by the Pope judging that the Peace had been prudently managed by the Venetians and with commendations equal to the Generosity with which they had encountred the danger It happened at the instant the accord was ready to be executed that the Turks on the Confines of Dalmatia for private disputes which are frequent amongst those Neighbours entred armed into the Territories of the Republick so that Marino Molino who had been assumed into the Charge of Proveditor General of the Horse to repulse them and repair himself attacques them in four places and in those Factions Mustapha the principal Disturber of quiet being killed the Hurliburly with his life ended At Constantinople all proceeding against the Republick and all preparations for a Fleet ceased but not the suspicion that there was not some design against Christendom elsewhere for that Amurath recovered somewhat in his health and strength sought for Peace with the Persian That King after Amurath was gone had retaken Revan and having made Peace with the Tartar Osbech had the luck to beat the Mogor and to keep the possession of Candahar Nevertheless because War with the Turks uses not to be advantagious to the Persians he desired Peace and to negotiate it had sent Ambassadours to the Port where the Grand Visier was also arrived The difficulty about Revan consisted that Amurath desired it should be restored and the Persians retaining it understood that the Capitulations made in the time of Soliman should only be confirmed Amurath determines to remand the Ambassadours into Persia together with a Minister of his own that might sound intentions and observe affairs for the future better direction of his Counsels and Arms since that in Europe he saw rising up several accidents very seasonable for his end to imploy them against the Christians The Prince of Moldavia had obtained of the Port by the wonted means of money to give up that Province to his Son and himself to be substituted to the Wallachian but he publishing that the Order came not from the King but from the corrupted Ministers puts himself in defence and marching against that other defeats him and drives him away Amurath that knew not what was doing in Wallachia or at least to cover the dishonour of the success feigned not to know it vents his wrath against the Caimecan as if bribed by the Moldavian he had concealed the business from him and caused him to be strangled in the seven Towers confiscating all the Estate he had He could not for all that digest the affront and disposed things framing pretexts to disturb the Wallachian again in assurance to break out into a War against the Christians either in Hungary or in Poland because it was believed that the Transilvanian and Polacks would not suffer that Prince to be destroyed and it might well be that the Emperour though greatly imployed elsewhere might be ingaged in it But Heaven diverted this blow for Amurath was surprised with a more dangerous sickness in the fears whereof being exhorted by the Musti and his Mother he vowed to abstain for the future from Wine and for the earnest of his Oath brake the most precious Vessels wherein he drank Being scarce recovered and unmindful of the danger he had run and of his promise he falls again to such exorbitant disorders that relapsing he dyed the 7. of February of the year following in the night in the two and thirtieth of his Age and the fifteenth of his Empire Of several Sons which he had had none remaining alive the Empire fell to his Brother Ibrain who was seven and twenty years old but either for fear of death which he expected every moment or through the solitude of the Prison where he was kept amused in childish exercises was of a stupid and dull Understanding He was not easily induced to believe that the Empire was fallen to his lot but fearing rather to be haled away to be strangled he would not go out of his Chamber till the body of his Brother was brought to him at the sight whereof he cryed out uttering words not so simple that a great King was dead but withal a most cruel Tyrant Passing thereupon in a moment from a Prison to an Empire new to himself much more to business he leaves the direction of them to his Mother and Mustapha the Grand Visier The Republick according to custom appoints Pietro Foscarini as Ambassadour Extraordinary to congratulate with him and Girolamo Trevisano to succeed to the Bailo Upon this mutation of Government at Constantinople it in truth looked as if Christendom might have a breathing but it was afterwards seen how blind the judgments of men are and that where force prevails it is rendred more formidable if reason step not in to correct it But that shall be reserved for the following years In Turin the spreading of the Troops had given means to the French to whom the Dutchess had wholly committed the defence of the Citadel to put a better Garrison and Provisions into it whereupon the Peace being rendred more difficult because the proposition of the Princes fell to the ground that together with the City the Citadel should be kept by Subjects trusted by both the parties The Nuntio at last prevailed in the consent to a Truce from the fourth of August to the twenty fourth of October which was punctually executed in Italy though in France and in Spain it was with unanimous opinions but for differing causes censured To the French nevertheless it was of great advantage because the Duke of Longueville with the Troops destined for Italy was able in Burgundy and Alsace to make considerable Conquests so that Leganes was so much the more blamed in Spain by how much that besides the putting a stop to fortune in the most happy course of prosperity and keeping the Forces employed in Italy he gave time to the Enemy to strengthen themselves and draw advantages from elsewhere The Marquess delle Fuente was then sent from Madrid to Milan to the end that reproaching Leganes with his errour he might more effectually enjoin him to apply himself to Casal without the conquest whereof Olivares wrote plainly that notwithstanding so many successes he accounted nothing of moment done But in Italy things proceeded not with the facility which from far off the Condé Duke imagined for by the attempting that place many Princes might grow jealous and to use force Prince Thomas was to be perswaded to it who if doubting lest the Citadel of Turin should fall into the Spaniards hands had precipitated the conclusion of the Truce and forced the Governour of Milan to consent to it it was not probable that he should co-operate sincerely in the taking of Casal which seemed the high-way to the slavery of Italy and the oppression of Piedmont nevertheless Melo was by Leganes sent to Turin to perswade him to it The Spaniard intricated in these Negotiations the Emperour experiencing most sensible mischiefs complained highly both of the Truce in Italy
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
