the midst of the City the Picture of Death was set up near a red Flag yet there went great numbers that had neither houses nor shops to be plunder'd to the Castles There was a Design to make a Mine under Saint Ursola and to blow it up with Gunpowder but Prince Turaldo in regard it was a Religious house would not permit it which made him to be somewhat suspected by the people There were some houses near the Fathers of Santa Maria which were burnt to the ground and all the Office-houses which belong'd to the said Fathers were us'd in the like manner besides divers other fair houses near San Suriano that it was a most pitiful spectacle to behold it There was a Design discover'd that a Priest had on foot against the most faithful people who was of the Family of the Giordani they presently chopp'd off his head and cut others to pieces in great numbers who were of the Conjuration The Nuns of the Divine Love were remov'd for fear of the Spaniards into another Monastery call'd the Sacrament near Francisco nuovo There came from Nocera to serve the most faithful people four hundred fresh men very well arm'd which did much encournge the City and the next day after they came they perform'd a notable piece of service against the Spaniards who were thought to begin to want powder for there was a calculation made that they had discharg ' d from the three Castles Galleons and Gallies above thirty three thousand Bullets already There was a Captain made shorter by the head in regard the people had some jealousies that he held correspondence with the Viceroy having divers barrels of powder in his lodging which he had not discover'd The next morning betimes the Spaniards played from Land and Sea with their great Cannons so that it made the very earth to tremble they threw balls of wild-fire also into the City which did notable hurt and made both women and children to cry out and howl miserably up and down the streets The great Bell of San Lorenzo rung out again but that night the Capuchin Fryer who was brother to the Archbishop and was accounted a very holy man was permitted to go to the Castle to his Highness Don John of Austria to whom he propos'd some terms of Accommodation Don John directed him to the Viceroy but nothing could be obtain'd The Captain General of the people the Prince of Massa was suspected to have intelligence with the Enemy in regard of a Lukewarmness they found in him in the execution of his Office therefore he was committed prisoner to the Zapateria in a certain dark Cave and Chanchiero who had chopp'd off the head of Don Peppo Caratta the Duke of Mataluni's brother who was but a Shop-keeper was appointed to exercise the Office of Captain General for it wa◠incredible to what a skill the common Citizens wer◠come to in point of Arms. And now the most splendid and delicate City of Naples which ravish'd all tha◠came into Her she which was one of the Glories 〈◊〉 Italy was reduc'd now to such an extremity that she might be termed the miserablest and most barbarous of all Cities such is the effect of War and the fury of the people The Spaniards on the one side put all to fire and sword the Citizens on the other side bur◠the Goods and destroy the houses of those of whom they had the least umbrage of suspition The children cry up and down the streets for bread which was extream scant and every thing else very dear only the sea thanks be to God afforded good store of Fish but for Flesh there was neither salt nor fresh in any competency The people having made a Mine under Porta Reale it was discovered by the Spaniards who seiz'd upon all the powder and took some of the Miners which they carried to the Castle There was a very bloudy fight 'twixt the Citizens and the Spaniards about the Dogana or Custom-house whence the people had remov'd above a Million of goods into the House of the Duke of Adri. There came four hundred fresh men from Sanseverino to serve the people about which time a great many houses were burnt about Porta Reale There came also six thousand Combatants for Recruites from other places as Lauro Nola and other Towns insomuch that the City had not wherewith to sustain them they were in such numbers About the Dogana there was the most furious fight of all which lasted six hours wherein many hundred were wounded and slain but more on the peoples sides and all the while the great bell of St. Lorenzo rang out while they were shedding one anothers blood Thete were about a hundred boys called Lazari which had certain darts who went up and down and put fire to the Convent of Jesu where they rush'd in and did much hurt but they were all beaten out by the Spaniards The next day there was a tough and bloody skirmish at Porta Medina and the great bell of St. Lorenzo rung out three times the Fight was pursued to Sancta Lucia where the people broke open a gate but they were forced to turn back by the exemplary valour of Don Diomede Caraffa who had a very choice Brigade though few in number the next morning there was nothing but flames and smoak through the West side of the City there were so many Houses and some of them very fair ones which were set on fire the night before which had not yet done burning There came the next day three hundred men from Salerno for the assistance of the people who were quarter'd towards the Sea-side that evening and all night following the