winning the battaile tooke from vs the feeling of a greater and more certaine losse Wherevpon with like speed and earnestnesse we made great preparations the third yeare augmented our Army and spared for no cost Wee may now perceiue what good all this hath done vs. Our Galleys haue beene a long time idle at Corfou expecting the Confederate supplies and then when we hoped most that all difficulties
Venetians But it is farre more pâ—…obable that it was for some iealousie or secreâ—… grudge happened betwixt the Gouernour and himselfe after the battaile because that either of them enuying one another would seeme more affectionate to his countrey and to deserue better of the Common-wealth than his fellow and that at last he would haue driuen him out of the Island by force deâ—…ermining after he had chaced him thence to giue the VenetiaÌ„s a sufficient proofe of his loyalty in deliuering the Island vnto them peaceable and at quiet being defended by his aide Other reasons likewise may perswade vs to beleeue that it was vpon such occasions as I haue set downe For perceiuing by the new supplies that they pursued him as an enemie he would not of set purpose fight and though he possessed diuers places in the Island he neuerthelesse freely abandoned them depaâ—… ted forth of the Prouince Iâ—… he had marched as an enemy against the VenetiaÌ„s there wanted not those who would haue repossessed him in the Island The Genoueses would willingly haue accepted it who were iealous and enuious of the honour and fame of the Venetians But he did rather giue place to the publike peace than helpe his enemie Tepulo Some Historians referre to the same time that notable victorie ob tained by Giouami Treuisano ouer the Genoueses wherof we haue made mention in the precedent booke Candie remained not long quiet For a new commotioÌ„ much more terrible than that whereof we now spake did trouble the whole Island the which growing from a small cause kindled such a flame as the whole Prouince felt it The common report is that by the counsell of one named Pietro Philameno Gouernour of the Castle of Boreparitano the horses of a certaine Candiot Gentleman were stollen Which being told to Paulo Quirino who at that time was Gouernour of the Island he commaunded restitution to the Islanders of that which had beene taken from them Now because it was not done with that speed as they would haue it the Greeks who were set on by others tooke occasion to ouerrunne vnder the conduct of Petro Scordillo who did owe the stollen horses all the countrie of Reparitana from whence they carried away great spoiles The Candiots vpon this stir being desirous of nouelty complotted forthwith a reuolt whereupon in short space all that lieth from Milopotamus vnto the farthest part of the Island towards the West rebelled against the Venetians The Gouernour to stay these new insurrections of the Greekes speedily sent Pietro Thonisto and Giouanni Gritti with great forces beyond the streights of Milopoâ—…amus who passing through the forrest of Psieuronessus not sending out their discouerers were assailed and defeated by Constantine Seuasti Theodore Milesin who lay in ambush for them being accompanied with great multitudes of Greekes Many Venetians were there slaine by them who knowing the waies of the forrest did meete them scattered heere and therein amazâ—…d troupes Giouanni Gritti one of the Captaines died there who was an industrious and couragious person with Nicolaâ—… Balastro Marco Bono Andrea Thealdo and Vendramino of Aquileia with a greate numbeâ—… of souldiers A few of those which escaped the slaughter hauing throwne away their Armes came by verie strait and narrow waies to the Gouernour In whose place soone afterward succeeded Dominâ—…co Delfino vnder whom peace ensued betwixt the Venetians and the Greekes To some of whom to winne them by bountie as to Seuasto and his companions Authors of the reuolt were giuen in perpetuitie certaine Lands on the hither side the Riuer Musella towards the West There be likewise in the Island certaine Lands possessed in olde time by the ancient men at armes called by the common people Knight-ships Some of these were giuen at the same time to the chiefest of the Greeks as some other of them likewise to Theodore and Michaeli Melissini so soone as they were receiued into fauour This is all which we finde to haue hapned as well abroad as at home during the gouernment of Prince Cianiâ—… who after he had commaunded two and twentie yeares being become vnprofitable to the Common-wealth by reason of his olde age did willingly depose himselfe and dyed fortunately soone after in Saint Georges Monasterie whither he retired himselfe for deuotion sake His bodie was buried in the Monument of his Ancestors ¶ GIACOMO TEPVLO