for many Years disturb it she notwithstanding observed a constant neutrality The whole Country setling afterward into a most Happy Peace kept not without jealousy by the Foreigners themselves the Venetians made it their business to preserve that present tranquillity sometime diverting the storm at the first appearance and sometimes according to the occasion opposing themselves with Declarations and Treaties The War which hapned betwixt France and Spain in the beginning of this present Age did not penetrate into Italy Some stirs occasioned by the Interest of the Grisons were quieted The differences risen with Pope Paul the Fifth were terminated with increase of reputation and advantage for the Republick and that thunder of War which was threatned by Henry the Fourth vanished with his death All things thus contributing to the Peace of Italy Wisemen nevertheless were not free from fear lest many disgusts lurking secretly in the hearts and several designs in the minds of Princes there would be a new Rupture so soon as any occasion or pretext for it did appear And in that thought they were not long deceived for in the brightest Serenity of this Peace the blow hapned at unawares with so much slaughter and so many mischiefs that defiling Italy it hath put Europe into confusion This shall be the subject and first part of this work of mine because as the Interests of the Republick refer principally to those two great powers of Austria and the Turks with whom it borders so the Narrative shall be divided And I will describe in this the most notable events which have troubled Italy and in which the Republick hath assisted with their Counsels Arms and Treasures And for the other part shall be reserved the Memorials of its long and generous defence against the Ottoman Empire And because Italy being the heart of Europe cannot suffer a shaking but the rest must be moved and have a feeling of it you shall read herein connexed the Affairs and Actions of the chief Princes of the World the Conduct and Maxims of their chief Ministers with the Revolutions of States and so many other accidents as make the Age no less Unhappy than Famous and the Relation equally important For the better knowledge of the things to follow it is needful to look a little back Princes though Mortal are the Genii of the World The effects of their Counsels out-live their Lives and are like the Stars whose influences remain long though they disappear from our sight When Arragon in the Person of Ferdinand the Catholick was joined to Castile and all the Kingdoms within the compass of Spain were in a manner united together comprehending also the Islands of the Mediterranean and both the Sicilies there was laid the Foundation of a vast Monarchy Fortune to second the design with vast Riches about this time discovered a new World The Provinces of Flanders fell afterwards in changing only the Line of Blood but without the least alteration in the series of their Maxims and Interests In Charles the Fifth the Crowns of the Empire and Spain and their great power were conjoined together He neither wanted Wisedom nor Fortune to establish an Universal Hereditary Monarchy but as all ages are for the most part barren of Princes of consideration so his seemed as fruitful having Francis the first King of France and Solyman Emperour of Turky to oppose him The first his Peer in courage the other equal if not Superiour in Power Charles therefore thought it best to leave the hopes and means to his Successors Italy by reason of its scituation Nobleness Strength Riches and a certain fatality which destines her to bear Rule hath always been the first Object of great Conquerours and Charles failed not to increase his Dominion thus joining the Milanese to Spain and putting a foot into Tuscany But he quickly found that every foot of ground cost a Battel That the Princes were impatient of the yoke and Strangers were ready to assist He therefore thinking the Counsel most safe to encompass her without that so at last she might fall insensibly into his hand attempted to cajole Germany and leave the Empire to his Son The design failing him and he from a religious consideration a satiety of Fortune or from domestick Interests betaking himself to a private life and the repentance of having been so great leaves to Philip the Second the hereditary Kingdoms of Spain with their vast appurtenances The Peace of Italy passed as in a mystery and by tradition from Father to Son who no less wise than great applied his Ax to the root of that which might most disturb the design of his Monarchy He employs therefore all his power against England and France but having consumed Armies and Treasure in vain while he was distracted by the revolt in Holland and although he had added Portugal to Castile and with it the increase of a vast power yet at the end of a few years he found sufficiently his Credit Money and Strength weakned He then makes trial of peaceable means giving to the Provinces of Flanders remaining in their obedience to the end to re-unite the rest a Prince of their own He left France to the destiny of its domestick revolts and Italy charmed with the deliciousness of Peace and the opinion of their present felicity Philip the third succeeded him a young Prince of singular Piety but wholly unacquainted with Government and contenting himself with the Royal dignity left the power to his Council Favourites and Ministers These judged it necessary to go on in the same Maxims of Peace because in France they found Henry the Fourth a formidable and vigilant King who having gloriously made his passage through the jaws of an adverse fortune suffered not himself to be gulled by prosperity but would be ready to disturb and prevent whatever designs they should have against him Truce was therefore concluded with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and to divert the scourge of the French Arms from Italy procuring the Duke of Savoy to make Peace upon disadvantageous terms they thought it a great conquest that they had shut out the French beyond the Alps. And now fixing their thoughts on those advantages which time and occasion uses to offer to those in Power silently extending themselves by little and little they got their limits inlarged and their Kingdoms and Territories better united and last of all under the title of Honour and Protection holding dependent and in a manner subject divers Princes of Italy who being not able to resist and believing themselves abandoned by the French yielded to what they thought their advantage or rather to necessity And so besides the places in Mount Argentaro in Tuscany and Porto Longone in Elba the Forte Fuentes built in the entrance of the Valtelline and Garrisons put into Final Monaco Piombino Correggio and other little Fiefs of the Empire the Net was spread and the design made publick These things going thus on one by one some by
like waves of the Sea always fluctuating either by the motion of the winds or the remainder of past storms rise up one after another So the Arms taken up for the Affairs of the Valteline were scarce laid down but there appeared new jealousies by reason of the succession of Mantua and a War brake forth both sad and memorable for the quality of the motives and the variety of successes Many Princes took part in it and upon it followed plagues and universal calamities which in the flood of mischiefs and blood have in a manner changed the face of Europe ruining the powerful and raising up Princes little less than unknown The House of Gonzagha which reigned in Mantua was now considered without issue Male and without hopes of having any as it were a dead Carcass of Fortune neither could Ferdinand and Vincenzo leave after them other than the young Princess Mary their Niece who as a Woman excluded from the Investiture of the Dutchy of Mantua had some reason though doubtful to pretend to that of Monferrat In her Marriage therefore seeming lodged the pledge of Peace or the seeds of great contention many believed it expedient to marry her to Charles Duke of Rhetel Son of Charles Duke of Nevers the nearest and lawful Heir This branch transplanted into a foreign soil sprang nevertheless from the same root coming from Lodowick Gonzagha Son of Frederick the first Duke of Mantua who not contented with his lot that by reason of his age his other Brothers should be preferred before him in the succession to his Fathers Estates sought in France and by Marriage met with a better Fortune whence his Heirs enjoyed with plentiful Revenues three large Dukedoms of Nevers of