hauing no meanes to satisfie his desire of reuenge on al desperatly ranne vpon Giouan Contareni whose kinsman was before not idely slaine with such violence that he had almost stem'd his Galley which he obstinatly perseuering to boord was there mortally wounded as before in iudgement so now in valor hauing manifested himselfe a compleate and absolute souldier He falling bred like amazement with the Turkes as the fate of Barbarico had with the Christians his men slaine wounded and dismaied left their decks naked to their thronging enemies who rushing in were like to haue made the Galley a common sepulchre to both For shee being shot betweene winde and water was now ready to sinke The Turkes leaped ouer-boord hoping by swimming to finde the land more mercifull to them then the water Siroch was taken not quite dead but his wounds serched and found incurable in pitty not cruelty he was dispatch't His death though it were deerely bought was a mortall wound to the Turkes whole Nauy For those that were before busied with his incounter this right wing or arme now cut off conuerted their forces though much enfeebled against other members of the fleet assisting where they saw need and had opportunity Besides the battaile of succors continually supplied and releeued impartially all parts distrest Now the two Generals Don Iohn and Ali Basha meeting like two furious Currents began so cruell a fight in the middest of both fleets that the rest seemed but spectators to them two The Gallies incircling them were the Theater these two the Stage Contrariety of Religion emulation of honor anger hope and feare producing admirable effects in both While the Basha made violent impression on the prow of Don Iohns Galley she by others was likely to haue beene entred on the poope which seene was preuented by those that back't her who boording these boorders tooke their Gallies but with great slaughter and difficulty The Turkish Admirall knowing the fortune of the day to depend vpon his successe desperatly contended to inforce Don Iohn wherein he so farre preuailed that he compelled him to bring out of hold his fresh reseruations to exchange place with his wounded and wearied men vpon the hatches which strange and vnexpected supply as it were new borne out of the wombe of the Galley to defend their mother bred amazement and by amazement hastned the destruction of the fainting Turkes The Basha shot in the head his Galley soone yeelded himselfe being yet aliue presented to D. Iohn had his head strooke off which mounted on the point of a pike he held vp in publike demonstration of victory a gratefull obiect to the Christians but dreadfull to the Turkes The same cause bringing forth at once most contrary effects extremity of hope and feare which yet lesse dismaied them not discerning it a far off then the aduancement of the Crosse royall in the top of their Admirall Galley That was seene throughout the fleet and the fatall signification easily interpreted Now they all fly but so confusedly that while they shun the pursuite of one Galley they fal foule vpon an other Besides Marco Quirini and Antonio Canali intercepted many of the Gallies flying and men swimming to the shoare In this memorable fight many notable captaines on either side were taken and slaine whose distinct Catalogue ensues at the end of the battaile not yet absolutely ended For Vluzzali foreseeing now to late this generall ouerthrow studied how he might in some measure reueng what he could not preuent therefore houering alooffe from the fleet to expect some straglers of the Christian Nauy at last found opportunity to cut off certaine Venetian Gallies which at first had followed Doria but now desirous to haue beene sharers in so noble a victory were retyring to the maine battaile them he chased fetched vp and boorded yet they brauely repelling him and Doria wheeling about to assaile him abaft knowing it dangerous for him to perseuer in fight where his owne force would continually decrease and his Aduersaries be augmented by confluence of reskew from all parts of the army executing his most mischiefe vpon those Venetians he with saile and oares stood off to sea towing after him the Gallies of Pietro Bua of Corfou of the Prior of Messina and Lodouico Cipico of Trahù Benedetto Soranza mortally wounded and oppressed by multitude fighting valliantly to the last was slaine and his Galley taken But so that such getting in conclusion proued their losse For many of the enemies thronging into the Galley either by casualty or desperate malice of some captaine she fired and they perished in a wretched mixture of death burning and drowning It seemed that the fury of the slaughtered Turkes suruiued and was vnited in Vluzzali who alone gaue all three battailes some taste of his diuilish rage Notwithstanding all those Gallies which he had taken were recouered but that of Petro Bua of Corfoù in whose purchase he had a very hard bargaine The night was his best protection which shaddowed him from the pursuing Christians Who now despayring to fetch him vp whom they could not see to follow gaue ouer the chase and stood back to the fleet and Vluzzali escaped with about thirty Gallies Many which could not swim being aliue as if death had taught them that skill floted being dead And the sea glutted with multitudes swallowed spued their carkases vp againe Many laboring in the water for life found now more safety in their wracks then before in their Gallies and sometimes a Turke and Christian laying hold of one planke began a priuate fight while a third tooke benifit of what they stroue for the sea in the meane time proouing victor of both Here a tired Christian calls to his friend for helpe here a Turke implores it of his enemy Lamentable and confused cries come from both when now the billowes begin to roare louder then all For the nauy was yet scarce collected and reduced to a safe Hauen towards night when there arose so sodaine and violent a storme as if the battaile had not now beene ended would haue beene a cruell stickler in it To conclude the insolent enemies being thus ouer-throwne and their spoile gathered the next care was to cure the wounded men and repaire the brused and torne vessels Wherein the Commanders testified no lesse industry then in preparation for the fight and valor in it It is hard to resolue which of the three Admirals D. Iohn Venieri or Colonna merited most applause they all did what could not be exceeded by any other nor equalled but by themselues The former distast twixt Don Iohn and Venieri as it had beene prouidently pacified by mediation of Colonna so was it in the conquest nobly forgotten of themselues D. Iohn toward the beginning of the battaile being endangered by inequallity of number Venteri with his owne danger brauely reskewed like two fierce mastiues iarring betweene themselues when the Beare comes forget priuate strife to assaile the common enemy which noble curtezy the