great Bell of St. Lawrence sounded again and the Fight continued all night most furiously wherein many of the new Salerno-men breath'd their last The next day there was truce propos'd but to little purpose so they fell to it all night again and many hundreds were slain Among the people some of the Family of Parigi were shot to death upon suspition to hold correspondence with the Castle Don John of Austria sent some Gallies with a design to secure Posilipo but they fail'd in the effect for the Spaniords were beaten back being ore-powr'd by multitudes The people finding that they were weak in Horse they made a new Cavalry and they admitted some of the Banditi to their Troops who had come to fish in these troubled waters to command them The Duke of Mataluni had sent some choice Troops of Horse to Don John of Austria which did extraordinary service He sent a Cavalier of Quality to the Captain-General of the People to know the merit of their Cause and why they were so active in their own destruction and the ruine of so many innocent souls and such a glorious City But the people sent back but an uncivil Answer viz. That when the Confirmation was come from the Court of Spain they would send his Highness another kind of Message till then 't
in Naples for the Duke of Montelione did bestir himself notably who advanc'd boldly towards the Dogana he attempted also to force the passage to Sancta Lucia to confront the Enemy having done so oftentimes before At last having advice that in Calabria there were new Tumults he made it appear to his Highness how necessary it was for him to return thither hereupon parting from Don John with many expressions of endearments he had the Title conferr'd upon him of Vicar-General with a very ample Commission to that effect yet with this restrictive clause That the Kingdom being quieted he would be willing to resign the Chaâ—â—â— So leaving the best part of his Brigade behinde for the service of Naples he imbarqued himself the night following for Carantaro In the morning betimes they of the Greek Tower came to tender their obedience the sixth of November So for the guarding of that place the Camp-master-General quarter'd there 150 Calabreses and 200 Neapolitans to be commanded by the Duke of Nartina and Luigi Minutulo with their Troops of Horse and Seignior Caesare Caraffa But being setled there there came the day following 1200 of the peoples Army under the command and conduct of Capitan Rosso who suriously assaulted them and having gain'd the first Trenches with the death of 15 Calabreses whom the Duke Monteleone had brought and 4 Spaniards they burnt the Monastery of Santa Maria together with the Hospital of the Incurables cutting off the heads of 15 sick men but they within making a virtue of necessity sallied out with that magnanimous resolution that they put them to flight and took about 300 of them prisoners and did execution upon above 100 in the pursuit Cavallero Medici got the Colours of the Horse the Count of Santa Maria Don Michael Almaide the Prince of Castillaneta with the Marquess of Trevico did signal service that day In Naples in the interim Judge Palma who had retired himself into the Castle did frame a Writing exhorting the people to conform themselves and submit to the mercy of his Highness who did offr to stay there for Hostage until the Capitulations came from his Majesty In that Writing of the Judge there were many Proposals worthy of the consideration with Cautions how the French in former Ages did carry and miscarry themselves in that Kingdom How that in the compass of less than 4 moneths they were forced to send them away packing and desire the Spaniard to enter now it is not observed that the French are any thing alter'd in their Natures to this day but are still the same insolent and unstable men as they were from the beginning Yet for all these Overtures of Reconcilement the great Cannons played still and all sorts of small shot and acts of hostility committed night and day 'twixt both parties and this day the Musketiers came as far as the Nuncio's house which was much wondered at It was expected about this time that a general Indulgence or Amnestia should be publish'd through all the Kingdom and that for 10 years there should be a Freedom given of all the Lands moreover that the power of the Barons o're their Tenants should be restrain'd There came news to Naples that the Marquess of Velez was dead in his Viceroyship of Sicily and that Cardinal Trivultio was appointed to succeed him in the Government of that Kingdom Tidings were brought also that 4. Feluca's were come from Rome with certain Commanders of War for the service of the people there came news afterwards that 7. more were arriv'd and thought to be French and that a great Personage was aboard of them which was thought to be the Duke of Guise therefore the Town made preparations to receive and entertain him according to his quality in point of diet and housing There sallied out of the Town that day 5000. souldiers upon some Design on the Greek Tower but they came back Re infectà The 8. of November all night long the great Bell of San Lorenzo rung out and the great Cannons played more furiously then ever Drums and Trumpets sounded every where the Castles did a great deal of hurt to the City At Donna Alluina the Spaniards made two Mines to force their passage