Westward allso by other parts of the Alps where the river Liquentia separats her from the Mark of Treviso and Southward runns the Adriatic Sea She is a region that hath plesant fields well waterd with rivers and fountains ther are great store of vineyards woods mineralls and quarries of stone The noble river Hydra runns there nere which ther is quicksylver diggd up the Inhabitants are ingenious enough for all humane Arts and marchandizing Friuli is commonly among the Venetians calld La Patria whence som inferr that they had their Originall thence Istria hath for her Bounds Westward the river Timavas Northward the Alps which separat Hungarie and Carniola from Italie Eastward She hath the river Arsias the rest is compassd with the Adriatic Sea She is a rough uneven Countrey yet She may be sayed to swell with hillocks rather than high hills but She hath one which surpasseth all the rest calld Montemajor She hath woods fitt for Shipps and all other uses She hath allso good store of stone quarreis whence ther is much marble diggd out for the service of Venice her Mistresse and other places of Italie The Inhabitants are poorer than in other Countreys yet they have divers Citties Townes and Villages The Countrey of Brescia is of large extent neer upon one hundred miles and fifty miles broad In this tract of Land there rise up mountaines hillocks plaines and valleys inlayed with Townes Villages and plesant Houses very thick in most places So that ther is little of the earth left idle In this territorie ther are so many Castles Townes and Villages that they can hardly be found thicker any where The Soyle abounds with wheat millet and other grains ther is plenty of wine and oile with other fruits Moreover ther is great quantity of iron and copper diggd up and down in the mines wherof the Inhabitants make very great benefitt The Countrey of Bergamo is fertile enough except towards the North where it is mountanous rough and barren Yet ther are valleys in great nombers wherof som produce wine and oile very plesant but som of them are steril and good for nothing only som iron mines are found here and there In Bergamo is spoken one of the coorsest dialects of all the Italian toung Verona and her Territories are next She is seated on a very plesant and comodious river the Athesis She is cape Cittie of the second rank through all Italie Som hold her name to be originally Brenona of Brennus the Britain who was General of an Army of Gaules for his extraordinary valour In this name of Verona is comprehended the three most renowned Citties of Italie viz. Ve-Venice Ro-Rome and Na-Naples her territories are 65. miles in length and 40. in bredth This Cittie hath yet the ruines of one of the fairest Amphitheaters that ever was and Catullus the Poet makes her somwhat more famous because he was born in her The Countrey circumjacent abounds with wheat wine oiles sheep and very good fleeces with abundance of the choicest and most delicat fruits it hath excellent quarreis of stone with rivers lakes and pools and rare fountains sources of fresh waters with most choice medicinal Simples upon the mountain Baldus where all Physicians resort Crema bordering upon Milan with her territory hath an excellent soyl fruitfull and well cultivated and extraordinarily well wooded She hath very generous wines and exquisit sorts of fruit many brooks of cleer water which are well stord with fish and abundance of Lampreys They have one kind of fish whom the Inhabitants call Marsoni whose head is neer twice as bigg as the body but of a most savoury tast Crema was a long time under the Vicountship of Milan untill the yeer 1405. at which time together with Brixia it came under the Dominion of the Signorie by conditions of peace twixt Francis Sforza them since when She is mightily improvd in wealth and civilitie Iohannes Cremensis was a Natif of this he was employd Anno 1125. by Pope Honorius the second in quality of Legat to England to disswade the Clergie from mariage wherupon a Convocation was calld wherin the Legat made a very eloquent Speech in comendation of Celibat and how advantagious it was for Churchmen to live single and sequestred from the cares of the world and encombrances of humane affaires Padua a most reverend learned old Citie in Latin calld Patavium Antenor the Trojan is recorded to be her Founder whose Tomb is there still extant She was erected an Academy Anno 1222. Her fame spreads all the earth over for a Seminary of the best Physicians having a Garden of Simples accordingly She is famous for the birth of Livie the great Roman Annalist whose picture is to be seen fresh to this day and of late yeers for Zabarell and Maginus In former times She was much cryed up for the mansuetude of the men and the pudicity of her women so that the Patavian chastity grew to be a proverb wherunto alludes the Roman Epigrammatist speaking of her in his wanton Poems Tu quoque nequitias nostri lusúsque libelli Uda puella leges sis Patavina licet Padâ—…a was in times passd girt about with a treble wall but a double contents her now which hath very deep Ditches round about for the River Brent with infinit expence and labour was brought to this Cittie which hath much advantaged her both for strength and navigation She is situated in a most delightfull and uberous plain enjoying a sweet temperat clime with a singular good soyle by reason of the neighbourhood of the Euganean mountains which are Westward of Her The Inhabitants have high witts and apt for pike or pen The circumference of the Cittie is twofold inward and outward the first hath but three miles compas the second neer upon seven miles about the Cittie the walks may be calld a perpetuall kind of gallerie Her Temples and dwelling Houses both public and privat are more magnificent than elswhere She hath six stately Gates five large Markett places She hath within the Walls 22. great Churches 23. Monasteries and 29. Religious Houses for Nunnes She hath the most renowned Hall for public Justice of any Town in Italie coverd all with lead and yet propd upon no pillars the Councell Court hath Gates and Columns of Marble She hath 28. Bridges archd over the Brent which runns through her She hath very spacious Piazzas She hath 6. Hospitalls three for the poor and three for Pilgrims She hath a place calld the Monte de pietá which was set up of purpose to root out the lucre and exorbitant feneration of the Jewes who were usd to demand twenty in the hundred for brocage She hath two Hospitalls besides for Orphans and other poor Children Ther are 38000. Crownes depositated in the hands of severall persons of quality where the poorer sort may make their addresse with their pawns and if it be under thirty shillings they pay no use for the money if it be
