be invaded by a Prince who aspired to greater matters and who if he durst at present in the face of the Spanish Ensigns reputed with their shadow alone sufficient safeguards to those that depended on them possess himself of Monferrat would not be long before he set on foot his known designs upon the Milanese Mendoza was wavering betwixt publick considerations and his private affections and Carlos Emanuel to keep him in perplexities making as may be said a War of Wit with him now sending his Son the Prince Vittorio then dispatching Ministers and then again changing the persons all with various and vast projects with pressing instances excuses and submissions becalmed and confounded him His most special Offices consisted in Treaties that he would not interrupt his progress offering to render all again upon the recompense and satisfaction of his Rights Sometimes he declared that in the places taken by him he would set up Spanish Colours but would keep them by his own Garrisons He gave out that he would refer all his pretensions to the Arbitrement of the most Catholick King but his chief bait was to offer the Conquest of Casal to Spain contenting himself with the open Country if the King would consent to his keeping of Monferrat The Governour was not in a condition to embrace such offers how specious soever because besides the artifices of the Duke who before he could well consider one did still to confound his mind propose another of more hard digestion he knew that being disarmed if he should consent to the Dukes Propositions he left not only Monferrat as a prey but the Milanese it self exposed and that Carlo either to conserve his Conquests or to advance himself to greater designs might with the same facility either by calling in the French or stirring up the Italians have the opportunity to make use of the occasion to drive the Spaniards out of that Country For that cause shewing himself in appearance severe he intimates to him an entire restitution of every thing believing that the Authority of that Monarchy would have been a Weapon of sufficient strength even without force By the Pomp of the same he incourages the Princes not to fear disturbances in Italy and in particular Alphonso della Queva Marquess of Bedmar King Philips Ambassador with the Venetians assures them that without noise or trouble one of the Dukes should be restored and the other chastised That for maintaining the Peace of Italy the intentions of the King did concur with theirs That there was no cause to fear any body or any thing to be troubled at whilst the Power of Philip was still the same That his goodness would not admit novelty or disturbance in that Peace which was so happily enjoyed under the shadow of his Authority The Governour with various Arts fenced with the Duke of Mantua who often repeated the instance of succours perswading him to put himself into Casal to give courage with his presence to those Troops which he prepared for his assistance and to speak with him as he passed by Others admonished Ferdinand to the contrary because the Prince his Brother being in Monferrat it seemed not fit that both should go and expose themselves and be put in the power of the Spanish Ministers leaving the Niece in Mantua open to any treachery or surprise Yet to shew his respect to Inoiosa which was only that to which he pretended and to render that Civility which Savoy had practised by so often sending the Prince of Piedmont his Son he was willing to go to Milan whence from the discourse he had with him he brought away nothing but riddles and dark sayings and returned to Mantua with a terrible jealousie that the Governour were already overcome by Interests or affections of the Enemies Family Inoiosa having in former times born Arms under Carlos's Command and for a reward having the Marquisate of St. German conferred on him professed himself so straitly obliged to him that at his coming to Milan before he entred on the Government he had a desire to speak with him and carried both Presents and Favours This confidence thus begun was even to this present nourished by the Duke sometimes with publick Offices and then with means more secret From whence though in the Council of State discourses of the business and the motion of Troops were carried on against him with some kind of sharpness yet it was well known that there was a more secret Juncto of three persons only his Confidents which governed the mind of the Marquess and sweetned all This made the Duke so confident that although some Troops long in raising were sent to the Confines of Piedmont he nevertheless over-run all Monferrat laid it waste with Sword and Fire and devoured in his hopes the keeping of the rest All that therefore being insufferable to him which contested his pretensions and opposed his vast designs or discountenanced his taking up Arms he could not bear that the Venetians should give assistance to the Gonzaghi Provoked therefore with a vehement spight he calls Vincenzo Gussoni who resided with him Ambassadour for the Republick and complaining to him of it exhorted him to withdraw himself out of his Countries because the people having an ill impression of the assistance given against him he could not assure him of that security in his Court which the Law of Nations required to his Character The Senate from thence conceiving that the presence of their Minister was disliked by the Duke or suspected commanded him to depart But the Duke having resolved to set Italy on fire that he might make his advantage of the ruines and ashes ambition and wrath blowing him up seeing now the Spanish Army to face him threatned to bring the French into its bowels and when the Pope exhorted him to Peace he protested to overflow the Country with Hereticks and if the Venetians should succour Ferdinand he boasts that he would incite the Turks and bring Pirats into the Adriatick Sea The Spaniards proposing to themselves to make a War of Authority and to regulate the Interests of the Princes with their Mediation or the shew of their power by their Army were not at all willing that any body else should meddle with it But the Emperour believing his Authority so much lessened as that of the Spaniards increased deputed Francisco di Castilione that in his name he might bring things to a Treaty admonish Carlo and besides intimate to him the Imperial Ban if laying down Arms and restoring every thing he should not contain himself within more moderate bounds Mendoza provoked by the general clamor saw at last a necessity to arm And thereupon distributing numerous Patents throughout Italy Germany and Switzerland had in a little while a very gallant Army on foot Neither was Carlo wanting to himself but to his warlike Provisions interposes Treaty offering to deposite in the hand of the King of Spain his rights and the places possessed provided the Princess Mary
else that was necessary sent by Anthonio Barbaro General for the Venetians who caused them to pass through the Snow and over the Cliffs for those of the Valteline had on that side towards Auriga cut off the way but all yielding to fatigue and industry they were quickly seen placed by the force of mens Arms upon high and almost inaccessible places whence battering the Castle they obliged it after a few shot to render and Bagni to go out with conditions granted in veneration of the Pope by the Confederates with all sort of military Decorum A thousand Foot with some Horse from Feria were then on their march for a relief but understanding the Surrender stopped at Sondria and the Governour not admitting them into the Castle and they not thinking themselves safe in the Town went out of the Valley Nevertheless in Riva and Chiavena Garrisons were brought in by the Spaniards and they fortified themselves there with great expedition whilst the Confederates advanced seasonably to Sondrio The Town upon their first appearance rendred upon the same conditions which those of Tirano had obtained but with different fortune the Castle which would expect the Cannon was taken by assault but life given to those few all the Garrison not exceeding one hundred and fifty which out-stood the first fury and the Ensign in token of respect sent back to Bagni Morbegno which is as the Metropolis of all the Valley not being willing to expect force sends Ambassadours and was received into the protection of the League and by its example every other place yields the Arms of the Confederates remaining in a few days in possession of all the Valteline The Army now was somewhat diminished by reason of the dispersion into Garrisons and those casualties which War carries with it whereupon it was resolved to levy at a common charge two other Regiments but that being not to be done in a moment the Venetians at the effectual instances of the French Ministers sent thither two thousand Foot and four Companies of Horse of their own Souldiers The Austrians thereupon inveigh bitterly against them calling them the Authors of this expedition and success whilst without Victuals and other Provisions which they furnished in great abundance the Army could not have entred nor subsisted in the Valley They discoursed publickly that to divert that of the Valteline the Austrians should bring the War into their Country and in this while to vent their distaste every where the Count Chesniler Ferdinands Ambassadour denies in Spain to Leonardo Moro who with the same Character resided there for the Republick the same tittle with which his Predecessors and he himself had till now treated him Whereupon being in the Antichamber of the King where none are admitted but Kings Ambassadours there arose betwixt them a great stir which was well-nigh appeased by the mutual civility of saluting one another without the officiousness of speaking The Pope made no less complaint exclaiming in great wrath that his Souldiers and Colours were not respected notwithstanding that the Confederates had made appear to him their long patience the prejudices suffered the Treaties unexecuted the Expedients rejected but if Vrban reckoned himself offended by the Confederates the Spaniards shewed themselves not at all satisfied with him it seeming to them that with an over-much coldness venting himself only in words he would endure the injury offered to his Ensigns But he more and more detesting the counsels of his Precedessors either believed the Forces of the Church not able to oppose the Confederates or held the Union with the Spaniards suspect upon whose will they breaking with the other party he should be forced to depend ANNO M.DC.XXV An. Dom. 1625 If the Valteline served for a Theatre to Italy the eyes nevertheless of Europe were turned upon the Provinces of Flanders where were acted important designs of numerous Armies and excellent Captains upon places strong and of the greatest reputation Spinola aspiring to nothing more than to repair by some eminent Enterprise the honour of that Army and the reputation of that Fame which in the retreat from Bergeopzoom he thought somewhat blemished chusing Breda for the undertaking had in the month of August in the year past straightly besieged it with an Army of thirty thousand men Threatning in several places he had at first held the Prince of Orange in suspence where the blow would fall and Count Henry de Berg with a separate body of Spanish Troops made a diversion towards the Rhine and another number of Souldiers made themselves troublesom longst the Maze Whereupon Maurice not knowing where particularly to guard himself had a vigilant eye over all and having well provided the places of importance kept his Army in a condition to hasten thither where succours should be required But when he saw Spinola intrench himself before Breda a concernment of publick and private interest by the importance of the place and for being the Patrimony of the House of Orange he hastes thither in all diligence and incamps thereabouts sending relief by Boats which got happily in before Spinola could close his Line with Forts and shut up the River with Bridges Breda is situate in the extremity of Brabant not far from the Sea and but of a reasonable distance from Antwerp Since the Hollanders had the good fortune to take it by surprize they kept it with great care both for the importance of the situation and the excellency of Art which had endeavoured by all sorts of inventions to render it strong It being in the midst betwixt Bergeopzoom and Gertrudemberg forms a Line little less than streight by which maintaining a part of Brabant in obedience to the Vnited Provinces is a defence also to Zeland and Holland It is in a Plain of a form unequal but environed and covered with so many Out-works that Art hath not been wanting to invention nor invention to necessity The Merch runs through it a small River but navigable a little without the Town losing its name it discharges it self into several Chanels where it enters into the Sea or rather falls into the Scheld Spinola foresaw the difficulties of attacquing it by force and from the vigorous defence the incessant Sallies the number of the Garrison and the resolution of the Governour who was Justinus de Nassau natural Brother to Prince Maurice comprehended the damage he might receive Environing therefore his Camp with a strong Circumvallation of Trenches and Forts resolves to take it by famine which destroys all defence and devours Armies Maurice had not above ten thousand men but with them by changing Quarters he cut off Passages disturbed the Country and laid wait for Convoys nor did he want resolution and courage to have attempted a general relief by attacquing the Line if the States judging them too strong and well fortified had not dissented not to expose with a number so unequal the common defence to a hazardous event and almost certain loss It was then