Rhetel and of Maine But for that this House was in a manner naturalized in France the Spaniards who as soon as Mary was born had endeavoured to get her into their power expresly to divert the danger of such a Succession abhorred him above all to the end not to introduce the French into the heart of Italy and into two Countries which have the Milanese in the middle They therefore promoted the pretensions of Ferrant Prince of Guastalla a branch also of the House of Gonzagha but who derived his Pedigree further off coming from the second Son of Francesco Marquess of Mantua Father of Frederick the first Duke But as much as they favoured him in the Imperial Court with benefits and every where else with declarations so much was France the more earnest to strengthen the Rights of Nevers Whereupon at the time Monsieur de Chasteauneuf went from Venice as he passed by Mantua he had insinuated the Marriage of Mary with Rhetel and the Venetians concurring in the same opinion put the Duke in mind of establishing the Succession in his life time and with it the Peace of Italy But Ferdinand apprehending troubles or hoping for a longer life or considering his Brother Vincenzo who by secret love ingaged in the Marriage of Isabella di Buzzolo and now satiated with those passions and by reason of her sterility sought to be separated from her deferred so long that death in the end of the year past seized him Vincenzo was his Successor who by sending to Venice as Ambassadour Extraordinary the Marquess Paulo Emilio Gonzagha gave knowledge of it to the Senate confiding to them his thoughts to break his Marriage and espouse the Niece But though he were young enough in years yet the constitution of his body being spent and decaying and the right of the Sacrament justly prevailing with the Pope before the politick reasons the Venetians sollicited him to prevent so remote and uncertain hopes by the Marriage of his Niece to Rhetel He delaying to resolve let the danger approach nearer every one now concluding that that Line of the Dukes would in a short time fail without Issue who wholly given over to lusts and luxury were looked at as punished with sterility by God for their fraudulent Marriages Adulteries and Lewdness with which they had stained their name and defiled their lives Amongst all none watched on this business with a more attentive eye than Carlo Emanuel Duke of Savoy who by the death of Vincenzo thought to revive his pretended Rights on Monferrat and to colour it with the Marriage of Mary to his Son Maurice In order to this he protested to the Duke of Mantua against the disposing of their common Niece without his consent and joyned practices with the Court of Spain and the Governour of Milan to obtain it by force if Treaties should not suffice Nor had he any difficulty to possess Olivares who usually calculated designs and successes by his own opinion and hopes with the behovefulness of excluding Nevers and keeping the French far off from Italy and withal of the opportunity to take Casale and a good part of Monferrat he for his part shewing himself contented only with Trin and a portion of the open Country Though in truth reason did not consent yet the conjuncture sharpned the perswasions of the Duke and invited the Spaniards to the undertaking for France being engaged before Rochel the English in War the Protestants every where beaten and the Hollanders by reason of the affairs of Germany distracted by great apprehensions they could not well discern who could be capable to disturb them They well knew that Italy would be in a commotion but with what Forces As for the Pope although he loved not their greatness they were not deceived in believing that he would proceed with great wariness and far from engaging in Arms. The Venetians not wont to declare themselves so easily would be apt rather by complaints and endeavours to stir up others than move War alone The Grand Duke under the Government of a Mother of the Austrian blood did not as yet discern his own interest and to the rest of the Princes together with Forces hearts were wanting On the contrary the Power of Spain saw it self at the height of prosperity with store of Treasure and puissant Armies and by its Councils and Money directing with an absolute Arbitrement the Interests and Forces of the Emperour disposed with no less Authority as well of Germany as of Spain and its other vast Kingdoms Certainly it was not advantagious for Carlo to greaten the Spaniards upon his own Borders but being accustomed to aim only at the enlargement of his Territories he proposed to make use of them to make some conquest and turn himself afterwards to the friendship of the French to preserve it and by engaging the two Crowns in discord and Wars sell his adherence at a dearer rate as necessary however unfaithful to one and the other Nevers had no support besides the protection of France but the justice of his cause which he saw much considered by all and in particular by the Pope and the Venetians but right prevailing little without force he attempted by all sorts of humiliation and promises of submission and dependence to
Citizens rather than by her own strength or the assistances of Strangers With these better times began the Principality of Francesco Erizzo assumed to be Duke after the death of Nicholo Contarini with great applause for having through the course of many years assisted the Country with counsel and joyntly defended it by Arms. And because he held the Generalship of the Terra firma there was put into that Charge as his Successor Luigi Giorgio at that time Proveditor in the Army But States being like the Sea where it fluctuates though there be no storm there arose at this time several diversities in opinion and unkindnesses with the Pope which though they molested not Italy with Arms distracted nevertheless mens minds with troublesom business Vrban after the death of Francesco Maria della Rovere the last Duke of Vrbin had united to the Church that most noble Fief And because during the life of the Duke who was now grown very old he kept a Prelate in that Country which assisted in all affairs he had after his death so little trouble to possess himself of it that Taddeo Barberino Prince of Palestrina entring into it with Souldiers to take quietly possession of it it looked as if the old Dominion was rather continued than another new one introduced The Pope under the pretext of the Commotions of Italy was already in Arms expecting this accident to the end that if in so great a confusion of affairs any body should go about to disturb him he might be able to maintain his right with a puissant Force But the Princes rather offered him to strives their assistance and exhorted him to invest his Nephews with it some believing to oblige him others by dismembring that State desiring that the Church should not so much increase its temporal Dominion The Pope having regard to the severe Bulls of his Predecessors and apprehending to leave to his House a Patrimony of unquietness and trouble rather than a peaceable Dominion made shew to think his Kinsmen more worthy of the Principality by refusing it than by retaining it He only confers as the Spoils of so noble a Conquest upon his Nephew Taddeo the Government of Rome a long time enjoyed by the Family of Rovere This dignity retains a certain ancient and venerable memory of the Praetor Praetorii in the times of the Caesars of so much esteem and authority though at present there remained nothing of it but the dress and the name From hence brake forth a great distaste with the Princes because the Prefect or Governour pretending precedency of Ambassadours who in the most solemn Functions assisting at the Popes Chair of State representing the