S. P Q. V. A SURVAY OF THE SIGNORIE OF VENICE Of Her admired policy and method of GOVERMENT c. WITH A Cohortation to all Christian Princes to resent Her dangerous Condition at present By JAMES HOVVELL Esq. LONDON Printed for Richard Lowndes at the VVhite Lion in S. Pauls Churchyard neer the West end M. DC LI. TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE NATION THE PARLEMENT OF ENGLAND Most Noble Senators LEngth of Age argues strength of Constitution and as in Naturall bodies so this Rule holds good likewise in Politicall Whence it may be inferrd that the Signorie of Venice from Her Infancy was of a strong Symmetry well nursd and swadled with wholsom Lawes which are no other than the ligaments of a State or the Arteries whereby the bloud is directed and strengthened to run through all the veines in due proportion though Nature allowes som to have a greter quantity than others To this may be attributed Her so long duration for having bin born a Christian and Free from the beginning She hath continued a pure Virgin and an Independent but only upon Her-self neer upon 13 Ages She hath shind in Her VVatry Orb among all other Republiques upon Earth as the Moon doth in the Heavens among the rest of the Planets Though She hath cop'd with the gretest Potentats of the World and particularly with the huge Ottoman Emperour Her Neighbour having not only scratchd his face and oftentimes cut off those tuffs of hair wherin his strength lay for the time but peeld his beard and somtimes pluckd him by the Mustachos She is now in actuall luctation and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant who this yeer intends to bend and bandy all his Forces both by Land and Sea to ravish and ruin Her Therfore it imports all Christian Princes to resent Her condition She being both the Key and Bulwark of Europe that way And with humble leave I speak it it may well becom England now that she is more formidable at Sea than ever to be sensible of Her case That Republic having bin her antient Confederat ever since the association of the Holy Warr and having for this last Centurie mingled interests and run the same cours of state with Her Nor is it a Quaere altogether impertinent but may very well admit of a debate whether a warr against the Turk might not prove more advantagious to England than his wares Moreover if likenes may beget love England hath reson to affect Venice more than any other for in point of security ther is much resemblance between them being both seated in the Sea who is their best Protector The one preserves Her-self by her Gallies the other by her Galeons The fairest flower of England is the Dominion of the Narrow Seas the gretest glory of Venice is the Dominion of the Adriatic Gulph 700 miles in extent Venice had the chiefest hand in framing the Rhodian Lawes for Sea cases by which all the Levant parts are guided and England was the busiest in constituting the Maritim Lawes of Oleron whereby the Western World is governd This following Survay which is like a Frame indented with sundry peeces will I beleeve make the Reder both outwardly and inwardly acquainted with this Mayden Republic for it shewes Her policy and power Her warrs exploits and confederacies Her interests of State together with Her advantages and defects and how farr She hath trodd in the stepps of old Rome Therfore most humbly under favor the Author deemd it a peece of industry not alltogether unworthy to be presented unto that Noble Assembly by Their daylie Orator HOWELL The famous Hexastic which Sannazarius made upon the Citty of Venice for which he receavd 100 Zecchins for evry verse amounting neer to 300 sterling in lieu of reward by decree of the Senat. VIderat Adriacis Venetam Neptunus in Undis Stare Urbem toti ponere jura Mari Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantumvis Iupiter Arces Objice illa tui maenia Martis ait Sic Pelago Tibrim praefers Urbem aspice utramque Illam Homines dices Hanc posuisse Deos. WHen Neptun 'mong his billowes Venice saw And to the Adrian Surges giving law He sayed now Iove boast of thy Capitoll And Mars his Walls This were for to extoll Tiber above the Main Both Citties Face You 'l say Rome men Venice the Gods did trace A short Analysis of the whole Peece A VENICE LOOKING-GLASSE Wherin that rare and renowned City and Signory is represented in Her tru Colours with Reflexes I. UPon Her Constitutions and Government wherin ther may be divers things usefull for this Meridian II. Of the extent and distance of Her Dominions III. Of Her Interests of State with the rest of the Princes of Italie and others IV. Of Her imitation of old Rome in most things V. Of Her advantages and defects VI. Of Her power by Sea and Land VII Of Her 98 Dukes Doges or Souverain Princes In whose Lifes is involvd the Historicall part which looks upon the Greek Empire and Turky as well as upon most Countreys in Europe in whose Councells tending either to Peace or Warr the Republic of Venice hath had as great a share as any other Christian Prince THe Author desires to prepossesse the Reder with