for a little space straightned by Rocks runs impetuously amongst the stones thence falling into a Plain waters a fruitful Campagnia and bearing Boats serves commodiously for the use of that Country so long till with a large Chanel and a pleasant Stream it discharges it self into the Po. Where the Plain begins the Confederates seeing all defence abandoned and far off casting over a Bridge of Boats brought thither upon Carts pass it At Tornavento which is no other than a Country-house the Quarter was planted and certain Ditches cast up in ancient times called Pan Perduto served for Trenches They diverted immediately the Navillio which is a Chanel that for the convenience of Commerce conveys part of the water of the Tesino to Milan to the so great confusion of that City that imagining the Enemy at the Gates as if there had been neither time nor escape many fled hastily with the best of their Houshold-stuff towards the Country of the Venetians The Cardinal Trivulsio getting on Horse-back with his Credit and Authority which he had very great amongst the Citizens running up and down the streets animated some strengthned all and distributing Arms to the Inhabitants appointed Guards and gave out Orders restrained the fright and in a great measure quieted the Tumult which the Spanish Ministers retiring themselves feared rather to irritate with their presence The City raged against Leganes that with an Army so well appointed having not hindred that passage carelesly amused himself in beholding the dangers and the damage but as it happens in such emergencies fear reigned every where more than counsel for if in Milan they were astonished the Confederates were also perplexed whilst the number of their men was not proportionable to the design of besieging that City and their chief purpose was vanished which in truth was to joyn with Rohan and with united Forces to advance either before Milan or into the bowels of the Country to carry fear into it and bring back some notable Conquest but Rohan too soon and Crequi too late being come into the Milanese the one being not able to subsist there and the other not to make any progress were the occasion of more noise than hurt Besides this they wanted Victuals and above all the inclination of the Savoyards did not conspire in the same ends Nevertheless Leganes was exercised with many thoughts To go nearer with the Army to Milan he feared to carty famine and commotion thither if he drew nearer to the Confederates to hazard a Battel he considered in the uncertain issue the certain loss of the whole State At last after several days perceiving by the Enemies not advancing that their thoughts were in disorder and their Forces not so strong perswaded rather by universal reproaches than the opinion of his Counsellors he resolves to rise from Abbiagrasso and advance towards the Enemy without other design than to reap the advantage of the occasions He found that for conveniency of Forrage the Savoyards were returned to the other side of the River whence he judged it seasonable to set upon the French on this side Charging therefore a part of their Cavalry which was roving without the Camp and obliging them to retire he afterwards attacques the Trenches and Forts The fight was obstinate and irksom in a long days work and in the heat of June to such a degree that after many hours both Armies being weary the French could no longer resist nor the Spaniards prevail In the heat of the Battel it seemed as if Leganes had had the better but the Duke Vittorio having repassed the Tesino brought Crequi succours so seasonably that Fortune began to waver But night separated and Leganes not having a more convenient Quarter near returns to Abbiagrasso Betwixt both the parties about three thousand men were killed and of the Spaniards Gerardo Gambacorta General of the Neopolitan Horse a valiant and prudent Person To determine who had the advantage in the fight whilst each ascribed it to himself it was fit to observe the consequences and because in an Enemies Country it seems that he that makes no progress is the person worsted the advantage was at last adjudged to the Spaniards because the French though they staid some days in their Quarters yet at last repassed the Tesino Their desires thereby were in prosecution of the same end to open the way into the Vallies formerly mentioned to possess Anghiera upon the Lago maggiore or Romagna near to the Sesia but neither succeeding they thereupon retire Crequi to Breme with a very few Forces and Vittorio to Vercelli to defend his own Country Discord between them brake forth more and more the Duke upbraiding the French with the service of having saved them at Tornavento and Crequi ascribing to the Savoyards the having missed occasions and successes But if the Duke felt the dissatisfactions of the Confederates Piedmont resented the injuries of the Spaniards for that Philippo di Silva General of the Horse over-running the Country recovered Annone possessed by the Confederates when they first moved and made himself Master of Gattinara carrying ruine and desolation where ever he came He of Parma enjoying a short suspension of mischiefs assembling some of his own Troops and some French being come to him by the River of Genoua attempts to recover Rottofredo but Martino d'Aragona coming upon him with a greater Party he was constrained to rise And apprehending greater oppressions after the French should be dislodged from the Milanese he sends to Paris Count Fabio Scoti the most trusted of his Ministers to the end that as Author of the counsel to adhere to that Crown he might also be the better instrument to obtain powerful succours But the affairs of that Kingdom were in so great turbulence that there was but faint hope to obtain assistance for the Spaniards invaded Picardy and Gallas with the Duke of Lorrain spoiled the Dukedom of Burgundy and Champaigne the people miserably suffering the punishments of faults which were not their own The French having renounced neutrality with the County of Burgundy under pretence that in Alsace that Province had afforded assistance to the Imperialists and Lorrainers the Prince of Conde had laid Siege to Dole but after having reduced it to great extremities by losing much time with his great slackness he frustrated the enjoyment of so near a Conquest for Lamboy and Merci being come with powerful Forces to its Succours under the Emperours Colours whilst the Spanish Army plaid the Conquerours in Picardy obliged the King to recall him and command him to raise the Siege The Spaniards under Prince Thomaso and with the assistance of Piccolomini sent by the Emperour with a good number of men had besieged la Chapelle forcing the Governour the Baron de Beck to give it up after eight days Battery The Catelet followed the example but with less defence They afterwards attacque Corby to assure the passage of the Somma and whilst the Siege lasted Jean de Werdt
imployment those of the Archduke raising one at Fara which was called St. Pietro and the Venetians another at Foggiano to cover the Territory of Montfalcon and was called Priuli To that which was beyond the Lisonzo Trautmanstorf opposes another a little upon the side called the Star and at Gradisca caused to be made a Ravelin which covered the old Port. This last Fort vexed the Venetians because it might hinder the design of laying a quarter upon the Carso at which they aimed so soon as their Army should be re-inforced whereupon command was given to Francisco Justiniano with some Companies of Corsi and to Baglione with others of the Albanese to attempt the taking of it by Scalade but were beaten off by those within and from the discovery of relief which came behind them perswaded to retire After this preparations go every where roundly on for greater attempts Where Friuli confines with Carinthia falls in one of the principal Roads which descends into Italy out of Germany and there lies Ponteba a great Town and of good trade it is divided by a Bridge the part on the other side is belonging to the Empire and that on this to the Venetians Trade by reason of common benefit went secretly on under the tacit faith and good correspondence of the neighbourhood and the rather because the Towns adjacent and Ponteba it self were of the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bamberg Those of the Archduke designed to make a sudden irruption into Friuli from that side hoping to ransack many places in their way to Gemona and perhaps get into the more open Country and Trautmanstorf from the other side marching in thither either make the Seat of the War upon the State of the Republick or at least with inconvience and confusion divide their defence and Army The Bishop being perswaded to give his consent there came down from the Hills into Ponteba 400 of his Souldiers to strengthen his Confines and second the design Guglielmo Smit with 400 more of Ferdinands follows and surprises the Venetian Ponteba with the Inhabitants buried in security and sleep Two Forts were presently raised one on this side the River kept by himself and the other on the other side which he put into the hands of those of Bamberg His intention was to go on further when he should be re-inforced with more Troops which he expected but found that the Pesants especially those of Venzone possessing the tops of the Mountains and fortifying the High-ways with some Works threatned to oppose with Arms and Stones whosoever should dare to attempt the passage No sooner was the News hereof come to the Venetian Camp but a sudden remedy was judged necessary for an unexpected evil And therefore the Proveditor Foscarini hastens thither with the Generals Martinengo Count Nicholo Gualdo Governour of Vdina and Marco Antonio Manzano commanding the Cavalry of the Country for that time At Dogna upon the Fella finding the Bridge broken they got it mended and the Germans making opposition such was the mettle of the Corsi and Albanese that flinging themselves into the water and passing from Rock to Rock they so disabled Smiths people that they were forced to retire in disorder The Venetians then pursuing the flight entred mingled with them into the Ponteba of this side and passing the Bridge the Bishops Souldiers giving way they take the Imperial also The Germans were almost all of them cut to pieces The Plunder and Booty was great neither did the resentment of this surprise stop here but invading the Confines of the Austrians they pillaged Malborghetto of the Manzano A little above Trevisa a place somewhat bigger and that making no resistance became the prey of the Souldiers Terrour spreading it self as a stone in the water which inforces one wave upon another the City of Villaco was upon rendring but the Venetians not willing to remove their Forces far from the center of the War nor ingage them amongst those craggy Mountains having fortified Ponteba retired At the same time Erizzo emulating his Colleague attempts Chiavoretto where lay intrenched in a convenient Post 800 Foot of the Archdukes and 150 Horse Livio Puppi a man of credit amongst those of the Country advancing before the rest with a good number of those who inhabiting the Mountains about Cividale are called Slaves attacques the Trenches seconded by Giovanni Martinengo with the Souldiers in pay The Enemy were easily disordered because the Horse instead of helping them in those narrow passages being not able to govern themselves trod them under foot and brought them into confusion whereupon every one provides for his safety by a Retreat The Albanese following the instinct of the Nation fell presently to pillage the place and the Quarter which and their disorder some of the Archdukes people perceiving came down to fall into their Rere and snatched away one Colours But being presently beaten back left that place in the power of the Venetians who fortified it Trautmanstorf hereupon fearing if the Venetians should pass the Lisonzo thereabouts to be taken napping abandoning the Quarter of Lucinis goes to incamp himself in the Plain near Goritia The Venetians having gotten the chief end of their intentions follow him a little way but without doing him any hurt and being aware of it too late invest Lucinis and attacque the Fort there It concerned Trautmanstorf to preserve it and therefore entertaining the Besiegers with frequent skirmishes he brought into it through by-paths 200 Souldiers with several provisions but all in vain because those within having no more water resolved silently to withdraw and leave it The Venetians entred into it appointing for Governour the Count Alberto Pompei and placed in the Town one of their principal Quarters The Fort also of Fara being viewed by Baglione who was there hurt with a Musket-shot was immediately attacqued and battered from a place of eminence which for want of powder Captain Sibit quickly rendred upon honourable conditions there marching out 230 Souldiers besides some hurt In the heat of these good successes Erizzo attempts Vipulzano where being about 100 Souldiers in a great house he batters it with three Cannons and demolishing part of the wall forces it to render to go out with their swords Tolmino which is a great Town on the other side the Lisonzo in the Mountains was attempted by the Count Gualdo with 500 of the Country Militia and some in pay but the Castle discharging some Guns the Peasants that knew not to distinguish where there was danger or safety hearing the noise disbanded obliging the Count to retire but with a few The Venetians now increased both in strength and courage thought of passing the Lisonzo and marching towards Goritia the Archdukes Army for want of pay being diminished by the abundance of Run-aways but the death of Pompeo Justiniano interrupts the design He was marching in the Country towards Lucinis to view the situations and the passage of the River when death seized him by a shot
