Captaines of the Gallies speedily to prepare ladders the which being made readie he departed from Samos with a gentlegale of winde and sailed to the assault of Satalia Being come to the Islands of Calidonia he receiued supplies of two Gallies sent to him by those of Rhodes The whole Fleete consisted of foure score and fiue Gallies namely twenty which the Pope sent seuenteene from King Ferdinand two from Rhodes and six and fortie of the Venetians The Fleet departing at Sun-set from the Calidonian Islands did the next day by three of the clock in the morning arriue vpon the enemies shoare Mocenigo presently commanded Victor Soranza one of the Prouidators to go with ten Gallies to seize vpon the Hauen and Maripietro the other Prouidator to Land his Souldiers and with them to giue an assault to the Citie on the other side and he commanded the horse-men speedily to make good a little Hill neere to the Citie from thence to send supplies where need should be He did moreouer exhort them to remember their accustomed valour and to consider that they were to deale with an vnexperienced enemie and such an one as was to be taken vnprouided and that they did assaile a Citie which being taken would for euer enrich them Thus beeing full of hope and valour they marched towards the Citie Himselfe with the Captains of the associates tarried in his Gallie to behold the assault The horse-men without delay ranne to take that Hill Souranza with force of oares being come to the Hauen after that he had in the middest of a terrible shower of darts and arrowes broaken the chaine was himselfe the foremost that entred into the Hauen The other Gallies that followed him seized on the Fortes on both sides the Hauen slew all those that were within them then they brake in to the houses in the Suburbes and into them that were neere the walls where the Marchants for the most part dwelt in regard of their trafficke who at the first approach of the Fleete had abandoned their wares and retired them selues into the Citie All the store-houses were full of pepper cinamom ginger perfumes and other costly marchandize All which being taken and brought to the Gallies they set fier on the houses the more to terrifie the inhabitants Then because their ladders were vnprofitable by reason of the great heighth of the Walls the Souldiers fell to the spade and mattock The Generall of the Rhodes whilest inconsiderately with his Souldiers he was busied in breaking open one of the Citie Gates was slaine outright with the fall of a great stone which fell vpon his head His Souldiers carried his body to the Gallies The death of this valliant man did greatly afflict the Souldiers but their fier-workes most of all which being throwne into the aire were by the winde carried into their faces and falling thicke amongst the assailants did grieuously scalde them whereby they weare enforced to giue ouer the assault and to retire to their Gallies Maripietro likewise with his Souldiers fought valiantly on the other side of the Citie which being encompassed with a double wall the first was presently entred by scaling ladders with no meane slaughter of the Turkes but comming to the second and the ladders prouing to short the courageous Souldiers fell instantly to vndermining Our men did many gallant exploits there and it was certainely thought that the Citie would haue beene taken that day had not the darkenesse of the night preuented them which enforced them to retire It is reported that a Dalmatian woman who had a long time beene a slaue to the Turks was so valiant as with cries and exhortations from the walls she encouraged the Christians whereupon some that were not farre off threatning her with punishment she clapt her gowne round about her and leaped downe from the walls where being wounded with the fall she died among her Countriemen The Prouidators hauing left a strong guard in all places neer to the Citie that none might come forth or enter in they retired in the night with the rest of their forces to the Gallies where after that they had well considered among themselues that the Citie being strongly encompassed with high walls and well-manned with Souldiers could not bee taken without great ordnance and that it would bee too long a time to send for any from Morea and very dangerous to bring it thither in regard of the continuall tempests which are vsuall along the coast of Pamphilia exposed to the South-east wind which doth fiercely tosse those Seas they determined to depart the next day hauing first burnt the Suburbs and wasted the Countrie which was the richest of all Pamphilia The Fleete beeing gone from Sathalia did within a few daies after come to Rhoades where whilest it remained the Ambassadour of Vsan-cassan King of Persia came thither He told them that at the intreatie and pursuite of Catharin Zeno a Venetian Gentleman and their Ambassadour in Persia his King had determined to ioyne his forces with those of the Venetians to ouerthrow the power of Ottoman and that his troupes were already entred into the greater Armenia which was subiect to Ottoman and had taken the Citty of Toccata the wealthiest of all the Prouince and some other townes of great worth Hee told them besides that he had great numbers of men and horse That the Persians in their warres did skilfully handle the launce sword and bowe but that they were not accustomed to other armes That he was sent to the Venetians Pope and other Christian Princes to intreate them from the King to furnish the Persian Army with Artillery against their common aduersarie Mocenigo and the rest gaue a willing eare to the Ambassadours discourse and did put him in good hope that he should easily obtaine all his demaunds They shewed him their mighty fleete well furnished with men and armour and told him that it was ready to saile whither his King should commaund it if his pleasure were to imploy it The Persian being in this sort dismissed went towardes Italie and they made themselues readie for some other enterprize wherein to spend the remainder of that Autumne But whilest these things were done at sea Ottoman did inuade the Venetians in sundrie places For the Turkes made incursions into Albania and Dalmatia and entred into Italie They did at the beginning of the warre at a certaine time prefixed make incursions twice a yeare into Albania namely in the time of haruest and grape-gathering neere to Scutarie Lesia Croya and other places with the Venetians held in the Prouince For before the Venetians were open enemies to Ottoman Amurath his father had a long time before made warre in Albania and especially then when hee came to inuade Scanderbeg who in his time was a famous and valiant Captaine and such an one as next to Pyrrhuâ—… who warred on the Romans in Italie Albania neuer bred the like Those which haue seene him in Apulia
built likewise at the same time two Churches in the Islands in those daies called the Twinnes one to Saint Seuerus and the other to Saint Laurence Not long after his sonne Vrsus made a Monasterie of Nunnes of Saint Laurence his Church I finde in some Authors that he did likewise builde to the honour of the Prince of the Apostles the Church of Oliuollo which stands in that part of the towne which at this day is called the Castle and that at the dedication thereof the relicks of Saint Sergius and Bacchus were brought thither About the same time likewise diuers of the chiefest of the Citie conspired against these Princes Giouanni Talonico and Bono Bragadino chiefe of the conspiracie were put death Monetario one of the complices of this bad designe saued himselfe by flight but all his goods were confiscate Some Authors doe likewise affirme that vnder this Princes gouernment Vlric Bishop of Aquileia accompained with certaine of the chiefe of Friuli were vanquished by the Venetians in a fight at Sea This Vlric was a little before condemned for an Hereticke by Pope Alexander This man for despight that the Church of Grada was preferred before his of Aquileia being assisted by troopes of the Forlani came on a sodaine and assailed the Bishop of the Island The Venetians Fleete came as sodainely to his reskew who hauing drawne the enemie to fight did easily breake and defeate him and tooke Vlric with diuers other Gentlemen prisoners Then the victorious Venetian pursuing this scattered troope euen to the firme Land did put all the Sea-coast of the Forlani called at this day the Friuli to fire and sword and destroyed likewise certaine towns by their sodaine incursions Diuers that escaped from the battaile not knowing the waies after they had strayed a long time through the marishes of Caorli fell at last into the hands of the victors The Venetians to purchase the name of meeke and gentle did set Vlric and all the rest of the prisoners at libertie on condition that they should send yearely to Venice on the same day that the victorie was obtained twelue wild Boares with as many loaues of one size which with a Bull should be killed before the generall assemblie And they should beside ouerthrow with their Pikes Castles of wood All this is yet at this day obserued with great preparation as yearly sports in the market place on the sameday as the battell was fought This is that which hapned as well at home as abroad during the gouernment of Angelo Partitiatio who after that he had transported the Ducall state to Rialto did there beginne his gouernment with better augurie than did in times past Paulutio at Heraclea or Theodato since that at Malamoc For since the limits of the State were mightily enlarged the whole honour and maiestie of the Common-wealth hath there remained as in a settled and sure place ¶ IVSTINIANO the 11. Duke of Uenice IVstiniano after his fathers death gouerned the Commonwealth alone Soone after he persuaded the State to send to Michael the Easterne Emperour for the perpetuall conseruation of their friendship with the Grecian Empire certaine armed shippes to aide him against the Saracens who at that time did ouer-runne most of the Islands of Europe and chiefly Sicilie but not meeting the enemie they soone returned to the Citie And because we haue spoken of the Saracens it shall not be impertinent to saie somewhat of the originall of the name For it was then verie new and brought in according to the opinion of some in the daies of Mahomet who in his detestable Sermons whereby he hath almost diuerted the whole East from the true light folding them vp in such darkenesse as they could neuer since free themselues off was wont to call all those Sarracens by the name of Sara Abrahams lawfull wife who had embraced his sect as if those which followed his Doctrine had beene by a Diuine oracle the onely lawfull successors and heires of the Diuine promise I will not likewise denie but that this name may be deriued from Sarraca a Citie in Arabia Foelix But all Historians doe in a manner hold the first opinion for true This Nation hath made manie and diuers Roades into Affricke and Europe and manie likewise into Asia but they haue beene ouerthrowne and defeated as well by the French Armies as by those of the Venetians Let vs now returne to the Venetians affaires which of themselues succeeding happily in those daies did afterwards receiue a great encrease by the bodie of St. Marke brought to them from Alexandria after this manner The king of that Countrie caused a magnificent Palace to be built and for the erecting thereof had commaunded to take all the faire and rarest stones from the ancient Churches and other buildings as wel publike as priuate and S. Markes Church in Alexandria being built of the same matter it was thought that it would not bee spared the which Stauracius the Monke and Theodore the Preist both Grecians fearing who did not only celebrate Diuine Seruice there but as Sextens did heedfully keepe that sacred place were in great care But it luckily came to passe that Bono of Malamoc and Rustico of Tourcelles arriued there being driuen by tempest into that place contrarie to the publike appointment with ten ships These men comming for deuotion sake into the said Church and perceiuing the sorrowfulnesse of those two enquired the occasion of their sadnesse and vnderstanding that it proceeded from feare least the Church should bee destroied they assaied to winne them by many goodly promises assuring them that if they wold deliuer vnto them the body of S. Marke that both of them should be greatly honoured of the Venetians At the first they reiected this demaund as holding it a sacrilegious matter to remoue the holy bodie out of his place But it came to passe by the diuine prouidēce that whilst they were talking about the matter some of those who had cōmission from the king to seeke such stones came into the Church caused diuers stones which were fit for the building of the new-begun Pallace to be taken thence greatly therby disfiguring the Church These two Sextens being incensed hereat and vehemently vrged by the Venetians to cōdiscend to their request seeing some likelihood of the Churches ruine did consent to their demand But to the end that the Towns-men who were much addicted to the name of the Saint to the holy place in regard of the many miracles there wrought should not on a sodaine perceiue any thing they did vnrip the cloth behind wherein the holy body was wrapped not medling with the seales which were on the forepart therof did put the bodie of S. Claudina into the sheet in stead of that which they had taken awaie It is reported that at the same time there came such a pleasant sweete smell forth of the Church as euerie one ranne to taste it And the matter
being reported to the Senate they presently resolued to appoint a new Generall of their Armie The Prince of Mantua though some were against it was by the Senate chosen to commaund the Armie Hee hauing accepted the charge went forthwith to the Campe and on a sodaine recouered the Camonick valley which was reuolted Then by the aduise of Contareni Cornari his successour he conducted all his troupes for winter was alreadie come to winter in the neighbour vallies Peace being debated on all that winter was at last at the spring-time concluded on these conditions to wit That Philip should restore all the Townes and strong places which he had taken vpon the Bressan and Bergamese Territories during the treatie of peace That he should surrender to the Prince of Montferrat his whole estate which he had taken from him during the warre although some say that he had alreadie done it for Sigismonds sake That he should giue all assurance to Lodouico Vermio and others who had borne Armes for the Venetians That all prisoners of marke on both sides should bee set at libertie That hee should likewise restore to the Florentines all those Townes taken from them in the Pisan and Volaterran Territories and should doe his best to cause the Sienois likewise to surrender to the Florentines within a moneth whatsoeuer they had taken from them and if they refused so to doe hee should giue them no aide nor assistance As concerning the Luquois Thomasâ—… Fregosa and Lodouico Plombino for this man during the warre had likewise borne Armes against the Florentines it was decreed that they shold restore whatsoeuer they had taken from the Florentines and that the Lord of Plombin should no more bee vnder Philips protection But as for Fregosa it should be lawfull for him to follow what partie he pleased There was a long disputation about Pontremola yet neuerthelesse Philip did at last obtaine that Towne on condition to restore to the inhabitants of the Florentines partie whatsoeuer hee had taken from them The Senate perceiuing that Cornari did not returne was so troubled as they would not establish the peace vnlesse Philip according to the contract did send home their Senatour but the Ambassadors sent to Philip for this purpose affirming that he was dead a day before they did in Philips name satisfie the Prince and Senate The end of the first Booke of the third Decad. THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the second Booke of the third Decad. FFRANCISCO SFORZA seizeth on the Marca d'Ancona and on a part of the Dutchie of Spoleta Pope EVGENIVS is driuen from Rome The Armies of SFORZA and BRACCHIAN are readie to ioyne battaile one with an other at Vetrale PICININO in a manner did renew the Warre on the Sabins Hee doth wholly defeate the league-troupes neare to Imola MARSILIO CARRARIO is beheaded at Venice King ALPHONSO is defeated at Sea by the Genoueses neare to Gayetta The Genoueses reuolt from PHILIP Luca is streightly besieged by the Florentines The Emperour CONSTANTINE PALEOLOGO with diuers Christian Bishops commeth to Ferrara to conferre with the Pope concerning matters of Religion All the Venetian troupes are in a manner put to rout neare to the Riuer Adice The Florentines send COSMO DE MEDICIS to Venice The great exploits of SFORZA and PICININO neare to the Alpes SFORZA allieth himselfe with PHILIP and the Florentines PICININO taketh diuers Townes from the Venetians on the Bressan and Bergamese Territories The description of the Lake of La Garda Lastly the Venetians fight with good successe in the Camonick Valley BY this accord for the space of foure yeares there was neither certaine Warre nor Peace with Philip. At the beginning vnder-hand he molested Pope Eugenius and afterwards by open Warre which caused the Venetians who withstood it to attempt by al meanes though it were contrarie to the accord to maintaine their Countriman in his Pontificall dignitie In the meane time sundrie warlike exploits were done here and there and in sundrie places they fought with different successe Moreouer many treasons and suspitions were discouered on either side not only abroad but at home in the Citie as shall be hereafter more at large mentioned Wee will now briefly set downe that which happened farre from the Citie for the better vnderstanding of the cause why the Venetian did recommence the Warre with Philip in Lombardie He had entangled as hath beene said Eugenius at the beginning of his Papacie in a domesticke warre from whence toward the latter end of the warre of Lombardie great quarrels and contentions arose as well without as within the Citie of Rome which although sometimes they seemed to be raked vp could neuer for all that be wholly extinguished But this furie running from one place to another did at last so farre spread it selfe abroad that there was no Prouince Citie Towne Village nor any place belonging to the Church of Rome which had not a feeling thereof And not to fetch our Historie from farre Lombardie being quieted Francisco Sforza disdaining that Philip had made Picinino his corriuall Generall of his Armie notwithstanding that the Visconte had promised him his future alliance yet neuerthelesse this braue and couragious young man being not able to containe himselfe hauing after long suite obtained leaue to go his way departed from Lombardie with two thousand horse and a great number of foot vnder colour to serue King Renatus who laid claime to the Realme of Naples against King Alphonso And passing through Flaminia he fiercely entered vpon the Marca of Ancona where finding all things at quiet and no resistance after that he had taken great bootie and wasted all the countrey he reduced vnder his owne commaund partly by force and partly by a voluntarie reddition all the Townes Villages and Castles and other places of La Marca This iourney was verie commodious to Sforzas troupes for their wintering Picinino who greatly suspected Sforzas actions did by Philips aduise depart forth of Lombardy at the spring time with a thousand choise horse to thwart Sforzas designs and giuing out that he went to the wholesome bathes of the Sienóis he came into Tuscanie Then by the meanes of some of his friends he dealt with Nicolao surnamed Stella that they might ioyne their forces together and afterwards make warre both on the Pope and Sforza Stella at the same time possessed certaine townes neere to Rome and as a neere neighbour did greatly molest Eugenius presuming vpon the Colonessi And by this meanes the Churches patrimonie being exposed as a prey betwixt them was at one time wasted and torne in peeces by two enemie factions the which although they began but to spring vp in Italie did neuerthelesse surpasse all those that had preceded them Sforza in the middest of these troubles left his wintering places and first marched into the Dutchie of Spoletta where with wonderfull successe he tooke Tuderta Ameria and diuers
brother Hercules the Venetians did earnestly embrace his cause and assisting him by land and water seated him in the Dukedome for which hee lately stroue with Nicolao sonne to Lionello fauored by his vnckle the prince of Mantua and Galeas Visconte But not long after Hercules maried Leonora daughter to king Ferdinand by means of which new alliance growing more insolent his loue to the Venetians waxed cold and he did not greatly care to infringe his league with them For contrary to their agreement hee had permitted his subiects to make salt at Comachia Neuerthelesse to cleere himselfe thereof hee was content at the Venetians intreatie by Benedicto Treuisano sent to him to Ferrara to that end that a great quantity of salt made there should be cast into the Sea Hee did besides lay taxes and impositions on the Venetians notwithstanding their ancient freedome and exemption But this was nothing for he builded a Fort neere to Cap-Darger as if himselfe had beene to haue bounded his owne confines Lastly the Venetian Magistrate which by couenant remained in Ferrara being outraged expulsed and excommunicated by the Cities Archbishop the Duke declared himselfe an open enemy to the Venetians The Senate in the meane time knowing whereunto his designes intended did sometime by Letters then by Ambassadors intreate him not to enforce the Venetians to become his enemies but rather imitating his brother Borsia and other his Predecessours to perseuer in their ancient friendship which would both bee profitable and honourable for him This proude man who by reason of his new alliance promised great matters to himselfe contemned this counsell Neuerthelesse the Senate made Pope Sixtus a means to containe him in their ancient friendship But his mediation doing no good they being prouoked as well by new as old iniuries which they had dissembled during the warre with Ottoman resolued to inuade him and by Armes to reuenge that which till then for quietnesse sake they had more kindly than honourably endured This determination did for certaine dayes busie the Councell Some of the auncient Senators were of opinion not to make warre on Hercules vpon any occasion whatsoeuer not that it was vnlawfull but because the time permitted it not and did often aduise those that craued warre to take heed that by desire of reuenge they did not precipitate the Common-wealth into danger saying That the City and Tributary Townes were tired with long warre That it behooued them sometimes to lay downe armes lest by heaping one warre vpon another the world should say that the Venetians loued nothing lesse than peace Moreouer though there were nothing else in it they ought to consider that Hercules besides his owne experience in Martiall matters was allied to two potent Kings and that vndoubtedly he would neuer of his owne priuate motion haue so mightily prouoked them Besides it was certaine that diuers Italian Princes were leagued with him which being so they desired those that wished for warre to aduise themselues if they had not more need of a Target than of a Sword At this speech most of the Senatours as euery man was inclined cried out to the contrary saying That the allegations of cowards ought not to diuert their former resolution and muchlesse cause them to beleeue them that by the example of one man other Princes their neighbours would rise against them who would be twice aduised ere they inuaded the Venetians That the Citie was able to vndergo the whole burthen of the warre and being of a long time accustomed to warre would not liue ydlely That the State by Gods goodnesse was so wealthie that notwithstanding the great masse of gold spent in the warre against Ottoman her treasure was in a manner infinite whereby warre might be mannaged to the honour of the Common-wealth That all passages to sealay open to the Venetian Marchants whose trafficke did daily augment their imposts and customes That diuerse Senators present in Councell offered to aide the Common-wealth with great summes of gold whereby they might perceiue that nothing could be wanting for the entertainement of the armie That the King of Hungarie was in no sort to be feared for besides his perpetuallwarre with the Emperour Fredericke the Turkes were still on his confines and wasted his Countrey so that hee had enough to doe to defend his kingdome from two such potent enemies That King Ferdinand was not to be regarded who had not yet recouered his losses at the siege of Ottranto That the Venetian fleete scoured the Sea coast of Apulia and Calabria which if hee were desirous to defend it behooued him whether he would or no to haue no hand in the Ferrarese warre But admit said hee which spake that his forces be so great as they may fitly be diuided into sundry places by what way shall he come to bring aide to his sonne in lawe His souldiers haue no wings to flie through the aire from Calabria into Lombardie Rome belongeth to Pope Sixtus so doth Sabinia the Dutchy of Spoleta la Marea and all Italie besides from Tibers mouth as farre as Ancona His Holinesse so soone as hee perceiued that hee could not preuaile with Hercules hath not onely aduised vs to make war vpon him but together with the Venetians hath an hand therein The Florentines and Milanois will not take our parts But the Genouese and Prince of Montferrat will assist vs The Rubrians of Parma will doe the like who as we vnderstand are ready to reuolt And seeing wee want neither Armes money nor aide what shall hinder vs from inuading Hercules When did euer any of your neighbours most noble Senatours more prouoke you Ouer all his Territories hee hath cancelled your freedome and immunities He hath of a long time vsurped vpon the confines of your dominions Hee hath suffered your Magistrate to be outraged expulsed and excommunicated If this wrong cannot moue you what then is able to incite you Will you tarry till hee inuade you first Questionlesse hee will assaile you and it may be sooner than you imagine On then follow the steppes of your Auncestours and with fire and sword pursue this open enimy Let your Armes quench this flame which our long sufferance hath so kindled as but by this meanes will hardly be extinguished Let all men see that when neede is the Venetians know how to draw peace from warre and warre from peace Heereupon the Senate with generall consent presently resolued to take Armes And that all requisite solemnities might be obserued therein it was decreed that so soone as the people were made acquainted therewith it should be denounced to the enemy When it was published the people were so ioyfull as men might easily perceiue that neuer any warre was more pleasing to them than that Whereupon the Senate resolued to prepare two fleetes the one to inuade Apulia and Calabria if Ferdinand should stirre And the other to passe vp against the streame of the Riuer Po into the enemies Territories
reedified The Pestilence begunne in Summer doth in Autumne make diuers places in the citie desolate A briefe Description of their Sea-trafficke Foure Gallies trading into France are taken by Pirates on the coast of Portugall Troubles in Friull by the sodaine arriuall of the Hungarians ROBERTO SANSEVERINO with a braue Cauallerie goes to the warre lately begunne neere Rome The election of MARCO BARBADICO who succeedeth MOCENIGO in the Principalitie of Venice A briefe Declaration of the warre of Rome betwixt Pope INNOCENT and king FERDINAND Three Commissioners are appointed to prouide all things requisite to purge the Citie from the pestilence SANSEVERINO dispoiled of his troupes returnes to the Venetians Their vsuall custome at their Princes funeralls The cause of the warre with the Archduke of Austria and sodaine commotions of the enemie on the very confines of Italie The beginning and end of the Rethicke warre The kingdome of Cyprus is ioyned to the Venetians Dominions by a conueyance made by Queene KATHERINE in her life time The inuention of harquebuzes and the recompence of such as learned to shoot in them An extreame cold frost at Venice and ouer all the Lakes A league betwixt the Pope Venetians and GALE AS SFORZA The preparations of CHARLES the French King for the conquest of the kingdome of Naples THat part of the Dukes Pallace which was burnt during the warre was from the foundation reedified this first yeere of the peace It is an admirable peece of worke and likely to last long The Citie was greatly molested with the Infection the next Summer which increasing in Autumne did make Venice very desolate This domesticke losse was accompanied toward the end of Summer with an other farre from home But before wee enter into this Discourse it shall not bee impertinent to mention the Venetians great industrie wealth purchased by traffike at sea There is no place in all the Sea from Gades betwixt Affricke and Europe towards Syria and Egypt in the Leuant nor from the North and West towards Bosphorus and the Fennes Meotides nor any place so remote which the Venetian Gallies haue not at all times frequented in trade of Marchandize It is almost incredible to thinke how the Venetian vessells doe ordinarily enter into the Hauens not onely of Italie but of Liburnia Dalmatia Macedonia and Grecce as if it were in the suburbs of Venice Wee will speake of those who at the Common-wealths charge are yeerely sent to take in lading in the remotest places of the world Of these foure great gallies bring home into Italie Spice Silke Pretious stones and Pearles from Syria and Egypt Three others goe into Lybia for gold iewells and slaues Two saile into Fraunce and bring home wooll and Spanish silke Others goe towards the Tana is and Fennes Meotides from whence they returne loden with Tapistrie and Emeraldes And besides this number foure direct theyr course into the French Ocean and from the Martes there loade themselues abundantly with woolls gold tapistrie and cloth of Flaunders According to this custome foure Gallies for this purpose were abroad vnder the commaund of Bartilomeo Minio who comming into the Spanish Seas mette with young Columbus nephew to Columbus the famous Mariner who with seauen tall shippes of warre incountered them in the night neere to the sacred Promontorie modernely termed S. Vincents Cape But although at first hee determined to assault the Venetian Gallies yet hee abstained that night and resoluing to fight with them came so neere as the prowes of the pirates shippes were asterne the poopes of the Venetian Gallies So soone as it was day Columbus assailed the Venetians who were inferior to him in men and vessells but superior in courage and resolution They fought fiercely for certaine houres space and with such great slaughter as is seldome seene in any fight with such enemies who rarely come to fight but vpon constraint Diuerse that were present at the bickering say that three hundred Venetians were slaine at that fight others mention not so many Among the dead were Lorenzo Michael Captaine of a Gallie and Giouanni Delfino brother to another Captaine The Venetians were wearied with long fight The Gallie Delfina was taken by the enemies whereupon the rest yeelded Some say that in one Gallie foure score dead bodies lay betwixt the prow and poope which spectacle the victorious enemie lamented saying in despite That the Venetians by their wilfulnesse had procured that losse The dead bodies were throwne into the Sea and the wounded set on shoare Those which escaped went to Lisbone and from thence were sent home Lisbone is a Citie of Portugall standing vpon the Sea I thinke it was in old time called Olisipone It is at this day very famous as well for the ordinarie residence of kings as for her great wealth The Venetians were there very kindely entertained by the king and those that were sicke he commaunded to be carefully looked to the rest according to each mans qualitie receiued mony and cloaths and were sent home into their countrey The Venetians are in ancient league with the kings of Portugall the which being deriued from the Father to the Sonne they inuiolably obserue They say that the cause of this league and friendship proceeded from the Venetians courtesie and liberalitie It is reported That a king of Portugall came in time past with a small traine to Venice to see the Citie where he remained certaine daies in disguised habite But so great a guest could not long be concealed For the Senate hauing intelligence that a Noble man of royall parentage lay in the Citie it did honourably receiue and conducted him to a goodly Pallace where he lodged being accompanied by certaine Senators to shew him the singularities of the Citie and to wait vpon him whither soeuer hee went At his departure they gaue him rich giftes and for his greater honor appointed some to attend him as farre as the Venetians confines This did the Venetians not as they thought to a king but only to a priuate person of blood royall At his returne into Portugall hee acquainted his Princes with the Venetians curtesie and liberalitie and made a Decree That his successors should for euer acknowledge the Venetians bounty towards him And for this cause the king of Portugall gaue such good entertainement to the distressed Venetians he did likewise commaund that none of his subiects should buy any part of the Venetians goods which had bene stollen from them The newes of this losse did greatly afflict the Citie the which exceeding as it was reported the summe of 20000. crownes touched some particular persons But the death of so many men did much augment their sorrow The pestilence at this time did greatly infect the Cittie in regard whereof the Senate was of opinion at that time not to reuenge that wrong but to deferre it to a fitter time At the same time there arose some troubles in Friull Certaine light horse sent by the King
arriued with letters from the Pope whereby hee tooke from them all hope of agreement with him vnlesse they did deliuer vnto him those Townes they had taken saying that to those ends hee would implore the aid of God and men threatening if they did it not to doe his worst against them The Senators were greatly troubled and incensed with these letters but more against the Bishop then Pope whom they thought had incensed his Holinesse against them This discontent was accompanied by an other for the Pope had sent an Ambassador to the French King by whom complaining of the Venetians he craued aid and assistance against them requesting him to enter into league and Confederacy with himselfe and Maximilian called to be a third man against them This being knowne at Venice the Senate presently sent Ambassadors to those two Princes to let them vnderstand that the Signory had taken nothing from the Pope but only Faenza and Rimini from a wicked man fearing least the Florentines their enemies by reason of Pisa should seaze on them as they had determined hauing already sent forces thither That they had recompenced those that kept them giuing them other Townes in exchange That those two Citties with their dependances were wont to bee giuen to new Tenants before Valentinois had them and the Senate demanding them in that nature the Church could lay no claime to them so as they payed the vsuall Rent but on the contrary ought to bee content there-with because they could not fall into the hands of any that were better able to defend and keepe them then the Venetians That the Pope had beene the Author and motiue of the Signories taking of Romagnia from Valentinois and now changing his opinion did causelesse seeke all meanes to expulse them thence And therefore the State of Venice did earnestly intreat King Lewis nor for that regard to infringe the league made with them and Maximilian in like manner that he would rather aide and assist the Signory as a good friend and neighbour in so iust and reasonable a matter then the Pope who craued a thing wholy vnreasonable These remonstrances being kindly entertained by both these Princes they promised to debate the matter with his Holinesse This answer did in some sort satisfie the Senat. Count Petellan at the same time being on great promises entreated by diuers Kings and Princes to serue them would neuer for-sake the Signory In acknowledgement whereof the state of Venice made him Generall of their Army for three yeares with a yearely annuity of fiue hundred pounds of gold The end of the sixth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice FINIS THE SECOND VOLVME OF THE GENERALL HISTORY OF VENICE The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the fourth Decade THe Emperor entreateth the Venetians to deliuer the Cities of Faenza and Riminy to the Pope Lewis the French King maketh the same request to them The Emperor craues leaue of the Venetians to passe in armes thorow their state to Rome to his Cornonation which they deny Iohn Paul Baillon restoreth Perugia with her territory to the Pope Bolognia is yeelded in the same manner to the Pope by the Bentiuolies The King comes into Italy by reason of the reuolt of Genoa The Pope doth greatly suspect and distrust the French King Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Arragon at Sauona The Emperour performeth bad offices in Germany toward the French King How the report of the Emperours comming downe into Italy did trouble the Venetians The Emperour commeth into Italy and returneth sodainely into Germany The Almains are defeated in the vale of Cadora The Venetians take the town of Goritia The conclusion of the truce betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians did breed some discontent betwixt the King and them Confederacy sworne at Cambray against the Venetians by the Pope the Emperor Maximillian and the Kings of France and Arragon The Venetians make great warlike preparations against this confederacy The Pope casteth aterrible excommunication on the Venetians The Kings army and that of the Venetians very neere together The Venetians are defeated by the French in the Countrey of Giradade The great progression of the French army ouer Italy after the Battaile All Romagnia in a manner is yeelded to the Pope Lastly the Venetians resoluing to quit the firme land doe leaue Padua Verona and all the other Cities appointed to the Emperor The seuenth Booke of the fourth Decad of the History of Uenice MAXIMILLIAN forgetting the promise which he first made to the Venetians to debate their cause before the Pope sent two Ambassadors to Venice to entreate them to yeeld Faenza Ryminy to him That it belonged to him to make that request as Protector of Holy Church and of whatsoeuer apperteined therevnto If they thought it an vnreasonable matter they should referre it to arbitrement That he would labour to cause the Pope to condescend therevnto and that if they would choose him for their vmpier he would willingly accept thereof and would giue sentence according to equity The Senats answer with that of the Great Coūcel to these Ambassadors was hauing reiterated all that which their Ambassadors had first of all declared to the Emperor from the Senate that their right to those lands being so plaine and euident they would not put it to compromise Vpon this answere one of the Ambassadors departed from Venice to Rome the other stayed there whose expences were defraied by the State In the meane time a league and confederacy was made betweene the Emperor Maximillian and the French King after long strife and disputation of their Ambassadors This league being concluded King Lewis sent againe Iohn Lascaris of Constantinople his Ambassador to Venice to entreate them to seeke all possible meanes of agreement with the Pope for that being done they were determined to ioyne altogether against the Turke He added that his King had sworn league and friendship with Maximillian not to hurt any man but only for the safety and preseruation of each others State The Senate who had already decreed that the Ambassadour should haue a pound weight of gold giuen him euery month towards his expences made answere that they had omitted nothing either by entreaty or promises to giue the Pope satisfaction hauing not long before made him this offer that al-be-it Pope Alexander had giuen Faenza and the other lands to the Valentinois free from all conditions they were content neuerthelesse to hold Faenza and Riminy of the Church on what conditions and rent it pleased promising to make true payment euery yeere but this would not be accepted of That they were exceeding glad that two such great Princes had conuerted their hatred and contention into a sound and firme league friendship But because it was specified in the contract betwixt King Lewis and them that neither of them two might make alliance with any other Prince whatsoeuer without the consent of his fellow they
Fiquerolla The Venetians conquer the Pollesin of Rouigo The Duke of Ferrara defeateth the Venetians nauall army on the Po. The Emperor holdeth a Dyet at Inspruch The Pope absolueth the Venetians notwithstanding the oppositions of the Ambassadors of the Emperour and the French King The Popes displeasure against the French King The French Kings greeuous displeasure conceiued against the Swisses The Pope in hatred to the French King Assaileth Ferrara The Vincentines are enforced to craue pardon of the Prince of Anhalt The French take Legnaga The Emperor engageth Verona to the French King Monselesia taken by the French The Popes deseignes and propositions against the French King broken and come to nothing The King of Hungary summons the Venetians Ambassador Lastly the French King resolueth to make warre on the Venetians and the Pope The eighth Booke of the fourth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Commotion of Treuiso and the Emperors carelesnesse gaue hope to the Venetians to retaine some part of their Signory and to execute diuers great exploits which afterward they did For in all this great course of victories there was nothing heard of but the Emperors name only albeit by meanes of the French army and for feare of it diuers townes had beene yeelded to him He had runne to diuers places since the confederacy of Cambray to get money by way of loane of the Flemmings and other his subiects the which hee quickly spent prodigally after his vsuall manner beside a hundred thousand crownes which he had receiued of the French King for the inuestiture of the Dutchy of Milan Forthwith after the newes of the battaile of Gyradade he sent the Duke of Brunswick to recouer the Country of Friul but for himselfe he did not mooue at all for want of money al-be-it the Pope did greatly solicite him therevnto being afraid of the French forces and to cause him to make hast had sent him fifty thousand Ducaâ—…s At the last hee came to Trent from whence by letters hee thanked the French King for hauing by his meanes recouered his due The Cardinall of Amboise beeing come thither from the King to talke with him they concluded betwixt themselues that he and the King should see one an other and talke together in open field neere to the towne of La Garde on the marches of eithers Countrey The King set forward to be there at the day appointed But the Emperor being come as farre as Riua di Trente for the same purpose hauing tarâ—…ied there two houres returned on a sodaine to Trent sending the King word that by reason of certaine accidents newly hapned in Friul he was enforced to returne backe againe requesting him to defeâ—…re their meeting till an other time and in the meane space to tarry at Cremona This alteration of the Emperour together with his tedious negligence in not prouiding sufficient garrisons to defend Padua and the other Cities were causes that the Venetians did help themselues by this opportunity offered them to recouer Padua which they knew to be badly man'd with souldiers and the which they had by ouer-hasty counsell too soone giuen away They concluded then that Andrew Gritti one of the Prouidators should goe to Nouale on the Paduan territory and that there he should take part of the footmen who being followed by diuers of the Country were sent to the village of Mirana and should march towards Padua to assault the Gate of Codalonga and Christofero de Mora the other Prouidator should follow him at the heeles with the residue of the army This deseigne being thus decreed fell out better then they thought for for being early in a morning come to the Gate they found it halfe open by reason of certaine carts laden with hay which were a little before entred So as possessing it without any difficulty they tarried there without any noise till their fellowes were arriued who were not farre of then they marched to the market-place before any one had descried them But Dressina who was Gouernor of the City for Maximillian being lodged in the Cittadell hauing heard the noise came forth with three hundred Lancequenets which he had only for the gard thereof with Brunaldo of Saregia with fifty horse who perceiuing the townsmen to forsake them and no man to offer them any helpe made great hast to enter into their fort the which being not well fortified they were constrained to yeeld certaine houres after The Venetians by this meanes being masters of the City commanded no hurt to be done to it and that the Iewes houses only with certaine Paduans who had shewed themselues their enemies should be spoiled The French King who not long before had by composition taken the Castle of Cremona knowing the Emperours answere and not staying to doe his bidding went towards Milan resoluing to cassier his army for to free himselfe from so great expenses and to returne into France But the departure of the Kings person and his army did much diminish the reputation of the Emperors affaires For after the Venetians had recouered Padua they soone became masters of all the Countrey round about because the Cities and the champaine countrey did fauour them Vincenza of it selfe had done the like if Constantine of Macedonia who by chance was not farre off had not speedily entred it with certaine forces They recouered neuerthelesse the towne and castle of Legnaga a very commodious place to indomage the countries of Verona Padua and Vincenza It was supposed that the taking of Padua would delay the Kings returne into France but that notwithstanding he determined to passe forward so soone as hee had made new agreements with the Popes Legat in the City of Biagrassa whereby the Pope and the King did bind themselues to protect each other He left on the frontiers of the Veronois the Lord de la Palisse with seuen hundred Launces to doe whatsoeuer should please the Emperor But before his departure an other happy euent befell the Venetians which was the taking of the Marquis of Mantua with the defeat of all his souldiers who were surprized halfe a sleepe in the Island of Escalla who being brought from thence to Padua and then to Venice was imprisoned in the little tower of the publike pallace to the great contentment and wonderfull ioy of the whole City The Emperour till now had not hindred nor did hinder the Venetians proceedings as well because he had not suffiâ—…ient forces as also for that he was kept backe by the peasants in the mountaine and in the planes likewise by other companies of peasants who waited for him at a very strong passage where he was in danger But surmounting all these difficulties and hauing not as yet forces strong enough he busied himself in meane enterprises beseeging now one village and then an other scouring and spoyling the country The Prince of Anhalt did the like who by the Emperours command hauing entred Friul with ten thousand men
his part because his enterprizes proceeded not from any particular interest but from a sole and sincere desire of the liberty of Italy but he could not hope much from them by reason their treasure was exhausted and them-selues oppressed with sondry difficulties The French King beeing by so many experiences assured of the Popes bad meaning towards him determined to strengthen him-selfe as much as he might with the Emperors friendship and to passe in person the spring following into Italy to make warre on the Venetians or on the Pope according as the state of his affaires should petmit The end of the eight Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decade WIth what boldnesse and resolution Pope Iulius marched against the Duke of Ferrara and beeing not able to ouercome him by temporall armes he vsed spirituall A Generall Councell published at Lions A new Confederacy as well offensiue as defensiue betwixt the Emperor and the French-King How greatly the marche of the French Army toward Bolognia did afright the Pope and all his Cardinals The Lord of Chaumonts retreate into the Dutchy of Milan The Duke of Ferrara defeateth the Venetians nauall Army The Popes Army taketh the Citty of Concorda Mirandolo taken by the Confederates The King doth wholy resolue to make warre on the Pope The Death of the Lord of Chaumont where vpon Triuulcio is made Generall of the Army A great Earthquake at Venice and in the Countrey neere adioyning The Popes Army is defeated before the Bastida Geniuola The French Kings discontent for that the Emperor consenteth to a peace with the Venetians The King of Arragons secret practises against the French King The Cardinall of Pauia flyes from Bolognia at the arriuall of the French The flight of the Duke of Vrbin Generall of the Popes Army Death of the Cardinall of Pauia slaine by the Duke of Vrbin The French King greatly desireth to bee at peace with the Pope How the Venetians did still maintaine their forces and greatnesse A new confederacy betwixt the Pope the King of Arragon and the Venetians The Swisses come downe into the Dutchie of Milan The Army of the Confederates before Bolognia the which is releeued by Gaston of Foix. And lastly how the Confederates Army dislodgeth from before Bolognia The ninth Booke of the fourth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Pope continuing his displeasure against the Duke of Ferrara omitted all other designes onely to pursue this and to this end hee came to Bolognia at the later end of September by his presence to hasten matters and to giue the greater authority to his affaires resoluing to assaill Ferrara both by land and water with all his owne forces and those of the Venetians who at his request sent two armed fleetes against Ferrara which being entred into the Po by the Fornaces and by the hauen of Primara made great spoile on the Ferrara territory the like did the Popes forces at the same time and yet they came not neere to Ferrara where besides the Dukes forces were two hundred and fifty French lances and the Popes army was not suffitient to assayle the Citty by land For allbeit the Pope gaue pay for eight hundred men at Armes six hundred light horse and six thousand foote the complete number of so many was greately wanting as also for that by his command Marke Anthony Colonna and Iohn Vittelli were gone with two hundred men at armes and three hundred foote for the gard of Modena In regard whereof he requested seeing that the Venetians had in a manner recouered the country of Friull that part of their army might be brought on the Ferrarois He did more-ouer expect three hundred lances which the King of Arragon was bound to send him according to the articles of the inuestiture of the realme of Naples making account vpon the arriuall of all these forces to assaile Ferrara for his part and that the Venetians should doe the like for theirs hee perswaded him-selfe that the people of the Citty would forth-with take armes in his behalfe against the Duke and hee would not harken to those who told him That it would not so fall out in regard of the garrison within it which was sufficient to defend the Citty and to hinder the people if they were so bent from reuolting About the same time an intelligence which the Venetians had on the Citty of Bressia was discouered the Author whereof Earle Iohn Maria of Martinenga was beheaded there Now the Pope perseuering in his hope did promise to him-selfe though all his other forces should faile to be able to take Ferrara with his owne and the Venetian fleets notwithstanding al the reasons giuen by his Captaines to the contrary but he found himselfe to be deceiued For the Duke comming forth of Ferrara did assaill the Venetians fleete which was entred by Primaria and comming to Hadria with two Galleis two Fusts and with diuers small boates hee did easily defeate it then hee went to meet with the other the which consisting onely of fustes and other small vessells had entred by the fornaces and was come to Puliselsa which attempting to retire into the riuer Adicé by a chanell neere at hand it could not by reason of the shallownesse of the water where-vpon being assailed and beaten with the enemies ordnance those of the fleet not beeing able to defend it were enforced to forsake it and to vse meanes to saue them-selâ—…es and their ordnance The Pope perceauing that his temporal armes were not of force to execute his deseignes made vse of spirituall and did publickly excommunicate Alfonso of Este and all those who were or should come to his aid and namely the Lord of Chaumont and all the cheefe persons of the French army The French King who already vpon the Popes behauiour determined to call a generall councell against him and had caused all the prelates of his Kingdome to meete at Orleans and afterwards at Tours hauing notice of his Ecclesiasticall censure executed so rashly vpon his subiects was of opinion in this assembly where he was present diuers times that before hee would free him-selfe from his obedience to send Ambassadors to him to aduertise him of the articles concluded on by the French Clergy against which if hee thought to except he should be cited to the generall councell which all Christian Princes had determined should bee assembled by a certaine day According to this resolution the Councell was published at Lyons against the first day of March next ensuing Within a while after the Bishop of Gurcia sent from the Emperor arriued at Tours where his entertainment was sumptuous which shewed how greatly his comming was desired with whome the King continuing to treat of matters which had already beene handled at the first they seemed to bee very casie but they were afterwards drawne forth at length as well by reason that the Emperors answers were very slow
fearing least the people through scare might be wonne did speedily send to demand aide of Gaston of Foix who the selfe same day sent thither a thousand foot and the morrow after a hundred foure score Launces and then resolued to goe thither in person with the whole army not-with-standing that in councell all the captaines contradicted it Therefore hee came forth of Finall late in the euening and the next morning he marched towards Bolognia with the whole army in battaile notwithstanding the snowes and sharpe windes and entred it by Saint Felix gate hauing in his company thirteene hundred Lances six thousand Lansequenets eight thousand foot both French and Italians The enemies had no knowledge of his comming till a day after that a Stadiot of the number of those who were come forth among others to skirmish was taken who being questioned what was done in Bolognia answered That he could not say much because he came thither but the day before with the French army whereat the enemies wondering did more exactly examine him in what manner and what numbers had entred and finding him constant in his answeres they beleeued him and resolued to raise their campe in regard it was dangerous to tarry there as wel in respect of the cold season which did greatly afflict the souldiers as also for the neighbour-hood of the City so great an army being within it Wherfore the next night following which was the nineteenth day of the seege after they had with great dilligence and stilnesse retired their ordnance they dislodged early in the morning It was thought of a certaine that if the French army had salâ—…ied forth the next morning after their arriuall as Gaston of Foix had propounded it they had surprized the confederats campe who in no sort doubted that he was come thither as hath beene said but â—…ues of Alegre councelled to let the companies rest one day who were weary with their iourney and the bad way thinking that the enemy had knowne of their comming as it was to be presumed entring at broad day light and by the high-way of Rome The end of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decad. The Contents of the tenth Booke of the fourth Decade THe City of Bressia taken by the Venetians is rescued by Gaston of Foix by meanes of the Castle which held out still for the French Bergamo by the example of Bressia expelleth the French The defeate of Iohn Paul Baillon and Meleager of Furli by Gaston of Foix. The imprisonment of Andrew Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano Truce betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians by meanes of the Pope Rauenna beseeged by Gaston of Foix. The Battaile of Rauenna wherein the French were victors The death of Gaston of Foix slaine by the Spaniards after the battaile was wonne In what perplexity the Pope was after the French mens victory The Swisses come downe into the territory of Verona with their great hate to King Lewis and vpon what occasion The Champaine Country of Milan is forsaken for to keepe the Cities from the Swisses Milan with all the Cities almost of the Dutchy is redeliuered to the confederates The City of Genoa reuolteth from the King League and confederacie betwixt the Pope and the Emperour Maximillian Sforza is restored to the Dutchy of Milan The death of Pope Iulius the Second A league concluded betwixt King Lewis and the Venetians The Election of Pope Leo the Tenth of the family of Medicis King Lewis his great preparations for the warre of Italy The Venetians take Cremona The whole Dutchy of Milan in trouble and tumult in the behalfe of the French The French make re-entry into all the state of Milan two townes excepted The Swisses resolution to make warre on King Lewis They come downe to Nouara The Swisses comming forth of Nouara in the night obtaine the victory against the French The French are driuen forth of the whole Dutchy of Milan And lastly the taking and dismantling of Legnaga by the Venetians The tenth Booke of the fourth Decad of the History of Venice THe army being dislodged from before Bolognia Gaston of Foix hauing left there three hundred Launces and foure thousand foot for the garde thereof came with great speed to the reliefe of the Castle of Bressia for the Venetians tooke the City the same day that hee entred into Bolognia For Count Lodouico Auogare a Bressian Gentleman being wearied with the arrogancy and indiscretion of the French hauing written to the councell of the Tenne That if they would send their army to Bressia he would finde meanes to raise some tumult there during which hee would by night open a gate for them by which their forces might easily enter and seize vpon the city This matter was for certaine daies debated in the councell of Tenne and then by them referred to the great councell to the end it might be maturely determined whether Count Lodowickes offer ought to be entertained or refused After diuers and sundry opinions it was concluded to accept it the matter being commanded to be kept secret then they acquainted the Prouidator Gritti therewith enioyning him to march speedily with his troupes towards Bressia and to march at the very houre and to the gate which Count Lodowick should send him instructions for Gritti vpon this commandment crossed the Riuer Adice at Albera then that of Mincia at the mill of La Volta and comming to Monteclaro with three hundred men at armes thirteene hundred light-horse and three thousand foote he encamped that night at Castagnetta fiue miles from Bressia from whence he on a sodaine sent his light-horse to scoure euen to the gates But the enterprise being discouered by a wife of one of the complices who aduertized the Gouerthereof of whom she was enamored and by that meanes the towne being carefully guarded Gritti thought it not fit to passe on any farther wherevpon Count Lodowicke not being staied by the French came with his sonne forth of the City Andre Gritti being returned neere to Montagnane from whence he first came left a sufficient gard for the bridge which hee had made ouer the Riuer Adicé to the end to assure the passage if he should happen to returne againe as it afterwards fell out For within a while after being recalled he crossed the Riuer with two Cannons and foure falconets and returned to his quarter at Castagnetta Count Lodowick on the other side being accompanied with very great numbers of the people of the valeys of Eutropia Sabina whoÌ„ he had caused to rise was come within a mile of Bressia And al-be-it they within the City did not yet make shew of fauouring the enterprise yet neuerthelesse Gritti perceiuing that he had greater forces then at the former time he resolued to haue it by force And beeing come with all those peasants he assailed it in three seuerall places two of which had good successe namely at the Gate of Piles where Auogare fought at the
be brought to the campe so soone as any safe meanes of sending it should be presented But when I consider that you meane to depart hence to goe and encampe on the Bressan country I am greatly troubled thereat as are all those of our city because the people of that country who are very louing and loyall to our Republike and by warre haue endured infinite miseries should be againe tormented by the arriuall of the army now when they beganne to recouer themselues and to breath so as by this meanes we shall charge and oppresse our friends to ease our enemies Gritti hauing vttered this speech added that if Lautrec would not follow them he was resolued to passe with the Venetian army vpon the Verona territory where vnto the Generall and all the Venetian captaines gaue their consent But hauing afterwards maturely considered the mischiefe which that diuiding of the army might procure to the Common-wealth they did solicite and entreat Lautrec to passe on but he would by no meanes harken therevnto and all that they could obtaine of him was that he would a while longer stay in that place and expect as he said money from France and that the Venetians in the meane time should make greater prouisions of money artillery and munition but the chiefe cause of his abode there was to heare what end the treaty of Noyon would come to betwixt his King and the King of Spaine employing in the meane space his armes vpon the poore country men For Lautrec hauing made a bridge at the village of Monzarban was ready to reape downe all the corne of the Veronois and to waste the champian country by his light horse hauing to these ends sent part of his army to lodge on the Mantuan territory where it grieuously spoiled and wasted that country The Lord of Lautrec being afterwards mooued by the Venetians great com plaints crossed the Adicé at Gothalonga where after that his souldiers had taken great booties he drew neere to Verona but it was after that the Venetians had protested not to giue him the money which was come to the campe for to pay the Almaines vnlesse he would march to Verona Lautrec with his army hauing crossed as hath beene said the Adicé his captaines did first of all seize on all the streight passages of the mountaines thorow which the Almaines were wont to come forth of Germany to Verona to the end that they being shut vp and stopt no succor might come to the City The Swisses on the other side hauing all of them in a manner left Verona detesting the seege were gon home into their country The Venetians army with the French aide consisted of eight thousand Italian foot and of sixe thousand Almaines paied by King Francis of a thousand men at armes and two thousand light horse with diuers great captaines well experienced in the art military These forces being come before Verona they were diuided into two campes to batter the City at one time in two seuerall places thereby the more to molest the beseeged who were already reduced to a very small number The French comming to execute what had beene determined the Lansequenets although they had receiued three monthes pay of the Venetian Prouidators either of their owne proper motion or else being suborned by the Emperour protested that they would not come to the seege of a City which was belonging to the Emperours possessions to which the French King had no particular claime and so by no meanes would passe on any further wherevpon Lautrec repassing the Adicé lay a mile off from the walles of Verona and the Venetian army where the Lansquenets remained fiue hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horse and foure thousand foot beeing gonne away not thinking it a safe matter to remaine beyond the Riuer went and ioyned with him In the meane time the Cities forces did dayly decrease by reason that diuers Almaine companies returned home into their country and others went to the Venetians campe where they resolued to entertaine no more of them by reason that they did some-what distrust them Wee must thinke that the number of those who at the beginning were in Verona was very great for albeit many of them were gone from thence it was neuer-the-lesse sufficiently well mand with soldiers in regard wherof the Lord Lautrec meaning not to hazard any thing but vpon a certaine hope of good successe demanded greater aide of the Venetians if they would haue the army to march before Verona The Venetians albeit they found it very difficult in respect of the quality of the matter and the time yet neuerthelesse because they would not foreslow an enterprize which did so much import them hauing speedily gathered together foure thousand foot out of their owne state they sent them to the campe with greate store of artillery pouder and victualls by the riuer Adicé to the end that the campe should want nothing Within Verona which was strong by sytuation and art and wel furnished with all kinds of artillery were besides the cauallery sixe thousand foot as well Spaniards and Almans as Suisses commanded by Mark Antonio Colonna their General who was no more in the Popes pay but in the Emperors a man excellently experienced in martiall matters This man had diligently prouided for whatsoener was necessary for the Citties defence Lautrec approching the walls diuided his army into two parts He went and encamped with his infantery and cauallery on that side which looketh towards Mantua And Triuulcio hauing crossed the Adicé with the Venetian forces seated his campe against the wals towards Vincenza The battery began at one time in both those places but with sundry intents because that Lautrec did batter it furiously in one only place to open away into the City and to take from the enemies the meanes to repaire it But Triuulcio being encamped more at large did batter a great space of the wall hoping that it being beaten to the ground he might with more aduantage come to the assault Lautrec hauing espied a place neere to the gate Calcina which was not very strong being rampierd only with a weake old tower he planted his ordnance against it which being throwne downe he commanded the souldiers to goe to the assault who vpon hope of the sacke of that ritch City went to it valliantly and came without feare of the ordnance or Harquebuze shot vpon the breach fighting with the enemies hand to hand where the French did brauely behaue themselues but the enemies hauing brought certaine peeces of ordnance to play in flanke vpon the breach the French were enforced with great losse of their people to retire to the campe But Triuulce notwithstanding that the breach was very great did neuerthelesse delay to giue the assault knowing very well that the beseeged hauing well fortified the place where the first assault was giuen were gonne to the other breach to the aide of their fellowes
the euent thereof hearing that the enemies had entred did forth-with flie with diuers Cardinals and other Prelats to the castle Saint Angelo The Lords Rance de Cera and Langey hauing laboured in vaine to mooue the people to take armes for their owne defense and had sought valiantly with those few forces they could gather together and with them a long time kept the castle bridge were at last enforced to retire The City beeing thus abandoned and all the people in confusion and flight the enemies on all sides entredit and became Masters thereof without any difficulty Philippin Doria and Count Guy so soone as they perceiued the Duke of Bourbon to march towards Rome did on a sodaine without wayting for any other commandement set forwards to rescue the Pope with the forces of Ciuitauecchia and Oruietta but the Duke of Bourbon by his speed hauing preuented them and shut vp all the passages by which they were to follow him did enforce them to returne from whence they came Now the Duke of Vrbin hauing set forward to follow the enemies but very slowly by reason of the hindrances of his campe did at last with the whole army come as farre as Viterbo who finding all the country to be spoiled by the enemies hee was enforced by want of victuals to tarry there his army beeing by sundry accidents much diminished hauing in all but seuen thousand men in stead of thirty thousand appointed by the confederates The army lodging in that place the light horse and foot-men did oftentimes scoure the whole Country where meeting with the Imperiall souldiers that were laden with great spoile and disbanded comming from Rome they striped them of all they had Besides that at the taking of the City all manner of crueltie was vsed euery where infinite complaints were heard of those who were inhumanely tormented partly to enforce them to pay their ransom and partly to bewray the wealth that they had hidden The cries and pittifull lamentations were heard of Roman dames and Nunnes who the souldiers lead away in troupes to satisfie their Luxury All holy things the Sacraments and Relikes of Saints where-with the Churches were stored being despoiled of their ornaments were euery where trodden vnder foot wherevnto were added infinite vilanies of the barbarous Lansequenets The sacke and pillage lasted many monthes which according to the common report as well in ready money gold siluer and iewels amounted to more then a Million of Ducats and the ransomes that were paied did rise to a farre greater summe The end of the sixth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade THE Venetians sorrow and greefe for the taking of Rome and the Pope by the Imperialls The Cardinalls meete at Bolognia to treate of the Popes deliuerance The Venetians warlike preparations by Land and Sea to free the Pope from his imprisonment The Venetians seaze on Rauennato keepe it for the Holy Sea The Duke of Vrbin taketh Perugia to the same end The Duke of Vrbins resolution for the Popes deliuery The French King maketh great warlike prouisions to send into Italy Andre Doria in the seruice of the French King The army of the Confederats remaineth on the Confines of the Siennois The Popes agreement to come forth of prison The Venetians resolution vpon that agreement The Lord of Lautrec commeth into the state of Milan with great forces Bosco and Alexandria taken by him Pauia is taken and sackt by the French Genoa is reduced vnder the French Kings obedience The Turke being assailed by Marcello had soone after his reuenge The Lord Lautrec marcheth towards Rome The demands propounded by the French King in the motion of peace The Agreement whereby the Duke of Ferrara and the Marquis of Mantua enter into the league The entire enlargement of the Popes person The Venetians send an Ambassad to the Pope inuiting him to enter into the league The like Ambassade of the most Christian King to the same effect The Popes excuses not to enter into any new confederacy The Lord Lautrecs iourny into the Kingdome of Naples The Popes demand to the Venetians with their answer The Imperialls refuse to fight The Lord Lautrec encampeth before Naples The Duke of Brunswich commeth with great forces into Lombardy The Venetians preparations against the Duke of Brunswich He returneth into Germany The Imperialls are put to rout at Sea The arriuall of the Generall of the Venetian Army before Naples with the discommodities which it there endured Andre Doria reuolteth from the Kings seruice The Pope resolueth to remaine neuter The great wants of the Army before Naples And lastly the Lord Lautrecs Death The Seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE accident at Rome being knowne at Venice together with the Popes imprisonment did greatly afflict the Senate with griefe and compassion and with a disdaine for the wrong offered to the person of the holy Father wherevpon they not intending to suffer any longer the Emperors fortune to encrease to their owne perill determined to releeue the Pope with all their forces and therein to spare for no cost which caused them to write to the Duke of Vrbin their Generall and to Pisani and Vitturi the Prouidators to lay by all other deseignes and attempt onely if it were possible to free the Pope from his imprisonment and the better to effect it to come neere to the Castle wherein hee was shutte vp to seeke by all meanes to draw him thence and because no other matter might hinder this enterprize they forth-with made a new leuy of foote to encrease their forces to the number of ten thousand foot which lay on the confines of Crema and Lauda to resist Antonio de Leua who being come forth into the field and finding no opposition was likely euery day to grow more strong by the aid which he expected forth of Germany The Venetians were incited therevnto by the great preparations of the Kings of England and France who hauing notice of the great inhumanity vsed towards his Holinesse and the scandall giuen to the Church of Christendome by detayning the head thereof in prison determining to remedy it resolued betwixt themselues at their owne charges to send an army into Italy to free the Pope and to put him in possession of all the Churches lands and another mighty one into Flanders by assayling that country to enforce the Emperor to abandon Italy for the defence thereof These two Kings were very earnest in this businesse wherevpon the Cardinall of Yorke who could doe more then all men with the King of England came for the same purpose to Amiens to the French king to procure an enteruiew of those two kings to the end they might consult together more considerately concerning the Popes deliuery The most Christian King seemed to be no lesse willing therein who sent speedy word to his Captaines in Italy to procure by all meanes the Popes freedome from
gaue occasion to those Princes both of them beeing the Emperours sworne enemies to complaine thereof to the Senate and to distrust them This league beeing concluded and published the Emperour departed from Bolognia and went to take shipping at Genoa where fiue and twenty Galleys attended him vnder the command of Andrè Doria to saile to Barcelona The end of the ninth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the tenth Booke of the fifth Decade VMPIERS are in vaine appointed to end the controuersie betwixt the Venetians and Ferdinand The Emperors and the Turkes Nauall armies are at one time at Sea without meeting one another Francisco Dandulo is taken by Pirats and bannished at his returne to Venice The Venetians take the Moore of Alexandria by night and presently set him at liberty Soliman calleth Cariadin Barbarossa the Pirate to his seruice Henry Duke of Orleance second Sonne to Francis the French King marrieth Katherine de Medicis the Popes Neece Great troubles in Germany by meanes of the Duke of Wittemberg Sundry great fleets at one time vpon the Seas The Turkes recouer Coron The Turkish fleete vpon the Coasts of Calabria Cariadine Barbarossa taketh Tunis The Death of Pope Clement the seauenth and the Creation of Pope Paul the third The Pope taketh armes for the Dutchy of Cameryne Solimans great friendship towards the Venetians The Emperors iourney into Affricke where heetaketh Goletta and Tunis The death of Francis Sforza Duke of Milan The French King seeketh by all meanes to draw the Venetians to his â—…ide The Duke of Sauoy denieth the kings passage thorow his country The French take Thurin Fossan and Pigneroll The Emperor commeth with his army into Prouence The Kings enterprise vpon Genoa Antonio de Leua dyeth in Prouence The Kings deseigne to make vse of the Turke against the Emperor Diuers wrongs and outrages done to the Venetians in Solimans countries And lastly the Bascha excuseth all these wrongs as done without Solimans knowledge The Tenth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Emperor departing from Bolognia to go into Spaine being come to Cremona wrote wery louingly to the Senate giuing them to vâ—…derstand that hee had willingly admitted their excuses in that they would not consent to the renewing of the league and how that hee was desirous to doe any thing that might consent them And signes of friendship thus continuing betwixt those of Austria the Republike both of them seeming to bee very desirous to end the controuersie which was yet vndecided betwixt Firdinand King of the Romans and the Signory concerning the restitution of certaine townes held by Ferdinand which did belong to the Venetians the Emperor dealing therein they agreed at last vpon a third man which was Lodouico Porro a Senator of Milan Ferdinand hauing chosen for Vmpiers Ierome Bulfarch a German Doctor and the Venetians Matheo Auogadre of Bressia a Doctor and Knight who being come to Trent â—…he Senate likewise sent thither Andre Rosse the Secretary that he might be present there and acquaint the Senate with the whole businesse But the Senate hoping afterwards to compose this controuersie by friendly meanes and by disbursing a summe of mony to recouer their fortes of Maran and Gradisca they commanded Giouani Delfino gouernor of Verona to goe to Trent about that businesse Yet neuer-thelesse both in this and other matters so many difficulties were presented as the assembly brake vp without any resolution at all Whilest the Christian Princes were busied about these affaires the Turke determining to recouer Coron had prepared a mighty fleete for that purpose which was sent towards those quarters Doria to giue counterpoize to this Turkish army caused great numbers of vessells to be armed in sundry places that he might ioyne together the greatest forces he could These preparations caused the Venetiens like-wise to arme the Gallies which they had disarmed at the beginning of winter continuing neuer-the-lesse in their first resolution not to medle betwixt those Princes where-vpon they sent word to the Generall Capello who was still in commission to keepe the same order and manner of proceeding as hee had done the yeare before by reason whereof hee sent Francisco Dandulo Captaine of the Gulphe with certaine Gallies into the Gulphe to gard it against Piâ—…ats who being assembled in great numbers did much harme and for the same purpose hee dispatched foure Gallies to Zante and to the Promontory of Mailla the Gallion which was a greate shipp of a merueilous building well stored with ordnance and soldiers that place being very commodious for the Nauigation of the Venetian vessells which sailed into the Leuant and him-selfe with the residue of the fleete remained neere to Corfou satisfying himselfe according to the Senates meaning to assure their owne State and keepe that which belonged to the Republick from being spoiled and molested but yet hee could not so well handle the matter but that the subiects of the Signory did susttaine much harme and many losses as it often happeneth in such cases Now Francesco Dandulo being come into the Gulph towards the coast of Dalmatia with six Galleis descried from farre twelue Galleoâ—…s of the Barbarians and supposing at first that they were the Gallies of the Prouidator Canalis he held on his course but beeing come within kenning he perceiued that they were Pirates wherevpon hauing changed his mind he did put himselfe more to Seaward determining as hee after wards said to come and incompasse them that hee might fight with them and keepe them from escaping by flight but not acquainting the Captaines of the other Gallies with his determination they supposed that he did put to Sea not for to fight but to escape thence and therefore tarrying behind he was only followed by Mâ—…rco Cornare who commanded a bastard Galley The Pirates beeing come very neere them and perceiuing their owne aduantage by reason of the retreat of the other Venetian Gallies fell vpon them and tooke them and carried both the men and the vessells into Barbery and among others the Captaine and Cornare These newes being brought to Venice did much troble the Senate as well in regard of the audaâ—…iousnesse of those the eues as for the Captaines indisâ—…retion who thorough his owne fault had caused the Gallies of the Signory which were very famous at Sea to receiue such an affront whereuppon some propounded that it was necessary to send a sufficient number of Gallies towards the Sea-coasts of Affrick and cheefely to Gerbes and to Argier there for to burne all the shipping they could find and to doe other harmes in reuenge of the wrongs they had sustained of that nation but others confidering that it would not be well done to â—…urt all the iâ—…habitants of that Cuntrey with whom they traded and thereby â—…ut off from the Venetians their traffick and nauigations caused this Councell to be reiected yet neuerthelesse to free the common-wealth from disgrace happened by the default
condition to pay vnto him as his feodatory an Annuall tribute of six Barbery horses twelue falcons and twelue thousand crownes for the paiment of a thousand Spanish footmen whom he left in Garrison at Goletta departed victorious from Affrick and sailed with his whole army into Sicily where hauing made some abode in the Citties of Palermo and Messina he dismissed the greatest part of his fleet and cassed his army retaining no more then two thousand Almaiâ—…e footmen for his guard and afterwards went to spend the winter at Naples Sundry Princes and Princes Ambassadors went thither to him the Slgnory likewise according to their ancient custome sent soure Ambassadors thither to him namely Marco Foscare Gionan Delphino Vincenzo Grimani and Tomazo Contaren to reioyce with him in the Republicks name for his victories obtained in Affricke Whilest the Emperor was on his iourney Francisco Sforza Duke of Milan deceassed without any Children of his owne to succeed him The Senate after his death requested Antonio de Leua to haue an eye vpon that State and to gouerne it in the name of his widdow vntill that the Emperors pleasure were therein knowne The Dutchesse went to Naples to the Emperor where being honorablie entertained by him he seemed to be very sorry for the Death of the Duke hir huâ—…band either for some particular friendship which he had borne vnto him or elce for feare least hiâ—… death would breed some new troubles in Italy or rather by dissembling it to seeke thereby meanes to make all men beleeue that for his owne part he would lay no claime to that State But the Venetians were extreamely sory for his death who hauing so long a time with great expence and discomodity maintained warre to the end that the same state might be possessed by a particular Italian Lord perceiued them-selues by the Dukes death to be throwne into new doubts and difficulties and being depriued of their hopes to be peraduenture enforced to renew the warre Therefore so soone as the Emperor was come to Naples the Venetian Ambassadors that followed him did represent vnto him the Senates desire together with the State of the affaires of Italy Earnestly entreating him to find a meanes if it were possible to maintaine that peace which himselfe had there established and the which he seemed so much to desire The Emperor made answer that in regard it belonged to him as chiefe Lord to prouide for that State he did likewise therein desire to giue content to the Princes of Italy and cheefely to the Venetians therfore he would very willingly learne of them what were best to be done for the safe establishing of the quiet of Italy and also what their meaning there in was The Venetians notwithstanding they desired to haue the State of Milan fall into the hands of some particular Lord yet neuerthelesse being therein ignorant of the Emperors pleasure beeing not willing and it may be not in vaine to offend him or any other they continued constant in this proposition to haue som one inuested therein who should be esteemed â—…it and sufficient to maintaine peace and quiet in Italy with-out proceeding any farther where-vppon the foure departed Ambassadors had no commission at al for this businesse when they departed towards Naples whereat the Emperor wondering and beeing defirous to draw the Venetians to his party occasion now beeing offered hee beganne againe to discourse of that matter concluding in the end as hee had at other times done that being not yet well resolued on whom to bestow the State of Milan hee would willingly know their opinions the which hee would greatly esteeme and respect in that businesse Within a while after there beeing some suspition that the French did meane to stirre vp new troubles the Emperor sought to the Venetians that as by the Popes death they had renewed the league betwixt themselues euen so to renew it now againe by reason of the Duke of Milans deâ—…th that he did desire it the better to assure the affaires of Italy and to take away all occasion from those that were desirous to trouble it The Venetians beeing of the same mind did therein giue consent to fatisfie the Emperor by confirming the league on the self same former conditions reseruing therein place for the Pope and for him also that should bee chosen Duke of Milan It was well aduised sodainly and freely to grant the Emperors first entreaties to shew by that readinesse how much they did affect him and to auoid besides the occasion of handling that businesse at Rome whither he determined speedily to goe whereof the Turkes would haue conceiued some sinister opinion in regard of the leagues which Popes were wont to propound against Infidells although of a long time they haue beene to no purpose The Pope not well considering all these occasions or else beeing ignorant of them made shew to be displeased with the Venetians for that they had so readily graunted the Emperors demand saying that they ought to haue tarried for his presence and vntill the Emperour had beene come to Rome The Duke of Milans death had reuiued in the French King his former claimes and his earnet desire to conquer that State wherein being resolute knowing how greatly the Venetians might aid him in that enter prize he determined first of all to sound their meaning and to this end sent the Lord os Beauais one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber to Venice to vnderstand how they stood affected to the occasion which did now offer it self to assure as he said and augment their State declaring vnto them how that his King had great store of money friends and all other necessaries for such an enterprise whereby they could not but hope for a good and prosperous successe and if that they shew themselues to be his friends and Confederates he would very nobly recompence them The Senate supposing it to bee no fitte time to giue an eare to these propositions made answer in generall termes that the Republick had beene euer desirous of peace and neuer more then now as well by reason of the great discommodities of the late warres as for that Christendome was in sundry places afflicted with many heresies the which ought to bee rooted out before any new warre were to begin yet neuerthelesse they did highly thanke the King for his offers and for his confident communicating them vnto them wherof they would stil be mindfull and perhaps in time make vse The French King for all this not giuing ouer his deseigne of sending his Army into Italy to conquer that State did leuie as great forces as hee could to enuade it on the sodaine and to that end sent to the Duke of Sauoy to craue passage thorow his country which the Duke denying by the perswation as it was reported of the Dutchesse his wife the King tooke it very strangely in regarde of the ancient alliance and neere kindred that was betwixt them by
meanes whereof he determined first to enuade it The King had sundry occasions to bee displeased with the Duke of Sauoy which did the more heate and hasten him on for the loane of money made by the same Duke to the Duke of Bourbon a traitor to the King his gratulatory letters written to the Emperor when he was taken prisoner his practises to allienate the Suisses from the alliance with France the purchase of the County of Ast his refusall to lend Nice for the enteruiew of Pope Clement and himselfe the Kings claimes to the dowrie of the Lady Loisa of Sauoy his mother sister to Duke Philibert who died without children the King affirming thâ—…t a great part of the succession of Sauoy did belong vnto himselfe by reason that his mother was borne of the first wife and sole sister and heire to Duke Philibert together with his â—…resh refusall to giue him passage thorow his countrey to march to the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan all these things were euident signes of the Dukes small affection towards the King wherevpon the Duke knowing very well that he had greaâ—…ly offended him and being out of hope to be reconciled to him so soone as the Emperor was come to Palermo in Sicily beeing returned from his iourney of Thunis hee did secretly send vnto him to craue his ayde against so mightie an enemy This businesse could not bee so secretly carried but that the King had speedie intelâ—…igence thereof which caused him on a sodaine to send his forces beyond the mounts vnder the conduct of Philip Chabot Admiral of France his Lieutenant Generall whom he sent to enuade Piedmont about the beginning of the yeare 1536. where finding the country badly prouided of defence hee easily tooke the citties of Thurin Fossan Pigneroll and was besides like to haue taken the citty of Verceill had not Antonio de Leua who was in the Dutchy of Milan come thither to the speedy rescue thereof staying by his arriuall the designes and progression of the French The Emperor seemed to bee extreamly displeased and incensed against the French King for making warre in Piedmont and causing speedily a mighty Army to bee leuied hee did soone hope to ouer-runne him affirming boldly that hee would goe in person to assaile him in his owne kingdome and within a while after comming to Rome hee câ—…me into the Consistory where in the presence of the Pope and Cardinalls and great numbers of Ambassadors and Prelates Dukes Earles Barons and other noble personages hee began to complaine of the French King so as beeing traâ—…sported with choller hee proceeded so farre as for the auoyding of greater effusion of bloud heâ—… would end all controuersies by fighting with him hand to hand and that heâ—… would challenge him for that purpose The Pope did all hee might to appease him and had already employed himselfe to make them friends but all in vaine The greatest difficulty was to findâ—… a meanes which mâ—…ght content both the one and other concerning the Dutchy of Milan in which treaty although the Venetians had an hand the Emperors pleasure beeing to haue them acquainted therewith yet neuerthelesse they did very slowly proceed in it in regard of the aboue â—…entioned reasons which were much encreased by these new accidents of Piedmont For the Duke of Sauoy beeing driuen from his State went to Naples to the Emperor to beseech him to haue pitty vpon him and to helpe to restore him to his Dutchie The Emperor beeing mooued with piâ—…ty was ready to make an agreement with the French King to free himselfe from that war and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to his state but not agreeing together vpon the persons of the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme for the Dutchy of Milan the Emperor beeing desirous to giue it to the Duke os Aâ—…goulesme and the French King to the Duke of Orleance the matter remained vndecided and the Emperor departing from Rome after some small stay in Tuscany went without tarrying any where to Ast. Hauing there assembled all his cheefe Captaines among whom were D. Fernand of Toledo Dâ—…ke of Alua the Marquis of Guasto and D. Fernand de Goâ—…zaga he conferred with them concerning the meanes to make warres where of hâ—…s owne proper motion he propounded against al reason the opinions of the best experienced into Prouence wherevpon to that end the rendezuous for all his troopes was at Nice whither Doria likewise came with fifty Galliâ—…s to second the land army The Emperor came thither in person from thence entring into the French Kings countrey he encamped not farre from the Citty of Aix beeing not well resolued what to attempt first cheefely desiring to assaile either Marseilles or Aâ—…les and hauing spent much time in this irresolution he gaue the King leisuâ—…e to assemble a mighty army who beeing come to Lyons for that purpose did practise with sondry Italian Captaines who in his behalfe hauing raised forces neere to Mirandola made an attempt to surpriâ—…e Genoa and to reduce it to the French Kings deuotion The Emperor beeing by this meanes called away to defend his owne perceiuing likewise that his army sustained diuers discommodities by reason of the bad disposition of the ayre where it was encamped was enforced to retire without doing any thing but only making a shew of his great desire to hurt the King But before hee came into Prouence hee sent Roderico D'Analos to Venice to acquaint the Senate with his great preparations of warre and with his deseigne to inuade France and to entreat them by the same meanes to make ready those forces which they were tyed to furnish by their Confederacy for the defence of the state of Milan if need should be The Senate therevpon determined to leuy six thousand footmen vnder the command of Antonio de Castello Generall of the artillery and did in the meane time answer the Emperor that as it had beene ready to renew the league it was likewise as diligent to maintaine that whereunto it was bound and that for their parts they would in no sort faile to defend the State of Milan they did afterwards adde to these foot-forces fiue hundred light horsse armed after the Burgonian manner commanding all those forces of foot and horsse to meet by a certaine day at Azola vpon the Bressan territory to passe from thence when need should bee vppon that of Cremona The Duke of Vrbin was likewise sent for to come in person to the Armâ—… but truce beeing granted by the arriuall of the Cardinall of Lorraine this former heate of the French seemed to be quenched wherby the Venetians had no cause to march forth of their owne confines yet neuerthelesse the French king made shew openly to be distasted of them although he very well knew that he had no iust cause by reason they did not exceed the bounds of their Confederacy but hoping by his complaints to cause them to
better to assure himselfe against the rebellions and commotions which were then made all intelligences which the Turkes might haue vpon those newly conquered countreys hee caused good guard to bee kept and that all such as went and came too and fro should be narrowly obserued whereby he discouered that Frier George who at his entreaty had beene made Bishop of Varadine and afterwards Cardinall beeing spurd forward by new ambition had secret intelligence with certaine Baschus and did fauour the Turkes party aspiring to appropriate that Prouince to himselfe vnder Solimans protection this beeing verified he determined to put him to death hauing giuen charge thereof to Sforza Palauician be with one more entered on a day into the Cardinals Chamber to entreat him to signe a passe-port and whilest hee was subscribing it both of them fell vpon him and slew him The news thereof beeing brought to Rome the Pope and the whole Colledge of Cardinals were greatly offended with it wherevpon King Ferdinand with all those who had beene consenting to his death were excommunicated but the King offering to iustifie himselfe and to prooue that if hee had not dyed all Christendome would haue been in danger to haue receiued great losse he alone at the Emperors intreaty was absolued and none of the rest Now the report of Solimans great warlike preparations at Constantinople which were making ready against the Spring tiime did hold all men in doubt because they did not certainly know for what place that Army was destin'd nor what Solimans desiegnes therein were It more troubled the Venetians then any else in regard of the great expences and perplexities of minde which the comming forth of those fleetes from Constantinople had procured them causing them stillto bee well prouided therefore they chose Stephano Tepulo for their Gerall the third time they did re-enforce their Garrisons in the Islands and other sea townes they caused certaine Galleys to be armed in Candy and to haue store of them they speedily commanded new to bee built in the Arcenall The Senate appointed twenty Captaines for their Galleys and the great Councell as many Lieutenants to the end all matters might bee well ordered and that their fleete if need were might be encreased with the number of an hundred Galleys The end of the fifth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the sixth Booke of the sixth Decad. THE French Kings great Army where hee was in person to back the Protestants of Germany against the Emperor The French take the Citty of Meâ—…z The Protestants great forces The French King ouer runneth the Countrey of Luxembourg The Prince of Salerno commeth into France to incite the King to the enterprise of Naples The Emperor is enforced by the Protestants to retirâ—… and escape by flight Peace betwixt the Emperor and the Germaine Princes The French King soliciteth the Venetians against the Emperor The Almaines doe band themselues against the French King for the citties of Metz Thou and Verdun The Emperor besiegeth Metz. The Spaniards are driuen from Siena The death of Edward the sixt King of England The election of Pope Paul the fourth of the family of Caraffa Siena is surrendred to the Emperor The Pope declaring himselfe for the French King is assailed by the Duke of Alua. The Duke of Guise commeth into Italy with great forces Peace betwixt the Pope and the Spaniards The death of the Emperor Charles the fift of his two Sisters and of Mary Queene of England Peace betwixt the French King and the King of Spain The death of Henry the second French King The death of Pope Paul the fourth The Creation of Pope Pius the 4. The Cardinall Caraffa with three of his kinsmen are put to death The Ouerture of the Councell of Trent Charles the ninth French King Strife betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors in the Councell is appeased by the Pope A strange matter happening at Rome And lastly the death of the Emperor Ferdinand The sixth Booke of the sixth Decad of the Historie of Venice ALL these great warlike preparations made by the Turkes could not cause the Christian Princes to make peace among themselues but on the contrary it seemed that the French King was more prouoked thereby to molest the Emperor whilest he saw him busied in answering the Turkish forces For continuing in his determination to passe into Germany hee perswaded himselfe that the Emperor beeing assailed in so many sundry places and especially by the Germaine Princes who had all conspired against him would to free himselfe from so many dangers condiscend to some accord by surrendring vnto him some State or other in Italy or else where to which the crowne of France laid some claime Hauing then assembled forty thousand footmen of sundry nations and foure thousand horse he marched towards the countrey of Lorraine whither the Constable of Montmorencie beeing already gone before had seazed on the Citty of Metz an Imperiall citty which was gouerned by the Bishop and some principall townsinen and the King comming thither afterwards was very honorably entertained Hee remained for a while with his Armie in those parts to stop the Flemish troopes leuyed by Queene Mary sister to the Emperor from hindering his deseignes or till the consederate Germaine Princes should set forward who had already begun their enterprise prosperously the Citty of Ausbourg beeing at their deuotion and passing speedily forwards without delay thorow the Duke of Bauarias countrey had greatly amazed the Emperor and King Ferdinand who were then at Ispruch so as they presently resolued to retire to some place of safety but beeing afterwards encouraged and hauing fortified certaine narrow passages of the Mountaines thorow which the enemies were to passe vnto them they determined not to stirre from thence The French King beeing aduertised of the Emperors amazement with that of Ferdinand his brother and of their enemies progression thought it best not to let slip the occasion offered the Emperor beeing weake both in courage and sorces Wherevpon he resolued to march towards the riuer Rhine to encourage their confederates and to fauour their enterprise intending likewise to passe on farther if need should bee But beeing come to the riuers side hee receiued news that made him turne back againe for the Confederates thinking themselues strong enough to expell the Emperor and desiring to keepe forraine sorces forth of their countreys for feare of receiuing some discommodine thereby thought it fit that Duke Maurice should write to the King how that they had already agreed with the Emperor whereby they had obteyned their desire and that there remained nothing more for them to doe but to thanke him most hartily for the great pleasure hee had done them for the which all Germany should owe a perpetuall bond and remembrance to the Croune of France These newes did trouble the King who saw his hope frustrate besides the 〈◊〉 and expences of such a iourney yet neuerthelesse beeing vnwilling to
dilligence and industry of Petro Mosto the Senator deputed at that time to the office of La Sanita The pestilence was followed by a dearth and want of victuals proceeding from a suspition that the sicknesse still continued by meanes whereof strangers did no more bring any thing to the city At the same time Pope Paul the fourth a bad friend to the Spaniards did imprison in Castle Saint Angelo the Cardinall Santa Fior Camillo Colonna Iuliano Caesaren and the Abbot of Bresegna all of them enemies to the house of France for secret assemblles which they made in Rome in the houses of Marc-Antonio Colonna and that Cardinall Marc-Antonio escaping went to the King of Spaine who presently commanded the Duke of Alua to releeue them This Duke being Viceroy of Naples was greeued to see the Pope openly to pursue the Roman Lords Spaines partizans and being desirous to obey the King his Masters commandement marched into the field and tooke from the Pope neere to Rome Agnane Pilaâ—…tina Segna Tiuoli and last of all Ostia whereby he did cut off victuals from the Romans he on the side and the Colonnessi on the other keeping the Pope in this manner shut vp within the circuit of his wailes The Pope made meanes to the French King sending the Cardinall Carassa his Nephew vnto him his Maiesty wrote to the Marshall Stossi who then lay in Tuscany to march thitherwards and to expect aide which the Duke of Guise should bring him His Holinesse diâ—… likewise send to Venice to mooue the Senate to aide him The Senators being greeued for the Popes troubles and desyring to haue him at quiet sâ—…rit Phaebe Capello a very wise discreet Secretary to the Duke of Alua to pacifie the matter if it were possible Philip King of Spaine in the meane time perceiuing this warre to be backed by the French and that thereby it was likely to prooue more dangerous in regard of the intelligences and partiallities which they had in Italy did receiue Duke Octauio of Parma into fauor restoring to him the city of Placentia and all other places nere adioyning which he had seized in regard whereof this Duke embraced the Spanish party to the Popes great discontent who said that a Prince feudatary of the Church as he was ought not to make an accord with his enemies without his leaue wherevpon he caused him to be cited to Rome together with the Cardinal Farneze his brother The Duke of Guise about the same time came from France into Italy which was at the beginning of the yeere 1557. with fifteene thousand footmen eight hundred men at armes and twelue hundred light horse to aide the Pope against the Imperials with whom within a while after Strossi Monluc and others who by the Kings commandement were gonne before to Rome with six hundred horse and fiue thousand foot ioyned themselues Vpon the report of the arriuall of these forces the Duke of Alua had retired himselfe to the frontiers of the Realme of Naples by his retreat opening a way to Rome for the Duke of Guise who presently went thither vpon hope to finde great forces ready there according to the accord concluded betwixt the Pope the King and the Duke of Ferrara but finding none at all there he went into La Marca where the Marquis of Montebel came vnto him with the Churches forces and from thence they marched into the Realme of Naples where they stayed not long by reason that the aide came not which the Cardinall Caraffa had promised to the King and because the French army for want of pay did dayly decrease anâ—… on the contrary that of the Duke of Alua did encrease wherevpon the Duke of Guise returning to La Marca and afterwards going to Rome to talke with the Pope perceiuing the small meanes his Holinesse had to make warre and the great pursuite made by the Duke of Alua hee aduized him to harken vnto peace and agreement with the Spaniard resoluing to returne into France For at Rome hee receiued letters from the King bearing newes of the losse of the battaile of Saint Laurence and of the taking of Saint Quintins by the Spaniards with commandement presently to returne into France the Duke of Guise being willing to obey tooke his leaue of his Holinesse and went forward on his iourney home-ward the Pope determining to follow his councell During this warre against the Pope The Venetians and Cosmo Duke of Florence had solicited King Philip and the Duke of Alua to make an accord with his Holinesse either of them answered that they had not taken armes to take from him any thing that was his but only to defend the Realme of Naples and that they had made warre in an enemies country to defend their owne subiects and therefore so soone as his Holinesse should leaue his confederacy with the French and the resolution of making himselfe master of the Realme of Naples they would yeeld him the obedience due to the soueraigne pastor of Christendome and would restore whatsoeuer they had taken from him during that warre to which the Pope giuing eare the Cardinall Caraffa with certaine others went to the Duke of Alua to treat of peace the which was easily granted with restitution on all sides of places taken in the warre the Duke of Ferrara being therein comprehended The Senate to mediate this agreement sent Marc-Antonio de Franceschis thither who was Secretary to the Common-wealth a very wise and discreet man who stirred not from thence till the finall conclusion thereof In the meane time two hundred Turkish Gallies returning from the coast of Calabria did cast anchor at La Valona and did in no sort hurt the lands belonging to the Venetians Within a while after the two sonnes of Soliman Selim and Baiazet tooke armes against one an other in Asia and because the father did most fauour the elder brother Selim the other was enforced to haue recourse to Tamas King of Persia who in hatred to Soliman did willingly aide him and giuing him great forces the two brethren ioyned their battaile which continuing a day and a night Selim was victor his brother being fled from the battaile hurt and more then forty thousand Mahometans one either side slaine in the place The Senate on the other side being still desirous to continue their ancient customes and alliances sent Giouan Capello Knight and Bernardo Nouagera Ambassadors to the Emperor Ferdinand to congratulate his promotion to the Empire as hath beene said and Paulo Tepulo to King Philip. This was at the latter end of the yeere the next 1558. bred great warres both in France Piedmont and Tuscany together with the death of Princes and Princesses For so soone as the Duke of Guise returned into France hee executed the enterprize of Calais a long time before determined of and reduced vnder the Kings subiection the country of Oye and all the forts which the English held there