this advertisement That he would not have adventurd upon this remote Out landish subject had he not bin himself upon the place had he not had practicall conversation with the peeple of whom he writes As little had he presumd upon the Life of the last French King and Richelieu his Cardinall in the Story calld LUSTRA LUDOVICI unlesse he had bin Spectator of most of his actions And herin the Author desires to be distinguishd from those who venture to write of Forren affaires and Countreys by an implicit faith only taking all things upon trust having Themselfs never trodd any part of the Continent Upon the Citty and Signorie of VENICE COuld any State on Earth Immortall be Venice by Her rare Goverment is She Venice Great Neptunes Minion still a Mayd Though by the warrlikst Potentats assayd Yet She retaines Her Virgin-waters pure Nor any Forren mixtures can endure Though Syren-like on Shore and Sea Her Face Enchants all those whom once She doth embrace Nor is ther any can Her bewty prize But he who hath beheld Her with his Eyes These following Leaves display if well observd How She so long Her Maydenhead preservd How for sound prudence She still bore the Bell Whence may be drawn this high-fetchd parallel Venus and Venice are Great Queens in their degree Venus is Queen of Love Venice of Policie I. H. OF THE REPUBLIC OR SIGNORIE OF VENICE The PROEME WEre it within the reach of humane brain to prescribe Rules for fixing a Society and Succession of peeple under the same Species of Goverment as long as the World lasts the Republic of Venice were the fittest pattern on Earth both for direction and imitation This Maiden City
that rule the other Preconsultors sit But the young men of the third degree use to sit lower Their office is that evry Sunday and Festivall day they meet in the Ducall Palace to hear privat complaints at such an hower and to releeve them presently or else to referr them to Delegats or make a report to the Senat according to the merit of the cause They hear all Letters read by the Secretary of State that were sent to the Senat. They are allso to hear forren Ambassadors and Agents It is to be observd that these Preconsultors continue in authority but 6. months Forren Agents affaires and privat complaints being heard they retire to another room to consult of public busines observing this Order Ther is a President chosen evry week who proposeth to the rest what is to be agitated and he asketh their opinion severally The eldest delivers his opinion and so evry one according to seniority but the young are silent unlesse it be about som naval busines The last of all having collected the opinion of the rest delivers his suffrage The matter being thus canvasd and discussd pro con with much deliberation they make an addresse to the Prince and Councellors who joyn again in the debate That opinion to which the Prince and the Councellors shall adhere unto is couchd in writing Then the whole Senat convenes before whom that which was debated by the Preconsultors is first handled with their opinions and if more then one half of the Senat give their suffrage therunto passeth for a Decree Of the public Scribes and of the great Chancelor IN evry Colledg of Senators ther be public Scribes which are of the Senats Councell and are held to be of the best rank of men and of highest integrity they are elected by the public suffrage of the Decemvirs and sitt allwayes in the Councell their duty is To be ever present at the consultations of the Colledg and Senat in passing all Decrees The registring of all transactions and the engrossing of all instruments whether for public or privat respect is committed to their care and trust to which purpose they have large Salaries allowd them Some of these are Ministers only to the Decemvirs to register all their Acts being privy to all things that are transacted in that Colledg in which honor they remain during life Of these one is chosen by the solemn suffrage of the great Councell who is chiefest of all and is calld by the title of il Gran Cancellier which Officer is held in singular esteem and honor He is dignified with the Order of Knighthood evry Patrician and Senator gives him the place except the Proctors of Saint Mark no secrecy of State must he conceald from him He hath a great revenu out of the public stock And at his Exequies ther is allwayes a funerall Oration which honor is don to no other but to the Prince Of the Great Councell THe great Councell consists of an universall meeting of all the Cittizens and the whole Republic may be sayed to depend upon it but it is composd of such Cittizens that are of the Patrician Order only wherof som being passd twenty yeers of age are admitted to sit in Councell by extraordinary favor provided that the Advocat Magistrat give testimony that they are descended of a Noble or Patrician familie Besides ther must attestation be made that they are legitimat and no bastards thre must be proof allso made by oth that they are passd twenty yeers of age but they are chosen by lotts and though peradventure fortune favour them not then yet after they are passd 25. they are capable by birth of this public honor and to sitt in Councell with the provisos pointed at before The office of the Great Councell is to ordain and ratifie all Lawes and Constitutions appertaining to the Republic they allso make choice of all Magistrats as well in Townes as Countreys and of any other Officer to whom any public trust or civill incumbency is comitted Of Officers or Magistrats in generall ALL Magistrats are either Urban or Forren viz. of Town or Countrey to them of the Townes belongs the cognizance of all causes as well criminall as civill to them belongs the administration and erogation of all public sommes that arise into the Tresury either out of public tolls and imposts or other extraordinary taxes and leavies of moneys To them it belongs to consult what may be added to