la Queva that in the Name of the King he should give his word for it to the Senate In this Treaty which is called the Treaty of Madrid the will of Matthias that the affairs of the Vscocchi should be composed had great influence and also the desire of Lerma that the French should not be ingaged further in the affairs of Italy as to other things aiming rather to make an end of the War than to confirm the Peace When the first advise from Paris arrived at Venice the news was generally received with great joy and by the Senate so considered that having obtained the expulsion of the Vscocchi and the observance always pretended of the agreement in Vienna their Rights were not only with great grace maintained but their intentions justified and although they had not made by the War any particular progresses of advantage nevertheless the Common-wealth with great constancy had without all accidents never receded from the point reduced Gradisca to extremity taken many places lost nothing of their own and at the same time resisting the jealousies of Toledo defended the Sea from Ossuna together with the dignity of Carlo preserved the glory and common liberty of Italy and disputing Authority with the Spaniard called in France to take part in the Treaty and in the Warranty of the Conditions Some nevertheless more tenacious in the customs of the Country did not in the formality of the Treaty acknowledge the wonted punctuality and obedience of the Ministers because the Ambassadours had transgressed their Commissions neither did it appear that Manteleone had a sufficient authority but that it was believed that they were still to depend upon the abstruse sense and mysterious counsels of Spain whilst possibly in Italy the Forces and the Courage slackning and what concerns Piedmont being executed the Common-wealth would remain loosned from the union with the Duke and separated from the common interests Amidst these opinions the respect to France prevailing to whom the mediation was voluntarily offered it was resolved to approve the Treaty but at the same time to recal the Ambassadours to imprisonment to expiate their disobedience Simeon Contarini Cavalier was sent as an Extraordinary into France to inform the King of the just motives the Senate had for it but Lewis being something troubled that the Ambassadours should be punished for that which in contemplation of himself they seemed to have incurred passed such effectual Offices in their favour that at last being once called home the punishment was pardoned All being approved at Madrid which had been agreed at Paris the advice of the conclusion was by an Express dispatched from the Court to the Governour of Milan causing him to be held up by the way whom the Ambassadour Gritti sent to Venice to the end that the knowledge of it arriving before others to the Ministers of the Crown they might in the execution of the things agreed the better resolve that which the conjunction and state of things should counsel them and to say truth Toledo upon it was wavering amidst various thoughts for some perswaded him to cease from all action not to discompose the Peace and others stirred him up to go on with his Arms. The Bishop of Trieste above all shewed what a great hazard Gradisca ran remonstrating that it could not hold out so long as the time prefixed for the ratifications of the Treaty in which case in the very close of the War the Venetians would become triumphant not without a blot upon the reputation of the House of Austria and ignominy upon their Arms. Toledo at last resolves either to preserve it by a diversion or to bring the Common-wealth to some agreement whereby to save the place or if it should be taken to oblige them to restore it And this he might put in practice with so much the more freedom as he was more at liberty on the side of Piedmont there being a cessation of Arms and Dediguieres repassed the Alps in regard Bethune had the 9. of October made an agreement in Pavia with Toledo himself that the Duke some time that month should restore what he had taken and disband his Army himself in November to render all and dispose of his Army conformable to the Treaty of Asti Going then in person to Lodi and sending the Prince of Avellino to Caravaggio he environs on all sides the Territory of Crema harrassing the Country to the great prejudice of the Towns Camisano and Volpino To resist them there went out of Crema 300 Horse under Lodovico Vimercati with 200 Foot which obliged the Spaniards to leave their Booty but they came near to Fara with a greater strength in the Bergamasco where by a narrow Lane that Territory joyns to that of Crema Two hundred men having the Guard in that place of a weak inclosure with a low Intrenchment rendred themselves to go out with their Swords after five hours fight Romano a great Town and of importance put it self presently into defence Girolamo Cornaro Proveditor General coming thither with Francesco Martinengo under whom they joyned some Souldiers in pay and some of the Country Francesco Erizzo came thither with title of Proveditor and Commissario But Toledo to straighten the Common-wealth the more demanded passage of the Duke of Mantua to make a further inrode on that side and published it was to bring a Garrison into Castiglione The Venetians complained highly that Toledo executed in such manner the Capitulations of Asti which obliged him to free Italy from offences jealousies and molestations and that he should no otherwise respect the Peace of Madrid which suspended warlike proceedings and terminated Hostility but with doing new mischiefs and contriving greater vexations They therefore endeavoured to stir up France with the contempt Toledo shewed of their mediation and with the obligation which engaged them to maintain to them the Treaty The Duke of Savoy after some perplexity because the desire to recover Vercelli sufficiently restrained him on the one side and common faith and his own interest advertised him on the other of the dangers the Republick was in offers to move immediately in person and recals the Troops which having caused for the most part to pass out of Italy in order to the execution of the Peace loitered under the Republicks pay in the Country de Vaux in Helvetia to attend the issue of things They stipulated besides at common charge a great Levy of French and another with Mansfield to be raised in the Provinces of the Empire Nevertheless these great preparations came presently to nothing because la Queva at Venice complying with the conclusion of the Peace and giving word for the restitution of the Ships Gallies and Merchants goods insinuates in order to preserve Gradisca a general suspension of Arms and the Popes Nuntio with the Ambassadour of France pressing it also by their offices and intreaties the Senate was perswaded to order their General that for Friuli Istria and Dalmatia he should concert
quiet in the disturbances risen in Bohemia gave him leave to raise 2000 Souldiers and paid them for him for certain months that he might carry them to the Bohemians Carlo over and above exhorts the Venetians to contribute to that cause some secret assistance but the Republick did not believe that it was fit for them to ingage themselves further than in their own defence and in the common Liberty of Italy Mansfelt was gladly entertained by the Bohemians and honoured with the Charge of General of the Artillery he with la Tour became the chief Parties in the Revolt which to say truth could not be more furiously conducted than by those two Chiefs one of which passed for desperate and the other for one of a most turbulent spirit Mansfelt presently possesses himself of the Town of Pilsen and there remained now no other of consideration for the Emperor but Buduais where Carlo Count of Buquoy raised some Troops Such was the Praeludium of so many other calamities which have since involved Germany in many miseries which were too much threatned her by a fierce Comet which about the end of the year appeared towards the North. And if it be true that at some great Crisis Nature it self is moved the fall of a Mountain which burning a whole People alive overwhelmed Plurs the greatest City of those parts might be reckoned as a prodigious Prognostick of the unhappiness of Rhetia And to say truth both for the business and the Arms the affairs of Bohemia and the Grisons had a sufficient resemblance because that in this very year the minds of that people continued stirred and implacably disordered It happened that the Venetians having published and by the means of Anthonio Antelmi solemnly sworn the Alliance formerly concluded with the Cantons of Zurich and Bern the agreement in consequence was that in order to the Union of the three Leagues with the Helvetians the passages should be open for them but the Spaniards opposed it with so much violence that some certain Horse raised under pay of the Republick by Colonel Sciavaleschi were obliged to make a stand finding that the Ministers of Spain themselves kept their own Guards upon the passes doubting lest connivence or the venality of those of that Country should let them through To this business being afterwards added fear and force Feria the new Governour of Milan to incommodate Rhetia and stir their minds stopped the passage of Merchandize and Gheffier observing though there was no Minister of the Venetians in those parts that in the Agnedina the Election of a Ministrat who is a temporary Head of their Government after some contests with the shedding of blood was fallen upon a person of that Faction presented a certain Writing in which feigning to controul the Treaties of Spain struck more to the quick upon those of the Republick proposing that all other Alliances might be cast off except that with France The Proposition pleased not the Commons and so much the less by how much the Creditors of many Pensions from the Crown requiring payment of them he offered to satisfie only one of them which was refused by the people with insufferable scorn Nevertheless their minds were generally wavering because the chief among them making Merchandize to their own profit of the publick evils made themselves powerful with adhering to Strangers and the poorer sort vexed with this corruption and the severity of their judgments did not willingly bear the yoke For which cause taking Arms on a sudden in several places they furiously ransacked the Country not knowing who was to be their enemy and uncertain of their own designs At Zernez they obliged Rudolpho Pianta to run away who with his Brother Pompeo declared Partisans of the Austrians rendred themselves under that protection even as odious to all as feared by many and to him it was principally imputed to have been one of the sowers of discord so that they would have put him to a cruel death if he had not made his escape by flight They run then to Coira whence Gheffier who by his proceedings was not distinguished from a Minister of Spain resolved to retire in haste to Maianfelt and as if the fury