the 43. Duke of Uenice GIacomo Tepulo was by the fortie elected in his place Candie in this Princes time was not verie quiet whereof I will briefly mention some passages before I touch anie other matters which hapned as well abroad as elsewhere during this Principalitie The Venetians too much lenitie towards the Candiots was the cause that the Greeks who are by nature light-headed and inconstant insted of yeelding loue and obedience to the Venetians did shew themselues altogether stubborne and peremptorie For a base minde doth rather abuse another mans patiâ—…nce than make any good vse of it and is sooner brought to his dutie by seueritie and exemplarie punishment than by meekenesse and fauour Thus the Scordilli and the Melissini through too much licentiousnesse hauing giuen themselues ouer to all manner of vices and laying aside all shame beganne first to disturbe the common quiet by secret thefts and afterwards by open robberies to make hauocke in all places The Gouernour being mooued with these vnseemely actions did forthwith leauie Souldiours and sent to entreat Marco Sanuto with the greatest forces he could raise to come speedily into Candie for the more speedie expulsion of those theeues and enemies saying That the Islanders did incline to an open rebellion and that if their desseignes were not sodainely preuented and restained by force hee stood greatly in feare of the whole Islands reuolt from the Venetians Sanuto esteeming deâ—…ay in such a case dangerous to the Common-wealth with all speed possible assembâ—…ed his forces and then wafted ouer into the Isle of Candie Where to bridle the Rebelles â—…ee caused a Castell to be built in a verie comodious place At the sight whereof the enemies beeing daunted though not giuing ouer their wilfull headinesse sent to Iohn Vattasus who held Lesbos an Island of the Aegean Sea and who possessed at that time diuers places of the Greek Empire entitling himselfe Emperour of Greece promising him by their menssengers the entire dominion of the Island after the Venetians should be driuen thence so as hee would in time send them sufficient aide to expell the enemie The forces of Vattasus were at that time verie great For he was in league with the King of the Hexagons who likewise in the places neeâ—…e adioyning to the Ponticke Sea called himselfe Emperour of Greece determining at eithers charges to assaile the Empire of Constantinople This King was angrie because young Robert sonne to the Emperour Peter had by the aduice of his counsell preferred the alliance of the King of Hierusalem who had but the title of that Kingdome
before his Vattasus being drawne on by these promises sent thirtie Gallies to aide the Candiots At their arriuall Marco Saâ—…to being wonne by Vattasus as it is reported departed out of the Island with all his forces Whereupon the Generall of Vattasus his Armie resolued to besiege the Cities and entring Rethimna he constrained Marco Quirino to yeeld himselfe The like did Maâ—…gareto Foscari at Milopotamus and Conrad Millenius at Castel-nouo Yet all these places did not yeeld at the first summons but after they had fought and valliantly defended themselues for a time Catâ—…ldo Auenali who had seized on the Fort of Boniface with a good troope of Souldiours did valliantly defend that place till the comming of the Gouernour who was with an Armie secretly departed from Candace to relieue his owne Souldiours and to raise the siege whereby the enemie being constrained hastily to dislodge left behind him diuers engins of warre And because the victorie seemed not so easie as the Candiots had persuaded him it would be perceiuing withall that the warre was more troublesome to him than the Venetians he determined to returne to Lesbos Wherefore after he had shipped all his forces he left Candie to the Venetians and sailed thence His fleet soone after being verie great was in such sort tossed and beaten by a tempest neere to the Island of Cithera as they were all castaway three small vessels excepted Nicolao Mâ—…tatio and Marin surnamed Marini being sent Ambassadours into Greece about a peace suffered shipwracke in that tempest The Gouernour Nicolao Tonisto who succeeded Giouanni Storlato and Bartholomeo Gradonico his successor did recouer certaine townes Nicholas Seuastus and Michael Molesini Authors of the rebellion and so many mischiefes being delt with by Gradonico returned to the Venetians obedience and he gaue them all the territorie which lies from Petraea to the mount Athis on condition That they should send euerie yeare fiue hundred pound weight of Wax for the vse of Saint Markes Churche and likewise pray vnto God for the Venetian Prince and perpetually beare Armes against the Rebelles till they were all reduced vnder the