that way further into the heart of the City but the Mines played not which made them return to their own Posts with some Mortality Yet two of the fairest Houses in Naples were blown up that night And about the Dogana there was skirmishing for six hours together 'twixt the Spaniards and the people which caus'd such mortality on both sides The next day the people understanding that the Prince of Montesarchio was coming with 3000. fresh Combatants for the Royalists the great Bell gave an Alarm so there sallied out of the City 500. men to repel him which took effect for they made the Prince to sind his way back again Now because the business of the people might go on more regularly they might go on more regularly they elected 4. Doctors of the Law and 4. Swordmen as a Committee to consult what was to be done Some houses were burnt without the Gate of the holy Spirit and upon the Palace of Tonno d' Angelis there was a black Flag set up so that the Cannons played most part of the day Yesternight there was a great Brigade of Cavalry and Infantry discover'd in form of a Squadron beyond the Bridgeâ— of Santa Madalena there came also two Gallies which were laden with dead bodies from divers places of the Country to receive honourable burial in the City whereof there were divers Commanders St. Elmo had got a supply of Gunpowder from Sicily by a Gally of purpose so the next day the Castle thundred for 7. hours together This incens'd the City so much that the next day there was a Bando publish'd that none should speak of peace but that every soul should prepare to defend himself by Arms and annoy the Enemy as much as he could The Cavaliers and General of the Barons who kept up and down the Country made a halt at Marigliano and Sequestred the goods of Ciccio Ferlingero General of the Calvary to the people where they found 500. Butts of Lacrime Christi a choice sort of Wine the Prior Caracciola was left Governour of the said place with 200. Souldiers and Ottaiana the Prince himself guarded the place Wednesday following they march'd towards Aversa in the way they made a halt at Marigliano and Sergeant Major Nega was left Governour of the place with 4. Troops of Horse In many places of the Countrey circumjacent to Naples the tenants rose up in great numbers hoping that the City would be able to free them from the yoke of slavery they groan'd under and the excessive Rents they paid to their Landlords They of Naples had so fortified the Dogana that it look'd like an impregnable Bulwark it commanded one side of the Sea so that the Spaniards could not pass to the little Mole to and fro which was a
City But there came cold news from the Countrey That there about three hundred of the people kill'd by the Barons Army who was recruited much by the Cavaliers of Castlemare The Duke of Guise went to view all the Trenches that were rais'd up and down for the defence of the City as also at Vomero and Puslipo at which time a fire happened in the Vicaria which was extinguish'd before it had done much hurt About this time Polito Pastina the Cape of the Banditi for to be revenged of some enemies of his in Salerno made himself Master of the place by force notwithstanding that he had received some refreshments there a little before He secur'd the Town for the people but the Camp-master Boccapianola of Leve came with three thousand well appointed men presently after and besieged Pastina in the Town of Salerno where he apprehended so much fear that he proposed suddenly some Articles That if the Viceroy would pardon him he would for the future constantly serve his Majesty with all his Brigade which was accordingly accepted These are the successes out of Naples but within her Walls there were hot disputes all this day without any intermission which lasted till night and darkness parted them The Duke of Guise the next dav went to the Archbishops Palace to take on Oath of Fidelity to the people and hear Mass and so he took the Communion by the hands of Cardinal Filomarino News came that the City of Nocera was in great commotion and that much slaughter was done there some adhering to the people but the greatest number to the King who hated the very name of the French That evening there was a hot encounter at San Carlo alle Mortelle where a Knight of St. Jago was slain with divers others but the people lost more for they were in a better condition to spare them having ten times more store of men then the Enemy The Duke of Guise got a choice Brigade to give a general assault to Donna Alluina whereupon the Bells rung out to Arm in this Service very many fell but re infectà thence they went to Santa Maria la Nova but the success was not great The Viceroy caused nine to be executed that he had taken prisoners into the Castle and published a Ban That whosoever took up Arms against His Majesty should suffer death without mercy The next day there were very hot encounters in divers places and many were slain hurt or taken prisoners the great rain caused them to be quiet in the afternoon which foul weather came accompanied with a tempest that endangcred some of Don J. of Austria's Fleet which was in the Port expecting what would be the issue of these broyls The Duke of Guise desir'd to have 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse and he would go to finde out the Barons Army which did so much spoil