a bastarde none remeyning of the race legitimate But the Venetians aspiring to the iurisdiction of all Romania immediatly after the death of Pope Alexander had sent to Rauenna many bandes of souldiours with whome as they made a charge one night vppon the sodayne and with great furie vppon the Citie of Cesena so the people of the place standing valiauntly to their defence by their vertue vanquished the conspiracies of their enemies the Venetians which went thither without artillerie hoping more to surprise it then to force it retyring to the countrey of Rauenna where they considered diligently all things that might geue them any occasion to make them selues great in that Prouince whiche immediatly was presented to them by the discordes that were betweene Denys of Nalde and the Fauentyns for it beeing somewhat intollerable to Denys that the Fauentyns shoulde eftsones returne vnder the gouernment of the house of Manfreda agaynst whom he was drawne into rebellion at such time as Valentynois assayled that citie he called in the Venetians and put into their hands the Castels of the vale of Lamona which he had in keeping And the better to further their practises the Venetians a litle after put a bande of three hundred footemen within the Castle of Faenza being brought in by the castlekeper whom they had seduced by their corruptions They occupied in like sort in the same time the borough of Forlimpople with many other boroughs of Romania and sent one part of their men of warre to take the citie of Faua but the people held out constantly for the Church holding it more honorable to abide perill then corrupt their alleageance They were also brought into Rimini by the consent of the people couenanting aforehand with Pandolffe Malateste to giue him in recompeÌce the towne of Citadella in the territories of Padua and a yerely pention with a perpetuall estate of a company of men at armes They returned afterwards in great diligence to besiege Faenza for that the townesmen nothing amased with the losse of the castel for thin coÌmoditie of his seate separation froÌ the citie by a depe trench made valiant resistance both for the affectioÌ they bare to the familie of Manfredi and also for a grudge they had that thin habitaÌts of the vale of Lamona had promised to straÌgers the imperie of Faenza they estemed litle their proper aduersities so that they might obserue the full office of fidelitie to the familie of Manfredi their true auncient Lord But of themselues being vnable to make defence sufficient for that Christopher Moare coÌmander of the Venetians had approched his artillerie to their towne occupied al the places of importaÌce in the countrey they prayed succours of the new Pope Iulio to whom such a maner of audacitie was not a little disagreable But beeing newely ascended to that supreme seate without force without money and without hope to be ayded by eyther of the kings of Fraunce or Spayne for that both they were traueled with thoughtes of farre greater importance also that he denied to be coÌfederat with eyther of theÌ he was without meane of comfort in this calamitie but through thauthoritie of the name pontifical And to proue what reuerence the Venetians bare to it together with what regarde they remembred the amities which long time before he had borne to that commonweale he sent to Venice the Bishop of Tyuoli to complayne that Faenza beeing a citie immediatly apperteining to the Church they would not forbeare to do so great a doshonour to a Pope who afore he was raysed to that soueraigne creation as he honoured their commonweale with a speciall affection so now standing in a greater fortune they might hope for right ample fruits of his friendship so aunciently borne It may be there wanted not in the Senat those sortes of men whiche aforetime had dissuaded not to entangle their estate with the matters of Pysa that they should not receiue in pawne the portes of the realme of Naples nor make partition with the French king of the Duchie of Myllan it may be that in the wisedomes of these men appeared the consideration of euils that might happen and howe by making them selues dayly more and more suspected and hated they might in this action adde to other hatreds the ill will of the Pope But ambicious counsels hauing ben fauoured with so happie successe and therefore all their sailes being hoysed in a winde so happie of fortune the opinions of those that persuaded the contrarie were not heard And therefore almost with a generall consent it was aunswered to the Popes Embassadour that the state of Venice had alwayes greatly desired that the Cardinall S. Petri ad vincla should come to be Pope and as he had now obteined it not by corruption but by his proper vertue and merites so they hoped that the same inclination which in his meaner fortune induced him to embrace and loue them would still go on working with confirmation of offices amities as for their partes he should not doubt that they would not followe him with better respectes being Pope then they had done whilest he was in thestate and person of a Cardinall But as touching the poynt of imputation they knew not wherein they had offended his dignitie embrasing thoccasion which was offred to them to haue Faenza for that that Citie was not onely not possessed by the Churche but also the Churche made a willing depriuation of all her rightes in transferring so amply and in playne Consistorie the iurisdiction to the Duke Valentynois That he would remember that afore that graunt the Popes within no memorie of man had euer possessed Faenza but from time to time had geuen it to newe Vicares without acknowledging other superioritie then the tribute which they offered to pay readily when it should be required That the Fauentins had no desire to be the subiects of the Church but abhorring such nomination they had reuerenced the name of the Duke Valentynois with all those offices obseruances that were in them And that now hauing no more hope in him they were runne headlong to call in the bastards of the house of Manfreda Lastly they besought him that being in the authoritie of Pope he would hold them in the same estate of friendship which he thought them worthy of when he had but the person of a Cardinall not suffering light occasions to remoue that gruae and setled liking which he had so long time had of theÌ more by his proper inclination then by any their deseruings After the Pope was certified of the will of the Venetians he had sent into Romania the Duke Valentynois whom he had embraced with many demonstrations of honour assoone as he was Pope and in token of amitie lodged him in the pallace Pontificall sauing that he feared least his going in the beginning agreable enough to the people should not be then very hatefull seeing they were already al drawne into rebellion
confidence in the naturall inclination and clemencie of the Pope and the other reapposing muche in the auncient friendshippe and straite familiaritie had with him and with his brother There they obteined safeconduit of the capteine of Lyuorna whiche albeit stretched no further then the boundes of his iurisdiction yet without seeking other suretie they went vp in that confidence to Pisa In whiche Citie they were honorably receyued and afterwards in no lesse assurance conueied to Florence where they were kept with that easie and fauourable garde that they had no disposition to departe the same being the desire of the Pope who sent to them the Bishop of Oruietto to exhorte them with words gracious and full of affection that aswell for their proper surety as for the present tranquilitie of the Church they would abyde at Florence vntill the Court had determined in what manner they shoulde come to Rome He willed them also that whereas they had bene iudicially depriued and their depriuation confirmed in the Councell of Latran they shoulde forbeare to go in habites of Cardinalls to th ende that expressing signes of humiliation he might take the better occasion to reduce and readresse their affayres according to their desire and his determination The first act of this newe Pope was his Coronation which was represented according to the vsage of his predecessors in the Church of S. Iohn de Latran The pompe was so great both of his famulie his Court and also of the Prelates and multitudes that were there together with the popular and vniuersall assemblies of peoples that by the opinion and iudgement of men the pride and maiestie of that action did farre surpasse all the celebrations that had bene done in Rome since the tyrannies of the Goathes and sauage nations In this solemnitie the Gonfalone of the Churche was caryed by Alfonso Este who hauing obteined a suspencion of his Censures and paynes was come to Rome wyth great hope that by the clemencie and facilitie of the Pope he should be hable to compounde for his affayres The Gonfalone of the religion of Rhodes was borne by Iulio de Medicis mounted vpon a stately Courser armed at all poyntes by his nature he bare an inclination to the profession of armes but by destinie he was drawen to the life ecclesiastike in which estate he may serue as a wonderfull example of the variation of fortune One matter that made the memorie of that daye wonderfull was the consideration that the person that then in so high and rare pompe was honored with the moste supreme and soueraigne dignitie of the worlde was the yere before and on the very same day miserably made prisoner The great magnificence that appeared vpon his person and his expences confirmed in the generalitie and multitude of men thexpectation that was had of him euery one promising that Rome shoulde be happie vnder a Pope so plentifully indued with the vertue of liberalitie whereof that day he had giuen an honorable experience his expenses beeing aboue an hundred thousande ducketts But wyse men desired in him a greater grauitie and moderation they iudged that neither suche a maiestie of pompe was conuenient for Popes neyther did the condition of the present time require that he should so vnprofitably disperse the treasors that had bene gathered by his predecessor to other vses But suche was the disposition of Princes to warre that neyther the chaunging of the Pope nor the presence nor feare of other accidentes were sufficient to establishe and assure the tranquillitie of Italie euery one discerned that things of their proper inclination tended more to warre then to peace for Caesar woulde heare no more speaking of the rendring of Verona fearing thereby to be depriued of all oportunitie and meane to haue any easie entry into Italie And albeit the truce was prolonged for the full moneth of Aprill yet he kept no rekoning of the condicions of accorde that had bene debated at Millan And in that minde beeing discontented with thinstance and importunities of the king Catholikes Embassadors he stucke not to tell the Count of Carriato that for the inclination he expressed to the Venetians he deserued better to beare the name of an Embassador of Venice then of Spayne But that whiche muche more augmented this disposition was the truce that was made for a whole yere betwene the French king and the king Catholike tending onely to th affayres on the other side the Mountes The oportunitie of which truce gaue to the French king being nowe deliuered of the suspicions of Spayne a great facilitie to renewe the warre in the duchie of Millan The king Catholike had neuer any disposition to haue warre with the Frenche men beyonde the Mountes for that beeing not mightie enough in money and treasor and therefore depending on the forces and aydes of the Barons and peoples of Spayne eyther he had no readynes of succours or else by his necessities in tymes of warre they would holde him with them as it were in subiection But then principally he stoode confirmed in his auncient counsell for that together with his owne tranquillitie and rest he was so muche the more assured of the Realme of Nauarre newly conquered by him and withall for that since the death of queene Isabell his absolute authoritie ouer Castillo beeing embased into a gouernment limited he had not in troubled seasons so great and firme authoritie Of this he had seene a late experience in the action of the kingdome of Nauarre wherein albeit he had an ende happie and honorable yet it happned not by other meane then by the negligence and slownesse of succours And hauing no more desire to returne to the daungers which he had suffred and not knowing yet of the Popes death he agreed to the truce which neuer helesse was not published before he had receyued newes of thelection of the new Pope The better to iustifie him selfe of this vnlooked for deliberation he alleaged that the Pope the Venetians had behaued them selues towards him cleane contrarie to the league for that since the battell of Rauenna they neuer offred to pay to him the fortie thousande duckets as they were bounde whilest the French king possessed any thing in Italie That onely he had had care of the common benefite of the confederates and yet had not attributed to himself the rewards of the common victorie That he did not possesse in Italie so much as a small tower more then that he had before the warre But the Pope had had regarde to his benefite particular and made proper to him selfe the things that were common That he occupied Parma Plaisanca and Reggia and nourished a continuall studie to possesse Ferrara which couetousnesse of his had bene the onely impediment of the recouering of the Castells in the Duchie of Millan and the Lanterne of Genes That touching his parte he had interposed all his diligence and authoritie to worke thaccorde betweene Caesar and the Venetians but the Pope
inuested in Charles nor so muche for his owne greatnes as for that by the oportunitie and neighborhood of the realme of Naples to thestate of the Churche and the adherencie of the Barons of the Gebelins he had a playne and open passage to ronne vp to the gates of Rome But in that discourse he considered not that the same reason whiche he iudged true agaynst Charles was also agaynst himselfe for that thempire being ioyned to his person he was no lesse to be feared of the Pope and all others then Charles for that though the one of them possessed happly more realmes and states yet the other was not to be lesse esteemed hauing his power not dispersed nor seperate in many places but was Prince of a realme entierly assembled and vnited where the obedience and fidelitie of his subiectes was no lesse wonderfull then his treasor and riches infinite Neuerthelesse not knowing in himselfe that which he considered in an other he had recourse to the Pope and implored his fauor vnder the offer and protestation of his person and kingdomes with all other deuotions of a louing sonne The matter of this election pressed muche the Pope to whom it was not a litle grieuous both for the suretie of the sea Apostolike and tranquillitie of Italie that eyther of those two kings should be elected Emperor And as his authoritie with the Electors was not suche as he might hope to drawe them muche to his purpose so he iudged it necessarie to take a wyse course and to vse industrie in a matter that drewe so great consequence He perswaded him selfe that the French king being abused by some of thelectors would haue litle part in thelection and that the corruptions in men salable would not be sufficient to transport thempire from the Germaine nation to the house of Fraunce But he supposed the action would be easie to the king of Spayne both for the conformitie of language and nation and for the practises and solicitations begon with Maximilian and for many other regards yea he thought he might easily leade on his intention if he obiected no impediment A matter which he sawe he could not worke in other sort then to labor the Frenche king to turne vpon the person of one of the selfe electors the same fauors and distributions of money which he aduaunced to procure his owne election But he esteemed it a matter impossible to induce the kings minde to take that course so long as he stoode caryed with the vehement humor of vayne hopes And as he hoped that by howe muche more earnestly he should embarke him selfe into that practise by so muche more easily should he drawe the French king to fauor the election of a third with no lesse affection then he had sought to aduaunce his owne so he doubted not that vnder that dealing he might not winne so muche with the king as to bring him to receyue and heare his authoritie and counsell especially hauing insinuated in him a credence certayne to be his friend and to haue with him the same desire to aduaunce his election Besides he thought that in fauoring at the beginning the affayres of the French king the king of Spayne finding difficultie to obteine his desire and fearing least the French would winne some aduauntage woulde in like sorte dispose him selfe to elect a thirde For which reasons he did not onely signifie to the French king with what affection he wished he were lifted to thempire but he counselled him with many reasons to proceede resolutely in thenterprise promising him vnder large wordes to fauor him with the whole authoritie of the sea Apostolike And as he thought he could not in better sort imprint in the kinges minde the sinceritie of his intention then to vse for that purpose an instrument whom the French king would thinke depended more vpon him then of any other he gaue present direction to his Nuncio in Germanie called Robert Vrsin Archbishop of Reggia and of great confidence with the king that both seuerally and ioyntly with the French Agents there he should make the best labor he could to solicite thelectors But he diminished the libertie of this commission by secrete aduertisement that the Nuncio should proceede eyther more or lesse moderately according as he founde in Germanie the Electors disposed and the affayres aduaunced These actions discretly discoursed by the Pope and no lesse couered with a wonderful simulation stoode in neede aswell for the person of the king as in his Agents in Germanie of a greater wisedome and secretie and in the Popes ministers a more fidelitie and grauitie But whylest these matters tooke their proceedings by practises and by armes the French king gaue direction to Peter of Nauarre to go to the sea with a Nauie of xx gallies and other vessells fraughted with a thousande souldiors his commission was to lye to impeache the piracies and inrodes of the Mores who hauing with their foystes ronne into oure seas without impediment became more harmefull this yeare then at anye time before His commission bare also to inuade the Mores of Affrika if the Pope thought it so good But the principall respect and intention of this expedition was to take away from the Pope who was wholly for him in the chalenge of thempire all occasion not to feare the forces of the king Catholike who more for feare to be troubled in his owne estates then for desire to vex any other leauyed with great preparations an army by sea to sende it out for the garding of the realme of Naples And yet notwithstanding amidde these distrustes and suspicions both the kings continuing in demonstrations and fayre semblances of amitie there was sent from them seuerally and in particular to Montpellier the greate maister of Fraunce the lorde of Cheures in the seuerall persons of whom consisted almoste all the counsells and intentions of their kinges Their negociation tended partly to confirme the mariage of the seconde daughter of Fraunce with the king of Spayne and partly to resolue the affayres of the kingdome of Naples the restitucion of which albeit being promised to thauncient king in thaccorde made at Noyon though much solicited by the French king was tyll that day deferred by the king of Spayne with diuerse cunning excuses But this entercouncell and meeting was dashed by the accident of death happning to the great Maister who was taken away affore they assembled In this time dyed Lavvrence Medicis who had languished in a continuall sicknes euer since his returne from Fraunce where he had consummated his mariage with a wretched prediction by the death of his wife who not many dayes before and after her deliuery of childe was reuoked out of this worlde leauing him behinde to take warning of his mortall ende by her going before to prepare his waye By the death of Lavvrence the Pope standing desirous to keepe conioyned so long as he lyued the power of the Florentins with the estate of the Churche
the perill that the kings indignacion prepared for him escaped secretly into Franche counte in disguised attyre so suttle in man is the suspicion of perill and so swift are the winges that carieth him from the mischief which he feareth By reason of this euasion and thimportance of the conspiracie that depended of it the king thought it best not to pursue in person the warres of Italy And yet would he not wholly giue ouer thexpedicion but reteining with him selfe one part of the souldiours prepared for this new warre he committed to Monsr Boniuet then Admiral of Fraunce the coÌduction of his army which conteined a thowsand eight huÌdred launces six thowsand Svvizzers two thowsand Gascoins two thowsand Valesiens six thowsand launceknights twelue thowsand French men three thowsand Italyans with which army assoone as the Admiral was past the mounts drawing neare the confines of the state of Millan he made show that he would deale first with Nouaro And by that demonstracion the citie being not tenable both for the want of souldiours insufficiencie of the rampiers it yelded by the consent of the Duke of Millan who reteined the castel Vigeneua did the like suffring the same wants impedimeÌts by their examples all that part of the contry which is beyond the riuer of Thesin fell into the power of the French men Prospero Colonno lying sicke of a long malady would neuer beleue that the French king would stande firme in his resolucion to inuade the Duchie of Millan for that yeare both for the confederacion that the Venetians had made against him and for the detection of the conspiracie of the Duke of Burbon And therfore he had not with that diligence speede that was necessary assembled the souldiours men of warre that lay dispersed in diuers places much lesse had made coÌpoteÌt prouisions for so great a resistance But now that thenemies were vpon the way approching he sent to mooster his coÌpanies in all hast the oportunitie of the time being against the spede he made his diligence as litle auailable as the season was contrary he thought aboue all things to stoppe their passage at Thesin not remembring what hapned to him at the riuer of Adda against Monsr Lavvtrech And of that he made him self so assured promise that he tooke no care to reedify the bastillioÌs rampiers of the subburbs of Millan of which the greatest part lay already on the ground so smal was the care that was had of them he assembled his army vpon the riuer betwene Biagrasso Bulfaloro Turbiguo A place very apt for that purpose no lesse conuenient for Pauia and Millan But the French men who were now come to Vigeneua finding the water of the riuer lower then Prospero beleued began foure myles from th Imperiall campe to passe ouer part by the foard and some in boates barkes building a bridge for their artilleries in a place where they found nether gard nor other impediment By the necessitie of this vnexspected accident Prospero was driuen to chaunge all the councells of the warre and therefore dispatched forthwith Antho. de Leua with an hundred men at armes three thowsand footemen to the garde of Pauya him selfe with the residue of th armie drewe to Myllan where after he had called the Capteines to councell they were all of this minde that if the French made their approches forthwith there was no possibilitie to defend Myllan for the ruine of the rampiers of the subburbs whereof there had bene made no reckoning since the last warres The confidence that Prospero had to defende the passage of Thesin was the cause that they were not repaired neyther coulde they be made defendable in the space of three dayes And that they had to make a resolucion aswell for the one as the other of these two accidents both to labor with vniuersall diligence at the rampyers and also to stande vppon a prepared readines to departe if the Frenche men came eyther the firste the seconde or the thirde daye And to retyre to Coma if they tooke the way of Pauya or else to goe to Pauia if they marched by Coma But the sinister destinie of the frenche both blinding their eyes that they coulde not see and bindig their handes that they coulde not execute woulde not suffer them to vse so great and happie an occasion for either through their negligence which is a chiefe ennemie to enterprises or to exspect the whole armie whereof a greate parte was behinde they wandered three dayes along the riuer of Thesin And being all assembled into one strength betwene Myllan Pauya and Binasquo they marched afterwardes to Saint Christopher within a myle of Myllan betwene the gate of Thesin and Rome gate There after they had made the waye euen to passe their artilleries into the vauntgard they made as though they woulde assault the towne But without doing any other enterprise they incamped in that place and leauying their seege from thence within few dayes after they went to lodge in the Abbay of Clereuault from whence they founde meanes to deface the mylnes and cut the water from Myllan And so they thought rather to beseege then assault Myllan for that there was within the walls eight hundred men at armes eight hundred light horsemen foure thowsand spanish footemen six thowsande fiue hundred launceknightes and three thowsand Italians besides the popular sorte which were well furnished with weapon and resolute in their auncient disposicion against the french In this estate of affaires passed into the other life the foureteenth of September Pope Adrian His death was not without great discommoditie and domage to the confederates for that there did not onely faile in them the authoritie pontificall but also the contribucion of money whereunto he was bounde by the capitulacions of the league he dyed leauing behind him a very small opinion and estimacion either for the litle time he raigned or for his want of experience in affaires But his death was not a litle plawsible to the wholecourt for the desire they had to liue vnder a Pope naturall of Italie or at least suche one as had had his traininge there By the death of the Pope many troubles began to kindle in the townes of the Churches iurisdiction and in them as appeared smoaking before his sickenesse many small sparkes of a fire to come so in the time of his life they had easely burst out to a flame if they had not bene quenched partely by chaunce and partely by the diligence of others for where before the Popes passing into Italie the colleadge of Cardinalls had giuen to Albert Pyo the keeping of Reggia and Rubiero The sayd Albert helde still for him selfe the castells making small accompt of the instance that was made to him to render them wherein he had no lesse readie his colours and excuses then he was apt to take occasion by the slender experience of Pope Adrian Besides he had
saw their ennemie inferior but when things were brought to an equallitie the place apt their forces indifferent all other oportunities consenting either one eschewed to assay the fortune of battell and in them both was approued that which very rarely hapneth that one councell was pleasing to two armies being ennemies For the french thought they shoulde accomplish their intencion for the which they were come out of Lombardie if they hindred thAragons for passing further And Alphonso iudged it greatly to his benefit if he could amuse hold thennemies bridle vntill winter And therefore gaue expresse charge to his sonne and Ioh Iacques Tryuulso with the Count de Petillane that without great occasion they should not put in the power of fortune the realme of Naples which was vtterly lost if that armie were defeated But these remedies sufficed not for his sauetie for that king Charles whose forwardnes could not berestrained neither by the season of the time nor any other difficulties marched into the field with his armie as soone as he had recouered his health And because Iohn Galeas Duke of Myllan his cosin iermayne for the king he discended of two sisters daughters to Lovvys the second Duke of Sauoye lay sore sicke in the castell of Pauya he went with great humanitie to visit him making his way by the towne lodging in the same castell The speches he vsed to him were generall for the presence of Lodovvyk onely expressing howe much greeued he was for his sicknes and perswaded him to take hope and courage to recouer his health But touching the effect of the minde the king with all those that were with him had great compassion of him euery one iudging for certeyne that the yong gentleman by the wickednes of his Vncle had not long to liue This compassion was much encreased by the presence of Isabell his wife who not onely full of many sorrowes for thinfirmitie of her husband and estate of her litle sonne borne by him but also much afflicted for the perill of her father and his adherents she fell with great humilitie in the publike presence at the feete of the king recommending to him with pitifull teares her father and his howse of Aragon towardes whom albeit the king for her age ⪠for her bewtie and her present fortune expressed an apparant inclinacion to pitie yet being not able to staye the course of so great a matter for so light occasion he aunswered her with signes of will to doe that he could not saying thenterprise being so farre aduaunced he was constrayned to prosecute and continue it From Pauya the king marched to Plaisance and during the aboade he made there newes came of the death of Iohn Galeas by which occasion Lodovvyk that had followed him thether returned in no small diligence to Myllan where by the principals of the councell which the Duke had subborned it was propownded that in regarde of the greatnes of that estate and the daungerous times that prepared now for Italy it would be a thing preiudiciall that the sonne of Iohn Galeas hauing not v. yeares in age should succeede his father And therefore aswell to keepe the liberties of the state in protection as to be able to meete with thinconueniences which the time threatneth they thought it iust and necessary derogating somewhat for the publike benefite and for the necessitie present the disposicion of the lawes as the lawes them selues doe suffer to constraine Lodovvyk for the better stay of the common weale to suffer that into him might be transported the title dignitie of Duke a burden very waighty in so conspiring a season with the which couler honestie giuing place to ambicion the morning following vsing some forme of resistance he tooke vpon him the name and armes of the Duchie of Myllan hauing secretly protested before that he receiued them as apperteining to him by thinuestiture of the king of Romaines It was published that the death of Galeas hapned by immoderat cohabitacion but the vniuersall iudgement of Italy was that he dyed not of infirmities naturall nor by incontinencie but by poyson and violent compulsion wherof Theodor de Pauya one of the Phisicions assisting when the king visited him assured the king to see most apparant manifest signes And if he were dispatched by poyson there was none that dowted that his Vncle was innocent either directly or indirectly as he who not content with an absolute power to be gouerner of the state but aspiring according to the common desires of great men to make them selues glorious with titles honors and specially he iudged that both for his proper sewertie and the succession of his children the death of the lawfull Prince was necessary and therfore sought to establish in him selfe the power and name of Duke wherin ambicion and couetousnes preuailed aboue conscience and law of nature the ielous desire of dominion enforced his disposicion otherwayes abhorring bludd to that vile action It was beleued of many wisemen that he hath had that intencion euer since he began to solicite the french kinges iorney into Italy iudging thoccasion and the time would well concurre to aduaunce theffect for that the french houering vppon the borders of that state with a mayne armie it would alter mens coniectures and humors and cary their witts from remembrance of an act so wicked But some hauing opinions more particular supposed both for the suddainnes of his death diligent transferring the imperie to the other that it hapned by a new thought proceeding of feare least the king the councells of the french are suddain would turne him self with a contrary course to deliuer his cosin Galeas from so great a subiection being induced thereunto either for respect of parentage and compassion of his age or that he might thinke it was a thing more sure for him selfe that the Duchie of Myllan were in the power of his cosin rather then commaunded by Lodovvyk whose fidelitie many of his great Lordes laboured continually to make suspected with him But because Lodovvyk had gott the yeare before thinuestiture of the Duchie of Myllan and a litle before the death of his nephew had dispatched with diligence th imperiall priuileadges it makes a congruent construction that it was a deliberacion voluntary and foredeuised and not suddeine nor in respect of the present daunger The king stayed certeine dayes at Plaisance not without inclinacion to returne into France for that aswel the want of money which being the more generall was so much more intollerable as not seeing any new thing in Italy discouer in his fauour he had many dowtes of his successe hauing withall no litle suspicion of the new Duke of Myllan who notwithstanding when he parted sayd he would returne yet the iudgement was that he would not come againe at all it is not out of all likelihood that being vnknowen to the nations on thother side the mountes that wicked custom to poyson men
and their present lackes greeuous Notwithstanding the Duke of Orleans somwhat to ease and fauour the hardnes of their condicion had ryd out of the towne all mouthes and members vnprofitable yet it was no remedie sufficient to so great a calamitie for that many souldiers of the french Svvyzzers not able to beare the fretting anguish of hunger and lesse enured to the other discommodities of a close seege began to languishe in diseases and sicknes By reason whereof the Duke being also troubled with a feuer quartyne made many solicitacions to the king by messengers letters not to deferre their succours which could not be aduaunced with such readines as might be able to minister to their generall necessities for that there was not assembled such sufficient strength as imported the estate of their daunger The french armie for their partes showing more forwardnes of action then able to doe good made many attempts to reuittell the towne by night vsing in that purpose the seruice both of horsemen and footemen But being alwayes discouered by thennemie there succeeded no other frutes of their enterprises then great harmes to them selues and no lesse disapoyntments to their friendes being made more wretched by their ill fortune But to stoppe altogether the passage of vittells into the towne the Marquis of Mantua assayled the monasterie of S. Frauncis standing neare to the wals of Nouaro and taking it he manned it forthwith with a garrison of two hundreth men at armes and three thowsand footemen of the Almaines By this meanes the armie confederat was discharged of a great care the way being nowe made sure by the which releeffe was brought into the towne the way also of the gate that leades to the mount Biandrane was stopped for that in it was most facilitie to enter Nouaro The day after he tooke also the bastylle made by the french vpon the poynt of the suburbes of S. Nazare and the night following were surprised the whole suburbes together with the other plotteformes neare to the gate wherein he bestowed a garde and fortefied the suburbes the Count Petillane whom the Venetians had taken into their pay with title of gouernor being hurt there with a small shott neare the girdle place and in great daunger of death For the successe of these places the Duke of Orleans distrusting to be able to defende any more the other suburbes which he had at his entrey into Nouaro he sette fire on them the night following drew all his strength to the defence garde of the city onely And touching the extremitie of famin he yet nourished him self with hopes of succors the rather for that the Svvyzzers beginning now to arriue at the campe the kinges armie passing the riuer of Stesia was marched out of Verceill a myle to lodge in the fielde and hauing bestowed a garde in Bolgare exspected the residue of the Svvyzzers who being once assembled the armie was resolued to minister succors to Nouaro an action notwithstanding full of many difficulties for that thItalian bandes were lodged in places of aduauntage well furnished and fortefied and the way from Verceill to Nouaro full of lakes and waters and very vneasie for horsemen almost impassible for the broade and deepe ditches thorow the whole contrey Besides betwene Bolgare holden by the french and the campes of thItalians was Camarian which the Italians garded In respect of these difficulties there appeared not in the mind of the king nor of the others a readines answering thexpectacion of those that attended in distresse And yet it was supposed that if the Svvyzzers had sooner arriued they had aduentured the fortune of battel the euent whereof could not but be doutfull to either of the armies And therefore they both hauing regarde to the daunger present there wanted no secret trauell to solicite an accorde betwene the king and the Duke of Myllan albeit it was with smal hope for the indifferent distrust that was betwene those two Princes and for that both the one and other for their greater reputacion made showes that they had no deuocion to peace But fortune layed open an other meane more expedient for so great a conclusion For about the same tymes the Lady Marquise of Montserat being dead and being in debate who ought to take the gouernment of a litle sonne whom she had left to which regentship aspired with one desire the Marquis of Saluzze and Constantyn brother to the sayd Lady decessed one of the auncient Lordes of Macodonia which Mahomet Ottoman had occupied many yeares before The frenche king fauoring much the tranquillitie of that estate sent Argenton to Caesar Ceruas to ordeyne and establishe a protectorship according to the consent of the subiectes and being gon thether also as a mourner for the death of the Ladie one of the principall officers of the Marquis of Mantua they two meeting vppon the way fell into discourse and deuises to haue a peace alleaging many benefits that would redownd to both parties This voluntary reasoning betwene them two succeeded to so good frute that the Lord of Argenton tooke occasion to write to the Venetian Commissioners reitterating the reasons and matters which had bene begon to be debated euer since they were at Taro they fauoring the mocion with very forward affections communicated immediatly with the Capteines of the Duke of Myllan and so with one agrement sent to require the french king nowe come to Verceill that he would assigne some of his councell to meete in some place conuenient to common with such as they should appoynt in deputacion for their part whereunto the king consenting with a readines equall to his desire there assembled the day following betwene Bolgare and Camarian for the Venetians the Marquis of Mantua and Bernard Contaryn gouernor of their estradiots for the Duke of Myllan was sent Frauncis Barnardin Viscounte for the french king the Cardinall of S. Mallovv the Prince of Orange to whome being newly come to the campe the king had giuen the principal charge ouer the whole armie the Mareshall of Gie Monsr de Pienes and Monsrd Argenton who making many meetings and certeine particulars of them making many iorneyes from the one armie to the other the differences and chiefe controuersies fell at last vppon the citie of Nouaro for that the french king making no difficulty in theffect of the restitucion but in the manner the lesse to offend his honor labored that it might be referred in the name of the king of Romaines direct Lord of the Duchie of Myllan into the handes of one of the Almaine Capteines which was in the campe of thItalians Of the contrary the confederats required that it might be left frankly These and other dowtes hapning not being able to be resolued with that speede which they that were within Nouaro required being now falne vpon such extremities that what by famine and other raging diseases rising by it there were dead of the Dukes companie aboue two thowsand bodies A truce
contrey and led away almost lx thowsand head of cattell whereto Marian Sauella offering to make resistance and yssuing forth of Porcina they constrayned him to retyre with the losse of thirty men at armes This losse and shame procured Monsr Montpensier reassembling all his forces to march towardes Fogge for the recouery of the praye and honor lost where being fauored with a succor aboue his hopes or exspectation he encowntred betwene Nocere and Troye eyght hundreth launceknightes newly arriued by sea and entred into the pay of Ferdinand These launceknightes departing from Troye where they were incamped went to Fogge to ioyne with Ferdinand A iorney more vpon their owne braine and rashnes then by the kinges commaundement and altogether against the councell of Fabrice Colonne incamped likewise at Troye And albeit they saw by thextremitie of their perill and place that their fortune had left them no possibilitie of safetie either by fleing or by fighting yet they were obstinate and refused the libertie of the lawe of armes to be made prisonners but were killed euery creature of them exchaunginge their liues with a great deathe and slaughter of thennemie After this Montpensier presented him selfe before Fogge in aray of battell but Ferdinand not suffering others to goe out then light horsemen the french men went to incampe in the woode of Nicoronata where after they had remeyned two dayes with no small difficulties for vittels and hauing recouered the most part of the cattel they appeared eftsoones afore Fogge abiding there a whole night they returned the day following to S. Seuera but not with all the pray they had recouered for that in their retrait the light horsemen of Ferdinand tooke a great part from them In so much as the cattell being harried by the one and the other neither part drew any great profit of the reuenues of that tribute Not many dayes after the french men made weary with want of vittells went to Campobasso which was holden by them and tooke by force Coglionessa or Grigonessa A towne fast by where the Svvyzzers againste the will of the Capteines vsed such execucion and crueltie that albeit it brought great astonishment vpon the contrey yet it estraunged from them thaffections of many And Ferdinand laying to defende his estate aswell as he could whilest he yet exspected the Marquis of Mantua he reordeyned his bandes by the meane of sixteene thowsand duckatts which the Pope had sent him and with such other proporcions as he could leauy of him selfe About this time did ioyne with Montpensier the Svvyzzers and other footbands which were come by sea to Caietta as also on the other part the Marquis of Mantua now entred into the kingdom of Naples by the way of S. Germyn taking in his marching partly by force partely by composicion many places albeit of small importance about the beginning of Iune vnited his forces with the king at Nocere whether Caesar of Aragon led the bandes that had lyen vpon the borders of Tarenta And so by reason of the places the forces of both the factions being almost made neighbours the french more stronge in footemen and thItalians more mighty in horsemen the euent of thinges seemed very dowtfull being not possible to discerne to whether of the parties the victorie should incline In this meane while the french king made care for prouisions to reskew his people And vnderstanding of the losse of the castells of Naples and that his bands were not succored by the Florentyns neither with men nor money for that they had not restitucion of their fortresses seemed to draw to him a new spirit and awaking out of that slumber of negligence with the which he seemed to haue returned out of Fraunce he began eftsoones to turne his thoughtes to the actions of Italy wherein to be more at libertie from all thinges that might reteyne him and showing to acknowledge the benefits receiued in his daungers that he might with more coÌfideÌce haue recourse againe to the aydes celestial he takes a iorney in post to Tours after to Parys to satisfie to the vowes he made to S. Martyn S. Denys the day of the battell of Furnoua And returning from those places with the same diligence to Lyons he kindled more and more in those desires and thoughtes whereunto of his owne nature he was most inclined for he interpreted it as an action much to his reputacion and glorie to haue made a conquest of such a kingdom being the first of all the french kinges in whose person haue bene renewed in Italy these many worldes the memorie of the armies and victories of the french he made perswacion to him self that the difficulties which he encowntred in his return from Naples proceded more by his proper disorders then by the powers or vertue of thItalians whose name concerning the action of warre caried no reputacion with the french To his inclinacions to disceÌd eftsones into Italy were not a litle furthering thinticemeÌts of thEmbassadors of Florence of the Cardinall of S. Peter ad vincla and of Triuulce who was come to the Court for the same occasion with whom were assistant in that instance Vitellezze and Charles Vrsin together with the Count Montoire sent to his Maiestie in that negociacion by the Barons of Naples holding parte with the french as also there came to him at last by sea the Seneshall of Beaucaire by whom were declared many hopes of the victorie in case his Maiestie did not deferre to sende a sufficient succor as of the contrary to delay a releeffe so necessary were to abandon the kingdom and be giltie of the death of so many noble Capteines and souldiers To these were ioyned the fauorable perswacions of many the great Lordes of Fraunce euen such as afore had giuen councell against thenterprise of Italy they aduised the king to giue a new life to that expedicion to auoyd the dishonor that would fal vpon the crowne of Fraunce to lose by cowardisse that which they had conquered with so great felicitie and fortune but much more to preuent the spoyle of so great a part of the nobilitie as lay open to destruction in the realme of Naples Neither were these councells hindred by the emocions which the Kinge of the Spanishe made on the frontyer of Parpignian seeing the preparacions being greater in brute then in effect and the forces of that king more mighty to defend his proper realmes then meete for thinuasion of an other it was iudged sufficient to sende to Narbone and other townes vpon the frontyers of Spaine bandes of men at armes with conuenient companies of Svvyzzers So that in the presence of the councell of the kinge wherein were assembled all the Lordes and persons notable then at the Court it was determined that Tryuulce should returne to Ast with as much diligence as he could vnder the title of the kinges Lieftenant leading with him eyght hundreth launces two thowsand Svvyzzers and two thowsand Gascoyns That after
disorder or special tumult which he exspected would rise in his fauor A plot which happely had drawne some good yssue for him if fortune had not supplyed the negligence of his aduersaries for as in the beginning of the night he was lodged in the tabernacles certein smal houses vpon the high way with intencion to march the residue of the night so he was so hindred by wonderfull raynes and stormes continuing long that he could not present him selfe before Florence till long space after the sunne rising A chaunce which gaue leasure to such as made profession to be his particular enemies for the communaltie and all the rest of the Citisens stirred not exspecting quietly what woulde be the yssue of thinges to take armes with their frendes and followers and to prouide that the citisens suspected should be called restrayned in the publike pallaice by the Magistrats And lastly to make them selues stronge at the gate which leades to Siena was at their request Pavvle Vitelli ariuing there the night before in his returne from Mantua In so much as no commotion appearing in the citie Peter not stronge enough to force the gate which he had approched within a bow shoote And after he had remeyned there foure howers fearing with his daunger the suddeine comming of their men at armes whome he thought and his conceite was true the Florentyns had sent for from the seruice of Pysa he returned to Sienna where Aluiano parting from him and let into Tody by the Guâlffes he sacked almost all the houses of the Gebelyns and put to the slaughter liij of the principall bodies of that faction According to which example Anthonie Sauelle entred into Terny and Gattesquies by the fauor of the Colonnoys and lett into Viterby did the like execucions against the Guelffes in both the one and the other place and all the peeces thereabouts without that the Pope prouided for so great disorders in the state ecclesiastike because he abhorred all exspenses in like cases bearing by the propertie of his nature no compassion to the calamities of others he was nothing troubled with those thinges that offended his honor so that his profits or pleasures were nothinge hindered yet he coulde not auoyde the secret iustice of God expressed in domesticall miseries troubling his house with examples tragicall and a whordom and crueltie horrible aboue all the barbarous regions for where he had determined from the beginning of his election pontificall to appropriat all teÌporall greatnes to the Duke of Candia his eldest sonne The Cardinall of Valence who altogether estraunged from priesthood aspired to thexercise of armes hauing no patience to suffer that place to be vsurped by his brother enuying withall that he had better part then he in the loue of Madonne Lucrecia their common sister inflamed with lust and with ambicion mighty ministers to all mischiefs caused him to be killed one night as he rode alone in the streetes of Rome casting his bodye secretly in the riuer of Tyber The brute was if such an enormitie be worthy to be beleued that in the loue of Mad. Lucrecia were concurrant not onely the two brethren but also the father who when he was chosen Pope taking her from her husband being inferior to her degree he maried her to Iohn Sforce Lorde of Pesere And afterwards not able to suffer her husband to be his corriuall he made dissolucion of the mariage already consomated hauing made proofe before Iudges delegats of his owne creacion by witnesses subborned afterwards confirmed by apostolicall sentence that her husband was imperfect in the operacion of nature and vnable to cohabitacion The death of the Duke of Candia afflicted not a litle the Pope burning aboue all other Popes in a vehement loue to his children And as it is the greatest tryall of wisedom and courage of men to be temperat in mortall chaunces so such as are not accustomed to aduersities haue least rule ouer their passions they that neuer felt but prosperitie can litle iudge of the worthines of patience This Pope was so vnacquainted with the accidents of fortune much lesse enured with earthly losses and priuacions that from his infancie to that age all thinges had happely succeeded to him the same making this affliction so greeuous and intollerable to him that in the consistory after he had with a great compassion of minde and publike teares greeuously bewayled his miserie accusing many of his propper actions and manner of liuing which he had vsed till that day he assured with wordes full of efficacie that hereafter he would gouerne his life with other thoughtes and with a forme of liuing more moderat and ruled And for a beginning he assigned presently certeine of the number of Cardinalls to ioyne with him in the reformacion of maners orders of the Court wherein after he had employed certeine dayes at what tyme began to be manifest the author of the death of his sonne for the which at the first he had the Cardinall Askanius and the Vrsins in stronge suspicion he left there his former holy intencion his teares and all his complaints and returned more disorderly then euer to those thoughtes and operacions wherin he had consumed his age till that day There hapned in those seasons new trauells within Florence by reason of thenterprise of Peter de medicis for thintelligence and faction which he had with certeyne particlers in the citie was disclosed by reason whereof many noble Citisens were imprisoned and some fled And after the Magistrates had vsed meanes iudicial to verifie the order of the conspiracie not onely many were condemned to death which had solicited him to come and giuen him releefe of money but also Bernardyn de Nero to whom was imputed no other thing then that knowing the practise he had not reuealed it which fault of it selfe punishable by the head by the statutes of the Florentyns and by thinterpretacion which most part of lawyers giue to the common lawes was found so much the more haynous in him by howe much he was chiefe Magistrate when Peter came to Florence as if he had bene more greatly bownd to do the office rather of a person publike then priuate But the parents and kindred appealing from the sentence to the great councell of the people and that by vertue of a law made when the popular gouernment was established Those that had bene authors of the condemnacion fearing least the compassion of the age of the nobility and of the multitude of parentes woulde moderat in the mindes of the people the straitnes of the iudgement wrought so muche that they obteyned that to the lesser nuÌber of the Citisens should be referred the resolucion whether the appeale should be suffered to be prosecuted or restrayned wherein being more stronge the authoritie and number of them which held it a thing daungerous and no lesse drawing to sedicion seeinge that the Lawes them selues suffered that to
