to the Mill killing and taking Prisoners as many as they found there Whilst the Baron of Hermance's Lancers making no reckoning of the thirty Horse whom they imagined would be soon dispatched they set upon a Company of Light-horse but they had no sooner assailed them but that the foresaid Party of thirty Horse broke in upon their Squadrons through their Flanks and assisted by the Light-horse put them to a rout Another of the Enemies Squadrons having seen ten or twelve of their Company slain by an Ambuscade began to fall back and was immediately set upon and overthrown by the Horse who being assisted by the Infantry fell upon a great Body of the Enemies Foot who yielded after some resistance and the greatest part of them lay in the dust This combat lasted three hours and was one of the notablest Victories the Genevoises had ever yet obtained The Baron of Conforgiens Horse was killed under him who managed his business with a marvelous prudence and presence of mind One of his Foot Captains likewise bravely signalized himself and having slain five of the Enemy with his Sword he at length lost its guard yet did he continue fighting with the Blade of it with which he strook a Halbard out of a Serjeants hand took him by the Collar and stabb'd him got a Horse and a Sword from another whom he pursued and animated the rest by his example Although at first there were several who had more mind to get away than to stand it out and fight yet the resolution of some edged on the rest and the present strait made them all resolute The spie who had advertised the Baron of Hermance and a rash Monk who bore a Mace were found lying amongst the dead with two Captains besides several Lieutenants and Ensigns In fine this was so general a defeat that some days after several Horsemen riding out to number the dead found two hundred and sixty two lying in the Field and almost as many amongst the Vines and along the Banks so that it was judged the Savoyards lost three hundred and fifty who were slain and one hundred who were taken Prisoners besides eighty who were wounded The Baron of Hermance having had almost all his Company of Red-coats killed saved himself on a Spanish Gennet The booty was very considerable for the most of them were well clad and several Gentlemen had Velvet Coats or of rich stuffs laid in with rich gold and silver as if they were going to a wedding so sure were they as they imagined of the Victory It is reported they intended to put all to the Sword without troubling themselves with taking any Prisoners The Genevoises lost but ten Foot-men and one Trooper and had but fifteen of their men wounded who were all of them curable This Victory was owing to the Baron of Conforgiens prudent conduct and the exact obedience of the Soldiers so likewise did he solemnly return thanks unto God in the midst of his little Army before he stirred out of the place The rest of the Month was spent in making inroads into Savoy and in the demolishing some Castles Towards the end of the following months the Genevoises made a very desperate attempt In the evening all the Companies both Horse and Foot marched out through the new Gate and passed over the Arve and took the Road which leads to Crusille a small and weak City about three Leagues distant from Geneva There were in it three Companies of Neapolitans Spaniards and Italians great Boutefeus and who had extreamly wasted and destroyed the Country of Gex The Peasants perceiving these Forces making towards them alarm'd the whole Country and the noise of this reached to Crusille at one of the Clock at night One part of the Garrison made no reckoning of it but the wisest of them went and kept watch about the Walls and some other betook themselves to a Platform fortified with part of their Baggage A little before day the Genevoises approached near it and Prayers being ended the Baron of Conforgien sounded a Charge and offered to scale the City the besieged made some resistance but confiding in the Castle and Platform the Soldiers withdrew thither the City was sacked and the greatest part of it burnt those Soldiers who were found in the houses were all of them put to the Sword for the Genevoises would not trouble themselves with Prisoners the Prisons being already full and they on their side desired no quarter The Baron observing his men to be scattered and laden with booty and fearing lest they should be set upon by the Enemy from the Castle and perceiving likewise the whole Country to be alarm'd he sounded a retreat having staid there six hours and having lost but three Soldiers and a Lieutenant the Enemy lost on their side a hundred men The Year was ended in the performance of actions of small importance they of Geneva having burnt the Villages of Thyole and Frangy Sancy returned with fresh Forces and set on foot new designs On New-years-day following the Castle of Buringe was besieged by the Kings Army together with the Forces of Geneva both of which consisting of two thousand men were commanded by the Sieurs of Sancy Lurbigny and Conforgien Three hundred of the Dukes Lancers pursuing some Geneva Curriers came into the very quarters of the Besiegers and had surprized a party of them had they come with less noise some Light-Horsemen and Albanoises whom the French Ambassador had sent from Venice got immediately on Horseback and with the help of some Foot fell upon the Lancers overthrowing in an instant their Captain Christopher Guevara The Lancers fought on still but seeing sixty of their men lying on the ground they drew back and retired in disorder the next morning the assault began a fresh more vehemently than before and the besieged who had at first appeared very hot desired to come to composition but no other terms were admitted but to render themselves at the Generals discretion being threatned with no quarter if they tarried till the next assault They perceiving that they could not obtain what they desired got through a back door to the Bridge of Arve from which the Assailants could not hinder them they escaped in disorder and were pursued as far as Bonne This hapned well for the Soldiers a great many of whom would without doubt have perished had they given another assault to the place the breach being a Pikes length from the ground and fortified with a Ravelin and an inward Wall and a Bulwark behind it This Castle was demolished but the Enemy built it again and made it tenable Thonon was likewise retaken by Quitry The French Soldiers minding nothing but their plundering committed several outrages The Castle was rendred up on composition and there was found in it Ammunition to the value of six or seven thousand Crowns of gold the same was done at Evian they of the Castle whom the Sieur of
be imbarked till a favourable Bize should carry them in a short time to Geneva As to what concerned the Horse they were to meet about Anecy under pretence of the Marriage of the Duke of Nemours But this design could not be so privately carried on but the Genevoises got some intimations thereof although they could not dive into the bottom of it The greatest knowledge they had of it was this Du Terrail having plaid at Tennis in Chambery till he sweated whilst he was rubbed and dried la Bastide and some others presented him a Paper wherein was contained a draught of Geneva discoursing together softly as in matters of great importance yet the Valet who warmed his Shirt heard them talk of Geneva which made him give the greater attention and he comprehended they talked about some Enterprize designed against it having heard these words from Terrail They are taken there is no remedy This Valet who had a Brother in Geneva went and reported this to a Merchant of that City who was then at Chambery desiring him to give his Brother notice to the end he might save himself from this danger The Merchant at his return not only advertised his Brother but likewise the Magistrates who did not slight this warning yet they held it secret and sent Spies throughout all Savoy to discover and pry into all Terrail's practices They got his Picture and having understood that he was coming to Geneva to view the City they sent Tokens to several Persons how to know him that he might be apprehended Some days being past over du Terrail and la Bastide having set forth from Turin to pass over into Flenders to take their leave of the Arch-dukes and to fetch their Baggage which they had left there and having received an Order from the Duke of Savoy to bring along with them as many as they should judge fit and able Persons to help forward their Enterprize they were discovered as they passed over the Mountains Notice hereof was given to the Bayliffs of the Countries belonging to Berne Whereas they suspecting nothing crossed over the Lake and part of the Country of Vaud lodging only in Villages and Hamlets and so arrived at Yverdun a little City belonging to the Bernoises which lay on the borders of Franche-Comté Du Terrail passing over the Bridge which leads into the City saluted the Bailiff who met him and took no notice of him but a Deacon who was in his Garden and to whom a Syndick had sent marks whereby he might know him seeing him coming afar off saluted him and doubting that he was the Person he observed whether he was bald which perceiving he went immediately to the Bayliff and gave him notice of it who sent two Men after him to watch which way they took their course and to follow them till they took up their abode Which they did and viewed them more nearly compared them with their Pictures which had been given them One of these returned to Yverdun to give notice that they had taken up their Lodgings in the Village of Villebeuf Whereupon immediately the Bailiff sent four Troopers with an Order to apprehend them by main force and to bring them away they found them ready to mount their Horses and brought them back to Yverdun Du Terrail told the Bailiff that his name was Paul de Constans and that he went to Lorrain to prosecute a suit of Law but the Bayliff took not this answer for payment wherefore he wrote to Geneva to the end there might be some person sent who knew him two Soldiers one of whom had belonged to his Company were dispatched to Yverdun and were caused to come into his Chamber when he was at Supper the Souldier knew him again Du Terrail who suspected the occasion of his being there draws him aside and promises him a thousand Crowns if he would go and advertise the Earl of Chamite in Franche Compté of the danger he was in La Bastide offered him a hundred more but the Soldier refused both their proffers Du Terrail being after this manner known was committed to prison in the Castle of Yverdun the Genevoises deputed one of their Syndicks to desire the Bernoises to deliver them into their hands which was granted and they were both conveyed to Geneva La Bastide being first put on the Rack confessed the whole design after his confession he was confronted with Terrail who at first earnestly denied it but seeing that Bastide persisted in his confession and he being threatned with the Rack likewise with tears in his eyes he confessed the whole project and requested that he might be shut up for ever between four Walls hoping that his relations would come and intercede for him as indeed they did as soon as they knew he was taken but for reasons of State the Council quickly dispatched his Tryal and condemned him to be beheaded at Molard two daies after La Bastide was hanged Du Terrail was much lamented for he was a person of a very good mien and extream courteous In his going to the place of execution he begged the peoples pardon and the people on the other hand wept bitterly for him some people blamed the Magistrates of Geneva for their severity but they replied that they did not consider them so much as Enemies but as authors of a Conspiracy in a time of peace Monsieur de L' Esdiguieres who had interceded for him and his relations were very much inraged at this execution The first of these came never after that into Geneva as he was wont and his kindred were made to believe that he had been forced to change his Religion but being informed of the contrary they comforted themselves the best they could This their design appeared very easie which they were resolved to put in execution in the time when they of Geneva make a King of the Harquebuze because then all the people are in Plein-Palais and these Soldiers upon this occasion might be taken for them who belonged to the City and it had been an easie matter to have fastned the Gates against them The Republick suffered a great loss by the death of Michael Roset who had composed a Chronicle of Geneva He was a person of great gravity and a real lover of his Country he had been Deputy in Ordinary to the Cantons having been fifty years a Counsellor and Master of a Colledge twenty years more An Italian named Giovani coming from Rome maintained that a certain honourable person of the Council was a Traytor and that he had seen his Picture in the Dukes Closet which he could easily verifie When his Lord was brought to him whom they thought he meant he said this was not the person which caused him to be hanged as a Calumniator and Impostor It appeared afterwards that they had been too rash in their judgment seeing there were two persons of the same name one of which often frequented Savoy the
who ought chiefly to be a Secretary to Truth and not to Falshood or Flattery He who writes to shew his Eloquence publisheth rather his own History than that of the States or Persons whom he pretends to write of and it often happens that such a one climbs upon the Scaffold of his Vanity that he may make himself the more ridiculous and have the greater fall Truth hath no need of Varnish or any affected dress to make it lovely and provided it be not unseasonably or carelesly expos'd its beauty which it borrows from none but it self can never want hearty admirers But before I enter upon the description of this History of Geneva it will be expected I should say something concerning its Name Geneva is the most ancient it ever had and the same we meet with in Caesar's Commentaries A late Author hath mistook in saying it hath been call'd Geneüa neither do I know upon what grounds he affirms Genes to be a Colony of the Genevoises seeing Genes is a very ancient City and bore that name in Hannibal's time Livy relating 't was taken by â—â—go Hamilcar his Son. Genabum as some Moderns have call'd Geneva is the name of Orleans That of Gebenna by which Geneva hath been known for several Ages began to be in use about Charlemain's time for so we find it in that Emperours Life written by Aimoin the Monk in the Chronicles of the Abby of Rheginon and thus used by almost all Authors and Publick Acts for above eight hundred years down to 1536. Notwithstanding there be some who would make us believe that Lucan meant Geneva under the name of Gevenna in these Verses Qua Rhodâ—nus raptum velocibus undis In Mare fert Ararim qua montibus ardua summis Gens habitat canâ— pendentes rupe Gebennas Where Araris with Rhodanus now meet Runs joyn'd into the Sea the Men whose Seat Is on Gebenna Mount covered with Snow But there he speaks not of a City but of the Mountains of Cevennes which Câ—sar means by the same word I shall likewise make it appear in the sequel of this Discourse that it hath never been call'd Colonia Equestris The Genevoises restored it to its ancient name in the year 1536. taking away that of Gebenna which the rudeness of former Ages had given it The Learn'd Scaliger hath observ'd that Geneva must be sounded the second syllable short and at this day in the Language of the Countrey 't is pronounc'd Zéneva Geneva is a City of great Antiquity and were we not so inform'd by Authors the Beauty and Commodiousness of its Scituation would incline us to believe it for it is seated on a rising ground wash'd on one side by the Lake Leman and the Rhosne which thence takes its course bordered with fruitful Plains and Mountains Hence we may imagine a place so commodious as well for necessity as delight hath drawn thither Inhabitants at the same time the Countrey began to be cultivated But Cities and Persons have the same fate The more any Family is anciently Noble the more difficult a matter it is to produce its Titles Antiquity is as a dark Night whose obscurity cannot be dissipated and in which a man can do nothing but search about to no purpose How many Fables do we find mixt with the Original of Troy Rome or Carthage And if this hath happened to such flourishing States what can be expected from mean ones whose mishap having been to have no Author to be the Guardian or Depositary of their History they have therefore lain in obscurity Julius Caesar is the first who mentions Geneva yet there is no doubt but it was then a City under Government and a place of strength which kept one of the passages out of Gaule into Italy and Germany For it was undoubtedly the Interest of the Allobroges or Inhabitants of Gallia Transalpina being neighbours to the Helvetians and Latobriges a people of Gallia Belgica who held Switzerland and the Country of Vaud at that time to have a Fort which should shelter them from the Incursions of this warlike people and might serve as a place of Traffick and Correspondence The Allobroges whose chief City was Geneva held a great part of the Alps and low Countrey betwixt Rhosne and the Mountains They were a valiant people and had gained great reputation by their courage neither were they inferiour to the rest of the Gaules in Riches Stephen de Byzance and Livy who cannot be suspected of flattery give them these Elogies Geneva then was a great while before Caesar's time And as well his silence as other Authors inclines us to believe that its Original was unknown All that the Moderns have asserted concerning this matter is founded on an uncertain Author and on a Chronological Manuscript of the Countrey of Vaud being about four hundred years since it was written as we may judge by the time which endeth the History The Author of the Genevoise Citizen relates that it was kept in his time in the Castle of Chillon on the Lake and there is now one there to be seen which perhaps is the same with that in the City of Orbe in the Countrey of Vaud The little Book Printed at Lyons in 1614. Entituled A Chronology of the Countrey of Vaud is an Epitome of it and 't is out of one or the other of these that the Manuscripts of the History of Geneva have taken out several particulars relating to that City which are not to be met with elsewhere Although to speak ingenuously this Chronicle appears to be nothing else but a slight exercise of some half-witted Scribler of former times and therefore deserves not much to be credited howsoever I shall here offer what he asserts concerning the Foundation of Geneva leaving the Reader to his own liberty to judge and believe if he pleases that in these fabulous relations there is some truth See here then what he saith In the year of the Worlds Creation 2729. and 1073. years after the Flood the great Hercules coming into Spain to go over into Italy he pass'd near the Lake which hath been since call'd Leman where seeing so fine a Countrey inhabited he left there one part of his Army which was sick under the Command of Arpentinus This Captain liking the Countrey built on the side of the Lake a City which he call'd Arpentras or Arpentrine which was seated higher than where lyes now Lausanne and in effect there yet may be seen some marks of a City this was founded in the year of the Worlds Creation 2730. and fifty three years before the destruction of Troy. Arpentinus was succeeded by his Son Rigo after the destruction of Troy when Francus Aeneas Antenor with many more came to inhabit other Countreys about which time Lemannus Paris's Son arriv'd in those parts with his Trojans driving out Rigo from Arpentras and being in full possession call'd the Lake after his own Name Leman This Lemannus having reign'd
Friends than Vassals did let them live after their own manner and protected them against the insultings of their neighbours For not long after the Tigurits who are they of the Canton of Zurich had made themselves formidable and ceased not to molest them the Romans sent their Consul Lucius Cassius to repell the Tigurins into their own Countrey but he himself was defeated and slain near Geneva Lucius Piso his Lieutenant General and Father-in-law to Caesar had the same fortune and from that time the Tigurins having joyn'd with the Teutons Cimbres and Ambrons made dreadful havock in Gaule and often beat the Romans till such time as they were subdued by the Consul Marius who having slain great multitudes of them forc'd the rest to return into their own Countrey by which means he secured the Allobroges who lay most in danger by their incursions About forty years after the Allobroges took up Arms again against the Romans wasting Gaule Narbonnoise the Senate sent the Praetor Pomptinus who caus'd Vence to be besieged a considerable City of the Voconces by Manlius Ventinus but he was forc'd to raise his Siege and depart after he had wasted the Countrey Catugnatus who commanded the Allobroges came to help the Voconces and falls into an Ambuscade laid for him by Ventinus Pomptinus marches towards the Countrey of the Allobroges and after some skirmishes with Catugnatus he subdues them who remain'd from that time faithful to the Romans Two years after the Helvetians thinking themselves pent up in their own Countrey invaded the Gaules burning their Towns and Villages with an Army of ninety two thousand men besides old people and children which in all were about three hundred sixty eight thousand souls They first began with the Allobroges pretending only to pass thorough their Countrey but were timely prevented by Julius Caesar who was then Proconsul of Gaule who as soon as he had notice given him raised Soldiers and came to Geneva where he makes all necessary preparation to stop this Torrent There was in this City a Bridge to pass over into the Countrey of the Helvetians Caesar caused it to be broken down to hinder the Enemies from coming into the Countrey of the Allobroges and the rest of the Gaules The Helvetians having heard that Caesar was come sent Embassadors to him at Geneva shewing him they had no design upon any of the Countreys belonging to the Romans intending only to pass thorough them Caesar remembring how they had used Lucius Casstus and Lucius Piso his Father-in-law thought it not convenient to grant their request Howsoever that he might be better provided he desires time to deliberate and that they would return to him some few dayes after In the mean time he gathers what Forces he could and passing the Rhosne he employes his Army in the making a Wall sixteen foot high and about twenty thousand foot in length with a Ditch of the same extent The day which he had appointed them being come he absolutely refuses their request and this was the beginning of that bloody War described by Caesar himself in his Commentaries but which belongs not to our subject There are yet some Remains of this great Prince who by degrees made himself absolute Lord of the Roman Republick in the Names of divers of the Families of the Julius's at Geneva which may be seen there in several ancient Inscriptions There are mention'd one Cajus Julius Caesar Longinus a Free-man of this Emperour and Quintus Julius Sergius Julius Macrinus and Julius Brocchus an Aedile and one of the Duumviri as also Julius Marcianus Julius Capito Julia Vera and Titus Julius Valerianus Overseer of the Publick Buildings Although perhaps not one of these were nearly related to him yet this shews at least that he had brought many Romans with him thither especially them of his own Family of which he himself was at that time the greatest We must not here omit one Historical passage of which ancient Authors have taken no notice which is that after the overthrow of the Swedes and spoil of the whole Countrey of Vaud which was then comprehended under the name of Pagus Vrbigenus to whom the City of Orbe gave that name these parts were extreamly depopulated which caused Julius Caesar to send a Colony thither either to furnish the Countrey again with Inhabitants or else to withstand the Helvetians in case they should again set upon the Gaules Now the greatest strength of this Colony lying in their Cavalry they were hence called Colonia Equestris or Civitas Equestrium the Colony or Commonalty of the Equestres as we find it in the four ancient Inscriptions which are at Geneva and in a fifth Julia Equestris which is an evident proof that Julius Caesar had founded it For when the Civil War broke out between him and Pompey he sent for the Troops which quartered near the Lake Leman to assist him Geneva kept firm thenceforward to the Emperours who succeeded Julius Caesar and the Stones which are yet to be seen there engraven in honour of several Emperours witness as much Some there are which are dedicated to Augustus others to Trajan Antoninus Marc. Aurelius and Trebonian which we shall recite at the end of this History There is also mention of several Roman Magistrates who administred Justice after the same manner as in other Colonies There were likewise Sextumviri who were six men established since Augustus's Reign also Duumviri to determine Cases of Equity and Surveyors of Publick Buildings Prelats and Pagan Priests and every thing else which the Religion and Custom of the Romans were wont to bring into conquered Contreys There were also to be seen on these ancient Marble Stones several kind of Vows engraven to Jupiter Mars and Apollo whom they worshipped before the coming of the Romans after the manner of the other Gaules under the name of Tamaris Theautate and Belenus The little Rock in the Lake served instead of an Altar which was dedicated to Neptune God of the Watry Element And 't is from his name that the Rock called Neiton hath been deriv'd There 's to be seen on the biggest for there are two near one another a hollow place which hath been cut to kindle therein the fire for Sacrifices and 't is not long since some Fisher-men found at the foot of it two small Hatchets and a Brass Knife which is the same which they call'd then Securis and Secespita to cut the throats of those Beasts they sacrificed To finish what may be said of Geneva in the time of Heathenism 't is certain that in Marc. Aurelius's Reign the City was wholly burnt he having taken upon him the care to have it built anew Others say this was done under Heliogabalus who likewise was called Marc. Aurelius There are some who attribute its rebuilding to Aurelian Neither is it to be doubted but that nearness of Names hath occasioned this confusion in History There 's yet to