behalfe of the said decrees nor of the authors of the said bookes which are two very important points and which did wholly seeme to breake of this reconciliation the State doubting that the Pope by this silence and omission had an intent to proceed afterwards against the Authors of the said bookes by the ordinary way of Ecclesiasticall iustice and thinking it a matter against all reason to abandon those that had done them such good and faithfull seruice after mature consultation the Senate made a very notable and honorable decree that the Signory should protect them against all men and assigne them a perpetuall pention In this manner is the Commonwealth by Gods goodnesse and reuocation of the censures restored to her former ancient peace and glory The end of the fourth and last Booke of the seuenth Decade of the History of Uenice FINIS A Table of the principall matters contained in the first Volume of the Historie of Venice compiled for the more easie finding out thereof by the right course of Alphabet AVthors meaning wherof to treate Fol. 1 Authors opinion concerning the Cities foundation 4 A verie curious obseruation 5 A wonderfull miracle smelling somewhat of Poperie 5 Attila defeated neere Tholouse 5 Arrian sect ouer all Italy 7 Ancient custome of marrying their daughters 9 A great miracle at Verona 10 A league made with Luitprand 12 A cruell and vnworthie act 18 A punishment of God 18 Ancient Malamoc ruinated 24 Albiolans yeeld 24 A verie excellent Librarie within the Palace 27 A conspiracie against the Prince discouered 28 Alexandrines insolent to straungers 30 Augustus his Prouerbe 30 A Sea-Armie granted to the Grecians against the Sarracens 34 A fleet sent against the Narētines 45 A solemne oath made by the Clergie and chiefe Citizens 45 A meruailous example of fortune 51 Ambassadors of Dalmatia Liburnia and Histria come to Venice to complaine of the Narentines 55 Ambassadors offers to the Venetians 56 Albania is a part of Illiria 56 A diuine punnishment 65 A wondersull vision hapned to Peter the Hermite 69 Assemblies answere to Pope Vrban at the councell of Clermont 71 An admirable matter 71 Alexis practiseth treacherie 72 Alexis Beamond reconciled 73 A new agreement betweene Alexis and the Christian Princes ibid. A new Armie of Infidels 74 A great battaile betwixt the Christians and the Infidels ibid. Armenia Maior giuen by the French men to Palmurus 75 A verie dangerous way 76 A luckie euent for the Christians ibid. Antioch S. Peters first seat 77 Abundance of victuals at the beginning of the siege ibid. A great quarrell betweene Beamond and the Earle of S. Giles 79 Agreement made with the king of Tripolie ibid. A new fleete of Venetians in Syria 85 A new Armie of Hungarians in Dalmatia 88 A couragious act of Prince Michaeli 93 A strang case of a Pigeon ibid. All the Islands of the Grecian Empire taken 95 A new religious Order 97 Agreement with the Pisans ibid. A new Armie against the Normans 98 A sodaine fire 99 A league with William king of Sicill 100 A secret league betwixt the Greeke Emperour and the King of Sicill 101 A great fleete against the Greeke Emperour 102 A new deceit of the Greekes ibid. An example of great affection to a mans countrey 104 All the Princes of the Greeke Empire murthered 106 A generall Councell published to be holden at Dijon ibid. Aresolued Ambassade to Frederick in the Popes behalfe 107 At what time the Venetian Prince began to seale with lead 108 At what time the Venetian Prince began to marrie the Sea ibid. Ancient manner of distributing almes 112 A new manner of electing the Prince 113 A new army of Christians for recouery of the Holy Land 114 Agreement betwixt the Venetians and forraine Princes 116 Agreement with the Bandetti of Zara. 118 A great fight at the Hauen of Constantinople 119 An assault giuen to the Citie ibid. A discreet answere of a young Emperour 120 A new Greekish inuention to deceiue the Christians ibid. A new agreement betwixt the Venenetians and the Princes 121 A decree of the Venetians about possession of the Islands 124 A great courtesie 126 A new strife betwixt the Venetians and Paduans 126 A sedition of the Constantino politans affirming their Church not subiect to Rome 127 A Colonie sent to Corfu ibid. Andrew king of Hungarie chiefe of the voyage into Syria 128 A Colonie sent into Candie 131 A new commotion in Candace ibid. Accord betwixt Tepulo and Sanuto 132 A new commotion in Candie 133 Agreement betwixt the Venetians and Greekes ibid. Agreement with the chiefe Rebels of the Island 135 Angelo Gradonico Gouernour of Candie 136 Agreement with the Candiots ibid. Armie of the Greeks before Constantinople 137 Articles of the truce betwixt the Venetians and Genoueses ibid. Andrea Tepulo sent to aide the Genoueses 140 Agreement with the king of Hungarie for Zara. ibid An armie at Venice against Eccelin 142 An assault giuen to Padua 143 A noble courage of a Prenestine ibid. Acre taken by the Venetians 147 A new Venetian fleet in Syria 151 A new Venetian army sent to Modon 152 A new Venetian armie against the Genoueses ibid. An vsuall Prouerbe 155 Anconitans seeke to defraud the Venetians of their Impostes 157 Anconitans pollicy to surprise the Venetians ibid. Anconitans send to Pope Nicholas the third ibid. A new warre with the Patriarch of Aquileia 158 A traitor punished 159 Acre taken by the Infidels 160 At what time the Christians were driuen out of Syria ibid. A popular tumult about the creation of the Duke ibid. Andrew king of Hungary commeth to Venice 163 A new war with the Genoueses ibid. A wonderfull matter in the Fennes Maeotides 164 A strange death of one of the Generals of the Venetian armie 165 A new armie of the Venetians 166 An enforced peace betwixt the Venetians and the Genoueses ibid. A detestable act of a bastard 167 A pension giuen to the woman who slue Baiamont 169 Another opinion concerning the issue of the conspiracy ibid. Authors discourse on the doings of the Pope and Dandulo 170 A deed worthy of a Generall of an armie 173 A new armie against the Genoueses ibid. Abundance of corne in the City 174 Agreement with the Patriarch of Aquileia 175 A wonderfull eclipse ibid. Albert of Escalla recouereth Vderza 181 A generall reuiew of the armie 182 Albert of Escalla flieth 183 Antenor laid the first foundations of Chioggia 184 Ambassadors sent to Venice to procure a peace 185 A wise retreat 186 A discreet resolutiō of a General ibid. A notable sentence 188 A treatie of peace broken ibid. A prodigious storme at Venice in a night 190 A wonderfull apparition to a poore Fisherman ibid. A Generall assault giuen to Zara. 194 A wonderfull earthquake 196 At what time the infection beganne and ended in Venice 197 Albert Prince of Croatia pardoned 198 A discreet act of the Generall 199 A cruell night-fight 201 Arragonois Generall slaine in
possest a little towne neere to Amastra and that they went ouer all the Countrey to meete with the Henetians as if they had beene no where to bee found But all of them doe in a manner affirme that this nation of whom wee speake did come from Paphlagonia The which XENODOTVS did not only maintaine but thought that the Cittie of Amisa was the same which was afterward called Henisa Howsoeuer those which thinke so bring in for their proofes the industrious care which both these nations had to breede Horses and Mules according to the testimony of HOMER who saith And from the Henetians come strong Mules And albeit this great Poet spake then of those of Asia STRABO a very diligent obseruer of Antiquitie maintaines that euen almost in his time the choicest and best Mares came from the Venetians inhabiting a parcell of the Adriaticke Sea which were highly esteemed for their singular pace and swiftnesse These things indeed and diuers others doe cause me to follow the opinion of those which say that the Henetians came into Italie with ANTENOR and were afterward by the altering of a letter called Venetians ANTENORS comming into the Adriaticke Gulphe is not only proued by the Venetians who were his fellowes but because the place where they first arriued was called Troy which name the Burrough hath euer since carried These men hauing first of all driuen away the Euganeans which inhabited this Countrie which lies betwixt the Sea and the Alpes did build the Cittie of Padua After that they did in processe of time so encrease as they did not only make themselues masters of that which did belong to the Euganeans whose power in times past was so great as it contained according to the opinion of CATO in his booke of originals foure and thirtie Citties but of diuers places of Bressia and Furli which they named Venetian For what places soeuer they conquered were afterward called Venice Some haue confined this Countrey with the Riuers of Po and Adda with the lake of La Garda in old time called Benac with the Alpes and the Adriaticke Sea PLINIE comprehended on the East side thereof Aquileia and STRABO on the contrary cuts it off After this sort did the ancient Venetians extend their Dominion in length and breadth in the pleasantest Countrey of Italie But the scituation of the places rather then this peoples manner of life did alwaies procure enuie to the ancient State of the Prouince For on the one side the ordinary thefts of the Liburnians and the fearefull and continuall roades of cruell nations on the other did hinder them from enioying any long rest so as it oftentimes happened that by how much their publicke and priuate affaires did seeme to be increased by some relaxation from forraine warres by so much the more were they miserably ouerthrowne by these sodaine stormes and alarmes This nation without this had beene most happy in regard it wonne by right of warre the goodliest Countrie of Italie for their dwelling For beside that it is enuironed on the south side with a most calme circuite of the Sea which makes it capable to receiue all maner of forraine marchandize it is moreouer watered with most pleasant Riuers by which all that comes from the Sea is easily transported into the middest of the Prouince It aboundes in Lakes Pooles and Forrests the territoric being meruailous fertile in Corne Wine Oyle and in all maner of Fruites It is stored besides with goodly Houses in the Countrie with Townes Castles and Citties very much recommended for their situation and circuit of their walls whereof we will heereafter make mention in his place But let vs now returne to these new inhabitants who from the time that their affaires grew prosperous were seldome freed from forraine warres It would bee too long and tedious a labour orderly to set downe in so ancient a matter their paines and trauaile as also it not being my meaning to insist farther on the deedes of the first Venetians Now after diuers and sundry roads of the Barbarians and that by continuall wars the one against the other from their beginning euen to the time of ATTILA their substance had beene continually wasted and were besides daunted by the fearefull assaults of the Gothes A greater danger than all the rest did on a sodaine assaile them The Huns conducted by ATTILA sonne to Mandluc with a horrible spoile did cast themselues into the Prouince This Nation as saith PRISCVS came from Scithia and dwelt neere to the Riphean mountaines After a long siege they tooke Aquileia spoiled and wholly burnt it They destroyed after the same manner Concorda Altina and almost the whole Venetian Territorie At the fearefull report of these warres the Venetians and the rest of Italy were in alarme long time before But in this trouble the Venetians were more amazed than any others as beeing accustomed euer to endure the first assaults of the Barbarians It is reported that at the same time great numbers of men left the firme Land and retired into the Islands where Venice now stands but at the enemies approach greater numbers ran thither Certaine vnknowen Historians who haue written this Historie haue in such sort ordered the warres of the Huns as it seemeth that Attila did twice enter Italy the which none of the most trustie haue noted but all of them say that neither at the same time nor yet all together went to dwell in one selfe same place The same authors doe affirme that diuers of the choisest men of Padua began the retreate and that vnder their conduct this runaway multitude arriuing at the mouth of the Riuer which was then very deepe whereby the name of Riuo alto remained to that place the fitst foundations of the Cittie were there laid And that those of the Countrie of Padua who fled being possessed with the like feare began to people Chioggia Malamoc and Albiola They affirme besides that diuers of Aquileia withdrew themselues at the same time into the marishes of Grada But so soone as Attila was gone they ranne in troopes from the fieldes along the Sea coasts to the neighbour Islands That the Aquileians put themselues into Grada a place neere to the firme land enuironed with water The runawayes of Concorda possessed Caorli and the Altinoes sixe small Islands neere togeather which they called by the names of the gates of their lost Cittie Tourcella Maiorba Buriana Muriana Amiana and Constantiaca This is in a manner all that which those Authors haue left vs in many words of the originall of the Cittie whom I finde almost to agree in euery point with the rest who haue written the same Historie except in this where they are of opinion that the Huns entred twice into Italy I suppose that this error proceeded from that they did reade that in the time of the Huns they did twice retire themselues from the firme Land to those Islands and
Cittie betooke themselues to praiers and so soone as they had made a vow to build a Church to the honor of Saint Iames the Towne was preserued from that danger This Church is at this day to be seene standing in the middest of the Rialto with signes of great antiquity It is to be supposed that these first buildings whereof we speake were very weake and slender as those which the multitude of the people had rather erected in forme of houses then for any shew at all Seeing that diuers had builded houses of moorish substance to serue onely their present neede beeing resolued to returne into the firme Land if the Hunnes had not entred into Italie As also because that Attila made no hast to come for certaine yeares diuers did returne to their ancient dwellings For after the first report of this great warre Subthor brother to Mandluch who was chiefe of the enterprise marched into Germany where he afterward dying Attila who with his brother did succeede him after he had a long time runne ouer France fought a bloudy battaile in the plaines of Tholouse with Aetius the Roman and Theodoric king of the Gothes and going thence halfe vanquished hee went into Hungary where after he had stayed fiue yeares to renew his Army he determined to enter Italy by force And in the meane time that iourney was not short nor without great trauaile for in the same hee subdued a part of Illiria Dalmatia and Histria so as it is supposed that foure and twentie yeares were expired from the first alarmes of the Hunnes and their passage ouer Danubie vntill the totall ruine of Aquileia This new Citie in the meane time began to encrease neere to the Rialto but not very much yet neuerthelesse such as it then was it is certaine that it was gouerned by Consuls as shall be declared in his place But so soone as Attila began with his Armes to molest Italie then did men of all sortes and conditions runne in heapes from all places to the Islands which were neerest them with their wiues children and houshold Euery one beeing enforced by necessity began to build new houses and by continuall labour to ioyne one streete to another so as a man would say that they builded as many new Citties as there were Islands and Streets For they seemed in a small circuit to build sundrie Cities although both in name and effect it was but one And this is the most common and frequent opinion of the originall of Venice approued by diuers moderne writers who affirme this to haue beene after the totall destruction of Aquileia But diuers other doe thinke the first foundation of the Rialto to be the true originall and beginning of the Citie seeing that the buildings since then ought rather to be called encreasements as made not only during the troubles with the Hunnes but by little and little during the tumults of the Gothes and Lombards And although they came at sundry times into those Islands as hath beene said Yet notwithstanding because it hapned in the time that the Hunnes were there that they ranne thither in greater number then before by reason that their Countrey beeing taken and burnt all hope of returne was lost the common opinion was that the originall of Venice was after the destruction of Aquileia albeit that it ought rather to be called an increase than an originall But we haue sufficiently spoken of the foundation of the Citie Let vs now come to discourse to take away all doubts from whence these new Venetians are descended I will briefly shew vnto whom their true originall is to be referred I doe certainly know that if the question be demanded diuers yea almost all men will say that they are issued from the Paphlagonian Henetians which came with Antenor by reason of the name but if we search out the matter from farre we shall vndoubtedly finde that they least of all came from thence Antenor was a Troian so were the Paduans and all those which followed him who werein greater number then the Henetians who beeing arriued in Italy did suffer themselues neuerthelesse to be called Henetians not that they were either in number ordignity inferior to them but only because they thought it more honorable to haue the kingly authority to remaine to Antenor and afterwards vnto his than the title only esteeming much more the thing it selfe then the simple shadow of the name Those which with Aeneas came into Latium did the like who being victors did easily endure to be called by the names of those whom they had conquered Those of Aquileia were afterwards a Colonie of the Latins and Concordia of the Romans These beeing mingled with the ancient Venetians did possesse Grada and Caorli at what time as the Huns arriued they changed their dwellings It is certaine that in processe of time the inhabitants of these two places went to dwel in the Citie that now is This beeing so wee may much more truely say that the Venetians are descended from the Troians from the Latins and from the Romans rather then from Paphlagonia or from the Galles This is it which we haue gathered together the most succinctly that we could both of their antiquity and true extraction I will now set downe what the state of this new Citie was in the beginning what were hir conditions hir frugality and Religion after that I haue called to remembrance that there are some Historians who referre the originall of the Citie to the yeare of our Saluation foure hundred fifty sixe among whom is Blondus the Historian who hath also followed the opinion of those who did thinke the City to be builded after the taking of Aquileia But we may easily perceiue how much they deceiue themselues because that in the yeare of our Saluation foure hundred fifty sixe Aquileia as some thinke was besieged by Attila and they say that the siege lasted no more then three yeares But grant that it lasted longer there is no man so ignorant in humane matters but may perceiue that they began to flie out of Aquileia vpon the report of the Barbarians arriuall and not after that all was lost seeing that the same flight would haue smally profited them and would haue beene to no purpose at all It is then most certaine that some yeares before the losse of Aquilea they began the second time to build in the Islands I will not deny but that the Citie did receiue some beginning in the first troubles of the Goths who were a little before the Hunnes at such time as the Venetian State as hath been said was shaken But we will euer hold that Originall of it to be most true which hapned the yeare of our Saluation foure hundred twenty one Now what the ancient State and condition of this City was may be knowne by many euident proofes but principally by that that the first founders thereof were very honest people noble and rich For those
and marched against the inhabitants of Vderza saying that they did wrongfully hold from him certaine lands belonging to his wife Hee did first spoile the Countrie round about then he assailed the Citie which beeing taken hee burned downe to the ground Some Authors affirme that vpon the same occasion he assailed likewise those of Ferrara and that he tooke by force a Citie of their confines These warlike actions made him more insolent For he placed a companie of soldiors in the Dukes Palace for his guard and all his speech and actions sauoured of tirannie The people calling to minde their ancient libertie fel on a sodaine vpon him the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment as some saie or the eighteenth according to others For the Historians doe much disagree concerning the times of euerie Princes gouernment But with his Guarde defending himselfe valiantly from the top of his house they set fier on the houses next to the Palace on this side the Canall on the same side the winde did blow which being kindled the flame did not onely burne the Dukes Palace but Saint Markes Church Pietro seeing himselfe inuironed with so manie miseries and that he must bee constrained either to giue place to the peoples furie or else to die there he tooke his yonge son which he had by this last wife in his armes and went into that part of the Church which the fier had not yet touched and comming forth by a priuie way he endeuoured to saue himself and his sonne by flight whom he meant to carrie into Exile with him But when he perceiued all the waies stopped with Armed men he then fell to intreaties That they would not fall vpon him as on a cruell beast that they would abstaine from hurting him till he had excused himselfe to the people and then it should be at their choice either to put him to a cruell death if they thought it fit or else to saue his life as by their bountie they had done in times past whilst his Father liued at such time as they accounted him guiltie of Treason He did moreouer confesse that the people might be iustly mooued against him but yet the yonge childe in his armes was innocent that they should doe a most vnworthie deede If for the hatred they did beare to the Father they should murther the innocent creature who neuer yet had offended anie one All these entreaties were vaine and those who assailed him cried out a loud That it was lawfull for them being an holie and iust matter to take awaie a Tirant from the Common-wealth whose excuses could not be but wicked And so rushing vpon him he did in a moment fall downe dead to the ground wounded in diuers places with his yong sonne likewise Some saie that they did cut the childes throate in the trembling nurses armes and that the bodies were by the peoples command throwne vpon the dunghill and there left to bee eaten with dogges but that at the intreatie of Giouanni Gradonico that lamentable spectacle was remoued from the sight of the multitude and the bodies honorably buried in St. Hilaries Church Some thinke that through the counsell of Pietro Vrseolo who was Duke after him the people fired the houses next to the Palace and that it was done onely to hurt the Duke But it fell out otherwise For the force of the winde and the houses neere to the Palace did in such sort feede this fier as besides the Palace the most magnificent Cathedrall Church of the Citie and those of Saint Theodore the Martir and Saint Marie Iubenica with three hundred priuate houses were the same daie burnt The end of the third Booke of the first Decade THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the fourth Booke of the first Decad. THe Dukes Palace burnt in the last popular sedition is repaired at VRSEOLO'S cost who succeeded CANDIANO He giues a most rich Table to laie vpon Saint MARKES Altar VITALIS Patriarch of Grada sonne to the deceased Duke CANDIANO flies to the Emperour OTHO ADHELETA a most renowned Ladie and her manie crosses The league renued with those of the Cape of Histria VRSEOLO moued with a Religious desire doth secretly leaue the Citie The Common-wealth endangered by ciuile discorde OTHO the second makes secretwarre on the Venetians whom he first seekes to ouercome by famine Saint GEORGES Churche built right opposite to the great market-place The description of the Countrie of Illiria All Histria and Dalmatia brought vnder the subiection of VRSEOLO The Emperour OTHO the third comes to Venice in disguise and remaines secretly for a time with the Duke The Phaledrini build Saint BENETS Church The Venetian ouercomes the Hadrians neere to the mouthes of the Riuers Po and Adice They fight likewise afterward with good successe in Dalmatia with Heresimus King of Croatia Prince OTHO banished DOMINICO VRSEOLO flies to Rauenna the morrow after he had seised on the Dukes Palace being driuen thence by the people Those of Zara reuolt after they had first yeelded to the Venetians PEPIN Patriarch of Aquileia troubleth the quiet of the Common-wealth From whence the Normans are descended who haue a long time reigned in Italie and Sicilie GISCARD their Captaine The Venetians vanquish the Normans at Sea neere to Durazzo THE Common-wealth hauing by the Dukes death preserued her ancient libertie it was an hard matter to declare whether of these two were the greatest either their ioye for being freed from tyrannie or their sorrow to see so many publique and priuate buildings consumed to ashes by the late fire which did maruellously deface the Cities beautie But fearing least such an astonishment might breed some greater mischeife in the Citie as it is often seene that one new sorrow followeth another at the heeles they forthwith created a new Duke But yet they sought out one differing in humour and qualitie from him that last deceased But they needed not make any farre search being so well furnished neere at hand ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLA the 23. Duke of Uenice THe vertuous wisedome of Pietro Vrseolo being at the same time knowne to all men was the cause that at the generall assembly held at Saint Peters Church for the same purpose which is at this day the Patriarks seat he was with a generall applause declared Prince who refusing this charge tooke it vpon him at the peoples entreatie who told him that he ought not to forsake the Commonwealth in so dangerous a season Yet it is most certaine that hee vnwillingly embraced it For being from his youth brought vp and trained in the loue of Iustice hee was afraid of popular gouernment which seldome or neuer respects the innocent But the affection which hee did beare to his Countrie for the which we are chiefly borne as saith diuine Plato made him not to abandon his fellow-citizens in so great a danger So soone therefore as hee was chosen Prince
much greater the which in the name of Almightie God we promise to as many as shall fight valiantly It is reported that when the Pope had ended his speech the whole assembly cried out that it was Gods will to haue it so Then the Pope hauing commaunded silence replied Goe then quoth hee yee generous spirits and let that which ye haue all with one accord now spoken bee your watch-word in this warre and let as many as meane to vndertake this iourney sew a Crosse of red cloath on the right side of their garments They report a very admirable matter the which I should hardly set downe were it not for the assurance that we haue that God doth euer assist holy enterprises Which is that the same day that the warre was resolued vpon at Clermont it was knowne and diuulged to the farthest Regions of the earth But whilest Pope Vrban and the rest did labour about the choice of a Captaine in the assembly the which besides other matters had giuen great hope to all men and that this businesse had kept them there certaine dayes it is reported that diuers thousands of men affecting this new warre came thither And that soone after three hundered thousand armed men were in a readinesse to march The leaders to these great numbers of Christians were Godfry of Bouillon Eustace and Baldwin his brethren Raymond Earle of Saint Giles and Robert Earle of Flaunders Hugh sirnamed the great brother to Phillip the French King Stephen Earle of Chartres the Bishop of Puy and Peter the Hermit the Author of this enterprise This man because hee would bee seene to haue some cheife commaund in this warre came with Baldwin and his brethren through Germanie Hungarie and Thrace to Constantinople accompanied with troops of souldiers The Bishop of Puy Raymond Hugh the great passed into Italie with greater forces and came to Rome to visit the Pope From whence they departed in three troopes The one marched directly to Brundusium the other to Barri and the third to Ottranto But Beamond sonne to Guiscard a valliant Prince being incited before by the report of this gallant enterprise did ioyne his forces with those which passed through Apulia Whilest the troopes which were in Italie made themselues ready to march Peter the Hermit who was arriued at Constantinople with the three brethren of Bouillon so soone as he had crossed the Bosphorus of Thrace the next and shortest way he passed ouer his troopes into Asia which the Emperor Alexis as it is reported did soone enforce him to doe in regard his souldiers obserued no martiall discipline but gaue themselues licentiously to all manner of euill The which Alexis with others did impute wholly to the Hermit being altogether ignorant of martiall discipline and vnworthie to haue any command by meanes whereof diuers did report that the Emperour caused Peter whether he would or no to depart formost into Asia where his Army soone after marched towards Nicomedia and Nicea But because it did manifestly appeare that vnlesse some other besides the Hermit who was more religious than martiall did take charge of the Armie it was likely at the verie first encounter to fall into great danger they chose Raymond a German by nation and a verie warlike person for their Generall By the which election we may easily coniecture that the brethren of Bouillon came not with Peter to Constantinople or if they did come after the Hermit was gone into Asia they remained with the the Emperour Alexis till the rest of the forces were arriued The Sarracens who had beene aduertised of the resolution of the Councell held in France and of whatsoeuer the Christian Princes had since then enterprised in this warre did determine by Ambush to surprise those who should first come into Asia to kill them and then to resist the passage of the rest ouer the Bosphorus of Thrace Raymond hauing marched on the Territorie of Nicea without sending forth his discouerers fell into Ambuscado and retired with great losse of his people to the Citie of Exorga This place had beene of set purpose abandoned by the enemie who so soone as they perceiued the Germaine to be within the Towne came sodainly and besieged it on euery side Raymond being wearied with that long siege of a Captaine became a fugitiue and with certaine others went to the enemies side The Citie after that was valiantly defended for a time but at the last the enemie tooke it and the most of those who were within it hauing beene tormented with hunger thirst and infinite other miseries were put to death either by the sword or by some other accident of warre all those which yeelded were likewise put to the edge of the sword The Hermit in the meane time seized on the Citie of Cynita which was forsaken by the inhabitants and hauing fortified it with those few forces which hee had hee ioyned himselfe with the troopes at such time as his Countrimen arriued Whilest these things were done in Bythinia Hugo the Norman the Earles of Flaunders and of Chartres departed from Barri and with a faire wind arriued at Durazzo Then at the intreatie of the Gouernour of Dalmatia in the name of the Emperour Alexis they marched in bands and at sundrie times to Constantinople for feare least so great an Armie marching all together should spoile the Countrie whither being come as into a place of safetie it is reported that Alexis did lay snares for them as one who from the beginning had greatly suspected their enterprise But being reconciled to Baldwin Godfrey and the rest The Bishop of Pâ—…y and Raymond did arriue who had conducted their troopes through Dalmatia Albania Macedon and Thrace Beamond who for his fathers and his owne particular enmitie with Alexis thought not himselfe safe if he should come into Greece sailed with a direct course from Brundusium into Morea and from thence marching in battaile as if he had beene to fights through the higher Misia and Thrace to auoide the trappes of Alexis and came into Asia sooner than hee was expected where after he had taken a Citie of the Hereticks spoiled and ouerthrowne it and being come to the banks of the riuer Barbara he caused part of his forces to passe ouer at a foord and kept the residue with himselfe But the morrow after by breake of day Alexis forces being come to assaile those troopes that were gone ouer the riuer they did greatly amaze them at the first and had vndoubtedly much endangered them if Beamond had not speedily come to their reskue with two thousand horse which he had ready fot the same purpose at whose comming the Greekes retired themselues And by this meanes Beamond perceiuing that there was no place free from the ambushes of Alexis he resolued still to march in order of battaile But the Emperour after he had in vaine made all these attempts thought it his best course to
to bee molested by the Normans It may be likewise that they had couenanted so to doe in the articles of their agreement Now the Venetians hauing in a manner at their first arriuall taken Brundusium left a garrison there and scattering their forces on euery side ouer the firme land filled all the Sea-coasts with spoile and terrour And afterwards the fleet being stuft with booties returned to Venice It is said that it was expressely mentioned in the treatie of peace with Caloman that neither he nor any of his successours should pretend any right to Dalmatia About the same time Matilda a noble Ladie of the illustrious family of the Sigefretti being by meanes of the Venetians repossessed of the Citie of Ferrara granted vnto them as to her friends by whose meanes she had obtained the victorie fredome and exemption for euer from all matters within the same Citie Prince Vitalis about the end of the fourth yeare of his gouernment died ¶ ORDELAPHO PHALERIO the 34. Duke of Uenice ORdelapho Phalerio was chosen in his place In the first or certainely in the second yeare of his gouernment a very great fleete was sent againe into Syria The Venetian Chronicles say That they were one hundred Gallies Blondus mentioneth but fourescore The Genoueses likewise about the same time a litle before the Venetians had sent their fleete thither Baldwin called King of Ierusalem after his brothers death was at the same time incamped before Ptolomais a Sea-towne This man being discouraged with the losse of a great battaile in Syria soone after the death of Godfrey durst neuer after attempt any thing vntill that he vnderstood that Beamond was deliuered and returned to Antioch by the industrie and liberalitie of his nephew Tancred his brothers sonne who to free him paid a great waight of gold for his ransome For being then confirmed by the presence of so notable a man he came as hath beene said and besieged Ptolomais called Acon by the modernes and at last Acre by corrupted speech Baldwin being incamped in this place receiued two mightie fleetes called out of Europe vpon faire promises and being strengthned by these succours he shut in the Citie more strictly by Sea and Land by meanes whereof it was taken the twentieth day after Blondus saith that after Ptolomais was taken there was no warlike exploite done vntill that Beamond who was then gone into Italie was returned into Asia Whereby it is apparent that Baldwin made more account of Beamond alone than of all the other Christian Captaines in the Armie But that which Blondus writes of Beamonds comming into Italie seemeth to be verie true Because diuers Annalls make mention That whilest Beamond tarried in Italie the Venetians in fauour of Alexis armed themselues against the Normans who were incamped before Durazzo and that remembring perhaps the losse which they had in times past receiued they durst not assaile the enemie who was in the Hauen but held their course towards Apulia where after they had greatly molested and indangered the enemie they returned to Venice leauing their enterprise imperfect If it bee so we must thinke that the Venetian fleete after the taking of Ptolomais returned into Italie as well because it was Ordelapho as they affirme which marched against the Normans as also in regard so many vessels being busied in Syria they must of necessitie prouide newe to goe against so mightie a King the which could hardly haue beene done It is reported that the occasion which moued Beamond to make warre on Alexis was because that after Tancred had seized on Laodicia the Greekes inuaded and molested the Sea-townes of the Principalitie of Antioch Others say that Beamond was so terrified at the only sight of the Armies of Alexis and the Venetians as he sodainely fell to composition and that by that meanes the siege of Durazzo was raised The Venetian Annalls affirme that after the taking of Ptolomais their fleete sailed to Sydon whither Baldwins forces marched by Land which in few dayes they tooke Sydon stood in times past betweene Berithon and Tyre the three most famous Cities of Phaenicia the most renowned for antiquitie and riches Some set downe the taking of Berithon before that of Sydon because it was the first that was besieged before which they were incamped two whole moneths and being taken with great losse it caused the Christians at their entrance not only to kill those which were armed but such likewise who for age were not able to defend themselues A Christian Colonie was sent thither by reason of the fruitfulnesse of the Countrie And this is all we finde to be done by the Venetians in Syria in the dayes of Ordelapho Some Authours say that the Venetians after the taking of Sydon tooke Faronia by assault which is a Sea-towne neare to the mouth of Nilus and how likewise in that iourney they sunke diuers ships of the enemies which did vse to scoure the Seas In recompence whereof Baldwin gaue the Venetians in the Citie of Acre a Church and a part of the towne with a place where they might doe iustice one to another with like power and authoritie as the French had with diuers goodly priuiledges and that not only in the same place but ouer all the Kingdome of Ierusalem They say besides that Baldwin being puffed vp with the happie successe of his affaires desired farther to extend the bounds of his Kingdome and to the same purpose he caused to bee built on the other side of the Riuer Iordan famous for the baptisme of Christ our Lord the Castle of Soball in a very high place but that soone after the Venetians were returned into Italy hauing lost certaine battailes against the enemie and fortified some places neare to Ptolomais plotting higher matters in his minde he died euen as these warlike preparations were in readinesse Baldwin surnamed Burgensis who was his neare kinsman was declared King of Ierusalem in his stead and for the stronger assurance thereof he was confirmed by Pope Gelasius Others write that vpon the returne of the Venetian Armie from Syria Ordelapho soone after led it against the Norman but they set not downe vpon what occasion nor to what place And I thinke they did vnderstand it to be the iournie against Beamond alreadie mentioned notwithstanding that they affirme how the same enterprise was not against Beamond but against Liemond his sonne The Venetians at the same time did obtaine sundrie great priuiledges of the Emperour Henrie the fourth and they say that for the same purpose Vitalis Phalerio Stephano Morosini and Vrso Iustiniano were sent to Rome who in acknowledgment of that grant promised him in the name of the people a yearely cloake of cloath of gold and a pension of monie which was not verie great Some say they obtained these priuiledges at Verona and that the Emperor willed them to send commissioners to him to treat of the controuersie betwixt
with a certaine caracter to auoid deceit Then they heedfully reckon the balles of the consent which if they amount to the number of fiue and twentie he for whom they drew is declared Prince if they are lesse they fall to cast lots for him who was drawne for the second place Against him likewise and so the rest it is lawfull for euerie man to speake what he thinketh good and the like for him to to refute their accusations and this man shall be Prince if the number appointed for the voices be full if not they proceed to the third then to the fourth and so to all the rest He saith That it is a rare matter if the Duke be not created at this first Scratino as they call it And therfore if by chance there proue no creation at the first time the first voices are crossed out after proceede to new casting of lots for those which are shut vp in the same manner as we haue said And the same is reiterated vntill such time as they haue a new Duke This is that which Sabellicus hath set downe vnder the authoritie of so notable a man concerning the Princes election which I haue of purpose mentioned to the end that all men may know what was the ancient manner and what the new forme now is of electing the Venetian Princes whereof we haue hitherto spoken and shal hereafter speake as occasion is offered As also because that Morosini was the first that was created in this sort But howsoeuer this manner of election were then or since invse it is certaine that the Venetians haue of a long time obserued it in the creation of their soueraigne Magistrate Now to returne to Morosini his gouernment In his time Philippo Fontano Bishop of Rauenna came as some Authors say to Venice as Legate from Pope Gregory or according to others from Pope Alexander who vsing spirituall Armour propounded euerlasting life as recompense for all those who should take Armes with him against the tirant Eccelin who was proclaimed enemie to the Church of Rome Eccelin at the same time laid straight siege to Mantua Philippo to breake his forces determined with such troups as he could leuie to trouble and disquiet those townes which he had possessed Diuers men being called to so holy an enterprise by so great a recompence came and met him at Venice But the Venetians power did greatly further the businesse For besides the great number of souldiers wherewith they furnished Philippo they relieued him with Armour ships and victuals and they generally caused all necessaries to be carried speedily to the camp which they thought to be expedient for the warres and besieging of townes The Armie departed from Beâ—…ia which was the Rendez-vous for all the troups to march against the enemie and came on a sodaine to Corregiola Ansedin nephew to Eccelin and gouernour of Padua was alreadie come thither with certaine troupes who being aduertised of what had passed at Venice had caused the ordinarie course of the riuers Brente and Bacchillion to be turned backe so as he did in a manner draw drie all the lakes which were neere thereabouts being wont to be filled by the flowing of those riuers to the end the Venetian ships might not come neere the firme Land to Land the Armie This did in some sort make the Nauigation more difficult For when they came to the mouth of Corregiola finding the ancient channell almost without water and so shallow as it could not beare any great vessels they were constrained to vse small boates barks In them they passed ouer first the Archers to beate back the enemies which stood vpon the bancks opposite against them and afterwards they landed the residue of the Armie which marched directly to the citie of Sacco which being strengthned by Ansedin with a strong Garrison was valiantly defended The Bishop of Rauenna did on a sodaine raise his Campe and seized on some small townes not farre from thence Ansedin beng aduertised thereof after he had committed the guard of Sacco to the Townes-men came speedily to Padua Philippo and the Venetians hauing receiued the Sacceans vpon their faithfull promise pursued the enemie Padua at their arriuall was so sodainely assailed as they had in a manner taken all the suburbes of the crooked bridge ere they in the Citie heard the assault Philippo and the Venetians waxing more hardie by this fortunate successe did more furiously assaile the enemie at the Port Altina The Paduans blushing to see so excellent a citie so fully furnished with men and all necessaries to bee lost by their fault beganne couragiously to resist the enemie The fight was eager on both sides these men fought for their countrie the other for renowne the loue to their countrie did animate the one and the hope of victorie the others At the last the obstinacie of the Townes-men being ouercome the citie was entred by force at that gate Whereupon Ansedin thinking all lost fled with certaine of his friends on the other side of the citie His flight being knowne the towne was forthwith yeelded The castle which at this day is to be seene in one part of the citie within foure daies after did the like Eccelin all this while being ignorant of what was done at Padua and seeing that he lost his time before Mantua resolued to bring backe his troupes to Verona Hee forthwith therefore raised his siege and camped on the Riuer Myncia where hee had determined to tarrie three dayes But he was constrained to alter his purpose vpon the newes of the losse of Padua which he little expected And albeit it did greatly mooue him yet kept he his griefe verie secret dissembling it vntil he came to Verona whither after these newes he marched by great iournies But being entred into it with his troupes he did commit as it is reported incredible crueltie For by sundrie exquisite torments he put tweluethousand Paduans to death which were in his Armie who were not mercenarie men or of the common sort but all Gentlemen and some of them of great account We find not that euer any man did the like except Cornelius Scilla in slaughtering at one time so many men subiected vnder his obedience Of whom it is reported That at one time and place he put twelue thousand Prenestines to death because they had fauoured Marisu partie not pardoning any one of so great a number but onely one that had beene his Hoste who perceiuing by that meanes the slower and choise of his countrey to bee extinct did boldly refuse his mercie and in saying that he would not thanke him for that curtesie he cast himselfe into the throng of those who were put to execution It is not to be thought strange or vntrue which we haue deliuered touching so many thousands of men at one time sent forth of Padua to the warres For it is certaine by the testimonie of a verie credible
the French King who succeeded Lewis being then greatly desirous to releeue the distressed French-men in Syria Wherewith as it is reported he was so greatly affected as he kept with him at Cremona the Ambassadors of either of these people so long sometimes entreating the one and anone exhorting the other appeasing and promising so much as at last all sorted to his owne desire And this was the eleuenth yeare according to some Authors since the beginning of the warre against the Genoueses Now there are some other Venetian Historians who seeme to augment this number saying That Rayniero Zeno ruled seuenteen yeares Others set downe only sixteene and affirme That the warre beganne at Ptolomais in the beginning of his Principalitie which was the yeare of our saluation 1260. and continued till the time of Lorenzo Tepulo But in my opinion this incertaintie of times hath chiefly hapned through the negligence of Writers who for want of due obseruation haue perhaps attributed longer time to Zeno than he raigned Or else it may bee that the warre was not commenced in the beginning of his Principalitie For their confusion herein is so great as a man can hardly discerne the truth of the matter wherefore following the opinion of Blondus a most exact obseruer of times I thinke that this first Genoan warre endured but eleuen yeares Now truce being concluded with the Genoueses the Venetians had new warre in Lombardie Those of Bolognia who at that time possessed the greatest part of the Countrie of Flaminia being grieued that by the new decree of Impost lately as aforesaid made by the Venetians their Merchants were excluded from their traffick prepared with all secrecie a new warre to open them a passage for their nauigation Being therefore readie to set forward they sent their Ambassadours before to Venice who concealing their warlike preparations should treate with the Venetians about the abolishing of that Decree and dismissing of their Garrisons on euery side to the end that their Merchants might haue free passage Whereunto if the Venetians should refuse to consent as it was likely they would they were without other termes to denounce warre Tepulo soone discouered the fraude of the Bolognians Whereupon he fell to his subtilties which were no lesse pollitick than theirs and speedily sent out nine Gallies to preuent the enemie It was most certaine that he who could soonest discouer the others pollicie and first seize vpon the place would make all things after very difficult for his enemie Wherefore the Venetians came with speede to the mouth of the Po which is called Primario neare to Rauenna where at their arriuall perceiuing the Bolognians to build a Fort on the other shore they likewise with speede seized on S. Alberts which they instantly fortified by helpe of the Souldiers Within few daies after Prince Tepulo came thither with Sea-forces the better to restraine the enemies attempts There and in other places they often fought with great effusion of bloud and the Bolognians did still for the most part preuailâ—… in regard of their great numbers For their Armie was reported to be fortie thousand fighting men and all of the same Prouince which the Celtique Gaules had in part possessed a most warlike race and almost not to be conquered and in part the Senonians who for certaine Moneths held the Citie of Rome which was afterward called Flaminia and at last Romagniola Whereby may bee coniectured that the same Prouince doth not at these daies bring forth men wholly different from those whom it nourished in former times but very couragious and of great spirits and such in a word as it was not said without cause That a red Italian a blacke German and one of Romagniola with his haire of two colours are commonly froward fellowes Now this dangerous warre was drawne out at length till the third yeare after when at last they fought with all their forces vnder the conduct of Marco Gradonico where the victorious Venetian brake and defeated the enemie with great losse The Bolognians hereupon being discouraged sued for peace which they obtained on these conditions That hauing ouerthrowne their Fort at Primario being permitted to carrie thence certaine things with them they should leaue the entrance of the Po free to the Venetians The Anconitans by the example of those of Bolognia durst attempt to take armes and sent to Pope Gregorie the tenth to complaine on the Venetians The Pope entreated the Venetians not to stop their nauigation This entrâ—…atie they did neither obay nor resist But because they would not seeme against their custome to contemne the Popes commandement they sent Ambassadours to him who alleaging now one thing and then another said that the Anconitans had not done well by false reports to traduce the Venetians before the Pope and that their accusations were vntrue These and such like allegations of the Venetians by little and little ended the matter And the Pope herein was so farre off from conceiuing any displeasure against them as heâ—… rather procured the truce before then concluded at Cremona betweene them and the Genoueses to bee renued for two yeares more These things thus succeeding in Italie certaine Lords of Nigrepont who as yet possessed the third part of the Island contrarie to the will of Andrea Dandulo Gouernour of the Island with sixteen Gallies inuaded that part of Asia the lesse which then was vnder obedience of Paleologus from whence hauing carried away great bootie they prouoked this Prince to warre vpon them So soone therefore as his Armie was readie he came to Nigrepont and besieged Orea The Lords of the Island to free their people from the siege came with twentie Gallies to draw the enemie to fight wherein being broken and put to flight Paleologus in a manner bereft them of all their fleete and brought away diuers of the chiefe as prisoners But fiue hundred Venetians found in the fleete of those Lords hee committed to his Lieutenants to bee sent home to Venice with commandement to renew the league for fiue yeares following I cannot but exceedingly meruaile in that it is said that those Lords of Nigrâ—…pont made warre on Paleologus against the will of Dandulo Those of the Island might perhaps refuse to obay the Magistrate but that the fiue hundred Veneâ—…ians who were found as hath beene said in the fleete should so doe it is very vnlikely Let them which so report consider by what meanes the same could possibly come to passe On these termes stood the affaires of Venice at such time as Tepulo decâ—…ased the sixth yeare of his gouernment who was buried in the Church of the Twinnes in the monument of his Ancestors Giacomo Contareni was chosen in his place ¶ GIACOMO CONTARENI the 47. Duke of Uenice AT the beginning of his gouernement it was likely that the warre would haue beene renewed with the Genoueses because an Argozie of Venice laden with merchandize
his gouernment and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ GIOVANNI SOVRANZA the 51. Duke of Uenice GIouanni Souranza a man of a verie ancient family gentle courteous was chosen in his place soone after his election hereceaued those of Zara vnder his obedience but with such libertie gentle conditions as diuers thought that thereby he ministred matter vnto them of a seauenth reuolt Vitalis Michaeli was sent thither as Gouernor About the same time the number of the Procurators of Saint Marke was encreased to six being before then much lesse It is said likwise that at the same time the foundations were laid at Capesalina as farre as the Church of the Trinitie that at the same time those of Nona Spalatra Trahu and Sacca returned vnder the Venetians obedience The Citie which till then was interdicted by the Pope was freed from it by the most charitable affection of Francisco Dandulo sent for that purpose to his Holinesse This man as it is reported being with great difficultie admitted to the presence of Pope Clement who did infinitly hate the Venetians about the Ferrara businesse by a wonderfull example of pietie towards his countrie and with zeale to Religion continued a long time prostrate on the ground before the Popes table with an Iron chaine about his nâ—…ke like a dogge vntill his wrath being appeased he tooke away that note of infamie from his countrie whereupon â—…uer since hee was surnamed the Dogge which title was giuen him abroad and at home because he was tyed like a dogge with an Iron chaine to the Popes table But if it be lawfull for Historians to censure of matters iust and vniust and freely to vtter what they thinke thereof we say that the act of Dandulo was not so religious as that of the Popes was bitter I will not say proud to suffer not being moued thereat a noble man sent from the most Christian people the noblest of Italie to entreate him to blotte out a publike infamie to couch so long like a dogge at his feet Sure I am the example of our heauenly King whose Vickar and Vice-gerent he named himselfe might haue mooued him who did not denie pardon to the miserable theefe so soone as he demanded it It may bee thought that the Venetians had endured miserie enough for seizing on the Castle of a neighbour citie though peraduenture incited thereunto rather by the law of Nations Frisco being their Allie than vpon any promise or desire of bootie hauing beene lamentably robed and spoiled in all the faires of Europe lost a great quantitie of gold and which is worse diuers among them brought into bondage and diuers likewise murthered He satisfied his haughtie wrath with the infamous estate of this man But whether he were satisfied or no by this act posteritie neuerthelesse shall for euer much more extoll the patience of the one than the ouer-great seueritie of the other He dealt hardly with him as I haue said because it was in his power so to doe and this man made a religious vse thereof for that it so pleased him Some peraduenture but not verié many will approue the Popes deed but assuredly all men will not onely preferre this mans pietie but highly admire it The Citie likewise was not vnthankefull to him but gaue him publicke demonstration that it held nothing at so high a rate in her Citizens as meekenesse and clemencie They were not long ere they recompenced him For they dealt so carefully that soone afterward he who not long since was seene for his countries sake to endure shame and reproach was inuested with the markes and ensignes of the soueraigne magistrate Clement his wrath being appeased shewed himselfe afterward truly meeke and clement For besides the abolishing of the interdiction he decreed likewise That the Venetians should neuer afterward be excommunicated by the Popes for the like occasion or for any other whatsoeuer And his pleasure was that this his declaration should be enregistred About the same time Iustiniano surnamed Iustinian went to Sea with foureteene Gallies Hee had commission to scoure the Sea and to meete with eleuen Gallies of Genoa who as it was reported had runne to diuers faires in Europe to reprise and spoile the Venetians good But being come to the Ponticke Sea he drew neere to the Citie of â—…pha where diligently enquiring whether the same were true which was reported of the Genoueses he found it to be a false report giuen out by such as desired noueltie and to see these two people at oddes The Genoueses who dwelt in that Citie fearing vnder this pretence that the Venetian would hurt them promised him by solemne oath all 〈◊〉 and assistance Iustiniano thinking it most vniust to hurt those who had not offended them without offering them any hurt brought backe his Armie safely to Venice This was done abroad But in the meanâ—… time at home in the Citie they beganne somewhat to enlarge the olde Arcenall which being since then greatly augmented hath beene in our daies so much enlarged that the circuit thereof being walled in seemeth a farre off a little Citie so that it may be more properly called a Repositorie of all things than an Arcenall For besides an hundred Gallies which are there alwaies readie haue neuer yet wet Ankor but are onely supported by their bridges there is to be seene almost as many halfe made vp and some of them almost made vp with an infinite number of other small boates and so great quantitie of of all kind of Armor and munition as a verie huge Armie may be casily furnished therewith It is thought that about the same time a nauall Armie was sent forth for the guard of the Islands and Sea-coast of the Ionian and Aegean Seas which neuerthelesse performed nothing worthie of memorie Iustiniano who certaine yeares before had beene with a Fleet in the Chersonessus of Tauris was commanded the twelfth yeare of this Princes gouernment to goe forth with fortie Gallies against the Genoueses who sailed into the Ponticke Sea where he sunke diuers shippes of warre of Genoa to the number of foure and thirtie who had inuaded the dominions belonging to the Venetians Those of Pera being danted at the ruine of their fellowes and desirous quickly to fortifie themselues filled certaine shippes full of earth and other weightie matter which they suncke before the Citie Iustiniano neuerthelesse came and besieged the towne and caused woodden castles and other engins of warre to be set vp in the shippes to batter it Which the Genoueses perceiuing and well weighing the great danger which threatned them turning their defence to entreaties they besought the Venetians to cease the batterie saying that they would recompence the losses which the Venetians had sustained by them together with the expence of that great Armie On these conditions peace beeing graunted the Armie returned safe 〈◊〉 Venice Much about the same time or
Noblest families of Italie a man most skilfull in martiall discipline The Venetians notwithstanding he was absent elected him Generall of their Armie This man albeit he was streightly besieged by Mastin imagining neuerthelesse that the time was come with other mens forces to reuenge the wrongs done to himselfe and his bretheren determined because he would not loose such an occasion for the Venetians had alreadie entreated him by letters to come thither to passe in disguise through the enemies Campe not being able to escape thence by a forcible sallie and to goe to Florence and from thence to Venice There liued with him his wife a very vertuous and chast Ladie who loued her husband dearely and was not ignorant of his most secret affaires Shee considering with her selfe into what danger he exposed his life and how great the attempt was which he vnder-tooke casting her selfe weeping at his feete entreated him after this manner The complaint of Pietro Rossi's Wife FOr Gods sake deare husband and by the loue and bond of Matrimonie desist from this dangerous enterprise and weigh with your selfe how your estate standeth and in what place you leaue my wretched selfe with your Daughters It is reported that he had sixe Daughters who comming all about him drenched in teares made the same request like their Mother Alas said shee what shall become of me if thou being taken by the enemies ambush which God forbid I should lose thee and of these poore wretches likewise who besides God haue none other hope but in thee Doe you thinke the arrogant enemie will omit such an opportunitie or will not rather attempt by some sodaine assault to winne both this place and vs destitute of thine aide who doubteth but he will soone winne all But alas what shall then become of me and these poore Wenches Doest thou thinke they will spare the honour of thine who haue not spared thy life This vnruly enemie will leape for ioy when he shall haue power to quench his hatred towards thee by the dishonour of thy Daughters or else hee will command his Souldiers to torment them He will spoile robbe and burne those poore meanes which Fortune hath left vs. Who doubts but that then their condition will be better which shall not liue to see any of these mischiefs I poore wretched and vnhappie creature shall see it But what did I say see it nay rather shall feele whatsoeuer poore prisoners are wont to expect from a cruell and mercilesse enemie If the feare of thine owne life moues thee not this at the least which I haue spoken ought to moue thee All this which I haue spoken I doe as verily beleeue will come to passe as I hold that to be true which I see before mine eies Tarrie then here still deare husband and with those small meanes thou hast continue to defend thy selfe and vs let me entreat thee to put off thy iourney till our affaires stand on surer termes I hope so soone as the enemie shall haue notice that the Venetians haue entred his territories beyond the Po that he will speedily depart hence and then thou maiest safely go to thy charge Thus did she speake Pietro Rossis answere to his wife THe husband being moued with her teares albeit he was valiant and couragious gaue her few words he knew all that she had said was true but to comfort her thus afflicted to put her in hope He entreated her to be comforted to hope the best telling her that she should shortly see him returne with place of commaund to ouerthrow the power of those who by treason had driuen him from his dignitie and had attempted against his life and those of his familie That he did verily beleeue that the enemie would soone depart thence but in the meane time he entreated her to remaine firme and constant and to looke carefully to his children and to the affaires of his house As for the Guard of the Fort he told her that he did repose so much trust in the fidelitie and valour of his owne souldiers as that they would sufficiently defend her and maintaine the siege so long as the enemie should at last whether he would or no be enforced to raise his campe Besides that he was of necessitie to make hast least he should seeme to contemne so honourable a charge That the passing through the enemies campe was not so dangerous a matter as she thought For diuers great Captaines had in times past not onely gone through their enemies campe in disguise but had likewise stayed there for a time till they had carefully enquired of the state of the enemie He willed her then to cease weeping and lamenting and no more to entreate him to the contrarie because he was of necessitie to depart He said moreouer that men being incited by vertue did attempt diuers great enterprises but that necessitie made them to execute greater And thus after he had recommended her himselfe his children houshold to his friends whom he left in Garrison he gaue order for his departure Some Authors say that he left one of his brethren to guard the place and others thinke that he sent them before to Venice where after that their brother was chosen Generall they were made Gentlemen of Venice Thus after that he had embraced all his people about midnight he departed in disguised habite accompanied with one onely faithfull and valiant friend and went through the enemies campe to Florence where he was receiued with great ioy of all men But being diligent and an enemie to sloth he would needs go vpon some enterprize Whereupon soone after he marched with the Florentines forces to the countrey of Luca where putting all to fire and sword he rode with a few troupes euen to the gates of the Citie From whence carrying great bootie and being come forth of the enemies countrey into a countrey of safetie he fell into an Ambuscado Fiue hundred horse sent by Mastin to guard the Citie sallied forth on the other side of the towne and came galloping into a forrest through which they knew the enemie must passe at his returne where they ambusht themselues As he returned those of the Ambuscado breaking forth with great cries amazed those in the Vantguard who conducted the bootie and did defeat and put them to rout diuers were slaine there and the ensignes of the Vantguard taken Newes of this encounter being brought to the Captaine who led the Rereward and diuers of those which fled being alreadie come to their fellowes saying that all was lost Rossis being very quick and sodaine after he had sharpely rebuked them for their flight stayed them and commaunded them to follow his ensignes and take courage then did he brauely receiue the enemie who being ioyfull for his imaginarie victorie came towards him The fight began verie cruell but the Captaines presence turned the feare of his souldiers vpon the enemies who with great slaughter were defeated and pursued
campe well accompanied as did diuers others from the confines of Forli from beyond the mounts and out of Germanie who being come thither vpon the report of this warre did greatly encrease the Venetian Armie Mastin so soone as he vnderstood the departure of Pietro Rossis and what he had done at the same time before Luca whilest he remained at Florence raised his camp from before Pontremolle and resolued first of all to succour the Luquois and to put a strong Garrison into the Citie for he feared least his furious enemie should snatch that towne from him But hauing notice that he was called to Venice and learning by his spies what abundant warlike preparations the Venetians made he speedily came to his Armie at Verona Albert brother to Mastin had in the meane time placed a strong Garrison in Padua and did nothing without the aduice and counsell of Vbertino Carrario whereby we may perceiue that it was Albert and not Mastin who was farre from thence as all authors affirme which recouered Vderza Thus Mastin being carefull to espie all meanes how to frustrate the Venetians first attempts or if that could not be at leastwise to foreslow them by some hindrance not being able to doe it by open force had recourse to deceit A certaine man called Thomasino commaunded at the same time in Mestra an inward friend of Spineta Malespina who was in Mastins campe in whose name he held that place situated on the Treuisan territorie neere to the lakes of Venice This man by the counsell of Spineta enterprised a villanous act against the Venetians He agreed and promised to yeeld the Citie to the Venetians prouided that they would giue him fiue thousand crownes and gaue for assurance thereof his wife and sonne for hostages And the day of the execution being come Albert and Spineta entred the towne at midnight with certaine troupes of horse and foote The Venetians albeit they held the traitor sufficiently bound vnto them in regard of the hostages thinking that they ought not to be ouer-credulous would not suffer any naturall Venetian to be of that night-enterprise Fiue hundred stranger-Souldiours were sent thither vpon whome so soone as they entred the Citie a little before daie the Souldiours of Escalla breaking forth of of their Ambushe made a furious assault The number of the prisoners was few as those whose liues fortune and danger had rather saued than the intent of the enemies all the rest were slaine Then causing his Cauallerie on a sodaine to sallie forth on those which were without verie few escaped Albert thinking he had giuen the Venetians a great blowe leapt for ioy and mockt the prisoners as if they had beene naturall Venetians But when he vnderstood by the prisoners that there was not one Venetian in all the companies but all mercenarie Souldiours and strangers of farre Countries he was verie sorrie for that which he had done and blaspheming God and men being ashamed of the murther he had commited in the night in a rage with his fellowes he made haste to Padua Rossis in the meane time being in the Treuisan territorie readie to march against the enemie spake to his Souldiours in few words exhorting them chiefly to shew themselues in all occurents valiant and couragious and diligently to obserue martiall discipline saying that he desired no mutinous or carelesse Souldiour but such as were valiant vpon the enemie patient in trauell and obedient to his command And therefore if there were any amongst his troupes that would not bee such hee counselled them to depart and goe on no further saying that hee had rather ouercome with few worthie and valiant Souldiours than to be vanquished in the companie of many cowards willing those that were such to tarie behind and heare tell of their fellowes braue exploits rather than by their presence to trouble the whole Campe. Mastin being aduertized that the enemies were dislodged fearing least they would seize on the suburbes of Mestra commanded them all to be burnt vpon a day to the great griefe of the inhabitants Rossis after he had passed the Riuer of Anaxus marching through the Treuisan and perceiuing a farre off the flames and smoake of those suburbes said aloud That hee aspired to greter matters than to lodge in the suburbes of Mestra At that time some counselled him to besiege Treuiso but he made answere That he made haste to fight with the enemie whome hauing once ouercome he would afterwards obtaine diuers goodly victories The Venetian Armie was alreadie on the bankes of the Riuer Brente when newes came sodainely to Padua that the enemie approched The Paduans hereupon beganne to murmure and scorning the Tyrants tolde them that they should doe well to goe and take armes to hinder the Venetian from passing the Riuer if they would be accounted so valiant as they made shew for They on the other side being loath to giue any token of feare commaunded the Souldiours forthwith to arme themselues Albert hauing made choise of a selected troupe marched forth of the Citie to oppose himselfe against the enemie But Rossis after he had passed the Riuer by night had raised his Campe before day from the further side thereof and afterwards marched cheerefully in order of battaile against the enemie who was said to approach thinking that the houre was come wherein he should reuenge so many iniuries receiued from those of Escalla or else in performing the part of a good Captaine die valiantly fighting Albert hauing certaine notice of the enemies passage and that he marched towards him with an intent to fight being therewith daunted did sodainely turne backe which being perceiued by those that were with him dispersing themselues here and there they forsooke their Campe which was newly victuailed in aboundance The Venetian after hee had made good cheere therewith ranne furiously to the veriegates of the Citie burning and spoiling all places neere about the Generall hauing forbidden his Souldiours to murther or rauish But whilest they thus so spoiled farre and neere those of Pieue de Sacco came weeping to the Venetians beseeching them to take compassion on them offering to doe whatsoeuer they should command and freely to furnish the Armie with victuailes The Sacceans being receiued vpon their oath were enioyned to bring victuailes to the Campe which laie neere their Citie From thence Rossis sent an Herald of Armes to Mastin who vpon the report of the Venetians march was come to Padua to acquaint him with his desire to fight with him with displaied enseignes And that if he were so valiant and experienced in Armes as he boasted of he would wish him not to refuse the battaile but rather to come foorth into the field and to make proofe which of them were most valiant Mastin made no reply to this challenge Rossis perceiuing he could not draw his enemie to fight without any longer stay raised his Campe after he had set fire to the towne
it was lawfull for Fathers when their children are stubborne and disobedient and that they cannot by entreaties nor threatnings reduce them to their obedience to vse the rod to chastice them That the Venetians meaning was seeing they could not by gentlenesse and faire meanes bring the Candiots to the remembrance of their dutie to attempt to doe it by Armes the which they did soone hope to doe if they were not aided by some forraine power And that they should performe the parts of good Princes and true friends to the Venetians if they would permit that perfidious Colonie to receiue from their mother vnto whom they owe theit being the chasticement which it had deserued The Ambassadors were in all places friendly heard and entertained and there was no man but in detestation of the Candiots fact did liberally offer them all assistance In the meane time they leuied a mightie Armie and made Dominico Michaeli Generall thereof who was before Prouidator of the Gulph and the land-Armie was committed to Luchin Vermio of Verona who was expresly sent for to Venice for the same purpose He hauing receiued his oath from the Prince well and faithfully to serue the Commonwealth did forthwith receiue the publike ensignes Great summes of money were leuied on the Citizens as well to begin the warre as to continue it Vermio so soone as all the troupes were assembled and the fleete readie to the end he might not be ignorant with what forces he fought made a general muster of his Armie and found that he had a thousand horse and two thousand foote not accounting the sailers and those that â—…owed in the gallies The fleete which consisted of three and thirtie gallies and eight ships of burthen leauing Venice on the ninth of Aprill arriued about the seuenth of May at Fresca a place verie neere to Candace But during these preparations certaine Gentlemen of Candace hauing by chance vnderstood what had beene concluded at Venice after the returne of the Commissioners and being certified that they were not of the number of the banished hoping of pardon began secretly to fauor those which remained faithfull and obedient to the Venetians For diuers at the beginning not allowing of such a wicked practize absented themselues from the Citie and retired to their Castles and Houses of pleasure in the Island The chiefe Authors of the reuolt considering the great danger which threatned them not onely from their enemies but from their owne Citizens were affraid least those whom they perceiued to wauer would by some good offices practize somewhat against them by the aide of those which were absent For there was likelihood that those who at the beginning had opposed themselues against their designes would forthwith vpon the arriuall of the Venetian Armie fall vpon them And notwithstanding that many of them were of sundrie opinions yet no man durst propound that which one alone by the aduice of one particular person must presume to execute This man whosoeuer he was dealt with one named Calergo the Pneumaticke and hauing set before him the entire dominion of the Island perswaded him to kill all those who did continue in the Venetians obedience and for this purpose to draw great numbers of Greekes to his partie This Calergo consented thereunto and came first of all to Mopsilla a pleasant countrey house where he assailed Andrea Cornari and slew him It is reported that Calergo had in times past beene his guest and had beene euer succored and desended by him And that so soone as Cornari saw him come armed he did on a sodaine demaund wherefore he came who made answere that he was sent to kill him Whereupon he put him in minde of his ancient hospitalitie and other good turnes which he had receiued from him for which he entreated him not to kill the man vnto whom he was so infinitely bound The murtherer extolling libertie said That for it he would forget all hospitalitie and other bonds of friendship and that he was come to deliuer his countrey which men so decrely affect from cruell bondage After Cornari his death he did in sundrie places pursue diuers other faithfull seruants to the Venetians Gabriel Veniero Marini and Lorenzo Pascalis were slaine one at his farme at Pulla and the other at Melissa Lorenzo Gritti at Pestria then Zannachio Iustiniano Leonardo Abraham with diuers others who tasted the furious crueltie of the murtherer The Greekes waxing more bold by meanes of Calergo his executions came with great arrogancie assailed the Nobilitie saying That they would haue ten naturall Greeks to be of the Senate and that in their absence nothing should be determined or concluded But this base multitude who at the beginning were foolish hauing at the last lost all sence and reason did by their continuall clamors affright the Senate and threatned to breake open the prisons if they did not deliuer them all the Venetian prisoners that were there that they might murther them In the meane time he that suborned Calergo intending wholly to raze out the Latine name in the Island sent for his murtherer to come to a certaine place two miles distant from the Citie to conferre with him about the betraying of the Citie wishing rather that the gouernment of the Island should fall to Calergo and the Greeks than to the Venetians Vpon the way he fell into the hands of those whom Marco Gradonico the Gouernour had sent for to take him For the Gouernour with others so soone as they heard tell that they had slaine the Venetian Geutlemen whereunto not any but one man had consented did presently send to seize vpon Calergo For they feared that this Greeke hauing committed such a villainous deede would still practize greater crueltie This wicked man being taken and brought to the Citie in reuenge of the Venetian bloud which he had spilt was thrown downe from the top of the Pallace vpon the point of swords and his bodie being cut into diuers pieces was cast vpon the Citie dunghill This spectacle was verie pleasing to the people Whereby we may obserue how great the inconstancie of a multitude is which dependeth on the verie least motions and that their loue or hatred respecteth not the deed but onely the fortune of him whom they follow A little before those of Candace fauoured Calergo but so soone as they saw him drawne to execution they wholy forsooke him and iudged him worthie of death The nobilitie being daunted with those mischiefs and with the great war like preparations which were made the authors of the rebellion perceiuing that they could not of themselues long hold Candie at that stay and though they could yet were not their forces sufficient to resist the Venetians they began to consult for they resolued not to returne to the Venetians obedience into whose hands they should commit the entire possession of the Island The Genoueses alone were held fittest for it as well
defend it in regard of their small number leauing their horses behinde them went to Sea and came to Candie The Greekes after they had driuen away the Venetians from diuers places who had newly inhabited the Island pursued the course of their victorie and ceased not till they had made all that which lieth towards the West from Thalis vnto the Promontorie of Spatha to reuolt from the Venetians the Townes and certaine Castles excepted This reuolt being reported at Venice put the Senate in meruailous care to begin the warre againe which was the more grieuous vnto them by how much they had thought the affaires of Candie to be safer than at any time before The Prince and Senate commaunded those who were in the Island to leuie forces from all partes and to procure horsemen out of Licia Caria and Ionia if they could get none elsewhere They sent likewise to the Pope the which they easily obtained to intreate him to grant plenarie Indulgences of all sinnes commitred till that time to all those who would take Armes against those perfidious Candiots This was done in Italie whilest the Islanders being vanquished by Nicholao Iustiniano at the foote of the hilles Lasithes with the losse of diuers of their troupes they were diuerted from their attempts For their meaning was to haue seized on the mountaines but I know not whether it were to saue and defend themselues or rather from thence to assaile their enemies by a sodaine and vnexpected comming vpon them Moreouer the Greekes all the winter made sundrie and different attempts against which the Prouidatori did with great diligence opportunely oppose themselues Giacomo Bragadino Paulo Loretano Pietro Mocenigo Lorenzo Dandulo and Andrea Zeno were sent into the Island as new Prouidatori They had commaundement likewise to leuie Souldiers as well horse as foote from all places Hauing receiued the old bands and added new supplies to them they were readie to march against the enemie when newes was brought them that after they had leuied great numbers of Souldiers and attempted in vaine to take the Citie of Maluicina they had scattered themselues ouer the Territorie of Cydon and had put all to fire and sword which they knew to belong to the Venetians and to bee newly inhabited This was done on the Sea-coast whilest in the middest of the Island fiue and twentie hundred of the enemies came and incamped themselues at one time neere to Agatia and Melissa Giacomo Bragadino speedily marched against them with foure hundred horse and fifteene hundred foote they fought there verie fiercely where those of the Island being broken and defeated diuers were slaine in the battaile but the number of the Prisoners exceeded who were all hanged some few which fled in great feare got into the next mountaines The Venetian departed and set fire on the Farme-houses and villages of the enemies spoiling euerie where round about Thus stood the state of the Island when on a sodaine the inhabitants of fifteene Villages reuolted who fearing to be defeated in open field retired with their wiues and children intto the mountaines of Lasithes where they were forthwith assisted by the cheefest of the Rebellion Diuers others did the like who for their more safetie betooke themselues to those mountaines The forces of the Greekes being thus augmented they were not satisfied with defending themselues but trusting to their great numbers they came cheerefully and spoiled the Countrie of those who had continued faithfull to the Venetians and entring into the bonnds of the Citie of Candace they filled al the places round about with feare and terrour Pietro Mocenigo perceiuing the whole Island almost to be infected with this furie and to tend to a generall reuolt and that he could by no meanes fight with the enemie who kept still in the mountaines brought backe his troupes to Candece intending to keep the Citie and to represse the enemies violent eruptions Then he certified the Prince and Senate of the state of the Island and requested them to send more forces if they desired to see the enemies trecherie daunted that his fellowes and himselfe had with much adoe gotten fiue hundered horse out of Asia that they wanted greater numbers both of horse and foot which of necessitie must be sent to them if they intended to reduce the Island vnder their obedience And therefore he besought them to take speedie order that supplies might be forth with sent from Italie Before Mocenigo his letters came to Venice Pantaleon Barba Giouanni Zeno Nicholao Treuisanâ—… Andrea Zeno Nicholao Iustiniano departed from the Citie with certaine troupes of footmen who came into the Island as new Prouidatori They being ariued the old ones returned home Pietro Mocenigo excepted who remained still Gouernour Those that came last hauing receiued the olde troupes and assembled all the forces which were in the Island caused them to be imbarked in three Gallies and two shippes of burthen and sailed to Milopotamus From thence they forthwith marched towards the enemie against whom being shut vp in strong and inaccessible places Andrea Zeno one of the Prouidators being couragiously prouoked with a desire to fight and entring with his forces into a dangerous place was slaine by those who defended the passage from aboue Hee being dead they made a retreate and brought backe the troupes to Milopotamus In this manner the new Prouidatori began the warre with the enemie when a great number of footmen being come from Italie in three shippes of burthen did maruelously strengthen the Venetian Armie Whereupon the Prouidatori made diuers attempts vpon the enemie but of small moment for the Venetian could by no meanes drawe the enemie to fight But the spoiles and burning vp of houses heere and there in the Island was the cause of a great dearth Howbeit at last the scarcitie of victuals was much greater in the Candiots Campe than in that of the Venetian because the Venetian Gallies did from all partes bring them plenty of corne and all other kind of victuals Whereupon those in the mountaines enforced by famine hauing deliuered the Authours of the reuolt to Iustiniano who lay incamped not farre from thence they submitted themselues vnto the Venetians obedience Those that were guiltie were forthwith punished The reduction of these men did in such sorte daunt the courage of the Greeks as all that which lieth from mount Strombulo stretching Eastward euen to the middest of the Island did in short space yeeld to the Venetians whereupon the whole burthen of the warre fell on a sodaine on that part of the Island which lieth towards the West Diuers Venetians who had beene Authours of those reuolts to make themselues more acceptable to the Greekes renounced the Latine name and promised to obserue the Greeke ceremonies Iustiniano hoping to doe some exploit in regard of the enemies amazement tooke on a sodaine foure hundred Horse and foote of those who had continued faithfull
Genoueses by Francisco Carrario were beheaded But they which receiued the price of humane bloud falling into the hands of the enemies before the end of the warre did dye more miserably in prison than those whom they had sold. The guard of Chioggia was giuen to the Genoueses Prince Carrario with part of his troupes went home to their owne houses The like did the forces of the Bishop of Aquileia who were commanded by Giacomo Porliano Pietro Hemi paid three thousand crownes for his ransome and lost the worth of as much in mooueables when the towne was taken The Genoueses after the taking of Chioggia came with Ganziarolles and other lesser vessels and a fewe Gallies to seize on the Castle of Loretta and the tower of Bebia Those which were in the new tower hauing notice of the taking of those two neighbour Fortes not tarrying till the enemie arriued burned their Fort and retired with great feare to Cape-darger a Towne belonging to the Venetians but it continued not long in their obedience For Carrario approaching with his forces the inhabitants forthwith yeelded which they of Montauban vnderstanding did quickly burne their munitions and fled to the tower of Salina This Fort alone remained impregnable all the time of the warre The Venetians being thus shutte in by Sea and Land beganne on a sodaine to want victuailes and other necessaries For Chioggia beeing taken with all the Townes and Fortes which they possessed on the Riuers and Lakes they had no hope to get victuailes from any place but from the Treuisan from whence they furnished the Citie with a litle corne and flesh by the Riuer Sylla The newes of the losse of Chioggia being brought at mid-night the enemie entring into it at Sun-set did in such sort trouble the Senate that so soon as it was day the whole Citie was in alarme At which noise all men ranne with their armes to the Palace where such great numbers of people arriued as all the great market-place before the Palace and before Saint Markes Church was filled with them Then by the Senates commandment they gaue notice to the people of the losse of Chioggia with as many as were in it It is reported that at these words there were such cries and lamentations made among the people as greater could not be if the Citie had beene taken yee should then haue seene honorable women to walke vp and downe the Citie hanging down their heads full of sorrow and then on a sodaine lifting vp their eyes and hands to heauen knocking their breasts with their handes The men on the other side bewailed their common fortune saying that the State of their Common-wealth was ouerthrowne Euerie man lamented his owne particular losse but much more their libertie which they held so deare They certainely beleeued that the victorious Genoueses would ere long bee at their gates and after the ouerthrow of their State would wholy abolish their memorie Euerie one thinking all to be lost thought on nothing but their owne particular Some sent away their gold pretious stones iewells money apparell and other rich mooueables to them which kept their farmes in the countrie others hid them in Churches and old monuments In a word the whole Citie was filled with feare and weeping diuers did beleeue that if the enemies Armie had in this amazement come into the Citie which Carrario after the taking of Chioggia did oftentimes counsaile the Genoueses to doe it would haue beene taken that verie day or at the least-wise brought into great extreamitie But God hath not giuen all to one man Many men haue knowne how to vanquish but few that could make vse of their victorie The Garrison which lay at Malamoc being called home came speedily to Venice hauing razed their Fort and brought away the shippes Besides almen complained that there was no man who by speedy counsaile and exhortation could raise the courage of the Citizens daunted with sorrow and who for his good seruice had such credit among the people as all men would gladly entertaine him and be desirous to haue him for their Captaine in such a danger all men saying that their State was lost and their liues in great hazard vnlesse some one would shew himselfe to relieue their afflicted countrie That there was none but Pisani in the whole Citie who being beloued of all men could by his valour preserue the Common-wealth in so dangerous a season but that he was in prison and kept in darkenesse yet if he were set at libertie his onely presence would encourage the daunted Citizens and that therefore they should doe well to goe altogether to the Palace and intreat the Senators presently to enlarge him and to bestowe him on his countrie These speeches were publickely pronounced and some times in the Senates hearing This being reported at the Palace the Senators did sodainely assemble to determine thereon They decreed that Pisani and all they who were imprisoned for the same fact should be set at libertie which being diuulged in the Citie a great multitude of people ranne on a sodaine to the Palace But he like a discreet and modest person would needs lie the night following in prison and in the meane time sent for a Priest to heare his confession Then so soone as it was day hee went vp to the Palace and heard Masse at Saint Nicholas Altar where he receiued the Sacrament giuing all men thereby to vnderstand that he did forget the wrong which he had receiued as well by the Common-wealth as by particular persons This being done he was brought into the presence of the Prince and Senate whom he saluted not with a furious and angrie looke but with a gentle aspect and kneeling at Prince Contareni his feet the Prince spake thus vnto him Victor we haue for a time obserued the rigour of the Law it now behoued vs to vse mercie and fauour by our commandement thou wert imprisoned for the losse which the Common-wealth receiued at Pola vnder thy conduct we haue at this time thought good to set the at libertie Let me intreat thee not to dispute which of the two hath bin most iustly done but rather forgetting what is past to looke vpon the Common-wealth and endeuour to restore and maintaine it In a word deale in such sort as thy fellow-citizens who loue and honour thee for thy notable vertues may be bound vnto thee as well for the good of the Common-wealth as for their owne particular profit To this speech Pisani answered Most excellent Prince there hath nothing befallen me either from your selfe or from those who with you doe gouerne the State of the Common-wealth which I take not in good part as becommeth a good Citizen I know that all things are well and wisely done which are concluded for the seruice of the Common-wealth whereunto I assure my selfe that all your Councels and decrees doe tende Concerning the iniurie I haue receiued of some particular
moued with loue to their Countrie some offered one thing and some another More than threescore families did relieue the Common-wealth at this need so as by how much any man was esteemed rich by so much more did he striue to deserue well of the Common-wealth by meanes whereof great reliefe was gathered wherupon diuers were made Senatours But in reading all that aboue mentioned in some Authors who haue beene carefull to collect this historie one thing hath greatly moued me which though it be of no great importance doth neuerthelesse shew a great affection and loue towards a mans Countrie It is reported that one whose name was Matheo Fasceolo a Citizen of Chioggia this man after the taking of the Citie retired to Venice with his children came to the Senate and told them how that at the taking of his Countrie he had lost all his wealth which amounted to manie thousands of Crownes and that if they were againe in his possession hee would franckly employ them for the good and profit of the Common-wealth But that he had nothing left but his life and two children the which he freely offered to the Senate and his Countrie And if they would employ them either by Sea or Land they were readie for the seruice of the Common-wealth to expose that onely iewell which fortune had left them of all the rest The Genoueses hauing notice of the great preparations of the new Armie fearing least the Venetians being driuen forward by the flowing of the Sea should about midnight surprise the entrie of the Hauen which they held and being once entred that those of the Citie comming to assaile them in small boates before and on the sides would enuiron them and by that meanes enforce them to fight in round and so cut them in peeces they raised their siege and returned to Chioggia thinking that the Venetians being shut from victualls by Land and Sea would yeeld But before their departure they razed the Fort and ruined Malamoc and Poueggia downe to the ground Soone after foure and twentie Genoueses Gallies went into Friul to get victualls meaning to exchange salt whereof they had great store for wheate and other kind of graine In the meane time three of those Gallies which were left for the guard of the Hauen the Genoueses hauing disarmed the rest because the Citie should not be without Garrison did daily make incursions as farre as the tower Salina which was the only fort that the Venetians held of all the residue in the lakes and gaue diuers alarums to them within it Victor Pisani departing from the Citie with three hundred small boates and fifty Ganziaroles came and ambusht himselfe among the reedes neare to the tower thinking to surprize them but being descried a farre off by meanes of his slags which were not taken downe the Genoueses on a sodaine returned amaine towards Chioggia The Venetian not being able to ouertake the enemie in his flight came with speed by the lakes which did beare smaller boates first to Chioggia where at his arriuall he tooke the Fort of the Saltpits which are neare to the Citie and hauing assailed the Citie at the same instant he did greatly terrifie the enemie The furie of the fight was towardes the gate Mariana and the fight was alreadie begunne in the channels when on a sodaine these three Gallies arriued The Venetians being assailed by the enemie before behinde and on the sides were enforced speedily to retire to their enseignes Prince Contareni his sonne in Lawe died in this encounter a braue young man and of the familie of the Gradonici and diuers others likewise with eight vessels taken by the enemies And by this meanes the matter falling out vnluckily the Armie returned to Venice The Genoueses Gallies in the meane time who were returned from forrage vnderstanding what had beene attempted in their absence did resolue to fortifie Chioggia and to beat downe all the buildings neere to the salt pits and those likewise which were vpon the Walls to rampier the market place in the middest of the Citie and all the houses neere round abouts and to that purpose to stop vp all the streets which lead to the water with a bricke Wall and to make a Fort in manner of a Wall with rampiers and Towers of wood with bridges within it of double ranckes for the ease of the combatants And because they had intelligence by their spies that Carolo Zeno who was abroad with the Armie was not yet returned and that there was no likely-hood that the Venetians would attempt any thing before his comming fearing by that meanes nothing lesse than their arriuall they wrought but lasily in those fortifications Carolo Zeno as hath beene said departing from Venice with fiue Gallies at such time as Pisani was defeated at Pola met neere to Sicilie with Sicilians ships diuers of which being loden with corne and other victuailes were going to Genoa hee made himselfe maister thereof and taking as much victuailes as hee thought sufficient for his owne fleet he threw the rest into the Sea then he did let goe the Marriners who were Sicilians without any harme at all and gaue them somewhat to beare their charges forbidding them hereafter to goe no more to Genoa Besides he tooke diuers Genoueses ships as well on the coast of Trinacria as on the Tuscan and after he had spoiled them he suncke them in the Sea In this happie iourney of his foure Gallies departing from Candie came and ioyned with him These likewise before they came to him had taken three Genoueses Barzes one betweene Candie and Morea the other at Sapientia by the aide of the Modonois and the third on the Sicilian Sea The which being brought to Naples the merchandize which was within them was sold for fiue and fortie thousand crownes Then Carolo hauing of fiue Gallies made a fleet of nine for he was still Generall of them all sailed speedily towards the Riuer of Genoa to spoile there where after he had made furious incursions torne vp Trees and plants by the roots he made all things desolate from Porto-venere euen to Genoa He would not tarrie to besiege any place for feare of six of the enemies Gallies who still followed him This spoile being made returning to the maine Sea he seized on a Sicilian shippe laden with corne and other vessells going to Genoa he brought away the shippe and suncke the rest These exploits did Zeno on the lower Sea But neere to Trinacria Micheleto Iustiniano who with foure Gallies had laine in the streight besides other shippes taken from the enemies on the Propontide Sea and the Bosphorus he tooke a Neapolitan Barzeloden with Genoueses merchandize which was sold for eighteene thousand ducats The six Gallies likewise which departed from Venice at the same time in a manner or a litle before Zeno were not idle For soone after their departure they surprized two shippes of Amona vnto whom
as the Marriners like desperate persons cried out that they were of necessitie to dislodge vnlesse they would haue them which were in the Gallies to die before Chioggia Those likewise which were in guard on the shore fearing that Carrarto would send his troupes to assaile them on their backs intreated that they might raze the Fort and depart thence Pisani exhorted and intreated them all to haue patience for a while and that it could not be long ere Carolo Zeno would arriue and that then being strengthened with Men and Gallies they would easily daunt the enemies boldnesse The like despaire was in the Princes Armie For cold and hunger and the danger of arrowes which were continually shot into the gallies had so daunted them as the souldiers with those which were in the Hauen thought more on flight than on resistance The Princes presence onely and intreatie did stay them who laid before them the great disgrace and euident danger which their countrey was like to incurre if they departed thence without effecting some worthie enterprize That without doubt the Genoueses would pursue the Venetians at the heeles if they dislodged from before Chioggia and comming more furiously than before to assaile their Citie alreadie in a manner lost by famine they would in short space take it But neither entreaties noâ—… exhortations could perswade the souldiers who were wholly daunted to continue the siege so as at last they resolued within two daies to raise their campe from both places But Zeno on a sodaine as if he had beene sent from Heauen about noone entred the Hauen of Chioggia with foureteene gallies well armed The Senate on the first of Ianuarie so soone as they descried him on the maine sailing directly towards the Citie about three of the clock after noone sent to commaund him to go and meete with the Prince who lay before Chioggia His comming was no lesse acceptable than needfull The ioy and welcomes were great in both Armies but much more when they vnderstood by his speech that he had sunke threescore of the enemies vessels of all sorts and that he had taken in the great Barze called Pichinione and in the rest more than three hundred Genoa marchants not accounting the rowers and marriners and gotten a bootie more in value than three hundred thousand crownes But because their businesse at that time required no long delay Zeno was forthwith commaunded to goe to Brondolli with twelue gallies to meete Pisani His arriuall brought great contentment to the Venetians who wept for ioy The Garrison which was on the shoare perceiuing the arriuall of their gallies tooke courage also At the same time three gallies of Candie and one of Arbacame to the Prince Whereupon the Venetians seeing their Armie to consist of two and fiftie gallies did no more feare the enemies attempts Carolo resolued to lie at Anker without the Hauen and not to enter before night But a sodaine tempest a rising before sun-set he returned with fiue gallies to the Prince hauing winde and tide with him Thadeo Iustiniano who had remained still with the seuen hauing been grieuously tossed lost two gallies one neere to the Fort which was broken on the Sea-banks the other neere to the mouth of Po. Carolo being sent back again with nine gallies to Pisani entred the Hauen as he was commanded ioyned with him Two gallies were placed as sentinels neere to the place where the enemies would haue escaped The Genoueses faining to escape by night came and assailed one of those two gallies and by the helpe of the Garrison of Brondolli drew it on shore Those within it feeling themselues to be drawne forwards by cables and yron chaines did presently leape into the Sea hoping to saue themselues by swimming but being kept downe by the waues they were all drowned and those who stroue against the waues were slaine by the enemie Giouanni Miani Captaine of the galley was taken with a rich booty For this galley Carolo had brought home from his voayge The enemie being proud of this exploit would needs attempt to get forth For he certainly knew that so great a multitude of people shut vp in a place would soone be famished if speedie meanes were not found to separate them Whereupon the Garrison which was at Lupa neere to the hauen which the Venetian determined to assaile and the other which ment to escape at Brondolli came at one time to encounter the Venetian They fought fiercely in both places and the Genoueses were repulsed with great losse but much more at Lupa than at Brondolli The Venetian after all these attempts to take all hope of escape from the Genoueses caused two great ships of burthen to be brought from Venice and sanke them with an yron chaine in that place though verie streight which remained open to the Genoueses Then they placed fiue gallies for the guard of the passage commaunded by Francisco Bocolli in which place before there were but two Carolo Zeno was commaunded to keepe neere to the Fort with seuen gallies and fiue others were placed in the way to Bebia Victor with the residue of the Armie encamped neere to Saint Blase his Church In these places they remained all day in the night they came neere to Brondolli and set boats in sentinell to the end they might be soone aduertized if the enemie remoued Such was the state of the Venetians affaires at Brondolli when in the meane time three Venetian gallies sent with forces from the right hand assailed Loretta which in few daies was recouered and manned with a strong Garrison in like manner the new Tower which had beene burnt at the Genoueses first arriuall was repaired and manned with souldiers for the guard thereof About the same time that Loretto was recouered the Tower of the Monasterie of the Nunnes which the enemies possessed neere to to the Hauen being shaken with a sodaine stroke of a Peece of batterie was for the most part ouerthrowne where Pietro Doria Generall of the Genoueses Armie was crushed in peeces Some say that he was slaine as he was putting his vessels in order of battaile and that he being dead the Fort was abandoned and the vessels left to the mercie of the fire And that thereupon the victorious Venetian pursued the enemie in his flight as farre as Chioggia and that there they fought againe before little Chioggia wherevpon the Genoueses being againe vanquished with great slaughter and hauing lost the one halfe of the bridge they retired confusedly into the Citie that the same day likewise more than sixe hundred Genoueses were taken and almost as many slaine of whom besides Doria of whom we now spake Thomaso Goti a man of great repute was buried in the ruines of the bridge But Chinatio setteth downe the matter otherwise whom herein we rather follow as we haue done in other matters He saith that all that which we haue spoken of did not happen in