Venetians subiection There remained no more Rebelles at that time but those that inhabited along the Riuer Petraea euen to the mount Summonium Gradonico dyed in the meane time and by his death the Prouidatori tooke the gouernment into their owne hands For to euerie Gouernour two Prouidatoâ—…i were giuen Gioâ—…anni Ardizino and Marco Molino had this place in the Island when the Gouernour dyed Molino being at the siege of Sithie a Sea-towne perceiued on a sodaine twelue Gallies who with full sailes came from the maine towards the Island Which Vattasus sent for supplies to the beâ—…ieged Whereupon fearing if this Fleet should enter the Hauen that the inhabitants presuming on this new aide would make some salley forth vpon him whom he should not be able to repell by reason his forces were very few or if they should saile to Candace they might at the very first take it he speedily raised his Campe and in all hast returned to the Citie from whence he sent Ardizino with those shippes of warre which he had readie in the Hauen for the same purpose to hinder the enemies landing if he found it to be necessarie for the Common-wealth Vattasus forces in the meane time were entred into the Hauen of Suda where the Venetian Gallies arriuing as soone as they did with great cries assaile the enemie who already possessed the Port. The Greekes forthwith prepared for the fight which they could not fitly doe by reason of the streightnesse of the place so as they attempted to repulse the enemies fleet by their warlike engines and shott The inhabitants bordering that place who at the first noise came running to the aid of their Countrimen did greatly helpe the Greekes For all the shoare was filled with townes-men and peasants who without intermission assailed the Venetians The fight lasted from morning till noone when as Ardizino the Prouidator beeing sore wounded commanded to sound the retreate The Venetians determined the next day to renew the fight which the Greekes fearing about midnight they left the Hauen and sailed thence into the maine Whilst the Prouidatori executed these warlike exploits Angelo Gradonico arriued in the Island as Gouernour By his wisedome the Subriti were reduced to the Venetians obedience neuerthelesse vpon condition to deliuer aliue into their hands Emanuel Dracontopulus and Constantine his brother or if that could not be done to kill them as the chiefe authors of all the Rebellions Because so long as they should liue there was no likelihood that the Island would euer be at quiet Besides that the Caleothetes and the Anatoliks who boasted to be issued from the Emperors of Greece should be bannished that thirtie of the Noblest families of the Subriti should come and dwell in the Towne of Boniface The Candiots and their affaires being thus pacified they which held the Citie of Nicella for there were diuers of Vattasus garrisons still in the Island did forthwith yeeld But it is now time to leaue the Candiots and to returne to other matters hapned at the same time in Greece as well in the firme Land as in the Islands neere adioining which being of greater importance haue more troubled and molested the Venetians For so soone as the new agreement or new affinitie as it was said betwixt Vattasus and the King of the Hexagoni was knowne abroad and that the rumor was that both of them ioining their forces together would assaile the Greeke Empire Iohn King of Ierusalem Gouernour of Constantinople beeing troubled with these newes began to consider by what cunning meanes he might preserue and defend the Empire committed to his charge in which busines the Venetians were they alone from whom he expected aid The which hauing imparted to Theophilo Zeno the Venetian Magistrate at the same time in Constantinople they both sent to Prince Tepulo to acquaint him with the League and affinitie of these two mightie Princes who by the report of all men were in Armes for the inuasion of the Greeke Empire and that therefore they had need of aide with all expedition which is a chiefe point in Martiall businesse saying That they knew of a certaine that both of them were verie busie in leuying a mightie Armie They entreated him therefore to hasten the succours if they desired to haue Constantinople preserued And not sparingly to send them this or that but all things whatsoeuer they knew to bee necessarie for the maintenance of so great and dangerous a warre Alleaging this further caution That they were not to delaie the matter for feare least the enemies which God-forbid should surprize some places fitt and commodious for the wars which afterward when they would they should not be able to remedie to the great preiudice of them and their confederats The Citie gaue a willing eare to this aduertisement and being