Country of Vaud viz. Lausane and Yverdun which surrendred on composition The Castle of Chillon gave them more trouble and the Genevoises sent thither their Frigate to besiege it likewise by Water It being at length surrendred there were found in it several Prisoners amongst whom was Bonnivard Prior of S. Victor who had been a long time confined to his Dungeon as we have already observed The Valesans taking the advantage of these disorders took up Arms and possessed themselves of one part of Chablais which reached as far as the River of Dranse The Genevoises having made themselves Masters of Jussy Thy Peney Gaillard Bellerive and Seligny settled Officers in these places having first demolished the Castle of Gaillard The Syndicks published an Order enjoyning every one to go to Church and hear Sermons utterly abolishing the Mass An Oath having been administred to the People and an Inscription set up over the Town-house in Letters of Gold in memorial of this and their deliverance by succours from Berne They erected a Freeâ—School at Rive and chose Anthony Saunier chief Master of it The Country People kept still to the Catholick Religion The Magistrates caused a Convocation of all the Priests in their Jurisdiction to be held who were told by the Principal Syndick Farel and Bonnivard being then present That if they did not make it appear from the Holy Scriptures before Whit-Sunday That the Mass and other Popish Institutions were approved of by God they should no longer be permitted the exercise of them The ancientest of them in the name of all the rest made this ingenious reply My Lords said he We are not a little surprized at this suddain command to forsake without any farther deliberation a Religion which hath been received for so many Ages as holy and safe without the least conviction of the contrary Ye have indeed left this Religion but not in a moment of time as ye expect we should do seeing ye have had several Sermons for your instruction And although we are your most humble Subjects yet are we nevertheless Christians Redeemed by the Blood of Christ as well as your selves and as much concerned for our own Salvation as ye can be for yours We therefore intreat you for our Saviours sake our common Lord That you would give us the same liberty ye have taken your selves Send us Preachers who can instruct and shew us wherein we err and then if they can convince us we shall without further delay follow your example and submit our selves wholly to your disposal The chief Syndick having heard this answer caused them to withdraw that he might consult on the matter Bonnivard was of opinion it were expedient to grant their request and not to force their Consciences but to inform them for if they should shew themselves so light said he as to pass so soon and easily from one Religion to another it was to be feared they would on the next occasion return to the old one again Whereas Farel on the contrary being less moderate answered him saying Will you hinder the immediate work of God And proceeding in his Exhortations he made the Lords consent to his opinion The Priests were again sent for in and had the same command laid on them as before Some who said Mass privately in the City were found out and brought to Farel who sharply reprehended them The Country People were enraged at this and would have returned as bad or rather worse usage to the Ministers who preached about in the Villages had they not been well guarded The Bernoises insisted still on their old demands and there was a Meeting appointed to be held in Berne to decide fairly this difference The Alliance between the two Cities was confirmed to last for 25 Years on these conditions That the Genevoises should pay in six Months time to the Bernoises the summ of ten thousand Crowns for the charge of the War that they should give them entrance into their City as oft as they had occasion and that they should quit to them the Lordship of Gaillard the Abby of Bellerive and the Castle of Cholex The Genevoises keeping in their own possession the Vidomnat or Stewardship the Revenues of the Bishoprick and of the Priory of S. Victor which they designed as a maintenance for Ministers and the Hospital It was about this time that John Calvin of Noyon in Picardy accompanied with his Brother Anthony Calvin intending to retire into to Basle or Strasbourg and leaving by reason of the Wars the direct Road came to pass through Geneva not intending to tarry there Yet Farel knowing him to be a learned Man would needs retain him Which he would not a long time consent to till Farel was so urgent with him as to admit of no denial desiring him only to read Lectures in Divinity A while after the Bernoises caused publick Disputations to be held at Lausane to which he was called together with Farel and Viret who was now become a Preacher The Protestant Religion was confirmed by these Disputes and the Catholick banished The Bernoises would have had the Monks of Payerne to receive the Protestant Doctrine but they refused it being upheld by the Fribourgers who had an equal right with the Bernoises in this Abby And upon this account these two Cantons were like to have engaged in a War. The latter of these had already sent to Geneva for 200 Men to assist them but the other Cantons interposing they were made Friends In the Month of March in the Year following there came a stranger out of the North Country who publickly disputed against Farel and the other Ministers before the great Council maintaining amongst the rest That the Baptizing of Infants was unlawful and that the Sacrament of Baptism ought not to be administered to any but to those who could give an account of their Faith. Farel proved the contrary and convinced him of several other Errors held by the Anabaptists He was together with his Companions banished the City from whence they went to Switzerland where the Bernoises caused some of them to be put to death The Ministers had another Disputation with one Carolyn who undertook to prove the lawfulness of the Mass and Prayers for the dead The Magistrates of Berne having heard both Parties at Lausane banished Carolyn out of their Dominions Farel compiled a form of Confession which was read every Sunday in S. Peter's Church But the Bernoises complained that these Constitutions were not agreeable with theirs for they observed still some chief Festivals and used unleavened Bread in the Sacrament and married Women after the old custom with their Hair discheveled which Farel did not approve He was present at the Synod of Berne consisting of 300 Divines from Switzerland Strasbourg and other neighbouring Countries who rejected the opinion of Consubstantiation or Corporeal presence of Christ in the Sacrament which some at that time held
Genevoises who were greatly in favour with Henry the Fourth represented to him That they were already in the possession of these Villages and so this Sovereignty was of no value to him bringing him in no profit The King desirous to gratifie them remitted it to them by his Letters but the worst of it was That these Letters were never attested in Parliament and ever since they have exercised Sovereignty over these two Villages and even in the Year 1675. they put to death a Malefactor at Chansy I specifie this not only for the better understanding the Bishops pretensions but likewise upon the account of another affair which lies at this present before the King which shall be mentioned in is place To return then to the Year 1661. John Lullin was dispatched immediately to Paris but before he could come there the Bishop had already obtained by surprize a Decree conformable to his demand and Monsieur Bouchu the Intendant of Burgundy came to Gex in February 1662 to establish Curates in these places according to the Kings Decree But there was such care taken that the Intendant deferred to perform it it having been represented to him That the States Deputies were at Court upon that occasion and that if they could not get that Decree repealed yet might it be put soon enough in execution Lullin having sollicited his business for the space of two Years in Paris at length gained his cause and the Bishop was put by his demand and the Villages left in the same condition they were in before In the year 1664. the Duke of Crequi returned from his Ambassage at Rome passed through Geneva he had not that honour done him which was desired for want of timely notice The Council sent their Deputies to meet him out of the City and three or four Companies of trained Bands stood ready to welcom him The Council went to complement him and presented him with Wine and Trouts But he staying no longer with them than Dinner-time the City could not shew him as they desired the affection they had to do the King service In parting thence he passed through two Files of the City Trained Bands which reached from his House where he refreshed himself as far as the new Gate beyond which there stood six Companies belonging to the Garison who attended him as far as the Bridge of Arve As soon as ever he was in Plein-Palais he was saluted by the City Cannon he was attended half a League farther beyond the Bridge of Arve by a Troop of Horse and then four Deputies from the City complemented him and took their leave of him he seemed to be very well pleased with his entertainment Although there passed no act of Hostility in the Year 1667. between Savoy and Geneva yet there arising a considerable difference wherein they were both concerned I shall not therefore here omit it After that the Officers of Savoy had for a long time molested divers ways them of Geneva which shewed that the Duke had a design to break off with them having several times declared that he thought himself no ways obliged to observe the Treaty at S. Julien because said he it hath been already broken by both parties in sundry particulars he brought into Savoy towards the Spring in the Year 1667. 1000. men as well Horse as Foot under the command of the Marquiss of Pianezze who were quartered round about Geneva but yet five or six Leagues distant from it according to the Articles contained in the Treaty made at S. Julien that is to say at Anecy at Remilly at Salanche at Cluse at Thonon at Evian and other places and there they lay till December following The Savoy Squadron consisting of five hundred Gentlemen was commanded to be in a readiness to mount their Horses at the first word of command likewise all the Militia were inrolled and ready to march upon the first order and forasmuch as the greatest part of them had no Arms there were therefore brought into the Country great store of Musquets Swords Pikes Powder Match and Bullets together with other Ammunition and the Peasants of every Village were exercised once a week Moreover for to facilitate their Communications with Geneva there was a stone Bridge made over the Arve at a place called the Trembieres not above an hours Sail distant from Geneva and that they might have forces on the Lake there were several Seamen and other workmen sent for from Nice who built three flat bottom Boats which went only with Sails and lay at Bellerive in a Port which they had made for the same purpose which was secured by a Chain and several firm Pallisados and strengthened besides by a building which they had reared which was fenced with two Towers The Genevoises called this building a Fort and complained that they acted contrary to the Treaty at S. Julien one of whose Articles was that his Highness should build no Fort within four Leagues of Geneva The Savoyards who would not acknowledge that they had broke the League because the Switzers were the undertakers or sureties for it made answer that his was not a Fort seeing it had no Ditches it being only a Magazin wherein they would lay their Salt which was wont to be carried by Water through Geneva but now they would Transport it in Carts by Land from Seissel to Bellerive the Bridge of Trembieres having been made for that purpose and that the Vessels they had built were only designed to carry the Salt which they usually sent to Chablais Valais Fribourg and several other Cantons for most of the Switzers have alwaies brought their Salt by the way of Geneva and indeed the building at Bellerive and the Boats there have not yet been used to any other purpose than what they mentioned But the Genevoises in so dangerous times suspected all these pleas and imagined there lay some design concealed under this pretence as knowing that the Magazin and the Boats might be fitted out for War in two daies time and these were indeed the Savoyards preparations for War. Yet were not the Genevoises asleep all this while so many Soldiers lying near them and the Dukes Subjects continually threatning them besides the notice given them from all parts put them out of doubt that the Duke had a design against them yet they imagined that it was not likely the Duke would openly besiege them but rather set upon them by surprize whether by day or in the night they could not tell being perhaps encouraged by some private intelligence which he might have in the City which made the Genevoises take all possible care to secure their Gates and Walls They increased their Garrison by an addition of ten men to each company besides the usual guard of Citizens thirty of which were joyned with the Garrison every night and were not relieved till the next evening by a like number the Grand rounds set forth every quarter of an hour besides
Hostile manner by night into her Country The minor Cantons and the Kings Embassador in Switzerland wrote to Zurich and Berne and they to Geneva Information was sent them of the whole matter and they approved of the proceedings of them of Geneva promising them assistance in case of a rupture wherewith the Savoyards threatned the City The Militia of Savoy consisting of eight hundred Gentlemen having been commanded to be in readiness and there were frequent Musters made and great quantity of Arms and provision brought into Savoy which obliged them of Geneva to stand upon their guard A while after the City received a Letter from the King by the hands of Monsieur de Gravelle whom he sent Embassador into Switzerland in the place of the Abbot of S. Romain in which he assured the City in very obliging terms of the continuation of his good will. John Dupan and Amy du Chapeaurouge were deputed into Switzerland about the affair with Savoy They went to Berne and Zurich and afterwards to Soleurre to the French Embassador and from thence to the Dyet held at Bade where Dr. Leonardi her Royal Highnesses Resident having had audience the Deputies of Geneva had theirs afterwards and fully refuted whatsoever he had alledged at length they returned very well satisfied at their journey This business hath layn dormant all this while yet hath the City been acquainted by Monsieur de Pompone that Madam Royalle remains as yet very much discontented at the Transportation of Salt to Jussy through her Countries and requires still satisfaction The same Farmers did the like in France as they had done in Savoy against the Genevoises Monsieur Bouchu Intendant of Burgundy came to Colonges with a design to make the Villages of Chancy Avoully and Moin whom we have above mentioned to take the Kings Salt and likewise all the Houses dependant on Geneva included in the Country of Gex to wit in the Villages of Malagny Ressin and others In fine notwithstanding all the Remonstrances made by them of Geneva he sent Guards into each of these Villages who took away all their Salt and commanded the inhabitants to fetch it at Gex Notice hereof was sent into Switzerland and the Sieur Roset was deputed to wait on the King about it He had a favourable hearing at S. Germans and harangued afterwards the Queen and my Lord the Dauphin The King ordered Monsieur de Pompone to examine the business who had several Conferences with the Deputies but they could not come to any Conclusion in the mean time the King having fortunately won Valenciennes Colonel Stouppe seeing him in a good humour by this success took this as an occasion to mention to him the business of Geneva Whereupon his Majesty granted that the Villages of Chancy and Avoully should take Salt of Geneva but not the others In the mean time Roset died at Paris and the Sieur Fabry was sent to succeed him to obtain the same favour for Moin and other places in like manner as in the two above mentioned Villages He had publick Audience of the King and finding that he advanced nothing in the Court he desired leave to depart and was dismissed with very courteous languge by the King who gave him a Chain of gold with his Medal but this affair hath remained undetermined in the same state as heretofore which hath obliged the Peasants of Moin and other places in controversie who could not live without Salt to go fetch it at Gex The Earl of Harach Embassador from the Emperor returning from Spain came to Geneva where he stayed but a day The City pretended ignorance of his quality till after his arrival to the end they might make a difference between his reception and that of Monsieur Crequi's the French Embassador in the Year 1664. yet he had the same Complements and Presents made him at his departure The Vice-Roy of Galice Embassador from Spain going towards the Emperor took Geneva in his way and parted thence four days after his arrival He had the same Civilities shewed him as the Earl of Harach had before him and was the more satisfied with them in that he came from Lyons where scarcely any body took notice of him In parting from Geneva he wrote his Master word of the Civilities he had received there And thus hath Geneva subsisted to our times whilst several flourishing Cities have perished and divers mighty States have been overturned which God often permits by his admirable providence to let both great and small States know That their subsistence or ruin depend not on their own strength or weakness but that they are all in his hand and their happiness or misery come only from him FINIS ANCIENT INSCRIPTIONS Which are to be seen AT GENEVA I. At the ascent of the Trellis IOVI O. M. CINGIDVO STABULO ET AVLVS THIS is the foot of a Stall or Booth which was found thirty Years since on the side of the Arve having been thrown up by an inundation Guichenon is the first who hath mentioned it but he hath forgot the word Stabulo The Stone is hollow in the upper part of it wherein was kindled the fire for the Sacrifice which was offered to Jupiter Optimus Maximus for this is the meaning of these two Letters O. M. I am not yet satisfied whether CINGIDVO is some Sirname of Jupiter or whether it is to be read as two words CINGI DVO that is to say Cingii duo Stabulo Aulus for there hath been a Roman Family called Cincia which perhaps might be the same with Cingia Yet it seems upon a through consideration that this is but one Word II. IOVI ASSIGN M. F. N. THis fragment is another Vow to Jupiter and hath been mentioned by Gruterus III. At the great Street APOLLINI M. AVFVSTIVS CATVSo THis is a Vow to Apollo by Marcus Aufustius Catus or Catuso for it is a hard matter to say whether the o which is at the end is a Letter which should be joyned to Catus or a kind of pointing IV. At the Colledge near the fourth Classe APOLLINI M. VERATIVS MERCATOR IT is a common Opinion in Geneva that in the time of Heathenism Apollo was particularly worshipped and that he had a Temple in this City in the same place where now stands S. Peter's Church There is to be seen on a Gate behind this Church a Head made to resemble that of the Sun. Monsieur Morus alledgeth this proof in his Harangue de Sole scuto Genevensi for to confirm the common opinion But this Head seems to me to be nothing else but the Carvers fancy and doth not look as if it was very old it being made only of Molasse Stone Being some Years since at Geneva with Monsieur Patin who is a competent Judge in these matters I shewed him this piece and he was of opinion that it was not very old
a considerable time was at length drove out from Arpentras by his own Subjects who rebelled against him and killed one of his Sons whereupon he in revenge having taken again the City demolish'd it and seeking a new place whereon to build another he came to the end of the Lake whence issues forth the Rhosne and finding a little Hill of Genevriers or Shrubs he layes there the foundations of a City which he call'd for this reason Genevra or Genebra This was in the year of the Worlds Creation 2833. and fifty years after the destruction of Troy and three hundred seventy nine years before the Building of Rome and eleven hundred and thirty years before the Birth of our Saviour After Lemannus who dyed whilst they were building Geneva his Son Eructonius reigned eight and twenty years leaving three Sons who divided the Kingdom betwixt them viz. Sequanus Allobrox and Helvetius This Chronicle likewise makes mention of several other Kings of these Countreys as Milius Ergogus Tigurus Epantalus Aviticus Carphas and his three Sons Conodus Gavotus and Equester Caturigus Flenans Arulus Centronius Benevits Algurus Ciricus and Oblius who built a Fortress at Geneva in the Isle of Rhosne These names readily offer themselves for the finding out the Founders of Cities and the Etymology of the names of Provinces which gives us plainly to understand that this is a History devised at pleasure seeing there are many of these Latin words although that Tongue was not known till some Ages after Sequanus sayes the Chronicle gave his name to the County of Burgundy from whence the people were call'd Sequaeni Allobrox gave his name to the Countrey of the Allobroges Equester to the Country of Vaud where was Colonia Equestris Ergogus to that of Ergau Helvetius to that of Helvetia Aventica Helvetius his Concubine to Avanche Centronius to the Centrons who are them of Tarantoise Arulus to Arles Gavotus to Gavots Benevits to the City of the same name and in short Ciricus to St. Ciergâ—e Now that which I find the worst contriv'd in all this account is the Etymology of the word Geneva which it derives from Genévres or Jumper Shrubs with which this little Hill on which the City was built was over-spread as if the Latin or French Tongue were spoken four Ages before Rome was built for the word Genévre comes from the Latin Juniperus So it is also with the word Equestris which was never heard of in the Countrey of Vaud till Caesur's time as we shall have occasion to mention hereafter Not that this great Antiquity of eight and twenty Ages need be suspected seeing there are Cities as that of Athens ancienter by five hundred years But we are never obliged to believe without proof neither do we find Homer to mention Lemannus Paris his Son although it may well be expected he should say something of him to inform us of the posterity of that Heroe in his Poem 'T is certainly a very idle humour of some people who would needs perswade the World their Ancestors were sprung from the Ashes of Troy and were no less than Founders of Cities as if Troy had been sufficient to people all the World after it self had been ruin'd Be it how it will concerning these eleven Ages before the coming of our Saviour we read of no considerable matters or Warlike feats performed by the Genevoises during that time but what we have from this Chronicle They laid waste the City of Benevits which stood distant from that place where now standeth Nyons because it would Lord it over the neighbouring Countreys and exact Tribute It addeth that this Oblius dyed without Children and left all these Countreys to the disposal of their own people who by this means became free and under no Monarchy The Genevoises had the advantage of the Lake and the Rhosne which serv'd them instead of Ditches and the Alps which sheltered them as Ramparts They separated them especially from the Romans whose neighbourhood was chiefly to be feared and against whom they have signalized their Valour with the rest of the Allobrogeses who extended their Borders as far as Isere The Air of the Mountains which they breathed and the ignorance of carnal delights which renders us soft and effeminate made them Warlike and Dreadful to their Neighbours The Romans have tryed them sufficiently in their Wars against them The first proof which they gave of their Courage was under the Consul Marcus Fulvius in the year six hundred twenty eight from the Building of Rome and one hundred twenty five years before the Birth of our Saviour The Auvergnats and them of Roüergue were joyned with the Allobroges The Romans bragg'd they had defeated them though 't is certain the Consul obtain'd not the Triumph which is a sufficient proof that the loss on the Gaules side was not great and in effect the War broke out again three years after and the Allobroges raised greater Forces They fought the Romans near Orange not far from the place where the Sorgue dischargeth it self into the Rhosne the Romans got the Victory by a Stratagem after they had for a long time vigorously disputed it They had brought with them Elephants which they had caused to march against the Allobroges believing the Gaules having never seen them would be affrighted as it indeed fell out their Horses being startled set a running after the same manner as it had happened heretofore to the Romans themselves when Pyrrhus who first brought them into Italy fought against them so bloody a Battel in which they were overthrown the Gaules lost in this Conflict twenty thousand men and Bituitus King of Auvergne one of their chiefest Captains was taken Prisoner and led away in Triumph by the Consul Domitius Ahenobarbus to whom the care of this War was committed Notwithstanding this overthrow the Allobroges who had been overcome rather by their Enemies Craft than through their own want of Courage took again the Field the year following with their Confederates and advanc'd as far as Isere offering the Romans Battel The Consul Fabius Maximus who was General lost his Quartan Ague in the heat of the fight and accompanied with his usual good fortune obtain'd a signal Victory Twenty six thousand Gaules were cut in pieces and the Consul obtain'd the glorious Title of Allobrogick and the great Triumph at his return to Rome There might have been seen not many years since in the Village of Versoy about a League distant from Geneva an old Marble Stone on which was engraven the Elogy of the Conqueror of the Allobroges Caesar hath observ'd in the Conference which he had with Arioviste that after this Victory the Romans generously forgave the Auvergnats and them of Rouergue not exacting of them any Tribute nor so much as reducing them into a Province From whence 't is likely that the Allobroges who were their Allies in this War were no worse us'd and that the Romans considering them rather as