had earnestly solicited William of Escalla who had beene created a Gentleman of Venice and dwelt at the same time there to recouer the Principallitie of Verona whom after the recouerie thereof he perfidiously poisoned notwithstanding that before he had sworne and protested all loue and friendship to him and releeued him with Armes and Councell After which hauing surprised Antonio and Brunora of Escalla his children he caused them to be murthered The race of Escalla being thus extinct Francisco caused his son Giacomo or according to some his brother to enter Verona the Ensignes of the Empire and his owne being displaied before him and created him Prince of the Citie Yet not being satisfied with so great a Principalitie he besieged Vincenza hauing first spoiled the Vincenzans Territorie The Vincenzans detesting the name of Carrario resolued to endure all extremitie rather than to submit themselues to their Tyrannie They speedily sent to Katherina widdow to deceased Galeas for Carrario already made hauock of their countrie to get that by force which he could not obtain by right and intreated her to assist them against the violence of the Carrarians giuing her to vnderstand their great danger vnlesse they were speedily relieued alleaging for instance That on the one side they had Padua for neighbour where the Tyrants made their retreate and Verona on the other which they had lately seized on hauing vilely murthered their hosts and that being enuironed and shut in on euerie side they were openly pursued as enemies because they would not open their gates to the Tyrants and that the Vincenzans knew not of whom or from whence to expect reliefe but from thence where the power of Galeas had beene in force and Authoritie Earnestly therefore they entreated her presently to send them aide or if she had not the meanes so to do yet to send them word in what manner shee would will or commaund the Vincenzans to prouide for their safetie This did the Commissioners deliuer vnto her But she being a woman and troubled with the death of her husband and busied elsewhere in greater affaires For Carolo sonne to Bernabo after Galeas death began to 〈◊〉 and diuers pettie Princes of Italie had seized on the Cities which belonged to her husbands Dukedome so as she had busines enough to keepe Milan for resolution in these difficulties assembled her Councell by whom it was concluded That in regard they being so streightly pressed could not continue in her obedience it was much better for Verona Vincenza Feltre Belluna Collogna and Bassan with their dependances to be giuen to the Venetians than to leaue them for a prey to those wicked Tyrants The Venetians albeit they had already refused the offer which the Vincenzans had made to them of their Citie not that they did it to gratifie Carrario or were vnwilling to helpe their poore afflicted friendes but only for that they were ashamed to possesse the goods of an other man without iust cause so soon as they perceiued the offer to be made contrarie to their expectation by the true Lord albeit they knew that great warre would follow with Nouello they would not loose so faire an occasion Therefore they courteously entertained the Vincenzans Commissioners the chief of whom was Giacomo Thyeni sent with the Cities keies willed them after they had receiued their oathes of fidelitie to be of good cheere not to doubt but that they would deale in such sort as if this Paduan who filled all places with tumult and menaces did not desist from molesting them they would shortly set him such taske-worke as he should no more trouble his neighbours nor any else Besides seeing that the Vincenzans had esteemed from the beginning nothing to be more profitable for their Citie than to be vnder the protection of the Venetians they would take order that so loiall a Citie should neuer repent her loue and affection towards them Heereupon they willed them then to depart and to carrie home with them the ensignes of Saint Marke whom they besought to be fauourable to them both and to erect them in the publicke places of their Citie assuring them that the Prince and Senate would take order for the rest In this manner were the Commissioners sent home Giacomo Suriano followed them soone after with a good troupe of Archers for the Cities guard They sent likewise to Carrario to signifie vnto him in the name of the Common-wealth that he should abstaine from further molesting the Vincenzans because they were become subiect to the Venetians But al this aduertisement notwithstanding so farre off was he from giuing ouer his enterprise as on the contrarie in contempt of them and against the law of Nations he caused the Ambassadours Nose and Eares to be cut off and willed him besides to tell the Venetians that it was too saucily done of them to prescribe lawes vnto those who were commanders in possession That they should doe well to containe themselues within their small inclosure of the Sea and leaue Cities to those who from their Ancestours had receiued the power to gouern The Senate being mooued by the Tyrants arrogant answere would before they proclaimed open warre contract alliance with Francisco Gonzaga In the mean time the Feltrians the Bellunois and Bassans following the Vincenzans example voluntarily submitted themselues to the Venetians Colognia gaue occasion of a great battaile The Paduan euerie where opposing himselfe against the Venetians attempts did greatly molest them The Senate on a sodaine caused great forces to be leuied and gaue the charge of them to Carolo Malatesie of Arimini who was sent from Flaminio for that purpose The Armie was reported to be of thirtie thousand as well horse as foot Howbeit Carolo staied longer than was expected yet being come to Venice he was entertained with great ioye and receiued the publicke Ensignes in St. Markes Church Then marching towards the enemie he came to Mestra which was the Rendes-uous of all the Venetian troupes and diuers great personages were in that Armie who receiued good pay of the Venetians The Generall at his arriuall made certaine attempts vpon the enemie but of no great moment and therefore not worthie of memorie But in the hottest of the warre he gaue ouer his place Those Authors whome we haue read giue no reason why he did so Whilest these things were done on the firme Land the nauall armie had no better successe on the Lakes Marco Grimani Generall of the Fleet which the Senate had sent forth against the Tyrant hauing remained for a time on the Lakes neere to the enemies and caused a great number of light boates to come thither did violently force certaine of the Garrisons but being assailed on a sodaine by the Paduan neere to the Church of Saint Hilarie he was defeated hauing lost the greatest part of his vessels which the enemies drew on shoare with hookes of Iron and himselfe being
taken prisoner was committed to the keeping of the Sacceans Malateste his dismission being knowne at Venice they beganne carefully to consider whom they should appoint for their Generall At the last among so many noble persons as were then in great number in the Armie Paulo Sabello a Roman Gentleman for his valour and great experience was alone thought worthie of that place By his conduct diuers places were in short space taken from the enemie and the Venetians beganne to haue better successe vnder this new General But the Tyrants arrogancie did no whit diminish whereby they knew of a certaine that he was to be dealt with in more places than one And therfore they leuied new forces and a new Campe as great as the former which should spoile and ouer-runne the territorie of Verona They made Francisco Gonzaga their associate in this warre Generall of that new Armie He comming sodainely on the Veronois did spoile all places and brought away with him a great bootie as well of prisoners as of Cattle he burnt the Farmes and Countrie houses he tooke certaine strong places and among the rest Hostilio and in a word he left the enemie in a manner nothing Carrario being then assailed in two seuerall places that great vsuall heat of his beganne by litle and litle to coole For he could not intend both places together nor were his forces sufficient being diuided into two to resist the enemies attempts His affaires therefore were of necessitie to goe backeward in both places or at the least in one of them In the meane time Prince Albert of Aeste being mooued with compassion of his friend and allie proclaimed warre on the Venetians who were readie enough to accept it He first sent aid to the confederates and after draue the Venetians foorth of the Pollesin Some Authors say that it was Nicholao sonne to Albert which made warr on the Venetians to whom Carrario had giuen his daughter Liliola to wife But whether it were he or the other according to the Venetian Annals who at the same time relieued the Carrarians the Venetians being displeased thereat did repeale Accio D'Aeste from Candie whither they had in time before confined him in fauour of Albert and hauing giuen him forces they caused him to warre on the territorie of Ferrara This Accio was before that time a deadly enemie to Albert and had without doubt driuen him from his estate if the Venetians the Florentines and those of Bolognia had not ouerthrown him in the height of his good fortune and confined him farre from Italie There was then some likelihood that so soone as this man should assaile the Ferrarois in his Countrie that he would either greatly molest him or enforce him to laie aside his Armes against the Venetians Therefore they armed certaine Gallies and gaue them to Giouanni Barba who at the mouth of Po sailed vp the Riuer where he did greatly affright those of Ferrara In the meane time diuers and sundrie skirmishes were made on the Riuer and else-where And the Citie of Ferrara being thus hardly pressed by water and land Albert to quench this great domisticke flame inclined to peace the which he obtained of the Venetians on these conditions That no more salt should be made at Comaccia and that hee should sweare besides to continue euer a friend to the Venetians These things were done neere to Ferrara but on the Paduan territorie they fought fiercely The Venetian had fortified his Campe at Nogara Then the Generall being gone from thence with part of his troupes came and encamped at Bassanelto Those Authors whom we follow expresse not on what occasion he did so The sonne of Francisco Carrario surnamed Tertius a valorous young man being sent by his father with a choise troupe of horse came and assailed the Campe. The Venetians at the first were so affrighted as the enemie came euen to the Generalls Tent and trode the Venetian Ensignes which where there erected vnder his feet before any man made resistance Sabello in this amazement with much adoe recalled his Souldiours and by earnest intreating now one and then another he restrained their shamefull flight sharpely reprehending their feare Then he commanded them to turne their faces towards the enemie and as he exhorted them hee marched foremost But so soone as the enemie perceiued the Venetians in armes and furiously bent to begin the fight fearing if he should ioyne with them he should be enforced to bring all his forces to the battaile turning his backe he retired on a gallop towards his Ensiignes who alreadie by their Captaines command had begunne the retreat The Venetians not being able to cause the enemie to stay suffered him to depart with certaine of their Ensignes which at his arriuall hee had taken from them Some say that they fought at Mansana and that the Venetians lost six hundred horse but they altogether conceale the losse of their Ensignes This victorious young man returning to the Citie as it were triumphing presented the people with a ioyfull shewe It is reported that afterwards diuers and sundrie exploits were executed and that diuers Townes were taken from the enemies as well of the Paduan as the Verona territorie Whilest these things were attempted Paulo Sabello dyed His bodie being brought to Venice was in great solemnitie accompanied by the whole Clergie the Prince and Senate to the Church of the Friers Minors His Image is to be seene on horse-backe before the high Altar Galeas Grumello of Mantua was by the Senates decree subrogated in his place Others say that Gonzaga brother to Prince Francisco succeeded him and not Grumello This man beganne his charge with as great care and diligence as could be desired in a great Captaine In the meane time Giacomo Suriano who lay in Vincenza because there was no doubt to be made of the Vincenzans loialtie affection towards the Venetians resolued by the permission of the Prince and Senate to goe with a companie of men at armes to the Venetians Campe on the territorie of Verona The enemie lying in ambush came forth and assailed this troupe of men at armes at Soaua and easily defeated them and being thus broken they tooke Suriano with diuers others prisoners The Veronois being wearied with so long and tedious a siege were alreadie determined to yeeld For they likewise did detest the Carrarians Giacomo Carrario commanded in the Citie who as we said in the beginning was giuen to the Veronois for their Lord and Prince Hee of himselfe perceiuing all things to be doubtfull and imagining that he should bee safer abroad than in the Citie being out of hope to keepe it attempted secretly to flie thence He came first to Hostilio and from thence crossing the Po he was taken on the Riuers bancks and brought to Venice But I know not what should mooue him to goe to Hostilio seeing it was at the same time vnder the power of
befall those which haue not meanes to maintaine and defend themselues is to be shrowded vnder a lawfull gouernment and that they would finde it to be as pleasing in that they had recourse to the only Fort of libertie hauing cast off a Tyrants yoake as doth that man which hath escaped out of a terrible tempest when he entreth into a safe Harbor They might then depart when they pleased and take with them the Venetians Ensignes and in so saying the Prince gaue them to the chiefe Ambassador and erect them in the middest of their Citie which he wished might proue to the Venetians and them alwaies profitable and honourable and being so erected to hold them in reuerence Then he willed them to execute justice and equitie in regard they had in times past obaied the vniust commandes of Tyrants In this sort the Ambassadours of Verona were dismissed Those of Padua following their example came soone after to Venice They were entertained as the former and the only difference was that in sted of white the Paduans were clothed in purple The end of the eighth Booke of the second Decad. THE NINTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the ninth Booke of the second Decad. LADISLAVS King of Hungarie restoreth the Citie of Zara to the Venetians Warre for a while in Dalmatia by meanes of the Sibensans What great hurt a sodaine storme hapning on the thirteenth of August did to the Citie and places neere about The Scythians make incursions on the Faires of Tane PIPVS entreth violently into Italie with great troupes of Hungarians FREDERICK soone followeth him thither Diuers encounters with the enemies on the Treuisan and Forlane Certaine new Magistrates are created in the Citie How the Venetians by the contention of those of Vdina entred in Armes into the Countrie of Friul which is reduced vnder the Venetians obedience Strangers come twice into Italie vnder the conduct of LEWIS Bishop of Aquileia CARMAGNOLLA forsaking PHILIP VISCONTE comes and serues the Venetians Sundry opinions of the Senate touching the warre in behalfe of the Florentines against PHILIP And last of all war is proclaimed against PHILIP the Venetians being allied with the Florentines PEace continued three whole yeares as well within the Citie as abroad All which time according to those whom we follow we finde no memorable accident to haue hapned In the end whereof being the yeare of our Saluation one thousand foure hundred and nine Ladislaus leauing Italie departed towards Hungarie to possesse his Fathers Kingdome Hee made a stay in Dalmatia before Zara. This Prince was sonne to the same Charles who in the time of the Genoueses warre did for a while besiege Treuiso from whence being afterward called hee went into Apulia to reuenge the death of King Andrew on Queene Ioane his wife where he conquered the kingdom of Naples but returning afterwards from Italie into Hungarie he was murthered by his owne subiects He left behinde him his sonne Ladislaus who in processe of time being likewise called to recouer his Fathers Kingdome came into Dalmatia and recouered Zara after hee had for a while besieged it In the meane time being aduertized by letters that the Neapolitanes with diuers great Lords of the Kingdome were readie to rebell fully resoluing to returne into Italie he sold that Citie with her Territorie Hauen and other appurtenances to the Venetians for the summe of one hundred thousand crownes Whereupon Francisco Cornari Leonardo Mocenigo Antonio Contareni and Fantino Michaeli were sent thither with a strong Garrison to take possession thereof We finde in some others that the Venetians receiued Zara before the Paduan warre was ended This negotiation was very pleasing to the whole Citie as well in regard of the hauen which is one of the most commodious in all Dalmatia as also because it being reduced vnder their obedience did seeme to promise them the entire Dominion of Dalmatia as it fell out soone afterward Some say that the Venetians did together with Zara buy of Ladislaus all his Title to Dalmatia Whereupon they made generall Processions in the Citie and a decree was made That the same day should be kept holy Within few Moneths after there arose great dissension betwixt the Sibensans the Nobilitie holding for the Venetians and the rest of the people for the King of Hungarie This seditious multitude did put on Armes and hauing thrust all the Gentlemen forth of the Citie they tooke the publike gouernment into their owne hands Those who were expelled went to the Venetians and hauing promised to yeeld themselues vnto them entreated them speedily to passe ouer into Dalmatia to recouer Sabenica The Venetians did forth with arme foure Gallies with about fiftie other smaller vessells The Citie being besieged was not only well defended but the Venetian was expulsed thence with great losse whereby they knew that it behoued them to haue a greater Armie whereupon the Senate sent thither Lodouico Buccecharino with great supplies to besiege it by Land At his arriuall they built a Fort neare to the Citie and all the passages were shut vp that no victualls armour nor reliefe might come vnto it And besides Ambassadours were sent into Hungarie Giouanni Barba and Tomaso Mocenigo both of them being Prouidatori of S. Marke went thither The affaires of the Sibensans being for a while debated was by the consent of the Hungarian and the Venetians referred to Pope Iohn to be decided But in this meane time Marsilio Carrario and Brunora of Escalla being then fugitiues in Germanie did each of them by Letters and trustie Messengers solicite their friends to stirrevp rebellion whereof the Venetians being aduertized it did greatly trouble them At the last it was knowne by letters intercepted by chance that Marsilio would be shortly at Padua where certaine of the Inhabitants who were louers of noueltie had put him in hope to be kindly welcommed One of those who were faultie being taken and conuicted of the fact was cut in foure quarters And an other of them being brought backe from Ferrara to execution lost his head betwixt the two Columnes Diuers were reported to haue a hand in the conspiracie but the Senate were of opinion that it was better to defer the punishment till some other time thinking in the meane time that they had sufficiently prouided for the Common-wealth if by containing the Paduans in their dutie they should for feare of danger keepe the Tyrants farre from Italie They appointed fiue thousand crownes for reward to any that should bring either of their heads to Venice About the same time on the thirteenth of August there hapned in the Citie so great a Tempest of Winde Haile and Raine as diuers ships were cast away some being swallowed by the waues and others dasht to peeces against the Sea-banks Diuers buildings as well publike as priuate were ouerthrowne and among others S. Sauiours steeple Trees were pluckt vp by the rootes and carried farre
by the great frost and snow for it was winter they raised their Campe. The Bishop being out of hope to effect any thing did follow them into Hungarie The Venetians recouered Feltre Belluna and other places which had beene lost in that warre they entred the Patrians confines where they wholy ruined the Citie of Prata Philippo Arcia was Generall of the Armie one of the best experienced Captaines of his time He Prata being ruined marched towards Vdina where the gate on the side of Ciuitade being opened to him by Fredericke and others of his partie the Citie was then like to haue beene taken by that treacherie But a great noise raised on a sodaine and the alarme giuen on euerie side all men ranne to armes The Bandetti being amazed at this sodaine and vnlookt for feare hauing lost diuers of their Souldiours who were at hand with the armed Squadrons of the Citie retired without doing any thing Afterward the Venetian Ensignes ranne here and there vpon the Patrians territorie and the Vdinois for certaine yeares were in danger Diuers Cities and Lords of the Forlani did acknowledge the Venetians But the Vdinois perceiuing that it was in vaine to expect reliefe from any place and that the Bishop his arriuall was vncertaine they resolued likewise to yeeld Therefore they sent their Agents to Venice to offer vnto the Venetians their Lands and meanes as well publicke as particular and in Generall all matters both diuine and humane The Agents being friendly entertained the Senate decreed that Fredericke and his associates should be restored to their Citie and their goods By which decree not onely the Sauergnans but their adherents and all those who had beene banished returned into the Citie and their inheritances The whole Countrie of the Patrians in Friul followed the example of the Vdinois The Bishop being aduertized of the Vdinois yeelding thinking it no time to delay came through Germanie with great troupes of Hungarians and fell furiously on the Forlani and at his arriuall in the streights of the Alpes he tooke the Castle of Clasino a most strong and well defended place and neere thereunto that of Mutiano a place then as now well fortified And the Patrians were like to haue receiued a great losse if the Venetian forces sent thither for that purpose had not opportunely by their arriuall broken the enemies designes who were still in the streights of the Alpes The enemies did not onely refuse to fight but they durst not attend the Venetians who came towards them for they came into Italie with an intent rather to robbe and spoile than make warre And by this meanes within few daies after this great stirre all the Countrie of the Patrians was at quiet all those places which the enemie had seized being easily recouered Within a while after the Bishop returned into Italie with a greater Armie and entring the Patrians confines he assailed Mansane and soone after Rosacia But this iourney prooued as vnfortunate as the former whereof we now spake The Venetians at the first newes of the enemies comming were in the field whereat the Bishop being greatly astonished departed forthwith out of Italie And within a while after practizing nouelties he deceased By his death the Vdinois and Patrians were afterward at quiet vnder the gouernement of the Venetians These things hapned abroad But the Citie sustained great losse by fire as it had oftentimes done before The fire breaking forth on a sodaine from the Dukes Palace did in an instant take hold on Saint Markes Church which is verie neere to the same where the flame did so terribly encrease as the lead beeing melted wherewith it was then couered as it is at this day there was nothing left but the open vaults They tooke great paines neere to the Church to keepe the fire from the neighbour-houses The fire being quenched the Senate decreed that no man vnder paine of forfeiting a thousand Ducats should dare to propound to the Senate to pluck downe the old Palace and to reedifie it more sumptuously It is reported that then the Prince preferring the honour of the Common-wealth before his owne priuate profit brought the same summe to the Senate and requested the Senators that they would permit command that the fore-part of the Ducal Palace which was much defaced might be reedified in more sumptuous manner as was befitting for the maiestie of the Common-wealth The publicke Aduocates and Procurators did forthwith craue that the Prince might pay the forfeiture for that he had enfringed the Senates decree The Prince hauing liberally paid the summe did so constantly pursue his proposition as the Senate reuoked their former decree and ordained that the Palace should be new built whereupon the ancient structure was pluckt down and another more sumptuous was begunne But the Prince dyed before it was finished after he had gouerned ten yeares and almost three months His bodie was buried in the Church of the Twinnes Francisco Foscari succeeded him ¶ FRANCISCO FOSCARI the 65. Duke of Uenice HIs promotion was so pleasing to all the people and to the whole Venetian State as in signe of gladnesse there was no holy day for one whole yeare wherein fight at Barriers running at Ring or other sundrie shewes were not presented The yeare following the Porch of Rialto was builded at the charges of Scipioni Boa and afterward built new againe by him because the former building was thought to be of no long continuance The same yeare likewise warre was begunne against Philip Duke of Milan The cause of which painefull and tedious warre we must fetch from farre to the end that all men may know that it was not vndertaken rashly or without cause against so mightie a Prince and a great friend as then to the Venetians but that they were constrained so to doe This Philip was sonne to Galeas Visconte who being left verie young with Iohn Maria his eldest brother did loose a great part of his Principalitie For Galeas being dead diuers Tyrants and pettie Kings beginning to stirre here and there each of them seized on one or many Townes of his Dukedome and like a bodie being left in the middest of them they tare it in peeces But in succession of time as well by his owne valour as that of Francisco surnamed Carmagnolla one of the greatest Captaines of those daies hee did not onely recouer the greatest part of that which did belong to his deceased father but by a wonderfull course of victorie became master of diuers Townes which were neuer possessed by his Ancestors At the last comming to besiege Genoa and the Genoueses being brought to all extremitie it is certaine that they were relieued by the Florentines with a great summe of money on condition that they should giue them for assurance of the lent summe the Citie of Liuorne a verie strong place on the mouth of Arno. Philip perceiuing that the same warre would beget matter of new dissension did neuerthelesse
vp against themselues the Armies of that inuincible nation But wherefore doe we seeke ancient or forraine examples when we haue in abundance so many new and domestick There is none of vs as I thinke which hath not seene or heard of their Fathers and Mothers how vehement an enemie to this Citie Prince Carrario shewed himselfe during the Warre with the Genoueses first at Chioggia and then at Treuiso What did King Lewis what did many others who haue not ceased to disturbe the peace and quiet of your state And we likewise haue euer without intermission had an hereditarie Warre with the Viscontes euer since the Principalitie of Luchin And to speake truly it is commonly seene that those who haue vsurped other mens libertie doe hate those vnto whome they cannot doe as much I esteeme your Common-wealth most happie and your selues O yee Venetian Fathers in that yee haue extinguished the Carrarians race your capitall enemies before such time as this rauening Lyon with whom we haue to doe was growne great For if he had now found them liuing he would not haue beene satisfied with assailing you only on the Lakes of Bebia as they did but comming both by Land and Water he would not only haue endangered your state but your libertie it selfe whereupon I thinke that it fell out well for vs that day that you smothered that neighbour flame vnlesse the great assurance which you haue conceiued by that victorie doth hinder you from thinking on the danger which threatneth you from this cruell Tyrant He is your enemie beleeue me he is your enemie and lieth in wait on euery side and therefore so much the more dangerous as he is yet least knowne and there is nothing so difficult which he presumeth not to atchieue by his good fortune or dareth not to attempt For hauing with seuen thousand men assailed our forces who were then excellent in Armes meanes and good fortune and sometimes twise or thrise greater than his hee hath neuerthelesse broken and defeated them sooner than we thought that he had descried them He hath no 〈◊〉 according to the Poets fictions or cruell Centaures in his Armie They be men like ours but much more hardie and valiant vnto whom he hath giuen in marriage the Daughters and Wiues of wretched Citizens with their Houses Lands and Possessions Wherevnto doe you 〈◊〉 thinke that their haughtie courages will not aspire Is it likely that they thinke or desire any other matter than after that they shall haue ouerthrowne our forces how they may one day assaile the Venetians more mightie than wee in reputation and power so greatly hath their good successe encreased their boldnesse Let vs then finde meanes to ouerthrow their wicked Councells and detestable vowes to expell their Wiues and Children with their Gouernours of Cities Fields and Townes from the confines of Lombardie and to enforce them to busie themselues about their owne domestick affaires or else to take forraine pay I am afraide most excellent Prince to speake what I thinke yet I will tell it seeing that necessitie enforceth me thereunto That vnlesse yee speedily ioyne your forces with ours Florence being subdued will bring Philip to that passe that without the aide of any else he will come to disturbe and beate downe the Venetians State But say yee the Venetians are accustomed to maintaine their alliances as sacred and inuiolate I beseech God most excellent Prince and yee conscript Fathers that those vnto whom he hath giuen so good a minde to obserue their promise may likewise know the cunning and deceits of those with whome they are to deale and being knowne to auoide them by speedie wisedome I thinke yee remember with what subtiltie and craft he deceiued you when as he expelled Pandolfo Malateste from his State and from that of his Mother whome yee so much desired to maintaine in the Principalitie of Brescia Yee haue heard how by deceit and contrarie to the agreement hee hath suppressed the Soueraigne Magistrate of Genoa and brought that mightie Citie into bondage Yee are not ignorant likewise how contrarie to the assurance of peace infringing all lawes and customes he hath ouerthrowne vs by a sodaine and vnlookt-for assault who is it then which doth not plainly see how often he hath broken all Diuine and Humane lawes It is not lawfull to keepe promise with a periured person But your silence doth make me alreadie in a manner to beleeue that yee doe sufficiently know that I doe not so much craue by this mine aduertizement the safetie of our Common-wealth as your prosperitie good fortune and preseruation the which this perfidious craftie and well aduised great Souldier no lesse audacious than readie doth daily lay wait for trusting to the fidelitie of his Souldiers to the treasure which he hath gathered together and to the great yearely tribute which he receiueth deferring to make Warre on you till he hath wholly ruined vs. But doe not contemne our alliance although we seeme to be reduced to all extremitie For albeit we haue without measure spent great wealth we haue yet greater though not publike yet particular the which we are readie franckly to employ for the preseruation of our libertie Ioyne then your armes ioyne your forces with ours and by wholesome Counsell and Sacred alliance conserue both our Liberties Common-wealths and Countries And as concerning the meanes how to accomplish it we prescribe no conditions but are readie to embrace such as yee shall propound Lorenzo hauing ended his speech all the Senators were greatly moued not one against an other but in themselues being of sundrie opinions each of them debating with himselfe the power of Philip on the one side with the Common-wealths danger and on the other the Florentines example with the great expence of the warre Whereupon they concluded to heare the Ambassadours of Philip before they would giue an answere And to the end they might make an easie reply to that which Lorenzo had vttered certaine Senators were commanded to relate to the Milanois vnder colour of particular friendship that which he had spoken Wherevpon a day being appointed for their comming to the Senate Gioâ—…anni Aretin famous for humane learning and eloquent in the Countrie language with the consent of his fellow spake in this manner The Oration of Giouanni Aretin I Vnderstand most Illustrious Prince that the Florentines who are great enquirers after newes are desirous ouer the whole Citie to know wherefore and vpon what occasion Philip Duke of Milan hath sent vs hither to you and to this most Sacred Senate whome in some sort to satisfie I will in few words vtter the effect of our Ambassade and I assure my selfe that when they shall vnderstand it it will not greatly content them We are not then come hither conscript Fathers to stirre vp any troubles nor for to ouer-turne any Diuine or Humane Law Philip leaueth those cunnings to the Florentines vnto whom by nature they belong For he thinketh on nothing more
secrets they might easily breake and ouerthrowe all the attemps of the Milanois That which the Prince and his fauorites said of Carmagnolla was true but many did suspect his loyaltie fearing that after he should haue thrown the Venetians into the hazard of warre being wonne by faire promises hee might againe returne to Philip. But to cleare this doubt it happened at the same time as this matter was debated or not long before that he had like to haue beene poisoned by Iohn Alitprand the Milanois This man had in time before married the daughter of Bernabo Visconte but because he had fauoured Hector de Monze whome Philip besieged fearing the vanquishers furie had retired with his wife to Treuiso And in regard thereof Carmagnolla did often visit him as one whome he knew to bee greatly hated of Philip. He in meane time being reconciled to Visconte did determine to poison his friend and guest but being apprehended by the accusation of his maide-seruant and put to the torture he confessed the matter and had his head stricken off The Senators then imagining that which fell out that the same had more animated Carmagnolla against Philip for he was at the same time come from the firme land to Venice they called him into the Senate where being by nature chollericke he beganne to inueigh against Philip complaining with great vehemencie of his treacherie and ingratitude saying That by his skill and diligence hee had not onely recouered his fathers state but much more beside That by his conduct and dexteritie he had reduced vnder his dominion Alexandria Noâ—…arra Monza Lauda Coma Pauia Placentia Bergamo Cremona Bressia and last of all Genoa enuious in times past of the Venetians greatnesse And that therby he had extolled the name of Philip not onely beyond the confines of Italie but of Europe in regard of the taking of Genoa And that he would not haue them to thinke that his labours had beene recompenced because that he had beene greatly honoured by him and married a wife of that kindred and taken vpon him the surname of that familie for that was no remuneration for his paines but a bond of his militia so as by that meanes this vnthankefull man had tyed him to serue him till such time as he perceiued his affaires to be settled according to his wish as the euent did afterwards manifest For besides his suffering of certaine shamelesse and detestable persons whome he abused to slander him and in that regard holding him in some suspect had enforced him retire thence he had moreouer being thus banished attempted to take away his life But that it fell out well 〈◊〉 for that escaping the present danger in recompence of his Countrie wife and children and all his meanes left to a Tyrant he had met with another true nurscrie of all integritie and iustice where euerie man was rewarded according to his deserts where vertue and valour were honored and where bad men had none accesse nor retreat which being so he did not thinke on his lost wealth but that he had purchased much greater That he felt not himselfe to be danted by any aduerse fortune but that he was well recompenced for all his losses were it not that his wife and children did so abate his courage as he had not the meanes to hurt that Tyrant As for the warre which they propounded he said that Philips power nor his forces were not so great as men boasted And that the Florentines were not vanquished by the valour and conduct of their enemies but by the malice and rashnesse of their owne Captaines Nor that the other victories obtained in former time were gotten by Philips conduct but by his alone And besides that he was but needie in regard he had spent all his meanes on those Armies which he had sent forth by Seâ—… and Land against the King of Arragon so as that Armie which he now had in Tuscanie had not of a long time receiued any paye That he durst affirme that Philip whome they thought in shew to haue alreadie surmounted all men was in effect nâ—…erer to be vanquished than to vanquish That his treasure cleane was exhausted his subiects consumed his reuenue in a manner wholy engaged and that little which remained was by his detestable and shamelesse loues rob'd spoiled and consumed That he knew of a certaine that his Armie had not beene paid for the space of a whole yeare and that the report of some was not true which said that his Souldiours followed him to the wars freely and without money He willed them then to consider what might happen if the Venetians should roundly assaile the people of Lumbardy who were drawn drie of their wealth by continuall subsidies If the Lombard merchants were prohibited their traffick with them which was onely left the of all Italie if their husbandmen and cattell should be enforced to retire into the circuit of their wals their lands would become barren vnfruit full if after the spoile of one years fruit famine and want of all necessaries should afflict them they should then perceiue that he who now was thought a Conquerour and whose onely name was fearfull to all men being by these meanes vanquished would find enough to doe to defend himselfe and his subiects And that they should not find him such an one in beating backe his enemies as he had been before in inuading pursuing them Moreouer that the Florentines forces were great at the first but that those of the Venetians wâ—…re much greater That there was great difference in making warre in a forrain Countrie in a mans owne That his reputation could much auaile them in that enterprize as hee who had fortunatly ended all the warres which hee had begunne and vanquished all those against whome hee had fought and had learned by so many hazards dangers and labours both to obay and commaund But as concerning Philips good will towardes the Venetians because by longe onuersing with him hee knew all his secrets hee assured them that he did deferre the warre which he had long since resolued in his minde against the Venetians till such time as hee should wholly ouerthrowe the Florentines Hee wished them then whilest they had time to quench this flame which was so neare them and if they thought him fit to manage the warre for the seruice of â—…he Common-wealth hee entreated them to vse the power which they had ouer him Because hee was determined in regard of Philips ingratitude to march against him with the same zeale affection and heate of courage to his ouerthrow as hee had done when hee was his friend to purchase him the soueraigne Principallitie The Venetians should doe well then to embrace so faire an occasion who in so doing should not alone defend their owne estate but mightily enlarge it and should aide the Florentines their fellow brethren in libertie who were then greatly afflicted And this ought chiefely to excite them so to doe in
were at the same time two Artificers in Milan who did vndertake in short space to arme as many thousands of men as were reported to haue beene taken in that battaile Sforza and Picinino were not in the meane time idle For ioyning with those that escaped they surprized the Venetians victualls and did greatly trouble the forragers and those which went to the enemies Camp Picinino did moreouer attempt by night to recouer Pontoglio but it was in vaine Captaine Bressan a very famous Gentleman died at this enterprize being surprized by the Townes-men Although Philip perceiued his affaires to be reduced to great extremitie yet neuerthelesse he did not omit all possible meanes to stop the Venetians pursuing the course of their victorie He sent to the Emperour Sigismond vnto whom hee had in former times beene as great an enemie as to the Venetians to entreat his aide and that he would send Brunora of Escalla with an Armie into Italie against the Venetians He did afterwards practize with Amadeo Duke of Sauoy with whom hauing quitted Verseill vnto him he did not only make a league but entred into his affinitie taking his Daughter to Wife whom he neuer touched after the first night He did moreouer entreat Pope Martin to vse all meanes to disvnite the Florentines from the Venetians But the more he went about by these meanes to raise himselfe the more did contrarie fortune deject him by the death of diuers of his best Captaines Angelo Pergulano died within a while after who was followed by Fabricio Campana and diuers other notable persons who died one after another At the last Visconte being afflicted with this latter losse consented to peace This businesse was for a time debated at Ferrara in the presence of the Popes Legat where peace was granted on these conditions That the Venetians should haue Bressia with all the Bressian and Bergamese Territorie and that part of the Bergamese which stretcheth towards the Riuer Adice together with all the Castles which they then held vpon the Cremonese The Florentines had little or nothing giuen to them but only this that it might bee lawfull for them to fixe their owne Ensignes vpon their Gallies in regard that before then by an accord made with the Genoueses they were woont to vse those of the Pisans Those of Ferrara Mantua Paluicin Montferrat and those of Sienna likewise at the entreatie of the Florentines their associates were freed together with those Countries vpon the Riuer of Genoa which lay towardes the Leuant But the Malspini the Fregozas and the Fiesci very Noble families of Genoa could not obtaine leaue of Philip to returne home to their houses notwithstanding that the Florentines did earnestly sue in their behalf yet neuerthelesse he promised to reckon them in the number of his friends Carmagnolla receiued his wife and children and Palace which he had most sumptuously built at Milan before his banishment The end of the tenth Booke of the second Decad. THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the first Booke of the third Decad. THe cause of the second warre in Lombardie The forces of GVENESIO of Luca arc on a sodaine defeated by NICHOLAO surnamed STELLA A treacherous attempt made on the person of Prince FOSCARI by ANDREA CONTARENI FRANCISCO SFORZA his iournie into Tuscanie where hee restoreth those of Luca to their libertie NICHOLAO PICININO passethinto Tuscanie against the Florentines PHILIP putteth SFORZA in hope of a future alliance The Turkes take Thessalonica on the Sea Thermaic A great frost round about Venice where Cartes went vpon the waters The Florentines care and diligence to preserue Pisa. Warre renewed against PHILIP vpon the Cremonese The Venetians nauall Armie is put to rout vpon the Po. The Venetians defeate the Genoueses vpon the Rapalitane Sea LAVRETAN brings supplies to the Pope to Ciuita-veccbia PHILIP giueth â—…attaile to CARMAGNOLLA neare to Somma where the fight is equall Cremona almost taken PICININO wasteth all places vpon the Riuer of Genoa and driueth the Prince of Monferrat an associate of the Venetians from his whole State The Venetians haue no good successe at the siege of Chios CARMAGNOLLA being suspected a Traitour to the Senate and conuicted of the crime hath his head stricken off The Venetians are put to the worst in the Camonian Valley And lastly peace is concluded with PHILIP PEace was not alone in Lombardie but which had not beene seene of a long time ouer all Italie at what time the rebellion of those of Bolognia against Pope Martin did disturbe this rest and within a while after warre was renewed betwixt the Venetians and Philip. And the better to vnderstand the occasion thereof we must fetch the matter from farre Peace being concluded with Visconte the confines of that part of the Cremonese which had beene adiudged to the Venetians were cause of continuall controuersie betwixt them and of procuring that warre which ensued For although the Marquesse of Aeste was at the beginning chosen Vmpier for both sides the same neuerthelesse was some cause of renewing the warre Besides the next Sommer after the peace Philip made fierce warre vpon the Fiesci and Fregozas which were banished from Genoa whome during the treatie of peace hee would not comprehend in the Florentines Articles but had promised to hold them in the number of his friends He tooke from them diuers Townes and Castles first by meanes of the Genoueses and aftewards by Picinino whome he sent against them with a mightie Armie But these matters which were not small were neuerthelesse too weake to renew this warre all at once Another farre greater subiect which was neuer dreamt on ministred a lawfull occasion to take Armes Paul of Luca of the Guenesian Familie had for the space of thirtie yeares vsurped as a Tyrant the Signorie and Gouernment of Luca his natiue Countrie and did in the meane time so Gouerne the Cities important affaires in his owne name as in the middest of so manie stormes of warre which did at that time thunder vpon Italie he could neuer be drawne to take Armes nor to encline to any side This had greatly offended the Florentines for that they could neuer in their aduersitie draw any aide from him as from their neighbour VVherevpon all men both in generall and particular did hate the Guenesian name and enuied his prosperitie Therefore peace being made with Philip the chiefe of the Citie deuised by what meanes they might intangle him in some affaires of importance They wanted not iust matter whereby to make warre vpon him For Ladislaus his sonne being in the Florentines pay was gone from them without their leaue knowing very well that they would not haue suffered him to haue serued against Pope Martin in the troubles of Bolognia But the people of Florence being tired with warre would by no meanes heare any talke of Armes The principall of the Citie who detested the Tyrants power seeing they
to escape forth of the middest of the tumult Dandulo was taken by the enemies At the same time two sorts of monies were coined in the Citie that of most value was worth eight souls and the lesser two There was likewise a Bridge built of white stone neere to the Church of the Fryers Minors It is moreouer recorded That the waters round about the Citie were so frozen as men went drie-foote from the Citie to Tourcelles Malamoc and that which is more strange to Chioggia It is reported that a bride was brought from Mestre to Venice in a waggon the which before that time was neuer seene that waggons did passe vpon those waters which are betwixt the Citie and the firme Land The Florentines after the losse of the battaile in Tuscanie neere to the riuer Arno would again haue attempted by reason of Picinino's absence to besiege Luca for after the battaile he had retired himselfe towards Pontremolle to force certaine places belonging to the Fiesci neere to the Alpes had not Bartholomeo Fornari Captaine of fiue Genoa-gallies and two ships of burthen come and encamped before Liuorne Whereupon fearing least by reason thereof the Pisans would reuolt they were constrained to send part of their forces in Garrison into the Citie VVithin a while after Picinino returned who with a wonderfull speed had in a manner reduced al the towns belonging to the Pisans vnder his power The Florentins after that they had lost all the rest fearing least the victorious enemie would seize on Pisa did make a verie cruell decree That all the inhabitants from the age of fifteene yeres to threescore should depart forth of the Citie before that a candle lighted vp for that purpose should be burnt out and by that meanes did vnburthen the Citie which they suspected of a great number of inhabitants The enemie leauing the Pisan territorie marched to that of Volterra which iourney was as prosperous to him as that of Pisa. For hauing taken all places of the countrey Volterra likewise would haue beene mightily endangered if Michaeli Attendulo sent by Pope Eugenius to aide the Florentines had not by his opportune comming freed it These things were done in Tuscanie whilest that Philip was greatly troubled because that Carmagnolla lay at the new Orges with his troupes in a readinesse hauing beene there a long time and fearing least that he would beginne as in the precedent warres by some vnlooked-for reprisall he began heedfully to looke to his affaires that the enemie might not enterprize vpon him by some secret practise VVherefore after diligent search made he discouered that they within the Castle of Lodes had promised to giue him entrance VVhereupon hauing speedily smothered that treacherie he was desirous to trie if he could take the enemie in his owne trappe He did secretly counsell the Gouernour of the Castle of Socinna to promise the Venetian Generall that for a certaine summe of money he would deliuer vnto him the Castle Munition and garrison The Generall did not refuse this offer for which he promised him a great summe of money and had a day appointed him when he should bring his troupes thither Philip being aduertized heereof commanded Sforza and Tollentino to march thither verie secretly with part of their forces to seize on all the waies and to lay an Ambuscado for Carmagnolla to surprize him and his forces if it were possible Carmagnolla failed not at the day appointed and hauing sent before him certaine troupes to seize on the place he made a stand neere to the towne with the residue of his forces Those which were sent before being receiued into a corner of the Castle were at the enemies mercie when on a sodaine the Gouernour of the place cried out with a loud voice calling diuers times to Carmagnolla saying That he was no traitor to Philip but a beguiler of his enemies And thereupon Sforza and Tollentino arising forth of their ambush and assailing the Venetians on euerie side did greatly terrifie them Carmagnolla then perceiued that he was taken in his owne subtilties and presently turning his backe fled in disorder as fast as he could The report was that hauing lost more than a thousand horse he escaped by meanes of Tollentino VVithin a while after the Venetians being rather detained than encamped vpon the Cremonese did fearelesse runne vp and downe Lodouico Colonna who as we haue said was sent to guard the Citie went and assailed them being disorderly scattered vpon the riuers bankes where he brake and defeated them with forces farre inferiour to theirs in number and tooke three hundred horse from them But I finde nothing recorded by Historians concerning this second defeate During these exploits in Lombardie Tuscanie was much afflicted with warre and especially the Florentines who had Picinino still at their elbowes For hauing a long time made incursions on the Volterran territorie he marched towards that of Arezzo where by intelligence he had like to haue taken the Citie But being disappointed of his expectation he began to batter Townes and Castles of which he tooke manie some by force and others by volunrarie yeelding At this stay stood the state of the affaires of these two Prouinces when Tollentino disdaining that Duke Philip should make more reckoning of Francisco Sforza and Picinino than of him hauing to the one promised his alliance and to the other committed the sole commaund of his Armie and thereby as it were held him in contempt did leaue Philips partie and retired with a gallant troup of his own followers into Flaminia The Venetians and Florentines sought to draw him to their parties offering him the sole commaund of the Armie if he would come into Lombardie But matters being delaied he went from Flaminia to the Popes seruice against the Colonessi neere to Rome Philip was enforced by Tollentines departure to call backe Picinino into Lombardie The Venetians in the meane time although they well knew that they had renewed that warre with bad successe did neuerthelesse leauie forces and made great prouisions of victuals and Armour and besides their land-forces they made readie a mightie nauall Armie to send it vp the riuer towards Cremona wherein was ten thousand fighting men besides the Marriners and Pilots Nicolao Treuisano was made Generall and in euerie vessell a Venetian Gentleman commaunded There was besides great store of warlik engines of all sorts as many almost as there were men Carmagnolla likewise was encamped neere to the towne with twelue thousand horse and as many foot Philip had prepared a nauall Armie vpon the Thesin which in number of vessels souldiers and in all other prouisions was inferiour to the Venetians but for the valour of the Generall and skill of the Pilots if it did not surpasse it it did at leastwise equall it Giouanni Grimaldi the Genouese was Generall a man among his countrymen the most famous and expert in marine matters of any of his
send Sforza vnto them who was then on the further side of the Po But neither hee nor the Florentines resoluing to doe so they alleadged sundrie excuses At the last entreating that he might at least wise come to Regio to enforce the enemie to retire for feare of loosing Parma it came to passe as they wished For Picinino hauing ruined Calepia vpon the Bergamese inuaded the vale of Trescoria and taken the bridge three miles distant from the Citie he went on couragiously and besieged the Castle of Bergamo Sforza being importuned by the Venetians letters came to Regio But hee was scarce gone forth of Tuscanie when Picinino being aduertised of his departure came likewise with speed to Parma Sforza being come to that place beganne greatly to distrust Pope Eugenius notwithstanding that he had beene reconciled to him and made Prince of La Marca For tyrannie leadeth this mischiefe along with it to make a man distrust his best friends Whereupon fearing least in his absence they should practise ought against his brethren whom hee had left to command in the Prouince he sent Italus of Friull thither with certaine troupes of horse Hee had likewise left a great part of his forces to continue the fiege before Luca so as after Italus his departure hee had with him at Regio but the one halfe of his Armie During his abode at Regio the Venetians on the one side entreating him to crosse the Po and Sforza on the other crauing according to the conuention to haue his troupes compleate time ranne on without any memorable exploit Picinino in the meane time being mindfull of the Luquois assembled great numbers of labouring men and peasants and departed from Parma towardes Luca to raise the siege Sforza's troupes likewise went speedily through the Countrie of Modena to the Alpes Sundrie atchiuements were there performed on both sides and diuers skirmishes of small importance howbeit as often as Picinino wo was strongest came to fight Sforza did not only make head but couragiously repulsed him During these passages in the Alpes or within a while after Francisco Gonzaga hauing voluntarily giuen ouer his charge retired to Mantua It is reported that he departed scarce well pleased from the Venetians The cause of his discontent proceeded as some say from the Venetians distrust of him at such time as the troupes crossed the Riuer Adda where they said he had not done his dutie Yet neuerthelesse he carried himselfe modestly for hee left his cauallerie behind him in the Venetian Armie but that which followed makes it apparent to what end hee did it Gonzaga being gone Frederico Contareni the Prouidator did for a time take the charge of the Armie Afterwards Paulo Troni was sent thither from the Citie who by the Senates aduise accusing the negligence of some and the treacherie of others gaue occasion vnto diuers that stood alreadie badly affected to them to craue leaue to depart among whome were Antonio and Asturo Fauentij and Borsia D'Aeste sonne to Nicholao These with many more being departed such as had serued vnder them and were desirous to stay stil did according to their merit receiue good pay Sforza in the meane time demanded of the Florentines and Venetians payment of that which was due vnto him And sending to Venice for that purpose his Agent being brought into the Senate tolde them that he was expresly come to put the Prince and Senate in mind of Sforzaes good seruices done vnto them and to receiue such summes as were due vnto him It is reported that prince Foscari by the Senates appointment answered That the Venetians were euer accustomed bountifully to satisfie and pay those who in any sort had loyally serued the weale publique according to their promise but as for Sforza hee had beene so farre from employing himselfe for them as hauing beene earnestly intreated to aide them he flatly denyed it Whereunto the Agent replying That they should doe well eyther to pay Sforza his due or else to discharge him both of his place and promise that he might more freely prouide for his affaires it is reported that thereunto all men generally answered That the Senate was well pleased that he should take his leaue and be gone Sforza being nettled with this answere resolued to reconcile himselfe to Philip whereunto till then he could neuer be induced for that he would not abandon the Pope and his confederates Whereupon being inflamed with choller and disdaine he went to the Florentines to demand that which they and the Venetians did owe him or if they should refuse it presently to discharge him as the Venetians had done The Florentines promised to pay him for them both they onely intreated him to haue patience for a while and to execute his charge whilest money might be raised on the people whose means were much exhausted and that they might send to Venice to the Prince and Senate For they knew well enough that Sforza being gone they should altogether be out of hope of taking Luca and were besides doubtfull lest some other new warre should assaile them from elsewhere According to this promise they sent Cosmo de Medicis to Venice a man besides his great wealth very wise and beloued of the people Hee had in former times dwelt at Venice at such time as through enuy he was driuen from Florence where during his abode he had behaued himselfe with such modestie and curtesie towards all men as well in publique as priuate that he was generally beloued and esteemed Whereupon being afterwards restored to his countrey for the hearty affection which he conceiued to that City where he had bin so kindly entertained his countrymen called him the Venetian Being come to Venice and brought into the Senate it is reported that with great feruencie he spake vnto them in this manner That his loue and affection towards the Venetians being remembred by his Countreymen it fell out that not as a Tuscan and borne in Florence but as a Venetian hee was sent to the Venetians to acquaint them with the Florentines great want of money and that they were no longer able to make anie leuies vpon the people for the entertainement of the Army That his fellow-Citizens were not cause of the renewing of the warre against those of Luca but Picinino onely who without anie cause giuen by the Florentines had furiously entred vpon the Pisan territorie and had enforced the Luquois to practise nouelties against them hauing by force drawne them to the warre But that by the diuine goodnesse it was come to passe that being enforced to take armes they had brought their enemies the Luquois to that point that despairing of peace from anie place else than according to the report from the Venetians they were readie whether they would or no to fall into the Florentines hands Hee did afterwardes adde That Sforza being commanded to passe the Appenine hilles came to Regio so that during his absence the Luquois
both Armies beein ioined together they might with more ease breake the enemies attempts This he said although he was not ignorant of the enemies designe Mellato in the meane time was readie to send Cristofero Giouanni Tollentino with their companies of men at Armes in Garrison to Verona The Mantuan was not of this opinion The Prouidatori that were present at this consultation and reposing more trust in the Mantuan than he deserued were likewise of his opinion He on the contrarie either by chaunce or else because he had some suspition not of the whole matter but of some part of the plot did still persist in his owne opinion The enemie remoued his campe from place to place whereupon the Venetian was greatly troubled to see him so often day and night to shift places who after he had spent certaine daies in such like faigned shewes all things being in readinesse about midnight he sent the third part of his forces without any rumor at all to passe ouer the Bridge which was forth of the enemies view to ioine with Gonzaga's troupes And he in the meane time still shewed himselfe on the opposite shore the better to colour his enterprize himselfe resoluing within a while after to passe ouer at the bridges of Macharia and Canet The Venetian Armie had like to haue been ouerthrowne being enclosed by the enemies ambuscado and by the treacherie of the inhabitants But that good God vnto whom as we haue often said all Republicks are pleasing and especially those whose beginning like that of the Venetians hath beene Religiously established would not suffer it to be so It happened verie fitly for this purpose that a certaine man whose name was Bareta Gotholengian sent by his compartners to the enemie to this end was taken by the Venetian forragers and brought to Mellato who after that he had promised to free him from all punishment did discouer vnto him the danger wherein the Venetian Armie was Mellato hearing it made no longer delay but sodainely discamping did with all his troupes without any danger take the way of Bressia Picinino had alreadie about the fourth watch of the night sent his forces ouer at Macharia where the troupes sent to the Mantuans Campe did goe and receiue them In the meane time word was brought them that the Venetian hauing speedily dislodged was twelue miles onwards on his waie That the inhabitants of the Countrie did not dare to mâ—…ddle with them in regard they saw no man pursue them The Mantuans reuolt being vnderstood at Venice they presently decreed to Arme a mightie nauall Armie against him of threescore and fiue Gallies and fiue Gallions with a great number of other small vessells Pietro Lauretano Generall of this Armie entring by the mouth of the Po into the Mantuans Countrie was expresly commanded to wast and spoile whatsoeuer he met with Mellato in the meane time was come to Bagnols where he had fortified his Campe with trenches and rampiers He determined to send part of his forces to Bressia which was not farre off whereunto the inhabitants of the Citie opposing and crauing to haue the guard of the Gates giuen to themselues hee thereby perceiued that the Venetians were safer abroad than in the Citie Francisco Barbaro commanded in the Towne a man verie discreet and well acquainted with affaires of importance He by good aduise hindered them from so doing shewed them the danger whereto the Cities State would be brought if those of one partie alone committed to the guard of the Citie the rest should be accounted enemies and traitours seeing they reposed no more trust in them For then they would practize nouelties and would in hate to the contrarie partie openly hazard all things possible for them The authoritie of the man did much preuaile with them and according to his aduise the Venetian Magistrates which were within the Citie garded the Gates Then he did reconcile the Martinenga's and the Auogadres together the heads and chiefe of the two factions by a new alliance wherein by meanes of Leonardo Martinenga and to the great profit of the Common-wealth he made Paris de Lodron who held certaine Castles in the Mountaines of Bressia and Pietro Auogadre who were mortall enemies good friends Picinino resolued to shut vp the Lake of Benac and the riuer Mincia from Mellato's Armie to the end it might receiue no Venetian succour and being in this manner starued for it was certain that it could get victualls no where but from the Towne he assured himselfe of the entier ruine of the Venetian forces Whereupon in this resolution he diuided his troupes into two parts Gonzaga and Lodouico Vermio did fiercely fall vpon the Verona-territorie and hauing seized on Valeza and the bridge thereof by treacherie sooner almost than their comming was knowne they made themselues Masters in a verie short space of whatsoeuer lieth betwixt the riuers Adice and Mincia The sodaine losse of Valeza was cause that Giouanni Malauolte who conducted three hundred horse from Bressia to Verona falling by misaduenture neere to the bridge into the enemies hands was wholly despoiled of his Cauallerie He did besides reduce vnder his command all the inhabitants of the Lake of Benac and the Mantuan Prince tooke Pescara seated at the head of the Riuer Mincia and Lonata vpon the Mountaines of Bressia which had beene his The Lake of Benac by some termed La Garda to speake somwhat of it is the pleasantest Lake of all Italie and is more long than broad It extendeth in length from the West to the North some thirtie miles filling itselfe with the riuers Sarca and Ponalis on the West and North side and emptieth it selfe to the Southward into the Riuer Mincia The water thereof is so pure and cleere as one may see the bottome except in the middest where it is verie deepe But it is not so pleasant in calme and faire weather as it is dangerous and terrible when it is tossed with tempests It is the onely lake of all Italie which being stirred with the wind hath her waues swelling like the billowes of the Sea It feedeth excellent fish of which the Carpes are best which are in season from the end of haruest till the beginning of the spring and are with great labour taken from forth the deepest places of the water It is moreouer enuironed on all sides with goodly Oliue trees entermingled heere and there with delicate gardens full of excellent fruite trees as Citrons Pomegranates and Peaches which the inhabitants of those places call Adams apples That side thereof which lookes towards Verona on the right hand hath besides Pescara Langissa Bardolin and la Garda whereof the Lake taketh the name the towers of Malsesina which some call Malaselse And opposite to that vpon the Lake is the Town of Sermion the Countrie of Catullus the sweet and eloquent Poet with that great huge stone a marke of antiquitie which appeares aboue water After
Sermion commeth Riuoltella called by some Riualtella Manerbia Feliciana Portuesia and lastly Sales the chiefe of the Prouince It hath besides on the North-side verie high and steepe Mountaines as farre as Riua This place with Penetra which appeares not farre from thence vpon a Rock did in times past belong to the Territorie of Trent The Borough of Nac is to be seen aboue the Fort of Penetra whereby wee may coniecture that the Lake was in olde time called Penac which wee by changing of a Letter call Benac The Ancients called it Penac because it was so neere to Nac Now all the places from the Lake on the hither side and beyond the Riuer Mincia being taken the Mantuan marched with his forces to Vidizolles where Picinino lay encamped Blondus saith that he departed from that Campe when he went the first time to scoure the Verona-Territorie But let it be how it will it is certaine that Philips forces during the incursions vpon the Veronois were encamped at that village seated vpon the Riuer Clesia in the midway betwixt Bressia and the Lake of Benac Against whom Mellato being desirous to oppose his forces went with his troupes to Gauarda Barbaro sent him from Bressia a braue troup of yong foot-men and from the Mountaines great multitudes of Souldiers came vnto him so as in a short space fiue and twentie thousand men were in the Venetians campe Mellato with his forces seized on all places along the Mountaines from St. Euphemius euen to La Garda The Riuer Clesia separated two goodly Armies readie to fight by reason that it was too deep in that place nor in any sort foordable Mellato resolued to fight But vnderstanding afterwards that Picinino's Armie was mightily encreased by Gonzaga's arriual he abstained from battaile As also because he distrusted certaine Captaines who had a long time followed Gonzaga's campe but the euent did afterwards manifest whether he had cause to distrust them For diuers of them hauing an inckling thereof and perceiuing that he took from them the meanes to do hurt did with-draw them selues from his camp went to that of the Prince of Mantua Mellato then fearing least some sodaine reuolt might draw the Venetians affaires into some danger and being desirous to take all occasion from those who practised nouelties hauing lodged the greatest part of his forces in Bressia he sent the residue into Garrison to the Cities Townes neere adioining which were vnder the Venetians obedience And by this meanes Picinino had time and leisure to remoue his camp from place to place whose only aime tending to keepe the Cities victualls from Mellato's troupes he went with his Armie and besieged Sales But those within it hauing brauely defended themselues he approched with his Armie neere to Feliciana and Manerbia Thereupon the Forlani and those of Monteclaro embraced Philips partie Within a while after hauing receiued those of Sales and all the other inhabitants vpon the Lake in Philips name he marched to Bagnolls from whence on a sodaine coasting about with his Armie he first tooke Pontoglio then Palacicla and diuers other Townes without any difficultie All this was done in the Champaine But in the Camonick valley they fought at the same time with better successe For Antonio Bechari with two thousand horse did by the consent of the inhabitants make himselfe Master of the whole valley Barbaro sent Giouanni la Conte Bartholmeo Coioni Leonardo Martinenga against him with great troups of Mountaniers who did greatly affect Martinenga who entring on a sodaine into the vale and hauing made a great slaughter of the enemies did put all those of that rebellious valley to the sword spoiling and burning the whole Countrie The end of the second Booke of the third Decad. THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the third Decad. A False rumour being spred in Venice concerning the battaile wonne at Coloignes doth put the whole Citie in danger of a nocturnâ—…ll sedition MELLATO attempteth in vaine to goe from Bressia to Verona NICHOLAO D'AESTE maketh sundrie attempts against the Venetians The Venetians surrender the Polesin to AESTE MELLATO with great trauell ouer the tops of the Mountaines arriueth at Verona A great nauall Armie commeth by the Po vpon the Mantuan Territorie Bressia is streightly besieged The Senate determineth to renew the alliance with SFORZA MELLATO being made Generall of the Armie resolueth to relieue Bressia with victualls PARIS LODRON vanquisheth the enemies neere to the Riuer Sarca The Venetians resolue to prepare a nauall Armie for the Lake of Benac Gallies are carried by maine strength ouer high Mountaines into that Lake SFORZA allieth himselfe with the Venetians and Florentines PICININO and the Prince of Mantua hauing crossed the Riuer Adice take diuers Townes on the Verona and Vincenzan Territories from the Venetians The Venetians fight against the enemies by Land along the Lake of Benac with good successe WHilst al these warlike actions were done in the Camonicke valley those of Chiaua yeelded themselues to Philip. This new Rebellion was accompanied with a greater losse For Guerriero Martiano and Michaeli Gritti whom Mellato had sent with three hundred foot and a hundred and fifty horse to lie in Garrison in that place were defeated Picinino went afterwards encamped before Rhoades whereat the Venetians being moued marched thither with a companie of Mercinarie Souldiers all young men chosen among the inhabitants of the Mountaines of Valtropia and Seroliana to raise the siege These troupes setting forward at the beginning of the night staied neere to Passirana and Paderna Picinino being aduertized of their approach did presently discamp returned to Coloignes three miles from Rhoades The next day hauing placed part of his forces in ambush in the neighbour Mountaines to entrap the Venetian he marched with the residue of the Armie against the enemie as it were to assaile him with all his forces And being come neere to one another Picinino did embattaile his Souldiers Mellato did not refuse the fight but sent some of his troupes disbanded to scoure the plaines and the skirmish being begunne he did by little and little send troupes of horse among his footmen against the enemie and without any disorder retired his wearied and hurt men putting those that were able and fresh in their places both sides dealing so cunningly as when Picinino's troupes came forth of the Ambuscado Mellato's not being moued remained firme Now the fight hauing continued from day-breake till it was almost night with greater losse on the enemies side than on the Venetians both sides retired Picinino to Coloignes and the Venetian to Bressia And although Fortune at that time no more fauoured the one than the other neuerthelesse to satisfie the inhabitants of Bressia who were desirous to vnderstand the successe of that encounter the Magistrates commanded that it should bee giuen forth how that Mellato had broken and put the
whilest he embartailed his forces Tibertino Brandolino did fiercely march against the enemies which were past The Captaines likewise of the Nauall Armie hauing followed the enemie beganne a cruell fight in the middest of the Riuer where Contareni fighting valiantly was slaine being stricken through the bodie with a dart and Brandolino was sore wounded in the right legge But at last the enemies being out of hope to passe that way they retired to Sanguaneta and afterwards sailed towards the Riuer Busset where with six thousand Peasants they did vnder-take to cut a trench into the Adice the which being filled by night by the Venetian Souldiers who came thither in small boates made them to change their determination and to vndertake a matter almost like to the former which was to clense and emptie the ancient channell of Panegia And to the end the Venetians should not hinder this worke as they had lately done the other they went and incamped at Angleria an house of pleasure in the Countrie two miles from Legnaga vpon the high way towardes Verona This trench being drawne from Panegia to the Riuer Adice the enemie beganne to bring his Gallies into the Riuer But whilest his fleet lay at Malopietra the Venetians did extraordinarily elect without casting lots Dario Maripietro to command their Nauall Armie Mellato who lay at Penetra being sent for hasted thither with eight thousand Horse and sixe thousand foote howbeit some Authors mention not halfe so many Maripietro was come to Legnaga with fiue and thirtie Gallies taken from that Nauall Armie which as we haue said by the Senates command had been brought backe forth of the Riuer Po to Chioggia Picinino had planted fortie peeces of Ordnance vpon the bankes of Adice to terrifie Molino's nauall Armie and to keep it from hindring the arriuall of the Vessells which they were drawing from Panegia and the old Channell into the Riuer This being considered by Mellato after that he had embattailed his troupes vpon the other shore he aduertized Maripietro and Molino forthwith to saile vp the Riuer and that the enemie if the nauall Armie did not withstand it would passe on in despite of him Molino beleeued it and with his owne vessells and fiue Gallies of Dario's which followed him hee passed on beyond the enemies Armie and the mouth of Panegia Some say that one of his Gallies being pierced by the enemies Ordnance was taken which being perceiued by Dario he was so amazed as he could by no meanes be perswaded to follow Molino Picinino perceiuing the Venetians amazement did forthwith cause the Ordnance to be drawn from thence where it was planted at the enemies comming In regard whereof Dario and Molino not knowing what to resolue on nor yet daring being so diuided to assaile the enemie each of them sought by all meanes how to auoide the frequent shot of the Ordnance by meanes whereof the enemie at his owne leisure put his Vessells into the Adice whereat they that stood vpon the opposite shore being affrighted beganne to flie disorderly not abiding the enemie Diuers hold that Mellato was Author of that base flight but the greater part lay the fault on Donato Two things there are which induce mee to beleeue that it was rather the Venetians fault first the authoritie of Pasius of Armini who saith that Donato had sent word to Mellato to forsake the Riuer bankes and to retire with his troupes into a place of more safetie and the second is because I finde that hee was within a while after cited at the request of the Aduocates Fiscall for that matter Those which affirme that Mellato by Donato's commandement did quit the shore stick not likewise to say that Christofero Tollentino was sent to Verona with a companie of men at armes Tiberto Brandolino to Montagnane with his Cauallerie Giouanni brother to Christofero to Vincenza and that Mellato with the residue of his armie went and encamped at the Baths of Abana The enemie hauing entred the Adice and comming to besiege Legnaga he first of all seized vpon the bridges where Carolo Gonzaga a couragious yong man did valiantly behaue himselfe Legnaga is diuided as it were into two Townes which are ioyned together by a bridge vpon the Riuer That part towards the East is called the Hauen which being assaulted by the enemie was easily wonne and at the other he found better resistance This place was kept by the Chioggians that lay there in Garrison whom the Venetians had found to be confident and loiall Frederico Contareni and Pietro Quirini were there likewise with other Gentlemen Some there are that in sted of Pietro Quirini set downe Andrea Mocenigo who were all sent thither for the guard of that place But as it often happeneth when fortune once beginneth to decline shee cannot be staied neither by counsell nor any reason what soeuer euen so it came to passe that by the sodaine yeelding of the Townes-men these men together with the Chioggians fell into the enemies power Legnaga being taken Picinino and Gonzaga began to scoure the Vincenzan and Paduan Territories They found a while some resistance at Balde but that once taken with wonderfull good successe they became masters of Longina Brendole Montechia Arciniane Montorsse Valdersine and Dagne Diuers places besides on the Mountaines yeelded vnto them But all these Townes in a manner were wholly of the Territorie of Vincenza Vpon that of Verona Soaue with all her dependances was taken by the enemies Picinino being proud of this successe brought his Campe neare to Verona whither Gonzaga likewise came with all his forces At this stay stood the Venetians affaires along the Riuer Adice when as they fought with better successe vpon the lake of La Garda Italus of Friull laie at Sales with a great cauallerie and diuers foot companies being followed by many of the Gybelline faction of the Bressan Countrie With these forces he sought by all meanes how to driue the Venetian from Maderna Penetra and Torbolles Pietro Auogadre with a great troupe of Guelphes was there readie to withstand their attempts They fought cruelly at Maderna for this Towne likewise did at the same time belong to the Venetians Zeno who commanded the Venetian Nauall Armie did approch so neare to the place of battaile as his Souldiers being landed had their share in it The fight lasted from three a clocâ—…e in the morning till late in the euening At which time Italus by little and little retiring his forces from the battaile and conducting them through a very narrow way hanging ouer the lake Zeno with his vessells pursued them with arrow-shot and did greatly infest them by reason of the commodiousnesse of the place In the meane time Auogadre did streightly presse the Rereward and with great slaughter staiedit The enemies being then gauled behind and in flanke with great multitudes of arrowes did in disorder betake themselues to flight The victorious Venetian gaue them chace slew many of
Contareni Father to the Bride who comming forth of her Fathers house entred into the Bucentaure which was richly tapessed wherein she was accompanied with all the Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Citie sumptuously apparrailed Afterwards fights at barriers and other kindes of sports continued sundrie daies and were acted by sundrie persons in honour of the Prince In these shews was the Citie busied whilst Picinino who as hath been said though neither victorious nor vanquished could not liue at quiet hauing renued his Armie in Lombardie came in the midest of winter when no man thought he would haue come into the field and made a fierce march vpon the Bressan Territorie filling the whole Countrie with feare so as before Sforza's departure from Venice he enforced all the champaigne Countrie of Bressia and whatsoeuer the Venetians held vpon the riuer Adda and on the Bergamese confines the new Orges excepted to yeeld and likewise defeated twelue hundred Venetian horse at Monteclaro Sforza's troups being speedily drawn from their Garrisons retired into the strongest Towns This losse was accompanied with the reuolt of Ciarpelion who with three hundred horse went to Picinino's side The Duke of Hadria within a while after did the like For he forsooke Sforza and carried a great Cauallerie awaie with him During these stirres there happened a meruailous reuolt of Townes but within a while after there followed a greater vpon the false rumours that Picinino spread abroad concerning Sforza How that being at Venice he had beene committed to prison and afterwards secretly murthered by the Senates commandement The enemie by these forged matters made all things more easie for himselfe vntill that Sforza to wipe out these false imputations came speedily to Bressia And because the extreame colde weather would not permit him to execute anie enterprise after that hee had by his presence confirmed those that had continued loyall and put them in good hope hee returned to Verona where hauing intelligence of that which had beene done at the bridge of Valeza which the prince of Mantua had taken he sent for all the troupes that wintered thereabouts and went in haste to besiege it and being taken in a short space he manned it with a strong garrison Some write that at his departure from Bressia Monteclaro Soncina Martinenga and Casal-major reuolted and that he was not greatly troubled for that losse hauing rather to loose them in that manner than by force knowing for certaine that those Townes would proue his who the next summeâ—… should be strongest in the field Philips troupes spent the remainder of the winter in those places The Spring-time being come they beganne on both sides to make great preparations for warre and to prouide armour victualls and generally whatsoeuer might serue for the obtaining of a victorie Lombardy did not only attend the successe of that warre but all Italie For all men perceiued that the warre would neuer end but by the death of one of those two great Captains or by his entire ouerthrow Michael Attendulo being sent for by the Venetians was in the meane time come foorth of Tuscany into Lombardy with two thousand men to command the troupes in Mellato's place who drew towards his end Sforza whose great authoritie and commaund did not onely extend ouer the Venetian forces but ouer all those of the associates in regard it was time to leaue the Garrisons had assembled all his Armie when as the enemie who was wont by his Spies to haue intelligence of the least of his proceedings was in the field a little before him with sixteene thousand men and incamped vpon the Bergamese on the bankes of the Riuer Serioles His Campe neere to Algesia was in this sort fortified Before him lay the Riuer and on both sides of him were the high mountaines at his back the Riuer Oglio with a bridge guarded by a strong Garrison I find in some Authors Mella for Serioles and Legnaga for Algesia But whether hee incamped there or not for vndoubtedly it was in a place naturally strong he thought himselfe able by long delayes to frustrate all Sforza's designes But it fell out otherwise than he expected For so soone as the Venetians Generall with a gallant Armie came in view of the enemies and that he had considered the situation of the places he foorthwith resolued to ioyne battell and to enforce the enemie to quit the place Therefore he beganne to exhort his souldiers to the fight telling them That it was greater in shew than substance and withall assuring them that with ease they might defeat Philips souldiers and their fearefull Generall in those narrow straights wherein they had enclosed themselues and that they being vanquished they should purchase same and a great booty He told them that hee would vse a longer speech if those with whom they were to deale were not already sufficiently knowne vnto them being euen the same men whom so often they had ouerthrowne beaten taken and basely disgraced He willed them then to march forward and at the first signall of the battell to beate downe the enemie who by his owne confession was more than halfe vanquished For hee did not send them to the fight but to the victorie as being much stronger than they in number valour courage and good fortune This being said hee called for the crossebow-men and hauing giuen the signall to the sight the battell beganne to be very cruell on the shore where Caualcabon a valiant man and diuers other men of note were slaine many likewise were hurt among whom was Troillo And certainely there would haue bin great slaughter on both sides had not night giuen end to the battell which beganne very late Some say that it lasted from morning to noone Pasius writes That Philip willed Picinino not to fight and that by reason thereof the night after the battell hee crossed the Oglio about midnight and leauing a strong Garrison at the bridge hee went and incamped on the Cremonese But that which Montanus sets downe seemeth most credible to wit That they fought more than once with sundrie euents and that the enemie did not passe ouer the Riuer before that Bartolomeo Coyone a valiant man had taken Pontologia fiue miles from thence or as others say Antonio Martinenga and vntill he had notice that the Venetian troups were come vpon the Cremonese I can not certainely tell which of them passed first ouer the Riuer in regard of the great diuersitie of Historians But all agree in this that so soone as Sforza came into the enemies Countrey he went and besieged Martinenga Giacomo Gaiuano was in the Towne with a gallant troupe of horse There were likewise great numbers of footmen so that the mercenarie souldiers were farre more in number than the Townesmen There was in the Venetian Armie more than an hundred and thirtie troups of horse and great numbers of foot-forces The Venetians Generall vpon the assurance of his forces did encompasse the
Philip should inuade the frontires of the Cremonese Against whome there was some likeliehood that the Venetians would oppose themselues and presently take armes to defend that which belonged to Sforza who comming afterwards to fight should as a man enforced turne to his father-in-lawes side and fighting for Philip in Lombardie should strait presse the Venetians In this manner as they had plotted it not long after warre was renewed in Lombardie but with farre better fortune to the Venetians than the enemies expected But before we proceede to that which was done in Lombardie we will briefly set downe what was the end of the warre in La Marca The Venetians vpon report of Sforza's losses had sent Thadeo d'Aeste Guido Rangone and Tiberto Brandolino to his aide and the Florentines had sent Simonetto who being all ioyned together had foure thousand men in their Campe at Marignane But Picinino lay vpon the hill Laura to keepe them from ioyning with Sforza which although for a time he endured yet at last he assembled all his troupes and marched against the enemie who being in battell vanquished left his campe to be possessed by the Victor This happened in the space almost of three yeares But in the fourth yeare of the warre of La Marca Picinino and Alfonso hauing renewed the warre about Spring time Picinino was vanquished by Ciarpelion vpon the mount Millo and Alphonso not beeing satisfied with raising a land-Armie at Eugenius instance did besides arme eight gallies to molest Sforza by sea The Venetians as some say vpon report of Alphonso's nauall Armie did likewise arme certaine vessells of theirs which were appoynted for the guard of Rauenna In this sort was Sforza streightly prest by sea and land when Philip sent Francisco Landriano to call home Picinino vnder color to conferre with him concerning the affaires of the warre Francisco his son in the meane time being left with the troupes in La Marca and vanquished in the mount Volmia by Sforza hauing lost his Campe and the greatest part of his forces was taken prisoner in the companie of Cardinall Firmiano the Popes Legate in the Armie with diuers other great Lords Manie at that time thought that it was Philips pleasure to haue it so to the end that Picinino's Armie being defeated Sforza his sonne-in-law might bee freed from that warre whereby wee may perceiue that the common reports then currant were most true That Sforza was before then reconciled to his father-in-law and that hee had secretly made a league with him to the vtter subuersion and ruine of the Venetian estate But Picinino vpon the news of this rout was not able to conceale his griefe but lamented and exclaimed taxing Philip oftentimes That he had left him nothing but his life and that he should doe well to depriue him of that and in this manner falling sicke with extreame sorrow the greatest and best aduised Captaine of his time did in a short space decease at Milan Sforza at Philips intreatie set Francisco at libertie and soone after peace insued with the Pope although Sforza possessed diuers Townes of La Marca and Pope Eugenius some others At the same time Alexander Sforza's brother did cause Ciarpelion to bee hanged who was a man very famous for his skill in martiall discipline onely because he had an intent to goe to Philips partie About fiue yeares after the Pope renewed the warre and sent the Patriarke of Aquileia to La Marca who in a short space reduced all the Prouince Firmia excepted vnder the Popes obedience And it was not long after but that Firmia likewise with the Castle was recouered by his Holinesse Armie Sforza being retired to Pisaura with his wife did there spend the remainder of the Winter At the spring time beeing solicited by some of his friends hee came through the Dutchy of Spoleta an hauing crossed the Tiber the better to disturb the quiet of the Citie of Rome he encamped vpon the Viterbian Territorie From whence in hast departing and returning into Flaminia by the Lake of Trasimene he staied at Metaura In the meane time his brother Alaxander with the Tower of Pisaura reuolted from him Being on euery side enuironed with enemies he came within a mile of Vrbin and after that no great exploits were done on either side vntill his arriuall in Lombardie Philip on the other side in the Countrie of La Marca caused Italus of Friull and Giacomo Guiuano to be beheaded vpon suspition that they had intelligence with the Florentines Soone after hauing notice of Ciarpelions death as if that had giuen him new occasion to hate Sforza he commanded Francisco sonne to Picinino whom hee had sent for into Lombardie to scoure and wast the Cremonese Territorie Whereupon Francisco making a furious roade into the Countrie after sundrie spoiles and depredations he besieged the Citie of Cremona which gaue occasion to the Venetians to haue recourse vnto Armes But because they would not seeme to doe any thing rashly they sent Lodouico Foscari to Philip who according to the custome of their Ancestours should denounce war vnlesse he would desist from inuading that which did belong to Sforza Answere was made him that Philip had no time nor leisure to heare any Ambassade and that Milan was no safe place for him That he should doe well presently to get him forth of the Citie vnlesse he meant to be outraged The Venetians being moued at this indignitie commanded Michaeli Attendulo General of their Armie to march speedily against the enemie who by this time had seized on the greatest part of the Cremonese He making hast according as he was commanded with six thousand horse and as many foot hauing crossed the Oglio went and encamped vpon the Cremonese at Casall-major but on a sodain dislodging thence hee marched against the enemie who with his Armie was in the Countrie of Gyradade very neere to Casal There ioining battaile after a cruell fight which continued from daie-breake til noone the Venetians draue the enemies from their Campe and in their disorder tooke foure thousand horse from them This victorie was not obtained without losse For diuers of their brauest men were slaine in fight a great number of whom perished in the water Diuers of the enemies were likewise taken And it was thought that Picinino would haue made one of the number if when he first saw the alteration of fortune he had not gotten into a little boate and escaped forth of the battaile Others say that hee went ouer the Po at a Bridge After this famous victorie the Venetian Generall did in a short space recouer whatsoeuer the enemie had taken on the Cremonese and being strengthened with the troupes of Lodouico Gonzaga hee went and encamped on the Gyradade In this place likewise did the Venetians affaires so prosper as Attendulo in a short space left Philip nothing on the hither side of Adda but Crema and Lodes From thence his Armie crossed
day they serue but foure moneths whereby wee may perceiue that as the tribute hath beene altered the which is very true so hath the time prefixed likewise beene At the Spring time warre was renewed with Sforza when Leonesio the Venetians Generall hauing for a time scoured the Countrey round about Lodes Otholenga Manerbia and Pontoglio and taken certaine small Townes by a voluntary yeelding crossed the Riuer Adda at the bridge of Ripata and went as farre as Milan vpon the assurance of some Bandetti who said That if the Venetian troups would approach the Cittie that the people within it would presently rise in their behalfe But notwithstanding the Venetians arriuall and that certaine of their light horse rode into the suburbs there was neuerthelesse no commotion in the citie The Venetian within a while after besieged Soncina and battered it with his ordnance The enemie thinking to raise the siege did crosse the Oglio at Canedulla and with twentie thousand men marched into the Countrey of Bressia where hauing taken Gambare by assault he besieged Ponteuico The Venetians hauing made a reasonable breach at Soncina inforced the Inhabitants to yeeld and from thence hauing made themselues Masters of Romanenga they marched towards the enemie who in the meane time had taken Ponteuico vpon the Riuer Oglio and were gone to Gella thereby to be the better able to presse those of Bressia Leonesio being incamped in a verie commodious place neare to the enemie did seize vpon the streights of the Marshes They fought many times in those places with different euents There were great numbers of souldiers in both armies The Venetians had fifteene thousand horse and sixe thousand foote and Sforza had three thousand foote and eighteene thousand horse Some Historians say that they fought fiercely at that time for three houres space and more neare to the Towne of Porsane and that the losse was equall on both sides but that by reason of the vnfitnesse of the place they lost more horse than men and that both sides would haue fought till they had gotten the victorie had not darke night separated them Fortune inclining to neither partie This was done neare to the Riuer Adda when as William of Montferrat with foure thousand horse made fierce incursions vpon the territorie of Alexandria and from thence riding towards Tortona and Pauia he wasted and spoiled the whole Countrey Sacromor Visconte and Antonio Burgese whome Sforza had sent against him to withstand his attempts comming sodainely to strokes with him vpon the confines of Alexandria did defeate and inforce him to retire to Castelnouo But whilest these things were done in Lombardie twelue Venetian Gallies vnder the commaund of Marco Zeno hauing scowred the high and lower Seas came to Liuorne And King Alphonso's royall armie vnder the conduct of Ferdinand hauing attempted to cause Cortona to rebell went to the Territorie of Rezza where assailing Foilano they tooke it the fortieth day of the siege after sundrie toyles and interchangeable losses It is reported that Asturo Fauentino whilest Ferdinand lay before Foilano was twice put to rout by the Kings armie so that at both times hee lost a thousand horse and certaine foote troupes From thence the Arragonian Ensignes beeing come to the territorie of Siena hauing in vaine besieged Castelina went to winter vpon the sea-coast Sigismund of Arimini Generall of the Tuscan troupes did greatly vex them The Florentines fearing the Arragonians and Venetians forces by sea and land did by Sforza's aduise send Angelo Acciola knight of the Order to the French king who hauing represented to his Maistie the Florentines ancient affection towardes himselfe and his predecessors the King graunted that hee would commaund the Duke of Sauoy to cease from making warre on Sforza and would perswade King Renatus promising him to that intent men and money to vse meanes to recouer his kingdome of Sicill This did the Florentines craue that they might diuert the Venetians and Alphonso's attempts from Italie Sforza likewise had sent to the same King to intreate him to procure Renatus to come speedily into Italie But Lombardie was still in tumult Bartolomeo Coyone who as hath beene said was by the Senates command dispoiled of his forces being followed with a thousand horse tooke manie prisoners and great store of cattell from forth the Bressan territorie Within a while after Giacomo Picinino and Tiberto Brandolino with foure cornets of horse defeated six Ensignes of Sforza's troupes The enemie being aduertized by chaunce that the Venetians departing from the new Orgies were gone to make incursions vpon his territories did speedily from his Campe at Quinssana send Bartholmeo Quartiero and Giacomo Salernitano with sixe Companies of horse to surprize them But the Venetians hauing intelligence of the enemies comming and being charged with greater hope than discretion neere to Iauenotta a towne on the Cremonese they did couragiously abide them and without anie difficultie did absolutely defeate them It is reported that more than an hundred and sixtie of Sforzaes men at Armes were taken that day and that within a while after they tooke a great bootie foorth of the enemies Countrie For Leonesio hauing made a bridge ouer the riuer Adda at Caretta and fortified both the ends thereof with strong Rampires sent part of his cauallery to scoure the Milaneses territories neere to Pauia whereupon Sforza to insnare these Venetian boot-halers commanded Alessandro his brother to march thither with part of the troupes Leonesio hauing intelligence of the enemies designe caused Carolo Montone to march with like number of horse to be there before him Now Alessandro staying in a place not farre from the Venetians Fort and not hauing any thought that his enemies were so neere him Carolo on a sodain gaue a fierce charge vpon him with which vnexpecteâ—…accident he was so affrighted as without any other fight he forthwith brake him and became Master of the Campe and the whole bagage But some few of them by good fortune escaped to Lodes with their Captaine who otherwise had all beene taken prisoners by the Venetians Sforza being troubled with this losse departed from his Camp at Gades and marched to Quinzzana Mattheo Campana being fauored by the Venetians good fortune made a furious rode with his cauallerie into the state of Milan At his returne being loden with spoile hee met with Thadeo D'Aeste who then serued the enemies with diuers others both sides comming presently to the incounter after a confused fight the victorie remained to the Venetians who hauing taken foure hundred horse from the enemie retired with his whole bootie to a place of safetie They had no certaine intelligence what Sforzas purpose was after that he had crossed the riuer Mella and therefore the Venetians Generall went speedily and encamped at Bagnolls Sforza within a while after tooke Caluisiana hauing made his iournie thither to none other end but to make it a wintering place for his troupes in the