the wellfare honor or bewtie of the Cittie Forren Magistrats as they call them are those that obey and put in execution all the Decrees of the Senat in the Countreys up and down as allso all comands by Sea in Fleets and Armies All these Magistrats are but temporary and have a time limited them the Urbane or Citty Magistrats some of them continue in office 6. months others 8. months others are annuall But the Forren or Countrey Officers are commonly twice so long in an office but the Maritime Officers som are bienniall som trienniall and som quinquenniall of 5. yeers continuance Of Iudges AMong the Urbane or Cittie Magistrats the Judges are rankd and they have the cognizance of all capitall or civill causes and they are calld either Iudges of the first Instance or Iudges of appeal The Judges primae instantiae are divided into many Tribunalls On the first Tribunall sit the Iudices proprietatum Judges of Proprieties who determin all sutes touching Lands or Houses within the precincts of the Cittie to them allso belongs all Widdowes cases On the second Tribunall sitt the Iudices procuratorum These if any controversy arise touching Lands on the Continent or Minors and Pupills right have power to determin it On the third Tribunall sitt the Iudices Mercatorum the Judges or Consulls of Marchants who determin all controversies belonging to trafic and marchandizing who must be formerly well versd in the practicall part and mystery of comerce On the fourth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Advenarum the Judges of Strangers before whom all matters and differences touching forreners are brought and decided On the fifth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Petitionum Judges of Petitions who determin all controversies touching privat bargains stipulations and contracts On the sixth Tribunall sitt Iudices Mobilium the Judges of Moveables before whom causes of lesser importance are pleaded On the seventh Tribunall sitt the Judges whom in the vulgar language they call Cattaveri which is a much as to say Inquisition of truth These if any thing be found hid or lost and if any controversy arise about it have power to determin it On the eighth Tribunall sitt Iudices publici commonly calld Piovegi who if any man raise a building that may impede the common passage or the channells of the Cittie are to prevent it and punish the Offendor On the ninth Tribunall sitt certain Judges calld Sopragastaldi These sell the goods of condemnd persons under a Speare and decide all matters belonging to the Lombards as pawnings and
above they pay five in the hundred for maintaining certain Officers and releeving of the poor The Bishoprick of Padua is rankd among the best of Italie The Cittizens are great Artists now as in former times and make much marchandize of Wool But to give a short description of Padua and her territories this of Leander is the best Southward of her runns the river Athesis Northward the Peuso a little river Eastward the Venetian lakes and Westward the Enganean hills and the Countrey of Vicenza all this circuit about 180. miles wherin ther are in nomber 647. Villages and Hamletts with a world of Countrey Houses whither the Italian Gentlemen and Cittizens use to retire with their families in the Sommer time The Cittie of Padua remaind under the Roman Empire untill She was taken and burnt by Attila then was She repaird by Narsetes and afterwards She was burnt by the Longobards but under Charles the Great and other Kings of Italie She did not only revive but florish again Under Otho as the rest of the Citties of Italie She began to govern by her own Lawes and She remaind in form of a Republic till Frederic the second then by the perswasion of Actiolinus She yeelded her self again to the protection of the Empire and receavd a German garrison with Actiolinus yoak Anno 1237. He presently turnd lawfull power into tyranny therfore they shook him of A little after Marsilius Carrariensis under the name of Governor drew the Town unto him but the Scaligers thrust him out who ruld there som Successions yet afterward Marsilius re-enjoyed it and left Ubertinus heir who was thrust out by Mactinus Scaliger but was restord again Then Marsilius the second succeeded who was slain fower dayes after by Iacobinus his Oncle and that Iacobinus was slain afterwards of Gulielmus the Bastard the fourth yeer of his Principality Him succeeded Franciscus who very fortunately governd but attempting to free Vicount Barnabas his Son in law he allso was cast into Prison by Iohannes Galeacius but a little after Franciscus secundus receavd the comand of the Cittie from Galeacius and livd in the principality 15. yeers but with continuall apprehensions of fear till the death of Galeacius at which time the Scaligers being nefariously assassinated he came to be Master allso of Verona and lost it a little after with his life His Sonnes Ubertinus and Marsilius went into the fields of Florence where they made a Head and there the noble familie of the Carrarienses utterly expird then the Cittie remaind under the Venetians Dominion a few yeers when Maximilian the Emperour gott it but the Republic recoverd it Anno 1409. which they have fortified to good purpose that being since often assalted and beseigd by the Confederat Princes in that mighty League of Cambray She was able to resist them all Vicenza is a Cittie excellently built and beutified with faire Structures among which the Praetorium is most magnificent She is situated at the foot of a Hill and divided by two navigable rivers Bacchillione and Rerone which tumbling down from the neighbouring Mountains meets with Bacchillione in the very Cittie which Aelianus reports to have the best Yeeles of all Italie This Cittie abounds with all things conducing to necessity or plesure in regard of the unusuall fertility of the circumjacent soyl which affoords plenty of grain wine and oil with all