succeeded by Denis who was followed by Paracodus to whom Victor wrote to the same effect So that here is already a great mistake to believe that Denis and Paracodus first planted the Christian Faith at Geneva for seeing they were both Bishops of Vienna then chief City of the Allobroges it is hence most likely they sent some to Geneva to preach the Gospel it lying in their Circuit But that which gives greater confirmation is what hath been found written in an old Manuscript Parchment Bible in the Library at Geneva viz. Genevensis Ecclesia à discipulis Apostolorum Paracodo ac Dionysio fundata Viennensibus Episcopis that is to say Paracodus and Denis Bishops of Vienna who have founded the Church at Geneva were called the Apostles Disciples because they taught the same Doctrine So that Paracodus could not be one of the Seventy Disciples seeing he lived towards the end of the second Century Likewise some would make him Contemporary with S. Irenaeus who was Bishop of Lyons and suffered Martyrdom under the Emperour Severus about the end of the same Age before which time the Gospel had made but small progress in Gaule as we may read in Gregory of Tours At the end of this fore-mentioned Manuscript Bible there is a list of the names of Bishops of Geneva which is now almost worn out with these three Verses towards the end of it Hos mensae Christi constat libamine pasci Vascula terra Dei proprio de sanguine facti In templo Domini prisca de Gente notati The first we meet with in this Catalogue of Bishops is Diogenus the next Domnus whom they of S. Martha call Dominius and so in order Salvianus Cassianus Eleutherius Theolastus Fraternicus Pallascus all which flourished about the third and fourth Century but we know nothing more of them than their names The fourth Century was lamentable to several Countreys by the Invasions of those Nations which began to tear the Roman Empire Geneva cruelly suffered so that in a Council held at Turin in the year 397. there was care taken for its reparation And from that time encreasing in Authority it presided over the neighbouring Countreys even to the Alpes it being agreed in this Council that the Bishops of Metropolitan Cities should be acknowledged Primates of their respective Provinces so that the Primate of Geneva had under him the Chablaises and Genevoises About the beginning of the next Century after the death of Theodosius the Vandals over-ran the Gauls one part of them setling themselves in the Countrey of Vaud to which it is thought they gave the name They built likewise several Borroughs which occasioned their being called Bourguignons at which time there was one Isaac called by others Isarius Bishop of Geneva whom S. Euchere mentions in the Life of S. Maurice These Bourguignons established a Kingdom amongst them whose first King was Gundicaire or Gonderic who dying divided his Realm between his four Sons Gondebaud had Vienna Chilperic Lyons Godesigile Geneva and Gotmar Besançon Sidonius Apollinaris who lived in those times gave them the name of Tetrarchs These Brethren being at variance Chilperic and Gotmar drave Gondebaud from his Territories but he having vanquished them returns in which conflict Gotmar was slain couragiously defending himself Chilperic who was taken Prisoner was beheaded and his Wife thrown into the Rhosne But some years after Cloüis King of France having espoused Clotilde Chilperic's Daughter that he might be revenged on Gondebaud for his cruelty proclaims War against him Godesigile to whose share Geneva had fallen joyned with Cloüis against his Brother Gondebaud who being vanquished was forced to receive Laws from the Conqueror He therefore renders himself Tributary to Cloüis and left Vienna to Godesigile but Gondebaud re-took Vienna and the wretched Godesigile was slain in a Church by the Sword. Cloüis moved at this barbarous action drove out Gondebaud and gave his Son Sigismond the Kingdom 'T was this Sigismond who founded on the Alpes S. Maurice's Monastery which foundation was subscribed by Maximus Bishop of Geneva This same Emperour caused to assemble the Council called Ponense Paunense or Epaunense as Mr. Chorier hath very well observed in his History of Dauphiné and after him the Abbot in his Epitome of Councils at Ponas near Vienna in Dauphiné Maximus was also at this Council His Successor Pappulus was present at that of Orleans After him the Manuscript Bible afore mentioned recites Gregorius Nicetius Rusticus Patricius Hugo the First Andreas Graecus and Domitianus whom they of S. Martha call Donatianus There is an Inscription in S. Victor relating to this Council which is this Haec acta sunt Episcopo Genevensi Domitiano These things were done when Domitian was Bishop of Geneva 'T was also in his time the Body of S. Victor was transported from Soleurre to Geneva Salonius his Successor was present at the Council of Lyons and Paris There hath been a Bishop of Geneva of the same name in the last Age The Bishop of Geneva writ himself Salonius Episcopus Genavensis After him succeeded Cariatho one of the Domesticks of King Gontran of Burgundy This King encreased the Church Revenues and was the Founder of S. Peter's Cathedral Monsieur Morus the Author of an Harangue Entituled De duobus Genevae Miraculis proves by some passages out of Avitus's Homilies that it was he who consecrated that Church there being there before a Temple dedicated to Apollo But the building was intermitted till the year 990 at which time the Emperour Othon caused it to be continued and Conradus finished it in the year 1024. But I doubt whether we ought to credit those Chronological Manuscrips which relate that under the Reign of Gontran a certain City named Taurodinum was overthrown into the Rhosne by an Earthquake whose course being stopped there followed such a great Inundation that it ran over the Walls of Geneva But there is not so much as any single Geographer who mentions this City Monsieur la Mothe le Vayer relates the matter after a different manner and more likely to be true Marius saith he Bishop of Laufare reports in his Chronicle that the Hill which he calls Tauretunensem in Valay fell so suddenly on a Castle and neighbouring Burroughs that it overwhelmed all the Inhabitants being followed with such an Inundation of Water as very much damnified the City of Geneva Appellinus whom some call Abelenus succeeded Cariatho The Legend of S. Columban Abbot of Lussienx mentions him he lived till the year 613. The French King Clotairius the Second drove out the Burgundians from the Countrey of the Allobroges and setled Magistrates at Geneva Dagobert his Son succeeded him and Theodoric second Son to Dagobert built several Churches according to the relation of Volfangus Lazius whose words are these Theodoricus secundus ultimus Merovingiorum in Burgundia qui cum ex Brunchilde uxore nihil procreasset multa
pro fulcienda sancta religione apud Gebennam fundavit Theodorick the Second was the last King of the Franks in Burgundy who having no Children by his Wife Brunchilde erected several Churches and Religious Houses in Geneva Soon after the death of Dagobert Pappolus the Second whom some call Paulus and the Centuriators of Magdebourg Papulus Genuensis was present at the Council of Chalons The Book called the Citizene tells us there was one remained at Geneva to reconcile the people of the Country of Vavx with them of New Castle in the year 726. who was succeeded by Robertus Aridanus Epoaldus Albo Huportunus Eucherius Gilabertus whom they of S. Martha call Gubertus Renembertus Leutherius and Galbertus who held that Seat sixteen years and whom some call Postbertus Towards the end of the eighth Century Charlemain came to Geneva where he called a Council of War about his passing into Italy against Didier King of the Lombards He confirmed the Liberties and Priviledges of Geneva both in Church and State and caused to be set up on the great Gate of S. Peter his own Statue of Marble and under it an Imperial Eagle with two heads the Eagle remains yet to be seen Some say it was Conradus the Second who caused it to be carved and set up when he had finished the Church The following Bishops were Valternus who held the Seat six and thirty years Apradus the First whom some call Artaldus or Cataldus Domitianus the Second Boso held the Bishoprick but seventeen Months after him Ansegisus half of whose Epitaph is yet to be seen in a Marble Stone taken out of the ruines of S. Victor's Church The Chronological Manuscripts of Geneva inform us he was the same who was Archbishop of Sens but they of S. Martha affirm the contrary saying he was buried in the Church of Sens where his Epitaph is yet to be seen They call the aforementioned Bishop of Geneva Anseguinus contrary to the Manuscripts and Marble Inscriptions which we shall produce at the end of the Book The Centuriatours of Magdebourg term Ansegisus only Archbishop of Sens saying that he was declared Primate of Gaule in the year 876. The Author call'd the Citizen tells us the Bishop of Geneva dyed in the year 840. but then there would be too great an Interregnum between him and his Successor Optandus who was not Consecrated before the year 881. His mistake lyes in taking Ansegisus who hath written a Summary of Charlemain and was but an Abbot for him resemblance of names oftentimes occasioning confusion in History The Allobroges having been for a long time under Emperours after the death of the Kings of Burgundy which were Transiurane Gundicaire and his Successors they fell again under the power of the new Kingdom of Burgundy of which Boson of Vienna was the first King who sometimes took upon him the Title of King of Burgundy otherwhiles that of Vienna after the same manner as his Successors Lewis Hugo Rodolphus I. Conradus and Rodolphus II. with whom ended this Kingdom in the year 1032. The Geneva Manuscripts in this particular are full of fabulous relations mentioning one Boson the Second who in fighting against the Genevoises was slain whereas there has been but one of that name This State of Burgundy sayes Monsieur Chorior in his History of Dauphiny after the death of Rodolphus the Second called the Sluggard fell into a confused Anarchy the Prelates making themselves Masters in the Cities of their Residency and Earls in their Jurisdictions The German Emperours not being able to hinder their Usurpations were forced to agree with them and gave them in trust what they saw was impossible to get out of their hands and from hence hath happened to apply this more particularly to Geneva the Original of those Differences and Feuds betwixt the Bishops and Earls of that City During the ninth and tenth Ages after Ansegisus the Bishops of Geneva were Optandus or Apradus II. consecrated by Pope John the VIII as we gather by the Letters of this Pope to the Genevoises after whom succeeded Bernardus Riculphus Fraudo Aldagundus or Aldagandus I. Aymo I. Girardus I. Hugo II. who joyned S. Victors Monastery at Geneva to the Church of Clugny by the consent of Rodolphus King of Burgundy and his Brother Burchard Archbishop of Lyons Conradus Aldagundus the Second Bernardus the Second and Frederick who was present at the Dedication of the Church called S. Stevens of Besançon by the Popes order who was Leo the Ninth Frederick was Bishop according to the account of them of S. Martha thirty seven years and according to the Annals of Geneva fifty years Borsadus who succeeded him exercised the Episcopal Government but five years This is the Epitome of the eleven first Ages since the coming of our Saviour and is in a manner all we can learn of them Now the reason of this is because the City hath been several times burnt as in the years 1291 1321 1334 1430. The following Ages will yield us more matter through the ambition of three Lords who would become Masters of Geneva Which three were the Bishop the Earl of Genevois and the Earl of Savoy who have several times brought it near to destruction But this their striving who should become Masters of it hath been a means to continue its Priviledges and Liberties as an Imperial City which the Magistracy claims time out of mind as well by the death of Oblius who left his Countreys free as also by the priviledge of a Roman Colony under the first Emperours and by a Confirmation from Charlemain For they tell us the Kings of Burgundy were Usurpers It belongs not to me to decide the contrary Pretensions of these three above mentioned Lords Guichenon and other Authors call the Earls of Genevois Earls of Geneva which is contrary to several ancient Titles of these Earls which name them Comites Gebennesii and not Gebennenses for it is well known that Gebennesium is Genevois which is separate from the Jurisdiction of Geneva But it is very likely some have taken upon them this Title as may be seen on an ancient Coin of an Earl who lived about the year 1370. who called himself Petrus Comes Gebennensis which the Bishops have resented ill especially John Lewis of Savoy The first Wars wherein Geneva was concerned happened since the twelfth Century upon occasion of Wido Bishop of Geneva's Grant to his Brother Ame. They were both Sons to an Earl of Genevois whose posterity for above five hundred years had possessed this Lordship The Bishops would have these Earls to be but only as Bayliffs in Genevois but Wido to strengthen his Family gave his Brother in this Investiture besides his Paternal Inheritance several Villages and Castles belonging to the Diocess of Geneva as Bonmont and Hautecombe and what Temporal Offices he had in the City making him his Rent-Gatherer or Bayliff Wido or Guido who
account William of Constant who was then Bishop would have him be satisfied with what he had already gotten without the City fearing to give him footing within He also proposed an agreement to be made with the Earl of Genevois but that party which was for Savoy carried it They granted him what the Earl of Genevois possessed carried fore in the City and were willing he should use the City as a place of retreat to defend his neighbouring States In this reciprocal Alliance he promised on his part to defend them at his cost That he would not conclude any Peace without their consents And that there should be a free commerce betwin his Courtrys and the City Which Treaty was observed whilst he and his two Sons Edward and Amé the Great lived The Bishop seeing the greatest part on the Earls side was forced to agree and confirm it So that at this Treaty it was concluded That the Earl of Savoy should become Earl of Genevois But the name of Earl being hateful to the City he was content with only that of Vidame which signifies the same with Vice-Dominus he had also a Bayliff who was called in the Language of that Country Chatelatn du Vidomne But he acknowledged his dependance notwithstanding on the Bishop and Church of Geneva who granted him this during their pleasure But in process of time the Princes of Savoy encreasing in power scorned to be acknowledged by a Word importing Subjection wherefore they gave their Bayliff this Title of Vidame Six years after Humbert Dauphin of Viennois who was one of the Earl of Genevois's Confederates set upon the Town whilst the Earl of Savoy was fortifying it that he might make him quit so advantagious a Post Bâ—atrix of Savoy Mother-in-law to this Dauphin assisted him with a considerable number of Souldiers which she had caused to be raised in Focigny He would have secretly surprized the City on Sunday after the Ascension but he could not carry it so sliely but his design was discovered Notwithstanding which he fell on the Suburbs and burnt a great part of them and encamped before the City intending to besiege it and win it by Assault The Earl of Savoy was not in the City and the good Bishop William of Constance knowing not which way to turn himself in this affair writ to the Dauphin very submissive Letters entreating him to desist from his purpose but all his submissions and Tears were ineffectual For the Dauphin attacked the City with all his Force and had near won it had not the Citizens defended themselves most gallantly and forced him to raise his Siege but in requital he pillaged the Castles of Thy and Sala belonging to the Bishop and placed therein Garrisons The Bishop finding himself not able to encounter him with Secular Weapons makes use of the Spiritual Sword and Excommunicates him and his Mother-in-law About the twenty seventh of October in the same year and a Month after he aggravated his Excommunication The Earl of Savoy having taken the Field to repel the Duke marched to L'Ecluse and the Castle of Laye which places were very advantagious to him William of Constance being dead one called Martin succeeded him who held that Seat but a very small time and had for Successor Aimé du quart who had been Chanon and Chanter of the Church at Lyons He found himself likewise to be in the same troubles as his Predecessors occasioned by the differences betwixt the Earl of Savoy and Genevois and inclining sometimes to one side and sometimes to the other he caused himself to be suspected by both parties Amé Earl of Genevois built the Castle of Gaillard a League distant from Geneva from whence he made inroads into Savoy Nevertheless he paid Homage to the Church for several Lands and made an Alliance with the Bishop and Commonalty of Geneva This Bishop made a remarkable Decree to wit That they should begin the year from Christmas and not as heretofore from Easter And in the year following he made a Declaration by consent of the Earl of Savoy touching the Office of the Vidame or Steward The enmity continued betwixt the two Earls Amé III. Son of Amé the II. Earl of Genevois would drive away Edward who was then Earl of Savoy and hinder his settling himself in Geneva where he continually strengthned himself Fain would he have gotten the other out that he might come in and joyning with the Dauphin Hugues he deals with the Governour of the Castle of Entremont who was the Earl of Savoy's Vassal and so far prevails with him as to obtain liberty to put in there a Garrison from the Dauphin Whereupon the Earl to whom this place was of importance leaves Geneva to take if possible this Castle again But whilst he was busied about this Siege the Earl of Genevois accompanied with the Dauphin Lord of Focigny came to the Bridge of Arve where he desired to speak with some Chanons and Citizens who inclined to his side He shews them they could promise to themselves no advantage in driving him away and receiving in his stead the Earl of Savoy who had deserted them in their necessities that he could if he pleased enter by force and put all to Fire and Sword were he not withheld by the fear of God the respect which he had for S. Peter who was Patron of the City and the kindness which he had for them who took his part in it That he had more right than his Enemy and that if they would not receive him as a Friend he would treat them as Enemies The Deputies finding his request reasonable made an alliance with him under which they also comprehended the Dauphin mutually promising to defend one another and maintain the Priviledges of the City But when it came to have the peoples consent they of the Faction of Savoy would by no means hear of it so that one half of the Town took up Arms against the other The Captain of the Castle in the Isle was for the Earl of Savoy and he of the Borough of Four for the Earl of Genevois Each of which parties betook themselves to these two Captains The first of these puts in a Garrison into S Peters and under the Piazzas whilst the others introduce the Earl of Genevois and Dauphin into the City by the Ivâ—ry-Gate called then by the name of Porta aquaria with both his Horse and Foot. Notwithstanding all which the Faction of Savoy prepares to encounter them animated by Widon Tavel Guiges of S. Apre Vincent Frombert and Perissodin of Bourdignin who were principal Men amongst them The Earl of Genevois was routed one hundred thirty and two being left dead upon the place The Conquerors lay hold on the chief of the contrary Faction causing Jacquemet and Peter Bosselets to be hanged and confiscated the Goods of several others of their accomplices In the Month of August these two Lords
of Cossonney R. of Chalens G. Marchandy Galey of Very and signed with the Seal of the abovementioned Earl. William of Lornay chosen after Ademarus presided twenty years This Bishop Cited by his Chancellor Humbert of Villars the Earl of Genevois and Lord of Terny upon case of Felony for which he was declared an Outlaw and his Lands forfeited to the Church It was thought the Bishop could not be judge in his own Cause but it being not his but the Churches interest the sentence was held valid About the end of the Fourth Century the Emperor Wencestaus made a declaration to the same effect as Charles the Fourth touching the Revocation of the Earls Grant and farther confirmed the Cities priviledges in such terms that no Emperors or Kings of the Romans should at any time violate them which was done at Prague the 22. of June 1400. Humbert of Villars Earl of Genevois dying without male issue in the month of March 1400. leâ—t his Countreys to Odo of Villars his Uncle who after h ehad held them a year agreed with Amé the Eighth who laid claim to them and so ended the quarrel between the two Earls Nevertheless Blanche Humbert's daughter laid claim to the succession and appeared before the Bishop by proxy requiring possession of Remilly promising him to do homage for it She was answered that the said Lands were fallen to the Church That moreover Amé the Eighth Earl of Savoy terming himself also Earl of Genevois had already requested this investiture and promised homage for all the Lands of the said Earldom so that they could proceed no farther till she had agreed with the above mentioned Earl which done she should be gratified in any thing reasonable as it appears by an Authentick Act of the 13 of March. Amé the Eighth got the better in this contest and did homage in the Church of S. Peter before the great Altar according to Custom and because the Lordship of Terny was judged lapsed to the Bishop and Church of Geneva the said Bishop and Chapter willing to gratifie the Earl gave it to Girard of Terny on condition he should hold it from Amé the Eighth and the said Amé should pay homage for it to the Bishop and Church of Geneva William of Lornay dying John of Bertrandis was chosen in his stead who was Doctor in the Laws and Chanon of S. Peters he was sworn on the great Altar and promised the Chapter and four Syndicks deputed by the Commonalty to maintain the liberties and priviledges of it which was confirmed also at the same time by the Emperor Sigismond against the Earldom of Savoy's Vicar General shewing him likewise how unreasonable he was in requiring homage of the Bishoprick and Citys of Lausane Geneva and Valay of whom none was due that the said dignity was revoked by Charles the fourth his father wherefore he admonisht him to desist from such a demand not troubling any more the said Cities which belonged only to the Empire The Bishop of Bertrandis was present at the Council of Constance where John Huss was burnt and had some place of eminency there for he was a Cardinal and very learned being suspected to lean towards Huss his Opinions From Constance he went into Spain to the Antipope Benoist and passing over to Monpellier he obtained of the French King Charles the Seventh that the Genevoises should not be molested by his Subjects under pretence of the difference betwixt them and the Earl of Savoy setting before him that they not being subject to that Earl they therefore ought not to be dealt with as Savoyards The year following he accompanied the Emperor Sigismond to Geneva in honour of whom there was made for three daies together solemn processions The said Prelate built new Halls to the Charge of which the Syndicks offered to contribute provided they might have a third part of their Revenue Some say that he also founded the Chappel of the Maccabees joyning to S. Peters Church but it was more likely John of Brognier as we shall make it appear afterwards who was also Cardinal of Ostie John of Bertranais became at length Archbishop of Tarentaise having been nine years Bishop of Geneva It was this Emperor Sigismond who erected Savoy into a Dukedom and created the Earl Amé the Eighth Duke at Monluel About a year after he came to Geneva with Pope Martin the Fifth in company of Fifteen Cardinals He had his Lodgings at the Cordeliers de Rive and sometimes after presented his request to Pope Martin to obtain the Soveraignty of Geneva pretending it was the Churches Interest in general This was granted him provided he could get the Bishops consent whereupon he addresseth himself to John of Pierrecize the present Bishop promising him if he gave his consent such a Reward as he should never have occasion to repent of his kindness The Bishop replied he was newly entered in that Office and not being as yet sufficiently acquainted with it he referred the matter to the Clergy and people of whom notwithstanding he would ask advice He caused the people then to assemble in S. Peters Cloister on the last of February the Bishop opens to them the Dukes suit and first produces the Request presented to the Pope for that purpose which contained what follows That at Geneva and the adjacent places there were several Gentlemen of considerable Estates who protected them who had been guilty of crimes in the City and thereby escaped unpunished the Bishop wanting power to make himself obeyed if the Duke of Savoy did not interpose which is the reason they could not live peaceably in the said Town for which cause the supplicant would willingly give the Bishop a recompence far exceeding this Lordship in value And for asmuch added he as it is impossible holy Father to prevent these dissentions That it would therefore please your Holiness to inform your self of the truth of the matter so that the Temporal jurisdiction may be transferred to your devoted Son Amé Duke of Savoy who passionately desires to remove these scandals preferring above all things the exercise of Justice and publick Peace Which request was passed by Pope Martin on the 28. of March 1419. And at the end of it was written So let it be if expedient and pleasing to the Bishops of Grenoble Maeon and the Abbot of S. Sulpice of the Order of Cistern Monks in the Diocess of Belay He set before them likewise how the Duke not content with this had required a Commissioner to execute the Commission which he had withstood and in fine he had made him an offer of exchange whereupon he desired their opinion and whether he should continue his Oppositions with the assistance of the Church and City alone The Citizens and Syndicks having heard the forementioned business and having withdrawn to consider on it unanimously made answer in the