Pysa would not suffice to draw them from so ambicious inclinacion But of the contrary the restitucion was a thing daungerous for that by how much they should be mighty and stronge by so much would they be hurtfull to the sewertie and quiet of Italy he sayd that in this restitucion it went of the honor and faith of euery one but principally of their common weale seeing the confederats hauing promised the Pysans with one consent to protect their libertie afterwards euery one in particular putting an vnwilling hand to furnish thexpenses of the coÌmon busines imposed the whole burden vpon them alone who for that cause had refused no charges cares nor trauells it coulde not but turne to their speciall dishonor to leaue them abandoned when they were in most necessitie of staye and comfort and to withdraw their faith and promise which though others esteemed litle yet with them it had alwayes caried this reputacion not to suffer stayne or violacion in any sorte he alleaged it was a thinge moste greeuous to the Senat of Venice that without respect reasonable others sought to lay vppon them by imputacion that which had bene begon with one common and generall consent and continued for the benefit of euery one and that with so great an ingratitude they were punished for their good workes That thintollerable exspenses which they had defrayed in this enterprise and many others ioyned to so many perills and trauells susteyned since the creacion of the league deserued not such recompense retribucion their actions bearing that nature and quallitie both for exspenses pollicie and care that they may say with reason and iustice that Italy hath bene preserued by their meane for that neither the battell of Taro was fought with other armes then theirs nor the kingdom of Naples recouered with other forces then of their common weale That no other armie constrayned Nouare to render and chased the french king to returne beyond the Mountes That no other strength then theirs was opposed against him in Pyemont as often as he assayed to returne And that it coulde not be denyed that those actions proceeded not principally of the desire they had to protect the safetie of Italy seing as their estates were alwayes furthest remoued from perills so for their occasion there were no disorders hapned which they ought to readdresse or ameÌd for they called not the frenche kinge into Italy nor accompanied him when he was come ouer the Mountes much lesse for sparing their proper treasures haue they suffered to fall into perill the affayres common and vniuersall No rather necessitie and occasion haue so required that the Senat of Venice did giue remedy to the disorders happened by the faultes of others to the common harmes of the whole All which operacions albeit they were not knoweÌ or though they were so soone committed to forgetfulnes yet they would not for all that forbearing the ill excusable example of others defile neither the faith nor dignitie of their common weale the rather for that to the preseruacion of the libertie of the Pysans was ioyned the sewertie and well doing of all Italy Whilest thinges passed in these practises amongest the confederats with a manifest and generall disagreement there hapned a newe accident which engendred effects diuerse and much different from the thoughtes of men The night before the eyght day of April king Charles dyed at Amboyse of a catter he which the Phisicions cal apoplexie the same rising in him with such abundance as he beheld a match plaied at tennysse that in fewe howers he ended at the same place his life duringe the which he had with greater importunitie then vertue troubled the whole worlde with great apparance of daunger to kindle eftsoones newe fiers of innouation and troubles for that it was beleued of many that being pushed forwardes with a vehement desire to returne into Italy he had in the ende either of his proper knowledge or by the emulacion of such as bare enuy to the Cardinall of S. Mallovv remoued al the difficulties that had withholden thaction In so much that albeit in Italy according to his variations sometymes he increased and sometymes he diminished the opinion that men had that he would marche yet he kept them in continuall suspicion and made his intencions to trouble their coniectures and councells And for that cause the Pope puffed with ambicion to rayse his sonnes had begon already to solicit with him touching some secret innouacion the Duke of Myllan hauing done the like as was bruted to th ende he would not liue in continuall feare King Charles dying without yssue the realme of Fraunce descended to Lovvys Duke of Orleans as nearer in blud then any other of the masculyne lyne to whome remeyning then at Bloys came to doe reuerence the kinges garde and all the generall trayne of the Court together with the nobilitie of the kingdome by whome he was saluted as king with titles and inuocacions royall notwithstanding some did secretly murmure that according to thauncient statutes of the lande he was vnworthy to aspire to the crowne against the which he had taken armes in the warres of Brittaine The day after the death of king Charles a day obserued in many places by a celebracion and solemnitie of palmes tooke ende the authoritie life and doctrine of Sauonarola who hauing bene long tyme before accused by the Pope that he preached slaunderously against the manners of the Clergy and Court of Rome that he nourished sects and discordes in Florence that his doctrine was not fully catholyke and for those reasons called to Rome by many writs refused to appeare there alleaging many excuses and therefore after much a doe he was at last the yeare before separated by the Pope with censures from the fellowship of the Church of which sentence hauing absteyned from preaching for certeine monethes he had easily obteyned absolucion if he had longer continued for that the Pope who held slender reckoning of Sauonarola had proceeded against him more by the incensing and perswacion of his aduersaries then any other occasion But he iudging that it was for his silence that his reputacion came so to be diminished or at least that it brake the purpose for the which he stirred for he was principally aduaunced for his vehemeÌcie in preaching he fell eftsoones to despise the Popes commaundements and returned publikely to his olde office wherein affirming that the censures published against him were vniust of no force he opened his mouth eftsoones to blaspheme the Pope and the whole court of Rome with great vehemencie of this arose no small emotion for that his aduersaries whose authoritie increased dayly in greatnes with the people detested such inobedience rebuking the action for that by his innouacion and rashenes the Popes minde was drawne in vncerteinties and alteracion in a tyme specially wherein the restitucion of Pysa being negociated by him and the other confederats it was necessary to
frenche kinge coulde not with such expedicion execute any action on that side the Mountes forbare not to oppose him selfe against the Venetians in the quarrell of Pysa wherein his spyte present would not let him see the daunger that was to come an error familiar with Princes ambicious who measuring the euent of things more by their propper fancie and imaginacion then by any rule or comparison of tymes and reasons are often in that securitie caried to their vndoing as men that wander and beleue an eccho which beguiles them to their extreame ruine The Florentyns onely began to estraunge them selues in minde from the amitie of the french for albeit this new king had bene their protector afore yet now that he is made great with the estate dignitie of the crowne he had with them no league of amitie neither in regarde of faith giuen nor for benefitts receiued as his predecessor had by meane of those capitulacions which were made at Florence and Ast for regard of which they would alwayes lay them selues open to many perills and perplexities rather then to abandon his alliance Besides the discord which continually increased betwene the Venetians and the Duke of Myllan was the cause that the feare being ceased which they had of the forces of the confederats and withal hoping more in the fauors certeine and present of Lombardy then in the succors absent dowtfull of Fraunce they tooke occasion to hold lesse reckoning of his frendshippe or confederacion In this different disposicion of mindes were also no lesse diuerse thembassages that were sent for the Senat of Venice dispatched with great speede to the king one of their Secretories remeyning at that tyme in negociacion with the Duke of Sauoye And to establish with these beginnings the foundacions of a well assured alliance as the dayly affayres and occurrants of tymes required they made an election of three other Embassadors to goe to his Maiestie not onely to congratulat his right worthy ascending to the crowne but also to protest in forme of excuse that what they had done contrarye to the likinge of the late kinge Charles proceeded of no other mocion then of a tymerous suspicion confirmed by many apparant signes and demonstracions that not contented with the kingdom of Naples he would lift vp his mind to those meanes which might make him Lord ouer the whole Monarchie of Italy The Pope also whose deuocion had this determinacion sto appropriat to his sonne Caesar at that tyme Cardinall all temporall greatnes rayed his thoughtes to highe thinges and sending Embassadors to the french kinge was at a poynt to sell to his Maiestie spirituall graces receiuing in recompense possessions temporall for he was not ignorant that the french kinge had great desire to refuse Iane his wife both barrein deformed who was giuen to him almost by force by Lovvys the eleuenth And that he had no lesse liking to marie Anne now widowe by the death of the late king not so much for the auÌcient affection thatwas betwen theÌ afore the encownter of S. Aulbyn as that by the prorogatiue of that mariage he shoulde insinuate into the Duchie of Britain an estate great and very conuenient for the crowne of Fraunce this chaunge could not be done without the authoritie of the Pope The Florentyns in like sorte fayled not to sende Embassadors to the king aswel to testifie thauncient custom and deuocion of that citie to the crowne of Fraunce as to put his Maiestie in remembrance of their merits and the bondes and promises of the late king wherein they were much solicited by the Duke of Myllan hauing two intencions the one that by their meanes the practises of the Venetians might be hindered both the one and other common weale intreating of the affayres of Pysa and also that if they obteyned any credit amitie or authoritie they might vnder some occasion employ all to worke an accord betwene him and the french king A thing not a litle desired and sought by him All these Embassadors were well receiued of the kinge who began euen at the first to sownde euery one of them seuerally notwithstanding he had no meaning to put any thinge to action in Italy afore he had first assured the realme of Fraunce by newe leagues and confederacions with the Princes his neighbours and borderers But it was a thing fatal that the fire of Pysa to the which the Duke of Myllan gaue the first kindling nourished by an inflamed desire to assubiect it to him self should in the ende breake his brande vpon the heade of the author and consume him with his propper flame for that aswell by his naturall ielowsie which was infinit in him as for daunger of the greatnes of the Venetians which he saw to aspire not onely ouer him but also aboue the other Potentats of Italy he could not endure with reasonable patience that the frute of his deuises trauells should be gathered by them or transferred to the reputacion of their imperie wherein taking occasion vpon the disposicion of the Florentyns resolute to pursue in all accidents the quarrell of Pysa And seeming to him that by the death of Sauonarola and Frauncis Valory which were stronge parties against him he might now reappose moâe in that citie then he could doe in tymes past he determined to ayde the Florentyns in the recouery of Pysa with armes seeing neither with his practises authoritie nor the power and meanes of others he coulde hetherunto worke no good effect of that plott he perswaded him selfe vainely that either afore the french king could execute any action Pysa would be reduced by composicion or force to the iurisdiction of Florence or else the Senat of Venice guided by that wisedome which he woulde neuer suffer to gouerne him selfe would neuer desire either for enuie or other lesse occasion that to the common daunger of the whole the french armies shoulde eftsoones returne into Italy seeing it was an vniuersall trauell to chase them out so lately This indiscreete resolucion was furthered by a disorder which hapned against the Florentyns in the contrey of Pysa for their people which were at Pontadere hauing aduertisement by their espyals that a trowpe of seuen hundred horsemen a thowsand footemen of the Pysans were returning home with a great pray of cattell which they had taken in the fieldes of Voltere yssued out almost all vnder the conduite of the Count of Riuucce Guillaume of Pazzi Commissioner for the Florentyns to cut betwene them home for the recouery of the booty And encowntring with them in the valley of S. Reale and as they had almost put them to disorder and recouered the most part of the praye there ioyned to the Pysans an hundreth and fiftye men at armes sent out of Pysa to the succors of their fellowes who finding the Florentyn armie both weary and disordered with the trouble of the pillage and the authoritie of the Count not able to range the
wherein they quarelled with the lyfe of Pavvle Vitelly condemned him were these That it proceeded of his will only that Pisa was not taken hauing good meane and oportunitie thereunto the same day that the rocke of Stampaco was forced That he only did deferre to giue the assalt That hee had many tymes giuen audience to men comming to him from Pisa and neuer communicated with the Florentyns That he had leuyed the Camp against the publike commaundement and with the like contempt had abandoned Stampace That he had drawne diuers others of the Capteines to occupie with him Cascina Vicopisan and the artileries to th ende that in payments and other condicions they might manage the Florentyns as they thought best That in the couÌtrey Casâtyn he had had secret intelligeÌces with the Medicis at the same time treated and almost concluded with the Venetians to serue them when the time of his paie with the Florentyns should be determined which now was almost expired That in that respect he had giuen safeconduit to the Duke of Vrbyn and to Iulyan de Medicis he was straitlie examined vppon all these pointes albeit he confessed nothing particularlie yet they cut of all further examinacions fearing least the french king now come to Myllan would vrge his deliuerie they proceeded to execute him speedely Not one of his seruantes which after his death were examyned at leasure would confesse any thing sauing that he was much discontented with the Florentyns for that they had made the Count Rinucce concurrant with him in authoritie and for the difficulties they vsed in thexpedicion of prouisions which hee demaunded and sometymes in his affaires particular not forbearing at Florence to speake ordinarily to his dishonor by which testimonies and confessions of his seruantes albeit some remeyned possessed of this opinion that hee behaued himselfe not loyallie in his charge hauing a pretence to be Lord of Pisa and to occupy some other parte of the demeyne of Florence where he enterteyned many intelligences and amities yet the most parte beleeued well of his innocencie and were persuaded that he nourished a great desire to take Pisa for the reputacion glorie that would redowne to him the principall end and respect of euery great Capteine The french king being now aryued at Myllan all the Potentates of Italy except king Federyk came to him some in person and some by Embassadors some to congratulat his victorie and some to iustefie themselues of thimputacion to bee more inclined to Lodovvyk Sforce then to him and some to seeke suertie of him hereafter of their proper estates The king receiued them all graciously and compounded with them all but diuersly according to the diuersitie of condicions and according to the greatnes of the profit which he might drawe hee tooke the Marquis of Mantua into his protection and indued him with a companie of an hundred Launces with an honorable pension and the order of S. Michaell he receiued likewise into his protection the Duke of Ferrara he and the Marquis were with his maiestie in person who pertaked not in that benefit without well paying for it with other difficulties for that euer since he rendred the Castle of Genes to Lodovvyk he hath bene esteemed to beare a mynde contrary to the french he accepted also into his grace and protection but vnder a great summe of money Iohn Bentiuole who had sent to him his sonne But of all the residue the Florentyns compounded with him most hardly and chargably for that their merits all forgotten and the harmes they had so long tyme endured during the late king in folowing the frendships of FrauÌce all the court almost was against them those reasons were not accepted that not to stir vp Lodovvyk Sforce against them for the matters of Pisa had constrained them to remeyne Newters for that thimpression which the frenchmen tooke when king Charles gaue libertie to the Pisans remeyned yet firmly fixed in their affections besides that the men of warre of the Camp iudged them both by brute and experience to be men of merit valour and reputacion for seruice which drew not a litle their disposicions to beare them fauour Besides the authoritie of Tryvulce was no small impediment to the purposes of the Florentyns for that aspiring ambiciously to the Lordship of Pisa he fauored wholly their cause who desired to receiue for their Lorde eyther him or any other in whom was habilitie to defende them against the Florentyns who were generally blamed by the mouthes of the whole Court for the death of Pavvle Vitelly as to execute without occasion a Capteyne of so great merit and to whom the Crowne of Fraunce owed much in honor and friendship for that his brother was killed and he made prisoner in the frenche seruice during the warres of Naples vnder the late king Charles But in the ende the king inclining more to his proper profit theÌ to things vaine entred into coÌposicion by the which his maiestie receiuing them into his protectioÌ bound himself to defend theÌ against all men with six hundred LauÌces foure thousand footmen as also the Florentins to defend his estates in Italy with foure huÌdred meÌ at armes three thousaÌd footmeÌ That the king at their requests should apply that ayde of Launces if need were a strength of artillerie for the recouering of Pisa the places occupied by them of Syena and Lucqua but not of those peeces which the Genovvays helde And that if these companies were not demaunded of him before he should be bounde when he sent an armie to the enterprise of Naples to conuert either the whole or part of it to this expedicion That the Florentyns if they recouered Pisa and not otherwayes should be bounde to minister to him for the conquest of Naples fyue hundred men at armes and fiftie thousand Duckats to defraie the payes of the Svvyssers for three moneths that they should restore to him thirtie thousand duckats which Lodovvyk Sforce had lent them rebating according to th accompt which Iohn Iacques Tryvulce shoulde make so much as they had paied or dispended for him Lastly that they should take for Capteine generall of their men of warre the Prefect of Rome brother to the Cardinall S. P. ad Vincla at whose instance it was demaunded In so goodly an occasion the ambition of the Pope slept not who soliciting earnestly to haue promise kept with him the king gaue to the Duke Valentynois comeÌ with him out of FrauÌce three hundred Launces defraied vppon the treasors of the king and guided by Yues D'alegre foure thousad Svvyssers vnder the charge of the Bailiffe of DyoÌ but paide of the Popes pursse which companies were for his ayde in the warre which he meÌt to make vppon the Viccaires of Romagna The townes of Romagna vexed with others that are subiect to the church with sundry accidents haue bene for many yeares gouerned with a iurisdiction almost seperat from the
entred Auerso But as open warre ministreth many occasions to reuenge perticular wronges So Monsicur D'aubigny in his marching from Rome burned Marina and Caua with certeine other peeces of the Colonnoys being angry that Fabricio had put to executioÌ in Rome the messengers of certeyne Barons of the realme holding with the french which were gon thether to coÌtract with him Afterwardes he tooke his way to Montfortyn where he thought Iulio Colonne would make resistance But hauing left it abandoned with verie litle honour Monsr D'aubigny passing further commaunded all the places which be along the way to Capua vntill the Ryuer of Vulturno neare Capua which being to deepe for the army to passe ouer without perill the vertue of their Generall founde out a way to passe by marching vp more high towardes the mounteyne wherof Federyk being aduertised retyred to Naples and abandoned Auerso which with Nola and many other places gaue themselues to the french whose whole strength was now brought into the confynes of Capua where they camped some on thislyde and some beyonde the Ryuer on the vpper side where the Ryuer beginneth to runne neare the towne And putting force to their fortune they battered it on all partes and charged it afterwardes with a furious assalt which albeit was not pleasant to them but were coÌstrained to retyre from the walles with their many harmes Yet imparting no lesse terror and daunger to the defendantes the myndes of the Capteynes and Souldiors began to incline to accord the people of the Citie beginning to drawe into mutiny together with the regiments of Peasants withdrawne thether in great numbers But as in warres there be some insolencies which the Capteynes can not bridle and many negligences which be fatall instruments and occasions of perill So Fabricio Collonne the eight day after the Camp was planted hauing begun to Parley with the Count Catezzo vppon a Bastillion the negligent garde of those that were within as often hapneth when men be nearest accord gaue occasion to thennemies to enter And they vsing the lawe of victors tooke libertie to turne all things to the rewarde of their aduenture In so much as what for the greedines of Pillage and desire to reuenge the harmes receiued at the first assalt they put the whole towne to sack and made a wonderfull slaughter reteyning only for prisoners suche as remeyned free from theyr crueltie The licentiousnes of the victors was such that their crueltie raged vppon all ages sexes and qualities of creatures not sparing the virgins in religion whose bodies were a miserable pray to the lust of the souldiours And as many of them were solde afterwardes at Rome for a very small price so some of them esteeming it agreeable to their vertue to feare death lesse then the losse of honour threw them selues into welles and offred vp in Ryuers an oblacion of their vndefiled bodies It is sayde that besides other abhominacions worthie of prepetuall infamie many of the women which had escaped the first furie being withdrawne into a Tower vnder none other confidence then such as folow creatures in miserie The Duke of Valentynois who folowed the armie as the kinges Lieftenant went to take a view of them accompanied only with the Gentlemen of his house his guard And after he had considered not of their estates but of their beauties The compassion he showed was that he reteyned for his owne vse fortie of the most fairest of them Fabricio Colonno Dom Hugo of Cardona and all the other Capteynes and men of condicion were made prisoners amongst whom Rinucce Mariano who at the assalt had receiued a wound with a Cros bow shot being in the keeping of the soldiors of the Duke dyed within two dayes not without suspicion of poison The losse of Capua cut of all hopes to king Federyk to be hable hense forward to defend any thing Caietta yelded with a speed according to the felicitie of the victors And M. D'aubygny being come with his armie to Auerse the Citie of Naples left abaÌdoned which made composicioÌ for three score thousaÌd duckats Federik retired into the new castle immediatly after hauing only regard to his life in such extremity of fortune made couenaÌt with Monsr D'aubygny to deliuer vp within six dayes all the townes and fortes which he helde apperteyning to that moyetie of the deuisioÌ which shold discend to the french king Reseruing only for six moneths the Ile of Yschia during which tyme it should be lawfull for him to goe whether he would except in the realme of Naples And to send an hundred men at armes to Tarenta That he might take out of the newe Castle and the egg Castle what he would except thartilleries of king Charles which remeyned there That free pardon should be giuen to all faltes committed since the late king Charles conquered the realme of Naples and that the Cardinalles Colonne and Aragon should still enioy those ecclesiasticall reuenues which they had in the kingdome But within the rocke of Yschia might be seene drawne into one showe a true resemblaÌce figure of all the infelicities of the lyne of the old FerdinaÌd which was a spectacle verie pitifull For that besides the aspect of Federyk newly deuested of so noble a realme the consideration of his litle children ioyned to the lamentable condicion of Beatriss his sister redoubled his sorowes To the calamitie of his sister this increase of miserie hapned that after the death of her late husband Matthias that renowmed king of Hungary she receiuing promise of mariage of Launcelot king of Boemia inducing her to ayde him in the conquest of the same realme She was refused by him with great ingratitude after he had filled his delightes with the sweete fruites of her bodie and afterwardes maried an other by the dispensacion of Pope Alexander To this infelicitie was also ioyned Isabell affore tyme honoured with the titles dignities of Duches of Myllan but now no lesse wretched then the others for that almost at one tyme she suffred priuacion of her husbande of her estate of her only sonne Amongest these tragicall accidents I may not forget this notable example of thaffection of a sonne to his father A matter so much the more straunge by how much in those tymes the loue of children was rare towardes their fathers One of the sonnes of the L. G. Montpensier being gon to Pozzuolo to visit the sepulcher of his father suffred him selfe to be so much ouerruled with passion that after he had washed all partes of the monument with his lamentable teares he fainted and fell downe dead vppon the sepulcher of his father who had as litle sence of those his latest sorowes as he had feeling of so great a fault to giue such libertie to the rage of nature To men affilicted this is one coÌsolacion to know the vttermost of their mishaps and when the perils be past that nourished their feares they returne to a
comofrte not to consider what they haue suffred but to remember that no worse can happen Euen so king Federyk making the extremest reckoning of his aduersities was resolued bearing a setled hate to the king of Spaine to recommit him selfe wholly to the honor and clemencie of the french king to whom he sent to demaund safeconduit and hauing obteined it he left all the residue in the rocke of Yschia where remeined also Prosper and Fabricio Colonne And the Yle remeyning as it did before vnder the gouernment of the Marquis of Guast and the Countesse of Francqueuille after he had sent parte of his people to the defence of Tarenta he went into Fraunce with fyue Gallies A councel euil taken sauing that men in aduersitie haue no libertie of election for that if he had bene in a place of libertie seeing to what tearmes the warres grew afterwardes betweene those two kinges he might happly haue bene holpen with many occasions afterwardes to returne into his kingdom But choosing rather to sit downe with the sweete fruites of a quietlyfe then to followe the bitter trauels of a kingdome broken his fortune brought him to this humilitie to accept suche condicions as were offred him by the king who gaue him to th ende he might remeyne in Fraunce the Duchie of Aniovv with so liberall a pension that it mounted euery yeare to thirtie thousand Duckats At his departure he sent order to those in whose confidence he had left the gouernment of Yschia that they should deliuer it vp to the french king and showing no lesse readines to render it then they were vnhable to keepe it he tolde them that the way to deffye their fortune was not to giue her leaue to exercise her malice to their vttermost ruine Consaluo was marched at the same time into Calabria where albeit was a generall inclinacion and desire to liue rather vnder the rule and Lordship of the french yet their aduersities ouerruling their disposicions he founde almost no resistance but with affections compelled was receiued into euery towne except Manfredonia and Tarenta But the destinie of the countrey running with his fortune after he had forced Manfredonia and the Castle he incamped with his armie in the confines of Tarenta where albeit he found greatest difficulties yet in the ende he had it by accord for that the Count Potenso to whose guarde the young Duke of Calabria had bene recommended by his father and freare Leonard of Naples Knight of Rodes and gouernor of Tarenta seeing no hope or possibilitie of further defence compounded to giue vp the Citie and Castle if within foure monethes they were not succoured In which composicion they receiued of him a solemne othe vppon the sacrament that he would leaue in libertie the Duke of Calabria who had secret commaundement from his father to come to him into Fraunce when he could no more resist his fortune But neither the feare of God nor regarde to his honor had more force then thinterest of thestate For Consaluo iudging what a matter of importance it wold bee in tyme to come if the person of the Duke were not in the power of the King of Spanie Thinking it lesse sinne to dispense with his othe then to lose that oportunitie would not suffer him to depart but assoone as he could sent him well accompanied into Spaine where the king receiued him and reteyned him neare about him in high familiaritie and honors due to his greatnes In these seasons thaffaires of the Pope proceeded with a prosperitie accustomed for that he had easely got all the estates which the Colonnoys and Sauelles held in the confines of Rome of the which he disposed one part to the Vrsins And the Duke Valentynois continuing his enterprise against Plombyn sent thether Vitellozze and Iohn Pavvle Baillon with new regiments For whose comming and the ill disposicion of his buisines Iacques Appyan the naturall Lord leauing the towne and Castle manned with Garrisons according to his fortune went with speede into Fraunce to see if he might obteine of the king who long affore had receiued him into his protection that for the regard of his owne honor he would not suffer him to perishe The king without couering his infamie by art answered him roundly that hauing promised the Pope not to oppose against him he could not minister to his distresse without doing wrong to the league sworne But as nothing is more swift then aduersitie which keepes his course by the violent mocion that dryues him So whilest the miserable Lord of Plombyn was in vaine soliciting for succours Pandolfe Petrucci rendered the towne to the Duke of Valentynois and within fewe dayes after the Castle his industrie no lesse theÌ his fortune turning all things to his discoÌfort In this course of the Popes selicities he maried his daughter Lucrecia wyfe affore to three husbands and now wydow by the death of Gismon Prince of Viselle bastard sonne to Alphonso king of Naples whom the Duke Valentynois had slaine to Alphonso eldest sonne to Hercules D'este with a porcion of an hundred thousande Duckattes in readie money and many other giftes of great value To this mariage so vnwoorthie for the house of Este which was wont to seeke societie with the famulies most noble Hercules and Alphonso consented partly for that the french king desiring to satisfie the Pope in all thinges was an importunate procurer of it but chiefly they thought by this meane if against so great a disloialtie there be any suertie sufficient to assure them selues of the armes and ambicion of the Duke Valentynois who bearing a great power by the treasor and authoritie of the sea Apostolike ioyned to the fauours which the french king bare him was the only man that was feared throughout the greatest parte of Italy euery one knowing that his ambicion was infinit and his couetousnes without limit The French king continued with great diligence the negociacion of peace with Maxymilian Caesar not only for the hopes he had to shake of by that meane exspences and suspicions and to obteine of him thinuestiture of the Duchie of Myllan which he desired much But also to haue oportunitie to offend the Venetians as being persuaded that his prosperities were greeuous to them and with all nourishing this opinion that they laboured secretly to breake the peace betweene Caesar and him But that which most stirred him to this inclinacion was a couetous desire as well for him selfe as at the persuacions of the Myllanois to recouer Cremona Guiaradadda townes which him self had accorded to them a litle before And also to get again Bresse Bergame and Creme auncient appurtenaunces of the Duchie of Myllan and lately possessed by the Venetians in the warres which they had with Phillippe Maria Viscounte To debate these thinges to better effect and to ordeine the prouisions necessarie for thexpedicion of Naples he had long tyme before sent to Myllan the Cardinal of Amboyse the tongue authoritie of whom
were the proper tongue and authoritie of the king and who had remeyned there many monethes being not hable for the ordinarie variacions of the king of Romains to establishe any thing with him About this tyme the Florentyns solicited by meane of the Cardinall to be receiued of new into the kinges protection But they made a vaine labour of it for that the king propounded harde condicions and declared a great alienacion and estraunging of mynde from them Wherein pretending to be no further bounde to the couenantes made at Myllan he caused to be assigned ouer to the Lucquoys receiued of new into his protection Pietrasanta Mutron as being auncient members of that Citie But not without the summe of four twentie thousand Duckats which he receiued of them as Lord of Genes for that the Lucquoys auncient owners of Pietra Santa had by reason of some necessities engaged it for the lyke summe to the Genovvays from whom it was discended afterwardes to the Florentyns by force of armes Besides the Cardinall treated with them of Sienna Lucqua and Pisa to knit them altogether for the reestablishing of Peter de Medicis in Florence Wherein as the Cardinall cast his plot that the king shoulde obteyne by this action a rounde summe of money of euery of them so his intencion tooke suche proceeding that they were almost at accord and yet the deuise dissolued without effect for that there was no agreement amongest them to satisfie the proporcion of money that was demaunded At length the Cardinall winning by litle and litle vppon the inclination of the king of Romains had a more certeine hope then before to contract some accorde And in that regard he went to Trent to communicate with him where they treated of many thinges concerning thestablishment of the mariage of Madame Claude the kinges daughter with Charles theldest sonne to Tharchduke with coÌcession of thinuestiture of the Duchie of Myllan to both the one and other of them They treated also to leauy warre against the Venetians to recouer those places which eyther of them pretended to be vsurped vppon them And lastly they consulted to call a general councell to reforme the Church not only as they protested in her members but also in her head Which mocion the king of Romains seemed to enterteine with a semblance of consent to nourishe the hopes of the Cardinall of Amboyse to obtein the Popedom whereunto he aspired with manifest ambicion the king his maister being a speciall furtherer of the action for the interest of his proper greatnes Such a raging humor is ambicion that it tempteth those men to solicit high honors who for their proper vertues are vnworthie of them It makes them blynde in their desires and impudent to hope to compasse euen thinges that are without their reach On the behalfe of the french king it was accorded in that contract that what confederacion or aliance he had made it should be vnderstanded with this clause sauing the rightes of Thempire by meane whereof it should be lawfull to Themprour to chalenge it aswell for those that should be now named by the king as for such as he had affore taken into his protection There rested only the principall difficultie touching thinuestiture for that Caesar refused to graunt it to thissue Males if the king should haue any They stoode also vppon tearmes for restitution of the exiles of the Duchie of Myllan which being instantly demaunded by Caesar the king refused flatly to graunt for that besides they were many in number there were also personages of importance and authoritie At last by compulcion of the kinges importunities he was content to giue libertie to Cardinall Askanius and hope of the like grace to Lodovvyk Sforce with assignation of pension of twentie thousand Duckats by yeare to furnishe his countenance in the realme of Fraunce By reason of these difficulties they fell not otherwayes to accord then with hopes to be hable to introduce some conuenient forme and therefore the truce being eftsoones prolonged the Cardinall returned into Fraunce holding almost for certeine that the matters which they had debated would with speede diuolue to their perfection Which opinion was augmented by this occasion that a litle after the Archduke before he went into Spaine to receiue in his person and the person of Iane his wyfe eldest daughter of the king there the othe of fidelitie of the peoples as ordeined to that succession He made his way by lande accompanied with his wyfe and met at Bloys with the french king who receiuing him with many honors they rested agreed touching the mariage of their children In this yeare dyed Augustyn Barbaryn Duke of Venice who managed his principalitie with such happines and authoritie that in many actions it seemed that he ouercame the degree of his predecessors Therefore the power of his successors being limited by new lawes Leonard Loredan was elected in his place the common weale feeling no chaunge in publyke thinges neither by the death of the Prince nor for thelection of a new So excellent was the forme of his gouernment In this yeare the Florentyns the Pisans contrary to the customes of the yeares before brought forth no great actions one against the other for that the FloreÌtyns being no more vnder the protection of the French and standing in continuall suspicion of the Pope the Duke Valentynois studied more to keepe that was their owne then to offend others And the Pisans not hauing of them selues any power to vexe them had lesse possibilitie to doe it by the ayde of others for that there were none that stirred otherwayes in their fauours but only to susteine them when they were in perill of ruine But in the yeare 1502. might be seene a recontinuacion of their actions accustomed for that the Florentyns almost in the beginning of the yeare contracted of new with the french king after they had ouercome all difficulties more by the benefite of fortune then by the disposicion of the king or other occasions Seeing the king of Romains since the Cardinall of Amboyse departed being possessed of new thoughtes and purposes and refusing to accomplishe to the french king thinuestiture of the Duchie yea euen to his daughters maried sent as his Embassadours into Italy Hermes Sforce whom the king had acquited of his imprisonment the prouost of Bessina to deale with the Pope and the other Potentates touching his discending into Italy to take the Crowne of the Empire These Embassadors omitting no oportunitie wherin occasion was giuen as they soiorned certeine dayes in Florence obteined promise of the same Citie to contribute to his ayde with a hundred men at armes and thirtie thousande Duckats assoone as he was entred into Italy In which respect the french king Princes are iealous one ouer an other touching amities and forteine coÌfidences who feared least the Florentyns dispairing of his friendship wold turne their fauours to Maxymilian was content to quallefie the immoderate demaundes he had made to
he promised the king by othe that he woulde returne of which othe he had procured secret absolution of the Pope afore not remembring that amongst men there can be no greater bond than an othe and who loaseth his fayth hath no more to lose seeing we acknowledge religion to consist in fayth it selfe But the example of the Cardinall Askanius skorning at the credulitie of the Cardinall Amboyse coulde not make the French Cardinall better aduised in the action with Pandolfe Petrucci who receyuing the Cardinall at Sienna with many honours and making insinuation into his good fauours with deepe suttleties and counsels full of art promising to cause Montpulcian to be rendred to the Florentins ouercame him so muche that at his returne into Fraunce he assured the king that he had not found in Italy a man of better spirit and wrought that his Maiestie gaue sufferaunce to his sonne to returne to Sienna remayning at that time in the Court of Fraunce for thassuraunce of his fathers promises These were the mutations that hapned in Italy by the death of the Pope But in these times thenterprises begonne with greater hopes on thother side the Mountes by the French king were brought into many difficulties for th armie sent vpon the frontier of Gascoigne no lesse for want of money then lacke of good gouernment in those that had the charge was broken with a speede quicker then they could marche thither The Galleis also which had runne all along the Spanish seas were retyred to the port of Marseilles and the armie leauied for Parpignian of the which the king promised muche beeing well furnished of all things necessarie was incamped before Saulses which is a strong place neare to Narbona standing at the foote of the hilles Pirennei in the countrey of Rossillion But beeing well defended it made a wonderfull resistaunce and albeit it was furiously assaulted by the Frenchmen vsing both the seruice of artilleries and the arte of vnderminings yet the vertue of the defendaunts kept it from spoyle and ruine There assembled an armie of all the Spanishe Realmes at Parpignian which the king did honor with the presence of his person to th ende to succour it And beeing ioyned to this armie by reason the French were discamped the regiments that had bene sent to defende the frontiers of Fontarabie and all these forces beeing drawen into one strength and marching to geue battayle to the Frenche armie the Captayne 's seeing no reason to contende agaynst fortune retyred with the Campe towards Narbona after they had lyen afore Saulses about fortie dayes The Spaniards loasing no benefite of the time and occasion made incursions vpon the territories of the French king where hauing taken certayne places of meane importance the French making no resistance for that they were withdrawne into Narbona they eftsones returned vpon their owne frontiers by the commaundement of their king who hauing obteyned the true ende of him that is assayled enterteyned but with ill will the warre on thother side the Mountes seeing albeit his Realmes and Prouinces were sufficient mightie to defende him from the French king yet he helde them farre to weake to offende him A consideration of great importance to him that entreth into a warre to foresee with a better counsell howe he may defende him selfe then offende his enemie A litle after by the interposing of king Federik they made a truce for fiue monthes comprehending onely those things that concerned th affayres on the other side the Mountes for that the Spanish king assuring Federyk that he would consent that the Realme of Naples should be restored to him and Federik expecting no lesse of the French king the rather at the conteÌplation of the Queene inclined to compassion had introduced betweene them the practises of peace In whiche negociation the Spanish Embassadours the warre continuing stil in Italie went into Fraunce where they gouerned their doings with suche art that Federyk vaynely persuaded him selfe that the difficultie of his restitution which the Barons of the faction of Aniovv impugned vehemently would be principally on the French kings side Thus all the warres betweene both the kings beeing reduced only into the kingdome of Naples the eyes and thoughtes of all men were turned thither for that the French men hauing passed from Rome by the landes of Valmontano and the Colonnoys where they found an easie consent to refreshe them with vittayles marched by the feeldes of the Churche towardes S. Germain a place where Consaluo leauing garrison in the Castell of Secqua and Montcassin was incamped not with intention to hazarde fortune but to be an impediment that they passed no further which by the strength and opportunitie of the place he hoped to do easily The Frenche men being ariued at Pontecorue and at Ceperana the Marquis of Solusse with suche as were within Caietta ioyned to them hauing afore by thoccasion of discamping of Consaluo recouered the Duchie of Tracetta and the Countrey of Fouery euen to the sloud of Garillon The first thing that the Frenche armie did was to assaye to get the castle of Secqua from the which after they had in vayne giuen one assault they brake of and leauied their siege But for that action they brought vpon them selues so muche contempt and imputation that it was publikely affirmed in the Spanishe armie that that day the Realme of Naples was assured agaynst the French men who ioyning feare to their fortune and distrusting for that respect to chase their enemie towards S. Germain determined to returne by the coaste side holding that way suspected in their retyring wherein they founde confidence and fauour in marching on After they had reaposed two dayes within Aquin which they had taken and left seuen hundren footemen within the Castle Guillaume they returned by Pontecorue and marched by the way of Fondy to lodge at a towne set vppon the way of the ryuer of Garillon where antiquitie holdes that the auncient citie of Mynturno was buylded A place not onely conuenient to caste a bridge and passe the ryuer as was their intention but also of great importunitie to encampe there if they should haue bene constrayned for they had Caietta and their nauie at sea at their backes and Tracetta Itri Fondy with all the circuite of the countrey to the ryuer of Garillon stoode firme in their deuotion It was thought that the French armie passing the ryuer was a thing of great consequence for the victorie for that Consaluo being so farre inferiour in forces that he durst not appeare in playne fielde the French might march without impediment euen to the walls of Naples whither also their Nauie at sea might haue approched hauing nothing to let them if their vertue had but aunswered thoportunitie And for that cause Consaluo issuing out of S. Germain was come on thother parte of Garillon to let with all his strength the passing of the Frenche affying muche in the disaduauntage and difficulties whiche armies finde to passe ryuers
reason to esteme it much to their behoof that vntil Philip borne norished in FlauÌders where things were gouerned diuersly had attained a riper age taken a greater knowledge of the laws customes nature maners of Spayne al their realmes might be preserued for them vnder one peaceable well ordred gouernment the couÌtreis of Castill Aragon being meinteined in the meane while as one selfe body But as in mortall actions the wit of man is insufficient to set downe a firme stabilitie for that all things vnder the highest circuite haue their proper reuolutions so litle helped the wise prouisions of this Queene to stay the alteration of things for that after her death newe accidents hapning in Spayne the state tooke a newe forme of gouernment But touching th affayres of Italie as we meane to expresse hereafter they were better disposed to a newe peace The yere 1505. things continued in the same estate of tranquilitie wherin they had bene norished the yere before which was such that had not the quarell betwene the Florentins and Pisans brought some alteration the actions of armes for that yeere had wholly surceased one part of the potentates beeing desirous of peace and the other that were enclined to warre holden reteyned for many reasons for it suffised the king of Spayne who continued still the same title and as yet traueled with the thoughtes of his dead wife to keepe the kingdome of Naples by meane of the truce that had bene made The Frenche king was entred into a great suspicion for that Caesar following in this as in all other things his wandring nature had not ratified the peace The Pope albeit he was desirous of innouation and newe things yet he neyther durst nor coulde stirre onlesse he were accompanied with the armes of some mightie Prince And the Venetians esteemed it to no small grace if in so great consulte and counsell of things agaynst them and in so yll a disposition of the Pope they stoode quiet and were not molested by others wherein the better to appease the Pope they had offred many monthes before to leaue him Rimini and all that they had possessed in Romania since the death of Pope Alexander to th ende he did consent that they might reteyne Faenza with his territories This offer they made also for feare they had of the Frenche king and for that Caesar at the solicitation of the Pope had sent his Embassadours to Venice to sommon them to make restitution of the landes of the Churche But the Popes aunswere was so resolute that they passed no further he tolde them according to the constancie of his minde and his free nature to expresse his conceytes that he woulde not consent to the reteyning onely of a little towre but dyd hope to recouer before his death bothe Rauenna and Ceruia cities whiche they possessed no lesse iniustly then they did Faenza with whiche aunswere they kepte suspended their further sutes till the beginning of the sommer when their feares beeing become greater they offred by the meane of the Duke of Vrbin a friende indifferent to restore all that they had occupied which was not of thappurtenances of Faenza and Rimini so that the Pope who would not afore admit their Embassadours to tender their obedience would nowe consent to receyue them This demaunde albeit the Pope shewed him selfe somewhat harde to accept supposing he should do wrong to his dignitie as not conuenient to allowe it remembring the great quarrels and threatnings he had made to them yet hauing regarde to the perplexities that were endured by them of Furly Ymola and Cesena who depriued of the greatest parte of their countreis suffred many incommodities And seeing withall no other meane to redresse things with spede for that the affaires betweene Cesar the French king proceeded with so great a longnes of time and delay at last he consented to that which in effects was a gayne without losse since neither by wordes nor writings he was bounde to any thing So that after the townes were restored eight embassadors of the principals of the Senate chosen since he was created Pope were sent to him The greatest companie and most honorable shewe of Embassadors which that commonweale had euer sent to any Pope if he were not a Venetian But after they had tendred their obedience with the ceremonies accustomed they brought not backe to Venice any signe by the which they coulde gather that the Pope was become more easie or tractable so deepe were thimpressions of his misliking agaynst them or els so cunningly coulde he dissemble contrarie to his owne promises and their expectations About this time the French king desiring to put ende to that which had bene debated sent the Cardinall of Amboyse to Haguenau a towne of base Almaine where Cesar Tharchduke attended him hauing newly taken that towne vpon the Counte Palatin There were published sworne solemnly the conuentions that had bene made the Cardinall paying the moytie of the money promised for thinuesture with promise that Caesar should receyue thother moytie assoone as he should passe into Italie notwithstanding both at the present he gaue to vnderstand and a little after he declared that he could not passe that yere for thimpedimentes which were in Germanie the same making the suspition of warre so much the lesse the French king being determined to enter into no new attempt without him Only the warre almost continuall betweene the Florentins and Pisans remeined kindled in Italie the which proceeding by easie degrees and not pursued but when occasions offred to the one or the other partie who otherwise had no one setled enterprise it hapned that Luke Sauelle issued out of Cassina in which lande the Florentins made their retraite of warre and with him certeyne captaynes and constables of the Florentins with foure hundred horse and many bandes of footmen their intention was to reuittell Librafatta and by the same meane to leauie certayne heards of cattell of the Pisans feding on the other side the ryuer of Sercle vpon the grounds of the Lucquoys not so muche for the benefite and pillage of the pray as for the desire they had to drawe the Pisans to the feight hauing a confidence to ouerthrowe them for that they were the stronger in the fielde And when they had conueyed vittels into Librafatta possessed the pray they pretended they returned with leisure by the same way to th ende to intise the Pisans with that oportunitie to come and charge them Tarlatin chiefe commaunder ouer their men of warre issued out of Pisa assone as he vnderstoode thenemie droue away their cattell And bicause the chiefe poynt of the reskue rested in expedition he tooke no moe with him then fifteene men at armes fortie light horsemen and threescore footemen leauing order that a greater strength should follow him so necessarie is speede in enterprises that oftentimes they are wonne and lost with a lesse measure distance of time then is required to