of the Prouince Dominico Georgio who in that iourny died at Vdina was sent thither with Zacharia Barbaro Giouanni Hemo and Candian Bellano to take order for that which should be expedient for the Common-wealth and either to raze them both or else repaire and fortifie them And for safe withstanding the enemies incursions it was concluded at the least to place a strong garrison of horsemen in one of them Carolo Montone who the yeare before had beene cassed was called from Tuscanie and sent into the Prouince he placed a strong Garrison in the Fort of Gradiscan and fortified it with dikes and Rampires But whilest hee continewed his workes Prince Vendramino died the second yeare of his Principalitie beeing scarce expired Hee was honourably buried in the Church of the Seruians ¶ GIOVANNI MOCENIGO the 72. Duke of Uenice GIouanni Mocenigo brother to Prince Pietro a man of singular wisedome and iudgement was by generall consent declared Prince Such successe had the Venetian affaires in Italie whilest in Dalmatia the siege of Croia without any intermission lasted one whole yeere Ottoman not satisfied heerewith did on the fifth day of Iune with greater forces than foure yeares before come and besiege Scutari At his arriuall those of Croia oppressed with famine and terrified with the fearefull report of the Turkes arriuall yeelded Alibeg a little before his comming had with 15000. men beguirt Scutari Foure daies after Solyman came thither and incamped on the east side of it with threescore and tenne thousand men The Gouernour of Asia followed him with a power not much inferiour and lodged on the south side Last of all the great Turke himselfe came thither in person on the fifteenth day of Iune Those which were present at this siege say That the enemies multitude was such as on the Mountaines Plaines and on all sides of the City as farre as mans sight could discerne there was nothing to be seene but Tents and Pauillions The ordnance was forthwith planted to batter the walls In the Citie there were sixeteene hundred inhabitants and two hundred and fiftie women They had before the enemies arriuall rid the towne of all vnprofitable eaters Moreouer there were sixe hundred mercenarie souldiers in it vnder the commaund of Carlino Antonio Cortone Francisco Sanserobar Micaele Spalatino and other braue Captaines Antonio Legiero was Gouernour and Prouidator of the citie This small handfull of men was in Scutari when it was the second time besieged by so great a multitude The Defendants did cheerefully receiue the enemies for they were now better prouided of all necessaries for a siege than at first A breach being made the Turkes gaue two assaults Both Christians and Turkes vsed the selfe same Armes and Engines as at the former time But by how much the preparation for warre was greater than at the first siege by so much more great was the slaughter on both sides And the assaults were much more furious by reason of the Emperours presence than at the beginning vnder the conduct of Solyman Those of Scutari were twice assaulted in a short space and in both the retreit was made with great slaughter The enemies shot such store of arrowes as some worthie of credit report That a dogge being frighted with the great noise ranne home to his masters house with eleuen arrowes sticking in his hinder parts And because the Reader shall not thinke this to be a ridiculous report all writers affirme that for many monethes whilest the siege lasted after the great Turkes departure the inhabitants vsed no other wood to heat their Ouens nor to dresse them meat but fagots made of Turkish arrowes They write beside that in the hottest assaults at such time as nothing was heard but terrible reports of the Canon imitating thunder and that a thousand sundrie kinds of death were presented to mens view the inhabitants and souldiers of Scutari fought with such animositie and resolution as nothing did lesse terrifie them than the hazard of their liues so soone as one troupe of enemies were ouerthrowne others presently marched to the assalt on the dead bodies and others after them The dikes were filled with dead carkasses so were the hollow places of the mountaines and though multitudes were slaine others stept in their steed Those in the Citie likewise contemning death wounds though they saw their fellowes torne in peeces by the Ordnance did not for all that cease valiantly to repell and beat backe the enemies from the Rampiers In the end Mahomets wilfulnesse being ouercome and diuers telling him that it was in vaine to hazard so many thousand braue men to such manifest dangers tha he had to do with enemies who rather resolued to die that yeeld he al inraged sounded the retreat afterwards gaue no more assaults yet still continued his batterie But whilest he streightly besieged the Scutarians he forgat not Italy For he sent forces to those places whither hee thought the Venetians would send least aid who arriued in Italie the same day as the first assault was giuen to Scutari They encamped with great noise not farre from the Forts of Lizonza where embattialing themselues they sought to draw forth Carolo Montane to fight But he remembring the late ouerthrow durst attempt nothing rashly but containing his souldiers within the enclosure of his Fort he kept the Turkes in expectation more than halfe a day But they perceiuing that they could not draw the Venetians to fight went from thence and encamped within foure miles of the Fort Gradiscan betwixt the mount Medea and Cremona But the next day he left Masan and marched through the deepe bottome directly to the foote of the mountaines They were in number 30000. who went into Germanie through the precipices of those steepie hils which are in a manner in-accssible to the inhabitants of the countrey In passing those mountaines they performed matters scarce credible and among others I thought good to set downe this one Being come to the top of those craggie hilles which were impossible to be descended by horse they tied them with cords and by engins and deuises which they made did let them downe into the next bottomes and from thence into the rest till they were come downe into the lowest of all What did they not to get ouer the top of the Alpes downe to the foote of the mountaine Cargna where hauing intelligence that the mount Lanca ouer which they were to passe into Germanie was guarded by the inhabitants of the Alpes being come thither neither that danger nor difficultie to ascend to it could in any sort amaze them who leaning on their targets crept vp those steepis rockes ind despite of their enemies wherewith they that guarded the passages being afrighted betooke themselues to flight and thereby goue occasion to the Turkes to commit great slaughter This was the last iourney which the Turks made into Italy against the Venetians But in the meane time Mahomet still continued the siege of