maner of fruit Ther is such a nomber of Mulberry trees both in Town and Countrey up and down wheron Silkwormes do feed that it is admirable but they bear white fruit therfore the silk is not so well conditiond as is woven by those wormes that feed upon black Mulberry trees yet the Inhabitants make mighty benefitt herby The Vicentins are a spiritfull peeple much given to Letters as allso Armes and Marchandizing and they are of extraordinary trust She hath an Episcopall See annexed to Her as her neighbour Verona She continued under the Dominion of Rome untill Attila's incursions and being destroyd by him She came afterwards under the yoke of the Goths then of the Longobards and afterwards under the Kings of Italie upon their banishment She enjoyd her Liberty under the Empire till Frederic the second by whom She was ravagd and burnt In this vicissitude of things She had divers Masters the Carrarienses the Patavins the Scaligers of Verona the Galeacii of Milan and the Venetian Then being infested by the armes of Maximilian the first and reducd to his obedience She yeelded her self at last to the Republic of Venice under whom She hath livd in prosperity and security ever since Not farr from the Cittie ther are two noble Stone-quarreis in the Mountain Cornolius vulgarly calld Covelo Brixia is a Cittie seated at the foot of a Hill among the Cenomans and was in times passd the head of that peeple She hath rich Peasans up and downe and more gentile than ordinary She was under the Roman Emperours as long as the Majesty of them continued which declining and the Goths comitting such devastations in Italie She came under Radagaso who as he made his way to Rome did spoyl and burn her 412. She was afterwards re-edified by Martianus then came She under the dition of Alboinus King of the Longobards and She remaind under their yoke till Desiderius was taken Prisoner by Charlemain The Kingdom of the Longobards expiring She came under the Dominion of the French who had then the Empire wherfore ther are som fields about her to this day calld Francia corta Under Charlemain Nacmon Duke of Bavaria governd her by whom She receavd much instauration and benefitt After Charlemains death She had divers Masters at last under Othâ—… She petitiond to govern her self promising to be feudetarie and faithfull to the Empire which granted her Afterwards She livd free as sundry other Towns in Italie but She was dismantled deprivd of many immunities by the Emperour Henry the fourth but recovering her self a little after She gave ocasion to Mactinus Scaliger to invade her in that most pernicious fewd twixt the Gibelins and Guelphins under whom She passd all kinds of calamities Scaliger being at last thrust out Azo Vicount of Milan occupied her This Azo had Luchinus for his Successor and he had Iohn Archbishop of Milan whom Barnabas and Galeacius succeeded who were afterwards thrown into Prison by Galeacius who assumd to himself the whole Government and was created Duke of Milan 1402. who left for his Successor Iohn Maria Afterwards Pandulphus Malatesta gott to himself the dominion of the Town but he quickly made a cession of her to Philip Maria Duke of Milan five yeers after when Iohn Maria had kept the Brixians under a hard servitud nor could not by any petition make him slacken the reins of his rigid goverment the Cittie being heated with indignation by the persuasions of som Guelphian Agents She had recours to Venice who shelterd her freed her from that tyranny and afterwards She florishd a good while
voluntarily depose himself and retire to his own house having escap'd a dangerous disease PIETRO CANDIANO succeeded him who fighting with great courage against the Narentines the ancient enemies of Venice was slain having govern'd but six moneths PIETRO TRIBUNO was chosen next who was also declar'd Protospater of the Graecian Empire he added many fortifications for the securing of the City in this Dukes Reign the Hunnes broke into Italy and made cruell havock up and down and at last resolv'd to besiege the Rialto hereupon a Noble Venetian made this hortatory speech unto the City That it was now time by their actions to shew themselves valiant men that a mighty danger did not only threaten their Countrey but their lives that they had to do with a people vvho as little us'd to spare the bodies of the dead as their lives in battail yet nerethelesse they were not made of iron but their bodies might easily be pierced that they shold call to memory how the ancient Venetians vvith a fevv Inhabitants of the Latines made no difficulty in their Countreys behalf to expose their lives before the vvals of Aquileia against 300000. men for Attila had so many in his Army that the event of that battail did manifest how vertue and courage is much better in warre then multitudes that their Ancestors had in the same places where they were now to fight vanquish'd in times past King Pepin follow'd vvith his ovvn Forces and those of the Emperour his Father and that then they only fought for their Liberty but novv they vvere to fight for their Faith and Bloud hereupon the Venetian gain'd a most signall Victory over the Hunnes which much encreas'd the glory of the City and was of such consequence that they left Italy a while after URSO BADOAIRIO succeeded TRIBUNO he sent his Son Pietro to visit the Greek Emperour at Constantinople where being confiâ—…m'd Protospater he receav'd many rich presents BADOAIRIO in in the eleventh year of his Government did voluntarily depose himself and became a Monk PIETRO CANDIANO or SANUTO succeeded this Voluntary Resignation in whose time Iustinopoli came under the Venetian dition PIETRO BADOAIRIO follow'd next who as he return'd from Greece was taken prisoner in Slavonia but ransom'd PIETRO CANDIANO next succeeded whose Government was somewhat unquiet yet he debell'd the Narentines who infested the gulp with pyraticall depredations CANDIANO