desolate and abandoned And albeit most Christian prince in the beginning of our commotions agaynst our gentlemen we may assure that most parte of the commons were chiefe actors yet touching things that haue bene insolently done but chiefly the contempt and disobedience to your commaundementes they haue proceeded from the dregs of the most base and inferior sorte of people whose rashnes the reuerent authoritie of the best sorte of this citie could not restrayne And therfore the punishment that shal be imposed eyther vpon this towne or vpon vs it wil afflict the innocents without hurting the authors or parties to so hainous transgressions who neither possessed of goods nor place in the citie are not esteemed with vs in the societie of men and much lesse of Citizens neither do they holde this wretched citie for their patrimonie and countrey But our calamitie hauing no conformitie with excuses our intention is not to alleage reasons but referring vs to the same iustice which we confesse we haue offended we come accompanied with no other hope then suche as may yet remaine in the magnanimitie and mercy of so great a king not reasoning howfarre it may be stretched but reapposing simply in it and most humbly beseching the same that as not long since the offenders of Millan founde fauour in your eyes you will also vse the same propertie of grace and forgiuenes vppon this Citie which within these few monethes was one of the most happiest regions in the worlde and nowe lyeth at your Maiesties feete the very example of all desolation and miserie If the clemencie you vsed then ranne through the world with reputation ioyned to a perpetuall glory of your name it can not be lesse honorable to confirme it now in this action vsing equall pietie compassion you beare a title of right Christian which deriueth his beginning of Christ redeeming mankinde by whose example clemencie mercy are recommended to you as next vnder him apperteining properly to your name and title There are no faults so great which may not be eyther pardoned or excused and for the offences we haue committed agaynst your maiestie though in the respect of vs they are abhominable and for their owne nature hatefull and in the iudgement of the worlde irreparable yet can they not be more great more vyle nor more odious then that your clemency is not sufficient to qualifie them nor beare such intollerable respects as can not be ranged by your pity bounty perpetual religion your maiesty representeth amongst vs with your dignity power the image of the great God and you are bound no lesse to represent him with the semblance and similitude of will and working wherof there is not one more glorious none more agreable nor any that makes his name more wonderfull then the action of mercy In cases of offence and trespasse by howmuch the fault is great greuous by somuch more religious is the nature that pitieth but farre more worthy the clemency that forgiueth since to fall and erre is familiar to frailty humanitie but to pardon and dispence is a propertie inspired of the liuing god These speaches were folowed with the loude voices of euery one crying Mercy mercy But the king passed on without giuing any aunswere bidding them neuertheles to rise deliuering his naked sword which he held in his hand he shewed some tokens of a mind more inclined to compassion then to crueltie he ascended immediatly to the great Church where infinit flockes of women children of both kindes fell prostrate at his feete crying vpon his clemency and mercy with weping wringing of hands and other demonstrations of humilitie expressed also in their vniuersall attyre of white This was it that most moued the king notwithstanding the others were not without their particular impressions In so much that albeit he was determined to depriue the Citie of all gouernment and authoritie and to confiske the reuenues which vnder the name of Saint George belonged to many persons priuate and lastly taking from them all forme and image of libertie to reduce them into the same state of subiection whiche he had done the townes of Millan yet considering afterwards that by this maner of proceeding not only many innocents should be punished but also the minds of the whole nobilitie estraunged and that it would be more easie to him to gouerne with remission and sweetnes then with rigor seueritie he reconfirmed the auncient gouernment and left it in the same forme wherin it was before the seditions And yet to temper his mercy with some iustice somewhat to accoÌpany his clemencie with seueritie he condemned the coÌmunaltie in a hundred thousande duckets for the penaltie of the offence with aggrauatioÌ of penalty of two huÌdred thousand duckets more payable within a certen time both to defray the charges he had sustained and also to edifie a Cytadell in the place where is the towre of Codifa not farre froÌ Genes and standing vpon the sea aboue that suburbe which leadeth to the valley of Pozzeuoro S. Peter in Arena which Citadell for that it may commaunde the hauen and whole citie is rightfully called the bridle he ordeined also that they should furnish a greater garrison then they were wont kepe continually armed in the hauen for his seruice three gallies fortifie the castel Castellaccio he brake all the capitulations couenants that had bin made asore betwene the citie him graunting to them againe al the same things but in forme of priuilege not in nature of couenant charter to th end he might alwayes stand in power to depriue them he defaced out of their monies and coynes their auncient stampes causing them for afterwards to beare his standers and stamp in signe of absolute superioritie To these actions was added the death of Demetrius Iustinian who was beheaded disclosing in his examination all the practises which the Pope had made together with the hopes he had giuen theÌ within fewe moneths after was beheaded Paule de Nouo lately made duke who sayling from Pisa to Rome was betrayed by a pirate that had bene his souldier and solde to the Frenche men A death not muche lamented of any for that aspyring to his creation not by discent or merite but by rashe election there was left to him no power to exercise the humors of a Prince And to him selfe so much the lesse greuous by howmuche the short continuance of his imperie cut froÌ him those delites which dominion do brede loasing with litle sorow the thing which he had got with litle payne and of the which his fortune gaue him no oportunitie to taste the very first and greene fruites After the king had ordeyned these things solemnly receyuing of the Genovvaies an othe of fidelitie and giuing pardon to all except to three score whom he committed to the disposition of the law he went to Millan dispersing immediatly after this conquest his army with the which continuing
that race of tyme he felte not so muche as the death of any his friendes he had alwayes for himselfe and children pensions appoyntmentes and great honours of all the Princes in Italie beeing followed withall with this felicitie to escape easily out of all waightie and dangerous affayres for all which graces good succedings he seemed besides the conuenient situation of that Citie to be principally beholding to fortune for that according to common iudgement he could not merit any thing by the propertie of his wit or by his wisdome and much lesse by any valour that was in his person Caesar nowe minding no more to deferre the mouing of armes dispatched a Heralte to Verona to publishe his resolution to passe into Italie to take Thimperiall Crowne and to require lodging for foure thousande horse Whervnto the gouernors of Verona hauing first communicated with the counsel of Venice answered him that if he would passe for no other occasion then to receyue the crowne they would honour him with all the offices and obseruaunces they could but they saw effects contrarie to his perswasions hauing already brought and bestowed vpon their marches so great proportions of men at armes and artilleries In regarde of which aunswere measuring by theÌ the deuotion of others Maximilian assone as he was come to Trent to giue beginning to the warre made a solemne processioÌ the fourth of February which he assisted in person hauing before him the Heralds of the Empire the Imperiall sworde naked and in the ende of the solemnitie his secretary M. Lange afterwardes Bishop of Gurce being mounted into a high seate or theater published in the name of Caesar his determination to passe in warlike aray into Italie he named him no more king of Romains but Emperour elect as are wont to be intituled the kings of Romains when they come to take the Crowne And forbidding the same day that none shoulde issue out of Trente after he had caused to be baked a great quantitie of Byskie and made baskettes of wood and sent by the ryuer of Adice sundrie boates and lighters loaden with prouisions he went out of Trente the nighte after a little before day with a thousande fiue hundred horse and foure thousande footemen not of those regimentes whiche were agreed to hym in the Dyot but of the peoples of his Court and proper estates taking the way that leades by those Mountaynes to Vincense At the same tyme the Marquis of Brandebourgh marched towardes Rouero with fiue hundred horsemen and two thousande footmen of the same countrey bodies with whom he returned the day after with no memorie of other action then that he presented himselfe before Rouero and demaunded in vayne to be lodged in the towne But themperour elect being comen to the mountayne of Siagne the foote whereof draweth within twelue miles of Vincensa after he had taken the landes of the seuen communalties a people so named dwelling in the toppe of the Mountayne vnder many exemptions and priuiledges of the Venetians and after he had filled vp many trenches whiche they had cast for their defence and to stoppe the waye he caused to be drawen thither many peeces of artillerie Heere it seemed that eyther his intention had imperfection or his fortune was contrarie to the disposition of the tyme for as mens mindes enterteined a wonderfull expectation of some good successe he retyred from this place the fourth daye after he departed from Trente and returned to Bolsana a towne further remoued from the confines of Italie then Trente wherein as it gaue occasion to euery one to wonder at so greate an inconsideration or rather inconstancie so so weake a beginning reuyued eftsones the myndes of the Venetians in so muche that as they had already interteined many bandes of footemen so they called to Rouera the Frenche companies whiche were at Verona with Triuulce and beginning to make greater preparations they stirred vp the Frenche king to do the lyke who marching towardes Italie sente before an armie of fiue thousande Svvizzers of his payes and three thousande payed by the Venetians that Nation for that Maximilian was not hable to minister paye to them being ronne without any regarde to thintertainment of the Frenche And yet after they were departed and payed they woulde not go vppon the landes of the Venetians alleaging for their reasons that they woulde not serue Caesar in any other action then for the defence of thestate of Millan A greater stirre but farre more wretched and vnhappie as wherein was nourished the beginning of greater thinges was kindled in Friul whither didde passe by the waye of the Mountaynes and by Caesars appoyntment foure hundred horse and fyue thousande footemen all bodies commaunded in his countrey of Tiroll Assone as they were entred into the valley of Cadora they tooke the Borowe and Castell wherein was a verye slender garrison together with the Magistrate of the Venetians that was within whiche beeing vnderstande at Venice they commaunded Aluiano and George Cornaro Superintendent remayning vppon the landes of Vincentin to make speedily to the succours of that Countrey and to keepe occupied the enemies on that side they sente towardes Trente foure lighte Galleys with certayne vesselles of other nature And at the same tyme Maximilian who was marched from Bolsano to Brunech and turning to the waye of Friul for thoportunitie of the passages and largenes of the countrey ronne through certayne valleys more then fortie myles within the territories of the Venetians with a strength of six thousand footmen leauied in those quarters and after he had takeÌ the valley of Cadora which leadeth to Treuisa leauing behind him the borow of Bostauro lately apperteining to the Patriarks of Aquilea he tooke the borow of S. Martin the borow of Pieua the valley which was kept by the Countes of Sââââgina with other places adioyning he performed these incursions rather in the propertie of an inferior capteine then in the person maiestie of a king more contented with victories of meane persons places then seeking after actions of importance according to thexpectation of his name vertue And after he had speÌt some dayes in these trifling seruices he coÌmaunded his coÌpanies to draw to Treuisan and returned himself vpon the end of February to Ispruch to lay Iewels in paune make other prouisions for money wherof being rather a prodigal waster then a temperat distributer no reasonable quantitie could suffice to furnishe the necessitie of his affayres for that his wantes could not be satisfied with thabundance of things since he measured not his sufficiencie according to the nede of kind but after the rage of his opinion prodigalities But vnderstanding on the way that the Svvizzers had taken the pay of the French he was not a litle discontented with them and so went to Vlma a Citie of Svvauia to induce that ligne to ayde him as they had done in times past in the warre agaynst the Svvizzers he made also vehement instance
of dyets were vncertaine tedious and full of difficulties the ende of one breeding the beginning of an other he sawe withall that the french king excused him selfe daily of the demaundes and enterprises that were tendred to him some times alleaging the sharpnes of the season sometimes requiring assignacion certain of the exspeÌces which were to be made eftsones protesting that by the traity of Cambray he was not bownd to ayde him alone but ioyntly with the Pope king of Aragon with whom it was reasonable that the proceedings were mutuall and common as the confederacion and bond were ioynt generall for these reasons he entred into resolucion that there was no remedie more readye for his affaires then to induce the french king to embrase thenterprise to take Padoa Vincensa and Treuisa employing his owne forces and taking sufficient recompense This demaund was wel liked by many of the kings councel who considering that till the Venetians were wholly chassed out of the firme lande the Kinge should dwell in continual exspenses and daungers perswaded his Maiestie vpon those reasons to deliuer him selfe of them at one blow and in one action making but one exspensse The Kinges minde was not altogether estraunged from this councell being caried happly with the same reasons and therefore albeit he inclined to passe in person into Italy with a mighty armie which he called mighty and puissant as often as he had in the same more then a thowsand six hundred launces with his gentlemen pensioners yet harkening to other councels by the coÌsideracion of other reasons he stood suspended in mind expressing a confusion more then he was wont for that the Cardinal Amboise A man of great authoritie and stomacke afflicted with a long greeuous maladie forbare to manage his affaires which were wont to be dispatched wholy by his direction The king besides that of his natural disposicion he loued not much matters of exspenses was reteined also by a desire he had to Verona for thaccomplishing wherof it seemed to him a good meane to haue the king of Romains intangled with continual warres for which regard he had newly lent to him eighteene thowsand duckats to pay the launceknightes that lay in garrison in the citie and was bound to make it vp a further summe of fifty thowsand with coÌdicion that he should not onely hold the Citadell for his securitie and pawne but also the old castel should be set ouer to him together with the next gate of the towne the better to haue free entrey and yssue And lastly for want of restoring the money within one yeare the towne of Valeggo should remeine to him in perpetuall gouernment with power to fortefie aswell the towne as the Citadell at the charges of Caesar These consideracions drewe the Kinges minde into no small perplexities but muche more was he troubled with feare least the Popes intencions would wholly varie and alter if he should either leade or sende into Italy a newe armie for the Pope no lesse full of suspicion then also ill contented that he should impatronise vpon Verona besides that he still kept a will enterteyned to absolute the Venetians did also all that he could to ioyne him selfe with the Svvyzzers for confirmacion of which disposicion he had sent backe agayne into that contrey the Bishop of Syon with money to distribute amongest them and promisse to indue him selfe with the holy cappe he sought also with all his diligence by what meanes he might estraunge the Kinge of England from the amitie of the frenche Kinge whome albeit his father at the instant of death had aduised for his securitie and benefite to continue in assured league with him and for that respect was yearely payed to him fiftie thowsand duckats yet being caried ouer with hotte humors of youthe and the great habilitie of treasor that his father had left him it seemed he had no lesse in consideracion the councells of those who for the desire of newe thinges ioyned to an auncient hatred which the English doe ordinarily beare to the french nation made perswasions to him for the warre then the wisedome and discreete example of his father who refusing all contencions with the frenche had gouerned his kingdome in great obedience and tranquilletie notwithstanding he had aspyred to a state newe and full of troubles All these consideracions vexing not a litle the minde of the frenche Kinge who the better to deuise for the affayres of Italy was nowe gone to Lyon he feared least his marching into Italy which the Pope detested openly would stirre vp some new innouacions by his meanes besides he sawe that the Kinge of Aragon disswaded him from it but vnder demonstracions of a friende and an indifferent louer of the common tranquillitie In so much as amyd those multitudes of dowtes which trauelled him on all partes he sawe no more certeine nor present councell then with great labor and diligence to studie so to appease the minde of the Pope that at the least he might stande assured that he were not his enemie and against him Wherein it seemed that occasion fauored him greatly for that it was beleeued that by the death of the Cardinall Amboise who was extremely sicke he shoulde be eased of those suspicions from whence it was supposed his ill contentments did principally proceede And for that the King was aduertised by good intelligence that the Cardinall of Auchx Nephewe to the Cardinall Amboise with others that managed his affayres in the Court of Rome had with great rashnes both in deede and wordes labored more to quicken and kindle then to appease and mollefie the Popes minde he woulde no more vse their seruice in those actions but sent to Rome in poste the Lorde Albert Pie Count de Carpy A personage in whome was indifferent the greatnes of his minde and expedicion of his witte he caried very large commissions not onely to offer to the Pope the Kinges forces and authoritie to serue his turne in all accidents and vpon all occasions but also in inclining as much as he could to his wil and nature he was to communicat with him frankely and simply the state of all thinges that were practised together with the requests that Caesar made to him and finally to referre to his arbitracion and wil whether he should passe into Italy or not and whether he should minister to thEmprour speedely or slowly he had also in charge to disswade the absolucion of the Venetians but before he ariued it was resolued and promised by the Pope the Venetians after long dispute and abode of their Embassadors there consenting at last to the condicions whereupon the difficulties stoode not finding any other remedie for their sauetie then to beioyned with him The condicions for the which thabsolucion was to be giuen were opeÌly published in the coÌsistorie the xxiiij of February in presence of the Venetian Embassadors who confirmed them by writing according to thauthentike direction from their common weale These
of Vincensa an example to all others of the clemencie of thAlmain empire Call to your honorable memories the pitie and magnanimitie of your renowmed elders who beeing victorious in Italie preserued the Cities that were vnited and confederate many of them choosing those seates for their proper dwellings and from thence to the singuler glorie of thAlmain race are discended so many noble houses in Italie as Gonsaguo Catraro and Escalo who sometimes were our Lordes Let Vincensa serue at one time for example both that the Venetians ayded and supported by vs in our lesser daungers haue cowardly and dishonorably left it abandoned in the greatest perills and necessitie of defence that euer coulde happen and on the other side that the Almains in whom was some reason to distresse vs haue ioyned remission to our offences and both frankely and gloriously preserued vs whome by due iustice they might haue put to punishment The punishment of one onely is not crueltie but the calamities of many That Prince that lookes stricktly vppon the offences of his people cannot be called mercifull but rigorous and hauing an example in the dealing of God with sinners if he looke straitely vpon offendors who can abyde it We appeale also to you oh inuincible Lorde Chaumont to take vs into your protection looke backe to thexample of your king whose clemencie was greater to them of Millan and Genovvay drawne into reuolte without necessitie then was their faulte which was both voluntarie and vaine but after they had found his clemencie greater then their transgression and that his pardon preuayling aboue their offences he had reclaymed them by so great a benefite as to gyue them lyfe he coulde neuer after finde any fault in their fidelitie and seruice Seueritie keepes men in obedience but it is by compulsion which is seruile but clemencie winneth the heart and affection whiche confirmeth the suretie of the Prince Oh Prince of Hanavv if the preseruation of Vincensa turne nothing to the profite of Caesar at the least it will bring him glorie remayning as a perpetuall example of his benignitie If he destroy it it can serue him to no vse and the seueritie whiche he vseth to vs will be greeuous to all Italie Clemencie will make acceptable to all men the name of Caesar and as in actions of warre and managing of an armie he is knowne to haue great affinitie with the auncient Caesar so in beeing easie to pardon where he hath power to punishe his clemencie will make him equall with Caesar in all those vertues which haue made his name perpetuall to all posterities Vincensa that flourishing and auncient Citie and heretofore the seate of nobilitie lyeth nowe prostrate at your feete she exspecteth from you eyther her preseruation or destruction her lyfe or death take pitie of so many innocent persons so many vnfortunate women and so many guiltles children who in that lamentable night full of folly and error medled with nothing and nowe with plaintes and waylings exspect your deliberation To pardon many for th offence of one is thoffice of a pitifull prince but to punish many for the fault of one can not but holde of tyrannie Consider that what is done by force and necessitie bringes with it a sufficient reason of excuse In which regarde we kisse your knees and aswell with the repentance of thoffendours as with the innocencie of the guiltles and lastly with the humilitie and submission of this whole afflicted state we beseche you pronounce at last that reuiuing voyce of mercie and clemencie through the whiche our wretched Citie comming to receiue a new life shall call you alwayes her right worthy preseruer and patron Suche is the obstinacie of a mynde once iustly iniuried that neither the pitifull phrase of this Oration nor the sorrowfull aspect of the speaker lying prostrate at his feete and muche lesse the compassion of so wretched a Citie coulde moderate the mynde of the Prince of Hanavv whose felicitie making him insolent and hys authoritie cruell he coulde not so muche commaunde ouer his passions as to make his words lesse cruell then his deedes making by the mouth of a Doctor this rigorous and vncomfortable aunswere Thinke not that eyther the power of your perswasions or other respect of your dissembled sorrowes can suffice to wipe out of memorie the faultes you haue committed agaynst the maiestie of the name of Caesar without any regarde to his greatnesse or dignitie and lesse respect to the honor wherein you were receiued by him you haue by common councell consent of the whole citie called into your towne the Venetian armie who forcing the suburbes with great difficultie distrusted to take it and beganne to go away you called them in agaynst the will of the Prince that represented the person of Caesar you constrayned that prince to retyre into the Castel in the furie of your rebellion haue sacked the artilleries and munitions of Caesar you haue torne in peeces his pauillions displayed in honor of his victories in so many warres and triumphes These insolencies were not done by the souldiours of the Venetians but the people of Vincensa haue defyled their loyaltie discouering their violent thirste after the blood of thAlmains It was not long of you that the Venetian armie tooke not Verona whiche they had done if knowing thoccasion they had followed the victorie This happned not by the counsayle or perswasion of Fracasso who abused by your slaunders hath expressed clearely hys innocencie it was an effect of your wicked mindes it moued by a poysoned impression of hatred which without cause you beare to the Almain name your offences are so haynous as there is no place lefte for pardon or merite the despite of the iniurie you haue done maketh double the desyre of reuenge it was not your errours that made you offende but your wicked inclinations and therefore to vse clemencie to you woulde bee both hurtefull and infamous for that you woulde returne to your vomite vppon euery occasion And the harmes you haue receiued haue not bene for a punishment and skourge of your faults but for that you would obstinately perseuer in rebellion And nowe that the Venetians haue abandoned you you haue no other remedie to defende you but to implore the pitie of Caesar whom you haue betrayed The Prince was determined not to heare you following thintention and commission of Caesar and yet he hath not denied you audience satisfying the will of the Lord Chaumont but he will not chaunge the sentence which since the first daye of your rebellion hath remayned fixed in the minde of Caesar he will not receyue you otherwise then to discression for your goodes your honours and your lyues And hope not that he will do that to showe you the more clemencie but the better to make you serue for example of punishment to such as accursedly breake their faith to their soueraigne Prince The seueritie of this aunswere dyd not a little amaze the aggreeued people
to be brought thether not to suffice for the largenes of the riuer he incamped neare the riuer vppon the opposit of Leguaguo making to passe by the benefit of the boates and barkes to thother side of Adice Capteine Molard with fower thowsand Gascon footemen and six peeces of artillery assoone as they were ouer the riuer they began on both sides the riuer to batter the bastillion which was vppon the rising of a hill at the poynt of the towne on that side aboue And hauing battred a great parte of it notwithstanding the defendantes expressed great office and vallour in renforcing yet the night following the treasorer of the Venetian campe hauing more feare of his ennemie then hope or confidence in his owne people withdrew him selfe suddeinly into the castell with certeine Venetian gentlemen Assoone as it was day and their retyring vnderstanded the Capteine of the footemen that garded the bastillion rendred it to Molard their liues and goods saued which neuerthelesse was not obserued for that when he was come out he and his footemen were stripped by the souldiours of the campe A licence contrary to the law and reputacion of armes By thexample of the bastillion the towne was immediatly put to sacke by Capteine Molard the bands of footemen who garded an other bastillion made on the other point of the towne fled through the marish leauing their armor weapons in entring the water Thus Leguaguo by the cowardise of suche as were within it was conquered with a more ready facilitie and speede then either was exspected or imagined the cowardise on the one parte giuing as great oportunitie to the victorie as the vallour of the other side The castell made no greater resistance then the towne for the bulwarkes and defenses being executed the daye following by the artillerie and beginning to vndermyne one side of a tower with intencion afterwards to giue fire to it they within fearing the perill which yet was but in demonstracion yeelded them selues with condicion that the gentlemen of Venice remeyning in the power of Monsr Chaumont the souldiours shoulde departe with a white rodde in their hande fortune in this victorie mixed the felicitie of Monsr Chaumont with some bitter composicion for that in that place he had aduertisement of the deathe of his Vncle the Cardinall Amboise by whose great authoritie and regiment with the french kinge he hauing bene already raysed to high promocions and honors hoped still to be lifted vp higher and receiue farre greater aduauncements suche a busie humor is ambicion for that in whome it ruleth it makes them hard to be contented with thinges that they haue since that which they haue gotten doth not content them so longe as they hope to haue better for that the Almains had not then sufficient souldiours to leaue within Leguaguo Chaumont resupplied their garrison with an hundred launces and a thowsand footemen And so giuing licence to the Grisons and Valesiens footemen marcenarye in this seruice he prepared to returne with the residue of his armie to the Duchie of Myllan following the commaundement of the king who woulde no more enterteyne so great exspenses of this armie for that the prouisions on Caesars part auÌswered not the promises that were made there came no effect of importaÌce their fortune offring to bring to passe the things that either their policie could not foresee or their vallour durst not attempt Neuerthelesse the king sent a new commaundement to Chaumont to staye yet for the whole moneth of Iune for that Caesar being theÌ come to Yspruch no lesse replenished with difficulties according to his custom then perplexed with plots hopes made instance that he should not depart promising from hower to hower that he would passe into Italy About which time the Almains desiring to reconquer Marostiquo Citadella Basciano other peeces there abouts to make the discending of Caesar more easy on that side Monsr Chaumont with his armie encamped at Lungaro vpon the riuer of Baguillon to th ende to stoppe the Venetian companies for entring into Vincensa very weake in garrison and that they should not oppose against the Almains But being there aduertised that the Venetians were retyred to Padoa the Almains ioyning them selues of new with him they went to the Torricelli vppon the high waye that leadeth from Vincensa to Padoa And from thence leauing Padoa on the right hand they marched to Citadella with no litle discoÌmoditie of vittels being troubled by the light horsemen that were within Padoa and much more by such as were at Monselice Citadella yelded without resistaÌce by whose exaÌple also Marotisto Basciano with other peeces thereabouts abandoned by the Venetians came to composicion In so much as thinges being dispatched on that side the armies returned to the Torricelli and leauing Padoa on the right hand and taking towards the mountaine on the left hand they encamped aboue Brenta neare to the mouÌtaine within ten miles of Vincensa the chief reason why they went to that place was for that the Almains desired to occupy Escalo A passage very conuenient for the regiments that were to come out of Germanye And a peece that onely of all other places from Treuisa to Vincensa remeyned in the handes of the Venetians from this place the Prince of Hanavv being departed with his Almains and an hundred french launces tooke the way of Escalo which was xxv miles from thence But he coulde passe no further for that the paisants and contrey people bearing an incredible affection to the Venetians and such as being prisoners stucke not to offer their bodies to torments and death rather then to deny them or to speake ill of them had taken many passages in the mountaine And after he had obteyned by composicion newcastell which is also a passage of the mountaine he returned to the incamping place about Brento hauing sent by an other way towardes Escalo many of his footemen who according to his direction forsooke the way of Basciano to auoyd Couolo which is a stronge passage in the mountaines there And taking the tower more lowe by the waye of Feltro they founde a very fewe people within Feltro which they sacked and burned and so tooke the waye to Escalo which with the passage of Couolo they founde abandoned About that tyme also the ruynes were nothing lesse in the contrey of Fryul for that being sometymes assayled by the Venetians and sometymes inuaded by the Almains nowe defended and eftsoones pillaged by the gentlemen of the contrey this daye aduaunsing and that daye declining according to occasions and tymes there was seene in euery place nothing more then dead carcasses of men townes sacked and fortresses burned And as the calamities that a warre draweth with it be infinit so it hapned often tymes that the places which had bene first sacked by one armie was eftsoones burned by the other except certayne stronge peeces all the residue of the contrey put to miserable destruction But because
deliuerer as he boasted afterwards of Italy from forreine nations To these endes he had absolued the Venetians of the Churche censures To these endes was he entred into intelligence and straite alliance with the Svvyzzers making semblance to proceede in those thinges more for his proper sewertie then for desire to offend an other And to these endes not being able to withdrawe the Duke of Ferrara from the deuocion of the french king he was determined to doe all that he could to occupie that Duchie blasing his deuises with this cooller that he stirred onely for the quarrell of the salt and salt pits And yet to th ende not to discloase the plainesse of his thoughts vntil he were better prepared he had continuall negociacion with Albert Pio to haue agreement with the french king not sparing to protest openly though he kept his intencions dissembled The kinge for his parte interpreting all his discontentment to come for that he had taken the Duke of Ferrara into his protection and hauing a carefull desire to auoyde his ill will consented to contract with him newe couenants referring him selfe to the capitulacions of Cambray wherein was expressed that not one of the confederats shoulde intrude into the thinges apperteyning to the Church and did insert with all such wordes and clauses as might make it lawfull to the Pope to proceede against the Duke of Ferrara so farre forth as concerned the perticularitie of the salt and salt mynes to which endes the kinge supposed that the Popes thoughtes did chiefly aspyre wherein he made such interpretacion of the protection which he had taken of the Duke of Ferrara as though there was left to him a lawefull libertie to contract with the Pope in that manner But the nearer the king approched to the demaundes of the Pope the further was he estranged and seperate from him inclining nothinge the more for the newes he heard of the death of Cardinall Amboise for to such as perswaded him to the peace and tooke their argument vppon this that his suspicions were nowe finished he aunswered that the same king liuing the same ielowsies did yet endure confirming his opinion by this that the accord made by the Cardinall of Pauya had bene violated by the king of his proper deliberacion contrary to the will and councell of the Cardinall Amboise yea such as looked deepely into the intencions of the Pope and his manner of dealings founde that his stomacke and hopes were so much the more increased and not without occasion for the qualities of the kinge being such as he stoode in more necessitie to be gouerned then that he was able or proper to gouerne it is without dout that he was much weakened by the death of the Cardinal since that besides his longe experience his abilitie of witte was great and stoode withall in such grace and authoritie with the kinge and had such power ouer his directions and councells that he would often tymes take vpon him to giue of him self a forme and resolucion of affayres A matter which could not be founde in such as succeeded him in the gouernment who durst not communicat with the kinge in affaires which they thought would displease him much lesse that they had authoritie to deliberat Besides he reaposed not the same faith confidence in their councels and being a body of a councell compounded vpon many persons they respecting one another without any great trust in their new authoritie they proceeded both more coldly and carelesly then either thimportance of the present affaires required or was necessary against the heate and importunity of the Pope who not accepting any of the offers that were made to him by the king required him at last to renouÌce not with condicion and limitacion but absolutely and simply the protection which he had taken of the Duke of Ferrara not weighing to aduaunce his owne purposes with the kings dishonor And albeit the king perswaded him much that such a renunciacion would bring him great infamie yet it was in vaine to labor to stay him with wordes and reasons whose ambicions were infinit and his intencions full of malice with which propertie of minde he aunswered the king that seeing he refused to renownce simply he would also take libertie not to contract with him nor yet to be against him and not binding him selfe to any person he woulde studye to mainteyne the state of the Church in peace beginning euen then to complayne more then euer of the Duke of Ferrara whose friendes waighing wisely with what aduersary he had to doe perswaded him to giue ouer the working making of salt which he auÌswered he could not do without preiudicing the rights of thEmpire to whom the iust iurisdiction of Comacho apperteyned many entred into a certeine dout and opinion which tooke increasing with time that Albert Pio the french kings Embassador not proceeding sincerely in his lagacion stirred vp the Pope against the Duke of Ferrara for a burning desire he had wherein he continued till his death that Alfonso should be deposed from the dukedom of Ferrara The reason was for that Hercules father of Alfonso hauing had certeine yeares affore of Gilbert Pio the moyty of the dominion of Carpy giuing him in recompense the borow of Sassola with certeine other landes Albert feared least in the ende the other moytye eyther by compulsion or corrupcion woulde deuolue to him thexperience often hapning that the neighbour lesse riche and able yeldeth to the couetousnes of the most welthye and mightie A matter which in all common weales hath bene seene to minister no small troubles and therefore it hath not bene thought good that the poore and rich should dwell neare together for that as in the wealth of the rich man are sowne the seedes of enuie in the mind of the poore man so of the wants of the poore superfluities of the rich are nourished the disorders of a whole people But what so euer was the simplicitie and truth of it the Pope expressing tokens of a person vnappeasable against Alfonso and hauing a full resolucion to leauye warre against him prepared first to proceede with thauthoritie and censures of the Church Wherein seking to giue some iustification to the groundes of this action he gaue it out that he had founde amongest the recordes of the chamber apostolike thinuestiture of the towne of Comacho giuen by Popes to the house of Este These were the publike and manifest behauiours of the Pope but in secrete he solicited to sette abroache farre greater mouinges wherein he seemed to haue giuen a good foundacion to his affaires in contracting amitie with the Svvyzzers and to haue at his deuocion the Venetians who nowe were vppon their feete Besides he sawe that the kinge of Aragon respected the same ende that he did or at least was not sowndly ioyned with the french kinge That the forces and authoritie of Caesar were so weakened that there was left no occasion to feare him And lastly that
difficulties for the defence of Modona returned vpon him agayne he left the disputation of words consented to haue it set downe in writing that Modona should be restored to Caesar of whose iurisdiction it was And as Vitfruch thembassadour of Caesar resident with the Pope had receiued the possession of it and that he might remayne there in suretie by the authoritie of Caesar he dismissed Mark. Anth. Colonno with the other bands with whom he had kept it afore in the name of the Church aduertising Monsr Chaumont that Modona was no more the Popes but was iustly reuerted to the iurisdiction of Caesar This was not beleeued of Chaumont who still continued to worke the Cardinal of Este to put in execution the conspiracie and intelligence whiche he interteyned with that Citie In so muche that according to direction the Frenche bandes which Chaumont had left in garrison within Rubiero were made out one night but notwithstanding they marched with as litle brute as they coulde within a myle of Modona they returned the same night to Rubiero either for that the order of their faction within was not correspondent or els the Frenchmen had preuented their time and were come to soone Neuerthelesse they gaue no place to this yll successe but made an other âally out of Rubiero to come to Modona falling notwithstanding into the same impedimentes they did before aggrauated nowe by the deapth and rage of the waters to passe the ryuer of Sekchie whiche runneth before Rubiero At laste Vitfruch became suspicious and committing to imprisonment certayne of the Citie vpon whom he imposed an intelligence with the cardinall of Este he obteined of the Pope that Marke Anth. Colonno should eftsones returne thither with the garrison that was there before A matter whiche had not stayed Monsr Chaumont beeing nowe come to Carpy to marche and encampe before it if the qualitie and season of the time had not taken from him the drawing of his artillerie along the way betwene Ruolo and Carpy A way not more then ten miles from thence but euen the worst of all the ways in Lombardie notwithstanding their ouerflowing with waters and marishe natures Besides all this Chaumont was euery day more and more aduertised that Modona was redeliuered to Caesar simply and absolutely which made him make this couenant with Vitfruch not to offende Modona nor his territories receiuing reciprocally his promise that in the actions betwene the Pope and his king he should not fauour the one nor the other partie But suche is the destinie and ende of all fleshe that all men borne in humaine nature muste in their time appoynted resigne to the earth the life they had of the earth it happned not many dayes after that Chaumont fell into a greeuous maladie and beeing carried to Correge ended his life within fiftene dayes expressing deuoutly somewhat affore his death how greatly he was repented and remorsed of the vexations he had done to the Church and besought the Pope by a publike instrument to giue him pardon and absolution which being graunted whilest he yet lyued coulde not come to his knowledge by reason of the sodennes of his death He was a Captayne that in his life bare great authoritie in Italie both by the singular credite of the Cardinall Amboyse and also for that he managed almost absolutely the Duchie of Millan and all the armies of the king But touching his habilitie or vallour it was farre inferiour to so great a burden the greatnes of his place carrying him into suche singularitie of minde and weening that not knowing of him selfe the arte and order of warre he would not giue fayth to suche as were hable to instruct him by whiche it happned that after the death of his vncle his insufficiencie beeing no more supported by countenance and fauour he fell in his latter dayes almoste into the disdayne of the souldiours notwithstanding he suffred in them wonderfull insolencies and licencious behauiours to stoppe them from yll reapporting him to the king In so muche as Triuulce a captayne trayned in auncient discipline woulde oftentimes protest by othe that he would neuer go more into the Frenche armies vnlesse the king marched in person or at least him selfe commaunded as cheefe Neuerthelesse the king was determined affore to sende for his successor Monsr Longeuille discended of the bloud royall but a bastarde borne and not so muche esteemed for his vertue as for his discending and ryches By the death of Chaumont Iohn Ia. Triuulce remayned gouernour of th armie by the prerogatiue that he was one of the foure Mareshalls of Fraunce to whom the generall beeing dead the rule of th armie apperteineth by the statutes of Fraunce vntill the king do otherwise dispose of it And albeit not knowing how long he shoulde be continued in that gouernment he durste not attempt any matter of consequence yet he returned with th armie to Sermidi to go to the succors of Geniuola afore the which the Pope had not onely sent his bands that were in Romagnia but also had procured the Venetian fleete to approche at the same instant which came thither with thirtene light gallies and many other vesselles of meaner burden But he had no necessitie to passe further for whilest the landemen incamped about it with very litle obedience and order there was discouered vpon a sudden the Duke of Ferrara and the Lorde of Chastillon with the Frenche souldiours that were ledde out of Ferrara in greater numbers then were thenemies and marching along the brinke of the ryuer of Pavv and beeing come vp as farre as the ryuer of Santerno they cast the bridge which they had brought with them and in one moment charged and confused thenemies who by reason of their disorder beeing not hable to make resistance fell into one generall and voluntarie fleeing sauing three hundred Spanishe footemen whiche garded thartillerie In which confusion they loste their ensignes and artilleries many chieftaynes of the horsemen finding more safetie in the fortune and swiftnes of their horses then in their proper valours By reason of this aduersitie the Venetian fleete to auoide the daunger that threatned hoysed sayle into the winde and so retyred into the ryuer of Pavv The affayres of the warres had these diuers proceedings not expressing any assured token to iudge what would be the issue of it The thoughts also of Princes were no lesse diuerse and no lesse incertayne specially the cogitations of Caesar who contrarie to all exspectation determined to sende the Bishop of Gurce to Mantua to negociate a peace It is set downe before that by the working of the Bishop of Gurce it was resolued betwene Caesar and the French king to make strong warre vppon the Venetians in the spring time and withall to call a councell if the Pope consented not to the obseruation of the league of Cambray To this Caesar bearing a very vehement inclination had since the returning of the Bishop of Gurce sent to all his prelates of his
thither leauing in pray to thenemies all that they had gayned that sommer By which occasion the Venetian armie whereof Iohn Paule Baillon was gouernour by the death of Luke Maluazzo recouered immediatly Vincensa and entring afterwards into Friull they rased Cremonsa and recouered the whole countrey except Gradisqua which they knewe they coulde not take notwithstanding a fewe dayes after certayne bands of footemen leauied in the countrey of Tyroll tooke Codora and sacked in like sort Bellona In this sort with light effects were determined for the present sommer the actions enterprises of armes with lesse profit then ignominie to the name of Caesar but with speciall reputation to the Venetians who by the space of two yeres inuaded by the armies of Caesar the French king came at last to reteine their owne forces their owne iurisdiction Matters which albeit were directly agaynst Caesar yet they brought much more harmes to the French king for whilest he did not minister to Caesar such proportions of succors as might make him hable to obtaine the victorie desired eyther fearing happly the two great prosperitie and greatnes of Caesar or being carried with false counsels and fundations and lesse looking into the daungers that were at hande or happly wisdome beeing blinded with couetousnesse he gaue him occasion yea he brought him almoste into necessitie to open his eares to such as ceassed not to perswade him to separation from him preseruing at one tyme the Venetians in suche estate that they were hable with greater forces to knit with those that desired to embase his power In so muche that men began euen nowe to discerne that both in the minde of Caesar newe thoughts began to kindle specially for the regarde of the councell and also his plottes and deuises were abated chiefly since the publication of the councell of Latran for neither did he sende thither according to his many promises any Almain prelates in the name of Germanie nor any proctors to assist in his name neither did he once stirre for the example of the French king who had giuen order that in the common name of the French churches foure and twentie Bishops go to Pisa and all the other Prelates of his Realme should eyther go thither in person or else refurnishe the action by assistance and deputation yet neuerthelesse eyther to excuse these delayes or that such was his desire in deede he began in that time to make instance that aswell for a greater coÌmoditie of the Prelates of Germanie as for that he promised to be there in person the Councell that had bene denounced at Pisa might be transferred to Mantua to Verona or to Trente This demaunde was greeuous to all the others for many causes and onely aggreable to the Cardinall of S. Crosse who burning in glorious ambition to mount vp to the Popedome to whiche ende he had sowen all those discords hoped that with the fauour countenance of Caesar he might easily be raysed to that seate Notwithstanding for that the cause of the Councell would stande much weakned almost frustrate without thauthoritie of Caesar they sent by common consent the Cardinall of S. Seuerin both to beseech him that he would sende away the Prelates and Proctors which he had so often promised and also to giue him fayth on their behalfe that assoone as they had giuen beginning to the Councell at Pisa they would transferre it to the place whiche he shoulde thinke good which say they if we should do afore it coulde not but be very preiudiciall to the common cause specially it importing greatly to preuent the Conuocation whiche the Pope had published Galeas the brother of S. Seuerin whom with a felicitie farre different from thinfelicitie of Lodovvike Sforce his first Lord the king had honored with the office of the Maister of his horse went also in this expedition to make the same instance to Caesar on the kings behalfe But the king sent him principally of purpose to confirme with newe offers and plottes the minde of Caesar for whose inconstancie he lyued in no little doubt and suspicion notwithstanding at the same time he was not without hope to conclude the peace with the Pope That peace beeing disputed at Rome by the Cardinall of Nantes and by the Cardinall of Strigonia and prosecuted in Fraunce by the Scottishe Bishop and the Bishop of Tiuoly was drawne into suche tearmes that almoste all the conditions beeing accorded the Pope had eftsoones ioyned to the Bishop of Tiuoli a further power to giue it full perfection neuerthelesse there were inserted in this newe power certayne limitations which gaue no small occasion to men to thinke that his will and intention were farre otherwise then were his wordes and protestations specially for that it was discerned that at the same time he had to do with many potentates in matters altogether contrarie to this not sparing to embrace all occasions opportunities though they brought with them matter of yll opinion and murmure In this great doubt and suspicion of things there lacked not muche that an accident falling vpon the Popes person brake not all the practises and beginnings of euilles that laye in preparation for falling into a newe fitte of his sicknesse the xvij of August the fourth day after there tooke him suche a qualme that for certayne houres suche as were about him helde him for dead And the brute beeing no lesse quicke then the accident was mortall many of the Cardinalles that were absent put theÌ selues vpon the way to come to Rome together also with some of those that had conuocated the Councell Within Rome the people made no lesse stirre and mouings then they haue bene wont to do at the death of Popes yea there appeared signes and tokens of farre greater tumultes for that Pompey Colonno Bishop of Reato and Anthony Sauello young men of the Romaine nobilitie full of sedition and faction assembling the commons in the Capitall perswaded them with words sedicious to put them selues in libertie But during the action and as they laboured with a very vehement ambition to stirre vp the people of Rome to publike rebellion the Pope reuyued from his daungerous qualme and albeit there was as yet greater feare then hope of his lyfe yet the day following in the presence of the Cardinalls whiche were assembled in forme of a Consistorie he gaue absolution to his nephew of the murder he had committed vpon the Cardinall of Pauia not by ordinarie way of iustice as he had bene aduised before the shortnes of the tyme impugning but by grace and apostolike remission as to a person penitent In the same Consistorie he solicited that thelection of his successor shoulde be made Cannonically And seeking to barre others from clymbing to so highe a degree by the meanes which raysed him to it he caused to be published a Bull full of horrible paynes agaynst those that should aspire to that election eyther by money or by other recompence bothe