and marched against the inhabitants of Vderza saying that they did wrongfully hold from him certaine lands belonging to his wife Hee did first spoile the Countrie round about then he assailed the Citie which beeing taken hee burned downe to the ground Some Authors affirme that vpon the same occasion he assailed likewise those of Ferrara and that he tooke by force a Citie of their confines These warlike actions made him more insolent For he placed a companie of soldiors in the Dukes Palace for his guard and all his speech and actions sauoured of tirannie The people calling to minde their ancient libertie fel on a sodaine vpon him the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment as some saie or the eighteenth according to others For the Historians doe much disagree concerning the times of euerie Princes gouernment But with his Guarde defending himselfe valiantly from the top of his house they set fier on the houses next to the Palace on this side the Canall on the same side the winde did blow which being kindled the flame did not onely burne the Dukes Palace but Saint Markes Church Pietro seeing himselfe inuironed with so manie miseries and that he must bee constrained either to giue place to the peoples furie or else to die there he tooke his yonge son which he had by this last wife in his armes and went into that part of the Church which the fier had not yet touched and comming forth by a priuie way he endeuoured to saue himself and his sonne by flight whom he meant to carrie into Exile with him But when he perceiued all the waies stopped with Armed men he then fell to intreaties That they would not fall vpon him as on a cruell beast that they would abstaine from hurting him till he had excused himselfe to the people and then it should be at their choice either to put him to a cruell death if they thought it fit or else to saue his life as by their bountie they had done in times past whilst his Father liued at such time as they accounted him guiltie of Treason He did moreouer confesse that the people might be iustly mooued against him but yet the yonge childe in his armes was innocent that they should doe a most vnworthie deede If for the hatred they did beare to the Father they should murther the innocent creature who neuer yet had offended anie one All these entreaties were vaine and those who assailed him cried out a loud That it was lawfull for them being an holie and iust matter to take awaie a Tirant from the Common-wealth whose excuses could not be but wicked And so rushing vpon him he did in a moment fall downe dead to the ground wounded in diuers places with his yong sonne likewise Some saie that they did cut the childes throate in the trembling nurses armes and that the bodies were by the peoples command throwne vpon the dunghill and there left to bee eaten with dogges but that at the intreatie of Giouanni Gradonico that lamentable spectacle was remoued from the sight of the multitude and the bodies honorably buried in St. Hilaries Church Some thinke that through the counsell of Pietro Vrseolo who was Duke after him the people fired the houses next to the Palace and that it was done onely to hurt the Duke But it fell out otherwise For the force of the winde and the houses neere to the Palace did in such sort feede this fier as besides the Palace the most magnificent Cathedrall Church of the Citie and those of Saint Theodore the Martir and Saint Marie Iubenica with three hundred priuate houses were the same daie burnt The end of the third Booke of the first Decade THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the fourth Booke of the first Decad. THe Dukes Palace burnt in the last popular sedition is repaired at VRSEOLO'S cost who succeeded CANDIANO He giues a most rich Table to laie vpon Saint MARKES Altar VITALIS Patriarch of Grada sonne to the deceased Duke CANDIANO flies to the Emperour OTHO ADHELETA a most renowned Ladie and her manie crosses The league renued with those of the Cape of Histria VRSEOLO moued with a Religious desire doth secretly leaue the Citie The Common-wealth endangered by ciuile discorde OTHO the second makes secretwarre on the Venetians whom he first seekes to ouercome by famine Saint GEORGES Churche built right opposite to the great market-place The description of the Countrie of Illiria All Histria and Dalmatia brought vnder the subiection of VRSEOLO The Emperour OTHO the third comes to Venice in disguise and remaines secretly for a time with the Duke The Phaledrini build Saint BENETS Church The Venetian ouercomes the Hadrians neere to the mouthes of the Riuers Po and Adice They fight likewise afterward with good successe in Dalmatia with Heresimus King of Croatia Prince OTHO banished DOMINICO VRSEOLO flies to Rauenna the morrow after he had seised on the Dukes Palace being driuen thence by the people Those of Zara reuolt after they had first yeelded to the Venetians PEPIN Patriarch of Aquileia troubleth the quiet of the Common-wealth From whence the Normans are descended who haue a long time reigned in Italie and Sicilie GISCARD their Captaine The Venetians vanquish the Normans at Sea neere to Durazzo THE Common-wealth hauing by the Dukes death preserued her ancient libertie it was an hard matter to declare whether of these two were the greatest either their ioye for being freed from tyrannie or their sorrow to see so many publique and priuate buildings consumed to ashes by the late fire which did maruellously deface the Cities beautie But fearing least such an astonishment might breed some greater mischeife in the Citie as it is often seene that one new sorrow followeth another at the heeles they forthwith created a new Duke But yet they sought out one differing in humour and qualitie from him that last deceased But they needed not make any farre search being so well furnished neere at hand ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLA the 23. Duke of Uenice THe vertuous wisedome of Pietro Vrseolo being at the same time knowne to all men was the cause that at the generall assembly held at Saint Peters Church for the same purpose which is at this day the Patriarks seat he was with a generall applause declared Prince who refusing this charge tooke it vpon him at the peoples entreatie who told him that he ought not to forsake the Commonwealth in so dangerous a season Yet it is most certaine that hee vnwillingly embraced it For being from his youth brought vp and trained in the loue of Iustice hee was afraid of popular gouernment which seldome or neuer respects the innocent But the affection which hee did beare to his Countrie for the which we are chiefly borne as saith diuine Plato made him not to abandon his fellow-citizens in so great a danger So soone therefore as hee was chosen Prince