commaund was stricken off and borne in triumph through the Campe and Cittie Some say that hee was smothered at the Roman Gate among the throng which fled and that hee was afterwards knowne by his Coate-armour The enemies nauall armie was not idle in the meane time for the Venetian Gallies and the rest of the Christian nauall armie with diuers others who came running to the shippes at the enemies first assault being out of hope to defend the cittie presently went their way but the Turkes tooke diuerse of them neere the sea-shoare The city was wholly sacked Virgins were defloured yong boyes forced and wines tormented with detestable filthinesse according to the maner of that cruell Nation Men that escaped death were made slaues Diuerse Venetians were on that day slaine and taken among whom were seuen and fortie Gentlemen In this manner was Constantinople the chiefe cittie of Grecia taken by Mahomet the Turkish Emperour and thus was that most ancient Grecian Empire ouerthrowne the yeare 1121. after the establishment thereof The newes of this losse gaue great terrour to all Christendome Pope Nicholas sent to Venice to haue fiue Gallies armed at his charge against the Turkes and propounded to as manie as should take armes vnder the Ensignes of the Roman church against those Infidells plenarie remission of all sinnes which they had till then committed And if anie souldier that was forth of pay should refuse to enroule himselfe for that warre hee did incurre his bitter curse The Venetians sent Bartolomeo Marcello to Mahomet to craue restitution of their countrymen with their goods An other Messenger went ouerland before Marcello who promised to returne to Venice from Constantinople within fiue and thirtie dayes The Senate was verie desirous to vnderstand what was become of those Venetians which were in Constantinople when it was taken whether they were still aliue or dead and if they were liuing in what state they were either at liberty or captiues The aboue mentioned Gallies with certaine shippes of burthen had alreadie before then sailed to sea vnder the commaund of Giacomo Lauretano who vpon newes of the taking of Constantinople retired into the Isle of Nigrepont The Senate thought vpon this new warre whilest all Lombardie was filled with armes and souldiers for Sforza hauing recouered all towns vpon the plaine approched with his armie neere to Rhoades that he might become Master of the mountaine where during his abode the townes of Romans Martinenga the Camonick valley and Brisanza yeelded to him the like did all the Inhabitants of the Gyradade Rhoades also being afterwards taken hee went to besiege the new Orgies in which meane space those of Soncina yeelded to him At the last the Orgies being recouered Romanenga who alone did obey the Venetians did voluntarily yeelde as the rest had done Afterwards there were no greater exploits done in Lombardie Toward the latter end of Haruest when Winter drew neere Sforza was desirous in the behalfe of Lodonico Gonzaga to take Asola but he was inforced to giue ouer his enterprize and to put it off till some other time as well by reason of a mightie tempest which then happened as in regard of the continuall raine that followed it Renatus being in a rage as it is supposed against the Florentines and Sforza went hisway in the middest of Winter and returned through the countrie of Ast and Thurin into Fraunce But to returne to the affaires of Greece The Venetians being desirous to vnderstand of the welfare of those who with the cittie of Constantinople had beene taken by the Turks had intelligence within a while after by some that came to Venice that the Venetians that were taken in Constantinople were prisoners and that the enemie had vsed no crueltie on those whom Fortune had saued within a while after Lauretano's letters did assure the Senate of the prisoners redemption and that the Turkes for seuen thousand crownes would set them at liberty The very same day of these newes the Popes Nuncio came to Venice who was receiued by great troupes of people Hee spake to the Senate concerning peace which he said he had motioned at Florence and said that at his departure thence he would go to Sforza to treate likewise with him And that the Pope did determine to quiet Italie the better afterwards to preuent the great daunger which threatned all Christendome from the Turkes and to that end he was desirous to be Iudge and Vmpire of that peace and that hee which should impugne it should be held as excommunicate and for an enemie not onely to Italie but to all Christendome This aduertisement beeing giuen which the Venetians did willingly entertaine hee tooke his leaue of the Venetians and went to Sforza Lauretano who had intelligence as hath been said of the taking of Constantinople was gone to Nigrepont from whence he writ to the Senators certifying them That he was resolued to tarrie there for the guard of the Island that he had sunke foure of the enemies great Gallies and thirteene other small ones that their Rowers and Mariners swimming to Land had beene all slaine by the Countrie people and that he had hanged those whom he tooke in the Gallies No sooner were Lauretans letters read in the Senate but the Popes Gallies which were readie to set saile were commanded to goe and ioine with their Nauall Armie with which Lauretano being strengthened determined to tarrie for the Gallies from Alexandria and Syria and then with that mightie Fleet to set forwards against the enemies whom he had still forborne to meddle with till such time as the troubles of Italie being pacified he might increase the number of his vessells Within a while after Christophero Moro and Vrso Iustiniano were sent to Rome to treate of peace with the other Ambassadors of Italie in the Popes presence The Venetian cauallerie before the Ambassadors departure had surprized certaine victualls from the enemie together with those which conuoied it but after that the treatie of peace was mentioned the Venetians made no more incursions into Lombardie Yet because they would not seeme quite to abandon the Prouince they sent acertaine number of Archers and some vessells thither by the Riuer Po. They did afterwards make a league with the Genoueses and those of Luca for which generall processions were made in the Citie They did likewise at the same time procure Bartilmeo Coyoni vnderhand to come and serue them But whilest this was done the Popes fiue Gallies which at the beginning went against the Turkes about the Spring-time returned to Veniee without Lauretano's leaue Giouanni Dandulo Antonio Quirini Andrea and Nicholao Contareni who were Captaines of them were by the Senates decree committed to prison Andrea Contareni and Giouanni Dandulo being found guiltlesse were acquitted and the rest condemned in a pecuniarie fine and to indure imprisonment for half a yeare were declared vnworthie euer after to haue any command at Sea And against foure
deserts or at leastwise banished them from the citie The peace which hee had receiued from Foscari as by tradition which had beene well obserued in all times and places was by him deliuered entire to his successor To this felicitie and other fortunate euents which happened in his time the Art of Printing may be added which in those daies was inuented in Italie The inuention thereof is attributed to a Germane But this diuine art being by succession of times dispersed ouer all Italie the chiefe workemen in that misterie did openly contend for the garland of singularitie In which art we finde Nicolao Iansonio of Venice to haue exceeded all the rest Maripietro hauing gouerned foure yeares and a halfe departed this life and his bodie lieth honourably buried in the Church of the Twyns ¶ CHRISTOPHERO MORO the 67. Duke of Uenice CHristophero Moro succeeded him The second yeere of his gouernment the warre began against Ottoman We must briefly set downe the cause thereof The tyrant hauing done much hurt to the Christians of Grecia and other Prouinces of Europe determined to take Morea This Prouince is almost like an Island and is as they terme it one of the three rockes of Europe ioyning to the streight of Corinth For the Ionian Sea on the one side and the Aegean on the other doe in a manner make an entire Island of it It is in forme like to a leafe of a Plane tree by reason of the Seas which enuiron it towards the North the Ionian the Sicillian towards the West the Greeke on the South the Aegean on the East and that of Mirtona towards the Solstitiall It is in circuit according to Isidore three hundred and threescore thousand paces Towards the streight on the North side lieth the Sea of Corinth at this day called Patras Iust opposite to that is the Saronic Sea where in times past the ancient Hauen of Cencrea was and in the other that of Leches This whole countrey in former times was called Iappigia afterwards Pelasgis and for a long time Peloponessus which name by diuers is yet giuen vnto it It is commonly at this day called Morea Ottoman hauing mightily enlarged the confines of his Empire was desirous to take this Prouince as a member of the Greek Empire from the brethren Thomas and Demetrius In regard of the situation therof they might haue defended it a long time if they had beene assured to haue beene relieued by the Christians in time or if the brethren with a mutuall consent would haue vndertaken it But both those meanes were wanting For Demetrius went to the Turkes side which was the first and chiefest cause of the ruine of that state He gaue his daughter in marriage to Ottoman and gaue him entrance into one of the goodliest Prouinces of Grecia Thomas made some resistance neere to the streight but in vaine And hauing lost all flying from the rage of that cruell enemie he went to Rome whither he brought with him S. Andrewes head in regard whereof Pope Pius being accompanied with all the Cleargie went to meet him as farre as the Miluian bridge and appointed a marble Chappell to be built in that place where he had first saluted the Apostles head and another larger than that in S. Peters Church where the head was afterwards laid vp with great solemnitie The Dominion of the Greeks being extinct in Morea the Venetians still kept those townes there which they had a long time enioyed But the violent and perfidious inclination of the enemie would not long let them rest For after that he had taken Argers by treacherie he entangled the Venetians in a warre more necessarie than profitable The Senate being thereby enforced did presently take armes against him Victor Capello was then Admiral of the Sea who being entreated by the chiefe of the Isle of Lesbos at that time when Ottoman tooke it from the Cateloses of Genoa to come defend the Island would not do it as also when the Theodorans sent to him who dwelt in a part of the Island that he would aide them and receiue them vpon their homage when the Isle of Mitilene was taken he refused it notwithstanding that he had a mightie nauall Armie fearing least by any inconsiderate attempt he might precipitate the Repulicke into a manifest danger of warre although he might iustly haue taken Armes seeing Ottoman had contrarie to the ancient accord which the Venetians had made with Amurath his father and afterwards with himselfe crossed the streight of Gallipolis with his Armie This is the report of such as were there present For there is no Venetian Anâ—…all nor any other Historian whatsoeuer which makes mention therof Cepio exepted who in an eloquent stile hath written the notable actions of Pietro Mocenigo Neuerthelesse it is certaine that so soone as the warre was proclaimed against Mahomet it began in Morea where the wrong had beene first offered And whilest they expected greater forces from Italie certaine foot companies vnder the command of Pietro Palmiero together with two hundred light horse which the Greeks call Stradiots entering fiercely into the enemies countrey did by a sodaine incursion surprize a small towne betwixt Arcadia and Modon the Garrison whereof being put to the sword they brought away a great bootie Within a while after Bertoldo d'Aeste Betin of Calcina Cicco Brandolino Giouanni Attellano Roberto Thyente Giouanni Massano Leon Illirico and diuers other great persons with gallant forces arriued at Modon From thence the whole Armie went speedily to Naples where making no long stay Aeste who was Generall of the Armie went to besiege Argers This towne among all others of Greece was verie famous as well for the originall thereof as for the residence and Court of kings It was easily taken and as soone giuen to the souldiers who spoiled it The Turks in the citie who were no great number were retired into the Castle Two daies after the Christians arriuall in that place fiue hundred Turkish horse came and assailed the Christians neere to the Citie in the skirmish slew an hundred of our souldiers and among others Martin of Dalmatia who held an honourable ranke in the Venetian Armie Those of the Castle yeelded within a while after The Priest who had deliuered the towne to the Turkes being taken in that place was put to death Bertoldo hauing left three hundred Candiot Archers in the Castle brought backe the troupes to Naples VVithin a while after the Venetian Generall departed from Naples with fifteene thousand men He went first and encamped at Basilia the which being taken at his first arriuall he marched the morrow after to the streight through the territorie of Corinth and fortified his campe neere to the Saronich Sea Lodouico Lauretano was there with a mightie nauall Armie They had before placed a Garrison on the the other side of the streight opposite to that place Sixe Gallies rode at Anker not farre off Now because that the
Sea and Land troupes were come thither for that purpose they presently with great courage began an admirable peece of worke which in 15 daies was finished They fortified with a wal double trēch the whole length of the streight which from the Aegean Sea to the Ionian containeth 4000. paces though the circuit of the walls makes it appeare greater It is reported that in the same place they did set 30000. men on worke but the great number of men did not so much preuaile for the speedie ending of the worke as the aptnesse of the matter wherewith it was made which was readie at hand The stones of old buildings were scattered heer there which had bin in times before cut foure-square for the same purpose With that the wall was easily builded with Rampiers trenches on both sides This Streight was by the Greeks in Xerxes time enclosed with wals It is certain that many great Princes in diuers ages haue attempted to cut through that streight to make it Nauigable King Demetrius first then Caesar the Dictator next him Calligula and lastly Domitius Nero whose enterprizes neuerthelesse were in vaine Foure thousand Turkes that were encamped neere to the walls of Corinth did within three daies after their comming thither attempt to diuert the Venetians from their enterprize but being repulsed and enforced to retire to their Campe the night following before that the streight was enclosed with walls they dislodged without any rumor at all and went their waie through the places which were yet left open leauing no Garrison in the whole Island The Venetians being freed from their encombrances did at the same time as they were busied in the worke execute some slight attempts Benedetto Coyoni was sent to Misistrate Some Cosmographers say That the same Towne is that which was in olde times called Sparta All the places round about it were taken at the first the Castle excepted with t◅e enemie held at the assault whereof Coyoni the chiefe of the enterprize was slaine Iohn surnamed the Great with a troupe of Souldiers hauing assalted the Citie of Londaria did presently take it but not the Castle The Fortification of the streight beeing finished and manned with a strong Garrison Bertoldo went with the rest of the troupes to besiege Corinth This Citie is seated in a place as difficult as commodious whereupon Philip King of Macedon was wont to call it one of the keies of Greece It stands almost in the middest of the streight neere to the Mountaine in times past called Ephiro threescore stadij distant from the one and other shore From the heighth of the Castle which is called Acrocorynth it looketh vpon two Seas the Ionian on the one side and the Aegean on the other The Venetian assailed it in three sundrie places Bertoldo encamped toward the West Giouanni Attellano on the East side and Lazaro Pontoliano towards the North neere to the Walls with certaine foote companies They gaue two assaults to the Citie but the first was in some sort most fortunate because that Attellano tooke a very strong place from the enemie which did afterwards keepe them more streightly shut vp But whilest they prepared for the second assault and that Bertoldo was very busie in ordering matters and approaching the ordnance neere the Walls hee was grieuously hurt in the head with a stone which was throwne from the towne of which hurt within a while after he died The Generalls misfortune did not diuert the Souldiers from the determined assault but they gaue in furiously vpon the enemies Rampiers though all the defences wherewith the Souldiers couered themselues the more safely to approch the Walls were broken neuerthelesse with great valour they made good the place which they had once taken But the night following those of the Citie making a sodaine salley as many as remained neere to the Walls were throwne downe head-long from the Castle rocks where they all died And because great numbers of Turkes were reported to be neere at hand they raised the ◅iege and retired into the streight Bertino of Calcina who after Bertoldo his death was made Generall of the Armie and the other Captaines hauing in that place assured intelligence of the enemies number who were said to be fourescore thousand horse distrusting their owne small number for besides the Sea troupes which kept the vessells they were far inferiour in number to the enemie hauing left the streight without a Garrison they speedily retired to Naples whither they were scarce come but word was brought them that the enemies were arriued For after that they had recouered and burnt Argers and made a great massacre of the poore Countrie people they did the next morning by daie-breake without any rumour shew themselues before the Walls of Naples But before their approch those within the Castle had discouered them from farre Their arriuall beeing diuulged ouer the Citie certaine mercenarie Souldiers would needs make a rash salley vpon them who being enuironed with thir◅ie horse most of them were in a moment slaine before the Citie gates the rest escaped into the Rampiers The Turkes seized on a small Rising beneath the Towne but great numbers of them were there slaine as well by the Archers which continually shot as by the ordnance which scoured amongst them wherewith they were not onely tormented but in a manner wholly ouerthrowne The Venetians would not loose so faire an occasion but diuers troupes did with great cries enuiron the Rising and gaue great terror to the enemies Others ranne fiercely vpon the troupes of horse which stood close together before the Cities Rampiers and slew great numbers of them Diuers that were there present report That fiue thousand Turks were slain at that time others lessen the number They skirmished likewise vpon the Dike of the Citie and along the rampiers from whence the Barbarian was repulsed with great losse The enemie being discouraged with these two losses so soone as he perceiued that he lost but his labour to lie any longer before Naples did on a sodaine make incursions vpon the Territorie of Modon where at his first arriuall hee tooke Molines and certaine other small Townes by force This storme spred it selfe likewise vpon the Territorie of Coron where the Greekes were wonderfully molested The Turkes beeing desirous to depart from Morea they did for three daies space besiege the Towne of Zonchia Giouanni Crasso of Coma lay in Garrison there and did brauely defend it whereupon the enemies dislodged and went to their wintering places After their departure the Venetian Captaines would needes haue their reuenge and went with three thousand men to scoure Arcadia from whence they carried awaie a great bootie They did besides make an attempt to force the Towne which at this day beareth the name of the Prouince but not beeing able to doe it they sacked the suburbes and went their way This happened in Morea during the summer and haruest
and had inuironed all the Islands receiued of Cominius the Pirate the Isle of Lemnos in Morea He with two Gallies had taken it from Mahomet who had made it his owne by reason of the Empire whereon it depended and after that hee had held it for a time distrusting as it is to be supposed his owne forces he did deliuer it into the Venetians hands The nauall Armie wintered in the confines of Modon Zonchia Naples and Coron Vrso Iustiniano did at the Spring time succeede Lauretano in the place of Generall He departed from Venice about the beginning of Ianuary but in regard of the extreme cold he arriued in the Prouince three moneths after with three gallies At Zonchia he receiued one and twenty Gallies that lay in the Hauen with those and them which he brought with him he sailed towards Modon where halfe way he met Lauretano with three great Gallies who after sundrie reciprocall embracements did according to the Senates commaund surrender the charge of the Gallies to him and retired himselfe to Sapienza Vrso stayed at Modon till the whole Armie were come thither together then departing thence with two and thirtie Gallies he sailed towards Coron and within a while after passing by Naples he came in a short space to Nigrepont and from thence hauing coasted all the Islands of the Aegean Sea he had heedfully obserued what state they were in But whilst Vrso made these reuiewes Nicolao Ragio and Iohn surnamed the fatte Captaines of the bands of men at Armes with those troupes that they had with them tooke certaine small townes from the enemie vpon the Gulph of Patras Francisco Sidicino Cicco Brandolino with diuers other Venetian Captaines were encamped with three thousand men at Mantinea and the enemies at Pithyma fiue hundred of whose horse beeing come to Tulmutha which was a towne betwixt both Armies came to defie the Venetians who contemning the small number of the Barbarians went forward presently to assaile them who a long time stood firme against the formost rankes of the Venetians vntill that the rest of their Cauallerie whom they had sent for by sundrie messengers did arriue For then by their comming those which beganne the fight beeing slaine they which were left aliue were without armour Captaines and ensignes miserably massacred heere and there It is reported that fifteene hundred Christians lay dead vpon the place among whom were Brandolino and Giouanni Attellano who the day before was come from Modon to Mantinca with Andrea Dandulo the Prouidator Giouanni Massano and diuers other noble men who had commaund in the Venetians Armie The Republique had no better successe neere to the Islands For Vrso hauing viewed them went to Lemnos and from thence returned to Nigrepont where within a while after hauing receiued supplies from thence and hauing fortie Gallies in his companie he sailed fiercely against the Isle of Lesbos From Nigrepont he came directly to Lemnos hauing by the way taken a ship of the enemies he did put tenne Turkish Marchants to death that were in it and hung vp the rest Then about midnight departing from Lemnos he went with great rumour about the third houre in the morning and encompassed Mytelene the chiefe Citie of the whole Island It hath two hauens on the North side and one towards the South The Armie entered into this as being further off Those of the countrey betooke themselues to flight and the whole Island was in allarme Then three hundred Turkes that were brought to the Gallies were by Vrsos command impaled throwne into the Sea and some of them hanged Within a while after he did by day-breake giue an assault to the Citie by Sea and Land hauing first sent a ship of Genoa which to that end he had stayed by the way and a Dalmatian Galley to take the tower vpon the hauen And himselfe in the meane time landed his troupes on the other side of the Citie The two vessels being sent against the tower did presently retire by reason of the Ordnance shot The troupes being landed went brauely to the assault throwing themselues inconsiderately to manifest daunger whereupon the fight lasted with wonderfull furie for sixe houres space to the losse and ruine of the Venetians who being vanquished by the multitude of shot and grieuously wounded after a great ouerthrow were enforced to retire It is reported that three thousand of them were slaine that day This losse did not abate the Venetians courage for within a while after returning againe to assault the enemie with greater furie they were after sundrie vnprofitable attempts beaten from the wall with like losse as at the first In the meane time newes was brought that the enemies nauall Armie did approach the which besides other smaller vessels consisted of fiue and fortie Gallies It was likewise reported that two thousand horse landed on the other side of the Iland would presently arriue Vrso being daunted with these newes after that hee had lost fiue thousand men and the rest for the most part hurt quitted Mitylene and came to Nigrepont where with remorse of conscience for such bad successe he fell into so great sorrow and melancholy as notwithstanding that he was a man of a great spirit did neuerthelesse behaue himselfe like one that had lost his senses From Nigrepont being brought to Morea and from thence to Modon he was landed by his owne seruants where on a sodaine being oppressed with griefe he died within halfe an houres space Such was the end of Vrso Iustiano a man valiant and noble among his countrimen Giacomo Lauretano was after his death sent to command the Armie He departing from Venice was followed by Sigismond Malateste accompanied by a thousand Italians A long time before Pope Pius had made a league with the Venetians the king of Hungarie and Philip Duke of Burgondie against the Turks But Malateste so soone as he came into the Prouince where he heard of the death of Giouanni Attellano and Brandolino and saw the small forces there made a lowde protestation that he would neuer haue imbarked himselfe for that warre if he had but knowne in what state the affaires of that Countrey had beene yet because men should not say that his comming thither was in vaine he marched with all the troupes he could leauie to take Sparta a Citie in old time most famous among the chiefest Cities of Greece the which in a short space he forced It being taken which at this day is in a manner inhabitable he began to batter the Castle with his Ordnance That siege continued many moneths and it could not be taken by reason of the strong Garrison within it About the latter end of Autumne fifteene thousand Turkes arriued there who encamped verie neere to the Venetians Sigismond distrusting his owne small number for he had but two thousand men in his camp durst not assaile them with his whole forces at once but skirmished oftentimes with them And so
long as the enemie remained there he did by cunning and force so amaze him as the Turks hauing put some supplies into the Castle dislodged without any losse to the Christians And perceiuing his encamping there to be but to small purpose after that he had burnt the Citie he brought backe his troupes to Naples During the siege of Sparta Lauretano besieged Rhodes and did great harme to the inhabitants he spoiled and burnt their farmes and countrey-houses He did afflict them in this manner because that the Rhodians not long before had by force taken forth of the Venetians ships which lay in the hauen certain Syrian marchants with their goods and would in no sort giue satisfaction to the Venetians that carried it This being done he returned to Nigrepont From whence he craued all the Islands on the Aegean Sea without any other memorable exploit for that yeare But at the beginning of the next he did put to Sea and came verie neere to the streight meaning by force of Oares to passe through betwixt the Dardans that hee might afterwards scoure the coast of Galipollis The Dardanes are two Castles iust opposite to one another at the mouthof the streight in which was great store of Ordnance to sinke all enemies ships that should passe that way Mahomet so soone as he had made himselfe master of the Costantinopolitane Empire caused one of these to be reedified which was in a manner ruinate and builded the other from the foundat ons that he might with a continuall Garrison keepe those of Europe from entering into the streight The sleete being come thither as hath beene said Venieri his Gallie which according to the manner went before for discouerie being deceiued by the Admirals signall which as he thought willed him to passe through the streight being driuen forward by the winde and Oares went through notwithstanding all the shot Some say that Venieri craued leaue to be the first to attempt that passage and that the enemie would not spend all his shot vpon this one Galley but determined to bestow his bullets vpon the rest of the fleete that would attempt to passe whereupon the next that followed it being strucke through with the Ordnance and many of her men slaine and in great danger returned the like did the rest of the fleete except the first Galley that went through Venieri who although he was Prouidator of the Gulph did neuerthelesse follow the publike ensignes vnder the commaund of Lauretano being a man of singular iudgement and experience in marine matters did comfort his souldiers and willed them to hope well but in the darknesse of the night he returned towards the enemies sailing faire softly without vse of Oares Diuers câ—…non shot were made at him and to speake truly he did not auoid them all yet at last with the losse of some few of his men he did contrarie to all mens hope returne to the fleete This same Summer Pope Pius determined to set on foot the voyage against the Turks which had beene propounded in the Councell at Mantua and was afterwards neglected by the ambition and auarice of some Princes For although all his associates should haue failed him the Venetians excepted he neuerthelesse resoluing to bring it to passe came to Ancona Vpon the rumour of this holy voyage great numbers of people from Lombardie and both the Germaines were come to Rome before his departure thence But as he passed through the Dutchie of Spoleta and La Marca he met with greater multitudes These men with plenarie remission of their sinnes he sent home againâ—… into their countries because they were come as well without meanes to defray the expences of that iourney as for that most of them were men vnfit for warre Christophero Moro the Venetian Prince came to meete him there with ten well-armed Gallies to the end the Venetians might haue a share in the honour of that warre Two daies after his arriuall the Pope died of a lingring feauer To speake truly he had but small store of money for such an enterprize which by a decree of the Colledge of Cardinals was giuen to Prince Moro on condition that he should send it to Mathias king of Hungarie towards the expences of his ordinarie warre with the Turkes Some thinke that the whole summe amounted but to fiue and fortie thousand â—…uccats But the Venetian did not onely send this sunne into Hungarie to king Mathias but a greater quantitie of gold for many yeares after that he might with his forces stop the incursions of those Barbarians into Dalmatia and Histria After Pope Pius death the Venetians alone did for a long time vndergo the burthen of so great a warre in the view not only of all Italie but of all the Princes of Europe who were not ashamed to be idle spectators whilest the cruell enemie had alreadie ouerthrowne two mightie Empires and many kingdomes and yet it cannot be denied but that king Ferdinand and the Pope did at times send aide by Sea but it was seldome and then when as they had no need of it There was no memorable matter either by Sea or Land done during that Winter in Grecia The next Summer the pestilence being dispersed in Naples Sigismond went into Laconia against whome came ten thousand Turkes but vpon their arriuall he with his souldiers retired to Mantinea After his departure the enemies assailed Pithimia and hauing beaten downe the fortifications entered it by force In the meane time Victor Capello succeeded Lauretano who hauing receiued the flee at Sapienza sailed to Modon from thence departing within a while after with fiue and twentie Gallies he went to Nigrepont and afterwards going into the enemies countrey he tooke Aulida by force which stands in the firme land ouer against Nigrepont with Larsa on the Salonicke Sea Then he took Imbra in the AEgean Sea betwixt Thrace and Samothrace neere to the mount Athis At the last comming to Pirea he besieged the Citie of Athens the noblest of all Greece and hauing made a breach there before day and burnt the Cities gates he entered it It is at this day called Sethina Capel sackt the Citie the bootie whereof was so great as it did enrich the Marriners and Rowers Within a while after the Fleet left Pirea and came to Nigrepont where taking in victualls it went to Modon from whence departing in secret it sailed into the Gulph of Corinth Those of Patras had promised him to deliuer the citie into his hands and to kill all the garrison Capel had three and twentie Gallies and six and thirty other lesser vessells well armed for the fight and besides the souldiers and mariners Nicolao Ragio was there with two hundred men at armes The souldiers who the day before had been grieuously tossed in a tempest and by reason thereof could not hold vp their heads were presently conducted to the citty by Giacomo Barbadico the Prouidator they were in number foure thousand And
of Asia The Turkes were Masters of all places neere to the Rampiers so as the inhabitants durst not come forth of their fortifications by reason of the enemies daily incursions There the Venetians were tolde a wonder of the skilfull sent of their dogs how that the inhabitants kept fiftie dogges which in the night time they did put forth of the Rampiers for the guard of the Citie and that their manner was if any Christian did by chance come thither in the night they would gently fawne vpon him and lead him to the citie but if they met with any Turke they did first by their loud barking as it were by a trumpet giue warning of their comming and would then fall vpon them and teare them in peeces Now the better to procure means for the inhabitants to come forth and to seeke for their commodities abroade the Venetian resolued wholly to ruine all the Townes and villages neere adioining And for the effecting thereof hauing sailed all night hee came before day neere to the enemies shoare where finding that all his Gallies were not come vp hee determined to stay for the rest of his Fleete which the error of the night had caused to stray about the Promontorie And early in the morning when the inhabitants perceiued the enemies on their shoare they sent their vnexperienced troups vp to the Mountaines determining on the assurance of the steepinesse of the places there to fight with them The Venetian perceiuing the boldnesse of those people did put his Souldiers in battaile and gaue them a fierce charge They did not refuse the fight but answered them as brauely the bickering was for a time doubtfull and the horse-men could doe no great matter by reason of the stony and steep waies the Souldiers and Marriners did with darts and arrowes charge the enemies from farre and at last came to handie stroakes with swordes pikes and iron maces but many of them beeing sore wounded by the Turkes fell downe dead In the end the Venetian beeing stronger both in valour and number euforced the enemie to quit the place and with great slaughter brake and defeated him diuers threw away their weapons were taken prisoners but the greatest number being skilfull in the craggie waies escaped by the Mountaines Then the Venetians fell to spoile and hauing wasted all that Countrie they retired to their vessells loden with tapestrie In that part of Asia the women are cunning in weauing of tapestrie and do not only deale in household businesse but in trade of Marchandize The heads of those that were slaine being numberlesse were carried to the Generall many were taken in the fight but very few in the fieldes and villages Foure daies after the fight the Fleete departed thence and in a morning before daie drew neere to Tabia a Citie of Caria In that place two Seas comming to ioine together make part of Caria in a manner like an Island The Territorie in time past belonged to those of Halicarnassus with their roiall Citie famous for the magnificent tombe of King Mausolus there is yet to this day as Cariolan writeth among the ruines of the citie certaine markes of that admirable worke to be seene The inhabitants of those places detesting husbandrie giue them selues to feeding of Cattaile from thence great store of Cattaile and many prisoners were brought to the Gallies Then Mocenigo sailed to the desert Island called Capraria where whilest the bootie was diuided newes was brought that the Popes Legat was at hand with his Fleete The Venetian to do him honour prepared certaine Gallies and went to meete him and after that he had welcommed him with the generall applause of all men with sound of trumpets and reciprocall embracements Mocenigo said vnto him Mocenigo his Oration to the Popes Legat. I Am sure most reuerend and excellent Father that you are not ignorant how valiantly hither to the Venetians haue borne them selues for the Christian faith This is the ninth yeare we haue fought by Sea and Land against this cruell enemie without the assistance of any Christian Princes but of King Ferdinand onely It is needelesse to rehearse the losses trauailes and dangers which we haue sustained for there is no place in all Morea no shoare in Greece nor Island in all the Ionian and Aegaan Seas which is not watered with our bloud or with that of our enemies we haue not spared our labour nor expences and we hartily wish that whatsoeuer wee now doe or shall heereafter execute may be for the wealth of Christendome We haue lately with fier and sword wasted Aeolia and Caria two rich Prouinces of the enemies and now we hope by thine happy arriuall to bring to passe some nobler enterprize It rests therefore on your part to teach vs what you know to be profitable for Christendome and to prescribe vnto vs what to execute and on our partes forthwith to obay thy commandements The Legat answered It is sufficiently known with what zeale affection the Venetians haue till this present defended Christian Religion and how by their valour and industrie they haue preserued Cities Commonwealths and Islands But for thy own particular I may wel say That although other Generalls haue done valiantly yet thou hast not only câ—…rried thy selfe valiantly but most fortunately and if I may so say almost diuinely This being thus I entreate thee to continue as thou hast begun and let not our conductor that of any else interrupt the course of thy happy fortune For my selfe as it becommeth a Church-man I will pray vnto God and his Saints that all thy entreprizes may succeed fortunatly those troups which I haue brought with me shall follow thy commandement After this they sailed into the Isle of Samos intending there to consult whether they should shape their next course This Samos is at this day desolate for wee speake not of that which is neere to Thrace but rather of that which is right ouer against it This that we now speake of is vpon the coast of Ionia and is according to Isidorus an hundred thousand paces in circuite called in olde time Parthenia afterwards Adrisia and Anthemusa Melamphila and Ciparissa and lastly Samos At this day it aboundeth in wilde Beastes in regard of many desert places thereof In this Island the Fleete made some abode till such time as the horse that were tired with their long beeing at Sea had refreshed themselues in the pleasant meadowes The Souldiers and Marriners in the meane time going on shoare spent the time in banquets and hunting The Generall and Captaines of the Armie concluded to assaile Satalia on the sodaine a Citie of Pamphilia builded by King Attalus This Citie is at this day the greatest of all the Sea-townes of Asia It hath an Hauen fortified on both sides and is embarred with a mightie iron chaine The Syrian and Aegyptian marchants do vsually come thither as to the ordinary Mart of the whole Prouince Mocenigo commanded the
when hee came thither to the aide of king Ferdinand with six hundred horse say that he fought with his armes bare sometimes with an yron Mace and sometimes with a Sword and executed there so many braue exploits as himselfe alone was more feared than all the rest of his cauallerie He after that he had by his owne industrie recouered the principalitie of Albania did so long as he liued with few forces defend it against the whole power of the Turks He had six hundred choice horse with whom he did ordinarily vse to ouerthrow farre greater numbers of his Turkish enemies For which his glorious exploits it is reported that the people after his death in admiration of him as if they had obserued in him somewhat that exceeded humane performance did by Hymnes and Songs solemnize the memoriall of so worthie a Prince Some credible Authors affirme That in the hottest time of the warre when the Turkes filled all places with armes and terrour great multitudes of Virgins would assemble themselues together in those citties where he had commaunded and euery eight dayes would sing the praises of that dead Prince therein imitating those of olde time who in theyr high feasts did publish the acts of notable men that were dead But this as I haue said was done in former time The Turkes likewise made sundry incursions into Dalmatia But because it was done rather to forrage than to fight it is not worthy of memory It had beene good for the Venetians if the Prouinces onely and not Italie had felt their cruell armes who whilest Mocenigo executed his fortunate exploits in Asia did enter the Confines of Italie and came as farre as Vdina About the middest of Autumne a company of Turkish horse in an euening at Sun-set came with great rumour and incamped on the Riuer of Sconcino and many of them had alreadie foorded the streame when on a sodaine they incountered the Venetian troupes For diuers troupes of horse lying in the Villages heere and there vpon the riuer assembled themselues vpon the enemies arriuall to stoppe their passage and although the Venetians vsed great speed the Turkes neuerthelesse by their swiftnesse were gotten before them and some of their cauallerie had alreadie crossed the Riuer when as the Venetians vpon their first charge did beate them into the water and enforced them to returne to the other side to their fellowes The Italian cauallery remained on the riuer bankes most part of the night but through feare of the enemies great number before day they retired into the Isle of Ceruia This place is neare to Aquileia and is made an Island by the circumfluence of the Riuers Ronedula Amosore and Alsa But so soone as it was day and that the enemie had lost sight of the Venetians he speedily crossed the Riuer and with great out-cries made incursions into the Countrey of the Forlani All those in the villages betooke themselues to flight and they in the Townes thought themselues not secure The smoke of the Villages and Countrey-houses which were seene to burne a farre off had greatly terrified the Inhabitants of the cities but much more the sight of the poore Countrie people who dragged their wiues children and cattell to their very gates The Inhabitants of Vdina which at this day in wealth and populousnesse is one of the most renowned of the whole Prouince was greatly affrighted with the approach of the Turks who were come within three miles of the citie no lesse than if the enemie had beene at their gates In which amazement mothers with their children stoode weeping before the Altars and others ranne vp and downe to the Market-place and to the Castle And it was certainely thought That if the Cittie had beene assailed by the Turkes in that generall confusion it might haue beene endangered without any notable danger But so it was That the Turkes fearing some Ambuscado because they knew not whither the Venetian cauallerie was retired went backe the same way they came with great numbers of prisoners and cattell Now the Venetians at the same time were not onely molested in that place but neere to the Po likewise by reason of the troubles of Ferrara After the death of Borsia d'Aeste the Venetians assisted Hercules his brother with men money and shipping for the obtaining of the principalitie of Ferrara against his Nephew Nicolao sonne to his brother Lionello who claimed it and being therein established they maintained him in it by force notwithstanding that in other places they were pressed with the burthen of a greater warre when by the conspiracie of certaine particular persons hee had like to haue lost it In the citie of Venice they called in all siluer coyne which for the most part was counterfet and coyned other bigger peeces of a new stampe which were called Troni by reason of the Princes effigies vpon it After the Persian Ambassadours departure foorth of Asia Mocenigo and the Associates being desirous to spend the small remainder of Autumne in some honourable exploits directed their course towards that part of Asia which is opposite to Chios neere to Thermena a Promontorie of those of Mindos The horsemen and mariners beeing landed in that place and sent vp and downe that Territorie which aboundeth with vines oliue trees and rich villages they made a great spoile and carried away infinite numbers of prisoners The souldiers brought an hundred seauen and thirtie heades of the enemies to the Gallies The prisoners were solde by the sound of Drumme and the mony was equally diuided among the troupes From thence being come to Nasso the Generall of the Kings Gallies for winter approached took leaue of Mocenigo and with his fleet went home into his Countrey The Venetian and the Popes Legate being desirous to attempt some memorable action before winter leauing Nasso sailed directly to besiege Smirna in times past a famous Cittie of Ionia They had intelligence that because it was seated in a Gulph farre off it had not of a long time tasted any misery of warre and that therefore the Inhabitants of the place did liue in all securitie which had bred in them a carelesse neglect of fortifying their Cittie which in many places was much ruinated They first arriued at Psira a desart Island From thence sayling by night they came the third day after in the morning to the strond of Smirna A great part of the Citie standeth vpon the hill but the better halfe of it is in the plaine and yet the hill is most inhabited The troupes being presently landed gaue a furious assault to the walles of the Citie where they found small resistance but so great was the terrour of the distressed Citizens as all their attempts could not long bold out the Christians for whilest they ran vp and downe confusedly the Citie was spoyled by the souldiers and marriners Great was the lamentation of the flying townsmen whilest women with their children ranne into their Temples or
in the Citie which was called Marcello by the Authors name The end of the ninth booke of the third Decad. THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the tenth Booke of the third Decad. THE description of the Isle of Cyprus The Islanders sedition and CORNARI his death are mentioned in the beginning The conspirators leaue the Island vpon the arriuall of the Venetian fleet MOCENTOO by his presence assureth the state of the Island The description of Albania and 〈◊〉 SOLIMAN the Eunuch with great forces besiegeth Scutarie The Venetiansâ—… se all meanes by land and water toraise the siege The Venetians Gallies fight fortunately with the Turkes at the mouth of the Boiano The Turkes are with great losse repuâ—…ed from the walles of Scutarie TRIADAN GRIâ—…TI being infected with the â—…adayre of the Boyano dieth at Catharra The king of Hungarie at the same time fâ—…ghteth often with good successe against the Turkes The siege of Scutarie is raised ANTONIO LAVRETANO who had defended Scutarie being made Generall of the Gallies doth by his â—…ppartune arriuall first keepe Lepanto and afterwards Lemnos The Venetians are vanquished and receiue a great utter throw in 〈◊〉 before Croya and within â—… while after another in Italie neere â—…o the Riuer Lizonza where they loose their Cauallerie The Turkes put all the countrey of Friull to fire and sword Scutarie is againe besieged by the Turkes more fiercely than it had beene foure yeares before The Turkes make incursions into Italie Peace is made with OTTOMAN during the siege of Scutarie Yet scarce obserued in the Islands about controuer sie for the Garrison of Xant Peace being made with the Turke warre is continued for a time in Tuscanie in the behalfe of the Florentines THE Isle of Cyprus being afterward entangled in new broyles did in the middest of winter call the Venetian to heraide The familie of the Gothâ—…lans was verie powerfull in that Island for king 〈◊〉 hauing in a manner thrust all the nobility forth the country together with his sister Charlotta had mightily enriched these men and seated them in the chiefest places of his kingdome In former times they had giuen themselues to piracie and liued onely by theft But the king being dead and they by his bountie possessing goodly inheritances were neuerthelesse desirous to embroyle the state of the Prouince Of their faction there was a Cypriot Bishop a man esteemed by his countriâ—…en no lesse ingenious than fortunate At the kings death he was his Ambassador with King Ferdinand This Bishop determined to inuade the Realme by tyrannie and the better to effect his purpose he perswaded King Ferdinand to pursue by his meanes the marriage betwixt his bastard sonne and the bastard daughter of the late King Iames gotten on a concubine And for speedie conclusion of the businesse the Bishop with two Gallies returned to Cyprus with one of King Ferdinands trustiest Councellers Mocenigo who lay at Modon hauing intelligenâ—…e of the arriuall of the kings Gallies began to suspect that they were not sent thither but vpon some great occasion whereupon he presently dispatched Coriolan Cepio and Pietro Tolmiere the Dalmamatian with two Gallies into Cyprus and commanded them to enquire of the Queene whether those of the Island practized any innouation and if the feared any treacherie boldly to send him word what she would haue him to doe who would be readie to come to her with the whole fleete vpon any occasion After their departure Mocenigo had intelligence by letters from the Gouernour of Candie that the Cypriots had an intent to rebell and that it was to be feared that vnlesse their designes were broken by the sodaine arriuall of the Venetian fleet in Cyprus that the state of the Island would be greatly endangered The Generall being moued by these letters did speedily send Victor Souranza with eight Gallies into Cyprus who comming to Candie before that the two Gallies which were first sent were gone from thence Souranza commanded Coriolan to pursue his iourney and told him that he with the rest of the Gallies would follow after Whilest the Venetians were on their way the Cypriots hauing commplotted with their Bishop did in the night come forth of their houses armed and sâ—…ue Polizappa of Cyprus and the Queenes Phisitian who being 〈◊〉 with that sodaine rumour ranne to his chamber Andrea Cornari at the first noise fled to the Castle where the Captaine refusing to giue him entrance he hid himselfe betwixt the two walles but being discouered and comming forth vpon the conspirators words that he should haue no harme he was presently by them murdered together with Marco Bembo his Nephew sonne to his sister They left their bodies naked in the place These murthers being committed they ranne with the selfe same furie to the Venetian Magistrates house who remained in the Island to doe iustice to his conntreymen Nicolao Pascali was then Magistrate they told hâ—…m that the souldiers had slaine Cornari because he would not giue them their pay and that they would not haue that nights murther committed through the couetousnesse of one man to be by the Venetians imputed to them who protested still to continue loyall to the Queene and the Venetians intreating him to write to the Venetian Generall that Cornari had beene slaine by his owne fault for defrauding the souldiers of their pay they told him besides that they would send messengers to the Prince and Senate to assure them of the Islanders loyaltie towards the Queeene and her sonne and of their friendship towards the Venetians Although Pascali knew all this to be false he made shew neuerthelesse to beleeue them and promised them to write to Mocenigo They in the meane time entring into the Pallace betrothed the kings bastard daughter of sixe yeares old to king Ferdinands bastard They intituled him Prince of Galilee wherewith the successors in the Kingdome were wont to be honoured and assigned him diuers lands and signoriâ—…s for her dowrie These things being done they presently in a Galley sent away King Ferdinands counseller who came thâ—…ther with the Bishop to acquaint the King his master what had past They sent messengers likewise to Venice to satisfie the Senators with words and to sweeten the bitternesse of 〈◊〉 death or if they could not appease them yet at least in some sort to defeâ—… the warre which the Venetians might make vpon them before their forces could be vnited They compelled the Queene to write to Mocenigo that Cornari her vncle had beene slainâ—… by the souldiers for his couetousnesse that with her sonne she freely gouerned the kingdâ—…me that all the Cypriots were dutifull and loyall all which the poore Princesse being enuironed with traitors durst not refuse to write That done they beganne to strengthen their faction and manned the Castles and strong places with men at their owne deuotion and sharers in the conspiracie In the meane time Cariolan arriued who seeming to be ignorant
Philippo Nefalone Georgio Galesia Giouanni Clericato of Vincenza with diuers others that held an honourable ranke in the Armie They consulted together that night whether it were best to fight with the enemie or onely to defend their owne Forts For it was likely that those Forts being defended the enemie durst not go farre forward for feare least all meanes of returne should be taken from him yet at last they made a more valiant than a discreet resolution which was to oppose themselues against the enemies which way soeuer they should passe They diuided their Cauallerie into three troupes and ouer euerie troupe appointed a Captaine But the Turke in the meane time intending to vse policie as well as force comming to the opposite shoare did about sun-set rome vp and downe with his horse men and at last without any difficultie seized on the Fort neere to the bridge some of the souldiers retired to the bridge resoluing to breake both the ends and to defend themselues in the middest but being on a sodaine ouerwhelmed with great showers of darts and arrowes they were beaten into the riuer This place was foure miles from the campe so that they had no newes of the taking of the Fort till it was late in the night and then they hardly beleeued it Marbeg for so was the Turkish Generall named hauing taken the bridge did send vp and downe to discouer some fit place for an ambuscado and finding one not farre from thence he commanded a thousand choice horse to passe ouer the riuer about midnight at a Ford and to lie in ambush till a signal were giuen them to breake out then to fall on a sodaine vpon the enemies So soone as it was day the Turke caused a troupe of horse to crosse the riuer and commanded them to goe as farre as the enemies campe and to gallop euen to their gates to draw them forth to fight and then to retire by little and little to the place of ambuscado But by the way they encountred Ieronimo and the rest of the Cauallerie which followed him in order of battaile At first they fought valiantly on both sides but the Turkes at last did of set purpose giue backe the Christians pursuing them Ieronimo his sonne a couragious young man made a fiercer pursuit than any of the rest and was seconded by a troupe of young gallants who were as forward as himselfe The politicke old man was displeased with their rashnesse saying that he was certaine that the Turkes would not so easily flie but vpon some speciall aduantage And because they were almost come betwixt two streightes which were much to be suspected Nouello sounded the retreat Then the Turks returning to charge renewed a fierce fight Ieronimo sent for the first squadron to come to his reskew For from the other side of the riuer a companie of men at Armes were alreadie comming to the aide of their fellowes In the meane time a great squadron of Turks had gotten vp on the neerest banks of the riuer where the fight being renewed the Turks were repulsed as far as Graman a little streame running a thwart the vallies Pergotanes But whilest the Venetians were wholly busied in the victorie the signal being giuen to the Ambuscado from the top of the mount Licinicia which was on their left hand the Turkish troupes brake forth and with fearefull cries fell vpon the Venetians who were so terrified wâ—…th the enemies sodaine eruption as one would not haue taken them for those Venetians that euen now fought so valiantly Neuerthelesse perceiuing that the hope of their liues consisted onely in their Armes they were inforced somewhat to giue backe that they might fight more at large But vpon a sodaine the Turkes gaue them so furious a charge as being beaten backe into a streight place they could not haue roome In the meane time the cruell enemy assailed them in front and in flanke and made an horrible slaughter of them so that the first band was in a moment cut in peeces by the enemies great numbers and were all slaine sauing a few men of note who yeelded to the enemie The Captaines of the second squadron perceiuing their fellowes to be inclosed by the enemies gaue backe by little and little towards the Plaine but in such amazement as those in the rereward supposed it rather a flight than retreite Within a while they all beganne in disorder and without Ensignes or Captaines to flie as vanquished into the thickets of the neighbour-forrests the Turkes still pursuing them Some leauing their horse and armour behind them escaped into the Mountaines In this battell died Iâ—…ronimo Generall of the Cauallerie his sonne Giacomo Badoario Anastasio of Romagnia and many other noble persons most of the rest were taken The Turkes likewise bought this victorie at a deere rate Marbeg their Generall was grieuously wounded and great numbers of souldiers slaine who being heaped vp all together were by his commaundement burnt The news of this ouerthrow did much terrifie the whole Country for the people thought themselues scarce safe euen in their walled cities The next day about noone a great smoake was seene in the aire in many places neere to Vdina whereby they knew that the enemie was not farre off and in an instant all the farme houses betwixt the Riuers Lizonza and Taillement were seene to burne It was a lamentable sight to behold so goodly a Countrey filled with cloudes of smoake but most of all when the night following the whole territorie neere adioyning was on fire The Turkes spoiled and wasted all places the same night and by day-breake vniting themselues returned merrily home to their campe beyond the riuer Lizonza loden with bootie and store of prisoners The next day they marched with their Ensignes into the field a dayes iourney from the Riuer making shew to depart but with greater furie than before they came and incamped on the banckes of Taillement and crossing the Riuer they set fire on all places carrying away more prisoners and doing more hurt to the poore inhabitants than at the former time And vpon report that the Venetian forces were comming against them by land and Sea Marbeg raised his campe and left Italie This ouerthrow at Lizonza terrified all men and affrighted the famous Cittie of Verona At Venice the fire of the Countrie houses which burnt by night being seene from the highest Turrets of the Citty did much amaze the inhabitants Many said That it was a great dishonor to the Seigniory to see â—…he pleasantest countrey of the Venetian Territorie burnt and wasted before their faces by a barbarous enemie This caused them presently to dispatch certaine armed vessells along the Sea-coast and certaine troupes of horse and foote through the firme land But they arriued in Friull when the ennemie was gone The two Fortes were for a time without Garrison and some were of opinion to haue them razed The Senate sent certaine Gentlemen thither to view the state
word to Count Marcian presently to breake downe the cawsies and bankes of the Riuer betwixt Mellaria and Hostilia for that once done they needed no more to feare the enemies incursions and himselfe returned againe to Ficarolles But in his absence the townesmen had fortified the trench planted their Ordnance on the opposite shore broken downe the camps Rampiers and burnt the Souldiers Cabins Vrbin comming thither afterwards from Hostilia had strengthened the Towne with a stronger Garrison and from thence retired to Stellata on the opposite shore and there remained to releeue his people when neede were with supplies armor and victualls all his troupes came thither to him Robert in the meane time being somewhat tyred did againe fill the trench and encamped on either side thereof But whilest these things were done there Christofero Muletto a valiant Captaine who commanded the small vessells for Damiano Moro Generall of the fleete vpon the Po had passed on beyond the enemie besieged and took Hadria a very ancient Citie The souldiers of the garrison and townsmen did at first brauely defend it The situation of the place did greatly auaile them which is for the most part enuironed with water not nauigable but by certaine Channels through which very hardly vessells come neere the Cittie Dominico Hericeo a couragious souldier was slaine at the first assault The Venetians incensed by his death did with greater furie assault the Citie and without feare of danger mounted the rampires and neuer gaue ouer till the souldiers and mariners entred it Then the inhabitants casting downe their Armes cried for mercie The Conquerors at their first entrance slew diuers and the houses in many places were burnt and spoiled and Hadria had that day beene wholy ruined had not the Venetian presently commaunded the souldiers to abstaine from spoile and murther We haue elsewhere spoken of the situation and antiquitie of this ciâ—…tie Hadria taken the whole Countrey round about was wasted Comachia likewise at the same time yeelded to the Venetians These Citties with others neere adioyning some by force and others voluntarily beeing taken by them and Moro sailing with the fleete vp the Riuer all men fled on both sides the Po for the Inhabitants of the Countrey terrified with the losse of Hadria ranne with their wiues and children to Ferrara and other Townes of safetie Hercules had fortified a place vpon the Po called Pilosella by which the fleete was to passe and had there builded three Castles of wood one in the middest of the Riuer and the other on both sides which hee furnished with ordnaunce and other necessaries and strong garrisons Sigismond d'Este Hercules brother and Giouan Bentiuole of Bolognia lay there with six hundred horse and as many foot Moro had great numbers of vessells to wit gallâ—…ots small boates Ganzarioles with many other of sundry sorts to the number of two hundred well armed and readie to fight Himselfe in his owne Gallie sailed against the enemie the like did the forces by land The Venetian beganne the fight with such animositie as putting the Cauallerie and the rest which were on each shoare to flight after along and dangerous bickering hee tooke the Fortes vpon the water The victory was verie bloudy But the ioy to haue vanquished made them forget their present losse They sent the Castle which was builded in the middest of the water vpon a great vessel to Venice the others were burnt Moro victorious caused his souldiers and mariners to spoile and waste all places neere to the Riuer they being as well prouoked by reuenge as desire of bootie pillaged all villages and countrie houses vpon the Riuer and then burnt them and so satisfied carried away with them great numbers of prisoners and cattell and thus loaden with bootie arriued at the campe before Ficarolles These men by theyr speed comming thither before the fleet and being taken for enemies did put the Campe in alarme but when they were knowne to be friends they did cheerefully embrace one another and continued the siege both by land and water then they made so fierce a battery as they ouerthrew the Citties walles and rampires Fredericke of Vrbin who was on the opposite shore beholding the danger of his friends was not idle but annoyed the Venetians with his ordnance from the farther side and supplied the besieged with armour victuall and whatsoeuer else he knew to be necessarie for a siege But nothing did so much hurt to the Venetian as certaine peeces called Bases then not vsuall For neither armour rampire or fortification could withstand their fury and yron bullets which carried away with them whatsoeuer they met with And because that contrarie to the discipline of those times they played aswell by night as day Sanseuerino sent him word by a Trumpet that if hee did not cease his new kinde of warre hee would turne his Cannons from the walles of Ficarolles vpon his Campe whereupon they agreed together that when Sanseuerino should assault the Citie or batter the walls with his ordnance the enemie might vse those peeces Moreouer Sanseuerino resoluing wholy to shut vp the Riuer from the enemie commanded certaine vessells of the fleet to bee drawne by Land vp the Riuer beyond the enemies camp Vrbin sent for nine Galeots from Hostilia of those fiue and twentie which he had brought with him from Milan to ouer-runne those vessells Fiue of them being come to an Island neare to the Venetians fleet foure hundred of the Souldiers landed there to refresh themselues by reason of the great heat and lay downe here and therein the shade vpon the grasse The Venetians aduertised of their landing and vnwilling to omit so faire an occasion landing on the farther side of the Island to the number of 150. did sodainly assaâ—…le the enemie halfe asleepe who being amazed with such an vnlookt for assault in sted of defending them selues fled towards the vessells most of them were slaine or taken threescore and ten being taken aliue were brought to Sanseuerino who vnderstanding that they were Milaneses and Artificers not comming thither of their owne accord to fight but sent by their Princes commandement did vse them gently and furnishing them with clothes and money gaue them leaue to depart It was not long ere the enemie had his reuenge with greater losse to the Venetians The Po diuides it selfe into two branches as hath been said fiue hundred paces beneath Ficarolles The Venetian Captaines determined to build a Fort at the point of the Island where this separation begins that the right side thereof on the way from Stellata to Ferrara might be shut vp from the enemie Antonio Marciano was the first that propounded it wherefore the charge thereof was committed to him He being accompanied by Bartilmeo Falceria Tomaso of Immola and two Companies of foot did on a sodaine seize on the place and then with great numbers of peasants brought thither with him to that end began the worke The soldiors and
to the Citie These hauing begunne to fortifie the Riuer banckes to defend themselues from the enemies incursions that they might afterwards without any let batter the towne walls Sigismundo d'Este on a sodaine with Nicolao Corregio Hugo Sanseuerino and other noble men comming foorth of Argento with three thousand men assailed them and gaue their first charge vpon Andrea Burgensis quarter where at first the Venetians had the worst but so soone as the alarme was giuen in the camp euery man armed ranne fiercely to the fight Sigismond opposed to the Venetians front foure waggons on each of which lay foure falconets There the battaile was very doubtfull till three hundred Venetian light horse wheeling about to giue in vpon the enemies backe did so terrifie Hercules souldiers as Sigismond and the other Captaines betooke themselues to flight then the Gallie called Valeresa comming with great rumor vp the water vpon their backes the enemies changed their fight to flight Sigismond mounting a swift horse escaped himselfe alone to Argento Many were drowned in the Riuer more were slaine in the battell but the number of prisoners was greatest of all Souranza that day obtained a great and notable victorie For besides Hugo Sanseuerine he tooke three score and tenne other Captaines whom he sent prisoners to Venice Roberto Sanseuerino being likewise desirous to execute some memorable enterprize resolued to passe ouer into the Ferrarese Territory and for effecting it hee commaunded a bridge to be made on galliots and committed the worke to Bassan of Verona which being soone finished he left Barbadico at Ficarolles and himselfe with Heme and Sanuto the Prouidators went a mile beneath the enemies Fort where hee beganne to passe ouer his troupes and so soone as one boate had passed it cast anker and so the rest serued for a bridge By this time eighteene hundred horse and foote were already gone ouer into the enemies Countrey when they perceiued that there wanted vessells to finish the bridge which happened by their errour who had not taken the iust breadth of the Riuer by the meanes whereof a troupe of valiant souldiers remayned on the other shoare destitute of their fellowes aide whereat Sanseuerine was moued in great choller protesting that if they did not before day prouide boats to finish the bridge his brauest troupes through the carelesnesse indiscretion of some would vndoubtedly be cut in peeces before his face But by the Prouidators diligence it was preuented and the bridge beeing wholy finished the rest of the Armie crossed the riuer ere the enemie had anie notice thereof Hercules souldiers hauing discouered them and not trusting to their Fort threw their ordnance into the Riuer and setting fire on their fortification retired speedily to Ferrara By their example others that held certaine fortified places vpon the Riuer did for feare abandon them whereupon the Venetian in an instant became Master of the Riuer one Fort excepted standing at the head of the Polesine which the enemies had fortified So soone as the Venetians perceiued that neither the riuer nor any forts could resist their furie they wasted the whole territorie burning farmes and country houses downe to the ground There is a Parke within a mile of Ferrara Borsia was the first that inclosed it with walls but Hercules inlarging it did much beautifie it with lakes ponds groues and other places fit for chace The Venetian first encamped neere to the walls which are close to the riuer and in the meane time made a new bridge ouer the Po stronger than the former They first placed a ranke of shippes of burthen one close to another from one side to the other fastened to their ankors by strong yron chains which could not bee cut in sunder then they laid euen planckes vpon them so cunningly ioyned together as it resembled a well-framed bridge of stone This beeing done they builded shoppes vpon it on both sides wherein all sortes of wares were sold which hindered Passengers from looking on the water They made moreouer draw-bridges at both ends which when they were drawne vp those shoppes seemed an Island in the middest of the Riuer And to keep the enemie from firing it by night some two hundred paces before it they hung vp aboue water great wodden plankes fastned to ankors with yron hookes to keepe out the fire works which might be throwne vpon it till they were either quenched or burnt out The bridge finished Sanseuerine brake downe the Parke walles and through it marched with his armie in battell within a mile of Ferrara where he remained for a time in the Cities view but when he saw that the enemie did not sallie he brought backe his troupes to the Campe then he beganne to repaire the Fort vpon the riuer which the enemie had abandoned hee did first enlarge it then enuironed it with trenches of twenty foote deepe with strong bastions Towers and Rauelins This worke vndoubtedly was in a manner impregnable and would perpetually haue terrified the Citie of Ferrara had it not by peace beene razed The Venetian hauing in this manner assured his Campe galloped with his Cauallerie to the very gates of Ferrara filling all places with feare The Citizens viewing the bridge so neere them and the Fort much neerer beganne to lament their owne and Common-wealths estate saying That Hercules Principalitie was ouerthrowne themselues in great daunger and that the stroakes of warre had pierced their very heart that they were out of hope euer to haue peace with the Venetians who had displayed their victorious Ensignes at their gates That the Marshes Lakes and Riuers had not beene of force to restraine the course of their Victorie of whom they were to receiue verie vniust conditions of peace or submit themselues to their mercie The Venetian in the meane time omitted nothing that might further his Victorie he did shut vp the riuers and lakes placing corps du guard and garrisons in all passages In a word he held those of Ferrara at such a bay as Conquerours are wont to do the vanquished when they are desirous speedily to end the Warre The end of the first Booke of the fourth Decad. THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the second Booke of the fourth Decad. THe Pope maketh a new league and abandoneth the Venetians The Duke of Calabria comes to Ferrara All Princes and Commonwealths of Italy band themselues against the Venetians The Senate sends for the Duke of Lorraine into Italy and giues him large pay SANSEVERINO with great forces crosseth the Adda by a bridge and encampeth at Frezzia LODOVICO SFORZA doth easily ouerthrow the ROSSIANS ALPHONSO taketh diuers townes from the Venetians on the Bressian and Verona territories then crossing the Mincia he scoures the countrey as farre as the Riuer Adice and not long after takes Azzola The Venetian Infanterie vpon HERCVLES arriuall at Stellata leapes into the Riuer ALPHONSO leauing Azzola with an
for tenne yeeres Sebastiano Badoario and Bernardo Bembo were sent to Rome in his stead where Antonio Vinciguerra the Secretarie after Lauretans departure had in the meane time by the Senates commaund treated with his Holinesse whereupon at their arriuall they made a league with him At the same time almost that this league was published Francisco Priuli was made Admirall of the Sea Hee at the Spring receiuing the publique ensignes in S. Marks Church from the Princes hand departed from Venice Certaine armed Gallies to secure the Sea-frontires were gone before and some others followed them So great care had the Senate at that time for the guard of the Seas when an vnlooked for warre from Germanie assailed them about contending for their bounds the beginning and progression whereof was thus Sigismond brother to the Emperour Fredericke was Lord and Soueraigne Prince of the Rheticke and Noricke Common-wealths and other Countries of Germanie neere adiacent Hee was a meeke and courteous Prince but inclining too much to flatterers Hee had euer beene in league with the Venetians in which regard the Almaine Marchants his subiects had free trafficke ouer all the Venetians territories and the Venetian Marchants did the like in his and especially at a famous Mart which is yearely held for a certaine time at Bolzan a Citie vnder his obedience Now the Venetians comming to this Fayre after their vsuall manner in the yeare 1487 were by Sigismunds commaundement contrarie to the law of Nations taken and imprisoned and their goods seized to the Princes vse His subiects had not long before driuen the Venetians from the siluer Mynes in the Alpes bought by the Seigniorie and because they were neere to them they with-held them by force When they were demaunded why they did so their excuse was That Sigismonds subiects inhabiting vpon the Lake of La Garda were dispossessed of their dwellings making this a colour to shadow their malice for the strife of those men being referred to arbitrement was in friendly manner debated by Commissioners from both sides And the better to manifest that their proiect was not new after the imprisonment of the Venetian Marchants they leuied forces from all parts aswell of their own as Swisses Grisons to the number of ten thousand men Then at the Spring they came into the field vnder Gaudentius Amasianus their Generall and entred furiously vpon the Confines of Verona and from thence running fifteene miles into the Countrey along the Riuer Adice they drew neere to Rouero a Castle belonging to the Venetians seated in a streight of the Alpes vpon that Riuer which they being not able to take as they supposed to haue done they wasted the Countrey round about and then made Sturma their Rendezuous These incursions being knowne at Venice the Senate commaunded that their souldiers which were in the Treuisan Friul and Lombardie should speedily meet at Verona and that beside those new leuies of souldiers should be made Within a while after Pietro Diede Gouernour of Verona and Ieronimo Marcello were made Prouidators and the Signiorie committed vnto them the command of that warre The Senate aftewards thought good to make Iulio Caesare Varrana Count of Cameryna Generall of their Armie who presently came to Verona The Almains in the meane time being prouided of all necessaries to besiege and take that place approching neere the walls battred it with their ordnance whereof they had great store and the batterie continuing certayne dayes they did beate downe a great part of the wall the Captaine of the Castle by reason of their great number being hardly able to repulse them from the assault howbeit notwithstanding all his resistance hee was at last enforced to yeelde it vpon composition That which did most torment the besieged at the besieged at the batterie and assault was the enemies artillerie which was charged with yron bullets hollow within and filled with wild fire These bullets striking on the walls scattered the fire vp and downe with such vehemencie as it burnt whatsoeuer it met with so as no man durst come vpon the walles to the assault The Senate perceiuing that the warre would continue longer than they had imagined and in some sort distrusting the speedie finishing of it by the valour and skill of one Generall intreated Roberto Sanseuerino who after that Pope Innocent had cassiered him retired to his owne house neere Padua to accept the place of Generall of their Armie together with Iulius Caesar Varran and to make all haste possible to the Alpes aboue Verona with certaine troupes of horse together with his sonnes two braue young men Sanseuerino entertained the offer and speedily went thither At his arriuall the armie was filled with hope he made certaine light skirmishes whose euent was somewhat doubtfull and made a bridge ouer the Riuer that the souldiers might passe from one side to the other and that by it victualles might likewise be brought to the campe At the same time certaine companies of Almaines made incursions on the Territories of Vincenza Feltre and Friul the feare of their comming doing more hurt than their actions For Ieronimo Sauorgnano issued from a noble and ancient family in Vdina and a great friend to the Venetians who had made him a Gentleman of Venice so soone as he had notice of the Almaines incursions did speedily arme the greatest forces he could and together with many Countrey people whom hee assembled marching from the mountaine tops and bad waies which were not vsually passed he came downe vnlooked for vpon the enemies and assailing them on their backs brake and defeated them manie of whom perished in those deepe and fearefull precipices The Senate in acknowledgement of this notable seruice gaue him great thankes and recompenced him with the commaund of three hundred foote men which him selfe bestowed on his brother Giacomo choosing rather to liue quietly at home than to meddle any more in martiall matters The Almaines puft vp with pride after they had taken Rouero as hath beene said made many incursions into the Venetians Countrey who determined to surprise them which they by their spies hauing notice of laid an ambush to entrap the Venetians from which after a fierce fight Roberto Sanseuerino by the valour and prowesse of his sonne Antonio Maria hardly escaped Not long after Iulio Caesare Varrano Count of Camerina being afflicted with a feuer went from the Campe to Verona The Almaines afterwards wanting victuals and pay were readie to mutinie which the Captaines fearing craued of Sanseuerino a suspension of Armes for a time which hee refusing they did about midnight set fire on the Castle and with their Armes and bagage dislodged before day The Venetians wondering in the morning that they heard no noise in the enemies Campe could hardly beleeue that they were wholly gone but doubted some treacherie or ambuscado but their spies assuring them that they were gone farre enough they recouered the Castle Sanseuerino being
Sanseuerino were still retained in the Signories pay and each of them made Captaine of sixe hundred horse Sebastiano Badoario and Bernardo Bembo were sent to the Pope to accomplish this Treatie All matters thus concluded the Senate made decrees concerning the expences of priuate families womens garments and generally against all superfluities namely dice and cards-play sauing aâ—… weddings Innes and vnder the two Columnes in S. Markes place with this addition That the summe which was plaid for should not exceed the fifth part of an ounce of gold There was a rumour at the same time That Baiazet the Turkish Emperour made incursions on the Aegean Sea The Senate hereupon commanded Francisco Priuli at that time Generall of the Gallies to be in readinesse to put to Sea And because they supposed that the Turkes had an intent to inuade Cyprus he was commanded to saile thither Priuli embarking his souldiers in Aprill went to Corfou and from thence to Modon accompanied by Cosmo Pascalis the Prouidator where Nicolao Capello the other Prouidator met them augmenting the number of their vessels with which being fiue and twentie Gallies and tenne Brigandines they set saile and the fifth day after arriued in Cyprus The report of this Turkish fleet consisting of many long vessels which had sailed by Cyprus through the Gulph of Aiazza and then returned into the Hellespont without any exploit bred a longing in the Senate to impatronize the Realme of Cyprus As also because Ferdinand king of Naples went about to make it his by means of a marriage which he secretly treated betwixt his sonne and Queene Katherine borne in Venice of the illustrious family of the Cornares giuen in marriage by her father Marco Cornari to Iames of Lufignan king of Cyprus with a dowrie of a thousand pound of gold This Queene a little after her husbands death being a widow and with child by him was by his last will and testament left coheire with the childe she should bring foorth and yet committed to the protection of the Venetian Senate who at her marriage adopted her their daughter After the kings death she was deliuered of a sonne who died before the yeere was expired Then did certaine Lords of the Island goe about to raise commotions but the Senate sent forces thither vnder the commaund of a Prouidator together with the Queenes father who were still to attend vpon her so as these stirres were on a sodaine appeased The Realme then being at quiet the Queene vnder the Senates protection had for the space of fifteene yeeres peaceably gouerned that kingdome when Ferdinand vnderhand by two of his familiar friends practised the said marriage Their names were Riccio Marini of Naples an inward friend with the late king and Tristan Cybelletto of Cyprus who had a sister attending on the Queene these two comming thither from Ferdinand were apprehended by the Generall of the fleete and presently sent to Venice but Tristan died by the way hauing swallowed a Diamond and druncke Sea-water after it for hee knew that if he came to Venice the Senate would punish him according to his deserts because after the kings death he had raised tumults in the Realme and slaine Andrea Cornari the Queenes vnckle The Councell of Tenne moued by these practizes fearing Ferdinands pollicies and the Turkish preparations together with the king of Syriaesneere neighbourhood commaunded Georgio Cornari the Queenes brother to goe into Cyprus to her and perswade her to remit the gouernement of the kingdome to the Venetian Senate and her selfe to returne to Venice where she might spend the remainder of her dayes merily in her owne Country among her friends and kinsfolkes and not trust her life and meanes among strangers in aforraine Realme Georgio Cornari imbarked himselfe in a small vessell to make the more haste and in the winter time in a short space arriued in Cyprus where hee presently acquainted his sister with the cause of his comming The Queene wondred at his demand as one that had beene wont to liue royally and knew the sparing and parcimonious life of the Citizens of Venice and boldly refused it saying That shee would not for the world forsake so rich and goodly a Realme and that the Senate ought to be satisfied with enioying it after her death He insisting on the contrarie intreated her not to make more account of Cyprus than of her owne Countrey because that worldly affaires being variable and inconstant it might in short space come to passe that shee might bee expulsed her kingdome it being so desired by many great and potent Lords and her selfe envied by her owne subiects who disdained to be gouerned by a woman One onely meanes was left her whereby to preuent all these mischiefes which was seeing shee had no children to referre the gouernement of the Realme to the Venetian State now in her life time That the Venetian Common-wealth had beene well pleased to suffer her to gouerne the Realme so long as the time had beene quiet and voyd of suspitions But now when all her neighbours wait for occasions and lay snares to surprize it the Senate hath thought this onely remedy most expedient But if she feared not these daungers he besought her to consider the perill she was likely to haue fallen into the precedent Summer had not the State of Venice reskewed her with their Gallies the Turkish armie would haue taken her kingdome from her and her selfe haue beene enforced to flie or else in daunger to haue beene carried as a captiue to Constantinople It is good to foresee that which a small accident or some errour may cause vs fall into and to preuent it Fortune is variable sodaine and inconstant and we cannot euer preuent the enemies desseignes nor can our friends be alwayes ready to help vs when we please There is a great distance by land but farre greater by Sea betwixt the farthest part of the Adriatticke Gulph and the Isle of Cyprus This ought you Madame to remember and especially consider that though nothing enforced you thereunto yet what greater honour or more lasting praise can you leaue behind you than to haue giuen so flourishing a kingdome to your Countrey and to haue it written in the Annales That the Venetian State was honored and augmented with the kingdome of Cyprus by a Ladie her owne Citizen You shall still be a Queene And if the case were mine I should be desirous especially hauing liued so long in Cyprus as you haue done to beholde my natiue countrey and place of birth there to shew my greatnesse and magnificence there to embrace my brethren sisters and kinsfolke Neuer was the arriuall of any Lord or Lady so welcome to Venice as yours will be And if Venice were a base and abiect village yet in you it would be a pious duety to be willing to reuiew the place where you first drew breath and those who of a long time you haue not long seene But it is certaine that
staied there till the Florentines popular tumult were in some sort appeased who had not yet laied downe armes taken that day when Pietro de Medicis was expulsed and also to giue Aubigni time to come and meet him whom he had sent for Aubigni was in Romagnia where hee had remained euer since his comming into Italy making head against Ferdinand Duke of Calabria Alphonsos sonne where after sundry retreates on both sides beeing re-enforced by the arriuall of certaine companies left behinde him two hundred Launces and one thousand Swisses which the King had sent so soone as hee came to Ast hee remained Master of the field and enforced Ferdinand to retire into the Cerca of Faenza which is a place betwixt the walles of that Citty and a great trench some mile behind it inuironing them both which doth make it strong Aubigni then returned into the Country of Imola where hee tooke certaine strong townes filling all Romagnia with feare and amazement so that hauing taken Faenza after the enemies departure hee marched directly to Bertinora to passe the Appenine to ioyne with the Kings army But Bertinora refusing to giue him passage hee assailed and tooke it by force and in despite sack't it Ferdinand perceiuing that hee could not by any meanes stoppe the French mens passage and thinking it dangerous to remaine betwixt Imola and Furli retired neere vnto the walles of Cesenna and from thence went to Rome The Venetians hauing intelligence that King Charles had crossed the Po with a mighty army the more to honor him resolued to send him Ambassadors whom they commanded to tarry still with him and in the meane time armed at all aduentures The Ambassadors were Dominico Treuisan and Antonio Loredano who finding the king at Florence accompanied him whereso euer he went Now after sundry commings too and fro the king with his army marched towards Florence There was great magnificence vsed both by the Courtiers and Citizens The king entred the city like a conqueror himselfe and horse armed at all points with his Launce on his thigh They beganne forthwith to treat of agreement but not without great difficulties the which at last ended by the valour of Pietro Caponi one of the foure Commissioners appointed to treat with the king they accorded and the contract lawfully past it was with great ceremony published in the Cathedrall Church at diuine seruice where the king in person and the cities Magistrates promised by sollemne oth vpon the high Altar in presence of the Court and people of Florence to obserue the contents thereof Two daies after the King departed from Florence hauing tarried there tenne daies and went to Sienna where making short stay hee left a Garrison because hee suspected it to be at the Empires deuotion Then he iourneyed towards Rome where not long before Pope Alexander had giuen entrance to Virginio Vrsini and Count Petillan captaines to King Alphonso and his sonne Ferdinand So as it seemed he ment to haue anticipated the enemies to fortifie the city and to repulse them from it But doubting King Charles intention and fearing his forces he had a wonderfull conflict in his minde For now hee determined to defend Rome and to that end suffered Ferdinand and his captaines whom he had introduced into the city to fortifie the weake places then supposing that hee should not bee able to defend it hee determined to leaue Rome and thus floating betwixt hope and feare the French in the meane time spoiled all the country on the hither side Tiber taking now one towne then an other no place beeing strong enough to hold them out so that after diuers parlies hee resolued as it were by force to grant all King Charles his demands and to receiue him into Rome from whence he caused Ferdinand and his army to depart who went to Tiuoli and from thence into the Realme of Naples and whilest he went forth at Saint Sebastians Gate the French King armed at all points with his launce on thigh entred with his army at the gate of Sancta Maria del Popolo The Pope many times determined to flie but at last retired into Castle Saint Angelo well prouided of ordnance munition and victuals When the King and his army were entred an accord was propounded by meanes of Cardinall Ascanio on very rough conditions which neuerthelesse were effected to the Kings content who thereby made a league with the Pope saluted him then kissed his feet in open Consistory and afterwards his cheeke and at an other time was present when the Pope said masse and sate downe next beneath the first Cardinall Bishop and according to the ancient custome when the Pope celebrated masse serued him with water to wash his hands This done the Pope made the Bishop of Saint Malo and the Bishop of Mans descended from the house of Luxembourg Cardinals Whilest the King remained at Rome which was some month or thereabout Alphonso despayring of his owne good fortune sent for his sonne Ferdinand to Naples and in presence of his brother Frederick tenounced and made ouer vnto him his Kingly title and Authority hee did this peraduenture for to lessen his subiects loue towards the French because this young Prince was of great hope had neuer offended any of his subiects and was gracious with the people Alphonso after this voluntary demission hauing giuen his sonne a large instruction to recommend himselfe to God departed from Naples with foure light Gallies laden with treasure and ritch stuffe and fled into a towne in Sicily called Mazare where before the yeere was expired he died Ferdinand after his fathers departure rode in royall habit vp and downe the city attended by his vncle Frederick and other great Lords of the Kingdome setting open prisons pardoning all offenders promising to repeale those that had beene banished Then mustering his army hee gaue great guifts to his souldiers and placed new Garrisons in his townes King Charles at the very instant of his departure from Rome receiued intelligence of Alphonsos flight hee went to Velitra and with him Caesar Borgia Cardinall the Popes sonne as Legat Apostolicall or rather pawne of his fathers promises This Cardinall fled away secretly in the night and to take away all suspition that he did it not by his fathers consent went not to Rome but to Spoleta And at the same time those whom the King sent to the castles of Hostia Ciuita-uecchia and Terracina to receiue them according to the accord made with the Pope that they might keepe them so long as he remained in Italy were repulsed by the Popes souldiers For the fort of Hostia which Fabricio Colonna held was recouered by Count Petillan and re-deliuered to the Pope From Velitra the vantgard marched to Monte-fortino a very strong towne seated in the Churches territories and subiect to Iacomo de Contis a Roman Gentleman who held for the Arragonois which being battered by the cannon was in short space
Venetians The fifth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice THE Venetians aduertised that King Charles at his departure from Naples had sent diuerse vessels to make incursions into the riuer of Genoa as hath beene said sent one of their Cittizens to Genoa with money to rigge certaine great Argozies Lodouica Sforza had likewise giuen order to arme a certaine number of Galleys so as together they prepared a fleete the which departing from Genoa did by night land seauen hundred footmen which without any difficulty tooke the towne and castle of Rapalla seazed on by the French at their arriuall Then meeting at sea with the French fleet it assailed and defeated it the Admirall thereof being taken and foure French Ensignes which the Geneuois sent to Lodouico Sforza who presently gaue two of them to the Venetian Ambassador resident with him saying that he did present them to the honor and merit of the Venetian common-wealth The Marquis of Mantua in the meane time beeing at Clastegia following King Charles his Army requested by Lodouico and commanded by the Senates decree sent two thousand foote in Garrison to Tortona and Alexandria Then he intreated the Senate to send two Senators who as Prouidators should manage the warre with him wherevpon Luca Zeno and Andrea Venieri were appointed who comming to the Army went all together to the siege of Nouarra which Lodouico with a mighty Army did streightly besiege The Venetians sent so great aide as scarce any enterprize can be remembred wherein they spent more money so that in a short space there were three thousand men at armes three thousand Almaine horse fiue thousand Italian foot and ten thousand Lancequenets in the confederate campe The Venetian Senate was not onely carefull to send forces to this siege but the more to incourage their soldiers had from Lieutenant of the Army made the Marquis of Mantua Captaine Generall thereof the better to honor his courage and valour manifested at the battaile of Fornouo and with a very gracious example had not only augmented their pay who had valiantly behaued them-selues but giuen pensions and sundry recompences to the children of those that were slaine in the battaile and dowries to their daughters The seege still continuing before Nouara those of the towne were in great want of victualls by reason of the great number of soldiers and Contrey people that were in it nor could the King who lay at Ast releeue it for want of men and though the Duke of Orleance when hee was made acquainted with the dearth did put forth all vnprofitable eaters yet this remedy was to no purpose The French made many attempts by night to victuall it but beeing still discouered they were enforced to retire without effecting it and often times with great losse of their men The King then out of hope to raise the siege in any time and dayly importuned by the Duke of Orleans who was in great want determined to hearken vnto peace But the difficulty to obtaine it was very great in regard of the iealozie and distrust betwixt the King and Duke of Milan yet it was motioned by an vnexpected meanes For the Lady Marques of Mont-ferate beeing dead the King wishing well to that State sent the Lord of Argenton to Cassall to consult with her subiects concerning the profit and commodity of a young sonne shee had left behind hir The Marquis of Mantuas Steward came thither likewise in his Maisters name to bewaile her death They two entred so farre into discourse of peace as the Lord of Argenton by the perswasion of this Steward did write therof to the Venetian Prouidators who inclining therevnto acquainted the Duke of Milans Captaines with it who with one consent sent to intreate the King which lay at Verâ—…eill to appoint some of his officers to meete them in some fit place where they might conferre together The King allowing it the Commissioners on both sides met betwixt Bolgare and Camarian where after sundry difficulties alleadged on both parts peace at last was concluded and signed by the King which was no sooner sworne to by the Duke of Milan but the King made hast to returne into France And in this manner about the end of October 1495. hee repassed the mounts The Venetians were displeased with Lodouico for that without the aduise and consent of all the Confederates hee had made peace with King Charles seeing that they hauing beene often intreated by the King and him to hearken therevnto had euer answered that they would doe nothing but by the consent of all the Confederates so that now they perceiued it was a dangerous matter to trust him and therefore they would no longer bee in league with so perfidious a man Lodouico was much troubled with these newes and perceiuing that the Venetians were no more his friends gaue secret commandement to all his Garrisons by which the Venetian Campe was to passe to guard the passages and especially the Riuers and to shutte vp all the boates to stay their departure against his will This beeing knowne to the Prouidators they were much amazed in regard they were to passe many great riuers and conferring heerevpon with Bernardo Contaren not knowing what to resolue on hee offered to poinard Lodouico in open counsell saying That hee once dead no man would stirre The Councell of Ten at Venice beeing acquainted with this proposition wrote back that by no meanes hee should doe so for it would much blemish the Venetians reputation but onely temporize with him till they were forth of his territories which they did whervpon Nouarra surrendred they ledde their army which in a maner they cassed to Crema and from thence went to Mantua and so to Venice But to returne to that which was done at the same time in the Realme of Naples where warre was managed as well as in Lombardy So soone as Ferdinand had intelligence of King Charles his departure from Naples beeing then in Sicill attended by the Spaniards who were come thither by Sea he landed in Calabria to whom many Contrey people presently ranne and within a while after the Citty of Regium yeelded to him the Castle hauing still held out for him At the same time likewise the Venetian fleete was descried not farre from the shore of Puglia whereof Antonio Grimani a man of great authority in the State was Generall who comming neere to Monopoli a Citty in Puglia landed the Stradiots and certaine foot companies then by land and sea gaue an assault to the Citty which was taken by force wherevpon the Castle soone yeelded This fleete likewise tooke the Citty of Pulignana by composition Ferdinand in the meane time with many vessels but few soldiers leauing Sicily hauing besides the loue and fauour of the people of the Realme of Naples who longed for him came to the flattes of Salerno and on a sodaine Salerno Melphi and la Caua erected his banners Afterwards
resist it offered men and money to arme three score vessels prouided that the Senate would furnish them with bread and ordnance The Senate willingly accepted this offer and command a florin of gold to be giuen to euery man which should enter into those vessels The Gouernor of Zara aduertized the Senate that two thousand Turkish horse were entred on their confines and had taken great numbers of the country people still continuing their incusions The arriuall of the Turkish cauallery on the Zaratin made the Venetians thinke that they would not at that time beseege Rhodes Wherevpon they forthwith made two Prouidators namely Francesco Cicogna for Morea and Romania and Andrea Loredano for Corfou and beside these Andres Zancani was with forces sent into Frioull because they had intelligence that the Turke determined to come thither In the meane time the Turkish fleet came forth of the Streight consisting of more then two hundred three score and tenne saile and beeing come neere Negrepont directed it course towards Romagnia the great Lord being there in person who before his departure from Andrinople commanded all the Venetians which were in Constantinople to bee imprisoned and amongst others Andrè Gritti before mentioned who was more streighty looked to then any other for that in loue to his Country he had by letters written in caractery aduertized the Gouernor of Lepanto of al the Turks proceedings against his country which had like to haue cost him his life Grimani hauing speedily assembled all the vessels which were in the Islands neere adioyning made vp the number of forty six Gallies seuenteene great marchant ships and forty other lesser ones with as many brigantines and light vessels and anchoring at Modon had an eye on euery side vpon the Turke Hauing intelligence that the enemy was comming to seeke him hee sailed with all his nauy towards the Isle of Sapienza opposite to Modon and there embarrailed his fleete and hauing giuen order for all matters necessary for fight himselfe went somewhat forward with foure Gallies the Turkish fleet being not farre from thence which with the winde hee might haue assailed at his pleasure yet he deferred the fight and returned backe to Modon where after that the Turke had in a few daies made two or three seuerall brauadoes Grimani ordered his fleete resoluing to fight with him when at the very instant Andrea Loretano with eleauen Brigantines and foure great ships arriued hee came to Grimani and told him that hee was come to doe seruice to the State intreâ—…ting him to commaund what hee would haue him doe Hee was a valliant Gentleman and skilfull marriner and at his arriuall the whole fleete made great signes of ioy The Generall placed him in one of the great ships Albano Armerico commanded an other great shippe who in open Councell was enioyned by the Generall to assaile the enemies biggest ship which he performed and Loretan an other who grapled with it to fight more conueniently and in the bickering wild fire was throwne into the enemies ship which beeing on fire was by the winde carried amongst the Venetians and fiered them This accident did more hurt to the Venetians then Turkes because that they did easily saue their men with other small vessels but our men could not bee reskewed in time so that they all perrished some few excepted with Tomaso Duodo recouered in his long boate Albano was saued by the Turkes Grimani wonderfully troubled with this losse sounded the retreate and without any farther fight retired to the Isle of Podroma the Turkish fleet for a time remained in the selfe same place where it had fought Albano brought to Constantinople was solicited by Bajazeth to turne Turke which he boldly refusing to doe was sawed a sunder in the middle and so constantly died The French King solicited by the great Master of Rhodes whether it was reported the Turke would come to releeue him dispatched two and twenty Gallies which beeing rigged in Prouence sailed towards Rhodes But that Island needing no supplies as then they did by the Kings command ioyne with the Venetian fleet The Venetians and French comming to Zant resolued to assaile the Turkish fleet which lay at Tornes but drawing neere it perceiuing that the enemies vessels lay with their poopes to land ward and their prowes towards the sea filled sixe small vnseruiceable vessels with reedes and other combustible matter mingled with wilde fire and sent them before the winde vpon the enemies fleet but it succeeded not according to their hope And Grimani in the meane time omitted a second opportunity to fight with and vanquish the enemy wherevpon an other being sent into his place and himselfe cited to Venice he was committed to the examination of the Councell de Pregati The Turkish fleet went forward to Lepanto whither the Emperour was already come and by the arriuall of his vessels hauing beguirt the towne by sea and land those within it despayring of releefe and wanting all necessaries yeelded These newes did greatly trouble the Venetians and augmented their hatred toward Grimani euery man saying if he had done his duty the enemies fleet would haue beene defeated The Turkish Cauallery on the other side scouring the confines of Zara entred Frioull to spoile and wast and finding the country not defended spoiled and burned all places as farre as Liuenza where they tooke many prisoners vpon these newes Zancani with great forces was sent to the frontiers Seuen thousand of the enemies horse came in troupes through very badde waies into Histria and then crossing the Riuer Liuenza came and encamped nere vnto Gradisca where Zancani lay determining if hee came into the field to fight with him But the enemies Generall perceiuing that he meant not to come forth sent two thousand horse to wast and spoile the Cuntry whom hee commanded to make no long stay These disperfing themselues ouer that goodly Contrey tooke many prisoners burning and wasting many Contrey houses both on the Treuisan and Paduan territories Three hundred Albanese horse fallied forth of Vdina and defeated some hundred of the Turkes if Zancani with his forces had done the like the Turke would haue receiued a great ouerthrow but he would not suffer any one to goe forth of the Towne whereof accused at Venice hee was sent for thither as a prisoner and by a Decree of Senate confind for foure yeares to Padua On such termes stood the Venetian State at home and abroad when Cesar Borgia with the King and Senates forces went into Romagnia to beseege certaine townes which of right did belong to the Church being conquered Pope Alexander gaue them to his sonne This Borgia was a Cardinall as hath beene sayd and casting off his robe and Hatte of Cardinall married a wife in France Hee comming before Imola and Furli after some assaults enforced the inhabitants to yeeld but the Castles which were very strong held out longer especially that of Furli for the other