of the people had been capable of any order or discipline they deliberated to establish a Tribunal in Tosana composed of Judges Catholick and Protestants who should proceed against those who should have sold to Strangers the weak of the Country Under this censure many principal men perished Giovanni Baptista Zambra by the hand of the Hangman Niccolo Rusca the Chief Priest of Sondrio dyed under Tortures the Pianta's were banished upon grievous punishments and Giovanni Bishop of Coira the City it self being fined in the sum of 15000 Crowns Molina Interpreter of France Native of Rhetia was in like sort banished and to Gheffier was intimated the leaving his imployment but he hoping that good order would be so much the less durable amongst that people by how much they wearied themselves to introduce it took time to give advice of it to the Court An. Dom. 1619 whither the Grisons also dispatched Letters and Deputies to inveigh bitterly against him There being also for the same cause of the Grisons some dissention risen in some Cantons of the Switzers to quiet it as is the custom rather with conference than force a Diet was called in Baden where Gheffier appearing taxed the Venetians to have fomented this last revolution in which there appeared many of their party But the Ambassadours of the Grisons who were at this meeting maintaining the liberty of their actions and judgments against those who had betrayed the Country imputed to himself to have with all Art given incouragement to the present turbulencies But for a proof of their indifferency they had recalled those few Troops of their Nation who served the Venetians and had condemned in a mulct of money some Captains who were not so ready to obey them But the Pianta's to nourish the divisions scattered Letters and Libels and having recourse to the Governour of Milan to obtain only 30000 Crowns therewith to arm their friends and adherents they promised to rise and subject the Valtolina to him which being subject to the Grisons but inhabited by people more civil not willingly suffered the heavy yoke of Democracy so corrupted This passing not without the Grisons knowledge caused that to keep the principal Post they sent some Souldiers which were very useful to suppress also the disturbances made by those of Como in the dispute about Jurisdiction over certain places ANNO M.DC.XIX Many sollicited the Venetians to send a Minister to conclude a League quickly during the predominancy of those most inclined to their Party but they willing to observe the issue of so strange accidents not to confound things rather than contribute to their remedy forbore it It quickly was made manifest that the people in their affection had but a short space betwixt their flood and ebb for they presently fell back
five watered by the River Adda situate in the midst of the Mountains in the extremity of Italy and seems cut out by Nature to divide States and separate Confines It hath Tirol towards the East and the Milanese towards the West on the North Rhetia commands it and on the South it borders with Brescia and Bergamo Territories of the Venetians The River discharges it self into the Lake of Como and on the one side and on the other a Plain is extended peopled therefore with many Towns and where the Mountains are any thing low abounds with Corn Wine and Cattel which feed it and by imparting thereof to Strangers inriches it also At its beginning and ending it hath as Appendixes the Counties of Bormio and Chiavena the first joyns to Tirol and pierces with vast high Mountains deep into Rhetia the other on this side of the Spluga declining into a little Plain faces to a Lake which though it be a narrow part of that of Como yet under a divers name is called the Lake of Chiavena All this Country subject to the Grisons sought with all impatience conjunctures and pretexts to withdraw themselves from their Dominion and matter of Conscience suggested to the people motives very effectual because the Leagues sending them Judges and Magistrates for the most part infected with Heresie it seemed by their founding of Colledges and building of Churches as if their aim were not only to spread it through the Valley but also to introduce it into Italy where the true Religion residing as under Wardship errours cannot be admitted or tolerated Upon this stock of universal piety the banished grounded their desire of being restored to their Country and Princes their interest the Austrians in particular who considered the Valtelline as in effect it is as a Gallery which uniting the Countries of Germany with those of Spain separates the Venetians and Italy from the assistance of Strangers The Count of Fuentes who more than any former Governour of Milan had inlarged his authority in that Province was wont to counsel his King that to put Fetters upon Italy Monaco Final and the Valtelline were to be possessed by him Of the two first the design proving easie the last as the most difficult was reserved for a better conjuncture the Grisons making themselves considerable by their adherencies as well as their strength and it appearing that the Venetians not only for their own but were easily moved for anothers interest The Count notwithstanding layes the first stone planting the Fort which commands the entrance into the Valley Ferdinand by fast bonds being now indissolvably united to Spain nothing was wanting for the convenience and strengthening of the common Monarchy but to conjoyn their States and if by possessing the Lower Palatinate a great passage was opened for Germany to communicate with Flanders by making themselves Masters of the Valtelline the one and the other were linked unto Italy The principal persons of that Valley and in particular the Piantaes and the Cavalier Robustelli offered to seize it with so much facility that Feria had no other thought but to enjoy the prize They represented the desires and invitations of the people groaning under the yoke of a base Government which having avarice for a Law sold Authority to Magistrates that they might expose Justice to sale to the people They considered the Order of Nature it self in that unhappy Country perverted where the worst possessing more authority than the better there remained nothing that was not venal Goods Life Honour nay Conscience it self nor could more wickedness be practised by the Judges nor more misery be endured by the people What better opportunity was to be looked for than this in which Rhetia torn to pieces with Factions is neither capable to command nor to obey no not to it self France was incumbred with its own discords and the Venetians while the Conjuncture favoured them did rather divert blows than resent them if given on a sudden they came to succeed happily Though Peace in Italy was at that time most necessary for Spain Feria nevertheless quickly assents to the Proposition for if it succeeded not it cost only the banishment or lives of some few and if it took effect he thought the advantage such as might deserve at least some little hazard and pains Besides the desire to signalize his Government he did believe he should not want excuses and accidents to colour his attempt nor devices or a Treaty to divert coming to Arms. These were the causes of the new War in Italy in the banished desire of liberty in the people zeal to Religion and in the Princes Interest of State and mutual Jealousies In the month of July began the Revolt of the Valteline into which there coming down by concert three hundred men out of Tirol the whole Country rising in a tumult of a sudden it seemed like a flash of Lightning which over-ran it in a moment The Governours of the Protestants in particular the Heads of the Families which were to the number of three hundred were killed and under the Cloak of Religion were committed execrable villanies much innocent blood shed Estates violently taken away and private revenges exercised The Catholicks immediately chose new Magistrates to sway this new Government and fortified certain places of importance with money from Spain From the Milanese also Souldiers came filing on and from the Fort Fuentes Cannon descended otherwise without this strengthening the fire would have been quenched while it was kindling The Count Giovanni Serbellione raised men for Feria but the name of the Pope was pretended the better to cover the design The Venetians more than any other seemed strucken with this accident because besides the increase of power to the Austrians by whom they saw themselves encompassed with a line of little less than five hundred miles they saw also the way stopped for any succours but from Levies in their own Countries And for that cause both to the Pope and to the Austrians they made serious remonstrances for Peace prognosticating the evils to come and shewed the distractions which would arise upon it Bur all offices being vain they apply to strengthen themselves stir up their friends and give vigour to the oppressed Judging that their advantage consisted in not giving time to the Spaniards and the formerly banished to settle themselves in the possession they exhorted the Grisons to a sudden attempt to recover what they had lost by alluring the people with a general pardon and security to the Catholick Religion in the Valley They perswaded also the Switzers upon the ground of their Alliance with the Grisons to take Arms and promised on their side to be assistant disbursing money to the Grisons and sixteen thousand Ducats to the two Cities of Bern and Zurich to arm two Regiments Indignation and common interest not prevailing so much with that people as gold and private profit moves them in Rhetia with that impulse of money they raised twenty
not now say nay to the battel So that at Fleury in the Province of Henault they presentred themselves to it Mansfelt calling the Chiefs and principal Commanders of the Army to him to incourage them says If out of our Country and from quiet Glory and Reward have brought us hither through so many Countries amidst infinite dangers the occasion presents here in this field an abundant harvest We the Restorers of the Liberty of Europe we the Defiers of great Princes we the Contemners of sufferings and of dangers follow through every Climate the Star of Military Fortune Hitherto I have by wisdom and force conducted you in safety through the hatred of the greatest Potentates the snares of so many Treaties and from betwixt the jaws of so many Armies The rest I now commit to your own Valour Cordua here waits upon us a General in so many Encounters in Germany out-witted by us and an Army more than once in the Palatinate beaten by us overcome and chased And now laden with the spoils of that unhappy Country it seems they have reserved them for us for they shall be ours if we will shew our skill in fight and have a mind to overcome But why do I speak of the spoils of an Army or a Country when the most rich and plentiful Provinces of Europe shall remain your prey All those that obey the King of Spain stand here exposed we shall rest our weariness in more abundant Quarters with present glory we shall console the memory of dangers past we shall inrich poverty it self with the plenty and contributions of most large and fruitful Countries The Hollanders will then keep their word as to our reward and the Spaniards remain our prey and spoil My self your General in name am in sufferings your Companion and in fight your fellow Souldier I shall not spare my self in this Encounter my heart my tongue my hand shall labour by concert Other part of the Victory I pretend not for my self but reputation and well deserving for I aspire to nothing but that death it self which into its bosom gathers the oblivion of all should leave me upon my Sepulchre a Record of Glory I should do wrong to your Courage if over and above vast recompences I should particularize to you the necessity of fighting You perceive very well that we are environed on all sides in the heart of the Enemies Country Whether can we have a secure retreat or where a safe refuge without Country without money in this Army alone and the strength of your Arms we have Kingdoms and Treasures As we are now armed we are the Scourge of Princes and the Terror of Europe if overcome we shall be named with infamy proscribed by the Austrians and cursed by all In sum there being no Sanctuary betwixt Victory and Death we must either be beaten or get the Victory While he was thus speaking Cordua on the other part failed not riding round his Army to put some in mind of the Honour of the Nation others of the defence of their own Country and all of the duty to Religion and the Kings Service But now the Cannon henceforward silenced words Cordua had disposed seven in three places Mansfelt had but two and therefore it behoved him with a speedy march to hasten to the shock but at the same instant he commanded them to move he found that in mercenary Armies and