charge thereof was committed to Nicholao Iustiniano who with those forces went to expulse the enemie Phalerio in the meane time hauing gouerned the Commonwealth nine whole moneths was possessed with a desire to make himselfe king thereof whereunto this wicked man had almost opened the way This enemie to his owne countrey and to the Senate who had elected him to the dignitie did determine to seize vpon the seignorie and to kill the chiefe of the Senate And the more easily to effect it hee had hired diuers of the common sort to exhort this wretched murther and some likewise which is to be admired of the nobilitie so as mischiefe doth euer find fauourers The murther was committed to sixteene euill disposed persons who were of the chiefe of the conspiracie all which had a day appointed them to come to the Pallace with threescore more well armed They concluded among themselues that on the fourteenth day of Aprill they would cast false reports about the Citie That the enemie was at hand and that his gallies were alreadie before the hauen at which rumour the Prince should forth with commaund all men to take Armes and cause the great bell of the high Tower to be rung At which signall those of the conspiracie comming forth of their houses well armed should by sundrie waies come to the Pallace to receiue the Prince and Senates commaundement where seizing on the gates they should kill all the Senators with as many as were come thither to debate on matters concerning the Commonwealth and generally the whole Nobilitie and then Phalerio should no more be called Duke but Lord. Some say that they resolued so soone as they should haue disanulled the order of the Senators to commit the gouernment of the Citie to the people But it is most certaine that a Commonwealth well gouerned hath still beene beloued of God and much more when it is gouerned by iustice so as of all earthly gouernments I thinke the same to be most pleasing vnto him which Plato calleth Aristocratia which doth not obey the commaundement of one alone and which being most good as well in opinion of that learned man as in the iudgement of all wise men hath euer beeene esteemed most worthie of praise Because it is a true agreement and vnion of the chiefer sort and such is the gouernment of the state of Venice which hauing beene oftentimes preserued before by the diuine prouidence was of a certaine much more at this instant For succour came to the Senators from thence where they least of all expected it There was a man called Beltrand a popular person and one of the chiefe of the conspiracie He the verie night before this massacre should haue beene committed being prouoked as it is to be thought with repentance for so horrible a crime came secretly the euening of the same night to the house of Nichalao Leon one of the Senators and his gossip and hauing taken him aside discouered the whole matter telling him That being stirred vp with loue to his country and with an exceeding great affection to the Senate he could not conceale such a mischief And after he had named the chiefe of the conspiracie with Phalerio he be sought him that he would haue him in remembrance that it might not be imputed to him for a fault that hee had at the beginning consented to the conspiracie against the Senate and his countrey Leon was amazed and with the heinousnesse of the matter could not for a time make him an answere but the feare of the publike and particular danger awaked him Beltrand being gone home he speedily sent for the chiefe of the Senat those of the councell of the ten and other officers of the Citie to come to speak with him So soone then as the Senators were come to his house and such of the cōmon sort as had not bene named by the accuser to haue beene acquainted with the plot those sixteene which were chiefe of the conspiracie were the same very night apprehended and being conuicted of the crime were murthered and with ropes let downe from the top of the Pallace vpon the Columnes It is reported that Philippo Calandriero was one of the number who was one of the best architects and engrauers of his time whose skill the Senate had vsed in their publike buildings It is thought that the new buildings as well in the ducall Pallace as in the market-place which doth much exceed the old was of his workmanship I would haue concealed his name if I had not thought it a cruell deed to depriue so excellent a wit of his praise For in this matter whereof we now spake I am so farre from mentioning the names of the conspirators as on the contrarie I thinke those that haue named them to haue done indiscreetly who in thinking thereby to shame them haue for euer made them inrolled For there is no man how wicked soeuer but doth in some sort desire to leaue some remembrance of himselfe to posteritie witnesse that vnknowne fellow who of set purpose did burne the Temple of Diana in Ephesus who being demaunded wherefore he did it answered that he determined by some notable villanie seeing by vertue he could not to leaue some memorie behinde him after his death It is said that for to raze out his remembrance it was decreed that none should set downe his name in histories The which was wisely done For it was a greater punishment to quench his memorie than to take away his life Domesticke examples might haue remembred our Citizens of their dutie For after Tepulo his conspiracie the Senate expresly forbad that none should dare to write paint or engraue the name or armes of Baiamont nor of any of his complices And besides whereas our ancestors would haue the effigies of all the Princes from the beginning of the Citie vntill that present time to be represented in order in the hall of the great councell to the end that the picture of wicked Phalerio should not be seene in the ranke of Princes they decreede that his place should remaine void and be couered with a blacke vaile Their opinion was that they could no sharplier punish those who had transgressed against the Common-wealth than wholy to blot out their remembrance And we in like manner hauing named the authors of the conspiracy because it should be knowne who had in times past conspired against the countrey haue expresly concealed the name of the rest for to punish them thereby as we haue done others Phalerio likewise was by the Senates commaundement the same day punished with death his bodie was carried into a little boate to the Church of the Twinnes being accompanied by eight Sergeants who carried torches It is reported that commissioners who were appointed to enquire of this matter did discouer in eight daies space aboue foure hundred A great many of them were put to death some were hanged others beheaded and