members of all Christendom united to their head did all dissent from it The Barberins attempted to gain the Emperour because from his example other great Princes would certainly depend and they omitted not any means offering him great succours and powerful assistances But in vain for the Emperour resolving not to depart from what was fit and complaining that Merchandize for private respects was made of his necessity pulled upon him by maintaining of a cause in which Religion had the chief part orders his Ambassadour to abstain from the Churches and the other Ministers of the Crown followed him considering the Pope in his own house and in the cause of his Kindred Uncle and Party no less than a Prince From this common distaste of the Princes rose afterwards a particular one of the Venetians for Giovanni Pesari Cavalier Ambassadour of the Republick meeting casually in a street with the Prefect who stopping his Coach and the other not observing it by reason of the obscurity it being now late though he civilly caused an excuse to be made for it yet the Prefect taking offence at it meets him another time on purpose having corrupted the Ambassadours Coach-man who feigning that his Hat was fallen off staid the Horses and run his way Pesary was no sooner got home to his house but the Coach-mans flight was backed by some armed men to rescue him from the punishment he deserved The Court of Rome always talking and always greedy of occasions for it measuring things by appearances and shadows judges such Formalities to be of no less account than bloody Battels and important Conquests use to be esteemed elsewhere An. Dom. 1632 It being on this occasion in some disorder and the other Ambassadors taking it for their common interest offer themselves to the Venetian to do him right The Senate knowing that by the support of the Uncle the party of the Barberins would be too strong in Rome order Pesary that for a publick resentment he should immediately leave the City without taking leave of the Pope or his Nephews and at Venice they suspend giving audience to the Nuntio With this another disgust was interwoven upon occasion that Vrban at a time which was judged very unseasonable while Christendom was in a flame and Italy destroyed betwixt War and Plague had in the year past by his Bull decreed to the Cardinals the Ecclesiastical Electors and the great Master of Malta the Title of Eminence forbidding them to receive any other except from Kings The Republick notwithstanding continued to write in the stile accustomed but some of the Cardinals taking occasion from the affliction which they saw it would be to the Pope and his Kindred refused the Letters to the great resentment of the Senate There were added sharp contests betwixt those of Loreo subjects to the Venetians and those of Arriano which belong to those of Ferrara where the Cardinal Palotta the Legate disturbing the undoubted Confines of the Venetians by imprisonings and other mischiefs shewed an intention to attempt greater novelties by erecting new high-ways making the Po useless and changing the course of the Waters Nor were the Venetians wanting by equal mischiefs to repair themselves but Luca Pesaro Captain of the Gulph entring into the Sacca di Goro with certain Gallies and armed Barques stopped the Ships which with Victuals and Merchandise contrary to the Decrees of the Republick passed by Sea towards Ferrara He destroyed also in the River the works newly made to divert its course whereupon spirits imbittering it looked as if things would have proceeded further because Troops increasing on both sides the Ecclesiasticks on their Confines raised a Fort called delle Bocchette and the Venetians opposed another calling it della Donzella ANNO MDCXXXII To the end this first heat of Arms might not proceed to greater ingagements the French Ministers interposed proposing a suspension of offences and that the Souldiers should be withdrawn from those Borders where just at that time the Agreement was ready to be concluded it hapned that in an occasion some of those of the Popes were killed and thirty three taken Prisoners with hurt on the Venetians side But the Pope and the Republick giving their promise to King Lewis not to offend one another by Arms and to remove the souldiery there remained a larger field
was more and more encreased as provoked from the punishment which was inflicted on the Mareshal of Marriliac who generally esteemed if not innocent at least guilty but of very small faults was beheaded by the sentence of the Judges who it was conceived looked more at the severe mind of the Cardinal that implacably hated him than at the offence The Duke of Monmorenci besides this ill satisfied that he had not the recompences which he pretended due to his merit offered Orleans the Province of Languedoc whereof he was Governour and others were not wanting for many causes and various aims to be ready to encrease the Faction The Spaniards promised to send an Army beyond the Pyrenean to second Monmorenci and give Orleans the command of another in the Low Countries Richelieu on this side eluded the designs both by threatning those Provinces to come upon their backs with the Army which lay about Triers and by inducing the Hollanders by the strength of money to go powerfully into the Field The King now whilst Pont a Mouson was with little opposition rendred to his Army in Germany takes in Bar le Duc and S. Michael and drawing near to Nancy obliges Carlo who with many excuses turned himself every way to make it believed that his Kinsman was come into his house without his consent to make him be gone and confirming by a new Treaty the conditions of the first to yield to the Crown in propriety the County of Clermont and to deliver the Towns of Astene and Jamets for some years in Hostage Orleans uncertain what to undertake had not above two thousand Horse part of his own Followers and part of the Spanish Troops but having cast himself without Forces proportionable to the design into an ingagement of such weight to put things as far as they could go enters in Burgundy in hope to give a beginning to a general Revolt in the Kingdom The Cardinal exalted by the equal successes of Fame and Fortune promoting it by wit and artifice had so disposed of things that not a man durst open his Gates to the Duke whereupon straigthned one Flank by Schomberg and followed in the Reer by the Mareshal de la Force he was forced to cast himself into Languedock though the agreements with certain Governours of places had not as yet been perfected and that the arrival of the Ships expected out of Italy with Souldiers being retarded the Spaniards were not in a readiness to appear in the field Nevertheless Orleans was received by Monmorancy and by many of the Province which united in a Body acknowledged him Lieutenant General for the King against the present Government But the Marquess de Fossez Governour of Monpellier refuses to deliver that place to him and some were driven out of Narbone who contrived to bring in the Spaniards Discord afterwards either sowed by the Art of Richelieu or rising from the nature of such Unions where the chief commands precariously brake the neck of that Party for many desiring the command and in particular Monmorancy D'Elbeuf and Puilaurens Orleans his Favorite were so disgusted that to content them there was a necessity to divide the Army into several Bodies The King assigning the command of the Armies for the keeping of the Frontiers to the Prince of Conde and to the Count of Soissons who being of the Blood Royal willingly embraced by the downfall of Orleans the promotion of their hopes to the Crown hastens towards those parts but the storm quickly vanished for la Force dispersed some