yeelded sooner The Senate in the meane time to secure their owne territories during the warre in Romagnia sent three thousand foot and two thousand horse to Rauenna vnder Aluianaes command to distribute them through the territories of the Confederates neere adioyning with two prouidators Francesco Capello and Christophoro Moro the one for Arimini and the other for Faenza So soone as Borgia had taken the Castle of Furli Gionan Sforza Lord of Pessaâ—…e knowing that Borgia hated him fearing least he would come and assaile him was desirous to commit himselfe and State to the Venetians protection The Senate answered that they would neuer defend one that had been so great an enemy to them for he had concealed the Ambassador which Lodouico sent to the Turke against the State of Venice and furthered his passage The like had hee done by the Turkes messenger sent to Lodouico whom he entertained in his house and caused him secretly to be conducted to Milan himselfe likewise hauing often acquainted the Turke with the occurrents in Venice Borgia deferred his punishment till some other time because Triuulcio was inforced to call back those troopes which hee had lent him by reason of some tumults feared in Milan in regard of Lodouicos arriual who had brought some smal aid forth of Germany with which and by their assistance who distasted the French he hoped to recouer what he had lost The Senate presently commanded their forces both horse and foot to passe into the Cremonese leuied three thousand Suisses and appointed Pietro Marsello and Christophoro Moro prouidators in that warre Lodouico comming at the same time to Coma tooke it without strokes for the French within it fearing to be shut in betwixt the Inhabitants and Lodouicos troopes went their way Hee sent his brother Ascanio before to Milan from whence the King not long before was gone home into France hauing left a strong Garrison in the Citty and Triuulcio his Gouernour Generall in the Dutchy but the Lombards not so well rewaâ—…ded by the King as they had expected prooued false to him refused to obey Triuulcio who was cheefe of the Guelph faction for the Gibeline party was very strong in the Citty wherevpon the most of the Nobllity and people desirous of innouation wisht for Lodouicos returne and openly proclaimed his name and so soone as they heard of the losse of Coma and that Ascanio was not farre from Milan the people rose and the cheefe of the Gibelline faction began to tumult so as Triuulcio was glad to retire to the Castle and the night following from thence to Nouara The morrow after Cardinall Ascanio entred Milan Lodouico followed him who by this meanes recouered it as easily as it was lost Pauia and Parma presently ecchoed his name Lodi and Placentia would haue done the like had not the Venetian companies by their arriuall preuented it The Senate aduertised of this reuolt determined to send a man of worth to command the Castle of Cremona Lodouico in the meane time desirous to haue the Senate his friend made sute that Ascanio his brother might send the Bishop of Cremona to Venice to offer them his seruice but it was in vaine for the Senate resolued not to quitte the French Kings confederacy The Genois refused to obey him and the Florentines contemned him The King in the meane time hauing intelligence of the rebellion of Milan vsed great speed and sent the Lord Trimouille into Italy with six hundred lances leuied great numbers of Suisses and appoynted the Cardinall of Ambois his Lieuetenant Generall beyond the mounts who comming to Ast had in short space assembled one thousand fiue hundred lances ten thousand Suisse and 6000. French vnder the command of the Lords Trimouille Trivulcio and Ligni Lodouico before these supplies came from France went and beseeged Nouara which hee tooke but not the Castle The French Army assembled at Mortara drew neere him and did cut off his victualls then both sides falling to blowes Lodouico was enforced to retire into the Citty where the Suisses mutined for want of pay hee being not able to pacifie them They told him that they would sodenly depart home into their country wherevpon hee earnestly entreated them to safe-conduct him to some secure place which they denying did at last consent that hee should march amongst them disguised like one of their footmen and in this maner marching amiddest their troopes was by them discouered to those that sought after him who presently apprehended him as the Kings prisoner and sent him into France to the tower of Loches His brother Ascanio followed him who taken by the Venetians and carried to Venice was deliuered to the King and sent into France where hee was more honorably and with greater curtesie entertayned then his brother for hee was sent prisoner to the great tower of Bourges where the same King had beene imprisoned two whole yeares yet afterwards hee was enlarged but this brother dyed in prison Now to returne to the Turks After the taking of Lepanto the Senate despatcht Lodouico Manenti Secretary to the Councell of ten to Bajazeth to complaine for that hee had without cause inuaded them by sea and had contrary to the treaty of peace made not long before with him in the Signories name by Andrew Zancani their Ambassador and to entreate him to enlarge the Venetian Marchants which by his commandement at the beginning of the warre had beene imprisoned That it might likewise please him to surrender Lepanto vnto them which hee vniustly had taken from them And lastly if hee would grant none of these yet at least to renue the League with them Two things moued the Senate to send this Ambassage the one because some that were very inward with the great Lord had written to them that if they sent an Ambassador to Constantinople they might be reconciled to his fauour the second for that they considered how chargeable it would bee for them if they should bee enforced to set forth a new Army against him their treasure both publick and particular beeing exhausted Whereby all their attempts would proue vaine and vnprofitable against so mighty an enemy Manenti ariuing at Constantinople all his demandes were crost for the Turke answered that if the Venetians were desirous of peace with him they should deliuer vnto him Modon Coron and Naples three Citties which they held in Morea and pay vnto him as his tributaries an hundred pound in gould yearely otherwise hee protested to make warre vppon them with this answer Manenti returned But because at Manenti his departure from Venice there was a report that great numbers of Turkish horse were come into Albania the Senate fearing least the desire to spoile the Country of Frioul might draw them thither as the precedent yeare appointed Pietro Doria and Angelo Barozzi Prouidators who taking along with them the Gouernor of Vdina and others of the Country should consult together about repairing and
Faentyne territory The Burrow of Russi strong both by nature and art after the Kings victory did yeeld to the Pope on composition the like did the Citty of Faenza which being vnfurnished of Venetian soldiars and at her owne command did promise to acknowledge the Pope for her Lord if it were not releeued within fifteene daies which was not done Rauenna did the like so soone as the army of the Church drew neare the Castle excepted In such sort as the Pope conquered more by the fame of the French Kings victory then by his owne army the Venetians possessing no more in Romagnia but the Castle of Rauenna new enemies shewing them-selues dayly against them euer since the defeate of their army The Duke of Ferrara on a sodayne shewed him-selfe who till then had abstained and hauing expelled the Visdoma from Ferrara a magistrate which the Venetians kept there hee did forcibly without any let at all recouer the Pollesin of Rouigo The townes of Azole and Lunate yeelded to the Marquis of Mantua which the Venetians had in former time taken from Iohn Francisco Gonzaga his great Grand-father Christofero Frangipane held Pisinia and Diuinia in Histria The Duke of Brunswic with his forces entâ—…ing Friull by the Emperors command tooke Feltre and Bellone Thryeste likewise and the other townes vpon his arriuall did returne to the Emperors obedience The Earles of Sodron seazed on certaine Castles and Villages which lay neere them the like did the Bishop of Trent who tooke Riua di Trente and Agresta The Venetians being brought to all extremity determined to quit the Signory of the firme land to the end to auoide so many enemies hoping that good fortune one day returning they might easily recouer it Beeing contented then onely to retaine the salt waters all their care was to fortyfie their Citty with men victualls and munition and they sent Mandates to the Magistrates and Officers of Padua Verona and other Cittie 's allotted to Maximillian that they should sodenly depart thence leauing them to the power of the people During these atchiuements Antonio Iustinian who had beene sent to the Emperor beeing admitted to his presence in publike audience did speake with very great submission but it was in vaine for hee would doe nothing without the French King The Venetian Cardinalls likewise who besought the Pope to absolue solue the Monitorie seeing they had offered to make restitution of the townes within the space of foure and twenty dayes could obteine nothing For the Pope answered That they had not obeyed because they did offer it with limited conditions not mentioning the profits which they had receiued by them The Senate sent likewise into Puglia to yeeld vp the hauens to the King of Arragon who being certaine to obtaine them with ease had sent a small fleete from Spain the which had already taken possession of diuerse places belonging to those Citties and Sea hauens In this manner were the affaires of the Venetian common-wealth throwne head-long downe all hopes failing them Those of Verona would yeeld to the King seeing the Venetians had forsaken them but hee would not receiue them meaning faithfully and wholy to obserue the capitulations made with the Emperor seeing hee had conquered all that which did belong to himselfe and he commanded the Ambassadors of the Veronois to present the Keyes of their Cittie to the Emperours Ambassadors who were in his Army the like did they of Padua and Vincenza This determination of the French King not to passe with his Atmie beyond his limits gaue some beginning of hope and safety to the Venetians concerning whom the mindes of all Italians were diuersly mooued Some were highly pleased with their misery calamity and said That with great ambition they had sought to subiect all Italy to themselues by meanes whereof they had made their name very odious Others considering more iudiciously how vnseemly a thing it would be for all Italy to be brought vnder the bondage of strangers did infinitely lament the disaster of that Citty the antient seat of liberty and which more then any other had vpheld the common glory and renowne of all Italy This compassion began to touch the Popes heart who fearing the power of the Emperor and the French Kinge desired to diuert their thoughtes from any more oppressinge it by intangling them in affaires Therfore he resolued but secretly to hinder as much as hee could that the miseries of that Signory should goe on no farther and did willingly receiue the letters with Denis Loredan wrote vnto him requesting that it might please him to receiue sixe Ambassadors which the Signory would send vnto him of the principall Senators most humbly to entreare him to pardon and absolue them The letters were read in open consistory where their petition beeing propounded the Pope consented to admit them notwithstanding that the Ambassadors of the Emperour and the French King sought to hinder it alledging that by the league of Cambray he was bound to pursue them with spirituall and temporall Armes vntill that each of the confederates had recouered that which did belong to him and that the Emperour had not yet recouered all Hee answered them That the ancient custome of the Church was not to shew it selfe obdurate to those who repenting of their faults did craue pardon but that hee would not absolue them before they had giuen satisfaction to euery one This reception of the Pope did encrease their hope with the newes they heard from Treuiso which beeing forsaken by the magistrates and by the Venetian companies as others were Leonardo of Dressina banished from Vincenza beeing come thither without forces to take possession thereof for the Emperor they in the city mutined and began with a generall voyce to cry S. Marke protesting that they would acknowledge none other Lord and a fellow that was a shomaker named Marke beeing their leader he carried with great shoutes and concourse of people the Venetians banners into the market place and hauing driuen thence Dressina they placed souldiers in their City and speedily fortified it with victuals and all other necessaries the hors-men which were within it scouring the country round about The end of the seuenth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the eight Booke of the fourth Decade WHat mooued the Venetians to hope to raise them selues An enteruiew resolued on betwixt the Emperour Maximillian and Lewis the French King broken on a sodaine by the Emperor The Venetians recouer Padua whereby they become masters of the Champaine Country The Marquis of Mantua is taken by the Venetians The Emperors proposition to goe and beseege the City of Venice Frangipane maketh warre in Histria The Venetian Ambassadours come to Rome by night The Emperors seege before Padua The King of Hungary refuseth to make warre on the Venetians during their aduersity The Venetians recouer Vincenza and beseege Verona The Venetians nauall army on the Po scoureth as farre as
to the Popes great griefe who wished that the Venetians might be freed from this warre that he might ioyne them to himselfe against the French King whom he more and more hated thereby to lay foundations of great importance and to this purpose had secretly sent a meslenger to the King of England The Venetian army in the meane time beeing quartered at Saint Boniface on the Veronois held Verona in a manner beseeged al-be-it deeds of armes were coldly performed on either part according to the season which was cold The Princes mindes neuerthelesse were greatly troubled aud especially the Emperour who inuenting all meanes to get the vpper-hand of the Venetians drew his affaires still out at length and did publish an other Dyet at Ausbourg where the Electors of the Empire hauing made instance to treate of peace with the Venetians before they mentioned any prouisions for the warre he thought that the Bishop of Pescera the Popes Nuntio had solicited the matter wherevpon hee sent him away And considering that the resolutions of Dyets were long vncertaine he resolued with himselfe to induce the French King to condescend to take Padua Vincenza and Treuiso with his owne forces and to accept of a sufficient recompence for it This offer being propounded in the Kings Counsell was much debated on all sides and the King almost consented by the councell of diuers to accept it and to returne againe in person into Italy with a mighty at my But vpon the difficulties which were made to the contrary hee delayed the answere and resolued aboue all things to vse meanes to appease the Pope and to make him his friend if it were possible at least-wise that hee should not bee his enemy and for this purpose sent post to Rome Albert Count of Carpi a man of excellent wit and iudgement vnto whom were giuen very ample instructions and commission likewise to diswade the Pope from absoluing the Venetians but as hee arriued the Pope had already concluded and promised it the Venetians hauing after long disputations for certaine monthes space consented to those conditions whereon the difficulty lay because they saw none other remedy for their safety but to be ioyned with him The Ceremonies of the absolution beeing ended the Ambassadors returned to Venice leauing at Rome neere to the Pope Ieronimo Donato a very learned man one of their owne number and very pleasing to his Holinesse who did great good seruice to his countrey in matters which he afterwards treated with him Maximillian and the French King were displeased for that the Pope had absolued the Venetians the one because hee had not yet recouered his owne according to the treaty of Cambray and the other because he desired for his owne particular profit that the Venetians might no more recouer themselues But neither of them did in any sort perceiue the Popes meaning especially the French King whom the Pope fed with vaine hopes For after the absolution contrary to Kings meaning hee gaue leaue to the Feudataries and Tennants of the Church to receiue the Venetians pay and to Iohn Paul Baillon to bee Generall of their army in Count Petillans stead who was newlie dead Then hee vsed meanes to reconcile the Venetians with the Emperour to the end that they three beeing ioyned together might make warre on the French King But they could not agree for the Emperour would absolutely haue Verona for his share and the Venetians stoutly craued it for themselues Moreouer the Pope did secretly solicite the King of England to make warre on the French King putting him in minde of the antient quarrelles betwixt those two Kingdomes and the faire occasion which offered it selfe with fortunate successe He did besides continue his practizes begunne with the Swisses by means of the Bishop of Syon whose authority was great amongst that Nation which fell out in the end as hee desired For they growing proud that all men sought their friendship the King soliciting them to renue the league which was almost expired with great boldnesse and presumption they craued the augmentation of their pentions which were threescore thousand pounds a yeere besides the secret pentions which were giuen to priuate persons At which insolency the King being mooued he reiected them with haughty speeches making shew that he did not esteeme them and flatly denied to augment their pentions hauing made alliance with the Valesians and the Lords of the Grisons The Pope being glad of this disunion made new confederacy with them and thought he had done much for the execution of that which he intended and first of all he assailed the Duke of Ferrara for spight that hauing receiued so many benifits at his hands he depended more on the French King then on him And he imperiously forbad him to cause any more salt to be made at Comachia Duke Alphonso complayning for that he went about to hinder him from receiuing the profit of his owne reuenues would not obey this commandement wherevpon he threatned him with greeuous censures if he did not desist his thoughts and actions wholly tending to defend and raise the Venetians The Emperour and the French King who desired nothing so much as their downefall beeing displeased with the Popes proceedings did more strictly vnite themselues together and resolued to assaile the Venetians that Summer with great forces and summoned the Pope to ioyne with them according to the purport of the confederacy of Cambray but he answered that he was no more tied to that confederacy which was accomplished it being Maximillians fault that hee had not Treuiso or recompence in money for it In the meane time Verona had like to haue beene taken by the Venetian Garrison which lay at Saint Boniface who beeing sent for by the townesmen came by night neere to the Cittie to scale the Castle of Saint Peter but in setting vppe their Ladders which were to short they were discouered wherevpon they returned to their Garrison and diuers of the conspiracy in the city were punished About the same the Pope hauing notice that peace was newlie concluded betwixt the Kings of France and England and perceiuing on the other side the brauado which Maximillian vsed in his behalfe in demanding of him the loane of two hundred thousand Ducats threating him if hee refused it to vnite himselfe with the French King against him hee was desirous to reunite himselfe with the King and beganne to deale with the Earle of Carpi who was still at Rome But on a sodaine hee changed his minde so soone as hee had notice of the small aide which the commissioners in the assembly of Ausbourg had offered the Emperour and that the King of England had not made him such an answere as hee expected By meanes whereof taking courage he beganne a new to assaile the Duke of Ferrara because the said Duke had raised some new impositions on marchandize which was brought to Venice by the Riuer Po saying That by the
forbidden him to meddle with any thing that did belong to the Empire The Lord of Chaumont according to the meaning of the King his maister hauing placed a strong garrison in Rhegio went to Parma resoluing to temporise till the spring The Pope beeing impatient to see his deseignes not executed notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the season fent for all his Captaines to Bolognia and propounded to them the seege of Ferrara and notwithstanding their generall dislike of the matter the Venetians excepted they at last resolued to please him first to assaile Mirandola thereby to take from the French al means of hindering the seege of Ferara afterward and the releeuing thereof and by the same meanes to beseege as they went along the Citty of Concorda which held for the King This being determined was likewise executed for beeing come before Concorda they forthwith tooke it by force and the castle by composition then they drew neere to Mirandola whether the Pope came in person thinking that his soldiers went slowly to worke and that his presence would aduance the businesse preferring the fury and heate of his spirit before all other respects albeit the Cardinalls did earnestly entreat him not to go thither and that the Venetians who were his greatest fauorits did blame him for it In regard of his presence complaints promises and threatenings all thinges were sett foreward more then otherwise they would haue beene and yet neuerthelesse the sharpnes of the weather and many other difficulties oppugning it no great matter was performed Those within Mirandola did brauely defend it who were commanded by Alexander Triuuicio seconded by foure hundred stranger footmen vpon hope that they should be releeued but the contention betwixt the Lord of Chaumont and Iohn Iacamo Triuulcio was cause of the losse of the place for the Lord of Chaumont preferring his owne passion before the Kings proffit was glad that the Nephewes of Triuulcio might be depriued of Mirandola and therefore he excused his sending of releefe by reason of the difficulty to bring ordnance thither in so cold a season by so bad waies and through such deep snow as the like had not beene seene of a long time before which were things greatly to be considered The Pope on the contrary omitted nothing for the obtaining of the victory wherby those within the towne beeing out of hope to be releeued and fearing that they should not be able to resist the first assault in regard of the great breach which the enemies ordnance had made sent messengers to the Pope to certefie him that they would yeeld so their liues and goods might be spared albeit the Pope would not at first tye himselfe to saue the soldiers liues yet neuerthelesse he did at last agree to it at the earnest entreatie of his followers and the inhabitants that redeemed the sack of their towne which had been promised to the soldiers the Castle in like manner yeelded The Pope by the taking of Mirandola hoping as sodenly to get Ferrara would no more giue eare to any talke of peace vnlesse first of all Ferrara were yeelded to him The French King on the other side hauing notice of the losse of Mirandola and considering how greatly it did blemish his reputation perceiuing likewise that the Pope continued in his displeasure against him resolued to assaile him therefore he sent word to the Lord of Chaumont not only to defend Fertara but to offend the Churches lands vpon the first occasion that should be offered For which the Lord of Chaumont making preparation and hauing assembled his whole army he made the Pope to alter his minde who by the aduice of his Captaines went back to Bolognia and from thence within a while after to Rauenna The French Army being ready to march the Captaines consulted on what place to make their first attempt some were of opinion to goe directly to assaile the enemies in their trenches hoping by force of armes and by the sury of the artillery easily to enforce them to retire and by that meanes to free Ferrara from all danger Others were of a contrary opinion and the cheefe of those was Triuulcio who was newely come from France who hauing declared the danger of assailing the enemies army in their fortification councelled them to march towards Modena or Bolognia hoping if the enemies did remooue for feare of losing any of those townes to fight with them and to obtaine the victory and if they did not remooue they might then with ease take the one or other of them This was Triuulcio his opinion but it was not followed the better thereby to diminish his authority in regard of the hatred wich the Lord of Chaumont did beare him as also because that Alfonso of Este did vrge them to follow the former opinion for feare that if the French should goe farre from thence the enemies might enter into the Pollesin of Ferrara a matter which would greatly haue augmented the Citties disease But the Lord of Chaumont hauing vnderstood by the way the great difficulty which was made to come to Finall where the enemies were encamped by reason of the waters which ouer-flowed the country neere adioyning he beganne greatly to doubt for the cleering whereof notwithstanding that Alphonso did perswade him to the contrary he assembled the councell where Triuulcio being entreated openly to deliuer what he thought thereof spake in this manner I Did yesterday hold my peace because I haue often-times knowne by experience that my councell hath beene lighlty esteemed the which if it had beene followed at the beginning wee should not at this present be where wee are nor haue lost so many daies vainely which might haue beene spent with more profit and I should now continew in the same opinion to bee silent if I were not spur'de forward by the impotance of the matter in regard wee now stand on termes to commit to the most vncertaine hazard of one day this army the state of the Duke of Ferrara and the Dutchy of Milan which is to great a cast except wee reserue some-what to play afterwards Besides that which prouoketh mee to speake is for that as I imagine the Lord of Chaumont desireth that I should bee the first to councell that which he already beginneth to tast and thinke well of Which is no new thing with me because I haue heretofore knowne my councels to be lesse contemned when it is needfull to retract some-what which peraduenture hath not beene maturely determined then when the first determinations are to bee made We treat of going to fight with the enemy and I haue alwaies obserued that great Captaines haue held for a firme ground the which I haue like-wise knowne by experience that a man neuer ought to hazard the fortune of a battaill vnlesse he be inuited therevnto by some great aduantage or enforced by vrgent necessity for it is according to the reason of warre that it belongeth to the enemies who are
the assaillants and who are in the field for the conquest of Ferrara to seeke to assaill vs and our Captaines whose part is to defend ought not to attempt to assaill them contrary to all rules of Martiall discipline But let vs consider what aduantage wee haue or what necessity inforceth vs to it It seemeth vnto me and I doe not altogeter deceiue my selfe that it is a matter very apparent that wee cannot do what the Duke of Ferrara propoundeth but with our great disaduantage because we cannot goe to that place but by a causey and by a very narrow and bad way where all our forces cannot display them-selues and where the enemies may very well with small forces resist a greater number Wee must march vpon the causie one horse after another and wee must bring the artillery carriage wagons and bridges ouer this narrow causie And who is it that knowes not that in a straight and foule way euery peece of ordnance euery waggon that shall sticke fast in the mire will for a large houres space cause the whole army to make a stand And that being pestred with so many incombrances euery contrary accident will easily disorder vs The enemies are driely lodged furnished with victuals and forage we shal in a manner encampe in the open ayre forrage is to be brought after vs and we shall not be able but with great labour to bring the one halfe of that we shall need We must not referre our selues to that which ingeners saie and to husbandmen which know the Countrey Because warres are managed by soldiers armes and by Captaines Councels They are made by fighting in the field and not by proiects which those that are ignorant of warres do figure forth in paper or describe with their fingers or with a stick in the dust As for my selfe I doe not presuppose that the enemies areso weake noâ—… their affaires in such disorder nor that in their lodging and fortification they haue had so smal skill as not to helpe themselues by the opportunity of the waters and sytuations as I can promise to my selfe that so soone as we shal be com to the place whether we make account to go their we could with ease ariue ther that it lyeth in our power to assaile them Sundry difficulties may enforce vs to tary ther two or thre daies and if there were none other let the snow and rayne falling in so bad a season will stay vs And besides how should we prouide victuals and forage if it should fall out that we were to carry there And though it were in our power to assaile them who is he that can so easily promise to himselfe the victory Who is it which considereth not how dangerous a matter it is to deale with enemies that are strongly encamped and to haue to doe at one time with them and with the discomodities of the contries situation Vnlesse we can be able on a sodaine to to enforce them thence we our selues shall be constrained to returne back And how hard a matter will it be in a country which is wholly our enemie and where euery small mishap will prooue very great Besides I see small reason to put the Kings whole state in such precipitate danger seeing we are chiefly in action for no other matter but for to releeue the Citty of Ferrara of which if we furnish it with a stronger garrison we may be assured yea although we should breake vp out army for it is thought to be so much consumed as if the enemies waight on ita little longer it is impossible but it wil shortly fall of it selfe Is it not yet in our power to turne back a most mighty remedy in warre whereby without hazarding any one horse we will enforce them to depart from before Ferrara I haue euer councelled and now councell more then euer to turne towards Modena or Bolognia keeping the broad way and to fortefie Ferrara for a few dayes for it will not be long with all thinges necessary Now in mine opinion it is best to go forthwith to Modena wherevnto the Cardinall of Este doth prouoke vs who is a personage of great state in which Towne he doth assure vs to haue intelligence and that we may easily take it For by winning a place of so great importance the enemies shal be enforced to retire on a sodaine towards Bolognia And although we should not take Modena yet the feare which would possesse the enemies as wel for that as for the state of Bolognia will constrayne them to doe the like as without al doubt they would long ere this haue done if at the first this oppinion had beene followed The great reasons of this wise Captaine was approoued by al men by meanes wherof the Lord of Chaumont hauing strongly man'd Ferrara with soldiers for her safety held on his way towards Carpy from thence to march to Modena But the Pope by the king of Arragons councell hauing restored it to the Emperour to auoid so many discontents and to quiet his mind which was displeased for that the Pope had seased on it it being euer accounted a Citty of the iurisdiction of the Empire was cause that the Lord of Chaumont being certefied of this restauration desisted from his enterprise who within a while after falling sick was brought to Corregia where fifteene dayes after he dyed hauing before his death very deuoutly adknowledged the faults which he had committed against the Church and besought the Pope to giue him absolution the which hee freely graunted By his death Iohn Iames Triuulce gouerned the Army because hee was one of the foure Marshalls of France vnto whome the Generall of the Army beeing dead the gouernment belongeth by the customes of France vntill the King hath other-wised disposed thereof There happened at the same time a great Earth-quake in Venice whereby part of the walls of the Ducall pallace fel downe with the Marble statues in Saint Markes Church which had beene set vp for the beautifing of the building the stâ—…ples of Churches were shaken and the Bells range of them-selues The waters of the canalâ—… did swell diuers houses and chimneis fell downe wherewith infinite numbers of people were slaine sundry women with child dyed But Gods pleasure was that it lasted not long wherevpon the Patriarks commanded prayers to be made ouer all the Citty with fasting for three daies space with bread and water The like Earth-quake happened soone after at Padua Treuiso Vdina and in other places and territories belonging to the common wealth Now Triâ—…ulcio commanding the Army returned with all his forces to Sâ—…rmidi to goe to releeue the Bastid Geniuola which the Popes Army beseeged and whether the Venetian fleete was going But he went on no farther hauing notice in that place that the Duke of Ferrara with the Lord Chastillon and the French forces were gone forth with great numbers of soldiours and had defeated the enemies whome they found in disorder and
of most importance till such time as those great nombers of Suisses should be wasted or else some fresh supplies might come to them from France to make head against them Wherevpon he did put into Bressia two thousand foote one hundred and fiftie lances and a hundred men at armes of the Florentines into Crema fiftie lances and a thousand foote and into Bergamo a thousand foote and a hundred Florentine men at armes he brought the residew of the army to Pontuico which consisted of six hundred lances two thousand French foot and foure thousand Lansquenets But the next day letters came from the Emperour who commanded the Lansquenets forthwith to abandon the French Kings seruice they not daring to disobey departed the very same day because they were all his subiects La Palisse despayring by reason of the Lansquenets departure of beeing able any longer to defend the Dutchy of Milan did in great hast retire to Pisquetona The Venetians in the meane time hauing already taken Valegia and Piscara did still with that Army winne the Contrey as they went along Those of Cremona being wholly forsaken did yeeld to the Cardinall of Syon and gaue him a good somme of money to the end that the Suisses should not enter into their Citty The like did Carauagio and Soncino wherein the Cardinall of Syon placed his owne people in Garrison in steed of deliuering it to the Venetians as it was mentioned in the treaty of the League All other townes neere to the riuer Adda did yeeld to the Venetians the like did Bergamo with her territory by reason that La Palisse had recalled his companies which lay there to ioyne them to the army La Palisse forsooke Pisquetona and went and crossed the Riuer Adda hoping to keepe the enemies from passing the riuer if the footmen which they made account to leauy had arriued But through want of money to pay them none were raised wherevpon he retired to Saint Angello and the day following to Pauia determining to stay there But after that Triuulcio came thither to him and had shewed him the vanity of his opinion and how that it was impossible to hould back so great a ruine seeing there were no footmen in the Army nor meanes to wage new as well for the shortnesse of the time as for that there was no money to pay them he went and made a bridge ouer the Po at a place where it is most narrow to the end that the companies might more commodiously passe holding on their way towards Ast. So soone as the French had passed the Riuer Adda Loda yeelded to the confederates who being come to Pauia beganne to batter the Castle The French like-wise did soone abandon it and came to the stone bridge which is ouer the riuer Thesin fearing least it should be surprised hauing but that place alone whereby to escape from Pauia All the French men with certaine Lancequenets who were not departed with the rest being come forth of Pauia the Cittâ—… promised to pay a great summe of mony to auoyde the sack thereof Milan had already done the like compounding for a great summe and all other townes Bi essia and Coma excepted did with great desire doe the same All matters were gouerned in the name of the holy league for so all men called it and all the profit fell to the Swisses which caused many more of that nation to come downe into Lombardy and to vnite them-selues with the first In this change Parma and Placentia were giuen to the Pope The Swisses â—…eazed on Lucarna and the Grisons on Voltolina and Chiauenna Iano Fregossa by the Venetians aide in whose army he serued went to Genoa and so handled the matter as the French gouernor being expelled it reuolted and created him Duke In the like manner all the townes and Castles of Romagnia did returne to the Pope Bolognia like-wise yeelded to his officers after the Bentiuoles being depriued of all hope had forsaken it The Cardinall of Medicis had already before then escaped by meanes of some stirre which hapned of purpose as hee entred into a boate at the passage of the Po wherevpon hee was taken from the French who kept him who intended flight rather then resistance The Senate in the meane time being desirous to recouer Bressia and Coma solicited the Cardinall of Syon to come with his troupes and their army to beseege those townes who making no hast beeing loth to encrease the Venetians greatnesse came in the end and encamped before Bressia neere to Saint Iohns gate battering at one time both the towne and Castle whether the Viceroy came to them with the Spanish army The Lord of Aubigni who was within it perceiuing that in the end he could not choose but deliuer it thought it best to yeeld it together with the Castle rather to the Viceroy then to the Venetians compounding with him that all the souldiors within should depart with liues and goods The French that were at Legnaga followed the same councell Crema did other-wise which was beseeged by Ranze de la Cere with a part of the Venetians forces vnto whome Benedict Cribario being corrupted by guifts and vpon promise to be made a gentleman of Venice did yeeld the towne by the consent of the Lord De Duras gouernor of the Castle the which he would not doe to Octanian Sforza Bishop of Lodi for in the name of the future Duke Maximilian Sforza being come thither for that purpose with foure thousand Swisses In these interims the Bishop of Gurcia as Lieutenant to the Emperor went to Rome who being receiued with all honor they beganne to treat of the establishment of the common businesse and how to root out particular strife and contentions to the end that Italy being vnited together might resist the French King and the hardest matter of all this was the agreement so often treated of betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians For the Bishoppe of Gurcia demanded to haue Verona and Vincenza to remaine to the Emperor and the other townes to the Venetians for which they should presently pay to Maximilian two hundred thousand florins of the Rhyne and thirty thou sand for euer after yearely in manner of rent The Venetians would not pay rent for those townes which they had enioyed for so many yeares as belonging vnto them nor consent to giue mony and much lesse to deliuer Vincenza for diuers reasons by them alleadged The Pope did what he could to attone them now inciting the Venetians then entreating them sometimes threatning The King of Arragons Ambassadors did all they could the like also did the Swisses In the end the Bishop of Gurcia persisting in his demand and the Venetians in their refusall as well of Vincenza as of the summe of mony the Pope forsooke them protesting to their Ambassadors that he should be enforced to pursue their Republick with spirituall and temporall armes and made a league with the Emperor
Now the Rendezuous for all the Kings troupes was at Suza from thence to march with ease into Italy vnder the conduct of the Lord of La Tremouille albeit the warre was managed by Iohn Iames Trivulce a man of great repute for his excellent skill in martiall discipline The report was that there were twenty thousand soldiours in the Kings Army The Venetians had for their parts eight thousand foot-men twelue hundred men at armes and fiue hundred light horse with greate store of munition and ordnance Dominico Contaren and Andre Loredan were prouidators of the army and Bartilmeo Aluiana Generall in the Count Pettillans sted who was deceased Hee beeing come to the Army which lay on the bankes of Adice sent to the Senate to know if hee should passe on farther whilst the enemies were vnprouided of all aide and succour and their townes without garrisons The Senate beeing assembled therevpon after â—…undry opinions decreed that their Armie should not passe the Po nor Adda referring the rest to the pleasure and discretion of their General according as he should think it fit For the Senate had as yet receiued no certaine newes whether the French Armie had passed the Alpes wherevpon they thought it not discretion to abandon their state to the enemies mercy or to send their Army into any place from whence if matters should fall out vnfortunately they should not bee able to withdraw it But Aluiana beeing full of courage and desirous to exploite some gallant enterprise if occasion should fitly serue resolued without delay tâ—… passe ouer and first of all tooke his way directly towards Verona hoping for to winne it Pandolfo Malateste commanded for the Emperour in one of the Fortes of the Citty Hee with certaine of the Townsmen had practised to giue him entrance But the next day fiue hundred Lansquenets entred Verona by the Riuer Adicé and the matter beeing discouered Aluiana perceiuing that the Citty could not bee easily forced and that it would aske much time to besiege it did on a sodaine march towards Cremona and by the way made him-selfe maister of Valegia and of the Forte of Piscara two strong and commodious places for the Venetians in respect of their situation Vpon report of Aluiana his comming a great tumult was raised in Cremona those which were of the contrary faction forsooke the towne and the others without contradiction did receiue Aluiana into the citty who being entred he did sodainly disarme Caesar Fieramosca who lay there in garrison with three hundred horse and fiue hundred foot of the Duke of Milans Hee needed not to spend any time for the recouery of the castle by reason it was euer held for the French King Wherevpon hee forth with erected the French Kings banner saying That hee did receiue the Citty for and in the name of the French King for whom Theodore Triuulce his Ambassador was there present in the Venetian Armie Hee went afterwards to Pisquetona Sonzino Lodi and other places neere adioyning hauing already by the change of Cremona erected the French Kings Banners But on the Verona and Vincentine territories the Venetians affaires were differently managed For so soone as Aluiana was departed with his Armie Rocandolphe Captaine of the Lansquenets and Frederick Gonsaluo of Bossola comming forth of Verona with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foote went to Saint Boniface where Aluiana had left vnder the command of Sigismond Cauallo and Iohn Fortino three hundred light horse and six hundred foote who beeing scattered heere and there vpon newes of the enemies comming fled to Colognia and were so neerely pursued by the Lansquenets who entered the towne by force as they were all taken prisoners and the towne beeing sacked and burnt they returned to Verona laden with spoile The enemies for this exploit waxing more prowd and insolent foure thousand foote and fiue hundred horse sallied forth of Verona for to assaile Vincenza whereof Iohn Paull Manfron the Citties Gouernour hauing intelligence hee caused great numbers of peasants on a sodaine to enter into the Citty and did so carefully prouide for the rest as the enemies hope beeing frustrate hauing spoyled the countrey round about they were enforced to returne to Verona But during these exploites on the Veronois and Vincentine territories the whole Dutchie of Milan was in vprore and Armes There was no Towne Village not Castle but did rise and take armes vpon the comming of the Venetian Armie vpon the report that was spredde that the French had passed the Alpes for albeit that the people of Milan wearied with the French gouernment had desired the returne of the Sforzas their antient Lords yet neuerâ—…helesse hauing not by their returne obtained the liberty and freedome which they hoped for but on the contrary all discommodities and charges they changed their mindes and desired the returne of the French Many likewise enemies to the quiet of other poore banished men or mooued by the diuersity of factions did fauour the French In regarde whereof the Earle of Manâ—…oc sonne to Iohn Iames Triuulce riding vp and downe the Champaine countrey of the Dutchy of Milan to stirre them vp to commotions found it no hard matter to make them to reuolt and to take armes Maximillian Sforza beeing daunted thereat not knowing whereon to resolue perceiuing all things to tend to his ruine thought it most expedient for his safety and escape and for the tryall of his latest fortune to retire with certaine horse to Nouara where he vnderstood some Suisses were arriued resoluing there to tarry for the rest who in great numbers were comming down for the defence of his state Those of Milan seeing them-selues to bee without garrison and without a Captaine that their well fortified Castle held for the French and that the Venetians Army did approach some of them beeing stirred vp with hope oâ—… better fortune others with feare and distrust thought it fit to yeeld to the French and to that end to send an Ambassador to the Venetian Generall who hauing made a bridge ouer the Adda threatned that hee would shortly bee with them The French on the other side with whom Andrè Gritti was in quality of Ambassador for the Signory entred Italy tooke diuerse townes and castles some by assault and others by a voluntary redition so as the state of Milan beeing enuaded by two mighty armies French and Venetian was in short space reduced vnder the French gouernment Two Citties onely held out for Maximillian Nouara and Coma. The Venetians for these so fortunate attempts did promise to them-selues a glorious end of this warre for their armie had gotten such reputation by the the taking of Cremona as Ranze de Cera going with a troope of Soldiers to recouer Bressia it was yeelded vnto him vpon the first summons by reason that the Spanish Soldiers who lay there in garrison beeing frighted at his comming retired into the Castle There was but one onely
rage and yet neuer brake their order All in generall did fight with great courage the men at armes excepted who stood still and did nothing no perswasions commandements nor entreaties of the Lords Triuulce and Trimouille beeing able to preuaile with them beeing so affrighted as they had no courage to charge the enemie who stood before them and the Suisses were well pleased with their standing still and for that they came not on to the ayde of the footmen At the lâ—…st the great boldnesse and valour of the Suisses carryed it away who hauing brauely wonne the ordnance did turne it vpon the French whom they put to rout the footmen as well as the men at armes doing nothing worthy of prase This is the famous battaile of Nouara where they fought for the space of two houres with great losse on both sides but most of all on the French which did afterward bring great calamity on the Venetians By this defeate of the French a great alteration followed in Italy chiefly in those matters which concerned the Venetians Gritti who was in the French army was likewise one that accompanied them in the flight who beeing by no reason able to perswade them to tarry at Alexandria or in Piedmont and not blot their reputation with so base and shamefull a flight perceiuing their Armie to bee wholy broken and knowing that hee could in so sort aduance the seruice of the Common-wealth went to Sauona and from thence to Genoa then to Luca and so at last he came to Venice This victory caused Milan with other townes which had openly shewed them-selues for the French to send to begge pardon which was granted them on condition to paye the Suisses vnto whom by right was due not onely the profit but the glory of the victory purchased by their valour and bloud The Viceroy who till then had still kept the Spaniards in their garrisons and not shewed himselfe against the French nor Venetians following the victors fortune did on a sodaine crosse the Po and marched towards Cremona where he knew the Venetian army lay to assaile it Wherof Aluiana hauing intelligence and how that in other places the people began to rise against them the French in Maximillians behalfe attempting to cut off victuals and passage from them determined to leaue those confines and to draw his Armie in safety from thence the which the Senate vpon the report of the battailes losse had commanded him to doe but yet neuerthelesse to retire in such manner as his retreat might not sauor of a manifest flight least it should discourage his owne soldiers and cause the enemies to become more audacious Aluiana being departed and Cremona left naked of Souldiers the Spaniard did forth with seaze on it and wholy sackt it because it had giuen entrance to the Venetian Army Then sending ayde to Maximillian Sforza to Nouara and to Octauian Fregosa at Genoa against the Adorni he brought the residue of his Army towards the Venetians confines hauing crossed the riuer Adda where without any difficulty hee tooke the Citties of Bressia and Bergamo These Citties were taken in the Emperors name and rated at certaine great summes of money which being rigourously leuied were destributed among the Spanish Soldiers Aluiana in the meane time with all his forces remaining on the Veronois being much discontented to see the great deseignes which hee had proiected to bee snacht forth of his hands resolued on a great and difficult enterprise for hauing wonne the towne of Legnaga he left Iohn Paul Baillon at the siege of the Castle with twelue hundred foot and himselfe went speedily with the residue of the Armie to assaile Verona to trye if hee could take it on the sodaine Baillon hauing made a breach in the forte of Legnaga gaue a furious assault to it and notwithstanding the Spaniards resistance it was taken by force for which hee was greatly esteemed by the Senate This place beeing taken was not able to beekept without a strong garrison wherefore they resolued to dismantle and forsake it Aluiana on the other side being come before Verona did assaile it on the weakest side neere to Saint Maxims gate where hauing planted his ordnance hee did with great fury batter the Tower of the gate and the wall thereto adioyning expecting in the meane time when any tumult would be raised in the Citty and hauing beaten downe to the ground forty fathome of the wall with the tower which fell downe likewise hee gaue it a fierce assault But three hundred horse and three thousand Lansquenets beeing in Verona it was valiantly defended by reason that the breach was very high on the townes side which made the descent very vneasie Which Aluiana perceiuing and that the Veronois did in no sort stirre contrary to his hope he did with great speed retire his footmen and artillery from before the walls as wholy despairing of the Victory and returned the very same day to his quarter from whence he came in the morning hauing in that assault lost aboue two hundred of his soldiers In this exploit there was nothing worthy of praise but his great speed because he had done that in one day which other Captains were scarce accustomed to doe in three or foure After that hee spoiled the Countrey trying whether for feare thereof he could enforce the Veronois to come to any agreement The end of the tenth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the first Booke of the fifth Decade THE Spaniards take the Castle of Legnaga Pope Leo reuiueth the treaty of peace betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians Offers made to the French King by the Venetians Lewis the French King submitteth himselfe to the Pope The Venetians lose the towne and Castle of Pescara Padua besieged by the enemies they soone quit it The enemies make great spoile beeing come within fight of Venice Aluiana comming forth of Padua with his Army opposeth him-selfe against the enemies passage The enemies are greatly perplexed by reason they could not could not come to any place of safety The enemies doe defeate and put the Venetians to rout neere to Vincenza The admirable constancy of the Venetian Senate after the losse of the battle Prospero Colonna doth secretly fauour the Venetians by diuerting the siege from Treuiso The Pope in person makes a Compromise concerning the strife betwixt the â—…mperor and the Venetians which takes none effect Selim King of Turkes his warre against Acchomat his Brother The difficulties which held back the Pope from procuring peace betwixt Christian Princes The Countreys of Padua and Friul wholy ruined Frangipan taketh Maran by the treachery of a Priest The Venetians are defeated before Maran A great fire in the Citty of Venice A new compromise made in the Popes person concerning the same differences Feltre taken and spoiled by the Almains is opportunely releeued by the Venetians The difficulties which were found a new in the accord betwixt the Emperor and the
he would not by refusall giue any signe that he was not desirous to perseuer in the confederacy contracted with the late Pope as also because it seemed vnto him that he had no correspondence with the Venetians who besides that their Army had after a sort behaued it selfe in hostile man ner on the Parmesan and Placentine territories at such time as Aluiana laye neere to Cremona had not chosen any Ambassador to make the oath of obedience to him after the ancient custome vntill the French beeing vanquished were gone forth of Italy Nothing did so much astonish the Venetians as because the Pope had declared himselfe their enemie Yet neuerthelesse they hauing in his behalfe neuer failed in the reuerence and affection which they were bound to as himselfe did confesse it they were perswaded that they might yet be receiued into his fauour and make vse heereafter of his grace and frendship Neuerthelesse they did not alter their former determinations but resolued to resist fortune as much as they might and seeing themselues to be our of hope of peace and that the nomber of their enemies encreased they speedily beganne to prouide all thinges necessary to resist so many dangers They made great leuyes of footmen as wel in Romaignia as else where they armed a great nomber of vessells called home all those which they had in Candy and other places and with the same speed they made great prouisions of victualls munition and money Some of the Senate were of opinion to haue their nauall army to saile into Puglia to assaile the sea townes or at least to seeme to resent the many wronges which King Ferdinand without cause had done them But hauing maturely considered how important a matter it was to prouoke so mighty a King they reiected this proposition as more couragious then discreet as well in respâ—…ct of his power as for that he had alwaies made shew to councell the Emperour to peace The Venetian Generall in the meane time being encamped on the banks of Adice his espies aduertised him that the Spaniards had taken the way of Vincenza determining to marche towards Padua and that Cardona with whom the Popes forces were vnited came directly towards him with all his forces he then thought fit to crosse the Riuer as well to free himselfe from danger as for to assure the Citties of Padua and Treuiso and came and stayed at Montagnane But so soone as hee had crossed rhe Riuer with his forces the Venetians affaires who by reason of some prosperous and good successe had begunne to bee re-established did a new fall into decadence For the Pollesin of Rouigo did forth-with yeeld to the enemy and the other people of the countrey did likewise sodainly rise because those of the Venetian iurisdiction perceiuing that the enemies did waxe strong and did greatly molest them and that the Venetians on the contrary grew weake and could not releeue them all men in heapes ranne to the enemies Rance de Cere alone deserued great commendation who remaining euer constant in the Venetian seruice did at times sally forth of Crema where he lay in garrison and made incursions on the enemies Countrey spoiling and burning whatsoeuer he met with The towne of Pescara after a small resistance with the Castle likewise albeit it was well fortified fell into the enemies hands thorough the strife and discention of those within it Lodouico Contaren the Prouidator and all the Captaines with the most part of the soldiers were taken prisoners the rest escaped by flight The Bishop of Gurcia as Lieutenant to the Emperor in Italy comming to the Armie was of opinion to goe and besiege Padua saying That he had so great hope in the Lansquenets and Spaniards valour against the Italians as in the end they would surmount all difficulties That it was a matter of small labour to take Treuiso but that the reward of the victory was different because that to winne Treuiso onely did not import much for the conclusion of the warre but by the taking of Padua they should altogether assure the Citties of the Emperors obedience from the dangers of warre and depriue the Venetians of all hope of euer beeing able to recouer those places that they had lost It is certaine that the Bishop of Gurcia did obstinately maintaine this proposition against the aduise of all the Captaines who were of a contrary opinion iudging it rather an impossible then hard matter to take Padua by force in regard of hiâ—… fortifications almost incredible It is not knowne whether the Bishop of Gurcia propounded it by the Emperors commandement or else of his own motion hoping thereby of greater praise as for an high and difficult enterprise At the last notwithstanding all the Viceroyes reasons and those of the contrary opinion the Bishop of Gurcia his will was followed by meanes whereof the Imperiall Armie approching neere to Padua went and lodged at Bassanella on the right side of the channell a mile and a halfe from the citty in which place being much molested by certaine double Canons planted vpon one of the citties bastions it crossed the channell and lodged a little farther of Aluiana who had already sent his Artillery and baggage to Padua to bee the lighter to take what way should be most expedient hauing notice of their resolution determined to march towards the citty to keepe and defend it against the enemies Baillon beeing already in Treuiso as hath beene said with sufficient forces to defend it whether the Senate sent Andre Mari-pietro for Prouidator And although that Padua seemed to bee well furnished with men and all other necessaries the Senate neuerthelesse would haue certaine leuies of foot companies to bee made as well of Venetians as Histrians who speedily marched thither with all the husbandmen neere about which were come to Venice for refuge to the end to vse those men for necessary reparations in steed of Pioners Diuerse young Venetian Gentlemen likewise went to the defence of the citty So great was their care and diligence to keepe these two citties as well for the commodity of their situation as for the fertillity of the soyle hauing made the countrey plaine round about cut downe the trees which were there and raced all the farmes and houses of pleasure so as there was nothing within a mile of the citty which lay not open to the mercy of the Canon The enemies encamping round about padua sent the footmen to S. Anthonies Church which is within halfe a mile of the towne where they beganne that they might approach with lesse danger to make trenches neere to Saint Antonies gate But the work being great and the want of Pioners greater it went foreward slowly and with danger because the soldiers on the sodaine making many sallies as well in the day time as by night did greatly hinder them that wrought On the other side the nomber of the enemies was to smal for such an enterprise for
they were not aboue eight thousand foot and a thousand horse of all sortes so as a smal quantity of the towne beeing enuironed by the enemies the Stradiots sallied forth at other places and did freely scoure the whole contrey intercepting whatsoeuer was brought to the Camp the like did certaiâ—…e armed boates which the Venetians had placed for that purpose on the Riuer Adicé so as victuals beginning to faile them they wee euery day to seeke new They had worthy Captaines in their Campe but their skill and experience was to no purpose in that businesse in regard of the authority and obstinacy of the Bishop of Gurcia That which did most trouble them was the bringing of their ordnance neere to the walls and how to bring the souldiers afterward to the assault the which they could not doe without a broad and large trench to auoid the shot of the ordnance which incessantly plaid from the towne and they wanted Pioners to continue it These difficulties being propounded by the Viceroy in the enemies councell with the sicknesse where-with the soldiers were afflicted by reason of the bad aire the campe being seated in a low place and subiect to the ouer flowing of waters all men were of opinion that it would be lesse disgrace to correct the determination vnwisely made by discamping then by perseuering in that error to be cause of some great losse that might happen the which would bee followed with greater disgrace The Viceroy acquainting the Bishoppe of Gurcia with this determination hee made answer in the presence of diuers Captaines that martiall discipline being none of his vocation he was not a shamed to confesse That hee had no vnderstanding in martiall matters and if he had councelled to besiege Padua it was by the Viceroys aduise who by letters and expresse messages had councelled the Emperour that it might be so and giuen him great hope to be able to take it and therefore he gaue consent difficulties still continuing to raise the seege the which was done on the sixteenth day of August after they had encamped twenty dayes before the walls of Padua The enemy marched directly to Vincenza the which beeing found for the most part empty of inhabitants and abandoned by the Venetian Magistrates was foorth with seized by them and made a prey to the enemies where they commited cruell and foule actions not spoyling alone cittizens houses but Churches and sacred places not for hatred they did beare to that wretched citty but because their army was altogether maintained by theft and robbery The Bishop of Gurcia and the Viceroy remained certaine dayes at vincenza with bad intertainment as well in regard of the continuall molestation of the stradiots who scoured the contrey day and night as scarcity and want of victuals in the Citty This enforced them to dislodge The Bishop of Gurcia with his Almans went towards Verona and the Viceroy encamped at Albera on the Adicé where he tarried certaine dayes as well to giue meanes to the veronois to gather in their haruest vintage and to sow their grounds as for to make a bridge ouer the riuer hauing an intent to bring his troopes to winter on the Bressan and Bergamasc territories But Aluiana perceiuing that the viceroy made no hast to depart thence was of opinion to sally forth of Padua and Treuiso with their forces and to assaile the enemies who without any suspition thereof being disperced heere and there about pillage gaue occasion of an assured victory shewing that that Army being defeated the warre was for a time ended The Senate iudging otherwise of the matter said that it was not necessary to hazard on the vncertaine euent of a battaile that army wherein consisted the chiefe hope of the preseruation of their State thinking it likewise no discretion to vnfurnish in so dangerous a time the Citties of Padua and Treuiso of their garrisons Neuer-the lesse concealing their intents they caused it to bee giuen out That their Army should shortly come forth into the field to the end that the enemies beeing troubled with this newes should abstaine from making any more incursions and dislodge foorth of their confines But the Viceroy making no great account of these rumors in regarde hee saw no likelyhood thereof propounded to him-selfe greater designes and changing his former determination to place his armie in garrison on the Bressail and Bergamase Countrey hauing no other meanes to feede his Armie but by boot-haling hee sent for the Almaines and went to Montagnane and Este and to the village of Bouolente from whence bringing away great store of Cattle the Souldiers burned diuerse goodly houses neere adioyning Then being prouoked by the desire of spoyle and emboldened because the Venetian troopes were distributed for the garde of Padua and Treuiso they determined to draw neere to Venice contrary to the opinion of Prospero Colonna and hauing crossed the Riuer Baquillon and spoiled Pieua di Sac which is a great Burrow they went to Mestre and Marguera seated on the salt waters where the Viceroy commanded his Artillery to stay and seeing the Citty of Venice before him hee caused tenne peeces of great ordnance to bee discharged vpon it the bullets whereof fell on the Monastery of Saint Secundus and at the same time his souldiers rob'd and spoyled the whole countrey making warre most vniustly on the very walles for beeing not satisfied with their booty they cruelly burnt Mestre Marguera and Lissafusina together with other townes and villages Now the Viceroy beginning to perceiue his error and therefore beeing desirous to make hast to gette from thence could not keepe back his soldiers from pillaging neither by his authority nor by shewing them the danger they were in if they stayed any longer there in regard of the ouer-much liberty which they had taken to spoile Aluiana being with his army shut vp in Padua was extreamly greeued to see his reputation so soiled and that before his face the enemies passing along neere to so strong a Citty should so vnluckily giue spoile to so great a Contrey Therfore he aduertised the Senate that his intent was to sally foorth of the Cittty with his forces and to come and meet with the enemies to stop their passage at their returne saying that being laden with spoile as they were they could not choose but march in disorder and by that meanes they might easily be broaken and defeated That certainly their Republicke was fallen into a wretched condition farre vnworthy their antient glory the which they could not shake off but by some valiant and generous exploite But the Senate enclining to the contrary thought that the same did not proceed from a base and abiect mind but rather from a generous constancy carefully to prouide for al inconueniences that might happen and that it was no great wisdome to hazard all on the euent of a battaile which for the most part is doubtfull and vncertaine therefore their opinion was that
same conditions as they had beene before treated of with Baziazet This treaty being concluded and effected Iustinian returned to Venice with whom Selim sent Alimbei his Ambassador to cause the Prince and Senate to ratefie the present treaty vnto whom he likewise wrote exhorting them to entertaine his frendship And that he for his part would neuer faile them The Turkish Ambassador being come to Venice and brought into the Senate Prince Loredan swore and ratefied as well in his owne name as in the Common wealthes all that which Iustinian their Ambassador had agreed to and signed Selim by this meanes being out of feare of the warrs on Europes side hauing likewise renewed the truce with the Kings of Poland and Hungary hee marched courrageously against Achomat whome hauing broken and defeated hee commanded to be slaine to the end that by his death hee might without contradiction become absolute Lord of Asia the lesse thereby promising to himselfe that nothing should bee able to resist him whereby hee became so proude as hee thought hee was able to conquer the whole world and cheefely Italy on which hee began to fixe his thoughts imagining that he could with ease subiugate it being weake and molested by the forepassed warres He was moreouer incited thervnto by the Emperor Maximilian who thought on nothing more then how to ruinate the Venetians It is certaine that he sent an Ambassador to Constantinople to aduertise Selim of the great opportunity then offered to enuade the sea coasts of the Venetians state whilest hee with his army would assaille them by land but it was not certainly knowne on what place he ment first to attempt Selim being thus solicited caused that winter diuers Vessels to bee armed and new to be made and to new builde those that were broken But at the spring newes was brought to Constantinople how that Amurath Sonne to his brother Achomat who being not at the battaile where his Father fought with such bad successe had escaped into Persia had on a sodaine entred Cappadocia with great numbers of horse and foote where afrighting the whole country with great wast hee was become maister of diuers places of that Prouince Selim being greatly daunted at these newes and considering that the Sophi alone was cause as well of those present troubles as of those which Achomat his brother had in time before raised resolued to take reuenge and to this end determined to send all that great army as well by land as sea into Asia the which was leuied for Europe This Asian warre fell out opportunely for the Christian Princes whome this most mighty and cruell enemy would haue wholy ruined and afterward would haue gone on in dispite of all their resistance This being considered by Pope Leo with the great good which this warre of Persia had done thought it his duty to meditate a firme peace among Christian Princes to the end that being vnited together they might with more ease oppose them selues against that Barbarous enemy The Cardinalls solicited him therevnto in setting on foot the treaty of peace and not to leaue till it had taken effect according to their desire But albeit the Pope did very well know that this was more then reasonable yet neuer the-lesse hee reuolued in his minde which was troubled with diuers maters that as the successe of that wholesome councell did promise a very great and certaine commendations euen so the diuers respects of warre and peace and the difficulties which he met with in this treatie did affright him and wholy draw him backe from that enterprise For his feare least the French should returne againe into Italy and make head against the Spaniards and Almans did extreamely trouble him thinking verily that the same would happen if the realme of France were not enuaded in some place or other knowing that King Lewis by nature was altogether an enemy to quiet and that so soone as hee had made peace with the English hee would turne his thoughts vpon Italy for the recouery of the Dutchy of Milan in regard hee had euer reiected all motions of peace wherein was propounded that hee should quit his claime to the state of Milan The Venetians affaires were almost at the same stay the Pope being not desirous to haue them recouer their former greatnesse noâ—… yet to be to much deiected in regard of the common reputation of Italy Whilest the Pope was in this sort afflicted with sundry thoughts and that at one time hee would fauour the Venetians and at another shewe them an angry and froward countenance the warre did still continew notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the Winter for Prospero Collonna with the Duke of Millans forces marching to Crema ioyned himselfe to the Spannish army the which did re-enforce the Citties seege and the Paduan territory was daily scoured and spoiled by the enemies incursions the like was done in the Contrey of Friul where there was no towne or castle so strong either by art or nature which was not enforced to obey that partie who was strongest in the field so as the inhabitants of that poore contrey were wholly stript of all And for to dispatch them at once Bernardino Frangipan hauing forsaken the Venetians did by treachery seaze on the Fort of Maran as hath beene said by meanes of a Preest called Bartholomeo who being a familiar frend to Alessandro Marcello Prouidator of the place got leaue of him on a morning before day to haue the Castle gates opened for him vnder coâ—…ller that he went forth to hunt so as Frangipan according as it was concluded betwixt himselfe and the Preist did on a sodaine seaze on the gate with certaine Almaine foot and some horse vntill his troopes were arriued whereby hee became maister of the place But the traytor within a while after was paied his desert for being taken by Nicolo Pisare who commaunded in Gruare hee was sent to Venice where beeing hung vp by one foote hee was by the people stoned to death This place beeing very commodious for the Venetians the Senate was of opinion to haue it speedily beseeged the better afterwards to assayle Goritia which Frangipan had taken in the same manner and held it in the Emperors name The land Army marched thither vnder the conduct of Balthasar Scipione of Luca and the nauall army commanded by Bartholomeo de Must a man well experienced in marine matters These two Armies being come before Maran an Herrald was sent to the inhabitants of the towne and to the Almaines that were within it to summon them in the name of the common wealth to yeeld vp that place to the Venetians aduising them not to delay till it were taken by force Those within it made shewes wholy contrary to the summons and vsed many iniurious speeches to the Herrald whereat those of the Camp being incensed determined to giue an assault not tarrying for certaine galleyes which were to ariue but at
the first shot of ordnance which the beseeged made vpon the armed boates which did disorder them and slew some the sailers and soldiers were so danted as on a sodaine they retired as far off as they could from the shot of the Cannon whereas at the beginning they craued to be led to the assault so as afterward they durst in no sort stirre vntill that foure armed gallcies arriued to their aid The towne-walls next to the Hauen were in some sort lower then other places where the small towers likewise had beene beaten downe by the Canon the Venetians made account to enter there with ease and to make the matter lesse difficult to assaile it on a sodaine in sondry places as well on the land side as on the Hauens to the end that the beseeged beeing busied in so many places might be the weaker in all According then to this resolution they went to the assault but on a sodaine there fell such a shower ofrayne as those on the land side were enforced to retire not only from the walls but a great way from the towne the whole plaine being couered with water by reason of the Marshes neere adioyning by meanes where-of the beseeged being assured on that side turned all their forces towards the Hauen from whence with ease they draue the assaylants who already beganne to mount the walles At the same time as this happened the soldiers whom Scipio had sent to garde the passages of the mountaines to stoppe all ayd from the beseeged sent intelligence to the Campe that Frangipan approached with great nombers of soldiers requesting to haue supplies sent vnto them otherwise they should bee enforced to abandon those places beeing to weake to resist them Sauorgnane who was in the army being out of hope to take the towne vpon these news turned his forces towards the Mounts but he had not marched a mile ere he met with those that sent for more aide who being afrighted at the great numbers of those who were said to be comming to releeue the towne had not the courage to attend them and Sauorgnane vniting them with his forces went to the horsemens quarter who were lodged on a little rising hill not farre from the campe and did earnestly entreate them hauing acquainted them how their affaires stood to approch neare to Maran to ioyne them-selues with the residew of the army and to keepe backe the aid that was comming to the towne they were not ashamed to refuse it where-vpon those of the Campe being affrighted at the report of the enemies great numbers did in a manner all disband vnder collour that they had not their pay Frangipan in the meane time beeing come with his succors did without any difficulty enter the towne finding no where any resistance where he tooke without delay part of the Almaines who lay there in garrison and ioyning them with his soldiers they made a good troope with which hee went on a sodaine and assayled the remnant of the Venetians campe who little expected it so as with ease hee did put them to rout who thinking on nothing but how to escape forsooke their campe and their ordnance whereby the greatest part of them were either taken or cut in peeces Francisco Tron Captaine of a Gally did winne that day great reputation who remembring the Venetian glory did neuer forsake the place which hee had seased on with a few soldiers vntill he saw the most part of them slayne or greeuously hurt Frangipan following the course of his victory went on a sodaine to Strasoda and Montfalcone townes of the Friul which hee finding vnfurnished of garisons did easily take and committed most lamentable spoyle During this vnfortunate successe of the Venetians warre and the small hope they had that the French King would that yeare send an army into Italy a greeuous fire hapned in Venice in the night in the beginning of the yeare 1514. on the bridge of the Rialto which being driuen forward by the North-windes did so runne on as no dilligence or humaine labour could for a long time quench it it burned the most inhabited and welthiest part of the Citty The Pope at the same time being desirous to attone the Emperor and the Venetians did in his owne person cause a new compromise to bee made with ample vnlimited power whervpon by a breefe he commanded both parties to surcease their armes which was not very wel obserued by the Spaniards and Almans because the Spaniards in the meane time did spoyle the whole country neere to Este and the Viceroy sent to take Vincenza because hee would be found to bee possessed thereof at such time as the sentence should bee giuen Frangipan on the otherside hauing done great harme in the Friull as hath beene said began to scoure the whole country the like did the Almans vnder the command of the Captaines Rissan and Calepine who seperating them-selues Calapine came afterwards to Feltre which he tooke by assault where staying three daies hee was expulsed by Iohn Brandolino who marching to the recouery thereof by the commandment of Ieromino Pisare the prouidator with strong troopes gathered together from Valmarino and with his light cauallery enforced the enemies who were daunted at his sodaine arriuall to abandon the Câ—…tty and to seeke meanes to escape by flight Calepine with the greatest part of his soldiers retired to Bassan where not standing on his grade he was assailed a new by Francio Duoda Gouernor of the country for the Venetians hauing called to his aide Bernardino Antignole with his light horse and Calepine being surprized in that place was taken prisoner and three hundred of his foot were slaine But 〈◊〉 with eight hundred foot and three hundred horse hauing taken the way of Goritia met with Frangipan as he returned and hauing vnited their forces together and by that meanes beeing to the number of fiue thousand foot and a thousand horse they resolued to assaile Vdina The Senate hauing intelligence thereof sent Malateste Sogliane and Iohn 〈◊〉 thither the one to coÌ„mand the army and the other to be Prouidator with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foot Ieronimo Sauorgnane was there already with two thousand men of the country where after long consultation whether it were best to tarry there for the enemy or by crossing the Riuer Liuensa to goe vnto some safer place at the last it was concluded vpon the aduice of the inhabitants concerning the commodities and discommodities of that place to quit and abandon it and to retire else where beyond the Riuer the which was speedily done for feare least the enemies preuenting them their passage might be stopt Sauorgnane retired to Osof a place of his owne to keepe and defend it from the enemies Vdina being thus abandoned did yeeld at the enemies first summons their liues and goods being saued on condition to pay a thousand crownes to the army to auoide the sack of
their City The like did Ciuidâ—…le Port Gruera and some others But the enemy finding no victuals in that Prouince wheâ—…ewith to feed the army after they had wasted and spoiled it were desirous to march towards Treuiso to ioyne with the Spanish Infantery which lay on the Paduan and Vincentyne territories to the end that being vnited they might execute some notable enterprise But one only matter delayed their deseigne which was not to leaue the fort of Osof behind them the which was able to stop their victuals and aide comming forth of Germany Therefore they resolued to assaile it before they went on any farther and that which induced Frangipan to doe so was the hope hee had to take it as he had done the castle of Chiuse strong by sytuation the which the souldiers that kept it had yeelded vpon the only sight of the enemies without feare of reproach so as Osof being taken there was nothing that could stop their victuals or reliefe from Germany or hinder them from conquering the whole country of Friul But Sauorgnane trusting to the sytuation of the place and to the valour and courage of his soldiers al-be-it he had but an hundred foot and foure score crosbowes on horse-backe with some few peasants did hope to keepe and defend it in despight of all the enemies attempts The Almains then comming to encampe before Osof seated on the top of a steepe mountaine did batter it with their ordnance and gaue diuers assaults to it in vaine which made them resolue to winne it by a long seege hauing intelligence that they within it wanted water but God prouided for them for at the sametime there fell great store of raine wherewith they were aboundantly releeued In regard whereof the enemies renued the assault but all in vaine so as despayring to take it either by assault or by long seege they raised their campe Whilest these things were done in the Friull the Venetians affaires although they were not very peaceable in Lombardy did neuerthelesse suâ—…ceed more prosperously where Rance de Cera commanding Crema for the Venetians did performe sundry notable exploits notwithstanding that the Spaniards and Sforzas forces were encamped before the towne These things did greatly displease the Pope who as a deputed arbitrator sought to bring them to accord but he could find no meanes of agreement which might content both parties by reason that by the frequent alteration of matters hopes changing according to the successe thereof it happened that when the Emperour had giuen his consent to quit Vincenza reseruing Verona for himselfe the Venetians refused it vnlesse they might be repossessed of Verona and then when the Venetians being deiected were satisfied onely with Vincenza the Emperour would haue both or none The Pope being wearied with these difficulties al-be-it he doubted that his declaration would not be accepted was desirous neuerthelesse to shew that it was not his fault to pronounce his sentence after this manner That the Emperour should commit Vincenza into his hands in deposito and all that which the Spaniards and himselfe did possesse on the Paduan and Treuisan territories That the Venetians should doe the like by Crema That as for other matters each partie should hold those possessions they enioyed till the declaration which he pretended to make within a yeere of the conditions of the peace but that in the meane time armes should bee laied downe on both sides That each of them within a month should ratifie that sentence and that the Venetians in ratifying it should pay vnto the Emperor fiue and twenty thousand Ducats and within three months after other fiue and twenty thousand And if each of them did not ratifie it the sentence should be of no validity After this maner he gaue iudgement because he would not discontent any of the parties but this sentence came to nothing by reason that the Venetians would not ratifie it for their desire was to haue had the conditions of peace pronounced at the same time Therefore they returned to armes and determined to recouer the Friull wherevpon they sent Aluiana thither for that purpose with two hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and seuen hundred foot who marching on the high way of Portonone where part of the Almains lay his light horse which scoured before met with captaine Rissan the Almain without the towne of whom wee haue heretofore spoken with two hundred men at armes and three hundred light horse and comming to handy-stroakes with them they had beene repulsed had not Aluiana arriued with the rest of his forces wherevpon beganne a furious fight the issue whereof was at the beginning doubtfull vntill that captaine Rissan being hurt in the face was taken by Malateste Sogliane for then his forces being broken escaped into Portonone and despayring of being able to hold it did speedily forsake it and betooke themselues to flight wherby the City was wholy spoiled and diuers people of the country were slaine Aluiana at his departure thence tooke the way of Osof which Frangipan had againe beseeged with the other part of the Almaines who hauing intelligence of Aluianas approach did soone dislodge hauing raced the fortes which he had built there abouts taking his iourney towards Germany but the Venetian light horse charging him on the taile he lost his baggage and artillery By meanes whereof the whole country in a manner returning to the Venetians obedience Aluiana hauing attempted in vaine to take Goritia returned forthwith to Padua with his forces Frangipan said that the same disorder was no fault of his but that being ill disposed of his person by reason of a blow on the head with a stone which hee had receiued at Osof he could not prouide for that which was necessary for the safe retreate of his army But being afterwards healed and running vp downe the neighbour mountaines to stirre vp new troubles and to leauy new forces he fell into an Ambuscado laied for him by Iohn Vitturi where he was taken and brought to Venice A man indeed very haughty and cruell and a great enemy to the Venetians and who by his ordinary incursions had for a long time greatly molested the country of Friull In regard of this fortunate successe wherein Sauorgnanes aide did greatly preuaile his fame and reputation was much encreased wherevpon the Senate for his deserts created him Earle of Belgrado and Osof for himselfe and his heires to the end that the memory of his valour might be knowne to posterity with foure hundred Ducats of yeerely reuenue forth of the publike treasury Now to returne to Aluiana the number of the Almains being encreased by his departure they tooke againe Cremona Montfalcon enforced the Venetians to remoue their seege from before Maâ—…an for the Venetians hauing intelligence that supplies arriued dislodged thence and retired in great hast Such alterations often happened in the country of Fâ—…iull in regard of the
souldierâ—… wanted diuers monthes pay did vnlooked for assaile Siluio Sauella as he came from Milan who had with him two hundred men at armes a hundred light horse and fifteene hundred foot whom hee did forth-with put to rout so as Sauello fled to Lodi with fifty men at armes only whervpon the Venetians did re-victual Crema the second time Count Nicolo Scoto manned it with fifteene hundred foot Rance being encouraged by these supplies did within a while after enter into Bergamo whither those of the City had sent for him and the Spaniards that lay there fled to La Chappella The viceroy and Prospero Colonna being awakened with the losse of Bergamo assembled the Spanish companies with those of the Duke of Milan and went to encampe before it with fiue thousand foot ioyned to the Spanish and the Duke of Milans forces where hauing planted the artillery against Saint Catherins gate and made a breach Rance who was in the city perceiuing that it was impossible to keepe it left it to their discretion and capiâ—…ulated for himselfe and his souldiers that they might depart thence with their liues and goods without sound of drum or trumpet and their enseignes â—…oulded vp Whilest these things were done at Crema and Bergamo Aluiana hauing much importuned the Senate that he might come forth of Padua with his forces was permitted to doe so to the end he might restraine the Spaniards who although peace was treated of did not cease to waste and spoile euery where wherevpon at his comming forth hee made a very notable enterprize full of wonderfull speed and industry vpon the City of Rouigo where lay aboue two hundred Spanish men at armes who thought themselues safe there because the Riuer Adiâ—…é was betwixt them and the Venetian companies for at such time as they thought not of him he cast a bridge neere to the towne of Anguilare and with one company without baggage he crost the Riuer and being come to the towne whereof one of the gates was seized by a hundred foot clothed like peasants whom he had sent before vnder collour that it was market-day he entred it and tooke all the men at armes prisoners whom he found there This exploit caused all the other Spaniards that were lodged in the Pollessin to abandon it and Legnaga likewise and to retire to Ferrara Aluiana after the taking of Rouigo being come to Oppian neere to Legnaga meaning to haue gon to Verona hauing intelligence that the Spanish army had recouered Bergamo and was returning towards Verona he resolued not to tarry there and therefore he sent the companies of men at armes by land to Padua and he went thiâ—…her by night by the Riuer Adicé with the Infantery the baggage and the ordnance to auoide the great wet and mire and not without feare of beeing assailed by the enemies who were kept backe by the waters which were risen very high then comming on shoare he speedily went into Padua whether the men at armes were come two daies before The Senate vpon the report of this braue exploite vpon Rouigo did receiue great contentation hoping still for better fortune hereafter and wrote letters to Aluiana full of congratulation saying that he had truly manifested his valour and martiall experience together with the good will which he did beare to the Republike The same yeere the country of Friul was in more quiet then of a long time before by reason of the taking of captaine Frangipan who had molested it moâ—…e then any other wherevpon the Venetians knowing how much it did import them still to detaine him refused to exchange him for Iohn Paul Baillon At the same time likewise Rance de Cera being returned to Crema and finding there great want of all things did of his owne authority without communicating it to the Senate make truce with the enemy for sixe monthes then leauing Giouan Antonio Visin in the City with fiue hundred foot and as many horse for the gard thereof he went with the residue of his forces to Padua and from thence himselfe went to Venice to giue them an account of what had past at Bergamo and Crema and also to consult with them of what was needfull to bee done Hee was honourably entertained and because hee had in former time reâ—…used the place of Generall of their army no greater honour beeing at that present vacant the Senate gaue him the towne and castle of Martinenga with all the reuenue thereof The viceroy and Prospero Colonno being crossed in their deseignes by reason of Aluiana his retreat to Padua hauing sent their forces into Garrison in the Pollesin of Rouigo they went to Ispruch to consult with the Emperour what was to be done Whilest fortune shewed her selfe so variable and inconstant to the Venetians the City of Vincenza which was reduced vnder their gouernment was kept with a small garrison notwithstanding that diuers of the enemies troupes lay round about it for it continued still in the fidelity and deuotion of the common-wealth chiefly by the meanes and dilligence of certaine Citizens who hauing gathered together great numbers of people of the territory neere adioyning did keepe it alwaies well furnished and prouided of all necessaries so as Nicolo Pascalic the Citties Magistrate resoluing in regard of the small number of defendants which was in it at the beginning to abandon it did take new courage and did so well exhort all the inhabitants to the defense thereof as the enemies durst neuer come againe to beseege it In these petty exploits of warre and with an vncertaine hope of peace the Sommer of that yeere was spent for the affaires of Italy But Asia produced greater enterprizes for Selim marching into Persia as hath beene said and meeting with Ismaels army fought with him of whom he gate a glorious victory chiefly by meanes of his artillery the vse whereof was then vnknowne to the Persians In regard wherof the great dangers were plainly discerned which threatned other Realmes and Prouinces by reason of Selims fierce and haughty courage who for this fortunate successe was become more proud and insolent And that which did most manifest it was that at the same time that hee made warre in Persia Soliman his sonne entring Hungary did spoile the country with great numbers of horse and had already taken diuers townes The Pope was desirous to remedy it and caused great leauies of souldiers to be made in Hungary who tooke for their badge a red crosse calling themselues the Crossed taking armes for the defence of Christian religion against the Infidels But this leauy of souldiers which were thought would haue aided and releeued the King of Hungary did in a manner ruyne him for weapons beeing put into the hands of the peasants of that country who are deadly enemies to the Nobility they committed infinite riots and threw the Realme head-long into greater dangers wherewith the Pope beeing troubled turned all his thoughts
who were particularly vnder the command of Triuulce were seuen thousand foot and about fiue and twenty hundred horse as well men at armes as light horse-men and there staied with the Duke of Bourbon after the Kings departure foure thousand Gascon and Italian foot-men and seuen hundred men at armes Now all these forces being vnited together with the Swisses who were already said to be arriued at Iuree to the number of sixe thousand seemed to be sufficient to defend the State of Milan and to make all the Emperours attempts vaine and vnprofitable al-be-it the report was that his army consisted of fiue and twenty thousand which were no great good souldiers especially the Almaine foot who had beene leauied forth of his countries in hast and his Cauallery was well worse so as his best forces were Swisses whom the Emperour did well not to trust ouer much as well in regard of the Nature of that Nation which is variable and inconstant as for the small loue they beare to the house of Austria so as the Emperours forces being such the common opinion was to march against them as they approched neuerthelesse they resolued on the contrary and the whole army departing from the Bressan Territory came vpon that of Cremona whither the Duke of Bourbon a while before was come with all his Cauallery and foot intending there to stay for the Swisses who were not yet arriued and likewise to stop the enemies from passing on any farther The Emperour being come by Trent to Verona went and encamped before Asola which was garded by an hundred men at armes and foure hundred Venetian foot-men where hauing spent diuers daies to no purpose he was enforced to depart thence and crossed the Riuer Oglio at Orcinouo wherevpon the French and Venetians determined to raise their campe and hauing left three hundred Launces and three thousand foot-men in Cremona they retired on the farther side of the Riuer Adicé resoluing to stop his passage But the French and Venetians were scarce gonne from thence but the whole country which lieth betwixt the Riuers Oglio Po and Adda were at the Emperours deuotion Cremona and Crema excepted the one garded by French and the other by Venetians After that the Emperour had crossed Oglio he drew nere to the riuer Adda to passe it at Pisquetona and finding the passage there to be very difficult he came to Riuolta the French lying at Cassiana on the other side of the Riuer who by reason that the Swisses were not yet arriued and that the Adda might be foorded in many places they marched away the next day to Milan whereby the Lord of Lautrec purchaced small honour who had published and written to the King that he would with ease stop the Emperors passage ouer that Riuer Maximillian being mooued at this retreat crossed the Adda then he pursued his iourney and being come within sixe miles nere to Milan he sent an Herald to summon those of the City threatning the Milanois that if within three daies they did not chace thence the French army he would handle them in worse manner then Frederike Barbarossa his predecessor had done saying that he was come into Italy to receiue according to the custome of his Ancestors one of the markes of the Empire in the City of Milan and to driue thence and forth of all the confines of that State the French as vniust and vnlawfull possessors thereof They answered the Herald according to the pleasure of the French That the State of Milan being in times past a member of the Empire was by the consent of Emperors cut off from it for a summe of money giuen vnto them in regard whereof Emperors could no more lay any claime to it the which was lawfully possessed by Francis the French King as well for that it was his owne inheritance as being likewise wonne by right of armes and therefore that the Milanois would keepe that City for their lawfull Lord vnto whom they had sworne homage and fealty Notwithstanding this braue answere the whole City was filled with great amazement and their determinations were different Some were of opinion to abandon the City despayring of being able to resist the enemies others on the contrary reiecting that councell as too base would not depart but perswaded to tarry still and defend the City and the better to doe it they resolued to retaine all the foot-men in Milan with eight hundred Launces and to distribute the residue for the gard of the neighbour townes Neuerthelesse the first councell had beene followed had not André Gritti and Andrè Treuisan the Prouidators disswaded it who by meanes of their authority procured them not to make so much haste so that as they were ready to depart certaine newes arriued that the day following Albert Peter would be at Milan with ten thousand Swisses and Grisons These newes did encourage the Citizens and souldiers The Emperour in the meane time came and encamped at Lambre two miles from Milan whether he was no sooner come but the Swisses arriued at the City This comming gaue spirit to the French but greater terror to the Emperor For seeing the City to be strengthened with such a garrison he doubted not but that the seege would be long and painefull whereunto he himselfe had no meanes to tarry there long for want of money victuals and all other necessaries for a seege as also for that he did greatly suspect the fidelity of that Nation by reason of matters past and for that the French might easily winne them for some great summe of money the which himselfe could not doe in regard of his pouerty calling to minde beside what had befalne Lodouico Sforza at Nouara there hauing beene Swisses in his army and in that of the French his enemies he feared least they should play him the selfe same tricke as they had don to Sforza because he could not pay them The Emperour beeing troubled with these and other such like cogitations feare hauing mightily possessed him determined to leaue his army and to returne into Germany hauing caused it to be giuen forth that his departure was only to prouide money to pay his souldiers and that he would soone returne againe And in this resolution he went on his way with two hundred horse onely Now the souldiers of the campe perceiuing themselues to be forsaken of their captaine beganne to take a new party as their particular profit vrged them The Swisses went to Lodi which had yeelded to the Emperour when hee crossed the Adda where hauing wasted the country round about they spoiled the towne and had continued their rauaging had not the other Swisses that lay in Milan protested against them that if they did not abstaine from so doing that they with the French and Venetians would come and assaile them Vpon these threatnings they ceassed from spoyling and hauing remained peaceably there for certaine daies they returned home into their country some
to the Common-wealth robbing and spoyling the Venetians subiects executing diuers other hostile actions The Senate wrote to the Lieutenants of the Empire saying That for their partes they would keepe and obserue the truce and not make any innouation because of the Emperors death but that they like-wise should doe well to containe their soldiers in peaceable manner and keepe them from making any more incursions vpon their Territories The Lieutenants thinking this to bee iust and resonable the truce was inuiolably obserued euery where In the meane time preparation was made for the election of a new Emperor The French King and the King of Spaine two great and excellent Princes began openly to aspire therevnto And albeit the practize was of great importance betwixt two such mighty Princes yet neuer the-lesse they handled the matter on both sides very modestly without any iniurious speeches or warlik menaces each of them seeking by his owne authority and meanes to draw the Electors on his side But the Italians did stand in awe of either of their powers fearing that which of them two should attaine that dignity would by the aide of the Almains enuade all Italy and ioyne it to the Empire as it had beene in times before so that either of their elections could not but bee very much distastfull and greeuous to the Italians and yet for al that they inclined more to the French King then to the Catholik Maiesty for diuers causes and cheefely because the French as a stranger should not beare such authority in Germany as the King of Spaine who was descended from thence and by that meanes might turne them at his pleasure So as the Pope and the Venetians did rather fauour the French Kings party then the Spaniards and the French sending his Ambassador for the same purpose to Rome and Venice they were honorably entertayned and freely audienced Now besides these Ambassadors the French King sent the Lord of Teligni to Venice as well for this purpose as for diuers and sundry other negotiations and among others to entreate them to lend him some good store of mony to supply his great expence hee was to make if hee should bee chosen Emperor and also that they would send forces into Germanie to assist the Electors to the end they might not be enforced in their election and to aske them what they would haue him to doe if Charles should enter with an army into Italy to enforce the Pope to free him from the oath made to Pope Iulius the second concerning the inuestiture of the Realme of Naples The Senate made answer to the Ambassadors demands That in regard of their great obligation to the French King albeit their treasour was much exhausted by the late warres they would neuer-the-lesse striue to ayde him with an hundred thousand Ducats But for to send forces into Germany it would smalely avayle the King and greatly hurt them Besides the Almains would neuer suffer their soldiers to passe the passages being very streight and wel garded As for Charles his passage if without being prouoked there vnto he would enter armed into Italy against the most Holy Father of Rome that the Venetians would no lesse shew them-selues defenders and protectors of the liberty and dignity Ecclesiasticall then their Ancestors had done preferring the greatnesse therof before that of the Empire During these treaties of King Francis by his Ambassadors Charles King of Spaine being more apt to leuy solders with mony then to giue it to the Electors sent an army into the field vnder collour of keeping the election from beeing forced the which drawing neere to Franckfort did encourrage those Electors that fauored his cause and made those which wandred to encline to him so as Charles of Austria King of Spaine was chosen Emperor the eight and twentith day of Iune which was at the very selfe same time that Soliman the sonne of Selim did peaceably obtaine without any contradiction the Oâ—…taman Empire by the death of his father Selim There was but one onely Captaine named Agazzell Gouernor of Suria that did oppose it and make him-selfe maister of the Prouinces of his gouernment who taking armes for that purpose his rebellion was soone appeased and all the other Prouinces reduced vnder Solymans obedience remained peaceable He was noted to be of a haughty courage and fit for high enterprizes and a great enemy to Christendome yet notwithstanding Christian Princes not considering the perills and dangers which followed them at the heeles suffered this young Prince their naturall enemy to grow great whilst they had time to abate his power by busying him in the defence of his owne lands and Seignories and meanes to keepe him from enuading those of their neighbors Lewis King of Hungary alone leuied soldiers and made great preparations of warre imploying all mens ayde and succor as one that feared this barbarous enemy by reason that Solyman would not renew the truce which this King had made with his father Selim wherevpon he sent his Ambassadors to the Christian Princes and cheefely to Rome and Venice entreating exhorting and admonishing them of other mens ruine and losse by the example of his owne neere at hand The Venetians answered him that the power and greatnesse of the Ottomans was so mightely encreased as all Princes and Potentates stood in awe thereof and cheefely themselues by reason their State was to neere a neighbor to them that they had neuer refused such offers but that they on the contrary had solicited other Princes to oppose themselues against the mightinesse of their Empire which they saw did daily encrease but that they of them-selues alone and with their owne forces could doe no great matter Not long after they sent Marco Minio their Ambassador to Constantinople who with their vsuall presents was to procure the articles of peace to be confirmed in the same manner as some few yeares before Antonio Instiniano had done with Selim and with the same authority immunity and franchize Soliman shewed himselfe very ready to graunt their demands as beeing desirous of their frendship and aliance and for a demonstration of his good will towards them at the same time as Minio departed from Venice Acmat Ferrat set foreward from the Port of the great Turke towards Venice to giue them notice from him of his succession in the Orientall Empires and to renew their alliance begun with his father Selim. Besides he was desirous for that the Venetians trafficke into his Contries might be more free and safe with his owne forces to chase the Pirats that scoured the Leuant Seas entreating the Venetians for their part to doe the like to the end the nauigation might be assured This renewing of their league with the Turke did greatly proffit them in regard their state in Italy was not very firme and by reason that the alarmes and suspitions which they had conceiued at the beginning of the yeare because it was reported