their messengers to Zeno assuring them that the Genoueses liues and deaths were in his and the Venetians hands and that they were to entreate and beg their liues of them and to vse no more meanes to the Souldiers for both they and their Captaines were at the commaund of Carolo into whose presence they being come they could by no meanes change his determinat on Hauing then lost all hope falling to teares and entreaties they sent the chiefe of all their troupes to the Prince who weeping and falling at his feete entreated him for the loue of Almightie God and in pittie of their calamities to take commiseration of their present miserie confessing that they had till then like enemies executed diuers enterprises against the Venetians as well by Sea sa Land but that it was only for dominion and not for greedinesse of mens liues which might bee easily testified in regard that during the warres all prisoners on both sides had beene oftentimes redeemed or exchanged and sometimes likewise by conuention set at libertie Namely that lately at the taking of Chioggia not any one was iniuried by them that were found without Armes except some few who by the rashnesse and follie of some particular persons and not by the generall consent of all men had beene slaine And that besides they had neuer refused to giue anie man his life that had requested it That victualls beginning to growe scarce they dismissed their prisoners fearing least they should be famished in Prison They did not denie but that they had tried all meanes before they wouâ—…d yeelde which neuerthelesse they had not done so much for any hatred they did beare to them as because they would not bee counted Bisonians and cowards among their Countriemen And that now being vanquished rather by famine than by Armes they did not request to carrie away with them their owne gold siluer or moueables but onely their liues the which if it should bee denied to men vnarmed and who did humbly craue it would for euer bee accounted a deed both cruell and inhumane Yet whatsoeuer should befall the Genoueses in this warre they had next vnto God placed their hope in the meeknesse and mercy of the Venetians They besought them then to bethinke what regard they meant to haue to their prayers and teares and lastly to their greiuous calamitie For they could not belieue nor neuer would though they should endure the vttermost extremitie that they who had so many times felt the thwarts of aduerse fortune would forget the alteration of wordly affaires To this there was no gentle replie made but only that they might bee sure to bee soone imprisoned and that then the Senate would at leisure determine of their life or death That in the meane time it was both iust and reasonable that those should remaine in darke captiuitie who to obey their owne vnbridled passions had lost their libertie They were then commanded to depart and to take heed least that by their owne fault they lost not the offer made vnto them and that they should speedily dispatch what they had to doe Being returned to the Citie they brought newes of nothing but sad calamitie how the losse of their goods imprisonment and their liues were in danger But being grieuously afflicted by famine for there were some among them who of a long time had seene no bread they resolued to yeeld howsoeuer rather than to die with hunger Therefore setting vp an Ensigne on the highest Tower of the Citie the Genoueses fleete came forthwith from their vsuall place of aboade into the Cities view but the besieged did soone take it downe whereat those of the Gallies being moued sought by all meanes to encourage them but they within the Citie returning them no signall for an answere they were certainely perswaded that both they and themselues were wholly vndone whereupon being sad and disconsolate they retired to the Fossoni The Captaines in the meane time sent into the Citie to separate the mercenarie Souldiers from the Genoueses and to put the richest bootie into a certaine place Foure thousand prisoners fell to the Venetians three thousand of whom were Genoueses two hundred Paduans a few Forlani and the residue Dalmatians and Illirians with some Greekes who were all brought prisoners to Venice The Souldiers being disarmed were let goe The whole spoile being laid on a heape in Saint Maries Church was for the space of two daies sold to such as bid most the monie was distributed among the Souldiers and the Citie was by the Captaines yeelded to the Venetians In this manner did the Venetians recouer Chioggia ten months after it had beene taken by the Genoueses Prince Contareni Victor Pisani Carolo Zeno and the chiefe of the Armie entred it on the foure and twentieth of Iune and hauing in all places erected the Venetian Ensignes they brought home to the Common-wealth ninteene Genoa Gallies well armed with diuers ships and a meruailous great quantitie of salt The end of the sixth Booke of the second Decad. THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the second Decad. THe Venetians recouer Bebia with all the other Forts on the Lakes soone after the reduction of Chioggia The Thryestines reuolting take parte with the Genoueses Cap-Histra is taken by the enemies The Genoueses passing with their fleete before the Hauen of the Citie come into Histria The Venetians mightie Armie recouereth Cap-Histria The Genoueses take Arba. VICTOR PISANI dieth at Manfredonia CAROLO ZENO is made Generall of the nauall Armie Treuiso is a long time besieged by the Carrarians The Venetians attempt in vaine to relieue Treuiso with men and victualls The Venetians giue the Citie of Treuiso to LEOPOLD Duke of Austria CAROLO ZENO refuseth to fight with the enemie on the Frontiers of the lower Sea The great danger that the Genoueses prisoners were in vpon the newes that the Venetian prisoners were all staine at Genoa What great harme three Genoueses Gallies did to the Venetians LEOPOLD commeth into Italie with tenne thousand horse Peace with the Genoueses and their associates by meanes of the Duke of Sauoy The Venetian Dames relieue the Genoueses prisoners with cloathing and money for their iourney Diuers who aboue the rest had succoured the Common-wealth during the warre are made Senators CHioggia being recouered in this manner the Venetians because they would not stoppe the fortunate course of their victories did forthwith send to besiege the Fort of Bebia thereby to make free passage for their Merchants who traffique into Lombardie The Genoueses in the meane time dislodging from all places neare to Venice did neare to Corbolles set vpon diuers ships loden with corne who tarried in that place till such time as the Genoueses Fleet were remoued that they might with more safetie goe to Venice the which at the first they tooke and furnishing their Gallies with corne for their owne