men that were getting into a body and several designs which were forming in several parts and Schomberg near to Chastelnodari meeting Orleans joyned with Monmorancy ballancing with the advantage of a narrow passage the Forces which he had less charges him with so much boldness and so good fortune that at the first encounter there being slain the Count de Moret Son but not legitimate of Henry IV de Rieux and de la Feuillade the rest was all dispersed Monmorancy being hurt was taken Prisoner and Orleans saved himself by flight This blow adding to the defeat discredit the Gentry and the chief Cities yielded who could soonest the King and Cardinal being come so near as to receive the Surrender of some and withal punish the disobedience of others Orleans demanded peace and pardon upon conditions that seemed to exceed the fortune of one conquered for he pretended the liberty of Monmorancy the abolition of all faults for his Followers the restitution of the places of Lorrain the return of Queen mother and for himself a place of security but he was determinately given to understand That only by his own reputation and the Kings clemency his fault could be covered for the crimes of others he ought not to blemish himself with them the King being resolved that henceforward Rebellion should not be rewarded and that his Subjects should not find benefit or security but in duty and obedience Reduced therefore to be without followers and without places he was forced to receive any conditions Richelieu aiming so to discredit him that he abandoning those that had taken part with him no man hereafter might dare to follow him or trust to depend upon him He was no sooner retired to Champagne his Country-house but he heard that Monmorancy with a severe but necessary example by Sentence of the Parliament of Tholouse had lost his head A death without doubt unworthy those famous actions with which he had adorned the years as yet but young of his life but which he having so often in fight couragiously encountred at the head of so many dangers was with equal undauntedness undergone by him amidst the unhappiness of the misdemeanours and the ignominy of the Sentence Orleans greatly moved published that Monsieur de Bouillon in the Treaty made with him had secretly promised his indemnity and therefore complaining to have been deceived makes an escape once more into Lorrain The Cardinal after a short indisposition restored to health and having discarded the Guarde-sceau Chasteauneuf for having had the boldness by secret Engines to aspire to the Ministry proves no less happy in sowing civil discord betwixt his Enemies abroad than he had been in rooting them out of the Kingdom Count Henry Van de Berg had the Command in Flanders of the Spanish Army notwithstanding the envy emulation and suspicions of those Ministers who laid to his charge the holding intelligence with Orange to whom he was nearly allied and who when they passed the Issel was backward in oppressing the Vnited Provinces to extend the Prosperity and Domination of the King Vexed therefore with many disgusts and observed with a jealous eye he at last endures it no longer retiring on a sudden into Holland and thence passing to Liege from thence inviting the people to shake off the yoke and redeem their liberty in imitation of the Helvetians by driving away the Strangers Having with secret incouragement from France got together some Troops he
the evening hindred them and the darkness of the night after ten hours separated this cruel fight Ten with the title of Generals were killed in both the Armies Wallestain was rather threatned than hurt with the shot of a Musket which favourably passed betwixt the seat and the buttock though at the blow not without a mark of excessive fear he let the bridle fall out of his hand and his Horse ran away with him The Imperialists by night retired towards Leipzich leaving their Cannon in the field because in the confusion of the Battel the Draught-horses were run away But in the Triumph of the Swedes the General was wanting which filling the Army that infinitely loved him with sorrow and lamentation some deplored the flower of his age others the vigour of his mind and all together the quality of a great Prince and no less Souldier He was found amongst the dead bodies mangled with wounds bruised with the trampling of Horses stript totally that not so much as his shirt remained as a Trophy of so many Conquests and so great an Empire A King certainly saving the errour of his Religion endowed with those qualities which have rendred the Conquerours of the World famous Possessing in an equal degree courage and prudence and if in conquering he seemed fierce and violent he was as wise and circumspect in preserving His vertues being solid and all of a piece it could not be discerned to which in his knowledge of the Military or Civil Affairs the prize was to be given Yet all his life having been in a continual exercise of Arms it seemed that he himself gave it the preference And indeed Fortune in these so far favoured him that having fought many Battels and always conquered in this very instant of death he dyed victorious after death and a long course of prosperity hath crowned in such sort his Sepulchre that his very ashes may be called Triumphant This was the issue of the Battel of Lutzen both Parties judged fatal the one having lost the field and the other their King but if these got the Victory the others saved themselves Wallestain staying but a few moments at Leipzich retires afterwards into Bohemia and the Swedes conducting the Body to Weissenfelt solemnized his Funeral with Revenge and Arms. Leipzich was rendred to Saxony to Weimar Chemnits to Kniphausen Pleiffenberg and Zuiccan to Horn and to the Rhingrave after the defeat of the Imperial Cavalry in Alsace Rheinfelt Colmar Haghenau and other places Frederick Prince Palatine under the countenance of this the Swedes Fortune regains Frankendale but taking the death of Gustavus to heart An. Dom. 1633 dyes himself within a while after Baudissen having taken Andernach troubled the Elector of Colen and the Dukedom of Berg. In this year also were in mourning through unhappy Fate almost all the Royal Families of Europe for in Spain whilst King Philip kept his Court in Catalogna dyes Charles his Brother in the flower of his Age a Prince of a haughty mind and impatient of being idle to such a degree that being designed to temper with more quiet imployments the heat of his nature to the Government of Portugal while the Infante Cardinal his other Brother was going to that of Flanders he raging with anger within a while dyes either from the weariness of his condition or by disorders having in a manner dissolved his mind in idleness and wasted his natural strength in pleasures Fame nevertheless accused the Conde Duke as if fearing the opposition of his hot spirit against his Authority he should have procured his death by poyson But it is not becoming without more certain proofs to give credit to so hainous a wickedness In Germany Leopold Archduke of Inspruch weary of the blows of Fortune prejudicial to his House and Country dyes leaving little Sons under the Tutelage of Claudia de Medici his Wife In Poland King Sigismond departs this life and in the Diet of the Kingdom was substituted Vladislaus his Eldest Son The Republick to congratulate his coming to the Crown made choice of Giovanni Pisari Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary who afterwards appointed elsewhere leaves Giorgio Giorgio Cavalier to perform it and it was answered in the Name of the King by the Duke of Ossolinschi after he had been to present obedience to the Pope ANNO M.DC.XXXIII By the death of Gustavus all the World believed