declaring as nothing all election that shoulde be made by symonie and giuing an entry and meane very easie to any Cardinall to impugne it This constitution he had pronounced from the tyme he was within Bolognia standing then discontented with certayne Cardinalls who laboured openly to purchase the promises of other Cardinalls to possesse the Papacie after his death He began nowe to growe better and better eyther by his strong and hable complexion or els for that by destinie he was reserued to be the author and principall occasion of more great and long calamities for it was not reasonable to attribute the recouerie of his helth to the vertue or remedie of medicines for that he obeyed neither rule nor order eating in the greatest perill of his maladie rawe apples and things contrarie to the prescription of Phisicke The Pope was no sooner deliuered from daunger of death then he returned eftsones to his olde deuises and cogitations continuing at one time to solicite a peace with the Frenche king and a confederation with the king of Aragon and the Senate of Venice agaynst the Frenchmen suche was his desire to chase out of Italie all dominion and imperie of the Frenche And albeit his will was more inclined to warre then to peace yet he seemed oftentimes drawen with varietie of fancies and for many reasons followed sometimes one opinion and sometimes an other not beeing hable to settle in minde and iudgement hauing his thoughts wandring and reaching to endes farre aboue his power The thing that carried his inclination to the warre besides his auncient hatred agaynst the Frenche and that he was not hable to obteine all the conditions of peace which he desired were the vehement and importunate perswasions of the king of Aragon who feared nowe more then euer least the French king beeing once at peace with the Pope would not execute vppon the realme of Naples vppon the first occasion Wherein to th ende his counsells might carrie a greater authoritie besides the armie at sea which was affore repassed out of Affrika into Italie vnder Peter Nauarre he had sent newly out of Spayne an other sea armie conteyning fiue hundred men at armes six hundred horsmen mounted vpon iennets and three thousand footmen Neuertheles this king proceeding vnderhand with his accustomed subtelties made show that he desired more then euer the warre agaynst the Moores from which his owne profire or particuler interest did not draw him but onely a holy deuotion which he had alwayes borne to the sea Apostolike onely he alleaged that beeing not hable of him selfe to interteine his souldiours it was necessarie that the Pope and thestate of Venice shoulde minister to him wherevnto to th ende they might condiscende more easily his bands that were all descended into the yle of Capri neare to Naples made showes as though they prepared to passe into Affrika But his immoderate demaundes muche amasing the Pope and his suttleties pleasing him nothing at all he entred into many suspicions well knowing that that king ceassed not to giue to the Frenche king hopes all contrarie he knewe the Venetians would not willingly be drawne from his will and purposes euen so he was not ignoraunt that for the greatnes of suche a warre wherein they were they were no longer hable to beare out the burden and charges as before And that time had brought the Senate nowe to seeke more to defende their owne then to take in hande a newe warre which could not be continued without intollerable exspences He hoped that the Svvizzers by a common inclination of those contreimen would declare them selues agaynst the Frenche king but hauing no certentie thereof he seemed to holde it vndiscrete to oppose him selfe to so great daungers for a hope so yll assured not beeing ignorant that as yet were not reiected and cut off their practises with the Frenche king and many of their chieftaines and principalls to whome reuerted not small profites by the Frenche amities labored all they might that in thassembly which was presently to be holden their alliance might be renewed with the kinge Touching the will and intention of Caesar notwithstanding he had many inclinations by the king Catholik of his owne nature a sworne enemie to the Frenche name yet his hope of him was lesse then his feare knowing the great offers that were made to him of new aswell against the Venetians as against him to the which the French king was hable to giue more high state and perfection then to any others that could be made to him he sawe that if Caesar shoulde ioyne with the Frenche king he had greatly to feare the counsell by reason of his authoritie And also his owne power ioyned in good fayth and meaning with the forces and treasures of the Crowne of Fraunce and with thopportunitie of thestates of them both the Pope coulde not in reason haue any hope of the victorie which he founde very harde to obteine agaynst the Frenche king alone But that whiche gaue him the greatest stomacke was a hope he had that the king of Englande would be wonne to rayse warre agaynst the Crowne of Fraunce both by the counsels and perswasions of the king Catholike his father in lawe and for thauthoritie of the sea Apostolike which was then great in the yle of Englande and in whose name he had with vehement petitions implored his succors against the french king as agaynst an vsurper oppressor of the Church to these inducements was ioyned also the naturall hatred aswell of that king as of the people of England to the french nation much helping in this action the forwardnes of the kings youth great abundance of treasor left to him by his father which was supposed to amount to a woÌderful quantity These were proper instrumeÌts to kindle fire in the mind of this yong king hauing neuer experieÌced in his kingdom but fortunes happy plausible he was also pushed forward by an honorable desire to renew the glory of his auncestors who intituling them selues kings of Fraunce and at sundry times vexing that kingdome with great warres had not onely holden for many yeres Guyenne and Normandy rich mighty prouinces of that crowne and taken in a battell neare to Poyeters the Frenche king with two of his sonnes and many of his Nobilitie but also had occupied together with the moste part of the kingdome the citie of Paris the capitall citie of the kingdome lastly their vallours and fortunes haue bin so terrible to the Frenchmen that if Henry the fift then king of Englande had not exchaunged this life in the flower of his age and glorious course of his victories it was beleeued he had made an absolute conquest of the whole realme of Fraunce and brought subiected to him selfe the Crowne and imperie of that nation The memorie of these honorable victories working with the youth and disposition of the king were not of little force to draw him to action notwithstanding his father vppon
with ambition desire of honor nothing can stay or limitte his aduentures for Monsr de Foix could not brooke that the Spanish footmen should go their waies as it were victorious in so good order neither could he thinke his victorie was perfect if they were not ouerthrowen aswell as the residue therfore respecting more the glory he should get then the perils that commonly lye lurking vnder vndiscrete aduentures he went furiously to the charge with a squadron of horsmen and executed vpon those that were last by whom being enuironed and caste from his horse or as some suppose his horse falling vpon him whilest he fought he was slayne with a thrust of a pyke giuen him in the flanke And if it be then time for a man to desire to dye when his fortune hath set him in the full of his felicitie he may by imputation be sayd to dye happily falling into his last time when he fell into the last act of so glorious a victorie He dyed very yong but with a singular reputation throughout the world hauing in lesse theÌ three moneths being almost a capteine before he was a souldiour obteined so many victories with incredible celeritie valour Neare vnto him Monsr Lautrech was left as dead hauing vpon him twenty wounds but being afterwardes carried to Ferrara his life was saued by the diligent cure of Phisitions Monsr de Foix being dead the Spaniards went away without receiuing afterwardes any trouble or impediment the residue of the army being dispersed and put to chase the baggage sacked the ensignes and artilleries spoyled and the Popes Legate taken who from the handes of the stradiottes being come into the power of Federike Bossolo was by him presented to the Legate of the councell There fell also into the fortune of prisoners Fabricio Colonno Peter Nauarre the Marquis Palude the Marquis Bitonte the Marquis Pesquiere with many other Lords Barons and honorable gentlemen aswell Spaniards as of the kingdome of Naples In battells there is nothing more vncertayne then the computation and number of the dead the common brute was that of the one and the other armie there was left on the ground at the least ten thousande bodies of men one part being of the French part and the two other halues of the confederates some publishe a greater number onely this is certayne that the calamitie fell vpon the moste valiaunt and brauest sort of which number on thecclesiastike side was Raphaell de Passi a capteine of great name and of suche as were hurt the number was infinite Touching the Frenchmen the victorie was not more glorious then full of domage and discomfort by reason of the death of Monsr de Foix Yues de Alegre and many of the nobilitie of Fraunce as also of the Almains for the losse of capteine Iacob with many other resolute leaders and commaunders to whose vallour but with a great price of their blood the victorie in the greatest part was attributed And lastely for the death of many Gascons and Pickards being left there with capteine Molard whiche nations loste that day all their glory with the French onely the harme that exceeded all those losses was the death of Monsr de Foix with whome perished wholly the very synewe and strength of that armie Of suche as were vanquished and saued themselues from the miserie of the battell the moste parte drewe towardes Cesena and from thence fledde further of The Viceroy him selfe made small reposeis tyll he came into the contrey of Ancona whither he brought with him a very slender trowpe of horsemen Many escaping the stroake of the battell founde perill by fleeing where they sought for safetie for that the wayes beeing full of peisantes they were slayne and stripped by them their fortune taking them out of one daunger which they could not but feare and carryed them into another whiche they had no reason to doubt so suttle is the stroake of destinie ordeined from the beginning to fall vpon mortall men And the Duke of Vrbin did not onely stirre vp the countreymen agaynst suche as fledde but also sent bandes of souldiours into the territorie of Pesera to aggrauate their calamitie He was in this suspected for that many dayes affore he had sent Baltazar Chastillon to the Frenche king and enterteyned also certayne bandes of men with Monsr de Foix reasons that made some men beleeue he had secretly conspired agaynst his Vncle onely suche as fledde by the dominions of the Florentins passed without any harme the compassion of that common weale beeing greater then to adde affliction to the afflicted since one sorte of calamities sufficeth to vex the minde that caryeth with it feare and dispaire Assoone as the Frenche armie was returned to their tentes not more reioycing in the honour of their victorie then loaden with burdens of sorrowe and lamentations the people of Rauenna sent to render them selues But suche is the nature of fortune to suffer no parte vntouched whom she hateth as they were in debating of the couenauntes or happly beeing already concluded the Almain footemen and Gascons taking thopportunitie of their negligence in garding their walles entred the towne at the breache whiche Monsr de Foix had made And as men whose myndes were not yet free from the blood of the battell they sacked it in great crueltie adding to the despite of the harmes they receyued in the battell the vniuersall and naturall hatred they bare to the Italians In this cruell action nothing was lesse respected then moderation in killing and spoyling no age spared no sex reserued no sorte of people nor goodes pardoned all thinges were brought into the rewardes of the victorie and nothing lefte free from the violence and furie of the souldiours The fourth day after Marke Antho. Colonno forsooke the Citadell into the whiche he was retyred yelding it vpon promise of lyfe and goodes saued giuing also hys fayth as also for his other capteines not to beare armes neyther agaynst the French king nor agaynst the Councell of Pisa vntill Magdalen day next By this example and vnder the same conditions the Bishop Vitelli with an hundred and fiftie footemen consented to giue vp the Rocke whiche was committed to his keeping The Cities of Ymola of Furly of Cesena and Rimini together with all the peeces of Romagnia except the rocks of Furly and Ymola followed also the fortune of the victorie and were all receyued by the Legate in the name of the councell of Pisa But the Frenche armie bothe for the death of Monsr de Foix and for so great harmes receyued at the battell remayned foure myles from Rauenna without doing any thing the terrour of their losses beeing greater in them then that they were yet apte to take counsayle what to do The Legate and Monsr Palissa to whom was diuolued the gouernement of th armie for Alfonso d'Este was nowe returned to Ferrara beeing vncertayne what woulde be the kings will temporised and tarryed for his further
the footemen of the launceknightes making a resolute defence aboue all others But passing ouer the bridge of Grauatona which was of wood the plankes breaking with the waight of the horses all the french men and launceknightes that were not yet passed ouer were eyther slayne on the place or taken prisoners That laste calamitie being so much the more lamentable and greeuous by howe much they hoped by their diligence to make waye for their sauetie which they sawe their fortune persecuted to thuttermost The towne of Pauia bownd it selfe to pay a great quantitie of money by whose example also Myllan compownded but for a greater summe And all the other townes except Bressia and Crema fled from the aduersities of the french men ⪠All the contrey cryed now vpon the name of thEmpire the state was receiued and gouerned in the name of the holy league so was it called vniuersally and all affaires disposed by thauthoritie of the Cardinall of Syon assigned Legat for the Pope But the treasor and what soeuer was taxed vpon the townes was made a reward to the Svvyzzers to whom was transferred an interest in all things that concerned gaine or profit the same beeing the cause that many other bandes and trowpes of them discended into Lombardye to ioyne with the residue after the parliament of Zurich was ended which was assembled for that cause In this mutacion the cities oâ Plaisance and Parma gaue them selues willingly to the Pope who pretended they apperteyned to him as members of Rauenna The Svvyzzers made them selues Lordes of Lucarno and the Grisons got Valuoltolino and Chiauenna places very commodious for them And in the heate of this fortune Ianus Fregosa Capteine of the Venetian armie beeing gonne to Genes with such bandes of horsemen and footemen as he had obteyned of th armie was the cause that that citie reuolted the french gouernor beeing fled whereof he was created Duke A dignitie affore tyme inuested in his father with the same violence of fortune all the townes and castells of Romagnia returned to the Popes obedience And lastly the Duke of Vrbyn approching neare to Bolognia with the bandes of souldiours of the Churche the famulie of the Bentyuoleis left it abandoned their fortune leauing them desperat hauing by these violent degrees depriued them of all hope The Pope pursued this famulie very sharpely excommunicating all the places that should receiue them hereafter he expressed no lesse hatred against the citie And beeing most kindled for their forgetfulnes of so many his benefits bestowed vpon them and in that ingratitude not only reuolting from his obedience but also in their spite had not forborne to spurne his picture and rayle out many villanous words against him he would consent no more that they should create new Magistrates nor communicat any way in the gouernment of the towne he exacted by the meane of seuere officers huge summes of money of sundry Citisens as partakers with the Bentyuoleis yea the opinion ronne that if his deuises had not bene broken by death he had a meaning to destroy that citie and translate thinhabitants to Centa The ende of the tenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOKE THe Duke of Ferrara is in great trouble The Medicis returne to Florence The king of Romains makes alyance with the Pope Maxymylian Sforce is put in the possession of the Duchie of Myllan The French king makes his preparacions to recouer Myllan Pope Iuho dyeth Leon the tenth is created Pope The French men are ouerthrowen neare to Nouaro and the Venetians neare to Vincensa THE ELEVENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOTwithstanding the Pope amyd his greatest aduersities daungers had not onely obteyned victorye of his ennemies contrary to all hope and coniecture but also with the same felicitie had amplified the iurisdiction of the Churche aboue exspectacion and contrary to common equitie yet his auncient couetousnes to the citie of Ferrara the first matter of all these broyles so helde him still ouerruled that he could not make his desires equal to his fortune nor conforme his wandring minde to rest and tranquilletie Such is the rage of couetousnes when it hath thassistance of authority which makes men hard to be contented with that which occasion doth offer for that those things that come first doe abhorre them so long as by the greatnes of their power and place they aspyre and thirst for better But albeit the Pope had violent desires to turne his forces against Ferrara yet the way of peace seeming more easie then the warre or rather hoping more in the benefitte of secret and artificiall practises then in actions apparant and discouered he gaue eare first of all to the Marquis of Mantua who besought him that Alfonso d'Este might come to him to Rome to demaunde pardon and that he woulde eftsoones reclayme him to grace vnder some indifferent condicions In this request was concurrant thEmbassador of the king of Aragon suing for him bothe for that he was the kinsman of his king for Alfonso came of a Daughter of tholde Ferdinand king of Naples and also for that he esteemed it more to the commoditie of the affayres of his kinge to binde him to him by this propertie of benefitte then to suffer so great an estate to bee adioyned to the greatnes of the Churche Moreouer the famulie of the Colonnois beeing become of greate amitie with Alfonso were earnest solycitors in this cause The reason of their compassion was for that after the battell of Rauenna Fabricio Colonno who was Alfonsoes prisoner beeing sent for and requyred of him he vsed so many delayes first in refusing and then in interposing many excuses that by the mutacion that hapned he brought it into his owne power to giue him his libertie without any charge or raunsom At last safe conduit was obteyned for him from the Pope by the sewertie whereof confirmed also with the faith of thEmbassador of Aragon in the name of his king which was protested to him by the consent and priuitie of the Pope he went to Rome his submission beeing greater then his hope to be forgiuen And being come to Rome the Pope admitted him into the Consistorie suspending in the meane while all censures and paynes There with great humilitie he demaunded pardon with the same submission besought him that he might bee receyued into his grace and restored to the fauour of the sea Apostolike offering to doe hereafter all those offices and duties which might apperteyne to a moste deuout and faythfull Vassall of the Church The Pope heard him with a countenance and asspect reasonably peasible and substituted six Cardinalls to debate with him touching condicions of agreement who after certeine dayes spent in disputacion and argument declared to him that the Pope neyther would nor ment to depriue the Church of the citie of Ferrara since it was lawefully reuerted to the imperie of the Churche But in recompense there should be giuen to him the citie of
from the Queene yet he styrred vp to make warre the king of Englande to whom he had transferred by publike decree of the councel of Latran the name of Christianissimo whereof there was already a Bul written and in it likewise was conteyned the priuation of the dignitie and name of the king of Fraunce giuing his kingdome to who coulde occupie it In these conceptions no lesse straunge for their varietie then great for the importance they drewe and perhaps in other thoughtes more secret and singuler for in a minde so fierce and terrible all sortes of imaginations howe great and vayne so euer they be are not incredible after the continuation of his sicknesse for many dayes he declined towardes death And feeling the ende of his mortalitie to hasten on and the same to preuent th execution of his high thoughts he caused to cal together the consistorie which albeit he could not assist in person by reason of his disease yet by the authoritie of it he caused to be confirmed the Bull which he had published before against suche as by symonie would climbe to the Popedome He declared that thelection of his successor apperteined to the colledge of Cardinalls and not to the councell And that the Cardinals schismatikes could haue no presence or communitie there to whom he protested there to pardon the iniuries they had done him and prayed to God to forgiue them the wrongs they had done to his Churche After this he besought the Colledge of Cardinalls that in his fauor and for his sake they woulde graunt to the Duke of Vrbin his Nephew the Citie of Pezera in patronage or vicarage alleaging the consideration that by meane of the duke it had bene recouered to the Church after the death of Iohn Sforce In no other matter he expressed no priuate or particular affection In so muche as Madame Felice his daughter ioyning with her the petitions of many others beseeching him with great importunitie to create Cardinall Guido de Montfalcon being her brother by the mothers side he aunswered roundly that he was not worthy of that degree He made not his affections conformable to their desires In that laste action of lyfe he showed no partialitie in worldly causes his present debilitie coulde diminishe nothing of his auncient resolution but expressed in all things the same constancie and seueritie together with that iudgement and force of minde whiche he had before his sicknesse In whiche firme estate disposition of spirite he receiued deuoutly the offices of the church and the xxj day of February he ended his course of these mortal and present paines He was a prince of incredible constancie and courage but so full of furie and vnruled conceptions that the reuerence that was borne to the Churche the discorde of princes and the condition of times did more to staye him from his ruine then eyther his moderation or his discression Worthy no doubt of great glory if eyther he had bene a Prince secular or if that care and intention which he had to rayse the Churche into temporall greatnesse by the meane of warre had bene employed to exalte it by the mediation of peace in matters spirituall Neuerthelesse he was lamented aboue all his predecessors and no lesse esteemed of those who hauing eyther loste the true consideration of things or at least ignorant howe to distinguishe and peaze them rightly iudged it an office more duely apperteining to Popes to increase the iurisdiction of the sea Apostolike by armes and blood of Christians then by good example of life and due curing and correction of corrupt maners to trauell for the sauing of those soules for whom they glory so much that Iesus Christ hath named them his Vicars in earth The Viceroy of Naples who was marched with his Spanishe armie towards Plaisanca constrayned that Citie to returne vnder the gouernment of the Dukes of Millan on whom it depended by auncient tenure They of Parma did the like hauing the same feare of the Spanishe souldiours beeing followed in all places with more terror then loue On the other side the Duke of Ferrara after he had in great spede recouered the townes of Romagnia drewe neare to Reggia but finding no stirre nor tumult within the towne he durst not abyde there for feare of the Spanishe armie which laye dispearsed betweene Plaisanca and Reggia Touching thestate of the Churche there appeared no other stirre nor mouing and the Citie of Rome nor the Colledge of Cardinalls felt none of those difficulties which they had felte in the death of the two laste Popes So that the obsequies and funeralls beeing ended according to thaccustomed maner xxiiij Cardinalls entred peasibly into the Conclaue hauing graunted afore that the Marquis of Mantuaes sonne whom Pope Iulio kept with him for ostage shoulde be made free and acquited of his fayth and promise with libertie to returne to his father The first matter that was debated in the Conclaue was with straite articles to moderate thauthoritie of the Pope to come which they sayde the laste Pope had vsed too immoderately And yet as amongest men some haue not the heart to oppose agaynst a prince and great Lorde and some desire to enter into his grace and lyking so within small time after they dissolued and cancelled of themselues the articles which they had made with so great aduise and to so good purpose The seuenth day they choosed Pope without any discorde of consent the Cardinal of Medicis who tooke vpon him the name of Leo the tenth He bare but xxxvij yeres of age which albeit was so muche the more marueilous and wonderfull by howmuche the election was contrarie to custome yet the yong Cardinalls were the principall causers of it by their industrie hauing long time affore secretly agreed amongest themselues to create the first Pope of their number The moste partes and nations of Christendome reioyced muche at this election euery one enterteining an assured exspectation of his vertues aswell by the present and greene memorie of the vallour of his late father as for an vniuersall reputation that went of his owne inclinations and liberalities To this estimation also was ioyned a generall opinion of his continencie and life not attaynted together with a gladsome hope that by thexample of his father he would be a furtherer of learning and beare fauor to wittes disposed to studie and knowledge To these hopes was muche helping the maner of thelection beeing made in his person sincerely and without symonie or suspicion of other corruption And it seemed that God began to approue and confirme his seate for that the fourth day after his election came into his power the Cardinalls of S. Crosse and S. Seuerin who assone as they heard of the death of Pope Iulio went by sea to Rome accompanied with thembassador of the French king In their passage they stroke into the hauen of Lyuorno where vnderstanding that the Cardinall of Medicis was chosen Pope they tooke lande the one hauing
humor of hate and in the other no lesse resolute the desire of glory There might haue bene seene for nowe the sunne began to showe the estate and diuersitie of the feight sometimes one side to yeelde sometimes the other oftentimes that part to seeme to preuayle which earst was thought to haue the worst on one side and in one time the one battell to swaigh and the other to aduaunce some to exspect aduauntage some to lose no oportunitie one parte to inuade furiously and an other parte to resiste hardly all things on all partes full of dead bodies wounded men and of blood sometimes the capteines would valiauntly enter into thoffice of souldiours bothe striking their enemies and defending them selues and sometimes they woulde discretly manage the place of capteines encouraging prouiding succoring releuing and commaunding there was nothing lesse feared then death nor any thing more abhorred then feare the greatnes of the perill made both sides more resolute then any other thing On the other side the trowpes of men at armes stoode firme without doing any seruice for neither the authoritie the perswasions the commaundementes thexclamations the threatnings nor the example of Triuulco and Trimouillo could do any thing to moue the horsemen whose mindes were already made tymerous Neither the consideration of their owne perill whiche their cowardise made the greater nor the calamities of their fellowes which were redoubled by the feare they showed could once drawe them to the charge They seemed to stande and abide the daunger which by sighting they might haue auoyded It sufficed the Svvizzers to keepe them impaled in their rankes and to let them from ministring succours to the footemen Suche was the calamitie of that feight that those found moste certentie of perill who ventured furthest for their safetie and on such whose feare was greater then their vallour fortune threwe moste fauour and securitie At laste in so great a hardinesse and vallour of such as fought the vertue of the Svvizzers caryed the battell who hauing wonne thartilleries turned them vppon their enemies whom they put to flight aswell by that meane as by their incredible vertue To the flying of the footemen was ioyned the breaking and running away of the men at armes who in that seruice shewed no vertue nor did any thing worthy of merite or prayse onely the lorde Robert la Marche caryed with a vehement affection of a father entred the battell of the Svvizzers with a squadron of horsemen to reskew Florango and Iames his sonnes capteines of Almain footemen who lying sore wounded on the earth his vallour to the great wonder of the Svvizzers drewe them on liue out of that daunger The battell continued about two howres bothe parties receiuing no small discomfiture There was slayne of the Svvizzers about fiueteene hundred bodies of which number was that Capteine Motyn that was the first mouer of that glorious councell his deathes wounde was by a thrust of a pyke thorow the throate But farre greater was the slaughter of thennemies of whome some say were left dead ten thowsand carkasses The most part of the launceknights died in fighting and the greatest execucion and slaughter on the french and Gascon footemen was in fleeing Almost all the horsemen went away in sauetie the chasse being so swlft that the Svvyzzers were not able to followe them if the Svvyzzers had had horsemen they had made their calamitie equall with the footemen their feare beeing greater and their disorder nothing inferior All the baggage and stuffe became a pray to the Victors with xxij peeces of great artillerie and all the horses assigned for the seruice of the same The same day the Svvyzzers returned into Nouarro almost triumphantly but with such reputacion and renowme thorow out the world that what with the consideracion of the magnanimitie of their enterprise the euident reiecting and despising of death the resolucion they showed in the fight the happy and honorable victorie of the same there were some that durst preferre this action almost affore all the enterprises worthy of memorie which we read set downe vpon the Greekes and Romains The french men fled into Pyedomont from whence Tryuulco lost time to cry after them their feare being swifter in fleeing then his force able to follow them Vpon the reaport of this victorie Myllan with all the other places that were declared for the french humbled them selues and sent to demaund pardon which accordingly was graunted to them vppon bondes and condicions to disbursse a great porcion of money Thin habitants of Myllan were taxed at two hundred thousand duckats and euery particular of the others rated according to his behauior The whole taxacion was giuen to the Svvyzzers to whom ought iustly to be transferred aswell the gaine as the glorie of the victorie gotte with their vallour and with their blud And as men whole felicitie made them to accompt it to good equitie to draw all the frute they could they entred afterwards into the Marquisdom of Montferrat and Pyedmont contreyes which they charged to haue receiued the french armie There partly by pillage and partly by raunsoming the poore peoples they raysed a great gaine forbearing notwithstanding to touche either the life or honor of persons The Spanyards also were not altogether depriued of the profits of the victorie for that Ianus lastly chassed out of Genes and Octauian Fregoso both which aspyred to be Duke being retyred to the Viceroy after the battell the Viceroy preferring Octauian for whom the Pope did what he could in regard of their auncient amity and withall receiuing his promise to paye him l. thowsand duckatts when he should be possessed of Genes he deliuered him three thowsand footemen vnder the Marquis of Pisquiero and for his owne part went with the residue of th armie to Chiesteggio making semblance to passe further if neede required As the Marquis and Octauian drewe neare to Genes the brethren of the famulie of Adorno knowing their owne weakenes abandoned the towne without any triall of resistance And immediatly entred Octauian and was created duke of that citie which in the course of a yere had for gouernors the french men Ianus Fregoso the Adorney and Octauian Bartlemevv Aluiano hearing of the ouerthrowe giuen to the french armie and fearing least he should be also put to the chasse by the Spanyards retyred with speede to Pontvvicquo leauing in the way for losing of time certeine peeces of artillerie whose inconueniencie and slownes of cariage might haue bene an impediment to the expedicion of his marching from thence he sent Ranso de Cere vnto Crema And after he had abandoned Bressia he wente to Tomba neare to Adice neuer reaposing in any place longer then the necessitie to refreshe his men and horses did constraine him The reason of his abandoning Bressia disposing Ransa de Cere in Crema was for that he held it a matter very vnprofitable to diminishe th armie wherein were remeining six hundred men at armes a thowsand light
deuout intencion he protested and for the good disposicion he had shewed in the negociacions with thEnglish and the Svvizzers and lastly for that he had prouoked him to thenterprise would ioyne with him and fauor thaction the rather for that he had made him many generall offers and perticularly had promised to aide him to reconquer the realme of Naples either to the vse of the Church or to the benefit of Iulio his brother But there hapned new occasions for the which the king beganne to enter into some distrust of him The Pope would neuer put ende to the affaires that the Duke of Ferrara had with him notwithstanding at his first aspiring to the Popedom he had giuen him many faire hopes promising to reÌder to him Reggia at such time as his brother the Cardinal should be returned from Hungria But he was more liberall to promise then readie to performe for that after the returne of his brother he went alwayes in deferring with many excuses And yet he forbare not to confirme to him the selfe same promises not onely with wordes which might be vaine and vnassured but by wryting sette out vnder thauthoritie and testimonie of his name in which he consented that he should take the reuenues of Reggia as a degree to the whole which was to returne vnder his dominion it was wel knowen that the Popes intencion was farre otherwise dissembling in meaning the thinges he had simplie spoken with his mouth his inclination and desire to occupie Ferrara were stronger then his promise and true meaning whereunto happily he was caried by Albert de Carpy Caesars Embassador and great enemy to the Duke and also by the reasons of many others setting before his eies the glorie of Iulio which was perpetuall for that he had so greatly aduaunced augmented the dominion of the church And sometimes they preferred thoccasion to bestow an honorable estate vpon Iulio his brother who thirsting after too great thinges and nourishing him selfe with hopes immoderat had voluntarily consented that his Nephewe Lavvrance should reteyne at Florence the authoritie of the house of Medicis so that the Pope being entred into these thoughts obteyned of Caesar who was alwayes needy of money to deliuer to him in morgage the citie of Modona for xl thowsand duckats according to the capitulacion made with him a litle affore the death of the late Pope he made his reckoning to vnite that citie with Reggia Parma and Pleisanca and to giue them in patronage oâ perpetual gouernmeÌt to Iulio adding to them Ferrara if euer thoccasion serued him to get it he sought to doe a thing by authoritie and fauor of tymes which he could not doe by equitie or lawefull course of iustice But that manner of morgaging put the french king into great suspicion for that in his conceit it caried a manifest signe of straight alliance with Caesar being also no lesse discontented that the Pope had giuen him money Whereof notwithstanding the Pope excused him selfe alleaging that Caesar had deliuered Modena to him for assurance of the money which he had receiued of him affore The king on the other side augmented his suspicion for that vppon a victory which the Turke gotte vpon the Sophy king of Persia the Pope construing it to the vniuersall daunger of Christendom wrote letters to all Princes aduising them to depose armes amongst them selues to resist or inuade the common enemies of the faith he protested one thing vnder his letters and practised an other by operacions secret proceeding alwayes with faire apparances and yet holding his intencions dissembled But the matter that almost altogether disclosed his purposes was that he sent vnder the same shadowe and pretence to Venice Peter Bembo his Secretorye and afterwards Cardinall to dispose that state to agree with Caesar towards whom the same difficulties continuing that had bene before the Venetians would not be wrought but manifested to the french king thoccasion of his comming A dealing that did so much discontent the king that the rather for that the Pope sought to depriue him of his succours at a time when he was ready to aduaunce armes he renewed eftsoones with the king Catholike the auncient practises and that either to th ende the Pope should be touched with that feare or at least if he were carelesse to conclude absolutely so hot he was aboue all other thinges in the expedicion of Myllan In those tymes there were not in any quarter of Italy other stirrs or emocions theÌ against the Venetians against whom were raysed many secret ambushes and conspiracies for according to the testimonie of their Cronicles certeine spanish footemen feyning to be fugitiues from thennemies campe entred Padoa with mindes to kill Aluiano by direction of their Capteines who hoped by the trouble and disorder of the people for the death of such a Capteine they should be able with their campe to cary the towne So different at this day are the stratagemes of warre from the vertue of thauncients who much lesse that they would subborne an instrument to so great a trayson but of the contrary hauing knowledge of it they would lay it open to thennemies to th ende that by their vertue they might vanquish thinfidelitie pretended but the conspiracie being detected the Magistrates committed the traytors to the due paynes of their offence The spanish armie being now wel diminished in numbers lay incamped betwene Montagnano Cologno and Este And the Venetians to thend to constraine them to returne to the kingdome of Naples leauyed an armie at sea and made their Admirall or capteine generall Andrea Gritti whom they thought to sende to inuade Povvilla But for many difficulties that happned that expendition went no further beeing assone discontinued as it was thought vpon Afterwards the Spaniardes came to the towre neare Vincensa by the perswasion of thAlmains that were within Verona to th ende to ioyne with them in an enterprise to waste and ouerronne the corne of the Padoans But after the Spaniards had taryed in that place in vayne many dayes being both reduced to a very small number and not hable to accomplishe the promisses vnder the which they had called them they left there their enterprise to spoyle their corne for bearing in suche rashnes to do a violence which would draw with it a greater reuenge then was the iniurie And after they had gotte of the Almains xv hundred footmen they marched with seuen hundred men at armes seuen hundred light horsemen and three thousande fiue hundred Spanishe footemen to incampe before Citadella wherein were three hundred light horsemen they marched with great diligence all the night and came to the place within two howres in the moarning and falling to batter it with their artilleries they caryed the towne the same day at the seconde assault they made prisoners all the lighte horsemen that were there and so returned to their campe lying within three myles of Vincensa Aluiano making no resistance He had receyued
withdrew him from the thing whereunto his will did driue him so amyd so many variacions of mind he deferred as much as he could to declare his intencion giuing to euery one words and aunsweres generall But being continually importuned by the Frenche king at last he made him this aunswere that there was no person that knew better then him selfe how much he was inclined to his affaires being not ignoraunt with what affection he perswaded him to passe into Italy at a time when he might haue victorie without daunger or great effusion of blood That his perswasions for that thinges were not kept secret as he had oftentimes required him were now come to the knowledge of others to the common detriment of them both for that for his parte he saw him selfe in daunger to be assailed by others that the difficulties were become the greater for the enterprise of the king since others had giuen such order to their affaires that he could no more enter into the victorie but with manifest perill and lamentable slaughter of men That the power and glory of the Turkes being newly increased by so great a victorie successe it was neither conuenient to his condicion nor conformable to thoffice of a Pope either to giue fauor or counsel to Princes christened to make warre amongest them selues And that therefore he could not otherwise aduise him then to temporise surcease exspecting some other facilitie better occasion which when it hapned he shoulde finde in him the same disposition to his glory greatnes which he hath so well discerned certaine monethes passed An answere which albeit it did not in other sorte expresse his conception if it had come to the knowledge of the king it had not onely depriued him of all hope of the Popes fauor but also haue certified him that the Pope would haue ioyned and banded against him both with counsel with armes These were the accidents of the yeare 1514. But death who bringeth with him this law authority to cut of the vaine councells of men euen in their greatest hopes was the cause that the warre so forward in apparaunce burst not out to action with that speede that was exspected for whilest the French king gaue him selfe ouer to behold too much the excellent bewty of his new wife bearing then but eighteene yeres of age nothing considering the proporcion of his owne yeares nor his decayed complexion he fell into the rage of a feauer which drawing to it a suddeine flux ouercame in one instant the life that nature gaue ouer to preserue any longer he dyed the first day of the yeare 1515. a day of memorie for the death of so great a Prince he was a king iust much beloued of his peoples but touching his condicion neither asfore he was king nor after he had the crowne he neuer found constancy or stability in either fortune for rising from a small Duke of Orleance with great happines to the crowne and that by the death of Charles younger then he and two of his sonnes he conquered with a very great facility the Duchie of Millan and the kingdom of Naples and almost all the residue of the regions of Italy being gouerned for many yeares by his direction he recouered with a very great prosperity the state of Genes that was in rebellion vanquished with no lesse glory the armies of the Venetians being in person at both those victories But on the other side euen when he was in youth and best disposicion of body he was constrained by king Lovvys the eleuenth to mary his daughter that was both barren deformed and yet could neuer get the good will nor countenaunce of his father in law And aster his death such was the greatnes of the Lady of Burbon that he could neuer get the institucion of the newe king being then in minoritie being almost compelled to retyre him selfe into Brittaine where being taken in the battell of S. Aubyn he liued two yeares in the calamity of a prisoner To these afflictions may be added the siege and famin of Nouaro the many discomfits he had in the realme of Naples the losse of thestate of Millan Genes and all the townes which he had taken from the Venetians And lastely the grieuous warre he had in Fraunce agaynst very mightie enemies his eyes beholding into what lamentable perils his realme was brought Neuerthelesse afore he died it semed he had conquered al his aduersities fortune shewed good tokens of her reconcilement both for that he had defended his kingdome agaynst mighty enemies also established a perpetuall peace alliance with the king of Englande with whom by howmuche his amitie was great and assured by so muche it gaue him hope to be hable to reconquer the duchie of Millan After Lovvis the xij ascended to the Crowne Frauncis d'Angoulesme who was the next heire male of the blood royall of the same line of the Dukes of Orleance ⪠he was preferred to the successioÌ of the kingdom before the daughters of the dead king by the vertue disposition of the lawe Salike a lawe very auncient in the realme of Fraunce which excludeth from the royall dignitie all women so long as there is any issue male of the same line The world had such a hope in his vertues and suche an opinion of his magnanimitie such a conceite of his iudgement wit that euery one consessed that of very long time there was none raysed vp to the Crowne with a greator exspectation he was made the more agreable to the fancies of men by the consideration of his age bearing then but xxij yeres his excellent feiture proporcion of body his great liberality general humanity together with the rype knowledge he had in many things But specially he pleased greatly the nobilitie to whom he transferred many singuler great fauors He tooke vpon him together with the title of the french king the name of the duke of Millan A dignitie which he sayd apperteined to him not only by the auncient rights of the dukes of Orleance but also as coÌprehended in the inuestiture that was made by Caesar in the treaty of Cambray Besides there liued in him the same desire to recouer it that dyed with his predecessor whervnto not only the working of his owne inclination but the perswasions of al the noble yong gentlemeÌ of Fraunce did induce him no lesse by the memory of the glory of Gaston de Foix theÌ for the monumeÌt of so many victories as the kings raigning next afore had obteined in Italie And yet not to warne others afore the time not to prepare to resist him he dissembled his desires by thaduise of his graue counselors in the meane while sell to practise the amities of other princes froÌ whom were sent to congratulate with him many embassadors whoÌ he receiued with countenaunce affable gracious but specially the embassadors of the king of England who desired
to continue with him thamity begon with his predecessor the iniuries he had receiued froÌ the king Catholik being yet fresh in memory There came at the same tyme an embassage froÌ the duke of Austrich wherof the lord of Nausan was chief in this embassage for the regard of th erle of FlauÌders wherof the kings of FrauÌce are soueraignes were discerned demonstrations of great submission in acknowledging of superiority Both the one the other of these embassages had a ready happy expedition for touching the king of England the confederation betwene him the late king was coÌfirmed vnder the same conditions so long as either of theÌ should liue reseruing a respite of iij. yeres for the Skottish king to enter in it And for tharchduke many differences ceassed which many men supposed would haue giueÌ great impediments to the action of the peace But the archduke being now in full maiority newly taken vpon him the gouernment of his estates was drawne to the peace for many causes first for thinstance of the peoples of Flaunders who would in no wise haue warre with the realme of Fraunce Secondly for a desire he had to be assured of such impediments as might be opposed against him by the French in the succession of the realme of Spayne when the death of his grandfather should happen And lastly for that he thought it to great a daunger to dwell without any league of amitie in the middest of the powers of England and Fraunce being conioyned together And on the other side the king desired greatly to take awaye all occasions that might restrayne him to be gouerned by thauthoritie counsell of his grandfather eyther by the fathers or mothers side So that at last there was enacted betwene them in the towne of Paris a perpetuall peace confederation reseruing facultie to Caesar the king Catholike without whose authorities tharchduke contracted to take their place in this peace within three monethes In this capitulation was promised thaccomplishment of the mariage betwene the Archduke and Lady Renee daughter to king Lovvis solicited so many times before and that the king should endue the mariage of Lady Renee with six hundred thousande crownes and the duchy of Berry in perpetuitie aswell for her children as for her This dowry in respect of her insufficient age at that time should be assigned to her assone as she should come to the age of ix yeres vnder this condition notwithstaÌding that she should renounce al rights of inheritance either by the father or mother namely such as might apperteine to her of the duchy of Millan Britaine That the king should be bounde to ayde the archduke with men ships to go to the kingdome of Spayne after the death of the king Catholike At the request of the king the duke of Gueldres was also named and as some write besides the matters afore rehearsed it was agreed that in bothe their names ioyntly embassadors should be sent to the king of Aragon to require him to publish tharchduke prince of the realmes of Spayne such is the title of him to whom the succession apperteineth That he would render the kingdome of Nauarre absteine from the defence of the duchie of Millan Here it is not to be doubted that both these two Princes making this confederation looked not more to the present coÌmoditie that appeared then to thobseruatioÌ of the same in time to come for what fundation could be layde vpon the mariage that was promised the Lady Renee bearing as yet scarcely foure yeres And how could it please the Frenche king that that damsell should be the wife of tharchduke who her eldest sister being the kings wife had her action prepared vpoÌ the duchy of Britaine for that the Britons desiring once to haue a particular duke at such time as Anne their Duchesse maryed the seconde time agreed that the dukedome should apperteine to the youngest of the children and discendantes of her if the eldest were preferred to the Crowne of Fraunce In like sort the French king treated with the king Catholike to prolong the truce made with his predecessor but to leaue out this condition not to molest the duchie of Millan during the truce he hoped he should afterwards compounde easily with Caesar By which reason he kept in suspence the Venetians who offred to renewe the league made with his predecessor wishing that he were in his liberty to accord with Caesar agaynst them But the king Catholike notwithstanding he stoode still possessed of his desire not to haue warre in the frontiers of Spayne considering how great suspicion the prolongation of the truce might giue to the Svvizzers which mighte also be the cause that the Pope who till then had bene in doubt might turne to the french amity refused at last to prolong the truce but vnder the same conditions it had bene renued with the last king So that the Pope shut out of that hope and lesse exspecting to contract with Caesar agaynst the will and councelles of that king reconfirmed with the Senate of Venice the league in the same fourme it had bene made with his predecessor Nowe there remayned the Pope and the Svvizzers Touching the Svvizzers he required that they woulde admitte his Embassadors but they refused to giue them saffe conduit vsing the same rudenes they had done before And for the Pope vpon whose will depended wholly the Florentyns herequired no other thing of him then that he would kepe him out of all bond to th end that when by the trayne of affaires he should be councelled to resolue it might be in his power to make choice of the better perswading him that he should neuer finde in any either for his owne perticular or for the aduauncement of his house a greater amitie A more assured faith or more honorable condicions After the king had layd these foundacions for his affayres he beganne with great care to leauie prouisions of money and to encrease the bandes of his men at armes to the number of foure thowsand he published that he made those preparacions not of intencion to make warre for that yeare but onely to make head against the Svvyzzers who threatned him to inuade Burgondy or Dauphine if he would not accomplish the couenants made at Dyon in the name of the late king Many beleeued him in the semblaÌces he made the rather for thexample of the kings of Fraunce who haue alwaies forborne to intangle the first yeare of their raigne with newe warres But that coniecture caried not such impression in the mindes of Caesar and the king of Aragon to whome the kinges youth was suspected and the facilitie he had more then other kinges to commaund all the forces of the kingdom of Fraunce and the loue of his people opening a way and readines to all that he would desire Besides they were not ignorant of the great preparacions that king Lovvys had left the same making demonstracion that seeing he was assured