determined to present a petition to the Gouernour wherein relating the want and misery wherevnto they were reduced they besought him in regard they had freely exposed their liues and meanes to maintaine the Citty vnder the obedience of the Common-wealth that he would by yeelding on honorable conditions preserue the honour of their Wiues and Children which would bee exposed eauen as a Prey vnto the enemies if they should enter by force Vpon this Petition of the People the Magistrates and cheefe Captains consulted what was best to be done their opinions beeing very different for some thought it fit to continue their defense and to dy with their swords in their hands raiher then to yeeld or else to sally forth in the night and on a suddaine to assaile the enemies and with their blood by dying to reuenge their death That they could not beleeue that the Turkes would obserue and performe any accord they should make with them perceiuing that necessity had rather induced them therunto then any free motion that their yeelding would wrong and impaire the honour and reputation which till then they had gotten Others on the contrary said That it did not beseeme them vnto whom the guard and conseruation of that Citty had beene committed to shew themselues more cruell towards the inhabitants then the very Turkes because that there was nothing more certaine then that the Captaines of the Camp did only propound an accord because they would preserue the Citty from being sackt and to saue the Inhabitants liues knowing that if their soldiers should once enter by force it would then bee to late to hold them backe besides as it was not the part of a valliant man basely to yeeld for feare of death in like manner to lose his life rashly and vnprofitably proceeded rather from foolish obstinacy then from magnanimity These reasons with diuers others being alleadged to the same purpose did after a long consultation preuaile and they resolued to yeeld on honorable composition In this manner on the first day of August after sundry treaties it was concluded by meanes of an Italian enseigne which was prisoner in the campe that ther should be truce and vpon giuing of hostages on either side began to treate of the particularities of acord for the citty Hercules Martinenga and Matteo Câ—…lti a Cittizen of Famagosta were giuen in hostage for those of the Citty and for the enemies Mustapha his Lieutenant and the Lieutenant to the Aga or Captaine of the Ianissaries whome Baillone with certaine horse and two hundred Harquebusiers went to receiue at the gate our men were like-wise honorably entertayned by the enemies Mustapha his Sonne comming forth to meet them with great numbers of horse and foot who brought them to his father who hauing entertained them bestowed on them two ritch gownes imbrodered with gold and then sent them to lodge in the Aga's Pauillon It is a thing to be wondred at that those in the Citty which had sustained so great labour misery and calamities in sted of reioycing for that their troubles would shortly end were sad and melancholy as men foreseeing their future wretchednesse The Commissioners seemed easily to grant what-so-euer was propounded to them which in effect was That the soldiers should bee safely conducted into Candy by the Tur ish Vessells carrying along with them their armes and bagage with fiue peeces of ordnance and three horse belonging to the three cheefe Commanders That the inhabitants that were desirous to depart might doe the like and those that would tarry behind should haue assurance giuen them to enioy their goods and to liue in their Christian Religion These Articles were in one day propounded signed and granted and countersigned by Mustapha with his owne hand wherevpon for the execution thereof forty Vessells of all sorts were on a sodaine sent to the Heauen where the sicke men began to be embarked the rest standing vpon their guard to hinder the Turkes from enterprizing any matter contrary to the accord till such time as they were all shipt the Turkes neuer-the-lesse dealing curteously with them both in word and deed Yet so soone as the enemies came into the citty they began to wrong the inhabitants and to commit violence wherewith Bragaâ—…ini hauing acquainted Mustapha entreated him that for the performance of his owne promise and obseruation of the articles he would command the soldiors to cease from farther violence and to send more ships to embarke the remainder of the Christian soldiers Nestâ—…r Martinenga was sent on this message to the Bascha who courteously entertained him and graunted his demand seeming to be very desirous to know Bragadini and to conferre with him as with a valliant and noble Captaine of whome him-selfe had made tryall Bragadini giuing credit to these sugred words leauing Tepulo in the citty did the ending of the same day beeing accompanied with Baillone Martinenga and Quirini goe to the Baschas tent attended on by sundry Captaines and Greeke Gentlemen all on horse backe with some forty Harquebusiers on foote Bragadini rod formost vnder a crimson Vmbrella or Canopie clothed in purple wearing his vsuall robe of Magistrate who being come to the Baschas Pauillion left their weapons at the doore and being entred were curteously entertayned by Mustapha who caused them to sit downe where after they had discoursed on sundry matters the Bascha dissembling that which hee had already determined in his mind thought it time to put it in execution and the better to bring it to passe he craued caution for the vessells he lent them wherevnto Bragâ—…dini hauing made answer that no such thing was mentioned in the Articles and that therefore they were not tyed there vnto and besides he had no man there with him whome he could leaue behind for that purpose Mustapha pointing to Quirini said let this man be a pledge Bragadin constantly maintayned the contrary and told him that he could not iustly detained any of them the Bascha waxing impatient and being no longer able to master his choller did fiercely thunder many iniurious speeches against them accusing them that they had during the truâ—…e contrary to the law of armes put diuers of his Turkes to death whome they had taken prisoners which was most false and rising from his staâ—…e commanded them all presently to be manaclcd then thrusting them forth of his tent he caused his soldiers to murder Baillone Martinenga Quirini and all the rest before Bragadins face who was reserued to a greater torture hauing before his death endured many marterdomes they caused him twice or thrice to offer his necke as though hee would haue cut off his head which he most courragiously presented to them they would not at that time put him to death but did onely cut off his nose and eares Count Hercules who had beene sent as an hostage being like-wise manacled was hid by Mustaphas Eunuch till his Maisters fury was past whose slaue he became after-wards