composed of Voluntiers many pretended to be equal if not superiour to their Chief All had not the same motives to fight nor the same interest to overcome Part therefore of the Horse mutining stood still instead of going to the Charge demanding Pay The Counts intreaties or reasons nor that calling some by their names he put others in mind of their notable actions and shewed to all that in the necessity of fighting were placed vast rewards and in Victory their pay and rest prevailed not but that they stood immoveable Spectators of the Battel Nor could he now refuse it but with an Army weakned in number and spirit he resolved to enter into it with so great valour and such prudence that greater courage or better conduct could not be desired from himself In the left Wing Halverstadt maintained the fight with his Horse so long till his Arm being broken with a Bullet which was afterwards cut off he was obliged to yield to the pain and the Enemy In the right one the Dukes of Weimar and the Count of Ortemberg were killed The Cavalry then which remained faithful wanting their Chiefs quit the field leaving the Foot which for the most part was cut to pieces on the place And Cordua although he had the Cannon and Baggage of the Count with the name of a Victory received a great blow nor could he so suddenly repair himself as to follow him whereupon Mansfelt gathering up the remainder which were not a few and the Mutineers joyning again with him who at last saw themselves in the same danger marches through Brabant with seven thousand Horse Count Henry Vanden Bergh who was to have stopped his passage returning too late from Frizland where he amused the Hollanders with a diversion by this means the Count had free liberty to joyn himself with the Prince of Orange and attempt the relief of Berghopzoom Spinola ever since the month of July had besieged the place and by reason of the importance of it Forces not unequal were imployed both in the Siege and in the Relief It is situate on the right side of a Chanel of the Scheld where beneath Antwerp it divides it self into several branches and terminates or rather confounds the Confines of Holland Zeland and Brabant Nature there scarce leaves the Land to be distinguished from the Sea At one time it is covered with the Sea and at another it remains dry Heaps of Sand discover themselves in some places and Gulphs of hidden Moors deepen in others and the Chanels being many and the Sea-walls every where continued it looks as if the Waters travelled by Land and the Fields sailed by Sea The Zoom a small River made famous from the place rises and runs on that side and being received in an artificial Chanel in a straight and short course is carried into the Scheld The place is of an irregular form and unsafe of it self little but enlarged with many Out-works and that with so many advantages of situation and such industries of invention that perhaps for the well fortifying of another place Nature and Art have not made a strength greater Not far distant Forts like so many Islands do in all places appear either where the Chanels run or where the Country is overflowed or the passage is open for Supplies and the Commerce with neighbour places Spinola in this one place had many to conquer and therefore the Circumvallation was ordered with great Art The chief Quarters were distributed where there was a height betwixt low and marish places the rest was environed with a continual Trench
than the favour it self nevertheless he had the great Art how to fix the mutable and suspicious Genius of the King and the inconstant nature of the people governing as with a supreme Dictatorship the one and the other even to his death But as to the Affairs of Italy by the disgrace of Pisieux the Minister being changed there was a change also at Rome in the proceeding of the Treaty and Sillery being recalled all that was disavowed which he had negotiated and consented to Monsieur de Bethune a Minister formerly well known in Italy being come to Rome in his place assures the Pope that all that which his Predecessor had approved concerning the Passes was wholly against the Kings mâ—nd and in the name of the Confederates expressing to the holy See unalterable duty and ready consent to that which might secure Religion in the Valley as to the rest refuses any expedient which did not deliver the Grisons from the present oppression restore them to their Country and Soveraignty and did not exclude the Spaniards from the Passes They published this change of Ministers to be a shift but the Pope who had made them deliver to him Riva also and Chiavena endeavoured to gain time perceiving that to which soever of the Parties he should give the possession of the Forts it would serve but for a pretext to kindle a most dangerous War which flaming out betwixt the two Crowns by Auxiliary Forces would quickly extend it self throughout all Europe Nor did the Spaniards now fail as they had succeeded in the gaining of the Cardinal Lodovisio with Rewards and Marriages to try every way to insnare the Barberins also giving hopes to Vrbans Nephews of the Princess Stigliana who being an Inheritrix of vast Territories in the Kingdom of Naples brought also in Dowry the Soveraignty of the strong Fortress of Sabioneda Some also suggested to the Pope and to his House hopes that amidst the jealousies and dissensions of the Princes he might have the hap to get himself glory by uniting the Valley to the Church or obtain advantages by investing his Kindred in it But the one and the other equally displeased the Confederates because no less suspicious was the temporal greatness of the Popes who protected by the Cloak of Religion cannot make War themselves without danger nor overcome without blame then the inclination of the Nephews doubtful it being not possible for him that possesses the Valley but to depend upon the protection and assistance of the Governour of Milan Nothing then remained but the closing in a War France before ingaging out of the Kingdom strengthens it self with two great and important Treaties The first with the Provinces of Holland to whom were promised three millions and two hundred thousand Livres Tournois to be paid in three years upon condition not to make Peace or Truce with Spain without their knowledge and if it should so fall out that France it self should have need of assistance they were to retribute it either by restoring the half of the foresaid sum or by furnishing Ships in proportion The other was the Marriage of Henrietta Sister of King Lewis with Charles Prince of Wales from which was derived a report that the English would break into a War with Spain and the Palatine be restored into his Country by Arms. Charles to say truth from his Voyage into Spain had brought back discontent hatred and desire of revenge against that Crown for though he were received at Madrid with all possible honours he nevertheless penetrated the intention not to restore his Country to Frederick nor conclude the Marriage for which the King the Princess her self Olivares and all the Kingdoms had in their hearts a particular aversion Being for some months amused with several proportions and a difficulty which they feigned came to them from the Court of Rome though to remove it he was induced to write himself to the Pope and tempted at last if he would have a Wife to change his Religion he parted in great haste returning to London by Sea It is not possible to express what disdain vexed the heart of that young Prince and King James with no less vehemency published his revenge having a mind in his old age to adorn his Sepulchre with those resentments which in the course of his Reign having been blunted by idleness seemed to have blemished the glory of his life For this purpose he calls a Parliament in which Buckingham having justified with a zeal to common good and a desire of Peace the Kings intentions concerning the Marriage with Spain and rendred an account of the Princes Voyage it was resolved that the Kings Son-in-law should be restored into his Country by Arms and that the Son should marry with a Princess of the Blood Royal of France But it being usual in England that Parliaments have an equal suspicion of their Kings when they are armed as Kings have of Parliaments when they are united it was presently desolved many jealousies being spread abroad which were believed fomented at least if not raised by the Ambassadour of Spain as if the Parliament adhering to the youthful age of Charles and with applause flattering that Generosity which he shewed to revenge himself would condemn the cooler proceedings and past actions of the King in whose life time they were disposing the spoils and Funerals of his Authority and Command But withal the means were not ripened nor the contributions consented which might raise and keep on foot an Army So that as the Marriage with Henrietta was easily concluded with a dispence from the Pope and many Articles of favour to the consciences of the Catholicks so the moving of Arms quickly vanished It is notwithstanding true that Mansfelt beaten in Germany and in Holland not willingly suffered by Orange through emulation of military glory and the applause of the people was called into England by the King where being received with great honour making him his General for the recovery of the Palatinate he ordains him an Army of ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with six pieces of Cannon if France would concur with a Force proportionable Sending him with this Proposition to King Lewis who professed himself disgusted with the Count because he had taken the Title of the Kings General without his knowledge and therefore when he went to London had forbid him coming into France he obtains to be admitted to treat with his Ministers denying him his own presence He was supplied with some money by the French with promises of more though in effect they had little fervency in the interest of the Palatine But for Italy having secured all behind him by the friendship of the English and the flank by the War of Flanders they applied themselves with more warmth to the Affairs of the Valteline The Venetians imployed all care with the Princes of Italy to unite them in the common Interest But succeeded no further but to induce the Dukes of Savoy and
pacifie the Austrians but all in vain because interest lying thwart and looking at him born in France and brought up there with Goods Countries and Governments they could never be perswaded that he would sincerely separate himself from that Crown King Lewis declared himself that he would maintain him in his Right with all his Forces and with his own Person if it were necessary to go into Italy but finding himself ingaged with the Huguenots and the English such a report served only for an appearance and the King well knowing it made tryal of the way of a Treaty having sent Monsieur de Saint Simon to the Duke of Mantua to the end he might dispose him to strengthen the Rights of Nevers by the Marriage formerly proposed The Ambassadour found the Duke still deluded with the hopes he should live long so that he obtained nothing else but the gaining of the Marquess Striggio upon whose counsels Vincenzo mostly relyed to promote the cause and advantages of Nevers when the occasion should be presented He returns then into France but the designs of the Savoyards discovering themselves to advance in proportion as the dissolution of the Marriage was scrupled at Rome and the indispositions of the Duke increased in Mantua he was sent back to Carlo Emanuel to offer him Revenues and Lands in Monferrat in exchange of his pretensions and withal to demonstrate to him How much it was better for him rather to preserve Peace in Italy than give nourishment to the Potency of Spain against which he having in other times made his breast a defence he ought not to obscure the Glory of it by new Maxims foreign to his own advantage and his ancient practices But the Duke so much the more high and lofty as he was smoothed and sought to not thinking the advantages proposed equal to his hopes pretended a great Party of the Monferrat not only on the score of his old Rights but as a kind of revenge that Ferdinand had not performed the agreement some few years before concluded and turning the state of affairs and times to his own advantage considered that Spain remaining resolute to hinder that a Prince protected by or rather subject to France should have Soveraignty in Italy it was best for him to make use of his own connivence and force for the possessing of Monferrat rather than leave it in prey to the more powerful Whilst he had his thoughts bent upon this in Turin greater inducements fell out in Mantua where the Duke by the craziness he had contracted fallen very sick gave occasion for many treacheries and designs Caesar Son of the Prince of Guastalla was then in Milan to promote the interest of his