the fourth Son to PIETRO succeeded who for som misdemeanours had bin banished but waxing more wise by years he was recall'd and created Duke but herein the City of Venice receav'd no small reproach abroad in regard she had formerly made a solemn Vow never to advance this CANDIANO to the Government and a Judgement fell upon her presently upon 't for a fire happen'd which besides the Dukes Palace burnt down the magnificent Cathedrall Church of the City and those of St. Theodore and Maria Iubenica with above 300. privat houses more This CANDIANO died most tragically for the peeple fell upon him as upon a Tyrant and he flying into that part of St. Marks Church which was left unburnt with his Son in his Arms they knock'd him down and cut both in peeces PIETRO URSEOLA with much entreaty of the peâ—…ple was chosen next who wold not undergo the charge unlesse the peâ—…ple wold bind themselfs by solemn Oath unto him which was done in his time St. Marks Church vvas repair'd with the Ducall Palace he overcame the Saracens at Barri he had but one Son and as soon as he vvas born both he and his wife Foelicia vovv'd perpetuall chastity In his time Istria became Tributary to Venice but at last he voluntarily quitted the Government and went disguis'd in a Pilgrims habit to Aquitain by the persvvasion of a great holy man call'd Guerin VITALIS CANDIANO succeeded vvho also deposed himself and cloister'd himself in St. Hiâ—…arie Monastery TRIBUNO MEMIO a great vvise man but of fevv vvords vvas chosen in his steed in vvhose time som civill discords happen'd and a great feud fell out ' tvvixt the Republic and Oâ—…ho the Emperour vvho forebad all the Cities of the Empire any trade vvith the Venetians but he died not long after and this Duke also deposed himself voluntarily and died a Monk PIETRO URSEOLO the second succeeded in vvhose time the Republic did vvonderfully encrease for she obtain'd of Basilius and Alexis vvho at that time did jointly command the Grecian Empire to be free from all customes and taxes throughout all their Dominions Moreover he suppress'd the Narentines and reduc'd Nola and divers other Cities in Istria and Dalmatia under the Empire of the Republic Lesina also which vvas the chief rendevous of the Narentine pyrats was taken by her and reducâ—…d to St. Mark as Spalatro also vvith divers other places In this Dukes time sundry priviledges vvere granted by the Emperour Otho to the Venetians and the Emperour himself came disguis'd and in nature of a Pilgrime to St. Marks Church to Venice where he sojournd divers daies vvith the Duke privately and departed before he vvent he remitted for ever the cloak of cloth of gold vvhich the Republic was bound by solemn accord to give yearly to the Emperour so being presented with divers rich gifts he went back to Ravenna OTHO URSEOLO succeeded PISTRO'S son a young man of great hope insomuch that the King of Hungarie married his daughter unto him He defeated the Hadrians in a furious conflict betwixt the river Po and Adice yet was he dismiss'd of his dignity and banish'd to Greece PIETRO CENTRANICO succeeded who being depos'd by the peeple was shorn and turn'd to a Monastery DOMENICO FLABENICO was then chosen who prevail'd so far with the people that he got the Family of the Urseoli to be made ever after incapable of the Soveraign Dignity or of any office in the Republic and so made the peeple to be Ministers of his hatred to that house he abolish'd also the custom of associating for the future any Colleague in the principality which is carefully observ'd to this day Anno Dom. 1030. DOMINICO CONTARENO was made the thirtieth Duke of Venice he reduc'd Zara to obedience Pope Leo came in his time to Venice upon a kind of Pilgrimage to St. Mark which he endow'd with many new priviledges DOMINICO SILVIO came after him who was cryed up Duke as he accompanied Contaveno to his grave the Normans did about this time much infest the Levant parts and the Greek Emperor Nicephorus whom the Venetian assists and grows victorious but afterwards both the Greeks and Venetians receav'd a notable overthrow at Durazzo by the Normans VITALIS PHALERIO succeeded as soon as he was chosen he propounded to the people to send Ambassadors to Constantinople to the Emperour Alexis to obtain that Dalmatia and Croatia which they had taken from the Usurpers with so much expence of bloud and tresure might by right of war for ever remain to
the Venetians all which was freely condescended unto so that this PHALERIO was the first Duke who in his titles did bear these Provinces The Western Emperor Henry came to Venice to visit St. Mark where the Annallists write of a great miracle that happen'd Anno Dom. 1082. VITALIS MICHAELI was next after in his time a mighty Army of Christians were sent to Syria for recovery of the holy Land he that gave the first hint to the expedition was Peter a French Hermit who gave out that he had a Vision appear'd to him to that purpose hereupon Pope Vrban came expressely to the Councell of Clermont and made this hortative Oration That he was not departed from Rome and come to that holy Assembly for the affairs of the Church of Rome only although it needed greatly to be reform'd but was stir'd up by another occasion which was more holy was likewise more notable that he did not doubt but those who were there assembled had heard tell of what had befaln long since in Syria and chiefly in the Confines of that Region which is call'd the Holy Land the injust usurpation of the holy Sepulcher of our Soveraign Lord Jesus Christ which he could not utter without tears by those cruell barbarous Saracens that there was no Church Altar or any other sacred place but was either raz'd down to the ground by those accursed Mahumetans or converted to their profane uses that the religious peeple dwelling there at such time as the enemy made themselfs masters thereof were constrain'd som for fear of horrible