hoase without either bread wine or water yet neuerthelesse making of necessitie a virtue to astonish the victors and mooue the Garisons about him as Thonon Bonne Sonzie and Gez to come vnto his aid and assistance as also to hasten the Lorde of Sonnas not farre from thence with foure or fiue Cornets of Lances for the Duke had promised him by letter that he should want no succours began most furiouslie to thunder with his Canons their bullets waieng seuentene pounds against the houses of Versoy which hee continued vntill three of the clock in the Euening in which time he did litle or nothing at al indomage those of Geneua which had meanes to chuse suche places for their safegard as were out of the force of his battery They lost in all foure or fiue Soldiers and about sixteene or eighteene hurt and those almost all by their own follies The Baron that day hauing discharged at the least 35. or 40. shot yet ceased not to doe the like all the next day being sonday expecting his succours wherof those of Gex had made him a signe and hurt with Musket shot such as discouered themselues But in the Euening the water being cut from him whereof he and his began to haue want no succours appearing he desired a treatie of composition and yeelding vp which was granted vnto him and that more graciouslie then either he or his had anie waies deserued by reason of their insolencies committed whereof the Historie at large can well declare and shew forth for they were suffered to depart with such Armes as they had their matches not lighted their Drumbs at their backes two Ensignes wrapped vp with all their baggage light inough for them to carie in which maner they were safe conducted vnto Gez being in number about 200. men in verie poore estate and altogether astonished to haue bin so rudelie awaked and compelled to receiue the same intertainment which they threatned to giue vnto those of Geneua The foure Canons and the two other of the Dukes peeces were drawn vnto Geneua with fiftie barrels of powder diuers Iron bullets and great quantitie of Lead as also the remainder of their meal wherof the soldiers made great waste for that at the taking thereof it was more then 200. Quintals They likewise brought awaie with them two Ensignes and all the Gally-slaues to the number of three-score and ten wherof the Lords permitted some to depart where they would the rest willingly staieng there being curteouslie vsed were imployed in such seruice of their wars as neede required The fort of Versoy was soone after pulled down and raced to the ground the wals of the Castle ouerthrowen the Tower vndermined and ouerwhelmed and the most part of the houses burnt thereby taking all meanes from them for euer after that to fortifie againe in that place Of the which yoake the towne of Geneua beeing freed yeelding thankes vnto God they found themselues to be greatlie eased by reason that victuals began in great store and aboundance to be brought thither out of the Countrey of Vaut and so hath continued euer since their nauigation beeing free vntill this present God bee thanked This done they tooke diuerse other places about them which anoied thē verie much they threw downe diuers bridges and castles And in the yeere 1590. hauing ouerthrowen the Baron of Ermansse taken the towne of Gez beaten down the castle where the Duke lost a great number of souldiers they troubled the Dukes garisons in diuerse places at the last they perceiuing and considering the scituation of the place of Cluse to be verie strong and that it would bee a meanes to bridle their towne keepe it in subiection although they esteemed it but lost labour anie more to assaile so difficult a place as that was to be wonne as also being wonne of so great and dangerous defence vnto such as are not maisters of the field and specially on the other side of the riuer of Rhosne although at other times they had determined not to enterprise the same occasion then being offered to thinke thereon they tooke the matter vpon them in maner following About halfe a league from that fort on Geneua side there standeth a little castle somewhat strong named Pierre within the which a Sauoyan called the Lord of Arsene held a garison of fortie or fiftie soldidiers which daily issuing forth spoiled and wasted the poore country men inhabiting in the balliage of Gez and specially such as dwelt in the villages that were appertaining vnto the seigniorie of GENEVA with them likewise there issued ordinarily out of the Cluze about twentie Souldiers who spared neither man nor woman but violated both women and virgins committing infinite other extortions The Lord of Lurbigny and those of Geneua hauing taken and throwne downe the Castle of Gez with other places anoying their towne seeing the insolencies of those of Berne which thought them selues out of feare by reason of the distance between them and Geneua trusting to their aid when time shuld serue determined to abate their pride To the which end they tooke with thē 2. of the Canons which they had taken from the Duke at Versoy two other field peeces wherewith they ment with all speede to batter the said