notwithstanding the posthumous Victory and the advantages of Arms that as great and weighty bodies when they fall are split into small pieces so Fortune would be shaken and such a breach made into that Power that the Armies should disband Princes disunite Conquests be lost and after a short flash there would remain of this great Thunder-stroke no more but the memory and the ashes But quite contrary for after having setled in Swede the Succession of the Crown in Christina the only Daughter of the King deceased and placed the Tutelage of her that was not above seven years old in the hands of the principal Ministers the Chiefs of the Army calling a Council in Germany resolved to continue the War so much the more earnestly by how much they hoped that Honour and Booty will in future accrue to their advantage To Axel Oxenstern great Chancellor a man of a notable Talent they yielded the direction of the ordinary Counsels and to Weimar they committed the chief management of the Armies not without distasting the Elector of Saxony who by reason of his dignity thought it due to him So the War under divers Chiefs and with several Armies was presently spread into many Provinces to the so much ruine of places and people that if it ordinarily be nourished with cruelty and blood at present it seemed that the alone desolating of Germany was the aim of the Armies Amongst infinite successes which changing felicity and fortune hapned in several places it shall suffice to make choice of the most signal that serve most for the reflection of Princes and the alteration of States Whilst the Swedish Chiefs were dividing designs and charges Fridtland not only goes far from Leipzich but out of the Countries of the Elector of Saxony though with the fright of his Arms he might easily have perswaded him to an agreement and leaving but a few Troops in Bohemia goes into Silesia under pretext to oppose the Saxons who indeed made less disturbance there than elsewhere The Austrians joyful for the death of the King Gustavus stormed nevertheless against their own General accusing him that neglecting so great a conjuncture to end the War with advantage he had not made use of the arts proper to a Conquerour nor his wonted ones of a great Captain Wherefore the confidence Ferdinand had in him did henceforward degenerate into suspicion that he was pleased with War and the Command whereupon to satiate his ambition or rather to found his intention a great sum of money in the name of the Spaniards was offered him that by his reputation and conduct an
intending to surprise Nizza della Paglia arrived there so late in the day that he was easily discovered And not thinking it honourable to retreat fortifies himself in a Convent obliging Leganes who by the weakness of the place hoped for a short conquest of it to repair thither with the whole Army Nor was he deceived for after four days the Governour renders it there going forth four hundred Monferrins two hundred forty French and some Horse Savoyards Thence passing into the Territory of Asti orders Philippo di Silva to take in Algiano which easily succeded With the Duke of Mantua who complained of the Invasion of Monferrat and with the Venetians who did not willingly hear of his prejudice the Governour of Milan justified himself alledging that he was not bound to use respect where he found Garrisons of that Nation which with molestations and jealousies afflicted the Frontiers of the Milanese But the progress of the Spanish Arms quickly terminated in this period for Crequi returned out of France where he had been to justifie his past conduct joyning with six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse Savoyards attempted la Rocca d'Arasso a little before taken by the Spaniards but Leganes coming near with all the Army he was constrained to retire This Campagnia afterwards ended with certain Incursions and some Encounters betwixt Brem and Vercelli which were of no small moment where Villa beat Arragona with the death of some Officers on the Spaniards side and among them Spadino the known Promoter of the first Siege of Casal and the same Chiefs not far from Monbaldone putting it to a new tryal Aragona went away with the worst who hardly saving himself by flight abandoned six Cannons and his Baggage After these the accidents of Nature promoted new and unthought of successes for Italy greatly afflicted by the death of two of its Princes opened the bosom to new strokes The Duke Vittorio in Vercelli upon the seventh of October in the one and fiftieth year of his Age ended his days with various judgments upon the nature of his sickness there wanting not some who imputed it to poyson given by Crequi either for private hatred or the publick distrusts of the Crown and they drew their argument from an invitation where were with the Duke the Count de Verrua his most confident Minister and the Marquess Villa the most faithful General of his Army of which falling sick together with the Duke the first dyed and the other hardly by the strength of his complexion overcame the accidents Others believed that the powder of Diamonds given him some time before had corroded his inward parts But besides that the French are abhorring such Arts it ought not to seem strange that the Duke macerated with many cares and tedious indispositions in the decline of his age should run the common Fate so that in such cases of doubt and concealment it is more beseeming to give credit to Nature than authorize falshood Let it be as it will he left with three Daughters two Sons both very young and to them War for an Inheritance and for a Patrimony the hatred of one of the Crowns and the distrust of the other without support of any sincere friendship Francesco Giacinto the eldest having scarce tasted the benefit of life but not of command was after a few months snatched away by death leaving the Title to Carlo Emanuel his Brother Vittorio dead the Tutelage and Regency were assumed by the Dutchess Christina alledging the Will of her Husband expressed in his Testament which committed it to her alone The Princes Maurice the Cardinal and Tomaso pretended to have a share in it and pressed it so much the more as believing the life of the little Duke doubtful by reason of his tender age and weak constitution and because by the Laws of the Country Women being excluded they were incouraged to conceive great hopes that the Succession might devolve to them For which cause the Cardinal who resided at Rome leaves the Court notwithstanding that the Pope doubtful of what happened endeavoured to stop him with offers of imployments and advantages He come to the Borders of Piedmont and finding an Order there from the Dutchess that he should retire further off with a promise if he did of satisfaction and an Appennage things being not yet in a condition to use force retired into the Genouese King Lewis freed from those suspicions in which the deep and wise Conduct of the Duke Vittorio held him was glad to see his Sister Regent who since she could not adhere to her Brothers-in-law nor put trust in them remained constrained to shelter her self under his protection On the other side the Spaniards by reason of this dependence and conjunction of Blood endeavoured to have her excluded or at least that she might govern with an Authority so limited and restrained that she might not be able to bring prejudice to their interests Expecting therefore accidents from time Leganes was not solicitous to make advantage in that Conjuncture with Arms save only that he took in the Castle of Pomar in Monferrat which he abandoned so soon as he saw Crequi joyned again with Villa These two Chiefs were joyned notwithstanding their disgusts grown even to publick distrust from the time