diligence to the realme of Naples by the way of Romagnia vpon the relacion of these Embassadors the king gaue speedy order that the bastard of Sauoye and Theoder Triuulco should go to their succour with six hundred launces and vij thowsand launceknightes who whilest they deferred to march and depart either that they temporised to see what would come of the castel of Millan or that the king had a meaning to send out the same bands against the castell of Cremona Aluiano drew with his army towards Bressa for the Venetians would not consent that he should follow the Viceroy for that they desired to recouer Bressia and Verona if it were possible without forreine succors But because that Citie was newly resupplyed with a thousand Launceknights and Bergamo also rendred to the Venetians many dayes before Aluiano resolued to go first to besiege Verona as being the least fortified and hauing there greatest commoditie of vittels and withall for that Verona being taken the action of Bressia would be easie the situation bearing no oportunitie of succours by the Almains onely he forbare to giue beginning to his enterprise for feare least the Viceroy and the Popes bandes that were in the countreys of Reggia and Modena should not repasse ouer Pavv at Ostia to reskew Verona But beeing deliuered of that suspicion by the going awaye of the Viceroy he fell into an other impediment of sicknesse whereof he dyed in the beginning of October at Gueda in the countrey of Bressia hauing not yet threescore yeres of age The Venetians receiued great displeasure for his death but greater was the sorowe of the souldiors who beeing not satisfied with the remembraunce of him kept publikely in th armie his bodye by the space of xxv dayes carying it aboute with them with very great pompe at suche time as they marched And when he should be conueyed to Venice Theodor Triuulco would not suffer that as he was caried by the marches of Verona they should demaund safeconduit of Marke Antho. Colonno saying it was not conuenient that he who in his life had neuer feare of his ennemies should now in his death demaunde the thing by petition which affore they durst not denie him of duetie he was buryed at Venice by publike order and with great ceremonies in S. Stephens Churche where yet remayneth the monument of his sepulcher and in perpetuall remembraunce of the merites and vertues of hys lyfe was pronounced by a very eloquent young Gentleman a funerall oration he was a Capteine in all mens opinion of greate resolution and courage and an assured executioner of things determined and yet eyther by the malice of fortune who hath no small imperie ouer enterprises or for that he was sodayne in counsayle a principall ennemie to the vallour of men he receyued manye foyles by his ennemies yea it is thought he neuer obteyned victorie when he was generall of an armie By reason of the death of Aluiano the Frenche king not beeing required by the Venetians gaue to them for gouernour of their armie Triuulco whom they so much desyred aswell for his experience wherein he was well confirmed as for his reputation in the science of warre for the whiche they had him in no small opinion but most of all for that by the common inclination of the faction of the Guelffes there had beene alwayes a settled amitie and good wyll betweene him and that common weale Whylest he wente to the armie to take hys charge the Venetian bandes tooke Pesquiero and ouerthrewe a little before thenterprise certeine trowpes of horsemen and three hundred Spanishe footemen that wente to their reskew recouering also Asolo and Louo whiche the Marquis of Mantua had abandoned Assoone as Triuulco was come to the armie they besieged Bressia at thinstaunce of the Senate notwithstanding it seemed a matter of great difficultie to carye it without the Frenche armie bothe for that the towne was strong and well manned with a crewe of two thousande footemen aswell Launceknightes as Spaniardes and also for that a great number of the Guelffes had bene constrayned to go awaye the wynter also drawing on and the season muche disposed to rayne and stormes Neyther dyd the issue and successe of the matter beguyle the iudgemente that the Capteine gaue of it for as they had begonne to do execution vppon the walles with their artilleries which they had planted vppon the brinke of the ditche on that side where issueth the small ryuer of Garzetto so they that were within making many sallies brake foorth at laste with fifteene hundred Launceknightes and Spaniardes to charge the garde of thartillerie whiche was an hundred men at armes and six thousande footemen and beating them also with the shot that for that ende was araunged vpon the towne wall they put them easily to flight notwithstanding that Iohn Paule Manfron with thirtie men at armes susteyned somewhat their furie In this action they slewe two hundred bodies burnt the powders and drewe into Bressia ten peeces of artilleries For the harmes of this disorder Triuulco thought good to retyre and incampe more at large exspecting the comming of the Frenche men In which minde he withdrew to Coccaio which is ten miles from Bressia the Venetians looking in the meane while to make new prouisions of artillerie municions But assone as the frenchmen were come the camp returned to besiege the towne began to batter it in two sundry places on that side of the gate of Piles towards the Castell and also on that side of the gate of S. Iohn in one of whiche quarters the Frenche men were incamped and after they had giuen leaue to the Launceknights for that they refused to do seruice agaynst the townes of Caesars obedience Peter of Nauarre arriued at the campe with fiue thousande Gascons and Frenchemen And in the other quarter lay with the Venetian regimentes Triuulco in whom rested almoste the whole superintendencie of those affayres for that the bastard of Sauoy being falne into sicknesse was gone from th armie When they had battred the wall they followed not with thassault for the sundrie rampiers and fortifications whiche the vallour of the defendauntes had made to resiste their violence Onely Peter of Nauarre hauing recourse to his accustomed remedies began to vndermine and sinke the walles About this time Marke Antho. Colonno issuing out of Verona with six hundred horsmen fiue hundred footmen encountred in the playne Iohn Paule Manfron and Mark. Antho. Buo who were bestowed in garrison within Valeggio with foure hundred men at armes foure hundred light horsemen he ouerthrew them in the skirmish was taken the sonne of Iohn Paule his horse beeing killed vnder him and his father fledde for his safetie to Goieto Immediately after which expedition Marke Antho. occupied Leguaguo where were taken prisoners certayne Gentlemen of Venice At laste the difficulties to take Bressia beeing more and more redoubled bothe for that the mynes employed by Peter of Nauarre did not aunswere the
meane to execute against the parties so that dispatches went out according to the olde rates The king for his parte promised not to take into his protection any of the Cities of Tuskane And albeit afterwardes he required to haue libertie to protect the people of Lucqua who offered him fiue and twentie thowsande duckats saying he was bounde to that protection by thobligacion of his predecessor yet the Pope would giue no consent but promised for his parte that he woulde forbeare to molest them in any sorte Lastly they agreed by indifferent consent of them both to sende frear Giles Generall of the Augustins and an excellent preacher to Caesar in the Popes name to dispose him to render to the Venetians Bressa and Verona taking a recompense of money And so vppon the expedicion of these matters but not sette downe by wryting except tharticle for nominacion of benefices and payment of the Annats according to the true vallue the Pope in fauour of the king pronounced Cardinall Adrian de Boisy brother to the great Maister of Fraunce and of the greatest authoritie with the king and in the generall gouernment That the enteruiewe brake vppe the king departing from the Pope verie well contented and in great hope to haue him his perpetuall frende who for his parte expressed no lesse with all reasonable demonstracions but in his minde he nourished other impressions for that bothe it was a matter no lesse greeuous to him then affore that the Duchie of Myllan shoulde be possessed by the Frenche king and Parma and Plaisanca restored and also that the Duke of Ferrara should be eftsoones reinuested in Modena and Reggia And yet all these not long after turned to vanitie and smoake for that the Pope being gone from Bolognia to Florence remeining there about a moneth had receiued of the Duke promises of the money that should be payd assoone as he should enter into possession being there set down in writing by common consent thinstrumentes that were to passe betwene them the Pope neither denying nor accomplishing but interposing many delayes and excuses refused to giue perfection to things The king being returned to Myllan dismissed his armie except seuen hundred launces six thowsand launceknightes and foure thowsand frenchmen such as they caladuenturers whom he left for the gard of that estate And for his owne person he teturned into Fraunce with great speede about the first beginning of the yeare 1516. leauing behinde him as his Lieftenaunt Charles Duke of Burbon he thought he had left his affayres in Italie in good estate of sewertie both for the allyance newlie contracted with the Pope and also for that about that time he was newly compounded with the Svvyzzers who notwithstanding the perswasions of the king of England to haue them to reenter into armes against the frenche king renewed with him thalliance by the which they bound them selues to furnishe alwayes for his seruice and at his paye both in Italie and out of Italie for defense and offence and against all nations suche numbers of footemen as he would require and that vnder their vniuersall name and publike enfeignes onely they excepted to beare armes against the Pope the Empire and thEmperour And on the other side the king confirmed to them of newe their auncient pensions with promisse to paye them within a certaine time the six hundred thowsand duckats agreed vpon at Dyon with three hundred thowsande if they gaue vp to him the villages and vallies apperteyning to his Duchy of Myllan A matter which the fiue Cantons that possessed those places refusing to do as also to ratifie the accord the king began to pay to the other eight Cantons that parte and porcion of the money that apperteined to them who accepted it but vnder this expresse condicion that they should not be bound to take his pay against the fiue Cantons About the beginning of this yeare the Bishoppe Petruccio an auncient seruant to the Pope chassed out of Siena by the Popes aide and some helpe from the Florentins Borgueso sonne to Pandolffe Petruccio his cossing and impatronised him selfe vpon the place the authority and gouernment remeining by equity in the possession of his said cossing the Pope had two respects inducing him to this actioÌ the one for that that citie standing betwene the estate of the Church and the dominion of the Florentins was gouerned by a man wholly at his deuocion the other was much more particular and mouing for that he hoped with the fauor of some good occasion to make it fall into the gouernment of his brother or his nephew wherein he douted nothing of the Bishops consent hauing already framed him tractable to all his desires and ambicions The warre continued kindeled betwene Caesar and the Venetians who for their partes desired to recouer by the aide of the frenche king Bressa and Verona But for other places and regions of Italie things seemed to stand in a peasible estate onely there beganne to burst out mocions of new stirres that were pushed on by the king of Aragon who fearing least the greatnesse of the frenche king would bring some aduersities to the realme of Naples delt with Caesar and the king of Englande to recontinewe the warre A matter not onely of no great difficultie and hardnesse to drawe Caesar vnto being both desirous of innouacion and newe thinges and also was not able easily to kepe the townes which he had takeÌ from the Venetians But also it was fullie concluded and agreed vnto by the king of England The remembraunce of the late infidelitie and breache of promise of his father in lawe being of lesse power in him then either his present emulacion or auncient hatred against the crowne of Fraunce besides he was enuious that the Skottish king being in minoritie should be gouerned by people of his appoyntment or any waye depending on him These matters had bene followed both with better councell and greater forces if during the negociacion the death of the king of Aragon had not hapned who after he had bene vexed with a long indisposicion died in an inferior village called Madrigalege as he went to Seuile with his Court he was a king excellent in councell and so furnished with al other properties of vertue that he bare no occasion matter of reprehension if he had bene constant to keepe his promisses for touching thimputacion of nigardnes or the reapport that went of him to be straite in exspenses it was proued vntrue by the testimonie and discouerie of his estate after his death leauing behinde him no amasse of treasor notwithstanding he had reigned xlij yeares But it hapneth oftentymes by the corrupt iudgement of men that in a king prodigalitie is more praysed though the raking and oppression of subiects be ioyned to it then a sparing straitnes wherin is nourished an orderly absteyning from taxing the goods of others To thexcellent vertues of this Prince was ioyned a most rare and perpetuall felicitie
during the whole coursse of his life excepting onely the death of his onely sonne for the accidents of his wiues and his sonne in lawe were the cause that he kept his greatnes vntill his death and the necessitie to depart with Castillo after his wiues death was rather a sport then a blowe of fortune In all other thinges he was right happy for being second sonne to Iohn king of Aragon he came to the crowne by the death of his elder brother he aspyred to the kingdom of Castillo by Issabell his wife he subdued the Competytors of the same kingdome and expulsed them he made a conquest of the Realme of Granado which the ennemies of Christian faith had vsurped almost eight hundred yeares he annexed to his Empire the Realmes of Naples and Nauarre and the principallitie of Orano with many other places of importance vpon the coast of Affriqua he bare alwayes the victorie and vpperhand of his ennemies he almost cloaked his ambicions and couetousnes with an honestzeale to religion and an holy affection to the common weale wherein fortune appeared manifestly conioyned with industrie About a moneth affore his deathe dyed the Great Capteine both absent from the Court and ill contented of the king And yet the king gaue order that in remembrance of his vallour there shoulde bee done to him both in the Court and through the whole partes of the Realme those honors that haue not beene vsed to bee done but at the death of kinges A matter plausiblie accepted and executed by all his subiectes who omitted no forte of reuerence or celebracion to the name of the Great Capteyne making him singuler in liberalitie in councell in discression and for knowledge in warres and martiall science excelling all the Capteines of his time By the death of this king the french king entred into a newe courage to addresse an enterprise against the realme of Naples to the which he was in mind to send forthwith the Duke of Burbon with an armie of eight hundred launces tenne thowsand footemen he seemed to reappose much in thopportunitie of the time for that the kingdome beeing in some tumult vppon the death of the king and ill prepared for defense he perswaded a facilitie of conquest speciallye the Archduke hauing no respitte or tyme to succour it And he doubted nothinge of the Popes fauour bothe for the hopes he had giuen him at the enteruiewe of Bolognia and in regarde of thalliance contracted with him and also in consideracion of his proper interest as though he shoulde bee ielouse of the wonderfull height and greatnes of tharchduke heire present to so many kingdomes by the death of the king Catholike and exspected successor of Caesar he hoped besides that tharchduke would giue him no great impediment knowing howe harmefull might be to him his ill will touching the Realmes of Spayne but specially for the regarde of the kingdome of Aragon wherevnto many of the same famulie had aspired if their power had bene as great as their right for albeit in the life of the late king and Isabell his wife it was interpreted in an open generall Parliament that the ancient constitutions of that kingdome which admit not women to the succession of the Crowne were not preiudiciall agaynst the issue males borne of them when in the lyne masculine was to be founde neither brother vncle nor nephew of the dead king nor any other that was more nearer to him then they that were discended of the womans side or at least in equall degree and that for that reason it was declared that after the death of Ferdinand the succession apperteined to tharchduke Charles wherin was brought for example that after the death of Martin king of Aragon dying without issue males the sentence of the Iudges deputed to that matter through the whole kingdome preferred Ferdinand graundfather to this Ferdinand notwithstanding he came of the womens side affore Count Vrgello and others ioyned to Martin by masculine lyne but in degree and propertie of discending further off then Ferdinand yet the people nourished amongest them selues a secret complaynt and controuersie that in that interpretation and declaration the power of Ferdinand and Isabell had more force then the lawe of iustice and equitie In this did thinterpretation seeme vniust to many that the women beeing excluded suche as discended of them might be admitted and withall that in the sentence giuen to the behoofe of tholde Ferdinand the feare of his armes ruled more then reason These matters beeing layde open to the French king and withall that the peoples of the prouince of Aragon Valence and Earledome of Catelonia all these are comprehended vnder the kingdome of Aragon stoode desirous to enioye a king proper and particular He hoped that tharchduke not to endaunger so great a succession and so many estates would not at laste be straunge or harde to leaue to him that kingdome vnder some reasonable coÌposition And for the better preparing of this enterprise because he would insinuate by benefites aswell as preuayle by forces he sought at that time to set at libertie Prospero Colonno vpon whom was imposed a raunsome of xxxv thousande duckettes whereof the king procured him to be pardoned of the one moytie By whiche propertie of fauor the worlde beleeued that Prospero had made secrete promise not to beare armes agaynst him yea happly to ayde him in the warre of Naples albeit with some limitation or reseruing of his honor Albeit the king was occupied with these thoughtes and had now determined to deferre no longer the action of armes and forreine warre yet he was driuen by new accidentes to turne his minde wholly to his owne defence for that Caesar hauing receiued a hundred and twentie thousande duckets according to the former negociation begon with the king of Aragon made preparation to inuade the duchie of Millan after he had once giuen succours to Verona and Bressia for the Venetian armie commaunded by Theoder Triuulco for that the other Triuulco was returned to Millan lying encamped within six myles of Bressia suffred their estradiots to make incursions thorowe the whole contrey And one daye beeing charged by those that were within the towne and either partie ronning to the reskew and succour of their friendes they repulsed them and draue them beaten into Bressta hauing long fought for the victorie in which conflict they slue many and tooke prisoner the gouernors brother of the Citie Not many dayes after Monsr de Lavvtrech generall of the French armie and Theodore Triuulco hauing espiall that a strength of three thousand Launceknightes came to Bressia to conduct the money sent for the paye of the souldiors sent out to hinder their passage at the Castell of Aufo Ianus Fregoso and Iohn Conrado Vrsin with certayne bandes of both the armies they put the launceknights to flight and made slaughter of eight hundred of them the residue carying awaye the money founde safety by flying to Lodrono Afterwardes the Venetians sent a
eyther parties That was the cause why he was bold to call home agayne Marke Antho. and durst not sende to the king the succours he had promised That he had created a Legate with Caesar and on the other side Caesar being departed from Millan the Legate vnder a fayned cooller of sicknesse stayed at Rubiera to see affore he passed further what would be the issue of such an enterprise And afterwards to settle quiet the kings mind he thought good that his nephew Lavvrence continuing in the same demonstration to depende of the king that he showed when he went to him at Millan should giue him money by the Florentins to paye three thousande Svvizzers for one moneth But albeit the king accepted this money yet disclosing by tokens that he knewe the Popes driftes he sayd that since he was alwayes agaynst him in warre and the alliaunce made with him serued him to no vse in times of daunger he would eftsoones make a new confederacion wherein he would be bownd but in peace and in seasons of suertie Assoone as the armie of Caesar was dispersed and separat the Venetians without tarying for the french men approached Bressia by night thinking to skale the wals They had confidence in this enterprise by the smal strength of men that was within since there remained no more but six hundred footemen spanish and foure hundred horsemen but both their ladders being shorter then was necessary to that seruice the vallour of the defendants beguiling their exspectacion their attempt drew with it no successe Afterwardes arriued the frenche armie vnder the charge of Odet de Foix whom the king had newly created his Lieuetenant in place of Monsr Burbon who of his owne mocion had willingly resigned that gouernment into the kinges handes These armies assailed Bressia with artilleries in foure places to take from the defendants all reasonable possibilitie to make resistance against so seuerall executions and albeit the vallour of the defendants contending against their fortune made good resistance so long as they had hope that a regiment of seuen thowsand footemen of the contry of Tyroll beeing come by Caesars commaundement to Montagnia should passe further yet both that reskewe beeing disapointed for thimpediments which the Venetians bestowed in the castell of Auso and other passages and also the defendants not willing to abide thassalt which was to be giuen the next yeÌare a great pane of the wal being already beaten downe to the ground the souldiours couenanted to leaue the towne and castell onely with their goods saued if they were not reskewed within a day About these times the Pope preparing to take by armes from Frauncis Maria de la Rovvero the Duchie of Vrbyn began to proceede against him with censures and Church paines causing to be published an admonition wherein was expressed that being in the pay and wages of the Church he had refused those regiments of men for the which he had receiued pay and was secretly compownded with thennemies That long time before he had killed the Cardinall of Pauia of the which he was absolued by grace and not by iustice and had executed many other morders That in the greatest heate of the warre betweene Pope Iulio to whom he was Nephewe subiect and Capteine he had sent Baltasar de Chastillion to take the kings pay And that at the same time he had denied passage to certein bands that marched to ioyne with the armie of the Church and in the iurisdiction which he possessed as freeholder to the sea Apostolike he had pursued the souldiours of the Church that sled from the battell of Rauenna The Pope was determined many moneths before to make warre vpon him whereunto besides all late and greene iniuries he was pushed on by a disdaine in that he refused to ayde him selfe and his brother to returne to Florence And yet he was somewhat reteyned by a shame that he had to persecute the Nephew of him by whose meane the Church was risen to such a greatnes but much more at the contemplacion of his brother Iulian who in the time of their exile hauing remeyned many yeares in the Court of Vrbyn both with Duke Guido after his death with the Duke raigning could not endure to see him depriued of the duchie wherein he had receiued enterteinment fauor and honor But Iulian was no sooner dead of a consuming disease at Florence and the great stirrs of Caesar beeing vanished and turned into smoke then the Pope at the perswasion of his Nephew Lavvrence and his mother Alfonsina thirsting after that estate resolued to deferre no longer the oppression which he had determined with no lesse iniurie then infamie he was not ashamed to alleage for excuse of his ingratitude which many imputed to him for reproache and slaunder not onely the trespasses he had receyued by him and the penalties whiche the rygour of the lawes impose vppon a subiect that offendes in contumacie agaynst his Lorde or a Capteine who contrarie to his bonde denyeth to leade the men for the whiche he is waged and enterteyned But also he brought in this consideration that it was to him a matter very ielouse and daungerous to endure in thintralls of his estate a man who by howe muche more he had begonne alreadye to offende him without all regarde to fayth and honor by so muche more it was certayne that when so euer a greater occasion did offer he would not be lesse ready or apte to doo the lyke hereafter confirming his first ylles with other examples of lyke nature The discourse of that warre was this Assone as Lavvrence shewed him selfe vppon the frontiers of the Duchie and displayed his armie compounded vppon the souldiors and subiectes of the Church and thestate of Florence The Citie of Vrbin with other townes of that iurisdiction made a voluntarie rendring to the Pope the Duke that was then retyred to Pesera giuing them election to saue them selues since he had no habilitie to defende them And assoone as th armie drewe neare Pesera followed thexample of Vrbin the cowardise of the Duke concurring with his infelicities for notwithstanding there was a garrison of three thousande footemen the towne mightie in fortifications and had the sea at deuotion yet the Duke leauing within the Castell Tranquillo Mandolfo in whom he muche reaposed tooke his way to Mantua whither he had sent before his wife and sonnes some supposed that his retyring thither came vpon a suspected confidence he had in the souldiors of whom the greatest parte was vnpayed but some are of opinion that his impacience for the absence of his wife was the cause of his going thither vnder which pollicie he excused his feare with loue It is a true saying that aduersities haue a swifte course and fortune to make her mutabilitie wonderfull can heape in one day all the chances of a world for except the castles of Sinigalo Pesero S. Leo and Maiuolo the whole duchie of Vrbin and Pesero was reduced in
greedie of praye and bootie he determined to turne into Tuskane where because the region was plentifull of all things without suspect and vnredy for defence he hoped to rayse some great spoyle Furthermore he was caried with a hope to make some mutation in Perugia and Siena by the meane of Charles Baglion and the Burgoes of Petruccio by whiche deuise his owne things had bene sufficiently augmented together with the molestations and perills of the Pope and his nephew therefore the next day after he had assembled the Gascons he remoued his campe towards Perusia but when he was come to the playne of Agobina he determined to make manyfest his suspicion yea rather the certayne apprehension which he had of the treason of the Colonell Maldonato and others ioyned with him in the same cause The matter was bred and brought foorth in this sort When the armie marched by Romagnia Snares one of the capteines of the Spaniardes vnder dissimulation of sicknesse dragged behind and of purpose suffred himself to be taken of his enemies being in the state of a prisoner he was coÌueyed to Cesena to Lavvrence to whom he declared in the name of Maldonato and the two other capteines of the Spaniards that not for any other cause were they conioyned with Franciscomaria then to haue occasion to do some notable seruice to the Pope and to him seeing it was not in their power to let the accident of this commotion promising in all their names that they would not omit the execution assone as thoportunitie was offred which deuice whereas it was vtterly kept vnknowne from Franciscomaria yet he quickly tooke suspicion by certayne wordes vnaduisedly spoken of Ranso de Cere to a dromme of the Spaniards of whom taking occasion to iest with him he demaunded when those Spaniards would giue vp their Duke prisoner which voyce making deepe impression in the heart of Franciscomaria gaue him cause diligently to obserue whether there were any infidelitie or treason in the armie whiche at the length by letters intercepted with the cariages of Lavvrence he did not onely discerne but perceiued that Maldonato was the author of some dangerous stratageame A matter which hauing dissimuled vntill then he thought not good any longer to conceale it and therefore calling together all the Spanishe footemen setting him selfe in the middest of them he began to giue them great thankes with wordes of most vehement insinuation for those things which for his sake they had vndertaken with so great inclination of minde confessing openly that neither in the memorie of these latter tymes nor in histories of auncient writers had bene any Prince or Capteine owing so great obligations to men of warre as he acknowledged to owe to them for that neyther hauing money nor any meane to rewarde their great merites and seruices and him selfe a Prince but of small estate though he shoulde recouer all his patrimonies not beeing of their nation and language nor hauing serued with them in the fielde yet they had with so ready a disposition followed him agaynst so mightie a Prince and of so great authoritie and that not for hope or greedynes of spoyle since they knewe they were ledde into a barreine and poore region Which vallour and good seruices as he had no meane to recompence to them but with goodwill and gratification of minde so yet this was his comfort that not onely amongest the regions of Italie but also through all the prouinces of Europe they had purchased perpetuall same and reputation vnder him they being but very few in nuÌber without money without artillery without any warlike furniture had so often constrayned to turne their backes an army most riche in treasor and all other prouisions with whom were ioyned so many warlike people agaynst the forces of the Pope and the power of the Florentins with whom the name and authority of the kings of Fraunce and Spayne was concurrant and that in regarde to support and preserue the fayth and honor of men of seruice they had neglected the solemne commaundement of their proper princes Of which things like as he did take exceding pleasure because of the name and glory of them so on the other side all matters which might obscure so glorious a renowme would bring vpon him a burden of intollerable greefes That as he endured with manifest dolor the opening of matters which should draw to hurt them or any of that company to euery particular of whom he had vowed whilest he drew breath for euer to be dedicated in al affection in all seruice in all fidelitie and all office whatsoeuer So neuerthelesse least this euill begonne shoulde be increased with his filence and least the malice of some shoulde blemishe so great a glory gotten by this armie and beeing also conuenient that he should holde a more deare accompt of the fame and honor of them all then particularly respecte the amitie of a fewe he coulde not conceale longer from them that there were foure in that armie who went about to betray the glorye and the safetie of them all Touching his owne priuate case neither would he make mention nor inferre complayntes since hauing bene trauelled in so many accidents and passed the rage of fortune for innocencie he was nowe reduced to this temperaunce and staye of minde that it was all one with him the desyre of death or lyfe But for their parts neither thobligacions and offices which he ought to them nor the settled affection whiche with so greate merite he bare to them would suffer him to keepe longer from them the information and knowledge of their present daunger which was that Colonell Maldonato in whom for his place ought to haue bene a greater care of the safetie and glorie of them all and Capteine Snares the first contriuer of this fraude by yeelding vnder a counterfeit sicknesse to be taken of his enemies in Romagnia together with two other Capteines had conspired and promised vnder wicked counsels to betray the lyues of them all to Lavvrence de Medicis And as the effect of those counsels was disappoynted by his vigilancie for whiche cause he would no sooner reucale so great a treason so nowe not thinking to holde any longer eyther the person of him selfe or the lyues of others vnder so great a daunger he hath opened vnto them the thing whiche longe before was knowne to him selfe And the better to induce their mindes he sayde that the discourse of thys treason was sette downe in credible fourme in certayne letters autentike founde amongest the writings of Lavvrence and intercepted by him besides many apparant signes coniectures All which he thought good to lay afore theÌ to th end they might be the iudges of such a hainous conspiracy and so hearing aswell the crime detected as the iustifications of thoffendors they might procede to iustice according to that counsell which should stande best with equity order and establish a due safety to the whole army When he had
being made inferior in numbers by the diminucion of their footemen they had not the courage to susteine the fame of their enemies approching and much lesse to abide any other perill In which resolucion made according to the Popes mind they were confirmed by a hope of the comming of six thowsand Svvizzers whom the Pope by the councell of the french king had sent to leauy and wage for the french king after the confederacion made desired the victory of the Pope and yet at the same tyme he reteined the same suspicion of him that he did before he was continued in this suspicion by the relacions of Galeas Viscount and Mark. Anth. Colonno of whom the one being reuoked to his contry from banishment and the other not thinking his seruices and merits well recompensed by Caesar and both transferred with honorable condicions to the pay of the french king they had reaported that the Pope had coÌspyred greatly with Caesar and the Svvyzzers against him But much more was the french king moued for that the Pope had contracted secretly a newe confederacion with Caesar with the king of Spayne and thEnglish which albeit was lawfull for him to doe for that it bare only for their defense yet both the matter maner of it troubled not a litle the thoughts of his mind he was induced through feare to be deliuered of the warrers least the Pope not finding his aydes and succours ready would not enter into a greater coniunction with other Princes against him And besides that he beganne to take greefe suspicion of the armie of Vrbyn whose strength was compownded of footemen spanish and launceknightes Therefore besides that he had aduised the Pope to make him selfe stronge with the footemen of Svvyzzers he offered to send him of new three hundred launces vnder Thomas de Foix brother to Odet alleaging that besides the reputacion and vallour of the man he would be a conuenient instrument to embeasell from the armie of Franciscomaria the bandes of Gascoins with whom those brothers and race of Foix beeing discended of the noblest blood in Gascoigne had great authoritie The Pope accepted this offer but with a minde very suspicious for that he stoode doubtfull as he did before of the kings will wherein he suffred his suspicion to take encreasing by the withdrawing of the Gascoins fearing least that action had priuily proceeded of the operation of Lavvtrech And he that in those times had made obseruation of the dooings of Princes might apparantly discerne that no benefite no office no coniunction was sufficient to remoue out of their heartes the distrustes and iealousies which they had one of an other for the suspicion was not onely reciprocall betwene the Pope and French king but also the king of Spayne hearing of the leauyes of the Svvizzers and the preparation of Thomas de Foix was not without his feare that the Pope and the French ioyned together would not deuise to dispoyle him of the kingdome of Naples These suspicions were thought to profite th affayres of the Pope since both of them least they should giue him cause or matter to estraunge himselfe from them labored to confirme him and assure him with benefites and with aydes Nowe Frantiscomaria departing from Corinaldo returned vpon the state of Vrbin to giue defence and protection to his people for the getting in of their haruest and reteyning with an encrease of ambition his auncient desire to get Pesero which was garded by the Count Potenza and his souldiors he brought his armie to the borders thereof and obiecting all impedimentes to cut off the resort of vittels he put to the sea certayne shippes But agaynst that force they of Rimini rigged out sixteene vessells some barkes and some brigantins and some of other nature agreable to the seruice of those times which being armed and manned and sent to accompanie and assure other shippes loaden with vittells for Pesero they encountred the nauie of Franciscomaria of whom they sunke to the bottome the Admirall and tooke all the residue by which accident dispayring of the enterprise of Pesero he leauied his forces and departed In this meane while Monsr de Foix aduaunced with his three hundred launces but the Svvizzers made slowe preparation for that the Cantons denyed their consent vnlesse they were first satisfied of their olde pensions from which obstinacie the king being not hable to remoue them and in the Pope no habilitie to make them satisfied for the intollerable defrayments he had exspended his Agentes hauing consumed in that solicitation many dayes enterteyned and waged without common priuitie two thousand particulars of that nation and foure thousande other Germains and Grisons whiche leauyes beeing discended and bestowed in the confines and suburbes of Rimini and they being deuided by the riuer from the residue of the Citie are enuironed and fetched in with walls Franciscomaria was entred by night by the valtes and arches of that notable bridge of Marble which tyeth the suburbes with the Citie but he could not passe ouer the ryuer being swelled by the inundation of the sea There grewe a strong feight betweene his souldiors and the foote bandes bestowed in the suburbes in whiche was slayne Iasper Capteine of the Popes garde who had conducted them thither But greater was the losse of thenemies by the death of Balastichino and Vinea Spanishe capteines and Federike Bossolo and Franciscomaria beeing wounded in the body with a bullet After this encounter he turned his army towards Tuskane being caryed more by necessitie then by hope for that in a region so muche consumed so great an army coulde not be norished He remayned certayne dayes in Tuskane amongs the populars of S. Stephano the borowe of S. Sepulchro and Angbiari townes of the dominion of Florence where he tooke Montedoglio a place very weake and of little importance he gaue a long assault to Anghiari a towne more strong by the fidelity and vallour of the inhabitants then by fortificacion of warres or other kindes of municions But being not hable for his owne weakenes and wantes to carie it he retyred his armie vnder the Appenin betwene S. Sepulchro and Ciuita di Castello and causing to be drawne thither froÌ Mercatello foure peeces of artilleries he incamped within lesse then halfe a myle of the towne vpon that way that leadeth to Vrbin There he seemed to stand irresolute and doutfull what course to take seeing that as his enemies were passed behind him into Tuskane and many Italian bands entred into S. Sepulchro and Vitello with a great strength was got into Citta di Castello So within Anghiari within the plaine of S. Stephano within the other townes conioyning were entred the bands of footemen of the Germaines the Grisons and the Svvizzers Lavvrence de Medicis came also from Florence but somwhtat late to S. Sepulchro where Franciscomaria had lyen with his campe many dayes idelly And for that he beganne to finde in these places many discommodities of vittells and
and made weake by the minoritie of their king who was gouerned by Priestes and the Barons of the Realme Others were of opinion that he had addressed all his thoughtes to thinuasion of Italie taking his encouragement vpon the discord of the Potentates and naturall princes whom he knewe to be muche shaken with the long warres of those regions To this was ioyned the memorie of Mahomet his grandfather who with a power farre lesse then his and with a small Nauie sente vppon the coastes of the Realine of Naples had wonne by assault the Citie of Otronto and sauing he was preuented by death had bothe opened the waye and established the meane to persecute the regions of Italie with continuall vexacions So that the Pope together with the whole Courte of Rome beeing made astonished with so greate successe and no lesse prouident to eschewe so great a daunger making their firste recourse to the ayde and succour of God caused to bee celebrated through Rome moste deuoute inuocations whiche he dyd assiste in presence bare foote And afterwardes calling vppon the helpe of men he wroate letters to all Christian Princes bothe admonishing them of the perill and perswading them to laye asyde all ciuill discordes and contentions and attende speedily to the defence of religion and their common safetie whiche he affirmed woulde more and more take encrease of most grieuous daunger if with the vnitie of mindes and concordances of forces they sought not to transferre the warre into thempire of the Turkes and inuade thenemie in his owne countrey Vpon this aduise and admonition was taken the examinacion and opinion of men of warre and persons skilfull in the discouerie of countreys the disposing of prouinces and of the nature and vsage of the forces and weapons of that kingdome and therevpon a resolucion being set downe to make great leauyes of money by voluntarie contribucions of Princes and vniuersall impostes of all people of Christendome it was thought necessarie that Caesar accompanied with the horsemen of Hungaria and Pollonia Nations warlike and practised in continuall warres agaynst the Turke and also with the footmen of Germanie should sayle along Danubi into Bossina called aunciently Misia and from thence to Thracia and so to drawe neare Constantinople the seate of the Empire of the Ottomanes That the Frenche king with all the forces of his kingdome the Venetians and the other potentates of Italie accompanied with the infanterie of Svvizzerlande should passe from the port of Brindisi in Albania a passage very easie and short to inuade Grece a contrey full of Christian inhabitantes and for the intollerable yoke of the Turkes moste ready to rebell That the kings of Spayne of Englande and Portugall assembling their forces together in Cartagenia and the portes thereaboutes should take their course with two hundred shippes full of Spanishe footemen and other souldiors to the straite of Galipoli to make roades vp to Constantinople hauing first subdued the Castles and fortes standing vpon the mouth of the straite And the Pope to take the same course embarking at Antona with an hundred shippes armed With these preparacions seeming sufficient to couer the lande and ouerspread the sea it was thought that of a warte so full of deuocion and pyetie there coulde not be but hoped a happie ende specially adding the inuocation of God and so many seuerall inuasions made at one tyme agaynst the Turkes who make their principall fundacion of defence to fight in the playne fielde These matters were solicited with no small industrie and to stoppe all matter of imputacion agaynst thoffice of the Pope the mindes of Princes were throughly sounded and an vniuersal truce for fiue yeres betwene all the Princes of Christendome published in the consistory vpon payne of most grieuous censure to suche as should impugne it So that the negociacion coÌtinuing for all things apperteining to so great an enterprise he assigned Embassadors to all Princes to the Emperour he sent the Cardinall S. Sisto to the Frenche king he dispatched the Cardinall of S. Maria in Portico the Cardinall Giles to the king of Spayne and the Cardinall Campeius to the king of Englande All Cardinalles of authoritie eyther for their experience in affayres or for opinion of their doctrine or for their familiaritie with the Pope All which things albeit they were begonne with greate hope and exspectacion And the vniuersall truce accepted of all men And all men with no litle ostentacion and brauerie of words made shewe of their readines with their forces to aduaunce so good a cause yet what with the consideracion of the perill esteemed vncerteine and farre of and extending more to one Prince then to an other And what by the difficulties long tract of time that appeared to introduce a zeale and vnion so vniuersall priuat interests and respects perticular seemed to preuayle more then the pietie of the expedicion Insomuch as the negoclacion stoode not onely naked of all hope and yssue but also it was followed very lightly and as it were by ceremonie this beeing one propertie in the nature of men that those things which in their beginnings appeare fearefull doe daily take such degrees of diminucion and vanishing that onles the first feares be reuiued by new accidents they leade men in processe of tyme to securitie which propertie of negligence both touching the affayres publike affection of priuate and perticular men was well confirmed by the death that succeeded not longe after to Selym who hauing by a longe maladie suspended the preparacions of the warre was in the ende consumed by the passions of his disease and so passed into the other life leauing so greate an Empire to Solyman his sonne young in yeares and iudged to beare a witte and minde not so disposed to the warres although afterwardes theffectes declared the contrarie At this tyme appeared betweene the Pope and the Frenche kinge A moste greate and strayght coniunction for the kinge gaue to wife to Lavvrence his Nephewe the Ladye Magdaleyne noblye descended of the bludde and house of Bolognia with a yearely reuenue of tenne thowsande crownes whereof parte was of the kinges gifte and the residue rising of her owne patrimonye Besides the kinge hauing borne to him a sonne the Pope requyred that in his Baptisme he woulde impose vppon him his name By which occasion Lavvrence making preparacions to goe to marye his newe wife for his more speede performed his iorney by poste into Fraunce where he was receiued with many amities and much honor of the king to whom he became very gracious of deare accompt the rather for that besides other general respects he made a dedication of him selfe wholly to the king with promise to follow in all accidents his fortune he brought also to the king a writ or warrant from the Pope by the which he graunted to him that till the moneyes collected of the tenthes and by other meanes of contribucion were expended vppon the holy warre against the Turkes he might