Castle And on Thursdaie the 16. of Aprill 1590. they sent a troupe of fortie or fiftie Argoletiers before to discouer the place and to shewe themselues vnto the enemie the same day there were about twentie eight or thirtie Harquebusiers issued foorth of the Cluze and running as farre as the village of Farges a good league distant from their fort towards Geneua they tooke downe the Bell out of the steeple and carried it with them but in the end it cost them verie deare for that they were no sooner departed from thence but the Argolatiers of Geneua arriued at Farges and vnderstanding what had happened vnto the Village presentlie made after and hauing ouer taken them within a Musket shot of the Castle of Pierie set vpon them and entring among men ouer-threw them all of whome they slewe about fiue or sixe and twentie without any domage or losse vnto themselues onely that the Sargeaunt of their Companie was hurt in the Arme whereof neuerthelesse he died not and the Captaines horse slaine vnder him The Lorde of Arsene and those of Pierre made a show as though they would haue succoured their companions but the execution being so speedilie done and they perceiuing that the Argoletiers made towardes them entered againe into their fort wherein they were presently inclosed by those of Geneua and vpon Saturday after without anie resistance yeelded vp the Castle vppon composition heerevpon the Lord of Lurbigny and those of Geneua finding so good an occasiō presentlie sent three companies of their Souldiers on the other side of the Cluze to breake the bridges and to keepe certaine passages that thereby those of the Cluze might not bee aided with fresh men from the Garisons lying
The troubles of Geneua With the warres which the Duke of Sauoy hath made against it these three yeeres space And the great victories which God hath lately giuen to the Citizens of Geneua Trulie translated according to the French copie by W. P. The Map of Geneua GENEVA LEMAN-LAKE THONON BALIADGE DE GEZ Printed at London for Thomas Nelson and are to be sold at his shop at the great South doore of Paules 1591. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE Lordes of her Highnesse most Honorable Priuie Councell IT is a thing of verie great consideration Right Honorable to behold The Woonderfull worke of almightie God in strengthening and preseruinge those that continuallie fight for the defence of the true sincere Religion of Christ Iesus as hath beene seene within this Island which in comparison to the worlde is but as a handfull yet is the same so defended by the prouidence of almightie God from spoiling subuerting that neither forrain practises abroad nor ciuil discord or priuy pretended treasons at home or the inuasiō of the mightiest enemie can once preuaile against it as hath of late yeares bene manifested to the great amazement ouerthrowe and confusion of the chiefest complotters of such bad actions And this right Honorable is not seene onely in this Island but generallie euen in all Nations Cities or Townes where Gods truth is aduanced preached preferred before Idolatrie and superstition as appeareth by that famous City of Geneua where God is rightlie honoured and his worde sincerelie preached Of which Cittie right Honourable this discourse ensuing trulie describeth and aswell laieth open their troubles sustained by the inuasion of the Duke of Sauoy and his forces for the time of these three years as also the battels and vnlooked for victories which almightie God hath giuen the Cittizens of Geneua against the Sauoyans theyr deadlie enemies Thus presenting the saide discourse vnto your Honours beeing trulie published in the English tongue according to the French Copie I humblie take my leaue Your Honors most humble T. N. ¶ The description of the Towne of Geneua with the troubles that happened therevnto by warres which the Duke of Sauoy made against the said Towne from the beginning of the yere 1589. vntill this yeere 1591. GEneua is a most ancient Citie lying between the Countries of Sauoy and Swiserland whereof Caesar in the beginning of his Commentaries maketh mention which towne euer since hath by the prouidence of God bin preserued and defended from all dangers euen in the midst of all the wars and troublesome times which vntill this latter age haue happened in many Countries enuironing the same and now of late hauing receiued the reformation of the Gospell it hath beene more renowmed then euer it was by diuerse meruailous actions euents which the Almightie God hath shewen in the defence and conseruation of the same It hath for a long time ben a free imperiall Citie scituated at the ende of one of the most great and notable Lake in the world called Leman-lake in bredth at the largest part eight English miles and extendeth in length thirtie or two and thirtie mile which Lake aboundeth in great store of fish and is verie commodious for all the Countrie by reason of the traffique vppon the same specially for the carriage of their woods which they fetch from of the mountaines This Lake serueth in place of a rampire vnto the Towne on the North side thereof On the East part