in the Countrey he had his desire and so march'd to Auversa The Barons having timely intelligence hereof joyn'd all in a Battaglion and came with a great deal of resolution towards the Duke and understanding there were many French in the Army it heightned their spirits the more The people hearing the noise of so many Trumpets and sound of Drums were seared and so astonished that they thought of flying away but the Duke with other Commanders did encourage them so that a furious Fight lasted for 2 hours but at last the Dukes people gave ground and so ran away with the the loss of 300 upon the place and about half so many wounded and 40 prisoners The Lieutenant-General of the people was slain who was a French-man with a Camarade of the Duke of Guise whose body he bought for burial On the Barons side there fell the Marquess of San Juliano Don Emmanuel Vaaz with 30 more the victorious Barons retired the night being come to Aversa and the people for another place that stood for Naples They had been somewhat quiet in Naples all this while attending the success of the Countrey Army abroad which when they heard it somewhat dejected them The Duke being returned to Naples went to visit all the posts up and down the next morning the City had a hot Good-morrow given her by the Castles that put her in a palsie for a great while There came more French from Rome to finde out the Duke of Guise but they were very few Some of the people remembring the words of the Duke that the French Army was near made a motion that if the said Army came not by such a day the Dukes head should pay for it Many thought this French Army was a meer Chymera and a pure Cheat nor did there want some Instruments os the Viceroy to infuse this into the peoples heads About the Dogana the next day there was a tough Dispute where 20 were killed and 30 of the people wounded many fell likewise on the other side The Admiral of Don John's Galeous died about this time having been sick divers days of a continual Feaver There was a new Patent to be given to the Duke of Guise wherein he should be stiled the Doge of the Royal Republick of Naples but some under hand gave advice it was not fitting to be done until there were some certitude of the French Army he spoke of Besides some reports were flown from the Castle that the confirmation of the Articles was come from the Catholick Court and was a printing with addition of further Graces for the City of Naples In the interim there came reports daily how divers places in Calabria as Pizzo and others were mightily troubled with factions which were grown so high that much bloud was spilt many houses burnt and other mischiefs done In some places the Kings party prevail'd in others the people Yet the Marquess of Santa Catherina did a great deal of good who went up and down with 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse and did quiet sundry places that were in uproars with such moderation and prudence that it is admirable He suppress'd besides some Rogues that taking the advantage of the times robb'd up and down the Countrey hanging them up on the High-ways on Boughs of Trees that they might be a terror to the passengers And in one little Grove which lay upon the common passage they say he did such an execution of those Free-booters who were worse than Banditi or common Robbers that every Tree was laden with their dead bodies some having 4 some 5 some 6 or more dangling upon their branches Upon Mundâ—y the second of December leaving the affairs of Calabria and returning to Naples from 3 hours of night to 7 in the morning there was a kinde of general battle given specially about the Kings Dâ—gana there fell of Spaniards and Germans above 60 and twice as many of the people This afternoon tâ—hre were imbarqued about 300 Souldiers to go for Aversa for a further supply to the Barons those Gallies which carried them had Ammunition and Arms also for the service of the said
the service of his Catholick Majesty and to be Viceroy of Naples In the mean time the War did not languish a whit for the people were now beleaguering Surrento and Pozzuolo with much resolution so that the noise of the Cannons was heard from Naples News was brought that in Santa Maria de Capra many of the people were slain which did much exasperate matters as they then stood There was a new Election of Deputies made Prior Caracciola Don Diomede Caraffa and Marco Antonió Gennaro were appointed for the Nobles and City who expos'd to his Highness the grievous calamities and confusion that so flourishing a Kingdom was reduc'd unto by reason of the present Tumults that the people took up Arms for no other end but to recover their Liberty and Livelihood that they might be the better able to serve his Catholick Majesty and continue in their fidelity to their natural King and for the future they offer'd to keep Arms no more in their houses but live quietly and in brotherly concord one with another The next morning there came thirty thousand Ducates from Spain for the support of the War that Afternoon the Duke of Mataluni came to Naples to do reverence to his Highness and a Rumour ran that two Cardinals were to come from Rome with the Conde d'Ognate to accommodate matters The people receiv'd a foul Repulse before Surrevto insomuch that they were forc'd to raise the Siege with much loss The like ill success they