Family or rather to have his Name made use of by the Spaniards who laying hold of any pretext armed powerfully and ordered many contrivances and preparations to prevent the attempts which Nevers might make and sending four thousand Foot and one thousand Horse to the Confines of Mantua under the Count de Guerrara waited only till the Duke should expire to enter and take possession of it But Vincenzo An. Dom. 1628 by the perswasions of Striggio had in great secrecy called to him Rhetel that he might marry the Princess and be in the City at the time of his death the better to secure to himself the Succession and Principality and he with a seasonable diligence being arrived there unlooked for dissipated a great storm before it brake forth for many of the chief persons being averse to the very name of the French abhorred to have Nivers their Soveraign and entertained Treaties and Intelligences to raise as soon as the Duke should be dead and before some commotion in favour of Guastalla and of Spain for which purpose Francesco Rota Serjeant Major had been corrupted and many Arms were gathered together in the house of Frederick Gonzagha But so soon as Rhetel was arrived the Duke immediately made him Lieutenant General and the better to corroborate his Right by a solemn Testament declares him Heir To perfect the Marriage nothing was wanting but the Dispensation of the Pope by reason of the Kindred St. Simon was come to Mantua to sollicite it and the Count of Serbellone was dispatched from Milan by his endeavours and protestations to hinder it and from the Duke of Savoy the Bishop of Mondovi but they came too late For the dispence from Rome seasonably arriving at the instant that the night after Christmas-day the Duke dyed the Marriage was consummated that very hour the Corps of Vincenzo being yet warm who it was given out had by his last words ordained it The day following the Bridegroom together with mourning assumes the Title of Prince of Mantua and having in his power the Garrison and the Citadel called Porto requires from the people the Oath of Fidelity in the Name of his Father Guastalla publishes a Patent of the Emperours Commissary secretly afterwards obtained by the favour of the Spanish Ministers in which Ferdinand enjoyns to him to take possession in the Emperours Name of the Country of Mantua till the right should be declared without innovating any thing requiring Cordua that now governed Milan to maintain the Decree by force if need required He had thoughts of going himself to Mantua but seeing the passage stopt by the anticipations of Rhetel he sends the Count Mandelli to Casale to cooperate in practices which Cordua had set on foot there and to alienate the minds of that people from acknowledging the new Prince But all in vain because the name of Nevers by the endeavours chiefly of Trajano Viscardi great Chancellor was by those of Casale and the Monferrins with universal applause cryed up ANNO M.DC.XXVIII The Interests of Princes being now discovered and the secrets unveiled Reason or Justice were no longer debated in the Cause of Mantua but calculations made of force opportunity and advantage so that it was like a fluctuant Sea from which proceeded and whither tended the affections of Princes as they were more or less inclined to the one or other Party At Venice they were all agreed to maintain the liberty of Italy and their own safety which was understood to be in danger by the oppression of a neighbour State but they were as much differing about the means some with offices alone desiring to divert the dangers others by open declarations not declining to oppose the designs of the Austrians There wanted not inclinations to enter into Alliance with France but others calling to mind the late proceedings of that Crown in the Affairs of the Valteline and esteeming the assistance of Strangers little less disadvantagious to this Country than the injuries of War preferred a League with the Pope and other Princes of Italy with whom forming a middle Party they believed it easie to protect the Justice of Nevers by Negotiation and defend themselves on all occasions against violence This opinion was represented by the Senate to Vrban who no whit perplexed was
assist him with a body of their men that while the King forced the Alps and the Duke of Guise with the Fleet would endeavour landing so to send succours to Casal they might pass into or attacque the Milanese from this other side for the assistance of one another either by diversion or conjunction of Forces It appearing to the Senate that the strength of the Army by Sea did not answer the fame of it and many difficulties discovering themselves which might be met with at the Alps the Council thought it more wise to stay till the King should be in Piedmont But to the end the Duke might be able to maintain his Troops they furnish him with seventy thousand Ducats and to have all in readiness to second the Kings undertaking order General Erizzo to dispose of the Army into such Quarters that it might be quickly drawn together to give countenance to the Duke and jealousie to the Milanese when the occasion should require it Nine thousand Foot and a thousand Horse being thus distributed on the Frontiers gave great jealousie to the Governour who to send a body to that side so weakened himself in the Camp that he was scarce able to supply wherewith to keep his Posts and Guards in the Trenches The Duke of Mantua kept together five thousand Souldiers in pay but with great difficulty by reason of the continual want wherein he was of money so that to please them with some advantage and entertain them with booty he sent them into the Cremonese against Casal Maggiore a Town rich and great kept by eight hundred men of the Country who frighted at the approach of the Mantuans left it them in prey scarce saving the Cannon by Water It was thereupon exposed to Pillage and afterwards abandoned Sabioneda as hath been said elsewhere was possessed by a Princess of the House of Stigliana who not believing it secure from the Forces of the Borderers had trusted it to the Duke of Parma who kept it with a great Garrison and exceeding much care as a pledge recommended to his trust by all Italy The Spaniard had several times in this Conjuncture desired of him to permit the entrance of a body of their men to trouble the Duke of Mantua and the Neighbours But finding no forwardness in the Duke they applied themselves to Craft causing Nassau to enter into it admitted by the Marquess of St. Vitale the Governour out of respect to the Imperial Name of the Emperor and at the same time they perswaded the Prince Buzzolo who had great pretensions upon the place to draw near to it giving him hopes that the Gates by means of the Imperial Commissary should be opened to him But the Governour perceiving the design the Prince found the defence in such sort ordered that without other attempt he retires and Nassau thought it best to be gone It was moreover believed that the advertisement to the Duke of Parma of the design of Buzzolo came from the Spaniards themselves to induce him with the apprehensions of so many dangers to call them to a part of the custody and defence of it But he rather strengthens it and Buzzolo having recourse to the Venetians that they might give him means to attempt the surprise of it was disswaded by them both by the difficulty which would arise in exploiting of it and by the unseasonableness to draw stirs into those parts King Lewis to facilitate his passage of the Mountains made a new attempt to overcome the mind of Carlo Emanuel offering to add to twelve other thirty thousand Crowns of yearly Rent for his pretensions of Monferrat and inviting him to the enterprise of Genoua with the flatteries of greater advantages Whereupon the Duke taking a measure of the Genius of the Cardinal whom from the desire of revenge he judged to be brought in so cold a season towards Italy thought it too dangerous to draw under the title of Friendship so brave an Army into the bowels of Piedmont with the presence of the King and of a Minister maliciously affected He had his confidence in the season of the Winter in the nature of the Situations in his own Forces in the Succours of Spain and in the Motions of the Huguenots whence he doubted not of Courage to promote the good and Art to extricate himself out of all Fortune He was become crafty above any other in selling himself at a dear rate at a time of need and was wont always even to his Friends to make shew of necessity but at this very time to keep all right he received from the Governour all that he devised to ask He resolved to send him three thousand Souldiers which was the most he could do not having been willing to weaken his Forces on the Confines of the Venetians or be diverted from strengthening the maritime Garrisons for fear of the Army by Sea though it appeared not because the Souldiers appointed for it were called to greaten that by Land So that he remained before Casal with only two thousand Souldiers in pay and four thousand of the Country whereupon he sollicites the Princes obliged to send their Proportions for the defence of the Milanese but they all excused themselves it seeming that in some at the appearing of the French Army the ancient respect to Spain vanished together with the present fear On the other side the French pressed that the Princes of Italy would now be assisting to their own safety by joyning themselves to their Crown But the Pope perceiving the intention to oppose the Austrians now he saw the French Colours on the Border of Italy refused to depart from Neutrality and had appointed for Legate à Latere the Cardinal Anthonio his Nephew for the negotiating of a Peace The Venetians judging that the coming of the King did not sufficiently remedy the necessity by reason of the coming down of the Germans and that Mantua was so begirt that it could not receive succours from France consented to under-write a League with France and with the Duke of Mantua which being to last for seven years for the removing of present dangers and establishing Peace obliged the Confederates to succour one another reciprocally in case of Invasion The King with twenty thousand Foot and a thousand Horse the Republick with twelve thousand of the one and a thousand and two hundred of the other and the Duke with five thousand of the first and five hundred of the last In proportion to the Forces the Conquests were to be divided if from the defensive they should be forced to attacque Jealousies were not wanting even when it was ready to be signed For the Voyage of Monsieur de Botru a Confident of the Cardinals to the Court of Spain under a pretext to propose Expedients for the Affairs of Italy but in truth to discover the intentions of Olivares and the Treaties which he had with the Huguenots kept the Venetians a while in suspence but the suspicions quickly vanishing they sent
usually exacted from all sorts of Vessels Vrban complained of it by reason of the prejudice that would thence result to the Port of Ancona but the Senate did not release them till upon the coming of Bernardo Giorgi Ambassadour from those of Ragusa to Venice to demand them of grace they were contented to deliver them upon payment of the contribution which was due But because in fulfilling of the Contract made by the Costaguti with the Germans the Corn was carried by the Sacca di Goro to Ferrara the Senate sent armed Barks and Gallies thither which stopped certain Boats and seconding it with great complaints made by their Ambassadour Angelo Contarini Cavalier represented to the Pope how prejudicial it was that having revolted from the first invitations to France and the Republick to be assistant to the Cause of Mantua and the publick Counsels he should feed to the hurt of others that Army whereof but a while ago himself was so much afraid of their neighbourhood and force THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1630 THE EIGHTH BOOK ANNO M.DC.XXX NIcolo Contarini being assumed in the beginning of this year to the Principality of Venice the care of the Senate was busied about the defence of Mantua whose preservation being to be ascribed to the Merit of the Republick obliged for the future to a most vigilant minding of it In order thereunto they brought into it a new Relief of Men and Provisions in abundance repaired the Fortifications paying the Garrison with their own money and maintaining also the Dukes Court. Marmirolo and Castiglione called the Mantuan were guarded by their Souldiers the Duke having abandoned Curtartone and Montanara not to distract his Forces into so many places Frequent and bloody occasions happened with the German Garrisons of Castelluzo Gazzulo Borgoforte Governolo and Goito with various Fortune The Country was full of terrour and slaughter The Campagnia was made desolate the Churches were pillaged and the People were killed The