it hath the balliages of Thonon of Chablais the Countrie of Fossigny within two three foure and fiue leagues of the gates which Countries are bordered with great and high hils being enuironed with the Alpes On the South part there is a most fertil pleasant hill named Saleue at the foote whereof lieth the balliage of Ternier in a most rich and goodly plaine extending in length three leagues and in bredth two leagues which balliage is bordered on the South part with the riuer of Rhosne and on the North parte with the riuer of Arue little more than a quarter of a league distant from Geneua and lieth at the foot of the mountaine of Wache which runneth a long by the end of the towne separating the same by a bridge from Saint Geruais a borough verie well fortified and strengthened On the one side of the riuer of Rhosne towardes the South lieth the balliage of Gez containing in length foure leagues and in breadth two leagues inclosed with the mountaine of Iura on the further side of which mountain lieth the Franche Counte At the one end whereof is the towne and castle of Gez two great leagues distant from Geneua At the other end towards Lions is the straight and narow passage of the Cluse a place both by arte and nature verie strong scituated betweene two mountaines and the riuer of Rhosne Thonon is fiue leagues distant from Geneua lieng vpon the Lacque extending it selfe towards the countrie of Valois in such manner that Geneua is found to be enuironed with the three balliages aforesayd which vpon certain conditions were restored vnto the Duke of Sauoy by the Lordes of Berne in the yere 1567. The description of Geneua GENEVA LEMAN-LAKE THONON BALLADGE DE GEZ In these three balliages the territories of the Lordship of Geneua being comprehended which are inclosed within the same there hath in times part beene almost 300. good villages besides the hamlets and houses standing scattered in diuerse places barnes and a great number of Castles whereof more then the halfe of them haue bene burnt destroyed and ouerthrowen in these last warres Part whereof are herevnto anexed Long time since as it were naturally and by inheritance from the Father vnto the sonne the Dukes Earles of Sauoy haue vsed many meanes and sought diuerse occasions both by practises and violence to make themselues Lords of the towne of Geneua the most faire and greatest Citie whatsoeuer in those partes and is the key whereby if they coulde inioy the same they might enter into Switserland The Duke last deceased hauing obtained the three balliages aforesayd during the time of his life did greatlie molest and trouble although verie subtilly the common-wealth of Geneua yet not minding to enter into an open warre with the sayd towne the discommodities whereof he had otherwise oftentimes assaied and experimented But Charles Emanuel his sonne not long after his entrie into the estate of the Dutchie of Sauoy did presently discouer and make knowen his euill wil and hatred vnto the sayde Citie of Geneua by seeking to surprise the same in the yeere 1582. and at that time shewed his forces before it threatning them with a greate armie vnder the conduct of the Earle of Raconis Piamontois Not long time after hauing espoused Ladie Katherine the yongest daughter of the king of Spaine he tooke a further matter in hand that was to inuade all the Countrie lying about the Lake of Leman which appertaineth vnto the Canton of Berne thinking by that means in
short time to become Lord of Geneua which Towne in the meane time did not cease to be much molested and troubled not onely by his foragers exactors and commissaries but also to be solicited and tempted by diuerse means both with faire promises and threatnings To the which end he had appointed Francis Melchior de Saint Ioire Baron of Ermaus with other his adherents that they should secretly practise in the Countrie of Vaut the winning and taking at a certaine daie appointed of the castles of Chillon Veuay Lausanne Morges and Nion principall places scituated about the Lake Hee had likewise made a view and muster of all his forces and had alreadie caused a part thereof to passe the mountains Hee helde a great garison within the Castle of Gez as also in the countrie of Cluse and the castle of Thonon And within the forte of Ripaille about a quarter of a league from Thonon he kept a garrison of fiue hundred Piemontois men purposely chosen out where he had likewise two gallies great sufficient inough to hold two hundreth men in each gallie besides their furniture which were readie at all times to be lanched into the Lake if occasion should serue During these practises the Duke fell in hand with another enterprise in the moneth of October 1588. vsurping vpon the crowne of France the Marquisate of Salusses in Piamont which in short time hauing brought to effect by meanes of the intelligences hee had within the same hee caused his pretence to bee put in practise against the states of Berne and Geneua who in the meane time continued verie peaceable and quiet although Geneua indured great iniurie by meanes that the traffique and victuals were hindered and kept from