dispose it to his owne vses so farre forth as he would make promise to restore it whensoeuer occasion necessitie would call him to defray it to that end it was gathered for his warrant boare also to deliuer to Lavvrence of the same treasure fifty thousand crownes And whereas the king till that day had dissembled not to execute the Popes promise made to him vnder writing for the restoring of Modena and Reggia to the Duke of Ferrara notwithstanding the tearme of seuen moneths were past And knowing withall that he could not offer to the Pope a thing more greuous then to vrge him to that restitucion he redeliuered into the hands of Lavvrence the said writ of promise making a greater reckoning as it often hapneth amoÌgest mortall men of the stronger then of the weaker About the same time the Venetians by the operacion of the French king prolonged the truce they had with Caesar for fiue yeares with condicion to paye for euery one of the fiue yeares twentye thowsande crownes and to euery one of the exiles that had followed Caesar the fourth parte of their goods yearely beeing rated at the value of fiue thowsande crownes it was supposed that Caesar would haue bene induced to haue made peace with them if they would haue gratified him with a greater summe of money But this truce was not a litle agreeable to the french king for that the Venetians not standing fully assured had the greater reason to make deare accompt of his amitie and that to Caesar was giuen no power with the money he had of them to dresse any innouacion Insomuch as matters on all sides tending to peace and concord the differences betwene the French and English were also reconciled And for the more stabilitie of which agreement it was confirmed with a contract of parentage allyance wherein the king of England promised to giue his onely Daughter to whom hauing no sonnes there was hope of the discending and succession of the kingdom to the Dolphyn the eldest sonne of the crowne of Fraunce Adding for a porcion foure hundred thowsand duckats Both the one and the other boare yet so tender age that infinit accidents might happen before perfection of yeares woulde make them able to establish matrimony There was made betwene them a league defensiue wherein were comprehended Caesar and the king of Spayne in case they would ratifie it in a certeine tyme The king of England bownd him selfe to restore Tornay receiuing presently for defrayments exspended vppon that towne two hundred and lx thowsande duckats and three hundred thowsande to be defalked of the porcion and to paye three hundred thowsand more in the space of twelue yeares The French king also was bownd that if the peace and the parentage followed not to render vppe agayne into the handes of thEnglish the towne of Tornay Many Embassadors were sent from both the Realmes to negociat this league and to receiue the ratificacions and othes by whome in the Courts of both the kinges the actes of thaccorde were dispatched with greate solemnitie and ceremonie with a resolucion of an enteruiewe of bothe the kinges betweene Callice and Bolleyne immediatly after the restitucion of Tornay About the same tyme the Daughter of the French king appoynted to bee maryed to the king of Spayne beeing deade the former peace and capitulacion was eftsoones reconfirmed betweene them wherein was promised the mariage of the seconde Daughter of Fraunce Both the kinges celebrated this coniunction with moste greate demonstracions of perfect amitie for the king of Spayne hauing payed in at Lyons an hundred thowsand duckats ware publikely the order of Saint Michaell vppon the daye of the celebracion of the same and in recompense of that honour the Frenche kinge vppon the daye dedicated to Saint Andrevve was honorably attyred in the robes and couller of the golden fleese Thus the affayres of Italy standing in good estate of tranquillitie there remeyned onely discontented and in ill disposicion Iohn Ia. Triuulce whom neither his olde age reduced almost to the last time nor his vertue so oftentimes expressed in the seruice of the house of Fraunce could any way aide or comfort for as in him selfe were bred some occasions partly by his ambicion which was suspected and partly through his impaciencie which the condicion of olde age might reasonably excuse So he was crossed by the suttle humors of suche as did enuye him but chiefly and vehemently quarrelled withall in many thinges by Monsr Lavvtrech by whose instigacion the king was drawne into suspicion of him that not onely his owne person but also the whole famulie and house were too much agreeable to the Venetians Wherein they tooke the consideracion of their suspicion not onely for thinterest of the faction of the Guelffes and many other actions and tradicions of times past to kepe him enterteined in the grace of the Venetians but also for that Theoder Triuulce was become their gouernor and Rene a member of their family was newly receiued into the pay of that state By reason of which after Galeas Viscount by the death of Fr. Barnardin Viscount was become chiefe of the Gebelin faction the king indued him with thorder of S. Michaell and allowance of pensioÌ to thend to oppose him against Triuulce with a greater authority hauing withall the ready hand of Lavvtrech to push on his reputacion credit as often as occasions occurred to doe any thing to the disaduantage of Triuulce The passage of which things as they brought no litle diminucion to the authority of the old Triuulce so hauing no pacience to dissemble the wrongs which he knew he had not deserued he made his daily coÌplaints was so much the more hated suspected Lavvtrech with his other aduersaries made this no litle occasion to reproch him and accuse him to the king that he had made him selfe a burgeis inrolled with the Svvizzers as though he woulde vse their meane to be supported against the king happly aspire to greater things so apt is enuy to subborne suggestions so ready to enforce them daungerously to the ruine of those against whom she contendeth and as Triuulce notwithstanding his old age which was now in thestate decrepit thinfirmities of a body broken which draweth after it dispensacion from trauel was gone into Fraunce to iustefie himselfe so Monsr Lavvtrech after his departure restrained vnder reasonable gard by the kings directioÌ at Vigeuena his wife graÌdchild borne of the Count of Musocque his only sonne deceased which degree of rigor or hard dealing was wel expressed vpon himself at his coÌming into Fraunce for that muche lesse that he was receiued of the king with the same aspect countenance honor that he was wont seeing of the coÌtrary he reproched to his face his amity correspondency with the Svvizzers assuring him that no other thing held him from punishing him as he had deserued then the consideracion of thuniuersall renowme that ran though not true
a power in the person of one onely prince whose youth and other apparances made showe of great effectes of ambicion in him besides that there was promised and prophesied vpon him by many predictions a right great large empire together with many worldly fortunes and felicities And albeit he was not so riche in treasor and money as was the French king yet it was noted in him a matter of right great importance to be hable to furnishe his armies with footemen of Svvizzers Germains and Spaniards people for their vallour of great glorie and reputation through the world A matter wherein he had a singular aduantage of the French king who for that he had not in his kingdome a strength of footmen to oppose agaynst the vertue of these had no meane to make strong warre but by drawing with great expences and intollerable difficulties bandes of footemen out of forreine contreis A necessity which coÌstrained him to enterteine with great charge and diligence the nation of Svvizzers and to endure of them many iniuries and yet he neuer stoode fully assured neyther of their constancie nor of their fidelitie Moreouer it was not to be doubted that betwene these two Princes of equall youth and ambicion and hauing indifferent reasons and occasions of ielousie and contencion would not in the ende arise a great and daungerous warre for the French king was not without a burning desire to recouer the kingdome of Naples to the whiche he aspired and pretended iust title and he tooke greatly to hart the restoring of king Iohn to the realme of Nauarre touching the which he nowe discerned that he had bene fed with vaine hopes It troubled the Emperour to pay the hundred thousande duckets promised in the accord of Noyon and he interpreted agaynst the king that in reiecting thaccord made before at Paris and vsing immoderatly thoccasion when he was to passe into Spayne he had almost forced him to make a new accorde Besides the cause of the duke of Gueldres was greene and fresh betwene them A matter of it selfe without any other concurrancie sufficient to stirre them vp to warre armes for that as the French king on the one side had taken him into his protection so on the otherside he was holden by the people of Flaunders a seuere and bitter enemie But aboue all other quarrels the Duchie of Burgondie wrought in the mind of themperour no small emulacion which duchie being possessed by Levvis the eleuenth by reason of the death of Charles duke of Burgondie grandfather by the mothers side to themperours father hath euer since tormented the minds of his successors Lastly there wanted no matter or occasions of strife and warre for the duchie of Millan of which the king raigning had not since the death of Levvis the twelfth neither demaunded nor obteined the inuestiture Besides there was pretended to the rightes which had bene gotten to him by the inuestiture which had bene made to his predecessor many chalenges exceptions aswell touching the inualiditie as the losse of those rights which was matter sufficient to stirre them vp to quarrell Neuerthelesse neither the time ronning nor the oportunitie present which are the guiders of actions consented as then that they should enter into any innouacion for besides that themperour of necessitie was to repasse first into Germanie to receiue at Aix the crown of thempire according to the custome of those that are elected yet they were either of them so puissant mightie in their particular that the difficultie to offend one another kept them restrayned from all inuasion vntill they had perfect informacion of the intencion disposicion of other Princes but specially of the Pope in case the warre were to begin in Italie his intencions inclinacion were so obscured couered with artificial faire semblaÌces that much lesse that they were knowen to others seing happly at sometimes they held no resolucion in himself notwithstaÌding he had dispeÌsed with Charles for thacceptatioÌ of thelection made in his person contrarie to the tenor of thinuestiture of the realme of Naples wherin being made according to the auncient forme of inuestitures he was expresly forbidden suche a matter But what soeuer he did in that action proceded not so much of good will as for that he had no occasion to refuse it to him without offending him greatly So that the regions of Italie for these reasons stoode in good estate of peace and tranquilitie notwithstaÌding in the end of the same yere the Pope sought to possesse the citie of Ferrara not with manifest armes but by secret ambush and deuise for albeit it might haue bene beleeued that for the death of his Nephewe Lavvrence de Medicis especially for that there wanted in his house rather men then estates he would haue shaked of all thoughtes ambicion to occupie Ferrara to the which he had alwayes aspired before yet whether he was pushed on by a hatred conceiued agaynst that Duke or by a desire to make himselfe equal or at least to come as neare as he could to the glory of Iulio he had not neither for the death of his brother nor for the losing of his nephew diminished any part of that burning ambicioÌ by which experience it maye be easily discerned that the ambicion of Priestes taketh of nothing so great norriture as of it selfe But the qualitie of the time and the situacion and fortresse of that Citie whiche Alfonso with great diligence had reduced to good rampiers fortifications would not agree that he should make his enterprise with forces open and discouered seing withal he had prouided an infinit quantity of faire artilleries municions improuing to thuttermost his reuenues limiting al his exspences imposing newe raxacions and tributes and lastely expressing in all things the minde of a marchant more then of a prince it was beleeued he had gathered together a huge masse of money and treasor In so much that if the condicions of the time changed not there remayned to the Pope no other hope to cary it then by the way of secret conspiracie and practise wherof as he had in vayne made experience in times past with Nicho. d'Este and many others And Alfonso for that he knewe not that he followed any more those practises helde himselfe almost assured not of his will but of his conspiracies and ambushes So it seemed to the Pope for the meanes that were offred to him and for that Alfonso by thoppression of a long maladie was reduced to those desperate tearmes that there was almost no hope of his recouerie and withall for that his brother the Cardinall because he would not remayne in the Court of Rome with disgrace was gone into Hungrie that the time consented to execute some plot layde and preferred by some exiles of Ferrara and by their working by Alexander Fregoso Bishop of Vintemille who was then at Bolognia for that aspiring to be Duke as his father the Cardinall had
that might be necessarie and muche lesse was it profitable for the townes that should remayne betweene Parma and Bolognia They alleaged that the footemen that were within Parma were bodies of no vallour both because they were leauyed in haste and at randon and also they made continuall disorders stealinge to the campe by stealth no lesse for the difficultie and straytenesse of their payes then for wante of meale and prouision for foode That the circuite of the towne was great and the people yll disposed who thoughe they were embased of courage woulde yet take heart when they sawe the armie neare the walles so that executing batterie vppon the Citie in many places it would be heard for the French men at one tyme both to resiste thenemie without and also kepe garde vppon the people that were within Others reasoned of the contrarie that the Citie was well fortified that it was strong in bands of men that touching the footmen that wandred froÌ them they were people vnprofitable vnapt cowardly but the bodies bearing habilitie experience disposition to the warre remained there together with many bands of the french souldiors all resolutely prepared to defend their life Lastly that without this good suretie and prouision it stoode not with the experience and conduct of Monsr d' Escud Federike de Bossolo and other right braue and worthy capteins to suffer them selues to be enuironed That it was well knowen for that of late time the maner of warrefaring and to keepe and defende a place was chaunged what difficulties were in the taking of townes And that it belonged to them to consider throwly in what degree of reputacion the armie should stande if they did not accomplishe the firste enterprise That as they helde it necessarie to plant before Parma their artilleries in two seuerall places so they had to looke whether the campe were furnished with artilleries and other prouisions fitte for the action That suche a quantitie of artilleries could not be drawen thither without the losse of certayne dayes which besides the consuming of too muche time before would be an intermission preiudiciall for that in suche respite the Venetian companies and the moste part of the Svvizzers would be ioyned with Monsr Lavvtrech who was daylye exspected at Cremona That one part of the regiment of Svvizzers was already arriued and the forerunners of the Frenche armie weare neare at hande That whylest the armie was intangled with the siege of Parma it would bring no small preiudice if Monsr Lavvtrech came and planted his campe affore some place adioyning And as it would be a hard matter to force him to feight so he might and would easily vexe the skowtes of the forreagers and giue impedimentes to the vittells which dayly were brought from Reggia and they already in diuerse sortes distressed by suche as were within Parma That it were a better counsell to make prouision of vittells for certayne dayes and and leauing Parma behinde to proceede to surprise Plaisance A citie of farre greater circuite and of lesse strength and garrison of souldiors the place voyde of fortifications and artilleries and the people of the same disposicion with them of Parma That these reasons remoued all doubt that making their approches they should not forthwith carye it wherein Prospero Colonno being of the same aduise and counsell assured the residue that he knewe a place which in no sort could be possible to hinder their entring being the same by the which Frauncis Sforce at that time capteine ouer the peoples of Millan made his victorious entry agaynst the Venetians who had occupied it after the death of Phillip Maria Visconto That Plaisanca was a Citie wonderfully abounding with great quantities of vittels and stoode so apte to assayle Millan that the Frenchmen would be constrayned to retyre thither moste of their forces by which meane the cities adioyning to Parma should stande in no estate of daunger Lastly Prospero helde himselfe assured that passing the ryuer of Pavv only with light horsemen and so marching with diligence to Millan that Citie woulde drawe into tumult hearing of the rumor of his name Suche was his opinion affore he parted from Bolognia and in that regarde not thinking it needefull to staye about the taking of any particular place he would not haue a plentifull prouision of artillerie nor municions In this varietie of councels opinions it was determined by such as had authoritie to deliberate and resolue that assone as sufficient prouision might be made of meale and breade to nourishe the armie for ãâ¦ã dayes a regiment of fiue hundred men at armes one parte of the light horsemen the regimentes of Spanishe footemen and fifteene hundred footemen Italians should marche with great speede towards Plaisanca and the residue of th armie to come after which could not marche but with slowe pase by reason of thartilleries vittels and many other impedimentes following ordinarily a campe And it was assuredly beleeued that vpon tharriuall of the first companies eyther the Citie would rise for the Churche or at least they should be a reasonable let for thentring of succours so vpon the comming of the residue and full force of the army they made no dout to cary it But it happened the day before that the army should remoue that certeine trowpes of french horsemen hauing passed the riuer of Pavv ran vp euen as farre as Bossetto a matter which made a brute that the whole frenche army was come ouer Pavv and therefore that accident breaking the deliberacion that had bene made the departing of the bands was deferred vntill the certeinty and truth were knowen for the discouery whereof they dispatched Iohn Medicis Capteine of the Popes light horsemen with a trowpe of iiij hundred horses But that which most troubled this deuise thexecucion of it was the ambicion controuersie that fell betwene Prospero the Marquis of Pisquaire betwene whom was no great agrement before Prospero contended to lead the vawward and principall parte of tharmy against whom the Marquis alleaged that it was not reasonable that the regiments of spanish footmen ouer whom he was Captaine generall should go to any expedicion without him In regard of which ambicion gelousie of the chiefe capteines dauÌgerous most coÌmonly for the affaires of princes notwithstanding it was knowen within few howers after that the bandes of frenchmen were estsoones returned beyonde Pavv and that Monsr Lavvtrech stirred not yet the first resolucion was not followed But what by the diuersitie of opinions and for the naturall slownes of Prospero things had proceeded in greater delayes longnes if the Popes Agent had not stept in with them and declared with discourse full of reasons and efficacie how much and how iustly the Pope might take offence that they had temporised so long wherein they should not in any reasonable sorte excuse them selues towards his holynes of the delayes and respits they haue vsed tell then first in exspecting the Spanyards and then in
of disloyalty to their lords if reason could not hold them from executing the resolucion which their tymerous condition had stirred in them he reproched to theÌ with vehement words the oth of homage fidelity which a few dayes before they had solemnly made to him on the behalfe of the sea apostolike he told them that though he saw affore his eyes their destruction and death manifest yet they were not to draw from him any other conclusion then that he woulde continue to make good his fayth in that seruice vntill eyther by supplies of newe bandes or by the comming of great artilleries to the campe of thenemies or some other accident happning he were satisfied that the daunger was more manyfest to loase the towne then the hope greater to defende it He floong out of the councell immediatly vpon the deliuery of these speeches partly to leaue them sounding in their eares and imprinted in their mindes with greater authoritie and partly to giue order to many things necessary if thenemies should offer to giue the assault that day which was beleeued But they remayned in suspence and stoode so muche the more confused by howmuche their reason was lesse then their feares Whervnto yeelding at last to the thing that could least assure them and subduing in their fearefulnesse all other good regards They resolued to sende out at aduenture to solicite an accord dispatching withall certeine of them to the gouernor to protest to him that if he continued obstinate to consent to their safety they were determined in their owne meane both to put away the perill that was towards them and to preserue the Citie from the spoyle that they saw pretended But at the very instant that they were determined to addresse their embassage there began to be heard on all sides the cryes of suche as garded the gates of the walles together with the Alarme sounded by the belles of the high tower of the citie which gaue the signe that thenemies being issued out of the Codipont in order of battell made their approches to the wals to giue thassalt By which occasion the gouernour returning to those that he had not spoken to as yet cryed vnto them that though all men were willing yet the tyme was nowe inconuenient to come to accorde This is the election sayth he you stande in eyther to defende your liues honorably or to see your citie put to shamefull sacke and your selues deliuered into captiuitie your aduersitie calleth you to be warned by thexample of Rauenna and Capua whose inhabitantes and the eyes of the naturall children borne in them sawe them miserably sacked euen as they were soliciting an accorde with thenemies that stoode vpon the walls I haue done hithervnto as much as might be concluded in the habilitie of one alone My will hath bin so much aboue my power by howmuch my fortune hath bene lesse then my meanes I haue gouerned you thus long not more to mine owne prayse then to your profite not lesse to your vniuersall safetie then to the due satisfaction of the place I holde and nowe haue I ledde you to this election whether you will vanquish or dye I would of my selfe I could suffice to defend the thing which our fortune hath made not to be preserued without your aide then should you see with what affection I desire to defend or to dye Be not the more discouraged for the nearenes of your perill let not your confidence be so much abated by howemuche your daunger is imminent striue not lesse to vanquishe feare then to ouercome shame And be not lesse resolute to defende your lyues your goods the honor of your wiues and doughters then you haue bene importunate to desire without any necessitie to runne into willing seruitude of the French in whom you are not ignorant remaineth a naturall malice towards you After these speches he turned his horse away and left them all possessed with contemplacions of feare But as necessitie is mightie to make men resolute so for that their fortune had lefte them nowe no tyme to proue other remedies they lette fall all parleys for accorde for the present necessitie they had to defende them selues for that one part of thennemies who the daye before had gathered in the countrey a greate quantitie of skaling ladders made approche to the Bastillion whiche Federike had buylded on that side towardes Pavv and inuaded it valiauntly And at the same tyme was a furious assault giuen to the gate that leades to Reggia as also the feight was begon in two other places with so much the more difficultie of defence to them within by how much thenemies were more braue and encouraged by the examples of the Capteines and the men of the towne filled full of terror and cowardise went not to the walles but closed them selues within their houses as though euery moment they had exspected the latest ruine of the Citie These assaultes being releued many times continued the space of foure houres the daunger of the townesmen diminishing continually not so much for the wearines of thenemies who by the wounds and harmes they receyued in many places began to loase hart as also by the example of the gouernor and vallor of the townesmen who seing the defence to succede well tooke courage in their good fortune and labored more and more at the wall In so much that affore thassalt retyred not onely the vniuersall multitude of people was ronne thither together with the Churchmen to defend the breaches but also in thaction was concurrant the vallour of many women who despising the daunger were seene to cary wine and other refreshings to their husbandes By these thenemies without dispayring of the victorie retyred with the losse of some and manye wounded to the Codipont from whence they dislodged the morning following and so returned beyonde Pavv after they had remayned a day or two about the borders of Parma Federike confessed that in this expedicion whereof he was the author nothing did more beguyle him then that he would neuer haue beleeued that in a gouernour neither for his profession a man of warre nor for his time of any continuance in the city would de found such vallour that the Pope being dead he would rather throwe him selfe into daunger without any hope of profite then seeke for his safetie which he might do without his dishonor or infamie This defending of Parma hurt greatly th affayres of the Frenche for that it put the people of Millan and other subiectes of that state into greater hart to defende themselues then they had before But specially they tooke corage when they knewe what weaknes of souldiors was within had receiued no succors abrode for that besides that there came no reskew from Plaisanca neither the Svvizzers that were within Modena nor Guido Rangon nor Vitelli would once make out any men for the succors of Parma wherin Guido alleaged for his excuse that notwithstanding the Duke of Ferrara because he could not take
content others for the colleage wherein the aduersaries of Cardinall Medicis could do most had at the same instant couenanted with him to reteine the estate which he had recouered vntill the Popes comming into Italie and longer if it so pleased the Pope and that he should not molest the Florentins nor the Siennois nor enter into confederacy with any Prince nor any way communicate with him or administer to him Hitherunto the matters of Lombardy had bene in peasible estate the one parte hauing want of money and the other no lesse necessitie of men And therefore the souldiours of the Imperialls who were not payed refusing to stirre out of their lodgings there was dispatched into Alexandria onely Iohn Sassetella with his regiment and other souldiours and subiects of the Duchy of Millan This Capteine in the beginning of the warre chaunging a benefit certeine for hopes incerteine left the pay of the Venetians to take the wages of the Duke of Millan notwithstanding he was banished from his estate In which disposicion of minde and with a fortune more readie then a councell stayed he approched to Alexandria where the rashnes of the Guelffes defending the Citie more then the force of the french souldiours made easie to him the action which all men esteemed hard for that being issued out to skirmish with thenemies and not hable to susteine the encounter their dishabilitie gaue them occasion to enter pellmell into the Citie which by that accident more then through their vallour became a pray to the victors a reproch to the vanquished And not many dayes after with the same facilitie were chased out of Ast certeine bands of the frenche being there entred by the meane of certeine particulars of the Guelffes faction But of this short and suspected quietnes there were already discerned to draw on beginninges of verie great troubles for notwithstanding in the parliaments of the Svvizzers there were great contencions risen vpon the demaundes of the frenche king wherein as the Cantons of Zurich and Zuicz stoode obstinate against him and the Canton of Lucerna whollie with him and the residue deuided amongest them selues so also the publike affaires were troubled by the couetousnes of priuate persons some demaunding of the king pension and enterteinment present and some requiring their old payes and debts due in times past Yet they accorded to him at last those proporcions of footemen which he required for the recouerie of the Duchie of Millan which leauy making a number of more then tenne thousande bodies descended into Lombardy by the mounteines of S. Barnard S. Goddard and were conducted by the bastard of Sauoye great Maister of Fraunce by Galeas S. Seuerin maister of the horse About this time the king of England being estraunged from the amitie of the frenche had lent to Caesar a great quantitie of money the better to furnish him against so great an emocion And with that money thEmperour had sent Ierome Adorno to Trent to leauie sixe thousande launceknightes and to lead them to Millan together with the person of Frauncis Sforce his comming was then esteemed of great importance both to kepe conteined constant Millan the other places of that estate which greatly desired his presence and also by his authoritie fauors to make easie thexactions of money wherof there was extreame want At the same time they of Millan not knowing the prouisions that Caesar made had sent money to Trent to wage foure thowsande footemen and they being prepared by that time that Adorno came thither he left the other six thowsand to be made readie and with these foure thowsand drew towards Millan to descende to Coma by the vale of Voltolina And albeit the Grisons denyed to giue him passage yet his celeritie and vallour made his way passing with so great diligence vppon the territories of Bergama and from thence to Guiaradada that the Venetian gouernors who were within Bergama had no time to stoppe them And after he had led these first companies of launceknightes to Myllan he returned with the same diligence to Trent to guide thether Frauncis Sforce with the residue of that leauy In Myllan there was no care omitted to make all sortes of prouisions wherein this was chiefly obserued to forget no meanes that might augment the hatred of the people against the french to prepare them the better to defend them selues and to releue the common necessities with money To this action was much helping many counterset letters and false messages together with other cunning stratagemes proceeding from the diligence and art of Moron But the thing that most of all aduaunced so great an inclinacion was the preachings and sermons of Andrea Barbato a religious man of thorder of Saint Augustin who drawing to him a wonderfull concurse and affluence of people induced them with reasons and perswasions to take vpon them the defence of their liues and the redeming of their free contry from the yoke of straungers auncient enemies to that citie he willed them not to be lesse forward to execute then God was ready to raise them a meane to set them selues at libertie he told them the soueraigne care of mortall folkes was to care for their propper sauetie he reduced to their memories thexample of Parma a weake and small citie in comparison of Myllan and left not vnrecorded thactions of their Elders whose names had caried reputacion and glorye throughout all Italy he layed out by reasons and examples how farre mortall men were bownd to defende their contrey for the which if the Gentiles who exspected no other recompense then glorye offered their liues willingly to death then farre greater was the office and bond of Christians to whome dying in so iust and holy an enterprise was prepared for recompense not the glory of this world fraile and transitory but the fruicion of thimmortall kingdom infinite and euerlasting They had to consider what vniuersall ruine would be brought vppon that citie by the victorie of the french men whose yoke if it had seemed heauy and greeuous affore their burdens now could not be lesse then extreame intollerable And by how much their rigour raged vppon them without any cause affore by so muche had they to assure them selues of extreame oppression now vppon thoccasion of these offences That one execucion of the people of Myllan would not suffice to quench the thirst of their crueltie and hatred that all the goods of the citie could not satisfie their immoderat couetousnes yea nothing could content them but the vtter defacing of the name memorie of the inhabitants of Myllan and by a horrible example to surpasse the vnnaturall crueltie of Federyk Barberousse These speeches so redoubled the hatred of thin habitants and no lesse suppressed all feare of the victorie of the frenchmen that it seemed now more necessary to appease and reteyne them then to moue or prouoke them suchis the power of speeches aptly deliuered and duely respecting time place and all
drawing thether with their forces The Viceroy was appointed to goe against the Marquis of Rothelin who was come ouer the Mounts with foure hundred launces Neuertheles assoone as he vnderstood of the fortune of the Admirall and that he was retyred he returned also into Fraunce holding it vaine for him to followe further thenterprise when the principall forces were dispersed Besides Monsr de Boysy and Iulio Saint Seuerin to whom was committed the gard of Alexandria made no resistance In like sort Federyk after he had demaunded respit of a fewe dayes to know if the Admirall were passed the Mountes compownded to yeeld vp Loda vppon the condicion that was accorded to them of Alexandria to leade into Fraunce the bands of Italian footemen who conteining a regiment of fiue thousande men did speciall seruice to the King afterwardes This was the end of the warre that was managed against the Duchie of Myllan vnder the gouernment of the Admiral of Fraunce By the which neither the kings power being much weakened nor the rootes of harmes remooued much lesse that so many calamities were cleane taken away seeing they were but deferred to an other season and Italy in the meane while remeining discharged of trobles present but not of suspicion of further aduersities to come And yet Themprour no lesse by the incitacion of the Duke of Burbon then by the hope that the authoritie and name of that man might serue him to speciall purpose Was of minde to transferre the warre into Fraunce to the which also the King of Englande showed a readines and disposicion In the beginning of this yeare Themprour had sent his Camp to Fontarabie a towne of verie smal circuit standing vppon the debatable lands that deuide Fraunce from Spaine And albeit the towne was very wel manned and furnished with artilleries and vittelles and leasure sufficient to them within to make it fortefied yet the fortifications being ill made through the ignorance of the Frenche men the towne laye open to the fury of thenemies who heaping vppon the defendants one necessitie after an other constrained them at last to giue it vp only with the safetie of their lyues He was not satisfied with the recouerie of this place but stretching his thoughtes further he made his ambicion no lesse then his fortune and in those conceites being raised to further enterprise he kept no reckoning of the comfortes and authoritie of the Pope who hauing sent in the beginning of the yeare to Themprour the Frenche King and to the King of Englande to solicit a peace or a truse he found their mindes very ill disposed to giue ouer the warre For the French king consenting to a truse for two yeares refused to make peace for the small hope he had to obteine thereby suche condicions as he desired And the Emprour reiecting the truse by the which was giuen good tyme to the Frenche King to reordeine his forces to folow a new warre desired to haue peace And touching the King of Englande any sort of composicion that was offred to be made by the Popes meanes was displeasing to him as in whom was alwayes a desire that the treatie of thaccorde might bee wholly referred to him To this he was induced by the ambicious counselles of the Cardinall of Yorke who seruing as a true example in our dayes of an immoderate pride notwithstanding he was of very base condicion and no lesse abiect for his parentes and discending yet he was risen to suche an estate of authoritie and grace with the King that in most of the actions of the realme the kings wil seemed nothing without thapprobacion of the Cardinall as of the contrary what so euer the Cardinall did deliberate was either absolute or at least had very great force But both the King and his Cardinall kept dissembled with the Emprour that thought by apparances showed a very forward inclination to moue warre against the realme of Fraunce which the King of Englande pretended lawfully to apperteyne to him He grounded his claime vppon these reasons King Edvvard the thirde after the death of the Frenche King Charles the fourth called the faire who dyed without issue male in the yeare of our saluacion 1328. and of whose sister the sayde King Edvvarde the third was borne Made instance to be declared King of Fraunce as next heire male to the French king deceassed Neuertheles he was put by by the generall Parliament of the realme wherein it was set downe that by vertue of the lawe Salyke an auncient lawe of that kingdome not only the persons of women were made vnable to the succession of the Crowne but also all suche as discended and came of the women line were excluded But he not satisfied with this order brought in to take away his right armed him selfe soone after and taking vpon him the title of the king of Fraunce he inuaded the realme with a mightie armie And as in that action he obteined many victories both agaynst Phillip de Valois published by vniuersall consent lawfull successor to Charles the fayre and also agaynst king Iohn his sonne who being ouerthrowne in battell was ledde prisoner into England So after long warres he forbare further to vex the realme and making peace with the sayde Iohn he reteined many prouinces and estates of the kingdome and renounced the title of king of Fraunce But after this composicion which was neither of long continuance nor of great effect the quarrell was eftsones renewed and sometimes followed with long warres and semetimes discontinued with tedious truces vntill at laste king Henry the fift entring confederacie with Phillip Duke of Burgondy who bare a minde estraunged from the Crowne of Fraunce for the murder done vpon Duke Iohn hys father preuayled so muche agaynst Charles the sixt somewhat simple of vnderstanding that he commaunded almost the whole kingdome together with the towne of Paris And finding in that Citie the French king accompanied with his wife and the Lady Katherine his daughter he tooke to wife the sayde Lady and brought the king to consent hauing no great vse of witte that after his death the kingdome shoulde apperteine to him and to his heires notwithstanding his sonne Charles did suruiue him By vertue of which title assone as he was dead his sonne king Henry the sixte was solemnly crowned at Paris and proclaymed king of Englande and Fraunce And albeit after the death of Charles the sixte his sonne Charles the seuenth by reason of great warres happning in Englande betweene the Lordes of the blood royall had chased thEnglishe out of all that they helde in Fraunce except the towne and territories of Callice yet the kinges of Englande dyd not leaue for all that to continue and vse the title of King of Fraunce These causes might happly moue king Henry the eyght to the warre the rather also for that he stoode more assured in his Realme then anye of his predecessours had done for that the kinges of the house of Yorke that was
his Capteynes He gaue order to Ranso de Cero to furnishe his gallies with those bandes of footemen which he had at Marceilles And to auoyde all practises and negociacions of peace or at least that he somewhat distrusted the Pope he forbad to passe further thArchbishoppe of Capua that was dispatched to him and so to goe to thEmperour He sent him worde to tarie for him at Auignon in the Court of his mother and negociate with him by letters or else to returne againe to the Pope So firmelie had he fixed his minde vppon the warre that nothing was more hatefull to him then to heare speake of peace against the which he had cloased his eares and shutte vp all inclinacion And in that resolucion he followed the ennemies in the meane while with the greatest diligence he coulde But they making small reckoning of the harmes and domages which the peasantes did to them marched alwayes in good order along the sea side At last they gotte to Monaco and there they brake into peeces their artilleries which for more facilitie of cariage they laded their Mulets withall As soone as they came to Finalo they vnderstoode with what haste the king marched after which made them double their pase to th ende to bee hable in good season to defende the Duchie of Myllan wherein were not remeyning forces sufficient to make resistance Thus both the one and thother armie drawing towardes Italie the same daye that the frenche king came to Verceill the Marquis of Pisquairo arriued at Albo with the horsemen and bandes of Spanishe footemen beinge followed one dayes iorney behinde by the Duke of Burbon and the Launceknightes The Marquis not takinge leasure to pawse or scarcelie to breathe went the daye followinge from Albo to Voginero being fortie myles distant to the ende he might the next daye gette into Pauya And there he ioyned his forces with the Viceroy who was come thither from Alexandria for the garde of which towne he had lefte a strength of two thowsande footemen This was in a tyme when the frenche armie beganne to drawe fast vppon the shoares of the riuer Thesin their diligence in marching being farre swifter then was the opinion of thenemies In this place they consulted with Ieronimo Moron of the estate of their common affaires wherein their first deuise was that leauing sufficient garrison within Pauia they should dispose all their forces to the defense of Millan according to the obseruacion and custome of the other warres In this councell it was set downe that Moron should goe thither forthwith to make prouision for things necessarie and the Duke of Millan to follow him whome they had sent for And they with their companies marched the right way to Millan after they had left within Pauia Anthonie de Leua with three hundred men at armes fiue thowsand footemen being all Spanyards except certeine launceknights But such was the desolacion within Millan that being still afflicted with the great plague that had runne thorowe the towne all the sommer the Citie was sore shaken and litle remeyning of the former apparance and countenaunce The sickenes had consumed infinite numbers of the people and bodies of good seruice and many had abandonned the Citie to auoyde that mortall perill of their liues it conteyned suche prouisions of vittells as it was wont to doe The meanes to taxe and leauie money beganne to growe hard and desperate And touching the fortificacions the aduersity of the sickenes had taken away all care and remembrance of them yea through the negligence of that time al the bulwarkes and rampiers lay reuersed to the grounde Suche are the domages of an vniuersall negligence which euen amidde perills that be manifest and apparaunt takes awaye the studie of thinges that most concerne sauetie and defense And yet albeit the townes men and popular inhabitauntes expressed no want of readinesse to laye them selues downe to all daunger and suffer all trauell whatsoeuer Yet Moron iudging by the present estate and desolacion of the towne that to enter with an armie woulde be more to the ruine then to the defense of the Citie tooke an other councell which he published in the presence of a greate assemblie of the townesmen in this manner of speaches We may say nowe and with the same perturbacion of minde the like wordes which our Sauiour Christ powred out in the middest of his perplexities Truely the spirite is readie but the fleshe is weake I knowe that in you wanteth not the same affection which hath alwayes caried you to honor obey and defende your Lorde Frauncis Sforce And I am not ignoraunt that in him doe make right deepe impressions the calamities and daungers of his deare people for whose sauetie as I knowe he wanteth no inclinacion to offer vp his life and all his mortall estate so in your faces I discerne an vniuersall readinesse to recompense him with the same compassion But what auayleth it to be resolute where fortune hath made greater the perills and daungers then either reason or nature can make assured the hope and howe vainely is employed that fidelitie which is not accompanied with his due respectes to time place and propertie of thinges I see your forces are nothinge aunswerable to your good willes and inclinacions for that your towne is made naked of people your treasories drayned of money your stoare houses consumed of vittells and your fortificacions reduced to extreame ruine matters that of them selues doe offer the frenche men to enter without that you shall neede to beate open your gates or posternes It brings no litle greefe to the Duke to be coÌstrayned to leaue you abandonned but it woulde bee more greeuous to him then death if in seeking to defende you he should leade you to your last ruine and desolacion In so great a face and multitude of euills it is holden for good discression to make election of the least not to doubt of better seeing it is geuen to mortall men to hope for all things and to dispaire in nothing In matters of perill it is no shame to flee when the fleeing profiteth him that giueth place to his aduersarie for this reason the Duke aduiseth you to obey necessitie and giue place to the fortune of the frenche king reseruing your remedies for a better time which we can not but hope will happen for your speedie restoring To giue place to necessitie and folowe the lawe of tyme is an office duly apperteining to wise men For the present the Duke will neither abandon him selfe nor giue you ouer in tyme to come Make your sorowes no greater then is the qualitie of your losse and frame your myndes apte to receiue this consolacion that tyme triumpheth ouer all the aduersities of the world You see your cause is iust the power of Themprour mightie his fortune incredible and your enemies no other men then suche against whom your vallours haue so oftentymes preuailed God will beholde your pietie towards the Duke and his compassion
theÌ by our armes by our vallour by our weapons This aduise was embraced and as a sentence set downe folowed by the Viceroy who accordingly dispatched to Naples the duke of Tracetta with direction to make as great leauies of money as was possible and recoÌmend ouer the care defense of the kingdom to Askanio Colonno the other barons of the realme And albeit he had modestly giuen answere to thembassage presented to him froÌ the Pope yet he wrote to Rome letters full of seuerity bitternes such as gaue manyfest signification that he would not heare speake of thaccord By reason of this the Pope declaring howe he was pushed on by necessitie for that the Duke d'Albanie aduaunced dayly published not as a thing done before that he had contracted with the french king vnder a simple promise not to offend one another This he signified by writing to themprours agents alleging the causes that induced him but specially his necessities perils increasing And when the sayd writing was presented by Iohn Corsi embassador of Florence with wordes conuenient in suche a case themprour who afore could not be persuaded that the Pope would abandon him in so great a danger fell into no litle emotion trouble of mind he set before his eyes the sundry hopes he had giuen him confirmed by many good offices and oblations he conferred together the seuerall demonstrations of amity accompanied with no lesse tokens of constancy firmnes lastly making a iudgement betwene the former promises of the Pope his present effects he burst out into publike passion against him accusing with exclamation his frayltie light condition and in that heate of nature he answered thembassador that neither hatred nor ambition nor any interest particular had stirred him vp to begin warre with the french king but onely the perswasions the suggestions and the authoritie of Pope Leo who as he sayd was draweÌ vnto it by the Pope raigning being at that time cardinall of Medicis and perswaded him with great vehemency of reasons that it was a matter of great importance for the publike safety vniuersall benefite not to suffer the french king to possesse any thing in Italy That the same Cardinall was the author of the confederacion made for that cause before the death of Pope Adrian In which respects he pronounced with great griefe how much it troubled him to see the Pope who aboue all others was bound not to be seperate from him in those daungers wherin by his meanes he was entred had made a chaunge no lesse hurtfull to him then without all necessity That such reuolt and seperation for the time the place and the whole manner and propertie of it could be attributed to no other thing then to a certayne seruile feare and tymerous impression such as hath falne vpon him since they within Pauia haue holden out In this humor he forgot not to debate the meanes and fauors he had vsed to encreace his greatnes alwayes since the death of Pope Leo and specially his authoritie in two Conclaues together with his perpetuall desire to transferre vppon him the soueraigne election onely for this opinion that by his meane mighte be reestablished the common libertie of Italie And on the other side he made collection howe little the Pope might assure him selfe of the French king and howe farre he was eyther to feare or to hope of his victorie Lastelye he stoode vppon this conclusion that neyther for the Popes resolution whiche was agaynst all good office and exspectation nor for anye other accident or fortune of what condition soeuer he would not forget nor abandon him selfe Wherein he protested and therewithall wished that no man shoulde exspect that for wante of money he would chaunge or vary from his purpose seeing he had vowed to set vp as a laste reast all his Crownes and kingdomes and hys life withall desiring of God that his irreuocable deliberacion in the matter mighte not be preiudiciall to the health of his soule To these complayntes thembassadour of Florence replied That the Pope since he was raysed to the soueraigne dignitie was bounde to proceede no more as Cardinall of Medicis but to put on the personne of Pope of Rome whose office was to be carefull ouer the peace of Christendome for whiche reason he had often debated with him the necessitie of peace and quietnesse and for better negociation of it he had sent to him at two seuerall tymes the Archbishop of Capua by whome he protested that by the othe and ceremonie of his office he was bounde not to bee particular but indifferent That he had also admonished him thereof at suche tyme as the Admirall Bonniuet departed oute of Italie hauing no better season and oportunitie to treate of peace for him and more for his honour wherevnto neuerthelesse he made him no other aunswere then that he coulde conclude no peace without the consent of the kinge of Englande He desyred the Emperour to remember howe often the Pope had disswaded the passage and iourney into Prouence bothe for that it troubled altogether the hope of the peace and also herein he seemed a diuine prophete of thinges to come the necessitie wherein it woulde put the Frenche king to enter into armes mighte bee the occasion to stirre vp in Italie a more daungerous combustion That the Pope by the negociacion of the Bishoppe of Verona had declared to the French king then possessor of Millan and also to the Viceroye howe farre it concerned them to harken to peace but neyther of them bare anye inclination therevnto That since that tyme he had with manye reasons and verye greate efficacie refused to giue passage through thestate Ecclesiastike to the bandes of menne of warre that marched agaynste the Realme of Naples And yet neuerthelesse the kinge dyd not onely denie to heare his reasons but also made his forces to march along the countrey of Plaisanca withoute tarrying for hys aunswere That for that cause he had lastely sente Pavvle Vittorio to induce the Viceroye to a surceassing of armes vnder condicions conformable to the tyme and withall to certifie him by howe many reasons of necessitie he was to assure him selfe of the daunger imminent seeing withall that both the Venetians stoode in suspence and also the kinge of Englande woulde not be concurrante in the defence of the Duchie of Millan if at the same tyme both by Themperour and by him the warre were not moued beyonde the Mountes But seeing the Viceroye made no reckoning of anye offers or condicions he propounded and that the kinges men of warre and armed bandes aduaunced daylye he was constrayned to take fayth and suretie of the kinge without beeing bounde to anye other thing then not to offende hym The Emperour complayned of the hardnesse of the condicion offered to the Viceroy for that it restrayned and bounde hym to leaue that which he helde not expressing any mention that the Frenche king should do the lyke And lastely