name of the Commonalty by Hudriol Heremite a Citizen that seeing for near four hundred years the City and dependances had been under the power of the Church under which they and their predecessors had received gentle usage and been governed in peace it seemed to them neither profitable nor honourable for the Church and Prelate but rather dangerous and of bad consequence to the State and Commonalty to think of any Translation or Alienation and although that in times past there have been greater occasion for it than at present seeing there were Territories and Lordships contiguous to Geneva such as of the Earl of Vaux Lord of Statigny and the Lord of Gex brother of the Earl of Genevois and several others then living who disturbed the peace and quiet of the Prelate But now all the said Lordships being ended and reduced under one single Prince the Duke of Savoy who exercises Justice in his own Dominions and keeps a good correspondence with them his Neighbours They would never permit any alteration but would remain both they and their successors under the Government of the Church and Prelate Requiring him therefore according to his duty and Pastoral charge in pursuit of the Oath which he had taken at his entrance well and faithfully to govern the Church and keep its Rights as he had hitherto done promising for their parts to afford him any requisite aid and assistance against any who should molest him The Bishop thereupon makes an accord with the Citizens and Syndicks never to suffer any alteration or change in the State without the express consent of the Syndicks and Citizens Which he solemnly vowed to observe according to the usual Ceremony at his first entrance with his hand upon his breast and the Syndicks and Counsel took their Oath on the four Evangelists This Treaty is intitled in Latine A Transaction between the Reverend father John Patriarch and Minister of the Bishoprick of Geneva on the one part and the Citizens Burgesses and Commonalty of Geneva on the other against the endevours and suit of Duke Amé to Pope Martyn At the bottom of which are written the most part of the Names and Sirnames of them who were present at the said Council general who represented the Commonalty being in all to the number of 727. There being likewise the four Syndicks Aymé Sallanche a Lawyer Peter Gaillard Nicod of Vigier and John of Jussy After whom some of the principal Chanons set their hands Namely John and Amé of Arenthon Anselm of Chesnay Chanon of S. Peters Rodolphus of Porta and John of S. Thomas Divinity Professors Bartholmew Lombard Dr. of Laws Aymé Maillet Raymond of Orsieres Henry of Barmes Lawyers Mounsieur Authony Dr. of Physick Peter Roset Pancasel de la Rive Aymonet Fabry Nicolas of New-Castle Mermet Lulin Jaquemet Gautier John de la Roche James Revilliod Henry Chevalier John of Boloz Girard Milliet In short the said Act was signed by four Notaries Fulsend of Bruille John of Vaud Nicholas Chevrier and Anthony Fontanelle in the year and month aforesaid All persons who were interessed in the City were very well satisfied at this days work and they had new cause to rejoyce some months after by a declaration from the Emperor Sigismond which contained that Geneva was an Imperial City terming it Nobile Imperit Membrum wherein are mentioned at large the priviledes of Geneva which he declares he would take into his protection strictly charging all Princes Barons Captains and all other Officers of what quality soever and especially Amé Duke of Savoy not to molest in any sort the said Patriarch and Bishop of the Church of Geneva unless they would incur the indignation of the sacred Empire given at the Monastery of the Royal Court near Prague the sixth of June 1421. Signed Michael Chanon of Prague It is likely it was this Prelate who built the Bishops Palace his Arms standing on the outside of it which is a Band charged with three Dolphins For Frison in his Book intitled Gallia Purpurata blazons the Arms of this Bishop with Gules on a golden bar charged with three Dolphins in azure moreover in these Arms there 's behind the shield an Archbishops Cross which cannot agree with Amé of Gransons as we have already mentioned seeing he never was an Archbishop whereas John of Pierre-scize hath been Archbishop of Besançon and Roüen After John of Pierre-scize whom others call John of Rochetaillé there was chosen in his place John of Brievecuisse or of Courtecuisse Confessor to the French King Charles the sixth and Bishop of Paris who was Bishop of Geneva but one year he was of the Country of Normandy and had left Paris because he had opposed the K. of Englands interest there hath been one of this same family Bishop of Grenoble This last Bishop of Geneva was succeeded by John of Brognier who was born in a mean Village near Annecy called Brogny where when a Boy he kept Swine A Cardinal passing by took a likeing to him and carried him with him to Avignon where he brought him up to Learning It is reported before he went thither he came to Geneva to buy a pair of Shooes at the Taconnerie which is the street wherein is sold Leather and Shooes for Tacon in the ancient Language of the Savoyards signified Leather but he having not mony enough to pay for them the Shoomaker observing his perplexity said to him Go go friend you shall pay me when you come to be a Cardinal which proved a kind of a Prophecy for being one he called to mind this man and requited him with the Office of Steward of his Houshold He was called Cardinal of Ostie and it is for this reason that John of Bertrandis having had the same Title it was thought it was he who built the Chappel joyning to the Maccabees which at present is called the Philosophy School for it is certain it was John of Brognier who founded it seeing there is yet seen a little Hog carved on the outside of it which he caused to be set up for a memorial of his profession and in several parts of his Arms which are a Cross doubly traversed covered with a Cardinals Cap. The same Arms are in a Chappel at Brogny which he likewise founded as Mounsieur Morery hath observed passing through this Village he lies buried in the Chappel of Geneva and had for his successor Francis of Mies Priest of S. Marcel his Nephew or Sisters son some name him Francis of Savoy Severt would have him called though I know not with what reason John of Chalan which is the name of a Noble Family in the Country of Vaud In the Year 1430. there hapned a great Fire at Geneva which the Book called the Citizen affirms to have happened in the Year 1330. telling us he had it out of a Manuscript belonging to the Library at Geneva several others have mentioned it after him for most Authors
several small skirmishes on both sides on the Bridge of Chancy where some remained on the place and Seyssel was forced to yield to the strongest Duke Charles the Second being dead there started up in Foucigny one John Gay of Megiva who raised the Peasants into a Mutiny against the Nobility who oppressed them setting before them the hope of Liberty and the example of the Cantons of Switzerland with whom and the City of Geneva they might make a League These Peasants to the number of sixscore wore Red Coats who set upon the Gentry of the Countrey without any exception but the Lord of Bresse having gotten them of Berne and Fribourg to send to them Deputies they drew to Geneva the chief promoters of these Tumults and with fair promises softned them and sent them home but being scattered they were laid hold on and hanged Bishop Champion after the usual Oath called a Synod in which the Decrees and Constitutions of the Bishops were reviewed and amended which were Printed in the same year under the Title of Constitutions of the Synod of the Bishoprick of Geneva He dyed two years after having held the Seat but four years Philip of Savoy being but seven years of age Son of the Lord of Bresse was chosen in his stead at the suit of Blanche Mary of Montferrat Widow of Charles the First Pope Alexander the Sixth who confirmed his Election assigned Aymâ— of Monfalcon Bishop of Lausane and the Bishop of Nice to be his Guardians which Philip was Bishop under four Dukes of Savoy Charles his Uncle Philip his Father and Philbert and Charles his Brethren As he increased in years he grew more fit to be a Soldier than a Church-man as his Uncle Lewis before him 'T was commonly said of him that he was more fitting to be made a Duke than his Brother Whilst he was young and his Father alive he was forced to wear an Ecclesiastical Garb but after his death Charles then being Duke and very familiar with him he threw it off but not the Revenue Return we now to the Government of Philbert This Duke came to Geneva with his Bastard Brother René They were so greatly pleased with the City that they desired leave of the Bishop and Council to keep Courts of Justice in it only for their own Subjects which was granted them for some time Philbert giving himself over to pleasure left the management of his affairs to René a fierce and imperious young man and who watched all opportunities to make his brother Master of Geneva that he might be revenged on the Syndicks who had refused to let him have some Writings wherein the City were concerned his first attempt was the imprisoning of a Genevois called Peter Levrier by virtue of Letters Decretory from the Duke The Lieutenant of Gex had laid hold on him near the Town-house from whence he carried him to the Castle of the Isle which was the Dukes abode whereupon the Attorny-General and Syndicks made their complaints to René shewing him that such an imprisonment was wholly unlawful forasmuch as that jurisdiction and power belonged only to the Bishop his Vicar or Steward or other secular Officers so that not being able to suffer such an action they desired the Lieutenant should bring back the Prisoner to the place from whence he had taken him upon which there was an Act made in favour of the Bishop Church and Syndicks These last returned him the same measure for being informed that a Savoyard called Thomas Papuli had coyned brass mony in the City having given notice to René of the power and jurisdiction of the Church and City they sentenced the malefactor to have his right hand cut off before his own door and from thence to be led to Champel where he was beheaded and his body to hang on the gallows and his hands and head to be set up in the place called the Liberties A marriage was resolved upon between the Duke of Savoy and Yoland of Savoy his Cousin German the better to strengthen him in his Countrys but she died before the marriage could be consummated and was buried in the Chappel situated at the Cordeliers of Rive René who had the sole management of affairs intrusted him by his brother endeavoured to strengthen his Authority and make him absolute in Geneva both publick and particulars had every day some new oppression laid upon them although he received from both more respect than he deserved for he had every day Presents made him in hopes they might at length win him by kindness and keep him from enterprizing any thing against them by which means he received more profit than the whole revenue of that City amounted to all which could not make him desist from his violences For remembring there was a gentleman called Eyria who in the time of the deceased Duke had been in great credit and whom he could not then injure he was resolved now together with his whole family He therefore accuses him to have designed to poyson the Duke by a perfumed Apple for a confirmation of this produces two witnesses who make Oath they heard him together with a Physitian at Lyons contriving how they should effect it the Duke being easie to be wrought on believed it whereupon it was resolved that they should surprize the Physitian they sent therefore to Monlâ—el the Provost of the Dukes houshold who desired the Physitian by his man to visit him the poor Physitian who mistrusted nothing as being innocent came to him without delay where instead of a Patient he finds a Provost who seized on him and carried him away bound hand and foot to Geneva where he was thrown into the Prison of the Island and Judged by the Provost At which the Syndicks and people were exceedingly moved and complained to the Duke shewing him this was an infringement of their Liberties and Jurisdiction which the Duke himself was sworn to observe yet did not René forbear to pass on putting him to the Rack and made him confess and accuse whom he pleased which done he caused him to be beheaded and set up his Quarters in the Liberties notwithstanding the Citizens opposition Afterwards he seized on Eyria and most of his kindred and friends whom he had caused to be accused by the Physician and would have dealt after the same manner with them but several Persons of Quality having interposed their sentence was deferred and René began to grow odious to the people The Duke after his affianced Ladies death espoused Margaret Maximilian's daughter who was first betrothed to the young King Charles of France but being repudiated by him and married afterwards to the King of Castile after his decease she was married to this Duke Philbert They made their publick entrance together into Geneva which put the Town to great charge in Plays Masquerades and other divertisements This drew insensibly the Youth into
that That if he would have Justice done he must come to Geneva where he should not fail of it provided no stranger assisted at the Tryal it being contrary to the Cities priviledges which assert the Syndicks to be the only Judges in criminal Cases not suffering any others to assist at the Judgment but their own Council In the mean time the Duke resolves upon a journey to the Cantons for some reasons of State particularly about the difference which was not only at Geneva betwixt the Bishop and the Citizens thereof but likewise betwixt the Citizens of Lausane and their Prelate The Bishop of Geneva had the Duke on his side and the Genevoises the Confederate Cantons on the contrary the Bishop of Lausane had the Cantons for him and the people the Duke of Savoy for them He went first to Fribourg about Bertheliers business fearing they might decide the business in his favour from whence he went to Berne to confirm the ancient Alliances and to add some new Articles He had passed through Lausane in his way to Switzerland and had offered his mediation to them of that City which they accepted but he deferred it till his return after which he gave his judgment which was far from contenting both parties as he had promised himself for there was neither of them but was very much dissatisfied for instead of calling himself an arbitrary Judge he terms himself a natural Judge as if he had been their Prince and Soveraign at which both the Bishop and People were so offended that they agreed without him and began to seek an Alliance with the Cantons After this the Duke returned to Geneva where he awhile about Pecolat and Berthelier's business although his occasions required his presence in Piedmont and it having been shewed him at Fribourg that the Bishop of Geneva had acted contrary to their priviledges in imprisoning Pecolat out of the City he therefore caused him to be brought back and to be imprisoned in the Bishops name in the Isle causing him to be examined again by the Syndicks he retracted his former confession being before them as having been extorted The Duke and Bishop would have him again be put on the Rack but the Syndicks refused it without greater evidence the Princes proposed the matter to the consideration of several foreign Lawyers as well as to their own Council to shew they were not carried away by passion but these differed in their judgment for the Civilians being led by their Masters the Bishops interest condemned him and on the contrary the others acquitted him The Syndicks whose Province it was to pronounce judgment knew not what to resolve of temporizing as much as possible to justifie these two Lords desire of revenge the Duke and Bishop hastning this business to a conclusion started a matter which they were not aware of viz. That the Prisoner was a Clerk and by consequence a Subject of the Ecclesiastical Court and belonged not to the Syndicks jurisdiction They transported him then out of the Prison of the Isle to that of the Bishoprick where they were resolved not to spare him but being sick he was visited by the Physitians to see whether he was able to endure the Rack they differed in their opinions but they who affirmed he was able to endure it were soonest believed but because at Thy he was observed to be very constant in enduring the Torment and being suspected to have some Magical charm in his beard which rendred him insensible he therefore had a Barber sent him to shave him close for his beard was very long Pecolat in this extremity ruminated in his mind how to keep himself from being overcome by these torments which he saw were making ready for him the Barber having washed his chin turned aside to empty his Bason carelessly laying down his Razor near him which Pecolat snatching up cut out a great part of his tongue the Barber seeing him bleeding in the mouth wholly astonished called up the guards and Jaylor notice being sent to the Princes of this they took care to preserve him for greater sorrows being recovered they would have him again to the Rack and because he could not speak they would therefore have him write but the Episcopal Council could never agree and particularly the Judge of the Clergies excesses whose office was to pronounce sentence being the Syndick Levrerâ—'s son whom the Duke hated as much as his Father whose head he at length caused to be cut off This Judge told his Friends in private what a dreadful thing it was to let this poor Man be so long misused that for his part he would never give his consent that he should be again put on the Rack and that were it not out of respect to the Princes he would have long since acquitted him and to procure his Release they must have recourse to the Archbishop of Vienna Metropolitan of Geneva His counsel was followed and an Order was obtained from Vienna by which the Advocate of the Treasury was cited to give an account of the detaining of Pecolat and forbidding him and all other Episcopal Officers yea the Bishop himself to touch the Prisoners person Which Order being brought there was no Body found who durst publish it although the Duke and Bishop were not at Geneva the bringers of these Acts were cudgelled for their pains One Bonnivard Governor of S. Victor was so bold as to carry it to the Bishop this Victor was a young Man more daring than wise a Citizen of the confederate Cities of good Kindred as well in Savoy as Piedmont so that he valued neither Duke nor Bishop but hated the later and favoured Pecolat and was very zealous for his Countries Liberty He took then a Serjeant along with him and as the Bishop came from parting with the Duke he delivered to him the Archbishop of Vienna's Order The Bishop being galled at it complained to the Duke the Duke sent for Bonnivard and told him the Bishops Complaints To which he boldly answered My Lord 't is true That the Bishop of Geneva detains one of my Servants and hath put him on the Rack and I have protected him in acknowledgement of his Services but what I have done is justifiable by Law having not suffered my self to be carried away by Passion neither do I think you can take it ill that I have executed the Metropolitan's Order you who are a Prince and a lover of Justice and who would not hinder Right though your own Interest lay at Stake The Duke pretended to be satisfied and parted the next Morning for Piedmont having first caused Pecolat to be removed into the Castle of Penay We read in the Chronicles of Geneva That in this Year before the Dukes departure the Bishop John of Savoy lying sick of the Gout and hearing a noise in the Street asked what was the matter His Nurse answered him 'T was a Thief who was led to be Hang'd whom added she if you will pardon my
This advanced not a little the design of the Alliance with Fribourg it being the only private and publick discourse of the Town but all would not consent to it so that Besançon Huges one of the Syndicks and several of the Council approved of it and had several meetings about it with those who were men of courage and resolution They concluded that if a general Alliance could not be effected there should be a particular one made in behalf of those who had subscribed to the number of three hundred with charge to the Deputies to confer abut it with those Fribourgers on whom Berthelier had prevailed which was done not without opposition from them who were Pensioners to the Duke for he had such as well in Fribourg as Geneva The Deputies had this answer both from the great and lesser Councils that if the City or at least the greatest part of it would make such a contract it should be accepted on reasonable terms provided no foreign claim hindred them especially that of the Duke of Savoy for if Geneva was subject to him this could not be done without violating the Alliance with him they then would be ready to consent to this Alliance or Burgership and from that time would protect them as their own Citizens The Deputies returned with an Express from Fribourg to make relation of their negotiation some accepted it others refused it so that this heated them one against another notwithstanding the remonstrances made them by the Deputy of Fribourg There were continually seen Assemblies of both parties which day and night circuiting about the Town made songs of one another with mutual gibes and reproaches Those on the Dukes side termed them who had accepted the Burgership Eignots meaning Eidgnossen which they counted not injurious but rather honourable this being a Dutch word signifying Allyed by an Oath it being the same the first Switzers made use of when they mutually assisted one another against the Tyrannical usurpations of the gentrv of their Country and from hence hath sprung the word Huguenots of which there hath been such different and ridiculous Etymologies for some affirm that this term Huguenot came from the two first words which were delivered in an Harangue of some deputed Switzers to the French King beginning thus Huc nos venimus Others imagine it is derived from a certain Gate called Hugon in I know not what City near the which Gate they held the first Synod the learned Monsieur Peteau found out another original derivation as I have read in the Memoires of M. de Pieresk He tells us then that at Tours or Amboisé where as is pretended this name first began to be used the people have a tradition of I know not what kind of spirit who ran in the night about the streets whom they called Frier Bourru and afterward King Hugues Ghost It is well known the Protestants at first went only to hear Sermons by night not daring to assemble in the day and for that reason were called Huguenots which is as much as to say Spirits people who appeared only in the night like King Hugue's Ghost but the true Etymology is that which we have already given they who understand not the Dutch Language differently pronounce it The Boys of the Town ran about the streets hollowing Long live the Eignots The note of distinction was a Cross marked on their Doublet They called the Dukes party Mammelusses by the name of those Souldiers who were the Soudan of Egypt's slaves who having been Christians had renounced their Christianity and abjured the liberty of their Country to joyn with Tyrants designing by this name to accuse them of the Dukes faction of the same baseness and from hence hath sprung the Original of these factions which lasted several years These Eidgnots assembled in the night took upon them to watch the City and feasted one another Which the Princes understanding sent Embassadors to Fribourg to make their complaints saying they perverted their Subjects contrary to the ancient Alliances in admitting them Citizens entreating the Magistrates to desist to which they answered that they had not done any thing to the prejudice of their former agreements with them in treating with Geneva for as to what concerned the Bishop they had no Alliance with him and consequently might contract with the Citizens who although they acknowledged him their Prince yet did not that hinder them from being free and at their own disposal he having accepted them upon this and not any other condition yet would they do him no wrong for if he could prove them of Geneva to be others than what they termed themselves the Alliance should be void that they were so far from diminishing his Ecclesiastical Authority that they were rather on the contrary for maintaining of it to the utmost of their power and as to the Duke of Savoy they would make a reserve in what concerned his Rights in the Treaty and that if he could make it appear the City was subject to him they would proceed no farther And lastly if both of them had found themselves aggrieved they were content to stand to the judgment which should be given and not to act contrary to their Alliance The Deputies from Savoy not satisfied with this came to Geneva where by flattery and threatnings they required there should be no farther contracting of Burgership and after all their endeavours perceiving they could not obtain their design they complained against the Fribourgers in the general Assembly of the Consedrate Cantons declaring the wrong which was done the Duke of Savoy in admitting them of Geneva into the Burgership of their City seeing they were his subjects which was contrary to former Treaties for supposing the Genevoises were not his subjects yet were they comprehended under the title of Hindersassen which is as much as to say inhabitants of their own Country which the Treaties of Alliance forbad to change into Burgership The Deputies of Geneva answered that their City had never been subject to the Duke or any of his Predecessors that by this word Hindersassen was not so much meant a City surrounded by his Countrys as strangers setled in his Dominions that it was rather the Duke who dwelt with them seeing the Country he held about Geneva had heretofore belonged to the Bishop of whom the Dukes held it for the confirmation of which they produced their Titles These contests and proceedings held a long time before the War broke out The Abbot of Beaumont and Francis Bonnivard Prior of S. Victor young Citizens were zealous for the liberty of their Country they together with several others sent to Fribourg to request the priviledge of Burgership which was granted them upon condition the general Council of Geneva consented to it which was sworn to by the greater number of suffrages which carried it In the mean time the Duke and Bishop united in their interest gave Commission dated at Montcallier to the Sieur de