Inhabitants of some Towns taking Arms from despair drove out the Enemies Garrisons but not having a Force to defend themselves equal to their impatience paid miserably the penalty with fire and blood in particular la Volta a great place suffered a chastisement so barbarous and cruel that no sort of cruelty was there omitted The Mareshal d'Estré was Richelieu his fore-runner in Italy appointed by the King to reside in Mantua in quality of Ambassadour Extraordinary He being arrived at Venice and followed a while after by Monsieur de Sabran a Gentleman that was sent passed together with D'Avaux Ambassador in Ordinary most effectual offices with the Senate that they would send their Army into the Milanese magnifying with such efficacy the Generosity of the King the Prudence of the Cardinal the Felicity of their Colours the Strength of their Army that Conquests seemed secure and Spoils certain Their considerations were That the Germans were weakened by what they had suffered and were almost consumed by the plague Spinola's Army diminished and the Duke of Savoy constrained to submit to the Kings will or necessitated if he should resist to draw the Army of the Austrians into the bosom of his Country though Auxiliaries yet little less than Enemies So that the Common-wealths danger was every way diminished and the Enemy removed far off When could that Chain ever be broken which hath already held Italy so many years in subjection if a resolution were not taken to shake it off now that Wills Forces and a Conjuncture conspired for it Let the Senate therefore happily resolve to be stirring with their Army for that there remained no greater enemy to be overcome than the slowness of resolutions and hesitations of Councils Let them bestow this unheard of benefit upon Italy and procure glory to themselves which carried with it quiet and increase because the King liberally bestowing on his Confederates the Conquests contented himself with his own Greatness and with the glorious Title of the Deliverer of Italy The French were as much fixed in the resolution not to break with the Spaniards as they effectually desired the Republick should do it But the Republick although it knew the present danger to be so great that it was fit not to regard future hazards persisted in their first counsels offered to invade so soon as the Kings Army having passed the Alps should assault the King of Spains Country on the other side alledged in excuse the consideration of being over-powred by the Germans and the necessity of not esloignating the Army from Mantua The Cardinal found himself ingaged with the general expectation of the World to make good with actions and counsels that great reputation which Fame had cast upon his person so that he diligently pursues his march overcoming the difficulty of the season and the artifices of the Enemy who by several propositions attempted to amuse him At Ambrun he gave Audience to the Nuntio Pancirolo and in the presence of the Ambassadour Soranzo gave him a Project which contained the departure of the Germans out of Italy the restitution of what they had taken the Investiture to Carlo and the liberty of the Grisons But the Austrian Ministers affirming to have no power to treat concerning the Grisons insisted that the French Garrisons should be removed out of Casal and out of Monserrat Peace then amidst such contrary propositions being despaired of the Cardinal by means of Monsieur Servient turns his instances towards the Duke of Savoy to give passage to the Army furnish it with Victuals and joyn his Troops to the Royal Colours He to spend time alledged sometimes excuses then made difficulty about the way the Army was to take and the means to provide it at last he desired that the enterprise of Genoua might be resolved on and that invading conjoyntly the Milanese Arms might not be laid down before it was wholly conquered Nothing pressed the Cardinal more than to mortifie the Duke Declaring therefore friendship with the Genouese and publishing the carrying of Arms into Italy to no other end but to advance and establish an honourable and secure Peace firmly denies him that which he had formerly offered him nay seeming doubtful lest Carlo with scanty Victuals inconvenient Quarters and other tricks might go about to destroy and consume that Army he demands that Avigliana should be demolished it being neither seemly to march under the view and Cannon of that place nor safe to leave it behind At last it was agreed after long contests that the new Works being dismantled three hundred Souldiers should be put into the old Fortress but it was quickly discovered that the one Party retaining disdain sought for pretexts and the other meditating on revenge was framing Treacheries The French beginning their march beheld not only the Fortifications still on foot but the place guarded by the Duke in person with three thousand Horse and fifteen thousand Foot the Militia of the Country hastily assembled for a shew The
removes to Aken in hope to form a third party but seeing no body come to him was forced not without some discredit to put himself under the protection of the States The Spaniards hereupon appeared to be much distracted and full of cares fearing lest the Nobility should be of the same mind and the disposition of the people wavering whereupon to entertain them with an appearing satisfaction they assemble at Brussels the States of the Provinces a thing which as prejudicious and of danger had been disused for a very long time Nor did it now prove of advantage because some admitted to the liberty of delivering their opinions and to make demands thought to moderate at least if not shake off the Dominion of Spain and they sent Deputies to the Hague to treat of an Agreement but the States insisted that before entring into the business they should drive the Spaniards out of the Country which not being in their power being oppressed with Armies and bridled by Citadels served nevertheless to disunite them and make the Spaniards so jealous that not being willing to use the people longer to such discourses Command came from Madrid that the Assembly should be dissolved Whereupon many knowing that they were rendred suspect for having truly declared their Judgments left the Country with better success than those who trusting too far were though after some years severely punished The Hollanders taking advantage of these discords invited by the Swedes by a solemn Ambassage and induced by France with a considerable sum of money after having taken Venlo and Ruremond attacqued Maestricht a place of great strength The Marquess of Santa Croce General of the Spanish Army knowing himself not able alone to relieve it with Presents and Intreaties invites Papenhaim who thereupon abandoning the Elector of Colen who suffered much from the Swedes comes with the Imperial Troops to joyn with him and with incredible boldness attacques the Hollaners Camp But Santa Croce remaining an immoveable Spectator of the success the Germans found the Lines so strong and well raised and provided with so many Cannon that with much loss they were forced to retire The place then after a Siege of almost three months finding it self having lost all the Out-works straightned by the approaches with open Breaches and the Ramparts blown up with Mines capitulates with honourable conditions the Surrender the Garrison reduced to fifteen hundred men marching out in sight of the Spanish and German Armies Upon this conquest being an action of great reputation they got the Towns of Orsoy and Limburg with other places thereabouts which extended the contributions very far Nor had at this time the Count of Soissons with a considerable Army given a little Jealousie on the side of France so that the Spaniards found themselves obliged to oppose to him a body not inferiour under Carlo Colonna Thus the Crowns being not yet broken out into War exercised openly the hatred of their Ministers who imployed their wits with equal cunning but different fortune for as to the Cardinal the felicity of success did frequently out-run his desires and go beyond his designs whereas on the other side the Conde Duke could not conceive a thought but it was enough to render the effect abortive and unhappy But the death of King Gustavus looked as if it might make a change in affairs every where He with the progress he made in Bavaria had designed to fall into Austria in hope that in that which is called the Vpper the Peasants ill affected to the present State would have risen and the minds as well as the forces would have been raised of the Protestants who concealing themselves or making an open profession together made no small Party in that Country He therefore had first made a course into Suevia and all rendring at his appearance Vlm Meminghen and other places fell easily into his power In the mean time Wallestain in Moravia quietly compleats his Army and left Gallas with a small body in Bohemia to attend upon Saxony But understanding that some of the Protestants assembled in Torgan had resolved to join with that Elector he moves with his whole Army and coming to Prague recovers the City without much dispute From thence he had a mind to give Saxony a Blow numbring the losses of Bavaria amongst his contentments Nevertheless called back by the clamours of the Duke Maximilian and his entreaties rather than the Emperours commands he leaves Gallas with a new re-inforcement to oppose Arnheim General of the Saxons and with a slow march takes his way towards Bavaria leaving in his passage through the Vpper Palatinate so many marks of military license and his own hatred against the Duke that it looked as if he went rather to ruine him than carry him relief Afterwards near Nuremberg a City as is known amongst the free ones to be one of the greatest but also the most tenacious amongst those of the Protestants he intrenches himself The King could not suffer the ruine of it without loosing that credit which he had with that party whereupon he made haste to draw near to it and encamping about it was in place of a Garrison to the City which supplied necessaries and conveniencies to the Army This our Age and perhaps scarce any past had not seen assembled together so powerful Forces reckoned in both Armies about eighty thousand Souldiers besides followers and useless people which amounted to an incredible sum Victuals neverthetheless were plenty and discipline flourished by the vigilance and skill of the Chiefs who had art and valour not unsutable to their strength Each pretended to overcome his Enemy either by tempting him with inconveniencies or provoking him with boldness But Wallestein placed his hopes more in prolonging the War than precipitating his Councils and the King placing all in reputation and fortune desired to come to an engagement After having offered Battel to no purpose he assaults the Enemies quarters and at the first fury the Bavarians who were quartered thereabout giving way he hoped to have mastered the Trenches and in effect broke into them but finding greater resistance from the high and difficult situation it gave time to Fridtland to come to the relief and to repulse him Three thousand of the Swedes were killed upon the place and it being the first encounter wherein whether it was fancy or fortune that deceived Gustavus it is not to be said how afflicted he was at it and how much that title of Invincible which common opinion had attributed to him remained prejudiced Inflamed by a generous impatience for so long and unsuccessful stay leaving in the City a numerous Garrison he marching towards Francony sending Banier into Bavaria to keep the Duke from the Imperialists and dispute with him the re-conquests of his Countries because whilst the Armies had been employed about Nuremberg the Elector Maximilian with the assistance of the people had recovered most of what he had lost and making advantage of others dangers