that Crequi taking occasion from the death of the Duke had attempted to cast a Garrison of French into Vercelli and Villa had prevented him by bringing in a strong Renfort of Savoyards The other accident which gave no less apprehension to Italy was the death of Carlo Duke of Mantua upon the 21. of September in the sixty and one year of his age He whilst he lived privately had had several thoughts and designs of a great Prince but having attained the Principality with great hazard governed himself amidst great troubles with the spirit and manners of a private man The Succession fell to Carlo Nephew of the Duke deceased and Son of the Prince Carlo Duke of Rhetel yet in Minority and therefore recommended by Testament and by a Codicil of the Grandfather to the protection of the French and the Venetians and to the Regency of the Mother a Princess of a most prudent understanding who altering nothing of the present state of things requires the Oath in the name of the Son and sends to Venice the Senator Paraleoni to obtain the continuance of the assistance and the direction of the Senate The Republick doubling to the end to preserve that State their diligence passed immediately effectual offices with the Emperour to divert all thoughts of novelty and in Spain used remonstrances to the end the Infanta Maria should have no thoughts of returning to Mantua to sow unseasonable suspicions Nor was it difficult to obtain it for although the Spaniards were not pleased at the assistance of Monsieur de la Tour a French Commander in Mantua yet fancying to themselves greater advantages on the side of Piedmont An. Dom. 1638 they thought it best as yet not to
their Arms were silently entred into Italy and were Neighbours to the Confines of many Princes so that those of the Austrian party justly apprehended and that not without some resentment to be over powred by that Crown Nevertheless the provocations of the Duke of Parma and the recent scorns of the Barberins prevailing besides that with the death of the Cardinal Richelieu happened about the end of the year many of his designs were thought extinguished they shewed themselves as resolute not to suffer their injuries as the Barberins were constant in provoking them to it The Dukes then of Modena and Parma having spoken together communicated to the Venetians their thought to take up some Quarters in the Ecclesiastick State to ease their own Country during Winter desiring that at least by connivence they would give way to them to make use of the Souldiers of the Republick which were in the Modonese The Senate and the Grand Duke not approving that the one should be exposed to greater dangers and the other be separated from common counsels exhorted them to suspend moving in so cold a Winter-season in which delay took not away any vigor from their power but rather added strength to their counsels The Dukes were satisfied with it chiefly because at the instant of their setting forward Modena had discovered that by the imprisonment and death of some an intelligence was vanished which he had in Ferrara whither having sent certain of his Subjects under other names to inrool themselves in a Company they having the Guard at a Port were to deliver it to the Duke Besides he of Parma whose aim was to possess Cento a place which from the Territories of Ferrara and Bologna might draw important Contributions was diverted by Cardinal Anthonio come into those parts with supreme Authority of Legate and by his providing and fortifying that place Whilst these things were in agitation the Venetians had sent into the Sacca di Goro to maintain the Jurisdiction of the Sea certain armed Parks which finding there some Vessels laden with Corn and Oyl had as is usual sent them to Venice from which Ferrara and the Army finding some inconvenience of Victuals certain Redoubts were raised by the Pontificians betwixt Magnavacca and Volane with eight pieces of Cannon on them to protect Ships under their countenance but being found of no advantage they within a while demolished them And now through the dispositions of minds and preparation of Forces all really tended to War whereupon the Prince Luigi and Pandolfini being returned to Venice Meetings were again renewed with the Deputies Nani and Gussoni The Barberins endeavoured to render them suspect to France and Spain suggesting that the Princes of Italy were not so much united for the affairs of Castro as to form a third Party that might ballance their Arms and ingage it self as occasion should be offered as if their intention were to give Law to both the Crowns and continually insinuated to the Spaniards projects of a League upon which and to have a pretext to introduce a Minister the Regent Casanate was sent by the Viceroy of Naples to Rome But he no sooner arrives there but the Cardinal Barberino being now out of fear he found him far from his own propositions and rather involved in a like Treaty with France though his more veritable intentions were to amuse both the Crowns without concluding with either The Spaniards to flatter him gave him hopes that by Vrbans closing in a League with them the Authority of the Catholick King would induce Modena and the Grand Duke to facilitate the adjustment of Castro and the Count della Rocca gone already from Venice was going to Florence to Modena and to Parma to exhort those Princes to Peace with offer of his Mediation and with propositions to Edward that if he would adhere to the Spanish party he would procure him the restitution of Castro by recompensing the Prefect with other Lordships in the Kingdom of Naples All this fell quickly to nothing for the projects of the Barberins to the Spaniards varied from the first intention and those of the Spaniards to the Princes had no foundation In the mean time foreign affairs were carried on with important accidents things in Germany being reduced to great extremity by several blows of consequence given to the Imperial Armies one near the Rhine where by Count Guebrian General of the Weimarians Lamboy was totally defeated another in Silesia Franc Albert a Duke of Saxe Lawemburg being beaten and taken Prisoner to whom though a Lutheran the Emperour had given the body of an Army in hopes that many Souldiers of that belief would willingly serve under his Command and those would flock to him of the contrary party in which he had been a Commander for many years In consequence of which disaster Olmitz the Metropolis of Moravia and other places were given up to the Swedes Yet it would not have been difficult to have repaired all if the Archduke who with the greatest body of the Army besieged Leipzich a City fatal to great Battels had not by Torstenson who came to attempt its relief been utterly defeated whereupon the Patrimonial Provinces remaining without defence and the way free for the Enemy even to Vienna so great was the consternation of mens minds in that City that nothing else preserved it but the spreading of the Swedes in prosecution of their advantage The Emperour therefore commanding his Ambassadour to return to Rome desired succours of the Pope and Rabbata at Venice demanded of the Senate with unwonted and great earnest three thousand Foot to defend the Passes of the Danube and the City of Vienna that the Army of the Swedes being by that means stopped it might not come nearer with the wonted insolency of Conquerors to Italy and the Confines of the Republick Vrban denies assistance under the pretext of the jealousies wherein he was and the Venetians answered in a sense little differing shewing how Italy was disturbed and overturned by the Barberins Monsieur de Lionne being also come to Venice declared the Fortune and the Power of the Austrians every where laid low exalted the intention of King Lewis who not ambitious but of glory to himself and liberty to others had conquered Tortona by Arms and in Generosity given it up to Prince Thomaso He invited to an Union with France and to the Conquest of the Milanese of which he offered to the Republick such a portion as it self would chuse But the Senate persisted fixed not to interest it self betwixt the Crowns otherwise than in what concerned the Mediation of Peace Besides the proceedings in Italy which are before mentioned the accidents are worthy relating concerning the Crown of France whose Arms being every where victorious without the Kingdom it was nevertheless intestinely disturbed with furious commotions Richelieu heaping up for himself and those that depended on him vast riches rendred the universal poverty of the Kingdom so much the more intolerable to the