needs brave it and wear their Swords contrary to the Dukes order but were forced to undergo the penalty there being no remedy but patience The Deputies from Geneva at the same time were urgent with the Fribourgers to assist them they granted them one company which was very inconsiderable in respect of their need but the flower of the youth of Fribourg having listed themselves for this expedition their number encreased where ever they passed some of the Dukes Subjects joyning themselves to them so that they immediately grew to the number of six or seven thousand men making themselves other colours and advanced as far as Geneva without doing any other hurt than victualling on free cost Being come into the Country of Vaud they apprehended the Governour the Sieur of Lulins and having notice that the Duke was in Geneva they bad him send his Master word that whatsoever hurt should be done their fellow Citizens should be returned them again They carried him along with them and entred in Morges without the least resistance the inhabitants of which were fled and had traversed the Lake They encamped there and Lulins advertised his Highness what had passed this was on the day after this Proclamation had been made The Duke judging he must change his note caused it to be published that no Genevois should be molested either in his person or estate upon pain of death and sent Maylian Captain of the horse to keep the passage of Nyons He likewise sent for the Deputy of Fribourg and told him saying Mr. Deputy I desire you would endeavor to pacisie matters you see I have not injured anybody and give you my word not to do it hereafter Go you with my Deputies to the Camp and let them safely return The Deputy who remembred the entertainment the Duke gave him at Gaillard answered him Sir do you believe such a man as I can do this and continuing his jargon of Fribourg Alas Sir says he would you have me go to my Lords and Superiors to carry your Message pray employ your own servants to carry your jokes for my part I will not do it you have not kept your promise with men or my Superiors no more will you now In short he refused The Duke seeing this left him yet sent his Deputies who in a short time arrived at Morges and demanded of the Captains wherefore they came in a hostile manner into the Dukes Country to which they returned the same answer why they had entred Geneva their confederate City in Arms. Which when the Duke had heard he commanded his Deputies to go to the other Cantons to intreat them to send to the Fribourgers to retire The Duke Army all the while lay upon the Genevoises and that of Fribourg at Morges and in the rest of the Country of Vaud which was subject to the Duke 'T was in the time of Lent and because all Provision was scarce but Herrings some termed this Campagne The War of Herrings The Duke assembled at Genevat he General Council and demanded two things First that they should renounce the Bourgership of Fribourg and fâ—nd into the Camp as from the body of the Town to assure them that neither the Duke nor any of his Men had committed any outrage to occasion their coming in so Hostile a manner That Hogues and Malbuisson had not been sent by them as publick Deputies but that they went of their own Authority without the Councils leave All which was granted him because they dared not do otherwise and they sent whom he was pleased to nominate But when they came to Morges the Fribourgers and the other Cantons gave no credit to them because the former Deputies had shewed them the contrary Yet the business was so throughly prosecuted that an agreement was concluded on these following conditions First Because the Fribourgers required 15000 Crowns to defray their Expences in coming they should have 4000 paid them in hand and should return without hurting the Country only Victualling as they passed on free cost Secondly That the Duke on his part should draw out his Army from Geneva without damnifying the City either in general or particular leaving it in full possession of its former priviledges and concerning other differences they should be decided as heretofore The difficulty lay in providing the 4000 Crowns for the Duke would not pay them nor the Genevoises but the Prince having called the General Council they were forced to engage for the payment of 2000 of them and for the other half the Earl of Genevoise delivered his Plate to the Fribourgers upon condition the Genevoises would redeem it the next S. James's and S. Christopher's day So the two Armies withdrew but the Duke staid behind at Geneva till the Plague which swept away several of the People obliged him to retire to Thonon and immediately after Hugues and Malbuisson returned to Geneva believing themselves secure yet the Duke sent for them to Thonon by the Vidame Consilii whom that he might the more easily perswade to go along with him he brought them a Letter of Safe conduct They knowing the Dukes temper would not carry his Letter with them but left it with Hugues's Wife enjoyning her if she heard they were detained to send it speedily to Fribourg They went then with the Vidame who believed he had them safe enough and that they might easily be dispatched when their Letter of Safe-conduct was taken away from them They had scarcely gotten half a mile from the City but he asked them whether they had it not about them They answered him they had not at which the Vidame falling into a passion replied Wretches as you are wherefore have you set out then How dare ye appear without it before my Lord who ye know is enraged against you and if any mishap should befal you you would not receieve more hurt than I should dishonour Return and fetch it then otherwise I will not go along with you Truly Mr. Vidame replied they we can go no where to fetch it but at Fribourg where we have sent it as soon as we received it to the end if your Lord should misuse us he should have in requital at least some trouble for violating his Faith. But if you are for returning to Geneva with all our hearts for we had rather be with our Wives and Children than to go turn Courtiers To which the Vidame replied Well if it be so we had as good continue our journey my Lord hath passed his word which is of more value than a Letter They kept on then their way and being arrived at Thonon the first word the Duke gave them was Whether they had the Letter of Safe-conduct but was vexed when he heard them answer no. He committed them to the keeping of the Provost of his Houshold forbidding them to be suffered to speak to any body but in presence of the Guards The Provost led them to his House sounding
them about the secret concerns of the Town where in the way they were followed by the clamors of the rabble who cried out they should be thrown into the River The Duke seeing all his endeavours could not obtain from them their Safe conduct dismissed them having first made them swear on the Altar of S. Hippolyte Patron of the place not to think any more on the Burgership of Fribourg nor to do any thing against his Authority nor to concern themselves in affairs of the State without his consent and moreover made them to do him great submissions A while after he sent to the Council of Geneva that they should borrow mony in Switzerland to redeem his Brothers Plate The City sent in effect Secretary Porral who had been a Syndick and gave him Monathon for his guide with the City Seal to sign the Obligation But passing through the Country of Vaud this Secretary was taken and carried to Thonon and being examined where the Letters lay relating to the Burgership of Fribourg the Secretary through fear revealed it upon which the Duke sent immediately to Geneva to demand them Answer was returned him They dared not enter in the Town-house because a Servant-maid had lately died of the Plague there But being not satisfied with this answer he reiterated his demand that notwithstanding he would have them so that they were forced to obey him This done he released Porral and suffered him to continue on his Journy with Monathon They met with mony upon interest at Berne and Lucerne to redeem the Earls Plate In May there was a general meeting of the Cantons at Zurich where the Duke and Deputies of Geneva promised to stand by their decision which was as follow That the Duke henceforward should not attempt any thing against the Bishop and Cities Jurisdiction That the Burgership of Fribourg and Geneva should be suspended neither party making any use of it and that the Fribourgers should rest satisfied with the 4000 Crowns received for their assistance for they claimed more This second Peace was thus concluded betwixt the Duke and two Cities and lasted Six years with much ado The Eidgnots and Mammelusses began to be reconciled and feasted one another making Alliances by Marriage and forgetting ancient differeces The Duke considering Berthelier as a person who ever withstood his Interest in Geneva resolved to leave no means untried to be rid of him but being desirous not to appear in it himself he would therefore make use of the Bishops name who was wholly at his service To which end he sent several of his Subjects from Focigny to Geneva who joyning with the Mammelusses lodged at the Eidgnots and made almost as much disorder as the Army had done heretofore All which had no other end but to take Berthelier He was sensible of it every one giving him warning yet he valued it not declaring he was so far from fearing Death as he rather desired it as a Haven of rest after all his troubles He had a Garden out of Town where he went every day to walk carrying along with him a Squirrel in his Bosom with which he was wont to recreate himself Three days after the arrival of them of Forigny the Vidame Consilii with his attendants had gotten before him in expectation of his coming Berthelier saw him making towards him and not being at all daunted at it kept on his way The Vidame laid hold on him in the Bishops name according as he was ordered and took away his Sword. Berthelier boldly bid him keep it well for said he You shall give an account of it He was carried to the Isle no body interposing and had Guards assigned him whereas he to shew how little he was concerned commonly diverted himself with his Squirrel They advised him to beg my Lords pardon What Lord said he The Duke of Savoy replied they our Prince and yours He is not my Prince answered he and if he were I would not ask Pardon being innocent It belongeth to Malefactors to beg Pardon not to honest Men. You must die then said they to him several times but he without answering them wrote on the Prison-wall Non moriar sed vivam narrabo opera Domini That is I shall not die but live and declare the Works of the Lord. The first day of his Imprisonment there were sent to examine him not the Syndicks but a Provost made in haste who had been heretofore a Tooth drawer called John des Bois An honest Man would not have accepted a Commission of that nature who gave him notice that he was commanded by the Prince to examine him and to require his Oath Berthelier boldly replied When the Syndicks who are my Judges shall question me I will answer them but not thee who hast nothing to do in the matter The Provost summoned him to deliver his answer the next Morning and sent Poste to the Princes to advertize them of the proceedings The next Morning the said Provost accompanied with them of Focigny marched in Battle-array carrying along with them a Confessor and an Executioner to the Prison wherein was Berthelier where his company drew up the Bridge The Provost commanded him again to make his answer Whereto he replied He would not The Provost added Then I command you on penalty of losing your head and Berthelier answering as before he pronounced this Sentence against him Seeing then Philbert Berthelier that is in this so in other matters thou hast always shewed thy self rebellious against mine and thy dread Soveraign having been guilty of the Crime of High Treason and several other matters worthy of death according to the Tenor of thy Indictment and Accusation We therefore Sentence thee to have thy Head cut off and thy Body to be hanged on the Gibbet of Champel and thy Head to be set upon a Spike and fastned upon a Gallows near the River of Arve Which Sentence thus pronounced he offered him the Confessor with whom he had not much discourse Afterwards he was delivered to the Executioner who led him out of the Castle in a place betwixt the Tower and Bridge where having made a short Prayer he would have made a Speech to the Citizens before he died but the Provost would not suffer him bidding the Executioner Dispatch and do his Office. The Hangman caused him to kneel down which Berthelier having done he cried out Ah! Gentlemen of Geneva which he had scarcely said before his Head dropped on the Ground which done the Executioner put his Body in a Hearse on which he got up holding in his Hand Berthelier's Head and crying out to the People Behold the Head of the Traitor Berthelier take all of you example by him Besides the Soldiers who were strangers there were some of the Town who followed the Hearse and made a mock at their own evils but good People kept within doors The Head was set up near the Heads of Navis and Viterman and some years
gotten 300 Crowns of the Genevoises to carry their Appeal to Rome he stirred not in the business Some private Persons designing to do it secretly the Duke hindred them and made them fly into Germany And not content with this he sent Judge Bartalais and the Vidame Hugues of Rogemont to Geneva to the end the Genevoises should renounce this Appeal and remit the Recognisance of criminal Cases to himself Which Article was delivered to the General Council and the chief Syndick Nergaz passed it saying That matter brought no great advantage to the City Bonier another of the Syndicks strongly opposed it saying He would never consent to it and called them Traitors who would But he remained not long in this mind for a while after he took part with the Duke Upon this refusal the Vidame by the Dukes order designed to weaken the Eidgnots Faction in apprehending some of the chief of them who were Besançon Hugues Peter and Claudius Baud Amy Gerard the Treasurer Francis Rosset Inn-holder at the Blacks-head John Lulin Inn-keeper at the Bear Peter of Toy aliàs Poulain and one Chabot Which two last intending to save themselves by flying to Fribourg fell at Versoy into an Ambuscade laid by their Enemies Poulain being well mounted made his escape but Chabot was carried to Gex Notice was given to the rest to stand upon their Guard. Williet the Bayliff of Gex intending to apprehend Hugues who was his Gossip came and lay at his House at Chatelaine but he being informed of his design was too cunning for him for having received him the Night before with the greatest outward expression of joy he made his escape the next Night with some Friends and took the Bayliffs Horse along with him They were pursued by the Provost and his Men and by his Highness's Guards but they could not overtake them having gotten already to Fribourg where they made their complaints of the Dukes violences beseeching the Lords either to continue the Alliance or to make another They had fair promises made them after which they went and Addressed themselves to the States of Zurich who notwithstanding the troubles which began at that time about Religion gave ear to them and dispatched two Deputies to the Duke at Anecy The Duke at their suit granted a Release to the Prisoners and a Safe conduct to the Eidgnots who had withdrawn themselves into Switzerland Yet they would not accept of it seeing it contained some dangerous points wherefore they were more urgent to make an Alliance with the confederate Cantons which was promised should be effected by them of Berne and Fribourg when they should have leasure to consider more narrowly of the Articles of that Treaty In the mean time the Duke being arrived at Geneva caused a General Council to be assembled in S. Peter's Cloister a place designed for that purpose where he assisted in Person sitting in his Chair his Chancellor behind him and his Guards round about him for fear of any Popular Tumult which Council hath been since called The Council of Halbards The Chancellor Gabriel de Lande demanded of the People as from the Duke that in consideration of the pains and trouble his Predecessors had underwent to maintain their State they should therefore acknowledge him Soveraign Protector of the City and that they should disown the Fugitives and Burgership which they were contracting with the Switzers Which Proposals amazed the People and yet they granted him nothing he therefore seeing his endeavours fruitless returned to Piedmont Yet he came there again a while after and began to speak more gently to the Syndicks assuring them he had expresly commanded that the Estates belonging to the City should be restored adding moreover that he would not in the least manner derogate from the Liberties and Priviledges thereof for which they thanked him The Vidame and Judge Barralis presented themselves before the Council shewing them as Friends to the City who desired nothing more than its Repose and Establishment That seeing the Duke was Vicar of the Empire and Soveraign in all his Country he might also be acknowledged Soveraign in Geneva without any prejudice to the Bishop or City by which means he would watch over it for its preservation and that moreover it would be a difficult matter to hinder him if he were minded to take by force this Soveraignty upon him that they might easily perceive the Bishop would not help them in their necessities that the Duke was a mild and generous Prince who would defend and maintain them against any who should oppose them Upon which it was answered They would deliberate on the matter and confer with the Episcopal and General Council and with M. of Geneva In the mean time the Vidame and Barralis plied the Councellors so fast with good words or threats that the greatest part of them told the Syndicks If ye will acknowledge him we will likewise But they held firm and troubled themselves no more about it Twelve days after came the Deputies from Fribourg and Soleurre who shewed the Council That if they should be any more troubled about their Priviledges their Superiors would take them into their Protection The Council were very much divided and those who took part with the Duke oftentimes carried it from the rest as they did then for the answer given the Deputies was this That they who had made their complaints to them did it without the consent of the Town and so they were dismissed with this answer They wrote to the Cantons of Berne at the same time as also to Fribourg Soleurre and Lucerne that they should not give heed to all complaints made them without the consent of the City The Fribourgers wrote back again desiring to see the Cities Charter which was refused them saying They had no cause to complain against the Duke of Savoy On the 10th of December the Duke caused another Council to be held of whom he demanded three things by his Chancellor First That nothing should be done against his authority nor the Bishops Secondly That the Syndicks should be chosen according to the manner used six years ago And Thirdly That they should renounce all Foreign Alliance which was promised and publickly proclaimed but this being not gotten by common consent on the 22 d of the same Month appear'd before the Council John Bandieres accompanied with the Children of those who had withdrawn themselves into Switzerlamd together with Secretary Vandelli and above 200 others who presented a Writing to this effect That they and their Party owned and acknowledged the Fugitives in Switzerland to have done a good office both to the Bishop and City in endeavouring an Alliance with the confederate Cantons protesting against the injury done them in their disowning of them saying They desired no answer but only Letters testimonial from the City Secretary which the Council would not agree to On the same day a Letter was directed to the Bishop then
at Pignerol to come and set the Affairs of the City in order which several of the Citizens had deserted and the Fugitives sent for their Wives and Children The Bishop upon notice of this news returned and was received by the whole City with great joy Two days after he sent for the Syndicks to know how they had carried themselves who having given him an account of all the Traverses they had met with he said unto them Neither have I been exempt from the like troubles for the Duke told me once in his Brothers presence That he intended to have the Soveraignty of Geneva but resolving with my self to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of my Church even to death I made him this answer That being Peter of Baume I was his humble Servant and Subject but as being Bishop of Geneva I was not his Subject and that he had no Right to the City He moreover shewed them it would be very necessary the deliberations in Council should be carried on more privately and that in business of consequence they should make use of little Balls as they do at Venice Eight days after new Syndicks were chosen The Fribourgers and Bernoises were very glad that John Philippe ' one of the chief of the Eidgnots was chosen Principal Syndick whereupon they who were fled to Fribourg to procure the Alliance of that State and of Berne returned to Geneva They informed the Council by Besançon Hugues of what they had done concerning the Burgership effected with such great labour and so many obstacles from the Duke which Alliance was agreed to provided it should last 25 years or rather for ever if it pleased both Parties it being to be renewed and confirmed every Five years The Articles were these viz. That the Three Cities of Berne Fribourg and Geneva should be faithful one to another that if one should be invaded the others should assist it to the utmost of their power Three days after the General Council was assembled at the ringing of the great Bell where there were not above Five or Six Persons who would not consent to this Alliance The Bishop being present protested against every thing which might prejudice his Authority in this affair The Chapter of the Cathedral were startled at the matter the Chanons and Clergy desiring to know of the Syndicks whether they might repute themselves safe in the City It was answered They had no cause to fear for if the Chanon of Lutry had received any ill usage it was because he refused to deliver the Keys of the Church when they would have assembled the last Council Eight Deputies parted from Geneva to swear to the Agreement and Eight others from Berne and Fribourg arrived to do the same at Geneva they were met by the Syndicks out of Town and saluted with all the Cannon The next Morning the Oath was taken in presence of the General Council the People crying out Thus would we have it thus would we have it in a good hour were they born who have procured us so great good At Night the Deputies were entertained and treated with Plays and Bonfires at Molard in token of joy after which they returned carrying with them the Copy of the Oath sealed Not long after the City had advice by an Express from Berne that Monsieur de Lulin had addressed himself to the Duke in a Council held at Lucerne to cause the Burgership to be revoked and the same did Nergaz Servant and Forty other Mammelusses The business was referred to be transacted at Berne in a Council there where appeared the Deputies of Geneva Hugues and du Molard The conclusion was That the three Cities would by no means revoke their Alliance and that if the Duke would not rest satisfied he should have the Letters of the Alliance which he had made with Berne and Fribourg returned him The Eidgnots who were at that time the most powerful ill resented this appearance of the Mammelusses who were forced to leave the Town by an emotion of the People They withdrew to the Dukes Dominions A while after they sent to know whether they might return Answer was made them They might if they could prove themselves honest Men. But they dared not venture At length upon inquiry it was found That they together with the Vidame had conspired to seize on the chief Eidgnots and to cut off their Heads Peter Gruet the Bishops Vicar was suspected to be of the Dukes Party whereupon he was deposed and the Abbot of Beaumont put in his place The 42 Mammelusses were summoned by sound of Trumpet to make their appearance but not one of them obeying this order they were condemned for their contumacy and their Estates forfeited which produced a long Law-suit before the Confederates The Vidame upon information given him that he was accused of a Conspiracy left the City substituting his Bayliff Dulcis in his room Neither did he remain long in power for the People would suffer no more pleadings in the Stewards Court but would have all matters decided by the Four Syndicks so that he retired into the Country of Focigny The Jaylor of the Isle did the same leaving a Person to look after the Prisoners One of whom being convicted of Felony was by the Syndicks condemned to die The Vidame's absence was well known but to take away all occasion from the Duke to complain he was sought for in his House by a Notary and Witnesses where they were told that he had left the Town They had the same answer at the Bayliffs House Whereupon it was concluded in Council notwithstanding to proceed on to Execution The common Serjeant was ordered to supply the Vidame's place which he did and after the sentence was read he led the Malefactor towards the Castle gate causing the Bayliff of Gaillard to be called according to custom the Duke had bestowed this office on Servant as a recompence for his Services and Exile from Geneva Servant sent a Man in his place to receive the Prisoner who demanded of the Serjeant whether he was Vidame he answered no but that he was the City and Councils servant Then the Bailiffs Deputy replied I will not receive him at your hands seeing you are not my Lords Officer for neither you nor your Syndicks have power to command me which having said he set spurrs to his horse and returned The Common-Serjeant gave notice of this to the Syndicks who bad him proceed and gave him order for the Execution which he obeyed and ever since that time the Duke of Savoy hath held no Office in the City The Dukes Arms stood over the Castle-gate in the Isle but in the night they were battered to pieces with a hammer by an unknown hand The Bridge in the Isle over against the great Bridge was likewise found broken down The Duke joyned this amongst other complaints against Geneva and it was