holde men in suspence with diuerse hopes and going on still wynning of tyme to agree to thinuestiture and in apparaunce graunt a commission so agreable to all Italy to make tetyre hys armie thoughe on the other side he had giuen directions to his Capteynes not to stirre nor remoue yea there were some that had this opinion that he had intelligence from the Marquis of the practises enterteyned with Moron and therefore he sente out suche a Commission not to be obeyed but to gette some iustification and with his hopes to keepe lulled asleepe the myndes of men vntill he sawe apte tyme to aduaunce and execute his purposes In whiche diuersitie of humors and opinions albeit it was very harde to sounde oute the simple trueth seeing withall it was not knowen whether Lopus Vtrado was dispatched at the same tyme that aryued at the Court Iohn Baptista Castaldo sente by the Marquis to aduertise themperour of the negociation Yet considering by many accidentes and euentes sithence what course themperour hath taken it is without doubt that it is lesse fallible to holde for true the better and the more easie interpretation But in this meane while the Marquis omitted no oportunitie wherein occasion was giuen to enterteine Moron and the others with the same hopes deferring notwithstanding with many excuses th execution of thinges Wherein he tooke one occasion of the sicknes of the Duke of Millan which increased on him by such daungerous degrees that euery one helde almost for certayne that it would leade him to his last time for all the Capteines pretending that in case of the Dukes death the estate of that Duchie should returne to themperour as soueraigne lorde in chiefe it was not only not conuenient for him to retyre his army but also it was necessary to call in a newe strength of two thousande Launceknightes and prepare a greater number to be in readinesse So that the souldiours for their numbers and vallours beeing puissant in the Duchie of Millan there was no meane eyther to dissolue them or at least to offende them He gaue also hope to execute the counsells of the conspiracie assoone as there was apte concurrancie of tyme and meane in exspectation whereof he sayde he proceeded with a great respecte to the Pope and for gratification of him he leauyed froÌ of the estates of the Church his garrisons of men of warre who gaue him occasion of right great complayntes But about this time almost all things were chaunged by a newe accident which hapned in Spayne for the french king falling sick in the castell of Madrill and hauing in vayne desired the presence of themperour was caried by his discontentment and melancoly into such extremitie daunger of his life that the Phisitions appoynted for his cure tolde themperour that they stoode desperat of his recouerie if himselfe in person came not to comforte him with some hope of his deliuerie Themperour obeying more compassion then the reason of thinges was not curious to condiscende to performe so good an office And as he prepared to visite him accordingly his high Chauncellor seeking to turne him from the iorney tolde him with many strong reasons that he could not go to him in honor but with intention to deliuer him presently and without any couenant Otherwise as it would be a humanity not royall but marcenory so it woulde disclose a desire to recouer him not moued of charitie but pushed on by his proper interest as not to loase by his death thoccasion of the profite hoped for by the victorie A counsell assuredly bothe graue and honorable touching the man that gaue it and no lesse worthy to be followed by so great a prince as themprour and yet being more caried by the reasons of others he tooke post to go to him But for the daunger of the king being almost at the extremitie the visitation was short yet for the time accompanied with gracious words full of hope that he would deliuer him immediatly vpon his returning to health In so much that whether it was by the coÌfort that he breathed into him in the sicknes of captiuity the promise of liberty excedes all medicines or by the benefite of hys youth whiche with the fauour of nature was stronger then the maladie he began after this visitation to resume so good disposition that within fewe dayes he was out of daunger notwithstanding he could not recouer his former health but with very slowe time And nowe neither the difficulties that were shewed on themperours side nor the hopes whiche were giuen by thItalians nor any other nature of impedimentes whatso euer coulde staye the voyage of the Lady Alanson into Spayne for that as nothing was more harde or heauy to the French men then to leaue off the practises and negociations of accorde begonne with those that had power to restore their king so nothing was more easie to themperour then feeding the Frenche wyth hopes to drawe their myndes from taking armes and by that meane so to keepe thItalians in suspence as not to dare to enter into newe deliberations And in that cunning manner sometymes vsing delayes and sometymes pressing forwarde th affayres he thought to keepe the myndes of all men confused and intangled The Lady Alanson was receyued by themperour with very gracious demonstrations and hopes but theffectes fell oute bothe harde and heauy for when she ministred speeche to him for the mariage of hys sister the widdowe with the king he made aunswere that it was a matter which could not be done without the consent of the Duke of Burbon The other particularities were debated by deputies of both partes wherein as the Emprour insisted obstinately to haue the Duchy of Burgonguy restored as apperteining to him so the French refused to consent vnlesse he woulde accept it for dowrie or else to referre it to the sentence of the law and iustice to decide the true title And albeit they could easily haue condiscended to the residue yet for that they were so farre off for the demaund of Burgonguy the Lady Alanson returned at laste into Fraunce without winning any other grace then a fauour to see the king her brother who growing more and more into distrust of his deliuery desyred her at her departing to admonishe his mother and all the counsayle from him to looke carefully to the profite of the Crowne of Fraunce without hauing any consideration of him as if he lyued not But notwithstanding the departing of the Ladye Alanson the solicitations for the kings deliuerie did not ceasse for that there remayned behinde the President of Paris and the Bishops of Ambrum and Tarbe who had tyll then followed the negociation but with very litle hope since themprour would not harken to any coÌdition if first Burgonguy were not rendred which the king could not be brought to restore but in a last necessitie About this time the Cardinall Saluatio the Popes Legate aryued at the Courte where being receyued of themperour with
Protenotorie Caraccioll who hoped that for the tearmes wherin things stoode the Senate would speedily drawe to a conclusion to renew the former confederation with the same conditions and to paye to themprour fourescore thousande duckets in recompence that in tymes paste he had withdrawne his ayde leauing there wholly all demaundes to contribute hereafter with money But the accident of Millan reduced the Senate to no litle perplexitie for on the one side they stoode grieued to be the onely people in Italy that with so great daunger contended agaynst themprour seeing they were threatned by the Marquis of Pisquairo to transport the whole warre vpon their estate whereof they discerned already certayne preparations And on the other side they were not ignorant that in case thaccorde went throw themprour should with greater facilitie make himselfe absolute lorde of that Duchie which being ioyned to so many estates and so many other oportunities they sawe was the onely line to leade him to subdue them together with the residue of Italy A matter which was continually declared to them by the Bishop of Bayeux whom the Lady Regent had sent to solicite an vnion with thItalians agaynst themprour for which purpose in so great a doubt and in so daungerous apparances they made many assemblies but without any resolution for the diuersitie of opinions And albeit to accept thaccorde was a thing more conformable to their custome and maner of proceeding for that it so tooke them out of daungers present as they might hope in the tract of tymes and benefite of occasions which common weales may attend who in comparison of Princes are immortall yet it seemed to them a matter of too great importance to suffer themprour confirmed in thestate of Millan and to see the French remayne excluded from all hope of alliance in Italy Therefore after they had at laste resolued to be bounde to no thing they made this aunswere to the Protenotary Carraccioll That the forme of their actions paste gaue fayth to all the world and he himselfe being present at the conclusion of the confederation could well testifie with what great affection they had alwayes desired thamitie of themprour with whom as they contracted a consederation in a tyme when if they had harkned to the French it had bene as all the world knewe anoperacion of right great consequence so they had perseuered and would for euer continue in the same disposicion towards him Only the necessity of thinges kept them in suspence both for that they saw in Lombardie many chaunges and innouations of great importaunce and also for that they remembred that their confederacion with thEmperour together with so many mouings and stirres hapned that yeare in Italie drewe no other end or meaning then to transferre Frauncis Sforce to the Duchie of Millan as the principall fundacion of the libertie and suretie of Italie In which regard they besought his Maiestie that maintaining in that case him selfe and deducing affore all the world his bountie he would remoue and make cease so great an innouacion and establish the tranquillitie of Italie which as it was in his power to doe being nowe the starre that guided the whole firmament so for their partes he should find them alwayes disposed and prepared both with their authoritie and with their forces to follow so holy an inclinacion and honor him besides with all other sortes of office and humility whether he would extend them generally or applie them to his particular interests This aunswere albeit it conteined no hope of coÌclusion yet it bred not for al that any ouerture or beginning of warre for that both the sickenesse of the Marquis of Pisquairo which aggrauated dayly in worse degrees the desire to impatronise him selfe first of the whole estate of Millan and to establish and assure that conquest together with thinclinacion of thEmperour extending to put end and resolucion to so many other affaires which he had in hande would not suffer him to giue beginning to an enterprise of so great consequence About this time the Duke of Burbon was arriued in Spaine and came to thEmperours Court the fifteene day of Nouember concerning whom it is not reasonable I omit here to touch by the way that albeit thEmperour receiued him with all honors and demonstracions of Court embrasing him with the title and grace of his brother in law yet all the Lordes and Nobles of the Court accustomed in all other things to follow thexample of their Prince abhorred him as a person infamous and called him traitor to his king suche was their hatred against him that one of them being required in thEmperours name to suffer his house to be made readie for the Duke of Burbon aunswered in the corage stowtnes of a Spaniard that as he would not deny thEmperour any thing he would demaunde of him so his Maiestie should well vnderstand that assoone as Burbon was gone out of his house he would burne it as a pallace infected with the infamie of Burbon and vnworthie afterwardes for the dwelling of men of honor The graces and honors which the thEmperour shewed to the Duke of Burbon augmented greatly the distrust of the frenchmen who somewhat by that meane but more for the returning of the Ladie Regent without effect began to haue cold hopes in thaccord notwithstanding it was continually negociated by men expresse remeining with thEmperour In respect whereof they labored as much as they could to aduance the league with the Pope wherein did concurre the perswasions and authority of the king of England and the redoubled and vehement instances of the Venetians together with this oportunitie not of the least consequence The death of the Marquis of Pisquairo who about that time which was the beginning of December made his last end happily by the iust sentence of God who would not suffer him to enioy the frute of that seede which he had sowen with so great malignity He was of the house of Abalos originally deriued from Catalignia and his predecessor came into Italie with king Alfonso of Aragon he who the first of that house made conquest of the kingdome of Naples He began to follow armes at the battell of Rauenna where being very younge he was taken prisoner And afterwards aspyring to a reputacion of a Capteine he followed all the warres which the Spanyards had in Italy Insomuch as though he had not past the age of xxxvj yeres yet for experience he was olde for inuencion suttle in councell graue in execucion resolute wise to forsee a daunger and quicke to auoid a mischiefe he bare great authoritie and credit with the infanterie of Spayne ouer whom as he had bene of long Capteine generall so both the victorie of Pauia and all other actions of merit executed by that army since certaine yeares were principally succeeded by his councel and by his vertue he was assuredly a Capteine of great vallour but one that with arte and dissimulacion knewe how to drawe fauor and grace
to his doings being besides prowd of minde of wit deceitfull of nature malicious of councell and action without sincerity and so singuler in his owne weening that oftentimes he hath bene heard saye that he was more worthye to haue Spayne for his contry then Italy His death as it kindled a great confusion in the whole armie with whome he stoode inno litle grace and reputacion so also by his death the contrary side tooke occasion to hope that easily they might be able to bringe all the souldiers to ruine and oppression since there was taken from them a Capteine of so great authoritie and vallour And by this occasion like as with the Pope were more vehement and importunate the instances of such as solicited the proceeding of the league so also the doubtes which deteyned him in suspence were nothing lesse and that with good right since on all partes he was touched with mocions of right waighty reasons such as might suffice to hold confused and suspenced any man of right good action and councell and much more a Pope Clement to whom it was familiar to proceede alwayes in his affayres with slownes and doubt There was no further exspectacion of thEmprour for any way or deuise to assure the regions of Italy And he was manifestly discerned to solicite vehemently the taking of the castell of Myllan In which action was layed a foundacion to conuert many other patrimonies into apparant praye or spoyle but specially the states of the Pope who being reduced to a generall weakenes had his being planted betweene Lombardye and the Realme of Naples And if it were in thEmprours power to oppresse the Pope there was no doubt that he would not execute it either for ambicion which is almost naturally inuested in Emprours against the Popes or for his own suertie which wise men preserre affore all other regards or lastly for reuenge being drawne both to disdaine and distrust for the conspiracies which he enterteyned with the Marquis of Pisquairo And if the necessitie to prouide for this daunger was great the foundacions and hopes to doe it seemed not light for that if the remedie were not to succeede by the meane of so mighty a league and vnion it was to be thought desperate for euer The Regent of Fraunce made promisse of fiue hundred launces and to contribute for euery moneth so long as the warre should endure forty thowsand duckats with the which it was intended to wage ten thowsand Svvyzzers The Pope and the Venetians in one ioynt ayde were to leauye xviij hundred men at armes twenty thowsand footemen and two thowsand light horsemen The French men and the Venetians promised to take the sea and with a great nauie to do inuasion vppon Genes or the Realme of Naples Lastly the Lady Regent of Fraunce was bound to begin the warre immediatly with a stronge armie vppon the frontyers of Spayne to th ende to stoppe thEmprour for sending of men and money to releeue the warre in Italy ThEmprours armie that remeyned in Lombardye was not great neither for the nuÌbers quality of souldiers being much diminished nor for the presence of Capteines of conduct and authoritie seeing both the Marquis was dead and the Duke of Burbon the Viceroy of Naples abode as yet in Spaine They were without meane to recouer money for their payes and had no plentie of vittells to serue them for foode The generall inhabitantes there were enemies to them for the quarrell and desire of their Duke and no lesse for thintollerable exactions imposed by the souldiours both in the Citie of Millan and elsewhere The castells of Millan and Cremona helde good as yet for the Duke And lastly the Venetians gaue hope that the Duke of Ferrara would also enter into this confederacion if the Pope would accord to him Reggia which by one meanes or other he had alwayes possessed These were the hopes of the confederates which reduced to good manner of proceeding caried their manifest reasons of happie issue These were the fundacions they layed against the ambicion and puisance of thEmperour shadowed neuerthelesse vnder the cloake and liuerie to assure their proper liberties But on thother side the difficulties which they discerned rested in the suttlety and vertue of thenemies who had this by custome and propertie of condicion to temporise a long time with litle money and endure many necessities with much patience They saw the townes which thennemies held were well fortified and no lesse facilitie to reduce them to better strength with rampars other sort of fortificacion for that they were townes whose situacion was in the plaine or champion By which oportunitie they were hable to enterteine them selues together vntill there came from Germanie a sufficient succor to drawe and driue the whole warre to the fortune of a battell Moreouer they sawe that touching the souldiours of the league they could not be but bodies raw vntrained in comparison of the others resolute and nourished in so many victories Besides they wanted the conduct and presence of a Capteine generall for that in the Marquis of Mantua then Capteine of the Church they reapposed not sufficient habilitie to manage and beare out suche a charge neither could they with any suretie committe them selues to the fidelitie of the Duke of Ferrara nor the Duke of Vrbin whom they had so much offended much lesse would they rest contented with the greatnes of the Pope whom they enuied with no litle murmure and grudge of mind Lastly they were not ignorant that naturally the armes and weapons of the Church had but dull edges and cutslowly and no lesse inferior was the vallour of the Venetians of whom if either of them aparte and seuerallie were weake and feeble what opinion or exspectacion of their forces being accompanied and conioyned This was also brought into consideracion that in the armies of leagues and confederats was seldome seene a concurrancie of prouisions at conuenient time and muche lesse a correspondencie of wills and mindes for that amongest suche a diuersitie of humors which draw with them diuersities of interestes and endes are easely kindled disorders disdaines and distrusts at the least there is seldom an vniuersall readines to followe resolutely the fauor of fortune when it is offered nor a ioynt disposicion to resist with constancie those stormes and aduersities with either the disfauour of the time or malicious instrument many stirre vp in an armie But the matter that in this councell or deliberacion drewe with it a great feare and difficultie was a suspicion conceiued of the frenchemen that whensoeuer thEmperour shoulde be constrained by the necessities of this warre to offer the deliuerie of their king that nation woulde not onely abandon the league but also ioyne in ayde with the Emperour gainst the confederates And albeit the kinge of Englande gaue for them his faith and worde of a Prince that they shoulde not accorde to suche a renunciacion and that there was deuise to giue assurance
in Rome in Florence or in Venice for three monethes paye yet all this sufficed not to assure suche a suspicion For as the Frenche men had no other ende nor intencion then to recouer their king and did manifestly professe to beare no inclinacion to the warre but when they sawe no hope to effect the accord so it was a thing verie congruent and likelie that whensoeuer thEmperour shoulde be disposed they woulde preferre affore all other regardes and interestes to compounde and accorde with him And like as they were notignorant that by how much were great and mighty the preparacions and forces of the league by so much more readily would thEmprour be inclined to compound with the French king euen so it seemed a matter full of perill to enter a confederacion to make a warre in the which the stronge prouisions of the confederats might doe as much haurt as helpe With these reasons did thEmbassadors and agents of Princes labor the Pope on all sides and no lesse was he solicited by his owne officers and Ministers for that both the multitude of his Court and the people peculiar of his councell were deuided of whom euery one in particular fauored his proper inclinacion with so much lesse regard by how much greater was thauthority they had gotten vppon him who till that time was accustomed to suffer him selfe to be caried for the moste part by the will of such as in reason ought to haue obeyed the twinkling of his eye and to serue no other office then as ministers and executors of the direction and ordenance of their maister for the better informacion whereof and of many other occurrances it is necessary to set downe a more large and particular discourse Leo was the first of the famulie of Medicis that bare any Ecclesiasticall dignitie who in the state and authoritie of Cardinall did so well support both him selfe and his house falne from a wonderfull greatnes into much declinacion that it was reduced to respire and reexspect the returne of a good fortune he was a man of great liberalitie if such a name doe worthely become him being of so excessiue exspences as they passed all rate and measure At such time as he was raysed to the Popedom he boare a presence of such magnificence and maiestie ioyned to a poart and showe royall that the representacion he made might be thought wonderfull euen in one that by long succession had discended of kings and Emprours he was not only prodigall of money and treasor but also of all other graces and distribucions belonging to the prerogatiue and power of a Pope These he disposed in such immoderate liberalitie that he made vile and base the authoritie spirituall disordered the style and course of the Court and through his prodigall exspenses reduced him selfe to necessitie to seeke money alwayes by meanes extraordinary This great facilitie was accompanied with a most deepe dissimulacion with the which he beguiled all the world in the beginning of his pontificacie The thing that made him seeme a good Prince I speake not of the goodnes Apostolike for that in those corrupted tymes then is praysed the bountie or goodnes of the Pope when it exceedes not the malignitie of other men was thopinion that was conceyued of his clemencie hauing a desire to doe good to all men and farre estraunged from inclinacion to offend any Amongest his other felicities which were many and great it was no litle happines to him to haue about him Iulio de Medicis his Cosin whom notwithstanding he was not borne in lawfull mariage yet he raysed him to the estate of Cardinall being before Knight of the order of Rhodes for Iulio being by nature graue to sownd deepely into thinges diligent in office and seruice watchfull ouer affayres not delited in securitie and pleasure but ordered and regulated in all thinges and for his modestie hauing vnder his hands thadministration of al thaffaires of importance of the Popââ dome did beare out and moderate many disorders which proceded of his prodigall facilitie yea suche was his temperaunce and vertue working with a perpetuall care ouer the pope that forsaking the custome of all other cousins and brethren of Popes he preferred alwayes the honor and greatnes of Leo affore all friendshippes and fundations which he might apply to his owne stabilitie after the Popes death And beeing withall no lesse obedient to him then faythfull he seemed in all his behauiours to be a seconde himselfe to him by whom he had receyued so high considence for this cause the Pope raysed him euery day and pushed on by gratifications and benefites the minde that serued him with so great studie and sidelitie he reapposed himselfe more and more vppon him touching affayres of greatest consequence which beeing managed by two natures so different showed howe well oftentimes doth agree together the mixture of two contraries straytnes with facility watchfulnesse with securitie measure with prodigalitie grauitie of manners with pleasures and ydlenes Which thinges and the gouernment of them made manye beleeue that Leo was caryed by Iulio beeing not hable of himselfe to rule so great a charge and no disposition to hurt any one together with a vehement desyre to enjoye the frutes and delightes of the Popedome But of the contrarie they interpreted Iulio to be of a spirite ambicious stirring and addicted to innouations So that all the rigours all the actions and all the enterprises of Leos tyme were by imputation heaped vppon Iulio whom they reputed a man malicious though he caried a minde of magnanimitie and courage which opinion of his vallour was confirmed and increased after the death of Leo for that amidde infinite contradictions difficulties obiected agaynst him he supported the estate and countenaunce of hys affayres with such a dignitie as resembled the person and place of a Pope yea he so conserued his authoritie with the Cardinalls that making his entrie into two Conclaues absolute commaunder of sixteene voyces he was at laste made Pope within two yeres after the death of Leo notwithstanding the many obtrusions and emulations of the moste auncient Cardinalls And he entred into his Popedome wyth suche an exspectation that it was thought he would become the greatest Pope and bring to passe greater matters then euer did any that tyll that daye had sitte in that supreme seate But it was founde out afterwardes howe farre men were abused in their iudgementes both concerning Leo and him since in Clement were discerned many conditions farre different from that which men beleeued of him before for there was not in him neyther that ambition nor thirst after innouations and chaunges not that greatnes of courage and inclination of minde to noble and high enterprises which was supposed before yea he was interpreted to be about Leo rather an executer and minister of his plottes and purposes then a framer and introducer of his counsells and willes And albeit he was of witte very apte and capable and had a deepe
thither Vitelli Iohn de Medicis two capteines who as they were conioyned together by amitie and alliance so by a naturall correspondency of complexion the slownes and coldnes of the one seemed sufficient both to ballance and temper and also to be ballanced and tempered of the valour and forwardnes of the other But destenie drawing to a sodayne death in Lombardy Iohn de Medicis and the Pope by the counsell of his lieftenant seruing his turne in the meane while of Vitelly in lesser things had deferred to call Iohn de Medicis vntil either there were a greater necessity of him or else he taired for an offer occasioÌ of some more worthy enterprise Wherein his reason to forbeare so long to call Iohn de Medicis was that he would not depriue the armie that was in Lombardy of a personage of so many merites and good partes who by his resolution and forwardnes gaue no litle terror to his enemies and by his vertue and prouidence dyd muche assure his friends And one inducement helping to his staye and abyding was the rumour which by relation of espials redoubled dayly of the discending of the launceknights for themprour whose comming ioyned to thaduertisements that ranne of the Spanishe Nauy to be vpon the poynt to depart out of the port of Carthage constrayned the Pope being withall vrged by many of the confederates and by his owne counsellors to deuise contrary to his meaning alwayes before to make some composition with the Duke of Ferrara Not so muche to stande assured of his conspiracies and emotions as to drawe from him some great quantitie of money and to induce him to goe to the armie as Capteine generall of all the League Wherein after he had many tymes delt with Matthevv Casella the Dukes Embassador resident wyth him who assured him that in the Duke was no want of inclination that waye he sent to his lieftenaunt Guicciardin who was then at Parma to goe to Ferrara furnishing him with a Commission very large in apparance but in deede full of restraints and limitations for that he would haue him consent to render to the Duke of Ferrara the townes of Modena and Reggia and he to paye in recompence and counterchaunge in a very short time two hundred thousande duckets To binde the Duke to declare and protest openly and to goe to the armie as Capteine generall of the League That his eldest sonne should take in mariage Catherine the daughter of Lavvrence de Medicis That there should be labor made to giue one of the Dukes daughters in mariage to Hippolito de Medicis sonne of Iulian with a conuenient dowry Many other conditions were annexed to this commission whiche for that by their owne varietie and for the shortnes of the time were almost impossible to be decided yet the Pope notwithstanding he condiscended not to them but by a laste necessitie yet he charged him not to passe thaccorde nor to growe to absolute conclusion tyll he had from him newe directions and other instructions But not long after he enlarged his commission aswell for regarde of the conditions as for authoritie and power to conclude The reason of this amplification was that he had receyued credible aduertisement howe the Viceroy of Naples was aryued with xxxij shippes in the gulffe of S. Florent in Corsika and had brought with him three hundred horse twothousande launceknightes and three or foure thousande Spaniards footemen But nowe the Popes will and working was to litle purpose for that a gentleman of the Duke of Ferraraes beeing with the Viceroy who with great diligence was dispatched from the place abouesayde did not onely signifie to the duke the comming of the army by sea but also he caryed vnto him from themprour the inuestiture of Modena and Reggia with wordes of promise of the next mariage of Lady Margerit d'Austriche bastarde daughter to themprour with Hercules eldest sonne to the Duke By reason of which aduertisementes the Duke who before exspected with great desire the comming of the lieftenant began nowe vnder the accident of this occasion to chaunge counsell and discerning both by the approche of the launceknightes and discending of the army by sea some good fortune to beginne to followe themprours affayres he fayled not to embrace thoportunitie to followe the streame and in that variation of minde sent a Counsellor of his called Iames Aluator to signifie to the Popes lieftenant who being gone from Parma was then at Centa the expedition he had receyued out of Spayne By the which albeit he was not bound to declare himselfe neither agaynst the Pope nor against the league yet for that he had receyued so great a benefite by themprour it was not reasonable he should enterteine any further practise agaynst him In which regarde the negociation for the which he went to Ferrara being dissolued he thought good to giue him signification of it to th ende not to giue the Pope by his silence any iuste cause of discontentment against him Neuerthelesse he would not forbid him to come to Ferrara but left it referred to his good discression The Lieftenant discerned manyfestly by this relation that it would be in vayne for him to go on to Ferrara In which respect ioyning withall thinterest of the Popes reputation to follow a voyage wherin was so small hope of fruite and beeing also called backe by the necessitie of the affayres of Lombardy he gaue place to the operation of the time and returned immediatly to Modena after he had notwithstanding preferred in other forme new solicitations of accord the rather for that the state of the Church on that side grew dayly reduced into farre greater daungers for that George Fronspergh with his army of launceknightes conteyning thirteene or fourteene thousande taking their waye by the vale of Sabio so passing by the rocke of Anfo towards Salo were now come to Chastillion vpon the confines of Mantua The Duke of Vrbin not many dayes before to be the more ready to encounter the Launceknightes had ledde the army of the league to Vavvry vpon the ryuer of Adda betweene Trezza and Cassan and there had erected a bridge and fortified his campe And leauing at Vavvry the Marquis of Salussa with the French bandes the Svvizzers the Grisons and his owne footemen he departed him selfe from Vavvry the xix of Nouember leading with him Iohn de Medicis six hundred men at armes many cornets of light horsemen and eyght or nyne thousande footemen His intention was not to set vpon them directly in the playne field but to vex them with incommodities and cut off their releefes and virtels alleaging that the onely way to vanquishe men of that humor was to driue them to fall into some disorder which being well obserued and applied would do them greater domage then a manyfest inuasion In whiche minde the one and twenty day he aryued at Souzin from whence he caused to aduaunce forward Mercurio with all the light horsemen and
to pay thirtie thowsand duckats monthly for the warre of Italy in which was determined the contribucion promised before for six monethes But by how much were augmented and enforced the preparacions of the warre by so much and by the same degrees were kindled redoubled the hatreds of both the princes hauing especiall interest in this warre either of them tooke occasion to multiplie iniuries and enforce quarrells In which passions they contended no lesse with courage and malice then with force and armes For whereas thempror about two yeares before in the towne of Grenado when in like sorte the peace was solicited betwene the french king and him spake to the President of Grenoble the french embassador then certeine wordes inferring that he would willingly put end to all quarrells betwene the king and him by a singular combat of both their personnes to th ende to auoide so much bloode and affliction of Christians and personnes innocent And whereas also since that time he had coÌfirmed the same wordes to the herald the last time he signified the warre to him with this addicion that the french king had delt with him villanously and cowardly in falsesying the faith he had giuen to him These speeches being now deliuered ouer to the king he thought he could not let them lie in silence without his ignominie and dishonor And therefore albeit the chalenge might better become the personnes of knightes then to be performed by princes of their estate and greatnes yet being no lesse guided with the enuie of the chalenge then desirous to purge and iustifie his honor he caused to assemble the xxvij of Marche in a great hall of his pallaice at Paris all his princes attending his person all thembassadors resident from the forreine and the whole presence of his court And in that aspect and stately view of nobles embassadors the king in his time discended into the hall with a great pompe and furnishment of sumptuous attire no lesse honorably accompanied with a traine of Barons where after he was with all ceremonies of state dignitie set in his seate royall he caused to be called before him themprours embassador who sued for his dispatch for that it was determined that being conueighed to Bayone he should be deliuered at the same time that the other confederat embassadors were set at libertie who for that purpose were conducted to Bayone When thembassador stoode in his presence the king spake to him excusing and alleadging that thempror had bene principally the cause of his restraining for that in an example new and against humanitie he had kept reteined his embassadors and the agents of his confederats But seing he was now to go to Bayone to th ende there might be an vniuersall deliuerie at one time he desired him to cary from him a letter to thempror and to deliuer a message from him of this tenor That whereas thempror had saied to his herald that he had falsefied his faith he had saied falsely and that hovv many times he had spoken it so many times had he lied and that for aunsvvere to th ende not to linger the tryall of their quarells he vvould assigne him the place vvhere they might together performe the combat But thembassador refusing either to cary the letter or to deliuer the message the king saied he would send to signifie no lesse to him by a herald he added also to the message that albeit he was not ignorant that themprour had spoken wordes against the honor of his brother the king of England yet he would make no mencion of that knowing that the saied king was well hable to deale in his owne defense And yet if thorow the indisposicion of his body he had any lawfull impedimeÌt he offred to present his person to hazard for him Not many daies after the king of England gaue the same deffiance and with the same solemnities and ceremonies The same somewhat offending the honor of the princes of Christendome who in their rage of malice could not forbeare to defile their mindes with such passions hauing ronning amongest them a warre of so great importance and so much preiudiciall to all the common wealth of Christendom But amyd these great heates and furies of warre and armes the order of our story draweth into discourse some reapport of the king of England touching the refusing of the Lady Katherine of Aragon The saied king had to wife the said Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinand and Elyzabeth kings of Spayne a queene worthy of such parents and for her vertues and good behauior vniuersally beloued reuerenced of the whole estate of the realme In the time of the father of that king she was maried to prince Arthure eldest sonne to the crowne but being almost no sooner maried then she was made a widow by the hasty death of her husband she was eftsoones by the consent of her father and father in law married to prince Henry the younger brother but with dispensacion of Pope Iulio in regard of thaffinitie that was neare and straite of which mariage was procreated a sonne who died immediatly and afterwardes there succeded no other generacion of children then a daughter The same giuing occasion to the court to murmure that for the vnlawfulnes of the mariage being not dispensable in the first degree the crowne was by miracle depriued of issue male This occasion was aptly taken and managed by the Cardinall of Yorke who knowing the kings desire to haue sonnes began to perswade him that refusing his first wife who iustly was not his wife he might dispose himselfe to marie an other Wherein much lesse that he was induced by conscience or of a simple desier to bring issue male to the king but he was caried in that action with a secret opinion that in drawing his king to embrase a second mariage he might happlie induce him to fix his affection vpon the Ladie Renea daughter to king Lovvys A matter which was desired by him with no small industrie and ambicion for that knowing he was generally hated of all the realme he sought to prepare remedies for his owne estate against all accidents that might happen both during the life and after the death of the king he tooke also one strong inducement to that practise vpon the greate malice he had conceiued against themperour for that neither in demonstracions nor with effects he did not further and satisfie his incredible pride neither did he doute for the great authoritie the king and he had with the Pope to dispose him to publish iudicially the diuorce The king opened readely his eares to this councell not that he was caried with those endes which the Cardinall of Yorke had fashioned But according to thopinion of many he tooke the chiefest reason of his inducement vppon the loue he bare to a Ladie of the Queenes traine whome he determined to make his wife In which course of loue and choosing the king was so secret and priuate that
first the trenches conteyning more then a mile euen to the sea could not be cast with speede aswell for want of pioners to laye out the worke as for the diseases of the souldiers being weakned from all hardnes of labour secondly which was very necessary for the besieging and inuasion of the towne the armies by sea did not come for that neyther Andre Dore with his gallies that were at Genes did stirre neither was there any aduertisement of the comming of the Nauie prepared at Marceilles and also the Venetians regarding more their profit particuler then the benefite generall and common or rather respecting lesse interests principall then ends more inferior and accidentall employed their Nauie at the expedition of Brundusa and Ottranta of which cities Ottranta had couenanted to yeeld if within sixteene dayes it were not reskued and for Brundusa notwithstanding it had receyued by accorde the Venetians yet the Castel helde good for thEmperour whereofthe one hauing a strong situacion vpon the sea gaue small hope to be taken and the other standing within the towne and of greater circuite then the other seemed not to be able to make long resistaunce for that it had lost two rockes The xij day of May they made a battrie with thartilleries vpon the hill which executed a torret that vexed not a litle the fielde They shot oftentimes also into the towne but that offended litle and many skirmishes were performed at Saint Anthonies The sixteenth day the artilleries being planted vpon the top of the mountaine vpon certaine torrets betweene Saint Gennaraes gate and the gate of Capua and kept them also from erecting a bastilion whiche the defendants had begunne within the towne most mouthes were fedde with sodden corne for feare of extreme famine they deliuered the towne dayly of many nombers of people whom the calamities of the warre had reduced to a harde election either to languish in famine within the towne in the eyes and compassion of their friends or to runne to the mercie of the enemie in whom it was not reasonable they shoulde hope for sauetie and succour hauing so iustly offended them And the Launcknightes notwithstanding they suffredâlesse then the other nations of souldiers yet both for want of bread and farre greater necessities of wine and flesh they protested oftentimes to mutine But they were estsoones reclaymed with many good offers and meanes and for the moste parte kept enterteyned with false letters and promises of succours The xix day the pionners and souldiers were brought to worke at the newe trenches and planting two cannons vpon the bastilion when it was made they wonne and reuersed two myles neare to Magdaleine garded by two ensignes of Launceknightes against which they neuer addressed any enterprise for that they were apt to be reskued from Naples Hytherunto the affaires of the Frenchmen haue runne in a course happie and pleasing but they beganne to swarue to declination for many causes manifest and apparant for as Phillip Dore by the secrete ordinance of Andre Dore was retyred with his gallies to lie about Pozzovv so by that meane there entred dayly within Naples where were left no other sortes of people then souldiers some quantitie of vittels in Barkes And albeit the Venetian Nauie after they had conquered Ottranta gaue continuall hopes to discend and fall with Naples yet they temporised and interposed dayly newe delaies and excuses hoping to get speedely the great Castell of Brundusa Lastly the affliction of diseases and sicknesse encreased dayly in the armie and where the blacke bands were wont to be in all actions three thowsande strong Nowe what for their hurt men who were vnprofitable to the seruice and what for their sicke men in whom was more weaknes then vallour and what for the bodies dead whose places were emptie they were reduced to a nomber of two thowsand The xxij day the Spanyardes made a braue sallie vpon those that defended the newe trenches where was a continual labour and working of men in hope to perfect them within sixe or eight dayes At this sallie Horatio Baillon being appointed to a place of perill with a very litle companie was slaine as he was fighting in good example to his souldiers a death more meete for a simple souldier then worthie such a Captaine The Imperials rising into courage and hope by the successe of this sallie made it good with a newe action and greater forces but the whole campe being in armes and running to the defence of the trenches they retyred againe into the towne ⪠Philip returned in the ende to the golfe of Naples for the great instance and solicitation that was made to him The trenches that had bene begunne to close vp the way of Somma were not finished the xxvij day The Spanyards made roades dayly through the countrey brake downe wayes and made open passages and brought into the towne great quantities of fleshe Against whom the horsemen of the campe made litle head for that they went rarely to the feeld And Monsr Lavvtrech beginning nowe to wishe for a supplie of footmen though he yelded not wholly to the counsell of others solicited that they would send him out of Fraunce by sea sixe thowsand footmen of any nation alleadging that for want of vittels and the stroke of maladies and diseases the campe was much diminished And yet amongst so many difficulties and in so small exspectation of remedie it was he onely that had hope of the victorie reaposing himselfe whollie vpon the famine of that Citie In this time things fel out well in Calabria with Simon Roman who had with him two thowsand footmen aswel corsegnans as souldiers leuyed of the countrey And albeit the Prince of Bisignan and one of the sonnes of Captaine Alerson were opposed against him with a regiment of fifteene hundred footmen waged of the countrey yet they found it a hard matter to stande against him insomuch as the sonne of Alerson retyred to Tarenta leauing the Prince in the field Not long after Simon folowing the course of his fortune got Cosense by accorde and successiuely after that he tooke in a towne thereby the Prince of Stigliano and the Marquis of Lauie his sonne with two other of his children But in Povvylla the garrison that helde Manfredonia for themprour vexed all the countrey with incursions and roades without any resistance of the horsemen or footmen of the Venetians who were gone vp to the conquest of those townes Moreouer in the quarters about Rome things were not well appeased for that Ferro Colonno hauing taken Paliano notwithstanding he was forbidden in the Popes name on the behalfe of the daughter of Vespasian yet the Abbot of Farfa recouered it making prisoners Serro and Prospero de Gauy though afterwards Serro made escape by the helpe of Lovvys Gonzaguo Whilest the armies were in action about Naples and trauailed with those difficulties and with those hopes Antho. de Leua being aduertised by good espiall that there
in those operations perswaded him selfe that for the long practise and intelligence he had holden with them they would in those disorders and wantes passe dayly to his armie But the fyfteenth daye of Iulye all the Fleete of the Venetian Gallies except those that were aboute Caietta returned into Calabria to bee reuittelled of biskytte By whose going awaye the hauen beeing layde open manye Frigots passed into Naples with vittelles of all sortes excepte wyne A releefe comming in a tyme apte for that within Naples there was not so muche stoare of corne as woulde laste tyll the ende of Iulye And on the other syde in the Campe which was filled full of the plague by the infection of suche as came out of Naples maladies and diseases encreased greatly which respecting neyther place authoritie nor complexion so touched Monsr Vavvdemont that he bare more likelyhood of death then hope of lyfe and reduced Monsr Lavvtrech into great maladies By whose absence and restrayning for the sicknesse he suffred the seruice declined to suche disorder that the Imperialls had leasure to execute their incursions without impediments and wyth the same facilitie cut off the vittelles that came to the armie reducing the whole campe to great wantes of releefe And yet muche lesse that the Frenche coulde bee broughte to leauye newe companies of light horsemen seeing in these disorders Valerio Vrsin beeing in the paye of the Venetians with an hundred light horsemen went from the armie for that he was not payed by whose example many other companies of light horsemen left the seruice for want of pay and the residue were made vnprofitable by reason of diseases The men at armes of the Frenche were bestowed in garrison in the places thereabout And the bandes of the Gascons beeing dispersed into seuerall places of the countrey were busie in gathering in of haruest and seeking praye and bootie Neuerthelesse there was great hope in certayne bandes of footemen which were sayde to come with the armie by sea which armie hauing stayed more then twentie dayes after they parted from the porte of Liuorno aryued at laste the eyghteenth of Iuly with many gentlemen and money to comforte the campe Onely this supply brought to the armie but eyght hundred footemen the residue that marched with it remayning bestowed partely for the garde of Genes and partly to follow thenterprise of the castell of Ciuitavecchia At the comming of these succours Monsr Lavvtrech hauing sent to the sea side bandes of souldiours to receyue the money that was brought the gallies could not come to land for the impediment of the sea that was great and swelled with waters And therefore the next day the Marquis of Salussa returned thither againe with his launces and with a grosse regiment of Gascons Svvizzers and Launceknightes accompanied with the blacke bands But in their returning they were encountred by the Imperials being issued out of Naples in great trowpes who gaue so furious a charge vppon the Frenche horsemen that they turned their backes and in fleeing they so shaked and troade their footemen that they disordered them whome they shoulde haue defended In this encounter Don Dugo de Pepoly succeding by the death of Horatio Baillon to the gouernment of the Florentine bandes beeing set on foote with fortie harquebuziers before the esquadron of the blacke bands became prisoner to the horsemen yea suche was the furie of thimperialls that if the vallour of the blacke bandes had not reteyned them they had in this medley made a great slaughter for that they foughte wyth a wonderfull resolution but chiefly the horsemen There were lefte dead of the French men more then an hundred bodies and no lesse number passed ouer to the calamitie of prisoners amongst whom were many of the gentlemen of the sea army that were sette on lande And also Monsr de Candales Nephewe to the Marquis of Salussa Onelye the money was preserued and sente in safetye to the Campe The faulte of this disorder was layde vppon the Frenche horsemen beeing farre inferiour in vallour to the ennemies A matter whiche dyd not a little diminishe the vertue of the footemen of the armie as knowing that nowe they coulde not stande assured of reskewe in the horsemen But the matter that moste endomaged and weakned the armie was the sicknesse of Monsr Lavvtrech who albeit laboured with the vertue of his mynde and courage to susteyne and beare oute the feeblenesse of hys body yet beeing not hable with his hande and presence to assist actions he could not prouide and remedie many things that went to declination for thimperialls taking libertie to make roades abrode did not only make purueiance of all things they stoode neede of except wine which they could not cary but also in that libertie they cutte from the armie oftentimes the resorte of vittelles and norriture taking their baggage and forrage euen vppon their ramparts and winning their horses sometimes as they were ledde to the watering In so muche as besides the generall diminution of the armie by diseases euen thinges necessarye beganne to fayle in the campe which was almoste reduced of an armie besieging to a campe besieged if they had not sene to the garding of the passages agaynst the footmen that ranne away And of the contrarie within Naples all commodities and hopes encreased the launceknightes mutined no more and all the other bandes of souldiours in glory and emulation stroue to suffer and endure With these dangers no lesse manyfest then still increasing the obstinacie of Monsr Lavvtrech was at last vanquished who both had sent into Fraunce to be supplied with six thousand footmen by sea and also had dispatched Ranso de Cero being come with the army by sea towards Aquila to leauy foure thousande footemen and six hundred horsemen giuing him assignation for money to the treasorer of Aquila and Abruzza Whiche supplies as Ranso vndertooke by promise to bring to the campe within few dayes so they would haue serued better for the aduauncement of the affayres if they had bin prepared before By the xxix daye the wayes and straytes were so broken that there was no suretie of passage to Capua whiche laye vppon the backe of the armie and wherein almoste all sortes of people laboured of diseases and sicknes Monsr Lavvtrech who somewhat before had bene eased of his feauer was eftsoones falne into it agayne with a more infirmitie and daunger then before The men at armes were almoste all dispersed in the villages eyther for diseases and sicknes in deede or at leaste to refreshe them vnder suche an excuse The regimentes and bandes of footemen were almoste reduced to nothing And within the towne of Naples bothe the plague abating and other diseases diminishing by whiche helpes there were as yet seuen thousande footemen strong there was feare least they woulde fallye out and inuade the Campe In whiche regarde Monsr Lavvtrech caused to tarye the fiue hundred footemen whiche Ranso de Cero had sente after the ouerthrowe of Symon