Coma and beeing come to the Giradade had passed the Bressan territory and from thence was come to Cremona which hauing recouered he remained there three or foure dayes and then returned into the Venetians Contrey Now in this meane time Prospero Colonna hauing intelligence that Alexandria was left to the Gard of the Cittizens he went thither and became maister thereof At the last because winter was well foreward the Senate permitted Lautrec to winter in their territories whereof the Emperours Ambassador resident at Venice complayning to the Senate they answered that in so great a disaster enemies were to be releeued and that it was against reason to refuse their friends and confederates and that in regard of the conuentions treaties passed betwixt them common ciuility did tie them to releeue the French in their aduersity and to giue them all helpe aide as wel for the desense as recouery of the State of Milan yet neuerthelesse somwhat to content him it was decreed that the French and Venetians should remaine quiet whilest the French should continue in the Venetians territories least that the enemies being enforced to defend themselues should make any incursions vpon their State But Bartlemew of Villa-claro hauing transgressed that decree and crossing the Adda making incursiōs on the Bergamask the Prouidator Gritti permitted al mē to defend themselues against the Imperials whervpon certain companies of light horse with certaine gentlemen banished from Milan going forth of Cremona hauing crossed the Adda did on a sodaine assaile certaine numbers of the enemies men at armes and hauing disarmed them brought them away as prisoners Lautrec in the meane time was desirous to march into the field with these forces that he had and to goe to Cremona determining to make a bridge ouer the Po at Pontuico nere to Casalmajor to become master of the country on this side and beyond the Riuer that hee might freely ioyne with the Duke of Ferrara who was in the field with great forces to trie if hee could take Modena and Reggio As also because that place was thought to bee very commodious for the assailing of the Mantuan territory and especially Viadana a ritch place and abounding with all things from whence they might draw great quantity of victuals for the nourishment of the army and enforce the Marquis of Mantua who as Gonfaloniero or captaine Generall of the Church was in the army of the league to come and defend his owne country But the Venetians not beeing of opinion to enterprize any thing till their forces were strong and well confirmed nor in time of aduersity to purchase new enemies disswaded Lautrec from that determination The affaires of Lumbardy standing at this stay Pope Leo vpon the newes that the French had lost the City of Milan receiued such high content and was so ouerioyed as a Catharre and a continuall feuer killed him in three daies space His death did greatly preiudice the army of the league as well in regard of the Swisses who no sooner vnderstood it but they departed sodainely from the campe and forth of the whole state of Milan and returned home into their country as also for the departure of the Cardinall of Medicis Legat in the Churches army who vpon the report of the Pope his cosins death hauing discharged the army retired himselfe to Rome A new occasion did then present it selfe for the recouery of the State of Milan as easily as it was lost the townes not beeing furnished with sufficient garrisons nor the army of the league strong enough in the field for to releeue them Beside there was great confusion and disorder in Milan the people beeing incensed against the Imperialls for the losses which they had susteined by the Spanish foot-men Swisses and Almaines for which they hated them as much and more then they had in time before done the French and next by the departure of the Cardinals of Medicis and Syon who were gone to the creation of the new Pope the authority of the league was much diminished For these causes the Venetians beganne to leauy forces from all parts and commanded the greatest part of their garrisons which were dispersed here and there to march into the field and that which did most of all confirme them was that the Swisses hauing published a generall assembly at Lucerna they there decreed with a generall consent to take vpon them the protection of the French and to helpe them to recouer the Dutchy of Milan wherevpon they speedily sent to the Venetians wishing them still to continue their alliance with the French for they were resolued to take armes for them and their allies These newes did put fresh courage into Lautrec and al-be-it it was in the depth of winter hee neuerthelesse determined to march into the field and to enter the State of Milan Prospero Colonna in the meane time did his best to fortifie the City of Milan hauing strenthened the Spanish garrison there with certain number of Lanse quenets whom he sent for thither and made all preparations for the susteyning of a long seege if need should be The French on the other side and the Venetians sitting in councell to determine what they should first attempt after diuers and sundry opinions they resolued that Frederico Bozole should crosse the Po with a good troupe of choice souldiers and should goe to the confines of Parma to listen what was done there not carrying any artillery with him to the end that if his designe prospered not hee might freely without danger make his retreat that the residue of the army as well French as Venetians should meet on the Cremonois But Bozole beeing come neere to Parma and Placentia not daring to attempt any thing returned to Lautrecs campe at Cremona as wise as hee went and no other enterprize was made in this yeere 1527. These two great Princes neuerthelesse the Emperour Charles and the French King continuing much incensed the one against the other whereby it was foreseene that Italy and diuers other Prouinces were to endure greeuous warres as it came to passe the yeeres ensuing The end of the fourth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the fifth Booke of the fifth Decade THe French and Venetian campe lie before Maran Francis Sforza commeth to Pauia with sixe thousand Lansequenets Nouara is taken by the French Sforza commeth to Milan with his troupes Lautrec beseegeth Pauia and forthwith raiseth his campe The battaile of Bicoq The Swisses retire into their country Lauda and Cremona yeelded to the enemies The Emperour seeketh the Venetians friendship The Emperor and the King of England conferre together with the league made betwixt them The Isle of Rhodes is taken by Soliman The creation of Pope Adrian the sixth League betwixt the Pope the Emperour the Venetians the Duke of Milan and the Florentines Alliance made betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians against the French King The Duke of Vrbin
Generall to the Venetians The Duke of Bourbon leaueth the French Kings party The French army in Italy vnder the Admirall Boniuet Nouara and Vigeua are taken by the French The French come before Milan and soone dislodge thence Monce taken by the French Motion of peace betwixt the Emperour and the King The death of Pope Adrian The creation of Pope Clement the seuenth The French retire in disorder The cause of the Kings discontent with the Emperour and the Venetians The King commeth into Italy and taketh the City of Milan The Duke of Albany is appointed to goe and enuade the Kingdome of Naples The King beseegeth Pauia The Venetians are sought to by both parties A secret league made betwixt the Pope the King and the Venetians The Marquis of Pescara keepeth the viceroy of Naples from dislodging forth of Lumbardy The Imperialls come into the field and assaile the King The King is taken prisoner by the Imperials and the French army is put to rout The Popes resolution after the defeate of the French The Venetians resoluing to defend Italy are diuerted from it by the Pope And lastly the wordes and gesture of the Emperour at the newes of the victory The Fifth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe French army being much encreased in the beginning of the yeere 1522. by the arriuall of the Swisses who in great numbers came to their campe and by the Venetians forces ioyned to them which were six thousand foot sixe hundred men at armes and eight hundred light-horse Lautrec by the aduise of all the captaines resolued to march directly towards Milan which was the principall motiue and aime of the warre According to this resolution they passed the Adda on the first day of march and the campe was lodged within two miles of the castle The third day after the French were encamped they marched in order making shew that they would assault the Rampire the which they did not either because that at the first it was not Lautrecs meaning or else for that in regard of the great numbers of souldiers that were within it the disposition of the people and the readinesse which was seene in the defendants hee was diuerted from it for the manifest difficulty of such an enterprize It is certaine that the Lord of Lautrec had no hope to take Milan by assault but thought to effect it by length of time because that by reason of the multitude of his horse and great number of the bandetti which followed him who scoured the whole country hee did cut off all victuals from it as also because he had broken downe all the mils and turned away the waters forth of their Channels which brought great commodities to the Milanois and he did besides hope that the pay which the Milanois did giue the souldiers would soone be wasted for the Emperor sent little or none at all But the Citizens of Milans hatred towards the French was wonderful and their desire merueilous to haue Francis Sforza their new Duke againe in regard wherof enduring paciently all discommodities they did not onely not change their mindes for all those miseries but the young men of the City did put on armes and made captaines in euery parrish in such sort as the gardes which speedily ranne to the remotest places of the army did greatly releeue the souldiers prouiding beside in stead of the mils that were broken downe hand mils for all their meale was spent The Duke of Milan in the meane space who had a long time remained at Trent expecting some fit occasion to passe forward went on his way with six thousand Lansequenets and seized on the Fort of Croare which did belong to the Venetians to the end to open his passage From thence he came thorow the Veronois and Mantuan territories with ease to Casal-major because that the Venetian army was ioyned with the Lord Lautrec and there crossing the Po hee came to Placentia beeing afterwards aided by the Marquis of Mantua hee marched to Pauia where he remained waiting for some fit occasion to goe to Milan where his arriuall was extreamely wished for So soone as the Lord of Lautrec had intelligence of his comming to Placentia he raised his campe and went and lodged at Cassin fiue miles from Milan on the high way towards Pauia and the Venetians at Binasca which lieth on the same road way to hinder his comming to Milan where in the meane time hee tooke Saint Angelo and Saint Colombane But being aduertized that the Lord of Escut his brother was come from France with money and certaine companies of foot-men and came by the way of Genoa he sent thither for his conuoy Frederico de Bozzole with foure hundred Lances and seuen thousand foot Swisses and Italians against whom the Marquis of Mantua going forth of Pauia came backe thither on a sodaine standing in feare of them by reason they were more in number then had beene reported vnto him Bozzole hauing ioyned his forces with the Lord of Escut both of them together tooke the way towards Nouara and comming to the castle which held out yet for them they tooke the ordnance that was within it and battered the City the which they tooke by force at the third assault sacking it wholly and putting all those within it to the sword Count Philip Tournielo the Gouernor excepted and some few others with him who were made prisoners from thence they went to Vigeua which they likewise tooke opening the way by the taking of those townes to the supplies which they expected from France But in the meane time Francis Sforza departing secretly in a night from Pauia went thorow by-waies and ioyned himselfe with Prospero Colonna neere to Landriana a few souldiers remayning in Pauia with the Marquis of Mantua who would not passe on any farther because he would not be farre off from the Churches territories By reason whereof the Lord of Lautrec supposing his stay at Cassin to bee to no purpose seeing that Francis Sforza was escaped as also because it had beene no discretion for them to encampe before Milan they determined for to turne the army towardes Pauia hoping to take it wherevpon so soone as hee had re-assembled his army hee went and encamped there where at his arriuall a furious battery was made in two seuerall places as well by the French as the Venetians so that the breach was iudged reasonable for an assault And yet the beseeged resolued valiantly to defend themselues and to hinder the enemies from taking it not sparing their liues and meanes Prospero in the meane time perceiuing the manifest daunger wherein the City was did speedily send thither a thousand Corsicans and as many Spaniards who in the night passed along very neere to the campe not beeing descried before they were in a manner all past and then the French watch which was still on horse backe did charge them on their backes and defeated some
Emperour on the other side hastened the prouisions of the sea-army which was reported to be of forty ships and sixe thousand foot that were paied who met at the port of Cartagena to goe to the reliefe of the city of Genoa he solicited his brother the Archduke to leauy the greatest forces hee could in his owne country and to send them into Italy and had besides giuen charge to the Prince of Orange to goe thorow the Duke of Sauoys country with greater numbers of Lansequenets into the Dutchy of Milan The confederates resoluing to stop the passage of these new supplies made great prouisions both by sea and land Diuers vessels were arriued for the most Christian King in Brettaine and at Marseilles with diuers others else-where which had beene taken neere to Genoa to resist the passage of the Spanish army they laboured to induce the Duke of Sauoy not to suffer the Imperials to passe thorow his territories But that which they most feared was the Almaines who were reported to be leauied by George Frondsperg an old captaine and much affected to the house of Austria who assembled great numbers of souldiers inciting them to enrole themselues in hope of booty so that hauing receiued the garrison which was at Cremona he had in all with him more then ten thousand foot The confederates to stop these Lansequenets passage did first of all gaine the captaine of the castle of Mus by fiue thousand Ducats which were giuen him the one halfe by the Pope and the other by the Venetians as well to set at liberty the Ambassadors of the Signory whom hee had surprized in their iourney towards France as also to draw him to their party wherevpon beside they gaue him the command of foure hundred foot well paied with a good pension for the guard of the Lake of Coma. The Venetians did likewise send for the same purpose Nicolao Sangotino their Secretary to the Marquis of Mantua to entreat him if the Almaines should passe the mounts that he would not suffer them to passe thorow his State But being aduertized that these Almaines had made prouision of artillery and munition at Trent thinking that they would passe thorow the Veronois they made a leauy of other foure thousand foot and commanded certaine companies of men at armes and light horse to come from the campe Then they appointed Augustine de Mulla for Prouidator Generall beyond the Riuer Mence prouiding all matters to repulse them Now these Almaines tooke their way by the vale of Sabia very neere to Pioltella By these meanes the Venetian captaines that were on the Veronois did speedily send Camillo Vrsin to Sales with the light-horse and certaine companies of the ablest footmen the rest that stayed behinde were commanded to follow them by crossing the Lake which they being not able to doe soone enough by reason of a tempest that arose was the cause that Vrsin came to late to meet with the enemies who were already passed onwards on their way yet neuerthelesse h◅uing seized on the Pace of Corona which is a very narrow place and strong by sytuation he enforced the Almaines who were already on their iourney going thither to take an other way thorow the tops of the mountaines which was very difficult and dangerous by which at the last they came to La Garda and from thence to Chastillon then within a while after they entred the Marquis of Mantua his State leauing the way of Milan contrary to the opinion of the confederates taking that of Placentia or Pauia They resolued to follow them and still to hold them in allarmes the Marquis of Saluces on the one side with great numbers of Swisses and Grisons and the Duke of Vrbin on the other marching towards Soncina skirmishing continually with the enemies rereward to the great commendation of the captaines and especially of Iohn de Medicis who notwithstanding that all the Popes captains were departed did neuerthelesse continue in the Kings pay and retained a company of men at armes in his name who by his great courage and valor was a merueilous terror to the enemies and a great comfort to the confederates George Frondsperg hauing passed the Po without any let and being irresolute what way to take did hold the confederates in doubt and especially the Pope who fearing least the enemies might turne towards Bolognia and from thence into Tuscany did earnestly entreate the Venetians to command their army to passe speedily ouer the Po for to assure the Churches territories and those of the Florentines but their owne State being not free from the same scare The Senate in some sort to satisfie him and yet not meaning to much to disfurnish themselues commanded Lodouico Pisani who was in the Marquis of Salusses army to gather together certaine foote-forces to send them speedily for the guard of the Churches State and Guicciardin making the same request Baboni di Nal◅i was sent thither with a thousand foote they did beside send word to their Generall that when he should perceiue the daungers of the confederates to encrease and those of the Venetians to lessen not to make any difficulty to releeue them either with the whole body of the army or with part thereof as himselfe should iudge to be most necessary At the last it was concluded for the present that the Marquis of Salusses alone should passe the Po with his owne troupes and three hundred light-horse of the Venetians with certaine peeces of ordnance taken from forth their campe to amuze the enemies But the Almaines hauing crossed the Riuer Nura and that of Trebbia afterwards without any let of their confederates were come and encamped at Fiorenzolles hoping quickly to ioyne with the forces of Milan and the Imperiall captaines not being able to cause the other Almaines to march because they wanted their pay they presently dislodged only with the Italian infantery and certaine companies of light horse The Senate in the meane time being wholly desirous to satisfie the Pope commanded the Prouidator to draw a gallāt troupe of the best soldiers forth of the army and to send them ouer the Po to ioyne with the Marquis of Salusses whereupon the Prouidator Vitturi did sodainely depart with fiue thousand foot certaine companies of light-horse the Duke of Vrbin being at the same time to the Venetians great griefe gon to Mantua about certain particular affaires of his owne This marching of the enemies towards Florence caused the cōfederats to feare least the Florentines being troubled with the danger that threatned them should come to an agreement with the Imperials to the great hinderance and preiudice of the league Vpon this doubt the Venetians did speedly send Marco Foscare their Ambassadour to Florence to exhort them in the name of the Republike not to separate themselues by reason of that accident from them setting before them the great want of all necessaries that was in the Almaines campe the weaknesse and
Leua who was already come forth into the field with eight thousand foot-men that they two beeing ioyned together might goe and assaile the Cities belonging to the State of Venice against whom Brunswich had denounced warre and had with a vaine and rediculous proposition challenged Andre Gritti Duke of Venice to a single fight who was a man of fourescore yeeres of age The Venetians resoluing to defend themselues concluded to raise twelue thousand foot-men amongst whom were foure thousand Swisses vnto whom they speedily sent money into Swisserland and intreated the French King by his authority to fauour that leauy they had besides great numbers of light-horse from Greece and Dalmatia then they recalled the Duke of Vrbin from the Marches of Ancona and commanded him to visit all their townes and fortes of most importance to prouide them of strong garrisons and to take order for whatsoeuer hee should thinke necessary for their seruice safety and defense they appointed afterwards diuers Gentlemen to command their principall cities Ieronimo Diede was sent to Treuiso with an hundred and fifty footmen Pedro Sagreda with like number to Padua to Verona went Zachary Doria Philippo Correrio Alessandro Donato Ambrosio Contaren Iosepho Badoario Lorenzo Sanuto Augustino Canall and Almore Barbaro each of them with fiue and twenty souldiers with them to looke to the gates and other important places of the city In the meane time vpon these newes great warlike preparations were made in France to send into Italy of whom the Count of Saint Pol was made Generall who was of the house of Bourbon to the end to follow the Duke of Brunswich if hee should passe on into the Realme of Naples if not to make warre on the Dutchy of Milan together with the companies of the Venetians those of Francis Sforza But all these preparations did little auaile by reason of their late comming For the Duke of Brunswich beeing followed with his owne forces determined to assaile certaine cities belonging to the Venetians being the rather mooued therevnto because that at his arriuall Pescara Reuotella and certaine other townes vpon the Lake of La Garda had yeelded to him The Duke of Vrbin who had put himselfe into Verona hauing still an eye vpon Brunswich did preuent his deseignes and went sodainely to Bressia where hee strengthened the Garrison then from thence hee went to Bergamo into which hee caused great numbers of the people of those Vallies to enter who were very faithfull and trusty to the Venetians and with a wonderfull celerity hee caused the city to bee encompassed with great trenches making it thereby defensible then giuing very many trauerses and molestations to the enemies by cutting off victuals and many other commodities from them the Duke of Brunswich despayring of beeing able to execute any notable enterprize after that hee had according to their barbarous custome spoiled the country and burned sundry faire buildings to leaue some memory of himselfe behinde hee departed without any other great exploit forth of the Venetian State and came vpon that of Milan where he met with Antonio de Leua who vpon report of his comming had passed ouer the Riuer Adda to ioyne with him that they might afterwards execute some great enterprize and hauing repassed the Adda they went and encamped before Lauda forth of which the Duke of Milan was newly departed beeing aduertized of the enemies comming and was come to Bressia by the consent of the Senate hauing left a suffitient number of souldiers in Lauda with Iohn Paul Sforza his naturall brother to command there who being assailed by the enemies did valliantly receiue and repulse them By means whereof Brunswick finding himself without means to entertain such an army any long time and beeing frustrate of his hope to returne home laden with glory and spoile not determyning to go on any farther towards Naples as at the beginning hee had purposed hee tooke his iourney towards the Lake of Coma to returne into Germany hee was pursued at the heeles by the Count Gaiazzo and Mercurio Bue who comming forth of Bergamo gaue in vpon his rereward The report of the Lansequenets departure did greatly afflict the beseeged Neapolitans loosing thereby all hope of succours on whom it seemed that their whole safety did depend because that not long before they had with bad successe assailed the Gallies of Phillipine Doria supposing to open to themselues the passage by sea seeing that by land was wholly shut from them Lautrec hauing taken Pozzuolo and the places neere adioyning by which great aboundance of victualls came to Naples which was the cause that before the Venetians Gallies arriued they were desirous to tempt fortune and to free themselues of the stumbling block by sea by breaking Phillippine Doria who with the Gallies lay in the Gulph of Salerno They manned sixe Gallies foure Fusts and two Brigantines with a thousand Spanish Harquebuziers of the choisest and most valliant of the army with whom went along Don Hugo the Viceroy and almost all the chiefe captaines and men of authority To these vessels were added diuers fisher-boates to amaze the enemies a farre off by the shew of a greater number of vessels All these Lords beeing ioyfully embarked as if they had beene going to a triumph came to the Isle of Capri from thence leauing the Cape of Minerua on their left hand they came into the maine â—…ea and sent two Gallies before who were commanded that so soone as they should come neere the enemies to make shew of flight to the end to draw them forth to fight at sea hoping to take them with ease But the matter fell out otherwise for Phillipine Doria beeing aduertized the day before by trusty spies of the enemies determination had with great speed and secrecy drawne three hundred Harquebuziers from Lautrec then so soone as hee discouered the enemies fleet a farre off making towards it he was at the first somewhat doubtfull in regard of the great number of vessels that hee discouered but beeing soone freed of that scruple when he perceiued that there were but sixe vessels onely hee caused three gallies of his owne to keepe aloose as though they had ment to flie to the end that by returning with a very faire winde they might giue in vpon the enemies broad sides and himselfe with fiue Gallicâ—… went forward to meet them who were commanded to discharge their ordnance vpon him to take away by the smoake both his sight and aime but Phillippin beeing quicker then they gaue fire to a very great Basilisk in his owne Galley which strooke the Admirall Galley wherein the Viceroy was who with diuers others were therewith slaine then hee discharged all his other shot which did hurt and kill diuers The enemies shot on the other side slue some but not very many then comming neere to one an other they beganne with Harguebuzes and other weapons a very fierce fight which lasted along while till
all speed to send Nicolao Tepulo to him who had beene already before appointed to go to him to the camp to aduertize him of the new conduct by forcible reasons to exhort him in the name of the Common-wealth to returne speedily to the army and to induce him the more willingly therevnto they sent him a good summe of money for the payment of three thousand foot men appointed for the guard of his State but for that time there was no great need thereof For the Prince of Orange hauing intelligence that the Count of Aquila and Camillo Virsino called Parde hauing ioyned their forces together were come to Canosa and their troupes dayly encreasing it was to bee feared that they would cause some commotion of consequence hauing changed his determination would not at that time depart forth of the Kingdome fearing some great insurrection of the people in regard of the great extortion that was there committed by meanes whereof the Spanish name was very odious to them wherevpon hee thought it fit first of-all to appease those stirres and to make prouision of victuals referring the execution of his former deseigne to a more commodious season the which hee did so that the Duke of Vrbin beeing thereby freed of his suspition did forthwith come to the army determining for to march towardes Milan with all his troupes the Lord Saint Paul hauing sent him word that hee would take the same way beeing inuited therevnto by the difficulties wherein the Imperials then were and by the fortunate successe of the French because that notwithstanding that two thousand Spanish foot-men were arriued at Milan whom the Genowais would not entertaine al-be-it that they expresly came to re◅eeue them discommodities neuerthelesse by their comming were as much augmented as their forces seeing that in so great a dearth and want of money they were to feed and pay them On the contrary diuers townes on the hether side Thesin were at the same time yeelded to the Lord Saint Paul so as the whole country in a manner to his great gaine and reputation was reduced vnder his power Both the armies then aduancing forwards they met together at Saint Martins Burrow fiue miles from Milan where after a long consultation concerning the meanes how to execute that en◅erprize they resolued with both the armies to encampe round about the towne to encompasse and take in as much of the walles as they could thereby to weaken the enemies defense by busying them in sundry places But there was not descerned in the captaines ◅uch readinesse and speed as was besitting the execution of such a deseigne because that the French said That in the Venetians campe the number of souldiers was farre lesse then they supposed and not so many as ought to bee and that by separating themselues they should beeing alone be weake and in great daunger The Venetians on the other side declared that they better accomplished that wherevnto they were tied then had the French and that therefore they would see them encampe first and they afterwards would doe the like and vpon these distrusts one of an other they departed their former resolution being broken The Lord Saint Paul marched towards Landriana the Duke of Vrbin tooke the way towards Monce and the Duke of Milan departed with a determination to enter into Pauia with all his forces making account by this separation to scoure the waies molest the country and keepe victuals from Antonio de Leua hoping thereby to ouerthrow him and to obtaine at last their common desire which was to possesse Milan and Coma the two onely Cities of importance which held out in that whole State for the Emperour But so soone as the French were arriued at Land◅iana they suffered themselues to bee carried away as it was thought they would with the enterprize of Genoa beeing very vehemently solicited therevnto by C◅sar Fregosa who measuring matters according to his own desire made the euent very facile easie whervpon they promised to themselues that they would soone returne to their quarter and therfore they requested the Duke of Vrbin in staying for thē not to stir from thence where he was with the Venetian forces the Duke of Milans for the execution of their former deseignes suffering nothing whatsoeuer in the meane time to enter into those cities Now the French army departing in this resolution to goe to Genoa tooke the way of Pauia the Lord Saint Paul sending the ordnance before with the waggons and the vantgard and himselfe somewhat late followed with the battaile and the rereward Antonio de Leua being aduertized by his spies how that he staied behind farre from the vantgard determined to follow and assaile him if occasion were offered wherevpon in the night he came forth of Milan with his souldiers wearing white shirts vpon their armor marching without sound of drum in good order he met with them in the plaine before they had any knowledge of his comming the first squadron of the French being gonne on so far as it could not in any time arriue to the rescue of the rest as also because that the Lord Saint Pauls selfe did stay behinde by reason that a peece of ordnance did sticke fast in the mire at the passage of a Riuer where whilest he was busied with those few men at armes that were there with him and some fifteene hundred Lansquenets vnder the command of captaine Bossu he found vnlooked for the Spanish shot at his backe who were at the first brauely repulsed by men at armes euen into the battaillons of the Almains but there being a deepe streame betwixt the French and Spaniards their shot retired behind that streame where was a pace of the breadth of thirty or forty foote The Lansquenets on the French side did fight valliantly and with them the Lord Saint Paul who was alighted from his horse as were Iohn Ieronimo Castillon and Claudio Rangone captaines of two thousand Italians who did gallantly defend themselues But at the last the Imperials comming to the charge with a great battaillon of Almaines the horse-men and Lansquenets turning their backes the Italians did the like and the Lord Saint Paul being remounted was taken as he would haue leaped ouer a dike and there were taken prisoners with him Ieronimo Castillone Claudio Rangone Lignach Carbon and other captains of great note The Count Guy de Rangone being gonne before with the vantgard early in the morning as it was concluded the night before had not any notice of the ◅ight till he was safely come to Pauia all the Lansequenets in a manner escaped and Antonio de Leua went backe with his prisoners to Milan Those that escaped part of them retired themselues to the Venetians territories where they were kindely entertained and others into other places The Duke of Vrbin hauing intelligence of this defeate forsooke his abode at Monce where he lay and retired to Cassan a place of more
safety for which the Senate did highly commend him he had with him about fiue thousand foot-men foure hundred men at armes and seuen hundred light horse with great store of carriage But come to Cassan which is a place nere to the Riuer Adda he did then fortifie himselfe with strong Rampiers leauing but one way open which was fenced and garded withall necessaries supposing that place to be most commodious to be able with ease to releeue if neede were Pauia and Lauda to offend the enemies and to defend the State of the Signory and besides to fauour if occasion were offered the enterprize of Genoa by sea Wherevpon thinking himselfe to be very safe in that place he would not follow the opinion of Iano Marâ—…a Fregosa who councelled him to retire with his army to Bressia for feare of any inconuenience being not equall in forces to Antonio de Leua He being emboldned by this victory and more desirous to breake the Confederate forces had followed the Duke of Vrbin as farre as Vaury two miles from Cassan which caused some doubt in the Venetians least hee would haue passed the Adda to haue made wast of the Bressan Bergamasque and Creman territories But the Duke reposed great trust in his light Cauallery the which surpassed that of the enemies both in number and valour who by scouring all the neighbour Countries round about did not onelie cut off all the victualls from the Imperialls campe but had so affrighted them as none of them durst any more come forth of the trenches therefore the Duke remayning firme in his resolution to continue in that place would not raise his Campe as well in regard of his reputation as for the victualls that were brought to him from the country neere adioyning which would other-wise haue releeued the enemies and if hee should haue retyred to the Citty hee would haue spent those which were appoynted for their friends Now the two armies being so neere one to an other they did continually goe forth to skirmish on both sides where the Imperialls were still beaten Antonio de Leua supposing to haue some satisfaction for his losses by some other meanes sent Caesar of Naples on the farther side of the riuer Adda to scoure the Territories of Bressia and Crema whereof the Duke of Vrbin being aduertised leauing the Count Gajazzo for the gard of the Campe he tooke with him a good troope of soldiers and went and ambusht him-selfe neere to the place where he knew the enemies would passe the riuer from whence part of them being gone ouer hee came forth vnlookt for with great fury vpon those who stayed behind vpon the riuer shoare ready to passe ouer hauing first of all sent his light Cauallery to intercept their way if so bee that they would haue fled towards their campe But Caesar of Naples beeing troubled with this vnlookt for accident did speedily cause the bridge to bee broken fearing least the Duke for his part would haue come ouer and fought with him wherevpon all those that stayed behind to the number of fifteene hundred were either cut in peeces or taken prisoners by the Duke and among others it fell out that a braue Spanish Captaine was taken by a woman of big stature who in mans attire receiued pay of the Count Gajazzo and the Count hauing for mirths sake called before him on a time the Captaine that was prisoner shewing him Margueriton for so the soldiors called her told him that the same was the soldier that had taken him prisoner the Spaniard looking vpon her answered that he did comfort him-selfe in his mishap for that he had beene taken by so braue a man as hee seemed to bee but when hee told him that it was a woman shame and disdaine did so seaze vpon him as within few daies after he dyed with greefe Afterwards the two armies kept them selues in their quarters for the space of many daies but the Duke of Vrbin calling the Captaines sundrie times to councell and propounding diuers things vnto them did suffitiently manifest his desire to assaile the enemies and to cause them to dislodge At the last he resolued to goe forth with all his forces and to vse meanes by cunning to come to stroakes with Antonio de Leua vpon some aduantage hee caused all the ordinance of the Campe to bee brought into one place and then hee began to march with all the troupes both foote and horse and with three peeces of ordnance meaning to leaue them behind him by retiring so soone as hee had begunne the skirmish fayning flight both for feare and vpon necessity whereby the enemies comming forward to get those three peeces should bee put to rout by the ordnance of the Campe and being so disordred he would againe returne vpon them with greater violence But this designe fell not out according to his expectation because that the Count Gajazzo comming forth sooner then he should with a part of his Infantery and beginning the skirmish too far of from the Campe being not able with those hee had brought with him long to sustaine the enemies fury was enforced not-with-standing that hee fought valliantly to retyre in some disorder Wherevpon the Duke perceuing him to bee in danger did on a sodaine make hast to his reskew and gaue in with such fury athwart the Imperiall Infantery which neerely pursued the Count Gajazzo as hee caused them to make a stand and to turne their backes still pursuing and beating them euen into their Campe. Antonio de Leua lost in this action more then fifteene hundred foote part of them being slaine and the rest taken prisoners where-vpon hee durst no more after that suffer his soldiers to sallie forth of the Campe nor attempt any enterprize continuing in great feare and doubt what hee were best to doe being afflicted with sundry cares and difficulties For on the one side hee could tarry no longer there for want of victualls and then hee perceiued that his aboad there could in no sort profit him on the other side to dislodge and to returne to Milan he thought it would greatly blemish his reputation and that of the whole army as if he should confesse that hee retired for feare being chaced by a number of e-enemies farre lesse then him-selfe That it was to no purpose to enter into the Venetians state but very dangerous all their townes beeing mand with strong Garrisons well fortified and on the other side the people of Milan were beyond measure discontented and in manner desperate by reason of the extortion and wrongs which they had sustayned by the soldiers were ready to make an insurrection and to alter the state calling without controulement for their Duke who lay then with his troopes in Cremona for he doubted not but that the Venetians being desirous to see him installed in his State would hazard all their forces when hope of obtayning that which they so much desired should bee offered
precipitate councell From this vntill now we haue sufficiently kept our selues hauing for so many yeares maintayned warre and tried all possible meanes to reduce this Estate to a setled quiet and safety Let vs now take heede least we runne into the other extremity for feare least by seeking to much our owne aduantage and crauing too much assurance we come to hinder our selues and to expose our affaires to greater dangers Others were not of this opinion thinking it more honorable and more profitable to temporize not letting the Emperor know that they were desirous of an agreement These men did consider the small assurance that was in the Emperors Army which wanted mony and victualls whereby these two failing it was of necessity to breake That their Citties were fenced with strong garrisons That the Emperor could not in any sort assailâ—… them vpon hope of sodaine taking of them That he was besides called away else where and enforced to depart ere long forth of Italy That the Turke had beseeged Vienna and reduced it to great danger That all his brothers country was spoyled and ruined by the Turkish Cauallery That the Heretickes had raised great troubles and of great importance in sundry places of Germany if they were not speedily supprest by his presence That hee being once gone forth of Italy and his army broken or at least much decayed there was no doubt but that they might with ease seaze on the whole Dutchy of Milan and mainteyne the Citties of Puglia vnder their obedience and in a word become victors in that warre and purchase in all places an immortal glory and reputation and where as at this present they treated of receauing an other mans lawes and conditions the Emperor should bee enforced to sue for and accept the Republikes friendship on conditions to their aduantage for feare least the French euer ready to armes should attempt to contract a new league with them and being afterwards ioyned together should come and trouble him whilst he were busied in some other war That no man was to perswade him-selfe that the Emperor distasting this Republick because it had beene for many yeares vnited with the French would come at this time for any loue therevnto to propound conditions of agreement but that they were rather certainely to beleeue that it was his own profit that mooued him thereunto knowing the State of his owne affaires to be badly assured and the impossibility of beeing able to hold together his army and to make any long aboad in Italy That it was a general rule that whatsoeuer pleaseth the enemy and is by him esteemed necessary and profitable ought to be reiected as a thing which on the other side may beget contrary effects His shew of humanity and his desire of peace and quiet was a cunning of the Imperialls to court their owne weaknesse and to make men beleeue that by truly procuring their owne aduantage their only aime was the common good But let vs yet presuppose said these men that it were good at this present to make an accord with the Emperor It is at the least more then reasonable to tarry till the assembly at Bolognia where the Emperors will and intention may be better discouered especially in the accord which shal be treated of concerning the Dutchy of Milan wheron in the end as well by reason of the ancient and new confederacy as for sundry great interests of the Commonwelth the most assured resolution of peace ought to depend These reasons did greatly mooue many of those that were there present who were of opinion not to lay downe armes but with honor and safety to the Common-wealth deferring for that time the nomination of Commissioners which were to goe to Mantoa to treat of peace They resolued to send the Secretary Andrew Rossi to the Marquis to thanke him for his offer and kind affection which he did beare to the Signory and to excuse them for that they could not as yet resolue vppon any treaty of agreement by reason that the Pope and the Emperor were shortly to meet together at Bolognia to compose the affaires of Italy that the Bishop of Faenza the Popes Nuncio had already a hand in that negotiation and particularly in that which concerned the Common-wealth The Pope in the meane time being gonne from Rome came to Spoleta and from thence to Bolognia there to expect the Emperor who after that the Pope had made his entry came thither within few dayes after so as sondry welcomes and reciprocall caresses being made they beganne to treat of the affaires of Italy and how to establish a firme peace there either of these Princes seeming to bevery desirous thereof But the first and most important was the accord with the Duke of Milan who after sundry goings to and fro of the Prothonotory Carracciola and of D. Garcia de Padiglia from Placentia to Cremona being aduised by the Venetians who the more to honour him caused Marc Antonio Veniero their Ambassador to accompany him determined to go in person to the Emperor to Bolognia hauing receiued a safe conduct from his maiesty vnder coullor of comming to him to iustifie himselfe because the difficultest point of his businesse seemed to bee for that the Emperor was distasted of him because that being farre of the Duke had refused to humble himselfe and to doe that duty which did belong to a vassall of the Empire or else for that he would haue debated his businesse with to great arrogancy or at the least with too much distrust of the Emperours Iustice and Clemency This matter beeing almost finished wâ—…s interrupted by the Imperiallists who demanded for the assurance of that which should bee agreed vpon that Francis Sforza should deliuer vnto them the Citties of Pauia and Alexandria the which by the Venetians aduice hee flatly refused to doe the State hauing mand them with strong Garrisons and lent the Duke tenne thousand Ducats for their entertainment This demand of the Imperiall officers did reuiue both in the Duke and the Venetians their former suspitions that the Emperialls were desirous to appropriate to them-selues the State of Milan The Pope vpon this refusall demanded to haue these Citties consigned into his hands whereof the Duke like-wise crauing to bee excused because hee could not doe it without the Venetians consent and that it would bee best to referre the matter to the deciding of his cause in the assembly at Bolognia it was referd thither without any resolution The Duke then bâ—…ing come to Bolognia and brought in to the Emperors presence hee did very humbly thanke him for his curtesie in that he had suffered him to come before him then hee told him that hee did so much rely vpon his iustice at hee desired none other assurance or support then his owne innocency and in so saying heâ—…laid downe at the Emperors feet the letters of safeconduct which he had in his hand where-with the Emperor was highly pleased A
Lord had borne himselfe as Vice-bailise for the space of seuen yeeres This Ambassage came in a very opportune season to Constantinople for the respects aboue mentioned for the Croizade hauing beene published and the report and expectation thereof being very great by reason that the preachers in their pulpits had exhorted all the people to contribute towards the enterprize against the Inâ—…idels Soliman had conceiued a certaine opinion in his minde that the Venetians after the accord made at Bolognia had with the other Christian Princes conspired against him whereby measuring all their actions past he did among other matters complaine for that by the peace they had giuen a great summe of money to the Princes of the house of Austria his enemies which had the more enabled them to make warre vpon him adding besides therevnto that because they had not acquainted him therewith till the conclusion of the businesse they had not performed the part of a State that was his friend such an one as â—…he Signory made shew to be But all these rumours beeing already spread abroad amongst the Bashas and other men of note did at the arriuall of the Ambassadours vanish wherevpon was speedily renued and confirmed the league on the same conditions as it was before Then the Ambassadours were present at the feast and sollemnity of the circumcision of his children which was done with great pompe cost and royall magnificence in all which shewes the Venetians did still hold a very honorable ranke During these great feasts and sollemnities Soliman being in deed inuited to great attempts did in his minde ruminate on affaires of consequence he did oftentimes discourse with his Bashaes concerning the raising of an army wherewith to returne into Hungary and Germany to ouerthrow the power of the Austrian Princes by reason whereof he dispatched matters of great importance he determined to send a great Nauy to sea intending vpon occasion to execute some braue exploit but especially to assure the sea by all meanes which the Gallies of the Knights of Rhodes did continually scoure who hauing planted themselues in the Isle of Malta giuen vnto them by the Emperour did nothing but scoure and molest all the seas and chiefly those which belonged to the Turkes Soliman at the same time thought on the affaires of peace by determining to cause all marchandizes to be brought to Constantinople with the spices which were brought from the Leuant to Alexandria and to other markets of his Empire meaning as he said to make that city the seate of the Empire to abound in all things and chiefly in gold and therefore he had commanded all strangers not to buy silkes or spices any where but at Constantinople whither he caused them to be brought with great store of such commodities which he had bought with his owne money These things did greatly discontent the Venetians as well in regard of the warre he determined to make as for the change of the trafficke for al-be-it his meaning was to assaile others and not them yet neuerthelesse growing mighty by the ruine of other Princes his power was fearefull to the Venetians and the diuiding of his army did still giue trouble and molestation to the Republike and did likewise put them to expence by taking away trafficke from the vsuall and ordinary places which did much disturbe the businesse of Marchants These considerations did mooue the Venetians to entreate the King of Hungary who already did treat of an agreement with Ferdâ—…nand to embrace this businesse thereby to deliuer Christendome from so many mischiefs They made the same request to the King of Poland who was already a mediator in that agreement to pursue it to the end They did likewise solicite Lodouico Gritti at Constantinople whose fauour and authority did daily encrease at the Port of the great Lord to coole by meanes of the Basha that great heate of Solimans to cause his army to depart by shewing vnto him how carefull the Republike was to keepe the nauigation free and safe from Pirates and for the other likewise to hinder the transportation of the commerce to Constantinople which could not be done but with the great hurt and losse of all forraine nations Now wholy to keepe the Turkes from arming themselues and entring into the Venetian Gulphe The Senate commanded the Prouidator of the army to aduertize the Gallies of Malta no more to come vpon their Gulphe nor to hurt those vessels which sailed on the Leuant seas which they held and that he should threaten to disarme them if they did otherwise The Turkes held this for a greeuous wrong and complayning of the Venetians said that it did not beseeme the friendship which they made shew to beare to the great Lord to suffer them in their country before their faces to be so badly delt with because that they presuming vpon the forces and prouisions of the Republike had not entertained any armed vessels The Emperour being in the meane time come to Ausbourg did there connoke an assembly where he caused his brother Ferdinand to be elected King of the Romaines then treating of affaires concerning religion the Protestants craued the celebration of a generall councell where their opinions touching saith might be examined and concluded which was a pretence to collour their cause with the authority of Religion The Catholikes likewise for other respects desired a councell hoping that the authority of the decrees that would there be made should suffice if not to diuert the mindes of the chiefe of the Heretikes from their errors yet at least to reduce part of the multitude to the soundest opinion so as the one and other of them required one selfe same thing namely to haue a General Councell called The Emperour being desirous to satisfie this earnest request of all Germany as also because it fell out very opportunely for his affaires to appease the causes of tumults and contumacy of the people in that Prouince did very much presse the Pope to conuoke the councell and promised him to the end he should not feare to haue his authority and dignity endangered to be there in person and to haue a particular care of him The Pope perceiuing the small hope that was in it of any great good and fearing rather some occasion of other disorders without making any open refusall he answered That for diuers respects it was not yet time to treat thereof because that peace was not yet well established amongst the Princes of Christendome which ought first of al to be looked vnto to the end that all of them being vnited together might meete there to aide and fauour the Councel The Protestants therevpon being more earnest and the Pope fearing that it would breed some greater inconuenience beganne to detest that Nation and to propound that they were to be chastised with temporall armes whereof he often discoursed by letters not only with the Emperour but likewise with the Venetian
The French King on the other side beeing prouoked by discontent caused thirty Galleys to bee armed at Marseilles his intent therein beeing not knowne It was likewise reported that great numbers of vessells of all sorts were armed and prepared in Barbary not to scoure and robbe at sea but to ioyne with the Turkâ—…h Armie conducted by Caâ—…aaine and among other Captaines there was a very famous Pirate called Sinam Câ—…fut surnamed the Iewe a man very valiant and well experienced in marine businesse The Pope in like manner to assure his Sea townes from all incursions and inuasions or â—…or some other deseigne as it was sâ—…pposed had armed ten Galleys All these fleetes begaâ—… iealousie in the Venetians and enforced them to expences by augmenting the number of their Galleys and the soldiers of the garrisons in their sea townes whereby beeing in extreame need of helpe in these extraordinary expences it was propounded in the Councell to acquaint the Pope againe therewith to the end to obtaine leaue of him for that purpose to raise the summe of an hundred thousand Ducats vpon the Clergie of their owne State Some others of those of the Councell who had already in this businesse tried the Popes rigor were of opinion that the Senate without tarrying for that leaue should begin to leuie that summe of money or else to proceed therein more earnestly with the Pope declaring how that the wealth dedicated to the Churches of their State was very great and ample which beeing freed from all publick contribution their other subiects were oppressed with subsidies and intollerable charges for the paiment of their fleets and soldiors leuyed for the conseruation of their liberty and publick faculties That it was not credible that the holy intent of those who had enriched the Churches was that the Republick being ruined and destroied should be depriued of making vse of that which they had giuen to those Churches in case of necessity That the Pope stood badly affected to their State and to whatsoeuer concerned them â—…o as hee made difficulties vpon all their requests or else vsed long delayes therein Bâ—…t notwithstanding these prepositions the zeale of Religion and the respect to the Sea Apostolick were of such force with the Senators as preferring it before all other profit and commodity this proposition was reiected constantly affirming that it did not beseeme the Republick which was founded encreased in Christianity vnder a continuall obedience and vnion to the Church and Pope of Rome whereby it had purchased an immortall glory and commendation to lay her hands on Church goods or therein to force the Popes will That they in times past had great and vrgent affaires for which they had prouided without that aid and without enterprizing scandalous matters that they were not to doubt but that he which knoweth the inward thoughtes of men and can doe all things would raise them vp aid and succor by meanes to them vnknowne much greater and farre moâ—…e 〈◊〉 then that where-unto they werâ—… councâ—…lled by an euill example and if the Pope did still continew his vsuall rigor by so much the more would appeaâ—…e before God and the world the deuout and holy intent and accustomed wisdome of the Venetian Senate This opinion being allowed they pursued with all honor and reuerence the expedition of their request in the Court of Rome the which at last they obteined By this means the Senate hauing raised money they began to augment the number of their galleis whereof Capello was still Generall and to leuy footmen to send to the Islands and other sea places vnder their obedience to the end to assure them expecting what would become of the preparations of so many fleetes Now the Turkes whiâ—…est their nauall army was preparing were come by land to besiege Coron did so strictly shut it in as the Spaniards that were within it beeing impatient and in a manner desperate by reason of the miseries they there endured made a sally vpon the Turkes which succeeding vnfortunatly they were enforced to retire into the castle with great losse of their soldiers whervpon finding themselues by that losse likewise by pestilence to be reduced to a very small number so soone as the Sicillian ships arriued which brought supplies the Spanish Captaines being out of hope to keepe that towne embarked themselues in the same ships and left it to the Turkes discretion Yet neuerthelesse it was supposed as a matter more likely that the same happened by the Emperors expresse commandement who perceiuing that hee would not but with great expences defend that place enuironed on all sides with enemies and beeing out of hope of any farther progression determined to quit it Cariadine in the meane time hauing put to sea with an hundred saile and beeing come neere to the Venetian Gulphe the Generall who narrowly obserued his actions prepared according as the Senate had willed him at the beginning to retire farther in and not to abandon the defence and safety of the Gulphe but the Turkish fleete directing their course towards the Tirrhene sea sailed to the sea coasts of Calabria where on a suddaine hauing landed great numbers of soldiers they did not onely spoile the countrey but tooke two townes vpon the sea-shore though of small consequence The feare of the inhabitants of Naples and Rome at the report of the arriuall of these Barbarians was very great so as if Cariadine had marched thither he might easily haue taken them there beeing no forces to hinder him but the Turke hauin scoured and spoiled the whole Prouince went vnto the Isle of Ponze to take in fresh water and then sailed towards the coast of Affrick chiefely to exectute his deseigne for which hee was come from Constantinople albeit that hee had cunningly made shew to â—…aile towards the coast of Spaine that hee might on a sodaine and vnlookt for assaile his enemy Amulcasse King of Tunis Cariadine was sufficiently enformed of the whole State of that Countrey of the situation and strong townes and of the Kings forces and what affection his sâ—…biects did beare vnto him Wherevpon adding to all these things which hee well knew force and cunning â—…ee hoped that his enrererprise would fall out prosperously as it did For hee gaue forth that hee brought Roscetta with him the Kings brother knowing how pleasing that name was to the people where after sundry exploits hee did at last take the Citty of Thunis The other fleetes at the same time did nothing worthy of memory except that of the Venetians which was enforced to come to strokes with certaine vessels of Malta to chastice their Captaine It was Philippo Mazzo a Knight of Malta who hauing very audaciously with certaine vessels scoured not onely the Leuant seas but came into the Venetian Gulph spoiling robbing both Christians and Turkes indifferently was taken by the Generall and sent to Venice where his processe beeing by the Senate referred to the criminall
fearefull or at least to bee suspected of all other Potentates with diminuation if not of their States yet certenly of their reputation and greatnesse the facility of the enterprize there being but a sâ—…nal space of Sea for the transportation of the Turkish army from Albiana to Ottranto and at one time to scoure the Sea coast of that country The great discontent of the inhabitants of that country with the Spanish gouernment and especially of the cheefest of them who as desperate persons would embrace all occasions to open the way to higher enterprizes which might abase the Emperors authority Aiax Listibei was at the â—…ame time in great authority in the Port of the great Turke holding the place and gard of first Bascha a mighty enemy to Christians and who since the death of Ibraim had often perswaded Soliman to turne his forces vpon Christendome This man because hee would not lose the occasion and praysing the ouertures and propositions of the French Ambassadors propounded them with much amplification to Soliman vsing all meanes to incite him to the enterprize of Italy laying before him the example of Mahomet a discreet and valliant Prince who with fortunate successe did easily take the citty of Ottranto and by his arriuall did bring that whole country to extreame consusion opening him selfe a way for the conquest of Italy one of the excellentest countries of Europe had he not beene preuented by death These things being represented to Soliman did greatly preuaill with him who did couet glory and was full of pride supposing him-selfe to be highly honored in that so great a King did send to craue his aide and asistance against another most mighty Prince his enemy and hee was like-wise glad that so faire an occasion was offered to diuert him from the enterprizes of India and Persia where hee vnprofitably consumed his army where vpon he did on a sudaine consent to promise the French Ambassador that the next sommer hee would raise great forces both by Sea and Land to enuade the Emperors dominions But aboue all other things supposing it to be most necessary to separate the Venetians from the Emperor he resolued to send Ianusbei one of the Dragomans or interpreters of his Port to exhort the Senate that hee being to march with a mighty army it would shew it selfe a friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies promising them that he would take order that nothing should be hurt which did belong vnto them The Senate did forthwith answere this proposition That the republicke had euer made great account and deere reckoning of peace with al Princes and especially with the Lords of the Ottomans family with whom hauing of a long time contracted peace and frendship with a free commerce betwixt each others subiects they did at this present retaine the same desire to continue it more then euer whereof there was no need to make any more amplâ—… declaration It seemed that Soliman was wel content and satisfied with this answere who was a Prince if these quallities may be found in a Barbarian of a goodly vnderstanding and a friend to iustice and honour but diuers of his seruants being desirous for their owne interest and particular affection to disturbe this quiet and to break this peace setting foreward by a false complaint the actions of sundry officers of the Common-wealth who as they affirmed had borne small respect to the maiesty and profit of his Empire did perswade him to permit his officers likewise to vse some practises against the Common wealth of Venice that at last the matter might be brought to an open warre this being permitted diuers Venetian Marchants that were at Constantinople and other places of his Empire by reason of their particular affaires were vnder sundry false pretences committed to prison and their goods confiscate after that two Venetian shippes vpon diuers occasions were stayed the one belonging to Andrew Contaren taken vpon the Sea of Ciprus by the Gallies of the Garrison of Rhodes as a man of warre and the other in the hauen of Alexandria Soliman saying that he would vse them in his most important affaires The marchandize besides which the Venetians were wont to bring forth of Syria had an imposition layd on them oftenne in the hundred the Bailies letters to the Senate were oftentimes intercepted and without further dissembling their meaning Mâ—…stapha one of the cheefe Baschas complaining of them told them that because they were so streightly allied to the Emperor their enemy they had incurred the hatred and indignation of Soliman This gaue him some iust occasion to resent it and some collour of a lawfull warre if he had beene disposed thereunto notwithstanding that diuers other reasons and coniectures did testiffe vnto them the contrary for it was not likely that the Turke being able to make warre vpon the Emperor alone who was not very strong at Sea and easily to breake his forces would enforce the Venetians to ioyne with the Imperialls and to vnite their forces with theirs which being mighty at Sea would not only hinder his enterprizes against the states of other men but likewise greatly endanger his owne knowing very well that for the space of eight and thrity yeares the friendship and peace betwixt theâ—… had beene on both sides so carefully obserued and namely that Soliman had euer made shew both in his wordes and actions to desire nothing so much as the Venetians friendships That since then nothing had happened on the Venetians part that might alter that quiet or enforce them to take armes seeing that the Senate discreetly mesuring the forces of the Ottoman Empire and fitting their deseignes and actions to the condition of the times did with great honor and respect proceed in the Turkes behalfe prouided that the dignity of the Common-wealth might not therein receiue any preiudice temporising the best they could with so mighty an enemy whom being not able to assaile they thought it wisely done to keepe him for their friend and to expect the commodity of time or some better fortune of the Common-wealth At the same time Tomazo Moceniga Ambassador for the Common-wealth arriued at Constantinople being sent according to the manner to reioyce with Soliman in the name of the Senate for the happy successe of his warres in Persia and for his safe returne home to the Citty He hauing kissed Solimans hands and presented his vsuall guifts of rich garments he was well receiued and entâ—…rtained of all those of the Port and particularly of Aiax the Visier Bascha whoe did often-times assure him that their Lord did beare great good-will the Republicke and was verâ—… desirous to maintaine that antient peace and friendship with it so long as the Venetians should beare them-selues in his behalfe with the like offices of friendshippe That Soliman had euer vsed to keepe his word and promise and thought they ought not feare that hâ—…e would euer doe other-wise Therefore hee
come before him vnto whom he greatly complayned of the officers of the Republike who did not dayly cease to commit deeds cleare contrary to the desire of peace and good will which he had at his arriuall assured him that the Common-wealth did beare vnto him at the last he seemed to be content that the Baylife should expresly send some of his seruants to Corfou truly and particularly to vnderstand how matters had passed wherevpon he sodainely sent Alessandro Vrsino thither who was then with him Soliman in the meane time continuing his purpose to assaile the coast of Puglia caused great number of horse to be landed on the territory of Ottranto who scouring the whole country brought away men women and all sort of cattaile with other moueables filling the whole country with feare and terror Doria in the mean time hauing manned eight and twenty light gallies with soldiers and mariners comming to scoure the seas nere to Zante and Zeffalonia tooke diuers Turkish vessels which being laden with victuals were going to Valona then sayling towards the Gulphe he arriued vpon the sea of Corfou at the very same instant in a manner that Ianusbei being chased by the Venetian Gallies landed at Cimera whereby he had his part in the booty and carried away the empty Turkish vessels which did much encrease the Turkes hatred to the Venetians and made them to suspect that they had some secret intelligence with the Imperials The Generall Pesare being aduertized of Barbarossas departure from the confines of Zant where he had remayned to assure the victuals which came from Constantinople to the campe and of his sayling towards Corfoù did thinke it a very fit occasion for himselfe to make vse of the liberty which the Senate had giuen him to ioyne both the fleets together wherevpon he resolued to enter into the Gulphe and to ioyne with the Generall Vitturi meaning neuerthelesse by all meanes to auoide meeting with the Turkish gallies But being on his way and driuen by a contrary winde he was carried to sea-ward before the winde to those quarters where he was to meet with that which he had most of all auoided for hauing sailed a long time with the whole fleet and about night being come neere to land he was councelled to ankor there to passe the rest of the night which was so darke as they could not discouer a farre off which gaue occasion to the third accident For it fell out that the vantgard consisting of fiteene Gallies conducted by Alessandro Contaren the Prouidator did vnawares strike vpon a Turkish galley this was an Imperial galley prepared for the great Turke if hee should desire to come to sea and was commanded by Bustan Rais those within it hauing in the Italian tongue demanded of the Venetians whose vessel that was which was so neere them and they replying that it belonged to the Venetians did aske them the selfe same question who they were but they making no answer vsed all meanes to escape thence and then on a sodaine shot off a peece of ordnance Contaren being then mooued with disdaine and spurred forward by a zeale to honour and reputation notwithstanding that the darkenesse of the night would not suffer him to discerne any thing did neuerthelesse redouble the bankes of Rowers and followed that Turkish galley which had plaied an enemies part and after a long fight there being more then three hundred souldiers in it he became Master thereof by the death of all the Turkes some few excepted who had hid themselues Contaren was by some reprehended for this deed as though being carried away by a particular desire of reuenge he had enterprized that which he knew to be against the commodity and seruice of the common-wealth by executing that hostile act vpon the Turkes yet neuerthelesse others in excusing him said That He had more then any man else foreseene all those disorders by meanes whereof to auoide all occasions he demanded to haue the army conducted into Candy seeing that the Turkes had passed as friends thorow the Channell of Corfoù The Generall after this exploit passing forwards on his way came very nere to the coast of Puglia where they descried an infinite number of fiers and heard at the same time sundry shot of ordnance They thought at the first that it had beene those of the country who hauing descried the Venetian fleet and not knowing what vessels they were did giue warning to the inhabitants round about to retire themselues into the strong townes but they soone found the contrary for it was a warning to the Turkes that were there speedily to embarke themselues as they did and to fall into order of battaile before the Venetian fleet Then was there great confusion in the Venetian army for the vnhoped for arriuall of the Turkish gallies on the one side danger was very nere and their doubt very great whether they were best to escape by flight or dispose themselues to battaile Flight seemed dishonorable and of small pofit to fight was against the Senates expresse command the which they were to obserue and not on the vncertaine euent of a battaile aud to their owne disaduantage hazard the gallies on which depended the whole defense and safety of their Estate by sea Matters remayning in this confusion by reason of these irresolutions either to abide or to be gonne it happened that when the Generall commanded to turne the Prowes and to returne towards Corfoù it was done in a manner in disorder so as all of them preparing with speed to get forth of that danger fiue Venetian gallies tarried behind either because they had not soone enough turned their Prowes or for that they were not so light as the others foure of them fell into the Turkes hands who soone after by declaring himselfe their enemy did inhumainely put the foure captaines to death which commanded them as for the fifth which was commanded by Giouan Baptista Mirchouich of Pago al-be-it it was farther behinde then any of the rest did neuerthelesse by chance escape that danger for carrying in her flag the cressent or half moone they thought it to be a Turkish galley and thereby being not medled with it found meanes afterward to escape to Ottranto Now this latter exploit caused Soliman wholly to resolue to make warre vpon the Signory of Venice who was before that time halfe-minded so to doe by reason of the precedent actions whereby he perceiued the small affection that the Venetians did beare vnto him his seruants likewise the more to animate him therevnto did agrauaâ—…e the matter and afterwards a letter of Doria written to Pesare coming to his hands assured him of that which he most doubted Doria had as it was thought forged that letter and found meanes to haue it fall into the Turks hands to make them beleeue that he had some secret intelligence with the Venetians and by that means to set them at ods thereby enforcing
and inhabited and there were in it at the same time aboue eight thousand persons but the castle is of no great circuit nor capable of contayning great store of people but for the sytuation thereof most safe against all the assaults of enemies it hath two fortes in a very high place vpon the point of the hill which doe not alone beate vpon all sides of the towne walles and castle but discouering likewise the sea and the vallies and neighbour Mountaines can with their ordnance keepe any army from encamping there but with great danger There is no other towne or castle in the whole Island but diuers country houses scattered here and there in the Champaine yet neuerthelesse on the South side thereof vpon an hill there is a castle called Saint Angelo stronger by sytuation then by art This Island had belonged to the Venetians more then an hundred and fifty yeeres and they did carefully keepe it as most fit for the conseruation of their dominion at sea it being accounted the Bulwarke of Italy against the forces of Barbarians Babon di Nalda was gouernor thereof being accompanied with diuers Venetian Gentlemen There was a strong garrison of Italian souldiers in the castle to the number of two thousand and as many of those of the Island all good souldiers and besides the Rowers of foure Gallies which were lest there for the gard of the Island great store of artillery and munition and for the auoiding of all confusion euery man knew what he had to doe which made them without any feare at all to attend the arriuall of the enemies army The Senate fearing a long seege and the sinister accidents which do commonly accompany it did resolue to fight with the enemy to cause him to raise his campe being inuited therevnto by sundry reasons because they knew first that so long as the Turkish fleet should remaine whole furnishing the campe with men of whom they had great numbers that the Isle of Corfou and all the rest should remaine exposed to infinite dangers not for any other cause then the long continuance of the warre all the forces of the Republike being consumed and they in danger besides to loose some portion of their dominions next that which did incite them to hazard the fortune of a battaile was their owne great fleet of an hundred strong gallies with the meanes to encrease it because they would not vnprofitably consume the great expences of such a warlike preparation but that which did most animate them to this resolution was their hope to be speedily releeued by the other Christian Princes according to their offers and promises so often reiterated at what time they should enterprize any thing against the Turke especially of the Pope and the Emperor and not to accept of them at that time the Commonwealth should seeme wholly to haue forgotten her owne safety and that of all Christendome The Imperials had fifty light gallies at sea with as many other great armed vessels the Pope had foure gallies there and the Knights of Malta some other These forces being ioyned to theirs they hoped to chase away the Turkish fleet and if they could not free Corfou from the seege yet at least to open a way to some great and notable exploit wherevpon hauing certaine notice that the enemies army was come to Corfou and thereby warre declared against them they determined to write to Marke-Antonio Contaren their Ambassadour in the Court of Rome that in speaking particularly of this businesse to the Pope together with the Senates resolution he should declare vnto him the greatnesse of the danger in the common cause of Christendome and the speed which it behoued them to vse against the common enemy The Pope hauing vnderstood the Senates resolution seemed to be highly pleased therewith sauing that he did desire nothing so much as during his Papacy to see all Christian Princes vnited together against those Infidels who in the meane time that the Christians had particular quarrells one with an other were so mightily encreased as they now did threaten to ruine them Therevpon he did not only confirme the offers and promises that were made before but did likewise augment them and as a most discret and well aduised person he motioned the making of an vnion and league together against that common enemy wherevnto his exhortation to all other Princes and especially to the Emperor was of great force This league beeing resolued on it was concluded by a Generall consent of all men to arme two hundred light Gallies and the greatest number of ships of warre and other great vessels that they could and in them to embarke fifty thousand foot-men and foure thousand horse But because some difficulties seemed to arise concerning the distribution of that expence and vpon other Articles and that the time in the meane space did vrge them speedily to send away the army to the releefe of Corfoù the Pope by confirming that which had beene concluded would presently haue the league to bee published to giue it more force and reputation and to inuite the other Christian Princes to embrace and follow it reseruing the conclusion of certaine points till he could receiue newes from Spaine It was sollemnly published in Saint Peeters Church where Gasparo Contaren the Venetian Cardinall celebrated masse in the presence of the Pope and the whole Colledge of Cardinalls the like was afterwards done at Venice with praiers in all Churches to giue thankes vnto God for that he had vnited the Christian Princes against the Infidells and for the execution of that which had beene concluded the Senate sent word to the Generalls that leauing the Captaine of the Gulphe with foure Gallies for the guard of Dalmatia they should saile with the whole fleete to Brandiza they did afterwardes make a great leauy of foot forces for to fill vp the promised number then they appointed captaines for the great Gallies and for the bastard ones who did very speedily cause them to be made ready which sailed all of them vnder the conduct of Boudumiero captaine of the Gallion so as in a short space all things were ready on the Venetians part Andrew Doria who lay at Naples hauing intelligence of that which had beene concluded at Rome and Venice that he should meet at Brandiza to ioyne with the Venetians fleet alleadging sundry excuses some times that he would saile towards Marseilles against the French nauall army then that he would go to Genoa to new man his gallies and to make prouision of other necessaries did by all meanes prolonge his departure notwithstanding that Gasparo Bassalu the Venetians Counsull at Naples did earnestly vrge it by declaring vnto him the importance of the Isle of Corfou which was to be preserued and defended from the danger wherein it was in doing whereof notwithstanding that he was to doe the Emperour seruice he should neuerthelesse purchase great glory and reputation the
and Maluesia The Republike had held vnder her dominion diuers of the principall townes of Morea the fruitfullest country of al Grecia and the most renouned for the great number of vertuous men that are issued from thence it had lost in the former wars against Baiazet Ottoman grand-father to this Soliman Modon and Coron it stil possessed these two being seated in a most strong place and filled with inhabitants that did greatly affect the Venetians Naples is seated on a small Promontory the which comming forth from the land maketh a great and safe hauen and is in such sort encompassed by the sea as of the foure parts thereof the therd is enuironed therewith and the land side hath a very high and difficult going vp so as there is but one little narrow way to goe vnto the towne which lieth betwixt the hilles side and the sea and the outward bankes are so high and vneasie as it is impossible for the gallies to batter the walles or to land those that are within them the entry likewise of the Hauen hath a very narrow mouth so as but one galley at once can enter iâ—…to it which may be easily defended by the ordnance of a little castle seated on a small rock in the middest of the sea right opposite to the entry some three hundred paces off which can on all sides beate vpon the vessels that will come nere to the hauen and yet it selfe not to be battered from the land nor by the gallies none but smal boats being able to come nere it by reason of sundry points of rocks which lie round about it Maluesia is likewise seated in the same Prouince and more neere to the Cape of Mailla vpon a mountaine or rather a small rock of eight hundred paces which being diuided from the firme land extendeth it selfe in a long and narow forme to sea wards so as this towne being seated on an high place is enuironed on all sides by the sea there beeing none other entrance into it but by a bridge the waters neere therevnto not being in any sorâ—… foordable by reason of their exceeding depth and as nature hath furnished that place with such strength and naturall safety it hath likewise giuen it wholesome fountaines with a good and fertill soile and a goodly plaine on the top of the mountaine from whence victuals may be prouided for fiâ—…ty or three score men who are sufficient for the guard thereof Vittore de Garzons in quality of Baily commanded Naples a man of ripe yeers and of great experience by reason of the great offices which he had borne both by sea and land This man by his valor and good councell and by the trustinesse of the inhabitants did not only defend the place from all perill and danger but likewise by the sallies of his cauallery did assure the country nere adioyning and greatly molest the enemies Cassin who for to obey Soliman was come into those quarters with as great forces as hee could raise hauing sounded those of Maluefia both by promises and threats returned towards Naples and hauing perceiued the difficulty of the enterprize and being without suffitient means to take it by seege or by assault hee dislodged thence and dismissed part of his army placing the residue in garrison in the nerest townes therevnto within â—…ixe miles of the city Barbarossa on the other side with three score and ten gallies and thirty as well Galeots as Fusts giuen him by Lustimbei hauing scoured the Islands of the Archipelago belonging to the Republike tooke some of them which had not meanes of defense either for want of souldiers or for that their sytuation was not strong enough to susteine his attempts such as were the Islands of Scyro Pathmos Ligina and some likewise belonging to particular persons as Nia proper to the family of the Pisani Stampallea to the Quirni Paros very famous for marble subiect to the family of the Venieri with diuers others Barbarossa pursuing his victory to the content of his souldiers vnto whom he gaue the pillage reseruing neuerthelesse the bâ—…st of the spoile as presents for the chiefe of the Port to purchase to himselfe new fauours to the end that the yeere following hee might be permitted to scoure the seas with greater forces and more authority Diuers Venetian captaines after that the enemies had raised their campe from before Corfoù propounded that the Venetian fleete should follow them to stop these incursions and disorders which euery man did already foresee by that meanes to preserue those Islands from whence they receiued many commodities and chiefly great numbers of men for to man their gallies yet neuerthelesse they had respect to the time and to the enemies forces from whom they feared some sinister accident and aboue all they especially considered the Senates intention which was to vnite the Confederates forces to which nothing was more contrary then to bee farre off with the army wherevpon they resolued quitting this proposition that the Generall Pesare taking with him a great number of souldiers from the garrisons of Dalmatia should with certaine gallies goe and beseege Scardona and Vitturi with other some should saile to Obrouazza Scardona lieth nere to Sebenic and therefore they thought it fit to take it for the safety of that fort and to take away the great discommodities which al those of the country round about might receiue from thence it being possessed by the enemy it was circled with very weake walles and had two small castles wherevpon so soone as the Venetian troupes drew nere the Turkes that were wiâ—…hin it after some small resistaâ—…ce did yeeld to the discretion of the generall Pesare who notwithstandâ—…g that he had â—…termined to receiue them on condition to giue them their liues and goods yet neuerthelesse his commandement being neither heard nor obeyed in that fury the first that entred it beganne forthwith to waste and â—…oile and the Turkes which were gon forth to escape into their Confines being encountred by a troupe of armed men of the country of Sibenic were all of them cut in peeces The Generall left Francisco Salomâ—…ne for the gard and gouernment of that place determining at that time to fortifie it yet neuerthelesse hauing afterwards considered the great difficulty of so doing and the expenses of entertayning a garrison amongst so many of the enemies fortes with the hurt which would redound if it weâ—… againe recouered by the Turkes he thought it fittest and most profitable to race the castles and to satisfie himselfe for hauing taken such a place of retreate from the enemies As for those of Obrouazza the Turkes that were within it though they were but few in number did valliantly for a time defend the place afterwards being enforced to quit it they retired into the castle the which whilest the Venetians made al things ready to beseege the gallies were countermanded by the General hauing had a new commandement from the Senate to
as if they should conquer the Empire of Constantinople it should belong to the Emperor without preiudice to the claimes of the Republike and so in like manner of the rest but for the Apostolike sea was reserued the preeminecne of some State worthy the merit therof according to the quallity of the conquest that shold be made Concerning other things where-vnto no man laid any claime that euery of the Confederats might haue a share therein according to the expences which he contributed towards the warres and if they should chance to recouer the Isle of Rhodes it should returne vnder the Dominion of the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem In this treaty there was no mention made of the King of England The Venetians neuer-the-lesse supposing that they might draw greate aide from that King who was a Prince of exceeding great wealth and authority and had in time before shewed great affection to their Common-wealth went about by meanes of Ieronimo Zuccate their Secretary resident in his Court to dispose him to fauour the league But the King disdayning the matter for that he had not beene particularly inuited to the treaty thereof would by no meanes endure to heare of it but did greatly complaine for that neither him-seife nor his Realme had beene mentioned in the number of the Confederates As for the French King they did dayly pereeaue that he had no great desire to enter into it because that they treated therein of encreasing the Emperors forces and reputation his coriuall and perpetuall enemy The Venetians then the league being concluded and established as hath bin said commanded the Generall Capello that if the Turkish fleete did come into the Gulphe hee should keepe aloofe towards the Leuant that hee might with more ease passe into Sicily where he was to ioyne with the Confederates fleetes as well to assure those quarters as to hurt the enemies if occasion were offered And because they would not weaken their garrisons they did on a sodaine leuy two thousand foote-men whome they sent to the Army Some were of opinion to referre to the Generalls discretion in all causes to doe that which he should iudge to be most proffitable and conuenient for the Common-wealth according to the occurrences of the affaires and not to limit him what hee had to doe which might peraduenture bee cleane contrary to reason seeing that warre is managed by the sight of the eye alledging for example that which happened the yeare before by limiting the Generall Pesare what he should doe which hath occasioned sundry disorders and at last the warre against the Turkes yet neuerthelesse the other opinion was followed because they would not hinder nor delay the vnion of their Army with the Confederates Now the Senates greatest care was to find ready money for the great expences they were speedily to be at By means wherof it was decreed that all those who would put in any money into the publicke Treasury should haue an annuall rent for it of foureteene in the hundred and they did afterwards proceed sharpely against the debtors to the Common-wealth as well by the imprisonment of their bodies as sale of their goods They did moreouer create three Pocurators of Saint Marke Ieronimo Marcello Bernardo Moro and Iulio Contaren in regard of some loane of money As for the goods of the Clergie they could neuer make any vse of them for although the Pope had permitted the Senate to alienate of Church goods by reason of tenne in the hundred to the worth of a million of gold and afterwards calling back that fauour had giuen them leaue to raise the said somme vppon the reuenue of the Clergy for the terme of fiue yeares yet neuerthelesse they could neuer draw a breefe from him either for the one or other his Holynesse still finding new shifts and excuses In this great want of money the Senate went very slowly foreward in the propositions that were made vnto them of raising the said somme peraduenture for feare of displeasing many people and cheefely those of the Champaine countrey of the firme land wherupon it reiected a proposition which was made although it would haue amounted to a great somme to sell the medows of the communalties of which there are store ouer the whole state in a manner of the Republicke on the firme land The Senate neuerthelesse in this great necessity did spare nothing that was necessary for the warres Peace at the same time was treated of betwixt the Emperor and the French King which each of them made shew greatly to desire and they concluded to send their Agents for that purpose to Canus which lieth betwixt Perpign an and Narbona but hauing spent all the time there in contestations the assembly brake vp without any resolution by reason of the distrust that the one had of the other which did greatly greeue the Venetians because that by those Princes discord the warre against the Turkes would prooue more difficult the likelihoods thereof being already discerned For the Marquis of Guasto whom the Emperor had in the beginning appointed to serue in the enterprize of the Leuant was countermanded not to stirre forth of Italy and speedily to augment the Garrisons in the State of Milan so as all hope of agreement being taken away the Emperor being constrained to diuert his forces elswhere for feare of the French King he did boldly affirme that hee could at that time doe no other seruice to Christendome then to stand vpon his owne defence against the Turkes for to assure his owne States from receiuing any hurt from their Army The Pope beeing infinitely sorry that the enterprizes against the Turkes were not foreward and it concerning him as the head of Christendome to procure peace and vnion among Christian Princes resolued seeing that his letters and Ambassades had beene to no purpose to attempt to preuaile by his presence supposing that his authority and entreaties ioyned with reason might cause them to condiscend to some honorable agreement whereupon hauing exhorted and inuited the Emperor and the French King thervnto he requested them that they would meet at Nice whither he likewise offered speedily to come as to a place fitt for that purpose The Venetians were very glad of this proposition because that the desired effect of peace falling out successfully it would much augment the forces and hope of the League the which with out that helpe would be very poore and weake but on the other side they were very sorry for the losse of so much time which was to be spent in the prouisions for warre and in the vnion of the Armies because they well perceiued that the Emperor comming from Barcelona by sea to Nice Doria must needes bee imployed in that iourney at such time as he should be busied in ordering the fleet and sailing against the enemies who were already with great forces vpon the Seas on the other side they feared that the same meeting would bee
in confusion among them they did by ropes draw the Turkes vp into the Castle This cruell and Barbarous act did so highly displease Barbarossa as insted of recompencing those villains he did by death chastice their infamous wickednesse Then hauing encreased his forces hee sailed into Candy to get more booty there or else to view the strong places of the Island The Senate vpon the report which was currant at Constantinople how that the army should saile into Candy had carefully prouided what-so-euer was necessary for the gard of the Island against so mighty an enemy by sending thither mony soldiers munition victuals and Giouani Moro to command there during the warre in quallity of Prouidator Generall a man very well experienced and of great valour and discretion The conseruation of that Island was thought to be of very great importance as well for the Nobillity thereof being descended from a Venetian Colony as for her richesse as an ancient seate of Kings as also for the frutfulnesse thereof and other great commodities which those receiued from it that traded into the Leuant This Prouidator was cheefely enioyned to exhort the Gentlemen and Knights for so are the feudataries of the Republicke termed who enioy the benefits thereof to the defence of the Island and to assure them that the Senate would neuer forsake them Now Moro being come into Candy did assembly the Generall councell of all the Nobility of the Collony in the Citty of Candace to dispose them by some honest exhortation constantly to attend the enemies comming If yee consider said he the quiet of your state where at this present yee doe peaceably enioy so many goodly inheritances so sweet an aire such aboundance and commodity of all things as grow here or else are brought hither from the countries neere adioyning I doe assure my selfe that this remembrance will be of greater force with you then the efficacy of all my words can bee able to perswade you to doe all you can and to be sparing neither in expences trauaill nor life itselfe to keepe either your selues or children from changing your present condition and to fall from the toppe of so great happinesse into a Gulphe of misery and calamities as it is like to happen if this Island falling into the Turkes power I tremble with feare onely to thinke thereof and to tell you of it yee should be enforced to goe and dwell else-where to forsake your country so great wealth and so many commodities as yee here possesse or else tarrying here still be subiect to the Tyranny of a faithlesse and Barbarous nation An other thing besides your wealth doth oblige yee to defend this Island one of the cheefe and most important members of our Common-wealth which is the loue and duty which you owe to our common country from which I hope the distance of place is not able to diuide you beeing true members thereof and not cut off from it hauing a share in the honours fauours and in all other her fortunes Now your particular interest being for these respects inseparably conioyned to ours it behoueth mee to labour to let you see the importance of the businesse in question and to stirre yee vp to prouide those remedies which may defend yee from such a danger I will then onely entreate you not for any feare what so-euer to lose that courrage and good resolution which I discerne in you all least being disfurnished of valour and strength yee happen to vndoe your selues I will not deny but that the enemies power is very great and that wee ought not to contemne it but I dare well assure you that it is not such as may cause yee to despaire of beeing able to resist it but on the contrary wee are to hope that their comming will purchace vs honor and reputation by valliantrepulsing them from the whole Island We are certainly to beleeue that although there bee great numbers of soldiers in the enemies Army yet neuer-the-lesse they haue no store of ordnance or other necessary matters sufficient to batter and force townes whereby wee are assuredly to thinke that if they doe come to this Island their intention is rather to spoile and get booties if by our negligence wee will suffer them so to doe then to tarry here and make warre And though they should come hither to that end what-like-lihood is there that they will busie them-selues in a long and difficult enterprize perceiuing so many mighty fleetes of the Christian Confederat Princes at sea which may on a sudaine assaile and fight with either their fleete or some of their townes for they are no lesse carefull for the preseruation of their owne then they are to offend and conquer other mens I know and am expressely commanded from the Senate to acquaint you with it how highly aboue all other things it esteemeth the preseruation of this State and your safety for which they are ready to expose all their forces witnes the prouisions which of it owne proper motion it hath speedily sent vnto you You then whome these dangers doe more neerely concerne and for whom wee are here assembled are so much the more obliged not to omit any thing wherein you may manifest your loyalty dilligence and loue towards both the one and other country Let euery man then dispose him selfe to succour the common cause with his wealth authority and person I doe assure my selfe that in so doing we shall not onely auoyde the greatest danger but shall free the whole country to your great glory and praise from the enemies spoiles and incursions The Prouidator had skarce made an end of his exhortation when all of them arose applauding his speech and promising with great offers to employ all their power care and dilligence in the defence of the Island Hee did afterwards make the same remonstrance to the people of Candy exhorting them to their owne defence wherevpon all of them beganne with great speed to prouide things necessary to arme certaine Gallies and to assemble the country people vnto whom hauing giuen Armes they placed part of them in Candall to encrease the garrison of Italian foote men and the rest were sent to the gard of sundry passages and places of importance to stoppe the enemies progression The Gentlemen of the Island and the feudataries of the Common-wealth did proceed therein with such earnestnesse and courrage as the family alone of Calergians which is one of the cheefe and ritchest of the country did raise more then fiue and twenty thousand armed men Barbarossa pursuing his iourny came neere to the Island on the North side betwixt Standia and the Citty of Candace and without casting ankor ranne along the Island as farre as Rettima where making but a short stay because that the Citties ordnance did greatly hurt him he sailed to La Suda hauing there found better abiding then in any other place by reason of the Hauen which is great and safe whose entrance
was then open to him it being not fortified as it is now at this day hee landed great numbers of his people to scoure and spoyle the Country This Citty was in old time called Cidonia and reckoned among the cheefe of the Island Andre Gritti was Gouernor thereof hauing with him about a thousand Italian foote-men and diuers Greekes of the citty and places neere adioyning These men perceiuing the Turkes to approch in disorder who had not intrenched them-selues did boldly sally forth of the Citty and assailled them who being first beaten with the Citties ordnance whereof it was well prouided and being found in disorder they chaced and slew a great number of them Those which scoured the country had no better fortune by reason that great multituds of the Islanders arising who were diuesly armed by their Lords commandement went and incountered the Turkes which were loden with spoile whome they fell vpon and slew many of them so as they enforced them to giue ouer their enterprize and to retire with speed to their Gallies Barbarossa hoping for better and more fortunate successe in another place or at least to recompence that losse leauing behind him neuerthelesse some memoriall of his being there to the peasants detriment sent an hundred Gallies to Sithiâ—… This place is seated in another corner of the Iland on the west side beeing weake and ill prouided of defense notwithstanding that a particular magistrate sent from Venice doth vsually make his abode there From thence the enemy might easily passe into the I le of Scarpenta possessed at that time by the Turkes and distant from thence some forty miles The enemy finding that place to bee abandoned tooke away certaine peeces of ordinance and other munitions spoiling all the Champaigne neere adioyning But fearing least the Venetian Fleet comming to the ayde of Candy would enforce them to come to strokes the Soldiers being speedily imbarked and all the Gallies beeing vnited togeather they sailed towardes Negrepont The Sangiach of Morea did at the same time by Solimans command beseege Naples and Maluesia He hauing encamped before those two townes wrote to the Gouernors and people thereof that they should speedily yeeld promising to them great rewards in so doing and on the contrary seuere punishment if they should continew to make resistance that Soliman had sent him thither commanding him by no meanes to stirre from thence vntill he had reduced both of them vnder his obedience that their succors were sarre off and their hope vaine long to hold out and therefore that it was best for them to fitte themselues to the time and to the fortune of the van quisher The Gouernours and all the people resoluing brauely to defend them-selues as well by reason of the situation of the place as for their hope that the Venetian Army would shortly releeue them with victualls and necessary munitions made none answer to his letter but betooke themselues more carefully to the Guard of their townes And because they in Naples wanted water the horssemen that were Stadiots a hardy and warlike nation making diuers sallies beeing followed by the Italian Harquebuziers did prouide for that want The Generall Capello hauing intelligence of this sieege and beeing very desirous to releeue those valliant and trusty defendants did opportunely with six Gallies send them supplies of whatsoeuer they needed But during these exploits those of Dalmatia were in like manner greatly aflicted by the Turkish Army who entring into the Countrey made an horrible spoile there carrying away men woemen little children and all sortes of cattell burning the houses and putting the whole Contrey in feare and confusion so as Camillo Vrsino Gouernour of the Prouince had thought to haue abandoned all the other Citties and that the Soldiers should retire to Zara to assure it as the chiefest and easiest to guard fearing that to attempt to preserue al of them against such great nombers of enemies would bee a cause to expose them all to great dangers The Senate did not allow of this opinion esteeming much more besides the losse of so many Citties this note of infamy to haue at once without any fight giuen place vnto the enemies insolency and abandoned so goodly a Countrey wherefore vsing all meanes to preserue and defend it it determined to make a new leuy of horse and foote to weet twelue thousand footmen and fifteene hundred horse hoping with these forces to bee able sufficiently to assure the Prouince and also to encrease the Peoples affection towards the Common-wealth and to encourage them brauely to defend themselues they appoynted fifteene Gentlemen who should speedily be transported thither for the guard of Zara Sâ—…enic and Catarra with thirty men a peece moreouer Lodouico Badoario was sent vnto Zara in quality of Prouidator General of Dalmatia with commandement neuerthelesse not to goe forth of that Citty without the Senates permission aud leaue the Inhabitants like-wise of Dalmatia were permitted to send their wiues and children to Venice for feare of the enemies In these occurrences the Prince shewed the Senate how that euery man was to helpe his country in a time so miserable and alledged vnto them for example that which had beene performed and done in the last warres of the firme land in which said he the Cittizens loue towards their country the vnion and readinesse of their helpe had beene of so great force as in dispight of bad fortune they had drawne the Republike forth of so many calamities and had restored it to her fauour splendor and dignity wherein God be thanked it now continued That the dangers present were no lesse then those that were past hauing to doe with an enemy who though hee be alone and of him-selfe is neuer-the-lesse very mighty and to be feared whome if they did not speedily resist but suffer all things to fall out according to his desire his ouerweening would in such sort encrease as they were neuer to looke for any safety from him that their hope of forraine aide did dayly more and more vanish the Confederates proceeding with such vncertenty and slownesse as they were to expect nothing from them That their true safest and onely defence depended vpon them-selues It did then behooue euery man to finde meanes to surmount his forces and speedily to releeue the Common-wealth with councell meanes yea and with his owne life That the publike Treasury would shrinke vnder an insupportable burthen vnlesse it were speedily releeued by the Cittizens in regard that the expence alone of Dalmatia with the new prouisions thereof did monethly mount to more then fiue and twenty thousand crownes that it behooued them to glad the people who were ouer pressed with sorrow and amazed and to comfort them by the presence of those vnto whome the conseruation of the state did belong to shew that they were desirous to be sharers in the dangers and troubles which should be offered Let those then quoth hee who were appointed depart with