Citizens in the Suburb of S. Victor near la Corraterie where the Enemy had the boldness to present himself In the night they came to the very Walls but were not so resolute as to scale them The next Morning they plundered the Suburb of S. Leger Some Prisoners taken by the City discovered their design In the mean time the Allies understanding in what extremity Geneva lay by messages continually sent them there set out from Berne seven thousand Men and twelve pieces of Ordnance under the conduct of the Governour of Erlach from Fribourg two thousand with four pieces of Cannon and some time after five hundred from Soleurre with two pieces of Cannon Two or three thousand Voluntiers joyned to this Army which being arrived at Morges stayed there four days being given to understand that the Enemy was returned back At the same time arrived Deputies from the ten Cantons and du Valey to propose some Articles in order to an Agreement between the Duke of Savoy and Geneva De Vauru Ambassador from his Highness approached the Bridge of Arve to parly with the Deputies of Fribourg and Berne He desired them to send to their Masters to call home the Army telling them the Duke knew nothing of this last enterprize against Geneva nor he neither although it was well known he was one of the Captains The Commanders of the Army of the Confederates sent to Geneva bidding them appoint a place of Treaty but they desired they might be excused desiring to speak with them first to consult together what was needful to be done The Army then began to disincamp from Morges having fired as they passed the Castle of Rolle and most of the other Castles which belonged to the Gentlemen of the Spoon whose Garrisons were retreated to Thonon or into Burgundy all the Goods in them were burnt and the Country of Vaud almost ruined A Party of Fribourgers with the Genevoises pillaged the Villages about the City and could not be withheld alledging for their excuse That they would not dye with Hunger Six score Musketeers belonging to Geneva came to seek Forage at Megrim where the alarm Bell sounding they perceived they were discovered by a Body of eight or nine hundred Foot and fifty Horse who had divided themselves into three Companies one of which lay in ambush in the Wood and the two others lay along the side of the neighbouring Mountains they came to the Wood and set upon them there so vigorously that they left sixty dead on the place the rest were either taken or fled Which affrighted the two other Companies so that they retreated as fast as they could the Genevoises having lost in this Encounter but one young Man who was killed having parted from his Company to fly away Two days after came the Army of the two Cities and were quartered both of them in Geneva where it was no sooner arrived but there was a Discourse of a Treaty of Peace with the Duke S. Julian was pitcht upon for the place where the Deputies were to have safe Passage A Peace was hastily concluded leaving the Differences about the Vidomnat or Stewardship to be determined in the next Assembly which was to be held in Switzerland as also the Charges of the War. It was agreed that Prisoners should be released on both sides and that no acts of Hostility should pass from either Party under Penalty on the Dukes part of the Forfeiture of the Country of Vaud and on the Genevoises of the revocation of the Alliance Which done the Army departed home having remained ten days in the City which had been eaten up within by Friends and plundred without by Enemies The Gentlemen of the Spoon threatened it continually because their Castles were burnt Neither did the Duke of Savoy cease from raising Soldiers The Confederates sent notice to the City that there were 10000 Lancers at Montbeilliard whom the Earl of Genevoise had raised to destroy Geneva Upon which they desired them to send a Company of two hundred Men to strengthen the City Guards At the same time there was an Assembly held at Payerne where both the Genevoises and his Highness had their Deputies The Duke required that the Alliance with Geneva should be cancelled as it was determined by the Earl of Gruyeres and that the Vidomnat or Stewardship and other Rights which he had in the City should be restored that the Exiles should have their Honours and Estates returned them and that the two Cities should pay him two hundred thousand Crowns for the Charges of the War. The Deputies of the Cantons would have put the matter to Arbitration chusing the Emperor Judge in the case but the Genevoises refused to stand to his decision chusing rather that their Cause should be legally debated before the Cantons who promised to determine it without partiality On the 21th of December they thus decided it touching the Stewardship that it should be restored to his Highness that the business of the Exiles should remain as it was that the Alliance with Geneva should hold firm and that Bonnivard should be released that the Duke of Savoy should pay to the three Cities concerned in the Charge of the War one and twenty thousand Crowns at three Payments which Summ he might require of the Bishop and his disobedient Gentlemen who could never raise so many Soldiers without his knowledge and in short that the Treaty of S. Julian should be observed The Duke consented only to those Articles which favoured him but he would not hearken to those Proposals which concerned the Payment of the Money nor the releasement of Bonnivard whom he looked upon as a Person able to do him mischief He chose a Steward and sent him to be established at Geneva The Council demanded the seven thousand Crowns which remained due and why Bonnivard was not released to all which they had no answer Upon this there arose new Troubles and there were continual Deputations on both sides to remove this Difference These Jars made the Syndicks think of fortifying the City and to encompass S. Gervais with Walls and farther to joyn the Borough of Four to the City and to pull down the other Suburbs which were only a hinderance to its defence Wherefore it will not be needless to shew the Condition it was then in There were at that present besides the Boroughs of S. Gervais and de Four which are now incorporated into the City these four other following Suburbs viz. the Borough of Rive which reached from the Gate bearing the same name to Eaux Vives That of S. Victor as far as S. Legier which reached beyond the large Palace even to the Bridge of Arve and the other which extended from La Corraterie as far as the Post-house These four Boroughs contained near as many Houses as the City and were almost all of them pulled down to bring it into a round Form and to make it compact and
the City of Geneva after the same manner as we have represented it in the next side And because the ancient device of the City in its Arms was Post tenebras spero lucem I expect light after darkness there was Coyned on one side of the new Mony Post tenebras lux or lucem After darkness light On the other side was the Arms of Geneva the Key and Eagle with this device DEVS NOSTER PVGNAT PRO NOBIS 1535. Our God fights for us There were likewise some Coyned the Year following which instead of this Superscription had this about the Name of Jesus MIHI SESE FLECTET OMNE GENV Every knee shall bow before me Here you may see both sorts to satisfie your curiosity The End of the Second Book A VEIW OF THE Country Round about GENEVA THE HISTORY OF THE CITY and STATE OF GENEVA BOOK III. From the Year 1536. to this present THE Change which hapned at Geneva in Religion contributed not a little to encrease the differences betwixt the Duke and Genevoises there passed several skirmishes from the begining of the Year near the Bridge of Arve and the enemies made themselves Masters of the Convent called our Lady of Grace on the third day of January at night but at break of day they quitted that poste which made the Magistrates resolve to rase that Convent and the houses thereabouts Some days after the Enemy came at ten of the Clock at night and approached the Walls to scale the City on the side of S. Gervais de Rive and S. Victor but the Alarm being given they were beat back with some loss In the mean time the States of Berne having notice of all these proceedings promised them of Geneva their assistance stance and wrote to the Duke a Letter to this effect That seeing he would not keep to the Agreement made at S. Julien and the decree of Payerne but on the contrary had injured their Allies and blocked up their City they therefore had sent back his Articles of Agreement and proclaimed War against him whereupon the Duke prepared to send his Troops into the Country of Vaud to expect them there The Genevoises seeing themselves blocked up and pressed with hunger made a sally out with three hundred men to disorder their Enemies Now between Chené and Colony there lay a Party of about five or six hundred men of the Enemies forces which they set upon so briskly that having routed their horse the foor lost their courage and suffered themselves to be slain without ressistance So great was the slaughter that Captain De Verey who was chief in that enterprize moved with compassion desired his men to forbear saying Ah Sirs let us leave some alive to till our grounds The Duke of Savoy's Provost was found dead amongst a hundred more of his Company several taken Prisoners the Genevoises having onely lost three or four of their men Two days after having notice given them by some Prisoners that there were several Troops garison'd in the Castle of great Sacconez they marched thither giving them a false Alarm to draw them into an ambush but they would not stir out before they had fresh supplies whereupon they returned back after they had taken some plunder In the mean time the Genevoises having heard no news of the Troops which the Bernoises had promised them and there being no way to bring them provision by land they thereupon set forth a Barque and four other Boats man'd with eight hundred Soldiers commanded by De Verey and so make to the Lake on which they had no sooner arrived but the Country of Savoy ringing their Bells sounded an alarm as they were about landing on Bellerive they found three Companies ready to receive them wherefore they tacked about to the other side of the Lake and set their men on the shore of Gentoux and Versoy where finding none but old people and children they carried away with them all they could even to the very Bells of these two Villages and this was all this whole days exploit The next Morning having learned that the Enemy at the approach of the Bernoises had quitted Sacconez and Peney they marched out with De Verey and put in them Garisons They found in these Castles great store of provision which they caused to be transported into the City and not long after they blew up that of Peney which had been so often a shelter to their Enemies and discontented Citizens The Bernoises advanced as far as Nions burning and destroying all the Fortresses and Abbies along the Country of Vaud but Morges and Nions although subject as well as the rest to the Duke had been already plundered by seven hundred Italians belonging to the Troops of his Highness of Savoy The City and Castle of Gex rendred themselves upon composition those of Thonon did the like of their own accord passing over the Lake that they might joyn with the Bernoises The Castles of Jussy and Gaillard being summoned surrendred in like manner to the Genevoises The Forces of Berne having joyned with those of New Castle made up 700 men who arrived at Geneva The chief Commander Hans Franez shewed his Orders to the Senate of 200 and asked their opinion whether it were not best to continue their Alliance with Madam De Nemours the Countess of Geneva who had offered to furnish them with Victuals Whereupon it was agreed they should not break off with her The Troops marched forth on the side of S. Julien and Du Wache to batter the Fort of La Cluse whilst those they had sent on the Mountain should roll great Stones upon them After the Cannon had played they rendred themselves and the Garison which was about 500 Soldiers being most Italians were carried Prisoners to Gex They returned laden with Booty and Provision But the Genevoises could hardly satisfy the Bernoises who demanded the Vidomnat the Revenues of the Bishoprick and its dependances to defray the Charges of the War. The Senate conjured them That seeing they had generously assisted them in maintaining their Liberty against the Duke and Bishop they should not sully so glorious an action by a demand which tended to their oppression and that they would endeavour to gratifie them in any other way that was reasonable Duke Charles the Third was overwhelmed with misfortunes from all sides The French-King Francis the First being incensed against him had possessed himself of Savoy de la Bresse and Piedmont and had sent his Grand Provost from Paris to them of Berne desiring them to Bound their Conquests by the Countries of Vaud du Chablais and those on this side la Cluse The Fribourgers who had no difference with the Duke notwithstanding seized on the County de Romant which was much to their advantage under pretence of preventing the Bernoises from doing it These took the last good places which remained in the
especially the Lutherans Calvin composed a Catechism for the instruction of Youth whilst they who had sworn to live according to the Protestant Discipline becoming unruly made a disturbance in the Council crying out They had made them Perjured The Syndicks for that Year favoured the discontented Party and indeed were yet Catholicks in their heart Calvin Farel and Courant who was blind but accounted learned presented themselves before the Council offering to make good their Confession of Faith. But this not prevailing they under pretence of preserving the Liberties and Priviledges of the City and because they would not conform to the custom of Berne in Celebrating the Communion they therefore made an Order in Council enjoyning these three Ministers to leave the City in three days Calvin had no maintenance from the City living at his own charge there wherefore he went to Basle and from thence to Strasbourg where being entertained by Martin Bucer Capito Hedio and other learned men he obtained leave of the Magistrates to set up a French-Church and became the Pastor of it and had a competent maintenance allowed him Farel withdrew to Neuf-Chatel After the departure of these three Ministers the Minister of Jussy Henry la Mare refusing as the rest had done before him to Administer the Sacrament with Wafers was thrown into Prison But he was soon released and served the City together with the other Ministers who were sent for out of the Villages Their opinion was required before they were admitted concerning the old Ceremony of Womens being Married with their Hair hanging down loose about their Ears They made answer for fear this trifle should hinder their entrance That they did not find it forbidden any where in the Holy Scripture Whereupon they were admitted and gave the Communion in the Easter following with Bread without Leaven which custom continued a long time after at Geneva They who had been the chief instruments of the Ministers banishment did not a little triumph at the matter carrying along with them throughout the City a Stove on which things are wont to be broiled and the Wick or Cotton of a Candle which is called in that Country Language Farets as much as to say they had broiled Farel Yet this hindred him not from writing to them Exhorting them to Union in Doctrine the same did Calvin one of whose Letters had this Superscription To my well-beloved Brethren in the Lord the remnant of the scattered Church of Geneva By which and what he wrote at the end of his Letter it seemed that he foretold the confusion in which his Enemies would be involved 16 months after At Christmas Anthony Saunier Maturin Cordier Master of the Free-School and several others refusing to give the Sacrament with Wafers were ordered to depart the City In the Year following there was a Decree made in the General Council That whosoever should so much as advise a change of Government should lose his Head. In another Session of the said Council three Deputies were condemned for having made an agreement with the City of Berne touching the Lordship of S. Victor which they demanded and upon other Articles which tended to the oppression of the City Two of these three Deputies had been Syndicks in the Year 1538 and had procured Farel and Calvin's banishment This condemnation made a great noise and moved the People to Sedition because these Persons were some of the Principal Men in the City and had great Friends John Philippe who was Captain General and had been Syndick in that Year and moreover joyned in Friendship and in the same Faction with them spake publickly against it and was the first Author of the Sedition He killed a Man with his Leading-staff in this quarrel And a German on his side was slain in the place The Council issued out a Warrant to apprehend Philippe who having shut himself up in his House made some resistance there having been a Man shot dead in this tumult he got away at last over the tops of the Houses and hid himself in the Stable belonging to the Tower of Perse amongst the Hay where having been found out he was carried to Prison The Syndicks with the Watch guarded him from the violence of the People who otherwise would have torn him in pieces Whereupon we may observe the inconstancy of the vulgar and how little their Friendship is to be relied on It was not eight days since Philippe was exceedingly respected and had more credit than all the rest of the Syndicks besides but now every body exclaimed against him and desired he should be put to death even those who were most obliged to him He had made a Party who were no friends to the Protestants and who had already procured the banishment of several Ministers The two Syndicks who were condemned were of it They were called Artichauds or Artychokes because this Faction had taken these Plants to distinguish themselves having cut down as many of these Roots as they could find in the Gardens It was likewise a word used in the Wars amongst them Others say this word of Artichaud came by corruption of Speech from Articlers by reason of the Articles which they had inserted in the Treaty at Berne The contrary Faction had green Flowers for a mark of distinction and their word was Farel which name was often heard about Streets and likewise that of Artichaud Claudius Richardet chief Syndick in the Year 1538 one of the Principal of the Artichaud Faction having been ingaged in this Sedition would have made his escape over the City Walls but being a corpulent Man he was so bruised by the fall that he immediately killed himself These are the misfortunes usually attending diversity of opinions in Religion Philippe was condemned to lose his Head notwithstanding the intercession of the Bernoises So that this Faction of the Artichauds was very much daunted by the disgrace of the four who were Syndicks in the Year 1538 and who had been the chief upholders of it Yet the three Deputies at length obtained favour by the intercession of them of Berne and Basle and were only enjoyned to make an humble acknowledgment of their fault before the Council of 200 and had a small Fine laid upon them These differences made them think of calling back Calvin who was busied in the Ecclesiastical Synods of the Empire About the end of these troubles the Genevoises received Letters from Charles the Fifth Dated the eighth of August 1540. by which he gave them to understand that he had been informed That they of Berne sollicited Geneva to do them Homage which he did not believe they would consent to strictly charging them the contrary upon pain of his high displeasure expecting likewise that the Bernoises to whom he intended to write would desist from these demands and enjoyning the City of Geneva to remain as heretofore in obedience to the Empire
cleared of these seditious People but yet they made several disturbances in the City and towards the Bridge of Arve endeavouring with all their powers to be permitted to return by the sollicitation of the Bernoises which lasted for some time The number of strangers visibly increasing in the City several English came and settled themselves there and founded a Church of their own Nation as the Italians had done before them in 1551. and the Spaniards some time after but Queen Elizabeth having succeeded Queen Mary and bringing in again the Protestant Religion the English returned again into their own Country and thanked the City for their protection The first Minister of the Italian Church was Maximilian of Martinengue brother to the Earls of Martinengo an illustrious family in Italy he was a very learned man. The French Church at Francfort had some difference which Calvin went thither to pacifie The term of the Alliance with the City of Berne being expired Geneva endeavoured to renew it which was not effected without a great deal of trouble The other Cantons were busied in the Dyet of Baden it was at length concluded that it should last for ever Some Italians began to disturb the Churches peace by their opinions of the Trinity for to remedy which the Council enjoyned them to subscribe to the Churches general Confession but there were seven persons of them who absolutely refused it some of them leaving the Town upon it the others signed it but by constraint keeping still the same mind amongst whom was Valentin Gentil who gave not over dogmatising He was thereupon committed to Prison and disputed before the Lords against Calvin whom he charged with oppressing the Truth Gentil had run himself into Arianisme and his drift was to shew that the Divine Essence belonged properly to none but the Father It was the opinion of some Lawyers that his Heresie was of that nature as to deserve death but he thought to escape all punishment by a seeming repentance retracting his opinion by a writing made for that purpose which the Magistrates taking notice of inflicted on him no other punishment besides the burning his Writings and a command not to stir out of the City without their leave which he obeyed with much submission and seeming compliance after which he had leave granted him to go about the City but at length he withdrew with some of his followers into the neighbouring Countries at Grybald's where he taught the same Doctrine as before The Bayliff of Gex obliged him to a new recantation but he still returned to his old error whereupon he was at length executed at Berne in the Year 1566. Calvin wrote a Book against him wherein he excellently confuted this Heresie The number of the Youth encreasing who came from all parts to study at Geneva the old School was not large enough to hold them wherefore the Council thought fit to raise a new Colledge There were immediately settled in it seven Classes and three Professors of Greek Hebrew and Philosophy besides Divinity Lectures which Calvin read himself to whom was joyned Theodore Beza who Preached the following week after Calvin The Statutes of this Colledge were first published in S. Peters Church the Council being present together with the Ministers and Scholars which Statutes have been since Printed Duke Emanuel Philbert entring again upon one part of his estates of which his father had been almost wholly dispossessed required the Bernoises in a Dyet held at Neuf-Châtel to restore him those places they had taken from him which he obtained but in part some years after he endeavoured likewise at an Alliance with all the Cantons but there were none but the six Cantons who granted it him In the Year following the Genevoises made two persons severe examples of Justice after the manner of the ancient Romans a Citizen having been condemned to be whipt by the lesser Council for the crime of Adultery he made an appeal to the Council of two hundred from whom he hoped to obtain favour His Indictment being revised and the Council observing that he had been guilty of the same crime heretofore and had been reprehended for it condemned him to die to the great astonishment of the Offender who complained he was too severely dealt withal Some time after there was executed for the same fact a Banker who died very penitent blessing God that Justice was so strictly observed The young King Charles the ninth writ to them of Geneva by an express complaining that the source of all the divisions in his Kingdom sprung from the Ministers whom they had sent into France desiring them to recall them and to take a course that for the future they should come there no more To which they answered that indeed they had not hindred any persons from coming into their City to study there in order to the fitting themselves for the Ministry but they were so far from fomenting the troubles of France that on the contrary they had endeavoured to keep back them who would have went to Amboise as knowing well that Holy Scripture recommends to Subjects obedience to their Prince But the King not satisfied with this gave not over threatning them The Duke of Savoy likewise laid to their charge that they had privately assisted his Subjects of the Valleys of Angrogne and Luzerne although they protested to be no farther concerned in it than in praying to God to deliver them from the Soldiers cruelty The Protestants of France enjoying again the clams of peace whom the Catholicks call Huguenots the chief Cities of it sent to Geneva for Ministers who did not refuse them Theodore Beza and Peter Martyr Divinity Professors at Zurich were sent for by Letters from the King of Navarre dated the twelfth of August 1561. to be present at the Conference of Poissy On Saturday the twenty seventh of May 1564. died John Calvin aged fifty six years having by overmuch study brought upon himself several distempers He was buried the next morning in the common Church-yard of the large Palace according as he had desired in his Will without any Pomp or Epitaph his Corps was attended by almost the whole City Simon Goulard of Senlis who came to Geneva a while after was chose in his place Theodore Beza wrote a Discourse of his life and death which was published in the same year together with his Testament His death was followed two years after by another more Tragical James Paul Spiffame Bishop of Nevers having left his Bishoprick and forty thousand Livres a year had withdrawn himself to Geneva to live according to the Protestant Doctrine He had presented a Request to be admitted Citizen which he obtained having been received into the Council of two hundred and of sixty The Magistrates and Scholars esteemed him for his Learning A while after he was sent into France to serve there in quality