punishment to renounce the Faith of Jesus Christ others that woldpersever therein were destroy'd by fire and sword and others by various sorts of torments were miserably consumed That devout Matrons going thither upon Pilgrimage from all parts of Europe had not bin only forc'd by them to satiat their brutish lust but likewise in contempt and derision of us were tormented by monstrous embracements that if that which he had related was not sufficient in their opinions to incite them to take Arms and to prosecut revenge He besought them at least to consider and call to remembrance how in a short time through the negligence of their Ancestors the forces of Asia were encreas'd and besidesâ—… how far the Mahumetans had in length and breadth extended their Dominions how many Countreys they possess'd who had in times past belong'd to the Roman Empire but wold to God sayed he that the affairs of Christendom were brought to that passe that we were but to complain of other mens miseries we have helas in our daies seen our Italy wholly destroy'd by their incursions and spoils Castles Cities and Churches beaten down and burnt by those sacrilegious persons But wherefore do I relate the murthers captivities rapes other tyrannies never heard of before which this Land hath endur'd a long time seeing that Spain likewise and her Neighbour Aquitain and all the occidentall Provinces have not only felt the like losse but having at this day scarce dried up their tears do stand in fear of the like And ye O Frenchmen though this wound be not yet entred into our bowels no doubt but in regard of your Neighbourhood you have heard and seen somwhat of that whereof I have now spoken and the Germans with other Northwest Nations who have not as yet felt those losses ought often to forethink what dangers menace them from the East nay how neare they are to them already I knovv not if the Venetians were not vvho with strong Garrisons defend the Sea Coasts and vvho have often repulst this cruell enemy from Dalmatia and Istria whether this storm ere this wold have blown into Hungary and Germany The power of the Grecian Empire vvhich vvhilst her strength and vigor lasted vvas vvont to be the bulvvark of Europe on the East and West side is in such sort ruined as the Emperour dreams on nothing but on means and forces vvhereby he may conserve his City of Constantinople vvhich place if vve had lost as God forbid vve may easily conjecture hovv great such a losse vvold be as vvell to all Europe as to him I tremble vvith horror vvhen I do but think vvhat vvill happen if this fire be not quickly quench'd vvhich doth daily more and more kindle all the miseries vvhich have befallen those vvhom vve bevvail hang over our heads men and vvomen shall be reserv'd to satisfie the luxury of those barbarous peeple and ye vvill aftervvards lament vvhen ' t vvill be too late that having had means you have not oppos'd your selfs against these miseries it may be you think 't is impossible this should com to passe so did they once who since have felt it and wold to God we did not feed our selves so often with vain hopes but 't were better O couragious spirits while we have strength councel aid power and money ready and generally what may give hope of a victory to divert this evident perill nor is our enterprize above human strength that Charls surnamed the great in a manner your Countrey-man O ye Germans in regard of the descent of his Ancestors and your King O ye Frenchmen and the glory of your name did drive the Saracens forth of Spain and Aquitain the same Charles constrain'd them to quit Italy the same Charles of whom ye so much vaunt did recover Ierusalem which ye term Holy and drave thence the enemy and by how much glory and â—…eputation is great by so much the more ought it to incite you which are descended from him to attempt som new exploit which may augment this your ancient renown if ye do not thus but give your selfs to rest and idlenesse ye shal not only hazard what your Ancestors have left you but you shall suffer the Native Countrey of our Soveraign King to your great shame and contempt with that of all Christendom likewise to be trodden down by these cruell enemies and his Sepulcher Temple and other holy places to be polluted by murthers rapes and sacriledges Arm your selfs therfore in time and prevent this common infamy pourchase to your selfs and all Europe an assured safety I think you may easily do it for by how much your forces surpasse those of Charles if ye all joyntly undertake this voyage by so much more shall the victory be certain and easie for you the Victors profit shall be great and inestimable by the spoils of so opulent a Nation and such rich Kingdoms but the celestiall reward shall be much greater which in the Name of Almighty God we promise to as many as shall valiantly venture themselfs This flexanimous speech did so heighten and melt the hearts of all that a Croisada was presently resolv'd upon whereunto the Republic of Venice did contribut 200. vessells of all sorts which sayl'd to Ionia under the conduct of Hemico Contareno a Bishop and MICHAELI VITALIS the Dukes son this Fleet did much advantage that mighty expedition though som affirm that the Venetians