alleaged the contract appeared not by writing notwithstanding the Pope mainteyned a further obligation So that he solicited to enter into the paye of the French and Florentins complayning bitterly of certaine intelligences and practises enterteyned against him by the Cardinall of Cortono and of a letter which he had surprised written by the Cardinall Medicis to Braccio Baillon But the Pope seeking indirectly to stoppe the effect of his deuice forbad by Edicts publike that none of his subiectes without his leaue shoulde take the payes of other Princes vpon paine of confiscation Neuerthelesse Malatesta forbare not for that to prosecute his deuise The Frenchmen bounde them to indue him with a charge of two hundred horsemen two thowsand crownes pension the order of Saint Michael and in time of warre with two thowsand footemen And the Florentines gaue him the title of Gouernor two thousand crownes pension a thousand footmen in time of warre fiftie horsemen for his sonne and fiftie for the sonne of Horatio with fiue hundred crownes for the paye of them both They tooke vpon them the protection of his estate and of Perousa and aswel the French King as they made him one ioynt allowance in time of peace of an hundred crownes the moneth to enterteyne ten Captaines And the Florentines a part made him a paie for two hundred footmen for the garde of Perousa and for his part he was onely bounde to this to goe to their seruice with a thousande footemen when their affaires required yea though he shoulde not haue the bandes promised from the Frenche King Of this dealing the Pope complayned highlye to the Frenche King as a matter done directlye to let him for disposing according to his will of a Citie whiche was vassall and subiect to the Churche the same making the King who bare no mynd to kindle the Pope to deferre the action of ratification and for the same cause the Pope hoping to be able to alter or retyre Malatesta perswaded him to continue out his yeare and at the same time he enterteyned secretly Braccio Baillon Sero Colonno and the exiles of Perousa who hauing assembled and mustered bands of souldiers lay incamped at Norcio But all these practises together with all offers and oblacions serued to no purpose for that Malatesta was resolutely fixed to continue no longer in the Popes paye and as the Florentins ministred ayde to him openly so he feared so much the lesse those stirres or emocions by howe much they ceassed foorthwith the Pope finding they were vnperfect and insufficient to leade on his hopes to their effectes Besides the Pope would not suffer the Duke of Ferrara to dwelin rest and he was so farre of from obseruing the couenants made with the Duke in the name of the Colledge of Cardinals that the byshoprike of Modena being newly fallen into vacacion by the death of Cardinall Gonzaguo an estate promised to the Dukes sonne by the sayde couenants he bestowed it by his authoritie vpon Ierom Moron seeking vnder colour of refusing the possession occasion to prouoke against him suche a personage and minister bearing great authoritie in the Emperours armie He enterteyned also a practise with Ierom Pio to occupie Reggia and that by the meane and operacion of Hubert de Gambaro gouernour of Bolognia But when the Duke was informed of the state of the practise and how farre it extended he passed Pio to such propertie of punishment as his offence deserued He layde plotts also to surprise Rauenna which likewise sorted to none effect And about this time inclining dayly by apparant degrees to the Emperours part and being also well aduaunced in the solicitation of things he sent vnto him the Byshop of Vasono his stewarde he called backe the cause of diuorce of the King of Englande which he had done long time before had not the regarde of the Bull which was already in Englande in the hands of his Legat Campeius reteyned him For as the good fortunes of the Emperour encreased in Italie so he sought not onely not to offende him further but also to reuoke the offence he had done him alreadie being in deede determined before he was sicke to reuoke the cause In which action he sent Frauncis Compagnio into Englande to the Cardinall Campeius dissembling to the King that he was sent for other matters including notwithstanding matter apparteyning to that cause where in deede he brought commission to Campcius to burne the Bull And albeit Campeius for a maladie the Pope was fallen into deferred for a time the execution of that commission yet when he knewe he was recured he perfourmed the thyng he was commaunded So that the Pope being thus deliuered of that feare reuoked the cause though not without great indignation of that King especiallie when he required the Bull of the Legate and vnderstoode by him the vnworthie accident of it These matters made both more seuere and more readie the ruine and fall of the Cardinall of Yorke whose authoritie the King supposed to be so great and gracious with the Pope that if his mariage with the Lady Anne had bene agreeable to him he might haue obteyned of the Pope what dispensation he had woulde By whiche occasion opening his eares to the enuie and mallice of his aduersaries he grewe kindled against him euen to the taking from him his goodes and treasure of a wonderful value and in his indignation leauing him a smal part of the reuenues of his benefices he restrayned him to his Byshoprike with a slender traine of seruants And so not long after eyther by a surprise of letters which he wrote to the French King or for some other propertie of malice of his enemies who gathering by the Kings speches that he was not without inclinacion towardes him and therefore feared least he woulde rise againe into his auncient authoritie he was conuented to appeare in counsell to speake for him selfe in matters to be obiected against him For whiche cause as he was brought towards the Court as prisoner he was suddenly taken with a fluxe engendred either of the humour of disdaine or of the passion of feare of which he dyed the seconde day after he was apprehended with the maladie an example in our dayes worthie of memorie touching the power whiche fortune and enuie hath in the Courts of Princes About this time fell out in Florence to the greate preiudice of the gouernment that then was a newe chalenge against Nicholas Cappony Gonfalonier it happened almost vpon the end of the second yeare of his magistracie and was incensed principallie by the enuie of some of the chiefe citisens who tooke occasion of the vaine suspicions and fond ignorancies of the commons Nicho. Cappony during all the time of his magistracie hath had these two principall obiectes the one to defend him selfe against the freshe enuie of those that had bene honored of the house of Medicis suffring the principals amongst them to communicat with the other Citisens in the honors and
vppon the same Gallies that brought hym But beeing with great stormes and tempestes of sea aryued at Sauona where reaposing no more confidence neyther in the prouisions of the gallies nor in the industrie and experience of those that gouerned them he sente backe agayne the same gallies that had deliuered him out of his first perilles and tooke his course to Ciuitavecchia in the gallies of Andre Dore from whence beeing returned to Rome with a right great reputation and wonderfull felicitie especially to suche as had seene him prisoner in the Castell of Saint Angeo he reioysed as it were at his wyll in the full fauour of fortune feeling notwithstanding in the secrete apprehensions of his spirite and minde the chaunge that was speedily to happen to him In which impression he seemed to foresee and discerne his laste ende for it is certayne that almoste assoone as he was returned from his voyage to Marseilles from whence he seemed to bring certayne predictions and comettes of his death he caused to make the Ring with all other habites accustomed to bury Popes assuring his familiars with a mind wel reposed resolute that his latest dayes could not be deferred for any long time Neuertheles nothing retyring for all those impressions from his cares studies accustomed he solicited as he thought for the greater suretie of his house to buyld a very strong Citadell within Florence not knowing how soone was to ende the felicity of his Nephews of whoÌ being mortal enemies one to an other Hippolito the Cardinall dyed before the ende of the yere of the Popes death not without suspicion of poyson And Alexander the other Nephew who commanded at Florence was not without a great note of indiscression secretly slayne by night in Florence by the handes of Lavvrence one of the same famulie of Medicis The Pope sickned about the beginning of sommer whose griefe in the first apprehension was the paines of the stomack which drawing with them to passions of a feuer other accidents kept him long time vexed tormented somtimes seming to be reduced to the poynt of death and sometimes so eased and releeued that he gaue to others but not to himselfe a kinde of hope of recouering And during the time of his maladie the Duke of VVittemberg by the ayde of the Lantgraue van Hesse and other Princes concurring also the money of Fraunce recouered the Duchie of VVittemberg which the king of Romains possessed By which occasion fearing a greater combustion they came to composition with the king of Romains agaynst the will of the French king who well hoped that themprour in regarde of those emotions would stande intangled with a long and tedious warre and that happlye their armies being victorious would discende vpon the duchie of Millan In lyke sort about that time Barbarousso Bascha capteine generall to Solyman of all his Nauies and armies by sea passed to the conquest of the kingdome of Thunis In his way thither he skowred along the shores of Calabria and ranne vp aboue Caietta where setting on lande certayne bandes of his souldiours he sacked Fondy with such a feare and astonishment to the Court and peoples of Rome that it was supposed that the Citie of Rome had bene left abandoned if in that course of victorie they had passed on further This accident was kept from the knowledge of the Pope who being no longer hable to make resistance agaynst his maladie exchaunged this life for a better the xxv of September leauing behinde him in the Castell of Saint Angeo many ryche stones and iewels more then was exspected of him and in the Chamber of the sea Apostolike infinite offices contrary to custome and good order but in the treasorie a very small store of money wherein he beguyled the opinion of all men He was raysed from base degree to the place of the Popedome with a wonderfull felicitie but in managing the place he proued a verye great variation of fortune wherin if both the properties of fortune be euenly balanced the one with the other the worser fortune without all comparison was farre more familiar with him then the better For as there could happen to him no greater infelicitie then the aduersitie of his imprisonment for that with his owne eyes he behelde with so greate a ruine and destruction the sacke of Rome A desolation whiche his fortune suffred him to bewayle with pitie and compassion but not to turne away or remedie the harme So also by him moued the generall desolation of his naturall countrey to the which by howe muche more he was bounde by perpetuall obligations by so muche greater was his aduersitie to be a chiefe instrument in the ruine of the place where he had taken his first beeing He dyed hated of all the Court suspected to most Princes and for the discourse of his lyfe he left behind him a renowme rather hatefull then acceptable for he was accounted couetous of litle fidelitie and naturally farre of from doing pleasures to men And in that humor albeit during hys tyme of Pope he created xxxj Cardinalls yet vppon none of them did he impose that dignitie to content himselfe but was drawne as it were by the violent lawe of necessitie and to please others yea he called to that dignitie the Cardinall of Medicis not of his proper and free election but at the contemplation and perswasion of others and at a tyme when beeing oppressed with a daungerous maladie yf he had dyed he had lefte his friends and kinred in the state of beggers and depriued of all ayde Neuerthelesse he was in counsel very graue and in his actions much foreseeing Touching passions and affections a conqueror of himselfe and for the facultie of his minde and spirite of great capacitie and power if tymerousnes had not oftentimes corrupted his iudgement Immediatly after his death the Cardinalls going the same night into the Conclaue elected in his place with full voyce Alexander of the famulie of Farnesa a Romayne by Nation and for his time the most auncient Cardinall of the Court In which election their voyces seemed conformable to the iudgement and instance that Clement had made the person elected being moste worthy to be preferred before all the others to so soueraigne a degree for that he was both furnished with doctrine and good learning and fully replenished with good apparances and customes And for the Cardinalles they were so muche the more forwarde to passe thelection in his person by howe much for the greatnes of his age beeing already vpon the threescore and seuenth yeare and supposed to beare a weake and vnsounde complexion which opinion he nourished with arte they hoped he would not sitte long in the seate But touching his actions and operations whether they aunswered thexspectation conceiued of him or whether they were worthy of the incredible gladnes which the people of Rome tooke to haue after the end of an hundred and three yeres and after the
Cardinall of Amboyse aspireth to the Popedome Frauncis Piccolomini made pope The Vrsins against Valentynois Valentynois distressed by the Vrsins Pope Pius the thirde dieth Cardinall S. Petri Ad vincla made Pope The Pope âoÌplaineth to the Venetâans The VenetiaÌs ansvvere to the nevve Pope Faenza taken by the Venetians Duke Valentynois arested by the Pope ãâ¦ã beyonde the Mounts A truce betvveene the kinges of Spayne and Fraunce VVhat hapned to the French men as they vvould haue passed Garillon Bart. Aluiano commeth to the ãâ¦ã of Consaluo Peter de Medicis d ãâ¦ã Peace betvveene the Turke ââ the Venetians Discourse vpoÌ the nauigations of the Spaniards Complaints of the Frenchemen Consaluo deserueth the title of great captayne Valentynois prisoner by Consaluo Truce betvveene the kinges of Spayne and Fraunce Confederation betvveene the Pope king of Romains and the ââenâhe king against the Venââans The death of king Federike The death of Elizabeth Queene of Spayne Testament of Queene Elizabeth The Florentins broken by the Pisans Death of Cardinall Arkanius Consaluo aydeth the Florentins The Florentins debate vvhether they should besege Pisa The Florentins armie afore Pisa Peace betvvene the French king and king of Spayne An horrible act of a Cardinall Sedes of nevv vvarres Dissimulation very daungerous in the persons of great men King Philip saileth out of Flaunders into Spayne King Phillip caste by casualtie of sea vpon the cpasts of Englande Philip promiseth to redeliuer to king H. the duke of Suffolke Capitulations betvvene Ferdinand Philâp The conditioÌ of imperie dignitie ielous Imaginations of the French king The Pope deuiseth to vvin agayne Bolognia Malice is infinite in her actions The Pope vvill go in person to the enterprise of Bolognia The great capteine consirmed in the duchy of S. Ange. The death of king Phillip A coÌtinuance of the historie of Iulio d'Este The death of duke Valentynois The citie of Genes rebelleth Rebellion increaseth in occasions The seate of dominion very casual vvhere it diuolueth by election Rashnes hath no societie vvith discretion The contentes of the French armie The first defease of the Genovvies The Genovvaies sende to solicite for pardon The rebels of Genes yeelde to the French king The Frenche king entreth as a conquereâ into Genes The sub ãâ¦ã of the rebels of Genes The Pope and the Venetians incite the k. of Romains to make vvarre vppon the French king The dyet of Constance Themperour speaketh in the dyet The kings of Aragon and Fraunce haue enteruievv together The oration of Ni. Foskarin The oration of Andrevv Gritti Deliberation of the Venetians Aluiano beeing sent to suâââr Friul giueth the rout to the Almains Truce betvvene Maximilian and the Venetians Thassââbly of Cambrââ Deliberation of the Venetians The Pope ratisieth the treatise of Cambray A coÌtinuation of the vvarrs of Pisa Contract betvvene the French king king of Spaine and the Florentins The French king prepareth agaynst the Venetians The VenetiaÌs looke to them selues The ordenaÌce house of Venice on fire Beginning of the vvarre The Popes Bull agaynst the Venetians The Venetians armie The armies affront one an other and feight not Deâait of the Venetians Aluiano takeÌ prisoner The taking of many tovvnes by the french The lamentations made as Venice for the ouerthrovv The Popes souldiours in Romagnia The oration of Anth. Iustinian to Caesar Diuers opinions touching the fall of the Venetians The first hope of the Venetians The last actioÌ of the Florentins agaynst the Pisans Pisa rendred to the Florentins The VenetiaÌs determine to recouer Padoa The VenetiaÌs recouer Padoa The Marquis of Mantua prisoner The oration of Leonard Loredan The gentlemeÌ of Venice go to the succors of Padoa Description of Padoa Max returneth into Germany The Venetian armie at Vincensa The Venetian armie vpon the contrey of Ferrara Description of Verona Themâ and the k. Caâh âa to accord touching the gouernment of Castill Death of the Count Petillano The Venetian absolued The league of Caesar and the French king agaynst the Venetians The Pope threatneth the duke of Ferrara Monsr de Chaumont agaynst the Venetians The Vincentins yeelde to discression ãâ¦ã M. Chaumont incampeth as Lungaro Conuencion betwene Caesar and the fr. king The taking of Monselice The Popes deliberation to chasse the french out of Italy The Popes ariuie against Ferrara and Genes The descending of the Swyzzers to the Duchie of Myllan The Venetians recouer most part of their townes after the departing of Chaumont Verâna beseged by the Vencuans Marquis of Mantua escapeth out of prison The Pope determineth to assaâle Genes Pope Iulio The kings disposition agaynst the Pope The Popes armie and the VenetiaÌs vppon the countrey of Ferrara Chaumont besiegeth the Pope vvithin Bolognia Chaumont retyreth from before Bolognia Mirandola beseeged The Pope in person at the campe assâre Mirandola Mirandâla yeldeth ââ the Pope A neâ deliberacion of the french according to the kinges direction Triuulce reasoneth The sr ⪠armie returneth to the Duchie of Myllan The sââk takes Bolognia into his protection The Pope makes ouerture of a new councell ââ breake the councell of Pysa Friull taken agayne by the Almains The VenetiaÌs recouer Friul The Pope holden for dead The Pope pursueth his enterprise to chase the fr. out of Italie The hopes of the Pope The thoughtâ of the fr. king Ouerture of the Councell of Pisa Cardinal Medicis vvho aftervvards vvas Pope Leo the tenth The Pope makes league vvith the Venetians the king Catholike ãâ¦ã of the league The Pope depriueth the rebell Cardinalâs of the hat Pandolffo Po. councelleth the Pope A contencion betwene the Florentyns the Cardinalls rebells An ac ãâ¦ã dent ãâ¦ã the Card ãâ¦ã lls depart ãâ¦ã a. ãâ¦ã The fr king suspecteth Maxymylian VVhat people the Swyzzers be Vales ãâ¦ã Grisons The French king demaundeth succ ãâ¦ã of the Florentins Soderin for the Frenche king The enterprise of Bolognia by the Pope and king of Aragon The Popes armie retireth from before Bolognia M. de Foix defeateth Ioh. Pavvle Baillon Bressia taken and sacked The armie of Monsr de Foix. The armie of she Confederats The seate of Rauenna The Confederats as the succours of Rauenna The order of the FrenchmeÌ in the battell of Rauenna MââSoanââ de ãâ¦ã encourageth his souldiours to the battell The confederates army The death of Yues d'Allegre Monsr de Foix slaine The number of the dead Rauenna saââed The Cardinals councell the Pope to harkeÌ to peace The Svvyzzers rise for the Pope against the frenchmen The Card. of Medicis escapeth from the french The D. of Ferrara goeth to Rome to demaund pardon of the Pope The D. of Ferrara in daunger to be prisoner at Rome The resolutioÌ of the treatie of Mantua by the confederates The Medicis returne to Florence Peter Sodeâin reasoneth in the Councell Prato taken by the Spaniards The castell of Genes taken by the Genowaies Bressia rendred by the french to the Viceroy Crema rendred to the Venetians The Bishop of Gurcy
at Rome Maxymylian Sforce restored to Myllan ThEnglish men as Fontarabye against the french king The king of Aragon taketh the Realme of Nauarre The purposes of Pope Iulio the second his death Creation of Pope Leo the tenth Coronation of the Pope Disposition of princes to the vvarre Desire of pope Leo to chase the Frenche out of Italy The Fr. men in the duchie of Millan The Pope sendeth money to the Svvizzers ãâ¦ã Aluiano ãâ¦ã generall ââ the Venetians Aluiano taketh Pesquiero and other ãâ¦ã Genes at the deuotion of the French. Nouaro beseged by the french The wordes of Capteine Motyn to the Svvyzzers The Frenchemen defeated by the Svvizzers The Pâpe ãâ¦ã Humilitie of two Cardinals Padoa ãâ¦ã gâd by the Viceroy Ouerthrowe of the Venetians armie Prouisions of the Frenche agaynst the king of Englande Torvvaine besieged by the English. The ouerthrow âf the French neare ãâ¦ã Rising of the Swizzers against the French king Thenglish as mie affore Tournay Tornay taken by thEnglish The Popes sentence touching the controuersies betwene Cesar the VenetiaÌs The hopes of the Frenche king Treatie of peace betwene Englande and Fraunce The Fr. king marieth the Lady Mary sister to the king of Englande Actions of the Pope The lantern of Genes rased by the people Emocions against the Venetians and of the Venetians Two ElephaÌts presented to the Pope The death of king Lowys the twelfth 1515. Frauncis the first comes to the crowne The fr. king assumeth the title of duke of Millan Preparacions of the frenche king against the Duke of Millan Octauian Fregosa Duke of Genes ââmpoundes with the Frenche king The Swizzers seeke to stoppe the passage of the Frenche men The French armie The king of EnglaÌd sends to the frenche king not to passe into Italie The treatie betwene the king and the Swizzers broken The Cardinal of Syon persâadeth the Swizzers The battell of Marignan Pe. Nauarre afore the Castell of MillaÌ Death of Aluiano Enteruiew of Pope Leo the fr. king in Bolognia 1516. The french king returneth into Fraunce Death of the king Catholike Death of the Great Capteine The Venetians recouer Bressia The Pope taketh the Duchie of Vrbin giueth it to Laur ⪠de Medicis his nephew Capitulations betwene the French king and king Catholike Beginningâ of new ãâ¦ã Vrbin returneth to the obedience of the naturall Duke Fano besieged Description of the Citie of Pesero Consederacion betwene the Pope and fr. king Franciscomaria sendes to defie law de Medicis Scituacion of Fossambrono Lawrence loaseth thoccasioÌ of the victory Lawrence de Medicis hurt Ielousie against Iohn Ia. Tryuulce The death of Ioh. Ia. Triuulce The french aspireth to be Emperour 1519 Death of Lavv. de Medicis Charles the fife chesen Emperour Occasions of contention betwene the fr. king and themperor The Popes enterprise vppon Ferrara 1520. Martin Luther agaynst the Pope The Pope executeth Io. Paule Baillon ThEmprour in England Commocions in Spaine Pope Leo is the cause of the warre Fontarabye taken by the french Martin Luther Confederation betwene the Pope and thEmperour agaynst the fr. king The titles of thempire to the duchie of Millan Practises against the fr. king FrauÌcis Guicciardin the writer of this history Monsr d'Escud before Reggia Lightning vpon the castell of Millan The Marquis of Mantua for the Pope The resolucioÌ for the warre agaynst the Frenchmen Monsr de Lawtrech returneth to Millan Frauncis Guicciardin generall coÌmaunder ouer the army The capteines of the league take counsell together The siege of Parma The Popes Capteines and the Emprours take councell to passe further The armie of the league passeth the riuer of Paw A fault of Monsr de Lavvtrech The Svvizzers leauied by the Pope vvoulde not march against the Frenche king The souldiers of the league passe the riuer of Adda The taking of Myllan by the league The death of Pope Leo the tenth The Frenche men before Parma The duke of Vrbin reentreth his estates Election of Pope Adrian the sixt The D. of Vrbin and the Baillons before Sienna Alexandria taken by the Imperialls Ten thowsand Swizzers discend into the Duchie of Millan for the fr. king Iohn Medicis for the french king The French men before Millan Frauncis Sforce at Millan Monsr Lawtrech before Pauia The Swvizzers woulde leaue the sr armie for that they are not payde Monsr Lawtrech determined to set vppon his enemies Thencounter of Bicocque The ouerthrow of the Swizzers Monsr Lawtrech returneth into Fraunce Loda taken by the Imperialls Genes taken by the Imperialls Monsr d'Escud returneth into Fraunce Emotions in Tuskane An accident in the towne of Lucquai The prouinces of ââalâe are taxed for the conseruation of the duchie of Millan Pope Adrian the vi coÌmeth to Rome The king of England for thEmprour sendeth Embassadors to the Venetians to draw them from thalliaÌce of the french VVhat thEmprour did in Spaine Roades taken Rhodes rendred vp to the Turke The Castell of Millan rendred by the French. The oracion of Andrevv Gritti touching thalliance vvith Caesar The oratioÌ of George Cornaro Andrea Gritty Duke of Venice Consederacion betwene Caesar and the Venetians Cardinall Volterro prisoner The French armie marcheth Confederacie betwene theÌprour the k. of England and the Duke of Burbon The french army in Italy The death of Pope Adrian Frauncis Guicciardin The taking of Reggia by the duke of Ferrara The taking of Loda by the French. The frenchmen breake vp from before Millan Cardinal Medicis is created Pope and taketh the name of Clement the seuenth The death of Prospero Colonno and his qualities The Duke of Burbon notable to doe any thing in Burgondie commeth to Myllan The imperials passe the riuer of Thesin The frenchmen go from before Millan The claime of the Kings of England to the Crowne of Fraunce The frenche king determineth to passe the mountes and to follow the ennemie The French king before Pauia The fr. king sendeth the Duke of Albanie into the realme of Naples The Pope counsellâth the fr. king and themperour to peace Duke of Ferrara aydes the French king during the siege of Pauia 1525. The defendantes of Pauya in necessitie The french king will âât ãâ¦ã the ãâ¦ã of his Captemes The Imperialls take the castell S. Angeo Thimperialls drawe neare to Pauia The battell of Pauia wherin the frâking is take prisoner The Potentats of Italy in great feare for the imprisonment of the French king The VenetiaÌs solicite the Pope to confederate with them Thimperialls determine to accorde with the Pope Confederation betweene the Pope and the Emprour The rightes pretensions of the familie of Est The Pope sendes to visite the french king beeing prisoner The moderation and temperance of thâ Emprour âpoÌ the neâes of the victory The Oration of the Bishop of Osimo touching the taking of the fr. king The opinion of the duke of Alba touching the kings imprisonment The sorowes and feares of Fraunce for the imprisonment of the king A treatise of of accord
the crowne of Fraunce 876. Confederacion betwene the Pope and thEmprour 910. Conspiracy against thEmprour 935. Capitulacions betweene the confederats against thEmprour 935. Castell of Myllan rendred to thImperialls 1004. Cremona rendred to the confederats 1014. The Confederats resolue to inuade Naples 1040. Confederacion betweene the Frenche king and king of England 1070. Cardinall of Yorke in Fraunce 1073. Cardinal Campeius Legat in England 1114. Couenants betwene Andre Dore and thEmprour 1119. Causes of the ruyne of the Cardinall of Yorke 1139. Capitulacions betweene thEmprour the Venetians Duke of Myllan 1161. CreacioÌ of Pope Pawle the third 1183 D Duchie of Brittaine inuested in the crowne of Fraunce 24. Death of Ferdinand king of AragoÌ 27. Duke of Calabria marcheth towardes Calabria 37. Death of Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan 48. Dom Federyk aunswereth the French king 84. Death of Ge. Otto a Turke and kept in refuge by the Pope 85. Duke of Venice reasoneth in fauour of the Pysans and preuaileth 143. Declinacion of the French in the kingdom of Naples 156. Duke of Candia generall of the Popes army 170. Duke of Myllan practiseth against the Venetians touching Pisa 176. Disorders in Florence for the gouernment 177. Duke of Myllan prosecuteth his practise against the Venetians 183. Death of king Charles the eight 184. Death of Sauonarola 185. Duke of Venice aunswereth the Florentyn Embassadors 197. Doings of the French king during the warre of Pisa 203. Duke of Myllan being made astonished with the league soliciteth an accord 215. Duke Valentynois taketh Ymola by the ayde of the French. 236. Discending of the Turke Ibid. Duke Valentynois taketh Furly 237. Disorders in the Frenche gouernment in Myllan 238. Duke of Myllan made prisoner by the treason of the Swizzers 242. Duke Valentynois beseegeth Faenza 250. Duke Valentynois leauieth his campe Ibid. Duke Valentynois disdayneth to be repulsed 251. Duke Valentynois taketh the Duchie of Vrbyn 269. Disorders in Florence touchinge the gouernment 272. Duke Valentynois with the freÌch k. 274. Duke ValeÌtynois great with the french king againe 275. Duke of Vrbyn recouereth his estate 278. Duke Valentynois demaundeth succor of the French king Ibid. Death of Cardinall Vrsin 283 Discending of the Swyzzers into the Duchie of Myllan 291. Duke Valentynois for the french k. 310. Duke Valentynois arested by the Pope 318. Discourse vpon the nauigacions of the Spanyards 328. Death of king Federyk 339. Death of Elizabeth Queene of Spaine 340. Death of Cardinall Askanius 345. Dissimulacions very daungerous in the persons of great men 354. Death of king Philip. 363. Death of Duke Valentynois 365. Dyot of Constance 376. Deliberacion of the Venetians 394. Deliberacion of the Venetians 410. Defeate of the Venetians 422. Diuerse opinions touching the fall of the Venetians 430. Descripcion of Padoa 445. Descripcion of Verona 458. Death of the Count Petillano 460. Discending of the Swizzers to the Duchie of Myllan 483. Duke of Ferrara goeth to Rome to demaund pardon of the Pope 603. Duke of Ferrara in daunger to be prisoner at Rome Ibid. DisposicioÌ of Princes to the warre 634. Desire of Pope Leo to chase the french king out of Italy 638. Death of king Lewys the 12. 684. Death of Aluiano 709. Death of the king Catholike 714. Death of the great Capteine Ibid. Duchie of Vrbyn returneth to the obedience of the naturall Duke 732. Descripcion of the citie of Pezero 733. Death of Iohn Ia. Tryunlce 761. Death of law de Medicis 766. Disorder in an army breeds more dauÌger then the sword of thennemy 798. Death of Pope Leo the tenth 813. Duke of Vrbyn and the Baillons before Sienna 823. Death of Pope Adrian 857. Death of Prospero Colonno and his qualities 868. Duke of Burbon commeth to Myllan being not able to do any thing in Burgondie 869. Defendants of Pauya in necessitie 894. Duke of Burbon in Spayne 943. Death of the Marquis of Pisquaro 943. Deuises of Princes against the power of thEmprour 944. Duke of Burbon goeth out of Myllan leaueth there Antho. de Leua 1035. Duke of Ferrara perswadeth the D. of Burbon 1036. Duke of Burbon draweth his army directly to Rome 1059. Duke of Burbon slayne at the assalt of Rome 1061. Death of the Viceroy Don Hugo MoÌcado 1105. Duke of Brundswike in Italy for thEmprour 1110. Death of Monsr Lawtrech 1122. Deuises of the Pope to restore his house in Lombardy 1137. Death of Pope Clement the vij 1183. E Estate wherein Italy was anno 1490. 1 Embassadors of Myllan perswade the french king to the voyage of Naples 14. Embassadors of Florence confute the complaints of the Pysans 75. Encownter of Soriano 171. Embassadors of the Florentyns at Venice 196. Eldest sonne of king Federyk sent into Spayne 262. Experience declareth this to be true that that which many desire succeedeth rarely for that theffects of humane actions c. 273. Exploytes of the french armies beyond the mountes 320. ThEmprour speaketh in the Dyot 377 Enterprise of Bolognia by the Pope king of Aragon 565. English men at Fontaraby against the french 624. Estate of humane felicities subiect to emulacion and nothing of more difficultie to mortal meÌ then to beare wel the height and greatnes of fortune 629. English army affore Tournaye 665. Elephantes presented to the Pope 682. Enteruiew of Pope Leo and the french king in Bolognia 711. Emprour in England 775. Election of Pope Adrian the sixt 822. Emprour Charles maried to the daughter of Portugall 951. Emprour writeth to the Pope touching the french kings deliuery 964. Emprour ill contented 976. Execucion at Naples 1132. Emprour sendeth to the Prince of Orenge to inuade the Florentyns 1147. Emprour at Genes 1148. Emprour taketh the crowne at Bolognia 1165. Employ sackt by the Marquis of Guast 1168. Enteruiew of the king of England and French king 1176. Enteruiewe of the Pope and French k. at Marselles 1181. F Ferdinand king of Aragon 2. Frenche kinge sendeth Embassadors to the Pope Florentyns and Venetians 30 Florentyns aunswer the Frenche Embassadors 32. French king angry with the Florentyns aunswer 32. French king prayeth amitie of the Venetians 33. Foreshowes of the calamities of Italy 40. French king doubtfull to goe thorowe with thenterprise of Naples 41. French king in Ast 43. French king discribed Ibid. French king visiteth Iohn Galeas Duke of Myllan 48. French king in minde to returne into Fraunce 49. Florentyns discontented with Peter de Medicis 54. French k. draweth towards FloreÌce 57. French king entreth Florence 58. French king at Syenna 60. French king entreth Rome 63. French king kisseth the Popes feete 64. French king entreth Naples 70. French king maketh offers to Dom Federyk 84. French king sendeth an army to inuade Yschia 84. French king vseth negligence in ordering the things of Naples 88. French king taketh councel what to do against the league of confederats 90. French k. crowned king of Naples 92. French king aspyreth to the surprising of Genes 98. French kinges attempts vppon Genes
with an example all new without shutting the conclaue elected Pope the same night those that were of the contrary opinion not daring to oppose against him He either hauing regard to his first name of Iulio or as coniectures were made to signifie the greatnes of his conceptions or lastly bicause he would not giue place to Alexander no not in the excellencie of name tooke vpon him the name of Iulio the second of that name Amongst all the Popes that had passed it was wondred that by so great consent they had created for Pope a Cardinall who was knowen to be of a disposition rigorous terrible and in whom was no expectation of rest and traÌquilitie hauing consumed his youth in continuall trauels offended many by necessitie exercised hatreds agaynst many great personages a man to whose wit nothing was more familiar then thinuention of trouble faction and conspiracie But on the other side the causes of his election to that degree appeared clearly and surmounted all other difficulties for he had bene of long time a Cardinall of great power and might and with his magnificence wherin he had always exceeded the residue and with the greatnes of his spirit by the which he did great things he had not only made himselfe mightie in opinion and frendes but by times degrees had erected high his authoritie in the Court of Rome bearing the name title and dignitie of the principall defender of the ecclesiastike libertie But that which serued most in his aduauncement was the promises immoderate and infinite whiche he made to the Cardinals Princes and Barons and to all others whom he might make profitable to him in that action Besides he had the meane to distribute money benefices and spirituall dignities aswell such as were his owne as those that were the rightes of others for that suche was the bruite and renowne of his liberalitie that many made willing offers to him to dispose as he best liked of their treasures their names their offices and benefices They considered not that his promises were farre to great then that beeing Pope he was eyther hable or ought to obserue for that he had of so long continuaunce enioyed the name of iust and vpright that Pope Alexander him selfe his greatest enemie speaking ill on him in al other things could not but coÌfesse him to be true of his word A praise which he made no care to defile staine to th ende to become Pope knowing that no man more easily beguileth an other then he that hath the custome and name neuer to deceiue any The Cardinall of Amboyse coÌsented to this election for that dispayring to obteine the Popedome for himselfe he hoped that in the new Pope would be recontinued in time to come those degrees and properties of amitie which he had alwayes borne to the king his maister vsing this wisdome to seeme to beare that with liking and contentment which he could not hinder by any deuise or power The Cardinall Askanius gaue also his franke consent beeing reconciled to him before and treading vnder feete the memorie of all auncient contentions that had bene betweene them at suche time as afore the Popedome of Alexander they folowed the court of Rome in the persons of Cardinals for hauing better experience of his disposition then the Cardinall of Amboyse thought that beeing ascended to the Popedome he should haue the same vnquietnes or rather greater then he had had in a meaner fortune together with such coÌceptions as might be able to opeÌ to him a way to recouer the duchie of Millan In like sort the Spanish Cardinals yelded their consent notwithstanding in the beginning they shewed no inclination But seing there was such a concurrance of others and fearing not to be sufficient enough to let his election they iudged it more conuenient for their suretie to holde him appeased in consenting then to stir him to anger in refusing somewhat affying themselues in the great promises he made to them and for the rest induced by the persuacions and requests of Valentynois whose condition stoode so enuironed with calamities that he was constrayned to folow euery daungerous counsel He was also no lesse abused then the others with the hopes that he gaue him for that he promised him to make a mariage betweene his daughter his nephew Frauncis Maria de la Rouere prefect of Rome to confirme him captaine of the armies of the Churche And which was of greatest importance to ioyne to his ayde in the recouery of the townes of Romania All which except the Castels were almost withdrawne from his obedience The affayres of which prouince full of innouations and chaunges troubled with diuers thoughtes the spirite of the Pope both for that he knewe he was not able at that time to bring it to his deuotion and also he endured with murmure and grudge that in it should be raysed the greatnes of the Venetians enuy bearing this nature not to make men so muche to complayne of their proper wantes as to greeue in the wealth and well doing of others When it was vnderstande in Romania that Valentynois was fledde into the Castel S. Angeo and the regiments of men that were about him dispersed and passed into their seuerall calamities the Cities whiche had expected him before in great constancie hauing now their hopes turned into feares applied to the time and began to take newe parties suche for the most part is the wauering condition of communalties and multitudes not measuring things by iustice and equitie of reason but eyther by opinion which coÌmonly is partiall or by coÌmon report which for the most part is ful of incerteinties errors Cesena returned to the auncient deuotion of the Church Ymola the capteine of the castel beeing killed by meane of certayne the principall Citizens stoode in doubt one parte desiring to reuert to the Churche and an other part to be reconciled to the Riareis their first Lordes The Citie of Furly possessed by the Ordelaffy long tyme before it came to the Riares by the permission of Pope Sixtus had reappealed Anthonie a remeynder of the same familie who firste prouing to enter with the fauour of the Venetians but afterwardes fearing that vnder hys name they woulde reteyne the iurisdiction to them selues had recourse to the Florentynes and by their meanes was reinuested in his patrimonie Iohn Sforce returned to Pesero and to Rimini Pandolfe Malateste the one and other beeing called by the people But Denys of Nalda an auncient souldiour to Valentynois at the request of the Castlekeeper of Rimini went to their succours by whose helpe in good time Pandolffe beeing put to the chase the Citie returned eftsones to the obedience of Valentynois Faenza only perseuered longest in his deuotion but in the ende falling into a depriuation of hope for his returne casting their eyes vppon certayne remaynders of the familie of Manfreda their auncient Lordes they called home Astor a young Gentleman of the same house but
tearmes of extremitie that in abandoning one place to releeue an other they putte bothe in daunger not hauing numbers sufficient to furnishe the seruice and lesse exspectation of reskewe amydde perilles so raging and desperate So that what for that their necessities were greater then their hopes and their defence lesse hable by the continuall diminucion of their numbers and lastely holding it no breache of honour to preserue by wisedome and composicion that they coulde no longer defende by their vallour and prowes they gaue place to theyr destinie and capitulated with the Turke That the greate Maister of their order shoulde leaue the towne to him That aswell he as all hys knightes shoulde departe in safetie wyth libertie to carie wyth them as muche of their goodes as they coulde And for assurance of this capitulacion the Turke shoulde withdrawe oute of those seas his fleete or Nauie and retyre hys armye by lande fyue myles from Rhodes By vertue of whiche capitulacion Rhodes remayned to the Turkes and the Christians passed into Scicilie and so into Italie keepinge theyr faythe and profession vnuiolated They founde in Scicilye an Armye by sea compounded of a certayne number of vesselles wyth greate releefe of vittayles and munitions and readye to hoyse sayle at the nexte wynde to reuittle Rhodes The slownesse of this reskewe was layde to the Popes faulte After they were departed Soliman for a more contempte of Christian religion made his entrie into the Citie vppon the daye of the birthe of the sonne of God whiche daye beeing celebrated in the Churches of Christians with noyse of musike and holy inuocations he conuerted all the Churches of Rhodes dedicated to the seruice of Iesu Christ into Mosqueis so they call their temples which after all the Christian rites and ceremonies were abolished they made dedicated to Mahomet This was the ende of the yeare 1522. infamous for the name and tytle of Christendome and this was the fruite drawne of the discordes of our Princes whiche yet mighte be somewhat tollerable if at least thexamples of harmes past might make them better tempered in tyme to come As the discordes of Princes continued so increased also the trauels perplexities of the yere 1523. In the beginning of which the famulie of the Malatesteis knowing howe vnhable they were to resist the Popes forces were in th ende contented by the mediacion of the Duke of Vrbin to leaue Rimini and the Castell albeit vnder this vncertayne hope that there shoulde be reserued for Pandolfe some reasonable estate and meane to lyue wherein nothing was done Afterwardes the Duke of Vrbin wente to the Pope with whome and with the moste parte of the Court the glorious memorie of Pope Iulio working muche for him he obteined absolucion from all paynes and imposicions and was eftsones reinuested in the Duchie of Vrbin but with this exception not to preiudice the rightes and application that had bene made of the countrey of Montfeltre to the Florentins who sayde they had lent to Pope Leo three hundred and fiftie thousande duckets for the defence of that Duchie and had exspended since his death in diuerse places for the preseruation of thestate of the Churche more then threescore and tenne thousande The Pope receyued also into grace the Duke of Ferrara whome he dyd not onely inuest of newe in the imperie of Ferrara and of all that he possessed apperteyning to the Churche affore the warre of Pope Leo agaynst the Frenche men but also he lefte to him not without a note of infamie bothe to him selfe and ministers that abused his ignoraunce the iurisdiction of the borowes of Saint Felix and Finale Which townes as he gotte at suche tyme as he began the warre agaynst Pope Leo and afterwardes loste them before his death so he had eftsones taken them of newe by thoccasion of the vacancie of the sea For recompence of this grace and inuestiture the Duke was bounde to ayde and succour the Churche in times of neede with certayne numbers of men for so muche as belonged to the defence of hys imperie and estate And in case hereafter he shoulde fall agayne and transgresse or offende the sea Apostolike besides his submission to great fines and amarciamentes he consented to haue this inuestiture made nothing and to the priuacion of all his rightes Moreouer the Pope gaue him great hopes to restore to him Modena and Reggia notwithstanding afterwardes he estraunged his minde from hys promise aswell for the importance of suche an indument whiche was afterwardes tolde him as also for thinfamie of thexamples of his predecessors which coulde not but redounde vpon him About this tyme the Castell of Millan suffring no lesse wantes of all prouisions except bread then being vniuersally afflicted with sicknes and diseases agreed to deliuer vp their charge vnder condicion of life and goods saued if they were not succored by the xiiij day of Aprill at which day the composicion being accomplished the most part of the souldiors were found dead Caesar was contented to deliuer it ouer into the possession of Duke Frauncis Sforce wherein he wonne no little reputation and prayse amongest thItalians And albeit there was no other peece in Italie that helde for the French men except the Castell of Cremona whiche had as yet a plentyfull prouision of all thinges yet these successes did nothing qualisie thinfelicities and aduersities of the peoples of that Duchie who were wonderfully oppressed by the armie of Caesar for that it was not payed In which discontentment beeing gone to lodge within Ast and the confines about it and falling into tumult for the same cause their disorder led them to make pillage of the whole coÌtrey euen as farre as Vigeneua for regarde of which vniuersall wasting as also to auoyde the harmes and daungers of the countrey thinhabitantes of Millan were driuen to make promise of their payes amounting to an hundred thousande duckets And yet the feeling of so many aduersities and rigours could nothing abate the hatreds of that people agaynst the French wherein the thinges that susteined them were partly a feare through the memory of olde iniuries done agaynst them by that nation and partly a hope least vpon ceasing of the daunger the French king would eftsones assayle that state and also that they should be deliuered from those great burdens for that it should be no more necessarie for themperour to interteine in that Duchie any regimentes of souldiors The negociacion of the peace betwene Caesar and the Venetians continued still and as for many difficulties that hapned and diuerse sortes of delayes interposed by the Venetians the mindes of men were holden in great suspence what successe or effect it would drawe So one chiefe matter that made that action dilatorie and augmented the difficulties was the death of Ierome Adorno whose yeares albeit were not many yet his experience was rare and his witte raysed to the comprehension of high thinges whiche he well expressed in this treatie wherein
his authoritie was greate and his capacitie singular In his place was sente from Millan for Caesar Martin Caracciolo pronotorie to the sea Apostolike who many yeares after was created Cardinall by Pope Pavvle the thirde Manye monethes were spent in this negociation at Venice where the Frenche kinge became no small impediment to the resolucion by the importunate labour and diligence of hys Embassadours by whome he promised sometymes by letters and sometymes by messaungers especiall that he woulde discende speedilye into Italie with a right puissant armye These offers and promises bredde greate diuersitie of opinions amongest the Senators and continuall argumentes and disputacions for manye gaue counsayle not to abandon thalliance of the Frenche king and reapposed altogether vppon hys promise to sende presentlye an armye into Italie Whiche hope the Frenche king labouring to feede with a wonderfull diligence he had newely sent to Venice Ranso de Cere not onely to enterteine and confirme his promise but also to publishe the manyfest preparacion of thinges Others remembring howe in the hope of many things past the king had behaued himselfe negligently could not now exspect any confidence in his promise to passe into Italie wherein that opinion was confirmed in them by certaine aduertisementes from Iohn Baduere their Embassador in Fraunce who assured them that for that yere the French king woulde neyther passe in person nor sende anye armye into Italie An intelligence whiche he had from rhe Duke of Burbon who was already very secretly conioyned with Caesar and wished the Venetians to enterteine vnitie with him An other sort of the Senators wauering in minde stoode terrified no lesse by the yll successe of the king then by the good fortunes of Caesar wherevnto they ioyned this consideracion that in Italie the Duke of Millan the Genovvayes the Florentins together with all Tuskane followed the faction of Caesar and doubted also least the Pope woulde likewise concurre in that inclinacion And out of Italie were for him his brother the Archeduke confining vppon the Venetian estates and the king of Englande making continuall warre in Pickardie In whiche diuersitie of opinions running no lesse amongest the principalls of the Senate then the vniuersall multitude the deliberacion could not long suspende aswell for the forwardnes of things as for thimportunities of Caesars Embassadors by whose continuall solicitacion the councel of the Pregati was assembled to pronounce the resolucion In this Councell spake Andrevv Gritti in this sort a personage of very high authoritie in that common weale for the great offices he had administred and of especiall reputacion throughout all Italie and with forreine princes for the merite of his witte and dealing There is nothing more hurtefull in Counsellors then the passion of ielousie and suspicion which drawing with it diuersitie and seperacion of willes is so much the more preiudiciall by howe muche it stoppeth oftentimes the libertie and freedome of well counselling And for my parte albeit I am not ignoraunt that in giuing counsell at this present not to departe from the confederacion of the Frenche king some will interpret me to parcialitie as though in me bare more respect and authoritie the long custome and conuersacion I haue had with the French then the care and affection which in nature and equitie I ought to expresse to the benefite of the common weale Yet I will rather laye my selfe downe to the imputations of men then kepe suppressed that fidelitie of counselling which in good office apperteineth to euery good Citisen in whom can not be exspected anye good propertie eyther of a Citisen or a Senator that for anye occasion forbeareth to perswade to others that whiche in him selfe he decerneth to be good for the common weale And yet I doubte not that amongest men of discression and wisedome this interpretacion will finde no place bothe for the consideracion of my customes and actions in all tymes paste and also for that I neuer negociated with the Frenche king nor his counsell but as your Agent your Creature your Commissioner and your Deputie limited and regulated But touching the present matter I doubt not to accompanie my opinion and counsell with suche force of reasons and examples as shall be hable to make me iustified euen with such as holde me suspected We are assembled heare to dispute whether we oughte to make a new confederacion with themperour both contrarie to the fayth we haue giuen and agaynst the couenantes of the league which we haue with the house of Fraunce Whiche in my iudgement is no other thing then to go about so to assure and confirme the power of themprour already vniuersally redouted that being without further remedie to moderate and embase it it rise not continually encreasing to our right great and apparant preiudice We haue no cause wherein maye be taken any reason to iustifie that deliberacion if we looke into the fidelitie and equitie of the French king for that as he hath for the most part fulfilled thalliance that he hath made with vs and carefully restrained himselfe to the reasonable obseruacion of amitie league so though thesfects haue not followed so readily to renew the warre in Italie yet in regarde of his proper interestes therein concurring that hath not proceeded of other matter then of thimpedimentes growing vppon him in the kingdome of Fraunce whiche albeit maye for a tyme prolong or deferre hys counselles yet lette vs not looke that they wyll vtterly dissolue hys enterprise for that he liues possessed with so great a desire to recouer the duchie of Millan and hath his forces so mightie and readye that hauing once susteined the first bruntes of his enemies there will nothing lette him to renewe his armie and recontinue the warre in Italie Wherin I maye aptlye vse for example the experience and memorie of king Lovvis who hauing his countrey inuaded with armies farre more mightie then those that now vex him for that almost all the nations and regions rounde about him rose into conspiracie agaynst him yet did he so easily defende his estates by the greatnes of his forces by the municion and defence of his frontiers and places confining and with the fidelity readines of his peoples that when in all reasonable consideracion it was thought that necessitie would driue him to retyre himselfe for a time and restrayne his minde to rest and tranquillitie he raysed his thoughtes to the warres of Italie and in that vniuersall coniecture of his weaknes sent thither sodenly right huge mightie armies The king raigning dyd the like in the first yeare of his raigne and euen then entred into the renouacion of the warre when both by his new ascending to the crowne and also finding his treasors consumed by the infinite exspences of his predecessor euery man looked that he would put of the warre till another yeare Let vs not interprete sinisterly of his delayes and deferring and muche lesse let vs laye them for an excuse of our variacions seeing