some shouting which he heard afar off which he thought was an Army making up to them Having then several times cried out Let us turn back these words being reiterated so greatly dismaied his Party that they began to retreat disorderly The Lancers perceiving that they began to turn backs rallied themselves and pursued the Genevoises for two Leagues together as far as Bernay slew twenty of them and carried away forty of them Prisoners to Wache It is certain that this defeat had been greater had they pursued but half a League further these Run-aways who were stupefied with shame and a panick fear There were endeavours made to wipe off this disgrace by several inroads into Savoy The absence of the Sieur Lurbigny who still kept his Bed was partly the occasion of this rout and of another more to be lamented which hapned awhile after for the Soldiers wanting an experienced Captain and one whom they might respect observed no order Dom Amedée coming into the Country of Gex with 500 Horse and 1500 Foot placed a Guard in several Villages a League distant from Geneva The next Morning he laid an Ambush near Bouchet and Chatelaine of several Squadrons of Horse and Companies of Foot leaving the Plain which lay betwixt these two Villages at liberty A Company of Foot coming out of the Town by break of day had been inclosed by them but they defending themselves by means of the Hedges and Ditches got off Dom Amedée desirous of drawing a greater number of the Genevoises into these Ambuscades commanded a Party of Horse to drive away openly several Herds of Cattel and to kill some Peasants An alarm being given to the City thereupon both Horse and Foot croud out of it in throngs half armed and without any Leader to the assistance of their Companions who discovering no Body in the Plain between Chatelaine and Bouchet kept on their way to the end not minding how they should return and in an instant saw themselves surrounded by the Savoy-horse attended by several Companies of Foot who thundered upon them This skirmish was exceeding sharp and lasted almost an hour at length the Geneva-horse finding themselves weakened and unable to hold out began to give back and so did the Foot when the Enemies having disordered them wholly defeated them An hundred Citizens and Inhabitants lay dead on the place and as many Peasants who bore Arms. They who could reach the Town died for the most part of their wounds and especially those who were carried to the Hospital whose Physician instead of curing them poysoned their wounds The villain some seventeen or eighteen Years after received the reward of his crimes This defeat gave such an alarm to the City that they within thought the Enemy was at their Gates as indeed he drew near and was saluted by the Cannon But moreover in this encounter there was nothing but confusion there being neither Cannoneers nor Ammunition at hand They who have since considered this fatal day have marvelled that one of them who went out could return alive so great was the confusion Yet this Victory was dear bought by the Enemy at the beginning of the fight so that he might say with Pyrrhus If we win another Battel which costs us as much as this we are undone The Savoyards expected that at Night the Genevoises would come and carry away their dead to the end they might make a new slaughter but the present consternation of the City and the prudence of Lurbigny who notwithstanding his ilness stood without the Gates in his Night-gown to hinder any farther mischief they were kept back The Company of Foot-Soldiers who had been beset in the Morning came off best for they having couragiously defended themselves returned at Night into the City having lost not above eight or nine Soldiers The arrival of the Sieur Clugny Baron of Conforgien who was an excellent Soldier gave them fresh hopes being sent to command the Geneva Forces for an hour after he had light of his Horse three Companies were commanded to be in a readiness in the Evening and to make their appearance before their Captains Lodgings They Embarked at nine of the Clock at Night stearing their course towards Roolle to pass over immediately to the shoar which lies over-against the little City of Evian on which they had a design But those of that City hearing of their coming strengthened themselves by an addition of five companies to their Guard which the other perceiving hoisted up â—ail and returned without doing any thing Yet the Frigats made some courses on the Lake and brought home some booty Towards the midst of September the Enemy not appearing it was thought they were retired besides that several Peasants either over-credulous or suborned for that purpose assured the Magistrates that there was not in all Focigny above three hundred Foot and a hundred Horse upon which it was resolved to forrage within half a League from Bonne But a spy carrying notice thereof to the Baron of Hermance he sent to all the Garrisons so that the night following there came to him two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot with which Forces he designed to inclose the Genevoises by an ambush when they were laden with spoil The Genevoises were as little careful of their Enemies as if they had been thirty Leagues off and imagined their booty so easie to be obtained that although the Baron of Conforgien was so prudent to give order to march out with their greatest strength to defend themselves if need required yet the greatest part of them having slept that Night at their ease without thinking on their equipage could not get themselves ready So that the train of these Vintagers consisted only of 150 Foot and 130 Horse who went out with their Chariots and Tuns about six or seven of the Clock in the Morning not dreaming of fighting being accompanied with several Peasants to gather the Vine-harvest which they imagined would be done without the least trouble In the mean time came the Baron of Hermance whilst they were busie at work through bie-ways and beset the passages placing eighty Musqueteers in a Mill on the River of Menonge posting others on the Banks and the rest in Ambushes and so waited for them of Geneva without any noise till Noon about which time they were to return Three Squadrons of Lancers being discovered with Foot-Soldiers in several places notice hereof was given to the Baron of Conforgien who without seeming astonished at the matter encouraged his Soldiers and said Prayers himself which done observing the Enemy as near as he could he sent a Company on one side to begin the attack and on the other fifty stout resolute fellows to gain the Mill thirty Horse to relieve both Parties as need should require and to get some advantagious ground keeping with him the greatest number to help where there would be most need The fifty went resolutely through the Musquet-shot
being a very pleasant Village having near seventy Houses in it The Baron of Conforgien was sent for to oppose the Marquiss of Treffort but it was two Months before he came about the time when there was a Truce made to last three Months betwixt the King of France and the Confederate Princes The Duke of Savoy likewise was comprehended and accepted of the proposal The Duke's Secretary Esdiguieres bringing a Copy along with him of this Truce to Geneva to know whether they would accept of it which was consented to by the Council of two hundred and published on the 16th of September Six days after arrived Deputies from the four Cantons making offer of their mediation between the Duke and the City for which they had thanks And answer was returned them That they could not leave the French-Kings interest who would be sure to resent it should they conclude a Peace The Truce was afterwards continued and lasted two Years without any publication and during this time the City Officers demolished the Fort of Arve it occasioning oftentimes the Enemy to invade them During this Truce the Genevoises kept a Governor under the Kings name in the Country of Gex who held his Court of Justice in Geneva after the same maner as the Stewards of Gaillard Chablais and of the Country beyond the Arve The Savoyards and Genevoises began to be conversant one with another and to exchange Prisoners There was a Genevois who had been taken thirty Years since and had all that time served in the Gallies never sending word what was become of him so that he was supposed to be dead his Wife seven Years after his detention was married again and had lived another seven Years with her second Husband At the end of thirty Years this her first Husband returned to Geneva and would have entred into his House His Wife took him at first for an Impostor whether that this long space of time had deprived her of all knowledge of him or that the grayness of his Hair and wrinkles in his Fore-head had made this alteration he having few charms left him to attract a Womans love The Husband might swear as long as he pleased that he was the Man yet for all this would she not believe him The business at length came to a trial at Law where he brought such proofs of his being her Husband that she openly acknowledged that it were impossible for any but him to have knowledge of so many minute particulars Having then at length owned him for her Husband they lived afterwards a great while together In the Year 1597. there was spread a report throughout Germany Holland and Italy that Beza had renounced his Religion before the Senate and had exhorted the Magistrates to reconcile themselves to the Church of Rome And that by a special order from the Pope the Bishop had absolved him before his death and that in effect the City had sent Deputies to Rome to yield obedience to the Pope which caused several People in Italy to resort to Rome to see these supposed Deputies And yet Beza died not till six Years after There was a more likely report of a Peace concluded betwixt the King and the confederate Princes it was not yet known whether Geneva should be comprehended for the Dukes Subjects committed acts of Hostility having driven away some Herds of Cattel belonging to the Genevoises whereupon they detained some Troopers who were Spaniards being in the Dukes service The Savoyards had apprehended Hosea André a Minister whom they had taken in Michaille and for a requital the Earl of Salenove was detained at Geneva Two days after Dom Philippin the Bastard of Savoy made his entrance into the City with a moderate Train where he was highly treated by the Citizens He on his part sparing no complements He departed the next Morning and promised to procure the releasement of Hosea André upon which the Earl of Salenove was released before-hand Yet the Minister was not set at liberty neither was there any likelihood of it had he not dexterously made his escape The Peace was at length concluded betwixt the King of France of Spain and the Duke of Savoy in which were likewise comprehended the Switzers and their Allies and so by consequence Geneva as the King of France openly declared it by word of Mouth as well as by Letters understanding thereby that the Duke should withdraw his Army The Duke who affirmed it was not comprehended having not been named as the other Cities were would not return answer by writing lest he should prejudice his pretensions causing only those Forces to withdraw who had marched over into Lombardy Monsieur Villeroy in the printed Copy of the Treaty of Peace had added to the 34th Article written with his own Hand for the instruction of the Sieur Botheon who was sent by the Duke to take the Copy of the Oath That under the generality of the Allies and confederate Lords were comprehended them of Geneva Chapeaurouge their Deputy to the French-King brought home Letters wherein that King promised to defray all charges of the War. The City to testifie how acceptable this news was to them caused their great Guns to be discharged and solemn Thanks to be returned to God in all their Churches Yet was this rejoycing allaied by the return of the Plague although the mortality was not great and by the troubles wherein they of Thonon were involved upon the account of Religion occasioned by a Capucin-Frier called Peter Cherubin who would constrain the Inhabitants of that place and them in the Countries thereabouts who were thought under obedience to the Duke to return likewise to their old Religion This Frier challenged the Ministers to dispute publickly with them which they would not agree to chusing rather to defend themselves by writing yet the Magistrates of Geneva made them consent to a verbal Conference and in the mean the Duke arriving at Thonon to forward the matter the greatest part of the People returned to their old Religion alledging they were forsaken upon which there were printed several Disputes and Libels which served only to exasperate Mens spirits Towards the end of May John Serres died at Geneva having withdrew there after he had wrote the History of France his Wife and he were buried both together in the same day The Duke of Savoy continued his claims on the City and got the Magistrates to consent to a Conference which was held at Hermance by Deputies from both Parties and lasted from the seventeenth of October to the eleventh of November His Highness's Deputies were the Sieur Jacob his Lieutenants on this side of the Mountains the President Rochette the President Berliet Baron of Bourget Lambert Baron of Terny and Marin Earl of Viry The Deputies of Geneva were the Councellors Maillet Daufin Lect and Roset together with Secretary John Sarrasin Them of Savoy made their demands and
find it still shut so that descending into the Ditch near their Scaling-Ladders the Gunner having fired his Cannon a second time charged with small Shot made a slaughter amongst them The Horse some distance off having heard the sound of the Drum and perceived the light of the Torches in several parts of the City had a short joy in approaching unto it of which they believed their own Men had made themselves Masters At the same time a small party of Citizens who issued out through the Gate of Treille and S. Leger resolving to sacrifice their Lives in defence of their Country came down to recover the new Gate They set upon the Guards there in a most resolute manner and had two of their Men immediately slain they continued fighting vigorously Picot who managed the Petard being busied about it was killed Seconded at length by others who ran to their assistance they drove the Enemy from their Court of Guard adjoyning to the Gate and made them retreat to the middle of Corraterie to the Party who lay to assist those who scaled the Walls The Savoyards being greatly astonished to find themselves shut up betwixt the Walls and the Houses and knowing not which way to turn themselves began to lose their courage They proffered to let down Brunaulieu from the Wall with a Rope But he chose rather to die than to live with shame The Shot flew about their Ears like Hail-stones out of the Windows and tops of the Houses Baudichon one of the City Captains who was half dressed signalized himself most eminently A Taylor who brandished a two-handed Sword did wonders A Woman throwing out on purpose an Iron-pot on the Head of one of the most resolute amongst them split his Scull The Citizens courage increasing and the Savoyards seeing above fifty of their Men lying on the Ground betook themselves to the place where their Ladders stood on which some already had saved themselves making more haste to get down than they did to get up fear having given them wings but finding no Ladders they cast themselves down from the Wall at which the good Father Alexander found himself besides his reckoning one of these armed Men having sadly bruised him in falling from the Wall. The Chevalier Dandelot sliding down broke his Nose Others were maimed or killed by so dangerous a leap They who lay dead in the City were reckoned to be about 54. the greatest part of them being Officers and Men of note and 13 were taken Prisoners The Cannon was brought on the Platform of Treille and was levelled against Plein-Palais and perfectly routed both the Horse and Foot which lay there Albigny being astonished at the unsuccessfulness of his undertaking so well contrived and so ill performed and finding the Shop-keepers as he was wont to term the Genevoises had courage to defend themselves and to make his Men leap over the Walls sounded a Retreat which was very welcom to his dispersed Troops who were benummed with fear and cold They marched back in haste to the side of Bonne and brought the Duke the news of the unfortunate success which the Sieur of Albigny's rashness had produçed The Duke said nothing else to him but that he had made a very fair flourish For this was his common expression In the same day the thirteen Prisoners were condemned to be hanged which some have censured as too severe but the Magistrates alledged that they considered them not under the notion of Enemies but Thieves who broke in in the night and who had violated contrary to all right a Peace which had been so solemnly sworn to It is said of Sonas that he would have redeemed himself for his weight in silver Chaffardon Attignac and other persons of Quality were treated after the same manner and were accompanied by the Ministers to the place of Execution The Council of sixty ordered that their heads as likewise of the others who were killed between the Walls should be cut off and ranged on the Wall of the Bullwark near the place where they scaled and their bodies to be thrown into the Rhosne They were found to be sixty seven in all and it was superstitiously observed that it had been so many years since they had thrown off the Romish yoke but if we reckon those who were slain in the Ditch and died by the way the number will amount to two hundred whose quality the Enemy kept secret it is known they lost Cornage the Sieur Albigny Lieutenant De Gruzy La Tour and Payen On the Genevoises side there were but thirty wounded amongst whom was the principal Syndick Peter Forbry and John Bodichon and seventeen killed who were interred in S. Gervais with an honourable Epitaph It is said that Theodore de Beze who was then alive but very ancient heard not the least noise of this uproar and disturbance and was amazed when he was led forth to see the slain who lay stretched out along Corraterie He had left off Preaching yet did he get up into the Pulpit and caused the 124. Psalm to be sung Now may Israel say if the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us which Psalm hath been ever since sung on that day which is observed by an Order of Council once a year with publick Thanksgivings and rejoycing two days after was kept a publick Fast to offer up unto God their solemn acknowledgements There was likewise set up in the Town-house a Latine Inscription for a lasting remembrance The Magistrates dispatched immediately an Express to Berne to carry them the News and to desire their assistance in case the Enemy should set upon them afresh The four Protestant Cantons sent them immediately twelve hundred men promising them more if they had occasion for them The Duke rode Post back again over the Mountains leaving his Forces in Focigny and in the Bailliage of Terny The Genevoises wrote likewise to the Sieur of Guiche who was Governor of Lyons this Letter SIR YOU have heard before by several Letters that his Highness of Savoy notwithstanding he knew and acknowledged we were comprehended in the Treaty of Peace made in the Month of January 1601. betwixt His Majesty of France and himself hath yet several times oppressed us not only by keeping back our Revenues Prohibitions of Commerce and other Violences not at all minding the just Remonstrances reiterated by â—is said Majesty but hath also set on foot several designs to surprize our City in the midst of the Calms of Peace It hath hapned then that for to obtain his pernicious ends that the Sieur Albigny on Saturday last the Eleventh of this Month about Midnight brought before our City on the side of Plein-Palais about two thousand chosen Men both Horse and Foot and hath caused two hundred of them to descend into our Ditch towards Corraterie where was heretofore a Gate leading to the City and having provided Ladders caused them to climb the Walls about
this following Harangue to the Lords of that City and to endeavor to palliate the matter according to the instructions sent him from the Duke by his Secretary Caron These were his Words Most Mighty Lords c. FRom the day and hour I heard of the enterprize against Geneva I was desirous of nothing more than of knowing from my Soveraign Lord and Prince how the matter really had passed to the end that I might in the name of his Highness inform your Lordships and other affectionate Friends seeing that in such like affairs false Reports never fail to be spread abroad by the Adversaries For being destitute of all lawful reasons and equity they have endeavoured to colour over their bad cause to the dishonour and prejudice of his Highness and to render him odious to his friends Wherefore having been advertised by his Highness as well by word of mouth as by writing and also by his Secretary who is joyned with me in this affair of the whole truth of the matter and having received an express charge to communicate the same unto you according to the good correspondence which ought to be amongst Neighbours to the end ye may no longer doubt of my Masters good will and affection My self I say and his Secretary would not be wanting likewise to inform you according to the instructions given us of this late undertaking this then in short is the true account of it Your Lordships know very well the reasons moving his Highness to make the late War against the City of Geneva it being upon the account of the Tallies Imposts and other ordinary Charges on the Estates which the Genevoises hold in his Highnesses Dominions They were sollicited and intreated to submit to reason and equity after the same manner as their other Neighbours who possess Estates in his Highnesses Countries But they on the other side have never ceased from making their complaints and representing their cause to his Majesty of France as also to your Lordships although they have been rebuked by several noble Lords about his Majesty for their unseasonable requests and sent back to make satisfaction to those equitable demands after the same manner as your Lordships have dealt with them Yet have they still obstinately continued in their unjust pretensions and have not only endeavoured by force to maintain their pretended right as his Highness hath been well informed but endeavouring moreover contrary to his Highness's declaration to bring and convey into their City Corn which ought not to be transported out of his Highness's Countries for the relief of his Subjects and to preserve in store against time of need so that they have by this means infringed and violated this Edict for which just causes and reasons his Highness had a design of bringing Geneva to Reason but he hath deferred his resentments till some other opportunity especially till his Highness can be present in his own person to prevent all mischief and confusion which commonly happens in such like occasions But forasmuch as the said Genevoises do alledge the priviledges granted them by your predecessors of blessed memory against the pretensions of hs Higness they are of no validity seeing they have not acquitted themselves in what they were obliged to on their parts and have by this means made void their priviledges And thus it is likewise in the claims which they lay to the Treaty as if they were comprehended in it and included with his Majesty of France and the Duke of Savoy my Master whereas it ought to be considered in this case they have no grounds or reasons for their pretensions for it is certain they cannot be understood under this word of Allies seeing they are not in League with all the Cantons of Switzerland and that they have not been expressly specified and named as the other Allies and so consequently could they not be inserted in his Highness's absence against his will and pleasure as being a party principally concerned Moreover I will not forbear to tell your Lordships that his Highness has been credibly informed that my Lord Esdiguieres designed to surprize the said City which had he effected it would have proved highly prejudicial to his Highness and to your selves and therefore his Highness thought it his most prudent course to prevent him But lest your Lordships should suspect that he had any design against you his ancient Neighbours with whom he hath all this while held so good a correspondence He hath therefore withdrawn his men on this side the Mountains resolving to keep up a good understanding with you as his predecessors had done before him and for this effect he will maintain and encourage all Traffick and Commerce betwixt the two States expecting in the mean time an answer from you which we hope will prove satisfactory to our desires and worthy your resolutions This Harangue of the Earl of Tournon was heard by the Council of Berne yet did it not satisfie them for they dismissed both him and the Secretary without answer and had they not speedily departed it is very probable the people forgetting the respect due to persons of their quality would have affronted them so much did they slight his apology for an attempt which was not only condemned by them but as it is said by all Europe and even by the Pope himself The Duke of Boüillon passing about that time through Geneva was desirous of being informed of all the circumstances of the enterprize and went to see the places where they entred and made their efforts In the mean time they of Geneva strengthened by the Troops of their Allies and several French Soldiers both Horse and Foot whom the King permitted to assist them maintained themselves against the Garrisons with which they were surrounded and drove away them who approached their Walls they cut down the Trees about the City to take away all shelter for the Enemy and made several incursions into the Countries of Savoy and surprized the City of S. Genis d' Aoste where they setled the Baron of Vilars Governor from whence they continually molested the Dukes Subjects and kept Chambery in exercise marching many times up to their Gates and had it not been for the death of a valorous Gentleman named Monsieur de Nesle Chambery would have run the same risque as S. Genis The King gave order to de Vic his Ambassador in Switzerland that in his return home through Geneva he should assure the Citizens that he was not one of them who only love their friends whilst they advantage themselves by them and that he would never be wanting to defend and protect them he therefore desired to know of them the means they intended to use in making an offensive War to the end that the succours which he should send them might be profitably imployed They received the Sieur of Vic with the greatest respect and heard his general proposals and particular remonstrances which tended rather to exhort them to a