Generall gratefully and publikly acknowledged honoring him with the title of father and which was more father of the victory The whole army in vnited voice gratified the diuine mercy for so great preseruation and eleuating their victorious hands to heauen acknowledged them to bee strenthened by it Euery man congratulated the safety of his liuing friend yet moderatly lamented the fate of those dead the sorrow of their death being dried vp with ioy of the cause Those bodies which were recouered were honorably buried the rest detained by the sea were yet eternized on the shoare To repeate the noble actions of euery particular man were a labour worthy Plutarke euery life would be an history But amongst the most eminent shines the noble indifferency of the Marquis de Sancta Cruz who disposing of the reseruation of succors distributed them not by his owne affection but other mens necessities bewraying at once excellency of iudgement courage and celerity Many circumstances gaue luster to this victory but nothing more then the flight of the Christian fleet not many yeeres before from the same place the infamy of the one glorifying the other and seruing as a foile to it as shaddowes set forth and enlighten any bright picture It was a pleasing consideration to those who had beene in that fugitiue nauy to thinke that after so many yeeres they should finde their honor where they lost it To this they added remembrance of the like battaile betweene Augustus Caesar and Marc-Antony many hundred yeers before fought in the same place as if destiny had made it a stage for great actions and this battaile had beene but the second part of the first The totall number of the dead in the Christian army were 7656. others say 7566 the chiefe of the Venetians were Augustino Barbarico Prouidator Generall of the Venetians fleet Benedetto Soranza Marin and Ieronimo Contareni MarcoAntonio Laâ—…de Francesco Bicono Iacomo de Messa Caterin Maripietro Giouan Loredano Vincento Quirini Andrea and Georgio Barbarici all of the degree of Senators Of Romans Horacio Caraffa Ferrante Bisballo Virginio Horacio of the noble family of Vrsini in Rome Of the Spaniards Iuan and Bernardino de Cardona of the knights of Malta were many slaine amongst whom these three were most famous Ioakin Spart Commendador of Moguncia Ro of Hamberg Commendador of Hemmend orf and Francis Drost by nation Germains The chiefe men wounded were D. Iohn the Generall Venieri the Venetian Admirall Paulo Iordano Marco Molino and Troylo Sauello and well nie seuen thousand priuate men This losse of it selfe great was lessened by comparison of the Turkes who were reported by some Authors to haue beene dismembred of 29000. of their brauest souldiers slaine and taken some affirme it lesse some more But the multitude of their Gallies taken wracked and dead bodies floting on the sea carrying with it a resemblance of the generall deluge acknowledge it to be great Amongst those slaine the most eminent was Ali Basha the high Admirall Generall one of great magnanimity and worthy such a place Mehemet Bey alias Siroch Gouernor of Alexandria a man of singular iudgement and valor fighting to the last not as others that he saw not but contemned the danger Hassan Basha the valiant sonne of his valerous father Barbarossa and many others equally valliant noble and deere to the Emperor their Master The most welcome prisoners were Achmat and Mahomet sonnes of the Generall Ali Mehemet Bey Gouernor of Euboea and three thousand and odde vulgar souldiers There escaped Partau Basha who since others would not follow his councell in abstaining from fight made vse of it himselfe Vluzzali a desperate and subtill Rennegado who fought but so alwaies that he might flie and as the Parthian horse-men did most mischiefe in flying There were taken 130 vessels Whereof 117. were Gallies 13. Galeots Some report 160. some more some lesse The escape of the rest making the number of such as were taken vncertain The Galley of Cleopatra was not more ritch curious or beautiful then the Admirall Galley of Ali neither did the beauty of it better become peace then the strength warre There was much treasure and many things of great value found in it which the noble Generall not basely conuerted to his priuate vse but distributed to those who most deserued it Amongst these a Macedonian by whose fortunate hand the Basha died was worthily the greatest sharer And because Don Iohn held gold to poore a reward for such vnestimable merit he approued those other guifts with honor and knighted him But the munificent Venetians thinking this a petty remuneration nothing equiualent to the dignity of their state gratified him with an annuity of 300. Ducats The most esteemed spoile of the Turkish fleet were the enfranchised Christians in number 1200. words are but mute expressals of the wretchednesse of their captiuity being at once compelled to suffer for yet doe against their Religion Nothing could equall it but this ioy of their enlargement which was such as that of Ionas may be apprehended at his birth and resurrection out of that monster Neither was this excessiue gladnesse confined to their owne brests but at their arriuall multiplied by diuision among their friends and kinsmen Of whom these liuing marâ—…ires receiued such welcome as was giuen to the three Ebrew Salamanders comming out of the furnace They seemed but then married to their wiues and their children new borne to them Embracements were now in steed of feâ—…ters and kisses of blowes blessed exchange And now they wept for ioy that they had no contrary cause to weepe The misery past seemed to sweeten their present felicity so that this day was with all deuotion magnificence and exhileration celebrated as the Saboth of their slauish labours The ninteenth of the same month Vnfredo Iustiniano arriued at Venice with aduertizement of victory to the Senate Neuer any musicke so feasted their eares as that newes no Oratory could be so harmonious as the plaine relation of it The only word of victory was the Epiâ—…ome of all Retorick The death of particular men seemed only a letting bloud for the generall health No man grutched to bestow a sonne or brother towards this common sacrifize Euen the heroick Barbarico was rather enuied then lamented they which honored him aliue being dead welny adored him so that sorrow was now banished out of Venice and confined to Constantinople The gratulatory Ambassadors of all neighbour Princes flocked thither acknowledging the Venetians their protectors and champions The time of the yeere and weaknesse of their fleete and men moued the Generall D. Iohn to desist from pursuing the victory any farther Therefore he proceeded to diuision of the spoile which was thus proportioned The Popes share was Gallies 21. Whereof 19. ordinary 2. Galeots Ordnance 54. Whereof 9. great 3. murtherers 42. smaller peeces Prisoners 881. Amongest whom were Achmat and Mahomet the sonnes of the Generall Ali Basha The Venetians share was Gallies 44. Whereof 39. ordinary and