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powerful intreaties to Peace and the Republick by its offices and equal instances pressed it extending them also to the Princes of different Religion whether those of Vrban could not come and particularly to the Provinces of Holland To Oxenstern who sent to Venice the Count Galeazzo Gualdo Prior of Vicenza to communicate the straights in which the party was and to desire assistance the Senate gravely offered remonstances of the same nature Giovanni Craft Counsellor of the Court passing at this time in the Name of the Emperour to the Princes of Italy enemies to Spain to perswade them to Peace exhorted also the Republick to cooperate in so great a good and had for answer precise expressions of the desire she had of Peace and the imployment which with all her power she contributed to the Mediation Ferdinand truly desired Peace in proportion as it closed with his interest for affairs being in a better condition he hoped to make without disadvantage and to transmit to his Son the Succession more quiet and secure And for that cause he was not against the suspension of Arms which the Pope proposed betwixt France and the Austrians but the Favourites of France and Spain having reduced their private grudges into publick contests reciprocally believed the Treaty not sincere and the Peace not secure Nevertheless at the request and example of Vrban who publishes the Cardinal Ginetti his Legate à Latere Plenipotentiaries were named by the Princes to treat of an Accord and by so much the more willingly by Richelieu as that seeing the French themselves apt to blame the unprosperous events of their Arms he thereby obtains a suspension of the peoples censure by impressing upon them the hopes of Treaties for a Peace But while the Venetians studied to reconcile the common discords of Christendom their own differences with the Pope increased The business concerning the Consul of Ancona rightly understood by the French Ministers was at last composed and Oberti thereupon admitted to the Charge and a while after leave was granted him by the Senate to withdraw himself for a time out of the City After this Meetings being renewed the Negotiation about the Confines was taken in hand again the French Ambassadour Monsieur de la Thuillerie treating about it in Venice with the two formerly deputed Nani and Soranzo proposing to draw a Line which always terminating upon the Land left no other difficulty but to adjust that the Chanels of the Po changing their course and passing the Line if that of the Donzella should pass to the other it should be understood to belong to the Dominion Ecclesiastick and contrariwise that of the Goro coming to this side it should belong to the Venetians But the Popes Ministers after having in the course of the Negotiation several times changed their minds in the closing with the foresaid Proposition pretended that Portoviro should remain on their side This is but the remaining sign of a narrow Chanel or rather a moorish Ditch but because it bore a good deal within the Line and was a place of the unquestionable Jurisdiction of the Venetians they would not joyn their consent to the liking of the French who shewed themselves by reason of the novelty of the pretension offended with the Pontificians But this and all other Negotiation was broken off with Rome by a more important occasion happening towards the end of this year for the Ambassadour Luigi Contarini was scarce gone out of the City having had leave of the Senate to go to certain Baths in Tuscany and thence home leaving till a Successor should arrive Francesco Maria Rossi his Secretary at the Court but there appeared in the Royal Hall this is the Nobles Room in the Vatican where the Ambassages of Kings which are termed of Obedience are received by the Pope an alteration of the Elogium which commemorated the Merit gained by the Republick in the defence of Pope Alexander the Third against Frededrick Barbarossa the Emperour almost five Ages agone happily subdued by Arms and constrained to a Peace Rome it self was amazed at such a novelty because the Inscriptions by which were explained the Pictures in the Hall of the most memorable actions of Christendom had been made choice of in the time of Pope Pius the Fourth by a Consultation of Cardinals and other Learned persons and that in particular had been extracted by Alexander out of the most ancient proofs the consent of Authors Inscriptions Pictures Marbles and out of authentick and infinite Memorials and though in these late times called into doubt by Cardinal Baronius yet the credit of the History remained and out of it redounded praise to the Republick and to the Church renown Now the Pope changing the Elogium altered the matter of Fact An. Dom. 1636 suppressed the Victory of the Venetians and was silent in all that which advanced their deserving and the benefit imparted to the Church Upon the advice hereof which came to Venice mens minds were unspeakably moved and the thing was not only weighed in the Consults of the Senators and gravely reflected on but in common discourses many of the Citizens authorized themselves to aggravate that the Pope after having given so many other arguments of disaffection to the Republick had at last resolved to vent his anger against Marble-stones and disquiet the ashes in the Sepulchres abolishing out of the World as much as he was able the Memorials and cancelling the Glory of their Ancestors Some complained that Vrban should deny to acknowledge that Merit of the Republick to which his Predecessors had not disdained to confess themselves obliged Others that in the doubtful state of Religion in so many parts oppressed in the discords of Christendom and the general corruption of Manners he should apply himself to dispute reputation with the dead All confessed that the Republick could no more send Ambassadours to venerate as is the custom in that Hall the Vicars of Christ so long as their most Illustrious Memorials should remain suspended if not condemned But the Senate presently commanded Rossi that he should come away without taking leave of the Pope or of the Court and the Colledge that they should deny Audience to the Nuntio and communicating to Princes the real resentment of what had happened declare that no other course or expedient could ever satisfie it but the entire restitution of the ancient Elogium ANNO MDCXXXVI In the beginning of this year happened in Venice a thing almost not to be spoken of if it had not been tossed up and down variously in discourses more perhaps than it deserved The long habit of the Patricians by custom of immemorial time retains the reverence and gravity of the ancient Togati and in Magistrates of Eminency was distinguished as to Authority and Respect by the colour and largeness whereupon such a Garment was called Ducale or more vulgarly with Large Sleeves Those that came out of the Charge of Counsellors or of the Savii of the Council
which among those belonging to the City and Policy have the chiefest ranks and who in Ambassages to Kings had done Service to the Country bringing back the degree of Knighthood continued to use the same form of Garment but black during their lives When this custom had its beginning is not known or whether there was a Law for it obliterated by time or that time had given it the authority of a Law The number now seemed somewhat enlarged whilst a certain virtuous desire to render themselves distinguished from the common provoked many to sollicite the chief Imployments of the City and to merit them animated to undertake those abroad that were more difficult and burdensom Some began with whispers afterwards with more open discourses in Companies and the idle Market-place to blame the custom and the distinction not authorized by a Law nay rather to accuse it as an ambitious invention of those who not being able through the wise Institutions of the Republick to continue in the Magistracy had yet a mind for ostentation to bear the Badges of it They said That in these Garments was not manifested that moderation of a private life in which the interchangeable course of command regulates the equality of the Citizens Whence was that Law which in the Republick if liberty exempts from the command of Strangers moderates and restrains the pride and avarice of private men Can possibly Honours be wanting to Citizens or can Citizens be wanting for Honours where in the quality of Birth they all enjoy the ornament of liberty united to the dignity of command Their service being as a debt which is lent to the Country ought to pass without reward and if the imployments be short to the end that the exercise of them may be modest why should a perpetual distinction be desired That in the moderate minds of the Citizens were more firmly grounded the Ornaments of Dignity the Monuments of Glory the Badges and the Praises Others dissented from that opinion believing that with the uniformity of Garments was intended the taking away the degrees and difference not only from Persons but from Merit in such sort that actions and persons should undistinguishedly be confounded Nevertheless by Anthony Veniero and Andrea Morosini Counsellors Giovanni Baptista Foscarini and Giovanni Cernovicchio Capi de Quaranta was proposed to the great Council a Decree that laying aside the Ducals by those that wore them and not continuing them for the future when out of Office they should only be reserved to the Procurators of St. Marco the Eldest Son or Brother of the Dukes and to the Great Chancellor to whom they were already permitted by the Laws To Knights in honour of the degree it was granted that under the Vest should be worn Garments of red and the Welt of the Robe with the Ornaments of the Girdle gilt Conformable to the inclination of the major number it was embraced though the Duke and Francesco Basadonna Giovanni Pizani Domenico Ruzzini Counsellors together with Francesco Barbarigo Capo de Quaranta proposed that this very ancient custom should not be abolished but rather reformed yielding that Vest in future to him that should have twice undergone the Charge of Counsellor or four times that of Savio of the Council reckoning also within that number Embassies and Governments Immediately with a notable Example of Punctuality was seen the day following the Habits laid aside some remaining from age their grey hairs and their merit taken notice of by the people much more adorned and distinguished than they were before by the Garment A while after an attempt was made by Girolamo Trivisano Girolamo Pesaro and Marino Bragadino Avogadori of the Commons to suspend the resolution to the end it might be proposed anew with some kind of reformation but it being confirmed no more was said of it which signified that in the debates of businesses the Understanding is in the Citizens the Father of divers opinions but after Decrees past the Will is in all equally the Mother of obedience Re-assuming now the discourse of the War betwixt the Crowns Forces not inferiour to the hatreds were in preparation nor had advantages served on the one side to pacifie them or losses on the other to suppress them but from ancient experiences and new successes the Forces seeming rather equally poised the emulation of minds was so much the more inflamed In Italy the Spaniards during the Winter were very strong both by the arrival of new succours and because the passages for Germany and for Flanders being shut before them they were forced to entertain the Army in that Province On the other side the French partly consumed before Valenza and partly by natural impatience disbanded appeared to be greatly weakned Nevertheless there wanted not several Factions of War The Marquess Villa lodged with the Troops which served for Convoy to those of Duke Edward in the Piacentino and had order to made an Inroad into the Modonese to revenge the adherence of that Duke and the sending of Souldiers to the Spaniards To have a pretext for it he desires quarters might be given to a part of his Troops and that being denied him he falls of a sudden into the Territory of Modena with a thousand Foot and as many Horse plundering Castelnuovo and other places and carrying away the Booty The Duke from the flames and flight of the Peasants informed of the assault was greatly surprised because the mischief was done him by the Troops of the Duke of Savoy his Uncle and he was obliged to revenge himself upon him of Parma his Neighbour Kinsman and till now Confident He and his Country were taken unprovided of men and if he invited the Spaniards he knew the succours would cost him dear Having recourse to the Venetians he found that if amidst the discords of Strangers they kept themselves neuter they would much less take other part amongst the Princes of Italy than to perswade and sollicite Peace so that he was forced to address himself to Leganes the Governour of Milan and he readily embracing the invitations sends him two thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse with his best Commanders which were Vincenzo Gonzagha the Baron de Batteville and the Count Arese To these joyning between three and four thousand men tumultuarily got together of the Country-Militia under the Prince Luigi his Uncle who by leave of the Venetians was come into that Country he sends them into that of Parma whither Villa was withdrawn who assaulting them with great bravery in their march towards Parma forced them to a Retreat Gonzagha and almost all the Spanish Officers being hurt Nevertheless Rossena which is a little District beyond the River Lenza belonging to Parma remained in the hands of the Modenese in recompence of the damages or rather for a fair pretext for a Treaty In effect the Dukes Edward and Francis had little inclination to break into War betwixt themselves and the Savoyards letting pass this resentment as in complacence to