it Vpon this occasion the French king Henrie the 3. being moued with the vsurpation of his Marquisate by his Ambassadors solicited the Seigniors of Berne and Geneua together with some of the Cantons of Switsers the Valoisons and Grisons to aide and assist him against the Duke of Sauoy by whom he alleadged himselfe to be vniustly assailed and despoiled The conclusion was to inuade those countries which he held about Geneua meane time that the king shoulde giue him somewhat to doe out of Daulphinois This resolution finished on wednesdaie the second of Aprill 1589. the horse and footmen of Geneua issued forth and marching towards Fossigny wanne the Castle of Monthou a little towne called Bonne brake down certaine bridges vpon the riuer of Arue and marched as farre as Saint Ioire a castle belonging vnto the Baron of Ermansse wherein they found and sent them to Geneua all the papers remembrances letters and commissions of the Duke of Sauoy and of his principall officers concerning the secret enterprises deuised against the states of Berne and Geneua These troups conducted and lead by Monsieur de Quirry a Gentleman of France and knight of the order turning their course the monday following marched on the other side wanne the town and castle of Gez together with all the balliage and hauing assaied although in vain to force the passage of Cluse returned with their armie vnto Geneua being in number aboue nine thousand men whereof the most part were footmen These exploits caused a great rumor and meruailous astonishment in all the Country of Sauoy which the Duke himselfe and his secret friends reioyced at saying that the occasion by him his so many times sought and procured did now voluntarily offer and pres ent it selfe vnto them Which hee neglected not but with great diligence imbraced the same as by the gathering of his forces which in few daies after he had prepared and made readie easily appeared for that the French Kings armie entering into the passage of Thonon hauing taken the towne which is not verie strong and the castle yeelded by composition layde siege vnto the fort of Ripaille The Countie of Martineugue with the bastard of Sauoy resolued to raise the siege hauing gathered aboue twelue hundreth lances fiue hundreth Argolettiers and about fifteene hundreth foot men marched ouer the mountaines and did so much that on tewsdaie the nine and twentith of Aprill they descended without resistaunce within the countrie verie neere vnto the Towne of Thonon from whence after a few skirmishes charges giuen on both sides the Countie Martineugue being wounded they retired to their shame and dishonour without succouring or deliuering the assieged within Ripaille who hauing greater want of courage then of victualls or of good meanes to defend keepe the place not long after yeelded it vp their liues and goods saued leauing the two gallies behind them which with two frigats other kinde of vessels for the water were burnt and the fort destroyed and layd wast That done they marched into the Countrie of Fossigny which the Duke of Sauoy vnderstanding caused part of his forces as well horse as footmen to make hast thether to keep the passage which country of Fossigny is a territory or Lordship comprehending about ten or twelue leagues as well mountaines as plaine ground in breadth and length and beginneth about the towne of Bonne hauing the Alpes on the East part the Countie of Geneua on the South part Geneua it selfe within three leagues The Lake on the west part Thonon with the Country of Vaut on the north part The winning of this countrey gaue an entrie vnto these of Geneua to passe further and is a verie strong keie or passage into Sauoye The balliage of Chablois Boige with other places adioyning Wherof those of Geneua holde the towne of Bonne which is as it were the gate or entrie of the same Meane time the Barron of Ermansse which not long before had by composition recouered his Castell of Saint Ioire knowing of what importaunce the said place beeing within two leagues of the towne of Bonne and so farre within the mountaines was vnto all the Countrey caused a forte or skonse of earth to be made vpon the mount of Castels betweene the high mountaines of Maule those of View Estaux placing in the same a companie of Piemontisians vnder the which fort he raised a platforme of earth wheron he placed foure field peeces each peece bearing a Bullet of the bignes of an egge On the further side thereof vpon the way going to saint Ioire he made a Barricado and vnder in the way leading from Vieu vnto saint Ioire not far from a barne called Warnoz an other strong Barricado kept by a company of Harquebusiers of Fossignie The rest of the Countrey being straight narrow and difficult to be entred might easilie bee defended and kept by very small force against a puissant armie This notwithstanding the Baron did so much that besides the companies aswell of horse as foote men wherof he had sufficient to defend the Country procured an aide of 500. Launces to bee sent vnto him which were paid by the townes and Contrey of Piemont conducted by the Countesse of Valpergue and S.