reduced to this forme That none of what quality soeuer should giue lands to the Church but onely for two yeares space in which time they should be sold and if the sale were not made by the Clergie a ciuill Magistrate should bee appointed to doe it This beeing considered by the Senate hath euer since beene generally practised ouer the whole Venetian state The yeare 1603. the Councell of the Preguays at Venice decreed that no Venetian cittizen of what degree or quality soeuer should in the Citty without the Senates consent build any new Church Hospitall or Monastery not that the Senate would wholy prohibit such buildings but because the Prince and Senate as Superiours would consider whether it were needfull or not there beeing in the citty one hundred and fifty Churches Monasteries Hospitalls and other like places of deuotion The yeare following 1604. the Venetians inioying peace warre remooued it selfe to other places as Germany the Leuant and Flanders In the yeare 1605. Pope Clement the eight falling sick on the twelfth of February dyed on the third of March following hauing gouerned the sea of Rome thirteene yeares his body was carried to Saint Peters Church and buried in the Clementine chappell which himselfe had built Then the Cardinalls entring into the Conclaue elected Alessandro de Medicis Cardinall of Florence sonne to the illustrious Octauio who beeing Archbishop of Florence was made Cardinall by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and beeing chosen Pope tooke vpon him the name of Leo the tenth The Romaines were very glad of his election but their ioy lasted not long for hee dyed of a Feuer the twenty sixth day after hee was made Pope Some thought hee was poysoned but his body beeing opened in the presence of diuerse Physitions they found it otherwise hee lyes buryed in Saint Peters Church The Cardinals proceeding to a new election and desirous to make haste the Cardinalls Farnese and Montalto went to Cardinall Aldobrandini intreating him to name three among the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Tuscus and Baronius excepted and they would choose one of the three Wherevpon the Cardinals Clement Arragon and Borgesius beeing named Borgesius as best beloued was presently saluted Pope by way of adoration intitling himselfe Paul the fift This Pope descended from an ancient family in Syenna was sonne to a Romaine Gentlewoman his Father comming to dwell at Rome But the Venetian Clergie notwithstanding the Senates decree did dayly more and more augment their reuenues and possessions as well within the Citty as abroad the Senate for reducing their whole State to one conformable custome had before as hath beene said diuulged their law ouer all their dominions and added therevnto a prohibition that none within their Citty or Signory vnder what coullor soeuer should sell giue or in any sort alienate lands to the Clergie without the Senates permission which should not be granted but with the same solemnities vsuall at the alienation of the publick reuenue and all alienations made otherwise to bee declared voide the lands confiscate and Notaries punished The Pope at the beginning of his Papacie hauing notice of this law did duly examine it and would in no sort approoue it but toward the end of October the same yeare complained thereof to the Venetian Ambassador at the time of publick audience saying That whilest the Sea of Rome was vacant the Venetians had made a lawe which prohibited the Clergie to purchase lands adding though it were made vpon important occasion and by vertue of a former dedree yet the Cannons disanulled them both therefore his pleasure was to haue them reuoked inioyning the Ambassador in his name to signifie as much to the Signory The Ambassador did what the Pope commanded and within a while after receiued instruction and Commission from the Senate to acquaint his Holynesse with the equity of their cause and iustice of their law together with the Signories power and authority to make such decrees The Pope confident in his owne opinion said aloud That he gaue him audience onely to content the Venetians and not to admit any of his propounded reasons or excuses then made an other complaint about the detaining of a Channon of Vincenza and the Abbot of Nerueze both of them accused of notorious crimes and within a while after another concerning the law forbidding to build Churches without permission beeing resolute to haue those two lawes reuoked and the prisoners deliuered to his Nuncio residing in Venice And on the tenth day of September making two Iniunctions one concerning the two lawes and the other about sentencing the Clergie hee sent a Commission to his Nuncio to present them resoluing vpon their answer and refusall to proceed to excommunication But the Nuncio beeing peraduenture mooued with pitty because the Senate at that time had chosen an extraordinary Ambassador by humble meanes to seeke to diuert his Holinesse from his resolution and to induce him better to consider of the matter delaied the presentation of those iniunctions which the Pope tooke in bad part wherevpon in all hast he sent him an expresse commandement to present them without farther delay In regard whereof vpon Christmasse day when Duke Grimani lay at point of death and that the Signory and Senators were assembled some of whom had receiued the holy Sacrament and others were ready to receiue the Nuncio craued audience and presented the two iniunctions which notwithstanding the Dukes death happened the day following were not opened till after the election of the new Duke Prince Grimani hauing gouerned nine yeares and odde moneths departed this mortall life in the Christmasse holy-dayes in the yeare 1605. his funerals ended Leonardo Donato Knight and Procurator of Saint Marke was after the 〈◊〉 manner chosen in his steed on the tenth day of February 1606. LEONARDO DONATO the 90. Duke AFter his election the two iniunctions beeing opened were both of one substance containing that his Holynesse was aduertised that the Venetian Senate had decreed diuerse things contrary to the liberty of the Church and authority of the Sea Apostolick and diuulged ouer all their Signories certaine lawes particular to the Citty of Venice forbidding to build Churches and Monasteries and to allienate secular possessions to the Clergie without the Senates permission which as repugnant to the Churches liberty his Holynesse declared to bee of no force and they who had made them to haue incurred Ecclesiasticall censures commanding them on paine of excommunication presently to reuoke and breake those lawes threatning to proceed farther if they obeyed him not To this the Senate answered on the 28. of Ianuary the same yeare 1606. That with greefe and amazement it vnderstood by his Holynesse letters that hee disliked the lawes of the Venetian common-wealth prosperously obserued for many ages and neuer till then taxed by any of his predecessors the reuocation whereof would ouer-throw the foundation of their State that hee accounted those lawes to be contrary to the authority of the