lasting peace than a short War. He was desired to offer this to the Council because there were several who judged that a War would be no less conducing to the advancement of the publick Weal than it had been in the time of Duke Charles that all who were interessed in their preservation would undoubtedly assist them that several stout men who were desirous to shew their courage would come and proffer their service De Vic on the contrary very elequently and truly shewed them that Peace was so necessary for them and War so pernicious that there was an indispensable necessity of chosing the former and avoiding the latter that although the inducements to War were specious and the means easie yet were its effects never the less terrible and the success uncertain That War in general was profitable and ought to be undertaken when Peace could not be procured but that a well governed State which had ever thriven by Peace ought not to set out in these storms nor to please it self in Warlike incounters with its Neighbours In short he prevailed so far by his perswasions that they all inclined to Peace provided it was an honourable and profitable one and so well setled as to take away all occasions of it for the future Immediately after this there was a Truce made and this Treaty of Peace which was deemed so necessary was for some time in agitation but at length it broke off the Genevoises not being willing to accept it on any other terms but what were honourable and advantagious The Earl of Fuentes the King of Spains Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Milan hearing of the Treaty which had been ended sent orders to Don Zanche de Luna Master of his Camp to renew it and bring it on again He sent for this purpose a Spanish Captain named Sebastien Culebro to Geneva who having obtained a safe-conduct presented himself to the Council telling them that the Earl of Fuentes having been informed of a Treaty began between the Deputies of the Duke of Savoy and Geneva which yet had produced nothing he had thereupon sent an express to Don Zanche de Luna enjoyning him to dispatch a Captain to Geneva to desire them of that City to think of Peace and of the good resulting from it openly declaring that in case they did not agree with the Duke his Catholick Majesty as his Highness's Ally and having his Country in protection could do no less than assist him in this War. And at the same time he delivered them the Original of his Commission being the same which Don Zanche had given him which runs thus translated out of Spanish Captain Sebastien Culebro shall go to La Roche and desire Monsieur Albigny to conduct him safely to Bonne taking along with him Captain Vatanour and Peter the Drummer belonging to his Company the said Captain being at Bonne shall desire safe-conduct to go speak to Messieurs of Geneva telling them as from me and giving them to understand his Excellencies pleasure which is That his Catholick Majesties Forces are obliged to defend the Duke and to oppose them in whatsoever they shall undertake against him and that they should endeavour as soon as they can to comply with him because that if it falls out otherwise he will order his business accordingly At Anecy the 28 of May 1603. Signed Don Zanche de Luna and lower de Roza The Terms of the Spanish Laconisme are remarkable Para hir allar à los Sinores de Sinebra disiendo les come va di mi parte y dandoles a entender la voluntad de su Excellentia que es Que la gente de su magestad a de deffender al Duque y opponer se a quantos intentaren y que vean conciertar secon el luogo proque donde se tomara forma The King of France foreseeing that this War would not end only amongst them between whom it was begun but that the flame of it would break out farther was desirous to maintain Christendom in that Peace for the sake of which he had laid down his Arms at that time when they would have procured him great advantage wherefore his Ambassadors in Switzerland by his order prepared the Cantons of Glaris Basle Soleurre Schaffonse and Appenzel as them who were least suspected and interested for to be the mediators of this accord Which with much difficulty was at length obtained The Genevoises considering that the profits which might redound from the War could not equal the damages thereof and that all their hopes of advantage by it depended on the assistance from their Neighbours That the hope which is founded on a Foreign prop is usually uncertain That undoubtedly the Catholick Cantons would not break off with the Duke upon their account and that being his Neighbours it was absolutely necessary to come to some terms or other These reflections and the perswasions of their Allies made the Genevoises relent so that both Parties by degrees calmed their passions and laid down those Arms which they had taken up with so great an animosity The Deputies from the five Cantons mediated this Peace at Remilly and it was concluded at S. Julien During all these several Journies backwards and forwards which these mediators of the Peace made from Geneva to S. Julien which lasted a Month the High-ways from the Bridge of Arve to S. Julien were almost continually filled with People especially Savoyards who passionately breathed after this Peace and blessed the Deputies who gave them hopes of it So that immediately upon the Signing of it at S. Julien the President Rochette put his Head out of the Window of the House where was held the Conference and cried out to these poor People who thronged the Streets My Friends praise God the Peace is concluded Upon which they shouted for Joy and the Trumpets sounded forth the publick gladness This Treaty of Peace may be seen described in the printed Book called The Citizen of Geneva Both Parties having laid down their Arms a while after they began to combat with their Pens Buttet Advocate of Chambery entered the Lists setting forth his Cavalier of Savoy wherein he described all his Highnesses pretensions on Geneva It was debated in Council whether this Book ought to be answered They who were for it represented that should it not be done the World would be apt to believe that the Dukes Reasons were well grounded Whereas they who were of the contrary opinion alledged That in so doing they would expose their cause to the censures of passionate Men who being pre-possessed with prejudices would make use of their reasons against them The first advice was followed so that a learned Man of the Council a Person zealous for his Countries honour whose name was John Sarrazin was enjoyned to write an answer which he did and called his Book the Genevois Citizen against which there was published a little Book by a Savoyard under a feigned Title
overflowing of the Arve which swept away most of the Bridges and made the Rhosne rise on the side of the Lake even to the making the Mills turn backwards In the Month following there hapned an Earthquake in the Evening which yet did no hurt Two Years after the Subjects of the Countrys in Germany under the Jurisdiction of Berne complained they were overburdened by their Bayliffs and thereupon rebelled against their Sovereigns under the Conduct of one named Leüberg the City of Berne was in great danger being blocked up by this multitude of Peasants Geneva sent 300 Men to their assistance who were divided into three Companies which were commanded by three Captains viz. Debons Corne and Dumont divers of the chief of these Rebels were hanged and Leüberg quartered In this Year 1653. Isaac Gautier of Portentru was arrested Prisoner at Geneva at the suit of the Republick of Venice in whose service he had been a Captain having been found guilty of a Massacre committed by him on a Spanish Family which were passing over to their own Country and pillaged the Vessel The Command of which had been intrusted to him He was hanged on the ninth of August The Genevoises received a Letter from Cromwel written in the Latin Tongue The Contents whereof were these He told them That the extream miseries wherein to the Duke of Savoy had reduced the Protestants in the Vallies of Piedmont had so far moved him with compassion that he had ordered Collections to be made throughout all England that he might give proofs of the great Charity of that Nation towards its afflicted Brethren And forasmuch as these Collections required some time and the necessities of these poor People admitted no delay he hath therefore judged it meet to send in the mean while the summ of 2000 l. Sterling out of his own Treasury which summ he ordered to be paid into the hands of the Officers of Geneva to distribute it to them who had most need according to their prudence supposing they would readily accept this trouble in their Neighbours behalf as in whose miseries he believed they had a fellow-feeling beseeching God to strengthen all those who profess the Orthodox Religion that they may maintain their common cause and assist one another against their Enemies in which service he shall be glad to be employed Dated from the Palace in Westminster the seventh of June 1655. He sent afterwards the Lord Morland to the Duke of Savoy to interceed for the said poor People of the Vallies and whilst this affair was in agitation this Ambassador resided several Months in Geneva In the Year following the Protestant Cantons had a War with the lesser Cantons upon the account of their exercise of the Reformed Religion who dwelt in the individual Bayliwicks Geneva sent immediately 300 Men to assist their Allies of Zurich and Berne who set out from Geneva on the fifth of January under the Command of Captain Debons Captain Girard and Captain Fabry and were at the Siege of Rappersvil A Peace was concluded a while after and these Companies called home There was begun a Work on the Mount of S. Victor before the Bastions of Pin and S. Anthony whose corners reached a great way into the Country but it was pulled down again in the Year following as being judged to require more Men than they could spare to guard it it was at first carried on by People of all ranks and qualities of both Sexes who wrought unweariedly at it The French-King much about this time being come to Lyons the State sent the Sieurs Voysine and Pictet to complement him as well for that he had recovered his Health having been sick of the Small-Pox as for to intreat him to continue his favour to their City To which the King answered I thank my Friends of Geneva for the sense they have had of my sickness and for the joy they have received at the news of my recovery I shall always keep them under my Protection and ye may assure them of this from me He gave each of them a Golden-Chain with a Medal And they presented him with delicate Trouts weighing forty or fifty pound apiece for these are the greatest which are to be met with at Geneva although some Persons would make us believe there are Trouts which are of eighty and a hundred pound weight In the Year following there was a Work carried on in the form of a Moon in the same place where the other was begun but not so far advanced from the City There were found several Urns and Medals in the Ditch of Ravelin de la Noüe But it being determined that the City should be considerably Fortified and Mony falling short there was sent the Sieur Turretin Professor in Divinity into Holland to intreat their assistance who ordered Collections to be made throughout all their States and there was gathered a hundred thousand Franks with which Mony he returned to Geneva where they immediately fell to work again The Ingineer Ivoy who is at present chief Ingineer to the Prince of Orange traced four great Bastions Royal with Courtines on the side of Plein-Palais inclosing them from the Rhosne to the Bulwark of S. Leger these take up no less than 1700 paces in compass round the Walls they were finished and inclosed with a Wall in ten Years space but the Mony from Holland held out no longer than to finish the first Bastion near the Rhosne which hath therefore been called the Dutch Bastion there was an Inscription Engraven on a black Marble-Pillar for an acknowledgment of the Hollanders liberality In the Year 1661. the Bishop of Geneva residing at Annecy made an Address to the King as being Sovereign of the Country of Gex which is part of his Diocess beseeching him to suffer him to settle Curates in the Villages of Chansy Avoully and Moin which were held by the Republick of Geneva and over which as this Bishop affirmed the King was Sovereign Now the better to understand this affair it is needful for us to speak something of these Villages Moin belongs wholly to the Chapter that is to say the Jurisdiction the Tenths Fee-Farms Salt Ministers sentences of Death all these belong to Geneva and the King hath the last Appeal in Civil Causes and the execution of the Sword. As to Chansy and Avoully these are Lands belonging to S. Victor which are almost of the same nature as them of the Chapter these appertaining to the Chanons of S. Peter and the others to the Prior of S. Victor but by the Treaty at Lyons in the Year 1601. the King in restoring all the Countries of Savoy to the Duke which he had taken from him reserved to himself all the Ports of Rhosne from Geneva as far as Lyons and so that the Sovereignty of Chansy and Avoully which are Ports belonging to the King although situated on the Borders of Savoy The
CIVITAS EQVESTRI In effect what reason had Munster and Gailliman to place the Cavalry in Chablais which is a Country surrounded with Mountains or in Geneva which is situated on a little Hill The Country of Vaux which abounds with pasturage and which is hardly any thing else but a flat Campagne was far more proper for this There are likewise several Villages in this Country which seem to have taken their names from some ancient Romans who perhaps had been Lords of it in the time when this Country flourished There are yet such names as these Roscy which perhaps might come from Roscius Crassy from Crassius Dudy from Duelliâ—s Seâ—â—y from Sissius who are mentioned in an Inscription at Geneva Pâ—â—rmenâ—on which is not far from Nions taketh likewise its name from the neighbouring Cape of this Village for the Latins called a Cape promontorium The Tower in the Isle of Geneva is attributed to Julius Caesar which hath his name given it but I know not for what reason for my part I see no cause to make me believe that this was built in his time on the contrary the materials which are the most part of but Mollasse Stone as one of S. Peters Steeples is moves me rather to think that it is the work of some King of Burgundy several of which have dwelt at Geneva and perhaps not to oppose a received oppinion it hath been raised on foundations of another building by Julius Caesar or by some one of his successors in the Empire who have all taken upon them the name of Caesars Munster hath misunderstood that passage of Caesars Commentaries thinking that the Bridge which is there mentioned belonged to the Switzers Exâ—eo oppido pons ad Helvetios pertinet where this last word signifies not appertaâ—neth but only looketh towards or spectat for on this Bridge men passed over from Geneva into the Country of the Helvetians who â—â—ld that which we now call Switzerland and the Country of Vaud This likewise may serve to convince us of the popular error which taketh a row of stakes which appear above water in the Lake for the remains of this Bridge for it doth not face the Helvetians Country but the Country of Chablais which then belonged to the Allobroges and it being a hard matter to root out opinions which have sunk deep into peoples minds I shall therefore make bold to relate here the observations made by a friend of mine to whom I am obliged for several Memoires relating to this present History Be pleased then to observe what he hath written to me thereof In a walk said he I made some days past on the Lake to inform myself in the matter of these pretended ruins of a Bridge I observed that these were two rows of Stakes which were all like one another one row being only two paces distant from the other which beginning at the head of the Isle where stands Caesars Tower and from thence going up the River reach through the Chains and the Isles called Barques drawing towards the Village of Cologny and reaching no farther than the end of it so that these two rows are in length about three thousand paces the Fishermen call them Fiches These Stakes are of Oak squared and about the thickness of a mans thigh and being not above two or three foot above ground are always at the bottom of the water the Stakes on either row are not above three foot distant one from another which makes me believe that this never never was a Bridge because the States are too small and too near one another and that the Bridge thereupon would have been too narrow moreover how absurd would it have been to have made a Bridge of this length which doth not cross the River but leads upwards against the stream and besides what occasion could there be of making a Bridge to pass from Geneva to Cologâ—e seeing one may go by Land thither I suppose therefore that these stumps have served heretofore for a Ditch or Entrenchment which had been raised to make the Rhosne pass cleverty between the Isle and S. Gervais and to hinder the water from overflowing the low streets as it has done heretofore when the pavement was not raised so that this Bridge which is mentioned in Caesars Commentaries stood no where else but in the same place where is at present that whereon we pass over from the City to S. Gervais XXIV L IVL. P. F. VOL. BROC CHVS VAL. BASSVS PRAEF FABR. BIS TRIB MIL. LEG VIII AVG. II VIR IVR. D. IIIVIR LOC P. P. AVGVR PONTIF IIVIR FLAMEN IN COL EQVESTRE VIANIS GENAVENSIBVS LACVVS DAT THis curious Inscription was not known to Gruterus having been found since the impression of his Book Monsieur Godefroy had caused this Stone to be brought into his Court where it still lies Guichenon had seen it but hath not exactly copied it or the Printer hath not followed his Copy for there is five or six mistakes which spoil the sense LEVI for L. IVL. BROCCIVS for BROCCHVS AVG. for AVGVR VTANIS for VIANIS LACCVS instead of LACVVS and D. M. for DAT Observe here how it must be read without abbreviations Lucius Julius Publii filius Voltinia tribu Brocchus Valerius or Valerianus Bassus Praefectus Fabrum bis Tribunus Militum Legionis Octavae Augustae Duumvir juri dicundo Triumvir locorum publicor persequendorum Augur Pontifex Duumvir Flamen in Colonia Equestre Vianis Genavensibus Lacuus dat Except the word Vianis which may be a mistake of the Carver all the rest is easie and is thus in English Lucius Julius Brocchus Valerianus Bassus Son of Publius and of the Tribe of Voltinia Overseer of the Workmen appointed to make Engines for War twice Camp master of the eighth August Legion one of the Magistrates who are appointed Judges in matters of Equity Superintendant of the publick Buildings Augure chief Prelate Duumvir and Priest in the Colony of Equestres giveth the Lakes to the Genevoises The Lords and Roman Magistrates who were Lieutenants for the Emperors in their Provinces had great Authority seeing we read that they have sometimes disposed of Crowns So that it need not seem strange to us that this Person here-mentioned hath given the Lakes to the Genevoises for he puts Laâ—uâ—s in the Plural comprising perhaps other lesser Lakes of the Country with the Lake Leman His great Offices in the Province and the advantage he had in being of the Family of the Juliusses gave him without doubt this power and what can make more plainly appear the esteem which the Romans had for the City of Geneva That I may therefore the better set forth this illustrious Family of Julius Brocchus I shall produce some other Marbles which are to be seen at Geneva and its adjacent places XXV At Nions D. IVL. F. VOL. RIPANO CAPITONI BASSIANO EQVO PVBLICO HONORATO PRAEFECTO FABRVM TRIB MIL. COH I. GAL. L. IVL. BROCCHVS VALER BASSVS FILIO DEcimus Julius Ripanus
necessarily signifie Julius Caesar but only some Person of that Family as it is in XXVI Inscription thus C. IVL. SEMATVS XIV This was heretofore seen at Monnoye C. VALERIOT F. A. N. TR. MIL. LEG II. PATRONO OPTIMO GENEVENS PROVINCIA B. M. P. VIXIT ANN. LX. M. II. DIES XVII THis is a considerable Inscription Here is mentioned one Cajus Valerius Master of the Camp of the second Legion to whose memory the Province of Geneva had caused this Stone to be Engraven for the benefits which it had received by him as a good Patron for this word Patroni signifies something more than Protectors And these two words of Genevensis Provincia are remarkable seeing they inform us That the Genevois was erected into a Province of which Geneva was the Capital seeing it gave it its name XV. At S. Peter's near the Steps Q. STARDIVS MACER C. STARDIVS PACATVS C. ALBVCIVS PHILOGENES STATIVS ANCHIALVS NOVELLIVS AMPHIO CORNELIVS AMPHIO IIIIII VIRI THese are the names of six Sextumvirs of Geneva This Magistracy was established since Augustius his Reign consisting of six Persons who were changed from time to time after the same manner as 't is now with the four Syndiâ—ks XVI At the Colledge SEX ATTIO CARPOPHORO IIIIII VIRO AVG. IERIA CASTVLA SExtus Attius Carpophorus was it seems one of these Sextumvirs to whose memory his Wife set up this Monument XVII Another in the same Colledge ... XTI FIL. ... RINAE ... MINICAE ... MATERNAE THis fragment hath been made for some Roman Nun whom they called Flaminica XVIII Again MEMORIAE AETERNAe VERR VERVLAE COLVSAE STVRD CONIVGI INCOM PARABILI F. C. ET SVB ASC DED THis Epitaph was Consecrated to the everlasting remembrance of Verria Verula Colusa by her Husband Sturdius who had dedicated it together with the Ax which he used in cutting out and polishing the Stone The severity of the ancient Romans who would have retrenched the Funeral expences had caused them to make a Law Rogum ascia ne poleant but their vanity was too strong to be curbed by the twelve Tables and their luxury extended it self as well to the dead as the living XIX At S. Peter's towards a back Gate CAL. VERNAE VER VERVLA FIL. PIENTIS P. C. S. A. D. THis short Inscription had been made by Verria Verula for her Son Cal. Verna XX. At the Colledge ....... RI ... IONI LEGIONIS X HERED EXTEST THis fragment tells us nothing else but that the Heirs of a certain Centurion of the tenth Legion had acquitted themselves of the charge laid upon them by his Will. We may observe here as likewise in several other Inscriptions that the word Here 's is only written with a single e and not by an ae for this word comes from Herus because the Heir becomes Master of the Testators Estate XXI Under the Clock at Molard D. VALERIO ASIATICI LIBERT SISSI IIIIII VIRO COL EQ EXT THis Inscription as well as that which follows hath been brought heretofore from Versoy where they stood in Gruterus's time See underneath what we say of the Colony of Equestres amongst whom Decimus Valerius the freed man of Asiaticus was Sextumvir It seemeth that it is of this Valerius Asiaticus of whom spake Suetonius Talibus principiis magnam imperii partem non nisi consilio arbitrio vilissimi cujusque histrionum aurigarum administravit maximè Asiatici liberti. The Geneva Manuscripts tell us That it was he who gave his Sirname of Sessius to a Village of the Country of Gex called Seyssi and in Latin Sissium XXII Near the same place D. M. Diis Manibus L. AVR. RESPECTO IVVENI ERVDITO CAVSIDICO â—IS CIVI VALLENSE ET EQVESTRE DEFVNC TO ANNOR XVIII FILIO PIENTISSIMO L. AVREL. RESPECTVS PATER PONENDVM CVRAVIT THis Epitaph being dedicated to the gods Manes is in honour of Lucius Aurelius Respectus a learned young Man who had twice pleaded at the Bar although but eighteen years of age as his Father Lucius Aurelius Respectus testifies of him The Son is named Civi Vallense Equestre Citizen of Valay and the Equestres The one lying on the East-side of the Lake and the other on the West Some read it VALINSAE and thus hath Gruterus cited it but I have read it distinctly Vallense although that the rest be worn out XXIII At the Gate of Rive ANNOR XII L. PLINIO FAVSTI FIL. SABINO C. PLINIO M. F. C. N. FAVSTO AEDILI II VIRO IVL. EQ FLAMIN C. PLINIVS FAVST VIVOS THis Inscription was made for a Monument of a Father and his Son who were of the Family of the Plinies which was Illustrious under the Empire of Trajan and his Successors we must read the Fathers thus Caio Plinio Marci Filio Caii Nepoti Fausto Aedili Duumviro Coloniae Juliae Equestris Flamini Caius Plinius Faustus vivos or vivus sibi fecit So that he raised this Monument himself when his Son Lucius Plinius Sabinus being but twelve years of age died Some who understood not this word E Q. have rendred it Equiti a Knight which it cannot signifie for it would have been placed immediately after the name and before the other qualities and moreover the Ediles or they who had the superintendance over publick Buildings were not chosen from amongst the Knights but the People And in effect what would IVL. signifie As for the word Coloniae it is understood as in the name of Corinthe which hath been called heretofore Colonia Latina Julia Corinthus and sometimes LAVS IVLIA CORINTHVS for the name of Jules hath been given to several Colonies which have been sent over in his time or favoured by him as without doubt the Colony of Equestres were What I have said of this Colony may be seen in Munster p. 23. T. 1. Guilliman and the Author of the Book called the Citizen thought that the Colony of Equesters was Geneva or at least that it was the Capital and that Chablais had taken its name from Caballis or Equis and that which hath inclined them to be of this Opinion is the great number of Inscriptions which are to be seen in Geneva where there is mention made of it Guichenon hath very well judged that they might have been brought from some other place and I have read in the Manuscripts that those two which are at Molard where there is made mention of a Sextumvir of the Equestres and of a Citizen of the same Country had been brought from Versoy in the Year 1590. and likewise another Inscription wherein is mentioned Civitas Equestrium is cited in Authors who have written of the Country of Vaud as if it had been heretofore to be seen there It is likewise very probable by the right of Neighbourhood that several Persons of Quality who had Offices in the Colony of Equesters had likewise the same in Geneva or at least that they had died in that City SEDES LAVSANE ✚