speed and goe to execute that which is commanded them and let others vnto whome some publike charge shall be commited freely accept thereof He that is moued therevnto by his duty encreaseth his owne glory and he that maketh none account thereof let obedience moue him if nothing else can prouoke you yet at least wise let necessity and the present dangers make yee difcreet dilligent and ready in all things The Princes authority and the force of his reasons did confirme diuers who would haue freed them-selues from taking any publicke charge vpon them The Turkes in the meane time the more that they vnder-stood the great preparations which were made to preuent them in Dalmatia the more they made hast to come and assaile it And for their better weakening of the Venetians defences they resolued at one time to assaile all the Principall townes to the end that the one might not helpe the other And hauing assembled great forces at Cluin a towne vnder their obedience they entred with foure thousand horse and as many foote vpon the Territory of Zara and beseeged Nadin the Venetians cheefe Castle seated vpon those confines Sebastiano Sagreda being Gouernor thereof who had an hundred and fifty Italian foote-men with him vnto whome the onely sight of the enemies gaue such feare and terror as they basely yeelded on condition to haue their liues saued without making any proofe of their valour or vse of the places situation and retired to Zara whether they brought more feare then comfort by exalting the enemies forces to couer their owne shame The like befell the Castle of Laurana which was commanded by Vittore Sorance with like number of soldiers as in Nadin who hauing for one whole day sustayned the battery fled away and was taken by the enemies but Zemoâ—… being abandoned by the Iâ—…alian footmen was garded and defended by certaine Sclauonians whome some Venetian gentlemen of the family of the Venieri vnto whom it did belong had placed there The Turkes hauing put Garrisons in Nadin and Laurana went vp and downe scouring the country euen to the gates of Zara so as none durst come abroad although the enemies campe lay farre off The Cities of Antiuare Dulcina and Sebenic were in the same trouble The Sangiach of Scutari went with great forces of foot and horse to Antiuare and did encampe betwixt the sea shore and the walles and had sent part of his forces to beseege Dulcina But Bondulmiero captaine of the Gulphe hauing notice thereof did speedily releeue the Antiuarians the like did the Generall Capello within a while after by sending them souldiers and munition so as the Basha despayring of any speedy or happy successe in his enterprize determined to raise his seege from before Antiuare causing those who at the same time lay before Dulcina to doe the like As for Sebenic part of the forces that were assembled at Cluin went thither at the first and after the taking of Nadin and Laurana many soldiers did goe thither who neuer came neere the city because their number was not comparable to a true army but went scattering vp and downe and spoiled the country The Sibenssans hauing intelligence of the enemies comming resoluing brauely to defend and keepe the towne for the Venetians did assemble themselues together in the market-place where they all swore a sollemne oth that they would not yeeld to the enemy but endure all extremity rather then falsifie their faith But the Turkes being not able to execute their deseignes vpon the other townes so easily as they supposed would not likewise medle with this hauing before bent their thoughts vpon Hungary wherevpon so soone as they had reduced all their forces together and made vp the body of an army leauing three thousand men for the gard of the frontiers they marched towards Bossina from thence to passe into Hungary The Turkes departure forth of the confines of Dalmatia did greatly ease the Venetians and freed that poore people from much calamity But as the alteration of affaires doe easily alter mens deseignes the gouernors and captaines of that Prouince who did badly digest the wrongs which they had susteined by the enemies and most of all because an infamous imputation was laied vpon them for the losse of certaine townes and for suffering them without resistance to scoure and spoile the country made a proposition being desirous to make vse of the occasion which did offer it selfe by reason that the enemies campe was farre off to attempt the recouery of those townes which the Turkes did possesse wherewith acquainting the Councell of Tenne they did affirme that the forces which were in Dalmatia were sufficient for the execution of that enterprize As also because that if the castles nere to Zara were not recouered the city would be still in feare hauing such mighty enemies to their neere neighbours who not stirring forth of their Garrisons did hold it in a manner beseeged These propositions were enterteined in the Senate with great attention where the desire to be reuenged on the enemies caused the more credit to be giuen vnto them next the Duke of Vrbins perswations vnto whom the whole matter was imparted did augment their hope who did not only commend that proposition as a matter of great importance but affirmed that by adding fiue thousand Lansquenets to those Italians that were in Dalmatia and certaine numbers of Italian horse to the Greekes and Stradiots it would be an easie matter with those forces to enter into Bossina and seize vpon some good towne which might open them away to greater conquests That it was better and more profitable to make war in their enemies country then in their owne and that there were but three thousand horse in garrison at Bossina This aduise carried with it a goodly shew and a certaine valour attended by profit wherevpon they concluded speedily to raise the Lansequenets and to this end Constantino Caâ—…zza Secretary to the Councell of the Preguais was sent into Bauaria who by meanes of Duke Lewis a great friend to the Common-wealth did in a short time performe that he was enioyned so as those souldiers hauing receiued their first payment marched forthwith into Friull Camillo Vrsino hauing in the meane time assembled forth of the garrisons of Dalmatia foure thousand foot and fiue hundred horse and taken with him some peeces of ordnance went and beseeged Obrouazza The taking of that towne was of importance it being a place of retreate for the Turkes where they were wont to assemble themselues to enuade the Venetians confines The castle was neither strong nor well manned whereby the enterprize was thought to be as easie as profitable The castle then hauing beene battered two daies one after an other the third day the souldiers went to the assault where after some small resistance they entred by the ruines of the wall Vrsino being Master of the place perceiuing that he could not fortifie it but
with great difficulty nor afterwards keepe it but with much trouble commanded it to be razed downe to the foundations But the Turkes being aduertized thereof came backe on a sodaine and found the Venetians ruining off the castle who being possessed with feare and terror by the Turkes vnlooked for arriuall did forsake their worke and retired in disorder towards their ships being followed at the heeles by the Turkes who in the end would haue broken and defeated them had not captaine Camillo de Monte the Neapolitan with certaine troupes made head against them whilest the souldiers were imbarked As these deseignes had at first encreased mens courages and hopes euen so the condition of the affaires altering in a short time there was no more speech of the other enterprizes of Nadin Laurana Clissa and Ostrouizza greater difficulties being dayly discouered concerning them those likewise who had shewed most heate and forwardnesse towards the Turkish enterprizes beganne by the same accident to grow could and especially the Duke of Vrbin who had propounded it did alleadge diuers impediments saying that the number of souldiers which he had first craued was not sufficient to enuade those places and withall to keepe the passages against the enemies and that a great number would need so great a quantity of victuals and other prouisions as it would be an hard matter to send them thither by reason that they were to passe thorow the enemies country In these perplexities of minde what was best to be done opinions were very different some supposing that their forces being ready they were to be imployed for the releefe of the people who by that meanes might hope for some better fortune and not to keepe them idle others on the contrary hauing maturely considered the matter were of opinion to dismisse the Lansquenets by giuing halfe-pay to the souldiers and great gifts to the captaines to keepe them stil their friends when need should be and not to passe on any farther against the enemies for feare least by prouoking them they might draw vpon themselues the whole Turkish forces to the entire ruine and losse of Dalmatia seeing it was more expedient to quench that fire then to kindle it in regard that all forraine aide did deceiue them These reasons were allowed of and the Lansquenets were sent home into their country The Turkes after this exploit returned into Hungary hauing first refreshed their Garrisons which remayning quiet the country was for a time at rest All men were in the meane time very desirous to see what would become of those naual armies Barbarossa departing from Candy retired towards the confines of Negrepont not attempting any thing for feare of meeting with the Christian armies The Generall Capello hauing great number of gallies one gallion and diuers ships of war the Patriarke Grimani being ioyned with him with the Popes gallies did waite for the Spanish nauall army which was reported euery day to arriue but none effect thereof was to be seene consuming to the great griefe of all men the fittest time and season for Marine actions The Emperor did promise speedily to send the 30. Neapolitan gallies which lay at Messina to Corfou and fifteene ships of warre with three thousand Spanish foot-men conducted by Don Ferrant de Gonzaga Lieutenant for the King in Sicily who because the Duke of Vrbin by reason of his indisposition could not come to the army was to supply his place he promised moreouer that so soone as he should come to Barcelona he would forthwith send away Doria with two and thirty gallies to saile to Corfou to ioyne with the other army Diuers things neuerthelesse caused men to doubt that it would not so come to passe first because that the Emperor before his going to Nice had ofâ—…en said that it was impossible for him at one time to assaile the Turkes and the French and the assembly of Nice being broken off without any effect by reason of the French there was no great hope in his forces Next his officers at Naples did not only hinder those captaines whom Camillo Vrsino had sent to leauy souldiers in the Kingdome for the defense of Dalmatia but vnder seigned excuses refused contrary to the treaty of the league the Generall Capello a certaine quantity of corne for the entertainment of the army Diuers others deeds and words gaue iust occasion of suspition that the Emperor sought nothing else but to let time ship away vnprofitably not being willing or else able to make warre vpon the Turke as he should hindring on the other side as much as he could the Venetians from agreeing with them for feare least the whole burthen of the war should light alone vpon himselfe The Emperor in the end seeking new meanes of assuring himselfe propounded to the Venetians the renuing of the capitulations of the league the which although it was a superfluous matter in regard of the short time since the agreement was made at Rome they did neuerthelesse satisfie him therein because they would not omit any thing which might serue for the vnion of the armies to let all men know their great desire to pursue the warre The Capitulations being confirmed the Emperor commanded Gonzaga who was not yet gon to saile to Corfou where he arriued with the Gallies only hauing left their ships behind to the end said he that the residue of the foot forces which were not yet come thither might haue shipping But his so much desired comming was to no great purpose because that the Generalls to the Venetians and the Pope hauing made a motion to goe from thence and to scoure towards the Leuant he would not consent therevnto saying that it was no safe matter for the Confederates nor very honourable for the Emperour to execute any enterprize with so few forces wherevpon he was desirous to tarry till the arriuall of the ships which he knew could not much linger The armies remayning in this manner at Corfou the Patriarke Grimani being impatient of so long stay there without doing any thing departed thence with sixe and thirty gallies and sailed toward Saint Nicolao de Ciuita and hauing intelligence by the way that the castle of Preuese was not very well garded he resolued not to let slip such an occasion but to assaile it on the sodaine the place being an assured retreate for the Turkes when they did meane to enuade Christendome the Patriarke going on in this resolution to assaile it hoping to take it by some vnlooked for assault and being come to the Channel of Preuese the galley of Paul Iustinian did shew the way to the rest where all of them being entred he landed his souldiers and artillery in the plaine field a mile of from the castle and because the greatest hope of the happy successe consisted in speed and dilligence without spending time in making trenches and rampiers he beganne sodainely to batter the castle-walles with the artillery himselfe being
knew that it did not proceed from magnanimity of courage or from any good will that hee did beate to the cause but onely because hee trusted to the swiftnesse of his owne Galley wherein he might easily escape which Capel perceiuing would not likewise depart till the very selfe-same time that hee retired The end of the second Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the third Booke of the sixth Decade BArbarossa retireth into the Gulph of Larta for feare of Sea tempests How all men did condemne Andre Doria The Confederates take Castel Nouo in the Gulphe of Cathara Doria with his Galleys retireth into Sicily The Venetians take Rissana The occasions which mooued the Senate to make peace with the Turke Gritti goeth to Constantinople for that purpose Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin sonne to Francesco Maria is made Generall of the Venetian troopes An Accord betwixt the Pope and the Duke of Vrbin for the Dutchy of Camerin Barbarossa recouereth Castel-nouo The Bascha alledgeth Solimans complaints concerning the accord with the Venetians Barbarossa giueth an assault to Cathara hoping to take it The Baschas vnreasonable demands vpon the agreement with the Venetians The Emperor Charles passeth thorow France into Flanders to chastice the Gantois The Cardinall Farneze commeth into France as Legat at that enter view The Conclusion of the peace with the Turkes according to their owne minde The sorrow and discontent of those of Naples and Maluesia when they vnderstood that their Townes were made ouer to the Turkes And lastly the Consignation of those two townes into the Baschas hands with the departure of diuerse of the Inhabitants to goe and dwell else-where The third Booke of the sixth Decad of the Historie of Uenice THE Army of the league beeing returned to Corfou Barbarossa not beeing satisfied that hee had escaped shame and danger went into the Isle of Paxu some twelue miles from thence where he continued for a time daring as it were the Confederates to come forth of their Hauen and fight or else waiting for an opportunity to endanger them but the Army of the league was filled with disorder and feare Doria his conduct beeing thought most infortunate and his loyalty and counsell much suspected there was no man that durst vndertake a deed of consequence if any proposition were made infinite numbers of difficulties were found therein and the Galleys remaining thus in the hauen without any military action the Turkes after that they had braued the Christian army fearing foule weather and tempests by reason that part of October was spent retired into the Gulph of Larta Such was the successe of that yeare such was the end of so great a warlick preparation and in a word that great expectation of all men came to nothing to the great hurt and disaduantage of all Christendome and to the particular dishonor of André Doria against whom all men cried out some taxing him of cowardise others of treachery and for that hee stood badly affected to the good of Christendome and particularly to that of the Venetians Those who spake of it more openly did blame his sundry immoderate affections his intollerable ambition his feare to expose himselfe to dangers his great auarice wherewith he was some-times so blinded as hee esteemed nothing so much as his owne priuate gaine The Spaniards more then all others cryed out against him and especially the Marquis of Aguilar the Emperors Ambassador at Rome who went about to wipe out the opinion which all men had conceiued how that the Emperor his maister had intelligence with him and that by his commandement he had so carried himselfe But the Venetian Senate beeing well aduised thinking it not fit to make him their enemy in regard hee still had the command of the Army was desirous amid these publick curses to shew that they did in no sort resent it nor were any whit displeased with him but wrote him a very louing letter to assure him that they beleeued that he as a wise and discreet Captaine had done nothing but with great consideration and good councell Yet neuerthelesse the imputations laid vpon him beeing come to his hearing did greatly afflict him so as since his returne to Corfou he did for many dayes liue in priuate not comming abroad in publick and when in his owne presence any mention was made of that which had happened in that voyage hee did seeme to bee extreamly sorry for it beeing scarce able to keepe him selfe from shedding teares either true or seigned in acknowledgment of his fault All the Army of the league after that retreat did for a time remaine at Corfou but the Confederates supposing it to bee a disgrace vnto them to continue so long in the hauen the season being fit for sea actions notwithstanding that it was then Autumne and the enemies beeing farre from thence they began to propound sundry matters The Generall Capell did solicite them to saile with the whole Army into the Archipelago where as he said some new occasion might be offered of fighting with the enemy and though that should not come to passe yet an other notable and certaine profit might redound by that iourney in regard that diuers ships that were loden going to Constantinople would fall into their hands as an assured booty besides they should releeue Naples and Maluesia and might recouer diuerse Islands of the Archipelago as easily as they had been lost from whence they might draw great commodity and chiefly of Rowers for the Nauy whereby double profit would redound to them as to driue the enemies from thence and to make aboade there by reason of the hauenâ—… wherewith those Islands doe abound where the fleete might lye in all safety and their abode there would make Barbarossa iealous and fearfull so as hee would not dare to carry his fleet to Constantinople and that Gulphe beeing taken from him which was very commodious for his vse hee would not come forth at all or else very late to sea the next yeare whereby his honor and reputation would enforce him to come to a battaile Others and especially Doria were of opinion rather to go and besiege Durazzo thinking it a dangerous matter to saile at that season vpon the Archipelago and the labour likewise which should be bestowed in the recouery of those Islands would be lost there beeing no safe nor assured Fort wherevpon so soone as the Turkish Army should shew it selfe they would bee againe recouered But on the contrary they could but haue great hope of the happy successe of the enterprise of Durazzo inregard of the quality of the place beeing of it selfe very commodious a neere neighbour to Italy and fitte for opening the way to greater exploits in Albania But this proposition likewise did finde sundry difficulties first that there were no hauens there fitte for the Fleet especially for the ships who without danger could not ride vpon those shallow flattes Next that the countrey was full of Turkish Cauallery
to accept peace on such vniust conditions would to much blemish the Republikes reputation and by quitting so easily their townes and giuing away their money was nothing else but to cause the enemies who by nature are insolent to demand greater matters During these irresolutions Casar Cantelmo came to Venice who hauing beene already sent as hee said to Soliman from the most Christian King about the negociation for the truce at his returne into France had informed the King of the whole matter wherevpon hee returned againe by his commandement to Constantinople for the same businesse The French Ambassador comming into the Senate told them that the King his Maister did expresly send that gentleman to Constantinople about the affairs of the Venetian Common-wealth and from him to deale in the negociation of peace and therefore he was come to Venice to receiue their commandements therevpon being by the King enioyned to execute them as though they were his owne The Lord Iohn Francesco Valerio a Venetian Gentleman did affirme the very same who hauing remained a long time in France had beene very familliar with the chiefe Lords of the Court who did often acquaint him with matters of importance this Gentleman did testifie the Kings loue and hearty affection towards them and his readinesse to send other Agents to Soliman if the Senate should dislike of Cantelmo exhorting them to trust to the King and to his loue towards the Republike the totall summe of this negociation that there was no better nor safer way then that to reconcile them to the Turke with more honour and lesse losse They were aduertized at the same time that an enteruiew was practised betwixt the Emperour and the French King the cause thereof was the iourney which the Emperour determined to make into Flanders to chastice those of Gant who had rebelled resoluing to goe thither through France and to talke with the King and to treat with him for so it was reported about some good agreement that being good friends they might afterwards ioyne their forces together against the Turkes The enteruiew of these Princes furnished all men with matters of sundry discourse and chiefely the Venetian Senate where it was a long time debated whether they should continue the treaty of peace with the Turke in regard of matters offered and the hard conditions propounded by Soliman On the other side some were of opinion to embrace the occasion of Cantelmo his voyage and the Kings offer if they should refuse it it was to bee feared that his Maiesty would take it in ill part thinking that they made small account of him or his friendship that they were at least to entreat that Gentleman on the Kings behalfe to insist vpon the Generall truce which beeing graunted would greatly serue for the fitnesse of the time and the quiet which thereby would arise to enioyne him besides to assure the Turke that the Senates intention was none other then to procure a firme peace vpon honest conditions Others propounded that it was best to send a speedy messenger to Contaren to command him for to tarry in that place where hee should meet with him and there to expect a new commission which the Senate would send him according to the progression of the affaires others thought it fit to proceed to the election of a new Ambassadour or else to referre the whole businesse to the Bayly Canalis who was at liberty and able to negociate but these men were not of opinion to make vse of Cantelmo in this negociation nor to impart any thing vnto him that he was a Neapolitan bannished from his Country who besides the Kings deseignes and interests quite contrary perhaps to those of the Republike had his owne likewise a part which might hinder and not further the good successe of that businesse That their safety and publike dignity did not permit them to discouer vnto such men any iot of the Senates intention the which they were to suspect and not without cause that hee was very desirous to know rather to crosse then to further it that the Emperour sought all occasions to breake this pursute of peace which did so much trouble and anoy him and the French King vpon hope to recouer the State of Milan was ready to con tent him in all things To all these considerations they added an other which was of no meane consequence which was that because the haruest of the same yeere had beene euery where and especially ouer all Italie verie badde wherewith the City of which was to feed an infinite number of persons was greatly troubled so as the people who were wont to fare delicately and to eate none other bread then that which was made of wheate were enforced to feed on all sorts of graine and in hazard likewise to want them vnlesse they might bee brought from forraine countries Venice hauing no corne territory of her owne a thing which did greatly trouble the Senate wherevpon the better to prouide for a matter of so great importance some said that the friendship of the Turkes was very necessary and others thought it fit to haue recourse to the Spaniards to get proportions of wine and graine from their countries whereby it fell out that the same subiect serued for a foundation whereon to build the two sundry opinions In this manner was the time spent without any certaine resolution so as the Ambassador Contaren hauing continued his iourney and receiued no new commandement from the Senate arriued at Venice and Cantelmo departed thence without any commission These irresolutions gaue the Emperor some hope who espied al occasions to breake the negociation of peace with Soliman and once more to draw the Venetians to confirme the league therefore supposing that there was nothing which could better further his intention then to make them beleeue that he was friends with the French King and that being thereby freed from all other lets he would employ all his forces vpon the enterprize of the Leuant and that the French King would aide and fauour the league determined to send some noble personage to Venice perswading the King to doe the like to acquaint the Venetians with the enteruiew and to discouer somewhat of their intentions The Marquis of Guasto who was gouernor of Milan for the Emperor and the Lord of Annebault Marshall of France and Generall for the most Christian King in Piedmont came to Venice vpon the tenth day of December Their entertainment was magnificent as well in regard of the Princes greatnesse that sent them as for the quality and nobility of the persons great numbers of Senators went to meet them with the Bucentaur and seuen Gallies then they were lodged in a goodly pallace and their expence defraied by the Signory Their first audience was giuen them in the great Hall where the great Councell is held in the presence of many people where there were no other speeches vsed but complementall and of
come to this last point to leaue her deere and welbeloued subiects vnder a tyrants power made great prouisions of Armes beene at excessiue expences and at last vndergone for a time the insupportable burthen of warre But what greater signe of loue can the Common welth shew vnto yee in this present affliction then to promise as it doth vnto al those who are willing to depart to giue them another fit dwelling place wherein they may safely liue vnder her protection and to helpe fauour and nourish them The ancient Sages said how that the same place may be truly termed a mans Countrey where hee liueth well but what better thing is there or more to be desired then to liue vnder the moderate gouernment of a good Prince yee shall remaine vnder the gouernement of the Common wealth wee will find yee out a dwelling place in an other Countrey where yee may liue if not so commodiously as heere at leastwise more safely and free from the continuall dangers and alarmes of the Turks to which I may truly say that yee were dayly exposed Diuers nations their numbers waxing ouer great at home haue of their owne free-will departed from their natiue Cuntrey haue followed fortune seeking by armes for new and vncertaine habitations In miseries and calamities to haue a certaine and assured refuge carrieth with it such a comfort as a man doeth oâ—…ten-times remember things past with greater contentation Without all doubt our cheifest desire hath beene to haue still liued at peace not to haue had the enemies to come and beseege this Citty not to haue purposed to take it by force or if this should happen to haue had greater forces to resist and repulse their attempts But seing neither the one or other was in our power or yours what other thing is ther now to be done in this State that we stand but for vs to performe the duty of a good Prince Father and Pastor of his people to defend vnder our safeguard and protection your persons seeing that we cannot preserue and beare from hence the houses and walls of this Citty and for you to comfort your selues with the loue of your Prince to fit your selues to time and to make vse of necessity your persons shall be preserued your posterity shall encrease and of you beeing valiant fathers shall be borne generous Children who knoweth but that some of them may one day reuenge your wronges so great is the change of humaine affaires whereunto the greatest Empiers are no lesse subiect then the meanest things on earth It is certaine that the Common-wealth will euer retaine the same will and desire to take armes against these enemies so soone as it shall perceiue the Christian Princes so well vnited together as it may hope for som commodity thereby and bee able to doe some notable seruice to Christendome Therefore as it is necessary so is it great discretion and a gallant resolution to seeke to liue in safety and still hope for better and better Whilest the Generall did thus comfort them all men did shed warme teares being no lesse moued by loue then by greefe and sorrow The Generall after-wards did make the same remonstrance to those of Maluesia whereby the poore people beginning by little and little to bee resolued the greatest number of them prepared for their departure carrying with them their best and deerest wealth And so within a while after in the moneth of Nouember the treaty of peace beeing confirmed and ratified the Prouidator Contaren came thither with twenty Gallies and diuers other Vessells of all sorts in which hauing imbarked the artillery munitions soldiers those inhabitants who were willing to depart with their bagage consigned as it was decreed those two townes into the hands of Cassin Bascha of Morea who came thither with smale forces All matters being in this sort pacified the Generall and the Prouidator did disarme leauing only abroad the ordinary number of Gallies for the gard of the Gulph But so soone as the Prouidator Contaren came to Venice he was called into question by Petro Moceniga Auogator for the common-wealth to answer according to the Senates decree made three yeares before for that which hee had done in Puglia when he sanke the Turkish Gally but the matter being debated in Senate and diuers Senators defending Contarens cause the Commandement of the Auogatore was declared to bee of none effect and Contaren was wholy acquitted in regard of the worthinesse of his good seruices done during the time of that warre No other thing worthy of Memory hapned during this yeare 1540. which was made notable by the peace concluded with the Turkes which continued for the space of thirty yeares The end of the third Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the fourth Booke of the sixth Decade THE occasion of the warre of Hungary Soliman determineth to make warre in Austria The French king resolueth to make vse of the Turkish forces against the Emperor who had broken promise with him The Imperialls doe murther Rincon and Fregosa going in Ambassage from the most Christian king to Soliman The Emperor granteth the Interim in Germany The Senate deny the Pope the holding of a Councel at Vincenza The Accord betwixt the Turke and the Venetians is confirmed The Venetians are discontented because there was not a particular Duke of Milan An Enterùiew betwixt the Pope and Emperor at Luca. The French King being incensed against the Emperor doth at one time prepare three armies against him Maran is taken from Ferdinand A league betwixt the Emperor and Henry King of England against the French King Barbarosâ—…a with his Army aideth the French King Enteruiew betwixt the Pope and the Emperour at Basset The Turkish Army in Hungary Maran by agreement remayneth to the Venetians The English men take Boloin Peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King Trruce graunted betwixt the Emperor and Ferdinand on the one side and Soliman on the other The Pope giueth Parma and Placentia in title of Dutchy to Petro Lodouico And lastly the great contentions betwixt the Emperor and the French King which were the causes of the quiet of Italy The fourth Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice PEACE being in this manner concluded betixt Soliman and the Venetians as hath beene said and the Venetians hauing elsewhere no warre with any Christian Princes they did hope after so many toyles and trauaills of warre to see an age full of peace and felicity For Soliman made shew that hee was disposed to make a generall truce for a long time with the Princes of Christendome Wherein the French Ambassador did much good who assured them that he held the to â—…all resolution thereof in his owne hand and that which made them to giue more credit to his speeches was because though the fleet were ready to set saile yet Barbarossa his iourney was held doubtfull and beside no preparation at all for a land army was made
other matter he was desirous to continew in his neutralitiy to the end that he might obtaine first to haue the state of Milan deliuered into the hands of Octauiano Farnese as Guardian thereof and to yeeeld to the Emperor and the French King a certaine homage til such time as they should find out some more assured meanes of Agreement wherin he presumed that the Venetians would interpose their authority The Venetians perceiuing that they proceeded slowely in that businesse and with small hope beeing desirous not to giue the Turkes any occasion of suspition did abstaine from it notwithstanding that they were diuers times sollicited by the Emperor to send their Ambassadors to Luca where the Pope and hee were to meet In all other matters they had neuer failed in their duty to the Emperor They had giuen passage through their state to the Almaine footmen leuied for the iourney of Affrick and so soone as they vnderstood of his comming into Italy by the way of Trent they appoynted foure Ambassadors to weet Iohn Antonio Veniero Nicholao Tepulo Marc Antonio Contaren and Vincenzo Grimani who entertained him very honorably vpō the Verona territory and attended vpon him so long as he remained vpon their State which was for the space of two dayes for beeing come to Pescara he entered the Mantuan territory from whence afterward he went to Milan from thence to Genoa and then to Luca where hee met with the Pope with whom hauing made some small abode he pursued his iourney for the enterprize of Affrick which succeeded badly as it had beene foretold for hauing landed his soldiers vppon the sands of Argier he found more resistance in the Garrison of the Citty then hee did expect and did besides receiue great hurt by the Arabian horsemen procured by the Turks who comming vpon them with great celerity and fighting in a new and vnusuall manner with our soldiers did preuent all their deseignes and the businesse beeing drawne forth in length great harme happened for their arose so terrible a tempest at Sea as the ships beeing not able to ride at Ankor by reason of the force of the wind som of them were driuen on shoare and the others to Seaward in the midest of the tempest So as hauing lost diuers of his vessells and the residue beeing sore brused and beaten the Emperor was enforced to giue ouer his enterprize Diuers men of note dyed in that voyage by diseases and bad ayre and among others Marin Iustiniano Ambassador for the Signory who by the Senates command had still followed the Emperor and Doctor Nicholao de Ponte who at that time was gouernour of Vdina was sent in his place During the Emperors iourny the French King was not at quiet who being mightily incensed as hath beene said against the Emperor thought on nothing but meanes how to be reuenged of these wrongs which he had offered him therefore by meanes of his Ambassadors whom he sent to Luca to meet the Pope he had earnestly entreated his Holinesse to declare the truce made at Nice by his owne meanes and authority to be broken and infringed by the murther of Fregosa and Rincon the better to let all men see the iustice of his cause But resoluing by all meanes to preuaile by force he did with greater vehemency reuiue his former conceits to preuent the Emperor by meanes of the Turkes aid and friendship whereupon he determined to send back Polin to Constantinople to treat in particular of the comming of the Army against the Emperor and as he passed along to vse new meanes to draw the Venetians to his party Polin then beeing come to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople he with the Bishop of Montpellier ordinary Ambassador to the King came into the Councell of the Tenne according to the vsuall custome of secret audiences where they discharged their commission from their Prince Polin siriuing very much by a long oration to perswade the Senators by a new aliance to embrace the Kings friendship But all his discourse and goodly reasons could not preuaile with the Senators to make them alter their opinion or to draw them to any new alliance thereby to entangle them in a new warre Therfore that businesse being referred to the Senate their resolution with a generall consent of them all was like to that of the councel of the Tenne to giue the lame answer to the French Ambassadors as was made to Ianusby How that the Common wealth did deerely account of the French Kings friendship the which for their parts they would euer constantly and inuiolably maintaine yet neuerthe lesse they determined to liue at peace wi◅h other Princes not to enterprize any thing which might procure war betwixt them Polin after this answere being inbarked in the Venetian Gallies sailed into Albania and from thence pursued his iourny towards Constantinople with a certaine assurance to cause the Turkish army to march whither he would desire but the deseignes of the French tooke none effect for that yeare either because it was already to far spent to make great preparations and to execute all at one time or else because Soliman had setled all his thoughts vpon the enterprize of Hungary making account to goe thither in person with a farre greater army The French King in the meane time resoluing on warre had raised three armies the one conducted by my Lord the Daulphin went to beseege Perpignan the other commanded by my Lord the Duke of Orleance marched to enuade the French County and Luxembourg the third greater then any of the rest by reason of the supplies of the Duke of Cleaues gouerned by the Duke of Vendosme Prince of the blood of France entred Flanders by the country of Artois But all these forces did by the report of such great prouisions more am aze then hurt the Emperor because that the Daulphin finding Perpignan to be suffitiently fortified by the Duke of Alua returned without any notable exploit the Duke of Orleans on the other side did but scoure and wast the country Wherevpon the French King perceiuing all his deseigns were to no purpose did greatly taxe Soliman and the Venetians because they had not taken Armes to fauour his party whilest the Emperor was busied else-where The King being thus discontented was the more incensed against the Venetians thorow the bad offices of the Bishop of Montpellier his Ambassador so as Polin being informed of his Maisters discontent did openly in all places oppose himselfe against the Venetians affaires scandalizing the Baily and the Common-wealth and because he hoped to haue the Turkish army the yeare following at his kings deuotion he said that it being once ready he would make the Venetians feele to their losse what great force his Kings pursuts and authority had against them The cause of the kings discontentment proceeded from that which is aboue mentioned for that they went armed and in troupes to the house of the French Ambassador to
knowing that therein he had done no great good seruice to Religion that he had broken with the Pope and nothing preuailed with the Almains wherevpon he sought to moderate the conditions with which it had beene published The Venetians on the other side perceiuing that the assembly of the councell though they would not openly hinder it was not pleasing to the Pope as being made in an vnfit time and place and by meanes not beseeming the dignity and authority of the sea Apostolike would not send their Ambassadors thither Concerning the accord treated of at Constantinople of which al men hoped for a prosperous end by meanes of a long truce of many yeeres certaine difficulties arising about the restitution of some few castles in Hungary it ended by a short suspension of armes for one yeere with an intent neuerthelesse as Solimans selfe did say and write to the French King that after the matter should bee well debated in Ferdinands Court the Ambassadours might returne to the Port the next yeere following with new Commissions to strenthen the peace with a longer terme In the meane time a new Contention arose betwixt the Turkes and the Venetians about the confines of Dalmatia where the Sangiacks of Bossina and Clissa being desirous to disturbe the peace for their owne particular profit or else to spoile the country or to receiue so me presents of the Venetians would haue vsurped a great part of the territory of Zara saying that a country contayning nine and forty villages did belong vnto them as dependances of the castles of Nadin and Laurana which by the last accord remayning to the great Lord they said did likewise belong vnto him with all their territories wherevpon they forbad the inhabitants of those places vpon grieuous penalties to acknowledge any other Lord but Soliman This new trouble did greatly vex the Venetians the country in question being of great importance both for it selfe and for the preseruation of the city of Zara and although their reasons were vnreasonable in regard that Nadin and Laurana small castles had no territory belonging vnto them but did with the other villages nere adioyning depend on Zara the chiefe city of the Prouince yet neuerthelesse fearing least the strange and insolent proceedings which the Turkes are wont to vse in such businesses who hold it for a law that the whole country whereon the horse of the great Lord hath once trod doth belong vnto them might occasion longer strife had recourse to Soliman who referring the decission of that controuersie to the Sangiac of Chersega and to two Cadis these men are ordinary iudges in law was desirous to haue whatsoeuer they should set downe to be executed who were to meet in the same place with the Commissioners of the Signory The Senate did for that purpose choose Lodouico Rayniero who handled the businesse so wisely and discreetly with the Turkish officers as the whole territory in question was quietly adiudged to the Republike of Venice The same yeere deceassed Prince Landi leauing behind him a great and singular reputation to haue well and wisely gouerned the Common-wealth for the space of sixe yeeres and eight monthes and lieth buried in Saint Antonies Church Francesco Donato was chosen in his place FRANCESCO DONATO the seuenty ninth Duke ABout the beginning of the yeere 1546. all those that desired the peace of Italy were afraide least it would be shortly shaken with new troubles because that the peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King the principall Articles thereof taking none effect was so badly assured as there wanted nothing but a fit time to take armes The French King by the sodaine death of his sonne the Duke of Orleance hauing not obtained the Duchie of Milan promised vnto him by meanes of the marriage had not for all that lost his desire to recouer it the Duke of Sauoy likewise could not be restored of his State the King still detayning it vpon sundry pretences hoping to enforce the Emperor to some other conditions by the restitution thereof seeking thereby to obtaine his desire An other new matter happened in Italy which gaue cause of feare of some new troubles for the Pope perceiuing al his deseignes to fal out contrary to his desire for the aduancement of his house hauing cut off from the Churches demaines the cities of Parma and Placentia which Pope Iulius the second had annexed therevnto gaue them in see to Petro Lodouico his son on condition to pay a yeerely rent of eight thousand crownes to the Church and in recompence thereof to make ouer to the sea Apostolike the Dutchy of Camerin and the Signory of Nepi wherwith his son Octanio had beene inuested This Cession did so much displease the Emperor as he could by no meanes be induced to giue the Pope the inuestiture of those two cities which he demanded hauing beene in formet time incorporated into the Dutchy of Milan This resusal of the Emperor had equally incensed both the father and the son so that Petro Lodouico would willingly haue embraced the first occasion offered against the Emperour and the Pope distrusting both the Emperour and the French King resolued by all meanes to maintaine and defend what he had done concerning the erection of the new Dutchy in the person of his sonne who discoursing with the Venetian Ambassadour told him into what danger Italy was like to fail so soone as the French King should be at peace with the King of England which at that time was treated of and that the Emperor if he could not at the Dyet of Ratisbon draw the Protestant Princes to his desire would bee enforced to make warre vpon them therefore he did exhort the Senate to ioyne with him a firme and sound intelligence as it behooued them for their common interests and for a greater assurance he caused the new Duke to send Augustino de Landes his Ambassador to Venice who acquainting them with the new grade and dignity which he had lately obtained did in his name offer both his State and person to the seruice of the Signory The Senate did very louingly thanke him for his offers offering him the selfe same but in generall termes which could not tie them to any thing because they would not thereby giue his Holinesse any hope by their meanes to raise any troubles in Italy then prouiding for the defense of their owne States and foreseeing what might happen they tooke into the seruice of the Common wealth Guido Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin in quallity of Generall of their forces by land with a yeerely pension of fiue thousand crownes and fifteene thousand crownes for an hundred men at armes and a hundred light horse which he was bound to haue continually ready for the seruice of the Signory But the troubles wherein the Emperor and the French King were engaged was cause of the safety of Italy because that the one notwithstanding all his attempts could not get Bolloigne
none but forraine soldiers and especially the Italian Fantery leuied by the Pope whereuppon to stoppe their passage they did write louingly to the Venetians and by putting them in mind of the antient freindship betwixt the Germaine nation and them they entreated them not to giue passage to those through their territories who came only to offend them and to serue the Emperor who went about to bring Germany into seruitude The Senate answered that it did hold their freindship deere which they had euer embraced generaly that of all Germany but their Countrey being open and Champaine they could not stoppe the soldiers passage but with great forces which they were wont to employ but against open enemies Within a while after they receiued particular letters from the Duke of Saxony and the Landgraue of Hesse which acquainting them with their deseignes and how that for their owne defense they had beene enforced to take armes did ernestly entreate them to lend them a certaine summe of money The King of England did greatly fauour his demand by his Secretary residing at Venice who presented his letters that King being distasted of the Emperor but the Senate making still one answer said that it did hold those Princes for their good and trusty freinds and did wish them all prosperity and aduancement but that they could not satisfie their request without offending other Princes with whom they were in league and freindship which they did mean to maintaine and that these respects excepted they did greatly affect the Germaine nation Those of Ausbourg likewsie hauing by their letters and by an expresse messenger recommended their Marchants to the Senate many of whom were retired to Venice and greater numbers comming daily thither for feare of those trobles were kindly answered that their Cittizens with all others of any other Citties of Germany which came to Venice should be very welcome and vsed as their owne Cittizens as they had beene in former times Now Whilest either party was busied in making preparations for warre and that already great numbers of soldiers raised in Italy were ready to march a rumor was spred abroad how that both sides were at peace and become freinds the Capitulations whereof beeing vnknowne and no Postes beeing sent abroad into all places to publish it did sufficiently manifest that it was nothing so yet neuerthelesse these sodaine newes did amaze the Venetians considering that such great numbers of soldiers which at that time filled all Italy were sufficient to affright other mens states which were vnfurnished of force whenso euer they should bee desirous to turne their Armes vpon any other enterprize The Pope hauing intelligence of the Venetians doubt and fearing least the Senate would determine for their safety to league themselues with some other with a resolution cleane contrary to his deseignes did enter into a long discourse with the Ambassador for the Signory telling him how that for the Common good â—…hee had euermore beene carefull of the peace and quiet of Italy with a particular desire to aduance whatsoeuer did belong to the safety and greatnesse of the Venetian Common-wealth wherefore he willed him to assure the Senate of his good meaning that they might continew their sound intelligence with him seeing that thereby they should preserue one anothers states in safety yea and all Italy beside that he was desirous at that time to reuiue that discourse when he was armed and out of danger to be outraged to let them know that it was not feare but a true and zealous loue that mooued him so to discourse with him and to open vnto him the secret of his thoughtes The treaties of peace being broken and the Armies on both sides in the field the Protestants seeking to do that of themselues which they could not obtaine of others namely to stop the Italians passage which were comming against them went to seaze vpon the Castle of Chiusa a place in the County of Tiroll seated among the mountaines by which they supposed that the enemies would passe but the Pope and Emperors Armies keeping the way that leadeth neerer to Ispruch entred the Dutchy of Bauaria and from thence went to Ratisbon where the Emperor with his other forces expected them The two armies as well that of the Emperor as the enemies continued a long time idle each of them watching for some aduantage notwithstanding that they were oftentimes so neere together as sundry great skirmishes were many times made in one an others view without comming to battaile which the Emperor being wel aduised did as much as in him lay seeke to auoid the better to draw the businesse out in length and to defeat the enemies who were many heads of seuerall minds by temporizing the which he did For the soldiers and the townes beginning to loose their former great opinion of beeing soone able to vanquish and defeate the Emperor and to feele the discomodities of tedious contributions towards the wars King Ferdinand hauing on the other side entred Duke Iohn Fredericks State with a mighty army accompanied by Duke Maurice of Saxony his enemy there arose such a confusion and amazement in the enemies Campe as suffering diuers Castles to be taken before their faces and their Army dissoluing of it selfe the Emperor might in a short space contrary to his expectation giue an end to that dangerous warre For hauing by these fortunate euents purchased great fame and reputation diuers of those Protestant Princes and free townes returned to their obedience and begged pardon so as in a few monethes space he wonne a great part of the Contries of those great Lords and mighty Common-wealthes the which he had scarcely hoped to be able to haue done in a long time and with great labour and trauell This Warre thus ended winter being already come the Emperor dismissed the Popes troopes which being disbanded returned back into Italy The Cardinall Farnese the Popes nephew who had beene his Legat in that Army returning towards Rome was desirous as he passed along to see the Citty of Venice where hauing notice that they made preparations for his entertainment he determined to goe thither in priuate where he was so well receiued and entertained of all men both in publique and priuate as he departed from thence well satisfied and contented The Farneses not long before at the Popes request had beene receiued into the number of the Venetian Gentlemen in all places so highly reckoned of both for the ancient gouernment of the Common-wealth and for the name of liberty which they haue euer inuiolably maintained together with the dignity and command of great dominions And because occasion is now offered by the way to speak sumwhat of this nobility we wil breefly make some mention thereof The Venetians do call those Gentlemen that haue a share in the gouernment of the Common-wealth that is to say those that haue authority to elect the publick magistrates and may
this word faction hatcht at Rome about Ecclesiasticall dignities might afterwards slippe among them and infect the Common-wealth and this is the reason why they haue abstained from it Now after a long strife Giouan Maria Cardinall of Monte was for his sanctity created Pope who was borne at Mont S. Seue inâ—… in Tuscany a man who obteining the dignity of Cardinal not by fauour of Nobility or help of kindred was reputed to be very vertuous and especially to be a man newter the Venetians being very ioyfull for this election were perswaded that he depending no more on the Emperor then on the French King they might procure him to hold them both for friends and mediate likewise betwixt them and especially in Italy a firme peace Wherevpon the Senate did speedily write to Matteo Dandulo their Ambassador at Rome to congratulate Pope Iulâ—…us for so the new Pope would be termed who was the third of that name with great demonstration of friendship and entire affection then within a while after determining to send a solemne Ambassage to him to present their vsual and due obedience foure of the chiefe Senators were chosen namely Philippo Tron Francesco Contaren Marc-Antonio Venieri and Nicolao de Ponte But the effects did in no sort answer the hope which men had conceiued of this new Pope and especially in that all men did expect desire namely that he would appease the troubles prouide for the quiet of Christendom and for the safety of Italy For addicting himselfe to buildings and other vaine matters he seemed to contemne serious things and such as beseemed the ranck grade which he held and the miserable condition of those times in which Christendome was in diuerse places much afflicted For notwithstanding that peace ensued betwixt France and England all men did neuerthelesse perceiue that the same peace was the beginning of a farre greater warre For 〈◊〉 the French King beeing greedy of Fame and finding him-selfe freed from the warre with the English hauing recouered the towne of Bulloigne could not long liue in quiet for Horatio Farnese comming into France to entreate his Maiestie to take his house himselfe and brother into his protection and to defend and keepe the Citty of Parma things which had beene already motioned by others he was very kindly welcommed and the King did embrace his protection vpon certaine conditions beeing desirous to disturbe the peace of Italy whereby he might afterwards haue a more open occasion to take armes against the Emperor hoping more-ouer although the matter fell out very diuersly that it would open him away either to vnite himselfe more strictly with the Pope or at least to disioyne him from the Emperor by taking vpon him to defend a vassall of the Church whom the Emperor went about to oppresse and ruine the Popes entreaties beeing of no force to make him desist from his enterprise by meanes whereof fire was already much kindled in the heart of Italy King Ferdinand on the other side hoping vnder coullor of some contention betwixt the Barons of the Realme of Hungary and certaine rebellion hapned in Transiluania to bee able to impatronize that Prouince departed from Augustâ—… vpon sundry promises of ayde which the Emperor had made to him the better to induce him to quit the succession of the Empire to his sonne Philip and went into Austria where he had already assembled a Dyet to leuy men and money for such an enterprize it was besides reported that Soliman at his returne from Persia to Constantinople could not endure that the young King of Hungary who was vnder his protection should be so dispoiled of part of his dominions as also for that hee accounted the fiue yeares truce to haue beene broken by Doria who â—…ad taken certaine places froâ—… him in Affrick held by Dragut which he had manned with Spanish Garrisons â—…o that all these things beeing exactly considered were presages of great warres These accidents did greatly displease the Venetians and by so much the more as they were in hope to prolong the truce for a longer time Soliman beeing come to Constantinople beeing willing to shew how desirous hee was to continue friend to the Venetians sent a Chiaus to Venice to acquaint them with his returne from Persia with his happy successe exâ—…olling according to the manner of that nation all his exploits done there saying That in regard hee found the Persians stronger then he expected his attempts had not succeeded to his desire The Senate beeing desirous still to enterteine Solimans friendship resolued to do the like by him and to send an Ambassador to his Port wherevpon Catherin Zene was appointed to that end who although he was foure score and foure yeares of age did not refuse to vndertake so long and tedious a iourney for the seruice of his counâ—…rey His Ambassage was to great purpose for by his wisdom he caused to be troden vnder foot the complaints which the Turkes made for the death of Saba Râ—…is so often reiterated wherevpon Soliman promised that it should neuer more bee remembred In this manner was the yeare 1550. spent famous of it selfe ouer all Christendome it beeing the yeare of Iubilee but it was more noted by the publication of the Councell of Trent whither speedily from all places diuerse Prelates began to come then there hapned a great dearth of corne which was in a manner generall but greater in Italy then in other places whereby it behooued Princes to open their treasures for the reliefe of their poore subiects and in particular the Signiory of Venice who prouiding with singular bounty and affection for the necessity of the people of the Citty and other their subiects gaue great guifts to such as brought come to Venice to prouoke those of forraine countries to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 which was afterwards distributed among other Townes of their obedience The yeare following 1551. did open great warres ouer all Italy whereof the Pope by his 〈◊〉 rather then of malice was the chiefe Author who by little and little falling from his first resolution did publish monitories against Octanio Farnese of whom not long before himselfe had taken vpon him the defense and tuition accusing and cursing the French Kings protection of the citty of Parma although that according to the common report when hee was made acquainted therewith hee seemed to allow it or at least in no sort to contradict it Hee did not consider how that by his ordinary reuiling of the French and the Farneses he did enforce them to league themselues more strictly together and to augment their forces which hee hauing no meanes to resist in that hee had not prouided in time was enforced to haue recourse to the Emperor who for the very selfe same matter of Parma was displeased with him Hee was by little and little falne into these inconueniences by the craft of the the Imperials vnknowne to him his owne seruants in
regard of their particular profit not caring to let him know the truth giuing credit to the dissimulation of other men and enterteining him in the meane time with vaine suspitions whereby without knowing it he had in a manner giuen ouer his neutrallity and had giuen occasion of disturbing that peace for which hee had so much sought to purchase fame and glory The Venetians had often dealt with his Holynesse for the appeasiâ—…g of these troubles fore-seeing the long and dangerous warre that might proceed from them hapning then in a bad time for Italy in regard of Solimans great preparations to enuade Christendome by sea and land and by putting him in minde that it was his duty as the common father to mediate peace betwixt Princes and in no sort to shew himselfe partiall but neuter as he had determined at the beginning they caused him to consent to procure some accord Wherevpon within a while after hee sent the Cardinall of Medicis to Parma who was brother to the Marquis of Marignan and kinsman to the Duke of Parma offering to giue him the Dutchy of Camerin and Nepi in recompence of Parma the which should remaine to the Church whereof hee forthwith aduertised the Emperor assuring him that the Venetians councel had made him to resolue thereon the Pope supposing that the Emperor would easily condiscend to that agreement as well because it was reasonable as for feare likewise that by refusing it he should league himselfe against him and augment the French faction in Italy which would bee dangerous for the kingdome of Naples in regard of the great troubles raised there at the same time It was thought that the Emperor was willing of himselfe to haue granted it but that he was altered by his seruants and officers and especially by Don Diego de Mendoza his Ambassador at Rome and by Don Ferrant de Gonzaga Gouernor of the State of Milan shewing therein as it was openly spoken their particular hatred to the Ferneses But the Pope perceiuing that it did not please the Emperor and not daring for feare of his forces to displease him fell to his former resolution to pursue the Farneses by Armes who beeing already strictly allyed to the French King would no more accept of that offer Warre then beeing kindled in Italy the French King hauing sent ayde to the Farneses and the Emperor to the Pope it increased in such sort as the Pope entring into some distrust of the Emperors deseignes and actions detesting openly his officers manner of proceedings repented for what hee had done and sought occasions to with-draw himselfe from him Wherevpon hee determined to send his nephew Ascanio de la Cornia to the French King to perswade him to lay downe Armes and to consent to some agreement by putting him in minde of the difficulty of his enterprize defending a Citty so farre off from his kingdome not long after hee sent Achilles de Grassis to Venice whose comming although it seemed to be only for the iustifying of his actions and in counter change of so many good offices which the Venetians had done to him was neuerthelesse to entreat them to bee a meanes to draw the French King and the Duke to some agreement which the Senate did not greatly deny so as they might see any hope of beeing able therby to aduance the common good Now Ascanio beeing returned from France reported that the King had vsed many goodly speeches and seemed willing of agreement and had likewise caused Octauio to giue consent that Parma should returne to the Church prouided that the Emperor would doe the like by the Castles and strong Townes which hee held vppon the Parmesan and that hee would not with-draw his forces from Parma till such time as hee were well assured that it should neuer more returne vnder the Emperors power Wherevpon sundry difficulties arising all men perceiued that the proposition tended onely to draw the businesse out in length and to weaken the affaires of warre rather then to any firme peace so as at last al their care on either side was to strengthen themselues with soldiers and other necessary things for warre The King still sent troopes into Italy vnder the command of the Duke of Neuers and other Captaines causing Pietro Strossi to make an other leuie of soldiers in Mirandola The Pope and the Emperor did the like so as those two Armies Ecclesiasticall and Imperial beeing ioyned together amounted well neere to fifteene thousand footmen with great numbers of horse of whom Don Ferrant de Gonzaga was Generall but Strossi his wit and dilligence was to bee admired who on a sodaine going forth of Mirandola entred vppon the Bolognois scouring and wasting the Countrey with such terror as the Pope beginning to stand in doubt not onely of Bolognia but likewise of Rauenna and other places in Romagnia was compelled to call his forces foorth of the Parmesan and to command them to goe speedily to the Bolognois to the reskew of their fellowes whereof Strossi taking aduantage did with great speed march towards the Parmesan and entred with great numbers of footmen and store of victualls into Parma in regarde whereof the assailants beeing out of hope to take it of a long time did perceiue that the warre would long continue The Venetians in the meane time looking warily to all matters and not willing by any means to depend on any but on themselues determined to leuy foure thousand foot and fiue hundred light horse with whom hauing encreased the garrisons of their frontier townes and caused most of their best Captaines to goe thither they were watchfull for the guard of whatsoeuer did belong vnto them The Duke of Florence on the other side beeing greatly obliged to the Emperor did openly fauour his party both with men and money not with any intent to feed this fire which hee would willingly haue seene quenched but because hee would not haue him thinke sinisterly of him for he likewise with the other Princes of Italy did not allow of the behauiour of the Emperors officers nor yet of his desiegnes suspecting them very much and especially in regard of a new Castle which he had lately built in Sienna which was commonly termed Il Ceppo délla Toscana As for the Duke of Ferrara although as a vassall to the Church it behooued him to beare himselfe discreetly in that businesse yet neuerthelesse following his owne passion hee did secretly ayde the French faction Wherevpon the Imperialls to keepe all succours from the besieged on that side did seaze vpon Brisselles and on two other small Castles of the Dukes seated on the frontier Wherewith the Duke being greatly mooued sent Ieronimo Serafino his Ambassador to Venice to craue as he said the Senates aduise after what manner hee should behaue himselfe in so miserable a time resoluing to follow their councell and especially in their neutrallity but finding himselfe too weake of himselfe to doe it
keepe his troopes idle he marched toward the Dutchy of Luxembourg where he conquered diuers places of importance and among others the Castle of Monualier accounted the key of that countrey in which the Count Manâ—…felt was taken who was Gouernour thereof for the Emperor Then propounding to himselfe other important deseignes he determined to fashion himselfe in some sort to the Pope that he might disioyne him from the Emperor wherby he obtained at last that for Parma and Mirandola there should be betwixt the Sea Apostolicke and the Croune of France a suspention of Armes for two yeares During these practises the Prince of Salerno came to the Kinges Campe who propounding vnto him the enterprize of Naples his Maiesty did willingly harken vnto it entring into discourse with him what forces would be sufficient and what meanes were to be vsed for the execution of that enterprize for which the Prince hauing made great offers to the King and promised diuers matters grounded chiefly vpon the peoples desire to shake of the Spanish yoake and to cast themselues betwixt his armes the King concluded that he should be the cheife of that enterprize This Prince leauing the Realme of Naples by reason of some contention betwixt him and Don Pedro de Toledo the Viceroy and for hatred to the Emperor because hee maintained his enemy against him came to Padua where for a time he remained then determining to be reuenged of his wrongs and of the small account the Emperor made of him hee resolued to goe into France but he was desirous first to passe by Venice to conferre with the Senators concerning his deseignes that he might the better informe the King of their meaning conferring the proposition that he intended to make vnto him And beeing brought vnto the Senate he began with a long and eloquenâ—… speech to set forth the occasion which then offered it selfe to them for the recouery of those Townes and hauens which they had in former times possessed on the coast of Puglia for assuring themselues against the Emperors greatnesse going about thereby to sound their meaning concerning such an enterprize if the French King should propound it vnto them seeing that the Neopolitans were tired with the Spanish gouernment and wearied with the Viceroyes pride and tyrany who was not only backt and maintained by the Emperor but highly reconed and esteemed of him and cheifly in regard of the inquisition which hee went about to bring into that Kingdome to the persecution and ruine of the Nobility who beeing no longer able to endure such bondage were resolued to embrace any other party whatsoeuer rather then to continue vnder the Emperors obedience who did so contemne and ouer-maister them That the selfe same reasons had beene already represented to the French King who tooke great compassion of their misery and calamtiy and had likewise as a magnanimous Prince freely embraced their protection and promised to aid them in all he might which hee had put off til some other time that he might performe it with such an army as hee desired Therefore added this Prince it behooueth the Venetian Senate more then any others to listen to that enterprize as an Italian Prince a louer of liberty and most potent at Sea and one that may lay iust claime to some part of that Kingdome that there was no alliance more profitable to their Common-wealth then that of the Crowne of France as thiâ—… ges past could giue them sufficient testimony and in particular the King then beeing who did so deerely loue their Republique as it might hope to obtaine any thing how great so-euer it were But what greater commodity said he can bee hoped for then that which now offereth it selfe And what greater trouble and vexation of mind can there happen vnto the Emperour then that where-in hee is presently wrapped by the warres of Germany and by the preparations where-with the Turke threatneth his brother Ferdinand But aboue all other thinges the mature iudgement and wisdome of the Venetian Senate ought to be well aduised and not to suffer the Neopolitans destitute of all aid and succour to cast themselues headlong by constraint and necessity into a wretched resolution not only hurtfull to themselues but much more to others by hauing recourse to Solimans protection who was vpon the point of sending a very mighty army into the field they beeing determined so to doe for their last refuge All these reasons and remonstrances would not preuaile with the Senators none amongst them beeing of opinion to accept their offers whereupon the Prince was dismissed with this answere That they did much lament the discommodity of the time and particularly his owne toyles and sorrowes extenuating the importance of the businesse which merited a long and more mature deliberation yet neuerthelesse this Prince going afterwards as hath beene said into France and acquainting the King with his deleigne he heard him and resolued to execute that which hee had propounded At the same time as the French King did ruminate in his mind certaine doubts concerning that enterprize he receiued newes which did confirme him to execute it namely the vexations and trobles where vnto the Emperor was reduced which were such and so great as he verily seemed to be forsaken of that good Genius which had euer waited vpon him in all his actions with wonderfull prosperity Duke Maurice and the other Confederates holding on their way towards Ispruch and beeing come to the pace of Chiusa neere to Fussen which was strong and narrow in the conseruation whereof the Imperialls had placed their cheefest hope by stopping the enemies passage they forced and tooke it opening themselues thereby a way to march to Ispruch without any contradiction The Emperor and his brother Ferdinand about midnight receiuing newes of the losse of this place hauiug but fiue hundred horse with them did sodainly leaue Ispruch went towards Persenon and from thence into the County of Tiroll then hauing inteligence that the enemies were at Ispruch meaning to march on farther they againe â—…ourneyed through sharpe and steepe mountaines and tarried in no place till they came to Villac where they continued in great feare and suspition being aduertised by such as came forth of Italy that they had seen great numbers of horse foot in the contrey of Frioul which made them to suspect thaâ—… the Venetians ioyned with the French Kings Almains had assembled those forces to ouerrun them This suspition proceeded from the passengers who had seene great numbers of horse which the Sauorgnians had assembled in those partes neere to the Castle of Osoff to meet the Count Gazuoles and to entertaine him at theiâ—… Castle who was going to the Emperor His maiesty had by so much more giuen credit as men are easily drawne to be leeue that which they desire or feare to these reports in regard of the pursuites and practizes of the Prince of Salerno so as being councelled whilest hee
meane time after that he had repaired and embellished the Ducall palace after the same manner as it is to be seene at this day and by his example animated diuers Senators to doe the like departed forth of this life to the great griefe of all men in the seuenth yeere and sixth month of his principallity and lieth buried in Saint Maries of Serui. MARC-ANTONIO TREVISAN the eighty Duke MARC-ANTONIO TREVISAN sonne to that Dominico Treuisan who was so renowned for his great seruice done to his country succeeded him after the accustomed manner He was a man of such integrity and holinesse of life as they had much to doe to perswade him to accept the dignity for being a good man and brought vp from his youth in all simplicity he knew not what ambition did meane At the last being enforced by his friends he consented to their pleasure with as great humillity and modesty as could be desired so as being feared and honoured of euery one he maintained iustice without any parciallity He found the Republike at peace both at home and abroad by the discreet gouernment of his predecessors who had cut off all occasions of warre with forraine Princes continuing still Newters In the meane time Cosmo Duke of Florence hauing declared himselfe against the Siennois sent Giouan Giacomo de Medicis Marquis of Marignan with Italian Spanish forces to assaile them The French King being incensed there at commanded Pietro Strossi his Lieutenant Generall in Italy to beseege the city of Florence to vse meanes to take it and to restore it to her former liberty expelling the Duke but the Marquis preuenting Strossi came with his forces vnlooked for in the night to assaile the city of Sienna and hauing at his first arriuall giuen iâ—… vpon one of the Gates the allarme was so hot as euery man ranne thither whereby he was repulsed and enforced to retire but with no losse of courage for in his retreate he seized on a fort builded with in a Harquebuze shot from the walles which the Lord of Termes had caused to be made there for the defense of the city and fortifying himselfe therein he could not be driuen thence by any meanes that the Siennois or Strossi could vse who vpon the report thereof came speedily to Sienna where for the safety of the city he caused an other fort to be built betwixt that of the enemies and the Gate forth of which they did vsually come to skirmish Strossi after that marching into the field with certaine troupes surprized Rodolfo Baillon and Ascania de la Corne who were going vpon an enterprize against Chiusi whom he put to rout slew Baillon and sent Ascanio prisoner to the King who did ransomlesse set him at liberty Thus passed this yeere 1553. which was full of warres in sundry places the next ensuing was not exempted from it and yet the Venetians were no way touched there with being spectators of other mens games they themselues hauing no hand therein though warre was very neere them as well in Tuscany as in Parma and Mirandola and afterwards in the Isle of Corse against the Geneuois the Emperors partisans In this manner did the city of Venice enioy an assured peace on euery side when on a morning Prince Treuisan being at Masse in the Hall of the Heads died sodainely of a faintnesse that tooke him proceeding according to the common report from to much abstinence hauing gouerned eleuen monthes and seuen and twenty daies hee lieth buried in the Church of the Saints Iohn and Paul FRANCISCO VENIERI the eighty one Duke FRANCISCO VENIERI a man of sixty foure yeers old was vpon the eleuenth of Iune chosen in his steed The Republike likewise was in his time at peace whilest fiers of warre flamed in all places neere vnto them and that no Prince or common-wealth of Italy but felt the misery thereof the armes of the French and the Imperials ranging euery where abroad In this sort was the yeere 1554. spent which in sundry places was full of warre desolation fiers smoke and ashes in the yeere following diuers alterations of State were seene For first Pope Iulius the third deceased on the three and twentith day of March whom the Cardinall Marcello Ceruin succeeding who was a Tuscan by Nation death within a while after buried both his name and memory Giouan Pietro Caraffa a Neapolitan called in former times the Cardinall Theatin was chosen in his place who being termed Paul the fourth did at his entrance put all men in great hope of a good reformation in the Church and of a generall peace to which he being not able to induce the Emperor and French King warre beganne to kindle more then before Sienna after a long seege did through want of Victuals yeeld to the Imperials and yet vpon honorable composition which was partly performed but not altogether The Emperor Charles at the same time bending vnder the burthen of worldly affaires and being discontented to see that great good fortune which had euer accompanied him in all his haughty enterprizes to giue place to that of the French King or else being touched with some remorse of conscience for hauing beene the occasion of so much bloudshed in Christendome in regard of the length of the sad precedent warres sent for his sonne Philip forth of England to Bruxels and resoluing to quit the Empire his owne Kingdomes and honours of this world did by authenticall letters of the fiue and twentith of October resigne vnto him all his Lands and Signories enioyning all his Estates and subiects to acknowledge him their true and lawfull King determining to withdraw himselfe as he afterwards did into a Monastery in Spaine hauing likewise renounced the administration of the Empire to King Ferdinand his brother and recommended him by letters to all the Princes and Potentates of Germany Philip then according to his fathers earnest exhortation seemed very much to encline to peace but in regard of the great difficulties which were found therein on either side truce was granted for fiue yeeres that in the meane time they might haue leisure to conclude a peace but this truce likewise was as soone broken as concluded being supposed to haue beene but a false baite to delay the prouisions of the French in Piedmont whilest the Duke of Alba should set forward wherevpon warre beganne againe more hotly then before to the great griefe of al men which continued the yeere following 1556. in which Prince Venieri being ill disposed of his person aud ordinarily sicke departed forth of this mortall life hauing grouerned two yeeres one month and one and twenty daies and is buried in Saint Sauiors Church LORENZO PRIVLI the eighty two Duke THE Senate being afterwards assembled according to the vsual manner did in his stead elect Lorenzo Priuli a man wise and learned At the beginning of his principallity the plague beganne to shew it selfe which within a while after ceased by the
the Duke of Neuers on the other side tooke diuers places in the country of Luxembourg as Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chygni Rossignoll Villeneufe and diuers others This happy successe did change the French mens sorrow into gladnesse their hearts still panting for that red and bloudy battaile of Saint Lawrence and chiefly at Court where the ioy was doubled in regard of the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene and Inheretrix of Scotland daughter to Iames the fifth and Mary of Lorraine daughter to Claude Duke of Guise and that of Charles Duke of Lorraine with Claude the younger daughter of France This ioy was accompanied with an other by reason of the taking of Thyonuille which after a long battery of fiue thirty great peeces of ordnance was yeelded vpon composition Great preparations for warre being after this manner dayly made Almighty God tooke pitty on the people and raised vp Mediators of peace betwixt those two great Kings the which at that time tooke no-effect in regard of the great difficulties which were presented But the death of Charles the fift happening in Spaine and that of his two sisters Flenor Queene Dowager of France and Queene Mary Dowager of Hungary who accompanied him Mary Queene of England died soone after which procured the accomplishment of the peace turning the bitternesse of the precedent warres into a pleasing sweetnesse of accord by meanes of the alliances made the yeere following 1559. For as the Commissioners of both Kings did treat together the death of Charles the fifth happening in September and that of Queene Mary of England in Nouember altered the place and time of that conclusion Peace was concluded in the castle of Cambresis by meanes of the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry and of Philibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with the Lady Marguerite the Kings only sister who tendred backe to the Spaniard whatsoeuer he had taken from him and to the Duke Sauoy and Piedmont and to the Geneuois Corsica But whilest the nuptials of the Kings daughter and sister were celebrated at Paris with all sports and delights that might be imagined this pleasant Commedy was turned into a mournfull and lamentable tragedy by King Henries death who being at tilt stricken into the eye with a splinter of a Lance died the eleuenth day after his hurt But to returne to the Venetians great numbers of pirats did at the same time scoure the Adriattick sea and by their vsuall spoiles and incursions did great harme on the sea coast of Dalmatia and Histria Matteo Bembo a discreet person and well experienced in many matters and Generall of the Venetians nauall army came forth of the Gulph of Corfou with twelue Gallies and with great speed pursued those Rouers gaue them chase and diâ—… greatly molest them who escaping into the Hauen of Durazzo those of the 〈◊〉 hauing taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their behalfe Bembo being incensed thereat not regarding the peace which the Venetians had with Soliman discharged his Cannons vpon the cities walles where some of the inhabitants were slaine and yet he could not seize on the Pirats The Turke tooke this battery and manner of proceeding in very bad part and determined to reuenge it the Venetians considering the losses and harme that might arise if they should breake peace with so potent a Lord did appease him both by presents and excuses banishing Bembo from their State being not able to apprehend him that they might giue him an exemplary punishment which did the more coole and appease Soliman On the other side by the death of Mary Queene of England Elizabeth her sister obtained the crowne To Henry the second succeeded Francis the second Daulphin of Viennois his eldest sonne of the age of sixteene yeeres At the same time died Pope Paul the fourth who being extreamly hated of the Roman people as well for the behauiour of his Nephewes as for the Inquisition which he had established in Rome before he had scarce giuen vp the ghost the people arose and being led by the chiefest of those that beene iniured by him ranne to the palace of the Inquisition from whence with their swords hauing driuen the Monkes they opened the prisons and set all the prisoners at liberty the like did they to all the other prisons in Rome then they went to the Capitoll where finding the brazen Statue which the Romans had erected in honour of the Pope at the beginning of his papacy in regard of the good offices he had done them they brake it in peeces and drag'd the head diuided from the body through the dirt and mire of the city that done they threw it into Tiber. The Venetians sent their Ambassadors to the new French King to congratulate according to their manner his comming to the crowne Nicolo de Pont Doctor and Knight and Bernardo Nouagera were appointed to that end and within a while after the Prince falling sicke deceased to the griefe of all men in regard of his integrity and learning he was buried in Saint Dominikes Church in the monument of his ancestors Then by the example of former times they chose Ieronimo Priuli brother to the deceased Duke a man very famous and of great Maiesty IERONIMO DE PRIVLI the 83. Duke AT the beginning of his gouernment Giouan Angelo de Medicis a Milanois brother to the late Marquis of Marignan was chosen Pope to the great contentment of all the Romans taking vpon him the name of Pius the fourth which was at the latter end of the yeere 1559. who to make his actions conformable to his name pardoned the people of Rome the commotion and mutiny made by them against his predecessor then seeing all Christendome at peace he tooke order that the generall councell begunne at Trent and broken off afterwards by reason of the warres should be reuiued And although he was by nature meeke and gentle yet neuerthelesse beeing enforced by the great complaints made vnto him against his predecessors Nephewes who during their vncles Papacy had committed infinite extortions hee imprisoned Charles and Alphonso Caraffi Cardinals the Duke of Palliano brother to Charles and two others of their nere kinsmen who their processe hauing beene made and considered by Iudges deputed to that end being found guilty of sundry bad crimes the Cardinall Charles was strangled in Castle Saint Angelo and forthwith buried the Duke of Palliano with his other kinsmen were beheaded in the tower of Nona and shewne afterwards in publike and Cardinall Alphonso as least culpable was sent home to his owne house by meanes of a pecuniary amends which hee paied and the office of Chamberlaine was taken from him About the same time died that famous Prince Andrew Doria being foure score and thirteene yeeres of age famous as well for the great enterprises he executed as for restoring the city of Genoa his natiue country to the liberty it enioyeth at
him in his Realme of Hungary determining hotly to pursue him but the Transiluanian being backt by the Turke enforced the Emperour to retire The end of the sixth Boke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the sixth Decade THE great hurt caused by the Inquisition after the manner of Spaine The Venetians beeing solicited by Pope Pius the fourth to receiue it doe excuse themselues because they would not trouble their Dominions with it The death of Pope Pius the fourth with the election of Pope Pius the fifth The death of Soliman before Zighet which is concealed by Mahomet Bascha Selim succeedeth Soliman The ceremony which is vsed in bringing Ambassadours into the presence of the great Lord with the forme of the oth which hee vseth to make The first motion of the enterprise of Cyprus by the Turkes And lastly Selims resolution to enuade the Isle of Cyprus The seuenth Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice THe Pope being desirous at the beginning of the yeere 1565. to pluckvp by the roots al heresies forth of Italy to diue into the very secret thoughts of men fearing least that Prouince should embrace heresies like others did throw it head-long into very great and difficult Labirinths which had almost caused an intestine warre in the country For he procured King Philip to establish the Inquisition after the manner of Spaine in Milan namely this sharpe and cruell inquisition by which the conuicted do loose both liues and goods to the great hinderance and vndoing of their heires Now King Phillip hauing written to the Senate of Milan that his pleasure was to haue the Inquisition of Spayne receiued into the Citty all the People began to mutine and take armes against the Spanish officers that went about to introduce it which the Senate of Milan perceiuing made answer to him that brought the Kings commandement that they were ready to obey whatsoeuer his Maiesty should please to command and that they would take order to haue his will performed in euery point yet neuer the lesse they were not of opinion to haue that commandement to take place as then in regard of the Kings profit as well because those rigorous lawes were needlesse in Milan by reason that the Inquisitors would know all matters though distinct and diuided from al customes and lawes as also for that the Citty of Milan and all Italy in generall did detest that new manner of proceeding which might in the end breed much hurt That it was not good especially in these times ful of miseries and calamities to put good men and a warlike people into desperation for feare of the mischeefes which might ensue thereof which could in no sort profit his maiesty This discreet answere of the Milan Senate did change King Phillips determination who reuoking his Edict did greatly assure and confirme the Milanois The Pope perceiuing that his deseigne had taken none effect at Milan as he de sired he did by letters exhort the Venetians therevnto entreated and in a manner went about to enforce them to embrace that nouelty The Venetians beeing wise and discreet after they had maturely considered the businesse together withthe great danger they were like to incurre if they should permit such cruelty to take place in their Townes and Citties in regard that the Realme of Naples for the selfe same matter had in a manner reuolted from the Emperor and the Milanois had bruely impugned it they being vnwilling openly to seeme to deny the Pope nor likewise to grant his request so dangerous vnto them delayed as much as they could to make him an answere But his Nuncio still vrging them more and more to grant the Popes demand the Senate was assembled for that businesse where after sundry opinions had beene propounded they dilligently considered the discomodities which might arise vnto them by means of the Popes wrath and indignation if they should refuse him who being already not very wel affected to the Common-wealth would be the more enflamed against them On the other side they did represent before their eyes how that the wretchedest of al others was a ciuill and domestick war whereby the Republick did weaken her owneforces which were sooner raised then pacified Therefore the Senate all this being well examined made the Pope an answer full of meeknesse and humility how that it was of opinion by rigorous and sharp punishment to extirpate all execrable heresies but that it was not seemely to depriue children guiltlesle of that crime of their fathers successions seeing that they had Citties very zealous of Catholick Religion which had no need of such great rigor and iustice yet they would take order that those who should be conuicted of Heresy should abiure their errors or else should be punished with death according to the manner of their Iustice. About the latter end of this yeare dyed Pope Pius Quâ—…rtus in the sixth yeare of his Papacy vnto whom succeeded at the beginning of the yeare 1566. Frier Michaell Giseleo of the order of Saint Dominick called the Cardinal Alexandrine who tooke vpon him the name of Pius Quintus Soliman lying at the seege of Zighet and beeing inraged to see a handfull of Christans so brauely to resist the great numbers of his soldiers this disdaine and rage did so alter him as it brought him to a flixe which killed him on the fift day of September but his death was in such sort concealed by Mahomet Bascha who next him was the cheifest man in the Army as the Turkes knew it not fearing as it was likely that the newes of the great Lords death would be the cause of the ruine of the whole Army Selim his sonne succeeded him in the Otoman Empire But to returne to the Venetians of whom our meaning is cheifly to speake certaine monethes after that this new Emperor of Turkes was installed in his Empire and that from all parts Ambassadors were sent vnto him to congratulate his happy comming to the Crowne they appointed Marin Caballo a nobleman and excellently well seene in the knowledge of diuers things being both learned and ritch to goe and reioyce with him likewise in the Common wealthes name for his aduancement to the Empire and afterwards to confirme the ancient Articles of peace and alliance which they had made with his father Soliman the which that hee might obtaine with more ease hee tooke along with him the presents which Ambassadors were wont for to carry to the new Emperors But whilest he prepared for his iourney it happened that one called Iohn Miches a Iew by nation a great fauorite of Selims a man of an euill disposition and who had turned Turke for a certaine wonderfull pollicy did continually sollicite Selim against the Duke of Necsia one of the Islands Ciclades descended from the race of Crispes and was the one twentieth Duke of that Island to bereaue him of his Prnicipallity hoping as it came
off after which followed an intollerable dearth so as for the peoples reliese they were enforced to imploy the munitions which were reserued for the fleetes These two inconueniences happening one after an other in the ciâ—…ty did prouoke the Turke to make an attempt vpon the Isle of Cyprus beeing vrged therevnto by Iohn Miches who of a Iew beeing become Turke could doe much with Selim as hath beene said This man the better to perswade him to the enterprize of Cyprus did acquaint him with the aduertisement which he had receiued from the Iewes at Venice how the Arcenall had beene burned on the third day of September 1569. where all the munitions had beene for the most part spoiled and lost together with the great dearth which had followed that losse where with the citty was still afflicted Selim who long before then had beene desirous to seaze vpon that Island and to take it from the Venetians and who for that purpose had in the yeare 1567. secretly sent to the Duke of Sauoy to incite him to recouer that Island which did of right belong vnto him promising him all ayde and succour and to make him quiet possessor thereof but the Duke giuing no eare therevnto hee himselfe resolued to haue it by all meanes As also because he beeing desirous to build a Mesquite for no great Lord is truly proclaimed Emperor vntill hee haue builded one and endowed it with reuenues was diswaded from it their Mufti who among them is as the Pope with vs saying that hee could not doe it till hee had made some great enterprise against Christians to the augmenting of his religion and Empire and hauing made a conquest to endow it with the wealth thereof it beeing no way lawfull for the great Lord to build a Mesquite with the reuenue of the Empire or that of the Casnata which is like to the Chamber of accounts in France but onely with that of the countrey conquered by him He hauing along time debated these reasons with him-selfe did at last resolue to communicate the matters to his Baschas And departing from Constantinople in the moneth of Nouember the third yeare of his Empire with his cheefe Baschas to ride on hunting the Turkes terme it the councell on horse backe hee began to acquaint them with that enterprize Mahomet as Visier Bascha began cunningly to diswade him from it as well for the loue he did beare to Christians as for the great profit which he ordinarily receaued from the Venetians telling him that vpon what occasion soeuer hee was moued to take armes either for Religion Empire or for glory he ought by no meanes to breake with the Venetians whose friendship had been euer proffitable for their nation That he ought rather to attempt to releeue the Moores of Granado as a matter more beseeming the greatnesse wherein by the grace of the great Prophet Mahomet the Ottaman Emperors were seated not to abandon the defence of those who by an holy and constant resolution had neuer forsaken the Mahometan religion That it was like wise necessary for the power and safty of his Empire for the glory which Selim seemed so much to desite not to suffer any one Potentare to grow too great but presently to abase those which might make head against the power of the Ottamans such as was that of the king of Spaine which though it would be a difficult enterprize would neuer-the-lesse be full of glory and great hope Therefore he besought him to acknowledge and make good vse of that great occasion which God offered him to preserue the faithfull Musulmans to molest his enemies and to open to him selfe away to great and glorious conquests The other Baschas Piali and Mustapha did with no lesse vehemency then Mahamet had done maintaine the contrary for they not onely enuying him but hauing declared themselues his open enemies did euer crosse his deseignes councels and did more earnestly embrace this businesse knowing that the great Lord did affect it and highly extolling his deseigns they hoped to win his fauor and to disgrace him that councelled the contrary Likewise they thought that by councelling him to what he was addicted that they themselues should be employed in that enterprize the one by Sea and the other by Land wherevpon they perswaded him that the Venetians forces were of themselues weake and the aide of Christian Princes vncertaine and badly grounded as they had knowne by experience that the Isle of Cyprus being farre from Venice was not easily to be releeued and easie to be enuaded by them by reason of their neere neighbourhood that it was a most rich and excellent Island and very commodious for all his other states and 〈◊〉 in a place which might much assure his subiects nauigation vpon those Seas Selim lent a willing eare to those two because they were of his opinion and Mahomets credit was thereby much diminished and his speech greatly suspected so as after-ward that enterprize was resolued and concluded to the which Selim promised to goe in person with such a will and resolution as all men thought that the very first yeare of his Empire he would haue vndertaken this warre if other lets had not detained him For after Solimans death he found the Empire much wasted by reason of his fathers continuall warres both at Malta Zighet and in other places where he had lost great numbers of Soldiers and spent much treasure besides his army was ill prouided of all necessaries which it behooued him to renew by rest and time with all to repaire his fleet all which being done there was no more likelihood that it would be any longer deferred The Venetians were speedily aduertized of all these things by Marke Antonio Barbaro their Baily in Constantinople a very wise discreet maÌ„ who at that time did many great and good seruices to the Commonwealth But these things at the first seemed vnto them impossible so as the Senators could hardly be drawne to beleeue it for when motion was made of making prouisions for the nauall army they answered that it behooued them to proceed discreetly therein and not to prouoâ—…e Selim who peraduenture had neuer thought on such a matter which would rather hasten the danger then preuent it The end of the seuenth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the eighth Booke of the sixth Decad. THE Senate are certainly aduertised of the Turkes enterprise vpon Cyprus A Cypriot practiseth treason ouer the whole Island The Venetians implore the ayde of all Christian Princes The Pope soliciteth all Christian Princes in the Venetians behalfe The Venetians solicit the King of Persia to make warre on Selim. The Turkes great preparations for the warre of Cyprus Selim by the perswasion of Bascha Mahomet sendeth a defiance to the Venetians vnlesse they quit the Isle of Cyprus The small entertainment giuen to the Chians of the great Lord. The Venetians prouisions and preparations for the warre of
Milladonna Secretary to the Councell of Tenne to read it which in effect was thus That the Senate did greatly maruaile that his Lord beeing no way by them prouoked nor vpon any iust cause would violate and enfringe that oath by which he had so solemnly confirmed the peace and tooke for a pretence to make warre vpon them that they should giue away a kingdome which the common-wealth had for many yeares lawfully and peaceably enioyed the which hee might bee well assured that they would neuer part from but seeing hee was determined to proceed against them after that manner the Venetian Senate would not faile to defend that which did belong vnto it hoping by so much more to bee the better able to doe it by how much the iustice of their cause would procure them all ayde and succour both diuine and humaine They told him afterwards that his Lords letters beeing translated and read hee should receiue an answer and so the Chiaus without any farther discourse was dismissed The beginning of those letters was stuffed with sundry complaints against the Venetians for that they had disquieted the ancient bounds of Dalmatia which by conuention made with his predecessors had beene established betwixt both the one and other Empire that contrary to the old and new agreement the Admiralls of the Venetian Galleys hâ—…d put diuerse Turkish Pirates to death after that they had taken them aliue in fight but especially for that the Westerne Pirates were welcome into the Isle of Cyprus who did continually disquiet his neighbour citâ—…ies and barred his subiects from their free nauigation then toward the latter end hee craued that if the Venetians were desirous to continue their ancient friendship with him that they should surrender vnto him the Isle of Cyprus to take away that cheefe cause which did entertaine those controuersies betwixt them otherwise they should prepare for a fierce warre by sea and land for hee was determined to send his nauall Army with great forces to take that Island and in other places to inuade their dominions by land hoping in God the giuer of victories and in his blessed Prophet Mahomet by whose fauour the Ottoman Family had obtained so great an Empire to be victorious in that enterprise The Senate made this answer to these letters That the Venetians had euer inuiolably maintained peace made with the Ottâ—…man Emperors and contemned all other respects whatsoeuer by refusing all occasions whereof they might haue made good vse to their owne profit because that aboue all other things they thought it fit and beseeming a Prince carefully to keepe his promise and they being desirous to auoyde all suspition of so great an infamy had dissembled and buried in silence diuerse wrongs done vnto them because they would not bee the first desturbers of the peace But now perceiuing that vppon no occasion warre is denounced against them at such a time as they least expected it they would not refuse it for the defence of their owne and in particular for the defence of the Realme of Cyprus the which as their Aucestors had enioyed it with so iust a title for so many yeares they did likewise hope that God would giue them the grace to defend it valiantly against all those that would vniustly take it from them Warre beeing in this sort denounced against the Venetians and by them entertained the Senate made a decree to sell diuerse publick possessions to accept of sundry loanes of money to the great profit of those that brought them and in a word to vse all meanes to gather great sums of money together wherevpon for this purpose the number of the â—…rocurators of Saint Marke was augmented which is the cheef dignity next to the Duke bestowing it vpon those that should lend twenty thouâ—…and Ducats to the Common-wealth they did likewise permit all young Gentlemen to enter into the great Councell before the time appointed by the lawes who thereby might be capable to elect magistrates and likewise to execute the like places themselues so as they would lay in deposito certaine sommes of money in the publique treasury The surcease of armes had continued for a while till the returne of Cubat and the end of his negotiation but being come to Raguza the answere which he brought was soone divulged wherevpon the souldiers that lay in the parts neere adioyning not tarrying for any others commandement being assembled in great numbers did not only waste and spoile the champaine country of Albania and Dalmatia which was subiect to the Venetians but went and encamped before Dulcina and Antiuari who finding them to be manned with strong Garrisons and hauing no ordnance to batter them they were enforced to retire Now the Chiaus being returned to Constantinople and the Senates answere being knowne all men did greatly wonder at it for the Turkes hauing seene in former time what deere account the Venetians made of the great Lords friendship supposed that they would try all meanes before they would take armes against him But Selim did not so much wonder as he did scorne and disdaine accounting himselfe highly wronged and contemned in his owne person because that the vsuall ceremonies and entertainments done to Ambassadors had beene denied to Cubat and for that they had not sent an expresse messenger to him with their answere but had contrary to their promise detained the Secretary Bonricci at Venice In regard whereof his pleasure was being so councelled by Mahomet to haue Cubat come into his presence and particularly to relate the Venetians speeches and entertainment giuen vnto him together with their preparations for warre which he vnderstanding from his mouth was some times amazed at the report of the Republikes forces repenting him in a manner of his determination and on a sodaine he would enter into rage and choller being therevnto prouoked by his owne pride and by the flattery of his councellors wherevpon he placed gards about the Baylies house that he should not goe abroad commanding the Bashas of Cairo and Aleppo to doe the like to the Venetian Consuls of Alexandria and Syria yet they were afterwards set at liberty on condition they should not depart nor conuay their marchandize forth of the Turkes Dominions LODOVICO MOCENIGO the 85. Duke IN the meane time Prince Loredan died at Venice and Lodouico Mocenigo was chosen in his place to the peoples great ioy and vnusuall applauds presuming that they had a Prince who was wise discreet and a louer of the poore and would constantly oppose himselfe against all those perils and dangers which did then threaten the Commonwealth The Senaâ—…e after this election hauing acquainted all Christian Princes with the comming of the Chiaus to Venice together with their answere went about to continue the former motions of the league Therefore for the greater recommendation of the matter they resolued to send an expresse Ambassador to the Emperour and to that end they appointed Giacomo Sourance a man of great