had before Puzzuolo The Duke of Guise did a notable piece of Justice upon a French Baron who had held intelligence with the Puzzolani and under-hand had been a means to convey them corn and other provisions The people put to death a Franciscan Frier a man of an ill life and a dishonour to his Frock Notwithstanding the fair hopes of Accommodation yet for two days and nights there was nothing but fighting and skirmishing at every Post insomuch that there was a computation made of near upon five hundred slain on both sides in the space of fourty hours There was order given out that the Lazzari which are the scum of the Neapolitan people being most of them Porterst Scavengers and Tankerd-bearers having now grown very innsolent should be suppress'd There was new Money stamp'd with the Arms of the Royal Republick The same night Antonio Manella Elect of the people was slain by Jacomo Rosso Camp-master of the people by order of the Duke of Guise chopping off his head afterwards and carrying it up and down the City upon a Halberd and his body was dragg'd to the Market-place and so hang'd by the one foot because he had secretly conveyed Corn to the Spaniards The next day divers kinsmen and acquaintance os the Duke of Guise came to the City Gennaro Arnese Governour of the Bastion of Carmine having had private intelligence that the Duke of Guise had a Design to introduce the French and make himself King the said Gennaro together with Vincenzo Andrea and a great multitude of Citizens most whereof were on hors-back rid up and down the City and cried Viva la Republica Viva il Popolo At which Rumour every one did shut up his Shop and his Doors and the City was generally in Arms which being understood by the Duke of Guise he commanded his Regiment of Horse to be presently put in equipage calling together all his Confidents making all of them a good Squadron before his Palace and Arnese passing by at that time with his Brigade he was so saluted with some Muskets that six of his men drop'd down dead which made the rest betake themselves to flight the Duke afterwards rid up and down the Streets and the people cried out Viva la Republica Viva il Duca di Guisa Vivasualtezza And so going to the Carmine he had some conference with Gennaro Arnese whereupon all was quieted in a marvellous suddenness considering the quality of the Commotion The first of February 1648. The Castle of S. Elmo put up the royal Standard upon discovering three Gallies one whereof was the Capitana of Naples wherein was imbarqu'd the Conde d'Ognate upon his arrival to the Post he was saluted by all the Castles first by Castelovo then by Castelnovo and lastly by the Castle St. Elmo The Bastion of Carmine did also salute him but it was with Bullets as he passed by whereby three of the Gally-slaves and two more were slain which caus'd him to remove into a Feluca and so went first to salute his royal Highness and then into the Palace where he was attended by the C llateral Council and all the Nobility with all the Punctilio's of Ceremony There happen'd a great Commotion at this time among the people and Citizens of Naples some crying up Spain others France some The Parliament of England and others the Republick so that every one began to arm and it was like to produce very ill consequences unless the Duke of Guise by a French boldness and resolution had appeas'd the uproar The D. of Guise reform'd the Officers of the Militia which tended afterwards to the advantage of his Catholick Majesties service He sent also Manifesto's to the Nobles throughout the Kingdom that they should inform the people That for the future no Gabels or Impositions should be laid upon them but new Graces and Concession should be done them provided they would continue in their loyalty and devotion to the Royal Republique The Marquess of Turiano took the command of the reform'd Souldiery Biasio di Fosso being now dead All the Sâ—ldadesca with their Officers interven'd to see the solemnity and among others the Marquess of Rattivelle Upon the thirteenth of February 1648. The Royal Republick of Naples did establish certain Senators with the consent of the Duke of Guise and the People together with the approbation of the Councel of State and War and they were six in number three Noble men and 3. Citizens Don Diomede Carratta Cesare de Bologna The Prince della Roeca For the Nobles Augustin Mollo Gennaro Arnese Vincent d'Andrea Were chosen for the people It was also determin'd that there should be Elected two Senators for every Province throughout the whole Kingdome which were Twelve in all so that the whole Number would come to twenty four Twelve for the Nobles and Twelve for the People to avoid Confusion that might arise from a greater Number Moreover it was Ordered that certain Officers should be elected for the government of the Cities and Towns with Subaltern Instruments under them specially for the Government of Saponara and the two Provinces of Calabria The same day those new Officers which had been chosen formerly were put in possession of their authority derived from the Republick both in the Vicaria and other Tribunals who were to regulate themselves according to the new model The new Viceroy did stir himself notably and left no stone unremoved to settle Peace and quietness thereupon he did insinuate into many of the Captains and Citizens The