as a spectacle of humane misery dyes at Collen in a poor and hired house driven by the Parliament from London rejected by the Hollanders and forsaken by the Spaniards This accident also was by the Cardinal as a despiser of Fame numbred amongst his felicities risen to say truth in the eye of the World to the highest point but in himself contaminated by unquietness of mind and infirmities of body He had discovered many of the Kings Guards participants in the contrivances of St. Mars and in particular Monsieur de Treville Captain of the Musquetiers For the last proof of his Authority and of the Kings patience he desires that he would discharge him and moreover that he would come out of St. Germans to speak with him and give way that his Guards might mingle with the Kings for his greater security The King was truly troubled at it as loving Treville and comprehending how insolent the demand was yet after certain days reluctancy the Cardinal otherwise protesting he would retire he complies with him out of a belief that the War promoted by his ambition and the affairs imbroiled by his Arts could not be supported and dis-intangled but by his abilities But when the Cardinal thought himself in a manner delivered from the changeableness of Fortune Nature would exercise her rights for wasted with many diseases death took him away upon the 4. of December in the fifty eighth year of his age Armand Cardinal and Duke of Richelieu of noble but ordinary Parents and as it happens that the beginnings of our lives buried in the deepest darkness give no discerning whither the Laws of Destiny will be extended he applies himself in his Youth to Studies and afterwards to the life of a Church-man Aspiring always to the greatest things he made it visible that from every corner of Fortune the highest degrees are to be attained to provided a man have the confidence to promote and believe himself worthy of them Insinuating himself into the Court he intrudes himself into the Factions and succeeds either in sowing discords or composing them so excellent that Art never failed him and was seldom abandoned by Fortune If he introduced himself into favour if he enjoyed it it was always against the inclination of the Prince that raised him He sets the King at enmity with his Mother with his Brother and it may be said with his own self constraining him to give up his Authority to him though he denied him his affection He ballanced favour against envy supported by the King but always hated by the Princes execrated by the people and sought to be intrapped by Strangers He never grew remiss in prosperity nor despaired in the crosness of affairs in which either chance furnished him with accidents or his wit suggested counsels Having disarmed the Huguenots in France laid low the Great Ones weakned the people and the Parliaments he established the vigour of the Kingly Government On the other side usurping all power to himself fearing the security of Peace and thinking himself more secure amidst the revolutions of Arms he was the Author of Wars and of long and grievous calamities with so much shedding of blood and tears within and without the Kingdom that it is no wonder that many have published him for a man fallacious in his word cruel in his hatred and inflexible in revenge But certainly leaving to God the more exact judgment of his intentions and deeds those gifts cannot be denied him which the World is accustomed to attribute to great Personages his Enemies agreeing in a confession with his Friends that he possessed such and so many that whithersoever he had directed affairs he had reaped success and power This may be said that having united France succoured Italy confounded the Empire divided England and weakned Spain he was the Instrument chosen by Divine Providence for the ruine of Europe The King honouring his death with tears and his memory with praises fluctuated amidst many thoughts in the choice of another Minister doubting lest after one so great and so accredited every one else would be despised by his Subjects and not esteemed by the Princes his Friends Yet he now tasted the liberty of Government without the shadow of a troublesom Favourite But being rather accustomed to leave execution to others than to set forth his own counsels he proved timid and irresolute Richelieu disposing also as he was dying of the Kings Will had left Mazarine Heir to the Post he possessed beseeching the King to establish him in it and to maintain him for the important Service of the Crown whilst instructed by him in the Affairs Interests and Designs he had in all found him of so excellent an ingenuity that he seemed born for that alone in which he had according to occurrences been variously imployed The King perswaded by his Wife inclined not to leave the direction of things to a Confident of the deceased by reason of the hatred which he saw universally of his name Many others therefore aspired to the favour and thereto imployed the Arts of Court which is as much as to say An. Dom. 1643 Frauds and Intrigues which the King abhorring or fearing that with the change and novelty of Ministers the Train of Affairs and the felicity of his Arms would be interrupted confirms those of the Council and confers on Mazarine the primacy and the favour His Ancestors being of Sicily he was born at Rome with noble but slender beginnings of Fortune but scorning his first foundation from the Militia in which he commanded a Company of Foot in the Valteline passing to the Treaty of Piedmont from that to Prelacy and the Nuntiature of France and from thence to the strict confidence of that Crown by the nomination thereof to the Cardinalat he seemed arrived whither not so much as his own hopes had pointed him out the way Seeing Richelieu falling at Perpignan he thought of withdrawing from the thunder stroak and got himself to be sent into Italy under pretext to adjust the differences of Parma with the Pope but the Duke rejecting him as distrusted by him or for old distasts by reason of the dependency which Mazarine had upon the Cardinal Antonio this hinderance served as a rebound to his Fortune for by Richelieu's surmounting the snares laid for him continuing at the Court he was also in a capacity to succeed him in his station He though a stranger and without support nay rather with the hatred which from the very ashes of Richelieu rose up against those which had been his Confidents knew how to exercise a precarious authority Therefore governed himself in such sort that leaving to Lewis the pleasure of the Government and easing him of the burden he seemed rather a Minister than director of the Royal intentions Then towards others he endeavoured that that which is so envious should in him be rendred acceptable from his modesty So with obsequiousness to the Prince with liberality to the Courtiers to all
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