in the Hauen of Nista opposite to it where he speedily landed his souldiours and willed them to march on a sodaine to assaile the enemies thereby hoping with ease to surprize them and to seize vpon the place and to this purpose he sent certaine Harquebuziers before and himselfe followed after with the residue of his forces but hauing marched a great while through narrow and difficult waies they did from farre descry the caâ—…tle which they went to surprize being seated on the top of an hill in a plaâ—…e of very difficult accesse 〈◊〉 hauing well considered al matters and finding things to be otherwise then they had beene reported thought it against reason to hazard those troupes which were destined to greater atchiuements and therefore on a sodaine hee turned backe againe although the Prouidator was of a contrary opinion and countermanding the Harguebuziers that he had sent before he marched backe to the Hauen of Nista and returned to Corfou At the same time Marco Quirini came with his Gallies from Candy to Corfou hauing by the way taken the fort of Brazza de Menia which the Turkes held He was presently commanded to go with twenty Gallies and scoure the Islands of the Archipelago wherevpon he sailed to the Isle of Andros one of the renowned Cicâ—…ades Within a while after the Generall Zanne receiued commandement from the Senate to saile with his forces farther vp into the Leuant and by assayling some of the enemies townes to diuert them from the inuasion of Cyprus Wherevpon he left Corfou and went to Modon where Quirin with his Gallies met him and within two daies after he arriued in the Isle of Candy anchorâ—…d in the Gulph Anfialea which at this day marriners call the Hauen of Suda The Generall being there desirous to make speedy prouision of whatsoeuer the fleet needed found great difficulties in it chiefly in recouering suffitient numbers of men to supply the places of them that were dead wherevpon he sailed with forty Gallies to Candace the chiefe city of the Island the sooner by his presence to hasten the necessary prouisions leauing both the Prouidators and Palauicin in the hauen of Suda with foure score Gallies enioyning them to leauy men from all parts Now after that the fleet was sufficiently furnished with souldiers marriners and other necessaries they vnproffitably spent the time and the best season of the yeere expecting the Popes and Spanish Gallies the which according to the Venetians directions being ioyned together were to meet them in Candy At the last toward the latter end of August Marâ—…-Antonio Colonna the Churches Generall and Gioâ—…an Andrea Doria the Catholike Kings being arriued the Venetian 〈◊〉 was merueilous ioyfull of their comming The Generall and fleet went forth of the Hauen of Suda to welcome them where according to the manner they saluted with volies of shot then all of them entring together into the hauen made no long aboad there but after some propositions made the whole fleet retired to Siâ—…hy there more maturely to consult what were best to be done to free the Isle of Cyprus from inuasion Whilest the Christian fleet had spent much time in preparing and vniting it selfe togither the Turkes with greater celerity had assembled all their forces and being mighty at sea had without any difficulty prosperously pursued their enterprize the which was more speedily performed because that Selim who said that hee would in person goe to the army changed his determination and resolued to remaine at Constantinople by the aduise of Mahomet and Mustapha to whose authority and councell all the other Bashas condescended Selim then tarrying at Constantinople made Mustapha his Lieutenant Generall in that warre committing the whole enterprize by land to him and all marine actions to Piali Admirall of the Gallies Piali within a while after departing from Constantinople with fifty fiue Gallies and certaine other vessels Mustapha set saile with like number vnto whome for an extraordinary fauour the great Lord had giuen the Imperiall Galley to transport him which is of extraordinary greatnesse and most sumptuously decked in which the great Turke embarketh himselfe when he goes forth on any enterprize They anchored first at Negrepoâ—…t then at Rhodes where hauing intelligence that the Venetian fleet lay at Zara and could not depart from thence by reason of ficknesse and other impediments and that they had no newes at all of the Spanish fleet the Turkes being out of feare that the fleetes would ioyne together and supposing that they durst not come on any farther determined to saile directly to Cyprus But as 〈◊〉 Turkish fleet passed along from Negrepont to Rhodes Piali made an attempt to take the fort of Tina which is an Island in the farthest part of the Archipelago belonging to the Venetians and comming vnlooked for in a morning to that Island thinking to surprize it it was discouered at sea by Ieronimo Paruta a Venetian Gentleman Gouernor of the Island a valiant and discreet person who of a long time hauing feated their arriuall hee made prouisions of all necessaries for defense Hee perceiuing the enemies for to bend their course thitherward shot off a warning peece to aduertize those of the Island that were abroad in the country that they should quickly retire into the castle which beeing done in time they prepared themselues to withstand the Barbarians assaults which were very cruell not onely once but twice and thrice in euery of which they were brauely repulsed with great losse of their men and were enforced to discampe after that they had with incredible fury wasted the whole Island burned the Country houses ruined Churches and slaughtered all the cattaile that were in that Island From Tina Piali went to Rhodes where all their fleet lay which amounted to more then two hundred armed vessels accounting an hundred and fifty Gallies together with Fusts and Galeoâ—…s but in the great fleete were certaine Mahonnes which are like to great Gallies not altogither so bigge as a Gallion sixe ships and great numbers of other vessels commonly called Caramuscolini and some fifty Palandaries to transport horse This fleet bending it direct course toward Cyprus was discried neere to Baffo on the first day of Iuly in the yeere 1570. which scoured all the coast from Limissa as farre as the Promontory commonly called the Cape of the Cat then landing part of their forces they burned and spoiled the sea coasts taking many prisoners the next day pursuing their iourney they went to Salines where finding no resistance they vnship't their ordnance and the rest of the souldiers who presently fortified their campe with deepe trenches and strong Rampiers from whence they afterwards wasted and spoiled the country neere adioyning Then marching to Leucata nine miles from Salines they did easily make themselues Masters of the country and people vnto whom Mustaphaa gaue great guifts and goodly promises to draw on others and especially those of the mountaines seeking
rather to winne them by faire meanes then by force In the meane time they dispatched foure score Gallies and diuers flat bottomed vessels to Tripoli and to the Riuer of Caramania there to raise other horse and foot forâ—…es which arriuing in Cyprus made vp the number as most authors write of fifty thousand foot fiue and twenty hundred horse three thousand Pioners with great numbers of horse of carriage and thirty peeces of great ordnance with an hundred and fifty Falconets There were no suffitient Garrisons in the whole Island able to resist these forces for the ordinary Garrison was but two thousand Italian foot men and some thousand others sent from the firme land with Martinengos two thousand souldiers many whereof died by incommodious transportation so that the greatest hope of beeing able to defend the townes and castles consisted in the new supplies which those of the country had promised to leauy There was no other cauallery in the whole Kingdome but fiue hundred Stradiors which were kept there in pay by the Common-wealth Things beeing thus and suffitient forces wanting to repulse â—…o mighty an enemy for the cauallery was to weake for to hinder his landing and the infantery not suffitient to defend for any long time the two chiefe fortes which they held Nicotia and Faâ—…agosta and for to guard the mountaines and other passages of the Island hee beeing landed therefore they resolued espetially to defend those two cities Astor Baillone who by Martinengos death was Generall of all the forces in the Island in the absence of the Prouidator for Lorenzo Bembo died not long before and other Venetian Magistrates called a councell where the chiefe offices and commaâ—…d in that warre were distributed to sundry Cypriot Gentlemen of honourable ranke as well for their wealth as nobillity but smally experienced in martiall matters The Count Roccas was made Lieutenant to Baillone Giacomo de Nores Count of Tripoli Master of the ordnance Gioâ—…an Singlitâ—…co captaine of the Cypriot cauallery Giouan Sosomene captaine of the Pioners Scipio Caraffa and Pietro Paulo Singlitico captaines of the foot who were appointed to guard the strong places of the mountaines and others were appointed to other places They did likewise conclude in that councell to attempt to hinder the enemies landing and to that end the chiefest of them went into the field with the greatest forces they could assemble but considering their enterprize to be to dangerous and vnseasonable the enemy hauing already landed part of his forces they returned home to their Garrisons so that the Turkes landed without any difficulty which made them at first to suspect that they did it for some pollicy to draw them afterwards into an ambuscado wherevpon at their first arriuall they were very wary but running afterwards vp and downe the country and finding no opposition beeing thereby emboldened their army did not onely aduance forward but went about in disbanded troupes without Ensignes to robbe and spoile at their pleasure The Turkish captaines beeing vnwilling to loose time resolued to assaile one of the two chiefest fortes of the Island Piali was of opinion to beseege Famagosta first hoping quickly to take it and that it being taken Nicotia would of necessity yeeld which had many vnproffitable eaters within the circuit of her walles which being seated farre from sea in the middest of a champaine country possessed by great numbers of enemies could not bee releeued nor without new prouision long hold out the seege that Famagosta was no great fort but weake and so defectiue as it would neuer endure one onely battery and that they within it were not many or so bould and valliant as to sustaine any assault Mustapha mainteined the contrary saying that the reputation of so great an army as theirs ought not to be blemished by attempting any meane enterprize thereby to encrease the enemies courage and diminish their owne That the Geneuois for foure score and tenne yeeres had held Famagosta at the same time as the Kings of the family of Lusignan commanded the Island whereby might be gathered that the taking of that city would bee of no great importance for the winning of the whole Kingdome That the Nobillity and very many of the people were retired into Nicotia that all the wealth and munition of the whole Island was there so as that onely exploit beeing well performed would end all the rest and their first attempt giue end to all their deseignes These reasons forcible in themselues and strengthened by the reputation of the author caused them to resolue first to beseege Nicotia whither the whole campe marched the two and twentith of Iuly hauing first sent fiue hundred horse towards Famagosta to cut off all correspondence and intelligence betwixt those two cities the Turkes pursuing their iourney approached neere to the walles of Nicotia Great feare seized on the inhabitants when they perceiued the enemy at their Gates like men who wanting discreet fore-sight to prouide for dangers a farre off did extreamely feare them beeing neere at hand hauing alwaies beene incredulous that the Turkish fleet would come into the Island though the Venetian Baily at Constantinople and the Senate had giuen them many aduertizments thereof that they might prouide for their affaires in time Nicolo Dandulo was at the same time Gouernor of the city a man to weake to vndergo that burthen which not desert but opinion had laied on him yet to whom long experience had rather giuen abillity to execute then nature to direct The sodainnesse of the danger had encreased his feare and his feare the danger for at the arriuall of the enemies army the trenches were vnfinished and the souldiers disordered and the city vnvictualled Now whilest those in Nicosia beeing incompassed with many miseries were busied in furnishing the city with necessaries and inconsulting by what meanes to srustrate the enemies deseignes they were so tedious in their resolutions in regard they had no eminent Commander able to decide the controuersies which arose from diuersity of opinion that the Turkes had time to pitch their tents to plant their ordnance and likewise for to fortifie their campe which stretched it selfe from Saint Marines as farre as Aglangia possessing the whole space opposite vnto foure Bâ—…lwarkes and on the other side of the towne which was not enuironed by the campe both the Bashas did daily send an hundred foote and as many horse that none might issue forth or enter into the Citty This Citty is seated in the middest of the champaine in an wholesome temperate aire it hath great store of water and the soile is very fruitfull In former times it was nine miles in compasse about but the Venetians beeing desirous to fortifie it reduced it to three it is proportioned like a starre with eleuen points in euery of which is a bulwarke made onely of earth which were not yet finished when the Turkish army arriued and the rules of fortification were so well obserued as the
and placed courts of gard in them which could not bee hurt by the cities ordnance then for foure daies space without intermission from morning till night they furiously with all their ordnance battered the walles but perceiuing it to bee to small purpose because the bullets for the most part fell vpon earthen Rampiers and made no breach they ceased the battery and fell to the spade and maâ—…tock so as they presently came vnderneath the counter scarpes thinking thereby to ouerthrow them then they plaied vpon foure Bulwarkes namely Podocatera Constantia Dauila and Tripoli all which they determined to assault at once in which for a long time both sides fought valliantly but in the end the Turkes were with with great losse repulsed Mustapha wondering and raging thereat beeing almost out of hope to take the City solicited and animated his souldiers to goe once againe to the assault promising great rewards to such as should doe valiantly and after that hee had made a speech to them worthy a Generall hee caused a proclamation to bee made thorow the whole Army that any three which should first mount the citty walls should be made Sangiacks and if any Bascha dyed hee that should first enter the citty should succeed in that dignity The souldiers beeing thus encouraged the assault was resolued on The next day early in the morning the Turkes marching by day breake in great silence to the same Bulwarkes assailed the besieged on a suddaine and vnlookt for hoping thereby with more ease to obtaine the victory as indeed it did For the Turkes finding those that had the garde of the Bulwarke Constantia halfe a sleepe and mounting furiously the Parapet gaue them no time nor leisure to make any defence who beeing drowned in slumber and feare forgat to retire into the Citty The great opinion which the besieged had conceiued of the arriuall of supplies from the Common-wealth of Venice which they so much desired made them beleeue that the noise which they had heard the night before whilest the Turkes were preparing for the mornings assault was a token of the enemies discamping in regard whereof and because they were oppressed with long watchings and intollerable labours they had securely disarmed themselues and fell to rest The Turkes then in this confusion entring pell mell with the Christians into the last rampiers there arose a great cry accompanied with feare and amazement whervpon many betooke themselues to open flight The Count Roccas quarter was neere to the Bulwarke who by the suddaine noyse beeing certified of that which was done did presently arme and comming in among the thickest throngs hee found so great disorder there as notwithstandding all his meanes and perswasions to cause the souldiers to stand fast and make valiant resistance his labour was in a manner lost to such a desperate passe were matters brought and himselfe beeing shot into the head with an Harquebuze fell downe dead wherevpon all those that by his arriuall had taken courage and began by little and little to make head leauing the defense of the walls ran home to their houses to prouide for the safty of their wiues and children Pietro Pisani and Bernardino Polano Captaine of Salma comming thither in hast could not by their authority and example stay the disordered runne-awayes among whom Polano thrusting himselfe and going about to hold them back by force was together with them cut in peeces Pisani perceiuing his fellow to be slaine did with the rest retire to the market place whither from all parts the poore inhabitants came who were not yet pursued by the Turkes who hauing taken the Bulwarke Constantia would before they went on any farther make themselues maisters of all the rest in which the Italian footmen did still fight brauely with the enemy but in the end when they perceiued their strong places to bee lost and that they were at once assailed in front and on their backs beeing vnable to make any longer resistance they abandoned the walls and making themselues way thorow the middest of the enemies they retired to the market place where they made head for a time vntill that the Basha of Aleppo arriued who entring the towne at the Bulwarke of Tripoli went first to make good the walls where hee made great slaughter of such as hee met with and finding no more resistance hee marched towards the market place where seeing so many armed people to make head hee caused three peeces of Ordnance to bee brought from the walls and bestowing his shot among them hee enforced them to quit the place many of whom retired to the Pallace whither the Gouernor Bishop Contaren and many of the chiefe Cittizens had already escaped those which could not enter running vp and downe heere and there thorow the streetes were presently either slaine or taken prisoners They within the Pallace hauing receiued the Baschas word for the safety of their liues so soone as they had opened the gates the Turkes presently runne in vpon them who were able to make no resistance beeing vnarmed where they were all murthered therein the Gouernor Bishop and common people running one selfe same fortune That beeing done and the Turkes freed from farther trouble they ran confusedly and without Enseignes about the citty sacking houses spoiling and ruining Churches dishonouring wiues rauishing virgins and putting all to the edge of the sword without distinction of age or condition so as that day twenty thousand persons dyed by the hands of the Turkes and those whom the cruell enemy left aliue rather to reserue them for some miserable punishment then for any compassion towards them were bound in chaines and haled to prison ouer the dead bodies of their friends and kinsfolke In this manner did this Citty in one day taste the extreamest of calamitie which for a long time had liued in great pompe and magnificence nay rather in all excesse and dissolutenesse seruing for an example of the inconstant mutability of humaine affaires The Citty was taken and sackt vppon the ninth day of September and the foureteenth day of the siege The Turkes did afterwards with ease become Lords of the rest of the Island Famagosta excepted For the other townes following the victors fortune did presently yeeld and Cerina likewise as readily as the rest notwithstanding that Giouan Maria Mudazzo Captaine of the Castle and Captaine Alphonso Palazza beeing entreated by those of Famagosta had determined to hold out and brauely to desend it Those of the mountaines did the like Scipio Caraffa Paulo Singlitico with diuerse other Gentlemen and some Greeke Preists and great numbers of Countrey people yeelding them-selues to Mustapha vnto whom they sware fealty and aleageance so that the Venetians possessed nothing in the Island but onely Famagosta whither Mustapha determined to march leauing 4000. footmen for the gard of Nicotia Mustapha hauing taken order for Nicotia marched towards Famagosta with his whole armie and encamped at the village Pomodama
were come so farre together he ought with them to run one selfe same fortune and make proofe of the hazards of warre wherof they should not afterwards haue cause to complaine thereby blotting out the infamy which all men might throw vpon them for hauing such gallant forces and consuming so much time in vaine without attempting any memorable matter but all these perswasions were to no purpose with him nor with the rest likewise who had noe liking to the iourney who vpon Dorias refusall to goe on any farther the Generall Zanne to his great greese was enforced to permit it The Christian fleet then departing from Castell-rosso and comming all of them to Scarpanto into the Hauen Tristano Doria on a sodaine took his leaue directing his course to wards Puglia and from thence into Sicily his only care being to retire safely into his Contrey Colonna and Zanne being desirous to exploit some worthy enterprize remained still together But hauing intelligence that Piali with a great number of well armed Gallies was come from Cyprus to ouertake them and finding themselues to weake for resistance they weighed ankors and sailed into Candy to the Hauen of Canea not without danger of being assailed by the Turkish fleet which hauing notice of the Christians departure sailed speedily to the I le of Stamp alia and Piali determining to goe to Candy iâ—… hope to find some assured booties on those Seas could not execute his proiect by reason of stormes and foule weather wherevppon he returned back and went into the Archipellago where hee entered the Hauen oâ—… Calegiera making a shew as if hee would winter there but on a suddaine changing his mind hee went with his whole fleet vnto Constantinople At the same time certaine Townes of Albania which were subiect to the Turke did rise against them and being desirous to shake off their slauish yoak they sent to request the Venetian Magistrates their nearest neighbors to send them supplies of men and armes a suring them that at the first sight of their Euseignesthey would speedily come vnto them and become their subiects and for a sure testimony thereof they offered to giue them their children in hostage which request of theirs though it could not bee granted as befitted their need and desire great numbers neuerthelesse of inhabitants of the black Mountaine and neere to Boyan called at this day the countrey of Drina and other places belonging to the Marcouichians did submit themselues to the Venetians so that the Gouernors of Antiuari Dulcigna and Budua did in the name of the Venetian Common-wealth receiue the oath of allegiance of more then an hundred townes and villages The Christians of Zara were in armes not so much in hope to make any new conquest as to repulse the enemies and to free the countrey from their continuall incursions But there was no memorable matter done in regard both parties were apter to robbe and spoile then to fight In the meane time the renewing of the league was treated at Rome whither so soone as ample commissions were brought from Spayne and Venice to their Agents and Ambassadors for the conclusion therof the Pope hauing called them before him beganne to exhort them all to enter into league against the common enemy telling them that the cause was common although that in respect of present losse it did more neerely concerne the Venetians in regard the quarrel was betwixt Christians and Infidells and that if his owne presence should be necessary his age should not hinder him from the iourney That he would entreat solicite and admonish the Emperor and all other Christian Princes to enter into the league for which he promised continually to pray vnto God that it might please him to grant it victory ouer his enemies The Ambassadors and Cardinalls seemed to be greatly mooued by this exhortation giuing his Holinesse many thanks for it each of them promising to proceed therein charitably speedily and sincerely as became a matter so important holy and desired by their Princes as well in respect of their owne particular interest as for the Common good of all Christendome these words beeing often re-itterated by them did not produce effects conformable therevnto but euery of them aimed at his owne particular profit which beeing sundry brought forth different opinions breeding extreame and important delayes in the conclusion of that businesse wherein diuers monethes were already vainely spent in idle and needlesse disputations The Pope had appointed fiue of the greatest and noblest Cardinalls of the Colledge to bee present in the name of the Sea Apostolick at the treaty of the league to wit Alexandrine his Nephew Moron Cesis Grassi and Aldobrandino betwixt whom and the two Spanish Cardinalls with the two Ambassadors of Spaine and Venice the treaty hauing beene begunne to be decided they presently fell into sundry difficulties for euery of them aiming to haue the league concluded to his owne particular profit propounded very strange matters as it often happeneth in such cases But the Pope who proceeded therin very sincerely his ayme beeing only for the good of all Christendome went about somtimes to moderate the excessiue demands of the Spaniards protesting that if they did not presently conclude it to reuoke all power and authority granted to their King to leuy money Then turning his speech to the Venetians he exhorted them to harken to an agreement though it were somwhat to their disaduantage promising neuer to faile them in any aid or releefe possible The Cardinalls likewise that were his Holinesse Commissioners speaking now to the one then to the other did all they might for the ending of the businesse but especially Cardinall Moron a man well experienced in the managing of most important affaires and very eloquent who allowing the propositions of the Venetians Ambassador as those which tended to the vniuersall good went about to draw the Kings Ambassadors from their owne priuate interest and to make them capable of truth which hauing done by a very eloquent remonstrance and they vnable to make any reasolable answer fell to new excuse saying that they would write thereof into Spayne and expect a more particular and expresse commission from their King The Spaniards added to the former difficulties which they had propounded That the Venetians should be bound on paine of Ecclesiasticall Censures to obserue in euery poynt that which should be resolued on in the league as though they had suspected the Venetians loyalty which had like to haue broken off the whole businesse They did moreouer striue about a General to command the Army the Spaniards arrogantly crauing not onely to appoint a Generall which was freely granted but a Lieftenant who in his absence should haue the same authority in the Army there-by wholly distrusting the Venetians which suspition still encreasing did much coole the treaty of the league which was begunne with such earnest heate The Senate being highly displeased there with did expresly send a
with his Gallies in Candy The Senate beeing very carefull to prouide for Famagosta sent two other ships thither with eight hundred footmen and great store of munition vnder the command of Honoreo Scoto with letters to the inhabitants full of hearty affection highly commending their constant loyalty intreating them still to persist in their owne defence and by no meanes to rely vpon the word or promise of those Barbarous infidels The like letters in effect were written to Baillone wherein his valour was much commended as worthy of his Ancestors and the loue which himselfe and predecessors had euer borne to the Common-wealth promising highly to recompence him When these last supplies arriued at Famagosta they made vp the whole number of foure thousand Italian footmen eight hundred of the Islanders which are termed Legionaries and three thousand Citizens and country people with two hundred Albaneses At the same time the rebellion of the Albaneses against the Turkes did stil continue diuers of the countries of Ducagina Pedana Ematia and Sadrina comming dayly to make sundry offers to the Agents of the Common-wealth wherevpon the Prouidator Celsi was commanded to saile to Catharra with tenne Gallies but Celsi falling sicke by the way Nicolo Suriano who was Lieutenant of the Gulphe was commanded to take that charge vpon him and with foure Gallies to enter into the Riuer Boyan to backe the rebellion of that people and carefully to obserue whether he could with good successe make any attempt vpon Durazzo Scatar or Alexia which the chiefe of the Albaneses had propounded Suriano hauing continued certaine daies in those confines perceiued very well that the deeds were not answerable to their words and that it was in vaine to make any attempt vpon the enemies territories without suffitient forces for that purpose the Senate neuerthelesse beeing vnwilling to omit any thing which it knew might auaile the Common wealth chose Giacomo Malatesta for Gouernor Generall in Albania who comming to Catharra was desirous to make incursions into the enemies country where hauing taken a great booty and heedlesly returning homewards through a valley hee was assailed by the enemies and beeing wounded in the thigh and beaten from his horse was taken prisoner and carried to Rissana In regard of the great expences which the Venetians were to furnish which would monthly amount to three hundred thousand Ducats the Senate sought by all meanes to raise money wherevpon it againe encreased the number of the Procurators of Saint Marke they likewise sold the pastures and voide grounds and the pawnes and pledges of La Zecca were opened vpon sundry conditions Prince Moceniga in that and all other matters shewed himselfe very carefull and vigilant to make speedy provisions of all necessaries and being present on a time in the great councell whither all Gentlemen that haue voyces in the creation of Magistrates doe vsually come he made a briefe but important speech exhorting all of them to bee willing to releeue their deerest country in that time of need and warre either with money aduise or any other thing which it might want euery man according to his power and meanes saying that they could neuer doe it in a time more conuenient and thereby should not onely preserue their wealth but their honor children and liues all which would be exposed to great danger iâ—… the insolent enemy should prooue victorious His words being pronounced with much earnestnesse did greatly mooue those of the assembly and encouraged them boldly to continue that warre with hope of better successe wherevpon whatsoeuer was requisite for the furnishing of the Nauy or for prouision of victuals and money which is the strongest sinew of warre was presently determined and concluded Whilest the Venetians were thus busied in their preparations the Turkes on the other side raised new forces to pursue the course of their victory Selim had receiued such content for the taking of Nicotia the newes whereof was brought to him by Mustaphas sonne together with many riâ—…ch presents as hee was desirous all other things laied aside to intend onely the ending of that enterprize notwithstanding the great report which was made of the Christian fleet the which after the conquest of Cyprus he promised to him selfe to defeate and then presently to become Lord of all the Islands belonging to the Venetians most commodious as he said to open a passage to the city of Rome chiefe of the Romaine Empire and belonging to him as to the greatest Emperor and of a long time promised by their Prophets to the Ottoman family Selim ruminating on these vaine and idle thoughts commanded his fleete that so soone as Cyprus should be furnished with suffiâ—…ient supplies then to fight with that of the Christians and afterwards pursue other enterprises as occasion should be offered And according to his owne proiects hee sent twenty Gallies from Constantinople vnder the command of Caiacelebey who by the way meeting with the Gallies of Chios and Rhodes sailed altogether towards Cyprus to keepe out all releefe from Famagosta After his departure from Constantinople thirty other Gallies came to him and beeing come to Finica to leauy souldiers he went from thence into Cypras where making some aboade hee sent his Gallies in the meane time to Tripoli to take in new supplies and munitions then his Nauy being furnished with all necessaries he left Cyprus leauing Arâ—…mat there with twenty Gallies tenne Mohannes or flat bottomed boates to transport horse fiue ships with many other vessels for the guard of the Island himselfe taking foure and fitry Gallies with him and went to meet Portau neâ—…ly made a Basha in Pialis stead who beeing come from Constantinople and by the way ioyning the Gallies of Naples in Romagnia and Miteline with his forces was with an hundred Gallies at â—…astel rosso the Rendezuous of the whole fleet whither within a while after Vluzzâ—…li came from Argiers with twenty of his owne Gallies and diuers other vessels belonging to Pirates and not long after Hassan sonne to Barbarossa came thither likewise with twenty Gallies The whole Turkish fleet beeing in this sort vnited to the number of two hundred and fifty saile went directly to the Isle of Candy and entred into the Hauen of Suda and sayling afterwards towards Cania it landed great troupes of souldiers neere to the city who presently falling to booty did put al to fire and sword Against these the Prouidator of Cania sent great numbers of souldiers of the citties Garrison with diuers of Quirtni's Gallies which were then in the Hauen who enforced the enemies to retire and our men beeing presently backt by three hundred Corsicans conducted by Colonel Iustinian the enemies were put to rout and with great slaughter beaten to their Gallies not daring to assault the castle The enemies fleet departing from Candy where it had done infinite harme sailed to Ceriga where it did the like and from thence went to Iunca where hauing trimmed
sicknesse beganne to decrease there was seene in a night on the easi side of the Island a great cloude of fire which giuing light for an houres space as if it had beene noone dayes did to the great terror of the beholders runne through the ayre as farre as Spina longa and there fell into the Sea where for a long time it burnt in the water and at last it vanished Now the Citty of Venice hauing beene as all men know and as wee haue declared in the first booke of this History builded by those who flying from the fury and incursions of barbarous nations retired into those lakes where it now standeth and in the same manner as it beganne hath still daily augmented and encreased so as till this day many famous men learned in all arts haue come thither from all parts of Christendome as to the Sanctuary of the Muses where those which are excellent in any art whatsoeuer are so honored and cherished by the nobility as they presently forget their natiue Contrey making their perpetuall abode there where vppon it came to passe the same yeare that certaine fauorers of learning hauing honorable command in the Citty propounded the building of an Academy there where by turnes they would meeet and read publicke lectures in that art which euery man profest and to this end nine gallant spirrits ioyned together Pompeo Limpia de Bari Lucius Scarannus de Brindiz Fabio Paulino de Vdina Giouan Baptista Leone Georgio Contaren of Venice Guido Cassono de Serauall Theodore Angelucio de Bella forte in la Marca Vnicentio Galieno the Roman and Giouan Paulo Gallucio de Salles and laid the foundation of this vertuous work choosing a fit place for the purpose where continuing their ordinary lectures the glory and reputation of this Venetian Academy extended so farre as diuers notable men haue since then come thither whereby it is daily much beautified and augmented Thus ended this yeare At the beginning of the next which was 1593. though the Venetians sought to satisfie the Turke by keeping the Vscoques of Segna from scouring the Adriattick Seas yet not relying on their perfidious promises beeing aduertised that they made great preparations by land and Sea they re-enforced the Garrisons of Candy which were much weakened by the late pestilence then perceiuing that the Turkish Army which came from Constantinople made incursions through Croatia and approached the Contry of Frioul belonging to their state resolued to build a fort vpon the Confines thereof at al times to defend the Contry from the Turkes incursions they committed the building thereof to skilfull Ingeniers and to some of the cheefest Senators which for that it is seated in a goodly soyle tenne miles from Vdina and within halfe a mile of the Emperors territories was called Noua Palma The same yeare Henry King of France and Nauarre after sondry battailes and ouerthrowes of his enemies did through the instruction of the Arch-bishop of Bourges and sundry Doctos of Paris require to bee reconciled vnto the Roman Church and on the fiue and twentith day of Iuly made publick profession thereof in Saint Denis Abbey before the said Archbishop accompanied by the Cardinall Bourbon Archbishop of Rouen nine Bishops and diuerse other Prelates and Religious men protesting to liue and dye in the sayd Catholick religion and to maintaine it with and against all men hee made profession of his faith accomplished all ceremonies requisite in so solemne an acte and then receiued absolution to the wonderfull ioy and applause of the people Not long after this publick conuersion the King sent the Duke of Neuers and other Prelates to Rome by them to present his obedience to the Pope and to witnesse his desire to imitate the example of the Kings his Predecessors and by his actions like them to merit the title and grade of the Churches eldest sonne and to intreate his Holynesse to approoue his conuersion and to honor him with his blessing The Pope after sundry honors done to the Duke of Neuers would not at first endure to heare tell of the King notwithstanding that the Duke and Prelates which accompanied him assured him that his conuersion was true and vnfeigned and therefore humbly besought his Holynesse to beleeue it which hee refusing to doe would neither absolue the King nor ratifie that which had beene done at Saint Denis The French in the meane time perceiuing that the King had abiured his former errors and was become a Catholick and afterwards crowned and annoynted at Chartres with the holy oyle according to the ancient custome of the French Kings all rebellious citties one after another returned vnder his obedience The Venetians sent Ambassadors to the French King to congratulate his conuersion and to reioyce with his Maiesty for his happy successe in recouering the greatest part of his kingdome At the beginning of the yeare following 1595. Amurath the Turkish Emperor dyed Mahomet his eldest sonne succeeded him who calling all his brethren into his chamber caused them to bee strangled in his presence The Pope beeing aduertised of the French Kings good successe who still humbled himselfe to the Sea Apostolick and had againe sent Dauid du Perron Bishop of Eureux to Rome to procure his absolution was willing to grant his request notwithstanding many were of contrary opinions Wherevpon comming one Sunday morning beeing the eighteene of September in his Pontificalibus into Saint Peters Hall hee approoued King Henries abiuration with all ceremonies therein requisite receiuing him to fauour and into the bosome of the Church with his blessing Apostolicall inioyning him due penance which done Drums and Trumpets sounded in signe of ioy and Cannons thundred from Castle Angelo all men reioycing at his good fortune the Spanish Ambassador excepted who in his Maisters behalfe protested that the same act could not preiudice his Kings titles During these solemnities at Rome Pascale Cicogna Duke of Venice dyed beeing foure score and fiue yeares old hauing gouerned the Common-wealth nine yeares one moneth and fifteene dayes hee lyes buryed in the Church of Santa Maria de Cruciferi MARIN GRIMANI the 89. Duke MARIN GRIMANI Knight and Procurator of Saint Marke succeeded him beeing beloued of all men for his rare vertue and charitie to the poore The Pope in the meane time to confirme what hee had done to the most Christian King sent the Cardinall of Florence his Legate into France who was honorably entertained at Paris where hee made some aboade for open warre beeing denounced betwixt France and Spaine the Pope became a Mediator of peace and to that end sent the Generall of the Fryers a Sicillian with ample Commission together with the Legat to treate of peace betwixt those two great Kings hee had receiued the like authority from the King of Spaine and in the end after sundry goings too and fro peace which all men desired ensued the yeare 1598. The Venetians perceiuing that the Vsicoques did not
the Turkes 397 Diuersity of opinions in the Venetians campe 407 Dandulo his braue answer ibid. Diuers townes of the State of Milan yeelde to Sforza 409 Death of Hermolao Donato 416 Death of the last Emperour of Constantinople 424 Description of Morea 431 Description of Corinth 433 Death of Hieronimo Barbadâ—…co 440 Description of the Isle of Nigrepont 4â—…2 Description of the Isle of Chios 445 Description of the Isle of Cyprus 475 Death of Iulian de Medicis 489 Death of Ottoman 492 Description of the Isle of Rhodes ibid. Duke of Ferrara declareth himselfe enemy to the Venetians 494 Description of Lombardie 495 Death of Roberto of Arimini 502 Defeate of the Ferrarois 503 Duke of Lorraine returneth into France 509 Death of Giouan Heme 510 Diuers expostulations vpon the yeelding of Azzola 511 Death of Generall Marcello 514 Dukes Pallace reedified 516 Death of old Sanseuer in the noble Venetian Generall 527 E EXtent of the Country of Venice 2 Exhortation to the Venetians 40 Enemies that came to sccour Antioch defeated 78 Emanuel his request against the Normans 98 Emanuel his Ambassadours at Venice 101 Emanuel seizeth on the Citties of Dalmatia 102 Example of great affection to a mans Country 104 Example of great loue towardes ones country 114 Eccelin in Padua 138 Eccelin what he was with his comming into Italie ibid. Eccelin before Mantua 143 Eccelin his crueltie against the Paduans ibid. Enforced peace betwixt the Venetians and the Genoueses 166 Enterprise against the Turks broken 175 Earthquakes of diuers sorts 196 Earledome of Val-marin fallen to the Venetians by the death of Phalerio 211 Enemies cunning 244 Enemies vniust demands 248 Enterprise attempted with bad successe 251 Entertainement giuen by the Christian Princes to the Venetian Ambassadours 217 Entertainement giuen to the Veronagentleman 288 Effect of Cornari his Oration to Philip. 297 Exploits of Philip. 314 Eugenius the Pope leaueth Rome and commeth to Florence 338 Eugenius the Pope Venetians and Florentines in league together 339 Enemies intent against the Venetians 354 Enemies are driuen from the mountaines toppes 355 Enemies assaile the forragers 358 Enemies answer to Sforza who offered them battell 369 Enemies take the Castle of Maderna 371 Enemies vanquished at Thyenna 373 Enemies in Verona 374 Enemies flie from Verona 377 Effect of Auogrades speech to Sforza 383 Eugenius the Pope his death 402 Emperour of Constantinople in despaire 424 Enemie buildeth a bridge ouer the Gulph at Nigrepont 442 Enemies fleet afraid of the Venetians 446 Enemies take the Isle of Lissa 509 Enemies retires from Corfou 510 F FOundation of Padua 2 Fruitfulnes of the Venetians country ibid. Foundation of the Rialto 3 Foure and twenty houses burned at once 5 From whence the Venetians that now are be descended 6 First gouernement of Venice vnder Consuls 7 From whence the Lombards are descended 8 Foundation of Heraclea 10 Foundation of Equiline 11 Faelix Cornicula the second master or Colonell of the men at Armes 14 First association into the Principalitie 20 French take Commada 23 French vanquished by the Venetians 25 From whence came the name of Saracens 29 From whence the Sarracen Moores are descended 34 Flight of the Calloprini to the Emrour Otho with their promise to him 54 Fortie Narentine Merchants taken 57 Familie of the Vrseoli for euer banished from the citty 63 French arriue at Constantinople 72 Frenchmen and Venetians ioyned together 84 Faneses made tributary to the Venetians 97 Family of the Iustiniani worne out by the sickenesse and againe restored 103 Flight of Pope Alexander 107 Frederickes answer to the Venetian Ambassadours 108 Frederickes menaces ibid. Frederickes fleete put to flight and his sonne brought prisoner to Venice ibid. Fourth rebellion of Zara. 113 Fredericke the Emperour dieth in Armenia 114 Famine in the Campe before Ptolomais ibid. Flight of Alexis 119 Fifteen men appointed to elect a new Emperour 121 Friendship betwixt the Emperour Robert and the Venetian Magistrate 128 Fredericke against the Venetians 139 Fift rebellion of Zara. 140 Forme of the electing the Venetian Prince 141 Flight of Ansedin 143 Fleete of the Genoueses in the Adriaticke sea 164 Fort of Thealdo taken by the Venetians 168 Francisco Dandulo his great pietie 172 False reports against the Genoueses 173 Fort of the salt-pits taken 184 From whence the contagion came to Venice 197 Foure new Officers created in the Armie 202 Feare which was in Venice for the enemies comming 205 Fifteene villages reuolt 222 Fontaino's exhortation to his souldiers 229 Feltra besieged by the Venetians 231 Famagosta taken by the Genoueses 234 Flight of three Genoueses gallies 236 Flight deceit of the Venetians 240 Fort of Nasariola taken 242 Famine enforceth the Genoueses in Chioggia to yeeld 262 French Kings Nephew and Duke of Austria come to Venice to goe to the holy Sepulcher 280 French-men punished for vndiscreet speaking 282 Francisco Gonzaga Generall of another Armie for the Venetians 284 Francisco Carrario his great crueltie 288 Fortie Gentlemen of Verona come to Venice in Ambassage ibid. Faires of Tanerobbed and spoiled by the Scythians 291 Florentines Ambassage to the Venetians 296 Florentine ambassadors Oration 299 Florentines ouercome the Crenonois vnder the conduct of Nicholao d'AEst 308 Francisco Sforza commanded to relieue Bressia ibid. Francisco Gonzaga a braue and couragious Captaine 309 Fregosi banished from Genoa defeated 315 Fortes builded by Philip in the midst of the Po. 316 Fortes taken by the Venetians ibid. Florentines auouch what Bracchian had done and will him to proceed on 325 Florentines defeated by Picinino 326 Foure Venetian gallies taken 330 Fiesca and Adorini are treacherously slaine 332 Francisco Gonzaga giueth ouer his place of Generall 344 Florentines answere to Sforza ibid. Fiue and 20000. men in the Venetian Campe. 350 Famine and Pestilence afflict the besieged Bressians 357 Fight betwixt Paris Lodron and Italus 359 Forlimpopoli is taken by Sforza 366 From whence the Hadrtatick sea taketh the name 367 Fight betwixt the Bressians and Italus 369 Feare of the Florentines 380 Francisco Barbaro highly esteemed in Venice 388 Fight betwixt Picinino and Sforza broken off by approach of night 390 Famous theft enterprised by a Greek 409 Frederick the Emperour with his wife commeth into Italie 415 Florentines send to the French King 418 Florentines recouer Foglian 421 From whence Dyrrachium tooke the name 477 From whence the Po tooke her name 497 Ferrarois abandon Trecenta 498 Ferrarois complaints 504 Florentines craue Councell of the Venetians with their answere 535 G. GEnerall assembly held at Heraclea 11 Gouernment of Dukes restored 17 Greeks defeated before Commada 23 Giouanni deposed by the people 28 Greekes flie 35 Great strife among the Citizens ibid. Giouanni Partitiatio takes againe the Gouernment vpon him 39 Great crueltie of the Huns. 40 Great praise giuen to the Duke Tribuno 41 Generall Councell held at Rome declares the Church of Grada for Metropolitan 46 Great harme done by fier 47 Guerin comes in Pilgrimage to Venice
discouered 443 Turkes take Nigrepont 444 Tabia a city of Caria 450 Turkes put to rout at Pergamus 451 Turkes incursions into Italie 453 Turkes enter the Country of the Forlani 454 The Popes Legate his speech to Mocenigo at his departure 465 The King of Cyprus speech to Mocenigo 418 The Turks designe vpon the Boyano 478 The manner of the Turkes assault at Scutarie ibi The Turke retireth from the assault 479 The Turke besiegeth the Isle of Lemnos 281 The great valour of a young maid ibi The Turke besiegeth Croia 482 The Turkes come to the riuer Lizonza 483 The Turkes take the Fort neare the bridge 484 The Turkes burne the Country of Friâ—…l 485 The Turkes great labour and daunger to passe the mountaines 487 The Coritian Prince flies into Germanie 493 Two Venetian fleets at once 495 The State of the Rossians of Parma yeeldeth to Lodowicke 508 Two of Sanseuerines sonnes flie to the enemie ibid. The Tower Tristania taken 513 The French King by reason of sickenesse staieth at Ast. 537 The King visites Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan the Dutchesse her lamentation to the king and his answer to her 538 V VIsion in a dreame 10 Venetians great modestie 7 Venetians first voiage to sea 8 Vderza ruined by the Lombards 10 Venetians haue euer kept their ancient libertie 23 Venetians pollicie 25 Venetians resolution ibid. Venetians compared with the Romans ibid. Vlric Bishop of Aquilcia vanquished by the Venetians 28 Vsurper punished 32 Veronois request against those of Benaâ—… 33 Venetian armie defeated before Crotona 35 Vrso declared Protos-pater of the Graecian Empire 37 Venetians constant resolution 41 Venetians ouercome the Hunnes ibi Vderza taken and ruinated by the Duke 46 Vrseolo ouercomes the Sarracens before Barri 50 Venetians braue resolution 54 Venetians free ouer all the Graecian Empire 55 Venetians armie against the Narentines 56 Venetian gallies surprise the hauen of Pharos 57 Venetians army succoreth Nicephorus 66 Venetians victorious ouer the Normans ibid. Venetians defeated 67 Venetians defeate the Pisans at Rhodes 77 Venetians take Smyrna ibid. Venetians comming into Syria 83 Venetians take Ascalon 84 Venetians and Frenchmen ioyned together ibid. Venetians agreement with Caloman King of Hungarie ibi Venetians take Brundusium ibid. Venetians take Faronia by assault 86 Venetians and Paduans reconciled 87 Venetians resolue to succour the holie land 91 Venetians army in Sicilie 98 Venetians neighbours take armes against them 101 Vlrich Bishop of Aquileia brought to Venice prisoner ibid. Vitalis Duke of Venice murdered 103 Venetians bountie to the Christian Princes 116 Venetians and the Princes resolue to goe to Constantinople 118 Venetians fleete against the Pirates 125 Venetians send a Colonie to Candace ibid. Venetians armie in Candie 131 Venetian supplies in Candie 132 Venetians defeated in Candie 133 Vattasus his army succoureth the rebells in Candie 135 Vattasus army leaues Candy and suffers shipwracke ibi Vattasus sendeth new aide to Candy ibi Venetians fight with the enemies 136 Venetians fleet commeth to the aide of Constantinople ibid. Venetians ioy at the returne of their Nauy 137 Vattasus Nauie put to flight and his death ibid. Venetians take Frederickes great ship 139 Venetians commanded to leaue Acre 146 Venetians send a fleete to guard the Islands 149 Venetians in Nigrepont 150 Venetians victory against the Genoâ—…eses 152 Venetian fleete scattered by tempest 157 Venetian Ambassadors brought back to Rome ibi Venetians take truce with the King of Rabilon 159 Venetians offer for the voyage of Syria 160 Venetians and Genoueses compared to the Romans and Carthaginians 162 Venetians defeated at Corfu 165 Venetians defeated at the streight of Gallipolis 166 Venetians masters of Ferrara 167 Venetians excommunicated by Pope Clement 168 Venetians restore the Paduans vnto their libertie 174 Viari confined to perpetuall prison 175 Venetians besiege the Fort of the salt-pits 114 Vpon what cause the Venetians made warre on those of Escalla 189 Venetians Rhodians and Cypriots defeated by the Turke 193 Venetians in league with the King of Arragon 200 Visconte his answer to the Genoueses 204 Victory of the Venetians ouer the Genoueses in Morea 205 Venetian Senate displeased with Viscont ibid. Venetians incensed against Carrario 213 Venetians enforced to sue for peace 214 Venetian Ambassadours taken prisoners in Germanie ibid Venetians vanquished by the Barbarians 228 Venetians build two forts on the lakes 229 Venetians victorie ouer the Hungarians ibid. Venetians General his sonne taken prisoner 231 Venetians in Constantinople wronged 232 Victor Pisani Generall of the Venetians 233 Viscont of Milan giueth his daughter to the King of Cyprus 234 Venetians take the Hauen of Famagosta 235 Venetians deceiued by the Anconitans taken and spoiled by the Genoueses 239 Venetians enforced to retire into Chioggia 244 Venetians besiege Pera in hatred of Andronicus 252 Venetian barkes taken and burnt by the enemies 253 Venetians and Genoueses lodge at one time in one Hauen 254 Venetians repulsed from the fort at the Milles. 259 Venetians recouer Chioggia 262 Venetians nauall Armie of 100. vessels 265 Venetians recouer Cap-histria ibid. Venetians enforced to offer Treuiso to the Duke of Austria 268 Venetians hated of all their neighbours 269 Venetians troubled about the yeelding vp of Tenedos 275 Verona pillaged 279 Venetians in danger before the comming of Hermolao 281 Verona possessed by the Carrarians 282 Vincenzans aduertisment to Galeas his widowe 283 Venetians entertaine the Vincenzans Commissioners ibid. Venetian Garison sent to Vincenza ibid. Venetians allie themselues with Gonzaga ibid. Venetians nauall Armie defeated 284 Venetians affrighted at the arriuall of young Carrario 285 Verona in the Venetians power 286 Venetians enter Padua in the night by Scalado 217 Venetians recouer Feltre Belluna and other places 294 Vdinois voluntarily yeeld to the Venetians ibid. Venetian Ambassadours sent to Duke Philip. 296 Venetians denounce warre against Philip. 306 Venetians enter Bressia by treachery 308 Venetians troupes defeated by Philips Armie 310 Venetians send new supplies to Bressia ibid. Venetian Commissioners ill dealt with at Milan 313 Venâ—…tians take Casal-maior 319 Venetians besiege Macale 320 Venetians take the new Orges 321 Venetians answere to the Ambassadors of Sienna 325 Venetians summons to Philip. 326 Venetians proclaime warre against Philip. 327 Venetians put to rout vpon the Cremonese 328 Venetians nauall Armie defeated 330 Venetians defeat the Genoueses Nauie 332 Venetians defeated by Picinino 335 Venetians perswasions to the Genoueses 340 Venetians craue aide of Sforza 342 Venetians great distresse 355 Venetians ratifie the league with the Florentines 363 Venetians victorie neere the lake of Benac 365 Vnion of the Greeke Church with the Latine 370 Venetians Nauie defeated on the lake of La Garda 371 Veronois protestations to cleare themselues 377 Venetians victory vpon the lake 382 Venetians take Pescara 387 Venetians in Sforza's behalâ—…e denounce warre to Philip. 401 Venetians vanquish Philips forces ibid. Venetians reuoke all which had beene giuen to Sforza ibid. Venetians take Brebia 403 Vitalis Sarde the Pirate hanged 405
Hungarie for fiue years Baldwin taken prisoner by Dalochus king of the Parthians The Popes resolution for the succour of the holie Land The Venetians resolue to succor the holy land The number of the Fleet. Ioppa besieged by the Barbarians The Barbarians defeated by the venetians before Ioppa The Duke of Venice commeth to Ierusalem The lot fell vpon Tyre Description of the Citie of Tyre The Phoenicians the inuentors of Arithmeticke the Alphabet and Astronomie The conditions graunted by Varimond to the Venetians Tyre besieged The distrust concâ—…ed against the Venetians A couragious act of Prince Michaeli Proof of the Venetians loyaltie A strange case of a Pigeon The Christians stratagem before Tyre The yeelding vp of Tyre The like done by a Pigeon before Modena The third part of the Citie giueÌ„ to the Venetians Baldwin ratifies it New warre against the Greeks All the Islands of the Grecâ—…an Empire taken Zara and all the other Cities of Dalmatia recouered The Prince returneth to Venice In whose time the Turkes recouered the Holy-land The building of the Hospitall of the publike charitie The Faneseâ—… made Tributarie to the VenetiaÌ„s A new Religious order Agreement with the Pisans The Paduans defeated Rogero sonne to Guiscard King of Sicilie Emanuell his request against the Normans A new Armie against the Normans Corfu taken by the Venetians The Venetians Armie in Sicilie The death of Rogero king of Sicily A sodaine fier A league with Willam King of Sicil. Zara made an Archbishopricke The Venetians neighbours take armes against them Ulrich Bishop oâ—… Aquileia brought to Venice as a prisoner The originall of the Games at shrouetide A secret league betwixt the Greeke Emperour and the king of Sicilie The Emperour Emanuels Ambassadours at Venice The answere made to the Greeke Ambassadours Emanuel seizeth on the Cities of Dalmatia Treacherie of Emanuel A great Fleete against the Greeke Emperour A new deceit of the Greekes The contagious sicknesse in the Venetian Armie The family of the Iustinians woâ—…ne out by the sicknesse The family of the Iustinians restored The Plague very great in Venice Prince Vituliâ—… murthered The creation of the ten An example of great affection to a mans Countrey Three great Pillars brought to Venice How the Columnes were erected by whom The recompence which the Ingâ—…ner demanded Crueltie against the law of Nations Cruell determination of a Woman All the Princes of the Greeke Empire murthered The cause why Emanuell hated the Uenetians When the loane began at Venice The True cause of Vitalis his death Wherefore the Emperour Frederick hated Pope Alexander the third A generall councell published to be holden at Dijon The flight ofâ—… Pope Alexander The Emperour Fredericks rigorous 〈◊〉 against the Pope Pope Alexander comes to Venice in disguise How the Venetians entertained the Pope when they knew him A resolued Ambassade to Fredericke in the Popes behalfe At what time the Venetian Prince began to seale with lead Fredericke his answere to the Uenetian Ambassadours Frederickes menaces Preparations for warre against Fredericke The Prince imâ—… himselfe in the Popes presence Fredericke his Fleet put to flight and his sonne brought prisoner to Venice At what time the Venetian Prince did beginne to mâ—…rrie the Sea Otho â—…is discourse to his father Fredericke How farre Otho his entreatie preuailed with his Father The Emperour ariues at Venice The Emperours obedience to the Pope Diuers opinions of the Historians concerning this reconciliation How long the Venetian Princes haue vsed the Canopie Why they vse siluer Trumpets The ornaments and ensignes of the Venetian Princes The death of Prince Cyani and his last Will. The description of Saint Markes Church Who was the Author of the publike Almes The ancient maÌ„ner of distributing Almes A new manner of electing the Prince The fourth rebellion of those of Zara. Example of great loue towards a â—…ans Countrie A New Armie of Christians for the recouerie of the bolly Land Who were the chiefe of this enterprise against the Turkes The Emperour Frederick dieth in Armenia Great famine in the Camp before Pâ—…olomais Saladines Armie defeated Ptolomais yeeldeth The Pisans take Pola The Pisans defeated by the Venetians Peace granted to the Brundusians Great ingratitude and crueltie of a brother The Christian Princes arriued at Venice The number of the Christian Armiâ—… The Venetians boâ—…ntie to the christian Princes Agreement betwixt the Venetians and forraine Princes The number of the Ships for the Voyage Histria reduced to the Venetians obedience The recouerie of Zara. Yong Alexis commeth to the Armie The complaint and request of yong Alexis Yong Alexis 〈◊〉 promiseâ—… The Venetians and the Princes resolue to goe to Constantinople Incursions of the Bandetti of Zara Agreement with the Bandetti of Zara. Description of the Citie of Constantinople Yong Alexis giueâ—…h the Isle of Candie to Boniface of Montferrat Constantinople besieged by Sea and Land Theodore Lascaris sallies foorth on the Christian Pilgrims A great â—…ght aâ—… the Hauen Constantinople streightly besieged An assault giuen to the Citie The flight of Alexis Isaac deliuered out of prison The mutuall coÌ„fort of the father and the Sonne Isaac ratifies what his Sonne had promised Isaac dieth sodainly Sedition against the yong Emperour A discreet answere of the yong Emperour Myrtillus issued from meane Parents The treacherie of Myrtillus Myrtillus speech to the people Yong Alexis murthereâ—… A new Greekish inuention to deceiue the Châ—…istians The Greekes put to flâ—…ght neare the Citie A new agreement betwixt the Venetians and the Princes Constantinople besieged the second time Myrtillus flight Constantinople yeelds Fifteene men appointed to elect a new Emperour Baldwin of Flan ders chosen Emperour of the East Thomaso Morosino Patriarch of Constantinople The Princes liberalitie to the new Emperour Thrace reduced to the Emperors obedience The Isle of Candy giuen to the Venetians Thomasâ—… confirmed Patriarch by the Pope The coronation of the Emperour Baldwin The death of the Emperour Baldwin Henrie brother to 〈◊〉 Emperour of the East Prince Dandulâ—… decâ—…aseth The 〈◊〉 why the Emperour Emanuel hatâ—…d the Venetians The meaning of the prophecie Boniface King of Thessaly A Deeree of the Venetians about the possession of the Islands The cause of this decree The Venetians flecte against the Pirats Modâ—…na end Corona recepâ—…acles of theeueâ—… and Piraâ—…s â—…ned The names of the Islands passesseâ—… by particular persons Henrie the Fisher maketh aâ—…tempts on 〈◊〉 Isle of Candie The Venetianâ—… send a Colonie to Candace The Genâ—…ueses defeated by the Uenetians Pleasant games inuented at Treuiso The Paduans the Venetians quarrell at the games of Treuiâ—… The Paduans make roads on the Venetians The Paduans defeated Peace beâ—…xt the Paduans the Venetians A great cuâ—…tesie A new strife betwâ—…xt the Uenetians and Paduans The Bâ—…shops See at Malamoc translated to Chioggâ—…a A Colonie sent to Corfu A â—…dition of the â—…stantinopolitans affirming their Church not to be subiect to that of Rome The Emperour Otho confiâ—…mes the Uenetians priuileges
demâ—…d in Senate The Prince and Senates answere to Sforzaes Agent Sforzas demand to the Florentines The Florentines answer to Sforza Cosmo de Medicis is sent to Venice Cosmo goeth to the Pope Picinino cannot passe the Alpes The articles of agreement betwixt Philip and Sforza The Venetians and Picinino are displeâ—…sed with this accord â—…ellato conducteth the Venetian Armie Gonzaga maketh alliance with Philip. Discourse betwixe Gonzaga and the venetians The Mantuanâ—… excuse Picinino 〈◊〉 peth before Casal-Maior Those of Casall desire parley A complot to assaile the Venetian Armie on all sides Casall yeeldeth to Picinino Treachery plotted against the Uenetians The treacherie is discouered to Mellato Mellato doth speedily dislodge A Uenetian nâ—…uall Armie against the Mantuan The Martinenga's and Auogadres in Bressia are reconciled together Picinino his designe to 〈◊〉 the Venetian Armie The description of the lake of â—…enac Fiue and twentie thousand men in the Venetians Campe. Those of Sales other town neere adioining yeeld to Philip. Great spoile in the Camonick valley Those of Chiauâ—… yeeld to Philip Picinino besiegeth Rhoades The two Armies â—…kirmish The vnlookâ—… for danger whereinto the Common-wealth was like to haue fallen Lauretano respected and beloued of euery one The number of the vessels in the Venetians Nauall Armie Rhoades and diuers other townes yeeld to Picinino Picinino his designe Mellato coÌ„meth forth of Bressia Mellato is constrained to returne to Bressia The Duke of â—…errara complaines to the Pope Nicholao d'Aeste fortiâ—…ieth his owne Estate Nicholâ—…o 〈◊〉 fâ—…eed from feare and suspition The new Orger are yeelded vnto Picinino by trecherie Mellato departs from Bressia and marcheth toward the mountainâ—…s Those of the valley of Sabia seek to stop their passage The enemies intent The enemies are dâ—…iuen 〈◊〉 the mountains tops The Venetians great distresse Great 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 of a Centurion The Mantuan fortifiâ—…th the Po. Philip exhorteth his Captaines to besiege Bressia Philips Armie 〈◊〉 Bressia The order which the besieged kept in the Citie The besieged are greatly assured Notable seruice 〈◊〉 Women Famine and pestilence asslâ—…ct the besieged The valiant defence of the besieged Picinino is enforced to raise his Campe from before Bressia Penetra yeelded to the Venetians Pilosus death Mellato is made Generall of the Venetian Armie Auogadre his râ—…monstrance to the Senate Nicolaod Aeste his motion made to the Senate The Senates answere to Nicolao d' Aeste The Senate send to Sforza and the Florentines Mellato maketh prouision â—…a relieue Bressia The enemies assaile the forragers What Philip did in the vale of Sabia The venetians send succours to Paris Lodron The â—…igh betwixt Paris Lodron and Ittalus Ittalus being vanquished retireth into the mountaines The bickering being renewed Ittalus is wholly ouerthrowne Lauretano besiegeth Sermone The death of Pietro Lauretano and his strange buriall A wonderfull proposition of a Candiot After what manner the vessels were brought to the lake of Benac The Sâ—…nate taketh care to preserue Verona and Vincenza Philip delaieth and deludeth Sforza What moued Sforza to make a league with the Uenetians Pioinino flouteth Sforza A league concluded betwixt the Venetians Florentines and Sforza Nicholao D'Aeste is receiued into the league The Mantuans plot to send the warre far from his owne Country Bressia is somewhat relieued Newes of the league is brought to Venice The Venetians doe ratifie the league The Mantuanâ—… pollicie for the passage of his Gallies A Nauall battaile betwixt the Venetiaâ—…s and the Mantuan The Mantuan Gallies passe into the riuer Adice The Venetians Nauall Armie doth retire Sundrie opinions concerning the Venetians retreate Picinino besiegeth Legnaga Legnaga is take A fierce fight neare to the lakâ—… of Benac The Venetiant victorie neere to the lake Forlimpopoli is taken by Sforza The cause of the commotion of Padua anâ—… Vincenza From whence the Hadriatick Sea taketh the name The number of Sforz is troupes The number of the whole Armie in generall The great distresse of the Bressans Barbaro his politike wâ—…sedome The Bressans terme Barbaro the Father of their Countrie Fight betwixt the Bressans and Italus The Bressans are put to rout The enemies raise their camp from before Verona Longina is taken by Sforza The enemies answere to Sforza who offered them battell Sforza goeth forward towards Uerona The number of the enemies cap and that of the Venetians The vnion of the Greek church with the Latine The great extremitie of the citie of Bressia The Venetians are put to rout at Feliciana The Venetians nauall armie is defeated vpon the lake of la Garda The enemies take the Castle of Maderna A new venetian Army for the lake The Senates care for the Bressans Picinino attempteth to burâ—…e the venetians nauall Armie Mellato fortifieth the passages neere to Torbolles A new designe of Sforza to relieue Bressia Picinino is put to rout Sforza exhorteth his souldiâ—… ers Sforzas great valour The part of a tâ—…ue Generall of an Armie The enemies arâ—… vanquished aâ—… Thyenna Picinino escapeth in disguised habit Malateste prince of Cesenna is taken prisoner The disposition of Picinino An enterprize vpon verona Allarme in verona The enemies are in Verona The doubt of those of Verona Maguis entrea â—…eth the Prince of Mantua not to spoile Verona The Mantuan is proclaimed Prince of Verona The Mantuanâ—… preparation for the defence of Uerona Sforza marcheth to the reskew of Verona The description of the 〈◊〉 Adice Sforza his speech to his Captaines The braue message of the Goueâ—…nor of the olde Palace to the Prince of Mantâ—…a Sforza puts supplies into the Fort of 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 The enemies 〈◊〉 from Verona The Venetians 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The Veronâ—…is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cleere themselues Maguis brought before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The great ioy in Uenice vpon the recouerie of Verona The commissioners of Verona câ—…me to Venice The Senates answere to the Commissioners The great extremitie of the Bressans Bressia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wâ—…th â—…alls A league betwixt Philip and Cornâ—…tano the Topâ—…s Generall Picinino maketh warre in Flaminia The Malatestes take the enemies partie Gâ—…ouanni Cornetano 〈◊〉 committed to prison in S. Angelos Castle Picinino passeth the Appenines encompeth before Politiana The feare of the Florentines Politiana is taken by Picinino Picinino his good fortune beginneth to dâ—…line Sfoâ—…za wâ—…th a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 marchâ—…h agâ—…inst the enemie A battell vpon the lake betwixt the Venetians and Philips forces The venetians are 〈◊〉 vpon the laâ—… The valour of Contareni This victorie did greatly reioyce the Bressans The Bressans send Ambassadours to Venice Riua is taken by the Venetians Great cruelty La Garda Bardolin and Lansiza are taken Sforza's aduise to the Prouidator and Captainâ—… of the Armie The Prouidators answer to Sforza The effect of Auogadres speech to Sforza Monzabane is taken Riuoltella yeeldeth Sales taken The Generals sodaine resolution Sforza vanquisâ—…eth the enemies Soncina takeâ—… 〈◊〉 de Aste is put to râ—…nt Ambassadors come to Sforza 〈◊〉 Bressia and Bergamo Sforza recâ—…ereth Casal Maior Breguan
Triuil and Râ—…molca 〈◊〉 the countrey of Gyradadeart recouered by Sforza Sforza taketh Carauazza Piciniâ—…s proiect The battaile of Anglare betwixt Picinino and the lâ—…ague The defence flight of the Venetians The great number of prisoners Picinino dispa ireth after the losse of the battâ—…le Sfoâ—…zas great conquest Nicolâ—…o d'Aeste commeth to Sforza's Campe to 〈◊〉 of peace The Venetians take Pesâ—…ara Nâ—…colao d'Aestâ—… bringeth the Ladie Bianca to Mantua Sforza's answere to those that entreated him to go thither where Biaâ—…ca lay Raucnna vnder the Venetians The great entertainement giuen to Sforza at Venice Francisco Barbaro highly esteemed in Venice The Bressans are recompenced for their loyaltie Great triumphs at Uenice at the wedding of the Princes sonne Picinino his vnlookt for 〈◊〉 into the Countrie of Bressia Sforza recruers the bridge of Valeza The Venetians place Attendaâ—… in Mellato's 〈◊〉 After what maner Picinino incamped Sforza his speech to his souldiâ—…s The fight betwixt Picinino and Sforza is broken off â—…y the approch oâ—… night Sforza besiegeth Martinenga Philip is reduced to great 〈◊〉 The number of the Venetian armie before Martinenga Philips resolution Peace is concludâ—…d by Sforza and Philips commissioner Picinino his complaints vpon â—…he report of pence The Senates answere to Sforza Sforza is busie in hearing and satisfyng the Ambassadour Sforzas sentence coâ—…cerning the strife betwixt the Ambassours Sforza with his wife commeth to Venice Andrea Dandulo is sent Ambassador to the Soldan of Babilon Mellatos death Three new Procurators of S. Marke created The Citie of Antiuari subiect to the Venetians A great deluge at Venice Bistice assailed by the Uenetians The king of Arragons daughter commeth to Venice 〈◊〉 d'Aeste comes to venice Diuers Gallies armed at Venice against the Turkes The Christianâ—… possesse the streight The Pope and Philpâ—… dâ—…scontent The cause of Sforzas hatred taking Alphonso The Pope king Alphonso and Philip make league against Sforza Sforza sends his brother to the aide of Renatus Picinino departeth from La Marca Warre renued in La Marca Haniâ—…al Beâ—…tiuole prisoner The Bologneses hauing recouered their liberty craue the alliance of the Venetians and â—…lorentines Hanibal Bentiuole is trâ—…acherously slaine by his enemies Picinio entirely defeated by Sforza Picininos death Carpeliâ—…ns death La Marca is reduced vnder the Popes obedience AlexaÌ„der Sforza his brother reuolteth from him Italus of Friul and Giacomo Guiuano are put to death The Venetians in Sforza's behalfe denounce warre to Philip. Disgrace offered to an Ambassador The Venetians vanquish Philips forces An other victory of the Venetians The Venetians reuoke all that which had beene giuen to Sforza Philips Ambassadors come to Venice to treate of peace Pope Eugenius death Ambassadours sent to the new Pope The Princes son is confined into Candie Andrea Donato being accused to haue beene corrupted is condemned in a pecuniarie fine Carolo Montone taketh the Venetians partie Attendulo his incursions vpon the Milanois The 〈◊〉 take Brebia Mount Barriâ—… taken The plague in Venice The Anconitans yeeld to the Venetians Philips death Lodes yeeldeth to the Venetians Plaisancia doth the like An accord betwixt those of Milan and Sforza Sforza comes to the field Ambassadours sent from Milan to Venice with the Venetians answere A nauall Armie determined against the Milaneses Attenduloeâ—… incursions vpon the Milanese A motion of peace A nauall armie against pirates Vitalis Sarde the pirate hanged Alphonso imprisoneth all the venetians in his kingdome Alphonsoes answere to the Venetian Ambassadours 〈◊〉 takes the Venetians party Sforza taketh diuers townes The Venetians nauall armie is broken Sforza besiegeth Carauazza The number of both the armies Diuersitie of opinions in the venetians camp The venetians on a sodaine and vnlookt for doe assaile Sforza's campe Sforza defeateth the venetians Dandulos braue answere A new Armie of the venetians Sforza besigeth Bressia Many townes yeeld to Sforza after the battel The Milaneses suspect Sforza Sforzas resolutioÌ„ Sforzas secret practises with the venetians Accord betwixt the venetians and Sforza Sforza marâ—…heth against the Milaneses A battaile betwixt the Turkes and Christians at â—…drianople Diuers townes of the state of Milan yeeld to Sforza Sforza besiegeth Milan Coyoni his victorie The people of Milan come forth disbanded against Sforza The Milaneses feare of Sforza's Armie The famous theft which a Greeke did enterprise The inestimable valew of the tresure of Venice The theese is hanged betwixt the columnes The accuser is recompensed The Venetians suspect Sforza Alphonso expelleth the Venetians out of his dominions The Venetians nauall army against Alphonso The Gotholans are vanqâ—…shed at Ortona A motion of peace betwixt Sforza and the Milaneses Crenia yeeldeth to the VenetiaÌ„s The articles propounded to Sforza Sforzaes answer to the proposition of peace Accord betwixtâ—… the Venetians and Milaneses Sforza maketh warre on both the Common-wealths A cruel fight at the mouth of the hauen of Siracusa Ambassadors assembled at venice The venetians resolue on warre against Sforza and choose Malateste for their Generall Sforza his preparations A great dearth in Milan Sforzas wise discreet resolution The venetians Ambassador is muâ—…thered in Milan Sforza is proclaimed Duke of Milan Peace betwixt the venetians and king Alphonso An excellent example of chastitie in a Germain Ladie The Emperour Fredericke with his wise commeth into Italy The Pope honâ—…reth the venetiâ—… prince with the golden sword the girdle and ornament for his head A motion of peace with Sforza The death of Hermolao Donato The Duke of Austria commeth to Venice The king of Bossina sendeth presents to the venetian prince Coyone is on a sodaine and vnlookt for assailed by the Senates command Carolo Gonzaga imploreth the venetians aide The great entertainment giuen to the Emperour Fredericke and Leonora his wife at Venice The Senates Decrce to get money to furnish the expences for the warres The Venetian troupes come to the gates of Milan The Uenetians besiege Soncina Sforza with 20000. men commeth into the Bressan territorie The Venetians march against the enemies The number of both Armies William of Mont ferrat is van quished by Sacromor Visconte The Flarentines send to the fieÌ„ch King Coyone makes incursions on the Bressanterritorie Sforzas troupes are defeated Sforza taketh Caluisians The death of Hector Brandolino A fierce fight with victorie on neither side Sforza 〈◊〉 red to Casar Sforza resusing to fight reth retâ—… 〈◊〉 to his winter garrisons Alphonso pursueth the Florentines The Turkes intend to inuade Constantinople Stephano Porcio his conspiracie against the Pope Stephano Porcio is put to death The Florentines recouer Foglian Leonesio his death Sundrie combats and in counters betwixt the Uenetians and Sforzans King Renatus commeth to Sforzas companie Manerbia and Ponteuico yeeld to Sforza Constantinople besieged Aide entereth into Constantinople by Sea The Emperours exhortation to his souldiers The Emperour in despaire The death of the Emperor of Constantinople The Turkish crueltie Pope Nicholas recompence to as many as shold tak armes against the Turkes Sforzaes exploits
Bentiuoâ—…es The Bentiuoles being discouraged submit to the Pope Bolognia yeelded to the Pope The King of Arragon commeth into the Realme of Naples Lewis the French King commeth inâ—… Italy The great hatred which the Pope did beare to the Venetians 1507. A strang suspition of the Pope concerning the King The false reports which the Pope threw abroad against the king Enteruiew of king of France and Arragon at Sauona Aduertizements to the Princes of Germany to cleere the suspition of the French King VVhat was concluded in the Dyet at Constance The Venetians greatly perplexed The Venetians resolute answer to the Emperors ambassadors The Emperor finde to himselfe frustrate of his hopes The Pope refuseth the Emperors request The great preparations of King Lewis the Venetians to stop the Emperors passage The Emperor summons those of Verona to gâ—…ue him passag The Emperor commeth towards Vincenza and on a sodaine returneth into Germany The Venetians great preparations The Almains defeated in the vale of Cadora The Emperor reiteraeteth his Amâ—…assadio the Venetians for passage The Senates answer to the Emperors Ambassador Aluiana his exploits in Friul An old man's speech to the Senate warrs resolued against Maximilian Flight of the Venetian Garrison Maximilians Army desolued for a small occasion The Castle of Creste yeelded to the Venetians The Venetians retire from before the Fort of la Pietra The Venetians refuse to grant Maximilian truce for three yeares Iarring betwixt the Com missioners assembled about the truce Truce betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians The French King complaineth of the truce The French King 〈◊〉 bleth What was practised vnder hand again ct the Venetians Confederacy of the Pope Emperor French King and King of Arragon against the Uenetians The Confederacy ratified by the Emperor and the two Kings The difficulty which the Pope made to ratifie the consederacie The Popes secret menaces to the Venetians The Venetians secret practises with Maximilian The Venetians great preparations for their defence Ambuscado 〈◊〉 surprise the Count Petillan The Pope ratifieth the treaty of Caâ—…bray The Venetians attempt in vaine to be reconciled to the Pope and the Emperor The Venetians are astonished at sondry bad presages The Venetians army on the entry of the country of Giradade Sondry opinions of the Venetian Captaines The Lord of Chaumont General of the Kings army The French take Treui Casal-Maior yeelded The Popes terrible monitory against the Venetians The Duke of Venice his answere to the French Kings Herald The Venetians Armie at Foutane lla The Venetians recouer Treui The Kings Armie 〈◊〉 very neer to that of the Venetians Sundry opinions in the Kings Armie The Kings resolution to enforce the enemies to fight The number of the Kings Armie The number of the Venetians Army The Kings Armie and that of the Venetians fight suriously one with an other The Venetians lose the battle of Gyradade The King take to Carauagia Bressia yeeldeth to the king How the Venetians were daunted at the report of the battails losse The Venetians offer to the Pope The Venetians seeke to be reconciled to the Emperor The great progression of the French army Al Romagnia yeâ—…ldeth to the Pope vpon the same onely of the Kings victory The Duke of Terrara declares him selfe against the Uenetians The Marquis of Mantua doth the like The Emperors army vnder the Duke of Brunswic The Venetians quit Padua Verona and ther places of the firme land The Venetians obtaine nothing of the Pope nor Emperor Hope giuen to the Venetians The Pope being mooued with pitty takes compassion on the Venetians Treuiso coâ—…tinueth obedient to the Venetians The Venetians take courage An enteruiew resolued on betwixt the Emperor and the French King The Emperour on a sodaine breaketh the enteruiew The Venetians take Padua The French Kings resolution The Venetians masters of the Champaine country New agreements betwixt the Pope and the King The Marquis of Mantua taken prisoner and brought to Venice Cadora taken and sackt by the Imperials The Emperour propoundeth to assault Venice Frangipane makes warre in Histria The Venetian Ambassadors come by might into Rome The Emperor determines to beseege Padua The great Turkes offer to the Venetian Senate The Emperors progression nere to Padua The Emperoâ—… beseeged Padua The number of the Emperours army The number of the army in Padua The Count Petillan hath the command in Padua The King of Hungary will by no meanes make warre on the Venetians being solicited therevnto Assault giuen to a Rauelin of the city Assault giuen to the breach of the Bastion of Codolongaâ—… These that came to the assault retire There Emperor raiseth his campe from before Padua The Emperor reâ—…rneth into Germany Contention betwixt the Pope and the King VVhat the Popes meaning was The Popes answer to those who hindered the Venetians absolution The Venetians recouer Vincenza The Imperials succor Verona with men and victuals The Venetians nauall army scoureth the Po as farre as Fiquerolles The cause of the Venetians hatred to the Duke of Ferrara The Venetian General builds two Bastions on the two banks of Po. The Venetians driue the Ferrarois from the Bastions The Venetians recouer the Pollesin The Venetians prouide for Legnaga Suaua and Vincenza The Duke of Ferraradeseateth the Venetians naual army The Duke of Ferrara takes Loretta The Emperour goeth to bold a Dyet at Inspruch A treaty of trnce motioned betwixt the Imperor and the Venctians broken The Emperors proposition to the French King The Pope absolutly the Venetian Maximillian and the French King are displeased with the Pope for absoluing the Venetians The Popes bad meaning to the French King The Kings anger against the Swisses VVherevnto the Popes actions tended The enterprize vpon Verona discouered The Pope in batred to the King doth assaile the Duke of Ferrara a new The French King greatly perplexed The Lord of Chaumont taketh the Pollesin of Rouigo The Vincentine commissioners craue pardon of the Prince of Anbalt The Vincentines yeeld themselues to the victors mercy The French beseege Legnaga Legnaga taken The death of the Cardinal of Amboyse The Lord of Chaumont takes diuers places which stopped the Emperors comming into Italy Verona and her territory pawned to the King for a hundred thousand crownes Monselesia with her Castle taken ruyned The Lord of Chaumont with his forces returneth to the Dutchy of Milan The Popes discontent against the King The Popes secret practises Genoa assured for the King The Popes army taketh Modena Six thousand Swisses come to Varese against the king The six thousand Swisses returne home into their contry for want of victualls and mony The Venetians recouer all the places neere to Padua which had bin taken by the French Verona besieged The number of the Venenetian Army The Venetians raise their Campe from before Verons The King of Hungary summoneth the Venetian Ambassador The Venetians take Azola The Marquis of Mantua is set at liberty Enterprise vpon Genoa The Venetian fleâ—… shâ—…'t by
a tempest The Popes great resolution against the Duke of Ferrara The Popes preparations against the citty of Ferrara The Venetians intelligence vpon Bressia discouered The Ferrarois defeateth two â—…cetes of the Venetians The Pope exâ—… Alfonso of Este and all his adherents A Generall councel published at Lyons The Bishop of Gurcia commeth into France from the Emperor New confederacy betwixt the Emperor and the French King The French army marcheth toward Bolognia where the Pope lay The Earle of Mirandole sent from the Pope to the Lord of Chaumont The Pope takes courage at the comming of supplies The Lord of Chaumont distrusts the victory The Lord of Chaumont retireth from Bolognia The Pope returneth to his former wrâ—…h The Duke of Ferrara assaileth the Uenetians naual Army The Popes army taketh Saâ—…suala The Popes proposition to the Captains of his Army Concorda taken by the Popes Amy. The Cause of the Kings loosing of Mirandola Those of Mirandola yeeld vpon sâ—…fety of their liues and goods The different opinions of the French Captaines Triuulcio his oration in defence of his opinion The French Army marcheth towards Modena A great earthquake at Venice The Popes forces defeated before the Bastid Geniuola The EmperorMaximillian inclineth to peace The King displeased with this new deter mination The practises of the King of Arragons Abassador The King sendeth the Bishop of Paris to Mantâ—… Gaston of Foix his incursions The Popes great entertainment giuen to the Bishop of Gurcia at Bolognia Speech of agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians The Pope breakes off the treaty 〈◊〉 â—…keth Concordia Iohn Paul Manfron taken prisoner by Gaston of Foix. Triuulcio draweth neere to Bolognia The Popes exhortation to the Bolognois The answer of the Balognois to the Pope Sundry thoughts of the Bolognois The flight of the Cardinal of Pauia The Bentiuolcs with the French are in Bolognia The flight of the Duke of Vrbin Iniury offered to the opes statue in Bolognia In what manner the Uenetians prouided for their Cities of the firme land The Cardinall of Pauia performeth bad offices in the duke of Vrbins beâ—…alse The Cardinall of Pauia slaiue by the Duke of Vrbin Libels set vp in diuers places against the Pope The French Kingâ—… great desire to bee at peace with the Pope The Emperors suÌ„dry thoughts The Venetian army retireth to Padua and Treuiso The Emperour changing his minde goeth back to Trent The Kings forces in the Dutchy of Milan The Venetians doâ—… stil maintaine their 〈◊〉 and greatnesse Confederacy betwixt the Pope the king of Arragon and the Venetians The number of the confederates army Gaston of Foix Lieutenant general for the King in the Dutchy of Milan The Swisses defie Gaston of Foix. The Swisses come down into the Dutchy of Milan The Swisses retuâ—…ne home 〈◊〉 The Bastide taken by the Spaniards The 〈◊〉 army marcheth towards Bolognia The forces that were iâ—… Bolognia The confederates smal progression before Bolognia A breach made at Bolognia A strang miracle in the mine Aide sent to the bâ—…seeged Gaston of Foix comes to the aide of Bolognia The consederates army dislodgeth from before Bolognia Gaston of Foix releeues the Castle of Bressia Andre Griul reâ—…ireth The Venetians returning to the assault of Bressia enter the City Bergamo expelleth the Frinch The speed of Gaston of Foix. Iohn Paul Baillon is broken and defcated by Gaston of Foiâ—… Gaston of Foix defeateth Meleager of Furli Gaston of Foix bauing entred the Castle of Bressia marcheth to the resâ—…ue of the 〈◊〉 The French after a long fight became masters of the City André Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano taken prisoners Count Lodowick Auogare beheaded The losse of Bressia troubleth the Venetians Truce agreed on betwixt the Emperor and the Venetianâ—… The number of Gaston of Foix his army Gaston of Foix his great desire to fight Gaston of Foix beseegeth Rauenna The resoâ—…ue to assaile the enemy and not the Citty The French are victors in the battaile of Rauenna Goston of Foix is slaine by the Spaniards Rauenna taken and spoiled by the French VVhat astonish nent the losse of the bataâ—…le brought to Rome The Popes perplexity The Pope will by no meanes haue peace with the French The Cardinall of Medicis prisoner at Milan The Swisses â—…atred to the French King The Suisses take the way towards the Dutchy of Milan La Palisse forsaketh the field and gardeth the towns The Lancequenets forsake the French King The Venetians great progression in the company of the Suisses Triuultio comming to the Army is of opinion to abandon the Dutchy of Milan Genoa reuolteth from the King Legnaga yeelded The treaty betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians handled Difficulties concerning the agreement League betwixt the Pope and the Emperor Maximillian Sforza in possession of the Dutchy of Milan The death oâ—… Pope Iulius the second A motion of agreemâ—…t betwixt the French King and the Uenetians The league concluded betwixt the King and the Venetians The Articles of the League The election of Pope Leo the tenth The new Pope is tâ—…ssed with sondry thoughts The Venetians constancy in maiâ—…tayning their alliance The King prepareth â—…or his returne into Italy The number of the French Army The number of the Ventian Army The enterprise on Uerona discouered The Venetians take Valegia and Pâ—…scara The Venetians take Creâ—…a The 〈◊〉 descate some of the Uenetian â—…orces The Lansqueâ—…ets enterprise vpon Vincenza broken All the Dutchâ—… of Milan iâ—…â—…proare Maximillian Sfoorza retireth to Nouara Milan reduced to the French gouernment Brâ—…ssia yeelded The Suisses Protectors of of the State of Milan The Suisses discontent make warre on the French king The French besiege Nouara in vaine The French retire from before Nouara The resolution of the Suisses The Suisses saâ—…ly foâ—…to to fight with the French The French Campe in feare and confusion at the Suisses 〈◊〉 The Suisses great boldnesse The Suisses victory at Noâ—… The whole Dutâ—…hy of Millan yeeldeth to 〈◊〉 Cremona taken and sackâ—… by the Spaniards Legnaga taken and dismantmantled by the Venetians The Venetians besiege 〈◊〉 Verona Aluiana raising his siege spoileth the Countrey The Castle of Legnaga taken by the Spaniards The Venetian Armie retireth to Padua and Treuiso The Pope reuiueth the agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians The Venetianâ—… constancie The Venetians offers to the French King The French Kings anâ—…wer 〈◊〉 Venetians The Venetians 〈◊〉 the French King The Kings Submission to the Pope The Popes reproachful speeches of the Venetians The Pope sendeth forces to the Emperor against the Uenetians Prouisions made by the Venetians The 〈◊〉 Army on the bankes of Adissâ—… The 〈◊〉 of Rance de Cere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Crema The 〈◊〉 loose 〈◊〉 Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 portance the taking of 〈◊〉 duâ—… 〈◊〉 The Imperials resolution to 〈◊〉 Padua Padua furnished of all things necessary to susteine a siege The number of the enemies before Padua The Imperials raise their siege from before Padua The enemies spoile ruinâ—… Uincenza
all exercises of pietie and taking vpon himselfe the cause of the poore he did comfort their pouertie with a meruailous affection He built besides a deuout Hospitall which is yet to be seene at this day right ouer against the great market-place He did moreouer take into his owne protection and maintained with an incredible charitie the Colledges the Clergie and all Religious sorts of people He did patiently beare whatsoeuer Vitalis who was absent and his adherents did daily practise against him whose wicked deseignes were likewise as some say diuinely reuealed vnto him At the last after hee had spent the yeare in these good exercises vpon a night for Guerin failed not to returne at the prefixed time he left the Citie in disguised habite vnknown to his wife his sonne and all his kins-folkes and went on his iourney When he for sooke his charge and Countrie he was followed and accompanied by Giouanni Gradonico Giouanni Morosini Remoaldo and Marini of Rauenna they all being partakers of his enterprise He led in processe of time so holie and religious a life as after his death in Aquitaine where he passed the remainder of his daies hee was as hath beene said honoured for many miracles ¶ VITALIS CANDIANO the 24. Duke of Uenice THe Citie being depriued of such a Prince was possessed with a meruailous sorrow but their desire to haue him againe was much greater Yet neuerthelesse remembring the Common-wealth they made hast the next day to elect another in his sted that was so much bewailed Vitalis Candiano sonne to Pietro Candiano the third was by the generall coâ—…sent declared Prince At this mans entreatie Vitalis Patriarch of Grada who till then for feare of the people had absented himselfe was called home into his Countrie And was soone after by the Princes meanes sent in companie of the Ambassadours into Germanie vnto Otho who extreamely hated the Venetians for the cruell death of Pietro Candiano This Ambassade was to much purpose for it did appease the wrath of Otho wherein the presence of Vitalis sonne to the murthered Duke did greatly auaile them of whom he had a verie great care taking order for his safetie which he could not haue done if he had dismissed the Ambassadours vnsatisfied In the meane space Duke Candiano fell grieuously sicke a yeare and certaine moneths after his election and imagining hee could not liue long deposing himselfe from his charge and vowing all the remainder of his dayes to a mouasticke life he caused himselfe to bee carried to Saint Hillaries Monasterie where within few daies after he dyed and lies buried ¶ TRIBVNO MEMIO the 25. Duke of Venice TRibuno Memio a great wise man but of few words was elected in his sted This man although he was very wise as we haue said was not verie fortunate in his gouernment For he was at times cruelly assailed by the conspiracies of his fellow-Citizens And moreouer in his time the Morosini and Caloprini two verie noble families fighting one with the other with greater hatred than force caused the people manie times to behold verie vile and bloudie spectacles of the which I know not whether I may reckon that for chiefe and most cruell which in likelihood though not in effect was done by Stephano Calloprini who came with his children allies and diuers others of his faction well armed to assaile the house of Morosini with an intent not onely to kill all the men but wholly to extinguish if it had beene possible the name of the familie This armed troupe marched through the Citie readie to fight with as great boldnesse and hatred as if it had beene against the publike enemie wherat the people being amazed silently attended to see the issue therof when as the Morosini surprised perhaps or else fearing their enemies came not in sight I know not whether they defended themselues in their own houses or whether dispersed through the Citie which some doe affirme they hid themselues in this tumult among their friends and kinds folkes and did not shew themselues But the Citie could not escape that daie from beeing coloured with the bloud of her Citizens For the mischief was that albeit they fought not yet nener the lesse by chance there was a miserable murther committed Dominico Morosino beeing met neere to the Castle was vnluckily slaine by the Caloprini They beeing afterwards called in question for this murther for they were sure that those of the contrarie faction aided by Tribuno did Arme themselues to reuenge this iniurie fledde with their Captaine Stephano to Verona to the Emperour Otho the second vnto whom for hatred of the Prince and the familie of the Morosini they promised that state of Venice Otho did willingly lend an eare to this offer because hee perceiued the practisers to be of the chiefe of the Citie But before hee would assaile them by open warre he would trie whether he could winne them by famine He forth with forbad ouer all Italie anie traffike with the Venetians He caused to be signified vnto them that they should not enter into anie of the Cities of the Empire neither vpon trafficke nor any other pretence If they did any thing rashly hee would holde them afterwards for open enemies By these menaces they soone knew whereunto Otho tended For in shutting all manner of victuals from them he meant to bring them to the last and most intolerable point of all miserie which is hunger But howsoeuer the Citie might be affrighted thereby yet would not the Venetians seeme to bee amazed nor make shew to vnderstand whereunto Otho his desseignes tended dissâ—…mbling their griefe and feare resoluing rather to endure all extreames than to lose their libertie The want of all necessaries grew already verie great in the Citie when those of Capodarger enioying the same priuiledges with them as oftentimes one mischiefe followes an other reuolted against them The inhabitants obtained of the Emperour for their reuolt certaine inheritances of the Lauretans to the end it might serue for a baite for others to doe the like But these things beeing done abroade and the Citie in the meane time pressed with want of all necessaries they began to laie all the fault on those of the faction of the Caloprini which were neere to Otho accusing them that by their meanes and pursuite the enemie laied all these trappes for them Whereupon by a publick decree the houses of the Calloprini were wholly razed to the ground their wiues and children committed to safe keeping and the remainder of their goods confiscate Otho in the meane space perseuering in his selfe-will not to make open war vpon the Venetians nor yet to haue peace with them went to Rome where being stricken with a sodaine disease he within few daies died The Venetians were by his death as at sundrie other times deliuered from a great danger Adheleta after Otho dis decease not willing to abandon
the Caloprini obtained of the Venetians that Stephano and those who had followed him should be repealed from bannishment which the Prince and people granting at Adheleta's request and the Calloprini being returned into their Countrie it hapned that foure of the Morosini remembring fore-passed wrongs did assaile and kill three brethren of the Caloprini sonnes to Stephano as they returned to the Palace entring into a boate to goe home to their houses The Duke was suspected and the people beleeued it that this murther was committed by his consent but hee cleared himselfe in open Assembly The same Prince gaue to Giouanni Morosino at his returne from Aquitain whither he had accompanied Vrseolo Saint Georges Church which stands right ouer against the Market-place with the Marshes adioining which were dependancies of the Dukes Chappell vpon condition to build thereupon a Monasterie for the Religious of the order of Saint Bennet He sent his sonne Mauritio to Basilius Emperour of Greece to the end that being honoured by him with certaine titles hee might appeare more notable among his fellow-Citizens All these things thus executed he was surprized with a grieuous disease by meanes whereof he voluntarily deposed himselfe or as some say he was constrained so to doe by the people the foureteenth yeare of his gouernment for that in the ciuill dissensions he had carried him selfe not like a iust Prince but had euer fauoured one side more than another He liued not long after for so soone as he had made himselfe a Monke he died forthwith ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLO the second the 26. Duke of Uenice PIetro Vrseolo was by the people declared his successor This dignitie was foretold him a long time before as by a Diuine presage by his Father who was a man of an holie life During his gouernment the Venetians State did meruailously encrease both at home and abroade First of all hee obteined of Basilius and Alexis who at the same time did iointly command the Grecian Empire that through all their Dominions the Venetian Marchants should be free by Sea and land from al customes and tributes He did moreouer by his Ambassadours purchase the frendship of the Kings of Aegypt and Siria Then did he win by bountie and good offices the greatest Lords of Italie So soone as hee perceiued a conuenient time to reuenge all the wronges which the Venetians had receiued of the Narentines hee for bad to paie them any more the accustomed yearely tribute for the free commerce and Nauigation of the coast of Dalmatia The Narentines being thereby incensed against the Venetians did sodainely rob and spoile And not satisfied with their thefts at Sea they came on shoare spoiled the Countrie neere to Zara For that Citie alone of all the rest of Dalmatia was at the same time subiect to the Venetians But the Venetians were not onely molested by these incursions but all the neighbour-Nations Likewise who after they had endured it with much discontentment for a while perceiuing the furie of these robbers who abused their patience daily to encrease and foreseeing that those insolent people would neuer giue ouer vnlesse their attempts were assisted Diuers Dalamatians not finding themselues alone strong enough for such an enterprise had recourse to the Venetians The Ambassadours of Liburnia and Histria came thither likewise being all of them sent for this purpose to treate with the Prince in the name of their Common-wealths That if he would send a mightie fleet into Dalmatia against the Narentines to defend the Sea-coastes and the neere nieghbours thereof from the theftes of these Pirats that it would come to passe which they in the name of their fellow-citizens did promise that all Dalmatia along the Sea-coast Liburnia and Histria would submit themselues vnder the Venetians dominion The offers which the Ambassadours made did puffe vp the Princes minde and filled the whole Citie with great hope one day to be Lords of Dalmatia Whereupon fearing to loose such an occasion they resolued to send forth a mightie Fleet. But before wee speake of the setting out thereof wee must briefly make mention of the situation of that Prouince fetching it from farre The Grecians called those Illirians which inhabited the vpper parts of Macedonia and Thrace from the Cahonians and Thesprotti vnto the Riuer of Histria encreasing in bredth from the hilles of Macedon and Thrace euen to the Peonians and the 〈◊〉 Sea containing in all fiue daies iourney and in length thrice asmuch The which being measured by the Roman Authors was found to containe 6000. stadij in length and 1200. in bredth Whereby it is apparent that the Ancients haue called all that Illiria which is contained within these limits euen to the Adriatick-Sea comprehending therein Dalmatia and Liburnia They 〈◊〉 besides that the Prouince and the Nation were so named by Illirius sonne to Poliphemus and Galathea sometimes Lords of that Countrie that Dardanus Taulanâ—…s with others were his children from whom the Dardanians and Taulantians people of Dalmatia are descended This Prouince such as it is did in times past containe according to the ancient diuision of the Cosmographers Liburnia and Dalmatia At this present all that Countrie whith lieth from Histria verie neere to Liburnia which stretcheth it selfe towards the Adriatick-Sea and almost to the riuer Drillon is called Dalmatia Those who inhabited vpon this riuer were the Dalmatians in times past Since then the Epirots being driuen forth of their Countrie possessed this Prouince euen to Macedon and all the Region is by the Moderns called Albania In this sort Dalmatïa extends it selfe more from the North to the South than from the East to the West Now the armie being in a readinesse and the Soldiours ship't after that Vrseolo had receiued the publicke ensignes in the Church of Oliuollo from the hands of the Bishop he sailed into Dalmatia It was then the spring-time and sailing pleasantly he arriued first at Aquileia after at Grada Vitalis Bishop of the Citie accompanied with the whole Clergie and the people went out to meete him and after he had welcomed him Take saith he Vrseolo this banner of Saint Hermagoras which I wish may be fortunate to thy selfe and to the Commonwealth cause thy Soldiours to follow it among the ensignes of their Countrie and let them fight valiantly vnder it I hope that thou wilt one day confesse that this banner which wee giue thee hath no lesse aided thee in the obtaining of the victorie than the strength and courage of thy people Wee are not ignorant how that by valour all Common-weales are well gouerned but they are much better when they haue God for their guide I doe accept saith the Duke this thy Presage and I pray thee when we are departed hence to beseech that good God to graunt vs a prosperous voiage and victorie ouer our enemies Then bidding him farewell hee came with a faire winde sodainly into Histria Histria is