the person of the Ottoman Emperour so far that they have embrued their hands in the bloud of two of them allredy within these twenty yeers the one had his braines dashd out by a poleax having the day before bin hurried away to prison and as he was going a horseback his Turban was snatchd off by a contemptible fellow who clapt his own upon the Emperours head by way of exchange and as he road along through the Seraglio his own Court he beggd a dish of water out of a poor wenches cruse but being clapd in prison the next day a company of Soldiers went to strangle him who rushing furiously into his Chamber he started out of his bedd and thinking to defend himself a bold despicable slave knockd him down and this was the successe of that strange dream he had had a few nights before when in his sleep he thought he was mounted upon a Camel who wold not go neither by fair or foul meanes and lighting down from off him he thought to have struck him with his Cimiter but the whole body of the beast vanishd away Besides som late Astronomers and those of the best rank among the Jewish Rabbins do hold that the fate and fortune of a Kingdom may be read in the Heavens for they have observd that all the Hebrew Letters may be found out among the Starrs Rabbi Chomer assures the World that it is now a good while since this hath bin observd for the Hebrew toung wherein God himself vouchsafd to speak and was the first among Mankind hath certainly somthing of mysterie and excellence in it more than the other that had their beginning at the confusion of Babel Divers of the Chaldeans and Jewish Rabbies as Rabbi Kapâ—…l Abjudan and Chomer spoken of before have bin curious to spell these letters into words affirming that this Celestiall writing hath bin so from the beginning And if a good Astronomer well versd in the Hebrew do observe what Starrs are verticall over such a Countrey he may foretell the Omens and fate of it by observing which of the Hebrew Letters those Starrs resemble and so compose those Letters into words Thus a little before the Temple of Ierusalem was burnt and utterly consumd by Nabuzaradan it was noted that the verticall Starrs which hung over that Cittie made this Hebrew word Hickschich which signifieth to reject and forsake without mercy Thus the end of the Grecian Empire was likewise foreshewd by fower Starrs which were verticall that made this word Parad which signifieth in Hebrew divide Thus over Athens fower Starrs were observd to be verticall a little before her dissolution which made this Hebrew word Tsarar the sense wherof is Angustiis affici To be troubled with divers other examples which a late curious French Author doth produce But that somthing may be instanced to the present purpose and concerning things to com the sayed Rabbi Chomer doth confidently affirm as the sayed French Author hath it that this Celestiall writing hath pointed out the declining of two great Empires of the East The one is that of China which Countrey we know by the Tartars irruption is in a fearfull confusion allredy The other is that of the Turks over which ther are observd seven verticall Starrs which being read from the West to the East this Hebrew word Caah is made which signifieth to be batterd to be feeble languishing and drawing to an end But now seeing it may be doubted at which time this Empire shall be reducd to this extremity the same Letters do allso resolve the doubt for those Letters being numericall make up the nomber of 1025. So that when this Kingdom shall have accomplishd the nomber of 1025. yeers it shall then be overthrown and brought to ruin Now if we reckon from the yeer of our Lord 630. which was the yeer according to our vulgar computation wherin the basis of this Empire was layed we shall find that it is to last till the yeer of our Lord 1655. for the completing of the foresayed nomber 1025. So that reckoning from this present yeer 1651. this Empire is to last but fower yeers by this account But one will say these are but conjectures or curiosities rather fancies yet we know that the Heavens are calld a Book in an uncontroulable text and in a Book ther must be letters and writing which may foretell the good or ill omen of a Countrey the first by reading them from West to East the second from North to West because ab Aquilone pandetur omne malum as poor England knowes too well But as the Chymists hold that none can com to the Magistery unlesse he be a perfect good man so he must be such a one that can attain the sense of this Celestiall writing I will enforce this cohortation or Caveat rather with a saying which the Turks have That Italy is the Gate of Christendom and Venice is the Key of Italy That Candie is a Bridg archd with Zant Cephalonia and Corfù and Corfù is the chief Watergate of Venice Therfore it is an easy thing to inferr this consequence or rather to be a Prophet That the day when Venice is lost will be the eve of the winning of Italy and a few daies after of all CHRISTENDOM To put a conclusive period to all ther is a saying that carries no less wisdom than witt with it when one's Neighbours house is afire by the light therof he may discerne his own danger The Venetian Flames at this time are of such a vast extent that they may enlighten not only the Italians their next Neighbours but all Europe besides to foresee her future dangers if the aforesaid Islands which are as so many Limbs of Christendom be cut off and that the Mahumetan Moon increasing by such additions come to predominat o're those Seas An INDEX pointing at the principall'st passages throughout the whole Peece A AN Analysis of the whole work in the Proem An advertisement to the Reder Page ibid. The Ambassador of Venice his witty answer to the Pope Page 2 Another witty answer to the Pope Page 2 The Ambassador of Venice his witty answer to the French King Page 4 The Arsenal of Venice Page 5. 35 Ambassadors render their presents they receave from forren Princes to the Senat at their return Page 6 Of Ambassadors ordinary and extraordinary in Venice Page 23 Athens and Venice likened Page 52 Aâ—…hetins Epitaph Page 54 Attributs of the Townes in Italy Page 55 A proverb of Venice Page 55 Angelo Participatio Duke of Venice Page 60 An ancient custome in Venice Page 60 The Admirall of Greece comes to Venice for ayd Page 60 Alexander the Pope fled to Venice Page 68 Acre taken again from the Christians Page 73 Andrew King of Hungary comes to Venice Page 74 The Ambassador doth extraordinary penance at Rome Page 75 Andria Dandolo Duke of Venice Page 75 Archduke of Austria and the King of Cyprus com to Venice Page 77 Alphonso Duke of